Mudville
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Bluesy, jazzy, eclectic ectronica
Status:
Most recent release, "Someone Else" (single, 2015); most recent full-length release, Iris Nova (2007)
See also:
Mudville's site
Comparisons:
Mary Margaret O'Hara and Kerri Simpson meet Morcheeba
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
This is bluesy downtempo electronica, or trip hop, or whatever you want to call it. Marilyn Carino has a deep, soulful voice, but there's a touch of Mary Margaret O'Hara's amazing slippery hesitancies in her approach to singing but she also nails notes, stretches them and lets them swell like any soul singer. And Ben Rubin makes a wonderful textural music with its own quirks and power behind that voice. It's a compelling and impressive mix. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
the glory of man is not in vogue or Iris Nova
Recordings:
- Mudville ep (2002)
- the glory of man is not in vogue (2003)
- Side Trax (remixes, 2006)
- Iris Nova (2007)
- "Someone Else" (single, 2015)
Mudville ep
Release info:
2002—Slurry Records—Slurry 0503
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Marilyn Carino—vocals, guitar
Benjamin Rubin—basses, wurlitzer piano, sounds
Guest artists:
Diego Voglino—drums on 1 track, drum composition on 1 track
Dred Scott—rhodes and melodica on 1 track
Chuck MacKinnon—trumpet on 1 track
Erik Pearson—electric guitar on 1 track
Produced by:
Benjamin Rubin, Billy Taylor
Comments:
If I hadn't first heard the glory of man is not in vogue I would be all over this ep. As it is, I enjoy it but mostly it seems like a warm up to what they can do and makes me want to put the glory of man is not in vogue on the player immediately. The sounds are here, Marilyn Carino's gorgeous vocals are here, but it all comes into full power on the next recording for me. (Neile)
the glory of man is not in vogue
Release info:
2003—Slurry Records—Slurry 1003
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Highly, highly recommended for jazz, blues, and electronica fans
Group members:
Marilyn Carino—vocals
Ben Rubin—all sounds except the contributions listed below
Guest artists:
Dred Scott—piano on 2 tracks
Nate Shaw—Hammond B3 organ on 3 tracks
John Bollinger—maracas, ride cymbal on 2 tracks, tambourine on 2 tracks
MNO—vibraphone on 1 track
Diego Voglino—ride cymbal on 1 track
Chuck MacKinnon—trumpets, loops on 2 tracsk, flugelhorns on 1 track
Jim Campilongo—guitar on 1 track
Seamus Blake—tenor saxophone on 1 track
Produced by:
Ben Rubin
Comments:
I was utterly fascinated by this from the moment the first sounds reached my ears and found myself staying up late listening to it even though I was desperately sleepy and hadn't intended to listen to the whole thing. Musically it's compelling (both the deep evocative vocals and the creative instrumentation and tunes) and the lyrics are unusually sophisticated and intriguing as well. Highly recommended listening. (Neile)One of the best of 2004. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Iris Nova
Release info:
2007—self-released
Availability:
See website
Ecto priority:
Highly, highly recommended for jazz, blues, and electronica fans
Group members:
Marilyn Carino—vocals
Ben Rubin—all sounds except the contributions listed below
Guest artists:
Mike Mills—piano on 1 track
Karsh Kale—tabla on 1 track
Michael Blake—saxophones on 1 track
Alan Ferber, Dan Levine—trombones on 1 track
Liberty Ellman—baglama on 1 track
Daniel Freedman—percusion, oud on 1 track
Ethel—strings on 3 tracks
Brian Charette—keys on 1 track
John Bollinger—drums on 1 track
Buddy Cage—pedal steel guitar on 1 track
Mauro Refosco—percussion on 1 track
Chuck MacKinnion—flugelhorn on 1 track
Jim Campilongo—guitar on 1 track
Cornelius Duffalo, Mary Rowell—violin on 1 track
Ralph Farris—viola on 1 track
Dorothy Lawson—cello on 1 track
Claduia Wigent—harp on 1 track
Jenny Raymond—oboe on 1 track
Ann Ellwworth, Lisa Pike—French horns on 1 track
Comments:
Mudville follow an impressive debut with an equally deft new offering. As ever Marilyn Carino's voice retains its strange and soulful appeal and the beats come nicely chilled. "Wonder Boy" is impressively layered and Carino reaches new vocal heights. It belongs on a film soundtrack. They manage a neat cover of a Police song too.
A wonderful record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to stjarnell@yahoo.com for work on this entry.
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