Black Dice have moved from the confines of hardcore punk music to the expansive realms of improvised noise music in a few short years. A transformation, which Stylus writer Joe Panzner said “earn[ed] them a place alongside innovators like Wolf Eyes and Boredoms in the electronics-damaged rock pantheon” in his review of their newest record, Creature Comforts. Stylus asked vocalist/knob-twiddler Aaron Warren to pick three tracks that he’s been enjoying lately for the Stypod. The results:

Belle Epoque– Miss Broadway, [Italo Deruggiero]

The first song I’ve been chilling with is Miss Broadway by a band called Belle Epoque. I picked this up on CD-R mix of Italo disco at Other Music—the whole CD is really good, but since it’s a burn my CD player wouldn’t play it. I first checked this last weekend driving my rental Buick Century all over Orange County in LA. And it’s really good music for that: super man-made and very artificial, especially the sped-up vocals. This song also has the weirdest mix ever—everything sounds far away, but without succumbing to echo-iness really. It’s just super-compressed and canned-sounding. I guess the bass is the only slightly warm sound. A really weird and cool mix.

[buy Italo Deruggiero here]

Kool Blues– Can We Try Love Again?, [Eccentric Soul: The Capsoul Labe]

The next song I’m into right now is on an awesome comp of the Ohio based soul label, Capsoul, called Eccentric Soul. The song is “Can We Try Love Again”, by the Kool Blues. It’s a totally mellow funky jam, and really solid song. I especially like the ultra-round guitar tone for the minimal lead section in the bridge towards the end of the song. It’s a really restrained tight catchy riff that surprises when it gets to the all-out outro. Awesome.

[read more about Capsoul here, buy Eccentric Soul here]

Ras Michael and the Sons Of Negus– Tenoryestiling

Last is Tenoryestiling, By Ras Michael and the Sons Of Negus. This track is an unlikely mix of Rasta chanting, loose VU-style rhythm guitar and fuzz leads, and heavy hand drums. The record on a whole is really good, though sometimes I fear I’m listening to like a Paul Simon Graceland record or something, but it’s definitely worth checking out. I am into the primitive quality of this recording. Everything is really separate and distinct, but the whole mix is totally raw. I like the funky rhythm guitar’s scaly riff that builds into the jangling chords that cut against the group’s wailing chant. This guy has some cool Lee Perry-produced reggae records, but I think I prefer the uniqueness of this jam to any of that stuff.

[visit Trojan’s website here, buy Nyabinghi related material from Michael here]