Tag Archives: James Whetzel

Ball of Wax 58 Songs: James Whetzel – “God Rest Ye Funky Bhangra (Sarod & Beats)”

It wouldn’t really be a holiday compilation without a new spin on a traditional classic, and we’ve got a couple gems along those lines. First up, our pal James Whetzel has cooked up this wondrous bit of intercontinental Christmas magic. … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 52 Songs: James Whetzel – “Sun Clouds (Orchestral Version)”

The opening of “Sun Clouds (Orchestral Version)” immediately evokes for me some of the work Mark Mothersbaugh produced for the Rushmore soundtrack. That’s not to say that James Whetzel’s palm wine guitar style is in any way derivative of Mr. … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 51 Songs: Whetzel – “Slow Waves”

We last heard from Seattle producer James Whetzel back in volume 48, [he was also on volume 49; he’s a busy guy -ed.] and he returns to this volume of long songs with “Slow Waves.” With a wash of reverberating … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 49 Songs: Who Is John Smith – “Chasing Frogs”

The joy of limitations. Who Is John Smith‘s “Chasing Frogs,” featuring polyrhythms that might have been tapped out on an acoustic guitar [actually that’s Yaw Amponsah on hand drums and prempremsoa -ed.] against a set of pinched guitar chords, is mesmerizing. … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 48 Songs: Yas/Whetzel – “Wonder Arc en Ciel”

Yas/Whetzel is the project of local Seattle producer James Whetzel and French rapper Yas. I presume “Wonder Arc en Ciel” is about a rainbow (wonder arc in the sky), though you wouldn’t guess that by the nervous, driving pace of … Continue reading

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