by Daniel Colussi | One of the most interesting groups to emerge from Vancouver’s dense cultural foliage is the V.Vecker Ensemble, a nine-odd man/woman army of bassists, drummers, guitarists, and one player of the Indian santur. They’re brought together by local artist, writer and musician Keith Wecker, the Ensemble’s composer and conductor. I first saw them play at the Anza Club two years ago and it was a sight to behold: Wecker guiding the group through the sturm und drang of free jazz frenzy and krauty grooves conjuring the atmosphere of an East Village loft party circa ’81 (not that I would know, really). They were too many to all fit on stage so they played on the floor like a punk band, and it was great. Interestingly, the group’s been invited to play in this year’s Jazz Fest, so they’ll be representing the more out there fringe of the fest. In anticipation of that date, Wecker has provided Scout with a music video playlist that ranges from the austere (Art Ensemble Of Chicago) to the crass (Odd Future), with an Obama mash-up added in for good measure. From the desk of Keith Wecker, here we go…

Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis and Tyler, the Creator – Rella

One of the best music videos I’ve seen in ages. Good tune, rad lyrics, dudes being dudes talking about dude stuff. And it’s funny as hell. I’m also obsessed by the whole Odd Future crew right now.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Babe I’m on Fire

I love Nick Cave. This song rules, and they probably should have made it 45 minutes long and just had it as the album. I really admired how he pulled all of these people collectively under his umbrella from such varying types of bands to realize his vision (Einsturzende Neubauten, Die Haut, The Gun Club…many more to list, of course). Once I really got into the Bad Seeds, I always thought of how I would love to put together a group of friends from different bands and make music that none of our other bands would make. I first thought of that roughly in 2004. Weird how time catches up with you. Also, this video is super funny.

Art Ensemble of Chicago – Old Time Religion

Art Institute of Chicago – Dexterity

This is the first Art ensemble of Chicago record I ever heard. It was a birthday present from Daniel Presnell, who plays as Colonizer and in Von Bingen and the V.Vecker Ensemble. These are both covers (the former being a traditional song and the latter a Charlie Parker tune) and the first side of the record ‘A Message to Our Folks’. I like the contrast from going from the dark, funereal ‘Old Time Religion’ to the swing “jazz” of “Dexterity,” while managing to warp both to their desires in amazing ways. For myself, this was a perfect introduction to these dudes and their modes of composition. (Note the video for “Dexterity” says its Charlie Parker, but its the Art Ensemble of Chicago, you can tell in the break down).

Wolf Eyes + Anthony Braxton – Black Vomit

Just the way this starts is amazing. The pure joy of Anthony yelling out ‘black vomit’ does something to the cockles of my heart. This collaboration pulled Braxton into an atonal area that he either hadn’t been before or hadn’t visited in a long time. To me I feel as if these styles coming together is a natural thing, a positive evolution of music. I actually first found out about Braxton from reading a Wolf Eyes interview in when they talk about a Braxton interview from the 70’s in when he basically predicts the future of music as being played out of little electronic boxes. So a very fitting collaboration this is.

Wolf Eyes – Stabbed in the Face

Wolf Eyes really turned me on to the idea of being able to structure any type of music. This song and album really made me think about a lot of things when my mind was a very spoungey receptacle. This song is a banger. I play it to make people leave the bar when I’m the door man. Anyone who head bangs to this when I try to kick them out can stay and drink until the sunrises.

Barack Obama – Call Me Maybe

Feeling down? Bad day? Let Obama tell you about the boys who chase him.

V.Vecker Ensemble play at Ironworks on June 22nd as part of Jazz Fest 2012. Tickets available through the Coastal Jazz Society.

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Zulu Records veteran and tunage aficionado Daniel Colussi is the Music Editor of Scout Magazine.