the debut album from gardens & villa exudes effortless class, translucent funk, and an undercurrent of the bittersweet. its a youthful exploration of just how opulent starkness can do. includes free digital download

in the year of the saxophone, santa barbaras gardens & villa give us the flute. and along the way, g&v effectively wipe clear the vaseline from the murky bedroom funk of recent days. g&v bang out instant classics - each crystal clear and immaculate, but no less sweeping or languid. their debut is a youthful exploration of just how opulent and pop starkness can go. it also leaves an impression of california in the way that richard diebenkorns ocean park series or the pool party scene from the graduate both do, always sensed more than stated outright.

3rd winter sampler