Sharks Eat Meat: January 2024

LoFi Latin Jazz: New Release from Leo Joseph, of the Leo Joseph Experience.

Leo Joseph, also known as Leo Minimum Tek, manages their own recording label, Maximum Collabo Records. Leo has regularly performed and recorded with artists such as Gogol Bordello, Grupo Descarrilao, NuFolk Rebel Alliance, Salsa Rockers, Los Coulters, The Leo Joseph Trio, and more. Leo is a treat to see perform live, bringing high energy to the stage. His diversely complex riffs, solos that shine with surprising and dynamic movements, and mastery of many genres make him a formidable performer.

Leo’s new three-track EP is available on Spotify, Bandcamp, and more. There is a “Fireplace Ambience” video of the new recordings, available on Youtube in 4K. The soothing video is by Jane Courage and El Bofo Xavier - perfect to put on for some afternoon work, or a relaxing evening. The charming cover art by Juan Ortega, based on a photo by Jane Courage captures the essence of the music.

Leo has given us three covers - Let’s take a look at each.

Mayeya (Mongo Santamaria)
This New York Jazz standard originally had the legends Mongo Satamaria on percussion and Charlie Palmieri on the piano. The memorable tune has similar uplifting punchy horns to another standard, “Chan Chan.” Leo offers a more suave, relaxing version of the Salsa/Boogaloo classic. His bluesy guitar work is playful and polished. The track has a light tropical vibe that’s easy to enjoy.

Little Sunflower (Freddie Hubbard)
“Little Sunflower” was originally recorded by Freddie Hubbard in 1967. The upbeat Tito Puente cover from 1992 is a version more may be familiar with. Leo’s version of “Little Sunflower” is a really beautiful recording that is haunting and psychedelic in tone, similar to a Yardbirds or Incredible String Band jam. The song is slightly somber and shifts through distinct movements as if on a journey.

Y Ya La Quiero (Joe Henderson)
“Y Ya La Quiero” is originally from the 1985 album “The State of Tenor: Vol. 2,”, by Joe Henderson an avant-guard bebop and jazz artist. The song has an iconic opening riff, that aficionados will be familiar with and moves on to highly improvised, yet tight and controlled sax solos. Leo interprets the tenor sax madness on guitar with grace, bravado, and respect for the original melodies.

Check out Leo Joseph’s newest content, don’t miss him live if you have the chance,
and add these to your streaming mixes and give them a play. These tracks are highly recommended.

Bandcamp

Youtube Video

Cat Art Show: The 10th Anniversary - Review
@catartshowla
@thesugarslayer
@sharks_eat_meat

SharksEatMeat had the privilege of attending “The Cat Art Show: The 10th Anniversary” which is ongoing for the weekend of January 19th through the 21st. Located at the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace in Los Angeles this year’s exhibition showcases over 60 works of cat-themed art. The Annenberg PetSpace Extraordinary Care Fund has partnered with The Cat Art Show, and a percentage of all sales goes towards helping rescue animals, and pets are available to adopt at a site above the art gallery. The naturally lit and contemporary space was welcoming and displays allowed for easy movement and viewing of the works. The vast interior allowed the many contrasting styles room to breathe.

Diverse techniques and mediums fill the beautiful space graciously praising our feline friends. The show has exactly what you’d expect from a cat themed art exhibition, and more. Extreme Cuteness? Feral Beasts? Cheesy Jokes? Ornate sculptures and meticulously painted oil portraits? All these and more. Curated by Susan Michals and Esla Munroe, some highlights from the show include.

@annie_montgomerie_art

“Miss Pitch” by Annie Montgomerie is a delightful black cat doll-like sculpture, made from mixed-media and found objects. The black cat, in an orange and blue outfit is adorable, and the craftsmanship is phenomenal. The stitching and fine details bring the work to life.

@colinrobertsart

“Sphynx,” “Cheshire Cat,” and “Bubble Cat” by Colin Roberts are three radiant sculptures of cats constructed out of translucent stained glass like squares. Their simple forms and bold colors pay tribute to 1960’s pop art. These cats are leaps and bounds more inviting than Jeff Koons’ “Balloon Dogs.”

@martinwittfooth

“Kitten with Cinders” by Martin Wittfooth is a rich traditional oil on canvas painting of a majestic cat hunting birds under a golden sun. The texture, glowing colors, and allegorical themes depicted make this a powerful and stand out work from the show.

@iamadamcooley

“Cat with Butterflies” by Adam Cooley is a funky contemporary presentation of a lanky Pink Panther like cat and pink butterflies, on a golden Japanese style folding screen or “Byobu.” The delicate patterns and fine line work shine in this painting.

@brandonvosika

“Black Cat” by Brandon Vosika is a pitch-black mysterious canvas with an inky black cat peeking through the shadows. The subtlety of values calls to mind Rothko’s work.

@melcher_eastman

“Catnip Bebop Quartet” is by Melcher Oosterman, an illustrator in the Netherlands. This stark illustrative work captures a quartet of jazz cats performing for a human crowd. The striking colors and sharp line work give an expressive energy to the work.

“Sancho” by Clare Turley Newberry, is a vintage print from 1940. Newberry was an accomplished children’s author and illustrator, and winner of several Caldecott Honors. “Sancho” features a playful and gestural style that captures the attitude of cats perfectly.

@danielarthury

“Infinity Cat III” by Daniel Arthur is an unusual work with a strong composition and design. The subject depicts a curious kitten gazing into a corner-wedged mirror, which creates a radial pattern. The red green color scheme, and central focal point, draw the viewer in to enjoy the details in this playful piece.

@cocopetersonart

“Backyard” by Coco Peterson is one of my favorite works in the show. The fluorescent and vibrant colors, as well as the smooth sharply designed forms are well balanced. The color scheme shows an advanced understanding of complex hue relationships. The muted yellows and teals, rich rose reds and dark greens embolden the backyard landscape. The contrasting and well punctuated black cats that dot the scenery are filled with personality. This joy of a painting is as competent and skillful as a Joan Miró or Anna Frischknecht work.

@tobiaskeeneart

“Agamemnon” by Tobias Keene is a cat portrait that is extravagantly fanciful. A classically traditional oil painting of a White cat with a pearl necklace, the work recalls those of Renaissance and Baroque masters. The frame is encrusted with gold-leaf and pearls signifying the lavishness of cat-life. The painting is laboriously made, and the effort shows as the subject’s lush and realistic eyes follow you from the frame.

@sydswisher

“Pevely” by Sydney Swisher is a painting of a fluffy fur-ball proudly positioned atop a floral-patterned chair. The work is painted directly on a floral-print fabric and allows much of the decor to show through in the final composition. The throne-like chair the cat resides on portrays the same pattern, realistically rendered to match the background designs. The muted red and green blossom print chosen is a vintage textile popular in the 1990’s. The print, as well as cat art in general, are known for a kitsch tone. “Pevely” boldly leans into this kitsch theme with great success.

The ensemble collection at “Cat Art Show: The 10th Anniversary” is bursting with talent and creativity. The light-hearted subject matter makes viewing art fun, and a nice escape from the hectic contemporary world. If you’re in Los Angeles, I highly recommend visiting. Follow the artist’s social media and stay tuned to SharksEatMeat for all your contemporary art and culture news.

Full List of Artists
Adam Cooley
Adam Stamp
Anna Sokolova
Annie Montgomerie
Bandon Vosika
Brek
Britt Ehringer
Cleon Peterson
Coco Peterson
Colin Roberts
Constance Tenvik
Cotoh
Daniel Arthur
Daniel Maidman
Diane Hoeptner
Edwin Ushiro
Heric Haze
Eri Wakiyama
Eva Beresin
Evan Lorenzen
Henry Diltz
Hi-Dutch
Jason Edward Davis
Jessica Louise
Joann Biondi
Laura Keenados
Leo Forest
Lola Dupre
Mai Nagamoto
Matt Grabelsky
Mark Oblow
Martin Wirrfooth
Melcher Oosterman
Michale Caines
Miss Scarlett
Natalia Fabia
Rachel Schlueter
Rabi
Renee French
Sage Schachter
Sydney Swisher
Tobias Keene
T9G
Venessa Stockard
William Llewelyn Griffiths
Yeah Yeah Chloe
Yusuke Hanai