New Madlib Coming Soon.........

Madlib The Beat Konducta - WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip

Madlib's long-anticipated addition to BBE's Beat Generation series will be released on Rapster/BBE this September 30th. Fitting comfortably into a series whose previous contributors include the late J Dilla, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Pete Rock, Madlib will deliver one of his most straight forward neck snapping hip-hop albums to date.

"WLIB AM:King of the Wigflip marks the end of an era. “As Dirty Harry said, ‘a man has to realize his limitations’” is how Barely Breaking Even (BBE) co-founder and current label head Peter Adarkwah explains the successful Beat Generation series coming to a close. “Evolution is [the] key to all survival.”

And few artists represent such evolution like Madlib The Beat Konducta. The Oxnard, California native has become what writer Amiri Baraka (nee Leroi Jones) once referred to jazz immortal John Coltrane as – “a more fixed traveler…a peace idiom, and time, placement of himself.” Madlib is a fitting piece in the Beat Generation puzzle, which has run the spectrum of top-flight producers with legends (Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Jazzy Jeff), young lions (DJ Spinna, King Britt, Will.I.Am), and the incomparable Jay Dee aka J Dilla, whose Welcome to Detroit was the first artist album to be commissioned by BBE.

But Dilla was not the first artist to be considered by the label for its inaugural Beat Generation release. That distinction would initially go to Kenny Dope of Masters At Work, then to Jazzy Jeff, yet both were hesitant at the time. “It was very different, for the first time in your life, someone giving you the opportunity to basically say who you are as a producer,” Jeff told Wax Poetics magazine in 2006. “Because a lot of us are under the hypnotism of the industry, I had no idea what to do. He [Adarkwah] gave me complete freedom, and as much as I begged for that, I got scared because it’s kind of, like, ‘What do you do when somebody gives you complete freedom?’”

FREE TRACK

Madlib The Beat Konducta: The Ox (805) - MED feat. Poke



Short answer: You become Madlib – maverick, prolific, and tirelessly uninhibited. WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip plays like the days when AM radio ruled the airwaves, transmitting a crackling, low-fi mélange of endless sample fodder, vocal snippets, and sonic intuition, turning singles into stars and flipping wigs with each twist of the dial. Starting with the ominous, tribal overtones of “The New Resident,” its spiritual spank followed by the customarily aggressive Guilty Simpson on the brassy, stabbing “Blow the Horns On ‘Em,” WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip finds Madlib venturing away from the deconstruction of world rhythms on recent projects and returning to his Western hemisphere roots in hip-hop and R&B.


Tracklist:
1 - The New Resident - The Beat Konducta
2 - Blow The Horns On ‘Em - Guilty Simpson
3 - The Plan Pt. 1 - Georgia Anne Muldrow / Tension - The Beat Konducta
4 - Gamble On Ya Boy - Defari
5 - The Ox (805) - MED feat. Poke / All Virtue - The Beat Konducta
6 - Blindfold Test 10 (He Don’t Play) - J-Rocc
7 - The Thang-Thang - Prince Po
8 - Heat - Madlib / Smoke Break - The Beat Konducta / The Plan (Reprise) - The Beat Konducta
9 - Life - Karriem Riggins
10 - Parklight - The Beat Konducta
11 - Yo Yo Affair Pt. 1 & 2 - Frezna
12 - I Want It Back - The Professionals (Oh No & Madlib)
13 - Disco Dance - The Beat Konducta
14 - What It Do - Liberation / Take That Money - Roc C feat. Oh No
15 - Drinks Up! - Frank N Dank
16 - The Way That I Live - Stacy Epps
17 - Ratrace - Murs
18 - Go! - Guilty Simpson
19 - Stop - The Beat Konducta

And in getting back to basics, lyricism is in full effect, courtesy of Cali cohorts such as Defari on the driving, speed-limit bass funk of “Gamble On Ya Boy,” MED and Poke’s ode to home stance with the fury of “The Ox (805),” and Murs doing what Murs do in addressing the “can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em” state of male-female relations over the electro-pulse minimalism of “Ratrace.” Beat Konducta The Younger, Oh No, teams up with big brother Madlib as The Professionals on “I Want It Back,” while the maestro himself steps away from his helm at the beat machine and drops into the vocal booth on the audacious “Heat.”

World Famous Beat Junkie J.Rocc heralds the return of the DJ with cuts on “Blindfold Test #10 (He Don’t Play),” before the proceedings venturing eastward with Detroit’s party hearty Frank N’ Dank riding the humming, percussive “Drinks Up!” like Motor City madmen. Another Motown-born MC, former Common and Kanye West sideman, Karriem Riggins, provides a glimpse into the Madlib-Riggins Supreme Team pairing on the melancholy “Life,” while veteran Prince Po provides a standout cameo with the vibrant buoyancy of “The Thang-Thang.”

Talib Kweli, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Roc C, and the songbird styling of Frezna (“Yo-Yo Affair, parts 1 & 2) and Stacy Epps round out WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip, which is woven together by dusted interludes and instrumentals like few but The Beat Konducta can. “Madlib was not consciously meant to be last in the series,” says BBE’s Adarkwah, but when considering the producer to which he is most often associated – the late J Dilla – it is without question the proper closure. “Blacktronica should be the future,” Adarkwah declares, and he should know best, for it is Blacktronica that has already helped define his storied label’s past and present". (Published in Press Releases)

Trailer.....

September Purchases.....

UNCLE FUNKENSTEIN - Together Again (JMANLP023)

"Jazzman Records creates the finest, most comprehensive and exhaustively curated CD and LP collections of Soul, Jazz and Funk in the world. No expense is spared in tracking down artists, producers and master tapes to provide the highest quality product that can be done. If you're into funk or soul music - you need it!"

"Kicking off a new series of Jazzman Reissues, our Holy Grail series will include the rarest and most coveted soul, funk & jazz LPs ever released on CD and limited edition numbered vinyl".

"The CD booklets will contain pictures, interviews and information on the making and history of the record, while the LPs will be exact copies of the original, with a unique number denoting the limited issue on the back".

Background

" And that's what Uncle Funkenstein is all about. Never before on eBay and impossible to find, this is an ultra-rare LP that funk collectors talk about but never see. One of the ultimate private press funk/jazz LPs, with just a handful of known copies. The original album bears all the hallmarks of the local, private press album - black and white budget cover, home-made "conceived on a kitchen table" sleeve design, self-produced and on a shoe-string budget. Some of these kind of records are over hyped and have all kinds of amazing things said about them - only for the MUSIC itself to disappoint. Not so with Uncle Funkenstein - you'll know that from the moment you hit Track 1 and the awesome bass blows you away…"
" 12 page colour cd booklet with in-depth liner notes interviews and previously unpublished photographs"
" Never before reissued - previously only available as a privately pressed and highly collectable LP valued at well over $1000". (JAZZMAN RECORDS)


MARY LOU WILLIAMS - Credo/It Ain't Necessarily So 7" (JM068)

"Since 1998 Jazzman Records has led the way in reissuing the rarest and best soul, jazz & funk 45s".

7" singles offer no hiding place for lame, goofy or weak music. The music is naked and one side of a disc for all to hear. Just 3 minutes of sound. No extended edit, no remixes, no acapella, no versions - just the song on its own as it was always meant to be heard".

"Always on premium vinyl, and always with warm, rich, analogue sound! " With the belief that jazz was the only true art form and Catholicism the only true faith, pianist, composer, arranger, author and philanthropist Mary Lou Williams headed to the studio in 1964 to record her album Black Christ of the Andes. Ten years previously she had turned her back on the 'devil's music', and this was her first recording session in all that time. During those years she had been involved in the church, and spent much of her time and money personally helping drug-addicted jazz musicians back to health. But with the civil rights movement in full swing and the growing conflict in Vietnam, she felt an even greater calling for her talents, and the recording studio beckoned".

Background

"The album included a much slowed-down version of the Gershwin classic It Ain't Necessarily So. Built upon a melancholy bass figure in 6/8 time, there is a clarity and purity about the arrangement, with single notes from her right hand picking the melody out of the blues, with the left hand adding subtle chords. As captioned on a Williams pic in Life magazine - 'Cool as the smoke off dry ice'. Spiritual jazz indeed! In 1971 the instrumental version of Credo was recorded, having been recorded with a vocal accompaniment the previous year. During this period in her life Williams was primarily engaged in the writing and recording jazz for performance in church, and most notably for singing at Mass. In Credo we can hear influence from the street, as the funk rhythms of the day were omnipresent, permeating even the church and its hallowed walls". (JAZZMAN RECORDS)


TOLBERT - I’ve Got It 7" (SOUL45003)

"Another NEW 7” Reissue from From SOUL 45 / Jazzman Records – WE DIG DEEPER!

The 7” label dedicated to the sounds of soul gets an official re-release of the rare and hugely in-demand modern soul gem ‘I’ve Got It’ by Tolbert. They’ve mastered this one good n loud from the original tapes for DJ use!

Lauded by soul collectors all over the world as a true gem that could single handedly define the term ‘modern soul’, Tolbert’s ‘I Got It’ is a mid-tempo clubber from ’82 that has recently approached anthemic status. The ultra-rare status of the original 45 means only a select few DJs such as Ian Wright and Soul Sam have been able to give it plays, as the $4000 price tag has been a stumbling block for many soul fans".

Background

"It’s taken them three years to organise the release of ‘I’ve Got It’, including a special trip to NYC to meet songwriter Bill Mersey and collect the precious master tapes in person" (JAZZMAN RECORDS)


ROOTS MANUVA - Again & Again 7" (BDS 122)

"A dinky little slab of summer soundsystem niceness from roots Manuva with the radio and Matt Helder of Arctic Monkeys versions of lead single 'Again and again' from his new album. The radio version benefits from a little beefing up from Shy FX, making for a solid and uplifting dancehall ditty, while Matt Helder has a crack at a GarageBand version, adding a heavy guitar chops and shuffling the beats into a dubstep compatible effort". (BOOMKAT RECORDS)

1. Again & Again (Radio Edit)
2. Again & Again (Arctic Monkeys Remix)


ROOTS MANUVA - Again & Again 12"(Moody Boyz Remix)(BD 122)

"Bouncing soca-basment versions of 'Again and again' from The Moody Boyz, with a vocal version refitting Manuva' vox over a kinetic riddim developing into hi-end staggered delays and sinister synthlines for a killer and effective DJ tool, while the B-side dubs Manuva's voice into a croaked mutterance and swings the delays and FX into wild styles for an even more effective floor version". (BOOMKAT RECORDS)

1. Again & Again (Moody Boyz Remix)
2. Again & Again (Moody Boyz Remix Dub)

Now That's What I Call.......A Collection !!

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

August Purchases......

Madvillainy 2 Madvillain (Madlib & MF Doom)

"This was touted as a digital-only release, but we managed to secure some white label vinyl pressings of this stunning re-work of "Madvillainy," with entirely new production from Madlib. We can't be sure how long our stock on this one will last, especially since it sounds particularly crisp on wax". (Fatbeats NY)

Tracklisting

Side A
1 POW! (Intro)
2 No Brain
3 Pearls
4 Light of the Past
5 Boulder Holder
6 Borrowed Time
Side B
1 Coast2Coast
2 Invazion Interlude
3 Draino
4 Fire In The Hole
5 Bejezus
Side C
1 Monkey Suit
2 Fluid (Instrumental)
3 Can't Reform M
4 Redd Spot (Interlude)
5 Running Around......
6 ......With Another
7 Butter King Jewel
Side D
1 The Sermon
2 Blueberry Fields (Instrumental)
3 P1
4 Confucius Spot (Interlude)
5 New Go Pop
6 Savage (Instrumental)
7 The Cold One
8 The Cold ONe Reprise

ONE TO LOOK OUT FOR.....

Beat Konducta Vol. 5: Dil Cosby Suite By MADLIB (Stones Throw STH2203)


Tracklisting.

1. For My Mans
2. The Mystery
3. Beat Provider
4. J's Day Theme
5. In Jah Hands
6. Get Dollaz
7. The String
8. Two For Pay Jay
9. No More Time?
10. Do You Know?
11. Dirty Hop
12. Floating Soul
13. Infinity Sound
14. Sacrifice
15. Rebirth Cycle
16. Rolled Peach Optimos
17. The Main Inspiration
18. The Get Over
19. Shades of Pete
20. King Chop
21. Anthenagin'

Description: Featuring J.Rocc. Madlib's 5th installment of Beat Konducta is his & J.Rocc's tribute to J Dilla.

Digital album is available for download now at Stones Throw Digital Store. Vinyl release date & pre-order date TBA. Vol. 5 and 6 will be released together on CD in late '08 (According to Stones Throw Label)


Arabian Prince - Innovative Life: Anthology 1984-1989" 2XLP (w/ STH Fan Club 45!!!)

"The latest release from Stones Throw gathers the finest of the recorded catalog from pioneering Southern Cali producer Arabian Prince, who was actually a founding member of N.W.A. and influenced not only Dr. Dre with his electro-driven beats and grooves, but also an entire burgeoning scene in the mid 80s! Vinyl ships next week!

ARABIAN PRINCE’S STORY IS UNDENIABLE. His life reflects the ambition and innovation of the early West Coast hip-hop scene, from his days amongst the likes of electro-rap legends Egyptian Lover and the World Class Wreckin Cru to his work with N.W.A. His biography closely parallels the progression of Southern Californian hip-hop. From Arabian’s transition as an electro DJ into one of he West Coast’s first hip-hop stars....In the shift from electro-rap to the gangsta-rap music that transformed the world. This anthology, a collection of his groundbreaking electro-rap work recorded between 1984 and 1989, not only compels the listener through sound, but through prose. Through Arabian Prince’s music and life story, Stones Throw Records is proud to present a glimpse into an overlooked chapter in hip-hop’s history". (Fatbeats NY)

Tracklisting

1. Strange Life
2. Beatdabeat
3. It Ain't Tough
4. Take You Home Girl
5. Let's Hit The Beach
6. Innovative Life
7. Innovator
8. Situation Hot
9. Panic Zone
10. Professor X (Saga)
11. Freak City
12. Simple Planet

Click HERE for an Interview with Arabian Prince with HIPHOPDX.COM.

Click HERE for Arabian Prince Interview with LA TIMES (and FREE downloads).

Click HERE for Arabian Prince artist page.

Click HERE for Arabian Prince DISCOGRAPHY.

Simple Planet - Arabian Prince (7-inch) Stones Throw STH4028 (Fan-Club 45)















1. Simple Planet
2. Beat Da Beat

Glastonbury" b/w Nina Simone "Save Me (live verse) 7" [TOP-02]















1. People - Glastonbury
2. Nina Simone - Save Me (live Verse)


Isley L Relish - Clapback 12" (Urban Allstars)

"HUGE! Another 12" from the guys who brought you K54! 'Clapback' is a stonking re-work of Shirley Ellis' classic 'The Clapping Song', re-jigged and brought bang up to date! This is a huge summer track! 3 rewinds from DJ Food at the Big Chill. Carol King's 'I Feel The Earth Move' gets the remix treated via 'Earth Move', transforming the track into a dance floor destroyer! Also some big plays at the Big Chill this year! With extra laid back beats in the form of 'Grace' and 'Missy Strut' this is a killer 12", essential for any DJ's record bag! Limited pressso". (Fat City Records, Manchester)

1. Isley L. Relish - Clapback
2. Isley L. Relish - Grace
3. Nick Galor - Earth Movin
4. Nick Galor - Missy Strut

Various - Tuxedo Rappin / Slippy Dee on the Steel 7" (Slipped Discs)

"Oh my gosh - this is going to rip up the dancefloor. One for the old school b - boys! Tuxedo Rappin is a kinda Sugarhill/ Chic tribute using Chic's Good Times and adding some People Under The Stairs vocals to devastating effect! The flip is equally as big - but works more as a cut and paste dj record running through any number of classic breaks from back in the day very much in the style of Grandmaster Flash's Adventure's On The Wheels of Steel. Guaranteed Dancefloor Carnage!" (Fat City Records, Manchester)


Bearface - Let The Rhythm Hit Em/ Dwyck 7" (White Label)

"Bearface (from Little Kids fame) drops too remixes of two classic hip-hop pieces. First up, Eric B and Rakim's seminal 'Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em' get's laced over a dope as Angolan rhythm track, heavy! On the flip, the equally as seminal 'DWYCK' by Gangstarr get's dropped over an uptempo funky monster track! Grab 'em while they're hot!" (Fat City Records, Manchester)

Tracklisting:

1. Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em Remix
2. DWYCK Remix


Regrooved Series - Volume VI 12" (Goodgroove)

"Another huge Regrooved release! All new comers to the label, Sampology from Brisbane, OZ, takes the A side with a giant breaks track, using big band sounds and a super catchy bassline, HUGE!. Back in the UK and a debut track from The Breakbeat Junkie is on the flip, mixing electro beats, funk samples and a certain rap act with 5 members as the vocal, he has done his home town of Nottingham proud with a classic funky track. Last but never least Audited Beats from New Zealand with a slower reggae vibe and super heavy beats, Askillz has been playing this track for awhile, what more can we say. Goodgroove in full effect!" (Fat City Records, Manchester)

Tracklisting

1. Sampology - Back On The Drums
2. The Breakbeat Junkie - Linguist Funk
3. Audited Beats- Reggae Type Of Way


Freedom Express - Get Down (Soul Cal SCR112)

"Wow!! Soul-Cal brings you both "Get Down" and The Freedom Express's self-titled flip side on a 12" single, both remastered from the original analog tapes. "Get Down," which builds around a whirling Moog from a mid tempo funk groove to an up-tempo workout with out missing a beat, stands as one of the "missing links" between the hey-day of syncopated funk and the advent of disco. Lost no more, no longer an artifact that lines the shelves of only the passionate record collector, The Freedom Express's joyful noise is ready to be heard by the masses once again. This is soooo heavy, recommended!!!" (Fat City Records, Manchester)

1. Get Down
2. Freedom Express


Sha-La-La - Mixed Feelings (Soul Cal SCR113)

"One of the finest re-issues labels around, Soul-Cal Records, in coordination with Keb Darge and Kenny Dope at Kay-Dee Records, yet again breathe fresh air into the music of the Mixed Feelings, bringing it to the masses as a single sided 12" release. Yeah, it's good enough that we'll release it without a b-side. With original copies of the record exchanging hands for $4,000 or more, it's a steal".

1. Sha-La-La



Fantasy Funk Band - Dr Rubberfunk/Smoove Mixes 7" (Fantasy 001Fantasy)

"Great Funk mash up with a twist! The first in an interesting concept form the people behind the BBC funk and soul show. Basically trying get some mixes done as if legends like Nina Simone, James Brown, Bootsy Collins etc were doing their thing in the same recording session as one band. First up, they've lined up Dr Rubberfunk and Smoove to take on the brief and the results are ace! Both serving up a heavy JB"s backing with Nina Simone vocals layered on top. The Rubberfunk mix is particularly good changing up the groove half way through - so we've added two sound samples to give you the flavour!"

1. Dr Rubberfunk - Dr Rubberfunk's Fantasy Funk Band
2. Smoove - Smoove's Fantasy Funk Band

Roots Manuva For The Test Team......

A quality video from Roots Manuva for his next single release Again and Again......KILLER

Letter From God To Man, by Dan Le Sac Versus Scroobius Pip BOOTLEG VIDEO

Just came accross the "Letter From God To Man" BOOTLEG VIDEO, from the artist Dan Le Sac Versus Scroobius Pip.....from the Yogzatot Studio.

Its an amazing video....check it out, (WARNING: beware of upsetting images at the end)

"In 2008, ‘Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip’ crossed over into public consciousness with their debut album, ‘Angles’, and the single ‘Look For The Woman’ on Sunday Best Recordings. This new single brilliantly samples Radiohead’s ‘Planet Telex’.
The 7” and the digital download feature a remix from esteemed Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich whilst the download also features remixes from Electronica newcomers We Thee and budding UK lyricist Polar Be ·In 2008, ‘Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip’ crossed over into public consciousness with their debut album, ‘Angles’, and the single ‘Look For The Woman’ on Sunday Best Recordings.

This new single brilliantly samples Radiohead’s ‘Planet Telex’.
The 7”features a remix from esteemed Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich" (Taken From Norman Records Website)



Click here for Artist Page.

Video from Worldwide Festival at Sete 2007

I've got to get myself to this Festival one year.....it looks amazing.

In the meantime, here's a review from Gilles Peterson on the festival this year....

WF SETE 08 - THE AFTERMATH

"9.25am Monday - RyanAir back to Stanstead. Tired but still buzzing. It all started last Wednesday - early St Pancras to Paris and down super fast to Sete - 320 kmh - very impressive - apparently (according to Matsuura san) the new magnetic bullet train will beat the SNCF's finest!

All I can say is 'this is the best way to travel' - France flew by. Sete appeared - let the festivities begin! first night with crew and a few artists eating brochettes opposite 'Bahia' bar on the Corniche - nicely eighties - Simbad excited - duck and fig combination with extra mustard strong. Good vibes all round. Not too late - checking weather - might rain, might not - would be big drama as nowhere indoors - maybe take all back to Montpellier?

Fortunately 'Le Temps' was as perfect as we could have hoped - brilliant sunsets - not too hot - absolutely spot on.

Did it go smoothly? No - lesson one: control personal partying at own festival. I did - lesson learnt last year.

What went wrong then?

Thursday - Benga's name not on Easy Jet check in list - no sir you may not board - can you believe that shit? not his fault - just some computer fuck up at 4.30 am - poor sod - rebook via Paris - lands at 10.30 pm - phew.

Friday - Sebastien Tellier's band arrive but not him - still in his hotel room in Oslo somewhere - not well at all - everyone worried. fair enough - hope he's ok - too late to book replacement - Camille would have been good - her brother plays bass with Tellier - she's touring somewhere tonight though. Bit hardcore as he was the headline - oh well - he's done it twice before so the Brits won't be too bothered - resolve crisis by putting Toshio Matsuura centre stage in Kimono
playing Fumio Itabashi songs!

Saturday - 9.30 am call - Cinematic Orc's bus broken down outside Paris - won't be able to make soundcheck - waiting for replacement vehicle. At least they're in France I suppose.

Sunday - mc Sole from Anticon - very good but very wrong on the beach at midnight with everyone in closing party mode. Give him half hour (of 90 min set) before pulling. Pissed off rapper - listen mate - sometimes you just have to make your shit work in 6 tunes - he'll learn - good though. Overall punter stress - we should have organized bus shuttle from Theatre de la Mer to beach spot - a long 45 mins by foot - ouch!

Now the good bits!

This was one of the best things I've ever been involved with - in fact I'm almost resigned to stopping now as I can't imagine bettering these last 4 days.
A perfect gathering of different nationalities inside a beautiful southern french town in the early summer - all with a love of good music - it worked! 40% Brit/40% French with the rest Austrian/Italian/Dutch/German/Croatian etc etc... yes Gigi was there too! all the way from Hong Kong - as were Don and the Kinemat gang from Singapore.

I don't really want to break it all down fully - I'm sure others will do that. but from the point of view of variety and relevance I think we got it right this year. Sound and light wise - perfect - dj wise - perfect (Leftoo, Garfld, BPM, Toshio, Pilooski all nailed it). Sundae on the beach yesterday absolutely floored me - Crown Heights Affair - Dreamin a Dream never souded better! live wise - Little Dragon amazing - Breakestra - wow - I just didn't know how good they were live - I mean the albums are good and all that but I now know for sure why
their shows are legendary - their drummer was bugging out - great selections too - Express yourself - yeh - and when Miles got on the Bass and rocked out with those Tribe cuts .... I was feeling that! great to hear Choklate on the vox too - brilliant feel - easy!

My highlight though was another I hadn't seen before - Pascal Comelade - Oh my God - this was the piece I
knew existed in music but hadn't found yet - that little connector between Roland Kirk, Robert Wyatt and the Penguin Cafe Orchestra - all in a toy shop with a little oriental angst thrown in - I couldn't
believe it, sun dropping as the amphitheatre audience rose to give this maestro a proper standing ovation - Pascal is French Catalan and has released over 20 albums - there's even a Japanese band that only perform his original compositions - they're called the Pascals! His biggest fan is PJ Harvey and his band look like 8 French Tom Waits! - WHERE HAVE I BEEN? all that I know is that this show moved me big time - and what a prep for the Cinematics - Whooosh! the setting in the Theatre de la Mer is quite simply my favorite setting in the world - performers backdropped by an ocean interrupted only by curious ships passing through the night - this was Cinematic Bliss and the Orchestra delivered the ultimate score!

Clubbing wise I thought the Base Nautique sounded unbelievable this weekend - proper Funktion 1 - no noise restrictions - what more do you need apart from killer light show and fake snow on the Saturday night as Garnier began his set - 'Il neige ce soir!' - the crowd went berzerk!! Whether Roots Manuva jamming on Benga, Westbeech doing an accapella at 4am of
"sitting on the dock of the Bay' (ridiculous!) or quite simply the 'Greatest Ever' warm up set for Laurent by Henrik Schwarz - the venue is the perfect cross between old school rave and new school art installation! brilliant. And of course who was the DJ I had to get to headline Saturday night? It had to be Garnier - the energy in the 1500 plus crowd was quite simply 'anticipation gold' and watching him thoughout his full 5 hours wiggling his bum till sunrise filled me with constant smiles - these nights don't come round everyday and I was gonna enjoy this one! I'm almost home now - back to Stokey and a hectic week awaits (very bad planning mister P!) - but you know what? I can't wait for next year already!" Gilles Peterson (From the WWF Website)

CLICK HERE FOR FOR WEBSITE.

QUANTIC......WILL HE EVER STOP !!!!

"Exclusive! Brand new material from the busiest man in showbiz!. Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno is the latest in the constantly evolving series of musical outings from the unstoppable Will Holland - aka Quantic - and amazingly ‘Death Of The Revolution’ represents his tenth full album release on Tru Thoughts. The concept and style of the Flowering Inferno project rests simply on pleasurable, easy-to-listen dub and reggae inspired music made in a tropical climate; and the standard and scope of the music is as dazzling as one has come to expect from this prolific, globe-trotting maestro.

Unmistakably Quantic, but with an emphasis on reggae inspired sounds, “Death Of The Revolution” is sizzling with summer heat and tropical influences. As on ‘Tropidelico’, Holland’s last acclaimed album with The Quantic Soul Orchestra, the Columbian location in which this music was made and recorded has imbued it with an authentic and irresistible exotic air. All the tracks trip along on a reggae/dub vibe and are built on mainly hip hop orientated beats, with Holland in multi-instrumentalist mode, playing the piano, guitar, accordion and more - including Columbian instruments such as the Guacharaca, a small wooden scraper instrument, and the Gaita. Guest performances also come from a host of Latin American musicians. On “Juanita Bonita”, the closing track, the evocative piano part is played by Peruvian Alfredo Linares who recently put in show-stopping performances when he appeared in the UK for the first time as part of The Quantic Soul Orchestra’s tour in March.

More a progression for Quantic than a change of direction, the inspiration to create the Flowering Inferno project came from listening to a lot of mid-70s dub albums and artists like Don Drummond and Bull Wackies; and also Columbian artists like Pedro Laza and Michi Sarmiento from the north coast. The basic ideas for the tracks were conceived and laid down over a three-week period in the living room of Holland’s Columbia home, when his studio was in the process of being built. Over that time, using the piano and a small makeshift recording setup, the key ideas and hooks emerged and, as Will Holland says “when the studio was finally ready, the paint barely dry, it was given its maiden voyage on this material”.

The debut 7” single from this album is “Cuidad Del Swing” which opens with an undeniably catchy piano hook and whisks you off in its jaunty wake. Also included on the album (as well as being the B side of the single) is “Cuidad Del Swing (Version)”, offering a different take on this track, with horns galore taking over where the original featured guitar and piano trills. Predominantly instrumental, from start to finish ‘Death Of The Revolution’ is full of surprises, with a huge range of different instruments and vocal flourishes which add to the depth, such as the hazy breeze of backing vocals on the title-track. This is an album packed with infectious guitar and piano hooks, and with a laid-back but quirky feel, an ideal soundtrack to the summer. “Mi Chocolatina” and “Westbound Train” have a spine-tingling, cinematic quality".

1 Death Of The Revolution
2 Mi Chocolatina
3 Make Dub Not War
4 Cuidad Del Swing
5 Westbound Train
6 Alegria En Bella Vista
7 Dub Del Pacifico
8 Cuidad Del Swing (Version)
9 Alegria En Bella Vista (Version)
10 Juanita Bonita

Lovin the first 7" that Tru Thoughts have released from Quantic's new project.



Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno - Cuidad Del Swing 7" (Tru Thoughts)

1. Cuidad Del Swing
2. Cuidad Del Swing (Version)

KILLER....

July Purchases......

Karl Hector and The Malcoulns - Sahara Swing (NA5035 LP)

"Now-Again Records follows up The Heliocentrics’ percussive excursions into the astral realms of psychedelia with an album of Afro-tinged funk music originating from the Southern Sahara and recorded in Germany.

Karl Hector has, to date, only appeared on one 7-inch, from 1996, as the leader of the Funk Pilots. For this album, he has teamed up with Jay Whitefield (producer and guitarist for the Poets of Rhythm and the Whitefield Brothers, and founder of the now defunct Hotpie & Candy Records) and Thomas Myland and Zdenko Curlija, founders of The Malcouns.

Alongside Bo Baral, other members of the Poets of Rhythm and crack Munich- based session musicians, Whitefield, Myland and Curlija have crafted nearly twenty tracks that follow the musical roads that Hector has travelled. The underlying groove that ties these ideas together, of course, is as rooted in James Brown as it is Fela Kuti. As informed by Mulatu Astatke of Ethiopia as it is by Jean-Claude Vannier and Can. This is an album of the world. Not “world music” – but that will appeal to any culture ever transfixed by rhythm on “the one.” (Now Again Records)

01. When The Sun Breaks Through
02. Nyx
03. Followed Path
04. Transition >J<
05. Sahara Swing
06. Psycles
07. Transition >I<
08. Koloko Pt. 1
09. Debere
10. Transition >Z<
11. Jabore Pt. 3
12. Mystical Brotherhood
13. Timely Interuption
14. Transition >B<
15. Mellow (Version)
16. Rush Hour
17. Transition >W<
18. Toure Samar
19. Passau Run


Key and Cleary - What it takes to live 12" (Soul Cal SCR 111 )

The boys at Now-Again and Soul Cal have finally completed the negotiations to legitimately reissue one of the finest soul songs they’ve ever heard – Key and Cleary’s sublime “What It Takes To Live.” Good luck finding an original copy – the 45, when it does surface in auction, hits record numbers for rare soul.

While the record’s label credits The Chosen Few as the band behind this release, the genius of the record lies with the aforementioned Jessie Key and Sylvester Cleary. Entrepreneurs both, they involved themselves in many drives to better their home city of Buffalo, New York. One of the many ways was through song and this track, released in 1976, is one of at least five singles credited to the duo.

In association with New York-based collector and archivist David Griffiths, Now-Again and Soul Cal are working on plans for an anthology of Key and Cleary’s work.

a) What It Takes To Live (Vocal)
b) To Love (Instrumental)



Stanton Davis' Ghetto Mysticsm - Things Cannot Stop Forever (Soul Cal SCR 110 )

"Stanton Davis' original album Brighter Days, recorded with his band Ghetto Mysticism, saw regional release in Boston, MA, in the mid 1970s. An awesome mix of styles that runs the gamut from jazz, funk, soul and beyond, the high point of the Brighter Days album is arguably the epic “Things Cannot Stop Forever.” A jazz-funk number that defies categorization, we can only approximate its sound by describing it as something the Mizell Brothers might have produced, had they kept the edginess that defined their early '70s work throughout the decade. Perfect for the Soul-Cal line. Recommended" (Fat City Records)

a) Things Cannot Stop Forever.
b) Things Cannot Stop Forever (Egon & Kelldada's instrumental remix).


Taggy Matcher - Root Down/ Nautilus 7" (STIX RECORDS)

"Taggy Matcher return with another 7'' of excellente reggae covers - the subject matter this time is again the Beastie Boys, "Root Down" taken from 1994's "Ill Communication", whilst on the flip Bob James' "Nautilus" gets a spliffed out reggae cover!" (Phonica Records)

"BIG BIG BIG! Those cheeky little French re-editing masters Taggy Matcher are back to rock the party with two more reggae mash-ups ! First up is a remix of the Beastie Boys' 'Root Down', it's huge!! On the flip side there's a killer reggae cover of classic Jazz Funk anthem 'Nautilus' by Bob James. They just keep on getting bigger and better than ever!" (Fat City Records)

a) Root Down.
b) Nautilous.

NEXT MUST HAVE

Artist PURPLE MUNDI
Title 'Stop Hurting Me Baby' b/w 'Man from the Sky'
Format 7"
Label Soul 45 (Jazzman)
Cat SOUL45.002
Barcode N/A
Release Date 11/08/2008

Description

"With a respectful nod to Jazzman's FUNK45 label, SOUL45 aims to continue the spirit of re-releasing the rare, the obscure and the in-demand soulful 45s of the past 50 years.

"With loud mastering for DJ use the SOUL45 label will only represent the crème de la crème of REAL soul music and will create a sound investment for the hotbox, your ears and of course the dancefloor!

"Listening to the tune with a modern ear, it sounds incredibly fresh and definitely deserves a re-issue.

Background

" Purple Mundi were based in Florida recording for the legendary Miami label TK Records KC got the name " "Stop Hurting me Baby" was recorded around 1970 or 1971. Sometime later Carlos Wright (brother of Betty Wright) as a B side for a single from Carlos Wright (brother of Betty Wright). The song got limited airplay on local radio shows but the group got placed on the back burner while TK concentrated on its other better-selling artists like Betty Wright and Gwen McCrae. Not long after the group broke up.

"Jazzman always dig deeper than any other re-issue label and have a strong following.

"Always on premium vinyl, and always with warm, rich, analogue sound.

Crate Digging with Kon & Amir in New York

"We tag along with East Coast producers Kon and Amir as they go digging for 45s on New York's Lower East Side. The longtime duo is renowned in the hip-hop world for its influential compilations (On Track, Kings of Diggin, etc.) and fine-tuned radars for long-forgotten beats. In this episode, they explain the ins and outs of digging and collecting, the special appeal of 45s, and how somewhere, someone will always out-nerd you....." (XLR8R TV)

Recommended Release....

Kon & Amir -- Off Track Vol 2 -- Queens

"Kon and Amir do it again -- and really blow our minds with the depths of their musical knowledge! The collection's the second in a series to focus on music unearthed by the famous New York cratedigging duo -- and it's every bit as on track as the first volume in its presentation of rare and soulful grooves! Kon serves up an amazing batch of obscure club tunes -- tracks that really represent the farthest reaches of the underground scene of the 70s and 80s -- very few of which we'd ever heard before, some of which are augmented with some edit work to expand the grooves. Amir's tracks are an even hipper blend of world music styles -- a range of grooves from around the globe, some earthy, some a bit more polished -- but all of them great, and very different than the usual bag of material that ever gets reissued! Kon tracks include "Long Live Music (Kon's edit)" by Wood Brass & Steel, "You've Got Me Goin Baby (Kon's edit)" by The Fabulous Conti Family, "Don't Think About It (Kon's live edit)" by Venise, "Keep On Moving" by Phillip & Lloyd, "Let Yourself Go (Kon's edit)" by Sparkle, and "Live It Up (Kon's dub re-touch)" by Sweet Touch. Amir's tracks include "Save D Musician" by Black Truth Rhythm Band, "Samba" by Super Boire Band, "Se Djro" by Orchestre Black Dragons, and "Okpo Videa Bassouo" by Pedro Gnonnas Et Ses Panchos. 16 tracks in all." (Dustygroove Records)
1. Trama - Straight Groove
2. Bob Brault Org. - Bibloquet
3. Venise - Don't Think About It
4. Gnonnas Pedro Band et Ses Panchos - Okpo Videa Bassouo
5. Super Boire Band - Samba
6. Kapingbdi - Wrong Curfew
7. Sweet Touch - Live It Up (Kon's Dub Re-Touch)
8. Sparkle - Let Yourself Go (Kon's Edit)
9. Abacothozi - Theme Maboneng
10. Black Truth Rhythm Band - Save D Musician
11. Orchestre Black Dragon De Porto Novo Dahomey - Se Djro
12. Wood Brass And Steel Band - Long Live Music (Kon's Edit)
13. The Fabulous Conti Family - You've Got Me Goin'Baby (Kon's Edit)
14. Phillip And Lloyd - Keep On Moving
15. Dan Satch And His Atomic 8 Dance Of Aba - Je Nr'okan
16. Honore Avolonte Et L'Orchestre Black Santiago - Assounon DJE Dokoli

Flying Lotus Download.....Live at the Do-Over

"Do Your Weekend All-Over At The Do-Over (2pm - 10pm): A free daytime Sunday jammy complete with beer served by the bucket, sangria, mojitos, & BBQ all day long, all residing in a tropical garden atmosphere deep in the heart of Hollywood".

Click here for homepage.

What'cha Wanna Do? Do-Over

@ Crane's Hollywood Tavern
1611 N. El Centro Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 467.6600

Check this previous Line Up.....

5/18: Stretch Armstrong, J.Rocc, Quantic, Mike B, Don Guapo
5/25: Flying Lotus, The Gaslamp Killer, Al Jackson, Wyatt Case, noMSG
6/1: Rhettmatic, DJ Eleven, Blackjoy, Inka One, M3
6/8: Dam-Funk, House Shoes, Small Change, Toph One, Kutmah
6/15: Will I Am, Karriem Riggins, B+, Coleman, Alfred Hawkins

NOT BAD EH !!

Check HERE for a 25 min download of Flying Lotus at The Do-Over....from the session on 25th May: Flying Lotus, Gaslmap Killer, Al Jackson, Wyatt Case & noMSG.

MIXOREMIXES BY KOUSHIK - Thank You Stones Throw Records...

An amazing NEW podcast from the Stones Throw Records artist KOUSHIK...Full of crashing beats and superb hip hop....many many many thanks to Stones Throw Records.... COMING CORRECT AGAIN !!



Tracklisting....

bernard purdie - lialeh remix feat noelle scaggs and percee p snippet (light in the attic forthcoming)
homeliss derilex - ca$h money remix
kg - defn beat
pbw, madlib, planet asia - definition of ill remix accapella
roc c joint
four tet - a joy remix feat percee p (quickmix)(instr+voc)
stezo ft dooley-o - piece of the pie
free design - don't cry baby remix feat dudley perkins (light in the attic)
koushik - homage
madvillain - curls remix
koushik - basketball beat
bumps feat guilty simpson and j. rocc - drums (version) (forthcoming)
bumps feat guilty simpson and j. rocc - drums (gymbag remix)
home skillet theme
kg - game over remix beat (pt2&1)
dabrye feat jay dee & phat kat - game over (accapella)
madvillain - strange ways remix
koushik - none in mind
baron zen - electronic (barren zone remix)
percee p feat j rocc - reverse pt 2
percee p feat j.rocc - reverse (apples and oranges remix)
four tet - hilarious movie of the 90's (kg funny flic) (domino)
dooley-o feat bernie fly (sp?) - watch my moves rmx
beastie boys - live or on mtv
koushik and percee p - cold beats
madvillain - remixes outro instrumental

Click HERE to Download Podcast

FAT FREDDY'S DROP ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM EUROPEAN TOUR......

"FFD ALBUM RELEASE TOUR

Fat Freddy's Drop is pleased to announce an extensive European and UK tour for the worldwide release of their new album in November.

They hope the tour and album release will be welcome news for all those disappointed by the recent cancellation of their August tour to UK and Europe.

After working on the follow up to their breakthrough album Based On A True Story for the past two years, jamming live on stage and recording in the studio, Freddy's are now committed to releasing the as yet untitled album in 2008.

The three week long album release tour starts in Paris at the Zenith on 12 November and ends at The Roundhouse in London on 4 December. Check listings on FFD website for tiki tour details.

FAT FREDDY'S DROP
ALBUM RELEASE TOUR 2008

Roundhouse, London, UK
4 December 2008

UEA, Norwich, UK
3 December 2008

La Laiterie Club, Strasbourg, France
30 November 2008

Zenith, Grenoble, France
29 November 2008
With Tiken Jah

Zenith, Saint Etienne, France
28 November 2008
With Tiken Jah

Club Krakatoa, Bordeaux, France
27 November 2008

Zenith Clermont Ferrand, France
22 November 2008
With Tiken Jah

Escape Julien, Marseille, France
21 November 2008

Rockstore, Montpellier, France
20 November 2008

Le Phare, Toulouse, France
19 November 2008

Manchester Academy 1, Manchester, UK
15 November 2008

Birmingham Academy 1, Birmingham, UK
14 November 2008

Nordik Impakt Festival, Caen, La Fonderie, France
13 November 2008

LE ZENITH, Paris, France
12 November 2008, 20:00
211 Avenue Jean Jaures, 75019, Paris

UK tickets go on sales 9am Friday 29 June via FFD ticket store:"

This announcement was placed on the band's myspace page.....and although it states sale starts Friday 29th June.....I have placed an order via the link below today

Click here......

Karl Hector & The Malcouns Mixtape.......Highly Reccomended

The Karl Hector Show (Mixtape)

This post is an amazing mixtape by Karl Hector & The Malcouns, a new project featuring members of Poets of Rhythm and the Malcouns. Details of there new album can be found here, or check below.

Click HERE for the Mixtape.

Tracklist:

1. Jimmi Green – The Robot (Funk)
2. Toni Esposito – Processione Sul Mare (Italian Prog)
3. Doug Hammond – Motherland (Drums)
4. Peter Thomas – Coordinates Meeting (Library)
5. Pedro Beltran – Shacalao (Cumbia Moderna)
6. Lizandro Meza – Shacalao (Afro Latin)
7. Pierre Didy – Ma Fou Fou (Afro Funk)
8. Transgressors – Will Power (New Funk)
9. Peoples Choice – Off Spring (Funk)
10. Sevda – Karadeniz (Turkish Jazz)
11. Menelik Wossenachew (Ethio Jazz)
12. Blucky D´Almedia - Les Nanes (Jerk)
13. Bootsey Phelps – Fun In Your Thang (Funk)
14. Jimmy Jones – Time And Changes (Black Rock)
15. Elite Force – Feeling Good (Island Soul)
16. Maurice Miller Trio – Karachi (Lounge Jazz)
17. Julius Hemphill – Body (Edit) (Jazz)
18. Shepps – Tell More (New Funk)
19. Soul Majestics – I Done Told You (Soul)
20. Girma Beyene – Bati (Intro) (Ethio Jazz)




"Afrodelic Kraut Funk from the minds behind the Poets of Rhythm and
the Whitefield Brothers.

Release date: July 9, 2008. CD, 2LP, Digital | Pre-sale @ Amazon

Now-Again Records follows up The Heliocentrics’ percussive excursions into the astral realms of psychedelia with an album of Afro-tinged funk music originating from the Southern Sahara and recorded in Germany.

Karl Hector has, to date, only appeared on one 7-inch, from 1996, as the leader of the Funk Pilots. For this album, he has teamed up with Jay Whitefield (producer and guitarist for the Poets of Rhythm and the Whitefield Brothers, and founder of the now defunct Hotpie & Candy Records) and Thomas Myland and Zdenko Curlija, founders of The Malcouns.

Alongside Bo Baral, other members of the Poets of Rhythm and crack Munich- based session musicians, Whitefield, Myland and Curlija have crafted nearly twenty tracks that follow the musical roads that Hector has travelled. The underlying groove that ties these ideas together, of course, is as rooted in James Brown as it is Fela Kuti. As informed by Mulatu Astatke of Ethiopia as it is by Jean-Claude Vannier and Can. This is an album of the world. Not “world music” – but that will appeal to any culture ever transfixed by rhythm on “the one.”

01. When The Sun Breaks Through
02. Nyx
03. Followed Path
04. Transition >J<
05. Sahara Swing
06. Psycles
07. Transition >I<
08. Koloko Pt. 1
09. Debere
10. Transition >Z<
11. Jabore Pt. 3
12. Mystical Brotherhood
13. Timely Interuption
14. Transition >B<
15. Mellow (Version)
16. Rush Hour
17. Transition >W<
18. Toure Samar
19. Passau Run"

(Stones Throw Records/Now Again Redords)

Listen Up........New podcast with Jose James

Jose James drops into the Brownswood Basement for a chat with Tristian the BPM, in the 1st in the series of KPSACE.TV/Brownswwod podcasts - Jose James takes time out on his recent May Tour of Europe - taking the listener through tracks of his recent album 'The Dreamer' (Brownswood Records), new mixes and collaborations.

Click here for Podcast.

Click here for previous post.

ENJOY

June Purchases......Starting with Beats

BULLION - GET FAMILAIR 7" (One Handed Music)

"Mighty wonky beats here from the promising One Handed Music label, 'Get Familiar' is a stuttering hybrid of Flying Lotus-style hip hop and the kind of ultra-compressed production thump you'd hear from someone like Justice, Feadz and the like, loaded up with stuttering synths and drums that shuffle along so languorously, it sounds like they might actually be dragging. 'Rude Effort' captures that same sort of feel whilst injecting a welcome dose of John Carpenter-style early-eighties synth melodies.

Click here for Artist Website.

The Paul White remix transforms the piece into something a little straighter and closer to the conventions of hip hop production, albeit with a formidable, overdriven beat driving it forward. Killer" (BOOMKAT RECORDS)

Tracklisting

1. Get Familiar.
2. Rude Effort


DOWNLOAD HERE BULLION'S 'SOMETIME SILVER MORE TIMES GOLD MIX' mp3

Gold Intro
Lewis Parker - Golden Sound - Melankolic
The Californians - Golden Apples - CBS
The Skatalites & Tommy McCook - Silver Dollar - Trojan
Apollo Gold - Gold - Supercity
Sandy Denny - Gold Dust - Hannibal Records
Paul White - Goldrush The Coast - CDR
Stevie Wonder - Golden Lady - Motown
Lonnie Liston Smith - Golden Dreams - RCA
Amanda Lear - Gold - Ariola Records
Cups - Good As Gold - Unknown
Hugh Masekela - Gold - Uni
Brian Eno - Golden Hours - Virgin
Beat Konducta - Left On Silverlake - Stones Throw
Mixed Emotions - Gold Of My Life - Rock-Way
Kings Of Convenience - Gold For The Price Of Silver - Source"Golden An" Interlude / EPMD - Gold Digger - Def Jam
Jose Feliciano - McKenna's Gold Theme - RCA
Paul White - Shiny & Silver - CDR
Marvin Gaye - Love's More Precious Than Gold - Motown
Cocteau Twins - Gold Dust Rush - 4AD
Nina Simone - Plain Gold Ring - Verve
Kenny Rankin - Silver Morning - Little David
The Splendors - The Golden Years - Unknown
Jackie Mittoo - Gold Dust - Bamboo

PAUL WHITE - THE DRAGON FLY 7" (HAND 001)

"Brilliant 1st release from an exciting new label called, One Handed (UK). One of London's most promising beats producers, Paul White, steps up with this monster....

Paul White....A normal, everyday name for a man whose talents are anything but.

A successful library music composer with BBC & Channel 4 credits under his belt, he has a cult following among beat-tape enthusiasts and a growing catalogue of remixes (inc. Detroit heroes Frank’N’Dank and a pair for Far Out Recordings). This pair of tracks is the closest you’ll hear to the sound he crafts in the Skylight – the South London hilltop attic he and his vast collection of records and studio gear call home.

However, just because he’s so accomplished doesn’t mean he’s abandoned the raw, dramatic hip-hop sound he loves so much: think of the RZA if he’d turned to ‘70s prog instead of Willie Mitchell; or, or scrap the comparisons and listen closely to two of the moodiest, most intoxicating-yet-simple compositions to come out of this so-called ‘beat-tape’ scene.

Click here for Artist Website.

His rough demos have attracted praise from the likes of Ashley Beedle (X-Press 2 etc) and Breakin’ Bread to Andrew Meza’s scene-defining BTS Radio show and the Beat Dimensions crew – but here you have a first real taste of what this man can do…" (Rush Hour Records)

Tracklisting

1. Dragon Fly
2. A Silent Cry


FULGEANCE - 7x7 BEAT SERIES NUMBER 3

"Fulgeance – French beat maker Fulgeance steps up to the plate for the third release in the Beat Series. Fresh from his well received EP Chico on Musique Large he takes his queue from the ’84 B movie of the same name and gives us some French fonk. Check the flip and you’ll find like on many a dusty 45 a more reflective mood with “Mamie Thè” (Rush Hour Records)

BOOMKAT RECORDS....."The latest bit of product from the spot-on All City crew outta Glasgow lands with us after the awesome Mike Slott release smudged our world some weeks back. Fulgeance hails from France apparently and it would be true to say he's got a bit of that fonky Oizo type flavour about his beats, but mixed and mashed here with some sick beat science in simialr styles to fellow label mates Heralds of Change or the crew's studio engineer Mike Slott on 'The revenge of the nerds', but flips the styles on the b-side with some nicotine stained keys and burnished blue jazz downbeats. Class stuff, next installment please!"

Click here for Artist Website.

Tracklisting

1. Revenge Of The Nerd
2. Fulgeance The Mamie


CREEPY AUTOGRAPH - MURDER SEX 7" AND ERASE IN MIND E.P 12"

"7" of retro electro from the rather shy, Creepy Autograph". pressed in detroit, mininum copies...

In trying to acquire more information on Creepy Autograph, I was given the following statement.......

Yes, Creepy Autograph has a story. Creepy Autograph is real people, with real emotions. Ashamed and strange. These emotions run deep. They are stalkers, obsessed with past loves, which have turned sour.

Unsatisfied, I tried to figure out who these real people are or were. In reply I got:
Creepy Autograph wishes to remain anonymous, as they are embarrassed of their feelings. But they are so torn by love, that they will continue this project as a result of their sexual frustration". (Rush Hour Record)

Tracklisting

A1. I Wanna Fuck You

B1. Corporate Meeting
B2. Murder Sex

Dope 12" of retro electro...vocals, madness and a whole heap of analogue lovelyness. pressed in detroit. mininum copies...

Boomkat Records Comments...."Massively intriguing Detroit gear from the mysterious Creepy Autograph for Valentine Connexion records. There's an absolute minimum of information available on these guys and this record so all I can tell you is that it's some of the finest midnight Detroit electro soul we've heard since The Other People Place or the coldest gear since Dopplereffekt tried to stick it in a mannekin. Totally sick and deliciously mysterious, get into it..."

Tracklisting

A1. Erase In Mind
A2. Night Stalker

B1. The Gray Mans Theme
B2. Make Up & Fashion


IG CULTURE – ZEN BADIZM (FREEDOM SCHOOL) LP

"Mindblowing work from IG Culture -- the summation of all our previous expectations in his music, cast forward into bold new territory! The set's got the depth and majesty of a 70s spiritual jazz session, but still also bristles with the crackling cosmic touches we first loved in IG's work -- a blend of righteous jazz and vocal themes, all infused with a new sort of energy for the 21st Century! Rhythms are sometimes soaring, sometimes skittish, and bits of hip hop and soul nestle in alongside spiritual jazz modes -- with a collective feel that's as powerful as it is positive. IG's got some great help for the record too -- including Chicago talents Dee Alexander on vocals, Ernest Dawkins on reeds, and Corey Wilkes on trumpet -- plus Sacha Williamson on vocals, Josh Deep on vibes, and Tom Ashe on trumpet. Titles include covers of 70s classics "Girl U Need A Change Of Mind" and "Revelation" -- plus "Black", "Consumed", "Any Questions", "Adjusted Perspectives", "B Free", "This Love", and "Ra Bops In Blacknuss". LP includes bonus instrumental tracks "Black" and "Separate"." (Dustygroove Records)

Tracklisting

A1. Black
A2. Consumed
A3. Any Questions
A4. Revelation
A5. Adjusted Perspectives
A6. B Free
B1. Separate
B2. Ra Bops In Blacknuss
B3. Girl U Need A Change Of Mind
B4. Finale
C1. Consumer¡Çs Anthem/This Love
C2. Consumer¡Çs Anthem/Consumed (Refit)
C3. Consumer¡Çs Anthem/Consumed (I Will Not B)
D1. Black (Inst)
D2. Separate (Inst)


DAM-FUNK - BURGUNDY CITY 12" (STONES THROW RECORDS)

"Finally!! The wait is over! Dam-Funk releases his debut 12" on Stones Throw! With everything played by D-F, and without even the smallest hint of sequencing, he is a breath of fresh air, along with James Pants, for Stones Throw! 'Burgundy City' is the glitchy boogie tinged tune that has been getting caned by Benji B and has had beatheads salivating! 'Galactic Fun' is a more uptempo electric boogie circa '83 killer! Ace!"(Fat City Records)

"Dam Funk has been around since the golden age of electro music, back when Hip Hop and Dance music and Electronic were all the same genre. At least that's what the sales notes say. For us, this is pure galactic boogie funk which appeals to disco heads, funksters, hip hoppers and loads more besides. Stunning...." (Phonica Records)

Tracklisting

A1. Burgundy City
A2. Burgundy City Bonus Beats

B1. Galactic Fun
B2. Galactic Fun Bonus Beats


ERYKAH BADU - AMERICAN PROMISE 12" (Universal Motown US)

"Erykah Badu's latest album's opening track, "Amerykahn Promise" ably demonstrates in just over four minutes how widely the record ranges. Over a 70s funk vamp, Badu mumbles, a chorus of female voices sings the title hook; and a deep male voice intones, in the manner of a corrections officer speaking over a PA system, 'Excuse me, young lady, excuse me, you're causing quite a disturbance over here.' This authentic 70s style production sounds that way because it actually IS from the 70s, being the backing from a track on a 1977 album produced by Roy Ayers, who personally gave it to Badu to rework, and she sings here over the original master tape. The track vividly recalls the opening of a Funkadelic record, like "Maggot Brain", or the moments when George Clinton would let a variety of characters play out paranoid scenarios, and blend explicit political satire into unhinged, improvisatory funk". (Piccadilly Records)

Tracklisting

1. Amerykahn Promise (Vocal)
2. Amerykahn Promise (Instrumental)

STEVIE WONDER AT THE 02 ARENA (LONDON).....BAGGED MYSELF SOME TICKETS

I've managed to get hold of some tickets to Stevie Wonder this September at the 02 Arena in Greewich London, I can't wait.



Being one of my all time musical heroes, I never thought he would ever tour again and therefore I would never get the chance to see this musical genius on stage. Don't get me wrong, it won't be like seeing him in is hey-day back in the 1970's and there will probably be '2 kinds of Stevie' on show.....the one that does duet's with cheesie pop bands and then the other, who has to be one of the most talented and prolific musicians of his generation.

"Music fans get ready to party as Stevie Wonder tickets are now available for the soul star’s gig at the O2 Arena in September. Anyone who’s into music can’t help but love Stevie Wonder and by picking up your very own Stevie Wonder tickets and heading down to the O2 Arena, you’ll be able to see a living legend live in London.

With Stevie Wonder tickets music fans will be able to see a live performance from one of the music industry’s most enduring talents. Since he burst onto the scene in the early 60s, Stevie Wonder has taken the music world by storm, winning 25 Grammy Awards, being inducted into the Rock and Roll and the Songwriters Halls of Fame and of course selling millions of hit records. It’s not often he plays in London either, so pick up your Stevie Wonder tickets and see just what a star he is.

After signing for Motown Records at the age of twelve it was already clear that Stevie Wonder was a considerable musical talent, with a stunning voice and superb skills on a number of musical instruments. He’s only got better too, and with Stevie Wonder tickets London fans can see Stevie up on stage, showing exactly why he’s regularly heralded as one of the finest live performers in the world.

Stevie Wonder tickets will enable you to see the soul legend live at the impressive O2 Arena, wowing the audience with famous hits such as Superstition, My Cherie Armour, Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours and You Are The Sunshine of My Life. Now one of the best music venues in the world, the O2 Arena is the perfect place to see Stevie Wonder up on stage, live in London".

THE SECRET HERBIE HANCOCK ALBUM.....JUST ARRIVED IN THE POST

Hear O Israel

CATALOGUE NUMBER JBH025 CD / LP

"Funny one this. And it all came about by accident. Well sort of. I`d been lent this album about five years ago by John Cooper, the legendary underground music dealer. Last year I was discussing the album with him again, and we were both under the impression that this privately pressed album, called Hear O Israel, was no longer owned by anyone. So I put my detective hat and mac on and set about trying to find the owners. And eventually I did, and they are a large organisation called the URJ based in NYC. I went to see them in fact, and suggested that it would be a smashing idea to get this lost and very unique recording back into circulation. They asked me “why?” and I told them that it was one of the most beautiful recordings I have ever heard and needed to be heard again, because bugger all people heard it the first time round. And they said yes. Enthusiastically yes. So, I am thrilled, and shortly will be presenting Hear O Israel to the world again, and it is one of the most beautiful recordings I have ever heard. I can think of nothing quite like it.

Little is really known about it, so here is what we do know. The album was originally commissioned by Rabbi David Davis, recorded and then pressed in 1968, and includes the following musicians:

Herbie Hancock - piano
Jerome Richardson - flute, tenor and alto sax
Grady Tate  drums
Thad Jones  trumpet and flugelhorn
Ron Carter  bass
Jonathan Klein  composer, French horn and baritone
Rabbi David Davis  reader
Antonia Lavannne  soprano
Phyllis Bryn-Julson - contralto

The recording is a concert in jazz and prayer, and is one of the most sublime, spiritual recordings I have ever had the joy of listening too. Adding to the jazz is the occasional traditional Jewish prayer, sung by a female soprano and contralto, or narrated briefly by the Rabbi.

This most unusual, dare I say, unique recording has never been issued properly. We believe the recording was only available through the URJ, and was never commercially released. It is now licensed to Trunk Records exclusively worldwide.

I can`t show the artwork at the moment simply because it`s not finished, but here are some scans that will reveal a little more". FROM TRUNK RECORDS WEBSITE



SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE AGREES....."Wow! Jazz reissue of the year alert! BEAUTIFUL deep modal jazz with religious singing!

This is a truly incredible and almost totally unknown album from 1968 that was released on a tiny independent label run by a New York Jewish organisation in an extremely small run of only a few hundred copies. That it has remained obscure until now is surprising given the outstanding quality of the music and the all-star line up: the group is led by none other than the great Herbie Hancock, alongside a host of other top-flight New York jazz musicians including Grady Tate, Ron Carter, and Thad Jones.

The rediscovery of a long-lost classic-era album featuring all these great players would be reason enough to celebrate, but it's even more exciting than that, because this album combines deep NY modal jazz with Middle-Eastern-sounding Hebrew religious singing and even a narration from a Rabbi on a couple of tracks! - a unique, unusual, and jaw-droppingly beautiful fusion!

The project was conceived and composed by the 17 year old jazz-obsessed son of Massachusetts-based rabbi Joseph Klein, Jonathan Klein, who went on to study music at the prestigious Berklee School of Music. His idea was to use jazz in a religious context as an act of prayer and celebration, and the unique combination of searching, yearning deep late sixties modal jazz with the keening spirituality of the Hebrew singing really works!

Herbie Hancock was at the height of his powers in 1968 and was searching for new directions in which to take his music - he recorded his Fat Albert Rotunda album in the same year, which pointed towards his future jazz fusion directions - and this album represents a pinnacle of 1960s deep jazz experimentation, and definitely ranks as one of our favourite Herbie Hancock albums!

In short, this is an absolutely ESSENTIAL album for any fan of deep jazz!

Very VERY highly recommended!

Don't sleep on this!" SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE