Orakel: When Time Doesn’t Know Itself [4Lux Recordings]
Orakel, the Austrian collective’s debut is a cosmic groove odyssey surrounded with delicious nuggets of electronica and hip-hop samplings. Their hypnotic melodies will have you locked in immediately with the opener “The Gate” a spacey synth flavored intro filled with astral soundscapes and the wordless phrases of Dwight Trible. Trible appears again with uplifting vocal melodies on “Recreation Song”, a mellow jazz-funk slow burner. “Suo Do Futuro” finds them shifting gears from a jazz fusion vibe to a down-tempo electronic gem that features vocals from Vilja Larjosto. Dorian Concept stops by to provide additional keys to the dreamy “After All”. Overall this is a stunning release filled with impressive compositions reminiscent of the seventies jazz-funk period as well as future electro grooves that will certainly provide immediate satisfaction. This is the kind of release that already has me wondering, what will these guys do for an encore? This is sure to get plenty of burn until then.
29 August 2011
Colonel Red – Woman [Tokyo Dawn]
Hanna & Beatr8 – Bow Down [Record Union]
Fatima – Mind [Eglo]
Krts – Whatever [Project Mooncircle]
Planas feat. Claudia Georgette – Merry Go Round (Seemore Remix) [Exceptional Blue]
Amenta – Come Around [First Word]
Klaus – Tusk [R&S]
Vondelpark – feat. B [R&S]
Cloud Boat – Bastion [R&S]
Laszlo – NRV [Lydian Label]
Submotion Orchestra – Always [Exceptional]
ARP 101 – U [Eglo]
The Quantic Soul Orchestra feat. Alice Russell – Left & Right [Tru Thoughts]
Randa And The Soul Kingdom – What You Need [Freestyle]
Lack Of Afro feat. Angeline Morrison – Fool [Freestyle]
The Dynamics – My Stride [Favorite]
Sbtrkt feat. Sampha – Hold On [Ministry Of Sound]
Arthur’s Landing – Love Dancing [Ministry Of Sound]
Overcast Sound – Temple Hof (Nadia Popoff Remix) [Falk]
Miguel Migs feat. Lisa Shaw – Breakdown [OM/Salted Music]
Emika – Pretend (Kyle Hall Remix) [Ninja Tune]
Wbeeza – One Solution [Third Ear]
Dusky feat. Janai – Lost In You [Anjunadeep]
Oumou Sangare – Te Diya Bee Ye (Jose Marquez Remix) [Tribe]
Byron Morris & Unity – Sun Shower [Celeste]
22 August 2011
Emanative – When On Earth [Futuristica Music]
Huba – Natural High [Jupiter]
Erykah Badu – Soldier [Motown]
Morgan Zarate feat. Eska & Ghostface – Sticks & Stones
Jose James – Resolution [Brownswood]
Mr Beatnick feat. Ahu – I Know All The Bitches [Altered Vibes]
Budamunky feat. Crac Knuckles – Wednesday [Jazzy Sport]
N-Side – Within 5% [Three Alexander]
Bajka – I Can No Poet Be [Jazzman]
Janet K feat. Omar & Spoonface – Imagine
Landslide feat. Ernesto – Solitary (Simple Time Mix) [Wah Wah 45s]
Max Fresh – Unfinished Beat [Loungin]
Skream – Blipstream [Tempa]
Bass Clef – Cannot Be Straightened [Blank Tapes]
Digital – Termite [Innerground]
Daz-I-Kue feat. Ben Hadwen – Think
Diesler – Burnley Wallet [Tru Thoughts]
Mark Pritchard & Steve Spacek – Turn It On [Sonar Kollektiv]
David Borsu – Mannequin Mankind [Amalgama]
Jonny Miller – Starz [Jus’listen]
JD73 – Swing Til It Hurts (Domu Remix) [Music At Monumental]
Jamie Lidell – When I Come Back Around Again [Warp]
Domu Presents Pete Simpson – Look A Little Further [Papa]
Atjazz feat. Dawne B – Parallels (Jazzanova Remix)
Coldcut feat. Robert Owens – Walk A Mile In My Shoes (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Ninja Tune]
15 August 2011
The Beauty Room – Holding On [Peacefrog]
Talc – Modern Sleepover [Wah Wah 45s]
Tawiah – Broken Heart [Bush Girl]
Planet Rescue – Spaceship Ride
Sandboy feat. Randolph Matthews – Call Out [Hinterland]
The Politik – Black Sun [Antipodean]
RLP – Color Of Space
Pase Rock – The Hype [4our 4our]
NSM feat. Jneiro Jarel – Mumbo Jum (Remix) [Jazzy Sport]
Strange Fruit Project feat. Erykah Badu – Get Live [Om Hiphop]
Steve Spacek – Dollar [Sound In Color]
Up Hygh feat. Eska – Be Known (Owusu Remix)
Part-Time Heroes – Realise [Mums The Word]
The Five Corners Quintet – Straight Up [Ricky Tick]
Survival – Rouge
Simbad feat. Melo – After The Dance (Bugz In The Attic Remix) [Raw Fusion]
The Sub Ensemble – Faster Than The Sun (Domu Remix) [Treble O]
Unity – Escape [Record Kicks]
Opolopo – Life’s A Dance [Especial]
Soldiers Of Twilight – Believe (New Mastersounds Remix) [2020 Vision]
1Luv – Black Daylight [Suntzu Sound]
Alif Tree – Forgotten Places (Moodymann Remix) [Compost]
The Heritage Orchestra – Skybreaks (Jazzanova Remix) [Brownswood]
Wahoo – Don’t Take It Personal (Georg Levin’s Edit) [Four Music]
Yellowtail feat. Russell Morgan – Changes [Dancing Turtle]
Simon Grey – The Galactica Suite [Papa]
8 August 2011
Jill Scott – Missing You [Warner]
Bobby – Amends [Tokyo Dawn]
East Park Reggae Collective – Microscopic Dub (Bug Remix) [First Word]
Rahsaan Patterson – Crazy (Baby) [Dome]
Little Dragon – Summertearz [Peacefrog]
Moby – Lie Down In Darkness (Photek Remix) [Little Idiot]
Bugge Wesseltoft & Henrik Schwarz — Kammermusik [Jazzland]
Guest Mix by Havana Candy
Blood Orange – Sutphin Boulevard (Bicep Remix) [World Unknown]
Clap Rules – Pericoloso [Bearfunk]
Craig Bratley – Get Up [Foto]
The Project Club – El Mar Y La Luna (Shrinkwrap Remix) [Is It Balearic?]
Jamie L – Something Better (Flash Atkins Remix) [Paper]
Fernando – Non Stop (Fabrizio Mammarella Remix) [Under The Shade]
The Heels Of Love – Cosmo [Nang]
Marcello Giordani – Stop (MG Edit) [Italo Deviance Records]
Theo Parrish – Dan Ryan [Sound Signature]
Maurice + Charles – Underneath The Universe [Kinfolk]
+++++End Of Mix+++++
Los Africanos – Do It (Negghead Edit)
Tomson & Benedict feat. Bantu Soul – Blind (Opolopo Remix) [Tone Control]
Phreek Plus One – Passion (Sportloto Tahyon Remix) [Compost Black]
Prince – Head [Warner]
Blue Feather – Let’s Funk Tonight [Polygram]
1 August 2011
Amy Winehouse – Take The Box [Island]
Marsmobil – Unconcious Mind Behind [Compost]
Erik Rico – Wonderful (Intergalactic Ancestors Version)
Jesse Futerman – A Tribute To Horace
Tai Allen – My Kisses Are Brown
Phaeleh – From A Distance [Afterglow]
Offshore – East Coast Capital Connect [Big Dada]
Paul White feat. Guilty Simpson – Trust [One Handed Music]
Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime feat. MED & Rapper Big Pooh – Endure
Jehst – Timeless [YNR]
Bahamadia – Da Jawn [Chrysalis]
The Basement Khemist – Everybody (L.I.F.E) [Strut]
Pimp Recker – Mission & 24th [Strut]
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – Mr Babe [King]
The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band – The Wildman [MPS]
Lack Of Afro feat. Wayne Gidden – A Time For [Freestyle]
Seawind – Angel Of Mercy [CTI]
Grooveboy – What U Are [Jazzy Sport]
Jamie L – Something Better [Paper]
Havana Candy – Baloga
Recloose – Electric Sunshine [Rush Hour]
The Rurals – Ocean [Peng]
Wipe The Needle feat. Amalia – Gonna Let You In [Broadcite]
Zed Bias feat. Jenna G – Fairplay (Zed Bias Old Skool Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Various: Mad Styles And Crazy Vision 2 – Compiled & Mixed By Louie Vega [BBE]
With so many compilations dropping week after week it’s easy to dismiss a number of them but when the name Louie Vega graces one you have to take notice, for good reason. For “Mad Styles & Crazy Vision 2” spans the wonderful world of House music of the various styles of the last thirty years. Few people thought that House music would stand the test of time but not only has it shown staying power it has continued to evolve, thanks to the growing number of talented DJ’s and artists who stay committed to the music. There are tracks that take you back to the early days like Todd Terry’s “I’m Your DJ”, representative of the raw underground deep dish sound that filled many clubs back in the late eighties. There’s the pulsating disco flavored sound of Peven Everett’s “Inspiration” that will surely get your heart racing. Black Coffee’s “We Are One” is filled with bombastic percussions and uplifting lyrics. If you’re feigning for some tribal house you can’t go wrong with Phil Asher’s “Textya”. Josh Milan’s “Your Body” is a delicious slice of soulful rhythmic vocal house with tasty horns and percussion. With Forty two songs plus a continuous mix of all songs you be hard pressed to pass this up. This is a must have if you’ve ever felt or wish to experience the spirit of house.
Tom Trago: Iris [Rush Hour]
Amsterdam’s Tom Trego picks up from where he started with his debut; the disco flavored “Voyage Direct”. With his latest release “Iris”, he has enlisted an array of likeminded artists to enhance his eclectic soulful dance infused arrangements. On “Being With You” Tom flips the Smokey Robinson classic into a futuristic synth flavored club jam. “What You Do” is an electro soul gem with a wicked groove and fellow DJ Tyree Cooper fills in as the official hype man mid-way through the track. Om’Mas lends his vocals to the eighties inspired euro dance tune “So Cold”. With other notable appearances like Oliver Day Soul and Meikbar, “Iris” will certainly quench your thirst for twisted synth flavored dance tracks.
25 July 2011
Batman Thaws Mr. Freeze [EMI]
Karin Krog – Maiden Voyage/Lazy Afternoon [Crippled Dick Hot Wax]
Terry Callier – Sunset Boulevard [Talkin’ Loud]
Crystal Wind – It Ain’t Easy [BBE]
Aroop Roy – Lilly (Simon S Remix)
Lotek – Rebel Hi-Fi [First Word]
Omar – Ghana Emotion [Ether/Tru Thoughts]
Wehkah & Lisa Preston – Love Attack (Lord Jackson’s Bruck’A’Dub Mix)
Sarah Linhares – Other Side [Public Transit]
Josh Osho feat. Ghostface Killah – Redemption Days (Distance Remix) [Island]
Landslide – Nothing More [Round The Houses]
Cessa – Burner [Missing Link Sounds]
Baz – CasioBox
Miles & Coltrane – Straight, No Chaser [CBS]
The Jackson Dodds Trio – Song For Suzy [Freestyle]
The Fantastics – Mushroom Strut [Freestyle]
Donna Odain – Runaway
Aroop Roy – Ain’t That Sweet (Kan Sano Remix)
Motor City Drum Ensemble – L.O.V.E. (Wolfgang Voigt Remix) [!K7]
Si Tew feat. Pete Simpson – Need To Grow (Yoruba Soul Remix) [Atjazz Rec. Co.]
Rubber Lips – Dughouse [Panama Red]
LuLu Fall – It’s Official (Daz-I-Kue Remix) [Broadcite]
Tomson & Benedict feat. Bantu Soul – Blind (Alton Miller Remix) [Tone Control]
Push – Stomp [Push]
18 July 2011
Bobbi Humphrey – Chicago, Damn [Blue Note]
Donald Byrd – Wind Parade [Blue Note]
Johnny Hammond – Gamblers Life [Salvation]
DJ Camacho – Renegade (The Dance Tracks *Fugitive Version*) [Sumo]
Quell – Hatful of Hollow [Offering]
Zepherin Saint – Midnight Mawal [Tribe]
Archie Bell & The Drells – Don’t Let Love Get You Down (Onur Engin Edit) [White]
He3 Project – Make It Sweet ’75 [Family Groove]
Imperial Wonders – Mean Ol’ Miss Treater [Family Groove]
Universal Indiann & Myth Mountain Orchestra – Bayside Trippin’
Landslide – Dig Deeper [Round The Houses]
Nostalgia 77 – Golden Morning (Examples Of Twelves Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Custom Blue – Riverbend [Ho Hum]
Heidi Vogel – Black Narcissus [Fly Like A Bird]
Submotion Orchestra – Perfection [Exceptional]
Debian Blak – Leave Me Alone [First Word]
Paul White feat. Guilty Simpson – Trust [One Handed Music]
Slum Village – Get Dis Money (I.G. Culture Remix) [Holy Roller]
Pete Rock feat. The Un – Cake [BBE]
Beta Hector – Hexagon [Tru Thoughts]
Naive Machine – Afrika [Hit & Hope]
Om Unit & Kromestar – Solar Cycle [Cosmic Bridge]
Incognito – Life Ain’t Nothing But A Good Thing (Bluey’s Jazz Funk Raw Mix) [Dome]
Roman Fleischer – Can’t Get Enough [Development Music]
Semtek – Goons [Don’t Be Afraid]
11 July 2011
Joe Henderson – Out ‘n In [Milestone]
Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Theme De Yoyo [Soul Jazz]
Gary Reader – Schmoozer
Akeeb “Blackman” Kareem – Call Me Blackman [Hot Casa]
Patchworks – RIP with John Coltrane [Heavenly Sweetnees]
Eddie Palmieri – Lucumi (Joe Claussell Remix) [Fania]
Recast – Consensual [Third Ear]
Anton Romezz – Marzipan World (Havana Candy Remix)
Hackney Colliery Band – No Diggity [Wah Wah 45s]
Leroy Palmer – Oboe [Freestyle]
King Tubby feat. Barry Brown – King Of Zion Dub [BBE]
Sly and Robbie – Joy Ride Dub (Taxi) [BBE]
Heidi Vogel – Love Dance [Fly Like A Bird]
Debian Blak feat. Anna Scott – Take Me On [First Word]
Favourite Flava – VII (Sasac Remix) [Exceptional]
Hazel – Playground [Catblock]
Mecca:83 – Together(ness)
Oddisee – Rhymes Get Written
Phaeleh – Think About It [Afterglow]
DJ Shadow – I’ve Been Trying [Island]
Dego feat. Nia Andrews – Until Its Done [2000 Black]
Ben Mono feat. Bajka – Suburban Resident (Dharma One Remix)
Funkineven – Take Back [Eglo]
4 July 2011
Nostalgia 77 – Beautiful Lie [Tru Thoughts]
The Broken Orchestra feat. Anna Scott – Closer [A Bridge Too Far]
Eric Tagg – Living Off The Love [BBE]
Donna Odain – What Is it For?
Ye Mighty – Beyond [First Word]
A Race of Angels and GB – Love Is The End [Tokyo dawn]
Denz – In Your Mind (Gil Scott-Heron Tribute)
Jesse Futerman – Black Is The Colour
Phaeleh feat. Soundmouse – The Cold In You [Afterglow]
Josh Osho feat. Ghostface Killah – Redemption Days (Distance Remix) [Island]
Gael Blondeau – Lament
Ilene Barnes – House Of The Rising Sun (Simbad Blue Breaks Raw Mix)
Frank Booker – No Delay [Fine Art]
Guest Mix By Si Tew [Atjazz Record Company]
Andres – Ska’s Revenge
Mist Works – Common Question? (Si Tew Remix)
Floating Points – Truly
Fremdkunst – This Side of Paradise
Si Tew – Cold Day
Status IV – You Ain’t Really Down (Jazzanova Remix)
Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx – I’ll Take Care Of U
Si Tew – Hard Look
DJ Optimus feat. Prince Po – Pound for Pound
Bonobo feat. Andreya Triana – Stay The Same
Swede:art feat. Stray – Linguistics
Harmonic 313 – Cyclotron
Talib Kweli – Get By
Si Tew – Vaguely Fading (Red)
Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx – I’m New Here
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Matin – I Think I Miss You [Assembly]
David Borsu – Murtis Kayfield [Broadcite]
Zepherin Saint & Nathan Adams – Love Of My Life (Atjazz Remix) [Tribe]
Tipper: Broken Soul Jamboree [Tippermusic]
“Broken Soul Jamboree” is the creation of British producer Dave Tipper, who is no stranger to composing brilliant electronic music. With this release, he has arranged a batch of dreamy down-tempo gems that meshes elements of Indian, classical and electronica into a cinematic odyssey that is tailor made for late night lounge sessions. Some of the highlights are “Big Question Small Head”, a head nodder filled with infectious beats, a wicked bassline and clever use of the mandolin instrument. “Class 5 Roaming Vapor” is an ambient down-tempo gem due to the multi layered chord arrangements. “Royal Dragon Sire” is filled with dreamy cinematic soundscapes and is simply chill out music at its best. Tipper’s orchestral arrangements and live instrumentation make “Broken Soul Jamboree” essential listening. For those looking for electronic music that pushes the boundaries, you’ve come to the right place.
Pete Rock: Petestrumentals [BBE]
I wondered what it would be like if I were a rapper and I was given free rein to select some beats from the vault of all-star hip-hop producer Pete Rock. After all his production talents has been the backbone for numerous rappers for years.” Petestrumentals Ten year anniversary” celebrates the 2001 release and the great fact about these joints is that they haven’t aged at all. For instance, “A Little Soul” packed with deep grooves and thick beats is the kind of funk that never gets old. “For The People” still is hypnotic thanks in part to the wicked fender Rhodes arrangement layered nicely over more heart pounding beats. And while the focus is mainly on instrumentals, the disc is hardly devoid of vocals. Rapper Nature spits fire on “To My Advantage” as well as Freddie Foxx on “Mind Frame”. For old time sake we’re treated to a CL Smooth collaboration as he waxes poetic on how a true hustler handles his business on “Back On Da Block”. “Ten Anniversay” also arrives with additional bonus tracks and alternate takes to certify that a strong release is even better. For all hip-hop enthusiasts and beat aficionados this definitely belongs in your collection.
Idrissa Diop & Cheikh Tidiane Tall: Diamonoye Tiopite [Tarangabeat]
“Cheikh Tidiane” is the first of several releases from the Senegal based label “Terangabeat” which features the music of Idrissa Diop. Diop is the man largely responsible for the music known as Mbalax, which merges Senegalese with Latin rhythms and paved the way for artists like Youssou N’Dour and Omar Pene . This release covers some of his strongest recordings from 1969-76 with the band Sahel. The latin flavor is evident on tracks like “Yaye Boye”, a warm laidback tune highlighted by Idrissa’s tenor flavored vocals and Cheikh Tidianne Tall’s rhythmic guitar playing. “Caridad” is another winner filled with sparkling percussions and soaring keys. Sahel’s harmonious horn section figures prominently on “Fonkale Garape” as well as Tidiane Tall’s guitar soloing. Their spirited playing elevates the compositions to another level. The sound quality on the recording is the only drawback as several tracks have an analog sound and you wonder how much better this would if it was digitally remastered. That said, “Diamonoye Tiopite” is a hidden treasure that brims with emotion, energy and is filled with heartfelt lyrics. Kudos to Terangabeat for allowing this disc to see the light of day.