Various Artists: G.I. Disco [BBE Records]
What is G.I. Disco? It’s the duo of Kallie Kuts & Daniel Best, two aspiring DJ’s that resided near the US Army bases in Berlin Germany. The American GI’s brought along with them the 80”s club music that was so prominent in the clubs back in the states. Some of hottest music of that period made its way into the clubs of West Germany and West Berlin and would make an impact that is quite evident decades later. Some of the tracks on hand here like “I.O.U.” by Freeze and “Touch Me” by Fonda Rae were synth heavy club classics that came on strong after the end of the Disco era. “100%” by Caprice is typical of those tunes by a one hit wonder that stuck in your head but couldn’t identify if your life depended on it. Other notable tracks include “Another Man”, the 1984 hit by Barbara Mason, “Rumors” by The Timex Social Club and “Do It To The Music” by Raw Silk. This is a strong collection of music that captured the 80’s funk, soul and dance scene. Not to mention the musical seeds that were planted on the German music culture.
Danay Suarez: Havana Cultura Sessions [Brownswood Recordings]
One of the pleasant surprises that emerged from Gilles Peterson’s Havana Cultura compilation was the discovery of singer/rapper Danay Suarez. The talented vocalist easily glides from hip-hop to rnb to jazz and her soprano voice is a delight to behold. One wondered what a treat it would be if she had a project all her own and fortunately someone was listening. Produced by Roberto Fonseca and his Band, this live session in Havana’s EGREM studios showcases her superb vocal phrasing in a jazz forum. On the twenty two minute opener “Ser O No Ser”, Danay swings effortlessly and flows over the gorgeous melodies created by the ultra talented Fonseca on piano. Fonseca and his band play with fire and intensity, seamlessly changing tempo from a slow burn to a spirited fever pitch filled with improvisation of the highest order. On “En Lo Profundo” (In The Depth), is a spirited rumba flavored tune that kicks off with a shimmering timbales and percussions that create haunting rhythms as though they were a wakeup call to the ancestors. Fonseca and his band create plenty of space for Danay’s vocals to soar. The other two tracks are also equally enjoyable, in particular “Hay Un Lugar”, a beautiful ballad. All in all a virtuoso performance by Danay Suarez and a wonderful record that provides a snapshot into the world of Cuban jazz. A four track EP doesn’t get any better than this. Let’s hope the long player is coming soon.
The Apples: Kings [Freestyle Records]
The latest release by The nine piece ensemble known as The Apples is a testament on how the spirit of the funk fuses two worlds into one musical stew. The two main ingredients of this stew is Fred Wesley, he of the infamous JB’s and legendary funk pioneer trombonist who opens the first half of the disc. The second half features vocalist/percussionist Shlomo Bar, the Godfather of Israeli world music. Wesley provides the intro on the track “Howlin’ With Fred” with a funky riff that leads into a fierce groove laid down by the rhythm section. The title track provides more energetic funk improvisation by Wesley and the band and is augmented by DJ Todres turntable wizardry. Shlomo takes center stage on “Batash (Alwoojdi)”, a rhythmic Middle Eastern flavored tune highlighted by his vocal phrasing and percussion work on the darbuka. Shlomo also performs on “Banana Jam”, a musical gumbo filled with Afrobeat rhythms, wicked grooves and spirited horn arrangements. The band produced and arranged all tracks and each one stands on its own. It also helps that they kept the tracklist amount to eight tunes. At no time are you worn down by the amount of tunes or the lack of quality. That said “Kings” is an example of what happens when musical cultures collide and you surround it with talented musicians. The result is an engaging recording that is worthy of repeated listens
Skymark: The Sound Of Silence [Modern Sun Records]
There’s nothing like a jolt of some twisted psychedelic soul that just takes your mind on a natural high. That’s the feeling one might have after listening to "The Sound Of Silence" by Skymark. Skymark, who is also a member of dj collective Soul Sociedad has crafted an album filled with irresistible hip-hop beats, jazzy grooves and warped out synth arrangements that grab your attention with vice grip intensity. Among the highlights are “Understand” and “There You Go”, both of which feature the deep voice of rapper/singer Black Spade. The latter of those two is a neck snapping organ grinding beat treat worthy of repeated listens. “Ancestral Summer” sparkles with cosmic Fender Rhodes reminiscent of early Lonnie Liston Smith classics. The cosmic vibes and the thick mellow beats are augmented by the talented singer Ovasoul 7. “Pleasure Remix” is a bit lighter than most of the tracks here but no less exotic and entertaining. Joseph Junior sprinkles his velvet voice on the track to add additional coloring to this musical canvas. As gifted as these vocalists are, these compositions stand on their own as hypnotic and imaginative slices of future soul that should propel this disc to one of the highlights of the year. Highly Recommended.
27 December 2010
Stac – Balls Bounce [Wah Wah 45s]
Jed and Lucia – April Showers [Ubiquity]
Sun Circle – I Can See The Sun [Futuristica Music]
Erykah Badu – Window Seat [Universal]
Jose James – Touch [Brownswood]
Georgia Anne Muldrow – Live [Ubiquity]
Skymark feat. Blackspade – Space And Time [Ya Digg]
Eskmo – Cloudlight [Ninja Tune]
Dimlite – Elbow Flood [Now Again]
Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek feat. Jay Electronica, J. Cole & Mos Def – Just Begun [Warner]
Jay Electronica – Exhibit C [Decon]
Flying Lotus feat. Thundercat – Mmmhmm [Warp]
Eric Lau – Noma feat. Ben Hadwen [Kilawatt]
Grooveman Spot feat. Ahu – Affection [Jazzy Sport]
Electric Wire Hustle – Longtime [BBE]
Surra – Alethi
SK Radicals – Fragile Cosmic Girl [Freestyle]
Silhouette Brown – Casualties Of Honey [2000 Black]
Jack & Juke – 9th Wonder [First Word]
Ilija Rudman – What Am I Gonna Do? [Under The Shade/Jiscomusic]
Jacob Korn – Distant Point Of View [LOTD]
Havana Cultura – Roforofo Fight (Louie Vega’s EOL Mix) [Brownswood]
Kay Suzuki feat. Babacarr Dieng & Jally Keba Susso – Music (Atjazz Remix) [Round In Motion]
20 December 2010
Danay Suarez – Guajira [Brownswood]
He3 Project – Sashay Sashay [Family Groove]
Deborah Jordan – I Know You
Love Unlimited – If You Want Me, Say It (Daniel Drumz Edit) [U Know Me Rec]
DJ Asparagus – Rocket Luv (Boogie Version) [Gamm]
Atjazz feat. Amalia – One (Boddhi Satva Ancestral Poetry Mix) [Atjazz]
Maddslinky feat. Tawiah – Further Away [Tru Thoughts]
Wildcookie – Heroine [Tru Thoughts]
Nuphlo – Mahal [Studio Rockers]
Daedelus Vs. Emika – Retouch Tone (King Cannibal’s Ninja XX Edit) [Ninja Tune]
Truth – Bubba Ho Step [Disfigured Dubz]
Eveson – Life In The Balance [Channel 82]
Silent Witness- Brainedrain [Triple Seed]
Black Cow – O.P. Connection [Black Cow]
The Soul Brothers Inc. – Git It [Tramp]
Damon Bell – Sha-Kah [Deepblak]
DJ Jazzy Jeff feat. Erro – Rock Wit U (Yoruba Soul Remix) [BBE]
Erykah Badu – Twenty Feet Tall (Yoruba Soul Mix)
C.Robert Walker – Nobody Else But You (Stephen Rigmaiden Dub) [Offering]
Juan Zero – Again A Dream [Broadcite]
Moonstarr – Take It Back [Public Transit]
Negghead feat. Woolfie & JD73 – Pointless Pressure [Wax On]
Twilight – Dance With Me [Luv N’ Haight]
Herbie Hancock – I Thought It Was You (Onur Engin Edit)
13 December 2010
Lucky Pierre – Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child [Melodic]
Nitan Sawney – Immigrant [Outcaste]
Cinematic Orchestra – All That You Give [Ninja Tune]
Fertile Ground – Black Is [Counterpoint]
Silent Poets feat. Anomolies – Someday [Idyllic]
Hefner – Dive Into You [Inertia]
Break Reform – Perfect Season [Abstract Soul]
Sleepwalker – Ai-No-Kawa [Especial]
Seelenluft – Manila [Klein]
Birdy Nam Nam – Too Much Skunk Tonight [Kif]
Spacek – Eve (Jay Dee Remix) [Island Blue]
Sa-Ra Creative Partners feat. Pharoah Monch – Fish Fillet [Sound In Color]
Jaylib – The Red [Stones Throw]
Danny Breaks – The Jellyfish [Alphabet Zoo]
Physics – The Most Beautiful Boy In Brazil (Drummagick Remix)
Special Forces – The End [Photek]
Jazzanova – No Use [Compost]
Modaji – Sanctuary [Laws Of Motion]
Agent K – Ladies [Laws Of Motion]
Fred Everything – Elevate (Maurice Fulton Remix) [2020 Vision]
Jill Scott – Slowly Surely (Theo Parrish Remix) [White]
Nathan Haines – Believe [Chilli Funk]
Magic Number – Sorry (Atjazz Remix) [Mantis]
Innerzone Orchestra – People Make The World Go Round (C2 Remix) [Planet E]
6 December 2010
Nick Rosen – Rainfall [Porter]
The Broken Orchestra – Over & Over [A Bridge To Far]
Magestik Legend – Follow Thru [Exchange Bureau Music]
Shawalski – Gettin Hi
Richard E & Annabel – My Mistake [Further Out]
Art Bleek – Right On [Loungin’]
Bina Ehud – Hudi’s Blue [Agogo]
Pete Rodriguez – Besito Con Mozancha (Nirobi Re-Edit)
Booker Newberry III – Love Town [Boardwalk]
Billy Palmier – Free [Citywurl]
Guest Mix By FantastikClik & SPORT G [4Lux Recordings]
Carlos Nino & Friends – 9 Moons Full [Kindred Spirit]
Low Limit – Turf Day [Rush Hour]
Machine Drum – Sakatak [Lucky Me]
FantastikClik & SPORT G – Lump Of sugar [4lux]
Rustie – Hyperthrust [Warp]
Heralds Of Change – Spotted [All City]
FunkinEven – Heartpound [Eglo]
Flako – The Awful Dynne [Project Moon Circle]
FantastikClik & SPORT G – Voices Interlude [Special Voices Fusion# For Basic Soul]
Coco Bryce – Heavy [Slugabed]
FantastikClik & SPORT G – Brain 02 [4lux]
ARP 101 – Dead Leaf [Eglo]
Abbylete & Kalifornia Kurt – Diszko! [CDR]
Vakula – Deep In Mood [Quintessentials]
Above Smoke – Right on [Deep Explorer]
Kyroye – The Meet [The MeetFace Records]
+++++ End Of Mix+++++
Wbeeza – Boom [Third Ear]
Space Ranger – Superstring (Rayko Remix) [Love Monk]
Black Powder feat. Adeola Shyllon – One Chance (Love Over Money “Wanna Be From ’83” Instrumental) [Tone Control Music]
Erik Rico & Marc Mac – I Need Your Love
Bernard Badie feat. Dajae – Truth Hurts (Jonny Montana & Craig Stewart Remix) [Smooth Agent]
DJ Spinna & BBE Soundsystem: Strange Things & Funky Things Vol.5 [BBE Records]
DJ Spinna continues to dig in the crates in order to shine the light on the underground soul and rare grooves of the seventies with satisfying results. “Strange Things & Funky Things Vol.5” is jam packed with an assortment of tasty treats you may or may not be familiar with but you’ll no doubt enjoy them. The disc starts out with the silky seductive “Sweet Stuff” by Sylvia. This is definitely a dim the lights and hold your lady tight track. “Capricorn Rising” is one of those quality timeless tracks that slips through the cracks and you’re left wondering why. This is a wonderful jazz infused record by Richard Evans reminiscent of Charles Stepney’s arrangements with Earth, Wind & Fire. Other highlights include the afro-Latin rhythmic “War Is Coming” by War and “Obaa Yaa Aye Me Bone” by CK Mann & his Carousel 7. The latter is a thirteen minute medley of deep and funky Afrobeat rhythms that is essential listening. Overall DJ Spinna has created a tremendous passage into an era where quality recordings were the rule and not the exception. Need an immediate soul and funk injection, you’ll be wise to pick this one up.
Bilal: Airtight’s Revenge [Plug Research]
There aren’t many artists that can have a nine year gap between albums and still remain relevant but Bilal has done just that. In fact, with each guest appearance and live performance, the anticipation for this release grew at a rapid rate. Finally with “Airtight’s Revenge”, Bilal delivers an eclectic project that merely scratches the surface of his unique talents yet still provides definite satisfaction. Right from the start we’re treated to the twisted funky grooves of “Cake and eat it too” where he unleashes many layers of his infectious voice. “Move On” is another funky experimental highlight that laments on the heart break of a lost love. “Robots” is laden with slick grooves and wicked electric guitar licks. It also provides some social commentary on the political machine that exists how it affects the common man while the rich get richer. The disc wraps up with the acoustic flavored “Think It Over”, a warm and heartfelt ballad. Bilal isn’t content with going with the flow but instead seeks to push the boundaries of his musical landscape. This is a welcome return and hopefully there’ll be much more to follow.
29 November 2010
The Afro Soultet – Drumbouie [Luv N’ Haight]
The Prime Element – Shave And Haircut [Kindred Spirits]
Buddy Sativa – The Pilgrim [Favorite]
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra – Peter And The Wolf [Ubiquity]
The Alan Skidmore Quintet – Once Upon A Time [Vocalion]
Esther Phillips – Home Is Where The Hatred Is [Onur Engin Edit) [Square]
Incognito feat. Mario Biondi & Chaka Lhan – Lowdown [Dome]
He3 Project – From Africa To Oakland [Family Groove]
Space Invadas – Imaginist [BBE]
Rael – Kubrick Me Girl [Nonine]
Kidkanevil – Minjo (Blue Daisy Remix) [First Word]
Starkey feat. Anneka – Paradise (+Verb Remix) [Civil Music]
ARP 101 – AC D2 [Eglo]
FantastikClick & SPORT G – Sky [4Lux]
River Nelson feat. Vex Davortex – End Of The Day [CDR]
Erdbeerschnitzel – 360 [4Lux]
Lone – Moon Beam Harp [Magic Wire]
Robert Owens – Sacrifice [Compost]
Reel People feat. Darien – Sure (Frankie Feliciano Classic Vocal Mix) [Reel People Music]
Boddhi Satva feat. C. Robert Walker & Athenai – Who Am I (Atjazz Love Soul Remix) [Vega]
Deep Space Orchestra – Lo Pan [CDR]
AFMB – Nasty Disposition [Drumpoet Community]
22 November 2010
The McCrary – Emerge [Groove Mechant/Luv N’ Haight]
Eumir Deodato feat. Novecento & Al Jarreau – I Want You More [Expansion]
Resonators – Sweet Dub Affair [Wah Wah 45s]
Electric Wire Hustle – Again (Scratch 22 Remix) [BBE]
Black Renaissance – Black Renaissance [Luv N’ Haight]
George Benson – Turn Your Love Around (Onur Engin Edit) [White]
DJ Nature – Possessions (DJ Nature Disco Bounce Remix) [Jazzy Sport]
Opolopo – The Singularity [Tokyo Dawn]
Round Robin – Our Love Is So True [Groove Mechant/Luv N’ Haight]
Bad Jazz Troupe – Looking For Jupiter (Dusty Rework) [Jazz & Milk]
Colman Brothers – Another Brother (Big Band Mix) [Wah Wah 45s]
The Liberators – Rags To Riches [Record Kicks]
Saravah Soul – Mussum (Quantic Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Touchy Subject – Anniversary Rhyme [Numbers]
Francesco Tristano – Fragrance de Fraga [InFiné Music]
Chanan Hanspal – Footprints In The Sand (Shannon Harris Urbanicity Rework) [Here & Now]
John Gazoo – Times Square Was Not Disney World [Compost Disco]
Version – Nothing [Miso]
Grooveman Spot – Chocolate Funk [Jazzy Sport]
15 November 2010
Belleruche – Backyard (Kidkanevil Remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Starkey feat. Anneka – Paradise [Civil Music]
Skymark – Chaosyndrom [CDR]
Space Invadas – Imaginist [BBE]
River Nelson – Beautiful Life [CDR]
Edo.G feat. Pete Rock – Situations (Simon S Re-Flip) [Futuristica Music]
Nas – One Love (Simon S Re-Work) [Futuristica Music]
S-Type – Terry Nutkins [Phuturelabs]
Dels – Trumpalump (Paper Tiger Remix) [Big Dada]
Colonel Red & C.O.N.E. – Faith [Ruff Language]
Opolopo – Glide [Tokyo Dawn]
Full Crate – Cut The Barb [Kilawatt]
Wbeeza – Tru My Veins [Third Ear]
Krystal Kleer – Persuaded Me [Hoya]
DJ Le Roi feat. Andrea Love – Let It Feel Good (Atjazz Remix) [CDR]
Pete Dafeet – (In) Flux-Lost My Dog (Atjazz Remix) [CDR]
GuGu – AC Riddem [DVA]
Donso – Diya [Comet]
Irakere – Sea Mail [Far Out]
The Apples – Banana Jam [Freestyle]
The Souljazz Orchestra – Serenity [Strut]
Liz Elensky – You’re Everything [CDR]
Chick Corea – Litha [WEA]
Bill Evans – Autumn Leaves [Milestone]
8 November 2010
Francesco Tristano – Last days [InFiné Music]
Rufus – Smokin’ Room [ABC]
Roberta Flack feat. Donny Hathaway – The Closer I Get to You [Atlantic]
He3 Project – Sashay Sashay [Family Groove]
Jed and Lucia – April Showers [Ubiquity]
Anthony David – Backstreet [Dome]
Onra – Roger’s Waltz [Listen Up/Art Union]
Kidkanevil – Lantern 1 (Daisuke Tanabe Remix) [First Word]
The Gaslamp Killer – Fun Over 100 [Brainfeeder]
FantastikClick & SPORT G – Brain 02 [4Lux]
Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra – Put Leg To Road [First Word]
The Baker Brothers – Once I Had A Friend [Record Kicks]
Ronnie Scott Quintet – Interfusion [Pye]
Eddie Roberts & Freckles – How Long [One Note]
Erik Rico & Marc Mac – Destiny [CDR]
Francesco Tristano – Eastern Market [InFiné Music]
Jazz Neversleeps – Natte Vinger [On-Point]
Deep Space Orchestra – Stolen Future [CDR]
Atjazz feat. Robert Owens – Love Somebody (Mpeshnyk Remix) [Atjazz]
Babe, Terror – A Capital Federal (Appleblim Rework) [Phantasy]
Dennis Jr – Volunteered Slavery [Akustikk]
Marsmobil – Gonna Be My Day (Henrik Schwarz Remix) [Compost Black]
Kaspar Bjørke – Go Away Song [Compost Black]
El Prevost – That House Sh*t [Third Ear]
1 November 2010
Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers – Webb City [Amigo]
He3 Project – From Africa To Oakland [Family Groove]
He3 Project – You Got Some Real Nice Moves [Family Groove]
The Rongetz Foundation – Zap Carnivorous (Patchworks Remix) [Heavenly Sweetness]
Lee Scratch Perry – Exercising (Horsepower Remix) [Tempa]
Fujimoto Tetsuro – Avoyager [Listen Up/Art Union]
Dels feat. Ghostpoet – Trumpalump (Joe Goddard Remix) [Big Dada]
Kidkanevil – Setsuko (The Bug Remix) [First Word]
Guest Mix By DJ Zhill [Bagpak Music]
Kahuun feat. Sofia Rubina – Drunken Sailor Jazzzz (Ortalio Remix) [Bagpak Records]
Kid Swing – Folks Get Mixed Up
Jazzyhead – Blues [Eclectica]
The Raw Sh*t – When I Get Crazy [Pal Joey Music]
Killer Whale – Is It All Over My Face (Killer Whale Original) [Ism Recordings]
Ron Basejam – Spirit (Hot Toddy Remix) [Ism Recordings]
Big Bossa – Mambo Funk [Chocolat Soul Records]
Aphrodisiax – Keep It Movin [Jus’House]
Pinku Vaaty – Malted Away [Rakkaus Records]
Souled – Air Tight [Fresh Minute Music]
Micatone – Sit Beside Me [Sonar Kollektiv]
Lump – A Promise [Amplified!]
Status IV – You Ain’t Really Down [Sonar Kollektiv]
Colonel Red – Movin On [Ruff Language/Visions Inc]
+++++ End Of Mix +++++
Enzyme Black – ME2U (Hans Berg Remix) [Enzyme Black]
Capracara – Panic Beats [Fine Art]
Version – Nothing [Miso]
The Crusaders – Sweet N’ Sour [MCA]