Rich Medina: Connecting The Dots [Kindred Spirits]
Demonstrating that he is not only a superlative spoken-word artist and skilled DJ, but a gifted producer to boot, Philadelphia’s Rich Medina draws from a vast pool of influences here to deliver a work that takes us from Philly to Detroit via Nigeria and West-London. With an impressive array of guest-vocalists and musicians, and stylish, original melodies, we are treated to head-nodding Hip-Hop, mid-tempo soulful House, the finest Soul, and other boundary-defying grooves. 1xtra’s Benji B is a fan, and so should you be!
Pharoah Sanders: Anthology [You’ve Got To Have Freedom] [Soul Brother]
With a career spanning more than 40 years and no less than 30 albums, Pharoah Sanders has long been revered in jazz circles. Combining African and Eastern influences with the distinctive ‘shrieking’ manner in which he plays the tenor sax, he has created some of the most spiritual music to have ever been recorded. For this Anthology, Soul Brother in collaboration with Universal, draw together 18 tracks (13 on vinyl) of Pharoah’s major compositions, covering the period 1967-1996 and incorporating material from the Impulse, Theresa, Arista and Verve labels. To highlight particular tracks would be pointless since they are all worthy inclusions. My advice is to grab a copy and sample for yourself the music of a true jazz great. If I were to make one small criticism it would be that a number of the longer cuts have been edited in order to allow the maximum number of tracks to be included. Personally I would have preferred an extended 3-disc package so the full-length versions could be featured. I guess cost restrictions prevented this.
Various Artists: Searching For Soul [Luv N’ Haight]
Subtitled ‘Rare & Classic Soul, Funk And Jazz From Michigan 1968-1980’, this compilation showcases just a small selection of the countless records which originated from the North American state. On small independent labels with low budgets and often limited distribution, many of these records were largely overshadowed by the hit making machine of Detroit’s Motown. However, there’s no denying the talent of these artists particularly on tracks such as Dee Edwards’ outstanding soul stepper ‘(I Can) Deal With That’. In fact it’s the album’s soul cuts which really shine through for me. Try Burning Desire’s ‘Why She Had To Go’, a funky mid-pacer, the slow motion grinding groove of ‘Trust Me’ from Aged In Harmony or Wendell Harrison’s wonderful bright and breezy soul/jazz offering ‘Take Time Out’ for solid examples of what it is.
Various Artists: Gilles Peterson Digs America: Brownswood U.S.A. [Ubiquity Records]
Gilles’ Brownswood Basement sessions for his Worldwide shows are essential listening for any discerning music fan. With rarity guaranteed, the quality is always impeccable, as is the case with this selection of gems from the U.S. The set opens in fine style with the Al Green influenced ‘Didn’t I’ by Darondo, before passing through Jon Lucien’s ‘Search For The Inner Self’ (released as a 7” prior to his legendary RCA albums) and on to the immaculate vocal jazz dancer ‘A Perfect Day’ from Bobby Cole. As if that wasn’t enough to wet your appetite there’s Baaska & Scavelli’s mythical ‘Get Off The Ground’, ‘The Kingdom Within You’ by Ira Sullivan and J.R. Bailey’s soul sensation, ‘Just Me ‘N’ You’. Experimental folk comes in the form of Ellen McIlwaine’s version of ‘Higher Ground’ and Caroline Peyton’s ‘Just As We’. Also pay special attention to the funky jazz of ‘Circles’ by The Ensemble Al Salaam from the Strata East stable and The World Experience Orchestra’s ‘The Prayer’, an intensely beautiful piece. This is an absolute must!
31 October 2005
aztec productions
feat. jason yarde ‘organism’ – abstract blue
low budget soul ‘no.1’ –
abstract blue
jamie lidell ‘multiply’ (gonzales remix) – warp
blue
foundation ’embers’ – jack to phono
the beauty room ‘don’t you know’ (hefner
remix) – new religion records
sala ‘thoughts of ebisu’ – white
povo ‘be da
bau’ – raw fusion
jamie finlay ‘little trumpet’ – wah wah 45s
robert
mitchell feat. ty ‘a heart’ – f-ire
likwid biskit ‘herbs and spice’ –
co-op
jonny miller ‘cold air’ – phuture lounge
rsl ‘stars’ –
players
masoul ‘future funk’ – white
brotherly ‘searching’ –
bitasweet
beat konductor ‘face the sun’ – stones throw
muallem feat.
wordsworth ‘b about it’ – compost
rappin hood ‘ex-157’ – trama
kenny flav
presents wayne kounty ‘fantasy world’ – premier cru music
dj farrapo &
yunez ‘baiano vem’ – afro art
random movement ‘love nights’ –
innerground
physics ‘the most beautiful boy in brasil’ (drumagick remix) –
white
players ‘what’s your problem’ – sanctuary
unknown ‘untitled’ –
white
marthon man ‘dreamz’ – chilli
funk
24 October 2005
Breakthrough feat. Amp Fiddler ‘Highway 2 U’ – Ki/oon
Bill Conti ‘Reflections’ – BBE
Steve Spacek ‘Rapid Rate’ – Sound In Color
Kahil El’Zabar ‘Running In The Streets’ (DJinji Brown Remix) – Deeper Soul
Nicolette ‘Wholesome’ – Early
Shu ‘Can I Take You’ – White
Chateau Flight ‘Superflight’ (Maurice Fulton Remix) – Versatile
Henrik Schwarz Guest Mix (Sunday-Music):
Arthur Russell ‘Hiding Your Present From You’ – Soul Jazz
Doug Hammond ‘For Our Souls’ – Idibib
Jacob Malik Ladder ‘Praise’ – Dopeness Galore
Son Dexter ‘Painting’ – Alleviated
The Godson ‘City Bar Reopen’ – Stillmusic
Carl Craig ‘Sandstorms’ – Planet E
Christian Bruhn ‘Captain Future’ – Condor
Luther Davis Group ‘To Be Free’ – Soul Cal
Max Mohr ‘Trickmixer’ – Playhouse
Yello ‘Bostich’ – Vertigo
Steve Miller Band ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ – Capitol
Sun Ra ‘Moon Dance’ – Saturn
Moondog ‘Bird’S Lament’ – Roof
Henrik Schwarz ‘Walk Music’ (Dub) – Sunday-Music
+++++End Of Music+++++
The Electric South ‘Sing’ (Unabombers Remix) – White
Legends Of The Underground ‘Paradise Garden’ – Kindred Spirits
Cosa Nostra ‘Back To Front’ – White
Simbad Aka Mowgly ‘2nite’S Da Nite’ – Faces
Barbara Mason ‘Give Me Your Love’ – BBE
17 October 2005
Paolo Fedreghini And Marco Bianchi ‘Stars’ – Schema
Poly ‘He Is Driving’ – White
Fenomenon ‘Play Safe’ – Beatservice
Ian Simmonds ‘International Songs’ – Kompact
Right Kinda Wrong ‘Time 2 Play’ – Rainy City
Kamara feat. Nanar ‘We As One’ – Abstract Blue
Def Harmonic ‘So Emotional’ – Brilliante
Mj Cole ‘Sincere’ (Masoul Remix) – White
Kalle Magnus & Daniel ‘Sang For Chun Li’ – Beatservice
Gb Presents… Julian Abelar ‘I Remember Silvio Manuel’ – White
Trevor Aka Pascal Schafer ‘Strange Worlds’ – Astro Lab
Bakura ‘Lately’ (Recloose Remix) – Especial
Lost Idol Exclusive Guest Mix (Cookshop Music):
Intro
Lost Idol ‘Firmlu Rooted’ – Cookshop
Dave Holland Quartet ‘Conference Of The Birds’ – Ecm
Dungen ‘Det Du Tankar Idag Ar Du I Morgon’ – Memphis Industries
Controller 7 ‘Wandering Song’ – Bully
2 Tall ‘February’ – Eclectric Breaks
Treva Whateve ‘Music’S Made Of Memories’ – Ninja Tune
Breakestra ‘How Do You Really Feel’ (Cut Chemist Atkins Edit) – Ubiquity
Jonathan Krisp ‘Scalextrick’ – Cookshop
Easylifenatural ‘Grasshopper’ – Wah Wah 45
Digital Midgets ‘Caught Ya Wrecker’ – Cookshop
Unknown ‘Swingende Bjeller’ – Noid
Martin Brew ‘Galactico’ (Greg Wilsons Electrofunkroots Version) – Fat City
Marco Passarani ‘Earth’S Heart’ – Peacefrog
+++++End Of Mix+++++
Womack & Womack ‘Baby I’m Scared Of You’ (Mark E Edit) – White
10 October 2005
Likufanele ‘You’ – Mr Bongo
Jamie Lidell ‘Multiply’ (Gonzales Remix) – Warp
Jamie Cullum ‘Get Your Way’ – Universal
Dwele feat. Slum Village ‘Keep On’ – Virgin
Pharrel ‘Can I Have It Like That’ – Virgin
Moonfruit ‘Slow Train From Juliaca’ – One Note
Netsayi ‘Hondo’ – Freeness
One Self ‘Paranoid’ (J Styles Remix) – Ninja Tune
Ok_ma ‘Sister’ (J-Star Remix) – R2
X-Press 2 ‘Give It’ (Quantic Soul Orchestra Remix) – Skint
Broken ‘Got Something To Say’ – Mind
Hardkandy ‘Three Days’ (Elmore Judd Remix) – Catskills
Lost Idol ‘Chip Funk’ – Cook Shop
Crazy Penis ‘Lady T’ – Sulva
Panoptikum feat. Blue Eyez ‘Black Land Of The Nile’ – Dejavu
Graeme Blevins ‘Broken’ – White
Champion Soul – Holdin’ On (Restless Soul Remix) – Sunshine Enterprises
Polar Pair Vs. Maddslinky feat. Mc Karolina ‘Over My Head’ – Tru Thoughts
Gerardo Frisina ‘Cohete’ – Schema
Leo Mendez Group ‘I Feel Love’ – Love Monk
Hajime Yoshizawa ‘Beyond The Sun’ – Geneon
The Earthquakers ‘Soul Samba’ – Perfect Toy
Ed Motta ‘Balendoah’ – Trama
Marcus Belgrave ‘Gemini Ii’ – Universal Sound
3 October 2005
Amadeo ‘Memories’ – Cosmic Dancer
David Axelrod ‘The Signs, Part One’ (Instrumental) – Capitol Jazz
Bah Samba ‘Let The Drums Speak’ (Harvey Lindo Edit) – BKO
Natalie Williams ‘Untitled’ – White
N-Side ‘Remembrance’ – Shalamar
Kahil El’zabar ‘He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands’ (Henrik Schwarz Remix) – Deeper Soul
Method Unique ‘Are You Ready’ – Broadcite
Hajime Yoshizawa feat. Vanessa Freeman ‘Believe Again’ – Geneon
Riovolt ‘E Dificil Esperar (Rio Version) – Irma
Vertente ‘Tabto Tempo’ – Far Out
Mark De Clive-Lowe ‘State Of Mental’ (Phuturistix Remix) – Antipodean
Jay Scarlett Time Travel Exclusive Mix (Spacek Sound System):
Dwele ‘I Think I Love U’ (Scarlett Re-Lick) – CD-R
Zion I ‘Temperture’ – Studio Distributions
Amerie ‘Talkin About’ – White
J Dilla ‘**ck The Police’ –
Rene Costy ‘Scabble’ – CD-R
Ammoncontact ‘Rebirth’ – Ninja Tunes
Yam Who ‘Wrap U Up’ – Ubiquity
Slope ‘Welcome’ (Maurice Fulton Mix) – Sonar Kollectiv
J-Rawls feat. Aloe Black ‘Bailar’ – Hum Drum
Tyrone ‘Smurf’ – Epic
One Way ‘Mr Groove’ – Mca
Serious Intension ‘It’s Serious’ – London
Ingram ‘DJs Delight’ – Strut
Pressure Drop ‘Feeling Real Good’ – Big World
Delgui feat. Colonel Red ‘It’s Alright’ – 4 Lux
Spymusic ‘Aerodescent’ – Dms Country
John Arnold feat. Ty ‘Style And Pattern’ – Ubiquity
Roy Ayers ‘Holiday’ (Kenny Dope Remix) – BBE
Platinum Pied Pipers feat. Tiombe Lockhart ‘It’s You’ (Remix) – CD-R
+++++End Of Mix+++++
Love In Action ‘Morphine’ – Phuture Lounge
The Fusion Experience ‘Scaramunga’ (Sidewinder Afro Remake) – Buff
Steve Spacek ‘Dollar’ (Daz-I-Que Remix) – Sound In Color
Various Artists: Hungarian Jazz Anthology [Cosmic Sounds]
Tom Wieland is back again with yet another excellent selection of Hungarian Jazz and as with all previous Cosmic Sounds compilations, this is stunning. Tom has been travelling to Hungary for a number of years DJing, and, of course, on the look out for quality records, making him the perfect choice. Most of the tracks here are from the 60’s, with a number taken from the Modern Jazz Anthology series released on the Hungarian state label, which of course are well sought after now. Tom’s done all the work for you, all you have to do is support with your hard earned cash.