Jazzanova's enthusiasm, self-confidence and carefree attitude are immediately on apparent on the Berlin collective's second studio album, Of All The Things. The six-member group belongs to the circle of innovators celebrated worldwide on dance floors, in Nu-Jazz/Broken Beat as well as modern folk and soul. Their first album, the genre classic In Between (2002), and remixes for Masters At Work, Fat Freddy's Drop, 4hero and Ursula Rucker are cherished by aficionados and sample and beat specialists. Ultimately, Jazzanova's production of the musical Belle et Fou in 2006 signaled that they were planning something huge for their next album.

For Of All The Things, Jazzanova worked with several different and equally distinct voices. Leon Ware, soul legend and writer/producer of Marvin Gaye's I Want You, covers - together with Dwele (soloist for Common and Kayne West) - his own song, "Rockin' You Eternally" from 1981. With Phonte (Little Brother), Jazzanova returns to their hip hop roots on "Look What You're Doin' To Me" and "So Far From Home." Other guests include Paul Randolph from Detroit, Ben Westbeech from London, Thief, Pedro Martins, Bembe Segue, and José James from Minneapolis - who recently released his debut album on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood label. There is a lot of soul, life and depth in this music, and those who have followed Jazzanova's path know that their interest in exploring new productions keeps on growing.

Of All The Things


The weekly club Afro Funké is the brainchild of African Afro Roots Reggae star, Rocky Dawuni, who realized LA's need for a night dedicated to African music, culture and art and it's far reaching legacy around the world. Dawuni, who's based in LA and his native Ghana, together with producer and photographer Cary Sullivan created Afro Funké, bringing on board resident DJ and partner Jeremy Sole's Musaics. Each week Afro Funké presents guest DJs, live performances, dancers, record release parties, fundraisers, art installations, crafts and more while Sole spins his unique Musaics, or sound collage-blends of hip hop, jazz/funk, dub reggae, afro beat, and remixed world beats; pieced together with tribal breaks, and uplifted by dubbed-out turntable manipulation and live instrumentation.

Afro Funké  |  Afro Funké MySpace