GLOBAL REWIND FEBRUARY 2007
I hate being stuck in airports, especially in the cold spots of the United States. White, fluffy stuff continues to pour like rain, powdered aircrafts are grounded once more, and tempers are rattling every which way.
Especially....mine!
Hearing people bitching and moaning, kids throwing fits and crying, and seeing travel agents display forced grin amidst varying degrees of personal threat levels, escape is what I need...like, right now!
So out of my pouch comes those white earbuds, my tiny music player, a feeling of "aaaahhhhhh" and a stupid grin on my face, closing my eyes and being oblivious to the mean, tense external surroundings.
Join me, won't you?
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AUSTRALIA
More Down Under music goodness coming soon from Rephrase. Little Victories is a full-on, in-your-face funk tour-de-force, with an abundance of energy to keep the CD locked on repeat. For good measure, DC's All Good Funk Alliance throws in some nice remix action. It's out on Knowlfoowl in Oz come March, with both Europe and the States domestic love soon come. Don't sleep...once you put it in your player, you won't want to.
ISRAEL
The good peeps known as Polar Pair continue to hold down the fort in terms of nu jazz, broken beat and other soul and jazz vibes, alongside friends as part of the Botanika collective. Look for its dope house-meets-Afrobeat mix of "Another Skin" from the Black Devil Disco Club, which should be out on Lo Recordings by the time you read this. Drop this one in your world set and prepare for the heavy percussions to do damage.
GERMANY
If I mention Germany, chances are good that I'm going to mention Compost Records. The label never sleeps, and it's not about to now.
Celebrating its 250th release, Freshly Composted Vol. 2 picks up where the 200th (aka Vol. 1) left off. Plenty of nuggets on this CD-only collection, including previously vinyl-only cuts such as remixes from Moodymann (Alif Tree's "Forgotten Places"), Carl Craig (Beanfield's "Tides" featuring Bajka), and Todd Terje (Felix Laband's "Whistling in Tongues"). Also in this collection are quality cuts from Japan's jazz punks Soil & Pimp, label favorite Koop with Yukimi Nagano, and even an awesome teaser from Ben Mono ("Jesus Was A B-Boy") from his upcoming sophomoric album due this spring. The comp, meanwhile, is now available.
Look out a couple of recent 12" from Koop. More Remixes (with touch-ups from Innocent Sorcerers, Beanfield and Alif Tree) plus the Swedish Remixes from the homies (Hird, Markus Enochson and Tiger Stripes).
The venerable Black Label series continues with a wicked number by that cheeky duo known as Studio R. Having already given Sonar Kollektiv some love with "Clapz" featuring Mocky, "A+R" is single number two for the lads with the man Capitol A laying the words down. Smokin' remixes galore courtesy of Llorca, Ben Mono and DJ Friction.
Lest we forget the other Compost imprint, Swiss-based Drumpoet Community, continuing its quest of putting out some nice outings. Look for EP's from Soultourist Collective member Thabo ("Take Root/Barcelona") and Soultourist itself ("Yeah/Manic Love"), available now.
More goodness coming from Jazzanova's Sonar Kollektiv camp to quench your musical appetite. Look for domestic releases from Markus Enochson (the well-produced album Night Games) and the German duo Ame (the second in SK's Mixing series...both on CD and triple-vinyl).
Bristol's Up, Bustle & Out are back again with a fun, fun album called Mexican Sessions (Our Simple Sensational Sound). As you might imagine, the group has collaborated with musicians in Mexico including the collective known as Coco Machete, among other artists and locales Over three years in the making, the end results is a stew of Mexican, Reggae, Carribean, and UBO roiled into one mean recipe. Look for it now on Germany's Collision.
When I think of the music from Japan, I immediately think of talented modern jazz cats such as Sleepwalker, Jazzztronik and Yukihiro Fukutomi. Another winning jazz outfit is Native, having it's latest in "Prussian Blue," a nice Latin jazz groover. Nicola Conte comes through in spades with a live rework that doesn't disappoint. He's not only one of the best, but continues to raise the bar with a quintet of talented Italian jazz musicians helping him out. It's club jazz at its finest on Infracom.
SWEDEN
Opolopo is moving forward. Asides from the hard-hitting "All Systems Down" and the neo-soul burner "I Do" with Canada's talented songstress Amalia (and following up on his big one last year, "Life's A Dance," for Japan's Especial Records), he's just released an digital-only EP called The Singularity. The 4-track release touches on old school sounds meeting new school vibes. It's a departure from his better-known material, but still retains his groovy essence. It's available right now through ClickGroove.
UK
Sometimes, it's a royal pain when it takes UK music love for stateside artists to receive US recognition. As far as Counterpoint Records was concerned, the music of Detroit jazz vet Sheila Landis needed said recognition. She's been taking the DIY route for nearly three decades through her own Shelans label. Counterpoint is about to drop Parenthe-Seizure, a full length collection of tunes Landis has recorded from 1981-2002. Anyone who loves solid jazz arrangements and great vocals should immediately add the album to his/her collection come early March. There are plenty of delights to make jazz lovers happy. Vinyl heads can find a 4-track sampler that's now making the rounds.
Marcina Arnold is another multitalented find. Having released her own album Twisted Blue Folk inna DIY style, two of the tunes make up part of a four-track EP for Counterpoint called Introducing Marcina Arnold. They go alongside two new tracks, which are debuted on the EP. "Forefathers" has been getting plenty of attention from tastemakers and DJ's around the globe. It's already out, so do have a look around for it.
Those Tru Thoughts peeps out of Brighton, you just never know what sort of musical surprises will be coming down the pike. Coming out next month is the extremely phat debut from Lanu, aka Lance Ferguson of the tight-as-hell Aussie funk outift The Bamboos. This Is My Home is a much more modern set, but no less compelling. There are standout cuts galore here, and it's really hard to find a bad cut in the bunch. Guests include Aloe Blacc, Quantic, fellow Kiwi Cherie Mathieson, and more. Also look for the latest EP from TM Juke called Skin, which is one of the tracks from his recent Forward album from last year, as well as a brand new edition of the label's Shapes compilation.
Got the hit-up on Myspace from Loretta Heywood. Those in the know may remember her silky vocal work alongside the likes of Loquate (aka Seiji) and Waiwan. She'll soon be at work on a new solo album; in the meantime, check out Bhavanyastakam, sung in Sanskirit and based on her journeys (both physical and spiritual) to India. From an album called The Boy Across The Road (with guests including Victor Davis, Waiwan, and Chris Franck (from Da Lata, Smoke City & KV5) among others) more info can be found on her This Boy That Girl web site.
Richard E and his Further Out label have plans for a busy 2007. One of the tracks that should have came out last year will be one of its first release of this year. First heard by most of us as a lounge-tinged remix from French producer Patchworks, the orignal version of "The Call," with Jennifer Moore's beautiful vocals, is one in which Mr. E takes a great deal of pride in its final incarnation. I couldn't agree more with how captivating it is...as laid back as a lazy Sunday afternoon. Other releases to come include the full-length from DJ Saturn and EP's from Bossa Futura and Alessandro Oliviero featuring Heidi Vogel among others.
Some tunes that are missed the first time can somehow get interesting afterlifes. Such is the case with Ear Dis. They have a scrumptious broken soul number called "Hey Girl" that ended up perking my ears late last year, though it had been originally out in 2005. In case you missed it, the tune is returning to vinyl alongside some fresh remixes courtesy of each of the duo--Spoonface does a stripped-down acoustic version, while Arms himself keeps it electric with bass n'bells. Look for the love to come out in March on their WunnaDemWuns label.
Re-edits can be a tricky business; there's truly a glut of them that are head scratchers, and then there are those that add that special something for DJ's and music lovers to appreciate. Rainy City Music artist Sasso retouches two choice classics: "We Live In Philly," one of Roy Ayers' seminal tunes, gets extended in length with added keys and heavier beats, but never drowning out the funky groove that makes the original so indelible. The groove also gets upped a bit on The Jackson's "Heartbreak Hotel" with some sly cut-and-paste action on the vocals and a layers of modern sounds. No word on release dates or a label , but will keep you posted as best as possible.
BELGIUM
Belgium is home for the Beyondjazz crew, who help run the tight-knit web community of the same name. In addition to its massively informative site, passionate music community (both fans and producers), and its excellent weekly radio show (available as a podcast), it has its own compilation series that showcases both the rising talents and the veterans of the special scene. Beyondjazz Vol. 3, a digital-only comp released back in December, features a global roster of favorite artists such as Innocent Sorcerers (Poland), Yosaku (California, U.S.), Aroop Roy (Japan), and Masoul (UK) among others. In case you didn't get the first two volumes, they are available also as digital-only full-lengths; all of the details you need for one or all of the volumes can be found on the Beyondjazz site.
GREECE
DJ Nova, I hear, is a pretty tall guy--and not just in height, either. This fool works it and works it hard, holding down late-night broadcasting duties of top international shows during the wee hours of Thursdays and Saturdays on Rodon FM, promoting choice events in his home town of Serres and other nearby locales, spinning the music on the ones and twos, outputting weekly charts as well as postings across multiple sites and emails, and hosting two weekly radio shows. If that's not enough to wear you down, he's found time to put together his very first compilation. Night and Day, just released through Greece's Prominence label, is very much in the lounge/jazz vein. Quality artists on the comp include Big Bang, Shur-I-Kan, Soulstance, Sabrina Malheiros, and Nature's Plan just to name a few. A nice, overall musical balance.
SPAIN
Spain just keeps busy by keeping itself on the musical map. Lovemonk's got some goodies for ya. For some tight modern funk biz, look for the 7" of its new Marsula Soulfood label; it's a tag-team remix from Watch TV and Senorlobo of Quantic's "Sound of Everything," with Alice Russell crooning for good measure as folk sensibilities meet funky breaks. You gotta get this for your bag, and I'd get it quick cuz of limited pressing pressure.
El Gran Lapofsky's terrific Hi Top label continues onward, ending 2006 with some super funk biz from Watch TV and the Primetimes. Discolexia is the debut full-length from the Spainaird and company, and it is funky-wicked. Fans of funky breaks, jazz, and lounge will eat this one up. This is huge, so don't miss out.
BRAZIL
It's Number Four for Edground and e-Deep's Grooveland label of bumpin' house delights. Look out in March for The Theme (Cisco Bay) from UK-based production trio Soul Basics. Take your pick of mixes...deep house, broken beat, or lounge. Even better, collect all three on a single piece of vinyl. Dope house from Brazil? Believe it.
CANADA
Robert Strauss, who previously dropped Quasars and Phasers on Freerange in 2005, is back on the scene for new label Earth Corporation Enterprises. Mr. Feelings is the album, and two of the four sample EP's are now front and center. An intoxicating hybrid of funk, soul and disco keep tunes like "Close Your Eyes" and "Hot Like An Oven" flamin'! The latter tune features funk/disco vet Leroy Burgess, who apparently is working with Strauss on new material. Get your hot pants on and boogie down!
US
Ubiquity starts '07 with the third long-player from Shawn Lee's one-man project the Ping Pong Orchestra. Voices and Choices, in addition to being a crazy/wicked album whose vibe is reminiscent of foreign TV commercials (it's probably no accident, as his music has been featured for both TV and film), with fellow Ubiquity patrons Ohmega Watts and Nino Moschella. lend their, um, voices to the album. It's a great escape from the everyday sort of music...a fine diversion, indeed. Lanu's This Is My Home album, mentioned earlier, will be released domestically through Ubiquity. In fact, stateside fans of the Tru Thoughts label should watch out for more cross-pollination between it and Ubiquity this year, including Alice Russell's first domestic outing.
New York continues to represent as Yellowtail's Bagpak Music roars along into the new year with current and forthcoming beat goodness. The second in the label's White Label releases come from Norwegian beatmaker Kahuun's scorching EP Bontelabo featuring Myrna Braza fronting vocals on the killer title track. There's also a mad jazz cut in "Slyngel" that puts the up in uptempo...mad, and dangerous! Kahuun also does some wicked remix business of Arch_Typ's Do It with vocalist Ahmad Larnes, while heavy-hitters Masoul and OK_Ma also delivering fresh touch-ups and Arch_Typ himself heavying up the original. Do well to check out the Bagpak site for choice releases through its online store.
More goods soon come from Chicago's Still Music; this time from Italy's ISoul8 (aka Enrico from the famed Archive label). On My Heart, originally released in early 2006 and featuring Paul Randolph's soaring vocals. gets a Restless Soul rinseover times three courtesy of the one and only Phil Asher. A bit of soul and tech fusion rule the mixes, and the dub version is heavy and spacey enough to get the dancefloor into a frenzy. Out now.
Also out now from Still Music comes the birth of its new Past Due imprint, dedicating itself to disco/reissues biz. The first EP comes from Alabama's Visions of Tomorrow. Galaxy was first released back in 1980. Remix goods come courtesy of sirs Charles Webster and Francois A.
If you're a fan of All Good Funk Alliance and Fort Knox Five, then check out the debut album from Torpedo Boyz called Headache Music. It's the first release from the L.A. based label Sounds from the Roof, and it screams "par-tay" for its hard, funky vibe.
One of my favorite hip-hop acts is the Sound Providers. The duo teams up with emcee Surreal for its latest album True Indeed on ABB. If you're a fan of the Sound Providers' jazzy/funky slices of beat goodness, then you won't be disappointed. ABB continues to be on point.
Eight Tracks, the disco/boogie imprint of Q-Burns Abstract Messages' Eighth Dimensions label, goes for release number three. I'm Working All Night has a slight bit of delicious sleaze to it, but make no mistake that it's a serious house number. A number of remixes are laid down courtesy a collab between Bay Area producer Anthony Mansfield and in-demand producer Nick Chacona, Formidable Force label's Atnarka, and musical partner Jaywood. Coming soon.
Finally, do seek out the third album from UK music pioneers 4 Hero. Dego and Marc Mac have been working on and off for five years on the project, with the end result being Play With The Changes. Already out in Europe on the duo's Raw Canvas label, it's getting domestic love through Milan Records. Plenty of guests are on hand including Bembe Segue, Face, Darien Brockenfield, Kaidi Tatham, Ursula Rucker and more. Quality joints up-and-down on this one, and fans of 4 Hero won't be crying home.
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Ah, I'm wide awake and fully refreshed now. Kids are still yelling, passengers still complaining, but I'm feeling good now that musical satisfaction has soothed the savaged beast from within...til the next layover, of course.
Hope you are feeling good, too, til the next Global Rewind excursion. Peace out.
Velanche is the host/producer of the Urban Landscapes Radioshow, based in California and available now through the Giant Step Jukebox. He is also a contributor to XLR8R Magazine. You can visit his radioshow through Myspace.