InDaMix Newsletters for 2004.
December 31, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠78
Time to go for what to be reminded as our very last issue of 2K4 and, in the mean time, the very best of the aforementioned from your perspective, or shall I say the one of those who've taken a bit of their time to make their choice. Time to embark on a new year and address to each of us the circumstancial wishes for a better tomorrow. And what a better example as a matter of fact than what co-founder of the legendary Paradise Garage and former West End Records CEO Mel Cheren has achieved along all these years, as shown on our tribute to him. Meanwhile, on a rather festive vein, our Single Of The Week comes courtesy of Hott 22 featuring Octhavia. We wish you a Happy New Year…
BEST OF 2004 IDMW.Com READER'S POLL
The second instalment of our Best of 2004, based upon your responses via e-mail or on our forum. Gotta say somehow that you could have done much better that this you lazy folks, not in terms of quality but quantitywise which doesn't reflect the growing amount of you visiting us..
Is this because you've felt like you had to register on our forum ? You've thought it would take you too much time ? We also know, judging by what happens in terms of political elections that voting tends to be felt like useless by a substancial part of the opnion, although it remains our only opportunity to express ourselves and show who we are and what we want on a reputed democratic system.
Anyway, let's not forget that this was a first shot and hope you're gonna do better next time.
Making a choice is never an easy thing as you end up putting other talented people aside, but the ones therafter come as a result to your reactions either on our forum (although one more time, they could have been more numerous by far), either from the mails that we've received or the rates that you've dropped along the past year on our various pages. Some categories we've mentioned are finally not on display thereafter due to the diversity of your answers. So the winners are… Check them out here.
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠77
Hey dudes ! How R U doin' on this other side of the screen ? Time's definitely on to introduce you with what to be remembered as the best of 2004, starting with the choices of our editorial members. As a matter of fact, a name to appear quite often is this of Quentin Harris who we've managed to have a chat with prior to his DJ tour in Britain incl. NYE at London/Cargo. As for our current Single Of The Week, we stay in the same area with the latest delivery of UK vets Incognito. Merry X-mas everydody.
THE BEST OF 2004
We're starting our series dedicated to the best of 2004 this week with IDMW.Com crew members and affiliates reader's digests with the addiction of our latest pals + soon to join columnist Erik 'Waxgroove' Rug .
Find all the details here.
December 19, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠76
Already mid-December having most of us with an eye opened to the circumstancial festivities. As for what concerns us right now, we're getting ourselves ready to provide you next week with the best of 2004 as seen by our editorial team. As for your own selection, it is to be online in a fortnight. This meaning that you have another 7 days left to accomplish your electoral duty either while dropping us an e-mail (info) or registering on our forum (see Polls). As for this week's headlines, we've managed to have a conv. with Canadian head of Gotsoul label jojoflores who's currently on tour in South Africa, then made a quick stop in Detroit where we've gotcha another pure jewel courtesy of DJ Genesis & Omega as our Single Of The Week. Meanwhile, J'M Irie sits at the command of this week's issue with another instalment of his Nu Groove series. And if you're a bit of curious and understand a bit of Molière's language, Nicolas Lanneau is at the same position on our French version with some Japanese sweeties...
NU GROOVE (SOUL, JAZZ, BREAKS, BROKEN BEATS + MORE…)
First off all, let me “take some time out for loving, time for sharing, time for caring” as Arnold Jarvis sang once… and to thank all our faithful readers as their amount keeps on increasing. Yes, we are in da mix worldwide… so roll on 2005 !
By looking on top of our Nu Groove top ten this month, you’ll notice that the name of the same person stands proudly at the first and second spot (even though I consider hard or even absurd to state definitely that a good tune is better than another good tune… each one teach one seen?!)… a beautiful lady named Amerie.
we’ve already been seduced by her sexy afro-asiatic mixed physique for a few years. But also her powerful and sensual voice while watching MTV Base’s videos : in particular her vibrant chorus on an LL Cool J tune called “Paradise” last year. Well, this (quality) mainstream soul singer has also obtained underground cult status in the last weeks with just two tunes but such heavy ones too ! From her own outrageous “One Thing” to the blissful mash up of her vocals with Spymusic’s “Cloak” (a laid back boogie funk nodder originally out on 2000 Black Records).
2000 Black, the home of Dego (4Hero) which remains always one orshould I say many steps ahead of the game ! As the aformentioned and his new partner in crime Kaidi Tatham (the key wizard from Bugz In The Attic) keep rising higher and higher… while still celebrating the recent success of their impressive DKD album entitled “Future Rage” (released last autumn), the dynamic duo switch identities again to shock our adventurous ears and reinvent the content… So please make way for their brand spanking new project that goes by the ever evasive name of Silhouette Brown (with guest vocals from Deborah Jordan and the absolutely stunning Bembe Segue amongst others). An opus already out in Japan (aaaaargh…those lucky yellow bastards ! lol) which will be available via London’s Ether records around February. In the meantime… hold It down!
Getting back to NYC group Spymusic, let the world know that their own wicked album The Start Of Something Big is available for the true headz. You can purchase it directly from them through the dms country website, dmscountry.com/store… Come on, you gotta support da underground community !
Another great label that needs (and truly deserves) a lot more exposure is Franck Roger’s Real Tone from Paris. Rapidly growing as the best French deep house label (if it’s not Deeply Rooted, DJ Deep’s very own baby who’s just put out a big Kerri Chandler tune). As the second (a very tracky and hypnotic affair) Real Tone release from Franck is on the way, we can already announce that there are many more big things to come later next year. Such as the superb “Make It Right” produced by Roger (with the sweet voice of Mani Hoffman) which should be dubbed with an Osunlade remix. While Franck has returned him the favour by laying his hands on The latest’s “Breath Away”. Franck who really goes from strength to strength also judging by his massive remix of Allen Hoist’s “With Love” (alongside equally classy mixes from Kaidi Tatham, Marc Mac (4 Hero) and Greg Gauthier). A classic soulful song, perfect follow up to the lively cover of Marvin’s “Inner City Blues” on the French Soulution Records imprint,. Another one to hold tight for too !
And finally let’s welcome a new eclectic label (from ruff and tuff broken beat to deep and soulful drum and bass etc) hailing from Paris and Strasbourg, Astral Vibes, ran by my old friends Cycle and Nu Forms from rootspeople.com / RPM magazine. Their first imminent release is signed by Germany’s very gifted Liquid Funk master… Kabuki. And oh yes France CAN dance ! IRIE
J’M IRIE’S NU GROOVE HOT 10
AMERIE One Thing - Bootleg Remix (?)
SPYMUSIC/AMERIE I Just Cloaked (CD-R)
TY TRIBETT Mighty Long Way (CD-R)
SA-RA featuring PHAROAHE MONCH Glorious (CD-R)
SILHOUETTE BROWN Looking Back (2000 Black/Ether)
LEKAN BABALOLA Asokere - IG Culture Mix (Deeper Soul)
DEGO & KAIDI TATHAM Come With Me (Especial)
BUGZ IN THE ATTIC Booty La La - Psyan Remix (V2)
UNFORSCENE featuring ALICE RUSSELL Don’t You Worry - Domu Mix (Wah Wah 45)
KABUKI I Am For Real (Astral Vibes)
December 12, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠75
Quite a groovy selection this week on what's on offer here on IDMW.Com. For all of those lucky ones living in NYC who may not now the Rude Movements posse, then it's time to get yer eyes into it what they're doing (interview), as they have their monthly residency awaited this Tuesday at APT featuring their Dutch alter egos at Kindred Spirits label as guest DJ's. Our Single Of The Week comes from hyper active Louie Vega featuring Blaze as remixed by Joe Claussell and its title - 'Sunshine' - as well as its concept should heat our hearts, bodies & souls while getting ourselves ready to entering the Winter on the North Hemisphere of the globe. Meanwhile, recently married Nik Weston returns to IDMW.Com with his latest selection of Japanese delicatessen. And if you also happen to be into French, then DJ ADN has some more on our domestic version.
Ooops by the way, F.A.O. those you who still have not voted for the best of 2K4, it's still time to give us a better view of what you're into while making your selection on our forum (see Polls). Is dis dat f****** hard to ask you some contribution of yours for once ???
JAPAN CORNER by NIK WESTON
Konichi wa.Genki des ka ??
Word up my fellow Japan lovers…..By now all 3 of the Kyoto Jazz Massive 10th anniversary 12’s on Especial Distribution should hit the streets in the next few days and are causing int'l mayhem on my email and answerphone. Just be patient kids ! But hey, whad’ya expect when you realise that there’s exclusive tracks from Afronaught, Louie Vega, Domu, Dego n kaidi, Markus Enochson, Face, Restless Soul and Reel People etc ??? Vanessa Freeman in particular, on her guest spot with Reel People comes up with her finest vocal effort to date that causes shivers down your spine and much much more. We love the track so much we had it played at our wedding last week !..A bonefide classic ? You betcha Tonkatsu n Rice it is !! Of course, we spoke about them on the last issue of Japan's Corner here on IDMW.Com but if you haven’t picked up your copies yet I suggest you get your skates on. These babies wont be around for very long and in the tradition of collectability the super thick sleeves all have a different letter on the front spelling out K J M. Nice touch and it means you need all 3 12’s if you don’t want the other two 12’s to get lonely !!! The 3 x12’s are out on Especial Distribution and the CD’s of which currently there are two of ‘’Re KJM ‘’ & ‘’For KJM’’ came out over a month ago on the Quality label. You can buy the CD’s on the internet on a couple of UK web sites but have a search on google first and see what pops up. The cheapest place to buy the 12’s which should retail from 8.50 GBP is therecordroom.co.uk .don’t pay more than 10-12 pounds or so . . French music lovers can buy the 12's at Betino’s in Paris in a week or so… I saw the album CD's on one UK website going for around £ 21-22.00 with tax but not shipping but like I say have a dig around first.
To support the 10th anniversary releases Kyoto Jazz Massive went on a 21 date DJ tour of Japan & also got a band together with one of the biggest events taking place at Yebisu Garden Place in central Tokyo (that holds about 700 people ).They put on their first ever live shows and members of the KJM band included Vanessa Freeman, Bembe Segue and Hajime Yoshizawa… Speaking of which Hajime’s latest single and the 12th release for the Especial label ‘Verao No Ar’ has been flying off the shelves so if you haven't got a copy yet then contact the address above or any of the usual London shops which all have the release in stock… Hajime is currently in the studio working on new Sleepwalker & solo material. The next Especial Distribution single in the new year will be from New Zealanders Joe Dutchie & DJ Fitchie. The tracks ‘Seconds’ & ‘Ground Swell’ should be out in February/March 2005.
Other releases of late worth a mention are the monster remix 12" on Doughnuts with great renditions from Sunaga t & Calm… Calm by the way has recently released the last of three Key Free 12's out on his Music Conception label and a subsequent album of the same project. He also found time to release a sneaky promo only giveaway 12" of a special mix of the Shinning Of Life in a flutemental mix that Frankie Valentine has been doing backflips over. It was given out at a Calm show of an event in a club in Sapporo in Hokkaido and has been seen on the Japanese equivalent of Ebay going for £70… Blimey !!
Lifeline records a co Japanese/USA based label have had a couple of 12s just released one from Glenn Underground (who was recently on tour in Japan ) and another from Tha Blue Herb. Francois Kevorkian on remix duties on the later no less !
The latest project from the Planet Groove camp (these guys bought us the DJ Mitsu the beats album and singles ) is another single from Okada Taxi featuring one track in particular ‘Tell Her’ which has Kim Hill singing like an angel. M-flo have recently drooped 3 singles but the only one really for our European ears is the Astromatic Charmed School 12" with a bumpin hipity hop mix from Ugly Duckling.Out on Labsoul now. DJ Mitsu the beats himself has been really busy of late. There’s a rumour he will remix a Bakura track and as the beat maker and music provider of Sendai hip hop group Gagle he’s been dropping some promo only pressure with SOS on a 7’’ and ‘Take Notice’ also on a 45. The current Gagle single whose title is something like ‘Rapdx’ is on Warner and has already sold out but worth diggin around for as it's got some really good instrumentals if you like Mitsu’s jazzual style. People are getting wise to the limited pressings that Mitsu features on so anything with his name on gets snapped up quickly. I'm the first to admit I'm struggling to keep up ! Check his mix on the Alex Attias single and also his treatment of Average White Band for Soul Source which I thoroughly recommend.
On the hip hop front Muro has several new CD's out and one six track 12’’ called ‘Made In Japan’ with a Ben The Ace remix on the flip. USA hip hopper K-Otix released a Japanese only EP with tracks taken from (he tells me) his forthcoming album 48 Seasons. You need the 12" though as there’s a party rocker in the shape of ‘Something for Japan’ as a track hidden on the flipside.
On the jazz tip, there’s a great new 12" from Sunaga T with 'Versillian Samba' on Flower Recordings featuring a Five Corners Quintet mix. The Finnish mix is good but stay with the original it's ACE ! There’s a new jazz outfit called Big Horns Bee which have a new brass filled EP with a version of "Mission Impossible" which is great and if you liked the killer Soil & Pimp 12" then you’ll love this .Did any of you pick up the Izamani 7’’ with the Soil & Pimp Horns on ? Trust me you neeeeed this 7’’ ! Traditionally the 45’s are getting harder and harder to find, so if you don’t get soon, you might miss this one forever !
Gigs wise ? Well in the last couple of months you could have seen Count Bass D, Yam Who?, Simon S from Break Reform, Ernesto, Fertile Ground, Two Lone Swordsmen, Glenn Underground, John Digweed, Satoshi Tomiie, DJ Spinna, Ananda Project, Kenny Bobien, and Kenny Carpenter arrive, tour and leave. In the next few weeks, the likes of Beastie Boys, Chemical Brothers, Mark De Clive Lowe, Kerri Chandler, Carl Cox, Laurent Garnier, Frankie Knuckles, Timmy Regisford, Danny Krivit all due to arrive and perform. And if you’re around Tokyo the first week of January you might even bump into me ! I'm spinning at On Off club on 01/07 with the Soul Source crew, and then with DJ Mitsu the Beats at a new club called Fur the following night and Club Fai on 01/10 with Kei Kobayashi.
Till then, see ya, and if you got 5 minutes spare check out engrish.com- most amusing !!
Gambete !
NIK WESTON - MUKATSUKU TOP 10
SUNAGA T Versillian Samba (Flower)
REEL PEOPLE Tomorrow Never Comes (Especial Distribution)
DA LATA Ronco de Cuica (Especial Distribution)
SLEEPWALKER Eclipse (Quality !)
GAGLE Rap DX (Warner/Japan)
V/A Monster rmix (Doughnut)
CALM presents KEY OF LIKE - for Cisco EP Flutemental Mix (Music Conception)
GAGLE SOS (Jazzy Sport/45)
OKADA TAXI featuring KIM HILL Tell Her-(Planet Groove)
K-OTIX Something For Japan (CD-R)
December 5, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠74
Another 33 RPM section which is to be our very our very last of the likes this year. Jazzy Jeff getting our faves with his latest comp for Defected (Album Of The Month) accompanied by… Blaze featuring Barbara Tucker on the single front ; this making quite a good week for our pals at Defected. Meanwhile German producer, head of GoGo Music label, Ralph Gum is the subject of our curiousity this week (interview).
By the way, you still have a couple of weeks to make your selction out of the best of 2004 by casting your votes on our polls page. Hurry up then, we really count on you folks (see forum).
33 RPM
We end up 2K4 the way it has been qualitywise with another selection of goodies to feed your appetites. Jazzy Jeff in full effect behind the decks for the latest Soulheaven comp on Defected is surrounded this month by a vaste majority of Europeans with works worth the check, bringing us from Italy to Switzerland, Holland and Germany most notoriously. This with the addiction of a couple of surprises…
No doubt, the Italian scene is far away from what it was to become soon after the success of Black Box and Double Dee at the beginning of the 90's ! God bless labels such as Irma and Schema Records whose creating teams have managed to stay true to their beliefs, welcoming a whole bunch of top quality musicians/arrangers such as Paulo Conte, the Dinning Rooms, Don Carlos, Belladonna and Sicania Soul to name but a few.
This 4th instalment of The Jazz House Independant series on Irma has been left care of Black Mighty Wax making the selection on the CD1 and Dino Angioletti of the Pasta Boys in the mix on the CD2. Although the latest makes a good job, I would tend to prefer the CD1 filled with gorgeous atmospheric sensuous beats blended with afro latin jazzy vibes as brilliantly demonstrated on the opening "Starlite" by Sicania Soul as finely re-edited by Danny Krivit. Elsewhere, Kaleidoscopio with "Vôce Me Aparacem" retouched by Maurizio Belladonna is another of those sweeties as Don Carlos's "Take Me Higher" featuring Michelle Weeks (a former IDMW.Com Single Of The Week and Nona's "The Sweetest Taboo" for the instrumental lovers. Not to mention that other work by Belladonna for Arcoiris on "Anno Zero".
We drive up North to Switzerland to have a valuable stop by at Straight Ahead label responsible of the One Step Ahead series, the # 3 of which is now fully available. God knows how those respected people have a developped sense of good taste, to be compared in Europe to labels such as the 2 Italian ones quoted earlier, Compost and INFRACom! in Germany and Kindred Spirits in Holland. Quite reassuring as those stables keep the groove alive while pushing it forward to a new dimension. An exemple as opposed to the usual kinds of formats here an there. As a matter of fact, most of the tunes on display on this collection are exquisite pieces of a dream as notoriously demonstrated by Magic Number, Alison Crockett with "UR" receiving the remix treatment of Yam Who? and Domenico Ferrari. Meanwhile UK outfit Reel People is also represented with the post acid-jazzy "Can't Stop". The funk fans may dig with "Giant In The House" by Dallas & Gustafson featuring Gary Bardouille sounding like a sort of update of D-Train., Bakura looking like a far cousin of Roy Ayers to a certain extend, not to mention a drop of enlighted ragga by the likes of KV5 featuring Lyric L and, by the way, yes we like this !
Nearly 10 years in the circuit make Minus 8 already a vet, from his very first offering on DJ Cam's label to his latest deliveries for Compost label. Quite a versatile man indeed in love with hip hop and jazz who would eventually be considered as the Swiss ambassador of drum & bass at some time, making his debut for Stereo Deluxe with the aptly called Selectica album. Could it be that our man has finally found his niche ? At least, this LP gives a good representation of what he's into : groovy stuff indeed with a blend of hip hop, R&B, old jazz and cinematic influences dubbed with an obvious search for harmonic combinations with a drop of light emphasis. Check out for instance his rendition of "Daylight", a cut written & composed by Roy Ayers. Let yo'self go on the funky "Pussycat" and go for some quicker beats on "Go:Disco" and "MKultra" then enjoy a drop of shiny and inspired hip hop/ragga on "Brave & Bold" then take a breathe on the ending Afro atmospheric "Quaylude Slumber".
Another short ride to the North and we cross the German boarder for a quick listen to the new Trüby Trio LP or shall I say their "Retreated" album. Home of what they tend to call computer jazz, Compost keeps on pushing the boundaries while having a whole bunch of electroaholic people on board and I somehow have to say that their (re)works are far more interesting and dynamic than those provided by Louie Vega and Yam Who? A bit too predictable for my humble opinion. The best pieces including Guillaume Boulard remix of "Make A Move", "Alegre 2004" as relifted by Una Bombers and "Staisfaction" by Salzmann Und Zech. This with the addiction of a CD mix by Rainer Trüby himself including some x-tra remixes.
Always further up North and here we are in Holland. Although this country looks like mainly into European techno/trance beats, some people proudly stand as the defenders of the alternative. They brilliantly showed us what they're into last month at the Amsterdam Dance Event welcoming people such as the Rude Movements DJ's Karl Injex, Tyler Askew and Gamall, Lady Alma, Philly rapper Jneiro Jarel, The Platinum Pied Pipers and many others during 3 nites of memorable groove X-travaganza. I mean Kindred Spirits label releasing their 1st comp, Witness Future Vintage, the title of which really speaking for itself on what's on offer. Liquid Spirits, Kid Sublime, Jneiro Jarel whose debut LP is awaited next month, Build An Ark, Peven Everett, Rednose Distrikt, Kirk Degiorgio and Jimi Tenor to name but a… phew. Absolute jewels, meanwhile Swedish born singer Natalie Gardiner picks up the pieces, opening a new path while seing her nu soul style interpretations melted with minimal harmonic and rythmic elements by the likes of producer Ramjac on her eponym debut LP for Rotterdam-based label 4lux.
In search of some cool abstract atmospheres, Monte Larue who's to the North what Jose Padilla used to be in the South in terms of lazy contemplative music, drops another collection of sweeties on his Deluxe 2 comp for United Recordings and it definitely has its moments.
You may not expect to see Laurent Garnier's name on these pages. A feeling that is about the same as listening to his new album called The Cloud Machine Smoking. So what ? Isn't that the sign of free spirits to go wherever they want as long as they feel it. Well, the French ambassador of techno has much more on offer, having a listen to almost everything as long as there is emotion on it and why getting rid of such a pleasure at the end of the day ? His latest offering seing him working with oud player/singer Dhafer Yousef and experimental electro jazzist Bugge Wesseltoft is a piece of intriguing dark urban lo-fi at its very best (F-Com). And in the same state of mind, although on a more minimal and softer tip, I would suggest you to check A Guy Called Gerald's new LP called. All The Things They Need. What are they and who has he got in mind ? This, I dunno as the introspective side of this looks like developped to an extreme to the sole exceptions of his collabs with singers Ursula Rucker and Finley Quaye. This said, those in love with the memorable "Pacific State" that he wrote without being credited during his short period with 808 State, may find some reminder of the aforementioned while listening to "First Try" (!K7).
Long time no heard about consistant work from UK hip hop scene. Well Estelle could well take the world by storm with her debut offering - The 18th Day - on V2 performing as well if not better as her US sisters.This without the usual vulagarity and the help of a very harmonic environment.
Nuff said so far except the fact that I've just got the new Elements Of Life's Extensions album set for a release next month and it's absolute dope but this is a story that we're gonna develop a little bit later on if you don't mind. Peace, MFSB
33 RPM TENNERZ
LAURENT GARNIER Act 1 Minotaure X - album version (F-Com)
BOOKER T & THE MG's Melting pot - from Soulheaven presents Jazzy Jeff In The House (Defected)
TRUBY TRIO Alegre 2004 (Guillaume Boulard Remix) - album version (Compost)
MAX SEDGLEY Happy (Soul Mekanik Remix) - from The Jazz House Independant # 4 (Irma Unlimited)
MINUS 8 Quaylude Slumber - album version (Stereo Deluxe)
ESTELLE 1980 - Album version (V2)
KV5 featuring LYRIC L You Know This - from One Step Ahead 3 (Straight Ahead)
KID SUBLIME Turn Off The Lights - from Witness Future Vintage (Kindred Spirits)
NATALIE GARDINER Once I Thought Your Love Was Good - album version (4lux)
A GUY CALLED GERALD First Try - album version (!K7)