May 30, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠56
Another month before celebrating the arrival of the summer and its awaited break that usually comes with. As already said in some previous issue, you're kindly invited to provide us with your infos like : the place you've planned to go to, what you see as potential… summer hits, where are you awaited to spin and the likes to be compiled on a Special Issue, while using our forum section no later than June 25…
Another whole bunch of goodies this week with no less than three interviews (how lucky you are) featuring German outfit Intuit for the release of their debut album on Compost which should reach the expectations of those in search for afrosoulfunkjazz groove. Also on board DC Sanctuary resident and co-owner of Poji Records DJ Oji for the release of his new cut on West End Records (our Single Of The Week) and a label profile + last but not least Kerri Chandler prior to his French tour this week. And if that was not enough, we also provide you with a brand new selection of big formats incl. the much awaited Blaze's Found Love CD Mix Compilation as our brand new Album Of The Month.
We was ending up seriously wondering when that bad forecast would cease on this part of the globe (Continental Europe where our HQ's based). Well, summer looks like hopefully back on the map with some more decent temperatures. Meanwhile we've got the vibes to come with, beginning with the first ever CD mix from Blaze (our album of the month) and another serious contender of the likes by Jazzanova. Also on the comp front, BBC Radio 1's Worldwide man Gilles Peterson is currently… In Brazil displaying both traditional cuts and modern works, as is Far Out Recordings label with the 5th instalment of their Brazilian Love Affair series. In search of seminal grooves ? Munich's Into Something co-resident, Florian Keller delivers a serious selection from funk to hip hop & reggae cuts on its Party Keller comp. Responsible of the Detroit Soul comp, Unisex label explores its NYC counterpart with the likes of Amel Larrieux, DJ Spinna, Pete Rock, Sarah Divine and Angie Stone to name but a phew ! Hard to resist having a few words about Taxi's new elpee (The Accessory) full of modernly twisted grooves on German label INFRACom! In need for some Afro Essential Elements ? Mateo & Matos leave us with a brand new collections of theirs (NiteGrooves) and if that wasn't enuff, Chciagoan producer, Roy Davis Jr completes the whole with his latest LP - Water For Thristy Children, making his debut for Canadian label Nice+Smooth.
2004 looks life a definitively fruitful years for Blaze with their label (West End) in super full effect, Kevin Hedge having a weekly residency at NYC Cielo alongside Louie Vega and a couple of quintessential projects in the air. Their Found Love compilation is one of them with a release this month on Slip'N'Slide for Europe then later on on West End for the rest of the world. A true event on its own as it's their first ever CD mix with additional overdub key parts from Josh Milan (our current Album of the Month) and a booming selection. On the same front, Jazzanova also give some serious demonstration of their capacity behind the decks providing us with an killing selection of absolute gems, from R&B/soul/jazz downtempo to hip hop beatz, nu jazz, broken beat, funk, house and a drop of slow tunes at the end, featuring Jill Scott, Carol Williams, Attica Blues, Deyampert, Bakura, Bahamadia, Sidsel Endresen & Bugge Wesseltoft and Georg Levin to name but a few. Not to mention some compositions of theirs including our recent "Glow And Glare/Dance The Dance" Single Of The Week (Sonar Kollektiv).
Sun definitely shines over the planet while having a listen to… In Brazil, the latest selection from Gilles Peterson. Wilson Simonal starts the collection with his most memorable "Nem Vem Que Nao Tem" and its numerous international cover versions leading amongst others to the souvenir of late Nino Ferrer with "Tu veux ou tu veux pas"… We most definitely jam on bossa there and I would suggest you to accompany the whole with a bit of camarões and a drop of Capoeira then enjoy this with your honey. As for the contemporary things on display on the CD2, they're no surprisingly carefully selected (and pasted) featuring the sensualissime Otto's "Bob" relifted by Edu K, the killing "Green Gold" from Spiritual South, not to mention some crazy work called "Futebol de Bar" by Cesar Mariano with a 'Heavy Üsker Mix'. Definitely worth to have a listen to (Either Records). On the same neo tropicalist wave is Brazilian Love Affair # 05 in the genre with a majority of horizontal cuts to come along on an appropriate chill out session on some (sunny) shore. Favours going to Democustico, Troubleman featuring Nina Miranda, Vertente (on a cool bossa rhythm), Friends from Rio 2, Viper Squad and Mamond over some sharp beats (Far Out).
We, in Europe, are lucky enough to be exposed to tons of different flavors, from ska to broken beat, hip hop, house, techno, Brazilian beats and almost anything you may imagine. What, to some (other extend), stands as the I(ndamix)DMW.com approach of the things which, at the end of the day, happens to be what the former conception of DJing was at the early ages. We then would have DJ's/selectors like Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay, Patrick Forge being the live proof of any kind of music may find its room on the dancefloors as long as it's good and carefully selected. Another exemple is to be given by Into Something co-resident DJ Florian Keller on his Party Keller set (as derived of his weekly night of the name) varying from reggae to hip hop and funk, meted with a touch of psychedelism and in a spirit to turn your mind upside down, featuring music from Chanson, Michel Legrand, Giorgio Moroder, Sam Brothers Five (with a wink to Chic's classic "Le Freak"), not to mention Daniel Sofer's presence for the ones into scratching and breakdance and the bluesy "Crazy Girl Pt." II by Freddie Love and a stunning cover reggae-ish version of the late Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up" by Greyhound (Compost). We've recently suggested you to get your hands on a collection called Detroit Soul put together by Unisex label. Well, that's about the same for their brand new selection regrouping NYC acts this time. Armel Larrieux, Q Tip, DJ Spinna, Cooly's Hot Box, Pete Rock, Marlon Saunders amongst others with pure moments of intimate groove.
One thing is to do sounds, another one is to produce music, not to mention the appropriate lyrics that would come with. UK trio Paul Cullen, Simon Lovejoy and female vocalist Jo Laundy aka Taxi get back in action with their second album. A collection of absolute modern groove incorporating fragments of house, jazz, funk, R&B, ambient and blues for what is to be entitled The Accessory. Is this so of this offering ? I'd say definitely No like their first one two years ago, judging by the quality of the atmospheres they've managed to come with, delivering mostly lascive grooves with a delicate pop feel alla Moloko/EBTG (INFRACom!).
Eclectism is definitely what we may expect from Roy Davis Jr and it's exactly what to find on his new Water For Thirsty Children album. The Chicago maestro manages to come up with a sort of double part effort made of pasted songs varying from cool grooves to more dance oriented one carrying all those elements that have made his reputation so far (hip hop, soul, funk, jazz, house) inside a contemporary amalgamation.
More jazzy fulled is French outfit NoJazz's No Limits album (Warner Jazz) and the fact is this collection is craziness at its best, made of various collaborations that the group would have while doing their recent worldwide tour. On board are no other than the late Claude Nougaro, Ibizenco producer Lennart Krarup (the one of the Ibizarre series) alongside toaster Mangli on the furious "Candela" ready to take the dancefloors by storm. And, wait a minute as there's also Maurice White + the Earth, Wind and Fire's horn section, African singer Ousmane on the mellowsaxy "What Time Is It" and some serious phat groove called "Pick Up 80" featuring Wally Badarou ! All of this making the offer quite interesting to have a listen to.
Ending up this issue # 56 the way we've started it with US respected purveyors of jams, in other words Mateo & Matos, who made their names both of post disco, latin house and afro oriented cuts. The latest being on offer on their new Essential Elements LP. A 13 tracker full of infectious abstract tribal sequencies to get your feet stucked on the floor although with some hypnotic brainy madness (NiteGrooves)
IDM Album Tracks TENNERZ
OTTO Bob - EDU K Remix featuring BEBEL GILBERTO - from Gilles Peterson… In Brazil (Either Records)
MATEO & MATOS Homeboy4s Groove (NiteGrooves)
MARLON SAUNDERS Love Serenade - from New York Soul (Unisex)
ROY DAVIS jr Soldiers Listen - from Water For Thirsty Children (Nice+Smooth)
CAROL WILLIAMS Can't Get Away (From Your Love) - from Jazzanova… Mixing (Sonar Kollektiv)
NOJAZZ Candela by IBIZARRE featuring MANGLI - from No Limits album (Warnere Jazz)
JIHAD MUHAMMED Movement Blues - from Blaze Found Love CD mix Compilation (Slip'N'Slide)
FREDDIE LOVE Crazy Girl Pt.II - from Party Keller (Compost)
TAXI Sunday Suburban Dream - from The Accessory album (INFRACom!)
FRIENDS FROM RIO 2 Sob O Mar / Kyoto Jazz Massive Mix - from Brazilian Love Affair 5
May 23, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠55
JAPAN CORNER May 2004 by Nippon Nik
Konishi wa !
Especial Distribution recently pressed up 1,000 copies of live studio (and more jazzy) versions of "Samurai" and "Rita". They are both wicked....Catch'em whilst you can.... still a few shops with stock.... or failing that check herecordroom.co.uk or Soulbrother Records in Putney London (++44 208 875 1018). Danny Krivit has also been caining the original version of ''Samurai'' and Peter Kruder called me a month ago searching for a copy (I kid you not....) ''Samurai'' will also see a release on Brighton label Disorient with a kind of ''best of'' compilation of tracks from the two Tokuma albums plus the last Flower Records release.The next Especial Distribution release will be Negrocan with ''Mare Baixa'' and a Jazztronik remix due in Europe in July. Speaking of Jazztronik, he's gotta be one of the busiest men in Tokyo of late. He's also just released a 11 track CD album on Tokuma. There's also another 3 track 12'' single with a decent samba version of ''Esta Com Voce''. Seek !
Also awaited on Especial is Sleepwalker ''The Voyage/Into The Sun". The first track features Pharoah Saunders and the flipside Bembe Segue....!! Double header ? You betcha !!! Check the stores in July. Gilles Peterson already caining The Voyage on national radio.....and if that wasnt all.....there's also the launch of a European edition series of past Especial releases through Goya Distribution in London. First release is the much sought after ''Endless Bow'' 12'' with Fauna Flash & Jimpster remixes and the series features the best of broken beat, best of Brazil, best of jazz, etc from past deleted titles out of the Especial label. For all those interested what it will mean is that these titles will get much more wider distribution than ever before and will be available all over the world, be cheaper than the normally hefty Japanese pricetags.....More details to follow....if you are a shop… email me for more details !
The most exciting Japanese record of the week award went to Jafrosax (a project of Yukihiro Fukutomi) for their second single on Raindog Records. The first release had the dolcet tones of Yukimi Nagano (Koop/Stateless/Similou/Swell Session) on vocals but single 2 has Philadelphia's finest,Vikter Duplaix… Not only that it's a Jazztronik re redit !! Look out for a Killer version of an earlier Jafrosax track remixed by Studio Apartment who incidently have dropped two great singles under the guise of World Line EP 001 & 002.jazz a la Sleepwalker also turned up on a 12'' in the shape of Dazai Yuri Sextet. Juergen from Jazzanova tells me he absolutely loves this EP, and too right too. It's killer dancefloor jazz ! Been along time since anything has ventured out of the Brasil Nights label but we get 3 12''s....Two of these releases are relevant...'Brasil Nights vol. 4' kicks in with a gorgeous Rhodes midtempo shuffler called...er....''Rhodes Song'' which 'Im told from my man in Sweden is a cover version but for the life of me I'm not sure who did the original. Any ideas people as there's no credits on the label ??? The other 12'' on Brasil Nights label to think about is Gats TKB Show. Shame really as 3 of the versions have Gats singing in Japanese which kinda puts a damper on any of us outside of Japan who dig this kind of stuff musically. Never mind though....Toshio Matsuura (ex United Future Organisation ) consistent as ever with his remixes saves the day with a bumpin latinish floorfiller with hardly any vocal and on a big system this works well.
DJ Mitsu The Beats who's still riding on the sucess of his 'New Awakening' album is buisy in the studio doing mixes etc. The album incidently recently came out on double vinyl in vocal and instrumental formats. .He's just completed a Blue Note compilation, a remix of Average White Band, a rework of Diverse ''Ain't Right'', an Irma remix for Scott Jakoby and there's even soon to come a Restless Soul mix on ''Away''.Mitsu also did an amazing job on USA hip hop outfit Crown City Rockers with ''Weekend Soul''(which sounds better than the original !!!) There's also a dope vibes instrumental by Grooveman Spot (remember 'Sakura Aural Bliss' ?) on the re-issue classic of Raw Produce "Cycles''. The red vinyl 12'' sampler from the Soul Source Boogies EP has been exchanging hands for £50 and the Mark De Clive-Lowe version of Donald Byrd's ''Wind Parade'' featuring Bembe Segue saw a price tag of 70 or so ! Big money but when you consider there's only 100 copies or so out there maybe that's to be expected…
There's a new version of Sirius B's "Samba Selvagem" remixed by Tatsuo Sunaga which looks like it could be a Brazilian summer smash. out on P Vine as we speak. And Tokyo vocalist Joi delivers his falsetto vocal on the Brazilian influenced ''The Rapture'' EP as his debut on USA label West End Records. Fans of Frankie Valentine take note....
I managed to cram in 7 DJ gigs in 10 days in Japan a couple of months ago and took in Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Hachioji & various gigs in Tokyo in the process and was lucky enough to spin with Calm, Grooveman Spot, Watusi, Soul Sauce crew, Yukihiro Fukutomi & hook up with Little Big Bee (Eitetsu Takamiya). Check his recent "Fly Away'' remix by MagicNumber that came out on Stereo Deluxe records from Nurnberg in Germany. Little Big Bee lift the track up for a sound that has ''classic'' written all over it.
Yukihiro Fukutomi completed ''It's Just'' for Italian imprint Head To Toe' which should be released soon. Also check out his ''Second Sight'' remix that's out on the Re Jazz Re Mixed compilation.
Fat Jon from Ohio whose instrumental album 'Lightweight Heavy' that originally came out on Tokyo label Dimid will see a European release also on Exceptional Records (exceptionalrecords.co.uk) in the next month or so and look out for a mighty fine compilation called' 'Exceptionally Remixed' featuring Japanese artists United Future Organisation, Force Of Nature, Susumu Yokota & … Fat Jon. On the CD versions released commercially you get one CD of originals and one of remixes....value for money we thinks !
There's a brand new 12'' out soon from Lonesome Echo Production (Yasushi Ide) from Tokyo featuring a Blaze mix of '"Sweet Dream'' with vocals by Byron Stingly which should pick up a few soulful vocal fans...
For record diggers into the Nippon Sound you should check a new website (therecordroom.co.uk)that's started selling some illusive Japanese 12's of the nu jazz & electronic tip. They get fresh stuff in on a monthly basis (and lot of the Japanese stuff he doesnt list on his site, so ask him to send you the ''Japanese list'' list then if there's something you are after including the Especial material then you should e-mail him your wants list and see what he can find. Email him direct
JAPAN CORNER TENNERZ
SLEEPWALKER The Voyage featuring PHAROAH SAUNDERS/Into The Sun (Especial-Japan))
HAJIME YOSHIZAWA Endless Bow - Jimpster/Fauna Flash Mixes (Especial European Edition Series)
PLEASURE -Straight Ahead - Kyoto Jazz Massive Remix (Victor Japan/ Red Vinyl)
MARK DE CLIVE-LOWE featuring BEMBE SEGUE Wind Parade (Blue Note-Japan)
GAGLE 7'' (Jazzy Sport)
DJ MITSU THE BEATS New Awakenings - Instrumental & vocal album 4 x 12'' (Planet Groove)
RAW PRODUCE Cycles - Grooveman Spot Instrumental (Subcontact)
JAFFROSAX featuring YUKIMI NAGANO Drawn To You - Studio Apartment Remix (NWR)
CROWN CITY ROCKERS Weekend Soul - DJ Mitsu Remix (P Vine)
STUDIO APARTMENT World Line EP's 001/002 (NWR)
May 16, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠54
Groove will definitely never die as long as there's gonna be emotion on it… Meanwhile we're hard working to provide you with the most complete info, we do deeply thank you for your regular visits. As a matter of fact, we've scored a new pick reaching the amount of 10,905 read pages last Monday ; this being the proof of a true need for exposure of the vibes that gather us. As ever new generations get into OUR universe from a year to another, we've thought it might be cool for them to leave them with reminders of what happened throughout the time since the early days, should it be via our IDM Re-edit section, but also with a series of mixtapes recorded back in the days by MFSB. Not to mention a forthcoming selection of subjects dedicated to some of the ones who've written the History due to hit your screens on a weekly basis during the summer break.
As for today's news, we've managed to have a conversation with DJ/producer Franck Roger who happens to be the very first out of France putting out a cut on one of the MAW's label and have a release party of the aforementioned tonite. Not to mention our very latest issue reviewing tunes where some potential summer hits already oughtta be found…
Another six weeks on and it's gonna be the start of the summer with its usual break. Where have you planned to go ? What do you see as potential summer hits ? Where are you awaited to spin ? Feel free to provide us with your elements of response to be compiled on a Special Issue, while using our forum section no later than June 25 ! Not particularily happy with the current forecast on this (Eurpean) side of the world ? No doubt, this selection of 12" thereafter should heat your minds, boddies and souls…
What was you doin' by the end of the seventies ? Well, funk outfit War was already around dropping a whole bunch of smashes like "Cinco de Mayo" and the seminal "Galaxy" on MCA, the later receiving quite a respectful remix - although said house-y - on some white lavel. At the same period, you might also have heard of First Choice scoring a new classic with "Armed & Extremly Dangerous" also recently revamped with class and in a new vein on a rhythmic arrangement point of view by Ian Carey to be released on Philly Groove in a fortnight. Far much younger although already considered as a standard is "Don't Mess With My Man" from hip hop/soul outfit Lucy Pearl receiving a cool fluid phonky treatment by Soulizm on Solid Soul. Meanwhile R&B diva Beyonce sees her "Me, Myself + I" song reworked by Candy Apple adding some quite atmospheric vibes on it (white label). Looking for some good bargain on the sought after tunes front ? Well, you may get no less than 4 of them on the "House Soul Classics EP" featuring Byron Stingily's "So Grateful", Erro's "Change For Me", Gerideau's "Take A Chance" and Janet Rushmore's "Lost In Love" (Jet Soul).
Definitely armed with one of the strongest cut around is newly formed pair Richard Earnshaw and Danny Jones aka One 51 with "Si Weka" - our current Single Of The Week - infected with lush afro brazilian elements a positive message over a balancing beat. All of this smelling like a proper "Sea, Sex & Sun" summer hit (Soulfuric Deep). Currently on our top ten, Lady Alma has another fine tune called "Gimme That Music" alongside 83 West label headz Peter & Tyrone, although I'd rather go for Alix Alvarez's mixes on the B-side which to me sound more scintillating (83 West). On a slightly quicker rhythm, Dallas based producer Demarkus Lewis makes his debut for Large subdivision Vista Recordings with "The Hustler EP". Expect some repetitive spoken versus on the title track exploring a sort of minimal house techy kind of universe enlighted by a shiny ambient line, meanwhile "I'm A Freak" on the B-side featuring Lady D should reach those into late night Chicagoan kind of groover.
Much of this week's selection looks like hailing from Europe and France to be more precise, starting with Franck Roger's debut on Kenlou Records with the Blaze inspired "No More Believe" featuring Chris Wonder with some reminder of Stevie Wonder on his voice. If in Paris tonite, don't miss Franck's Real Tone party celebrating the launch of this brand new release (see our Events section). Meanwhile, a Franck Roger featuring Chris Wonder might hide another one… This other one being the ultra soulful "Reasons" over some wickeeeeed keys by the likes of M'Sellem, awaited next month on Straight Up which sounds like a pure slice of heaven. Watch this space ! Discovered last year on Basic with Allen, L'Amabassade resident DJ Manoo makes his debut for Buzzin' Fly alongside François A on a cool atmospheric jazz phonk tip with "6 In The Morning". Another label worth to mention is Qalomota Records. If you happen to be on deep moody kind of stuff, than check out "This Could Be Love" featuring Yuanist Woods which is the opener track of "The Master & The Apprentice EP" produced by Rufuss, meanwhile the B-side starring saxophonist Joshua Levitt in full effect delves into old school deep jazzy house territory. Warren Clarke providing Martin Solveig with some vintage funk feel on his remixes of the current "Rocking Music" (Defected).
Quite different as you may guess is the latest installment of Africanism. Here Bob Sinclar in person goes for some afro caribbean tribal discoïd trip over a killing groove with "Amour Kefe", looking ready to make some serious noise on the floors (Yellow Productions). In the meantime, the Artofdisco series goes on with two new references. The first of which being the stunning "4.AM In The mourning" by Martino. A cut sounding like some Carl Craig vs Larry Heard collab. In other words, a minimal deep tech jazz kind of exploration opening to some emotive female chant.
Chillifunk label looks like going stronger from a month to another. Get ready for some serious dope to be released next month starting from soul songstress Verna Francis doing an oustanding performance on the cool phonkyjazz tinged "Sunshine". A cut definitely looking as one of this summer's grooves with the help of trumpeteer Scott Bayliss and producer engineer Felix Hopkins, coupled with a Restless Soul Mix on a slightly more phat beat. Co written and produced by Phil Asher, Vanessa Freeman "Shades" is a cool slice of soulful downtempo given a retro bossa jazz feel by L.A. based collective The Rebirth. Nathan Haines featuring Guida De Palma ending the series with the blazing sensuous "O Mysterio" graced with some additional vibrant mixes by Yam Who celebrating the cool at their best. Expect nothing but beauty and harmony with The Rurals as it's the case on "Sparkle/I Am" a double tracker 12" varying from a sort of plaintive deep house groove over some repetitive abstract vocal hook on the Picture side to intimate jazzy vibes on the other one (Pêng).
Berlin famous Jazzanova goes definitely weird with the syncopated deep dark "Glow & Glame" remixed by Âme. A must have in its genre, not to mention the aerial "Dance The Dance" on the flipside which should enlight the hearts of those in search for atmospheric jazz as delicately reworked by Atjazz. Another piece of great music (Sonar Kollektiv). Staying on that moody jazz and groovy vein, we're getting ourselves ready with another couple of goodies, the first of which being the initmate although driving "Flyaway" by Magicnumber on Stereo Deluxe delivered with an extra remix from Liquid People, quite reminiscent of what made the reputation of Naked Music label back in the days. Although worth to check is Parov Stelar "Kisskiss EP" and most definitely the cheeky jazzy "Super Eight" featuring Peter Kreuzer on its original version + its relifting by the likes of Raul Irie & Micchi Bex (Etage Noir). Belladonna adding a bit of summer vibes with the afro latin flavaed "Ebatulé" as retouched by DJ Uovo (Irma)…
IN DA MIX ISSUE # 54 TENNERZ
ONE 51 Si Weka (Soulfuric Deep/promo)
VERNA FRANCIS Sunshine + Restless Soul Mix (Chillifunk/promo)
JAZZANOVA Glow & Glame b/w Dance The Dance (Sonar Kollektiv)
ART OF DISCO - MARTINO 4.AM In The Mourning (Yellow Productions)
FRANCK ROGER w M'SELLEM featuring CHRIS WONDER Reasons (Straight Up/test)
BELLADONNA Ebatulé - DJ Uovo Remix (Irma)
MAGICNUMBER Fly Away (Stereo Deluxe)
NATHAN HAINES featuring GUIDA DE PALMA O Misterio + Yam Who Remixes (Chillifunk)
PAROV STELAR Super Eight (Etage Noir)
AFRICANISM - BOB SINCLAR presents Amour Kefe (Yellow Productions)
May 9, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠53
In May, do whatever you want and ther's no reason why you shouldn't do so at the end of the day. Send us some feedback, tell us that IDMW.com is baaaad… or crap ! Provide us with mixes of yours… or mixtapes. Get linked to us, join our ever growing commùunity and why not get your hands on this site with contributions of yours, tell us what we may do for you… Well, make yourself home, while we provide you with some good vibes.
Long time haven't seen so many ladies in the house at the same time and guess I have to say that there's really nothing to complain about this. Starting up this new selection with the much touted Goapele (read Qua-Pa-Lay) who sees one track - "Love" - from her Even Closer Album on Skyblaze Recordings licensed by Loveslap! with additional mixes from Miguel Migs and the ever charismatic DJ Spinna signing another peace of beauty he's much reputed for on an atmospheric soulful tip. In other words THAT something to kill you softly with this song. Equally shiny although exploring some different territory is Lady Alma's newie called "Living In The City". Quite like the jazzyphonk groove of this cut and its fluid environment as provided by Soul Dhamma, not talking about some infectious dub of theirs on the flipside to rock the deepest floors (King Street).
Quite a while without a word about Underground Collective Recordings label. Looks like this NYC label has had a look somewhere in the West calling Californian Kiko Navarro and our Soulplanet Jazz Ensemble brothers to relift DJ Chus and David Penn's written "The Perfect Place" for Concha Buika and guess what ? It's the SJE remix on the flipside that feeds our expectations on an organic classy jazzyphonk vein.
Couldn't tell you who's done the latest remix of "You Don't Know My Name" by R&B diva Alicia Keys but no doubt it gives extra flava to this already anthemic song rereleased as a white label by Rotgut under "The MuthaFunkin Keys" title.
Never heard neither so far of Smooth Agent Records nor from the people involved on what appears already as their 5th release - I mean "Africa" by Black_Mamba featuring Sarudzayi - although I come to understand that this label is based in Canada and no heard neither of the people who've been commissionned to remix it : Sean Smith & Oscar Ramirez, apart from Kenny Carjaval. Anyway, if you're looking for some cool afro atmospheric vibes, this 12 is most definitely for you, meanwhile the latest gives it a more NY housey approach.
Jephte Guillaume goes further politically with "Onè- Respè" bringing us back to the souvenir of his homeland - Haiti - which, although it was the first proclaimed Black Republic ever, reminds under the influence of dictatorship two centuries after its declaration of independance, melting conscious Creole lyrics with afro tribal vibes (Tet Kalé).
Duron Turik joins Space Kat label with the smooth'n'groovy "No Over" melting soulful, gospel and atmospheric jazz elements over some cool afro soul beat. Meanwhile, Nikos adds a bit of N-R-G on the B-side with the same amount of fluidity.
Blaze's new cut "Found Love" has finally hit the shelves an dit was, as usual, worth to wait. A song which we incidentally happened to hear for the very first time last summer at the Sunslice Festival in Toulon, seing the duet flirting with equal happiness with cool bossa vibes. Not to mention this other release on the same label from Joi (a guy we undertand as coming from Japan) on the same vibrant vein. In addition to this, Blaze is also on the run, providing smooth remixes for UK soulman Omar alongside Angie Stone on their rendition of William DeVaughn's classic "Be Thankful (For What You've Got), originally produced by Guru (Spun Records).
Back to some more groovy tip although on the same deep kinda vibes is the intimate "If You Leave Me Know" from The Moves. A cut that receives some Alix Alvarez treatment which happens to be the one of a definitely silky touch. Check most definitely the Part 1 of this 2 vinyl release (Central Park). A couple of step further rhythmically speaking is "My Way" from b-Soul aka DJ Pope on Poji Records, seing DJ Oji's partner purveying some lush keys on a jazzy'n'groovy tune enlighted by spoken words from Teresa. Really worth to check out as Roy Davis Jr's newie - "Moving Up" - a three track sampler taken for his new album which has recently been released on Canadian label Nice + Smooth. So howizit ? Well, well, well, carrying all those elements the combination of which have made Roy's reputation on a modern housey soulfunkjazzy tip as notoriously shown by its title track featuring words and vocals by Marcellus. Meanwhile the flipside explores some smoother territories.
Another Chicago heroe is with no doubt Glenn Underground, providing us with another corker : "Follow Me" featuring Swaylo on Shelter. Meanwhile, the Abicah Soul Project has resurfaced with a new 12 on Waako/Zyx strangely credited to a certain Stax but carrying nevertheless all those thangz that are a part of G.U.'s touch. Leavin' you for now with another absolute delitte hailing from Detroit, a soulful phonky light groove called "About Last Night" by Randolph on Mahogani Music and this sounds like waooooow ! Can't wait to get 2 the Motorcity's festival at the end of this month… MFSB
IN DA MIX TENNERZ
RANDOLPH About Last Night (Mahogani Music)
GOAPELE Love - DJ Spinna Remix (Loveslap!)
b-SOUL The Movement (Poji Records)
LADY ALMA Living In The City - Soul Dhamma Mixes (King Street)
BLAZE Found Love (West End)
DURON TURIK present No Over (Space Kat)
BLACK_MAMBA featuring SARUDZAYI Africa - Pico De Gallo Mix (Smooth Agent Records)
CONCHA BUIKA The Perfect Place - Soulplanet Jazz Ensemble Remix (Underground collective)
ROY DAVIS Jr featuring MARCELLUS Moving Up (Nice + Smooth)
JEPHTE GUILLAUME ONE-RESPE (Tet Kalé)
May 2, 2004
It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz' I can do it… IN DA MIX ISSUE≠52
End of April and yet comes our new selection of albums. From those Blue Note Revisited jazz classics and a new collection of sweeties brought to us by Thievery Coportation's ESL imprint to some more energetic vibes provided by UK pair, Groove Armada. Making a short trip to the famous Motorcity with a comp called… Detroit Soul prior to the Movement Festival. Have a garden party in the Devonshire county where The Riurals hail from. See how broken beat champions Big Bang are doing with their collection of reworks. Get the latest Fila Brazillia's deliriums and discover France Dimitri from Paris and Troublemakers second elpees. Welcome to our issue#52 !
Quite a hectic agenda in May diarywise with a bunch of festivities not to be missed all around the world. How lucky the travellers will be from The Southport Weekender, to the Santa Lucia Jazz Festival in the West Indies prior to the famous Detroit festival better (now) known as the Movement. And if that wasn't enough for our wallets, good albums keep on being around the bent…
It finally took quite a while to have this Blue Note Revisited album available. A bit of a shame considering the parties that have been settled up around this project, from Miami to Paris more recently during the… Blue Note festival !!! Uuuurgh, those majors ! Anyway, the delay was worth the wait, as one may have guessed with some sensuous rework of Wayne Shorter's "Oriental Folk Song by French vet La Funk Mob in full effect. Got some real cool and shiny groove on Bobby Hutcherson's "La Malanga" by the likes of Kenny Dope and get ourselves ready to go to heaven while listening to the immensely fluid DJ Spinna remix of Donald Byrd's "Lansanna's Priestess", but also Bugz In The Attic working on some soulful downtempo, covering Gene Farris's "LosalamitosLatinfunklovesong. Meanwhile, 4Hero provide us with some waltz rhythm on Horace Silver's "Won't You Open Up Your Senses". Other works worth to mention include DJ Cam & Erik Truffaz collab on Donald Byrd's "The Emperor" as well as the contributions from Jazzanova and Osunlade on what definitely stands as a chill out collection.
On this cool kinda trip, stands the latest collection from Thievery Corporation's label (and DC spot), Eighteenth Street Lounge called Den Of Thieves, including works from an array of international names : Argentinian Federico Aubele, Italian combo, Les Hommes (with an unmissable tune) and Austrian outfit the Sofa Surfers to name but a few. Really cool stuff indeed too on this collection, with a bit of psyche elements and a drop of breakbeat and D&B here and there (eslmusic.com).
Time to get back on our feet and hardly shake our asses with the first installment of Doin' After Dark series left c/o UK pair Groove Armada. Those of you who've been lucky enuff to see them live will surely understand what I'm saying when I'm taking about enregetic vibes at their very best. Those Brits have incorporated a bit of everything on their music as it's the case on their selection, providing a solid collection of… grooves featuring Unknown DJ, Chicken Lips, Tiefschwarz, DJ Gregory , Playgroup and Iz & Diz's material, thus making of booming result (ragbull.com). We almost could say the reverse way as compared to The Rurals, champions of cool'n'floating atmospheric house, although they gain a bit of tap in their combinations. A bit of groovy Brit soul on the opening cut of their Messages nu LP, a bit of abstract on the following one. Could sound like the crossing path between Sade and Naked or Om (peng.co.uk).
Never heard of Big Bang ??? No more excuse as this pair comprizing Italian Simone Seritella and Londoner Pete Herbert deliver their first collection of remixes with a list of customers that aptly speaks for itself, from Xantoné Blacq to Domu, 4Hero, Alex Attias, IG Culture, and Volcov amongst others. And what we got of the day is a solid collection of contemporary soul/jazz/phonk grooves with an extra bit of sharp broken beat, house and progressive drum & bass beatz although sometimes a bit too abstract for my tastes (arision.net).
There have always been anarchists in the UK, I mean people strongly standing apart from the others and the rules. Ever seen Fila Brazillia's members's faces ? Naaaa. At least, achieved to interview Steve Cobby back in the daze where he and his partner was signed to Pork Recordings. Gotta say that what followed was not so inspired as these abstract atmospheric jazzy grooves that made their reputation at the time. Seems today like the twosome are back in full effect with their new album called The Lifes & Times Of Phoebus Baumal. Good times indeed with this blend of electro grooves made of a bit of this and a bit of that (rock, folk, funk, psyche and da kitchen sink) with the addiction of vocalists, this adding a bit of jamaican flavas to their work (23online.co.uk).
Got to remember nearly a year ago when I attended the Detroit Movement festival. I was like : yaow, it's so soulful over there. Hmmm ! Dwele was just releasing his awaited debut EP, Amp Fiddler had a stunning live performance as Malik Alston had a couple of years before. Not to mention Lathun elsewhere on the R&B field… Well we almost got everyone there (except the latest), alongside Slum Village, Detroit Experiment, Innerzone Orchestra, Jay Dee, Ayro and Def Con 5 to name but a few and guess what ! Dis-is-pure hea-ven ! (unisexrecords.com).
Not so easy to be aware of what's happening on the Japanese market (thanks to Nik Weston who now provides us with the proper infos on his Japan Corner column) and even harder to get their releases. People searching Louie Vega's remixes of Pushim's "Like A Sunshine" would understand what I'm talkin' about. So what we've got there is Dimitri from Paris's second album - Cruising Attitude - which, a year after its release in Japan (on JVC via Soul Source) finally gets ready for a European release as licensed by French distributor Discograph on May 25. As diverse as its predecessor although quite different, it shows the many facets of Dim, this with a stronger production and more fluidity varying from easy listening to cinematic vibes with a drop of disco. Meanwhile former Guidance licensees, Troublemakers make their awaited debut on Blue Note with Express Way. Those others of you who've managed to get a listen to one half of the pair - DJ Oil - 's sets would also guess what we're talking about mentionning the influences of them, creating psychedlic atmospheres made of contemplative/cinematic/blaxploitation blends with the right emphasis at the very right moment, with a special mention to African singer Sandra N'Kéké providing us with an absolute blues standard with her rendition of the title cut, and a brilliant wink to the late Marvin Gaye on "Link" to name but a few. Another unmissable collection where you'll also find here and there subtle reminders of the late Serge Gainsbourg. Last but not least, a word about Del Amore's LP called Tome 1 on that same versatile and chilling vein, with a delicate production and subsequent atmospheres made of jazz, blue eyed soul and a bit of pop attitude (djcenter.com).
MFSB
IDM Album Tracks TENNERZ
BOBBY HUTCHERSON La Malanga/Kenny Dope Remix - from V/A: Blue Note Revisited (Blue Note)
TROUBLEMAKERS Lemon - from Express Way (Blue Note)
LES HOMMES Hommage - from V/A: Den Of Thieves (ESL)
PYROMANIAC GARDNERS Poppin' & Pimpin' from V/A: Doin' After Dark vol. 01 - Groove Armada (Ragbull)
THE RURALS Rebel - from Messages (Pêng)
FILA BRAZILLIA featuring PAPA V Bullshit - from The Life & Times Of Phoebius Brumal (23 Records)
ANETRIA WRIGHT Feeling Of Love - from V/A: Detroit Soul (Unisex
DIMITRI FROM PARIS featuring DANIEL WANG Vénusienne Dance - from Cruising Attitude (Discograph)
VIPER SUAD Another Day - from Big Bang Rework Project (Arision)
DEL AMORE Bop (DJ Center/BMG)