SK8OLOGY

SK8OLOGY is an exhibition that combines skateboard counter culture with the world of fine art with 150 artists from various backgrounds who have all lent their craft on the decks, which are being auctioned off to support Now That You Know, which is a non-profit organization that helps to provide ambitious girls from developing countries a secure environment for learning and growth. You can start bidding on these decks, of which I have chosen my favourites below. I particularly like the Jon Chase deck, which is beautifully executed.

Tocayo


Seth Haak


Munk One


Mark Cruz


Keith Renner


Jon Chase


Haubs


Bryan Sheffield

Mark 4ostia - Disco Music Fantastic Music - Rodion Remix

Here is a fun party record and then some! Rodion has been traversing his own unique course through cosmic waters for a while now and his remix of Box Codax in particular got me excited about his work with its great breakdown and driving bassline. This record has that bouncy drum synth line that will get people bouncing off the roof. It may not be the most original thing that you'll ever hear but it is definitely the sort of record that people in the death of the night will remember with smiles and whoops and hollers. Great Saturday night dance music.

Mark 4ostia - Disco Music Fantastic Music - Rodion Remix

Kode9 & The Spaceape - Konfusion

The more I've been exploring the whole dubstep scene the more I've come to realize that it is impossible to stick it into a box as the scene is characterized by an almost playful disregard for the rules. I find tracks like this one to be raw unadulterated party music and if I was 18 years old dubstep would be like the second coming. The music is raw and I particularly like the conscious lyrics on this one. Is dubstep going to take over the world? I'm not sure but I can assure you that if the quality of output is as good as this then it'll be an exciting couple of years as the genre continues to develop.

Kode9 & The Spaceape - Konfusion

Andres - Salvador de Bahia part 1

This KDJ executive produced bomb came out in 2003 and to my ears is as balearic as it gets really. My theory on what is and isn't balearic is a simple one, if it sounds as good in the sun as it does in the dead of night and makes you want to get some sand between your toes then it is balearic. Now that probably includes every record ever made but who gives a shit really, it is all subjective when dealing with the white isle. This is one of those records that is all about the rolling bassline that permeates through the whole track accentuating every element. It is as perfect as it is simple and is an often overlooked Detroit classic. Oh and if you ever get the chance to go and see Andres DJ then do so, the man is a demon on the ones and twos.

Andres - Salvador de Bahia part 1

The Aloof - Never Get Out The Boat - The Gosh Mix

Here is a beauty that came out at the turn of the 90s and was a record that I played well into the turn of the century at which point it was put on the bottom shelf and we all know what happens then. I might even resurrect this one as it has to my ears stood the test of time and deserves a further play or two. The vocal sample comes from one of my favourite movies the epic Apocalypse Now as uttered by Captain Benjamin L. Willard played incredibly well by Martin Sheen. I had forgotten all about this record and it is something that I would've loved to have played on the radio in England just to see what the reaction would've been. For us in Cape Town this was as underground a record as it gets but I get the feeling that all and sundry in England would've known about this one, which kind of proves my point that every man and his dog older than 30 in blighty has large chunks of the 90s missing from their memories and to that I doff my cap.

The Aloof - Never Get Out The Boat - The Gosh Mix

Soul II Soul - Back To Life - Burnin' Bass Club Mix

I moved this week, which was/is a time consuming wretched affair but the one perk of moving beyond living in a bigger place is that I get to shuffle the record collection around a bit and this was one of the tracks that was on the bottom shelf of my Expedit where, lets face it, good records go to die. I remember playing this one to death and judging by the state of the record sleeve it has more than earned its keep. Written by erstwhile Madonna producer Nelly Hooper and the legendary Jazzie B this cut like a knife through Cape Town clubland and I'm sure that any of you that were getting right on it during the early 90s will remember this track raising the roof at places like Bar-Do-Me and the Power Station where a lot of us too young to get in would dance outside in the street, halcyon days indeed. I remember that the fairer sex used to love this and when they were happy we were happy. One of the first rules of being a DJ is that if the girls are on the floor the boys will follow, even the most hardcore of heterosexual trainspotters can't resist a bit of shake-shake. Listening to this track again after all these years nearly brought a tear to the eye...nearly.

Soul II Soul - Back To Life - Burnin' Bass Club Mix

The Souljazz Orchestra - Mista President

It is fairly common knowledge that I am obsessed with all things Afrobeat and The Souljazz Orchestra are a welcome addition to the cannon. Hailing from the night lights of Canada they've been reinterpreting the legacy left by the West Africans with a sound that is equal parts Fela, equal parts Mulatu and just enough James Brown to get the bodies sweating with their own and unique groove that has enamored listeners and dancers from Ottawa to Osaka. It comes as no surprise that they are a multi-cultural collective who have brought their various upbringings and influences and stirred it in the melting pot that is quality afro music for the 21st century. This track was chosen as one of Gilles Peterson's top 10 tracks for 2006 and if you don't own the album Freedom Don't Go Die then purchase it immediately, each and every track is dripping with all the intensity and groove that your record collection demands. They're just about to release a new album called Manifesto and this may be a bit tired to say but if it is half as good as their previous effort then our ears and feet are in for a treat. Soul-stirring stuff.

The Souljazz Orchestra - Mista President

Here they are performing People, People...

David Holmes - I Heard Wonders - Andrew Weatherall Vocal Mix

Belfast-native David Holmes has been rattling dancefloors since the age of 15 and was responsible for promoting seminal nights such as Shake Yer Brain and Sugar Sweet after which Orbital wrote one of the greatest records of all-time Belfast after playing there. David has since gone on to release records such as The Film's Crap Let's Slash The Seats and Let's Get Killed, which featured the superb My Mate Paul. For a number of years now he's been out here in La-La Land doing film score work for the likes of Steven Soderbergh but he hasn't forgotten his roots and his latest album The Holy Pictures is a return to form for our hero and this track I Heard Wonders is culled from it but it isn't the original that I am providing but rather the incredible Andrew Weatherall vocal mix that sounds in places like Pulp on even more Amyl Nitrate in the best possible way. I can see everyone from the skinny jeans set to the beer belly beardy types falling for its lucid charms.

David Holmes - I Heard Wonders - Andrew Weatherall Vocal Mix

As a side-note, Andrew Weatherall is in superb form at the moment check his brilliant remix of VV Blood's Crying Blood for further proof.

Enzo Avitabile - Black Out - Club Mix

Big favourite with DJ Alfredo in Ibiza back in the halcyon days of peace, love and respect out on the white isle before it all went south. I normally only post records that I own but I'm going to make an exception for this one as it is too good not to include on here although I have just bought a copy off some guy in Greece. God bless the internet.

Jamie Woon - Wayfaring Stranger - Burial remix

Burial has managed to remain incognito since he came charging onto the scene with his South London Boroughs EP that came out on Hyperdub back in 2005 but he's recently been outed in a national UK publication recently in light of his Mercury Prize Nomination as William Bevan and not Aphex Twin and certainly not Norman fucking Cook as was alleged a couple of months ago. His reasons for keeping under wraps are refreshingly that he just wants to make music and not be too bothered by the trappings that come with fame, which he most certainly has since publications like NME have declared him their favourite new band, the bandwagon jumpers. This remix of Jamie Woon may err a bit too close to the MJ Cole two-step side of things but the atmospherics and mood of the piece elevate it far beyond anything that the two-step/garage scene ever managed to release during their heyday. Just like everything else that Burial has released this is absolutely brilliant and one that is not to be missed. If you like this sort of thing check label-mate Kode9's work and especially his incredible remix of James Yorkston's Woozy With Cider.

Jamie Woon - Wayfaring Stranger - Burial remix

Full Circle

Upper Space Gallery presents Full Circle a fundraiser for the D.P.M. Crew.

On Friday the 15th of August, Upper Space - the North West's only designated contemporary street art and graffiti gallery will be launching its next exhibition - 'Full Circle' to the general public. The exhibition will be showcasing works by the most contemporary graffiti writers in the North West of England alongside a weekend of free events at the Upper Space. The exhibition was curated in response to recent media coverage of graffiti and to explore the juxtaposition between the two sides of the ongoing question - art or crime? Drawing together some of the oldest and most prolific graffiti writers from across the region and from further afield - some of whom have been recently imprisoned or have been on trial for graffiti, for their first group exhibition.

Upper Space hopes to engage the general public and raise aware to the need to change government policy in relation to graffiti with particular emphasis on the distinct lack of legal wall space that is available in city centres for artists to practice and develop their art on. Upper Space feels this only perpetuates the negative impact of graffiti on society today. Coming 'Full Circle', we begin a campaign to engage local government members and community leaders to help provide solutions to some of the negative issues that surround this artform today.

As of the 10th of July, 5 graffiti writers from the D.P.M. Crew received prison sentences for acts of vandalism in the London area. Full Circle will be a fundraiser for their appeals as well as being a chance to showcase elements of hip hop to the community in addition to continuing their appeal for legal walls to be designated so that artists can be free to paint and express themselves.

The festivities include a launch party on August 15th for the exhibition that runs until September 19th and includes works by artists such as Kid Acne, 30Dz and many more. On August 16th they'll be celebrating the four elements of hip hop culture with an all-day event that will take in graffiti, breakdancing, MCing and DJing. On August 17th there will be a full day of screenings of films such as Style Wars, Wildstyle, Scratch, XTC and more. There will also be painting outside the warehouse at various locations. All three days are free to get in and if you're in the area I implore you to go and support what is a very worthy cause. For more information check here.


This image is a sneak preview of what you can expect this weekend.

Fred Cherry - Bus Ride To The Zoo

This came out last year on a 10" on a record label called Hole In The Sky, which from what I can tell comes out of Australia. Producer/drummer Fred Cherry's drops some low slung discoid dub on this choice cut with live instruments, samplers and analogue reel to reel tape machines all colliding to create a psychedelic, percussive work-out that is loved and adored by DJs like Spun who used this on his Beatsinspace show a few weeks back. The label was also responsible for The Canyons 12" that came out a few months back and is one of those records that if you haven't got it then you should stop fucking about immediately and get it...mate!

Fred Cherry - Bus Ride To The Zoo

Kumo Under 7's

I'm busy toying with the idea of starting a 7" label, which will hopefully be home to four to five minute balearic, cosmic, italo, dubstep and afro belters that have a pop sensibility - if that makes any sense. In an ideal world I'd have a John Martyn type record on one side with a dubstep remix on the flip. Basically I'm looking for music that suits the 7" format, more songs than 15 minute disco workouts. I'm after everything from edits to originals, so if you have any records that you're shopping at the moment then please don't hesitate to contact me at marc.kets[at]kumo-music.com. I already have a couple of releases lined up, so stay, ahem, tuned. They'll be released with full-colour sleeves and on a run of 500. Also if you know of any producers that it might be worth contacting then please don't hesitate to let me know.

This will tie in with the clothing line that I am launching in March 2009. I have a few of these t-shirts still available so if you're after one then contact me for sizes/availability.

Isolée - Schrapnell

This cut taken from Rajko Müller aka Isolée's 2005 album We Are Monster is a sadly overlooked balearic monster that I've only ever heard Balearic Mike play out, which is a pity as with its almost country twang to the guitars and ethereal melodies this is a track that deserved to get much more attention than it did when it was released. I would love to hear someone like Studio or even better Flying Lotus have a stab at this and turn it into something completely wonky. Isolée can do no wrong in my book and this record is up there with Beau Mot Plage and just about everything that is on his superb album Rest. If you've never checked the man's work out before then do your ears a favour and seek everything out by the man. All killer and absolutely no filler!

Isolée - Schrapnell

One Hundred Project : Davey (Hold Tight)

What is on your stereo at the moment?

The new Bubbletease podcast, Flying Lotus- Los Angeles, and, in honour of Isaac Hayes, the Ron Hardy edit of "I can't turn around".

3 records that changed your life. Why?

It's really more of an incremental effect with me, but...

Bummed -Happy Mondays

I heard this first when I was 15, and it was the first time music flipped all my switches - sounded so raw, druggy and rebellious I was helplessly drawn to it. Plus it led me to discover acid house, New Order, The Fall, Funkadelic, Can, Velvet Underground, Suicide, Chic, etc etc etc

Samurai - Jazztronik

I was a little late getting the whole bruk / nu jazz thing. I heard this track at the Electric Chair on a visit back to Manchester. I went out and bought this plus tonnes of other west London stuff immediately. Southeast Asia (where I was living) wasn't as impressed - I cleared quite a few unsuspecting dancefloors with this.

Lcd Soundsystem- 45:33

Not life changing, but it?s a record I have played over and over for a year. Not really a fan of their "real" records, but I love this one dearly. Maybe because they do away with guitars altogether and crank up the analog synths. Can't wait for the remix album which will apparently feature Prins Thomas, Theo Parrish and Trus'me. Should be ace.

What are you looking forward to?

Go Obama!

What couldn't you live without? Why?

My 1 1/2 year old boy, Max, and his hot momma. Because.

Most memorable gig?

Some friends and I DJed at a NYE party at Bokor Hill station in Cambodia, a very spooky abandoned casino and hotel left over from the French Colonial rule of the 1920s. Bokor is on top of a creepy, foggy mountain overlooking the gulf of Thailand. We expected a hundred or so people would make the long trek up there, but there was close to a thousand. It was memorable for different reasons - like the stunning setting, the amazing energy inside the old ballroom where we played, and the rather darker events unfolding outside - where two drunk policeman managed to shoot and kill each other in a kind of Mexican standoff. Pretty surreal.

Who/what are your influences?

Randomly - Friends of mine, Maurice Fulton, 4hero, Ame, Mark E, Amp Fiddler, Aeroplane, Bugz in the Attic, Chicken Lips, Cinematic Orchestra, E.S.G, The Glimmers, Fela Kuti, Permanent Vacation records, Jazzanova, Jazztronik, MAW, Metro Area, Micheal Jackson, Moodymann, Manchester, Prince, Theo Parrish, LCD Soundsystem, Trus'me, Pilooski, Stereolab, Build an Ark, the year 1983, Flying Lotus, Prins Thomas, Unabombers, Todd Terje, Greg Wilson, Lindstrom, Henrik Schwarz, Rainer Trüby, Roy Ayers, Oye records, Piccadilly Records, Hamilton Bohannon. People and things like that.

What is the best and worst thing about the city that you live in?

Berlin's famously freewheeling music culture/subculture. It's a pretty exciting city, made even more interesting because of its history. Everyone says it's not what it was 10 or 15 years ago, but it still seems to have a real edge to it.

On the downside: winter.

Given the accelerated pace of modern culture, what are we due a revival in?

"Waaaassuuuup"

Hero? Why?

I can't say that I have a hero. Maybe that?s because M People's "Seach for the hero" is the worst song ever recorded.

Is there anything else that you feel that we should know?

Some background might be in order. Born in Yorkshire, moved to Manchester to Cambodia to Thailand to Berlin, (now working for Native Instruments), and broadcasting an internet radio show, Hold Tight on Loud FM.

Check the podcast here.

Dave Tinning Kumo Mix

The mix is a few old favourites and some more recent stuff that I'm really feeling. Some of these records I have played to death, hence the "authentic" crackle. Sorry about that.

No Tracklisting Available

Download the mix from here.

6th Borough Project - Planets

Photo by Glen.

Here is a party record and then some! Birmingham's Jiscomusic just might have released one of the best house records for quite some time with this uptempo re-edit of a Marvin tune (I think!). Edinburgh house DJ Craig Smith is behind this edit with Graeme Clark of The Revenge and I used to have a tape of his back in the early to mid-90s that I completely wore out. I remember trying to find out what every track on the tape was and I came close and it only took me 4 years! He went off the radar a bit for a few years and now he's back with a floor trembler. Everyone stumped for the Hot Chocolate edit on the flip but for me this disco-meets-house bomb is the one. Absolutely killer!

6th Borough Project - Planets

p.s. If anyone knows the name of the original track that they have taken the scissors to then please let me know!

Laurent Garnier - Man With The Red Face (Live)

Another techno classic, this time from France's Laurent Garnier. This is hairs on the back of your neck stuff.

Galaxy 2 Galaxy - Hi-Tech Jazz (Live)

I just saw this one Youtube and I would have given my right arm to have been there as techno luminaries Galaxy 2 Galaxy play what is surely one of the greatest records ever made. It still sounds incredibly fresh some 15 years after it was first unleashed. What a record!

Go Tell Mama!

On Friday I went to the opening of the Go Tell Mama! exhibition at the HVW8 Gallery on the corner of Melrose and N. Spaulding on Los Angeles. The blurb from the exhibition says it best, "In November 2006, a hopeful new kind of politician began to make waves in the field of candidates running for the 2008 presidential election. Inspired by Barack Obama's fresh take and non-traditional bi-partisan approach, CRO decided to initiate an independent political propaganda campaign in support of Senator Obama. On the road to the Whitehouse, this atypical candidate would require a fresh approach. Therefore, unsatisfied with how the political machine usually dictates a campaign, CRO set out to redefine how it should be done. And so was born a series of posters and videos that harness the power of the internet and technology bringing meaningful, thought-provoking imagery to the stale and stiff political scene. Gotellmama.org is now the central hub for all content created for the CRO mission of delivering Obama's candidacy to the people. Here you can find a series of posters designed for street-level promotion."

Apparently CRO was inspired to do the work after reading Obama's autobiography after he was involved in an accident and he had his jaw wired shut. Here is Ray Noland aka CRO's artist statement - "The GoTellMama! Officially Unofficial Show is an artists run and operated independent political art campaign in support of Barack Obama. It is focused on communicating with voters in an array of contemporary grassroots methods such as a national street campaign of posters and stencil art, animated viral videos, and creative use of internet technology. GoTellMama! was created in November 2006 while Ray Noland aka CRO was recovering from a severe bicycle crash--jaw wired shut for six weeks and mending a dislocated shoulder. The Chicago-based artist devoured Senator Barack Obama's book, 'Dreams from my Father' and became consumed with the man and his story, but also the potential of his window into the 2008 election. What began as the simple production of 25 (pre-ordered) limited edition 'Dream' screen-printed posters has grown into a collection of prints, stencil graphics, fine art pieces, animated videos, an aggressive national street campaign and a series of traveling art shows across the country.

The ambition of the GoTellMama! campaign is to heighten awareness of Barack Obama using non-traditional tactics. We are speaking to an audience regarding politics in ways they may not have been addressed in past elections. We believe art moves and influences in subtle and unconscious ways and speaks to the masses beyond what can be accomplished with a traditional campaign. GoTellMama! will be exhibiting the collection of screen-printed posters, stencils on canvas, and original videos dating back to 2006."

I just realized that I interviewed Ray for a publication in Asia a few years ago when he was doing the artwork for Josh Deep's label Deeper Soul. Wish I had put two and two together at the opening but anyway. If I can dig it up I'll post it. Very talented man.

Here are some pictures from the opening.





More pictures from the opening are here.

The HVW8 Gallery and Shop is located at 661 N. Spaulding Ave, Los Angeles CA 90036. If you're in the area I implore you to give them a visit - prints, t-shirts and more are available from the crew who are very much worth supporting.

R.I.P. Isaac Hayes

Soul legend Isaac Hayes died earlier today following the death of comedic great Bernie Mac on Friday.

If I were Samuel L. Jackson I'd be bricking it - check this photo taken off Isaac's website.



Rest In Peace.

Goldfrapp - A & E - Hercules & Love Affair remix

To follow on from the superb Welcome Stranger track here is another dark groover but this time from Hercules & Love Affair who seem to be the darlings of the, ahem, dance media at the moment following on from their debut release and live shows that seem to have even gotten teenagers to look further than bands fronted by guys who have been shoe-horned into their skinny jeans for their musical fix. Fancy that! What they've done to musical chameleon Goldfrapp's A & E is nothing short of genius. It's a heads down late night groover that has almost afro chanting driving the electronic groove and is easily up there with the best remixes of the year. My favourite Goldfrapp story was passed onto me by a roadie friend of mine who told me that venues judge an artist's difficulty on, "a scale of one to Goldfrapp!"

Still would though.

Goldfrapp - A & E - Hercules & Love Affair remix

Welcome Stranger - Smoke Machine

All hail Thom Bullock! The man is well and truly on a roll at the moment. First there was The Laughing Light of Plenty single that seems to have capitivated all and sundry and now we have this incredible dark groover that is tailor-made for dark disco basements. Late night discoid genius from a man who most certainly can. This is the sort of record that makes you want to go out and get absolutely off your nut and dance the night away with 300 of your new best friends. Killer record!

Welcome Stranger - Smoke Machine (REMOVED)

Lil' Tony - Cosmic Afro Pan

Finland's Lil' Tony is probably best known for being a member of Nuspirit Helsinki who had a fair amount of success with releases on seminal deep house label Guidance Recordings and with Germany's Sonar Kollektiv. In recent years Lil' Tony has been forging a name for himself with his DJ sets and production work - especially those released with Kimmo Oksanen, Roberto Rodriguez and Toni Rantanen as the Future Beat Investigators - but it is with this solo release on France's Versatile Recordings that he takes that minimal yet soulful sound and takes it kicking and screaming down to the club where it can only result in one thing and that is pandemonium on the dancefloor. I really like techno records that are well made and this is most certainly a great addition to the cannon, check the bit where the piano comes in for proof.

Lil' Tony - Cosmic Afro Pan (REMOVED)

* Because this is a new release I'm only going to leave the .mp3 up until Monday morning at which point I'll take it down.

One Hundred Project : Jif

What is on your stereo at the moment?

I'm listening to quite a lot of Brazilian stuff at the moment so things like Gilberto Gil, Jorge Ben and Caetano Veloso, also the Fleet Foxes album which is rather good.

3 records that changed your life. Why?

ELO - Last Train To London

This was the first record I bought when I was about 9 so I guess it must have had an influence on my tastes, the original 7" still sounds better than the edit that came out last year.

Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)

Growing up in the 80s Talking Heads were a very influential band and this is without doubt my favourite of their tracks.

Fingers Inc. - Mystery of Love

I was into Electro and used to listen to Stu Allan on Piccadilly, he then started playing a few early House records from Chicago. Of all the early tracks Mystery Of Love is the most timeless in my opinion, still sounding great today.

What are you looking forward to?

I'm off to Electric Elephant in Croatia soon which should be a good.

What couldn’t you live without? Why?

Music, good friends and going out and having a laugh, although I don't seem to get enough time for that at the moment

Most memorable gig?

Probably the Def Jam tour at the Manchester Apollo in '87, it was LL Cool J, Run DMC, Eric B & Rakim and Public Enemy and it must have been good as we went back the next night.

Who/what are your influences?

My influences have tended to change on a regular basis so wouldn't like to name anyone in particular, I've always been more influenced by people who aren't scare to play something different though. Marc and Paul do deserve a special mention though, without them press-ganging me into coming on their radio show just over a year ago I would have never have started playing records outside my front room.

What is the best and worst thing about the city that you live in?

I'm probably going to say the same as most of the other Mancunians, but it's size is one of the best points; big enough that there's plenty to do but small enough that it's friendly and easy to get around. The worst thing would have to be the weather.

Given the accelerated pace of modern culture, what are we due a revival in?

Farahs and back perms.

Hero? Why?

I don't really do heroes, everybody is good at different things so the whole hero thing doesn't really work for me

Is there anything else that you feel that we should know?

I hate answering questions about myself.

Jif Kumo Mix

No Tracklisting Available.

Download the mix here.

Spiritualized - Think I'm In Love (Chemical Brothers vocal remix)

When this came out in the late-90's I used to end each and every set of mine with this serotonin tingler. In those days I was playing mostly instrumental records, so this was my idea of a big vocal reach for the sky record and to be honest I still do think it is. I don't think I've bought anything by Spiritualized or the Chems since then although I think the wife has and I remember Deep Dish - back when they were any good - starting off one of their Yoshiesque compilations with this beauty. I particularly like the way how it winds down at the end, a proper 'moment' record.

Spiritualized - Think I'm In Love (Chemical Brothers vocal remix)

Steely Dan - Green Earrings - Fat Camp Scratch Re-edit

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a thing about Steely Dan as they've never really been on the radar. I know they're favourites with just about every bearded wonder out there but I've just never had the desire to pick up and album for some reason. I've seen Aja in bargain bins and always thumbed past it as I seem to have some ingrained irrational anti-Steely Dan tendencies from where I couldn't tell you. Maybe it is time that I put the effort in and ponied up for an album or two but I wouldn't really know where to start, so any tips would be greatly appreciated but bear in mind that if this is the cream of the crop then I'll probably just leave it here, I'm kind of silly that way sometimes. Anyway this re-edit is absolutely ace and I have no idea if it is true to the original or not but it does seem like the type of thing that would make people go absolutely radio rental on a dancefloor near you. I quite like it actually.

Steely Dan - Green Earrings - Fat Camp Scratch Re-edit

Low Motion Disco - Frantic Low Moment

This is the last one for today as it'll probably take you a while to work through the others that I have posted during this frenzy. This record absolutely compliments everything else that I have put up tonight and is from an album that you can file right next to your Quiet Village album quite easily, the impeccable Keep It Slow. This is a record that didn't grab me immediately but since then after numerous repeat listens I have been all over this like jam on toast. I have no idea who they are, and I'm assuming that they're Belgian but that's just a guess, but if they continue to put out music as incredible as this then I'm pretty much guaranteed to buy their albums for years to come. There is something incredibly psychedelic (which seems to be the theme for the evening) about this cut and the drums in particular are programmed expertly - not too much, just enough - to drive the track through its initial stages into the part where the other big elements come in. It is a masterclass in arrangement and a record that I truly do love and one that if played at the right time on the right dancefloor could lead to a real moment. BUY THE ALBUM, IT IS ACE!! There I said it.

Low Motion Disco - Frantic Low Moment

Beyond The Wizards Sleeve - Words

Beyond The Wizards Sleeve consist of Richard Norris who was in The Grid and Psychic TV and Erol Alkan who is absolutely massive on the Trash-inspired scene and who I must admit I went to go and listen to one night at Bugged Out! more out of curiosity than anything else and he played loads of techno, house and absolutely ace psychedelic stuff mixed to absolute perfection and he made me go a bit mental on the dancefloor with a few angular-haired students who made me their pet project for the night introducing me to all and sundry. My only regret that night is that I could've got a free haircut out of my new mates...oh well.

This has to be an edit of something but just what I don't know. This was included on their Spring EP that cost the better side of $20 to acquire and it is probably the best thing that they have ever done. I don't know about you but I find it absolutely euphoric and they've worked the chorus/refrain absolutely expertly and I can guarantee that you'll be singing it for the rest of the day. This is just the sort of record that I love to hear in and amongst an abrasive techno set that would make the entire place have a much needed collective wobble. I could definitely see someone like Weatherall incorporating it to devastating effect. What a record.

Beyond The Wizards Sleeve - Words

p.s. According to the Profanisaurus a 'Wizard's Sleeve' is 'a well-swept skin chimney'. Take that one down to the pub.

Bruce Norman Quintet - Keeper of The Sea

This is absolutely brilliant. I've been getting into the Martin Denny Exotica sound for a while now and apparently in record stores they call it Surfrock, well they did in San Francisco at least, but I find most of the records need severe editing as there are usually some bits that are absolute rubbish nestled in and amongst the gorgeous arrangements. This record however is perfect and clocks in at a brisk two minutes and three seconds and from the first sounds of the shore and the inclement weather augmented by the absolutely brilliant horn section driving it along I'm sure that you'll agree that this record is absolutely killer. Not sure where you'd play it but it would definitely stand out during a day time balearic set with the sun lapping down and a decent sized cocktail in hand. It's not every day that I say that a record is too short but this one could definitely do with some lengthening. Now I know absolutely nothing about the artist but I definitely want to hear more. If anyone has any idea where I can find more tracks by a group that quite clearly ticks all the right boxes then please let me know. Just incredible stuff.

Bruce Norman Quintet - Keeper of The Sea

The Laughing Light of Plenty - The Rose

The Laughing Light of Plenty is a new project fronted by the incredibly talented Thom Bullock of Map of Africa, Rub 'n Tug, Otterman Empire and A.R.E. Weapons infamy, and he's partnered by LA-based artist Edward Ruscha who produces music that is from the very left of leftfield. He's a man who uses stacks of analogue equipment and performs productions through live experimentation for a truly unique sound to go with his approach. He has released work through Tom Chasteen's Exist Dance label under his Dada Munchamonkey moniker. Our hero is also a member of Future Pigeon who take their influences from everything from dub to psychedelic rock, basically they're ace and I'll stick a track or two by them up in the following week. This track, which to me is a perfect accompaniment to the Dogs of War track a few posts down, is the very best of both the psychedelic rock, punk and dance worlds and is probably my favourite record of the year thus far. As this record will be out on the notoriously limited Whatever We Want Records very soon I'll only have this .mp3 available for the rest of the week at which point I'll take it down. This tune is absolutely ace and I've listened to it at least 30 times today and each time I play it louder. I'm not very far from having a bit of a pogo around my front room...ace!

The Laughing Light of Plenty - The Rose (Removed as it is now available at Piccadilly Records)

Q. Lazzarus - Goodbye Horses - Krikor edit

Q. Lazzarus is a mysterious singer who is best known for this song, which was famously featured in the tuck your little fella away scene in Silence of The Lambs back at the beginning of the 90s. Apparently not much is known about her or her band so I'll diverge a bit and tell you a bit about one of my favourite producers, Krikor. Our hero is a French recording artist who doesn't release a lot of records but pretty much everything that he has released is an absolute winner in my book. If leftfield wonky yet funk as fuck records are your game then he's the man for you especially with tracks like Burt Reynolds, Whisky Boy and Rock Hard In A Funky Place, which are all absolute essentials in my book. There is something very special about artists who don't stick to the blueprint but take chances in their programming and ultimately make records that leap out on the dancefloor and make people go absolutely barmy. Great producer. When you play this one for the love of God please don't try and recreate the scene from the flick...you'll just feel silly.

Q. Lazzarus - Goodbye Horses - Krikor edit

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

The Fleet Foxes are a five piece Seattle-based band who have been making waves with everyone from folkies to bearded balearica aficionados. This track White Winter Hymnal is off their self-titled debut album that all of you should really own and Aeroplane those bastions of nu-disco trance-lite grooves recently included this track on their mix for Resident Advisor which gives you some idea of the appeal of the track. It is just the sort of thing that I like to listen to early in the morning before things go a bit mental. Dive in.

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

Tensnake - Look To The Sky

I've been losing sight of solid dancefloor records here on the blog recently and with this superb italo-influenced slice of techno from Tensnake I am rectifying all of that. This came out last year and is one of those records that wasn't as instantaneous as some others released around the same time but like most great records they may not hit you immediately but they're definitely records that you'll pull out of your bag in years to come when the other bigger records will be collecting dust on your shelves. He's just recently released a record on the Kompakt-funded Endless Flight label that has been garnering support from the likes of Tony Tobias and James Kumo. Tensnake is definitely on the ball. Play this one loud.

Tensnake - Look To The Sky

Dogs of War - Future Jungle

This is a super-rare album that fetches upwards of $300 and apparently is an album that greatly influenced bands like Map of Africa et al. This cut is from their self-titled album and the only one by them that I've been able to find and I gather that it has recently been re-issued which should save most of you some serious wedge. The album is full of camp electronic disco with funk, rock and disco touches with loads of ace percussive breakdowns that are ripe for sampling. If anyone knows anything else about Dogs of War then please let me know but until then enjoy this superb grooving slice of aceness.

Dogs of War - Future Jungle

That's A Wrap

South Africa has just wrapped up our first test series win in England since readmission. To say I'm pleased is a massive understatement.

Joakim - Lonely Hearts

Joakim Bouaziz is a Parisian techno producer who isn't afraid to dip his toes in other genres and does so impeccably with everything from balearica to disco covered. Under his Jimi Bazzouka monker he released that Wings edit last year that everyone played and when I say everyone I mean EVERYONE! Recently he's been working with his band The Ectoplasmics and delivering his unique and compelling take on indie-dance music that he hinted at on his brilliant album Monsters & Silly Songs which if you haven't bought already you really should. This track Lonely Hearts was one of my favourite records of 2007 and I must have played it every week for six months both in haunts in the UK and on the radioshow. It has one of those catchy hooks that you catch yourself singing constantly for days. I love this record and I hope that you do as well.

Joakim - Lonely Hearts

Colonel Red interview

Colonel Red is a singer, song-writer and performer with a clear understanding of his roots and the heritage of his ancestors on both sides of the Atlantic that result in a spiritual and learned take on modern soul music. His debut album “Blue Eye Blak” was released on People back in 2005 and since then while a lot of contemporaries have fallen away due to the close of Goya he has continued to rise above the presipice and release music that has found favour with tastemakers as renowned as Gilles Peterson who included a track of his on a Brownswood Bubblers compilation. His work fuses an original interplay between soul, acoustic and percussion all in a way that leads me to believe that Colonel Red is the real deal and someone who we will be hearing a lot more of in the years to come.

Read the interview here.

Sly Mongoose - 模範囚/Monster Smoke

Both of these tracks are taken from the album Tip of The Tongue State of which Mule Musiq has already culled tracks like Bad Pulse and Delusion Habitfrom to rapturous responses on dancefloors last year but nothing else seems to have come from an album that is all killer and no filler, so I decided to share a few with you.

The album was a Japan-only release, which is incredibly criminal in my book as it definitely deserved to be heard by more ears. These two tracks are very different but share those qualities that made those other tracks so wonderful.

First up is 模範囚 which is veering towards the cod-reggae side of things but they reign it in just in time to make it a perfect slice of sunshine balearica that sounds incredible in the sunshine. Monster Smoke is a track that sounds very 'live' which isn't a surprise given that Sly Mongoose are indeed a live band who use very little post-production on their work - what you hear on record is very close to what you get when you hear them live and they're ripe for the festival circuit and it is a shame that bands like them, Cro-Magnon and Double Famous haven't followed in the frankly barmy footsteps of Soil & "Pimp" Sessions but anyway Monster Smoke is a psychedelic take on the disco/balearic sound that so many acts seem to be trying to do at the moment and failing miserably. It is one of those records that once you get into it, you're hooked. Superb stuff I'm sure all of you will agree.

Sly Mongoose - 模範囚
Sly Mongoose - Monster Smoke

Cobra Krames - Players Choose You

This track is a little hidden gem on an 6 tracker that isn't really that much cop beyond this Willie Hutch cut-up. Cobra Krames uses I Choose You by our man and loops it to within an inch of its life and granted it does get a bit silly towards the end but bear with me. Picture the scenario, it is 4am the house lights have come on and you've been told by the Johnny Roid Rage that you have one more and you better make it a short one, so you reach into your bag and pull out this corker and it'll have the hands in the air with smiles aplenty guaranteed. Probably would go down like a lead balloon at any other time but in the right place at the right time it'll have the punters eating out of your hands. Might be a bit of a marmite tune but it is a bit of fun in a sea of seriousness. Give it a bash.

Cobra Krames - Players Choose You

Bjørn Torske - God Kveld

This is a real gem from the one of the original members of the Norwegian dancefloor alliance that shook up the deep house scene in the mid-90s. God Kveld is off his criminally overlooked album Feil Knapp that originally was going to be CD-only but eventually a few copies were pressed up on black crack and I've almost worn the grooves off my copy. There are some many contrived nu-disco records floating about and unfortunately the smash and grab edits and sound-the-same tunes mean that truly great tracks like this one go criminally unnoticed and tragically unplayed. This is a track that I could see a great warm-up DJ using in house clubs to devastating effect. Superb stuff.

Bjørn Torske - God Kveld

p.s. Am I the only one to find the cover of the album a bit unsettling? It's like the Mona Lisa, the eyes follow you across the room.

Soft Rocks - Black Magic

Brighton's Soft Rocks have created easily the most psychedelic record of 2008 with this offering. I think it samples Stevie Knicks but I'm not entirely sure and it is especially appropriate after I have just spent 2 and a half days negotiating San Francisco to celebrate Jeni's and my one year wedding anniversary, and lets face it San Francisco is the home of all things psychedelia. The wife and I especially enjoyed going into City Lights bookstore, home of the whole beatnik thing and seeing their wonderfully humorous posters on the walls one of which read - The redlight district will be closed on June 26th because the ladies will be attending the Policeman's ball. They also had great sections with entertaining names like Muckraking etc. We easily walked 10 miles each day and our weary legs were rewarded with great food, awesome sights and some really great music being played in all the stores we went into. Soul, jazz and funk were the order of the day and I caught myself asking various kids in stores what the names of the songs were to mostly befuddled looks.

Their record stores however come well-stocked but at a price, every album was greatly inflated and you could easily get them for far cheaper on Discogs or GEMM but there is something to be said about getting dusty in a record emporium manned by someone who has given up their souls to the groove of which there are plenty in San Francisco. Anyway I'm diverging a bit here, basically this is a great addition to the Soft Rocks cannon and one that if it came on in a club I would go absolutely radio rental...man.

Soft Rocks - Black Magic