Monday, December 31, 2012

Willie Hutch : Brother's Gonna Work It Out (Kon Remix)



In 1969, Willie Hutch signed with RCA Records and put out two albums before he was spotted by Motown producer Hal Davis, who wanted lyrics to his musical composition "I'll Be There", a song he penned for The Jackson 5. The song was recorded by the group the morning after Hutch received the call. Motown CEO Berry Gordy signed Hutch to be a staff writer, arranger, producer, and musician shortly there afterward. Hutch later co-wrote songs that were recorded by the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, the newly rechristened Miracles, and Marvin Gaye. In 1973, Hutch started recording albums for Motown, releasing the Fully Exposed album that year. That same year, Hutch recorded and produced the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film, The Mack. Hutch had several R&B hits during this period, including "Brother's Gonna Work It Out" and "Slick". Hutch recorded at least six albums for Motown, peaking with 1975's single "Love Power", which reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Ondatropica : Caminando Por La Vida

This is an Ondatropica track not available on the UK edition of the record, a great salsa arrangement written by Alfreditio Linares and recorded in Medellin, Colombia 2012. Recorded live to Ampex 4 track at the Legendary Discos Fuentes. If you haven't heard the Ondatropica record yet, peak here: www.ondatropica.com/en/

Quantic : Reminisce Over You

A Cumbia take on the Hiphop classic, released on a Serato vs Tru Thoughts 12"

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Nina Simone : Come On Back Jack

This song was meant as an "answer" song to Ray Charles' massive hit, "Hit the Road, Jack". Producer Stu Phillips recounts how this song had been written specifically for Nina: "Since time was of the essence, I got the song to Nina as quickly as possible. She said she liked the song, but should not record it unless Ray Charles personally said he didn't mind her following up his record..."

Gregory Porter : 1960 What ?

Gregory Porter is an American jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actor. His debut album, Water, released in 2010 via Motéma Music, was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. His second album, Be Good, which contains many of Porter's compositions, was released on February 14, 2012, and garnered critical acclaim for both his distinctive singing and his compositions.
Porter tapped the prodigious talents of veteran producer Brian Bacchus for Be Good. “Gregory is the real deal and a revelation in terms of new male jazz singers, but I think that his voice coupled with his songwriting may be the thing that leaves most listeners with their mouths open,” says Bacchus.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

John Craig : Doing My Own Thing

Appears on "Deep Sounds From The Left Of Stax, Vol. 1", a compilation that carries the rare, locally-distributed funk and soul 45s that led the likes of renowned collectors DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist. Over twelve years in the making, this anthology seeks to establish True Soul’s rightful place within America’s funk and soul pantheon.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra : Future Ancestors

Almost exactly two years after their debut "The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra" will release the successor "Towards Other Worlds", out November 26th on First Word Records.
Although their music uses Afrobeat rhythm and language, they also owe part of their sound to the space Jazz pioneers of the 70’s and the free jazz trailblazers of the 60’s. The band have been quoted to credit James Brown and Tony Allen for having a large influence on their music.
The band was founded in 2007 after a series of jam sessions at the Leeds basement bar and music venue 'Sela Bar'. In 2009 after a couple of years defining their sound, the band were signed to independent record label First Word Records
On the 15th of November 2010 the band's self-titled debut album 'Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra' was released on worldwide digital download and CD.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Menahan Street Band : The Crossing

Opening and title track of the new "Menahan Street Band" album released on Daptone Records/The Orchard. Their debut album, "Make the Road by Walking", was released in 2008 on Dunham, a sublabel of Daptone Records, and a favorite of lots of in crowd producers and music lovers. Various songs from "Make the Road by Walking" have been sampled by hip hop artists, including the title track, which was sampled by Jay-Z on the track "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)...", and "The Traitor", which was sampled by Kid Cudi and by 50 Cent.
The Crossing is more colored with strings wich makes the piece ingenious dramatic more precise than "Make the Road by Walking". Still, the swell of the blazers are so strong they replace the vocal lines that are not there.
"The Crossing" needs more spins than its predecessor but once opened up you'll discover "The Crossing" is an enrichment of one of the strongest contemporary soul catalogs.

Hot 8 Brass Band : Fine Tuner

From the Hot 8 Brass Band’s eagerly awaited second album, ‘The Life And Times Of…’ marks their first full LP since 2007’s highly acclaimed debut ‘Rock With The Hot 8’ put them on the global stage. New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band was founded in 1995 by tuba player Bennie Pete to play brass band music professionally. Although many of the current members began playing together in high school, over time the line-up has inevitably shifted and changed, and continues to do so. But any incarnation of Hot 8 Brass Band will boast eight or nine players of the highest rate, bringing the passion and noise through a bevy of trombones, saxophones, trumpets, snare and bass drums, all buoyed up by the immense tuba basslines of band leader Bennie Pete.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Ann Sexton : You Can't Lose With the Stuff I Use (JR.Dynamite Edits)

Ann Sexton is one of a few lesser known Southern Soul female artists, recorded a series of fine soul records for the legendary Nashville soul DJ and label-owner, the late John Richbourg a.k.a. John R.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Bob James : Westchester Lady

During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date. He is also well known for the smooth jazz classics "Nautilus" and "Westchester Lady", the latter from the album Bob James Three.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Brian Bennett : Nuplex (Thomass Jackson late late night edit)

In 1967 Bennett released a solo album called Change Of Direction, the first solo album by a member of The Shadows which he joined in 1961. He stayed with the group throughout all of their subsequent line-ups, and took part in The Shadows' European tour. In addition to his work with the Shadows he is also a prolific composer, particularly of soundtrack music for films and television programmes, including The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and Pulaski. He also appeared in Cliff Richard's backing band and plays piano and occasionally vibraphone.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Hannah Williams & The Tastemakers : Get It

The daughter of a musically gifted minister, Hannah Williams aka deepsoul's funkiest new diva was immersed in soulful music from the day she was born. Her first single, an independently released 45 on Mondegreen Records, reached out into the soul scene and drew praise from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Charles Bradley, Craig Charles on his BBC radio show and various labels and promoters. Within weeks of the DIY vinyl release, the London based 9-piece were snapped up by Italy’s renowned Record Kicks label. Whilst recording the anticipated debut LP, out October 15th, the outfit have made several trips to Europe to headline festivals and have wowed domestic audiences with a mainstage performance at Shambala and two consecutive headlines at Larmer Tree’s second stage.

Darkstar : Timeaway

This is a giveaway track from Warp Records. Darkstar are an electronic music trio. Since 2007, they have released music on Hyperdub and 2010 Records. They received strong critical praise for their initial releases. In 2009, their track "Aidy's Girl Is a Computer" was named by The Guardian as "one of the singles of the year" and in the top 100 tracks of 2009 by Pitchfork Media. James Buttery was added to the group in 2010 as vocalist.

Catching Flies : The Stars Ep

Debut Ep from 21 year old producer Catching Flies available as a free download on his website. Clearly influenced by the work of producers like Aphex Twin, Bibio, Flying Lotus... Catching Flies succeeds to add a lot of personal touch of atmospheric beats, moody samples and glitches of electronica.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Joe Lutcher : Ojai

New release for November on Jazzman Records. Following up on the success of the ‘Jukebox Jam’ album of vintage juke joint and bar room sounds, compiler and DJ Liam Large digs even deeper to put together a diverse set of dynamite R&B sides, all built around Afro-Cuban, Latin and Caribbean rhythms.

Menahan Street Band : Lights Out

The Menahan Street Band is a Brooklyn, New York-based instrumental band formed in 2007, exploring funk and soul music. The band features musicians from Antibalas, El Michels Affair, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and the Budos Band. The group was founded by Thomas Brenneck while living in an apartment on Menahan St. in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick. Their debut album, Make the Road by Walking, was released in 2008 on Dunham, a sublabel of Daptone Records.

The Fatback Band : Let The Drums Speak (Alkalino Edit)

Nice re-cut from Lisbon born dj/producer Alkalino.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Brass Construction : Happy People

Signed in 1975 by Sid Maurer, and former Epic Records promotion man Fred Frank, they scored two US Billboard Hot 100 entries in 1976 - the most successful being "Movin'". They had much more success on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, with nine chart entries, including "Movin'," which reached #1.

Pianist, Flautist and Arranger Randy Muller went on to score a number of R&B hits with Skyy. Over the years, Brass Construction members have included Wade Williamston (bass), Sandy Billups (percussion), Morris Price (trumpet), Larry Payton (drums), Paul C Saenz (Guitar), Jesse Ward Jnr. (saxophone), Michael "Micky" Grudge (saxophone), Wayne Parris (trumpet), Alvin Haskin (original Trombone player on Movin), Duane Cahill (trombone), Joseph "Chickie" Arthur-Wong (guitar), and Randy Muller, later joined by Lee Evans on Keyboards.

Monetrik : Swing Flirt !

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Quantic & Alice Russell : Look Around The Corner

“Look Around The Corner”, is the first single from Quantic and Alice Russell’s hotly anticipated collaborative album of the same name, which follows in April on Tru Thoughts. Pure sweet soul and blues, with overtones of gospel and folk music, with a twist of Charles Stepney arrangement and the added Latin swing of the Combo Bárbaro.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Mark de Clive-Lowe : Push

This fantastic track appears on the impressive ninth solo longplayer ‘Renegades’ released on 21st November on Tru Thoughts.
“I had a decade in London and that was my formative time as a producer. The UK club culture especially really informed me of all the elements of the track... Coming to Cali, the sun is always shining, there’s a whole different music tradition and different musicians that have their own influences. It’s been great trying to express all of that in one piece of work.” says MdCL.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

So'lectric : U2B

First EP from the Amsterdam based So'lectric takes the dancefloor to higher grounds with the track U2B. Classic Broken Beat ingrediënts and nice Mayer Hawthorne like vocals from Sntayehu Jebessa make this track swing all over the place ! Serious first release, hope to hear more in the future !