lots of goodies

With my work ramping up on the domestic front it seems along time between when I get stuff sent to me and when I get a chance to comment on it. When I do get a chance between working and giving my music long term suffering girlfriend some attention I seems to be writing a lot of music blogs in one hit but here goes.

Roots Manuva is probably the Uk’s best rapper in my humble opinion. Big Dada’s star has  teamed up with Four Tet who produced his latest release “facety 2:11” its a really bass driven work of uniqueness combined with the ever strong recognisable distinctive sound of Roots Manuva. in true Ninja Tune way of allowing artists to express themselves.

https://soundcloud.com/bigdadasound/sets/roots-manuva-facety-2-11

Tru thoughts have got two amazingly different but brilliant tracks coming out soon

Werha has released a track from his upcoming album “colours of a red brick raft ” (out in June). the track is called “dusk ft Bryony Jarmon Pinto” (out 11th May) the track starts on the right foot with an amazing slow solo strings intro shortly punctured with a great set of beats, its complimented by some beautiful vocals of Bryony Jarman Pinto. its a real builder, great production and Werkha has rightly been getting accolades from heavy weights like Gilles Peterson and Alexander nut to name but a few. “falling through the wall” another track on the EP is a mid tempo stepper that would translate well on any dance floor.

The next one is Manu Delago who has released his second single from his album “Silver Kobalt”. the multi talented “hang” player (a kind of mystical sounding drum). The track “Drumheart ft Anil Sebastian” (out 25th May) is unique the hang really comes into its own and shows off it capabilities for me the Copenhagen remix really fires my rockets. the vocal is great and gives the track a real indie feel but when it ramps up it sits backs nicely allowing the drum to show itself and think to yourself why do more people not use the Hang.

Nicole Willis and the Soul investigators out on Timmion records (May 4th) is a rare occurrence because it is new, but made to sound old and I like it , the Finnish based label has a real nice almost Northern soul chugger. I can imagine the spinning and clapping really accompanying the title track ” paint me in the corner” class actually. the other side is “where are you now” which is more ballad like in its composition  but again has a real old feel to it but great production pulls it through.

https://soundcloud.com/timmionrecords/paintmeinacorner

Spring Strut have been at it again with a rerelease of a track by Peruvian Gutarist Maurizo Fabbri accompanied by a remix by Greek remixer Hammond Classics. Spring Strut seem to really hit the nail on the head and provide what I consider to be individualistic gems for those who don’t want to conform to playing tracks everyone else are playing a real warm up spots go to place. Chica Morada is a guitar solo funk filled joy. the remix provides you with an opportunity to drop it on an unsuspecting. its crowd its different and that’s what I like.

http://springstrut.com/

Henry Wu release “negotiate ft simeon Jones” I reviewed a while back has just been given a video for your pleasure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dfbor_KoaE&feature=youtu.be

the mysterious and enigmatic South Beach Recycling have been busy expect some great little tracks hitting the shelves soon with disco fuelled editness check out my last show for some exclusives from the Banksy like lads.

http://nopressure.podomatic.com/entry/2015-04-15T06_38_35-07_00

South Beach Recycling the OFFICIAL story

So chuffed to get a mention

South Beach Recycling

South Beach Recycling consist of two twin brothers, Sergio and Rosi Fernandez, originally heavily involved in the launch of the NYC Disco and Hip Hop scenes.

Originally hailing from the Bronx the twins started young throwing  block parties at the one end of Sedgwick Avenue, unfortunately it was the opposite to Kool Herc, and thus were not fantastically attended, however it gave the boys exposure and more importantly chance to practise on there uncle Daves almost defunct sound system.Photo of the boys trying to get the system going while Uncle Dave fiddles with the Amp (which on this rare occasion he did fix, however everyone had buggered off to Kool Hercs party by then, down the street).

On one rare occasion the boys got the sound system going somebody claiming to be Fab Five Freddys long lost brother (also called) Dave heard the boys and approached them to be…

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Over 22 years of DJ anger expressed in a blog (Part 1)

I have been DJing now for over 22 years and i’m starting to turn into a grumpy old man so this is my vent.

To put it into perspective I have not ripped up tree’s but I have had some recognition and I think I regularly play out at a decent standard on the London Soul Scene and on a respected internet radio station (over 4 million listeners to the station a month).

I play generally with CD’s but occasionally with Vinyl

These are my opinions as you will see I try not to sit on any fences

1. Lets clear up an argument ” Laptop DJ’s are cheats” . If I had started DJing now i would be a laptop DJ, you use what is around at the time. Its how you use the technology that sets you apart. If someone challenged me to play on Reel to Reel’s the only thing that would definitely set us apart is that person is a better reel to reel DJ than me.

I hate this particular argument, the likes of Air thief and chief cunt “Paris Hilton” who pre programme  their sets so they can wave flags in diamond encrusted sponsored beats headphones that argument is very true regarding that particular waste of space (no pun intended) and oxygen. Go and see Henrik Schwarz who uses the Laptop to its Full potential and you will forget this petty argument. using this argument, lets get out the gramophones.

2. “That DJ Couldn’t play with Vinyl” a slight misconception most DJ’s even the bearded twat that is Guetta would have started somewhere. Which make Guetta’s all the more odious to think he once had taste. To be fair he would probably be typing his reply on a mac book instead of a 10 year old PC with windows XP (so in fact i’m probably just a jealous arse with a conscience who didn’t have the opportunity to make millions of pounds because i didn’t see the band wagon coming).

I saw this argument on the Southport weekender website regarding a prominent CD Playing DJ. Let me tell you the man to whom this was aimed at is a fucking genius and if inclined to revert to antiquity playing, would still wipe the floor with anyone.

What you play the music on doesn’t make the night, its what you play for fucks sake.

With an exception to the northern Soul/crossover scene where the whole history and culture is based around the rarity and exclusivity of records (in fairness right from its inception)

3.  “Vinyl is better than Digital Download” There is something very warming about flicking your fingers through a vertically arranged stack of vinyl,someone somewhere has just got a hard on or a slight knicker twinge (or both at the same time not forgetting my hermaphrodite sisters)

The difference with Vinyl is that it is tangible and warm and not throw away and expendable. I can probably tell you where i bought every bit of Vinyl in my collection, how i found it and where i heard it first. Vinyl is expensive to the youth of today who in majority get their music free from pirate sites, play it through spotify and convert from youtube.

Over the years I have embraced Digital downloads through necessity although the control of vinyl experience has been enhanced by the development of CDJ’s .

I have always paid (unless its sent as a promo) for my digital music because I need better quality to enhance what i do and for my listening pleasure.

I recently had an argument with someone on Facebook who said ” I have 22,000 MP3’s on my computer” my reply came “when was the last time you played them all”

Music has become so freely accessible that it has become throw away and I think it has been done like this by design.

Consumerism has taken over what should be spiritually beautiful for your soul. you only have to look at the devil’s cock sucker (allegedly) Simon Cowel to feel revulsion and the need to pick up a heavy object to wipe that smug grin off his botoxed face (i won’t do it really, although I might if I was given two weeks to live whilst working in a small arms factory). there is no room in the charts for the next Rolling Stones, Pixies or Velvet underground because kids are been brainwashed through the media (all formats) to look to Rhianna or Kuntye West for inspiration. everything is being homogenized.

The Grand Master Cowel even tried to do a DJ Talent program (which probably still hasn’t been shelved i’d imagine) what are they going to base it on cunt playing pre programmed set week,  who can bounce up and down like a gormless twat week or who can get cowels name into a mix the most week, fuck off and leave us alone you parasites. its the last bastion of the working classes weekly enjoyment.

Stop Using Celebrities as DJ’s unless they are genuinely in it for the music and not the money The reason I went off on one today is because I saw Kardshian has just landed a major deal to play a residency in Ibiza. Ibiza for me is the one place where i expected the spirit of our scene and history not to capitulate. Who except a bunch of brainless clueless kids will go to see this vacuous already rich parasite elitist Kunt play a pre programmed pile of shit meaninless shit that is heavy on the bass and drops so she can wave her hands in the air like the queen, at a Coked/ketamined/E’d up surly bunch of adolescents who’s sum total of memory of her set will be that her self proclaimed king of Kunt Kuntye, husband pushed a paraplegic of stage because they questioned his use of a vocoder and wouldn’t kneel in apology. promoters claim back the decks stop using the Danny Dyers of this world who sum understanding of a tune is “its like London Garage and that innit”  May I suggest Martin Freeman (hobbit king) who has good taste, Orlando Bloom or even steve davis (radio only). Alternatively use someone who has a passion, who loves music , who can mix or who can read a crowd preferably all 4.

Part 2 coming soon

Lots of nice things to hear

I have been away for a while and when I came back its all on top of me, now its time to sit back and talk about some releases that have tickled my underbelly and made me roll over purring…..

lets start with all things ninja related (always a good place to start) Brainfeeder have two albums waiting to explode onto the scene. New star jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s new album “Epic” is due for release in May, personally I can’t wait. The teaser track (some 14mins long) Re Run home is F’ing amazing and leave me anticipating what is gonna be as the title suggests “EPIC” https://soundcloud.com/brainfeeder/kamasi-washington-re-run-home

My favourite off the wall producer Lapalux has teamed up with the amazing vocal of Andreya Triana for a track on his album “Lustmore” out on 7th April. The track “Puzzle” is a mixture of sublime vocal and superb production, filled with sax and beats. I have been playing everything that I have had from this genius on my show. I love the way he moulds seemingly abstract sounds and creates an atmosphere hardly ever heard https://soundcloud.com/lapalux/puzzle-ft-andreya-triana

Jagga Jazzist (who have been together for nearly 20years) are releasing an album “Starfire” on Ninja Tune set to hit the shelves in June the title track plays almost like a rock track but spread throughout there is little touches reminding you of their jazz routes at times it haze the feel of a bond anthem. all whole new genre “Razz or Jock” springs to mind. https://soundcloud.com/ninja-tune/jaga-jazzist-starfire

Last but not least from the Ninja family comes Legowelt out on Technicolour. “Evapourate me 2 Infinity” is one of the most aptly named tunes I have heard in a long time. If you are a DJ in search of a track to play mid set that unites the room in euphoria and driven heads of synchronicity this is the one. they say you make beautiful food with simple ingredients then it must follow you do this with music, here is living proof. As you may tell I love it https://soundcloud.com/technicolour-music/a1-evaporate-with-me-2

Some Quantic/Tru thoughts action they are releasing another track off last years brilliant album “Magnetica”  Spark it Ft Shinehead (out 27th April) a proper reggae  track from ungenrisable Quantic.  Spark it is a bouncy head nodder, the EP comes with a DB remix from Ghost writerz and Ed west stripped back version. but for me the killer track on the EP is “Painting Silhouettes” todd simons painting flugelhorns mix. I don’t know why we don’t know use more Flugelhorns, sublime, beautiful,different and a track that will accompany me to Ibiza in may pure round the pool https://soundcloud.com/tru-thoughts/spark-it-featuring-shinehead-2

Dizz1 is a Hip hop Act on the forever evolving Tru thoughts label. “Get em up EP” is out on 4th May the EP well rapped Hip hop (provided by the talented Frank Nitt) with something deeper for those who want something different. I particularly like the Danny Breaks remix.I absolutely love  “What you want” which is funky and sexy  as F”’.  It bounces along nicely then the vocal chorus provided by Killbot kindergarten kicks in and jumps it into a new realm. I can see why Aloe Blac wanted to work with Dizz1 on his last EP. intelligent Hip Hop http://shop.etchshop.co.uk/releases/TRUEP305/truep305-get-em-up-ep-vinyl/884

Freestyle Records latest release(27th April) is a Sampler EP From Brian Auger and it is on fire. I love all 4 of the  tracks, which surprises me when I saw there was a cover “inner city blues “one of my all time favourite tracks. surprisingly it passed the is it good / sufficiently different to warrant playing it test. Alex  Ligertwood formerly of Santana provided the vocal on inner city blues and the cover of main ingredients “happiness is just around the bend” but was i wrong main ingredient actually cover Brian Auger off a 1973 album “closer to it”  Both are Hammondtastic. I love it https://soundcloud.com/freestyle-records/sets/the-brian-auger-sampler-ep-clips

Ola Olanabule – Soul Town is the latest release from Disco Soul Gold under the talented producer Mike Maurro. the musicality is perfect I love the production which balances nicely on the edge of class and being too sweet. the percussion allows the song to progress without interfering with the vocal. I’d actually love just an instrumental version of the house track. The vocal is good don’t get me wrong Ola has some good pipes.

https://youtu.be/dkoEISujxQQ

Cy Gormon’s new album “Carmen” out on Heart and Felt (30th march) is genius pure and simple. every track is a cracker I could have happily played the whole album on my show on Sunday. Instead I played RDJ (Dave crawford remix) and Cool Change both of which got listeners seemingly excited about. its a brilliant mixture of jazz, beats and even classical styling. I recommend having a listen if you want something different coming out of your headphones that will get someone sitting next to you intrigued

https://soundcloud.com/heardandfelt

I always save the best for last and today is no exception. Remember this name EGO ELLA MAY if she doesn’t make mainstream at some time in the near future i will eat my ears. “How far (Prod. Wulu + Reiss G) is the best track i have had so far this year not just because its well produced brilliantly arranged but because she is an exciting singer with an amazing distinct voice. She is British although I’m not a great Patriot, it means we have something to grip hold of in this country, stick two fingers up at Cowle and say she naturally progressed because she is talented and not a product of TV exposure and we need to push her on to the world stage. Pure class

https://soundcloud.com/egoellamay

My Show podcast ; http://nopressure.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-16T09_23_53-07_00

Frameworks

I love to embrace new music its what being a DJ/music lover is all about, I’m lucky I get sent music some of its not to my liking and I find myself not writing about it (if you read through my blogs I only ever comment on stuff I like) I don’t believe slagging off music that you don’t like is productive although I do make the sender aware if I don’t, you just won’t read about it. I got sent an album Tides by Frameworks on First word records described as experimental, ambient experimental which led me to think I may be sending it back with a not bag.Far from it this is so far my favourite album of the year so far. (out on 23.03.15)

It is full of passion and innovative sounds simply put beautiful. I personally don’t imbibe but if your a smoker or a  music lover this is for you … the production is amazing strings and brass intertwined beautifully with synth. the vocals are used expertly I will be recommending this album to anyone who will listen and I feel its not going to leave my car for some time to come . I bow and clap

http://www.kudosrecords.co.uk/release/FW131/Frameworks_Tides.html

All things eclectic

I don’t know why but I love an African Beat the sound changes with regions quite dramatically.

Ginger Baker god of drumming travelled across Africa to learn more, I always get excited when I come across something new Freestyle Records have reissued a brilliant 45 by Ginger Johnson and his African Messengers (out 30th March). Its a teaser for their latest album release African Party!. what can I say but amazing every drum beat fills you with joy I dare you to sit and listen to either track without nodding your head. “I Jool Omo” is a jazz filled joy from the once mentor to Fela Kuti. Talking Drum is a driven track that will have your feet moving at fast rate that although mainly focusing on drums really pulls you in and remains interesting throughout I defy anyone to stop dancing when they hear this. I can’t wait for the album

Sound Cloud : https://soundcloud.com/freestyle-records/sets/ginger-johnson-and-his-african-messengers-i-jool-omo-clips

Terry Ronald gets Moultoned

Back in 1991 you couldn’t go to a soul do without hearing Terry Ronald “What the child needs” I think I would credit the genius of Gary Dennis, Crazy Beat record Shop owner and tastemaker, if you’ve ever been to his shop about that time and even now he has an ear for the successful.

I remember hearing Gary drop this track at the once respected “Caister Soul Weekend” it had everything soul, passion and an amazing vocal that drew you in and moved your feet. The weird thing about it is that it sounded like a female vocal till you bought the record, I have to say I’m the proud owner of the original vinyl. Unfortunately like every great track it got overplayed.

But to be fair I Haven’t heard it for a long time till an innocuous chat on Facebook, an introduction and being sent the Tom Moulton remix by the record company releasing it in the form of a promo, there’s some luck.

does it still stand up you ask? I think so, its chunkier, its more disco but what do you expect from the king of disco production that is Tom Moulton. It still fills me with memories, it still gives me Goosebumps its a track that feels older with a more up-to-date production, does it pass the why didn’t you just play the original test? I’d say yes. out 30th March

soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/funkydisco-1/terry-ronald-what-the-child-needs-a-tom-moulton-mix

Tru musical Thoughts

When someone asks me what my favourite label is? I always reply Tru Thoughts. Firstly because it tells the person I have a good wide taste in music and secondly if they glaze over it tells me they may not be as knowledgeable as they are about to tell me they are. Tru thoughts has been turning out quality diverse music for 15 years now, but how does a label with such a vast diversity showcase its talent …… The shapes series is how. The latest Shapes is a real winner “Shapes:wires” hits the shelves on  30th March 2015 it is such a good album I urge everyone with musical taste to go out and support it. The exclusive Ahmed Sirour remix of Quantic  “You will return ft. Alice Russell ” is worth the CD/vinyl price on its own (I cannot wait to drop it round the pool at Ibiza Soul).  There’s some amazing pieces of work From Werka, Titeknots, Madslinky, Nostalgia 77 to name but a few. I can’t tell you enough how good it is.

Link to Tru thoughts: http://shop.etchshop.co.uk/releases/TRULP303/trulp303-shapeswires-vinyl/875

Jonny Neon (Tru thoughts) has released his second single “Neon” from his debut album sundial. How would I describe it…Its full of abstract vocals and rhythm changing forms which seems to be showing success with the likes of Dorian Concept and Flying Lotus. I really like it for me the stick out tune is “Clap Clap” pure African inspired electronic music which is right up my taste alley. out 13th April

link to sundial: http://shop.etchshop.co.uk/releases/TRUCD301/trucd301-sundial-cd/866

Link to my Podcast : http://nopressure.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-04T03_09_19-08_00

Spring Strutted

Two new offerings from Spring Strut the first Is DJ Pnutz ” B Girl breaks EP” all the tracks harp back to a sampled quick moving hip hop of yore with a 21st century twist. The pace would have any B Boy out of breath. For me the track Marianne is the stand out track from the EP. if you love your early style hip hop at a faster pace this is for you

I have found Spring Strut has its own style when It comes to house music. With me coming from the UK where house music has gone down a harder route in my opinion to counteract the pappy soft bullshit drab that is the virus of EDM. Spring Struts music comes from a music influenced side of house music that I like and find refreshing (don’t get me wrong I like the harder side of house music). I listen to tracks described as Afro House on many sites (for that is my bag) sometimes and fail to see the connection between African music except they may have pressed the Djembe or Congo button on the drum pattern. Spring Strut’s Afro House Collection is just that African Music made lovingly into house music. You can hear the influences throughout all the tracks it is a real Afro House platter. Augaurdiente is for me my favourite cut but I would say that, it got the know it all’s asking me what it was every time I played it last year. Pharaohs of the Elysium rows my boat (with its shakara inspired backdrop) but every track is a corker.

Listen for yourself:   http://springstrut.com/

my podcast …http://nopressure.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-04T03_09_19-08_00

lapaluxury

Anyone who listens to my show  regularly will know I love Lapalux, his production is sublime, Brainfeeder have a real talent. “Don’t mean a thing” is the latest teaser from his new album “Lustmore” due for release in April.

The track is superb right from the start it sets and atmospheric electronic scene for the vocoded echoed vocal to not seem out of place. The track builds into a genre style that even NME couldn’t define. Throughout the track changes form, leaving you guessing it even introduces glissando style guitar riff which really lifted the track and sent it in a atmospheric tangent. I absolutely loved everything about it bring on the album…

Soundcloud:    https://soundcloud.com/lapalux

My Podcast:    http://nopressure.podomatic.com/entry/2015-03-04T03_09_19-08_00