Hi, as you know I retired this blog some time ago. But if you used to enjoy the tunes, please come and join me on FBi Click for Lazy Radio. One hour, weekly, of soulful electronica and all sorts of good stuff. Listen online, on demand or live on digital radio, Mondays at 11am and then replayed at 11pm. You’ll find tracklists here as well: fbiradio.com/click/programs/lazy-radio/
‘Gold Getter’ is the incredibly classy new track from Brighton’s Resonators.You can pick it up now on the Wah Wah 45s label. The band’s full album due out next year. This blog has had their previous effort ‘Sweet Love Affair’ in the player for a long, long time, look it up!
Soul Sedation was lucky enough to be in the US earlier this year, and my schedule lined up with a J*Davey appearance at the Key Club on LA’s Sunset Strip. The duo – vocals from Jack Davey (AKA Briana Cartwright) and beats from Brook D’Leau – push a fusion of alternative hip hop, blues, neo soul and electronica. On stage Davey rocks the mic with an unnerving intensity, she’s 100% a fierce entertainer, and more than a little bit nuts as well. This is their track ‘Slooow’:
On the deep disco front Leftside Wobble has reworked Liz Torres’ ‘What You Make Me Feel’. This is a spooky weird one for that late night, spun-out dancefloor. Torres recorded from ‘88 through to 2000 on a handful of early US house labels, and this extended re-edit brings her back to life. LW’s soundcloud channel is one you should be tuned to.
Soul heads listen up, Charles Bradley has a new record out on Daptone subsidiary Dunham Records. Backed by the Menahan Street band, this is raw sixties and seventies style soul and funk music at its finest. Bradley’s been around the traps for a long, time, warming up for the James Brown’s of the world throughout his lengthy career. The album is titled No Time For Dreaming. This lead single, ‘The World (Is Going Up In Flames)’, is an exceptional vocal and also a very, very sad song:
It feels like the UK is on fire right now. This blog has seen some fresh work appear from producers with large bodies of work already behind them. Wiley‘s new track is seriously wicked; it’s good to see him returning to something more credible than ‘Wearing My Rolex’, for example. Of course cheese pays the bills sometimes so I suppose we ought to forgive artists their forays into mainstream chart territory. ‘Numbers In Action’ definitely sees the British emcee back on point.
Wiley – ‘Numbers In Action’
This tune is just badass. It used that slightly nostalgic sound with enough new bass and structure to make it fresh. Pleasing old heads and newcomers both no doubt. The two veterans Omar and Zed Bias stamp their feet loudly here.
Omar & Zed Bias – ‘Dancing’
And another man who continues to exhibit remarkable staying power is Mr Scruff. This deep house tune is killer, with just enough of that Scruff style eccentricity to make sure you know who wrote it.
Mr Scruff – ‘Wobble Control’
And THIS! Well, what can you say about this. This song is one of those occasions when words have little relevance, the recording speaks for itself. I have a feeling the world will be hearing lots more from Michael Kiwanuka. Music this good finds its own mode of dissemination.
Michael Kiwanuka – ‘Tell Me A Tale’
Around the time that this column appeared in The Brag (blog runs “slightly” behind) I’d just returned from the Playground Weekender, an annual four day love in/camping festival that happens on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, about 2.5 hours from Sydney. The promoters are fond of inviting Norman Jay to play a couple of sets during the weekend, and on this occasion he closed the Big Top tent on the Saturday night. Finishing as he so often does with some drum n bass, DJ Fresh‘s ‘Gold Dust’ was one of the final tracks of the night that sent us all completely bonkers. Hats off to you Norman, hopefully see you next year!
DJ Fresh – ‘Gold Dust’
Scottish born future beatsmith Kutmah is set to release no less than three mix albums this year, the first of which is entitled The New Error. If you’re a fan of the work that Flo Lo does with his Brainfeeder imprint, the Gaslamp Killer, Teebs etc, or you just like good heavy beats, you’ll get into this stuff. The mix features beats from names like Madlib, Mister Oizo, Mainframe, Gaslamp Killer, Portishead and J-Dilla.
Kutmah – The New Error album sampler
There’s a new Prefuse 73 album, The Only She Chapters, out through Warp Records. Soul Sedation always enjoyed his Dipped Escalade mix of Amon Tobin’s ‘Verbal’, an oldie but a real goodie.
From the new album:
Remix of Amon Tobin‘s ‘Verbal’:
Soul Sedation recommends that you get across the Submotion Orchestra, a Leeds based, 7-piece electronica project out through Ranking Records. The Leeds seven are currently exploring the wonky, dubstep, future soul movement in a live context, and some of the results are nothing short of mindblowing. This blog has pushed Planas’ remix of Submotion’s ‘Finest Hour’ in your direction before – head back a few posts to check it out – and this is another little brilliant slice:
Submotion Orchestra – ‘All Night Long’
Brooklyn band the Pimps Of Joytime have released a new 7” through Nickodemus’s label, Wonderwheel. ‘Janxta Funk’ is a slice of vocal-driven, bottom heavy, electronic funk. ‘Honey Of Your Smile’ on the flip features none other than Mr Roy Ayers. Listen/buy here.
It’s recommended you tune into this week’s instalment of the XLR8R podcast as NY’s Andy Uproot gets busy on the ragga dubstep and tropical flavour tip. The selection is cleverly diverse far reaching, and bass heavy. Check it out here.
Brighton label Tru Thoughts have let loose a new Nostalgia 77 album on the world. Coming from the label’s beatmaking heritage but maturing into a fully fledged mature jazz producer, Nostalgia 77 is phenomenally classy. Titled ‘The Sleepwalking Society’, his album of modern jazz is fronted with lead single ‘Simmerdown’, a drum-heavy, downtempo affair featuring a world class vocal from Josa Piet.
Nostalgia 77 – Simmerdown ft Josa Piet
Fans of Erykah Badu will no doubt be all over her new single ‘Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long’. It’s a typically classy recording from Erykah, and comes with a film clip directed by Flying Lotus no less, the producer injecting himself into the visual art world.
NY producer Captain Planet’s Gumbo Funk release, his debut EP, has earned itself a re-release on the digital front. It first dropped in ’05 on the Bastard Jazz label, and introduced us to Captain Planet’s unique style, fusing all sorts of jazz, hip hop, and world beats with good electronica. Also included on the re-release are a couple of cheeky extras. This column is a huge, huge fan of the man’s work, you can pick up Gumbo Funk direct from the label here.
The Philadelphia based Record Breakin’ Music is celebrating five years in the business with the release of their 5 year compilation. Journeying deep into their back catalogue, you’ll hear from names like Anthony Valadez, Kissey Asplund, Spinnerty, Joy Jones, Dotmatic and M64 (a collaboration from Ohmega Watts and Ragen Fykes). Responsible for putting out some brilliantly eclectic soulful music, Soul Sedation wishes RBM another 5 healthy years to come. You can pick the release up here.
Sydney band Latin/funk/rock/world outfit Watussi have begun prepping audiences for their upcoming album with the single release ‘Tu Te Vas’. It’s a traditional sounding Latin funk jam replete with Spanish vocal, and features US emcee Curren$y on the breakdown verse. You’ll also find a Nickodemus remix on the single release.
The new Lanu album has hit the Soul Sedation desk. Her 12 Faces is a considerable departure from Bamboos frontman Lance Ferguson’s previous nu jazz/future soul leanings as Lanu, and is in reality more like a joint album with vocalist-of-the-moment Megan Washington, who features on six of the tracks (if you include the bonus track). I like it in general, but this record should appeal to the indie pop set more than the hip hop crowd, although there is some Bonobo-esque material on the record like ‘Portrait in 50hz’ for example.
Lanu – ‘Portrait in 50hz’
UK emcee Ghostpoet’s debut album is out now through Brownswood Records. Entitled Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam, it’s diverse, interesting, original, and 100% worth checking out. Those of you into experimental beats and beat poetry will soak it right up.
Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam album preview
Legendary Minneapolis hip hop outfit Atmosphere are back with another album, The Family Sign, their sixth full length to date (not to mention having released countless EPs). ‘Something So’ is a downtempo sample from the release. You can pick the record up now through Rhymesayers.
Oddisee is an force to be reckoned with. His tune ‘Musik Lounge’ with DJ Premier has held pole position on Soul Sedation’s all time deep hip hop playlist for pretty much ever. Have a listen below, I’m sure you’ll understand why. The producer/emcee/DJ and Diamond District frontman has released a new instrumental album Travelling Man. He’s fairly prolific, and his output can be tracked here.
The Deep Thaw Mix from Captain Planet & DJ DRM is a hastily compiled (warts and all) mix that features some seriously badass track selection. Hitting the play button will expose you to unreleased music from Planet and DRM and the and a good swathe of rest of the US based Bastard Jazz family.
TRACKLISTING
1. Onra – Long Distance – All City
2. Bing Ji Ling – Sunshine Love (Ray Mang Remix) – Lovemonk
3. Brownout – Slinky (CaZ Remix) – Six Degrees
4. Kinka – LLC – unreleased
5. The Mgababa Queens – Maphuti (Captain Planet Remix) – Unreleased
6. Las 4 Monedas – Buena Suerte (Whiskey Barons Edit) – BSTRD Boots Unreleased
7. Johnny Clarke – None Shall Escape The Judgement (Kid Gusto Remix) – Unreleased
8. Negghead – You (78 edit) – Wax On Promo
9. Boohgaloo Zoo – Testify (Soulphiction’s Boogie Version) – Lovemonk
10. Flying Lotus – Do The Astral Plane – Warp
11. Space Ranger – Shave Me, I’m Famous (Ajello Remix) – Lovemonk
12. Space Dimension Controller – Transatlantic Landing Bay – R&S Records
13. Captain Planet – Untitled – Bastard Jazz unreleased
14. Pablo Sanchez & Watch TV – Sunstar (Zeb Remix) – Justified Cause
15. Yosaku & DJ Day – The Bottle – BSTRD Boots
16. Teaspoon & The Waves – Oh Yeh Soweto (Sofrito Edit) – Sofrito Super Singles
17. Cosmic Force – Trinidad Bump – Superbro
18. Talking Drums – Courage – Sticky Records
19. Freeez – Southern Freeez – Beggar’s Banquet
Australian hip hop collective The Herd, it turns out, have been doing their thing for 10 years now. They’re celebrating the milestone with the new single, ‘Sum Of It All’, a tune which illustrates nicely the group’s trademark fusion of hip hop and modern soul they’ve near perfected over the last decade. Australia’s conscious musical landscape is richer for The Herd’s efforts.
Aloe Blacc‘s big single ‘I Need A Dollar’ paved the way for big advances in his mainstream recognition last year. This year the film clips keep rolling out from his killer album Good Things – If you still don’t own it, you should go here now. His track ‘Loving You Is Killing Me’ leaves some of its sadness behind when paired with the filmclip.
Aloe Blacc – ‘Loving You Is Killing Me’
US beat wizard Tokimonsta has turned out an amazing remix of Andreya Triana’s soul vocal ‘Far Closer’. It’s a supreme late-night headphone style groove, some really lovely work.
Andreya Triana – ‘Far Closer (Tokimonsta Remix)’
On a funky breaks tip the Basement Freaks have a new album out called Something Freaky. The title track, on a old school disco breaks tip, is pretty fat. Good solid party music on Jalapeno Records.
Soom T & Disrupt have released a full-length digi-dub album, Ode To A Carrot. From the Jahtari stable it’s 8-bit, weed inspired, chip hop reggae. Soom T, hailing from Scotland, is the emcee. I like this stuff, it’s rude.
Brownswood records have a new recruit from the UK, Gang Colours. Their remix of the new Ghostpoet single ‘Cash & Carry Me Home’ is amazing, especially on the synth tip.
Ghostpoet – Cash & Carry Me Home (Gang Colours Remix)
US soul vocalist Charles Bradley has released a new full-length album entitled No Time For Dreaming. This melancholy, stirring track is the lead single.
Charles Bradley – ‘The World Is Going Up In Flames’
Soul Sedation disco tune of the week goes out to Dutch production outfit K.I.D, and their groove ‘Don’t Stop’ from way back in ’81 baby. Disco is still the sound!
K.I.D – ‘Don’t Stop’
A label that had a big 2010 is a London collective by the name of First Word. They’ve gathered a brilliant bunch of musicians, vocalists and producers together to create a roster that must be the envy of the global jazz community. The First Word label comp, Two Syllables Vol 5, is available for free download here. The Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra bring the afrobeat, Kid Kanevil brings his own brand of futurebeat, Narow P brings the neo soul, and Wayne Lotek brings some ragga hip hop.
Freddie Cruger is back in ’11 under a new alias, forming the group Wildcookie with vocalist Anthony Mills. ‘Heroine’ is the first single to emerge, and as you’ll hear below it’s deep, jazzy, and soulful hip hop.
Wild Cookie – ‘Heroine’
You need to know about Scottish production outfit Capitol 1212. They make damn good beats, as can be heard on their track of late last year, ‘Good Feelin’, which features the Jungle Brothers’ Mike G and others on the mic. Capitol 1212 have also got some new material out on a reggae tip, the best of which is ‘Don Man Sound’ featuring Tenor Fly.
Capitol 1212 – ‘Good Feelin’
Berlin vocalist and musician George Levin has an “extras” style EP out on BBE. The Intangible EP – The Bonus Tracks contains songs that were left off his recent album, Everything Must Change.
British Reggae radio broadcaster David Rodigan has programmed the latest instalment of the Fabriclive series, Fabriclive #54. He’s a knowledgeable old-school music historian, and the tracklist is appealingly broad, containing generation spanning music from names like King Tubby’s, Big Youth, Beres Hammond, Super Cat and Joe Gibbs. You can pick up the release here.
Soul Sedation awarded one of the tracks of 2010 to Onra’s ‘Long Distance’ ft Olivier Daysoul. Well, this year Daysoul is back with a collaboration alongside British beatsmith Eric Lau entitled ‘Finer Things In Life’.
Eric Lau & Olivier Daysoul – ‘Finer Things In Life’
British vocalist Ahu’s ‘To: Love’ was another of this column’s favourite tunes of last year. It’s now been remixed by One-Handed music artist Tightface, and looking ahead you can expect new music from Bullion and Mo Kolours, also on the London based electronic soul label.
Ahu – ‘To:Love (Tightface Remix)
In a project that crosses musical generations Kingston dub royalty Scientist takes his versioning skills to 12 modern dubstep tracks, many composed specifically for the project. Scientist Launches Dubstep Into Outer Space features originals from scene leaders like Kode9, Shackleton, Pinch and Mala. You can track the release down on Tectonic records.
RSD ft Prince Jamo – ‘After All (Scientist Dub)’
Lefto and Simbad have mixed the first Browsnwood compilation, Worldwide Family. You’ll hear 27 tracks from Gilles Peterson’s current label, including exclusives from LA’s finest beatsmith Exile, Japanese disco-soul don Grooveman Spot, and Manchester futurist Illum Sphere.
Worldwide Family – Lefto Preview
Two of US hip hop’s finest (and two of this column’s favourite) emcees have combined forces for the skate inspired track ‘Stay On The Grind’. Ohmega Watts and Kero One spit side by side, on a track from the forthcoming Kero One album, Early Believers. And for the record, there’s no “electro rap”, autotune bullshit anywhere near this tune. At least some folk in the US scene are maintaining a sense of dignity.
Yesking have been busy uploading new music to their website, and it’s on the free download tip. The ‘Secret King’ features vocals from Mystro and Ladychann and is another badass slice of reggae inspired UK hip hop (if you recall this column’s recent worshipping of the new Katalyst tune, there’s definite similarities to be drawn). Mark Rae & Rhys Adams, aka Yesking, have also posted the acapella and are inviting remixes, the best of which will be posted on the site.
A Sydney production outfit that started 2010 with their debut record Super Space Dope Funk is finishing the year well with a killer film clip animation. Flatwound’s ‘Andriod Funk 6’ is one of the latest singles to emerge from the One World record bag, it’s a deep, slow-burning disco groove, a very worthy track. The filmclip is the icing on the cake. It’s an oldschool digital approach that’s been put together by visual artist Presser aka Dead Galaxy and animated by the Flatwound crew themselves.
There’s a new Floating Points release out on Ninja Tune – “Post Suite/Almost In Profile”. If you’re reviewing 2010 in music it would be hard to go past this man Sam Shepherd, a classically trained musician bringing freshness to the field of soulful electronica.
Holding it down for the Sydney inner west hip hop fraternity, Horrorshow have covered Ben Lee’s ‘Cigarettes Will Kill You’ for JJJ. It’s a great song choice and a damn good cover, and features Jane Tyrell on the track as well.
Horrorshow – ‘Cigarettes Will Kill You’
Look out for the Cosmopolyphonic compilation on Japanese label Art Union. It features future funk, soul and beats from established names like Onra, Tokimonsta and Devonwho, plus fresh audio art from an emerging Japanese cohort of producers. as well. The disc is compiled by Sauce81, of Cosmopolyphonic radio.
Kings of Disco on BBE is well worth getting your hands on. It’s a great series, this column is across both the Kings Of Reggae and Kings Of Electro instalments. The double disc is compiled by Dimitri from Paris and Joey Negro. If producers like Macho, Yazoo and Larry Heard strike a chord, you should probably check it out.
Also keep you ears peeled for the new Mystro E.P, Digmund Freud. It contains tracks of quality underground UK hip hop. Released in the Asia Pacific region through Loop Recordings.
DJ LOK x Mystro – Digmund Freud mini-mix
And last but not least Belleruche have a new record out on Tru Thoughts entitled 270 Stories. ‘Clockwatching’ constitutes the lead single:
World-beating Sydney based producers Hermitude have been busy in the studio cooking up a new album. They’ve dropped the single ‘Get In My Life’ for free through the Elefant Traks site, it’s yet another Hermitude monster. This blog can’t wait for the new record – their fourth full-length – to arrive.
Hermitude – ‘Get In My Life’
Sixties and seventies heads will want to know about the Soul Jazz Records series: New Orleans Funk. Versions 1 & 2 feature classic vintage hits from names like Lee Dorsey and Robert Parker to The Meters and Betty Harris. Definitely a compile series for anyone who’s a fan of a healthy horn section.
To the UK and First Word records are getting into the modern afrobeat affray with their release from the Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra. The Leeds based 8 piece “arkestra” have been busy fusing afrobeat, jazz and funk in a regular late night café session. This is the album’s lead single, a cover of Hendrix’s ‘Crosstown Traffic’:
San Francisco’s legendary record store Groove Merchant turns 20 years young this year. To celebrate they’ve released a compliation of some of their favourite funk rare soul and funk gems. There’s fourteen selections on the disc, all hand-picked by Groove Merchant’s Chris Veltri.
DJ Soulist and Gilles P fave Fulgeance team up on another one of their Souleance projects. The Soupape EP takes in Brazilian flavours, breaks and boogie style vibes. It’s out on the First Word label; without a doubt one of the brightest shining music factories in the world.
Soupape EP sampler
DJ Asparagus is back with a 12” on Gamm. ‘Open Ur Eyes’ is a re-work of Bobby Caldwell’s feel-good soul anthem ‘Open Your Eyes’. Asparagus’ version ups the tempo so you can segue it neatly into your house or disco sets. The release also features the butter-smooth grooves of James Ingram’s ‘100 Ways’ for all the vintage soul heads out there.
DJ Asparagus – ‘Open Ur Eyes’
And to close on a Scando disco tip Todd Terje has been back in the studio putting together an edit of Isaac Hayes’ ‘Zeke The Freak’.
Soul Sedation 