I was 9 in 1992. I wish I'd been old enough to listen to Wu Tang Clan then, but this is the next best thing. Pretty much the grimiest thing I've ever heard.
Blu has a pretty big following over here, and for good reason, he consistently put out great material last year and I always look forward to anything new. This isn't strictly new, it's the instrumental version of the Johnson & Jonson album which comes out next Tuesday Aug 4th on Tres Records. I was bumping Disco D.Y.N.A.M.I.T.E. a lot last year ("I act like a d*ck so hence the name Johnson...") which you can check out on Blu's Myspace - www.myspace.com/herfavcolor
I'll work on the assumption pretty much everyone loves José James and bought his debut album The Dreamerlast year."Black Magic" is the Flying Lotus produced title track from his new album due out later in the year on Brownswood, featuring BiLo, Moodyman, DJ Mitsu the Beats and Taylor McFerrin. Visions of Violet, the first song he performs in the video below was also produced by Flying Lotus and I must say does some very strange things to my chemistry (in a good way). The only place I can find Black Magic for you to listen in full is José's myspace page - it's so worth the click - www.myspace.com/josejamesquartet
You can also check out a little snippet on this gorgeous podcast mixed by Record Breakin' & Dublab's Anthony Valadez for Moovmnt
Download Ant Vala Moovmnt Mix 1. Flying Lotus – King Crosby 2. Sa Ra Creative Partners – Master Teazer 3. Replife – Pangea 4. Jay Electronica – Exhibit A 5. Jose James w. Fly Lo – Black Magic (5.43 mins in) 6. Samiyam – untitled 7. Daru – Alone 8. Daedelus – (Long Lost)Art of Kissing 9. Take – Tuesday Never Comes 10. J. Rawls – Tribute to Dilla 11. Tettory Bad ft. Fatima – Unite 12. Brittany Bosco – It Was You 13. Anthony Valadez – Slow Jam 14. Coleman – Is Music 15. Roots Manuva – Witness Dub 16. Jneiro Jarel – Mr. Mole 17. Zion I – Boom Bip 18. Jay Scarlett – Love Music 19. Ras G. – Power of Thought 20. Exile – In Love
GLK has a new EP out on Fly Lo's Brainfeeder label this Tuesday (4th August), entitled "My Troubled Mind". He actually seemed really sound & rather lovely to me over a curry in Whitechapel but who knows...
I know most people think of blogs as being all about the newest music, but if it's good it's good. If you're an 80s baby like me you might remember this as one of the short videos on the Rupert The Bear short film made by Paul McCartney. Suzy and The Red Stripes was actually an alias for Linda McCartney & Wings and this stunning animation is by the Argentinian artist Oscar Grillo.
This has to be a partial review because I was on Lagos time, got there really late, and missed Afrikan Boys' set.
I'd heard so much about Nneka and seen videos online but wasn't quite prepared for what I saw. I was having a chat with Ty outside and he was over the moon, because this is what he'd been hinting at through his music for a very long time - that's it's ok to be African - people will get it. He said the way Nneka came out it on stage was as though the boss had just arrived, and she gave a "masterclass". I'd have to agree, Nneka is a huge star in the making and I'm excited to have seen her in a small venue before what is definitely about to come - my first thought was how much she made me think of the young Tracy Chapman.
I didn't realise that Nneka is from the town I used to live in, Warri (Delta State) Nigeria, where my fathers family is from. It is an oil producing town with some of the most extreme examples of rich and poor you'll ever see in the world, civil unrest (you may have heard about the kidnappings and tribal conflict), but some of the most amazing people I've ever met. The villages are beautiful (though of course with their own problems), along the banks of the river Niger, but the town is chaotic and life is a struggle for a lot of the people who don't have the luxury of living inside the Shell or Chevron estates for ex-pats. I left in September 1995 just before the government hanged Ken Saro-Wiwa (in November) & Nigeria was kicked out of the Commonwealth. Nneka left when she was 19 and from her lyrics you get the feeling she is an extremely socially and politically aware person -
“I get inspired when I take a severe look at the things going on in our world today; especially in my country. How people live, suffer and endure pain, politics and religion, when I see all that man has evoked and created out of self-centeredness and devotion to material things”.
-Nneka
I'd been waiting to see Wanlov the Kubolor for a while, (Kubulor means rascal), he's been working with my friend Mensa and I'd heard Kokonsa on DJ Edu's radio show. I'd also heard he doesn't wear underwear (I'm pretty sure that's true, don't ask, apparently his answer is "come to the side") or shoes, just a cloth around his waist. I wasn't disappointed, he is the best of Africa - proud, hilarious, spiritual, cheeky, warm, beautiful, exciting, and very very late.
I was gutted to miss Afrikan Boy, although Kubulor pulled him up on stage to freestyle with himself & Mensa (as a group Kubulor and Mensa are "The Fucking Boys") so the chorus became "It's The Fucking Boys and Afrikan Boy!". Last time I saw Afrikan Boy he was just brilliant, so in your face but with the smile of a cheeky overgrown little boy so you feel like a kid too and have to jump up and down & join in...
Dare I say it - I think Africa is about to really take over...
Are you a DJ? Yes? Then please play this and let me know so I can come do the Yayo dance. *I'll try and find you a 320 kbps or Wav version in the meantime ;-) It's been around for a while but I still haven't heard it out so stop sleeping & play it.
I'm sure someone else put up a free download recently because it was their birthday...oh no, that's right it turned out not to be free after everyone blogged about it. Well, I've double checked and Kissey's birthday download is definitely free, so head over to her blog and say thank you and happy birthday...
...Today is my birthday...as a little gift to you I decided to re-record 2 songs that i wrote when i was 19. 'Jazzcool' and 'MyWay' are the last songs i wrote before i decided that i was going to quit music, move south and start painting paintings fulltime instead...a couple years later i turned out here...life is strange...sooooo... just my voice...just my so-so piano playing...and i do hope you just enjoy it somehow.
Eat some cake with me, I'll be indulging it at 21.00 Swedish time, 20.00 UK and 3pm NY time. Love you very extremely and see you soon out in the world. //Kissey
Yep, Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns AKA Zero 7 are back with a new album called "Yeah Ghost" dropping in September. This is the lead single featuring Eska, woooop!
Ahu is absoulutely hilarious, she's this tiny gorgeous Turkish woman overflowing with talent and ideas, and everything she makes seems to be wonderful.
Ok, I've already blogged a couple of things about Mpho but this is serious - it's midweek, the single Box n Locks came out on Monday, and we (yes all of us) have to get behind it.
Mpho's probably not your typical popstar - she's a mum, she has a name that's hard to pronounce, and she doesn't exist off thin air and water. I find her life fascinating - her mother is a white South African, and had Mpho at a time when mixed race relationships were illegal (which apparently lead to Mpho being in jail with her Mum on her first birthday)... she moved to England at the age of four and was, to quote her song, "raised in Brixton Town", South London. It's been a long road to get to where she is now - on a major label but at the last minute so for all the pretty marketing photos & big gigs the build up has been relatively short for a campaign of this kind.
That's why I'm writing this...PMOI is about letting people know what we think is good, and for anyone who isn't sure about her, I saw Mpho perform an acoustic performance the other day with just a guitarist and we were all (myself & the two great musicians who were with me), blown away by her voice.
So please buy the single, it's only £0.79. If you're totally skint forward the video below on to your mates and get them to buy it. But please do something, because the current wave of opportunities for young black artists in the UK to step outside their old designated crappy R&B roles (which transtlates to being dropped as soon as possible) is something we should support.
I feel strange blogging something this amazing. I want to buy it, but Eska is giving it away for free...if you only download one song from this site, one song this week, let it be this one. If you're one of the many thousands who've been waiting for Eska's album to drop - a date for mastering has been set for this Autumn! Click the player below to download
LATEST REWORK: WALKING ON THE MOON
This one is especially for all you Zimbos out there. I am not a confident Shona speaker let alone writer...Kutaura chiShona kunonetsa stereki??...but I delighted in saying the most ridiculous things to my Mbuya (grand mother) when she was alive. Irony does not really exist in the Shona language so you can only imagine my English sense of humour translated into ridiculous/surreal shonglish...often resulting in her laughing hysterically...which made me so warm inside.
My opening lyric, 'Tino famba tese' is translated, 'We can walk together'.
And on that note...Pamberi ne Zimbabwe!
In the meantime you can catch Eska on tour from September & throughout the rest of the year in the UK & the rest of the world with Zero 7 whose new album "Yeah Ghost" will be released on 8th September, which Eska features on heavily. Head to their myspace for tour dates & to listen to the lead single Medicine Man (ft Eska) which will be out in August. You can also get discounted tour tickets and a free download of 'Everything Up (Zizou)' at www.zero7.co.uk
After Notorious any film production company would really be taking a risk on a major release with a hip hop biopic...this looks like it'll end up going straight to DVD. Release date is September 15th. It doesn't look like by "Legacy" they're going to cover Chris Rios's difficult and unhappy childhood, self destructive tendencies, pistol whipping his wife and reportedly leaving his publishing to Fat Joe rather than his kids (a lot of which probably springs to a lot of people's minds at the same time as his classic album Capital Punishment). I'm not hating, merely bored by the idea of watching every rapper on the planet talking about how Pun was "really in the streets" but not going any deeper than that, to help paint a realistic and detailed picture of this inspirational & legendary rap artist who died so young of a heart attack, cutting his legacy short.
All I can say is gwan Speeakz and the whole Pinboard crew, check this out!
Disclaimer: Apologies for the background noise – as the Q&A was taking place the crew were taking down the stage. This was all so very last minute, we had no time to prepare. Best watched using external (computer) speakers.
Last week we had the pleasure of attending Erykah Badu’s gig in Paris, which was, to say the least, très fantastique! After the show we were invited backstage for an intimate Q&A with the lady herself. Watch our exclusive footage of her discussing various topics ranging from her inspirations, Hip Hop, the Internet, Michael Jackson & much more…
Errr, if you're not from the UK you might not get this. I hope you do though. Morgan's a lovely bloke, buy him a drink if you ever get the chance, and you might not know it but you really like his music. (He's the other half of Spacek). Goldielocks I wasn't too sure about at first but she's a producer (mc, singer, and probably lots of other things) & a lady so I kept an open mind and I'm so glad I did because I'm really feeling this tune. How it helps Nike sell trainers I don't know & I don't care. Click HERE to cop the track.
I often consign certain tracks to the category of "leave it to the professionals" the way I do souffle and hand made pasta - I want someone to feed them to me not have it at home whenever I want it, because then it's not a treat. This track was one of those but then I haven't seen Hudson Mohawke DJ in a while so see this as me and my ready meal DJ set for those of you who understand what I'm babbling about.
At Midnight tonight (5am if you're in the UK I think), Muhsinah will be dropping a 13 track album entitled The Oscillations: Square, because it's her birthday tomorrow...it really says something about the girl if she's giving something to us on her birthday, so I think the least we can do is enjoy the gift and thank her for it! Check www.muhsinah.com (after midnight) to download it. (*Update* - apparently it's not free, I got confused by the word "gift" in the press release) In the meantime here is Re:Outsourced to download as a little taster...
Yesterday I attended the United Underground show at the South Bank Centre in London. There were dozens of acts that ranged from Dubstep DJ's to spoken word artists. I personally went to see Afrikan Boy (who shut it down!) but was surprised by Mpho Skeef. Mpho is a south London singer by way of South Africa who is now signed to Parlophone records. She stopped by to perform her new single "Box N Locks'' which comes out on Monday. Check out the video of this amazing acoustic version! (Fact: This is her first time performing an acoustic piece).
I have such a soft spot for Mayer Hawthorne ever since he played at Deviation in March and was every bit as lovely and polite as he looks at dinner. He then promptly lost it at the crowd he was so passionate during the (amazing) DJ set he played, because they weren't dancing hard enough.
Deviation Session #16 from Deviation on Vimeo. That was months ago & the first time I heard the song below, so enjoy the free download, his album "A Strange Arrangement" will be out this Autumn.
Pac Div are the only rap group to be shot out of the multi-colourway, some people might say "hipster", canon that I'm remotely bothered about. I met them in LA and they were really nice guys from what I could see, and they put everything it to their performance. Somebody tell Yoyo to book them. In the meantime check out their new "Church League Champions (Mixtape)". Oh and whilst you're at it check out their new website, ChurchLeagueChampions.com, made by the wildly talented B. Q. Happenings (they made J*Davey's site too).
Track Listing
01. Dick Vitale 02. We The Champs (Duke v. Carolina) 03. Pac Div 04. Mayor 05. For You 06. No No 07. Knuckleheadz 08. Whiplash 09. Underdogs (interlude) 10 Shut Up 11. Young Black Male 12. Never 13. Back
Last night I went to see Leon Ware for the first time live at the Jazz Cafe. Leon has written and produced for artists like Marvin Gaye, Minnie Riperton & Maxwell to name a few. Hearing this SIXTY NINE year old man perform such influential material was nothing short of inspiring. Last night was the closest I'll ever get to hearing Marvin Gaye live and understanding the effect his music would have had on a live audience. I hope you enjoy this highlight reel I put together.
Not that I'm a Twitter stalker or anything but I just saw this...
(4Hero) making hip-hop, we're done with the d&b, nujazz, brokebeat etc.
Check this out, it's dope! Dancing to broken beat makes my knees hurt anyway.
on iTunes & Other Stores, produced by Marc Mac featuring Phonte of Little Brother/Foreign Exchange, T.R.A.C, Roshin of Notes to Self, Preach & Voice. For more info visit the Omniverse Records site.
Ms Dynamite, easily one of my favourite UK MCs of all time (male or female) is back. When I say back I mean she's stopped singing and is finally back to making MASSIVE tunes. I picked up this 4 track download special from her website - please use the download link below so she can see just how much we appreciate her return.
I've fallen in love with this guy called Roberto Carlos Lange's music, AKA Helado Negro. He's a "sound artist" from Florida, family originally from Ecuador, and I copped a song called Deja a while back - download HERE. The music video above is a blessing for those who consider music videos an art in their own right, not an after thought.
I know, I nearly creamed my pants too - new single from Goapele - can't wait for the album! HUGE props to the brand new Suite 903 site www.suite903.com where I picked this one up - have you added it to your RSS yet?
Getting ready to release her third album Milk & Honey, Goapele has released a single of the same name. The new mom has a knack for making songs that feel equally relaxed and energized—think “Closer” and her remix of Common’s “Go” called “Find A Way.” The new single is produced by Bedrock, and if this is any insight into the new album, we are listening!
...following on from my previous post about RBMA I realised I haven't written anything about Culoe De Song, one of their youngest ever participants who hadn't even finished school at the academy in Barcelona last year and had never left his native South Africa prior to that trip - he's since played at Sonar! I touched on South African hip hop and Kwaito back in April, but Culoe doesn't fit either of those genres...apparently he draws inspiration from producers like Osunlade and Franck Roger but to be honest I think he sounds pretty unique. Check out "The Bright Forest", from the Bright Forest EP, which well worth buying. *UPDATE* I've just been informed that deep house is huge in South Africa and there are loads of producers like Culoe coming through - I'll have to start digging...
I know a lot of artists read this blog so this one is for you. There are TWO WEEKS LEFT to apply for next years Red Bull Music Academy, (which will be in London this year!) so you'd better get started if you haven't already!
Red Bull Music Academy makes me wish I'd trained to be a musician (not a dancer!), and this trailer from Melbourne 2006 should give you an indicator of how on point they are with creating an amazing experience for artists who will get the most out of it...
As you can see from the video the participants at that one included Flying Lotus, Oddisee, Tor, Andreya Triana, and Tiago Andrade. In Barcelona last year the participants included Dorian Concept, Nino Moschella, Fatima, and Goldielocks to name but a few...for more info & to apply and add your name to that list click HERE
I've been sitting on some tracks from the new Shafiq Husayn (of Sa-Ra Creative Partners) album, waiting to be allowed to share them with you and finally I can! I must admit, I'm feeling what I'm hearing from Shafiq more then the recent Sa-Ra Release Nuclear Evolution...it feels fresher, maybe less formulaic? I've been shocking out round the house to Nirvana this weekend, and cannot wait to hear it on a big soundsystem...speaking of which I hear Shafiq might be on tour soon...just cross your fingers people! I'd love to see Fatima sing L'il Girl live too, so good to hear her killing it left right & centre this year - check out her dope blog Mindtravellin.
Of course Fresh Selects had the preview, respect to Kenny Fresh as always.
Keeping things moving, here’s an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated solo album from SA-RA Creative Partner, Shafiq Husayn. The album, entitled Shafiq En A Free Ka (”ka” meaning “mind” or “life force” in Egyptian), is the embodiment of just that - Shafiq in a free state of mind, exploring and defining through future-afrocentric sounds and fuzzy melodies. Along for the ride are a team of musicians, writers, arrangers and guest vocalists including Bilal, Om’mas Keith, Count Bass D, Sonny Coates, and many more - all with Shafiq still holding down the helm.
You can download “Lil Girl” and hear a full-length stream of “Nirvana” below. Be on the look out for much more on and from the album, including a “Nirvana” remix from Mark de Clive-Lowe, before it drops this October, courtesy of Plug Research. Also, credit due to the RBMA for first debuting a stream of “Lil Girl.”
1. It gives you an excuse to go to NY, and any excuse will do 2. That trailer is rather funny - A for Effort 3. Kokayi is super dope, we love him on this blog & thank him for sending over the trailer!
Accidental just sent over this competition to win tickets for the Big Chill Festival. (Ends on Monday morning so be quick). If you don't like the idea of festival madness, start with the Big Chill - no mud, clean toilets, great food, they only sell the Guardian newspaper - you get the picture - it's err, chilled. Details below.
As I'm sure you know The Invisible are dope - such a beautiful, mature, soulful London sound - reminds me of the late 80s/ early 90s when we were spoilt for choice with artists like that...lets pray they've sparked a renaissance.
The Invisible continue to blast their way through the festival season with hit shows at Glastonbury, support spots with FOALS, plus a trip to Moscow at the weekend.
But if you've missed them so far this summer, fear not! Accidental is working with our lovely friends from The Big Chill to offer our fans the chance to win two tickets to The Big Chill Festival. The Invisible will be performing alongside a host of amazing talent from around the world.
Headlined by David Byrne, Basement Jaxx, and a specially-reformed Orbital, the fifteenth birthday Big Chill festival takes place at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, from 6th-9th August 2009. Among the audio delights are Lindstrøm, Spiritualized, Lamb, Amadou & Mariam, Friendly Fires, Toddla T, Marina and the Diamonds, The Invisible, Andrew Bird, Emiliana Torini and Horse Meat Disco.
For your chance to win tickets to this amazing event, just answer this simple question:
What was the title of The Invisible's last single? a) OK b) Alright c) Satisfactory
One of the most beautiful songs I've heard this year is by my lovely friend Ahu (you know, she did Roberta Flack w/ Flying Lotus, I Know All the Bitches w/ Beatnick, Bullion, Paul White etc, that dope tune Love w/ Soundspecies etc etc), and she just shot me over this stunning video for it. Enjoy, hope you love her as much as I do.
Joy Jones dropped her new album Godchild today & I've been watching out for her for a while now so I'm pretty excited. I first heard her song The Joy (The Daru rmx), when I grabbed the Three for Free from Daru ft Muhsinah/ AB & Black Milk/ Joy Jones download at Fresh Selects back in January. Here's the original - both are pretty incredible.
“I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I want to say and the messages I want to put out. This is a labor of love and I hope that it translates and transforms into a tool for change. This journey to LP has largely been due to divine choreography, fabulous blessings and good folks. I am constantly amazed at the trajectory.” Joy Jones
I love this photo of T so much, as proved in the post below Oddisee ain't bad on the click. The world has been panting for Tranqill to drop something substantial & I'm reliably informed you won't have to wait to much longer. The song below was swiped from the recently rejuvenated www.oddiseemusic.blogspot.com - don't download it if you don't like it grimy son.
Tranqill is my absolute favorite U.K. MC! We met will I was on tour. He noticed I had no London dates & asked if I'd like to come to London anyway to record and possibly get a gig. Upon my arrival we skipped a few fares & hopped a few trains to get to the studio. (my first trip to london started off great!) Once at the studio, we had a cypher of beats & rhymes and his style really impressed me. We've done a few tracks since but the full album is finally coming. Check this track out from in the mean time.
Download/Listen to "The Supplier" Tranqill Prod. By Oddisee
I love Miles Bonny, he's the man basically, so check out his website milesbonny.com, and the remix project below...
01.Miles Bonny Tag Intro 02.Maspyke - Step Off ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 03.Mr Lif - The Fries ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 04.Bilal Salaam - Lights Out ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 05.Stik Figa - What It Is ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 06.Oh No - Stomp That ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 07.Percee P, Vinny Paz, Guilty Simpson - Watch Yo Step ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 08.Ces Cru - Spellbound ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 09.Joe Good - In Ya Mouf ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 10.Sage Francis - Gunz Yo! ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 11.Supastition - Step It Up ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 12.Ces Cru & Joe Good - The Block ( Miles Bonny Remix ) 13.Miles Bonny Tag Outro http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T0YLU78N
Hez just shot this over - it's part of his Cure for the Common Soul vlog which I've been featuring bits of. Cody Chesnutt is one of my favourite voices in the world (you remember, he was on The Seed by the Roots, had a crazy song called I Look Good in Leather and an incredible one called Serve This Royalty from his debut album The Headphone Masterpiece...) he's erm, slightly insane, in a good way. Check it!
Get the Cure For the Common Soul mixtape hurrrr if you haven't already.
1. DENGUE FEVER - SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THE MEKONG (REAL WORLD) 2. FREDDIE HUBBARD - THE THINGS WE DID LAST SUMMER (LIVE) [BLUE NOTE] 3. JACKSON FIVE - NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE [MOTOWN] 4. KARRIEM RIGGINS - SOUL ON TOP [CDR] 5. 24-CARAT BLACK - THE BEST OF GOOD LOVE GONE [NUMERO] 6. THE CLONIOUS - ONE AT A TIME (FT MUHSINAH) [UBIQUITY] 7. LEON KING - REMEDY [MFT] 8. ANTI-POP CONSORTIUM - APPARENTLY [BIG DADA] 9. KLING - SYMBAL [SOLAR] 10. HERALDO NEGRO - SANTERO [ASTHMATIC KITTY] 11. SA-RA - LOVE TZARS [UBIQUITY] 12. PAUL WHITE - TIME WARS [ONE HANDED] 13. BLACKSMILE - SHE MAKES ME [BURNTPROGRESS] 14. DJ MITSU - DIM SKYLINE (FT MARK DE CLIVE-LOWE) [JAZZY SPORT] 15. CECILE & DELPHI - UNA DOMENICA ITALIANA (FT DENNIS COFFEY) [RBMA] 16. KRL - RECESSION BEAT [WOLF MUSIC] 17. IZ DIZ - MOUTH (BRAD PEEP'S REMIX FOR FRIENDS) [BBE] 18. JOY ORBISON - WET LOOK [CDR]
I am determined to work out why people like Drake so much, why people thing this song is great, and whether or not the director of this video was a 15 year old boy. Help, anybody? I feel like I'm really missing something here, because the word that springs to my mind right now is dull.
I just found this mix by Afta 1 over at GAS'D - enjoy! (Isn't he lovely for adding all the myspace links?)
For this installment of LOVE IS REAL, GAS’D has completely entrusted me with your ears, to take you on an hour long ▲❍▼❏ experience through some of my favorite listening material. Selections of Audible Love is a sound scape of tracks old and new, featuring a collection of good friends, contemporaries, and other artists influential in my own musical journey. “sit still,” twist one up, light the incense and enjoy.
Below is the track list along with links/album titles. if you dig what you hear continue the ▲❍▼❏ experience and support/find out more about the artists and tracks featured!
Ever wanted to know what goes on inside the heads of your favourite producers? This is Exile's directorial debut (he is now officially Captain Skills) which I somehow missed when it came out. It's been entered in the SHORTNONOSTOP Film Festival - you can vote for it here.
