Webster Lewis 'Do you believe' Live @ Club 7

About a year ago, I played this party at an old rough office space. It was the perfect enviroment; a tiny dark backroom with space for about 40-ish dancers. And it certainly one of the best nights all-time. It was one of those moments where you feel in complete control of everything. I could take anywhere, and a everyone would follow. And playing this track at 3.30 in the morning, and still keeping everyone with you is a one motherph-cking natural high. I tell you.
I didn't air all of its 17 minutes of glory, but a good 10 minutes.
So here you go. From the fairly recent Live at Club 7 LP, 'Do you believe' by Webster Lewis, recorded from the Club 7 in Oslo.
This is one reason why I still get a fantastic buzz from music!
Do you believe - Live at Club 7 (320)

Wilma Reading - Beginnings

Wilma Readings On Fire LP on dutch label CNR, is one of those records i've kept an eye on for a quite few years before finding it. Rarely comes up for sale, and usually on Japanese sites for a fairly high market price. It's more or less about 1 track, but what a track. First heard on one of Mad Mats fantastic compilations - High Jazz, which accordingly to some rumours also is the work of a Gothenburg based dealer.
Nevermind, the track - Beginnings, is a fantastic vocal jazz track for any party.
This is a vinyl rip from the original LP, therefore it's mono, it has some crackles. But you know what, - if you play this stuff from mp3, it needs some of the authentic dust anyway. So here you go:

Wilma Reading - Beginnings (320)

Shop mix

I rarely play records in stores, probably haven't done it in 10 years. Anyway, I was doing this gig on Friday night and had some hours to kill on the Saturday, and got booked for this shop. A huge room with, actually, a decent sound system. I don't think they normally get dj's who plays this kind of music; quite amusing watching the emo-kids and semi-hipsters to stroll around to Carmen Lundy.
These things tends to be quite tirening, so to stay focused I put my recorder on. So here you go; straight down to tape. Soul, jazz, funk, brasilian, bits of boogie and anything nice in between. We'll see if I can be bothered to pin down a playlist, after all there's about 2 hours of music...
Enjoy:

Download

R I P Michael Jackson

Sad news on the passing of Michael Jackson. I'd say the 'Off the wall' LP is the pop record all-time. Very much the work of Quincey Jones, but also highlights the musical genious of Michael Jackson. Interesting on a producer note is also that a young Fonce Mizell was co-producing on the big Jackson 5 hit 'I want you back'.
For me MJ got very alienated since the eighties, but as a musical icon he's always going to be part of the history. Let's hope he gets remebered for his music.

Tamba Trio & Varig DC-10

This is just a weird cultural artefact, as well as a cultural commodity. This record is promotion record for the brasilian airline, and in particular their DC-10 plane. Tamba Trio was contracted to give some edge for the airline, and was handed out as a giveaway for the passengers. Overrall, quite cheesy bossa-stuff with a few nice left-of-centre musical highlights.
Mestre Bimba need some plays this summer. Enjoy with the juice & peanuts:

Tamba Trio - Mestre Bimba (320)

Calender - Comin' on strong

Making up for my almost, non-existent posting. Here's another one from Calender - 'Comin' on strong' from the It's a monster LP. Big with Theo P amongst others. And it's certainly a monster track; right down dirty disco funk. There was an edit floating around som time ago, but I think the original does the trick.

Calender - Comin' on strong (320)

Billy Ocean - Nights

Keeping my rather slow speed on posting. Anyway, it's time for some boogie action. I stumbled across this when going through some old stuff. Great tune from the man Billy Ocean. This one is re-edit from Stonebridge, from 88 on the SweMix label. Apparently the Stonebridge dude has had some taste back in the days. Nowadays I believe he's just playing plain stupid house music.
So here you go, a nice little treat that crosses over most audiences.

Billy Ocean - Nights (320)

Summer Madness

Again, a long time off. It's just been really busy times. Obviously keeping some thoughts on the blogging thing, but never got around to do anything. Anyway, tried to get my s-it together here and deliver something.
Voila, some deeper stuff just out of the decks. Nothing planned, just randomly picked stuff out of the crates. Sure, I wanted to keep it quite deep. Sort of, anyway. 1 take, nothing flashy, not trying to be clever, just great tracks and songs. Occasionally jazzy, spacey and soulful.
Tracklist:

1. Build an ark - You yourself are the key to the universe
2. Raphael Saadiq - Sky's the limit (Yam Who)
3. Jon Lucien - Would you beleive in me
4. Jorge Ben - Zula
5. Azambuja & Cia - Tema do Azambuja
6. Vangelis - Let it happen
7. Can - Future days (CC rmx)
8. Freddie Hubbard - Little sunflower (Theo P. edit)
9. Yusef Lateef - Brother John
10. Osunlade - The promise
11. Dabrye - Magic says
12. Palmskin production - The beast (Autechre rmx)
13. James Vincent -Space traveller
14. Goldfrapp - Clowns
15. Carlos Nino - Fall in love
    

Download

Pete Dunaway - Supermarket

It's been a long absence. Just loads of work, good weather and all. But still not inactive musicwise. Actually had 3 packages in the post today; some random bits from the bay, Fatcity and Dustygroove.
Though, I'm thinking I need to give you a real treat this time. A quite ellusive record by Pete Dunaway, though it's not his original name (which I can't find at the moment). Apparently it was quite common to take on a 'western' sounding name at this time. And yes, he's brasilian. Not your typical sounding brasilian stuff either. Nonetheless an amazing track in Supermarket.
Good news for you who can't fork out the money for the original LP, is that it's going to be on DJ Cliffy's second volume of Black Rio. What I've heard so far from there, sounds really really good. I believe, out soon on Strut Records.
Till then, a vinyl rip of the so fantastic track:

Pete Dunaway - Supermarket (320)

Mulato Astatke

I heard a great story on how Mulato's music happenend on the soundtrack of Broken Flowers. Apperently director Jim Jarmusch was a big fan of Mulato and ended up adding an african-american character to the movie just to get the Ethiopian connection, and therefore getting Mulato's music as a significant part of the story. Actually check the story from the source, Gilles Peterson recently did a podcast worth checking out.
Obviously you need to check out the new recording from Heliocentrics & Mulato Astatke. Out on Strut Records, and certainly an essential record if you ask me.
Meanwhile check this one. Come out, I believe in 05', don't actually know who's behind it. A cheeky edit on Yègellé Tezeta, handy for the toilet break, and to f-ck up the kids on the dancefloor.

Nephews of Phela - Mulah 2 (320)

Old School Drum'n'Bass

I had the pleasure to attend Metalheadz at Blue Note, in Hoxton Square some 15 years ago. 'That's how it is' always played some of the jazzier stuff later on. Sure this brings good memories, though I don't have references to all of this. But check it out, it's cool:

The Art of Diggin'

Blair - Nightlife

Forget about all trendy sh-te that comes and goes. This is the sh*t. Blair - Nightlife Lp from 78' on Solar Sounds. The title track is just an amazing piece of dance music, and if you like your fusion there's also 'Virgo Princess' on the LP. Talking bout new music, there's obviously still good stuff coming out, John Arnold & Jeremy Ellis recently covered this one. Sure a fine take with an uptempo edit by Bug in the Attic & broken beat meister Daz I Kue. So till you can get your hands on the original LP, check the new version on Future Soul Records, or this vinyl rip:

Blair - Nightlife (320)

Brass in Africa

Keeping it on the soundtrack tip. Moving over to a more modern recording, still rooted in vintage blaxploation style. This is a cool cover on Johnny Pate's title track from Shaft in Africa. Here by the amazing Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, released on a nifty little japanese 7".
HBE are by the way, soon releasing a new LP on Honest Jon's. Make sure you check out, I believe produced by the El Michels Affair. And how bad is their take on Wu-Tangs 'Enter the 37th chamber'?! Killer.
Anyway, here's a vinyl rip from the 7":

Brass in Africa (320)

Dennis Coffey

This is a well played track for me. Especially for about ten years ago, but going back to it now makes me realise how great track this is. Dennis Coffey is one guys who's delivered lots of breaks (or riffs rather) to the hip hop community. I'm actually bit of novice in this field, but he's done quite a few blaxploation soundtracks during his career. He's also got a quite interesting background in Detroit in the sixties. Being a session player at Motown and close to the Funk Brothers. I started to look around for some stuff and found this, check words from the man himself:

Back to what I actually what I wanted to give you initially; Theme from Black belt Jones. It's a vinyl rip from my, bit worn out, 7". Quite elusive nowadays, but there's quite a lot reissues around in one form or another. The Jedi Knights also did a fairly nice version of this break.

Theme from black belt Jones (320)

Theo Parrish

A nice interview with the saviour of house - Theo Parrish.

From Fullbozman.com

Tropical Treats

Rickard Masip from Tropical Treats/Raw Fusion and Recordmania has kindly shared this really cool mix. Within certain circles he's a well known connoissuer of all things rare and funky. Recently back from digging in Colombia.
I've had the pleasure to hear him dj a few times, and he's a class selector as this mix also proves. Here you get to hear a great selection of funky latin & caribbean sounds, some heavy african & reggae tunes.
You need to check out yourself, I guarantee there isn't much you've heard before. Personally I think this is the kind of sh-t I wanna hear on a nice sunny day. Or in a dark, sweaty basement for that matter. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

Jackie Mittoo - Armagideon rock

Eric Cosaque - Guadeloupe ile de mes amours

La Tromba - Calaba calabao

Hafusa Abasi - Hayechi Mnazo

Tilaye Chemwaka - Unknown title ? (45 label is unreadable)

Joey Pastrana - A bailar oriza

Combo de caney - La mini falda

Les Vikings - Ambiance

Les Volcans porto novo - Jomido

Ebo Taylor - Odofo nyi akyiri biara

Ahmed Juma Ensemble - Mama matotoya

Bembinhos - Tiahuanaco

Rafael Labasta - Labasta llego

Johnny Sedes - Carupano canta

Julian y su combo - Salsa y bembe

La Roche - Arpa en salsa

Sweet Talks - Mampam sukuruwe

Cicada - Oli nkwu

Orchestre Veve star - Niturudia

Bruce Ruffin - Save the people

Mayer Hawthorne

Here's the B-side for the next single from Mr. Hawthorne - 'I wish it could rain'. It's on the 'Maybe so Maybe no' 12":


While being on the subject, here's the original for 'Maybe so Maybe no':

Update: Get a free download of 'Maybe so' at Stones Throw

Messages

Here's a great remix by Aaron Jerome, on Victer Duplaix's "Messages". It's out there if you look around. Check clip, it's baaad!

Record Shops

Today I want to pay homage to a few of the reord shops I've visited through the years. Nowadays I don't get the chance to pop into any decent shops too often. Due deference to Internet, there's nothing like walking into a real shop. For good or bad, to be honest. When going to Stockholm, I sometimes avoid going the shops as they're just too good, and It's just a burden to be encountered by these brilliant records that that are going to dig deep holes into your pockets.
Anyway, here's a list of great shops, some still around, that I've been to:

• Vaxkupan. In my hometown (Nkpg), where I seriously started to buy records in the early 90's.
• Recordmania, Stockholm. Simply one of the best shops I've ever been to. http://recordmania.net/
  
• Soul Jazz, London, especially the old one at Ingestre Place. http://www.soundsoftheuniverse.com/
  
• Fat Cat, London. Was always an essential stop on frequent trips to London in the 90's.
• Atlas, London, as Fat Cat crucial for electronic isht in the 90's.
• Reckless, London. There's a few around which always where great for promo's.
• HMV, London. It could actually be really good at times.
• Black Market, London. The basement for Drum'n'bass is just a great memory. http://www.bm-soho.com/
• Honest Jons, London. Cool shop & cool staff. A nice trip to get out to out to west London when living there early 2000. http://www.honestjons.com
• Guiness Records, Tokyo. The look and the records. Only in Japan. http://guinness-records.com/
• Jazzy Sport, Tokyo. Really hard to find on the 5th floor in an office-type of building. http://www.jazzysport.com/
  
• Disk Union, Tokyo. Various branches in focused on different genres. One of the best. http://diskunion.net/
  
• Especial, Kyoto. A quite small but nice selection of jazz and related. http://www.especial-records.com/
  

There's loads more, and hopefully I'll still get the chance to enter a few of them in the future.

Dr. Bob Jones

Check this article on Bob Jones - One of the dj's DJ. 40 years as a club dj and still counting. He talks about being addictive to vinyl records, why today's dj's seem to lack of musical knowledge and are more of technicians rather than musical connoisseurs.
Also good to see that he's part of a new book on the history of the UK jazz dance scene written by legendary dj Snowboy - From Jazz Funk And Fusion To Acid Jazz - The History Of The UK Jazz Dance Scene
From evilmonito.com

Charles Earland - Coming to you live

One for easter!

Another mix in 2 halves - Fusion & House

A physical education teacher once said the hardest trick to do with a ball, is to hold it still. Obviously you can't do that when you're 9. There's some similarities to my musical taste/dj-ing style. I can't stick to one genre. If it's good, if it's got the funk, it needs to be in. Sometimes it might get a bit messy, and sometimes it just flows.
Anyway, I just got the Judy Roberts LP, and the Black Cock 12", you know it's always nice to test some new tunes. So I took it from there, from kind of fusion-ish to some more modern, programmed jazzy bits. Starting, and showing off with the Pete Dunaway track, not really fusion but an amazing track. Check it out: Download
Tracklist:

1. Pete Dunaway - Supermarket
2. Edu & Tom - Vento bravo
3. Seawind - Free
4. The Judy Roberts Band - Never was love
5. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy - Everything is love (Harvey edit)
6. Blaze - Wishing you were here (Joey Negro rmx)
7. Digital Funk Addicts - Higher level
8. Rick Wade - Harsh Thoughts
9. Lighthouse Family - High (E-dancer dub)
10. Etienne Jaumet - Repeat again after me (Ame rmx)
11. Detroit Experiment - Think Twice (Henrik Schwarz live edit)
12. Herbie Hancock - Nobu (Radioslave edit)
13. Pepe Bradock - Mandragore
14. Motorbass - Ezio
15. Jean-Luc Ponty - Computer incantations for world peace

Shades of Soul

Check this site out! If you got the slightest interest in vintage dance music, you need to go there.
There's loads of live footage, interviews etc. It's all about the soul and related. I watched some of the latin bits; Tito Puente, Willie Colón etc. Yes, we're talking proper Bogaloo! There's also some stuff on Max Roach, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and other soul artists.Unfortunately It's not possible to embed any stuff, but you find it here.

Marvin Gaye - I want you (A cappella with congas & bass) (320)