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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Its Been a Long Time...


...I shouldn't have left you...

I've been neglecting this little corner of cyber space for a few months. Not for lack of content, just haven't managed to get around to it. Like some squeaky door that needs a shot of WD-40, and you keep reminding yourself you'll get to it, but just never do...until you do.

Anyhow, heres a few tracks I'm feelin these days...




Eric B & Rakim Dont Sweat The Technique WDRE & Freqnik Blue Label Remix by Freqnik & WDRE

~nice remix of an Eric B and Rakim classic here by Freqnik and WDRE...I remember the video for this one was dope too, kickin it in the mansion surronded by a legion of dimes...check it.



Katy On A Mission (Captain Planet Remix) by DJ Captain Planet

~killer remix on the reggae tip here by Captain Planet...looks like the d'loads are gone, but still worth a listen.


The Doors-Soul Kitchen-Shimi Sonic Remix by Shimi Sonic

~I've been rockin the DJ Spooky edit of this track for years and its always been a killer tune...but now this, damn...gonna hafta give put this in the rotation for a bit...lovely mix!


My style cumbiero - Luigi Sound Selectah by luigisoundselectah

~I like this, the mixture of cumbia and reggae is just so damn good...solid mix here, grab it!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Soundcloud Heaters!!

~been busy working on new tracks as of late, so hadn't had much time to post...just finished a remix of Chulita by Cholita Sound...you can check it out here...I'm also working on a remix of Cherman's latest track, Borne Basstard for the Cabeza Caballito label...I'm havin fun makin it, hopefully will be done soon...okay, time to share a few heaters.

MEXICAN DUBWISER - TROUBLE IN MY SOUL by MexicanDubwiser

~this track features BILLY GOULD OF FAITH NO MORE, ULISES LOZANO FROM KINKY AND ARTWORK JAMAL, kickin some really soulful/bluesy vocals over a cumbia beat...some guitar licks and I think I hear an organ too...yeah, dont look at me for precise terminology and insightful description...but I know a great song when I hear it...cool video to boot.



Sabbo & Ori Shochat - Shine & Cris by Sabbo

~Im a sucker for reggae vocals over bangin beats...add some DMX and Missy vocal drops and its a wrap...this was a no-brainer instant fave for me...if you cant make it to the islands this summer, bring the islands to you.


Cumbiaton ep minimix by DJ DICE (CHICAGO)

~Chi-city native DJ DIce hittin the massive with a preview of his Cumbiaton EP...lovin the intro on this...hey yo, turn off the radio, turn off that bullshit! this minimix soundin lovely...jump on it.


Whats golden? (remix) by djtzinas

~like I just said, I'm a sucker for that island flavor...DJ Tzinas brings the J5 crew and puts them over some Jamaican rock steady funk...add a few lazers and backspin effects, and its official...downloads expired but looks like Bandcamp still good.











~last but not least, gotta send some blog-love to dj umb and the generation bass crew! these dudes are relentless in their pursuit of the latest and freshest sounds coming from every conceivable corner of the globe...their latest release is sounding like they're taking charge and leading the phalanx vanguard of the global fusion massive...peep the video for starters and check the links for more info...

www.generationbass.com

http://soundcloud.com/djumb


Generation Bass Presents MoomBaH - EP Series Volume 1. from Videomit on Vimeo.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

500 years and counting....



~every now and then a movie comes along that strikes me in a certain ineffable manner. Its a rare feeling that doesn't come along often, so when it does, I feel a need to share this feeling that inspires, ires, and irks (excuse the alliteration). Even the Rain is one of those movies for me. The movie, set in present day Bolivia, adeptly illustrates the parallels between the exploitative and cruel treatment of the Conquistadores with the downright oppressive conditions under which the largely indigenous population of Bolivians live today.So as not to spoil the movie for any readers, I will leave it at that...Recommended!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Lets Get Dusty....










~i know the pic is blurry, but i wanted to use it b/c its of me when i was probably around 4 or 5 years old, hanging out in my room, playing 45s...now, granted, it was probably some Buck Rogers or Black Hole read-along record, the kind that were popular in the late 70s....whatever, i use it as evidence of some young fascination with all things vinyl...


...speaking of vinyl, came across this mix and thought it deserved some recognition...properly mixed assortment of soulful, psychedelic beat fodder...good stuff!



...i put one of these together myself a few days ago...similar theme, different tracks...same, but different....download links available for both mixes.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

You Must Learn!





~I'm quickly gettin into my summer reading mode, stacking books to tackle over the next few months. Summer in central Texas starts in late February, so I'm actually a bit late here, but thats okay.




~Robin D.G Kelley is, at least in my opinion, the official historian of the hiphop nation (yes, Jeff Chang comes a close second). I realize I'm probably showing my, how can I say, experience? veteran status? in the game by using such an antiquated term as 'hiphop nation,' but I can think of no other term that fits.

Kelley's treatment of Monk goes deep, tracing his roots back to the Carolinas to New York and around the world once the legendary pianist gains his due spot in the Jazz scene. The author portrays Monk as an eccentric character, a playful artist who could intimidate lesser-skilled musicians with the glance of an eye--a man with a deep moral conviction that guided his somewhat chaotic and turbulent path in life. Monk's life was difficult. He lived the cliched life of the struggling artist, always searching for that big break, the next check, the next gig, never really finding comfort, or a steady income. This, of course, in no way detracts from his musical genius. At over 450 pages, the book is not a quick read. However, it is a must for any Monk fan or jazz fan.



~I first came across this book while visiting the always excellent Mudd Up site. I've traveled to D.F. (Mexico City as its more commonly known) numerous times in my life. First as a child visiting relatives in the early 80s (my grandparents came from Toluca, just outside D.F.), again in the late 90s to spread my grandfather's ashes in the volcanic crater that overlooks the valley, and most recently just a few years ago, to visit family. My memories are of family gatherings, trips to the pyramids, and VW bugs, so it was nice to get an insider's perspective on the music scenes of D.F. from Hernandez.

Although his book seems to focus more on the emo and punk scenes, as opposed to the cumbia/sonidero/hiphop scenes that I might be drawn to, he still manages to keep the subject matter fresh and interesting (I read the entire book in just over a day). As a fellow 'pocho,' I identify with Hernandez's struggle to find a place in society (US or Mexican)--not American enough for the US, not Mexican enough for Mexico. So we straddle the fence, eat tacos, root for the Lakers, listen to Cumbias, and spend our days mastering the King's English.

At times, the book reads like a Vice guide to D.F., a sort of documentary-style narrative covering fashionistas and their overly inebriated/ intoxicated party goers as they move from one scene to another, always sure to find themselves in the light of the camera and the 'place to be.' I know the types and, truthfully, I tend to stay far away from them. Fortunately, Hernandez comes to the same realization and focuses the majority of his time on the more down-to-earth types, anarcho-punks fighting gentrification and aspiring designers that read both the Popul Vuh and the Bhagavad Gita...more my crowd. Either way, I think I'm ready for another trip down to D.F.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Acid Rumba-Gypsy Psych-Funk 69-76












~I've been banging this comp all week in the ride. For most save the most seasoned beat digger, these tracks are all new to the ear. I did reach for the fast forward button a few times, but, for the most part, I'm able to kick back, drop the windows and imagine myself cruising through the streets of Barcelona in the early-to-mid 70's, wind blowing through my hair, blasting the killer funk fuzz. I cant seem to find a tracklist online (maybe its a secret) but track 7 is a personal fave. Both my inner-hippie and inner-bboy have been thoroughly satisfied with this one! Recommended!


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A Few Reggae & Funk Burners




~so I'm trying out a new look here. I came across some new template and couldn't resist giving it a shot...I'm diggin it for now....


...I've been scoring a bunch of new records as of late; its not like I dont already have crates full of stuff I've yet to listen to...its just that I feel a sense of accomplishment at acquiring more; no Veblenian act of conspicuous consumption, just a therapeutic act that lets me get my mind right...speaking of....



~BANGER!


~gonna hafta go watch 'Rockers' now...


~scored a NM copy of this on 7" recently...FunkBangerSupreme!


~got this on 7" as well...killer tune!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Cairo Rising--Documenting R(evolution) in N. Africa



~Its no secret that great music tends to emerge from societies undergoing tremendous social/political change. Perhaps its something wholly intangible--a zeitgeist that sweeps through a nation, ignites movements, sparking the creative class--those artists/musicians/poets--to release what lurks within. Personally, I think of the late 1960s, the Vietnam era, the Civil Rights movement, the counter culture, and the incredible soundtrack that accompanied those pivotal times. I get the feeling that such music is waiting to be recorded in North Africa. Jef Stott seems to agree.

~a video I came across on Vimeo that features some telling images...

Photographer John Moore on 'Epic' Libya Battles, Arab World Revolutions from Mike Fritz on Vimeo.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Spotlight on South America
















~this group here hails from Lima, Peru...I'm really feeling their sound, a funky combination of dub, cumbia, reggae with some hiphop elements added in for good measure. Most of their tracks seem to fall on the instrumental side of things, which is all cool by me...plus I'm loving that groovy psychedelic artwork!

08 No mas huaska (Instrumental mix) by Sonidos_Profundos


~fuego alert! Pernett comes through with a nice Champeta remix of Isa Gt's "Pelao"-La paisita remix. The Champeta sound has yet to really gain a strong following like cumbia has. Heres a brief rundown on Champeta via wikipedia:

The word "Champeta" was first used as a cultural identifier in the 1920s, it was used to identify a dance in the 1970s and a musical genre in the 1980s.

Since before the 1920s, the inhabitants of the neighborhoods farthest from the center of Cartagena, those of the poorest social strata and of African descent, have been called 'champetudo'. The economic elite used this designation as an attempt to devalue this vibrant culture. The name, ambiguously accepted and transformed, originates from the relationship of these people, with the knife called "champeta", as it was associated with vulgarity, poverty and blackness. This culture has a past historically marked with slavery and mistreatment with its center in the oldest districts of the Isla Caimán, currently called Olaya, and the Pozón district.

At the beginning of the 1970s the Champeta culture became more visible at a national level in Colombia through a series of diverse and complex dances set to the rhythms of Caribbean music. This music was principally a mix of genres such as salsa and jíbaro but later included reggae. This music was played over large loudspeakers, popularly called "picós", that were invented during the 1960s in Cartegena. Equipped with these sound systems they held dancce competitions and other events. Those dances were called "therapy" because of their ability to help people relax and free themselves from the economic problems of the country.

In the 1980s "creole therapy" became a new genre of music, sung and interpreted by people from Cartegena and San Basillo, later joined by people from Barranquilla, Santa Marta and the rest of the country. Baranquilla played an important role in the commercialization of this genre of music. Subsequently, the music became popular in picós. Soon, it was known as "creole therapy", "Colombian therapy", and finally, Champeta.

Peláo/ La paisita remix. Isa Gt remixed by Pernett by Pernett

~this group out of BK really had me open with this track here...killer tune with some champeta-electro vibes that slays the dance each and every time..


~their latest track is pretty nice as well...

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Soundcloud Heaters cont.












~so my computer that houses all my work is on the fritz...no protools access these days, so I figured what better way to cope with this loss than to listen to music and shine some light on a couple tracks I'm feelin....as some may know, I'm into a wide range of music--from the hardest gangsta rap/geto tek bass bangers, to sublimely-chilled lounge---If I feel it and it makes my head nod, its all good. With that, heres a few more for the headz....

MC Bener One ft. Charley Chico - Mami Muevelo (Moombahton) by djtranzo
~this is straight-up club banger material here...the bass bangs like it should, and the lyrics are directed right at those scantily-clad females that came to get they groove on...look beyond the slight misogyny and see this track for what it is...a dancefloor filler.

Dj Javier Estrada - Ciclon by djjavierestrada
~this guy has been droppin' gems consistently now for some time...it seems every time I log in to SC, Javier has a new banger uploaded...well today is no exception. 'Ciclon' starts out like a simple edit then transforms into some monstrous dubstepped-audio carnage with some raverton-cumbiaton elements...add some horns and a few breakdowns and you're like WTF!! Seriously, I want a copy of this to play the next time someone asks me for Latin music...sure, comin right up.

Cabeza! 036 - Black Mandingo - Black Rockin Beats - 2011 by Cabeza!
~I loved this the minute I heard Kris Parker--aka KrsOne-talkin in the intro...I grew up on old skool hiphop, so you know....the homie Cherman drops this nice cumbia and others for the always excellent Cabeza label...check it here

Monday, March 28, 2011

Soundcloud Heaters of the Month



~this one here is just dripping with that late 60s era psychedelic South American sound...Os Mutantes meets Arthur Verocai?? Whatever the case, I'm lovin the slow, hypnotic groove...perfect for the early set...available on Ubiquity records here.

The Echocentrics - "Esclavo Y Amo" by Ubiquity Records




~as some might have realized by now, I'm quite enamored with the North African sound...DJ Badre comes through with a solid remix of this rather obscure track...don't know a whole lot about Fnaire, but I'll definitely be looking forward to hearing more from them soon.
FNAIRE -SAHARAOUI BASADUB RMX by Dj Badre


~wow! such a killer tune by Cream taken to a whole 'nutha level by sultry soulstress Spanky Wilson...I cant say I've heard the original, but dj ken walker gets love for dropping this gem on the soundcloud massive...killer tune!
Sunshine Of Your Love - Spanky Wilson - Ken At Work Pyschadelic Extension Dimension by djkenwalker

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Lets talk Latin Funk

~one of my favorite blogs, Musica del Alma, has posted his top 5 latin funk tracks of all time...a herculean task no doubt. Some great tunes posted in there!! Check his site, as he is always posting some really great and obscure tunes.

So, of course, I started to think of my own top Latin Funk tunes. Its a rather difficult exercise, yet I think Ive managed to come up with at least a top 3. So here they are.


~this tune is just plain incredible in so many ways...the drums, the chanting, the ill breakdown, etc...b-boy fodder for the dancefloor indeed!


Photobucket
~this one here first popped up on my 'Y Chile Verde' mix back in 2006. Its off an LP by Alma Tropical entitled "La Sangre Caliente'...Ive seen a couple of tracks of theirs comped before, so this isnt any great new discovery...anyhow, its a Latin Funk banger of the highest order...check it!

AlmaTropical-QuetePareceCholito.mp3



~okay, I'll admit it, I'm showing my Texas bias...hey, this record was practically cut in my backyard...whatever, its a great tune that slays the party every time...and these guys just performed last week at SXSW, so check em out if possible.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Keepin' it Ol' Skool--the Tribe Vibe

Uncontacted Amazon Tribe: First ever aerial footage from Survival International on Vimeo.



~i cant imagine what the members of this tribe must be thinking at the sight of this; its the equivalent of an alien spaceship flying over the downtown of any given city then flying away...lets be honest here, its only a matter of time before contact is made and the tribe is introduced to other 'worlds'. Perhaps thats not such a bad thing--if we can learn from them and they can learn from us. On second thought, just let them be...we have little to teach them anyhow.


~damn, this album was so fresh...wore the print off the cassette tape on this one.



"...war is not the answer; war has never been the answer." Fela kuti

Monday, February 7, 2011

Sabbo: The Freaktion EP















~Im all about supporting innovative and creative artists/musicians/producers pushing the boundaries of music; so, after getting word of Sabbo's release on Generation BAss, it goes without saying that a post is in order...heres what his promo release has to say...

Middle Eastern born, producer of many trades - SABBO - is responsible for the next release from the award winning Generation Bass camp. He has worked with Mad Decent, Soulico, dancehall stars like Turbulence and Lisa Dainjah and has also been producing many charted productions in various genres in his own country.



FREAKTION EP.




This EP draws heavily on the Chicago Foot Work sound, giving it an extra boost in top notch production and bass but also sees Sabbo leaning more towards a UK angle in the Juke/FootWork history. He blends the genre into a mix of hyperactive dancefloor filler and bass heavy globalism. From Chi town via the unlikely detour of Tel Aviv, Israel and relying on classic sampling techniques and the trusted 808 boom, this EP is a Foot Work classic in the making.



Once again Generation Bass holds true to its slogan, "cool music from whereever"...



free track linkage:

http://generationbass.bandcamp.com/track/addicted-to-you

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Mas Soundcloud Heatery!!











~Shazalakazoo consistently put out some of the best balkan/cumbia stuff out there...seriously, take a listen to this one and some of their other tracks...global fusion at its finest!
Sonidera Popa (Shazalakazoo Remix) - The Binary Cumbia Orchestra ft. Caballo by SHAZALAKAZOO

~ok, this is the track that should be playing at Chichen Itza, Palenque, Tikal, Machu Picchu and all the other ancient indigenous sites for the winter solstice of 2012...the gods would smile upon us all.
Dj Javier Estrada - Crazy Indian by djjavierestrada


~FK5 affiliates, the Empresarios, teaming up with Nickodemus...and the result is golden!! Be sure to check out their new album, Sabor Tropical, on their website
http://empresariosmusic.com
Empresarios - Cumbia (Nickodemus Remix) by SchitzPopinov

~Danny Massure's Mix for January 2011 caught my eye my scrolling through SC...described as "Funk Latin Afrobeat 60s 70s Soul Breaks," I couldnt resist clicking and taking a listen...I was pleasantly surprised to discover the mix included "Boricua Bounce (Loisaida mix)," a track of mine that has popped up on more than a few mixes now! Great mix and many thanks for the love!
Danny Massure Mix January 2011 by Danny Massure

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Winter in America


~sometimes, around this time of year, even in sunny central Texas, the weather gets cold and chilly, the wind blows the leaves off the trees, and the skies turn gloomy and grey. Thats when its time to light a fire and slow it down a bit.....

~Gil Scott Heron...classic!


~speaking of Texas, Ms. Erykah Free...um, Badu.


~bliss.


~lovely!


~chase the winter blues away....