Latest music recommendations:

It’s that time of the year, the time when we head over to London for the fantastic Lovebox Weekender. The line-up this year is impressive as always, with Snoop Dog performing Doggystyle, Kelis, Blondie, Katy B, Washed Out, Lykke li, Robyn, Scream, Ms Dynamite, Groove Armada presenting their new Red light decks and effects show, the ever impressive beatboxer Beardyman, Robyn, Azari & III, Tensnake, Sebo K, Danny Byrd, London Electricity, Mark E, Floating points, Motorcity Drum Ensemble, Spank Rock, Photek, Aeroplane….the list is never ending. [Read more →]

Taking this catchy piece of pop music into playful cosmic disco territory, the Drop Out Orchestra puts Rick Astley in the back seat. Being a dub, you are constantly waiting for Astleys vocals to come in…yet they don’t. Major tease. But on the other hand you get the Orchestra’s signature disco sound.

The beauty of pop music like this is that people can sing along to it even after one listen, so if you add more substantial beats and some funk to it it can become a underground hit. But as a producer you need to balance it carefully.

Drop Out Orchestra have done some good stuff lately, check out their remix of Ilija Rudmans “See”, Chic “My world is empty without you” and Robyns “Hang with me“. Their own production “International track” was also Essential new tune on the Essential Mix på BBC Radio some time ago. Aeroplane took off – now its Drop Out Orchestra’s turn. Consisting of a music teacher, a music tech writer, a studio engineer and a singer – the quartet should have a good understanding of what works. The Swedes are ready for international recognition.

Their new album is coming out in January – be ready for a disco treat!

Fast Tube by Casper

Check out this mixtape from Cosmic Disco – a good mix of cosmic disco including the Rick Astley dub.

Thankfully, Nailah chose to dedicate herself to music after a promising career as an attorney in North Carolina. The transition to succeed in the music industry was tough, but after some initial doubts it seems Nailah is destined for success.

Nailah was drawn to music by the local church choirs, and tapped a wide range of musical influences to create her own form. She gives Cassandra Wilson the credit for “making her feel it was ok to bring southern roots into it”, Sarah Vaughn for being inspiring with her fierceness and elegance, and Curtis Mayfield and Gil scott-Heron for their songwriting, political insights and courage. [Read more →]

Released: 25/05/2009

There’s something about the contemporary english interpretation of jazz. People like Aaron Jerome, Quantic, Gilles Peterson and Dom Servini is pushing it from the couch towards the dancefloor in a way most people are probably not familiar with.

This is another great release on the amazingly consistent Wah Wah 45s record label. Two years after his debut single Adam Scrimshire finally released his debut album last year. I can’t think of one person I have played this for that did not ask for its name. More than one year after I first heard it, it is still on rotation. So it was about time I shared it with you here. [Read more →]

Released: 2004

I am not to big fan of the circus that is Amy Winehouse. But when UK Garage maestro MJ Cole put his finishing touches on this remix back in 2004 – the result was a playful little treat. Back in the 1990s he was one of the pioneers of the 2step and UK Garage sound and his big hit “Sincere” (1998) is still a magical piece of music. [Read more →]

Celebrating my 28th birthday wasn’t supposed to be all that. However it was a perfect weekend. A great birthday party at Barbeint on friday, out with my best mates on saturday and then a perfect sunday in the park and later with family and my girlfriend. Sunshine all weekend. And to top it all, one of the best presents I can remember getting – A state of the art gramophone player. [Read more →]

The great American poet, musician and author is finally back in Oslo. Wednesday the 19th of may he will grace the stage at Rockefeller Music Hall. Scott-Heron has been a great influence on the hip-hop culture, and has been dubbed “the black Bob Dylan”. [Read more →]

Released: 01/02/2010

José James came to prominence when Gilles Peterson signed him to Brownswood Recordings a couple of years ago. His debut album, “The Dreamer“, has been one of my most frequently played records over the last two years, and I think it is now widely recognised for the great piece of music that it is. Finally, his new album, “Black Magic” is here.

His voice comes across as a modern Gil Scott-Heron, with influences ranging from Marvin Gaye to the unmistakable John Coltrane. ”Black magic” as José describes in the booklet, conveys a lot of meaning, from the roots of black music across genres with its emotional expression ranging from passionate uproar to the beauty of love. [Read more →]

I was on a short weekend break in London last weekend. And when I saw the band was playing, seeing Joey Negro’s Sunburst Band live at the fantastic Jazz Café in Camden took prominence over the activities that was originally planned. I Broke away from my schedule, and jumped on the northern line. I arrived 20 minutes into the show, and worse, all tickets sold out. Coming all the way from Oslo I was determined to find away. Using a combination of conversation skills and the odd bribe, the doors finally opened and I got to enjoy 35 minutes of an enthusiastic live band in front of a pleased audience. [Read more →]

Released: 1966

The opening track of the debut album from The Velvet Underground and was released as a single with “Femme Fatale” the same year. The album “The Velvet Underground & Nico” has been widely regarded as one of the most influential records of its time.

Written by Lou Reed and John Cale on a sunday morning (fact) with the voice of German singer-singwriter and model Nico in mind – but ended up with Reed himself singing the vocal. The bands manager, Paul Morissey, originally was opposed to the idea and regarded Lou Reeds voice as less remarkable than Nico – who in the end supported Reed with the backing vocals. Luckily, artistic expression took precedence  over commercial viability.

The band was managed by Morissey and Andy Warhol, who also did the artwork for the album. Warhol and Morissey had previously used the acting talents of Nico in experimental films like “Chelsea Girls” and insisted that she became a part of the group. It was to be a short fling, and she left the group shortly after the release. She was romantically involved both Reed and Cale, but no drama was behind her decision to quit the band. Both later worked with her. On that note, they were not the only  high profile musicians she was involved with – the list also included Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Tim Buckely, Iggy Pop  and Jim Morrison.

The song is laid back and beautiful – perfect for those lazy sundays spent with a long breakfast, a sunny day in the park or in a deep couch of a smoke filled café. The celestas soft and light sound, set in the context of the psychedelic, unpolished and unmistakably british rock sound, with Lou Reeds characteristic voice and simple lyrics creates the perfect contexts for celebrating the lightness of being.

Fast Tube by Casper