Posts from — July 2008

Released: 19/07/2004

Taken from Fred Everythings second album “Light of Day”, this three track EP was originally released back in 2004. It includes remixes by Rob Mello, Jimpster and Maurice Fulton. All remixes adds a little extra to an already great album from Frédéric Blais.

Mello’s gives “Find your way” his characteristic bouncing Classic treatment, while Jimpster takes it down to its jazzy roots. However, Maurice Fulton’s remix of “Elevate” which Fred did with The New Mastersounds is the track of choice. The New Yorker gives the track an atmospheric, multi-layered, Ibiza ambient feel to it, and I absolutely love it. Haven’t left the box for ages.

Maurice is visiting Oslo again the 22. august, so make sure to stop by underground club The Villa to experience his soundscape.

20:20 Vision| Last FM | MySpace: M.Fulton | MySpace: F.Everything

Most of you funk heads have probably heard a few gems from Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. “Keep on looking” is taken from their “100 Days 100 Nights” album that was released on Daptone back in October last year. This time it is all about Kenny Dope though, who delivers a stunning remix. It is all about the soul, vocals and breaks on this one!

There is also the original, as well as beats and acapella for those of you who really want to mix it up. This is the first release on the Soulplex label. It is based in German, but except for that I don’t really know much about the label. Anyone able to fill me in? 

Soulplex Recordings | MySpace | Daptone Records | Wikipedia

Released: 07/04/2008

After seeing their great live performance at the Lovebox Weekender in London last weekend, I thought it was a good idea to post a tune by Dutch funksters Kraak & Smaak. I have been playing their tunes for ages, and they are providing a steady stream of good music that blends funk, house and disco to form a unique sound.

For those of you not familiar with Jalapeno Records, the label is also home to artists like All Good Funk Alliance, Dr.Rubberfunk, Kid Créme and Skeewiff. ”Squeeze me” was the first single from Kraak & Smaak’s second album “Plastic People”, and features a collaboration with Ben Westbeech. There is a quality set of remixes on the release from Lack of Afro, ASkillz and Jem Stone.

Check out the YouTube link as well for a peak at the fresh video that accompany the single. 

Jalapeno Records | Kraak & Smaak | YouTube | 

Released: July 2008

Chris Joss is a firm favorite of mine ever since I first got hold of his 2002 album “Dr. Rhythm” on Irma, or more importantly the excellent “You’ve been spiked” that came out on the Thievery Corporation’s ESL label in 2004. Check out “Part of that show”, an excellent track on the latter album.

A steady provider of a new generation funk for the dancefloor, the frenchman is drawing on influences from everything from Blaxploitation to Bollywood. Joss has released four albums and numerous singles and has done some interesting work in movie music as well. Joss covered a John Williams score on his Superman EP and his songs was used for the soundtrack to the documentary Inside Deep Throat on which he reinterpreted the songs from the original film’s score. There is a newly finished 5th album due for release soon, so keep your eyes and ears open.

“I want freedom” provides a groovy, kicking beat, “70s car chase”-style with additional layers of flute. I like the original extended mix the most, with the scratches and neat small electronic elements. The release comes with an extended mix, as well as remixes from Myagi, Smokey Bandits and Atfunk. 

Irma Records | Eighteen Street Lounge Music | Chris Joss | Amazon |

Released: 1983

Huge 80’s disco classic released on Island Records. Squeaky, funky synths accompanied by a bouncy bassline. Big with djs such as Greg Wilson, Francois Kevorkian, Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan, with the latter also providing a remix on the U.S. release.

The single reached the number 13 spot of the UK charts, and the former singer with Brit Funk favourites Hi Tension also charted with the follow-up single “Let’s live it up (Nite people). The song got extra recognition when Greg Wilson was the first dj to demonstrate live mixing on U.K. Television (Channel 4’s “the tube”), using two decks, the Revox and two copies of this song.

YouTube | Island Records

Released: July 2008

Just back from visit in Manchester, and obviously I picked up a few gems at the Fat City Record store. On this limited 7″ 7 Samurai covers Inner Circle’s 70’s classic. You probably know some of his released on G.A.M.M, and the releases is usually worth the money. The vocal’s are great and provided with the downtempo soul vibe and a slightly tougher beats on the flip side, references to Minnie Ripperton is not to far off. The vocalist is Gilles Peterson favorite Alicia Smith, an artist that also has provided Jamiroquai with quality backing vocals.

Poets Club Records | Fat City |

No updates this weekend as I am in London for the Lovebox Weekender festival in Victoria Park. Great line-up this year as well with artists like Groove Armada, Maurice Fulton, Pnau, Kraak & Smaak, Ladyhawke, The Flaming Lips, Goldfrapp, Greg Wilson, Leon Jean Marie, Alphabeat, The Human League, Dj Medhi and many more. With the slogan “Putting the heart and soul back into festivals” the Groove Armada guys could teach other festivals a thing or two.

Hope to see you there! 

Released: July 2008

This Justice style cover of Lerry Levan’s classic remix of the Joubert Singers. It is a healthy update indeed, and judging by the mystery and hype surrounding it, it will be another huge French house hit. Rumors are suggesting Justice is behind it, perhaps as a major label alias outside their usual Ed Banger home.

The original was given a proper release on Next Plateau records back in 1985 (with a Tony Humphries mix). However, it was recorded live three years before it’s release in the First Baptist Church in Crown Heights, NYC. Walter Gibbons lived in area, and soon picked it up and the it made its way into legendary nightclubs like the Loft, Garage and Zanzibar. More recently it made an appearance on Little Louie Vega’s “Choice – A collection of Classics” compilation. 

YouTube 

Released: 1975

It launched Eminem (”My name is”) onto the global music scene after yet another great sampling from Dr.Dre, but for me the original has always been the classic. The beats, the drums and the vocals, nothing done by chance here. Siffre apparently objected to Dre’s sampling describing it as “lazy writing” as it attacked women and gay people.

Labi Siffre released six albums between 1970 and 1975 and another four between 1988 and 1998, and supported soul greats such as Ike & Tina Turner, Chicago, The Carpenters and The Supremes.

YouTube | Download ringtone

Released: 2001

The single that really launched Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland into stardom. Arctic, funky and well produced – good soundtrack to the great norwegian electronic scene at the time. Check of the superb compilation “Tellé Samleplate” for a look into the soundscape. Taken from the incredible “Melody AM” album.

This haven’t left my box since i got it 7 years ago, as it always goes down well on the floor. Good and innovative video as well.