Posts from — August 2008

Released: 25/09/2006

The global nu-funk scene has really been growing over the last few years. Lots of good stuff coming out, especially from the UK, but the scene is truly global. There is no better example than Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators – a Finnish funk band!

Nicole Willis’ career spans across the world. Her voice tells you she is indeed American, born in Brooklyn in fact, back in the great days of soul music. Already, she has managed to be part of one of the earliest line-ups of Deee-lite (Groove is in the heart), has collaborated with Curtis Mayfield on “Let’s do it again”, supplied the vocals on Leftfield’s “Swords” and collaborated with husband Jimi Tenor and Maurice Fulton. Before joining forces with The Soul Investigators she recorded two solo albums worth checking out (“Soul makeover” and “Be it”).

“Feeling free” is like a Motown record that never was released. It has got that great authentic 60-70s soul vibe that you thought was lost forever. Cheerful and uplifting, funky and beautiful. I never get tired of playing it, and it always goes down well on the floor. The song is taken from the great “Keep reachin’ up” album, an album you definitively should add to your collection. I can’t praise it highly enough!

Nicolewillis.com | MySpace | LastFM | Juno Records | Timmion |

Released: 14/02/2008

This ensemble are no strangers to the funk and soul scene. With three full length releases out since the debut 7″ “Bullfrog boogaloo” in 2001, The Diplomats of Solid Sound have been joined by three Diplomettes (Abbie, Kathy and Sarah) for this years album release, and I must say it is good, very good.

The Iowa group is also produced by no other by Adam Gibbons aka Lack of Afro, and the man with the stellar name is naturally brought in for remixing duties on the stand out track on this 7″ - ”Hurt me so”. The Lack of Afro remix is funky, with loads of horns, percussion and loungy, multilayered vocals. Inspirations naturally goes back to people like the Bar-Kays, and Booker T and the MGs, but this is well placed in the same shelf as Alice Russell, Sharon Jones, Diesler, Quantic and other new funk and soul sensations. The title track “Plenty nasty” is alright too though, so full value for money!

There is no doubt that the funk and soul scene is truly global. The label behind this release, Record Kicks, is based out of Milan – not exactly your first guess was it?! Well, check out the Juno records link for a listen and some record shopping

MySpace | LastFM | YouTube | Official | Record Kicks | Juno Records |

Released: 01/2007

Another great release from the Belgian label Mindless Boogie (run by the guys from Eskimo). As you might have expected, it is more re-edits we are talking about. Wade Nichols is the man behind the edits this time. It is not the American pornstar/tv star/disco artist that killed himself not wanting to face death being AIDS positive. You know, the guy who wrote “Fly like an eagle” under the name of Dennis Parker.

Behind the alias is Norwegian disco and funkster Todd Terje aka TangoTerje. The man has been releasing own records and cheeky edits so frequently I wonder where he gets his creativity from. This time he is reworking psychedelic rock, disco and pop. More specifically Thin Lizzy’s “Fox on the run”, KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Boogie” and The Turtles’ “Happy together”. That means funky edits with an edge you just didn’t know was missing from the originals in the first place. With this level of quality it’s no wonder the man has become Norways greatest export since Lindström, oil and smoked salmon. 

Todd Terje | Mindless Boogie | Juno Records

Released: 18/08/2008

I first took notice of Feature Cast when he released the magnificent “Channel Surfing” (which ended up on an Apple iPod tv ad) and “Recipe for the perfect Afro” on the highly reliable Brighton label Catskills. It has always been all about the funk and the breaks for this dj and producer.

It is three tracks on this release. I concur with the sentiments saying “Take a ride” is a modern day “Rappers delight” with familiar samples. If you have heard his Bomb Strikes! releases (massive!) or his DIY edits (like Stomp) you will know the sound of this one. It is disco and funk food for your feet. “Let’s get up (get down)” and “Top billing” follows the same recipe, but is the first one which stands out for me.

Good Groove | Catskills | MySpace | Last FM

Released: 01/10/2007

One of my top tunes of the 2007. Hot 8 Brass Band provided us with a tremendous cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1982 classic “Sexual Healing.”  This was first released on a small New Orleans label (no wonder!) just before hurricane Katrina almost destroyed it’s success before it even started.

However, TruThoughts A&R man Robert Luis and dj-favourite Quantic picked it up and made it a huge underground hit with support from dj’s like Gilles Peterson, Coldcut and Rob Da Bank. After an initial 500 exclusive copies, and later the full release, TruThoughts also released a full album entitled “Rock with the hot 8″.

I love to surprise my audience with this song. Starting off like with the slow live feel of the beat, then the horns kick in and people are dancing but wondering what this is. Finally they recognize the tune, and it’s all smiles. It’s a perfect blend of the traditional roots and new inspirations from genres like jazz, hiphop, funk and soul. 

TruThoughts | MySpace | Hot 8 Brass Band | YouTube |

Released: 17/02/2003

We are approaching the end of summer here in Oslo, but I am not ready to give up on the feeling just yet. This is the third year I pick out Spanish singer and producer Gecko Turner to provide a soundtrack for the summer. Gauapapasea! was his debut album and, as far as I know, it was originally released back in 2003.

There are a lot of gems on this album. Its so good in fact, picking out favorites does not do it justice. ”Un limon en la Cabeza” is an old favorite of mine, I still play Quantic‘s remix quite often. The album even includes a spanish language re-make of Bob Dylans “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and a cover of Bob Marley’s “Rainbow country”.

Influences ranges from almost every part of the world. You can hear the South American bossa, the african beats, Caribbean reggae and Iberian/Mediterranean sophistication. It is also musically diverse when it comes to the use of instruments and vocals. He is very much a part of the new wave/boss nova generation of musicians, so it is a record to celebrate life and opportunity. 

Gecko Turner | MySpace | Quango records | Amazon.com | Last.fm | YouTube | Juno |

Released: 21/07/2001

Sampling Pat Metheny (Slip Away), “Summer Daze” is one of my all time summer classics. The original was out quite some time on DNH, but my release was on the almighty NRK label and included a radio mix, the extended and Journey. Naked Music and NRK regular Miguel Migs later remixed the song as well. 

The soulful house vibe is happy and carefree, perfect for the beach, the park, or for getting your crowd into light spirits and trying out their finest moves on the floor. It obviously owes a lot to the sampled original, but Holder added that extra rhythm section that made it a firm house classic.

YouTube | MySpace | NRK Music |

Released: 14/06/1974

Well, this might end up being a week where the soul sisters take charge of this blog. Minnie Riperton was definitively one of the greatest, and sadly she passed away at the brutal age of 31. A musical talent from an early age, she first came of real prominence as part of the Rotary Connection. In her short career, she released five solo albums.

Her debut “Come to my garden” (1970) was considered a classic by critics, but did not achieve commercial success. However, after being signed by Epic Records and releasing the “Perfect Angel” album she entered the spotlight. It is from this album my favorite Minnie Riperton is taken, namely the second single “Reasons”. Riperton’s stunning vocals on top of an incredibly funky disco beat makes this a dance floor classic. 

YouTube | Amazon |

Released: July 2005

This is the first post I have written in the early hours of the day, but a beautiful girl just reminded me that I haven’t done justice to one of my favorite soul singers. Yes, there are loads to choose from, but my vote is for Alice Russell. Her sound challenges the likes of Minnie Riperton, Jill Scott and Aretha Franklin, and I couldn’t believe it the first time I heard she was a white british girl from Suffolk.

She has done lots of great stuff by her self and with artists like Nostalgia 77 and the mighty Quantic Soul Orchestra. It is difficult picking just one song by her, and the cover of “7 Nation Army” probably deserves a post by itself, but my favorite is “Don’t need this trouble”. She did it with funk favorites Natural Self, and it was released on Breakin bread. Her true home is on the excellent TruThoughts Recordings though, where she has released two albums produced by the fantastic TM Juke. I had the pleasure to see her live performance at the Friends and Family night in Manchester, and I sure recommend you to show up if she plays in your area. To listen to the song in question, click on the YouTube link.

PS! A brand new Alice Russell album is finished and ready for release! 

Alice Russell | YouTube | TruThoughts | Breakin’ Bread | MySpace | 

Øya is coming up later this week. The four-day festival is held at the Medieval Park (Middelalderparken) in Oslo and its main focus is around rock and indie. As usual it is all sold out. My favourites this year are José Gonzales, Lykke Li, Lindstrøm, Dengu Fever, Lightspeed Champion, Sigur Rós, N.E.R.D, and a live performance from my friend Diskjokke.

The clubs in Oslo is also putting on some good nights, with Booka Shade, the Presents, Metronomy, LA Riots, Pilooski, the Whitest Boy Alive, Andrew Weatherall, David E. Sugar, Jaywalkers, and Claude von Stroke some of the names worth checking out. 

Full lineup can be found here: Øyafestivalen