Posts from — November 2008

Released: 30/04/2007

Flow Dynamics is Australian Dave McKinney. He released his first album last year, and what a debut! It is all about catchy dancefloor funk, full of jams, old school party breaks as well as soul and more downtempo grooves.It is really the complete package.

As the sleeve notes says, it was recorded with real musicians rather than samples. This makes it able to keep that organic funk vibe from the 70s while upping the stakes production wise without sounding overproduced. It is 70s funk reincarnated – with all the obligatory heavy drums, funky basslines, tight horn sections, sharp cuts, and cathcy funk vocals. 

I read an interview with Dave the other day, and noticed the quote “Music makes me happy”. Well, his music makes me happy as well, and with support coming from the likes of Fort Knox Five, Dj Spinna, A.Skills, Quantic, Flevans and the Wiseguys Mr. McKinney has done alright. 

Dave also records under the alias Soul Harmonics where the soundscape turns towards house and nujazz. 

MySpace | Last FM | Amazon | Freestyle Records | Official | Beatsource

Released: 06/09/2008

I love the sound of Parov Stelar, a true unique sound based on the jazz sounds 1930′s and modern house music. The result is swinging nostalgic grooves that always put a smile on your face and the groove back into your hips. I like the quote on his official site explaining that “Like life, music must move on and progress. But like life, we must remember to reminisce and recall the past at times”. His soundscape stays true to this vision.

Behind the moniker is Austrian dj and producer Marcus Füreder, who is also the head of the label Etage Noir. Previous releases include sngs like ”Sugar“, “Matilda“, “Kiss kiss” and “Chambermaid swing“. ”Libella swing” is taken from Parov Stelar’s third album “Shine”. All tracks are good, but my pick is “Blind ally” with a killer piano line, bouncy bassline and jazzy vocals from Lylit. 

Somebody needs to bring this guy over to Norway, check out this video from this years Sziget festival and you will understand why. 

Parovstelar.com | Beatport | MySpace | Etage Noir | Ringtones |

Released: 29/09/2008

A lot of great melodic downtempo stuff is released in Japan at the moment. Uyama Hiroto released his debut album “A son of the sun” this year, and it is packed with relaxing classics that creates that perfect atmosphere. This 7″ includes both “81 summer” and “color of jade” and is as far as I know the first single from the album. 

I couldn’t find a lot of information about the artist, but check out the various pages I have linked to and you will be able to listen to the music, which is really the most important thing in the end.

Juno Records | MySpace | Last FM |

I just discovered this site called Audiko.net. It is a service which helps you to make a ringtone of your favorite song. There is a large archive of ringtones you can download for free, and a lot of good ones (there is even special downloads for your iphone). I will try to link any song I post on the blog so you can get it on your phone as well as through your speakers.

Released: 05/04/2006

It is always good to discover new labels. Soulclap is an imprint from the Above the Clouds crew. Apparently, it is dedicated to updating and re-editing old school Hip Hop classics. That goes down well in my book. Initiative, class and quality. 

London’s Hoop and Lil Gav aka Tuff Love works over “Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Take You There” and “OC-Born to live”.The first of the two is one of the best re-edits I’ve heard for a while, adding a beautiful and playful piano line to the original slow and groovy beats and keeping the vocal. I can’t get enough of it. Liv Gav’s edit of “Born to live is quality as well. Good downtempo beats with proper old school rhymes. This 12 is strictly limited to 500 copies – so get your copy asap.

Fat City | MySpace | Phonica Records |