Category — Singles

Released: 13/01/2009

I must say I’m usually not into German vocals, but not let that put you off on this one. “Cologne’s Badu” introduces her band the Fleur Earth Experiment with the first single from their 2009 album “Soul des Cabots”. There is a more music from the album on MySpace, and judging by those it is worth checking out.

As the record label says; think Minnie meets Madlib in Cologne and you have a vague idea what Fleur Earth is about. The 7 inch singles main cut, “Zeitleiden”, is soulful and atmospheric, uplifting yet moody, laid on a solid foundation of beats. It released on the German label Melting Pot Music, home to amongst others Lefties Soul Connection, Marc Hype and Jim Dunloop, and Dj Day.

Listen to it on YouTube.

FatCity | Juno Records | TuneTribe | Melting Pot Music | MySpace |

Released: 16/03/2009

Speech Debelle is definitively one to look out for in 2009! Coming from South London, she has kept the unique british sound. For me it was the wonderful clarinet on top of solid beats that caught my attention – incredibly catchy

Her lyrics are honest, getting to grips with reality without loosing a positive outlook for the future. A sexy modest voice, yet filled with attitude and smarts. Hopefully this young girl will get the same amount of recognition as Lilly Allen got a few years ago, from what I have heard so far the talent is certainly there. The song has got some of that organic old school flavor and is not too far off One Self in its expression (I posted One Self – Bluebird, some time ago). 

Her debut single was “Searching”, a chilled ballade – but “They key” is definitively her best single yet. Her debut album “Speech therapy” is expected on Big Dada in may.

MySpace | SpeechDebelle.com | Big Dada | YouTube |

Released: 15/07/1975

Another record from one of my favorite soul singer – Minnie Riperton (check out my post about “Reasons“).”Inside my love” is taken from the “Adventures in paradise” album and is a brilliant, sensual and fragile love song, performed with the sweetest voice very few artists can match to this day. Minnie was one of the few that totally mastered a five-octave-and-a-half vocal range – and just look how she really kills it live. Fantastic. 

The whole soul community was devestated when she passed away at the age of 31 – But her music lives on. There are some good re-interpretations of the song – worth mentioning is the house mix by Jean Jaques Smoothie from back in 2002, and of course Kenny Dope’s “Get on down” which really made good use of the sample.

I have included it in my Spotify playlist, where you also find “Reasons” among other great tracks.

YouTube | Minnieriperton.com | YouTube | Amazon | Last Fm |

Released: 06/11/2000

When Mark Rae started Grand Central back in 1995, it was in response to the bustling hive of activity that his Manchester record shop Fat City had turned into. The likes of Aim, Only Child, Rae & Christian, Boca45 and Riton constantly in the shop looking old records and new beats. At some point, probably whilst looking out over a rain-soaked Oldham Street, it occurred to him that he had established a breeding-ground for talent. Unfortunately, the label ceased to exist back in 2006 – but the artists and their music still lives on.

Taken from the album “Satellites & Constellations” the record I have picked out was engineered and mixed by Mark Rae’s partner in crime – Steve Christian. Kriminul lay down the vocals. There is also a Nextmen remix of “I’ve got a right” out, but my copy is “part two” of the release and includes the LP mix of “I’ve got a right” along with “Space disco latino” and the Aquanote remix of “Getting it on”. All good tracks that I have been playing a lot though the years. 

“Getting it on” is a soulful slow groover, with a lovely little piece of vocal, while “Space disco latin” takes the sound into disco territory, with just the right amount of filter, strings and funk fueled guitar – It slowly builds without the need to lift off. Perfect for those afterhours where you don’t really know if you wanna chill or continue to dance. But it is the title track that never really left my mind. It brilliantly samples Sarah Vaughn’s “I’ve Got A Right To Sing The Blues” and “Coming Soon” by Slave, and Kriminul laying down some great vocals that adds the hiphop element to accompany the beats. Love it!

Searching for the track online, I couldn’t find any of the tracks, or even Sarah Vaughn’s original. I find that amazing – someone sort it out! This is too good to be left in some dusty discography!

Grand Central | MySpace | Fat City

Released: Not yet!

Being on MySpace has a lot of positives, even though the site has been branded a “virtual trailerpark” due to its interface. But as a community it is brilliant as there are so many fresh artists there to be discovered. The other day I was introduced to the yet unsigned act Sound Captives, and I am thrilled they got in touch. 

Behind the moniker are two familiar faces. Raj Gupta (aka Ray Mang) and Pete Zivkovic, was both part of Block 16 (together with Glen Gunner), who released the wonderful “Morning Sun” album on the brilliant Nuphonic label. The pair have been based in London for the last fifteen years making and releasing music under various guises and with numerous people. Now they have teamed up and dig deep into into their myriad of influences from exotica, soul and 60’s moog, through to orchestral and world music, to produce a captivating new aural experience for your listening pleasure.  

Between them, Raj and Pete have worked with a range of artists including Mylo, Zero 7, Roxy Music, Denim, Ian Brown, Xpress 2 and Donovan. The pair last worked together on the Block 16 album ‘Morning Sun’ which was released on the brilliant Nuphonic Records. They are also well known for their remix work which covers a varied roster, including Bloc Party, Terry Callier, Shirley Bassey and Freddie Mercury. 

Those influences and more can be heard on their new tracks. The key track for me being “Every minute every hour”, a beautiful ballade with lots of spirit, soul and emotion. Could easily be placed with Terry Callier in your collection, but after this debut expect to give the duo a more prominent place. 

Sound Captives debut album “After Silence” was recently completed and I am looking forward to the release once the duo signs with a label. In the mean time, visit their MySpace site to listen to their music…

Released: 21/01/2009

I am always curious about new business models in the music industry. This time, a new model is introduced with a brand new EP from my favorite artist Groove Armada. Released in partnership with Bacardi B-Live, the four track EP see’s the band moving into exciting new musical pastures, with some of the material being recorded live with their band for the first time. 

Launched by Tom and Andy at the Midem international music convention in Cannes, the EP will be delivered through an innovative sharing site called Bacardi B-live Share; a pioneering application encouraging and rewarding fans who share Groove Armada’s music with their own online communities. Andy Cato says of the model – “Sharing music has always gone on. It’s giving music away that’s the problem. We wanted to come up with a 21st century version of what we do with cassette tapes. When you give music away for free it’s disposable. When you share it, it’s done with love.”

B-live is a pioneering application, as it empowers sharing as the future model for music content distribution. Sharing music via this method is legal because the rights owners – the artists, BACARDI B-LIVE Records and the publisher — are all compensated for the downloads and shared files. The online sharing application is available January 20th through to March 2nd, when the EP will be available via commercial digital release.

‘Drop the Tough’ and ‘Go’ featuring vocalist Saint Saviour from electro-pop outfit The RGBs.  ‘Pull Up (Crank It Up) exploits the vocal talents of MC Slarta John, and enters a musical avenue not unlike ’Superstylin’ did a few years ago.  ‘El Padrino’ is the last song on the EP – an instrumental that showcases the true talent of the live band in Balearic style. If that wasn’t enough, there are also remixes of ‘Drop the Tough’ courtesy of Van She and The Twelve’s.

To receive the tracks and begin sharing – visit www.bliveshare.com now!

Released: 05/12/2008

Produced by the magnificent Patchworks, Mr Day returns with a new song from his next album. “Tears of joy” is a sweet, soulful song that might just have charted in the 70s, but these days I guess it is up to the vinyl junkies and genuine music lovers to make sure a wider audience get the message. 

As if the original weren’t’ enough, Mr Day invites The Dynamics to interpret the song. ”Tears Of Joy” became part of the bands repertoire when they had their first gigs, and they created their own version of the song. As expected, it is down reggae avenue, and definitively adds something special to this 7″. 

I have a lot of respect for Patchworks. Every track he touches, regardless of genre or starting point, ends up being something special. I guess that is one of the characteristics of a good producer, having a wide horizon and being able to interpret it through your own vision of how music should be. His live band The Dynamics is a true example of this.

MySpace | Fat City | NuLoop | Soul Seduction | Juno Records | Patchworks  

Released: 08/01/2009

Off the magnificent “Powers & Oils” album, this new 12 from Johnson & Jonson (aka Blu & Mainframe) is dope. ’Mama Told Me’ is a big band sampling floorfiller with old school rhymes and tons off quirky funk. A very good track for all occasions. 

But for all its qualities, it is still ‘Hold On John’ that the production of choice on here. It was also included on the album, as a hidden bonus track. A great piece of moody, indie hiphop and brilliant sampling using John Lennon’s brilliant ”Hold On” with backing from the Plastic Ono Band with fellow Beatle Ringo Starr on drums and Klaus Voorman on bass. The touch of optimism in Lennon’s voice is the perfect antidote to the rhymes describing a low point in life. 

Fat City | Underground Hiphop | MySpace | Juno | Tres Records

Released: 09/07/2008

I am a longtime Beatles fan and grew up with their music. As an artist you need a solid portion of confidence to attempt to do a remix or a cover version. Every now and then I discover someone that have manage to add something fresh and different to the classics, as when the Dj Nu-Mark re-touched John Lennons “Imagine”.

This time it is Japanese drummer Jimmy Takeuchi who deserves credit. Famous in Japan for doing covers of western hits delivered in his inimitable funky style, this track is his finest moment by far. Takeuchi shows his skills with an amazing drum break and adds a psychedelic, slow and funky melody. Beautiful. The 7″ single is taken from the much sought after Drum Drum Drum LP.

On the flip side, Jimmy Pryde re-edits the obscure 1976 Polydor album Pipe Dreams. I am no fan of bagpipes, but this is actually quite decent. A folk inspired number.

I highly recommend you buy this 7″, but it can be downloaded from here as well.

Fat City | Phonica | Hum Records 

Released: 08/12/2008

Two wicked re-edits of Fela Kuti and the one and only Marvin Gay. Fela gets chopped and twisted into a dance floor anthem on ´Shuffa´, and on the flip ´Holla´ turns Marvin´s classic into a slow and uplifting late night delight!! I think I might have worn out the Marvin side of the 7″ vinyl – One of the best releases of last year!

As you might have guessed, Wah Dubplates is Wah Wah 45s underground imprint, offering up sounds slightly out of keeping with the original label or things that might be difficult to release properly due to copyright restrictions. First one out was Citizen Cope’s “Bullet and a target“. Lots of other good artists on the label as well, such as Espen Horne, Unforseen, Aaron Jerome, and Hardkandy.

FatCity | Juno Records | Wah Wah 45s |