Category — Singles

Released: 04/11/2008

This is a solid debut! But you would not expect otherwise when released on Stones Throw. Mayer Hawthorne provides us with two beautiful soul ballads (Just ain’t gonna work out/When I said goodbye), which his idols Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson would have been proud to count as their own. 

Stones Throw head honcho couldn’t believe his luck when he first heard the tracks. “He showed me two songs and I didn’t understand what I was listening to,” Wolf recalls. “I asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of – I couldn’t believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.” “I think Mayer is the only artist in the history of the label that I’ve signed after hearing only two songs,” says Peanut Butter Wolf. “Sometimes, you just know it’s the right thing to do.” 

The single is released on an incredible limited red 12″ in the shape of a heart. That will surely get you the attention of that beautiful girl on the floor. 

Listen to both songs on YouTube, here and here.

Fat City | MySpace | Stones Throw

Released: 21/11/2008

I am absolutely madly in love with this track! Jazzanova have provided us with tons of quality productions in the past, but their recent stuff have been particularly smashing. If you haven’t heard “Theme from Belle et fou” or “Let me show ya” you have missed out on a few gems. 

For “I can see” the German dj and production collective have teamed up with Ben Westbeech. He adds beautiful, hopeful lyrics, making song an uplifting delight that will put a smile on your face, with a terrific production where the rhythm section, horns, strings, arrangement all support and reinforce each other. You loved what Mark Ronson did last year, and this is up the same alley. Additional remixes comes from Mark E and Holy Ghost!

Check out the official video on YouTube

Juno | Jazzanova | MySpace | Ben Westbeech | Fat City

Released: 04/09/1970

Dusty Springfield is easily one of the best British soul singers of all time, and her work from the 60s and 70s should be a part of any good soul collection. For me, her cover version of “Spooky“, which was released on the b-side of her “How can I be sure” single that stands out. It was originally an instrumental song by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (Shapiro) which first charted in 1967 hitting #57 on the US pop charts. The most famous version is by Classics IV, when guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie added lyrics (Harry Middlebrooks, Jr. is also credited as a writer).

For me, it is Dusty Springfield’s cover version that is the best one. She adds that soulful, sexy vibe packed with fragile emotion and class. Amazingly, Dusty’s version only reached the mid 30′s of the charts in the UK, while David Cassidy had a big hit with it only 3 years later, it was nowhere near as good as Dusty’s.

Apparently, has always demanded the impossible from herself. Among the producers and songwriters and musicians she’s worked with, her mixture of perfectionism and insecurity is legendary. Jerry Wexler, who produced nearly all of Aretha Franklin’s great work at Atlantic as well as the seminal 1969 album “Dusty in Memphis”, called her the most insecure person he’d ever worked with. For a year after it was released, Dusty couldn’t bear to listen to it – she later attributed this to her deep insecurity and her very real anxiety about being compared with the soul greats who had recorded in that studio. I find it quite amazing when you listen to the album, which is among the best of that decade.

The song was released in 1970 on UK label Philips, but the recording date was originally 24 January 1968 and included on the “Dusty…definitely” album.

Amazon | Wikipedia | Dusty-Springfield.com | Imeem 

Released: 01/12/2008

Another powerful soul voice, best packed in the same bag as Alice Russell, Nicole Willis and Sharon Jones. Filed under funk. I first heard about Gizelle Smith with the release of “Working woman“, and she has kept up with quality standards on this new single. 

Both cuts provide something different. The title track “Snake charmer” being downbeat, psychedelic and spaced out soul. “Out of fashion” is a modern dancefloor funk classic. It has got gospel-inspired powerful vocals, funky riffs, horns and slow and bouncy bassline.

Called the golden girl of soul – the label is just that – golden.
BTW, check out how Kenny Dope reworked “Working woman”

MySpace | Tunes.co.uk | Fat City | Juno Records

N.E.R.D consists of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo (as a duo you know these two as the Neptunes) as well as Shay Haley. The three childhood friends have been releasing their fair share of quality hiphop since the debut album “In search of…” was released back in 2002.

At the moment they have just released their third studio album “Seeing sounds“. 

Mixing up hiphop, funk and alternative rock they sure know how to put on a live show. Tomorrow they once again visit Oslo. Im looking forward to hear personal favourites such as “Provider“, “Frontin“, “Run to the sun”, and “Stay together“. There is still a few tickets left, so no hesitation if you’re not sorted yet. 

Are you joining me at Sentrum Scene tomorrow?

Released: 26/04/2006

Nina Simone is one of the truly great voices in the 20th century. She recorded over 40 live and studio albums and was nominated for 15 Grammy Awards. Her music and message made a strong and lasting impact on culture.

“Ain’t got no/I got life” is taken from the 1968 album “Nuff said”. The album won an Emmy and “Ain’t got no” was one of her most popular hits in Europe. Simone was a true soul singer, but more in terms of emotions and lyrics than form and structure as she combined a host of genres. The lyrics refer to the slavery and oppression of black people, and was released only three days after Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated. Singing about what she ain’t got, and how important it is to appreciate yourself and life. Despite its grim societal message, it is a catchy, feel-good, uplifting number which you will find it difficult not to sing along to. You loved Mark Ronson. You’ll love this one.

Check out the brilliant “Remixed and reimagined” compilation that was released on Sony/RCA in 2006. ”Ain’t got no. I got life” was resurrected that same year when it was used in an ad for Müller, and even got a single release with the re-touch by Barry Barnett & Jeff Powell aka Groovefinder. 

Check out this live performance on YouTube. 

YouTube | Amazon | Groovefinder | 

Released: 04/06/2007

Bulljun is an exile Japanese living in El Barrio, New York. After settling down at a record dealers house, and was naturally influenced by the owners passion for music. He returned to Japan for a while and participated in the release of Dj Lark and the Funk Messengers’ “Baddest EP” on Assign Note.

He soon created Flatrock Records and released a mix cd that was well received in Japan. The label has later released cuts by amongst others A.Y.B Force and Dj Format.

“Bulljun and El Barrio 2016″ combines a good, positive hip-hop vibe, with soul, funk and beats. It also has some stellar downtempo beauties for your late night chills. 12 quality tracks pressed on a set limited of 2×12″. My favorite is “Theme from full time playboy”. One of the most cheerful tunes I have in my archives. It never fail to put me in a good mood. Listen to it! you  can do nothing but smile and dance!

YouTube | Juno Records | Bulljun.com | Flatrock Records | Fat City

Released: 1970s

“Didn’t I” is an amazing soul ballad from a relatively unknown artist. It is a a much loved gem among soul collectors around the world, but mostly a tale of what could have been (the next Curtis Mayfield, Al Green or Sly Stone). In the end even the artist’s name was spelled wrong on the release (Dorando).

He opened-up for James Brown and lived a colorful lifestyle hanging with folks like the notorious Fillmore Slim. Apparently the artist used to cruise around New York, all dressed up, in a white Rolls Royce with a licence plate that spelled “Darondo”. High times for an artist that only put out a couple of singles. “Folks would say ‘Daron got that dough…Daron Do…that’s how I got the name” he later explained.

Ubiquity put out a collection of old and new material in 2006, called “Let my people go”. Decent stuff, but “Didn’t I” would be my pick any day. A beautiful, fragile soul ballad about being dumped after trying your best to treat the girl perfect. So much love coming through the speakers when you put this one one.

YouTube | YouTube | MySpace | Ubiquity |

Released: 10/11/2008

The king of the edit, Greg Wilson returns with more edits. This release includes two of Greg Wilson’s best-loved edits of recent times reactivated on one indispensable 12″.

“I was a teenage dj” is all about those old school boogie and disco breaks. It was first issued back in 2005, and has become a collectors item. Do you spot the the intro section of KC & The Sunshine Band’s 70s hit, “I’m Your Boogie Man” ?

“Gotta keep workin’ it” is a perfect mash up of Imagination’s 80s classic “Just an illusion” and Missy Elliots “Work it“. It is more than a straight mash though, with odd pieces thrown in for good mixture here and there. It was originally pressed on vinyl in 2006 via Young Dog Alien.

Fat City | Juno Records | Electro Funk Roots | MySpace

Released: 14/08/2008

Another huge cover from french riddim makers, dj’s and producers Matthieu Bost & Jérémie “BIM” Dessus aka The Bombist! Together with Californian singer Brisa Roché and Dj Lone Ranger they have made a Jamaican take on Estelle and Kanye West’s “American Boy“.

I loved the original as well, a fresh breath of soulful and happy hiphop. However, this adds the Jamaican feel and that pleasant surprise element that makes it go down well on the dancefloor. Apparently this time they are proud to present their first “official” release. This one is pressed in limited numbers, so get your copy asap. The song also appeared on Nova Tunes 1.8. Listen here!

Fat City | MySpace | Official Site | Beatsource