Latest music recommendations:

The wonderful Flevans is back with a new album “27 Devils”. It is a magnificent melting pot of soulful yet catchy songs and irresistible dancefloor tracks, infused with Flevans’ innate knack for an unforgettable hook, and boasting guest vocals from Sarah Scott and Shona Foster, not to mention Flevans himself singing on a few numbers. It is a very much anticipated third album after the great sounds of “Make new friends” (2004) and “Unfabulous” (2007).

The wonderful people at Tru Thoughts Recordings has put together a podcast with Flevans in charge – just to get your groove on. CLick here to listen to the podcast – a guided tour through the whole album from the man himself – I reckon you’ll like it, at least I did! 

Of course, all Tru Thoughts releases can be bought from Etch Shop

Flevans | MySpace | Tru Thoughts |

Released: 24/02/2009

Being on MySpace is all about getting in touch with artists you love and connect with exiting new talent that escapes your radar. Some days ago, The Tones got in touch. The California Bay Area duo provides that soulful, organic and honest vibe that I love in hiphop.

Being compared to the likes of Blackstar, Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village and De La Soul isn’t too far off (I would add Kanye to that as well), but these guys are very much able to claim their own fame. The Tones are rapper and producer Retro, and rapper/singer Suhn. Since the group first formed in 2001, The Tones have toured with the likes of Common, Slum Village, Little Brother, Roots’ drummer QuestLove, and Dr. Cornell West to name a few. 

The five tracks on their MySpace site give you a good feel of the sound on “Dreamtalk”. Quality vocals and good production skills. I could have picked out specific tracks, but this is a really solid album – so I’ll let you choose your own favorites. The album is out on Kero One‘s label – Plug – and if you haven’t checked it out yet, you are in for a treat.

MySpace | Amazon | Plug Label |

Quantic is about to unleash the force of his Combo Bárbaro, so in advance of the release of their album ”Tradition In Transition” (6th July), and the release is celebrated with a series of parties at various venues in the UK, before hitting off for a live tour of selected spots in Europe and America throughout August and September.

As you might know, Will “Quantic” Holland moved from the UK to Cali (Columbia) to pursue his passion for both unearthing lost treasures from Colombia’s musical past and making new music with the golden array of talent available today. You probably know his first two albums from this adventure, Quantic Soul Orchestra’s “Tropidelico” and Quantic presenta Flowering Inferno “Death of the revolution“. 

Since 2007 he has brought together a multi-cultural band of exceptional musicians giving an explosive sonic snapshot of the ever-evolving musical landscape of the Americas. The international cast of acclaimed musical creators fusing those rediscovered psychedelic, experimental and rhythmically rich sounds of the past with deep funk and soul elements.

Released: 17/01/2004

I was recently reminded of this album when Dobie payed Gilles Peterson a visit in his Brownswood studio to do a podcast.

The debut album from Dobie originally dropped back in 1998, but was re-released in 2005. Most know from his exploits with legendary UK soul outfit Soul2Soul (who I saw live at the Lovebox festival), Dobie has done tons of great stuff through the years, his remixes being legendary. His remix of Bjork (which she re-did the vocals for) sounds fresh even today.

The album is a tale of two genres really – downtempo and dubby hiphop. There are a lot of good tracks on the album. “Coming up for air” is a perfectly orchestrated downtempo classic, where Dobie’s production and the vocal talents of Rassia melts together into a sweet summerly mood. “Way over” is down the same route only instrumental, and then there is the brilliant “Cloud 98 3/4″ where Ninety 9 provides the vocals. Massive tune. And dont miss out on “Lovesong” either, vocals by Helena Paul.

Juno Download | Last FM |

Released: 20/03/2009

I just got back from Warszawa, and by coincidence I discovered Parov Stelar was playing live. I have been following the artist for quite some time and while walking around the city looking at posters for different clubs (always a good way to get to know the city!) I noticed they were playing somewhere. The problem was that I didn’t know where – and it was sheer coincidence that we entered a outdoor party at the University site – and guess what? First tune I heard was Parov Stelar!

Their live performance was off the hook. With brilliant vocalists, saxophonists and percussionists supporting the electronic production of Parov Stelar himself. I got to get them to do a show here in Oslo, preferably outdoors!

I previously wrote about “Libella Swing” out on the same label. This time I have picked out the latest release “Monster”. It finished off the concert (before the encores) and its driving live percussion, repetitive vocals, harmonica and pumping electro took the crowd to new heights of dancefloor mayhem. The two other tracks are great as well – “Silent snow” being a piano groover in traditional 30s ragtime sounds, while “Nosferatu” is another banging and repetitive dancefloor gem with eastern european inspirations.

Parovstelar.com | Juno Download | MySpace | Etage Noir |

Released: 05/2009

More magic from the soul extraordinaire! After moving out of the heart of northern soul of Detroit and joining forces with Peanut Butter Wolf’s Stones Throw label in L.A. this mans career have taken off! It was the beautiful debut “Just ain’t working out” that caught my attention – and if you haven’t checked it out you know what to do!  

His voice reminds me of Bob Dylan and the production is up there with the best soul music on Motown and Staxx. ”Maybe so, Maybe no” Starts out with electronic, spaced out harp – then breaks down into a driving, chorus backed vocal gem. So uplifting and inspirational. On the flip you get the lovely “I wish it would rain“.

Stones Throw | MySpace |

Released: 07/04/2009

There is usually a few albums that stand out of the pile of records and end up being the soundtrack of the summer. Albums by Just Jack and Plantlife have previously created the perfect summer vibe for me. This year it will be Kero One. 

“Early believers” creates a joyful spirit of optimism. Hip-hop, jazz and soul perfectly blended together in well balanced arrangements, with strong lyrics sung by great vocalists such as personal favorites Ben Westbeech and Tuomo. 

The soundscape is truely organic – honest, personal stories accompanied by fender rhodes, beats, strings and acoustic guitars that gives the sound a live presence. You get that feel good vibe of an intimate concert for just you and your best friends barbecuing on a blanket in the park. My favorite is “When the sunshine comes” one of many examples of how Kero One captures this atmosphere.

“Early Believers” is the San Fransisco arists second album after “Windmills of the soul” (2005), a release that was successfull first in Japan. And if you are familiar with the new jazz and hip-hop coming from Japan you will easily understand why Kero One struck a chord with that audience. “Windmills of the soul”  gave him the opportunity to work with Talib Kweli and tour with KRS-One and EPMD.

A true DIY artist that have worked ever so hard to get the recognition his music deserves, both albums have been put out on his own Plug Label imprint. He has got his hands on most elements of the process, including vocals, production and instrumentation, art design, promotion, and web design. The DIY attitude and determination is expressed through the lyrics, exemplified in the words of “Keep Pushin” – And most these critics, That’s dissin’ or said I’m trippin’, Thank you for picking me up, I ain’t quitting or giving it up”. 

As Kero proudly proclaims he’s bringing “hiphop with a signature sound” yet  ” not saying I’m breaking ground”. Critics will point to the lack of hidden themes and literary mechanisms – but I think the straight forward, no nonsense storytelling is portrayed with real charm and character. No hard stereotypical hip-hop clichés about women, money and violence. 

Get yourself a copy!

Kero1.com | MySpace | YouTube | Amazon |

I’m hosting a party at VU in Oslo this thursday celebrating my own and a good friend’s birthday. Your truly will be providing the soundtrack for the evening – playing lots of funk, soul, disco, house and related genres. I am really looking forward to it – the guest list is looking quite impressive so far – a great bunch of people.

VU is a small club in the centre of Oslo that holds about 200 people. It is stylish, but the new owners keeps it far off the up-scale attitudes that surrounded the place when it was under different ownership and named Golden Room. It is not a regular club night anyway, it is all about getting our friends and their friends together for a good party.

Doors open at 22.00, and due to the restricted capacity I would suggest you don’t arrive too late. I did mention it was free? Wouldn’t charge our friends would we?!

Released: 1983

Don’t really remember how I discovered this tune, but is definitively up there with my favorite disco moments. A UK top ten hit released in 1983, it’s got the girlish charm and the sweetness of a Jackson Five gem, all put on a slow, funky discobeat.

It just goes on forever, not really distinguishing the break from the rest of the tune. Juliet Roberts is the vocalist carrying the lyrics, and you start to wonder why we didn’t hear much more from her during the last days of disco. The release I’ve got has the original, an instrumental version (but why cut out those lovely words?), and a acapella version for mixing it up.

| YouTube |

Saturdays show was our last. The slot was always going to be temporary, with Dj Soulshock taking over regularly from next saturday. I had a great time the six weeks we were on air – with a good and dynamic vibe in the studio with co-pilot and NRK P3 regular Lt.Wee. We challenged each other and hopefully our listeners to dig deeper into the soul and funk genre.

On our last show we decided to pick one artist for each letter of the alphabet. The concept was never going to showcase only the most prominent artists (ending up playing just classic stuff) – but be a mixture of our favorite tracks picked out from our ever growing music archive.

You can still stream our show from NRK P3 webradio – nrkp3.no. Check out the full tracklist below. We would really like to hear your feedback on the show – so please don’t hesitate to leave a comment!