I have seen Madlib and J Rocc twice! The first time in Rome two years ago, they were touring with the Brasilintime (with Tony Allen, Ivan Conti, DJ Nuts among others) and it was an awesome concert. The second time was last year in Milan but in this occasion they left me disappointed. I was really surprised, I didn’t expect such a poor show from them. In my humble opinion they tried to play too experimental (in a very predictable way). Anyway, this didn’t stop me to dig their mixes around the web. And thanks god, they still give me satisfaction so I definitely forgive them for the gig in Milan.
On the first mix Madlib and J Rocc take advantage of a Gilles Peterson vacation to Cuba to take control of his studio. (He was in Cuba for a good reason by the way, check this video). The result is a very enjoyable and very long (almost 2 hours) worldwide show. What kind of music did they play? They played a sort of…ehm…let’s say, you know…a miscellaneous of…i mean…mostly influenced by…fuck! They play everything. Get it here! Props to Francesco Dok.
The second mix is a very short (30 min) radio session by Madlib. Strictly from the Stone Throw web site, “Madlib on Radio Nova”, is a concentrate of cool beats and rare grooves. The bad kidz strikes again.
This tune is driving me crazy, it definitely deserves a post on its own. Can’t get any funkier than this.
You should also notice that not everybody can get on stage with Mick Jagger, rock his crowd and dance better than him. It’s not something that you see every day. And he also pulled Mick’s pants off if that was not enough.
I can’t get enough of this tune. See you in Outa Space.
Despite what you might think, 2009 was definitely a good year for music. A lot of interesting things happened as some new cats are embracing good music from the past and trying to push the sound further. You know, sometimes artists should not try to re-invent the wheel, they’d better start from the good music we already have and add their inspiration into it. We already talked about this guys and their amazig blend of styles based on the African sounds. I always find their music so dope and inspiring, thus this live concert from 2009 is more than welcome here. It’s deep, deeper than a submarine and it will take you high, higher than an helicopter. So let’s read a few biographical notes and then let’s dive into the music.
(from the RBMA radio website)
“Karl Hector & The Malcouns is the Afrodelic Kraut Funk outfit from the minds behind the Poets of Rhythm and the Whitefield Brothers. [...] With the Afro-tinged funk music originating from the southern Sahara (but recorded in southern Germany) they are following up artists like The Heliocentrics’ percussive excursions into the astral realms of psychedelia. The Poets of Rhythm have been travelling the world for almost two decades to showcase their unique formula of deep funk, which includes many different influences such as improvisations and exotic rhythms from Ethiopia to Afghanistan.”
(from the choice cuts website) “This show is a recording from May 09 with our good friends Karl Hector & The Malcouns who have performed for us about 6 times now. One of the tightest collective of musicians we have had the fortune of playing for us, this show will take you all over the world with some of the most interesting rhythms, melodies and arrangements…Karl Hector & The Malcouns are signed to Now Again, a subsidiary of Stones Throw www.stonesthrow.com and www.choicecuts.ie for more of our live shows”
(click on the arrow to download and then go give the choice cuts dudes some props!)
We have been searching for ages. You have been searching for ages. They have been searching for ages. He has found it! I don’t know who you are but you did a great job indeed!
Nuff respect to Mr Mass (he is baaack) who posted this on Facebook yesterday. You made our week!
Going around the web searching for dope music is definitely one of my favourite sports. Especially because I can practice from my couch while I am sipping on some Heineken! It’s an hard job, I know, but I do that for you guys…And that is why you should not sleep on this records I am about to point you out.
Let’s start from Brazil. Tribo Massahi – Estrelando Embaixador is something you should absolutely check out. “Inna Fela Kuti Style”: you got two long tracks, you got two gems. Obrigado “Fperacoli”, you are doing a fantastic job with your blog.
Staying in the South American area, let’s see what’s going on in Peru. I sincerely needed a compilation here since I did not know anything about Chicha. Do you? Now I know that Chicha is a drink but is also a smooth and in some case hypnotic music. I don’t like all the tracks to be honest but some are really amazing. Listen to the first tune for example and let me know…Props to “Radu Altrove” for this!
Now I want you to follow me to Turkey. I know it’s a long trip but you won’t be disappointed. Genclick Elele is a true masterpiece, you better believe me. Mustafa Ozkent is the man behind this crazy album and you can’t be more funky than him! Thanks to “Joe Blow aka The Sample King”!
Last but not least comes a funky album from Japan: The adventures of Kohsuke Kindaichi by The Mystery Kindaichi Band. Are you looking for some breaks for your next producing effort? Grab this! Obviously thanks to Apyrex Scholar for the rip!
Finally let me refer you to this adorable track and since I’m a travelling mofo, I love the video even more.
“Back in the days when I was a teenager…” I hate playin the part of the old guy, but this time I gotta do it. Back in the days, when mixtapes were actually cassette tapes, they were usually harder to cop. We were listening the same mixes over and over, and guess what? We enjoyed the music a lot more than now.
Listening the same mix many times makes you really appreciate the work of djs and producers and takes you a lot deeper into the music. Gettin deep gives you better music knowledge as a result. And worst of all, you don’s see any giant Boombox around no more.
So what I’m tryn to do right now is ignoring the tons of stuff that comes daily in my Google Reader and FB accounts, choose the matherial that sounds most promising and focusing on it for the more days possible. If the music survives long enough in my ipod, that means maybe I found quality stuff, deep stuff. So let’s see what I selected recently: 3 electronic music mixes for your pleasure. Hopefully, a good sample of where contemporary music is going.
First is this mixGrievous Angel did for Blackdown’s blog. After his take on classic Funk and Jazz, here’s his take on classic Hip Hop and RNB. The talented producer from Sheffield kicks out some wizardry by remixing Premier, Gang Starr and also Prince and D’Angelo, wrapping their sounds into his very own distinctive style. Dubbed out, slowed down (but not screwed) and echoed-out, just the way we like. To me he is the undisputed king of echo chamber right now, no doubt.
Second is a more dance-oriented mix. A mix by Seiji, found months ago in the excellent Simply Good Music blog. This one has been in constant rotation for me lately, so it’s absolutely time to post it here. Quality beats on the brand new UK Funky style that is emerging from the dancefloors and pirate radios recently. It’s based on a modernization of the 2-step and UK Garage riddims. Classic Chicago and Detroit’s House lovers will dig it too. The highlight here is the classic Neighbourhood 2009 remix by Zed Bias. Killer track really, both the original and this new version.
Third, let’s get darker with this absolutely perfect mix from Breakage, blending his own beats with David Rodigan skits (one of the big tunes of the year without a doubt), dark basslines, some remarkable drum and bass and some futuristic jamaican dub inspired beats. Breakage’s style is deeply minimal, his greater skill is creating a groove with few elements and still sounding rich. (Taken from the FACT mix series)
Here’s my very first present for 2010. A short movie featuring the late James Brown. Maybe his last appeareance in a movie. Very funny and well done indeed.
“Darkness is death’s ignorance and the devil’s time”
This short footage (about 10 minutes) was directed in 2002 by Tony Scott (Beverly Hills Cop II, The Last Boy Scout) and features Clive Owen as JB’s Driver, Gary Oldman as The Devil and James Brown as himself. Want more JB? Go visit our friend DJ Blueprint, he is runnin a JB series on his blog. Haven’t had enough? You better ask the Funky 16 Corners for more rare gems by the godfather of soul.
Last but not least, in this movie the devil’s driver is played by actor Danny Trejo: a true legend. I was searching an excuse to put him on my site and here it is (by he way: has he ever played the part of the good guy? That would be revolutionary). What do you want more? Enjoy.
