Just a quick reminder this Saturday November 21st at The Marlborogh Hotel is the Winnipeg launch of the Jamaican Diaspora Canadian Foundation. Come down for some free drinks, entertainment and gifts.
Wednesday
Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation • Winnipeg Launch
Just a quick reminder this Saturday November 21st at The Marlborogh Hotel is the Winnipeg launch of the Jamaican Diaspora Canadian Foundation. Come down for some free drinks, entertainment and gifts.
Tuesday
An Apology Mega Post
Due to being busy as fuck with playing, producing & planning party's i have been a lacking on the posts lately. But I'll definitely make up for it with this one. Here's a couple tracks we've been feeling lately.
First off we have NROTB's Mr. ED's techy sideproject Panton. You may have heard this Favela track on our homie Neoteric's Mystery Mix thats been circleing around the web. Such a great peak party track.
(sorry kids gotta hit ya with the 128 now)
Next we have Uk's Lil Silva's Remix of Daniel Merriweather. This one you'll definitely be hearing on our new mix this month.
This ones not even fair for the females. You could be the love child of Ron Perlman & Anne Ramsey. But throw R. Kelly's "Echo" on and you'll be swappin love juices with Lohan in no time.
Last off we have a 2006 Soca hit from Terry Seales. This one never fails getting the girls on the floor.
• Terry Seales - Think It Over •
Thursday
Gucci Vump • Sha! Shtil! • L-Vis 1990 V.I.P. Remix
Guessing because Discobelle blogged L-Vis's killer V.I.P remix of Gucci Vump's Sha! Shtil! that i can also share it with ya. You may have heard this before on our last mini mix we did for CKUW last month. Speaking of which tune in again tonight from 10 till 12 on CKUW for another of our mixes with more exclusive stuff.
Wednesday
Claude Vonstroke & Justin Martin • Beat That Bird • Riva Starr Re-Chunk
Claude & Justins "Beat That Bird" is definitely on our list for top tracks of the year. A remix by UK's own Riva Starr. Not much else to say.
Tuesday
MJ Cole, Zed Bias & Fox • Battle Stations EP • Preview + BONUS MJ COLE "AO"
Here's a little preview of Mj Cole, Zed Bias & Fox's December 7th Release "Battle Stations" on UK's Prolific Recordings.
Battle Stations EP
•Big In The Game
•Fly Up Ya Banner
•Rampwinddem
Battle Stations EP - (mixed preview) by MJ Cole
•BONUS•
Zed Bias remix of "AO" feat. Serocee off MJ's July release.
The Very Best National Geographic Interview
Back in 2007 a chance meeting in a London secondhand shop became the springboard for one of the most unlikely - and critically acclaimed - cross cultural musical mashups since M.I.A. When shopkeeper and recent Malawian immigrant Esau Mwamwaya began talking with producer Etienne Thon (one half of production duo Radioclit), the two bonded over a shared passion for Paul Simon and Michael Jackson records from the '80s.
Soon Mwamwaya was a frequent visitor to Radioclit's studio - conveniently located on the same London street - where, along with his partner Johann Karlberg, Thon began feeding Mwamwaya tracks and beats for him to sing over. The result was one of the hottest indie blog sensations of 2007, and a subsequent mixtape called Esau Mwamwaya And Radioclit Are The Very Best, (released on CD by Green Owl in 2008).
The mixtape was a brilliant mashup of global pop and indie rock which showcased Mwamwaya's joyous Chichewa-language vocals over tracks and samples from Michael Jackson, M.I.A., Vampire Weekend, Architecture In Helsinki, The Beatles, Ruby Suns and more (Seriously - it was by far the best remix of MJ's Free Willy theme ever). What's more, they managed to score collaborations with like-minded artists including Vampire Weekend, BLK JKS, Santigold and M.I.A. (Maya Arulpragasm) herself.
If that project made the group an Indie darling - and a fixture on the summer festival circuit - then their latest record, released this month, has the potential to make them stars. Unlike the mixtape, the beats and music on The Warm Heart of Africa are strictly the group's own (with the exception of the title track, a holdover from the mixtape), but the sound and vision remain intact.
We took the opportunity of the new record's release to catch up with Mwamwaya by phone from London.
•So tell me how you first hooked up with the guys from Radioclit.
Esau Mwamwaya: I was working in a secondhand shop in London and Etienne [Tron] was one of my customers. He came in looking for a bicycle, and he asked me how was my business and so we started talking. He told me that he was a producer, with a studio on the same road in Homerton--which used to be part of Hackney. So I told him that I was a musician, too and he invited me to come out to a concert and meet his partner Johann [Karlberg]. We went out that night and then I went by their studio and we started recording the next day.
•So what happened next?
We just started by recording casually. He used to give me tracks to sing over, and I selected the ones that suit me - not every track suited me! So I put new lyrics over the tracks in my language, Chichewa, and after two or three tracks, we knew we had something good and wanted to make a real project. That's when we made the mixtape.
•What's working with Etienne and Johann like for you?
Everything between us comes very nicely and easily, with good communication. I always like Radioclit's approach - when it comes to music there are no limitations and no boundaries, just feelings, and feelings are the only truth. We had that approach in common from the start. So success came very naturally, based on that relationship. Everything goes on very well between us.
•Tell me about the new record.
Oh my God! I like this record very much. It's more about me. It's very personal. And this time we use all our own beats. No more sampling. I can't wait for it to come out. I love it more than anything.
•The Very Best Mixtape was so full of samples that I couldn't believe you guys could release any of it - even informally?
Yes. We were worried about that, too. But many of the artists who contributed understand what we are doing, and even came back to help with this record. Like Ezra [Koening] and Maya [Arulpragasm]. In music collaboration with other artists is so important. No man is an island and you can't do everything all by yourself.
•What's your working process like?
Normally Etienne and Johann bring the beats and tracks to me first, and I sing over them, and then I get ideas and write them down, and then we add those in.
•What kind of things do you write about?
I sing about life, poetry, nature. I sing about my tribe in one of my songs called "Angonde". In my tribe if somebody dies, you bury them at the back of the house. I try to explain how what my tribe does and how we live.
There's another song, "Kilombo" - it's about HIV/AIDS and encouraging people to fight against it. When I went to Malawi just now I saw a lot of people didn't take it seriously enough. But so many people are dying in way that we don't see here [in the West].
•Because the medications are hard to get?
Yes. They are still very expensive in Africa. But the other problem is that people don't take it seriously! Anyway, one way of fighting AIDS is just to make people aware.
•Tell me a little about the title track?
"Warm Heart of Africa" is actually an official slogan for tourists, to get them to come to Malawi. The country is promoted as one of the most peaceful countries in Southern Africa - with no problems, political or other? but it's really true! [laughs] This is what the song is about? If you ever come to Malawi you will have no trouble? people there are very easy!
•Do you miss it?
Of course! But not so much now as when I first came to London. I left Malawi in 1999, when I was 24, and I worked on a building site in London for six years. It was a lonely time and I missed my family a lot.
•What's your family like?
Very big! I am from a family of ten children. I'm number five - right in the middle! My father is a civil servant, so we were not rich and not poor. We always lived comfortably. I have a very lovely family?
•You were a musician in Malawi, too, right?
Yes. When I was in school I liked many things - martial arts, football - music was just one thing. But as I got older I was so much more into music than anything else. After high school I started playing drums and singing in some local bands.
•What kind of music did you play?
A lot of different things - many cover songs and some traditional songs. A lot of reggae, too. I love reggae, especially the singers like Ken Boothe and Gregory Issacs.
I was actually exposed to a lot of different kinds of music growing up. Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Phil Collins, we had all of that on the radio. That's why working with Radioclit is no surprise for me.
•How would you describe the music you make with Radioclit?
I am African, so it's African music, right? [laughs]
•Have you been back to Malawi lately?
Yes, I was just there recently! I saw my family and many friends - it was very hard to leave again. My wife is there right now, and she's going to have a baby very soon!
Congratulations!
Thank you.
•So are your friends and family surprised by your musical success?
Maybe a little. But people in Malawi know about The Very Best even though they never heard us on the radio. They know that there is a Malawian who is getting famous in the West! My family like it very much, but [they] don't let my head get big. They like to remind me that I'm not the greatest artist in Malawi. [laughs]
•Who is?
[laughs] Wow! I don't know! There are so many great musicians, but they're just not promoted internationally. It's just a matter of exposure. We have so artists and so many styles - pop, reggae, rap, jazz and if you want traditional music, we have that, too. If you want traditional music from Malawi, you need to go there and hear it! National Geographic should come to Malawi - I'm inviting you personally. I guarantee that you will like it very much!
Ill Blu • Blu Magic
Cassette Roland TR.909 Taped WAV Pack
Here's a Little treat for all you producers out there. Here's a great sample pack of the Roland TR909 drum machine ran through a Ampex 351 1/2" valve 2 track tape machine. Thats not all then it's recorded naked through a Metric Halo ULN-2 firewire audio card. This is gonna be the closest thing you'll get to an actual 909.
Lakhwinder Wadali & Choras • Mitran Nu Na Dass Ja
A while back i was blessed to have come across a ton of new and classic Bhangra records. Now i can't stop going through them and ripping samples. Really looking forward to be able to work some of these dohl and sitar rhythms into some production. Here's a great example of what kind of gems fell into my collection.
Solo • Rawmania
Today Solo's much anticipated Sound Pellegrino Release "Minimood / Rawmania" dropped and as expected it's right on point. With it's great vocal and drum samples. Go grab the rest of the album over at beatport. Trust me it's more than worth it.
Monday
Take me Away Fast
"Take Me Away Fast" Trailer from Leigh Iacobucci on Vimeo.
Frank the man behind "Voodo Funk" & Leigh Iacobucci of Tro-tro-productions has been working on this amazing documentary since 2005 and word has it that the film will be released very soon.
Seth Troxler October 2009 beatport Chart
Seth always has an ear for amazing new minimal music so here's what he was diggin last month.
Mash Up Mondays?
After a weekend of Bobby Pickett remixes I'm sure the last thing you wanna download is another useless mash-up. So here's a mystery mashedudbootlegy track by who knows who send who knows when of Collie Buddz 2006 hit "Come Around".
Wednesday
Touché @ Bar Italia Tonight
A quick reminder for all ya'll that tonight is another chapter in our monthly party Touché. Were we get to play a full night of all fillter house. Anyways i'll leave ya with a sample of whats to come tonight.
October Grindin Top 15
Grindin Top 15 (October)
- 1. Florence + The Machine – You Got The Love (The XX Remix)
- 2. Gucci Vump – Sha Shtil (L-Vis 1990 VIP Remix)
- 3. Joy Orbison – J.Doe
- 4. Drop The Lime – Set Me Free (Lil Silva Remix)
- 5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)
- 6. Darkstar – Aidy’s Girl Is A Computer (Kyle Hall Oats b So Good Mix)
- 7. DOUSTER – King Of Africa
- 8. DJ Mujava – Please Mugwanti
- 9. L-Vis 1990 – Compass (Christian Martin Remix)
- 10. Edu K – Avec Le Bon Bons (Worthy Remix)
- 11. Moderat – Seamonkey (Untold Remix)
- 12. Cold Pumas – Jela
- 13. Oni Ayhun – OAROO3 B
- 14. Slagsmalsklubben – Brutal Weapons
- 15. Mosca- Square One
Tuesday
Can 7 • Cruisin
I first heard this track on the Bamboo Orchestra "Summer Getaway Mix" a couple months ago. Can 7 is a German Dj / Producer has been in the game for almost 2 decades now, previously working with international players such as Moloko , Bootsy Collins, De La Soul, Sonique and Randy Crawford to name a few. Check out his myspace to hear more.
Steve Lawler • Hocus Pocus • Radio Slaves Mole People Remix
With Halloween just a few days away it only seems fitting to share one of my favorite producers this year Radio Slave's take on the Steve Lawler release "Hocus Pocus". The remix is the text book definition of smart production. Amazing build up with great use of the original vocal samples.
Monday
Artist Panel Discussion
A couple months ago i stumbled upon this great artist panel discussion VIA Audio Poverty about the intermashing of poprization and interverse financilization of ‘new world music’, the role of blogs as hosts through which markets arrive by a discourse of pleasure/fandom, why germans are more exotic than africans and why there is no reason (at least for listeners) for pessimism in music. With DJ/Rupture (New York), Brian Shimkovitz (aka Awesome Tapes From Africa) (New York), John Eden (London), Kodwo Eshun (London)
• Download: Artist Panel Discussion •
Zoelah • Fly Away • Scratch Master Road Mix
After an unfortunate situation a couple years ago ending with my full beer being thrown into an angy middle aged women's face. I swore to never Dj another wedding social again. But when my girl Freya 519 of the Partie & Pachoulli fame asked me to help her out and play a few tracks at her cousins social this past weekend. When the words Dancehall & Soca came out her mouth I couldn't say no. Don't know where or how i got this but Scratch Master's mix of Zoelah's "Fly Away" track was definitely the hit of the night. So I guess i might as well share it with you.
Guillaume & The Coutu Dumonts • The Pussy Shepherd
Fellow Canadians GUILLAUME & THE COUTU DUMONTS upcoming album "The Pussy Shepherd" set to drop in November on the Musique Risquee label. The album definitely shows off there untouchable balance of minimal tech and classic house.
Camel • Dada
Italian producer CAMEL released his Dada EP late July on UK based record Label Deadfish. Take a listen to the EP title track DADA that has seemed to make it's way into every "club gig" set last summer. I guess that's because it samples Pitbulls 2004 track "shake it up" off the debut M.I.A.M.I (Money Is a Major Issue) Head over to Beatport for the full album. Also don't sleep on his new remix of Mowgli's "Nu Skool" track.
"Word Music" A Catchall Marketing Term
As you may know i really don't hate "world music". Although I do hate the term. The inter web encyclopedia better known as Wikipedia defines world music as:
"Traditional music (sometimes called folk music or roots music) of any culture that are created and played by indigenous musicians or that are "closely informed or guided by indigenous music of the regions of their origin, including Western music (e. g. Celtic Music). Most typically, the term world music has now replaced folk music as a shorthand description for the very broad range of recordings of traditional indigenous music and song from around the world."
So as we know all music is made in the world. Although lately i am questioning whether or not some electronically produced music was actually made on this planet . On October 3rd 1999, New York Times published and article titled " i hate world music" written by David Bryne a former member and principle song writter of the new wave band the Talking Heads. (read the article here)
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•Chris Wood & Meat - Le Yack Noir
•Danny Fiddo & Affkt - Points (Radio Slave Edit)
•Kenton Slash Demon- Khattabi (Original Mix)
•David Keno & Evan Baggs - Choke Chain (Riva Starr Remix)
•Justin Martin & Claude VonStroke - Beat That Bird
•Rishi Romero - African Forest (Original Mix)
•The Very Best - Kada Manja (Tim Green Remix)
•Ronny Santana feat. Jordy - En La Nalga (On The Ass)
•Noob & Brodinski - Peanuts Club (Renaissance Man Ph 0 Remix)
•DJ Gregory & Gregor Salto - Con Alegria (Solo 'more Cowbell' Remix)
•Skunk Anansie - All I Want (Mowgli Deadfish Remix)
•Gucci Vump - Sha Shil!
•Noob & Brodinski - Cajou Club
•Chris James & Lee Drearn - Torcida Cumbia (Original Mix)
•Mumdance & Brodinski - Eurostarr (Sharkslayer Nassau edit)