Confessions of a Recordplayer

iMix: Recordplayers Unite. Vol 1.

Check out an iMix i compiled.  While much of whats on ym play list is not yet on iTunes they do have a pretty good selection.  Check out some new and interesting tunes from Gram Rabbit, Kraak and Smack, Kate Bush,  William Orbit,  SiSe, Phoenix,  Breakestra and more..  Check it Here.

New Sounds.

Some new tunes that crossed my path and thought were worth mentioning...

Zuco 103 - Whaa!
Whaa! is the third album by Zuco 103, the Brazilian/European band who have consistently positioned themselves at the vanguard of the world/electronic movement. In addition to the group's trademark blend of Brazilian and electronic styles, Zuco 103 have added Afro-Cuban, Ethiopian, West African and dub spicings to this new project. Musical guests include legendary dub/reggae pioneer Lee "Scratch Perry, bossa nova hero Roberto Menescal and vocalist Dani Macaco of the Spanish band Macaco.

Recloose - Hiatus on the Horizon
Having spent time performing as a turntablist for both Carl Craig�s Innerzone Orchestra, and the more esoteric Uri Caine ensemble, Recloose's musical activities have always been remarkably diverse. This sonic liberalism, and ensuing trans-global travel, have provided Recloose with an impeccable musical palette to work from.  Encompassing live instrumentation, soul-fuelled vocals, and featuring many of Wellington, New Zealands established and rising musicians, Recloose manages to maintain his Detroit roots, exposing a new thread to the ever evolving story...

The Money Shot.

I would like to thank everyone who came out last night to our Hurricane Relief fundraiser.  Espically my Church of the Phat Beat partner in crime Ginevra, all the volunteers ( Jen, Cindy, Lauren, Romy, Ashley, Dave.. hope I did not miss anyone) and the amazing Carlos Washington & The Preservation Collective for the fine tunes..  DJ F for the sick opening tunes..  And all the org's who donated.. I'll list them all later..

At  count we raised around $1,058 for America's Second Harvest and Noah's Wish.  I have to run and work my Macy's Passport gig for the next 2 days but more tales at the end of the weekend!!!!

The Go! Team "Bottlerocket Video

The Go! Team, the hottest thing since Napoleon Dynamite, is releasing a new video this week of their song Bottle Rocket.  They create massive do sound collages with  influences from classic rock, hip hop and  most of the stuff in the middle.  Their lo fi sound stands out in a time of over produced pop drivel..  Or was that the Clinton Years..

Their MC is also named Ninja and they have 2 drummers for their live show.   Need you know any more?

Check out the video~! Windows Media Player  &  Real Player

365 days of stuffed animals.

Peek here, They all are awful cute.  One made for every day of the year.. 

From Whaley's Sight of the Weak.

I like Mu alot.

I wandered Saturday evening down to RX Gallery in the nasty tenderloin district to check out a show my buddy Scott was throwing.  The featured perfomer, Mu, he and the media were calling her a 21st century Yoko Ono.. Hmm...  Well she is married to dance music legend Maurice Fulton.  The man who has produced everything from pop hits like Crystal Waters Gypsy Woman to dance punk outfit !!!..  I had no idea what to expect and after a few hours down at wish drinking beers and sipping on the flask with Bart and Amy I wandered down to see what the fuss was all about.

First thing I noticed was that RX was way mroe packed then I had ever seen it.  Then I noticed the Simnuke art on the walls.. Pictures from WWII Japan post atomic bomb.. you know the ones with the woman on fire and such..  So this is the backdrop for Mu getting up on her platform to perform. 

When her music started the room obeyed.  She really is a NYC Disco Queen.  Not the Bee Gees BS but the underground raw nasty don't-care-to-not-funk DIY variety.  She sings?screams? various words?sounds? in English and Japenesse over monsterous 808 drum kits.  Her dramatic poses and pauses in the music had more energy then wet t-shirt contest at spring break.  While this was techno, it was not abstract, was not obtuse and was defintly not falling on def ears.

I danced, laughed and cried all in the same moment...  I like Mu.

Spicey...

If you looking good online downbeats you do not have to look farther then my old home town of Washington DC.  The weekly radio and web cast show "Variety is the Spice of Life" by Christine Moritz always plays delicious songs and posts a playlist so I can trainspot them.  Thanks for the little bits of audio love Christine...

Esthero coming to SF

The one and only diva Esthero is coming to San Francisco July 8th to the Warfield..  who wants to go!!!

 

Rapper Lookin Dudes..

At the Independent SF last night somewhere in between Jane Fonda's workout and the Special Olympics British rap group Goldie Lookin Chains rocked the joint.  And I do mean rocked it..  These eight chaps reveled in their whiteness over sporting Adidas jump suits, sweatbands and of course, tiny gold chains.  They learned to dance from withing Napoleon Dynamite.  But within the realm of all this, they put on a AWESOME show.  They kept the energy up, they were hilarious and their tracks had phatty beats.  Songs like "Your Mom Has a Penis", "Guns Don't Kill People Rappers Do" and the serious love song "You Knows I Loves You" kept the audience laughing and semi-dancing (white crowd).  There was no DJ, no band..  but none needed with this group..  There is more then enough to keep you cracking up at their self-deprecating stylings. 

Opening the night was a pretty rocking synth pop ladies band Von Iva.  They were pretty rocking for a synth band, and the keyboard player was super cute.  The lead singer was able to demand energy from the slowly growing crowd and focus the room on the tunes.  While their deep roots in synth pop and rock are evident the keyboard/bass/drums lay a serious foundation for ladies serious voice.  I'd go see these local rockers again, although by then they pro bally will be headlining... 

STS9 - Artifact (Musical Props)

I saw STS9 (Soundtribe Sector 9) at an Anon Salon Party a few new years ago with my darling Kim P.  The party was off the hook and so were we.  But I did catch these guys for a moment in the madness and enjoyed it..  but did not get to focus with madness ensuing around me (I sat next to Dr Ruth..  I swear!). 

Enter May 2005, when I picked up Artifact by STS9.  I had heard they were a jam band, they were a "livetronica" band..  upon playlist surfing I came across one of the tracks..  Funky (with a captiol F) drums over relaxing jazz melodies.  At the same time both a meaning background soundtrack and a complex musical Journey.  The whole album as a piece of work flows leading us where they will.. but that does not mean the tracks don't stand out on their own.  Definilty some of the better electronica of recent times..  jazzy enough to keep me the mood, funky enough to keep me excited..