A WHOLE LOT OF 7"S

Continuing their 30th Anniversary in fine style, Greensleeves presents the ‘Rewind & Come Again’ box set.

Packed in special a die-cut card box (designed to look like a turntable) with each 7” sporting the original old school labels..

Each 7” has two classic cuts (Double A sides) from the Greensleeves archive featuring tracks by legends such as: Wailing Souls, Eek-a-Mouse, Yellowman, Black Uhuru, John Holt, Barrington Levy, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and many more..

Limited to 1000 copies, first come first served

COMING UP: NEW SOUNDWAY RELEASE

Although their own website doesn't mention this release yet, Soundway is about to release a 2 cd/4 lp set called:
Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro sounds & Nigerian Blues 1970-6

If the standard is as high as all the other Soundway releases, this might very well be the definitive collection on Nigerian funk. It sure looks promising! Amazon.com posted the setlist a while ago and added soundsamples as well. According to them, this is what Nigeria Special is going to look and sound like:

Disc 1:
1. Ayamma - The Anambra Beats
2. Okwukwe Na Nchekwube - Celestine Ukwu & His Philosophers National
3. Amalinja - The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination
4. Akula Owu Onyeara - The Funkees
5. Oja Omoba - Dele Ojo & His Star Brothers Band
6. Koma Mosi - The Harbours Band
7. Nekwaha Semi Colon - The Semi Colon
8. Osalobua Rekpama - Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestros
9. Onwu Ama Dike - St. Augustine & His Rovers Dance Band
10. Feso Jaiye - The Sahara All Stars Of Jos
11. Eme Kowa Iasa Ile Wa - Mono Mono
12. To Whom It May Concern - Tunji Oyelana & The Benders
13. Ugali - The Tony Benson Sextet

Disc 2:
1. Asiko Mi Ni - The Nigerian Police Force Band 'The Force 7'
2. Torri Wow - Godwin Ezike & the Ambassadors
3. Belema - Opotopo (Easy Kabaka Brown)
4. Alabeke - Dan Satch & His Atomic 8 Dance Band Of Aba
5. Arraino - Popular Cooper & His All Beats Band
6. Simini-Yaya - Collins Oke Elaiho & His Odoligie Nobles Dance Band
7. Buroda Mase - Bola Johnson & His Easy Life To pBeats
8. I Want a Break Thru - The Hykkers
9. Business Before Pleasure - George Akaeze & His Augmented Hits
10. Omo Yen Wu Mi - Shadow Abraham With Mono Mono Friends
11. Blak Sound - Leo Fadaka & the Heroes
12. Eguae Oba - Osayomore Joseph & the Creative 7
13. Akpaisong - Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes

Go have listen.

Release date: february 5th

Big One!

NEW FABRIC LIVE: CASPA & RUSKO

Dubstep lovers watch out: two real heavyweight dubstep producers/dj's have been recruited to mix cd number 37 in the almost legendary Fabric Live series:
Caspa back to back with Rusko.

Both Caspa and Rusko have had a very succesfull and prolific 2007: the first saw his career skyrocketing after several years of hard work running his Storming Productions empire (which includes the Dub Police and Sub Soldiers labels) on which Rusko released his fresh material, resulting in the mega mega hit "Cockney Thug" which allows him to travel the world and party alongside Caspa and fellow dj Reso.

This new mix on Fabric is the crown on their work so far and is well deserved. It includes all the smash hits of 2007: Spongebob, Cockney Violin, Africa and Round the World girls (on Gibbo's "Hard Time" riddim") but also treats us with a new Skream dubplate and a nice remix of Cockney Thug by Portugese bubblers Buraka Som Sistema.

Fabric Live is eagerly awaited by Lock it Down, but will not be released untill december 3rd..Mini mini excerpts can be found through this link. For those wanting a bit more: Dutch agency Planet KL booked Caspa a while ago and posted his excellent live set in their news section.

Aaah, sweet anticipation....

STUDIO ONE MUSEUM

The Jamaica Gleaner runs an interesting interview with Norma Dodd, widow of Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, founding father of the legendary Studio One recording facility, in wich she unveils the plans for the establishment of a Studio One museum. Although Jamaica already is a hotspot for reggae afficionados, with the King Tubby, Treasure Isle and Joe Gibbs studios still intact, this new museum sure sounds promising enough to again tickle my urge to get on a plane and cross the ocean...

Read the full article here

1000 TNW ÷ 10 = 100 TNW's

The lads over at 't Nieuwe Werck are on a roll and currently celebrating their 100th internet release. Quite an achievement considering their first release was only posted about a year ago. Here on Lock it Down we already posted about the fun and variety of mixes run by 't Nieuwe Werck, but their last effort, mixed by "The TNW All Stars" (Knoflooksaus, Graafmeester Tijn, Dj √69, Schobbejak) is really something. Come and count with us: In 1000 seconds they mixed 10 tracks that have been used in their TNW mixes in the past, that makes this mix '10÷1000=100'!! On a special moment in the mix you'll hear 10 samples (of 10 used tracks too) in 10 seconds, again 100 (10x10)! Got it??

Luckily for us, TNW secured the listening pleasure as well. TNW 100 is a nice blend of, and here we go counting again: electronica, trip hop, hip hop, dubstep, house, old italian mafia songs, prison work songs & rock 'n roll mash-ups. That'll make a nice celebration cake, I'd say. The only thing dissapointing about this mix is that a 1000 seconds really isn't that long...we want more!

Check out, or download the mix here

and be sure to contribute your mix as well!

FUNKY DISCO DUBSTEP?

Now this is what we like, here at Lock it Down! Regular readers may have noticed we cover a wide area of music, from dubstep to soul via latin with a de-route through reggae: if it's about good vibes, we'll write about it. Luckily for us, there are kindred spirits out there with an equal broad taste in music. That said, it's the godshonest truth that the podcast that started this whole post even surprised the hell out of Lock it Down! Why? Well...picture a dubstep mogul mixing disco funk and disco funk only on a dubstep radioshow...Funny picture isn't it?

Past that, the mighty Skream really managed to unite the best of both worlds: his excellent mixing techniques makes this funky set a true pleasure to listen to. Combine that with the occasional "pull up," a jamaican dancehall scene gimmick, and the picture is complete: this is Lock it Down style podcasting, this is what we like to see.

What makes the mix extra fun are Skream's constant defense offerings: "...this is what I like; this is personal; I love this track; this one's got big bass!"

Nice, really nice!

Listen to Skream's "long awai'ed funk set" here

Big up and props to Rinse FM for airing this.

LUCKY DUBE SHOT DEAD

Reggae musician Lucky Dube was shot dead in a hijacking yesterday in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, South Africa, police say.

The report of the singer's death was published yesterday by the Independent online, an Internet-based news site.

Captain Cheryl Engelbrecht, who reported on the incident, told the news site that the incident took place around 8.20 p.m. when Dube was driving a blue Polo in the Johannesburg suburb.

The report was also carried by the BBC World Service last night.

The Independent online story reported Captain Engelbrecht as saying that the Rastafarian singer was dropping off his son in the area when he was attacked.

"His son was already out of the car. When he saw what was happening, he ran to ask for help," the Independent online said.

Lucky Dube, who said he was inspired by late Reggae star Peter Tosh, last performed in Jamaica at the Cricket World Cup opening ceremony at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

Dube, who was born in Johannesburg on August 3, 1964, was named 'Lucky' as he was born in poor health and doctors thought he would die, according to Wikipedia.

But Dube survived and went on to become a front-line artist in the reggae genre.

May he rest in peace

source: Jamaican Gleaner

BOB MARLEY UNCOVERED

Heartbeat Records is pleased to announce the release of Bob Marley & the Wailers - Another Dance – Rare Sides from Studio One on October 16.

This album consists of 18 rare Wailers titles, alternate takes, and original single mixes, all recorded between 1964 and 1966 for late producer Clement Dodd at his Studio One recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica. The release of these seldom-heard tracks will be a cause for celebration among true Wailers collectors. All titles, takes, and mixes presented here were issued as singles in Jamaica on Dodd-owned labels like Coxsone, Studio One, Supreme, Tabernacle, and Wincox.

Over the years, Dodd supplied tapes with post production overdubs to companies leasing his material for foreign issue. Although Heartbeat always sought the original mix of each song, Dodd sometimes provided the overdubbed tape when he could not locate the original mix. This album restores the original single mixes of seven Wailers classics including signature Bob Marley songs like “One Love,” “I’m Still Waiting,” and “Lonesome Feeling.” Neville Livingston, when interviewed in 1990, reported that the Wailers nearly always recorded alternate takes of songs recorded for Dodd. This album includes alternate takes of eight well-known Wailers recordings. They are completely different than the takes used on previous Heartbeat albums by the group. In addition, this album restores to the catalogue four rare titles never previously released on Heartbeat in any form.

Track Listing:
1. Another Dance
2. I’m Still Waiting
3. Ska Jerk
4. Playboy
5. Love Won’t Be Mine
6. Don’t Ever Leave Me
7. Straight and Narrow Way
8. Lonesome Feeling
9. Cry to Me
10. One Love
11. Somewhere to Lay My Head
12. It Hurts to Be Alone
13. Where Will I Find
14. Lonesome Track
15. Let Him Go
16. Love and Affection
17. Guajara Ska
18. I Left My Sins

JOE GIBBS GONE SHOPPING

After the installment of a Joe Gibbs Europe imprint some two years ago, re-unleashing all heavyweight dub 'n reggae bombs from the seventies, it seems that Joe Gibbs went shopping again. VP records announces a forthcoming "reggae 1977 rewind" series featuring, yet again, all volumes of the African Dub Almighty albums, Dennis Browns "Visions" and some christmas samplers that were never worthwhile listening to. All the albums come in their original sleeves, but there is no sign that the new cd's will feature extra tracks.
Is this the end of Joe Gibbs Europe?

NEW BOX OF DUB & BURIAL DUE

After the debut "Box of Dub" released earlier in the year the amazing amount of publicity around the Dubstep movement continues to get bigger by the day: Skream fronting the cover of DJ Magazine and rave reviews and features in all the leading publications such as The Observer alongside other key dance press.

Box Of Dub 2 once again clearly shows the influences of original electronic dub pioneers such as King Tubby, Scientist and King Jammys have had on the new generation of artists and producers featured on this excellent album

Emerging out of South London, Dubstep has grown from its roots in Grime and Drum and Bass scenes to create a new movement of artists influenced by Sound-system culture as well as technology. With heavy bass-lines and complex drum patterns, this is dance music that works for the mind, being both progressive and innovative.

The second instalment is due on nthe first of november and continues the onward journey of dubstep, with scene favourites such as Digital Mystikz, Kode 9, Pinch drawing upon new sounds and influences to bring some of the freshest sounds heard in dance music in recent times. With a distinctly UK urban sound, this new album also continues to show the music's nod towards Jamaican Dub and electronic wizardry.

For those of you who can't wait there'll be a a super-limited one-off pressing of two killer tracks from the album: one track by Digital Mystikz and one by Kode 9.

Check the sounds here










After the surprise success of his self-titled, low-key debut on Hyperdub , Burial returns with an eagerly awaited follow up album, ‘Untrue’. The new record is weird soul music, hypersoul, lovingly processing spectral female voices into vaporised R&B and smudged 2step garage. Voices are blurred, smeared, pitched up, pitched down and pitch bent until their content becomes irrelevant and they whisper their saccharin sweet nothings into the void.

UNTRUE continues with the first album’s crackle drenched yearning and bustling syncopations haunted by the ghosts of rave, but also reveals some new Burial treats with a more glowing, upbeat energy. UNTRUE kicks off with the skittering 2step syncopations and vocal science of ‘Archangel’, ‘Near Dark’ and ‘Ghost Hardware’, before descending into a space of radiant divas and ambience. While Burial’s first album was humid, suffocating and unrelentingly sad, UNTRUE is less sunless. Many of the tracks are so sweet, they become toxic, underscored by the almost geological rumbles of growling basslines. Whereas the mood of Burial’s first album was overpoweringly melancholy, its now better described as a downcast euphoria typified by the epic, muted optimism of the album’s last track ‘Raver’. Forget central heating. The radioactivity of this album is all that you’ll need to keep you warm this winter.

Check an interview with Burial here

SHARON JONES UNLEASHES NEW ALBUM

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings will release their latest full length, 100 Days, 100 Nights, on October 2nd on Daptone Records. 100 Days, 100 Nights is the group’s third full-length since they burst on the scene with their 2002 release, Dap Dippin’ With Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Since that time, the band has released 2005’s Naturally, and The Dap-Kings became sought after by artists ranging from Amy Winehouse (performing as the backing band on Winehouse’s Back to Black album and tour), Kanye West, Mark Ronson, Public Enemy’s Hank Shocklee, Lilly Allen, and more. In addition, Sharon contributed vocals to projects with Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright, and They Might Be Giants. 100 Days, 100 Nights was recorded in the same Bushwick, Brooklyn Daptone studio as its predecessors, using all analog equipment to achieve the signature hard-hitting funk and soul sound that has made the band so in demand among musicians and fans alike.

Here's a taster of the upcoming album.

Thanks to Chris Tams of the Orchard for the info and the taster.

COLD SWEAT presents LOCK IT DOWN

One thing leads to another, that's a godgiven fact. After writing the piece below about D-Rok's mix, the owner of 'T Nieuwe Werck immediately contacted me. Said he was interested in that "soul versus reggae" mix that is still not finished. As replacement I sent him another mix: a straight forward reggae mix, featuring the hottest new riddims of the day, which he fortunately liked very much as well.
So here we are: my first internet mix is now online, which is a bit funny in a way: I make these kind of compilations all the time, but the idea of putting 'em online never dawned me, really. Call me old fashioned, but I'm the kinda guy that makes cd's out of these mixes and then pass 'em along to whoever's interested. I know..I know...

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this mix, and if so, pass it forward! You can either listen or download the mix.

Listen and download here

D-ROK :: ORIGINALS vs REMAKES

While listening to hiphop, did you ever wonder where that massive intro/break/hook came from? Well, I do. Actually it happens to me all the time: while listening to reggae (lots of Impressions/Al Green/ Drifters/ Brook Benton and so on covers to be found here), dubstep (lots of contemporary roots reggae to be found here), instrumental hiphop ( example: Wax Tailor's new album starts with that great "museum dubplate" made by Nate Harrison about the "amen break") and the good thing is: it's all vice versa. For instance: while listening to reggae you might just find a superb soul version of it, if you dig hard enough. I guess what I'm trying to say is this: keep your ears open and you'll always find new and interesting music. And that's how I found D-Rok's "Break up mix" on a site called "t Nieuwe Werck."

"t Nieuwe Werck is a dutch website where all kinds of people drop their mixes. They've got quite a few online now, and it always makes for interesting listening, but D-Rok's mix is the one you should check out for sure. It's a nice mix of originals versus its hiphop remakes. Which reminds me to update that "reggae vs soul" mix i've been making for ages now...Well, for now, here is the tracklisting to D-Roks gem:

- Bobby Caldwell - Open Your Eyes
- Common - The Light
- James Brown - Blind Man Can See It
- Das Efx - They Want Efx
- Kool and the gang - N.T (Edit)
- Q-Tip - Breathe And Stop
- NWA - Express Yourself
- Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Express Yourself
- The Trammps - Rubber Band
- Mary J Blidge - Hate It Or Love It (Remix)
- Clarence Wheeler & The Enforcers - Hey Jude
- Gang Starr - DWYCK (Instrumental)
- Herbie Hancock - Wiggle Waggle
- King Bee - Back by dope demand
- Big Daddy Kane - Warm It Up Kane
- Big John Hamilton - Big Bad John
- Betty Wright - Clean Up Woman
- Mary J Blidge - Real Love
- Leon Haywood - I Wan't To Do Something Freaky To You
- Dr.Dre - Nothin' but A G Thang
- Billy Paul - Let The Dollar Circulate
- Steve Spacek - Let The Dollar Circulate (Instrumental)
- The Emotions - Blind Alley
- Big Daddy Kane - Ain't No Half Steppin'
- Eric B and Rakim - I Know You Got Soul
- Bobby Bird - I Know You Got Soul
- All the people - Cramp Your Style
- KRS-One - Still # 1
- Slum Village - Selfish
- Aretha Franklin - Call Me
- Dynasty - Adventures In The Land Of Music
- Camp Lo - Luchini aka This Is Iy
- Special Ed - I Got It Made
- Ripple - I Don't Know What It Is But It Shore Is Funky
- John Klemmer - Free Soul
- Akinyele - Put It In My Mouth

Download D-Rok's Break up mix here
and be sure to visit 't Nieuwe Werck for more here

GUTS

New discovery! Being all into the new Wax Tailor, I totally overlooked this great piece of music. Fortunately, I got me a copy of Guts' forthcoming album (release date is 17 september 2007) "le Bienheureux" through his Dutch distributor who kept pushing it as "better than the latest Wax." Don't know if this is true, but magnificent it is! Guts is best described as being the funny leg in French hip hop: His photos are hilarious, as is his cover-art for his new album, but taking in the sheer quality of the songs it is clear that Guts is undoubtly taking his art serious. Using only "his vinyl an a MPC4000" Guts is cooking up some outstanding tracks that are a fine blend of Wax Tailor, Gorillaz, dj Shadow, Dangermouse, Tommy Guerrero and pinch of reggae, funk 'n soul. Lively and uplifting! The song "And the living is easy" will be featured as the first single. I'd say: hurry up with releasing that and Guts is bound to hit a big summerjam hit.

Pay Guts a visit: click

GET THESE!

Though best known nowadays for releasing excellent albums covering the Studio One stalward, I always find SoulJazz records to be even more interesting when they enter new areas. These newbies are always incredibly fresh, right on top of things or sometimes even ahead of times. Furthermore, and this is both strictly personal as well as odd, the label always seems to come up with a release that's closely connected to my current musical interests. Don't know what that says about me though...

For now I'm on the lookout for these two gems:

VARIOUS ARTISTS: RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
Lately my interest in reggae seems to have slighty shifted from the roots rock reggae 70's style into the 80's rub-a-dub. Don't know why, it's just the way it is. And as it also happens to be, this 80's rub-a-dub was the main source of sampling for many producers of early (ragga) jungle. Mix that with my heavy crush on dubstep, which itself, for a great deal anyway, is rooted in the same ragga jungle, and you have a picture perfect. Souljazz now releases an album that's aiming to be the "story of jungle and its connection with Reggae music." Don't know if they succeed in reaching that goal exactly, since it's quite a bold statement to make, but it still is wicked to hear some of them "oldie hits" like DJ Zinc's "Super Sharp Shooter" and Cutty Ranks' "Limb By Limb" again. The rest is, how could it not be, way up to par:

1. Asher Senator — One Bible
2. Ninjaman, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and Ninja Ford — Bad Boy Lick A New Shot
3. M Beat With General Levy — Incredible
4. Barrington Levy & Beenie Man — Under Mi Sensi (X-Project Remix)
5. Ragga Twins — Ragga Trip
6. Poison Chang — Press The Trigger
7. Shut Up And Dance — No Doubt
8. UK Apachi & Shy FX — Original Nuttah
9. Ragga Twins — Illegal Gunshot
10. DJ Zinc — Super Sharp Shooter
11. Ben Intellect With Ragga G — Oh Jungle
12. Cutty Ranks — Limb By Limb
13. Ragga Twins — Tan So Back


VARIOUS ARTISTS: BOX OF DUB: DUBSTEP & FUTURE DUB
Dubstep. A scene that's still very much in motion and in progress. Exciting, new, fresh and almost every new record is a blast. Sceptics like to go 'round wondering how long it'll take for this scene to blow up "just like drum 'n bass did," but I'm not one of them: I just go along, dig in and enjoy every little detail of it. Dubstep is, as I wrote before, the best new thing in music that came about in 5 odd years or so (it seems I too can come up with some bold statements :-)). It's a deep love. An expensive cost also, since I buy a lot of 10"s and 12"s these days, not just to keep up or update my collection, but merely for the sheer excitement every record keeps giving me. Like I said, deep love. SoulJazz gladly does their part and is about to offer us a collection of newly recorded dubstep anthems. All new, all fresh and probably: all good.
Can someone please send me an advance copy now??!!

WAX TAILOR::HOPE & SORROW

Finally, after the superb "Tales of forgotten melodies", Wax Tailor hits the stores with a new album: "Hope & sorrow," albeit only in the US, Canada and France. That, however, makes sense since Wax is a big name in those countries and fairly unknown in other countries. Or is he? In Holland, where yours truly resides, he's got quite a big following these days and his new album will only seek to increase these numbers.

Although feeling a bit of dissapointment at first, "Hope & Sorrow" only seems to give way to its sheer beauty after a couple of rounds. Sure, the sound is familiar by now and that might very well be the main reason for the aforementioned dissapointment, but give it a good listen and mark the excellent production, the superb songwriting and the small details that tie the album together like glue. The main thing that makes "Hope & sorrow" a more than worthy succesor, though, is that it doesn't sound like an album made up by various artists: it's not crammed with ideas like its predecessor. Wax' newest is beautifully set up like a musical journey making it very worthwhile to listen to the album as a whole instead of skipping through highlights. Although that doesn't mean there aren't any on this one: "The Way We Lived" featuring Sharon Jones is simply superb and "The Tune" is a funk anthem in its own right.
Formost, this new album shows that the abilities of Wax Tailor as a songwriter and musician are te be taken into serious account: I believe his next one will be the true masterpiece we're all eagerly awaiting.

But untill then: get off on this one. It's good. Very, very good.

Info: Wax Tailor

Superfunk is Back! Volume 5 comin' up!

Yeah, the girls and guys from Ace records delivered another baby: Superfunk Volume 5, another album filled with unknown funky pleasure. Compiled as usual by Dean Rudland. Click on the samples and enjoy!

Check the Ace website for more info.

01 JUST SITTING - Smithstonian sample
02 CAN'T GET ENOUGH - 87th Off Broadway
03 SHE'S THE ONE - The Diplomats
04 HI OFF LIFE - The Eternal Flames
05 HOME BREW - Miles Grayson
06 GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE - The Uniques
07 I GOT HURT PT 1 - The Phillips Brothers
08 I GOT HURT PT 2 - The Phillips Brothers
09 TURN AROUND AND GO - Lee Bernard
10 LET A WOMAN BE A WOMAN-LET A MAN BE A MAN-Dyke & The Blazers
11 TWINE TIME - Alvin Cash sample
12 FACE TO FACE - The Explosions
13 SHAKE A LEG - Jackie Wilson sample
14 CAN'T BUY SOUL - Hebrew Rogers
15 LOW RIDER (DEUCE & A QUARTER) - Smokey Wilson
16 WHO DONE IT? (WHO DRAINED THE POOL) - Big Daddy Green
17 MOTHER POPCORN - The Mello Matics
18 LITTLE BOY BLUE - The Phillips Brothers
19 YOU'D BE GOOD FOR ME - Jeanette Jones
20 HOLD ON - Lorenzo Holden
21 FREE THE SOUL MAN - La May & Company

New Jazzman Release: Sister Funk 2!

Jazzman Records proudly presents Sister Funk Volume Two. A full five years in the making, the follow up to the hugely popular first volume finally sees the light of day, bearing with it the fruits of compiler Ian Wright’s inexhaustible quest to unearth some of the world’s toughest, most elusive and undeniably funky female 45’s. The spectrum of sounds covered on this album reflects a broad range of styles, from the heavy funk of Keisa Brown’s ‘Dance Man’ to the dancefloor jazz of Barbara Trent’s ‘Heartbreak Hotel’, from the discofied soul of Florence Trapp to the crossover stylings of Barbara Mason. As ever, the selections range from the ridiculously obscure to the frustratingly impossible to find – which isn’t to say this is music to stroke your goatee to - if anyone’s still sitting down after putting this record on we’ll send Big Ella round to sort ‘em out!

Tracklist:

1 RHETTA HUGHES You're Doing it with Her 2.39 Listen
2 HONEY & BEES Love Addict Listen
3 DOLLY GILMORE Sweet Sweet Baby Listen
4 BARBARA KING What I did in the Street Listen
5 COLETTA WOODSON Follow the Wind Listen
6 SANDY GAYE Watch the Dog Listen
7 BIG ELLA The Queen Listen
8 SHEILA WILKERSON Baby You're a Jive Cat Listen
9 RICHI CORBIN TRIO A Woman was made for a Man Listen
10 BARBARA TRENT Heartbreak Hotel Listen
11 ALTHEA SPENCER Take me Baby Listen
12 CHERYL JOHNSON It's not too Late Listen
13 BARBARA HOWARD I Dont Want your Love Listen
14 LEON MITCHISON Whatcha Need Listen
15 CHERYL DORSEY If you Want your Man Listen
16 FABULETTES Muddy Waters Listen
17 KEISA BROWN The Dance Man Listen
18 BARBARA MASON You Better Stop It Listen
19 HARD DRIVERS Since I was a Little Girl Listen
20 FLORENCE TRAPP Love Came into my Life Listen

New Soundway Release: Colombia!

Already available as we speak: Colombia! The Golden Age of Discos Fuentes – the Powerhouse of Colombian Music, 1960-1976.

Discos Fuentes has since 1934 been the largest record label in the vast country of Colombia, a place where music is impossible to escape. This collection concentrates on the golden years of 1960-1976 and is hand-picked by Soundway from a huge catalogue of hot, tropical music styles. Cumbia, Gaita, Fandango, Salsa and Champeta all feature in our selection from one of the world’s best Latin music archives. More info @ http://www.soundwayrecords.com/

Tracklist:
Fruko Y Sus Tesos-Salsa Na Ma-4:13 sample
Lito Barrientos Y Su Orquesta-Cumbia En Do Menor-2:46 sample
Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos-Hong Kong-3:53
Sonora Cieneguera-La Piojosa-2:53
Fruko Y Sus Tesos-Improvisando-3:50
The Latin Brothers-Patrona De Los Reclusos (CD ONLY)-6:13
Wganda Kenya-Tifit Hayed-3:40 sample
Pedro Laza Y Sus Pelayeros-Fandango En Percusion-2:45
Orquesta Nunez-La Samaria-2:57 sample
Los Corraleros de Majagual-El Mondongo-10:13
Fruko Y Sus Tesos-A La Memoria Del Muerto-4:21
Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos-La Primavera (CD ONLY)-2:16
Wganda Kenya-Elyoyo (CD ONLY)-4:07
Lucho Bermudez-Gaita De Los Flores-2:33
El Sexteto Miramar-Cumbiamba-2:42
Michi Sarmiento Y Sus Bravos-Mirame San Miguel-2:50 sample
Pedro Laza Y Sus Pelayeros-La Picua (CD ONLY)-2:50
Climaco Sarmiento Y Su Orquesta-La Pata Y El Pato-2:44 sample
The Latin Brothers-Las Calenas Son Como Los Flores-3:55 sample
Afrosound-Pacifico-2:44

Back from Brazil Part I: Sivuca

While travelling through Brazil last january & february, I was visiting São Luís, (capital of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil), and could’t resist to do some digging on the local markets (found an original copy of Mandrill’s 1973's Composite Truth for 1 euro!). Opposite the market was a small recordstore called Adriano’s. It was actually closed, but the neighbour called the owner, who luckily arrived within 10 minutes. Actually he didn’t have too much interesting records, but when I saw this cover, I took a few seconds to study this record. There were references on the back by Harry Belafonte and Oscar Brown Jr, but Bill Wither’s Ain’t No Sunshine really convinced me to buy it. Later that week I learned that this guy, who looked like a yodeling native of the Swiss Alpes, did the arrangement of the Miriam Makeba classic Pata Pata. The self-produced album, on Vanguard (1974), mixes Folk with Bossanova and Latin Jazz, contains 10 tracks and includes his self-penned classic Adeus Maria Fulo. Apart from some other pretty decent tunes, it also has a nice version of Antonio Carlos e Jocafi’s Voce Abouso. But the killer track is definitely Ain’t No Sunshine: hitting of with funky female bossanova voices reminding of Sergio Mendes’ version of Mas que Nada, then changing into a funky jazzfrenzy with the screaming CUICA riding the riddim, stretching the tune to 4:46. listen to the sample! (on allmusic.com).

Sivuca was born in the state of Paraíba, Brazil in 1930, moved to Recife and Rio de Janeiro and later Lisbon, Paris, New York and Scandinavia. He plays accordion (which even impressed Miles Davis), guitar, keyboard and percussion, sings and even skats. He died of cancer on December 14, 2006.

Tracklist: Adeus Maria Fulo, Tunnel, Amor Verdadeiro, Ponteio, Arrasta Pé, Voce Abouso, Inquietacao, Ain’t no Sunshine, Lament of Berimbau, Rosa Na Favela.
more info:
Sivuca @ his homepage

Sivuca @ All Music Guide

Sivuca @ All Brazilian Music

OLD CAPITAL PRESENTS NEW RIDDIM

Last year we wrote a small piece about the first release of Old Capital in which we stated that the label made a promising impact with their first riddim "Rasta Pickney". Now the french based label is about to unleash their newest creation, called "Togetherness," and it is even better than we had hoped for. "Togetherness" is a thick 'n bassheavy roots riddim with a pumping sound that is beyond uplifting due to the incredible production skills by Judi K. The sound is clear and heavy, but still maintains to keep a certain "genuine" feel to it.

Then there is the excellent choice of artists riding the riddim: Fantan Mojah, Perfect & Lutan Fyah are presenting some valuable songs and will provide the riddim its claim to fame in the dancehall. Equally strong songs are provided by lesser known artists like: Don Pako, Keefaz and Malijah, making this set of 7"s yet again essential.

Listen to a compilation of all songs on the myspace page of Old Capital

Special thanks to Old Capital for the preview.

LEE PERRY....THE MOVIE

Apparently a film about "the madman," or rather "genius" of reggae music, is in the making. Hopefully it will include some rare footage of Black Ark recording sessions, since we just can't get enough of that. The website of the film is unclear about its release, but there is a synopsis and a trailer. Go there

STUDIO ONE RUB-A-DUB

We lost count somewhere along the way, but here it is...another great comp by SoulJazz Records: Studio One Rub-A-Dub. No matter what they've named it this time, it's yet again filled with great music! Here's the tracklist for ya:

Cornell Campbell - My Conversation
Lone Ranger - Screw Gone A North Coast
Judah Eskender Tafari - Danger In Your Eyes
Rapper Robert & Jim Brown - Minister For Ganja
Freddie McGregor - How Could You Leave
Barry Brown - Give Love
Len Allen Jnr - White Belly Rat
Johnny Osbourne - Forgive Them
Alton Ellis - Live And Learn
Horace Andy - Happiness
Rapper Robert & Jim Brown - Pirate
Willie Williams - Keep On Moving
The Heptones, Freddie McGregor et al - Equal Rights 12'
Papa Michigan And General Smiley - Jah A The Creator
Ethiopian - Empty Belly
Earl 16 - No Mash Up The Dance
Lone Ranger - Natty Chalwa

BURAKA SOM SISTEMA

Everyone that enjoyed M.I.A, Jahcoozi and Modeselektor should check out BURAKA SOM SISTEMA from Lisbon. When I was in that great city for new years eve, I noticed every wall was covered with posters of this great nu-dancehall act. Seems like they're local heroes over there already, but soon their fame will spread because the music is simply astonishing. They appeared live at the last EUROSONIC fest in Holland last january, where they made a great impression on almost everybody there.

Luckily for me, I bought a 7" of Buraka in Lisbon, since it's hard to get by those outside Portugal. But a cd is supposedly on the way, and that will be available allover. For those living in Holland: Buraka is coming over again in April, so don't miss it!

But first: check 'em out and fall in love!

NEW ARTIST OF THE MONTH

And yet again, we present a new artist of the month: This time it's Albert Joseph to take credit for fully blowing us away. These days, we at Lock it Down are very much into dubstep, so we keep searching the internet for new goodies. Fortunately for us mr. Joseph presented himself to us by asking for a myspace friendship and a quick listen on his site became a 45 minute session of scanning his music, wishing he'd add some more.

His music featured in the myspace player is dubstep in essence, but we figure this guy's coming from a hiphop background since a lot of his music in the other player on his site is based on exactly this. Less impressive, but still good enough. However, when he starts mixing things up he's reaching great hights! A bit of hiphop, a lot of dubstep and a touch of IDM makes mr Joseph sound different than the others around, which is not only a good thing but also quite an achievement by itself.

By far the most impressive new found artist on the web since months.

Check him out here