Classic Digital Reggae Mix: One Hour of Jammys 45s

Strictly 45s in this live mix, including soundeffects. Lloyd James aka King Jammy, and formerly known as Prince Jammy, created trailerloads of classic digital reggae riddims (including Wayne Smith's Under mi Sleng Teng), check out his style, most stuff is 80s/90s, with some recent tunes in the last part of the mix.

Pass the Dubplate – Brian & Tony Gold
Bury You – Colin Roach & General Degree
Miss Goodie Goodie – Colin Roach & Galaxy
Miss Maddy Maddy – Major Mackarel
Mus Mus Tail – Frankie Paul
Up Park Camp – John Holt
Taller Than Kingkong – Eekamouse
Girls Go Home - Cocoa Tea
Love Affair – Conroy Smith
Rambo We Rambo – Superblack
I Am Back – Echo Minott
Water Pumping – Johnny Osbourne
Five Gun – Risto Benji
Mini Mini - Chaka Demus
Ballot Box – Josey Wales & Admiral Bailey
Punaaany - Admiral Bailey
King Fish – Risto Benji
Run for Cover – Elephantman & Robert Lee
Come Again – Cocoa Tea
Bam Bam - Tiger
Set Up yourself Right – Admiral Bailey
Devil Send You Come – Little Twitch
Isolate the Gun & Pray – Chuck Fender
Babylon Dead - Bushman
I Love King Selassie - Black Uhuru

Sizzla Unplugged on Youtube

One of the most prolific artists in reggae must be Sizzla Kalonji. This Bobo Ashanti brought back the consciousness in the dancehall in the nineties and released a unending string hits,  however, sometimes his wining & crying style is a little too much for me. But the man definitely is a real artist who can sing, the proof is down here: An unplugged session (seems to be in France) on Youtube, containing only Sizzla's voice and an acoustic guitar.
- Be Strong
- Woman I Need You
- You Touch Me Girl

New Spanish Reggae tunes by Zergiote (Barcelona)

Zergiote, our friend from Barcelona, just released a his new album callad Inna Di Fight. Available for downloading here (choose descargar maqueta completa). And yeah, it's free! He's definitely one of my favourite Spanish singjays and brings us lots of roots, rubidub & love with backup vocals by Marziah. Big up Little Zergiote!

It's HipHop Reggae Mashup Time with Basstronix!

Some while ago we posted a mashup mix by Basstronix (Sideburn crew, Utrecht) on this blog and now its time for some very own mashups, produced by the man Basstronix himself. First tune's a reggae riddim with hiphop vocals, the second hiphop with reggae vocals. Mash It Up!

Contrabanda Mix By DJ Tommi

Our mate DJ Tommi just got back from Mexico and is pretty busy these days organizing the ContraBanda! festival on Tour! A travellling circus of balkan meets mestizo and everything in between. He kindly provided us with a mixtape, giving us a glance of the sound of Contrabanda. The festival is touring Holland as we speak, be sure to check it out if you're around! No tracklist.. but there's music from the headliners: RotFront, Zulu 9:30 & the band HOTEL.. further some Generation Bass related stuff (only playing in Paradiso). Check dates below or more info @ http://www.contrabandafestival.nl/

Nov 28 : Paradiso - Amsterdam NL
Nov 29 : Atak, Enschede NL
Dec 03 : Simplon, Groningen NL
Dec 04 : 013, Tilburg NL
Dec 05 : Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht NL
Dec 06 : Paard van Troje, Den Haag NL

HOLY MAMA WAILER!

As some of you dear readers may know, I've worked in a record store for quite some time. It were good times. Not only did the job help me broaden my musical horizon, it also greatly expanded my record collection in a pace that would make many heart stutter. From jazz to funk and idm with a quick stop at indie and back on via a different route: there was always a new record to be found, something to be discovered or, in some cases, re-discovered. Being an avid record collector with a fling for everything vinyl, this meant I often had to dig deep and hard to find what I was looking for. I could have just bought the damn cd at the store I was working in, but, as stated above, I love vinyl and always have the odd feeling of not really owning a record if it's a cd (too small, too clinical) or download (likewise) .

Anyway, sometimes I was lucky, sometimes I was not. It's all part of the game and part of the charm of record hunting. Some records, however, are just so damn hard to find, it makes you wonder why you even bother hunting for them anymore.

After hearing a Lonnie Smith tune called "Move your hand," I was completely stunned, baffled and head over heels in love. A colleague (and now my co-writer on this blog) and I immediately began looking for information, which led us to find out the track was to be found on a record with the same title as the song. "Move your hand" was released on Blue Note in 1969 and was recorded live at "Club Harlem" Atlantic City. After ordering a cd version (released in 1996) I fell further in love with the album and my search began. Up to this day, I haven't find my copy yet.

After discovering this record, I have bought some other Lonnie Smith albums, which weren't bad at all. "Drives" (Blue Note, 1970) is a decent set, for instance. For the most part because it includes a wicked version of Blood, Sweat 'n the Tears' "Spinning Wheel." But in all honesty, it misses that certain vibe, that feel that comes along with "Move your hand." There are no rough edges and it lacks the grittiness I was looking for. The same goes for his work on the Groove Merchant label. It's damn good, but there's better stuff out there.

And then I stumbled upon "Mama Wailer". It was released on a label I had never heard of before (Kudu), the sleeve looked impressive and it was fairly cheap. Also, the fact that side 2 of the record was completely taken up by a cover (or should I say: interpretation?) of Sly and the Family Stone's "Stand" intrigued me. This could go either way, but once at home...the record completely blew me away. Blue Note's "Move your hand" had finally met its competitor.

"Stand" is without doubt the most important track on the record. It's a musical excursion par excellence, a trip that takes you allover the place. It's a jazz take on a great song at first, with great solos by Grover Washington among others, but soon after it becomes more. Way more! It's jazz, funk, blaxploitation, soundtrack music, hell, it's rock for all I care. The rattling bassline laid down by Ron Carter after the break is not only hypnotizing, stunning, vibrant, gritty, dirty and impressively tight considering the speed it's played at: it also provides the solid base of a souljazz jamsession that is simply stunning. And then some....This album is worth picking up for this track alone.

After hearing "Stand" you could easily forget there are 3 more songs on the other side of the record which are more than worth checking out. The A side starts with the impressive title track, in which vocals are used as an instrument, dropping in and out of the track. The vocals give the tune a bit of a Brazillian feel, but the restrained way of playing (no Hammond, but a clavinet for instance) contradicts heavily with that sentiment.

The other two songs are "Hola Muneca," a nice, laid back jazz track with a repetetive bassline you could easily lose yourself into; and the Carole King standard "I feel the earth move" which, although heard many times before in many different versions, does not fail to make an impression.

All in all I'm glad to be on a quest for "Move your hand" because if I wasn't looking for that record, I'm pretty sure I would have missed out on this beauty of a record. And that would have been a terrible shame...

If you don't own either of these records: go hunt. Who knows what you end up with...

Bass Breaks 2 mix by Basstronix

It's mashup-time with the new mix of Basstronix from the mighty Sideburn Soundsytem. Reggae meets hiphop, jungle and bigggg bass. Massive thanx to Basstronix for making this one available, be sure to keep on eye on him, as some very own productions will follow in the near future.

FUNKY CHICKEN FOR CHRISTMAS

Like most people, I kinda dread the Christmas holidays. Although it's nice to get together with the family for diner, two days often proofs to be too much. Singing christmas carrols by a fake tree, that's decorated with, err with what exactly? That's really not for me...Basically Christmas is just two days of hanging about, waiting for it to be over again. Indeed, that doesn't sound like a party at all. To make christmas a bit funkier and more alive this year, Strut has compiled a collection of holiday themed funk jams that will be sure to keep your spirits bright this season. Thank God for that. Merry Christmas, y'all!

Tracklist
1. J.D. McDonald – Boogaloo Santa Claus
2. Jimmy Reed - Christmas Present Blues
3. Electric Jungle - Funky Funky Christmas
4. Funk Machine - Soul Santa
5. Milly & Silly - Getting Down For Xmas
6. The Harlem Children's Chorus - Black Christmas
8. Isaac Clarke - Santa Claus Is Coming To town
9. Captain Elmo McKenzie & The Roosters - Home On Christmas Day
10. Soul Saints Orchestra - Santa's Got A Bag of Soul
11. Zebra - Christmas Morning
12. Harvey Averne Band - Let's Get It Together This Christmas
13. Jimmy Jules - The New Year
14. The Black On White Affair - Auld Lang Syne

For More Information, check out: http://www.inthechristmasgroove.com/

Support Your Local Independent Recordshop!

This is some of the music you encounter in your local record shop (If you're living in Utrecht, The Netherlands, that is). Looking back on some of the albums released this year and mixed by Anikulapo. Enjoy!

Disrupt – Robot Echoes from Bo Marley vs Disrupt
Rifles – Science in Violence from The Great Escape
Malakai – Snowflake from Ugly Side of Love
Benjamin Herman – Chasing the Dragon from Blue Sky Blond
Most Unpleasant Men - Red Box from Nothing Moves Slower
Amanda Blank - A Love Song from I Love You
Tigerstyle – Maan Doabe Da from Mystics, Martyrs & Maharajas
De Staat - The Fantastic Journey of the Underground Man from Wait for Evolution
Bon Iver - Beach Baby from Blood Bank
Placebo - For What It's Worth from Battle for the Sun
Stuurbaard Bakkebaard - Simple Life from L´Amour
Lee Fields – Do You Love Me from My World
Dan Auerbach - The Prowl from Keep It Hid
Reverend & the Makers – The State of Things from State of Things
Arctic Monkeys – Secret Door from Humbug
Andrew Bird - Oh No from Noble Beast
Honoré Avolonto - Ya Mi Ton Gbo from Legends of Benin
Peter Fox – Haus Am See from Stadtaffe
The Whitest Boy Alive – Timebomb from Rules
Jack Peñate - Be the One from Everything Is New
Kyteman – Sorry from the Hermit Sessions
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis - Going Up the Country from Kitty, Daisy & Lewis

Emayo Cutz Blog & Label

Some time ago we already told you about El Hijo La Cumbia, one of the coolest exponents of the Nueva Cumbia scene in Argentina. Together with 2 friends he'll be launching a new label called Emayo Cutz,  releasing .... well .. yeah ... cumbia, of course mixed with electronics and other sounds. The first release is planned for the end of the year, but meanwhile you can keep up with their activities on their blog. Check it, cause there's also a remix from Sekreto and a mix by Zurita available for downloading! Go to the blog here. A Bailar!

Upcoming Soundway Releases: Ghana Special & Panama! 3

The mighty Soundway label just released a nice collection of sounds from Guadelupe & Martinique called Tumbélé! “Biguine, afro & latin sounds from the French Caribbean, 1963-74”, check the Tumbelele mix by compiler Hugo Mendez here. The label's been pretty active lately (personally I can't wait to see the next epsisode in the Colombia! series, which they have been promising us for a while now) and November is gonna bring us some more exotic goodies (text from the soundway site):
Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds, Ghanaian Blues 1968 - 1981

Soundway Records step back into Africa with thirty-three original and previously un-reissued tracks from Ghana delivering a follow on of sorts from the hugely successful CD/LP Nigeria Special. Ghana Special comes as a double CD hardback case-bound book and 5LP vinyl box set. The CD features 44 pages of history, photographs and original record scans. Wow ..a 5lp box? This is serious. (release date november 16th)

Panama! 3: Calypso Panameno, Guajira Jazz & Cumbia Tropical on the Isthmus 1960-75

Volume 3 showcases more of the unique tropical music created in Panama in the fertile decades of the 1960s and ’70s. From bilingual calypsos to guajira jazz, from tropical guarachas to cumbia tamboreras, Panamanian musicians fearlessly combined and brilliantly executed styles that reflected their multicultural environment during a turbulent time in the young country’s history. This collection presents more of the golden age of Panamanian music and the music of the combos nacionales on rare recordings that have never been released outside the isthmus until now. (release date november 16th)

Tiki Masala Tribute: Indian Grooves mix

This mix is a tribute to one of my favorite dishes in the whole wide world: Tiki Masala! If you don't know it already you should try it...meanwhile you can listen to this collection of eastern grooves, including big Indian artists like Ananda Shankar, Kalyanji Anandji and  R.D. Burman, but also French genius Serge Gainsbourg and Ramsey Lewis with sitar. Most of the stuff is from late sixties till late seventies, with the exception of Anjali and the french guy called Paikan, who released a damn fine sitarfunk 12inch on Jazzman some time ago. If you dig this sound check out the Sitarbeat series, and the Bombay Connection compilations.

Kalyanji Anandji - Anjane mein
Sapan Jagmohan - Meri Aakhon Main
Ananda Shankar - Dancing Drums
Kalyanji Anandji - Theme From the Don
Paikan - Detective Pandit Rey
Ramsey Lewis - Jade East
Anandji – Pyar Zandagi
Sohail Rana - Soul Sitar
Biddu ft Manhar & Anand – Hum Tumhe Chate Hain
Dave Pike – Mathar
Serge Gainsbourg – Psychastenie
R.D. Burman – The Burning Train
Keith Kanga – Butterfly
Ananda Shankar – Streets of Calcutta
R.D. Burman - Kati Patang
Anjali – Stinging Sitars
Serge Gainsbourg – New Delire
Chitragupta – Hamara Adhikar

Ambient-mix: The Hum in your Room by PVC

"The Hum in the Room" is the final part of the three-part mix dedicated to ... the hum in your room!

The buzz that you suddenly notice, that appears to have been there forever but unnoticed - until this moment. The sound that will be there forever from now. The hum that appears to come from the inside of your head, and that keeps changing when you turn your head or walk through the room. The noise that can irritate as well as fascinate.
Here at Lock it Down we are always interested in strange and new sounds, and thus we present to you this ambient collage, done by our friend Peter van Cooten, who has been working on ambient and experimental music for the NPS (Dutch National Broadcast) for years. Like myself, most of you probably will not be very familiar with with this style, and it takes a little while to get used to the sound. But once it captivates your mind, it will take you along on a mental trip, much like classical music or movie scores. Not a single beat is heard, but wicked things are definitely happening! Tracklist includes, among others, Ryoji Ikeda, Biosphere, Edgar Varese, Robert Henke, Kettel, Thomas Köner,  Alan Howarth and the sound of a food mixer.

Listen to PVC's mix here.

MULATU ASTATKE RETROSPECTIVE

On the heels of his extremely successful Inspiration Information collaboration with The Heliocentrics, Mulatu Astatke teams up with Strut once again for the first complete overview of his career, including many rare sides which have never before been compiled for world wide release.

Vibraphone and keyboard player, master arranger and bandleader, Mulatu Astatkeis one of the all time greats of Ethiopian music, and the creator of his own original music form, Ethio jazz. Through the acclaimed Ethiopiques album series and through featuring on the soundtrack to the Jim Jarmusch film Broken Flowers, his music has belatedly reached a global audience and a new, younger generation of fans. Strut is now unleashing, for the first time anywhere, the definitive Mulatu career retrospective covering his landmark ‘60s and ‘70s recordings.

Mulatu is a true pioneer of African music. He was the first Ethiopian musician of his generation to travel extensively and to record abroad – he studied in the UK in Wales and at Trinity College Of Music in London, cutting his teeth on the buoyant London jazz scene of the early ‘60s. He became the first African student to attend Harvard and he lived and recorded in New York, developing a unique sound that fused Western jazz with traditional Ethiopian melodies. As Mulatu says, “it took a long time to get the balance, to let the colours and the feelings of the Ethiopian modes shine through.” Returning to "Swinging Addis" during the late ’60s, he became a pivotal figure, arranging for many of the country’s top vocalists and developing rich, dense textures in his own music during the final years of Selassie’s reign and the mid-‘70s rule of the Derg Communist military junta.

Tracing the progression of his Ethio jazz experiments with full access to all of the labels for whom he recorded, Mulatu Astatke: New York-Addis-London is the essential Mulatu. Covering his first recordings in the UK during 1965, his groundbreaking fusions for the small Worthy label in New York and his key ‘70s recordings back in Addis on Amha, Phillips and Axum, the album features comprehensive sleeve notes by Miles Cleret, boss of the excellent Soundway Records imprint, and rare, previously unseen photos from Mulatu’s personal archive.

Tracklist
1. ASIYO BELEMA (feat. Frank Holder)
2. MASCARAM SETABA (with Ethiopian Quintet)
3. I FARAM GAMI FARAM (with Ethiopian Quintet)
4. SOUL POWER (with Ethiopian Quintet)
5. GIRL FROM ADDIS ABABA (with Ethiopian Quintet)
6. SHAGU (Mulatu Astatke Quartet)
7. MULATU
8. DEWEL
9. NETSANET
10. YEKATIT
11. ENE ALANCHIE ALNOREM
12. YEGELLA TEZETA
13. YEKERMO SEW
14. TEZETA
15. EMNETE
16. YEKITIR TEZETA
17. LANCHI BIYE with Tilahoun Gessesse
18. FIKRATCHIN with Menelik Wossenatchew
19. EBO LALA with Seifu Yohannes
20. WUBIT with Muluken Melesse
21. KASALEFKUT HULU with Tilahoun Gessesse

The Gaslamp Killer - My Troubled Mind 10 inch

If you're into freaky music and dj-ing you should have heard by now of the motherfuckin' Gaslampkiller. Coming out of LA, with lively djsets (check out the Sonar!), mixing up beats and dubstep with rock, funk, hiphop & psychedelica. He's been releasing some of his work on the net; It's a Rocky Road part 1 & 2, We Make it Good 05, Hell And The Lake Of Fire Are Waiting For You. and Mary Ann Hobbs BBC mix , and also did a splendid mix cd for the Finder's Keepers label, blending sounds from the label's first 20 releases. Oh, and he also loves his breaks.This august he released his first own production on a 10 inch: My Troubled Mind contains seven sketches of sound and gives a nice look into the man's troubled mind and his unashamed blending of musical styles. Check samples here.

If you're in the Netherlands, you are very lucky! Gaslampkiller is gonna play the Doornroosje venue (Nijmegen) on okt 31, together with Nosaj Thing. See ya there!

Funky Soul 45s Only mix

This sunday, recovering from last night, I was browsing through my funk45 section and got inspired. And in case you were wondering...yes, these are all re-issues. Check the mix here....

Ernie & The Topnotes – Dap Walk (Fordom)
Soul Vibrations – The Dump (Vibrant)
Charles Spurling – Let Me Be a Steppin’ Soul (King)
Tony Alvon & The Belairs - Sexy Coffeepot (Atlantic)
Fire – Soul On Ice (Funk 45)
The Swinging Seven – Football (King)
Muco – Organize (Kaydee)
The Stovall Sisters – Hang on In There (Reprise)
Dawn and Sunset – Move in the Room (Luv N Haight)
The Chefs – Mr Machine (Funk 45)
The Gaturs – Cold Bear (Atco)
The Presidents – Which Way (Deluxe)
Charles Wright – You Gotta Know What you are doing (Warner)
The Third Guitar – Baby Don’t Cry (Funk 45)
L.A. Carnival – Color (Stones Throw)
The Diplomatics – Humbug (Lamp)
The Highlighters – Funky 16 Corners (Jazzman)
The Second Amendment Band – Backtalk (Funk 45)
Wayne Cochran - Chopper 70 (King)
Billy Ball & The Upsetters - Popcorn 69 (Apollo)
Ricky Calloway – Call It Right (Kaydee)
Latin Breed – Hard to Handle (Funk 45)
Robert Moore – Old Grandma (Deluxe)
The Blenders – Nothin But a Party (Tramp)
Inner Souls - Just Take your time (Funk 45)
Bad Medicine – Trespasser part 1 (Enyx)

Anikulapo 2012 mixtape

Brothers & Sisters! The year 2012 is approaching rapidly and only little time is left for our human race. In the last years on earth as we know it, Anikulapo will gather as much sounds, in as much styles possible and serve them to you in groovy, chaotic, cinematic and no-holds-barred soundsystem mixtapes.

Click here if you understand..........

Classic Cumbia release: A Orillas Del Magdalena, Discos Fuentes 1955-1975

Cumbia is growing stronger! Nevermind the hippest producers from Argentina, this is the classic cumbia sound of Colombia, presented to you by the Domino Sound label/shop out of New Orleans. Call and response wailing, percussionists that play a measure then disappear, backwards accordions and a persistent, loping bassline comprise some of the elements that make up the Cumbia. Born on the banks of the Magdalena River in coastal Colombia, this infectious music represents a marriage of African, Spanish, and Indigenous influences. Antonio Fuentes began recording Colombia's music in 1934, founding his country's first record label, Discos Fuentes. Crazy stuff, I absolutely love it. Listen to samples @ Juno.

Tracklisting: Los Corraleros de Majagual - Cumbia Campesina, Los Guacharacos - Baila Rosita, Conjunto Tipico Vallenato - Cumbia Cienaguera, Nafer Duran Y Su Conjunto - A Orillas del Magdalena, Banda Y Coros Campesinos de Repelon - Macondo, Esperma Y Ron - Los Guacharacos, Combo Los Galleros - Soledad, Andres Landero Y Su Conjunto - Cumbia en La India, Los Cumbiameros de Pacheco - Santo Domingo, Eliseo Herrera Y Su Conjunto - El Mangle, Los Gavilanes de la Costa - Los Gavilanes, Carlos Roman Y Su Conjunto - Cumbia Negra.

New Daptone Afrobeat release: Pax Nicholas And The Nettey Family - Na Teef Know De Road of Teef (1973)

These are mighty times for lovers of funky Africa, as Daptone just released a lost afrobeat album by Fela Kuti's conga player and background singer. While playing and recording for Fela’s Africa 70 (he appeared on all of Fela’s releases between 1971 and 1978), Mr. Nicholas Addo-Nettey also always had his own thing going on the side. He released two solo LPs for the Tabansi Label with the Martin Brothers Band from Portharcort, Nigeria: Mind Your Own Business in 1971 and Na Teef Know The Road of Teef in 1973. The latter, made with Africa 70 musicians and singers, is heavy Afro-funk, recorded in Ginger Baker’s highly equipped Lagos studio, where many of Fela’s albums were recorded, as well. Obviously, Fela was not amused at all about these kinds of things, even less when he heard how strong the Na Teef… album was. Reportedly, he said, “Don’t you ever, EVER play it again!” And so it was. Despite being a killer record, Na Teef… remained undercover for more than 30 years. If you dig Fela, you are bound to love this stuff. This text & more info can be found @ the Daptone site.

Diggin' the Dusty Bins of Valencia & Barcelona Sep 2009

Been having a fabulous time last two weeks in Valencia (thanx to Anna & Salva) and Barcelona. If you're around Valencia, be shure to check out the Oldies record shop. Lots of vinyl in all genres and very friendly staff with loads of musical knowledge. The store even made a few compilations for the Vampisoul Label. And yes, the mix again contains lots of Spanish oldies & rumbas, but also soul, sixties, afrobeat &  funk, cumbia, samba, reggae and  dub, finishing off with a nice raggajungle track....enjoy!

Manolo Escobar – Y Viva Espana (Belter 1973)
Conchita Velasquez - Una Chica Yeye (Belter 1965)
Robert Knight - Everlasting Love (Monument 1969)
Chacho – Cuidao (Odeon EMI 1970)
Los Corraleros de Mahajual – La Trombona (Discos Fuentes)
Maligna Five - Marie Thereze (Barclay 1976)
Superblack - Rambo we Rambo (Jammys 1986)
Little John - Over Me (Black Solidarity)
Los Chunguitos - Dame Veneno (Regal EMI 1975)
Dolores Vargas – Jamalacha (Belter 1970)
Argentina Coral - Ramona (Belter 1965)
Merry Clayton - Southern Man (Ode 1971)
Fela Kuti - Coffin for Head of State (Kalakuta 1979)
Antonio Carlos e Jocafi - Toro de Lagrimas (RCA 1973)
Alain Delon – Laetitia (HMV EMI 1967)
Tere de Oro - La Mosca (Marter 1972)
El Gitano Portugues - Lloro (Discophon 1972)
Los Amaya – Que Mala Suerte La Mia (Odeon EMI)
The Beltones – No More Heartaches (Trojan)
Tyrone Davis – Is it Something you Got (Brunswick 1975)
Los Chunguitos – Me La Lleve A La Era (Regal EMI 1975)
Dolores Vargas - Maria Lisi (Belter 1973)
James & Bobby Purify - Shake a Tail Feather (Stateside 1969)
Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 – Ye-me-le (A&M 1970)
Basque Dub Foundation – Slaving (Brixton 2005)
Terry Ganzie – Outlaw rmx (Chopstick)

Sublime Mix by Rewind Selector

Got this one from our friend and Sublime-fan Krust of the Fuck Television community. Sublime started out as a punk band in Long Beach, California in 1988, later mixing in lots of reggae and other stuff. Sadly lead singer Brad Nowell died of a heroin overdose in 1996, the bandmates continuing as Long Beach Dub Allstars. Reggae purist will dislike these guys from California, who mix a lot of punk, soul and hiphop in their white reggae grooves, but you gotta admit they know their foundation! The mix includes Supercat, Fishbone, Minor Threat, Public Enemy, and one of my personal favorites Half Pint. Not yet convinced? Check the tracklist of the mix Rewind Selector made: Sublime tunes mixed with their originals, some pretty known, other totally rare.
Download is splitted in 5 parts, check it here...

UK Soundsystem photos on Flickr

Mr T encountered some nice pics and flyers from the UK Soundsystem scene on the Uncarved blog. Especially the ones of the eigthies (like this one featured here of Fat Man sound from Tottenham, Philip Lane Tottenham, 1984) are wonderfull. Check the link to Reggae Music Store's photostream on Flickr here.

Global Cimax Mix by DJ Tommi

This weekend Dj Tommi will rock the Lowlands Festival 2009 (Netherlands) with his Global Climax party (check the Lima tent). However, you can also stay at home and get down to his Global Climax online mix: Worldmusic with a punkrockattitude and danceable as HELL!! Anything from Mexico to India and everything in between : Gypsy, Kumbia, Banghra all mixed UP!! Enjoy down here...

Cool Reggae & Dub 1975-1985

This morning, for some reason, I decided to go early to the local market. There's a very friendly guy selling records and to my suprise he had a whole bunch of interesting stuff today. Normally you would't find any Joe Gibbs maxis for 1 euro but today I got lucky and managed to get two! And lots more reggae maxis from 1975-1985: sweet voices, cool dubs and splendid dj versions. I made a little mix of some of the newly acquired grooves, but beware, these are the extended versions!

Israel Vibration – The Same Song (Harvest 1978) produced by Tommy Cowan
Dennis Brown & Trinity – Let Me Love You/Uptown Girl (Joe Gibbs 1980) produced by Linval Thompson
Horace Andy & Tappa Zukie – Natty Dread a Weh She Want (Stars) produced by Tappa Zukie
Revolutionairies – Headache (Island 1978) Produced by Channel One
Gregory Isaacs & Ranking Barnabas – How Can I Change my Mind (GGs 1980) produced by Alvin Ranglin
Sugar Minott & Captain Sinbad – Hard Time Pressure (Sufferers Heights) produced by Sugar Minott
Junior Byles – Fade Away version (Joe Frasier) produced by Lloyd Campbell
Upsetters – Grumblin Dub (Island 1976) produced by Lee Perry
Gregory Isaacs – Wailing Rudy (African Museum) produced by Gregory Isaacs
Revolutionairies – Cardiac Arrest (Ballistic 1978) produced by JJ Hookim
Paragons, Ruddy Thomas & Trinity - Windy Day (Errol T 1979) produced by Joe Gibbs & Errol T
Yami Bolo – When a Mans in Love (Techniques) produced by Winston Riley
Freddie McGregor & Dennis Brown – Raggamuffin (Greensleeves 1985) produced by Gussie Clarke

Rumble in the Jungle: Soul Power documentary

One of my all-time favourite documentaries is When We Were Kings (1996), co-created by Leon Gast, telling the story about the The Rumble in The Jungle, the epic 1974 meeting between George Foreman and Muhammed Ali in the Central African country of Congo (formerly known as Zaire). Even if you don't like boxing, surely you will appreciate Ali's charisma. And not the mention the music festival, which accompagnied the boxing event. A small part of this legendary festival (coproduced by Hugh Masekela) is already featured in When We Were Kings. However, Leon Gast recently released his new pic, called Soul Power, this time focussing solely on the musical events during Rumble In The Jungle. Appearing artist include James Brown, BB King, Celia Cruz and the Fania All-stars, Bill Withers, The Spinners, Sister Sledge and African superstars Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, Franco and Tabu Ley Rochereau. An amazing line up, and amazing footage of an event in which afro-american performers returned to the motherland, and celebrating it with their gift for music. If you enjoyed Woodstock and Wattstax you gotta dig this! Be sure to check out the trailer of Soul Power. Earlier, Leon Gast already created three terrific pieces of musical cinema: Our Latin Thing, Salsa the Movie and Celia Cruz and the Fania All-Stars in Africa (all re-issued on dvd by Vampisoul, but sadly already out of print).

Betty Davis lost album: Is It Love Or Desire?

Recently the Light in the Attic label re-issued the first two Betty Davis albums Betty Davis (1973) and They Say I'm Different (1974), which feature some of the nastiest Hendrix-Sly Stone girlpower funk around. The third and equally funky album Nasty Girl is also about to be re-released, but to my suprise there also seems to exist a fourth album, called Is It Love Or Desire. Never released and never bootlegged! I've heard some of the recordings she did at the end of the seventies (released as Hanging out in Hollywood or Crashin from Passion), but didn't like it too much. However, Is This Love Or Desire stems from 1976, and was recorded right after Nasty Girl (Island, 1975) in a remote studio in Louisiana. Due to creative differences the Island label decided not to release the album, and the material stay on the shelves till now. Personally I really like all three albums, so I'm really looking forward to this release, which is said to be her most expressive. Both Nasty Gal and Is It Love Or Desire are scheduled for October 6th.

For more info check out The Stranger here.

New Reggae Releases on Pressure Sounds

The mighty Pressure Sounds label strikes again with two upcoming reggae releases:

First up is Delroy Wilson's album Dub Plate Style (release date 8th August 2009), a collection of Delroy Wilson tunes from 1978 produced by Bunny Lee, but remixed by King Jammy at King Tubby's. Most of the songs you might have heard, but according to the people at Pressure Sounds, these Jammy mixes really make the difference...and I quote: A little rawer.... A little sparser....alittle heavier....and much, much deeper…
That does sound promising! For more info check here and here.

The next release is planned for Sept 19th, and is called Sound System International by King Tubby & The Dynamites. Early King Tubby dubs from tunes by The Dynamites, as produced by Clancy Eccles. Well, since I love the great King Tubby, I'm sure we'll not be disappointed by this set. For more info check here.

New reggae release: Queen Ifrica - Welcome To Montego Bay (VP)

One of the top conscious female reggae stars of the moment, Queen Ifrica has released her second album (on cd and vinyl, although with a different tracklist) last month on VP records. Last years debut, called Fyah Mumma was already a strong album, including the big hit Below the Waist, and this new recording brings us more massive cultural reggae tunes. Born Ventrice Morgan (Daughter to Jamaican Legend Derrick Morgan), began her career in 1995 after shining at a local talent contest in her hometown of Montego Bay, Jamaica. This led to major stage performances in her country including the esteemed Reggae Sumfest as well as a union with Tony Rebel's Flames Crew in 1998. The new album, Welcome to Montego Bay features 13 songs (14 on vinyl), mixing spiritual anthems, lover's rock tunes and social commentaries. Including her hit tune about child molestation Daddy (produced by Kemar McGregor). Althoughy my lock it down-buddy CS really dislikes this new album, the tunes Don't Sign (Moviestar riddim, produced by Donovan Germain) and Keep it to Yourself (Secrets riddim, produced by Donovan Bennet) work pretty ok for me.......(But yeh..it doesn't get as good as on Fyah Mumma....)

Check her Myspace here for soundsamples.
Tracklist
01. T.T.P.N.C (cd only)
02. Montego Bay
03. Coconut Shell
04. Lioness On The Rise
05. Yad To The East
06. Far Away
07. Don't Sign
08. Daddy
09. Keep It To Yourself
10. Calling Africa
11. In My Dreams
12. Streets Are Bloody13. Daddy (Spanish Version) (CD only)14. Fyah Red ft Gentleman (LP only)15. Vibes ft Shaggy (LP only)16. Child Slavery (LP only)

SACRILEGE?

You know the feeling when a plan, that looked so great and absolutely invincible on paper, is finally unleashed and set in motion only to come back as a huge disappointment and completely different than what was expected? Ofcourse you do, and so do I, but the other day I sadly experienced this emotion in the quickest way ever.

While checking a list of up and coming tunes, my eye immediately focussed on the name Nneka. Not only because it was a bit strange to see this Lock it Down and personal fave "new queen of soul" appear on a list of dubstep releases, also because the name was linked to Chase & Status, who, apart from also charting our fave list for many reasons, apparently have remixed her epic "Heartbeat" tune. Quite an exciting combination!

Or is it?
On paper the link-up seems like a match made in heaven. Nneka is doing very well on the soul 'n 'pop circuit and is succesfully touring the continent, spreading her positive message through songs that emerge from her ever growing songwriting talent. Chase & Status recently succesfully reinvented themselves by drifting away from their crushing raggajungle anthems, releasing hit after hit (with influences taken from both dubstep as well as rock and everything in between) and firmly establishing themselves as a "hype to watch and be cool with."

Unfortunately, as you might have expected from the introduction, the final result "isn't all that." No, let's be honest: it's horrible. And no one is to blame, really, because a tune like "Heartbeat" really can't be remixed without damaging it. It's one of those rare tunes that is complete. It's a finished product, just the way it is. Any alteration means damage. Sure, it doesn't help much that Chase 'n Status decided to give the tune a "rock feel" that completely robs the tune of its swing , funk and air. Topping it of are the corny synth parts and the screaming guitarsolo's that intersperse with Nneka's singing which are simply devastating to what was left of the tune. That said, I must say I do like Chase 'n' Status idea behind it. I'm always pro "thinking outside of the box" and that is exactly what Chase 'n Status did with this remix: they took a different approach. Come to think of it, that is what I always liked about them, really: you never know what to expect from these chaps. And let's face it, how can a collab by two faves ever turn out out any good? It seems impossible. Moreover, both parties can prove me wrong whenever they want to, since the song is doing its rounds succesfully on the dubplate circuit and is rapidly becoming a fave among both the bigger dj's as well as the ever growing horde of dubstep fans.

So was this remix really such a bad idea? No, it wasn't. I personally don't like the result and would rather listen to the original at any time and at any dance, but the tune does spin its rounds and gathers both Nneka and Chase 'n Status some more interest from both camps, which is always a good thing. Musically speaking, however, I'd have to say it wasn't worth the effort. I wonder if a remix done by Joker, 2000f or L.D would have made a better match. I think it would have...

Smartin’s Dubstep Anthem mix july 2009

Somewhat hesitant, I present you a little dubstep mix I made last night with the stuff I got on vinyl. Of course, I’m certainly no expert, most records I got from my good friend Cold Sweat (Dub Infusions/Planet KL), and his skill & knowledge on the subject surpasses me easily. However, that (and my limited mixing abilities) shouldn’t stop me making a mix of music I like. So here it is, old tunes to most of you hipsters in the scene, but still sounding nice……...the classics never go out of style….….that’s what they say….

Caspa - Cockney Violin (Dub Police)
Caspa - Ohh R Ya (Dub Police)
Skream - Trapped in a Dark Bubble (Tectonic)
TC – Where’s My Money/Caspa Remix (D-Style)
Silkie – Cyber Dub (Disfigured Dubs)
Silkie – I Sed (Deep Medi)
Uncle Sam – Round The World Girls/Tes La Rok Mix (Souljazz)
Conquest – Forever (Dub Police)
Martyn – Broken ( Souljazz)
Tes La Rok – Livin Fire (Dub Police)
Darqwan – Maximum Respect (Planet Mu)
Unitz – The Drop (Dub Police)
Rusko - Jehova (Dub Police)
Sub Scape – Bad Man (Dub Police)
The Others – Africa (Dub Police)
Caspa – Jeffrey and Bungle (Dub Police)
The Others – Hear This Style (Boka)
Digital Mysticz – Thief in da Night (Souljazz)

Tropical Latin Soundway Mix by Beto

Soundway has been one of our favourite labels, always uncovering hidden gems in dusty and hot places. The Colombia and Panama 1 & 2 compilations were done by Roberto Gyemant, and rank among my favourite re-issues of the last years. Roberto, or Beto, also made a nice little 40 min. mix of his stuff, now available for listening on the Soundway website. Includes tunes from the former mentioned collections, as well as other South American rarities.

Check the tropical sounds here.

New Vampisoul releases: Sensacional Soul Vol 2 and La Nueva Banda De Santisteban

Various - Sensacional Soul Vol 2
32 groovy Spanish soul & funk stompers from 1965-1972! Soul turned Spanish pop into the fuel that ignited the dance floors and parties of Spain. Spanish soul became hugely popular, and during the second half of the 60s was the dominant music genre in a country still under Franco’s dictatorship. Apart from artists that imitated the purest sounds from the US, others took risks and tried subgenres such as progressive R&B, freakbeat soul, sunshine soul or psych-pop with soulish influences. This new volume offers a fantastic selection of all of them, including tracks by hit acts such as Los Bravos, Los Pekenikes, Manolo y Ramón (aka Dúo Dinámico) and obscure bands such as Jae’s Soul and Conjunto Brillant’s.
Tracklist: Hey, Hey Bunny (Los Gatos Negros), Sintonía En Soul (Jae's Soul), Bugulú (Los Albas), Las Bellas Ilusiones (Conjunto Brillant's), Abandonado (Karlo Y Su Conjunto), Tú Lo Tienes, Mi Amor (Los Go-Go), Soul 2 (Chus Martínez), Higher & Higher (Ossie Lane),Rudy’s In Love (Los Bravos), Perdóname (Las 4 Monedas), El Saltamontes (Los Roberts), La Vida Es Un Juego De Azar (Gino), Limón Y Sal (La Nueva Banda De Santisteban), Donkey (Henry C Martin), Stone Free (Los Brisks), Camino Cortado (Los Roller), El Sol Es Una Droga (Los Kifers), Lo Que Puede Ocurrir Con El Café (Henry), No, No, No (Los Pops), La Máquina Infernal (Lone Star), I Don’t Know What To Do (Conexión), I’m Walkin´ High (Evolution), Para Siempre (Wagon), Polución (Los Pekenikes), (Los Ros), Lágrimas, Sonrisas (Manolo Y Ramón), Darkness (Joe Cogra Group), Pilé Beat (Ritmo Pilé), Boom Boom (Peter Soto), East Side Story (Los Talismanes), El Fuego (Los 5 Diablos), Es Mejor Dejarlo Como Está (Alex Y Los Findes).

La Nueva Banda De Santisteban - Sabor a Fresa
Reissue of this 1971 classic. An exotic cocktail of jazz, Brazilian music, flamenco influences and spaghetti-western soundtracks. Born in Madrid in 1943, raised on copla and popular Spanish song genres, with a solid classic formation, initiated in jazz and in love with Brazilian music, Alfonso Santisteban is, among many things, different. He was a session musician and composer for hire from the early 60s for stars of flamenco pop, author of countless soundtracks, many of them patchy, some remarkable. Santisteban also wrote innumerable melodies for an incipient TVE (Spain’s public TV broadcaster) hungry for a liberal modernity. He decided to pay this pleasant toll in order to gain moments of total creative freedom. The Sabor a Fresa album (Belter, 1971) is re-released by Vampisoul under its original title for the first time, with the addition of an extra track from an ultra-rare 45 of the Enseñar a un Sinvergüenza soundtrack.
Tracklist: Sabor A Fresa, Brincadeira, Zorongo, Persecución, The Suitcase, Manías De María, No Te Acuerdas De Mí, Tierra Mojada, Un Día De Lluvia, Nuestro Ayer, Vuelve A Tu Ciudad, Limón Y Sal, Soledad (Bonus track not on original LP).

Text ripped from the Vampisoul website...check it here for more info.

DJ Cliffy - Black Rio 2 Promo Mix

Summer is finally upon us! And while the BBQ fumes from the holiday weekend may be dying down, one can never have enough tunes to serve as the soundtrack for outdoor summer fun. With Black Rio 2, DJ Cliffy digs deep into his crates of samba, soul, funk and more to bring you a selection of overlooked Brazilian jams that will be sure conjure images of a tropical setting no matter where you are. For a taste of the flavor, check out this half hour mix featuring tracks from the compilation. To top it off you can also head over to http://www.blackrio-2.com/ to download the track "Our Sound" by Guimaraes E O Grupo Som Sagrado. Black Rio 2 is out now on Strut.

Tracklist

Sonia Santos – Poema Ritmico Do Malandro
Emilio Santiago – Bananeira
Pete Dunaway – Supermarket
Os Diagonais – Nao Vou Chorar
Avan Samba – Ibere
Zeca Do Trombone E Roberta Sax – Coluna Do Meio
Balanca Pova – Novo Dia
Renata Lu – Faz Tanta Tempo
Bebeto – Princesa Negra De Angola
Cry Babies – It’s My Thing
Guimaraes E O Grupo Som Sagrado – Our Sound

Download here or here

Soulfull Folk: Terry Callier on Cadet 1972-1973

Chicago-born Terry Callier (may 24th, 1945) was a childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield and recorded his first album in 1963. However, this debut for the Prestige label, The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier, was not released untill 1968 because supposedly the producer (including the master tapes) disappeared for a few years, staying in an Indian Yaki reservation. At the beginning of the seventies, Callier signed with Cadet (a sublabel of the Chess powerhouse) and released three stunning albums which mixed soul, folk and jazz with Chess producer Charles Stepney's tastefull orchestration. Stephey already produced the experimental sound of The Rotary Connection and would later have massive succes with Earth, Wind and Fire. Guitar hero Phil Upchurch plays on all three Callier recordings and the overal sound of the albums is deeply melancolic but sweetly transcendental. This is not music you listen while doing something else, for the poetic truth and beauty of this work reveals itself only to the attentive listeners. Imagine Marvin Gaye meeting up with Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley and there you go........

Terry Callier's first album for Cadet, Occasional Rain was released in 1972. All originals, including the classic Ordinary Joe. Backing vocals by Minnie Ripperton.

Tracklist: Segue #1 - Go Ahead On, Ordinary Joe, Golden Circle, Segue #5 - Go Head On, Trance on Sedgewick Street, Do You Finally Need a Friend , Segue #4 - Go Head On, Sweet Edie-D, Occasional Rain, Segue #2 - Go Head On, Blues for Marcus, Lean on Me, Last Segue - Go Head On

Terry's second album, What Colour is Love, was released on Cadet in 1972. Again all original songs, including You're Goin' Miss Your Candyman, as sampled by Urban Species in Listen. Also one of my all-time favourite album covers ever.

Tracklist: Dancing Girl, What Color Is Love, You Goin' Miss Your Candyman, Just As Long As We're In Love, Ho Tsing Mee (A Song Of The Sun), I'd Rather Be With You, You Don't Care.

Terry Callier's final and most soulfull 1973 album for Cadet, called I Just Can't Help Myself. Sounding like a stripped-down Marvin Gaye, including a splendid version of Duke Ellington's Satin Doll and the John Coltrane tribute Can't Catch The Trane (together with Alley-Wind Song already recorded in 1969).

Tracklist: (I Just Can't Help Myself) I Don't Want Nobody Else, Brown-Eyed-Lady, Gotta Get Closer To You, Satin Doll, Until Tomorrow, Alley-Wind Song, Can't Catch The Trane, Bowlin' Green.

Terry Callier continued to record and release records till 1982, when he took over resposibility of raising his 12 year old daughter and started working as a computer programmer at Chicago University. Musically dormant during most of the eighties, he was rediscovered in the nineties and started releasing albums again. His latest effort, Hidden Conversations, was just released on the Mr Bongo label.

Joe Gibbs Early Dub Classic: Dub Serial 1973

Greensleeves is re-releasing the first and long lost dub set by one of our alltime favourite producers Joe Gibbs. Originally issued circa 1973 alongside other classic early dub sets including Lee Perry’s Black Board Jungle and Rhythm Shower, Herman Chin-Loy's Aquarius Dub, Randy's Java Dub (mixed by Errol Thompson), Prince Buster’s The Message Dubwise and others. Virtually unheard since that time, it’s a dubhead’s dream come true, with early raw drum and bass cuts to Gibbs’s cut to Satta Massagana, Love Me Girl, Money In My Pocket and the killer cut to He Prayed used by Big Youth for his Foreman Vs Frasier. Spare on the effects, just a bit of echo and reverb and a couple of vicious tape rewinds. If you dig Joe's African Dub chapters, you'll need this album too. Dub Serial can also be found on cd in the boxset Evolution Of Dub Vol.1, also on Greensleeves.

Side One:
1. Satta Amassa Gana Version
2. More Dub Version
3. More Dub Version Two
4. Love Me Girl Version
5. Turn Back The Hands Of Time Version
6. Money In My Pocket Version
Side Two:
1. Rainy Night In Georgia Version
2. God Bless The Children Version
3. Love Ja Ja Children Version
4. Without Love Version
5. Be The One Version
6. He Prayed Version

Sitarfunk from France: Paikan on Jazzman

Lock it Down has always been a big fan of Sitarfunk, especially if it has the seventies sound to it. Ananda Shankar (nephew to the famous Ravi Shankar) made some incredible recordings in this genre, but nowadays the genre is kept alive from outta France (which isn't that weird, since Serge Gainsbourg already was experimenting with this sound at the end of the sixties). A debut release from a new French talent with an ear for Indian soundtracks and funky grooves. But there’s no wishy washy Bollywood nonsense here, this is the real deal - three slamming pieces of hardcore sitar funk! Toulouse-based sitar maestro Païkan has been on a musical journey ever since he entered the conservatory at the precocious age of 5 to study violin, singing and music theory. Since the end of his formal studies, his experiments and collaborations have touched pretty much every far-reaching corner of the popular music underground. More recently Païkan began to lend his mastery of the Sitar to more a acoustic-led funk and jazz sound, which is where we find him here on his debut release. As you know, our area of speciality is in finding and reissuing the lost and forgotten treasures of yesteryear, so it takes something pretty unique to pique our attentions away from that mission. Put simply: any new material has to stand up to and not feel out of place with the quality of those cherished original, vintage recordings. It should also stand alone as a piece of forward thinking music, not be mere retro-tribute fodder. Those are our guidelines, and we definitely believe that Païkan's three track 12" ticks all those boxes - and then some! Païkan's sound could be described as a four-way meeting of the minds between Shankar, Schifrin, Kuti and Hendrix. Take a listen to the lead track Dancefloor Fight and see for yourself. With the slinky, heavy bottomed Detective Pandit Rey and the sneakily laid back Afro frenzy of Afro On The Rocks making up the rest of the E.P. this is the best Sitarfunk we've heard in a long time..

A1 Dancefloor Fight
B1 Detective Pandit Rey
B2 Afro on the Rocks

Go here for soundsamples~......

New Daptone release: The Budos Band EP

Here at Lock It Down we love the Daptone label and are anxious to get their next release: From the vaults of Daptone Records, comes a collection of 6 unreleased tracks from the infamous Budos Band. Recorded after the Budos Band I sessions but before those for the second album, this EP is a fascinating glimpse into the group's evolution as musicians and recording artists. Listeners may be familiar with two songs previously released and universally recognized as “Budos classics.” The Proposition, a hit single released on 7-inch by Daptone Records, incorporates the style now known worldwide as Budos swing responsible for drawing so many a listener onto the sweaty dancefloor. Mas O Menos, included on the band's smash hit album The Budos Band II, exemplifies the group's feel for soul with its infectious bass, tightly intertwined guitar and organand soaring horns. Smoke Gets In, created on the anniversary of the six hundred sixty-sixth rotation of the Budonian lunar calendar, finds the band returning to its dusty roots. It is bothsonically and literally other-worldly. The psycho-tropic venom found on the Budos Band II may have originated in this very session. Is this actually happening or areyour ears melting? Named for the goddess said to have bestowed powers upon the knights of old Budonia, Ephra incorporates rollicking guitars, juxtaposed with haunting hornsand pervasive highlife rhythms. The existence of such complexity within a seemingly simple tune is the truest metaphor for the Budonian knight himself. Nobody's Bulletproof references the ever-evolving relationship of the Budos Band with their ancestors and predecessors. The stabbing horns and break-neck percussivepace hearken back to the band's Afrobeat roots. The near-militaristic cadence is a constant reminder that no one is safe from the scorpion's sting. As the greaterwarrior has said, “The sword cometh and hath not yet purged the depths of thine soul.”The Budos Band EP is a must have for Budos and Daptone fans alike. It stands as a vital account of the band's movement between musical styles and records a singular moment in the group's existence. It will indeed stand the test of time and remain a bedrock of Budos lore. If you're in the Netherlands don't forget to check them out live at the Supernatural Funky Festival 2009, on june 27th.

UPDATE: oh shit the entire Budos Band european tour is CANCELLED!

click on tracks for samples!
1. Hidden Hand
2. Mas O Menos
3. The Proposition
4. Ephra
5. Nobody's Bulletproof
6. Smoke Gets In...

New Pressure Sounds release: Treasure Isle's Pleasure Dub 1974

The folks at Pressure Sounds drop another dub bomb, check out this classic set! Duke Reid died from cancer in 1974 and his nephew, Errol Brown, who had been a junior engineer at Treasure Isle and who would go on to become one of the key engineers at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong Studio, took over the studio controls. He mixed three dub albums at Treasure Isle that dressed down and dubbed up some of the best of the Bond Street catalogue. Snatches of the original vocals were woven in and out of mixes that sound as fresh and as vital today as they did when they were first released both in their original sixties incarnations and their seventies counteractions. Treasure Dub Volume One and Treasure Dub Volume Two have been available in various incarnations ever since. However, Pleasure Dub, the best of the set featuring Errol Brown's cuts to rock steady classics such as The Right Track by Phyllis Dillon, The Tide Is High and Riding On A High & Windy Way from The Paragons and Things You Say You Love by The Jamaicans has never been re-pressed since its initial release. In addition to the incredible music, re-mastered to the usual exacting standards, Pressure Sounds have retained the original artwork for the front cover and added an array of fabulous Treasure Isle photographs and graphics assembled alongside detailed sleeve notes that place the music in its proper context. This exciting release, takes you straight to the real roots of the music back to Bond Street and those very first versions.

1.Tracking Dub
2.Love Dub
3.Dub With Strings
4.Lift Off
5.Ride De Dub
6.Rema Skank
7.Bond Street Rock
8.Many Questions
9.The Attorney
10.Silver Hour
11.Twilight Rock
12.Dreads Leaving Babylon
13.Side Walk Doctor CD only
14.I Shave The Barber CD only
15.Barbering CD only
16.Seven Eleven (7-11) CD only
17.I See Your Face Version CD only
18.Scrubit (featuring Lizzy) CD only

Thursday june 18: El Hijo de la Cumbia @ OT301 Amsterdam

Thursday june 18 there will be a special MAXIMA cumbia night at the OT301, oye que super!!! with very special guest straight outta Argentina: El Hijo de la Cumbia (son of the cumbia). Just 24 years of age, this talented producer comes to Amsterdam for the first time ever!

El Hijo de la Cumbia aka Emilliano Gomez hails from the San Martin area of Buenos Aires and started his musical career in 1996. From that moment on, he took part in several Argentine Cumbia music bands. In 2000, he started listening to other musical genres originating in ghettos from all across the world, such as Reggae, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Jazz, Dub, etc. Very much influenced by Colombian Cumbia music, he then decided to experiment by mixing Colombian rhythms with African ones and new styles. Known as a Sonidero producer for Mexican and American bands, he has worked in the most important Mexican and US music scenes. There, he made his remixes which were quite peculiar back in the day, with a clear inclination towards dub. Also playing is DJ Saxixa (Paises Bajos, Worm), fresh from the porteno city of Rotterdam and the creative force behind WORM. He will spice up the night with his special record collection from allover South America. Expect old & new cumbia’s from Paraguay, Argentinia, Colombia, Peru and beyond…. and of course our usual hosts the Rebel Up! DJ’s (FR/BE), during the night our faithfull global duo crew will add greasy and spicy sounds for a mishmash of cumbia and dubby latino spheres.
Starts early at 21:00 and will go on till 1am, perhaps a bit longer if you can keep the heat up! El Hijo is expected to play around 23:30…OT301, Overtoom 301 (tram 1, stop at JP Heijestraat)doors open; 21:00fee; 6 euro