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

Barcelona Calling: Rumba Catalan by Que Pum Que Pam

It's no secret that Barcelona, an incredible meltingpot of different musical styles, is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world. However, the original sound of Barcelona is their Rumba Catalan, invented by the gypsies in the sixties, and made famous by Peret (or lesser known gods such as El Gitano Portugués) in the seventies. While most bands from Barca mix up all kinds of sounds into a mestizo cocktail (inspired by godfather Manu and his Mano Negra), there are some bands still playing the original pure Catalan Rumba. And the here featured Que Pum Que Pam is one of them....

Que Pum Que Pam is a six-piece rumba band, already playing together for several years, consists of: Alex Gallego “El capullo de Gramanet", Eduardo “Sepia del Besós”, Letizia Di Liberto “La calamara”, Julia Fritz, Xabier “el patriarca” Monreal and La Rubia Montoya. Last year they released their Garrulator: Vamonos Platanos, an ep with six groovy oldskool rumbas.

Tracklist:
1. - R.A.P.
2. - Maria
3. - Arrinconamela
4. - Brigante
5. - El Arte Del Pobre
6. - La Rumba de todas Partes

Que Pum kindly donated the track Arrinconamela to Lock It Down. Click down here te check it

They also made a videoclip of their El Arte Del Pobre tune, check it on Youtube here.

more info @
http://quepumquepam.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rumbaquepumquepam

Cumbia mix by DJ Tommi

Local hero DJ Tommi is famous for his Balkan Beatz parties all over the Netherlands, but he's also knee deep into mestizo and cumbia. Cumbia was invented in coastal Colombia, nowadays it is mixed with all kinds of other styles from other countries, creating dancefloor-proof riddims. Listen to Tommi's cumbiamix and find out yourself why cumbia's gonna be hot this summer! Also includes my personal fav El Hijo de La Cumbia, watch out for this sound! Big Up to Tommi for sharing this mix with us!

01. Los Mirlos – Cumbia de los Pajaritos
02. Calle13 – Cumbia de los Abburdidos
03. Don Omar – Cae la Noche (Kassanova Rmx)
04. El Hijo de la Cumbia – Para Bailar (Alika Rmx)
05. Salsa Celtica – Cumbia Celtica
06. Grupo Fantasma – Borracho
07. Bomba Estereo – Fuego
08. Mala Vita – DF
09. Severina – Ljute Cigare
10. Rodolfo y sy Tipica – La Colegia
11. Celso Pina – Cumbia Poder
12. Conjunto Tipico Contreras – Cumbia Sampoesana
13. RossyWar – TechnoCumbia del Oeste
14. El Gran Silenco – CumbiaMuffin’

Enjoy & Dance: Reggae Mixtape LuisMy Selekta outta Ceuta (Africa/Spain)

Our friend LuisMy Selekta aka Lone Warrior from Afrikan Town Sound outta Ceuta (see here for pics of their Utrecht gig some time ago) made a nice mix of new roots & dancehall. Click here to download! For more info contact luismibong@hotmail.com.

Tracklist:

01. Luciano - What are we gonna do?
02. Michael Rose - Time Bomb
03. Alborosie - Sound killa
04. Everton Blender - Emergency love
05. Jah Mason - Shed no tears
06. Collie Buddz - Tomorrow is another day (RMX)
07. Lt. Stitchie - Real life story (RMX)
08. Naptali, Luton Fyah & Arafat - More love
09. Ginjah - Love music
10. Geoffrey Star & Wildlife - Free up your mind
11. Million Stylez & ill Inspecta - Revolution music
12. Nitty Gritty - Ready done
13. Yami Bolo - Ethiopian children
14. Top Cat - Girl of my dreams
15. Burro Banton - No problem
16. Burro Banton - Sort out yourself
17. Capleton - Get the hell out
18. Million Stylez - I-grade
19. Ward21 - Walla walla
20. Dr. Evil - Huslin
21. Collie Buddz - Rise it
22. Elephant Man - Bare as she dare
23. Mr. Pepper - She keep on
24. Tami Chynn - Rudeboy
25. Sean Paul - Pick it up and drop it
26. Gentleman - Jah guide the city (RMX)
27. Alborosie - Police (RMX)

Version Station Reggae Mix by BEN

Our friend BEN from France made a nice oldskool reggae mix for us, called VERSION STATION, 37 minutes filled with dj versions of popular reggae classics. So wake the town and tell the people to click down here....................



U Roy - Chalice in the Pale
Lizzy - The Right Song
Charlie Ace - Shock & Shake
Dave Barker - Wet version
Big Youth - Moving Version
U Roy - Festival Wise
Dr Alimentado - Chant to Jah
Junior Byles - Beat Down Babylon
Winston Williams - Dj's Choice
Nicky & Cat Campbell - Hammering Version
Dennis Alcapone - Musical Liquidator
Philip Samuels - Hot Stick Version
I Roy - Thinking Cap
Charlie Chaplin - Chalice

Panama! 2 – Latin Sounds, Cumbia Tropical & Calypso Funk on the Isthmus 1967-77

The people from Soundway are finally back! As expected with another high quality compilation: Volume 2 showcases more of the unique tropical music created in Panama in the fertile decades of the 1960s and ’70s. The thin, tropical bridge that connects North and South America, Panama is home to three million culturally diverse people, and its’ music is a soulful blend of Latin American, Caribbean, European and Indigenous forms. From Calypso Funk to Típico Soul, from hard Descargas to rustic Cumbia-related styles, Panamanian musicians fearlessly combined and brilliantly executed styles that reflected their multi-cultural 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. See here for their first Panama comp. Check also the Soundway blog here. For soundsamples go here.
On Vinyl & CD, Release date: 01 June 2009
Track list:
La Murga De Panama – Papi Brandao y Su Conjunto Aires Tablenos
Tamborito Swing – Los Silvertones
Flora – Maximo Rodriguez y Sus Estrellas Panameñas
Decidete Mi Amor – Papi Brandao y Sus Ejecutivos
Te Toca Tocar La Tumba – Skorpio
Descarga Superior – Los Superiores
No Llores Porque Me Voy – Idamerica Ruiz con Osvaldo Ayala
Mi Bella Panama – Los Revolucionarios (Soul Revolution)
Dreams (edit) – The Duncan Brothers
Ain’t No Sunshine – The Soul Fantastics
Ese Muerto No Lo Cargo Yo – The Exciters
La Confianza – Meñique El Panameño con Bush y Los Magnificos
Borombon – Camilo Azuquita
Jazzy – Los Papacitos
La Escoba – Alfredo y Su Salsa Montañera
Juck Juck Pt.1 – Sir Jablonsky
Love Letters – Lord Cobra y Los Hnos. Duncan
Ceferino En Salsa – Ceferino Nieto
Si La Vez – Ormelis Cortez con Su Conjunto Viva Guararé
Piculina – Chilo Pitty

Funky Brazil on Strut records: Black Rio 2

Back in 2002, Strut released ‘Black Rio’ compiled by London DJ Cliffy, a snapshot of the ‘70s Black Rio soul and funk movement in Brazil. In March, Strut release the second volume inthe series, delving deeper into the vaults to sample some of the lesser known gems emerging from the Carnival capital during the era.Whilst Tropicalia had given Brazil’s musicians and songwriters a powerful political voice during the ‘60s, the Black Rio movement had to battle the odds – black soul was perceived as not being authentically Brazilian and the country was under the rule of General Emilio Garrastazu Medici’s oppressive dictatorship which effectively suffocated cultural expression between 1969 and 1974. Still, the movement took hold as disenchanted black Brazilian youth mirrored the struggles of their contemporaries in the US with their own potent brew of samba, soul and funk. Black Rio parties attracted thousands, bands including Banda Black Rio and Uniao Black were created from the scene and music figureheads like Jorge Ben began exploring more dense, Afro directions on albums including ‘Africa Brasil’. While Black Rio Vol. 1 brought together pioneers of the movement like Tim Maia and Gerson King Combo, Volume 2 digs deeper still, exploring more of the key artists and many of the short-lived bands and smaller labels of the time. Highlights include the dynamite funk / samba jam ‘Faz Tanta Tempo’ by Renata Lu, a great funky cover of Gilberto Gil’s ‘Bananeira’ by Emilio Santiago and a rare slice of breezy soul, ‘Supermarket’, by Pete Dunaway aka Paulistano, one of a group of artists giving themselves a Western-sounding name at the time.The album is compiled and annotated again by leading Brazilian music DJ Cliffy, the man behind London club night Batmacumba. the longest running Brazilian club night in England, now enjoying a bi-monthly residency at London’s Notting Hill Arts Club.
Release date on cd, lp and download: june 22nd. For more info check: http://www.blackrio-2.com/

ORIS JAY :: THRILLAZ NO FILLAZ vol 1

One of the godfathers of the currently blooming dubstep scene just released a new mix which he dubbed "Thrillaz...No Fillaz." Is Oris Jay boasting? No he isn't, believe me: the title is just right...

ORIS JAY :: THRILLAZ NO FILLAZ vol 1

1. DQ1 - 4Real
2. LD & Benga - Yes Yes
3. Mala - Eyez
4. Skream - Metal Mouth More Bass
5. DJ Kutz & Benga - I’ll Kut Ya
6. Joker - Do It!
7. Walsh & N Type - Fuze
8. Benga & Walsh - Addicts
9. Caspa - Riot Powder
10. Benga - Crackstep
11. Distance & Cyrus - Violate
12. Amit - White Trash (Darqwan Mix)
13. Benga - Buzzin
14. Dead Prez - Hip Hop (Instrumental)
15. Tes La Rok Ft: Uncle Sam - Round The Way Girls
16. Sukh Knight - Choli
17. Chase & Status - Eastern Jam VIP
18. Benga - Why Is Everything In Mono
19. Suspicious Stench - Masterblaster VIP
20. Proxy - Raven
21. 30Hz - Rise Up (DJ Pinch Remix)
22. Caspa - Low Blow
23. DJ Pinch - Jelly Bean


> Download here <

http://www.orisjay.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/orisjay
http://www.myspace.com/darqwan

DIGGIN' THE DUSTY BINS OF BARCELONA april 2009

Just got back from Barceloka and made a messep up mix from the stuff I found in my favourite recordshops. Be sure to visit Discos Edison (on Riera Baixa), lots of old and interesting vinyl at good prices, Rumba legend Chacho tends to drop by in the shop and they even smoke ganja behind the counter during opening hours. I love this store. Just next to it is Wha Wha, the most overpriced place I know of, but the reason you'll have drop in is their re-issue of Rabbit Rumba, an incredible hard-to-find funky organ rumba record (check the Caramelos track). For all things reggae, check Hot Shots, near the Post Office. Obviously the mix contains lots of old spanish sounds: Rumba from Barcelona (including a rare instrumental track by Peret), crazy Spanish cover versions (including my most hated Beatles'song Yellow Submarine) and Flamenco mixed with pop, rock and jazz. A little bit of Dutch jazzploitation (Jerry van Rooyen), contemporary but authentic-sounding skinhead reggae from Barcelona (Flight 404), some funky Atlantic Soul by Arthur Conley and Wilson Pickett, also salsa from New York (Celia Cruz) and Barcelona (Orquestra Platéria), samba and classic Jobim & Gilberto bossanova. Brazilian skafunk from Funk Como Le Gusta and ending with some contemporary roots reggae from Jamaica and Italy, and even some Jungle on the Chopstick label. We don't stick to one style.....Hope You Like it!
check it here:

Alfredo Domenech – Good Vibrations (LaVoz De Su Amo 1967)
Marjua Garrido – Guantanamera (Movieplay 197?)
Los Amaya – Caramelos (EMI 196?)
Rabbit Rumba – Caramelos (? 1972)
Jerry Van Rooyen – Pin Stripes and Machineguns (? 196?)
Flight 404 – Turbulence (Liquidator 2008)
Roberto Torres - Caballo Viejo (Guajiro 1981)
Peret – Caliente (Ariola 1975)
Flamenco – Corcho con Corcho (Ariola 1972)
Las Grecas - Te Estoy Amando Locamente (CBS 1973)
Dolores Vargas – La Hawaiana (Belter 1972)
Arthur Conley – Funky Street (Atlantic 1968)
Wilson Pickett – A Man And a Half (Atlantic 1968)
Peret – Chavi (Ariola 1972)
Amina – Diki Diki (Hispavox 1979)
Amina – Submarino Amarillo (Hispavox 1967)
Los Macarenos – Anabella (Movieplay 1974)
Ricao – Angelitos Negros (Kalipso 1990)
Orquestra Platéria -Pedro Navaja (Ariola 1980)
Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco – Cucala (Vaya 1975)
Zeca Pagodinho – S.P.C. (? 1982)
João Gilberto & Tom Jobim – Corcovado (EMI Odeon 1960)
Funk Como Le Gusta – Zambação (ST2 2001)
Ethiopians – The Whip (Luv Messenger 2009)
Admiral Tibet – Never Stop Trying (Luv Messenger 2009)
Junior Kelly – Same Ways (Soul Vybz 2006)
Killacat – Bun Dem (Macro Beats 2008)
Jah Mason – Soundboy Gone Jungle Remix (Chopstick 2008)

Afrofunk Junks Beware: Essential Releases Coming Up!

Recentley Academy Annex already treated us with the re-issue of the Nigerian highschool band Ofege, now 2 other afrofunk gems are coming up mid-late june.
SJOB Movement - A Move In The Right Direction
Extreme Afro-Funk-Rock rarity. Aside from a few scattered blog entries, we’ve never seen this one given the attention it deserves. One track from their second LP was included on Soundway’s Nigeria Disco Funk Special .
Mebusas Volume 1 - Blood Brothers
Yet another Nigerian rarity, this Mebusas LP gets its first ever reissue. Best known for their cut “Son of Mr Bulldog” which was made available on the Soundway's Afro Baby comp.

The Analog Africa label already provided us with several beautifull releases, their latest compilation African Scream Contest really hit the funky spot. The upcoming fifth collection focuses on Benin.
Various - Legends of Benin
Legens of Benin contains super rare and highly danceble masterpieces recorded between 1969 and 1981 by four legendary composers from Benin, Antoine Dougbe, El Rego, Honore Avolonto and Gnonnas Pedro, each one of them with their own distinct sound. The compilation comes with a 40 page full colour booklet with ultra rare pictures and biographies. Compiled by Samy Ben Redjeb, and of course all tracks fully licensed, release May 15th!
tracklist:
1. Dadje Von O Von Non - Gnonnas Pedro LISTEN HERE
2. Feeling You Got - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
3. Honton Soukpo Gnon - Antoine Dougbé LISTEN HERE
4. E Nan Mian Nuku - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
5. Tin Lin Non - H. Avolonto & Orchestre Poly-Rythmo LISTEN HERE
6. Okpo Videa Bassouo - Gnonnas Pedro et Ses Panchos LISTEN HERE
7. Ya Mi Ton Gbo - A. Dougbe & Orch. Poly-Rythmo LISTEN HERE
8. Nou Akuenon Hwlin Me Sin Koussio - Antoine Dougbé LISTEN HERE
9. Djobime - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
10. Na Mi Do Gbé Hué Nu - Honoré Avolonto LISTEN HERE
11. Vimado Wingnan - El Rego et Ses Commandos LISTEN HERE
12. Dou Dagbé Wé - Honoré Avolonto & Black Santiago LISTEN HERE
13. Kovito Gbe De Towe - Antoine Dougbé LISTEN HERE
14. La Musica en Verité - Gnonnas Pedro LISTEN HERE