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UK producer 2Tall has successfully made the transition from battle dj (as a UK team champ) to downtempo producer, working with Dudley Perkins & Georgia Anne Muldrow on 2007's Beautiful Mindz album. Turntablism is cool and all, but I like my beats...
expand review straight, and that's what 2Tall delivers. Like labelmate Dday One, 2Tall takes a solemn, serious approach to beatmaking... squeezing emotion out of the MPC (or whatever he's using). Downtempo collectors take notice. Nice matte pic sleeve, edition of 500. -the mgmnt
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Love records like this - $.99 Dreams snuck up out of nowhere, tugged on my ears and made me pay attention with nothing but pure high grade audio. I wasn't sure what to expect with the name and super-plain design, but this...
expand review Brooklyn duo - whose aim is "to develop the area between hip-hop and free-jazz" - knocked this out the park. Whether you're in need of some clattering, rattling drone ("Thai Tony(1)"), chunky boom bap 'n' Moog ("Jack Murphy(2)"), or a skronky downtempo jernt ("Rockland Psych Ward(3)"), there'll be something here to pique your interest. My favorite might be the extra schmooove closer "Electro Egg(4)," on some true jazz chit. More, I say! 7 tracks total. Recommended. -Van Hammersly
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Throwback single from Air! After a couple albums filled with ill-thought out pop experimentation ("Surfing On A Rocket"??), "Cherry Blossom Girl(1)" was a breath of fresh… no, wait, let me start over. "Cherry Blossom Girl" is classic Air, a lush and beautiful...
expand review track that came out of nowhere during a really stale period in their career, and which could easily be mistaken as an outtake from Moon Safari or their Virgin Suicides soundtrack. But of course, you're buying this for the seldom heard Simian Mobile Disco remix(2). You're in luck, 'cause that happens to be a burner, too, proving that SMD have been doing this Daft Punk-y electro house thing since way back in… 2004. Everything about this mix is cool: the glitchy sound kits, the electrified (and hella sped up) riff from the original track, and especially the big breakdown / build-up in the middle. Also included is "Fanny(3)," a gentle, stripped-down demo version of "Cherry Blossom Girl" that's totally worth listening to on its own. A-side plays at 45; B-side plays at 33. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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To quote minimal man, "Damn, there's a lot going on here!" That might just be an understatement. The Akoya Afrobeat Ensemble consists of 13 core members from around the world, playing everything from congas, keys, sax, vocals, etc, (plus 12 extended family...
expand review members that lend a hand when needed) that create an amazing fusion of African, Afro-cuban, jazz and funk with deep roots in the Fela style. Just take a listen to the intense musicality of "B.F.B.F.(1)." These cats know what they're doing... for serious. It might take a few listens for it all to sink in, but once it does it's like "whoa." Flipside features "Jeje L'Aiye(2)" with reggae saxophone legend Cedric "Im" Brooks, another stunning piece with a killer afro-funk groove deeply rooted in the West African style. Two modern afrobeat masterpieces on the same 12"? If you're into afrobeat, broken beat, Fela, or good fusion music in general, cop this immediately. I see you T-Kat. -snackmaster
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Akoya continues to ride their wave of momentum right now by dropping the second single from their forthcoming album, P.D.P. (President Dey Pass). In true Afrobeat fashion, they do it in the form of a pair of quick little thirteen minute...
expand review ditties. "Fela Dey(1)" begins just the way it should, slowly building in complexity with horn arrangements chasing themselves around the track while nice steady guitar and percussion work provides the anchor. The keys and drums then play a little friendly game of tug o' war until the tension releases with an explosion of vocals and horns. Once the groove sets in you be lulled into a very special state where everything begins to blend together, but without feeling directionless or repetitive. The flip features "Wahala(2)" which fans of the Budos will immediately connect with. That tight looseness in the intro just sets things in the right direction. I get the strong feeling from Akoya that they are not trying to rush their ideas or put too many in one song. Everything seems to get proper space to breathe and develop and if anything I almost want some of their songs to stretch out a little more. That says a great deal considering one of my biggest criticisms of all the "Afrobeat" groups that have popped up in the last handful of years is that some of them tend to make some long-ass songs that don't go anywhere just because they know that Fela brought the super-extended heat. So here's to Akoya's continued evolution and their long-ass songs that could actually stand to be a little longer. -Telekinetic Kat
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Have you guys ever seen this movie? Crazy inside-out looking aliens, miniature human pets and all kinds of choppy, tripped-out FX make it one of those films that makes you feel real drugged-out even though you might be 100% sober. It's worth...
expand review a watch though, if anything for the amazing soundtrack by French composer Alain Goraguer. The sound he creates is spaced-out, eerie ambience with a minimal funkyness akin to Portishead beats on opium. It's no wonder Madlib sampled this soundtrack for Quasimoto's The Unseen. Take a listen to "Dehominisation(1)," "Le Bracelet(2)," "Maquillage De Tiwa(3)," "Ten Et Medor(4)," and "Mira Et Ten(5)" and you'll get a feel of what's going on here. There are plenty of other untapped moments, plus this is a cool record just to have. Import Czech pressing with excellent pic sleeve. -snackmaster
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Even though we're still getting singles off Aloe's Stones Throw album, we haven't seen anything new from him in a minute and he comes back with this double sider for Plug Label. Aloe's always flipping his styles around, and this single...
expand review gives us 2 of his many faces. I'm personally riding with the b-side Aloe Blacc, doing his mellow crooner thing on "With My Friends(1)." Real solid Donny Hathaway-ish beat from King Most too, those keys set it nicely and bring out the robust side of Aloe's voice . I'm not as interested in the rapping Aloe (sorry) that he displays on "Get Down(2)," but he's got another cool beat, this time from Kero One. Instrumentals included for both. -the mgmnt
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Finally available on vinyl! Didn't think much of this album when we first saw it advertised - now it's heading for instant classic status. Retro sounds from Ms. Winehouse and Mark Ronson, and not in that Daptone kinda way. Check out the...
expand review big ones - "Rehab(1)" and the Ghostface(2) and non-Ghostface(3) versions of "You Know I'm No Good" - and you'll see what I mean. This stuff is hard to resist, sweet and soulful with that super dark undercurrent. For reference, I went into my local comic shop the other day and even they were bumping this album. (And comic nerds HATE almost all music that's not from "the trilogy.") Also check the Salaam Remi-produced "Me & Mr. Jones(4)," the Lauryn Hill-meets-The Supremes vibe on "He Can Only Hold Her(5)" or the "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"-sampling "Tears Dry On Their Own(6)." Forget the hype, this is just some well-crafted music. Mark Ronson = new school Phil Spector? 11 tracks total. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Import-only, second single from Amy Winehouse's breakout album. Features the title track "Back To Black(1)," the Dangermouse-sounding Mushtaq Remix(2), the club-friendly Steve Mac Remix(3) and the twisted Smack Dub version(4). -the mgmnt
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Another promotional (wink wink) double-pack of hard-to-find Winehouse cuts. The first piece of wax features eight live tracks, including the recent singles "Tears Dry On Their Own(1)" and "Love Is A Losing Game(2)," two versions of the Mark Ronson collab / Zutons...
expand review cover "Valerie," and her take on the Phil Spector classic "To Know Him Is To Love Him(3)." The second slab is all about the remixes, with the smoldering Truth & Soul take of "Losing Game(4)," a "Rehab(5)" mix with both Jay-Z and Pharoahe Monch, and the two-toned Baby J version of "Valerie(6)." 13 tracks total. -Van Hammersly
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"Tears Dry On Their Own(1)" is the Salaam Remi-produced standout from Amy Winehouse's recent LP, the joint that interpolates "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with all the lush orchestration. Girlfriend's voice sounds right at home over the Motown-style backing. But the reason...
expand review to cop this one is New Young Pony Club's "Fucked Mix(2)," which, true to its name, distorts Amy's vocals and replaces the soulful styles with some sleazy sounding, bass-heavy electro. Comes on clear vinyl in an import-style pic sleeve. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Now on silver colored vinyl! Limited press 7" EP with England's most talented trainwreck covering some two-tone favorites. The slow skank of Sam Cooke's "Cupid(1)" suits her voice best, but I'm feeling the accompaniment on "Hey Little Rich Girl(2)" too. Two more...
expand review Specials covers - the uptempo "You're Wondering Now(3)" and a skippable version "Monkey Man(4)" - round things out. Plays at 33. -Chris Lemon-Red
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