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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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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
quick audio picks: 12
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
quick audio picks: 1234
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
quick audio picks: 123
Import-only pic sleeve 12" for Amy Winehouse's latest single, the Salaam Remi-produced "Tears Dry On Their Own(1)." The backing (which interpolates "Ain't No Mountain High Enough") sounds like a lost Motown instrumental, and Winehouse gives another engrossing vocal performance - good thing...
expand review this girl checked into rehab, 'cause she's way too talented to check out early. Al Usher's remix(2) is nice and funky with some electro and broken beat flares, but Alix Alvarez's Sole Channel version(3) is the one for the house heads. Big and bouncy, with retro synths like you'd hear from Alan Braxe & Fred Falke or The Neptunes. Both sides play at 45. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12
"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
quick audio picks: 1234
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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BONUS: Included with the vinyl version of Modern Guilt is a coupon good for a free high-quality 320kbps MP3 download of the full album. Interestingly, the MP3s are advertised as being "converted from vinyl" to replicate the analog sound.
Beck's long-awaited LP with...
expand review Danger Mouse behind the boards, pressed up on 180g virgin vinyl. If you're like me and kinda fell off the Beck-wagon after Sea Change, this album will probably be the one to draw you back in. Warm beats and heavy psych influences abound here, plus great vocals from the man and even some contributions from indie-folk lightning rod Cat Power ("Orphans(1)," "Walls(2)"). Check the hazy lead single "Chemtrails(3)" - it's a good indicator of what you're in for, and of how well DM's sound complements Beck's own. Also peep "Modern Guilt(4)," whose bouncy beat betray its lyrical content, and the broken beat electronics of "Youthless(5)." 10 tracks, 33 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Okay, if you're contemplating dropping 30-plus clams on this set, I'm guessing you're already familiar with the new album from everyone's favorite Icelandic songstress and are more interested in what this thing looks like. Well, allow me! First off, the thing comes...
expand review housed in a glossy red gatefold cardboard box, which can only be opened by cutting (or VERY SLOWLY peeling) the massive sticker of Bjork from the front of it. Once inside, you'll notice the box itself is cut into some funky shapes, and it's actually holding ANOTHER device which I can only describe as a Russian nesting pic sleeve. Four heavy duty, glossy sleeves (each with a different insane pic of the Bjorky one) hold two matte paper sleeves, which hold (finally!) the double vinyl for this release. Needless to say, this is very limited and therefore kinda essential for Bjork fans. And that's not even mentioning the music, which sports production from Timbaland and guest appearances from Congo ensemble Konono No.1, free folk / psych drummer extraordinaire Chris Corsano, Lightning Bolt's Brian Chippendale and Antony. Needless to say, the sound is all over the place, but always anchored by the unmistakable vocals of Ms. Guðmundsdóttir. Check these tracks for a taste: "Earth Intruders(1)," "Innocence(2)," "Hope(3)," "Declare Independence(4)" and "Vertebrae By Vertebrae(5)." -Larri Byrd
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Black Monk, one of my favorites from the Poo-Bah roster, drops this potent dose of beats on 45. "It Ain't Easy(1)" is hitting my lobes perfectly right now. It starts off with some sinister UNKLE-type beats (circa Time Has Come) and then...
expand review switches into a happy funk loop section. Flip it for "Northern Lights(2)", which is more in the ethereal beats vein with abstract female vocals from Kissey Asplund. Cool pic sleeve too. -the mgmnt
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According to the one sheet, these guys (7L and RaZor) made all these edits in the "cut & paste / tape edit" method of 80s pioneers like the Latin Rascals and Steinski, and while I doubt that they were actually cutting up...
expand review any tape, the inspiration and style are definitely in there. 7L has made an impressive transition from indie hip hop sideman to one of Boston's biggest club djs, and while I've never heard of RaZor, he does some cool shit with the edits here. Check out his versions of Madonna's "Physical Attraction(1)" and Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue" ("Out In The Streets(2)"). That shit is POPPING in the headphones, I can only imagine what it would sound like in the club when he starts flipping channels, stuttering and overdubbing those beats. The a-side features an original 7L & RaZor party break, in three smart versions. The basic "Work It, Shake It(3)" is best for your own blending purposes, then the "Back It Up(4)" mix takes things up a couple notches with Gwen samples and could work in a number of situations (uh, mostly just play it), then "Work It, Shake It Remix(5)" pulls em all together. -the mgmnt
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