quick audio picks: 12
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
quick audio picks: 12
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: 123
USA chants usually make me nervous on some drunk, violent, these colors don't run, white dudes getting in fights during the singing of god bless amerika because the Yankees are getting blown out by the Angels type shit, but it sounds pretty...
expand review pure over the thick and swift afrobeat sounds of Akoya. Plus they're speaking about the "U(nilateral) S(ystem) of A(ttack)(1)" here, so don't get it twisted a la Ronald Regan debasing "Born in the USA" because he and his handlers didn't bother listening to anything but the chorus. "Pelotera(2)" is a relentless instrumental tune that is running a marathon against itself from the first horn swells until the finish line. This sound really exemplifies Akoya's strength which is the ability to play very intricate arrangements without losing an ounce of vibe in the process. Nobody's showboating here, it's a team effort to get the full potential out of all 14 members of the band. And with the multinational Brooklyn-based Akoya crew overlapping with such groups as Chimp Beams, Dub Nomads, Chin Chin and Chico Mann, there's most definitely a lot of potential to be shared. My favorite tune on this record is "Star Wars(3)" which begins as a beautiful slow-burning spiritual and turns midway into that uptempo afrobeat heat. I think the reason this record sounds and feels so good to me is because Akoya successfully stays true to the foundation of the afrobeat sound while adding their own distinct flavor to the mix. Other revivalists have come and gone over the last decade, but expect this ensemble to be innovating while recreating for the long haul. USA, baby! -Telekinetic Kat
quick audio picks: 1234
Aldo Vanucci's 2002 "When I See You Smile" was pretty big hit for a downtempo track. Sampling the vocals from the identically titled late 80s reggae track by Singing Sweet, it had a infectious feel good sound and rich beats to match....
expand review 5 years later, Aldo revisits his hit with 2 sharply contrasting remixes. First up, Fatboy Slim, the don of the downtempo hit, reworks it with his usual catchy, perfectly executed style(1) (check the dubby basslines). Deadly Avenger (DC Recordings) goes the grimy route and turns the original into a wicked dark beats version(2). It sounds like Sweet is being held gun-point and forced to sing over some Dr. Dre on crack beats. Love the contrast. B-side features two tracks from the Aldo's upcoming album, "Let's Go Down(3)" and "Holla Down(4)." -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Extremo heatage alert. In the recesses of my brain, I always thought Mr. Fingers' "Can U Feel It" would sound exalted with some appropriate vocals (just like how "Hot Music" got blown up a couple years ago, remember one hit wonder K-Os?)....
expand review Well, "If I Feel It(1)" is as dream-like as I could have ever imagined... Amp Fiddler dueting with Corrine Bailey Rae over a re-edit of "Feel It?" Getdaphucouttahere. On the flip "If I Witness(2)," the same Amp-Bailey combo rides over another super-popular beat, Roots Manuva "Witness The Fitness." Recommended. -the mgmnt
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Super whitelabel double pack from Europe, with one LP of live performances and one LP of remixes, all of tracks from her Back To Black album. Amy's been in the headlines in the last few weeks for her shabby stage appearances, but...
expand review she sounds on point for this concert, the recording of which is so good that it's gotta be from an official source. Live standouts include the Ronson collab cover "Valerie(1)," "Rehab(2)" and "Love Is A Losing Game(3)" featuring a verse from Mos Def. But you're here for the remixes, right? You've probably already heard the "Rehab" remix with Jay-Z(4) and maybe even Hot Chip's bumpin' version(5), but how about Skeewiff's chunky, breaks-driven nu-jazz take on "You Know I'm No Good(6)?" Or New Young Pony Club remixing "Tears Dry On Their Own(7)" in their new disco stylee? Also includes the Ghostface remix of "You Know I'm No Good(8)." 13 tracks total. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 12
Bob Sinclar makes music for the people. He's not afraid of being slightly cheesy and he pulls out every trick in the book. On this Brazilian-inspired dance track, "Meu Carnaval(1)," Sinclar inserts multiple crowd moving techniques: Batucada percussion, Dubsided-lite zip sounds and...
expand review horns, a guitar breakdown, crowd noise, and Seu Jorge type vocals (actually it's Rolando Faria). Flip features an effective Dub Version(2) that replaces the vocals with anthemic horns. Easy pickings. -the mgmnt
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Build An Ark, the Los Angeles jazz ensemble led by Carlos Nino and Dwight Treble, have released two albums on Dutch label Kindred Spirits. This EP features outtakes sessions from their second album Dawn. These outtakes consist of fully formed songs like...
expand review "Build An Ark(1), Bottom To The Top(2)," and "Sunshine(3)" to abstract, feeling pieces like "Shine Your Light(4)." The flipside is taken up entirely by a 14 minute live rendition of "A Love Supreme(5)." 7 tracks in all. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234
DJ Gregory was a big name at the lab when we first started carrying dance music. He released a Kitsune single back in 2002, and then the anthem "Elle" in 2003. After the never-ending stream of "Elle" remixes, Gregory is back to...
expand review stake his place with this ambitious Faya Commbo Session 4 EP set. This is the third EP, and features the big tune "Solaris(1)." Although it borrows from a couple current dance styles (quick disco drums, repetitive minimal synth), this mixture sounds resoundingly fresh. Far from trendy, this record is the type that will be played for a while. For all the drum heads, checkout the extended disco drum intro. Also includes a minimal mix by the Pasta Boys(2). The flip gets into more familiar Gregory styles with the latin beats of "Hypnose(3)" and the afro-tech of "Afromobile(4)." Recommended for "Solaris." -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Force of Nature has been making highly collectable records for the Bogman crowd for a couple years now. The Japanese duo switches gears for their latest on Mule Musiq, as they present two side-spanning remix versions. On the a-side you get a...
expand review heady, minimal style rework(1) by Stefan Goldmann (Innervisions, Ovum, Classic). The flip features a similarly-styled remix by DFA affiliates Still Going (aka Eric Duncan and Olivier Spencer). Is techno the next thing (or already here)? -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
It's easy to hate on underground labels when they get popularized, which is why it seems music nerds (like our reviewers) keep waiting for Dubsided to slip. But with every release, people can shut the phuc up cause they keep throwing the...
expand review molotovs. Jesse Rose's "Everyday This(1)" is like a bag full of gimmicks (Q-Tip sample, female soul vocals, preset synths), but that's what draws us to Dubsided releases. It's easy to chomp on this kind of shit, just like those Japanese gummy candies. "Itchy Dog(2)" actually gets the a-side billing and it goes the currently hot minimal route, building but never loosing its cool. Check for the ethereal, ambient moments scattered in the track, simply beautiful. Lastly, "Second Letter First(3)" is a bit of a throwback, an acid-lite track that will easily mix into dance sets. A satisfying three tracker. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Slick nujazz sounds from Kevin Yost and his long running Bongo Madness series. "Darkness Into Light(1)" sports a hard 4/4 before the bongos takeover, transforming it into a dark afro-tinged number. Subtle vibe play comes in halfway, adding to the dream-like sounds....
expand review The b-side entitled "The Punisher(2)" is more abstract with bongos weaving through a disco drum kit and throbbing bass. There's definitely a hypnotic aspect to this track, a great one to build up the crowd energy. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
That's Our Word (Dudley Perkins) EP
Dutch break heads Kraak & Smaak team up with Stones Throw's Dudley Perkins for on the title track here(1). Madlib is a genius and all, but Dudley should try to get a couple of tracks from these...
expand review guys for his next one. They seem to put in maximum effort. Next up, "Why Do People Fall(2)" is a dark, smokey jazz track featuring the vocals of Carmel. Think these guys are really trying to push their sound in grown directions rather than the cheeky breakbeats they've become known for. "Cornered(3)" takes up the entire b-side and they go for the epic effect with a multi-movement soundtracky song. If you ever find yourself to play out something like this, it could kill the girls with hairy arms, slight BO and loose fitting clothing. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Ever since the Motown acapellas were leaked, there has been a steady stream of excellent remixes coming out on 12". On this release, Spain's Barna Soundmachine touches three Marvin tracks, which get progressively more ambitious from the A1 to the B2. The...
expand review "Sexual Healing" remix(1) is your staple, crowd-pleasing disco re-rub. Nothing mind-blowing, but super-playable (ed. note: several people have mentioned this track is slightly off beat, and upon another listen, I'd have to agree). The remix(2) of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is where it gets exciting. This breakbeat version is reminiscent of a Bugz white label and includes a Snoop "drop it" vocal sample for good measure. Lastly the remix(3) of "It's Too Late For You And I" is reworked into a Theo Parrish type edit with quick drums, abstract chops, and atmospheric overtones. Three definite play tracks. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
The original "Mi Swing Es Tropical" 12" was a certified best seller here at the Lab and definitely one of the biggest tunes to date from Nickodemus and Quantic, so naturally a remix is in order. And who better to remix the...
expand review track than label mate and dub master Zeb? His reggae remix(1) is a scorching hybrid of the original's latin flavor infused with dubby bass and skanking guitars. This is the kind of world music you can really get down to. Flipside features the uptempo dancefloor heat of "Conmigo(2)" on which Nickodemus teams up with legendary Puerto Rican vocalist Sammy Ayala and the Candela All-Stars. Burnin'! -snackmaster
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