The Souljazz Orchestra: Mamaya
From: Rising Sun [2010, Strut]

It’s been an exciting year or so for African music at Strut. In addition to releases from one of my musical heroes (Mulatu Astatke) and the Nigeria 70 series, there’s the Jimi Tenor / Tony Allen Inspiration Information album, and this March will see a reissue of the seminal Duncan Brooker compilation Afro Rock Vol. 1 (I’ll try to post a track from that one coming up as well). But this project holds a special place in my heart, because it’s from a new band, and one that not a lot of people seem to be up on (at least in the States). The Souljazz Orchestra have quietly been making Afrobeat and jazz-inspired masterpieces for the better part of the last decade, earning them accolades from the likes of Afro enthusiasts Gilles Peterson and Rich Medina. I was ignorant of the group’s efforts though until their awesome remix of Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle’s “Watch We,” from that duo’s own Inspiration Information project. The way they flipped that one from a mellow dancehall loper into a slice of Afro heat really impressed me, and I was eager to hear what else the group had up its sleeve.

On Rising Sun the group maintains the same intensity (see the video above) while expanding a little bit into the realm of cosmic jazz, and Ethio style modes. It’s nice to have the floor fillers book-ended by some spacier, introspective numbers. There’s even a Pharaoh Sanders cover, to give you an idea of the kind of territory they’re treading. Unfortunately, there aren’t any US dates planned so far. I’d love to see these guys tear up a stage, but it’s looking like I’ll have to wait on that one. If I hear anything about upcoming dates, I’ll be sure to get on the horn. For the Canadians though, you’re all set:

Jaga Jazzist- One Armed Bandit
From: One Armed Bandit [Ninja Tune, 2010]

I’m pretty sure that even if John McEntire weren’t listed in the totally awesome liner notes for the new Jaga Jazzist album One Armed Bandit, listeners would be able to make the Tortoise connection for themselves. So if that association is something turns you off, it’s a safe-ish bet that this album isn’t for you. For the rest of you, submitted for your approval is the Topkapi-meets-fuzz-bass of the title track. At over seven minutes long, it never deviates to far from its original theme, nor does it devolve too recklessly into virtuosic soloing. It even has a melody which can lodge itself in the brain. For all the “cinematic” pieces coming from current instrumental outfits and producers, this is one of the few that comes to mind which would create a feeling other than one of suspense. The Mars Volta, who according to Wikipedia cite Jaga Jazzist as one of their favorite acts, could stand to enliven some of their recent output with some of the same restraint and attention to melody.

Blockhead: Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer
From: The Music Scene [Ninja Tune, 2010]

Blockhead: Night Light (Instrumental)
From: Music By Cavelight (Bonus Disc) [Ninja Tune, 2004]

Blockhead: Dough
From: Broke Beats [Mush, 2001]

While I don’t return to it as often as I could, there was a time when I felt that Aesop Rock’s Labor Days was just about the single freshest slice of hip-hop I had ever heard. Aesop’s harsh rasp and signature stream of consciousness expulsions are certainly what initially distinguished the record to me, but a large part of its sustained listen-ability I feel is due to the man behind the boards, Blockhead. I might go so far as to say that the fact that Labor Days is their only full-length collaboration is related to the fact that Aesop’s subsequent material has never quite surpassed this initial benchmark in my mind.

The Music Scene is the third full-length instrumental solo offering Blockhead has produced for Ninja Tune, and it sees him elaborating on the contemplative boom bap that characterized his previous albums. The beats contained here don’t leave any room for vocalists, but aren’t overly busy either. Most end in a different place than they began, which suits the cinematic quality of the music. The production is still loop based (see the nice Small Faces grab in the above track), but movement is added through more subtle techniques than subtracting and re-adding layers.

To add a little bit of context, I added one of my favorite of Blockhead’s rap instrumentals, taken from the b-side of Aesop Rock’s “Daylight” 12″, and a beat from the break record he did with Mush in 2001. Both bang in their own right, especially “Night Light,” thought the difference between these and tracks which were meant to stand on their own as instrumentals is significant.

Blockhead will be performing in NYC at the Mercury Lounge on February 5th. The Music Scene is out now.

Show Review: New Master Sounds in NYC 7/8/09

As B posted a couple weeks ago, the New Mastersounds recently swung through NYC for a one-off show on the way to hit the festival circuit. I had really liked their debut album Keb Darge Presents…, but honestly hadn’t heard much other than a couple 7″s from them of late. Clearly I’ve been sleeping, though, as they’re touring behind their sixth studio album, Plug & Play. When I heard that the performance would be on a boat cruising up the Hudson Rover, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to head out and see how their James Brown meets Lou Donaldson brand of jazzy funk (or funky jazz?) played out live.

The boat loaded at about 7:00, just as the sun was starting to go down, and we were greeted with the sounds of classic motown on the PA as folks boarded. The guys drew a solid crowd, and folks seemed to be in the mood to party. Since we’d be on the water for about three hours, the group wasted no time in taking the stage and diving straight into some driving funk, with a guitar and organ riff serving as the anchor between several solos. It’s clear how long the guys have been playing together, because the mood was relaxed though the playing was very tight.

One thing that struck me was the makeup of the folks in attendance. It seems that the NMS have found their niche in the jam-band scene, and Bonaroo t-shirts, shoulder length hair, and Teva sandles abounded. Saying that might sound like a slight, but I actually think it’s great that fans are picking up on music like this. It has all the tenants of other stuff in that scene (extended improvisations, long set lists, tight musicianship) but lacks more indulgent or overly cheesy elements of bands like Disco Biscuits or Soundtribe. All of that is to say, if all “jam bands” played like this, there wouldn’t be a stigma to the music that bears that flag.

The band was in work mode the whole time, delivering a three hour show with only a short break in between sets. They even played a short song once the boat docked and the lights went on, spurred on by the audience’s cheers for more. It would have been nice if some of the vocalists they’ve worked with (Plug and Play features Dionne Charles on four tracks, and several other vocalists have been featured in the past) could have been present, but the constant energy, playful solos, and varying tempos and song structures were enough to keep the focus on the band. Highlights included the always ripping, fast picked guitar solos from Eddie Roberts, and the frequent drum breakdowns from Simon Allen. The New Mastersounds make party music, and I can’t think of a better way to get in the spirit than a show on the water.

DJ Still Life: Eddie Bo Tribute Set
From: Pain In My Heart on East Village Radio

Following up on Chuckdafonk’s post on the sad passing of a New Orleans blues, soul, and funk legend Eddie Bo last week, I put together a tribute to the man on my weekly show Pain In My Heart on East Village Radio. Listening to so much of his music back to back really emphasized his contribution to the elusive groove he often called the pocket. RIP to a soul genius.

Tracklist
Eddie Bo- The Sissy Walk Part 1
Eddie Bo- Check Mr. Popeye Part 1
Chuck Carbo- Can I Be Your Squeeze
Little Bo- Baby
Mary Jane Hooper- Don’t Change A Thing
Eddie Bo- Hook N Sling Part 2
Eddie Bo- I Just Keep On Rolling
Art Neville- Hook Line & Sinker
Oliver Morgan- Roll Call
Barbara George- Something You Got
Eddie Bo- Roamin-Itis
Chris Kenner- All Night Rambler
Eddie Bo- Check Your Bucket
Roy Ward- Horse With A Freeze
Tommy Ridgley- I Want Some Money
Inell Young- The Next Ball Game
Eddie Bo- Every Dog Has Its Day
Eddie Bo- Fence Of Love
Roger & The Gypsies- Pass The Hatchet
Eddie Bo- Baby I’m Wise
The Explosions- Hip Drop
Eddie Bo & Inez Cheatham- Lover & A Friend
Mary Jane Hooper- I’ve Got Reasons
Eddie Bo- All I Ask Of You
Curley Moore & The Cool Ones- Shelly’s Rubber Band
Eddie Lang- The Love I Have For You
Eddie Bo- If It’s Good To You, It’s Good For You Pt. 2
Oliver Morgan- The La-La Man (Part 1)
Eddie Bo- Stone Graveyard
Eddie Lang- Souling
Marilyn Barbarin- Reborn
The Explosions- Garden Of Four Trees
Eddie Bo- Ain’t You Ashamed
Eddie Bo & The Barons- Gotta Have More
David Robinson- I’m A Carpenter Pt.
Tommy Ridgley- In The Same Old Way
Eddie Bo- Just Friends
Eddie Bo- We Like Mambo
Mary Jane Hooper- I’ve Got What You Need
Curley Moore & The Kool Ones- Funky Yeah
Eddie Bo- Dinky Do
Doug Anderson- Mama Here Comes The Preacher
Eddie Bo- What You Gonna Do
Eddie Bo- Hook And Sling Part 1
Eddie Bo- Warm Daddy
Eddie Bo- This Must Me Love
Eddie Bo- From This Day On
Eddie Bo- Fare Thee Well

Keelay and Zaire: The Times feat. Blu, Fortilive & Nino Moschella
From: Ridin’ High [March 10th]

Keelay & Zaire have an album coming up next week (the name of which is derived from the Fazo-O classic that has seen some love on the Fuzz) with a guest-list that’s pretty insane (Phonte, Saafir, Darrien Brockington, Blu, Nino Moschella etc.). The production duo pretty much eat sleep and breathe music, so we thought we’d have them list some of the records nearest and dearest to their hearts, as well as (of course) the finer points of life as a Ninja.

5 records we wish we could sample with sample clearance

1. Give Me Your Love – Curtis Mayfield (only because its been sampled so much)
2. Tidal Wave – Ronnie Laws (same as above)
3. Rock With You – Michael Jackson
4. All of D’angelo’s Acappella’s & Music
5. EVERYTHING James Brown

5 artists we would like to collab with

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Sade
3. Redman
4. Devante Swang from Jodeci
5. John Brown and the Ghetto Revival

5 styles of Kung Fu I would like to know

1. Drunken Style
2. Jeet Kun Doe
3. Eagle Claw
4. Shaolin
5. Forget Kung Fu altogether and be a full blown ninja

—-speaking of which

5 dope things about being a ninja

1. Wearing all black everyday allday
2. Bullets are now useless against you
3. Your weapons are not only lethal, but they make great cooking utensils
4. Everyone wants to be you, but they can’t
5. Smoke Bombs. Nuff Said.

Mulatu Astatke: Netsanet
From: Ethiopiques Vol. 4 (Buda, 1998)

Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics: Video interview
From: Inspiration Information (Strut, 2009)

Could I be more geeked about this? Unlikely. Mulatu Astatke’s music is something that scratches a unique itch in a wide variety of people. I got put up on it by East Coast hip-hop DJs (Rob Swift’s Soulful Fruit tape to be specific) who used it as sample and mixtape fodder. Unlike many rare slabs resurrected by the dusty fingered ilk though, Astatke’s music has taken root in the minds of music fans of all sorts, from indie kids to soundtrack aficionados to the Starbucks set.

A collaboration with the cosmic-minded Heliocentrics (lead by DJ Shadow collaborator and funk 45 enthusiast Malcolm Catto) emphasizes the backbeat, while giving the band a chance to space out on some modal jazz. Nice. When I heard Strut was going to be putting such a collaboration out as a part of our Information Inspiration series, I was pretty much beside myself. The resulting sounds (some of which you can check out in the above video) highlight what I like about both artists without sounding exactly like the work of either.

I’m pained to have missed a rare live performance from Astatke this last week in LA with an orchestra of top-notch musicians (including Phil Ranelin of the Tribe collective), but am thrilled to see that his music continues to inspire awe from the growing number of folks fortunate enough to encounter it. Here’s to hoping he can see to some East Coast dates.

Yo La Tengo: “Big Day Coming (version 1)” & “Big Day Coming (version 2)”
From Painful (Matador, 1993)

I was just down at the laundromat on the corner of all places, and even there you could feel the anticipation of something big happening. Every TV set was tuned to a different channel covering some aspect of the inauguration, and people were paying pretty rapt attention. My little brother is in DC with his girlfriend and I can only imagine the intensity of everyone preparing for the party of a lifetime. And of course Stone and EJ’s tweets aren’t helping as far as me wishing I could hop in a car and head down there this instant.

I don’t know if tomorrow will top the spontaneous street corner party that erupted in my neighborhood the night of the election, but I know that it will be a day I won’t forget. Here’s to a big day coming for our country, and hopefully for the world.

DJ Still Life: The Raw and the Crooked 006 & 007
From Sleeping Giant Podcast (2008)

It’s snowing up a storm here in NYC. A nor’easter they tell me. And while it does make it a pain to try to get around, I’ve got to say the idea of slowing down, keeping indoors for a bit, and lamping with some heady joints sounds pretty good right now. If you’re in the same boat, these mixes should treat you well. 006 is heavy on the psych tip, 007 gets back to the beats with some heavy shoegaze thrown in for extra coldness. Tracklists below.

The Raw and the Crooked 006
The Shocking Pinks- Wake Up
Renee Armand- I Think You’re Letting Me Go
Food- Forever Is A Dream
Terry Reid- Seed Of Memory
Manfred Mann- You’re A Better Man Than I
Focus Three- 10,000 Years Behind My Mind
Gandalf- I Watch The Moon
The Pretty Things- Cries From The Midnight Circus
Fifty Foot Hose- Rose
Beyond The Wizard’s Sleeve- Sunday Morning Sun-g
Mashmakhan- Mr. Tree
Caetano Veloso- The Empty Boat
Janko Nilovic- Love On The Moon
JK & Co- Fly
Baby Huey- A Change Is Going To Come

The Raw and the Crooked 007
Kanye West- Say You Will
Katie Enlow- Wandering Star
Air- Venus
Dragons of Zynth- Anna Mae
Betty Botox- Flying Into Narita
Swayzak- The Long Night
Sonic Youth- Free City Rhymes
Blood On The Wall- I’d Like To Take You Out Tonight
The Jesus And Mary Chain- Sowing Seeds
$.99 Dreams- Jack Murphy
Black Milk- Hell Yeah
JakeOne- Kissin The Curb
Jel- Sole & Sage Heads Hurt
Super Smoky Soul- 1
Busta f/ Missy- How We Do It Over Here

Pee Pee Dynamite- Groovy Christmas and New Year (DJ Still Life Edit)

I grabbed this track last year when Frank posted it at his fantastic Voodoo Funk blog. In order to throw it in some wintertime sets, I did a quick edit for easy mixability. Use it to spread some holiday cheer!