The heart. A vital muscle organ responsible for pumping blood through vessels by rhythmic contractions. This symbol of life and love is the quintessence of the sound concept behind Tokyo Dawn Records’ new compilation project of love-drenched heart beats. Including over a dozen previously unreleased songs from some of today’s most engaging producers such as Machinedrum, Swede:art, Robot Koch, Jay Scarlett, Simbad, fLako, Comfort Fit and more, ‘The Heart’ also features special vocal appearances from Georgia Anne Muldrow with her … Continue reading
Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe has tenaciously honed their craft through relentless touring and a fierce dedication to carving out something they can truly call their own. The fruits of this hard work can be heard on their scintillating new long-player, TK2, being released September 7, 2010 on Nat Geo Music. Continue reading
MP3 Download (right click to download): Seu Jorge & Almaz “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” Seu Jorge has always put artistic freedom first. His extraordinary story spans theatre projects in Rio’s favelas, movie acting (as Knockout Ned in Fernando Meirelles’ City Of God, and with Bill Murray in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic) and of course, becoming one of Brazil’s best known singers. The man happens to have samba’s most soulful voice. But as he proved with his celebrated album of … Continue reading
“A great big yes,” says The New York Times to the spectacular solo return of one of dance music’s true eccentrics, the genius Coati Mundi, who is back with “Dancing for The Cabana Code in The Land of Boo-Hoo,” his first album in nearly two decades. To be released this October on trend-setting NYC indie Rong Music, the deliriously genre-spanning (disco, salsa, samba, funk), multilingual, electro-infused dance album was produced, arranged and composed by Coati Mundi and UK studio wizard … Continue reading
‘Jamm’ is the first new album in five years from one of Africa’s great musical mavericks, Senegalese sufi troubadour Cheikh Lo. This is his most distinctive and personal album since his groundbreaking, Youssou N’Dour-produced debut ‘Ne la Thiass’ in 1996. Free track at end of article. Continue reading
In 4REAL City of God, Sol Guy takes rap star and actor, Mos Def, into the infamous favela (slum), City Of God, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There they meet up with Brazil’s top rap artist MV Bill, himself the product of City of God, who has, over years, become an outspoken voice for the youth of the favelas. Continue reading
If the two-volume LP set Live At The Cheetah signified the emergence of the New York salsa explosion of the ’70s, the equally double album Live At Yankee Stadium, released in 1975, marked the very zenith of the salsa phenomenon – its official introduction into the mainstream. There is an irony, of course, to the music included in these excellent discs: *much of these tracks were actually recorded in Puerto Rico, and not at the Yankee Stadium. The Yankee tracks … Continue reading
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble “Drips/Take Notice” feat Flying Lotus from MIguel Atwood-Ferguson on Vimeo.
A nice slice of deep jazz by the Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble Recorded live in Los Angeles at Grand Performances, California Plaza July 23, 2010.
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DJ Kevlar drops “Fiesta Up in Here” a spicey blend of Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Cumbia, Boogaloo, Descarga, Bossa Nova and more Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms re-rubbed over beats ascending from Hip Hop to Breaks to House (from acclaimed producers & remixers like Nickodemus, Quantic, Red Astaire, Greenwood Rhythm Coalition and KidGusto), with a couple untouched classics nestled in along the way. Continue reading
In Gecko Turner’s world, Bob Dylan smokes up with Motown’s legendary Funk Brothers. Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo jam with Jorge Ben. A Cuban pulse, a lush chorus of Afrobeat horns, and Ray Charles-esque vintage flourishes roll effortlessly into one laidback, soulful smile on Gone Down South (Lovemonk Records; October 11, 2010), the culmination of years on the road—literally and musically—and a masterful sense of the groove. “Being born in Spain, it’s funny that I feel American soul music so deeply,” … Continue reading
