In The Pocket: soul

Showing posts with label soul. Show all posts

11 December 2014

Live: NZ Soul All Dayer Mt Maunganui 2015

09 December 2014

And This... #5: Matthew Larkin Cassell

And This...
#5
MATTHEW LARKIN CASSELL

There's a great story behind this. Read about his life, then read about how this album got to be released on Stones Throw Records. Lovely blue-eyed soul, funk, boogie and pop. And check the track 'All I'm Missing Is You', right here. Gold.

04 December 2014

Live: NZ Soul All Dayer Christmas Party

NZ SOUL ALL DAYER
C h r i s t m a s P a r t y 2 0 1 4
From 2pm, Saturday 6 December

To celebrate Christmas the NZ Soul All Dayer extended family are getting together in an open-decks, back-to-back, all vinyl throw down, featuring:

JAY JEFFREY
GENE RIVERS
SCOTT TOWERS
LO KEY
NYNTEE
KIRK JAMES
JUBT
KIRSTY HARGREAVES
PETER MAC
KRIS HOLMES
DUSTIN LINDALE
MATENE KARENA
EXILE
KINA CUTS
GRANTIS
DJ TIDO
J.BLUEVIBE
PETE NICE

...and more!

Free from 2pm - just $5 from 8pm
Saturday 6 December, 2014
The Golden Dawn

Check the facebook event page here for more information...

11 November 2014

And This... #1: Leonard Charles

AND THIS...
#1
Leonard Charles

And This... is a new thang where I'm going to highlight a tune, or an artist, or a label, or something or rather, that has caught my ear during the week. The idea is to update weekly. We'll see how we go with that. The intention's good, anyway.

First up, Leonard Charles, a side project of the multi-limbed Jeremy Toy. Created as an outlet for music made while healing from a cowardly king-hit outside an Auckland bar where he'd just finished performing, Leonard Charles' trip is all loose-limbed, funky-ass, head-nodding goodness, which you absolutely need to wrap your head around. Below is his version of 'The Look Of Love', and it's a stone cold classic.

I've always taken a keen interest in Jeremy's music; be it on his own as Ota, with the Opensouls band and with She's So Rad, or his forays into production, dude is one talented guy. It sucks hard when anyone is involved in an unprovoked assault, but it always seems to sting more when it happens to a real good fella.

Check out Leonard Charles on soundcloud here, or bandcamp here. Also take the time to visit She's So Rad's bandcamp page and website; and From The Crate Records' soundcloud page.

23 September 2014

A Pocket Sized Mixtape Vol. 10: The Boogie Back

'The Boogie Back' is Vol. 10 in the 'Pocket Sized Mixtape' series, and it sees the selection narrowed to some funk and soul-filled, disco-flavoured boogie bangers that always make me shake what my momma gave me. And then some.

You can listen AND download from SoundCloud or MixCloud. If you're interested in a playlist, I suggest you head towards MixCloud...

Enjoy. And watch this space for Vol. 11 dropping soon...

11 September 2014

Playlist: In The Pocket with 90 "NZ Soul All Dayer Special" on Base FM

28 August 2014

LIVE: NZ Soul All Dayer Spring '14

BAM!!

www.thenzsoulalldayer.blogspot.com
www.issuu.com/nzsoulalldayer

30 June 2014

A Pocket Sized Mixtape Vol. 6: Midnight Feast

A Pocket Sized Mixtape Vol. 6: Midnight Feast

The sixth in the 'A Pocket Sized Mixtape' series is called "Midnight Feast", which also draws to a close a trio of mixtapes designed with loving in mind. It goes without saying what time of day this volume is recommended for...

Listen to AND download APSMV6: Midnight Feast here.

Volume 7 is already in the pipeline, so watch this space...

Playlist: Live at Real Groovy Auckland

A Pocket Sized Mixtape Vol. 5: Afternoon Delight

A Pocket Sized Mixtape Vol. 5: Afternoon Delight

Volume 5 in the 'A Pocket Sized Mixtape' series is also the second in a series of mixtapes designed with loving in mind. "Afternoon Delight" is a journey through the kinds of songs which suit exactly that; so wrap yourselves in yourselves and enjoy the music as you commune in the afternoon sunshine...

Listen AND download APSMV5: Afternoon Delight here.

Volume 6 will follow later this week...

10 June 2014

LIVE: Expansions | Fri 4 July

It's All Good Presents
A Night Of Wide Vibes
EXPANSIONS
With
Jay Jeffrey
Nyntee
From 8pm
Friday 4th July
GOLDEN DAWN
No Door - Bring Yr Smile

Facebook page here.

IF YOU LOVE... Real vinyl records played by and listened to with real people.
IF YOU LOVE... To hear a diverse range of soulful musical styles in one evening.
IF YOU LOVE... Your DJs to play fresh and exciting sounds, both old and new.
IF YOU LOVE... To smile and laugh with friends while you dance your ass off.

We've got you covered. So come get wide with an open mind...

31 March 2013

Coming soon! NZ Soul All Dayer

NZ Soul All Dayer
New Zealand's premier soul music event
An all day celebration of soul music
2pm-2am
Sat 11 May
Golden Dawn
For more info...
Or contact: nzsoulalldayer@gmail.com

29 May 2012

Review: Incognito 'Surreal'

INCOGNITO
Surreal
[Dome/Shanchie]

When a group has been around as long as Incognito have, it sometimes becomes difficult for reviewers to properly appraise their albums because they often have a pre-conceived opinion of the groups' sound. As I was researching Surreal, the fifteenth ( !! ) studio album from Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick's enduring jazzfunksoul outfit, many of the "critics" quickly defined themselves (and not always intentionally) as either a) screaming fanboys, or b) diehard haters. Straight up? I'm neither. Aware of Incognito's music and their reputation, I've enjoyed listening to them over the years, but must admit to not owning a single album of theirs. That doesn't mean I don't possess one, of course (two, as it happens), and it also doesn't mean I'm not in a position to pass judgement on this one. Harsher folk than I would suggest this kind of music is too syrupy, too earnest, too damned cheesy; but that's the thing. This is proper soul music. To some ears those sweet harmonies, thoughtful playing and beautifully constructed songs performed with real emotion seem somewhat fake. OK, so maybe some soul music is, but Surreal is not. This is classic Incognito: relentlessly funky and effortlessly soulful. Yes, it's also pretty smooth, but the band (Bluey's regular touring group) are on fire, with deliciously chunky horns, shimmering layers of keys, big fat fluid bass lines and on-point drumming complimenting an excellent selection of vocalists. Regular Incognito collaborators Vanessa Haynes and Maysa are joined by fast-rising UK soul stars Natalie Williams and Mo Brandis, all of whom lay down some extraordinary performances. Cleanly produced but with a live feel which provides just enough of a raw edge to keep it fresh, Surreal shows that there's plenty of life left in the old fella yet. No offense, Bluey. You're still looking good too, mate.

3 stars from 5

23 April 2012

Review: Quantic & Alice Russell with The Combo Barbaro 'Look Around The Corner'

QUANTIC & ALICE RUSSELL WITH THE COMBO BARBARO
Look Around The Corner
[Tru Thoughts]

I love the music of Will 'Quantic' Holland. I love the music of Alice Russell, too. I've been following them both for some time. Still the best-selling artists on the Tru Thoughts label, they were my (and probably many folks') introduction to the little Brighton-based label-that-could. Indeed, my love for both musicians runs so deep I was afraid my expectations of this album were too high, my hopes too great. And upon first listen, I didn't know what to think. However, it doesn't take long for the full charms of this fantastic record to reveal themselves. Recorded in Holland's adopted hometown of Cali, Colombia, during two visits from Russell, and utilising much of Holland's regular recording and touring band the Combo Barbaro, Look Around The Corner is (remarkably) the first album project Russell and Holland have worked on together. Like a great melting pot of the contributors' differing styles and blend of influences - blues, soul, gospel, an underlying Latin feel which is always present - the album has huge and varied appeal. Big string sections, memorable melodies, intoxicating percussion; the momentum barely lets up, the energy and enjoyment levels seldom dip. Russell is superb throughout, with her effortlessly powerful voice showing shimmering layers of subtlety. Special mention must be made of pianist Alfredito Linares and violinist Mike Simmonds (a regular Russell collaborator), both of whom seem to sprinkle gold dust over everything they touch (particularly on the outstanding instrumental track Una Tarde en Mariquita); while Holland's trademark warm production compliments the immaculate ensemble playing. Look Around The Corner is not only everything we could have hoped for from an Alice Russell/Quantic collaboration - deeply soulful, extremely funky and beautifully rendered - it is arguably the best work yet from either of these artists.

4 and 1/2 stars from 5

There are plenty of links to follow in the review above, but also check out the cover version of I'll Keep My Light In My Window below. Purchase your copy of the album on vinyl and/or on CD...

Quantic & Alice Russell with the Combo Bárbaro - I'll Keep My Light In My Window by Tru Thoughts

29 January 2012

Review: Frank Booker Boogie Tape

Various Artists
FRANK BOOKER BOOGIE TAPE
Compiled and Mixed by Frank Booker
[Independent]

SoundCloud really is a bloody marvellous thing. DJs, producers and musicians can upload their tunes, edits and mixes onto their own page on the site for Joe Blow to listen to in his/her own time. Perhaps it's the simplicity which makes it so attractive. Whatevers. The reason I'm blathering on about this (and I probably should acknowledge that if you've made it as far as reading my blog, you inevitably already know wtf SoundCloud is...) is that I've recently been spending a lot more time on the site, and would like to begin sharing some of the goodness I regularly stumble upon. Starting right here: the Frank Booker Boogie Tape is a 50+min "pause tape" of classics soul and boogie tunes from the likes of The Jones Girls, Deodato, Chanson, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, Unlimited Touch, Central Line and many, many others - there's even an MJ tune (in the form of the classy, understated Todd Terje edit), all lovingly put together by Mr Booker himself. I can't fault a single selection, as they're all top drawer stuff. Get amongst this mix and cop his vinyl releases on Wonderful Noise, Untracked, Fine Art and Sleazy Beats.

4 stars from 5

Check out the whole tape here and you can even download it for free.
Also worth a gander is the Hit It and Quit It Radio Revue Vol. 1, compiled and mixed by Recloose and Frank Booker.

09 November 2011

Review: Funkommunity 'Chequered Thoughts'

FUNKOMMUNITY
Chequered Thoughts
[FMG/Universal]

Chequered Thoughts is the debut album from Funkommunity, the brainchild of musician, songwriter and producer Isaac Aesili (Opensouls, Solaa) and vocalist/songwriter Rachel Fraser (Recloose, Sola Rosa); who first collaborated on I'm All In, the standout track from Aesili's excellent solo debut album Eye See. Soaked in future soul and funk, Chequered Thoughts treads a similar path to the likes of Electric Wire Hustle and Platinum Pied Pipers. The key difference is provided by Fraser: while her voice isn't technically amazing she has soul and gravitas, recalling old school jazz divas with her ability to draw listeners into the heart of songs; songs which are cleverly constructed, showing the kind of deft touches which belie Aesili's prolific musical experience over the years. Squelchy basslines and wobbly beats underpin bubbling keys and washes of horns and harmonies, while Fraser's voice ties it all together on what is an assured and accomplished debut.

4 stars from 5

Check out more from Isaac Aesili here...

24 August 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Keb Darge & Paul Weller Present Lost & Found: Real Rn'B & Soul

Keb Darge & Paul Weller Present
LOST & FOUND: Real Rn'B & Soul
[BBE]

This is a genuine treasure trove of a compilation, a joyous celebration of "dance" music put together by two of the most famously grumpy old men in UK music: Scottish DJ, label owner & "Deep Funk" aficionado Keb Darge; & the legendary English songwriter & musician Paul Weller.

Weller is an acclaimed rock star & soul music collector whose contribution to music is well documented - The Jam, Style Council & a successful solo career - while Darge is the man who coined the term "Deep Funk" & the co-founder (alongside fellow funk record collector Mark Cotgrove aka Snowboy) of that now globally recognised musical scene. He co-owns the Kay-Dee label with US producer, DJ & collector Kenny Dope (of Masters At Work); works as producer with one of the leading lights of the live band funk scene, The New Mastersounds; & is a former Tae Kwon Do World Champion.

For many years now Darge has been putting his name to exceptional compilations of heavyweight funk music, many of them for the UK label BBE, such as 'Funk Spectrum' & 'Keb Darge's Deep Funk'. His new 'Lost & Found' series, also on BBE, apparently sets out to expose lesser known or forgotten lights of soul music from the '50s & '60s.

Many of Darge's (deeeeep!) selections are definitely forgotten lights - but just as many of Weller's are not: Tammi Terrell, Margie Joseph, The Dells, Bobby Bland, Albert King, Jimmy Witherspoon & Slim Harpo are all still fairly well known, I would've thought. There can be no doubt though, that each & every selection is an out & out gem, entirely worthy of inclusion here.

The soul of the '50s & '60s is pure & honest, reaching parts that a lot of modern music simply can't. The lyrics are direct, the music similarly so - these songs hit you in the gut. These songs are for the heads AND for the feets! These songs take me straight back to the dancefloor at Keb Darge's Legendary Deep Funk night at the infamous Madame JoJo's in London's Soho...

"I look into the sea of smiling faces on the dance floor every Saturday night at Madame JoJo's, & get a feeling that somehow this music as saved these people from a false & dreary nightlife." Keb Darge

IN A NUTSHELL: a joyous treasure trove of old school dance music compiled by two deeply (old)-schooled selectors
NYNTEE'S RATING: nine dusty old funk 45s out of ten

Check out the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with Nyntee, on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show on Radio Ponsonby, every Wednesday around 8.25am. Tune in! 107.7FM in Auckland & streaming live.