In The Pocket

03 February 2011

Review LANU 'Her 12 Faces'

LANU
Her 12 Faces
[Tru Thoughts]

Upfront: I'm a big fan of Lanu's work.

Under his birth name Lance Ferguson he has produced five albums as the bandleader, guitarist & chief songwriter for The Bamboos, one of the best Deep Funk bands on the planet. He was the producer & co-songwriter for two albums by Bamboos frontwoman Kylie Auldist, showcasing a slick, R&B-styled soul-pop. As Lanu, his debut solo album, 2007's This Is My Home, blended West London broken beat with Detroit-styled future soul & an intuitive jazz sensibility.

So I was excited to hear he is about to release his 2nd solo album, titled Her 12 Faces. I came to the album with no indication how it might sound other than having been told "it's a little different from my other albums" by the man himself. I hadn't read the record company press release. I hadn't heard the single.

And I must admit upon first listen I was entirely underwhelmed.

Where's the edginess? Where are the "interesting" bits? Where the bloody hell has Lanu gone!?

However as I persevered, the hidden charms of this electronic-flecked dream pop began to reveal themselves. Dream pop? Oh yes, dream pop. And Lounge, Folk, even a little Latin music, all drawn together into a subtle sonic stew - which utilises clever songwriting alongside the kind of scholarly approach to contemporary beats you'd expect of someone who counts Mr Scruff, Keb Darge, DJ Food & Kenny Dope as fans/friends.

Despite the access to well-known international names (This Is My Home featured Aloe Blacc & Quantic, among others) the key guest on Her 12 Faces is Aussie popstress Megan Washington.

Fresh from a Gold-selling album in Oz, which also won her two ARIA awards last year, Washington's involvement here seems to have allowed Lanu licence to approach his songwriting from another angle stylistically. I mean, let's face it: the man knows his way around a tue, we're already well aware of that, but, given a new muse to work with, Lanu has branched out further from his past work to deliver 12 slices of peerless indie dream pop.

Having now read the press release I see they mention Koop, Feist & Janelle Monae, but I reckon Her 12 Faces pitches almost exactly halfway between Little Dragon & Steely Dan. To be frank, I can't think of anything dreamier, or more appealing in pop terms, than that. Nice one, Lance.

In A Nutshell: 12 slices of peerless indie dream pop from a modern songwriting wunderkind
90's Rating: SEVEN swaying sunflowers in a summer's meadow OUT OF TEN

Check out the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90 every Wednesday morning around 8.30am, on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show. Thanks to Longroom. And youse fullas.

31 January 2011

George FM Playlist Sunday 30th Jan. "In The Pocket with 90"

27 January 2011

Bumps

Bumps are tunes I'm feeling at the moment. In this instance, I'm posting a link to DJ Friction aka Frico's edit of Love Thang, by '70s Philly disco trio First Choice. An outstanding, percussion-based rub of an already brilliant tune. Enjoy! Just click on the Bumps...

26 January 2011

Deeper Pocket with 90 at Longroom

Deeper Pocket with 90
A deeper selection of soul, boogie, funk, proper disco & rare grooves, spun with love...
From 7pm WEDNESDAYS
At Longroom
114 Ponsonby Rd
Stop by. Say hello. Settle in. Get amongst...

Review: The Rhythmagic Orchestra 'The Rhythmagic Orchestra'

THE RHYTHMAGIC ORCHESTRA
The Rhythmagic Orchestra
[Impossible Ark / Unfold / Tru Thoughts]

As I lean back in my plushly lined listening chair in the expansive sound lounge of Chez Nyntee, with a cup of tea in one hand & the hi fi remote in the other, casually dictating this week’s Radio Ponsonby Record Review to one of my many personal assistants, a troubling thought again crosses my crumpled brow…

Why does good music like this get so little attention?

OK, so to us cynics the answers seem painfully obvious, so much so that I will simply ask you, dear reader, this: does the TV3 Nightline news team really need to be “reporting” about Justin Bieber? It’s after 10pm. What IS their target audience…?

But we at In The Pocket are not about to launch into a general rant about the many failings of the culture of celebrity while there’s an opportunity to carve some interest for a group who most certainly fall squarely into the aforementioned “brow-crumpling” category.

The Rhythmagic Orchestra was conceived & is produced by Benedic Lamdin & Hugo Mendez, two individuals with deep roots in Jazz & Latin music respectively; while the Orchestra themselves count members of Nostalgia 77 Octet, Ska Cubano, Examples Of Twelve & Jazz Jamaica among their number.

Lamdin himself is Nostalgia 77 & the co-owner of Impossible Ark, the label this self-titled debut is released upon (via Unfold & Tru Thoughts). He has long been championed in the British Jazz scene & beyond, with his work with UK legends Keith & Julie Tippett, as well as his critically acclaimed Skeletons project, of particular note to the Jazz Cats. His collaboration with Alice Russell on the massive slab of music that is Seven Nation Army, their stonking version of the White Stripes’ track, is a huge reason why he has also turned Heads in underground dance music circles.

Speaking of underground dance music circles, Hugo Mendez has generated more than a few & been gainfully employed in many more than that in his time. His own record label, Sofrito, is a true beacon of Latin-based music & he is considered a leading light in the London “tropical music revival” (for want of a better phrase). He assisted Soundway Records in compiling their outstanding Tumbele compilation & has brought tropical music to the heads & feets of many folks across the UK & Europe.

Enough nerding out – what about the music?

It’s not often you can put an all instrumental album on your stereo & have it hold your attention from start to finish. I have listened to the Rhythmagic Orchestra album no less than five times through in the last couple of days. It is genuinely compelling listening, particularly for a fan of Soundway Records, Quantic & His Combo Barbaro & (dare I say it!?) the Buena Vista Social Club.

The Rhythmagic Orchestra features some of the finest Jazz & Latin musicians in the UK, so it’s no surprise that the rhythm section’s interaction is excitingly fresh & the rhythms playful; the lyrical melodies are strongly presented via some beautiful brass playing; & it is all tied together with an understated, never overplayed, hand by a very versatile pianist. It seems as though everyone involved is playing FOR the betterment of each song. Wow, what a concept!

The Rhythmagic Orchestra have presented us with a beautiful blend of Jazz & Cuban music, well crafted & passionately played, which makes for vibrant, liberating listening, from top to bottom. The only sensible thing to do is turn the Bieber-dial down & get your stereo speakers popping with some actual music.

In A Nutshell: Liberating, vibrant, compelling Jazz/Cuban music, well crafted & passionately played.

90's Rating: EIGHT stoned bongo players out of TEN.

Listen to the Radio Ponsonby Record Review every Wenerei at 8.30am on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show. Huge thanks to Longroom for sponsoring the review. Nice one.

24 January 2011

Longroom On The Regular

I'm pleased to be continuing playing at Longroom during the beginning of 2011, with a residency on Wednesdays (from 7pm) & Fridays (6-9pm). I'll be looking to roll out a "deeper selection" of soul, boogie, funk, proper disco & rare grooves on both occasions.

I'm also delighted that the Longroom Crew are still on board with the radio show too - continuing their valued support & sponsorship of In The Pocket with 90 at midday every Sunday, on George 96.6FM.

23 January 2011

George FM Playlist Sunday 23rd Jan. 2011 "In The Pocket with 90"

19 January 2011

Deeper Pocket with 90 at Longroom

90's residence at Longroom kicks off in 2011 with DEEPER POCKET, every Wednesday night from 7pm 'til close. I'll be spinning a deeper selection of soul, boogie, funk, proper disco, house & rare groove, with a view to head-noddin' & good music appreciation. Plenty of room for good vibes & great friends. I strongly suggest you get yourself out of the house on a Wenerei & drop in to Longroom to say hello.

Nice one...

18 January 2011

Review: Wanda Jackson 'The Party Ain't Over'

WANDA JACKSON
The Party Ain't Over
[Third Man/Nonesuch]

Imagine this. You're a girl. You want to be a singer. You set out playing country music, but the exciting new rockabilly sound is your calling. Despite being told "Girls Don't Sell Records!", you become the first woman to record a rock n' roll song - Let's Have A Party, in 1958 - launching a remarkable career that continues to this day. In fact you're known globally as "The Queen Of Rockabilly" & "The First Lady Of Rock n' Roll".

You're also forever referred to as "Elvis Presley's girlfriend".

Such is the story of Wanda Jackson. Sort of.

The Party Ain't Over is her new album & despite her prominence in the rock n' roll world, it's another bloke who's getting the most attention: producer Jack White of The White Stripes.

Sure, The Party Ain't Over contains some fine exampls of rock n' roll, particularly opener Shakin' All Over, an absolute stormer that benefits from an inspired treatment from White. Other highlighs include the original rocker Rip It Up & a reading of Bob Dylan's recent Thunder On The Mountain.

Mostly though, the album struggles to really fire, as the band clatters through a collection of covers, with no new material from Jackson. A bizarre punk-calypso take on Rum & Coca Cola joins a jarring version of Amy Winehouse's You Know That I'm No Good as probably the weirdest of a frankly strange bunch.

While Jackson gained her fame from her "sweet but nasty" voice & self-assured, ground-breaking early fashion style, there can be no doubt the raw vocal power of her youth has dimmed. The greater shame is that the "outlaw attitude" which was once such a huge part of her charm is also sadly lacking. OK, so she's a 73yr old born-again Christian, so I guess I can cut her some slack, & sure, this is the real deal, grit on display & all of that - but to these ears it's just a little tired & that's not entirely Jackson's fault.

Despite my harsh criticism of Jackson's ailing voice, White really should shoulder some responsibility here. His 2004 album with Loretta Lynn was inspired & the recent Mavis Staples-Jeff Tweedy collaboration saw a gem of a record as a result.

Here we lose sight of Jackson amongst a grab-bag of musical styles, grandiose arrangements & sheer over-playing by a band which includes White's wife Karen Elson alongside old buddies - though White's searing guitar solos are admittedly impressive.

If this collaboration encourages people to go & pick up Jackson's first records, that's a good thing, because her early material is hair-raisingly exciting. Sadly, The Party Ain't Over is closer to curlers & blue-rinses.

IN A NUTSHELL: Rockabilly so badass it'll mow your lawns without even asking first...
NYNTEE'S RATING: FIVE out of TEN (and THREE of those are for the scorching opening track!)

09 January 2011

George FM Playlist Sunday 9th Jan. "In The Long Pocket 4hr Special"

Suite For Ma Dukes - Nag Champa
Kanyor - Antidote
Joe Dukie & DJ Fitchie - Midnight Marauders
Michael Jackson - Never Can Say Goodbye (Olly Buck remix)
Erykah Badu - Honey (DJ Day remix)
Horace Andy - Do You Love My Music
Parliament - Up For The Down Stroke
Colonel Red - Blue Eyed Blak
Ladi 6 - Norwest
Ozomatli with Chali2na - O Le Le
Downtown Brown - Mr Brown
Grand Pianoramax with Spleen & Celena Glenn - The Hook (DJ Spinna Vocal mix)
The Bamboos with Alice Russell - Bring It Home (Lanu remix)
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Beggin' (Pilooski edit)
Kelis - Trick Me (TM Juke remix)
Tawiah - Watch Out
Bebel Gilberto - Baby (Yam Who? Uptown Safari Jazz remix)
Iva Lamkum - Kung Fu Grip
The Black Seeds - Rotten Apples (Lowman's Block Rockin' Bass remix)
Mark de Clive-Lowe with Abdul Shyllon - Slide
Shapeshifter - One
Martyn with d-Bridge - These Words
[2pm]
Gecko Turner - Monosabio Blues
Dub Asylum - Ba Ba Boom!
OutKast - Spottieottiedopealicious
Opensouls - Turn It Up! (Submariner meets Opensouls & Killamanraro Uptown)
Habitual Parking Violators - One To Twelve
Bilal - Free
Amp Fiddler - Find My Way
Grace Jones - Nipple To The Bottle
Jamiroquai - Cosmic Girl
Kora - Flow (Crazy P remix)
Stevie Wonder - Do I Do (U-Tern remix)
Sepalot with Ladi 6 - Go Get It (A.C. Slater remix)
GQ - Disco Nights (Rock Freak) (Frico edit)
William DeVaughan - Be Thankfull For What You've Got (Onur Engin edit)
Phreek - Weekend (Kon's edit)
Ohio Players - Skin Tight
Quantic & Nickodemus with Tempo & The Candela Allstars - Mi Swing es Tropical
Una Mas Trio - Son Montuno
Charles Earland - Coming To You (edit)
Chic - I Want Your Love
Sylvia Striplin - Searchin' (edit)

08 January 2011

George FM Playlist Fri. 7th Jan. aka "In The Selector's Pocket"

Missy E v Groove Corp - The Rain
Seu Jorge & Almaz - Everybody Loves The Sunshine
Sleeve - My Life
Karlmarx Project - Distant Future
Isaac Aesili with Aaradhna - With You In My Bed
The Rebirth - This Journey In
Raphael Saadiq - This One
Marvin Gaye v Bob Marley - Healing In Vain
Georg Levin - In Your Car
Crazy P Presents The Syndromes - The Hit
Uptown Funk Empire - Boogie
The Ripple - A Funky Song
Skipworth & Turner - Thinking About Your Love
Gwen Guthrie - Ain't Nuthin' Goin' On But The Rent (Larry Levan Club mix)
Joe Thomas - Thank You (Fall Etin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)
Alvin Cash - Do The Ali Shuffle
The Bamboos - Amen (Kjell remix)
Quantic - Perception
Shapeshifter - Long White Cloud (Floor mix)
J-Roc - Funkanomical Boom
Me&You - Sneaker Thief (Hint remix)
The Disciples - Get On Down Now!
Simpson Tune - Bring It Down (Da BMR's Club mix)
Louis La Roche with Ad-Apt - Missing You
Dizzee Rascal - Dance Wiv Me
Chromeo - Hot Mess
Omar - It's So (Druw & Perez remix)
Disco Deviance - NY Jump (T-Rice edit)
Recloose with Tyna - The Sanctuary
Slynk - Gotta Shine

06 January 2011

George FM Playlist Thu. 6th Jan. 2011 aka "In The Selector's Pocket"

Sandboy - Lua Nua (Smiles Ahead Three Trees remix)
Maddslinky with Omar - Special
Blakai - Don't Stop
Burial - Archangel
Cherie Mathieson - Tomorrow's Day
Playgroup - Number One
Spiritual South & Sweetalker Sleepwalker - Hullabaloo
Attacca Pesante with Shea Soul - Make It Funky For Me (Rusko remix)
Donae'o - Riot Music
The Wiseguys - Start The Commotion
Nickodemus with Zeb - Gibraltar (Zeb & Sabo remix)
Kahil El'Zabar Deeper Soul Project - He's Got The Whole World In His Hands (Henrik Schwarz)
Coldcut with Robert Owens - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (Henrik Schwarz)
Chemical Brothers with Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips) - The Golden Path
Colder - Crazy Love
RSL - Wesley Music
Chris Rea - On The Beach (Todd Terje edit)
Quantic & Nickodemus with Tempo & The Candela Allstars - Mi Swing es Tropical (Zeb's Reggae mix)
Zeb - Revolutionary Dreams
Greyboy with Jeremy Ellis - Colour In Between The Lines
Uptown Funk Empire - Good Time (Bye Bye Mr Dynamite)
Van McCoy - The Hustle
John Legend & The Roots with Black Thought - Hard Times
Afrodisiac Sound System - Raygun Kills
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (remix)
Checker Kabb - By My Side
J-Davey - Dirty Love
Me&You - Brown Paper Bag (Flowering Inferno remix)

05 January 2011

George FM Playlist Wed. 5th Jan. 2011 "In The Selector's Pocket"

Starkey with Anneka - Stars (Slugabed remix)
Eprom - Bubble
Milez Benjiman - Chop That Wood
Benny Tones with LP - Odyssey
Owusu & Hannibal - Blue Jay
One Self - Unfamiliar Places
One Self - Fear The Labour
PPP with Zeno - Fever
Raphael Saadiq - I Know Shuggie Otis
Isaac Aesili with Rachel Fraser - Make It That Way
Bembe & Dego - Stuff You Like To Unload On Me
Kora - Flow (Crazy P remix)
Quantic Soul Orchestra with Alice Russell - Take Your Time, Change Your Mind (Faze Action remix)
Me&You - Last Night
Quantic - Perception (Nu:Tone remix)
G-Swing with Jimi Bazzooka - Cement Mixer
Red Or Dread - Private Life
Sola Rosa with Bajka - Humanised (Jason Eli's Groovadelica remix)
The New Mastersounds - One Note Brown (Lanu remix)
Mexicans With Guns with Chico Mann - Me Gusto
Sam Irl with Anya - African Dance
Salmonella Dub - Ez On (Concord Dawn remix)
Goldie - Inner City Life
K.W. Griff - Respect (Mooqee & Russ Cuban edit)
Outlines - Just A Lil' Lovin'
Outlines with Beat Assailant - Waiting In Line
Foreign Exchange - Sincere
The Captain - H2H
Philly Blunt - Loves California
Pacific Heights with Joe Dukie - Peace
P-Bass Expressway - Easyride (Downtown Brown remix)

04 January 2011

George FM Playlist Tues. 4th Jan. 2011 "In The Selector's Pocket"

DJ Day & Miles Bonny - Skyy, Can You Feel Me?
Sylvia Robinson - Sweet Stuff
Johnnie Taylor - Somebody's Gettin' It
7 Samurai - Marlies & Marcus
Red The Man Without The Machine - I Should Tell Yo Mama On Ya (Dam-Funk remix)
Quincy Jones - Summer In The City
Hearin' Aid with Tony Clifton - Higher
Julien Dyne - Maddingos
Moka Only - Lowdown Suite
People Under The Stairs - Tuxedo Rap
Grand Pianoramax with Spleen & Celena Green - The Hook (DJ Spinna Vocal mix)
Suff Daddy & Charles Earland - Come&2ULive&Edit
Bomb The Bass with Justin Warfield - Bug Powder Dust (La Funk Mob remix)
Grace Jones - Nipple To The Bottle
Me&You - Even Vulcans Cry
Quantic & His Combo Barbaro - Mas Pan (DJ Day remix)
Oscar Sharp with Melo - Runaway
Reel People with Angela Johnson - Can't Stop
4Hero with Bembe Segue - Something In The Way
Dam-Funk - LAtrifying
Masters At Work with Jocelyn Brown - I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun
Masters At Work with Jocelyn Brown - It's Alright, I Feel It!
Caribou - Sun
Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina
Kologbo & The Deacon - Freedom Back
Azymuth - Dear Limmertz
Lee Dorsey - Night People
The Broken Keys - Flow (Pt. 1)
Malcolm Lock - Get Up Stand Up
The Bar Kays - Sexomatic
Aurra - Nasty Disposition
Unique - What I Got Is What You Need
Michelle Wallace - Jazzy Rhythm (Tee Scott remix)

03 January 2011

George FM Playlist Mon. 3rd Jan. 2010 "In The Selector's Pocket"

Shapeshifter - Dutchies
Bulletproof with Tiki - Soundtrack To Forever
Hudson Mohawke - FUSE
The XX - Islands (Untold remix)
Gil Scott-Heron - New York Is Killing Me
Dam-Funk - Hood Pass Intact
Amp Fiddler - Dreamin'
Trus' Me with Amp Fiddler - Pretend
Trus' Me with Amp Fiddler - Put It On Me
Spanky Wilson with Quantic Soul Orchestra - Waiting For Your Touch (Domu remix)
IG Culture Presents Zen Badizm feat. Bilal - Girl U Need A Change Of Mind
Recloose - Get There Tonight
Quantic - Mishaps Happening (Quantic Beat mix)
Chromeo - Night By Night
Tricky - Murder Weapon
Flying Lotus - Do The Astral Plane
Crown Heights Affair - Dreamin' A Dream (Frico edit)
Smoove & Turrell - You Don't Know (Kraak & Smaak remix)
Seductive Souls with Donald McCullum - Dazz (Patchworks remix)
Frank Booker - Universal Drive
Jackie Wilson - Higher & Higher (edit)
Harold Alexander - Tite Rope
Bootsy's Rubber Band - Body Slam!
Zapp - It Doesn't Really Matter
Earth, Wind & Fire - Evil
Aloe Blacc - Patria Mia
Gecko Turner - Un Limon en la Cabaza
Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen - Up Against The Wall
Dionne Warwick - Do You Know The Way To San Jose? (Latin Style)
Wes Coats - Land Of Music

Tune in again tomorrow for more of the same...

02 January 2011

George FM Playlist "Deep In The Pocket: The Marathon 6hr New Years Session"

7 Samurai with Angie Stone - Muzic
D'Angelo - Everybody Loves The Sunshine
Rick James - Getting It On (In The Sunshine)
Sarah Vaughan - Summertime (UFO remix)
Dublex Inc. with Sandhy Son Doro - Shine (The Dynamics version)
Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Simon's Dark Keys remix)
Jean Knight - Mr Big Stuff (Frico edit)
Al Green - Stay With Me (Max Kane "Slump" edit)
Huba - Mary
Sleeve - Hipness
Thriller U, Jennifer & Johnny N. - Wanna Sex U Up
Josh Rouse - Wonderful
Groove Armada with Red Rat & Nappy Roots - Purple Haze
Bebel Gilberto - Baby (Yam Who? Uptown Safari Jazz remix)
Common - I Want U (Illmind remix)
Maxwell - Ascension (Ken At Work remix)
The Black Seeds - Make A Move (Downtown Brown remix feat. Mighty Asterix)
The Black Seeds - Cool Me Down
Lena Horne - Maybe I'm Amazed
Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis - We Got The Recipe
(12pm)
The Titans - No Time
Little Ike with Jimmy Beck & His Orchestra - She Can Rock
The Rays - Zimba LuLu
Philly Armada Orchestra - For The Love Of Money
Darondo - Legs
The Specials - Ghost Town (Revenge rework)
*Gloria Lynn - How Can I Make You Love Me?
*Marva Whitney - Unwind Yourself
*Lyn Collins - Things Gotta Get Better
*Creative Source - You Can't Hide Your Love
*Slave - Watching You
The Jones Girls - Nights Over Egypt (extended)
Charles Earland - Coming To You Live
*Candido - Thousand Fingered Man
George Benson - Love X Love (Koko Southport Weekender mix)
Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Stool Pigeon (extended)
*Me'shell N'degeocello - If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)
*DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime
Stretch - Why Did You Do It?
Bomb The Bass with Justin Warfield - Bug Powder Dust (La Funk Mob remix)
Kanye West - Diamonds (J-Todd "Gimme The Ice" remix)
*Inland Knights - Turn
*Erykah Badu v The Dandruff Truckers
Louis La Roche - Get On Down
Louis La Roche with Ad-Apt - Missing You
Basement Jaxx - Music Keeps On Playing (Red Alert remix)
*Hortense Ellis - Woman Of The Ghetto
*Winstone "King" Cole - Black Magic Woman
*Johnny Bristol - Hang On In There Baby
*Stevie Wonder - Do Yourself A Favour
*Alice Clarke - How Did I Ever Stop Loving You
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators - Feeling Free (Hope's JuJu)
Philly Blunt - Loves California
Amp Fiddler - Too High (Wonderland remix)
Norma Jean Bell - I'm The Baddest Bitch In This Room (Moodymann remix)
*The Mazyck Project - More Power To You
*Change - Mutual Attraction
T-Connection - Do What You Wanna Do
Carole Sylvan - Think
The Crusaders - Street Life (Ken At Work remix)
(3pm)
*The Blackbyrds - Rock Creek Park
*James Brown - Do The Hustle
*Maxayn - You Don't Have To Be Lonely
Kleeer - Taste The Music (LeBaron edit)
Afrodisiac Soundsystem - Italo Nitro
Gary Byrd & Stevie Wonder - The Crown (edit)
*Big Daddy Kane - Warm It Up Kane!
*Stetsasonic - Talkin' All That Jazz
Quantic Soul Orchestra v Blackstreet - No Diggity (B.Cause edit)
? - Feel-Good-La
? - I Want Your Message
Kinny - Queen Of Boredness
*Alice Russell - High Up On A Hook
*Brenda George - I Can't Stand It

Wow. Propers to my mate Jay "Fat Albert" Jeffery for dropping science on the show today. All selections marked with a * come courtesy of Jay himself. Nice one...

31 December 2010

George FM Playlist 31st Dec NYE 2010 "Bev's Keys In The Pocket"

The final day of 2010 saw 90 covering for a man who needs no introduction: Bevan Keys. Here's what was played...

Savage - Swing! (edit)
Breakage with Roots Manuva - Run 'Em Out
Spektrum - Kinda New
Mayer Hawthorne - Green-Eyed Love (Classixx remix)
Florence & The Machine - You Got The Love (The XX remix)
Amy Winehouse - Rehab (Pharoahe Monch edit)
Syrup - Chocolate
Jamiroquai - Return Of The Space Cowboy
Gary Byrd & Stevie Wonder - The Crown
Don Ray - Got To Have Loving
The Bar-Kays - Loose Talk
JDeep - Tango Hustled
Stevie Wonder - Do I Do (U-Tern remix)
Herb Alpert - Rise (Gay Marvine edit)
Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Relly Rell$ remix)
John Arnold with Paul Randolph - Rise Up
Waajeed - Funkin' For Jamaica
Ray Parker Jnr. - Ghostbusters (dub)
Aurra - Such A Feeling (LeBaron edit)
Imagination - Street Mix (Disconet edit)

Happy New Year to everyone with a set of ears. See you on the other side.

30 December 2010

George FM Playlist 30th Dec 2010 "Body Rockin' In The Pocket"

Big shoes, yo! Covering today for Phillippa. Here's what was played...

Wes Coats - Land Of Music
Elvis Seconde, Shaggy Sharoof, Jacques Palminger & Erobique - Dengue Fieber
Radio City with Bajka - The Hop
T-Connection - Funkannection
The Unabombers - Disco Symphony
Charles Earland - Comin' To You Live (edit)
Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Dance Across The Floor
Zapp - Itchin' For Your Twitchin'
The Ohio Players - Love Rollercoaster
Olympic Runners - Energy Beam
David Bendeth - Feel The Real
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators - Feeling Free (Aaron Jerome remix)
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Keep On Looking (Kenny Dope remix)
Dublex Inc. - N.H.L.
Kraak & Smaak with Ben Westbeech
Hot Chocolate - Heaven's In The Backseat Of My Cadillac (The Revenge remix)
Norma Jean Bell - I'm The Baddest Bitch In This Room (Moodymann edit)
!!! - AM/FM
El Guincho - FM Tan Sexy

22 December 2010

George FM Playlist 22nd Dec "Play It All Back In The Pocket"

I had the pleasure of filling in for Roger Perry on George FM today. Here's what was played...

RAMP - Everybody Loves The Sunshine
Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis - We Got The Recipe
Gwen McCrae - Rocking Chair
Mark Capanni - I Believe In Miracles
Skipworth & Turner - Thinking About Your Love
Convertion - Let's Do It
Cameo - Keep It Hot
The Spinners - It's A Shame (B.Cause Boogie edit)
Gary Byrd & Stevie Wonder - The Crown (edit)
War - Galaxy (album)
Wes Coats - Land Of Music
Kokolo - Girls On Film
Snooky - Ease The Pain
Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious
Imagination - Street Mix (Disconet edit)
Zapp - More Bounce To The Ounce

20 December 2010

Bumps

Bumps are the tunes I'm feeling at the moment. Here's one from the legendary Roger Troutman, former lead singer for the group Zapp & the man who made the Talk Box cool. Just click on the Bumps...

For Your Ears aka Random Review: Mavis Staples 'You Are Not Alone'

Mavis Staples embodies the term living legend.

The US-born vocalist is a Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner & US National Heritage Fellowship Award winner. She has been named one of the Top 100 Greatest Women of Rock n' Roll (VH1) & one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time (Rolling Stone).

As such, she could be forgiven for resting on her not-inconsiderable laurels. However, her brand new album, 'You Are Not Alone', is one of the most exciting in a career that began more than 60yrs ago when she started singing with her ground-breaking family group, The Staple Singers.

Recorded with noted US alt-country band Wilco's frontman Jeff Tweedy in the producer's chair, 'You Are Not Alone' showcases the sound of a seasoned performer unafraid of pushing her boundaries. Atop sympathetic instrumentation equally capable of raw, ragged rhythm & blues as of deeply soulful gospel, Staples passionately delivers messages about the state of the world today - many of the songs the famed Roebuck "Pops" Staples led his gifted family through spoke of the same issues of poverty, jobs, welfare & how the love of God will help see us all through in the end. Not for nothing were they known as "Gods Greatest Hitmakers".

Staples covers songs written by blues & soul icons Allan Toussaint, Little Milton & the Reverand Gary Davis; by Randy Newman, John Fogerty & even a few composed by Staples' late father, "Pops" himself; but it's the incredible treatments of the traditional gospel songs 'Creep Along Moses' & 'Wonderful Saviour' - rich in history, passionately performed, immaculately arranged - that mark this as an essential for fans of real rhythm & blues, soul, country & gospel music.

George FM Playlist Sun 19th Dec

Syrup - Chocolate
War - Galaxy (album version)
Wes Coats - Land Of Music
T-Connection - Do What You Wanna Do
Gary Byrd & Stevie Wonder - The Crown (edit)
Basement Jaxx - Miracles Keep On Playin' (Red Alert remix)
Jermaine Jackson - Erucu (AC edit)
Louis La Roche with Ad-Apt - Missing You
Senor Coconut & His Orchestra - Sweet Dreams (Cha Cha Cha)
7Samurai with Angie Stone - Muzic
Rufus with Chaka Khan - Dance Wit Me
The Jackson 5 - Things I Do For You
Aretha Franklin - Everyday People (Everyday remix)
Ronnie Laws - Your Stuff
Kid Creole & His Orchestra - Stool Pigeon (edit)
Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces
Kleeer - Taste The Music (LeBaron edit)
The Limit - She's So Divine

Propers to the Hit It & Quit It crew for an outstanding End Of Year Revue on Friday evening, with 3 local crews - The Turnaround, The Dose & Recloose+Frank Booker - giving both internationals an armchair ride, allowing them to throw down a seriously deep & diverse set from Moodymann; and a floor-filling, party-rocking set from DJ Day.

Saturday evening saw the incredible Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings sell out the Powerstation & win over every single, sweat-soaked punter in the place, with a blend of razor sharp musicianship & a firebrand performance from Ms Jones herself. At 54yrs of age, she puts "performers" half her age to shame. Mesmerising.

Two more compelling reasons for supporting so-called "underground" music...

Oh, you need a third? OK, click on the link provided among the playlist above. The one which will hook you up with my man Scotty Coats & his bro Wes The Mes out of LA. Too lazy to scroll up again? Alright then... Check it. Wreck it. Play it. Say it!

17 December 2010

More 90 On Your Radio

I'm as pleased as punch to be let loose on the George FM airwaves for a whole bunch of weekday shows over the New Year break! Oh yes, that's right, there's gonna be a whole lotta 90 goin' on...

Check out the 10am-noon slot on Thu 30 & Fri 31 Dec, when I'll be prepping you for the big parties.

The first In The Pocket show for 2011 is going to be a cracker - a marathon 6hr session kicking off at 10am in the morning of Sun 2 Jan, with a champagne breakfast, methinks...

Listen up also during the first week of January, as I'll be hosting an extended selector show from 11am-2pm from Mon 3rd - Fri 7th, followed by another extended In The Pocket special on Sun 9th, from noon - 4pm...

I look forward to stuffing my selections into your willing earholes.

16 December 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Walter Gibbons 'Jungle Music'

History is a funny thing.

Important periods of history are often condensed into bulletpoints or a handful of names designed to invoke an accepted wisdom.

A good example would be New York dance music legends like Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan & David Mancuso, whose names invoke images of decadent mid-‘70s parties with heaving crowds of largely black gay men dancing with abandon to early disco & proto-house anthems.

However, the DJ those famous names above (& more) flocked to watch when they’d finished their own sets each night was a slightly built white guy by the name of Walter Gibbons.

One of the most important & yet unheralded DJs & remixers in dance music history, Gibbons was a pioneer of both reel to reel edits & the remix, while also inadvertantly acting as a tangible link between early hip hop & disco – he was extending the “break” of a record by playing two copies back-to-back seamlessly at a similar time Kool Herc began his famed block parties across town in the Bronx.

Jungle Music is an archive collection of essential & unreleased edits & remixes assembled from 1976-1986, a period which spans the release of the first ever 12” single – Gibbons’ remix of Double Exposure’s ‘10 Percent’ – to his “discovering” God & stepping back entirely from the groundbreaking, heavily percussive & often deeply trippy remixes which are found here.

These excitingly raw & uninhibited tracks - many of which push the 10min mark - may not be to everyone’s slick, modern dance music tastes, but as an historical document ‘Jungle Music’ is nothing short of essential.

Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90 every Wenerei around 8.30am on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show. Tune in! 107.7FM

13 December 2010

George FM Playlist Sun 12th Dec 2010

? - Mysteries Of The World
? - I Thought It Was You
Disconet - A Taste Of Honey/Boogie Oogie Oogie
Azymuth - Dear Limmertz
Aurra - Such A Feeling (LeBaron edit)
Pleasure - Joyous
Harold Jackson & The Jackson Brothers - Freedom Riders
Big Mama Thornton - They Call Me Big Mama
Teddy (Mr Bear) Macrae & His Orchestra - Hi Fi Baby
Tammi Terrell - All I Do Is Think About You
Ned Doherty - Give It Up For Love*
The Reverend Al Green - I Got What You Need*
The Spinners - It's A Shame
Fat Larry's Band - Act Just Like You Know
Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop The Music (Professor La Croix edit)
Skipworth & Turner - Thinking About Your Love*
Michael Caprini - I Believe In Miracles*
Don Ray - Got To Have Loving
Louis La Roche with Ad-Apt - Missing You
Crown Heights Affair - Dreamin' A Dream (Frico edit)
Lois Johnson - Be Mine (Coppa edit)*
Love Bizarre - I Want You For Myself*

It was a great pleasure to be joined in the George FM studio by my good mate Jay "Fat Albert" Jeffrey, who spun all of the tunes with an * next to their names above. Nice one, squire! Thanks for your ears, everyone...

09 December 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Recloose 'Early Works'

We don't know how lucky we are, I reckon.

There are a myriad of reasons we should be thankful to live in NZ. The one relevant to this music review is that Detroit, Michigan-born producer & DJ Recloose aka Matthew Chicoine also lives in NZ.

Perhaps, though, we don't fully appreciate the regard with which Recloose is held outside of NZ.

This is a man whose recorded output began on Carl Craig's ground breaking techno label Planet E alongside the likes of legends Kevin Saunderson, Moodymann & Kenny Larkin. Much of the label's output twisted techno into exciting new territories, blending elements of many different genres into the kind of futuristic funk for which Planet E is now famous.

Recloose Early Works is a collection of just that: six tracks released on Planet E, one on Omoa Music (as Dapp) & seven never before available, all dating from the late '90s & early '00s. Assembled by Holland's esteemed Rush Hour label, the compilation showcases Recloose's burgeoning abilities to blend funk, soul, jazz & even downbeat into a brew which still saw 4/4 as its main ingredient.

Highlights of Early Works include the opening one-two punch of Get There Tonight & Soul Clap 2000, as well as Insomnia In Dub. All three are from the critically acclaimed Spelunking EP from 1999, which arguably "broke" Recloose internationally. The sexy sounding Absence Of One (which out-Kruder & Dorfmeister's the famed Austrians with one spliff tied behind its back) & the unreleased Maui's Lament & Land Of The Lost Dance are also standouts to these ears.

Many of the tracks here have that special Detroit sumthin' sumthin' that is not so obvious in much of Recloose's NZ-based output; and while I highly rate both Hiatus On The Horizon & Perfect Timing, Early Works serves as an excellent primer to his musical beginnings & also stands as testament to why he is still described by those in the know as The Don.

Check out the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90 every Wenerei morning on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show around 8.30am. 107.7FM on your dial, or click here!

06 December 2010

George FM Playlist 5th Dec 2010

Little Ike with Jimmy Beck & His Orchestra - She Can Rock
Philly Armada Orchestra - For The Love Of Money
Imagination - Just An Illusion
Imagination - Street Mix (Disconet rework)
Gary Byrd & Stevie Wonder - The Crown (rework)
Suff Daddy & Charles Earland - Come & 2U Live
Grand Pianoramax with Spleen & Celena Glenn - The Hook (DJ Spinna remix)
Tama Waipara - Where I Go (MdCL remix)
Electric Wire Hustle - Perception
Ladi 6 - Dark Brown
Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing (Simon's Dark Keys remix)
Aloe Blacc v Mary J. Blige - I Can Love A Dollar (DJ Theory Flip)
Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar (DJ Theory Get The Money remix)
Prince Fatty - Insane In The Brain
Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious
George Benson - Love X Love (Koko Southport edit)
Jeffrey Osbourne - Stay With Me Tonight
The Gap Band - Beep-A-Freak
Jewel - Paradise (extended)
Norma Jean Bell - I'm The Baddest Bitch In This Room (Louie Vega Soulful mix)
Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner (E's E remix)

Celebrating the good ol' fashioned crate digging experience this week, having had the opportunity to spend a couple of days searching through vinyl at both Conch & Real Groovy.

Both offer world class record shopping experiences, in my opinion: the selection of 2nd hand music at Groovy is huge, and worthy of a few hours investment; while having Cian personally select a stack to sift through with the headphones on is the epitome of the phrase "enjoyable & educational".

It's all well & good to pillage blogs for mp3 downloads - after all, it's really about the music, not the platform - but there's something truly therapeutic about searching for, buying, playing & listening to vinyl records; some connection that heals the soul in a way the digital search & consumption of music just can't quite manage.

UPDATE: having said all of the above, check out the Never Enough Rhodes blog (where I picked up the tasty Marvin mix played on the show above!). Propers, squire!

03 December 2010

The Radio Ponsonby Record Review: TITO PUENTE - El Rey

An easy review for me this week, with this 2CD "best of" compilation from El Rey himself, Tito Puente, landing on my stereo last week & seldom leaving it since.

The good folks at Fania Records have put together a stellar collection from the King Of Mambo, which includes more than 40 tracks featuring Puente in full flight, alongside guests & collaborators such as Santos Colon, Rudy Calzado, Bobby Escoto, Celia Cruz, Frankie Figueroa & more.

From the recognisable (Oye Como Va, La Guarachera, Hit The Bongo) to the lesser known (Loco Bossa Nova, Wata Wasuri, Tokyo de Noche); from high-energy, fiery Latin percussion-led monsters to more subtle, intricately rhythmic tracks; from the beard-stroker-pleasers to the dancefloor fillers; El Rey is an outstanding collection of tracks that paints a thrilling picture of one of the most important & influential percussionists to have graced the earth.

The Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90 is brought to you by The Longroom at 114 Ponsonby Rd. Check it out every Wednesday around 8.30am on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show on Radio Ponsonby 107.7FM.

02 December 2010

George FM Playlist 28th Nov 2010

Aloe Blacc - Bailar (Scene 1)
Aloe Blacc - Patria Mia
Massak - B.L.A.
Santana - Wham!
Quantic Soul Orchestra with Noelle Scaggs - Lead Us To The End
JuJu Orchestra with Terry Callier - What Is Hip? (Mo Horizons Latinstyle)
Big Bang with Rasiyah - To The Full Every Minute (Yam Who? remix)
Roots Manuva - Witness Heads (Nostalgia 77 edit)
Nate with Medusa & Raashan - Rock On
Me&You - Love In Be Must We
Al Green - I Can't Get Next To You
Havana - Shine
Sa-Ra Creative Partners - Rosebuds
James Pants - Crystal Lite
Herbie Hancock - Stars In Your Eyes
Sweet Pea Atkinson - Dance Or Die
L.T.D. - It's Time To Be Real
Speedometer - Work It Out (Beatfanatic remix)
Attaca Pesante with Shea Soul - Make It Funky For Me (Rusko remix)
Hydroponic Sound System - Young Ladies In The House
Moka Only - Lowdown Suite
Marvin v WJK - Musik

Waajeed flipping Marvin into some seriously D-influenced hip hop soul groove. I ain't bragging (much!) but am stoked to have the limited ish red vinyl pressing...

George FM Playlist 7th Nov 2010

Wild Bill Ricketts - Coconut Tree [WBR]
Groove Armada - Purple Haze [Zomba]
Louie Vega - Jungle Fever [Ubiquity]
Up Hygh with Tony Clifton - Higher [Jugglin']
Tweet with Missy E. - Oops (Oh My) [Sony]
Ladi 6 - Bang Bang [Question]
The Politik with Blu - Moonlight [Antipodean]
Moka Only - Lowdown Suite [Battleaxe]
Apani B - Abracadabra [Q-Boro]
People Under The Stairs - Tuxedo Rap [Tres]
Gotan Project - Arrabal (Haaksman & Haaksman remix feat. Ras Donovan) [Ya Basta!]
Common with Jill Scott - I Am Soul (Tangoterje edit) [Supreme]
Amp Fiddler - Too High (Wonderland remix) [White Label]
Slynk - Gotta Shine [Good Groove]
Aiff - Afro Riddim (Aiff remix feat. Crucial T) [Unique]
Quantic with Tempo - Sabor (12" mix) [Tru Thoughts]
J-Roc - Funkanomical Boom [Good Groove]
Bebel Gilberto - Aganju (Spiritual South Sub Rub vocal mix) [Ziriguiboom]
Robert Strauss with Leroy Burgess - Hot Like An Oven [Robert Strauss]
Coke Escovedo - I Wouldn't Change A Thing [White Label]
Huba - Man Brings The Bread [Texicalli/Jupiter]

One of my "secret weapons" when DJing is pretty much anything by the Finnish group Huba (keys/vocalist Tuomo's solo album is also well worth checking out).

So, check them out here & here. Your ears will thank you profusely...

01 December 2010

J Dilla Goodness

Seems I've managed to "misplace" a few weeks worth of playlists, so please accept this token gesture of some J Dilla goodness as an apology, of sorts.

Cian from Conch gave me the heads up on the latest Strange Games comp which features the Sylvia Robinson track Sweet Stuff, which Dilla sampled for that killer b-line in his track Crushin' (alongside Bonita Applebaum...). Classic.

The official J Dilla site
J Dilla Crushin' vs Sylvia Robinson Sweet Stuff

24 October 2010

George FM Playlist 24th October 2010

Even though I was only way from the airwaves for a week, I missed it like crazy. Does that mean love the limelight? I reckon I simply enjoy sharing my Sundays with you, good listener.

And what a Sunday it has been! The long Labour Weekend here in NZ has been kind to us. We've had gorgeous sunshine here in the AK, and my veges have been responding exceptionally. Fret not, I shall keep you posted with all my exciting gardening news...

Being a long weekend, I (mistakenly, as it turns out) didn't play any ads during the show today, so it's a little longer than the usual. Huzzah!

Freddie Cruger with Desmond Foster | Something Good (12") [Raw Fusion]
Jaylib | The Red (inst.) (12") [Stones Throw]
Amp Fiddler | I Believe In You (Jaylib remix) (12") [Genuine]
Collen & Webb | Golden (Tighten Jill Up) (12") [GAMM]
Eddie Harris with Carole Kaye | Bold & Black (remix) (12") [Up Above]
Lumidee | Uh Oh (Bollywood remix) (12") [Mister Tibbs]
Oscar Sharp with Melo | Runaway (LP Inside Scandinavia) [Raw Fusion]
Macadamia Cuts | Little Space Odyssey (12") [White]
Andy Gibb | Shadow Dancing (7") [Interfusion]
Jermaine Jackson | Little Girl Don't You Worry (7") [Motown]
Speak Low | Thriller (7") [Marula Soulfood]
The Lions | Think (About It) (12") [Ubiquity]
Butch Cassidy Sound System | Cissy Strut (12") [Fenetik]
Patchworks & Mr Day | Brothers On The Slide (7") [Favourite]
Marvin Gaye | What's Goin' On? (Truth & Rights remix) (7") [Al Fingers]
Nostalgia 77 with Alice Russell | Seven Nation Army (12") [Tru Thoughts]
Son Of Dave | Low Rider (7") [Kartel]
This Kid Named Miles | Ring Of Fire (7") [Alatac]
Sugar Pie Desanto | Git Back (7") [Luv n' Haight]
L.A. Carnival | Blind Man (7") [Now Again]
The Bamboos | Tighten Up (7") [Kay-Dee]
The Bamboos with Megan Washington | King Of The Rodeo (7") [Tru Thoughts]
Sunlightsquare Latin Combo | I Believe In Miracles (7") [Sunlightsquare]
Aiff | Akwaaba (7") [Unique]
Quantic & His Combo Barbaro | Linda Morena (7") [Tru Thoughts]
Linda Lyndell | What A Man (LP Soul Sides) [Zealous]
Lowrell | Overdose Of Love (7") [AVI]
Syl Johnson | Goodie Goodie Good Times (7") [EPI]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings | How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? (7") [Daptone]
Beat Assailant | Hard Twelve (LP Good Times 5) [Resist]

23 October 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Belleruche '270 Stories'

BELLERUCHE
270 Stories
[Tru Thoughts]

"Beautiful Beehive". That's the literal French translation of the word "Belleruche".

It's also a pretty apt description of the left-of-centre blend of scratchy hip hop beats, bluesy guitar licks & soulful, honeycomb vocals found on London, UK trio Belleruche's new album, 270 Stories.

While their critically acclaimed debut album Turntable Soul Music (2007) & its equally well received follow up The Express (2008) both sound "...like Sarah Vaughan, Django Reinhardt & Cut Chemist stuck in a lift with Russian beer & a sampler..." (as their very well-written press release/bio so snazzily & succinctly states it); the "difficult" 3rd album sees the group's sound changing, at times quite considerably.

Belleruche have genuinely hit their stride with 270 Stories, tying together all that is so appealingly fresh & distinctive about their sound. It is a far more layered & textured listen than either of their previous albums, while also being tougher, more aggressive & certainly more introspective. The beats from turntablist DJ Modest are harder-edged, with a nod to darker contemporary influences; while guitarist Ricky Fabulous (a relation of Mike from The Black Seeds perhaps...!?) also adds bass guitar to many of the tracks here, creating an exciting dynamic interplay between guitar & bass.

Singer Kathrin deBoer has already marked herself as a serious talent to seriously watch, appearing on (seriously good!) albums from DJ Vadim, Bonobo & Aaron Jerome. With 270 Stories she lives up to the hype: while others still rely on vocal preening & strutting with little of real substance to back it up, deBoer kicks it right in the guts, Trev; looping her voice, tweaking it with guitar effects pedals & layering harmonies atop one another, adding depth to an already rather thick, yet sophisticated, musical stew.

To be perfectly frank - and if you can't be frank when writing your own blog, please tell me when you can - it does take a couple of listens to really "get" 270 Stories. I admit I didn't warm to it immediately. Start with Clockwatching, or maybe even with one of their other records altogether. That'll help to illustrate m point: that this album is the sound of a band pushing forward, ignoring the supposed limitations of a vocals-guitar-turntable trio & letting their ideas roam free.

In A Nutshell: tough hip hop-styled beats, deep bluesy guitar licks & honeycomb vocals reward repeat listens
Nyntee's Rating: SEVEN beautiful beehives out of TEN

Listen to Sweetpants & 90 "talking about music" every Wenerei morning at 8.30am on Radio Ponsonby 107.7FM. Big thanks to Longroom.

Hit It & Quit It "Fright Night" Halloween Special

That's right ghouls and girls... Hit It & Quit It in association with Sick Disco are proud to present "Fright Night": A Halloween Throwdown! Prepare yourself for a night of dancefloor mayhem and boo-bonic funk of monster mash proportions...

Fright Night will be helmed by the ever dependable Counts of the bounce - Recloose and Frank Booker, along with dastardly duo Uncle (Fester) Barnie & Shock-lectah Sam and the party rocking mad scientist Jellphonic!

Your (Un)Trusted Friends Sweetpants & 90 will be hosting the backroom...

Dark disco and haunted house all night long!!!
All DJs will be wearing costumes - and we've PRIZES for the best costumes we see!!!

Sat 30 Oct
Cassette #9
$10 on the door
Undead from 10pm

13 October 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Coming Home - Boozoo Bajou

COMING HOME
Boozoo Bajou
[Stereo Deluxe]

"Chillout" pretty much became a dirty word in compilation CDs for me early in the '00s, after a steady flow of Cafe del Buddha Bar collections dumbed the genre down to elevator muzak.

Thankfully there were still a few plump, peachy downtempo delights ripe for the picking, if the listener cared to reach a little higher - step up the likes of Austrian duo Kruder & Dorfmeister, UK-born Spanish-resident George Evelyn aka Nightmares On Wax & the German production duo known as Boozoo Bajou.

Much like the aforementioned elusive Austrians across the border, Nurembergers Florian Syberth & Peter Heider, aka Boozoo Bajou, have hardly been prolific, with three artist albums in the past10yrs - Satta (2001), Dust My Broom (2005) & Grains (2009), yet theirs is a signature sound instantly recognisable by it's smooth, buttery instrumentation & deep, dubby tempos.

Joe Dukie from the uber-languid Fat Freddy' Drop sings what is probably Boozoo Bajou's best-known song here in NZ - and it's called Take It Slow. Furter proof required...?

Their acclaimed Juke Joint compilations have only enhanced their reputation as dons of downbeat, with immaculately eclectic programming a notable feature. This is something sadly lacking in many compilations nowadays, regardless of genre, so it's a great pleasure to wrap my listening gear around the new Coming Home compilation CD, selected & mixed by BoozBaj themselves.

As the opening minutes of Linkwood Family's gorgeous Miles Away (nicely ref. Mr Davis) slid from my stereo speakers, that familiar lush, laidback BoozBaj vibe washed over me - but then the hi hats start, the keys kick in, the beat drops & it becomes clear that here at least, Boozoo Bajou are dancing to the beat of a different drummer. They've lifted the tempo, considerably in places, while retaining those deep space echoes & distinctly dubby details, and as such, the compilation seems as suitably styled for late night dancefoor shuffling as it is for lounging sipping cocktails.

There are three excellent Boozoo Bajou tracks here - including the dancehall smash Killer, featuring the legendary Top Cat on vocals - alongside a compelling lineup featuring Soulphiction, Henrik Schwarz, Motor City Drum Ensemble & Move D, among others.

These ears particularly enjoy the Elvis P-meets-Farda P vocals laid down by Ski over an insistent shuffle & big ol' bendy bassline courtesy of Tontelas. Icasoul also makes an appearance with the semi-instrumental banger Givin' It Up. (I mention this mostly as the version of this track with the full vocal from Capitol A is a stone cold killer well worth the search, trust me.)

Standouts aside, it's the measured way Boozoo Bajou have woven these tracks into a stunning tailormade musical fabric that makes this particular "chillout" compilation stand out on the hanger.

In A Nutshell: Boozoo Bajou do uptempo dancefloor shuffling mix & it's as good as their slow stuff!
Nyntee's Rating: EIGHT smudged mirrors out of TEN

Check out the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90, on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show every Wednesday around 8.30am, on 107.7FM. Big thanks to the Longroom!

11 October 2010

George FM Playlist 10th October 2010

J Dilla | Crushin' [Stones Throw]
Nostalgia 77 Trio | My Name Is... [Tru Thoughts]
DJ Rootz | Rocking Rock [Wellred Records]
Max Romeo | War Inna Babylon [Charmax]
Bob Marley & The Wailers | Buffalo Soldier (dub) [Tuff Gong]
Timothy McNealy | Sagitarius Black [Now Again]
Restless Soul with Zanzibar | Everytime [Raw Fusion]
The Isley Brothers | Love The One You're With [T-Neck]
Belleruche | Drum At Dusk [Rebtuz]
Sunshine Anderson | Heard It All Before (QSO version) [Rebtuz]
Quantic Soul Orchestra | San Sebastian Strut [Tru Thoughts]
The Tornadoes | Huihui [From The Crates]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings | Keep On Looking (Kenny Dope remix) [Soulplex]
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators | Feeling Free (Aaron Jerome remix) [ATC]
Otis Clay | The Only Way Is Up [Echo]
Harvey Mason | Groovin' You [Arista]
Prince | Party Up (Gay Marvine edit) [Gay Marvine]
7 Samurai | Muzic [GAMM]
Don Ray | Got To Have Loving [Malligator]
Chocolate | Syrup [Compost]

06 October 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Chromeo 'Business Casual'

CHROMEO
Business Casual
[Universal]

The world is a serious place. Just like the world, music can be a serious place, too. Some musicians who seem to be trying to have fun even manage to take that a little too seriously. Hair metal, anyone...?

Nobody could accuse Montreal duo Chromeo of taking themselves too seriously.

Nor of playing hair metal, as these guys peddle a brand of shiny, party-starting plastic-funk & electro-pop that's been tearing up indie dancefloors worldwide since their debut album She's In Control - or more correctly, the huge single Needy Girl - through their "mainstream breakthrough" follow up Fancy Footwork.

Now some 6yrs since that debut album & with some seriously fun globe-trotting (Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds, Fujirock, Lollapalooza, Coachella, Bonnaroo, etc.) under their designer belts, P-Thugg & Dave 1, aka Chromeo, return with an album that shows the pair are far more than a loving (& rockin') homage/tribute/rip-off of Hall & Oates, Klymaxx, Zapp & Sylvester.

Business Casual still has moments that deeply pierce the dancefloor jugular, but many of the songs here have been carefully stripped back, allowing the pair's growing songwriting abilities room to breathe. Sure, there's plenty of dazzling fretwork from guitarist Dave 1 (French Literature PhD & brother of DJ wunderkind A-Trak) & P-Thugg's talkbox is still prominent, but somehow the cheese gets soaked up amongst the songwriting: the lyrics here are simple, efficient & clean, much like the music itself.

Perhaps Chromeo have chosen to slow down a little with Business Casual. That's not to say they won't be flashing their fancy footwork all over the floor this NYE at Rhythm & Vines, as they undoubtedly will; but these ears will be listening long after they've left our shores.

Scratch the surface of Business Casual & you'll expose bodywork with a little more substance than first appearances would suggest. A grow-er AND a show-er.

In A Nutshell: seriously fun plastic-funk-pop with more than a side of sophisticated songwriting
Nyntee's Rating: SEVEN & A HALF leggy mannequins out of TEN

Watch Chromeo performing live on Letterman here...

Check out the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90, on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show every Wednesday around 8.25am, on 107.7FM. Thanks to the Longroom!

04 October 2010

George FM Playlist 3rd October 2010

Felt like a proper Spring day today, as the sun had been shining since Friday afternoon & all was good with the world.

Propers to everyone tending their own patch of earth & growing whatever's clever in their garden! We've been enjoying brocolli, cabbage, spinach, lettuce & a bunch of herbs out of ours - and I'm only weeks away from beetroot & carrots! But I digress...

Stonephace | Wedgehead Gets Lucky [Tru Thoughts]
House Shoes | The Makings [Do-Over]
Dam-Funk | Burgundy City [Stones Throw]
Fat Freddy's Drop | Cays Crays (Blood & Fire vs Deep Sounds remix) [The Drop]
King Kapisi | Reverse Resistance [Urale/FMR]
Tha Feelstyle | Break It To Pieces [Can't Stop/FMR]
Flash Harry | Alright [Capital]
Salmonella Dub | Slide [Salmonella Dub/Virgin]
Carl Douglas | Kung Fu Fighting (Karl Moestl remix) [Select Cuts]
The Black Seeds | Rotten Apples (Lowman's Block Rockin' Bass remix) [White]
Sola Rosa with Iva Lamkum | Turn Around (TM Juke remix) [Way Up/Rosa Recordings]
Prince | 1999 (Pepe '99 edit) [Mashed Up Funk]
K.W. Griff | Respect (Mooqee & Russ Cuban edit) [Bomb Strikes]
Afrodisiac Soundsystem | Italo Nitro [Afrodisiac]
Me&You | Sneaker Thief [Tru Thoughts]
Michael Jackson | Billie Jean (Jackson Torpedo edit) [Mashed Up Funk]
Louis La Roche with Ad-Apt | Missing You [ ? ]
Zeb | Revolutionary Dreams [Wonderwheel]
Sandboy | Lua Nua (Smiles Ahead Three Trees remix) [Hinterland]
Up Hygh | Compatible (PTH Projects remix) [Tru Thoughts]
Quantic | Only A Little While Here [Tru Thoughts]
Prince Fatty | Insane In The Brain [ ? ]

Check one of my favourite labels out right here:
Tru Thoughts website

01 October 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Aloe Blacc 'Good Things'

ALOE BLACC
Good Things
[Stones Throw]

There's this style of music which has been around for a minute or two, but which is currently being referred to as "throwback", "vintage", "retro", or some other dismissive term loosely, lazily applied by someone who really should - but probably doesn't - know better.

The intention is to belittle the target because it's not "moving music forward". Hello? Is dubstep really some amazing evolutionary advance...?

Don't get me wrong, I ilke a jolly good sub-bass wobble as much as the next degenerate, but I'm pretty sure I'm not just being old-fashioned when I opine that two of the most basic human musical needs in song are "good rhythm" & "catchy melody". If you can combine the two, in any genre of music, I'll wager you're onto a winner.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you Good Things, the 2nd album from Californian native, Aloe Blacc, which has both of those aforementioned qualities in spades - and just so happens to sound as though it could've been recorded in some smoky lil, late-at-night backstreet studio during the early '70s.

Vintage? 2010. Region? Straight West Coastin', USA. On the palate? A big soul & a whole lotta heart...

With thoughtfully arranged & exceptionally executed musicianship courtesy of Truth & Soul Records' main men Jeff Silverman & Leon Michels; and Aloe's captivating voice delivering deep lyricism advocating positive social change, while never shying from the reality of America right now; Good Things has all the hallmarks of a lasting classic like What's Going On, or Innervisions.

I'm going to mention names like Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Sharon Jones & Lee Fields, just to give you a peg to hang your jacket on while you're shaking your backyard on the dancefloor to the sleeper hit of the summer, I Need A Dollar.

Never mind which vintage Aloe Blacc occupies. Some Good Things are timeless. Here's one.

In A Nutshell: imagine Bill, Curtis & Marvin making moves with Gnarls Barkley
Nyntee's Rating: NINE smooth operators out of TEN

Check out the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90, on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show every Wednesday around 8.25am, on 107.7FM. Thanks to the Longroom!

30 September 2010

George FM Playlist 26th September 2010

19 September 2010

Radio Ponsonby Record Review: Horse Meat Disco II

Various Artists
HORSE MEAT DISCO II
[Strut]

This is the second killer collection of underground disco, Italo cuts & proper disco rarities that have been dug up & lovingly (lustingly...?) delivered by a quartet of British DJs with a clubnight known as Horse Meat Disco.

These are tried & tested cuts - Horse Meat Disco residents James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Severino & Luke Howard aka Filthy Luke have given these sticky sweet selections the sweaty dancefloor treatment, from their clubnight in Vauxhall, London, to dancefloors worldwide - including residencies in London, Lisbon, Berlin & Istabul.

The clubnights are notoriously inclusive, with homos, heteros & every sexual shade in between shaking what their Mommas gave 'em right alongside one another. Horse Meat Disco II captures the essenceof the clubnight, with an essential selection of New York classics alongside a host of lesser known underground disco gems - getting repeat plays on the stereo at Casa del Nyntee are the tracks You Can Get Over by Stephanie Mills, I'm Not In Love (Girl You're In Love) by Freda Paynes sister Scherrie &the Italo oddity Touch Me Now by Bravo - each seemingly more fruity than the next.

A pleasure? Undoubtedly. A guilty pleasure? If you're comfortable in your own skin, this really is just a whole bunch of smiley-faced fun. Slip this on your stereo, strip down to your smalls & get amongst!

In A Nutshell: as fruity as your Nana's Christmas punch with a kick like a rogue bull elephant
Nyntee's Rating: SEVEN & A HALF studded leather chaps 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.