In The Pocket

28 February 2011

George FM Playlist Monday 28th Feb. 2011 "Groovadelica with 90"

I once more had the great pleasure of stepping into the shoes of Jason Eli, covering for his Groovadelica show on George FM on Monday morning. I do believe he was nursing his birthday wounds from a big weekend...

Tony Allen | Kilode (Waajeed dub)
Krystal Klear | Tried For Your Love
Disco Tom | Goldie's Boogie
The Streets | Those That Don't Know
Charles Earland | Comin' To You Live (edit)
Manujothi | Shake Your Body
Herbie Hancock | Stars In Your Eyes
Cole Medina | I Got My Mind Made Up (Cole's rework)
Killer Funk Disco Allstars | Look! A Van Gogh! (Good Groovin' edit)
The Dells | No Way Back (Theo Parrish edit)
Ron Basejam | Is The Word
Henry Greenwood | The Rhythm
The Blackbyrds | Rock Creek Park
Bobby C Sound TV | Boom For Rent
Common | I Am Soul (Todd Terje edit)
King Onkyo | Boogie Gonna Get Ya (Discodub)
Local Legend | Back Fo' Mo'
L.T.D. | Love To The World (DJ Day remix)
Los Charly's Orchestra | Rio Chico's Sunset
Spectral Display | It Takes A Muscle

Review: Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX 'We're New Here'

GIL SCOTT-HERON & JAMIE XX
'We're New Here'
[XL/Young Turks]

We've every right to be dubious when labels pair up hip, young zeitgeist producers with respected, legendary older artists, particularly thanks to the recent release of a few disappointing collaborative efforts (did some mention Jack White and Wanda Jackson?). We're New Here is different. How? For a start, this is a remix album. Then there's the source material: living-legend Gil Scott-Heron's 2010 epic/comeback, I'm New Here. Young Jamie Smith (drummer/producer for world-conquering UK indie three-piece The XX) has completely reworked thirteen tracks from the original album sessions, placing Scott-Heron's disembodied vocals amongst pulsing, spidery soundscapes. While sounding excitingly modern, like Burial or James Blake, We're New Here is endearingly reverent, even adding a degree of warmth to the intentionally deep, dark originals. Smith also samples snatches of vocals from Scott-Heron's work in generations past, providing for some kind of deep, philosophical inter-generational link. Whatever. This is proper dance music, 2011-style.

4/5 stars

Review reprinted courtesy of Waikato Times

27 February 2011

George FM Playlist Sunday 27th Feb "In The Pocket with 90"

24 February 2011

Review: Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra 'World Of Funk' and 'Hooked Up Classics'

SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA
World Of Funk AND Hooked Up Classics
[Ubiquity]

There are many words reviewers use which are superfluous. That's probably a chief culprit right there.

However, the one I'm picking on introduce this brace of Shawn Lee albums is "prolific".

The LA-based DJ, beat-maker, producer and weed-head Madlib aka Yesterday's New Quintet aka Otis Jackson Jr is prolific, recording quite literally stacks of material for the Stones Throw label, under multiple aliases. Legendary American indie rock-popper Robert Pollard is prolific, churning out something like eight albums a year via his bands Guided By Voices, Boston Spaceships, Circus Devils and too many more to mention here. Brighton-born, Cali, Columbia-resident, producer, DJ and crate-digger Will Holland is prolific, recording as Quantic, Quantic Soul Orchestra, Quantic and His Combo Barbaro and many others besides.

Add American-born, UK-resident Shawn Lee to this list.

This multi-instrumentalist, producer & musicologist is genuinely prolific, having released literally dozens of albums on his own, as the Ping Pong Orchestra and in collaboration with the likes of Money Mark, Tommy Guerrero, Clutchy Hopkins - not to mention in his past life as a session musician for hire, when he worked with everyone from The Dust Brothers & Jeff Buckley to the Spice Girls, while the man has made a mint from providing the musical backing for hugely popular TV shows like Lost, CSI, House, Ugly Betty etc. You could argue he began his career as a "library" music composer and performer when he released the phenomenal Ape Breaks series back in the day.

Under his Shawn Lee and The Ping Pong Orchestra guise, he now presents two more albums of heavily conceptualised library music, each as eminently listenable as his past work.

Following in the footsteps of recent albums Soul In The Hole and Sing A Song, where Lee was joined by a roll-call of guests in albums dedicated to various readings of one musical style, World Of Funk is packed with churning, riveting afro-funk in all its many flavours.

Guests include legendary Egyptian singer Natacha Atlas, multi-instrumentalist Brazilian artist Curumin, Dengue Fever's LA-based Vietnamese singer Chhom Nimol, Truth and Soul recording artist Michael Leonhart, NOMO band-leader Elliot Bergman and others.

While some may rail against Lee ripping off or bastardising these musical styles, the fact remains that this is a labour of love for him. He really does pour himself into these albums, playing many of the instruments himself & wholeheartedly committing himself to an authentic, genuine approach to song-writing, performing and recording the music.

The second of this pair of Ping Pong Orchestra albums is inspired by the Hooked On Classics series of the early '80s (factoid: put together by ELO's Louis Clark) and follows more in the vein of previous Lee albums Hit The Hits and his Christmas album.

Hooked Up Classics sees universally known songs like 1812 Overture, Swan Lake, Dance Of The Sugar P{lum Fairy, Also Spracg Zarathustra and eight others given a right odl dressing down, with Lee taking the essential elements from each piece and reinventing them within entirely new frameworks: 1812 Overture becomes a sweet, sunny, BBQ reggae track; Flight Of The Bumblebee welcomes a freestyle "chorus" over a boom-bap beat; and Hall Of The Mountain King gets twisted into a frenzied surf-guitar stomp.

This is an entirely enjoyable, hilarious and musically unpredictable journey through some of the best known songs ever written. Upon first listen I snorted, more than once, thinking "Sure, this is fun, but how many times am I actually going to listen to this gimmicky record?"

The answer? Prolifically.

World Of Funk: SIX AND A HALF sitars out of TEN
Hooked Up Classics: SEVEN AND A HALF outraged classical music buffs out of TEN

Listen to the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90, every Weneri morning around 8.30am, on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show. Thanks To Longroom.

20 February 2011

George FM Playlist Sunday 20th Feb 2011 "In The Pocket with 90"

16 February 2011

Review: So Frenchy So Chic 2011

Various Artists
SO FRENCHY SO CHIC 2011
[Cartell]

Those crafty frogs.

With their effortlessly stylish ways, a seemingly unshakeable self-confidence & the ability to strike the balance between sexy & not taking themselves too seriously, the French have always seemed so... well, just so damned charming.

The double-disc compilation So Frenchy So Chic 2011 does nothing whatsoever to dispel those stereotypes.

Far from being solely about endearing chanteuses or deep, throbbing dance beats though, modern French music is inspired by the melting pot of cultures & peoples present in the country. Combining African rhythms & elements of indie rock; soulful singer-songwriters & the sweetest pop; edgy electro & twisted trad-folk sounds, So Frenchy So Chic delves deep to uncover some glittering gems.

Frenchies resident in Oz, Juliette Bouquerel & Jean-Francois Ponthieux have assembled yet another joyful & highly enjoyable romp, showcasing some of France's brightest new musical talents, across a number of genres.

And yes, absolutely charming.

Listen to the Radio Ponsonby Record Review with 90 every Wenerei morning, on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show. Thanks to Longroom.

13 February 2011

George FM Playlist Sunday 13th Feb. "In The Pocket with 90"

I had the great pleasure of welcoming Fat Albert himself into the studio this afternoon, with Jay Jeffrey bringing along a bag of goodness. We dropped two-for-two across the 2hr show & time flew.

Linkwood Family | Miles Away
Fat Freddy's Drop | Boondigga
Leonard Seeley's Heritage | Feel It (BT Magnum edit)
The Blackbyrds | Rock Creek Park (Onur Engin edit)
David Joseph | You Can't Hide Your Love (Larry Levan remix)
Sharon Redd | Never Give You Up
* Change | Mutual Attraction
* Russ Brown | Find A Way
Manujothi | Shake Your Body
Michael McGlory | Love Every Inch Of Me
* Candido | Thousand Finger Man
* Loose Joints | Is It All Over My Face
Lakeside | We Want You On The Floor
Disco Tom | I Wanna Take You For A Ride
* Young Disciples | Move On
* Galliano | So Much Confusion
Bernard Wright | Haboglabotribin
Mtume | Juicy Fruit
* Q-Tip with Erykah Badu | Show Me The Way
* The Roots | Mellow My Man
Esther Phillips | Home Is Where The Hatred Is (Onur Engin edit)
Guru with Erykah Badu | Plenty

* denotes a selection from the deep crates of my good mate Jay Jeffrey.

12 February 2011

For Your Ears aka Random Review: Anna Coddington - Cat & Bird

ANNA CODDINGTON
Cat & Bird
[Teaset]

Some people make this music lark look easy. Anna Coddington is one of those people.

One her 2nd solo album, Cat & Bird, Coddington effortlessly glides through a balanced set of exceptional indie pop. Deceptively simple sounding, with each listen the songs reveal subtle turns of phrase & clever melodic interplay between the stellar band - producer & guitarist Ned Ngatae, drummer Riki Gooch (Trinity Roots), bassist Mike Hall (Nightchoir) & keyboardist/vocalist L.A. Mitchell (Dave Dobbyn).

Cat & Bird has a more guitar-driven, full band sound than her excellent, alt-country influenced debut The Lake, but long-time fans need not worry: there are also a handful of gorgeous, delicate & incredibly touching songs here, showcasing Coddington's considered approach & strong vocals.

Her unassuming presentation belies a clever song-writing brain & though she's relatively unknown, Cat & Bird is further evidence Coddington is a NZ artist we willl treasure in years to come.

4 stars from 5

Review reprinted courtesy of Waikato Times

09 February 2011

Review: Kelis - Flesh Tone

KELIS
Flesh Tone
[Interscope]

Reviewing this album confused me.

On one hand it's as light & fluffy as chewing clouds, while on the other hand it almost seems there's something a little darker going on just beneath the surface.

Strictly speaking I should strongly dislike, if not hate this album.

It's essentially euphoric dance pop music, blending electropop, synthpop & house music. Production is by David Guetta, Boys Noize, Jean Baptiste & Benny Benassi, among others. It's released on Will.I.Am's label. While it may be a radical departure from Kelis' previous R&B-styled albums, Flesh Tone breaks no new ground & she does nothing we've not heard from others before.

However, I don't strongly dislike this album & I certainly do not hate it. I'm still not sure I like it, necessarily either. Here are three reasons why I'm struggling to get a true handle on my feelings about this album.

Firstly, despite brimming with sleek dance pop, the album flows as a listening experience incredibly well - something which can seldom be said these days, as most albums are really just collections of radio singles - while also playing host to a handful of potential major club anthems. Of particular note is the lead single Acapella & forthcoming single Scream, both of which incidentally, are produced by cheesy house maestro du jour David Guetta.

Secondly, Kelis sounds good. Really good. Full-tilt house diva mode clearly suits her. As does Motherhood. She has been quoted as saying that Flesh Tone is an uplifting album which celebrates the birth of her first child, so while she's obviously in good spirits, the Giorgio Moroder-era Donna Summer v modern Euro club pop sound is also an apt fit.

Thirdly, even though there's not one single fresh idea present on Flesh Tone, only one track really outstays its' welcome (the mindlessly repetitive Emancipate) & in all, the album's nine tracks barely scratch the 38min mark, strangely leaving me quite happy to listen again.

I admire any artist willing to change up their sound from album to album, and Flesh Tone is nothing if not a departure from her previous work. It's even highly enjoyable, in places, kinda like candy floss.

Hmmm... when was the last time you ate candy floss & felt good about it afterwards...?

In A Nutshell: candy-coated sleek club pop which is a non-fattening guilty pleasure
90's Rating: SIX glittering disco balls OUT OF TEN

The Radio Ponsonby Record Review airs on Murry Sweetpants' Breakfast Show every Wenerei morning at around 8.30am. Big thanks to Longroom.

07 February 2011

George FM Playlist Waitangi Day Sunday 6th Feb "In The Pocket with 90"

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