Paris DJs - Music News

Monophonics - In Your Brain - out on Ubiquity Records

Djouls — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:40:00 +0200

Monophonics - In Your Brain
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Ubiquity Records UR299, 2012-05-15

Monophonics are a San Francisco soul/funk band we've been following quite some time. We played their afrofunk track Ageless feat. Karl Denson from their 2010 album Into The Infrasounds (check here), we've selected for the upcoming third volume of the series their epic afro/funk/jam thing Baobab Tree from their 2007 album Playin & Simple, and since we received this fan-tas-tic third album to be released on Ubiquity Records mid-may, we've also played their soul burner There's A Riot Going On in last month's Bag of Goodies selection and kept a few other marvels on the side for some upcoming selections… Their cover of Bang Bang will surely fit a Molesting Laura mix soon, for example… The Monophonics sound is deeply rooted in 70s Funk & Soul, but with a lot of fuzzy psychedelics and bits of 60s garage rock, nods to afrofunk and blaxploitation, rather close to the best productions from Orgone or Daptone's studios, and it's quite understandable that the band left their self-releasing politics to join a worldwide label such as Ubiquity! This one won't leave the Paris DJs stereo for weeks… and vinyl is recommended, as always.

Monophonics - In Your Brain
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Ubiquity Records UR299, 2012-05-15

Monophonics - "There's A Riot Going On" by Ubiquity Records

Monophonics - "Bang Bang" by Ubiquity Records

Tracklisting :
01. Looking Ahead
02. There's A Riot Going On
03. In Your Brain
04. Sure Is Funky
05. Deception
06. All Together
07. Say You Love Me
08. They Don't Understand
09. Mirage
10. Foolish Love
11. Thinking Black
12. Bang Bang
13. Temptation
14. Keep Looking Ahead

Links :
Buy on Juno
Connect with Monophonics on monophonics.com

Alan Evans Trio - Drop Hop - out on Royal Family Records

Nicolas Ragonneau — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:40:00 +0200

Alan Evans Trio - Drop Hop
(CD/Digital) Royal Family Records, 2012-05-14

Soulive's drummer Alan Evans is back in the groove with a trio formation. If you're into Booker T. and the MG's, Medeski Martin & Wood, The City Champs, Will Bernard Trio, The Meters and every good organ trio, Drop Hop is a must-have and a future classic. Loaded with instantly catchy tunes, it reveals the obvious talents of Alan Evans' longtime friends: heavy Hammond lines of Beau Sasser (a true revelation on B3 - at least for us) and superb Danny Mayer's Grant-Greenish guitar riffs. We love the rough and dirty sound of this release, one of the Spring's grooviest soul-funkwise platter, along with the new Sugarman 3 and the terrific Wil Blades/Billy Martin duo's album (Shimmy).

Alan Evans Trio - Drop Hop
(CD/Digital) Royal Family Records, 2012-05-14

Tracklisting :
01. Authoritay
02. Check Your Lugnuts
03. Whistlin' Willie
04. Drop Hop
05. Rum Runner
06. If You Want My Love (Give It Up)
07. The Meter's Runnin'
08. Crooooz
09. After Everyone's Gone

Links :
Alan Evans Trio : official | Royal Family Records (label) | facebook | soundcloud | twitter

Drop Hop pre release by alanevanstrio

Red Baraat - Chaal Baby - out on Jaro Medien

Nicolas Ragonneau — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:23:00 +0200

Red Baraat - Chaal Baby
(CD/Digital) Jaro Medien 4307-2, 2012-05-12

At first sight, Red Baraat seems to be one more Brooklyn Brass Band. But as soon as you play the very first track of the album (the eponymous and heavy Chaal Baby), you will understand you're wrong. This nine-piece horn collective is indeed NYC-based, but it's the first and only Indian marching band in the Northeast, lead by charismatic percussionist Sunny Jain. Sunny plays dhol, an over-the-shoulder North Indian drum slung which makes all the difference: the result is a genre of its own dubbed 'Dhol'n'Brass'. Red Baraat's music presents original compositions, traditional Punjabi wedding anthems ('Baraat' is the Hindi word for a wedding procession) and Bollywood covers. Have in mind that Gypsies come from the north of India, then you can obviously see Red Baraat as a missing link between Gypsy Brass Bands and New Orleans second lines with extra drums/percussion spices. Anyway, this mind-blowing sensation hits Europe this Spring with a tour beginning in Paris on May 24th at Studio de l'Ermitage (opening for Hazmat Modine and featured in their exclusive mix for Paris DJs). They really kill it on stage, so don't miss these tandoori grooves!

Red Baraat - Chaal Baby
Jaro Medien 4307-2, 2012-05-12

Tracklisting :
01. Chaal Baby
02. Tunak Tunak Tun
03. Punjabi Wedding Song (Balle Balle)
04. Baraat To Nowhere
05. Drum 'n' Brass
06. Arcana
07. Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna
08. Hey Jamalo
09. Samaro Mantra
10. Baraat To Nowhere (Live in Brooklyn, NYC)
11. Hey jamalo (Live in NYC)

Links :
Red Baraat : official | Jaro (label) | facebook | myspace | soundcloud | twitter | wikipedia

Red Baraat @ Lotus World Music & Arts Festival

Afro Kelenkye Band - Jungle Funk - out on Cultures Of Soul Records

Djouls — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:32:00 +0200

Afro Kelenkye Band - Jungle Funk
(2x7") Cultures of Soul Records COSVF001, 2012-05-08

Curated by the famous Frank Gossner from the Voodoo Funk blog, this double 7 inch contains 4 unreleased tracks from legendary Ghanaian afrofunk band Afro Kelenkye Band, and is an absolute must-get for all 70s Afro Grooves lovers and the perfect companion to the Superfly Records reissue of the Moving World album from 1974! Act fast or cry later, this gem is limited to 1000 vinyl copies, and is already sold-out in many online stores !

Afro Kelenkye Band - Jungle Funk
(2x7") Cultures of Soul Records COSVF001, 2012-05-08

Tracklisting :
A1. Jungle Funk
B1. Mother Africa
C1. Munchin Season
D1. Too Bad Girl

Links :
Buy it on Juno
Cultures of Soul Records : official | bigcartel | discogs | facebook | myspace | parisdjs | soundcloud | twitter

Press Release :
With the help of Voodoo Funk’s Frank Gossner we are putting out unreleased material from the Afro Kelenkye Band. Led by Jagger Botchway, the group recorded the legendary rare Ghanaian Funk album, Moving World. Soon after the group went back into the studio to record more tracks but ran out of money. The recordings were left on the shelves until Miles Cleret from Soundway Records found them some 40 years later and brought them to Frank’s attention. The track “Jungle Funk” sees the group relax into a mid tempo Afro funk groove. “Mother Africa” is a guitar driven Afro psychedelic instrumental with a fuzzed out guitar solo. “Too Bad Girl” features a dark melody and a laid back trumpet solo. “Munchin’ Session” grooves with trumpet riffs galore. Mastered from the original reel to reel tapes and pressed on 2 x 45s and housed in a thick collectible jacket cover designed by Frank Gossner. Out now! You can buy it here for $14.99. Limited to 1,000 copies.

Paris DJs Playlist - April 2012

Djouls — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:10:00 +0200

Each month we're selecting 12 records (vinyls, CDs) out of the ones labels, artists and distributors have nicely sent to us. Contact us is you want to be listed in this section next month. We rarely find the time to go through watermarked CDs and CD-R, but listen to every piece of vinyl we receive.

This april selection is heavy on the afro, funk and soul, but since this is exactly what we're producing in our own studios right now, it fits perfectly our current mood - we can only hope you're on the same kind of wavelength… As always, we strongly advise labels to check our Community Management services to learn how and why it's useful to get indexed, played or reviewed on Paris DJs… here are only 12 free spots every month for a review, and once again we've chosen to feature first our friends, Akalé Wubé, Analog Africa, cool vinyl from Nik Weston/Juno, Super Hi-Fi or Versus, plus the amazing new Dr. John album on which also we have friends playing, the new Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars produced by Ticklah, and we've added some nice goodies sent to us by cool labels Kindred Spirits, Ubiqity or Légère Recordings…

The April 2012 Paris DJs Playlist :

Akale Wubé - Mata (Nabligam Production) info
Dr. John - Locked Down (Nonesuch) info
Guynamukat - Afro Disco Boogie Edits Volume 6 (Gyunamukat Edits) info
Jungle By Night - Hidden (Kindred Spirits) info
Killer Funk Disco Allstars - - Vol.6 The Delicious Irony EP (Killer Funk Disco) info
Le Super Borgou de Parakou - The Bariba Sound (Analog Africa) info
Monophonics - In Your Brain (Ubiquity) info
Nik Weston presents Afro Funk Gems Volume One (Mukatsuku) info
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Radio Salone (Cumbancha) info
Super Hi-Fi - We Wil Begin Again / Polyrhythmics - Pink Wasabi (Electric Cowbell) info
The Impellers - This Is Not A Drill (Légère) info
Versus - Mr. Blue (Sound Sculpture) info

Le Super Borgou de Parakou - The Bariba Sound - out on Analog Africa

Djouls — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:56:00 +0200

Le Super Borgou de Parakou - The Bariba Sound
(CD/2xLP) Analog Africa n°11 AACD 071/AALP071, 2012-03-27

The Analog Africa label continues his digging of West African vinyl treasures from the 60s and 70s and this new compilation is another masterful must-listen for all the ears looking out for some tropical-but-different kind of sounds. This time the musical travel goes into North East Benin (called Dahomey at the time of those recordings), to the city of Parakou, with the Super Borgou de Parakou and their unique Bariba Sound, a blend of influences from imported psychedelic soul, funk & R&B, with traditional Bariba and Dendi music, orientalese melodies, afrobeat, highlife, rumba and pachanga. The music is like nothing we've heard before and as always the booklet is like a full story with lots of photos and scans. Another absolute must-have on vinyl from Samy Ben Redjeb, who we'll be interviewing for a special audio podcast very soon so stay connected!

Le Super Borgou de Parakou - The Bariba Sound
(CD/2xLP) Analog Africa n°11 AACD 071/AALP071, 2012-03-27

Sembe Sembe Boudou (Folklore Dendi) - Le Super Borgou de Parakou by Analog Africa

Tracklisting :
01. Gandigui 3:03
02. Wegne'Nda M'Banza 3:17
03. Me Ton Le Gbe 2:57
04. Abakpé 4:17
05. Guessi-Guéré-Guess 4:14
06. Sembe Sembe Boudou 4:04
07. A Na Gan Garo Ka Nam 4:26
08. Bori Yo Se Mon Baani 3:42
09. Aske 3:30
10. Ko Guere 3:55
11. Abeke Klouklou 5:10
12. Hanoubiangabou 3:11
13. Bininhounnin 4:54

Links :
Buy on Juno
Connect with Analog Africa on http://soundcloud.com/analog-africa

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Radio Salone - out on Cumbancha Records

Djouls — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:31:00 +0200

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Radio Salone
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Cumbancha Records CMBCD 23, 2012-04-30

After the #1 World Music Charts Europe album Rise & Shine released in 2010, the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars have been collaborating with our friend DJ Logic on a remix album, Rise & Shine Remixed, and then went to famous roots reggae, soul & Afrobeat producer Victor Axelrod, aka Ticklah, keyboard player from Antibalas, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Amy Winehouse, Easy Star All Stars and more… to produced their third and new album, Radio Salone, recorded at Menahan Street Band's Dunham Studios in Brooklyn. Those guys have taste! We played their massive afro-soca single Mother In Law in our latest afro mega-selection 21st Century Afro Spectacular Vol.2 but there's a lot more coming from this full-length Afro recording. As with all Ticklah productions, the sound is wide and spacey, clear as if the band was playing right on your own lawn, a feat rarely achieved these days in the 70s-influenced roots music scene. The grooves shift from soca to afrofunk, through reggae, zouk and highlife, making this album a sophisticated affair of purely refined 21st Century Afro-Carribean music.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Radio Salone
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Cumbancha Records CMBCD 23, 2012-04-30

Tracklisting :
01. Chant It Down
02. Gbara Case
03. Mother In Law
04. Gombay Interlude: Rain Come Sun Come
05. Reggae Sounds The Message
06. Mampama
07. Kali
08. Gombay Interlude: Papa Franco
09. Man Muyu
10. Toman Teti M'Ba Akala
11. Big Fat Dog
12. Gombay Interlude: Shake Your Body
13. Yesu Gorbu
14. Work It Brighter
15. Remake The World Again
16. Gombay Interlude: A'Salamaleichem

Links :
Buy on Juno
Connect with Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars on cumbancha.com

‪Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars - Mother In Law
‬

The Impellers - This Is Not A Drill - out on Légère Recordings

Djouls — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:24:00 +0200

The Impellers - This Is Not A Drill
(CD/Digital) Légère Recordings LEGO040, (LP) Mocambo Record MLP1006, 2012-04-27

Starting as Ed Meme & The Forms, this 10-piece powerhouse UK band became the more pronouncable The Impellers when signing with Freestyle Records in 2008, a label on which they released their smashing first album Robot Legs the following year. They're now back with their second full-length recording, This Is Not A Drill, to be sorted in the Heavy Funk section rather than the Deep Funk one. This record is indeed a blast, with huge horns, a high-energy rhythm section, groovy hammond licks and authentic soulful vocals from 'Lady' Clair Witcher. The single, Politiks Kills People, could be the answer to our recent Election Mix, so we played it in our latest Bag of Goodies selection, and we should also feature their Ting Tings cover That's Not My Name in a future Molesting Laura playlist… Well since this album's all killer, no filler, and full of heavy breaks, we could play any kinda track in there quite easily!

The Impellers - This Is Not A Drill
(CD/Digital) Légère Recordings LEGO040, (LP) Mocambo Record MLP1006, 2012-04-27

Politiks Kills People - The Impellers by Légère Recordings

Tracklisting :
01. Intro
02. Hear What I Say
03. The Knock Knock
04. Pon Lo Afuera
05. Do What I Wanna Do
06. Signs Of Hope & Happiness
07. Politiks Kills People
08. Close To Me
09. Took Me For A Ride
10. That's Not My Name
11. Belly Savalas
12. Last Orders (Outro)

Note : A product of Légère Recordings & Mocambo Records.

Links :
Buy on Juno
Connect with The Impellers on theimpellers.com or on legere-recordings.com

Versus - Mr. Blue - out on Sound Sculpture

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:40:00 +0200

Versus - Mr. Blue
(CD/Digital) Sound Sculpture, 2012-04-30

After some heavy grassroots promotion, French funk/hip hop/jazz band Versus is finally unleashing its full-length album, an event we couldn't pass on celebrating this release with our friend Lawkyz leading the project and our former label partner Jesus Crise on the turntables. We produced 4 albums with the latter at the end of the 90s, including My First DJ Tos and Tostuguesh (maybe we'll podcast those one day), it was a long time ago when Jesus Crise was still called Dj Tos and designing T-Shirts saying "Jesus is a Spanish dealer"… One of the common musical grounds of those two cats is their love of The Herbaliser's records on Ninja Tune, and this influence is quite obvious, but Versus is much more than just a 90s hip hop/funk retro septet. There's also a lot of blaxploitation vibes in there ("Marauders", "Theme From Bobbin Street", "The Don Walks In"), some Beastie Boys funk & samples stuff ("Alerte", "Everyday Fever"), a pinch of Mo' Wax abstractness, classy 70s flute or strings arrangements and Danny Elfman-esque songs and voices ("Always Noon", "End Credits") and hip hop anthems ("Play The Game")… A new high quality blend of "extra old flavor" from La Republica Del Groove indeed!

Versus - Mr. Blue
(CD/Digital) Sound Sculpture, 2012-04-30

Preview Album by Versus

Tracklisting :
01. Intro 01:49
02. Mr. Blue (Lead Vocal Bruce Sherfield) 04:32
03. Marauders 05:10
04. Alerte 01:13
05. Theme From Bobbin Street (Lead Vocal Yann Cléry) 03:39
06. (How To) Play The Game (Feat. Beat Assailant) 03:33
07. Almost Noon (Lead Vocal Bruce Sherfield / Feat. Juan Rozoff) 05:05
08. The Letter (Feat. Black Sifichi) 01:44
09. Everyday Fever (Lead Vocal Bruce Sherfield) 02:39
10. The Don Walks In 05:08
11. Museum Of Life (Lead Vocal Bruce Sherfield / Feat. Juan Rozoff) 03:59

Links :
Find Versus on Juno
Versus : official | bandcamp | facebook | parisdjs | soundcloud | twitter | youtube

‪Versus - Mr Blue [Official Video HD]‬

‪Versus - Mr Blue (Grant Phabao Remix)‬ - FREE DOWNLOAD HERE

Versus - Paris DJs Extra Flavor Mix - FREE DOWNLOAD HERE

Band Members :
DONNIE BASS, The Bartender aka Lawkyz - double bass, electric bass, production
CHARLIE KEYS, The Player aka Charles Françoise - keys, production
SHAWN WASHINGTON, The Don aka Yann Cléry - flutes, arrangements
JESUS CRISE, The Cop aka Mr. Tos - turntables
MR BIG,,The Screwdriver aka Nico Rajao - drums
TCHIKY WAH, The Storyteller aka Jerome Perez - guitars
RAY WATERBOY, The Tech Guy aka Gérald Bonnegrace - percussions
BLUCE, The Narrator aka Bruce Sherfield - vocals
Versus - Mr. Blue
(CD/Digital) Sound Sculpture, 2012-04-30

Jungle By Night - Hidden - out on Kindred Spirits

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:58:00 +0200

Jungle By Night - Hidden
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Kindred Spirits KS037, 2012-04-18

These young Netherlands cats have been making waves in the current afrobeat scene with lots of gigs, festivals, singles and EP releases, even getting knighthood recognition from Tony Allen or Chief Udoh Essiet (respectively drummer and percussionist of Fela Kuti)… After their 7-track mini-album, Jungle By Night are finally releasing their first full-length album, Hidden, through Kindred Spirits / Rush Hour Distribution, delving deeper into a sound they're really making their own. Expect indeed more than neo-retro afrobeat here, the Dutch lads are nom implementing Malian soul, djembe rhythms from Senegal, Gamelan tones, Jazz or Funk elements and even some Rock attitude into their cooking. Yep, "cooking", and not "recipe", because there's no used formula here. After 2 years of touring, the band seems to have settled for its own sound, the musicians are now interacting with each other like the coolest jambands from the US, blending styles with ease - the blaxploitation/afrofunk of Gallowstreet 34 or the ethio-jazz/rock of the single Ethiopino being some perfect examples. A mesmerizing album from start to finish.

Jungle By Night - Hidden
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Kindred Spirits KS037, 2012-04-18

Jungle By Night - Ethiopino by Kindred Spirits

Gallowstreet 34 by junglebynight

Tracklisting :
01. Rangda
02. Cyclin'
03. Togetherness
04. Dawn
05. 2 Days Before
06. Gallowstreet 34
07. NightFight
08. Ethiopino
09. The Past Is History
10. Marsvin
11. Ghettos of the Mind
12. Bokoor

Links :
Buy it on Juno
Jungle By Night : official | bandcamp | discogs | facebook | myspace | parisdjs | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
Kindred Spirits : official | discogs | myspace | parisdjs | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
Rush Hour Distribution : official

Jungle By Night - Hidden

Press Release :
"The evolution of afrobeat" - TONY ALLEN Jungle By Night drops their first full studio album on Kindred Spirits.

 'Hidden' is the first full studio album from this group of dutch lads, who retain their youthful exuberance and innocent energy, and delve deeper into their own sound. Moving slightly away from the afro-beat blueprint that characterized last year's self-titled debut LP, the nine-piece have added Gamelan tones and studio effects to their afro-funk template, as well as exploring other parts of Africa like Mali's desert soul and djembe rhythms from Senegal. After two years of playing, and having performed over 80 gigs last year, the group have settled in their own rhythm, and 'Hidden' sees them trying out new ideas and forms.
 
 Still keeping the unit strictly instrumental, one strength of Jungle By Night is their innate sense of democracy - the quality control of the hive mind. Tracks are jammed out and developed from the rehearsal room to the stage, keeping the audience in mind all the time. 'Hidden' feels very much like a live record, in the vein of classic jazz albums for example, while at the same time utilizing all the digital options that todays recording techniques have to offer.
 
 The album opener 'Rangda' marks this new improved version of the band, using selected pieces of Gamelan. "Two of our band members, their families are from Indonesia, and their houses are loaded with gamelan instruments. But the Gamelan tunings have little to do with western tunings. It just sounds eerie, hypnotic and mysterious," said the band. 'Rangda' nods to the spirit of early Tortoise and mid-90's MoWax, and while Jungle By Night know how to stick to what they do best, they're partial to the odd experimental excursion too.
 
 The album is laid out by a group who clearly understand live dynamics, building the tension of the first half of the LP with the tight riffs of 'Togetherness', the mix of west-coast organ and plaintive horns of '2 Days Before 2012' and 'Gallowstreet 34', which could easily soundtrack the 70's edition of GTA Addis Ababa. Mid-way through the album also points to an interesting path, the drum-less ambience of 'Night Fight', a duel of thumb pianos and slide guitar, awash with delays and reverbs, evoking fireflies and glow worms amid the nocturnal jungle creatures.
 
 In the second half, tracks like 'Ethiopino', 'The Past Is History' and 'Marsvin' represent what Jungle By Night do best - taut, multi-layered grooves that are perfect for dancing to, or any other nocturnal activity you like to indulge in. One thing the boys know how to do is find the pocket and lock it, playing around with time signatures while keeping it dynamic. Perhaps the album's surprise gem is 'Ghettos Of The Mind', a languid, Tuareg-inspired roller where you can almost hear the wind whistling across the desert in the background. Producer Wiboud Burkens (Leon Ware, Michael Franti, Carleen Anderson, N'Dambi) has certainly helped craft the complex JBN dynamics into a coherent shape, which has allowed the band to play and experiment without having to worry about the final sound.
 
 'Hidden' demonstrates natural talent and sensibility, but there's something more at work. While those outside the bubble will try to pinpoint or uncover the band's appeal and what makes them tick, somewhere between the many layers of sounds and rhythm, between the audience and the players, lies a connection that can't really be explained. Jungle By Night know better than to shine too bright a light on it.

Dr. John - Locked Down - out on Nonesuch Records

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:38:00 +0200

Dr. John - Locked Down
(CD/LP/Digital) Nonesuch Records, 2012-04-21

This new Dr John album was already featured in our Record Store Day selection (for its vinyl release) and in our Election Mix. It's a really impressive piece of afropop and dirty soul produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and featuring Max Whitefield on drums (from The Poets Of Rhythm / The Whitefield Brothers / etc.), Leon Michels on keys and woodwinds (from El Michels Affair / Menahan Street Band / etc.), Nick Movshon on bass (from Antibalas / El Michels Affair/ Menahan Street Band / etc.). With of course Mac Rebennack aka Dr John on keys, but no piano here, it's all Hammond B3, Rhodes, Farfisa and the such! Every song in there is a groovy, growling, psychedelic piece of 21st century gumbo. Just brilliant.

Dr. John - Locked Down
(CD/LP/Digital) Nonesuch Records, 2012-04-21

Revolution by Dr. John

Tracklisting :
01. Locked Down 4:59
02. Revolution 3:26
03. Big Shot 3:49
04. Ice Age 4:24
05. Getaway 4:35
06. Kingdom of Izzness 3:36
07. You Lie 4:45
08. Eleggua 2:51
09. My Children, My Angels 5:09
10. God's Sure Good 4:58

Links :
Buy it on Juno
Connect with Dr John on Nonesuch Records website : nonesuch.com

‪Dr. John - Locked Down [Teaser]‬

Akalé Wubé - Mata - out on Nabligam Production

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:26:00 +0200

Akalé Wubé - Mata
(CD/Digital) Nabligam / l'Autre Distribution, 2012-03-26

This is already the third Akalé Wubé CD album sent to us by the Parisian band. The first one Akalé Wubé Plays Ethiopian Groove Greatest Hits was some kind of a demo affair, but we still managed to play it in our february 2011 tribute mix to Mulatu Astatké (In The Footsteps of the Ethio-Jazz Innovator). The second one was their marvelous self-titled and self-released Akalé Wubé, featured in our cult 4-hours long 21st Century Afro Extrvaganza mix. They're now releasing third album, Mata, through Nabligam production, a newcomer company on the French scene, which produces live shows, records and touring for jazz/world artists. While still deeply rooted in 1970's Ethiopian music, the music on this new record is now blended it with other influences - funk, jazz, rock, reggae, afrobeat, balkanese, and more. Others are trying the same kind of formula but what distinguishes Akalé Wubé from most of the bands in the current Afro scene is their softness - even on the funkier tracks they manage to stay utterly soulful! This is a caress for the ears and it's hard to argue with the closing pitch from the press release: Body and Soul, the best way to bescribe those wonderful ethio-jazz grooves!

Akalé Wubé - Mata
(CD/Digital) Nabligam / l'Autre Distribution, 2012-03-26

Mata by Akalé Wubé

Tracklisting :
01. Maryé
02. Dodo
03. Mata
04. Jour de Pluie
05. Kasalèfkut Hulu (Mulatu Astatqé)
06. Almaz Yèharèrwa (Traditionnel)
07. Asmarina (Feqadu-Amde-Mesqel)
08. Bazay (Tsèhaytu Bèraki)
09. Besetchet (Traditionnel)
10. Sabyé (Mulatu Astatqé)
11. Tinchel

Links :
Akalé Wubé : official | facebook | myspace | soundcloud

Band Members :
PAUL BOUCLIER : trumpet, mélodica, percussions
ETIENNE DE LA SAYETTE : tenor sax, flutes
LOIC RECHARD : guitar
OLIVER DEGABRIELE : electric bass
DAVID GEORGELET : drums

Killer Funk Disco Allstars - Vol.6 The Delicious Irony EP - out on Killer Funk Disco

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:25:00 +0200

Killer Funk Disco Allstars - Vol.6 The Delicious Irony EP
(12") Killer Funk Disco KFD006, 2012-03-26

Here's another 12 inch that needs to be grabbed asap! The Killer Funk Disco Allstars series has been running on for a long time, carefully selecting and editing some really groovy tracks, and is already reaching the sixth volume of their… well… killer 12 inches. A-side starts with a slo-mo jazz-funk version of Cheryl Lynn's Got To Be Real, before landing into a sort of dubbed reggae disco version of Stayin' Alive that should be heard a lot on this summer's soundsystem stereos! B-side gathers two bangin' disco anthems, a stringful one and a synthy boogie one, chanting respectively "Everybody In The Disco - Yeah" and "It's Gonna Be A Fun Time Tonight", on the other end of the spectrum of what the Black Eyed Peas would do!
Buy it on Juno

Killer Funk Disco Allstars - Vol.6 The Delicious Irony EP
(12") Killer Funk Disco KFD006, 2012-03-26

Tracklisting :
A1. Rescue The Edit (Don't Be Such A Moody Man... Texas Toni Happy As Larry Woods Re-edit)
A2. Sly & Slobbie Reggae Disco (Less Vocal Staying DJ Edit)
B1. Is That A Fire Cracker In Your Pocket Harvey Or You Just Pleased To See Me? (Texas Toni Explosive Bang Edit)
B2. Mmmm... Tiger, Can You Switch Over To The Golf Channel Please? (5 Under Par Edit)

Links :
Buy it on juno.co.uk
Killer Funk Disco : juno | discogs | myspace

Press Release :
Those cheeky Texans are back with another sure fire strictly vinyl only four tracker of funky disco jams, disco reggae shananigans and boogie bullets. Over the last 4 years the Killer Disco & Funk crew have dropped almost 20 releases across their 45 & 12 inch labels all with one sole purpose to provide you the DJ with enough ammunition to destroy the dancefloor with musical firepower. With their exclusive range of exclusive edits & tracks many fans have been picked up on the way including Danny Krivit, Idjut Boys, Greg Wilson, Faze Action to name but a few.

Killer Funk Disco Allstars - Rescue The Edit - Don't Be Such A Moody Man

Killer Funk Disco Allstars - Is That A Fire Cracker In Your Pocket Harvey..

Killer Funk Disco Allstars - Mmmm...Tiger, Can You Switch Over To The Golf Channel Please?

GUYNAMUKAT - Afro Disco Boogie Edits Volume 6 - out on Guynamukat Edits

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:03:00 +0200

GUYNAMUKAT - Afro Disco Boogie Edits Volume 6
(promo 12") Guynamukat Edits GUYNAMUKAT 006, 2012-04-02

After the Volume 5 from last november, Guynamukat are back with a new 12 inch in their Afro Disco Boogie Edits series. As always, this record is a bargain for DJs: 4 tracks of rare heavy disco bizness aiming straight for the grooviests dancefloors for the price of a 12 inch! Side A starts with some killer Afro Boogie from 1982, followed by a slow burner of slapping boogie soul. Side B goes straight to the Tropical Headz' hearts, with a groovy piece of disco sunshine that should put the smile on many faces, and closes with a 1984 modern soul instrumental from Nigerian band Xtasy. Heavily recommended for the Disco DJs bags.
Buy it on Juno

GUYNAMUKAT - Afro Disco Boogie Edits Volume 6
(promo 12") Guynamukat Edits GUYNAMUKAT 006, 2012-04-02

Tracklisting :
A1. Shake It Baby (Disco Boogie edit)
A2. Low Slung Disco (parts 1 & 2)
B1. The Carribean Disco Moment (Steel Drums Crackly Island Reggae Funk Edition)
B2. Let Your Body Go (Nigerian Afro Boogie edit)

Links :
Buy it on juno.co.uk
GUYNAMUKAT : official | discogs | facebook | myspace | parisdjs | twitter

Press Release :
Volume six of the vinyl-only GUYNAMUKAT Afro-disco boogie edits series arrives with four deliciously trimmed and tucked tweaks. The A-Side kicks off with an obscure slab of female vocal boogie from the golden year of 82; "Shake It Baby" has a throbbing wobbly disco bass with an unforgettable chorus. Up next, "Low Slung Disco" does exactly what it says on the tin, gently easing in with some slap bass boogie before some glorious Vince Montana-esque strings kick in to hypnotic effect. On to the flip you'll find some reggaefied sun-kissed disco with some obligatory steel drums for a dramatic finish. The 12" ends with a Nigerian afro boogie obscurity which fetches silly money on Discogs. GUYNAMUKAT make one single track from the two different versions of the track, tightening up the groove accordingly and making good use of those synths and the funkier elements of the track. DJ Support so far comes from Mr Scruff, Faze Action, Pat Les Stache, Isoul8, LTJ Experience, Eddie c and more!

Nik Weston presents Afro Funk Gems Volume 1: Music Of West Africa - out on Mukatsuku Records

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:58:00 +0200

Nik Weston presents Afro Funk Gems Volume 1: Music Of West Africa
(Limited 7" + Sticker) Mukatsuku Records MUKAT024, 2012-04-16

After the superb release of two 1979 afro boogie tracks from Nigerian band Mixed Grill on a must-have 7 inch (Brand New Wayo: Nigerian Afro Funk Boogie Badness), Nik Weston and Mukatsuku Records are back with a new series of 45s called Afro Funk Gems. Digging in French label Oriki Music's catalog, this first volume indeed gathers Afro Funk marvels, with an unstoppable Orchestra Baobab track on the A-side, one for the dancers, full of breaks and really heavy, and a funky and hypnotic Moussa Doumbia song on the B-side. 2 killers, no fillers - a highly recommended vinyl series is starting! Volume 2 should hit the stores late June 2012, with an Afro Funk Club Edit of Archimedes Badkar's Kila Mtu and a Club Edit of Ekambi Brilliant's Aboki, and a third volume is already scheduled…
Buy it on Juno

Nik Weston presents Afro Funk Gems Volume 1: Music Of West Africa
(Limited 7" + Sticker) Mukatsuku Records MUKAT024, 2012-04-16

Tracklisting :
A1. Orchestre Baobab - Kelen Ati Len
B1. Moussa Doumbia - Samba (Guynamukat 7 inch edit)

Links :
Buy it on juno.co.uk
Mukatsuku : official | discogs | facebook | myspace | parisdjs | twitter | wikipedia | youtube
Press Release :
Mukatsuku Records dig deep into the French label Oriki music catalogue (founded in 2005 by Gregoire de Villanova) to unleash two sought after classics of West African funk gems that have stood the test of time as timeless pieces of music.

Orchestre Baobab, initially from Senegal were formed in 1970 as an afro cuban band and went onto to have a considerable career until the mid 1980's and then reforming in 2001. "Kelen Ati Len" was recorded in the mid 1970's and its appeal is not only with fans of world music but with b boys and funk lovers who dug the tough breakbeats and funky arrangements within.

On the flipside "Samba" from Malian artist Moussa Doumbia is edited by Nik from GUYNAMUKAT into a 45 friendly length. "Samba" is infused with hipnotic guitar, shuffling funky rhythm patterns, fantastic brass arrangements and James Brown type screams which possibly hint at his cosmopolitan lifestyle having lived in Paris for several years and been facinated by African American Music.

Strictly vinyl only 7 inch issue and mastered by Sean P. No Downloads. Support so far comes from Rob Luis(Tru Thoughts), Faze Action, Sofrito Crew, Pat Les Stache, Sccucci Manucci and many more.

Super Hi-Fi - We Will Begin Again / Polyrhythmics - Pink Wasabi - out on Electric Cowbell

Djouls — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:34:00 +0200

Super Hi-Fi - We Wil Begin Again / Polyrhythmics - Pink Wasabi
(Special split 7” with download card for mp3 and bonus remixes) Electric Cowbell Records EC021, 2012-04-21

From our Parisian point of view, every new Electric Cowbell 45 we receive is killer material. This new split 7 inch doesn't break the rule, even if it's not a dancefloor winner. On the A-side you'll find the Brooklyn, NY-based live dub band Super Hi-Fi, already featured in those pages with their previous single Single Payer. Their 45 edit of We Will Begin Again is heavy quality cinematic afro-dub that could fit downgtempo programs as much as deep dub rantings or even spiritual afro selections. B-side comes from Polyrhythmics, an "all original 8-piece funk and worldbeat orchestra comprised of some of Seattle’s finest rhythmic and melodic musicians" as they present themselves. They've already self-released and EP and an album (available both on their bandcamp), and last november The Imposter, an infectiously groovy 7 inch on the newly launched Kept Records label. Their Pink Wasabi track -already released digitally on their 2010 EP- is another deep afro affair, which we'll play in our next 21st Century Afro Extravaganza next weekend, and which would also easily fit in a thriller/blaxploitation/bank robbing job soundtrack. Well 2 afro-cinematic gems on a limited edition 500 copies 7 inch - that's hard to miss. But that's not all, with this nice 45 you'll also get a download code, with some nice smoking bonus dubs by DJ Trainwreck and Prince Polo!

Super Hi-Fi - We Wil Begin Again / Polyrhythmics - Pink Wasabi
(Special split 7” with download card for mp3 and bonus remixes) Electric Cowbell Records EC021, 2012-04-21

We Will Begin Again (Full Version) by Super Hi-Fi

Pink Wasabi by Polyrhythmics 7"inch 45 version (Electric Cowbell Records) by Polyrhythmics

We Will Begin Again (Prince Polo Mix) by Super Hi-Fi

We Will Begin Again (DJ Trainwreck Mix) by Super Hi-Fi

Tracklisting 7 inch :
A1. Super Hi-Fi - We Will Begin Again (45 Edit)
B1. Polyrhythmics - Pink Wasabi

Tracklisting Digital Bonus Tracks :
01. Super Hi-Fi - We Will Begin Again (Full Version) 4:49
01. Super Hi-Fi - We Will Begin Again (DJ Trainwreck Mix) 4:13
01. Super Hi-Fi - We Will Begin Again (Prince Polo Mix) 4:51

Links :
Buy it on Juno
Super Hi-Fi : official | myspace | facebook | soundcloud | soundliberation
Polyrhythmics : official | bandcamp | facebook | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
Electric Cowbell Records : official | bandcamp | discogs | facebook | parisdjs | soundcloud | twitter

Super Hi Fi - We Will Begin

‪Polyrhythmics - Pink Wasabi‬

Press Release :
This record represents what itʼs all about for us at Electric Cowbell Records-a three way collaboration with no contract. Just an agreement between three parties to make something extra special. Brooklyn-based afro-dub purveyors Super Hi Fi deliver what they do best and commit to wax some classic, two trombone-fueled dub thatʼs reminiscent of Rico Rodriguezʼs hauntingly evocative downtempo work on the The Specialʼs Ghost Town. On the flipside you have Seattleʼs Polythythmics weighing in with a grooving instrumental propelled by an in-the-pocket rhythm section thatʼs crazy-glued together by a swaggering horn section. Itʼs the perfect stealthy soundtrack for sneaking down the alley, breaking in a bank, and cracking a safe with a smooth getaway into the sunset. The label design includes an iconic nod to each of the groupʼs territories: Brooklynʼs Williamsburg Bridge for Super Hi Fi and Seattleʼs Fremont Bridge for Polyrthythmics. Weʼre pleased to offer up such a gem just in time for Record Store Day 2012.

The Excitements + Jungle By Night - Concert reporté en Juin !

Djouls — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:41:00 +0200

The Excitements + Jungle By Night
~~Mercredi 09 Mai 2012 au Trabendo~~

LE CONCERT DE THE EXCITEMENTS + JUNGLE BY NIGHT EST REPORTÉ.
LES PLACES ACHETÉES SONT REMBOURSABLES.

En guise d'apéritif de cette soirée ~~du 09 Mai~~ au Trabendo, The Excitements, un sextet Soul/Funk/R&B de Barcelone très 60s, porté par la voix envoûtante de la chanteuse (et bête de scène!) Koko-Jean Davis. A découvrir avant le plat de résistance, le groupe afrobeat hollandais Jungle By Night, qui après 80 dates dont le North Sea Jazz Festival, Lowlands, l'Eurosonic, le Paradiso… et plusieurs EP sur le magnifique label Kindred Spirits, fêtent la sortie de leur premier album Hidden. Des jeunes prodiges à découvrir absolument. Tony Allen lui-même, architecte rythmique de Fela et inventeur de la syncope caractéristique du genre les a adoubés à la première rencontre: ils sont le futur de l’Afrobeat dira-t-il après un concert bluffant au Paradiso d’Amsterdam.

The Excitements + Jungle By Night
~~Mercredi 09 Mai 2012 au Trabendo~~

CONCERT REPORTÉ - LES PLACES ACHETÉES SONT REMBOURSABLES.

THE EXCITEMENTS
 The Excitements est une surprenante formation en provenance de Barcelone, au R&N’b brut et puissant. Parmi leurs influences, on retrouve Ike & Tina Turner, Etta James, James Brown… Le groupe se compose de six musiciens, envoûtés par une énergique Soul-sister, qui ne tarde pas à transmettre le virus. Un sextet espagnol qui ravive la flamme 60’s porté par la voix envoûtante de la chanteuse Koko-Jean Davis, véritable phénomène scénique. Comme de véritables gardiens du temple, The Excitements trouvent leur inspiration dans le meilleur de la musique afro-américaine des années 60 et attachent énormément d’importance à produire un son authentique, qu'on peut qualifier d’ «old school», mais qui est résolument tourné vers le présent! Leur premier opus appelé «The Excitements» a été produit par le fameux Mike Mariconda. Le succès de leur premier 45 tours, enregistré tout comme l’album sous le label Penniman Records, un des labels R&B et old school les plus réputé de la planète, était épuisé dans les bacs en moins d’un mois, suite à quoi ils ont entamé une tournée européenne!

+ JUNGLE BY NIGHT
Ils sont neuf, viennent d’Amsterdam et affichent une moyenne d’âge de 18 ans à peine. Mais il n’aiment pas vraiment qu’on le leur rappelle. Car leur Afrobeat aux saveurs jazz et éthiopiques, funk ou rock n’a pas attendu le nombre des années pour dégager une maturité impressionnante pas plus qu’il n’a besoin de l’étiquette de gamins prodiges pour parler autant au grand public comme aux aficionados les plus pointus. Tony Allen lui-même, architecte rythmique de Fela Kuti et inventeur de la syncope caractéristique du genre les a adoubés à la première rencontre : « ils sont le futur de l’Afrobeat » dira-t-il après un concert bluffant au Paradiso d’Amsterdam. Et le futur est en marche.

Infos pratiques :
Mercredi 09 Mai 2012 à 19h30 / 19€
Le Trabendo
211 avenue Jean Jaurès 75020 Paris
 Site : trabendo.fr
 Accès : Porte de Pantin ou Porte de la Villette
Tel : 01 42 01 12 12

Liens :
Facebook : facebook.com/events/202082993237910
Le Trabendo : letrabendo.net/concerts/the-excitements-jungle-by-night
The Excitements : facebook | myspace
Jungle By Night : official | bandcamp | discogs | facebook | myspace | parisdjs | soundcloud | twitter | youtube
Nouvel album en écoute intégrale ICI
La chronique de Djouls pour Paris DJs ICI

Los Miticos Del Ritmo - out on Soundway Records

Djouls — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:38:00 +0200

Los Miticos Del Ritmo - Los Miticos Del Ritmo
(CD/LP/Digital) Soundway Records SNDW036, 2012-04-30

After the Hip Hop En Cumbia EP of covers released last summer on Tru Thoughts Recordings and the Original Sound of Cumbia compilation released last december on Soundway, Will 'Quantic' Holland keeps on surprising his worldwide fans with a 60s sounding Cumbia album that's not to be missed if your ears don't have any problem with the sound of the accordion. The Queen cover Another One Bites The Dust is the minor disappointment here, sounding like a copy of Weird Al Yankovic's Another Rides The Bus from the early 80s. But the three other covers will please all novelty music lovers: The Abyssinians' Satta Massagana dressed into Satta Massa Cumbia is marvelous dub-cumbia, Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Til You Get enough should put a smile on all listening faces, and the lesser-known Gildardo Montoya's Fabiola should fill all global dancefloors instantly, as would the utterly groovy originals Willy's Merengue and Cumbia De Mochilla. One thing's for sure, Soundway Records know how to release incredibly-designed record sleeves. One look at their newest release, Los Miticos Del Ritmo (meaning 'The Mythics of Rhythm'), should indeed intrigue most music lovers. A Chinese dragon, an Indian snake, two firebirds, two accordions, two scorpions, a speaker and a latin band name: if you've managed to guessed that this is analog neo-retro Cumbia from Quantic and a studio band of Colombian musicans living in Cali, then you're a medium!

Los Miticos Del Ritmo - Los Miticos Del Ritmo
(CD/LP/Digital) Soundway Records SNDW036, 2012-04-30

Los Miticos Del Ritmo - Otro Muerde El Polvo (Another One Bites The Dust) by Soundway

Tracklisting :
01. Introduction
02. Cumbia Comejen
03. Otro Muerde El Polvo (Another One Bites The Dust)
04. La Libanesa
05. Samaria
06. Willy's Merengue
07. Cumbia de Mochilla
08. Satta Massa Cumbia
09. No Pares Hasta Tener Lo Suficiente (Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough)
10. Noche de Tamborito
11. Fabiola

Connect with Soundway Records : official site | discogs | facebook | soundcloud | twitter | youtube

Paris DJs selection for Record Store Day 2012

Djouls — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:19:00 +0200

Record Store Day 2012 - April 21st 2012

This year's edition of Record Store Day is quite event with the rise of vinyl sales, with a lot of labels pressing some limited goodies for the occasion. Well of course the major ones are rushing on this marketing thing to try and sell the same music they've been selling for years over various formats, but some indie labels are very inventive and it was not easy to make a selection of records to check. The absolute must buy is the vinyl edition of the new Dr John album, produced by a Black Keys guy and featuring Max Whitefield from the illustrious Whitefield Brothers on drums. Trust us, this vinyl, while maybe not that limited, is the record to get on this 21st of April! We've also found some very nice goodies from Adrian Younge vs. Adrian Quesada (!), Anthony Joseph, DJ Format, Charles Bradley, CSC Funk Band, a Dark Star from 1972 in Paris from the Grateful Dead, the first Phish album Junta, Marco Benevento, Quantic & Alice Russell and more…

Adrian Younge vs. Adrian Quesada
(12") Ubiquity Records

 Collaborative EP between Adrian Quesada (Brownout, Grupo Fantasma, Ocote Soul Sounds, The Echocentrics) and Adrian Younge (Venice Dawn, Black Dynamite).

Afrika Bambaataa/MC5 - Kick Out The Jams
(7") Rhino

MC5's "Kick Out The Jams" and a cover of the same song by Afrika Baambata

Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - Started Off As A Dancer (remixes)
(12") Heavenly Sweetness

“Started off as a dancer” with 3 new remixes and 1 unreleased song, cover of trini Hit single “Soca Boat”. A1 “Started off as a dancer (Riesco remix) A2 “Started off as a Dancer (Blackjoy remix) B1 “Cobra (Babaliah remix) B2 Soca Boat

Aspects - Beattape
(7" ltd edition hand stamped) Aspecticons

Tracks : Beattape (DJ Format's original) / Beattape (Evil Ed Remix) "The first emanation from the Aspects Labs... The beat was produced by close friend and fellow beat obsessive DJ Format... Album due in 2012 (we keep our promises). Beats from DJ Format, Akira Kiteshi, Memotone, Lapti, Xylo... Hit us for dubs…"

Carolina Chocolate Drops/Run DMC - You Be Illin
 (7") Nonesuch

 Run DMC's "You Be Illin'" and a cover of the same song by Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Charles Bradley - Stay Away/Run It Back
(7") Daptone Recordings

What started as a SPIN tribute promotion honoring Nirvana's landmark album "Nevermind," has turned into an international sensation. Widely cited as a high point of the compilation, Bradley’s version of “Stay Away” has been in high demand across the globe since it hit the airwaves last fall.

CSC Funk Band - Inspired by Gang Starr
 (73) Electric Cowbell
Tracks: "A Little Weight Side" / "A Little Planet"

Brooklyn‘s CSC Funk Band were the first funk project for the legendary New York hip-hop label Fat Beats so it only makes sense that the band would record an exclusive vinyl-only tribute record to one of hip-hop‘s most influential groups-Gang Starr. In the spring of 2011 CSC Funk Band were tapped to play Fat Beat‘s Record Store Day pop-up store in their Brooklyn warehouse and to backup MC‘s in an all-out tribute to the late, great Guru, a high point being hip hop legend Masta Ace‘s take on the Gang Starr classic “Who's Gonna Take the Weight.” Inspired by the tribute session and encouraged by their peers, CSC Funk Band began recording instrumental tracks of music inspired by Gang Starr in Fat Beats Brooklyn studio. Some of CSC Funk Band members came to funk by listening to Gang Starr records, so the opportunity pay tribute to a major source of inspiration is considered no less than an honor. Sonically distilling their rhythm section down to the core ingredients of a classic old-school hip-hop beat with live bass and drums, then rebuilding the tracks with kraut-rock synth tones, psychedelic guitar swirls, and effected oboe, CSC Funk Band have emerged with this unique musical nod to one of hip-hop‘s greatest legacies. It is no coincidence that Electric Cowbell Records will release this limited edition 45 on Record Store Day 2012. Funk and hip-hop are essentially joined at the hip in vinyl culture and have shared shelf space together on record store and collector‘s shelves all over the planet for the last 30 or so years. CSC Funk Band salutes Gang Starr and the funk from where they came for Record Store Day.

DJ Food & The Amorphous Androgynous - The Illectrik Hoax
 (12") Ninja Tune

The next phase in the DJ Food story is the extraction and near complete annihilation of "The Illectrik Hoax" from his album The Search Engine by the Amorphous Androgynous (aka The Future Sound of London). The AA began work in the Autumn of 2011 and by the turn of the new year had turned in a 17 minute Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Mix that contained not one, not two, but three distinct 'tracks'. To add to the confusion they've also supplied a radio edit of the third track, "The Electric Images (In My Mind Never Die)". DJ Food has also stripped his own 9 minute reworking of The The's "GIANT" featuring the man himself, Matt Johnson, down to a serviceable 4 minutes too. Rounding out the package, and an exclusive to the download, is Food collaborator 2econd Class Citizen's near ambient reworking of "The Illectrik Hoax" which was debuted at DJ Food's launch party in the London Planetarium earlier this year. This mix couldn't be further from AA's vision as he slows it down and gives it an almost folk-like edge.

Dr. John - Locked Down
(LP/CD) Nonesuch

Storied musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John - Mac Rebennack - releases Locked Down, a startling album that marks a significant departure from his recent efforts. The new album, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, is an entirely new approach for the iconic Dr. John, featuring as it does his collaboration with Auerbach and a band of young musicians Auerbach hand-picked to make Locked Down at his Nashville studio. "Full of muscled, vintage R&B grooves, fevered soloing, psychedelic arrangements and oracular mumbo jumbo," says Rolling Stone, "it's the wildest record he's made in many years." Dr. John, says NPR, "proves that now, as always, he's the ruler of American roots music." The CD is due out now; the vinyl follows on April 21.

Grateful Dead - Dark Star: Europe '72 Olympia Theatre - Paris, France 5/4/72
 (LP) Rhino

Tracks: A1. Dark Star (19:21) / B1. Drums (2:32) / B2. Dark Star (17:34) 180 Gram LP. Longest and previously unavailable version now on vinyl for the first time. Total pressing: 4,200 (420-get it?)

Marco Benevento - This Is How It Goes
(7") Megaforce

Tracks: "This Is How It Goes (Vocal)" / "This Is How It Goes (Instrumental)" The first track from pianist/sound sculptor Benevento to ever feature vocals--this time from Kalmia Traver of Rubblebucket.

Phish - Junta Deluxe LP Edition
 (3xLP Vinyl Boxset) Jemp

Junta is the first full-length studio album from the band Phish. The original 1/4" analog session tapes (recorded in 1988-1989) were mastered by Bernie Grundman Mastering creating an analog-to-analog vinyl master for "Junta Deluxe". This 3-LP 180g vinyl set was manufactured by Furnace MFG. This first vinyl issue will be limited and numbered. Includes a download card for MP3s from the vinyl master.

Quantic & Alice Russell With The Combo Barbaro - Look Around The Corner
(7") Tru Thoughts Recordings

Direct to disc live recording of "Look Around The Corner" and "I'll Keep My Light In My Window"
On August 8th 2011, these two remarkable tracks were being recorded at The Carvery Studios in Hackney, whilst just outside the door the streets of London were in the grip of shocking civil unrest. Both recordings help to capture a new side to the unique and breathtaking talent of Quantic and Alice Russell, backed by the world-renowned Combo Bárbaro, whose members traveled from Peru, Colombia and beyond for the session. This project is the realization of a long held musical ambition for Will Holland (aka Quantic) who has always wanted to make a record in this way, recording direct to vinyl in one take. The session was filmed by revered photographer/director B+, and the resulting series of videos will be launched online to promote this release.

Various - The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa
(180 Gram LP + Download Card) World Music Network

Far-out psychedelic-sounding rock mixed with a thick dollop of deep funk and soul was massively popular during the 1960s and 1970s in Africa. This album features some hand-picked gems from the archive, and includes tracks by unstoppable psychedelic veterans Ebo Taylor and Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, who are still releasing top-quality mind-bending grooves today. Includes download card of 11 album tracks with 10 additional tracks from Victor Uwaifo.

Widespread Panic - Live Wood
 (LP 180g) Widespread Records

Widespread Panic's 'Live Wood' combines the best songs from the band's 11-date, four-city dubbed 'Wood Tour' which marks Panic's first-ever fully acoustic tour. The tour is also the final set of shows before the band goes on a long-overdue hiatus for the remainder of 2012, following what has been a fantastic 25th Anniversary year in 2011. Wood Tour began on January 24 with two nights at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD, followed by three nights at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA, January 27-29. Panic returned to Denver, CO for three nights at The Fillmore, February 10-12 before finishing up with three shows at the intimate Belly Up-Aspen in Aspen, CO, February 17-19. Wood Tour dates bookended the sold out, four-night, fully electric Panic En La Playaextravaganza, featuring the band's first-ever performances in Mexico. Panic En La Playa took place in Puerto Morelos, Mexico on the Mayan Riviera, January 31st - February 3rd. All the dates were Sold Out. This is a unique musical experience as it is inspired by the classic sit n' ski run the band did in 1996 which was and still is a hit with the fans. John Keane plays pedal steel on Blue Indian, acoustic guitar and vocals on Degenerate and Fishing.

Ebo Taylor - Appia Kwa Bridge - out on Strut Records, Grant Phabao co-produced 2 tracks!

Djouls — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:24:00 +0200

Ebo Taylor - Appia Kwa Bridge
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Strut Records STRUT089, 2012-04-17

After his first studio album in so many years, Love And Death, with the Afrobeat Academy (which includes some legendary Poets of Rhythm members!), and an absolute must-have of a double compilation, Life Stories (if you haven't heard this one yet, stop what you are doing right now and correct this asap!), our favorite Ghanean musician and producer, Ebo Taylor is back with a second original album, to be released april 17th on Strut Records. This time there's no trying to appeal to the afrobeat scene, this is a highlife affair, and a marvelous one with a heavy but delicate sound. Grant Phabao added his magical production skills on two tracks of the album, Abonsam and Assom Dwee. Well, you can easily imagine we heavily recommended this record.

Ebo Taylor - Appia Kwa Bridge
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Strut Records STRUT089, 2012-04-17

Ebo Taylor - Yaa Amponsah by Strut

Tracklisting :
01. Ayesama 7:04
02. Abonsam 5:31
03. Nsu Na Kwan 4:47
04. Yaa Amponsah 4:26
05. Assom Dwee 5:55
06. Kruman Dey 4:39
07. Appia Kwa Bridge 5:30
08. Barrima 3:27

Links :
Ebo Taylor : discogs | facebook | | parisdjs
Strut Records : official | facebook | myspace | parisdjs | soundcloud | twitter | youtube

‪Ebo Taylor On Recording Appia Kwa Bridge‬

Press Release : "I wanted to go back to a highlife feeling with this album," explains Ebo Taylor. "The songs are very personal and it is an important part of my music to keep alive many traditional Fante songs, war chants and children's rhymes."

'Appia Kwa Bridge', released this April, is a strident return from the Ghanaian highlife guitar legend. Featuring six new compositions, his sound is more dense and tightly locked than ever with Berlin-based musicians Afrobeat Academy, a rock solid unit since regular touring worldwide following his 'Love And Death' album in 2010, including a string of dates for WOMAD. Jochen Stroh works his analogue magic once more from his base at Berlin's Lovelite Studios.

The album covers a variety of themes dear to Taylor. The title track references a small bridge in Ebo's hometown of Saltpond on the Cape Coast: "it is a tiny bridge but a place known in the town where people meet, where lovers get together." The firing, rousing 'Ayesama', first recorded during the 'Love And Death' sessions, is a Fante war cry, a taunt - "what's your mother's name?"; 'Nsu Na
Kwan', based around a Japanese Koan riddle, asks "Which is older - the river or the old road" with the sub-text to respect your elders and the brilliant 'Abonsam' carries the message that Abonsam (The Devil) is responsible for evil in the world and that we should follow the Christian message.

Elsewhere, the album features a new version of highlife anthem, 'Yaa Amponsah', first recorded during the '20s by Jacob Sam's Sam's Trio before becoming a popular standard in Ghana, and a cover of an original track from Taylor's time with Apagya Show Band during the '70s, 'Serwa Brakatu', re-titled here as 'Kruman Dey'. The closer, the acoustic 'Barrima', is a poignant tribute to Taylor's first wife and one true love who sadly passed away during Summer 2011. "Ebo wrote the song following her passing and recorded this in one take during our last day in the studio," reflects bandleader Ben Abarbanel-Wolff. "He was very emotional."

The album features a number of special guests within the credits including incomparable drummer Tony Allen, original Africa 70 guitarist Oghene Kologbo and conga maestro Addo Nettey a.k.a. Pax Nicholas. Representing the younger players, keyboard genius Kwame Yeboah, son of Ghanaian legend A.K. Yeboah, makes full use of Lovelite's famed collection of Farfisa and Wurlitzer organs.
Ebo Taylor's 'Appia Kwa Bridge' is released on Strut as a 1CD, 2LP and digitally on 17th April 2012. He will be touring worldwide from May 2012.

Track notes and background :

AYESAMA
"The war song of the Fante Akans, a song of victory."
A traditional Fante warrior song, chanting, taunting the enemy. "What's your mother's name?" Ebo makes regular trips to listen to traditional songs from Fante elders and fishermen on the Cape Coast. Classic Taylor songs like 'Atwer Abroba' are based on these traditions. "I want to preserve these songs, keep the old stories and melodies alive through my music."
'Ayesama' was originally recorded in Berlin during the sessions for the 'Love And Death' album in 2010 but was not released at the time. A new version of the song was recorded in October 2011 after it had become a popular staple within Ebo's live sets.

ABONSAM
"The Devil must be blamed for all the evil in the world. Let us seek God's protection."
A new song written by Ebo, performed in 6 / 8 timing, 'Abonsam' sings of 'The Devil' and how he is responsible for all of the bad things that happen in the world. If you follow Christ, you will be saved.

NSU NA KWAN
"The river is older than the foot path which is man-made. The river was made by God and it is the oldest."
A track speaking in ancient proverbs, which talks of the river and the old road - which one is older, which came first? 'Nsu' means 'water', 'Kwan' is 'stone'. The message: respect God's creations, respect and honour your elders.

YAA AMPONSAH
"One of the oldest highlife songs which praises the beauty of a woman."
A Ghanaian standard and one of the first highlife songs, originally recorded by Jacob Sam's Sam's Trio in 1928. The lyrics speak of an exceptionally beautiful woman and, outrageously, the singer asks her to divorce her husband to be with him.
Within his album, Ebo wants to showcase the full range of Ghanaian music and the two acoustic tracks ('Yaa Amponsah' and "Barrima') reference the roots of highlife and showcase the basic guitar styles. Taylor would play 'Yaa Amponsah' in a different form as a staple during his time with Broadway Dance Band and Apagya Show Band and it remains a special song for him.

KRUMAN DEY
"A nursery rhyme, believed to have been composed by a lunatic in Saltpond, my home town on the Cape coast."
Sung by Henry Taylor, Ebo's son. 'Kruman' originates from the 1930s / '40s and refers to the Krumen ethnic group, traditionally hailing from Liberia and Ivory Coast. With a reputation as sailors, they were seen by Ghanaians as strong people but many took on menial jobs in Ghana. The lyrics are slightly mocking: "there's a Kruman!" and the song was often used to teach children to count one to ten - "one kruman dey, two kruman dey…".
The track was recorded previously during Ebo's time with Apagya Show Band during the mid-'70s under the title 'Serwa Brakatu'. Ebo calls this one of his 'Deep Purple' tracks with the bass and guitar playing the same lines, a very Western technique.

APPIA KWA BRIDGE
"In Saltpond, this is a small bridge that connects the two parts of the town and also provides a vital link to the local hospital. It is a known rendez-vous for lovers at night. My first woman in Saltpond met me on this bridge for our maiden date."
"The song says, "meet me at the Appia Kwa Bridge, tonight at the same old place." It mentions people's names - there are three nightclubs situated very near the bridge, one of which is owned by a lady called Auntie Jo." The song mentions Auntie Jo watching the bridge, seeing who goes back and forth, and imagines people meeting there - "Flash me and we can meet at the bridge". "There is no light there at night and kids go there and make out," Ebo explains. "The name sounds big but it's really a tiny bridge - it amuses people in the town."

BARRIMA
"I wrote this song to express my sorrow for the death of my first wife, Selina."
Ebo married his first wife whilst living in the UK but she would eventually leave him, struggling to cope with the hardships that had come from a life in music. Ebo had previously written the song 'Love And Death' about her. He wrote this song following her death in August 2011 and recorded it in Lovelite, Berlin, in October. Performed in one take, he thought about the song during the two week sessions and recorded it during the last day in the studio with tears in his eyes.
The chorus says, "Man don't cry - Ebo Kobena is a man and he is crying. (Kobena - Ebo's real name - means Tuesday). The style is a Fante form, Odonso, with no firm structure - it plays as a flowing improvisation, musically and lyrically and is often used for narrative songs which tell stories

Paris DJs Playlist - March 2012

Djouls — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:36:00 +0200

Each month we're selecting 12 records (vinyls, CDs) out of the ones labels, artists and distributors have nicely sent to us. Contact us is you want to be listed in this section next month.

Our march selection was not an easy one to make and we had to leave a few records on the side such as the new albums from Slugabed or 2nd Class Citizen (watermarked CDs, how come labels have money to spend on crazy stuff like that is a mystery), or from Belleruche on Tru Thoughts and Blockhead on Ninja Tune (labels we strongly advise to check our Community Management services)… Of course the priority goes to our friends and collaborators, such as Ebo Taylor (our own Grant Phabao co-produced 2 tracks on this new album), Souleance, The Poets of Rhythm, The Cheebacabra or Quantic. Then we focused on the people we've interviewed, such as Calibro 35, Chicha Libre or Hard Proof Afrobeat… And finally added a few cool releases sent to us by friendly labels Tramp, Jakarta, Ropeadope or Record Kicks. Next month we should talk have news from Brownout, Spain, Dwight Trible, Mancini & The Creepers, The Soul Snatchers among others… and of course some nice surprises!

The March 2012 Paris DJs Playlist :

Calibro 35 - Ogni Riferimento A Persone... (Calibro 35) info
Carl "Sherlock" Holmes - Investigation No.1 (Tramp Records) info
Chicha Libre - Canibalismo (Barbès/Crammed) info
Ebo Taylor - Appia Kwa Bridge (Strut) info
Hard Proof - Hard Proof (Hard Proof) info
Los Miticos Del Ritmo - Los Miticos Del Ritmo (Soundway) info
Shogun Orchestra - Shogun Orchestra (Jakarta) info
Snarky Puppy - groundUP (Ropeadope) info
Souleance - La Belle Vie (First Word) info
The Cheebacabra - Pass The Information (Mackrosoft) info
Third Coast Kings - Third Coast Kings (Record Kicks) info
Various - Original Raw Soul III (Now-Again) info

Hard Proof Afrobeat - out on Hard Proof Music

Djouls — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:57:00 +0200

Hard Proof - Hard Proof
(CD/Digital) Hard Proof Music, 2010-10-06

It seems like we're never finished digging in the current Austin music scene. You might have read the interview we did last month with Joseph Woullard, sax and flute player in garage act Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears, afrobeat combo Hard Proof Afrobeat and afrolatin funksters Ocote Soul Sounds. Joseph kindly sent us a copy of his 2010 self-titled CD and debut album Hard Proof, which he described in the interview as something that "developed out of a little jazz combo thing that he used to do on Sundays with Stephen Bidwell, Derek Phelps, and Michael Faircloth. It quickly grew to about 10-12 members at times, and is currently a 9-piece instrumental group. Although horn-driven Afrobeat is their primary influence, they also draw much inspiration from Ethiopian and other sub-Saharan musical styles." The album is a deep-grooving grower, blending african grooves with jazz and funk, with our favorites picking up the tempo on No Consideration, Buffalo, Bailiwick or Lion Of Mali. Hard Proof are currently working on their second album with production by Adrian Quesada (Brownout, Grupo Fantasma, Echocentrics, Ocote Soul Sounds, etc.), who's on the forefront of all things afrogroovy from the US this year with new albums from The Funk Ark and Brownout… Don't know when this 2nd album is scheduled for but the wait has officialy begun!

Hard Proof - Hard Proof
(CD/Digital) Hard Proof Music, 2010-10-06

Hard Proof - Mahout by jgwoulla

Hard Proof - Jimma by afrobeatblog

Tracklisting :
01. Soft Bullets 00:28
02. Raw Raw 03:52
03. Move In 05:41
04. Mahout 02:59
05. M.E.N.D. 00:48
06. No Consideration 04:54
07. Brother 00:55
08. Buffalo 03:43
09. Stolen Goods 04:46
10. Bailiwick 03:46
11. Alloy 1:58
12. Jima 5:11
13. Lion Of Mali 6:31
14. Superman 5:19
15. Buzz Biz 3:20

Links :
Hard Proof : official | bandcamp | facebook | myspace | sonicbids | soundcloud | twitter | youtube

Biography :
The Austin-based nine-piece collective of musicians known as Hard Proof are the sole purveyors of African funk in the state of Texas. They don’t just play Afrobeat per se, but funk and jazz music from and inspired by the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.
 
 The band started almost on a dare, and a proclamation that they would convene every Sunday morning until an album had been written. After about a year a lineup had materialized featuring members of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, The Calm Blue Sea, Cougar, Ocote Soul Sounds, the Echocentrics, and several other notable Austin acts.
 
 In addition to quickly building a strong reputation of kinetic and incendiary live shows, the band recorded a 4 song demo in November of 2008 at East Austin’s Cacophony Studio. Fall of 2010 saw the release of their 15 song debut garnering a rare 3.5 star review in the Austin Chronicle: "From the dark psychedelic marauding of "Stolen Goods" to the Ethiopique groove of "Jimma," Hard Proof crafts moody instrumentals that lean more toward Budos Band than Antibalas. A rumbling baritone sax churns the hypnotizing crawl of "Mahout," while the brass (which splits time with Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears) blows hard on "No Consideration" and freaks out on "M.E.N.D." The best of the band's brooding grooves border prove Afrobeat is alive in Austin. This debut is Hard Proof."

 While the album was well received, there seems to be universal agreement that their live shows are something not to be missed. Austin taste-maker Laurie Gallardo of KUT radio may have put it best: "This local nine-piece ensemble always puts on an electrifying live show, an absolute blowout of non-stop percussion action and blasting brass, bringing the best of both worlds to the stage by mixing classic styles and plenty of their personal panache to own the show."
 
 As if they weren’t busy enough between Hard Proof and their other bands, the Hard Proof Horns have found work as sidemen with such notables as Spoon, Broken Social Scene, the Walkmen, the Dave Matthews Band, Band of Horses and others.
 
 Plans for Hard Proof in 2012 include hitting the road to play select festivals, and to track some vinyl-only singles with Grupo Fantasma’s Adrian Quesada producing for a Spring release. Hard Proof is primed to bring their singular take on sub-Saharan funk to bigger stages in Austin and the world at large.

Band Members :
Stephen Bidwell - Drums
 Derek Phelps - Trumpet, Percussion., Flugelhorn
 Jason Frey - Tenor Saxophone and percussion
 Joseph Woullard - flute, Baritone Saxophone, and percussion
 Tommy Spampinato - Percussion
 Tony Cruz - Congas
 Aaron Sleator - Guitar
 Joe Sokolik - Bass
 Gerardo Larios - Guitar, keyboards

Snarky Puppy - groundUP - out on Ropeadope Records

Djouls — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:23:00 +0200

Snarky Puppy - groundUP
(CD/DVD combo) Ropedope RAD-183, 2012-03-27

Snarky Puppy’s 5th album was recorded and filmed live in HD around a 40-person audience, in a studio the band built in a Brooklyn warehouse in 3 days! They brought in 20 musicians and played 6 sets over 3 nights and gathered 8 of the best takes on a combo CD/DVD, which is as much an album as it is a documentary movie about the recording and how it happened. Led by bassist/composer Michael League, and featuring Robert "Sput" Searight on drums (God's Property, Snoop Dogg) and Shaun Martin on keys (Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu), as well as young organ prodigy Cory Henry (Kenny Garrett, Kim Burell) and multi-instrumentalist Louis Cato (Marcus Miller, Q-Tip, George Duke) among others, Snarky Puppy play a unique and mesmerizing kind of instrumental jazz, with nods to funk and rock, blending composition and improvisation like the best jambands out there. They're currently on tour in Europe, tonite Apr 11 in Edinburgh, friday Apr 13 in Brussels and this sunday Apr 15 at Le Nouveau Casino in Paris, and we strongly recommend you check them out on stage. The ending of Binky is our favorite part (35:40 on the DVD, 4th track, 7:05 on the CD), showcasing a dark funk side of the band, we won't forget to play this in an upcoming mix… Another tour-de-force of jazz eclectism is Young Stuff, we've featured the video below and hope to see many of our French followers on Sunday at Le Nouveau Casino!

Snarky Puppy - groundUP
(CD/DVD combo) Ropedope RAD-183, 2012-03-27

Tracklisting :
01. Things of Gold 6:25
02 Bent Nails 5:03
03. Minjor 5:24
04. Binky 9:38
05. Mr. Montauk 5:53
06. Like A Light 4:48
07. Young Stuff 9:02
08. Quarter Master 8:45

Connect with Snarky Puppy on snarkypuppy.com or on groundup.ropeadope.com

Chapter One of the special features, from the Snarky Puppy GroundUP DVD. The band talks of life on the road.

Snarky Puppy - Young Stuff

Snarky Puppy - Thing of Gold

Various - Original Raw Soul III - out on Now-Again Records

Djouls — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:34:00 +0200

Various - Original Raw Soul III
(CD/Digital) Now-Again Records NA5088, 2012-02-27

If you've read the first volume of Wax Poetics Magazine, you'll find in there an article called The Godfathers of Deep Funk about The Poets of Rhythm. Those German cats were indeed in that revival game way before The Dap-Kings and other current Deep Funk heavyweights. And from the beginning they were releasing collectible 45s under many guises… The band doesn't exist anymore, but have generated many offshoots, who all released very good to fantastic albums: Woima Collective, the Afrobeat Academy that plays and records with Oghene Kologbo or Ebo Taylor, The Whitefield Brothers, Karl Hector and more… Their 45 singles and rare tracks were collected in 1995 by Soulciety Records in Europe (Ooh Ooh..! - Hotpie & Candy Records Original Raw Soul Vol. I), reissued by Instinct Records in the US the next year (Original Raw Soul). And a second volume appeared in 1997 in Europe (Into Space & Time - Hotpie & Candy Records Original Raw Soul Vol. II), again reissued the following year in the US (More Original Raw Soul). Now a third volume is released by Now-Again Records, collecting all the tracks that were not compiled so far, aptly titled Original Raw Soul Vol.3. For the Poets of Rhythm fans, of course it's a must-have of really raw funk, afrofunk and jazz. Besides rarities, there are two new funk jams here, from a band called The Transgressors, both credited to The Whitefield Brothers and Will 'Quantic' Holland. Now what about the record as a whole? Original songs. Raw funk. Soulful vibes. It's all in the title already.

Various - Original Raw Soul III
(CD/Digital) Now-Again Records NA5088, 2012-02-27

Whitefield Brothers - Money For Born, Money For Die by etc_stream

600$ Song-The Mercy Sluts by swr6105

Tracklisting :
01. New Process - Bus People Theme
02. Poets Of Rhythm - Summerdays (Inst.)
03. Transgressors - Will Power
04. Bajka - A Vision 1/3
, 05. Karl Hector & The Malcouns - J.B. R.I.P.
06. New Process - Freedom
07. Mercy Sluts - $600 Song
08. Karl Hector & The Funk Pilots - Funky Sex Machine
09. Bajka - The Only Religion That I Believe
10. Whitefield Brothers - The Bastard
11. Polyversal Souls - Muswell Hill Run
12. Transgressors - Money For Born, Money For Die | Download MP3
13. Karl Hector & The Funk Pilots - Free I Wanna Be
14. Whitefield Brothers - Savannahstan
15. Neo Hip Hot Kiddies Community - Hip Walk
16. Poets Of Rhythm - Flight To St. Vincent
17. Mercy Sluts - Banana Republic

Connect with the Now-Again Records on nowagainrecords.com

Carl "Sherlock" Holmes - Investigation No.1 - out on Tramp Records

Djouls — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:05:00 +0200

Carl "Sherlock" Holmes - Investigation No.1
(CD/Digital) Tramp Records TR-9016, 2012-04-02

The Sherlock Holmes Investigation, led by funky guitarist Carl "Sherlock" Holmes only released one album, Investigation #1, in 1974, recorded for Curtis R. Staten’s C.R.S. label, and it's one of the rarest funk LP out there. An original copy, if by any chance you stumble upon it, may be worth up to 300$… Thankfully, German label Tramp Records has just reissued this gem on CD, along with two 45s collecting the best tracks from the record. The band included Chico Green on bass, John Hammond on keys, John Daves on flute, Jimmy Towns on bass, Chubby Brown on guitar, Art Grant on sax and vibes, congas and organ by guys called Dickie, Peachie and Sly. Their Burth Bacharach cover (Close To You) is more of novelty funk track in our book, the real treat to be found here lies in the anthem Investigaton, where breaks galore and the chorus is a singalong ('Everything I Do's Gonna Funky, From Now On'). A real stormer. The hard funk of Black Bag is also quite heavy, with a psychedelic rock edge, and the latin funk of Modesa sounds like classic War. Add to that the fast groove of Get down Philly Town, the soulful It Ain't Right and the closing and fuzzy bonus track The Pot's Hot (originally available as a 45 b-side), and you got another great funk/soul reissue to check for less than couple of tenners.

Carl "Sherlock" Holmes - Investigation No.1
(CD/Digital) Tramp Records TR-9016, 2012-04-02

CARL SHERLOCK HOLMES INVESTIGATION - INVESTIGATION NO.1 by Shout! Productions Japan

Tracklisting :
01. Come On 03:24
02. Give Me Your Love 03:22
03. Cop It Proper 04:00
04. Emcee Marie 03:38
05. Crush It 03:09
06. Tonic Stride 05:01
07. Roughneck 03:11
08. Gold Brick 02:23
09. Spicy Brown 04:08
10. On The Reel 03:21
11. Case Quarter 03:25
12. Summalove 04:27

Connect with the Tramp Records on tramprecords.com