Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - Rubber Orchestras (Heavenly Sweetness) info | mix 1 | mix 2
Bio Ritmo - La Verdad (Electric Cowbell) info | mix
Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming (Dunham/Daptone) info | video
Garage à Trois - Always Smile but Stay Evil (The Royal Potato Family) info | interview
Lucas Santtana - Sem Nostalgia (Mais Um Discos) info
Mr. Chop - Switched On (Now-Again) info & discography
Ocote Soul Sounds - Taurus (ESL) info | remix
Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - World Of Funk (Ubiquity) info | interview
The Greg Foat Group - Dark is The Sun (Jazzman) info | interview | mix
The Natural Yogurt Band - Tuck In With... (Now-Again) info | mix | interview

Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming: The Instrumentals
Played by Menahan Street Band
(LP) Daptone Records/Dunham Records DAP025/DUM 1002, 2011-08-02

After the instrumental version of Lee Fields's My World masterpiece, here's the sequel you were all waiting for, the instrumental version of Charles Bradley's No Time For Dreaming. Guaranteed 100% pure sunshine instrumental soul from Brooklyn, USA - and available on vinyl!! Press release says: "12 DYNAMITE tracks of unstoppable instrumentality. These hypnotic hymns - played oh so skillfully by Brooklyn's premier SUPER group, Menahan Street Band, promises to be the consummate summer soundtrack for all you hip cats and kittens".

Versus - Paris DJs Extra Flavor Mix Selected by Donnie Bass, mixed by Jesus Crise (MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) 2011-07-19 The Versus French band has only limited a few EPs out right now, but a full-length album is scheduled for this autumn! This band includes some of our long-time friends and collaborators so we're quite proud to have them here as guests. Besides the obvious Herbaliser Band influcences, their music is a real French take on Manchester's mid 90s hip hop/club scene from Grand Central, Ninja Tune, Rob's Records, etc. Here's a snapshot of their vision of today's music, with...

Ikebe Shakedown - Ikebe Shakedown
(CD/2xLP/Gidital) Ubiquity Records UR292, 2011-06-07

Ikebe Shakedown, the self-titled album from the Brooklyn-based band, plays with elements of Cinematic Soul, Afro-funk, Deep Disco, and Boogaloo in all the right ways. After spending a few years together the group, named after a favorite Nigerian boogie record (and pronounced "ee-KAY-bay,") delivers a driving set of tunes featuring a mighty horn section anchored by tight, deep-pocketed grooves. The forthcoming Ikebe Shakedown debut for Ubiquity Records sees the band push their globally-informed sound and eclectic approach to tune-writing into new territory, "Self-titling the album is a way to introduce the audience to the many facets of the band - to provide a more complete understanding of what we do," bassist Vince Chiarito says. "Our sound has grown to incorporate our influences without overtly representing any one in particular. It just sounds like us," he adds. The album was ecorded at Dunham Studios with producer Thomas Brenneck and at Killion Sound in Los Angeles, home of engineer Sergio Rios of fellow Ubiquity act Orgone.

Ikebe Shakedown - Tujunga / No Name Bar
(7") Ubiquity Records UR7291, 2011-05-10

This limited 7" is a teaser from the self-titled upcoming second album from Brooklyn-based Ikebe Shakedown. Named after a favorite Nigerian boogie tune (pronounced "ee-KAY-bay"), the band messes with elements of deep Disco, Highlife, cinematic soul, psychedelic Afro-funk, and Boogaloo in all the right ways. After spending a couple of years together the band now plays a truly driving set, with their mighty horn sections blasting on top of a wall of African-enthused party-pleasing rhythms.

Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming
(CD/LP/Download) Daptone Records DAP-022, 2011-01-24

It's taken just two short years for Dunham Records - an imprint of Daptone Records - to establish itself as one of the most captivating creative forces in soul music. The brainchild of guitarist/producer Thomas "Tommy TNT" Brenneck, Dunham's indelibly atmospheric sound is epitomized by its flagship artist, Menahan Street Band. After releasing a handful of crucial 45s, Dunham Records prepares to enter the next phase of its evolution with the debut album of its inaugural vocalist, Charles Bradley.

Charles Bradley's voice has evolved from a lifetime of paying dues, having nomadically labored for decades at various day jobs from Maine to Alaska - singing and performing in his spare time - before re-settling in his hometown Brooklyn and eventually finding a musical home at Dunham. In his distinctively rough-hewn timbre one hears the unmistakable voice of experience - each note and gruff inflection a reflection of his extended, sometimes rocky, personal path. It's only fitting that No Time For Dreaming's producer Brenneck (also a member of The Dap-Kings and The Budos Band) would recognize in Bradley a kindred musical spirit - a singer whose performances exude both raw power and poignant beauty. Recorded at Dunham Studios, and mixed at Daptone Records' internationally revered "House of Soul" Studios, No Time For Dreaming is the inspired sound of an awakening.

Charles Bradley - The World (Is Going Up In Flames)
Official video taken from the album No Time For Dreaming to be released january 25th on Daptone

Ikebe Shakedown - Hard Steppin'
(CD/7") Colemine Records CMLN 104, 2009-12-14

Combining traditional African rhythmic textures with melodies and grooves steeped in American funk, soul, and jazz, Ikebe Shakedown offers a unique and powerful sound. The 8-piece, Brooklyn-based band formed in early 2009 and, after a slew of dates around NYC, recorded their debut 7” single and EP, Hard Steppin', at Dunham Studios in June (where was recorded the Menahan Street Band album). The 5-track offering, released on Colemine Records, has already received high praise from critics, fans, and distributors.

Grant Phabao and Djouls - 21st Century Afro Vol.7 (MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) T.I.M.E.C., 2010-04-19 The countdown to the release of our new concept album (on our new label Colored-Inc.) has begun. In exactly 4 weeks (may 17th) we'll indeed put out One Foot In Jail's Hard 2 Find Vol.3, an album showcasing many colors of African music, with amazing guest singers, musicians and producers from all over the world. This is pure 21st Century African Music - just like this ongoing series of mixes covering all these new Afro music bands out there!! Today's goods are from the USA, Sweden,...

Menahan Street Band - Make The Road By Digging (MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) 2010-02-04 If you're in Paris these days and don't have your ticket for the incredible show tonite at Le New Morning starring Lee Fields (with the Menahan Street Band opening), then move your ass to Sannois (95) next sunday or to Ris-Orangis (91) next Wednesday!!! This is THE CONCERT you need not to miss!! To celebrate this European tour, we've invited for a very soulful mix Thomas Brenneck, alias DJ Tommy TNT, leader of the Menahan Street Band, guitar player for Bronx River Parkway, The Budos Band, The...