Quantic and Alice Russell with the Combo Bárbaro - Look Around The Corner
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Tru Thoughts, 2012-04-02

The first single from Quantic and Alice Russell's upcoming album with the Combo Bárbaro, Look Around The Corner, felt to us like a marvelous and deep tribute to the late Charles Stepney (arranger and producer for Minnie Riperton, Terry Callier, Rotary Connection, Marlena Shaw, etc. - check this mix for more info) and we were expecting an album of the same type, quality-wise. Well no disappointment here, none at all, this is another killer album from Quantic and the Tru-Thoughts label, "pure sweet soul and blues, with overtones of gospel and folk music and the added Latin swing of the Combo Bárbaro", as the press release says. You're in for a big surprise though, since Alice Russell is not singing out of her powerful, knock-you-down voice, and embraced the opposite, full of self-control and near-reserve, reaching for example for a so seductive Dusty Springfield spirit on Here Again... Absolute class!The album will be released early april 2012, don't miss that train.

Quantic and Alice Russell with the Combo Bárbaro - Look Around The Corner
(10" vinyl/Digital) Tru Thoughts TRU249, 2012-02-20

The new collaborative full length from Quantic and Alice Russell with the Combo Bárbaro, Look Around The Corner will be released on Tru Thoughts Recordings next april; preceded by the lead single (the title track) out on deluxe 10 inch vinyl and digital in February. One could of course expect some deep Colombian roots stuff, or even maybe, on the opposite, a comeback to the duo neo-classic UK funk sound of some of their previous collaborations. Not at all, this first single is really a surprise, and the biggest influence appearing here is obviously (much-lauded in those pages) arranger and producer Charles Stepney (Minnie Riperton, Terry Callier, Rotary Connection, Marlena Shaw, etc.). Go and check the mix we had published way back in 2006, Charles Is The One if you haven't already! If the whole album's as good and deep as this single, it's sure to be one of the releases of the year! Nuff' said. (Djouls)

Various - The Original Sound of Cumbia
The History of Colombian Cumbia & Porro As Told By The Phonograph 1948-79
Compiled by Will 'Quantic' Holland
(2xCD/3xLP/Digital) Soundway Records SNDW032, 2011-12-05

Soundway set sail for Colombia once again, delving deeper into the South American country's rich musical past. Boasting 55 tracks spread over two CDs and two triple LPs, The Original Sound of Cumbia: The History of Colombian Cumbia & Porro As Told By The Phonograph 1948-79'is Soundway's definitive guide to the origins of Colombian cumbia and porro and the result of five years pain staking re-search by Will 'Quantic' Holland. Disc 1 tells the story of some the earliest Colombian cumbia recorded, a genre that captured a nation, spreading from its birthplace on the Caribbean coast in land to central Colombia and the capital Bogata. Disc 2 sees the evolution of cumbia. Greats of Colombian music like Alberto Pacheco, Toño Fernandez & Anibal Velasquez brought the genre forward, bringing new influences and instruments to the genre. What had once been considered the music of the underclasses had risen up as the new sound of a nation. Both vinyl versions are limited to 1500 copies.

Various - When Shapes Mix Together - Compiled and mixed by Rob Luis
(Mixed CD/Digital) Tru Thoughts Recordings TRUCD244, 2011-11-21

Produced as a giveaway mix for the huge Tru Thoughts night at Koko in London, this mix was so good they had to offer it for general sale. This mix shows the future direction of the label, with new signings alongside the long-standing Tru Thoughts family. It opens with a hip hop influence: Hint goes space-age hip hop with rapper T Fly; Quantic's Cumbia project covers Missy Elliot; and London legend Rodney P drops a track with a positive message (which we released after the UK riots in 2011) featuring Mighty Moe and other big hitters in the scene. Anchorsong takes us into slow disco/boogie territory before Beta Hector roughs it up with his psychedelic bass basher (helped by an Alice Russell classic scream) followed by Nirobi dropping the Bollywood beats. Sleepin' Giantz is a heavyweight project from Zed Bias, Rodney P and Fallacy, and the track you hear in this DJ mix has been a huge anthem in club sets for the DJs who have managed to get hold of an advance copy. The album it is taken from is one of the best hip hop albums you will hear! Zed Bias is then joined by Mark Pritchard (Warp / Harmonic 313 / Global Communications) for a bass anthem before we move into Debruit taking the Brazilian groove of Saravah Soul down a heavy club route. Hint shows his versatile production styles with his remix of Lanu before we hit drum & bass territory with A Sides' remix of Mark de Clive-Lowe. The set finishes off with the more mellow side of Tru Thoughts. Ambassadeurs take Nostalgia 77 through some synths and basslines; Kinny shows her powerful voice to full effect, and then Belleruche unveil their new style. I just had to include a snippet of the title track off the Quantic & Alice Russell album (you need to check the full version to appreciate those strings) and we finish off with a classic from Maddslinky's influential first LP. Please make sure you check out the other releases by any artists whose tracks you are particularly into on this DJ mix, as there is plenty more good music to be heard from them all." (Rob Luis)

Various - Shapes 11:01 - Compiled by Robert Luis
(2CD/LP with 2CD) Tru Thoughts TRUCD/LP239, 2011-10-10

The new bi-annual Shapes compilation from Tru Thoughts Recordings is coming out in october and once again it's full of classic tracks, new signatures and exlusives for a very cheap price tag. The first CD is a nice selection of horizontal grooves, songs & electronica from the vast palette of style from the label's recent output. Among the discoveries : new signings Anchorsong from Japan, and his trippy live downtempo music, Lossy from East London, a duo of jazz-infused electronica, groovy, soulful and uplifting trip hop, a new track from songstress Kinny, the kind of perfect sweetness for the ears to rub yourself into, the glorious reggae interpretation of the Dr Who Theme by the Smerins Anti-Social Club (only available on a strictly limited 45 for record store day before) and of the Dr. Dre hit Nuthin' But A 'G' Thing cover in cumbia mode by Quantic Y Su Conjunto Los Miticos Del Ritmo (only available on a limited Serato 12 inch before). The second disc is a more clubby, uptempo affair, with a tendancy towards crunchy or bassy speed-ambient. Among the notable new stuff are the afro-wobbly remix by Débruit of Saravah Soul is killer bouncy electro deconstructivism, Hint bringing hard to describe, crazy & addictive dance thingies to the table, and label honcho Rob Luis alias Nirobi who's also there with his heavy bass and percussive dancefloor beats to rock the roof off. Djouls - Paris DJs

J Rocc - Best of Quantic Mix (MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) Tru Thoughts, 2011-10-05 It has been a decade since Will Holland aka Quantic released his first album on Tru Thoughts. Twelve albums later and Quantic has a vast discography; funky, soulful vibes with the Quantic Soul Orchestra, Flowering Inferno's reggae infused dub, cumbia with The Combo Barbaro, and more. The Best Of Quantic album highlights the stunning range of his work, bringing together some of the biggest tracks from across his many projects. To celebrate the release and a decade of music from Quantic, the world famous...

Quantic - The Best of Quantic
(2xCD/2xLP/Digital) Tru Thoughts TRUCD235/TRULP235, 2011-09-05

Quantic has been re-inventing his music from the very beginning, and never stopped. I sorted his first albums in my 'electronic' section. Then came the Quantic Soul Orchestra that had to go in the funk/soul section. Then I got lost. Latin/Columbian stuff. Reggae stuff. A mixture of both and of all the rest before. Plus hip hop. Well I guess it'll be easier to put it all in any groovy section, filed under 'Quantic'! To rewind all those years of cool and exciting new records, here's an exhaustive compilations, including the new tracks Cumbia Clash by Quantic and Left & Right by The Quantic Soul Orchestra feat. Alice Russell!!

SOUL TRAIN presents
INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL SOUNDCLASH! Our Swing... is Tropical!!!
VENDREDI 17 JUIN 2011 à partir de 22H au Cabaret Sauvage

Quantic (DJ Set)
Sofrito Soundsystem (Hugo Mendez & Frankie Francis)
Nickodemus (Turntables on the Hudson/Wonderwheel)
Julien Lebrun (Hot Casa)
Setenta LIVE

London – New York – Cali – Paris. Sofrito's Tropical summer celebration in Paris! Some of the hottest sounds from around the world in a four-way international Tropical Soundclash, bringing together Quantic (Cali, Colombia), Nickodemus (New York), the Sofrito Soundsystem (London) and the Hot Casa crew (Paris) to celebrate the summer in a Tropical style! Expect the heaviest in Afro Latin sounds all night long at the great Cabaret Sauvage in the Parc de la Villette - hope to see you there!

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Quantic Y Su Conjunto Los Miticos Del Ritmo - Hip Hop En Cumbia EP
(Limited edition coloured 12") Tru Thoughts TRUSERATO002, 2011-06-13

This highly anticipated release is limited to just 2000 copies Worldwide and is pressed on green flecked vinyl. All tracks are previously unreleased and exclusive to this 12. The A side features Quantic paying tribute Cumbia-style to some Hip Hop classics and the B side is a Serato tone control. The idea for this musical project started when Quantic recorded Cumbia de Dilla as a special one-off track, to play at DJ parties, particularly those in LA where Hip Hop and Cumbia have a special place in people's hearts. The queue of eager fans crowding round to ask about the track inspired and set this new project on the road. This EP features covers of KRS One, Dr Dre, Missy Elliot, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and a an original track, Cuarta Con Cuarta.