Super Hi-Fi - Single Payer
(7 inch/Digital Single) Electric Cowbell EC019, 2012-02-11

When Ezra Gale, bass player for Super Hi-Fi, contacted us last december, announcing the upcoming release of their 45 on Electric Cowbell Records, and describing the band as "a Brooklyn, NY-based live dub band", we were immediately hooked. Ezra is also playing bass for Aphrodesia, a heavily recommended 11-piece Afrofunk band from New York and San Francisco, which we already played twice in some of our much-respected 21st Century Afro mixes. Electric Cowbell Records are friends of ours who release some of the most eclectic and tasty music coming out from Brooklyn these days. And on the flip on the 45 there's also a dub heavy remix by Victor Rice... On paper you must admit that this 7 inch is supposed to be fantastic. Well it is. If you bring together the Fela Kuti influence of Aphrodesia, add some King Tubby kind of live dubbing, and put it out on vinyl through a supa-innovative label, that's what you get: incredible afro-dub greatness. The single will also be available digitally as an unedited 7mn version, with no less than 3 dub remixes. You need this and we'll prove it to you by playing the A-side in our next 21st Century Roots Reggae Spectacular coming up February 11th, a few days prior to this single's release. This is just the kind of band we wouldn't hesitate a second to go and see play live, so promoters move your asses and bring them to Paris asap!

King Porter Stomp - Let It All Out (Limited Edition EP)
(CD/Digital) Comm:UNITY Sounds, 2012-01-23

'Let It All Out' is a limited EP edition and a new release for King Porter Stomp, a truly original band from Brighton, UK. This seven-piece ensemble delivers a strongly compelling blend of funk, ska, hip-hop and afrobeat, personified by its charismatic leader MC Jonezy. The man really toasts, with a style of his own that mixes power, rage and melancholy in a single voice. King Porter Stomp’ first album (Poison The Beat, Comm:UNITY Sounds, 2008) got rave reviews in UK and was followed in 2011 by a dub version EP, Antidote Dub. Meantime, with their intense live performances at big festivals, it became obvious that King Porter Stomp was killing it, both on stage and in the studio. This EP is a perfect candy to wait for their eagerly awaited second album. It's also a great fusion of the band's ingredients: political awareness, solid lyrics, smooth grooves with superb horn arrangements, afrobeat and rocksteady glints.

Prince Fatty meets The Mutant Hifi in 'Return Of Gringo!'
(CD/LP/Digital) Mr. Bongo, 2011-11-21

In the end, we had to wait until November for 2011's funniest record. 'Return Of Gringo' is a faux soundtrack in which dub, ska and surf meet spaghetti western in the tradition of maestro Ennio Morricone. Dub and spaghetti have always been good bedmates - just lend an ear to Swiss duo Trance Hill and Dub Spencer to understand why. But here we're not dealing with some low-rent Trinita series but a bigger budget altogether. The result? A genuine blockbuster with first-class actors...

The Strides - Reclamation
(CD/LP/Digital) Record Kicks RKX042, 2011-11-14

Record Kicks proudly presents new afrobeat/groove outfit from Sydney, The Strides! With their explosive melting pot of Afrobeat, Reggae, Hip-Hop and Dancefloor jazz, 10-piece ensemble The Strides has already won over a steadfast following in Australia. After a lengthy series of gigs that includes supporting afrobeat legend Tony Allen and becoming a headline act at both the Bellingen Global Carnival and Peats Ridge Festival, this dynamic outfit is ready to launch its new album Reclamation on Record Kicks. With a heavy rhythm section and a powerful 3-piece horn section, The Strides deliver a captivating blend of funky afrobeat, roots reggae, hip hop grooves, dubbed out beats, and hypnotic rhythms.

The iPhone Connection song is a tribute to the co-founder and CEO of Apple who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer this summer. It was recorded at Paris DJs studios just a few days before Steve Jobs passed away. Jamaican DJ The Lone Ranger is on vocal duties with French dubmeister Grant Phabao at the controls & playing all instruments. The Lone Ranger is one of Jamaica's most influential early dancehall DJs. He was twice voted N°1 deejay on the island, in 1979 and 1980. He helped pioneer a newly rhythmic, on-the-beat rhyming style that led DJ toasting into the modern age, and...

Frente Cumbiero Meets Mad Professor
(CD/2xLP) Vampisoul VAMPI136, 2011-09-12

Bogota, Colombia's Frente Cumbiero travel incessantly through the cumbia land. Exploring both the roots and the newer trends, they offer their own distinctive take on one of the most popular musical styles in Latin America: cumbia! Led by Mario Galeano, for years a prominent figure in Latin music as DJ, musicologist, record label owner and musician, the band also comprises Pedro Ojeda, Elbis Álvarez and Marco Fajardo. In 2009 they met legendary dub producer Mad Professor for a collaborative three-day recording session (as part of British Council's Incubator project) in which Mad ProfessorJoe Ariwa, and key participants of Bogota's music scene also took part. The goal was to achieve a music encounter between cumbia and dub. The recordings took place in the Javeriana University and out of those improvisational sessions came three collective compositions. Together with another four tracks by Frente Cumbiero, these seven recordings were then remixed by Mad Professor in his London studio Ariwa. The result is this record, a fantastic addition to the thriving international cumbia movement.

Dedy Dread & DJ Rebel feat. Delhi Sultanate - Criss & Shine
(Digital Single) Cast-A-Blast Digicab208, 2011-09-19

Cast-A-Blast are very happy to present this next release on the Bonafides series. Criss & Shine is an eclectic combination of Swing samples, Ragga vocals and Hip Hop beats produced by gifted upcoming artists Dedy Dread (Portugal) and DJ Rebel (Italy) featuring vocals by the skilful MC Delhi Sultanate (India). On the flip side, Turntable Dubbers (Belgium) and Blend Mishkin (Greece) on the remix duties, both taking the tune down to a digital dancehall fashion with great results!

"Another winner from the Cast-A-Blast crew! Indian raggamuffin swinging hip hop for jumpin' & bouncin' all over... and with massive remixes too!!" - Djouls / Paris DJs

Judah Eskender Tafari & Ticklah - Land Of Confusion
(7 inch/Digital) Liondub 45 LNDB45003, 2011-08-01

Originally released as the B-side to Life on Black Redemption, Land Of Confusion was voiced at Ticklah's studio and released in 2007. Three years later, Ticklah has arranged a new instrumental track around the vocal, adding his own signature out-board effects, percussion and keyboard harmonies to the conscious lyrics of the "Commander". The resulting track and version are a musical gem, melding the dub experimentation of Creation Steppers with the inimitable spirit of Studio 1 and Soul Syndicate. It's no surprise then that Jah Shaka has offered steady support for this track on his soundsystem time and time again! Three years in the making and well worth the wait.

Sugar Minott & Ticklah - Praise His Name
(7"/Digital) Liondub 45 LNDB45002, 2010-12-14

Praise His Name is an uplifting message for the masses; to give hope to the downtrodden and remind us of our need for spiritual wealth. No one could say it better than Sugar Minott, whose own works supported generations, and here he has done so with a bittersweet minor melody that fits perfectly over Ticklah's rolling bass, muffled rimshot and lush organ sound. Minott's erie harmonies ring out with crystal clarity in the mix which is wrapped in spring reverb, chugging organ and punctuated by glistening agogo bells while rippling echos punch holes in the dub verison. A classic like this comes along once in a life time and this one is for the ages. Watch out for more 7"s from Ticklah as well as the likes of Johnny Osbourne, Luciano, Judah Eskender Tafari, Courtney John and other reggae legends.

Afrolicious - Dub For Mali EP
(Digital Single) Eighteen Street Lounge Music ESL187, 2011-08-16

Afrolicious are pleased to announce their debut release on ESL Music. This release is truly a long time in the making even though they only recently decided to put out original music under the name 'Afrolicious'. This 3 song EP features some of the amazingly talented folks who have helped make Afrolicious the eclectic and off the hook weekly party it has become. On Thursday Night Kinda Swing they have guests Baba Duru on percussion and scat vocals and Aaron Lebowitz on Saxophone and horn arrangements. A Dub For Mali features the fabulous Ngoni work and vocals of Yacouba Diara from Burinka Faso and Mali, and flute by Izzy * Wise and Foolin features the talented vocals and lyrics of Fresh is Life from Trinidad and the horn playing of Will Magid and Aaron Lebowitz. All guitars, bass and keys were layed down by Pleasuremaker and the arrangements were split with Pleasure and Rob Garza who completed the circle with holding down the production end. Señor Oz was up in the mix during the sessions bringing the vibes together and documenting some of the sessions. Dub for Mali and Foolin' remind me of the vibe of that afro/reggae track that Grant Phabao did with Amayo a few years back. This reggae/afro mixture is hard to pin down and Afrolicious really got it, really tasty and spiritual at the same time. Recommended!