Author: djtbird

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We start off with our first of a few Afro-influenced tracks, \”Kibo\” courtesy of new signing to Freestyle label, Shaolin Afronauts. I personally am quite pleased to see the resurgence of groups with music directly based on African sounds. Going back in time a bit, the next track is by a group responsible for TV show themes (e.g., \”S.W.A.T.\”, \”Barretta\’s Theme [Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow]\”) but this one is a cover of a movie theme, Rhythm Heritage\’s \”3 Days of the Condor\”–the original is by Dave Grusin, who scored the film. Their cover is a little bit funkier than the original. Speaking of cover versions, turns out that Eddie Russ\’ \”See The Light\” is a cover of Earth Wind & Fire! It\’s not his only cover as he has a version of \”Don\’t Ask My Neighbors\” the Emotions song which was originally produced by and featured members of, you guessed it–Earth Wind & Fire. Once again we return to the sound of \”The Motherland,\” Africa with Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra\’s \”Sankofa (ft Testament of Homecut.)\” Although many of us tend to associate this sound with western Africa\’s Nigeria, it is also quite prominent in Ghana as well–as indicated by Testament\’s verses. Although \”On My Knees For You\” by Red is \’latin\’ sounding, the rhythms are the evolution of music brought over from Africa during the colonization of the Americas. This track and the preceding one are from a great free sampler Two Syllables Vol. 5 Keeping latin, we check in with Stereo 77 and the track \”Sin Pena\” from the forthcoming compilation Latin Flavored Fire on the Spring Strut label. As mentioned on my last blog entry, (as a member of Los Chicos Altos) I will have the honor of Djing with Al Lindrum (aka Love Avalanche) at the next Urban World Social Club Barcelona. The next track is by Al Lindrum & His Magic Hat, is called \”Hide & Seek\” and is available from Urban World Records. LA folks who are into underground hiphop should know the name DJ Drez. He has worked with numerous names in that world such as Living Legends, Bahamadia and Aceyalone. DJ Drez and Trae Sevn on \”Saturn Movment feat. Steve White\” incorporate more \”world music\” influences (jamaican dancehall, bhangra) and jazz elements. The next track takes some of those elements and takes them up a notch… Phuture Motion\’s \”Tu No Sabes Nada (Andy H Remix)\” has the \”bogle beat\” & big bass of dancehall pumped up West London-style (think Bugz In The Attic) with bi-lingual lyrics (English/Spanish!) Another track from Two Syllables… While we\’re in the neighborhood of something with a London sound, Late Night Alumni\’s \”It\’s Not Happening (Original Mix)\” has the sound & groove of some classic UK garage that one might have heard at a classic London event like Twice as Nice–fat bass, pumping beat. Hansi\’s \”Brazilian Groove\” goes a bit summery house, heating things up again from the compilation Latin Flavored Fire. We wrap up with another Urban World Records track that has a slightly different Brazilian vibe–baile funk. Mo Fire bat \”clean up\” with \”Baile Do Mau Mau (Savages y Suefo Shuffle.)\”

Do NOT miss your next opportunity to hear this music at a great party! Los Chicos Altos (T-Bird & Maxey Blaze) + Al Lindrum (aka Love Avalanche) on deck; Urban World Social Club Barcelona Saturday, February 12 @ Bodega Del Onze: C/ Blai 8, Poble Sec, Barcelona 08004

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Something Else! Intro starting us off before a trip to \”East India\” courtesy of David Sancious from his Forest of Feelings solo debut from ages ago. I say \”solo\” because David\’s first big credit is as keyboardist for Bruce Springsteen\’s E-Street Band. Turns out (according to Wikipedia) that E Street is where David\’s mother lived and allowed the band to practice. From \”eastern vibe\” to laid-back soul courtesy of Minnie Riperton on her \”Feelin\’ That The Feeling\’s Good\” from Adventures In Paradise. French artists DJ LBR & Cut Killer take us on a trip back to the 90s with \”Keep It Real!

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Something Else! Intro starts our first show of the year leading into a nod to recent worldwide festivities, \”New Year\’s Countdown\” courtesy of Beatport.com. Shy FX (featuring Donae\’o) does a bit of a surprise, as the jungle/drum & bass master goes roots reggae for the remix of his own tune \”Raver (Shy\’s Guinness Punch Mix.)\” You download the whole EP for free from his online label Digital Soundboy, which is also responsible for a great track from last year that appears later in the set. Local favorites here in Catalunya, La Troba Kung Fu, are up next with their tribute to the capital, \”Barcelona.\” If you listen closely, at the beginning of the track there is the sound of a metro taking off from a stop and a moment later the little melody that precedes the announcement of each stop–kind of clever, no? Meanwhile back in Philly, King Britt presents Sylk 130 gives us \”Incident On A Couch Pt2 Feat James Poyser – Re-Member\’s Only\” from the great compilation Saturn Never Sleeps Sampler #2. Like its namesake, the music tends to be a bit \”out there,\” yet beautiful, like the planet with its famous rings. I\’ve featured the music of Maddslinky (aka Zed Bias) before and this new track that features vocalist Tawiah, \”Further Away (Radio Edit Full Vocal)\” is something else I think you\’ll enjoy. Great vocals by Tawiah and good track as always from Maddslinky. Don\’t hesitate to check out more of his work with one of our favorite labels, Tru Thoughts. Next up, I love the way that Plan B\’s \”Prayin\’ (Breakage Remix)\” perfectly captures the tension in the lyrics and still manages to \”bump.\” Sex-O-Sonique\’s classic \”I Thought It Was You (Salt City Orchestra\’s \”Herbie Rides Again\” Remix)\” is a dancefloor friendly revamp of a Herbie Hancock track where he \”sings\” with the aid of a vocoder–a device used to give vocal properties to his keyboard. Speaking of classic, Spring Strut artist XIV gives us \”Return To The Classics,\” an acid-jazz track with some nice breaks, samples and trumpet melodies. By the way, expect a release on Spring Strut soon featuring Los Chicos Altos (Maxey Blaze and yours truly.) One of our remixes is up next, Appietus featuring 4X4 \”Miss Doctor (Los Chicos Altos Mix)\” an artist from another label we like, Akwaaba. If you dig African music, on their site there is a mix of music from their catalog by reknown Dj Zhao.
Speaking of stuff we like, \”Whisky\” is one of the new offerings from favored producer Seiji! Bass music at its finest and offerred for free on his website. He has a few two-track singles available for purchase for the nice price of 1 GBP each (nice currency conversion website here.) Keeping it bass-heavy, Digital Soundboy artist Donae\’o brings us his \”Riot Music (Shy FX Radio Mix.)\” Definitely check out the video below, great editing job! Back in the 90s, the following song became an anthem for fans of jungle/drum & bass and is appropriately titled \”Junglist.\” This artist has been part of this scene since the early days of the music, Rebel Mc Feat Peter Bouncer \”Junglist (Original Mix)\” — maybe warn the neighbors, this is SERIOUS bass… Closing is a personal favorite, but it\’s a bit \”raw\” as stated in the intro (not for the easily offended.) Redman is from Newark, NJ and he embraces the (dubious) reputation of his home known as \”Brick City.\” He\’s not a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, but he\’s associated with them for the most part because he often makes music with Method Man and they even did a film together called How High. The plus is that this track was made/remixed by another favorite artist of mine, Roni Size of Reprazent/Full Cycle/Dope Dragon fame. Enjoy Redman\’s \”I Got A Secret (Remix.)\”

More new music soon!

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Something Else! Intro
Isley Brothers – \”Harvest for the World\”
Kabanjak – \”Rhythm\”
Walter Murphy – \”Mostly Mozart\”
DJ Moog – \”Flavour (Danny Massure Remix)\”
Yolanda Wynns – \”I Know You, I Live You\”
Gilles Peterson\’s Havana Cultura Band – \”Rezando (feat. Roberto Fonseca) [Michel Cleis Remix]\”
Alister Johnson – \”Static\” feat.Voice
Earth Wind & Fire – \”Runnin\’\”
Fugi – \”Mary Don\’t Take Me on No Bad Trip\”
Natalie Cole – \”Sophisticated Lady\”
Shut Up & Dance – \”So What You Smoking?\”
Submotion Orchestra – \”Finest Hour (Planas Remix)\”

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The ubiquitous Something Else! Intro leads into a mellow classic by Herbie Hancock, \”Tell Me A Bedtime Story\” from his late 60s release, Fat Albert Rotunda. Jumping from jazz to jazzy hiphop, next up is L.A. hiphop group The Nonce\’s \”Keep It On.\” Another classic group associated with Los Angeles, although they originally hail from Oklahoma, The Gap Band and their not-quite-slow jam \”Outstanding (12\” Mix.)\” Keeping it local, the next track is by another Los Angeles transplant, Justo Almario, who has played with Mongo Santamaria, Charles Mingus and Roy Ayers, producer for the uptempo funky \”Sho\’ You Right.\” Dipping back in the hiphop bag, Showbiz & AG bring us \”Soul Clap\”–a dancefloor monster. Completely flipping the script, we go gospel next with Walter Hawkins And Selah and \”Where Will You Run.\” From Verve\’s Jazz Remixed compilation comes Space Jazz Dub Men\’s take on a Duke Ellington classic (with a twist from Incognito) \”It Don\’t Mean A Thing (Incognito Remix.)\” Although they don\’t seem to be credited, those vocals sound like Carmen McCrae to me. The next track is by a relatively new jazz vocalist, Sara Mitra. I\’m really enjoying her album April Song and the title track shows you why–fresh sound, yet firmly jazz. Next up is a group I\’ve dug for a long time but calling them \”jazz\” can start debates with some folks. Another title track, this time from Weather Report, \”Mysterious Traveller.\” Great playing, interesting sounds and a definite feeling of \”otherworldliness.\” Keeping it mysterious, Ninja Tune artist 9 Lazy 9 with a classic remix \”Electric Lazyland (Journeyman\’s Electric Lazyman.)\” Electronic music, but groovy and still quite \”moody.\” The wrap-up track of this set is by old favorites, The Easy Star All-Stars. From their remix album Dubber Side of the Moon, comes \”Money (The Alchemist Remix)\” their tweak of the Pink Floyd classic.

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The \”Something Else! Intro\” leads us right into the soulful cut by organist Caeser Frazier, the self-referential \”Hail Caesar!\” As you probably know, we like our jazz with a mixer of funk…
Patrice Rushen\’s \”Hang It Up\” is the inverse–a funk tune with large dollops of jazz! We try to be egalitarian (or at least fair) with our seeking out soul music and reggae is definitely no stranger to soulful sounds. The Black Seeds from New Zealand have a remix album out, Specials and \”Make A Move (Downtown Brown Remix feat. MC\’s Mighty Asterix & Switch)\” is one of my favorite cuts I\’ve heard off it. It leads well into Easy Star All-Stars\’ \”Step It Pon The Rastaman Scene (Border Crossing Remix)\” from their remix album as well Dubber Side of the Moon. The next cut is a remake of an Evelyn \”Champagne\” King track. The artist is Jennifer Lara on \”I\’m In Love (Jugoe\’s Re-Work)\” — a Dj-friendly, lovely reggae version of an 80s soul classic. Moving on to the 90s, DJ Krush\’s \”Big City Lover (Remix)\” a big acid-jazz favorite brings us to Janet Jackson\’s \”Got It Till It\’s Gone (Mellow Mix)\” feat Q-Tip. Oddly, I didn\’t know about this version until quite recently. The next tune sounds very much like something The Roots would do, but instead we have NYC\’s Jungle Brothers on their track \”Brain.\” Taking a small trip \”across the pond\” we head to the UK for Aim\’s \”Ain\’t Got Time To Waste (Instrumental w/Vibes).\” Simon Shaheen makes the proceedings a bit more \”exotic\” with his take on \”Al Hinna\” a piece by Egyptian composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab. Sunburst Band follow up with \”Journey To The Sun (Reprise,)\” a slightly more upbeat track setting us up for our closers. Boogie fans will know Dayton\’s \”The Sound of Music\” and \”Glide\” by Pleasure. Dayton was part of the Ohio funk dynasty that includes The Ohio Players, Zapp & Roger Troutman (all from Dayton) and Bootsy\’s Rubber Band (Bootsy is from Cincinatti.) Pleasure, in contrast was a west-coast band from Portland, Oregon who\’s first albums were produced by Wayne Henderson of The Crusaders and later albums featured keyboardist Jeff Lorber. Marlon \”The Magician\” McClain (guitar) and Nathaniel Phillips (bass) now have a group with Lorber called Shades Of Soul.

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Starting as always with the \”Something Else Intro\” we immediately head off into a couple of vintage tracks, first Tangerine Dream\’s title track from their 80s album Exit. This track was re-worked for the soundtrack to Risky Business, becoming \”No Future (Get Off The Babysitter.)\” Push Button Objects\’ \”Lockligger\” follows with a bit of \”glitch hop\” from the 90s. I originally purchased this on a 12\” single from the label Schematic, who were championing one of the \”alternative\” sounds coming out of Florida, the more well-known counterparts being DJ Icey\’s breakbeat scene and of course, Miami Bass. DJ Vadim was originally known for making music that my friends and I derisively called \”slug hop,\” because it was painfully slow and kind of weird. Apparently the last few years he\’s changed up a bit and become a bit more accessible and danceable. \”Yea Man They Listening\” is the latest evidence that artists are subject to change… Easy Star All-Stars are a favorite with me and I can\’t seem to get enough of \”Money (Alchemist Mix)\” from Dubber Side of the Moon. Giant Step is a great source of music for me and Freedom Hill\’s \”Kisses Louder\” is one where I have to give credit where it is due. I love tunes that really nail a mood, even if that mood isn\’t easy to explain–you\’ll understand when you hear it. Up next another favorite artist, Quincy Jones. I\’ve been hearing Mr. Jones\’ music since I was very young and have always admired his work. \”Soul Bossa Nostra\” feat. Ludacris, Naturally 7, & Rudy Currence is actually a remake of one of Quincy\’s own classics, \”Soul Bossa Nova\”–also now known as the theme from the Austin Powers movies. I must admit that as someone who wasn\’t a fan of that film series I was actually quite annoyed that \”Soul Bossa Nova\” became so closely identified with it and I felt I had to stop playing the tune because of the association. This remake not only allows me to play a song I really dug, but updates it in a way that isn\’t cheesy… The Roots get much play on my show and for me \”Adrenaline\” is already in line to become a new Philly classic track. Keeping it hiphop for a minute, Manchester\’s Grand Central Recordings turned me on to great music like Aim\’s \”True To Hip Hop (Instrumental.)\” Moving a bit in a southern direction, Brighton has been figuring larger in my current favorite UK cities for music, with Tru Thoughts and associates showing up in my playlists. Sara Mitra isn\’t on Tru Thoughts, but the same person who hips me to new music on that label sent me this wonderful EP that includes \”The Old Country.\” It\’s vocal jazz that is both fresh and straightforward at the same time. No electronics or sonic tweaking here–just good music.
Heading back to the classic realm, next up is MC Solaar with \”Noveau Western,\” a favorite 90s track from France featuring a Serge Gainsbourg sample (\”Bonnie & Clyde.\”) If you don\’t already know, Los Chicos Altos is a project I do with my friend Maxey Blaze. I occasionally will feature some of our work on the show and \”Zamba Malat

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Back again, starting off with the \”Something Else! Intro\” before going into a re-rub of an old favorite for many, \”(Another) Message to Rudy (Fort Knox Five Edit)\” by legendary English 80s ska-revival group The Specials! Fort Knox Five are producers from the same Washington DC music scene as Thievery Corporation and they have worked together numerous times. We follow with another English (by birth) act is singer/dancer/fashion designer Wunmi. She has been associated with high profile acts including Masters At Work, Truby Trio and Soul II Soul (she danced in the \”Back To Life\” video.) The title of her 2006 album A.L.A. (Africans Living Abroad) refers to her Nigerian heritage and ex-patriate lifestyle. Giant Step was kind enough to send me the following remix, \”ALA (Don-Ray\’s Cairo Remix)\” by Wunmi. Many of you know that I am a big fan of the music of Herbie Hancock. The next song is by one of his long-time sidemen, Bennie Maupin and is a re-interpretation of \”Water Torture\” which he wrote for Herbie\’s album Crossings. This version is from an album called Slow Traffic To The Right and features Patrice Rushen playing clavinet, electric and acoustic piano. \”Birdland\” by Def Tex is a great acid-jazz track I came upon years ago on vinyl thanks to DJ Mark Maxwell. Heading into a bit more of a latin bag, \”Todo Tiene Su Final\” by Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe keeps the energy up before going full disco with Joey Negro and The Sunburst Band\’s \”Journey To The Sun.\” Staying with the house music tempo, \”Do It Your Way\” by Mood II Swing leads into \”Forever\” by James Talk and Ridney (recognize those vocals from anywhere?) Another Giant Step track from my inbox is \”New Civilisation\” by Curv. It blends well from the preceding house track, has nice percussion and perfectly sets up a two-fer closer: \”Drum Song\” & \”Dreams\” by Earth Wind & Fire. \”Drum Song\” is one I\’d sought out years ago after hearing it on the radio, but I could never properly identify it. After picking up an early-ish album by EWF, Open Our Eyes, I discoverd the name of the track I\’d been searching for! The newer version of the album has bonus tracks, one of which is our closer, \”Dreams.\” Appropriately titled and a nice way to end a set until next time!

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Something Else! Intro leads us into the first of several pairs of genre-related tracks… Canadian bassist Roberto Occhipinti has an interesting past: comes from a musical family (brother and cousin to two guitarists, Michael & David,) he is classically trained, has worked with several orchestras, studied with Dave Young (acclaimed jazz bassist,) worked in latin jazz with saxophonist Jane Bunnett

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Something Else! Intro leads us into the first of many new pieces of music that has graced my mailbox, Canada\’s Juno award winner (sort of like a grammy) Dubmatix\’s \”Struggle (feat. Dennis Alcapone.)\” He\’s got a new album in stores now, System Shakedown, with all sorts of great guests and the big bass that we love so much. Next up is lovely soul number \”Destiny,\” another \”mailbox track\” by L.A. vocalist Erik Rico & Marc Mac (of 4hero.) If the phrase \”Duck Sauce\” means anything to you other than food, you might recognize the next groove, Final Edition\’s \”I Can Do It (Any Way You Want It.)\” It is the source material for Armand Van Helden and A-Trak\’s dance floor monster, \”Anyway.\” A few more joints in the disco-funk realm are \”Full Tilt Boogie\” by Uncle Louie and Disco Tex & the Sex-O-Lettes\’ \”Hot Lava.\” Turns out Disco Tex is Kenny Nolan, writer of 70s smash hit \”Lady Marmelade.\” Going latin for a couple, Grupo Arambere\’s \”Iaia (Butti 49 Fuego Fusion Mix)\” holds down the Brazilian while Nacional Records\’ act Choc Quib Town kicks it Colombian-style with \”De Donde Vengo Yo\” translated, \”Where I\’m Coming From.\” I think many of you know that I make music as well as DJ\’ing, but if you didn\’t, my track \”Technolude\” should remedy that. One of the other benefits of being both a music-maker and radio DJ is that I can follow my own tunes with tracks by people like Outkast\’s Big Boi! I\’ve featured \”Shutterbug\” before but this electro-house remix (Jack Beats \’Clean\’ Mix)\” is new for me and leads well into a few other things I wanted to close out with, Richard Vission & Static Revenger starring Luciana\’s \”I Like That (Dave Aude Dub Remix)\” and tech-house track \”Firecracker (Nic Fanciulli Remix)\” by Yousef. The Dave Aude Dub is amazing. There are some other remixes of \”I Like That\” that showed up in my mailbox as well and will get played, but this one is head and shoulders above the others. Nic Fanciulli\’s Remix of \”Firecracker\” is a great closer for a set that featured a lot of funky, disco vibes.
You can find funk in the machine if you free your mind. …and your a** will follow.