DJ Jazzy Jeff needs no introduction – supporting him is a deep back catalogue of dope productions and DJ mixes. Pairing up with great vocalist Ayah, they have dropped a free downloadable LP of some nice sample-heavy nu-soul cuts.
Quite a few of the samples will be instantly recognisable to your ears. I rather liked ‘Hold On’.
You can download the album here.
(*Disclaimer: ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ was one of my favourite rap songs in Primary School).
OK, so I know this is another Fonce Mizell post, but Kev Beadle has put together a smashing mix of songs that Fonce touched, and it really does justice to his creative genius (and his brother’s). Beautiful soul-jazz-funk from the likes of Donald Byrd, Bobbi Humphrey, Taste of Honey, Jackson Five, Rance Allen Group, L.T.D., Edwin Starr, and so on.
I only wish there was a download button. 😉
I’m pumping it through the headphones while stuck back at work – feeling the soaring electric synths and bass arrangements characteristic of the ‘Mizell sound’ – as the rain pounds the office windows. This music is hitting the spot …
Today we learnt of the sad passing of Alphonso ‘Fonce’ Mizell – one half of legendary production team ‘the Mizell Brothers’. Along with brother Larry, he was behind a string of monumental hits from the likes of Donald Byrd, Johnny Hammond, Bobbi Humphrey and A Taste of Honey.
Fonce was also part of ‘The Corporation’ – a Motown super production team that wrote and produced all of the Jackson 5’s early hits including ‘ABC’, ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘Mama’s Pearl’.
Amongst other things, the Mizell Brothers were known for giving the synthesizer a promient place in the music of some popular jazz musicians from the 1970s – this is sometimes seen as laying the foundations for the acid jazz and neo-soul movements that would come later.
So here’s one of any number of songs I could have posted to mark his legacy – Donald Byrd’s ‘Think Twice’:
Fly high, Fonce.
One of my favourite 70s soul cuts from the glorious Gloria Scott. ‘What Am I Gonna Do’ appeared on her only full length album of the same name. The LP was produced by none other than Barry White.
Thundercat is one interesting, ah, cat – touring bassist for the likes of Snoop Dog and Eric Benet, collaborator to Flying Lotus, and member of hardcore thrash band, Suicidal Tendencies.
His forthcoming album, The Golden Age of Apocalypse, will feature input from Erykah Badu, J*Davey, and Sa-Ra Creative Partners. If ‘Daylight’ is anything to by, it should be lo-fi sonic pleasure for the mind (wait until the keys kick in – damn!):
Download via Pitchfork.
Filed under Leftfield, Soul, Uncategorized
Banda Black Rio sure knew how to bust out a wonderful groove. The Brasilian funk/samba/soul band was formed in 1976, and over a five album career, became one of Brasil’s greatest exports. However, best to let someone else do the talking – you can find a good bio here.
Expresso Madureira’ was the last song on the B-side of their 1978 album, ‘Gafieira Universal’ – timeless:
Swedish producer Sasac has caught the attention of some tune spotters with his future funk sound. I like the beatless intro that forms part of his remix of Favorite Flava’s ‘VII’. Nice 80s r’n’b sounds. Better still, it’s a free download!
Online music label, Tokyo Dawn, has released another great compilation of soul, jazz, and funk cuts featuring a wide ranging bunch of artists – Diana Krall, Reggie B, Colonel Red and Marc Mac, to name a few.
Whilst it’s a solid compilation all ’round, Kan Sano’s offering stands out. Incredibly catchy and soulful – ‘The Truth’ – is stuck on loop in my head. Check it:
You can cop ‘The Heart 2’ here.
From Austria, comes this gem of an album from Orakel (out on 4Lux). At a time when songs tend to be released more as singles or one-offs, it is reassuring that some continue to keep the full album experience alive.
With ‘When Time Doesn’t Know Itself’, comparisons with earlier work from 4 Hero will be likely – but such comparisons are not unreasonable, nor unwelcome.
The album succeeds in combining beautiful string arrangements and assorted vocalists, with crisp drum patterns and solid production qualities. It is sort of a meeting of yesterday’s and tomorrow’s music. And it works wonderfully.
Highlights include the instrumental nu-jazz flavoured piece ‘Come Closer’, the great vocal pairing of Vilja Larjosto & Anya Stuart over flutes and beeps on ‘When Life Has To Confer’, and the interplanetary keys and broken beats of ‘Interplanetary Jaunt ‘. Of course, I could go on an name another six or seven songs.
You can listen for yourself, via the following album sampler:
Guests include Dwight Trible, Sacha Williamson, Vilja Larjosto and Dorian Concept. Buy this album, now.
Orakel’s soundcloud page.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite soulful house cuts. DJ Spinna just does this better than anyone.
Complete with George Levin’s almost casual delivery and ‘nah nah’ vocal breakdown mid-way through, a sort of bouncy bass line and a gorgeous keyboard solo – it has all the ingredients.
The vinyl is still relatively easy to obtain. Check discogs or your local good record shop.
Did I mention I love DJ Spinna?
mellowblow 