Liverpool selector Danny Fitzgerald brings us this killer mix of music from 1960′s Caribbean islands and the Americas, swinging calypso from Trinidad, Panama and Brazil, heavy Afro-Latin Tumbélé from Guadeloupe and Martinique, Mardi Gras weirdness from New Orleans, USA, and jumping ska from Jamaica.
All played from the original vinyl, except Dave Bartholomew from fantastic reissue 45 by Jazzman.
For the spotters, the sample before the first track is from ‘Man Piaba’ by Harry Belafonte, released on RCA records.
Land of rolling hills and rolling beats, New Zealand has put itself on the music map over the past few years, with world class productions that have travelled as far as their people. Trailblazing the way, Fat Freddy’s Drop brought dubby soundscapes to crowds across Europe, and heralded in a generation of New Zealand musicians.
BBE is one of the labels that brought the music of NZ to the world. A little over two years ago Auckland based Julien Dyne released ‘Pins & Digits’, supported by the BBC’s Gilles Peterson & Benji B, it kicked off a round of Middle Earth releases with Ladi6, Lady Daisey, Electric Wire Hustle and Benny Tones all joining the family. Round two is now in full swing with Julien’s new album ‘Glimpse’.
Check out this special celebratory mix for Laid Back, selected by TJ-KiD (The True Jazzchild), DJ Vadim and Julien Dyne:
After my last post about Moodymann’s collaboration with Nikki-O, I tried to find out more about the featured vocalist. In 2005, Mahogani Music pressed limited numbers of a self-titled Nikki-O EP that was sold exclusively at gigs. You can find the Discogs listing for the release here, and there are a handful of copies for sale for around £25.
The EP was privately repressed the following year, again in limited quantities, and apparently will never be given a full release. It’s a slept on piece of the Mahogani back catalogue: classic KDJ production with a looped disco samples underpinning panned vocals on ‘Give U Something More’ and delicious poetry floating over deep jazz keys on ‘Flowers In My Bed’.
Nikki-O uses the alias ‘Sky Covington’ and hosts a weekly jam night at Harbor House in downtown Detroit with guest players including Ibrahim Jones on bass and Alex White on drums.
I’m also digging this mix from Fiat Lux that features ‘I’m Watching U’ from the previously mentioned EP.
Last week the Patchwork Pirates – founders of the Earnest Endeavours show on NTS Live – uploaded their last show of 2011 to Mixcloud. Special guest on the show was Gilles Peterson, and he dropped some disco classics as only he knows how.
Starting life as a video mix, the Dopeman has posted the audio of this on his Soundcloud page.
Track List 1. 400 Years Of What – Do What You Like
2. Rasheed Chappell – Ressurection
3. Black Sheep Of The Family – In The Forest (Kenny Dope Mix)
4. Rickey Calloway – Tell Me (Kenny Dope Mix)
5. Manzel – Midnight Theme
6. Soul Severes – I Got It
7. Deloris Ealy – Honey Dripper
8. Soul Excitement – Stay Together
9. Vass Corporation – One More Day
10. Manzel – Space Funk
11. Damn Sam The Miracle Man – Smash Part 2
12. Rasheed Chappell feat. DJ Scratch – Breakloose
I’m really enoying this mix from Dâm-Funk, finally shared in its entirety. He explains:
In 2009, I quietly recorded an ‘all Gospel based, Boogie-Funk’ mix for Stones Throw. That mix was released as one of their many podcast, but was ‘cut down’ due to bandwidth rules on the record labels site. Well, here as I had promised (as a gift for all & after being repeatedly asked by many friends whom connected with my creativity, while on the road, about this full version) is the entire ‘un-edited’ recording to coincide with your holiday seasons festivities & listening pleasures in 2011 & beyond.
| DāM-FunK’s “Spiritual Flight” |
1. NEW JERSEY MASS CHOIR – “Yah Mo B There”
~ 1985 LP | Prelude Records
2. THE MICHAEL JOHNSON SINGERS – “Just A Little Talk”
~ 1984 LP | Plumbline Records
3. TONY COMER & CROSSWINDS – “Part Of You”
~ 1984 LP | Vidcom Enterprises
4. THE RAPPIN’ REVEREND DR. C. DEXTER WISE, III – “I Ain’t Into That” (Short Version)
~ 1986 12″ | Fantasy Records
5. THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP – “I Can’t Help Myself”
~ 1984 LP | Myrrh Records
6. KENNY SMITH – “Trust In Him”
~ 1985 LP | Message Records
7. MICHELLE & FAMILY LOVE – “Happy Song”
~ 1987 LP | Glenn Records
8. RICKEY GRUNDY – “Make Way For Jesus”
~ 1986 12″ | S.W.E. Records
9. MINISTER JEFF JACOBS And The International Praise Gospel Music Workshop Group – “When It’s All Over” (Instrumental)
~ 1988 LP | GosPearl Records
10. ANDRE CROUCH – “Got Me Some Angels”
~ 1984 LP | Light Records
11. EDWIN HAWKINS – “(Reprise) You Gave Your All”
~ 1981 LP | Lection Records
12. GABRIEL HARDEMAN DELEGATION – “I’m Givin’ It Up”
~ 1983 LP | Birthright Records
13. MARY LOVE-COMER – “The Price”
~ 1988 LP | Love Records
14. JON P. KEE – “Happy”
~ 1987 LP | Tyscot Records
15. The DeBARGE FAMILY – “Coming Home”
~ 1991 LP | T.M. Records
16. WATSON BEASLEY – “Dimensions”
~ 1980 LP | Warner Bros. Records
*All ‘original wax pressings’ were used for this mix.
No mp3′s whatsoever were handled.
With supreme respect for ALL beliefs & with love, I humbly present 2 U: “Spiritual Flight” [the complete version, as it was intended for glidin' 2].
The soundtrack to my weekend has been this outstanding selection by Jaysoul, sent to me at the beginning of the month. Opening up with the Barrington Levy classic that I first heard when Theo Parrish was Benji B’s Deviation guest in September, this is a deftly mixed collection of essential soul cuts.
I’ve included the track list below, but try listening first – the element of surprise is what helps make this mix so great.
Track List
Barrington Levy – The Vibes Is Right (RAS Records 1985)
J Dilla – Welcome 2 Detroit (BBE 2001)
J Dilla – Y’all Ain’t Ready (BBE 2001)
Sylvia Striplin – You Can’t Turn Me Away (Uno Melodic 1980)
Dudley Perkins & Jhelisa– Friendly Flowers (Soulclap 2008)
DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah – Make It Last (Not On Label 2011)
Jimmy Abney – Come Go With Me (Yoruba 2008)
Alicia Keys – Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart (J Records 2010)
Mary J Blige – Sweet Thang (Uptown 1992)
Horace Brown – Taste Your Love (Motown 1996)
Isley Brothers – Between The Sheets (Epic 1983)
Robin Thicke – Lost Without You (Interscope 2005)
R Kelly – Your Body’s Calling (Jive 1993)
Notorious B.I.G. – Unbelievable (Bad Boy Entertainment 1994)
Roots Manuva – Witness (1 Hope) (Big Dada 2001)
Dazzband – You Are My Starship (Urbanstar 2003)
Son Of Bazerk – J Dub’s Theme (SOUL Records 1990)
Art & Crafts – Surely (Motown 1990)
Slum Village – Disco (Capitol 2002)
Dwele – Feels So Good (Kock 2008)
Tashan – Read My Mind (Def Jam 1986)
Bernard Wright – Who Do You Love (Manhattan 1985)
Claudja Barry – Love For The Sake Of Love (London 1976)
The Gap Band – Outstanding (Total Experience 1982)
Carroll Thompson – Hopelessly In Love (Carousel 1981)
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Turn Your Lights Down Low (Island 1977)
Tyrone Davis – In The Mood (Columbia 1979)
Eddie Kendricks – Intimate Friends (Motown 1977)
A venue hidden off the beaten track, a terrace overlooking the Thames and twelve hours of the most soulful Southport sounds – yesterday’s SuncéBeat 2 reunion and Southport Weekender 25th Anniversary launch party was one to remember.
Good times were had by all as the family squeezed the last drops of summer from a glorious September afternoon. The sun set and we headed indoors as residents and regulars from event worked their Weekender magic to a smiling Southport dance floor.
Relive the magic and download live sets from the party below:
After the brilliant SuncéBeat 2 and as a warm up for the upcoming Southport Weekender 25th anniversary party in May, we have decided to throw a party in London to get the family together again to catch up, reminisce and have a good old dance as only the Weekender crew know how.
Join us this Saturday 24th September for twelve hours of Southport sounds from 4pm till 4am on a glistening Funktion One sound system.
Line Up
Phil Asher
Kev Beadle
Ronnie Herel
Terry Jones
Sarah Favouritizm
Gavin Kendrick
Martin Lodge
Lil Stevie
The Old Salt Quay
163 Rotherhithe Street
London
SE16 5QU
The Old Salt Quay is a two floor, 600 capacity venue on the south side of the Thames. There is ample parking outside, and the nearest station is Canada Water Rail Station.
BBQ from 4pm (weather permitting)
Bar food available until 10pm
No admission after 1.30am.
Advance tickets are £10 (plus 30p booking fee) available now from Upnorth Promotions on 0844 879 7210 and online here.
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To set the mood for the party, I’ve uploaded the live recording from the Sunday night boat party at SuncéBeat 2.
I was asked to spin on this sailing at the last minute, so a handful of the tunes I dropped appeared in other sets I played over the weekend. Steve Butler’s set is fantastic, finishing up with one of the tunes of the festival. And finally, after an unexpected power cut on the water, almost two hours of relentless soulful house from NYC’s Quentin Harris.
Above the Beaten Track is a festival for the creative grass roots scene of Liverpool. The festival’s philosophy is all about inclusion, not only giving a platform for the hardworking musicians of our city but letting our friends and partners have a hand in running the festival.
Presented by Mellowtone and Beaten Tracks, there were stages hosted by Liverpool Acoustic, Lazy Genius and See the Sound, and culturepool returned once again to add festivities to the day with 2011 marking their 5th birthday.
The Liverpool Record Fair was also running in The Bluecoat that weekend, and this knowledgeable host pulled out some classic albums that I’ve had on regular rotation this week. (Santana’s Inner Secrets and John McLaughlin’s Devotion were both new, mind-blowing discoveries for me.)
I was delighted to be asked to spin the closing set in the bar, selecting from a broader palette than usual for a most appreciative audience. I recorded my set, and you can listen and download below.
Track List
1. Grover Washington Jr. – A Secret Place
2. To Be – Glucklich
3. Modulo Jazz – Toldos Y Su Grupo
4. Moodymann – Technologystolemyvinyle
5. Ed Kelly – Samba
6. Andres – Step To The Side
7. Dudley Perkins – Ill Invasion
8. Simon S – Friendly Flowers
9. Moe Koffman – Days Gone By
10. Adele Sebastian – Desert Fairy Princess
11. Mombasa – Massai
12. Bei Bei & Shawn Lee – Make Me Stronger
13. Flying Lotus – Spicy Sammich
14. Shafiq Husayn – Rebel Soldier
15. Erykah Badu – The Healer
16. Dwight Trible – Is Music
17. Kool & The Gang – Summer Madness
