The Promised Land 1977-79 includes the entire Joseph’s Coat of Many Colours LP and seven additional tracks from Dennis Emmanuel Brown’s very own D.E.B. Music label. A stunning set that floored me upon my first listen. Some of the most powerful roots music I’ve ever heard and has been in constant rotation for years. For an artist as prolific as Dennis Brown was, this, in my opinion, represents his work at its peak. Simply extraordinary and simply essential.
A case of confusion in Lamai, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
This shop next to my house is called ‘Ninja Crepes Internet’ and I have no idea why. They do have Internet services available, but, unfortunately, I haven’t seen any ninjas or any crepes or, better yet, any ninjas making crepes. Hopefully it’ll happen though ’cause that’d be beyond awesome.
Rockamovya is an all-star cast of sorts which brings together long time Jazz-heavyweight Will Bernard (Stanton Moore, Dr. Lonnie Smith, T.J. Kirk, John Medeski, Motherbug, and the various Will Bernard combos), the incomparable Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace (Yabby You, The Royals, The Gladiators, Ja-Man Allstars, Burning Spear, The Abyssinians, Augustus Pablo, I Roy and a wealth of other recordings) and Ryan Newman, Marcus Urani and Harrison Stafford of the Cali-based Reggae-Fusion group Groundation. Steppers rhythms combine with inspired jazz-funk licks and a deep-roots sound to create an album well worthy of repeated listening for years to come.
The Robustos were a traditional ska-rocksteady band from Atlanta, GA, USA who I had the supreme pleasure of seeing live on dozens of occasions. Their blend of ska, rocksteady and soul was top-notch and had an enormous influence on my listening ear as their records came to serve as a sort of benchmark for which I’d judge other sounds. The group gigged constantly and always landed the opening spot for national acts that would come through the area making for some very memorable shows in the ATL. Still wish so much that I was around a few years ago for the two-show reunion. These two platters have been spun literally thousands of times and there is no doubt that they’ll receive another thousand spins more in the future. If you’ve never heard of them, do yourself a favor and check out this band that will forever remain very special to me.
Afro-Beat Airways showcases an amazing diversity of local organ-driven Afro-beat, cosmic Afro-funk and raw, psychedelic Boogie rhythms spiced with Afro-American Funk, Soul and Jazz. Find more details about this release here.
Bobby Matos’ favorite selections from his Cubop releases, plus previously unreleased material and some of his collaborations are featured on this overdue retrospective. Guest musicians include Jerry Gonzalez, John Santos, Larry Harlow, Dave Pike and Jack Costanzo.
Recorded in Cologne, Germany, Gentleman’s hometown, at the end of the Runaway tour in the Spring of 2003. While Gentleman’s studio albums are absolutely stellar, this live set really captures the vibe that I love most from this crew. The Far East Band drops the riddims inna fine style and Gentleman rides the riddim in the way that only he can do. Would have been amazing to have been there…or any Gentleman show for that matter. Maybe one day, but for now, I’ll just keep listening to this gem over and over again.
The latest release in the stellar catalog of Gerardo Frisina. More essential vibes from the Italian master of grooves. After digesting nearly everything he has put out, I’m still searching for a weak cut. Solid in every way.
Big ups to Rapidshare for the recent adjustment to their product and pricing model which ended up giving me an additional 28 months of premium service for absolutely nothing extra. Yes, 28 months! For nothing! Holy sweetness.
Seen on the back of someone’s shirt while in line at the store: “Shit Happens…at The SPA Resort”. Intrigued by how a company could not do their homework concerning the meaning of that phrase before putting it on their company shirt, I decided to investigate a bit. Turns out, it is one of the best slogans I’ve come across in a while as The SPA Resort specializes in detox programs. Therefore, shit really does happen. Well executed.
While flippin’ the channels recently I came across the following: Segment on the straight-edge movement on FOX News of all places (the “myFOX Boston logo wasn’t featured on my feed. Had it been I would have been slightly less puzzled, but still very much so). Throwback block of videos on the V channel with Neneh Cherry – “Buffalo Stance“, Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” and Soul II Soul – “Back to Life“. I was hopin’ so much that next up would be Another Bad Creation’s “Playground“, but it wasn’t. Would’ve been choice though. That was my jam in ‘91.
TomTom x Stars Wars = Hilarious. Check the following: Darth Vader and Yoda.
Not sure how I came across this, but for some reason I ended up viewing this video from 50 Tyson. Upon doing so, I almost fell off my chair from laughing. I really don’t know what the fuck to say about this, but just had to call the dude out for being beyond lame. “Right now I’m 16 and then next year I’ll be…..what? Yep. Yeah. Yeah. and then I will be…..what? Remix.” Ha. Ha. Ha. Love the comment that says ‘the only way he’ll be dropping any album is if it falls out of his hands’. Curious as a mother to hear what some wax from this joker would sound like.
Lebron James’ Q&A forum to announce his free agency choice titled “The Decision” was whack to the nth degree. The King has been solid in my book both on the hardwood and off, but, minus the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of America, I can barely think of a positive reason for being the only person in The Association to do such a thing. Ego check BronBron, ego check.
It’s mangosteen and rambutan season in Thailand (and the tropics)! Roi maak maak!
Speaking of Djouls…Definitely do yourself a favor and check out the latest Paris DJs podcast, 21st Century Afro Extravaganza, selected and mixed by him alongside Grant Phabao and featuring a wealth of boss tunes (nearly 4 hours worth!) dug out of their Afrojazz, Afrobeat, Ethio-Jazz, Afro-Funk and Afro-Latin crates. Ridiculously on point…as usual.
Hadn’t served up some bluegrass tunes on the hi-fi in quite some time. Satisfied my fix with some live sounds from one of my favorite groups, the Packway Handle Band from good ol’ Athens, Georgia. The boys have been penning stellar compositions complete with perfect harmonies for years. Pick up this set for a fine example.
Nothing extraordinary, but worth checking out is the latest remix of Mayer Hawthorne’s “Maybe So, Maybe No” done inna reggae stylee. Nice tune, shoulda let Grant Phabao get his hands on it though. Vibe on it.
Refreshing to hear new vibes from Lauryn Hill. Hope it means an album will be delivered in the coming months. Check the latest single titled “Repercussions“.
The Alchemist + Oh No = Gangrene. Upcoming Gutter Water LP is gonna be ill. Check the preview track “Chain Swinging“. Check the platter details here.
Check Oh No’s Dr. No’s Infected Gadget mix done for VTech. Listen below. Download here.
“Jazzcats Crossing the Hudson” is the artwork for the August edition of the Madlib Medicine Show series. Dope take on “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Emanuel Leutze. As usual, anticipating the sounds on this mix.
Cheers to Squat for the heads up on the Les Soirees des Poche featuring Fool’s Gold. Absolutely love the refreshing sounds from this outfit hailing from the City of Angels. L.A. not Bangkok that is. Check it out.
Revisited some boss dancehall vibes that were in heavy rotation back in the day. Wicked vibes that gave me chills when I heard ‘em first and gave me chills all over again. On the hi-fi: Sizzla – “Dem A Try A Ting”, Warrior King – “It’s Been A While”, Junior Kelly – “Rasta Should Be Deeper”, and Glen Washington – “One of These Days”. Run di riddim!
Kai-Jo Brothers are one of my favorite reggae/ska bands in the Land of Smiles. Learn a little bit about them in this interview they did with Trace Magazine.
I’ve been waiting a year or more to post their video for “Mhorlum Rock”. Love the Rockers-inspired story, but it looks like the second part, featuring the song itself, will never arrive. Yo P’ Jo, serve it up! Enjoy the video, take note of the subtle sounds of Delroy Wilson’s “Dancing Mood” in the background and check the last video to hear the song being played live in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Been diggin’ the mento sounds of the Jolly Boys recently. Check their site for some great videos of their songs, but first check the short documentary below to get to know them better. Their latest album, Great Expectations, is due out later this month.
Big ups to Pressure Sounds for continuing to reissue reggae vibes while nearly all others in the business have vanished (Blood & Fire, Hot Pot, Auralux) or have remained disappointingly stagnant (Heartbeat and Trojan). In the golden days, there were too many releases to keep up with. Now, I just hope to see a half-dozen per year. Therefore, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on their release which will feature 19 dub plate mixes recorded by Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry at the Black Ark from 1973-79. Check the preview track “Dub Plate Special“. Niceness guaranteed.
Just picked up the debut album by The Superglasses Ska Ensemble outta Krung Thep, Thailand. I’ve only had some rough live recordings of theirs and have been anticipating hearing their sound polished up. Fantastic vibes on this platter. Well done! To all the fellas, I hope you can make a trip down to the islands to share these vibes in the setting they deserve. Sun, sea, sand and ska! Keep up the great work and hope to meet you some day. Choke dee!
