Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Inside Mi Car


KI Persad & JMC 3veni - Catch Meh Lover 2009

One of my favorite places to both listen and read about music these days is Rizzla's great sex, drugs, and Soca spot, Wasted Youth Sound System. If not for the amazing web of links to both sides of the issue of homophobia in the Caribbean, than for the fact that he shines light on a genre stuck in the dark shadow of Dancehall. I'm gonna leave all that up to him, but I'll go ahead and dive into this Chutney song about catching your woman with another woman. From what I gather this is a big tune among East Indians in Trinidad right now, and it isn't a no-batty man/woman anthem at all but a rather tongue-in-cheek pop song about lesbians. Pretty harmless, basically right between My Girl Got a Girlfriend and I Kissed a Girl but I can't say I've heard anything from the Caribbean that takes on any similar subject in such a lighthearted poppy manner. It's incredibly corny, but I dig the production. The video is a must see especially for the hilarious bubble captions, and if you were worried about KI and his girls sacred bond it all ends up being a dream in the end. His acting makes me think he was actually psyched about it though.

Q:

Photobucket

A: Yes.

Cortando el Bloque


Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto - El Manolo (Rebajado)

DESVIARSE.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Mama Kudi



I spend a lot of my free time watching African pop music videos on the Africa Channel and Youtube, and unfortunately this means a lot of Kuduro videos with amputees from the aftermath of the Angolan Civil War. This video in particular results in mixed emotions, but I find it pretty amazing how brazen these guys are, dancing on top of cars and breakdancing with crutches (and sometimes absent of them). Once again DJ Nays shows up, who's pretty much my favorite producer of late. I know I've made a few wise cracks about lovey dovey genres like Zouk Love and Kizomba, but there is absolutely nothing wussy about this song, which is best in it's class. It serenades without actually saying anything. I've amassed a rather large collection of stuff like this that I've slowly been going through, and I'll touch more on that later.

Beggin' You to Beg Me


Gael Garcia - Quiero Que Me Quieras (Dj Explow Remix) 2009

A Banger remix of a Cheap Trick Cumbia cover. I'm a big sucker for this kind of stuff, and this one really isn't all that corny like some of the karaoke sounding, bad singing kind of stuff. I'm not sure if this is the same Gael Garcia as the Mexican actor, but I'm kind of guessing it's not (see comments).

Gel And Weave It


DJ Chip - Bald Head Scoochie Rat (DJ Hashtee Remix) 2005

This is barely a remix, more of an edit of one of the best DJ Chip tracks by some weird guy in the Swiss mountains(?). I get an image of a guy in a cabin with a big stack of Dance Mania records, but that's probably a bit off. I guess he added a few things, but it's pretty much a compressed version of the original. It's not better, but it is weirder, and maybe a bit more club friendly without the rapping.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

X-Mas In Trinidad


Bindley Benjamin - Santa Lookin for Ah Wife

I generally loathe Christmas music, but Trinidadian Spanish-Catholic caroling music Parang is definitely worth a listen. Have a happy whatever holiday you celebrate.

Juy to the World


Grupo Ju-Juy - Track 2 (from Gigantes De La Cumbia Sonidera 2009)

These guys always have the best synths. Very nasally sounding at times, even though I don't think that is a word you can use to describe electronic instruments. This is from a split CD with Los Deakino that I picked up a block from my house, though most of the Sonidera releases in shops around here come from NYC. I wish I had some local product for you all, but the Cumbia played live in Chicago is usually by a side-tracking Duranguense band.

This song has a name but my CD is in the Midwest while I am on the West Coast, sorry.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Acres of Jamaica in Decatur


Kollosus ft Milla - Want No More (from Kollosal Activity 2009)

Rap music from Atlanta via Jamaica. Both Kollosus and Milla hail from the Caribbean but grew up in Decatur so their accents sound southern with a Kingston twang. I like how much of each side shines in their music, and I like this Kieth Hudsonesque beat quite a bit. Good for hanging out on couches, not so much for essay material but the semi-resistance to assimilate is interesting none the less.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Favela Funkin' With Another Drum


DJ Battery Brain - 808 Volt Mix (Beatapella Mix) (from 8 Volt Mix 12" 1998)

I don't feel like I've given enough love to Brazil so here's a bonus to all the Passinho below. Just like some of the dance moves from the kids in Rio, this record isn't from South America ether. This instrumental version of 808 Volt Mix was a seminal record in the creation of Funk Carioca, that luckily fell into the hands of of the early pioneers. Obviously the music stems from Miami Bass, but for some reason the most commonly used drum loop was from this track before the Tamborzão rhythms became a staple. How it became the Amen Break of Favela Funk? I haven't a clue other than it being of similar taste to stuff like Bass Rock Express, with doper drums. It would make a lot of sense if DJ Battery Brain aka Mark Rodgers was from Miami (which could be possible), but Techno Hop Records was a Los Angeles based label dedicated to local talent like King Tee and Compton's Most Wanted. With little info out there I'd bet like the rest of the roster he's from California.

Little Feet






Johan's recent genre of the week caused me to watch kids dancing on youtube once again. This time around it's kids Jerkin sans skinny jeans to Carioca beats only a teenager could love. Funk Putaria is driven by the same griminess that fuels the other forms of favela funk, but there is something more playful going on especially in the samples and sound palate. I haven't found much of the music by itself to really judge it sonically or separate it from the other genres, but along with it comes a maybe coincidental/maybe not hobby that makes it seem like the kids in Brazil have become enamored by the kids in California. "Passinho" means little feet in reference to Carioca steps and in this case is more living room appropriate than something you should do at a rave. Some of the moves in these videos are basically the same "dip" done to the New Boyz, but done in shorts and tank tops in humid Rio weather. An interesting addition to the phenomenon of worldwide footwork no doubt. Take note of the various Capoeira nods as well, or at least less confrontational ones.

Question: Why are these videos labeled Passinho FODA?

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Stanky Decale



If your like me and have been enjoying Boima's African By The Bay EP, you will dig this too. Nays is the truth, and he fucks with pretty much every major form of African dance music from Zouk to Funana. Not totally uncommon to do that, but dude's got finesse.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Pinnokkio


DJ Dopy - Speedy Megamix 2005

Everything that a Bubbling Battle track should be. Contains Everyone Falls In Love Sometimes by Beenie Man and other sped up goodies for popping and locking, aka the weird dance also known as "Pinnokkio".

I Was In The Hood While You Were Shopping At Whole Foods



A snippet from Lil B's 6 Kiss mixtape (which has a creepy Trevor Brown-looking cover). Lil B raps over a really high pitched sine wave that sounds like something Fennesz made. I don't know how "enjoyable" it really is, but it's good backing proof to Lil B's position as poster-child for the effect the internet has had on the musical youth.

There Ain't No Such Thing as Baltimore House


Tyler Wilcox - Get Your Life! (Soundcloud Link)

Tyler sent over this great mix of early Baltimore 12"s in an email titled "There Ain't No Such Thing as Baltimore House". I definitely agree that what came out of Baltimore especially in the early days was a totally different sound than Chicago, but the title was meant as a correction to my mis-labeling of things, namely that I usually say "Baltimore House" when referring to such. It's not House music, but it's definitely club music, and this is a mistake that I don't imagine many people from Baltimore make. I hear other outsiders make the same error all the time, but there is an easy way to correct your mistakes. Just think of where you would most likely hear the music. In Chicago there is still a big underground wareHOUSE party scene, and we don't like ketchup on our hot dogs. In Baltimore the music started at the CLUB and they eat crab chips. It's as simple as that.

This mix is a real good collection of Baltimore Club music in it's early days, with lots of Big Tony vocals and Frank Ski productions. A lot of scratchy 12 inch dubs that tell the story of pre-internet underground tape swapping and pre-Baltimore remix. Words from the creator: "Growing up in Baltimore, the first underground music I heard were club tapes traded at school. Here is a mix of underground club 12"s I remember from the 90's. Many of my copies came from djs of that era so they're kinda crunchy, enjoy!!"

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Bubbling Battle






Bubbling Battle is the style of Bubbling made for kids to dance to, and it's a small world because it's a ritual similar to Chicago Footwork. It's very much a pop-and-lock dance that goes along with weird DMC sounding mixes, a few of which I've posted recently. Pretty different to the drums-only tracks, and a lot goofier. The mess DJ Moortje left behind is now considered the old school form, and it's been known to piss off Dancehall artists who don't like their music at the wrong speed. I've heard that one of the reasons people enjoyed the change in pitch is that its fast energy fit the demands of the northern Dutch country boys who had enough adrenaline (and drugs) to dance like rabid animals for 10+ hours. Your speed binge wouldn't be disturbed by the constant record changing, because that's all your attention span at that point can handle.

Some More Kuduro


Helder Rei Do Kuduro - Ladies Night (Live)

Super sick live recording of Helder getting buckwild on the mic.

Kuduro Rituals


DJ Nays - Let Me K.O. (from Zouk Et Kuduro 2009)

The head of the Aubervillier Industrial scene using barking demon dog synths to make Kuduro. Really DJ Chuckie sounding on the rave tip too. I think you gotta say his name four times in the mirror before you can listen to this.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

NGUZUNGUZU NU NU


DOWNLOAD

A promo mix for the forthcoming EP and debut NGUZUNGUZU release! I've heard it and can speak for myself, it is some of the best music I've heard this year in any category. This mix is a good representation of the corpse named genre that these guys chewed up and left behind, made possible with both drum pad skills and four well tuned ears.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Country Rap Still Not Kosher



Fuck this rap is dead shit. From the Juicy J and Project Pat Cut Throat mixtape, which is good.

The Art of The Assturn


DJ Kaas - Blanka Battle Beat 2001

Gunshots, G-Funk organs, Bam Bam Riddim, spaceships, and Wu-Tang.

House Music Identity Fraud


Mark Bernard - Kick Off (from Loop Point 12" 1993)

An old House song with way too much phase shift. I understand using pseudonyms for making music, but why on earth do a lot of the Dance Mania guys use "normal" names for their records, that aren't actually theirs? This is Robert Armani before he became the "Big Boss of Techno" and started doing the Hard House thing (something I know absolutely nothing about). No beard scratching to be found here, just fun goofy lo-fi dance music pulled off a shitty vinyl rip.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

I Call It Lemon-Red



This video matches this blog, and Gucci pays $5000 for a cup of juice.

"VERY COMPLICATED"


DJ Nate - S.A.S.

DJ NATE , BEING A VERY CURIOUS AND TALENTED PERSON , HE FOUND A "BOOTLEG WAY TO RECORD LOL" SO THEY DECIDED TO RECORD AND RAP MIXTAPE ON THE SOUND RECOREDER PROGRAM , WHICH APPEARS ON EVERY WINDOWS COMPUTER. WHAT THEY DID , WAS THEY HAD USED A SMALL RADIO TO PLAY THE INSTRUMENTALS , AND USED A COMPUER MIC, TO RECORD THE BEAT AND THEIR VOCALS AT THE SAME TIME "VERY COMPLICATED , BUT THEY MADE IT HAPPENED , COMPARED TO HOW THERE MUSIC SOUNDS NOW , THAT WAS WEEK BACK THEN LOL!, BUT NOW, ANYTIME THEY NEED TO RECORD , THEY ATTEND DIFFERENT STUDIOS , AND RECORD BOOTS TO MAKE STREET POERTY , AND AS FAR AS NEW INSTRUMENTALS , DJ NATE , AND DJ PRODIGY MAKES MAGICAL BEATS , I MEEN THE REAL DEAL BEATS THAT RAPPERS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WOULD LOVE TO PURCHASE FOR A HIT SONG, ENUFF SAID , "GET IT SQUAD WE THA FUTURE"

Thursday, December 03, 2009

2 Years Ago...


UGK - Tell Me Something Good Original Version (from The Southern Way Cassette 1992)

Sensi Addicts Only


Vybz Kartel - Weed (Gutter Riddim 2009)

I recently started paying more attention to the Riddims from the other islands in the Caribbean and this one out of Grenada is solid. Something about the down tuned xylophone with the muted dying trumpet sort of suspend things in time, like a snippet of Carnival caught in a tape loop. Vybz vibes pretty well with things, and his performance seems to be over a slightly bolder mix. Bunji Garlin's Mad Carnival is worth hearing too, but we're a few months too early for that.

Karizmatic


Karizma - Neccessarry Maddness (from Mind of It's Own vol 2 2009)

I've slept hard on Karizma, and it's a shame because his absence in my life has attributed to my grumpiness towards Baltimore House music in 2009. Which is to say, a general boredom with hearing too many lazy remixes and not enough fresh material to peak my interest. Karizma produced one of the weirdest early Bmore singles (Blow the Whistle) that I've always held close, but I was unaware of his recent productivity until a few months ago. His music goes along way and in this particular instance I'm excited to hear the Sing Sing Break used in a techy manner. This one cuts like a Disco Edit on the grown side of things, a definite floor mover that won't spill your drink.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Acordeões


Kodé Di Dona - Seis Anus Na Tarrafal (Cap-Vert: Kodé Di Dona's Funana 1995)

Really beautiful earlier Funana song that I've been listening to a lot lately. This was on Ocora, one of my favorite labels ever. Love finding this stuff used for dirt cheap in shops, don't love owing the Harold Washington library late fees.

Clean Like Dish Detergent


DJ Pillsbury - Swag Surfin (Juke Remix) 2009

So aggressive it's pretty much a Footwork remix. Just barely daytime radio-friendly, though I've heard DJ Nehphis play it before.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Now Streaming:


photo via Wayne&Wax's flickr

An INTENSE three hour long Kingdom live set on Ustream.

Whooditech



This isn't so out of the ordinary as far as Ghettotech goes, but almost every track from this guy seems to be based on a sample by a New Orleans rapper. I mean the vocals are in the same Detroit tradition and cars aren't an uncommon theme, (see DJ Assault - My Caddy) but it's surprisingly uncommon to come across "unoriginal" material in this environment. The music wasn't birthed from a sample like Bmore, therefore has different responsibilities. There are even some DJs who frown upon this method, and while a lot of Ghetto House/Tech lyrics are written in less than 5 minutes, I'm partial to the raspiness of Slugo's baritone, neighborhood kid choirs, and Assault's lisp. I would rather get some Katey Red or Chev up on something like this, but Mannie Fresh works out out OK in the end.

I'm not morally against putting an mp3 up since I can't find any legitimate places to buy this (released on Thorn Entertainment, a tiny subsidiary of the Twilight 76 web that exclusively put out AJ McGhee records), I just don't have one.