djpelau@swaggerlifestyle.com

…drips to sip…

By dj pelau

Ratings:

5Star (St. Regis) – King George V, Gran Patron Platinum, 1775 Sherry Massandra wine

4Star (Waldorf Astoria) – JW Blue label, Patron Silver, 1800 Silver, 1919 Angostura rum

3Star (Westin) – JW Green label, 1800 tequila Reposado, good mojitos + caipirinhas

2Star (Best Western) – JW Black label, typical Bacardi & Coke, Heineken, apple martini

1Star (Motel 6) – JW Red label, Jack Daniels or free water at the bar from tap!

refills!

INCOGNITO, Transatlantic R.P.M. (Shanachie)

Menu: classic R&B, acid jazz, soul, funk…

Tastes like: a band of veteran singers n’ musicians that revive live acid jazz, soul n’ funk!

Ingredients: Anything Chaka Khan is a part of, is worth listening to, and Incognito front-man Jean Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick, after 30 years in the music game, knows this too well as he ropes her in to lead off the LP on “Lowdown” which incorporates Boz Scaggs’ classic of the same title, and also features Italian singer Mario Biondi, who adds his deep, baritone vocals alongside Chaka’s. Thank God for groups like Incognito and Bluey leading the way, reviving a genre – that being Acid Jazz – that is beyond me on how it just sort of fell out of the limelight. On “1975” sang by Joy Rose, and “Life Ain’t Nothing But A Good Thing” sang by Vanessa Haynes, you’ll have a chance to jump back into the excellence of how much soulful delight and jazzy funk the genre oozes, restoring memories of past bands such as The Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai, James Taylor and others. Bringing his soulful house-like vibe onto the LP is Tortured Soul’s Christian Urich singing on “Let’s Fall in Love Again,” and also designed for putting expert dancers on the floor again is, “Put a Little Lovin’ in your Heart” sang by Tony Momrelle. This LP is proof that bands and great musicians joining together for recordings, and not just for live performances, make a necessary difference to the listener. My only wish after hearing this is if Barry or Teddy were still alive, they’d be perfect to bless us on some of these gems!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

OCEANA, Love Supply (Ultra Music)

Menu: retro-soul, swing, reggae, nu jazz…

Tastes like: a singer coming face to face with multiple episodes of love’s ups n’ downs!

Ingredients: Recorded in NYC, and brewed over the years from Oceana’s life experiences throughout her world travels, together with being German-born, French-raised and with a Caribbean background, she expels any notion that her versatility is concocted. Her lead single, “Cry Cry” is instantly and soulfully infectious, while telling a story of a manipulated girl in love for the first time, crying on the inside yet pushing on for the sake of saving face. Could it be her own story she’s telling? Possibly? Let’s find out, since on other titled songs such as the pop-filled, reggae-soul of “Fucked Up Situation” and the crucial, vintage rub-a-dub of “He Says,” Oceana seems to sing from so deep within, it’s hard to think she’s replicating or merely just singing ‘words’ that signify such a painful yearning to escape reality. Painted in red, gold and green, the latter is the ultimate track on the LP, but that’s not to say other solid, timeless grooves ready to satisfy any listener craving for meaning to their own lives, isn’t present. With other songs such as “La La,” “Until I See Your Face” and “Baby Hold On,” Oceana really offers up her heart for a transplant necessary for those who need a donor (you know who you are)…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

QUADRON, Quadron (Plug Research)

Menu: Euro-lounge, electronica, nu soul, nu funk, downtempo…

Tastes like: a soulful soundtrack to a visual (in animation) fairytale based in Denmark

Ingredients: Quadron are Robin Hannibal (who you might remember as half of Owusu & Hannibal) and singer, Coco O. So you might already envision their sound, which has to fit in the word ‘graceful’ when seeking out any description. Nothing here is too up-tempo or too energetic. Picture instead, being surrounded by comforting pillows, baby colors and scents of freshness together with beds of blossoming flowers as melodies from Hannibal’s productions and harmonies sung so gently by Coco O on tracks such as “Slippin” and “Day”, help you imagine an unreal, picturesque world. Their lead single, “Pressure” is a little different to the fairytale, with its fillet of retro-soul style of horns and Coco O’s vocals wrapped around the gospel-swing pianos of benevolence. I could see MLK smiling down on Quadron for this one. Overall though, there’s a true minimalist approach to Hannibal’s productions throughout the LP, as his synthesizer-injections prick away at your audiovisual senses on “Horse” and the grooviest offering on “Average Fruit” that bares the vocal chords of Coco O so nakedly, it’s a wonder this sexy album isn’t shelved next to your condoms and cannabis, instead of in your CD rack…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

ELI “Paperboy” REED, Come And Get It (Capitol)

Menu: retro-soul, classic R&B

Tastes like: a 1960s time machine from Detroit reactivated 12 NEW soulful 45” singles

Ingredients: Although Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed drops his major label debut here for Capitol Records, he’s already put out two previously released LPs independently, first his Sings Walkin’ and Talkin’, and then the other Smash Hits! Keeping his buzz alive in the past from playing in a Boston high school band, to spaces as far removed as a Mississippi Delta juke joint, Eli even followed up with another LP, Roll With You, which is the LP that got him nominated at the 2009 MOJO Awards for ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’. And his brand new LP, where his title track has a hailstorm of horns throughout, with pauses and breaks that expose Eli’s raw howls and screams! Under his powerfully belting vocals, the bass line patterns (probably designed by album producer Mike Elizondo) complete a formula that easily gets his sound compared to an era of soul where legends such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Sam Cooke did the Chitlin’ Circuits. On the opener “Young Girl,” or on others like “Name Calling” and “Help Me,” it’s almost ticklish to hear his singing tones then conceptualize that this Elvis Presley-looking crooner is behind those rich, gritty and bluesy vocal notes. This in itself might even positively contribute to Eli’s magnetic, drawing recipe for amazed fans, especially in the U.S., where race is still always such a ‘deciding factor’. But for an avid listener of good music, specifically good soul, it’s the gifted talent he displays and orchestrated musicianship on cuts like the self-reflective “Just Like Me” and the relationship-counseling he gives from his own experience on “Pick Your Battles,” that’ll make all the difference to those who hear and feel spirit before seeing skin color.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Reggae Gold 2010 (VP)

Menu: dancehall, ragga-hip hop, lovers rock, alternative-roots…

Tastes like: the summer soundtrack of 2010’s top shottas in the dancehall-reggae arena

Ingredients: From the opener’s knocking piano notes introducing you to this Reggae Gold compilation, it’s no surprise that Gyptian’s “Hold You” jam leads off the CD to get dancefloors in cities from Berlin, to Kingston in an automatic frenzy. Ding Dong on “Holiday” over the ultimate poolside, smoothed-out hip hop groove paint the joys of the sun shining down on the many colors of people outdoors from the beaches, to the BBQs, to the parades and festivals, who’re all trying to put two smiles on one face. When Vybz Kartel ties up his laces on his “Clarks” and steps out with his crew of Popcaan & Gaza Slim, you know you’re in that zone where it’s time to forget your overdrawn balances, over-the-limit credit card charges and just wiggle, glide and wine up, or even jump-up to the positive energies of Nas & Jr. Gong on their collaborative “As We Enter” for culture’s sake. There’s a lot more in store to get you waving your flag, from Shaggy & Tessanne Chin’s “Never Let Me Go,” to Major Lazer’s “Hold the Line” feat. Mr. Lex & Santigold, to even more mellow, romantic lovers rock cuts such as “Sweet Love (Night Shift)” by Busy Signal, “Happy Heart” by Etana and “Hold My Hand” by none other than, Mr. Sean Paul.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

CHIDDY BANG, Opposite Of Adults EP (Virgin/EMI)

Menu: hip-hop, electro, grime, pop-rap…

Tastes like: kids steered in a direction to push hip-hop towards a richer, futuristic sound

Ingredients: Even though this Philly-based duo first broke ground and really commanded the airwaves in the UK, thanks to the opening title track’s success there, now as other bangers from this EP seep into the airwaves, clubs and become downloadable through the bloggosphere, hopefully they’ll start to enjoy similar success in the U.S. Chiddy’s witty, direct and even clear politically conscious flow on tracks such as “Sooner or Later” and “Dream Chasin’” together with their crisp, electronic-edgy beat productions that’ll make other groups like The Clipse or LMFAO ejaculate, make them destined to become if not a household name, definitely a ‘dorm-room’ favorite.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

SHANE ELI, The Push (Dilettunes)

Menu: organic hip-hop, alternative hip-hop…

Tastes like: an underground rapper rising unnoticeably towards a bright pop potential

Ingredients: Based in the ‘City of Angles’ and standing quite tall like a Lakers superstar, Shane Eli’s primary focus on his debut here, seems to be to remind listeners of his unapologetic, unashamed ethnic mix of being half-black/half-white. But more importantly, it’s his unique body of experiences along the way to this day that’s really what’s shared here. Take his lead single, “Grey Area,” which seems to be autobiographical in nature and similar to another one titled “Poor Me,” where it’s probably going to take Shane working on another LP to sort of get this present focus out his system. But for now, it shows his depth and the meaningful thought-process behind who Shane Eli is, as he introduces himself to the music world. With the title track and “Happiest Regret,” Shane comes across armed with lyrical content from the heart, making it easy for the listener to be inspired, feel a close relation to the music’s message and not in a ‘$2 million in 30 days’ way like what others boast. Even though some songs, especially in production fall short, if he’d adopted the ‘less-is-more’ approach to making this LP with less songs, we’d have gotten to enjoy “I Wonder” and “Departure” coming near the end much sooner. Although some might say, it was actually worth the wait.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

BUSY SIGNAL, D.O.B. (VP)

Menu: hardcore dancehall, ragga-salsa, rub-a-dub, lovers rock…

Tastes like: one of the most consistent chart-topping newcomers in the dancehall arena

Ingredients: Well, when you have dancehall living legend Bounty Killer (yes I said it!) as your mentor, and hailing from The Alliance camp surrounded by other artists such as Elephant Man, Mavado and Wayne Marshall, it shouldn’t surprise you that Busy Signal stays ‘top 10’ and consistently at that, soon after he exploded on the scene in 2005. After his 2008 debut LP, Loaded, he drops his ‘autotuned’ vocals all over this new LP, armed with his smash cover “Sweet Love (Night Shift)” of The Commodores-fame, and it’s undeniable with the way his vocals match the perfect blend of soul and reggae. Moving away from this mellowness though, Busy Signal comes ruff n’ rugged on “Yes Dawg” and the genre-bending “Busy Latino,” a track that’ll definitely get maximum spins from me this summer and every summer thereafter even! When Busy joins his mentor Bounty Killer on “Summn’ A Guh Gwaan,” the 2010 Sumfest honoree roars his big bold vocals calling out the government and with his gruff voice, frightens authorities into listening attentively by the time Busy hops on for the 2^nd verse to defend against the horrid affairs in the ghettos throughout Jamaica. Lyrical artillery never depreciates in Busy Signal’s onslaught for tracks such as “Nuh Fraid” over a riddim raw enough to cause a curfew on the Kingston streets, or even as he slowly blows circles of marijuana smoke over an acoustic, global anthem “Peace Reign” and fights bare fisted on his a cappella “Nuh Boy Caan Buy Wi Out”!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

LEELA JAMES, My Soul (Stax)

Menu: R&B, beat-driven modern soul

Tastes like: a veteran soul singer, armed with rich ‘Stax’ of old and new productions

Ingredients: This is one of those R&B LPs that to me, never dies. Why? Because primarily, you can feel the raw, authentic intensity in Leela James’ vocals expressing from her heart, tribulations that drives her to create titles to songs such as “Ain’t New to this” defending her right to being top-notch soul singer because of the struggles she’s overcome by paying her dues in the soul circle around the globe. When the “Lovely Way She Loves” by The Moments sample rolls in, Leela’s recreation on “The Fact Is” unravels so warmly, it takes one back and makes one truly feel her pain, or reflect on one’s own. This is what soul is supposed to do, not make one fall into a stupid distraction on luxury, styled-outfits and ridiculous hairdos! Leela’s direct and sometimes feisty outtake on life gives the true entertainment, like on “I Want it All,” where her long-ass grocery list of life’s ‘wants’ is enough to empty God’s nearest supermarket. Too many brilliant songs to all mention, other standouts that’ll make songwriters and artists from the past such as Marvin Gaye, Billie Holiday and Curtis Mayfield nod in approval, include “Party All Night,” “Mr. Incredible – Ms. Unforgettable” feat. Raheem DeVaughn and “Tell Me You Love Me,” all songs rich in chocolate and without an expiration date in tasting her soul…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

ROOTS MANUVA, Roots Manuva Meet Wrong Tom (Big Dada)

Menu: rub-a-dub, toasting, UK hip-hop, ragamuffin n’ skanking soul…

Tastes like: a tropical onslaught of old skool rub-a-dub and UK/Jamaican lyricists

Ingredients: The artwork alone done by legendary artist, Tony McDermott is enough to lure you into grabbing this LP off the shelf, just out of mere curiosity. Roots Manuva’s lyrics from some of his classic songs spanning four of his past albums, together with a couple newly recorded ones here, get a re-treatment by producer/DJ Wrong Tom who perfectly matches his ital vibes of cultural rub-a-dub riddims to lay under Roots Manuva’s flowing vocals on “Worl’ A Mine,” or when Manuva pairs with Seanie T on “Big Tings Redone”. This is a good schooling in deejay ‘bizness’ (not to be confused with DJ business aka turntable culture), where lyrics and mic dexterity gets a full shine of light by the likes of guests such as Ricky Ranking on “Jah Warriors” and “Dutty Rut,” two tracks he joins Roots Manuva for, almost exhausting any more options for words to rhyme to. But Roots Manuva has the last laugh, and on the last track “Motion 82” he takes any challenging emcee to ‘Rhymes 101’ class!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Tribute to a Reggae Legend (Putumayo)

Menu: world beat, acoustic reggae, covers, adult contemporary, folk…

Tastes like: morning tunes brewing out of a beachside coffee shop run by the Marley’s

Ingredients: I remember a time when cyberspace riots of protests and arguments would automatically begin whenever there were upcoming releases slated to cover Bob Marley’s material. Some thought it an act of sacrilegious sabotage and so on, holding onto Bob’s music like it was their exclusive toy to control. Some even resented at Bob’s own family’s decisions when it came to his music. Such a shame on these haters! On this LP, nearly 30 years after Bob Marley’s death at age 36, the global celebration of bringing artists such as Three Plus (from Hawaii) to cover “Is this Love” or Ceu (from Brazil) to cover “Concrete Jungle,” silences any backward mindset I’d mentioned, welcoming instead the continuity of Bob’s great works via the many vessels of artists that all inherit his majestic influences. The stand out cuts here include “Sun is Shining” covered by Rocky Dawuni (from Ghana), the soothing “Waiting in Vain” covered by Northern Lights feat. Jonathan Edwards (from USA) and the intoxicating “Africa Unite” covered by Freshlyground (from South Africa), combining their Afro-fusion of African folk, kwela and jazz, that easily could have been an anthem for championing on teams representing the ‘center of the earth’ for the 2010 World Cup. Bob Marley, a big football fan, would himself be proud, and with his ‘Zol’ in hand, he’d possibly return the favor singing a famous South African hook from BLK JKS that goes, “I can roll and shoot at the same time!”

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

KELIS, Fleshtone (Interscope)

Menu: techno, trance, dance, R&B, electro-breaks

Tastes like: a glamorous yet soulful display of singing over high-octane dance and techno

Ingredients: Since when did the world fall in love so ‘hard’ with such an over saturation of dance/techno/electro productions? And by the world – I specifically mean the R&B and even the hip-hop world? It’s almost so POP now! Kelis is testament to folks’ taste buds and fans that used to confuse House music (sometimes even scorn it) with ‘dance’ or ‘techno’, now all of a sudden have a palette for it now? Maybe after the likes of Lady Ga Ga, Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas), Akon, Ne-Yo and even Diddy hypnotized the mainstream airwaves and clubs leaving them no choice, Kelis was smart enough to jump on it. Kelis has always been a trendsetter, but thanks to Nas, it’s fair to say because of her pregnancy, she got a somewhat late start on churning out these 8 dancefloor explosions, lead of course by her chart-topping “Acapella” produced by David Guetta and remixed by everyone with a protocols kit! If you do already possess that sensibility to electronic music, particularly techno, dance or even house, there’s not much trouble getting into (or getting down to) “22^ND Century,” “4^TH of July,” her second release produced by DJ Ammo, and “Home”. Kelis really drops and digs out that soul of hers – milkshake style – on “Scream” and then she solidifies this LP as definitely one of 2010’s most intriguing when she raises the roof on my ultimate, “Emancipate” produced by Benny Benassi, a sure way to do some damage on those speakers!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

SANDRA ST. VICTOR, Sandra St. Victor Presents: At My Spheres EP (SSV)

Menu: nu soul, nu funk, house, brokenbeat…

Tastes like: a seasoned, familiar R&B voice over the new rules of future soul beats…

Ingredients: These days, as the world seems to be happily coming closer, connecting us all faster with the help of the Internet and speedy technological progress, artists have no choice but to diversify and adjust to things they may not have been prepared or accustomed to in the past. Sandra St. Victor, vocalist extraordinaire behind The Family Stand’s “Ghetto Heaven” smash of yesteryear, unleashes Part I of a five-part EP series, produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe. The title track sees Sandra gracefully stain her soul upon the nu funk flavors and sees her career take on a new edge, resurging and re-launching a new sound by her past standards, revitalizing dancefloors of today through other swanky brokenbeat productions by Mark on “Cosmos” and a Souled Remix of the same track, the 1^st EP’s best delivery that’ll shake the exclusive underground scenes from near and far into heavenly submission once again…look out for a continued series of EPs promised to use the likes of David Hollister, Nona Hendryx, Lalah Hathaway and Vernon Reid of Living Color.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

HEATHER JOHNSON, The Sweetest Gift (King Street Sounds)

Menu: soulful house, house remixes

Tastes like: how soulful vocals – graceful or energetic – should compliment house music

Ingredients: Lead female vocalist of Ananda Project, Heather Johnson gives you The Sweetest Gift wrapped up by some of the best house music producers/remixers on the planet. Many of the songs here are from her debut solo LP, Happiness, but what’s new is that they’re remixed, with sometimes two different takes on a track such as “Home (TOL Vocal  Remix)” and “Home (Tomo Inoue Sundae Lounge Mix)” for example, the latter being more mellow and organic than the powerful club push of the former. If you’re a house head, don’t even bother reading further, just go grab this early Xmas present, including 19 winning house tracks such as “Breaking Down (Louie Vega’s King Street Break Down Mix)” which powers a bass line that will have Brothers Johnson’s Louis shaking his head to and ‘fro’! Excellence is the theme to keep in mind for her classic “Kiss Kiss Kiss (Feliciano Classic Vocal),” and on “Jazz (Sunday Morning) (Steal Vybe Sub Atlantis Main Mix)” which totally gets reworked here, it’s sounding like one of those killer tunes that makes you change your mind from exiting the club when it’s already 5am in the morning! When Heather glides her flawless, soulful and unforced style into other remixes like “Love Alive (Ezel’s Remix)” and Sade’s cover of “Love Is Stronger Than Pride (Dolls Combers Main Mix)”, the magic is almost as natural as the cute dimples carved within her cheeks. Feel her sexiness all over this LP, which includes a non-stop bonus mix by Japan’s DJ Kawasaki who caps off this collection, as if there weren’t enough gifts already wrapped inside of this house music blessing…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

GYPTIAN, Hold You (VP)

Menu: sexy dancehall, lovers rock, roots-reggae

Tastes like: a melodic and harmonious, sweet-as-cane-sugar side of sexy dancehall-reggae

Ingredients: The timing on the release of this LP by Gyptian couldn’t be better, as his 2010 dancehall anthem and summer smash, “Hold On” of the same title held down the Billboard Reggae Singles’ #1 for more than two months! Specifically aimed at his female fans, Gyptian who usually in the past took the conscious ‘Rastafarian’ route, this time dashes off his red, gold and green robe, replacing it with a three-piece suit singing songs such as “Beautiful Lady” and rides over old skool riddims on “Call Gyptian” and “All in You” to try to win him a wife. But his quality of singing might only win him a few one-night stands! Better at bridging the deejay style of toasting blended with singing melodies (better known as ‘singjaying’), Gyptian will definitely keep the girls coming back for more and more if he follows up his smash title track hit with the LP’s strongest tonic, “Nah Let Go” produced by Jon ‘FX’ Crawford, undoubtedly packing a riddim (similar to Tony ‘CD’ Kelly’s “Buy Out” riddim) that will see a heap of deejays and singers begging to flow over. But it’ll be hard to top Gyptian’s flow though, because he has the right glue on this one and on others such as “Rendezvous” and “So Much in Love,” sees a trailer load of girls, girls, girls stuck closely in front and behind him…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

ANDREYA TRIANA, Lost Where I Belong (Ninja Tune)

Menu: organic soul, folk, downtempo

Tastes like: less-is-more when baring one’s soul through the acoustics and strings of life

Ingredients: Usually featured as a guest on many other people’s own records (Flying Lotus, Bonobo, Mr. Scruff), this time around here, Andreya Triana gathers up her best 9 tracks, has producer Bonobo as the sole man behind the boards by her side, and the result is the definition of ‘unpretentiously pretty’. Violins on “Draw the Stars” pierce through, drawing on feelings and opening up one’s imagination as Andreya sings like that songbird that never once disappointed you. On the title track, by far the LP’s strongest, the guitar-licks are simple, yet designed to keep your head nodding, as the rhythm against her vocals rock it up nicely, carrying the perfect weight for you to listen clearly. This is one of those LPs you pop in to soothe your mood, clear the hectic pace and state of your life using “Darker Than Blue” and “X” as your aids traveling towards the beach, just anticipating getting to sink your toes into the sand…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

LEE “SCRATCH” PERRY, Revelation (Megawave)

Menu: dub poetry, electro-dub, roots-reggae…

Tastes like: spoken-word poetry from an insane old man (very seldomly) making sense

Ingredients: Insanity definitely has its benefits, especially for Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, an artist/producer/engineer/performer and character that helped pioneer and shape dub reggae, not to mention, also produced for Bob Marley. Not many can compare or boast of his historical accomplishments in music, but on this LP, anyone can do lyrically what Perry does over most of these tracks here, produced by himself and UK multi-instrumentalist Steve Marshall (together with guest musicians such as Keith Richards and George Clinton appearing). Sporadic, simplistic and most of the times, straight up crazy and comedic, songs with titles like “Used to Drive a Tractor in Negrille” and “Holy Angels” bring one to think, just what type of high grade does Perry smoke in his mountain-top studio in Switzerland?!? I’d admit, some of these rub-a-dub productions on others such as “Money Come and Money Go,” “Psalm” and “Run for Cover” do ripple an enjoyable reggae bass line and the right amount of reverb to keep your head nodding, but unless you’re witnessing a live show from the ‘Scratch’ man, it’s somewhat impossible to seriously sit through and listen to this old man freestyle poetry (most of the time not even rhyming) worse than your average 3-year old kid, or compose illogical phrases on par with your intoxicated street corner wino.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

shots n’ more shots!

(OTHER LPs I’m listening, spinning and closing my eyes to…in delight!)

JEREMY MESSERSMITH, The Reluctant Graveyard (Jeremy Messersmith)

THE ROOTS, How I Got Over (Def Jam)

GOTHAM GREEN & QUICKIE MART, Haze Diaries Vol. 3 (Super Mart Produce)

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Louie Vega @ Dragon-i (King Street Sounds)

MAJOR LAZER, Lazers Never Die EP (Mad Decent/Downtown/Interscope)

FRANK NITT, Jewels in my Backpack (Delicious Vinyl)

JAMMER, Jahmanji (Big Dada)

FLORE, RAW (Bochit & Scarper)

JANAKA SELEKTA, Pushing Air (Chaiwalla’s Boombox)

AMAD-JAMAL, Barely Hangin’ On: The Chronicles of a Brotha Like Rodney King (Urban Empire/ABB)

HORACE ANDY, Serious Times (Minor7Flat5/Groove Attack)

FREEWAY, The Stimulus Package (Rhymesayers Entertainment)

JUVENILE, Beast Mode (UTP/E1 Music)

JYOTI, Ocotea (Someothaship)

ROMAIN VIRGO, Romain Virgo (VP)

SEU JORGE & ALMAZ, Seu Jorge & Almaz (Now-Again)

DEAN & BRITTA, 13 Most Beautiful: Songs For Andy Warhol’s Screen Test (DF)

# # #

djpelau@swaggerlifestyle.com

BIG GULPS!

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Sixteen F**king Years of G-Stone Recordings (G-Stone)

The brainchild and success of its two founders Peter Kruder and Richard Dorfmeister (of Kruder & Dorfmeister, Peace Orchestra, Tosca fame), G-Stone Recordings from Vienna, Austria over the last 16 years throughout the European electronic music scene and armed with some of these memorable, ‘cuss-free’ classics here, has been quite a remarkable and consistent story. Since 1995, when the term and concept of ‘electronica’ seemed hard to grasp, through new artists such as Marsmobil on her lounge-like “Patience,” or Makossa & Megablast on their chill-out grooves on “Coming Home” featuring the extra-soulful Hubert Tubbs, fans were starting to abandon traditional mainstream radio programs and tap into what a lot of fed-up DJs, underground/alternative stations and the birth of public internet had to offer. These are two tracks off Disc One of this 2-CD release, and providing more of this wave of change then, were independent creative artists such as Sugar B, who on the downtempo track “Love You Anyway,” spits some subtle Jamaican patois, and on the more danceable house music and funk of Rodney Hunter’s “Tell Me,” these songs of yesteryear still sound ripe and fresh today on this compilation. On Disc Two, Marsmobil again brings her mellow, lounge landscape on “Magnetizing” immediately reminding you of the groups like Air, Bonobo, Zero 7 or Sebastien Tellier with its laid back guitar-strumming and trip hop, looped grooves. Constantly pushing the peddle on blending or combining elements of ragga, hip-hop, jazz and soul into the electronic underbelly of productions, the G-Stone label through Makossa & Megablast’s “Rip it Up” featuring Ras T-Weed, the classic from Voom:Voom on “Best Friend” and one of my favorite artists off the roster, Stereotyp on “Keeping Me,” surely opened up my mind to how so many varied genres can work so perfectly together – once electrocuted of course.

SHAWN LEE, Sing A Song (Shanachie)

If you just popped this CD in or downloaded it, you’d think it was definitely a compilation after listening throughout. Featuring songs, artists and musicians, but all under the direction of one producer/artist Shawn Lee (and his Ping Pong Orchestra), the soul of the 1960s and 1970s is a reoccurring theme widespread, but I’ll have to remind you, these are all newly produced, newly recorded tunes, even though when “It Takes Two” sang by Marcus Malone who hails from Detroit, starts to play, you’ll think Shawn Lee hijacked a master reel from the Motown Records vault to use as the music on this one. There should be a warning sticker on this LP that reads in bold, ‘NEW SONGS DESPITE THE RIDICULOUS NOSTALGIC SOULFUL FEEL’ because when the rhythms start knocking on “Who are you?” sang by San Francisco’s Bing Ji Ling, just the dirty tones, funky horns and wah wah guitars take you back to a typical jam sessions of bands like The JB’s and others. Some lighter, more beach-like, spacey and acoustic tracks like “Fade Up” by The Superimposers, the melancholy “Meadow in the Summer” by Paul Fryer and “I’ll Just Wait a While” by Lee himself, identical to the feel of songs from Stee Downes’ All In A Day release of 2009, diversify the feel of the LP. But with the non-aggressive, patient funk on “Fading Light” featuring Lord Large and sang by blind street performer/songwriter Robert Bradley (Lackawanna Blues) and “Christopher Walken on Sunshine” by Princess Superstar, the lone rap on this release, I’d say cornbread, grits and fried catfish (don’t forget the hot sauce!) has been more a part of Shawn Lee’s diet, than blueberry muffins and lattes.

EYE DROPS!

FAVELA ON BLAST (Mad Decent)

With hip-hop and dancehall-reggae artists being the first of comprehensive, highly-influential youth movements in the modern world of popular music, it wasn’t surprising to see other cultures throughout the globe adopt and adjust their own languages, traditions and customs, recreating subgenres calling it something totally new as their own. Through the music, Favela On Blast, the directorial debut from American DJ/Producer Diplo, and his Brazilian partner, Leandro HBL, documents the youths of Brazil who offer their vibrant version of underground music from their ghettos, better known as Favelas. Filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 2005-2006, the music is called Funk Carioca and of course its creation injects into it, a piece of Brazilian music, but the root also embodies American 1980s funk, Miami Bass, loops and samples orchestrated by DJs, organized sound-systems, and dictated by dances from dancers, and emcees with names like Tigrona, Mr. Catra, Deize, MC Gorila, DJ Grandmaster Rafael and many others, who unveil after 20 years in the making, the sometimes violent, raunchy, sexy and definitely LOUD audiovisual heartbeat of their youthful and impoverished world…

Peep the link HERE!

OTHER DVD RECOMMENDATIONS

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT – The Radiant Child (Arthouse Films 2010)

Check the links HERE AND HERE!

djpelau@swaggerlifestyle.com

BIG GULPS!

SHARON JONES & The DAP KINGS, I Learned The Hard Way (Daptone)

I don’t know where, how and at what point bands/artists can come up with creating songs with such perfect twists, turns and patterns that touch on your emotions, almost like they could read into exactly what your heart’s hurting on. Ladies? Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings know what the fuck soul is about PERIOD. And after listening to Sharon Jones grab the mic and pour out of her soul and heart, pure honesty from deep within without shameless pride, you’ll know she’s been in quite a bit of pain – so much that in one hurtful song, “If You Call,” she suggests to the doctor to cut her heart out, but possibly leave just a little piece in, just incase her baby (who’s she’s obviously still hopeful for loving) decides to call her back. From the opener, “The Game Gets Old,” to the title track, The Dap Kings orchestrate the quintessential soulful landscape of slow-to-mid tempo grooves, filled with rich horns, flutes, strings and God-given grace to accompany Sharon’s incredible display of knowing how to belt out crying emotions without sounding pathetic, weak or sorry for herself. Things are looking up after all, as she takes a stance after too much pain to bare, on tracks such as “Better Things” and “Window Shopping,” where seemingly liberated, she’s got a new strut. With The Dap Kings still jamming hard and encouraging her on, Sharon can’t front anymore – she’s a sucker for love. By admitting it on “I’ll Still Be True” and “Without A Heart,” tearful renditions of pain taking over her entire life, she’s in need of an emergency type of rescue. Somebody please help this woman, Lord have mercy, please!

CYPRESS HILL, Rise Up (Priority)

Eight LPs ago, back nearly close to 20 years with their ground breaking smashes such as “How I Could Just Kill A Man,” “Hand on the Pump” and “Insane in the Brain” all providing part of the soundtrack to the West Coast-dominated hip-hop of the early 1990s, Cypress Hill ruled their destiny. On Rise Up, such an appropriate title for all to join Latinos in this sad targeting of ‘illegal immigrants’ in Arizona and for immigration reform, lyricists B-Real, Sen Dog and producer DJ Muggs, rejoin to bring that hard-edged, smoke-filled hip-hop back, without trying to desperately capitalize on any new millennium trends to re-grab a new generation of listeners. This is such a relief too. On the opener, “It Ain’t Nothin’” featuring Young De, the crashing and coarse-sounding beats ignore any sweet type of melody or invitations for some R&B or bubblegum pop intruder to come sing on. From “Light it Up” (produced by Pete Rock), to “Get It Anyway,” Cypress Hill sound like the Cypress Hill you’ve grown up to know with B-Real’s same nasal delivery, Sen Dog’s staining chorus-hooks through the echo chamber and DJ Muggs-approved loops of simple samples, bleeding rock, soul and powering medium rare to well-done beefy beats. Of course you could expect direct odes to marijuana in their ‘rise up’ calls on songs such as “Pass The Dutch” featuring Evidence & The Alchemist, “Bang Bang” and “K.U.S.H.” But some of their topics do move away from the bong and smoke, with a little more reflection on the strife they encountered growing up in the ghetto amongst gangs on “Carry Me Away” featuring Mike Shinoda, and on “Take My Pain” featuring Everlast. Cypress Hill really put the Latin stamp of approval saving the best for last on “Armada Latina” featuring Pitbull and Marc Anthony though. This is a party anthem, no matter where you’re from, but Marc Anthony’s chorus hook will surely seal the deal from the barrios of Washington Heights in uptown NYC, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and back to the backyard fiestas in colorful East L.A.

EYE DROPS!

RICHARD HELL & THE VOIDOIDS – BLANK GENERATION (MVD Visual)

The scene is New York City, and the classic punk rock movie from the year 1980, stars Billy (Richard Hell), who Nada (Carole Bouquet) – a gorgeous French journalist on assignment in NYC – falls in love with. The move is tricky, since she herself, is already in a relationship with a fellow journalist, who makes this movie even more exciting based on his assignment – tracking down the elusive Andy Warhol, who plays himself here. With the Ramones and the Voidoids performing live, lost but never forgotten crucial scenes of landmarks such as CBGB define this era of punk rock’s vibrant yet sleazy, grimy past. The characters and music, not to mentioned Lachman’s cinematography, all make this one of those classic, cult-like movies to definitely have a hold of TODAY.

See Trailer HERE!

OTHER DVD RECOMMENDATIONS

SOLOS: THE JAZZ SESSIONS (MVD Visual/Original Spin Media) – Jazz

Check Out HERE!

djpelau@swaggerlifestyle.com

…drips to sip…

By dj pelau

Ratings:

5Star (St. Regis) – King George V, Gran Patron Platinum, 1775 Sherry Massandra wine

4Star (Waldorf Astoria) – JW Blue label, Patron Silver, 1800 Silver, 1919 Angostura rum

3Star (Westin) – JW Green label, 1800 tequila Reposado, good mojitos + caipirinhas

2Star (Best Western) – JW Black label, typical Bacardi & Coke, Heineken, apple martini

1Star (Motel 6) – JW Red label, Jack Daniels or free water at the bar from tap!

refills!

CHICO MANN, Analog Drift: Muy…Esniqui (Furious Panther)

Menu: afro-beat, nu funk, freestyle, Latin-highlife, Latin-soul, electro-lounge…

Tastes like: a mix of West African flavors & soul food wrapped within tacos n’ burritos

Ingredients: It’s really difficult to compare the sounds of Chico Mann in its entirety to any one particular group you’ve ever been familiar with. Maybe Senor Coconut’s cover of Kraftwerk’s “Trans Europe Express (Cumbia)” comes to mind? But that was one song, while Chico Mann’s entire vibe is blessed with such an authentic diversity. So to attempt at any comparison you’ll have no choice but to gather a couple artists such as Afrika Bambaattaa & The Soul Sonic Force, Fela Kuti & Africa 70 and Buena Vista Social Club – combine all their distinctive elements and envision all those sounds working incredibly together. On tracks such as “Harmonia,” “All That Is Rising” and “Go To That Place,” Chico Mann sometimes delivering songs in English or Spanish, embody a blended chemistry of early 1980’s old skool hip-hop, freestyle, meshed with the grooves of Nigeria’s Afro-Beat. And with others such as the broken beat of “Ya Yo Se,” their cover of Talking Heads’ “Once In A Lifetime” and my ultimate, “This Love”, you’ll be head over heels falling in love all over AGAIN…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

DAN BLACK, ((Un)) (THE:HOURS)

Menu: un-pop, un-hip hop, un-downtempo, and basically un-defined music…

Tastes like: layers of pop singing over hip-hop beats, under & around lullaby harmonies

Ingredients: When in 2008 Dan Black quickly gained a buzz just off his myspace-posted “HYPNTZ” cover of the Notorious BIG’s classic “Hypnotize”, he went back to the drawing board, isolating himself to write and create original songs – to hopefully gain the same amount of interest – of which make up his debut LP, ((Un)). He’s not rapping, but instead singing from deep within this yearning emotion to express his dreams, needs and honesty in tracks such as his hit “Symphonies” featuring Kid Kudi and “Alone,” a groove that’ll blend so nicely with some works from Daft Punk, one of his many musical inspirations. There’s a ton of musical influences obvious to the listener through rhythms on “Cocoon” (Timbaland stand up!), while on other brilliant songs like “Cigarette Pack” and “Life Slash Dreams”, Dan Black’s signature slow-paced, so-emotional delivery works well when the tempo floats like smoke, still and calm, without the aid of any turbulent winds…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Lagos Disco Inferno (Academy LPs/VoodooFunk)

Menu: rare Nigerian disco, soul, funk

Tastes like: the soundtrack to Afros and bell-bottoms dancing happily alongside dashikis

Ingredients: Compiled by Frank Gossner, these are rare grooves that in the 1970s, Americanized Africans in Lagos, Nigeria got down to on the dancefloor, alongside reggae, soul, funk and calypso. This westernized development of Nigerian pop culture was orchestrated by the DJ, and not live bands. Though without any knowledge, you’ll hear these and equate it to straight-up, funky, American rare grooves from around the same timeframe, songs like “Don’t Put Me Down” by Pogo Ltd , “Boredom Pain” by MFB and the grooviest, “Take Life Easy” sang by Christy Essien, have a certain distinction in vocal delivery, even though still in English, making it obvious it’s not totally brewed in the USA. The raw, slightly Brit-Lagos accents, the musicianship of saturated horns and lengthy grooves having no exhaustion on others such as “Dancing Machine” by Tirogo, “Root” by BLO and “Hang On” by Nana, make you only wish the quality was just a bit more crisper, clearer and LOUDER!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

MICHAEL FAKESCH, Exchange (Musik aus Strom)

Menu: brokenbeat, nu funk, electro-bass, glitch-pop, nu soul, space-lounge…

Tastes like: studio cooking of remix works by an obsessive electronic-experimentalist…

Ingredients: This LP is a simple gathering of 17 remixes by producer Michael Fakesch, co-founder of Funkstorung and well-known for remixes of Bjork and Wu Tang Clan, and whose works on singles from various underground projects from artists, labels and genres span the world over. Strongest of them all, is “The Burning Desire (Fakesch Remix)” by Raz Ohara, a soulfully-looped groove that concentrates more on the chorus hook repeated more than anything else, and you won’t mind either. On Towa Tei’s “Taste of You (Fakesch Remix)”, scents of the R&B ‘80s and Prince-influenced era become a theme throughout as Taprikk Sweezee’s vocals colorfully paint streaks of purple across your eyes and ears. The other material worth noting include the mood-setting, pop lounge comfort of “Gloomy Planets (Fakesch Remix)” by Notwist, other trip-hop/downtempo cuts such as “Paint it Blue (Fakesch Remix)” by The Broadway Project and “Little Baby Eyes (Fakesch Remix)” by Franz Kirmann, all perfect for that laser art show exhibit.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, California Funk… (The Jazzman/Now-Again)

Menu: dusty funk and soul

Tastes like: very unfamiliar, rare ‘brotherhood’ California soul from the 1960s & 1970s

Ingredients: By the rate of seeing how many of these lost soul and funk 45s end up as part of LP compilations released today for the first time, who knows what else lies out there as far as undiscovered treasures of funk, waiting to reintroduce today’s generation to what the real ‘rebirth of cool’ really means. On California Funk – Rare Funk 45s From The Golden State, the male dominance amongst the artists found here from L.A. Bare Faxx’s “Super Cool Brother” to Ray Frazier & The Shades of Madness on “I Who Have Nothing (Am Somebody),” one of the album’s funkiest, seems to make the appearance of soul scenes in California from yesteryear, very treacherous terrain for female participants. With the exception of Delores Ealy &The Kenyattas on “Honeydripper,” this is overwhelmingly and according to James Brown, ‘a man’s world’. Complete with a 24-page fully color booklet with never-seen-before scene photos, full liner notes and more, it’s through jazzy, funky horn-filled numbers such as “Talking About My Baby” by John Heartsman & Circles, this five-on-the-backhand-side type of ‘right-on’ soul oozing out of this 21-track selection by compilers Malcolm Catt and Gerald ‘Jazzman’ Short, is a one-stop shop for avid crate diggers and vinyl junkies.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

FRANCIS And THE LIGHTS, It’ll Be Better (Cantora)

Menu: soul, rock n’ roll, alternative rock-soul, nu soul…

Tastes like: soulful pop from the 1980’s usually from non-American/British rock outfits

Ingredients: Though I could safely say that New York-based group Francis and The Lights, lead by singer Francis Farewell Starlite, seemed to have a funkier, soulful edge with songs like “The Top” and “On A Train” from previous LP, A Modern Promise, this latest album still demonstrates, even though with less concentration on simple, funky grooves of soul looped to keep your head nodding, Francis’ songwriting talent which is more the focus on these 8 tracks that make up It’ll Be Better. The title track is folksy and easy going, but the message could be from an experience of past love that is far from easy to bare while another one suffers. Even though “For Days” pushes a rhythm and bass line groove to get you in that mood to snake your neck around, it’s his songs “In A Limousine” and “Going Out” that bring back that soulful cry within the melodies and harmonies of good, solid rock n’ roll, keeping you energized while you repeat every syllable singing along. Hand-picked by R&B/rapper Drake to open up his headlining tour, Francis and The Lights might soon be able to broaden the horizons of a whole different breed of fans, who just might forget about the next ‘sexting’ message, trading it up for one that reads like this – “go cop Francis and the Lights, some white boys with a whole ‘lot of soul, yuh heard!”

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

THE BIRD And THE BEE, Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oats (Blue Note)

Menu: pop covers, soul, nu funk, alternative rock…

Tastes like: some of the greatest covers of Daryl Hall & John Oates’ classics EVER!

Ingredients: This duo of singer Inara George and multi-instrumentalist/Grammy-nominated producer Greg Kurstin, don’t just cover these 8 pop classics, they reinvent them, reinterpret them, still leaving you humming along to every familiar lyric such as on the LP’s opener, “Heart It On The Radio”. But wait? This isn’t a cover? No, it’s The Bird and The Bee’s sole original, sounding so ‘80s, you’ll never notice the difference apart from the true nostalgic feelings as it precedes the ultimate cover, “I Can’t Go For That”, a groove no listener can ever deny. These songs also evoke emotions all new, especially when falling in love again, begging you to relive your youth in adulthood and not just from yesteryear when you were in the back of your parents car listening to Casey Kasem’s ‘American Top 40’ countdown wishing for love dreaming through tracks such as “Rich Girl”, “Sara Smile” and “Kiss On My List”. Greg’s masterful production is delightfully modern, finding the right bridge between nostalgia and progressive cool, while Inara captures extra sensitivity only a woman can exert on other brilliant classics such as “She’s Gone”, “Private Eyes” and “One on One”.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

MADLIB, Madlib Medicine Show NO. 3 – Beat Konducta In Africa (Stones Throw)

Menu: hip hop instrumentals, afro-beat, funk, highlife, garage-rock and soul…

Tastes like: a concentration of 1970’s African vinyl sampled over head-nodding hip-hop

Ingredients: Producer Madlib grabs a hold of some rare and unknown-to-the-masses vinyl from African countries such as Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Botswana and programs sliced-up hip hop beats and sneaks recorded sacred chants on “Kanika” to create a theme throughout this LP, part of this Madlib Medicine show series. No. 3 – Beat Konducta In Africa is the 3^rd installment for 2010’s 12-part release schedule, all from Madlib. On this LP, “The Frontline (Liberation)” and “African Voodoo Queen (Drama)” pumps a crisp, earthquake-shaking bass within both beats, pounding hard on your speakers, while vocal samples from African radio alongside other vocal samples from Bronx park jams waver in and out. Keeping the groove funkier than a shanty town after a mudslide, is “Jungle Soundz (Part One)” that pairs bass line and strumming guitars, much to your feet’s content, on the dancefloor of course. If only some of these gems were longer, like a flight from LAX to Johannesburg!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Putumayo Presents: Latin Party (Putumayo)

Menu: salsa, cumbia, son, boogaloo, Latin ska, reggae & dubstep…

Tastes like: old traditional Latin rhythms from Latin America blended w/ outside genres

Ingredients: The ultimate party-starter, outside of reggae/dancehall, seems to be a signal from a Latin rhythm, or that influenced from one. On this new LP, Latin Party, probably one of the more modernly-influenced Latin releases from world music specialists, Putumayo, Brooklyn Funk Essentials on “Big Apple Boogaloo (The Sir George Radio Edit)” open up and break the ice to get everyone onto the dancefloor and off the walls or out of their lazy seats, no matter how good that guacamole dip tastes! This track defines the original Latin rhythms blended with soulful grooves from the 1960’s by Latinos in Manhattan and the Bronx. Probably one of the most eclectic in the basket is, Yerba Buena’s dubstep-influenced “Electric Boogaloo” sang by lead vocalist Xiomara Laugart, featuring Roy Hargrove on trumpet together with DJ-scratches to add to the fun, spicy variety of Latin flavor. With compelling cumbia rhythms from Fruko Y Orquesta on “Cumbia del Caribe” luring you in some more, each track is undeniably party-approved!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA, LateNightTakes (Night Time Stories Ltd)

Menu: downtempo, trip-hop, chill-out, soul…

Tastes like: a DJ-mix of records destined to put you at ease, in ‘relax’ mode!

Ingredients: Relaxing, or relaxed settings can be exciting too, especially if the majority of your daily routine is hectic, stressful or filled with a lack of freedom. You’re free to enjoy this type of escapism through The Cinematics’ Jason Swinscoe selecting these mid-tempo gems from “You’re Gonna Miss Your Candyman” by Terry Callier, to Shuggy Otis’ “Aht Uh Mi Head” that could unravel and untwist any tightness or tension in your nerve-endings. Even when the pace is picked up a notch through faster, jazzier house music grooves by St. Germain on “Rose Rouge” and by Songstress on “See Line Woman”, the feel of the bass lines, flute and soulful vocals seep into your psyche, turning on switches that light up and overwhelm any darkness that once clouded your ability to detoxify. So worry less, and enjoy the classic “La Ritournelle” by Sebastien Tellier, because it’s a waste of time to give in to stress. Life is too short.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VIA TANIAV, Moon Sweet Moon (THE:HOURS)

Menu: pop, lounge, electronica, downtempo…

Tastes like: pillow-soft, Bjork-like melodic ballads of love, contemplation and deepness.

Ingredients: They’re just too many vocalists such as Via Tania, scattered all over the music scene from the US, to Europe and many other parts of the globe, all sounding too much the same. This sometimes artful, pondering-at-life type of delivery n a sensuous, soft flow is all too familiar, and as part of a bigger ensemble or as a soloist, either way one following these routes can get lost. Via Tania’s opener “The Beginning” isn’t bad, but it surely is forgettable. Good tracks, like the mentioned, but which fall into this category unfortunately are frequent throughout this LP. But the depth of detecting strange behavior within ‘loving’ relations on “How Come” or on “Fields” – probably one of the strongest here – where Via Tania rises by confronting fear head-on, make up for what’s lost in her album. Most of these songs float, glide and settle slowly, at times making it perfect material for those overcast, coldish nights – alone.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Jammy$ From The Roots 1977-1985 (Greensleeves)

Menu: rub-a-dub, early roots-dancehall, rockers…

Tastes like: when dancehall incorporated more consciousness over ‘One Drop’ riddims

Ingredients: First known as Prince Jammy under the guide of dub pioneer/remix conceptualizer King Tubby and alongside producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, Lloyd ‘King Jammy’ James became the ‘King’ he’s known as to this day after making the transition from recording engineer to record producer. With the encouragement from King Tubby, Bunny Lee’s direction and let’s not forget Scientist’s timely involvement in engineering to relieve King Jammy from his engineering duties, Jammy concentrated on producing. Many of the artists on this LP, such as Black Uhuru, Hugh Mundell, Half Pint, Dennis Brown and others owe a lot to King Jammy for their early beginnings. As a producer, Jammy developed his signature sound of groovy, thick-thumping bass lines, horns and sweet harmonies, preferring singers over toasters on these tracks found here by Junior Delgado with his “Love Tickles Like Magic” and Wayne Smith’s “Time Is A Movement In Space” in the early stages of his career. The messages are mostly wholesome, righteous and societal in nature, as even evidenced by titles such as “Higgler Move” by Junior Reid, “Life Hard A Yard” by Natural Vibes and one of my favorites, “Children of Israel” sang by Frankie Paul. Still a respected stalwart in the rough Waterhouse community of Kingston, Jamaica, King Jammy and his studio still stand as a reminder of the great musical history he’s left behind, after swelling and busting many a speaker.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

P.E. HEWITT JAZZ ENSEMBLE, Winter Winds-The Complete Works:1968-70 (Now-Again)

Menu: vintage jazz

Tastes like: jazz back in the day, resembling the notes of Roy Ayers’ vibraphone bliss!

Ingredients: Vibraphonist/composer/arranger Phil Hewitt, a name you might not be familiar with, but as you listen to this 3-Disc Box Set, keep in mind these recordings, between 1968-1970, he was only but 16 years of age, pressing few copies to be distributed with original titles like Jawbones and Winter Winds. Included within this box set, are recreations of course, of the original hand-painted artworks from yesteryear, a 40-page booklet with liner notes, never-seen-before photos and interviews. So you see, it’s not only today that the youth are now somehow appreciative and curious about America’s original music art form, but even back when it wasn’t considered vintage jazz yet, some kids rose above society’s backward way of thinking, pushing forward in their youth, during times when many probably considered un-pop, unpopular and unexciting. Slap these jazz discs in, have a puff, take a sip and unwind…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Ragga Ragga Ragga 2010 (Greensleeves)

Menu: hardcore, modern, xxx-rated dancehall, R&B from yard…

Tastes like: the blood, sweat, tears & fears of Jamaica’s (Kingston) toughest streets…

Ingredients: Just the title of the lead track by dancehall’s current king, ‘gully God’ Mavado on “War is in the Air” rightfully introduces the violent, rough and blood-stained streets of Kingston, Jamaica so run to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay for cover! Avoid Kingston, because garrison rival Vybz Kartel on his “Neva Scared” follows with a spray of energy. Twin of Tiwns try to lighten up this LP, just a little, with their comedic lyrical back-to-back tracks “Dem A Try Bait Me Up” and “Which Dudus,” while Merital Family on “Money Money” featuring Vybz Kartel literally laugh all the way to the bank within their chorus hook. And here’s where the flossing begins as Erup hops ‘pon his bike on the rock-guitar, heavy metal-influenced “How We Ride” hit, while Gappy Ranks’ self-explanatory “Stinking Rich” blasts from coast to coast. But then veteran Bounty Killer returns to his “Social Responsibility” the only dark, gruff and militant way he knows best, reminding the higher powers that be that it’s society and not the artists like himself and others that steer these youth astray with their songs. With Gyptian’s big dancehall and club hit “Hold You” giving you your tightest grip well into 2010 summer, the compilation ends on a sad, solemn note by way of I-Octane’s “Lose A Friend,” sort of the Jamaican version to Bone Thugs n’ Harmony’s “Tha Crossroads” hit of 1995, by far one of the most distinctive chorus-hooks you’ll hopefully not have to sing…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

ROCKY DAWUNI, Hymns For The Rebel Soul (Aquarian)

Menu: roots-reggae, afro-beat, acoustic soul, world beat…

Tastes like: a worldly, unifying message – through mostly reggae music – to spread love

Ingredients: Rocky Dawuni truly represents one of those musical artists that try to stand for something bigger than where he’s from or what people’s limited perception of him might tend to be. From Ghana, Rocky’s reggae is automatically global – not because he tends to have a similar style influenced by Bob Marley – but because of his messages on songs like “Download The Revolution”. It isn’t limited to Ghana or Africa for that matter, but instead, is far-reaching as the ‘world wide web’ as his call to uploading and downloading something universal, seems finally to have arrived. Speaking of universal themes, love isn’t at all complicated for Rocky, or filled with confusion, pain or deceit. On “Extraordinary Woman,” he breaks down love’s simplicity, and on “Take it Slow (Love Love Love),” an acoustic, guitar-accompanied track with a delightful touch of Finnish folk flutes throughout, his vocals clarify any doubt towards whoever his song is directed to. With other songs like “Jerusalem” recorded in Tel Aviv, and the afro-beat infectiousness of “Master Plan,” this is one of those LPs that’ll grow on you after a couple listens, making you surrender and give-in to just ‘love love love’ it!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

shots n’ more shots!

(OTHER LPs I’m listening, spinning and closing my eyes to…in delight!)

YAHZARAH, The Ballad of Purple Saint James (The Foreign Exchange Music)

MGMT, Congratulations (Sony Music)

TONY ALLEN, Secret Agent (World Circuit)

ELI “Paperboy” REED, Come And Get It (Capitol)

THE RADIO DEPT., Clinging To A Scheme (Labrador/Caroline)

REFLECTION ETERNAL, Revolutions Per Minute (Warner Bros.)

CONSEQUENCE, Movies On Demand – Mixtape (Universal Motown)

CLUTCHY HOPKINS, The Storyteller: Clutchy Hopkins (Ubiquity)

MASTA KILLA, Live (Gold Dust)

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas – Tropicalista Psychedelic Masterpieces, 1967-1976 (World Psychedelic Funk Classics)

BRUTHA, Destination: Short Stay – Mixed by DJ Finesse (Goodfella’s Entertainment)

GOTAN PROJECT, Tango 3.0 (XL)

SILHOUETTE BROWN, Two (2000blackmusic)

JUNIOR KELLY, Red Pond (VP)

DARK TIME SUNSHINE, Vessel (Take Four Inc.)

]]> http://swaggerlifestyle.com/?feed=rss2&p=2067 0 http://swaggerlifestyle.com/?p=2059 http://swaggerlifestyle.com/?p=2059#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:43:30 +0000 prestond http://swaggerlifestyle.com/?p=2059 preston@swaggerlifestyle.com

Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Anniversary Collection Chale Monogram

On March 4th 2010, LOUISVUITTON.COM will pre-launch limited edition Anniversary Collection Monogram Shawls in three different styles: the Monogram Rock Shawl in Bleu Nuit, Monogram Pois Shawl in Cassis, and the gorgeous Monogram Denim Bleached Shawl in Rose and Bleu

These latest additions to the Louis Vuitton scarf collection will be available in Louis Vuitton stores starting March 11th.

Its fashion week again! Yay! I decided this Fall/ Winter 2010 fashion week to get to know more independent designers and showcase them. Everyone and their mom is covering New York Fashion Week via style.com. (I will still be covering shows I attend). So the first designer I bring to you is Hernan Lander. I had the opportunity to attend his presentation yesterday at the Open House Gallery in Lolita. The base colors for his collection were black, white and silver/gray with a pop of purple (my favorite color in case you were wondering). It was clear by the cut of each garment that the designer is well trained and has an eye for detail. The notable fabrics used were snakeskin, fur and soft gauzy knits. The collection was displayed on mannequins and styled by Rene Garza in a way that made the mannequins look like they were alive and moving at some point in the evening.

Love the beadwork on this dress

The design of these pants! I’m in Love!

The details and craftsmanship of Hernan Lander

Gowns by Hernan Lander

All and all it was a really nice presentation with great bubbly and fashion.  I can’t wait for next season!

Until then,

Chay$

*Chay$ is a fashion innovator who is the style curator for SocietyHAE.com and founded EubiePanache.blogspot.com*

Jaclyne Brander

1. Tell us a little about Fred Segal.

We opened 25 years ago in Santa Monica! Our building was actually the ice skating rink that Rocky took Adrienne on their first date! We are a building of separate owned businesses under a common roof

2. What inspired you to get into fashion?

I’ve always been into clothing, my parents influenced me. My father and stepmother were very successful manufacturers. My brothers were in the biz, my uncle, and I actually worked in it since I was 15 years old.

Its in my blood, I Love it

3. How long have you been involved in this industry?

Since i was 15! I worked in retail, then downtown in a buying office, then I worked in design for ABS, then Fred called me and the rest is history!

4. How do you stay passionate about your work after all those years?

Fashion is always about whats next…Im constantly seeking out the new and if i cant find it i create it…I love transforming people as well…people saying to me, “I would have never tried that, but i love it” is one of my personal highs!

5. When did you first fall in love with fashion?

As a kid

6. Describe some of your daily tasks at Fred Segal.

I do a little of everything. I buy most of the time. I have up to 200 vendors a season to work with, that takes up a  lot of time. I work on the floor merchandising sometimes, help the people! Sometimes Im in t the back ticketing…Sometimes im filming shows or doing interviews, (like right now!) .I do a Fred Segal Fun shop in Sundance, and im working on that right now as well.

7. How do you feel about what you do now on an every day basis compared to the first day of your career?

I wake up before the sun ready to go. I love what i do and it never bores me. The first day I had the element of excitement and that really has not waned.  I always want to know what the next hot thing is, i want it for me and i want it for the store, I want it for my Disney Vintage Line, and I want it for my consulting. I love doing a lot at once! When i have a lot on my plate, they all go great.!

8. How did you get involved with creating a clothing line for Disney characters?

One of the Disney heads came to my store and talked to me in person after not getting me on the phone for months, (yeah, im that girl!) I agreed to go down to the Disney archives and pull art work and we started printing on clothes in my shop…we sold it out time after time which lead to me starting the line and manufacturing it.

9. How different (or difficult) was it to create a clothing line for Disney characters as opposed to your regular shoppers?

My hardest challenge was making the clothing edgy…some celebs helped tho,  Carrie had her vintage mickey teee on in Sex and the City….we sold thousands of units! Lenny Kravitz  helped me sell a ton of Mickey tee’s as well..

The line was the same mood as my store….advanced cool cute and the “i gotta have it” factor!

10. What skills do you need to become a fashion designer?

You need the eye. I dont know if this is something that can be taught. You need to have an amazing sense of timing as well. You need to pay attention to what your demographic will buy.

11. What inspires your designs?

Every aspect of my life…there are a million times where i think ive invented something, only to find out someone else did too!

Influences are everywhere,  when you are a creative person, you pick up on things without thought

12. What advice do you have for a young person who wishes to become a fashion designer?

Pay attention to who you want to appeal to. Keep a muse in your head as you design and stay on track

13. Of all the charity work you participate in, which do you find is nearest and dearest to your heart and why?

Children Uniting Nations.  I just did an event last month for 1100 foster kids. I spoiled them rotton! I got my vendors to donate and I gave it all away.  I had over 5000 units it was amazing.

Then at Christmas we had 70 more come to the store and gave them Santa, and a big bag of goodies!

Kids are my weakness. We owe it to the children to help them. Its what we are meant to do.

14. If you possessed the skills to be successful at any other job or career in the world, what would it be.

I would still be in fashion….is there such a thing as the President of the United Fashion Industry?

djpelau@swaggerlifestyle.com

…drips to sip…

By dj pelau

Ratings:

5Star (St. Regis) – King George V, Gran Patron Platinum or 1775 Sherry Massandra wine           

4Star (Waldorf Astoria) – Blue label, Patron Silver, 1800 Silver or 1919 Angostura rum   

3Star (Westin) – Green label, 1800 tequila Reposado or greatly mixed mojitos + caipirinhas

2Star (Best Western) – Black label, your typical Bacardi & Coke, Heineken or apple martini        

1Star (Motel 6) – Red label, Jack Daniels or free water at the bar from tap!

refills!

FELA KUTI, The Best of The Black President – 2CD (Knitting Factory)

Menu: afro-beat

Tastes like: timeless and classic socio-political classic Afro-beat from Nigerian royalty

Ingredients: A 13-song collection of some era-defining, popular masterpieces that today, many of you might have heard in the coolest party-settings, from Philly to LA, and from London to Lagos. Like Bob Marley is to the Caribbean, it’s safe to say Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is to the African continent. Fela fever even hit mainstream New York, thanks to the new Broadway musical FELA! So having this 2-CD collection of majestic tunes grooving you back to the future, with such songs as “Lady”, “Water No Get Enemy”, “O.D.O.O.” and more, soak in the spirit and soul of Fela’s insight and genius. Keep in mind also, a DVD featuring segments from the film, Music Is The Weapon, accompanies the ‘deluxe edition’ of this LP.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

V.V. BROWN, Traveling Like The Light (Capitol)

Menu: retro-soul, pop, swing, jazzy-funk

Tastes like: vibrant, original soul songs sung & produced in yesteryear’s old school vein

Ingredients: Just a listen to “Game Over” and you’d want to see V.V. Brown perform this live! Her energy and power in delivering this uplifting and defiant track, moves you (as everything else around you shifts too)! Entirely produced and written by V.V. herself, this young Brit now embarking on breaking through to the States, comes equipped with the lead single, “Shark In The Water” and you can’t help but feel her determined type of soulful expressiveness, fashion direction and blessed talent destined to be compared or mentioned in the same circles of other diva dames like Shingai Shoniwa (of Noisettes), Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse and others. It’s always exciting to see the path of a new rising star, and with an assembly of strong songs as the swinging “L.O.V.E”, the delta-quality rich dampness of “Back In Time”, the destined-to-be remixed energy of “Everybody” and the lovely ballad, “I Love You” on her debut here, expect V.V. Brown to soon be a household name in the U.S., something she’s already conquered in the UK.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW, Kings Ballad (Ubiquity)

Menu: organic soul, electro-funk

Tastes like: an organic and modernly-rich, deep soulful blend of yesteryear’s negro-spirit

Ingredients: The title of this album is an ode to Michael Jackson. As Georgia Anne Muldrow sings on its title track, lyrically respectful of MJ’s death and his contribution to the world almost in a gospel-like, funeral hymnal form, she solemnly spills her emotions as the groovier, more electronic “RIP” interlude-instrumental follows.  However, this LP is in no way totally dedicated or a capitalization on MJ’s death or popularity. That’s just one song, and it’s as far as it goes. On “Thrones” she trades her emcee skills and soulful singing between verse and chorus, refreshes the soul scene with pure originality on “Live” and with consciousness and addictive melodies, she disappears into thin air over “Industrial Bap,” one of the LPs few yet strong-points in futuristic, black-tronic funk!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

STRONG ARM STEADY & MADLIB, In Search of Stoney Jackson (Stones Throw)

Menu: west coast, non-gangsta, underground and indie hip-hop

Tastes like: east coast-influenced, soulful, sample-heavy beats w/ a high-level of intellect

Ingredients: Strong Arm Steady (consisting of rappers Krondon, Phil Da Agony & Mitchy Slick) join beat maestro Madlib in a natural progression, with welcomed inspiration on the concept of this LP, coming from J.Rocc (of World Famous Beat Junkies), making it irresistible for guest lyricists such as Phonte of Little Brother on “Best of Times” to deliver anything but a heavenly chorus-hook and a killer verse echoing: “Everybody got da blues n’ it’s evident/Got workers losing their jobs n’ their residence/And overseas niggaz filing out, straight wildin’ out, tossin’ their shoes at the President!” With other partners in crime like Planet Asia delivering the fresh, non-expiry rhymes on “Chittlins & Pepsi,” Talib Kweli raising the bar on “Get Started” and Madlib’s border-crossing daggers denting your speakers on “Chants”, search no more: Stoney Jackson has been spotted!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

JAMES PANTS, Seven Seals (Stones Throw)

Menu: uncategorized electronica, electro-pop, nu funk, rock-inspired disco 

Tastes like: a nibble out of a musical genius’s undiscovered and timeless discography

Ingredients: It’s a wonder how producer/performer James Pants’ work isn’t one of the most sort after. After all, some of his work on this LP reminds me of an edgier vein to Mayer Hawthorne’s “Green Eye Love (Classixx Remix)” – which is one of my favorites for 2009! Commencing with the bizarre, yet growingly satisfying “The Eyes of the Lord” followed by the short and funky-pounding beat of “A Chip in the Hand,” his unique blend of somber notes, almost dark enough to depress you, delightfully and rightfully conflict with the excitement of drum snares and rhythms pushing the sunshine through the grey clouds, such as on “Sky Warning” and the title track’s theme. As you allow “Thin Moon”, “Not Me” and “Wash To See” to grow on you, you’ll be eager to guide someone else through to his ‘simply weird’ light…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

NNEKA, Concrete Jungle (Decon/Epic)

Menu: global hip-hop, soul, reggae, world beat

Tastes like: rage suppressed by a beautiful & hopeful spirit looking to a brighter future

Ingredients: By no means is Nneka a newcomer – maybe to the US fan base she is – positioning this LP as her first US release. But just about in every corner of the globe, specifically Europe and Africa, her name and music is widely known and played. Get with the program and allow her unapologetic stance for justice and revolution on “The Uncomfortable Truth” to penetrate your old, limited ways of thinking. She raps just as well as she sings, but don’t compare her style or think she’s piggybacking off of Lauryn Hill’s absence. Her emotions overflow incredibly on the cardiac, hyper-tension of “Heartbeat” as the pace of the chorus rushes the flow of blood all over your body, then relaxes you back into her mellow verse. This track’s so HOT! She hardly eases up, and takes almost every opportunity to express any form of consciousness and defiance. Intense on “Africans” where she pleads to her country to wake up, she also allows her outer beauty to shine on probably the LP’s second strongest track, “From Africa 2 U,” where she unleashes that festive spirit all in the hope of highlighting the preciousness of her roots from the people of Warri and the Niger Delta of Nigeria. She sings this song as if she’s shedding tears of pure pride and joy…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

MASSIVE ATTACK, Heligoland (Virgin)

Menu: downtempo, trip-hop, chill-out

Tastes like: a soundtrack to a traumatic twist in a suspenseful plot in overcast weather!

Ingredients: You had the teaser EP back in the fall of 2009 to grab, now here’s the entire LP, armed with some of the same tracks from the EP, and more of course. Speaking of tease, it’s a crime to cut short the bridge within “Pray For Rain” featuring Tunde Adebimpe, which leads off the album! While the song transitions into the most remarkable, heaven-sent bridge, shut your eyes and don’t tell me you’re not in actual heaven? Man… Moving along, the strange and bizarre, sometimes caustic-sounding blandness bores you on tracks such as “Babel” and “Saturday Come Slow”, but the Massive Attack duo of 3D and Daddy G make up on much stronger cuts including the ghostly sounds of “Splitting The Atom”, “Girl I Love You” featuring longtime Massive Attack contributor and collaborator Horace Andy, the sweet singing of Martina Topley-Bird on “Psyche” and the groove of “Paradise Circus” featuring Hope Sandoval, just all the more reason to dive into their depth, far away from the predictable…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Back to the Beat Vol. II: Old School Classics – Remixed (Latchkey)

Menu: classic hip-hop, lounge, chill-out remixes

Tastes like: gourmet versions of golden era hip-hop, palatable for mature audiences

Ingredients: With the infamous lyrics to these classic hip-hop jams revived on this compilation, the productions that shaped one of the world’s most vibrant artforms are trashed, replaced and recycled with lounge/chill-out grooves that still on tracks like “Cinderfella Dana Dane – Remix” by Dana Dane and “Just A Friend – Remix” by Biz Markie, carry these head-nod delights into the 21^st century easily and enjoyably. Soulful and political vocal samples within the productions of others such as “I Cram To Understand U – Remix” by Mc Lyte or “Stop The Violence” by Boogie Down Productions aid these gems to shine them just as bright amongst your carefully stored Fila polyester sweat suits, rope-neck chains and comic collection, all treasured away like the valuable memories they equate…

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

HENRY ‘JUNJO’ LAWES, Volcano Eruption (VP)

Menu: early classic dancehall, post-Rockers roots, lovers rock

Tastes like: foundational classics of earlier ‘original versions’

Ingredients: Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes, with the help of engineer ‘Scientist’, The Roots Radics and High Times Band, two session bands that churned out grooves and riddims in the mid-1970’s to mid-1980s, produced these tracks, all 40 of them here on 2-CDs. There’s no regret in hauling n’ pulling this LP in, even though a similar release with the same tracks, just under a different title, was released some years back. Barrington Levy who on “Prison Oval Rock” and John Holt who on “Police in Helicopter” both explain the hardship and tribulation of ghetto-living in Jamaica which continues to define a certain type of non-tourist lifestyle to this day. The songs, the bass lines and the style oozing out of this is authentic, and with others such as “Gunman” by Michael Prophet, “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” and “Zunguzunguguzungguzeng”, both by Yellowman, you’ll begin to realize the chronological importance of these songs, its similarities, and their precious contributions in also shaping hip-hop’s birth!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Calypso Dreams (Kaisoul 1112)

Menu: calypso 

Tastes like: the foundation and authenticity of calypso’s true roots by its originators

Ingredients: Just as samba is to Brazil, or cumbia is to Colombia, or reggae is to Jamaica, well, calypso is to Trinidad & Tobago. This is the soundtrack to a documentary film of the same name, which features VERY rare footage of such a gathering of original calypsonians who shaped and formed the artform, though today much of what you’ll hear on this through the likes of names such as Lord Relator, Mighty Duke, Calypso Rose, Poser, The Mighty Terror and more, is sadly lost. Enjoy a different, slower-paced and more comedic form of lyricism, even ‘extempore’ (freestyling) by expanding your musical exploits to yet another part of the world, where back in the day with just raw vocals (sorry no auto-tune) and guitar in hand, the happiest results were just as entertaining. Even Harry Belafonte comes clean!  

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

SAADI, Bad City (Paper Garden)

Menu: big city pop, electro-pop, electronica

Tastes like: definitely a sexy sound if you didn’t have a chance to salivate, you’d smell

Ingredients: With the title track getting a much deserved ‘Serious Business Remix’ from her in-house band of the same name, SAADI (born Boshra AlSaadi in Damascus, Syria) resides in New York City (the East Village to be exact) where over the last decade or so she’s scraped up, soaked up, absorbed and shoveled up the various influences, continuing to shape her sound. As you leave the gritty, electro punk-rock influenced title tracks and “Birds” behind, she also shows her pillow-soft side by swinging into the pop life on “Pollen Seeking Bees” which makes you start to dream… and float… and to imagine what if?

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

PERFECT, French Connection (Tiger/Chalice Palace)

Menu: roots and dancehall-reggae

Tastes like: stale ackee & saltfish – which means avoid because of its poisonous effect!

Ingredients: What an ironic name for this artist, who on this release, is far from! Produced by Romain ‘ Sherkhan’ Chiffre, Perfect’s delivery and style of chanting/deejaying is so feeble, you’d think when he sings/singjays on one of the most overused covers on earth, “Aint No Sunshine,” he’d at least have no trouble. WRONG. It’s straight-up sacrilegious, but it gets worse when he tackles “Son of Jamaica,” which makes the song embarrass any Jamaican-born, Jamaican-dating or Jamaican-associated prideful person on it’s greatest export, reggae music. It’s amazing how records such as these even get released or past the gate. Desperation, possibly? Too many ‘YES’ men in his camp? Whatever the case, avoid this connection, si’l vous plait!

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Ziggy Marley Presents: Dancehall Originators Vol. 1 (Tuff Gong Worldwide)

Menu: old skool dancehall

Tastes like: yesteryear’s “Hot This Year” grooving steady throughout the entire LP

Ingredients: Now, there’s no denying this “Hot This Year” riddim produced by producer Phillip Smart, and widely popularized in the late 1980’s by Dirtsman’s big smash of the same name, as well as Red Foxx & Screechy Dan’s “Pose Off” hit, as a powerful, party-rocking anthem that rocked the world in the past and still continues to get dance floors crowded, instantly. But there’s a reason these were the ONLY two songs that put all the others to rest, some two decades ago. Simply because the rest were no test, and it’s with this fact, there isn’t much worth in the rest of these attempts by the likes of Chaka Demus, Coco Tea, Pinchers and even Buju Banton. When this riddim passes through in the juggle by the many selectors worldwide, trust me when I say, it’s only necessary to keep Dirtsman alive, sometimes keeping Red Foxx & Screechy Dan’s “Pose Off” nearby in the crate (or on your itunes). If anything, selectors are already just heisting the riddim by itself, throwing their own hip-hop/R&B mash-ups over it, definitely not these.

Rating: 5Star 4Star 3Star 2Star 1Star

shots n’ more shots!

(LPs I’m listening, spinning and closing my eyes to…in delight!)

WU TANG VS THE BEATLES, Enter The Magical Mystery Chambers (Tea Sea)

BLOCKHEAD, The Music Scene (Ninja Tune)

CORINNE BAILEY RAE, The Sea (Capitol)

ALBOROSIE, Escape From Babylon To The Kingdom of Zion (Greensleeves)

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Ultra.2010 & Ultral Dance 11 (Ultra) – 2CDs

SALVADOR SANTANA, Keyboard City (Quannum/Various Music)

RAZIA SAID, Zebra Nation (Cumbancha)

ROBIN THICKE, Sex Therapy: The Experience – Deluxe Edition (Interscope)

K-SALAAM & BEATNICK, NY Is Burning (K-Salaam Music)

SIMPLEXITY, Extreme Measures (Vibration Institute Music)

VARIOUS ARTISTS, Joyful Noise (I Grade)

J. PERIOD & NNEKA, The Madness (Onye-ALA) Mixtape (Decon)

SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR, Grace (Shanachie)

djpelau@swaggerlifestyle.com

NICEST “09” (nine) ALBUMS of ‘09!

Little Dragon, Machine Dreams (Peacefrog)

El Michels Affair, Enter The 37^th Chamber (Fat Beats)

Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (Cooperative Music)

Major Lazer, Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do (Downtown)

Noisettes, Wild Young Hearts (Mercury)

Fela Kuti, The Best of The Black President – 2CD (Knitting Factory)

Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love (Ubiquity)

Maxwell, BLACKsummers’night (Columbia)

Raekwon, Only Built For Cuban Linx 2 (EMI/Ice Water)

“10” (ten) LPs STILL Worth Listening to in ’10!

Snoop Dogg, Malice n Wonderland (Capitol)

Various Artists, Strictly The Best 40 (VP)

Basement Jaxx, Scars (Ultra)

Joy Jones, Godchild (Future Soul)

Diane Birch, Bible Belt (S-Curve)

Jay Z, The Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation)

Various Artists, Let Freedom Sing (Time Life/Sony Music)

Lee Fields & The Expressions, My World (Truth & Soul)

Heather Johnson, Happiness (King Street Sounds)

Passion Pit, Manners (Frenchkiss)

djpelau@swaggerlifestyle.com

BIG GULPS!

K-Os, Yes! (Last Gang)

Toronto, Canada’s K-Os shouldn’t be a stranger to you if you follow good, thought-provoking hip-hop, though to a lot of his peers, he’s stranger than your average lyricist. Exactly. After all, he’s not average by any means. On the opener, like the many of his signature tracks of past LPs that define him, K-Os sings and spits rhymes over “Zambony,” an 808 kick drum-driven, illusive beat glided and guided by angelic melodies from voices that seem to be live-spirits looking down upon his soul. His tracks always seem to have a very high level of orchestration, enhanced with some classic hip-hop stained from the late 80’s or mid-90’s. Versatility is definitely K-Os’ strong-point, appearing like an authentic soulful punk-rocker on “Burning Bridges” or constantly bringing back the boom-bap of hip-hop scorching through as a heated b-boy on “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman”. He’s just one of the few artists out here that you can’t pin into one category, sometimes even seeming extra elusive. Artists that embody ‘escapism’ in their DNA usually are some of the most misunderstood, yet undoubtedly appear to have the most talent. And enter that equation into the hip-hop world, you’re going to unfortunately be staring down an isolated road. Just ask P.M. Dawn. But luckily that was in the 20^th century, so hopefully with more open-minded listeners, K-Os’ transcending tracks without borders, such as on “Eye Know Something” and “4 3 2 1”, both fantastic songs incorporating heavy elements of hip-hop fused with electro-pop, dubstep and spaceship soul, he’ll have more fans on board. Speaking of space and boarding, hop on his lead single, “the Aviator” which takes you full flight into the stratosphere above where most rappers dare to venture, especially those who’re too concerned with earthly perfection. K-Os is just a man, but always setting his limits beyond where his feet can touch the ground.

VARIOUS, Black Man’s Cry: The Influence & Inspiration of Fela Kuti (Now-Again)

You must know there’s ‘Fela Fever’ in the air when compilations, LPs, box-sets and even hip-hop royalty like Jay Z seem to be all getting behind connecting the masses to the movement of Fela Kuti, who together with his Africa 70 back in the 1960’s and 1970’s cross-bred the cultural music from his native Nigeria, took elements of American jazz, the soul of James Brown, big-band funk and popularized the invention of Afro-Beat. On this LP, as the title suggests, there’s a great assembly of artists and groups from all over the world who back around this crucial and influential period, as well as some artists of today, produced these songs that took a considerable amount of shape, patterning Fela’s Afro-Beat sound. Kicking it off, brilliance is evident on the Colombian ensemble, Cumbia Moderna De Soledad on “Shacalao” who revive and reunite their native cumbia with its roots of Yoruban rhythms from Nigeria. From fellow Nigerian bands such as 6^th Infantry Brigade of the Nigerian Army on “Black and Proud,” to Trinidadian steelbands such as Mosco Tiles Fonclaire Steel Orchestra on the title track, to the more up-to-date ensembles of today such as Daktaris on “Up Side Down” and Karl Hector & The Malcouns on “Toure Samar”, you’ll be definitely getting your Afro-Beat fix through this stellar release.

ALAN LOMAX, Alan Lomax In Haiti (Harte)

Harte Recordings, together with the estate of Alan Lomax – the greatest musicologist of the 20^th century – and in collaboration with The Library Of Congress, chronicle his 1936 Haitian recording expedition with a 10-CD box-set, which includes over 50 hours of field recordings. The box-set is a unique artifact, presenting for the first time this important document of Haiti’s rich cultural heritage captured in the field. Thematically organized into ten volumes, each showcasing a specific style of music that Lomax encountered, the timing on this couldn’t have been better. And no, this wasn’t rushed as a release after Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake, this box-set has been available since the end of 2009.

‘Merengue’ songs introduce the box-set’s first volume, while sounds of Voodoo worship represent another, or native Mardis Gras music is collected on yet another, and even ‘Romances’ -  a now-extinct style of music brought to Haiti from France during its period of colonization – fill the final volume.