Hi friends,
It's been quite a while since my last email; I hope everyone is doing well
in light of recent world events.
To make up for the long silence, I've expanded my Top 10 list to a Top 20
list this time around. These are records that have given me the most
pleasure over the summer months. But first...I must tell you about something
happening TONIGHT in San Jose!
Most of you know that I regularly spin for the Friday happy hour at Fuel, 44
So. Almaden Avenue in San Jose. This typically runs from 5:00-8:30, but
TONIGHT ONLY, I'll be spinning for EIGHT SOLID HOURS, from 5pm-1am! There's
no cover charge all night, so drop by anytime. If you're there before 9pm,
you can expect to chill out to some jazzy vibes. But after 9pm, come
prepared to sweat! I'll be digging through my collection to find the
crunchiest, funkiest, grooviest dance beats I can lay on ya. So I hope to
see you there! Now on to the list...
ROCOCO'S TOP 20, OCTOBER 2001
1. Afronaught - SHAPIN' FLUID (Apollo)
Orin Walters comes correct with my favorite of all the West London
full-lengths released this past Summer. Funky, soulful, and definitely
phuturistic.
2. Beatless - "The Truth" 12" and "Life Mirrors" 12" (Ubiquity)
These two 12"s from the forthcoming Beatless album practically ensure the
album's status as one of the best soul records of the year. Great remixes
here, too!
3. Chateau Flight - "Autopower/Welcome" (Versatile)
Two new tracks from the ever-intriguing Versatile label. Peter Kruder's
"Autopower" remix falls somewhere between broken beats and the spliffed out,
downtempo vibe we've come to expect from him. On the flip is a throbbing
deep house track featuring spoken word from our favorite Yoruban house
producer, Osunlade.
4. DJ Suv - "Desert Rose EP" (Full Cycle)
If you've already played the grooves off your "Brazil EP" (V Recordings),
this is the next thing to check. A wild stretch of the drum'n'bass art,
incorporating Latin, Middle Eastern, and other international beats. Wicked!
5. Dom Um Romao - LAKE OF PERSEVERANCE (Irma)
My favorite Brazilian release of the Summer. Dom's follow-up to RHYTHM
TRAVELLER (Mr. Bongo) has even more variety than his previous release, and
includes the usual high-powered cast of Brazilian co-stars. Be on the
lookout for an entire album's worth of club-oriented remixes that are
trickling out on 12".
6. Dus - "The Deeparound Workbook" (SSOH)
A well-rounded EP from one-half of Croatian duo Eddy & Dus. "A Brighter Day"
is a vocal track like you might expect: joyfully upbeat and danceable. "For
My Lady" is a moody soundtrack piece; "The Kat-Cho" and "Science Project"
are jazzy instrumentals that wouldn't sound out of place on a Crusaders
album, but for the quirky vocal samples.
7. E:trinity - VARIOUS SHADES OF BLUE (Pacific City)
E:trinity is the only electronic artist I know of who's incorporating
Filipino influences into his music. And somehow he manages to pull it off in
a variety of styles, from house to two-step to drum'n'bass and more. A very
self-assured debut.
8. Greens Keepers - "What's Your Man Got to Do with Gan?" (Classic)
The highlight of this EP is undoubtedly the opener, "Bang in Your Face,"
which overlays Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing" onto a tick-tock
house beat: funny and extremely danceable. Then there's "Low and Sweet,"
which tries the same thing with some Django-esque guitar. The two tracks on
the flip side are more rhythmically sophisticated, with one track on the
jazz fusion tip and the other having a Middle Eastern flavor.
9. Herbert - BODILY FUNCTIONS (!K7)
Here's another album that's been out for a while, but had to be included on
my list because, dammit, it's just the best thing Matt Herbert has done yet!
Experimental yet hummable at the same time. Good job!
10. Herbie Hancock - FUTURE2FUTURE and "The Essence" Remixes (Transparent
Music)
Well now this is very definitely the most interesting thing Mr. Hancock has
come up with in a while. Bill "Rockit" Laswell is back, along with a handful
of jazz vets, some hip electronic artists, and some intriguing guest
vocalists. Chaka Khan's "The Essence" gets remixed on two concurrent 12"s by
Joe Claussell, DJ Krush, and LTJ Bukem, giving the album some additional
club credibility.
11. Interfearence - "Take That Train" 12" (Ubiquity)
The second Interfearence 12" on Ubiquity packs much more of a wallop than
their first. Best cuts on this four-tracker are the original mix of "Take
That Train," an 8-minute epic of beat freakery, and Zero dB's tech-house
fusion on "Xtradition." The other two remixes of "Take That Train" (by
Interfearence themselves) are OK but unessential.
12. Mondo Grosso - MG4 (Epic/Sony)
A lush and lovely fourth release from Japan's Mondo Grosso. Two-step and
Brazilian beats get the full orchestral treatment, plus guest vocal
appearances from Monday Michiru and Ed Motta.
13. Nortec Colletive - THE TIJUANA SESSIONS VOL. 1 (Palm Pictures)
I'm not sure what to say about this one that hasn't already been said.
South-of-the-border electronica from a group of artists who are mining a new
and interesting vein in dance music.
14. Alex Rostotsky - "Once Upon a Time in the City of Kazan" (Cosmic Sounds)
This is the first release in Cosmic Sounds' new 12" dance series. The
Russian jazz original (included here) is an endearingly funky bit of bass
riffing, fleshed out by some haunting vocal chants and yearning trumpet. Da
Vibes Boys and label owner Zeljko Kerleta conjure up two dancefloor-friendly
remixes. A promising start to the series and one that should attract new
converts to the cosmic jazz sounds of Eastern Europe.
15. Ruby - "Beefheart" from SHORT-STAFFED AT THE GENE POOL (Thirsty Ear)
Ruby's "kinder, gentler" sophomore effort is a welcome change of direction,
but I have to admit that my favorite track here recalls the punky trip-hop
of their first album.
16. Speeka - "London Calling" (Funky Lowlives Remix) (Ultimate Dilemma)
I love just about everything the Funky Lowlives have done, but this remix of
a cover version of an old Clash song absolutely takes the prize.
17. Various - DARKER THAN BLUE: SOUL FROM JAMDOWN (Blood & Fire)
My summer has been pretty much defined by reggae, as I've been reading two
essential (and very recommended) books on its history: Lloyd Bradley's "Bass
Culture" and Steve Barrow/Peter Dalton's "Rough Guide to Reggae." Part of
the accompanying soundtrack has been this amazing compilation from Blood &
Fire, surely one of the best things they've ever put out! Soul man Ken
Boothe rules the pack here with his covers of Syl Johnson's "Is It Because
I'm Black?" and Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine." Other amazing
contributions come from Al Brown, Delroy Wilson, and Welton Irie, to name
just a few. Even if you're not a big reggae fan (and why not?), you'll
probably love this collection. Five stars and 2 thumbs up.
18. Various - OUT PATIENTS 2 (Hospital)
An absolutely wonderful collection of "future jazz and 2-step soul" which
includes one of the best tunes of the summer, Landslide's "Hear My People."
It would be worth owning just for that, but tracks by the likes of Future
Homosapiens, Audiomontage, Swell Session, Les Gammas, and London Elektricity
are very nearly as good.
19. Various - STUDIO ONE SOUL (Soul Jazz)
On the same soul/reggae tip, though not quite as amazing, as the Blood &
Fire release covered above, this collection still comes up to Soul Jazz's
usual high standards. Favorite track: Norma Fraser takes on Aretha
Franklin's hit, "Respect."
20. Wagon Cookin' - "Earth" 12" and "Mar" 12" (Appetizers)
Gorgeous jazzy house that should interest all fans of St. Germain. Don't
know much of anything about the artist, though.
...and that's all for now. If you would like to be removed from this list,
just reply to this message and tell me to "hit it and quit it." Otherwise
I'll catch you later! :-)
___________________________________
Mark Turner (DJ Rocky Rococo)
nugroove@pacbell.net
THE WEEKEND STARTS HERE
5-8:30pm Fridays @ Fuel in San Jose
More info: www.jazzadelica.com
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