Literally through the door. Just back from Budapest but I got a few hours before I head out of town again so I'll try and get this into cyberspace before I go see my friends in Gothenburg.
One quick mention to the good peeps of Vienna. Cuki is playing at 'Soulsugar' (Porgy & Bess) on the 13th of January (Sunday). It's a bit special because this my birthday and its one of those birthdays that has a zero attached to it too. I'll be away all next week so no Cuki circular next week. No more Gluhwein in Vienna either but apparently they have kept some 'Glogg' for me in Gothenburg. Enough for a week I hope! I will fly straight back into Vienna for the 13th so please do come along to 'Soulsugar' if you can.
OK, back to Budapest. And we luv Budapest's boots indeed. Were do we begin. I guess the journey to the Hungarian capitol with uncle Tom Wieland (Les Gammas/Compost). We're both playing at the same two venues in this wonderful city over the Silvester/new year period, both living in Vienna and both being true auslanders. Tom being from Augsburg, southern Germany, Cuki from 'Smelly city' London town, so it makes sense to travel together. We had to battle though for the musical space between the four wheels though. Tom not to sure how to react when he heard Barbara Steisand and Barry Gibb's 'Guilty' on my tape! I had to listen to some obscure German jazz that no one bought back in the day and probably cost the Tomstar 600 Euros? Yeah, we also changed currency during this period too. Anyway, all good in the Tomstars speedstar! Our hosts for the Budapest experience were the nice people of the Rigoletto club http://www.rigoletto.hu/ and the nice folks behind the Cinetrip party held in very famous and very old Rudas baths http://www.cinetrip.net . The very courteous and welcoming staff at the Art Otel http://www.ohb.hu/art/index.en.html and of course our brothers in musical arms, Tibi and Gabor aka Keyser & Shuriken aka Crate Soul Brothers. As always, meeting up with Tibi and Gabor is a moving experience. These guys feel music like no other. Those who have checked their wonderful radio show on Tilos radio http://tilos.hu know the score too. Wicked DJ's with a wicked sense of humour, what fun we had. As always, Cuki got some nice snaps on his travels and we got some good pics of the Crate Soul bros in action.
Rigoletto club. Many thanks to George and the crew at this wonderful little club. A beautiful, intimate, warm and very cosy little joint that serves great food, has some quality drinks and some very nice people present. The type of place you would take your girlfriend on her first date. Thankfully I didn't have a first date cause this is Cukibaba City. As you know Cukipapa is a spin from the more widely used Hungarian term Cukibaba, and believe me there was enough Cukibabas present. More sugar babies then Bassetts produce in a year. Where the hell International playboy Jazz DJ Eivind Olsvik was I do not know, but he sure was in the wrong city. Ouch Eivind! Also nice to meet so many other wonderful people, special mentions to Zsofi (Tibi's girlie), Istvan (Buddy Holly)and Sanyi (Kinga) resident DJ's at the Rigoletto on Tuesday nights, and soulful with it too. Maddest moment of the evening for me was watching the party stop in full flow at midnight and Gabor and Tibi playing the national anthem on a well dodgy 7" and the party restarting again in earnest with Gabor dropping a musical bomb that just happened to find its way into my box (Cheers Mr Shuriken). Check the top of my chart for this record. It really is monster.
The Cinetrip party is a once a year event that has is in its forth year. Always held on the first day of the new year and what makes this party special is that it is held in a very old and very beautiful Turkish bath. Yes the party is held in various swimming pools and steam rooms! Think about it, Cukibaba's, bikinis, steam rooms! And I had to DJ? Man, I got the short straw. Again I got some mad pics for those who want them so free up your Hotmail and Yahoo accounts beforehand. One of the steam rooms dates back to 1585 and the whole experience can only be summed up as very very different. The steam rooms reminded me of 'Apocalypse Now' with a Buddha bar CD in the player! Thankfully, the event wasn't billed as Aqua Aerobics, and I saw no one beyond the 70 kilo's mark. Special thanks to all the crew attached to the Cinetrip party. This day was special for me too as I got a surprise visit from one of my favourite Viennese people Tanja who has decided that she wants to swim for me at the party then climb stature lions in the city at 4 in the morning. Er, I don't half pick em'!
Many thanks to all concerned at both parties and all those who looked after us while in this beautiful city. Budapest, we luv ya boots.
Big bunch of records in cardboard sleeves yet to play and nuff yellow postal slips that mean I got records waiting at the post office for me too. I'll try to collect them and maybe even chart some of them on my return to Vienna in a week and a bit.
Many thanks for all the new years wishes either though this format or the SMS thing that was going off big time on Cuki's handy. Again, I'll try and get back to ya soon.
Lastly, love to Sean and Erykah, who got it together last week. Wow, talk about Impulsiveness. Respect to the man from SNC/RTG/Cisco on his honeymoon in Barcelona.
The Cuki choice....... Nu bitz this week* (I've had enough of giving them numbers and positions!)
* Twitch - Blow your Blues away (Key) 12"
In Hungary they play the national anthem at midnight! This is the record that you play 1 minute past midnight! It goes off like a firecracker in a birthday cake. Wow, what a tune to bring in the new year and much love and thanks to Gabor aka DJ Shuriken for slipping this into my box! DJ Simbad and F McQuinn are the guys behind this, the perfect blend of Jazzy Afro American grooveness straight outta the sixties.
Meikbar - Feelings (Rushhour) 12"
Moodymann meets Patrice Rushen? Absolutely no info on the artist, its where about's and release, but boy is this solid. If this ain't Moodymann then it is sure one helluva of impostor! Pure Detroit house bizniz outta my favourite label at the mo, the Dutch 'Rushhour' imprint. Clocked at just over 112 bpm's but maximum wastage on the soles of your shoes guaranteed.
* Miss Bombay - Hindustan Ambassador (Mantis) 12"
I really thought Andy and Martin were taking the Mick here but its all true. Ex Indian beauty queens getting tricky with the 4/4. Well if Moodyman meets Patrice in the last record then this gotta be Moodymann meets Bollywood! Check this flip for a wired up and very left of centre house groove.
Koop - Waltz for Koop (JCR) 1xLP
Some things are just worth waiting for. Like the summer! This though really is worth the wait and what seems like quite a few summers. It really did seem like an eternity for this dream to be realized. First time I heard 'Waltz for Koop'! Man, it's so long ago I can't remember! Anyway, we're here, November 27th 2001, and a nice parcel from Compost delivers a long player that will surely pass the test of time. It already has in CD-R form. Congratulations to Magnus and Oscar and all concerned for this excellent album. The perfect combination of new meeting old. Respect also to JCR/Compost who should change their name to 'International rescue' records.
Snorre Seim - Brassespark/ Stokka Boogie (HiFi Terapi) 12"
Our favourite Stavanger resident collaborates with our favourite Oslo playboy. Number two in the HiFi Terapi series and setting the standard for the fine releases outta Scandinavia in general. Throbbing bass, strings, horns, scats, twisted keys and south American flavoured percussion all add to another monster, and thats just the A side! The Butti 49 boy on a roll.
4 Hero - Creating Patterns (Talkin Loud) 3xLP
Album of the year! I said that about IG's joint! I said that about Nathan's long player! This time I'm sticking. Did I tell ya about the time my promo CD got stuck in the CD player and I jumped for joy. It was the only thing I could play for days! Yeah, like I was real unhappy about this ;) I'm missing Murphs vocal on the vinyl but the three slabs of vinyl are stuck in the box till next great event from 4 Hero. Respect to Dollis Hill
Bebel Gilberto - Tanto Tempo (Peter Kruder remixes)(Ziriguiboom) 12"
And just when you thought it was safe to pigeon hole another certain producer! See, It's not all about smoked out affairs in the G-Stone campus! So many musical sides to the P_EACE man, and he takes this track on a completely different journey. A brave move turning a beautiful Brazilian ballad into some psyched out 80's electro monster but somehow PK manages to pull it off. Hold tight for the monster outta Paris
Ne Grove feat Marcus Begg - Movements in Space (Pure Filth) 12"
The warmer side of West London! Leroy and Co deliver another soulful excursion into the 21st century. The sublime vocal talent of Marcus Begg as always leading and taking the groove into the spiritual zone.
Trouble Man - Were we stand/Lullaby (Far Out) 12"
The ruffest beats right now are coming from Mark Pritchard! Another great two sided twelve forthcoming in February. Trouble Man music bordering on so many musical genres yet the essence is always fire fuelled funk with a capitol F. Trying to think the last time Mr Pritchard let me down with a release! Long time ago
Stereotyp - Gazzui Matter (Ecco Chamber) 12"
There's a mad car chase going around the 18th district! Dinner at Puglia's but quickly back in the car! We have to catch the man! We drive with the Scheibosan but follow the protégé in his custom built speedstar! His car has more knobs then ours so we never catch up! We enjoy the chase though! He has no mix tapes in his car either as the mentor informs me! No distractions! The spookiest soundtrack of the year just found it's way onto a slice of vinyl & the best record Kraftwork never made!
V/A - Family Sampler (Versatile)12"
And when was the last time you heard a dodgy release from Paris? Long time ago baby and this label is one for reasons for the unprecedented quality that now comes out of Paris week in week out. Gilb-r and company just know who's hot and who's not! New rubs from the slickest house producer around Osunlade and the ever consistent I:Cube adds a sick broken beat excursion. Respect
Kabuki - Tempest (Head to Toe) 12"
Look out for number 2 on the new imprint from Italy. If you enjoyed the west london remixes from Seiji, G Force and the likes for the Dom um Romao remix project then you'll sure to dig this. Nu Jazz pressure from the Kabuki crew with a solid AtJazz remix included. Look out for this label in the 02. Cuki happy to get a twelve too.
Jazzanova - That night/ Days to come (JCR) 12"
So its all good on Haggar street then! Another outstanding release from JCR/Compost records. Jazzanova get deeper then they ever have before. Vikter gives us the warm & loved up vocals that he is so blessed to deliver. Some records have good A sides and OK B sides, this has two epic sides to satisfy the masses.
Karime Kendra - Lovely brown skin (Score) 12"
I missed the little red hat. I missed the voice that came with this beautiful head piece. Lovely brown skin, dark soothing tones, what else could I ever need. She sent me to sleep for many a moon with 'Too Much'! So she's back. KK my favourite singer from out west. She doesn't sing as often as I would like but when she does, goosebumps get goosebumps. No sleeping this time though, a Landslide production see's to that. Feel a chemical imbalance coming on! A good one. I miss ya boots KK
Beatless - The Truth (King Britt Scuba mix)(Ubiquity) 12"
The King goes deep once again as only he knows how! 2001 once again showed why Philli's finest delivers on all fronts. Sylk 130 album, the multitude of remixes and every one coming through and killa. Scuba productions as always adding atmosphere and suspense to the occasion. If this was played at Plastic People last Friday then I missed out big time. 2002, maybe we'll get a Scuba album?
Aromabar - Milk & Honey (INFRACom) 2xLP
Andi, Roland & Karin reshape their sound and this long player is all the better for it. Watching a band develop musically is half the beauty and the soulful approach to the two step & nu jazz thing is a joy to behold when songs are involved. Yeah, remember them, Songs! This album has plenty of them. Thoughtful lyrics and educated music for grown ups.
Funky Lowlives - Inside (Dorfmeister vs Uptight dub) 12"
Classic Viennese stylee this time via Oli and the crew at Stereo Deluxe. Just a warm and non offensive track that hooks you in keeps there in the groove. Solid all round but thats what you except from Lowlives, Stereo Deluxe and Richard Dorfmeister and freinds. Look out in January
Fauna Flash - The Viennese mixes (Compost) 12"
Maybe it's Puglia's! Maybe! Dem boys bouncing off each other for sure. The Stereotyp and his mentor ripping up the rule book along the way! Those of the faint heart beware! Those with open minds about producers and genres, take note! And then we still gotta wait for Sugar B's awesome intro for the other crew!
Fat Jon as Maurice Galactica - Humanoid Erotica (Counterflow) 2xLP
Hot heeling YNQ as this years best instrumental hip hopper. Cincinnati's ample soul physician enlightens us to the world of Maurice Galactica, a twisted and disturbed break beater of gigantic proportions. . 'I Dee' a classic! A little late night music for the headz.
V/A - V/T (Emoticon) 12"
Boys at Rushhour/Emoticon hear this! You gotta write on the sleeves in larger letters bros. Man I had to buy a set of spectacles so I can read this! Well, anyway after buying these specs I can tell Cuki subscribers that 4 tracks from Russ Gabriel, Total Science, Tom Churchill and Hal Varian deliver more nu jazz, broken beat shenanigans infused with a large doses of Detroitness. Outta Holland as usual with these things!
Passport - V/T (Remixes)(WEA) 12"
Remixes from Truby Trio & Fauna Flash with the nu jazz lick to some old school fusion bizniz. Other mixes from Bobby Pleasure & Marsmobil on slightly other musical journeys make worthy outings too.
Cuica - Trommel Monster (Ubiquity) 12"
Pete 'Atlas' Herbert & Simone 'Big Bang' Serritella are Cuica! Monster percussive outing via San Fran and sure to be big in the boxes of all your favourite house hold DJ names including Nippon Nik, DJ Shuriken and Cuki P! Er, household names in my house anyway.
Aardvarck - Re Spoken (Domu mix)(Delsin) 12"
Finally I get the Dominic Stanton rub after months of rewinds with the two Nubian Mindz edits on the original Re Spoken promo. Think you guys know what to expect from the Bradford bomber
Geb El - From a distant point of view (Moles) CD-R
Strong long player with plenty of alternative grooves to all sorts of feet happy. Another nice cover of 'Love from the sun', broken beat stylee in 'Movin' On' and straight NYC house in 'Wait a long time'. Best tracks though are the totally chill your boots 'The killer & the chicken', 'Blue' & 'Moon over nightmare'. Many thanks to BTO Spider for the tip off regarding this rock steady piece of music.
The Open Door - What's behind door #1 (Sole) CD & 12"
There's this cat that lives in Brixton. Probably the coolest cat south of the river! Whiskers that reach out for ever. Big grin on the cat cause he know where the creamiest milk is! I reckon this cat listens to music like this. Now, some people getting high on a track called 'Breathe' and they have ever right to cause it's shockingly good. Do though get ready for the long player that will soon follow. Non conforming music for non conforming adults like me! Respect to the cat.
Zero 7 - In the waiting line (Koop remix)(Ultimate Dilemma) CD-R
Serious numbtyness going on at Ultimate Dilemma! Now, Cuki not known for charting things that ain't gonna happen or not ready to happen. I'm still holding down my Zero 7 remix of 'Umi Says' or the one year old bitz from the wonder kid from Detroit. But this little gem gotta get some attention and some peeps asking why? A match made in heaven, Eccentric Stockholm meets mean and moody London. The result, another excellent little waltzing groove from Koop. And GP played it too so now you know just how numbty record labels can be.
Dalunartikz - Higher (Arthrob) 12"
Daz-I-Kue, the hardest working man on the west side, the knob twiddler for the boys in north Acton, the funkiest boogie man ever born, the main man basically! Drop this track and watch what happens. Some liken this to 'Transcend me' and I ain't gonna disagree. A totally inspirational groove.
Uschi Classen feat Kimra - Now illuminate (Earth Project) 12"
Back to the cat in Brixton for this one! This cat also runs a record label. One of the most exciting labels in Catland for sure. No dogs in 5 previous releases! Do get ready to check out this choice piece from the forthcoming Uschi album! And what an album! House music that will rock 'Body & Soul' as much as it rocks 'Bootsville' here in Vienna. You need reinforced rubber on your soles! You've been warned.
Needs - Worlds (Ozone mix)(Needs) CD-R
Where west meets west! All this new music, all these hybrid sounds coming at me like sand in a desert storm! You would have to really think what this is and where is it coming from. Broken beats, nu jazz, east coast house music, Japanese bossa beats. It's all there! Included too some serious string and piano arrangements.
The Secret Waltz on tonight (Red Egyptian) 1xLP
Waltzing for the generation who don't know how to waltz! The summer of 2001, a strange but beautiful club appears in the Kingsland road. No flyers, no posters lining the derelicts of EC1 and 2, for this is truly a secret waltz. Listen to this and you get a reality check in the form of twelve amazing and moving tracks. More late night music.
Agent K - Ladies (Laws of Motion) 12"
Agent K aka Kaidi Tatham. A wandering genius from west London gives us a taster from his forthcoming album. Kaidi could be likened to a modern day George Duke. Full of energies that others have never experienced. Madslinky, the other great two stepper in town joins in the west London vibe with a superb and respectful remix. We hoping Nik gets a copy real soon
Jol - V/T (?) CD-R
In my bros chart but in Cuki's 'hush hush' collection for too long now! Someone needs to sign this baby! Outta Sweden so you know it got the right credentials. Actually, can someone tell me what the Swedes are taking at the mo? Whatever it is, it's working. Another selection of diverse tracks that are truly electronicia. Some mad late night listening included.
Bazille Noir - S/T (Jubilee) 2xLP
Do I have the Nussschwarzer today or maybe the Einspanner? Maybe I'll stick with the tried & trusted Fiaker! Whatever, I've found the perfect soundtrack to the coffee cosmos that I now find myself in! New outfit, new album, newish label, all deliver the goods with extraordinary ease.
V/A - All our Eggs in one basket (Freerange) CD
Jamie Jimpster and friends gather a fine selection of honest and sincere music from the Freerange stable. Driving through Vienna, this time with the Tomster and 'Deep Down' introducing the CD. Where was the kid from Gothenburg? I was thinking of him, I missed him! Organic music for intellectuals and music lovers alike. It's playing right now.
V/A - 12 cuts of the Pie (Humble) CD-R
The filling for this particular pie is, KV5, Kadmon, Rockstone, Yenara, Pael Black, Rio Collective, Brownman Greenman. Ingredients that make this particular dish very very tasty. I'm having this pie for breakfast, lunch and supper! What kinda restaurant would serve this? I have no idea! Where you can buy Humble pie? Again I have no idea! Then again, and as daft as it sounds, you may buy this dish in a record shop very soon. Wouldn't that be cool.
V/A - People make the world go round 3 (People) 2xLP
Part 3 from a place in west London. Exclusive instalments from Quango (IG Culture), Sci Clone (Nathan Haines), Da Altive Natives (Danny). Some tried and trusted tracks also from Ne Grove (Leroy & Marcus). Restless Soul (Phil Asher), Fini Dolo (Noel Watson). Don't you just love all these different guises.
Wah-cHU-kU - You know what (Surplus) 12"
You know what you are supposed to do, you know what you need to do? Find this infectious bit of Detroit influenced envelope pushing music! Attica Blues of course. It's the beats that give it away. The hardest, ruffest, toughest around. 'A' takes you there, the 'B' takes you back, you could go back before you go but that's your decision. Which ever way you, decide to travel, enjoy the ride.
This weeks Java Joint.
I really do need to go to bed. Can I do one in two weeks time! Thanks guys I knew you'd understand.
Bussi Babba
Till the next time
The one sweet daddy
Mail to Alan Brown
Pillergasse 7/20
1150
Vienna
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Jan 04 2002 - 06:20:15 CET