And just when you think you lost your box of records for the gigs in Gothenburg, along comes the Magician, waves her magic wand and on the next plane then arrive. How'd you do that Mel!
And how do I even begin to thank all those that made Cuki's big birthday feel so special. Soulsugar Sunday night! I luv ya boots.
Special thanks to all who came to my b/day bash and especially to Amanda, Tanja and the Gumpendorferstrasse crew for the cake and the love. Yeah, Cuki had to blow out a lot of candles in front of 200+ people and then listen to the same 200+ Soulsugar regulars sing happy birthday! Of course they sang the Stevie version as this is Sunday night Soulsugar bizniz. Much love to the Magician for keeping me company in all this birthday madness. The P_EACE man Mr Peter Kruder for the latest addition to my Evisu collection (maybe he knows another shop that sells my brand in Wien ;)? To Colee and Ceasar for the MC thing (haven't a clue what you were saying?)Stefan aka Stereotyp for some very special words about me being here in Wien. Ta to Ziggy and crew for letting me run up a guest list as long as my arm! Loads and loads of love to Lucia for trekking over from London town and making Cuki the happiest boy in town. Check a couple of paragraphs below for a piece how beautiful this person is. A big thank you to all who came down, you know who you are. I felt special. Danke Sehr
Nu communities!
Something told me in my heart when planning this trip to spend a little more time here then usual. Maybe that I have never been to Gothenburg, maybe that I have some close friends in this wonderful little sleepy suburb of Sweden. Maybe just a need to investigate the nu breed of musicians and producers that are about to enter our scene. Anyway Cuki indeed made the right choice in hanging out in minus degrees weather for eight days. Never really understood why DJ's just make these journeys just for one or two nights anyway. Never really learning about a city, its culture, food and style. Believe me eight days wasn't enough! And one gig turned into three anyway!
Well, we gotta get Mr Kruder a gig here cause this is Evisu city! The music and club scene isn't bad here either and I have to give much love to the following peeps who are about to enter your earlobes in the coming months/years! First up, my dear friend Chris Berg for the invitation to the Nefertiti club www.nefertiti.se and for hanging out at his apartment for these eight days. Apart from being the best drummer and percussionist in town, Chris is also one of the nicest guys on this the small blue planet. How lucky is that Lisa? Then of course Mr Andreas Saag aka 'Swell Session' and also new alias for Jamies 'Freerange' label as 'Stateless' http://www.freerangerecords.co.uk/ Two twelve's for the Hollow imprint and already cult status in your favourite BBC Radio 1 jock and other respected DJ's toolboxes. Talkin' about Hollow recordings! Nice to catch up with the label's head honcho and father figure Stefan Bede. I'm sure the rest of the nu jazz scene are as excited about the next two deliveries from Hollow records as they were to hear the first two. Cuki lucky enough to hear both and I can tell you they will both be worth the wait http://www.hollow.nu/ Much love to Stefan for also looking after the Cuki.
Maximum respect to Jonas Quant aka 'Quant' who gave us one of the best, yet one of the hardest to get albums of last year. Do try and track down a copy of the 'Quantasical Quantasm' on the now defunct DOT label. Jonas will deliver the next single too for Hollow and all three tracks ripping up my CD player as I type! Get ready also for a young man a couple of studios down the Corridor! Man like Joel aka 'Jol' with some peeps in Europe listening very closely to a CD-R doing the rounds. These guys got a lot of tracks ready to roll and some labels really need to be on the listen out cause this Gothenburg thing gonna take off very soon. Check out www.gonkyburg.com for Joel and Jonas bizniz very soon. Anybody in need of a soundtrack too, also need look no further than Jol. Cuki blown away by the suspense created in some off Joel's productions and scores. A better soundtrack then 'Lord of the Rings' I kid you not. Awesome.
I was really excited to meet the 'Plej' guys Erik and Arvid. One very limited twelve (100 copies only pressed) and JP outta Vinyl Junkies asking for another 200 as his allotted ten copies sold in seconds last summer. Do check out www.plej.se for a taster of what true soft electronica should sound like. Cuki got 11 tracks to burn up his CD player after the Quant CD-R is finished! Again these guys got plenty music to roll and it really is quite exceptional. Then you got a even younger breed starting first with a young man called Jonatan Backelie who will deliver music first for Hollow recordings under the guise of 'Ernesto's' and more warming electronica under his 'Pinku Vaaty' alias. Mr Tom Wieland (Les Gammas) hanging around 'Bootsville' this afternoon and quoting 'this boy has a big future'! Jonatan's main musical talent being an exceptional voice and you'll be hearing this on Hollow number 4 in the spring. We got a 13 tracks from Jonatan here to follow the Plej CD-R (It's gonna be a long but worthwhile nights listening ;)
Look out too for Miss Mimi Terris? Not only the best tour guide in Gothenburg for all the Evisu shops but also some exceptional music in waiting. Now, if I had a CD-R from her, Quant, Plej and Ernesto's would have to wait in line for a shot in the player! Love also to Paul the Frenchman who I know also has some wonderful music lined up. No CD-R here In Wien from Paul but I heard some nice tracks while in Sleepy Gothenburg. Both Mimi and Paul will no doubt be up and coming artists again through the Hollow imprint. The greatest thing about this 'nu community' in Gothenburg is just that! A brand new community of young and very talented musicians and producers who help each other out in a similar vein to the crews in west London or Berlin. I'm telling you now, you are only hearing the tip of the iceberg in 'Swell Session' and 'Yukimi Nagano' vocals (Koop/Swell Session). Gothenburg about to join the ranks of other prestigious communities within our scene. Take note.
Finally, a thank you to others in Gothenburg for a very enjoyable visit. To Staffan and Josefin at the Nefertiti club. The Cafe Publik were you hear Stevie Wonder records all day and everyday. To Yukimi who also should be noted for her amazing vocal talent. Check her wonderful style on the new Koop album on Compost records and of course Swell Session one and two on Hollow. To the mysterious Elsa and to a bunch of other girls and boys who names as always escape me at these times.
Only one thing to add I guess! Gothenburg, vi alskar dina Boots!
This week in Wien! A Viennese legend came to town.
Talkin' about Lucia Possas! I first met Lucy about 4 years ago at the Notting Hill Arts Club on London's west side. I remember we both boogied our boots off to a Patrick Forge set one Friday night at 'Inspiration Information', and I remember she smiled the most beautiful of all smiles. We sang along to every song and our spirits soared with every note. We became friends instantly and the very next night we were driving around town with Diesel about to reproduce our dancing skills at the 333 club. Anybody that came across the 'Smile' as she was later to be known as, instantly feel in love with her warm and wonderful ways. A piece of Brazilian sunshine entered our hearts as she joined ranks with the west London broken beat crews and chic EC2 boys and girls. Ask any of these crews about Lucy and they will give you broadest smile they can! The west london boys will probably give you a rub of their 'more green then brown' too!
I remember coming to Vienna in late May to plan this big Cuki adventure and all the DJ's and producers in town asking me how Lucy was? Did they really know the same Lucy? Of course they did, Lucy was a Viennese native for over eight years. So how wonderful it was for me to see this love first hand on Sunday night at Soulsugar back here in Vienna. I beginning to know now the legend of Lucia P here in middle Europe. All the G Stone crew, the Dub Club and Black Market citizens, the Soulsugar DJ's and regulars. How happy they are to see her here in her adopted second home. Everywhere I go in this wonderful city, people know about Lucy P and her amazing smile.
Not many things I miss about London but Lucy is certainly one of them. We also know Lucy in London as a fine photographer and designer. You can check much of her work out on her website at http://www.luciap.clara.co.uk/ and get some decent mug shots of all your favourite west London artists/DJ's/producers. There are a few suspicious Viennese dons in there too. We wish Lucia a safe and happy time back in Brazil for her holiday. I think I speak on the behalf of all Vienna. We luv ya boots baby :)
Graz! Many thanks to Volker and Hannas for another excellent though very short visit to Austria's second largest city. I think I mentioned a while back about a wonderful cafe in Graz called the Mocca Supreme! Well now they have a Mocca bar http://www.mocca.at/ and this week they had their unofficial and official openings. If you are ever in Graz, do seek out one of my favourite cafes and now one of my favourite bars. A big thank you also to Niko and the flying schnitzel waitress Doris for the lift home.
The Cuki choice....... Nu bitz this week*
1.*Jackson 5 - Get it together (4 Hero mix)(Universal/Japan) 12"
Ta to Alex for getting a twelve over to Austria for me. 4 Hero, this time in top hip hop form bring the Jackson's into the 21st century. The most obscene bass line and the sharpest snare tap bringing mucho head nodding from all that get to hear this wonderful remix.
2. Twitch - Blow your Blues away (Key) 12"
In Hungary they play the national anthem at midnight on new years eve! This is the record that you play 1 minute past midnight! Firecracker bizniz. 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 groovy madness straight outta the sixties.
3. Meikbar - Feelings (Rushhour) 12"
Moodymann meets Patrice Rushen? Absolutely no info on the artist, its where about's and release, but boy is this funky monkey. 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.
4. Miss Bombay - Hindustan Ambassador (Mantis) 12"
I really thought Andy and Martin were taking the pee 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.
5. Koop - Waltz for Koop (JCR) 1xLP
JCR/Compost/International rescue records finally get out the album that was a favourite in everybody's 'hush hush' collection. Timeless album outta Stockholm Sweden. The perfect combination of new meeting old. Check out a twelve too for solid remixes of 'Summer Sun'
6.*Boswick Gates - You are the remix (Colourforms) 12"
Gotcha! Had to work a little hard to track this baby down! Probably a little old for those who know about it but just getting into Cuki's toolbox and well worth featuring on this page. Minus 2 on the slide but still motoring along at 130 bpm. Funky little techno number that boogied my boots many a time at Flex. Now I gotta get the track called 'Toronto' PK always doing this to me ;)
7.*The Shiba Experiment - Magnus Steps (Bambola) 12"
We digging the spooky jazz flip that's sounds like Art Konik/Erik Trufaz/Miles Davis. Others may enjoy the dancier 'Hanadokei' A side which wets Nik's whistle. First outing for this a new label out London. Good luck Mr Luscombe
8. 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 monsteroony, and thats just the A side! The Butti 49 boy on a roll.
9. 4 Hero - Creating Patterns (Talkin Loud) 3xLP
Album of last 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
10. 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. Holding tight for the monster outta Paris
11. 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.
12. 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
13. 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!
14.*Fauna Flash - Confusion (Compost) 2xLP & 12"
Remix album hits the streets and Kyoto Jazz massive, Salavdor Group, dZihan & Kamien and a few others add their groove to last years Fusion long player. Don't over look the twelve too with Vienna's finest, the P_EACE man and the disciple, bum rushing disco's and nuff booty calling.
15. Jol - V/T (?) CD-R
Hanging out in a Gonkyburg studio and now it all makes sense! A CD-R that has been doing the rounds and still needs a home of its own. 23 year old sounding like he be doing this for 43 years. Late night music for the headz. Awesome
16. 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
17. 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.
18. 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. And this week finally in the shops
19. 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
20. 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?
21. Fat Jon as Maurice Galactica - Humanoid Erotica (Counterflow) 2xLP
Hot heeling YNQ as last 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 more late night music for the headz.
22. 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!
23. Passport - V/T (Remixes)(WEA) 12"
Am I the only person digging this? Haven't seen this in one single chart! Get on it guys, it ain't that bad. 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 it worthy.
24. 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.
25. 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
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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 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. Must be some sort of 'fever' at the label
29. Needs - Worlds (Ozone mix)(Needs) CD-R
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.
30. 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
This weeks Java Joint.
The Nat Adderley Sextet
'Soul Zodiac'
Capitol SVBB-11025 (1972)
Presented by Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley and featuring the sublime narration by LA DJ Rick Holmes who takes the listener through an soulful excursion of the 12 star signs of the Zodiac. Rick was a stand out DJ each night on the famous KBCA radio station in the late sixties and early seventies. The show was called the 'Family Affair and introduced many a producer to include these deep husky smooth talkers to vinyl. If you enjoyed the Floaters 'Float on' then seek this album out along with its slightly rarer 'Soul Bible' on the same label. The music on the album was also of the highest quality and features some of the greatest playing by George Duke and Ernie Watts. Mr Axelrod co produced this album so spookiness is guaranteed. Track 4 'Capricorn' stills the show and not just because this is Cuki's sign.
Bussi's for Mel and babba's to the rest of you
Till the next time
The one sweet daddy
Mail to Alan Brown
Pillergasse 7/20
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Austria
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