From: Velanche Stewart (vstewart@calpoly.edu)
Date: Fri Nov 22 2002 - 11:36:35 CET
U R B A N L A N D S C A P E S
Global Club Culture...
Made Fresh Weekly.
Urban Landscapes hits the airwaves tonight and every Friday evening from
8-11pm PST on KCPR 91.3 FM.
Don't forget that if you miss the live show, you can hear it anytime via
the Urban Landscapes web site at http://www.urbanlandscapesshow.com. The
most recent show will also be posted a day or two after the broadcast on
the site's home page. The last five shows are available online for your
listening pleasure anytime, anyday. You can find them via the
"Playlists" section of the web site.
Be sure to tell your friends about the show!
---- ADDRESS FOR MUSICAL SUBMISSIONS (NOTICE: ADDRESS HAS TEMPORARILY CHANGED) To jump right to the mailing address for musical submissions, please scroll toward the bottom of this circular for more information. ---- NEWS This week's show won't be archived for listening online due to a special "auction" edition of Urban Landscapes this evening. However, you can now catch last Friday's show online. It took awhile to get things working after technical issues made the last two shows a "no-go" for archiving, but I think it's just about where I'd like it to be for now. You can listen to the broadcast for Friday November 15 at http://urbanlandscapesshow.com/shows/15Nov02.ram. AUCTION TONIGHT (LOCALS ONLY) For those of you who live locally in San Luis Obispo County, be sure to tune in for your chance to bid on some very nice goods. We have some hand-picked five packs of CDs put together by me, Jennifer (who guest-hosted the show last summer) and Kris (another DJ here...he's looking to branch into his own show next quarter) for you to bid on. Gotta give thanks to Aaron at Rope-A-Dope (http://www.ropeadope.com/), Jessica at S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Entertainment, and Clint at Palm Pictures (http://www.palmpictures.com/) for supplying all of those niceties. But the big two items for bids tonight are sweet! Thanks to a generous donation from Dirk of Groove Distribution in Chicago (http://groovedis.com/), we are quite fortunate to have these premiums for you to bid on and walk away happy. The first item is a collection of 10 import CDs. Included in the package are Horsepower Productions's "In Fine Style," Seiji's "Remixes" compilation, and Peshay's "Fuzion". The second item is a nice Groove Distribution DJ bag filled with over 20 pieces of vinyl. Yes, that's right...20-plus! You know you want them, so do your thing to support Urban Landscapes and KCPR...listen, make your bids, and walk away with some nice goods to satiate your musical taste buds. PROGRAMMING NOTES urban Landscapes will not air next week, as the U.S. observes the Thanksgiving holiday. Like many people here, I will be out of town the Friday after Thanksgiving. Starting Friday December 6, Urban Landscapes is going to pick up the musical pace considerably. We'll be wrapping up the year 2002 with a three-part retrospective featuring the musical highlights of the past year. December 6 will spotlight my picks of the 30 Most Recommended Albums of 2002. This isn't going to be easy to do, as 2002 has been quite a fresh musical year. But in the end, there can only be 30 standouts that we'll have time to fit into a three-hour set; hence, the 30 Most Recommended Albums of 2002. On Friday December 13, we'll have a rundown of the 30 Most Recommended Singles that's best represented the year. Then on Friday December 20, we'll sort out the Most Recommended Remix Albums & Compilations of the year. And if you're good and ready, I just may have a special show or two up my sleeves to leave you with prior to my extended holiday break to Europe. More details on that soon. Each of the shows will be archived for listening. Special playlists for each show will give brief reviews and/or comments about why the tune was chosen for the list. In the end, I hope that the information will give you some useful musical tips that could be of value on your next record store visit. NO NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK Next week will be an abbreviated work period due again to the Thanksgiving holiday. Therefore, you won't see a circular in your inbox again until the first week of December. To those of you in the U.S., have a safe and festive Thanksgiving holiday. For the rest of you around the world, stay well and happy wherever you are. ---- THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS Phuturistix--Feel It Out (Hospital/UK) CD-R I've first heard this funky tune on Landslide's recent radio mix that I've played on the show last week. Now Hospital, arguably one of the UK's finest independents, continues its stellar reputation with forthcoming music from the collaborate project between Zed Bias and Injekta...aka Phuturistix. After hearing their music featured on several compilations, we're coming to the home stretch of what will be their debut long-player for the label. "Feel It Out" takes the funky uptempo biz several notches in the right ways. The vocal work from Ray Gaskins adds to the freshness of the tune's soulful 2-step feel. Also to be featured on the album is the tight instrumental "Bad Thoughts." Look for the 12" to drop in February 2003, with the album due in early next year as well. If you're a fan of Zed Bias like I am, as well as a fan of Injekta, then hold tight. Todd Sines--Cum Closer/I Cannot 12" (Planet E) white This is some adventure in the abstract from the ever-unpredictable Planet E from Detroit. This one really takes the "left" in leftfield to uncharted territory, as Todd Sines challenges the listener's convention of what club culture should be. The first tune, "I Cannot," is some minimalist goodness whose sparseness are contrasted by some heavy beat action, all admist some interesting use of vocals and other instruments. After the pause in the middle of the tune by silence, everything returns with a wicked bassline added for good measure. "Cum Closer" is very leftfield that way, in the vein of Tricky, with its off-kilter vocals and some downbeat subwoofer-quaking goodness. It's an acquired taste, and for me it works really well. The first time I've heard this one was actually a really dope remix from Toronto's Moonstarr. Worth seeking that one out too, because that version will bothered you oh-so-badly. Those mad people at Planet E. I don't know what Carl's artists are concocting, but Todd Sines's music will surely have music lovers talking about the deepness of his vibes. Can't wait to find out how much deeper this man will take us. Horsepower Productions--In Fine Style (Tempa/UK) Seriously, we need more dubstep here stateside...far more. This is just too fresh of a genre not to build on. I've been playing some great dark 2-step over the past 2 years from the likes of DJ Abstract, El-B, the Ghost crew, and the trio known as Horsepower Productions. Now Horsepower Productions, very much pioneers in the dubstep scene (though they'll tell you that they don't like to be pigeonholed in any category) unleashes their debut long-player from Tempa Recordings with the most appropriate title, "In Fine Style." It very much captures the essence of streetwise club culture with its infectious, subwoofer-shaking sounds that are wickedly seductive. Many of of tunes that were previously available only on vinyl are in this collection. Dropping samples from movies throughout the musical journey, "In Fine Style" truly is a remarkable showcase for what could be. Its diverse range surpasses the dubstep categorization, shapeshifting into varied places with layers of melodies and other sounds. Let's hope that it doesn't remain a UK thing. The rest of the world should check out what Horsepower Productions are all about...strong, dubwise madness! Snowboy and the Latin Section--Borrago/Los Rumberos de la Habana & Matanzas Remixes 12" (Ubiquity) I've gotta thank Dr. Boots for turning me on to this one, and to Aaron and Jamie at Ubiquity for supplying it. Some dope remix madness is at work here, and they are both as fresh as anything one can expect from California-based Ubiquity Recordings. The UK duo Cuica (soon to have their own album unleashed from the label early 2003) gives "Borrago" a rough and sexy dose of adrenaline that pushes the tune into a frenzied pace that does not relent until the final note. On the flip, we get a wonderful reworking from Espen Horne's project The Bobby Hughes Combination. He takes "Los Rumberos" into a bouncy midtempo bit of Latin-influenced nu-jazz that swings with the best of them. I have to ask...how long can Ubiquity keep this up?? Not many labels can stay as consistent in terms of quality output for so long, and with these remixes of Snowboy it's scored once again. Vikter Duplaix--Looking For Love 12" (Hollywood) The man from Philly leading the entity known as "The Movement," Vikter Duplaix is on a roll with the first single from his "International Affairs" album that will be released on Hollywood Records stateside in early 2003. And boy, does he have some serious backing! The original, produced by Marc Mac of 4 Hero, is a soulful broken sort of numbah. Then Marc Mac switches over to his Nature's Plan guise, giving the tune a funkier sort of vibe with some additional bass work. On the flip, fellow Philly native King Britt brings in two mixes of his own as he goes for both a house flavor and the Scuba deal. Saving the best mix for last, the West London crew Bugz In The Attic are in top form by throwing down one of their best remixes of the year. Seek it, and add it to your collection. You'll find yourself playing these different mixes for some time to come. Various Artists--Destination: Out (Ecco Chamber/Austria) Alan Brown is living a life that most of us only dream of. He travels to the best cities, plays the best music, supplies music for some of the most influential DJs in the world, and writes about it all. Originally from the UK, he now makes his home in Vienna. And so it goes that he's hooked up with the Austrian label Ecco Chamber for "Destination: Out," a piece of work that's as ambitious as it is a labor of love. Known as, among other nicknames, Cukipapa and Dr. Boots, Brown not only has picked out the various artists for "Destination: Out," but he also tells stories behind the artists and of his travels using the cities as backdrops. We are offered just a taste, mind you, of the incredible life that Cuki leads, and get to know artists who are destined to leave their marks in time. The album begins and ends in Vienna, with Stereotyp representing both ends. Along the way, we meet other artists such as Hird from Gothenburg, Freerange's Jimpster from London, A.L.S.M. from Moscow, and Emo from Copenhagen. The CD version comes with a booklet filled with pictures of Cuki's travels, while the vinyl version is a triple pack of wax. So take your seats, strap your seat beats, and take off on a nice and groovy musical excursion around the world. Dr. Boots will be your guide the whole trip through. Feel free to take as many trips as you wish into the realm of melodic bliss. Dub Syndicate--Murder Tone (On-U Sound) Dub has surely been getting a resurgence of late. And Adrian Sherwood's On-U Sound label is doing the business of contributing to said resurgence. Following the release of the terrific "Chainstore Massacre" compilation, we now are treated to some classic music from the Dub Syndicate. "Murder Tone" is a collection of tunes that were recorded between two albums that were put forth by the band: "Stoned" and "Echomania." Guests on this one includes that of Bim Sherman, Lee Perry, Talvin Singh, & Voice of Authority. Pick it up, and check it out. It's out on CD and as a double-vinyl album. Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (Hospital/UK) Thanks to Tim Landslide for sending this way his new single on Hospital. Proving that he's no slouch in the music department, "It's Not Over" gets some dope vocals from Brooklyn-based Alison Crockett. It's got a lot of that soulfulness that he does so well with his tunes, taking the groove deep. We also get an alternative mix, a "4x4" mix that's rhythmically like that but not the typical, disco-type beats. Very much a "dirty-around-the-edges" kinda bassline that should give many rumps a bit of a shakedown, then a shakeup. Landslide continues to be at the top of his game, as he continues to roll along nicely. Groovy stuff! The Bobby Hughes Combination--Nhu Golden Era (Stereo Deluxe/Germany) Some works are very much worth the wait, and Espen Horne's project The Bobby Hughes Combination has surely made "Nhu Golden Era" worth the wait. Riding high on the new jazz sounds of Scandinavia, fusing electronic sounds with organic grooves, Horne and company lets it be known that the band is going to dig in for the long haul. Very much in the quality Stereo Deluxe tradition, we are given many more gifts beyond the "Kerma Elastica" single that has been in many a DJs' crates for much of this year (that track, by the way, is the hidden track on the CD). Asides from the terrific take on "Kerma" from Norwegian jazz legend Karin Krogh called "Karins Kerma," we get a lot of tasty treats such as "Clive The Runner" and "Nattegalen." Full of vibes that bounces all over the place, "Nhu Golden Era" ("Nhu" refers to Horne's love-of-his-life) will definitely put a smile on the faces of jazz lovers and dance fans who are truly open to the new sounds of jazz/club fusion. Various Artists--California Soul (Luv N'Haight) Ubiquity Recordings's main reissue imprint Luv N'Haight gives us another gift of musical gabs to savor, this time focusing on some rarities from some otherwise-obscure California-based artists. "California Soul" gives many of these great tunes and artists their just due, years after the original recordings. In fact, the tunes here go back as far as the 1960s and are as recent as the 1980s. Ubiquity has made great pains to ensure that all of the artists on the album are compensated, and for that we are grateful for benefiting from some of the great tunes throughout this disc. You really should invest some time in this one, because the tunes are just knocks-your-feet-off kind of amazing to hear. And in spite of the ages of the tunes, they stand up very well. Drop some of these tunes at a party, and you're liable to get a good-sized crowd in your wake. Go deeper with "California Soul," and be rewarded. Flunk--For Sleepyheads Only (Guidance) Originally released on Norway's Beatservice label, the ever-opportunistic Guidance Recordings picked up this album to release domestically. Dare I say that I would have otherwise miss this one, which is very much on the downtempo/trip-hop tip...and I do mean on the good side of both. Flunk are a trio of downbeat beatniks from Norway--two musicians plus the singer. And they surely do "For Sleepyheads Only" justice in its musical ambitions. Take some time with it, and check it out. If you're a fan of downtempo or downbeat, then this should appeal to your senses. Various Artists--The Reindeer Room (Kriztal) You knew this was coming, didn't you...a Christmas chillout selection. You know that it's a brave step when a label steps up to the plate to attempt to meet the challenge. Well Florida-based label Kriztal steps up to the plate and scores a home run with "The Reindeer Room," a collection of both classic and original holiday tunes put forth from some of the brightest artists in the downtempo scene. The liner notes from label manager Beth Sereni (the mastermind behind both the conceptualization and the formation of this project) spells out that "we aren't able to divulge all of the artists by their real names," but nevertheless this is really one to stuff in your musical stockings. These tunes are fresh takes on the classics that we all have had to put up with year-after-year-after-year. Artists that are lending their talented wares include Grand Central's Jon Kennedy, Pulver recording duo Inverse Cinematics, and DRM from Bastard Jazz. Hide those other Yuletide tiredness (okay, except maybe "A Charlie Brown Christmas") and go for different. "The Reindeer Room" brings out the "chill" in Christmas in a very good way. Al-pha-X--Mi Corazon 12" (Bar de Lune/UK) I've picked this one up at the local record store the second DJ Patife's mix exploded in my ear. Go for the phat Patife mix on this 12" from the Bar De Lune label. The man of the moment does his jazzy drum n'bass magic, taking the original tune higher and higher into peaktime. His mix is very strong and very lively, and it shows why he's really ahead of the game with the Brazillian/jazzy drum n'bass sounds gaining a foothold in club culture within the last year or so. Go, Patife, go! Rosey--One 12" (Island) I'm not that crazy about Rosey's album, so taking one of her tunes and improving on it remix-style could either go one way or the other for me. It took awhile for the mixes to grow on me, but Seiji's twisted mix-up of "One" has grown on me badly. It's the aftertaste that just won't go away and seems to get tastier with each play. DJ Spinna also does it finely, giving the tune a downbeat flava. Riton has a remix on this one also, but I've felt that it wasn't quite him at his best. Overall, the improvements from the original makes are quite evident. ---- VELANCHE'S SOUNDSCAPES FOR DECEMBER 2002 (in no particular order) 1. The Bobby Hughes Combination--Nhu Golden Era (Stereo Deluxe/Germany) 2. Horsepower Productions--In Fine Style (Tempa/UK) 3. Snowboy And The Latin Section--Borrago/Los Rumberos de la Habana Y Matanzas Remixes (Ubiquity) 4. Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (Hospital/UK) 5. Various Artists--Moshi Moshi: Nu Sounds From Japan (Fuego/UK) 6. Various Artists--Destination: Out 3xLP (Ecco Chamber/Austria) 7. John Beltran--Sun Gypsy 2xLP (Ubiquity) 8. Focus--Sweet & Sour (Versatile/France) 9. Microfish Meets Stereotyp--Who Me? (Stereo Deluxe/Germany) 10. Various Artists--Chainstore Massacre (On-U Sound) 11. New Flesh vs. Horsepower Productions--Stick & Move 12" (Big Dada/UK) 12. Phuturistix--Feel It Out (Hospital/UK) CD-R 13. Various Artists--California Soul 2xLP (Ubiquity) 14. Jazzanova--Days To Come Remixes 12" (JCR/Compost) 15. Lemon Jelly--Lost Horizons (XL) 16. Stereotyp--My Sound (G-Stone) 17. Various Artists--Red Hot + Riot 2x12" (Red Hot/MCA) 18. Derrick Carter--Squaredancing In A Roundhouse (Classic) 19. Ayro--new material (Omoa) CD-R 20. Various Artists--Blue Light One (Upstairs/Nettwerk) 21. Various Artists--Mushroom Jazz 4 (Om) 22. Tommy Knocker--Brazil Is Back 12" (Intercom/UK) 23. Various Artists--The Reindeer Room (Kriztal) 24. Tom Sines--Cum Closer 12" (Planet E white) 25. DRM--Shaeed 12" (Citrona test) 26. Vikter Duplaix--Looking For Love 12" (Hollywood) 27. Al-pha-X--Mi Corazon: DJ Patife X Madzoo Sessions Mix (Bar de Lune/UK) 28. Mr. Scruff--Trouser Jazz (Ninja Tune) 29. Jill Scott--Slowly, Surely: Theo Parrish Remix (CD-R) 20. Various Artists--2000 Black: The Good Good 2 (2000 Black/UK) Don't worry, you haven't missed November's Picks. I've decided to make some adjustments, so from here on out my monthly picks will be for the next month. ---- LAST WEEK'S PLAYLIST (Listen to the broadcast online with the RealPlayer 8 and higher at http://urbanlandscapesshow.com/shows/15Nov02.ram) 1. Black Renaissance--Black Renaissance Body, Mind & Soul (Luv N'Haight) 2. Jazzanova--L.O.V.E. and You & I (Madlib Remix) Hanazono EP (Rope-A-Dope) 3. Sun Ra--Satellites Are Spinning (Zero dB Remix) (Mo Smog/Italy) CD-R 4. The Bobby Hughes Combination--Nhu Beginin Nhu Golden Era (Stereo Deluxe/Germany) 5. Snowboy and the Latin Section--Los Rumberos de la Habana Y Matanzas (Bobby Hughes Combination Remix) 12" (Ubiquity) 6. Dubarchnoid Trim--Sincerity Dubarchnoid Trim (Ultima/Portugal) 7. Chiekh Lo, Les Nubians & Manu Dibango featuring Chateau Flight--Shakara/Lady Red Hot + Riot (Red Hot/MCA) 8. John Beltran--Felicidad Nova Sun Gypsy (Ubiquity) 9. The Cinematic Orchestra--Evolution II (Mr. P Remix) Horizon EP 12" (Ninja Tune/UK) 10. Domu featuring Nix--Music of the Earth 2000 Black: The Good Good 2 compilation (2000 Black/UK) 11. Vikter Duplaix--Looking For Love (Nature's Plan Radio Mix) 12" (Hollywood) 12. Focus--Sweet & Sour Sweet & Sour (Versatile/France) LANDSLIDE'S RADIO MIX SET (Thanks to Landslide for the goods) *Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (Hospital) *Dharma One--Belong (Nine2Five) *Shurikan--Half Step (Freerange) *Irus--Beyond This World (Non Stop) *Nina Simone--Feelin' Good: Todd Terry Remix (In House) *Phuturistix--Feel It Out (Hospital) *London Elektricity--Cum Dancing: Landslide Remix (Hospital) *Jammin'--As We Do (Bingo) 13. Opaque--Ice 2000 Black: The Good Good 2 compilation (2000 Black/UK) 14. Snowboy and the Latin Section--Barrago (Cuica Remix) 12" (Ubiquity) 15. Roni Size & Reprazent--Lucky Pressure In The Mode (Island) 16. Roni Size--Vocoda Funk Touching Down (Full Cycle) 17. Hird--Keep Your Hird Destination: Out compilation (Ecco Chamber/Austria) 18. Purple Penguin--Pressure (Remix) De-tuned (Water Music) 19. Groove Corporation--Liberation Dub Dub Plates From The Elephant House Vol. 2 (Different Drummer) 20. Dub Syndicate--African Landing Murder Tone (On-U Sound) 21. The Philadelphia Experiment--(Re)Moved (Oba Funke's Far Re-Moved Mix) King Britt Presents The Philadelphia Experiment Remixed compilation (Rope-A-Dope) ---- Urban Landscapes proudly supports quality independent music from around the world. Respect to all the independent labels, radio promotion folks, and related entities for sharing the wonderful musical goods. The show has been keeping it real for over four years, as the movement continues to expand its influence. Please feel free to send promos/musical submissions (CD/CDR, vinyl, and minidisc) for airplay and/or review consideration and t-shirts (large, if you please) to: Velanche Stewart, Urban Landscapes 258 Ramona Drive San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 USA If you're available for interviews, we welcome them as well. Just send me an e-mail message to mail@urbanlandscapesshow.com. This newsletter is sent to DJs, record labels, promotion companies, and like-minded music lovers from around the world. If you wish to be removed from the list, please let me know. To be added to the weekly mailing list, please send me email. Have a great weekend (and a happy & safe holiday for those in the U.S.)!
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