From: Velanche Stewart (vstewart@calpoly.edu)
Date: Fri Oct 25 2002 - 10:07:48 CEST
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
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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
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"Playlists" section of the web site.
Be sure to tell your friends about the show!
---- ADDRESS FOR MUSICAL SUBMISSIONS To jump right to the mailing address for musical submissions, please scroll toward the bottom of this circular for more information. ---- NEWS We're moving right along here at Urban Landscapes Central. As usual, more great music coming this way and you--the listeners--are the main beneficiaries. There's still a bit over two months before the year ends, and the dope music just keeps coming. Tonight, the latest 12" from Jason Swinscoe and the Cinematic Orchestra titled "Horizon" is yet another fine Ninja Tune release (note to Jason: Quality music, man)! If Afrobeat is your thing, the latest compilation from the Red Hot Organization could do you right while helping out for a good cause..."Red, Hot & Riot" is a wonderful tribute to the music of the late Fela Kuti, himself a victim of AIDS-related causes. From our friends at Versatile comes the latest 12" from the new Focus long-player "Sweet & Sour" that's due out shortly...."Marvin Is Back" is the tune. If you like your music a bit heavier, got a new bit of wax as New Flesh meets Horsepower Productions...a wicked tune called "Stick & Move." Wanna hear Seiji remix Rosey? C'mon, you know you wanna! You'll hear that one, as well. And of course, more new and recent goods to keep you musically entertained. KOOP PROFILE TONIGHT tonight during the second hour of the show, I'll be featuring a profile--both in words and music--of JCR/Compost recording duo Koop. Originating from Sweden, the duo has made quite a mark in recent years with their unique take on creating jazz tunes. Their full-length long-player, "Waltz for Koop," is a favorite with both influential DJs/artists and music lovers alike. They've also done some great remix work, as well. You'll hear words from Magnus Zingmark, one of the members of Koop who recently touring the U.S. with members of Jazzanova to support the domestic release of "Waltz for Koop." COPPE AND CREW...HALLOWEEN NIGHT KCPR 91.3 FM proudly welcomes Mango & Sweet Rice recording artist Coppe and her band to San Luis Obispo. They will be starting their fall tour here, and are part of the KCPR Halloween Party that will be happening Halloween Night at zPie downtown. Feel free to dress up...you could win some door prizes, and listen to some great live music and some DJ action as well. I will have an interview with Coppe and her posse, and include music from her albums, on KCPR Sessions prior to their live gig. The segment will be live from 7-7:30pm. I plan to archive the segment online at the Urban Landscapes site, and will let you know when that's the case. CORRECTIONS Every once in a great while, I blow it a little. So here's some info that needs clarificatin. Some of you may have already known that Waiwan is actually Chinese, and not Japanese. He currently makes his home in Manchester, UK (Thanks NIk!). ---- OCTOBER 2002 REVIEWS Llorca (with Lady Bird)--My Precious Thing 12" (F Communications/France) Here comes the last 12" single from Llorca's excellent "New Comer" album from F Communications. Llorca takes the original and reworks it into a soulful house number that gives new life to the wonderful original. The B-side sees Rollercone also in house mode, doing it with their own mixes that includes both a vocal and a dub version. The mixes are some good house flavor, but I'm more partial to Llorca's mix. His oneupsmanship on the original elevates his own tune to another level in the right ways. Seek it out...coming in November. Dzihan & Kamien--Gran Riserva (Six Degrees/Couch) Two years ago, a duo from Austria called Dzihan and Kamien released an excellent album called "Freaks & Icons." Following that were several remixes from the duo, along with an album chockful of remixes from the debut called "Refreaked." Now after the tease that was the "Stiff Jazz" 12" single, we now get the proper follow-up to "Freaks." A lot more happening on this one in comparison with "Freaks," and yet it shows a maturation of both sounds and influences that the duo has interwoven throughout. There's plenty of more live instruments in this one, and also some full vocal tracks. You'll hear a smorgasboard of styles blended together on this one...uptempo, downtempo, and even some more mellower jazz sounds thrown in. Have a listen for yourself and find out. It's out now for you to immerse yourself and enjoy. The Thievery Corporation--The Richest Man In Babylon (Eighteenth Street Lounge Music) Eric & Rob are back on the case with a new full-length long player from their own label, the ever-fresh Eighteenth Street Lounge Music out of the DC area. This album is quite a shift from their previous works...more vocals, shorter tracks, and more of an emphasis on blending different musical styles. A rather ambitious task at that, but one that they seem to handle oh-so-capably. The CD comes in a rather thick package that includes a booklet filled with some striking nblack-and-white photographs that really puts the meaning of the album title in perspective. So find it, listen to it, and feel richer for it. Radio Zumbido--Los Ultimos Dias del FM (Palm Pictures) What a surprisingly solid release! New from Palm Pictures by way of Mil Records comes Guatemalan artist Juan Carlos Barrio, going under the project known as Radio Zumbido. The album is a fresh mixture of live music and sampadelic auras to create a world that is full of color and worldly delights. Keeping things urban, and yet keeping things Latin, Radio Zumbido succeeds with one of the more original-sounding albums of the year so far. Explore for yourself, and prepared to be surprised. Various Artists--2000 Black: The Good Good 2 (2000 Black/UK) Yes, yes! Another sick compilation from Dego's 2000 Black label, following up on the excellent (and highly recommended) original from two years ago. Both on vinyl and on wax, most of the tracks are new. Mark De Clive-Lowe starts off rather nicely with groovy broken number "Relax...Unwind." Other new tracks include Domu's wonderful "Music Of The Earth," as well as Dego and I.G. Culture doing Da One Away biz on "To Tomorrow" with strong vocal work from Bembe Segue. Let's hope that it will go domestic just like the first, because "The Good Good 2" shows that West London is still thriving and expanding. Quantic--Apricot Morning (Tru Thoughts/UK) 21 year-old Will Holland is Quantic, and this album has been receiving quite a bit of praise since its release a few months ago. And it deserves all the praise it has been receiving, because "Apricot Morning" shows such great promise for such a young artist whose complexities surprised many. Much has already been said about "Apricot Morning," so let me just say that it is fast becoming a contender for one of the great albums of 2002. Musically adept in his visions, Quantic seems destined for a long career of delivering fresh sounds that will keep getting better with age. Realside--High Noon 12" (Sirkus/UK) The latest 12" from UK-based Sirkus Recordings (home of 2 Banks of 4, among others) finds a rather dope collaboration between artists Mark Russell and Dominic Stanton...the latter being multitalented Domu to you. The original is rather tasty and soulful that way...very groovy. Then Zed Bias puts on his Maddslinky hat and tweaks the original with his trademark dark 2-step biz. Sirkus knows how to keep the quality on the up-and-up, and does so once more. Ghost--Buck & Bury 12" (Ghost/UK) One of my favorite 2-step outfits is the multilayered works of the Ghost crew. And they show just how adept the crew really is at its craft with this new 12" from their own label. "Buck & Bury" is a ragga-influence number that bounces with Ghost written all over the tune, as the Juice-Man toasts rather nicely. The other side of the vinyl finds "Back2Me," a tune that could have easily been pulled from an R&B tune in its soulfulness. Antoinette does a respectable job of doing the song justice with her vocal work. There's also a dub mix of the tune done by Roxy, as well. Check this one out. If you are a fan of the Ghost crew like me, then you won't be disappointed as they continue to prove that 2-step doesn't have to sound cheesy to sound good. Jazzanova--Days To Come Remixes 12" (JCR-Compost/Germany) I can't quite remember if I reviewed this one or not, but here you go. This is the latest in a string of remixes from Jazzanova's excellent "In Between" album. The single features some rather impressive mixes on wax. Detroit-based Ayro from the fledging Omoa label from that city delivers a solid broken-up mix that also features soulful vocal work to boot. Then we get to hear a rather deep mix from Ian O'Brien, taking the tune up several notches with a rolling, bass-heavy mix that's fresh. King Kooba--Indian Summer (Om) From SF-based Om Records comes the second full-length from SF-based duo King Kooba. There are many diverse styles represented here, but the album keeps the soulful feeling flowing throughout. Be prepared, because this one is going to sneak up on you and grab you. To me, it far surpasses their debut album by many leaps. "Indian Summer" surely smolders with music that keeps the pace moving rather nicely. It'll become robust listening for some time to come in my player, so pluck this one for your listening and enjoy! Blue States--Man Mountain (Eighteenth Street Lounge Music) A different take on downtempo bliss, but I'm really down with this new release from the duo Blue States. This is the follow-up to their debut release from last year, and I really like this one better. It's really part downtempo, part lounge, part indie rock (sort of), but the blend feels just so right from start to finish. Originally released through Memphis Industries in the UK, it's now available in the U.S. thnaks to ESL. Buy this and have fun listening. You'll be in a much mellower mood before it's over and done with. Waiwan--Changes (Earthproject/UK) From London's Earthproject label comes yet another winner from Chinese-born, Manchester-based artist Waiwan. This is his newest single for the label. The original is a funky uptempo number that gets busy and doesn't let up til the end. The flip finds more of a four-on-the-floor mix (the so-called "Fours" remix), as well as a dub version. So strong, so funky. Waiwan scores yet again. V/A--Moshi Moshi: Nu Sounds From Japan (Fuego/UK) After compiling the wonderful "Music & Movements Vol. 1" double-CD earlier this year, London DJ and crate-digger Nik Weston puts together another winner. This time, we get an album of rare and hard-to-find Japanese releases called "Moshi Moshi: Nu Sounds From Japan." And boy, does he put together some scrumptious tunes! Stellar cuts includes New York-based Osunlade remixing former trio United Future Organization's "Listen Love," 4 Hero's downbeat mix of Shakkazombie's "Kokoro Warp," Mondo Grosso's slamming uptempo groovester "Don't Let Go," and Masters At Work mixing up Earth, Wind & Fire's "Can't Hide Love." Most every cut, though, are winners. Give it up for Nippon Nik, and give it up for all of the Japanese artists representing as well as the non-Japanese ones (you don't need to be Japanese to have releases only available in Japan). Look for this one in Europe in November and grab it. For forward-thinking music lovers, it's truly an essential addition to your music collection. Focus--Sweet And Sour (Versatile/France) The newest album from France's Versatile Records sees the long-awaited full-length debut from Phil Asher--he of the Restless Soul collective, as well as a multitalented artist in his own rights. After being teased with two 12" singles, we now get Focus inna eclectic music style. Not one to be pigeonedholed in any particular genre, Asher goes for broke by going groovy and taking risks. Some phat production is happening here. It definitely shifts gears in various places, but the music is tight. "Bamba" is a strong Latin-influenced tune with Asher cooking up the edges rather nicely. The title track "Sweet & Sour" does a bold and terrific take on the usual 4x4 beats to great effect. Great soulful numbers are also here such as the previously released singles "Find Myself" and "Having Your Fun." Due for release at the end of October, the rest of the world will find out what a gifted talent Phil Asher really is. Domestic release is slated for January 2003. Don't sleep on this gem! Projections--Between Here & Now (Guidance) The first time I've heard of Projections was via the most recent Hi-Fidelity House compilation released from esteemed Chicago label Guidance Recordings. And now we get to listen to the L.A. based duo Simon James & Danny Hastie--aka Projections--in all of its glory, as the debut full length is now bestowed upon us. And for a couple of artists from L.A., this sounds just as impressive as some of the best European releases that have been coming out this year. It's a great smorgasboard of soul, funk, house, and downtempo, producing sounds for chilling out any old time while feeding your head with the music. Out now, "Between Here & Now" is worth your valuable time to sink your teeth into. Especially if some of you might have been let down by the recent Nightmares On Wax album, this will more than make up for it in a very good way. Royksopp--Melody A.M. (Wall of Sounds/Astralwerks) When "Melody A.M." was originally released on Wall Of Sounds earlier this year, its release caused quite a stir and helped elevate the Scandinavian region as a musical force to be reckoned with. Now the U.S. and others can find out what the fuss is about as Astralwerks gives domestic love to the full-length album from the Norweigian duo Rokysopp. Its a cut above the standard chill-out fare. It's even playful at times if you listen a bit closely, and musically shows potential for what Royksopp can be capable of. Find this slice of good stuff, out now. Lemon Jelly--Lost Horizons (XL) Those who have listened to Lemon Jelly's past work, whether it was in the form of any of their EPs or that of their combined collection of EPs released last year called "Lemonjelly.ky," were only getting a warm-up to the crafty duo's mindset. "Lost Horizons" is a really delightful album to listen to. To say that it's mostly a downtempo album would truly be a disservice, because there are lots of layers that maintains a freshness and quirkiness that can only make one smile while listening. Don't be surprised if you might catch yourself laughing out loud, because it's catchy that way. Quirky, musical, and just engaging in all of the right places, "Lost Horizons" just screams for repeat listening from beginning-to-end. And it's deservant of that, for sure. Meat Beat Manifesto--R.U.O.K.? (Run) Jack Dangers is back in action as Meat Beat Manifesto, as the new long-player from MBM drops for the unsuspecting ears. If you like your beats heavy but your music a step above the usual fare, then "R.U.O.K.?" won't disappoint. Listening to the album shows a bit of a maturation for Jack Dangers as an artist, and that can only be a very good thing for fans and newbies alike. Overall, "R.U.O.K.?" satisfies. V/A--Select Cuts From Blood & Fire: Chapter 3 (Blood & Fire) Blood and Fire is perhaps one of the more seminal labels in the U.K. that has exposed many to the real roots of reggae and dub. Now the German label Select Cuts have released "Select Cuts from Blood & Fire: Chapter Three," the last in a series of compilations of remixes from some of today's best DJs and producers. I haven't heard of the first two "chapters," so I can only listen to this one stand alone and say that reggae and dub fans will be done proud from this one. Find this one...it's domestically available for your pleasure. John Beltran--Sun Gypsy (Ubiquity) This is the new full-length from John Beltran, and his first for the great Ubiquity label. This is a very special project encompassing a deeper shade of Latin club sounds inna organic sort of mode. Beltran's been around the musical block with his work for other European labels. Fresh from his release "Americano" for the label Exceptional, we now get another treat from his this year. "Felicidad Nova" has been all the rage prior to the album's release, but there are so many other gems percolating here. "Kiana" gives us a strong Brazillian/club feel with background vocals and batacuda for an epic journey that is uplifting. This is definitely a must-have if you like both club and Latin sounds blended together. Even though it's fall, you'd think that this makes a great summer soundtrack. Let's just say that "Sun Gypsy" will bring that warm summer feeling into your soul in the right way. Hats off to Ubiquity once again, and hats off to John Beltran...we are all the richer for this treasure of delights. Microfish Meets Stereotyp--Who Me? (Stereo Deluxe/Germany) CD-R Been hanging onto this one for awhile, but now it can be told. Those who know of the German artist Stefan Morth, aka Stereotyp, will not be disappointed with this bass-heavy collaboration with fellow Germans, the duo known as Microfish. If you haven't heard of Stereotyp just yet, check out his long-player "My Sound" (to be released very soon stateside). As it is, this broken bass dub number is haunting, dark, and will rock your subwoofers rather nicely. Two different mixes of "Who Me' will soon be released on wax. I'm feeling this one rather nicely. Various Artists--Nordic Expsoure (Quango) Every now and then, I have to break the news to listeners that a tune that really excites them is only available on vinyl. Of course, the listeners feels a bit disappointed. But that's the nature of the beast, so they say. Well leave it to Quango to help pick up the slack. The latest compilation from the label finds some explorations into the Scandinavian music scene that's been getting attention in recent years. Want that Butti 49 remix of Nuspirit Helsinki's "Trying?" It's here. Want that cool tune "Kerma Elastica" by the Bobby Hughes Combination? It's here, too! But the compilation features some quality tunes from the likes of Jol, Koop, and Emo. You can also find the wonderful "Music In Her Eyes" from Andreas Saag's Swell Sessions moniker, with terrific vocal work from Yukimi Nagano (best known for her vocal work on Koop's "Waltz For Koop long-player, but also showing up increasing on works from other Scandinavian artists). So check out this release, especially those of you stateside who can salivate such goodness for your CD player. Stereotyp--My Sound (G-Stone) Finally going domestic next week...Yeah, yeah! Stefan Moerth is the man known as Stereotyp (stereo-tip), and he's on the case with this excellent album from K&D's G-Stone. The full-length treads on the fine line between dub and broken beat styles, and the interesting contrasts in sounds alone are worth the listen. If you've enjoyed his remixes (including those for Fauna Flash and Microfish), then you'll dig this adventurous work. If you're a dub/reggae fan, you should challenge yourself to investigate "My Sound." But really, all forward-thinking music lovers should indulge in this territory at least once. Thanks again to Dr. Boots for sending me this treasure. ---- VELANCHE'S SOUNDSCAPES FOR OCTOBER 2002 (in no particular order) 1. John Beltran--Sun Gypsy (Ubiquity) 2. Projections--Between Here & Now (Guidance) 3. Focus--Sweet & Sour (Versatile/France) 4. Various Artists--Moshi Moshi: Nu Sounds From Japan (Fuego/UK) 5. Lemon Jelly--Lost Horizons (XL) 6. Royksopp--Melody A.M. (Wall Of Sound/Astralwerks) 7. King Kooba--Indian Summer (Om) 8. Radio Zumbido--Los Ultimos Dias del AM (Mil/Palm Pictures) 9. Addict Merchants--Matters Of Fact (own label) 10. Nightmares On Wax--Mind Elevation (Warp) 11. Quantic--Apricot Morning (Tru Thoughts/UK) 12. Tommy Knocker--Brazil Is Back 12" (Intercom/UK) 13. Various Artists--2000 Black: The Good Good 2 (2000 Black/UK) 14. Realside--High Noon (Sirkus/UK) 15. Jazzanova--Days To Come remixes 12" (JCR/Compost) 16. Jazzanova--Hanazono EP w/unreleased remixes (Rope-A-Dope/JCR) CD-R 17. Microfish meets Stereotyp--Who Me? (Stereo Deluxe/Germany) CD-R 18. Plankton Man vs. Terrestre--S/T (Run) 19. Llorca--My Precious Thing 12" (F Communications/France) 20. Minus 8--Minuit (Compost) 21. Coffy Is The Color--Every Time We Say Goodbye EP 7" (Downtempo/UK) 22. Various Artists--Blue Light One sampler 12" (Nettwerk/Upstairs) 23. Szymanski--Lover's Quarrel EP 12" (Omoa) 24. James Hardway--Speak Softly featuring Ghetto Priest: Block 16 Remix (Hydrogen Dukebox) 25. Blue Six--All I Need: Jimpster Remix (Naked Music/Astralwerks) 26. Femi Kuti--What Will Tomorrow Bring remixes 2x12" (Spiritual Life) 27. Cassius--The Sounds Of Violence: Tiefschwarz Violently Happy Remix (Astralwerks) 28. Morcheeba--Otherwise: Murk's Main Mix (Reprise) 29. Paradox & Volcov--No Europe: Domu Remix (Archive/Italy) 30. Various Artists--King Britt Presents The Philadelphia Experiment Remixed (Rope-A-Dope) 31. Various Artists--The Roots Of Dub Funk 2 (Tanty/UK) 32. Various Artists--Select Cuts from Blood & Fire: Chapter Three (Select Cuts) 33. Various Artists--The Chromatic Universe sampler EP 12" (Visions/UK) 34. Roni Size--Sound Advice 12" (Full Cycle/UK) ---- LAST WEEK'S PLAYLIST Listen to the show now with the RealPlayer 8 and higher at http://urbanlandscapesshow.com/shows/18Oct02.ram. 1. Meat Beat Manifesto--Intermission R.U.O.K.? (Run) 2. Projections--Kingsburg Between Here & Now (Guidance) 3. Nightmares On Wax--Humble Mind Elevation (Warp) 4. Royksopp--She's So Melody A.M. (Wall Of Sound/Astralwerks) 5. Ms Dynamite--DY-NA-MI-TEE 12" (P/UK) 6. Uschi Classen--Fire (featuring Dell Ellington & Wildflower) Soul Magic (Earthproject/UK) 7. Swell Sessions--Music In Her Eyes (featuring Yukimi Nagano) Nordic Exposure compilation (Quango) 8. 4 Hero--Hold It Down (Kaidi Tatham Remix) 12" (Talkin Loud/UK) 9. Swell Sessions vs. Ernesto's--Let Me Decide Soul Searching II: Tribes Vol. 7 compilation (Infracom) 10. Da One Away featuring Bembe Segue--To Tomorrow 2000 Black: The Good Good 2 compilation (2000 Black/UK) 11. John Beltran--Bota Foga Sun Gypsy (Ubiquity) 12. Minus 8--Sunlight Minuit (Compost) 13. Los Ladrones--Montana Rusa Montana Rusa (Earthproject/UK) 14. Osunlade--No Batido Do Agogo Rhythmix: Reluqe Batuque compilation (Far Out/UK) 15. Baaba Maal--Falaye Fanaan (Ashley Beedle Afrikanz On Marz Mani Remix) Afro Tech compilation (Quango) 16. Stereotyp--Jahman (featuring Tikiman) My Sound (G-Stone/Austria) 17. Microfish meets Stereotyp--Who Me? (Stereo Deluxe/Germany CD-R) 18. Mondo Grosso--Don't Let Go Moshi Moshi: Nu Sounds From Japan compilation (Fuego/UK) 19. Roni Size--Sound Advice 12" (Full Cycle/UK) 20. Kabuki--Sex Drive 12" (Dialog/Germany) 21. Tommy Knocker--Brazil Is Back 12" (Intercom/UK) 22. King Kooba--Public Service Indian Summer (Om) 23. Focus--Bamba Sweet & Sour (Versatile/France) 24. Realside--High Noon 12" (Sirkus/UK) 25. Llorca--My Precious Thing (Llorca's Extended Rework) 12" (F Communications/France) 26. Quantic--Blackstone Rock Apricot Morning (Tru Thoughts/UK) 27. Rima--Try To Understand (Rima Pressure Mix) 12" (Papa/UK) 28. John Beltran--Kiana Sun Gypsy (Ubiquity) ---- 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 c/o KCPR 91.3 FM Graphic Communications Bldg. Room 201 Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 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!
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