From: Velanche Stewart (vstewart_at_calpoly.edu)
Date: 2003-01-27 07:24:58
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 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
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 Happy (belated) New Year to Everyone! I hope that the year 2002 gave everyone more or less what they've wished for. Here's hoping that 2003 becomes a good year for all of us. This is going out a bit late, but best later than never. Welcome here to those of you joining the list for the first time. BACK FROM EUROPE You are going to hear quite a bit about my trip to Europe over the next few weeks. It has been an amazing experience, as well as fraught with some challenges. Overall, it's been a period of time firmly etched into my memory. You will know more details about the trip in the next newsletter or two, depending on time. The experiences that I've gone through have been learning experiences all their own. The places, the people, and the music...there really is nothing like being there in order to fully grasp what this special music scene that we treasure is all about. I have taken many pictures during the trip, and soon you will have a chance to view them on the Urban Landscapes web site. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be constructing a special edition of the show about the trip. It will include sounds, interviews, and plenty of music. It's something I've never attempted on such a scale, so I look forward to the challenge of creating what I hope will be an experience worth your valuable listening time. More details on the show are forthcoming. ---- SHOUTS AND THANKS FOR EUROPE I have so many people to thank for helping to make my trip as memorable as it was. Shouts in the UK to Tim Landslide for shelter during my final days, and to Tom, Tony, Chris, and the rest of the crew at Hospital. Also shouts to Paul, Kate, and the rest of the Straight No Chaser crew in London. Thanks also to Will Quantic for his patience in finding me, and for being such a cool host during my day trip to Brighton. Big ups also to the Tru Thoughts crew--Robert Luis, Sri, and the gang in the metal house. Also shouts to Nik "Nippon" Weston, and Spencer & Mike @ Goya Music. In Gothenburg, big shout and thanks to Chris for the lift and for watching over me...somehow juggling his own busy schedule and basking in the glow of having his Meccca club chosen as an award-winner (along with his partner-in-crime, Tolken). Also thanks big time to Andreas Saag for offering shelter and company during my visit, along with Jonathan, Mimi, and Andreas's girlfriend (damn...can't remember your name!!). Big thanks also to Joel (aka Jol) for spending time with him in his studio, Erik (along with his bro) from Plej (congrats on the nomination for the Swedish equiv of the Grammys guys), Jonas Quant, and Stefan from Hollow for the surprise meeting. In Denmark, thanks kindly to Jan at April Records for helping me to track down my lost bag and for putting me up at his place, and his lady Gigi for added company. Good also to have met DJ Wanderbaum while at VME, the man behind the Companionship compilation. In Stuttgart, big ups to the Pulver crew--Robin for a comfortable bed to sleep in as well as being great company, and also to Flo for picking me up from the station and being good company as well. Thanks also to Jo from Inverse Cinematics for the chat and for sharing music...look forward to hearing more, sir! Hey...look forward to hearing more Pulver action! In Budapest, big ups to the Crate Soul Brothers--Tibi and Gabor. Look forward to more goods from y'all, and all the best with the resurrection of the radio station in February. A special-hey to Florian Keller, whom I"ve missed by not being able to go to Berlin. He was on the bill for Hospital's "Hospitality" residency at Herbal in London. Very cool to have met one of my radio heroes at last. Keep on keeping on with the rare grooves and the musical vibes! Also special shouts to Chris from Zero dB. Glad to have caught you, however briefly it was. Last, but surely not least, big thanks all around to Cukipapa. You've been more helpful than you'll ever know, and I shall never forget what you've done over the last few months. I'm sure that I've left out others that I've neglected to thank, so shouts to y'all as well. ---- URBAN LANDSCAPES TURNS FIVE As of earlier this month, Urban Landscapes celebrates five years on the air. I've never anticipated that it would last as long as it has, and yet it has grown considerably in terms of the quantity and quality of music. The show started off humbly, but over time the show has been shaped into its present form. The emphasis has always been the same: jazzy, soulful club culture from around the world. From the straight-ahead to the look-ahead, I try my best to share with you great music of all kinds. Honestly, the show would not exist were it not for the support of the listeners, as well as the labels, promoters, and artists that have been a constant stream of inspiration and material. Expect more great things from the show in 2003. This party is just getting started, y'all... ---- THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS Various Artists--Jazz Bizniz 3 (Counterpoint/UK) From Counterpoint Records out of East Sussex in the UK comes another volume in this incredible series of ultra-rare grooves and funky, jazzy vibes. "Jazz Bizniz 3" is well-compiled from start-to-finish, never disappointing with its quality selection of tunes; many of which have been previously unreleased. You'll find gems here like Marva Broiome's "Mystifying Mama," backed solidly by the great Art Ensemble of Chicago for a blazingly tight groovester, as well as the terrific "Stella" by a group known as Bridge, which was featured on an album that was shelved until a UK label picked it up. You'll be playing many of these tunes over and over again. Very much for the funksters who like their brew strong and long-lasting. Check it when it drops in March 2003.. Various Artists--On The Right Track sampler 12" (Do Right/Canada) Wow...I say again, wow! This 12" packs a powerful punch. It's definitely not for the squeamish, but definitely music that's on fire. From the Toronto-based label Do Right (that's a daring name for a label if I ever heard of one) comes a tasty 12" sampler that actually lives up to its name. "On The Right Track" features all winners to prime everyone for the full-on compilation, which I've yet to hear. John Kong is definitely on it. Check the stunning uptempo starter track by (Rob) Mitchell and (Russ) Dewbury called "Jazz Is Your Life," a track that starts off strong with its syncopated beats and never lets go...along with some terrific sampling. The Vogodo Projects, Chris Vogodo's solo project (he of UK-based wunderkind Zero dB) delivers a solid punch in "Um?" My friend was anixous to find out what that track sounds like on a booming subwoofer system...so am I! Two other tracks on the flip, "Yesterday's Beginnings" by John Kong & Moonstarr with Coolhandluke (wonder if he was the one who did the wicked Missy Elliot/AC-DC hybird bootleg) and "Another Spring" by Hand Polished round out the tracks in a no-less strong fashion. This is definitely mad biz showing that West London have better watch its back...Toronto surely can ace with the best of them. Karin Krog--Raindrops, Raindrops (Crippled Dick Hot Wax/Germany) This is one beautifully-compiled collection of music from Norway's most famous jazz singer. Many of us outside of that Scandinavian country have been introduced to Karin Krog thanks to "Karin's Kerma," the full-vocal tune with the instrumental from the Bobby Hughes Combination's "Kerma Elastica" stunner from last year. Now the Berlin-based label Crippled Dick Hot Wax puts out "Raindrops, Raindrops," a compilation that features many a gem from Krog's long and prolific singing career. From straight-ahead jazz to experimental music excursions, Krog can do her thing and do it very well. Her rich, playful, and emotional vocals truly shine song-after-song. As with most Crippled Dick albums, the artwork and packaging has been lovingly done, along with some great liner notes on Krog's long and rewarding musical career. Look for it, pick it up, play it, and enjoy the music and history of this fine singer. Tosca--Delhi9 (G-Stone) This is the long-awaited follow-up to the "Suzuki" album from Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber, better known as Tocas. Here, we hear a bit of a maturation in their music with the album "Delhi9" for Kruder & Dorfmeister's G-Stone label. The album, two CDs strong, boasts some prime cuts and guests to this new collection. It's very much on the downtempo tip of things, yet musically there's a little bit more going on than in "Suzuki." More on this one in the next circular except to say that the good things that have been said about this album are quite justified. Have a listen to the album when it's released wide in February. Various Artists--Copenhagen Dancefloor Classics II (April/Denmark) Yes, yes, the jazz vibes from the vault keep coming as April Records out of Copenhagen drops this tasty collection of jazz, grooves, and lounge tracks. Compiled by DJ Wanderbaum (who also compiled the excellent "Companionship" collection last year) and Master Fatman have put together one tight collection of Danish delights in "Copenhagen Dancefloor Classics II." Don't let the title scare you....the tunes could work for the floor, but also great for the ears and head too! I've definitely been feeling tracks like the epic "Sudden Senility" from Herb Geller, a tune that plays between jazz and luunge featuring some awesome vocal work from Mark Murphy (this tune was from 1975, y'all...vintage Murphy, if you ask me). But you really owe it to yourself to check this album fully to get a great history lesson on Danish jazz. 16 tracks in all, with liner notes that features tidbits about each tune. Track this one down...it should be relatively easy to snatch up. You won't regret it. Hats off to April, once again. Various Artists--Give Peas A Chance (Crippled Dick Hot Wax!/Germany) We speak of rare grooves and jazz classics that somehow were found by crate diggers. Here's a genre that is even rarer in terms of being found--that of obscure TV and film scores. I'm not talking about known classics, either. What I'm speaking of are those tunes that are so rare, that many were never published...and were doomed to a lifetime of banishment. So leave it up to the folks at Crippled Dick Hot Wax to put together yet another excellent compilation. "Give Peas A Chance" gives these terrific TV and film rarities new lives in the digital age. They are very much on the groovy and jazzy tip, with the era of the music circa the 60s and 70s. I can't say that you'll find many, if any, recognizable names of the artists from the bunch, but don't let that deter you. These are such great tunes to listen to, that not knowing the names won't really matter. It's too bad that the artists' musical contributions are a bit belated. Now they are getting their just due of how underrated the tunes are...and how very well they hold up all these years later. Indeed, "Give Peas A Chance" to grow on you too! Various Artists--Impressed with Gilles Peterson (Universal Jazz/UK) This gem came out shortly before I've left for my European vacation. Nine tracks of stellar British jazz, compiled for your ears by Radio 1/Worldwide's main man Gilles Peterson. Complete with some nice packaging and some very extensive liner notes, "Impressed" is quite the primer to get a feel for what British jazz is like. So take your time and get into this groove. Definitely for the jazz lovers, for sure. Bassman--Minimal Distraction (Fabrique/Austria) Bassman, aka ..., really put out with the underrated EP "Doorpusher" from Austria's Fabrique label. Now we get the full-length long-player from Johannes Strobl, aka Bassman. "Minimal Distraction" is just as pumped-up as the EP, with a rather distinctive sound that's dirty and groovy and seductive all at once. It comes across as confident, and it surely sounds that way. The electro-bass sound that he's developed surely edges him out in terms of distinctiveness when listening to the album from beginning to end. Solid collection of tunes, indeed. Catch this one come March of 2003. Jol--Cool Cat 12" (Quango) Taken from the well-compiled "Nordic Exposure" album from last year, Gothenburg-based Jol gets to go front and center for this release, featuring some dope mix-ups from Andreas Saag's rather busy-but-talented Swell Sessions guise, and Butti 49 coming thruogh as well with their take. The original is on the 12" as well, so definitely something for everyone here. Don't know if it's going to be on Jol's long-player forthcoming from April, but tis a good primer though. ---- VELANCHE'S SOUNDSCAPES FOR FEBRUARY 2003 (in no particular order) 1. Quantic--Off The Beaten Track: Carmel Remix (CD-R) 2. Marcel--Jealous (Good Looking/UK) CD-R 3. Various Artists--On The Right Track sampler 12" (Do Right/Canada) 4. Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (West Is Best Remix) CD-R 5. Various Artists--When Shapes Join Together 3 (Tru Thoughts/UK) 6. Various Artists--Jazz Bizniz 3 (Counterpoint/UK) 7. Various Artists--Impressed With Gilles Peterson (Universal Jazz/UK) 8. Bassman--Minimal Distraction (Fabrique/Austria) 9. Swell Sessions featuring Ernestos--Let Me Decide: Desha Remix Parts 1 & 2 (Hollow/Sweden) 10. Cuica--City to City (Ubiquity) 11. Nicola Conte--Jet Sounds Revisited (Eighteenth Street Lounge Music) 12. Quantic--Search For The Heavens (Tru Thoughts/UK) 13. Loopless--Pink Blue Hotel 12" (Nylon/Portugal) 14. Various Artists--Care In The Community: The Discerning Dancefloor sampler 12" (Codek) 15. Izzi Dunn--Fire: The Remixes 12" (Fireworx/UK white) 16. L'Aroye--The Sci-Fi Sessions 12" (Faces/France) 17. Karin Krog--Raindrops, Raindrops (Crippled Dick Hot Wax/Germany) 18. Various Artists--Vocalise (Unfold/UK) 19. Various Artists--Give Peas A Chance (Crippled Dick Hot Wax/Germany) 20. Dabrye--Payback 12" (Ghostly International) ---- URBAN LANDSCAPES PLAYLIST FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 24, 2002 (No show archived due to technical difficulties) 1. Graham Collier--Lullaby For A Lonely Child Impressed With Gilles Peterson compilation (Universal Jazz/UK) 2. Herb Geller--Sudden Senility Copenhagen Dancefloor Classics II compilation (April/Denmark) 3. Karin Krog--All Of You Raindrops, Raindrops (Crippled Dick Hot Wax!/Germany) 4. Marva Broome & the Art Ensemble of Chicago--Mystifying Mama Jazz Bizniz 3 compilation (Counterpoint/UK) 5. Jol--Going Down (Plej Remix) 12" (white) 6. Mr. Scruff & Quantic--It's Dancing Time Sweetsmoke 12" (Ninja Tune) 7. Swell Session vs. Ernesto--Let Me Decide (Desha Remix Parts 1 & 2) 12" (Hollow/Sweden) 8. Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (Landslide's West Is Best Remix) (CD-R) 9. Izzi Dunn--Fire (Afronaught Remix) 12" (Fireworx/UK white) 10. Mitchell & Dewbury--Jazz Is Your Life On The Right Track sampler 12" (Do Right/Canada) 11. Cuica--Afrique City-to-City (Ubiquity) 12. Banda Favela--Samba 2150 (Alex Phountzi Remix) 12" (Head-To-Toe/Italy) 13. L'Aroye--South Visita (Dub Version) The Sci-Fi Session 12" (Faces/France) 14. Andres--You're Still The One Playground Vol. 6: Nuspirit Helsinki compilation (Ecco Chamber/Austria) 15. Quantic--Sweet Calling (Bear In The Wood Mix) When Shapes Join Together 3 compilation (Tru Thoughts/UK) 16. Quantic--Search The Heavens 12" (Tru Thoughts/UK) 17. Magic Number--Sorry (Atjazz Remix) (Mantis/UK CD-R) 18. Loopless--Pink Blue Hotel 12" (Nylon/Portugal) 19. Cleveland Watkiss--Touch Of Freedom (Soulpatrol Variation) 12" (Infracom/Germany) 20. Todd Sines & Natacha Labelle--Come Closer (Moonstarr's Broken Dub) Overlap EP 12" (Planet E) 21. Bassman--Play Minimal Distraction (Fabrique/Austria) 22. Carouge--Let Me 12" (Ecco Chamber/Austria) 23. Suv & Tali--Do You Remember Me? Vocalise compilation (Unfold/UK) 24. London Elektricity--The Drum N'Bass Swindle (CD-R) 25. Gero--Costa del Sol (Anorganik Remix) 12" (Juice/Hungary) 26. Colossus--My Former Self Om Lounge Vol. 7 compilation (Om) 27. Tosca featuring Anne Clermott--Me & Yoko Ono Delhi9 (G-Stone) ---- Urban Landscapes proudly supports quality independent music from around the world. Respect and gratitude 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_at_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 week!