From: Velanche (velanche_at_charter.net)
Date: 2004-08-07 05:48:36
Urban Landscapes
Global Club Culture...
Made Fresh Weekly
The Urban Landscapes Radioshow airs live Fridays from 9-11pm PT on KCPR
91.3 FM, as well as via the Internet at http://www.kcpr.org. You can
also listen to the international edition of the last five shows online
anytime on-demand at http://www.urbanlandscapes.org. The most recent
show is usually posted online a few days after the live broadcast.
Be sure to tell your friends about Urban Landscapes...and feel free to
pass this circular on!
---- NEWS The rebuilding of the address book continues, so hopefully I have most everyone who have missed receiving it. If you've missed the last two issues (last one was late July) and you'd like me to send one to you, let me know. The international edition of last week's Urban Landscapes Radioshow 7.28, including an exclusive Urban Landscapes Guestmix from DJ Cosmo of the Bitches Brew label, is now online. See below for the playlist and the audio link to hear the show. My picks for August are also below, along with reviews for most of the picks. I've had to cut out others for lack of time, though you may see them in next week's circular. I hope you'll find them useful in some fashion. There are a bunch of nice new bits that are worth exploring, so have at it! THE URBAN LANDSCAPES GUESTMIX PRESENTS: MARK PRITCHARD Dabbling in various types of music from techno to hip-hop and all sorts of sounds in between, Mark Pritchard has gained an immense amount of respectability through the years. Among the many projects that he's taken on, he's done music under the aliases of the Jedi Knights & Global Communications (both with fellow artist/producer Tom Middelton). He's also behind the acclaimed hip-hop outfit Harmonic 33. But he's perhaps best known at the moment as Troubleman. With the new full-length release on UK-based Far Out Recordings called "Time Out Of Mind," Pritchard yields heavy influences from Latin sounds. This week's Urban Landscapes Guestmix finds Pritchard sharing those influences and then some. Websites: http://www.faroutrecordings.com (Far Out Recordings) http://www.reloadonline.com (Reload Records: Global Communications' label) RICK JAMES, R.I.P. I've read earlier this afternoon that Rick James has died. I was shocked that yet another talent died so young, but perhaps in his case I shouldn't have been. Unfortunately, most of the 1990's (as well as the 1980's) weren't very kind to him. He had been living a life of drug, sex, and rock-and-roll (or should that be soul?) to the hilt. This caused more than a few blemishes, as well as a police record. It was news to me that he had suffered a stroke while on his comback tour during the late 1990's, and also had hip replacement surgery that year. At least now I know why he had been so quiet. But we should also remember that he has been quite influential at at time when funk was getting harder and nastier. I've first heard "You & I" on an L.A. soul radio station when I was a freshman in high school. I was hooked by the energy and the badass cockiness of the vocalist, and he was able to back it up with some tight production for a good eight minutes. Any other time that I've heard the shorter, radio-friendly version, well...it wasn't the same at all. From that point came his first album "Come & Get It," which also included the seminal "Mary Jane" (which, I've found out later, played on metaphors for the obvious). That album went gold, and allowed the struggling Motown Records to live another day. After "Bustin' Out Of L7," "Street Songs" became James's biggest seller. It had gone platinum, and spawned "Super Freak," his collaboration with the Temptations. Who would have thought? But, there you go. May the Super Freak freak on. ---- VELANCHE'S SOUNDSCAPES August 2004 (in no particular order) 1. Pixel - People Need People (Counterpoint CD-R) 2. Nostalgia 77 - Seven Nation EP (Tru Thoughts CD-R) 3. Franck Roger - Summer EP 12" (Betino's Record Sound white) 4. Joseph Malik - Aquarius Songs EP 12" (Compost) 5. Mokadi - Human Natures (Perfect Toy) 6. Crusho - Traffic Jam EP (Q-Tape CD-R) 7. Circle Research - Mulligan Stew (Do Right) 8. Troubleman - Time Out Of Mind (Far Out) 9. Wei Chi - One I, Two Eyes (Compost) 10. Javi P3z Orquestra - Sports (HiTop) 11. Osborne - Afrika EP 12" (Spectral) 12. The Orb - Bicycles & Tricycles (Sanctuary) 13. APSCI - Get It Twisted (Bomb Hip-Hop CD-R) 14. Aeroc - Viscous Solid (Ghostly International CD-R) 15. Madrid de los Austrias & Richard Dorfmeister - Valldemossa 12" (Sunshine Enterprise) 16. LAL - Brown Eyed Warrior 12" (Public Transit) 17. V/A - Trax Records: The Next Generation (Trax) 18. Bambu - Elevate Your Mind EP (Bitches Brew CD-R) 19. Lizz Fields - I Gotta Go EP 12" (ABB Soul) 20. I:Cube - Fr33z EP 12" (Versatile) 21. Wiley - Wot U Call It? 12" (XL) 22. Mark de Clive-Lowe - Tide's Arising EP (Antipodean CD-R) 23. Jason Sparks - Don't I Feel EP (Botchit & Scarper) 24. V/A - Party Keller (Compost) 25. Quantic - Mishaps Happening (Ubiquity/Tru Thoughts) Soundscapes Reviews Pixel - People Need People (Counterpoint CD-R) UK This is a wicked debut from a Baltimore-based producer known as Pixel. He has a signature sound that will be easily identifiable as you listen through the tracks. It's an album that raises the bar for soulful house to the next level. It's an outstanding debut, and fast becoming a contender for one of the best albums of 2004. Also on here are unknown vocalists who can belt out some soul with the best of them. Don't sleep on this one. Nostalgia 77 - Seven Nation EP (Tru Thoughts CD-R) UK Nostalgia 77 follows up on his full-length with a new EP from Tru Thoughts. Originally made as a special CD-R for Tru Thoughts's monthly club night "Phonic-Loop," the cover of the White Stripes tune caught on with the crowd, as well as the Tru Thoughts roster of artists. Eventually, "Seven Nation Army" manifested into what would be the first track for the EP. One of the other notables here includes labelmate TM Juke doing a nice remix the album track "The Conventicles." Late August is when you should find this one. Franck Roger - Summer EP 12" (Betino's Record Sound white) France Parisian house producer Franck Roger's profile keeps elevating with each new release, and this bumpin' EP from the relatively new French label Betino's Record Sound is no exception. "4 The People" is a terrific track that pulsates summertime, and "Mambo" is atmospheric house at its finest. The French are taking over the muisical asylum, y'all. Joseph Malik - Aquarius Songs EP 12" (Compost) Germany The vinyl companion to the nice second album from Scotsman Joseph Malik culls two wicked mixes. Fauna Flash gives "Diablo" an electro-tango workout, while hip-hop MC/producer Reachout works up "Mistress Moonlight" into a hynoptic soulful ballad with nice scratch touches. The album cuts of "Diablo" and "Believe & See" are also here. Chances are, you'll want it for the remixes. I'd say that you have good taste. Mokadi - Human Natures (Perfect Toy) Germany Mokadi, consisting of the production duo of Ralph Kiefer (ex-Hipnosis) and Mark Frank (Les Gammas), along with vocalist Dita von Aster, seem to be heading somewhere when their debut EP "Chica da Ici" was released late last year. Now the full length is out for the world and it's the real deal. It's a nice blend of jazz, soul, and electronics that makes for a very satisfactory listen. Crusho - Traffic Jam EP (Q-Tape CD-R) France One of the founders of Paris's Q-Tape, Crusho, comes through with his newest EP. Warm keys, groovy Fender, and Marilyn David's vocals give "Someone To Love" a sense of urgency and want. There's also an instrumental of the same tune with a more relaxed vibe (entitled, in this case, "Someone To Spank"). The mellowness moves into "Tunafish," and Yellow Recording's Blackjoy washes "Someone To Love" in an electro bliss blending with metallic rhythms. Very nice both for chilling and for grooving. Circle Research - Mulligan Stew (Do Right) Canada Toronto hip-hop goes to the masses as John Kong's excellent Do Right label keeps pushing things along with "Mulligan Stew," the full-length debut from production duo Circle Research. A who's who of Toronto's underground hip-hop massive appear here. This is some fine slabs of beats and words, and the production is on point. I haven't seen so many guests on one album, and it might just so how influential Circle Research really are. Troubleman - Time Out Of Mind (Far Out) UK Mark Pritchard has been a busy guy. He's one half of the Jedi Knights (with Tom Middleton being his other half), is aka Global Communications (along with Tom again), and is part of the terrific hip-hop outfit known as Harmonic 33. His most enduring moniker of late, though, is Troubleman. On his newest album, he pulls out all of the stops to combine Latin sensibilities and modern sounds. It's a definite gem. But if you want this on vinyl, note that "Change Is What We Need" and "Strike Hard" (the two strongest dancefloor tracks on the album) are both on a separate 12" that's just been repressed. Yeah! Wei Chi - One I, Two Eyes (Compost) Germany Not everyone gets to have tracks produced by Moonstarr, Beanfield, Fauna Flash, and Ben Mono, but how many get to have all of these top producers on one album? Lucky for Wei Chi, they've done just that. "One I, Two Eyes" is, without a doubt for me, one of Compost's best albums this year. And if you're a fan of Ben Mono like me, you'll especially dig it (he's produced half of the album's tracks). This is one for fans of broken soul. Javi P3z Orquestra - Sports (HiTop) Spain If you've listened to the excellent compilation from Madrid's HiTop label called "Spain Is Different" (and if you don't have it, why not??), then you know that the music on the album wasn't exactly what one would expect. So it's really cool that this is affirmed by Javi P3z (pronounced "pez," like the candy) on his debut "Sports." After releasing a 4-track EP to widespread acclaim, out he comes with an album with more live elements than the EP. For good measure, you'll find those four tracks here, with the liveness thrown in. All the tracks are based on elements of some sort having to do with sports, but you surely don't have to be a sports enthusiast to enjoy the fresh sounds of what Javi P3z and Spain has to offer. Osborne - Afrika EP 12" (Spectral) US Spectral, one of the imprints of Ann Arbor's Ghostly International, has been on a roll of late. Barely a year old, the label keeps it coming with a rump-shaking Afrobeat stormer in the title track. It comes complete with said rhythms and African chanting that's good for both the soul and the floor, making this a can't-miss tune.. The b-side is a more techy affair, but no less effective. APSCI - Get It Twisted (Bomb Hip-Hop CD-R) US This isn't the usual kind of thing that one might expect from a hip-hop label, but Oakland's Bomb Hip-Hop once again decides to take the road less traveled with one of its newest signings. APSCI (pronounced AP-sigh)is a trio consisting of a producer, a DJ, and an Aussie opera singer. It's a bit of a twist, but it works here. It's a combo of hip-hop, dirty/glitchy electronics, lyrics and guts. Not quite for everyone, but it's sure worth taking on if you're willing to go off the beaten path. Bambu - Elevate Your Mind EP (Bitches Brew CD-R) UK If you're a fan of soulful, melodic house, then you are going to fall all over this one. This is Bambu's newest release for London's Bitches Brew (and the label's ninth release), and I can only say that it's an uplifting epic that will surely have fans of Blaze scrambling. Billie Godfrey commands attention with her uplifting vocals, while Ben Mitchell and label co-founder DJ Cosmo take care of the production end in fine form. Nicolas Matar does a good remix here, but in the end it'll be the original that I'm gonna hang on to. Lizz Fields - I Gotta Go EP 12" (ABB Soul) US One of the most talented neo-soul vocalists out there is blessed with having a good song made better by DJ Spinna's magic touch. "I Gotta Go" was one of the first singles from Lizz Fields to put her on the musical map. Spinna keeps the tune inna midtempo style; smooth, warm, and full of the delicious soulful elements that he's known for. A definite keeper for chillin' or romancin'. Wiley - Wot U Call It? 12" (XL) UK In all this time I've been a fan of two-step and dubstep, how come I never heard of this cat called Wiley? Well no matter. If his work is as good as this single, then it's time to give the crooner a "hey yo!" I can't say that I've felt the remix as much, as I was I was hoping that the vocals would be there. I have to admit that Wiley has charisma, charm, energy, and guts to pull this off. Hats off to the man. V/A - Party Keller (Compost) Germany One of the world's most respected collectors of rare soul and funk comes through once again with another batch of choice tunes. This time, Into Somethin's Florian Keller pulls together favorites to coincide with his monthly club night called Party-Keller. The compilation is a nice batch of influences spanning from the late 60's through the early 80's. The selection is truly one to keep in one's record bag for a long time to come. Absolutely essential for music lovers inna no-category vein. Quantic - Mishaps Happening (Ubiquity/Tru Thoughts) Unquestionably one of the hardest-working artists around, Brighton's Will Holland somehow finds the time to drop his third solo long-player for Tru Thoughts. Lots of different styles are covered here, and yet the album is a nifty barometer of how far he's come musically. Too many fine cuts to mention, ,so all I'll say is don't think about getting it...just get it! An ace effort! The album is out stateside via Ubiquity. ---- THE URBAN LANDSCAPES RADIOSHOW 7.29 July 30, 2004 Listen: http://www.urbanlandscapes.org/listen/04-07-30.m3u Download: http://www.urbanlandscapes.org/listen/04-07-30.mp3 Song - Artist - Album - Label Maya II - The Collectors - EP (Mantis CD-R) The Conventicle (TM Juke Remix) - Nostalgia 77 - Seven Nation EP (Tru Thoughts CD-R) El Pinball - Javi P3Z Orquestra - Sports (HiTop) Pantonal - Ryuichi Sakamoto - Chasm (KAB) Berlin Sunrise (die Nacht) - Daniel Wang - EP 12" (Ghostly International white) Diablo (Fauna Flash Remix) - Joseph Malik - Aquarius Songs EP 12" (Compost) THE URBAN LANDSCAPES GUESTMIX PRESENTS: DJ COSMO (exclusive) Sunrain - Ash Ra Temple (Manuel Gottsching) - New Age On Earth (Tempel/Spalax) East (Diesel & Havey Re-Adjustment) - Billy Paul (Motown) Eastern Eyes - Nitin Sawhney (V2) Sandcastles - Jerome Sydenham & Dennis Ferrer (Ibadan) Sayaji (Joe Claussell Remix) - Ustad Sultan Khan (5 Points) The Jezebel Spirit - Brian Eno & David Byrne - My Life In The Bush of Ghosts (Sire) My Best Dub - Joe Gibbs - African Dub Chapter Two (Lighning) One of These Days - Pink Floyd - Meddle (Harvest) Journey To The Light (King Chocolate Getting Dark Re-edit) - Brainstorm (Strut) Just Pilau - Akwaaba (Disfunction) Umi Says - Mos Def - Black On Both Sides (Rawkus) END OF DJ COSMO GUESTMIX Change Is What We Need (Progress) - Troubleman - Time Out Of Mind (Far Out) New Paradise - Wei Chi - One I, Two Eyes (Compost) Subdued (Amp Fiddler Future Remix) - Intuit - EP 12" (Compost) END BROADCAST --- For six and a half years, the Urban Landscacpes Radioshow has been presenting jazzy and soulful club culture from around the world. Big respect to all of the labels, artists, promotion people and the listeners for their continued support. Musical submissions are always welcome. PLEASE NOTE that prior to submission, you should check the playlists as well as listen to a few of the shows in order to get a good feel for the music and the vibes. Vinyl is preferred, but CDs/CD-Rs and minidiscs are acceptable. Please send your music to: Velanche Stewart Urban Landscapes Entertainment 1029 Southwood Drive #D San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 USA I can't tell you if this circular reaches thousands of people worldwide. I can tell you, however, that it does go out to the people that matter. You know who you are. VELANCHE DOES WRITEUPS Velanche also does reviews for XLR8R Magazine, as well as recent articles for the online zine Mundovibes (http://www.mundovibes.com), with more publications to be announced soon. I'm also open to article ideas...hit me up via email to mail_at_urbanlandscapes.org. ---- Urban Landscapes Entertainment Phone: 1-818-332-0630 Email: mail_at_urbanlandscapes.org