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Date: 2010.03.09 | Category: Reviews | Response: 0
Various Artists: Afro Rock Vol. 1
Strut Records re-releases Duncan Brooker’s ground breaking compilation of unreleased afro-beat tracks from across the African continent. Afro Rock Vol. 1 was originally released on Kona Records in 2001 and is credited as jump-starting American interesting in African music.
African music’s place in American culture is always arguable. Paul Simon’s Graceland was the first real culturally significant American pop album that was heavily African inspired. Recent movie soundtracks like The Lion King and Broken Flowers have had heavy African influence. But Vampire Weekend is clearly the most prominent torch-bearer of African influences right now.
With the influence of African music in America stronger than ever right now, it’s interesting to know where African music has come from. Afro Rock is unlike other nation specific compilations; the album spans the entire continent. It features Ishmael Jingo from Kenya, Geraldo Pino from Sierra Leone, and Bokoor Band from Ghana among others.
The music featured on the album spans not only geographically but influence wise. Jingo’s “Fever” is a percussion-heavy funk-inspired track. Geraldo Pino & The Heartbeats’ “Heavy Heavy Heavy” sounds like James Brown fronting The Doors for a one night jam session. Steele Beauttah’s “Africa” is perhaps the most Afro-jazz sounding tune on the album. It’s clearly inspired by Mulatu Astatke. Das Yahoos’ “Mabala” features a traditional blues chord progression played in a funk style with some vocal samples and instrumental soloing over it. It’s probably the most traditionally rock-inspired track on the album.
The compilation attempts to give a grand brush stroke of the music of an entire continent. That’s no small task, yet it accomplishes it’s goal fairly well. You can hear the commonalities in the music while picking up the nuances that make each an individual. Afro Rock is probably a good jumping off point for anyone looking to get into African music.
Rating: 8.3/10
MP3: Geraldo Pino & The Heartbeats “Heavy Heavy Heavy”
Buy: iTunes,
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Date: 2010.03.09 | Category: News | Response: 0
When I saw an MP3 from Kitten in my email box, I thought it was from Kittie the Canadian female-fronted nu metal band who had a hit in 1999 with “Brackish”. Luckily, Kitten is a very different band. They are female-fronted but they sound much closer to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs than Kittie. Check out their latest track “Kill the Light”. Enjoy!
MP3: Kitten “Kill the Light”
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Date: 2010.03.09 | Category: News | Response: 0
Paul Weller is probably best known as the leader of The Jam. Then he is probably second best known as the mind behind The Style Council. Now, he is a solo artist. He will release his tenth studio solo album Wake Up The Nation on April 19th on Island Records. To drum up some interest, remix of some of the album’s tracks are being released. My favorite of the first released batch is Leo Zero’s remix of “No Tears to Cry”. The track sounds like a Mark Ronson remix of Klaus Wunderlich’s “Do the Latin Hustle”. Check it out.
MP3: Paul Weller “No Tears To Cry (Leo Zero Remix)”
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Date: 2010.03.08 | Category: News | Response: 0
Israeli psychedelic trance duo, Infected Mushroom released their single “Smashing the Opponent” last year. The track features vocals from Jonathan Davis from Korn. Timo Maas just came out with a remix of the track. He replaces the trippy trance of Infected Mushroom’s with a boisterous electroclash sound. Check it out!
MP3: Infected Mushroom featuring Jonathan Davis “Smashing the Opponent (Timo Maas Remix)”
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Date: 2010.03.08 | Category: News | Response: 0
Blasfemea is a Lisbon, Portugal-based tropical psychedelic electropop band. The band is releasing their new album, Galaxia Tropicalia next month. The album’s first single “Maria” sounds like Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance singing a reggaeton track. It’s really catchy as hell. Enjoy!
MP3: Blasfemea “Maria”
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Date: 2010.03.08 | Category: News | Response: 0
Supposedly R Kelly will be releasing a new album this year called Zodiac. The rumors are completely unconfirmed so don’t quote me on that. The only thing I know is that I just got this new single in my mailbox called “Supa Stunnas”. The track is definitely nice; maybe a little too nice to be a street single? We’ll see. Enjoy!
MP3: R. Kelly featuring Yo Gotti “Supa Stunnas”
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Date: 2010.03.08 | Category: News | Response: 0
T.I. is currently in a halfway house but he will be released later this month. Apparently, in advance of this T.I. wishes to reassert himself. To do that, he has released this street single “I’m Back”. If you have to come out of prison, this seems like a nice way to do it. Check out the track and let me know if you think the king of swag’s still got it.
MP3: T.I. “I’m Back”
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Date: 2010.03.08 | Category: Reviews | Response: 0
Autumn Owls: On the Trail of the Disappearing
Ireland’s Autumn Owls formed way back in 2006. Their real presence wasn’t felt until 2008 when they self released two EP’s. The second, On the Trail of the Disappearing, came out late 2008. Since then the band has found some notoriety both in Ireland and here in the states. Currently the band is on a tour that culminates with them performing at the SXSW Festival in Texas. They’re also preparing their debut album for release later this year.
Autumn Owl is an indie rock act, and On the Trail of the Disappearing reminds me of Remy Zero. Particularly on the first track, “A Thousand Blind Windows”, lead singer Gary McFarlane sounds vocally like Cinjun Tate of Remy Zero. At other times, he seems to be invoking his best raspy voice Bruce Springsteen persona. At other times, “Childhood Slideshow”, he reminds me of Leonard Cohen. Rather than singing, it feels like McFarlane is just fluctuating his speaking voice up and down.
The EP lacks some energy as all the tracks are medium to slow tempered. Couple that with McFarlane’s rather downbeat tone and none of the songs particularly stand out. The EP drones on enticing you to start daydreaming rather than inviting you to listen to each of its parts. Its hard to judge the band based off of one EP. Unfortunately, I’ll be waiting to make my mind up with their full length album. In the mean time, I find it hard to recommend On the Trail of the Disappearing.
Rating: 3.1/10
MP3: Autumn Owls “A Thousand Blind Windows”
Buy: iTunes
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Date: 2010.03.08 | Category: News | Response: 0
There are very few things I look forward to like a new White Panda track. This time Dan and Tom have mashed up Hot Chip and Khia. The track has a little more Girl Talk influence than their previous tracks, but its still a great listen. Enjoy!
MP3: The White Panda “Get Ready For My Neck, My Back (Hot Chip // Khia)”
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Date: 2010.03.07 | Category: News | Response: 0
Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP’s collaborative track, “We No Speak Americano” has become so popular that DIY remixes have begun to surface of it. Lagobeat sent me this remix. The remix sounds like Girl Talk remixing Burial’s “Archangel”. Check it out!
MP3: Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP “We No Speak Americano”
