Saludos amigos, mangostas y otras alimañas, hoy os traemos una sorpresa. Os presentamos nuestra primera sesión grabada, nuestro primer Mixtape: “Mongoose Funk Trip“, un pequeño viaje por la cultura Funk de ayer y hoy. Hemos desempolvado nuestra colección de vinilos y hemos tratado de hacer una sesión completa y ecléctica, que reprodujera diversos estilos sin centrarse demasiado en una sola clase de Funk.  32 minutos de buena música para hacer vibrar vuestros pabellones auditivos. Aquí os dejamos el link de descarga y el playlist de la sesión:

1 – James Brown – Intro (197?, King)

2 – SpeakLOW – Troublemaker (2006, AcidJazz)

3 – Mongo Santamaria – Funk Up (1975, Vampisoul)

4 – Kool and the Gang – Kool and the Gang (1969, Delite)

5 – The Fatback Band – Let’s do it again (1972, Earmark)

6 – Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – Cut the Line (2002, Daptone)

7 – Bill Dogget – Make your move (1970, King)

8 – SpeakLOW – Unusual Tatami (2006, Love Monk)

9 – Mongo Santamaria – Funk Down (1975, Vampisoul)

10 – James Brown – I Got the feeling (197?, King)

11 – Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – Dap-Dip (2002, Daptone)

DESCARGAR: AnimalGrooves Mixtape Vol.1 – Mongoose Funk Trip (29,4 mb)

[ Botón derecho "Guardar Como" - Right button "Save As" ]

Como podéis ver, la selección contiene cortes de algunos de los padres del Funk, mezclados con dos de las más grandes bandas actuales: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (Daptone Records, Brooklyn) y SpeakLOW (Love Monk y AcidJazz Records, Madrid). James Brown en directo desde Georgia, con una potencia inigualable (King, edición española de 1984, link); el Mongo Santamaria más funky en una reedición del sello Vampisoul (7”, link) con dos temas del LP “Afro-Indio” (V2 Records, 1975;); la primera canción del primer disco de Kool and the Gang (1969, reedición Delite, más info); el organista Bill Doggett con un tema del disco instrumental “Honky Tonk Popcorn” producido por James Brown, con el guitarrista Billy Butler (1970,  King) …

SpeakLOW es una de las bandas españolas con más trayectoria y proyección internacional. En 2004 editaron con el sello inglés Acid Jazz (James Taylor Quartet, entre otros) su primer trabajo “I’m gonna groove ya‘ “, aunque el disco no llegó a España hasta dos o tres años más tarde. En 2009 han regresado con “Hands Up” (escuchar Hands Up), que está editado con el sello Love Monk. En esta gran banda encontramos músicos de la talla de Julián Maeso (hammond, ex  Sunday Drivers), Jose Funko (guitarras, Mama Funko, Soul Vigilantes, Funkattack…), Antonio Pax (drums, La Vacazul, 3000 hombres…), Martín García (Saxo Tenor, Gigoletto Brass Band, Muchachito Bombo Infierno…) y nuestro amigo y compañero David “El Indio” García (baterista de Vetusta Morla, conguero en SpeakLOW). Los dos temas que aparecen en la compilación son:  “Troublemaker” (I’m gonna groove ya’, Acid Jazz, 2004) y “Unusual Tatami” (Hans Up, Love Monk, 2009).

La gente del sello Daptone de Broklyn son, posiblemente, quienes consiguen acercarse más al sonido y a la profundidad de los años de origen del funksoul. The Dap-Kings realizan sus grabaciones a tiempo real con equipos analógicos de la época, unas canciones y arreglos desorbitados, una grandísima vocalista y una banda comparable a los JB’s. Dentro de la compilación os dejamos dos cortes del LP “Dap-Dippin‘ ” (2002).

Esperamos que disfrutéis de nuestro primer Mixtape.

salud y groove,

Javibi & Tibi – Mongoose Brothers

PS1: thanks to Larry Grogan, funky16corners: This mixtape wouldn’t exist without your knowledge and inspiration.

PS2: All this songs and albums are under a Copyright License. This Mixtape is under a CreativeCommons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Spain License and it’s not for commercial use.

Could you please state your name & occupation?

Daniel Sears, owner of The Czar Agency (http://www.wholesaleczar.com).

How did you get into the industry?

I grew up skating & surfing, and I was always blown away by brands like Stussy, Fresh Jive, SMP, Fuct, and especially Powell Peralta.  I studied quite a bit of art & design, both independently and in school.  About twelve years ago, a friend of mine Adam Donahue got me a job at a very small t-shirt company called High Fidelity Dis Co. in Philly.  We’d bang out heat transfers all night, while I was at Villanova University.  It was a fun job.  One of the dudes from that company, a cat by the name of Dave Wurtzel A.K.A. Words, teamed up with Andy Hurwitz of Ropeadope Records.  Ropeadope was a small little record label started by Andy, ?uestlove and some other music industry OG’s.  They wanted to start a clothing line that was actually about something, and not just crap on a shirt.  So I submitted some designs.  After that a friend and I started our own t-shirt line called Flavor Country (you Simpson’s fans will get it) but it never really took off.  Then at one point Ropeadope Industries teamed up with a company called Banzai Apparel, an apparel company with roots in the tye-dye scene from WAY back.  Banzai came on the scene to help Ropeadope tackle the apparel industry.  So that’s when things really started picking up for me.  Banzai really dove into the music inspired scene, bringin’ on Ninja Tune, Blue Note Records, Duck Down Records, Definitive Jux, Daptone, The Roots’ brand Okayplayer, and of course Ropeadope.  Fortunately I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time.  That’s the beginning of the story.

What is the most memorable moment in your career to date?

That’s a tough question.  I guess it wasn’t really one big moment per say.  There wasn’t a day where Jay-Z walked in and threw me a briefcase of hundreds, and Slick Rick never asked me to make him a new eye patch of anything like that.  The most memorable time would probably when I saw my concept/idea of a Digital Showroom taking off.  I had this idea, born out of necessity of course, where I could have a site that acts as a digital showroom for buyers & shop owners from all over the world.  I was just trying to reach those guys who don’t or can’t make it to the trade shows.  Quickly I realized, “what is the point of doing tradeshows if it’s not cut/sew?”  I know apparel decoration pretty well, and if I see samples and evaluate the product, then there’s no risk for the shop.  Obviously I liked my idea, but when I created a blog to experiment, almost immediately I received great feedback.  Shops love not having to travel if they don’t want.  So that was really cool.  It wasn’t like the idea all occurred to me at once, it was a progression that took a great deal of time, an evolution.  That’s my most memorable moment, getting to see my idea not only pan out, but having it received with open arms was great.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Probably two parts really.  The collaborative part where I get to put in my two cents with brands on what I think will help them grow.  The real favorite is when we’re in the middle of a sales push for this order date or that.  When I check my inbox and it’s just order, after order, after order.  It’s such a good feeling.  Not because of money or greed.  But because it’s proof.  When you don’t work with your hands, you run the risk of not getting to actually see the value of your work.  Those emails in the inbox are tangible proof of hard work, and being on the right track. Love it.

What are your plans for the future? 

Always gotta keep thinking about the future particularly how to adapt and try to have an edge.  First priority is upgrading our site.  It’s pretty “rootsy” right now but it has been so easy, useful and very good to us.  In addition we’re branching out to offer more services such as product placement, brand strategy/identity, market research, and PR.  These services are going to be available on a consulting basis, and tailored for each brands needs.  One of the things I believe in is letting experts be experts.  In this industry, there are so many brands who have made it on their own.  I applaud brands that get far enough to create quality products to sell in fine retailers.  But when you want to grow and take it to the next level, you definitely want to work with people who’ve been down this road before.  So, we’re teaming up with some industry vets in those respective fields, look for an announcement by the end of the year.  The result will be an ability to not only open accounts for our brands but also assist with some of those services I mentioned.  After these changes occur we’ll be a little more polished, and as always looking to help our brands grow organically.

Thanks for taking the time Peter.

Texan soulquarian Erykah Badu may have laid claim to the title ‘analog girl in a digital world’ but if Daptone Records ever decides to put on a dress and call itself a ‘lady’ then Miss Badu may be in for some stiff competition. Perhaps it’s their resolution to ‘serve only the finest music analog tape can offer’ but as if by some voodoo ceremony, they’ve resurrected the thick, liquid sounds of Stax and Motown and pumped it directly into their Brooklyn-based studios.

After the success of soul revivalists Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings with 100 Days, 100 Nights and a never-ending string of crowd-pleasing festival performances, Daptone have dipped into their hidden stash of artists and pulled Naomi Shelton out of the bag. And she’s come out with her fists in the air, all powerhouse vocals and so much soul you could drown in it.

Previously known as Naomi Davis & The Knights, she released a string of 45’s on Daptone’s previous incarnation as Desco Records. But Shelton’s stepped out of the JB funk jacket of ‘41st Street Breakdown’ and, as the name of her new backing band gives it away, put on something a little bit more gospel. What Have You Done, My Brother? is a spiritual road to the church in Alabama where Shelton found her soul and her impressive lungs.

Like a mash-up of the almost inimitable Big Mama Thornton together with the gospel queen to end all gospel queens, Mahalia Jackson, Shelton’s coal fire voice shines on tracks like ‘Am I Asking Too Much?’ and ‘Trouble in My Way’. Shelton’s Gospel Queens keep a steady chorus, always ready to answer any questions.

The shunting guitar holds Naomi Shelton down on rock steady ‘What More Can I Do?’, but it’s partners-in-crime, the piano and the organ that give the record it’s old school flare, taking the foreground on opener ‘What Is This?’ and spiritual belter ‘Jordan River’. Beautifully closed with a cover of Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, the first full-length release from Miss Shelton has been a long time comin’.

[Originally reviewed for Bearded Magazine]

Om politik, samhällsdebatt, musik m.m. Så valde jag att kalla den här bloggen när jag startade den för snart ett och ett halvt år sedan. Med tiden har det blivit mycket politik och debatt och allt mindre musik. Besöksstatistiken visar dock att de texter som handlar om musik är bland de mest lästa.

Till min förvåning finns det tydligen folk som är intresserade av mina musiktips. Därför har jag bestämt mej för att börja lista lite favoritlåtar igen. Här följer därför en lista över världens bästa låtar i maj 2009. Det blir en resa som sträcker sej från U2:s arenarock, över 70-talsinfluerad retro-funk och Las Vegas-r&b, till morbida hillbillies och 80-talsavantgardism.

Nutid:

Chris Isaak: You don’t cry like I do (från Mr. Lucky, 2009)

I slutet av 80-talet var han stor kritikerfavorit, och i början av 90-talet fick han en jättehit med Wicked game. Sedan har hans stjärna dalat, åtminstone på den här sidan Atlanten. I USA tycks han fortfarande vara ett stort namn och har bl.a. haft en egen tv-show.

Om man inte räknar med en skiva med julsånger som släpptes 2004 är detta Isaaks första riktiga, studioinspelade platta på sju år. Men han låter precis som förr. Det är samma 60-talsdoftande, Roy Orbisonskt bitterljuva popballader, bitvis kryddade med lite country- och rockabilly-influenser. I rimliga doser funkar dock Chris Isaaks sentimentalitet fortfarande alldeles utmärkt.

U2: Moment of surrender (från No line on the horizon, 2009)

Det senaste alstret från Bono & co var ärligt talat en besvikelse. Soundet och arrangemangen låter klassisk U2, men man saknar melodierna. Det enda spåret som verkligen känns som en riktig, genomarbetad låt är denna suggestiva ballad. Men den är å andra sidan så bra att den skulle kunna platsa på en samling med bandets bästa låtar.

Janiva Magness: I’m glad you’re mine (från What love will do, 2008)

Det jag tidigare hört med denna sångerska är ganska traditionell blues. Snyggt och välgjort, men samtidigt lite trist och förutsägbart. På förra årets What love will do var dock låtmaterialet mera varierat och bluesrötterna uppblandade med tydliga soulinfluenser. Resultatet blev en enastående bra modern bluesplatta. I’m glad you’re mine är skivans höjdpunkt och låter som en uppdaterad version av något Al Green hade kunnat spela in under sina guldår i början av 70-talet.

The Qualitons: One man song (från samlings-CD:n Contemporary funk, 2009)

För några år sedan upptäckte jag Sugarman 3, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings och de andra banden kring New York-bolaget Daptone Records. Sedan har det blivit tydligt att det finns en hel världsomspännande scen av artister som spelat sönder Keb Darges samlingar med obskyr 70-talsfunk och vill föra denna musiktradition vidare in i 2000-talet. Jag tänker på namn som Lefties Soul Connection, Baby Charles, Calypso King & The Soul Investigators och The New Mastersounds, för att bara nämna några.

På Contemporary funk har tyska Tramp Records samlat ett antal grupper i denna genre. De flesta håller hög klass, men min personliga favorit är The Qualitons, ett band som enligt sin MySpace-sida kommer från Budapest. Deras One man song låter som om Mulatu Astatqé fått göra soundtracket till en blaxploitation-rulle i mitten av 70-talet. Och i denna genre ska det omdömet ses som mycket positiv kritik.

Raul Malo: Ready for my lovin’ (från Lucky one, 2009)

Som soloartist fortsätter Mavericks-sångaren på sitt inslagna spår. Country blandas med pop/schlager av tidigt 60-talssnitt. Det är smörigt, sliskigt och bitvis med stark dansbandsvarning. Men på något sätt funkar det. Malos sång övertygar och såväl låtmaterial som arrangemang präglas av genuin stilkänsla. Ready for my lovin’, ett av skivans starkaste spår, är New Orleans-r&b som fått på sej smoking och hamnat på en nattklubbsscen i Las Vegas. Självaste Elvis kunde inte ha gjort det bättre.

Dåtid:

Dee Felice Trio: The crickets sing (från In heat, 1969)

Dee Felice Trio är troligen mest kända för sitt samarbete med James Brown. Tillsammans med The Godfather of Soul gjorde de bl.a. den ultimata versionen av Bobby Hebbs 60-talshit Sunny. På egen hand var trummisen Dee Felice, basisten Lee Tucker och pianisten Frank Vincent visserligen en kompetent jazztrio, men möjligen lite för begränsade som improvisatörer för att ha gjort något större avtryck i jazzhistorien.

Om improvisationerna ibland kändes lite stelbenta och förutsägbara kompenserades det dock med råge av svänget. Dessa tre musiker visste verkligen hur man skapar ett bra groove! Det bevisar de med all önskvärd tydlighet på denna lysande version av Marcos Valles bossa-klassiker Crickets sing for Anamaria, här kort och gott kallad The crickets sing. Den som kan sitta still till detta grymma sambasväng är sannolikt död.

Hadda Brooks: My song (1952, återutgiven på samlings-CD:n Jump back honey; The complete Okeh sessions)

Under sin storhetstid på 1940- och 50-talen pendlade sångerskan och pianisten Hadda Brooks mellan två vitt skilda stilar. Å ena sidan var hon en flyhänt boogiepianist med hits som Swingin’ the boogie och Boogie woogie blues. Å andra sidan var hon också mästerlig när det gällde att sjunga finstämda kärlekssånger; sådana låtar som på amerikanska brukar kallas ”torch songs”. De ballader hon gjorde allra bäst var sådana som hade en tydlig blueskänsla, och i den genren är My song ett paradexempel. Sexton år senare skulle Aretha Franklin göra en odödlig tolkning av denna låt. Hadda Brooks version är inte lika storslagen, men väl så bra.

Sonny Burgess & Dave Alvin: Old, old man (från Tennessee border, 1992)

Av de vita rockabillysångare som under 1950-talet spelade in för legendariska Sun Records i Memphis var Albert ”Sonny” Burgess troligen den som lät vildast, farligast och ”svartast”. Det är förstås ingen tillfällighet att bröderna Dave och Phil Alvin, centralfigurer i det fantastiska amerikanska rotrock-bandet The Blasters, valde att inkludera hans Sadie’s back in town på repertoaren. Det är också fullt logiskt att Dave Alvin hjälpte Burgess med denna comeback-platta 1992.

Sonny Burgess var 61 år när denna skiva spelades in, men lät fortfarande ung och hungrig. Lefty Frizzells Old, old man, en låt om en gammal gubbe som fortfarande festar och jagar unga tjejer, känns därför som ett perfekt låtval. Och med tanke på vilken energi Burgess fyller låten med känns det inte sannolikt att han behövde någon Viagra…

Sonny Burgess är fortfarande, efter mer än 50 år i branschen, aktiv som turnerande musiker. För bara ett par veckor sedan spelade han faktiskt på en countryfestival i Leksand med sitt band The Legendary Pacers. Imponerande!

Wayne Raney: Undertakin’ daddy (från samlings-CD:n That real hot boogie boy: The King anthology 1948 – 53)

En återkommande kliché i gamla country- och rockabilly-texter är att sångaren hävdar sin manlighet genom att sjunga att han är en ”daddy” av ett eller annat slag. Det finns en mängd 1940- och 50-talsinspelningar med titlar som I’m a do right daddy, Rockin’ daddy, Rattlesnake daddy och Red hot daddy. Här kombinerar sångaren och munspelaren Wayne Raney denna klyscha med referenser till död och begravningar. Resultatet blir något som snarast kan tolkas som en hyllning till nekrofili. Vad sägs om textrader som: I’m your undertakin’ daddy, when I dig it’s not for gold, I’m the one who will stick by you even after you’ve done grown cold?

Bra är inte rätt ord för att beskriva denna hillbilly-blues från 1952. Snarare är den så bisarr och märklig att man inte kan låta bli att fascineras. Detta är troligen det konstigaste jag hört sedan första gången jag lyssnade på Louvin Brothers Satan is real.

Brian Eno & David Byrne: Regiment (från My life in the bush of ghosts, 1981)

Genom hiphopen har samplingar blivit ett vedertaget inslag i modern populärmusik. Det är numera inget konstigt med att man kan klippa snuttar ur andras låtar och klistra ihop dem så att ny musik skapas. Men 1981 var detta, åtminstone inom popmusiken, något nytt och närmast avantgardistiskt. Konstigt nog känns Brian Enos och David Byrnes ljudcollage från tidigt 80-tal fräscht och spännande nästan 30 år senare. Mitt favoritspår är fortfarande denna låt där den libanesiska sångerskan Dunya Yusins ordlösa wailande lagts ovanpå ett suggestivt funkgroove.

Truth & Soul say it best when they describe Lee Fields as “… a bona-fide, 100%, unadulterated, pure, gut-bucket soul singer.“

He’s been on the funk/soul scene since the 70’s and has a few rare 7’s around. He also put an LP out on his own label back in the day but his new LP entitled “My World” is the one the funk/soul world is talking about. Truth & Soul have teamed up with Stones Throw Records to give us Mr Fields’ latest offering of sweet soul music incorporating a beat heavy style that today’s funk generation is so thirsty for.

I got sent some of the tracks from the album and they’re great… “Honey Dove” blew me away. Originally on his “Problems” LP, they’ve re-worked it for the new album and it’s well worth a listen.

For the time being here’s a track called “Ladies” for you to check.

Don’t sleep!

I was catching up on the latest over at Soul-Sides when I spotted a post about The Daptones Studio being broken into just a week prior to their recording session with Rod Stewart. A gang of  shit was stolen and they’re asking people to keep an eye out for gear being sold on eBay, craigslist, etc, etc.

I figured the least I can do is help to spread the word about how you can help Save Daptone. Full details after the jump.

“Friends and associates,

As you may have heard through the grapevine by now, Daptone was broken into last night. Unfortunately, there was a lot of equipment (mics, pre-amps, monitors, turntables, guitars, amps, computers, etc.) stolen and damaged. It is going to take us a while to go through everything and take full stock of what was stolen, and we are not supposed to touch anything until the cops come back to collect fingerprints so we can only guess what’s missing from some mic drawers and cabinets.
And, no, we did not have insurance. We had been shopping around with different companies earlier this month but had not signed a check, so nothing was insured. We are working on replacing the gate in front, installing an alarm system, and getting insurance, but it is President’s day so it’s not going as quickly as we would have liked.
Nydia’s computer was stolen (which wasn’t backed up) and the modems/ phone system was ripped out, so we’ll be relatively out of commission for a few days.

I would like to ask for everyone’s help first in keeping an eye out for all of our stuff showing up on ebay/craigslist/local music shops, and secondly (and more realistically) keeping an eye out for good deals on headphones, mics, pre-amps, etc. I could really use a heads up on any kind of studio package for sale or studio equipment to be possibly bought or borrowed as soon as possible. We have a session scheduled for Friday to lay down some music for (I know this sounds
surreal) Rod Stewart, and I’m going to have to get the studio running by then. I know I’m going to need to find headphones, cables, mics, and pre-amps by then. I’m not sure what else yet.

Upon first glance we are definitely missing:
Fender Super Guitar Amp in case
Fender Deluxe Guitar Amp
A whole bunch of headphones and wires
Nydia’s HP laptop computer
One Desktop MacIntosh Computer
One Purple Audio API style lunchbox with
four Purple Audio Biz mic pre-amps
2 Yamaha NS10 monitors
Vintage Harmony Rocket Guitar
One steel string acoustic guitar
Martin Tenor sax in a gig bag
Technics 1200 turntable
Ion USB turntable
Teac Receiver/stereo amp
Sony dual deck CD burner/player
All of our modem/phone system stuff was ripped out and taken.
A whole bunch of condensor and dynamic microphones (I still need to
figure out exactly what’s missing)
The power supply for my Trident console was tossed and the board was
moved (probably not gently) so the status of that is still questionable.
A baldwin organ was tossed and is probably broken.
Lacie External hard drive

Over the next few days, as we sort out the rubble, we are going to
figure out what else we lost.

We are putting in a roll down front gate, alarm system, and finally
getting our insurance happening this week. We are also going to hire
a security guard to watch the house for tonight as the cops and alarm
guy seemed pretty confident that they will be back with a truck now
that they’ve seen what’s in here.

Thanks for keeping eyes open for us. AND PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE
ALONG TO ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP US.

Thankfully, we all still have our health, ambition, tape machines, and
sense of humor in tact. You can slow us down, but you can’t stop
us. Sleep well knowing we here at Daptone will continue to…

Keep putting Soul up,

Gabriel Roth

P.S. On a lighter note, it seems like the burglars did drop a few
items in order to lift Alex’s old safe out of here, which was VERY
heavy, VERY unwieldy, and also VERY EMPTY!”

If you have any info to help, try contacting Daptone.

In the ultimate in Douchebaggery, cowardness, and bullshit, I’m saddened to hear that the little label that could, Daptone Records Studio was robbed. I hope whoever did it gets caught, gets the shit beaten out of them, and then handed over to the Police. People really amaze the fuck out of me sometimes.

From Daptone Records:

Friends and associates,

As you may have heard through the grapevine by now, Daptone was broken into last night. Unfortunately, there was a lot of equipment (mics, pre-amps, monitors, turntables, guitars, amps, computers, etc.) stolen and damaged. It is going to take us a while to go through everything and take full stock of what was stolen, and we are not supposed to touch anything until the cops come back to collect fingerprints so we can only guess what’s missing from some mic drawers and cabinets.
And, no, we did not have insurance. We had been shopping around with different companies earlier this month but had not signed a check, so nothing was insured. We are working on replacing the gate in front, installing an alarm system, and getting insurance, but it is President’s day so it’s not going as quickly as we would have liked.
Nydia’s computer was stolen (which wasn’t backed up) and the modems/ phone system was ripped out, so we’ll be relatively out of commission for a few days.

I would like to ask for everyone’s help first in keeping an eye out for all of our stuff showing up on ebay/craigslist/local music shops, and secondly (and more realistically) keeping an eye out for good deals on headphones, mics, pre-amps, etc. I could really use a heads up on any kind of studio package for sale or studio equipment to be possibly bought or borrowed as soon as possible. We have a session scheduled for Friday to lay down some music for (I know this sounds
surreal) Rod Stewart, and I’m going to have to get the studio running by then. I know I’m going to need to find headphones, cables, mics, and pre-amps by then. I’m not sure what else yet.

Upon first glance we are definitely missing:
Fender Super Guitar Amp in case
Fender Deluxe Guitar Amp
A whole bunch of headphones and wires
Nydia’s HP laptop computer
One Desktop MacIntosh Computer
One Purple Audio API style lunchbox with four Purple Audio Biz mic pre-amps
2 Yamaha NS10 monitors
Vintage Harmony Rocket Guitar
One steel string acoustic guitar
Martin Tenor sax in a gig bag
Technics 1200 turntable
Ion USB turntable
Teac Receiver/stereo amp
Sony dual deck CD burner/player
All of our modem/phone system stuff was ripped out and taken.
A whole bunch of condensor and dynamic microphones (I still need to figure out exactly what’s missing) The power supply for my Trident console was tossed and the board was moved (probably not gently) so the status of that is still questionable.
A baldwin organ was tossed and is probably broken.
Lacie External hard drive

Over the next few days, as we sort out the rubble, we are going to figure out what else we lost.

We are putting in a roll down front gate, alarm system, and finally getting our insurance happening this week. We are also going to hire a security guard to watch the house for tonight as the cops and alarm guy seemed pretty confident that they will be back with a truck now that they’ve seen what’s in here.

Thanks for keeping eyes open for us. AND PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ALONG TO ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP US.

Thankfully, we all still have our health, ambition, tape machines, and sense of humor in tact. You can slow us down, but you can’t stop us. Sleep well knowing we here at Daptone will continue to…

Keep putting Soul up,

Gabriel Roth

P.S. On a lighter note, it seems like the burglars did drop a few items in order to lift Alex’s old safe out of here, which was VERY heavy, VERY unwieldy, and also VERY EMPTY!

If you hear anything, pass it on to Daptone. Keep Diggin’!

Madlib :: Sound Directions (Stones Throw)

This funky offering celebrates compositions by Soul, Jazz and Funk icons such as David Axelrod, Billy Brooks, JJ Johnson just to name a few. Armed with seasoned musicians featuring Madlib clocking in on drums, Sound Directions presents fresh and sincere approach to these timeless pieces. Intense musicianship to the 10th power incorporating horns and other settle elements. The personal highlight for me on this album is a rendition of the 60’s soul dancefloor classic “The Horse” originally by Cliff Nobles and Co. This loose and extra funky version will have you out on the floor in no time (took me back to the days when my mom literally wore this record out). Majestic horns are replaced by the guitars giving it an edge, the late Jessie James would be proud of this version. Sound Directions not only provides a lesson in Soul 101 by paying homage to these musical icons but it demonstrates Madlib’s ongoing and everchanging process in pushing the musical envelope in the name of honest and good music. Sound Directions is the destination!

The Budos Band :: Self Titled (Daptone)

Okay im gonna put it out there.This record is bananas! This funk outfit hails out of Shaolin aka Staten Island, clocking in with a pinch of Afro Beat & Latin tones immersed in the bottom line, Funk. Its weird listening to this release because one cannot help but think that it was recorded back in 70′. The major highlight of the release is their rendition of Sly and The Family Stone’s “Sing a Simple Song”. Now you would think that no one can top the original but the fellas hold their own putting their own staple in this timeless piece. Overall, The Budos are bound to become one of the groups to relight the flame in funk bands. Making this release the sure shot!

Ritmo is in da house
Nuovo podcast, ascolta!!!

Ritmo Radio Show 8 Novembre part 1

Playlist Sabato 8 11 2008

BUDOS BAND – BUDOS RISING (DAPTONE)
BOB JAMES – NAUTILUS – (TAPPAN ZEE)
MALO – JUST SAY GOODBYE – (WARNER)
HELIO MATHEUS – MAIS KRIOLA – (MR BONGO)

Album of the week
LINDSTROM – WHERE YOU GO I GO TOO – (SMALLTOWN SUPERSOUND)
The Long Way Home

JAVAANSE JONGENS – P.S. – (KINDRED SPIRITS)
MIKE SLOTT- KNOCK KNOCK – (ALL CITY DUBLIN)
MR SCRUFF – KALIMBA – (NINJA TUNE)

September 2008

1. Michael Franti & Spearhead – All Rebel Rockers [Anti 2008]
2. Graham Wilkinson – Graham Wilkinson [Township Records 2008]
3. Burning Spear – Jah Is Real [Burning Music 2008]
4. John Brown’s Body – Amplify [MRI Associated 2008]
5. Busy Signal – Loaded [VP Records 2008]
6. James Levy – Blood Red Rose [Township Records 2008]
7. Beres Hammond – A Moment in Time [VP Records 2008]
8. Queen Ifrica – Fyah Muma [Flames 2008]
9. Kimya Dawson – Alphabutt [K Records 2008]
10. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings – 1000 Days, 1000 Nights [Daptone 2007]

Michael Franti & Spearhead have released an excellent reggae and pop album. The addition of the strong voice of reggae seductress Cherine Anderson over the heavy bass riddims of Sly & Robbie make this album a head nodder. “The Rude Boys Back in Town” and “Soundsystem” display Spearhead’s block rocking ability while two versions of “Hey World” encapsulate Franti’s ability to say something meaningful over good music.

The 2008 Austin City Limit’s Music Festival introduced the world to some of the best local music coming out of Austin, Texas. Christopher Denny an Arkansas native and presently an Austin-based singer-songwriter crooner and backed by Austin’s Underground Township rocked the Austin Ventures stage. Furthermore Graham Wilkinson of the Underground Township released an excellent compilation of solo acoustic gems this month. Many organic grooves are coming out of Austin. Wayne Dalchau’s Township Records released several great albums in the last month, including Wilkinson’s new album and James Levy’s Blood Red Rose. Wayne is also working on a much anticipated Township Records compilation that will include Chris Denny, Graham Wilkinson, and other Township Records artists.

Burning Spear’s new album Jah Is Real flows smoothly and feels refreshingly natural and original. One can see the party and imagery that emerges from the single “Jam Cruise.” It is amazing that the Spear can drop tunes like this over four decades. Rather live or in the studio Burning Spear embodies roots reggae music.

Plus a mention of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and their phenomenal performance at Austin City Limits is needed here. The soulful group dropped funk and love on Austin, bringing the audience alive on a hot Saturday afternoon. Much dancing ensued and these soul players deserve their props. John Fogerty kicked ass and took names, playing “Down on the Corner,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” and “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.”

Την πρώτη δισκογραφική δουλειά των Budos Band την είχαμε παρουσιάσει στις απαρχές του παρόντος blog… Οι Budos Band επέστρεψαν με νέο cd, το οποίο κατά την ταπεινή μου άποψη είναι πολύ καλύτερο από το πρώτο. Στοιβαρός ήχος, afrobeat και funk που ρέει άφθονο, παραγωγή για Όσκαρ, συντελούν σε ένα ονειρικό ταξίδι στο Μεξικό που ξεχειλίζει ηδονικά από vintage ήχους. Οι Budos Band σε αποζημιώνουν για άλλη μια φορά με την καινούρια τους δουλειά. Εμπιστευτείτε τους…ξέρουν τι κάνουν!! 4/5…

thebudos.com

myspace.com/budosband

Note: This show has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008.

Bop and Beyond returns tonight with two straight hours of dynamic funk featuring music from Maceo Parker, Sharon Jones, Femi Kuti, Afrodizz, Stanton Moore, and more…

Bop and Beyond, Weds from 6pm to 8pm on WPIR: Pratt Institute Radio

(Download to follow)

Η Sharon Jones επέστρεψε, παρέα με τους Dap – Kings φυσικά. Η ντίβα της Soul/ Funk μουσικής σκηνής, που τρελαίνει τα πλήθη σε κάθε ζωντανή της εμφάνιση, είναι ξανά εδώ με ένα ακόμα πανέμορφο album, αντάξιο του ονόματος που έχει δημιουργήσει. Το 100 Days, 100 Nights ξεχειλίζει από Soul και Blues ηχοτόπια και θα σε κάνει για τρίτη φορά να μην σταματάς να χτυπάς τη μύτη του παπουτσιού σου στο ξύλινο πάτωμα και να παίζεις την air – guitar σου στο ρυθμό του, σαν ένας ακόμα Dap – King. Super… 4/5

daptonerecords.com

myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings

Just like her sound, the videos are classic. “Tell Me” is another hot one off the 100 Days 100 Nights album from Ms Sharon Jones.

i’ve been writing a music column on marie claire korea for about 2 years and goin’ on. although it’s a fashion magazine, with this page, i try to pick up some forgotten dusty records by unsung heroes, as well as up to date – instant classic records by new comers. (naturally on my viewpoint…) this time, it’s so great to introduce (officially!-?) the great daptone records and its crew this month. nuff respect !

Κυρίες και κύριοι, εδώ είμαστε. Δώστε προσοχή γιατί αυτή η 9μελής μπάντα από το Staten Island της Νέας Υόρκης δεν αστειεύεται. Το funk και το afro beat είναι μέσα στο πνεύμα της εποχής και οι BUDOS BAND ίσως οι καλύτεροι εκπρόσωποι του. Εκπληκτικοί urban ήχοι σε συνδυασμό με african roots στοιχεία, δημιουργούν ένα εκρηκτικό μείγμα, τόσο για προσωπικό άκουσμα όσο και για ανελλέητο party. Τι άλλο να πω…. τα λόγια δεν περιγράφουν αυτό που θα πρέπει να ακούσετε. One of my favourites… 4/5

thebudos.com

myspace.com/budosband

Sharon Jones brings the funk.

This is not the kind of music you hear in Kentucky. This isn’t the kind of music you hear anywhere anymore.

I would have never considered myself to be a particular fan of soul music, but good dance music transcends all bounds. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings know how to make good dance music. It all seemed to flow so naturally out musically through the energy they put in to the actual performance of it. Or maybe the energy came from the music. It was hard to tell. It didn’t matter.

The story of Sharon Jones is a beautiful one. She was born in 1956 in Georgia listening to the deep south sounds of soul such as James Brown & singing gospel in church. Everyone always knew she had the voice, but she was told that she didn’t have the look and that she was “too dark-skinned, too short, too fat and too old.” She never stopped singing, but wasn’t able to do it full time, instead becoming a security guard on Riker’s Island at the Maximum Security Penitentiary in New York.

I hate that she had such a difficult life, and it embarrasses me that image is still so important as it is in the entertainment industry. Nevertheless, Sharon persisted, and eventually caught of some important people after singing back-up for Lee Fields.

Sharon was eventually helped to create Daptone Records as the label grew. Years later she came to Louisville. What amazed me about this show was that this was music I could share with my father. I mean that slightly metaphorically because my father actually likes a lot of my music, but this show included every age group from 18 to people in their 50s or 60s, and I imagine many brokenhearted kids under 18. I guess that’s not too much of a surprise when Sharon herself is 51 (going on 23). But who would ever imagine a soul/funk show selling Headliners completely out? I met kids from St. Louis who drove the 4-5 hours because the show had sold out there at a much smaller venue. They drove all that distance thinking no way would a venue of over 700 capacity would sell out. Fortunately it did only after they got their tickets at the door. Soul music selling out Headliners in Louisville, KY? Simply amazing.

Sharon has a sort of energy that simply blows the mind. She was so interactive with the crowd, bringing 7 different fans on stage at different times through the show. The last guy to get up on the stage actually rapped during the performance until Sharon playfully ripped the mic away from him & rapped back. It was simple, but awesome to hear.
Not to mention how many songs they played. I didn’t recognize many of them, but she didn’t even come out on stage herself for the first three. But when she did….Lord, did that woman have soul! And she knows how to dance. She went wild on stage & had to get of her shoes because they were slowing her down. For a while Sharon seemed to get agitated with the sound crew at Headliners, but you could tell she really enjoyed playing this Louisville show. She was smiling most of the time that she wasn’t incredibly intense. How many shows do you think they’ve had a member from the crowd rap at the show? It was all really incredible.

She also told us a little story in song form about her ancestry…about her African ancestors being put in chains and being brought to America. Then she told us about her Indian ancestors being forced off their lands. Then came Sharon Jones.

Sharon has something special. She is a beautiful person who makes beautiful music with unparalleled energy since James Brown has begun to rest in peace. No pictures can do the show justice because to understand this woman or her music, you need to see her dance and see those legs move. I’ve danced more in the last week than I think I have in my entire life.

For the Setlist & pictures,

Setlist:

Different Strokes for Different Folks
Baby When I See You
Out on the Dance Floor
I’m Not Gonna Cry
How Do I Let a Good Man Down?
Your Attention
If it Feels Good
Bring it Up
Got to be the Way it is
Let Them Knock
Nobody’s Baby
Be Easy
Once I Had a Good Man
100 Days, 100 Nights
My Man is a Mean Man
My Love
Genuine
Instrumental
It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World (James Brown)
There was a time (Gene Chandler)

finally Sharon Joined us

on “Bring it Up” Sharon brought up some kidsd from the Audience

and they got a little freaky

then her shoes inhibited her dancing feet, so they came off

i felt a few black and white images were appropriate because of the old style of music

for “Genuine” Sharon brought up more kids from the crowd

I only posted those pictures I couldn’t not post on here…if you’d like to see some more, visit my Picassa Web Album. Also, there you can get the images in full size.