Elvin Jones And Richard Davis – Heavy Sounds
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1967, Jazz, Soul
One of Elvin Jones’ better CDs as a leader, HEAVY SOUNDS offers a plethora of aural pleasures. Whether it be Frank Foster’s creative tenor work, or Richard Davis’ fat, rounded double bass tone, this music really swings hard. With his sensitive, yet hard-hitting style, Jones himself is in superb form here. Highlights on HEAVY SOUNDS include a bass and drums duet version of “Summertime,” and the beautiful ballad, “Here’s That Rainy Day.” On the former, Jones plays a particularly moving solo using timpani mallets. Jones also plays guitar (his first and only time) on this album–his old-fashioned delta blues style ain’t half bad.
Tracklist
01. Raunchy Rita
02. Shiny Stockings
03. M.E.
04. Summertime
05. Elvin’s Guitar Blues
06. Here’s That Rainy Day
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Charles Earland – Odyssey
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1976, Jazz, Soul
After his run of funky organ records for Prestige in the early 70s, Charles took a similar route to Herbie and others, and picked up a host of electric keyboards for his spacey fusion records on Mercury. The core of Earland’s groove here is the Arp, which he plays masterfully – running from tight funky melodies to wilder outer spacier sounds. The groups that back him up include many crack 70s fusion players – and the record has a style that’s overall more slick and sophisticated than his Prestige sessions.
little preview:
Tracklist
01. Intergalactic Love Song
02. Sons Of The Gods
03. Cosmic Fever
04. From My Heart To Yours
05. We All Live In The Jungle
06. Phire
07. Journey Of The Soul
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Django Bates – Quiet Nights
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1997, Jazz
The acclaimed composer, pianist, horn player Django Bates presents his own, very personal take on a selection of jazz standards ably assisted by Iain Ballamy on saxophone, bass harmonica amd lipo-sax. for more info check: myspace.com/djangobates
Tracklist
01. Speak Low
02. Teach Me Tonight
03. And The Mermaid Laught
04. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
05. H i lili hi lo
06. Solitude
07. Like Someone In Love
08. Is There Anyone Up There
09. Over The Rainbow
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Previte, Petrella, Salis – Big Guns
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2008, Jazz
As with many all-improvised sessions, this project between U.S. drummmer Bobby Previte, Italian trombonist Gianluca Petrella and Italian keyboardist Antonello Salis is a mixed bag. The program is nicely varied from track to track. But Salis, who alternates between piano, Hammond and Fender Rhodes, is the only one who sounds at ease, finding fresh and provocative gambits on every piece. Previte comes off as the least inspired participant. He plays with loads of power and sometimes drives the music from the pocket (as on “Blues For Gio”), but much of the time he sounds like he’s firing off a row of cannons.
Petrella is a monster on his instrument, and previous work has revealed his sharp grasp of electronic enhancements, but he overdoes it a little here. Reverby effects pedals sometimes reduce his razor-sharp phrasing and full-bodied tone into an oil slick of dubby low-end. When he plays clean lines, he and Salis usually lock into some gripping interactions, from slinking, guttural growls against the splattery piano figures on the title track or fat post-bop riffing againstgreasy and spooky Hammond trills on “The Battle Of Zama”. Some actual tunes would have helped.
Tracklist
01. Landscape
02. Twilight Zone
03. Control Freak
04. PM
05. Big Guns
06. Just Following Orders
07. The Battle Of Cannae
08. The Battle Of Zama
09. Blues For Gio
10. Profondo Notte
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Mulatu & The Heliocentrics – Inspiration Information
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2010, Funk, Jazz
The third in Strut’s Inspiration Information studio collaboration series brings together an intriguing pairing between one of Africa’s great bandleaders, Mulatu Astatke, with the next level musicianship of The Heliocentrics collective from the mighty roster of Stones Throw / Now Again. for more info and buy check: www.strut-records.com
Tracklist
01. Masenqo
02. Cha Cha
03. Addis Black Widow
04. Mulatu
05. Blue Nle
06. Esketa Dance
07. Chik Chikka
08. Live from Tigre Lounge
09. Chinese New Year
10. Phantom of The Panther
11. Dewel
12. Fire in the Zoo
13. An Epic Story
14. Anglo Ethio Suite
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Unto Ke – Jet Five
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2005, Jazz
Unto Ke (aka Gopher) is italian artist, pioneer of rap in Italy, but this is an instrumental jazz-funk album released in 2005, enjoy! for more info check: myspace.com/wastasi
Tracklist
01. Orange Sunrise
02. Jet Five
03. Carioca Blood
04. Liquid Edge
05. Vimana Groove
06. River Of Clay
07. Dust Prayers
08. Jungle Flames
09. Women By Trains
10. Outta Home
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Question & Freddie Joachim – Study Guide – Limited Edition
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2009, Instrumental
This collaborative project started as a conversation between two like-minded individuals, Question and Freddie Joachim. They call it, “STUDY GUIDE: An instrumental look at scholastic development.” The concept was simple; both artists possessed a distinct sound with an emphasis on jazz. The end result is a compilation that walks you through one of the most progressive musical art form. Both artists have been spinning hip hop and jazz plus other genres since the 1990s. Freddie has produced music for many indie hip hop and soul artists worldwide. His first album, “In With Time”, was released 2008 in Japan, and featured Aloe Blacc, Blu, Munshine, Choice 37, Lauren Santiago, Profile (The Upstarts/The Sound Providers), Surreal, Othello, Son of Ran and more. Question started making beats with an ASR-10. He then moved on to the MPC and has stuck to it ever since. Question’s music is an interpretation of a timeless era, purely fueled by Jazz & Soul. Special US release limited to 100 copies.
in these day is also available a limited edition “Study Guide 10″ on vinyl which you can buy here: freddiejoachim.com/store/ and contains 6 extra tracks.
Tracklist
01. Question – Autumn
02. Freddie Joachim – A Maze
03. Question – Earl Grey
04. Freddie Joachim – Calm
05. Question – Conte
06. Freddie Joachim – Cool Down
07. Question – Deedsy
08. Freddie Joachim – Foolish
09. Question – Sun Light
10. Freddie Joachim – Shoulder Kiss
11. Question – Rainy Day
12. Freddie Joachim – Virgo
13. Question – Spiked Punch
14. Freddie Joachim – The Jade
15. Question – Thanks Chuck
16. Freddie Joachim – My Breakdown Lady
17. Question – Alone
18. Freddie Joachim – Let Go Now
19. Quesiton – Find Another Way
20. Freddie Joachim – Moons
21. Freddie Joachim – I Know
22. Freddie Joachim – The Feel
23. Freddie Joachim – My Sweet Baby
24. Freddie Joachim – What A Woman Really Needs
Link removed in request of Freddie Joachim
Zo! – Sunstorm
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2010, Neo Soul, R'n'b
“SunStorm” is the latest album from Detroit-area born, DC-area based producer/multi-instrumentalist Zo! Best known for his 2008 collaboration with Phonte on the cult classic “Zo and Tigallo Love the 80′s” as well as his work on The Foreign Exchange’s Grammy-nominated LP, “Leave It All Behind,” ‘SunStorm” is an extensive 12-track set that shows the ever-expanding range and depth of Zo! and the entire Foreign Exchange Music family.
Indie soul siren and American Idol vocalist Sy Smith serves up a slice of 70′s soul on the breezy “Greatest Weapon Of All Time,” and Lady Alma, a Philly veteran and stalwart of the UK house scene, takes it to the dance floor on the frenetic “Free Your Mind.” The album’s lead single, “This Could Be The Night,” features Darien Brockington, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Eric Roberson, and Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother over a thumping two-step groove specifically intended for the ‘steppers’ of Zo’s native Detroit. Another highlight is the Phonte-assisted “Flight Of The Blackbyrd,” Zo’s heartfelt homage to the 70′s jazz/funk fusion of The Mizell Bros. and George Duke.
for more info and buy: www.theforeignexchangemusic.com
Tracklist
01. Greater Than The Sun feat. Phonte
02. Greatest Weapon Of All Time feat. Sy Smith
03. Say How You Feel feat. Phonte & Carlitta Durand
04. For Leslie
05. Be Your Man feat. Darien Brockington
06. Free Your Mind feat. Lady Alma
07. SunStorm feat. YahZarah
08. If I Could Tell You No feat. Jesse Boykins III
09. This Could Be The Night feat. Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington & Rapper Big Pooh
10. Flight Of The Blackbyrd feat. Phonte
11. All Is Well With Love feat. Chantae Cann
12. Make Luv 2 Me feat. Monica Blaire
Gangrene (The Alchemist & Oh No) “Gutter Water” LP on 10/12
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2010
Famed producer/emcee The Alchemist, and Oh No, the left-coast rapper/beatsmith are collaborating as Gangrene, to bring audiences the gritty opus Gutter Water on Decon. Over the course of three years and a myriad of emails, the two have built a project that celebrates their shared passion for dusty breaks and lurid wordplay as well as their distinctly different application of each.
On Gutter Water, both Oh No and The Alchemist share production duties while trading verses over each other’s dense compositions. Both find themselves remarkably at ease amongst the threatening drums pounded out on endearing vintage equipment, flipping verses that run the gamut from literal to abstract, amounting to an incredible collection of head-nodders. A myriad of features include Raekwon, Evidence, Roc C, MED, Twins Gambino, Planet Asia and Fashawn.
lead single, “Chain Swinging” here: DOWNLOAD!
Slum Village – Villa Manifesto
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2010, Rap USA
2010 release, Slum Village’s sixtth studio album, that serves as both a reunion and a memorial album. “I wanted to pull the whole squad together,” explains T3. “The reason why we call it Villa Manifesto is that it was a statement we want to give our people because we had been away for so long. What we’re doing, what’s going on, how we’re feeling and where we’re at today.”
for more info and buy: myspace.com/slumvillage
sadly the last album by SV, so absolutely to buy.
Tracklist
01. Bare Witness feat. Babu
02. Lock It Down
03. Scheming feat. J Dilla, Posdnuos & Phife
04. Earl Flinn
05. Faster
06. 2000 Beyond feat. J Dilla
07. Dance feat. AB
08. Don’t Fight The Feelings feat. Dwele
09. Um Um feat. Keys
10. The Set Up
11. The Reunion Pt. 2
12. Where Do We Go From Here feat. Little Brother
13. We’ll Show You feat. AB
Shawn Lee – Sing A Song
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2010
In addition to showcasing a love for 1960s and 1970s soul, Shawn Lee also steers his latest musical mystery tour into psychedelic and cinematic territory over the course of 12 brand new cuts. Sing a Song is like a breezy summertime mixtape, packed with catchy motor city licks and space age songs that Lee built from scratch with each collaborating vocalist in mind. Inviting vocalists from as far afield as Kansas City, Los Angeles, London, Detroit and New York, Lees’ latest album features Princess Superstar, artist Paul Fryer, and blind street performer Robert Bradley. During recording Lee had to be admitted to hospital for an emergency appendix operation, just a few days after his wife gave birth to their second girl. But the musical drive in Mr Lee is so strong there’s always time to Sing a Song.
for more info and buy: www.ubiquityrecords.com
Tracklist
01. Shut Up and Learn Ft. Fanny Franklin
02. It Takes Two Ft. Marcus Malone
03. Who Are You Ft. Bing Ji Ling
04. Fade Up Ft. The Superimposers
05. Ill Just Wait A While
06. Fading Light Ft. Lord Large With Robert Bradley
07. Older Ft. Miles Bonny
08. Swimming Pool
09. Dont Let That Feeling Ft. The Superimposers
10. Lucy Lucy Ft Jeremiah
11. Christopher Walken On Sunshine Ft. Princess Superstar
12. Meadow In The Summer Ft. Paul Fryer
Beat Dimensions Vol. 1-2
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2007, 2009, Electronic, Hip Hop
The Beat Dimensions project stems from a mutual love of Detroit-style electronic hip hop by DJ Jay Scarlett and Cinnaman (of Rush Hour records).
For more info and buy: www.beatdimensions.net
Volume 1
This compilation brings together some of the finest producers currently working in the field of forward thinking beat-crafting, such as Flying Lotus/Samiyam (here billed as Flyamsam), Aardvarck and Steve Spacek (Black Pocket) as well as less established names. It’s rare that you come across compilations with such a unified sound as this. From its very beginnings, the collection establishes a unique brand of J-Dilla-inspired beat production and soulful instrumentation. J Todd’s ‘The Night’ encapsulates this perfectly, it’s roughly trimmed samples making for an entirely humanised take on easy going electronic music. Further into the compilation, Tom Trago’s combination of drifting synth pads and plunging low-end rhythms proves to be a winning formula. Similarly, Hearin’ Aid’s ‘Figz’ comes with jazzy grooves toughened up by a rasping bassline and a brilliantly dirty snare sound. Finally, co-curator Jay Scarlett rounds off the compilation with one of its finest tracks, the Dr Dre-indebted ‘Love Music’. A meticulously compiled body of work this, which succeeds in setting established names and newbie producers next to each other without lapses in quality control.
Tracklist
01. Dimlite and Ill Dubio – Searching It
02. J Todd – The Night
03. Acid – Up Hygh
04. Mweslee – Un Joder Suave
05. Pursuit Grooves – Push Up
06. Morgan Spacek – Dabz Beat
07. Hudson Mohawke
08. Cinnaman – Parker
09. Dyno – Reign
10. The Big Payback – Cosmic Travelling
11. Tom Trago – Flourgreen Fag
12. Hearin Aid – Figz
13. FlyamSam – Green Tea Power
14. Simon Muchinsky – Activate
15. Black Pocket – The Road
16. VeeBeeO – No More
17. Super Smoky Soul – Smoke
18. Mike Tibbert – Sky Blue
19. Slumgullion – Castevania
20. Aardvark – Nose
21. The Boogie – Horenjong
22. Spealot – The Measurde Amount
23. Jay Scarlett – Love Music
Volume 2
Volume 2 continues where the first left off. Exclusive beats from forward thinking producers the world over. Exciting and contrasting instrumentals from known producers such as Danny Breaks (Alphabet Zoo / Droppin’ Science), Dorian Concept (Kindred Spirits), Dimlite (All City), Ras G (Poobah) & Samiyam (Brain Feeder), Exile (Sound In Color), Fulgeance (Musique Large) + sick sounds from new kids Nosaj Thing (Alpha pup) Monopoly, Dizz1, Low Limit & Tiago, Devon and and and and and…Compiled by ‘beat connoisseurs’ Cinnaman & Jay Scarlett, the compilation touches on many different angles of ‘this music’. There’s introspective, tripped out and buzzing synth scapes, short popping electronic songs to full-on MPC party thumpers.
Tracklist
01. Dorian Concept – Be Tween
02. Nosaj Thing – Fwd
03. Zo Aka La Chauve-Souris – The Peacock Revolution
04. Low Limit – Turf Day
05. Danny Breaks & Adlib – The Sound
06. P.U.D.G.E. – Reign Dancing With The Stars
07. Dizz1 – Knontakosuke Yaro
08. Samiyam – Swamp Tarts
09. Mike Slott – Cadeting
10. Mono/poly – Distant From
11. Ras G – Crazy Alien
12. Dimlite – Ravemond’s Young Problems
13. Devon – Welts
14. Erik L – Soularpe Suite (Part 2)
15. Kenlo Craqnuques – Zoid
16. Tiago – Babel Fish
17. Dalt Wisney – R2fux
18. Fulgeance – Haggis
19. Exile – Super Robot
20. Busy – Ecliptic Armilla
Busy – Moths
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2010, Electronic
Busy drops his debut 12″ for Circulations after some real intriguing tracks for the Beat Dimensions series. His take on that heady world of hiphop comes from a more electronic angle, adding densely packed edits and full-strength synth pads to the mix, sounding something like prime era Machine Drum to some extent. ‘Moths’ breaks down the chunkier beat driven tracks with an array of BoC alike interludes soaked in shiny silicon crystals, cleansing the palette for the next blast of sci-fi space hoppers like the martian bounce of ‘Camphoraceous Elixir’ or the lazered crunk slump of ‘Witch Hunt’. Fans of Rustie, Mono/Poly or Dorian Concept should check this.
for more info and buy: myspace.com/busyb02music
Tracklist
01. Aft
02. A Camphoraceous Elixir
03. Phototaxis
04. Chitin
05. Dormant Presence
06. Qaqoon
07. Shade
08. Witch Hunt
09. Atlas Resounding
Lauryn Hill – Repercussions
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2010
New ? Unreleased? track from an upcoming project? who knows…maybe Mrs. Hill will be back soon.
John Coltrane – Meditations
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1965, Jazz
1965 was a turning point in the life of John Coltrane. It was at this point that he crossed the line into the free jazz arena that he had been approaching since the early ’60s. Besides his landmark ASCENSION, no better album illustrates this than the awe-inspiring MEDITATIONS. Coltrane’s regular quartet with McCoy Tyner (piano), Jimmy Garrison (bass) and Elvin Jones (drums) is expanded here with second drummer Rashied Ali (who would assume Jones’ spot after this album) and saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. This conglomeration produces some dense textures, especially in the epic first track, “The Father and The Son and The Holy Ghost.” This sonic hurricane is a 13-minute outpouring of spiritual emotion that is at once compelling and exhausting. Elsewhere, the group delicately follows Coltrane’s lead on the passionate “Love” and swings with abandon on the raucous “Consequences” as Sanders and ‘Trane battle like warriors above the churning rhythm section. Finally, the aptly titled “Serenity” is a swirling free-form improvisation gently touching back down to earth after an adventurous ride through the heavens.
Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on November 23, 1965. Includes original release liner notes by Nat Hentoff.
Personnel: John Coltrane (tenor saxophone, percussion); Pharoah Sanders (tenor saxophone, tambourine, bells); McCoy Tyner (piano); Jimmy Garrison (acoustic bass); Elvin Jones, Rashied Ali (drums).
Tracklist
01. The Father and The Son and The Holy Ghost
02. Compassion
03. Love
04. Consequences
05. Serenity
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Nunzio Rotondo – Sound and Silence
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1960, 1970, Jazz
Tracklist
01. Sir Riccardo
02. Garinepaulus
03. Ah-Leu-Cha
04. Cheek To Cheek
05. Nhoade 1964
06. Nhoade 1974
07. Hormanine
08. Saghai
09. I’m an Old Cowhand
10. The Lady Is a Tramp
11. Stuzzicontano
12. Oghonothe
13. De Concilius
14. Lo Sai Che Il Cane Nostro Sale Pure Sugli Alberi
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Pharoah Sanders – Love Will Find A Way
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1978, Jazz
Once you’ve heard the sound of Pharoah Sanders’ tenor saxophone, you never forget it; impossibly rich and full of overtones, it wrings every bit of emotion out of each note. Pharoah has gained a devoted following since his days with John Coltrane, and his work for Impulse during the early ’70s in particular has been lovingly reissued; however, his albums for Arista in the late ’70s have been out of print for years. One big reason for that is that they are the most controversial of his career; that same devoted fan base could not believe its ears when this free jazz icon went the jazz-funk “quiet storm” route! But the blend—some would say collision—of the two aesthetics produced, on Love Will Find a Way, a unique album that has gained quite the cult following over the years; that it features two other legends in their own right, drummer/producer/singer Norman Connors and vocalist Phyllis Hyman, certainly doesn’t hurt! We’re reissuing this lost classic with original art and new liner notes with quotes from Pharoah.
Tracklist
01. Love Will Find a Way
02. Pharomba
03. Love Is Here
04. Got To Give It
05. As You Are
06. Answer Me My Love-Everything I Have Is Good
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Nino Rapicavoli – Divagazioni
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1975, Jazz
Tracklist
01. Territoire
02. Premier
03. Metafora
04. Diritto
05. Erea
06. Fidele
07. Isinto
08. Altimetria
09. Autogena
10. Corpus
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Sun Ra – Jazz In Silhouette
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1958, Jazz
A fascinating recording of Sun Ra and his Arkestra in an early incarnation, 1958′s JAZZ IN SILHOUETTE features Ra’s complex, adventurous compositions in traditional bop and swing contexts. The opening “Enlightenment” has edgy piano accompaniment from Ra, and a Cuban rhythm outro, but its breezy melody is reminiscent of Duke Ellington circa his Okeh period. “Blues at Midnight” is an up-tempo bop number with outstanding solos from all members of the Arkestra. Complex themes (“Saturn”) and fractured blues (“Horoscope”) show qualities integral to the style Ra would develop in the following years. In particular, the drawn-out ensemble explorations of “Ancient Aiethopia”–which are infused with tribal percussion, flute, and chant-like themes–serve as a blueprint for the artist’s signature sound. This album is an excellent, accessible introduction to the music of Sun Ra, ideal for those who may be intimidated by Ra’s more challenging later work.
Tracklist
01. Enlightenment
02. Saturn
03. Velvet
04. Ancient Aiethopia
05. Hours After
06. Horoscope
07. Images
08. Blues At Midnight
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
Gerardo Iacoucci Modern Big Band – Great News From Italy
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1992, Jazz
Tracklist
01. Minor Piece
02. Giada
03. With My Heart In A Song
04. Atonale
05. Chatelet
06. Herbalk
07. Song For Gloria
08. New One
09. Tristano ’78
10. All=One
11. Portrait Of Maria
DOWNLOAD! RAPIDSHARE
DOWNLOAD! MEGAUPLOAD
DOWNLOAD! MEDIAFIRE
