Conch Records

Date

March 08 2010

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Upcoming: Kon & Amir - Off Track Vol. III: Brooklyn 2CD/2LP (BBE)

Written By 3 - March 08 2010

UPDATE: Now available on 2LP here and 2xCD here

Vol. III is due out April 2010, check track-listing and clips below.

To reserve a copy, please contact us at info@conch.co.nz

Digging duo Kon & Amir occupy a select corner of the DJ world, with radio, mix-CDs, live sets and compilations on their radar. Theirs is a slowly-but-steadily growing catlogue crammed with timeless releases: six volumes of their widely celebrated On Track mixtape series, a highly regarded compilation The Cleaning (2004), a breaks-heavy instalment called Kings of Digging (2006) with DJ Muro from Japan and now the third volume of five in their Off Track series for BBE. Not to mention tours spanning the US, Europe and Far East taking in appearances at clubs, festivals and weekenders, in addition they have a strong affiliation with record diggers' bible 'Wax Poetics', and have just completed an 18-month residency of their own monthly show on online music 'zine Spine Magazine's radio station.

Off Track III finds the New York/Boston-based pair shining light on another diverse array of underexposed vinyl. The eclectic African disco and soul cuts Amir highlights on his disc are Americanized by style but inherently authentic in feel, demonstrating the very best of the region's dance music from the period following Fela Kuti's mid-70s creative peak. Some standouts: Tee Mac's 1980’s insistently catchy 'Living Everyday', Effi Duke's percussive materpiece 'The Time Is Come', and Christy Essien's glorious 'You Can't Change', which features famed bandleader Geraldo Pino's Show Train outfit. Also in the mix are a couple of cuts from unsung Nigerian star Dizzy K. Falola aimed at sophisticated dancefloors.

Kon's disc opens with an extended edit of Donny McCullough's 'From The Heart' from a pricey 1981 album. Rudolph Baker's little known album track 'Getting Next To You' is a floor-filling anthem in the waiting. Edge of Daybreak were a prison band whose punchy title track from their rare Eyes Of Love album provides a solid argument for subsidizing more music programs behind bars. 'Tin Top' is another cut with a Kon edit, but Kenny Mann & Liquid Pleasure are the antithesis of mysterious indy-label group, the veterans performing to this day and maintaining a comprehensive website loaded with videos and resumes.

Track-listing:

01 Donny McCullough From The Heart (Kon's Multi Remix) clip
02 The Mazyck Project More Power To You clip
03 Randolph Baker Getting Next To You clip
04 Fred Prescott & The Jeff Band Come Fly With Me clip
05 S.F.B. Burnin' Up (Kon's Edit) clip
06 Gerard 'PJ' Browne Sexy Lady clip
07 Twilight Play My Game clip
08 The Edge Of Daybreak E.O.D. (Edge of Daybreak) clip
09 Kenny Mann Jr. & Liquid Pleasure Band Tin Top (Pt. 1 & 2) clip
10 Taxie Rock Don't Stop clip
11 Backyard Construction I Want Your Lovin' clip
01 Bomp Funk INA Ghatto (feat. Austin & Jones) clip
02 Dizzy K Saturday Night Raps clip
03 Bomp Disco Power clip
04 Tee Mac feat. Majorie Barnes Living Everyday clip
05 Effi Duke & The Love Family The Time Is Come clip
06 Christy Essien Igbokwe You Can't Change A Man clip
07 Harry Mosco Step On clip
08 Doris Ebong Boogie Trip clip
09 Galaxy Galaxy clip
10 Dizzy K Take It To The DJ clip

Date

March 08 2010

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3

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DJ Center - Everything In Time CD (Push the Fader)

Written By 3 - March 08 2010

Get it here from Conch, check track-listing and clips below.

Crafted in Brooklyn, New York by Romanian-born DJ Center, “Everything in Time” is a debut album years in the making that couldn’t have arrived at a more perfect moment. For over a decade, DJ Center has been a purveyor of fine music and this album finds him collaborating with artists spanning the globe as far and wide as Paris to Rio de Janeiro.

The finest of selectors, Center carefully chose each guest on “Everything in Time” for the perfect song marriage. Known as a tastemaker worldwide, Center never holds back when looking to break an artist or record, always trusting his greatest gift- his ear for music.

The album’s cast features the very next artists who are impacting the industry now and shining at the top of their respective genres. From Oddisee, the solo emcee featured who has a track record working with DJ Jazzy Jeff and A Touch of Jazz on Jeff’s 2002 solo debut, “The Magnificent”. Gretchen Parlato, who’s extensive touring and recording work with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding places her in a league of her own within the world of Jazz, In addition, SONY Canada recording artist Zaki Ibrahim infused a beauty of breath and depth into everything she has touched, leading to her JUNO nomination for Best R&B Soul Recording of the Year in 2009. Samia Farah’s continued marriage of dub reggae and jazz vocal styles give her an unparalleled uniqueness in her track record with UK Dub master Adrian Sherwood and legendary Reggae producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, among others. At the beginning of it all is the album’s introduction courtesy of Renee Neufville, one half of the platinum R&B duo Zhané and the voice of Roy Hargrove's RH Factor.

Center’s eclectic ear and affinity for broadening musical horizons led to his first mix release in 2006 which was of 60’s and 70’s Jazz, praised by URB Magazine and sponsored by clothing company, Friend or Foe. Center was commissioned by GUCCI to exclusively program music in their stores worldwide with a focus at their flagship store in Ginza, Japan. Now, with his original composition, Center has produced and arranged his entire debut LP, featuring a smoky cover of Rufus and Chaka Khan’s anthem, “You Got the Love” and culminating with the thumping Brazilian tribute titled, “Center’s Groove.”

“Everything in Time” is a global soul record bringing back a low-end theory and warmth that has been absent in music as of late. It’s a mature record for a generation raised on a foundation of Hip Hop and Jazz, but having now grown up with a global scope and broader musical palate. It’s Roots music without being Reggae and Soul music without being a throw back to the past. As the songs unfold on “Everything in Time,” it becomes clear that the record is a journey across multiple genres, woven by lush piano chords, warm bass lines, boom-bap drum patterns, flying tambourines and soaring horns. The underlying essence is timeless music. Each track sounds different but is housed under the same soulful roof- DJ Center. Listen unhurriedly, as all great things happen in time. Tracklisting with clips: 1. Everything In Time Intro (Featuring Renee Neufville) 2. Leave The City Outside (Featuring Oddisee) 3. A Few Good Words (Featuring Njimole) 4. The Rain 5. You Got The Love (Featuring Gretchen Parlato) 6. In A Song (Featuring Middle Child) 7. Strings 8. Yes! (Featuring Zaki Ibrahim) 9. Tout Passe (Featuring Samia Farah) 10. Center's Groove 11. Tout Passe (Waajeed Remix) The Making of "Everything in Time" from DJ Center on Vimeo.

Date

March 05 2010

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3

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Upcoming: Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar

Written By 3 - March 05 2010

Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar 12" available here

This is the lead off single from Aloe Blacc's forth coming album Good Things, produced by Truth & Soul, and featuring the backing band known as Expressions and El Michel's Affair. The A-Side “I Need A Dollar” has just debuted as the theme song to the HBO series How To Make It In America. The 12-inch "I Need A Dollar" will be in at Conch, April 2010, to pre-order contact us at info@conch.co.nz

It's been 4 Years since Aloe Blacc released his debut full-length (Shine Through) which drew comparisons to everyone from John Legend to R.Kelly, but the wait has been well worth it. Aloe's back bigger & better than ever before with one of the most complete albums I've heard in years. The follow-up album was produced by Brooklyn's own Truth & Soul / El Michels Affair and is as proper of a soul album as there ever was drawing early comparisons to Bobby Womack & Bill Withers. The first single is not even out yet and has already been licensed as the ‘theme song’ for the new HBO Series ‘How To Make It In America’ from the producers of Entourage

Track-listing:

01 Aloe Blacc I Need A Dollar - vocal clip
02 Aloe Blacc I Need A Dollar - instrumental clip
03 Aloe Blacc Take Me Back - vocal clip
04 Aloe Blacc Take Me Back - instrumental clip

Date

March 05 2010

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3

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GIG: Mulatu Astatke @ Melbourne Jazz Festival - 3rd May 2010

Written By 3 - March 05 2010

One of Ethiopia's most influential and legendary musicians, Mulatu Astatke is the godfather of 'Ethio-jazz', the infectious music dating back to the 1960s that combines Latin jazz and early soul and funk with traditional Ethiopian harmony. Born in 1943, Astatke became the first Ethiopian musician to study abroad in London and the United States where he became immersed in jazz music. Returning home, he began experimenting with traditional Ethiopian melodies and rhythms, infusing them with jazz; a new musical style was born.

From the late 1960s and 1970s and through to today, Astatke's global mark on music has been phenomenal. While having never ceased working in his hometown of Addis Ababa, the worldwide public appreciation of his music has been deservedly renewed with many re-issues of his early recordings through the Ethiopiques label, making his back catalogue releases collector's items the world over.

In his exclusive Australian debut, Astatke joins with Australian/Ethiopian ensemble The Black Jesus Experience in an evening that celebrates the timelessness of his music and influence. This local ensemble fuses traditional Ethiopian song with jazz, funk and hip hop. The Black Jesus Experience has performed at major festivals throughout Australia, including Womadelaide 2009, supported Afrobeat legend Tony Allen and has recently returned from a highly successful tour of Europe and Ethiopia.

Tickets Available Here Mulatu Releases:
Various - Ethiopiques Volume 4 CD (BudaMusique)
Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics - Inspiration Information CD (Strut)
Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu Steps Ahead 2LP/CD (Strut)- Released Late March 2010

Date

March 04 2010

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3

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PODCAST: Earshot with Cian - Sunday Feb 28th

Written By 3 - March 04 2010

For more show information visit the George FM website
If you have any queries about the tracks on this show please contact us at info@conch.co.nz
Sunday February 28th Playlist:
Jose James ft Jordana de Lovely - "Love Conversation" [Brownswood]
Full Crate & Mar - "Surreal Moments" [Melting Pot Music]
Dwele & Miguel Atwood Ferguson - "Angel (Live)" [Mochilla]
Dwele - "Angel (Slum Village Mix)" [Promo]
Georgia Anne Muldrow - "Run Away" [CDR]
Erykah Badu - "Window Seat" [Motown]
Rahel - "Hope" [Mashi Beats]
Eric Lau ft Musinah & Kaidi Tatham - "Always Will" [CDR]
Lewis McCullum - "The Almanac ft Mara TK" [Finch Studios]
Aldeanos & Danay - "La La La" [CDR]
Knaan - "America" [CDR]
Mulatu Astatke - "Yekatit (Live At Maida Vale)" [CDR]
Buddy Sativa - "Una Peripecia" [CDR]
Raphael Gualazzi - "Reality (G.P. Mix)" [CDR]
? - "Owiny Master 1 2" [?]
Havana Cultura - "Rezanda (Michel Cleis Rmx)" [CDR]
Ezel - "In My Lifetime (Deetron Mix)" [CDR]
Nebraska - "Time Has Come Pt 1" [Rush Hour]
Floating Points - "Peoples Potential" [Eglo]
Ghostpoet - "Longing For The Night" [CDR]
Theophilus London - "Get Ill" [CDR]
Billy Stewart - "Cross My Heart"
Jay Electronica - "Exhibit C"

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