Shafiq Husayn is a Master Teacher, someone who combines innate talent with the spiritual focus needed to reach their potential. As one third of the groundbreaking production trio Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq has been using his prowess to assist some of the greatest musicians of our generation, from Herbie Hancock to J Dilla, Dr. Dre to Erykah Badu. This fall Shafiq takes a step away from collective efforts to direct his own opus—his long-awaited debut album on Plug Research entitled Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka.
Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka is 17 tracks of innovative music that defies any singular classification. “The U.N. Plan†sounds like a call to arms with Shafiq roll calling nations over uncomprimising drums. “Major Heavy†takes the listener to the clouds with a hypnotizing chorus by the perennially underrated Count Bass D and superb lead vocals from LA’s Sonny Coates. “Lil Girl†finds Shafiq crafting a lo-fi, head-nod inducing beat that is perfectly matched with UK newcomer Fatima’s vocals. Shafiq enlists the help of more than 30 musicians and vocalists on the album, from bass phenomenon Steve “Thundercat†Bruner, the amazing Bilal, Om’Mas Keith of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, the classically trained multi-instrumentalist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and many others. Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka is an experience in a way very few modern albums are. The title itself is clever but meaningful. In ancient Kemet, now known as Egypt, Ka signifies the soul or the mind, so this album represents Shafiq Husayn in a state of complete mental and spiritual freedom. Genres are melded, barriers are broken and trails are blazed through Shafiq’s masterful direction of music equipment, live instrumentation and vocalists. Tracklisting: 1. Intro / Electra 2. Nirvana 3. The U.N. Plan 4. Cheeba 5. Lil Girl 6. Lost & Found 7. Dust & Kisses 8. No Moor 9. All Dead 10. Major Heavy 11. Evil Man 12. Changes 13. Love Still Hurts 14. Le'Star 15. Egypt 16. The Odd Is C 17. Rebel SoldierIt has been some time since the first edition of DJs Choice was released, on which Swiss DJs Soulinus and Pun introduced their favorite pieces. However with such high class DJs on the upcoming DJs Choice it's worth the wait. This time it's none other than Keb Darge - Deep Funk Legend and passionate Soul Dancer - turn to make his decision about what to put on the This Is DJs Choice Vol 2'. By his side - the adorable Lucinda Slim. A real lady who makes men's hearts beat faster and who's got some real goodies in her record box. As expected Keb and Lucinda did their homework and put together a high-quality collection. Songs like Howlin Wolf's ‚You'll Be Mine', 'Come On Train' by Don Thomas or 'Beggin' by Timebox. This compilation is a must have for every record collection and for every good party.
Keb Darge is the most famous DJ of the genres of Northern Soul and Deep Funk. At the age of 22 he already wanted to settle down. Fortunately some promoter could convince him to delay the retirement and instead establish the Northern Soul sound in London. In 1987 Keb had to sell a big part of his Northern Soul collection and passed over his DJ-sceptre to Mark Dobson (aka Butch). However Keb kept lots of other records which he christened 'Junk Music' believing they were worthless. A mistake as this so called 'Junk Music' was the basis for what would become later the legendary 'Deep Funk' genre.
During the middle of the 90's Keb and record collector mate Mark Cotgrove (aka Snowboy) were looking for a venue where they could spin their funk music. With Madame Jojo's - a strip club in Soho - they found it. The club offered them one night a week and it became such a great success that Madame Jojo's was to turn into a full music club leaving its striptease past behind.
Nowadays the Madame Jojo's still is THE spot for Funk lovers. Even now Keb still enters the Jojo's turntables each Friday to deliver the Deep Funk sound. He gets support by his compilation colleague Lucinda Slim who is actually called Nia Saw. Just like Keb Darge she isn't an unknown quantity - as one of Zap Mama's vocalists since 1997 she recorded 4 albums and toured round the globe. Additionally she's a successful DJ and already worked with artist such as Sergio Mendez, Youssou N'Dour, Krewcial or Raw Deal.
| 01 | John Lee Hooker | I Wanna Ramble | ||||
| 02 | Blanche Thomas | You Ain't Such A Much | ||||
| 03 | Big Maybelle | That's A Pretty Good Love | ||||
| 04 | Cadets | Love Bandit | ||||
| 05 | Joe Houston | All Night Long | ||||
| 06 | General Assembly | Sensitive Mind | ||||
| 07 | Syng McGowan | That's What I Want |
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