Conch Records
V/A - Hipshakers Vol 1 & 2 (VAMPISOUL)
Available ON LP FOR THE FIRST TIME!
Hipshakers Vol. 1 2LP here, Hipshakers Vol. 2, 2LP here
| A special Record Store Day release.First volume of our new "R&B Hipshakers" series, featuring rockin' R&B and early soul. A compilation of tracks from 1956 to 1967 by essential artists such as Hank Ballard, Johnny Watson, The "5" Royales, Freddy King, Eugene Church… 20 terrific dance cuts selected by genre expert Mr Fine Wine, from WFMU's Downtown Soulville. Several titles reissued for the first time. I wasn't even close to being a twinkle in my dad's horn-rimmed eye in 1961. But I have to conclude that there's something special about that year for me. When compiling Vampisoul's dip into King Records' deep, deep rhythm-and-blues vaults, I realized that I'm a sucker for the sounds of '61. And, well, '62 too. Not that other years slightly earlier and later aren't represented as well, but… fully a quarter of the tracks herein are from 1961. What happened then? President Kennedy happened then, for one thing, inaugurated on January 20. Also: chimps and their perhaps marginally more civilized human cousins in space; Roger Maris eclipsing the Babe, albeit with a conceptual asterisk; Jets vs Sharks on the West Side; the Cold War in full swing; a hot war in Vietnam just starting to smolder, though few Americans had even heard of the place yet. And brilliant black musicians making timeless records for a Cincinnati, Ohio family of labels - gibbling and gobbling down Broadway, implanting indelible, stinging guitar lines in the public consciousness, and making folks do the ginger snap like there was no tomorrow, which I'm sure there didn't always seem to be. This collection of genuine King and Federal R&B sides encompasses crazy dances (the impossible-but-highly-entertaining-to-picture 'Slummer The Slum'; 'Posin'', which beat Madonna to the voguing punch by some 30 years); intense guitar instrumentals (what can you say about a label employing so many superstar guitar slingers that even Freddie King probably has to fight for a spot in one's top 3, what with Johnny Watson, Ike Turner, Mickey Baker and Lowman Pauling staking pretty strong claims for inclusion themselves?); inspired forays into mind-altering whimsy ('Hog Killin' Time', the first of a trilogy of swine-tingling masterpieces by Eddie Kirk, along with 'The Hawg' on Volt and 'The Grunt' on Fortune); the timeless ode to male horniness 'One Zippy Zam'; and hook-filled, honest-to-goodness love songs (try to get 'I Don't Know About You' out of your head - or your heart). We can argue endlessly about the appropriateness of one's mom teaching one to monkey. If it's polite, sober propriety you're after, look elsewhere. For a raucous and potentially life-changing R&B dance party in a box, though, you'll find TEACH ME TO MONKEY to be just the thing. Mr Fine Wine WFMU's "Downtown Soulville" show | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Roy Milton
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UPCOMING: LatinAotearoa - Sonido de LatinAotearoa (LATINAOTEAROA)
Due out May 2nd, to pre-order please contact us at info@conch.co.nz
From Auckland's favourite live Latin trio comes Sonido de Latinaotearoa. LatinAotearoa's debut album is a collection of salsa, bossa and soul influenced tunes with an impressive line-up of guests from jazz legend Nathan Haines to award-winning hip hop artist Tom Scott of Homebrew.
LatinAotearoa was born from the concept of blending local flavours with the colourful culture of South America. Popular Auckland DJ Bobby Brazuka brought together Venezuelan songstress Jennifer Zea and multi-talented musician and producer Isaac Aesili to create a unique live performance. Bobby's Latin influenced soul-funk and hip hop selections were layered with Jennifer's ravishing vocals and Isaac's explosive percussion.
The local response was so positive that the trio tested international waters in 2012 by taking their sound to Europe and Australia. It was soon apparent that this was not just a recipe for kiwi appetites – bustling crowds meant promoters were quick to discuss future tours. This natural progression and a desire to develop musically led to what felt like an inevitable next step; new and original productions to season an already flavoursome set.
With a Latin jazz and soul background, Jennifer's live vocals over recognised contemporary tracks blend so seamlessly they pass as originals. One particular fan favourite, a Spanish spin of Ladi 6's soul number, Walk Right Up, is delivered so exceptionally that the artist permitted an official LatinAotearoa version to be made. This collaborative approach to creating new music became the catalyst for producing an exciting and original debut album.
Former Opensouls trumpeter Isaac Aesili, who recently returned from touring Japan and Europe with his new project Funkommunity, produced the 14 unique tracks that are Sonido de Latinaotearoa during New Zealand's endless summer. Working with some of the country's most prestigious musical talents, Isaac crafted an extraordinary assortment of contemporary Latin rhythms.
Influences from salsa composer Tito Puento and bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto to more modern artists such Nickodemus, Fania All Stars and Quantic can be heard throughout. From melodic ballad La Procesion to the simmering Latin dancehall track Something About You with Tom Scott and reggae singer Jah Red Lion, this is an array of varying tempos that flow elegantly as an album.
Guests aside, the signature sound of Latinaotearoa is ever-present; Jennifer's sultry vocals, Isaac's brilliant musicianship and Bobby's firm vision has created a fresh and unique sound that will receive a rapturous response when played live. Sonido de Latinaotearoa is much more than an album – it's a watershed moment for Latin music in Aotearoa.
UPCOMING: Various - Digging The Blogosphere Vol.2 (HEAVENLY SWEETNESS)
Due out May 2013, to pre-order please contact us at info@conch.co.nz or in store
After months of listening sessions on the net, we’re finishing the tracklisting of Volume 2 of our compilaton DIGGING THE BLOGOSPHERE. After the success of the first volume, we continue further our musical research. Track List & Soundclips: 1. INT-Where You Gone (Final Mix 2013)
2. Down Brandy
3. Journey Master
4. BONNIE BANANE - MUSCLES
5. Moodprint - Boomboxin' (self mastered)
6. All Matter (Bilal's)
7. 7th week (we r almost there)
8. The Followers
9. Freak Out
10. The Differences (Diferencas) (Reprise)
11. YBMJ
12. Dealing
13. Paintball master
14. Lucy
15. Let You Go - Baron Retif & Concepcion Perez Remix
K-Def - One Man Band LP (REDEFINTION)
Available Here on LP
Side A 1. Funky Fridays 2. Dark Soul 3. I’M Chillin 4. Touching Realness 5. Street Jazz Side B 1. Ghetto’S Groove 2. Soul Paper 3. K Comes Thru 4. Nj Dodgers 5. Lovely Woman 6. Watching The Clouds 7. I Seen A Blind Bat (Bonus) / All Songs Produced, Mixed And Mastered By K-Def /
The phrase “producer’s producer” gets thrown around in the world of music and, quite candidly, it’s a very nebulous phrase and one difficult to accurately describe. We hear other producers mention a specific producer as inspiration, but they are never asked to further embellish what the phrase means. It’s like being asked to describe the color of water in ten words or less -not easily accomplished, but assumed everyone can do it.
K-Def’s latest endeavor on Redefinition Records, One Man Band, continues his self-reinvention combining software with his impeccable ear for music to craft –or re-craft- many familiar records using his signature style. Stevie Wonder, A Tribe Called Quest, and 24-Carat Black, to name a few, receive a face-lift while still remaining true to the original sound that forms the genesis of this project. The concept is simple: giving classic records an updated feel for new audiences to enjoy and appreciate them. K-Def is not flipping the same samples or replaying the notes and chords in a mimicking fashion as the originals, but recreating and re-interpolating them with live, unsampled sounds, which he has been honing for years now. K is producing other producer’s records and, in turn, putting his special touch on it. He is taking the art of digging and music appreciation and applying it to the world of software by using technology for our audio delight. The intricacy of each record oozes with care and an attention to detail that becomes immediately apparent with the initial bars of the first song.
Herein lies the simple genius that makes K-Def a “producer’s producer.” The years spent crafting classics, listening to records, and absorbing sounds has allowed him to develop his own sonic tapestry, which is best exemplified here on this excellent record. He re-orchestrates another composer’s classic record and develops movements, crescendos, and transitions that would leave any music connoisseur grinning from ear-to-ear. “Funky Fridays” epitomizes the strides K-Def has made en route to remodeling his sound with the marriage of his production prowess and technology. This gem defines the project and raises the bar for other producers paying homage to those whose shoulders they now stand. Within K-Def’s boastful canon of hit records, “Funky Fridays” stands as an opus that deserves its rightful spot, if for nothing more than marking a new level in which he has successfully attained, daring to stretch the boundaries of Hip Hop music.
Words may never be able to accurately describe the phrase “producer’s producer” due to ambiguous nature of the verbiage, and maybe words were never meant to. However, K-Def’s One Man Band allows for a musical definition to fully emerge and take shape, transcending the verbal world and taking root in a sonic one. Here, our senses take over and allow the music to do what it was meant to do: live, breathe, and morph into something beyond explanation, a true redefinition.


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