Conch Records

Date

April 12 2010

Written By

3

Comments

0 Comments

Bonobo - Black Sands 2LP/CD (Ninja Tune)

Written By 3 - April 12 2010

Get the 2LP here & CD here

Simon Green aka Bonobo returns with his fourth, most eagerly-anticipated and most accomplished album to date, the magnificent 'Black Sands.' Green proves once and for all with 'Black Sands' that he is an artist and producer with his sights set on much higher prizes than to rule any dusty subgenre of dance music. This is a record of epic reach and massive emotional pull, all held together by Green's understanding of composition and arrangement of live instruments (most of them also played by him) as well as his complete mastery of the tricks and techniques of the digital age. 'Black Sands' is the most contemporary record he has ever made.

Opening track 'Kiara' sets out Bonobo's stall quickly. Yes, there is an exquisite string refrain, reminiscent of Chinese art movies, but Green places this within the context of a thumping beat, deep synths and cut up vocals. 'Kong' seems closer to the soul-jazz template which has long influenced the Bonobo sound but each further listen showcases both the intricacy of his productions and the subtlety with which he achieves them. The skipping beat of 'Eyesdown' and the way he weaves Andreya Triana's vocals through layers of sub-bass show Green making his own moves with the influences of two-step. 'El Toro' brings a Brazilian flavour but without losing any of the hard snap of the beats. 'We Could Forever' combines high-life guitar lines with punishing, melancholy bass. First single, 'The Keeper' shows Green and Triana coming through with their most intense, emotional soul jam. 'All In Forms' once again combines a shimmering beauty with some serious beat 'n' bass action. 'Wonder When' showcases Andreya Triana's voice again, this time in the context of a polyrhythmic finger snapper which will lead to euphoric scenes on the dancefloor. 'Animals' sounds like Joy Division jamming with Steve Reich and a bloco band. Title track 'Black Sands' finishes the album with a perfectly judged, melancholy waltz, waves of horns swelling up to the kind of finale that sings in your ears even after it has stopped.

Since Simon Green's last album, 'Days To Come', he has become one of Ninja Tune's biggest artists worldwide, with over fifteen million plays on Last.FM and a series of sell out tours with his live band which have moved from venues such as the Luminaire to the Kentish Town Forum and the Roundhouse. This combination of superb live shows and studio wizardry means that he is now perfectly placed to push on into a yet bigger league. With 'Black Sands', Bonobo has made the progressive record to achieve it.

Tracklisting & Clips:

01 Bonobo Kiara Prelude clip
02 Bonobo Kiara clip
03 Bonobo Kong clip
04 Bonobo feat. Andreya Triana Eyesdown clip
05 Bonobo El Toro clip
06 Bonobo We Could Forever clip
07 Bonobo feat. Andreya Triana The Keeper clip
08 Bonobo All In Forms clip
09 Bonobo feat. Andreya Triana Wonder When clip
10 Bonobo Animals clip
11 Bonobo Black Sands clip
12 n/a n/a clip

Related Releases:

Bonobo - Eyes Down - Remixes 12" (Ninja Tune)

Bonobo Redbull Radio Mix

Videos: <object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10670542&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10670542&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10670542">Bonobo - Eyesdown</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ninjatune">Ninja Tune</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5638643&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5638643&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/5638643">Bonobo - The Keeper featuring Andreya Triana</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ninjatune">Ninja Tune</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Date

March 26 2010

Written By

3

Comments

0 Comments

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2: Return Of The Ankh (Universal/Motown)

Written By 3 - March 26 2010

Get the CD here or 2LP here

Grammy Award-winning, genre-defining singer Erykah Badu brought a baby daughter into the world February 1, via a midwife-attended home birth in Brooklyn. Badu and boyfriend Jay Electronica took turnstweeting every detail as the birth unfolded. Badu seemingly postponed the release because of the pregnancy and her leading role alongside Mos Def in the indie film, Bobby Zero. Needless to say, Badu's a busy, busy lady.

Naturally, the nu-soul singer is tight-lipped about her self-produced sequel to her socially conscious gold album, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War). What we can deduce is that the "ankh" subtitle delves more into the spiritual themes of Part One. The Egyptian hieroglyphic means "eternal life" after all. Where the 4th World War comes across as a nod towards the war you have with yourself (some have postulated the African-American's Civil Rights movement), Badu says Return of the Ankh deals with a "spiritual and emotional" battle. The sixth album's USB stick packaging includes extras ranging from footage of concerts, to commentary on the recording process and “me in the bathtub with Flavor Flav.”

With a new songwriting approach and a fresh outlook on the world, Badu's newest is sure to be another dazzling touchstone in her already impressive discography.

Tracklisting with Soundclips: 1 20 Feet Tall [produced by Erykah Badu and 9th Wonder] 2 Window Seat [produced by Erykah Badu and James Poyser, featuring ?uestlove] 3 Agitation [produced by Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn of SA-RA Creative Partners] 4 Get Money [produced by Erykah Badu] 5 Don't Be Long [produced by Erykah Badu and Taarak] 6 Love [produced by Erykah Badu and J Dilla] 7 Umm Hmm [produced by Erykah Badu and Madlib] 8 Fall in Love [produced by Erykah Badu and Karriem Riggins] 9 Incense (Instrumental) [produced by Erykah Badu and Madlib] 10 Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 1) (Undercover Over-Lover) [produced by Erykah Badu] 11 Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 2) [produced by Erykah Badu and Georgia Anne Muldrow]

Date

March 08 2010

Written By

3

Comments

0 Comments

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

January 17 2010

Written By

3

Comments

0 Comments

Guts - Freedom CD (Pura Vida)

Written By 3 - January 17 2010

Available Here - Guts - Freedom CD (Pura Vida)

GUTS' excellent sense of sample usage and his genius in beatmaking makes "FREEDOM" an album where he can truly express his mind.

Using only dusty vinyl as a source of samples, his mix of straight head bangers, to nujazzy beats, & grimey breaks makes this a strong 16 track record.

Tracklisting & Clips: 1. Introducing Mr. F 5:10 listen now 2. Trouble in France 4:27 listen now 3. I AM what I eat 3:30 listen now 4. Bubble (part1) 2:53 listen now 5. Keep the air in my music 4:28 listen now 6. L.U.V 3:25 listen now 7. You're living like pigs 4:30 listen now 8. Give up your guns 4:23 listen now 9. Teenage rebellion 4:06 listen now 10. We want to be different 5:33 listen now 11. We hope 5:03 listen now 12. Cause we undestand 4:50 listen now 13. I want you tonight 4:48 listen now 14. Bad side of sex 5:13 listen now 15. Te enamores de mi 3:31 listen now 16. Silence, ça fume (part1) 5:30 listen now Related Releases:
Guts - Le Bienheureux CD (Wax On)
V/A - Nightmares On Wax Presents Wax On Records CD (Wax On)
Gelka - Less Is More CD (Wax On)

Date

November 29 2009

Written By

3

Comments

0 Comments

Various - Daptone Gold CD / LP (Daptone)

Written By 3 - November 29 2009

Daptone Gold - CD available here, LP available here

Daptone Gold is a collection of hits and obscurities, album favorites and unheard exclusives from the Daptone Records catalog. Since first rearing it's head in 2001, Daptone has upheld it's reputation as both a premier source for new raw soulful music and a model for the possibilities of independent music today. With a library of albums and 45's spanning from rhythm and blues to afrobeat, gospel to funk, Daptone has established a sound that is consistently sincere, heavy, and soulful. As Gabriel Roth (Daptone Records co-owner, engineer and bass player for Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings) sees it, "Over the past decade, a lot of blood and sweat was shed in this little house in Bushwick, and when people experience all these recordings together in a package like this, they are really going to feel what the "Daptone Sound" is all about." Roth continues, "I'm very proud of this record. It's hard evidence of what the Daptone family has accomplished. I'm also excited to finally have so many of my favorite Daptone cuts, many of which were previously only available on vinyl seven inches, included on a proper album. People should really hear this." After much heated debate, Daptone has selected and sequenced the tracks that were chosen to represent both the depth and breadth of the Daptone sound. It features some of the most popular songs such as Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings' "Tell Me" and the Budos Band's "Up From the South", alongside some deeper selections such as Lee Fields' "Could Have Been" and Charles Bradley's "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)" which have previously only been released as 45 rpm singles. With the inclusion of unreleased tracks such as Binky Griptite's "A Lover Like Me" and Sharon Jones' version of Gladys Knights' "Giving Up", Daptone Gold promises to be a special addition to the collection of Daptone die-hard fans, as well as a perfect introduction to the label for those who have not yet been experienced. As always, Daptone has made sure that the entire presentation is of a quality and design consistent with the music it contains: decadent gold foil packaging with the Daptone logo prominently embossed across the front, incentives for the vinyl fans, and extensive liner notes. "Daptone's aesthetic is built around sounds, attitudes and even design sensibilities that were invented 35 or 40 or 45 years ago, but their best records end up sounding timeless rather than retro. They've struck gold in their own backyard." - Excerpt from Douglas Wolk's liner notes. Double LP includes: o Deluxe Gold foil embossed gatefold jacket o Coupon for .mp3 downloads of all 23 tracks o Full-Color Daptone Records collage poster o Big sparkly Daptone sticker o Exclusive Photos
01 Binky Griptite Introduction by Binky Griptite clip
02 Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings I’m Not Gonna Cry *(45 Only) clip
03 The Budos Band Up From The South clip
04 Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens What Have You Done clip
05 Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? clip
06 Lee Fields Could Have Been *(45 Only) clip
07 Antibalas featuring Mayra Vega Che Che Cole Makossa *(12” Single Only) clip
08 The Budos Band Budos Rising clip
09 Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Got A Thing On My Mind clip
10 Charles Bradley & Menahan Street Band The World *(45 Only) clip
11 Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Make It Good To Me clip
12 Lee Fields and Sugarman & Co. Stand Up *(45 Only) clip
13 Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens What Is This clip
14 Binky Griptite with the Sugarman Three A Lover Like Me *(Unreleased) clip
15 Menahan Street Band Make the Road by Walking clip
16 Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Tell Me clip
17 Sugarman & Co. Down To It clip
18 The Dap-Kings Nervous Like Me *(45 Only) clip
19 Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Giving Up *(Unreleased) clip
20 The Budos Band Ghostwalk clip
21 The Gospel Queens feat. Cynthia Langston I Need You To Hold My Hand clip
22 Binky Griptite & the Mellomatics The Stroll Pt. 2 *(45 Only) clip
23 Sharon Jones & Lee Fields Stranded In Your Love clip

Similiar Releases:

Lee Fields - My World (Truth & Soul) V/A - Fallin' Off the Reel II (Truth & Soul) V/A - Up From The Vaults (Soul Fire)

More Info:

Daptone Records

Recent Articles

Tags