Pass Me The Skalpel
Sometimes I find myself so immersed in a discovery that I forget to share it. It’s not deliberate, and most of the time I’m extremely eager to share, but some I just forget to mention. Many of you with your eclectic ears will be no stranger to Skalpel, but I’m willing to believe that a lot of you think that’s the name of some shady metal band!
Well, they’re actually a Polish jazz duo. They gained a lot of fans in 2000 with their demo Polish Jazz – luckily for them that included in this new batch of fans gained was the label Ninja Tune. Their sound is obviously very jazzy, but it has hints of hip-hop and is often laced with samples. I happen to have a couple of lovely Polish friends, and they’ve ensured that I posses pretty much everything Skalpel have released – although the previously limited Polish release of 1958 Breaks can now be found as a bonus disc with their latest album Konfusion.
Skalpel – Not Too Bad
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 31st August.
As we speak, the Skalpel discography looks like this…
- Polish Jazz EP (2000)
- Skalpel (2004)
- Konfusion (2005)
But it is also worth noting that they released an amazing mixtape in 2000 called Virtual Cuts – I’d urge you to try and source that from somewhere, it contains all the classic trip-hop and electronica tracks. 1958 Breaks, a remix album, was also released, in 2005, and included remixes by such artists as; Backini, Quantic, and Dr Rubberfunk…
Skalpel – Break In [Dr Rubberfunk 'Live @ No.10A' Remix]
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 31st August.
Skalpel mould the sounds of the 60s and 70s Polish jazz with fresh invigoration for the modern day. Naturally it would be handy to already appreciate jazz music, but Skalpel might just surprise you – much in the same way as Cinematic Orchestra or Jaga Jazzist. To be honest, the very fact that these guys are on Ninja Tune should be enough to intice you. I’m yet to see these guys live, that’s still on my to-do list, but I’m assured they put on a fantastic show.
I’ll leave you now with the original and short version of 1958, as featured on the 2004 Zentertainment sampler CD…
Skalpel – 1958
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 31st August.
Useful links:
- Skalpel @ Ninja Tune
- Download – Skalpel – Not Too Bad
- Download – Skalpel – Break In [Dr Rubberfunk 'Live @ No.10A' Remix]
- Download – Skalpel – 1958
Odds and Sods
Half way through the week already, where does all the time go? Just got some odds and sods for you to peruse today. As ever, if you have anything that you believe may interest me, gimme a shout, I’m all ears.
The right honourable BDB (Badly Drawn Boy) is touring as a build up to his new album Born In The UK. His September mini-tour will see him donate £1 from every ticket sold to Oxfam. This is all part of the Oxjam national festival that is due to run through out October. Badly Drawn Boy’s album is due out on 16th October, and the September tour will be calling at; Nottingham, Glasgow, Dublin, and Oxford.
Have you checked out the new Oh No album yet? Well you should do. Oh No, of Stones Throw and being Madlib’s younger brother fame, recently released the album Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms – and it’s truly a great album. If you like your hip-hop with cool beats and slick raps, then it’s one for you. I’m really diggin’ one particular track though, and it features two of my other favourite Stones Throw people; Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow. You can check out the video on youtube, but here is the track…
Oh No – T. Biggums Feat. Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 30th August.
Anyone remember a young sassy London girl, that released a soulful jazz album back in 2003, by the name of Amy Winehouse? Well, she’s back. I know she’s been working with Mark Ronson and a new album is due out sometime soon, but did you see the photos in the press?! She’s looking really skinny, apparently a size 6 – plus she’s got herself some new tattoos and piercings, frankly I’m a tad worried. The new stuff is sounding good though, sorry for the ropey sound quality…
Amy Winehouse – New Album Clips
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 30th August.
Whilst we’re remembering artists that jumped the scene a few years ago, perhaps you’ll take the time to remember Detroit’s funkiest son; Amp Fiddler. He has a new album called Afro Strut due out on 28th August and I shall have a review for you very shortly. If anyone out there, that just so happens to like funky soul, missed out on his last album, Waltz of a Ghetto Fly, sort your life out and get it bought.
Class dismissed.
Useful links:
- Oxjam website
- Video @ youtube – Oh No – T. Biggums
- Download – Oh No – T. Biggums Feat. Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow
- Download – Amy Winehouse – New Album Clips
Remix that bad boy!
You may, or may not, remember a couple of weeks back I made another entry called Remix that bad boy. It contained some great remixes of already great tracks. Well guess what… here’s another blog entry for the same purpose, you lucky mother-huggers!
First up is a De La Soul track remixed by British electronica guru Hint. Perhaps you aren’t even familiar with the original De La Soul track, but that’s ok, what is important right now is that you hear the Hint remix. Also, any Avalanches fans, listen out for a for a vocal in this track – you’ll recognise it if you catch it…
De La Soul – More Than You Know (Hint Remix)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 29th August.
Here’s the ultra soulful funk master Lyrics Born, with his track Changed My Mind. Only this is the remix by DJ Spinna. This track was part of the Same Shit Different Day remix album that came out last year. If you like Lyrics Born, and the idea of his stuff being remixed, then by all means buy the album…
Lyrics Born – Changed My Mind (DJ Spinna remix)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 29th August.
This is the first of two Four Tet remixes I have for you today. This one is a remix of Madvillain’s Money Folder, taken from the Madvillain Remixes: Four Tet EP. Naturally MF DOOM’s vocals can be recognised anywhere, but the music wont be anything like you remembered from Madvillainy! Typical Kieran modification…
Madvillain – Money Folder (Four Tet Remix)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 29th August.
9th Wonder is a legendary hip-hop producer and he shows us that once more with his remix of the track Made You Look by Nas. Takes a total different and chilled angle on the original…
Nas – Made You Look (9th Wonder Remix)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 29th August.
I actually heard this remix before I heard the original, and although the original is good, I still to this day prefer the remix. I’m talking bout RJD2‘s remix of 70s 80s by Nightmares On Wax. See what you think, anyway…
Nightmares on Wax – 70s 80s (RJD2 remix)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 29th August.
Finally I have the second Four Tet remix for you. This is a remix of Sia’s Breathe Me. If you don’t know Sia, she’s sung on quite a few Zero 7 records – if you don’t know Zero 7… god have mercy on your soul, etc… Anyway, although the original of Breathe Me is great, the remix is just as good, in a different kind of way…
Sia – Breathe Me (Four Tet Remix)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 29th August.
Well, there you have it, six monster remixes for your ear drums to immerse themselves in. Happy listening y’all!
Useful links:
- Download – De La Soul – More Than You Know (Hint Remix)
- Download – Lyrics Born – Changed My Mind (DJ Spinna remix)
- Download – Madvillain – Money Folder (Four Tet Remix)
- Download – Nas – Made You Look (9th Wonder Remix)
- Download – Nightmares on Wax – 70s 80s (RJD2 remix)
- Download – Sia – Breathe Me (Four Tet Remix)
Molly Beanland
I’m not sure just how quickly this young lady is gonna catch on, either you’ll be hearing about her everywhere from now on, or sometime in early 2007 you’ll be thinking to yourself “ah yeah, I remember reading bout her on some blog last year!”. Molly Beanland is the latest young singing sensation to be snapped up by a major label, which on this occasion is Island.
Molly is just 20 years of age and comes from sunny London. She’s been dubbed by some as the new Katie Melua, although from the demos I have heard, she is less guitar driven and more about pianos. Molly lists artists such as Jeff Buckley, Kate Bush, Rufus Wainwright, and a personal fav of mine; Tom McRae, as her influences. Her songs are fantastic, but naturally the most outstanding thing about Molly is her voice – it is extremely impressive. Molly has been singing to a high standard since just twelve years of age, and what can I say… the efforts have clearly paid off. So much so that she recently dropped out of her Cambridge University course to pursue her singing career. Anyway, listen for yourself…
Molly Beanland – Photographs
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 28th August.
At the moment details on Molly are vague, with no official website yet, just a MySpace page. Her album has been penciled in for spring 2007, but I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll be hearing more from her before then. But, enough of my ramblings, the proof is in the pudding as they say, so check out another early demo from this angelic sounding melody maker…
Molly Beanland – Regeneration
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 28th August.
Useful links:
- Molly Beanland MySpace page
- Download – Molly Beanland – Photographs
- Download – Molly Beanland – Regeneration
Unearthing MySpace Gems
It’s that time again. Five more pages for you today. Don’t forget to check out the music player on the Just Like Music MySpace page – there you’ll find four tracks from artists previously featured on Unearthing MySpace Gems. A quick reminder on how this weekly feature works; all pages featured have had less than 10,000 page-views. If you know of any artists on MySpace, with less than that many page-views, that you think I should feature, please let me know. You can either email me to the address at the left, or send me a message and/or friends request (if you are an artist or band) at my personal MySpace page or the >>just like music MySpace page.
Digital Animal – http://www.myspace.com/digitalanimal
Some indie electro from Birmingham’s Digital Animal. This is really interesting stuff, very fresh sounding. Check out the poignant Welcome To America, with its blend of guitars and heavy down-tempo beats, alongside the blunt vocal; “welcome to America, have a nice stay, you can be our guest at Guantanamo Bay.” I also really like the track We Are Digital, it reeks of multiple influences, yet at the same time feels quite original. Electro not to be missed.
Yardley – http://www.myspace.com/yardley
Yardley are a melancholy indie rock band from Los Angeles. This foursome rock out melodic rock tracks in a similar ilk to bands like Coldplay and Travis, although with a distinctive American sound… oh, plus the main vocalist is female. Their track Get There has “melancholy anthem” written all over it; the rhythm and melody are brilliant, and the vocals are soulful, emotional, and addictive. All four of the tracks on their page are worth checking out, each with its own angle on fantastic music and deep lyrics.
Talpa – http://www.myspace.com/talpadrones
Noise for joy! Self confessed noise maker, Eren Akkan, admits that his Talpa project is not so much about taking a direction or reaching an aim, as far as experimenting to see where it takes him. And I gotta say, I love it! The track Donkey Business has elements of jazz, but is most definitely an eclectic blend of electronic mayhem. Think along the lines of a mix between Four Tet and Amon Tobin. Then the track Chav Cheff has an almost breakbeat feel to it, but like all of Eren’s tracks, it’s the seamless construction of the tracks that stands out – really great creations.
Imperial Leisure – http://www.myspace.com/imperialleisure
These guys were spotted performing in the middle of the day, down some random road in London, by fellow blogger Afshin. He was eager to give me the link to their page, and after listening, I can see why. For starters, they list their genres as Rap / Ska / Rock – doesn’t that already sound appealing? There are ten members of this group, they use; brass, guitars, drums, keys, two emcees, and a singer! Great British Summertime should be the official anthem of summer in the UK, I couldn’t stay still! If you wanna hear a big band sound with rappers and plenty of attitude, give these guys some of your time.
Unison – http://www.myspace.com/unisonbeattown
Eric at IndieFeed Hip Hop turned me on to Unison. Whizz Vienna, MC Shnek, and DJ Crum, create wicked hip-hop straight outta Vienna, Austria. They remind me a bit of Dilated Peoples, as can be heard on Nothing Changed, through the jazz sampled melody, funky drums, and piano riff. These guys definitely have their own thing going though, especially on a more atmospheric and laid back tip, like on Soundnetworks. These fellas provide a sound aural experience, you can just kick back and enjoy it. Like hip-hop and fancy a slightly fresher sound? Give Unison a listen.
As ever, another five fantastic pages for you to check out. Just Like Music, giving you all a reason to check out the internet on a Sunday! Anyway, make sure you check out all of those pages and leave the each of them some lovely feedback!
Useful links:
- Digital Animal MySpace page
- Yardley MySpace page
- Talpa MySpace page
- Imperial Leisure MySpace page
- Unison MySpace page
Shine Through
Aloe Blacc is an emcee that started out in 1995 as part of the hip-hop duo Emanon. His solo efforts are more in the r&b vein and he has been described as the “indie R. Kelly”. But, whilst we’re on the subject of solo efforts, Aloe Blacc recently signed to Stones Throw and released an LP called Shine Through. I got it a while back and thoroughly enjoyed it. It totally showcases Aloe Blacc’s diverse array of sounds; hip-hop, r&b, latin.
The album starts with the hypnotic anthem Whole World, with its kicking beat and persistent vocals. Straight after that is Long Time Coming. The beats are heavy, but the vocals very much in an r&b essence – and in that respect it reminds me slightly of another new Stones Throw artist; Georgia Anne Muldrow. Aloe Blacc isn’t necessarily making the same sounds or type of songs as Georgia, but the distinctive crux that r&b can be produced with deep kicking beats, is what makes me draw that conclusion.
Aloe Blacc – Whole World
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 26th August.
The third track is Are You Ready, this one has an almost dancehall rhythm to it. I can just imagine this one on a hot dancefloor. It’s totally infectious and definitely wont let you stay still for long. Busking is a short track, scene set on a street with an acapella in the style of old skool rhythm and blues. If anything this just splits the tracks up nicely and showcases Aloe Blacc’s fantastic voice.
Bailar…Scene I is the first proper latin sounding track on the album. Lots of brass and samba drums. Indie r&b is a good description – it’s not weak sounding like a lot of the r&b you hear in the charts these days, the music is intricate and meticulous, and you simply cant fault Aloe Blacc’s voice. This is another track to get your head nodding, and the husky vocal fits well. Then Nascimento (Birth)…Scene II is pretty much a follow on of the last track, slightly more atmospheric feel to it, and more strings. The vocals are no longer husky, but in a higher key – splitting the track into two parts works well.
Dance For Life, although it has a great energy, does feel slightly cheesy to me. Nice beats and addictive bassline, but aside from Aloe’s consistently great voice, it doesn’t do too much for me. But onto the latin sounding Patria Mia, a track sung in Spanish – it’s catchy, but seemed like a bit of a filler track. Another short track to split up the album in the form of Shine Through is next. An acoustic ditty describing how you need to let your soul shine through.
Caged Birdsong has a great deep bassline, and instead of the usual r&b vocal, we’re treated to some rapping. The flow is good and the beat steady. It got my head nodding, anyway. Arrive takes us back into the r&b realms, but keeps the deep and steady beats going. It’s a good track, the vocal is soothing, and the different layers of the track seem to gel really well.
Want Me is another track with a good energy about it, and another for the dancefloor. Addictive and hypnotic – I just get the impression that a lot more thought goes into producing these tracks than your average r&b track. Cross-genres have been around forever, but success is only really found when the execution has provided a quality result. More artists than ever seem to be nailing cross genres, and Aloe Blacc is no different. Then we have One Inna, like Whole World, this track is a bit of an anthem. Catchy melody and vocal, all nicely structured and layered with multiple samples – a kicking beat paired with soulful sounds.
I’m Beautiful is very R. Kelly sounding. Only the good thing here is that it’s not R. Kelly, it’s Aloe Blacc. This track reminds me a bit of Sinatra’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, but in a more modern street kind of way. The next track is called Untitled I, but I can tell you now that it is John Legend’s Ordinary People, but sung by Aloe Blacc in Spanish. There’s a distinct latin feel to this cover, and it’s very good, definitely needs to be heard.
Aloe Blacc – Ordinary People (Spanish Version)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 26th August.
Untitled II is the last track on the album, and I think this track came straight from the carnival. Being an ignorant mono-linguist, I don’t have a clue what he is singing about, but it sounds chirpy enough. I have nothing against latin music per sé, but I perhaps wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to it – so although I love the blend of hip-hop and r&b on this album, I’m not totally convinced bout the latin tracks.
It all comes down to personal taste, but for me, I’d appreciate the album a bit more without the latin tracks and the tracks I said seemed a bit like filler tracks. To be fair I thought Bailar…Scene I and Nascimento (Birth)…Scene II were great, but it feels like a bit too much on the one album. Like maybe Aloe Blacc could’ve released a separate latin album or something. Still, if you love hip-hop, r&b, AND latin music, then you’ll love this album! However, if you are looking at this album as a hip-hop fan that enjoyed the Emanon stuff, you might be left disappointed if you cant stomach the r&b. Still, all in all, I enjoyed the album, it’s just no classic.
Useful links:
- Aloe Blacc website
- Stones Throw website
- Aloe Blacc MySpace page
- Download – Aloe Blacc – Whole World
- Download – Aloe Blacc – Ordinary People (Spanish Version)
Filed under Info, New Release, Review | View Comments
