6 Questions: with… Flow Dynamics
I’ve given you plenty of time to catch your breath since the last 6 Questions, so here is another one! Still on a funky tip, this time it is the turn of Aussie producer Flow Dynamics. Hot off the release of his debut album, this is your chance to learn a little bit more about the fella…
1. Who are you? Dave McKinney aka Flow Dynamics aka Soul Harmonics. Based in Australia.
2. What do you do? Flow Dynamics is my beats, breaks, funk, hip hop kinda project, and Soul Harmonics is my soulful house and nujazz outfit. I spend a lot of time in the studio, making tunes, and having a lot of fun. Music makes me happy. I like working with different artists doing collaborations and writing songs for different singers. I tend to play a lot of the instruments myself as much as possible, (bass, drums, keys etc) and if my playing sounds really crap then I’ll enlist the help of my music friends to bring their goodness to the mix! I’ve got my own studio at home, so I record everything live and then chop it up and muck around. I love the combination of live instruments chopped up and processed in the studio. I’m also getting right into DJing with serato and using ableton live to make things interesting out on the road. I also work as a marine biologist when I’m not making beats. Gotta pay the bills! I do a lot of coral taxonomy, which is basically swimming around with a scuba tank on identifying coral species. It is very complex, and keeps me busy, but I like the balance between science and music. Keeps me refreshed and inspired for making tunes.
3. Why do you do it? Music wakes me up night. Keeps me up at night. Gets me up in the morning. I just love music. There is so much good music around, and so much music to be made. Back in 1992 I was at uni studying science, and had nothing to do with making music at all. I went and lived in Brazil for a year, as my brother had just got back from a student exchange there. He told me about how amazing it was, so I hit it for a year to check it out. After a year in Brazil, in such an incredibly musical place, where even an old grandma can play a killer samba on the table top, the music bug bit me for life. I got back home to Australia with a pile of Brazilian vinyl in my suitcase and went back to uni, It was then that I suddenly realised that music was what I wanted to do with my life. I started playing drums, and playing percussion in a traditional Brazilian percussion group with a bunch of Brazilians, and got into capoeira and all that. Then started playing in different bands and started listening to a lot of funk and soul. From there it was dj-ing around the place and playing live electronic gigs around Australia as Rhibosome. After that, it was onto my current Flow Dynamics and Soul Harmonics projects.
4. So what’s new? The Flow Dynamics album has just been released on Freestyle Records in UK, Europe, US, and Japan, and in Australia on Invada Records. You can also catch a new release featuring Soul Harmonics on French soulful house label Jaffa Music. Touring to UK, Europe & Australia in September October. The Soul Harmonics full length album is also finished and will be coming out soon, plus I have a pile of upcoming remixes for Fort Knox Five, Flevans, Beatfanatic etc.
5. Who are you listening to at the moment? I’m into a lot of different music. Especially heavy funk, soul music, hip hop, afrobeat, nujazz, soulful house, drum & bass, broken beats, downtempo, afro latin, jazz, and Brazilian grooves. You can check a pile of my charts here: http://www.flowdynamics.com.au/charts/heavy.htm - Here’s a few rekkids I’m digging right now;
Speedometer - Four Flights Up (Freestyle Records)
Lanu - Disinformation (Tru Thoughts)
Askillz vs Beat Vandals - Sunshine (Bombstrikes)
Featurecast - Avenue Rock (Good Groove)
Joss Stone / Yam Who Remix - Tell Me Bout It (Giant Step)
The Snugs - Strugglin’ - Omegaman Remix (Good Groove)
DJ Day - What Planet (Milkcrate)
Rhythmagic Orchestra - African Mailman (Impossible Ark)
Zeca Pagodinho - Quando Eu Contar
Jazz Liberatorz - Ease My Mind (Kif)
Peter King - Omo Lewa (Flow Dynamics edit) (Forthcoming)
Bamboos ft. Ohmega Watts Get in the Scene (Tru Thoughts)
Marva Whitney - I am what I am (Freestyle Records)
Flevans - Apostles (Jack To Phono)
MItchell Dewbury Band - Beyond the Rains (Mr Bongo)
Mr President - Love & Happiness (Pusher)
Drum Lessons - Strings of Life (Sonar K)
Lack of Afro - Wait a Minute (Record Kicks)
Phiro Y Sus Carribes - Comenzos (Soundway 45)
DJ Graham B - It’s Alright Now (Freestyle)
Sound Stylistics - Shake & Hip Drop (Freestyle 7″)
Sharon Jones - I’m Not Gonna Cry (Daptone)
Mark Murphy - Stolen Moments -Nicola Conte Remix (Verve)
DJ Vadim Talk To Me (BBE)
6. What’s your best nugget of wisdom? Whatever it is that you do, do it with LOVE! It IS what makes the world go round. Spread that Love!
DJ Regal - Shock Ya Mind (Flow Dynamics remix)
>> download track
>> buy Flow Dynamics @ Freestyle Records
This download link will expire on 30th May.
There you have it, everything you ever wanted to know about Flow Dynamics… and then a little bit more! Thanks to the man himself for taking the time to participate, appreciated as always. Usual routine; like what you hear? Act on it. Add Flow Dynamics to your MySpace friends and make sure you cop that album!
Useful links:
- Flow Dynamics website
- Flow Dynamics MySpace page
- Soul Harmonics MySpace page
- Download - DJ Regal - Shock Ya Body (Flow Dynamics remix)
- Freestyle Records website
Alice Russell - Live In Paris
I’ll cut to the chase, this DVD is an absolute must for all Alice Russell fans. Due for general release on 11th June, this 79 minute long presentation shows Alice and pals in all their musical glory. Recorded live in Paris last year it is set in a spacious, yet intimate, venue, jam packed with faithful fans from France (don’t try and say that a few times after some drinks!).
Alice is accompanied by a fantastic band that includes TM Juke, Michael Simmonds, Benjamin Jones and Daniel Swaine and launch straight into things with the mellow Soul Felt. Highlights include; Mean To Me with fantastic fiddle work by Michael Simmonds, a brilliant cover of Andre 3000’s Dracula’s Wedding, and of course the famous cover of Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes. The full set list looks like this…
- Soul Felt
- What We Want
- Humankind
- Taking Hold
- Mean To Me
- To Know This
- Something That’s Real
- Search The Heaven’s
- Munkaroo
- High Up On The Hook
- Dracula’s Wedding
- Hurry On Now
- Seven Nation Army
- My Baby Just Cares For Me
- Fly In The Hand
Alice Russell - Seven Nation Army (feat Nostalgia 77)
>> download track
>> buy Under The Munka Moon II @ EtchShop
This download link will expire on 28th May.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnrTQngkjLE]
The production quality, on what is amazingly the first ever DVD from Tru Thoughts, is superb. All recorded with three cameras on the night, the final edit is simply sublime. There are no swanky DVD menus and extras, but there doesn’t need to be - a great example of WYSIWYG, the main event is all we need. The good news is that this wont be a one off, expect more DVD releases from Tru Thoughts. Rumour has it the next one will be a live recording of Spanky Wilson and The Quantic Soul Orchestra, so look out for that one later in the year!
Back on subject, Alice and co. clearly show what great entertainers they are on this DVD and give those that have never seen her live the opportunity to see what they are missing, and those that have seen her live a choice reminder of what they have seen previously. Only a few weeks till this one comes out officially, so make sure you remember to pick it up! You can get this directly from the EtchShop or at Amazon
Useful links:
- Alice Russell MySpace
- Tru Thoughts website
- EtchShop
- Buy Live In Paris @ Amazon
6 Questions: with… Lack of Afro
Been a short while since the last 6 Questions feature, but hey… I’ve got a fresh one! This time it is the turn of Adam Gibbons, aka British funk maestro Lack of Afro. Anyone thinking that funk died in the seventies wants to get their head tested, it’s strong as ever, just gotta go that extra mile and search it out sometimes. So, without further delay, here’s the low-down…
1. Who are you? Adam Gibbons, aka Lack of Afro. Born and raised in Exeter in the South West of England, I now live and work in London.
2. What do you do? I’m a producer and musician. My music tends to be heavy on the beat and is a combination of samples and live playing. Track creation nearly always starts with a sample that I can hear potential in – it can be anything from drums to horns or even the sound of an audience at a live gig, whatever. It’s all about what triggers off an idea or what has the right feel.
I then play in other parts myself, sometimes bass, keys or drums - sometimes guitar or saxes. Live playing is something I’m passionate about because it adds that ‘human’ element which is sometimes lacking in sample based music. That’s where the soul is - in the live playing. If I’m after something a bit different then I ask other musicians in to see what they can add to the track. Collaborations are something I’d like to do a lot more of in the future; I’m a bit like a sponge that way, soaking up as many influences as possible…!
3. Why do you do it? Music is engrained in me so I’ve never had to really think about what I do too much. It’s just there - I can’t really explain it. If you’re a musician or producer then it never really leaves you, it’s with you wherever you go. My Dad is a massive soul fan, so I grew up listening to a lot of Motown and stuff on Stax and Atlantic, as well as a lot of mod stuff. I think my style of production owes a lot to that era. It’s not polished, it’s just all about the vibe!
I take great satisfaction knowing that people are enjoying my music. Whether it’s in a club environment or through something like MySpace, it’s extremely rewarding when someone drops you a message to say that they’re into what you’re doing.
My initial ambition was just to get records released; now I’d just like to see people continuing to take pleasure in my music and on a personal level, to collaborate with artists that I admire.
4. So what’s new? Another 7” on Freestyle featuring two deep funk covers; The Arctic Monkeys’ “When The Sun Goes Down” and Dusty Springfield’s “Spooky”. Release date tbc.
Most of my energy is currently going towards finishing the Lack of Afro debut album. Entitled “Press On”, it will be released on Freestyle records later this summer. It’s 95% done and is sounding grand. Release date also tbc.
I’ve also just completed remixes for The Houdinis (Social Beats Records) and two for The New Mastersounds. One for a “New Mastersounds Remixed” LP for Record Kicks and the other for a compilation called “Soul Shaker Volume 4”, also on Record Kicks. I’m also just about to start one for Diesler on Freestyle.
Finally, I’ve been asked to produce the latest LP from US soul band The Diplomats of Solid Sound, for release on Record Kicks due for release in Sep/Oct ’07, as well as a remix for them too. Check www.lackofafro.com for details of all of those, and visit www.myspace.com/lackofafro to hear them.
5. Who are you listening to at the moment? Lots as always. Amongst others;
Bonobo - Days To Come (Ninja Tune), The Cinematic Orchestra – Ma Fleur (Ninja Tune), Eddie Roberts -Trenta (Salvos), Koop – Koop Island (Diesel), unreleased tracks from Funkshone, Nostalgia 77 – Everything Under The Sun (Tru Thoughts), Flow Dynamics – Flow Dynamics (Freestyle), The Sound Stylistics – Play Deep Funk (Freestyle), Solid Pleasure – Solid Pleasure (Afrokats), Smoove – Dead Men’s Shirts (Acid Jazz), The Cinematic Orchestra – Remixes (Ninja Tune), N*E*R*D – Fly or Die (Star Trak), The Small Faces – Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake (Immediate), Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare (Domino), John Legend – Once Again (Columbia), Amy Winehouse – Back to Black (Island), Mark Ronson – Version (Columbia)
6. What’s your best nugget of wisdom? This is really aimed at unsigned artists because it’s something I struggled with. When looking for feedback on your material, try and ask someone who’s either had tracks released before (that makes similar music to you of course - don’t ask the opinion of a hard house DJ if you write classical music for example!), or someone who’s involved with a record label that you’d like to be on. Once you’ve found someone who’s willing to give you an honest opinion then hang on to them and ask their opinion on future projects. There are a lot of bullshitters out there who will just tell you what you want to hear and honesty can be hard to come by. Don’t ask for friends’ or family’s opinion because (and this is through no fault of their own), they’ll just tell you what you want to hear.
At the end of the day though, you have to be true to yourself, so if in doubt, always go with your gut feeling and always trust your ears. Press On…
What more do you need to know?! My thanks goes out to Adam for taking the time to answer the six questions, I really do appreciate it. The man lacking in big hair was also kind enough to share a track, it’s one of my fav tracks at the moment, Roderigo…
Lack of Afro - Roderigo
>> download track
>> buy 7″ @ Freestyle Records
This download link will expire on 18th May.
Don’t forget to add Lack of Afro to your MySpace friends, everyone needs friends right?! And spread the good word, the word of funk! It’s all out there, just waiting for you to grab it!
Useful Links:
- Lack of Afro website
- Lack of Afro MySpace
- Download - Lack of Afro - Roderigo
- Freestyle Records website
Plastique Petit
Do you ever wonder what might happen if there was a musical amalgamation of Spank Rock and 2 Live Crew? Well do yourself a favour and stop wondering… Plastic Little have landed. This Philadelphian five piece have actually been around since the Summer of 2001, a period of time sadly remembered for less musical reasons, however, PackOfRats, Squid, No Body’s Child, Jon Thousand and DJ Si Young are about to hit your radar big style.
The Spank Rock and 2 Live Crew analogy was to give you a partial idea of their sound, but don’t be mistaken, these are no copy-cats, they’re fresh and unique. The first thing I noticed about Plastic Little was their jump-up style of hip-hop, it’s energetic for sure, but once your ear begins to fully tune in, you’ll notice that these hip-hop layers run deep. You wont be able to hide from the sick flows and lyrical content - it’s crude for sure, but tongue in cheek and delivered in that unmistakable “we just don’t give a fuck” kinda way. Before this you had Spank Rock, before that The Beastie Boys, 2 Live Crew, but before that there was Clarence Reid (aka Blowfly), so it isn’t necessarily the shock-factor of such upfront and blue lyrics that make Plastic Little stand out, but more their approach and technique.
The first full Plastic Little LP is due out sometime soon and it’s called She’s Mature. Coming up first though is the release of an EP featuring the tracks Crambodia (feat. Ghostface Killah), The Jump Off, Foil, and a Pink Skull remix of Crambodia. You may have spotted the name of a little known emcee in that last sentence, yup, Ghostface Killah. Serious names take note of serious business and Ghostface doesn’t like to waste his time! The dudes also feature some production by Diplo and some rap rap rapping by Spank Rock himself on the album, so no doubt it’s gonna be a banger. The last track on the aforementioned 12″ EP was a Pink Skull remix of Crambodia and you can give it a little listen here…
Plastic Little - Crambodia (Pink Skull Remix)
>> download track
>> buy album @ ShesMature.com
This download link will expire on 10th May.
Also, if like me you are totally addicted to collecting 7″ vinyl, then there is the single of Crambodia available too, it features a Hot Chip remix on the B-side. Want some more media? Okey doke, check out this video for the track The Jump Off…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6prcYP6f7o]
You can listen to some more tracks on the Plastic Little MySpace page, I’m particularly feeling the sort-of-cover of Close To Me by The Cure, aptly named Get Close. So really, all that remains is for you to add these dudes to your MySpace friends list, then buy their album, oh and tell all your friends about them so they can do the same… obviously!
Useful Links:
- Plastic Little website
- Plastic Little MySpace page
- Download - Plastic Little - Crambodia (Pink Skull Remix)
