Nu Thoughts

There are more singers, musicians and producers around now than ever before. MySpace is pure testament to this. However, it seems that for every amazing artist, there are 10,000 crap ones (no offence meant, keep practicing!) - so it is a long process of sorting the wheat from the chaff. Still with such numbers it will always be a chore to find the diamonds in the proverbial rough and sadly many great people slip through the net.

That’s the cue for those good people at Tru Thoughts.

The last couple of years have been exceptionally good for Tru Thoughts. A strong stable of artists and some mind blowing releases from the likes of; Quantic, TM Juke, Natural Self, Nostalgia 77, Alice Russell, Jumbonics, The Bamboos, Hot 8 Brass Band, the list really does go on. But they say success breeds success and Tru Thoughts have taken the pen back out of the draw and signed up some fresh blood. You wont be disappointed…

Saravah Soul

Energetic British-Brazilian 6-piece afro-funk group Saravah Soul have recently released their self-titled debut LP on Tru Thoughts and it’s pure dynamite! Saravah Soul have combined traditional and modern Brazilian sounds with an array of cultural selections ingrained within the LP. It’s funky as hell and soulful to boot. This is a deep and passionate record that delivers a real breath of fresh air.

mp3: Saravah Soul - Oil Is Thicker Than Blood

Milez Benjiman

Three funky cyborgs make up Milez Benjiman. Not perhaps since Parliament and Funkadelic have spacemen been mentioned alongside funk, but there is a definite influence present as their debut 12″, Chop That Wood, can testify. Their sound is like a futuristic experiment, splicing the elements of soul, funk, dub and dancefloor beats. The result is an eclectic blend of energetic music, designed to make you move your feet.  Their debut LP, Feel Glorius, is out now.

Kylie Auldist

You no doubt heard the soulful vocal styles of Kylie Auldist on the latest Bamboos album, Rawville, but after a very succesful tour with the aforementioned Aussie funksters, Tru Thoughts signed her up quick sharp. An Aussie herself, Kylie is now on the cusp of her debut release on Tru Thoughts: The Bamboos present Kylie Auldist - I cant wait to hear that one when it drops!

Unforscene

Bristol boys Unforscene have been doing there thing for about ten years now, but they’ve finally arrived on planet Tru. They have wasted no time and you can already grab an EP and full LP from EtchShop. The debut album on Tru Thoughts is called Fingers and Thumbs. It encompasses elements of funk, nu-jazz and broken beat, packaged up under a very cinematic guise. The Bristol influence is evident and their sound will be sure to enthrall many.

If you weren’t already a fan of Tru Thoughts, I should imagine you are now after reading all that. To keep up to date with what the guys are doing, be sure to sign up to to the Tru Thoughts newsletter.

DJ Yoda : FABRICLIVE 39

One thing I have always admired the FABRICLIVE series for is the diverse array and style of artists they showcase. I don’t always love every single addition in the growing series, but at least once year they pick an artist that really hits it hard for my tastes. Particular FABRICLIVE favs from the past include; Aim, Scratch Perverts, Diplo, The Herbaliser and DJ Format, all the absolute epitome of the modern mixtape.

Well now it is the turn of the King of Cut ‘n’ Paste himself, DJ Yoda. This 25 track bad boy steers the listener through an extravaganza of hip-hop (both new and old) whilst touching on a few choice rock cuts and some more leftfield efforts like Bonde Do Role and The Hot 8 Brass Band. FABRICLIVE 39 by DJ Yoda, out now in the UK and due out May 13th in the US, is an amazing mix featuring some classic tracks and definitely ranks up there with the best to have come out on this series to date. Check out the tracklisting for yourself:

01. The Thunderclaps – Judgement Day (Donkey Work Re-Edit) – Ejectorseat
02. Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun – Slash Records
03. Skibadee – Tika Toc – Ahead Of The Game
04. Handsome Boy Modeling School – Holy Calamity [Bear Witness II]– Tommy Boy
05. Ice Cube – Jackin’ For Beats – Priority
06. Ghost – It’s All Love – Breakin’ Bread
07. Jurassic 5 – Swing Set – Interscope Geffen
08. The Hot 8 Brass Band – Sexual Healing – Tru Thoughts
09. D Nice – Crumbs On The Table – Zomba
10. Gang Starr – Just To Get A Rep – Virgin
11. Jean Jacques Perry – EVA – Vanguard
** DJ Yoda & Herve – Bonus Beats – DJ Yoda
12. The Chemical Brothers – Salmon Dance – Virgin
13. The Coral – In The Morning – Deltasonic
14. Bell Biv Devoe – Poison – MCA
** Tittsworth – Bonus Beats - Tittsworth
15. Run DMC – It’s Tricky – Arista
16. Salt N Pepa – Push It – Island Def Jam
** Scottie B - Bonus Beats
17. DJ Class – Tear Da Club Up – Unruly
18. Bonde Do Role – Marina Gasolina – Domino
19. Minnie Ripperton – Lovin’ You – Capitol
** Bamabounce Bonus Beats
20. Collie Buddz – Come Around – SonyBMG
21. DJ Yoda Ft. Sway – Chatterbox – Antidote
22. Adam F – Circles – EMI
23. DJ Zinc – Super Sharp Shooter – BMG
24. Wiley – Gangsters – Big Dada
** Skream – Make Me – Tempa
25. Lord Kitchener – London Is The Place For Me – Honest Jons

More information is on the FABRICLIVE website. You can even buy it straight from the website for just GBP10.00! You can also listen to clips of the tracks, but I’ll give you a little taster myself in the form of Yoda’s wicked edit of Blister In The Sun…

mp3: Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun

Return of The Herbaliser

The Herbaliser were one of the first acts I got into from Ninja Tune way back when, after Coldcut and Mr. Scruff. I own every single album and my all-time last.fm stats insinuate that I somewhat worship them. I shall cease my prayers - they’re back, baby!

Let’s have a couple of shocks, shall we? Shock number one: They’re no longer on Ninja Tune, they are now on !K7. Shock number two: This album sees the boys team up with band members in a more permanent situation and also sees some vocalists on board for the long haul. The Herbaliser hit us with a fresh sound as they move into a new soulful territory.

The new album is called Same As It Never Was and is due out through !K7 on May 26th. Get yourself over to the new mini-site to check out some pics, vids and general information. There’s even a free mp3 over there! Maybe they should rename free mp3s to mpfrees? Hmmm. Anyway, I digress, here is the tracklisting…

01. Same As It Never Was
02. On Your Knees (feat Jessica Darling)
03. Just Won’t Stop (feat Yungun Aka Essa)
04. The Next Spot
05. Can’t Help This Feeling (feat Jessica Darling)
06. Amores Bongo
07. Street Karma (A Cautionary Tale) (feat Jean Grae)
08. You’re Not all That (feat Jessica Darling)
09. Blackwater Drive
10. Game Set &Match (feat More Or Les)
11. Clap Your Hands (feat Jessica Darling)
12. Stranded on Earth (feat Jessica Darling)

I’ll have a full review up just as soon as I receive my copy of the album. For now, reminisce and cop this track from 2003’s Herbal Blend…

mp3: The Herbaliser - Tea & Beer (Freestyle) feat. Jean Grae