Mr. Scruff - Kalimba & Give Up To Get

Last month I wrote about the first in a new series of EPs that Mr. Scruff was putting out on his Ninja Tuna venture through Ninja Tune. Well here is the second installment in the series; Kalimba & Give Up To Get.

Kalimba is the shorter of the two tracks and a cracker of a downtempo dancefloor killer. Hammond style keys, cowbell and a typical Scruff break make this more catchy than a summer cold. Near to the half way point of the track there is a sort of build up in the form of a string ensemble and a deeper melody. Kalimba is an uplifting track, seemingly delicate and simple, yet punchy and energetic at the same time. Pleasing to see that Mr. Scruff is still keeping it tight after many years in the game.

mp3: Mr. Scruff - Kalimba

Give Up To Get is a deeper track that encompasses elements of laid back funk guitar and lounge’esque piano, vocals and horns. It’s silky smooth and tight as hell. It’s almost like inhaling a bouquet - influences and styles hitting you at different times, this could be Spacek, it could be Lau, it could be DJ Spinna, but… it’s most definitely Scruff. That undeniable production technique of his.

Two chapters into the Ninja Tuna series and I have to say I am very impressed. I’ve always been a big Scruff fan and until recently I had been wondering when new material might surface. Well here it is and it’s bloody good. Cop it on either vinyl or your new fangled mp3s. Just like before, the vinyl is heavyweight 180g vinyl - plus if you do buy the vinyl you actually get the high quality mp3s of both tracks absolutely free!

The Bamboos and Kings Of Leon!

It could be pure coincidence that on the same day that Kings Of Leon decide to release their first single, Crawl, for free on the web from the upcoming new LP, Only By The Night, that I should receive news from those good people at Tru Thoughts telling me that The Bamboos‘ first single from their upcoming LP, Side-Stepper, is in fact a cover of King Of The Rodeo by Kings Of Leon.

Kings Of Leon burst onto the scene in 2003 with their own unique brand of rock, and ever since they’ve had to continually try to reinvent themselves, sometimes to the dismay of fans loyal to the previous sound, but it usually has that ‘grower’ potential and wins people round in the end. It’s only natural for a bands’ sound to gradually progress and develop over time and records, and with Crawl it is plain to hear that they’re continuing on their path of gradual change. Crawl steps slightly away from the raw thrash elements and replaces them with slick, rich undertones. The new LP, Only By The Night, is out 23rd September.

mp3: Kings Of Leon - Crawl

Now, speaking of progression and development, everyone’s favourite Aussie funk outfit, The Bamboos, are back fresh off the Kylie Auldist album and ready to go once more. The new LP, Side-Stepper, is out on Tru Thoughts in October, but the first single is out on 7″ vinyl on 1st September. It’s the aforementioned Kings Of Leon track; King Of The Rodeo. This cover has 60s swing soul written all over it and features the sweet vocals of Australian songstress Megan Washington. This is as funky as you’d expect from The Bamboos, but it has some nice touches too, such as the subtle brass and catchy keys. Plus the drum break is to die for. What we have here is a cover version that is both a credit to the original and fresh enough to excel on its own merits alone. The b-side to this 7″ is a track called Can’t Help Myself featuring UK emcee Ty, a funky hip-hop track with a good energy about it - the pairing of The Bamboos and Ty works even better than you’d probably imagine.

mp3: The Bamboos - King Of The Rodeo featuring Megan Washington

Infinite Livez and Roots Manuva?!

If you go down to where the Elephants roam about their Castle (Corsica Studios) on 30th June, not only will you catch Infinite Livez, but I have it on good authority that a certain Rodney Smith (aka Roots Manuva) will be there too! A Big Dada extravaganza, if you will. Tickets are just £6 and can be purchased via WeGotTickets.

mp3: Infinite Livez - Worcestershire Sauce

There’s sure to be some JLM presence there - we’re mad keen to see the ever entertaining Infinite Livez live ‘performance’, not to mention some of the new material from the very special cruffy guest himself! Be there!

The Natural Yogurt Band - Away With Melancholy

Unless you know The Natural Yogurt Band personally, then the chances are the only info you will be able to find about them is via a Jazzman Records press release for their debut LP Away With Melancholy. And to quote that press release;

“The cd they sent was accompanied by no credentials. There was no promo sheet name-dropping the famous DJs who are playing their music, no pretentious CV stating who plays what and who used to play with whoever; no info, no blurb and no gumph. In other words they just sent me a plain cd, which was refreshing, because at the end of the day all that matters is whether it’s any good or not, right?”

Yes, that is all that matters. Just makes my job a bit harder (or easier, depending on which way you care to look at it). Out now, through the aforementioned Jazzman Records, Away With Melancholy is not only available on CD, but 2×10″ vinyl - that’s not something you see every day, but if it was meant to be a subtle hint towards how special this LP is… it worked a treat cos I snapped it up as soon as I saw it. Plus if Gerald and pals at Jazzman get excited about something, then it’s usually worth checking out!

Tracklisting…

01. Chapter One
02. Chit Chat
03. Better Days To Come
04. Thoughts
05. Voodoo
06. Pipe Dreams
07. Latin Illusion
08. The Woods
09. A Broken Rose
10. Space Echo
11. Soft Cheese
12. Lament For Piano

The Natural Yogurt Band is made up of ex-Little Barrie drummer Wayne Fullwood and producer/musician Miles Newbold. What they have created here holds blends of both jazz and funk, but don’t be confused, this isn’t jazz-funk - this is a surreal mixture of the elements, combined to create something altogether… different. Cinematic in parts, damn right funky in others, but mellow and modal as well. You’ll struggle not to appreciate the delicate intricacies and tight instrumentation within Away With Melancholy.

mp3: The Natural Yogurt Band - Voodoo

Wayne Fullwood described the album as “a pastiche of different moods” and with that he was spot on. Some of my favourite jazz LPs mesmerise and enthrall me, and besides the obvious quality of the records, it’s always because of the moods and stories that the records tell. The journeys they take you on. I was ecstatic and delighted to stumble upon a modern creation that could give me such an experience on par with the old diamonds in my collection. This is a true wonder and will captivate the ears of both funk and jazz connoisseurs from far and wide.

With rumours of Stones Throw chomping at the bit for the rights to an American release, I’ve no doubt that you’ll be hearing much more from The Natural Yogurt Band very soon. Grab that double 10″ whilst you still can!

Madvillainy 2: The Box

Oh gosh, oh my… more sweetness from the Stones Throw guys!

Still sweating on that definitive follow up to 2004’s Madvillainy LP by Messrs Madlib and MF DOOM? Well keep sweating, but whilst you are sweating, why not indulge a little and drop US$124.99 plus shipping on this incredible new boxset.

Madvillainy 2: The Box is an ultra collectible package only available exclusively via the Stones Throw website. They are gonna take pre-orders first, then go make the damn things, and then actually ship them to you lucky mothers. You have until 15th August to make your pre-orders, then the units will be shipped 15th September. This is what it contains…

CD - Madvillainy “2″ The Madlib Remix. 25 tracks.
7-INCH - “One Beer (Drunk Version)” Madlib’s original 2004 version.
CASSETTE - The Madvillainy Demo Tape. 12 tracks, 36 minutes.
T-SHIRT - Nominated. Best Rolled L’s. Madvillain shirt.
COMIC BOOK - Meanwhile… the continuation of the All Caps video.
THE BOX - 12×13x3 inches. Wrapped in silver like a mask.

mp3: Madvillain - No Brain

Tracklisting for the CD…

01. Pow! (Intro)
02. No Brain
03. Pearls
04. Light of the Past
05. Boulder Holder
06. Borrowed Time
07. Space Ho’s Coast to Coast
08. Invazion (Interlude)
09. Drainos
10. Fire in the Hole
11. Heat Niner
12. Monkey Suit
13. Fluid (Instrumental)
14. Can’t Reform Em
15. Redd Spot (Interlude)
16. Running Around with Another
17. Butter King Jewels
18. Sermon
19. Roller Coaster Riders (Instrumental)
20. 3.214
21. Confucius Spot (Interlude)
22. Never Go Pop
23. Savage Beast (Instrumental)
24. Cold One
25. Cold One (Reprise)

If you want one of these boxes, then providing you get your order in before 15th August, there is no reason why shouldn’t get one. Stones Throw said they aren’t cheap to make and they want exact numbers before going to production. Don’t be slack though, once that date in August passes, I doubt very much that you’ll ever be able to get one other than on extortionBay or something.