Melvyn Price - Rhythm and Blues

Wax Poetics Records presents an immense re-issue of 1974’s Rhythm and Blues by Melvyn Price, out now on 180g vinyl and CD. Melvyn Price, although a Michigan native, made his mark as a musician in Europe - namely Sweden. A vastly talented conguero and trombonist, he began his musical journey in marching bands before embarking on his European adventure and finally landing in his adopted home of Sweden.

Rhythm and Blues is a deeply soulful jazz record, a 6-track excursion through the mind of an adventure seeking American draft dodger that just lived to create music. Melvyn Price was from soulful roots and used that to his gain - touring with the cream of Sweden’s jazz session players, before setting down to record this magical LP that was to be released on his own Meldor label.

The LP features Guy Roellinger on electric bass, Björn Alke on kontrabass, Jon Dill on congas, Melvyn Price on congas and trombone, Fredrik Noren and Gunnar Nyberg on drums, Luis Agudo on percussion, Björn Wolff on piano and Ed Epstein on tenor saxophone - all of which was written and arranged by Melvyn Price himself.

Tracklisting:

01. Voodoo Love Dance
02. Toward Brazil
03. Behind Kungstradgarden
04. Happiness Is …
05. Five O’Clock Traffic
06. Last Train

The combination of precise, yet fluid percussive skills and sharp, flowing jazz melodies creates a fusion of sorts. This mutually beneficial exhibition of the arts is something to behold. Elements of straight jazz and samba rhythms, teetering at times on either side of the fence - considering the timing of the release, the sound - although smooth and free running - is disciplined enough to be its own and not a replica of other releases of the era. There’s enough energy and rhythm to warrant pushing into more funk like territories, yet enough restraint and individual style to keep to their own jazz driven sound. Melvyn and his cohorts seemingly had a particular jazz vision in mind and they definitely fulfilled it.

mp3: Melvyn Price - Last Train

Rhythm and Blues is a ‘listeners’ record. If you like to immerse yourself in fine sounds, closing your eyes and feeling through the arrangements as they hit your ears, then it will more than strike a chord within you. This is tight. And it’s thanks to Wax Poetics for granting a re-release through their Wax Poetics Records imprint. Ever the ones for fine tastes, they’ve picked a winner here, and on 180g vinyl no less! Also be sure to check out other Wax Poetics Records releases from; East of Underground, The Moments and Earl Zero. That East of Underground LP is particularly special and might be hard to find now on vinyl - luckily I have my copy tucked away nice and safe.

Rare & Unreleased…

I’m going to write about two albums I recently purchased that contain “Rare & Unreleased” tracks, but first I need for this FabricLive 24 by Diplo to finish playing, I cant possibly concentrate on Lord Finesse or Foreign Beggars while Diplo’s remix (and splice) of Way More and the acapella of Bucky Done Gun are blasting out of my speakers! So perhaps I’ll start by saying that this FabricLive mix is wicked. Starts on an early nineties electro trip, progresses to Window Licker, touches on Ludacris, moves onto that crazy Brazilian baile funk sound that Diplo loves so much, and ends up with a few rockier tunes and hot dancefloor breaks - a genuinely enjoyable mix that has tonnes of energy. I’m not one of these subscribers, or just people that make a point of getting the latest FabricLive (the fact that this Diplo one came out last year somewhat proves that!), but I listen sporadically and have such issues as; James Lavelle, AIM, DJ Spinbad, and Scratch Perverts. The Diplo one is well worth getting. Anyway, back to the topic at hand…

Last weekend Lord Finesse was in town (Brisbane) with Roc Raida, Q-Unique, and DJ Eclipse. They did an instore at Butter Beats in Brisbane City and plenty of people turned up for the momentous occasion. Finesse himself didn’t seem in the mood for idle chit-chat, Raida came across as one of those quiet-but-pleasant guys, Q-Unique seemed cool enough and Eclipse was a good laugh. I took the opportunity to grab some ’squiggles’ from each of the guys and they were forthcoming in that - I got Lord Finesse to sign my Rare & Unreleased album of his, and I have to say it is a class record. It contains 22 tracks that have been previously unavailable on CD and it touches on all aspects of his work, from the proper old skool stuff, right up to a few r&b productions that he worked on. If anything it gave me a stark reminder that some of this old skool stuff sounds as fresh today as it did way back then!

Ground Floor Featuring Lord Finesse - Dig On That
>> download track (YSI)
>> buy album @ Amazon UK
This download link will expire on 1st December.

The other rare & unreleased album I purchased comes from UK hip-hoppers Foreign Beggars. They recently dropped Bukkake Ski Trip on the Dented label, their compilation of previously unheard tracks, vinyl-only releases, bootlegs, collaborations and remixes, all put together by Foreign Beggars DJ Nonames. There’s plenty of UK talent showcased on the album, not to mention a few other nice surprises, such as Stones Throw’s very own Wildchild on the track Million Skill March. Enough people have previously voiced their opinion that Foreign Beggars are one of the best UK hip-hop acts around, and this album does nothing but re-highlight that fact. For anyone new to the ‘Beggars, this album would be a perfect starting point, an 18 track extravaganza of different sounds that these head-nodding fellas produce. Foreign Beggars manage to finely balance the elements of the UK sound that can so often fall wide of the mark with a heavy emphasis on aggressive, dark vocals and a lack of sound production - their stuff manages to sound gritty, but still showcase tight beats, clever lyrics, and intricate flow. Above all, it really gets your head nodding - two thumbs fresh!

Foreign Beggars - Cold Breeze
>> download track (YSI)
>> buy album @ Dented Records
This download link will expire on 8th December.

I’m currently working on a bumper blog entry (in my mind at least) that will be focusing on the best albums that have been released this year - so if you have any suggestions, give me a shout. I think at the mo my list is bout 20 albums strong.

Useful links:

• FabricLive website
• AG/DITC MySpace page
• Download - Ground Floor Featuring Lord Finesse - Dig On That (YSI)
• Buy Rare & Unreleased @ Amazon UK
• Foreign Beggars MySpace page
• Download - Foreign Beggars - Cold Breeze (YSI)
• Buy Bukkake Ski Trip @ Dented Records

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)

Remix that bad boy!

First off, you cant beat a good old fashioned artist quote;

“I’d rather poo in my mum’s Sunday roast than have Danger Mouse produce a Portishead record. No offence.”

- that was Portishead member Geoff Barrow responding to suggestions that the band should turn to someone like Danger Mouse to help sort out their stumbling new album. Well, I’m sure they’ll work it out on their own. Just hope Danger Mouse gets the message and stops waiting by the phone!

I once read a quote from an old artist, cant for the life of me remember who, that said something along the lines of; “only cover a song if you think you can improve on the original or give the track a totally new perspective”, i.e. don’t cover a hugely sucessful track if you’re just gonna do it in the same vein as the original… egg… on… your… face. Now I know remixes aren’t strictly speaking ‘covers’, but I think the same principles apply, so good job for you lot that I’ve selected a handful of remixes that are either better or totally different to the originals, or perhaps both of those things.

Andy Votel, co-founder of Twisted Nerve recordings with Badly Drawn Boy, who released tracks via XL - The Avalanches; released tracks in the UK via XL. So, guess what happens next… Andy Votel decides to flex his electronica muscles and remix The Avalanches…

The Avalanches - Thank You Caroline (Andy Votel Remix)
>> download << MP3 REPOSTED!
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 17th August.

My favourite turntablist is also best buddies with those fellas over at Ninja Tune. I’m talking bout Japan’s DJ Kentaro. They’ve had him remixing allsorts of stuff, and I can highly recommend getting his Solid Steel mix CD. Anyway, as part of the single release of Coldcut’s Everything Is Under Control, Kentaro contributed a remix…

Coldcut - Everything Is Under Control (DJ Kentaro 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 16th August.

Don’t you dare call these guys moody Coldplay wannabes! I swear I’d heard of Elbow before I had heard of Coldplay, anyway. But hang on a minute… RJD2’s been invited to the party? Great! This motel suddenly got a bit more lively…

Elbow - Fugitive Motel (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 16th August.

These Norsk fellas are keeping it in the family, hence who better to remix Kings Of Convenience than Royksopp?! This remix is from a whole album of KOC remixes called Versus, a must have album, especially for those of you that perhaps found the original KOC stuff to be a little too dull…

Kings Of Convenience - I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp 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 16th August.

This DJ Cam remix is to be definitely checked out by all Serge Gainsbourg fans. I say that, when really, and more specifically, it is the hip-hop fans that will appreciate it most. But either way, just give it a bloody listen…

Serge Gainsbourg - Ford Mustang (DJ Cam 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 16th August.

Last one for you is a classy remix by pop’s most popular urban fella; Danger Mouse. Was that an under-hand subtle dig? Maybe! Anyway, this Zero 7 remix also features one of my favourite emcees; MF DOOM. Don’t sleep on this one…

Zero 7 - Somersault (Danger Mouse remix feat. MF DOOM)
>> 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 16th August.

I hope there’s some tracks there that you’ve never heard before, otherwise just make sure you keep the receipt and that way you can bring the tracks back and get your money back… probably.

Useful links:

• Download - The Avalances - Thank You Caroline (Andy Votel Remix)
• Download - Coldcut - Everything Is Under Control (DJ Kentaro Remix)
• Download - Elbow - Fugitive Motel (RJD2 remix)
• Download - Kings Of Convenience - I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp remix)
• Download - Serge Gainsbourg - Ford Mustang (DJ Cam remix)
• Download - Zero 7 - Somersault (Danger Mouse remix feat. MF DOOM)

Nick Drake

A tragic tale of an immensely talented individual, so shy and lacking in self-confidence, that he never lived to experience the full fruits of his labour. Nick Drake only released three full albums, none of which sold any more than 5,000 copies whilst he was alive. The official census is that Nick Drake committed suicide in 1974 by way of an overdose of an anti-depressant drug, although many dispute this and label it as a “tragic accident”.

Nick Drake is a classic tale of an artist becoming hugely more popular after their own death; posthumous. He was a British singer/songwriter that had a unique way of creating very gentle acoustic pieces. His three albums were originally released between 1969 and 1972; Five Leaves Left (1969), Bryter Layter (1970), and Pink Moon (1972). In the mid 1980s Drake suddenly began to gain popularity in certain circles, so much so that in 1986 Island released Time of No Reply, an album of previously unreleased material, and then in 1994 a “best of” album named Way to Blue was released. But it was the year 2000 that saw the release of Nick Drake’s original albums, re-released in a higher quality format, and also the use of the track Pink Moon in a Volkswagen advert (which led to much popularity in America).

Many famous artists state Nick Drake as an influence toward their own music, and his vast posthumous popularity is quite an achievement - however, nobody will ever know quite how far Nick Drake’s potential might have taken him. A sad loss indeed. We have but his recorded material, created in such a short space of time, to remember him by. Feel free to enjoy two of my favourite Nick Drake tracks…

Nick Drake - River Man
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted fromyour computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 8th August.

Nick Drake - From the Morning
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted fromyour computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 8th August.

Useful links:

• Nick Drake website
• Nick Drake Wikipedia
• Download - Nick Drake - River Man
• Download - Nick Drake - From the Morning