Last Night's Listening: Santa Barbara, Sydney

A few gems from my night out at Santa Barbara in Kings Cross last night. Not sure who the guy DJing was, but safe to say he was playing some amazing music. The tofu burger wasn’t bad either…

1. Steely Dan – Do It Again (ABC, 1972)

Quality jazz rock from the early 70s featuring an incredible electric sitar and ‘plastic organ’ solo.

2. The Doors – Changeling (Elektra Records, 1971)

The opening track from The Doors’ 1971 album ‘LA Woman’. Apparently Jim Morrison’s vocals were recorded in a bathroom…

3. Dillinger – Cocaine in My Brain (Sonic Sounds, 1978)

Wicked, classic roots from Jamaica.

Szjerdene - Arrow(s) (Free Download)

As ever, I’m hugely excited to present another fantastic track from one of the UK’s most talked about up-and-coming songstresses: Szjerdene.

Having known the lovely lady for a few years through my work with WIRED, I've been lucky enough to experience her astounding talent on stage several times, as well as being truly inspired by her dedication to the craft and flawless professionalism in every aspect of her musical endeavour. 

A true soul diva for the modern age, this latest release sees Szjerdene showcase her incredible song writing and vocal talents atop the superbly produced ‘Arrow’ from Jacques Greene featuring Koreless. A deep, seductive beat pattern is laced with beautiful and somewhat haunting stabs and atmospheres, building to a euphoric climax, with Szjerdene’s unmistakable vocals lifting the entire composition to a higher level of intense reflective ecstasy. 

Available as a free download, head over to Szjerdene’s Bandcamp page and grab some soulful goosepimples for your weekend.

szjerdene.com | @Szjerdene

3 Reasons to Love Shuffler.fm

I recently happened across Shuffler.fm, a web and mobile app-based blog aggregating media player. I’m hooked. It basically uses intelligent music tagging and decent blog QA to help you find the best new music.

Here are 3 reasons why Shuffler’s floating my boat this week.

1.  Sango – Vem Vem

Only just caught the vibe on Sango this week. Sick, sick beats from the US, with atmospheric guitar riffs and a perfectly balanced b-line backing Kendrick Lamar’s vocal splices. Big props from Gilles P;  bigger props from Sydney. Grab the free download now!

2. The Jazz Jousters - Bones The Beat Head Sample Substitution (from 'Another Manhã - The Jazz Jousters Flip A Joe Sample')

Again, only this week have I discovered the Jazz Jousters series on Millennium Jazz. For this outing, the guys have worked some real magic with Joe Sample’s ‘Manha Do Carnaval’, featuring several brand new mixes reinterpreted and reworked for the beats generation. You might also remember Joe as one part of The Crusaders – what a band; check 'Spiral' if you haven't heard it already. Another ridiculously free beat tape - go grab.

3. Tall Black Guy - I Feel Good (James Brown Flip Up)

Lastly, a big thanks to Shuffler for sticking this cracking little wobbler in my lugs again. Another outing from the superb Tall Black Guy from late 2012, this saucy James Brown-sampling number came as part of First Word’s insanely free ‘Two Syllables Volume Eight’ comp. You can still grab it free from Bandcamp – and you should.

Shuffler – we salute you!

Colman Brothers - Remixed (Wah Wah 45s)

Greetings from Down Under! Not to make anyone in the UK jealous or anything, but I’m currently writing from a warm and peaceful balcony in Randwick, beer in hand, previewing some amazing new music. So onto my first post as a Sydneysider, and what a cracker it is too...

The lads over at Wah Wah 45s have been really busy over in the UK, with their latest offering the Colman Brothers Remixed long-player.

Whilst the Colman boys typically bring 60s Latin influences to the forefront of their material, this remix album gives their already accomplished style a razor-sharp edge, with the album a melting pot of styles and influences atop the Brothers’ outstanding trumpet and trombone work.

Reworks come from some well established names as well as some new faces. Sunlightsquare give ‘Some Other Wonder’ the US house treatment, label lovely Scrimshire brings his distinctive laid-back style to ‘She Who Dares’, and the ever popular Tall Black Guy puts his gentle, magical touch to ‘On A Better Day I’m Dreamin’.

The rest of the album almost reads like a who’s-who of the world’s nu soul talent, including remixes from Part-Time Heroes, The Herbaliser, and Renegades of Jazz.

‘Remixed’ is out 11^th March. Pre-order the album here:

http://colmanbrothers.bandcamp.com/album/colman-brothers-remixed

http://www.wahwah45s.com