Thursday Throwback : In Honour of George Duke (1946-2013)

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of legendary keyboardist, composer, singer and producer George Duke this week, aged just 67.

From the 60s right up until this year, Duke had been one of the foremost pioneers within the jazz and mainstream scenes, releasing over 30 solo albums during his illustrious musical career. George was also famed for collaborations with countless music legends and session musicians including Frank Zappa, Miles Davis and Michael Jackson.

So in honour of all the wonderful music George bought to us, I thought it was only fitting to dedicate this week's Thursday Throwback to three of my favourite Duke tracks.

So sad to have had another legend taken from us at such a young age, but safe to say George Duke's incredible music will endure forever.

RIP George Duke. January 12, 1946 – August 5, 2013.

1.George Duke - Dukey Stick Live in the Studio with Sheila E (Epic/CBS, 1978)

2. George Duke - Diamonds (Columbia Jazz, 1977)

3. Michael Jackson - Off The Wall (Epic, 1979)

Saturday Sample : Freddie Hubbard - Little Sunflower (Columbia, 1979)

We recently featured the Harlum Muziq Remix of Ovidio's 'Reflexiones' on Moulton Music. It was driving me mad - I absolutely adore the sample featured and couldn't for the life of me remember where I'd heard it before and where it was originally ripped from.

Cue SLL reader Saul, who kindly stepped-up and informed me that the sample is in fact from Freddie Hubbard's 'Little Sunflower', a low-fi jazzy soul number released on Columbia in 1979. Anyhow, through the power of WhoSampled I managed to find the track I originally remember the sample from - Trackheadz's 'Our Music', released on NRK in 2002.

Also check the sample on Karizma's '4 The Love', a funky house classic released on Code Red in 2005.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend peeps!

HornDogz feat. Ty, Breis & Peeda - Movin' On (Uptone Records)

As you'll probably know if you're a regular visitor, I'm an avid fan of Ty, so today I was mega excited to receive an EP from 'HornDogz' featuring his unmistakable vocals.

HornDogz are an incredible 3-piece jazz/soul/funk collective who released their full album last year, although I'm really sorry to admit it passed me by.

With collaborators and credentials spanning many an ocean, the HornDogz project have worked alongside the likes of Amp Fiddler and numerous other top-drawer session musicians, as well as covering for the P-Funk horn section with the one and only George Clinton.

This 3-tracker includes a brass-o-rific, sexy party jam in the shape of 'Movin' On', as well as the kick-back 'La Trompeta O Yo' and their own soulful guitar-led strip of the A-side.

Check the video - it's sick. I'm on the chase for the album as well, so will post a stream if I manage to get hold of it.

Classic, golden funk jams.

'Movin' On' is out now via Uptone Records | horndogz-music.com

Stop.Look.Listen. Interview - Tall Black Guy (First Word)

Tall Black Guy is one of the most talked about soul artists of the year, with his latest album '8 Miles To Moenart' being met with rapturous praise right across the web.

The album is a real journey showcasing numerous musical influences in a multitude of styles. Through broken beats, disco drum patterns, hip-hop attitude and soulful melody, this long-player plays like a story, reading like a book that's impossible to put down. It results in a carefully choreographed selection that, much like a great novel, should be devoured in one sitting.

With such an obvious emotive and biographical undertone, it got me wondering about the personality behind the story, the influences, the inspiration. So I asked him. Here's what he had to say.

***

BC: What’s your name and where d’you come from?

TALL BLACK GUY: My name is Terrel Wallace aka Tall Black Guy Productions and I'm originally from Detroit Michigan, moved around a lot so some people think I'm still in Chicago or the D but I currently reside in the UK.

BC: What three records would sum-up your musical influences and why?

TALL BLACK GUY:

1. Summer Madness by Kool & the Gang



2. In A Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington & John Coltrane



3. I Can't Help It by Michael Jackson. They have all been instrumental in shaping the way I create my own sound.



BC: What was the last live act / DJ you saw that left a lasting impression on you?

TALL BLACK GUY: Benji B, I saw him perform at an Open event in Norwich. He knows how to pick some dope tunes and has a lot of skill as a DJ.

BC: Grab your choice of music device, press Shuffle and list the first three tracks that come up. Tell us in a few words why each has earned a place in your playlist.

TALL BLACK GUY:

1. Play Dis Only At Night by Pete Rock, from one of my favorite albums from 2001 I used to play this song consistently 5 times a week while driving around Detroit.



2. I Couldn't Love You More by Sade, I'm a huge fan of Sade...always have been. This song by far is one of my favorites.



3. Nighttime Maneuvers by Little Brother. To me Little Brother are one of the last hip hop groups to make music of this quality in 2004 aside from The Roots or De La.



BC: What’s the secret to your sound?

TALL BLACK GUY: Can't tell you that its a secret! Practice, practice and more practice is my main secret.

BC: What or whom most inspires you and helps focus your musical creativity?

TALL BLACK GUY: God and my family

BC: Which music producer do you think is going to be making waves in 2013?

TALL BLACK GUY: There are quite a few that I check for, but Kenny Keys, Diggs Duke and Doc Illingsworth are probably the ones I check for the most.







BC: What’s next for Tall Black Guy?

TALL BLACK GUY: To continue making music that I'm inspired to make with the artists that I respect. That's all anyone who loves music can ask for.

***

Catch Tall Black Guy over at BANDCAMP | SOUNDCLOUD | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

'8 Miles To Moenart' is out now via First Word. Check the album sampler out below and grab yourself a copy from Juno Download here.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #8

To this week's podcast. I've been on a proper digital crate-digging spree this week, with more than a little help from some excellent labels in First Word and Légère, as well as Robert Luis' superb Tru Thoughts radio show. A real nice blend this week - lots of quality hip-hop, including a fantastic Amerie remix from up-and-coming producer Kaytranada, plus all the usual soul, jazz, latin and dub vibes. Enjoy!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #8 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#8 - 6th May 2013

01. Tythe - Careless Woman (Lapalux Remix) (Sunday Best Promo) [download]

02. Figub Brazlevič - Inner City Tribe (Bandcamp) [download]

03. Brian to Earth - Love, the Double-Edged Sword (Bandcamp) [download]

04. Amerie - Why Don't We Fall In Love (Kaytranada Edition) (Self-Released) [download]

05. Nas - It Ain't Hard To Tell (Mad Swans Remix) (Self-Released)

06. The Child of Lov - Give Me (Double Six Promo)

07. Tall Black Guy - Mon Amie De'Troit (ft. Ozay Moore) (First Word Promo)

08. Ty - Let's Start (Tru Thoughts Promo)

09. Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar (Ambassadeurs Reconstruct) (Self-Released) [download]

10. Neneh Cherry + Afrika Baby Bam - Nina (Produced by Four Tet) (Self-Released) [download]

11. Drumagick - Sunda Morning (Tru Thoughts Promo)

12. Chicha Libre - Danza de los Simpsons (Self-Released) [download]

13. The Kerbside Collection - Red Stripe (Légère Recordings Promo)

14. Dub Club - Beware Dub (Stones Throw Promo)

15. Doctor Stereo - Que Bonito Amor (Names You Can Trust) [download]

16. Sand Water & Wind - For You Blue (Funky Juice Promo)

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Jesse Futurman - Exquisite Basement EP (Jus Like Music) [Download]

Here we have the final in Jesse Futurman's trio of free EPs from SLL faves Jus Like Music.

The 'Exquisite Basement EP' is exactly that - a gloriously delicate collection of lo-fi samples and melody, forging a perfect harmony between smooth, soulful jazz and electronic broken beat.

Be it the downtempo, piano-led groove on 'One For Dan Zacks', to the moody and melancholic strings on 'Disappear', to the 4/4 dance vibe on 'Trouble Man', this 7-track mini EP takes you on an all-enveloping journey through Jesse's deepest imagination. It's a curiously dark yet peaceful, enlightening place that will keep you wanting more.

The 'Exquisite Basement EP' is out now as a free download via Jus Like Music. Download it via Bandcamp below.

Opolopo: Philanthropist [Downloads]

I've been a massive fan of Opolopo for some time, an artist who seems to have nailed the art of bringing the 80s vibe to boogie and house floors alike.

That said, the Stockholm-based beard-fancier's repertoire far from ends there; remixes on the likes of Mario Biondi and St. Germain showcase the incredible breadth of Opolopo's sound and talents.

Best known for numerous releases on nu soul labels such as Tokyo Dawn as well as ground-breaking house labels such as Local Talk, Opolopo is lesser-known as a true philanthropist - to say his Soundcloud is brimming with incredible freebies would be an understatement.

So here are a couple of cuts I've ripped from his feed, all incredible, all free. GO!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #6

So here we go with Podcast Number 6, a special extended edition to make up for a few weeks away. Apparently I can fit three Tru Thoughts releases into one podcast - safe to say Robert Luis and the guys are on FIRE at the moment. Enjoy!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #6 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#6 - 22nd Apr 2013

01. George Ezra – It's Just My Skin (Bandcamp) [download]

02. Evil Needle – Radiance (Self Released) [download]

03. D33J – Park (Tape Version) (Self Released) [download]

04. Nefarious! – Buena Vista (Self Released) [download]

05. Ta-ku – ONEFORTREY (Soulection) [download]

06. Roane Namuh – Down Supreme (Bandcamp) [download]

07. El Ten Eleven – Thanks Bill (Com Truise Remix) (Fake) [download]

08. Ben Mono - The List (Bandcamp) [download]

09. Robin Thicke – Wanna Love You Girl (Sango Remix) (Self Released) [download]

10. Sango – On My Mind All the Time (Self Released) [download]

11. Ayanna Witter-Johnson – Roxanne (Bandcamp) [download]

12. Lady – Karma (Truth & Soul Promo)

13. Numbe:ra – There I Go feat. Frank Nitt (Tokyo Dawn Promo)

14. The Gene Dudley Group – The New Lots Of Cooperstown (Wah Wah 45s Promo) [download]

15. Homeboy Sandman – Peace & Love (Stones Throw Promo)

16. The Allergies – You Wouldn't Know (Riddim Fruit Promo)

17. Uraz Kurt – Beach Dance (Soulab Promo)

18. Hot 8 Brass Band – Milwaukee Fat (Tru Thoughts Promo)

19. London Posse – Money Mad (Wrongtom Remix) (Tru Thoughts Promo)

20. Olivier Daysoul – I Want You (Self Released) [download]

21. Mayer Hawthorne – Designer Drug (Self Released) [download]

22. The Hi-Fly Orchestra – Get Ready feat. Karl Frierson (Agogo Promo)

23. Alice Russell – Hard And Strong (Tru Thoughts Promo)

24. Kalabrese – Purple Rose (Sonar Kollektiv Promo)

25. The Knife – A Tooth For An Eye (Rabid Records Promo)

26. Omar – The Man (Maddslinky Remix) (Freestyle Promo)

27. Anushka – Yes Guess (Chesus R.A.W. Mix) (Brownswood Promo) [download]

28. TNGHT – ACRYLICS (Warp Promo)

29. D Tiberio – Lie/Losing Form (Turntable Promo)

30. JAW JAM – The Truth (Yoin's Nothing But The Truth Remix) (Tuff Wax Promo)

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Mr Bird - Birds Birds Birds (Vital Force)

It's been a productive week so far! I'm again delighted to announce another hook-up for the blog, this time with soulful broken beat stable Fat Bird Records.

We start with an album from label head honcho Steve Bird (aka Mr Bird) with 'Bird Bird Bird'. Released in February this year on Vital Force, the album is a 13-tracker of original material, a slight departure from the remix work for which he's famed. His third album release, 'Birds...' explores Steve's new found influences having moved from Newcastle to Lisbon, Portugal several years ago.

The album is a rich soundscape of dancefloor-orientated beats, jazzy percussion-led jams and soulful downtempo - personal faves include 'The Eskimo' and 'Wanna Be Good', two of the more loungy tracks from the album. Given the intense atmosphere felt throughout the tracks, it's hardly surprising that Mr Bird fits his own production work around a day-job writing original music for TV, documentaries, dance and theatre. The whole album has splashes of Scruff about it, which is why I'm super excited to hear more from Mr Bird, particularly a new album due to drop at some point this year on BBE. A really exciting artist to keep a watch out for.

Birds Birds Birds is out now on Vital Force. Grab it from Juno Download [here].

Various Artists - Sonic Boom Vol. 3 (Giant Step)

I only found out last week that those cheeky music pushers over at Giant Step have been releasing some amazing free soul compilations since last year. The latest installment is in the shape of 'Sonic Boom Vol. 3' and the quality of the content is exactly what you'd expect from one of the best nu soul sites out there.

Smooth, infectious beats, incredible sampling work and flawless vocals are aplenty on this 12-tracker, with my favourite cuts including a wicked cover of Frank Ocean's 'Pyramids' and the uber-funky 'I-69' by a new name to me - Roman GianArthur (check it out on this week's Podcast).

Maybe I'm showing my age but it still feels somehow wrong to be able to grab such amazing music for free, particularly when I used to spend around £10 a piece for singles of this quality on vinyl. Either way, that's progress I guess, and it's sounds sweet!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #4

And so to this week's podcast. And despite have the hangover from hell (thanks Coogee Bay Hotel), I'm really chuffed with it this week - safe to say there's some wicked music floating about at the minute. So kick back, and enjoy.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #4 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#4 - 18th Mar 2013

01. Sweatson Klank - Waiting feat. Vikter Duplaix (Project: Mooncircle Promo)
02. Toddla T Sound - Worst Enemy (Ninja Tune Promo)
03. Flume - Holdin On (Future Classic Promo)
04. Ferry Ultra and the Homeless Funkers - Why Did You Do It (feat. Ashley Slater) (Peppermint Jam Promo)
05. St.Maarteen's The Rolling Tones - It's a Feeling (Record Kicks Promo)
06. The Sign of Four - Topsy Turvy (Jazzman Promo)
07. The Impellers - Do What I Wanna Do (Légère Recordings Promo)
08. Nick Pride & The Pimptones - Everything's Better In The Summertime (Record Kicks Promo)
09. Dusty - Danse Macabre (ft. Bad Jazz Troupe) (Jazz & Milk Promo)
10. Soulnaturals feat. Sharon Gitau - If It's War (You're Looking For) (British Soul Standard Promo)
11. Ginger & The Ghost - One Type Of Dark (Ta-ku Remix) (Self Released)
12. DA-10 - Anaphase (WotNot Promo)
13. Shafiq Husayn - The World It Softly Lulls (Shafiq Husayn Remix) (Bandcamp) [download]
14. NinetyNine - Love13 (Giant Step) [download]
15. Millennium Jazz - Cloak and Dagger - Skinnista (Bandcamp) [download]
16. Roman GianArthur - I-69 (Giant Step) [download]
17. Scrimshire - Convergent (Radio Edit) (Wah Wah 45s Promo)
18. Tortured Soul - Dirty (Original Mix) (Bandcamp) [download]
19. Fetsum - Letters From Damascus (EnaWadan Remix) (Sonar Kollektiv Promo)

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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.

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

Bukky Leo & Black Egypt - Anarchy (Agogo)

Been listening to this for the last few days and just can’t get enough of it.

Gorgeous afro-jazz rhythms offer some much needed relief from the autumn gloom, with every track drenched in a shimmering summery glaze. The vocals are sublime and the solo brass sections are nothing short of heavenly, with the mixdown on every track absolutely flawless. It's just hard to believe that the album was written in a Battersea studio so recently - the warmth and energy of the record could almost be a live recording from the 80s such is the timeless structure of every composition.

Inspiring rhythms and infectious hooks are aplenty on ‘Anarchy’, with ‘Skeleton’ clearly the lead track,  a fantastic Gilles Peterson mix coming as part of the package. My real pick are the chord progressions on 'Mans Dialema' - to borrow a typically Welsh phrase: lush.

A superb album well worthy of repeated listens – it’ll put a spring back in your step, I assure you.

Bukky Leo & Black Egypt – Anarchy is available via Agogo from 26th October. Check the preview.