Zaki Ibrahim, Kid Fonique & DJ Whiskey - Be (Atjazz Record Company)

Atjazz has been on the dials of some of my favourite deep house tracks of the last decade. A true house veteran and head honcho of his own Atjazz Record Company, the label's latest release comes from Kid Fonique and rising star DJ Whiskey on 'Be', featuring the sublime song writing and vocal talents of Zaki Ibrahim.



The original is an afro-inspired deep house rhythm, with Zaki's love-sick spoken word and perfect vocal delivery drawing you into a ballad that's heavy on the heart and sure to be heavier on the dancefloor.

Then comes the turn of Mr Atjazz himself who steps up to the remix plate along with Julian Gomes to provide a stripped-back, somewhat deeper interpretation which epitomises the classic house sound that the label boss has become so famed for. A perfect accompaniment to any afternoon chilling on a sunny terrace.

London's Jonny Miller then delivers a bumpy, broken beat affair which retains the mood of the original but offers a more dancefloor-orientated workout. Huge minor key Rhodes progressions, soaring pads, synth stabs, pads and FX are the order of the day on this one. Almost reminiscent of the Naked Music content I've been banging on about recently.

The EP concludes with '2sides', a sample-laden percussive house joint, evoking the sound of a smokey jazz club. What makes this last track so special is the voice of legend Theo Parrish, who uses the track to wax lyrical on his DJ philosophy.

A super soulful, sophisticated package. Everything you'd expect from Atjazz.

'Be' is out via Atjazz Record Company in July (release date TBC) | atjazz.co.uk/label

Wired Review - June 2013

I love Wired. I've been working closely with Kate and Michael for a number of years and there's no doubt it's been the most rewarding experience of all my years DJing and tinkering away on the London music scene.

So again I was totally gutted not to witness another clearly fantastic Wired show (logistically a bit difficult when you're 13,000 miles away!). But thanks to the wonders of the interwang, I can still keep in touch with the guys and the performances, and it sounds like June 2013 was another killer show. And in true keeping with the monthly musical theme, this month Kichael decided to focus on acoustic, vocal jams.

Check the wicked Ruth Anne who flew in from L.A. just for the show to perform her incredible acoustic mash-up of Robin S' 'Show Me Love' and Lauryn Hill's 'Doo Wop'. Sickness.



Then we had the incredible northern talent in the shape of JP Cooper with more acoustic gold on 'Whenever You Hold Me', a very personal story of unrequited love...



And last, but by no means least, one of my most favourite singer/songwriters in the whole world - the one and only Obenewa. Having been tipped for big things by the likes of Gilles Peterson, the lovely lady simply goes from strength to strength on this live performance, airing for the first time brand new material from her forthcoming EP, 'B'.

Check the video for the interview, but it's worth mentioning that Obenewa wrote 'The Answer' (along with the rest of the EP inclusions) in just five days, with just three days in the studio to record them. Impressive indeed!

From the interview, it sounds like Obenewa has referenced a range of styles and influences on this latest release, so I'm mega excited to hear the whole record. Obenewa has promised to send it to me while it's still hot off the press, so watch this space.



Again, gutted not to have been there. But that said, there's a chance I'll be popping my speccy face up at August's show. Hoorah!

Coming up, apparently a certain tinker named Shakka did a Wired-supported EP release this week. Green. With. Envy. More on that soon...

Wired @ Concrete, 13th May (Preview)

May marks my 5th month away from London and another incredible Wirey night I'm unfortunately missing. [Sad face]

What's great is gaining a new perspective on what incredible things Kate Bond and Michael Duke are doing with Wired. Even from the other side of the world, their incredible A&R skills stand firm and remind an increasingly loyal audience why Wired is one of the definitive nights in London's music calendar. To say I was gutted not to be DJing alongside Ayanna, George Ezra and Disclosure's very own Sinead Harnett last month would be an understatement! This month is no different, with Wired returning to Concrete in Shoreditch on Monday 13th May with another stellar line-up.

Gracing the Rhythm Rug will be new boy Tom Prior, old favourites in Cynthia Erivo and The Dark Tides, as well as a special DJ set from DJ MckNasty.

Tom Prior

Kicking-off the show will be lyrical waxing of Tom Prior, a wicked songwriter and vocalist who is set for big things. Keeping that authentic, characteristic London vibe alive, Tom's melancholic rhymes will have you melting in your seat.

Check his cover of Swedish House Mafia's 'Don't You Worry Child', Tom's unique stamp all over it.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo first stepped foot on the Wired stage back in 2011 and was an instant hit amongst the crowd. From previous performances supporting major acts at the IndigoO2, as well as lending her voice to the stage production of Sister Act in the West End, Cynthia's incredibly powerful yet delicate vocal talents are both energising and touching.

When Cynthia graced the Wired stage at Shoreditch House in 2011, our friends at LiteSwitch were on hand to capture this great video interview. Already setting the UK's soul scene on fire, Cynthia is sure to deliver another blinding performance on Monday, you lucky Londoners you!

The Dark Tides

The Dark Tides are Michael Jablonka on guitar and vocals, Chris Webb on bass and Scott Parrish on drums. In contrast to to Cynthia's sound, The Dark Tides are an upbeat, soulful rock outfit that always guarantee an energetic, crowd-pleasing set.

Michael has been part of the Wired furniture for years, featuring as part of other music projects. The Dark Tides give his vocal talents the perfect showcase to demonstrate why he's much more than a pure session musician.

Again, LiteSwitch were on hand last year to capture their first set at Wired. Safe to say the bar is set pretty high for Monday - break a leg chaps! :-)

DJ MckNasty

Last, but no means least, we have Labrinth's brother DJ MckNasty who will be delivering a killer DJ set to end the night.

I was lucky enough to hear him drumming for his brother at an intimate Labrinth showcase gig on the roof of Shoreditch House a few years ago. But drumming and DJing together?! Wow. Word's just can't do this guy justice, so I'll let this video performance do the talking. So, so gutted I'll be missing this!

Make sure you don't.

Live Performance: MckNasty 'Drummer DJ' from Chaz Callingham-Woods on Vimeo.

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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