Friday, May 3, 2013

CURRENT DIGS DUSTY "MOODS MATTER" (2013)

Earlier this week, the homie from Germany, Dusty (Jazz&Milk) dropped a new LP entitled "Mood Matters". Some freshness from the man who's been doing his thing for a very long time. Fans can expect something more on the latin, afrobeat, jazz tip....enjoy!






“Mood Matters“ is a defining illustration of Dusty’s musical world. With open eyes and ears, in combination with an insatiable appetite for collaboration and experimention, he has constantly straddles the fine line between tradition and modernity. Several years after his successful debut album „Keep It Raw,“ the Jazz&Milk label founder hits home with this beautiful record, one that highlights how subtle and talented a producer and musician he is. „Mood Matters“ proves that an album need not simply commit itself to a genre or two; and in the process ups the ante considerably by featuring a broad spectrum of musical styles, bringing together Dusty’s favourite leanings such as Jazz, Funk, Soul, Afrobeat, Latin, percussive Beats and Deep House rhythms, while seeking a natural balance between accoustic, electronic and traditional sounds through the prism of a club-music oriented approach.

Not only does the album feature some of Munich’s finest musicians, such as the members of the Bad Jazz Troupe, Jo Junghanss or Beni Brachtel aka Bartellow but it also impresses via its collaborations with a diverse range of international artists. From the beautiful voice of Carla Vallet (France), the amazing guitar rhythms of Kokolo’s Ray Lugo (NYC) and Flamenco musician El Pirata (Granada) to the rich production sounds of Sam Irl (Vienna), the hypnotic percussion of César Granados (Panamá City) and the sweeping horn sections of Todd Simon (Los Angeles) – covering a universe of musical talent in all their different shapes, masterfully capturing the deep musical vision of its main architecht.

Informed by his experienced sampling background, Dusty sets a high value to establishing his own characteristic sounds. For the most part, he avoids sampling on „Mood Matters“, and instead creates a sound somewhere between nostalgic sampling and a rich modern aestethic by combining the charm of old recording equipment with the benefits of contemporary production methods. This fusion is brilliantly demonstrated on the title track, one that meshes forward-driven house vibes with organic jazz instrumentation. In addition, tracks like „Danse Macabre“, „It’s Time“, „Reascend“ or „Lost in Andalusia“ bring together traditional live elements with electronic production, synthesizer sounds and heavy basslines. While a very danceable approach is found on most of the tracks, one also finds tranquil and underscored ones, such as the lovely pieces „All There Is“ and „Longing Lingers“ which features Carla Vallet’s vocal talents or on „Southern Spirits“ with its colorful Flamenco guitar and gentle string arrangements.

The Munich-based label, and its associated clubnight „Jazz&Milk“, have been a city fixture for the past seven years and represent an integral component of German club culture, having hosted international luminaries such as Mr. Scruff, Quantic, Sofrito Soundsystem, Lefto, Simbad and many others. From his collaborations with and influences from such creative and versatile producers and DJ’s, to his live performances with the Bad Jazz Troupe, to his spinning vinyl records, these experiences have all combined to generate the unique sound found in Dusty’s productions. As a passionate DJ, he travels the world consistently, having performed for audiences in New York, London, Madrid, Canary Islands, Copenhagen, Saigon, Manila or Singapore. He cleverly manages to move dancefloors with an individual and positive twist, not by submitting to musical clichés, but by always seeking a distinctive sound, one that blends sophisticated old and contempary dance music.

As a do-it-yourself man, Dusty took months to build a full-scale music studio environment out of white cardboard paper, to be used as basis for the title song’s music video „Mood Matters,“ in which a large dancing milk carton programs beats, plays instruments and dances along to the jazz driven House track. Paper drum- and tape machines are brought to life by means of elaborate stop-motion generated sequences; which can also be found on the album’s cover art.
www.vimeo.com/62128454 

If you are already familiar with the eclectic Jazz&Milk cosmos - exemplified by several releases from artists such as Ray Lugo, Sam Irl, Fredericks Brown, The Jivers and Mr. Chop, then you can rightly expect, and not be disappointed by, all the different styles and influences shining through on this album – all held together by THE connecting force in Dusty’s music: a whole lotta Rhythm!

www.jazzandmilk.com 
www.soundcloud.com/dusty

credits

released 29 April 2013
P&C 2013 JAZZ&MILK RECORDINGS & PUBLISHING
JMCD006 | GEMA | LC 15027
INFO@JAZZANDMILK.COM | WWW.JAZZANDMILK.COM 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

CURRENT DIGS ODDISEE "ODD SUMMER" (2009)

I Came across this nice gem from the talented and ever-so consistent, Oddisee. Here's the 1st of 3 season themed series, which debut in 2009. A marvelous project inspired by samba, brazilian rhythms along with his signature warm beats. Take of your shoes, dive your feet in the sand and enjoy! My fav, Viva Brasil. Be sure to go over to his bandcamp and cop this niceness! 




Saturday, February 23, 2013

CURRENT DIGS....ART THE BEATDOCTOR (NETHERLANDS)

Late night digging, I stumbled across this cat that goes by the name of "Arts the Beatdoctor" from the Netherlands. Seems like these days, beat heads are emerging like crazy, especially out of europe!!  This cat here surely caught my attention with his nice production skills, combing souful and organic vibes with electronic synth. Check out the releases below and be on the look out for this cat!

Arts The Beatdoctor



Arts' debut album was released in Europe (Unexpected Records) and Japan (P-Vine) in 2007, both on CD and double LP.

It features tracks from the 2006 EP "Fragments" which was only released on vinyl.

Eventually, the Japan-only 12" of The Anthem was released, featuring instrumental and acapella versions, as well as remixes by Quintessence and Crackman, and the track Blending Quality (which was ommited from the double LP).

credits

released 06 June 2007
All tracks produced, composed, recorded and arranged by Arts The Beatdoctor.
Mixed and mastered by Arts The Beatdoctor & Quintessence @ Studio 147 & Studio Make

Executive Producers: Perquisite & Arts The Beatdoctor for Unexpected Records
Design: Autobahn | Photography: Jordi Huisman/Poike Stomps



One track a day gets "premiered" for streaming every day of February. So the playlist below might show less, but the download will always contain the full 30 tracks.

Thursday, January 31, 2013


CURRENT DIGS JOSE JAMES "NO BEGINNING, NO END" NEW LP


Brooklyn-based jazz vocalist-composer Jose James planted himself on our radar back in 2010 with BlackMagic. It was his second album for Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings, a fitting home for a record that found its fitting somewhere between jazz, R&B, soul, and beat-driven music. Whereas most will argue that James’ music now only possesses those first three qualities—and they’d be right—you must remember that this is a guy who was recording with Flying Lotus when we weren’t watching the Brainfeeder don’s every move. While James was able to maintain a cohesive sound on BlackMagic thanks to his signature smooth vocals, the overall approach was slightly muddled.
But three years later, the BK resident has found his focus. Since fittingly joining the Blue Note Records camp in 2012, he has moved closer and closer to a straight-up jazz-R&B hybrid with choice singles and, most recently, his third full-length. With that in mind, No Beginning, No Endis unquestionably James’ most focused and cohesive release to date. As one song slips calmly into the next for the hour-long running time, it feels as if you’re sitting in on the band’s studio sessions. The mood is calm and smoky, like a dimly lit jazz lounge where everyone knows each other and sips his or her favorite bourbon drink. Everyone claps for the select solos and nods in agreement as the players hit their tightest grooves before James leaves the microphone with a sly whisper on album-closer “Tomorrow”.
Somewhat similarly, opener “It’s All Over (Your Body)” with James’ voice wrapping you in a gentle embrace as horns exhale lightly. Elsewhere, “Do You Feel” is straight butter with stop-and-start piano strokes and “Tomorrow” tugs at your heartstrings with lovelorn lyrics. Most notable is “Trouble”, the liveliest cut of the bunch that’s led to some stellar live performances on the late-night circuit. It’s not all about love, however; “Sword + Gun” is a mild-mannered anti-war jam featuring smoky guest vocals from Hindi Zahra, steady hand claps, and the right amount of brass and percussive flourishes.
No Beginning, No End is familiar, but not in the dreadful way of running into “that” dude in your hometown as you begin to feel waves of nausea. Rather, it’s familiar like that aforementioned beverage, warming you up and challenging you to enjoy it by sipping and not drowning yourself in booze. It feels like you have heard it before, though each note, chord change, and vocal delivery remains refreshingly potent. James and his band aren’t trying to wow you with progressive blasts of brass or wild percussion solos. They’re wooing you with tightly knit songwriting and dreamy constructions.  -http://potholesinmyblog.com/



CURRENT DIGS TORO Y MOI "ANYTHING IN RETURN" LP
Starting of 2013, this is the first LP I picked up and I must say, it is definitely a dandy! It's so rare these days to find or hear an album that is solid from start to finish. Really diggin this cats tunes and the way he craft his music. "Anything in Return" is Chaz's 3rd LP release off Carpark Records (shout outs to Washington D.C.) and by far his best work yet. There's a great mixture of style that ranges from vintage disco-funk, 90's R&B & modern synth pop.  Again, one of the great things about this album is that every song is dope! go out and cop the album and support this fine young cat! more on Toro y Moi


Saturday, December 29, 2012

CURRENT DIGS DISCLOSURE "THE FACE" EP




By far this is one of my favorite groups I discovered this year!  These young brothers from the UK definitely have a great sense of making deep & artful house music.  They seem to consistently crank out bangers after bangers, like this wicked track "Flow" which was release about a year ago. And "Control" which is off their latest EP entitled "The Face".  HOW DID I MISS THIS???!! Any how, I'm excited to hear more from these cats as they got my attention now! 





Brotherly duo Disclosure has been on quite a run over the past two years, offering an output of singles and remixes that seemed to get better with each new edition. Now, the pair of young Londoners has issued the first extended document of its production talents,The Face EP, which, across four tracks, proves that songs like recent a-side "Tenderly" and the duo's super-slick Jesse Ware remix were no flukes. Disclosure has found an almost irresistible middle ground between pop-minded club music and house-indebted bass music, and—with this EP as our most substantial indication yet—the duo's flood of quality material appears to be holding steady. More on Discloure....