CD Releases: January 2003 updated:10/12/2003
AIM Stars On 33 CD/2x12"
(Fat City)
File Under: Aim / Fat City
FCCD010/VFCCLP010
"For the second year running, the shelves are groaning with hackneyed chill-out compilations. Give them a wide berth and try this beautiful selection of down-tempo obscurities, compiled by hip Cumbrian DJ Andy Turner. It soothes brains jangled by festive stress without recourse to the dread sound of Clannad." The Guardian (UK)
If the Beach Boys made a compilation this is what it would sound like. Stars on 33 somehow manages to capture all the meandering moodiness and stray beauty of the 'Boys finest, minus even a hint of tweeness. What might come as a surprise to Fat City fans or anyone familiar with the more hip-hop edge to both Cold Water Music and Hinterland is the wander across the genres into far less chartered and more melodic territory. Fingathing, Tosca, Jazzy Grooves, Sidewinder, some justifiably self-celebratory Aim classics (Cold Water Music and Phantasm) and King Biscuit Time's I Walk The Earth (featuring vocals from the Beta Band's Steve Mason) with its lyrical layering and general loveliness that lift the whole compilation into something sublime. In fact, Stars on 33 is like one of those rare and beautiful compilations that you get given when you're in love. Enough to warm the cockles of anyone's heart. Oh and if you’re a hate filled monster, it sounds good too
DADHOUSE The Singles List CD
(Dadhouse)
File Under: Mum’s house
DADCD001
Dadhouse have gathered their first 11 releases together for your listening pleasure, and the result is a wickedly good bundle of quality Latin house and funked-up grooves. Taking the field is a selection from their first eleven releases and features tracks by Original Soulboy, Kassai, Gentle Beings, All Good Funk Alliance, karu and Aruanda. An awesome range of superbly produced cuts from this consistently good label. Move aside sonny this is for us old buggers…. oh and music fans…
STRUT SAMPLER ONE Various CD
(Strut)
File Under: Strut
STRUTP031
With three years of quality dance music roots under its belt, the Strut label has now amassed an impressive catalogue spanning styles covering the classic turntable techniques of Grandmaster Flash and the history of funky Lagos Afrobeat to the post-punk Disco Not Disco series and Ashley Beedle and Danny Krivit's DJ influences. This low price label sampler contains some of the highlights from their catalogue and features mixes and edits by Grandmaster Flash, Ashley Beedle, Danny Krivit and Bronx Dogs getting jiggy all over tracks by Orlando Julius & His Afro Sounders, Super 3, Incredible Bongo Band, Plunky & The Oneness Of Juju. As always the packaging is top shelf and the music is accompanied by a full Strut label history.
PHILIPPA
in music(in music)
File Under: Dance / House / in music
INMUSIC002
Stepping up to the decks for the second in music outing is Auckland based DJ Philippa. With her passion for House Music, Philippa has become a regular feature on the Auckland club circuit and is often seen gracing the decks up and down the country.Philippa started DJing about 6 years ago in Wellington and then moved to Auckland in late '97 and soon after started working at BPM Records. She worked there for just over 3 years - at which time she decided to go to Audio Engineering school - the Tai Poutini Polytechnic course put together by MAINZ...so at the moment Philippa is a full-time DJ and audio student, meaning a fairly hectic schedule. Some of her milestones to date - has been voted in as Re:mix magazine's "Best Up and Coming DJ" in 1998, voted in as New Zealand's "Best Up and Coming DJ" in the 2000 b-Net Awards. Mixed a deep house CD for Re:mix magazine at the start of 2000, which has become perhaps Re:mix magazine's most in demand CD ever. Attended the Red Bull Music Academy - was flown to Dublin for this 2 week course in 2000, and...in 2001 began hosting the Friday afternoon Drive on George FM!
In the meantime, aside from school, Philippa has a full DJing schedule around Auckland every weekend and regularly plays in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and New Plymouth alongside many other clubs and parties around Auckland and New Zealand. Somehow with her hectic schedule Philippa managed to select a cracking selection of tracks and mixed them in a manner that allows the music to shine, as we are sure you’ll agree.
Track listing:
- Mattski - Joyful
- Olav Brekke Mathisen - Anstaff I Kommunen
- Cuffy & Leon D - Feel
- Beats Pacific - Blacklands
- DJ Linus - Who Stole The Soul? (The Usual Suspects Mix)
- Freaks - Washing Machine
- Eliga Mayhew & Tony Senghore - Til I Found You
- Stacy Kidd - Love & Happiness
- Derrick Carter - Where U At
- Lawnchair Generals - Diggin’ It Out
- Cuffy & Leon D - Coming Up & Down
- BMF - Deepest Soul (Mr Gone Oaklands Stroke Mix)
- Demarkus Lewis - St Lewis
- Furious Styles - All Nite Long
- Truant - Song of a City (Reset dub
- Alexander East - I Gravitate To You
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LE TIGRE Remix CDEP
(Tilt Records)
File Under: Rock / Le Tigre
TTCD009
A new remix EP takes the transformation of former Bikini Kill singer Kathleen Hanna one step further. After starting setting her feminist lyrics to synthesizers and drum machines in pop songs, first as Julie Ruin, then with Le Tigre now we get to check some others interpretations of her music and feminist message. This EP comprises reinterpretations of six songs from Le Tigre's previous releases by DJs Analog Tara, Swim with the Dolphins, Ham & Cheese on Rye, Reid Speed, Tim Goldsworthy & James Murphy, and Lauren Flax. Jump aboard and check Le Tigre’s vision for a hardcore dance genre infused with radical politics.YEAH YEAH YEAHS Machine CDEP
(Shifty)
File Under: Rock
URA079
"The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have a leg up on their peers thanks to singer Karen O - a giggling goofball and punk-rock sex kitten all wrapped into one." Rolling Stone Magazine
The latest release from the trashy punk band you want to have sex with is incredible. [Throat clearing] Let me apologise for telling you something you've already come to expect. The NYC trio hasn't given us much yet (they've previously released a self-titled EP URA077) but no matter — that's all we needed to be convinced of their awesome power to make the rest of the music world look like weak, mediocre pieces of shit. The new release — a three-song single, two new, one a remix — is just more proof. Let's face it, no one else today is making music as cool and original as that of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Sex goddess, er, I mean lead singer Karen O wraps you around her delicate little porcelain finger the first chance she gets.
DJ Q Music As We Know It CD
(Glasgow Underground)
File Under: DJ Q / Glasgow Underground / House / Dance
GUCD033
DJ Q has never been one to follow the crowd. He cut his first record back in the summer of 1994, internationally renowned spinners like Carl Craig, DJ Pierre, Farley & Heller and Masters at Work had DJ Q's grooves on heavy rotation. Alongside DJ Sneak, Cajmere and a bunch of other crazed Chi-town producers DJ Q was reworking the Seventies with Nineties technology and everyone was tuning in. His first album (Face the Music) followed in August 1997. The fact that it was hailed as one of the albums of the year pleased Flynn. But what was more important was that he could give up his day job fitting suspended ceilings. Since the summer of 2000, Flynn has been working on this latest album for Glasgow Underground. Not content with knocking up a long-player filled with club-head workouts, he hooked up with the players that worked on Face the Music and added a small band of musicians and vocalists from Glasgow's dancefloors. His aim was to create a dance album that delivered something a little bit special. And listening to Music As We Know It it'd be hard pushed to disagree with him. From the incredible mid-tempo funk jam of The Birth of a Beautiful Thing through the percussion-fuelled Latin party of System 600 to the sparkling eighties-styled synths of Just One Hour this is dance music with a real glint in its eye. Things Will Never Change (featuring Tyrone 'Lifetimes' Palmer – refer to Slam) sees the likes of Jungle Wonz and Mr. Fingers dragged through the Millennium and beyond while Your Move delivers a haunting electro theme that makes some of the current 808-infused rhythms sound like Fisher Price music. If you're looking to cool down, dip your ears into Season's End for the ideal sonic sayonara to Ibiza and if you'd rather heat things up, Bitchslapped rips it up in the middle of the dancefloor. Music As We Know It is the diary of a DJ that is in love with dancing, the essence of the party and in complete control of the groove. Don't miss out.
JESSE MALIN The Fine Art Of Self Destruction CD
(Modular Imprint)
File Under: Ryan Adams / Alt Country / Singer Songwriter
MODIM04CD
During his time as the caterwauling frontman with New York punks D Generation, Jesse Malin was obviously plotting a very different course indeed: whereas his previous band dealt in ramalama snottiness, he now sounds like the alt rock spawn of Springsteen and Neil Young. Having spent the best part of the last decade with this lot before experiencing some kind of Damascan conversion, inspired by listening to the likes of Steve Earle, Neil Young and Lou Reed, and falling in with musical soul brother and drinking companion Ryan Adams, the result of which is Jesse's first solo album, The Fine Art of Self Destruction which is produced by his buddy Ryan Adams – the first time Ryan has produced anyone else’s record. The Fine Art Of Self Destruction was recorded, at breakneck speed, in the depths of the New York winter – and that peculiar Manhattan mixture of Times Square dazzle and chilly introspection leaks into every note. Listening to the likes of Queen of the Underworld, Wendy, and the beautifully tearjerking X-Mas, it's almost impossible not to come up with your own storyboard: Battery Park, a grey slush underfoot, Malin fatalistically hurling his pain in the direction of Midtown. If such images suggest the worst kind of gonzoid cliché, it's some token of the talents at work not only that songs entitled Brooklyn and Riding the Subway (!) turn out to be both intimate and affecting, but that Malin and Adams have managed to create a record whose fearless classicism is all part of the point. If you rated Gold, you'll probably love it.
QUIRK Quirk CD
(Modular Imprint)
File Under:
MODIM001CD
After having been unearthed by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassman Flea in their hometown of Congo on the NSW South Coast, Quirk have found a home at the new Modular Imprint label headed by Stephen Pavlovic. Quirk are brothers Rory and Dane Quirk (bass and guitar/vocals respectively) and Sam Peterson (drums) – regular gig goers may recognise Rory from his days as bass player for the John Butler Trio. Since signing to Modular Imprint the band have moved to Sydney, supported Jack Johnson on his national tour throughout July, filled the opening slot for Rocket Science on their east coast September tour, played shows with Bodyjar and Gerling, and secured the much sought after national support with the Red Hot Chili Peppers both in Aus and here in New Zealand. Their debut 10-track release entitled 5 Trowels is Guitar-centric, and with a solid rhythmic emphasis, this impressive debut album was self-produced, recorded and mixed. After their support for RHCP and other high profile gigs/tours, Quirk is a local Australian band to watch.
23 SKIDOO Just Like Everybody Pt 2 CD
(Ronin Records)
File Under: 23 Skidoo / Electronic Music / history of music
RDCD08
Originally titled Lost Years this CD features rare, unreleased material from the British underground’s most notorious and influential group and charts their musical journey from pioneering industrial punk funksters to cutting edge breakbeat producers producers / remixers (clients include Ice T, Seal, Da Brat, Stevie Wonder, Deelite, Sade) who also happen to run the UK’s longest running and most respected hip hop label - Ronin Records. Sampled by everyone from Goldie, Chemical Brothers, Future Sound of London to Ice T. An absolute essential for anybody interested in the development of cutting edge British underground music. Class is in session!
IAN POOLEY Excursions CD/2x12"
(Obsessive)
File Under: House / Dance / Ian Pooley
EVSCD35/VEVSLP35
Ian Pooley brings us the latest instalment in Obsessive’s Excursions series and its choc a block full of classics you won’t have in your collection. Hailing from Mainz, near Frankfurt, Germany, Ian Pooley, alongside other nu school German artists such as Mousse T and partner in crime, DJ Tonka, has been swapping the traditional hard trance/techno sounds typical of some German clubs for the funky and sublime sounds imported from America, to great affects. Pooley has been bridging the gap between techno and house, creating superb tracks such as the massive Celtic Cross and Chord Memory on the Force Inc. label, as well as recording more housier and disco orientated workouts for labels such as John Acquaviva's Definitive Records, Effective Records and NRK. Ian has also remixed for Daft Punk, The Cardigans, The Beloved, Green Velvet and many more. By refusing to pigeonhole his sound, Pooley records have graced the record boxes of DJs as diverse as Dave Clarke, Justin Robertson, Dave Angel, Judge Jules, Soane and Terry Farley. Most recently, Ian has recorded two albums for the V2 Music Group; Meridian was a classic Pooley album, choc full of tech-house delights. Ian released his second LP for V2 Since Then saw Ian move in a more housier, latin direction. Since then (forgive the pun) Ian Pooley helped NRK celebrate their 50th release with his 3rd single for the label, as well as the nite:life mix CD he did for the label in 2001 and the highlight for us down under last year must be the massive Piha single he recorded with Dick Majik Johnson for NRK offshoot Honchos Music. Now in 2003, whilst Ian’s sunning himself on our beaches we present you with Excursions, his first mix CD since the acclaimed NRK Nite:Life. Excursions is pumped full of classics and exhibits all the hallmarks of his Dj’ing sound. With tracks such as Frankie Knuckles pres Satoshi Tomiie Tears, Maurizio’s Dominas (Carl Craig mix), Ron Trent & Chez Damier’s 54 included alongside cuts from Paradox, Sueno Latino, Bernard Badie, Cloud 9 and Mandy Smith. The perfect momento to remind oneself of Ian’s recent New Year and Robodisco gigs and a damn fine listen to boot. Recommended.
THE WILD BUNCH Various CD/2x12"
(Strut)
File Under: Massive Attack / Strut / Funk/ Soul / Hip Hip / DJ Roots
STRUTCD019/VSTRUTLP019
Strut present the full story of the rise of one of the great UK dance music success stories, the Wild Bunch DJ crew from Bristol, members of which went on to enjoy worldwide success as Massive Attack with their massive selling Blue Lines, Protection and Mezzanine albums. In the early '80s the three original members; Miles Johnson (DJ Milo), Grant Marshall (Daddy G not NZ’s Sony Music version) and Nellee Hooper formed the Wild Bunch, one of the earliest and most successful sound system / DJ collectives to arrive on the U.K. music scene. After DJ-ing every week at the Dug Out, the Wild Bunch attracted further crew members including Robert del Naja (MC 3D), Claude Williams (Willee Wee), Andrew Vowles (DJ Mushroom) and Tricky. They earned a reputation for their laconic delivery and groundbreaking, seamless integration of a wide range of musical styles from early hip hop, breaks to reggae, US soul, funk and R&B. Attracting huge crowds at their underground jams their creative take on DJ-ing and MC-ing helped form a blueprint for 'The Bristol Sound' that influenced many including Portishead and, through Nellee Hooper, Soul II Soul's subsequent recordings. For the first time, this album tells the story of the Wild Bunch from their formation to their legendary nights at Bristol's Dug-Out club and their earliest recordings. Featuring an exclusive turntable selection from the crew's inspirational musical force DJ Milo featuring snippets from archive Wild Bunch tapes. A top class selection and release, as one would expect from Strut. Highly recommended.
ZODIAC RECORDS SAMPLER 1964-72 Various CD
(Ascension / Zodiac)
File Under: Zodiac Records
ANCD034
The latest release mined from the vaults of the Zodiac Records archive, which, for the uninitiated was New Zealand's finest label from the late 50's to the early 70's. This compilation starts from the beat boom of Ray Columbus & The Invaders & The Merseymen and ends with acid tinged psych and prog rock of the likes of The Hi-Revving Tongues and Space Farm, respectively. All tracks are from the original master tapes. Thirty one tracks, featuring tracks from all six previous CD releases from the Zodiac label releases on Ascension by The La De Da's, The Pleazers, Ray Columbus & The Invaders, The Underdogs, The Hi-Revving Tongues & Space Farm, along with tracks seeing their first release on CD by The Merseymen, Soul Agents, The Layabouts, The Gremlins, The La De Da's, The Troubled Mind and Sandy Edmonds backed by the Pleazers. This release is a good taster for those wanting to get a on the train but don't know where to start, and for those already on the train, there's a few tasty sides you need anyways - so dig in! 31 tracks -- almost 80 minutes long, nine tracks on CD for the first time (at least legally!).
in music releases are available at all good record stores nation-wide