Monday, May 31, 2010

Comedian is new mayor of Reykjavik

Watch his campaign song here, set to Tina Turner's Simply the Best (w subtitles). It's pretty funny.
From the BBC News.. "Key pledges included “sustainable transparency”, free towels at all swimming pools and a new polar bear for the city zoo. The party also called for a Disneyland at the airport and a “drug-free parliament” by 2020.”

Simonsound ringtones - synth bleeps galore


"To celebrate the release of their debut album 'Reverse Engineering', The Simonsound have created a set of free ringtones using the EMS Synthi VCS3.Get the sound of cosmic 60’s electronic music on 
your modern telecommunications device! Every time your phone rings 
you’ll be transported into space aboard a rocketship of the future."

The Simonsound's debut album is due to drop any day now - I wrote about them a while back. They've released a bunch of free bleepy synth ringtones in m4r versions for iPhone (just drop them into iTunes and on your next sync they will be added to your ringtone selection) and mp3 versions for most other types of phone. Its a 20mb ZIP file, grab it here.



Sunday, May 30, 2010

RIP Dennis Hopper


Read this great remembrance of Hopper from his biographer, who started on Hopper's official biography twice, then had to face Hopper scrapping it. See "An uneasy ride with Hopper", LA Times.

 "... [1985] was the year I began to notice a ghostly figure nervously hovering at Westside art openings. It was difficult to recognize the manic performer I'd admired in Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" and Wim Wenders' "The American Friend." That outrageous hipster of "Easy Rider"? Nowhere to be found in this anxious loser.

I soon discovered that the gallery crasher was Hopper, that he'd fled his Taos, N.M., home of more than a decade, attended a minimum of three Alcoholics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous meetings a day, and narrowly escaped being institutionalized while straitjacketed in a psychiatric ward. And he was broke — at that time, Hollywood considered him unemployable.

Seemed like a potential story for my then-employer, the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner daily newspaper.

Upon visiting Hopper for that story: "Uh, like, man, sorry, you gotta come in through the garage." His limp handshake trembled. His paranoid eyes avoided mine. A washer and dryer stood at the foot of the stairs to his Venice studio. Hopper stooped to ponder the dryer's crammed contents. "Know anything about these things?"

"Not much." I felt his laundry: wet. "Check the lint trap?"

"Lint trap? What's a lint trap?"

"It allows hot air to circulate." The lint trap wouldn't budge. I pried at its edge with my keys until the trap cracked loose. I scraped out the crusted lint.

"Wow, man," Hopper gasped. "Thanks so much, man."

Thus began a tortured, 10-year relationship. My resulting Herald story about a rehabilitated Dennis Hopper was reprinted globally, perhaps because of the wild and crazy quotes: "I didn't consider myself an alcoholic, I just drank all day long.... It wasn't my liver, my kidneys and all that stuff that went. It was my mind."

New York Magazine interviewed Hopper recently: "...once for his role in 2008's Elegy and again last September about his second career as a photographer."

Hopper was a great actor and director, but also a photographer and artist. He knew a lot of young artists before they became famous, taking their photos... and buying their art. His multi-million dollar art collection, is housed in a magnificent fortress-like Frank Gehry-designed house in the Los Angeles suburb of Venice. I recall seeing photos of it once in a magazine, it was a spectacular collection.

Hopper: " I really started taking photographs of artists. They wanted me to take photographs. They wanted posters and things. I was hanging out with them. I photographed the ones I thought were going to make it. I wasn't really working as an actor during this period, and I thought, Well, if I'm not going to be able to work as an actor, I might as well be able make something that's going to be credible. So I took photographs of Martin Luther King and Selma, Montgomery, as history, and selecting artists that I thought would make it. I met most of the Pop artists before they ever had shows." From New York Magazine.

See Vanity Fair - Dennis Hopper's Photos, and Hopper in Alabama, 1965, photographing Martin Luther King Jr.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Ring The Alarm playlist, BaseFM, 29 May

Elliot Fisher - For the love of money
Sharon Jones and the Dapkings - Money
Manu Dibango - The panther
Chakachas - Jungle fever
JC Brooks and the uptown sound - I am trying to break your heart
Pavlov and Mishkin - Brothers
Centry meets the music family - Testament
Cocoa Tea, Home T, Shabba Ranks - Pirates anthem
Pat Rhoden - Living for the city
E's E - Scratch's skank pt 1
Mophono's halftone society - Bumps
Mr Chop and CL Smooth - TROY
Red dynasty feat Daemang - Wandering heroes
Pointer sisters - Theres love in them there hills
Hugh Masekela - Dont go lose it baby
Gil Scott Heron - New York is killing me
Sola rosa - Love alone dub mix
Jah warrior  - Voice of the spirit dubwise
Foxy Brown - Fast car
Viceroys - Let him go
Centry - Melody of life
Manasseh - Western world version
Lee Scratch Perry - Lucy charm
Bigga Bush - East Africa dub stylee
Crab Corporation meets King Hammond - Bring down the birds
Roots Manuva - Again and again -  Moody Boyz remix
Knights of the dub table - Sing it to me - Optymus Grime remix

Friday, May 28, 2010

Remix the Black Seeds

King Britt Remix Contest - featuring Bassnectar, The Disco Biscuits, King Britt, and The Black Seeds

Got sent this earlier today, have a look...

"URB.com and MixMatchMusic have teamed up with Camp Bisco 9 for their Second Annual Remix Contest. This year will feature four different artists and songs to remix. The contest started May 19th with tracks from event hosts The Disco Biscuits, omnitempo maximalist Bassnectar, electronica pioneer King Britt , and New Zealand soul reggae stars The Black Seeds. One grand-prize winner will be awarded a one-hour set on the stage of this year's Camp Bisco!

Details here... there's already a few remixes of the Black Seeds up there too, have a listen... (looks like its for US residents only, but you might still be able to grab the stems...)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Patti Smith's words of advice for young people

Patti Smith got an honorary degree at Pratt last week, and her speech at Radio City Music Hall to the graduating students is on YouTube. It's amusing and endearing. Transcript is here also.



From Dangerous Minds. Great blog, go check their posts on Blondie's Auto American album, or Johnny Rotten's famous Capital Radio guest DJ slot back in 1977. And hat tip to legendary photographer Glen E Friedman for mentioning the Patti vid on Twitter.

Bring U Producers showcase

“Bring U - Producer Showcase” featuring Adi Dick, Lord Jackson, Christoph El' Truento, Miso Shiru, Enovator, Morning Steppa & DJ Set from Dan Paine is happening this Friday night.

"Attention Vocalists, MC's, & beat makers. Meet the future "go to" producers of NZ music, performing live samples of their work."

For now download a free compilation from babystepsmusic.net, available during NZ Music Month only.
Gig is from 9pm, at Rakinos, 35 High st, Auckland.  $10 on the door.

Geezers


Here's a couple of well-tasty podcasts for ya...

Gilles Peterson mixes up his new comp Havana Cultura Remixed, here.

And Geezer Guy serves up his radio show, The Greatest Show on Earth, here, on the Conch blog.

 Above pic from Gilles' blog, on his last NZ adventure. Also worth a gander... likely looking bunch, aye...

National Recording Studios Open Day


Happening on May 29. Lotsa studios, open across the country. Event co-ordinated by NZ Musician magazine. Nice one.

"Saturday May 29 will see a fresh addition to the annual NZ Music Month calendar with the first national Recording Studios Open Day.

Between midday and 4pm, a variety of professional studios around the country will open their front doors to anyone interested in taking a look inside. Owners, engineers and staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the studio and the recording, mixing and record mastering processes.

The afternoon provides a rare opportunity for musicians, artist managers, music students (and those expected to fund new recordings) to find out more about local studio facilities, as well as the distinct audio quality benefits of recording in a professional environment.

Participating studios range from the high-end and long established likes of York Street and Stebbing Recording Centre in Auckland, to Palmerston North’s vibrant and incredibly low-cost community facility known as The Stomach. Entry is free and each studio (Stebbing visitors will need to pre-registration online) will offer its own programme of information and entertainment.


Studios participating in the first national Recording Studios Open Day, 
Saturday May 29, midday to 4pm:

York Street, Parnell Auckland www.yorkstreet.co.nz   or ph (09) 307 1444
Earwig Studios, Birkenhead Auckland: www.earwigstudios.co.nz or ph (09) 480 2219
Depot Sound, Devonport Auckland: www.depotsound.co.nz  or ph (09) 963 2331
Stebbing Recording Centre, Herne Bay Auckland www.stebbing.co.nz    or openday@stebbing.co.nz

The Colour Field, Tauranga: email: info@fragilecolours.com or ph 027 667 3737
The Stomach, Palmerston North: www.creativesounds.org.nz  or ph (06) 359 0120
TMV Studios, Levin: www.tmv.co.nz  or ph (06) 368 3655
STL Audio, Victoria St, Wellington: www. stlaudio.co.nz  or ph (04) 801 5602
PAF - Villa Number 9, Porirua: www.paf.co.nz or ph 027 454 8523
Tandem Studios, Christchurch: www.tandemstudios.co.nz   or ph (03) 366 7281

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Radio royalty rate finally settled

Just spied this on NZ Musician's website. The radio industry and music industry have been battling over radio royalty rates for some time - in the latest Real Groove magazine, IMNZ's Mark Kneebone suggested that the reason a proper review on NZ on Air had been held up was because of this  - see this interview transcript. The court case apparently wrapped up in October last year.

Now, NZ Musican reports that "Five years after negotiations began and almost a year after court hearings, the Copyright Tribunal has finally delivered its decision on a new radio broadcast royalty rate. The Tribunal has settled for a revised license fee of 3% (of annual gross station advertising revenue) predictably finding a middle path between the previous 1.75% and Phonographic Performances of NZ’s petition that the rate (payable by each commercial radio station to PPNZ) should be increased to 6%.

It was June 2009 when the Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA – representing the two respondents Radioworks and The Radio Network) and PPNZ squared off in an Auckland court in front of the three-member Copyright Tribunal to argue PPNZ’s proposed threefold hike of the radio play royalty rate. (For a full background read NZM’s April/May 2009 article ‘Debating The Value of Music’).

The Copyright Tribunal decision delivered on May 19th is for a revised 2.6% rate for 12 months from November 1st 2007 (when the previous license agreement expired), expanding to 3% for the remaining four years of a new five year term – which, allowing for the legal delays to date, will take the new license rate through until the end of June, 2014. The Tribunal decision also alters the existing broadcast royalty rate in regard to agency commissions and the simulcast royalty base and rate.

Mulatu in Melbourne: review


"My insurmountable enthusiasm about not missing out on this show meant that we actually ended up with front row tickets pretty much right in front of Mualtu. Usually I'm not keen on the first few rows, the sound is rarely at its best, the view can often be similarly restricted and there's a ton of other reasons it's best left to rabid devotees and those who want to be close.

"In this case the sound was absolutely fine, and the experience of being so close to the action and being able to see musicians expressions and the minutiae was absorbing. Hearing Mulatu hum as he played the vibes, or seeing him slightly sticking his tongue out on the tricky bits was priceless, so were the occasional looks and chats exchanged by the band members as they nailed it time and time again."

Stinky Jim flew to Melbourne recently to catch Mulatu playing live, with local band  The Black Jesus Experience backing him. Read his review here. It's a corker.

By the looks of the gig dates on the Black Jesus Experience's Myspace, they're backing Mulatu again on his return to Australia in early October. Tempting, huh?

Photo from the Black Jesus Experience's Myspace

Todd Terje on the edit


A handful of gems from Norwegian edit master Todd Terje aka Tangoterje (Myspace)... enjoy

Fatback Band - Street Dance (Todd Terje rekutt) 

Moodymann - Lake shore drive (Todd Terje rekutt) 

Astrud Gilberto - Supreme Records, Black Magic (Tangoterje Edit) 

Rolling Stones - Under my dub (Todd Terje version)

Afro Cuban Band - something’s gotta give (Todd Terje edit)

Antena - Camino Del Sol (Todd Terje Remix)

 Love The One You’re With (Todd Terje Edit) - The Supremes - not Diana Ross as listed - see here for more

Chic - My Forbidden Lover (Tangoterje Re-Edit) May or may not be a Tangoterje edit... see the blog link for more.

Michael Jackson - Can't Help It (Tangoterje Remix) Youtube clip for audio

If you like any of these tunes, please support the artist and buy them - digital (Juno Download) or vinyl (Conch / Fat City / Piccadilly). Cheers.

Now, can someone get Todd Terje down here for a gig? Maybe guesting at the Turnaround? That would be MEAN!

Image from Terje's Myspace.


ADDED thanks to Bob Daktari for the tip...
Adam and the Ants  - Ant rap (Todd Terje rekutt)
and M- Pop Muzik (Todd Terje remix)

Beasties open Moogseum

"The Beastie Boys were on hand to cut the ribbon on the MiniMoogseum, an eight foot high showcase dedicated to the life an work of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog.Check out an artist’s conceptualization of what the ultimate Moogseum should look like when finally completed in Asheville, NC in 2012." From Crate Kings.



Dawn Raid swing US label bidding war

from Dawnraid.co.nz...

"Dawn Raid Music is back at the boardroom table in the United States with 3 prominent Hip Hop labels negotiating to sign an exclusive distribution deal for the Iconic NZ Hip Hop label.
Labels that have deals on the table included legendary New York label E1 / Koch ( Jim Jones / DJ Unk / Dorrough), SMC / FONTANA ( Murs/9th Wonder / Killer Mike / Capone N Norega / Rakim ) & Asylm ( Dipset / Lil Boosie / Rap-A-Lot).

The exclusive deal includes the rights to new records from Platinum US artist "SAVAGE" and multi talented Long Beach mainstay "MONSTA" of the The Regime.

Stay tuned to see where Dawn Raid''s next US label home will be....Label Announcement coming within next 2 weeks... Here we go again!"

Spotted via Twitter, hat tip to P-Money.

Monday, May 24, 2010

New Hypnotic Brass


New Hypnotic Brass Ensemble tunes - 5 song EP out on Choicecuts... "Chicago's Hypnotic Brass Ensemble recorded these five scorching reworks of tracks by Fela Kuti, Madlib, Jay-Z, Art Of Noise, Outkast and MF Doom."

Check out the Outkast cover here. Hat tip: Different Kitchen

Preview of audio snippets of the entire ep at Soundcloud here. And Choicecuts have a Steinski mix for free download too.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Dub Dub Dub


 Item one: Hugh Masekela - Dont go lose it baby (dub mix), wicked tune!

Item two: Kode9 and Spaceape covering Prince - Sign of the times...  slowed down and twisted outta shape - mad!

All about Theo


Theo Parrish has produced some incredible music-  here's a handful of his mighty fine re-edits. The Willie Hutch one is fantastic.

Willie Hutch - Slick (Theo Parrish edit) via American Athlete

Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes - The love I lost (Theo Parrish ugly edit) via Longo

The Dells  - Get on down (Theo Parrish edit)

Minnie Ripperton - Stick together (Theo Parrish edit)  

Sun Ra - Saga of resistance (Theo Parrish remix)

and one from Theo... Falling up  - Theo Parrish  (Carl Craig remix).

Enjoy.

Ring The Alarm playlist, May22

Lee Fields -Honey Dove
Brentford allstars - Greedy G
Richie Phoe feat Tippa Irie - Eyes on the prize
Gregory Issacs - All I have is love
Revolutionaries - Kunta Kinte (DJ Kentaro remix)
Horace Andy - Ital vital (Different drummer soundsystem remix)
Dennis Bovell - None jah jah children (melodica version)
Born Jamericans  -Yardcore
Jahdan Blakkamore - She said
Aural exciters - Spooks in space
Patea Maori Club - Poi-e
King Sunny Ade - Synchro system
The last electro-acoustic space jazz and percussion ensemble - Mystic voyage (for Roy Ayers)
Chuck Womack and the sweet souls - Hamhocks and beans (Quantic remix)
The Simonsound - Tour de mars
Krafty kuts and Dr Luke - Come alive
Kion and Murda - No 1 sound feat Junior Murvin
Ruts DC - Whatever we do (RSD remix)
Pitch black - 100 mile drift (International observer remix)
Jorge Ben - Umbabarauma
Joy Denalane - Change
Celestial choir - Stand by the word
Majestik legend - In and out
Bill Withers - Harlem (Eamon Harkin edit)
Bonobo - The keeper
Original Tropicana steel band  - Spanish hustle (Kon 12" re-edit)

Friday, May 21, 2010

Flying Lotus live with a band

At his recent album launch in LA, Flying Lotus turned up with a full live band. Dude is making mad jazz. Hat tip to Potholes in my blog.


Free local beats


Check out Hip Drop, local beats from the likes of Truent, Mara TK, Alphabethead, and that killer remix of the Mint Chicks - Crazy yes, dumb no  by Scratch 22. Go have a listen.

oh, yeah and this: Yo La Tengo remixed by Pete Rock. Woah. Listen here, or here.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Re-press

This Friday night from 5pm til late, check out a handful of AK's finest scribes retreating from their desks and taking to the turntables. Scott Kara, Liam Dann and Alan Perrott, - journalists at the esteemed NZ Herald - reveal their one true love, vinyl. Down in the Banquo Bar under the Shakespeare Tavern on Albert St. And it's free. Choice.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Brewing up a storm part 2

Late today the guilty party appeared on my blog and posted the following comment...

"Hey all, Stinky Jim's Head Brewer here. Just to set the record straight, we've never brewed a batch of beer in our life. In fact I'm more of a whiskey chap in all honesty. Craft beer is going through a resurgence at the moment, and as a result, became the object of this whole thing.

"We never set out to offend or make money from something that wasn't ours. In fact, the name was chosen due to the fact that we thought it would be laughable to actually commercialise a beer with that name. The actual DJ Stinky Jim didn't even factor in the thinking until someone brought it up on Twitter (an unfortunate association, I will concede).

"This whole debacle began as an advertising interns experiment, nothing more, and a great deal has been taken from it by us, and I'm sure by anyone with an interest in social media."


I have no way of knowing if this is genuine or not. It's anonymous too. While I'm glad whoever did this owned up, the fact that they thought it "would be laughable to actually commercialise a beer with that name" shows they didn't bother to check the name on Google first. "The actual DJ Stinky Jim didn't even factor in the thinking until someone brought it up on Twitter (an unfortunate association, I will concede)" - again, two seconds on Google would have saved them from creating this mess.

So, they concede it was an unfortunate association. Now apologise to Stinky Jim. That's the decent thing to do. 

It's worth having a read of some of the other comments on the original post, very amusing.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Stinky Jim Brewing up a storm

 Late yesterday I saw something odd pop up on Twitter  - a retweet of a new arrival on Twitter, called Stinky Jim's Brewing (@StinkyJimsBrew). It read "Here we are world! Watch this space, cause we're going to throw Hops at you, and although it will be slightly annoying, you'll love it."

Their Twitter bio reads as...

Stinky Jim is one of Auckland's most respected DJs, having treated listeners to his Stinky Grooves show on Radio 95BFM for about 20 years now, even educating a younger generation of BFM DJs as they came thru the ranks. Hes also the man behind Round Trip Mars Records (SJD, Naked and Famous, James Duncan) and makes music as part of Phase 5 and Unitone Hifi.

In short, he has built an impeccable reputation as purveyor of the best in stonkingly good tunes. His legendary radio show is a testament to that. I've had the pleasure of knowing Jim for nearly 20 years, having first crossed paths via BFM and Planet magazine  - he interviewed my band Hallelujah Picassos for Planet, it was a very mad interview. I've still got it somewhere.



The person who retweeted/reposted the above comment from Stinky Jims Brewing was Charlotte Ryan from 95BFM's Morning Glory show. She told me she had done so as she assumed that they had something to do with Stinky Jim. I emailed Jim to ask him. The answer was an emphatic no. Jim was very unhappy at having his name borrowed like this.

I tried to find out more today about what rights Jim had as far as protecting his name from this type of theft, via Twitter. One person pointed out to me that "That's not how trademarks work. Different industries can have the same marks. It's not theft, and it's not illegal." While it is morally wrong to take someone's name/brand, it may not be illegal to do so. I also had a lawyer offer to help out Jim for free, which was most kind.Twitter isn't just noise.

Someone then pointed out that their avatar using an image of rapper Savage was stolen too: "the Savage-cradling-kitten image was made by Tommy Ill - it looks like @StinkyJimBrew took that w/o asking".

Then, at approx 4.45pm this afternoon, Stinky Jim's Brewing posted these messages to Twitter...

"Alas, we have been found out. Stinky Jim's Brewing Co was a social media experiment to test the effectiveness of social media in creating..."
" ..a buzz for a new company. No money has changed hands, no one has profited from the use of a name or image. But we are impressed with the.."
"...tenacity with which you defended the use of the images/names. Happy Tweeting, Twits!"

 


This provoked a number of responses - mine was " wow, @StinkyJimBrew messed with someone's reputation for an experiment. Get the fuck outta here."
and then  "We got punked by @StinkyJimBrew - yeah nah. not funny."

Simon Grigg wrote to me via Tiwtter "is @StinkyJimBrew serious? That is dorkish behaviour at the most dorkish."
And Kirk Harding responded with "whoever is behind the @StinkyJimBrew prank/social experiment/bullshit is extremely idiotic. Cheap thrills?" 


Over the past two days, the Social Media Junction conference has been running in Auckland at Skycity Convention Centre. It may be possible that this experiment/prank/hoax is in some way connected with that conference - I hope not. As Andy Beal, one of the speakers said "Don't fake it; you get found out." 

Or it maybe right now some "social media expert" is working away in a cutting-edge ad agency or marketing company on a Power Point presentation on how to create a buzz for your company, with this stunning example of bullshit as his/her illustration of success.

The Twitter account for Stinky Jim's Brewing was deleted early this evening.

Someone out there knows who did this. Know anything? Hit me up via email. The address is at the top right of this blog. Thanks.



This image below is from Google cache, before they deleted the photo collage stolen from Tommy Ill, featuring Savage - it's hard to see, but Savage is on front of a kid on a swing, saying "let me see your kid swing".

Mophono back again


I've been hanging out for some new beats from Mophono, (aka San Francisco's DJ Centipede) after copping his mad, mad remix of that Axelrod jam The Edge a while back (the one Dr Dre sampled for Next Episode). He's giving away a promo mixtape called Thug Jazz Vol1 here,  in support of Mophono's Halftone Society's "Sinicism EP" out on 12" vinyl/digital on Bastard Jazz Recordings now. Mean.

Mixtape Riot has as tune off the ep for you over here, if you want a taster.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Ben Howe on Flying Nun

Today's Blog on the Tracks blog features a guest post from Arch Hill Records boss Ben Howe. He talks about the evolution of the label, following the demise of Flying Nun as an active independent  label. He also touches on the controversy surrounding his involvement and his subsequent snubbing by Roger Shepherd over the revived Flying Nun (background on that proposed deal here)

Howe writes: "One disappointment of the last couple of years was Roger Shepherd in relation to the Flying Nun deal. A partial version of the story is here. It should be noted, however, that despite his saying in this article he would pay back money I invested in the project, this still hasn't happened.

However, the upside of the Flying Nun situation is it has given me the chance to rethink Arch Hill. For the last couple of years I have been running things assuming that I would be a partner in the new Flying Nun. It had been discussed that Arch Hill would become a more domestically focused label for more established artists like Don McGlashan, David Kilgour and others. Flying Nun could focus on reviving the back catalogue as well as emerging artists with international potential. It would be complementary.

This was by no means a fixed thing, but for the two years of Flying Nun negotiations I had been thinking along these lines.

So, more recently, it's been good to rethink that game plan. It means I can also start working with more "up and coming" bands like Surf City, Street Chant and Family Cactus..."

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Ring The Alarm playlist, BaseFM, May 15

Timmy Thomas -Why can't we live together? (Shoes dub mix)
Sugar Minott - Nice it up
Richie Phoe - Ital food
Roots radics - Patrolling
Skatalites - Addis ababa
Nas and Damian Marley - Land of promise
Hypnotic brass ensemble - Balliki bone
Ariya astrobeat arkestra - Crosstown traffic
Manu Dibango - Africadelic
Myron and E with the Soul Investigators - It's a shame
Flaming souls - Mosquito
Mos dub  - Travelling underground
The soul fantastics - Aint no sunshine
Ragga twins - Spliffhead (original)
Fulgeance - Sour socca
Lightning head - NPG
Jorge Ben - Umbabarauma
Mayer Hawthorne - The ills
Sharon Jones and the Dapkings - Better things
Gil Scott Heron - Lady Day and John Coltrane
The Staples - Sweeter than sweet
Don Armando's 2nd ave rumba - I'm an Indian too (Pilooski edit)
Ruts DC - Love and fire (Dreadzone remix)
RSD - Forward youth
Borther culture - Warning
Lovejoys - It aint easy
King everand - Kill ol pan
Noel Ellis - Rocking universally
Jay-Z at studio One - Dirt off your shoulder

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Oddisee - Odd Spring


Producer Oddisee drops the final installment in his collection of EPs based around the seasons., Ok, so they're synced to the Northern hemispehere, but that doesnt make them any less dope. Download it for free here - he also plans to release em all as a box set on vinyl too.

You can download the previous EPs over here, check the excellent Put me On It blog.

Mr Chop and CL Smooth


Mr Chop released a wicked album recently, called For Pete's Sake, a bunch of tunes by Pete Rock reworked - now Cl Smooth has got in on the act, free mp3 for you via the good folk at Stonesthrow....

"Last year, Mr. Chop – a producer and multi-instrumentalist behind several Now-Again recordings and DOOM's Born Like This – released For Pete's Sake, an album made up entirely of psych, funk, jazz and rock covers of Pete Rock’s greatest beats. The backing tracks for the new versions with CL Smooth's are different than those on the Pete’s Sake album, and feature The Heliocentrics’ Malcolm Catto on drums."


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Ring The Alarm playlist, May 8

Lennie Hibbert - Real hot
Various - Got to be at that party
Jah Batta - Informa
Augustus Pablo - Cassava piece
Admiral Tibet - Serious time
Phillis Dillion - Rocksteady
Prof Oz - Waves and Skank remix by Grant Phabao
Mos Dub - History town
Richie Phoe - Eyes on the prize
20th century steel band - Land of a 1000 dances
Sharon Jones and the Dapkings - She aint a child no more
Ray Charles vs Beatsy Collins - I got a woman
Manu Dibango  -The panther
Menahan st band - Karina
Aloe Blacc - I need a dollar Inst
Bonobo  -Eyes down
Jorge Ben Jor -Take it easy my brother Charles (playing live at the Powerstation, May 22)
Johnny Hammond Smith - Shifting gears
Ariya astrobeat arkestra - Crosstown traffic
Cesaria Evora - Angola (Pepe Bradock Get Down Dub)
Suizen - Cartesian space 2D Mix
Adi Dick - The message (dub edit)
Born jamericans - Yardcore
Yami Bolo - When a man's in love
Big youth - Jim screechy (Smith and Mighty remix)
Glen Brown - Wicked tumbling version
King Tubby - A heavy dub
Rhythm and sound feat Sugar Minott - Let jah love come
Prince Fari - The right way
Patti Jo - Make me believe in you (Ashley Beedle/Phil Asher re-edit)

Friday, May 07, 2010

Smash the Jukebox - this saturday night!


'Smash the Jukebox' is a celebration of all things New Zealand Music, Past and Present. A chance for everyone to come together and celebrate the history behind the Music and Give back to a Valuable Charity at the same time.  This event will be something special!! A Fundraiser for 'Ronald McDonald House' Auckland. Kick ass right!?

The event will host DJs and Live Music all of whom will be playing solely NZ tunes, past and present, originals and covers. The line-up pulls together some of New Zealand's most influential industry characters and lets them run wild, playing the music that influenced them. From music heads to industry changers, musicians and tadio / TV personalities. Smash the Jukebox has them all in one place celebrating music and supporting a great cause. Entry by donation.


the lineup...

Live Performances by:
- Bannerman /  Flip Grater /  Josephine Costain

DJ Sets from:
- Andrew Buckton - Studio 203 / Best Engineer 09
- Troy Ferguson - 95bfm "The Rock n Roll Wire"
- Peter McLennan - Dub Asylum, Base FM, Kiwi FM
- Andrew Manning - 95bfm "Freak the sheep"
- Murray Cammick - Founder of Rip it Up, Southside and Wildside Records
- Amplifier.co.nz sound system - Simon Woods and Richie Setford
- Trevor Reekie - Pagan Records, RNZ
- Wammo - Kiwi FM breakfast
- Dan Wrightson - Juice TV
- Ben Howe - Arch Hill Recordings
- Mathew Bosher - Decortica
- Damian Vaughn - IMNZ
+ More To Be Announced!

 
Running order...
Windsor Castle

7 - Dan Wrightson
730 - Damian Vaughn
8 - Wammo (KiwiFm)
830 - Andrew Buckton
9 - Troy Ferguson (RockNRoll Wire, BFM)
930 - Trevor Reekie
10 - Mathew Bosher
1030 - UTR.co.nz

Juice bar
7 - Ampifier sound system
8 - Josephine Costain live
845 - Andrew Manning
930 - Flip Grater live
1015 - Ben Howe
11 - Bannerman live
1145 - Peter McLennan
1230 - Murray Cammick

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Flashback: World Series, St James theatre, 2002...

The Feb/March issue of NZ Musician features an excellent article looking at the recent review of NZ On Air's offshore funding for bands, called Phase 5. NZ On Air had asked former head of EMI, Chris Caddick, to review this scheme and report back. That report is available online here.The shocker is that Caddick reccomends dropping all of NZ On Air's offshore commitments to the UK/Europe/US and concentrate mainly on Australia. That's the kind of argument the Chills faced in 1983 when they wanted to go to the UK - "Do what Dragon/Misex did, go to Oz!" Yeah right.

The article also brings to light two local labels who got $500,000 each to set up offshore beach heads. Any ideas on what the outcomes have been for that investment to date?

It ties in neatly with the article in the May issue of Real Groove, where former editor Duncan Grieve takes on the thorny issue of NZ On Air's funding commercial criteria, and how that is clearly at odds with the original, non-commercial NZ bands that succeed offshore. Real Groove is also publishing full interview transcripts from the article, like this one with Mark Kneebone and Mint Chick's Ruban Nielson. Both are well worth reading.  (ADDED: Russell Brown blogged on the article today, and also has a pdf of the article here).

I thik Ruban's idea of splitting the current $50,000 album grant into smaller $10,000 grants is an excellent idea, and hopefully, these articles will create some fruitful discussion amongst the movers and shakers in the industry.

Vicki Anderson of The Press weighs in here with a southern perspective - "Of the 56 acts to receive funding in New Zealand on Air's March round, only one (Salmonella Dub) was based in the South Island. That is simply ridiculous. Not meaning to sound "regionalist" or anything (NZ On Air are always accusing me of this) but, by laws of averages alone, there should be more than one. South Islanders pay taxes too..."


I was talking about the issue of album funding from NZ On Air with an industry associate, and we talked about previous music industry initiatives and their outcomes - and we got to talking about the World Series, held at the St James for a bunch of overseas music industry types.
Remember that? It happened back in 2002, and, thanks to Google., I found Judith Tizard's press release on it from the time. Apparently the visitors enjoyed our hospitality extensively.  Now, can you tell me of one single NZ act that got ANYTHING out of that event? Did any of the international opportunities promised in Ms Tizard's headline eventuate? Well, Ms Tizard has the answer to that too...

 She suggests here that the NZ Sounds concert at Central Park the following year happened as a result. If that's the sole outcome, it's a poor return on investment.

A review of World Series - The Big Idea







World Series promises international opportunities for New Zealand music


The World Series showcase of New Zealand music has finished with the promise of international opportunities for local musicians and record labels.
Sixteen leading music industry representatives from Canada, US, UK, Germany and Australia spent the past week watching five showcases of New Zealand music, attending the APRA Silver Scroll Awards and enjoying yachting, sightseeing and America’s Cup activities in a joint government-music industry funded initiative.
Local bands, managers and record companies met the international guests at nightly dinners at the St James Theatre and at several daytime events, such as a three-hour yacht race between NZL40 and NZL41 on the Waitemata Harbour.

“Ralph James from Canada’s The Agency said he and his colleagues go to many such showcases for their work, but that this was the most well-organised they had ever attended,” said Minister for the America’s Cup Trevor Mallard. “He also enthused about the America’s Cup-related daytime activities, especially for the many sailing enthusiasts amongst the group.”

Trevor Mallard said in terms of the business side of the week, he was already aware of plans being made to take New Zealand music offshore. “One of the international guests told me he hopes to stage a showcase of New Zealand music in Canada next year as a result of what he’s seen here.”
Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard said she was delighted with the warm relationships that had formed between the guests and the New Zealand music industry.
“Mark Ashbridge from Festival Mushroom Records says he was thrilled with the business side of the week with regard to his artists and they are already in discussions with several of the guests.
“Ben Howe from Arch Hill Recordings tells me the bands Pine and Fang have got some strong interest as a result of the World Series. They will be following these leads up over the next few months and feel sure they will result in good things.”

Judith Tizard said the World Series also saw the guests sharing their expertise to help develop the New Zealand music industry. “Michael McMartin, director of the Music Managers’ Forum, took time out to meet with New Zealand band managers, share his expertise and offer his help in setting up a New Zealand branch of the Forum.”

Judith Tizard said many of the guests commented on the government’s support for New Zealand music. “They were constantly remarking on what a smart move it was of Prime Minister Helen Clark to invite them here and they couldn’t say enough great things about our support for New Zealand music.

“They also admitted it’s difficult to get them out of their offices to attend a showcase across town, let alone on the other side of the world, so I’m delighted with these early indications of the success of the week, which was well-organised by the project team, Eccles Entertainment and de Launay Enterprises.”

The Ministers thanked the World Series project committee for their excellent work. “Trade New Zealand, Investment NZ, Industry NZ, NZ Music Industry Commission, APRA, NZ On Air put together a great programme, ensured the showcases had top production values, and got people talking to each other. I was impressed with the action at the two gigs I attended and I congratulate the project team,” said Trevor Mallard.

Judith Tizard said the World Series initiative, combined with others such as the NZ Music Industry Commission’s successful delegation to the Midem 2002 trade fair and another delegation next January, will help to develop a thriving export industry.

The Ministers said the World Series follows on from the early November visit to New Zealand by nine British film producers as guests of the NZ Film Commission and Investment New Zealand. Five of those guests are now working with New Zealand producers to co-produce New Zealand feature films.

Both visits were funded from leveraging money allocated to capitalise on the increased attention on New Zealand as a result of the America’s Cup and The Lord of the Rings. The creative sector is one of three key sectors highlighted in the government’s growth and innovation strategy as having strong potential to contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth.

"It's better than a 9 to 5"

The Dudes roadcrew; video from 1979, via Jon Dix.
Hat tip to Simon Grigg.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Smash the jukebox gig - this saturday

I got talked into DJing at this mad night at the Windsor for NZ Music Month. Lineup is insane. Read on...

'Smash the Jukebox' is a celebration of all things New Zealand Music, Past and Present. A chance for everyone to come together and celebrate the History behind the Music and Give back to a valuable charity ('Ronald McDonald House') at the same time.

The event will host DJs and live musicians, all of whom will be playing solely NZ tunes, past and present, originals and covers. The lineup pulls together some of New Zealand's most influential industry characters and lets them run wild, playing the music that influenced them. From Music heads to industry changers, musicians and radio / TV personalities. Smash the Jukebox has them all in one place celebrating music and supporting a great cause.

Live Performances by:
- Bannerman
- Flip Grater- Josephine Costain
DJ Sets from:
- Troy Ferguson - 95bfm "The Rock n Roll Wire"
- Peter McLennan - Dub Asylum, Base FM/KiwiFM
- Andrew Manning - 95bfm "Freak the sheep"
- Murray Cammick - Founder of Rip it Up, Southside and Wildside Records
- Amplifier.co.nz sound system - Mr Editor and Mr Music Manager
- Trevor Reekie - Pagan Records, RNZ
- Wammo - Kiwi FM breakfast
- Dan Wrightson - Juice TV
- Ben Howe - Arch Hill Recordings
- Mathew Bosher - Decortica

Saturday, May 8 from 7pm, at Juice Bar (Windsor Castle). Entry by donation.
144 Parnell Road, Parnell.

Righto.

Did yer ever have the feeling yer being watched?

"Film critic Roger Ebert has posted the screenplay online for his abandoned 1978 Sex Pistols film, Who Killed Bambi?, after it spent over 30 years in the vaults. If the movie had been made, Russ Meyer (who collaborated with Ebert on Beyond the Valley of the Dolls) would have directed, with the recently deceased Malcolm McLaren producing. And since we're fairly sure you're not going to read the entire weird, rambling script yourself, we've selected its ten most unsettling quotes for your easy perusal." Read it here.
Via Flavorwire.

Monday, May 03, 2010

Behold my vid style

Some classic Kiwi hiphop music videos selected by DJ Sirvere from the NZ On Screen archives. Choice buzz. Summer in the winter, Stop drop and roll, Chains, many more. Watch em here. (Random fact: I worked on the Behold My Kool Style video as a production assistant for director Jonathan King, way before he became a famous movie director. )

Gilles P digging in Havana

This clip does my head in. Gilles Peterson digging for records in Havana, strikes gold. Watch out for the June 7th release of Gilles' Havana Cultura Remixed. Hat tip to Crate Kings