Nicole Wray BET interview

Via Big Crown, fascinatinglook into the career of Lady Wray, from starting out with getting signed by Missy Elliot, to working with Rockafella...

"BET caught up with Lady Wray for their Finding series. Here's a chance for Nicole to tell her story in her own words. Many of you may not know the half of it and will surprised to find out how much she has done.

Cole is in the studio right now with Leon Michels working on her next album due out in 2020."

Ring The Alarm playlist, November 9

Patti Jo - Make me believe in you (Black Science Orchestra Re-edit)

Seductive Souls - Dazz feat  Donald McCollum (a Tom Moulton mix)

Soul Mechanik - Wanna get wet  (Greg Wilson re-edit)

Lamont Dozier - Going back to my roots

Jackie Mittoo - El bang bang

Barrington Levy - It's not easy

Linton Kwesi Johnson - Brain smashing dub

Mr Reliable - Lucky dub

Unitone Hifi - Boomshot/son of Boomshot

Eru Dangerspiel - Chilli moules

DLT feat Ryad - Liquid skies

Bob James - Angela (theme from Taxi)

Billie Holiday - Miss Brown to you

Garnett Mimms and the Enchanters - Cry to me

Gladys Knight and the Pips - Heard it thru the grapevine

Marvin Gaye - Stubborn kind of fellow

Syreeta - I love every little thing about you

Carlos Garnett  - Mystery of the ages

Lady Wray - Come on in

The Mighty Mocambos - Concrete stardust

The Traffic - California love

Instant Funk - Merchant

Ring The Alarm playlist, November 2

Spiking - Liberation train
Block 16 - Morning sun (Pepe Bradock remix)
Fat Freddys Drop - Big BW (DJ Vadim remix)
George Duke - Tzania (Suba remix 2)
Mark de Clive Lowe - Heaven (Submariner remix)
Christoph El Truento - Water bearer
Biz Markie - Doo the doo
Johnny Osbourne - Budy bye - (Kenny Dope remix)
Mad Lion - Take it easy
Lightning Head - Me and me princess
Leon Dinero - Lover like me
The Yoots - Me he manu rere
Skatalites - Coconut rock
Dub Asylum - Jumping jack skank
Donnie Elbert - Sweet baby
Freddie Scott  -You got what I need
Jackie Wilson - Somebody up there likes you
The Demures - Raining teardrops
Barbara Lynn - Don't be cruel
The Harlem Gospel Travellers  -Yes he will
Lou Courtney - Skate now
Howard Morrison - Keep on running
Bill Withers - You
Nile Rodgers - Land of the good groove
Prince Charles and the City Beat Band - Cash (cash money)
South Side Coalition - (Dont cha wanna) Get down get down
Bill Campbell - Body beat
Alogte Oho and his Sounds of Joy - Mam yinne wa

Body Beat: Soca​-​Dub and Electronic Calypso (1979​-​98)

Out now on Soundway... groovy electrnic soca bizzo... "Body Beat features 17 obscure soca B-side versions, dubs, instrumentals and edits as well as vocal tracks influenced by disco, boogie, house-music, soul and the more conscious lyrics of roots reggae. Owing as much to New York, Toronto and London as to the Caribbean cities of Port of Spain, Bridgetown and Kingstown - this compilation traces the genre from its explosion in the late 1970s to the period just before contemporary soca became established around the end of the 1990s.

Compiled by Soundway Records label founder Miles Cleret and DJ/collector Jeremy Spellacey, Body Beat, as with many compilations on the label, explores the fringes of this often maligned (by outsiders) genre. Boiled down to the bare bones of the matter though: soca is party music."

Ring The Alarm playlist, October 26

Shango - Shango message
Maxayn - Bail out
Lonnie Givens - The heat is on
Karate Boogaloo - Genius of love
Bobby Byrd - I know you got soul
Ramsey Lewis - Jungle strut
Nathan Haines feat Lyric L - Doot dude
Gil Scott Heron  -The revolution will not be televised (Tahira Abayomy afrobeat version)
Grupo Canalon - La zorra y el perol
Fat Freddys Drop - Hope (1998 version)
New Telepathics - Hope and nonsense
Liquid Crystal Project - Tribute to Dilla
Four Tet - As serious as your life
Erykah Badu - Bag lady (Cheeba sac mix)
Biggabush - Yunaa
Paul St Hilaire - One after one
Little John - Fade away
Cutty Ranks - The stopper
Leon Dinero - Lover like me
The Impressions - Rhythm
Barbara Howard - I don't want your love
Curtis Knight - Fancy meeting you here
The Freedom Affair - Rise up
Lee Fields and the Expressions - Do you love me
Lady Wray - Come on in
Misha Panfilov and Shawn Lee - Mic Wallace
79.5 - Terrorise my heart (Tall Black Guy bounce remix)
Scritti Politti - Wood beez (version)
Cherelle - Artificial heart

Masok's debut offers up future soul bizzo

Via Raw Tapes: "Masok are a Tel Aviv-based future soul band consisting of Jenny Penkin, Nomok, Tal Kohavi and Omri Shani. ‘The Bigger The Risk’ is their debut album, 9 tracks of the most fresh, airy and dreamy soul. A confident debut, the LP shows the band’s love for their contemporary R&B and jazz roots, the perfect musical playground for Jenny Penkin’s soft yet determined voice and thoughtful lyrics.

Accompanying her is Nomok (Liquid Saloon, L.B.T.) who's in charge of production and keys, a sound with characterised by jazz influences, synthesisers and devotion for Stevie Wonder. Tal Kohavi's grooves, tight drums and crispy percussion contribute to the rawness of Masok's music.

Completing the puzzle, Omri Shani, coming from the indie rock scene, brings unique aesthetics and laid-back mentality to his bass lines. The four distilled 10 tracks (no fillers!) of the finest contemporary soul, graceful and catchy melodies on the smoothest groove.

‘The Bigger The Risk’ finds a natural home in Raw Tapes and will be released on November 29th – ‘Right Up Your Alley’ is the first single taken from the LP.

Ring The Alarm playlist, October 19

Al Green - Love and happiness
Nightmares on Wax - The sweetest
Rae & Christian - Ready to roll
Freddy Cruger - The hustle
Sir Frank Karikai and the Polyversal Souls - Odo agye gye me
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 - Kalakuta boy (Reflex edit)
Nomo - Last beat
Myele Manzanza - On the move
Wu Tang Clan - Gravel pit
The Real Roxanne - Roxanne's on a roll (extended version)
Whodini - Escape (I need a break)
Liquid Liquid - Cavern
ESG - Moody
James White and the Blacks - Contort yourself (August Darnell remix)
Gwen Guthrie - Padlock (Larry Levan mix)
The Mighty Mocambos - Concrete stardust
Sharon Jones and the Dapkings - Road of broken hearted men (live )
Speedometer - Soul safari
Betty Harris - Trouble with my lover
Village Crusaders - Akiwawa
Lil Buck and the Top Cats - Monkey in a sack
Labelle - Moon shadow
Aretha Franklin - I am in love (Cutec edit)
Neneh Cherry and The Thing - Dream baby dream (Four Tet remix)

Hannah Williams and the Affirmations new single, album

Great new single that starts out as a mellow soul groover, then blasts off two thirds of the way thru in spectacular fashion.

 Off the forthcoming album from Hannah Williams and the Affirmations, called '50 Foot Woman', produced by Shawn Lee, out on Record Kicks on Oct 18 2019.

"Hannah Williams, the British soul hurricane who sensationally became part of Jay-Z's chart-topping 4:44 album, is primed and ready for her own national and international breakthrough.

Williams turned heads worldwide when the hip-hop superstar sampled her heart-stopping vocals on 'Late Nights & Heartbreak' for the title track, ‘4.44’ on his 2017 album.

Now Hannah and her exemplary, Bristol-based band the Affirmations deliver a definitive career statement with the drop-dead soulful new album 50 Foot Woman which will be released October 18th on the Milan based imprint Record Kicks"

Ring The Alarm playlist, October 12

Charles Wright - That's all that matters baby
Clarence Wheeler and the Enforcers - Hey Jude
Cymande - The message
Cal Tjader - Soul sauce (live)
Cesar's Salad - Manteca
Ray and his Court - Soul freedom
Surrprise Chef - All news is good news
Mauskovic Dance Band - Drinks by the sea
Ronin Arkestra - Lullabies of the lost
Mighty Mocambos - Preaching to the choir
Omar feat Erykah Badu - Be thankful
William Florelle and Bahia - Make it right
Kode9 and Spaceape - Black sun
King Midas Sound - One ting (Dabrye remix)
King Kapisi -Subcranium feeling inst
Alphabethead - Springs got next
Ermehn - Walls of steel
Ladi6 - Burn with me
Dr Tree - Eugino D
Mike Nock - Blackout
Tatou Combo - Femme Antillaises
Silvertones - Tamborito swing
Double Dee and Steinski - Realm of the Jezebel spirit
Tackhead -Ticking timebomb

Surprise Chef album debut

Via College of Knowledge Recs: "All News Is Good News is the title track from the debut album from Melbourne instrumental soul group Surprise Chef.

Drawing on influences from David Axelrod, the tune encapsulates Surprise Chef’s distinct fusion of dramatic film-esque arrangement and heavy jazz-funk rhythm section playing, moving coolly through cinematic shades of light and dark - delving into moments dissonance and positivity.

Recorded live to tape over a handful of sessions in the band’s home studio in Melbourne’s inner-northern suburb of Coburg, the upcoming album traverses the group’s unconventional jazz-funk sound.

Whilst the band comprises of four key members, the album features multiple guest instrumentalists on flute, saxophone, congas and assorted percussion, with vibraphone featuring heavily of the title track.

The album is the first full-length release from the College Of Knowledge Records imprint, following the label’s three 7” releases from Melbourne left- field funk/soul bands Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo and The Pro-Teens."

Out Nov 8 2019, LP/digital.

Ring The Alarm playlist, October 5

The Traffic - California love
Zapp - More bounce to the ounce
Parlet - Pleasure principle
Ohio Players - Take de funk off, fly
George Duke - Dukey stick pt1
BT Express - Do it til you're satisfied
The Totals - Total man
Mephisto Jones - Chocolate hot sauce
DJ Vee feat Mighty Asterix - Best in me
Lord Echo - The creator has a master plan
Lewis McCallum - Tales of Mingus
Beat Pharmacy feat Spaceape - Ghostship
Manassseh and Johnny Osbourne - Rise up
Unitone Hifi - Static (corduroy dreams)
Karate Boogaloo - Bam bam
The Diabolical Liberties - Egyptian moons
Guts - Mucagiami (remix)
Bobby Womack - I can understand it
Percy Sledge - Dark end of the street
Garnet Mimms - Cry baby
Sunny and the Sunliners - Get down
Coko and the Misha Panfilov Combo - Soulstrut
Cannibal and the Headhunters - Land of a thousand dances
Teresa - He's a cooker
Wild Magnolias - Battlefield (Joe Claussell remix)
Nicola Conte with Rosalia de Souza - Maria moita
Gilberto Gil - Batmacumba
Ladi6 - Royal blue (Silent Jay, Sensible J and Leigh Fisher remix)
Mauskovic Dance Band - Same heads

Karate Boogaloo mixtape #2 out now

This is wicked good, out now on LP/CD/digital: "Karate Boogaloo ​bring you ‘KB’s Mixtape No. 2’, reminding us of the beauty of colouring outside the lines; their unconventional funk guided by a steadfast commitment to bending the rules.

2018’s ​KB’s Mixtape No. 1,​ a self-produced and released collection of interpretations of hip hop samples done in Karate Boogaloo’s immediately recognisable wonky style is fast becoming a cult classic amongst Melbourne’s diggers, selling out in local record stores through word of mouth alone.

Now in late 2019, The KB’s bring you the second in their ‘KB’s Mixtape’ series with songs from the 80s that were sampled into your favourite hits​. Songs by Blondie, Kraftwerk, Patti LaBelle & Stevie Nicks sampled by artists such as Destiny’s Child, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey & Warren G, all flipped and twisted in Karate Boogaloo’s unique way."

Ronin Arkestra debut album arrives

Out now on Albert's Favoutrites: "Led by producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Mark de Clive Lowe, Tokyo’s Rōnin Arkestra brings together some of the most supreme and innovative players in Japan’s Jazz and electronic scene, featuring members of Kyoto Jazz Sextet, WONK, Cro-Magnon, Root Soul, Sleepwalker, Sauce81 and Kyoto Jazz Massive.

Formed in 2017, the collective’s debut album ‘Sonkei’, released 27th September via Albert’s Favourites, fuses ’60s deep and spiritual jazz with experimental electronica. The album follows the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP ‘First Meeting’, released earlier this year."

Mighty Mocambos drop new album soon

Their new album '2066'is out oct 18 on Legere Recordings (with guests Gizelle Smith, Lee Fields, Ice T), single out now. Check Bandcamp.

Moodymann doco

Great short doco on Kenny Dixon Jr aka Moodymann, interviewed by Gilles Peterson. Well worth  checking.