Jessica Lauren's new album Almeria out May 4

Some tasty jazzy bizznizz... "Since the early 1990s, keyboard player Jessica Lauren has been a familiar part of London's alternative music scene. Jessica's keyboard skills have augmented the live performances and studio recordings of world renowned artists such as Jean Carne, Tom Browne, Dexter Wansel and James Mason, Japan's United Future Organisation, and UK soul diva Juliet Roberts.

Her previous Freestyle album 'Jessica Lauren Four' (2012) highlighted Jessica's minimalist approach, something rare and refreshing in the jazz world: she instills her compositions and playing with a refined sense of space which makes her music as much about what she doesn't play as what she does.

The albums' opener - Kofi Nomad is a deeply percussive afrocentric epic, featuring the beautiful baritone saxaphone of Tamar 'Collocutor' Osborn, one of the most in demand woodwind players working today, underpinned by a powerful foundation of percussion courtesy of Richard Ọlátúndé Baker, Phillip Harper and drummer Cosimo Keita Cadore.

Jessica’s amazing skill for writing simple, understated yet superbly memorable and catchy hooks remains undiminished. Highlights in this new collection are almost too numerous to mention, but Amalfi is a breezy bossa, which conjures up images of easy living days and sun dappled Mediterranean coastlines, whilst the angular and brooding Simba Jike has something of an Eddie Harris style deep, dark groove over which Jessica riffs and solos beautifully on grand piano - and Tamar once again blows freely, whilst 'level' Neville Malcolms' upright bass figure roots the entire thing in a solid, almost primeval sound."

Almeria, the new album from Jessica Lauren coming out 4 May on Freestyle Records (CD/LP/digital)

Ring The Alarm playlist April 21

Neneh Cherry and The Thing - Dream baby dream (Four Tet remix)
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Hard boiled babe
Aural Exciters - Maladie d'amour
James White and the Blacks  - Contort yourself (August Darnell remix)
Prince - Housequake (7" edit)
Major Lance - Hey little girl
Otis Brown - Southside Chicago
Gene Washington and the Ironsides - Got to get through to you
Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY -  My god has a telephone
Harlem Gospel Travellers - He's on time
Gene Chandler - No peace, no satisfaction
The Esquires - You've got the power
The Hesitations - Nobody knows you when you're down and out
Jimmy Castor  - Ham hocks Espanol
Young Holt Unlimited  - Soulful strut
Darondo - Luscious lady
Eddie Billups -I need someone
Misha Panfilov Sound Combo  - Oliver Robotron
Cannonball Adderley - Mercy, mercy, mercy
Ella Fitzgerald - Mas que nada
Sunlightsquare Latin Combo - I believe in miracles
Tito Puente - Take five
Esther Phillips - Home is where the hatred is
Tom Browne - Funkin' for Jamaica
Bonnie Pointer - Ah shoot
Parliament - Up on the downstroke
Dalvanius and the Fascinations - Who said that
The Johnny Rocco Band - She's knocking at my door
Prince Tui Teka - Heed the call
Tyra and the Tornadoes - Hui hui

Headless Chickens frontman scattered Grant Fell's ashes on stage at Civic's Wintergarden

From Radio NZ: "The Headless Chickens won the prize for Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award for their 1988 album Stunt Clown. Guitarist and vocalist Chris Matthews then produced a small vial of deceased bandmate Grant Fell's ashes and sprinkled them on the stage.

Speaking on RNZ's Morning Report the Taite Music Prize co-host and Music 101 presenter Alex Behan said it was "one of the stranger situations" he had been in as MC.

"I spoke to members of the band afterward and they feel it was their moment to have and that they were meaning it in the best of faith."

Musician Moana Maniapoto said she was "horrified" and that it was "absolutely bizarre".
"[It was] kind of disrespectful to a lot of people in the room.

"I understand the love they have for their musician but they didn't give anyone else in the room a choice in the matter," she said.

"There's no doubt we all love the Headless Chickens and Grant Fell. You know, he is adorable and a wonderful musician but I find it hard to believe that someone could grow up in New Zealand and think it is okay to do that."

Maniapoto presented the 2015 Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award and said winners Herbs would never have sprinkled the ashes of dead band members.

"They are there in spirit, they are there in the words, they are there in the music. Much like Dylan Taite is and that's what the award is named after. Human remains are tapu."

Fells' partner Rachael Churchwrad said "On the night, Chris asked if he could scatter a little on the stage and I agreed. It was spontaneous. Grant was proud of his Ngāpuhi whakapapa, as am I of my own family's Māori heritage. We were not setting out to shock or offend anyone, but Grant wanted his ashes scattered in places he loved - and he loved being on stage playing music.

"I think anyone who knew Grant understands that he would have loved this. I understand this was not in line with tikanga, but we all come from different places and we don't adhere to every tradition. Music is a big part of our identity too."

via Stuff: "Former Headless Chicken member Rupert E Taylor understood some people felt awkward about the gesture.

"I felt like he was there with us and it was a total magic moment for me. I waved his ashes into my face and all over my Workshop suit. It was a surprise and it should happened, he should have been there with us," Taylor said.

"It was a total surprise to me and it was absolutely wonderful and magical.

"But we are old whānau, we've known each other, we've lived together since the 80s. We are family and for Rachael, who is part Māori, to do that was an amazing thing, it was a beautiful thing."


Taite Prize nominee Teeks said on Twitter "First time I’m glad I didn’t win an award. Wouldn’t have gotten on stage with those ashes under my feet. Huge congrats to Aldous, still extremely humbled to have been nominated don’t get me wrong, but I was raised in a culture where that shit isn’t ok.

"PS not to diminish or take away from the Taite Music Prize in any way. Big up’s to @IndiesNZ and everyone else for giving us the chance to celebrate NZ music in this way. Don’t think anyone saw that coming."

Rob Ruha responded last night on Twitter saying "Wanna know how to clear Māori's out of a gig? Tip someones ashes all over the floor... #TaiteMusicPrize #OutOfIT #CultureClash"

The organisers and event hosts (IMNZ/Auckland Live) released a statement saying they were "unaware of plans to scatter the ashes of the late Grant Fell from the Headless Chickens during the Taite Music Prize. This was not scripted into the ceremony. Tangata whenua have been consulted and will be performing a blessing at The Wintergarden in the coming days."  Radio NZ reported the organisers refused to say what happened to the ashes.

Musician Tama Waipara told RNZ "Do you really need to know the tikanga to know that maybe it's not cool to sprinkle  someones ashes all over a place ... who then deals with the removal of those? The cleaners? ... why should they have to manage that? ... so many levels of not considering or thinking about how that impacts other people."

As Teeks observed the following day after the ceremony, "... I’m sure no offence was intended, totally understand the sentiment behind it and why they thought it might have been a good idea. I guess the thing we need to realise is that we live in two different worlds."  

It was the 2nd year in a row that a Flying Nun act has been chosen for the Independent Classic Record award.Taite Prize winner Aldous Harding is on Flying Nun, so the night was something of a clean sweep for the label.

For more on The Taite Prize itself, go and read The Spinoff on Taite Music Prize finalists: 'Why are most of the finalists white? And why do they nearly all have guitars?'

"... The economic barriers are immediately identifiable, but the main concern is access. The nomination process seems to suggest a preference for nominees who are on labels. Half of the finalists belong to Flying Nun, the champion of the ‘Dunedin Sound’ which, unsurprisingly, has traditionally been – and remains – very white. The initial nomination fees for independent artists (distinct from artists on independent labels) are disproportionate and unaffordable for many wishing to nominate themselves. It’s basically a gamble."

Radio NZ's livestream still available, watch below:

 

What's happening for Record Store Day across NZ, this Saturday?

 

Here's some happenings for Record Store Day across the land. Excited to see the brand new book from Death Ray Records, a handy guide covering indie record stores around NZ!

AUCKLAND:
Real Groovy, Queen St:
"We've got some of the sickest freebies, releases, exclusive deals and bands performing that you could imagine! This year is going to be our biggest to date - do not miss out!

Some of our FAVOURITE companies are helping us out on the day including Brothers Beer, Atomic Coffee Roasters, Pro-Ject Audio Systems, Tom & Luke, Proper Crisps, Red Bull and Vans New Zealand.

We also have some of New Zealand's finest bands gracing our stage on the day - Polyester (12pm), Bloodbags (1pm), Unsanitary Napkin (2pm) Wax Chattels (3pm), and SWIDT (4pm)."


Marbecks, Queens arcade, Queen St:  
"We're super pleased to have Hopetoun Brown (10am), the fabulous Sandy Mill & her band (1pm) - Sandy will also have her brand new new EP available on vinyl, Dave Weir (3pm), and Te Huhu (420pm) playing on the day. Plus 530pm-ish is a Mystery Artist.

On the turntables this year we have Russell Brown, CDogg420, 95bFM's Gin and new kids The Mezzanine Level, plus more to be announced.

On the shopping front, we will have some exclusives, $100 vouchers hidden in records, 10% off ALL CDs in store, 1000 LPs on sale and more discounts besides."


Southbound, Symonds St: 
"Over 300 Exclusive Record Store Day Releases. Limited Edition Vinyl release of UNITONE HIFI ’s debut album Wickedness Increased - fully re-edited, remastered, and in the case of the title track, re-produced from scratch. Only 300 copies worldwide!

BFM Live Broadcast from 8am. Store opens at 9am. Discounts All Day! (50% off all secondhand Vinyl, 10% off all new stock and  that includes RSD releases, and over 300 marked sale stock (no customer loyalty card clicks). Free music merchandise with purchase! **

We like to look after our customers at Southbound, so while you wait or browse, there will be free coffee and yummy home baking until midday. In keeping with the ethos of Record Store Day, all purchases are on a first come first served basis.
** while stocks last

Flying Out, Pitt St: 
"We will have a shop full of unusual special releases, as well as a sale on all non RSD stock. Flying Out has put together a killer lineup of live acts performing instore including Wax Chattels, and Carb On Carb, plus DJ sets from Whammy bar, UTR, Vixen, Def store, Audio Foundation and more."

The Cross Street Market (Cross st, behind K Rd) has DJs all afternoon (12-6pm), and Tito from Rebel Soul Records will be there selling vinyl.

WELLINGTON:
Rough Peel Music, Cuba St:
"We are super proud to have Trinity Roots playing live instore to celebrate RSD and the release of "True" on vinyl for the first time, 17 years after its original release, out on Rough Peel Records.
We will have DJs throughout the day made up from some our regular customers.

And of course there will be whatever RSD releases we manage to get our hands on, as well as a fully stocked shop and some delectable second hand rarities for sale.

Here is the lineup:
9-30am: Shop opens / 10-00am - 11-00am : Grant and Helz / 11-00am - 12-00pm : Nikki / 12-00pm - 1-00pm : Andy / 1-00pm - 2-00pm : Trinity Roots / 2-00pm - 3-00pm : Graham / 3-00pm - 4-00pm : Prak / 4-00pm - 5-00pm: Pinky

If you can't make it in then you can tune in on Rough Peel Radio 107.1fm www.roughpeel.fm as we will be broadcasting the whole day."

Slow Boat Records, Cuba St
"We will be doing our best to bring you an array of the Record Store Day limited vinyl releases from the various companies, as well as some very special instore performances!!

We are also thrilled to announce that Finance and Associate Arts Minister, and Wellington Central MP, the Honourable Grant Robertson has accepted our invitation, and will be in attendance.

The festivities will run a little like this: STORE OPENS; 9am

2pm: Instore performance from Mermaidens – Wellington trio Mermaidens released their second album “Perfect Body” through Flying Nun in 2017, and will be joining us to perform selections from it as well as tracks from a future release.

3pm: Instore performance from Tiny Ruins – the Auckland-based folk-pop group are centred around singer-songwriter Hollie Fullbrook, and will be joining us to premiere songs from their forthcoming third album, through British tastemaking label Bella Union, along with commemorating the vinyl reissue of their 2011 debut “Some Were Meant For Sea”, which we will have copies of, and that you can get signed!!

STORE CLOSES; 5pm. There will also be a raffle, and some spot prize giveaways."


Death Ray Records, Newtown
"We've got 20% off everything except RSD releases for the day. So kinda like a decent regulars discount but you all get it.

Got 5 x $20 pot luck vouchers. Buy some records and go in the draw.

Food? who knows maybe some baking, chips or lollies but no beer as last time we got in 12 doz for you's and some stink person dobbed us in to the council and Boss Dude had to sample them all himself!

Probs have some of those mean chicks do some DJing during the day and we might even have a band or 2? Who knows nothings sorted!

Boss Dude has been super busy working on New Zealand's 1st ever on the street, in the back pocket Record Store Guide featuring 22 stores from around NZ. RSD will be the 1st day to pick up one of these rad guides from most of the indie record stores around NZ. 

So we'll be having a lil party at MOON 1 in conjunction with the Vinyl Lovers of New Zealand (VLONZ) Wellington meet up we'll have István Ping Clover James Paratii James Buttery and other DJ's playing wax from 6:30pm

So please come to our tiny little store and show your support so Boss Dude can maybe start paying himself $6p/hr."

TAURANGA:
Vinyl Destination will be celebrating RSD, check here for info.  

PALMERSTON NORTH
Palmerston North Pop up record fair
"Once again in celebration of RSD ( International Record Store Day ) We're hosting a pop up record fair in Palmerston North at Brewers Apprentice.

Brewers Apprentice has been home to the last 2 record fairs in Palmerston North and this time around we're celebrating the magnificent vinyl plates with a family friendly event.

There will be record painting area for kids ( yes you can paint on actual records and weather permitting a bouncy castle in garden. So why not come down wet your whistle have a feed and rifle through some crates of records That Beatles record you've been searching for just might be there"

NEW PLYMOUTH: 
" Join us again at Vinyl Countdown for the huge annual event that is Record Store Day! This year Record Store Day is on Saturday April 21st. Kicking off at 9am, we will have a day crammed with exclusive releases, special deals, giveaways, a free sausage sizzle and a prize draw for everyone who makes a purchase during the day. And of course we'll have the VINYL CLUB providing sounds on vinyl from 10am. This is a fantastic community day and everyone is welcome!"

NELSON
Family Jewels Records will be getting into it with a discount day from 12-6pm, and have a special celebration planned in the evening at Deville called Golden Years, spinning vinyl from 1977-1987.

CHRISTCHURCH
Check out Penny Lane, and Galaxy who have "Rare & collectable goodies! Featuring DJs: Pinacolada Soundsystem, Missy G & Skew-whiff from midday. Darkroom Bar will be open." Heres a handy roundup from Chch Libraries.

DUNEDIN
Relics is getting into it, they say " As always we have ordered a ton of stuff that will hopefully arrive in time for the day... New Zealand stores are the first to celebrate RSD in the world - so sometimes it can be a nerve-wracking few days beforehand! Exciting times SAT 21 APRIL !! Usually we don't know exactly what we've been supplied until the day,so it will be FIRST COME FIRST SERVED in store..."

Record Kicks celebrates 15 years

"Side by side with similar outfits like Daptone, Truth And Soul, Freestyle or Timmion, under its motto “The explosive sound from Today's scene” Milan-based independent label Record Kicks has been pitching the contemporary funk & soul scene since day one.

With over 200 releases under the belt, RK has released bands from all over the globe and earned the support of VIP fans such as Kenny Dope, Jamie Cullum, Craig Charles and not least Jay-Z, thanks to which the label has recently received a Grammy nomination for HOV’s use of Hannah Williams’ “Late Nights And Heartbreak” as backdrop for his “4:44”.

The new instalment “Record Kicks 15th” coming out May 18th on double clear LP, CD and digital download alongside with exclusive merch, celebrates 15 years in the business with a collection full of exclusive new tracks and the very best of its roster.

The album opens with RK’s latest and youngest signing: from Chicago, heavily inspired by The Impressions and Leroy Hutson, here are The Devonns with their debut single “Come Back”, a tasty appetizer of their debut full length expected to land on RK next autumn.

Another new signing to the label is Men Of North Country’s (Acid Jazz Records) side project The Faithful Brothers with their new single “One More Time”. Other exclusive tracks are “This Strange Effect”, a coverup of The Hooverphonic’s single from 1998 brought to you by the Dutch The Tibbs, “Love You Back” from Detroit deep funk outfit Third Coast Kings, “The Sort” by the Buenos Aires mod reggae kings The Crabs Corporation, “Top Dog” by British funk combo The Hook & Slingers and “You Don’t Know Me” by Dojo Cuts.

Along with these new exclusive cuts, the compilation features some label’s news singles and some classic tunes such as Dj Shadow’s “This Time”, taken from Baby Charles debut LP, “Don’t Throw Your Love In The Garbage Can” by James Brown’s original funk diva Martha High feat the Japanese Osaka Monaurail, “Psycheground” the brand new afro-funk single by Calibro 35 and then Portuguese Marta Ren & The Groovelvets, Toronto soul queen Tanika Charles, UK funk combo The New Mastersounds, The Diplomats of Solid Sound and the already mentioned “Late Nights & Heartbreak” by Hannah Williams & The Affirmations."

New Mastersounds share some Renewable Energy

Some fun, jazzy bizz from this UK crew for their 12th album... "Recorded in two separate sessions, one in New Orleans and the other in Denver a few months later, "Renewable Energy" expands on the NMS template while still providing plenty of the band's trademark sounds.

The four-piece from Leeds are joined on this 11-track effort by a number of guests: Sam Bell, founding member of NMS precursor The Mastersounds, plays percussion on most of the tracks. The West Coast Horns once again provide added horn action as they did on "Made For Pleasure" from 2015, while Adryon de León from LA band Orgone contributes vocals on "Gonna Be Just Me".

Uptempo numbers "Tantalus" and "Yokacoka" see the band flexing their playing chops over a tightly-wound rhythm, while "Green Was Beautiful" and "Groovin On The Groomers" are toe-tapping slabs of soul jazz.

The band's cover of James Gang's "Funk 49" takes the album in a fuzzed-out psych-rock direction, while the moody Hancock-esque inflections of "Stash" and the sweet mellow vibes of "Swimming With My Fishies" add the final brushstrokes of colour to the canvas."

Out 13 April on LP/CD/digital, via One Note Records. Listen to the album at Kudos

Ring The Alarm playlist April 14

Detroit Emeralds - Baby take me in your arms
BB King - The BB Jones
Pigalle Connection - Paris breakdown
Bill Withers - You
Jackie Wilson - Who who song
Delphonics - Down is up, up is down
Mary Wells - Can't you see you're losing me
Pointer Sisters - Send him back
Lorraine Ellison - Got my baby back
Billy Butler - Right track
Alice Clark - Never did I stop loving you
Village Callers - Hector
The Pharaohs - The Pharaohs love y'all
Julien Dyne -Truffle shuffle
DJ Spinna feat Phonte - Dillagence
Four Tet - Serious as your life (Jay Dee remix feat Guilty Simpson)
Charles Mingus - II BS (RZA remix)
The Sorcerers  -In pursuit of Shai Hulud
Y Bayani - Get away
Jackie Mittoo - Totally together
Dub Connection - Mike quality
Salmonella Dub - Loop 7 (DLT remix)
Combinations - Many styles
Overwash vs Megalon - Apopo
Kode9 - You don't wash (dub)
Cooly G - Love dub
Aretha Franklin - I am in love (Cuetec edit)
Little Dragon - Klapp klapp
Janet Jackson  -Pleasure principle (Shep Pettibone mix - dub edit)
The Associates - Party fears two

Ring The Alarm playlist April 7

Alice Russell -  Living the life of a dreamer (Mr Scruff remix)
Freddie Cruger - Bap yo head
Thievery Corporation - Coming from the top
Mark de Clive Lowe feat Dallas - So tru
Charles Wright and Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band - Express yourself (alternate version)
Patti Drew - Hard to handle
Lee Dorsey - Four corners pt1
Carla Thomas - Separation
The Emotions - Blind alley
Jeanne and the Darlings - Soul girl
Ruby Johnson - I'd rather fight than switch
Booker T and the MGs - Can't be still
Lee Sain - Them hot pants pt1
Chaka Khan - We can work it out
Maxayn - Bail out
Dexter Wansel - Life on Mars
Risco Connection - Aint no stopping us now
Romanowski - Romjack steady
New Age Steppers - My love
The Pleb - Ride one
Shaggy - Broadway
New Telepathics - Goat magic
Soul of Makossa man/Rob Mello - Afro soul (no ears mix)
KLF - Justified and ancient
Houseparty - Dangerous love (radio mix)
Jimmy Castor - E-man boogie 82
Double Dee & Steinski - Lesson two

New single from The Sorcerers

'Leeds soul and funk label ATA Records are proud to announce the new single from The Sorcerers. Available on 7" vinyl and Digital Download from Friday 30th March, this single is a driving Ethiojazz track aimed squarely at the dancefloor, backed by the Yorkshire Film & Television's original recording of "The Anderson Spectrum" (later re-recorded and re-named by The Sorcerers as "The Viking Of 5th Avenue")

Initially inspired by the work of Ethiopian composer Mulatu Astatke, The Sorcerers have developed their sound from the foundations laid out on their debut LP "The Sorcerers"."In pursuit of Shai Hulud" eschews the atmospheric textures of their previous material, replacing them with driving percussion and propulsive bass. Organ and flute tear into the melody as temple blocks beat out an insistent rhythm throughout.

The B-Side ("The Anderson Spectrum") is the original track from The Yorkshire Film & Television Orchestra that The Sorcerers re-recorded and re-named "The Viking Of 5th Avenue" when they recorded it for their debut. Tremolo-fuzz guitar and heavy brass place the track firmly in the sonic realm of 1960s British Library Music, bringing to mind the work of John Barry and Portishead rather than Mulatu Astatke."

Support for the debut came from Jazzman Gerald, Jimi Tenor, Shawn Lee, Nightmares On Wax and Mulatu Astatke himself who heard the album during a recent trip to London. On hearing the record he exclaimed "Who's this? The Sorcerers? It's cool! This is great. Give me the cd man!" He has since gone on to play The Sorcerers on his Addis Ababa radio show.'

Ring The Alarm playlist March 31

Henri-Pierre Noel - A fifth of Beethoven (The Reflex edit)
Wunmi - Fit body (Richard Olatunde Baker remix)
Edwin Birdsong - Win tonight
The Temptations - Slave
Lou Donaldson - Say it loud (I'm black and I'm proud)
James Brown - Make it funky
Lyn Collins - We want to party, party, party
Bobby Byrd - I know you got soul
Ernie Hawks and the Soul Investigators - Scorpio man theme
Lunar Funk - Mr Penguin pt1
Soul Severes - I got it (Kenny Dope edit)
The Impressions - It's all right
Dusty Springfield - Spooky
Jerry Butler - I'm a telling you
Freddie Scott - Am I grooving you
Fontella Bass and Bobby McClure - Don't mess up a good thing
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - I tried
Marc Mac present Visioneers  -The world is yours
Kabanjak - Dub to go (Ancient Astronauts remix)
Overproof Sound System - Watch what you put inna
Bob Marley and the Wailers - Put it on (Groove Corp remix)
Dexys Midnight Runners - Geno
The Associates - Tell me Easter's on a Friday
Patea Maori Club - Poi E (Peter Mac disco drums edit)

Ring The Alarm playlist March 24

Chaka Khan - Chaka's night (Scrimshire edit)
Diana Ross - Give up (Original Chic mix)
Dennis Edwards - Don't look any further (Bobby Busnach edit)
Eric B and Rakim - Paid in full
Erykah Badu - Honey (Moody Boyz remix)
Blundetto - Nautilus
The Snugs  - Trying
Beverly Rd Allstars -Murder she wrote
Johnny Osbourne - Budy bye (Kenny Dope remix)
DLT feat Che Fu - Chains (unreleased hiphop mix)
Ray Charles - You're just about to lose your clown
The Valdons - Stop, wait a minute girl
Chubby Checker - At the discotheque
Darrell Banks - The love of my woman
Myron and E with the Soul Investigators - Cold game
Budos Band - Daytripper
Sound Experience - 40 acres and a mule
Saun and Starr - Blah blah blah
Fivestar - Let me be the one
Troublefunk - Hey fellas
Mantronix - Scream
Rhythm Heritage  -Theme from SWAT
Chi-lites - We are neighbours
Bob Dorough - Three is the magic number
Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Sylvian - Bamboo houses (2000 remix)
Human League - Being boiled
Deadline - Makossa rock

Deva Mahal drops debut album

Hawaiian-born Deva Mahal was resident in Wellington in the early 2000s, studying jazz and vocal performance, making a name for herself, then toured Europe as part of Fat Freddys Drop live ensemble.

She moved to New York in 2007, teaming up with fellow expat Steph Brown (LIPs) as the duo Fredericks Brown.

Her solo debut drops March 23 (CD/Digital), and features collaborations with Binky Griptite (Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings). She's recently been doing live appearances with him at SXSW.

Check it.

Ring The Alarm playlist March 17

Mike James Kirkland - Hang on in there
Donald Byrd - Love has come around (Combo re-edit)
James Brown - Stone to the bone
Mophono - The edge
Dave Baby Cortez - Happy feet
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels - Breakout
Billy Vera and Judy Clay - Really together
Barbara Acklin - Just aint no love
The Impressions  -I can't satisfy
The C.O.D.s - I'm  a good guy
Gene Chandler - No peace, no satisfaction
The Winstons - Amen, brother
Carlton Brasco - Don't chain my soul
Flying Stars of Brooklyn - My God has a telephone
The Harlem Gospel Travellers - He's on time
Mel Davis - Just another smile
Ikebe Shakedown - The prisoner
Gianmarco Liguori - Beat instrumental
Billy Stewart - Billy's blues
Bo Diddley - Roadrunner
Muddy Waters - Rolllin' stone
Ike and Tina Turner - Somebody somewhere needs you
War - Why can't we be friends?
Quantic - Make dub not war
Sly n Robbie meets Dubmatix - Great wall
Lee Fields - Wish you were here, Just can't win
El Michels Affair feat The Shacks, Lee Fields - Tearz
Nolan Thomas -Yo little brother (vocal/dub mix)
Myagi - I got beat up by a 303

4 Tha Lumana'i from Anonymouz

"A ground-breaking live performance led by music and sound producer Anonymouz, 4 THA LUMANA’I finds the parallels between traditional Sāmoan customs and contemporary Hip Hop artforms. Backed by compelling video projection, a cast of local Sāmoan tulāfale orator chiefs join rappers, poets and community performers for a living conversation between the past, present and future."

23 & 24 March 7.30pm, Mangere Arts Centre. Tickets are free, but booking is required to guarantee your place – book here

Anonymouz. Photo -NZHerald

From NZHerald: " South Auckland music producer Anonymouz - aka Matthew Faiumu Salapu - is bringing both Samoan oratory (lauga) and hip-hop music together in a ground-breaking performance as part of the Auckland Arts Festival's Whanui programme.

He leads 4 Tha Lumana'I , a performance which will highlight the similarities between traditional Samoan oratory customs and contemporary hip-hop using a cast of Samoan tulafale orator chiefs, rappers, poets and community performers.

It's being described as living conversation between the past, present and future and has its roots in a visit the recording artist made to Samoa in 2012 to mark its 50th anniversary of independence from New Zealand.

Tasked to make a contribution to the event, he recorded everyday sounds from the local environment and turned them into beats. He says that saw him move away from using old New York beats in his music and start thinking more about traditional culture and customs.

It wasn't long before he was keeping a keen ear out for the ways in which lauga are structured and delivered. Anonymouz saw parallels between the way in which both lauga and — especially in battle raps — seek to persuade and influence.

Having now seen a "battle" between a rapper and tulafale orator chief, he says 4 Tha Lumana'I will highlight to all involved the likeness between the two apparently disparate language arts and also helps them understand the skills needed in both forms.

"It's hard to have an appreciation of something you don't understand," says Anonymouz, "but this shows the older people why hip-hop is popular and the younger ones learn something about customs and traditions." 

Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth​-​Boogie in 1980s South Africa

Via Bandcamp Daily, some cool afro pop goodness...

'As the days of disco wound down in the early 1980s, pop music around the world mutated in various ways, all of it influenced to some degree by the proliferation and new accessibility of synthesizers and drum machines. In black South Africa, there was “bubblegum”—not related to Western manufactured teen pop, it was an effervescent mix of bouncy drum pads and funky synths with soulful, harmony-heavy vocals, meant for pure fun and uplift, something sorely needed during apartheid days.

And indeed, this compilation of rare tracks meant as an introduction to the sound is a true delight from start to finish, from the moody synth melody on The Survivals’ “My Brother” to the power vocals on the freestyle-esque “Do You Trust Amajita?,” by Ntombi Ndaba, to the whistle percussion on Condry Ziqubu’s “She’s Impossible.”

One can imagine these tunes soundtracking block parties then and now, bringing neighbourhoods together. Bubblegum might not have been built to last, but I’m incredibly glad these tunes have another life decades later; the sugar rush, hearing them, springs eternal.' – Jes Skolnik

Out now on Soundway, 2LP/Digital