Early Clover & The Georgia Soul Drifters

Early Clover and the Georgia Soul Drifters

"Record Kicks proudly presents 2 incredibly hard to find and super hot deep funk & cross-over soul pearls out of Macon, Georgia on a super limited edition 45.

Recorded at Phil and Alan Walden's Capricorn Studios and produced by Tad Bush, "Freedom" and "Think it Over" by Early Clover & The Georgia Soul Drifters were originally released in 1977 on a super scarce 45 by legendary "northern soul" label Dove Records.

The original 45 is simply impossible to find and currently is a super in-demand spin on both rare soul and funk dancefloors. 

Born in 1953 in Dublin Georgia, Early Clover formed his band at the age of 16 and later went on to become the opening act for some of the hottest names in the south of USA, such as Betty Wright, The Temptations, The Marvellettes and Tyrone Davis. 

In the 70s became the road band and back up for William Bell, Rufus Thomas, and Joe Simon to name a few and collaborated with James Brown in writing techniques of songs. Currently relocated in Las Vegas, Early Clover is still very active. This is a strictly limited to 600 Copies so don't sleep on it... essential spin!" 

Out November 10 on 45/digital, preview below...

Soulfest snapped

I arrived at Soulfest at Western Springs Stadium last Sunday (Oct 26) to the sounds of Wellington's Bella Kalolo, and managed to catch the last half of her set. She was in fine voice and her band was tight - in short, she killed it. She told the crowd how happy she was to be there - "I'm so excited to see the other people! I see myself every day, y'know, so that's not so exciting!"

Soulfest. Photo: Grant Apiata. Click on photo to enlarge

DJ TDK stepped up to play some tunes, then Aaradhna and her band took to the stage. She chose to start with a slow ballad, which sapped some energy from proceedings. Then she introduced the song 'Downtown', saying she put it out when she was real young, like 19. She said "If you know the words, sing along, and if you don't just pretend, you do!"

She covered Take another little piece of my heart (Janis Joplin) and funked it up - it grooved, in  a pleasant enough way. And then her band flipped it to a reggae skank - clever move. Aaradhna closed with Wake up, her band rendered P-Money's crisp production into something a bit bland, really. Then they skank it up at the end.

DJ LoKey steps up and gets on the mic and tells the crowd he's gonna play some of his favourite soul records from his collection, and drops Sade - Love is stronger than pride. Nice one, bro!

Musiq Soulchild, Soulfest. Photo:Grant Apiata

Musiq Soulchild and his band hit the stage, ten minutes later than the scheduled time. The key thing I got from his set was how much he got the crowd to sing his songs for him. He even started one song and got the crowd to sing most of the first verse. Do some work, bro!

He used his own music videos as a visual backdrop on the video wall at the back of  the stage. He ripped into some long, sustained, soulful notes mid-set, incredible range. He picked up the tempo late set and raised the energy. The crowd loved him.

A word about the crowd - everyone there seemed really happy to be there, to get to see their favourite artists. I didn't see any aggro all day, everyone was super excited. It was an excellent vibe.

DJ Reminisce cut and scratched up a storm, the crowd dug him A LOT. KC and the Sunshine Band, George Benson, Billie Jean, Midas Touch, all the jams.

Angie Stone, Soulfest. Photo: Grant Apiata. Click on photo to enlarge

I was really looking forward to seeing Angie Stone, and she did not disappoint. She arrived seven minutes late (none of the international acts hit the stage at their scheduled time), and played I want to thank ya, and then she started rapping! Damn, Angie B! Then she went to a break down, with some mad funky keyboard bassline, a la P-Funk.

She played a song off her latest album, for the 1st time on this tour, called Guilty. Both her female backing vocalists (Paula Champion and Shameia Crawford) took solo spots and were amazing. She dedicates a song for all the brothers, and thanks the kings (Maxwell, D'Angelo, Common, etc) sharing the tour with her.

Stone closes with I wish I didn't miss you - she starts the song, then tells her band to hold up, and says she met this young woman backstage (Pani), who was crying, as she was supposed to sing backing vocals for one of the earlier local groups, and she'd arrived late, so Angie said "Let's bring her on out. In fact bring the other girls too."

So, Pani, Bella Kalolo, and Aaradhana, all join Angie Stone onstage and gather round a mic, doing extra BVs. Angie then beckoned them to join her centre stage. She then told off Radz and Bella for taking selfies while up there.

Angie says shes going on vacation, and asks the crowd and Radz and co if they want to come? Cos she's going right now! So Angie says we're off to Jamaica, and her band slip into a reggae skank, while Angie sings "Me can't sleep, me can't eat anymore..." So dope.

Next vacation destination, says Angie, is... Puerto Rico...and then her band salsa it up, which inspires some great spontaneous dancing from Pani, see the clip below... incredible set.





DJ09 followed, and then we got Anthony Hamilton and his band (15 minutes late). He had a hard act to follow, as his three backing vocalists ran onstage, hyping the crowd. The first 30 seconds only had the onstage sound, til someone turned on the PA out front.

The first couple of songs were high energy, lots of super cool choreographed stage moves from Hamilton and nearly all his band. They were hugely entertaining.

Hamilton wrapped up with a stomping uptempo gospel number, featuring stunning solos from his backing vocalists, and extra tambourines from Angie Stone and band, watch below.





Hamilton thanked the crowd and makes his exit, then the band wrap up the song, and stay onstage, looking at each other. Hamilton comes back out - turns out he had time for one more song. He and his band had such great energy, they were a joy to watch. True showmen.

DJ's Hudge and T-Rice filled the next DJ slot, while we waited for Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def. His stage set took hardly any time to set up - two DJs - but he still arrived 15 minutes late.

While his DJs played a funky afrobeat tune, Mos Def casually strolled onstage scattering red and white rose petals onto the stage, from out of his hat. Freaky.

He rapped, sang, and crooned, and used the video wall to show the classic hiphop film Wildstyle. He played Ms Fat Booty, Travellin Man and Umi Says, and even threw in some Biggie. Not particularly engaging as a performer, but the fans in the crowd loved him. He closed by coming back out with bunches of roses to throw to the crowd. Flower power.

DJ Manuel Bundy played next, and did a utterly superb job holding it down between these two hiphop heavyweights. Respect to the don.

Common, in the middle of the crowd, Soulfest. Photo: Grant Apiata. Click on photo to enlarge

Common came running out, spitting rhymes as if his life depended on it. Dude meant business. He was joined by two DJs, a female backing singer, and a keys player.

He told the crowd he was very glad to be here, and it was his first time in New Zealand. Ah, hang on bro, I saw you at the Big Day Out back in January 2006, you even did some breaking and pulled off with a backspin. But the BDO organisers did put you on mid afternoon, so no surprise you may have forgotten it [Fat Freddys Drop came on after].

What about your surprise guest spot with Kanye West in March 2006 at the St James, ring any bells? Nope? Ah well... good to have you back, bro.

He jumped into the crowd, climbed up on the barrier, he was into it. Then he called a young lady named Talita out of the audience up onto the stage and sat her on a stool  and leaned in and sang Come Close to her, while every female in the crowd shot daggers at her. Then he danced with her. She swooned.

His set took in The Corner, Go, The Light, and he brings out Anthony Hamilton for a few songs. I spied Mos Def watching Common's set from the DJ booth, standing by Che Fu, who was readying himself for his DJ set.

Then next thing, Mos Def casually strolls onstage, and starts rhyming with Common. Damn, it was good. Mos Def seemed more lively than during his own set, like having another rapper to work off energised him - his own set never got past laidback, energy-wise. Then Common drops a freestyle, and manages to mention Queen st and K Rd, and Soulfest approves, loudly.

Common, Soulfest. Photo: Grant Apiata

Common tells the crowd "It all started with the DJ, the DJ..." and gives his two DJs their own spot, to cut and scratch up a storm, on Billie Jean, and then Ten Crack Commandments.

He wraps up his set by introducing each band member, as they then exit the stage, preceded by an elaborate handshake with Common. Then it's just Common and the backing beats, and that abruptly gets cut off. How rude. He tells the crowd "Even tho they cut our music off, you can never turn off the music in our hearts. Thank you."

Then as he exits, I see him walk back out, grab a mic stand and turn round, and it gets heated side of stage for a second, terse words appear to be exchanged, before Common's crew hustle him away from the stage crew giving him heat. He may have finished 25 mins late, but cutting his music off was disrespectful.

Che Fu DJed next, playing Team Dynamite's Coconut Lime, and singing his part too. He dropped Dam Native's The Son (and sang that), and Chains (sang that). Great songs, great singer. Shot, Che! Shame you had to listen to D'Angelo's drummer soundcheck over your set.

D'Angelo, with Jesse Johnson far left, Soulfest. Photo:Grant Apiata

D'Angelo's band started 27 minutes late - his crew seemed to take a long time soundchecking all the mics. D'Angelo entered and went and sat at a keyboard at the back of the stage, and sang into a mic that wasn't working. The sound eventually came right, and he hooked into some jazzy, soulful numbers, after a dreadful sludge psychedelic rock workout, featuring his guitarist, Jesse Johnson (The Time).

He played Left & Right and One Mo Gin, and finished the set, then came back out fro a brilliant version Untitled - How Does It Feel, with band members exiting one by one and D'Angelo back behind the keys, playing, not singing, as the BVs carried the song.

Finally it was just D'Angelo and his bass player Pino Palladino left onstage (shout out to my bass don dadas who went to Soulfest just to see Pino), and then Pino exited and it was just D'Angelo, who then sang a few more lines, and said good night (see 2nd clip below for how that unfolds  I found two clips but both have been taken down by Sony). It was a stunningly intimate moment for such a big scale event. And he pulled it off.

D'Angleo finished at 9.29, one minute before Maxwell was scheduled to play. He hit the stage at 10. DJ Reminisce was due to play after D'Angelo and was standing behind the turntable ready to go, but the organisers left the bro hanging, choosing instead to play some piped low volume, low energy dirge music thru the PA, which killed the vibe a bit. Bad call.

Maxwell hit the stage, coming on after a remix of Aint No Sunshine from Bill Withers played out over the PA. He was super slick, in his sharp white suit. The rain that had been threatening all day finally made an appearance, and started a light drizzle.

I managed 4 songs, then took that rain as my cue to bail. Hard to top D'Angelo, really. Saw a clip of Maxwell telling the crowd at the close of the set, "I really liked being down under ... It doesn't smell as bad as I thought it might!" Cheeky sod.

It had been a great day. Thanks, Soulfest. Let's do that again next year! The food selection was good and quick, the bar queues were long but seemed to move reasonably quickly, and the venue wasn't oversold.

For a first time, it worked pretty well. Apart from the problematic timing/scheduling issues, with acts starting late. That needs addressing. Feeling like you are missing out your fave songs by an artist cos it's running late is a bit crap. And no sign of the free CBD buses, despite a large sign outside the venue pointing to where they were supposed to be. Just a line of taxis, blocking the road.


General feedback I saw on Twitter and Facebook after the event seemed overwhelmingly positive, with many folks raving about what a great day it was (unlike the Australian shows, which attracted a raft of criticism online from attendees). And this person...

My dad told me I was too white to go to soulfest so I told him he was too white to have 2x Samoan tattoos
— Courtney Evans (@courtevans_) October 27, 2014

Good news - her Dad let her go to Soulfest. Winning!


I was standing not far behind this girl with her sign, but only ever saw the back of it. Turns out the front said this...

photo: Mya

Via MiaFM, from the end of Soulfest: "Watch as Stan Walker, Wairangi Koopu, Ria Hall and more come together backstage with a haka for Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Mos Def, D'Angelo, Maxwell, and Common." Apparently Stan Walker later admitted that he split his trousers during this, and was going commando at the time. Doh.




MORE: 
Smooth premiere for Auckland's Soulfest - Stuff.co.nz review by Shabnam Dastgheib
Concert review: SoulFest, Western Springs - NZ Herald review by Lydia Jenkin
Soulfest: ayebro.co.nz review
Soulfest: thewireless.co.nz review

Both NZH and Stuff reviewers commented on Common's set getting cut short, and on D'Angelo's physical appearance.

The Stuff reviewer also apparently didn't read the schedule, failing to notice there were DJs between acts, claiming there were "such long and silent set changes between a few of the acts ... A lack of MCing between artists left the crowd to entertain themselves - it would have been good to see some music or some activity on the stage during the set-ups to keep the energy going." UM, WHAT? 

I heard DJ LoKey on the mic several times, an MC from MaiFm came onstage to do some giveaways to the crowd at one point, and Che Fu was on the mic during his DJ set. Maybe the reviewer was too far away from the stage to see the DJs?

From Australia, a report on the chequered history of Soulfest's Australian promoter, John Denison. 


I pulled together a playlist of Soulfest Akld live clips...  enjoy!

Nathan Haines x P-Money

Nathan Haines drops a new album 5 A Day, on November 28. This tune is a P-Money beat. Other producers on the album include Marc Mac (4Hero) and Mike Patto. Guest vocalists include Vanessa Freeman, Tama Waipara and Kevin Mark Trail.

5 A Day will be available on CD, vinyl and digital. Haines will be playing the album live at The Tuning Fork in Auckland on Thursday, December 4.

Havana Cultura documentary

New from Brownswood Recordings: "In 2009, there was ‘Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura’ followed by a remix album. After that ‘The Search Continues’ (2011) and then ‘Mala In Cuba’ (2012). Now we have ‘Havana Cultura Soundclash’, a compilation of collaborations between Cuban vocalists/musicians and unsigned artists from around the world.

All projects have brought musical exchanges to Cuba — with its illustrious yet traditional music scene — a nation where rhythms (salsa, rumba) exist as the lifeblood of its people; where access to new music is limited, barely any broadband internet service and decent home studio technology is rarely affordable.

Despite this, Havana boasts a solid homegrown hip-hop scene and vibrant nightlife ruled by reggaeton, with house, techno, EDM, dubstep, trap and moombahton breaking through."

You can watch the full Havana Cultura documentary above. Album out now. 

Brand new, from Scratch 22

New music from Rodi Kirk, aka Scratch22, recorded in the winter of 2012/13. Solms is the first solo release since this New Zealand-born artist relocated to Berlin. These songs follow on from Rodi’s 2011 LP 'Distance from View'distancefromview.bandcamp.com

John Gibbs - Steel Funk reissued, remastered

From Em Records: " Following the appetizer of the two 12" singles "Trinidad (Disco Mix)" [EM1128TEP] and "J'Ouvert" [EM1129TEP], we now serve up the main dish, the fine 1977 album Steel Funk by John Gibbs and the Unlimited Sound of Steel Orchestra, a new addition to our 'EM Steel Pan Series'.

Trinidadian steel-pan player John A. Gibbs studied science at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees and formed The Jamaica All Stars Steel Band. This was the start of a dual career in science and music that eventually took him to the United States.

He moved to Philadelphia in the mid-70s and met Philly arranger/producer Louis A. deLise, with whom he collaborated to create a new steel pan music, welding Trinidadian steel music to Philly soul. He researched and advocated a new style of steel pan music, describing the steel pan as an 'omnivibraphone' in his 1978 book The Unit Steel Band, in which he combined his scientific and musical backgrounds to illuminate the physics of the steel pan.

Gibbs' innate musicality comes to the fore on Steel Funk, where he compiles several years of experience with deLise into an appealing Trini-Philly groove union, with the five steel pan players of the Unlimited Sound of Steel Orchestra working in sync with a 30-piece studio orchestra of brass, strings and rhythm.

The songs range from Calypso to film theme [Shaft] to pop standard, covers and originals, but Steel Funk is not a chintzy pastiche, it's a glorious unity. We offer this re-release as 'the 2014 version', newly remastered, with improved sound quality, a different track order and new cover art drawn by Yoshihiro Tsuyama/2Yang.

NOTE: All tracks are NOT duplicated on the two 12" singles "Trinidad (Disco Mix)" [EM1128TEP] and "J'Ouvert" [EM1129TEP].

CD version:
Standard jewel case. A booklet including liner notes written by Louis A. deLise. English & Japanese text.

LP version:
Liner notes & pics.

TRACKS:
=LP version=
Side-A
1. Steel Funk (vocal)
2. Brazil
3. Street Cries
4. Cast Your Fate to the Wind
5. Trinidad & Tobago
Side-B
1. J'Ouvert (TEC 12" version) *
2. Theme from Shaft
3. Guantanamera
4. Steel Funk (instrumental)

* LP bonus track

=CD version=
1. Steel Funk (vocal)
2. Brazil
3. Street Cries
4. Trinidad & Tobago
5. Theme from Shaft
6. Guantanamera
7. Cast Your Fate to the Wind
8. Steel Funk (instrumental)
CD bonus:
9. J'Ouvert (TEC 12" version)
10. Trinidad (Disco Mix) (Sold Steel 12" version)

Budos Band x Burnt Offering the beer

The Budos Band have just released their latest album Burnt Offering, and they got a brewery to make them a special beer for the occasion. Then they had a bar crawl, as you do...

From Daptone Records: "Last weekend The Budos Band welcomed fans to join them for a bar crawl at their favorite Brooklyn bars where Burnt Offering the beer, made by Singlecut Brewery, was also on tap. We captured it all on video and you can watch it above."

Sly Stone's label re-emerges

MonkOne over at Wax Poetics writes: "Is it possible that this is really the first compilation to focus on Sly Stone’s short-lived but influential Stone Flower label? Leave it to Light in the Attic, now a venerable dozen years into their thoughtful, idiosyncratic, and highly respected reissue program, to bring this gem to light.

Stone Flower operated for a mere two years, 1969 -70, and released only five singles. Insignificant, perhaps, until it becomes clear that this space of time was essentially a period of cultivation for the musical ideas that would come to fruition in Sly’s 1971 masterwork There’s a Riot Goin’ On. 

The quirky use of the Maestro Rhythm King drum machine, the spacey wah-wah guitar and organ, the almost unhinged bass rumblings—all these elements first showed up in these productions, made for a handpicked series of frontmen (and women) who were led by Sly’s sister Vaetta Stewart.

Little Sister, as Vaetta and her group were billed, had the only “hit” for the label, “You’re the One,” not coincidentally the most conventionally Family Stone–sounding tune Stone Flower released.

Light in the Attic’s superb collection includes all the official Stone Flower releases, plus ten previously unissued cuts from the label archives (including early versions of Riot favorites “Just Like a Baby” and “Africa”), all benefiting greatly from a fine remastering job—from the original reels, as the ample liner notes point out.

A hefty 40-some pages, the CD booklet is essential reading for the Sly aficionado, including as it does interviews with many of the main players in the story, including the “incredible, unpredictable” Sly Stone himself. The collection is available in all formats, including a deluxe 2LP set in a heavy-stock gatefold jacket."

MORE: audio samples, and background on the label over at Light In The Attic.
CD/digital put now, LP out Nov 4.

Ring The Alarm playlist, Oct 25

Bjorn Torske - Dub vendor
Observer allstars - Sir Niney's rock
The music doctors - Bush doctor
Jackie Mittoo - Dr Ringding
Studio sound - Give me some more
Pioneers - Papa was a rolling stone
Hypnotic brass ensemble - Sankofa
Excelsiors - Cold as steel inst
Common - The corner
Sola rosa - Right on time
The Clash - Magnificent dance
Stinky Jim - Molotov bellini
Cesaria Evora - Angola - Pepe Braddock get down dub
KSB - Misaluba
Brenton Wood - Some got it, some don't
Ella Fitzgerald - Get ready
Linda Jones - Just can't live my life
The Marketts - Stirrin up some soul
Little Sister - Stanga
6ix - I'm just like you
Ray Baretto - Acid
Pete Rodriguez - I like it like that
Roy Ayers - Everybody loves the sunshine
Aretha Franklin - Get it right
Atkins - Super kisses
Taka Boom - Dance like you do at home
Red Astaire - Mambo el b-boy
MAW - Zoe

Record fair in Auckland this Saturday, get along!

Record fair happening in Auckland this Saturday, October 25, Freeman's Bay Community Hall  ... amongst the folks selling vinyl include Stinky Jim, Jubt & Kris Holmes (BaseFM's The Boilup Show), and a few other notable DJs. Get along!

press release...

"The next vinyl collectors fair falls on the Saturday of labour weekend in October. If you have friends and relatives visiting from out of town, please, bring them with you! On at Freeman's Bay Community Hall, corner Wellington and Hepburn St, Freemans Bay, 930am to 2pm, entry fee $5.

See the Knosti record cleaning device on continuous demo throughout the day, and ask the many experienced people at the fair your technical questions about turntable setup, cleaning and maintenance.

Music will play from vinyl sources continuously during the day, and as many genres will be covered as we can fit into the time, including Country AND Western

Your hosts are Klaus, Lothar, Peter, and Alex. Want to be a vendor? Got questions that need answers now? Contact Klaus through the website. "

Soulfest: D'Angelo

In May this year, D'Angelo sat down with Nelson George for a rare extensive interview as part of Red Bull Music Academy Festival New York.

It's a fascinating insight into his career - my fave moment is at 34 minutes in, when D'Angelo is talking about how he met Questlove, and Questlove pipes up from the audience, so D'Angelo says, "Y'know Questlove tells this much better than I do" so calls him up onstage, and Quest tells the story. Damn it's funny.

D'Angelo is part for the lineup for Soulfest, currently making its way round Australia, before hitting Auckland this weekend. Don't miss out! D'Angelo is on from 8pm til 9pm, with Maxwell closing the event. Set times below.

SOULFEST featuring Maxwell , D'Angelo, Common, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild, Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Aaradhna, Che Fu (DJ set), Bella Kalolo and more. Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, Sunday 26th Oct (Labour Weekend). Tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.nz

RIP John Holt

Veteran reggae singer John Holt has died, aged 69, reports the Jamaica Observer.

"Copeland Forbes, Holt’s manager since 2006, confirmed the entertainer’s passing. “John died at 2:40 am English time. His [John’s] nephew informed of his death,” Forbes told OBSERVER ONLINE. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed."

Holt collapsed onstage back in August, after recovering from an operation the month before.

Changing fortunes of Messrs Aloe Blacc and Mayer Hawthorne

Aloe Blacc and Mayer Hawthorne both blew up in 2010, off the back of great albums (Good Things, and A Strange Arrangement, respectively) for the Stonesthrow label, an indie outfit run out of Los Angeles. Both artists played well received live shows here in NZ following that, cementing their popularity in this neck of the woods. So what happened since then?

In short, both made the jump to the major labels, and Aloe Blacc ended up getting songwriting tips from Dr Dre and a hugely successful single ('The man', as featured in a Beats By Dre TV ad aired during the 2014 Superbowl, with a hook via Elton John).

Mayer dropped two albums that had pretty much zero visibility down here, despite his ongoing popular live shows. Switching from an indie to a major label is not always an easy transition.





When I heard Hawthorne's follow up album "How do you do" in 2011, it sounded like he was mining the exact same styles as his previous album, but without any of the hooks that made those songs stay with you. He was repeating himself. It was an easy option, but didn't make for a great record, or even a memorable one.

Hawthorne's latest album, according to Stonethrow's site "Where Does This Door Go (2013, Universal Republic), features production work from Pharrell Williams, Greg Wells [Adele], Jack Splash, John Hill, and Oak (of Oak & Pop)."

Aloe Blacc took a while longer to follow up his breakthrough album "Good things", dropping "Lift your spirit" in Europe in late 2013, with a major US release happening off the back of the single's success post-Superbowl in March 2014.

The album got released here around the same time, with big promo posters going up around Auckland city, plugging the album and a show at the Auckland Town Hall, on October 21. The current posters for that show now say 'new venue', as the show has downsized to The Powerstation. Same for the Wellington show, now at James Cabaret, Oct 23.

On first listen, while "Lift your spirit' has Blacc's distinctive soul croon, the production is leaden, unimaginative, and lacks all the charm that made 'Good things' such a  great listen. That was thanks to the restrained musical contributions of the Truth and Soul team, who added tasteful flourishes from their horn section, and kept the rhythm section tight.





What else? Pharrell Williams contributed production to both Blacc's and Hawthorne's latest albums. Unlike his first two albums, Hawthorne gives up the producer's seat.

This seems to have been a sharp move on his part, as his A&R/label folk have hooked him up with some sympathetic producers, much like the pairing of Aloe Blacc and Truth & Soul for his Good Things effort. [sidenote: Truth & Soul are currently working on the new Aaradhna album. Can't wait to hear that!]

Where Does This Door Go makes for a satisfying listen. Hawthorne has pushed his blue eyed soul into encompassing styles like Hall & Oates, and Steely Dan, and it works. Would love to see Hawthorne back down here to play these songs live!

Rick Rubin goes way back....

Via Fader; "Rolling Stone enlisted director Josh Swede to shoot a mini-documentary in which Rick Rubin visits 712 Weinstein at New York University, 30 years after the dorm room served as Def Jam's first office.

Rubin, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, Adam Horovitz, and more all reflect on how Rick piled drum machines floor to ceiling, shipped white-label vinyl from the dorm's mailroom, and threw parties with the biggest rappers in the country next door to kids studying for finals."

Read Rubin's 2004 FADER profile.

Ring The Alarm playlist, Oct 18

George Benson - The world is a ghetto
Freddie Joachim - Kool in the summer
Skullsnaps - It's a shoe day (Shoes edit)
Lou Rawls - For what it's worth
Shoes - In the mood for dub
Lightning head - Steelsation
Manasseh - Maga dub pt 1&2
Roots radics - Praising version
Dub Syndicate - Roots commandment remix
Fat Freddys Drop - Slings and arrows
The Pioneers -Sweet inspiration - Justin Robertson remix
Luiz Bonfa - Apache talk
Quincy Jones - They call me Mister Tibbs
Stargard - Which way is up
Chris Williams and the austral funk mac - The funky get down
Big Youth - Wolf in sheep clothing
Big Youth - Lions den dub version
Lovejoys - Let me rock with you
Horace Andy - Prophesy
Maxwell implosion - Follow my riddim
John Gibbs and the US of Steel Orchestra - J'Ouvert - Lord Echo re-edit
Recloose - Solomon's alive
Dexys midnight runners  -Tell me when my light turns green
Jakcie Stoudemire - Invisible wind - Shoes edit
Guilty Simpson - Man's world

John Gibbs + steel drums x Lord Echo

I've been hunting down a copy of this record for a little while now... a very cool steel drum tune done in 1979 by a US artist, released on a Japanese label, pressed in Germany, with a re-edit by Lord Echo, a cat from my own country, New Zealand. Catch is this record is impossible to find here, so I ordered it from the US. Totally worth the wait.

Originally released as John Gibbs and The Jam Band, this reissue pulls in a previously unreleased version, PLUS Lord Echo gives it a groovy swing on the re-edit.

Even better news, Em Records will be reissuing 'Steel Funk' in mid November... it's a fantastic album from John Gibbs and the Unlimited Sound of Steel Orchestra, which I am lucky enough to have on vinyl, thanks to some generous folk who gifted me a copy - thanks Jeff and Lisa From Down The Road!

"EM Records proudly announces a new addition to our 'EM Steel Pan Series', a project long in gestation, John Gibbs and the Unlimited Sound of Steel Orchestra. It's official, and of course it's excellent.

We are preparing to release their fine 1977 album "Steel Funk" on CD/LP/digital this fall, and as an appetizer we will issue two 12" singles ahead of the album:

"J'Ouvert" is a non-album track which was originally recorded and released in 1979 as a 12" single, in co-operation with legendary Philly Soul producer Louis Anthony deLise.

This EM1129TEP version is, surprisingly, a previously unissued original version that was held in the vaults by the artist for 35 years, after the 'remixed' 12" version was released in 1979. This original version is some two minutes longer than the 1979 12" and the pitch and mix are quite different from the 1979 version. Transferred from the original master tape and newly mastered. A great-sounding release!

LORD ECHO, a rising star from New Zealand, re-edited this classic with deep respect for the original, featuring his trademark cutting guitar playing. This is Echo's first remix/re-edit work for another artist. Both tracks are NOT on the upcoming EM Records album "Steel Funk".

Listen: Audio samples over here.

Soulfest feature: Angie Stone

Angie Stone, playing live at Soulfest in Auckland, Oct 26

Angie Stone first came on the music scene as a youngster, in the all-girl rap trio The Sequence, most famous for dropping Monster Jam, with Spoonie Gee, on Sugarhill Records.

She went on to form several other groups {Vertical Hold, Devox), and eventually worked on D'Angleo's album Brown Sugar and the followup Voodoo, as a songwriter, and also a backing vocalist on tour.

She describes that experience as "In my case, I came from a hip-hop success story to a songwriter that ended up getting a second chance with another group, ended up falling in love with a superstar sex symbol [D'Angelo whom she had a relationship with]. And within that pivotal moment of my career, it’s almost like I lost myself because the relationship overshadowed Angie Stone, the singer, the songwriter, the producer. It reduced me to just being a woman with a baby from a superstar."

She launched her solo career with the album Black Diamond in 1999, following it up with Mahogany Soul (2001), and has produced four more albums since then, the most recent being Rich Girl (2012). She's also done a few acting stints and also featured on reality tv, most recently in a show called R&B Divas: Atlanta, where she was a vocal coach.

Here's my fave tune from Ms Stone, great sample from the O'Jays running under it....

SOULFEST featuring Maxwell , D'Angelo, Common, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild, Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Aaradhna, Che Fu, Bella Kalolo and more. Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, Sunday 26th Oct (Labour Weekend). Tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.nz

Praise Be: New Picassos EP reviewed

Praise Be NZ Listener Sept 27 2014 Review by Jim Pinckney

"It's generally not good news when bands reform. The motivations are invariably financial or related to ego reinflation, and the results can sour the sweetest musical memories.

Fortunately that isn't the case with Auckland's Hallelujah Picassos, whose cross code adventures confused, delighted and occasionally appalled audiences from the late 80s to the mid 90s.

New EP Bullet That Breaks The Key shows they've lost none of their barricade manning fire. As ever, they remain the magnificent exception that proves the rule."

AND one more, from Australia.....

HALLELUJAH PICASSOS -Bullet That Breaks the Key EP (Independent) 4 Stars

By John O’Brien, news.co.au

"Of all the band reunions in recent years, this is one of the most welcome. Hallelujah Picassos’ fusion of ska, dub, hip-hop, punk and pop was one of the most refreshing sounds to come out of the Land of the Long White Cloud and they left fans fanging for more when they disbanded nearly 20 years ago after just a handful of albums and EPs.

In the past few years they’ve resurfaced with a best-of collection and EP of rarities and now this four-track EP. Technically there are only two new tracks, but it’s a good cross-section of their eclectic style, from the tropical melody and harmonies ofSalvadore (Miles Away From You) to the repetitious rant of Hang All Bankers, to the hypnotic dub remakes of Cracked Salvation (based on 1992’s Crack Dub) andSalvadore Dub Asylum vs. Pains People Remix. 

It might be but a taster of things to come but it’s great to hear them back in the game. An underappreciated part of New Zealand’s indie scene, they deserve wider attention this second time round."

NZ Music Awards finalists announced

Tiny Ruins, Lorde, Ladi6

The NZ Music Awards finalists were announced earlier this evening, along with the winners of the technical awards.

Lorde and Sol3Mio (who share the same manager) have both got 5 nominations, with Lorde off to an early start, with Joel Little winning best engineer and best producer for Lorde's album, as I predicted. Stand by for the 2014 awards to be the year of our Lorde. Not that hard to call, I know.

Ladi6 and David Dallas both have 4 nominations, and Tiny Ruins is up for 3. @Peace didn't make the cut in the hiphop category but are finalists for best group. Go figure.

Supergroove will be inducted into the NZ Music Hall Of Fame at next month's awards. The other inductee, scheduled for this month's APRA Silver Scroll Awards, will be announced this Saturday.

The winners will be announced at Vector Arena on November 20, with live performances by Tiny Ruins, Benny Tipene, Blacklistt, Sol3 Mio, Broods, and David Dallas.. Full list of finalists....

Album of the Year
Ladi6 - Automatic
Lorde - Pure Heroine
Sol3 Mio - Sol3 Mio
The Naked And Famous - In Rolling Waves
Tiny Ruins - Brightly Painted One

Single of the Year
Broods - Bridges
David Dallas - Runnin
Ladi6 - Diamonds
Lorde - Team
The Naked And Famous - Hearts Like Ours

Best Group
@Peace - @Peace and the Plutonium Noise Symphony
Sol3 Mio - Sol3 Mio
The Naked And Famous - In Rolling Waves

Best Male Solo Artist
David Dallas - Falling Into Place
Liam Finn - The Nihilist
Stan Walker - Inventing Myself

Best Female Solo Artist
Ladi6 - Automatic
Lorde - Pure Heroine
Tiny Ruins - Brightly Painted One

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Broods
Doprah
Sol3 Mio

Best Rock Album
Blacklistt - Blacklistt
Clap Clap Riot - Nobody/Everybody
Ekko Park - Tomorrow Tomorrow Today

Best Pop Album
Benny Tipene - Toulouse
Lorde - Pure Heroine
Stan Walker - Inventing Myself

Best Alternative Album
Grayson Gilmour - Infinite Life!
Liam Finn - The Nihilist
Tiny Ruins - Brightly Painted One

Best Urban/Hip Hop Album
David Dallas - Falling Into Place
Ladi6 - Automatic
PNC - The Codes

Best Roots Album
House of Shem - Harmony
Mark Vanilau - Dark Horizon
Tama Waipara - Fill Up The Silence

Best Electronica Album
Bulletproof - #Listen
Opiuo - Meraki
Sorceress - Dose

Best Music Video
Campbell Hooper - Hearts Like Ours (The Naked And Famous)
Thunderlips - Stranger People (Doprah)
Tom Gould - Runnin (David Dallas)

Best Maori Album
House of Shem - Harmony
Rob Ruha - Tiki Tapu
Tama Waipara - Fill Up The Silence

Best Gospel Christian Album
Lifestyle (of Worship) - Lifestyle (of Worship)
Mosaic Music - You Surround
Saving Grace - The Urgency

Best Classical Album
Dame Gillian Whitehead - Alice
Jack Body - Poems of Love & War
Voices 16 - Voice of the Soul

People's Choice Award
Lorde
Sol3 Mio
David Dallas
Broods
Stan Walker

NZ Herald Legacy Award
Supergroove

NZ On Air Critics' Choice Prize line-up
Estére
Lake South
Randa

Mantis - smoking Fiji funk rock

Fascinating slice of heavyweight funk rock from Fiji, circa 1973. Mantis arrived in New Zealand, having honed their chops at a club residency in Suva. They landed a similar slots in clubs in Wellington, and were soon spotted by  a record producer.

At their first recording session, they cut an uptempo version of Booker T and the MG’s’ ‘Time Is Tight’ in one take. Another session produced a cover of US band The Wackers’ ‘Night And Day’ , these two songs being their first single. 

It was quickly followed by an album, with songs mostly recorded in one take, that's how tight they were. Songs on the album include Wilson Pickett’s ‘In The Midnight Hour’, Mountain’s ‘Mississippi Queen’ and Jo Jo Gunne’s ‘Shake The Fat’.

Via Audioculture: "One of the most valuable records ever recorded in New Zealand on the international collectors' market wasn't made by a local band. Mantis came from Fiji and were resident at the famous Golden Dragon in Suva - a club with a reputation that stretched far beyond the South Pacific.

In 1973 they arrived in Wellington and were signed by Polygram. Their only album, recorded at the EMI Studios by Ed Morris, and released later that year on the Vertigo label was an instant classic - honed by countless hours playing funk and soul in Suva.

Long unavailable, it now goes for well upwards of $500 if you can find it, although it's about to get reissued by Universal, we are told. There have been a few unofficial bootleg reissues over the years also.

Teneti Ririnui has done some digging and we have the Mantis story here."

MORE: Fiji Times on Mantis (2013)

RIP Style Scott (Dub Syndicate, Roots Radics)

Via Fact Mag: "Lincoln “Style” Scott, best known for his work with Adrian Sherwood in Dub Syndicate, has reportedly died. Scott’s career in the reggae world dates back to the 1970s, first with the Roots Radics band and also with Prince Far I, Bunny Wailer, Scientist, and Creation Rebel.

The circumstances of his death are unknown, but murder is rumored. Dub Syndicate have confirmed the news via Facebook: "Very very sad news – but it is true. Style Scott is dead. We do not have very precise information from Jamaica and we are not able to comment anything in the moment because we are totally shocked and we are in a vacuum of sadness and we are speechless…!"

Soulfest feature: Common on "The Light"

Common is heading our way as part of the lineup for Soulfest, happening October 26. He's playing alongside the likes of Maxwell, Angie Stone, D'Angelo, Anthony Hamilton, Aaradhna, and Che Fu.

"Complex’s Magnum Opus series continues with light being shown on Common’s 2000 breakthrough single. Com speaks about working with Dilla, not doing punches, and sampling Bobby Caldwell. Interviews with Erykah Badu, Frank Nitt, and Bob Power are included.

“It was one of those songs that when you’re really pouring out heart, it’s just coming from your soul… I just had to let the truth come out,” Common says of “The Light.” “I was really grownin’ into my own. That stage of my life was… really learning’ who I was, being able to express myself… trying to find that pure place within me.”

Highest Frequency compilation

From Saving Grace Music: "Highest Frequency is a sonic journey into the continuum of electronic beat music. This is a global record, influenced by global sounds; Instrumental Hip Hop, IDM, Garage, Jungle and Dub.

The producers showcased on the compendium hail from Huddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bristol in the UK as well as Germany, Spain, the US and Mexico...."  Listen to the album in full,. below. Some excellent, bleepy, beaty bizznizz, taking in a wide range of electronic styles.

Grant Phabao reggae reworks, check em

"Fifth in the series of 'Reggae Reworks', 'Sisters Of Soul' gathers four Grant Phabao reggae & ska remixes from the Paris DJs 'Virtual Releases' podcast, featuring a quatuor of fantastic ladies of soul from today: Dionne Charles, Josa Peit, Selah Sue and Laura Vane.

The 'Baby Charles' album released in march 2008 on the Italian Record Kicks label hasn't aged much since its release. Featuring the vocal prowess of Brighton-based soul singstress Dionne Charles, this LP was one of the highlights of 2008, alas the follow-up never happened and the band split.

If Dionne has been spotted since then on some records by The New Mastersounds, Beta Hector, Black Grass, Soopasool, Milano Jazz Dance Combo or Wax Tailor, her first solo album is still expected to happen… Meanwhile here's a soulful ska dressing of a tune from that first Baby Charles album, 'Hardman To Please', only available until now as a free 128k MP3 through Paris DJs, and finally liberated here in lossless format."

Move to riot: NZ music and activism

Simon Grigg (Audioculture, Propeller Records, Huh!/OMC) and Phillip Kelly of the Wellington Media Collective present a talk on tomorrow night at St Paul st, AUT, about NZ music that charts the turbulent times of the WMC's existence, from the late 70s the the late 90s. Read more about the exhibition here.

Ring The Alarm playlist, Oct 11

Roy Ayers - Running away -12" version
Jaziac sunflowers - Mambo chant
Pimps of joytime - PJTs high stepping
Lightning head - NPG
Ebo Taylor - Atwer abroba
Hugh Masekela - Grazing in the grass
Mr Chop - T.R.O.Y.
Lil Buck and the top cats - Monkey in a sack
Innersouls - Just take your time
Pointer sisters - Yes we can can
OJays - 992 arguments
Temptations - Don't let the Joneses get you down
Shantel - Bucovina - Haaksman & Haaksman soca bogle mix
Manuel Bundy  -What's your style?
Fat Freddys Drop - Slings and arrows (Out on 7"/digital on Oct 17)
Tour de force - Where did we go wrong - Reality chant remix
African head charge - Animal law
Adrian Sherwood - Cliched dub slave
Jackie Mittoo - James Bond
Skatalites - Exodus
Stranger and Patsy - When I call your name
Lynn Taitt - Steppin up
Fred Wesley and the JBs - It's not the Express, it's the JBs Monaurail
Marva Whitney - Unwind yourself
Mongo Santamaria - Louie Louie
Bronx river parkway - Donde
Willie Bobo - Spanish grease
Afrodisiac sound system - Body and soul mashup
Mantis - Shake that fat

Rewind 6 compilation drops

Out now on Ubiquity. Latest in their series collecting cool cover versions.... check The Lions, Orgone, Shawn Lee...

Tour de Force get remixed

"Following the release of Tour de Force's acclaimed debut Battle Cry LP, we're excited to announce Battle Cry Remixed, a 15-track compilation of remixes from this crucial album.

For this release, we've enlisted an all star international roster of dub and bass music producers including 

NZ's Reality Chant, and Dub Terminator, Hungarian/UK dubstep whiz DJ Madd, American raggabass pioneer Dub Gabriel, Canadian dub-meets-electro kingpin Dubmatix, UK reggae producer Adam Prescott, French dub pioneer Brain Damage, among others."

Battle Cry Remixed will be available on digital formats on October 7

Tracklist:
01. Battle Cry (DJ Madd Remix)
02. Battle Cry (Double Tiger Remix)
03. Old Time Love feat. Jay Spaker (Dub Terminator Remix)
04. Old Time Love feat. Jay Spaker (Ondubground Remix)
05. Pool Party feat. Jahdan Blakkamoore (Dubsworth Remix)
06. Pool Party feat. Jahdan Blakkamoore (Naram Remix)
07. Roots Lyrics feat. Brother Culture (Brain Damage Remix)
08. Roots Lyrics feat. Brother Culture (Adam Prescott Remix)
09. Strong to Survive (Hylu & Jago Remix)
10. A Little Bit More feat. Dub Gabriel (Dubmatix Remix)
11. A Little Bit More feat. Dub Gabriel (Dub Gabriel Remix)
12. Where do we go Wrong feat. Luciano (B-No Remix)
13. Where do we go Wrong feat. Luciano (Fogata Sounds Remix)
14. Where do we go Wrong feat. Luciano (Reality Chant Remix)
15. The Traveler (Step-Art Remix)

Auckland Jazz Festival coming, 10- 26 October

Mike Nock Trio

Via Creative Jazz Club (CJC): "The inaugural Auckland Jazz Festival is fast approaching, with 10 days of great jazz happening across a number of venues around town including (obviously) 1885 & Orleans, Tom Tom, The Golden Dawn, The Portland Public House, Hallertau, and more. Check out the programme at www.aucklandjazzfestival.co.nz

Here at CJC we'll be featuring 3 great international headline acts over consecutive nights:

Tuesday 21 - Mike Nock Trio (Sydney) [TICKETS]
The much-loved pianist will be bring his Sydney-based trio to CJC.

Wednesday 22 - Benny Lackner Trio (Germany) [TICKETS]
Redefining the piano trio for the electronic age, German-American Benny Lackner brings his Berlin-based band to CJC for the first time.

Thursday 23 - Francisco Torres (USA) & Rodger Fox [TICKETS]
Two master trombonists unite with ample support from Kevin Field, Ron Samsom and Ollie Holland. I call this one "Two bones and a dog".

Festival Pricing: Prices for the internationals in the festival will be:
$35 admission
$30 CJC members
$25 Students
$20 Student members (standing room)
Festival pass: all 3 events: $90. Select the festival pass option from the Mike Nock gig. 

Presale tickets are available from eventfinder for all 3 events. We've capped the capacity a bit to provide a good experience for those who attend, and we expect demand to be huge, so get in early... AND, please do make sure you go and see some other gigs around town during the festival. We want this festival to keep going and growing. Only you can make that happen.

Peruse the full lineup at aucklandfestival.co.nz/events and then check back again in a few days, because there still soem good events being confirmed on a daily basis."

Brand new tunes from Adi Dick

Latest release from Adi Dick, a former Wellingtonian, now based in Norway.

He says "Grab "Echo Space" now for FREE... on one condition... that you share it around on Facebook, Tumblr, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, hell write a letter to your Grandma and tell her about it too! The more people that hear it, the better!"

Melvin Van Peebles x Heliocentrics

UK heavyweight outfit the Heliocentrics have backed some seriously cool cats - Mulatu Astatke, and more recently, Orlando Julius. Their next collab is with legendary film maker and musician, Melvin Van Peebles... 

Via Rappcats: "Melvin Van Peebles – filmmaker, musician, playwright, actor, writer, B52 pilot, stock broker, cad, inventor of "Blaxploitation" and inspiration to Madlib and Quasimoto.

He's pretty much done it all, and he's hasn't begun to slow down despite being in his early 80s. He's recorded a new album with Heliocentrics that will be released next week worldwide, and is available NOW at Rappcats."

http://rappcats.com/heliocentrics-melvin-van-peebles-the-last-transmission

Hackney Colliery Band drop new EP

From Wahwah45s: "East London brass juggernaut, Hackney Colliery Band, have seen their star rapidly rise over the past two years. Since the release of their enponymous debut and sophomore album, Common Decency, this riotous nine piece have toured the UK and Europe, playing at some of its finest festivals along the way, and gained support from radio and club DJs, broadsheets and tastemakers ranging from The Times to BBC 6Music funk and soul afficionado Craig Charles, as well as having the likes of Eliza Doolittle and the late Amy Winehouse joining them on stage.

The band’s penchant for a canny cover has always been one of its strengths, and perhaps one that sometimes overshadowed HCB’s frankly brilliant song-writing. After a string of singles led by a cunning cover version, the A Bit of Common Decency EP sheds light on HCB’s original music, albeit with the help of a remix or two."

Tracklisting:
1. A Bit of Common Decency (Radio Edit)
2. Superhero Disco (The Reflex Revision)
3. Smile for the Webcam
4. Dead Dialogue
5. Dead Dialogue (Paper Tiger Remix)
6. Dead Dialogue (Triangulator Remix)
7. A Bit of Common Decency (Fedka The Irritant Remix)

Stinky Jim: Stenchmeister lets rip!

Photo: NZHerald

There's a great piece on the NZ Herald online by Paul Casserly, talking to longstanding and highly respected BFM DJ Stinky Jim, well worth a read. I discovered his first musical love was for the bagpipes. What do you know.

" ... Next year marks a quarter century of this glorious "spinning of solid hooha".

The radio studio is a holy place for Jim, and younger DJs have entered at their peril.

Visitors are not encouraged. It's Jim, the music and the listener; everyone else would be wise to keep away. The suggestion that he has instilled the fear of god into generation of bFM DJs makes him laugh, he has, I suggest, a rep as a curmudgeon. 

"I am! And I wear that badge with pride. I never stab people in the back, I stab people in the front. I love this country but there's a politeness that's beautiful but it stops getting things done, if you say you're passionate, you have to be passionate." And, overused and abused as it is, the word "passionate" is apt for the 24 and half years of "luxurious lughole love" that Jim has been serving us.

Has it ever been a chore I ask? Hoping for a curmudgeonly whining-pom response. "Today I've gone through 300 to 400 tunes for tonight's show, it's down to about 120 now. I'll still be adding stuff at 8pm, listening to all that music, how could that be a chore? It's a privilege."

Bill Withers live 73, on the BBC

Found this cool concert while hunting for some Bill Withers business, great show from 73 for the BBC... the same year he dropped a splendid live album, cut at Carnegie Hall.

0:00:00:00 Ain`t No Sunshine
00:03:18:11 Lonely Town, Lonely Street
00:09:14:16 Grandma`s Hands
00:11:40:18 Use Me
00:16:01:00 Let Me In Your Life
00:20:15:18 Lean On Me
00:24:47:08 Harlem
00:29:19:00 end

Ring The Alarm playlist, Oct 4

Nina Simone - Seeline woman - MAW remix
Amerigo Gazaway & Illmatics feat James Brown - Get up and get down
Betty Davis - Anti love song
Bill Withers - Harlem
Ill brothers - Funkneck
Nightmares on wax - What I'm feelin' - Rae and Christian remix
Barrett Strong - Money
The Vogues - Humpty dumpty
Lefties soul connection - Have love will travel
Manuel Bundy feat Feelstyle - What's your style?
Wild Bill Ricketts - Riki
Sound dimension - Heavy rock
Jackie Mittoo - Moon walk (aka man pon spot)
Shark Wilson and the heaters - Make it reggae
Chosen few - Tears of a clown
Big bud - Runaway
Beat pharmacy  feat Spaceape - Ghost ships
Fat freddys drop - Mother mother - Theo Parrish translation
Chico Hamilton - El Toro - Mark de Clive Lowe remix

Lee Fields remix contest

Via Truth and Soul: "Recently we had The Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band & Marco Polo remix “Just Can’t Win”, both versions are smashing and getting worldwide accolades. The 45 for those is at the record plant and coming out soon, the digital versions are available everywhere now.

Truth & Soul is doing this remix contest for Lee Fields & The Expressions “Just Can’t Win” to hear what people are up to with their own projects.
We are open to any kind of remix, be it your band live, SP1200, MPC anything, vocal harmony group, etc… Any style is welcome, you can download a WAV of the acapella in our webstorehere.

Send all submissions to remixcontest@truthandsoulrecords.com, all submissions need to be in by Oct 31.

Winner will get a box full of T&S vinyl and their remix promoted all over the world.

Honorable mentions will get honorable mentions. DOWNLOAD THE ACAPPELLA HERE "

New Fat Freddys 7 coming

The Freddys boys are heading off to the UK and Europe for some shows very soon, including a huge show at Alexandra Palace, aka Ally Pally.

They say "Another drop from Bays studio jam series and this one has a name, Slings And Arrows. We're adding it to the set list on our October tour, and recorded a version for a single release on 7" and digi this month. Stay tuned!"

Laneway Fest lineup out!

Here's the full Laneway NZ Festival lineup, announced yesterday - Monday 26 January, Silo Park in Auckland....very excited about Little Dragon, Connan Mockasin,  Lykke Li and Flying Lotus..

Angel Olsen, Angus and Julia Stone, BANKS, Belle and Sebastian, Bespin, Connan Mockasin, Courtney Barnett, Eagulls, FKA twigs, Flying Lotus,Future Islands, HEAVY, Jakob, Jon Hopkins, Jungle, Literal F*ck, Little Dragon, Lykke Li, Mac DeMarco, Perfect Pussy, Princess Chelsea, Quarks!, Race Banyon, Ratking, Royal Blood, Rustie, SOHN, St. Vincent,Tiny Ruins and Vic Mensa.

Tickets onsale Monday 13th October 9am.

NZ Music Awards Technical Awards finalists announced

Grayson Gilmour - cover by Henrietta Harris

Ladi 6  - cover by Robert Wallace

Liam Finn - cover by Anna Taylor and Ken Clark

The full list of finalists for the Technical Awards at the 49th Annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards has been announced  -stand by for the first of many awards for Lorde's album, I'm picking...

Best Producer
Joel Little – Lorde – Pure Heroine
Thomas Healy – Tiny Ruins’ – Brightly Painted One
Thom Powers – The Naked and Famous –Rolling Waves'

Best Engineer
Doug Jane – Kiri Te Kanawa – Waiata
Hayden Taylor – Blacklistt – Blacklistt
Joel Little - Lorde - Pure Heroine

Best Album Cover
Anna Taylor and Ken Clark -Liam Finn – The Nihilist
Henrietta Harris - Grayson Gilmour – Infinite Life!
Robert Wallace - Automatic – Ladi6

The winners of the Technical Awards are revealed at VNZMA Finalists Announcement at The Pullman Auckland on 16 October.

The line-up for this year’s NZ On Air Critics’ Choice Showcase (happening Oct 29) will be announced at this event as well as the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award recipient, who will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, at the music awards event on November 20 at Vector Arena.

Sun Ra remastered

Out this week - from Strut: "Sun Ra was a deep thinker with a deep catalog of music. Recording prolifically throughout his career, Sun Ra inspired generation of musicians with his unique approach to composition and performance and his futuristic philosophies.

In The Orbit Of Ra collects decades of music from Sun Ra and his Arkestra, presented by the group's longest-standing member and current leader, Marshall Allen. The collection includes the previously unreleased track "Trying To Put The Blame On Me," as well as unissued versions of "Reflects Motion" and "Island In the Sun."

Lovingly remastered from the original tapes for pristine sound, In The Orbit Of Ra is available on 2xCD, 2xLP (w. CD insert) & digital formats. Due to high demand, vinyl copies on the Strut store have sold out via pre-order, but vinyl should be available from your favorite local record store.

Watch a new interview with Arkestra Marshall Allen, Danny Ray Thompson, Michael Ray and Knoel Scott reflecting on the life and influence of Sun Ra in a rare new interview with Art Yard's Peter Dennett below: