Simple Maths

I'm super busy with uni work at the moment so I'll keep this brief, just watch & listen to these two videos, first one by SBTRKT, and the second a live recording of Quantic & His Combo Babaro (TT) enjoy.

Hype

So, quite often on this blog I report on music that other DJ's such as Gilles Peterson or Benji B are raving about. However, I think I might be a little ahead of the game, with a name to lookout for in the future, Toby Gale (aka Tobias Gale & Toby Toast) is a producer, drummer and all round good guy hailing from Bath. Currently residing in Kingston-upon-Thames, his music is richly influenced by a diverse selection of artists such as Madlib, Gil Scott Heron, Minotaur Shock, Prefuse 73 and far too many more to mention. If musical taste was measured on a scale of 1-10 this guy would be at the top as far as I'm concerned. Anyway I digress, basically Toby is making some top notch music of his own, and is in the process of making his second album "Song for Keys". He has very kindly given me the privilege of streaming one of the tracks taken from this album, his remix of Radiohead's "Reckoner".

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Also, for a limited time only on his myspace you can download a preview copy of the album @ www.myspace.com/tobygale. Toby is currently receiving a lot of hype about his Sebastien Tellier "Fingers of Steel" remix and has found himself at the top of the http://www.rcrdlbl.com/ most popular list for quite a while now. There are also rumours of a Radio 1 drop, so keep an eye out for Mr. Gale.

I'm going to a 10th birthday party this weekend.

Sometimes living in Brighton has its benefits, one of these is being in the hometown of Tru Thoughts Records. They are celebrating 10 years of quality music with various gigs, and one of these is in our very own Brighton, this Friday (16th) at Coalition. The Line up is as follows:
Belleruche (Live)
Lizzy Parks (Acoustic)
Nostalgia 77 (DJ)
Kinny (Live PA)
Flevans (DJ)
TM Juke (DJ)
Natural Self (DJ)
Hint (DJ)
Hosted by Robert Luis



Also check out the Tru Thoughts 10 Year Anniversary Ltd 3 Disc Book, I'm just gonna steal the blurb "We are very proud to announce the launch of an astounding collection of music compiled from our 10 year history. This numbered limited edition 32 page booklet features 3 cd's; 2 of which are a 'best of' selection, compiled by Robert Luis (with help from the entire staff!) of classics that have sold well, defined the label or simply tracks we love! The third disc is entirely exclusive to this package and are tracks commisioned just for this project". For more info check out the Tru Thoughts Website @ www.tru-thoughts.co.uk

Anyway if your in Brighton then come along and I'll see you there.

Taking it back to the old school.

Just wanted to share with you a video of the great Oscar Peterson doing his thing. This is part 1 of a set of videos featuring Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn. If you go to youtube.com you'll find the rest of the videos, it's well worth a watch. There is nothing I'd rather listen to.

Settled In

Sorry folks, I've been without internet for a while due to moving house, I'm now settling down in Brighton for the start of another year of university. Not much to report, but I would recommend as always checking out Gilles Peterson's latest show, featuring Quantic in Conversation.

This one's a keeper

I'm excited about Andreya Triana's debut album dropping soon, its produced by superproducer supremo extraordinaire Bonobo with some song writes courtesy of the singer / songwriter with the crazy skills and talents Fink. More details on its release to be announced...

I saw her at last year's Big Chill with TM Juke & The Jack Baker Trio, a great singer and stunning too. Here is a video featuring Andreya called 'The Keeper' - 1st single from the new Bonobo album and its out on the 19th of October 2009.

Sexperience is out!

Dorian Concept has finally released Trilingual Dance Sexperience, I've had a lot of hits from people searching for that tune so here are some useful links:

Mp3 available from http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=221198
Vinyl available from
http://affinerecords.com/shop/trilingual-dance-sexperience

It's also got a wicked b-side "Tropical Hands". Check it

Tribute

Just found this on a nice blog, rumblejazz.com, it's a Flying Lotus tribute to Dilla, sampling Fall in Love. Anyway it's probably old news to a lot of you but hey, that doesn't mean it's not worth posting. enjoy!

I dream of Machines

I forgot to mention Little Dragon's new album in my last post. Wicked stuff, I've been listening to the track Blinking Pigs all day long, so good! Anyway this is the Swedish group's second album and it's called Machine Dreams, it's being released on Peacefrog Records and is well worth a listen to.

Gifts

Just been in Europe for a few weeks without internet, which was nice in a way but it is also nice to have technology back. So I got my hands on a few gems, firstly Sbtrkt hooked me up with an mp3 of 2020 which was just incredible, such a gent, such a tune. Also purchased Brownswood Bubblers 4 the latest in the Brownswood Bubblers series, featuring the likes of Mayer Hawthorne, Floating Points, yU, New Look, Souleance and Keaver & Brause.

Talking of Mayer Hawthorne I just bought tickets to see him in London at Queen of Hoxton which is exciting, alongside some Tru Thoughts artists I believe. Also got hold of that wicked heart shaped vinyl, BOOM.
Dave from Tru Thoughts sent me a link whilst I was away for an exclusive Natural Self album preview, a little mix he has done of all his tracks, so you can find that at www.naturalselfmusic.com

County Show

Deviant

Check out Benji B's blog @ http://deviationmusic.net/blog/ for a nice little stream of Sbtrkt plus loads of other sweet ditties.

Help

Gotta get back on this shit, no excuses i've been lazy. But back with a bang, let's kick things off with Quantic and his Combo Barbaro, got the album no surprises it's sweet i recommend you listen to "Undiscovered Letter" and Linda Morena. More music, James Blake "Air & Lack Thereof", Sbtrkt - 2020 . I will be doing this more frequently, I promise I just need to get my act together. Love

Back once again

So yet again its been ages since i've done a blog due to exams and the like. But now thats all finished and summer has sort of arrived I'm back on board and ready to blog. I went to a wicked little festival the weekend just gone at box called "T on the Farm" definitely one to look out for in the future. Local bands, Local peops and friendly organisers make it a must go to festival. Favourite bands from the weekend have to be The Volt, Electralux and The Zen Hussies.

Worth checking out the Madlib and J Rocc takeover for Gilles Peterson on the iPlayer, nothing short of spectacular. Also wanting to give a heads up for a track which I think is from way back when in 1998 The Lone Ranger - It's Yours, which is Q Tip in hiding, only heard it the other day and it is FRESH.

Domu

So, more stuff from tru-thoughts, this time the legendary Domu who has signed to the label for this and potentially another album. This album being another "One offs, remixes and B-Sides" so got a few tracks thrown my way and they are just as quality as you would expect. Domu's always being a maestro remixer, so it's no surprise really. It includes the awesome remix of Spanky Wilson & The Quantic Soul Orchestra, which was featured on a recent Shapes Compilation, got a wicked bass line, lovely keys and of course Spanky's spanking vocals (hello). A couple of other superb tracks as well, so yeah looking forward to the album.
Anyway I'm gonna be super busy with Uni exams over the course of the next few weeks, although I'm making time to see the Tru-Thoughts 10 years gig for the Brighton Fringe on Sunday, so I'll try and let you know how that goes. Peace out. Oh and here is an example of Domu's remixing skills at work, check it.

The Return of Quantic

Got some more music from Tru-Thoughts the other day, taken from two albums I am very excited about. First off a couple of tracks from Lizzy Parks forthcoming acoustic album. I've been excited about this album since I saw that acoustic video of "Raise the Roof", which I love. So the tracks sound really good, there really stripped bare which I love, takes music back to it's essential parts, great harmonies, rhythmic instruments, and top notch vocals, not to mention some Jazz Flute.

Next up my favorite, Quantic returns, this time equiped with his Colombian band, the Combo Barbaro. This stuff is shit hot, it's pretty much what you'd get if you can imagine mixing Quantic and the Buena Vista Social Club. Super Funky, love that slightly discordant piano and superb drumming, definitely gonna check out the live show @ the Roundhouse later this year.

Anyway here is Lizzy Park's acoustic version of her track "Raise The Roof" I had to put it on again. She sang it with a cold don't you know.

Visual Effect

Here's the new Mayer Hawthorne video, this guy is dominating at the moment.

I'm back

So it has been a while since my last post, I've been well busy with uni work and personal issues. Anyway I'm back and ready to go and what better way to start than with a free CD. Hell yeah, I wasn't expecting it but this weekend gone I got Kinny's album "Idle Forest of Chit Chat" in the post. So even before I listened to the album I was in high spirits, but these were only hightened by listening to the ablum. I'd had the good fortune to listen to some of the album before it was released, but there were some undiscovered gems I hadn't heard. The album as a whole works really well, from the moment you take a glance at the artwork and the label (tru-thoughts) you know it's gonna be good. Petrified Dazed feat. TM Juke has got that early TM Juke sound and a little bit of Quanticnish too (yeah that's a word), horns, latin vibes, soulful vocals and tasty chord progressions, that's my kind of track. Other stand out tracks were the title track "Idle Forest of Chit Chat" one of two Souldrop productions on the album, I'm definitely gonna keep an eye out for Souldrop in the future. Actually I can't be bothered to list all the tracks I like, because it's the majority of the album, so yeah check it out and thank me later. Peace & Love

I will be back on board soon.

Sorry really busy with uni work at the moment. When I've got more free time I will bring back the blogging got some Hint tracks to talk about and some other stuff too. much love and sorry about the wait.

gigspace

Went to see Bonobo last night @ audio, was actually a pretty decent night. Great sets by Rob & Bonobo. Rob started a little bit dubsteppy, also dropping floating points. Nice to hear some good music being played in a Brighton club, suprisingly rare. Bonobo obviously had a lot of fans in who where cheering every track, played some of his own tracks and a nice little drop of Onra's "The Anthem". So yeah all in all a good night, looking forward to seeing some more tru-thoughts nights in the future. Also briefly bumped into Hint, who was in amongst the punters.

Q-Tip

Just a quick word to say how amazing Saturday night was. Worldwide 10 at the Camden Roundhouse with Q-Tip, DJ Semtex, The bPm, Dorian Concept, Little Dragon, Gilles Peterson and Benji B. The music was incredible, I felt at times the levels in the venue weren't right, but nonetheless Q-Tip was a superstar, stage presence, talent and charisma all working together to create the best show I've ever seen. yeah well done Gilles and the gang see you at Koko for Mulatu & The Heliocentrics. Oh and cheers to Toby & Abby for their hospitality.

WW

More hype about Mayer Hawthorne this week, this time from Gilles Peterson, with a storming track "Maybe So Maybe No". That's a big track. Also a little floating points showcase, including a wicked live track feat. Fatima. Gonna leave you with a video for "Love Me Like This" Floating Points. Enjoy

House Party

It may be a bit gimmicky and there are a few too many celebs, but I do like this advert and it makes me want to go to a decent house party


plus new GP show tonight, so more recommendations on the way i think. much love

Check it

This is well worth a watch from Stones Throw Records Mayer Hawthorne – "Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out" on a wicked heart shaped vinyl, believe it or not this is new music.
and I think it's worth playing the b-side as well Mayer Hawthorne – "When I Said Goodbye"

Afterparty

Just found out about the afterparty for the Q-Tip / Gilles Peterson Show on the 14th. Should be an amazing night. The main show is a sell out but this would worth it too. Do it. John Edwards

Young Heartache

Just got my hands on Bullion's new EP "Young Heartache" It is amazing, i've been waiting for it since GP played a track from it on Worldwide. The track he played "Time for Us All to Love" is the choice cut, got a Brazilian vibe to it, great cut up vocals, in fact all the tracks have a lot more of a soulful vibe than Bullion's earlier work. It is always great to hear an artist take a different route and to pull it off. Bullion has certainly done that. I expect to hear these tracks being played by tasteful DJ's a lot. Well done Bullion, I'm definitely feeling it. www.myspace.com/bullionness

End of the Show

So I should admit I fell asleep towards the end of GP's show last night, I think it's only fair, I mean it's late. Anyway I caught up on the end of the show today and realised I missed quite a finish, quite a soulful vibe, there was like a little segment that was just spot on. The tracks were

Kay Suzuki Ft Fatima – Something To Say (Fresh Minute Music)
Phlash & Friends – Tricks (Restless Soul)
Rochelle - Hit The Floor (Test)
Omar – When You Touch Me (Test)

I really need to get my hands on all of these, the Phil Asher one is just a remix of Restless Soul, but I liked it I think it worked well. And the Omar track is just spot on. Well Gilles, with another great show, just keeping things fresh and right. Much Love.

In New Music We Trust...

So if you listened to last night's Worldwide on Radio 1, you will have heard some fantastic music. Gilles played a couple of tracks from Doom's new album (formally MF Doom). I've actually managed to get my hands on the promo for this album, with a release date of 24th of March (I think), on LEX records. Well let's just say Doom is one of the best, pretty much carrying on from his Stones Throw stuff, in terms of lyrics and flow, however the production is quite different. The Tracks are a lot smoother, not as many of those amazing vocal samples his previous stuff was filled with. "Angelz" is a great track, if you can imagine Doom rapping over a classic James Bond theme, with a vintage Doom beat. "Cellz" is a wicked track too, quite dark, about a two minute intro, but then the sombre horns, and Doom's unchallenged flow just get your head bouncing. Check it out 24th March, you can pre order it online now @ http://www.lexrecords.com/shop/pages/view.php?stockcode=LEX069CD

Oh yeah got a nice little shout out from Gilles on the show again. Always brings a smile to my face. Much love John Edwards

Peace and Love

This is a bit of a random one but yeah. So I think I've just found my new happy place and I'll tell you how to replecate it.

Step One: Make yourself comfortable, prefereably lying down.

Step Two: Get a decent pair of speakers or pop some good headphones on.

Step Three: Play Joey Negro & The Sunburst Band's track "Shabadowah" (only up to 2-40)

Step Four: Close your eyes

Step Five: Take yourself to your favourite place and imagine being with your favourite people. So for me I think I'd be lying down on Toby's balcony in France looking up at the stars, with all my Bath Friends a nice glass of wine and just breathe(pathetic I know but that's what I love). yeah now that's my happy place. much love

Worldwide

In the true spirit of Gilles Peterson, this blog has gone worldwide. I've had hits from as far a field as LA, San Antonio, Austin, Chicago, Florida, Milan, Vienna, Budapest, Berlin and Gdansk. This is super cool seing as I've only been online for about 10 days. Anyway GP's show is on tonight so I might be able to direct you to some new tunes via Gilles. Exciting times. John Edwards

Wowzers

What a joyful afternoon I've had. I have been blessed by the kind folks at tru-thoughts with some fantastic promos from Stonephace, Kinny & Nostalgia 77. Where to start, well as you may have learnt from my earlier post, I am very excited about the debut album from Stonephace (including amongst other the legendary Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley), so today I got the chance to listen to a new track "Five Miles High". Exciting stuff, a trance enducing bass-line, pshcadelic guitar riffs, shoe tapping beats combined with gentle horn stabs and some classic jazz flute. More please.

Right next up the self titled album from Nostalgia 77 Sessions featuring Keith and Julie Tippett. Yes yes yes, more exciting stuff a classical jazz album here methinks. I was sent two tracks Visions and Rainclouds. Out of the two Visions was the stand out track for me, Julie Tippett's vocals a first for me were outstanding like a deeper more soulful Norma Winstone. These vocals also featured heavily on "Rainclouds" and made exquisite use of layering, which was reminiscient of some of TM Juke & Alice Russell's work. Definitely gonna get my hands on this album.

And Last but not least Kinny, two more tracks, and two more winners, this is exciting times for Tru Thoughts, I think I have a new track of the moment, a soulful number featuring the appropriately named DJ Souldroup "Water for Chocolate". This one took me back to J Dilla's (R.I.P) perfectly sampled numbers, a great mix of samples and fresh music topped with Kinny's impecable vocals. And as a little treat for y'all here is Kinny's video for her track "Enough Said" (feat Quantic Soul Orchestra) enjoy.

If your face was made of stone...

Yeah so how about some psychadelic funk from tru-thoughts courtesy of Stonephace, as played on worldwide this week gone released on the 20th of April this could be one of the albums of the year alongside Mulatu & The Heliocentrics.

"Veteran jazz dissident Larry Stabbins’s collaboration with enigmatic sonic alchemist Krzysztof Oktalski – a mind-bending mix of hip hop and externalist semantics.

Featuring Portishead’s Adrian Utley on guitar and Jim Barr on bass, plus a guest appearance from virtuoso trumpeter Guy Barker as you’ve never heard him before, Stonephace creates a unique universe where electronics, free jazz and Afro-tinged beats collide. Imagine a mix of Sun Ra, Fela Kuti, Pharaoh Sanders and early Soft Machine produced by Jay Dee and you might be getting close." (from tru-thoughts.co.uk)

El vino did flow

Currently steadily drinking a bottle of Cotes du Roussillon, my new hobby of wine drinking suddenly starting to happen. Listening to some jazz, really getting into Lizzy Parks album, got a great old school jazz vibe to it. But also has flavours of 70's british Jazz sort of stuff you'd find on Gilles Peterson's Impressed series. Loving her track "Time" but I prefer the acoustic version of "Raise the Roof" (see earlier post) to the version on the album. So definitely looking forward to her acoustic album. Won't know how many grammatical mistakes I've made in this post until I wake up more sober in the morning. Much Love John Edwards

Scientists of Sound, Mathematically Putting it Down

After years of searching I've finally found the sample for the Gilles Peterson Worldwide show intro I've finally found it. Heaven at Once by Kool & The Gang. Yeah!

I Can Count

Remember this one as well, vintage fun.

It's On

This just came up on shuffle and I had an urge to watch the video. Takes me back to watching all those amazing videos on zen dvd from ninja tune.

Dim the lite

Listening to loads of Dimlite whilst writing an application form and thinking about all the work I've got to do. FUN. Appreciating Dimlite again since listening to Dorian Concept I've got back into this more melodic electronica or whatever you want to call it. Think I might head out tomorrow to "The Jazz Place" looks like quite a chilled out venue which is always good with me. Love Dimlite, if you haven't heard any of his stuff check this video out, if you have heard Dimlite before well check it out anyway.

Relax it's only Jazz

Yeah so that jazz mix i mentioned in the previous post, well here it is http://www.zshare.net/download/56073048203aaac4/ enjoy.

Tracklisting:

1. Anita O'Day - "I've Got The World On A String"
2. Kenny Burrell - "Midnight Blue"
3. Mel Torme - "Round Midnight"
4. Ricardo Marrero - "Dorian"
5. Wayne Shorter - "Twelve More Bars To Go"
6. Alamode - "Art Blakey"
7. Kenny Dorham Octet - "Aftodisia"
8. Chet Baker - "Do It The Hard Way"
9. Julie London - "Cry Me A River"
10. Joe Harriot - "Jaipur"
11. José James -"The Dreamer"

Feeling Good

Just been listening to some quality music and made a nice laid back jazz mix which I will put up momentarily. But for the moment the sounds of the Quantic Soul Orchestra & Alice Russell:

hmm..

Here is one from back in 2007, Taylor Mcferrin live doing his thing. That is one talented family

Analog Girl in a Digital World

Here is another exciting live performance. From the queen of neo-soul Erykah Badu, "The Healer" taken from the Worldwide Awards album of the year "New Amerykah, Pt. One (4th World War)". This is my favorite track of the album prod. by the one and only Madlib. I always love Erykah's live stuff. Remember that wicked album "Live" she brought out, yeah! enjoy.

Stripped

I always love acoustic music, it brings a certain purity to a track and this is no exception. Lizzy Parks from tru-thoughts singing "Raise the Roof" with nothing but a bass. As a bass-player this is amazingly exciting to watch. It works really well so why don't you take a peak.

Mental Debate

I've recently been really inspired to start making music properly. I've been sitting at my piano playing about for years now and think it might be time for me to transfer all of that to some computer software. Considering purchasing a mac, though money is an issue and thats never a good thing with macs. Also fancy getting myself an alesis micron.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. From what software to use to what mac I should buy. Desktop vs. Laptop etc. I need some guidance from anyone with some experience in music production. much love

oh dear

I'm in a horrendously bad mood, that's what going out for a meal on your own will do to you. Went to see Hint again on my own, the venue was small and awkward but not too bad just mediocre. I had another night of feeling sorry for the DJ, no one was there to see Hint, he was sat down just fading records into each other. Gave up early on, came home and am now sat in my room feeling sorry for myself. Oh well, such is life. peace out

Jamie Woon

Here's a really nice video, with an even better song.

Hint

www.myspace.com/theycallmehint

Tonight I Might...

...go out. Tempted by Hint @ Fortune of War. It is free and Hint is very good but venue looks shit. However one should never judge a book by its cover might be really nice inside. Anyway if I can get some company I think I might go if not then I still think I might go

Martyn Mix

Martyn on Skreams Stella Sessions
1. Martyn - Natural Selection (3024)
2. Slaughter Mob - No Snare (Slugs In The Mud)
3. Skream - Trapped in a Dark Bubble (Dubplate)
4. Martyn - Suburbia (Applepips)
5. Geiom - Reminissin’ [Kode9 remix] (Berkane Sol)
6. TRG - Broken Heart [Martyn's DCM mix] (Hessle Audio)
7. Horsepower Productions - Hand of Death (Tempa)
8. Benny - Jahroel (Dubplate)
9. Pantha du Prince - Florac [Jus Wan remix] (Tube)
10. Martyn - Vancouver (3024)
11. Shut Up And Dance - Epileptic [Martyn's no strobe mix] (Shut Up And Dance Recs)

taken from… Chris Bentano blog

Plug

I know this is blog was created today, actually it's yesterday now, but I thought I would just give some links to some friends who actually do something with music, in comparison to me who just listens. So yeah if you do want to hear some good music go to some, actually all of these websites.

http://www.myspace.com/slugabedmusic

http://www.myspace.com/tobygale

http://www.myspace.com/alcoolandthestrangerwines

and for a blog that happens about a week before mine try this for size

http://brownswoodonline.wordpress.com/

Carnival?

Trying to figure out this summer, in particular festivals, so many I want to go to Worldwide Festival in Sete, Big Chill, Truck & Bestival if peops are going. However one that is standing out for me at the moment is Beachdown festival in Brighton (or nearby). Lineup includes Grandmaster Flash, James Taylor Quartet, The Sunburst Band, Nostalgia 77, Sugarhill Gang, Norman Jay, Joey Negro, Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, Tru Thoughts Showcase and Mulatu & The Heliocentrics. Sound Good? http://www.beachdownfestival.com/

Chitty Link

http://www.zshare.net/download/55945154003b8fa1/ A proper link for the mix below.

Just a little taster

[URL=http://www.zshare.net/download/55945154003b8fa1/]Feb 09 mix.m4a - 32.95MB[/URL]

This is a little mixy thing complete with excess airhorn, just meant as a showcase not to show off DJ'ing skills as it involved none. It's all about the music. enjoy

Tracklisting

1. 4hero - Wormholes
2. J*Davey - No More
3. Frezna - Yo Yo Affair (Part One)
4. Dorian Concept - Trilingual Dance Sexperience
5. Rusko - 2 N A Q
6. Benga - Crunked Up
7. Teddy Randazzo - The Girl from U.N.C.L.E
8. Michael Jackson - Can't Help It (Todd Terje Re-edit)
9. Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80 - Don't Give That Shit To Me
10. Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu - Global Party

+ Lots of Fucking Airhorn

Woop Woop it's the sound of da police.

Just got some amazing news, Dorian Concept is playing at the Roundhouse for Worldwide 10 alongside the already amazing lineup of Q-tip, Little Dragon, Gilles Peterson Benji B & the bPm. That has just made a godly lineup even better. http://www.worldwide10.co.uk/

trilingual dance sexperience

Really want to spread the magic of this song can't give a direct link but you can listen to it on his myspace http://www.myspace.com/dorianconcept TUNE.

First Things First

So yeah, welcome as Gilles Peterson might say. This is going to be a place for some good tunes, links and recommendations from me Dispense John. Let's start things with my tracks of the moment.

1. Michael Jackson - Can't Help It (Todd Terje Re-edit)[GAMM] It's an old one but still good.

2. Zed Bias & Tawiah – Further Away (Sidestepper Records)

3. Bullion – Time For Us All (One Handed Music) which according to Bullion should be coming out in March some time.

4. Teddy Randazzo – The Girl From UNCLE (MGM Records)

5. Emanative -'Petite Planete' (Futuristic Records)

6. Dorian Concept - 'Trilingual Dance Sexperience'(Unknown)

and yeah that should do for the moment much love.