Alice Russell Notes: Santa's helpers

Santa's helpers
A quick update from Alice Russell.....

Christmas time, 'tis here. 2010 is on the horizon. Me and the lovely band of merry men enjoying spiced cider n cheese overload...Oh, and watching Bad Santa to get in the festive mood....The band have now been dispatched to the North Pole to help with last minute present making and to check the list of who has been naughty or nice! I'm cooking up mince pies for their return (as it's hungry work).

Exciting plans for 2010!

Time for some new music making in 2010 methinks ..I'm wanting to crack on with my new album so watch, or listen, rather, to this space. The band and I are getting in the studio in January to see what we come up with together! It should be interesting with all our love of musical tastes in the band, ranging from Zappa (most def), Major Lazor, Ozric Tenticals, Steve Gadd, Talking Heads and many more.

More shows to be announced for the new year, including a special grand piano and strings show at Union Chapel in London around April. Keep checking alicerussell.com for regular updates.

For now, catching up with friends and family and a goblett of fine wine is in order.

Big big love and massive thankyou to you all for supporting me and the band doing what we love doing!

Here's to you all and here's to 2010...see you next year!!!!!

xxxxx -Read the full Post-

Ancient Astronauts- Christmas Mix:

We've been singing the praises of Germany's excellent Switchstance label ever since we met founder Tom Strauch at the MIDEM convention may years ago. Looks like the rest of the planet is starting to catch on, as Tom's band, Ancient Astronauts latest release has been licensed by Thievery Corporation's ESL label. The group also did a fantastic remix for our recently released Vieux Farka Touré remix project. In the spirit of a funky holiday season, here's a rocking reggae & jungle DJ mix guaranteed to "roast your chestnuts" just right-


Download - Ancient Astronauts - Christmas Mix -Read the full Post-

Best of 2009 DJ UMB

This mix and list comes courteous of DJ UMB (Editor Generation Bass)


BEST OF 2009 - DANCE ORIENTED STUFF-

SO SORRY IF I MISSED ANYBODY

1. BEST DJ MIX

"Concordia" (officially known as the Bobby Friction BBC Mix) by Bandish Projekt


2. BEST ALBUMS "OFFICIAL RELEASES" (No particular order)

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II

Sclachthofbronx - SCHLACHTHOFBRONX
schlachthofbronx album by schlachthofbronx

Addiquit - ADDIQUIT
ADDIQUIT by ADDIQUIT

Moderat - MODERAT


Bassnectar - COZZA FRENZY
Cozza Frenzy (Original) by Bassnectar

King Coya - CUMBIA DE VILLA DONDE

Bandish Projekt - CORREKT
SENSE DISTORTION by bandishprojekt

Celt Islam - DERVISH
Mevlana by Celt Islam feat Dawoud Kringle by Celt Islam

Liquid Stranger - THE INTERGALACTIC SLAPSTICK
Lotus by liquid stranger

Liquid Stranger - Soundboy Killa
Soundboy Killa by liquid stranger

3. BEST ALBUMS "FREE RELEASES" (No particular order)

Phil Retrospector - INTROVERSION

Villa Diamante - EMPACHO DIGITAL

Sonido Del Principe - LA NARANJA MECANICA

DJ UMB - Stoned Cumbia
01 STONED CUMBIA (August 2009) by djumb

Caballo & the Mothafu Kings - GLOBAL PROPOGANDA

La Misión (Caballo & The Mothafu Kings mix) original by [dunkelbunt] by caballo t

Filthy Kicks - DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

Colatron - TENEBRISM

BEST OVERALL TRACK 2009:

DIGI DESIGN - JOKER


BEST DANCE-ORIENTED TRACKS:
"African Chant" - Top Billin' rmx

"Horario De Verano" - Sonido Del Principe

"Lollibon" - Daleduro v Madison (mashed by Simon Iddol)

"Sane Eba" - Zakee Kuduro

Didi 1 & Kwaab- Bandish Project


El Tigeraso - Maluca

El Tigeraso

MALUCA | MySpace Music Videos

Sylvia - Sa' Bat Machines
Sylvia by Sa Bat' Machines



BEST NEW ARTISTS 2009:

Led Zeppelin - They're new to me every year.lol



Joker


Barbarix



Sonido Del Principe

Sa' Bat Machines

Zakee Kuduro

Cheasleauen

Deaf Bass Twins


Engine Earz


Ku Bo -Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

...and I want a pony and a soft serve machine and...Happy holidays! It's your Friday Five!




Oui, S'il Vous Plait.




Lovely Italian soundtrack music. Sooooo nice!





One of Quantic's best remixes. Love how this slowly builds.




Funk Africano.




Groovy, man. Just Groovy.


Check www.djvinnie.net for the latest news and gig info on yours truly.


-Read the full Post-

KCRW Top 10 of 2009

Here's a link to KCRW DJ's top ten list for the year.

Congrats to Céu's Vagarosa for making DJ Jeremy Sole's list!


Big ups to KCRW for keeping up amazing programming in this age of Clear Channel playlists! -Read the full Post-

Fort Knox Five - Live DJ set on Four Decks

Fort Knox Five: "Live on 4 decks at the Belly Up Aspen" by fortknoxfive

Fort Knox Five has a new release called The New Gold Standard 2 out now, luckily for all of us they recorded a 4-turntable dj set in Aspen, CO last month and you can download it from the link above! Thanks for keeping it funky guys! -Read the full Post-

Best of 2009: Derek Beres (EarthRise SoundSystem/ Journalist/ Yoga Guru)

Best of 2009: Derek Beres (EarthRise SoundSystem/ Journalist/ Yoga
Guru)


1. Tinariwen—Imidiwan: Companions (World Village)
2. Fat Freddy’s Drop—Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW (The Drop)
3. The Spy From Cairo—Secretly Famous (Wonderwheel)
4. Vanessa Da Mata—Sim (Sony)
5. Norah Jones—The Fall (Blue Note)
6. Vieux Farka Touré—Fondo (Six Degrees)
7. Béla Fleck—Throw Down Your Heart: Tale From The Acoustic Planet,
Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions (Rounder)
8. Bebel Gilberto—All In One (Verve)
9. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou—Volume Two: Echos Hypnotiques
(Analog Africa)
10. Tumbélé: Biguine, Afro & Latin Sounds From the French Caribbean,
1963-74 (Soundways) -Read the full Post-

Best of 2009 by Brendon Moeller

Best of 2009: Brendon Moeller (Beat Pharmacy/ Echologist/ Steadfast
Records)

singles:

1. floating points - vacuum EP
2. STL - from a distance
3. wbeeza - he so crazy
4. tensnake - in the end (I want you to cry)
5. mike dehnert - umalut2 first version
6. king midas sound - cool out
7. instra_mental - leave it all behind
8. DJ sprinkles - the occasional feel-good
9. black jazz consortium - what's up with love
10. appleblim & ramadanman - sous le sable

albums:

1. moritz von oswald trio - vertical ascent
2. iron & wine - around the well
3. nick cave & warren ellis - white lunar
4. mocky - saskamodie
5. john daly - sea & sky
6. deer hunter - microcastle
7. atlas sound - logos
8. intrusion - the seduction of silence
9. fluxion - constant limber
10. cluster - qua
-------------------- -Read the full Post-

Karsh Kale: My Favorite Personal Projects/Albums of the Decade

Karsh Kale: My Favorite Personal Projects/Albums of the Decade


1) Liberation
2) Breathing Under Water
3) Broken English
4) Hello Hello - Midival Punditz
5) Give Peace A Chance - Yoko Ono (KK Remix)
6) Tabla Beat Science - Tala Matrix
7) Asian Massive
8) Vieux Farka Toure -( KK Remix)
9) Awake - Janaka Selktah (KK Remix)
10) Realize

Favorite Live Projects

1) Realize Live
2) Live w the Midival Punditz
3) Tabla Beat Science w Zakir Hussain
4) Breathing Under Water w Anoushka Shankar
5) Material w Bill Laswell
6) Timeline
7) Madman of God w Sussan Deyhim
8) Live w Ustad Shujat Khan and Vijay Iyer
9) Sound Tribe Sector Nine
10) Live w Gigi

Favorite Albums of the Decade

1) Hail to the Thief - Radiohead
2) Up - Peter Gabriel
3) Air Drawn Dagger - Sasha
4) In Rainbows - Radiohead
5) All That You Cant Leave Behind - U2
6) Battle Of Los Angeles - Rage Against the Machine
7) Live in Paris - Seal
8) Takk - Sigur Ross
9) Remeber Shakti - Shakti
10)The Blueprint - Jay Z

Favorite Concerts of the Decade

1) The Police - 2008 - Madison Square Garden
2) Radiohead - 2002 - Madison Square Garden
3) Peter Gabriel - 2003 - Madison Square Garden
4) The Roots - 2001 - Central Park -Summerstage
5) Shakti - 2006 - Carnegie Hall
6) Daft Punk - 2007 - Coney Island NY
7) Manu Chow - 2000 - Central Park -Summerstage
8) Ravi Shankar - 2006 - Disney Theatre LA
9) Busta Rhymes - 2001 - Paramount Theatre
10) Herbie Hancock - 2000 - Montrieux Jazz Festival -Read the full Post-

End of Year/Decade Listmania 2009:

Yes, it is incredibly, "that time of year" when we take stock of the year's (and the decade's) greatest moments in music, film, books etc. Once again, in the next few weeks we will be getting "Best Of" lists from a variety of our friends both in and out of the music biz and once again, I will kick things off with my own picks. Feel free to chime in with what rocked your world this year.
My Best of 2009
Bob Duskis- Co-Founder Six Degrees Records

Best" Bass-Centric" Album which seamlessly mixes Dub, Dubstep, Psy Dub and Global Textures:
Liquid Stranger- Intergalactic Slapstick- Interchill Records

LIQUID STRANGER RICKSHAW MIX (BBC) by Liquid Strangler

Try as I may, I cannot think of another global/electronica record that I have enjoyed more this year than Liquid Stranger's Intergalactic Slapstick. Martin Staaf has taken all of the crunchy, "bass in your face" power that I love about Dubstep and liberally mixed in elements that many of his contemporaries routinely leave out. (you know, little things like melody, nuance, texture and dynamics). I think this is a landmark release that stretches genres in wonderfully "ear opening" ways while still remaining accessible. If you've been wanting to "dip your toes" into the dubstep waters, look no further for the perfect entry point.


The Bon Iver Award for Best Singer Songwriter of the Year:
J. Tillman- Year in the Kingdom-


Don't let the fact that J. Tillman is the drummer for the now hugely popular Fleet Foxes, fool you. While I like the Foxes, I infinitely prefer Tillman's darker and more intimate songs to his band's relentlessly sunny harmonies. This is gorgeous music for people who like their singer songwriter's music to be both "haunting" and "haunted"


Most Enjoyable Movies of the Year: Tie between Pirate Radio & Fantastic Mr. Fox
Notice that I don't say "Best" movies of the year. Neither one of these films is a groundbreaking work of genius- but both of them had me grinning from ear to ear throughout their entire running time. (Nowadays, that's a rare & beautiful gift). Mr. Fox was breezy, charming and perfectly enjoyable for my entire family (another incredible rarity) and Pirate Radio reminded me why I fell in love with radio as a kid and how much radio helped me to fall in love with music for life.


Best Book About Demons (Both Personal & Literal):
Graham Joyce- How to Make Friends With Demons-
Originally published in the UK as Confessions of a Master Forger, under the alias W. Heaney, Graham Joyce's latest is now out in the U.S. under a new title and under the author's real name. This tale of a book forger who can see the actual "personal demons" that have attached themselves to many of us, is a beautifully written examination of suffering & redemption and the often agonizingly difficult task of "getting on with life" despite the sins of the past. Although this sounds heavy, it is in fact often incredibly funny and acerbic and a pleasure to read throughout. You can't go wrong with anything by this wonderfully gifted author.




Best "Flipped Out" Band that has amazingly broken into the mainstream: Animal Collective-
I'm not quite sure what it means when a group as beautifully bizarre as Animal Collective is showing up on the Billboard Pop Charts but I'm pretty sure that it's a good thing. Both the full length, Merriweather Post Pavilion and the new, Fall Be Kind EP were fantastic slices of hallucinogenic dream pop that conjure up images of the Beach Boys on some South American, shamanic drug ritual. It will be interesting to see what sneaks through the crack in the door that Animal Collective have pried open in the months to come.

http://www.sacurrent.com/sb/72025/arts_friendswdemons_CMYK.jpg -Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

Friday is here! Hello weekend! Now if we could just do something about this cold weather...




Warm thoughts during these chilly months. Perhaps the loveliest version of this song ever recorded.




Top shelf 80s boogie.




Remembering John Lennon this week. Fantastic cover of one of his songs.




The pinnacle of psych perfection. From Spain, early 70s.




I can't get enough of this song. Pure Jamaican rock steady magic.


Check out www.djvinnie.net for the latest info and news on yours truly. Have a great week!

-Read the full Post-

Starfire Blog: DJ'ng the Virgin Galactic Spaceship party

Today's post comes from the blog of David Starfire -

I was very excited to receive a message from a production company about an extraordinary DJ gig in the Mojave Desert for the Virgin Galactic SpaceShip Two (SS2) unveiling at the Mojave Air and Spaceport. For those of you that don’t know about Virgin Galactic, it’s a division of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group (like Virgin Airlines) and is dedicated to be the world’s first commercial space travel service. Yes you can travel to space for a mere $200,000, in a couple of years after test runs and the actual ship was there at the event for everyone to see for the first time.

The gig seemed almost too good to be true and had to keep some secrecy about it because of security reasons with V.I.P.s including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Richardson and various elite from around the world including and 300 people that have paid $20,000 down payment on their future space flight. The DJ gig was from 8pm-12am and had to be prepared to play for any type of crowd and ultimately had to create a cool vibe. I took lots of time to prepare a special set of taking the guests on a musical ride of a lifetime, as if I was creating a DJ set for a space flight to the moon. I knew that that I was in good company when I heard that the #4 DJ’s in the world Above & Beyond were spinning before me, which meant I had step it up. The set up of the party was something like 2001 space oddity meets burning man meets the W hotel bar. In the party area were 2 giant plastic inflatable dome structures, an outside section that had an ice bar hosted by Absolut and the Swedish Ice Hotel bar with a woman making ice sculptures. There was a clear plastic tent for press where Richard Branson talked about his SpaceShip Two (also named VSS Enterprise) and his company as well as the people that helped him to create it. After the press conference the ship rolled out on the tarmac and came through the fog and snow like a ufo approaching. The celebrity crowd surrounds the ship to get a glimpse of their future ride to space. Soon afterward the party kicked off with Above & Beyond rocking the decks with some nice house music. The VIP crowd seemed to be in their late 30’s-40’s and all had cocktails in hand and were feeling very special indeed. The rain and snow had stopped, but the wind was picking up and they decided to close one of the domes down and move everyone into one dome. The domes were rated at 40 miles per hour, but was picking up fast and was about 30 degrees and getting colder. The party crowd seemed content and cozy with their Puma Virgin Galactic jackets that were handed out to them. It kinda looked like everyone were in uniforms and you couldn’t tell the production crew from the jet set. Above & Beyond had finished their set and I started to spin and started off with the song “Sitarfire” from my upcoming album Bollyhood Bass (Six Degrees records) that will be out January 12th. I was on for a bit when all of a sudden I hear, “Attention, there’s a tremendous storm approaching and everyone must evacuate immediately!” and there went the rest of my DJ set. I started grabbing my gear and was placing it out of the dome when a large man came up to me and said, “You gotta get outta here, this domes gonna go any second!”. I ran out to the car and had experienced wind that I hadn’t experienced since I was in a tornado in Oklahoma, or when I was in a hurricane in Puerto Rico (really!). I was hoping the winds died down but just kept picking up to 70 mph and the party was definitely over. Went to my hotel room and the power was out, so drove back to Los Angeles and was an experience that I will never forget.

great news article and pics here

www.virgingalactic.com
www.davidstarfire.com
www.sixdegreesrecords.com -Read the full Post-

Chief Boima

Chief Boima - African by the Bay EP

Chief Boima, Bay-Area dj/producer, scribe for GhettoBassquake, and purveyor of all hybrids of post-Global beats delivers a free EP courtesey of Dutty Artz. Imagine Lil Wayne mixed with Techno in the Ivory Coast and your getting close to what this sounds like. -Read the full Post-

Vieux Farka Toure- Other Roads: Fondo Remixed

FREE DOWNLOAD - Vieux Farka Touré - Cherie Le (Sabbo remix)


Next Tuesday sees the release of our Vieux Farka Touré remix project, Other Roads: Fondo Remixed. I really enjoyed putting this collection together and I feel like the diverse cast of remixers really brought their "A Game" in respect to the beautiful source material from Vieux's original versions. From atmospheric psy-dub to dance-floor bangers to minimal tech treatments, the various mixes cover a lot of stylistic ground on this collection and I am particularly proud of the variety and creativity throughout the release. To whet your appetite today, we are offering a free download of Israeli producer Sabbo's scorching take on the track "Cherie Le". Be sure to check out the full release of Other Roads next week and if you like his mix, definitely delve into Sabbo's latest Soulico project which is well worth your attention. -Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

Friday brings five new goodies for your listening and viewing pleasure!




Perhaps the funkiest and most relaxed piece of "library" music ever recorded. Like butter.




New Edan! Never disappoints!




It's hard NOT to love this song.




Lee Perry at the controls! 1976




This song is kinda awesome. Starts off kinda loungy and a bit cheesy, and then kicks in to high gear towards the end. Wicked!!


Check out my site for all the latest new, gigs and info! www.djvinnie.net
-Read the full Post-

Sub Swara - Koli Stance (David Starfire Remix)

The new David Starfire full length lp, Bollyhood Bass is coming out on January 12th, the much anticipated album features collaborations with Freq Nasty, The Ragga Twins, iCatching and many more. In the meantime David has been busy remixing some amazing tracks like 'Koli Stance' by Sub Swara off their Coup d'Yah Remixes Volume 3 EP, who were kind enough to share this track with us today. David took it to some tribal dubstep areas, for all the low-end lovers! If you dig it you can embed the widget wherever you like by clicking "share" button. If you like the track, you can check out and buy the Coup d'Yah Remixes Volume 3 EP here. More information on David Starfire can be found here.

-Read the full Post-

Tea - Dreams

FREE DOWNLOAD - Tea - 'Ibiza' from the album Dreams

A few months ago I received through the magic of E mail, the latest album from a duo who call themselves Tea. Mixing soul, house and jazz with African flavors, Tea is the brainchild of guitarist Franck Balloffet, from Lyon, France, and Southern California drummer/keyboardist Phil Bunch. Franck & Phil first met as members of Los Angeles’ premier African band, Bateke Beat, which featured multi-instrumentalist Fidel Bateke, formerly of Fela Kuti’s ensemble from Nigeria. The group's second record, Dreams, rises to the challenge of fusing lots of different influences while maintaining a distinct personality all its own. The entire record is so lovely and soulful that it is almost balearic at times, (Legendary keyboardist Brian Auger even guests on the album!). I must say that I find the project's overt melodicism quite refreshing in these days of distorted drums, acid synths and massive, squelchy bass (not that there's anything wrong with that- but sometimes a guy needs a little melody in his global fusions) The duo have generously allowed us to share a track with you today, so if you like what you hear, be sure to explore further -Read the full Post-

Stateless, Dec 4th.

Stateless is back! On Dec. 4th Jef Stott and our good friend The Worker are performing at Underground SF (424 Haight St, San Fransico, CA). This one of a kind event should not be missed. For a sample of what's going down on Dec. 4th take a listen to some of these complimentary tracks.

Jef Stott- Lamaset (Miami Mix)

For more info on Stateless visit: http://www.myspace.com/sfstateless





-Read the full Post-

LIQUID STRANGER BABYLON OUTCAST MIX

LIQUID STRANGER BABYLON OUTCAST MIX by Liquid Stranger




Enjoy the Monday blues with this new dubstep mix by Liquid Stranger.
His new record Intergalactic Slapstick is out now! -Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

It's the Friday after Thanksgiving. Oh, no thanks. I'm stuffed.



LITTLE ANN - DEEP SHADOWS. Does soul get deeper than this? I don't know. I really don't know.




Another heavy duty cut from this album begging for a proper reissue. Vinyl too please.




Lovely version of the War classic.




Writer, composer, producer and all around bad-ass.




Tremendo boogaloo!

DJing tonight (Friday, Nov 27th) at the Elbo Room in San Francisco for the 6th Annual Biscuits & Gravy party. Free!! Check out my site at www.djvinnie.net. Thanks!

-Read the full Post-

Midival Punditz - A new dj set for the Floor!

Midival Punditz recent genre-defying record 'Hello Hello' just made the Amazon Best of 2009 charts. While we wait for more Punditz to drop enjoy this wicked techy mix that the Punditz just posted on their Facebook page.

Dancing in The Hills Mix - Groovio by Midival Punditz -Read the full Post-

Tito Rodriguez - A Man and His Music

FREE DOWNLOAD - Tito Rodriguez - Mama Guela

Fania Records just released a compilation of the work of Tito Rodriguez called 'A Man and His Music'. It's a great listen and spans the many moves of "the other" Tito. Also be sure to check out the PBS documentary Latin Music U.S.A. for some amazing footage of Tito in action!

-Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

San Francisco finds itself with grey clouds and impending rain this weekend, therefore some of today's selections may be a little moist. Enjoy!




Niceness from the mysterious Bob Azzam. He also did some amazing Brazilian work.




Extended disco mix of this underground classic.




Brilliant cut from one of my favorite Sun Ra albums.




KINGS GO FORTH - HIGH ON YOUR LOVE. Some mighty fine *new* soul out of Milwaukee. Check out the funky breakdown towards the end. This is Luaka Bop's latest signing.




I could listen to this all day, every day.


Check out my website www.djvinnie.net for the latest news and DJ schedule.

-Read the full Post-

EarthRise SoundSystem: 'The Yoga Sessions'

EarthRise SoundSystem - Daylight As Sunset [feat Lucy Woodward]

Don't let the fact that Derek Beres & David "Duke Mushroom" Schommer have called their debut album, "the Yoga Sessions" fool you. This beautiful mix of dubby global textures and soulful pop influences may very well be the perfect soundtrack for your Yoga practice (I wouldn't pretend to know)- but this project certainly transcends any one usage. Beres does teach yoga in NY- but equally relevant is the fact that he has consistently been the most intelligent writer to cover the "global fusion" scene through his excellent book 'Global Beat Fusion' and his articles in a variety of magazines and on line publications. He's also a great DJ as a member of the Globesonic crew. Schommer helmed the excellent Ethiopian flavored Bole 2 Harlem project a few years back and has played on over 50 records. Together these guys have crafted a lovely album which is filled with atmosphere and nuance but is also not afraid to be tuneful and soulful. -Read the full Post-

We're moving offices!

Sorry for the lack of posts this week! We are moving offices, and all our wires are being transported along with everything else!
We'll be back real soon with lots of new music and treats for you on the blogosphere! -Read the full Post-

Captain Planet - Speakin' Nuyorican

Free Download - Captain Planet - 'Lagos Speedway'
Listen/Buy Captain Planet - Speakin' Nuyorican
One of our favorite bloggers (previously on Captain's Crates, currently on Mixtape Riot) is also a great producer on a great indie label (Bastard Jazz). Captain Planet finally unleashes a follow up to his Gumbo Funk EP of five years ago. This will have discerning dancefloors moving for quite some time. -Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

Hey folks! Sorry for the late entry this week. Call this the "evening edition!" Here's your Friday 5!




Lovely latin ditty from Clark Terry & Chico O'Farrill. That almost sounds like a superhero duo!




Tasty party funk from a band called "Black Nasty." Yes, Black Nasty.




Top tier British jazz!




Unstoppable cut from Mr. Hutch. From the excellent Foxy Brown soundtrack.




One of my favorite cuts from his strongest album "Clube Da Esquina." Fantastic!


Check out www.djvinnie.net for upcoming gigs in San Francisco! Have a great week!



And here is the rest of it. -Read the full Post-

Quantic - Descarga! Mix

Tradition in Transition: A Postcard from Cali (TRAILER) from Quantic on Vimeo.

Quantic has been doing his thing in Columbia the last few years, putting out new releases on the regular and blessing the rest of us with his vinyl and other musical discoveries.

Here is a great dj mix of Columbian cumbias and other treats from Quantic, below is the trailer to the film Tradition in Transition which follows Quantic on his recording odyssey in Columbia. -Read the full Post-

Brownout - Free on Twitter and vinyl for the heads!

Brownout's new record 'Aguilas and Cobras' has had dance floors burning since it was released last month. If you want to check out the funky Latin jam Slinky from the album just re-tweet this link and the song is yours for free!

For the vinyl heads, Brownout now has a 45 for sale featuring the tracks C-130 and Nawlins. Smokin' -Read the full Post-

Ocote Soul Sounds - more Coconut Rock

FREE DOWNLOAD - Ocote Soul Sounds - The Revolt of The Cockroach People



Six Degrees Records' own Brownout recently wrapped up West and East coast tours in support of the 'Aguilas and Cobras' record, which gave lead guitarist/composer Adrian Quesada enough time to go home to Austin to pack his bags and hit the road with one of his other projects, Ocote Soul Sounds. Ocote just finished opening up for Thievery Corporation for a number of dates including Halloween in NYC! Ocote is a collaboration between Adrian and Martìn Perna (of Antibalas) which has a downtempo electronic psychedelic Latin vibe; sounding like DJ Shadow on a mescaline trip through a Tex-Mex border town. Not to make it sound like drug induced lounge music, Ocote is much deeper than that, most of the music reflects the respect toward their shared Latino musical traditions and the mutations those traditions make in the face of technology, advancement, and an ever-changing sonic and cultural landscape.
ESL Music will be putting out a digital deluxe edition of Ocote's most recent album 'Coconut Rock', including remixes by Ancient Astronaughts, DJ OBaH and more on December 8th. -Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

Wow! November is already here! Another Friday means another round of tasty musical treats!




From the infamous Mulatu album that has yet to see a proper reissue in the states. Amazing.





Does a funkier song exist? No. I think not.




New project from the always excellent Numero Group out of Chicago.




Sublime track from this rare psych masterpiece!




The definition of perfection.


Check out my site, www.djvinnie.net for all of the latest news and gigs! Have a great week!


-Read the full Post-

Ceu Touring Europe

Céu has been on tour in Europe and has a show in London on Friday night as part of Jungle Drums magazine's Anniversary celebration. Our friends Nina Miranda and Chris Franck's band Zeep will be opening. I love this beautiful poster that was put together for the show and thought we'd share it with you along with a couple of live video's that have been shot on the tour so far.



-Read the full Post-

DJ Morpheus: Chillout Autumn Session

Free Download - DJ Morpheus: Chillout Autumn Session

Our buddy DJ Morpheus is one of the most open minded and creative DJ's in the world. You may know him from his ground breaking Freezone compilations which were released on the great Crammed Disc label. We're happy to be sharing his latest Chillout mix with you today which features a typically broad selection of amazing, forward thinking sounds. Enjoy-

> -Read the full Post-

Fresh Kush

FREE DOWNLOAD - Nickodemus - 2 Sips & Magic (Kush Arora - 2 Sips and a Cup Remix)

San Francisco's Bass Pioneer and Surya Dub resident Kush Arora has re-imagined Nickodemus' Balkan inspired mid-tempo '2 Sips and Magic' song into a club (or playa) anthem.

Kush says that his remix is "a bashy bashy tribal banger around 132 bpm with santoor from the original, my take on a lot of the soca step, uk funky, and tribal house revival that's been happening over the past few years! I hope you guys enjoy."
You know we will Kush!



Nickodemus' Sun People Remixed comes out November 24th on ESL Music. -Read the full Post-

Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics

Masenqo - Mulatu Astatke and The Heliocentrics
FREE DOWNLOAD -(CLICK ON DOWN ARROW ON RIGHT)

Preview/Buy Mulato and The Heliocentrics Inspiration Information 3

Preview/Buy New York - Addis - London The Story of Ethio Jazz




Mulatu Astatke is from Ethiopia and recorded his seminal records in the 1960's and 1970's on small independent labels in Ethiopia. The world is finally catching up to this maestro's greatness, 2009 has seen Mulatu tour the world and release new material, including a collaboration with Malcolm Catto's London based psych-jazz ensemble the Heliocentrics. In the 1960's Mulatu studied in London and New York and absorbed a lot of the NuYorican sounds going around at the time, mixing it up with his unique blend of Etiopian music and it's unique pentatonic scale (which has five pitches per octave). Their aren't too many composers whose sounds equally remind you of the arrangements that Duke Ellington composed mixed with fuzz and wah-wah psychedelic sounds. His music has influenced a new generation of musicians including the Budos Band, Dub Collossus, and Cut Chemist.
There is something that can only be described as magical in Mulatu's greatest compositions; part cinematic, part jazz-funk, it sounds like Roy Ayers scoring a gangster film in the desert. The new album, Inspiration Information 3 captures the essence of Mulatu's previous work and the Heliocentrics and their drummer Malcolm Catto deliver the goods behind Mulatu's vibe playing and percussion work.
In the last ten years the songs of Mulatu have appeared on the compilation Ethiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz and Musique Instrumental and in the Jim Jarmusch film Broken Flowers. In 2009 Strut records released the collaboration Inspiration Inspiration 3, and now they have compiled a Mulatu anthology called New York - Addis - London The Story of Ethio Jazz, which features very hard to find gems from Mulatu's back cataloge. Mulatu has also begun to tour again, and if you get the chance do not miss this giant of music in person!

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DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

Lawdy Lawd! I have these hot tracks that are just aching to be posted. Let's get on with it already!




A timeless track that could have easily been made today, or 30+ years ago (which it was). A relentless groove!




I love me some Gabor Szabo, and this track is one of my faves. From the underrated "Jazz Raga" LP on Impulse.




The Cool Ruler at Work. Lee Perry at the controls. 1976




Mid-60s Chicano sweet soul that instantly turns me into a mere puddle of water.




Slammin' descarga courtesy of NYC bad-ass Johnny Colon.



BONUS ROUND: "For Your Height Only" movie trailer.



A Filipino Mini-James Bond? The best movie ever made?????


Check out my website www.djvinnie.net to check out any of my DJ gigs in San Francisco. Have a great weekend!




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Nueva Cumbia Argentina: The Buenos Aires Implosion!:

FREE DOWNLOAD - Los Destellos-Elsa (Sonido Martines remix feat. Fefe)

I'm not sure when Cumbia made the transition to THE hot flavor for
global dance floors around the planet- but for some time now we've
been experiencing "Cumbia- Mania" which has encompassed a seemingly
never ending stream of mash ups, remixes and re-issues. Our buddy DJ
/rupture has just released a great new compilation on his fine Soot
label which is sure to keep the Cumbia
fires stoked. Here's the official spiel:

Cumbia! The infectious Latin American rhythm keeps on grooving –
from makeshift dancefloors in Mexico to trend-hunting clubs across
Europe. Millions dance to it each weekend across the Americas, and
cumbia's blogosphere love and gringo attention has skyrocketed in the
past year, so we turned to the most knowledgeable cumbiambero we
know, Buenos Aires' Sonido Martines, to guide us through cumbia's
roots and future.

Nueva Cumbia Argentina is set to be the most important cumbia
compilation of 2009. It includes major figures Damas Gratis and DJ
Taz, whose work kickstarted both cumbia villera the new cumbia/cumbia
digital scene. The comp then reaches forward to the latest
developments, like El Hijo de la Cumbia, who got his start producing
for big-name Mexican cumbia soundsystems before going solo.

Sonido Martines was the perfect person to organize this compilation.
The Argentine has spent the last decade traveling between
Bolivia, Buenos Aires, Bogota, and Lima, organizing parties and
connecting scenes in the emerging independent cumbia movement.
He's collaborating with national radio in Argentina on a series about
cumbia and tropical music. Martines is recognized as one of
South America's premiere record diggers, finding obscure vinyl LPs
and hot-off-the-harddrive digital bangers. The result is the
sweetly-tuned snapshot of the best in nueva cumbia in the '00s, from
cumbia villera's populist explosion to Kompact-influenced
electronica hybrids.

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Alice Russell - Pot of Gold Remixes

FREE DOWNLOAD - Alice Russell - Living the Life of a Dreamer (Mr. Scruff remix)

Alice Russell - Let Us Be Loving - Dir Steve Glashier 2009

2009 has been quite a year for Alice Russell, at the start of the year Six Degrees Records released "Pot of Gold" - produced by TM JUKE - and will now release a follow up album of 32 remixed tracks from the full length album. Alice Russell's funky, soulful masterpiece full length has been given the world class remix treatment from an all star cast of producers. Remixers include Mr. Scruff, DJ Vadim, J Boogie, Shawn Lee, Ohmega Watts and many more! "Pot of Gold Remixes" - the 32 track digital only release is due October 27th with a physical version of the collection out December 15th.

In between these releases Alice worked with David Byrne (“Working with a singer like Alice was something new, terrifying and ultimately amazing.” David Byrne), toured around the world, including the Big Chill festival and has turned on many new fans to her spine-tingling voice. -Read the full Post-

DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

Friday means five flavorful treats to start your weekend off right!




Late 60s Cadet Records could do no wrong. Here is one of my faves. Incense is not included.




Sublime example of British "library" (soundtrack) music from the almighty KPM label.




Heavy tune from New York based Wackie's Records.




If the band's name is "Fried Chicken," PLEASE believe it's gonna be good.




Obscure treat from one of two dynamite LPs Ray Terrace recorded for Jubilee. Fuego!


Check out my site www.djvinnie.net to see where I am spinning in San Francisco! Have a great week!


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Playing for Change

Great video, great cause! Featuring our friend Rocky Dawuni alongside Bono and many others. Check out www.playingforchange.com for more information on upcoming events! -Read the full Post-

SABRA SESSIONS VOL. 1

FREE DOWNLOAD - SABRA SESSIONS VOL. 1

SABRA SESSIONS VOL. 1 is a high energy Israeli dance club hip hop influenced mix by Diwon, the American-Israeli DJ/Producer extraordinaire behind the Shemspeed label. The listener hears Diwon remixing, choppin up, slowing down, speeding up, and sampling all types of sounds to create a seamless mix of seemingly disjointed tracks that sound like Israel landed on top of Daft Punk & M.I.A.'s studio. "Sabra Sessions" is a mixtape I was driven to do," commented Diwon, "where I remixed, chopped, and sped up Israeli and Hebrew music to the style of Baltimore and Miami club music and beyond." The Sabra Sessions makes for a festive and energetic blend into Israeli culture, Hebrew music, and the sounds that move people to dance floors worldwide. Enjoy it and feel free to blast it to your emails, blogs, facebook groups, twitters...and all. -Read the full Post-

Dunkelbunt - Raindrops and Elephants

Free Download - Dunkelbunt - Cinnamon Girl (Roskilde Edit)



Dunklebunt is a musician, producer and dj based out of Vienna. He crafts a very unique blend of jazzy electronic music that incorporates Eastern European and Balkan flavors with dub, dancehall and ragga vibes. When he is not djng or producing he also blends his own spices that you can mix with your coffee and tea, like I said he is unique. If you like the free sample track today, go check out the other Dunkelbunt albums that Piranha Musik has put out on vinyl and cd. You will not be disappointed!

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DJ Vinnie Esparza's Friday Five

Once again, Friday brings a great music and cool vids to kick off your weekend! Enjoy!



Early Frankie Paul with the extended DJ mix. Heavy sounds!




One of my "most wanted" records. Truly beautiful rendition of this rainy day classic.




More vibes, this time with a Latin feel, from this criminally underrated talent. Fans of Cal Tjader, listen up!




Six Degree's own Bob D. turned me on to this gem. Thanks, Bob!




Fans of Cumbia and Dubstep listen up, local SF DJ Sneaky P hooked up this fresh remix from a record I sold him. Nice!

Check out www.djvinnie.net to check out where I am DJing in San Francisco! Have a great weekend!



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