Alphabethead: Music From The 1960's & 1970's



Bit of a gift from the cuzzy Alphabethead...

The mix is mostly pop, with a touch of folk and psych rock. Some of my most beloved songs from that era are in there; Jefferson Airplanes ‘Crown of Creation’, Beach Boys ‘In My Room’ and McDonald & Giles ‘Flight Of The Ibis’. Also Kiwi psychedelic rock bands Human Instinct and Quincy Conserve are featured. Human Instinct do a droll cover (with searing guitar solo) of The Kink’s ‘You Really Got Me’ to great effect!

Please check it out – I hope you enjoy. You might even discover your new favourite ‘old’ band! Also available as a second generation cassette dub.

Alphabethead: Music From The 1960's & 1970's

Aloe Blacc Interview

photo by Dan Monick

A few days late posting this not that it matters too much. Shouts to Martyn Pepperell for hooking us up with some dope interviews this year...

Somewhat like a young Bill Withers just before his prime, with the release of his new album Good Things first generation Panamanian American singer, rapper and musician Aloe Blacc (government name: Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III) has, with the assistance of Stones Throw Records and Truth & Soul productions, comfortably asserted himself as a force for modern American soul music. Fittingly, in light of his socially articulate song-writing eye, a background which includes status as a graduate of the University of Southern California and a love of transcendentalist thought, existentialism and the monologues of contemporary social critics such as Cornell West, at the heart of his work is a desire to make moves a little deeper.

As he puts it, " My philosophy is an amalgam of concepts ranging from spirituality and philosophy to economics and social-psychology. The key force shaping my present approach is capitalism. I believe it is an overwhelmingly powerful force that needs to be modified. As consumers, we need to be more aware of our needs and curb the desires that lead us to conspicuous consumption. We also need to understand the impact made on people in other parts of the world with regard to the products we purchase. Similarly, corporations need to be more compassionate about the effect that a product's life cycle has on the ecology and on culture. I want to use my voice to make some change or at least start the dialogue about how we can make positive changes in the realm of resource distribution and improved quality of life for all people."

Raised in Southern California, Aloe Blacc, as he puts it, " fell in love with hip hop at an early age." Thinking more inwardly on the path that has, over an EP, two solo albums, countless tapes and records as a member of both Eamanon and Bee, positioned him with a global career as a recording and touring artist, Aloe Blacc sharpens the focus on his past. "My love for music is largely due to my participation in hip hop culture as an emcee, b-boy, and producer," he reflects. " The Latin vibes in some of my music comes from my parents who are Panamanian and used to play a lot of salsa, merengue, soca, and calypso when I was growing up. Influence from the Caribbean is especially [evident] in the songs on Shine Through. Songs like 'Patria Mia' and my salsa cover 'Ordinary People' are just a few examples of the direct expression of Latin vibe."

On Good Things however, Aloe Blacc steps away from the future beats tinged, Latin/Caribbean accentuated rap'n'soul of Shine Through to weigh in with a swaggering body of observational soul arrangements, as spearheaded by his breakout hit 'I Need A Dollar'. First drafted up in an incomplete form in 2005, after numerous false starts 'I Need A Dollar' came together in a studio jam session. As Aloe Blacc admits, "The lyrics in the second verse are autobiographical about getting got laid off and the other verses are about experiences of people around me." Built at the same time as a few other Good Things numbers, 'I Need A Dollar', despite the fast spike of momentum in generated through placement as title track on HBO series How To Make It In America was far from a factor in the records direction. In Aloe Blacc's words, "The intent all along was to make a soul record."

Still, that didn't mean he wasn't going to take the accolades associated with a breakout commercial underground hit. " The placement has been a big help in gaining new fans," he says. "Since the song has become so popular, I have been back and forth to Europe to promote Good Things and have had the chance to perform on TV shows several times in France, Belgium, Germany, and England. The most exciting of them all being the Jools Holland show where I got to sing in front of Sir Paul McCartney, who danced and bobbed his head all the way through."

The wider record though, much like 'I Need A Dollar' was handcrafted with assistance from Williamsburg, Brooklyn's much lionised modern soul production team Truth & Soul (Jeff Dynamite and Leon Michels), the men behind acts such as The El Michels Affair and Lee Fields and The Expressions. " I met Truth & Soul through Egon at Stones Throw and I went to record the album with them in their studio in Brooklyn," Aloe Blacc remembers. "At first, they gave me a CD of instrumental tracks for me to preview and write lyrics. Then we jammed in the studio to come up with other songs, and finally, I shared songs that I had written with them to recreate for the album. The album is what I like to call "brand new old soul" because it feels like it comes from decades ago, but it still has a freshness to it that makes it relevant today. Several of the songs on the album were written before the recording sessions and the influences range over the years from Cat Stevens to Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield." And upon considered listening reflection, brand new old soul it is indeed.

By Martyn Pepperell

On Thursday the 27th of January, Aloe Blacc, backed by his band The Grand Scheme, will bring his meditations on modern life to New Zealand for one exclusive show at Backstage (12 Galatos St, Auckland) with support from David Dallas. Tickets are available via www.undertheradar.co.nz

www.aloeblacc.com

Harlem Christmas Party

The final Harlem gig for the year. I'm sure the boys are going to end the year in style so get down and kick your Christmas off right.
Big ups to Barnaby and the crew!

Karlmarx – Mists




Karlmarx - Mists by MPMCGN

Karlmarx are Isaac Aesili and Mark McNeill.
Their EP Mists will be out officially in January (pressed on white vinyl + limited to 500 copies) and is the first taster of their forthcoming full-length „The Karlmarx Project“.
The song „Mists“ will also be featured on the forthcoming Brownswood comp Lefto & Simbad present Worldwide Family Vol.1.

Djay for iPad

So this has been keeping me busy. Working towards using it instead of Serato or CDJ's when playing digital music.
It's got a great easy to understand interface. Check the video:


Paul Rodriguez Nike SB Commercial

Back from Sin Sydney with a few dusty psych records, new Supreme cap & few skin shades darker. Time to blaze up the half joint I left myself and chill the fuck out. Shouts to my man Jelly (aka Eric Koston) by the way...

New Jay Electronica


Today's tune is Jay Electronica Ft Tone Tressure - Jazzamattaz (a guru tribute)
Tracks like this make me think he's the next to blow.

Jay Electronica featuring Tone Treasure - Jazzmatazz by Hypetrak

DJ Nate - Hata's our Motivation

So, Dopeonplastika and Tones are away on holliday in Sydney for the Moodyman, Carl Craig and Theo Parish throwdown. Least i could do was post a song each day to hold down. Third day today, I'm going to switch it up. Some footwurk to get you into the weekend party vibe.


CocoRosie- By your side

Mount Kimbie

After diving right into Deer Park for two days straight I revisted Mount Kimbie's "crooks and lovers" This one is one of my fav's. Kinda whacky Video

D:unk - Sunshine -o-

New one from the homie D:unk, guy keeps gettin' better and better...


Deer Park - Walk Into The Sea

Shanalog sent through some of his new album with his band Deer Park. Here's a little piece from the press release to give you an indication of their sound...

"guitars traded for trumpet,toy sampling keyboards, underpowered casiotones, an analogue synth and miles upon miles of decayed 4-track tape loops. Taking their cues equally from the hazy wonked out hip hop of the likes of Flying Lotus and the melodic no-fi shimmer of Coco Rosie or Animal Collective."

A good way to rollout what seems like an endless week of DJing...


Malty Media - Kleine Wasserbar



The homie Jet Jaguar has once again hooked us up, this time with some of his new collaborative work Malty Media. A dope free release for all of you. For more info and what not check out Angry Rabbit. Cheers Mike!

Solomon Ilori & His Afro-Drum Ensemble - Gbogbo Omo Ibilie

One of my workmates brought a copy of this into work. Was quite surprised that it was a Blue Note release but upon listening (to the last 3 tracks at least) the jazz is more evident. While the first six tracks are more African high life based the last three tracks begin to explore the astro jazz which Alice Coltrane and like would produce a number of years later. Album features Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones, Hubert Laws as well as Donald Byrd.


Lee Fields X J Cole "ladies"





Had the catchy Lee fields and the Expressions track "Ladies" in my head for a good week and then got put onto this.
Super Hot Flip from J Cole. (another jewel in the roc nation crown)


Tried for Your Love (Hudson Mohawke Remix) | XLR8R

Feeling this Hud Mo remix well 90's vibe going on head over to XLR8R for the DL

Electric Wire Hustle - Experience EP

The cuzzies just dropped their new EP.
You know the deal with these boys, quality over quantity.
Go cop it and if your in Wellys next Friday, check the the gig.

DJ KRUSH

As if there wasn't enough things to check out this week. Heres one more.
DJ Krush is in town this week. The man has been around for an age and for good reason.
Last time I seen Krush he was off the fucking chain. No doubt he'll be tearing NZ audiences to shreds once again. I'll be throwing down in support with my homies D:unk & Excelle.
Tickets from Real Groovy & Dash
Wellington Friday 3rd Dec - San Francisco Bath House
w/ support from D:unk Live, Excelle & Izz The Wizz

Auckland Saturday 4th Dec - Zen
w/ support from Dylan C, Scratch 22, Dan Paine

Harlem Present


Thank god for computers and the nimble finger skills it takes to make beats. No doubt you need a perfect musical ear and rhythm running through your veins but that is what these guys have.

On Dec 2nd Harlem will play host to Auckland's most dope Hip Hop beat makers. Bringing the finest to one place at one time.

For anyone who has their finger on the pulse they will have heard most of these names being thrown around in underground hip hop banter.

These guys will all be playing beats of their own creation throughout the evening taking the reigns of the Auckland Hip Hop movement.

Christoph el Truento has just released an EP on Wonderful Noise.

http://soundcloud.com/christoph_el_truento

Haz is Homebrews alchemist of beats.
http://www.myspace.com/agentgoonmusic

Miso Shiru is a part of Koru Licks.
http://soundcloud.com/miso-shiru

Saxby is the beat maker for Nothing to Nobody.
http://soundcloud.com/nothing-to-nobody

Shanalog sounds like a trip through space and time.
http://soundcloud.com/shanalog

Influence beats is a part of The Boom Bap Kids hailing from North Shore.
http://soundcloud.com/influencebeats

Featuring Jeremy Gallagher and Lui T - Live MC's

Soul-I-Darity

The homies Marek & The Jewel School have got this dope lil number hooked up for Betty's this Friday. If your into dancing, then this is the place to be.

tak się upić i strona jak biała dziewczyna!

Video Release Party - Khuja Lounge Dec 3rd

As you may know, we've spent the last 2 months hiking the rugged terain of this man eating country filming our first ever wild life doccumentary. Over that time we've seen some terrifying things (eg. New Plymouth and Blanket Man's balls) and some of us sadly never made it back due to strong acid and early morning flights.

But now, after what has been like a really intense episode of Dora the explorer we are home from our journey and ready to celebrate...

THIS FRIDAY AT KHUJA LOUNGE - featuring never seen before footage from the doccumentary, special guests THE ARC, DJ TDK, DJ Substance and a special guest perfomance from Norwegian sensation Max Marx. We will party until dusk to honour this wild beast that is life.

Doors open at 9. Drink specials on the night. $10 on the door.

Cherrystones - Entertaining The Unobvious

Sunday is usually a low key affair but seeing as the sun is blazing and the people are in good spirits, I thought I'd post up something a little different to our usual Sunday steez. This mix is from Cherrystones, whos mixes I have been really diggin. On that krautrock, garage, rhythm & blues tip with all sorts of other craziness in there (a little Lord Finesse even). If you dig what Gas Lamp Killer, Dom Thomas & Andy Votel do then ya might dig this.

MGR - LR008


Here's some local heat courtesy of the ever boundary pushing Leaving Records.
Had never heard of MGR before but man definately diggin' the vibes.
Shouts to Jet Jag for the tip off once again.

Flippin' Samples with Johnny Griffith. Inc.

We've recently started using our "other blog" wheresyourbeatsat a place where we talk shit, upload samples and make beats. Anything goes really so if your down, its invites only so give us an email and we'll sign you up. Nothing too serious, just good to have producers communicating and getting better at what they do.
Anyways heres the first sample I put up on the page, Johnny Griffiths Inc.
Love is just a word

Ta-ku - Synth You've Been Gone

Ta-ku sent through his latest beat tape with fellow producer Roughsoul.
Be sure to check his other releases if you haven't done so yet.

Grooveman Spot Runnin Pizza Snippet

Party party pizza time with Grooveman Spot


Circulation - Patterins (Iz & Diz ghosts in Detroit wake up dub)

Full Crate & FS Green - Beat Mix for Carhartt





Nice Mix, If ya like the vibe check their eggs and pancakes

26th Nov Tiger Translate - Opera House

We're back down in Wellington this Friday for the Tiger Translate show at the Opera House. Should a dope night. Line up not only includes us (Home Brew) but most of NZ's talented faces..Scratch22, Riki Gooch, Parks & Julien Dyne to name afew..Check the flyer.

Dudley Benson - Kiwi

A track off Mr Bensons' latest album, Forest. Not really much to say about him other than he is a very unique kiwi artist doing his own thing and doing it well.


Hip Drop Hookups #1

Scooped up a few CD's from work so thought I'd hook the people up!
First up is Stones Throw head honco PBW: B-Ball Zombie War compilation.
For ease of delivery I've decided to make it open to NZ followers only.

Anyways first person to email us what his release on the 2 Kool label was gets the goods.

Max Marx and Friedrich Calloway at Carnegie Hall EP


New EP from Tom Scott (Home Brew) & Chris Macro (Dubious Bros). The EP was recorded live on a two track at Carnegie Hall and mastered in Albany. It features guest appearances from Scratch 22, Rachel Fraser, Ester Stevens, Mutsa Murare and Tourettes Available for free download here.

You can also stream the EP on the soundcloud page here

Souleance - Automatico

First Word sent us through the latest offering from French duo Souleance (DJ Soulist & Fulgeance). Have dug the last couple pieces of wax and this is much on the same tip.
Feelin' the latin vibes on this track as we work our way into Summer for sure.

Music Machines 2010

Music Machines is back in the house next Saturday an event showcasing vintage drum machines and synths, with talks from some of NZ's leading producers and musicians.
Heres a few flicks from last years to give you an idea how it goes down.






Moodyman & DJ Day!


Red Bull Music Academy & Hit It & Quit It Present....
END OF YEAR THROWDOWN

MOODYMANN (Mahogani Music)
DJ DAY (Melting Pot)
Recloose, Frank Booker, Turnaround DJ's and more!

Auckland-Dec 17-Galatos

Wellingtion-Dec 18-Garden Club

Opolopo - Voltage Controlled Feelings


Tokyo Dawn sent us through Voltage Controlled Feelings, the sonic testimony of more than two decades of serious electro, funk and boogie studies from Swedish synth commander Opolopo.
Have a listen over here

Label Spotlight - PTN




PTN records are killing it on the future house music tip at the moment, picked up a couple of plates today which are confirming my suspicions that 2011 is going to be a huge year for these types of sounds. Its no wonder with badman producers like Doc Daneeka, Hackman and Breach so far circulating heavily all over the web and sub labels like Night Slugs popping up all over the shop.
Below are a couple of tasties which I'm sure you'll be feeling as we roll into summer in the southern hemisphere.. bacardi and coke on the balcony, swaying hips type shits.


As always there's much more at RESIDENT ADVISOR and MYSPACE.

This one actually came out on PTN's "parent label" Ramp Recordings - Doc Daneeka - Hold On (artwork by teebs!)





And my pick for the song quickest to make the room froth this summer...this hook has been stuck in my head for days and i aint complainin - Hackman - Nobody Minds



Boomshot!!
Jiggles

Curren$y

Shout outs to himself

FSOL

An interesting short doc I came across direcrted by  Jamie Whitby & Rachel Lob-levyt

Future Sound is a short documentary that looks into a small cross section of London's forward-thinking underground dance music scene, exploring some of the things that define and affect it as it moves into a new age of digital innovation.

Featuring interviews with Roska, Scratcha DVA, Blackdown, Mark Fisher, and Lisa Blanning, plus footage from a live SBTRKT DJ set.



Future Sound - An Underground Electronic Music Documentary - HD from Jamie Whitby on Vimeo.

Hip Drop Mixtape Series: Spelly Spell - Sala May Electro Funk

The homeboy Spell did us the first in a series of mixes for The Hip Drop.

Spell's been killin as of late taking out the 4Tek Forever scratch battle.

Anyway, he's hooked us up with some funky funky issh to kick the weekend off.

If your diggin it you can grab more here and can catch him at the upcoming Red Bull Thre3style comp in Wellys next week.

Bone thugs and typography




The exclusive tee from Kevin Lyons show at the HVW8 Gallery in Los Angeles May 9th, 2008.
Those Cats at HVW8 are allways on point. Music, Art, Whatever

Curren$y



My pick of the new generation of rapper's coming out. Album drop'd this year and he has a mixtape floating round from last year. Sometimes its good to rap about weed and sit on cars...

Tiger Translate


On Friday the 26th of February Tiger Translate is coming to Wellington!

A massive multi media fusion of music and art that tours the world… Tiger Translate will transform Wellingtons Opera House like you’ve never seen it.

Featuring a live ART mashup by 3 of Translates most talented Asian Kinetic Artists vs Wellingtons finest… a multi media exhibition inspired by the theme Metropolis …and a lineup of the finest local talent including…

Riki Gooch, Julien Dyne & Parks, Adi Dick, Homebrew, Orchestra of Spheres, Tommy Ill, 47 Diamantes, the Electric Wire Hustle Sound System, Alphabethead, Scratch 22, Fried Chicken Sound System, The Jewel School and special guest… DJ Zoloo from Mongolia.

Get your tickets by being one of the first 500 people to register at HeyTiger.co.nz

Prince Charles & The City Beat Band

Killer synth funk from Prince Charles & The City Beat Band off his 1982 album Stone Killers.
Worked as mixer and engineer on numerous albums from Kasif to Biggies' Ready To Die.
If ya don't know, now ya know...

DJ Crucial & Hi-Fidel - Jimmy

I've been revisiting some old albums as of late. It's a good thing listening to stuff that I haven't bumped for a couple years, as it's easy to get carried away listening to the latest tunes out but not digesting it properly. Anyways, I posted up a Crucial/Hi Fidel joint about a year ago and I'm back again to revist. This one comes off their 2007 album on Crucials' F5 records.

DJ Crucial & Hi-Fidel - Jimmy

B-Ju - Habit In Your Redlight

The cuzzy B-Ju sent us through some heat to give to all of you.
If your diggin it then check his Dog Day EP released a while back by Error Broadcast.
Heavy stepped out 21st century beat isssshh whaaaaat!

Haz' Beats - Good Country Beat Tape. FREE

So the last 3 & a half days I've been banging away in my own little world tryna be productive & shit, came up with these beats & put that shit out for FREE. All beats inspired by the Good Country Tour & a whole lot of love from the good the cunts around me. All beats are for sale. Email me hazgotbeats@gmail.com.
Enjoy.

Ladi6 - The Liberation Of

Ladi6 & Parks return from Berlin after supporting the likes of Gil Scott Heron, Mos Def & Mayer Hawthorne. Yesterday saw the release of her sophmore album "The Liberation of" and this week will see them begin their nation tour. Definately check them out if your near one of the shows

Friday 5th - Auckland
Saturday 6th - Wellington
Sunday 7th - Wellington
Friday 12th - Christchurch
Saturday 13th - Nelson
Sunday 14th - Takaka

Ladi6 - Good Day

Death - Your A Prisoner



Rawness like only Detroit produces. Proto punk in its earliest form, preceeding The Pistols, The Stooges & Bad Brains. Quite overlooked for what they were doing, probably because everybody was trippin'.

Alphabethead - N37 Modulations

Hip Drop homeboy Alphabethead drops yet more insane stuff for y'all...

Whenever I bring a stray piece of vinyl home my fervent hope, aside from it being good music, is to use it as source material in something. Unfortunately, due to my ‘habit’ it’s very hard to assimilate the relentless inflow of records. This recording was a conscious effort to utilize all the random records that had slipped through the cracks. I’d grab any unused LP in arms length of the turntable and set the goal of making a beat from it. This is certainly not a unique approach; many beat-makers set themselves such exercises as a challenge and to breakdown any preconceived notions of what ‘should’ be sampled. In sampling unconventional records I learnt about filtering songs to isolate bass and create muffled drones, amplify and affect record pops to make percussion and stretching and layering notes for textures.

Over 60 LP’s went into this one – mostly Sally Army or junk shop finds. Sample sources include; Frank Sinatra, Uriah Heep, Fiddler on the Roof, Gong, 3 Hur-El, Bach, Donovan, Silver Apples, Ravi Shankar, Santana, Stockhausen… Although it’s my fifth beat-tape, it’s the first I’ve presented in mixtape form with transitions, miscellaneous tit-bits of sound and segues between tracks. This one also includes some Hip Hop cutting!

Alphabethead - N37 Modulations

Tic Tacs and House Mix



The Brother Seb from www.kanukamusic.com sent this through today.

Feeling the house vibes at the moment so timing was good!

Fresh mix of tunes for sure.

Tic tacs and House Music - Oct 2010 MIX by KANUKA

Back in the Game

So been slacking on the bloging front. Thought I would share one of my Fav new joints.

Dude is Ghostpoet, out on "brownswood" so you know its solid. Kinda like a Roots Manuva of 2010



Check out his new EP on soundcloud

Harlem Presents: Team Dynamite & Koru Licks

Up next...Team Dynamite & Koru Licks.
Check this freshness if your in the area!

REST IN PEACE



Scenes From A Beat Swap Meet

Came across this from the good peeps at the New Zealand Vinyl Society. For more related videos and thangs check Crate Kings and Elevator Hip Hop.

Los Angeles Beat Swap Meet 10/10/10 from Elevator Hip Hop on Vimeo.

Christoph El' Truento - Armadillo Meat Funk


Looking foward to Christoph El' Truento's Ep.