“Still Bill” Documentary: Bill Withers
Just rented this on my brand new AppleTV thingie and I can’t recommend this highly enough. A very honest and real look into the life of Bill Withers. The movie gives us an intimate look as he celebrates his 70th birthday, reminisces on a great career that started surprisingly late …
Forgotten Treasure: Gil Scott-Heron “The Klan” (1980)
“The Klan” taken from the 1980 record titled “Real Eyes” is the very definition of what we call a Forgotten Treasure. Although the track is melodic and light the lyrics packs a visceral punch like only the “godfather of hip-hop” Gil Scott-Heron can! I recognized this track instantly because it …
Future Classic: Quantic “Caliventura Remix EP”
New remix project from Tru Thoughts and Quantic (who by the way will be playing with us in Montreal on February 24th!) The Caliventura Remix EP from Quantic and his Combo Barbaro features remixes from Daedelus feat. Computer Jay, Cut Chemist, DJ Day, J-Boogie, and Jeremy Sole. These skilled producers …
Future Classic: Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX “Home”
I wasn’t convinced I liked the idea of this project when I heard the first “official” (remix) single from Jamie XX. For me touching Gil Scott-Heron‘s is a very slippery slope and I wasn’t crazy about “NY is Killing me” for some reason while everyone seemed to be loving it. …
Future Classic: Ben Westbeech “Slowly”
Some know him as Ben Westbeech, great soul singer and producer from the UK who was actually the very first released artist on Gilles Peterson‘s Brownswood label. Others know him as Breach an alias he used to release one of THE dancefloor tracks of 2010. (I had it at #4 …
Future Classic: Bilal “Levels” (Flying Lotus Edit)
Got a cool treat in the mail today from the good folks at Plug Research. The advance copy of Bilal‘s new EP will be coming out officially next week so I can at least share one track with you all. The 5 track EP is more of a straight up …
Future Classic: D’Angelo “James River” Album Prelude
Just read from the guys at Moovmnt.com, one of my favorite sites, that the word on street is true… After more than 10 years D’Angelo might actually put out a new record. Ok, these aren’t new songs just yet but it’ll keep us waiting for another few weeks. I was …
Forgotten Treasure: Patrice Rushen “Where is the love” (1982)
Ohhh this is on some late night 80’s tip. Love soul from the era, always a fine line between absolute smelly cheese and geniusness. This is the latter. Obviously hip-hop heads will recognise this as the original sample used for Mobb Deep’s “Temperature’s Rising”. Patrice Rushen put out a bunch …
Forgotten Treasure: The Brief Encounter (1977)
Another top class soul reissue from Jazzman, offering the notoriously expensive ‘Special Release‘ album by The Brief Encounter. Original copies are practically impossible to find, hence the common asking price of over $2000 for collectors. It was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama by a small-time group of musicians from rural …
Al Green “Tired of Being Alone”
Ok this isn’t exactly a “forgotten” treasure. I mean, every one knows Al Green, The Reverend of Soul and this track was one of his big hits. But this live performance recorded in 1972 at the “School of Soul” show deserves to be seen. I mean, this right here is …
Forgotten Treasure: Temptations “Message From A Black Man” (1969)
I was listening to this record yesterday so I thought i’d share my favorite cut from it. The Temptations were the definitive male group from the 60’s and “Puzzle People” marks the end of that golden era for them, it being released in 1969. Love the Temptations but also love …
Guest Mix #04: DJ DRM & CAPTAIN PLANET (NY)
Dj DRM head honcho of BASTARD JAZZ & BSTRD BOOTS, one of our favorite labels, recently laced us up with this super dope guest mix. I’ve been a fan of BSTRD for a while now and just this year I charted 2 of their tracks in my top 50 of …