Terry Hunter - Sweet Music

Jazzy Funky House from 1999.

Produced by Terry Hunter & Kenny "dope" Gonzalez and Little Louis Vega. Need I say more. Featured on Dimitri A Night @ The Playboy Mansion compilation.

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Four Tet - Hands

Four Tet is the name used by Kieran Hebden (born 1980 in Putney, London, UK) for his experimental electronic music-oriented solo efforts, to differentiate from his work with post-rock band Fridge.

Hebden’s solo work typically utilises samples lifted from various sources including hip-hop, electronica, techno, jazz, and folk mixed with his own guitar playing. Four Tet shares some stylistic similarities with other musicians, such as Prefuse 73, who use computer editing techniques that give the music a staccato, cut-up feel. Hebden’s music is notable for its rich, organic sounds and harmonious melodies as well as for eschewing the traditional pop-song format in favour of a more abstract approach.

Kieran Hebden began releasing material as Four Tet in 1998 with the 36 minute and 25 second single “Thirtysixtwentyfive” on Trevor Jackson’s Output Recordings label. Later that year, he released a second single, the jazz-influenced “Misnomer”. 1999’s “Dialogue”, again on Output, was Four Tet’s first full-length album release and fused hip-hop drum lines with dissonant jazz samples. This was followed by the double A-side single “Glasshead”/”Calamine”, which was to be Four Tet’s last release on Output.

In late 1999, Warp Records released a tenth-anniversary compilation of remixes of Warp tracks; Hebden contributed a remix of “Cliffs”, the opening track of Aphex Twin’s “Selected Ambient Works, Vol. II”. This relatively high profile exposure attracted a lot of new interest in Four Tet from fans of electronica and IDM, genres in which the Warp brand had a preeminent status.

In 2001, Four Tet’s second album “Pause” was released on Domino and found Hebden using more folk and electronic samples, which was quickly dubbed “folktronica” by the media & press in an attempt to label the style (often also applied to artists such as Isan, Gravenhurst and some of Canabrism’s later work). The acoustic guitar track “Everything Is Alright” is the theme music for the National Public Radio talk show On Point, produced at WBUR in Boston, Massachusetts; it was also featured in a US Nike commercial in 2001-2002 and in the Sony Bravia commercial in 2005.

“Rounds” was released in May 2003. It was Hebden’s most ambitious album to date, incorporating diverse samples such as the mandolin on “Spirit Fingers”, and even a rubber duck on the closing track “Slow Jam”. Three singles were released from the album: “She Moves She”, “As Serious as Your Life”, and “My Angel Rocks Back and Forth”. This last single was released as an EP featuring remixes by electronica duo Icarus and Isambard Khroustaliov along with additional Four Tet tracks “I’ve Got Viking in Me” and “All the Chimers”. An accompanying DVD featured all of Four Tet’s videos to date.

At the beginning of 2003, Four Tet opened for Radiohead on their European tour. A remix of the song Scatterbrain from Radiohead’s latest album “Hail to the Thief” was included on their 2004 EP “COM LAG (2plus2isfive)”.

A live album named “Live in Copenhagen 30th March 2004” was released in April 2004 as a limited edition, available only through the Domino Records website.

In March and April of 2005, Four Tet performed two shows of improvisational music, in collaboration with jazz drummer Steve Reid, in Paris and London. He also appears on Steve Reid Ensemble 2005 album “Spirit Walk”. This collaboration was extended into a series of international tours, and the release of two albums, “The Exchange Session Vol. 1” and “The Exchange Session Vol. 2” over the course of 2005 and 2006.

His fourth studio album “Everything Ecstatic” was released on Domino on 23 May 2005. The video for the lead single, “Smile Around the Face”, features actor Mark Heap. The album brought with it another shift in style, leaving behind the breezy “folktronica” of “Pause” and “Rounds” for a darker, more complex sound. On 7 November 2005, Domino has released a DVD version of “Everything Ecstatic” featuring video clips for each track of the album plus a CD with new material.

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The Chicago Connection - Dancin ( Mark Grant Remix) (CAJUAL)

Cajual Records – CAJ 270
Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1997
Genre: Electronic
Style: House

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Cobblestone Jazz - Chance

Mathew Jonson, Danuel Tate, Tyger Dhula.
Canada.

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3 Chairs - Misty City

Members: Kenny Dixon Jr., Marcellus Pittman, Rick Wilhite & Theo Parrish
Hometown: Detroit

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Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing

Hot Chocolate formed in Brixton, London, England. Members of the group around Errol Brown included Tony Connor, Larry Ferguson, Harvey Hinsley, Derek Lewis, Pat Olive and Tony Wilson.

In 1969 while demoing a slight reggae version of the John Lennon song "Give Peace A Chance" with a group of friends, Errol Brown changed the lyrics of the number but he was informed that he could not change Lennon's song without his permission! So a copy of the demo was sent to the Beatles record label, 'Apple', with fingers crossed. Amazingly John Lennon loved the version and it was released on the 'Apple' label. Errol and his friends were given the name, 'The Hot Chocolate Band', a name thought up by a secretary at the company but which the band later changed to 'Hot Chocolate'.

Towards the end of 1969 Mickie Most signed Errol and the cofounder of the group, Tony Wilson as writers and recorded their songs with Mary Hopkins, Julie Felix and Herman's Hermits before encouraging them to come up with a song for themselves. In 1970 'Hot Chocolate', with Errol Brown as lead singer released their first record entitled, "Love Is Life" which reached number 6 in the charts. This was the start of a fifteen year career for the group who amassed a total of over 30 hits and also became the only group in the UK to have a hit for fifteen consecutive years. Brown's bald headed charismatic image and unique voice being the central focus of the group along with a great song writing talent that saw him pen such pop classics as, "It Started With A Kiss","You Sexy Thing" and "Every 1's A Winner".
In 1981 'Hot Chocolate' had the honour of being invited by Prince Charles and Lady Diana at their pre-wedding reception at Buckingham Palace which was attended by heads of Government and many members of European Royalty.

In 1985 Errol left the band and took time out to spend more time with his wife and then young children, resurfacing in 1990 and 1993 to embark on successful solo tours of the UK. He helped with the promotion of the classic single "You Sexy Thing" which was featured in the movie 'The Full Monty' and re-released by EMI Records in 1997. A new Hot Chocolate 'Greatest Hits' compilation released in October 1997 reached number 10 in the album charts the next month. Errol also performed live on 'Top Of The Pops' as the single reached the number 6 position. Hot Chocolate hit the charts again in February 1998 when EMI reissued the single, "It Started With A Kiss" and appeared on TOTP again.

The same year Errol completed a sell out 58 date UK tour, which included an outstanding performance at the London Palladium in May. July 98 saw Errol on an extensive promotion tour of concerts, television/radio and media appearances throughout Germany having topped the bill at The Frankfurt Festival where he played to an audience of over 300,000. In 1999 Errol embarked on a very successful tour across the UK of 69 concerts. In the Queen's birthday honours list of June 2003 Errol was awarded an MBE by the Queen for "services to popular music". The investiture took place on Nov 27th 2003.

Errol stated - "I would like to say how very proud and moved I was to be honoured with an MBE". In 2004 Errol received the Ivor Novello award.

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Millie Jackson - This Is It

Mildred "Millie" Jackson (born July 15, 1944) is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and comedienne. Three of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 copies.
Her vocal performances are often distinguished by long, humorous, and explicit spoken sections in her music, which she started doing on stage to get the attention of the audience. She has also recorded songs in a disco or dance music style and even some country styled songs. She is the mother of contemporary R&B singer, Keisha Jackson.

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El Coco - Cocomotion

W. Michael Lewis & Laurin Rinder arranged and produced this innovative sounding studio disco group (they also wrote for many other artists on the Avi and Butterfly labels). Most of their recordings are extremely good disco tracks and well worth owning. Rinder and Lewis gave El Coco a truly unique and unmistakeable sound.
Their first album includes the tracks "Caravan" and "Zanzibar", which are a taste of things to come. A rather ridiculous cover version of "Brazil" (also covered by The Ritchie Family) and the magical chill-out track "Masquerade" are other highlights of the album.

The title track of "Mondo Disco" is noteable for its funky, overlapping wah-wah rhythm guitars and groovy bassline. Listen also for the jazzy "Put on your jeans", the catchy "Love vaccine", and the absurd "The Count of Monte Disco".

These two formative albums paved the way for the 1976 underground disco smash hit "Let's get it together", now a rare groove classic. Difficult to find as a 12" single, its insistent wah-wah guitar, yet 1920's styled horn stabbing are just the right combination. Other tracks on this album to listen for include "Fait le chat", "Gimmie some", and the rather burlesque "Mr. Lucky".

"Cocomotion" is perhaps Rinder and Lewis's finest hour and presents the most driving, bouncy bassline to date. Even reaching the UK charts, it was a dance favourite throughout the remainder of the 1970's, and a new version was remixed in 1979. "I'm mad as hell" is another wah-wah guitar classic, and the vocals are based on the movie "Network".

The follow up hit to "Cocomotion" was "Dancing in Paradise", written to the same funky, irregular chord-changing formula. A formula which works very well, and is continued in tracks such as "Afrodesia" and "It's your last chance". Finally, listen out for "Coco Kane" - and make of it what you will.

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Mike Huckaby - Disco time!

Mike Huckaby has become the busiest remixer from Detroit in the past few years.

Mike has been busy producing music on his 2 labels, Deep Transportation and S Y N T H, which are well known amongst underground djs worldwide.

With highly acclaimed deep house productions and remixes for Deepchord, Juan Atkins, Vladislav Delay, Pole, Loco Dice, and Pacou,
(just to name a few ) Mike sees no end in the near future. Furthermore, Mike Huckaby has been touring, djing, and teaching music production around the globe extensively.

Mike brings the Detroit sound of deep house and techno with him. He knows the balance between deep house and techno like no other.
Promoters know that they can put Mike Huckaby in any room !

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James Blake - Limit To Your Love (DB Edit)

Edit by: Daniel Bortz
Label: Keine Rechte 003
Quality Limited - Buy the Track!

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Jacques Renault - Main Line (Friends Of The Family EP)

Label: Sccucci Manucci – SCCUCCI 002
Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP
Country: UK
Released: 30 Aug 2011
Genre: Electronic
Style: Deep House, Disco

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Osunlade feat. Nadirah Shakoor - Tree of life

Osunlade is an artist who personifies art. His music as well as his being creates unified melodies manifested with balance, life and wisdom. Hailing from St. Louis Missouri, a place known for pioneering jazz, blues as well, innovative artists like Miles Davis. At age seven Osunlade discovered the piano and the vision of his life’s destiny was born. By the age twelve he found an interest in creating and producing songs of his own, he formed a local band, taught himself several other instruments and studied further the development of his unique sound.

His professional journey began in 1987, at age seventeen during a visit to Hollywood. He quickly caught the ear of choreographer/performer Toni “Mickey” Basil. Offering him a role in the development of musical pieces for several projects including the children’s television series Sesame Street. With her encouragement he quickly moved to Los Angeles and began what would become a long history of music production. A few years later he would produce the very first album for the then independent Interscope Records. The artist was Gerardo, a long time friend and aspiring actor/dancer. “Rico Suave” one of the very first Latin pop songs and novelty catch phrases to date was born. Now with a multi-platinum album and four gold singles to his name, it wasn’t long before he was afforded many opportunities to master his craft.

Within the next ten years and over twenty albums credited, Osunlade felt the pressures and practices of the music business overshadowed his passion of music. Deciding he would no longer work under the influences of corporate ideals and demands, he chose to quiet himself, find spiritual solace and honor his soul. This led him to Ifa, a naturalist ancestral culture based on nature, deriving from the Yoruba tribes of Africa and practiced by the slaves during the Diaspora to America.

In 1999, Osunlade would embark on what is now his dream come true. The founding of Yoruba Records. Recognized as one of the most important dance music labels worldwide, Yoruba Records is purely a source of music created to elevate the spirit.

As the success of the label grew, so did the demand for Osunlade to expand. In 2001 he released his debut album on the respected Soul Jazz Records label. “Paradigm” quickly became on of the biggest house albums that year and dubbed him the messiah of ancestral house music. With the support of dj’s worldwide and his music now introduced to a wider spectrum of listeners, this veteran musician/composer/producer becoming the artist finally achieved balance within.

Although his demand for production and remixes from labels and artists worldwide, his passion is in Yoruba Records maintaining its reputation of its unparallel quality in music. With its own family of talented producers and artists developing and bridging sound and cultures, the labels’ evolution is endless and bright.

As he embarks on what has been his personal aspiration to date, Osunlade has evolved and is currently sharing his vision of photography to the world. A novice for over 7 years, Osunlade has discovered sight to counter his melody.

“Welcome Home”
His first exhibit, embarks on the Burning Man festival. These images portray hazy dust storms and freedom abound.

Osunlade’s vision admits to sharp, lit contrasts of nature’s meeting of the real life Mad Max experience. Featuring compositions of sun, limestone, people, imagination, music, community and the expansion of oneself with nature. This exhibit invites the complete exploration of your freedom. “Welcome Home”


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Double Hill & Jerome C - I Need Love

Artist: DOUBLE HILL & JEROME C
Title: I Need Love EP
Label: DOUBLE STANDARD RECORDS
Format: 12"
Nation: DE
Genre: House , Funky, Deep Tech

Further proof, if it was needed, that Israel is one of dance music's most intriguing hotspots. Anyone whose been clubbing in Tel Aviv or Haifa will know the febrile atmosphere that living in that part of the world generates, especially among its young people. The nightlife really is everything there. But while Israeli producers like Chaim and Guy Gerber inhabit the darker end of the tech house spectrum, Double Hill and Jerome C evidently take inspiration from the warm eastern Mediterranean sunshine, with this EP of laidback house and twisted neo-funk.

Released on Gadi Mizrahi's vinyl-only Double Standard imprint, the title track of the I Need Love EP ties clipped guitar work to St Germain-style vocal soundbites, G-Funk handclaps and a lolloping soulful rhythm. "Blue Sky Holiday" marries the clack of wood blocks to shiney pads, banks of warm Rhodes organs and stoned female vocals. "A Little More" is a less than subtle but still enjoyable take on Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas' class-leading cosmic disco sound. Tying up proceedings with some élan on this eclectic package, the duo shoot off into Wamdue Project-style deep house territory with the atmospheric dubtronics of "This Pain." A sinuous bassline wraps itself around emotive string pads, crunching 808 handclaps and a doleful, repetitive synth note. Soul, with an Israeli accent.

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