There can be little doubt what his Mikeyness is talking about here. Backed by fab cartoon sound effects, a tight roots dancehall groove, and lush, blissful female harmony vocals, the gr8 Mikey Dread kicks some herbal wisdom for four minutes and twenty seconds. Well, actually it’s 3:22 but one does lose track of time, doesn’t one? An impeccably produced track with a lot of joy and humor. Smoke this mp3.

Mikey Dread
“Pound a Weed” (mp3)
from “Life is a Stage”
(Dread at the Controls)

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Here’s a lovely choral rendition of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by The Choir of Durham Cathedral in Durham, England. A little traditional for me? Well, I am full of surprises. And I hope your holiday is, too! Merry Christmas everyone.

The choir of Durham cathedral
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” (mp3)
from “A Festival of Carols- Music of Christmas from the cathedrals of England”
(Classic Fox Records)

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Methinks the eve of xmas eve calls for a de-stressing, most chillaxing reggae dancehall track. Thankfully, the gr8 Barrington Levy is offering up his hit “Collie Weed” for our enjoyment. A simple and direct song, with a simple and direct message. Pick up “Original Ragga Muffin Part One” for more from this top Jamaican star. Happy holidays =)

Barrington Levy
“Collie Weed” (mp3)
from “Original Ragga Muffin Part One”
(Azra Music Publishing)

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What could be better than a classic major key rocksteady pattern, with generous helpings of voodoo trombones, and tasty contemporized ska lyrics? Nothing! The answer is nothing! This is the mutherf@cking sh!t. Now you know how I feel about it. Download and enjoy. Outstanding music, or out standing in rain? The choice is yours. Voodoo Trombone Quartet in full power.

The Voodoo Trombone Quartet
“(Hey You) The Rocksteady Crew” (mp3)
from “The Voodoo Trombone Quartet …Again”
(Freshly Squeezed Music)

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Marijuana has been legal for medicinal purposes here in the state of California since the passing in 1996 of Prop 215, and pot dispensaries and clubs have popped up everywhere in its wake as growers further perfect myriad finely cultivated strains of pungent buds. This is therefor, a good place to live if you have such needs, and as it happens, downtown Oakland near my place of residence is the capital of the pot club world! Along with a number of these specialty pharmacies, there’s even a new college offering “Quality Training for the Cannabis Industry” which takes its name from the neighborhood’s unofficial moniker – Oaksterdam University. “Medicine Man,” a classic reggae rocker by UK’s I-Plant, could be the school’s anthem. So put this mp3 in your pipe and smoke it, all you 420 scholars. Quality product from I-GROW RECORDS.

I-Plant
“Medicine Man” (mp3)
from “Medicine Man / Hard Road to Travel”
(I-GROW RECORDS)

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It seems Lee “Scratch” Perry’s musical evolution will never stop. Jamaican music innovator number one, Perry has from the early 60’s to the present been a core author of the operating systems for ska, reggae, and dub, spawning myriad sub-genres and altering the perceptions and priorities of generations of fans and musicians world wide. Quite a resume. Now on, like, his ten thousandth LP or something, “madman scratchy” has a new release on the lovely Narnack Records label. This track, a wild riff on Perry’s already wild “Having A Party” which I posted earlier, is closer to a dubby downtempo or house vibe than the Reggae based work he’s most famous for. But the unique voice and mind bending take on life are instantly recognizable as no one else’s. Here’s holiday music of a kind I promise you, you have never heard before. Santa Claus is coming, so catch Scratchy on his short US tour they just announced, and be good!

Lee “Scratch” Perry
“Repentance”
Narnack Records

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Dj Subverse brought this to my attention last week, and it has worked its colors into my gray matter. A hyper contemporary soundscape featuring a beguiling mix of eastern and western sounds and melodies all tossed about in dub stylee. This mp3 packs a lot of music into two minutes and fifty seconds! Seductive and creepy, soothing and disturbing all at once. Is this what it is like to be haunted? Lovely work.

Rainbow Arabia
“Haunted Hall” (mp3)
from “Kabukimono”
(Manimal Vinyl Records)

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Why, it seems everyone and their cousin has a reggae band these days. Coming from the jazzy swingy new skool funky side is a band from Wellington City, New zealand called The Black Seeds. Boasting monster horn players, sophisticated arrangements and a scary solid rhythm section, they are not a simple reggae knock off, as they have been proving to a growing international following. “Slingshot” is their latest and gr8est, a powerful single with lyrics that work a karmic angle somewhat reminiscent of Peter Tosh’s “Downpressor Man” or The Heptones’ “Hypocrite.” Nice one.

The Black Seeds
“Slingshot” (mp3)
from “Solid Ground”
(Easy Star Records)

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Pere Ubu is not exactly a household word, but their art has influenced decades of popular and influential acts like the Pixies, Joy Division, REM, Bauhaus and others.  The songs on their new album make up the backbone of a theatrical production, “Bring Me The Head Of Ubu Roi”, that premiered in 2008 at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Based on the play “Ubu Roi” which premiered in Paris in 1896 provoking riots, the story is a re-telling of “Macbeth,” as a ruthless satire of the bloated and corrupt state of pre-World War I Europe. The new piece is “Brutal, lacking charm, and without redeeming values, an album for our times,” boasts Pere Ubu’s founder David Thomas, “It is, in fact, the only punk record that’s been made in the last 30 years.” Quite a statement, yet one that a man with his credentials can make, when the music and text is this far outside of the norm. Entertaining, scathing, and very funny work.

Pere Ubu
“Act 2 Scene 1″ (mp3)
from “Bring Me The Head Of Ubu Roi”
(Smog Veil Records)

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Not that they ever went away, but Los Fabulosos Cadillacs just released their first studio album in ten years, and it is gr8. “Contrabando de Amor” is the lead off single, and it is an undeniable smash. Truly anthemic, joyous, fun, passionate, tight, unpretentious.. let’s see, did I leave anything out? Oh and glorious! K? SuperFan approved, hit it up.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
“Contrabando de Amor” (mp3)
from “El Arte de la Elegancia de LFC”
(Nacional Records)

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San Francisco DJ and producer Egadz! has bent beats and busted boundaries for about a decade, and he’s calling it.. quits? Sort of, his l8est release, “Egadz is Dead” is a farewell to his current moniker, with a promise of new projects to come. Why do I care? Well, because his music is brilliant and I’ll be fascinated to see where it goes next. Gaining the kind of peer respect that Egadz! has done already is no easy feat in the fast moving and highly critical world of electronic music. I think the essential reason for his success is the compositions themselves. Check out “Going Home” for example. Almost classical in its tonal language, there’s a care and love put into every detail of the beats, melodies, sounds, and overall production that you don’t always hear in this genre. Frankly, a lot of electronic producers can be perfectly lazy, setting their filter sweeps and beats and walking away and going “Wheee! I made music!” Not so with more the dedicated and cre8ive practitioners. Egadz is Dead. Long live Egadz!

Egadz!
“Going Home” (mp3)
from “Egadz is Dead”
(Kid Without Radio)

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Jazz, baby. Soul soothing samba jazz. J. T. Meirelles composed, recorded and performed music in this sweet, sexy genre from the early 1960’s til his passing in 2008. Through the inevitable myriad ups and downs of the fickle music industry, the combo he founded in ‘63 left a gr8 legacy, which you can discover on this brilliant new collection out on the Dubas Musica label. Timeless, joyous, sophisticated music. Enjoy!

Meirelles e Os Copa 5
“Sudeste” (mp3)
from “Samba Jazz !!”
(Dubas Musica)

Ah, the Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy, it had to eventually come to this. Bassoons loom whilst chimes jingle and drums bump in Berlin Symphony Orchestra’s adventurous take on the Tchaikovsky classic. Fraught with mystery and intrigue, this gem from the “Christmas Remixed 2” comp capers with a mischievous glee that honors the composition, even as it treads into new forests of sound and wonder.

Berlin Symphony Orchestra
“Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy” (mp3)
from “Christmas Remixed 2″
(Christmas Chill)

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Continuing a virtual international musical trek, today finds these ears somewhere in the Dominican Republic via the South Bronx, where Aventura perfected an original fusion of bachata, hip hop, R & B, rock and various world music styles, which has made them a huge success. How huge? They sold out Madison Square Garden solo, and at the last minute, to accommodate frustrated fans, the Garden opened seating to 360 degrees to let more people in. This song is a gr8 taste of their unique and passionate musical blend, with magnificent vocals, inspired instrumental work, loads of heart and a thread of humor throughout. Enjoy.

Aventura
“Peligro” (mp3)
from “The Last”
(Premium Latin Music)

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Music is the universal language. And sometimes you hear something universal that you don’t readily understand. For me, hearing this mp3 from Tinariwen for the first time a week ago was such a moment. The mood of the song is so soothing and reassuring, life affirming and wise, it grew on me slowly and before I knew it was in love. The singing and guitar playing is such magnificent ear candy, I can’t stop playing the album over and over now. For a glimpse into the story behind this band, here’s a quote from their most unusual bio -

During the early 1980s, in a rebel camp run by Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi, a band was formed by musicians from the Touareg (Saharan nomads from Mali) tribe. They called themselves Tinariwen, which means “empty spaces” in their native Tamashek. Their music incorporated hypnotic, rocked-out, bluesy-sounding electric guitars (a first for people from an area where power is only sporadically available) while retaining traditional instruments, rhythms and call-and-response vocals. For nearly two decades, Tinariwen’s underground cassettes counseled anti-violence and ethnic pride amid encroaching chaos, making them a beacon of empowerment for local youth struggling with the demise of “camel culture” and conflicting propaganda. A performance at The Festival in the Desert, the worldwide release of The Radio Tisdas Sessions (2001)) and Amassakoul (“Traveler” – 2004), and an international tour brought their ancient-modern Tishoumaren (“guitar”) sound to new audiences, catapulting these indigo-clad tribes-men-and-women to universal fame. It also gained them admiration from pop stars like Robert Plant and Carlos Santana. Their third CD, produced by British bluesman and World Village label-mate Justin Adams, was recorded at Bogolan studios in Bamako, Mali. The fifteen tracks celebrate their heritage in all its trance-inducing, hip-shaking, majesty, mystery, and magic.

Tinariwen
“Imidiwan Afrik Temdam” (mp3)
from “Imidiwan : Companions”
(Outside Music)

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Here’s a gr8 swingin’ track from the king of Jamaican jazz guitar, the one and only Ernest Ranglin, ladies and gentlemen. Kick back and enjoy the ultra cool reggae jazz of this master player with his top flight band, and their lovely rendition of “My Boy Lollipop.” When Millie Small’s version of this song was released in 1964, it became the first worldwide ska hit record, throwing open the doors to overseas markets for all the great Jamaican music that would follow. It is no surprise then that the song is often covered by Jamaican artists, and ska bands everywhere, and many fine versions have been recorded. This one, featuring the shimmering vocals of the lovely and talented young Alana Davis, has quickly become one of my favorites.

Ernie Ranglin
“My Boy Lollipop (feat. Alana Davis)” (mp3)
from “Order of Distinction”
(Milk River Music)

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It is impossible for a song to live up to its title better than this one does. What an impeccable track. I can’t get it off of repeat! I do this sometimes, just leave a song on for an hour, all day even. It changes the room, like a coat of paint, more effective and safer than any drug, the sophisticated choice for a mood altering experience. I love music, I love music, and all it takes for me to remember how acutely, is a gr8 new song discovery to drink up. Liquid Stranger has provided me the perfect elixir for this fine Cali Friday. Enjoy, and have a lovely weekend. Soundbwoi Killaaaa!

Liquid Stranger
“Soundboy Killa” (mp3)
from “The Intergalactic Slapstick”
(Interchill Records)

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This interpretation of the Wailers’ anthem “Get Up, Stand Up,” is a tight, clean recording of a contemporary afrobeat ensemble in full swing. When Fela Kuti and his veritable army of Nigerian musicians blended James Brown style funk and African rhythms to create their instantly identifiable sound, I wonder if they had any notion of how many musicians they would eventually inspire. Today there are afrobeat bands popping up all around the globe, each bringing its own twist to this triumphant and joyously defiant music. This track is gr8, the instrumental work is top notch, even as the raw intent behind both the composition and style are preserved.

Kaleta, Zozo Afrobeat
“Get Up” (mp3)
from “The Rough Guide to Afrobeat Revolution”
(Rough Guides/World Music Network)

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There really should be a band called The Jive Turkeys. And there is, there is! And any band using that moniker should show a gr8 love for The Meters, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, and other long running funky rhythm sections who jazz it up with pop sensibilities and a certain mod flair. And they do, they do! These darlings are from Oxford, Ohio, they release their music on 7″ vinyl, they think you should “cop” their records, and well, I do too. Truly a labor of love, down to the Steve Cropper-esque guitar niblets, Leslie speaker churned organ riffs, Zigaboo inspired drumming and one of those bass players who just lives in the kick drum. Their music is available digitally too, in case your vintage Fisher-Price record player is on the fritz.

The Jive Turkeys
“B.A.” (mp3)
from “B.A. – Single”
(Colemine Records)

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Let’s party. Eddy-K from Cuba, now residing in Miami, brews up a joyous and powerful dance music that treads into zones of reggaeton, hip-hop, old school Cuban big band style, and str8 up contemporary pop. However you break it down, this track is a winner. Exuberant, fun, and truly international stuff.

Eddy-K
“Mami Besame” (mp3)
from “Asalto”
(Premium Latin Music)

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L’Aventurier

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Time to get our weekend ‘lectronica on, peeps. As my top source for DJ music, Subverse, explained, Los Angeles innovator 6Blocc has roots in hip-hop and showed the scene “how to play drum n’ bass records like a battle DJ.” This track is a rich tapestry of digital audio, molded by the hands of a master craftsman. “The End” could be the beginning of a gr8 party. Download it and bust it on yr guests 2nite. They’ll hear the bass from 6 blocks away.

6Blocc
“The End” (mp3)
from “Foulplaydubstep Elite Forces”
(FOULPLAY RECORDS INC)

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If Luciano says “put it on,” we gonna put it on. Reggae old school vibes and dub massive production make up my selection for you music lovers for this fine Friday.  This reminds of Aswad, Black Uhuru and Steel Pulse, and also has a nice original vibe. Soulful vocals, solid riddim tracks, yes I’m loving it. Have a gr8 weekend! I’m out.

Luciano
“Put It On” (mp3)
from “La Ba La Ba”
(High Fence Records)

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Dublin, Ireland’s Prince Kong delivers a dancehall smasher with some tight verses and inspired dub style madness. Touching on various stages of UK underground club music evolution, this emerges as an original statement – relevant, compelling and raw. And in the best tradition of reggae’s myriad sub-genres, you can move your feet to it, as well as your mind. GO deh!

Prince Kong
“Outside (feat. Tommy Trouble & Eccleton Jarrett)” (mp3)
from “Proper Horror Show”
(Middle Management Recordings)

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This track is a GR8 collision of various dub and electronica styles.  An exciting composition built from anything DJ Slip wanted plus the kitchen sink. Raiders of the Lost Dubplates, indeed. As contemporary as next week, and too slippery to classify.

DJ Slip
“Phoenix” (mp3)
from “Raiders of the Lost Dubplates Vol.1″
(Vinyl Syndicate)

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Want to hear something really beautiful? Then wrap your ears around this gorgeous heart string plucker by Albert Assayag. Unabashedly romantic, “Tango Des Fleurs” is an accordion and piano driven instrumental tapestry of love.  Cinematic and softly glorious. I may go smell some roses now. And frolic. In a wildly ornate sun hat. Ciao.

Albert Assayag
“Tango Des Fleurs” (mp3)
from “Accordion Dances: Tango Waltz Paso”
(Lovecat Music)

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Electronic club music has gone through countless changes and spawned a world of sub-genres since the word “rave” was first coined, and the “dubstep” genre is the undisputed rage in 2009. The unearthly undulating square waves and filters in this track evoke images of trying to dance on a floor that wont stay put. It lurches up and lifts you skyward, only to liquefy and down you go over the side of a giant neon wave. Fun stuff from Nasha, outta Denmark.

Nasha
“Muzzle” (mp3)
from “Manners & Respect”
(Powacut Productions)

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Like a collision of Fela Kuti’s afrobeat style and distinctly west coast house music,  “Bole Bantu” is a lovely ‘zample of the borderless nature of music. Give this a minute to start – it’s a good beat, but you could easily expect a fairly stock house loop that goes on forever like some of them do.  This track does something else entirely. It grows and expands in natural yet unexpected directions, making for a highly satisfying aural journey. Excellent work, energetic, driving and smartly arranged.

Julius Papp
“Bole Bantu” (mp3)
from “Large Music 4.0″
(Large Music)

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England’s greatest and longest running reggae dub band teams up with a top contemporary electronica dub crew, and the results are spectacular. Aswad, mixed up right for the club by Danny Briottet (Renegade Soundwave) and Tim Bran (Dreadzone, Subsonar) known collectively as the Rhythm Riders. Lovely work that showcases the talents of both camps, in a seamless and chill flow.

Aswad
“This Sound” (mp3)
from “Aswad vs. The Rhythm Riders”
(Liaison Music)

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Ah, the unmistakable strains of jazz guitar genius, Django Reinhardt. The story of this legendary player’s life is as remarkable as his output – the wiki entry is a good read – but to really understand the man, you have to listen to his music. The group he ran with violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Quintette du Hot Club de France, had a seismic influence on the evolution of jazz. That one of the key innovators of the quintessentially American musical form would happen to be a Gypsy from Belgium, just speaks to the nature of music as universal language. Listen to this cut, and if it moves you, do yourself a favor and pick up the rest of the record. The positivity and playful curiosity of these recordings cuts right through the decades, and it’s hard to imagine post war music in any popular genre, absent this GR8 body of work.

Django Reinhardt et le Hot club de France
“Intro” (mp3)
from “Echos de France”
(Barajazz)

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Rocking the party all the way from the Ukraine, Flajzzza brings a truckload of musical influences from east and west to create their own exciting and unique take on hip-hop. This rocks – the music is so inventive and fun, and the lyric flows are brilliant, not that I understand a word of it, but “I’m So Glad” sounds positive enough!  This is truly international pop, with elements of dancehall, jazz, modern rock and 70’s latin funk a’la Eric Burdon and WAR. It all fits together seamlessly and wouldn’t sound more contemporary if it came out next week. I love the Interfishnets.

Flajzzza
“Radisno tak! (I’m so glad)” (mp3)
from “Zasmaga Na Serce”
(Comp Music Ltd)

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English born musician Johnny Clegg’s career spans decades of sociopolitical evolution and revolution in his adopted home of South Africa. As young men in the mid 70’s, the white Clegg and black Zulu musician Sipho Mchunu started Juluka, regarded as the first racially mixed South African band. They gained widespread popularity despite being essentially blacklisted under the apartheid regime. Shunned by established radio stations and promoters, they pushed the envelope DIY style, playing gigs at universities and private homes, which were often as not shut down by the security police. Yet like the movement for change that grew like a wave all around them, their music proved irrepressible in the end. “African Sky Blue” is a GR8 taste of Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu’s joyous guitar style and vocal harmonies, which continue to inspire generations on the African continent, and all over the world.

Johnny Clegg & Juluka
“African Sky Blue” (mp3)
from “The Best of Juluka”
(Rhythm Safari Pty Ltd)

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The Pinker Tones represent the state of the party art in Barcelona, hipness capital of Spain. Filtering a huge range of influences, they expectorate shiny globules of innovative pop glee. Also known as Professor Manso and Mr Furia, longtime vets on their thriving local scene, the PT’s now make their irreverently joyful music available to the world via Interweb. They have several promotracks up, and honestly, I had a hard time picking one to post today, as they’re all brilliant and each one is unique in its own way. Their new album is “Wild Animals” and I must see them live in their natural habitat soon. Here’s the finale from “The Million Colour Revolution” ~ enjoy!

The Pinker Tones
“TMCR Grand Finale” (mp3)
from “The Million Colour Revolution”
(Nacional Records)

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This joyous musical celebration was recorded in the West African nation of Guinea, by a dance band with one of the more unusual biographies you will find anywhere. Keletigui et ses Tambourinis was funded by the newly established state, after Guinea won independence from France.  The group’s blend of Cuban rhythms, American jazz, and traditional African musics, under the direction of band leader Keletigui Traoré, gained widespread popularity and continues to echo as a major influence on African popular music today. Traoré died in 2008, but the music he and his band recorded has been re-released digitally for us to enjoy. Really nice stuff.

Keletigui et ses Tambourinis
“Tambourinis cocktail” (mp3)
from “The Syliphone Years”
(Sterns)

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The Steve Earle penned hit “The Galway Girl” as sung by Earle himself – as one of the stellar guests on The Best Of Sharon Shannon. Just GR8, completely unpretentious, old school music. Matter o’ fact, this record speaks for itself so well, I think I’ll stop talkin! You can read about Sharon Shannon’s remarkable career on her wiki. Enjoy.

Sharon Shannon, Steve Earle
“The Galway Girl” (mp3)
from “The Galway Girl – The Best Of Sharon Shannon (Bonus Track Version)”
(The Daisy Label)

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My affection for ska is no secret. I love to watch the creeping influence of this GR8 form of dance music as it extends to every corner of the globe, moving feet and warming hearts. Here we have an Aussie band, skanking it good style with their own down under surf shack rockin’ flavor. This track is built on cool, tight combo playing and effortlessly fun vocals, with some very juicy production values. The filter effects on the guitars in particular are brilliant.  Surf’s up!

The Beachniks
“Riding Out” (mp3)
from “The Many Moods of the Beachniks”
(Jazzhead)

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Brooklyn’s Santogold continues her massive roll in 2009. Here is one of the tracks that propelled her to international recognition in ‘08. This is not an artist locked in any genre set. Instead, she hits genres head-on like a bowling ball, sending the pins flying every which way. “L.E.S Artistes” is a gem, with Santogold’s voice floating luminescent over tracks that will sound bright and new even years down the road.

Santogold
“L.E.S Artistes” (mp3)
from “Santogold”
(Lizard King)

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Dubbing out heavily in Leeds, UK we find the East Park Reggae Collective. Doing reggae old school style – that is, the kind where people play instruments instead of laptops primarily, EPRC stakes a claim to the brilliant English twist on Jamaican music pioneered by bands like Aswad, The Specials, UB40 and the Dennis Bovell Dub Band. This track is GR8. All the players are hot but a special shout out to the guitar player – that is some fine pickin!

East Park Reggae Collective
“Bomber Jacket” (mp3)
from “The Frontline”
(Caprimusic / GLP)

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Berkeley’s ska nutters The Uptones have a gr8 promo track on Fun Fun Fun Recordings’ “MP3 Jackpot Winners”  compilation. Check out Ridiculous and the whole album, it’s stuffed with power pop goodness, most of it produced by my friend Matthew King Kaufman of Beserkley Records fame.

The Uptones
“Ridiculous” (mp3)
from “Skankin’ Foolz Unite!”
(Fun Fun Fun Recordings)

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I love the way Jamaican and American popular musics have informed and influenced each other over the decades. Going back to the early 1960s when ska bands built on stateside soul and R&B sounds, and fast-forward to hip-hop and dancehall styles trading ideas and themes at a dizzying pace.  Heavyweight Dub Champion is hip-hop, and dancehall, and electronic dance, and reggae, they are all of that, and yes they bring their own original flavor to the mix as well. This track really cooks.

Heavyweight Dub Champion
“Dawn (feat. Dr. Isreal)” (mp3)
from “Rise of the Champion Nation”
(Champion Nation Recordings)

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Hard hittin’ fun hip-hop on a mission from a indie record store geek to your happy ears. Music make the world go round. Bust it.

Grand Analog
“Electric City (feat. Shad)” (mp3)
from “Metropolis Is Burning”
(The Shadow Cabinet)

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The inimitable Del tha Funky Homosapien. This guy is so many heads and shoulders above most of his peers, they can’t even see that high. He’s the missing Bugs Bunny cartoon when the Tasmanian Devil, Elmer Fudd and Daffy all died. Sit down.

Del tha Funky Homosapien
“Jaw Gymnastics” (mp3)
from “Both Sides Of The Brain”
(Hieroglyphics Imperium)

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I love the rhythm guitar riff that sets this track up and drives it along so much it drives me crazy. The vocals are magnificent, the percussion bubbling, the whole thing is intoxicating.  A seamless blend of African and Cumbia and rock styles, off the 21 year celebration/comp from David Byrne’s brilliant Luaka Bop label. So hot.

Jorge Ben
“Ponta de lança africano – Umbabarauma” (mp3)
from “Twenty First Century Twenty First Year”
(Luaka Bop)

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Dengue Fever’s soundtrack record for the new documentary Sleepwalking Through the Mekong features music they created on a recent tour of Cambodia, backing singer Chhom Nimolon.  Cambodia in the ’60s and ’70s, before the disastrous Khmer Rouge regime, enjoyed a reinvented rock n’ roll style with distinctly Khmer influences, generating a sound that was unique and powerful in its own right. Silenced but not forgotten during the terrible events of the late 70’s, this brilliant music is now being rediscovered and revitalized by new generations. I picked up the soundtrack – a bestseller already on IODA – and I look forward to the movie.

Dengue Fever
“March of the Balloon Animals” (mp3)
from “Dengue Fever Presents: Sleepwalking Through the Mekong”
(M80)

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Here’s a sweet bossanova jazz instrumental that shows what a gorgeous sound just two guitars and a drummer can produce in the hands of superb players. I’m sure at least one Kathleen is loving it! Unpolluted musical joy.

TerzaRima
“Dance for Kathleen” (mp3)
from “Moonlight Express”
(Tea Room Records)

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Such a great and unusual combination of musical voices come together in Oran Etkin’s ensemble. Virtuosity and fun in heaping helpings. Young Mr. Etkin is a music educator, alongside his growing performing and recording career, he has created a method for teaching music to very young children, and for this he deserves our gratitude. More good music = a better world! Learn more about this positive and talented cat at his website.  And a tip o’ the hat to Jazz Beau!

Oran Etkin
“Nama” (mp3)
from “Kelenia”
(Motema Music)

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Starting my morning with this sweet instrumental modern jazz dub. Intelligent and reflective, the sort of music that seems to carry a message sans words.

The Nomad
“Alright” (mp3)
from “Quinessence”
(LOOP)

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Epic downtempo dub with brilliant poetry and lyrics. Truly innovative.

Beat Pharmacy
“Rooftops” (mp3)
from “Wikkid Times”
(Deep Space Media)

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K, if you know me a little ya know I MUST have my dub. Toronto’s Dubmatix have become a favorite of yours truly, because they have the old school dubby-dub moves down and pay tribute, but also, in the adventurous spirit of Lee Perry and King Tubby, they move the music forward with new ideas and tasty new production tricks. This one is massive and sweet.

Dubmatix
“Killing Dub” (mp3)
from “Dread & Gold – Dub from the Smoke Factory”
(7 Arts Entertainment)

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A great track from Mali’s Issa Bagayogo. Supremely funky.

Issa Bagayogo
“Sebero” (mp3)
from “Mali Koura”
(Six Degrees Travel Series)

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