Showing posts with label Jazz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jazz. Show all posts

Friday, December 31, 2021

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review: New Age Doom ft. Lee "Scratch" Perry - Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide To The Universe (We Are Busy Bodies)

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Record Review:

New Age Doom & Lee "Scratch" Perry - Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide To The Universe

(We Are Busy Bodies - WABB 099, 2021)

Reviewed by Jon "Selecta J-Cut" Soldanels


New Age Doom & Lee "Scratch" Perry - Lee "Scratch" Perry's Guide To The Universe (We Are Busy Bodies)

 
Described as Perry's first "Drone Jazz" album, this was probably one of the last projects of his time of physical existence. The repeated message throughout this project is "Life is an experiment." 

The legendary, iconic and anomalous artist never shied from experimentation in his seven decades of creating songs, albums, artists, labels and even genres... virtually every type of modern music owes some credit to the Upsetter's innovations to Reggae production, Dub in particular. 

New Age Doom are an experimental / drone project from Vancouver, B.C. whose previous offerings include 2020's Himalayan Dream Techno. They captured Perry's vocals for this LP at his home in Switzerland in 2020. The group's two core members, drummer / producer Eric J. Breitenbach, and multi-instrumentalist / producer Greg Valou are joined by Daniel Rosenboom on trumpet, Donny McCaslin on sax, Ryan Dahle and Tim Lefebvre on bass and synths, Dahm Majuri Cipolla on drums, synths by Cola Wars and The Passenger, and a Lady Nigel Butterfly providing whispers. 


"Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Guide To The Universe"

"Be faithful. Be pure. Be clean. And listen to your dreams. Listen to your dreams!" the highly conceptualized album acts as a vehicle for the mystic to channel, despite the cryptic nature of much of his past lyrical content, this one is is pretty straight-forward.  


"Step In Space"

Musically, a prevalent stark, spacey, ambiance compliments the lyrical obeah. Slow-motion, minimalist rhythms lurk about amidst hypnotic vibrations with sparse elements of brass and percussion creating an intriguing endeavor, through and through. The songs are movements of one cohesive piece that give us the sense that 'Scratch' still has something to share with the world and not even death can hold back the message.


"Holy Dub"


Released in November of 2021, the third pressing (1,000) of the vinyl release, by the label We Are Busy Bodies, is sold out, but is available digitally here: https://wearebusybodies.bandcamp.com/album/new-age-doom-lee-scratch-perry-lee-scratch-perrys-guide-to-the-universe

On a related note, check out Alpha (Adrian Sherwood Mix), the new single from Mark Stewart VS Lee "Scratch" Perry VS Peter Harris, on eMergency heArt. 



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Saturday, July 10, 2021

CULTCHA Clash Outer National Music Review: Caulbearers - Burst Through The Borders

 

CULTCHA Clash Outer National - Music Review:

Caulbearers - Burst Through The Borders 

By Jon "Selecta J-Cut" Soldanels


Caulbearers - Burst Through The Borders (2021 Single Cell Recordings)



This is the latest digital release by the Manchester-based band, Caulbearers. 


Collage by James Stirzaker






The title track, "Burst Through The Borders," is an inspirational message of universal love engulfing all matter in existence, set to a down-tempo groove drawing on elements of soul, jazz, dub and indie rock. The subtle strings and guitar give the tune a relaxed vibe, overall, and vocalist, Damian Mahoney's lyrics are purely on a positive tip. I would recommend this to fans of Paul Weller, A Certain Ratio or Massive Attack as well as those into alternative music with a touch of hip-hop influence. Not a bad first impression, for me. If a vinyl single were to be pressed, I'd buy it. For now, digitally will have to suffice.







Damian Mahoney (photo by Jan Schoof)








Damian Mahoney & Ruth Blake (photo by Jan Schoof)



The 'B' side track, "Solid Supposed" is on a different vibe and an even more exciting one, to me. Guest and regular collaborator, Ruth Blake's vocals are an ethereal addition to the big beats and horns, which are reminiscent of some of the vintage 2-Tone Records arrangements. A Portishead influence is apparent on this one, as well.

Check out the video, below.





The band are part of Manchester, U.K.'s Music As Medicine family, who curate community music and art performances. They are also founders of the Single Cell Recordings collective and members of the live improv trio, The Order Of Love. Mahoney and his group have established themselves at home, and with this kind of originality and sound precision,  will undoubtedly gain fans worldwide.

The full album is expected to be out this year, if these tunes are any indication, then it should be well worth checking out.

(Thanks to Shauna @ Shameless Promotion for sending this to me.)


Collage by James Stirzaker






Photo by Jan Schoof



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Thursday, July 18, 2019

Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind! I.F.D.A. VIII

Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind!

The Mixes: Industrial Funk / Dub Abstractions VIII - Sheffield In The House!

Mixed & Written by Selecta J-Cut

Industrial Funk / Dub Abstractions VIII -Sheffield In The House!





CULTCHA Clash Outer National Global-Community-Radio

 This is the eighth edition in the  reboot of Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind! (see original video episodes Here). This time I'll be breaking down another of my all-vinyl mixes, Industrial Funk / Dub Abstractions VIII - Sheffield In The House!, which I compiled and mixed in 2015. (Hear the latest mix in the series,  I.F./D.A. X, here)

 As the title implies, this time the mix is composed entirely of artists hailing from Sheffield, England. Included are Cabaret Voltaire and songs their affiliated Doublevision, Clock DVA and frontman Adi Newton project, The Anti-Group, Peter Hope, The Box, Hula, Chakk and member Mark Brydon's label, Fon Records (Fuck Off Nazis) and more. I did not include recordings from Sheffield's Warp Records, nor anything from Mark Brydon's Moloko, which both came in to prominence in the 1990's... these notable exceptions will probably be the spotlight of another mix at a future date.
Again, I will make this disclaimer, the title of this series is my own description, some artists may take the label "Industrial" as a pejorative, or a purist would say that Industrial is exclusively Throbbing Gristle and music that was released on their Industrial Records (both Clock DVA and Cabaret Voltaire did work on Industrial). I'm not attempting to classify or categorize any of the artists included here, I'm using the term as a personal interpretation as more of a reaction to the music industry itself than any actual distinct "sound."


Many of the artists included in this series are active now, links have been included (highlighted) where possible, as it is our goal at CULTCHA Clash Outer National to educate and entertain.



T.A.G.C. - Meontological Research Recording 2
Teste Tones
I started this one off with "Teste Tones" from Meontological Research Recordings 2 - Teste Tones, the 1988 T.A.G.C. (The Anti Group).


The Anti Group - ShT




The following tune is another from The Anti Group, from their 1986 Sweatbox album, ShT.








Stephen Mallinder - Pow Wow




Next, is Cabaret Voltaire's Stephen Mallinder with "Pressure Drop," from Pow Wow Plus, the 1985 Doublevision reissue of his 1982 Mini-Album, Pow Wow. Graphic artist Neville Brody did the album artwork for this, as well as designs for releases by Cabaret Voltaire, 23 Skidoo, Clock DVA and many others (see Brody: The Graphic Language Of Neville Brody).







Sedition - The Mighty Device





The following tune is the Richard H. Kirk produced, "Headmix," a funky break from The Mighty Device by Sedition, released in 1986 on Fon Records.






Peter Hope & Richard H. Kirk -
Surgeons / N.O. Remixes





"N.O. (Giant Dub)" is from the 1988 Native Records Surgeons / N.O. Remixes 12" single by Peter Hope & Richard H. Kirk and was originally on their 1987 LP, Hoodoo Talk.







Hula - Murmur





"Tear-Up" is quintessential Trip-Hop from Hula's second LP, 1984's Red Rhino Records album, Murmur.







Cabaret Voltaire -
Fools Game / Gut Level




"Fools Game (Sluggin Fer Jesus Part 3)" is from the 1983 Cabaret Voltaire 12" on Les Disques Du Crepuscule, Fools Game / Gut Level and was later released on Eight Crepuscule Tracks. The cover artwork from the single is by N.Y. graffiti artist, Futura 2000.





Hula - 1000 Hours




The big beat of "Big Heat" is from Hula's 1986 double-album, 1000 Hours.








Workforce - Skin Scraped Back





"Skin Scraped Back" is off of Workforce's 1986 Doublevision 12" single, Skin Scraped Back.






Chain - Banging On The House / Chains





The next song is "Chains" by Chain (a collaboration between Peter Hope and Mark Estdale), from the 1985 Native Records single, Banging On The House / Chains.







Chakk - Out Of The Flesh





"Out Of The Flesh" is from Chakk's debut single from 1984 on Doublevision, Out Of The Flesh.






Hula - Get The Habit





Hula return with "Get The Habit," from their 1986 single, Get The Habit.






Cabaret Voltaire - 2 x 45





"Breathe Deep" is on Cabaret Voltaire's 1982 Rough Trade release, 2 x 45.







Peter Hope & Richard H. Kirk -
Leather Hands




Following that is another from Peter Hope & Richard H. Kirk, "Leather Hands (Crash Mix)" is from their 1985 12" single, Leather Hands.







Chakk - 10 Days In An Elevator





"Stare Me Out (Crash Mix)" is on Chakk's 1986 LP, 10 Days In An Elevator.







Richard H. Kirk - Black Jesus Voice




Electro-funky, "Street Gang" is on the Richard H. Kirk LP from 1986, Black Jesus Voice.








Acid Horse - No Name, No Slogan




Next is "No Name, No Slogan," by Acid Horse, the western-themed electro collaboration with members of Ministry and Cabaret Voltaire, it was released on the 1989 Wax Trax! Records 12", No Name, No Slogan.






Cabaret Voltaire - James Brown



"James Brown" is by Cabaret Voltaire and was released in 1984 on the James Brown 12", as well as on their Micro-Phonies LP.









Clock DVA -Thirst





"4 Hours" is off of Clock DVA's 1981 LP, Thirst, featured here from the 1985 Doublevision reissue.







The Box - Muscle In





The next tune is "Spade Work" from the 1984 EP, Muscle In by The Box.







Clock DVA - Resistance





"Resistance" is from the 1983 LP, Advantage, by Clock DVA (with bassist, Dean Dennis). This recording is from the Resistance 12" single.






Clock DVA - 4 Hours





After that is another from Clock DVA's Thirst, "Sensorium," which was also remixed on the 1981 4 Hours single.






The Box - Old Style Drop Down





The final tune of the mix is "Old Style Drop Down" and it's from the 1983 single by The Box, Old Style Drop Down.








That concludes both the mix and this edition of Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind! 
I hope that it's been enjoyable, thanks for checking it out and look out for the next one at www.cultchaclash.com.



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Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind!: I.F.D.A. VI

Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind!

The Mixes: Industrial Funk / Dub Abstractions VI (Bill Laswell Material Version)




This is the sixth edition in the  reboot of Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind! (see original video episodes Here). This time I'll be breaking down another of my all-vinyl mixes, from 2013,  Industrial Funk / Dub Abstractions VI - Bill Laswell Material Version.
After spotlighting Adrian Sherwood on Volume IV and Jack Dangers on Volume V, this time around I decided to focus on another artist / producer who's musical contributions over the past several decades have been invaluable, Bill Laswell.

His group, Material along with projects that he was involved with, like The Golden Palominos and Praxis were vital to the record label, Celluloid in the 80's, his production spans a diverse array of artists from Afrika Bambaataa & John Lydon to Fela Kuti, Herbie Hancock, Sly & Robbie, The Last Poets, Mick Jagger a young Whitney Houston and, seemingly, countless others.

The prolific producer / bassist started the label Axiom (with Chris Blackwell / Island Records) in 1989 to release some of his projects. Throughout the 90's to present he's continued to produce an impressive catalog of World-Funk,Jazz, Ambient, Experimental-Fusion sounds.

Currently, Laswell is involved with M.O.D. Technologies (Method Of Defiance) and has, in this decade, worked with Jah Wobble (P.I.L. / Invaders Of The Heart), Lee Perry, the late Bernie Worrell, Jon Batiste and many others.

The music on this mix barely scratches the service of a tremendous body of work (Massacre, PainKiller and Tabla Beat Science are some that come to mind that did not make it onto this mix that I recommend checking out) but I hope that it is a good sample of it, an homage to someone who I admire, musically, a great deal and who deserves so much recognition and appreciation.

Again, I will make this disclaimer, the title of this series is my own description, some artists may take the label "Industrial" as a pejorative, or a purist would say that Industrial is exclusively Throbbing Gristle and music that was released on their Industrial Records. I'm not attempting to classify or categorize any of the artists included here, I'm using the term as a personal interpretation as more of a reaction to the music industry itself than any actual distinct "sound."


Many of the artists included in this series are active now, links have been included (highlighted) where possible, as it is our goal at CULTCHA Clash Outer National to educate and entertain.


SXL - Into The Outlands

The first tune is "Speed Of Light" from 1988's Into The Outlands by SXL, a collaborative effort featuring Korean percussion group, Samulnori, Shankar, Ronald Shannon Jackson and Aiyb Dieng. The vinyl version is pressed by German label, Enemy Records (also available from Bandcamp).




Praxis - Profanation



The next song is "Babylon Blackout," which is from the 2011 Praxis LP on M.O.D. Technologies, Profanation: Preparation For A Coming Darkness. This album spans genres like dub, dancehall, funk, and hip-hop, mixed with metal and prog-jazz rock (including ample contributions from guitar genius Buckethead and P-Funk's Bernie Worrell).






Blind Idiot God - Undertow





He helped St. Louis, Mo. trio Blind Idiot God with their second LP, 1988's Undertow, from which comes "Dubbing In The Sinai." It was recorded by Martin Bisi at his BC Studio, which Laswell helped set up in 1980.
This is from the Enemy Records pressing, the album was reissued in 2017 by Indivisible Music.







Lee "Scratch" Perry - Rise Again






"Wake The Dead" is from Lee "Scratch" Perry's 2011 M.O.D. Technologies LP, Rise Again. It's a double vinyl set of pure magic like only The Upsetter can bring, combined with Laswell's production expertise and an all-star cast of musicians and guest artists.






Sacred System -
 Innerhythmic Foundation





"Black Lotus" is taken from the 1998 Innerhythmic Foundation 12" from Sacred System, an alias / project that has been responsible for several ambient-exotic-world-dub albums.









Ryuichi Sakamoto - Neo Geo





"Okinawa Song - Chin Nuku Juushi" comes from Neo Geo, the 1987 LP by Ryuichi Sakamoto of Japan's electronic-music pioneers, Yellow Magic Orchestra.








Material with William S. Burroughs -
The Road To Western Lands
"The Seven Souls" comes from 1998's The Road To Western Lands by Material with William S. Burroughs and was remixed from 1989's Seven Souls LP. (Bandcamp)
Material - Seven Souls













Sacred System: Chapter 2



"Anubis" brings more of Sacred System's worldly-ambience, off of the ROIR Records LP, Sacred System: Chapter 2, from 1997. The spoken word is "Personal Things" from Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets 1993 album, Be Bop Or Be Dead.







Bill Laswell - Oscillations 
Umar Bin Hassan - Be Bop Or Be Dead


"Extinguisher" is an excursion into drum & bass from 1996's Oscillations, on Sub Rosa (also at Bandcamp).
The a cappella, "Bum Rush," is from Be Bop Or Be Dead, once more.








Herbie Hancock - The Essence

Next is "The Essence" by legendary jazz keyboardist, Herbie Hancock, with the inimitable Chaka Khan. Taken here from The Essence 12" single, the original is on the Laswell produced 2001 LP, Future 2 Future.
Herbie Hancock - Future 2 Future














Bill Laswell - Hear No Evil

"Assassin" comes from the amazing 1988 Bill Laswell LP, Hear No Evil, with violin by Shankar, guitar by Nicky Skopelitis and percussion from Daniel Ponce, Aiyb Dieng and Zakir Hussain. (Available at Bandcamp)








P.I.L. - Single




Laswell acted as producer and band member for P.I.L.'s 1985 Album, and the single, Rise, which is the next tune in the mix.






Material - The Third Power


Originally by The Last Poets on 1972's Chastisement,"E Pluribus Unum" is from Material's 1991 Axiom LP, The Third Power and features vocals from Last Poet and "Grandfather Of Rap," Jalaludin. (Available at Bandcamp)







Sly & Robbie - Rhythm Killers


"Rhythm Killer" is on Rhythm Killers, the Laswell produced Sly & Robbie LP from 1987. This tune features "Jamaican in New York," Shinehead 'pon the mic, adding his ragga-muffin style to the electro-funk riddim.








Material - Mantra Remixes


"Mantra (Praying Mantra Mix)" is remixed by The Orb and is from the 1993 12" single, Mantra - Remixes. (Bandcamp)


The next song is "Reality," another from 1991's The Third Power and features lyrics by Dancehall toaster, Shabba Ranks.





Matisyahu - King Without A Crown




"King Without A Crown" was an alternative-radio hit from 2006 by Matisyahu, taken from the King Without A Crown 7".
Laswell has recorded a dub LP with backing band, Roots Tonic.







Altered Beats - Axiom Compilation



"3D Cut Transmission" features bassist Jah Wobble and cuts & scratches by Grandmixer DXT, it comes from the 1996 Axiom compilation, Altered Beats. (Bandcamp)







"Revelations Part 2" is another from the 2013 Praxis LP, Profanation: Preparation For A Coming Darkness and includes lyrical input by Rammellzee.


Bill Laswell - Baselines



"Upright Man" is from the excellent 1983 Bill Laswell LP, Baselines.










Yellowman - King Yellowman




Dancehall King, Yellowman, appears next with "Dub Mi Strong," from the 1984 Strong Mi Strong / Disco Reggae single and LP, King Yellowman.









Bob Marley - Dreams Of Freedom



From the 1997 LP Bob Marley - Dreams Of Freedom (Ambient Translations of Bob Marley In Dub) comes Laswell's dub-de/reconstruction of "No Woman No Cry."









Crazy Wisdom Masters -
The Payback EP



Crazy Wisdom Masters found members of O.G. Native Tongues alumni's Jungle Brothers teaming up with Laswell for some bugged-out, abstract hip-hop, strictly for the blunted. Featured here is "Hedz At Kompany Z," from 1999's The Payback EP  (previously released on J. Beez Wit The Remedy LP from 1993) on the label Black Hoodz .










Shango - Zulu Groove




1983's "Zulu Groove" is from the Zulu Groove 12" single by Shango, a collaboration with Laswell, Hip-Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa and N.Y.City Peechboys / Rolling Stones / Tackhead singer Bernard Fowler.









Jalaludin & DST - Mean Machine


1984's "Mean Machine" is an apocalyptic social-commentary by Jalaludin with DST (Grandmixer DXT), from Mean Machine, released on Celluloid.









Praxis - 1984





From the first Praxis 12", 1984, the tune is "1984," from 1984 but the Orwell reference is frighteningly relevant today.










Sly & Robbie - Language Barrier




"Make 'Em Move" is from 1985's Language Barrier by Reggae's dynamic duo of drum & bass, Sly & Robbie. It features Bernie Worrell on keys and vocals by Afrika Bambaataa.














The final song is easily the most recognized of the mix, "Rockit" by Herbie Hancock, from 1983's Future Shock. The groundbreaking electro-jazz classic featured Grandmixer D.S.T. (DXT) on these iconic cuts.




That concludes both the mix and this edition of Vinyl Encounters of the...Rewind! Please check out more music from Bill Laswell and M.O.D. Technologies.
I hope that it's been enjoyable, thanks for checking it out and look out for the next one at www.cultchaclash.com.





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