Club des Belugas featuring Brenda Boykin - Straight To Memphis

Club des Belugas is one of Germany's leading Nujazz projects.

They combine contemporary European Lounge & Nujazz styles with Brazilian Beats, Swing and

American Black Soul of the fifties, sixties and seventies using their unique creativity and intensity.

The core of Club des Belugas consists of Maxim Illion and Kitty the Bill; they are supported by various jazz singers and instrumentalists; including the German trumpet players Reiner Winterschladen (Nighthawks) and Thomas Siffling. Guest vocalists include Swedish singer Anna.luca, London based Jazz singer Iain Mackenzie, Anne Schnell from Germany (Jojo Effect), Ester Rada from Israel and San Francisco Bay Area’s Jazz Lady herself, Brenda Boykin a masterful interpreter of jazz and blues.

Club des Belugas - Straight To Memphis featuring Brenda Boykin

It's fresh, it’s fun, it’s infectious!

Straight To Memphis appears on Club des Belugas album Forward released in 2012 on ChinChin Records.

http://club-des-belugas.com

http://www.chinchin-records.com

Photo source: http://muzica.metropotam.ro/

Cheech & Chong - Dave's Not Here

Cheech & Chong are a comedy duo consisting of Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong who had a phenomenal success in the 1970's and 80's with their no-holds-barred stand-up comedy routines.

Cheech & Chong gained popularity with the release of many successful comedy record albums and starred in a series of low-budget films which were all based on the hippie and free love era and their love for cannabis.

Perhaps their most famous line is "Dave's not here", from their 1971 self-titled debut album.

No matter how many times I've heard this routine through the years, whenever I hear it, it still cracks me up.

http://cheechandchong.com/

Frankie Knuckles - The Whistle Song

I was sad to hear that the Godfather of House Music, DJ Frankie Knuckles died this week. 

Born in the Bronx in 1955, Frankie Knuckles got his DJ start in NY City along with fellow DJ legend Lerry Levan. In the late 70's Frankie moved to Chicago and made his mark in the club scene when he began experimenting with music and mixing a new sound that became known as 'House Music'.

Throughout the 80's and 90's as well as being one of the most influential DJ, he was a prolific music producer and remixer. After more than 35 years in the scene, he still continued to remix, produce and frequently traveled the globe to DJ the club circuit.

Frankie Knuckles was a true dance music pioneer; his passing is a huge loss to the electronic music community.

Here is Frankie Knuckles' 1991 hit The Whistle Song. A true classic!

I remember the very first time I heard this track. It was an instant hit. The kind of track you have to play over and over again, because you just can’t get it out of your head.

CLICK HERE for a great article on Frankie Knuckles written by Michaelangelo Matos for Rolling Stone Magazine. 

Photo Source: www.mojo4music.com

Danakil - Non, je ne regrette rien

Danakil is a reggae band from France. The band was formed in 2000 by a group of music students who attended the same university in a western suburb of Paris. The band developed a fervid fan base in their early years by performing in many small bars and concerts in France. Danakil has since released several successful albums and DVDs of live concerts.

Here below is Danakil featuring U-Roy with their fantastic reggae cover of Edith Piaf's hit "Non, je ne regrette rien".

Danakil released "Non, je ne regrette rien" as a single in 2010. A live version of the song previously appeared on their 2009 album "Live au Cabaret Sauvage". 

In 2012, Danakil released a dub album entitled "Échos du Dub" featuring an excellent dub version of this hit. " CHECK IT OUT

This week, on February 24, Danakil has just released a brand new, double vinyl album "Entre Les Lignes" on Baco Records. The music, the catchy melodies and poetic lyrics of this ensemble are very captivating. On first listen, the track that got my attention was "Poupées Russes" featuring Natty Jean. I found it a perfect fit to commemorate the Winter Olympics that have just taken place in Russia. I just loved those large colourful babushka dolls that were featured at the various Sochi events. J

http://www.danakil.fr

Photo source: http://www.reggaefrance.com

Treme

Treme is a four season (36 episodes) American television drama series created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer writers/producers of Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets and The Wire.

Treme is about the life of residents of New Orleans who are rebuilding their lives, their homes and their culture after the disaster of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. The series focuses on an eclectic group of New Orleanians among them; a trombone player, a civil rights lawyer, a disc jockey, a chef, a Mardi Gras Indian Chief but mostly the series focuses on music and its musicians who provide the soundtrack for the city.

Treme might seem slow-moving at the beginning of the series but there is a lot going on, many different little stories and different characters and how some of these lives inter-connect. If you love music, especially Jazz, you will love this smart, moving, funny, charming series.

Cast members include; Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Waiting to Exhale), Steve Zahn (Forces of Nature, Riding in Cars with Boys), Melissa Leo (Homicide, The Fighter), John Goodman (Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, Argo), Clarke Peters (The Wire, Person of Interest), Kim Dickens (Deadwood, Friday Night Lights), Khandi Alexander (The Corner, CSI: Miami) among many others.

Treme also features well-known musicians throughout the series among them; Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Kermit Ruffins, Elvis Costello, The Soul Rebels, Spider Stacy, Steve Earle and John Boutté who wrote the infectious "Treme Theme Song". CHECK OUT THE VIDEO

http://www.hbo.com/treme

LAMUZGUEULE - Mister B

LAMUZGUEULE is a live Electro swing band from Grenoble, France. Lamuzgueule mixes swing, balkan and electro beats with narative and ironic french lyrics. Lamuzgueule's Mister B electro-swing style track is very bubbly, fun and contagious.

Mister B is taken from their album "Radio bérets & Disco zina". The album is composed and mixed with the help of 3 DJs: Dimaa, Tactical Groove Orbit, and Atom.

LAMUZGUEULE - Mister B (feat. Dimaa)

  

www.lamuzgueule.com

soundcloud.com/lamuzgueul

Grant Lazlo - Alabama

'Alabama' by Grant Lazlo is taken from the compilation Electro Blues Vol. 1 on Freshly Squeezed Music. Electro Blues Vol. 1 features a great selection of 24 Electronic Jazz, Blues and Electo-Swing tracks that work perfectly to bring the old with the new. This double CD features tracks from Swing Republic, John Lee Hooker, Moby, Big Moma Thornton and more. Worth checking out!

'Alabama' by French producer Grant Lazlo (AKA 'Lazlo') is a perfect blend of the use of electronic beats with blues. It has great blues vocals, harmonica and even a bit of scratching.

This is a short sampling of Grant Lazlo's track. You can't help but want to move your feet'n'booty listening to this bouncy new refashioned vintage sound.

http://www.freshlysqueezedmusic.com

To listen to more of Grant Lazlo tracks, mixes and remixes, check out: https://soundcloud.com/grantlazlo

Deep-Dive-Corp. - Summertime

Deep-Dive-Corp. was formed in 1999 in Hamburg, Germany. Deep-Dive-Corp. consists of Björn Gerhard and the driving force of the group, guitarist Peter Musebrink. To this date they have released 6 albums under the moniker Deep-Dive-Corp.

As well as recording under the names of Box of Frox, P.M.FM and Ibiphonic they have also remixed various tracks.

Deep-Dive-Corp - Summetime featuring vocals by Sarah Walker was released on their first album entitled Support Your Local Groover in 2000. It was also released as an EP titled Summertime.

“Summertime” is a George Gershwin 1935 classic which was composed for the musical Porgy and Bess.

Deep Dive Corp. has transformed this song into the ultimate jazzy ‘Summertime’ tune. Although the original album version is unavailable on video, here is the Sweat Mix which is a more down-tempo rendition. 

http://deepdivecorp.de/

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Don't Take Me Back

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real is an American rock group based out of Venice, California.

The group consists of Lukas Nelson (son of Willie Nelson) who is lead vocalist & guitarist and Promise of the Real members; Anthony Logerfo (drummer), Tato Melgar (percussionist) and Merlyn Kelly (bass).

Don't Take Me Back is reflective of Lukas Nelson's usual style; honest and direct, a song that captures a strong feeling and tie to a powerful melody. This live version was recorded at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Avon, Colorado on October 23, 2011.

Don't Take Me Back and a fine selection of other guitar based rock tracks appear on the album Wasted.

http://www.promiseofthereal.com/

Grace Jones

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE JONES!
This weekend Grace Jones will be celebrating her 65th birthday.

I've been a big fan of Grace Jones for many years. Grace's striking appearance, her unique look, her signature stylised vocals and her music are all reasons that to this day she remains my all-time favourite recording artist. READ MORE

Enjoy this video of one of my favourite tunes by Grace Jones; “I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)”. 



Der Dritte Raum - Swing Bop (Acid Pauli Remix)

 

Der Dritte Raum is a techno group from Göttingen, Germany consisting of Andreas Krüger and Ralf Uhrlandt. Since 1994, when Der Dritte Raum released their first album, the group's sound has changed without ever losing their uniqueness. From Techno, to Trance, to Tech House, to Jazz the group's style has developed into a very progressive club sound.

Swing Bop is a track from Der Dritte Raum's album entitled Rosa Rausch released on Save To Disc Recordings. This funky version is the Acid Pauli's Remix, which appears on the maxi single Swing Bop Remixes released in 2011.

I love the video that was put together for this track. It reminds me of Crystal Beach Amusement Park in Fort Erie, Ontario where we used to go in the summer time when I was growing up. Who could forget those stomach churning rides on The Comet, the famous wooden rolling coaster.

Swing Bop will make you want to get up, kick off your shoes and dance.

Electronics musician Andreas Krueger, the brain child behind Der Dritte Raum also records under Dr. DNA.

http://www.der-dritte-raum.de/

http://www.myspace.com/derdritteraum

Adamo - En Blue Jeans Et Blouson De Cuir

Oh, I've loved this song for quite some time now. It goes way back to the 1960's.  I remember my older sister, Carmen owned a copy of this Adamo album and we played it over and over and over again.

Born Salvatore Adamo, but known simply as Adamo, is an Italian-Belgian singer composer who had commercial success during the 1960's and 1970's. "Sans toi, ma mie" was Adamo's first hit. He had numerous hits that followed among them; "Tombe la neige", "Vous permettez Monsieur", "Mes mains sur tes hanches" and another one of my favourites "Inch'Allah".

Adamo has sold over 100 million copies of his recordings worldwide. He mostly performs in French but he also sings in German, Italian and Spanish.

En Blue Jeans Et Blousson De Cuir was released as a single in 1961. It later appeared on his album entitled Adamo released in 1964.

En Blue Jeans Et Blouson De Cuir

En blue jeans et blouson d'cuir

Tu vas rejoindre les copains

Si tu n'vois pas qu'est c'qu'ils vont dire

Quand tu les verras demain

En blue jeans et blouson d'cuir

Tu te crois en liberté

On ne pourrait te contredire

Ça blesserait ta dignité

En blue jeans et blouson d'cuir

Tu taquines tous les jupons

Vise-moi donc ça quelle allure !

T'as une affiche au pantalon !

Tu n'es pas mauvais garçon

Un p'tit rien te fait rougir

Vas profites de la leçon

T'es pas fait pour jouer les durs

Tes blue jeans, ton blouson d'cuir

Tu les prends pour bouclier

Contre une vie qu'tu voudrais fuir

Parce qu'elle t'oblige à t'humilier

En blue jeans et blouson d'cuir

Tu taquines les jupons

Vise-moi donc ça quelle allure !

T'as une affiche au pantalon !

Tu n'es pas mauvais garçon

Un p'tit rien te fait rougir

Vas profites de la leçon

T'es pas fait pour jouer les durs

T'es pas fait pour jouer les durs

T'es pas fait pour jouer les durs

http://www.adamosalvatore.com/

Brenda Boykin - Hard Swing Travellin’ Man

Brenda Boykin is an American singer who earned her reputation in the San Francisco Bay area as an excellent interpreter of jazz and blues material from big bands, old blues bands and honky-tonk artists.

According to blues historian Lee Hildebrand "Brenda Boykin has the most authentic and most inventive female jump blues vocal stylist of her generation". Brenda calls it “Bourbon and Cornbread,” the musical mixture of jazzy sweetness and down-home sass.

Enjoy this up-tempo jazzy swing number "Hard Swing Travellin’ Man" by one of today’s finest jazz singer Brenda Boykin.

"Hard Swing Travellin’ Man" appears on Brenda Boykin's album 'Chocolate & Chili' released in 2008 on Chinchin Records.

http://www.myspace.com/brendaboykin

The Blackout AllStars - I Like It

I remember hearing I Like It by The Blackout AllStars for the first time in 1994. Let me tell you, it was so infectious. For days, all I would sing was "Stomp your feet if you like my beat, Clap your hands if you want some more... I like it, I like it, I like it like that". 

'I Like It' has remained one of my all-time favourite tunes. The version I most enjoy, is this Bobby D'Ambrosio Club Mix that runs 7 minutes. This is an excellent rhythmic version, that just gets you up dancing and stomping your feet to the beat.

The Blackout Allstars was a Latin super-group that was formed to record "I Like It', for the title theme song of the comedy-drama film "I Like It Like That" released in 1994.

The Blackout All-Stars' line-up consisted of musicians; Tito Puente and Sheila E. (percussions), Grover Washington Jr. (sax), Ray Barretto (congas), Paquito D'Rivera (clarinet & sax), Dave Valentin (flute) and Tito Nieves on vocals.

When doing my research on this song, I learned that 'I Like It' is a cover version of a 1967 boogaloo hit "I Like It Like That (A Mi Me Gusta Asi)" by Pete Rodriguez.  A great new discovery! I Like It. I Like It.

Joan Osborne – Shake Your Hips

American singer-songwriter Joan Osborne sure kicks ass in this excellent rendition of Shake Your Hips. This song was written and originally recorded by blues musician Slim Harpo in 1966. The Rolling Stones also recorded a great version of this song on their 1972 album Exile on Main Street.

Joan Osborne has been recording albums covering many musical genres, since 1991. Shake Your Hips is taken from Joan's seventh studio album Bring It On Home, an excellent collection of vintage blues, R&B and soul songs. Bring It On Home is nominated for the 2013 Grammy Award - Best Blues Album.

www.joanosborne.com/

Professor Longhair - Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Professor Longhair was a New Orleans blues singer and pianist active in the early rhythm and blues and in the returned interest in traditional jazz. Longhair was a key figure in bridging the worlds of boogie-woogie and the new style of rhythm and blues. His style was known as "rumba-boogie".

"Mardi Gras in New Orleans" became Longhair's signature song. It was originally recorded in 1949, but has been re-recorded and featured on some of his later albums.

I've chosen Professor Longhair's "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" to honour the occasion of the official beginning of the 2013 Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans.  

I know you will go on whistling this tune for the next days to come. It is quite infectious.

Piano excerpt above is from "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" (1949) by Professor Longhair. 2-3 clave is written above for rhythmic reference. Source: Wikipedia

Parade photo source: www.bestneworleansattractions.com

Alabama Shakes - Hold On

This song has been growing and growing on me over the past few months.

Alabama Shakes an American rock group from Athens, Alabama have recently been nominated for the 2013 Grammy Award for best new artist and best rock performance for this excellent single "Hold On".

I just can't get enough of this rockin’ number with the powerful raunchy vocals from singer, guitarist Brittany Howard.

You've got to hold on

Yeah you've got to hold on

http://www.alabamashakes.com/

Caro Emerald - That Man

Dutch jazz singer Caro Emerald singing "That Man". This single is one of many hits taken from her upbeat chart topping album "Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor". 

Swinging and sassy!

www.caroemerald.com

Noriel Vilela - 16 Toneladas

This version of "Sixteen Tons", entitled 16 Toneladas was recorded by Noriel Vilela in Brazil in 1969; it is featured on his solo album “Eis o Ôme”. Noriel Vilela known as 'The Tenor of Samba' is an iconic samba-rock artist who was a member of the band Cantores de Ébano in the 50's.

 

"Sixteen Tons" was first recorded in 1946 by American country singer Merle Travis.

In 1955 Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version of Sixteen Tons became a huge number one hit.

The song has been covered by a variety of musicians among them: Elvis Presley, The Platters, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, among many more.

The Clash used Tennessee Ernie Ford's version as their intro music for their 1980 US tour, called "The 16 Tons Tour".

Charles Bukowski - The 9 Horse

Charles Bukowski was an American poet, novelist and short story writer. Here's a great example of Bukowski's prose and brilliant sense of humour. ‘The 9 Horse’ is an excerpt from an album recording entitled “Hostage” which was recorded live at The Sweetwater, Redondo Beach, California in April, 1980.

The 9 Horse by Charles Bukowski

I was at the race track one day

And I had drunk much beer the night before

And I was late for the first race

But I parked, hustled in, and I could

Feel this beershit really coming on,

You know, not only coming on

But I had to hold the cheeks of my ass

Together while walking real fast from

The parking lot and through admissions

And toward and in the crapper.

Luckily, there was a stall and I got

My pants and shorts down real fast

And then it came: hot, glorious and

Stinking.

When I got up and wiped I looked down

And there was my wallet afloat

In all of it.

I dipped in, got it, flushed, got out

Of the stall, washed up, walked out,

Then stood in a corner and pulled

The bills out of my wallet: they

Were wet and they stank.

I heard the announcer say, “it is

Now one minute to post time.”

I wanted the 9 horse, I had this

Very strong feeling for the 9 horse.

I put the bills back in my wallet.

I didn’t know what to do.

Then the announcer said:

“they’re at the gate!”

I ran around the corner

Found a betting window

Pulled one of the bills out

Of my wallet and hollered:

“Ten to win on the 9 horse!”

The seller picked up the bill

And looked at it.

“Come on! Come on!” I said,

“It’s good, just a little wet,

What the shit!”

The seller looked at me,

Hit the button and I had

The ticket.

Then I went out and watched the

Race and the 9 horse ran

Out

http://bukowski.net/