Housenfunk

(Originally uploaded September 2004)

Just what it says on the tin. Show tracklisting.

1 December 2008 | Page views: 264
Filed under: all-mixes keith-mixes | Comment

M-electrosoul

(Originally uploaded June 2003)

BACK! And you’re looking for the same thing, it’s a new thing, check out this, I bring…
R&B. Discuss.

One question, then I’ll shut up: Where exactly is the blues in today’s chart-topping dirge of blandness? I’ll let them have rhythm, simply because there’s drums involved, but blues… “Oooh lord help me, ma bling gone blung, ma fake Vuitton cap is hung, on ma old dogs’ dry nose…”. Doesn’t really work, does it.

I’m not saying that the stuff on the mix here is A grade modern R&B. I mean, it’s not really Otis or Aretha (or even D’Angelo or Angie), but it’s something a wee bit different. A nice warm sound with soothing vocals, cuts through all the noise and acts like a Tune on your ears. There might be some recognisable tracks on here (Terri Walker is about to blow up the whole goddam show about now I think. Well, she was on T4 on Sunday…), although some flava’s (still got it!) have been re-touched and Rebtuz has done a shift and a half to let me make this tape. There are about 4 Rebtuz ep’s kicking around now, with the selections on here coming from the first two. Tru Thoughts have clearly had a hand in them, given away by the pseudonyms on there not being very inconspicuous: Quantic’s remix of Nas’ Get Down is shown as the QSO remix. You do the math. But, they are quality and, seeing as they’re UK, they can be picked up for about a fiver. Shout gotsta go to DJ Cam as well for his remixes which have been suitably plundered for the mix. He’s given some tried and tested R&B dirge a makeover – similar in style to Carol Smillie, although there is definitely a hint of Handy Andy in there as well – and brought a real nice warm bass to it. Cam gets a bit of flak from time to time, but cut the boy some slack. He’s at least making rubbish music sound very listenable.

This mix has had a big helping hand from the remixers and bootleggers and a huge round of applause must go to whoever did the remix of Dorothy Parker. Real nice big bassline that stomps on your head and massages your heart at the same time. Whoever did this, do you have anything else? I’ll be willing to promote your worthiness until the black cow comes home if you hit me up at keith ::at:: tiptopmusic ::dot:: com. Talking of black cows, there’s a cover of Steely Dan’s classic FM here as well. Nathan Haines provides the direction and arranging (as well as playing) but the first correct answer as to who’s singing wins a second-hand Kerplunk. Here’s a clue: it’s Damon Albran. To be honest, I prefer this version to the original. There’s much more complexity here and even allowing for more modern production techniques and tools, it’s a beefier, more soulful sound which keeps the essence of the original but brings along a Philadelphia-like quality to it. Luvverly job.

That’s us done with the R&B. Move away from the soul music, nothing new (or should that be ‘nu‘….?) to hear here. So, that’s why I stuck a bit of a riddim inna middle. Brilliant. Most folks think they know Chaka Demus & Pliers, but if you haven’t heard this slice of batty-ridin’ bass then ya’ll ain’t stepped outside Our Price since they shut it down (Pete Rock Remix). And Tenor Saw is tra-la-la, pretty much god-like for the selection of his on here. Top-notch nonsense with a murderous bassline is a winner every time for me. Aaaaaah, that’s better. I think my latent schizophrenia kicks in again through this mix. Unless it’s hip hop, I can’t seem to do a whole cd without flippin’ the styles. Dunno what’s wrong with me, but I hope it makes for a more interesting afternoon (hey, even your boss will like it: I’m that confident.) and if it does, let me know.

So, answers on a postcard please: where exactly is the ‘B’ in today’s much maligned R&B? And no cheating: Big Brova’s watching you.
PS: hip hop mixes are sacred. They need to be vetted, put down, re-born, killed off, flipped, reversed and finally ignored, before they go on the www. It’s my bread and butter, but nothing so far. Me soon come… Show tracklisting.

1 December 2008 | Page views: 249
Filed under: all-mixes keith-mixes | Comment

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