[acid-jazz] Urban Landscapes: News, Reviews, December Picks, & Last Week's Playlist

From: Velanche Stewart (vstewart@calpoly.edu)
Date: Fri Nov 22 2002 - 11:36:35 CET

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    U R B A N L A N D S C A P E S
           Global Club Culture...
               Made Fresh Weekly.

    Urban Landscapes hits the airwaves tonight and every Friday evening from
    8-11pm PST on KCPR 91.3 FM.

    Don't forget that if you miss the live show, you can hear it anytime via
    the Urban Landscapes web site at http://www.urbanlandscapesshow.com. The
    most recent show will also be posted a day or two after the broadcast on
    the site's home page. The last five shows are available online for your
    listening pleasure anytime, anyday. You can find them via the
    "Playlists" section of the web site.

    Be sure to tell your friends about the show!

    ----
    ADDRESS FOR MUSICAL SUBMISSIONS (NOTICE: ADDRESS HAS TEMPORARILY CHANGED)
    To jump right to the mailing address for musical submissions, please
    scroll toward the bottom of this circular for more information.
    ----
    NEWS
    This week's show won't be archived for listening online due to a special 
    "auction" edition of Urban Landscapes this evening. However, you can now 
    catch last Friday's show online. It took awhile to get things working 
    after technical issues made the last two shows a "no-go" for archiving, 
    but I think it's just about where I'd like it to be for now. You can 
    listen to the broadcast for Friday November 15 at 
    http://urbanlandscapesshow.com/shows/15Nov02.ram.
    AUCTION TONIGHT (LOCALS ONLY)
    For those of you who live locally in San Luis Obispo County, be sure to 
    tune in for your chance to bid on some very nice goods. We have some 
    hand-picked five packs of CDs put together by me, Jennifer (who 
    guest-hosted the show last summer) and Kris (another DJ here...he's 
    looking to branch into his own show next quarter) for you to bid on.
    Gotta give thanks to Aaron at Rope-A-Dope (http://www.ropeadope.com/), 
    Jessica at S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Entertainment, and Clint at Palm Pictures 
    (http://www.palmpictures.com/) for supplying all of those niceties.
    But the big two items for bids tonight are sweet! Thanks to a generous 
    donation from Dirk of Groove Distribution in Chicago 
    (http://groovedis.com/), we are quite fortunate to have these premiums 
    for you to bid on and walk away happy.
    The first item is a collection of 10 import CDs. Included in the package 
    are Horsepower Productions's "In Fine Style," Seiji's "Remixes" 
    compilation, and Peshay's "Fuzion".
    The second item is a nice Groove Distribution DJ bag filled with over 20 
    pieces of vinyl. Yes, that's right...20-plus!
    You know you want them, so do your thing to support Urban Landscapes and 
    KCPR...listen, make your bids, and walk away with some nice goods to 
    satiate your musical taste buds.
    PROGRAMMING NOTES
    urban Landscapes will not air next week, as the U.S. observes the 
    Thanksgiving holiday. Like many people here, I will be out of town the 
    Friday after Thanksgiving.
    Starting Friday December 6, Urban Landscapes is going to pick up the 
    musical pace considerably. We'll be wrapping up the year 2002 with a 
    three-part retrospective featuring the musical highlights of the past year.
    December 6 will spotlight my picks of the 30 Most Recommended Albums of 
    2002. This isn't going to be easy to do, as 2002 has been quite a fresh 
    musical year. But in the end, there can only be 30 standouts that we'll 
    have time to fit into a three-hour set; hence, the 30 Most Recommended 
    Albums of 2002.
    On Friday December 13, we'll have a rundown of the 30 Most Recommended 
    Singles that's best represented the year. Then on Friday December 20, 
    we'll sort out the Most Recommended Remix Albums & Compilations of the 
    year. And if you're good and ready, I just may have a special show or 
    two up my sleeves to leave you with prior to my extended holiday break 
    to Europe. More details on that soon.
    Each of the shows will be archived for listening. Special playlists for 
    each show will give brief reviews and/or comments about why the tune was 
    chosen for the list. In the end, I hope that the information will give 
    you some useful musical tips that could be of value on your next record 
    store visit.
    NO NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK
    Next week will be an abbreviated work period due again to the 
    Thanksgiving holiday. Therefore, you won't see a circular in your inbox 
    again until the first week of December. To those of you in the U.S., 
    have a safe and festive Thanksgiving holiday. For the rest of you around 
    the world, stay well and happy wherever you are.
    ----
    THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS
    Phuturistix--Feel It Out (Hospital/UK) CD-R
    I've first heard this funky tune on Landslide's recent radio mix that 
    I've played on the show last week. Now Hospital, arguably one of the 
    UK's finest independents, continues its stellar reputation with 
    forthcoming music from the collaborate project between Zed Bias and 
    Injekta...aka Phuturistix. After hearing their music featured on several 
    compilations, we're coming to the home stretch of what will be their 
    debut long-player for the label.
    "Feel It Out" takes the funky uptempo biz several notches in the right 
    ways. The vocal work from Ray Gaskins adds to the freshness of the 
    tune's soulful 2-step feel. Also to be featured on the album is the 
    tight instrumental "Bad Thoughts."
    Look for the 12" to drop in February 2003, with the album due in early 
    next year as well. If you're a fan of Zed Bias like I am, as well as a 
    fan of Injekta, then hold tight.
    Todd Sines--Cum Closer/I Cannot 12" (Planet E) white
    This is some adventure in the abstract from the ever-unpredictable 
    Planet E from Detroit. This one really takes the "left" in leftfield to 
    uncharted territory, as Todd Sines challenges the listener's convention 
    of what club culture should be.
    The first tune, "I Cannot," is some minimalist goodness whose sparseness 
    are contrasted by some heavy beat action, all admist some interesting 
    use of vocals and other instruments. After the pause in the middle of 
    the tune by silence, everything returns with a wicked bassline added for 
    good measure.
    "Cum Closer" is very leftfield that way, in the vein of Tricky, with its 
    off-kilter vocals and some downbeat subwoofer-quaking goodness. It's an 
    acquired taste, and for me it works really well. The first time I've 
    heard this one was actually a really dope remix from Toronto's 
    Moonstarr. Worth seeking that one out too, because that version will 
    bothered you oh-so-badly.
    Those mad people at Planet E. I don't know what Carl's artists are 
    concocting, but Todd Sines's music will surely have music lovers talking 
    about the deepness of his vibes. Can't wait to find out how much deeper 
    this man will take us.
    Horsepower Productions--In Fine Style (Tempa/UK)
    Seriously, we need more dubstep here stateside...far more. This is just 
    too fresh of a genre not to build on. I've been playing some great dark 
    2-step over the past 2 years from the likes of DJ Abstract, El-B, the 
    Ghost crew, and the trio known as Horsepower Productions.
    Now Horsepower Productions, very much pioneers in the dubstep scene 
    (though they'll tell you that they don't like to be pigeonholed in any 
    category) unleashes their debut long-player from Tempa Recordings with 
    the most appropriate title, "In Fine Style." It very much captures the 
    essence of streetwise club culture with its infectious, 
    subwoofer-shaking sounds that are wickedly seductive. Many of of tunes 
    that were previously available only on vinyl are in this collection.
    Dropping samples from movies throughout the musical journey, "In Fine 
    Style" truly is a remarkable showcase for what could be. Its diverse 
    range surpasses the dubstep categorization, shapeshifting into varied 
    places with layers of melodies and other sounds.
    Let's hope that it doesn't remain a UK thing. The rest of the world 
    should check out what Horsepower Productions are all about...strong, 
    dubwise madness!
    Snowboy and the Latin Section--Borrago/Los Rumberos de la Habana & 
    Matanzas Remixes 12" (Ubiquity)
    I've gotta thank Dr. Boots for turning me on to this one, and to Aaron 
    and Jamie at Ubiquity for supplying it. Some dope remix madness is at 
    work here, and they are both as fresh as anything one can expect from 
    California-based Ubiquity Recordings.
    The UK duo Cuica (soon to have their own album unleashed from the label 
    early 2003) gives "Borrago" a rough and sexy dose of adrenaline that 
    pushes the tune into a frenzied pace that does not relent until the 
    final note. On the flip, we get a wonderful reworking from Espen Horne's 
    project The Bobby Hughes Combination. He takes "Los Rumberos" into a 
    bouncy midtempo bit of Latin-influenced nu-jazz that swings with the 
    best of them.
    I have to ask...how long can Ubiquity keep this up?? Not many labels can 
    stay as consistent in terms of quality output for so long, and with 
    these remixes of Snowboy it's scored once again.
    Vikter Duplaix--Looking For Love 12" (Hollywood)
    The man from Philly leading the entity known as "The Movement," Vikter 
    Duplaix is on a roll with the first single from his "International 
    Affairs" album that will be released on Hollywood Records stateside in 
    early 2003.
    And boy, does he have some serious backing! The original, produced by 
    Marc Mac of 4 Hero, is a soulful broken sort of numbah. Then Marc Mac 
    switches over to his Nature's Plan guise, giving the tune a funkier sort 
    of vibe with some additional bass work.
    On the flip, fellow Philly native King Britt brings in two mixes of his 
    own as he goes for both a house flavor and the Scuba deal. Saving the 
    best mix for last, the West London crew Bugz In The Attic are in top 
    form by throwing down one of their best remixes of the year.
    Seek it, and add it to your collection. You'll find yourself playing 
    these different mixes for some time to come.
    Various Artists--Destination: Out (Ecco Chamber/Austria)
    Alan Brown is living a life that most of us only dream of. He travels to 
    the best cities, plays the best music, supplies music for some of the 
    most influential DJs in the world, and writes about it all. Originally 
    from the UK, he now makes his home in Vienna.
    And so it goes that he's hooked up with the Austrian label Ecco Chamber 
    for "Destination: Out," a piece of work that's as ambitious as it is a 
    labor of love. Known as, among other nicknames, Cukipapa and Dr. Boots, 
    Brown not only has picked out the various artists for "Destination: 
    Out," but he also tells stories behind the artists and of his travels 
    using the cities as backdrops. We are offered just a taste, mind you, of 
    the incredible life that Cuki leads, and get to know artists who are 
    destined to leave their marks in time.
    The album begins and ends in Vienna, with Stereotyp representing both 
    ends. Along the way, we meet other artists such as Hird from Gothenburg, 
    Freerange's Jimpster from London, A.L.S.M. from Moscow, and Emo from 
    Copenhagen. The CD version comes with a booklet filled with pictures of 
    Cuki's travels, while the vinyl version is a triple pack of wax.
    So take your seats, strap your seat beats, and take off on a nice and 
    groovy musical excursion around the world. Dr. Boots will be your guide 
    the whole trip through. Feel free to take as many trips as you wish into 
    the realm of melodic bliss.
    Dub Syndicate--Murder Tone (On-U Sound)
    Dub has surely been getting a resurgence of late. And Adrian Sherwood's 
    On-U Sound label is doing the business of contributing to said 
    resurgence. Following the release of the terrific "Chainstore Massacre" 
    compilation, we now are treated to some classic music from the Dub 
    Syndicate. "Murder Tone" is a collection of tunes that were recorded 
    between two albums that were put forth by the band: "Stoned" and 
    "Echomania." Guests on this one includes that of Bim Sherman, Lee Perry, 
    Talvin Singh, & Voice of Authority. Pick it up, and check it out. It's 
    out on CD and as a double-vinyl album.
    Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (Hospital/UK)
    Thanks to Tim Landslide for sending this way his new single on Hospital. 
    Proving that he's no slouch in the music department, "It's Not Over" 
    gets some dope vocals from Brooklyn-based Alison Crockett. It's got a 
    lot of that soulfulness that he does so well with his tunes, taking the 
    groove deep.
    We also get an alternative mix, a "4x4" mix that's rhythmically like 
    that but not the typical, disco-type beats. Very much a 
    "dirty-around-the-edges" kinda bassline that should give many rumps a 
    bit of a shakedown, then a shakeup.
    Landslide continues to be at the top of his game, as he continues to 
    roll along nicely. Groovy stuff!
    The Bobby Hughes Combination--Nhu Golden Era (Stereo Deluxe/Germany)
    Some works are very much worth the wait, and Espen Horne's project The 
    Bobby Hughes Combination has surely made "Nhu Golden Era" worth the 
    wait. Riding high on the new jazz sounds of Scandinavia, fusing 
    electronic sounds with organic grooves, Horne and company lets it be 
    known that the band is going to dig in for the long haul.
    Very much in the quality Stereo Deluxe tradition, we are given many more 
    gifts beyond the "Kerma Elastica" single that has been in many a DJs' 
    crates for much of this year (that track, by the way, is the hidden 
    track on the CD). Asides from the terrific take on "Kerma" from 
    Norwegian jazz legend Karin Krogh called "Karins Kerma," we get a lot of 
    tasty treats such as "Clive The Runner" and "Nattegalen."
    Full of vibes that bounces all over the place, "Nhu Golden Era" ("Nhu" 
    refers to Horne's love-of-his-life) will definitely put a smile on the 
    faces of jazz lovers and dance fans who are truly open to the new sounds 
    of jazz/club fusion.
    Various Artists--California Soul (Luv N'Haight)
    Ubiquity Recordings's main reissue imprint Luv N'Haight gives us another 
    gift of musical gabs to savor, this time focusing on some rarities from 
    some otherwise-obscure California-based artists. "California Soul" gives 
    many of these great tunes and artists their just due, years after the 
    original recordings. In fact, the tunes here go back as far as the 1960s 
    and are as recent as the 1980s. Ubiquity has made great pains to ensure 
    that all of the artists on the album are compensated, and for that we 
    are grateful for benefiting from some of the great tunes throughout this 
    disc. You really should invest some time in this one, because the tunes 
    are just knocks-your-feet-off kind of amazing to hear. And in spite of 
    the ages of the tunes, they stand up very well. Drop some of these tunes 
    at a party, and you're liable to get a good-sized crowd in your wake. Go 
    deeper with "California Soul," and be rewarded.
    Flunk--For Sleepyheads Only (Guidance)
    Originally released on Norway's Beatservice label, the 
    ever-opportunistic Guidance Recordings picked up this album to release 
    domestically. Dare I say that I would have otherwise miss this one, 
    which is very much on the downtempo/trip-hop tip...and I do mean on the 
    good side of both.
    Flunk are a trio of downbeat beatniks from Norway--two musicians plus 
    the singer. And they surely do "For Sleepyheads Only" justice in its 
    musical ambitions. Take some time with it, and check it out. If you're a 
    fan of downtempo or downbeat, then this should appeal to your senses.
    Various Artists--The Reindeer Room (Kriztal)
    You knew this was coming, didn't you...a Christmas chillout selection. 
    You know that it's a brave step when a label steps up to the plate to 
    attempt to meet the challenge.
    Well Florida-based label Kriztal steps up to the plate and scores a home 
    run with "The Reindeer Room," a collection of both classic and original 
    holiday tunes put forth from some of the brightest artists in the 
    downtempo scene.
    The liner notes from label manager Beth Sereni (the mastermind behind 
    both the conceptualization and the formation of this project) spells out 
    that "we aren't able to divulge all of the artists by their real names," 
    but nevertheless this is really one to stuff in your musical stockings. 
    These tunes are fresh takes on the classics that we all have had to put 
    up with year-after-year-after-year. Artists that are lending their 
    talented wares include Grand Central's Jon Kennedy, Pulver recording duo 
    Inverse Cinematics, and DRM from Bastard Jazz.
    Hide those other Yuletide tiredness (okay, except maybe "A Charlie Brown 
    Christmas") and go for different. "The Reindeer Room" brings out the 
    "chill" in Christmas in a very good way.
    Al-pha-X--Mi Corazon 12" (Bar de Lune/UK)
    I've picked this one up at the local record store the second DJ Patife's 
    mix exploded in my ear. Go for the phat Patife mix on this 12" from the 
    Bar De Lune label. The man of the moment does his jazzy drum n'bass 
    magic, taking the original tune higher and higher into peaktime. His mix 
    is very strong and very lively, and it shows why he's really ahead of 
    the game with the Brazillian/jazzy drum n'bass sounds gaining a foothold 
    in club culture within the last year or so. Go, Patife, go!
    Rosey--One 12" (Island)
    I'm not that crazy about Rosey's album, so taking one of her tunes and 
    improving on it remix-style could either go one way or the other for me.
    It took awhile for the mixes to grow on me, but Seiji's twisted mix-up 
    of "One" has grown on me badly. It's the aftertaste that just won't go 
    away and seems to get tastier with each play. DJ Spinna also does it 
    finely, giving the tune a downbeat flava. Riton has a remix on this one 
    also, but I've felt that it wasn't quite him at his best.
    Overall, the improvements from the original makes are quite evident.
    ----
    VELANCHE'S SOUNDSCAPES FOR DECEMBER 2002 (in no particular order)
    1.  The Bobby Hughes Combination--Nhu Golden Era (Stereo Deluxe/Germany)
    2.  Horsepower Productions--In Fine Style (Tempa/UK)
    3.  Snowboy And The Latin Section--Borrago/Los Rumberos de la Habana Y 
    Matanzas Remixes (Ubiquity)
    4.  Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (Hospital/UK)
    5.  Various Artists--Moshi Moshi: Nu Sounds From Japan (Fuego/UK)
    6.  Various Artists--Destination: Out 3xLP (Ecco Chamber/Austria)
    7.  John Beltran--Sun Gypsy 2xLP (Ubiquity)
    8.  Focus--Sweet & Sour (Versatile/France)
    9.  Microfish Meets Stereotyp--Who Me? (Stereo Deluxe/Germany)
    10. Various Artists--Chainstore Massacre (On-U Sound)
    11. New Flesh vs. Horsepower Productions--Stick & Move 12" (Big Dada/UK)
    12. Phuturistix--Feel It Out (Hospital/UK) CD-R
    13. Various Artists--California Soul 2xLP (Ubiquity)
    14. Jazzanova--Days To Come Remixes 12" (JCR/Compost)
    15. Lemon Jelly--Lost Horizons (XL)
    16. Stereotyp--My Sound (G-Stone)
    17. Various Artists--Red Hot + Riot 2x12" (Red Hot/MCA)
    18. Derrick Carter--Squaredancing In A Roundhouse (Classic)
    19. Ayro--new material (Omoa) CD-R
    20. Various Artists--Blue Light One (Upstairs/Nettwerk)
    21. Various Artists--Mushroom Jazz 4 (Om)
    22. Tommy Knocker--Brazil Is Back 12" (Intercom/UK)
    23. Various Artists--The Reindeer Room (Kriztal)
    24. Tom Sines--Cum Closer 12" (Planet E white)
    25. DRM--Shaeed 12" (Citrona test)
    26. Vikter Duplaix--Looking For Love 12" (Hollywood)
    27. Al-pha-X--Mi Corazon: DJ Patife X Madzoo Sessions Mix (Bar de Lune/UK)
    28. Mr. Scruff--Trouser Jazz (Ninja Tune)
    29. Jill Scott--Slowly, Surely: Theo Parrish Remix (CD-R)
    20. Various Artists--2000 Black: The Good Good 2 (2000 Black/UK)
    Don't worry, you haven't missed November's Picks. I've decided to make 
    some adjustments, so from here on out my monthly picks will be for the 
    next month.
    ----
    LAST WEEK'S PLAYLIST (Listen to the broadcast online with the RealPlayer 
    8 and higher at http://urbanlandscapesshow.com/shows/15Nov02.ram)
    1.  Black Renaissance--Black Renaissance
    Body, Mind & Soul (Luv N'Haight)
    2.  Jazzanova--L.O.V.E. and You & I (Madlib Remix)
    Hanazono EP (Rope-A-Dope)
    3.  Sun Ra--Satellites Are Spinning (Zero dB Remix)
    (Mo Smog/Italy) CD-R
    4.  The Bobby Hughes Combination--Nhu Beginin
    Nhu Golden Era (Stereo Deluxe/Germany)
    5.  Snowboy and the Latin Section--Los Rumberos de la Habana Y Matanzas
    (Bobby Hughes Combination Remix)
    12" (Ubiquity)
    6.  Dubarchnoid Trim--Sincerity
    Dubarchnoid Trim (Ultima/Portugal)
    7.  Chiekh Lo, Les Nubians & Manu Dibango featuring Chateau 
    Flight--Shakara/Lady
    Red Hot + Riot (Red Hot/MCA)
    8.  John Beltran--Felicidad Nova
    Sun Gypsy (Ubiquity)
    9.  The Cinematic Orchestra--Evolution II (Mr. P Remix)
    Horizon EP 12" (Ninja Tune/UK)
    10. Domu featuring Nix--Music of the Earth
    2000 Black: The Good Good 2 compilation (2000 Black/UK)
    11. Vikter Duplaix--Looking For Love (Nature's Plan Radio Mix)
    12" (Hollywood)
    12. Focus--Sweet & Sour
    Sweet & Sour (Versatile/France)
    LANDSLIDE'S RADIO MIX SET (Thanks to Landslide for the goods)
    *Landslide featuring Alison Crockett--It's Not Over (Hospital)
    *Dharma One--Belong (Nine2Five)
    *Shurikan--Half Step (Freerange)
    *Irus--Beyond This World (Non Stop)
    *Nina Simone--Feelin' Good: Todd Terry Remix (In House)
    *Phuturistix--Feel It Out (Hospital)
    *London Elektricity--Cum Dancing: Landslide Remix (Hospital)
    *Jammin'--As We Do (Bingo)
    13. Opaque--Ice
    2000 Black: The Good Good 2 compilation (2000 Black/UK)
    14. Snowboy and the Latin Section--Barrago (Cuica Remix)
    12" (Ubiquity)
    15. Roni Size & Reprazent--Lucky Pressure
    In The Mode (Island)
    16. Roni Size--Vocoda Funk
    Touching Down (Full Cycle)
    17. Hird--Keep Your Hird
    Destination: Out compilation (Ecco Chamber/Austria)
    18. Purple Penguin--Pressure (Remix)
    De-tuned (Water Music)
    19. Groove Corporation--Liberation Dub
    Dub Plates From The Elephant House Vol. 2 (Different Drummer)
    20. Dub Syndicate--African Landing
    Murder Tone (On-U Sound)
    21. The Philadelphia Experiment--(Re)Moved (Oba Funke's Far Re-Moved Mix)
    King Britt Presents The Philadelphia Experiment Remixed compilation 
    (Rope-A-Dope)
    ----
    Urban Landscapes proudly supports quality independent music from around
    the world. Respect to all the independent labels, radio promotion folks,
    and related entities for sharing the wonderful musical goods. The show
    has been keeping it real for over four years, as the movement continues
    to expand its influence.
    Please feel free to send promos/musical submissions (CD/CDR, vinyl, and
    minidisc) for airplay and/or review consideration and t-shirts (large,
    if you please) to:
    Velanche Stewart, Urban Landscapes
    258 Ramona Drive
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
    USA
    If you're available for interviews, we welcome them as well. Just send
    me an e-mail message to mail@urbanlandscapesshow.com.
    This newsletter is sent to DJs, record labels, promotion companies, and
    like-minded music lovers from around the world. If you wish to be
    removed from the list, please let me know.
    To be added to the weekly mailing list, please send me email.
    Have a great weekend (and a happy & safe holiday for those in the U.S.)!
    


    This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 22 2002 - 11:36:09 CET