[acid-jazz] Urban Landscapes Tonight: News, Reviews, September 2002 Picks, & Last Week's Playlist

From: Velanche Stewart (vstewart@calpoly.edu)
Date: Fri Sep 13 2002 - 09:56:33 CEST

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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
    To jump right to the mailing address for musical submissions, please
    scroll toward the bottom of this circular for more information.
    ----
    NEWS
    There's quite a bit of info this week, so feel free to break up your 
    reading endeavors into parts, or perhaps consider printing this out for 
    portable reading away from the computer. So let's get started...
    First, I want to say hello to the new people added to the growing list 
    of subscribers to our weekly circular. I have changed some things around 
    awhile ago, so you might have added yourself to the original mailing 
    list but were not receiving the newsletter. I've now fix things and now 
    you should be receiving it on a regular basis. Welcome along!
    It's been a great weekend last Saturday as I took a trip to San 
    Francisco to catch the monthly club night called pHUSION, co-sponsored 
    by Ubiquity Records and Urb Magazine. Andrew Jervis of Ubiquity did some 
    good spins to work up the crowd, as did Jonah Sharp. The Zero dB boys 
    (Chris Vogodo & Neil Combstock) arrived with their record cases, and 
    after attempting to make them out I went up to them to introduce myself 
    and we hit things off famously. Between interviews with a woman named 
    Melissa from one of the local Bay Area stations and chatting with 
    Andrew, we've put in some time to chitter-chatter prior to their set. 
    About a bit after 11pm, they went on and put on a set that had the crowd 
    going until closing time, about 2am that morning.
    David Bassin, another Bay Area DJ who hosts the weekly radio show 
    Freefall (http://www.geocities.com/davidbassin/freefall.html), also was 
    present at the gig and we've shot the breeze for awhile on a variety of 
    musical subjects. We were marvelling of the reaction when the dB boys 
    would throw the crowd for a loop a few times with an off-kilter tune, 
    then watching them learn to adapt fairly quickly. All in all, it was a 
    success indeed. I was invited after the gig by Chris to meet the 
    following day.
    After finding their hotel, it took another hour for me to find parking 
    (let this be a lesson to y'all...take public transport if at all 
    possible or you too will be going in circles). I've first caught up with 
    Neil, whom I've spoken with briefly during the dB interview last July. 
    We must have spoken for about 90 minutes or so before Chris finally 
    arrives down to meet us. It was another two hours with them as we've 
    spoken about a variety of subjects.
    The guys said that they have just finished remastering the next Fluid 
    Ounce full-length, which will be an album of many of their remixes. I 
    don't remember the full title, but it will be subtitled "Reconstruction" 
    and should see a release through Fluid Ounce, and released around the 
    world by Ubiquity, about the beginning of 2003. The boys have gone back 
    and not only remasterd some tunes, but also spiced up others that 
    they've felt were incomplete initially. Perhaps the most dramatic 
    reworking, I'm told, will be one of their most recent remixes of Grupo 
    Batuque's "E Ruim." It's expected that they will return stateside to 
    perform more DJ gigs to promote the album. I'm looking forward to 
    hearing the end results, myself.
    As of now, Zero dB has a self-imposed moratorium on accepting 
    submissions for remixes for the time being in order to continue work on 
    their proper debut album. It will be quite awhile, as that project is 
    now in its infancy. And they still need to fit all this in on top of 
    running the Fluid Ounce label, continuing DJ tours around the world 
    (they are due for more gigs in Europe, Japan, and Australia before the 
    end of this year alone), and their personal obligations.
    It's really nice to hang out with guys who are so very down-to-earth in 
    spite of the massive reputation they've been receiving from tastemakers 
    and fellow artists from around the globe. Expect other great things to 
    happen down the pipeline in the months to come from Zero dB and their 
    Fluid Ounce label.
    Shouts to dB, who by now should be home for awhile. Thanks also to 
    Andrew from Ubiquity for helping to make everything possible, and to 
    David for his company while at the club.
    TREASURE ISLAND IN SAN FRANCISCO
    If you happen to be in San Francisco on the weekend of September 29, 
    there is an event that's happening from Noon-Midnight that day. It's 
    known as the First Annual Treasure Island Electronic Music & Arts Fest. 
    Many types of sounds will be represented, including nu-jazz, house, 
    Latin, downtempo, and more.
    Artists scheduled to appear there includes Steve Cobby from Fila 
    Brazillia, Daddy G from Massive Attack, Different Drummer Soundsystem 
    (ex-Rockers Hi-Fi), John Beltram, Blaktronics and others. Many DJs will 
    be representing, including Jonah Sharp and Andrew Jervis.
    If you'd like to find out more information about the event, please visit 
    the web site at http://www.elektricsoul.com/index.html. It's not often 
    that we have festivals like this in California, so let's hope for a 
    great turnout.
    I plan to be there, and I know of several folks reading the circular who 
    will be there. If you are planning on attending, let me know and perhaps 
    we might meet while there.
    JAZZANOVA AND KOOP IN CALIFORNIA
    Indeed, these two critically lauded acts are currently touring the U.S. 
    to promote their respective albums and performing DJ sets. Two members 
    from Jazzanova will be representing, while one member of Koop will take 
    the decks separately.
    I will have the opportunity to interview both groups prior to their 
    sets, and air their profiles on Urban Landscapes in the near future. I 
    will let you know the airdates as I move closer to completion.
    Jazzanova & Koop will be at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles on Friday 
    September 20. If you live in or visiting around Southern California and 
    plan on attending the show, let me know so that we can attempt to hook 
    up and mingle a bit.
    GONE NEXT FRIDAY
    I don't plan on skipping a beat as far as the circular goes...you'll see 
    another one like this one coming next week. However, I will be out of 
    town that night at the Jazzanova/Koop event. Jennifer, who was kind 
    enough to fill in for me in late July, will once again take her place in 
    the Urban Landscapes hot seat. She'll keep the show flowing in my 
    absence in her own way, and I trust she'll have as much fun playing as 
    you should listening.
    I shall return on-air the following week, as the new school year begins 
    in earnest at Cal Poly and new music galore is to be had in spades.
    For now, you shall hear me tonight. And so with that, on we go...
    ----
    REVIEWS THIS WEEK
    Rima--Try To Understand 12" (Papa/UK)
    This is dope broken house bizniz from West London's Domu from the Bugz 
    In The Attic crew and Volcov from the excellent Archive label out of 
    Italy (which he runs). The 12" from the fledging Papa Records shows that 
    the label is on top of things rather nicely. Vocals on each side differ 
    slightly, but I'm down with the Pressure Mix with a nice blend of broken 
    percussion and funky, soulful basslines. We also get the original mix 
    with about the slightly different sparse lyrical vocal as the flip. It's 
    another quality single from Papa.
    Various Artists--The Chromatic Universe sampler 12" (Visions/UK)
    Delicious musical biz from Alex Attias's Visions label, which can't seem 
    to do any wrong with any of its releases. And so it is that we are 
    blessed with this 12" from the forthcoming Visions compilation. The 
    tune, Give A Little Love (with the capable vocals of Vanessa Freeman), 
    was a favorite in the broken beat scene...now reworked into a Freedom 
    Soundz Remix that's quite seductive and deeper than the original. On the 
    flip, Attias goes under his Mustang guise for the tasty Freedom Soundz 
    tweaking of "Twilight," while Domu (does this guy ever *not* show up??) 
    does the biz on "Unique." One can only wonder what the full long-player 
    will be like, but this is a great teaser of things to come. Visions 
    continues to live up to its name.
    Various Artists--The New Season sampler 12" (Archive/UK)
    Fresh new 12" from Archive finds the infamous track from Volcov & 
    Paradox, "No Europe," getting worked up into a dance-friendly stormer by 
    Domu (isn't there a mix that this guy *can't* do wrong??). Meanwhile, 
    Paul Dolby works under his Opaque guise for the tune "Sonic" with hard 
    beats, bassolicious grooves, and just the sort of tune that gets the 
    body working nicely. Pick this one up!
    Various Artists--Fashion Beat (Scenario/Italy)
    Don't let the album cover put you off. This could have easily been just 
    another compilation that stays in the CD bin to collect dust. Well if 
    you find this one, take it out of the bin and give this one a listen.
    Italy-based label Scenario Music releases this long-player compilation 
    of nu-jazz and deep house concotions that are cuts above many of its 
    contemporaries. From the bossa beats of Mono Deluxe's "Looking At My 
    Shoes," this album knows deep and soulful music very well. And if the 
    names of the artists doesn't ring the bell, don't let that stop you from 
    at least finding out for yourself what a well put-together compilation 
    of its kind it really is.
    Salvo Lorusso, the man who runs Scenario, has a wonderful ear for 
    picking good-sounding tunes and putting them in all the right places to 
    make this compilation fresh listening from beginning to end. Many thanks 
    to Salvo for sending this out stateside. What's to come in the future is 
    anyone's guess, but let's hope it's just as good as this one....and 
    let's hope they don't stay on them shelves!
    Boom Bip--Seed To Sun (Lex)
    I've received the 12" sampler to the long-player by Boom Bip, and at the 
    time I wasn't really feeling it. I must have had a bad day or something, 
    because listening to this trippy full-length made better sense to me. 
    I've felt all the more fulfilled for it.
    It's a little bit of indie rock without the vocals, but mainly a great 
    deal of hip-hop and enough electronic atmospheric flavor to give this 
    album bite...courtesy of Warp Records 's Lex imprint. It's very much in 
    the downbeat vein, but not to say that it's your typical downtempo sound 
    by any means.
    Check out this release and delve into the musical world that is Boom 
    Bip. Goes up there with the best alternative hip-hop goodies of the year 
    such as Prefuse 73 and Dabyre.
    Various Artists--The Only Blip Hop Record You Will Ever Need: Vol 1 
    (Luaka Bop)
    I'm not quite sure if I like the term "blip-hop" any more than I like 
    the term "nu-jazz," but I suppose we have to seek ways of attempting to 
    easily identify genres of music that differs so radically from the 
    mainstream.
    In any event, this new compilation from the well-respected world music 
    label Luaka Bop represents a who's who of electronic artists. Put 
    together by labelhead and former Talking Loud leadman David Byrne, 
    you'll find tunes from the likes of Mouse On Mars, To Rococo Rot, 
    Schneider TM (who has a new long-player of his own), Pole, Tarwater 
    (also with a new album), and even madman Doctor Rockit (that's Matthew 
    Herbert to you).
    It's definitely an acquired taste to explore such sounds, but fans of 
    the aformentioned artists will eat this compilation out to lunch. If you 
    aren't familiar with their works, you should allow yourself at least a 
    willingness to expand on your thoughts of what electronic msuic is and 
    dig in. It's very good stuff that at least warrants some exploration. It 
    won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it works well for me.
    Several more reviews are in the works, but my limited time this week has 
    such reviews moving to next week for completion...but all are good (I'll 
    let you know how good soon). Next week's reviews will include:
    -Coffy Is The Color--Everytime We Say Goodbye EP 7" (Downtempo 
    promo/Ireland)
    -Various Artists--Select Cuts From Blood & Fire: Chapter Three (Blood & 
    Fire)
    -Bugz In The Attic Presents the Family Factory EP 12" (Tronicsole/UK)
    -Llorca--New Comer (PIAS America/F Communications)
    -Various Artists--Blue Light One sampler 12" (Nettwerk/Upstairs promo)
    =Various Artists--Basic Laws Vol. 2 (Neroli)
    ----
    VELANCHE'S SOUNDSCAPES FOR SEPTEMBER 2002 (in no particular order)
    Note: Labels with country names are imports to the U.S.
    1.  Coffey Is The Color--Everytime We Say Goodbye EP 7" (Downtempo 
    promo/Ireland)
    2.  Bugz In The Attic Presents Family Factory EP 12" (Tronicsole/UK)
    3.  Rima--Try To Understand 12" (Papa/UK)
    4.  Various Artists--The Chromatic Universe sampler EP 12" (Visions/UK)
    5.  Various Artists--The New Season sampler 12" (Archive/UK)
    6.  Jazzanova--Days To Come: Ayro/Ian O'Brien Remixes 12" 
    (JCR-Compost/Germany)
    7.  Szymanski--Lover's Quarrel EP 12" (Omoa)
    8.  Various Artists--King Britt Presents The Philadelphia Experiment 
    Remixed (Rope-A-Dope)
    9.  Various Artists--Fluid Ounce Unmeasured (Ubiquity)
    10. Nuspirit Helsinki--Trying 12" (Guidance)
    11. Plankton Man vs. Terrestre--S/T (Run)
    12. Uschi Classen--Soul Magic (Earthproject/UK)
    13. Frederic Galliano & The African Divas--S/T (PIAS America/F 
    Communications)
    14. Nightmares On Wax--Mind Elevation (Warp)
    15. Various Artists--Fashion Beat (Scenario/Italy)
    16. Black Renaissance--Mind, Body & Spirit (Luv N'Haight)
    17. Minus 8--Minuit (Compost)
    18. Llorca--New Comer (PIAS America/F Communications)
    19. Los Ladrones--Montana Rusa (Earthproject/UK)
    20. Stereotyp--My Sound (G-Stone/Austria)
    21. Les Hommes--S/T (ESL Music)
    22. Various Artists--Blue Light One sampler EP 12" (Nettwerk/Upstairs promo)
    23. Various Artists--Select Cuts From Blood & Fire: Chapter Three (Blood 
    & Fire)
    24. Cousin Cockroach--This Ain't Tom N' Jerry 12" (Bitasweet/UK)
    25. Inverse Cinematics--Slow Swing 12" EP (Pulver/Germany)
    26. Focus--Having Your Fun 12" (Versatile/France)
    27. Dzihan & Kamien--Stiff Jazz 12" (Couch/Austria)
    28. Dubarchanoid Trim--S/T (Ultima/Portugal)
    29. Various Artists--Co-Operation Session 2 (Goya Music/UK)
    30. Various Artists--The Only Blip Hop Record You Will Ever Need: Vol 1 
    (Luaka Bop)
    ----
    LAST WEEK'S PLAYLIST: The Summer Quarter Rewind Special: Part Two--The 
    Singles (listen at http://urbanlandscapesshow.com/shows/06Sept02.ram)
    Note: Labels with country names are imports to the U.S.
    More Albums from Part One
    1.  Landslide--Don't Give Up Now (Boswick Gates Remix)
    Om 100 compilation (Om)
    2.  Blakai--The King Iz Dead, Long Live The King
    Co-Operation Session 2 compilation (Goya Music/UK)
    3.  Q-Burns Abstract Message--Imprisioned Glitch (Doctorolive's Concrete 
    Massage Mix)
    Re-Routed: The Invisible Airline Remixes compilation (Eighth Dimension)
    4.  Minus 8--Snowblind (The Amalgamation Of Soundz Out Of Mind Mix)
    Minuit (Compost)
    5.  High Contrast--Return To Forever
    True Colors (Breakbeat Science/Hospital)
    The Summer Quarter Rewind: Part Two--The Singles
    6.  Binder & Kriegistein--Desayuno
    12" (Zieger white/Germany)
    7.  Dzihan & Kamien--Stiff Jazz
    12" (Couch/Austria)
    8.  The Bobby Hughes Combination--Kerma Elastica
    12" (Stereo Deluxe/Germany)
    9. Llorca--Indigo Blues (Faze Action Remix)
    12" (F Communications)
    10. Si^Se--Cuando (King Britt's Summer Mix)
    12" (Luaka Bop)
    **Not on list; played to promote local performance live**
    11. Recloose--Ain't Changin' (Carl Craig's Dark Soul Mix)
    12" (Planet E)
    12. Focus--Having Your Fun (4 Hero Rework)
    12" (Versatile/France)
    13. Jazzanova--Soon (Domu Vocal Mix)
    12" (JCR-Compost/Germany)
    14. Nuspirit Helsinki--Trying (The Capoeira Twins Murakawa Remix)
    12" (Guidance)
    15. Cousin Cockroach--This Ain't Tom N'Jerry
    12" (Bitasweet/UK)
    16. Frankie Valentine--Intro/Outro (Volcov 4-4-2 Remix)
    12" (Sunshine Enterprises/Austria)
    17. Toy Division--Budapest Resonance (Andrew J Remix)
    12" (Juice/Hungary)
    18. Larissa Papp--You (Grace Mix)
    12" (Neglige/Austria)
    19. Bassman--Big Fun (featuring Justine Elektra)
    Doorpusher EP 12" (Fabrique/Austria)
    20. Inverse Cinematics--On The Run
    Slow Swing EP 12" (Pulver/Germany)
    21. Prefuse 73--Love You Bring
    The '92 to '02 Collection EP 12" (Warp)
    22. Nightmares On Wax--Know My Name (Harmonic 33 Remix)
    12" (Warp)
    23. Dub Diablo--The Shape-Up
    Tomorrow's Radio EP 12" (Dis-Joint)
    24. The Avalanches--Since I Left You (Stereolab Remix)
    12" (Modular/Elektra)
    25. Z. D. Silence--The World (Looking...)
    Playground 5 EP 12" (Ecco Chamber/Germany)
    26. Bassman--Minimal Destruction
    Doorpusher EP 12" (Fabrique/Germany)
    27. King Of Woolworth--This Is Radio Theydon
    Dew Point EP 2x10" (Mantra)
    ----
    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
    c/o KCPR 91.3 FM
    Graphic Communications Bldg. Room 201
    Cal Poly State University
    San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
    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, recording artists, 
    promotion companies, and like-minded music lovers from around the world. 
    Feel free to forward this  onward to others whom you feel may benefit. 
    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 and I'll 
    add your name to the list.
    Have a great weekend!
    


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