Jahtarian Dubbers

Jahtari steps out with its first-ever label compilation full of their unique slant on heavy dub, dancehall, and dubstep. The Leipzig, Germany label that coined the term “Digital Laptop Reggae” produces some of the finest classical computer generated dub and reggae. You won’t find Dub-techno, straight bassdrums from this reggae label, just a classic dub approach, done with at computer.

With this comp, Jahtarian Dubbers Vol. 1, Jahtari digs from the low-end depths of dub and features seven new tracks along with three new artists that captures the “deep” spirit of the label. Disrupt contributes three heavy-hitters including the 8-bit dub blowout “Kozure Okami” and the deep reverberating “Selassi I Continually.” The mighty Afrikan Simba shows a glimpse of his lyrical flow alongside Rootah on the lead-track of the album “Alternative Power,” while John Frum delivers deep atmospheric gems with “May In Dub” and “January Dub.”

Jahtarian Dubbers Vol. 1 is available now via the label and digitally from eMusic. Highly recommended for fans of Lee Perry, Burial, Disrupt, and maximum low-end deepness.

[MP3]: Afrikan Simba and Rootah  ”Alternative Power”
Jahtarian Dubbers Vol. 1, Jahtari; 2008

Quiet Village Makes the Old Sound New with Silent Movie

I wasn’t alive in the 1970s, but I have a very vivid image burned into my memory on what they were like from old family photographs, film, televison, magazines, and other imagery. Some things that immediately pop into my mind when I think of America in the 70s are big cars, crotch riding bell-bottoms, polyester, leisure suits, badass moustaches, curly hair, sideburns, tacky carpets, tinted glasses, maximum amounts of chest hair, uninspired architecture that we’re still living with today, and for some reason the color orange. Not really sure where orange fits into the whole story, but for some reason, it’s there. Oh, and what was the deal with putting brick in the interiors of homes? I’m not talking about exposed brick, but brick built on low rise walls behind couches and shit like that. Weird.

Anyway, I mention these manufactured “memories” because flashes of what I described in the previous paragraph rushed into my head on first listening to the debut full length, Silent Movie, from Quiet Village. When the 70s jive groove kicked in on the beginning of “Circus of Horror” all I could picture was a moustached Matthew McConaughey crusing around in his Corvette in Dazed and Confused. Quiet Village’s sound, however, isn’t as simple as that. The old school funk edge gives way to dreamy and drugged-out disco, while the groove continues to kick in the background. Images of muscle cars and moustaches soon fade and the listener is cast into a spooky, swirling, and exotic haze.

Silent Movie begins peacefully with the sounds of waves churning onto the shore, samples of chirping birds, and beautiful relaxing symphonic compositions on “Victoria’s Secret.” As a whole, the album proves to be difficult to pin down, as it explores a variety of styles where samples and original sounds blend seamlessly. This could be due to Quiet Village members Matt Edwards (aka Radio Slave) and Joel Martin having a wide range of influences. Edwards is better known for his techno hits, while Martin is an ex-film editor and music fanatic.

The aptly titled “Pacific Rhythm” brings together slight elements of reggae and surf tunes rooted in freaky funk and topped with symphonic strings and sexy female vocals. It’s one of the only songs on the 12-track LP that contains vocals. The elegantly composed “Utopia” features beautiful finger-plucked melodies, percussion sections that sound like drops of water hitting an echoey cavern floor and effervescent keys.

Edwards truely shows his diversity on Silent Movie, revealing his softer side as most of the album washes away the stresses of the listener, that is, until you pop off your headphones and are thrust back into reality. Highly reccommended for kicking back as the warmer summer months creep up on us.

Silent Movie is out on May 13th via !K7 Records, preview some of the album and order it on their micro-site here.

[MP3]: Quiet Village  ”Circus of Horror”
[MP3]: Quiet Village  ”Pacific Rhythm”
Silent Movie, !K7; 2008

Cocoa Tea, Sweet Company for a Day in the Sun

It’s WAY too gorgeous today to be stuck inside an office building in front of a computer and it looks like more of the same tomorrow. After a long lunch strolling around West Philadelphia, all I want to do is get the fuck out of here as I glance at the clock every fifteen seconds. My productivity for the day has gone off the deep end, with my ambition focused now on getting to the nearest park to relax and bask in the afternoon sun (after applying the appropriate amount of sun block, of course). I feel like I’m coming down with something. Sniffle, sneeze, cough, cough.

[MP3]: Cocoa Tea  ”I Lost My Sonia”
The Sweet Sound of Cocoa Tea, VP Records; 2008

SXSW has SOUL: Five R&B Acts to Catch at SXSW 2008

Aw shit! Better pack up those earplugs, Immodium, and Emergen-C’s because the 2008 SXSW Music Festival is just 2 days away. I’m pussing out for the second year in a row, but in classic form, Nghia, Paul, and Theo will be representing FRICTION NYC down in Austin this year. I think this is Nghia’s like umpteenth year in a row or something, seems like the fool has been going since he was a toddler. Anyway, insead of highlighting the typical buzzed acts this year, I decided to pick five R&B bands that I would certainly like to check out. These five acts including Darondo, Barbara Mason, Black Joe Lewis, Eli Reed, and The Aggrolites represent everything from soul to afrobeat to dirty reggae. Check ‘em out if you have the chance.

DARONDO
Saturday, 3/15/08 @ Club de Ville (900 Red River St)
[MP3]: “Didn’t I”
Darondo (pictured) released three singles during the 70s and then mysteriously dissappeared from the music scene for over 30 years. The legendary R&B performer who once opened for James Brown will be making the trek to Austin this week from his home in the San Francisco Bay Area. His three singles released in 2006 via Ubiquity along with an appearance on Giles Peterson’s BBC 1 Radio showcase created enough buzz to land Darondo an appearance at this year’s SXSW. His album, Let My People Go, is a mixture jazz-infused afrobeat and funk, containing the A and B sides from his three 45s as well as three re-worked demos.

BARBARA MASON
Friday, 3/14/08 @ Continental Club (1315 S Congress Ave
[MP3]: “Yes I’m Ready”
Philadelphia’s First Lady of Soul, Barbara Mason, is credited as the originator of Philly soul. Her classic ballad, “Yes, I’m Ready” laid the groundwork for the smooth sweet sounds of Philly soul and established Mason as as an influential female soul artist.

BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEY BEARS
Wednesday, 3/12/08 @ Emo’s Main Room (601-603 Red River St)
[MP3]: “Gunpowder”
J.J. Lewis, aka Black Joe, in his mid-20s and full of spunk, stands tall and strong onstage with his band of gentlemen. He howls into the mic, half James Brown, half his own man, and he splays blood and heart all over the guitar. It’s imperfect yet beautiful. Reinventing his roots of Lighting Hopkins and Sam Cooke, Lewis adds a Red River vibe to the true blues of generations past. In 2007, he formed the Honey Bears, releasing an EP of the same name that summer [Austin Chronicle].

ELI PAPERBOY REED & THE TRUE LOVES
Thursday, 3/13/08 @ Club de Ville (900 Red River St)
[MP3]: “Take My Love With You”
We’ve already sang our praise about Allston, MA’s Eli Reed and his band The True Loves last month. The band plays a slew of dates at this year’s SXSW including the show listed above.

THE AGGROLITES
Wednesday, 3/12/08 @ Flamingo Cantina (515 E 6th St)
[MP3]: “Free Time”
Los Angeles’ The Aggrolites take pleasure in tradition, meshing old-school reggae and ska with rock, soul, and funk to create a sound called “dirty reggae.” Think Otis Redding fronting Toots & the Maytals. The five-piece embarks on an extensive U.S. tour following the festival.