Hip-Hop Новости

Tala AM (or Tala Andre Marie to give him his full and proper name) was born in Bandjoun in Cameroun in 1950. Talas life initially wasn't easy, he becomes blind at an early age and has lost both his mother and father by the age of 12. He then went on to make his first guitar by hand and form his first band "The Rock Boys" by the age of 17. Shortly after he meets the powerhouse of Camerounian music at the time Manu Dibango, a pivotal moment. With help, he re-locates to Paris and signs a contract with Fiesta Records. The first fruit of those labours is his debut album "Hot Koki".

The lead track (and highlight of this compilation) is "Hot Koki" it is a powerhouse of funk guitar, soul and infectious afro rhythms. Fast forward to 1974 and the famous "Rumble In The Jungle" fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. The story goes a little something like this... At an accompanying musical event we find James Brown and Tala AM. JB Hears Hot Koki and creates a remarkably similar sounding track "The Hustle" (check it out side by side if you have the time).

Fast forward another 40 years. Time to take a look back on the funkier moments of Tala. This is not a "best of" Tala, that has already been done. Want to get into Tala's famous Tchamassi sound or do some "bend skin" beats... well check out the other compilations. Here at Africa Seven (and in this case) we are headed for destination funk. The musical topic inevitably leads us to the 70's and we borrow our super slick source material mainly from the albums Tala made for Fiesta Records from 1973 to 1978.

We open up the bombastic brass, swinging basslines and all out groove of Hot Koki (well after a little intro ditty gem). Then its on to the one of the highlights of "Arabia" album "Black Gold". This track swoons groove. Layers of picked and choppy guitar and on point drumming. "Sugar Lump" is next which sticks to the formula of the previous track but adds in catchy vocals.

Mining into the cave of delights that is the 1978 "Black Woman" album we then follow up with the driving afro beat grooves and stabby brass of "Gotam" and the boogie flowing grooves of "Black Woman" and the frenetic and driving grooves of "Ma Ka La". We round things off with the stabby clavi-funk of "Nom Te Ma" and the ultimate groovy funk-riff closer (and ear worm) Tcham Tcham.

So there you some slices of pure funk from a master. Tala's role of awards and achievements is long and impressive (check his Wikipedia), Knight of Valour of Cameroun, SACEM awards and his opening of a music school in Douala... However.. we feel these musical masterpieces are right up there with his finest achievements.. A true man of music.

Four cuts of the same rhythm that was popularised by Ken Parker with 'Girl Asheba . Ken Parker cut his first sides for Studio One and it's a pity he didn't record more tunes in this tough Radics style as his relaxed vocals work perfectly on this pinned down rugged rhythm. Jah Stitch leans into the the mic with reflections on 'Life in the Ghetto' 'This one goes out to all the cats and kittens of the ghetto' Insightful and a nice counter to the Ken Parker cut.
Knowledge handles the first cut on the flipside with an authentic slab of Rema roots. Not the greatest singer but always a bright argument and real delivery from Knowledge on 'Rasta don't take bribe'. A ghetto philosopher that was widely respected in the community.
Sadly Knowledge passed away in 2011. He had been part of the group also called 'Knowledge' that was formed in 1974.

The last cut is a version mixed by engineer Barnubus at Channel One. Rugged roots produced by Roy Cousins. Comes in a recycled hand stamped sleeve.

A roots obscurity from Lacksley Castell that has been locked in the vaults of Roy Cousins Tamoki- Wambesi- Uhuru label.
Lacksley Castell was very much a product of the Waterhouse area of Kingston. Its a pity 'Tug a war games' was the only tune he recorded for Roy Cousins as its a beauty. Castell was a much in demand singer in the late nineteen seventies and early eighties he recorded for Prince Jammy, Lee Perry and worked with Hugh Mundell on the Jah Fire set.
He was also a preferred vocalist of Augustus Pablo. A thoughtful laid back singer Lacksley Castell was perfectly suited to the sparse rhythms that dominated the roots scene of the period. He sadly passed away in 1983.
The flipside by contrast has the soaring vocal harmonies of the Royals over the lush production that was the Roy Cousins modus operandi. As much influenced by the Philly Sounds of Gamble and Huff as West Kingston and King Tubby and Channel One. There is an excellent unreleased version of Malnutrition to finish this set of.
Comes in a hand stamped re-cycled card sleeve.

Hopeton Brown, better known as Scientist, has been a pioneering figure in the world of dub for nearly 40 years. His early love of electronics proved fruitful when (still a teenager) he was hired at King Tubby's studio in Kingston. Brown quickly ascended the ranks and became heir to Tubby's throne, producing imaginative and technically impressive mixes that solidified his forward-looking nickname.

Introducing Scientist - The Best Dub Album In The World, his 1980 debut LP, lives up to its boastful title. Recorded with Sly & Robbie at Channel One Studio and mixed at King Tubby's, the album features hypnotic basslines, reverb-drenched keyboards, and fluid, start-stop rhythms. Opening track "Steppers," with its well-balanced phrasing and organic contours, shows Scientist's mastery of the studio-as-instrument concept. On "Scientific," the effects-laden guitars are stretched to their outer limit to create magnificent, spaced-out textures and muted tension. Introducing Scientist displays the talents of a man obsessed with every element of production, drawing out the very best of the dub form.

Danny T's first outing on Irish Moss is a BIG one. Enlisting one of the hardest working Artists in the UK at present to step up and run di place red. Parly B does just that on this sweet 7'' vinyl. A fine cut of Digital Dancehall from the UK with a riddim version on the B side for good measure.

Hinter Herler verbirgt sich Helmut Erler, ein Berliner Studiokünstler mit Wurzeln in Innsbruck. Er ist auf Pingipung bisher vor allem als eine Hälfte der Austro-Dub-Combo Hey-Ø-Hansen in Erscheinung getreten - ein Stil, den das Duo selber begründet hat. Vor kurzer Zeit schnappte Herler bei einem Konzert im Golden Pudel Club auf, dass dem historischen Kleinod Hamburger Clubkultur das Schicksal droht, unter den Auktionshammer zu kommen. Sollte diese Zwangsversteigerung schlecht ausgehen, stünde die Existenz des Ladens massiv unter Gefahr. Spontan textete er des-
halb im Innsbrucker Slang eine Zugabe auf der Pingipung-Party:
- Stell Dir vor, der Pudel wird verkafft. Und es gibt kein' mehr, der da hinlafft. Es dauerte nur eine halbe Bierlänge, bis klar war, dass
der Song sofort als Single raus muss. Pingipung und Pudel Produkte, die Hamburger Labels mit Geschmack und vielen Ps im Namen, setzen hiermit gemeinsam ein Zeichen für den Erhalt eines der wichtigsten Clubs in Deutschland. Die Live-Version von - Pudel Verkafft mit stoisch kickendem Beat hat Helmut Erler in seinem Studio neu eingespielt. Dazu gesellt sich ein betörendes - Feel Me Love , das Herlers zarte Gitarre perfekt mit seinen mas-
siven Subbässen kombiniert. Das Artwork stammt vom preisgekrönten Pudel-Grafiker Alex Solman (C.I.Alex). Lang lebe die Elbphilharmonie der Herzen!

Smilax Records presents his first release completely dedicated to Reggaeton : Reggaeton 2016 Mega Hits. A 19 tracks selection for your dancefloors !!!!

Gute Laune garantiert: Von Reggae kann man eigentlich nie genug bekommen. Wer trotzdem noch Lücken in
der Sammlung hat, bekommt mit dem 5CD-Boxset "Best Of Reggae" des französischen Labels Wagram die
tolle Gelegenheit, die Reihen zu schließen. Die Zusammenstellung vereint 100 Stücke von zehn Reggae-
Sängern und -Bands, die alle Zeiten überstehen werden. Mit am Start ist natürlich Bob Marley ("Soul Rebel",
"No Sympathy", "Sun Is Shining", "Don't Rock My Boat"), der Superstar des Reggae, sowie Horace Andy
("Ain't No Sunshine", "Light My Fire", "Horse With No Name"), Dennis Brown ("Africa", "Westbound Train",
"Stop The Fussing & Fighting"), Gregory Isaacs ("Lonely Man", "Babylon Too Rough", "Oh, What A Feeling"),
Barrington Levy, U-Roy und Max Romeo. Weiterhin Marleys Backingband The Wailers, die hier mit den Dub-
Versionen seiner Megahits "I Shot The Sheriff", "Get Up, Stand Up" und "No Woman No Cry" glänzt.
Abgerundet wird der Sampler durch Tracks von Sly & Robbie ("Is This Love") und Black Uhuru ("Sinsemilla",
"Sun Is Shining").
***
INTERPRETEN:
Barrington Levy
Black Uhuru
Bob Marley
Dennis Brown
Gregory Isaacs
Horace Andy
Max Romeo
Sly & Robbie
The Wailers
U-Roy

Join Mr Confuse on the funky side of life on "Fast Lane". Driving Hammond organ, raging brass and fast drums will get you on the move - surefire! Do "The Turnaround" on the flipside and explore the depths of afrofunk where Deodato-likewise Fender Rhodes percussion meets Bongolia and massive drums are ruling!

Make sure you don't miss this one on Confunktion Records. The 7 Inch vinyl version is again limited to a 150 units - so you better be quick!

1. Pitbull Feat. Osmani Garcia & Sensato -El Taxi
2. Nicky Jam, J Balvin, De La Ghetto -Travesuras (Remix)
3. Farruko Feat. El Mayor - Chapa de Callejon
4. Pitbull Feat. Don Miguelo - Como Yo Le Doy
5. Jacob Forever (from Gente De Zona) - La Dura
6. Daddy Yankee & Paramba - Que Se Mueren De Envidia'
7. Secreto -Maldito Cupido
8. Divan - Vamo' A Pelearnos
9. Ilegales Feat. Shelow Shaq - No Me Diga Que No
10. El Super Nuevo - Tu No Me Da Nota
11. Black Jonas Point & J Alvarez -Tus Hormonas
12. Secreto - De Amor Nadie Se Muere
13. Osmani Garcia Feat. Pitbull & Sensato -El Taxi' (Original Extended)
14. Nicky Jam -Travesuras (Original Mix)

Congo Natty aka Rebel MC aka Mikail Tafari veredelt unter Mithilfe legendärer Dub-Soldiers sein letztes Studioalbum "Jungle Revolution" und liefert ein basslastiges Monster für alle Dub-, Reggae- & Jungle-Fans!

"Dub war der Soundtrack meiner Jugend", erinnert sich Congo Natty und kollaboriert für dieses Projekt mit einer Anzahl an neuen und bereits etablierten Dub-Künstlern wie Adrian Sherwood, Lee Scratch Perry, DJ Madd, Young Warrior (Sohn von Jah Shaka), Joe Ariwa (Sohn von Mad Professor), Dubkasm, und vielen anderen. Darüber hinaus beinhaltet die CD noch drei Bonus Tracks.

Reggae Roast has built some serious momentum recently especially after the unveiling of their brand new, hand crafted soundsystem, a series of critically acclaimed releases and sell out shows across the UK and Europe. As a result they are slowly establishing themselves as one of the top reggae outlets in the world. To Celebrate they are proud to release what is set to be one of the big tunes of summer 2015 'Soundsystem'. 'We want a big soundsystem up inna di place!' UK Veteran Brother Culture chants over the top of a heavyweight digital stormer of a track produced by Reggae Roast crew which instantly sets the vibe. 'Soundsystem' has been shaking the speakers stacks from London to Lithuania and Bristol to Budapest and it's guaranteed to mash up any dancehall!.

New single of Blundetto from his new album 'World of'. Featuring the new French reggae phenomena : Bigga Ranx. On B side a dub by Blundetto himself

Damas put out his debut album Natty Take Ova earlier this year as a digital download release. VRS records - in association with DA Music - are proud to announce that Natty Take Ova will be released on vinyl in the UK this December.

Already established as a respected artist in his native Jamaica, DAMAS has written and produced an original collection of twelve tracks spanning one drop reggae, dancehall, ska and hip-hop. A number of the tracks have appeared on riddim compilations, for example Easy Skanking on Puff Puff riddim, Money Move on a riddim with the same title and One Chance on Barriers riddim.

This is an international collaboration with Switzerland's Weedy G Soundforce and Giddimani Records out of Jamaica. Others featured on the album are Pharfar from Denmark, Italian reggae band Mellow Mood and New York's P-Dub.
This album showcases a fresh talent in the same vein as relative newcomers such as Kabaka Pyramid, Protoje and Chronixx, but Damas also shares similarities with a veteran like Lutan Fyah. Listen to a cut like the bouncy Ghetto revolution to get the vibe.

Israel Vibration is a reggae harmony group from Kingston, Jamaica, including famous producers Sly & Robbie, legendary accordion player Augustus Pablo, and keyboardists Mikey Chung and Ansel Collins. One of the most exciting debuts of the roots era, Same Song (1978) boasted the cream of the crop of Jamaican musicianship.

Jamaican producer Tommy Cowan took special care with this record and insured that the cast never overwhelmed the vocalists. The almost reedy quality of the Vibes' singing, the feeling that they were struggling just to gather the strength to even reach this paltry level of vocal thrust, was part of the charm.

The album's Rastafarian themes and the trio's obvious religious devotion make this a cultural classic. Same Song is a shout of belief, so heartfelt, as to quiet all else around it.

Celebrated dancehall/techno crossover duo up the ante w/2 deep cuts to shake the foundations. Side X "" mixes organic & electronic textures to hypnotize; side Y "" f/tight digital rhythms & stark reverberations to transport you to another planet.

Steppas Records presents Rooted & Grounded, the debut album from Alpha Steppa. The son and nephew of UK dub pioneers Alpha & Omega (Greensleeves/VP), Alpha Steppa has been surrounded by soundsystem and dubplate culture from a young age. Now a talented producer in his own right, his productions connect the dots between the music which he has grown up around and the new generation of UK bass music of which he is a part. His dubbed out style draws upon the sounds of his musical heritage, filtered through an exploration of the newer sounds of contemporary bass music. Alpha Steppa was born into a climate of dub, when he first opened his eyes and ears in the late 1980's he witnessed a family submerged in dub reggae music, his dad made dub, his auntie made dub, his uncle made dub and his mum listened to dub in the kitchen. 28 years later, Rooted & Grounded stands testament to a life spent in dub and tells the story of Alpha Steppa. Diverse and forward thinking dub music with a deep roots foundation. Currently championed by a range of soundsystems from the bass music spectrum; from Roots veterans Channel One Soundsystem, to UK Steppers pioneers Iration Steppas and Dubstep originator V.I.V.E.K.

Nach Hunderten Shows in Europa und Lateinamerika melden sich iLLBiLLY HiTEC mit ihrer zweiten CD
zurück: Während bei ihrem gefeierten 2013er-Debütalbum "Reggaetronics" die Verschmelzung von Reggae
mit elektronischen Elementen im Vordergrund stand, haben die Berliner auf "Reggae Not Dead" das Genre
ganz lässig bei der Wurzel gepackt und einmal auf links gedreht. Herausgekommen ist eine
abwechslungsreiche Mischung aus Roots, Digital, Hip-Hop und Dub. Neben den beiden Sängern Longfingah
und Tribuman, die bereits auf dem Erstling von iLLBiLLY HiTEC zu hören waren und mit den Jungs natürlich
auch auf Tour waren, geben sich bei "Reggae Not Dead" mit Paco Mendoza, Lengualerta, Daman, Kinetical
und Ceshire Cat auch wieder zahlreiche internationale Stars das Mikrofon in die Hand. Als Bonus gibt es
gleich vier Remixe von J*Star, Zion Train, Krak In Dub und Fleck sowie eine Riddim Selection mit Versions
von Don Caramelo (Raggabund), Lengualerta, Benjie und The Hempolics (London) oben drauf. So kommt die
CD auf stolze 19 Songs, die erneut beweisen, dass Reggae aus Deutschland längst nicht tot, sondern auch
über unsere Landesgrenzen hinaus ziemlich beliebt ist.

Released in Jamaica in 1971 and produced by Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Soul Revolution Part II is a sequel of sorts to Bob Marley And The Wailers' debut LP, 1970's Soul Rebel. The Wailers' work with Scratch is considered by many reggae fans to mark career pinnacles for all involved, and classic hymns like 'Don't Rock My boat' or the revisitation of Curtis Mayfield's 'Keep On Moving' were destined to become among the more widely hailed efforts in the repertoire of Bob Marley. An historical milestone in early reggae history, back on shiny heavyweight vinyl.

Buffalo Brothers are the 9-piece funk sensation currently exploding out of the Manchester music scene's creative melting pot. Their debut album, Fresh From The Horn, combines thunderous grooves and blistering horn lines with heavy funk, jazz and afrobeat flavours, and has already earned the approval of UK funk aficionados Craig Charles and Huey Morgan.

"I'm a massive fan of this Manchester outfit - they've made one cracking album!" - Craig Charles, Funk and Soul Show, BBC 6 Music

As well as attracting the attention of Craig Charles, appearing at his live club night at Manchester's Band On The Wall and being regularly played on his Radio 2 and 6 Music shows, Buffalo Brothers have been busy increasing their following with a number of high profile appearances across the UK, including at Kendal Calling Festival, supporting Huey Morgan at London's Blues Kitchen, and opening the 20th Manchester Jazz Festival to glowing reviews.

Their live performances featuring guest vocal performances have been overwhelming club and festival audiences for the past year and the band have spared no effort in concentrating this high-energy cocktail onto their first full-length studio release.

Cool Creations of St Maarten were formed in 1975 by Carlyle Barriteau, Funk Gumbs and Winston Macco. They were all in our last year of High School in St Maarten. The name "CoolCreations" was inspired by Kool and the Gang, one of their off Island influences. The band mainly played hotels, Local Dance Clubs and Carnival Parades and they recorded one LP. These two tracks were taken from that little know but much loved LP which was recorded in San Juan in Puerto Rico (no one can remember the name of the studio). "Wish Upon Love" is a Modern Soul Floater of the highest order that's been a favourite summer joint of mine for years and recently been getting spins by Four Tet and others. The flip is perfect for a Balearic sunset or deep warmup, this is a personal favourite, hope you love it as much as I do.

Where We Come From is the debut album from Jamaican superstar Popcaan.

Executive produced by Dre Skull and featuring productions from Dre Skull, Dubbel Dutch, Jamie Roberts, Anju Blaxx and Adde Instrumentals, Popcaan's first full length offering sees his signature melodies and uplifting tones on thirteen original tracks. As musicologist Wayne Marshall writes in his essay on the album: "Where We Come From" gives voice, as the best reggae does, to the contradictions of life in a society rife with inequities and yet so rich.

Whether odes to the ghetto or the good life, Popcaan's lyrics bring realist portraits and utopian visions into dynamic tension. Songs about struggle and sex and happiness occupy the same space because they do. And whatever the topic, Popcaan's infectious positivity comes through.

The album Pitchfork called "one of the best pop albums of the year" was included in 'Best of 2014' lists by NPR, The Guardian, FACT, The Fader, Dazed, Complex, among others. By popular demand, WWCF is now available in a deluxe gatefold vinyl edition, which includes an exclusive photo booklet with musicologist Wayne Marshall's essay on Popcaan and the album.

Hungary may be a small country but it punches above its weight when it comes to the funk!

Formerly of the Eastern bloc, the cultural and musical heritage of this part of Europe is every bit as rich the likes of West Africa and as such it is a melting pot bubbling with rhythms and influences. Now imagine, if you will, some of this Eastern European brew sprinkled with a little bit of afro spice and then blended with a massive dose of classic heavyweight Stateside funk and you'll have some idea of what Dokkerman & The Turkeying Fellaz (D&TTF) are all about.

The nine piece band, lead by keyboard player Tamas Michelberger (aka Dokkerman), contains a tight rhythm section, a tight horn section and the ability to lay down a bad-ass groove - which collectively results in a raw and dirty old-school sound that recalls the funky golden era of the '60s and '70s. And yet the band also has that which differentiates it from the likes of Ikebe Shakedown or the Menahan Street Band in singer Gabor "The Flame" Hoffer whose chants offer added Magyar rawness.

In short, D&TTF breathe new life into vintage funk and trashy garage rock underpinning everything with afro-funk rhythms in a unique addition to the contemporary scene that's guaranteed to make you move. In fact it's so danceable it should be made illegal.

After their smash 'Victory', a UK riddim voiced by JA artists, Dubkasm have switched things up, putting homegrown stars YT and Rudey Lee on a classic yard riddim. One Man One Vote, Dubkasm's only relick, is a 90s classic made famous by Dennis Brown's 'No More Walls', Shabba's criminally underrated 'Build Bridges Instead', and Dubkasm's 2014 update, Solo Banton's 'Can't Stop This'. Ipswich's finest YT delivers the energetic and conscious cut 'Higher Meds', complete with sax-drenched dub, the B-side is sweet-voiced Bristolian (and Smith and Mighty veteran) Rudey Lee's soulful, righteous 'Coming in Ruff'. Freshly played with no samples and mastered on 1/2" tape at Stardelta, the dubplate has already gone global, mashing up dances and getting instant rewinds all over the world.

Nadine Brown's sister funk masterpiece "Leave Me Alone" was recorded at Reflection Sound studio in Smyrna, Georgia. The recording took plave in 1977, although the production sounds more like the early 1970s for somebody who listens to the song without knowing the date. "Leave Me Alone" is also included on the "Feeling Nice Vol.3" compilation album which was released on 2nd October 2015.

Key-selling points:
original label artwork
imited to 500 copies

Jake Sollo was one of the most prolific innovative musicians from Nigeria in the 70s and 80s. His talents as a rhythm guitar player saw him through much of his career where he played with several Nigerian bands of varying styles. After a stint in the beat group the Hykkers (which he formed whilst studying at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka) then went on to wider recognition as a member of the Funkees. Sollo then went on to play with famed Afro-rock group Osibisa. His stint working alongside group leader Teddy Osei. The Funkees had become very popular, not just in Nigeria where a rough demo of the track "Akula Owu Onyeara" was on constant rotation at the East-Central State Broadcasting Service, but the track was went on to be picked up by the BBC DJ John Peel.

After successes in bands, Sollo went solo and found a steady stream of work in London as a session musician and a producer. He returned to Nigeria in 1981 where he produced "bouncy, high gloss boogie" which was incredibly in demand. He had a distinctive playing and producing style and was incredibly popular. He utilized synthesizers which were uncommon in Nigeria at the time

The 1979 "Jake Sollo" self titled album was produced for Pye / Disques Esperance in London. Touches of pop, plenty of African groove, moments of psychedelica... all bound together with Jakes distinctive guitar playing and sleek production. These are sounds that are reminiscent of African music lovers contemporary of Sollo such as David Byrne and Talking Heads, and Paul Simon in Graceland, but with a glittering grooviness that is all Jake Sollo.

Sadly Jakes career was cut short when he tragically died in a car accident in 1985. Depriving the world of no doubt what would have been decades of more innovative and creative music.

Nearly two years after his debut album, Bosq Y Orquestra De Madera, burst onto the scene with its varied rhythms and moods, Bosq is unleashing another batch of music for the dancefloor. Slated for an October release, Celestial Strut is extending summer well past the autumnal equinox.

Not content to produce one style of music, Bosq takes you through disco ("Bad For Me". "Celestial Strut"), Latin rhythms ("Ella", "Cumbia En Bahia"), and Afrobeat ("Bounce And Pull Up", "Take Over", "Pay The Price") with ease. Thinking of each album like a DJ set, he's always determined to inject many flavors but still keep a cohesive sound.

Helping to craft the album, collaborators such as Nicole Willis, Jesus Pagan Y Conjunto Barrio, and Kaleta chipped in with lyric writing, vocal duties, and riveting soundscapes. Recalls Bosq, "Jesus and the Conjunto Barrio helped me to re-record all my parts into live ones which gives it a greater authenticity and better musicianship. I then took those parts to rework and modernize them." Bosq even co-wrote lyrics, a first for him, with his girlfriend on "Found Your Love." To add even more flair to the album, Caserta, someone Bosq greatly admires for being able to bring so much sonic depth, mixed several tracks on Celestial Strut.

Having already received extensive coverage through outlets like Wax Poetics, OkayAfrica, Remezcla, and Sound Color Vibration as well as DJing around the country at nightclubs and even Boston's Museum Of Fine Arts, he's traveled extensively to locales such as South America and Puerto Rico since his last album to find new inspiration and perspective. "Everything influences you consciously or subconsciously. So this album definitely has a sense of my travels and spending time in other cultures, whether on the road or with my girl and her family. All that Latin culture immersion has opened up my cold Northeast heart a lot!" he openly expresses. Expanding outside of the Boston metro area has opened his eyes to a greater appreciation for his music when he plays his tracks in his DJ sets.

Celestial Strut is a confident record based on musical and life experience that finds Bosq less constrained and focusing more on musical textures than genre conformity. Although he contends that there is so much more musically that he wants to learn, his love for creation and the learning process continues to push him to produce some of the most exciting dance and internationally-flavored wax dishes this decade.

Nearly two years after his debut album, Bosq Y Orquestra De Madera, burst onto the scene with its varied rhythms and moods, Bosq is unleashing another batch of music for the dancefloor. Slated for an October release, Celestial Strut is extending summer well past the autumnal equinox.

Not content to produce one style of music, Bosq takes you through disco ("Bad For Me". "Celestial Strut"); Latin rhythms ("Ella", "Cumbia En Bahia"); and Afrobeat ("Bounce And Pull Up", "Take Over", "Pay The Price") with ease. Thinking of each album like a DJ set, he's always determined to inject many flavors but still keep a cohesive sound.

Helping to craft the album, collaborators such as Nicole Willis, Jesus Pagan Y Conjunto Barrio, and Kaleta chipped in with lyric writing, vocal duties, and riveting soundscapes. Recalls Bosq, "Jesus and the Conjunto Barrio helped me to re-record all my parts into live ones which gives it a greater authenticity and better musicianship. I then took those parts to rework and modernize them." Bosq even co-wrote lyrics, a first for him, with his girlfriend on "Found Your Love." To add even more flair to the album, Caserta, someone Bosq greatly admires for being able to bring so much sonic depth, mixed several tracks on Celestial Strut.

Having already received extensive coverage through outlets like Wax Poetics, OkayAfrica, Remezcla, and Sound Color Vibration as well as DJing around the country at nightclubs and even Boston's Museum Of Fine Arts, he's traveled extensively to locales such as South America and Puerto Rico since his last album to find new inspiration and perspective. "Everything influences you consciously or subconsciously. So this album definitely has a sense of my travels and spending time in other cultures, whether on the road or with my girl and her family. All that Latin culture immersion has opened up my cold Northeast heart a lot!" he openly expresses. Expanding outside of the Boston metro area has opened his eyes to a greater appreciation for his music when he plays his tracks in his DJ sets.

Celestial Strut is a confident record based on musical and life experience that finds Bosq less constrained and focusing more on musical textures than genre conformity. Although he contends that there is so much more musically that he wants to learn, his love for creation and the learning process continues to push him to produce some of the most exciting dance and internationally-flavored wax dishes this decade.

A King Tubby production, notable heavyweight dancehall & dub album from Courtney Melody, an iconic artist of the 80's dancehall scene including his massive hit "Ninja Mi Ninja"!

Label: a&family

Great Nyabinghi sounds from Japan, a limited 7" edition unavailable outside of the country until now. Distributed by Dub Store Records.

Dawn of the King Tubby's Firehouse label! An 80's killer digital dancehall masterpiece by two of the star artists from the new-born Tubby's studio.