welcome to camp lo-fi...

BSOTS 070 - label profile: ghostly international

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 23:58:29 -0500

this show is all about the ghostly international label. i would have to credit matthew dear for being the gateway artist for me. soon after i would learn about dabrye and osborne. rarely ever does ghostly make a wrong move. hopefully this episode will get you excited about this label, too...

once the show is over, you'll hear a psa about the million dj march. it's not a joke. it's very real. and while it in no way was meant to show disrespect to the million man march, perhaps a different name could've been chosen. at any rate, it sounds interesting. not sure if the press will be kind in its coverage (my guess is that it won't), but that remains to be seen...

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go here to stream shows

id drops courtesy of darrenkeith wyatt and ej flavors. background music is the instrumental version of "hot on both sides," produced by mr. fitz aka techniken defunkus.

you can contact me via twitter, facebook, email, or the voice mail line at 206-339-8732.

other key info:
macedonia's playlist on last.fm
endless shouting matches with yourself
ghostly swim compilation
moodgadget

Dabrye
"The Lish" (mp3)
from "One/Three"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
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Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Twine
"From Memory" (mp3)
from "Violets"
(Ghostly International/SMM)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

JDSY
"Smoke and Mirrors" (mp3)
from "Adage of Known"
(Ghostly International/Moodgadget Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
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More On This Album

The Chap
"They Have A Name" (mp3)
from "Mega Breakfast"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Osborne
"Ruling" (mp3)
from "Osborne"
(Spectral Sound)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
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More On This Album

Cepia
"Opening Parade" (mp3)
from "Natura Morta"
(Ghostly International/SMM)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at GroupieTunes
More On This Album

Mobius Band
"The Loving Sounds of Static" (mp3)
from "The Loving Sounds of Static"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at Rhapsody
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More On This Album

Christopher Willits
"Yellow Spring" (mp3)
from "Surf Boundaries"
(Ghostly International/SMM)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
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Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Skeletons And The Girl-Faced Boys
"Fit Black Man" (mp3)
from "Idol Tryouts Two: Ghostly International Vol. Two"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at Rhapsody
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Buy at GroupieTunes
More On This Album

Matthew Dear
"Don and Sherri" (mp3)
from "Asa Breed"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at Rhapsody
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More On This Album

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Soul, funk, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Radio, mp3

BSOTS 069 - love, hugs and hip-hop...

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:23:29 -0500

a few stats about this show: it was produced on my old pc due to the fact that my new pc was freezing up and blue screening left and right on me. the geek squad at best buy held it hostage for over two weeks. just got it back this week. nevertheless, the circumstances couldn't prevent this one from being released. speaking of which, an ampersand prevented the previous episode from reaching anyone subscribed to the itunes feed, which is most of my listening audience. many thanks to heads hanging out on twitter that helped me get to the bottom of what was wrong.

after wrestling with a title for this episode, ultimately i went with the title of the first song. it's such an anthem and the epitome of the excellence that this show strives for. as for the intro cut, it's the king of novelty back at it again, monsieur dickie goodman. i owe him at least part of my love for audio collages. his "economy crisis" piece is updated for present-day concerns regarding the rising cost of gas prices...

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

id drops courtesy of james taylor from jtq and fave. theme music co-produced by macedonia and mr. fitz aka techniken defunkus. background music is the instrumental version of "free" by umar bin hassan, produced by will roberson.

you can contact me via twitter, facebook, email, or the voice mail line at 206-339-8732.

other key info:
tools of war's myspace page
kon and amir
rock the bells tour

1. carlos nino & lil' sci are what's the science? - "love, hugs and hip-hop" {buy via itunes or rhapsody}
2. presto - "conquer mentally (feat. sadat x, o.c., and large professor)" [buylink information below]
3. haze - "horus funk" [buylink information below]
4. michael lynche - "heat or paranoia"
5. owltree - "a small rodent for breakfast makes owlie happy"
6. myself - "God is so funky / goddess so funky" [buylink information below]
7. theadora ifudu - "hello there" {buy via dancetracks digital or amazon}
8. umar bin hassan - "free (feat. styles p)"
9. phashara - "young world" {buy via beatmonstas entertainment}
10. core rhythm - "glide" {buy via cdbaby}
11. ms. one and declaime - "shine on" [buylink information below]

promonet links:

Dickie Goodman
"Economy Crisis" (mp3)
from "Economy Crisis by Dickie Goodman (The EP)"
(Goodman Brothers)

More On This Album

Presto feat. Sadat X, O.C., & Large Professor
"Conquer Mentally" (mp3)
from "State of the Art"
(Concrete Grooves)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Haze
"Horus Funk" (mp3)
from "Electro Cairo"
(Hybrid Records)

Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Myself
"God Is So Funky/ Goddess So Funky" (mp3)
from "Protest In Disguise"
(Couture Music Wear, INC.)

Buy at CD Baby
More On This Album

Georgia Anne Muldrow, Declaime, Black Milk
"Shine On" (mp3)
from "Shine On"
(Mello Music Group)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Soul, funk, Hip-Hop/a>, Electronic, Radio, mp3

digital press in the upper west: first-hand observations...

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:00:01 -0500

there was a strange in-out, in-out from my headphones that made me think something was wrong with my mp3 player. turns out it was the headphones themselves. that just figured. i was already a little uptight about attending a digital press conference sans laptop and no portable recording device, but diapers and milk come first, you heard? children ain't cheap. so i hopped the metro-north train in harrison and made my way down to grand central terminal. serious love goes out to mom and pop hyatt for allowing us crazy kids into their upper west side home (across from theodore roosevelt park and next to central park west, no less).

once the elevator opens, you go right into their apartment and the scene is already buzzing with artists, podcasters, videographers, and hostesses running here and there. i step to the bar area and get a brooklyn beer to loosen myself up. i don't know why, but i can never travel to the upper west or east side without wondering where's the invisible border that separates the well-to-do areas from the tenements. how the hell does stuff suddenly change within a city block and who's responsible for drawing that class line? someone once suggested that the line is where central park ends going north, and i'm inclined to agree.

before i can put more unnecessary thought into this, a young friendly face catches my eye and introduces himself. it's mark williams, one of many musicians in attendance. his mini-bio is impressive, and our conversation centers around rock bands with jazz influences. i speak on the heaviness of helmet, he dotes on the brilliance of living colour. i agree wholeheartedly and find myself pleased whenever the younger heads discover bands that came before them. it just so happens that his vocal coach used to work with corey glover. shortly afterwards, i spotted a familiar face from podcamp nyc 2.0. it's tara, producer of the queens artists podcast. this was the ice-breaking conversation that i needed. we started building on various podcasting strategies including music sources, ways to attract more listeners and how to get reliable stats on the listeners that you do have.

the craziest was meeting ming, who i know as one-half of ming & fs, an amazing dj/producer duo. he's been keeping himself busy producing other artists, including michael lynche, who was also in attendance. i thought it was pretty wild that the two of them would cross paths, and i was able to get both perspectives after talking with michael later on (that will be covered in a separate blog entry).

big shouts to wendy st. kitts. we chatted and laughed about being older heads forced to jump into new media and the dangers of social media overload. the takeaway point for us both was finding your niche and milking it for all its worth. work with the tools you're comfortable with and freak that technique to your advantage. all the best, sister. last but not least, much respect to lena, an extremely pleasant person that i'm glad i got to finally meet.

cyber pr just put a bunch of photos up from the conference on their flickr page, so make sure you check that out. in addition, main hostess ariel hyatt just released a quick wrap-up of the event via utterz. judging from the success of this latest conference, it'll be interesting to see what jumps off at cmj 2008...

BSOTS 068 - blends session: i wanted to be that dj...

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:40:01 -0500

what can i say? i couldn't let another show go by without being in the mix. been dying to do another uptempo blends session. hopefully, this one delivers the goods in your opinion.

we start off with a cut out of glasgow from the marcia blaine school for girls (love that name). lots of bleeps and bloops riding this dark bassline threatening to tear subwoofers apart. audiofinger follows that up with a quick offering before we dive headfirst into some deep house. gam is something special, soulful house outta the boogie down bronx - respect. "being touched" is courtesy of his grand and masterful imprint. jersey city's own dennis ferrer follows that up with his anthem from last year, "church lady." i can't even count the number of different mixes there are of this song available through ioda promonet, but rocco's late night mix is the one i'm feelin' the most. ananda project keeps us within this smooth vein with "stay as you are," the rurals providing remix duty. jay-j & miguel migs wrap up the house portion with a bouncy joint called "rock the spot."

it's back to the techno after that, and nico diorio's "original eyes" kicks so much ass it's ridiculous. when that fades out, greenbaum & leon fade in with the aptly titled "cartoon life." it's quirky, fun techno tailor made for the dancefloor and possibly one of the best netlabel cuts i've heard in quite some time (don't sleep on creative commons joints, y'all). i was able to represent for some hip-hop as well, and panacea makes for a great addition with "starlite." edmonton's own cadence weapon is responsible for one of my favorite tracks in the mix, "in search of the youth crew." there's nowhere else to go but up from here, and groove armada provides the song to beat with "get down." seriously, how can you be a wallflower when this joint is on?

the mix wraps up with an updated club classic. the original of armand van helden's "witch doktor" is legendary, but i think the bsod remix is rather tasty, in my opinion. it brings the song from its tribal past into a dark tech future and i think it's tastefully done. the closer is the bomb joint: underground resistance turns in a killer track and its message is timeless and absolutely necessary for these uncertain times. here's hoping it hits you where it needs to and that this blends session is to your liking. enjoy, my people. make your transition...

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

like this episode? check out BSOTS episodes 047 and 062 for more blends sessions...

opening promo produced and performed by jonny sonic. station IDs provided by darrenkeith, ej flavors, and hired gun. background music is the instrumental version of "hot on both sides" by mr. fitz aka techniken defunkus.

you can contact me via twitter, facebook, email, or the voice mail line at 206-339-8732.

other key info:
tools of war's myspace page
central park summerstage
groove armada's video on youtube

1. the marcia blaine school for girls - "the ratio" {buy via pmn}
2. audiofinger - "learning to fly from the 2nd floor window"
3. gam - "being touched" [buylink information below]
4. dennis ferrer feat. danil wright - "church lady (rocco's late night mix)" [buylink information below]
5. ananda project - "stay as you are (rurals remix)" [buylink information below]
6. jay-j & miguel migs - "rock the spot" [buylink information below]
7. nico diorio - "only eyes (original mix)" [buylink information below]
8. greenbaum & leon - "cartoon life"
9. panacea - "starlite" [buylink information below]
10. cadence weapon - "in search of the youth crew" {buy via amazon}
11. groove armada - "get down" {buy via amazon}
12. armand van helden - "witch doktor (bsod remix)" {buy via emusic}
13. underground resistance - "transitions" [buylink information below]

promonet links:

Gam
"Being Touched" (mp3)
from "Being Touched EP"
(Grand And Masterful Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Dennis Ferrer feat. Danil Wright
"Church Lady" (mp3)
from "King Street Sounds & Nite Grooves presents Best of 2007"
(King Street Sounds)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Ananda Project
"Stay As You Are" (mp3)
from "Night Blossom (Disc 2 Unmixed)"
(Nite Grooves)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Jay-J & Miguel Migs
"Rock The Spot" (mp3)
from "Jay-J & Friends Vol. 3"
(Shifted Music)

Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Nico Diorio
"Only Eyes" (mp3)
from "Only Eyes"
(DLA Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Panacea
"Starlite" (mp3)
from "Ink Is My Drink"
(Rawkus Records LLC)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Galaxy 2 Galaxy
"Transition" (mp3)
from "Galaxy 2 Galaxy: A High Tech Jazz Compilation"
(Submerge Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Techno, house, Hip-Hop/a>, Electronic, Radio, mp3

sing along / 7 songs meme

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:49:49 -0500

can't say i usually do this, but i was tagged by ejflavors regarding a meme that came his way, so i figured i'd follow suit:

“List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.”

1. james reese & the progressions - "let's go (it's summertime)"
from the carolina funk compilation. it's the first song i thought of, and it really has become the defining instrumental for me relating to hot fun in the summertime. the percussion and organ lay down the foundation, but it's the horns that really carry the song. just some let your hair down type stuff. it's what you play on your way to the bbq or your alternate summertime jump-off... {amazon}

2. n*e*r*d - "everybody nose"
i liked the song from the moment i heard it on gilles peterson's show a few months back. i was at work and my ass couldn't stop switching back and forth in the chair. it was straight up involuntary. the bassline and sax squeal are just ridiculous. all together, everybody: "all the girls standing in the line for the bathroom..." {amazon}

3. james pants - "ka$h"
unquestionable funkiness from spokane, wa. this guy's kind of the man of the hour right now and the talk of the stones throw roster, and with good reason. this is the song you point to in order to justify the buzz behind him. it's a combination of a number of things: the waterdrop sound accenting the repeated chords, the joyous tambourine shaking around ecstatically, the soulful vocals singing lines like "how the hell else am i gon' get weeded?" it's neptunes for people who don't like the neptunes. imho, two minutes plus of warmth-infused perfection. and james is just getting started... {stones throw}

4. flying lotus - "robertaflack (feat. dolly)"
static-filled like the vinyl of yesteryear, but futuristic in harmonics and production, stephen ellison has made THE album to beat with los angeles, a brilliant fusion of hip-hop and experimental electronics. nephew to the late, great alice coltrane, best believe he has done auntie proud. "robertaflack" has been that never-ending head nodder in my mp3 player, the constant rewind joint co-signing every introspective moment i've had during the spring and continuing into the summer. as the beat cradles you in its arms, singer dolly poses a few questions: "are we allowed to make brand new beginnings? do we need to know where the journey starts?" and even though i know the answers won't come soon enough for me, the pastpresentfuture sounds of flying lotus continue to ease my mind and shape my summer. {amazon}

5. cadence weapon - "in search of the youth crew"
he's an mc outta edmonton, and this cut reminds me of how much i miss going out dancing, especially the outdoor parties during the day in and around new york city. if you can hear in your head someone spitting rhymes over the filtered house of daft punk or cassius, then you're more than halfway there. "the youth crew's BACK!!!" {amazon}

6. soul messengers - "our lord and savior"
from the recently released soul messages from dimona compilation on the numero group label. picture a group of brothers and sisters from detroit and chicago making the trek to dimona, israel and immersing themselves in black hebrew culture, then singing praises through a soul/funk/jazz/psychedelic musical construct. if the picture's hazy in your mind, sampling this cut will make it plain. uptempo, fierce, and sho' nuff funky, borrowing the vocal melody from "na na hey hey hey (kiss him goodbye)," this is unbridled disco dancing its way out of the sanctuary onto a grassy hillside, giving itself all the room in the world to get on the good foot in the name of the Lord. if i were still spinning live, i'd use any excuse to drop this cut in every dj set. i live to dance on top of bassbin speakers to stuff like this. quoth his honor james brown: GOOD GOD! {numero group}

7. jackson conti - "papaya"
from the sujinho record, a collaboration between otis jackson jr. a.k.a. madlib and drummer ivan "mamão" conti of azymuth. this is a proper latin jazz record that dropped just in time for summer road trips and days at the beach. "papaya" is ten minutes of breezy sunshine, walking on sand that doesn't burn your feet while drinking your favorite chilled beverage. fyi: this album proves once and for all that madlib is so much more than a beatmaker, but a producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire... {turntable lab}

tagged:
chyll will
dj drilla
core rhythm
christina
bazooka joe
hired gun
jeff hinz

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:41:36 -0500

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing
[BBE]
Release Date: February 11, 2008

Just when you think that the crate diggers of the universe have uncovered every lost gem on earth, up pops another compilation giving you more reasons to get your fingers dusty. Respect must be given to Mr. Thing, DJ/producer and rare breaks enthusiast. This is an ocean floor deep collection brimming with soul, funk, and jazz pearls from beginning to end. Most of what's here will be unfamiliar to most listeners, even the covers of popular tunes. Standouts include The Discoettes putting their humble spin on a Pointer Sisters classic ("Yes We Can Can") and Lloyd Charmers adding a lovers rock lean to Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More." The self-titled cut from Soulful Illusion boasts harmonies reminiscent of The Temptations or The Miracles over a tough tempo and brass section. Mr. Thing reaches into another crate and pulls out Original Tropicana Steel Band's "Calypso Rock," a funky instrumental with sweet steel drum solos. You probably don't want to know what price some of these titles would fetch online, so consider this compilation a steal. God bless Mr. Thing for sharing his knowledge of rarities with the masses. -JRS

THA 4ORCE - Mind The Gap Anthems Version 2

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:23:10 -0500

THA 4ORCE
Mind The Gap Anthems Version 2
[BBE Records]
Release Date: February 25, 2008

Remember the DJ from Da Ali G Show? Antics with Sacha Baron Cohen aside, Steve Ellington a.k.a. Tha 4orce is the real deal, boasting a remix and production resume that others would kill to have. Working with everyone from LL Cool J and Oleta Adams to Busta Rhymes and Amy Winehouse, his latest album on BBE exposes his prowess as an MC and producer. While Ellington's skills behind the boards are superior to his lyrical abilities, he still gets an honorable mention for effort. His best moments are when he's in DJ mode, as featured on "The Musician." Rap snippets are cut, scratched, and arranged to interact with the dazzling piano of Tim Baxter. "Drums Vs. Drums" is even more impressive as Tha 4orce goes head to head with drummer Dom Bannister, matching breaks from the crates with a live session on the skins. For verbal fury, check for guest appearances from Poynt Blak on "Magnificent" and Phoebe on "Stay Strong & Feel Me." Ellington's production is six-figure income solid and will have you hunching your shoulders for days on end. -JRS

so how's the album selling?

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:05:13 -0500

yet another reason to support the indie musician. gotta feel for 'em after watching this one...

social networking wars

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:00:54 -0500

considering that i recently got down with facebook and friendfeed, this is actually pretty amusing. the things that fight for your attention within the world of social media can feel like this sometimes...