cinematic // psychill Ancient & modern, acoustic & electronic, sacred & sensual, ethereal & worldly… Joshua Penman’s Akara project collapses dualities and guides the listener into a state of aural samadhi with a sonic ceremony called Extradimensional Ethnography. Composing a team of classical musicians, and sweetened by Femke Weidema’s heavenly chanting, this transcendent album is an absolute must-have for fans of globally-flavored grooves with a psychedelic touch. (review by Travis Nobles) Mystical dancefloor symphonies. Akara – The Far Shore Akara – Gelfling + Purchase/Visit

dance-funk // latin funk Los Amigos Invisibles, possibly Venezuela’s greatest musical export, has been active for more than a decade. The band’s latest release, Not So Commercial (2011) offers remastered b-sides and alternate versions from previous recording sessions, following the successful, critically acclaimed and Grammy winning record Commercial (2009). This quick 25 minutes EP, however, offers some tasty “leftovers” for your next party. From funky-disco to reggae stylings and smooth acid groove, this EP will please your ears and move your feet. Explosive, danceable grooves in the tropical heat. Los Amigos Invisibles – G-String + Purchase/Visit

modern son // guaracha Musician and composer Pedro Luis Ferrer has been an active Cuban musician since 1965. In his native Cuba he is famous as a musical innovator as well as a sharp social critic and a master of the guaracha musical style. He combines the influences of dynamic Cuban sounds, including Cuban son, guaracha-style songs with his own lyrical poetry. Ferrer’s latest record Tangible (2011) sparkles with bursts of horns, Latin percussion, earthy guitar and and the tres, inviting your feet to move.

Vibrant spirit. Pedro Luis Ferrer – Tangible Pedro Luis Ferrer – Zarandeando (stream only) + Purchase/Visit

urban eclectic // hip-hop There’s a surprising gap between MTV mainstream hip-hop and the uber-coolness of what’s actually happening to the music nowadays. Unknown to the mainstream audiences, French-born Chilean MC Ana Tijoux may very well be that elusive next best thing in hip-hop music. Ana’s album 1977 pays tribute to the old-school hip-hop, mixing organic vinyl scratches, urban grooves, jazzy horn samples and Latin sounds. Ana’s voice is velvety and smoky, some times whispery, yet always seamlessly flowing with the the beats. One song standing out is the largely autobiographical title track “1977″ with its strong melody, Mexican trumpets, dynamic rhythms and truly excellent production. Spicy urban beats. Ana Tijoux - 1977 Ana Tijoux - Sube + Purchase/Visit

Beats // Latin // Soul Jonathan Radford a.k.a. Diesler creates vibes that make you want to move. The sounds are warm and full of rhythm, hence the title of his previous album The Rhythm Station (on Freestyle Records). The warmness of Diesler’s sound is reflected by a clear influence of latin music, with some beats and twists added for good measure, all keeping a positive and fresh style, to which another album title is testament: Keepie Uppies (on Tru Throughts). Diesler gets much praise from his colleague musicians and has been featured on many compilations. He is a prolific remixer and has worked with a range of vocalists, from rappers to soul sisters. He is also one of the masterminds behind retro-funk outfit Laura Vane & the Vipertones. There is certainly a lot of music out there by this producer, but let us first point our attention to this summer’s Tie Breakers, released on Social Beats / Unique Records. Check it out for yourself with album track “Deepest Cuba” and the reggae remix dub of “Samba Magic”, reworked by Grant Phabao. In addition to the tracks included in this post, you can listen to the full album preview in the embedded soundcloud player below. Diesler - “Tie Breakers” LP (2010) by diesler Positive vibes for your mind. Diesler - Deepest Cuba Diesler vs Grant Phabao - Reggae Magic (dub) + Purchase/Visit

latin // downtempo// dub You are most likely not familiar with name, but you might recognize Natalia Clavier’s vocals from the Aurgasm featured Federico Aubele’s album Panamericana (2007). Argentinian songstress, Natalia is the first and only female artist of Washington DC based legendary Thievery Corporation’s label Eighteenth Street Lounge Music. For those of you who enjoy the repertoire of ESL Music, Natalia’s album Nectar (2008) is a real treat. Nectar offers a journey from Buenos Aires tango-tingled melodies to the sublime Barcelona late night vibes, all wrapped in top quality production.

Smooth downtempo with a distinct Latin flavour. Natalia Clavier - Ay De Mi Natalia Clavier - La Mitad + Purchase/Visit

brazilian fusion // urban Brazilian songstresses are a significant part of the abundance of Brazilian produce you have been hearing over the last few years. Critically acclaimed CéU and Cibelle as well as lesser known to a wider audience Aurgasm-loved honey-voiced Aline de Lima or Ana Martins already found their audience in both the US and Europe. Now it’s the turn of São Paolo based Luísa Maita. Fusing tropical rhythms and more urban grooves, her debut Lero-Lero (2010) is a mixture of relaxing bossa, capoeira rhythms, funky beats and soulful vocals. Let the mellow vibes caress your ears for the rest of the day. Soothing and danceable, unmistakably Brazilian vibe. Luísa Maita - Lero-Lero Luísa Maita - Fulaninha + Purchase/Visit

afrobeat // tropical funk Summer is the time for everything to slow down. While many of you are enjoying the warmth and summer festivals, cold beverages and roof parties, Saravah Soul will provide you with that kind of perfect Afro-meets-Brazilian vibe for the ultimate summer soundtrack. In their recently released album Cultura Impura (2010), Saravah Soul blends together West African melodies, 60’s funk and Brazilian rhythms. Their richly intense compositions are build around horn arrangements, vibrant bass, Pifano (bamboo flutes) and Berimbau, interweaving with hypnotic choruses. From Afrobeat to carnival in Rio. Saravah Soul - Alforria

soul // blues // french acoustic The story of Okou begins in a Parisian bar. Tatiana Heintz, originally from the Ivory Coast, and Gilbert Trefzger, a Swiss guitarist with Egyptian roots, are truly world artists. Their debut album Serpentine (2010) blends sounds from around the globe. Serpentine captures the spirit of soul, blues and roots music, evoking the best American folk traditions and New Orleans’ sound with a delicate European touch. The acoustic guitars and banjo arrangements with the somewhat old-fashioned groove make “To The Bone” a perfect road trip soundtrack. Seductively mellow, French sung “A L’aurore” is a real West Africa meets New Orleans musical gem. The outstanding song carries rich instrumentation that includes strings, banjo and tuba. Soulful southern yet cosmopolitan vibe. Okou - To The Bone Okou - A L’aurore

brazilian fusion // urban // bossa At Aurgasm we love warm Brazilian saudade quality in our music (and our drink). Seeing Brazilian CéU live in Seattle a couple of weeks ago only came as reaffirmation. CéU, along Bossa princess Bebel Gilberto and the funkier Cibelle, is a fine contemporary Brazilian artist. We featured CéU back in 2007 with her stunning take on Fela Kuti — Africa meets South America. Since then, the Brazilian songstress released a few EP’s, was featured in Starbucks’ Hear Music Debut series and was nominated to both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards. Her 2009 album Vagarosa is a beauty fusing everything from funky, cool rhythms to the slow and easy-going percussive grooves. So felt we need to tell you again about her, in case you missed last time. Breezy vocals, soulful summery rhythms. CéU - Bubuia CéU - Cangote (stream from Live Session iTunes Exclusive EP)

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surf // indie eclectic During my year spent in Tel Aviv I’ve learnt about many indie artists and been to a countless number of local gigs. Many of these discoveries I have already shared with you, avid readers, yet there is one act both Paul and I have been wanting to introduce to a winder audience of music lovers. Tel Aviv-based Boom Pam sounds unmistakably Mediterranean. There are Greek influences (think energetic Greek wedding music), Oriental motifs (traditional Middle Eastern melodies) and Balkan rhythms (passionate and vibrant) in their music. You can easily say as well it’s a Tel Avivian vibe, multicultural, stylish and laid back at the same time. “Wedding song” an up-tempo track from their almost entirely instrumental self-titled record features tuba and surf guitars and gives you a good idea of what Boom Pam sounds like. Boom Pam’s interpretation of Dick Dale’s “The Wedge”, Puerto Rican Nights (2008), is a mixture of Mediterranean heat and an American western movie. Mediterranean eclecticism played with tremendous energy. Boom Pam - Wedding Song Boom Pam - The Wedge + Purchase/Visit

My good man Tom Korkidis (of Eksi Ekso) invited me back our local River Gods, in Cambridge, for a night called Jukebox Mélange. Here are the sets I played; jams from the 70s, early 00’s and 09.

Aurgasm - Jukebox Mélange mix (part 1) (51min):

The Rip Off Artist - What Kind of Blue [2004] blu tribunaL The Soul Fantastics (Ain’t No Sunshine) [2009] DJ Beto - Panama! 2 Beau Love - Pacific [2007] Untitled Urbs & Cutex - Up & Down [2002] Breaks of Dawn Digable Planets - Dog It [1994] Blowout Comb Natural Self - In The Morning (Paul White remix) [2009] Tru Thoughts - Shapes 0901 Hot Stuff Band - Juju Man [2006] Brazilian Breaks & Beats LP Eddie Bo - Hook and Sling [1969] Hook and Sling pt 1+2 Diplo - Krunk (Variation #2) [~2003] Sound and Fury {bootleg} Mark Ronson - God Put A Smile Upon Your Face [2007] Version The Whitest Boy Alive - Keep a Secret [2009] Rules Love Grenades - Tigers In The Fire [2008] VA - Accidental Rhythm (Mix One) Quantic - Transatlantic [2002] Apricot Morning Baby Mammoth - Final [2003] Octo Muck

Aurgasm - Jukebox Mélange Mix (part 2) (59min):

Quantic - Not So Blue [2002] Apricot Morning Ratatat - Mirando [2008] LP3 Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesada - Ora Como Rey, Manana Como Guey [2006] El Nino y el Sol The Dining Rooms - Fluxus (The Cinematic Orchestra World Goes Round mix) [2004] Versioni Particolari Wando - Nega De Abaluae [2001] Brazilian Beats 2 The Dining Rooms - La Citta Nuda (SoulPatrol Afrolicious Mix) [2004] Versioni Particolari Kanye West (feat. Kid Cudi, Common, Lady Gaga) - Poke Her Face [2009] LVs & Autotune 2 mixtape Robin Jones (feat Bosco de Oliveira) - Royal Marcha (Raj Gupta Vocal mix) [2001] Turntables on the Hudson Vol 3 Dewey dB - The Adventures of Albert the Giraffe [unreleased] MOVITS! - Fel Del Av Gården [2008] Äppelknyckarjazz Instituto Mexicano Del Sonido - Yo Digo Baila [2009] Soy Sauce Dabrye - Smoking the Edge [2002] One/Three Jack Penate - Tonight’s Today [2009] Everything Is New

brazilian // world Having lived and performed in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Portugal and France, Bïa is truly a world artist. Musically active for over a decade yet relatively unknown, Bïa released her solid and versatile studio work Nocturno in 2008. Largely acoustic and soothing, it’s an ideal summer album. Nocturno combines gentle Bossa and Samba beats, Portuguese Fado influences with a distinct saudade quality, and delicate touches of jazz, rock, and klezmer music. Mellow, summery blend of bossa and jazz. Bïa - Caminhar + Purchase/Visit

folk // acoustic blues // world Soul, folk, jazz and creole influences shine throughout Camphor & Copper (2008) — the first full-length of self-taught guitarist and singer-songwriter Mélissa Laveaux. On her debut album Mélissa displays impressive musical range and clever lyrics. Mélissa’s folk-blues arrangements, catchy hand claps, whispery vocals and her unique percussive finger-style guitar will be appealing to the fans of Ayo and Aurgasm featured Asa. Of special quality is Mélissa’s sharp and powerful cover of Elliott Smith’s “Needle in the Hay”. From world music rhythms to brutally honest blues. Melissa Laveaux - Needle In The Hay Melissa Laveaux - Koud’lo + Purchase/Visit

afrofunk // jazz The opening to “Too Many Prisoners (Elewon Po)” sounds like it could be taken right off an Isaac Hayes record (one extremely well-known one in particular…), which is funny because Hayes is one of the few people not commonly listed as an Allen influence (viz. Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, James Brown, Fela Kuti, etc.). After that, though, the Shaft theme is quickly dropped for something more like Pucho Brown: a breezy, carefree collection of bass, vocals, and the drumming for which Allen is most renowned. The single was released May 11 and is available on iTunes; the album (Secret Agent) comes out June 8. Bright and flavorful Tony Allen – Too Many Prisoners (Elewon Po) + Purchase/Visit

urban // equatorial
Una Mas Trio define their irresistible upbeat harmonies as boogaloo, a fusion of Cuban salsa rhythms and American soul. The project was born when a member of the Juju Orchestra teamed up with composer/producer Christian Schilgen. Together with the enigmatic poetess/singer Bajka they fused dancefloor-friendly jazz and contemporary beats. In “Clear As Water”, due to be released in March 10th, Una Mas Trio blend urban grooves, catchy up-tempo energy and world music traditions. Bajka’s tone and phrasing provides perfect vocal flavor to the track. Modern grooves mixed with world rhythms. Una Mas Trio - Clear As Water (Mo’Horizons Restyle)

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