40 Watt Gigolo

from the EP Gruff (2016)

Fouk consists of two master producers of dance music: Hans Peeman and Daniel Leseman.  Unlike other "meetings of the producers" - that I often find disjointed and viscous - their collaboration is seamless and fluid.  Their new EP includes a song called Freebooter that I have been regularly digging lately.

This song takes me to a happy place.  No worries, just groovy people dancing.  Can't wait to lay it on my funky friends.

Click Hereto listen to Freebooter.

from the album Move In (2016)

Lately, I find myself seeking out instrumental music.  Odd thing for a lyric and fine vocal lover, but sure enough, that's the deal.

The reason is that I am spending a lot of time in my head these days.  Thinking.  Deciphering.  Strategizing.  The battle between good and evil is raged in one's head, and the road to righteous victory cannot afford the noise of words.

It is all about the groove.  Think to the groove.  Find your path and march to the groove.  For it is the power of the groove that permits justice to wield its fearsome axe.

Dub Yuh Feet has administered a rightful groove this week.  It's bass line delivering kinetic ebullience over savory reggae beats, synths, and horns.

Summon the Nyabinghi Drummers, Kumina Dancers, and Rasta Priests.  Glory and triumph await.

Click Here to listen to Dub Yuh Feet by Runkus.

from the album Tales Of Mozambique (reissued 2016)

Jamming takes on different dimensions depending on the calibre of musicians you are jamming with. At one end of the spectrum is the idea of "jamming with Miles Davis" which is something for the master musician taking their craft to higher heights.  The other end is when you are partying at a friends house and a couple of people pick up some instruments and start noodling around.

The noodling almost always attracts a crowd, and on a good night you find percussion eventually being passed out to the people standing around.  As any of my funky friends will tell you, these are good times.

The key to episodes is having a mindful bass player.  Someone who knows that a bass player has two roles:  Establish The Groove and Maintain The Groove.  In these settings a bass player provides the foundation for everyone else to noodle, repeating that grove for hours.  For these low-frequency saints, joy is found in the good time of the collec…

from the album Adore Life (2016)

A couple of years ago, I caught a Savages show with one of my funky friends at a small club in ATL. As the show ended and the lights came up, we stood still - jaws dropped - until one of said "Holy shit.  They are the real deal."

In the time that followed, there is no record I have anticipated more.  And now it is here.

My favorite tune is T.I.W.Y.G.  It starts with crackling feedback that soon gives way to pulsing bass and Jehnny Beth repeating the phrase "This is what you get when you mess with love."  This post-post explosion lasts for two and a half minutes before it breaks down slow, setting up a final paroxysm.

Three minutes and nine seconds of marvel from the Ladies of London.

Click Here to listen to T.I.W.Y.G.

The Greatest Album. Ever (1976)

As this album approaches its fortieth anniversary, somebody needs to shout:  SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE IS THE GREATEST ALBUM.  EVER.

The songwriting.  The musicianship, The production.  Everythang.

Twenty-One incredible songs.  The mega-hits:  Isn't She Lovely,I Wish, Sir Duke.  The songs that earned recognition well after the initial release:  Love's In Need Of Love Today (my favorite track), Pastime Paradise (the driving hook in Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise), If It's Magic, As, Ebony Eyes.  The deeper cuts...

Their power, both individually and as a collection.  Bewitching.  Bedazzling.  Beautiful.

If you do not own it, Click Hereto take a listen.