German producer Comfort Fit’s Polyshufflez album is a blistering collection of futuristic soul, electronic hip-hop, broken beat jams and other funky, experimental sounds. In fact I’m still hooked on that album and here comes the Polyshufflez Remixes album, due out December 17! This one is a must-have as well, featuring reworks from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Boom Clap Bachelors, Atjazz, Domu, Jay Scarlett, fLako and more.

Take a listen to the Tim Turbo remix of “Seen Not Heard” feat. Note:
[See post to listen to audio]

Also, recently released is this brilliant video for Comfort Fit’s “Bit By Bit” taken from Polyshufflez. The video features stop-motion photography which goes really well with the glitchy-beat.

Preview the original Polyshufflez album:

Tokyo Dawn is definitely a label to keep tabs on – www.TokyoDawn.net

LA heads, this looks like fun. Thanks to Rani D for the heads up.

–
If it gets hard making it out to the westside to catch these cats, we are blessed to let you know they are coming to us!

YOSAKU will be joining us for our next session.
With remixes and re-edits on GAMM, BSTRD BOOTS, ARISION, BEYOND JAZZ, the future is bright for this up and coming DJ and producer out of LA.

CHAKA, an afficionado of broken beat and other uptempo goodness – he ignites dancefloors, yet is nuanced enough to take the audience on a memorable journey.

together they hold down a night at Zanzibar called TIGHTEN UP,
serving up the best in uptempo worldly grooves.

SOUL IN THE PARK

- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 -

special guest DJ sets by

YOSAKU + CHAKA of TIGHTEN UP
soulful, jazzy, latin, brasilian, house/afro/broken beats

and resident selector RANI D.

SOUL IN THE PARK // 2nd and 4th wednesday // FREE // 10pm-2am
FOOTSIE’S BAR 2640 N. FIGUEROA ST. HIGHLAND PARK, CA 90065

what it is and what is to come..

MARCH 25: GABY HERNANDEZ, ANDRES RENTERIA, CARLOS NINO!!

APRIL 8: MIGUEL ATWOOD-?FERGUSON!?!

don’t miss out..

*SOUL IN THE PARK*

This is a not-to-be-missed show. Mark de Clive-Lowe is bringing his world tour to Los Angeles courtesy of Strictly Social. Be sure to get your tickets early!

Nu-Soul Magazine & Soul Union are proud to present a very special edition of Strictly Social. On Wednesday February 18 we will be presenting international artist Mark de Clive-Lowe featuring vocalist Vanessa Freeman and special guests for a unique live experience!

This will be the official Los Angeles stop of Mark’s 2009 World Tour and the only chance you will get to see him perform live this year!

Mark de Clive-Lowe (MdCL) is a NZ-Japanese musician producer based in the UK for the last decade and at the forefront of the global beats, jazz and soul community. He’s a devastating live performer creating studio production on stage from scratch using drum machines, keyboards and effects – live remixes created on stage for each and every gig. As well as performances at clubs, festivals and parties worldwide, he’s on over 200 releases for Masters At Work Records, Verve Records, Impulse Records and collaborating with as diverse a range of artists as Jody Watley, Omar, Bugz in the Attic, Dego (4Hero), percussionist Sammy Figueroa (Miles Davis), bass player Pino Palladino (D’Angelo/John Mayer), DJ Spinna, Leon Ware, Dame Shirley Bassey and plenty more, MdCL is one of the most innovative producers and live performers you’ll find anywhere.

Read the Nu-Soul Interview with Mark de Clive-Lowe

myspace.com/markdeclivelowe
markdeclivelowe.net
mashibeats.blogspot.com

Vanessa Freeman is a singer, songwriter, exceptional improviser and natural performer who has performed and/or recorded with Roy Ayers, Brazil’s Azymuth, Bugz in the Attic, Nathan Haines, 4Hero, Mark de Clive-Lowe and many more. Influenced by soul, funk and jazz greats like Dee Dee Bridge Water, Mahalia Jackson and Curtis Mayfield, Vanessa’s voice is a wonder to behold.

myspace.com/vanesssafreeman

Strictly Social residents DJ Destroyer, Milky Wayne, and Myxzlplix will create the mood with a patented blend of future soul, hip-hop, and progressive beats.

Admission is $12
$7 until 10:30pm with RSVP to events@nu-soulmag.com

Presales available for $10 here

Strictly Social w/ Mark de Clive-Lowe feat. Vanessa Freeman Live
Wednesday February 18, 2009
Little Temple
4519 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
9pm – 2am
21+

myspace.com/lastrictlysocial
nu-soulmag.com
littletemple.com

I’m on a bit of a Replife roll at the moment, so I thought I’d give y’all a little taste of the man’s music in case you happen to still be sleeping. “Change 4 A Dolla” is taken from his album The Unclosed Mind which was recently released via Futuristica and can be copped at MobileUnderground.com.

Download “Change 4 A Dolla”.

You may also have heard Rep on tracks with The Politik. He’s also part of the Strictly Social fam, having performed at both Strictly Social: NY Edition, and October’s LA Strictly Social at Little Temple Bar – check the coverage here. Replife is a true original, blending broken beats with his hip-hop sensibilities and blazing intellect. You can hear a couple more tracks in the player below. And “Change 4 A Dolla” is kicking off our new feature – the Beatlife Featured Download.

I’ve been following this site for probably a couple of years, although updates have been sporadic. But they’re back with a new mix. See the tracklist below and grab the actual mix here – http://www.brokenbeatradio.com/shows/bbradio-042808.html

Carlos Nino & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson / FIND A WAY / cdr
Azymuth / TEMPOS ATRAZ / Polydor
The Stance Brothers / MEAN SPIRIT / Ricky-Tick Records
Two Banks Of Four / FLAGS & WORDS / Sonar Kollektiv
Jazzanova / THAT NIGHT (FEAT. BEMBE SEGUE) / Sonar Kollektiv
Shape of Broad Minds / THEY DON’T KNOW FEAT. STACY EPPS / Lex
Erykah Badu / HONEY (SPADE’S ROUGH RMX) / cdr
Altered Natives / FEEL IT POLITIKAL NATIVE RI / cdr
Opolopo & Amalia / GET IT TOGETHER / cdr
Arch_typ / LETTING GO (FEAT. AHMAD LARNES) / Bagpak
Indigo Jam Unit / SPHINX / Basis Japan
Orakel ft. Anya Stewart / EACH PASSING DAY / Suntzu Sound
Art Bleek / URBAN WATCHER / Loungin’
C.O.N.E. feat Colonel Red / TREEKNOCKA / Bagpak
IMC Soul ft. Dawn Pemberton / RUNNING BACK TO YOU / Suntzu Sound
Arch_typ / ? / wmc08 cdr
Yellowtail / 7 MONKS OF KILIMANJARO / Bagpak
Surra / SET IT OFF / cdr
Scott / LA RENTREE (AROOP ROY REMIX) / Doppelschal
Lenny Kravitz / BREATH (JOJOFLORES VS. JAZZANOVA) / cdr
Ayro / BOUNCE (DJ SPINNA RMX) / Groovia Sound Project

Eric Lau’s debut solo album New Territories is a discovery I made on Emusic. I stumbled upon it and haven’t stopped listening since. Recently released on Ubiquity Records, New Territories is an excellent progressive soul album. Lau’s hip-hop influenced beats and funky, soulful production are the mainstay of the album which features several guest vocalists, all of whom are unknown to me – Tawiah, Rahel, Sarina Leah, Meshach Brown.

Despite the variety of vocalists, the album doesn’t lose any cohesion. Lau provides the common thread, collaborating on writing credits with the various singers, and handling production. He has his own spin on progressive soul, incorporating strong melodies with spacious beats, snares that have the snap of 2-step, just the right amount of both funk and futurism, and of course always a healthy bottom-end.

Lau, of English-Chinese descent, might seem like he’s just appeared out of nowhere, but his production history includes the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Guilty Simpson, Wildchild, Tanya Morgan, Hil St Soul and others.

Standout tracks for me include “I Don’t Do It To”, “Let It Out” and “Don’t Let Them” although there is no filler in this collection at all. Simply a brilliant album that will have you captivated from start to finish.

Lau’s sound also translates well to a live setting, as demonstrated in a series of YouTube videos of a live set at London’s Deviation. Here’s the first of about eight parts, to be found at Ubiquity’s YouTube channel

Everyone’s (well, definitely mine anyway) favorite sound scientist from outer space, mr Rep Life to you, recently appeared on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide radio show for an interview. Futuristica label head Simon also drops a wee dj mix full of gems. Download the podcast with all this otherworldly goodness here.

If you are not already familiar with Rep Life, then go school yourself at:

www.myspace.com/danielgraykontarisreplife

He’s a dope MC with a penchant for futuristic broken beats and generally busting your mind wide open. Look out for his album The Unclosed Mind. He can also be found on the recent Politik project.

Finally, after 6 years, the UK’s 4Hero are back with a new album. Play With The Changes drops Feb 27th on Milan Records. We’ve heard it and with their sound still as fresh as always, it definitely won’t disappoint their diehard fans while hopefully attracting some new ears.

TRACKLISTING
1. Morning Child – feat. Carina Andersson
2. Take My Time – feat. Jack Davey
3. Look Inside – feat. FACE
4. Sink Or Swim (No Choice For Me) – feat. Lady Alma
5. Give In – feat. Darien Brockington & Phonte of Little Brother
6. Play With The Changes – feat. Talita Long & Larry Mizell
7. Something In the Way – feat. Bembe Segue & Kaidi Taitham
8. Stoke Up The Fire – feat. FACE
9. The Awakening – feat. Ursula Rucker
10. Sophia
11. Superwoman(Where Were You When I Needed You?) – feat. Terry Devos
12. Why Don’t You Talk?
13. Bed Of Roses – feat. Jody Watley
14. Gonna Give It Up (Wanna Quit) – feat. Lady Alma
15. Dedication To The Horse

For more info:
http://www.4hero.co.uk/
http://www.milanrecords.com/