Tag: Downtempo

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Attilio Zanchi – Mingus Portrait (DJ Farrapo Remixes)

Attilio Zanchi is an Italian bassist who is producing fire with this EP!  For Harry Carney (DJ Farrapo Remix)  is perfect moody downtempo dance fare with a film noir element about it. Boogie Stop Shuffle (DJ Farrapo Remix) provides truth in advertising, as the beat is funky and danceable.  The track that left me the most impressed was For Harry Carney (Digital Pro Mix), remixed into a smoky tunes. Jazzy, funky, downtempo… This hits all the markers for me of a great EP.  Kudos to Right Tempo for publishing yet another killer release.

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Various Artists – Alex from Tokyo presents Japan Vibrations Vol.1

From the World Famous Records Bandcamp Site:

“Dive into the exhilarating era of Japan’s electronic dance music scene from the mid ’80s to the mid ’90s with Japan Vibrations Vol. 1. The hand-picked collection by DJ and musical storyteller Alex from Tokyopays homage to the trailblazers and innovators who shaped the landscape.

[…]

Experience the vibrations of pioneers Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yasuaki Shimizu. Of culture-shaping forces Hiroshi Fujiwara, Kan Takagi, Susumu Yokota, Silent Poets, Mondo Grosso and Kyoto Jazz Massive. And of new-generation artists CMJK (C.T. Scan), Mind Design, Okihide, and Hiroshi Watanabe. The evolution of a scene, a moment, presented with the progression of a DJ set.

[…]

Japan Vibrations Vol. 1 will transport listeners in time to energetic nights at Japan’s legendary club venues and delight with a spirited journey of musical discovery and reflection.“

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Earthtones & Etsegenet Mekonnen – Selam

This is a rather glorious single pairing American DJ Earthtones with Ethiopian singer Etsegenet Mekonnen.  From the release’s Bandcamp site:

“Selam is a vision of peace. This collaboration between producer/DJ Earthtones and Ethiopian musician/vocalist Etsegenet Mekonnen features haunting vocals sung in Amharic.

Analog & semi-modular synths combine with 909 drums and afrobeats percussion by Earthtones, to weave grooves for Etsegenet’s depth in songwriting, voice and soul. The main version has a dancehall bassline that calls one to movement, while the dub versions evoke mystery amidst long modulated leads + filtered pads.”

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Krivitsky – Sovexport Funk

Krivitsky is/are a project out of Israel that meld funk together with a fusion vibe stamped with a quasi-Soviet aesthetic.

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Various Artists – Gl​ü​cklich VI – Compiled by Rainer Tr​ü​by

From his days as a member of the seminal A Forest Mighty Black to collaborations with the who’s who of downtempo music (think Kruder & Dorfmeister, Jazzanova and so many others, Rainer Tr​ü​by has been of Trip-Hop’s finest tastemakers.  We can celebrate today that after 20 years, there is a new installment, courtesy of the legends at Compost Records, of the Gl​ü​cklich series.  This one features a lot of latin-tinged marvels that will make you want to explore both Rainer’s back catalogue and Compost Records‘ release schedule much more deeply.

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Sinners Club and Groove Paradise – CHROMESOUL

I have to admit ignorance to what is known as barber beats, a sub-genre of Vaporwave, but if Sinners Club and Groove Paradise out of Spain are an example of what can be done with the genre, I quite like it.  The beats are infinitely more sophisticated than what you hear on most vaporwave releases (why most of these are given away for free), and the bass-heavy sound and relaxed groove makes for a chilled-out listening experience.

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Alister Fawnwoda – Night Bunny (feat. Suzanne Ciani) – [Carla Azar Reconstruction]

I’m new to the music of Alister Fawnwoda, but not to Suzanne Ciani, whose work is immeasurably important.  The thought of hearing these two collaborate was pretty intriguing, and the wait to hear this track was indeed rewarding.

The track clocks in at just under 5 minutes, and is a gently sloping listen.  Adding to this particular recording is that it is reworked by Carla Azar of Autolux and Jack White’s backing band fame.

After going through other tracks of Alister’s work, I have to say he’s earned a new fan.  His blending of ambient music, Americana and even a touch of house really makes for appealing listening.

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Groove Paradise – 欲望

I have to say that I know next to nothing about vaporwave and the history of the scene.  Most of what I’ve heard is, to put it mildly, awful.  However, Groove Paradise, a Spanish artist, left me with a more positive view of the genre.  The music sounds like something you would hear on 1980’s mainstream radio, with AOR, funk and soul influences, only underwater.  I was a teenager during the 80’s, so hearing the music left me with a very pleasant sense of nostalgia.  If this is truly representative of vaporwave, then then album is done well.

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Akshin Alizadeh – Reasons

We have here a slab of R&B and modern soul courtesy of Akshin Alizadeh, the wunderkind originally from Azerbaijan who records for Cold Busted Records out of Oregon.  It’s strangely radio-friendly, but the funk is pleasant on this single

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MOREGO – Fascination

Despite being in a very tough neighborhood, Iran’s new music scene is as healthy as ever, and thanks to Bandcamp, Soundcloud and social media in general, the wider world is finding out about what kind of talent is residing in the country.  Take our friend MOREGO, who produce an IDM-inflected psybient music.  There are gentle beats, floating interludes, and the album maintains a cinematic atmosphere throughout.  Great to chill out to.