Aurgasm

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 wider 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
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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):

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

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

1. Quantic - Not So Blue [2002] Apricot Morning
2. Ratatat - Mirando [2008] LP3
3. Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesada - Ora Como Rey, Manana Como Guey [2006] El Nino y el Sol
4. The Dining Rooms - Fluxus (The Cinematic Orchestra World Goes Round mix) [2004] Versioni Particolari
5. Wando - Nega De Abaluae [2001] Brazilian Beats 2
6. The Dining Rooms - La Citta Nuda (SoulPatrol Afrolicious Mix) [2004] Versioni Particolari
7. Kanye West (feat. Kid Cudi, Common, Lady Gaga) - Poke Her Face [2009] LVs & Autotune 2 mixtape
8. Robin Jones (feat Bosco de Oliveira) - Royal Marcha (Raj Gupta Vocal mix) [2001] Turntables on the Hudson Vol 3
9. Unknown track
10. MOVITS! - Fel Del Av Gården [2008] Äppelknyckarjazz
11. Instituto Mexicano Del Sonido - Yo Digo Baila [2009] Soy Sauce
12. Dabrye - Smoking the Edge [2002] One/Three
13. 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
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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
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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. (We also covered some of Tony’s other work way back in August 2007.)

Bright and flavorful
Tony Allen – Too Many Prisoners (Elewon Po)
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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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punk-pop // dance

Shock waves of keyboard & drum jubilee!
Matt & Kim - Daylight
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global // folk // jazz

Gaida is one of those (*yawn*) dime-a-dozen singers who also makes a living as a speech pathologist, and has a similarly dull list of cities that she’s called home: Damascus, Kuwait, Paris, Detroit, and now, New York. Barely worth mentioning, right? In the meantime, she’s received classical voice training, recorded a couple of tracks for Jonathan Demme films, and at the end of last year dropped her first full album, Levantine Indulgence, a spooky mix of traditional Arabic and Syrian sounds, plus her own, jazz-like vocals, and the occasional hip hop beat for good measure. She’s currently shopping for a distributor; until she finds one, the full album is available at her shows, or via MySpace message.

Sultry voice, spicy instrumentals.
Gaida - Almaya
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tango // bossa nova

The German-based producers and DJs of the Juju Orchestra make a mean cocktail of styles with great hooks and irresistible beats. As the trio blends live instruments and a variety of samples, “This Is Not A Tango” brings an uptempo Argentine dance interpretation evoking the smoky and passionate sound of Gotan Project. The softly funky Bossa groove of “Nâo Posso Demorar” reflects the influences of such music icons as Caetano Veloso and Stan Getz, while its easy going vibe makes it the perfect lounging tune. (Thanks, Philipp!)

Soulful tropical beats mixed with retro appeal.
The Juju Orchestra - This Is Not A Tango
The Juju Orchestra - Nâo Posso Demorar feat. Katia B (stream only)
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bossa nova // retro swing

The retro feel of Kitty Hoff’s album Blick Ins Tal (2007) recalls the elegance of classic bossa nova and vintage swing. While it might be difficult to imagine a language like German playing well with the bossa tempo, “Toc-Toc-Toc” carries graceful vocal lines and laid-back grooves in a light, rhythmic and relaxed pace. The tasteful arrangements, lovely piano and solid bass of “Psychenswing” create a unique sense of nostalgia and style.

Unexpectedly charming.
Kitty Hoff & Forêt-Noire - Toc-Toc-Toc
Kitty Hoff & Forêt-Noire - Psychenswing
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