Aurgasm

My good man Tom Korkidis (of Eksi Ekso) asked last week me to join him playing some music at a local pub, River Gods, in Cambridge. The night had a great vibe, a full house and plenty of worldly tunes. I wanted to offer my sets to you guys as well.

Aurgasm – Fukstronaut Mix (part 1) (47min):

1. Marlena Shaw – California Soul (Diplo/Mad Decent Remix)  Verve Remixed 4 (2008)
2. Kultiration – Ur Jord Om Gaia (2004)
3. Nitin Sawney – Shadowland (feat. Ojos de Brujo) Shadowland (2008)
4. David Holmes – Rodney Yates Let’s Get Killed 1997
5. Cinematic Orchestra – Flite Everyday (2002)
6. Da Cruz – Sarah Nova Estação (2007)
7. Lightning Head – NPG Afrobeat EP (2007)
8. TM Juke – Electric Chair (instrumental feat. Elmore Judd) Electric Chair EP (2008)
9. Hint – Snake Patrol At the Dance EP (2007)
10. Astrud Gilberto – Bim Bom (Psapp Remix) Verve Remixed 4 (2008)

Aurgasm – Fukstronaut Mix (part 2) (55min):

1. The Pharcyde – Runnin’ (Philippians RMX Instrumental) Rmxxology (2008)
2. Natural Self – Faultlines (Aurgasm edit) The Art Of Vibration (2008)
3. Lettuce – Blast Off Rage! (2008)
4. Manu Dibango – Soul Makossa Soul Makossa (1972)
5. Radiohead – 15 Stepz (Amplive Remix feat. Codany Holiday – Aurgasm quick edit) Rainydayz Remixes (2008)
6. Bonobo – The Fever Days to Come (2006)
7. Parov Stelar – Kiss Kiss Daylight (2008)
8. Biosis Now – Indepdent Bahamas Calypsoul 70 (2008)
9. Mr. Scruff – Stockport Carnival Ninja Tuna (2008)
10. Dubben – Karameller Kollectoren Dub (2007)
11. Mr. Scruff – Hairy Bumpercress Ninja Tuna (2008)

electro-jazz // electronica

Viennese chanteuse and songwriter Madita musical debut came as she lent her soulful vocals to dZihan and Kamien’s critically acclaimed album Gran Riserva back in 2002. Produced and co-written by Vlado dZihan, Madita’s second album Too (2008) offers richly textured electro-jazz. Madita’s standout track “Because” delivers a mixture of eccentric piano-tingled beats, spectacular vocals and the glitter glamour of Goldfrapp, while the seductive quality and retro lounge vibe of “Deep Down” brings to mind the playful elegance of Bitter:Sweet.

Disarming charm.
Madita – Because
Madita – Deep Down
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acoustic // dreamtempo

Ethereal beauty preciously sewn from misty morning drops of dew; each wee sound held secret inside. New life, new day – blessed spell of flowers’ bloom; so hush their reverent chanting. Friendly trees begin to whisper in serene approach of Sun’s affection. Soft wings flutter above why and through clouds of gathered wisdom – adoring gazes abound. The bumble of bees a mere murmur as nestled hearts awake to unfettered confessions in Earth’s exhale.

Keys to a secret garden.
RF and Lili De La Mora – Fences
RF and Lili De La Mora – Eleven Continents
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folk // jazz // singer-songwriter

Exposed to music at an early age, a graduate of prestigious Berklee School of Music, London-born and Rome-based Sylvie Lewis displays a sweet, clear voice and remarkably literate songwriting skills. Musically, Sylvie’s charming style varies from simple folk melodies to the subtle and sophisticated arrangements. Vocally, it ranges from the light-hearted to the moody crooning. “Starsong… What Became Of Us”, an opening track from her latest album Translations (2007), captures the ears for its appealing, catchy vocal lines and Sylvie’s clever, warm phrasing.

Tasteful singing, reflective songwriting.
Sylvie Lewis – Starsong… What Became Of Us
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indie pop // aural academia

It should be noted that the indie pop trio did not name themselves after the Ivy League university, but after a street in their hometown of Santa Monica. Their E.P. however, did not escape academic citation. Named after London’s Bloomsbury Group; each song was inspired and based on the lives of one of its members (Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, Leonard Woolf and Lytton Strachey, respectively). Despite heavy literary references, their songs remain light and completely listenable. Surpisingly unpretentious, the album bursts with sweet and slightly tender melodies. Princeton remains intellectual without being alienating, substantive and a touch fey.

Quirky and fresh.
Princeton – The Waves
Princeton – Leonard Woolf
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lounge // exotic // downtempo // trip-hop

Some downtempo elicits a strong atmosphere: you’re with friends around a beachfire at 5am, you’re on a roofdeck swaying with the sunset, you’re lips-distance intimate. The stellar downtempo from the Finnish duo of Roberto Rodriguez and Jukka Kaartinen feels appropriate for all of these; it doesn’t serve a single setting. Wide arrangements full of mallet percussion, rich string bass, rhodes piano, balanced against a classy smattering of synths. These songs’ seductive quality completely snuck up on me.

A cinematic balance of strength and beauty.
Track N Field – Marathon
Track N Field – Nobody Waits

Attention my readers in Japan: My lady and I will be coming your way on October 3^rd and I’d love to get your tips on what to do, visit, grab a drink, do karaoke, whatever! Holler at me with a comment here and I’ll follow up with you. :)
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swing jazz // retro vocal jazz

Canadian songstress Lily Frost pays earnest homage to the heyday of the swing era. Recorded live in mono and accompanied by the Swinging Dukes, an upbeat swing band, Lily Frost’s album Lily Swings (2008) brings new interpretations of lesser-known Billy Holiday songs. Lily’s melodic, sweet voice and the arrangements of banjo, breathy tenor sax, low sweet clarinet and trumpets evoke the comfortable and stylish atmosphere of a jazz den.

From nostalgic jazz ballads to the playful swing tunes.
Lily Frost – Lover Come Back To Me
Lily Frost – Willow Weep For Me
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classical // experimental

Let me go where you take me – childhood’s hour of bewildering delight. Pause only for concerns lasting moments already forgotten; where radiant lights and sounds shimmer haphazard perfections into play. Harmonious adventures subsisted by slight twitter, and glitter, of prepared flitter upon piano strings; riding waves in a carousel’s jubilee. Volker Bertelmann‘s forthcoming Ferndorf (Distant Village) unlocks uncharted passages. Ivory may tiptoe along veiled paths, as violins portray swaying leaves, and barely visible electronic trees branch recognition. His memories unravel beside nourishing cellos in a summer’s gala dream.

Recalling youth with esoteric, aural morsels.
Hauschka – Heimat
Hauschka – Alma
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singer-songwriter // folk // americana

One By One, the debut album from L.A. native Robert Francis is deceptively simple and sparse — unexpected considering his contributions to the record were not limited to guitar and vocals, but also included percussion, piano, banjo, glockenspiel and bass. Despite this multi-instrumentation, the album never overwhelms, but provides space for his often heartbreaking lyrics to breathe. Through his gravelly voice and artful songwriting, Francis presents us with songs of loss, heartache and nostalgia with an authenticity that is startling for his young age.

An aching, leisurely trip on rural back roads.
Robert Francis – Little Girl
Robert Francis – Alice
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electroacoustic // pop

Each summer brings a variety of bright, sunny and catchy songs. The sweet vocals, gentle humour and the sing-along lines of Lenka’s debut single “The Show” (2008) caress the ear and perfectly define those warm, flirtatious and easy-breezy summer days. With her solo debut the Australian-born artist delivers a fine blend of quirky pop, dreamy-indie qualities and electroacoustic sweetness.

Such a sweet treat.
Lenka – The Show
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