Aurgasm

samba pop // equatorial funk

Mesmerizing the listeners with her vocal qualities and unique style of singing, Nina Miranda has collaborated with a variety of artists and was previously mentioned on Aurgasm for her project Shrift. Being partners in life, as well as music, inspired by the folksy, sexy and funky attitude of the 70’s, Nina and Chris Franck of Smoke City form Zeep. Borrowing some of the breezy Brazilian rhythms, mixing samba percussions and romantic bossa vibes with the gentle folk melodies, the couple records a genuinely diverse and fresh album.

Sublime with the tropical and eclectically swinging sounds.
Zeep – Sem Parar
Zeep – Keep An Eye On Love
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cape verdean // worldbeat

She was born in Cuba, grew up between Senegal, Angola, Germany and finally settled down in Cape Verde. You can feel the influence of all these locations her music; a soft and friendly accessibility met by a very developed melodic intellect. In much of her music, she sings in Cape Verdean Creole, which is a derivative of Portuguese. She’s not surprisingly up for Best Newcomer in the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards. Her song “Lua” is a warm tropical treat; while “Regasu” is a somber ballad in the style of Cuban son Cape Verdean Morna. (Thx, Andre!)

Sweet music from the African Cape’s barefoot diva.
Mayra Andrade – Lua
Mayra Andrade – Regasu
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funk // turntablism

Armed with two saxophones, trumpet, trombone, drums, bass and turntables, nine Israeli funksters leave unforgettable impression. Keeping the crowd dripping with sweat from non-stop ecstatic dancing and jumping, The Apples mix everything from adrenalized funk to exciting elements of jungle and drum’n’bass, and certain touches of traditional Jewish Klezmer. Packed with funky energy from beginning to end, the instrumental blend of soul-jazz and excellent scratch routines of their album Attention!, sounds spontaneous, adventurous and dangerously addictive.

“Consumption may cause uncontrollable body movements.”
The Apples – Attention!
The Apples – Natri Ba Makom
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raw funk // soul

I’ll admit to having a certain weakness for Hammond organs “” and if you don’t share that with me you may not think much of Lefties Soul Connection, an Amsterdam based funk/soul outfit with a gravelly, retro sensibility and, yes, a mean Hammond player. Their drums bang loud and crisp, their guitars rock and wobble, and your speakers, if you’re doing it right, will buzz something fierce. (They also have an pretty fantastic music video for their song “Fais Do Do”; check it out!)

Sunny, carefree fun.
Lefties Soul Connection – Paul Newman
Lefties Soul Connection – Sling Shot Pt. 2
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nujazz // downtempo

I promised myself I’d listen to 2005′s Toujours le meme film whenever I wanted to recall the accomplishments of the downtempo movement. The album, (over)produced by Paul Nawrata aka Urbs, is so complicated that it evokes emotions far beyond where current downtempo can reach. His aesthetic sophistication is impressive, creating a new motto that less is, actually, never more. And because his effortless groove never sounds congested, we are left with not mere beats, but life stories, spanning more than one time frame.

Vienna chanteuse, whisper me a new tune.
Urbs – So Weit
Urbs – Tu Moi Aussi?

Words contributed by Angad Raj Singh
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electronic // downtempo

Downtempo styled, subtle orchestral arrangements of Polish pianist and producer Andrzej Smolik conjure a sonic universe of smooth and dreamy modern pop gems. With delicate electronic whiffs of Zero 7, the beautifully crafted and sensual synthlines of “Cye” and “A Million Cheap Tricks” carry warm female vocals, a bouncy comforting feel and melodic appeal.

Relaxed tempo, unwinding at the end of the day.
Smolik – Cye (feat. Kasia Kurzawska)
Smolik – A Million Cheap Tricks (feat. Maya Singh)
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illbient // worldbeat

The Daf, Santur, and Bazantar are Middle East instruments you’ll hear alongside turntables and synthesizers in this Brooklyn-grown melange by a man called Professor Shehab. Having performed with Qaballah Steppers, Scarab, and The Baraka Orchestra, he’s no stranger to entrancing soundscapes. Alan Kushan, Bill Laswell, DXT, Mark Deutsch, and Mark Pistel of Meat Beat Manifesto lend their talents; cultivating elements of Turkish, Arabic, and Persian resonance into a unique illbient mood.

Tantalizing synapses.
Samsara Sound System – Shiraz
Samsara Sound System – Cycle In Progress
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electronic // experimental

Kreidler has one of those sounds that teeters on the edge of being irritatingly experimental, but is pulled back by some solid acoustic instrumentation and a good sense of beat and build. Their debut, Weekend showcases an odd mix of chirps and clicks, along with some more conventional driving bass and lightly rocky drums. Some of it’s a bit Four Tet-ish, but it’s a little meaner with its melodies than the English artist, and the overall effect is something slightly darker.

German innovation.
Kreidler – La Capital
Kreidler – Sand Colour Classic
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As far as I know, Aurgasm was the first mp3 blog to introduce an mp3 player embedded on the site. Not trying to brag, just providing a little history. But now, after a few years and much thought, we’ve switched over to a new player, the Yahoo Media Player.

This new player has a playlist, floats along the page as you move, and has a bit more functionality than the old ‘n busted play button. Click around!

This little button: will appear to the left of all mp3s on the site. Click to immediately play that track.

Yahoo will be improving the experience based on your feedback, so let’s hear it! Leave a comment why you like it, why you hate it, wish it would do ___, or anything. Thanks!

Update (2008.07.24): I’ve updated to the newest version of the player.

balkan brass remixed // gypsy dance

From the Balkans to the bumpin’ basements.
Mahala Rai Banda – Mahalageasca (Felix B Jazzhouse Dub)
DJ Zoki – Trubaci Cik Cik (Reggaeton Remix)

Music and words contributed by DJ Ghostdad who spins in Boston, hosts Mofo Radio on WZBC, and blogs.
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