Tony Allen

August 14th, 2007 by Kyle

afro-beat // hip-hop

Funky good times and flavorlicious rhymes from the Afro-beat legend Tony Allen. Hooking up with artists like Damon Albarn, Ty, and Unsung Heroes, Home Cooking delivers a diverse course of intellect, style, and hip-happenin’ vibes to keep any party alive. Whether you’re looking to dance or sit back and feel the groove, it’s all in there.

Delicious flavors for your mind and booty.
Tony Allen – Every Season ft Damon Albarn & Ty
Tony Allen – Crazy Afrobeat
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Reflex Reaction: Halloween

October 27th, 2005 by Paul Irish
I want your reaction, here. Leave a comment and for any/all of the songs, write your reaction to the song – keep it brief! (5-15 words, extra points if you hit exactly 10) After a few days, I’m going to publish the most evocative/impressive/amusing comments here. Be sure to leave your name!
Ready?

Up close, Mr Angry is on the left and Mrs Calm is on the right — move back six feet and they switch places!
UPDATE! The best reactions follow:

dub // vocal jazzy reggae
Joe Dukie & DJ Fitchie – Midnight Marauders

  • Boyz II Men for the tight striped sweater and black-rimmed glasses set.~Ratrick
  • Rising from the “Dust”, vocal soul soars inna dub stylee.~Captain Planet
  • It sounds suspiciously like the kind of music I used to play on the recorder in sixth grade.~Aarika
  • broken beat // afro-beat
    Bugz In The Attic f. Wunmi – Zombie (Part One)

  • Like when Joe samples Pharcyde’s “Passing me by” in his craptacular “Stutter”. Femi: show these children how it is done.~Ian Shaughnessy
  • Frenetic Fela update – the master would be proud. Broken grooves for broken politics.~David R
  • Fela Kuti sans testicles, chopped up Scott Herren-style.~Ratrick
  • vocal downtempo // electronica
    Coldcut – Autumn Leaves (Irresistible Force Remix)

  • Got violins? (let me throw up for a second…)~Séverine
  • this joint is what, like 10+yrs old! reminds me of spacing out in chill out rooms at raves as a teen.~Marco
  • that rare beast – an electronic rehashing of a jazz standard that actually works.~Jez
  • cuban // son
    Barbarito Torres – La Calabaza (The Pumpkin)

  • Rolled R’s and Spanish guitars, move your feet, ha cha!~Katie
  • compare it to the others – a great demonstration of the superiority and emotiveness of real instruments over electronic wizardry.~Jez
  • Roasted pumpkin stuffed with cumin-dusted free range chicken breast, wild rice, and grilled zucchini, drizzled with a garlicky-jalapeno mojo.~Ratrick
  • Ethan Goldhammer & S. Burke

    October 4th, 2009 by Paul Irish

    video art // electro funk

    More and more, I’ve noticed I’m absorbing great music via video; the Carl Sagan ‘A Glorious Dawn’ video is an addictive example. VJ’s are demanded for parties, Processing and OpenFrameworks are making it easier to create, and now video appears to be the preferred medium for delivering audio online. Above, Ethan deftly blends oscilloscope visuals with light paint and timelapse, while underneath burbles some glitchy and fuzzy funk. Thanks to my friends at Echonest for the tip.

    A funk and Rhodes lover’s wet dream.

    + Visit

    Mansfield.TYA

    October 12th, 2006 by Julija

    intimate pop-rock // folk // chanson

    Mansfield.TYA is a duo of musicians Julia Lanoë (voice, guitar, piano) and Carla Pallone (violin, piano, harmonium, voice) from Nantes, France. The duo was seen and noticed for its intimate, beautifully tensed music at the openings of such artists as Cat Power, Erik Truffaz, Camille, Elysian Fields, Cocorosie and others. Their album June (2005) is a magnificent combination of dark and sombre yet beautiful ballads with folk elements enveloped in a romantic and melancholic atmosphere. The raw and sincere vocals and instrumentation are comparable to the fine collaboration of Shannon Wright and Amélie composer Yann Tiersen. Or to quote one of the reviews it is une possible réponse française aux Cocorosie.

    So fragile and très triste.
    Mansfield.Tya – Mon Amoureuse
    Mansfield.Tya – Pour Oublier Je Dors
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    The American Dollar

    February 25th, 2009 by Paul Irish

    post-rock // cinematic ambient

    Please click play. Then click full screen. Big headphones are recommended, as well. “Anything You Synthesize” comes with a heavyweight cerebral punch, but it’s delivered a on silken aural ether. The American Dollar, a Queens, NY duo, construct experimental ambient sonic explorations with a healthy rock influence. This video, created by the Onesize design studio, turns a cinematic song into an enveloping sensory experience. (thx, zimsical)

    Mighty sonic expertise meet visual cameracraft.
    The American Dollar – Anything You Synthesize
    + Purchase/Visit

    CéU

    July 24th, 2007 by Paul Irish

    brazilian fusion // bossa

    Just when you think that Brazil must have surely exhausted its supply of irresistibly jazzy, funky, sexy, soulful electro-pop singer-songwriters, a girl named CéU comes along to release an irresistible album full of samba, reggae, dub, electronica, love, heartbreak, chaos and sweet tunefulness. Her influences start with her musicologist father and spread out to genres like valsa, choro, soul, rhythm and blues, hip hop, afrobeat and electrojazz. Isn’t it obvious this deserves a spot on Aurgasm? :)

    Quite a mature sound for this Brazilian songstress’ debut
    CéU – Rainha
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    Lenka

    September 4th, 2008 by Julija

    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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    Howlin’ Wolf

    February 3rd, 2005 by Paul Irish

    1960’s chicago blues // soul jazz

    Mr. Chester Arthur Burnett was born in 1910 in West Point, Mississippi. He has a sound that matches his name and matches his frame. He amassed an impressive stature of 6’3″ 300lbs and vocal power to match. This track screamed at me from the very satisfying Chicago Soul record from Soul Jazz records, the label putting out the excellent reggae compilations from Studio One Recordings. Very solid CD, great tracks from such soul and blues icons as Etta James, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and Fontella Bass.
    A scorching coarse-throated blues track that gets your heart pumping quick.

    Howlin Wolf – Evil
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    Lucy Schwartz

    April 11th, 2009 by Michelle

    indie pop // singer-songwriter

    Lucy Schwartz, whose songs range between stripped-down ballads, jazz-inspired pop and indie folk, is that rare combination of talented songwriter and skilled performer. Lucy’s debut album, Winter in June (2007) offers a glimpse of this young singer-songwriter’s burgeoning talents. The delightfully catchy “I Don’t Know A Thing” is a shockingly self-aware admittance, delivered with a carefree shrug and smile. Lucy continues to surprise, displaying raw vulnerability as well as youthful exuberance in her songs. “Gone Away” is a tender and aching ballad, delicately crafted with a sensibility that belies her young age. Keep an eye (and ear) on this one.

    Sweet and lovely pop gems.
    Lucy Schwartz – I Don’t Know A Thing
    Lucy Schwartz – Gone Away
    + Purchase/Visit

    An Pierlé

    July 16th, 2006 by Julija

    belgian pianist // singer-songwriter

    An Miel Mia Pierlé is a Belgian pianist, accordionist and singer-songwriter who had been touring with a theatre group, starring in a Belgium television series and giving solo performances before she signed her first record deal in 1998. Unlike the debut album, her second record, Helium Sunset (2002) , was released outside of the Benelux and France and received many positive reviews as well. And now she has come back with a new record An Pierlé & White Velvet (2006) written with her co-songwriter, arranger, composer and lover Koen Gisen. This is the result of everything Pierlé and Gisen have experienced and absorbed so far, the new sound of An that grows and creates something new.

    Poetic and personal, sometimes sugary and bizarre.
    An Pierlé – Jupiter
    An Pierlé – I Love You
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