Aurgasm

cello pop // acoustic folk

Ben Sollee, cellist for the band The Sparrow Quartet, recently released his aptly titled debut, Learning to Bend. Whether he is plucking the strings, or playing his cello like a percussive instrument, Ben’s truly unique playing style belies his classically trained background. Though the entire album wanders between bluegrass, folk and jazz, his deep Southern influence is unmistakable. Soulful vocals, combined with his sharp lyrics (seen in his politically critical “A Few Honest Words” and adaptation of “A Change Is Gonna Come”), result in a deeply honest, playful, and ultimately hopeful debut album.

Soulful vocals and unexpected melodies.
Ben Sollee – A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke cover)
Ben Sollee – How To See The Sun Rise
buy mp3s

funky trip-hop // eclectic retro

From immediately catchy numbers to the laid back grooves, the duo of Nicolas Kantorowicz and Benjamin Sportes boasts a unique sonic palette. While packed with energy, colourful rhythms and peculiar sampling “Whistle” recalls the cheery, jolly retro kitsch pastiche, “Mundo”, taken from Paris Lounge (2001) double CD compilation, carries electronic nuances, seductive quality and a relaxed, downtempo feel.

Gloriously energetic, fun and entertaining.
Sporto Kantes – Whistle
Sporto Kantes – Mundo
buy mp3s

brazilian // bossa nova

The essence of Brazilian Bossa nova is the subtle mixture of wistful melancholy, joy and yearning, often defined as saudade, a Portuguese word with no English equivalent. Far away from her home country, Brazilian native Aline de Lima redefines the Bossa nova sound by blending fresh arrangements of gentle samba rhymes, Latin influences and tropical flavours with the quality of saudade. Lively compositions of her album Açaí (2008) and Aline’s beautifully smooth voice caress the ear, while her rich vocal nuances shine throughout songs of love, longing and nostalgia.

Equally delicate and seductive.
Aline de Lima – O Solar de Catirina
Aline de Lima – Canto Morno
buy mp3s

dance // tropical // reggae

You’ve probably heard this. Either you’ve danced to this in a club, or you’ve heard the bastardization of it that Pitbull and Lil’ Jon did, “The Anthem”. But here’s the real story: the instrumental was done by Danish DJ Enur in 2003. It blew up in Ibiza but stayed cool everywhere else until late 2006 when it was mashed together with vocals from Crystal Waters into a track called “Destination Calabria” which hit the charts hard. Last year Enur takes the track and throws on vocals from Dannish reggae queen Natasja Saad, who sadly died of a car accident before she could see its absolute success. And now? You dance.

The summer jam of 2008.
Enur feat. Natasha – Calabria
Enur – Calabria (music video) (warning: scantily clad ladies)
buy this cd

brazilian // bossa nova

The delightful and energetic rhythms of Brazil transform the listeners of Mariana Da Cruz far away from the clichéd carnivals, bikinis and samba-plumes to the urban and still romantic part of the tropical country. A choir and Bossa nova singer, Da Cruz has been performing at the clubs of São Paulo and Lisbon, Portugal, where she absorbed the influences of fashionable European electro and traditional Fado music. Multi-influenced, yet connected to her roots, Da Cruz develops the sound of a fresh, summery and compelling pop.

A real Brazilian feel.
Da Cruz – Sarah

buy mp3s

singer-songwriter // folk

Currently living and working in London, Irish singer-songwriter and a self-taught guitarist Wallis Bird has travelled the world and began her career in Germany, where she formed a band with her musician friends. Wallis approaches her music with bold honesty and integrity as she moves beyond the female singer-songwriter stereotypes with her style ranging from grunge folk to buoyant and lively pop. Original and fresh enough to appeal to a wide variety of listeners, “Counting To Sleep” brings to mind the strength and openness of Ani DiFranco.

The strong melody and clever wit.
Wallis Bird – Counting To Sleep
buy this cd

afro-beat

Leaving her native Cuba to pursue her music career, Addys Mercedes has been recording in Barcelona, Duesseldorf and New York with her musician friends from around the globe. While Addys doesn’t bring anything innovative to the heyday of Afro-Cuban, it’s the energetic bouncing patterns that keep my hips gladly swaying to the rhythm. The spicy hot and pulsating afro-beat, solid production and a warm summery vibe of “Afro D’Mercedes” makes it the standout track of Nomad (2003).

Refreshing and undeniable tropical flavour.
Addys Mercedes – Afro D’Mercedes
buy mp3s

vocal jazz // blues

Mature beyond her years, Philadelphia native Melody Gardot possesses a very natural musicality and a silky, versatile voice. While comparisons to the standards of Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux are justified, Melody’s confident grace and elegance shine throughout “Goodnite” and “Worrisome Heart”. With her tasteful and warm phrasing, moving seamlessly between the mellow old-time blues, jazz influences and acoustic folk, Melody captures the essence of the subtle beauty, confessional and timeless songwriting.

A young chanteuse on the rise.
Melody Gardot – Goodnite
Melody Gardot – Worrisome Heart
buy this cd

My good friends at Betahouse, a coworking space in Boston, asked me to put together a mix for their latest party. I was delighted to do so. My mate Tom Kershaw and I boiled down our fave tracks to a solid set.

I continued in the same vein as the Breeze & Sweat mix from 2006 – a sultry, funky, jazzy, chill to hot mix of tunes.

A few funky ones have debuted on Aurgasm before (Bahamadia, Flevans & Freddie), Kraak And Smaak deliver both the hot Max Sedgley and their own brand-new track, and Boston-natives Soul Clap close with some techno heat.

Mix available here as a 104mb zip

Tracklist:

1. Bahamadia – uknowhowwedo (Ski Remix)
2. Freddie Cruger – Pushing On feat. Linn
3. King Britt – Superstar
4. Beanfield – Re-ac-tion
5. Peace Orchestra – Meister Petz (Beanfield Remix)
6. Mr. Scruff – Donkey Ride
7. Max Sedgley – Devil Inside
8. Barakas – Kes
9. Flevans – 12 Apostles
10. Kraak And Smaak – California Roll
11. Soul Clap – The Giraffe

cabaret // klezmer

Fusing the strains of the centuries-old traditions, modern and the experimental, Israeli collective Panic Ensemble creates an intensely dramatic, cabaret-infused sound and appealing theatrical atmosphere. Playing a wide range of instruments, such as viola, accordion, contrabass, keyboards and percussion, the eight musicians of Panic Ensemble mix the expressive Klezmer melodies, massive rock energy and jazz influences. In their recently released self-titled album, Panic Ensemble weave their original arrangements with electronic subtleties and powerful, partly based on professional literature lyrics.

Full of poetic intensity and beauty.
Panic Ensemble – Spring In Your Heart
Panic Ensemble – Jewish Woman
buy this cd