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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funky house // french house

This isn’t what I wanted to post. I really wanted to give you the original song straight up. Alas, remixes are a dirty scene; and I can only provide you with an mp3 with transitions on either end. As far as I can tell, no single standalone exists. This is alright with me, this song deserves to have subservient songs on either end. A wide, fat slam-ass steamroller bassline flattens out the foundation of this song, while some hop-skip house action on top rounds out the funky-ass groove. This is straight off of a complilation put together by Les Rhythmes Digitales’s Jacques Lu Cont.
One of the funkiest songs picked by the current king of funk.

Mekon feat. Roxanne Shante – What’s Going On (Jon Carter Mix)
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northern rock

Whether digging country roots or rocking guitars, these hearty rascals from Greenwich, NY produce incredibly appealing tight rhythms, choral elation and rollicking stomp. Eastbound Jesus has a vibe I cherish at bluegrass festivals: kids running freely, families sharing meals, camping areas for jamming all night, and tents for free lessons. People are real and their good nature is alive. Thoroughly uplifting, Holy Smokes instills a sense of everything being alright even if you’re far from it. Songs reveal boyhood girl troubles, the workingman’s plight, and helpful lore with a refreshing dash of revolt. Open your windows and doors; feel sun-fueled air kite stymie issues. Hang laundry, clean dishes – dance, sing, paint! Let pieces puzzle together as you lead where life takes you.

Folksy romp with humble foundations.
Eastbound Jesus – For the Ride
Eastbound Jesus – Without You
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heavy hip-hop // turntablism

This man is nothing new to you, and rightfully so. He’s musician of absolute talent, a dj doing justice for the two letters in front of his name. Ever since his debut Entroducing, he’s blown his listeners’ minds. He rocks out on some wild beats ‘n vinyl, here kicking the shit hott with lyricist Roots Manuva. While you’re dropping this song, be sure to drop by John Book’s ultimate DJ Shadow Sample page, it’s got every single sample documented — ridiculous. (The URL changes regularly, peep this to stay updated.) More bass.
The perfect heavy-hitting rhythm to get your git-buzy weekend bumpin’.

DJ Shadow – GDMFSOB (UNKLE Uncensored mix feat. Roots Manuva)

country-folk // singer-songwriter

Venturing from home in Nashville, Audie‘s sound grew dear as she followed charms winding their way through mountain trails and Parisian boulevards before encountering musical kin in Portland. With helpful newfound friends, a tickle of entrancing hymnals was then culled from her memory; forming a delicate, haunting echo in your heart that asks where you’ve been. Were you calling out quietly in the night for a friend? Or swinging in tire swings on dwindling summer days… an occasional ring to your ear of someone you knew and should maybe say hello to. Do clairvoyant clarinets introduce another scene? Stringing you along as hammers unlock dissonance and banjitars herald kind nudges anent upright bass. Jeering ghosts fleshed out with hindsight; twilight’s mist dispersed upon reason; her songs usher in an elusive, captivating treasure to collect and hold tender forever.

An audio darling.
Audie Darling – Warn Out Shoe
Audie Darling – Little Bird
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hip-hop // broken beat // funk

Hailing from the Big Dada imprint of Ninja Tune, Ty is a new and powerful force in hip-hop. His beats meld together some of England’s best musical export (Downtempo) with the upbeat feeling of east-coast hip-hop. A very accomplished rapper and beat constructor. My favorite MC from across the lake, Roots Manuva, lends his lyrics to this “refix”.
You can’t listen to this track and not shake your ass.

Ty – So U Want Morre (Refix feat Roots Manuva)

westcoast hiphop // bounce turntablism

Labeling this track “underground hiphop” or “real hiphop”, although completely appropriate, would be misrepresentative in this case. “Count Your Blesings” is radio-friendly. It’s production’s polished. Its sound’s got bounce. And it doesn’t feel like most other on/under the radar hiphop because.. well, it’s pop hiphop. Just a warning though, Emanon is a duo: MC Aloe Blacc keeps the rhymes sounding real and musty, while DJ Exile rolls out syncopated bassbeats that keep you shaking.
Keepin’ it real an keepin’ it hot.

Emanon – Count Your Blessings

UPDATE: DJ Exile just dropped by tell us the original reggae track sampled is Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam”. You’ve probably heard it in the stripclub scene in Belly. It’s available on this dancehall compilation.
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trip hop // vocal downtempo

Inga Liljeström is Australian with Scandinavian roots and beautiful name (the ‘j’ is pronounced as a ‘y’ sound). And as the title of her recent album Elk (2005) indicates to the cold far north too, one could not expect icy landscapes surrounded by warm latin melodies. That’s how eclectic and rich the record is. It is captivating with its subtle beats, lush orchestrated music and cinematic atmosphere. The comparisons vary from Björk to Lamb and early Goldfrapp, but her own diverse experiences and knowledge of aesthetics in music industry distinguish her.

Movie-like, powerful and mesmerizing.
Inga Liljestrom – Phoenix
Inga Liljestrom – Bullet
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somber vocal downtempo // pensive indie rock

This song isn’t about Faultline. It’s not about how as a child he blew out his left lung while playing clarinet in orchestra. No. What distinguishes this song from the rest of the tracks on Faultline’s recently re-released album is the melancholy voice of Coldplay’s Chris Martin. It’s bare, fragile, and leaking wistful emotion at the sides. This should have been the hidden track on Rush of Blood to the Head.
You listen, you lose focus, and you beat yourself up over why you let her leave; why aren’t you holding her tight right now?

Faultline – Your Love Means Everything (Part 2)

pastoral pop // instrumental ambient folk

The Memory Band’s self-titled debut made it onto my Best of 2004 list, and received raves from a Who’s Who of mainstream music journalism – Mojo, NME, Q, etc. And yet, inexplicably, they remain under-exposed and under-appreciated (if their Audioscrobbler results are anything to go by, anyway). The two tracks here are beguiling gems, but are only a shade better than the rest of the album, which is full of earthy grace and delight from start to finish. I particularly like ‘This is How We Walk on the Moon’, which is vaguely Four Tet-ish and sounds like ivy crawling up walls; but ‘Ploughshares’ is equally pleasant, a swarm of sunny glints on the ocean.
Soft but confident, a stroke of genius.

The Memory Band – This Is How We Walk On The Moon
The Memory Band – Ploughshares
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