The Abstract Index

Abstract Index Playlist - January 5/12

2012-01-06T01:39:00.001-05:00

The view from the window of CIUT onto back campus.

na na na hey hey - wayne mcghie & the sounds of joy
new bell - manu dibango
get together - tony allen
revolt/la libertad logica - eddie palmieri
rubber gloves - ornette coleman
black unstoppable - nicole mitchell
mra - chris mcgregor's brotherhood of breath
porque hoje e domingo - antonio adolfo & brazuca
feelings - plug
dub voyage - twilight circus
move on - heptones
mellow mood - bunny wailer
m16 - sammy dread
dance hall style - sugar minott
landscape - the mohawks
can i get some help - james brown
turned on to you - eighties ladies
don't change your love - five stairsteps
cool strut - bernie hayes
listen - al green
funky chicken - willie henderson & the soul explosions
umbabaraumba - jorge ben
el lobo - wganda kenya
love break (ooh i love it) - salsoul orchestra
sport - lightnin' rod
aguanile bonko - irakere
like a ship - pastor t.l. barrett and the youth for christ choir
abidjan - ray barretto
dancing time - the funkees
ho na nae - wild magnolias
dub fi gwaan - king tubby & jackie mittoo

This is the final edition of the Abstract Index on CIUT. I'm going to start podcasting from home on an irregular basis. Subscribe to the blog and you'll find out when I've posted a new episode.

Thanks for all your support over the years.

Abstract Index Playlist - December 29/11

2011-12-23T21:16:00.000-05:00

2011 Good Stuff:

oscarine - vincent segal/ballake sissoko
powa - tune-yards
front door - tarrus riley
bittersweet - midnite
wa do dem - eek a mouse rmx by green lion
celestial dub - coki
second quarter - deadbeat
el pueblo unido - thievery corporation rmx by uproot andy
wangu - makossa & megablast feat tony allen
feel dem - lol boys
rollercoasters of the heart - bass clef
rapid racer - lone
bricks - lunice
rigamortus -kendrick lamar
red skinned girl - a tribe called red feat northern cree
pedra agutzo - arrogalla
yezzi mil misi - king abid
you can run - seun kuti & egypt 80
gbeti majro - orchestre poly rhythmo
prey - the thing is
wilder plain - adlr
watkins glen - dead cat bounce
bessarabian thing - uri caine & joel rubin
stormy weather - amenta
musa - aline morales
amor em jacuma - lucas santanna
rimuse - burnt friedman & jaki liebezeit
the stars in his head - colin stetson
oh donna - richie valens rmx by los macuanos
yes - sonnymoon
futureactive kid pt 2 - sandro perri
electric relaxation - badbadnotgood
plutonious - dennis coffey
reverse crystal//murder of a spider - yamantaka/sonic titan

Abstract Index Playlist - December 22/11

2011-12-23T09:36:00.001-05:00

ifetayo - black truth rhythm band
dans le coeur du feu - karthala 72
dar kunj dilam eshqi kasi - ahmad zahir
ponxo macho - caballo
dark and lovely - sub oslo
mingus - see kae
mayas dub - dj drm rmx by tim love lee
traigo la cumbia - javier estrada
puerto rico - daniel haaksman
general generations - a tribe called red
love me (dub) - ango
life switch - proF
authorised rock - keety roots
someday dub - aisha
i've got to make it - larry marshall
first zizoku - john butcher
laughing at stars at night - mark van hoen
seven x seven - blue fields
mirages remanents - galerie stratique
up to earth - chris mcgregor septet
regresa - helado negro
wholly spirit - georgia anne muldrow
bermuda eytan ucgeni - aksu orkestrasi
johannesburg love trip - thembi
n'goni bala - dj mackoy rmx by lt
soulful christmas - catalist

Index Complete: Farewell To The Abstract Index On CIUT

2011-12-18T11:39:00.001-05:00

Dear friends:

January 5, 2012 will mark the final edition of the Abstract Index on CIUT FM.

I am excited to announce that I have recently been hired to be the Artistic Director at Toronto's Music Gallery. This is a full time position. Upon reviewing my freelance and volunteer activities I have decided that I can no longer commit 6-10 hours a week to producing and hosting the Abstract Index.

It's not only the time commitment. After having celebrated 10 years of the Abstract Index and 25 years at CIUT this year, I feel it's time to move on and give someone else the opportunity to make magic over the airwaves. I've had a wonderful run but there are moments in everyone's life when you know it's time to move on.

I will continue to do occasional podcasts of the Abstract Index from home. These won't start immediately, nor will they be weekly. But I'll keep the name alive.

In the meantime, I'm throwing a party to celebrate this joyous transition. Please join me and friends at the Henhouse (1532 Dundas St. W.) on Friday January 6, the day after my final broadcast. You can find details on Facebook, but there's not much more to tell, really - just good times, good tunes and an above average amount of intoxicants. If you're in Toronto, I hope to see you there!

Thanks for all your support over the years - you are the reason CIUT keeps going.

Abstract Index Playlist - December 15/11

2011-12-16T01:43:00.001-05:00

la murga - willie colon/hector lavoe
esteppo - mykal orthodox feat macka b
dub teacher - bunny lee & the agrovators
soon solitude - move d & dj late rmx by eddie c
doyoi nyajo nam - owiny sigoma band rmx by quantic
anger mgmt - a made up sound
8th labyrinth - uladat
new shade of blue - blue fields
makaya and the rain - tommy meier
rhythm - idris muhammad
cobalt - ital tek
crustacean - corduroi
albert - anstam
sculptures - geordie haley
artefacts 1 - nick storring
improvisation #6 - jim macaulay & leroy jenkins
ornette coleman medley - tribecastan
save d musician - black truth rhythm band
yaye boye - idrissa diop & cheikh tidiane tall
dru me negrita - ry cooder & manuel galban
i've got to find a way - heavenly chorus
i can't turn you loose - barabara acklin
come we go do it - blackstones
dub a natty dread - lone ranger
loving pauper - dobby dobson
unmetered taxi - sly and robbie

Abstract Index Playlist - December 8/11

2011-12-09T10:48:00.001-05:00

onye melu ogo amazi - ali chukwumah & his peacemakers international
eleonora - miguel duran
horrivel - aleu valenca & geraldo azevedo
jueves santo - dany f
onomatopoeia - human egg
destinee - golden
you make me feel - terror danjah
stereocity - abjo
nightmare - badbadnotgood
practical men - canaille
gazzeloni - trio 3 + geri allen
updowndownup - machinedrum
lover someone - citizen sound
pulley - milyoo
wonder - the thing is
ecliptica 1 - santiago latorre
devastatement - akumu
awakening day - blues control & laraaji
savik - tanya tagaq/jesse zubot/jean martin
wolf track - rowan converse
you know - stone coal white
hang out and hustle - sweet charles
too high to move - quiet village
deep winter - dibia$e
memori - volphoniq & benjamin leska
dzvoko (starecase dub) - susan mapfumo
mongst i & i (dub) - midnite

Abstract Index Playlist - December 1/11

2011-12-02T09:40:00.001-05:00

starship - spirit free
panhandling - ronald shannon jackson
spending time - the thing is
cantec de petrecere - dona dumitru siminica
patumbalacunde - joao donato
el 4 + 5 - carlos roman
together - dany f
mi corazon - brandt brauer frick
man manzo - mr ok
parrot talk - doldrums
celestial dub - coki
smoke in our minds - brain damage feat black sifichi
nuh fuk roun - ras amerlock
calypso - eucalyptus
adventurous instrumental music - mario & vadis
myrtle avenue - floating points
adrift at sea - cubenx
avocado green - nick wisdom & claire mortifee
shangaan shake - burnt friedman meets zinja hlungwani
sambahton - atropolis
bailar calamares - fase de cinco
pot still haffe bubble - queen ifrica
myrrh in dub - augustus pablo
tidewalk - astrological

Abstract Index Playlist - November 24/11

2011-11-25T01:20:00.001-05:00

sais - floating points
hip hop spa - fatima al qadiri
taldrar n lawlia - imanaren
ahora - daphni rmx by margot
pimping - heartbreak

Simmer Down guest set:
nature's time - the way I see it
let the sun shine in - galt mcdermott
model - seu jorge rmx by joey altrudar
milk & honey - hollie cook
sweet wanomi - bill withers
lets stay running - soulique
love hurts - tall black guy
untitled - manabos feat curtis mayfield
ceux qui merchant debout - funkytown

tallawah - d'bi young anitafrika
vim de santana - quarteto novo
spirit samba - dave pike
lyman place (live) - steve reid/kieran hebden/mats gustaffsson
swimming dragon - om unit
yellowbone - salva rmx by lol boys
some african - maxie
walking razor - sunshot band
na mouro no tem play - ras bernardo

Abstract Index Playlist - November 10/11

2011-11-11T01:01:00.001-05:00

birth - john oswald
senaka - asa chang & junray
mao brass band - tarek atoui
je m'en vais - jah youssouf & bintou coulibaly
mura - burnt friedman and jaki liebezeit
kwame -ijinli ilu
why didn't you save me - nicolas jaar
tombo in 7/4 - airto moreira
come and dance - lijadu sisters
hot flush - red snapper rmx by sabres of paradise
i'm homesick sitting up here in my sattelite - doldrums
mundhu - brain damage rmx by dub addict
animal dream - knuckleduster
forgetting belief - erick glick rieman
single man with the kids - sein hing ensemble
holy grail - toubab krewe
threes - inhabitants
when it rains - nick wisdom
lungu lungu - jumo daddy & the fokn bois rmx by nobody moves
wicked men dub - alfred mackintosh

Abstract Index Playlist - October 27/11

2011-10-28T01:32:00.000-04:00

extradition - canaille
people's dance - mount everest trio
mississippi river - izintombi zodumo
let's have a party - geraldo pino
hessa - el rego
wangu - makossa & megablast feat tony allen
te conozco moscow - rebolledo
love and light - sandro perri rmx by max gross
tehran - kahn
i remain - zhou
good by you - background sound
corpcore - fatima al qadira
wish i had a window - astrological
god moving over the face of the waters - moby rmx by dj broken record
baila chiquiban - nico gomez & his orchestra
fogo fogo - fela ransome kuti & africa 70
how long - slim moore & the mar-kays
f.u.n.k.y. til the day i day - southern energy ensemble
i'm a carpenter - david robinson
re-action -restriction
black mamba - midnite
untitled - early worm feat princess abiona
pumpkin belly - tenor saw
daily grind - dlo the iceman
that place - nick waterhouse

Abstract Index Playlist - October 20/11

2011-10-21T12:00:00.001-04:00

No podcast this week, this was a fundraising show.

i want your love/dub - norma white & brentford disco set
travelling - burning spear
hop skip and jump - chalawa
sly - massive attack rmx by mad professor
upbeat vibes - digitaldubs
wa do dub - aram scaram/citizen sound feat ammoye
mujer hilandera - juaneco y su combo
el lobo - wganda kenya
aqui los bravos - michi sarmiento
atou - youssou n'dour & etoile de dakar
el aventura y la hombre - dj joven
cancion ritual - hot pepper
indices of refraction - nick storring
(the light at the end of the) tunnel vision - piege
oogamy - adam marshall
midnight - cobblestone jazz
how will i - sandro perri
cumbia bichera - el remolon rmx by tremor
la verdolaga (remix) - toto la momposina
deja/san juan - sidestepper
como un ave - grupo celeste
no time for dreaming - charles bradley

Abstract Index Live Recordings 2007-11

2011-10-17T20:43:00.000-04:00

At long last I've compiled some live recordings from Abstract Index related performances over the past few years. It features great performances by Jesse 'Dubmatix' King, GuShee, MiMo, Odradek, Kyle Brenders/Scott Thompson/Susanna Hood, Daniel Nebiat, Alaniaris and an unreleased jam from Huelepega Sound System.

The only way to get one is to become a member of CIUT ($25 donation) during the imminent Fall Fundrasing drive, preferably before my show on Thursday the 20th. Pledge at the CIUT website now & make sure to tell 'em The Abstract Index sent you.

Abstract Index Playlist - October 13/11

2011-10-14T09:39:00.001-04:00

hey - boogat
play - goapele feat los rakas
luz negra - os magrelos
changes - sandro perri
el pancho - quechaboi
villa ghetto - gun selectah rmx by dj otto
slime beach - kuhn rmx by philip k dick
koolnahman - zed bias feat specialist moss
elegom bounsa - dj djeff rmx by los carlos kuduro
moon jocks & prog rocks - mungolian jet set rmx by montezuma's revenge
tak derakht - kourosh yaghmaei
you've gotta make the choice - sisters love
feelin' frisky - syl johnson
freedom - pheeroan aklaff
e-gaz - darius jones
airborne - hal russell's chemical feast
diabolyn - satanique samba trio
spinning channels - blue daisy
jewel inna africa horn - midnite
sandy (instrumental) - prince everald
freedom transmission - mossman
uhhuh style - swarvy
time patience & everything - lapalux
never my love, never can say goodbye - the shyannes feat the firebirds

Abstract Index Playlist - October 6/11

2011-10-07T10:26:00.000-04:00

untitled/fantastic - georgia ann muldrow
prophecy - hughes giboulay
blue monday - nautiluss
we are - gerry read
if there was no tomorrow - robert owens
grey sunrise - gold rush
feel so good - dj hilti rmx by norrit
put some red on it - spoek mathambo rmx by machinedrum
babylon falling - heptones
what a life - kaly live dub rmx by vibronics
guarapera - tolio enrico leon
manca fiesta - sonido guay
fakin' the funk - main source/a tribe called red
in the dark - amai kuda
balla jigi - guelewar
konia - mamani keita
waidio - khaira arby
textures - guy andrews
plumes - john kameel farah & attila fias
frame 6/four elements pt. 4 - tim brady
herodiade - talibam
lament for morning - raleigh moncrief
camel - badbadnotgood
pygmy goats - hackney colliery band
hell below - stone coal white

Abstract Index Playlist - September 29/11

2011-09-30T10:26:00.000-04:00

shomer yisrael - the afro-semitic experience
iswegh attay - tinariwen
gole yakh - kourosh yaghmaei
kendim ettim kendim buldum - erkin koray
kankyema - vis a vis
djougouya magni - super rail band
weeknight warriors - malvoeaux
stuxnet - sabbo
bricks - lunice
goodbye girl - king midas sound rmx by kuedo
dubmatix in eden - dubmatix rmx by the originator
peaceful warrior - sly & robbie with mad professor feat dean fraser
the end of your suffering - colin stetson
fluttering - attila fias & john kameel farah
la vuelta de pedro orillas - dino saluzzi group
tala at twilight - low leaf
amazonia - la bete
waiting for the lights - boxcutter
grey sunrise - gold rush
i love every little thing about you - syreeta

Abstract Index Playlist - September 22/11

2011-09-23T14:24:00.001-04:00

m'barassa - sibiri samake
kungo sogoni - nahawa doumbia
be my light - welder
udon & yoko - amai
don't shoot - raleigh moncrief
i get scared - sarah linhares
ascetic club - manudub
crawling from the roots - earlyworm rmx by phoniandfiore
hysterical - mock the zuma rmx by dala
open your eyes - ill gates & captain hook
rollercoasters of the heart - bass clef
trouble in the streets - zed bias & mark pritchard
gaitero zafra - los gaiteros de san jacinto rmx by orion
new morning - quantic and his combo barbaro
qui li dois - trio select
all my fine shoes - amai kuda
tenere taqquim tossam - tinariwen
jaya - sad city
popgun - martyn
crowd control - mc zulu
villa ghetto - gun selectah rmx by lol boys
eek do dem - green lion/eek a mouse
provisional dub - systemwide
lammicken - baths

Abstract Index Playlist - September 15/11

2011-09-16T09:34:00.000-04:00

electric relaxation - badbadnotgood
living the dream - dead cat bounce
t.j. bump - the drive
sinihan - mamani keita
juniper - filastine y la bamba
posesion - mock the zuma
show me - kowton
hold on - sepalcure
sleep dealer - oneohtrix point never
swarvy - blasphemous jazz: bitches brew sessions
in a hole - invisible conga people
outside summer is bursting at the seams - nick storring
interiors II: uncharted lands - robert moran
dark box genius - proF
life on uranus - prince jammy
gold dub - resonators
vibes is right - barrington levy
without you - judah eskender
illy - kahn
coffee cold - marco benevento
everybody's got a problem - fathers children
la maquina infernal - vainica doble
petrol pop - michael magne & jean yanne
udon & yoko - amai

Abstract Index Playlist - September 8/11

2011-09-09T11:04:00.003-04:00

onsta la yerbita - los destellos
oni ayhun - anthony shake shakir meets bbc
korak - contakt & mayster
melt - hade
chiquita - bleepolar
those that didn't run - colin stetson
a train - darius jones
awareness is wot you need - mono mono
carnaval - bio ritmo
sentimento - empresarios
fever dream I - muskox
rethink forever - peter hannan
fish on land - esmerine & lhasa
noise temperature suite pt. 1 - mike hansen/john butcher/tomasz krakowiak
vampyroteuthus infernalis - turtleboy
temptation - baba zula
dub fever - high tone/improvisators dub rmx by obf
body beat - hollie cook
a happy dub - upsetters
bizuru dub (steppers version) - eccodek
black ice - outkast vs. justin padron
esa mujer - boogat
royale salute - brain damage feat sir jean

Abstract Index Playlist - September 1/11

2011-09-03T14:12:00.002-04:00

la verdad – bio ritmo
cinco pasos – subsuelo
el pueblo unido – thievery corporation rmx by uproot andy
fumando – captain planet
touch them – lol boys
fuller – funkystepz
ma bhoom bhoom bhoom – ukoo flani, radi, jahcoozi
ground frost dew point – naw
cool talker – process rebel
thursday – the weeknd
yes 2 – sonnymoon
stormy weather – amenta
the best of good love gone – 24 carat black
bones – jerry granelli
ol’ metal faced bastard – darius jones
imbroglio – rouge ciel
far away in old in old worlds – inhabitants
five months gone by – two suns
romantic streams – sleep over rmx by balam acab
are you a ghost bill murray? – is and of the
el marques – quinteplus
chocolate candy – soulful strings
beautiful dancer – fred fisher
mbesiafo pt 1 – George danquah
achuta – el rego
sugar daddy pt 2 – betty padgett

Abstract Index Playlist - August 25/11

2011-08-27T07:41:00.003-04:00

mandjou - les ambassadeur internationales
samba - farafina
away - michael ongaru/jahcoozi/teichmann/just a band
feel them - lol boys
zero - prison garde
pedra agutza - arrogalla
session - odd trio
bula - pnu riff
metele mano - chico mann
taken back to the river - kanada 70
el arruyo de macuya - michi sarmiento
gordito cabezon - jose conde
a memory - mr. tunes
pyramid song - turtleboy
zephyria tholus - muskox
montreal - gypsophilia
a chinese saloon - jerry granelli
eleutherios - amenta
aoki - kuru & ufo!
rightfull ruler - rollin lion studio
shining light - mistic eyes
storm - gregory isaacs
one of these days - glen washington
music - ammoye
el - installed
banana - madlib/joyce

Abstract Index Playlist - August 18/11

2011-08-19T10:34:00.003-04:00

generic organs - muskox
ramblin - paul bley
soca you play it - mark segger sextet
little rootie tootie - jerry gonzalez & the fort apache band
aspirations - lonnie liston smith
timeless - john abercrombie
song for rosa - norman connors
old mother nature - horace silver
dub for mali - afrolicious
enyere kumbara - quantic
chatting on a pond - mr. tunes
a rudder flu - jason forrest
irie dub - leah rosier
black man culture - earth born band
crisis dub - sly & robbie
africa - 10 ft ganja plant & prince jazzbo
salt water drift - naw
relax - stella chiweshe
se termino en carnaval - guarco
red white & mali - eccodek rmx by rise ashen
ohrwurm - alejandro mossa
mueve el bote - dj dice
disco boogie - total eclipse
georgia's after hours - popcorn wylie

Abstract Index Playlist August 11/11

2011-08-12T13:25:00.004-04:00

cancion ritual - hot pepper
southern nights (nocturnal edit) - disco deviance
get sticky - sabbo
hoje eu to moombahtonero - leo justi
baika - el hijo de la diabla rmx by lol boys
upbeat vibes - digitaldubs
no clear question - gang colours
love you from the brain - aerea negrot
street song - the family of percussion feat archie shepp
neighbour/komsu - baba zula
amor em jacuma - lucas santtana
lamentos de los mirlos - los mirlos
amakwenkwe - joseph sithole
right time - mighty diamonds
carpenter rebuild - meditations
front door - tarrus riley
joystick attack - quasi dub development
paint the fence - kaimbr
nii - okinawa lifestyle
hockey night in canada - downliners sekt
flying love - shuta hasunuma
trouble - b. lewis
electric sunshine - recloose
under mi wildflower - ill gates & the aussie bush project
wizard - clams casino

Abstract Index Playlist - August 4/11

2011-08-05T12:49:00.002-04:00

mapfumo - daphnia
love is overdub - digitaldubs feat brinsley forde
serra yilmaz - baba zula
freddie's tea - greg ginn & the taylor texas corrugators
responsibility/stress/release - rarebit
europa - morphosis
guardian - lunice
cueria - los rakas
cumbia de los pomberitos - third world orchestra rmx by sandro dalepedro
melokon mebun - okoi seka
dans le coeur du feu - karthala 72
the plunge - heavyweights brass band
dark falls - orgone
doce guia - 3 na massa & ceu
1969 organ - adrian younge
reeds - matthew shipp/beans/william parker/h prizm
crystal spears - sun ra
waist deep in saigon - david sait/gino robair
floor plan mix #2 - chiara string quartet rmx by matmos
riddim again - philthkids
give it away - toboggan
under the radar - orphan 101
getting mine - t williams
that girl - pharrell & snoop dogg rmx by salva
latin and proud - dj raff

Abstract Index Playlist - July 28/11

2011-07-29T10:46:00.003-04:00

puerto rican blues - roberto roena y su apollo sound
yamulemao - joe arroyo
diamoule mawo - laba sosseh
curumin - da cruz
liberation - the liberators
las cuatro palomas - geko jones & reaganomics
little business - csc funk band
patchwork - toboggan
callahan - am & shawn lee
tribute to masakela - fulgeance
pijama - noha/mendez/melo
lift up your head - everton blender
feeling like a million - merva greer
the glass bead game - examples of twelve
to seventeen - harris eisenstadt
there - nicole mitchell
i ain't scared - on ka'a davis
ise ya - sonia aimy
haeart beats 1 - purple hearts
motivation - sonora
haunted circuits v2 - halo nova
the ghost - xi
sandpaper script - david vangel

Abstract Index Playlist - July 21/11

2011-07-22T17:03:00.003-04:00

center of the earth - nicole mitchell
to be - harris eisenstadt canada day
sumlinian - aram bajakian
crime in the pale moonlight (instrumental) - flanger
magnetise - loose fit rmx by manuel tur
minus & plus - resoe
cascade meditation - breezewax
felicidade - suba rmx by buscemi
tá falado - orquestra contemporânea de olinda
boat cruise - thundercat
kouhoutek - fathers children
crooked men of pershore - littlebow
tarantula gargantua - god's gift to yoda
obsidian row - darcy james argue
bercy - gypsophilia
a snowflake in her hand - kontakte
gobi road - hanggai
en passant - dub trio
historia del pueblo - alerta kamarada
one and only one - adrian miller
true experience - prince lincoln
one life - jazzy jeff & ayah feat tona
a bird in hand - giraffage
funky me - timmy thomas

Abstract Index Playlist - July 14/11

2011-07-18T14:44:00.004-04:00

yiddish soldier - joel rubin & uri caine
abayaa - ebo taylor
cultura e civilacao - gal costa
ruseton - den5ion
west coast vip - d.o.k.
love pressure - sepalcure rmx by xi
the helical risings of aldebaraan - dine
all your goodies are gone - dennis coffey feat mayer hawthorne rmx by shigeto
style & grace - heartbreak
dame agua - captain planet
make it last - dj jazzy jeff and ayah
echo riffs - d.l.o. the iceman
enigenagnalen - addis acoustic project
humo - cache
septierna -petrona martinez rmx by thornato
seasons change - citizen sound feat jahdan blakkamoore
clean hearts - ibo
try a little smile - doreen schaeffer
all i can say - love joys
tomorrow - blackman akeeb kareem
la 3ra del borracha - damas gratis
blind - rainbow arabia rmx by salva
unity - moussa doumbia

Abstract Index Playlist - July 7/11

2011-07-09T12:47:00.002-04:00

in d#5 - arrandel rmx by fraction
strombolopoulos - d-sisive
john starts - ccmc
bedo - frank gratkowski/dave fox/david menestres/ian m davis
zero tolerance - tobias
put some red on it - spoek mathambo
chiseling the funk - man made hill
start from the beginning - egyptrixx
northern cree/red skin girl - a tribe called red
mpb - gold panda
mood swings - frederic robinson
macumba - captain planet
gbabouho goave - justin stanislas
bosoe - joe mensah
the drive - zone 6
montgomery movement - montgomery express
still splendid - lotek feat roots manuva
wa do dem - citizen sound rmx by wrongtom
mary - ziggi recado
war dub - augustus pablo
yessi mil viss - king abid
differente madre - elegante & la imperial
style & grace - heartbeak
otpisani - boban & marko markovic orchestra
gta - hackney colliery band
work to do - mayer hawthorne
iceman improv 1 - d.l.o. the iceman

Thoughts on the Polaris Music Prize Short List 2011

2011-07-06T15:44:00.004-04:00

Of all the ways in which I engage with music, being a juror for the Polaris Music Prize is one of the most fulfilling.

I've always maintained that the value of this prize is mainly in the discussion between music professionals across the country struggling to compare apples to oranges to attempt to appreciate very different forms of music. I believe in the simply stated process: to pick the best album in Canada regardless of genre. Even if a good record doesn't make the Long of Short List, it may end up on the radar of critics across the country when that artist is touring, leading to more coverage and hopefully more popularity.

Other than Elizabeth Shepherd last year, there had never been a jazz record represented in Polaris in any way. I wouldn't say Colin Stetson plays jazz, but this is without a doubt the most experimental record ever to make the short list (Final Fantasy was pretty out there too, but at least it had a more conventional vocal presence). His music, which I got to experience live last week at the Music Gallery, is cathartic - physically so for him, emotionally so for listeners. The way he has developed a compositional system for circular breathing techniques on the bass sax is unique in the world. For my money, the closest comparison is Britain's John Butcher, but the bass sax adds a different dimension to Stetson's art. Plus, there's a punk edge that comes out live. I can't wait to hear him fill the Masonic Temple with the brute force of that bass sax ringing off the rafters. People will 'get it' then even if he doesn't win the prize. And to see that on CTV/Much? Awesome!! As the editor of Exclaim's Destination Out section, and having seen the rapid ascent of Weird Canada this year, I couldn't be happier.

I'm also very pleased for The Weeknd. It's the first mixtape to make the top 10, building on the success of South Rakkas Crew last year and D-Sisive (also Long Listed this year). The reason that mixtapes are eligible in the first place is thanks to the ever-simmering discussion about what constitutes an album for an album prize. In terms of beat-oriented music, some of the best music comes out in formats other than albums, and it's been argued that certain genres of music were likely to be at a disadvantage due to their audiences demanding more fluid output from EPs to videos to mixtapes. The Weeknd are the first R&B (it's more than that, but rooted there) act to get any kind of sniff at Polaris. Given how the Canadian music industry has micromanaged and let down just about every promising soul/R&B singer that's ever come up, to see a stealthily produced mixtape explode into public consciousness is refreshing to say the least. It didn't need to confront the impossibility of radio play for R&B in Canada, it didn't have to water down its scabrous narrative and most of all it didn't have to fix the sometimes dumb, juvenile lyrics that nonetheless add spontaneity and edge to the project. You know the Abstract Index loves Lee Scratch Perry, a guy who would turn out rough and rugged dub mixes from the Black Ark one after the next with little regard for perfection. It's still classic or at least vital material. Plus, Drake should feel like he's getting a veiled co-sign on this project which he helped take to the mainstream.

As for other selections, of course I wrote my first cover story in Exclaim about Timber Timbre and voted for them, so I'm happy about that. Austra is a good thing: Katie Stelmanis has covered a lot of ground in the Toronto indie music scene over the years and this is a well composed record. Arcade Fire, sure, why not? Colin Stetson goes three for 10 on the Short List with his contribution to the Suburbs, Timber Timbre and his own disc. I've played Braids on this show before, thumbs up there. I didn't seriously consider voting for the Galaxie album but it's fun. I no longer hate the Destroyer record. Hey Rosetta are definitely not my thing, nor is Ron Sexsmith but that's one guy you can't hate on after plugging away for 12 albums.

The rules and the composition of the jury have been tweaked subtly over the years, and I feel there's more participation in the process from a wider range of people. To see tangible success beyond in-virtual-camera big-ups for artists like Colin Stetson and the Weeknd is a big step. This prize is really living up to its potential.

UPDATE: My Short List picks

1. Colin Stetson - Judges
2. Tim Hecker - Ravedeath 1972
3. D-Sisive - Jonestown 2
4. Timber Timbre - Creep On Creepin' On
5. The Weeknd - House Of Balloons

Abstract Index Playlist - June 23/11

2011-06-24T01:05:00.004-04:00

ebrauqs - rahsaan roland kirk
steps - david murray 4tet with strings
sym/met/ry pt.1 - open house
haram dei haram dei - popul vuh rmx by alex barck
<3 + soul - chrome sparks
flower dress - rimar
notorious - ayah feat jazzy jeff
black water - galactic
mindkilla - gang gang dance rmx by lee scratch perry
watch dem - love joys
plateau quarter - deadbeat
the reminder - manasseh
why did you leave me dub - barrington levy
revolution - singers and players feat bim sherman
soldier in jah army - luciano & twilight circus
times like these - queen ifrica
ti gran moun - tabout combo
lemme - jim-e-stack
loro lady - rebolledo & daniel maloso
cahuin - paul marmota rmx by un mono azul
fill your coffee - arkist

Abstract Index Playlist - June 16/11

2011-06-17T10:16:00.004-04:00

i once was vaccinated with a phonograph needle - dead cat bounce
silver - the modern jazz quartet feat laurindo almeida
tema dos deuses - milton nascimento
infinity - marvin gaye
tumba del payaso - ocote soul sounds
dinas mambo - bio ritmo
a milas mujeres - peret
chambacu - schlachtofbronx rmx by smutlee
aggro crag - rarebit feat sandra wallace
paranoiyalackofcommunication - flash forest
daylight - thundercat
coppertoned punch - cardopusher
adderech arada - debo band feat kiddid
city staccs - jay weed rmx by lamin fofana
manimal - un mono azul feat lido pimienta
vivendo juntos - poirier
fill box track 2 - max gross
1st varioation for tenor saxophone and contrabass - joelle leandre/phillip grealief
taking on tomorrow - teebs
cushion - samiyam
yesterdays - steve mason & dennis bovell
music dub - jamaram
run run - rod taylor
soldier in jah army - stephen marley feat damian marley
africa - shuanise
come along - maytones
cool it - wayne mcghie
can you hear me? - mohawks
out of sight - cannibal and the headhunters
papa's got a brand new bag - james brown with the louie bellson orchestra
there was a time - james brown with the louie bellson orchestra

Abstract Index Playlist - June 9/11

2011-06-10T14:32:00.003-04:00

sterile dreams - axis trio
midnight sun - royal hartigan
mayflower - john surman
kyen kyen bi adu - k. frimpong
pathways - ocote soul sounds
immigres - youssou n'dour
beatte harab - group doueh
massacre - james braun
ghurabaa - andy haas
kundera's dream - marsen jules
5:15 PM - brett larner/joelle leandre/kazuhisa uchihashi
cordula murder ballad - julia holter
snow aiport - greg haines
raindrops - gurpreet chana
mithra blues - joe harriott/john mayer
black is the color - jesse futerman
beauty is a stranger - dose
libre comme l'air - volphoniq

Abstract Index Playlist - June 2/11

2011-06-01T14:49:00.007-04:00

family affair - isipingo
carnaval - cortijo and his time machine
a ver que sale - los van van
mar y sol - lemaire y su klan
tumbamambo - heavy soundz
coroa de ouro - ben tactic
retrace your steps - james braun
san francisco crush - rarebit
down on my mind - deadboy
oro en polvo - guapo feo rmx by dj orion
it's got me - addison groove
pra que sambar - aline morales
i love you so - jesse futerman
colonial man - hugh masekela
for love I come - thundercat
black woman - fred anderson
dub me gwen - eddie c
end of the world dub - jamaram
come what may - citizen sound feat treson
thanks and praise - gappy ranks
nature planned it - delroy wilson
the answer - lone ranger
credential instrumental - augustus pablo
cruising - trinity

Abstract Index Playlist - May 26/11

2011-05-27T10:27:00.002-04:00

skynd dig langsomt - boom clap bachelors
...things are - sun glitters
hold on - freddie joachim
pains inside - eddie c
familiar - dub sonata
blen - africa hitech
water for life - the mothers rmx by charlie may & peter raeburn
ndandua buyala - la likembe geant
the tragic story of two friends - oliver de coque
borei - vieux farka toure
ayer y hoy - brownout
let's go dancing - sparque
enduring freedom - damsel
fourteen - jean martin/jim lewis/andrew downing
just stories - tony wilson/peggy lee/jon bentley
walking through mist - esmerine
whispering glades - mark feldman/sylvie courvoisier
oh donna - richie valens rmx by los macuanos
change - gonjasufi rmx by sholomo
life switch - pro-f
flotsam - sonarpilot rmx by oriol
my people - dekata project rmx by greymatter
keep on loving you - four mints

Abstract Index Playlist - May 19/11

2011-05-22T10:46:00.004-04:00

bi donga fa ko - lobi traore (kanaga system crush)
katia ka sothela - puseletso seema & tau ea linare (globestyle)
king pharaoh's flame - yabby you and the prophets (blood and fire)
universal law - easy star all stars (easy star)
me mantego fuerte - danny i (soul of the lion)
freedom - torch (vp)
wonderland - black chow & jahtari (jahtari)
spine - calamalka (no label)
waiting for time - paul white (one handed)
hypersonic - moon bounce (no label)
mass and spring - amon tobin (ninja tune)
blung - filastine (jarring effects)
nyc to india - subatomic sound system with delhi sultanate (no label)
j'tanne d'attendre - alaclair ensemble (no label)
alright - self evident (cabeza)
el negro y ray - michi sarmiento (soundway)
tem do de mim - aline morales (no label)
la lechuza - esmerine (constellation)
lulla/bye - matana roberts (constellation)
lift every voice - andrew hill (blue note)
me voy ahora - ismael miranda rmx by joe claussell (fania)
conversations - we're not popstars (no label)
mandrake - the resonators (wah wah 45s)
kisaltmalar/abbreviations - baba zula & mad professor (doublemoon)

Abstract Index Playlist May 12/11

2011-05-13T13:41:00.002-04:00

gravels 1 & 2 – valentin slip (crown and sunset)
sukunyali – oumou sangare (nonesuch)
pasi – bibi tanga & the selenites (nat geo)
turkey dance – sven kacirek (pingipung)
foot step – africa hitech (warp)
do u – jim e stack (no label)
fat booty – pickster and melo (no label)
ciclon – dj javier estrada (mad decent)
lock in (shantisen bossa remix) – empresarios (fort knox)
lucumi – eddie palmieri rmx by joe claussell (giant step)
going up in smoke – larry hart (genesis)
bedside manners – super disco band (BBE)
faith – azam ali (six degrees)
tender warriors – sangam (ecm)
mal-lester – ernest dawkins (delmark)
paterna terra – claudia quintet (cuneiform)
calonge terrassa, kalon-jah! tewra-ssah! – za! (acuarela)
fourth quarter – deadbeat (blkrtz)
40 hats for 40 cats – jesse futerman (no label)
celestial blues – gary bartz ntu troop (atlantic)
foot loose – wio k & tasha rosez (soul of the lion)

Abstract Index Playlist - May 5/11

2011-05-06T11:57:00.003-04:00

don't make me wait - peech boys vs. melo (no label)
el tambor del mundo - atropolis (dutty artz)
cumbia in the ghetto - vetiver bong (no label)
el tren - carlos guzman y los fabulosos cuatro (bego)
big chief - professor longhair (soul jazz)
follow the leader - major lance (brunswick)
no cross no crown - gloster williams & master control (z)
baghdad boogie - ernest dawkins (delmark)
happy - empresarios rmx by all good funk (fort knox)
approaching rainbow - lone (r&s)
i can dub that - hall and oates edit by out in the sticks (disco deviance)
first quarter - deadbeat (blkrtz)
fforbidden ffruit - man made hill (inyrdisk)
object 3 - wyatt keusch (mille plateaux)
bead flashback - dinowalrus (kanine)
foursteps - dancehall (unknown)
sonic mayfields - onakabazien (no label)
lion is running - orchestre poly rhythmo (strut)
swahili - andre tanker (soundway)
spinnin' - bernard wright (solar)
mask with the man - feindrehstar (musik krause)
do it again - thelonious martin (no label)
why don't we - kaya (no label)
ransom - maga bo (senseless)
pregaming the rapture - groundislava rmx by juno (friends of friends)

Abstract Index Playlist - April 28/11

2011-05-01T16:32:00.004-04:00

kiri kiri - docteur nico (syllart)
djiouginira - miriam makeba (syllart)
light - prince enoki's insect orchestra (no label)
hankuri - pedders (GAMM)
eight - mark de clive lowe (mashibeats)
from stars/of suns (live) - datahowler (no label)
gondar - maga bo feat eritbu solomon agegnehu & entenesh wassie (senseless)
del dare pir misheh - kourosh yaghmaei (secret stash)
the ritual - herzel (filter)
ring my bell - blood sisters & one blood (sound city)
195 dub - irie band (no label)
civilization - dub project (m)
la candela viva - toto la momposina rmx by sonora (no label)
the good leaf - seun kuti & egypt 80 (knitting factory)
baby boogaloo - nilo espinoza (vampisoul)
eveil - kiya & ziya tabassian (atma)
girls - hauschka (fat cat)
the magnificent paper dragon - prince nifty (no label)
shades of summer - galapagoose (no label)
you'll want me never - marcellus pittman (seventh sign)
submarine bells - prommer & barck (derwin)
e.r. 3 - zavala (no label)
amphitecna latifolia - buddy sativa (favorite)

Abstract Index Playlist - April 21/11

2011-04-22T11:39:00.005-04:00

dreeeam - the deeep rmx by prince nifty (no label)
AC riddim - gugu (dva music)
vete - anthony santos rmx by uproot andy
enganami - fredi michel (comeme)
killa - tuneyards (4ad)
invisible cities - nomo (ubiquity)
journeyman - amon tobin (ninja tune)
boro - sorry bamba (thrill jockey)
olelelaye - sabor band de dakar (discograph)
regresa - helado negro (no label)
nego - aline morales (no label)
wow - self evident (cabeza)
don't stop dub music - easy star all stars (easy star)
drum talking - mo kolours (one handed)
balance - the thing is (no label)
medley - redwirearchangel (no label)
deadman - shackleton rmx by king midas sound (honest jons)
the answer - raphael saadiq (sony)
love is blind - bunny rugs (riddimstream)
better beedies - lord boyd (no label)
singularity - fudge fingas (prime numbers)
onwa nna na nwa - onyenze rmx by schlactofbronx (no label)
blocks - lol boys (discobelle)

Abstract Index Playlist - April 14/11

2011-04-21T12:51:00.003-04:00

for the love of money - disco dub band (mr. bongo)
let me down easy - rare pleasure (strut)
african rock - licky (p&p)
change rhythm - sabbo (no label)
chama o bombeiro - zuzuka poderosa rmx by sonora (no label)
la sabrosono se ha ido - santos (no label)
los poderes - rita indiana rmx by atropolis (dutty artz)
pause mcital - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
i don't love you anymore - gladiators (studio one)
let's dub it up - dee sharp (greensleeves)
rock vibration - big youth (blood and fire)
sometimish rastaman - danny i (itation)
please don't leave me - sahib shihab (argo)
gridjam - lina allemano four (lumo)
summit - rudresh mahanthappa & bunky green (pi)
keet - icarus (rump)
megaflow #1 - za! (acuarela)
winamp melodrama - 2562 (when in doubt)
the answer - delhi 2 dublin rmx by poirier (no label)
fem pressure - dubbel dutch (dutty artz)
boogaloo (ven a bailar) - nodjz (generation bass)
serenade to a jive turkey - nite-liters (dusty groove)
enjoy yourself - sahara all stars band jos (afro-strut)
dog & cat - fruko y sus tesos (vampisoul)

Abstract Index Playlist - April 7/11

2011-04-08T12:01:00.004-04:00

accra city blues - blitz the ambassador (embassy mvmt)
en lo mano el machete - den5hion (no label)
el cafetero de javier estrada - dj javier estrada (mad decent)
pause mcital - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
riotriot - tuneyards (beggars banquet)
maybes - mount kimbie rmx by james blake (hotflush)
wasteland - 2562 (when in doubt)
wake up - wagon christ (ninja tune)
inna eden dub - dubmatix (7 arts)
betta tomorrow - lazah current (ohm grown)
retribution - etana (vp)
go to hell - raphael saadiq (sony)
love exchange - sonny craver (bbe)
another brother remix - colman brothers (wah wah 45s)
i suppose i should say thanks or some shit - gold panda (ghostly international)
year of the boar - aimtoronto orchestra (barnyard)
eshu's trick - slumgum (no label)
jackson rain - we're not popstars (no label)
erin told me about shoes - secret mommy (ache)
phonix - milyoo (saigon)
talk to you rumpistol (rump)
wonderful dub - eddie c (karat)
space traveller - dennis coffey (strut)
no condition is permanent - marijata (academy)
estoy en onda - orquestra hermanos flores (cicesa)
ntshonalanga - almon memela (atlantic)
corre a los campos - embrujo (shadoks)
tu confusion - danny i (itation)

Abstract Index Playlist - March 31/11

2011-04-01T11:52:00.004-04:00

woza - louis moholo viva la black (ogun)
triple double- shot x shot (high two)
horizontal structures 3 - moritz von oswald trio (honest jons)
regret - falty dl (hotflush)
suit yourself - daedalus (ninja tune)
centdixseptnord - kenlo (no label)
dream a while - jesse futerman (no label)
iron pulse (starboy) - emay (no label)
if love - agape rmx by marcelo yuka (sustainable)
fuzz face - belleruche rmx by pollyn (tru thoughts)
duggu duggu - gyptian (vp)
roll deep - cail p (no label)
pardon - orchestre poly rhythmo de contounou (strut)
canto sin nombre - embrujo (shadoks)
the only hand to hold you with - prefuse 73 feat shara worden (warp)
fading is the presence of a woman - maju (extreme)
space church - ayal senior (inyrdisk)
dezomensnamata - joao parahyba (anonimata)
markos cave - d. charles speer (thrill jockey)
processional - the element choir (barnyard)
day by day - jimmy scott (atlantic)
history version - rhythm and sound (basic channel)
rejoice jah jah children - silvertones (pressure sounds)
shining star - frankie paul (cousins)
keep on coming in the dance - lone ranger (studio one)

Abstract Index Playlist - March 24/11

2011-03-25T11:31:00.003-04:00

seconds- salsoul orchestra feat loleatta holloway (salsoul)
strife in the village - earl rodney (em)
puyalo ahi - pedro beltran (soundway)
arrete mal parle - fair nick stars (strut)
los diamantes - grupo cimarron (smithsonian folkways)
don pedro - los pleneros de la 21 (shanachie)
wade in - joy o (hotflush)
dance til the police come - peverelist (hessle audio)
bahia - atropolis feat noelia fernandes (dutty artz)
specialty party (instrumental) - policy (rush hour)
i'll bet you - dennis coffey feat mick collins & rachel nagy (strut)
love message - sargent and malone re-edit by the revenge (z)
nearness/distance - feuermusik (standard form)
what is it you're looking at - rampersaud/shaw/martin/neal/krakowiak (barnyard)
civilization of mud & ember - dawn of midi (accretions)
mating ritual - bobby bradford (black saint)
buho - ash black bufflo (knitting factory)
the castle is real - capillary action (no label)
cloudlight - eskmo (ninja tune)
solid rock i stand - willi williams (dug out)
i know - arkital sound feat king solomon (arkital)
ma melodie - dub inc (productions speciales)
changes - gentleman (vp)
pluto jazz - trebles and blues (dojo)
swim good - frank ocean (no label)

Abstract Index Playlist - March 17/11

2011-03-20T19:24:00.003-04:00

psychoanalyze - amalia (tokyo dawn)
comin' up - rise ashen feat ammoye (balanced)
yaya - mr ok feat larose (masalacism)
rough likkle sound - dubmatix feat brother culture (7 arts)
i and i - agape rmx by digitaldubs (sustainable)
lioness - dub rocket feat mela one (touchbass)
finished i ain't - ghostpoet (brownswood)
all she wants to do is dance - more or les (fuzzy logic)
on the road - dr. music (grt)
slowercase d - daedalus (ninja tune)
i need mirrors - the luyas (idee fixe)
haydar haydar - minor empire (world trip)
le 2e souk - pierre labbe + 12 (ambiences magnetiques)
wow - roy porter (vistone)
monsieur l'indien - peloquin/sauvageau (mucho gusto)
micro phobia vol 2 - toddler body (inyrdisk)
farewell to the flyer - polmo polpo (barge)
lonesome hunter - timber timbre (arts and crafts)
abba zabba - radio i ching (resonant)
things i lost - shlohmo (friends of friends)
danca de los hubitos - nilan perera (synaptic circus)
in a salient way - moondata (moondata)
winter light - pierre lx (initial cuts)
city girls - hrdvision (wagon repair)
ponte bomb - bomba estereo (nacional)
sonrisas - rebel rhythm (firegrooves)
crumbs off the table - young disciples (numero)
walk on by - earth girl helen brown (forest family)

Abstract Index Playlist - March 10/11

2011-03-11T19:59:00.002-05:00

long enough - candy mckenzie (pressure sounds)
bad ritual - timber timbre (arts and crafts)
forgot i was here - shlohmo (friends of friends)
slow and wet - star slinger (no label)
all you never know - matthewdavid (brainfeeder)
ludes - jules chaz (wagon repair)
ping - hauschka (fat cat)
tenere - bombino (cumbancha)
testimony of rev. charlie jackson - reverend charlie jackson (case quarter)
lamento borincano - libre (salsoul)
alegre jibarito - la justicia (numero group)
turned on to you - eighties ladies (uno melodic)
shogun - elaquent (no label)
impulsinfonetta - fulgeance (musique large)
craig machinsky - paris suit yourself (big dada)
judges - colin stetson (constellation)
getsemani - undivided (multikulti)
suprem sunlight - adlr (nonprojects)
your touch is so electric - onmutu mechanics (echocord)
pula dub - peikko & lassi (sankho)
it's coming down - babe rainbow (no label)
ze bula - figura rmx by chancha via circuito (zzk)
sen bu yaylalari yaylayamazsin - minor empire (world trip)
hired by the king - neung phak (mono pause)
ice cream man dreams - st. dirt elementary school (barnyard)
kikeru - d.o. misiani & shirati jazz (sterns)
nomada - diamond bass (enchufada)

Abstract Index Playlist - March 3/11

2011-03-04T16:45:00.004-05:00

you make me real - brandt bauer frick (k7)
the burning circle - hidden orchestra (tru thoughts)
cloud 8 - elaquent (no label)
last tango in paris - julio gutierrez (vico)
crying child - the movers (city special)
free your mind - amnesty (now again)
totally outrageous - johnny pate (rca/dusty groove)
pichito - frente cumbiero rmx by sonora (no label)
gemini theme - found (no label)
93 million miles - jules chaz (wagon repair)
puddles - wamoo papez (no label)
conversations in a crowd - mark segger sextet (18th note)
demented - lounge lizards (editions eg)
mergulho no ar - mario garcia (unknown)
la gozadera - alex acosta y su orquestra (soundway)

GuShee live set:
Gonna Make It
Making Babies
When I Think of You...Sunshine
Like Magic

ancestral echoes - nick rosen (porter)
lawrence of arabia - freddie stone (do right)
planes - shlohmo (friends of friends)
before sunrise - 1000 names (black acre)

Abstract Index Playlist - February 24/11

2011-02-25T16:13:00.004-05:00

tequila - perez prado (dimsa)
cancao de deserta - quantic rmx by jeremy sole (tru thoughts)
120-05 - burnt friedman & jaki liebezeit (nonplace)
maiga (live) - vieux farka toure (six degrees)
tiga - bako dagnon (syllart)
ojos verdes - sonora (no label)
yes i do - julez chaz feat danuel tate (wagon repair)
veto - lukid (werk)
koma - james kumo (ann aimee)
into the milky way - jenny briscoe & the beavers (salsoul)
ease out - mid air rmx by the revenge (z)
at the vulturul negru - a hawk and a hacksaw (lm duplication)
sirba de la medgidia - toni iordache (asphalt tango)
if i took your hand - fire (rune grammofon)
the beach - mark segger sextet (18th note)
play to please - deep dark united (rat drifting)
asheville - dub is a weapon (harmonized)
freak out - jackie mittoo (studio one)
danger in your eyes - beverley road all stars (bastard jazz)
la derrota de damasco - mariachi mexicano (peerless)

Abstract Index Playlist - February 17/11

2011-02-18T14:45:00.002-05:00

knowledge of good and evil - esperanza spalding (heads up)
my dog has fleas - mark segger sextet (18th note)
131-05 - burnt friedman and jaki liebezeit (nonplace)
messages pt 2 - rise (phantom)
undelivered letter - quantic y su combo barbaro rmx by daedalus (tru thoughts)
beside the ferryman - melting season (mush)
bizness - tune-yards (4AD)
honolulu - el gran romantico y el supercombo (soundway)
plastico - ruben blades & willie colon rmx by bugz in the attic (fania)
afrika - osborne rmx by bullion (ghostly international)
back to the bricks - canadian winter (no label)
cumbia sobre el llano - ernesto torrealba y su conjunto (sonolux)
never keep you waiting - courtney john (vp)
sweet like sugar - ibo (crw)
identity roots - peculiar i (no label)
don texas - analogik (jenka)
what have i done with my life - kotchy (done right)
elise - toro y moi (carpark)
little hand - braids (kanine)
testamento - milton nascimento (emi)
monen natana - abyssinia infinite (network)
preguntale - alika rmx by dee jay negro (dub)
la primorosa - chico ye (tropicall)
young lava - ground is lava (friends of friends)
fish touch - pixelord rmx by leonard dstny (error broadcast)
good life - the dirtbombs (in the red)

Abstract Index Playlist - February 10/11

2011-02-11T09:40:00.005-05:00

skin & bones - nostalgia 77 (tru thoughts)
descarga fania - fania all stars (fania)
guaguanco coruco - la justicia (numero)
no me ire de aqui - la sangre caliente (gas)
negra chunga - rufo garrido y su orquestra (discos fuentes)
cucu perucu - mr. pauer (fabrik)
cumbia solenena - los plianderias momposinas (no label)
creation - djosos krost feat jah bobby (quango)
sharivari - dirtbombs (in the red)
toe games make her giggle - dorian concept (ninja tune)
not in love - crystal castles feat robert smith rmx by SertOne (no label)
venus fertile - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
phoco - v looper (soulection)
upside down - sabbo (generation bass)
bossa - eucalyptus (no label)
all together - now ensemble (new amsterdam)
japeru - william parker & hamid drake (aum fidelity)
loss (for flo) - avram fefer trio (ptr)
venus - mo se sengo fan fan (retroafric)
dat soca boat - mighty shadow (strut)
u se mcane - lette mbulu (bbe)
snap-out - a.m. stragglers (little giant)
lubara wanwa - aurelio (sub pop)
cumbajo - gameboy (cabeza)
sealing dub - skatalites (motion)

Abstract Index Playlist - February 3/11

2011-02-04T10:36:00.004-05:00

chant dub - midnite (fifth son)
revelation in dub - wackie's rhythm force (wackies)
song of judgment - nazarenes (heartbeat)
istanbul - o'luge(last gang)
dub syndicate - dubbing is a must (collision cause of chapter 3)
ti fi ou te madam - anzala, dolor, velo pel edit (soundway)
alcatraz - peru negro (iempsa)
niane- nuru kane (worldisc)
mosquito song - seun kuti & egypt 80 (disorient)
xalam - ade (syllart)
warriors - don pullen(blue note)
bug in the bass bin - innerzone orchestra (k7)
restructure to rebuild - digital myztikz (soul jazz)
aging - gonjasufi rmx by dam mantle (warp)
a day at the carnival - dam funk rmx by benedek (no label)
got to get your love - clyde alexander and sanction rmx by kenny dope(p&p)
cowboy - the nite liters (rca/dusty groove)
party sex - roy ayers (polygram)
we must be in love - impressions (curtom)
funky fresh - ayatollah (no label)
workinonit - j dilla (stones throw)
dollar - bilal remix by black milk (plug research)
lyman place - kieran hebden & steve reid (domino)
sonic voice enclosed by the wind - wadada leo smith & gunter baby sommer (intakt)
rocking horse - rob brown (aum fidelity)
chambelona (potpourri de congas) - cachao (salsoul)

Abstract Index Playlist - January 27/11

2011-01-28T12:21:00.003-05:00

carambaba - omar sosa (ota)
skew - chris speed trio (knitting factory)
taht - cecil taylor segments II (soul note)
levels - bilal rmx by sonnymoon (plug research)
nitelite - xi (orca)
kibose - maria y jose (generation bass)
e acordeon del rio - gux swadharma (cabeza)
tabaco mascao - los gallegos rmx by criolla (no label)
que s'est il passe - tommy guerrero (galaxia-rush)
bwana - los relampagos (novola)
hit after hit - earth girl helen brown (forest family)
fawn ngeo - johnny guitar (sublime frequencies)
om shanti om - kishore kumar (sarega)
akai hashi - andy haas (resonant)
playbak dub - midnite (fifth son)
africans for unity - version xcursion feat treson (vx)
under heavy manners - prince far i (heartbeat)
wind loop - teebs rmx by bearclaw (brainfeeder)
noir - elaquent (soulection)
cyber convicts - azaxx (tru thoughts)
grouper soup - empresarios (fort knox)
rwampunga - mighty popo (tamba)
houmeissa - tartit (crammed)
can't go to cuba - nikita quasim (wolf & lamb)
duo for solo viola and percussion - duo jalal (innova)
verwobene muziki - harmonious thelonious (morr music)
float - tirogo (normal/qdk)

Abstract Index Playlist - January 20/11

2011-01-21T21:06:00.004-05:00

flashback - fred anderson (delmark)
passport to freedom - full metal revolutionary jazz ensemble (FMRJE)
analog paralysis 1978 - tim hecker (alien 8)
eno an co - babe rainbow (no label)
chrysalis - benny tones (wonderful noise)
i think i'm gonna make it - gushee (otnorot)
less corruption - love avalanche feat mc benjammin' (urban world)
nothing beats a dub - jah warrior (jah warrior)
mosque vibrations - dem hunger (leaving)
fear of the unknown - colin stetson (constellation)
callers - hard mix (double denim)
when the night stood still - slakah the beatchild (bbe)
a casa de pedra - cassiano (emi/odeon)
sem deus com a familia - cesar roldao viera (far out)
espanola kolo - a hawk and a hacksaw (lm duplication)
soyledi yok yok - neriman altindag (dust to digital)
tragic zeibekiko - rembetika hipsters (no label)
phir teri yaad - r.d. burman & asha bhosle (world psychedelic classics)
no esta en na - charlie palmieri (mp)
monkey face - the liberators (bbe)
mystery team 2090 - jesse futerman (no label)
hip hop - los rakas (no label)
creeper shit - groundislava (friends of friends)
dazees - datahowler (no label)
funkrocker - georgia anne muldrow (mello)
get involved - george soule (trikont)
who's gonna help brother get further? - lee dorsey (polydor)
trouble in the land - charles bradley (daptone)
hot pop - jojo bennett (mudies)
mousetrap - dubmatix feat eek a mouse (7 arts)

Abstract Index Playlist - January 13/11

2011-01-15T17:18:00.010-05:00

photo courtesy of Exclaim

As usual, I played lots of interesting music this week from around the world, past to future. But I want to write about something I didn't play.

For my money Derek from Northcliffe (woo! neighbourhood bwoi!) aka D-Sisive had the track of last week. In a one-take masterpiece, he gets righteous with expertly constructed anger raining down on haters of every description - especially a long rant about body image. This man's internal struggle is far more interesting to me than Kanye's navel gazing, and his music is far more compelling. I'm so wrapped up in his flow that I almost forget that it's Sigur Ros, who are just OK in my book, providing the music.

Of course I could never play something filled with so much profanity on the air, even if the profanity is entirely appropriate and actually adds to the flow (again, unlike Kanye's laziness with profanity). However, I do recall dropping an accidental f-bomb in my first hour. Sorry CRTC...

Having just finished The Big Payback and read about, among many other things, the initial conflicts over profanity in hip hop butting up against mass media made me start thinking about what I don't play rather than what I do. Having a radio show means that when I hear new music I'm usually thinking about whether I'm going to play it the following week. In order to make that decision, music passes through automatic, invisible filters. Does it have twee vocals? Fail. Is the rhythm section inert? Fail. But certainly the most obvious filter for musical selection is the use of profanity. Over the years I think it's made me less interested in playing vocal hip hop - or any music with a lot of swearing. I puzzle over this: I play hip hop instrumentals, dancehall and hip hop in foreign languages (where artists could be cursing up a storm, or worse), but hardly ever do I play conventional North American beats and rhymes. It would appear that I seem more aligned more with those programmers who resisted hip hop because they claimed it was too vulgar or attracted the wrong demographic or just too damned black. It's ironic because I played my part 20+ years ago in helping to establish hip hop programming on CIUT, and the latter point was heatedly argued at the time.

Reading Payback, I realized that I owned almost every record the book talked about from 1982-93. Rapping was such an important part of my life and I don't know when or why I closed myself off to it. It might have been when I became a parent, but I'm not too concerned about my kid hearing a stray cuss word.

I wish with this post I could say my attitude is going to change, but it probably won't. I don't want to spend my time vetting lyrics; anybody who listens to my show knows that it's mostly instrumental anyways. Since hip hop doesn't rely on radio play anymore, there's a lot more casual profanity even in songs that do strike a chord with me (to say nothing of the N-word which I also try to avoid at all costs), so I just leave most rapping alone and save my investigations for stuff recommended to me by friends. This is too bad for everyone, cause I write about and advocate for a lot of music that doesn't get recognition in proportion to its popularity, and hip hop in Canada is surely in that category. I feel like I'm letting the art form down by not paying closer attention. The function of the radio show is dictating my taste.

Maybe that's why when D-Sisive left me a CDR in my mailbox at CIUT 3 years ago I ignored it. It was unfair of me to dismiss it just because it was another local rap disc. Derek, I'm sorry I didn't check it out at the time.

It's uncomfortable to confront one's own limitations - a theme I've dwelt on a bit of late - when one spends so much time finger-wagging about keeping an open musical mind. There's no good takeaway from this post except that I'm going to keep working it through, and most probably something's going to completely blindside me with awesomeness as is so often the case with music. I promise to lighten up soon.

Podcast

the heatin' system - brother jack mcduff (cadet)
happy house - ornette coleman (columbia)
enta omri (you are my life) - andy haas (resonant)
making babies - gushee (otnorot)
never never - full crate (melting pot)
no clear reason - gang colours (brownswood)
an old escape - illum sphere (fat city)
obafunke - 911 feat zap mama (saturn never sleeps)
fog - nosaj thing rmx by jamie xx (alpha pup)
worldwide - ancient astronauts (switchstance)
cut form three electric kingdom - mophono (cb)
gem - geordie haley (no label)
north winds - christopher campbell (innova)
tape chants 6 - gregg kowalski (kranky)
heat - marcos fernandes (accretions)
floor tom + cymbal + turine - jason kahn (cut)
bright wave - adlr (non projects)
wo yé n'gnougobine - ballake sissoko & vincent segal (six degrees)
players balling - ohio players (westbound)
i believe in your love - charles bradley (dunham)
love is a hurting thing - soul children (stax)
hit me with funky music - little beaver (tk)
frontera - dj lengua (unicornio)
reggae feeling - dynamiyq (no label)

Abstract Index Playlist - January 6/11

2011-01-07T10:48:00.002-05:00

More Bollywood on the way in the next few weeks. In the meantime, you could do worse than picking this up for the generous (if tiny-fonted) liner notes. The title and cover imagery say it all.

Podcast

right way - jahdan blakkamoore (lustre kings)
people talk - etana (vp)
push push - lloyd & devon (studio one/soul jazz)
days of dub - michael rose/twilight circus (m)
terminator dub - dubmatix (7 arts)
peaceful warrior - mad professor feat sly and robbie (ariwa/ras)
who is the ruler - alpha and omega (greensleeves)
loco - atom heart & tea time vs mexican dubwiser (no label)
perfection - boogat (no label)
boha - kubo feat joyce muniz (man)
airtime - masuper star rmx by dj mpula (masalacism)
ovva - bassanovva (t&a)
dum maro dum - asha bhosle & r.d. burman (world psychedelic classics)
right on for the darkness - willie wright (numero)
funky in here - dayton sidewinders (funkadelphia)
afro revolt - afro soultet (luv n haight)
i feel the earth move - moody (sunbeam)
so be it - new york electric piano (buffalopuppy)
intensives leben - triosk (leaf)
sibanye - marilyn crispell & louis moholo-moholo (intakt)
chickle that bottom - subtle lip can (drip)
space cellar - ayal senior (inyrdisk)
paradise of ashes - andy haas (resonant)
i never learnt to share - james blake (atlas/universal)
i got a woman - nicolas jaar (wolf and lamb)
autotune - emsitka vs. gulls (no label)
tension spirit - kaly live dub (jarring effects)
kumina mento rasta - wareika hill sounds (hones jons)
dove song - nicolette (shut up and dance/k7)
business of panic - mastermind xs (lcl)

podcast coming soon....

Abstract Index Playlist - December 30/10

2011-01-03T13:38:00.002-05:00

You know you're reading a Canadian blog when there's a picture of Poutine A L'Italienne from Chez Morasse in Rouyn-Noranda (where I spent more than my fair share of time during my big rock n roll adventure of 2010).

The last show of the year contained some favourites for 2010 hastily gathered, hopelessly incomplete & sprinkled with dub:

Podcast

songs:
special - maddslinky feat omar (tru thoughts)
sun - caribou (domino)
ayobaness! - pastor mbhobho (out here)
ya yo se - chico mann (no label - sorry this was late 2009!)
celebrate my love - dubmatix feat jay douglas (7 arts)
put the stereo on - gappy ranks (vp)
hold you - gyptian (vp)
abrazame -los rakas feat fabiola (bersa discos)
he don't want it - jazzy jeff feat ayah (unknown)
lift your head up - annette brissett (TAC)
cmyk - james blake (r&s)
choo choo beep - south rakkas crew feat deerhoof (mad decent)
blue - salva (friends of friends)
coco drunk - poirier rmx by douster (ninja tune)
no ta llevando el diablo - rita indiana (dutty artz)

albums:
jamana be diya - bassekou kouyate (I Speak Fula, sub pop)
everything must spin - ryan driver (Who's Breathing, rat drifting)
sketch #14 - drumheller (Glint, rat drifting)
cannonball adderley's tattoo - lina allemano four (Jargon, lumo)
three - little women (Throat, aum fidelity)
yem efe - tony grey super (The World Ends, soundway)
el ausente - fruko y sus tesos (The Afrosound Of Colombia, vampisoul)
mi cantando par ti - ngoma jazz (Angola Soundtrack, analog africa)
gol-e aftab gardoon - noosh atarin (Pomegranates, finders keepers)
raga malkauns - charanjit singh (Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat, bombay connection)
suetala - dj orion (Carajo Colombia, no label)
djama - donso (Donso, comet)
frawdulent - bonjay (Broughtupsy, mysteries of trade)
wondaland - janelle monae (The Archandroid, bad boy)
nobody knows - pastor t.l. barrett and the youth for christ choir (Like A Ship, light in the attic)

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Abstract Index Playlist - December 23/10

2010-12-27T15:34:00.002-05:00

We're barely past the solstice and already we're deep into the Cold Weather. For most of North America, that signals the end of the reggae season.

Reggae as we all know is skankin' on the beach music with a bottle of Red Stripe in each hand.

Never mind the reality that reggae and dancehall are more entrenched, discussed and distributed than ever before, and that quality releases in long and short form varieties continue to be issued throughout the year.

However, as I have of late dwelt on the perception of music as much as the expression of music, mass media and even prominent blogs continue to ignore reggae unless the weather is right. Year end lists of pop music seem to be more narrow than ever. Hip hop rightly graduated to such lists many years ago (and Kanye has demonstrated that a hip hop album can actually epitomize a year - take that, Arcade Fire!), but for all the promise contained in the breezy aphorism "I don't care where it comes from, good music is good music", rock-based music from the United States, Britain, and here of course, Canada continues to represent the vast majority of pop year-end lists. Where is Gyptian's "Hold You", or for that matter the soca hit of the decade JW & Blaze's "Palance", both of which moved millions of bodies this year? Getting deeper, it's not as though tropically-derived music isn't massively popular in North America, it's just that we fail to paint a true picture of ourselves in terms of musical activity (maybe social activity too, Toronto?) when the ends of years/decades necessitate one. For the umpteenth year, music lags far behind food, movies, and cuisine in terms of critical endorsement of widespread popularity.

Jahdan's new album Babylon Nightmare isn't going to change that - especially with a December 2010 release all but guaranteeing it will be forgotten by December 2011. Too bad. This is a fine record which combines hip hop with upfull reggae in a way that a wider swath of North Americans should get with. Babylon Nightmare is no simple grafting of hip hop beats onto reggae basslines, it's a virtuous circle in which reggae hooks and hip hop rhythms combine in ways that make them difficult to tease them apart. Discreet acoustic guitars, string flourishes and bits of reggae's past (Ras Michael, Eek A Mouse) add variety. In short, it's a reggae album that should play well with all kinds of hip hop influenced music of these sub-arctic climes.

Perhaps the lyrics, which dwell on traditional Rasta concerns of living right and denouncing the ways and means of Babylon, may not be as accessible as the music (so few reggae artists on this continent have found ways to address cold weather themes of urban isolation and working against natural elements to survive. Jahdan had a great song on his last album which hit some of these nerves) but in terms of delivery, Jahdan is always a wonder. Switching off easily between singing and chanting, his dexterity in bending a phrase around several bars is his primary appeal. This is no criticism of the substance of the lyrics; just that cultural reggae lyrics tend not to appeal to the unconverted.

Thanks to Jahdan's association with Major Lazer, Dutty Artz et al, this should go further than a typical reggae release, but I can only hope that someone like Jody Rosen at Rolling Stone (writing about Busy Signal's "fearsome flow and great taste in beats" on D.O.B.) will take notice and consider this album as an important, memorable album regardless of genre.

Of course, I'm still here running my mouth, bringing today's crucial rhythms and textures to a mass audience FWIW. I may not be on the front lines of every style, but I'll always strive to build and reinforce the big tent. Que Viva CIUT!

Podcast

a wah dat - junior dread (trojan)
christmas day pt 1 - les kilimambogo (nairobi)
arbolito - willie colon & hector lavoe (fania)
christmas in jamaica - brent dowe (studio one)
let's try - heptones (studio one/heartbeat)
cocody rock (dub) - alpha blondy (shanachie/vp)
rewind - jahdan blakkamoore (lustre kings)
humano - lido pimienta rmx by sonora (no label)
si hecho palante - ticklah (easy star)
blast off - sonnymoon (plug research)
to care (like you) - james blake (a&m)
underground (fat freddy's drop vs. celeda) - le freak selector (no label)
zuluairlines - bert on beats (man)
nahoda - damily (unknown)
what do you think happens when you get too far from your house? - peripheral vision (no label)
space jungle funk - oneness of juju (strut)
no matter what - nicole mitchell black earth strings (delmark)
crime in the pale moonlight - flanger rmx by rashad becker (nonplace)
ruff way - rhythm & sound feat. tikiman (burial mix)
lakeviews - resoe (echochord)
bearcat dreads - john hornak (no label)
rubadub anthem - high tone rmx by twelve (jarring effects)
tired of fighting - menahan street band (dunham)
funky in here - dayton sidewinders (funkadelphia)
get down santa - the jive turkeys (colemine)
christmas tree - king stitt (studio one)

Abstract Index Playlist - December 16/10

2010-12-20T13:00:00.011-05:00

I was all set to write about how this funny little project takes the hatchet to a wide range of pop songs past and present, but then Lonely Island's "I Just Had Sex" dropped and arguably did an even better job of lampooning today's hottest hits. Its silly, positive spirit is more evocative of what sex is actually like than Katy's limp double-entendres and Xtina's bionic coochie music.

That video was a fitting way to end a year in which I spent more time listening to Top 30 pop music I don't like than ever before. Sure, I enjoy and play my fair share of pop music (if not usually chartbusters - except from Jamaica...), but it's part of my job to keep in touch with what's going on outside of the music I tend to write about. How can any self-respecting World Music 2.0 journalist write about the brave new sounds around the world without familiarity with how North American hip hop, dance and power pop influences travel throughout the globe? How can I write about jazz without acknowledging what the Bad Plus, Jamie Cullum and Vijay Iyer have done with contemporary pop songs as an update of the Miles and Trane transformations of Broadway standards in the 50s? More tellingly, how can I be taken seriously as a music critic if I high-handedly dismiss this era's "in da club" generation while lionizing previous ones?

I only wish that some of my professional peers would have the same courtesy to explore beyond their comfort zones as I have been trying to do for years since "poptimism" legitimized the scholarly analysis of pop music half a decade ago. But since there's no easy money writing about world music and experimental traditions around the world, I shouldn't be surprised. It still bugs me when the musical territory to which I gravitate most is dismissed out of hand as irrelevant (not enough hype, clicks n' cash behind it), when such criticism is coming from a fundamental lack of curiosity of what's going on in the wide world beyond pop and rock being produced in North America and the UK (to be fair, the editors I work with most frequently do not think this way). With the music industry in tremendous flux, sudden popularity can come from the most unlikely sources, and to dismiss genres and continents as irrelevant is simply bad journalism.

Anyways, I'm happy to have received Pop Massacre: a Christmas gift which combines freeform electronic exploration with hits from yesterday and today: I've always been Hooked On Plunderphonics. Last week's track "La Bamba" was once a radical reinvention of a world music classic, and this version by Mexicans With Guns accomplishes much the same thing more than 50 years later. Starting with a creaky, slowed down representation of the main guitar riff, it quickly collapses into a burbling mess of electronics and reconfigures itself into the Low End Theory glitch-shuffle that Friends of Friends have done such a great job of showcasing to the world this past year. By song's end, it's gone double time, getting into modern day nuevo-tropical beats at the cutting edge of 'global South' dance music. And so it goes elsewhere: the many, many hooks and cultural signposts of these songs are pureed into tongue and cheek remixes which nonetheless hold up for repeated listening. The best parts of Pop Massacre go several steps beyond Girl Talk's serial money-shot shtick, while still tickling those pop music taste buds. Here are empty calories and expert cuisine folded together then cooked until well done.

Save some room for Lonely Island's affectionate satire as dessert.

Podcast

kifo - remmy ongala & orchestre super matimala (real world)
dr. j abuya - daniel owino misiani & shirati band (earthworks)
gborei adesai - psychedelic aliens (voodoo funk)
threeball jazz - yelram selectah (no label)
moon pupils - boxcutter (kinnego)
hot gyal - tnt rmx by bassanova (t & a)
get on downz - switch rmx by le freak selector (no label)
mountains to climb - jahdan blakkamoore (lustre kings)
let it up - empresarios (fort knox)
gusto a nada - les reyes del milanga rmx by teswuino & dj linterna (cabeza)
fulaninha - luisa maita rmx by maga bo (cumbancha)
silbando - los riberios rmx by grc (barbes)
herencia rumbera - roberto roena y su apollo sound (fania)
mr. freedom x - miles davis (columbia)
latin power - eero koivisitoinen (porter)
treehouse - peripheral vision (no label)
no rest for the wicked - a hawk and a hacksaw (lm duplication)
snakes at the euxine - rembetika hipsters (no label)
track 3 - french kiss orchestra (no label)
la bamba - richie valens rmx by mexicans with guns (friends of friends)
bandwagon - kotchy (done right)

Abstract Index Playlist - December 9/10

2010-12-11T12:00:00.008-05:00

As I'm mostly through end of year lists it's pretty obvious to me that no one trend in music has influenced my programming more this year than the abstract electronics coming from the west coast of the United States. As epitomised by Flying Lotus, the Dilla inspired beats of last decade have been folded into new generations. There's too much talent coming from California to reduce to one subgenre or a movement. Teebs makes beautifully melodic, crystalline beats whereas Ras G pursues Arkestral ir-rythmia. Still, a creative DJ should have no problems playing both back to back to an open minded audience (seem to be more of those around these days?).

Salva is the latest bright light from out west. Proprietor of San Francisco's Frite Nite label, he tends towards the funkier end of these abstract beats. If you're into Dam Funk but wished he'd wake the fuck up with a handful of caffeine pills, Salva's your man. Dubstep can't help but be an influence on these beats as it explores similar frequency ranges and tempos, and Complex Housing mixes well with the angular head nodding required by the form, though with less obsession with bass sculpture: Salva keeps things predominantly funky. He's like a futuristic Lakeside; always searching for a more epic synth riff.

The album drops in February, though you can get the advance single "Blue" here.

Podcast

pek - sally nyolo & la voix du cenacle (riverboat)
african do round - zuzuku rmx by mexican dubwiser (no label)
ananas tornillo - frente cumbiero (names you can trust)
afrodesia - afro soultet (luv n haight)
playing with stones - bunky green/rudresh mahanthappa (pi)
229 - gordon grdina trio feat mats gustafsson (drip audio)
cut form crush: be human pt 1 - mophono (cb)
icey - salva (friends of friends)
full disk - man made hill (inyrdisk)
sin gas - la ola criminal (dutty artz)
garabato - ku bo (man recordings)
el rockers - augustus pablo (pressure sounds)
music dub - horace andy/prince jammy (blood and fire)
page one - carlton patterson (hot pot)
trod natty - odel (ohm grown)
the phantom (om unit dub) - computer jay (no label)
dubliners - nicolas jaar (wolf and lamb)
tonight - elgato (hessle audio)
dubcuttin' - resoe (echochord)
push am - banana clips (bersa discos)
maybe a dream - amenta (no label)
lam tung wai - chaweewan dumnern (soundway)

Abstract Index Playlist - December 2/10

2010-12-06T15:31:00.011-05:00

I'd like to see mbalax get its due by the deejay-reissue industrial complex.

Since the Buena Vista narrative has recently been retold with the release of the Afrocubism project, it's an opportune time to point out the Senegalese similarities. Barthelemy Atisso is guitarist for Afrocubism and more importantly Orchestra Baobab. Baobab's Cuban style was submerged/swept away by the Senegalese new wave of mbalax, at whose forefront was Youssou N'Dour and his Etoile De Dakar. Over the past decade and a half, it was quite the turn of events to see Baobab and Buena Vista experience great success with outdated (though lovely) styles instead of the more contemporary, urban, complex forms of timba in Cuba and mbalax and its descendents in Senegal.

Mbalax at this point is both popular and historical music. Even with the growth of rap in Senegal, there are many stars in this style. Contemporary mbalax retains the shape shifting sabar drumming rhythms of the music, smoothing the impact only with stock synth pads.

Super Diamono's glory years came before digital synths swept Africa (and African productions in Paris and London), but electronics were common tools nonetheless . It sounds like a Prophet 5 winding its way through "Diallo Dieri" this week which ties the whirlwind drumming, electric piano and incantatory singing together. It's undeniably funky, but you have to work a little bit to catch the groove. It's a song for dancing, not bouncing. If James Brown had just kept going further out after "I Got The Feeling" he might have hit these Senegalese shores.

Despite Youssou N'Dour's global stature, it's unlikely mbalax will cross over further. It's just not easy to mix this groove into today's more rigidly metered dancefloor requirements. If dance music is just starting to come to grips with the syncopations of soca, cumbia and kuduro, mbalax represents a whole new level of rhythmic information to process. Nonetheless, as speed metal proves, it's possible for complex, less accessible music to find a global audience. Super Diamono's sound can be seen/marketed as an extension of the psychedelic Africa reissue movement, or RIYL tradi-moderne Congotronics. Well known labels like Sterns have kept this music in circulation but even the recent Etoile De Dakar re-evaluation never really made it out of the world music 1.0 media.

Then again, I live in Ontario, not Quebec, where Senegalese music enjoys a much higher profile and maybe has the same kind of DJ ubiquity as Nigerian and Congolese music have in Toronto. Maybe our friends at Masalacism Records are busy grooming Montreal nu-mbalax artists and waiting for just the right moment to strike!

Podcast

people suite - sweet maya (riverman)
crystals - ron forella (luv n haight)
mr. clean - richard groove holmes (blue note)
whitehouse - aeroplane trio (drip audio)
fuma - dimba diangula (analog africa)
diallo dieri - super diamono (dakar audio diffusion)
cumbia invasiva - monareta rmx by huracan (nacional)
coupe cumbia - banana clips (bersa discos)
seven chirp - kingdom (night slugs)
bobo (dub) - hunee (rush hour)
beautiful dreamer - justine & the victorian punks (dfa)
jurame - helado negro (no label)
pegwee power - maylee todd (do right)
rain horses - szilard mezsei ensemble (red toucan)
fax shadow - toro y moi rmx by shlomo (no label)
brown eyed girl - shigeto (brainfeeder)
saativaa - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
mainne kaun koi kya jane - anuradha paudwal (nascente)
brimstone & fire version - atarra (pressure sounds)
you don't have to know me - milton henry (wackies)

Abstract Index Playlist - November 25/10

2010-11-27T20:12:00.005-05:00

I love Vancouver trumpet player J.P. Carter's approach to his instrument - freaking loud and lashed by electronics. On this new release, he forgoes the effects, and not surprisningly, he still has a wide sonic range. The Aeroplane Trio's "Naranja Ra" uses that range to different effect than label mates Fond of Tigers. Both Skye Brooks on drums and Russell Sholberg on bass contribute just as much to the melange of songwriting, textural exploration, and straight out grooving.

Right off the top, "Pre-Rumble" contains a wonderful section of Carter and Sholberg exploring some dirty low end sounding almost like throat singing. All the while Brooks is helping to build the tension with bustling tom work. Then again, there are mutant funk grooves like "Whitehorse" and the molasses bossa abstraction of the track featured this week "Callejula" which have a more conventional trio sound but retain the group's questing character.

This trio's variety is put it its best light by excellent track sequencing. I still haven't fully digested this disc but it sounds like some of the best work I've ever heard from Carter and Brooks.

I think Drip Audio wants you to buy this for Christmas because it comes in an attractive package with a bonus DVD. As of today, you can.

Podcast

there's where do you want to go - kahil el'zabar ritual trio (delmark)
callejuela - aeroplane trio (drip audio)
strange fruit (remix) - jesse futerman (no label)
paper street - airhead (brain math)
unlighted - senking (raster noton)
impressions d'afrique - kreidler (italic)
masikulu dub - mark ernestus vs. konono no. 1 (crammed)
ze da lua - ulungu wami (analog africa)
asem ato me - kwasi boateng's band (continental)
palladium - ed lincoln (musidisc)
do what you feel - pursuit grooves (no label)
si mi ya - sugar minott (easy star)
don't want to let you go version - dream band (no label)
jbc days & proper education dub - mikey dread (auralux)
seven and eleven - tommy mccook and the supersonics (pressure sounds)
mussum - saravah soul rmx by quantic (tru thoughts)
heartbeat - t. williams feat terri warner rmx by mosca (local action)
african warrior (instrumental) - donae'o (soul jazz)
black moon - jason rivas rmx by sheeqo (3ballmty)
munt - boom pam (essay)
evidence - the jaki byard experience (prestige)
barrel fire - gordon grdina trio feat mats gustafsson (drip audio)
track 3 - vine (no label)
highest - the detroit experiment (planet e)
the nile dread - early w~rm (no label)

December Interviews

2010-11-27T16:18:00.013-05:00

I know I said that I was going to cut down on interviews, but interesting people just keep finding me. The next three weeks will feature some excellent conversation.

First up, on December 2 I'll be speaking with Kat Cizek, director of the NFB Interactive project, Out My Window. Here's the NFB blurb:

Out My Window is one of the world’s first interactive 360º documentaries. Delivered entirely on the web, it explores the state of our urban planet told by people who look out on the world from highrise windows.

It’s a journey around the globe through the most commonly built form of the last century: the concrete-slab residential tower. Meet remarkable highrise residents who harness the human spirit — and the power of community — to resurrect meaning amid the ruins of modernism.
With more than 90 minutes of material to explore, Out My Window features 49 stories from 13 cities, told in 13 languages, accompanied by a leading-edge music playlist.

It's this last part that makes the topic particularly intriguing for further exploration on a music show. Cizek has developed interesting views on community-building which should be very relevant for community radio.

On December 9, I'll be airing my interview with the one and only David "Ram Jam" Rodigan. He remains the number one roots reggae DJ in the world, the John Peel of reggae in Britain and the master of an untold number of exclusive dubplates. He turns 60 next year but shows no signs of slowing down.

Finally, on December 16, I'm joined by Badal Roy. The first jazz tabla player, he was an essential part of Miles Davis' On The Corner, and played with a bewildering array of jazz greats including Ornette Coleman (for 12 years!) Pharoah Sanders, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Herbie Mann, Pat Metheny, Lester Bowie, Airto Moreira, and Charlie Haden. He was a lot of fun to talk to, and has great stories about On The Corner.

All interviews take place at 11PM.

Abstract Index Playlist - November 11/10

2010-11-16T15:49:00.008-05:00

Tradi-Mods vs. Rockers reminds me of the two volume compilation Macro Dub Infection, compiled by Kevin "The Bug" Martin in the mid 90s. In fact it would've been perfect if Martin had been invited to take whack at some of Kinshasa's finest likembe grooves in his own style....

The basis for comparison is both compilations' viewpoints on music as process. The MDI comps may have been the first collection of a decade-old phenomenon which posited dub as a means of composition outside of reggae-based rhythms: take elements of a song, reconsider its structure, and make it more diffuse. Musical background didn't have to enter into the equation to produce convincing dub - as witnessed by artists on the comps as diverse as Mad Professor, Coil, Tortoise, New Kingdom, and Rhys Chatham.

Similarly, Tradi Mods Vs. Rockers taps a wide range of contributors to reconfigure the Congotronics series. If this had happened a decade ago, you could've counted on a brace of thumping dance mixes (like Crammed's Electric Gypsyland Vol 1 and 2, which nevertheless still sound good to these ears) or tepid A-faux-beat, but this project is an excellent example of cross-cultural communication circa 2010.

Even artists in demand for remix work turn in some remarkably different work. Shackleton's mix features a cavernous beat during its consistently entertaining ten minutes, but is one of many meditations on how awesomely cool metallophones can sound sped up, slowed down, stretched out and generally fucked with. This is the inspiration common to all: take the elliptical, distorted and percussive rhythms of the Congotronicians and filter them through your own place in the musical universe.

Where dub started out as the inverse of a song, this project is the inverse of Kinshasan street music culture. Artists explode possibilities within the source material and their own imaginations. Implicit comparisons are made to the repetitive aspects of each artist's music and how the Congotronics sounds appeal to their method.

This isn't a likembe taffy-pull throughout. As with dub since the late 70s, random and unabashedly foreign influences have been successfully stirred into the pot, and that recipe works well here. No matter the cultural background of the contributing artist, each one is committed to finding a synthesis of their talents and the source material. Juana Molina adds her own words, Megafaun essays some Banjotronic styles, Andrew Bird maps out the rhythms with pizzicato violins, and Oneida just giv'er with their guitars roughly sketching likembe patterns.
Distorted textures are this project's sonic constant where digital delay landscapes were the unifying factor for MDI.

Tradi-Mods vs. Rockers might have been the most entertaining musical assignment ever for many of these artists. I'd reckon most of them were honored just to be asked.

Podcast

hymn for louis moholo - dennis gonzalez band of sorcerers (konnex)
kuletronics - burnt friedman vs. konono no. 1 (crammed)
rrrr - peverelist (punch drunk)
part time - ango rmx by selva (no label)
sunset b35 - dj/rupture & matt shadetek (dutty artz)
careful mind - danuel tate (wagon repair)
zharp - lv (hyperdub)
flores de fuego - rita indiana (premium latin music)
sibou odia - orchestra baobab (sterns)
money's too tight to mention - the valentine brothers (bbe)
lero lero - luisa maita rmx by dj tudo (cumbancha)
crumb dub - early worm (no label)
babylon you wrong - cornell campbell & u roy (zion high)
give it up - horace andy (minor 7 flat 5)
conference table - kush i (glover)
warrior no tarry you - junior delgado (sound boy)
dub music give i strength - jah billah ft iyano iyanti (no label)
dem can't stop we talk about dub - dubblestandart feat anthony b (visions from the roof)
awake - janaka selekta rmx by sunskript (no label)
progreso - lido pimienta (helmet room)
goes to hollywood - paul white (no label)
la cygne - say my name (no label)
i don't want to work - kabanjak (esl)

Abstract Index Playlist - November 4/10

2010-11-08T20:28:00.007-05:00

I don't know how to love you, Rita Indiana.

This is my second blog post about this incredible talent in the past year. Her album "El Juidero" dropped last month with pretty much no notice. Though she maintains a healthy presence in New York, all the tastemakers were blindsided by the sudden appearance of a brilliant, genre-melting album. Considering all I do all day is comb the internet for music news (yes, I'm available for parties) the notion that someone with any kind of profile would release an album with no advance promo is simply unheard of.

Now that it's out there, you'll want to read Club Fonograma's excellent blog post which sings the praises of this album in depth. It's got 160 BPM dance workouts heavily garnished with metalloid guitars. It's got rambling dub workouts for days. It's got those sour, one-finger synth lines. It's got a neo no-wave posture that drives the hipsters wild. But I don't pretend to be able to fully appreciate her. I don't speak Spanish, and with this artist, that's a real liability. This music is far more than "A Bailar, A Gozar".

I can't enlighten you about the specific political issues she gets into this album. Heck I couldn't even do that if she were singing in English (which she apparently can quite well, judging from abut 5% of the album). Even if I could speak Spanish, there's a great deal of slang at play and a heaping dose of Dominican reality & personal backstory in the works. Lyrics are crucial to this album, and in failing to understanding them even after Google Translate, I'm missing a significant part of the art.

Admittedly, this is a problem in writing about non-English and French music. So often I'll hear music whose words I can't understand, and I'm in a position of critical authority in writing about it. Often there's a press release or liner notes to give some context, but that can only be partially helpful at best and totally misleading at worst.

But, hey, I've never staked my reputation on my analysis of English lyrics either. My brain condemns me to seize on the music rather than the lyrics of a song, though I totally respect my music critic peers for which the opposite is true. Nor do I think that being an outsider to her music is categorically a bad thing. This was a strong theme in Yo Soy Cumbia which aired a couple of weeks ago. Uproot Andy observed "I come to almost all music styles living in an immigrant city for more or less my whole life, the different music that I’ve been exposed to, have always been brought to me from different places. I think, more and more, that is a natural situation for a lot of people, I mean, whether we grow up rooted in some musical tradition or not, we’re all much more exposed to music of different parts of the world now. So I think that it’s only natural that we like those things, and take those influences when we make music and as listeners, you know, listen to those things".

From my standpoint Rita's music is trading in a number of elements that I, and most urban dancefloor guerillas throughout the world are familiar with. That's where my appreciation starts. In her case, I just stand back and marvel at how she's brought severely danceable elements together with such substantial lyrics. That's an explosive combination.

I'm really hoping to interview her. No doubt a short, staticky conversation won't be a wide open window to her soul. However she's someone whom I would love to hear explain where she's coming from in her own words; the words I can't get to in her music. Do I understand exactly what she's all about? No. Can I write about her music intelligently? Let's hope so.

Podcast

o aetnos - alaniaris (trio)
traducteur de tradition - glenn kotche vs. konono no. 1 (crammed)
impulse - gaslamp killer & daedalus rmx by teebs (brainfeeder)
dance music - r.d. burman (nascente)
build to last - dubblestandart (visions from the roof)
dear heartbeat - darkstar (hyperdub)
pasame a buca - rita indiana y los misterios (premium latin music)
chacarerada del engano - semillo vs. elpidio herrera vs. tremor (zzk)
regresara a cali - greenwood rhythm section (names you can trust)
cinnamon sugar - danuel tate (wagon repair)
riddim box - nb funky (soul jazz)
ruby (live at berghain) - mount kimbie (hotflush)
khalija pt 1 - khalija (force intel)
pressure in the air - dark bird (under see)
the tribe of triclops - lori freedman (ambiances magnetiques)
bicycle - tania gill (barnyard)
brother b - arthur jones (byg)
leaves and smoke - opsvik & jennings (rune framofon)
el farrah - aisha kandisha's jarring effects (barbarity)
eki attar - huun huur tu (world village)
massani cisse - quartete sextette (syllart)
ena eye a mane me - african brothers dance band (afribos)
tirogo - tirogo (qdk)
pichito - frente cumberio (names you can trust)

Abstract Index Playlist - October 28/10

2010-11-02T20:23:00.005-04:00

(Note: there's no playlist or podcast last week due to the Abstract Index fundraising show. If you like what you read/hear on this site, please donate to CIUT)

So we're just into November, which means that hard-bitten music critics for myself are closing out 2010 already with lists upon lists. One artist who will certainly make mine this year is James Blake. A few months ago he released one of my favorite singles of the year "CMYK" (the word "damn" is pretty much foolproof hook).

More recently comes the Klavierwerke EP released a few weeks ago. The serious-sounding title translates into music with a darker tone. Unlike the Burial-meets-Kanye vibe of CMYK, the slow moving dubwise atmosphere isn't so much post-dubstep (if lumped in with great records by Darkstar and Mount Kimbie) as strongly reminiscent of Pole's glory years of the late 90s. There's one big difference between James Blake and Stefan Betke, though - Blake keeps things warm and round-toned, whereas Pole in his numbered albums was trying to stay as remote from dub's Jamaican sunshine as possible.

I love the slow, undulating textures of Klavierwerke. It sounds like steam driven-pistons gradually urging things along, punctuated by terse piano statements. Often the rhyhthms and melodies will be hocketed between the small selection of sounds in each piece. This makes the distinction between "groove" and "breaks" much more nebulous. The uncertainty of the song structures heighten the drama of these minimal constructions. But this isn't tense music: this music is full of heart warming, bass-heavy reassurance. That always finds a good home on the Abstract Index.

Podcast

set the captives free - gregory isaacs (shanachie)
let's dance - gregory isaacs (virgin)
all I have is love - gregory isaacs (trojan)
black liberation struggle - gregory isaacs (virgin)
mr. know it all - gregory isaacs (blood and fire)
mind you dis (rude boy) - gregory isaacs (vp)
system breakdown - dubmatix (seven arts)
answer my question - ras david (no label)
he o de oro - puseletso seema e tau ea linare (globestyle)
no lies - mc zulu/dub gabriel rmx by caballo (no label)
lero lero - luisa maita rmx by dj rupture (cumbancha)
tale of two cities - carlton livingstone (channel one)
samba - moussa doumbia (lassasse)
think - bossa 70 (jeff)
no swing - ramadanman (hessle audio)
a dark and stormy night - alaniaris (trio)
by ear - tania gill (barnyard)
kamogawa - hauschka (fat cat)
hopscotch (for john zorn) - fred frith arte quartette (intakt)
klavierwerke - james blake (r&s)
her string - clown n sunset collective (clown n sunset)
helicopter does not exist - walsh (tough love)
track 2 - vine (no label)
remain in jam - lemonade rmx by chrissy murderbot (true panther)
oro yi bale - king sunny ade and his african beats (mesa/blue moon)

Abstract Index Playlist - October 14/10

2010-10-19T19:05:00.008-04:00

Maddslinky's first album in many years reminds me of Roni Size's New Forms thirteen years ago.

Make A Change brings sharp, fast beats to soulful, hooky songs. Maddslinky knows how to make LFOs growl, but he's also unafraid to break out well-loved jazzy soul motifs that make his music feel so right. Whereas drum and bass exploration was Roni Size's manifesto, dubstep and whatever grime turned into are informing these beats. Given all the percolating joy, it's hard not to think about soca and other Caribbean echoes. Anyways, I'm not too worried about researching the microgenres at play; these beats are simply inviting.

It's the vocals that take the songs to another level; whereas Burial did such amazing things with one smudge of soul, these songs feature out and out bravura performances from the likes of Omar (!!!), Jenna G and Taiwah which channel the deep house emotions of Robert Owens and then some. The vocal tracks bring that lush British jazzy soul sound to the fore, which means there are going to be 50 year old Incognito fans getting down to this without hesitation. It's probably this last ingredient that tethers the release to Tru Thoughts as opposed to putting this record out on a more dubstep identified label like Hyperdub.

This record is a good summation of the kinds of beats that have been moving me of late, and its excellent songcraft will give it more staying power in my music playing devices.

Podcast

going downtown - gene shaw (argo)
certa noite - 3 na massa (nublu)
samba de orfeu - don cunningham (luv n haight)
receita de cancao - pedro moraes
snows & taxis - gold panda (ghostly international)
good life - brassroots (do right)
the decider- rudresh mahanthappa (pi recordings)
wayne's shorts - lina allemano four (lumo)
arthurs birds - teebs (brainfeeder)
candylane - gonjasufi rmx by bibio (warp)
bicho de luz - frikstilers (zzk)
take it easy - rise ashen & ammoye (balanced)
oh what a feeling - solomon burke (e1)
that's how it is - otis clay (hi)
love is gone - choice of colors (kent)
imagine - jeff mills & montpelier philharmonic orchestra (tresor)
peru - maddslinky (tru thoughts)
grape donut - distal (soul jazz)
shotta - bonjay (no label)
fram - blawan (hessle audio)
fiesta de cumbia - pacho galan (no label)
la guarapera - pepe molina y su combo (sonolux)
a place called grace - saidah baba talibah (no label)

MiMo Live Set During Fundraising

2010-10-15T21:47:00.003-04:00

Next week is the Abstract Index fall fundraising drive. I'm still putting together the final program (YOU can be a part - both on air and in the phone room) but the main event is MiMo.

To be honest, I don't know much about Samuel Morganstein and Matthew Miller. But I'm intrigued by their forthcoming vinyl release of 96 'locked groove' compositions. They're doing a launch party on October 24 featuring Insideamind and many members of AIMToronto improvising with the vinyl source material. It seemed like a good idea to put that concept on the air and combine it with fundraising. Why? BECAUSE WE CAN. That's how we roll at CIUT, where presenting art, improvised music and turntablism is always a priority.

Hopefully you agree and will support us during the show with a membership. The Abstract Index needs 20 pledges of $25 or more to keep going. There will be giveaways - not just CDs this time - and guests, but this is a really special event and a true expression of the power of community radio. Please tune in.

If you would like to pledge in advance, please do so.

NO INDEX

2010-10-13T10:04:00.004-04:00

Kicking out the live jams twice in two weeks? Unheard of! But I've got a few live events coming up.

Of critical importance is NO INDEX. I'm joining forces with the No Beat Radio crew to wreck shit at Teranga on Wednesday October 20.

Here are the details:

Beats, noise, cultural collisions, improvisation, major lasers.

CIUT's late night mixologists concoct a night of digiturntable madness and DJ bricolage. A fundraising event in support of CIUT FM

Wednesday October 20 - 9PM

Teranga
$5 - all proceeds go to CIUT FM

Featuring: Minesh Mandoda & Marco Landini of No Beat Radio
Mondays 10PM-midnight
(http://www.ciut.fm/index.php/shows-2/no-beat-radio/)

David Dacks of The Abstract Index
Thursdays 10PM-midnight
(http://www.ciut.fm/index.php/shows-2/the-abstract-index-2/)

Live bruit from JFM http://www.myspace.com/jessefrankmatthews

I'll keep updating this post as more people pile on.

Abstract Index Playlist - October 7/10

2010-10-11T11:50:00.007-04:00

Last week marked the official release of Dubmatix' most recent release: System Shakedown. I wrote an interview/review of this excellent disc for Exclaim last month.

I really enjoy Jesse King's music. It was apparent at the CD release that his brothers and sisters in dub enjoy working with him and his music as well. At one point, the still formidable Jay Douglas loudly praised Dubs' respect and knowledge of the roots of the music, both in Jamaica and Toronto - and Jay Douglas knows a thing or two about Jamaica to Toronto.

Prior to the show Douglas told me he was honoured but intimidated by Dubmatix' request to sing on his album: the music was more digital and futuristic than any production he'd worked with. At the same time, though, he trusted the producer's fundamentals and gave it his best shot.

Surely one of Toronto's reggae highlights this year was seeing Douglas bui "Celebrate My Love" backed by Dubmatix, Nate Wize, I-Sax, and Douglas' once and future bandmate Everton "Pablo" Paul, who has been Dubmatix' mentor for decades. Even with one channel absent from the mix, the soulful vibes couldn't be stopped. This roots reggae sounded ever-fresh, even in an era where dancehall has become the pre-eminent crossover music from Jamaica. Thanks to soaking up J.A.-Tdot vibes for more than 20 years, Dubmatix has nothing to prove about his dexterity with classic reggae songcraft rendered in a way that feels utterly local.

Podcast

wobble weeble - dubmatix feat kulcha ites (7 arts)
rainbow children dub - zion train (universal egg)
education after auschwitz - ion (local)
breathing trouble - senking (raster noton)
catatonic - onmutu mechanics (echochord)
don't let me go - mala (soul jazz)
dancehallette - frikstilers (zzk)
paraiso - sonora (no label)
little angel - zazou bikaye (crammed)
love can't come will come - invisible man's band (bbe)
miles away - david axelrod (dusty groove)
the squirrel - jimmy mcgriff/richard groove holmes (groove merchant)
jargon - lina allemano four (lumo)
in peace - mat maneri (thirsty ear)
seven - david mott quintet (music as energy)
for si pt. ii - arraymusic (cmc)
all clear 1,2,3,4,5 - christopher campbell (innova)
kajastusmuseo - kemialliset ystävät (fonal)
and we gonna - shigeto rmx by samiyam (ghostly international)
time lapse - a.m. breakups (reservoir sound)
jamelia - bonjay (no label)
phat si - cooly g (hyperdub)
m'bala - ramiro mussuto (paginas do mar)
the real mckay - the soul prophets (gallo)

Abstract Index Playlist - September 30/10

2010-10-02T09:09:00.007-04:00

Not feeling too inspired about blogging this week, but looking out on this grey day makes me want to put Pastor T.L. Barrett on repeat play. Actually, it's one of the few reissues that maybe I don't want on repeat play: I want it on vinyl and I want to walk across the room to flip the record. Though I'm not nostalgic/partial to LPs, this recording would kick ass on 180 gram vinyl.

Nevertheless, I have this beautiful slice of spacious, funky gospel in digital form and it still sounds plenty warm and life affirming. In brief, the term "holy grail" is bandied about this album from from Chicago in 1971. It's more religiously oriented than the "message music" fellow Chicagoans the Staple Singers were making around the same time. For sure it was recorded in more modest circumstances and intended for the choir's local audience. But Pastor Barrett had the help of some of Chess Records' great players such as Phil Upchurch, Gene Barge and Richard Evans, as well as a quality reverb unit turned up to 11. This album features soulful breaks all around, proceeds at a magnificent pace, and nearly skronks out at times when spirits are particularly high. After I dropped it to lead off the show, both Jason Palma and I just sat back and listened without speaking for a few minutes. He had his vinyl copy on hand and I must admit I felt the sin of envy.

Podcast

nobody knows - pastor t.l. barrett & the youth for christ choir (light in the attic)
san miguel de piuma - pena (secret stash)
tierra santa - sonora (no label)
ruas de grecia - munchi feat caballo (no label)
samba de palto - os ritmistas (mais um disco)
before & after light - cfcf (paper bag)
walk in the sky - bonobo rmx by aaron jerome (ninja tune)
kele dub - zazz (cegaci)
recife d'agua - digital groove (naive)
mexican hotbox - danuel tate (wagon repair)
bass drums - ramadanman (soul jazz)
kumble - arc djebe & zozodede (akwaaba)
higher man dub - glen brown (sunfire)
how can you mend a broken heart? - lenn hammond (udmg)
i'll let you go - dawn penn (pressure sounds)
set me free - 10 ft ganja plant (roir)
belladonna - suie paparude (local)
see birds - balam acab (k7)
pressure - quadron rmx by andi muller (plug research)
overcaffeinated and underfed - the kora band (oa2)
cannonball adderley's tattoo - lina allemano quartet (lumo)
mile high like - mary halvorson quintet (firehouse 12)
modupe (thundershowers) - the flaming souls (up up up)
voy a hablarte francamente - rodolfo (discos fuentes)

Abstract Index Playlist - September 23/10

2010-09-29T13:40:00.001-04:00

photo by Peter Gannushkin, courtesy of Improvised Communications

Aum Fidelity has been releasing music from a new generation of artists who are making some strong artistic statements in jazz. Both Little Women and now the quizzically named From Bacteria To Boys are expanding the avant-free-soul sweet spot where so many Aum Fidelity releases have resided.

This ensemble is led by Mike Pride (described as a "drummer/hustler" by WFMU) and is very much a jazz band in the traditional sense of instruments having conventional roles of rhythm and lead. But it's all in the details of the dense compositions. Epics like "It Doesn't Stop" are based on a rhythms that sounds like poorly looped samples (a good thing!), and the discipline of pianist Alexis Marcelo and Darius jones on sax bring a relentlessness to it that make it sound post punk. Other tracks are quite pretty, like "Rose" before giving way to extremely textured repetition; throughout the album is a sense that heavy wailing is a hair's breadth away. Sometimes Pride's melodies go on a bit long, but the harder hitting vamps keep me coming back for more. This reminds me a bit of Tim Berne's power trios on Thirsty Ear.

And yes, I did play songs entitled "Reese Witherspoon" and "Cruel Intentions" during this show.

Podcast

woolfia - sillyconductor (local)
cind eram la '48 - taraf de haidouks rmx by juryman (six degrees)
ludacris - amsterdam klezmer band (essay)
tu romnie - mahala rai banda (asphalt tango)
opa jones - lubo alexandrov & kaba horo (no label)
seven - jazz passengers (justin time)
reese witherspoon - from bacteria to boys (aum fidelity)
a beautiful night like tomorrow - ryan driver (rat drifting)
pad - blue daisy (alpha pup)
dubandeando - nahuatl sound system (no label)
voo cego - marcos valle (emi)
siakala - jabula (virgin)
living for the rush - slakah the beatchild (bbe)
cruise control - eric lau (killawatt)
politics of smooth - ion (local)
foundational dub - dubkasm rmx by headhunter (sufferah's choice)
skango - volfoniq vs. caballo (no label)
ykre belni - asmara all stars (out here)
after dinner - rabih abou khalil (enja)
djaba - khiara arby (clermont)
afro rock - the hard rockers (past & present)
cruel intentions - orgone (ubiquity)
one way ticket to nowhere - syl johnson (numero group)

Strictly For Lovers - Lenn Hammond Interview

2010-09-29T09:33:00.003-04:00

One of my favourite moments in Carl Wilson's great book "Let's Talk About Love: A Journey To The End Of Taste" describes Celine Dion's appeal among Jamaica's bad men: "Bad men have fi show that them a lova too". Celine - as in everything - is an extreme example of Jamaica's love for impassioned, unironic emoting in the great American soul tradition. Lenn Hammond is a current standard-bearer of this tradition.

Nephew of all-time singing legend Beres Hammond, Lenn's apple didn't fall too far from the tree. He specializes in lurrrve and classic soul covers - these never, ever go out of style, whether you're young or old.

He's living in Jamaica now (I believe) but has spent much time in Canada over the years. We'll get the full story on his career and new album "Raw Soul" when he stops by at 11PM tomorrow, Thursday September 30.

Must Have Been The Right Place

2010-09-23T08:26:00.007-04:00

A slightly belated congratulations to Karkwa, the first World Music act to win the Polaris Music Prize. They don't sing in English, so it's gotta be World Music, right? Am I going to belabor the point? Hell no, except to say that, depending on the situation, any music of any genre or geographical origin has a chance of winning this prize if the right arguments are made for it. Hopefully this will be the case someday - soon - with hip hop....

Karkwa are also the most decorated yet to win (in your face, Ottawa Citizen's "Give Bieber A Chance") : these guys have won more awards than Biebs and Drake put together. I wish I could find some data proving they've sold more than Caribou (2008 winner), but I'm guessing they may be the biggest selling act yet to win Polaris as well.

A few weeks ago, when I was majorly enjoying myself at the Festival of Emerging Music in Abitibi-Temiscamingue I had the good fortune to sit down and talk with frontman Louis-Jean Cormier about the band's sudden ramp-up in momentum. It was hard not to notice that Karkwa was the buzz of the festival. My fellow journalists were eager to try to explain their appeal in Quebec; to a person, they cited their "poesie" - poetry in the lyrics, which was fundamentally different than the majority of first person confessional Anglo singer-songwriter approaches. As you may have noticed, I'm not the most lyrics-oriented guy, but my French (as it turned out) was passable enough for me to understand how people got into it on that level. What really stood out for me were their deft & ingenious melodies - earworms that turned my brain to compost over several weeks. That quality goes a long way to characterizing their appeal outside of Quebec.

However, the visceral reaction of the crowd at FMEAT was ample evidence of their devoted audience. Karkwa's performance at the Polaris Gala was great, but it inevitably missed that sense of connection they achieved with their fans in Northern Quebec. I was lucky to have witnessed them on their home turf.

With this Volume Du Vent in their sails (sales?) in Quebec, I wasn't too surprised to see them ride that wave to the prize, even though such waves tend to hit the breakwall of the Rest Of Canada. But Polaris is wacky like that, and that's a good thing. They weren't my top choice, but I'm glad they won.

Here's my conversation with Louis-Jean Cormier at Exclaim.

Abstract Index Playlist - September 16/10

2010-09-19T16:13:00.010-04:00

This one's here for the purty cover art.

Just kidding, it's a heck of a record. I don't know much about the history of Gold Panda, and I'm not sure if the name will lead to instant recognition among the herds of animal-monikered bands out there.

He's just one man. The bio doesn't read like much; he's done remixes for Bloc Party, Simian Mobile Disco and The Field, but only the shimmery yet disciplined electronic compostion of this last artist gives a clue about how this music unfolds.

It's 'worldly' in the sense of being woven from exotic microsamples. However, these songs hit hard with a hiccuping funkiness, though some of my favourite tracks ("Snows And Taxis") feature really compelling downtempo soca beats. It certainly helps that its celebratory mood manages to interpolate Sublime Frequencies-like grimy samples with clear yet creative beats. Despite its clicks and cuts bricolage, this isn't tentative or ironic music in the slightest - it's boldly synthetic.

This week's track "Same Dream China" has been making the blog rounds and it's got a whiff of Konono via Steve Reich about it; soon after that theme establishes itself the beat drops and it's all over.

Podcast

it doesn't stop - from bacteria to boys (aum fidelity)
soheb - fond of tigers (drip audio)
polka story - warsaw village band (barbes)
la danza azteca - nahuatl sound system (no label)
suzie q (dem hunter bowel blood remix) - gonjasufi (warp)
sanmidor - kaly live dub (jarring effects)
wb - system (rump)
walk moon combo - arthur's landing (no label)
fluck flick - bobby jackson (jazzman)
ne noya - cos ber zam (analog africa)
bump jive #6 - the movers (gallo)
carolina carol bella - os brazoes (mr. bongo)
summertime our league - babe, terror rmx by four tet (no label)
abiogenesis track 7 - tatsuya nakatani (no label)
pareiodolia - steve raegele (songlines)
the shitman - moha! (rune gramofon)
same dream china - gold panda (ghostly international)
respek i speck/touch i heart - dubkasm rmx by gatekeeper & appelblim (sufferahs choice)
chronicles - odel (ohm grown)
black star dub - gg all stars (heartbeat)
seventh seal - sound iration (year zero)
el majagual - systema solar (no label)
chico ye - menea (no label)
tile ban - donso (comet)
el aguajal - los shapis (barbes)

Abstract Index Playlist - September 9/10

2010-09-16T00:59:00.001-04:00

Those who were even slightly interested in the original Peruvian cumbia comp The Roots Of Chicha - and anyone who'd heard one of the best compilations of the last decade certainly would have more than a slight interest - are going to be knocked out in round 2.

The real difference between the compilations is their circumstances. When Volume 1 came out in 2007, cumbia was just starting to enter the conversation among this generation's groove archivists (Soundway etc. as opposed to Charly or Luv n' Haight). Of course cumbia's fan base was already into the multiple gajillions before they ever came along, and chicha itself was pretty damned popular in its day. The narrative around Volume 1 (including my own) was that it shed light on obscure music, with novice compiler Olivier Conan freely acknowledging that he was a total outsider. However the compilation itself was outstanding with Conan's perceptive liner notes putting the music (and the circumstances of the comp itself) into context. (Another compiler who was repping cumbia at the time was Roberto Ernesto Gyemant, who is featured in our cumbia documentary). With its focus on guitars, its crossover appeal was ensured. I tell you, every time I see an Andean flute band busking downtown, I hear melodies that were adapted by artists collected on that compilation.

Fast Forward to 2010 and at least a half a dozen psychedelic cumbia comps have been issued, and contemporary cumbia styles have made further inroads into North American media (Check Soul Sides' post). Thus, there has been more than two months lead time prior to the sequel, so that everyone on Barbes' mailing list has time to soak up these sounds in the heat of the summer. I'm not the first blogger to write about Volume 2, and that's a good thing.

With heightened expectations (how could there not be with so many other options in the field?) Volume 2 trumps the first with more driving rhythms. There's actually less cumbia and more mambo than the first volume, but the guitars cut even deeper.

Chief Boima wrote a provocative post the other day about a tendency towards psychedelics and/or funk in reissues of the past several years. Unquestionably, this reissue falls in that category but it would be hard to doubt Conan's intentions (he's talked about having to overcome licensing difficulties). Through his bar/musical space in Brooklyn and his label's roster of highly original artists as he's putting a lot of culture into the world with Barbes.

Anyways, this is out in October, but you'll be hearing it more and more on the radio - not just my show - leading up to that time.

Podcast

all that funk - mal waldron (ecm)
red light - cross border trio (circumvention)
kimpungu mpungu - orchestre continental (african)
cumbia del desierto - los destellos (barbes)
tower special #5 - the big brothers (love love)
summer beat - orgone (ubiquity)
restart - bilal (plug research)
the camel (live) - fat freddy's drop (no label)
give a helping hand - dubmatix feat mighty diamonds (7 arts)
wackies - kaly live dub (jarring effects)
unlimited dub - wackies all stars (senraba)
blue skies don't care - ryan driver (rat drifting)
warm clarleston - eric chenaux (constellation)
improvisation - mandalay marionette orchestra (sublime frequencies)
symmetries - gamelan madu sari (songlines)
the silhouettes - sam prekop (thrill jockey)
manzanita - mercury falls (no label)
lovely bloodflow - baths (anticon)
c minus particles - moonstarr (ptr)

Yo Soy Cumbia - A CBC Radio Documentary

2010-09-14T12:13:00.003-04:00

Maybe not the most flattering picture of Benoit Liard and Sergio Elmir...

At long last, Yo Soy Cumbia, the documentary I've been working on with Sergio Elmir, Mr. Dos Mundos Radio, has been given an air date on CBC Radio's Inside The Music.

More information is coming but here are the details.

There are release parties in the works for Toronto and Montreal; I will blog and blog again as details firm up.

Meanwhile...

-----------------------------

Yo Soy Cumbia traces the journey of Cumbia from the Caribbean coast of Colombia to become one of the most popular rhythms in the world. This is more than just a documentary about music; it explores how Cumbia has shaped the identities of some of this generation's leading figures in the genre.

Featuring interviews with:

Ruben Beny Esguerra: Toronto based percussionist and professor of music at York University

Mariano Franco: ringleader of Montreal's Psychotropical Orchestra and part of Sonido Nordico DJs

Andy Gillis: aka Uproot Andy, Brooklyn-based Cumbia producer and DJ

Roberto Ernesto Gyemant: compiler of Colombia! and Panama! series for Soundway Records

Benoit Liard: aka DJ Bendude, host of Masala radio on CISM-FM and co-founder of Masalacism Records

Yo Soy Cumbia was produced for CBC Radio's Inside The Music.

Hosted and co-written by Sergio Elmir
Produced, edited and co-written by David Dacks

Yo Soy Cumbia airs on Inside The Music Sunday October 17 at 3PM Eastern Time on Radio 2 and 9PM on Radio 1

How to listen:

In Canada:

On FM radio: find your frequency here: http://www.cbc.ca/frequency/
On Sirius satellite Channel 137: http://www.cbc.ca/sirius/index.html

Everywhere else:

Online: http://www.cbc.ca/listen/index.html

Or: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/programs.html?INSIDE_THE_MUSIC - go to "listen now" in the right-hand column

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/programs/insidethemusic/

At The Guelph Jazz Festival

2010-09-10T12:15:00.004-04:00

interviewing John McLean of Mr. Something Something last year.

Just a quick post to let you know I'll be co-anchoring CIUT's coverage of the Guelph Jazz Festival once again this year.

Tune in tomorrow (Sat. September 11) from noon until midnight tomorrow for music and interviews from under the big top on Upper Wyndham St. Interviews will include Chad Taylor (Chicago Underground), Rich Brown, Jeremy Strachan & Andrew McPherson. Music sets include Canaille, SoulJazz Orchestra, Fanfare Pourpour and Sagapool.

I'll sneak off in the middle to perform with Huelepega Sound System featuring ace guitarist Colin Fisher at 7:45PM which will be broadcast live to air!

Huelepega is also participating in Guelph's first ever Nuit Blanche. We'll be reconvening for a 2AM at the Synnema! Hope to see you there.

Drifting The Night Away

2010-09-08T11:31:00.005-04:00

(photos via Exclaim) Join me this Thursday Sept 9 at 11PM for an interview with two of Toronto's most abstract singer-songwriters (OK it pained me a little bit to write "singer songwriters", so just think of them as wonderful, experimental musicians who know how to use their voices) Rat Drifting mainstays Eric Chenaux and Ryan Driver.

To be accurate, Eric & Ryan's new album is on Constellation, whereas Ryan's new album is on Rat Drifting. Confused? Don't be. They'll explain what's going on in slow, measured tones.

The two get down together at the Music Gallery on September 11 for the official release of both albums. It's a perfect venue for their quiet and unsettling sounds. Check it out after you've finished listening to Huelepega Sound System live from the Guelph Jazz Festival on CIUT that evening :)

Abstract Index Playlist - August 26/10

2010-08-29T18:43:00.007-04:00

Reggae's Golden Vibrato is getting back to where he once belonged.

At this point, Horace Andy has got to be considered one of the most important vocalists ever to emerge from Jamaica. It starts with his voice: Justin Bieber should be so lucky to retain the ever-enthusiastic man-child persona that Andy has maintained for 40 years. That unique way of expressing himself has made him a muse for many producers over the years. But Andy has also been a fine songwriter, with many classics to his name: "Skylarking", "Mr. Bassie", and "Spying Glass" to name but three. He's also had the good sense to balance his work among different producers without over-recording himself, like Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs.

But it's his work outside Jamaica which has led to steady work over the years, especially in England, where his 1985 hit "Elementary" was a smash, and foreshadowed his work with Massive Attack 5 years later.

Since he became the heart and soul of Massive Attack, he has toured the world several times and had the opportunity to work in many different musical contexts, the most recent of which was with Ashley Beedle for a volume of the Inspiration Information series.

Yet, he's barely recorded any reggae for the past decade, which makes Serious Times a major release. German producer Andreas "Brotherman" Christopherson has come up with his best production ever on his increasingly solid Minor 7 Flat 5 label. If you're already a fan of the label, you've heard some of these riddims before, but Brotherman has saved some special dubwise tricks for Mr. Andy whose vocals have only gotten better over the years. Where he used to sound like he was huffing helium, he now retains his range, but has improved his phrasing and control over his vibrato. Look no further than this week's song "Rastafari" for an example - the riddim doesn't kick in until about two minutes in; it's his voice that keeps the song moving forward. This is a very strong album to add to his reggae classics recorded with Studio One, Channel One, Wackies, Ariwa and so many others.

Podcast

put the stereo on - gappy ranks (vp)
every day is like a holiday - sensations (treasure isle)
celebrate my love - dubmatix feat jay douglas (7 arts)
rise and fall - toussaint feat jahdan blakkamoore (i grade)
la cumbia subbass de giorgio - black mandingo (no label)
continue to call - nino moschella (ubiquity)
move on - bilal (plug research)
baby doll - the fatback band (spring)
insomnia - marilyn crispell/barry guy/paul lytton (intakt)
found elsewhere 2 - evan parker/derek bailey/han bennink (psi)
reeds of osiron - nymphs (the social registry)
ana dellali - cheb zergui (sublime frequencies)
omnipresence - omfo (essay)
rasta rational - ljx (no label)
christie street - o'luge (last gang)
confide in you - boogiewall soundsystem rmx by mad professor (ohm grown)
rastafari - horace andy (minor 7 flat 5)
4 bush ganja dubplate - aando feat gregory isaacs (no label)
malpalpitando - systema solar (no label)
the windfall - hidden orchestra (tru thoughts)
special - maddslinky feat omar (tru thoughts)
anthracite - cymande (collectibles)
azucar - eddie palmieri (caliente)
candela - zulu (vampisoul)

Abstract Index Playlist - August 19/10

2010-08-26T08:55:00.005-04:00

What a long, strange trip it's been for Marcos Valle.

Sometimes called the Brazilian Brian Wilson, who'd have thunk he'd produce one of the great albums of his career some forty-plus years down the road.

He set the standard for breezy Brazilian pop with Samba 68. That effort (apparently his last album to be released domestically in America!) was the epitome of deft melody combined with just enough funkin' backbone to stick with you - as if Burt Bacharach decided to make a play for the dancefloor, or at least the beach. And yet, just 3 years (like Brian Wilson's troubled post Pet Sounds years) later he was in a weird prog-samba-funk-rock zone with albums like Vento Sul and Previsao Do Tempo . Throughout his stylistic changes, he's always maintained an ear for good hooks.

Even his most recent albums for Far Out are greater than the sum of parts. To describe them as a grizzled bossa vet (this old beach bum has hit a few bumps along the road) combining his stock-in-trade with drum machines and electronics would make most people run screaming. But damned if he didn't succeed with that template as well, though it helped to have pals like 4 Hero doing remixes.

I thought this latest album, his first in five years, would be in that mold. It's actually a wide-screen affair with deft string, horn and rhythm arrangements. The songs are evergreen, light yet substantial, and the moods change frequently though always logically. I like how, despite the care in the arrangements, it doesn't sound perfect. There are little inconsistencies in the playing, and some of the synth sounds are used once too often, but these elements humanize the music that much more. This has every bit of the feeling of his grand, late 60s work; if a little more mellow. But the funk is still there, implicit in everything, and the strings especially bring a dramatic edge that hasn't been present in his most recent work.

I'm not done with Mr. Valle, I hope to interview him soon in anticipation of this album's release in October - stay tuned for updates.

Podcast

yamba - amadou balake (sacodis)
abuelo regalame - dogliotti (vampisoul)
extraordinary woman - psychedelic aliens (academy)
which way - the presidents (vampisoul)
leave it in the hands of love - phyllis dillon (trojan)
kings and queens - patrick adams institute (p&p)
deep dark dub - dubmatix (seven arts)
call gyptian - gyptian (vp)
night shade - matt shadetek (dutty artz)
stars - system (rump)
duhaney park - john horniak (no label)
eu vou - marcos valle (far out)
agua - manzanita y su conjunto (barbes)
nwa gezani my love - zinja hlungwani (honest jons)
ghana lady - appietus feat mframa (akwaaba)
la revolucion del cuerpo - havana cultura rmx by michael cleis (brownswood)
the nervous track - nuyorican soul (talkin loud)
zut alore - zorch (no label)
dropoff - christine jensen jazz orchestra (justin time)
blinks - the rent (ambiances magnetiques)
makena - embassadeurs rmx by mark ernestus (nonplace)
jasmine - islet/dam mantle dub (no label)
loituma - erick rincon 3ball experimental version (no label)
novias - el guincho (xl)
constant raw - the dirty sample (nefariu)

Abstract Index Playlist - August 12/10

2010-08-18T12:47:00.006-04:00

I gladly drink the Dutty Artz Kool Aid. Sometimes there's an aftertaste I don't like so much, but the NYC label/DJ collective/party starters are always striving.

In this case, though, they've met a kindred spirit, a true individual who hopefully will gain much deserved exposure in the US as a result of this partnership.

First, a little background.

Mambo, Dominican Republic-style is the most exciting music I've heard in the last several years (all praises to Dos Mundos Radio). Basically, it's really fucking fast merengue. I remember the first time I heard merengue back in the day, I thought its jerky 2-beat skank was simple and unswinging compared to salsa. Nowadays, the tempo has been upped, certain traditional instruments have been retained (notably the tambora), and the international vocabulary of dance-oriented synth sounds has been imprinted on the music. And it rocks.

Omega ("Y Su Mambo Violenta") is the music's main man, and he's totally awesome (and regrettably NOT performing in Toronto this Saturday). His slack, gravelly voice evokes Shabba Ranks, but he's a more capable singer and, no doubt, a swaggering stage presence. While there are plenty of techno-y remixes of his work, I like him best with in his post-West End groove mode with jack-your-body style keys.

Rita Indiana, on the other hand could become an even greater international pop sensation. Her music pushes speed merengue further ahead artistically and maybe tempo wise as well. A former model, she cuts a striking figure, and is a powerful singer with excellent melodic sense. With her close cropped hair and out and proud attitude she has been described as "being able to play her looks, her sexuality, her music and her openness to full advantage in a country not necessarily known for being that open".

I'm not usually a fan of big, bland power chords, but damned if her single on Dutty Artz "No Ta Llevando El Diablo" doesn't totally succeed in spite/because of them. Rita is the center of attention with her heroic vocals (and a great little double time rap!), but the ravey sounds, post-punk drum machine, metallic chord changes, and double time guira add up to 185BPM of non-stop fun. One of the singles of the year, no doubt. Can't wait for a full album - or at least many more singles.

Podcast

something wicked this way comes - the herbaliser rmx by roots manuva (ninja tune)
footsteps - hidden orchestra (tru thoughts)
someday we'll all be free - miguel atwood ferguson feat bilal (mochilla)
sincope joaobim - tom ze (luaka bop)
lero lero - luisa maita (cumbancha)
latinizer - tremor (zzk)
baara - donso (comet)
chaskalanga - mohammed aidu & the bizung family (no label)
silbando - los riberenos (barbes)
siboney - los llamos (waxing deep)
i can't sing - bernard bonnier (oral)
formulas and functions - circle research (urbnet)
birds pt 1 - monster rally (no label)
get it - actress (honest jons)
no ta llevano o el diablo - rita indiana y su misterios (dutty artz)
amampondo with zulu fists - louis moholo viva la black (ogun)
electronic dimensions - madlib (stones throw)
kobana - alnubia band (piranha)
bumps - morphono halftone society (bastard jazz)
the return of dst - de la soul (sanctuary)
cuts it up - grandmixer dst (celluloid)
lock down - dubmatix & ammoye (7 arts)
zero dub - process rebel (no label)
two house department - leon & the revolutionaries (thrillseeker
leave the badness alone - singie singie (silver camel)
ticking time bomb - ljx (no label)
stumble - bonjay (no label)
moving on - luciano (vp)

Upcoming Interviews

2010-08-16T22:07:00.005-04:00

image via timeoutsingapore.com

In honour of groovy tastemaker emeritus Gilles Peterson's upcoming Toronto appearance, I will be broadcasting part of a recent interview I did with a man who has influenced my DJing career greatly.

Not sure what part I'm going to air. It was a pretty great interview from top to bottom, but I'm not going to foist all 30 min of it on you. Not just yet, anyways - there may be a feature article coming out of this, so stay tuned for that. Tune in tomorrow (Thursday Aug 19) at 11PM.

Next week on the 26th, I'll be joined by Toronto reggae singer LJX, whose sophomore album "Brighter Days" comes out in early September. Check the release party at Lula Lounge on Sept. 10.

Finally, after a week off, on September 9, I welcome Rat Drifters Eric Chenaux and Ryan Driver to the program to talk about their respective new albums. They also collaborate on each others albums. It's confusing; we'll straighten it out.

Abstract Index Playlist - August 5/10

2010-08-10T18:53:00.009-04:00

Recently, one of my Facebook friends was lamenting the state of soul music today. He asked where the Marvins, Als and Curtises were today - I'd say look no further than Bilal for a 2010 soul auteur.

In general, I believe soul music is remarkably fresh these days, maybe even at a new peak. However, 'soul music' no longer uses the same instrumentation and song structures as it did back then (though there's plenty of that to be found too, with Sharon Jones and Aloe Blacc at the forefront). Soul music today is more about African-American cultural history distilled and reimagined by talented artists. Soul music could be the cosmic swing of Flying Lotus or the high concept drama of Janelle Monae or even the spacey singalongs of Georgia Anne Muldrow (Hey! I've blogged about all three). In these cases, the Art Ensemble's maxim of "Great Black Music, ancient to future" is vividly expressed with strong knowledge of the past and mastery of global, synthetic and post-modern musical ingredients of today.

I had the pleasure of seeing Bilal with pianist Robert Glasper in Montreal recently (their collaboration "All Matter" appears on this album) and his idiosyncratic approach to vocals impressed me greatly - check my review. Applied to a full album -ten years overdue - and Bilal's way of turning around the phrasing of a song beguiles throughout. The varied production features Shafiq Husayn (naother one of my faves), Nottz and 88 Keys, but is guided by Bilal himself.

There's no mistaking the classic soul with a strong jazzy undercurrent, but it's much more than that. Bilal's reedy, Sly-meets-Prince voice runs down metaphysical and personal subjects, on top of a continuously changing musical landscape. There's some muted prog-rock, some left coast bass, slow jams, and some extremely well-constructed electronic blurps n' beeps.

Soul music (or any music) will never achieve the same kind of sales as back in the day, but it's more widespread than ever and alive with new blood. It's up to us to seek it out.

Podcast

me yee owu den - k frimpong & his cubano fiestas (analog africa)
segun adewale - segun adewale (rounder)
black wars reggae - sir coxsone sound (tribesmen)
streets of gold (version) - the heptones (park heights)
flash gordon meets luke skywalker - roots radics meet jammys meet scientist (trojan)
cia - ghost (jus like music)
cloud 8 - elaquent (thinkloud)
lady (a mac moombahton mix) - modjo (no label)
constant x - onmutu mechanicks (echocord)
steam language sector 7 - zano bathroom (no label)
dancing on the wolf road - decoy feat joe mcphee (bo weavil)
barambiye/djarama - harris eisenstadt (clean feed)
nature's wrath - budos band (daptone)
candy cigarettes - black blondie (no label)
the dollar - bilal (plug research)
sycamore - j dilla (stones throw)
bim bim bim - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
crying during circumcision is a shame to the village - zorch (no label)
vitamin meathawk - fond of tigers (drip audio)
sunnyday summertime - pigeondust (no label)

HUELEPEGA VS. ISLAND RHYTHMS

2010-08-05T12:55:00.004-04:00

Well, it is the All Caps Festival...

Seriously looking forward to this gig. Within five short years, All Caps has become an epic all ages affair. This edition is the first ever festival, and it's on Toronto Island no less. For those of you who don't live in Toronto, the Island is a big park directly across from downtown - the kind of urban idyll in which a $6.50 ferry ticket (on a 70 year old ferry!) represents a cheap vacation from the hustle and bustle.

A diverse lineup, including the hotly tipped Buke and Gass will be filling out two days of music, art, film, BBQing and some of the finest beach-partyin' round these parts.

And we're bringing the cumbia. Hope to see you on Saturday, a little after 6PM - bring the kids!

Abstract Index Playlist - July 29/10

2010-08-04T15:12:00.000-04:00

One of my favourite things about being involved with the Polaris Prize is the continuing conversation with music critics from Quebec. Even though this artist didn't make a dent in the 2010 long list, Kenlo Craqnuques was the most welcome surprise of this year's process.

There doesn't seem to be an overwhelming amount of bio material on our man Kenlo, other than "born in Africa (nobody seems to know where), lives in Montreal". Brun is volume six of a series of colour themed free downloads of some of the most abstract bass music coming out of Canada today.

Straddling the line between beats and fully-fledged songs, Brun will initially impress with Madlib and FlyLo points of departure, but what keeps me coming back is his sense of melody. It's as if the real momentum of these compositions hockets between various blurps and bleeps, and requires a good 45 seconds in each one of these songs to really establish itself. Naturally, when songs max out at three minutes, one's attention is held. "Russletarrapbeat" from this week, features a slow, sharp synth undulating through the hyper-compressed mix (is compression abuse this decade's update on the delay abuse wrought by so many laptop recording platforms over the past ten years?). There's maybe a bit more unsteadiness in the momentum of the beats than much of what's coming out of LA these days, but that's not a negative thing on the ever-wobbly Abstract Index.

KenLo is super prolific - he had eight releases last year - but hopefully Brun will bring new ears to his music before it too whips by like a blur in the rear-view mirror.

Podcast

party machine - bruce haack (omni)
you don't know me - circle research (urbnet)
russletarrapbeat - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
all static - natural self (tru thoughts)
i get lifted (dub) - barbara tucker (bbe)
bushwick baile - dj sabbo (latino resiste)
hunters - donso (comet)
bamana niya - toubab krewe (upstream)
the naming - galeet dardashti (jdub)
cocekahedron - brass menazeri (portofranco)
no more blood (cosa nostra riddim) - poirier & face t (no label)
cumbia de la cerveza - grupo sonador (lourdes 68 urban)
chinatown - bobby paunetto (fania)
when will the blues leave? - archie shepp's new york contemporary five (delmark)
wander - idris muhammad (fantasy)
gbmojo - segun bucknor (vampisoul)
valley of jehosephat - willi williams (blood and fire)
7th sea dub in twilight - ras amerlock meets professor balthazar (les cristaux liquident)
future back - patrick pulsinger feat fennesz (disko b)
grandma's words/rise out of concrete - shigeto (ghostly international)
hope to meet you - anonymous (minky)

Abstract Index Playlist - July 22/10

2010-07-28T07:49:00.005-04:00

A little late to this acieeed party, but four months after its release, Charanjit Singh's Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat may hold up as the reissue of the year.

As with any reissue of the year candidate, there's gotta be a boffo backstory (such as some of my previous selections). Singh, a hot Bollywood composer during the 70s and 80s with ten albums to his name, should already be familiar to listeners of the amazing Bombay Connection label. His progressive grooves were a standout on previous comps, but Ten Ragas is a different story all together.

In 1982, Singh cobbled together a setup of two hot Roland products, the TB 303 bass synthesizer and the TR 808 drum machine, together with the very versatile Prophet 5 keyboard and set out to create digital, danceable ragas. The results are basically the dawn of acid house. The album is so fully realized that some people thought it was an Aphex Twin hoax, but this is the real historical deal.

I wish I had the liner notes of the actual release (suitably enough I bought a digital download) to tell me about the significance of these particular ragas, and his own words about what he modified and what he left alone. Then again, there's nothing to "leave alone" - the percussive scale of a digital keyboard doesn't match up with, for instance, the flexible pitch and intonation of a sitar. It sounds like above all else, Singh was a master of the pitch wheel, able to slide between notes to get the pitches he needed. It's not the first time anyone had successfully represented Indian scales in digital music (even Bruce Haack was pretty good at it), but there's something about Singh's playing that captures the ecstasy of the variations within the scales of each rag that elevates this experiment.

Acid House was fond of endless synth arpeggiations, but here Singh adds much more melodic interest than a repetitive 4 note phrase (not that I mind those...), he always seems to invert expectations about what's going to happen next, which is a feeling seldom associated to ultra-minimal 80s digital dance music. Considering how much digital music was DIY by artists with no formal musical training, to hear a great and learned player express himself with the same tools is just remarkable.

Judge for yourself, it's on vinyl too.

Podcast

mt - ethnic heritage ensemble (delmark)
the subterrain - mark dresser/susie ibarra (wobbly rail)
solar plexus - mercury falls (portofranco)
lokombe moka - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
what a life - kaly live dub (jarring effects)
let it go - reefer rmx by flying lotus (alpha pup)
phase em out - dam funk (stones throw)
a town called obsolete - andreya triana (ninja tune)
tode que voce podia ser - milton nasciimento & lo borges (emi)
in concert - ofege (soundway)
sola - orchestra bella bella (syllart)
night in ethiopia - jackie mittoo (soul jazz)
rome - sugar minott (moll selekta)
tribulations - earth roots and water (light in the attic)
fighting youth - ljx (no label)
wild suspense - wailing souls (island)
juizo final - seu jorge & almaz (now again)
upsetting furriada - arogalla rmx by dadub (les cristaux liquident)
roforofo fight - havana cultura rmx by little louie vega (brownswood)
no bailes de caballito - grupo el mexicano (musart)
raga megh malhar - charanjit singh (bombay connection)
naxaniseka - tiyiselani vomaseve (honest jons)

Digidoombia

2010-07-24T20:43:00.004-04:00

Wow! Colour me surprised.

I just found out that Huelepega Sound System will be supporting the Argentine digicumbia superstars, Zizek Club. Why don't you read this fine article about them.

It's at Wrongbar tomorrow, we're on at 9:30. They take over after that... hope to see you there.

Abstract Index Playlist - July 15/10

2010-07-19T22:15:00.010-04:00

What makes one obscure album worth reissuing and another worth blogging about?

Playing the Zorro Five next to the excellent (is there any other word?) new reissue of Lee Scratch Perry dubplates by Pressure Sounds is a study in similarities and contrasts. Of course, any new material by Scratch has automatic commercial potential, and it's a bonus that this collection covers the Black Ark era of 1973-79 with its numerous classic rhythms. The sound of these well-worn dub plates only adds to the appeal: Pressure Sounds never fails to deliver splendid remasters, and Scratch's high frequencies, distorted loudness and woofy bass become even more surreal when given this digital polish. Vinyl rips of the dubplates would not likely have resulted in such ear-opening sounds, to say nothing of the biographical material and new graphics that complete the package.

On the other hand is the Zorro Five. Apparently they once had a skinhead-era chune called Reggae Shhhh which indicated to the British public that this was an anonymous band hopping on the early reggae bandwagon (not unlike the Mohawks, who had their dalliances with reggae). If you recall the first couple of years after rock steady, the initial reggae sound was quite sprightly and achieved a fair bit of chart success in England - this was the commercial peak for Scratch's Upsetters who had a UK top 5 hit in 1969. However, it turns out that the Zorro Five were actually from South Africa. There are no liner notes to this vinyl rip - just a JPEG, some music and a brief but tantalizing writeup on the rarity of the album. A little searching reveals another site with comments including someone who confirms the label (licensed by EMI) was from SA, and that the band was most likely bi-racial (in the late 60s!) which is why there are no photos and scant information. Even though the album reputedly fetches a decent price, I'd reckon this would be just about impossible to license due to this fact, although perhaps the "Brigadiers" label owner still holds the rights, but not the artist. Nevertheless, the vinyl rip does a perfectly satisfactory job of representing the music for the perusal of sonic archaeologists.

Still though, like the Mohawks, there are some superior R&B funky grooves even if the grasp of reggae is a little rudimentary. They probably were imitating Scratch's sound of the time, and were pitched to the same skinhead market. What intrigues me is the track played on this show "Bacarolle" sounds like it's got a whiff of mbaqanga.

As is so often the case, two related sounds separated by great geographical distance come together back to back on the Abstract Index.

Podcast

midnight sun - air (candid)
ikoko - eppio fanio (soundway)
kalima shop titi - poirier feat boogat rmx by uproot andy (ninja tune)
bailemos esta cumbia - mr iozo feat caballo (no label)
mshni wam - spoek mathambo (bbe)
wine up - baobinga vs killa benz (steak house)
naramidou poita - dadub feat quilo rmx by arogalla (les cristaux liquident)
adidas to addis - cut chemist (mochilla)
bacarolle - zorro five (emi/brigadiers)
my luv 2 u - cinister cee (neferiu)
chim cherie - lee scratch perry (pressure sounds)
limits - freddie joachim (organology)
falling far - nite jewel (big love)
isle de joie - mandre (rush hour)
raga malkauns - charanjit singh (bombay connection)
in the ghetto - ljx (no label)
jah children dub style - heptones (lagoon)
is it because i'm black - ken boothe (trojan)
mamy blue - juan torres y su organo melodico (musart/balboa)
estilo ricky ramirez - satanique samba trio (amplitude)
unnameable dance - justin haynes/jean martin (barnyard)
ganjil - gamelan madu sari (songlines)
64 fire damage - isan (morr music)
brown recluse - annie whitehead/barbara morgenstern/bill wells/stefan schneider (karaoke kalk)
in a salient way - moondata (moondata)
electricone - lloyd miller & the heliocentrics (now again)
la la la (hard version) - segun bucknor (vampisoul)

Abstract Index Playlist - July 8/10

2010-07-16T00:53:00.002-04:00

I've blogged about the Claudia Quintet, the best chamber jazz band in the world, before. With Royal Toast, they've done it again with another challenging and successful set of dense ensemble work that succeeds on every level.

Whether fiercely polyrhythmic or totally strung out and momentumless, the Claudias swing with an identifiably jazz feel, but are at ease with a dizzying array of genres and techniques.

What’s always so scary about this band is the songwriting: even if the listener may not know where the melodies are going, there is a distinct sound to each song to give it identity. And it’s so tough! Sample ready moments abound, whether in the dense, non-specific African textures of “Sphinx” or chillwave ready atmospheres of “Crane Merit” where minimalist breaks hang on for trancelike minutes at a time, like some post-rock fantasy gone mad. "American Standard", heard this week has a similar impact except with a syncopated cascade of notes from all members which turns the song inside out. Guest pianist Gary Versace fits right in on piano, adding to the percussive richness overall and another fiendish solo voice in full throttle rhythm fantasies like “Keramag”.

Podcast

it's about that time/willie nelson - miles davis (columbia)
american standard - the claudia quintet (cuneiform)
you talk too much - rudresh mahanthappa's indo-pak coalition (innova)
lal lal hothon pe - brass menazeri (porto franco)
pombaral - sao paolo underground (aesthetics usa)
caranito - peregoyo y su combo vacaná rmx by natural self (jus like)
batumata - nogdog & the bumps (no label)
hurt so bad - philly devotions rmx by dmitri from paris (bbe)
half moon - the swyannes (gallo)
tungalala - son palenque (soundway)
kid conga - leo justi & mc miltinho (no label)
clap trap - joe (hessle audio)
the origin - natural self rmx by eliphino (tru thoughts)
basta ya - el remolon feat. lido pimienta (zzk)
superpeople - earl sixteen (ariwa)
culture tree - i and i djangdan (bibim productions)
culture dub - echo (in tha chamber)
watcha - dub project 2 (m)
cave grill - arch m (no label)
palmflower black - mantrakid (urbnet)
free - bilal (plug research)
on a cloud - platinum pied pipers rmx by 14K (no label)
the U.N. plan - shafiq husayn (plug research)
yaya - mr. ok feat larose (masalacism)
war in the streets - webcam hi fi (no label)

Abstract Index Playlist - July 1/10

2010-07-07T13:27:00.002-04:00

Yesterday the Polaris Prize Short List was announced. I've got to admit I felt a little detached from the goings on - maybe it was the heat. I'm most active in the jury discussions leading up to the Long List, which displays a greater range of the records the jurors were mulling over. By the time it gets reduced to ten, meh on most counts - I've only played two of these artists on the Abstract Index or Funky Fridays.

I hope Shad wins. It's an easy record to like - lots of hooks, personality, and positive yet introspective (Thanks Del Cowie for that observation) insight which resonates with a lot of Canadians. It's a disc that will convert non-hip hop fans, but also impress diehards with its inarguable skill, originality and production. And you know what? Hip hop is more popular than indie rock and it would be nice if Polaris were to recognize one of the outstanding records of the genre as a standard-bearer for Canadian music, especially in this era of Drake-mania.

That said, I would like to distinguish between Polaris' mission to find the best album in Canada from the Abstract Index approach to Canadian content, and how the two relate. I have to consider both albums and individual tracks, old stuff and new, local and national, and of course music which suits the groove-oriented nature of this show as opposed to the hegemonic view of Canadian music being primarily about indie rock.

(To those who profess that 'indie rock' is a meaningless term, I refer you to 'world music' - a term that makes no sense to those involved in it, but is used to signify "the other" by critics because of its cultural i.e. not from here connotations. Indie rock is an impenetrable "other" for those musical forms that will never benefit from its network)

Increasingly, this kind of music is not being represented on album, it's coming out as EPs or single tracks. As has often been the case in dance music, album statements tend not to be the best way to experience the vitality of the music.

The music that achieves Polaris notoriety is that which focuses on the album as the overwhelmingly complete expression of an artist. Their careers progress from album to album, with money invested accordingly in tour support, videos etc.

A record that I championed this year, South Rakkas Crew's 'The Stimulus Package' was a notable exception. It was the first Listed disc to include multiple versions of riddims, to say nothing of the Caribbean cultural spirit infused in the whole Package. It was a party-starting, satisfying full length release that was not intended to be an image-defining, capital 'A' artistic statement the way most rock albums are. SRK have continued to do remixes and new tracks, some of which are for sale, some of which are free; The Stimulus Package was just a link in the chain. They're coming up on a cross-Canada tour, some 7 months after the 'release' of the album, which brings them to a more relevant Caribana-timed jam in Toronto on July 31 which is probably as important a stretch in the calendar as their long-ago full length release.

As if to prove it was an unlikely selection for the Long List, it's probably the only record to receive the Polaris hat-tip that doesn't have a publicist shopping it around.

It's the kind of record and musical aesthetic that year after year, Toronto's campus community radio stations keep promoting because mainstream media by and large ignores the massive popularity of Caribbean rhythms. That's what I've grown up with, that's what I'm attuned to. That's my city's music, and I'd like to believe, is becoming a significant part of the music of other cities in Canada. But it's not reflected in the country's music infrastructure. I fear that with the disintegration of the primacy of the LP format, musics that aren't already successful in conventionally Canadian terms (Soundscan sales, official downloads, CBC Radio 3 blessing, established management) will simply give up in trying to appeal to a national audience and never create a ripple in Polaris, focusing instead on local viability and international possibilities.

Part of the reason I stay with Exclaim is the chance to influence the national dialogue of what "popular" or "major" Canadian artists are - for instance Alpha Yaya Diallo in the latest issue. Even then, there usually has to be a full length release to hang a pitch on. It's a similar situation with Polaris; there is too much music happening at a community level for it to be summarily ignored at a national one. I want to start and participate in new conversations about popular Canadian culture. Or at least argue against the same old ones.

What's the upshot of all this? If you are making beat-oriented music and releasing a full length album, do what you have to do to find your fanbase, but it's still worth it to think nationally. Research the Polaris jury and do some selective social networking. There are quite a few of us who appreciate Canadian music that confounds the traditional tropes of Canadiana; maybe enough to tip the scales to a Short List nomination at some point...

And then there's a whole other debate about jazz and experimental music...

Podcast

All Canadian Grade AA or above this week.

hook and sling - frank motley & the motley crew (jazzman)
last bongo in belgium - incredible bongo band (mr. bongo)
burn - willie williams (heartbeat)
lostentation dub - mossman (dispensation)
sick im kid - dub trio (roir)
strugglin - ljx (no label)
money worries - the maytones & i roy (heartbeat)
deep structure - deadbeat (wagon repair)
once and again - eddie c (pawn shop)
congo nuevo - rise ashen & blissom (balanced)
perdon pantone - pan/tone (cereal killers)
coco drunk - poirier rmx by douster (ninja tune)
on the insufficiency of words - elizabeth shepherd (do right)
summer sounds - maylee todd (do right)
mental fitness - erik hove (effendi)
our man in cleveland - arkana music (no label)
nearness/distance - feuermusik (standard form)
sonsonneh - kocassale dioubate (no label)
auto rickshaw - alex cattaneo/ganesh anandan (no label)
latcho boogie - lubo alexandrov (no label)
belly off - peter pozorek (no label)
gladstoned - huelepega sound system (no label)

Abstract Index Playlist - June 24/10

2010-07-05T12:54:00.007-04:00

Annette Brissett's been around for many years, but her career finally seems to be picking up steam in the last little while.

She's worked with Sly And Robbie and Bullwackie, but this past decade the tough yet tender vocalist has found greater success in South Florida's considerable market.

Comparisons to Horace Andy are inevitable, but the junked-out twilight of Billie Holiday's career is not a bad reference point either. Brissett has the phrasing and POV on songs that only comes from experience.

That's what makes "Lift Your Head Up" such a powerful tune. The production is merely OK, but her delivery sounds both anguished and hopeful, which makes the song's message seem less generic. The album isn't a corker all the way through, but her vocals are very versatile in customizing the lovers rock tropes which dominate the proceedings.

I don't get a sense of what sets South Florida's reggae apart from the rest of global roots reggae just based on this album, but given the generations of Jamaicans who have lived there I understand the scene is quite a hotbed. And once you've had your fill of South Beach and glitzy salsa, you'll be needing some quality time with music well under 100BPM.

Podcast (starts with Mikey Dread)

Claudia quintet – keramag (cuneiform)
Seu jorge – errare humanem est (now again)
Mikey dread – jumping master (hearbeat)
Lennie hibbert – village soul (studio one)
Joergmueller – peel and dub again (zeecc)
Annette brissett – lift your head up (TAC)
Citizen sound feat treson – come what may (VX)
Mr. OK– poto mitan (masalacism)
Sound iration in dub– seventh seal dub (year zero)
Suns of arqa – gavati drut (arqasound)
David starfire/sub swara cobra (no label)
Filip fillipi feat Collie Buddz, Schlachtofbronx rmx – huricane ana (no label)
Interceiving – can’t stop dancing (no label)
Claudia quintet – crane merit (cuneiform)
Eric chenaux – am I lovely (constellation)
Vinnie golia mark trayle – cheapman and the sweater he cherished (9 winds)
Rainer wiens – blood fever (ambiances magnetiques)
Morphosis – musafir (MOS)
Soul center atom tm – switch it (curle)
Sandra st victor – cosmos (soul strategies)
Q orchestra – ritmo diabolico (freestyle)
Vieux farka toure – diaraby magni (six degrees)
Sugar minott – never give up (soul jazz/studio one)

Playlist Abstract Index June 17/10

2010-06-21T20:14:00.011-04:00

Looking through my Facebook group page, I noticed that my last several weeks' worth of blog post images have been black and white. Some have a hint of colour, but dammit it's summertime and it's time for the red gold and green.

Nick Manasseh has been one of my favourite UK producers for many years, but I didn't realize just how far back his career stretched until I heard this album.

Setting up a sound system in the mid 80s, by decade's end he'd started producing custom dubplates, and also music for a commercial audience. Teaming up with Scruff (not Mr. Scruff) they called themselves Sound Iration In Dub.

The irating sound in question takes off from where Augustus Pablo left us with his digital-era Rockers Come East album from 1987. Manasseh's melodica soars over rhythms which strike a perfect balance between urgent and relaxed. Many point to this album as the first example of UK Steppers, characterized by the DIY, drum machine driven sonic choices. One can see where this sound in the early 90s would get both harder, especially when married to breakbeats, which led to jungle, and weirder, as their label mates The Orb would pick up on the trancier elements of this kind of dub. However, this sound has never really gone out of style: being home studio dub, it's basically the prototype for the laptop aesthetics of dub, that is, something that doesn't need a live room bigger than a closet. It's timeless in its own way, playing well with reggae from all eras; you can spin Sound Iration In Dub in a nostalgic 70s and 80s set, or in a contemporary mix.

Rejoice in this encore edition of a classic slice of UK sound system history!

Podcast

noche de estrellas - dj dus (no label)
gruppenweise - root 70/rashad becker (nonplace)
new style (scruff dub) - sound iration (year zero)
rebel dub - citizen dub feat prince blanco & ammoye (vx)
errare humanem est - seu jorge (now again)
turtle eyes and fierce rabbit - torngat (alien 8)
thrills - matana roberts (central control)
jazz is the teacher funk is the preacher - james blood ulmer (strut)
undressing - ronald shannon jackson & the decoding society (antilles)
la botellita - grupo palma africana (soundway)
beteando - los beta 5 (vampisoul)
mambo no. 8 - los socios del ritmo (emi)

DJ Marcus Boon

Un Niño Que Llora en los Montes de María - Petrona Martinez (ZZK)
Do_the_Astral_Plane - Flying Lotus (Warp)
Yes [Bongo Disco Mix] - Mgo (remix) (Outhere)
Show Dem (feat. HHP) – JR (Electromode)
Hungry For The Power - Azari & III (I’m a Cliché)
Footcrab (James Braun Edit) - Addison Groove (Swamp81)
Zuata Zuata – Puto Prata (Akwaaba)
En La Nalga (On The Ass) feat. Jordy - Ronny Santana (DL)
Duro Duro - María y José (Cocobass)
Maldito Fiesbu (Dj Fantasy Original Mix) – Rita Indiana y Los Misterios (DL)
You Don't Wash (Dub)- Kode9 (DJ Kicks)
Webaba (Black Coffee & Culoe De Song Remix) - Culoe De Song feat. Busi Mhlongo (Electric Melt)
Distant Planet – Mr. Fingers (Blackmarket)

Playlist Abstract Index June 10/10

2010-06-16T20:14:00.005-04:00

I don't know if it was good or bad timing that I played this last week - RIP Mr. Dixon.

I want to say that I loved his work unconditionally, but that just isn't true. His tone, phrasing and way around long-form ideas were all his own, a combination of the most delicate breathiness and sudden squalls of discomfort. However, his approach to digital delay - which he used constantly in the two instances in which I saw him - was maddeningly static. He had a tendency to crank up the echo to about a half to 3/4 second delay and stay locked in that setting, regardless of tempo or feeling generated by his fellow musicians. This was effective enough with the barest sounds from his trumpet, but not so much at louder volumes where his inflexible approach quickly became boring.

That's not an issue on this record. Dixon had recorded very infrequently until the last decade, and the two Vade Mecum sets were his only recordings of the 90s. His improvising is tremendous throughout, both lyrical and percussive, with a smoky, atmospheric tone that was all his own. Aided by the titanic double double bass of Barry Guy and William Parker and Tony Oxley, who in many ways is his equivalent as a drummer, this album has a gravity and sense of occasion that tears down musical prejudices. Dixon dances over and comments on the bottom end heft with much grace. I've played this disc for many people, who invariably get sucked in by the intimate, universally understood communication between the players.

Thanks to Aum Fidelity and Thrill Jockey, Dixon was better represented on record in the past few years than ever before, and he was a beloved teacher of his craft. Like his trumpet playing, warm tributes to the man are sure to unfold slowly but steadily over a long period of time.

Podcast

tornados vs. dynamos 3-3 - real sounds (rough guide)
fly me home - the hockers (unknown)
tetero - grupo palma africanan (soundway)
lamento de un galax - do re mi 245 (vampisoul)
amy - bassekou kouyate (sub pop)
for toumani - roswell rudd malicool (no label)
everybody loves the sunshine - seu jorge (now again)
ganja smuggling - eek a mouse (greensleeves)
fever - junior byles (trojan)
time stiff - junior murvin (17 north parade)
men mwen - mr. ok (masalacism)
quivering with speed - matthew shipp (thirsty ear)
zig zag - colin fisher (ncra)
octette #1 - bill dixon (soul note)
warm - echospace (modern love)
regressor - demdike stare (modern love)
nobrow - bjorn svin (rump)
uncomfortable combination - professor fingers (otnorot)
cherry moon - lorn (alpha pup)
cmyk - james blake (r & s)
take your fingers - michael fakesch (k7)
isolex - loom (mille plateaux)
special baby - lack of afro (freestyle)
stmlignemauve - kenlo craqunuques (no label)

Huelepega Comes To MAMA

2010-06-16T10:20:00.004-04:00

This Saturday night, Huelepega Sound System is the featured guest of the monthly MAMA party at Teranga.

This MAMA likes to shake it to "Kuduro! Naija! Doooombia! Ghettotech! Dancehall! Ethiofunk! Reggaeton! Folkstep! Soca! Kwaito and SA House! Raptor House!" (love the last one; let's root for the home team)

But you can get a sneak peek by listening to the Abstract Index tomorrow night at 11. DJ Marcus Boon will be stopping by to talk about the night, and his musical interests. He'll also play an extended set. Tune in and turn on!

Abstract Index Playlist - June 3/10

2010-06-04T20:09:00.006-04:00

As the days get nicer, thoughts most definitely do not turn to blogging for this average Canadian... This compilation's a couple of months old, but when you're talking about tracks that have been gathering dust for thirty-odd years, a couple of months is no big deal.

This is another entry in British label Jazzman's Sufjan Stevans-ish Funk series: Texas Funk, Florida Funk, etc. Apparently it's been in the works for several years; it certainly sounds as though a great deal of attention was paid to sequencing, mastering, and ultimately, selection. Unlike the midwestern funk comps that Jazzman has put out, this one sounds smoother to me. One would have to figure that these West Coast musicians were in a better situation.

Based on population alone in L.A. and San Francisco, there would be more opportunities for musicians to work and better their craft/chops - add to that all the film and TV work in L.A., and being a musician was a decent profession. There was more of everything else, too: studios, entrepreneurial labels/hustlers and radio stations to play the finished product. Of course, more competition guaranteed that some music would get left behind, but certainly this music sounds like even the most obscure acts had talent.

Stylistically, this comp is fairly diverse, from Chicano funk to jazzy one-offs to spacy studio confections. All of it hits hard.

Podcast

BTW, tomorrow is my final edition of Funky Fridays - I just can't hack the turnaround from a Thursday night time slot.

sweet jamaica - anthony b (no label)
king's highway - jah marnyah & vibronics (scoops)
the door - prof (otnorot)
dust on a white shirt - william parker violin trio (thirsty ear)
what if - nicole mitchell black earth strings (delmark)
the falling leaves - ramachandra borcar (semprini)
onda - cassiano (polydor)
revolucao organico - marcos valle (qdk/normal)
funky fire - billy larkin (jazzman/now again)
limits - freddie joachim (mellow orange/organology)
cirandar - seu jorge & almaz (now again)
espuma negra - helado negro (asthmatic kitty)
aroro - petrona martinez rmx by nate mars (no label)
angel echoes - four tet rmx by caribou (domino)
little miss echo - raymond scott (basta)
timely buck/anon - john oswald (fony)
space elements 5 - rafael toral (staubgold)
bang - elektrik toboggan (victo)
wellen und felder 1 - atom tm (rune gramofon)
4:04 AM - brent larner/joelle leandre/kazunori uchihashi (spool)
thread's first stitches - jyoti (someothahship)
altered states - high tone (jarring effects)
illuminations - hungry ghost rmx by marcellus pittman (international feel)
u.p.c. - franck biyong & massak (colored inc)
eliza we - yinguica (arc music)
two steps to latin - los charlys orchestra (imagenes)
yes - mgo (bongo disco mix) (out here)
stepping in hq - morwells/king tubby (blood and fire)

Abstract Index Playlist - May 27/10

2010-05-31T08:18:00.007-04:00

The vibe has changed.

Three weeks into my new time slot (and already behind on blogging) I'm starting to get used to my new digs.

Being neighbours with Jason Palma is wonderful. we really have a lot in common jazz-wise, and talking with him has spurred me to dig out more avant-soul-jazz than I'd been playing recently. Not surprisingly, I've also noticed that many other albums sound better at night than in the evening.

John Kameel Farah's Unfolding is one of them. Its fiendishly complex layers of keyboards, hand percussion and breaks take some time to appreciate, and probably didn't make their best impression when I played the disc during the dinner hour. But drop that shit at 10PM, and it's no wonder a happy listener called up to rave about it.

This has been one of my favourite Canadian releases of the past year, and as the title implies, I keep finding new avenues to explore within the dense sound. As the tags at the bottom of the post say: "electronics, Middle East, jazz/improv, 21st century composition" all collide with a purpose. I'm going to vote for it on my first round of Polaris Prize balloting.

Podcast

vala izwe - big voice jack (motella)
purity - music revelation ensemble (diw)
untitled/fantastic - suite for ma dukes orchestra rmx. by georgia anne muldrow (mochilla)
procisao - tamba trio (universal)
charade - the quincy jones orchestra feat roland kirk (emarcy)
expanse - john kameel farah (dross:tik)
8 mile road - the asphalt rmx by juju & jordash (deep explorer)
afro punk reggae - steel an skin (em)
chance (dub) - cobblestone jazz (k7)
bastard - high tone (jarring effects)
dj lillemor - band ane (jenga)
thoda resham lagta hai - lata mangeshkar rmx by daniel haaksman (man recordings)
back at caligari's - andrew downing (black hen)
limnoid pt 2 - aidan baker (alien 8)
restoration - the acorn rmx by four tet (paper bag)
underground - loop 2.4.3 (music starts from silence)
know love - twin roots (trojan)
whispering dub - skatalites (motion)
girl i love you - keeling beckford (hit)
spacing out - the invaders (duane)
rollin' home - dr. music (grt)
yes - cinister cee (neferiu)
loulou - orchestre african all stars international (albarika store)
can't get used to those - dimlite (afterlude)

Abstract Index Playlist - May 20/10

2010-05-25T16:49:00.006-04:00

There's a lot to say about Janelle Monae.

First up, read my piece at Exclaim for the June issue.

I was extremely impressed with her, or at least with her phone manner. She was very professional, but frequently went off script into concise but illuminating asides. That's not a bad metaphor for the album. It's a polished major-label release with fascinating and well-developed tangents.

At its heart is the concept adapted from Metropolis. Though Monae told me she hadn't researched the various remakes of the movie, hers is both a departure from the usual themes associated with it, as well as a strong reaffirmation. Basically, she attaches perspectives of race and gender to a story of workers and elites. With that as the lyrical focus to the album, she explores many different flavours of future soul, psychedelia and pop. And it all comes out well - from neo-folk interludes to gurgling guitar solos which actually feel appropriate to her overall vision rather than a cheap add on.

So many different ideas come up within the space of one song. Take the single "Tightrope" (have you seen the Letterman performance by now?). The lyrics are deep on many levels. First, there's the infectious wordplay with its rapping cadences to draw the listener into the song and dig in to the message. The message itself - whether you're high or low, you're always walking on a tightrope, because that's what 'the machine' wants from you - is something you might find in punk, metal or 'conscious' hip hop lyrics, but certainly not in most egregiously self-aggrandizing, status-seeking, product-placing, party-starting pop music (of which her parent label Bad Boy has released more than its fair share). Is she referring to the entertainment industry/society's expectations of women? Black Americans? Or just her character, the android 'Cindi Mayweather' in the four part Metropolis saga? Either way, the song is brilliant as music that moves the story along and on its own as a terrific JB-infused pop song. And that's before the ukulele break (don't think Fritz Lang ever had that in mind with the movie...) whose chord changes strongly suggest samba, one aspect of a great range of global musical influences on The ArchAndroid, along with a bit of Afrobeat, references to different eras of reggae, Eastern European prog, ye olde English folk and orchestral touches.

I keep thinking about comparing it to Purple Rain when listening to it; except Prince was several years into his career by the time he put it all together into a mass-market friendly style of individuality. The fact that this fully developed sci-fi concept is the debut album by a black woman on a very mainstream label is simply remarkable. If Lady Gaga is supposed to be the standard for boundary pushing dance music today, Monae whups her ass by being more eclectic, more ambitious, more accomplished, writing better lyrics and above all being a better singer by far. And she's got a kickass crown designed by the guy who built the Iron Man suit.

Podcast

mra - brotherhood of breath (rca neon)
assunta - zane massey (delmark)
and when to come back - harris eisenstadt (clean feed)
fadeen to - bako dagnon (discograph)
dub for cascadia - locsil (kranky)
dub y guaguanco - flowering inferno (tru thoughts)
guiyome - konono no. 1 (crammed)
atou - youssou n'dour & super etoile de dakar (no label)
lotis - menwar (no label)
balkumbia - balkan beat box vs. sub swara (no label)
avante me fante - mahala rai banda (asphalt tango)
trouble - citizen sound (balanced)
dance or die - janelle monae feat. saul williams (wondaland arts/bad boy)
you - funkineven (eglo)
dance with me - twilight (luv n haight)
lucifer went to church - afrobutt (electric minds)
africa - dub all sense meets abassi all stars (universal egg)
peace and love - dubmatix feat linval thompson rmx by nate wize (7 arts)
the promised land - nas & damian marley (republic)
dub fire - aswad (mango)
heads of government - leroy sibbles (attic)
roots radics rockers reggae - bunny wailer (shanachie)
palo bonito - katunga (arcando)
cabo de vela - tatico hernandez (discolando)
el tembleque - panchitron/sonido mundial mix (no label)
boiling over - kush arora (no label)
sinian dub - tassilli players (universal egg)

Abstract Index Playlist - May 13/10

2010-05-14T10:42:00.003-04:00

Early 2010 has yielded some particularly great music, and I'm fortunate to have had the chance to interview the artists behind some of my favourite records thus far. This past week brought the interview with Flying Lotus, and recently posted at Exclaim.ca is my interview/review with Gonjasufi - a fellow traveler of West Coast bass-ways. FlyLo contributes a couple of productions to A Sufi And A Killer, but this album is a murderous showcase for the Gaslamp Killer's harsh re-edits. It's a trip through the recesses of the Finders Keepers and Normal/QDK style of global psychedelic curation. Gonjasufi's vocals are part tuned sandpaper and part wavering falsetto; always skirting the edge of coherence and focus. This blown-out, analog, and defiantly proggy music can stand next to the most energetic beats and keep the momentum going with the truly hallucinogenic effect it provokes.

Podcast

children of today - burning spear (burning sounds)
at the klinik - daniel blomquist (sutemos)
nite after dub - clive hunt and the dub dancers (believe)
alza la manos - el remolon (zzk)
jumeirah riddim sequel - sticky (mixpak)
361 degrees - kenlo craqnuques (no label)
whores: the movie - el-p (def jux)
dust - gonjasufi (warp)
no contact... contact - clutchy hopkins (ubiquity)
sacatelo bailando - grupo fantasma (airesol)
cachubembe - fruko y sus tesos (vampisoul)
ochimini - francisco aguabella (cubop)
gossiping - shadow (caribbean music group)
keep the vibes pumping - jigsy king/south rakkas crew (no label)
fire singer - dennis brown (tuff gong)
mmmhmmm - flying lotus feat thundercat (warp)
coi technology pavillion - john baker (trunk)
new years yves - nomoreshapes (drip audio)
the bath - the rent (ambiances magnetiques)
il cielo una stanza - mike patton (ipecac)
sweet power your embrace - james mason (soul brother)
the love i lost - harold melvin and the blue notes re-edit by dimitri from paris (bbe)
techno rumba - chief boima rmx by uproot andy (dutty artz)
glitch feisty rub - bonjay vs emvee (no label)

Abstract Index Playlist - May 5/10

2010-05-07T09:47:00.008-04:00

How better than to mark my transition to a new timeslot than saying a few words about Flying Lotus?

Like many people, I'm utterly blown away by Cosmogramma, FlyLo's new album. It exemplifies the very best of what I enjoy about music, and doing the radio show: combining beats and freedom, smoothness with roughness, and an ebb and flow of tempo.

He talks like that too. On Thursday, I'm going to air a portion of the conversation I had with Mr. Stephen Ellison for my debut Thursday show. It was inspiring to speak with him; he's not doing a ton of press for this record, and he sounds awed by life right now. He can't believe his good luck, his situation in L.A. which sees him supported by a community of abstract beat-seekers, and most of all his state of mind is bubbling over with creativity and a need to express it. It's one of those conversations that renews one's faith in music; although I will say that the energy of this interview is better suited to 11PM than a 7PM broadcast.

This interview produced this article. That runs down the story, and my impressions of the album, but you should run out and get this for yourself. The many Hendrix comparisons he's engendered are absolutely valid in that it is so rare that a work of such abstraction to have such widespread appeal.

Podcast

la chiquita esa - jorge lopez ruiz (chango)
multidimensional - the rent (ambiances magnetiques)
we find our way in - robin crutchfield (important)
recoiled - flying lotus (warp)
plastic memory - mr. beatnick (apple juice breaks)
baobab connect - chief boima (dutty artz)
can i be yours? - tanika charles (no label)
cruising down sunset - the 4th dimension (jazzman)
mulatu - mulatu astatke (strut)
klowds - gonjasufi (warp)
get down - minotaurs (saved by vinyl)
bowls - caribou (domino)
very big in america right now - voice of authority (on-u sound)

DJ Ripley

Power ends where resistance starts - disrupt (Jahtari)
Warning Warning max romeo (Black World)
Heads a go roll - Max Romeo (Black World)
Dance of the Vampires - Scientist (Greensleeves)
Baptized by dub rmx - fleck (Unreleased)

Abstract Index Playlist - April 28/10

2010-04-30T12:31:00.007-04:00

A.B. Crentsil is one of the first names I encountered when shopping for African music a long time ago. This is likely because he and other Ghanaian stars like Pat Thomas and Jewel Ackah were based in Toronto for a while, which represented the first wave of African music in Canada. One of his LPs, Sweet Elizabeth, was released through World Art And Decor on Queen St. This was once just about the only place to find African music (downtown) outside of a big chain store, like Sam's or A & A. I think I scooped my copy of Sweet Elizabeth at the Canadian National Exhibition "multicultural marketplace" when the store was trying to unload all its vinyl! After checking into Crentsil, I discovered he was the lead singer of the Sweet Talks, one of Ghana's most popular highlife bands of the 70s. That's part of the reason I'm chuffed about this reissue.

Soundway of course has done a great job of exposing obscure music from Nigeria, Panama, the French Caribbean and so forth, but it's nice to see them reissue music by better known artists like the Sweet Talks and Hedzoleh Soundz (later of Hugh Masekela fame). For funk-and-beyond collectors, obscurity is a virtue. In one sense, the Sweet Talks are obscure, with only one prior international release to their name, but they were one of the biggest bands in Ghana during the seventies. It's welcome news to hear the kind of music which was critically and commercially successful during that era. Soundway paints a clearer picture of West African sounds with releases like these, and I don't even have the liner notes which are no doubt up to the usual informative standard.

The Kusum Beat, from 1974, finds the Sweet Talks in a distinctly Afrobeatish mood with its heavy funk riffs and driving rather beat. According to the Soundway site this was far from typical of their output, and from what I've heard this is indeed much heavier music than I thought it would be. Here's hoping this reissue raises their profile.

Podcast

escape the night - root 70 (nonplace)
the opposite - steve raegele (songlines)
the thing - the minotaurs (saved by vinyl)
akampanye - sweet talks (soundway)
wartef jigen - orchestre guelem de banjul (syllart)
zol - blk jks (secretly canadian)
tuareg goosi jam in tent - tuareg nomads & kiah keya/nomadic remix (kiahkeya productions)
fishsticks - samiyam (all city)
skip - out to lunch (accurate)
me gusto - mexicans with guns feat. chico mann (friends of friends)
can't feel nothing remix - high places (thrill jockey)
thunder soul - kashmere stage band (now again)
victory - the soul messengers (numero)
come with me - jahdan blakkamoore rmx by sabbo (gold dust)
blackmagic - jose james (brownswood)
heavenly hash - ufallani (no label)
no entry - gussie clarke (17 north parade)
brimstone and fire version - atarra (pressure sounds)
mr. universe dub version - mos def (no label)
fight you down - jah cutta (stomp)
love song - skeat (akwaaba)

So Nice, We're Doing It Twice

2010-04-26T12:50:00.004-04:00

Toronto just doesn't know what to do with us this week: three gigs in a week - we are triply blessed.

Mas Tigre! was a big hit last Saturday, and we're following it up with two free gigs in quick succession.

The first will be this Thursday at the Gladstone's Melody Bar. We're playing two sets, so we'll really stretch out. Sergio and I will be supplying incidental tuneage as well.

Next Saturday, we're at the Cloak and Dagger at the behest of the lovely and talented DJ Anousheh. Her Move On Up nights are simply one of the city's truly essential soulful experiences, abetted by a drink-track of fine beerage. This is going to be tiny and packed!

Hope to see you at one, the other, or both!

Abstract Index Playlist - April 21/10

2010-04-23T10:38:00.010-04:00

It's not the greatest band name, but it's accurate.

I was trying to describe this record to someone and talked about the hooky, melodic, heavily filtered synth workouts, the sometimes robotic, sometimes swinging beats and terse vocals. She responded "So they could be from anywhere, right?" Which was exactly the point. They could be just a band from Toronto, or London, or even Kenya.

Just A Band is worldly, but coming from a different place in the world, and theirs is a well-curated survey of many contemporary trends and sounds in hipster dance music. There are several obvious questions: do I like this particular collage because it's African, whereas I might not give it a second thought if it were some buzz band from Brooklyn? By the same token, do I, or other listeners, expect something more African or specifically Kenyan out of this music? To what extent is a band like this a new phenomenon?

Though there are plenty of historical examples of transglobal African sounds produced by Africans and non-Africans alike, there are surely more examples than ever these days. The local origins of this band aren't downplayed or watered down, they're updated and placed on equal footing with all the other international musical and technological influences; there's no subordination or fetishization of geographically based stereotypes. Probably the clincher for me in this case are the vocals, which sound like a seriously spliffed-out Tone Loc wrung out through an autotuned vocoder. The declamatory singing and spoken word style combined with the melodic sweetness is quite appealing.

This album represents yet another round in the continuing debate over "what do North Americans expect from African music?" We should know by now that contemporary African sounds are not just furious drums, chanting and nine-minute dance til you drop workouts; but manifestations of a continuous flow of music from and back to Africa as channeled by myriad individual, local and national circumstances. Even so, Just A Band anticipates and leads such conversations rather than simply follow them. These guys may be Just A Band, but they're far more talented than Just An Example.

Podcast

kamiki - orchestre kiam (syllart)
carruseles - afrosound (vampisoul)
latin roots - larry harlow (fania)
tingiza kichna - just a band (akwaaba)
thermodynamic orchestra - pierre bastien (western vinyl)
chocolate - l'ordi (zonda)
maze - actress (honest jons)
hela mmaneyu - kabasa (atlantic)
pecoussa - francois lougah (syllart)
united nation/saidi style - mahmoud fadl (piranha)
immigrant visa - poirier feat mc zulu rmx by maga bo (ninja tune)
cancion para colombia - huelepega sound system (inyrdisk)
alergia - very be careful (barbes)
n'ouhoumba - bako dagnon (discograph)
think twice - gilles peterson's havana cultural band rmx by 4 hero (brownswood)
end titles - jamshied sharifi rmx by solar lion (kiahkeya productions)
brigadier sabari - alpha blondy (syllart)
time tough - romain virgo (vp)
tribute - jah cutta (stomp)
don't fool the young girls version - the gladiators (studio one)
flash gordon meets luke skywalker - roots radics rmx by bill laswell (trojan)
log on dub - horsepower productions (tempa)