A lot of the modern electronic music I'm drawn to seems to have an organic vibe. Whether that is achieved through live instruments, older equipment, or just plain skill with new electronics, these records have a warmth I associate with analog recording and vinyl.
I suppose I'm just "used to" that "old" sound and that comfort leads me into liking the songs. I call it Organic-Electro. I realize I may not be making myself totally clear, but if you get what I'm saying, I'd love to hear some Organic-Electro suggestions from the MOS.
The European DJ/Producer collective, Jazzanova got a major label deal for their In Between album in 2002 when it seemed like electronic music might be headed for the promised land of a commercial breakthrough. Alas, the system those same major labels set up( highly stratified, genre-oriented, segmented,compatmentalized) to promote records couldn't really handle a diverse, ambitious, hard-to-classify record like, In Between.
Despite a small push, the album did not become a smash (like another ambitious major label Dance Record,Nuyourican Soul), and Jazzanova returned to their club and underground scene.
The track that grabbed me from In Between was Another New Day. It starts with a small piano loop, then adds some crisp drums, then a guitar figure, then a swirl of vocals, all building to a disco-ish string section breakdown (actually a plus for me). At this point the song could be in the ballpark of a Stereolab track, but the next breakdown, drums and conga, just blew my mind. About 2;33 into the song, the breakdown explodes like a mashup of Funky Drummer and Scorpio. It's only 40 seconds, but nearly my favorite 40 seconds in any record since the 70's. I'm not sure why, but they just don't have breaks like this in records anymore. I want more! The rest of the record flows nicely with older synth sounds, jazz touches, African vibes, poetry and soul. Cover to cover, it can appeal to an old funker like myself, but is by no means retro. Check it Out
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I know exactly what you mean! It's the promise, but the rarer reality, of the original acid-jazz genre: we're going to give you the cool funkiness and sounds of modern electronica and combine it with some genuine musicianship and hot vocals. Maybe it's related to the same thing that distinguishes any good funk from bad, namely, does it have a good groove, or is it just plain repetitive.
Koop, LTJ Bukem, Future Sounds of London, United Future Organization all have release some interesting stuff along these lines, but you probably know them already. A little less well known, SiSe have produced some real cool s**t. And maybe Particle and the Scott Amendola Band are kind of bringing it from the other direction - from the jam, towards the electronic.
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Love Jazzanova, and I thoroughly agree this is the best cut on the record.
Interestingly that track was remixed by Stereolab on the In Between Remixed release.
These guys actually are still making music, they went back to the stuff that gave them their push, total reworkings that are officially called remixes for other artists, but end up being such a substantial overhaul that I would almost call them original compositions. There has been some killer original stuff lately as the seven members have many aliases that they work under.
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nice drums...gotta get it!!
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That's Cool SRG...Thanks for the Tune
hey Oat, did you pick up the Homecooking release from Jazzanova and friends. The cute little package with the cookbook. what did ya think. i haven't digested it yet:)
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meSteve- particle and Scott Amendola look like EMCD's to me..thanks for the tips
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Didn't pick that one up. I do have their first remixes compilation which is great but gets a little repetitive, even though their breakdowns are always great, as you remarked. Also have their ...Mixing DJ mix that has some great stuff.
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I could recommend you some Austrians: Kruder & Dorfmeister you know for sure, but they don't exist any more, but make now solo careers. Waldeck will release a new album in a few months, Parov Stelar made more house music but released now a very jazzy and calm album, Madrid de los Austrias has also a very latin touch, as the name indicates. The Juju Orchestra released some more latin influenced tracks. I already wrote something about the Compost label, that cooperates closely with Jazzanova, they both have a common sublabel. Ninja Tunes is always a sure shot for any kind of interesting mixtures. You sure know Gotan Project for their electro tango. There's a lot of that kind of stuff released. It's hard to keep an overview, if you're not doing that fulltime. I'll post from time to time something, when I'll stumble across, as I like that kind of stuff. Very nice track.
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This is going into the collection - loved it!
Goya puts out some great broken beat/nu jazz/house at http://www.goyamusic.com/newreleases/newreleases.jsp 'Scattered Snares vol. 2' was released in 07 and you may find it interesting - listen at http://twistedfunk.co.uk/ purchase at: http://www.goyamusic.com/searchresults.jsp
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Thanks for the recomms folks. It's all about making me spend more money, isn't it. don't y'all know I don't have a job!
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Hey man, let me suggest Soul Clique. Great mix of the “old” and the new all wrapped up in one tasty package. Or even Bootsy’s Praxis.
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Oh yeah, Goya Distribution has the prime stuff!
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loving the sound of this cody, feel like this would be perfect backround music at a dinner party
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I need more dinner parties with music like this,Rawk!
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I need more dinner parties, all my friend have kids who are the same age as my son. Thats not a bad thing, just that anything more than a 5 sec pause in action can cause hysteria with an 18 month old
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I heard that Rawk, wait'll the critters are 5 years old and can actually hurt you if they hit you just right. My son almost broke my nose with an "unintentional" head butt.
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ha, with my son this is already happening. I feel like a life insurance policy should be something I am getting ready.
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Damn critters. cute, but deadly.
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Late comment. But, one thing to add.....WORD!
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This has summer and BBQ stamped all over it, including yours Soulrocket Groove! MOG is re-lighting my fire for Funk and may have to go and dig out my Go Team album. Thanks for feeding me funk!
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This is BEAUTIFUL. you came up on my magic button list and i couldn't resist the name Jazzanova-glad I didn't. A bow to you.