Mumbai born, but now Californian resident Aki Kumar loves his harmonica. His debut album Aki Goes To Bollywood is all parts kinda country, with a bit of rockabilly, but mostly its all about his love for the blues. His follow-up album from 2018 Hindi Man Blues keeps the theme going, but he slightly musically branches out…
GAYE SU AKYOL – Stikrarl Hayal Hakikatti [Music Video]
A few weeks ago a videoclip arrived for one of the best tracks from Gaye Su Akyol‘s 3rd album İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir (2018). And what a glorious surprise it was. Sumptuous colours, mighty facial close-ups and an oddly fantastic realisation of a psychedelic bus ride. Its when she steps out in her black cape, pink…
GIZELLE SMITH – Dust 7″ (incl disco rework)
Gizelle Smith is the UK born offspring of one of the band members of legendary Motown soul group THE FOUR TOPS, so the genetics run deep. Having released music since 2007, mostly with the Hamburg, Germany located Mocambo Allstars/The Mighty Mocambos, she has knocked out a worthy back catalogue of singles and appearances. Then in…
HEATHER HAYWOOD – Party Tonight/Give It Up. 7″
What a surprise and a revelation all in one. UK singer Heather Haywood was one of the 7 members in the early 80s funk band The Cool Notes. The other singer Lorraine McIntosh you might recognise from Bomb the Bass‘ Don’t Make Me Wait. They originally started out as a roots reggae band releasing their…
THE ART OF TIKI Exhibition, Los Angeles, Oct 6-29th, 2017,
Above: Mexican illustrator Dr Alderete’s ode to the 3 most famous exponents of Tiki associated Exotica music. Les Baxter, Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman. Sven Kirsten‘s latest book The Art of the Tiki is currently being launched alongside the THE ART OF TIKI: 21st Anniversary Art of Tiki Show & No False Idols in the…
TRAILER LIMON – Love Don’t Pay The Bills ft. E. Live. 7″
I think this might be my favourite release on the Austin Boogie Crew label. E-Live‘s Do Me Like That featuring Chesta Blake on the Star Creature label was much loved. The original is not even 2 years old and its already a three figured collector’s piece, with the repress not far behind in value. Love…
THE TRAFFIC – Super Freak/Like I Love You. 7″
I guess I could make a pun loaded comment and say that this is the kind of music that could stop, er no…that’s just Bad Journalism 101. I would never write anything like that. What I should say is that three 45s deep and THE TRAFFIC show no signs of slowing down in the fast…
ERNIE HAWKS & THE SOUL IGS – Scorpio Man Theme. 7″
Every once in a while I get hit from behind with a funk nugget that causes me to twist and turn around to see what hit me. Scorpio Man Theme was one of those moments. Midtempo b-boy friendly drums drop, then laced up with extra percussion, a couple of simple catchy guitars twinkle, the melody…
PENZA PENZA – Donald Trump. 7″
Estonian funk outfit PENZA PENZA dropped this 45 a few weeks before the USA election. Their timing was impeccable as pressing plant back ups could’ve seen it delayed after the tragic fact. Now I suppose you could be wondering if its pro or con the orange skinned one. Well, its pretty obvious as the vocal…
HASHISH – A Product of… LP Vinyl
Easily one of my top albums of 2016 and I’m trying to squeeze a few of them in before 2016 comes to a close. Describe by the label as ‘occult Scandinavian psych-funk’, this may be so, but its less demonic than it is triptastic. The genius behind Hashish is Stefan Kéry, the label owner behind…
JAIN – Makeba. 7″
French singer Jain released her song Come last year. It came along with a nifty video by directors Lionel Hirlé & Grégory Ohrel and was a clever nod to 19th century born illustrator MC Escher. The directors from production outfit Quad Group turn up the creativity tenfold for her song Makeba from her certified gold…
FREEDOM 35s – Dante’s Peak. 7″
Heavy hittin’ mod-funk from Keady, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Woah, this is tough. Clocking in at a 150bpms it’s a take no prisoners track dedicated to their favourite actor, Pierce Brosnan. If you drove from Keady to Dublin you would go through his hometown of Drogheda. And incidentally the film Dante’s Peak was directed by…
THE LOST WORLD, KATOOMBA 