Incognito continues to let fads pass them by and stay focused on good, solid, jazzy soul music, and good songwriting. That’s what’s made them one of the best bands to catch on tour. Another thing that makes Incognito special is Bluey’s ability to keep great vocalists and excellent musicians in the band. “Transatlantic RPM” is an album that marks the band’s 30th anniversary, and, in an era where bands barely survive their 3rd anniversary without breaking up or changing direction, Incognito shows no sign of slowing down.

Incognito has added Mario Biondi to the lineup for this record. Mario’s signature deep voice take songs like “Can’t Get Enough”, which is already funky, to a whole other level. It wouldn’t be an Incognito record without a great cover tune, and Mario also adds a new dimension to the Boz Scaggs classic “Lowdown”, the song that starts the album off. Mario is joined by none other than the incomparable Chaka Khan on this tune, and so you know you’re in for a good time from the moment you press play. West Coast favorite Luckyiam comes on board to become the first emcee on an Incognito track (that I can recall), and “Everything That We Are” is good because of it. “1975″ is a solid soul track featuring Joy Rose on vocals. I’m hoping to hear the band play this out in concert. Next up, Maysa – the band’s most famous voice – takes the stage with another classic entitled “Your Sun, My Sky”. Maysa always shows up to do the “strange relationship” songs on these albums and she never, ever fails to turn the most ordinary chord progression into a soul tune you want to rewind and play again.

At this point, most bands would phone it in and fill the album with instrumental jams. After all, this album started with the core musicians: Matt Cooper, Pete Biggin, Francis Hilton, Thomas Dyani and Bluey jamming and laying tracks sitting in a circle at Oxton Square in London in 2009.

But what we get is a lot more. World renowned vocalist Leon Ware makes a great appearance on “Line In The Sand”, a song marked with another set of great string arrangements and solid grooves. Ursula Rucker also represents, singing AND reciting her classic style of poetry, on “Gotta”.

“Transatlantic RPM” then turns up the BPM with a GREAT dance tune: “Let’s Fall In Love Again”, featuring Tortured Soul’s Christian Urich on vocals. I know every producer in the world wants a crack at a remix of this, but it’s really a great tune as is.

“The Song” is the solo Chaka Khan number, and by the end, it’s clear that Chaka has found her best backing group of musicians since Rufus.

Maysa and Chaka Khan could have easily tried to “out-soul” each other on this album, but instead…we get the best of both great talents, on songs that stand on their own.

Tony Momrelle balances the album out with “Put a Little Lovin’ In Your Heart”, another dance number with just enough ol’ school to keep the OG ‘Cog fans happy.

The one surprise that trumped them all for me on this album was Bluey’s lead vocal debut on “Tell Me What To Do”. I’m sure he does guide vocals on songs for vocalists to get the gist of the songs, but we’ve never been privy to those recordings, so this is a treat that I’m sure all fans will appreciate.

These performances, along with the fantastic musicianship shown throughout the album (don’t miss the instrumental “Expresso Madureira”) make this album an absolute must-have.

“Transatlantic RPM” has everything an Incognito fan could want – the best of Incognito, plus Chaka Khan!

Here’s to another great 30 years!

There were two types of people at SOBs on June 29th. There were the people who had never heard of J*Davey and the people who were hardcore fans. I happened to fall into the former category. Tonight will mark my exodus into the latter though.

Comprised of female singer Briana Cartwright and male producer, Brook D’Leau, this genre smashing duo puts on a spectacular live show. There are no big budget theatrics, just a liberating sense of passion. Briana, or Jack Davey as she likes to be called, oozes the type of dark and brooding sexuality not seen since Prince. At one point a man suddenly exclaimed, “Jack, I wanna have your baby!” Her voice is powerful and sounds smooth singing over trippy and stuttering sound beds.

the show opened with a jazzy version of Nirvana’s smash hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. The song began quietly and slowly transitioned itself into the original rock version. These Los Angeles natives, then, performed their songs like they were already number one hits. To most of the people in the audience, they were. The crowd knew word for word and helped out anytime they were asked to. The music was so intoxicating that the atmosphere began to seem like a rave. That would be a rave without drugs and glow sticks, mind you.

By the end of their ninety minute set, they introduced themselves and sent a shout out to the opening act, Hal Linton for warming the crowd up. He sang his four songs beautifully and valiantly being that he was plagued with mic problems.

At the end of the day, this is a group to look out for. Their music is unlike anything being done right now. Moreover, the live show is a juxtaposition of an air of intimacy between the audience and performers and a larger than life party. And who doesn’t like a party like that?

Below, a video of J*DAVEY performing “Get Together”:

Mobile Soul 153: Disorient Express

tracklisting:
Opolopo: Mobile Soul Theme
Shuya Okino and Navasha Daya remixed by Sleep Walker – Thank You
Tiger Lily – Your Beat Sounds LIke (Rasmus Faber remix)
Reel People – The Rain (Rasmus Faber Dub)
A Bossa Eletrica – Skindo Le Le
Meitz – Zwakalani
Bugz In The Attic – Once Twice
Joakim Lone Octet – Melting Blue Ice (Disorient remix)
Democustico – Grito (Seiji’s East Mental)
-
Mos Def – Auditorium
Jazzanova and Phontigallo – Out Here All Alone

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this album, but when I went to the JVC Music (Japan) site (Japanese – music clips available there) to read up on the release and saw this video:

…it became clear to me that this was going to be a special project.

And it is.

Platina Jazz Anime standards is a collection of songs from recent anime, some really popular, and some obscure selections, re-done as straight ahead jazz pieces. It’s a brilliant idea, and with this project, you get to see a side of Rasmus that his pop and dance records don’t show. It’s clear that Rasmus’ influences include Yoko Kanno. Who ISN’T influenced by Yoko Kanno in some way? (Kanno is best known for her work on the immensely popular “Cowboy Bebop” and “Ghost In the Shell” anime series) But this record takes on some challenging pieces. A Jazz rework of Hare Hare Yukai? Oh yeah. And a swinging version of the main theme from “Wings of Honneamise”? It’sall there.

Overall, this is a very good jazz record on its own, and an excellent re-imagining of some beloved anime music. Emily McEwan, who works with Rasmus on quite a few projects, makes an appearance on this album that really shows off her voice. the Emily/Rasmus tracks are some of my favorites in his catalog, so this was a real treat for RF fans.

With Keanu Reeves attempting a live action “Cowboy Bebop” soon, a contribution from Rasmus would be very fitting on the soundtrack.

So the only question that remains is….will there be a remix album?

CD Title: Platina Jazz – Anime Standards vol.1
Catalog No.: VICP-64778
Release Date: November 25, 2009
Price: 2381yen (2500yen Tax incl.) US$ 25.98
Purchase through CDJapan.

Track List:

1. Hare Hare Yukai
2. Happy Material
3. Genesis of Aquarion
4. Seikan Hikou
5. Mizu No Akashi
6. Cosmos Ni Kimito
7. Carrying You
8. Sora No Mukou
9. Toki No Kioku
10. Thanatos – If I Can’t Be Yours -
11. Main Theme – The Wings of Honneamise
12. Children Of The Light
13. Ringo No Mori No Koneko Tachi
14. Fire Treasure
15. Gaanetto
16. Doll
17. Sora e…
18. Voices

“I didn’t know the Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, other than to nod hello on those occasions when I saw her at jazz clubs… Mutual friends told me she was press shy… What little we know of her life tantalizes… I heard stories about the fabled Rothschild heiress and friend to such musical titans as Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and Charlie Parker…

I revere the memory of the Jazz Baroness (1913-1988), the race blind heiress who championed the rights of sometimes powerless jazz musicians against the powerful establishment, who recognized genius when she heard it, and whose loyalty was by all accounts unstinting… In 1961, Nica began to ask musicians she encountered to name their three pet wishes. This book collects three hundred responses, along with dozens of previously unpublished, often startlingly candid Polaroids.”
– excerpted from the Foreword by jazz critic Gary Giddins (pages 9-10)

As a journalist who regularly conducts interviews, I am always wracking my brain for what to ask that might help reveal intimate aspects of a celebrity’s personality. For this reason, I really can appreciate Three Wishes, a marvelous, posthumously-produced opus which manages to achieve that goal with hundreds of jazz greats, and ever so effortlessly, via a combination of private Polaroids and honest answers to just one probing inquiry, namely, “If you were given three wishes, to be instantly granted, what would they be?”

Posing the question, recording responses in her journal and taking photographs of her very famous subjects was the late Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, aka Nica, the enigmatic Rothschild heiress who risked not only her reputation but her life as well as a patron of jazz from the early Fifties until her death in 1988. As one musician recalls, “She often got herself in trouble just for being white and hanging out with us.” For example: “When she happened to take Monk’s arm while accompanying him to a concert in the South, people spit on the sidewalk as they walked by.”

Is it any wonder then that Nica then would have earned their trust, and that they would open up about their dreams when she asked them to share their wishes? Some answers found on the pages of this enlightening tome are quite shocking, such as that of Miles Davis who said he wanted “to be white.” Other icons evidence a sensitive vulnerability, like John Coltrane, who asked for “immunity from sickness” and for “inexhaustible freshness in my music,” admitting “I’m stale right now.”

Eric Dolphy merely wanted his basic subsistence needs met, wanting, “A home and a car in New York. That’s all!” Then there’s Art Farmer: “To like myself.” Stanley Turrentine: “For my children to have a chance in life.” Duke Ellington: “I just want nothing but the best.” Lee Morgan: “To make a wonderful husband and father.” Cannonball Adderley: “I wish that racial discrimination would be eliminated from the face of the earth, in all directions.”

A priceless collection of personal portraits baring the souls of the titans of jazz!

Known for their one of a kind timeless sound, Sade has enjoyed phenomenal success both internationally and stateside throughout the span of their twenty-five year career. Since the release of their debut album, Diamond Life in 1984, the band has seen all five of their studio albums land in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart selling a total of more than 50 million albums worldwide to date. They’ve been nominated for American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and have won three Grammy Awards — first in 1986 for Best New Artist, then in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for “No Ordinary Love“, and again in 2002 for Best Pop Vocal Album with Lovers Rock.

SOLIDER OF LOVE was recorded in England and produced by the band and their longtime collaborator Mike Pela.

tracklisting:
1. luis ferri “my love samba” [schema]
2. mario biondi and the high five quartet “rio de janeiro blue” (in the invisible club mix) [schema]
3. nicola conte ft. jose james “like leaves in the wind” [universal int'l]
4. christian prommer’s drumlesson “strings of life” [sonar kollektiv]
5. soular sound “things we do” (nils krogh alternate take) [dnm]
6. frank montis “a facade” (phil martin remix) [social beats]
7. quasimode “oneself – LIKENESS” [raw fusion]
8. hajime yoshizawa ft. navasha daya “time” [especial]
9. fertile ground “another day” (povo remix) [raw fusion]
10. gerardo frisina “tokyo’s dream” [schema]
11. stockholm cyclo “V.S.O.P.” (beatfanatic edit) [soundscape]
12. moonstarr “broken bossa” [public transit]
13. the hi-fly orchestra “violet” (dusty remix) [ajabu!]
14. beady belle “moderation” (extended version) [jazzland]
15. alexander hope “wonderland” [in the house]
16. horace silver “song for my father” [blue note]

About The Mix
It‘s time for Mondayjazz collective to remind that word jazz in it‘s name is for a reason. This is what they do with this sunny mix, delivered by Dj Nerstylist from not less sunny California. It‘s jazz, jazz, jazz… what is more mixed good indeed. Mostly uptempo, but not only for dancing, mostly classic, but not necessary old, mostly light, but not the soundtracks from erotic movies or elevator music reminding smooth. Records with a flavour of Western coast of America, but often released in European labels. By the way, those, whom Rhythim Is Rhythim – Strings Of Life says something, some where on the twelfth minute of the mix will find a surprise motive.

Want to hear more? Check him!

Dutch Blue Note recording artist Sabrina Starke’s latest video. Earlier this year the Dutch recording artist won the Edison Public Prize for best newcomer.

The Public Prize is an initiative of the Edison Foundation and Jazz Magazine. In recent months readers of the magazine voted for their favorite artist and album. Starke won by receiving over 42 percent of the vote.

(via Afro-Europe International)

Opolopo – Mobile Soul Theme
Nicolay – City Lights (w/ Carlitta Durand)
Herbert – Something Isn’t Right
Ivana Santilli – Hollywood (Nothin’ Over You)
Terri Lyne Carrington – Sherwood Forest (with George Duke and Christian McBride)
D’Angelo – Found My Smile Again
Adriana Evans – Love Me
DJ Mitsu The Beats remixes Average White Band – School Boy
DJ Cam – Success (Attica Blues Remix)
Blacktop ft. Amalia – Reversed (Opolopo remix)
Rasmus Faber – Never Figure Out (ft. Emily McEwan)
Dezaray Dawn – Chameleon (Crisis Situations Remix)
Reel People – Perfect Sky (ft. Joy Rose)

Tracklist:

Opolopo – Mobile Soul Theme
Herbalizer/Jean Grae – The Blend (PB Wolf remix)
DJ Cam – Success
Yameen – Do Not Stand Near Speakers
Fat Jon – W.Y.P.A.U.
DJ Krush/Mos Def – Shinjiro
Q-Tip – Dance On Glass
Jamiroquai – Light Years
Guru/Ronnie Laws – This Is Art
Omar/Stevie Wonder – Feelin’ You
Carleen Anderson – Mama Said (Straight Ahead remix)
Robert Glasper Experiment – Butterfly
Kaidi Tatham – Swift Inspiration (Quick Kid)
Darien – Composure
Maysa – Walk Away
Ledisi – Alone
Deborah Jordan – Brought To Life
Clara Hill – Just Let Me Know
The Foreign Exchange – If She Breaks Your Heart
Quasimode – Catch The Fact
Indigo Jam Unit – Giant Baby
Black Gold Massive – Call Me Anytime
Opolopo – ‘Cos Of You
Opolopo/Amalia – Street Lights
David Morales – Here I Am (Kaskade rmx)
Shuya Okino – Love Is The Key
Dennis Ferrer/Mia Tutavilla – I Touched The Sky (Yass rmx)
Jiva – I Realized
DJ Kawasaki – Find Illusion
Rasmus Faber – Ever After

Don’t be confused. It’s music.

TONIGHT Wednesday, August 05, 2009
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
All Ages.
cover: FREE

Location:
Ernst Young Plaza
S Figueroa St & W 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Grammy-nominated artist, Patrice Rushen has fashioned an expansive musical career, wearing such hats as composer, producer and international recording artist. She has worked with a who’s who list of artists, including violinist Karen Briggs. Tonight, Patrice and Karen headline the finale of the Summer on the Plaza music series.

California Pizza Kitchen will serve Happy Hour food and drinks for purchase beginning at 5pm and during the performance for your convenience.

[h/t Fusicology ]

Well, this bit of news is for Prince fans (are we still “fams”, or what.) and for those who don’t get what the big deal is. A new recording of “Large Room With No Light” is online!

The first time we heard this track it was on a bootleg…possibly the sessions with Prince and Miles Davis. It is often incorrectly called “Welcome 2 The Ratrace”. It’s called “Large Room With No Light”. And you can hear it now over at the Montreaux Jazz Festival’s website. The link takes you to a page that’s in German, but you weren’t gonna read it anyway, so what do you care. Just go to the MJF website, and find the line in the Prince article that says “Hören Sie „In a Large Room With No Light“ exklusiv hier”, and click on the word ‘hier’. I know. Pretty simple for Prince, huh?

This is a new, jazzier, and cleaner version of the song, but if you’ve heard the original, you’ll see where he and Renato (we assume) took it to the next level! The song was already a departure from Prince’s normal style, so this new version will either please folks who liked it, or piss off the purists.

You decide!

Get over there and listen before it comes down!

I never know what’s going to happen when I press play on Mobile Soul, but I know I’m going to love it.

When you guys didn’t update the show earlier this year I was sad,

I have been using Pandora to tide me over between Mobile Soul shows

I discovered the show as a freshman and now I am set to graduate. Mobile Soul has seen me through many final exams. Thank you!

Thank you, one and all, for listening all these years. This week we go back to an international jazz and soul style that turns any room, office, or store into the best bar and lounge in the city. We take it back to the boutique days with this set. Enjoy!

Shuya Okino and Carleen Anderson remixed by Sleepwalker – Beautiful Sadness Gil Scott Heron – Vildgolia (Deaf Dumb and Blind) George Soule – Get Involved Grady Tate – Be Black Big Horns B – Mission: Impossible DJ Mitsu The Beats – Night In Vienna Jill Decoy Association – no name collection (DJ Mitsu The Beats remix) Ballistic Brothers – Blacker Michelle Amador – Higher Bembe Segue – Amazing Kaidi Tatham – He Laughs, She Cries The New Mastersounds – Land of Nod (lack of afro remix) Black Experience Band – The Road Abraham & the Metronomes – Party Gil Scott Heron – Racetrack In France Tony Williams – There Comes A Time Janelle Monae – Letting Go

Geri Allen is described as a post bop jazz pianist. She’s also a producer, and music educator. She cites her primary influences to be Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Evans. She holds a BA in Jazz Studies from Howard and a Masters in ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a part of the m-base scene with Steve Coleman and Five Elements in the early 80s (a band that included Cassandra Wilson, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, and Greg Osby, but established herself as her own with a unique, avant garde style with her first solo album “The Printmakers”.

Several of her earlier albums are out of print, but they are well worth tracking down.

Here she is with her trio, playing “Dark Prince”.