Lucky 13 V.1
By TophOne
Something’s obviously gone horribly awry when you start the year with four weekly DJ gigs and two regular writing jobs and you end the year with one weekly gig and no writing jobs. That’s the story of my 2008, and I lay the guilt solidly where it belongs: TECHNOLOGY. I blame the internet and digital music (and the increasingly vapid humans that both produce) for my personal bad luck, and the downfall of culture in general. DJ gigs vanished as bar and restaurant owners realized, amid a shitty economy, that they didn’t have to pay a DJ $100+ when they could just plug in a laptop or ipod (much like DJs usurped bands a decade ago?), and customers are increasingly ignorant enough to not know the difference. (Much respect to the venues and loyal patrons who still support live & DJ music!) Print media? Well hell- EVERYONE’S the media now, and why should I buy the local newspaper when I can read it all online for free? The irony, of course, is that now I’m forced to send out this column OVER THE INTERNET and to post it ONLINE. But for really- turn off your computer. Ride your bike down to the post office and write me a letter. Enclose a few stamps and I will send you our lil RedWine Zine, lovingly spliced and collaged together by myself, Mr. Element, and guest artists like Dug1 from Morning Breath/ TMF and Ninja Tune’s Kid Acne. Then visit a bookstore, or if you’re that broke- the local library. Turn off, shut down, get out!
DJ SUN “PARA EP” (Alternate Take/ US/ 12EP)
Lovely jazz breaks with “Free” and the downtempo “Dubai”, but the one I can’t get off my decks is the original “Para”- a funky, ass-shaking Afro-Latin bouncer full of drums and chanting and workable into any set. KILLER!
DJ ROGER MAS “BAILA HIHI” (Club Unicornio/ US/ 7)
More wicked Latin flavors via a big band re-edit full of BASS and Erik B & Rakim beats. Nice one, EarFlaps.
BRASS MANAZERI “VRANJSKI SAN” (self/ US/ CD)
This Berkeley brass band shows why they’re one of THE live acts around the Bay these days. Full of witty originals and inspired versions of traddy numbers, these cats mix the Balkans with a taste of New Orleans and a whole lot of party. Zivjeli!
DUB TRAFFIC CONTROL “SPECIAL REQUEST” (BSTRD BOOTS VOL. 6/ US/ 12EP)
“The Message” gets the dubBASS treatment on the title track, but don’t skip the wobbly ragga barrage of “Snakecharmer” on the flip.
40LOVE “BANGERANG!” (self/ US/ CD)
Young SF take ova! City kids rock it hard, flexing all styles from neo-soul to hyphy/ electro to old school jams and turntablism. Waddup, Whooligan?!
MONARETA “PICOTERO” (Nacional/ US/ CD)
An unexpected bag of fun from this Columbian duo in the form of digital Latin dancefloor bangers and all around party tracks.
MYRON AND E with THE SOUL INVESTIGATORS “COLD GAME” (Timmion/ US?/ 7)
Oh look- the sun is poking through the fog! Life is good after all! SICK SOUL BANGER!!!
GECKO TURNER “MANIPULADO EP” (LoveMonk/ US?/ 12EP)
Afrodesiac Soundsystem might need to cool it the fuck out. Their remix of “45.000$ Guapapasea” is KILLING dancefloors, no joke. Holy shit, this is hot.
KID GUSTO “REMIX EP” (white/ US/ 12EP)
I can’t recall the remixers, but there’s enough Springtime goodness here to rock any patio or backyard party until the fog comes in and it’s time to retire indoors for the serious drinking.
HUDSON MOHAWKE “POLYFOLK DANCE” (Warp/ UK/ 12EP)
Sounds like a cartoon puppy dog making beats after listening to J-Dilla and Mochipet all night: fun and weird and silly good.
REPLIFE “THE UNDISCLOSED MIND” (Futuristica Music/ UK/ CD) This may be the worst music-writer term I’ve never used, but alas, it’s time: Replife might be the illest MC you’ve never heard of. But not for long. With production from Dego, Atjazz and Mark De Clive-Lowe, this man’s star is gonna SHINE.
MIC CRENSHAW “THINKING OUT LOUD” (Focused Noise/ US/ CD)
Reppin PDX badasses to the fullest, my man burns like some mutant version of Henry Rollins and Ice Cube on tracks like “Thinking Out Loud”, “Follow Your Instincts” and “2 Way Street”.
URSULA RUCKER “RUCKUS SOUNDSYSTEM” (Five Six Media/ US/ CD) The poetess speaks again! And with King Britt and crew backing her up, you better believe it’s worth a listen. The lead single “Read Between the Lines” says an awful lot, but check out the Blade Runner/ Gary Numan- channeling “Tron” or the haunting “Catholic” for further genius.
Toph is a good friend, excellent DJ and all round good egg. His column was in XLR8R magazine for many years. Since the sale of XLR8R resulted in many writers being dropped, I offered Toph a place on R360 for his great writing.
Wanna send in your music for review. Vinyl and Cd’s only please.
TophOne/ RedWine
16 Fuente Ave.
San Francisco, CA
USA 94132
