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DJWags Picks December 23, 2005

What’s up all you Downtempo BeatHeads?
It’s been too long I know, But I have been very busy traveling the world over for great music to share with all you music junkies. I did manage to dig up some real gems. Which I will be sure to dish out to ya her in my picks section over the next few months or so.

The DJWags picks this time round are comin’ at ya from the cold wet streets of London! Home to some of the best music has to offer. Funky Breaks, Downtempo Grooves, and Dub'centric Beats abound here in ol’ Londontown. I am in Pig heaven’ Man! Record stores on every corner! Shite man, ya can’t throw a stone without hittin’ one here. They are everywhere!

The live music scene here is electric! And eclectic and just plain awesome!!
Saw Zero7 live in London, the last night of their tour. Unbelievable. I just stood there with my mouth ajar for the whole show. They where so tight and just plain "On" I have not seen anything like it in a very long time. Sia was in rare form and took my breath away along with everyone else in the Carling Academy Auditorium. It was either that or the huge second hand high I was getting from all the pot smoke swirling around me like some silly fog. Three ovations man, the night was truly magic. If you ever have the chance to see them live,.. Go!

I was also lucky enough to check out Keane live here in Brixton as well. These guys are gonna be HUGE in the States very soon, so if you haven’t been heeding my previous mention of them in my past "picks" go check them out now! Sweet melodies and great energy billowed from the stage and the crowd was in love with them. They made sure to let us all know we were loved right back and everyone left with a huge grin on their faces. The continuous flow of alchohol also helped but I like to think it was the music. Call me naive.

Well hey! Christmas is coming everyone, and New Years is just round the bend. Time to reflect on the year past and prepare for the year to come.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but it has been an interesting year for the DJWags, to say the least! All I can say is life goes on. There are many lies in life; I have recently found this to be true. But there are also many truths. It is up to us to decide what is truth and what is fiction. I have learned certain things in life the hard way. Things are not always what they seem to be and sometimes, as crushing as it may be, People aren’t always what they appear to be either. Let’s just say, I know exactly what Pablo Neruda meant when he wrote: "I can write the saddest of poems of all tonight…"
I think we have all been there right?
Music has always been the one truth of my life. Music has always carried me through, and this year it carried me Big Time! Thank God for the music people! It is a gift. It just gives and doesn’t ask for anything back. How perfect is that? It’s like love only it doesn’t hurt so much. Am I right? Of course I am.

So without further ado… here are some sweet nuggets that have lifted me up in good times and bad, and I hope they may help to get you all back on track as well.
And Hey, as always it’s better to just trust the DJWags on this, no sense in arguing or resisting, I am always right when it comes to the music. So please just abide my advice on this tip.

Take it easy folks, and no worries; I will back with more picks very soon.
Big Ups to the MixMatters Crew!!! I love ya.
Luck and love to all of you in the New Year!

- DJWags

Aya – "Strange Flower"
Naked Music 2004

Naked Music does it so well! The quintessential Deep house label out of San Francisco California knows what they are doing guys. This record is so smooth and sexy. All the best things in the Deep House music genre with a big dose of soul and original groove. Aya has a sound similar to Sade but more sexual than sad. The track "Uptown (dub mix), stands out for me. I play this one in my sets all the time. Very Smooth. I can’t wait to see what they put out next.

Backini – "Threads" (import)
Lumenessence (UK) 2003

My good buddy DJ Shissla introduced me to these guys funky, freaky, far reaching musical cherubs last year. I have been hooked ever since. A great blend of soothing instrumentals and funky beats. Some very genuinely original samples in this record as well folks. Not your usual loop rippers, these guys have got great ears for stuff most of us wouldn’t even dream of sampling. They on the other hand add it to the mix like it was always there. I just love the eclectic groovy vibe on the record; it’s a bit melancholy but also giddy and giggles with pure moments of pop music bliss.
Not like many other records you may have already, but will be a stand out in your collection for sure. Very Nice stuff.

Fabric 18 – Baby Mammoth & Solid Doctor (Mix)
Fabric 2004 (*Import / UK)

If you aren’t already familiar with Fabric. It is a very well known dance club in London. I have been there and.. ah… well it’s crowded. Huge cue around the block. The second hand smoke, will knock a few years off your life for sure! It’s loaded with blokes and birds who think they’re crap doesn’t stink, come on I’m not talkin’ bout all of you, but you know who I am talkn’ bout right?! Well,.. Regardless of all these reasons to want to run away screaming … I gotta say the music often overpowers all the negativity. The DJ’s they attract to the Fabric is a variable who’s who of top acts in the world. You name it and they have been there; Bent, Amalgamation of Soundz, Jazzanova, Aim,.. The list goes on and on! If they spin there … I go there! Ya know what I’m sayin’!!
Last year Baby Mammoth was in the house and Man! They rocked it!! This mix is really top notch. They have several records out on Pork recordings (check ‘em out!) This Mix is strong indeed, every cut is workin’ for me. The transitions, totally smooth. I almost don’t even notice them at all. Great work here and great selections from their vault. Many of these tracks I have never heard at all. Super smooth funky soulful breaks and grooves in this record. Perfect party popper! Pop this in the player and watch the heads start bobin’ and the feet start tappn’
It is available here in the States as an import I think, but it’s worth every penny!!

Nicola Conte – "Other Directions"
Schema/Blue Note EMI International 2004 (*Import)

I love this guy! "Jet sounds" is still one of my fav’s. This record is a true jazz record. If you think you don’t like Jazz, just listen to this one. I think you may be changing your mind. A bit more sophisticated than "Jet Sounds" bouncy NuBossa beats, In a good way though. Great Latin flavored groove, and wonderful arrangements in this record, truly great playing as well. Some gifted musicians on these tracks.
So if you like the NuBossa scene, this will be right up your street Dood!

Five Corners Quintet – "The Devil Kicks"
Ricky Tick Records 2004 (*import)

This is some sweet Jazzy groove Man! There are some strong dance floor Jazz tracks on this one. I really love Trading Eights. A great big swingin’ Jazz dance track. It fits in real well as a transition from a NuBossa set to a funk or Jazz set, or even into some Funky disco or House. It is up to you I suppose. I do like this stuff a lot. I think you will as well.

Zeb – "The End Of The Beginnings"
Irma 2003

What a great dubby downtempo record! All the stuff I love about Thievery Corp., Kruder & Dorfmiester, and dZihan & Kamien. It is all in this record. They also manage to pull it off with a completely original sound and vibe all their own.
Irma is a bit "hit & miss" in my opinion. Much of the stuff they put out is crap, but this is a diamond in the rough friends! I say good work Zeb!

Gotan Project – "Inpiracion Espiriacion" (a DJ set)
XL/Beggars US Ada - 2004

What a beautiful mix record. Gotan are from Argentina and they have this wonderful Tangoesque flavor to their sound. This DJ set they have put together has a few of their own tracks mixed in with several other recordings I have not heard before. I love a good surprise and this was one of those records that you have no idea what your in for until you get it home and pop it onto the deck, drop the needle and are soon grinning from ear to ear. Patting yourself on the back for being so truly clever as to grab this one off the rack just because you felt something right about the cover.

… well at least that’s how it worked out for me.

Gotan have a great ear for this sub genre of music. They are completely original in the Modern "electronic" music scene in this sound that they have, in my opinion, really nailed. Right on buys! Great record.

Nick Drake – "Pink Moon"
Universal International (re-release) – 2003

I am in London… what can I say; I had to pay homage to Nick Drake man! I have been listening to this record on my iPod almost every day since I’ve been here. Walking along the crowded cold and rainy streets of London with Nick whispering his music into my ear. It just works for me man. Nick Drake was and still is a true inspiration to almost every musician I know. Not to mention all the music junkies out there who just love him for what he gave to us. Each song has little bits and pieces of his soul sprinkled into it. I guess he didn’t have enough to last him longer than he did. Such beauty and depth to his music, I feel truly sad that he is gone, and for any pain he may have felt in his short tragically short life. I suppose it may be what made his music so quietly powerful. A big Thank You to you Nick wherever you are. You may not have been able to save yourself, but you have saved me over and over again, in your music and your words.