June
May
April

A Fish Named Stargazer’s monthly picks

June

precedent for a while to come.

Flying Lotus, Roberta Flack-Label-Warp-Release 2008.
His came out of nowhere to delight us with his spaced out beats. The soundscape’s created from the machines is second to non. Layers of aural pleasures moulded together to create soulful music, crossing boundries and genres with an unbiased attitude. Nephew to Alice Coltrane, harp extraordinaire ….flying lotus, beats extraordinaire. Must run in the family.

Blu & Exile, Blu Colla Worker-Label – Sound in Colour Records– Release 2007
Mature rhymes from this young Californian native. His witty approach blended with swift flows make up his emcee creditability. This track takes on an autobiographical approach to a young man’s struggle. Not bragging bout how much moneys in the bank or how many ladies he can pull rather a conscious approach that exerts creativity.

Kashif, The Mood – Label - Arista – Release 1983
The man that helped build and develop one of the first ever samples which as we all know changed the face of music. This track should be in the soundtrack to life. Emotional charged synth stabs over the funkiest rhythm’s make you wanna move. Following his career with BT-express in the early 80’s Michael Jones aka Kashif engaged in a gratifying solo career, releasing numerous albums which made dance floors worldwide tremble. Huge Tip!

Jazz Liberatorz feat Rahsaan Ahmad, Cool Dowm – Label – Release 2008
This cut makes you wanna knod your head look over to whom you love and smile….uhh life’s good. Rahsaan Ahmad better known for his microphone manipulations with groups such as Mission one and Crown City Rockers, teams up with Paris natives the Jazz Liberatorz. These guys have been making waves with their smooth jazzed out approach to beat making, fresh Rhodes chords over funky drum patterns is the remedy for this smooth blend.

Chaka Khan, I Feel For You- Label –Warner Bros-Release 1984
She’s a proper goddess, coming correctly with this joint that which is imprinted in cultural history. An up-beat work the dance floor with your best moves kinda cut. A Prince cover with Stevie as guest appearing on the harmonica, it has all the ingredients for a classic record. Winning a Grammy for her performance, Chaka has left us with a permanent imprint in musical culture that is and will be a

May

Jackson conti, Sujinho- Label –Kindred Spirits-Release 2008

A Huge heads up!!! Jackson Conti is Madlib collaborating with Mamao of Azymuth (pronounced Azi-muti, for ya’ll that didn’t know). Azymuth graced many a turntable (no digital media players back in those days) from the 1960’s onwards. Combining there native Brazilian sounds with jazz and funk to create a smooth blend of delights. This HOLE album gets mad props! There is not one disappointment in this delightfully executed release. Think Madlib’s cutting edge hip hop approach mashed up with Brazilian flavours which unite and create to facilitate…….our minds.…. Huge Tip!!

Diamond d, Sadat x Lord Finesse - You Cant Front (Shit is Real) – Label – Unknown – Release 1993
These Mc’s need no introduction. Razor sharp lyrics pierce through Fresh flows supplemented by heavy beats that inspire into the depths of the psyche. This master piece cannot be ignored. So don’t front!

Dexter Wansel, Theme from the Planets – Label – Philadelphia International – Release 1976

If I were flying my spaceship through unknown galaxies this joint would definitely be up on my mixtape. An Avant garde futuristic sci-fi piece that makes your joints tremble. Smooth jazzy drums over melodic synth chords assemble to create a piece where time and space cannot be conceived. A must for any beat lover.

Cybotron, Clear – Label – Fantasy – Release 1983
Pull out the cardboard outta the closet and brush up on those windmills. This babies an absolute classic. The formula is simple, futuristic Synths float over 808 drum patterns are backed by a hypnotic intergalactic make ya wanna dance bassline which makes it ahead of it time. Released at a pivotal time, helping to inspire not just a culture but a movement that has overcome many an adversary to blossom and prosper to what it is today.

Dooley –O, What you know about Hip Hop – Label – Lewis Recordings – Release 2005
A straight up, “do you know what’s real” no nonsense joint from the man like the Dooley-O. Hailing from the streets of the east coast this man knows how to transport all of the elements to create food for thought music. using his palette of skills that represent next to none, producing, rhyming and chopping on the Vestax. Ya’dig?

April

Byron Stingily, Cosmic Travelling - Label -Rush hour Records -Release 2008
This seminal Dutch label never disappoints, nor does this lush, warm, soulful delivery by artist Byron Stingily. Cosmic Travelling sums it up perfectly, a timeless piece, warm as toasty crumpets on a colds winters morning. arp 2600 inspired synths, bubbly low-down bass lines and j-dilla inspired beats hypnotize into a head nodding frenzy. Huge tip!

Dego, Tek 9 feat. Capitol A, Stand clear –Label- SSR Underground - Release 1999
One half of UK outfit 4Hero, Dego definitely knows how to lay down the beats. From Detroit house to 1994 jungle vibes and then back to heavy head nodding hip hop this man is always in control.

For this release he teams up with London outfit Tek 9 feat Capitol A. Degos beats seem to elevate the mediocre lyrical content and carry this track to the next level and beyond. Tip!

Cloud One, Patty Duke - Label – Sounds of New York – Release 1976
What a little masterpiece, over 30 years old but not a day old. Spaced out synth stabs, funky 808 kicks, jazzed out keys are all combined in a simple composition yet acquiring a complex conceptual result. File under spaced out intergalactic groover. one for the heads. Huge tip!!

James Pants, Rhythm trax 1-3 – Label – Stones Throw – Release 2007
This fresh new face from the stones throw camp delivers his own captivating energy that flows through sound waves to create an experience next to none. His influences of eletro,punk,synth pop, jazz and funk are all mounded together to create his “own” sound that is food for thought, a mature release from this 20 something Texan. Drowny synth melodies over funky bottom- less beats, sounds like he made his music in the 70’s, travelled through time and appeared today to make us get down James Pants style..Huge Tip!!

Betty Davis, Anti Love Song – Label - Just Sunshine/Light In The Attic – Release 1973
Betty Davis is the sassiest soul goddess known to man, belting out infectious soul rhymes that can’t help but get your toes tapping. Anti-love song is a jazz-out, funked-out masterpiece. Funky rhythms over Phat bass lines sprinkled over with Betty’s “Soul power” lyrics make this joint a classic. Huge Tip!!

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