May 24, 2010

Episode Twenty

Dear listeners, we are back from our spring break and we have some wonderful noise to share with you. With the recent change in weather we bring you some cumbia, some psych, and some library joints that will hopefully make you sweat.

The Vertigo Records label emerged at a time when rock was shaking off the "Sgt. Pepper" mindtrip of psychedelia to concentrate on heavy metal, progressive rock and fusion jazz. From 1969 to 1974, Vertigo's varied and truly experimental roster included Black Sabbath, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Vangelis (and Aphrodite's Child, the group Vangelis was in prior to going it as a solo artist), Gentle Giant and Status Quo. Those were the big names. But the label was also home to genuinely obscure acts who only ever recorded 1 or 2 albums for the label: Freedom, Tudor Lodge, Affinity, Atlantis, Cressida, Ramases. TIME MACHINE is a veritable capsule of the era. A three CD set which boasts crisp, clear and clean remastered sound, a lovingly crafted and highly detailed 48 page booklet and a veritable bounty of music from a wide variety of instant appeal to seventies rock fans. The beauty of it is its depth of coverage, with many different bands bringing out great examples of how "prog" back in the early mists of time (let's say 1972 or so) could mean many different definition.

If you dig that, I recommend Vertigo Mixed. Another brilliant, seamless mix by DJ Andy Votel. This time around he's rummaging through his own collection of Vertigo Records tracks from the 70's, and stitching them all together in a non-stop groove, complete with trippy/dippy sound-bites. Dope!







In a career spanning well over forty years, Alan Hawkshaw has always been at the top of his profession as one of the most in-demand studio musicians, owing to his virtuosic and sensitive technique on a variety of keyboard instruments, but most notably on the piano and Hammond organ. During the 1960s and ’70s - the golden era of the British session musician - Alan’s keyboard artistry featured on a staggering amount of recordings. His chameleon-like ability covers a diverse range of musical styles taking in jazz, guitar-pop, funk, easy listening and disco. "Next Stop L.A" from the de Wolfe Black Pearl album, shows his beautiful approach to orchestration and harmony.


Composer, arranger, and conductor Nick Ingman's vast body of work bridges the gap between classical, pop, and film music, and he has worked with virtually everyone on the contemporary commercial music scene. Born in London, Ingman attended several schools in the city, including Westminster. In 1966 Ingman began attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston, studying there for three years before returning to the U.K. in 1969. Ingman went freelance in the early '70s and began a long association with the BBC, working as a staff arranger and conductor with the BBC Radio Orchestra. In 1973 he released “Big Beat” on De Wolfe.





Roger Roger (better known under the name Cecil Leuter) started his career in classical music, composing symphonic poems and different soundtracks for the french "authors cinema". The Cecil Leuter project gave to him the possibility to explore new musical territories, notably the opportunity to manipulate the new coming (Moog) analog synth technologies. "Pop electronique" is completely "naive" and "spontaneous", using molecular effects and electronic loops to cover some sixties beat-psych-pop classics. He is backed by a small combo with organ, guitar, bass, and a very nifty drummer whose efforts make for plenty of great grooves and heavy breaks on the record.



Named after the biggest drug dealer of the city, Mashmakhan was a Montreal quartet that rose to national attention. By 1965 they were calling themselves The Triangle, and backing up local R&B singer Trevor Payne. They backed up Payne for four years until being discovered by record producer Bob Hahn, who helped them get signed with Columbia Records in Toronto. They changed their named and in 1970 they released their self title album Mashmakhan.





Just before the release of "Seahorse & The Storyteller", Michael Leonhart & Avramina 7's first full-length, Truth & Soul is putting out there second 45 taken from the upcoming record. Jaipur, is a dark and moody instrumental that sounds like a lost track from an Indian horror movie soundtrack. With strings and a full brass section leading the way, Jaipur is an instrumental gem that will surely please and appease beat diggers, hip hop fans, and all music lovers.





Set 1

The World Column - Lantern Gospel
Piero Piccioni - Psychedelic Mood
Can - I'm so Green
Manfred Mann Chapter Three - Travelling Lady
Heliocentrics - Vibration Of The Fallen Angels
Pram - The Last Astronaught (Andy Votel mix)

Set 2

Embrujo - Canto Sin Nombre
Spencer Mac – Ka-Ka Kabya Mow-Mow
Meaty Ogre - Kept (instrumental)
The Roots - Hot Sh*t (I'm Back!)
Michael Leonhart & Avramina 7 - Jaipur
Skeletons - 50 Degrees
Chakachas - Stories
Jerzy Millian Orklestra - Gacek
Nick Ingman - Trip Wire
Sixtoo - Incidental 6

Set 3

Leonor Gonzalez Mina - Navidad Negra
Albela - Quantic And His Combo Barbaro
Los Hijos Del Sol - Linda Muñequita
Los Guacharacos - Esperma y Ron
Andres Landero - Lolita
La Verdolaga - Totó la momposina
La Verdolaga - Totó La Momposina Y Sus Tambores
Pedro Miguel Y Sus Maracaibos - Gaita Y Sorongo
Voy A Miramar - Grupo Miramar
Arroz Con Coco - Pedro Miguel Y Sus Maracaibos

Set 4

Mashmakhan - Gladwin
Alan Hawkshaw - Next Stop L.A.
Antônio Carlos & Jocafi - Hipnose
Marconi Notaro - Desmantelado
Tullio De Piscopo - Coagulation
Cecil Leuter - Pop Electronique 01
Koushik - Cold Beats Outro
Mr. Chop - Intermezzo 4
Mia Doi Todd - Muscle, Bone, & Blood (Ammoncontact Remix)
Dj Egadz! - White Flag