Asiko is a mountain range in Greece. Pinpointing the reason for a Lagos, Nigeria based funk and rock ensemble using the name to perform under is probably lost to time. And even if were properly explained, the reasoning behind it all would most likely be relatively convoluted. Whatever the case, though, Asiko Rock Group issued a self titled album during the late seventies, which has been reissued by the venerable and ever dusty Academy LPs. Of course, the imprint’s website doesn’t sport too much information about the release, nor do the interwebs offer up anything in the way of edification. That, though, might have to do with the relative lack of quality spread out over the album’s seven tracks.

Read more >

Greensleeves is responsible for issuing a huge number of latter day dancehall stuff, just before the genre fell off into an abyss of violence and other nonsense. Papa Dimes might not be a musical high point, but comes in a far sight more entertaining than all the digital trickery that followed.

Food For Animals

Scavengers

(Mucka Muck Produce, 2004)

So, by this date in 2004, one can listen to a hip-hop album and guess with about 85% accuracy as to whether one is listening to white or black folks. The MC in FFA actually gave it away before I played the slab. A good number (but by no means all) of black folks inject some Afro-centrism into their rap, and that’s understandable. But I highly doubt anyone other than a white guy would invoke Voltaire in his moniker. That being said, the music on here, courtesy of noise-smith Ricky Rabbit is plain old insane. It sounds like RR lives in a garbage can and takes alotta speed. I suppose it’s very electro-influenced, but I’m tired of saying that. I’m gonna say that these folks listen to a good amount of punk and understand the usefulness of confrontational noises. That being said, the raps, outta the craw of Vulture Voltaire, on here are definitely not standard in style. The fervent growl of Voltaire is unquestionably endearing, but there is a difference between unparalleled genius and straight up crap. Only sometimes can I tell the difference. Good thing this is one if the times I can see clearly. To call FFA genius music makers would be pushing it, but they’re relatively original. Right now, in hip-hop and rock music, it seems to be popular to create noise and consider it art. There aren’t always beats, like on “Oh Oh Oh” and “Feedback”, just organized noise. On “Scavengers” VV spits out the line “I’m beyond beats,” and I would tend to agree. However, the groups’ nexus becomes most evident on “TTFN”. Just don’t try to dance, or the doctors’ll be on you with anti-seizure meds.

Read more >

Out there in the digital dust bins of the interwebs, countless albums rest upon laurels made from assorted statements that amount to something like, “This record has it all – everything from psych to rock to funk and back again. And all on acid. YEAH!”

Pure nonsense, I intone from my ivory tower. There’s no such thing. And I maintain that even after taking a listen to the admittedly engaging Chico Magnetic Band long player issued in either 1969 or 1970 dependent upon what source you have your eyes affixed.

Read more >

Hip-Hop is organized in a very curious fashion when compared to rock and or roll. As opposed to steadfast groups, hip-hop leans towards collectives and label groups to lend more freedom to the creation of music. Anticon, Def Jux, 7Heads all have releases with mix matched lineups, groups trading producers and vice versa to attain new sounds and identities. Maybe Kool Keith/Doc Oc/The Black Elvis best exemplifies this metamorphosis from release to release.

Anyway, I got this new slab from Halftooth Records outta NYC, looked at the cover and had no idea what to expect. Saw some names I recognized (J-Live, Wordsworth, Asheru and Talib Kweli) and some I did not (Oddisee, Kenn Star, Phonte and Big Pooh).

Read more >

Waiting literally years for a new Breakestra effort was worth it. The newest album, "Dusk Till Dawn Album," is all killer, no filler.This track features a guest vocalist and it works out pretty well with that tight, funky backing.

Anybody for Arab Hip Hop? Want to listen to awesome hip hop with a great beat? Check out the "Desert Heat". The best way to find them is on the Internet near you.

Read more >

If you haven’t heard of Thirsty Ear Recordings, now, you have. These folks sport releases from Anti-Pop Consortium, Exene Cervenka, Gun Club and Jah Wobble amongst other formidable talents. And here on this brand-spanking new slab, the folks at Thirsty Ear, The Blue Series Continuum (house band for the Blue Series) and El Producto mash-up some styles on a release that is singularly loaded with talent and unrelentingly frustrating.

Read more >

Jazz is a genre that has no problem leaning on compositions from past times, other players and even other genres. In fact, it’s in this pastiche of influence that has resulted in some of the most amazing heights of the genre. Coltrane reworking what was ostensibly a song from popular music’s catalog or Miles imagining standards as his own playground to unloose his laid back style are hallmarks of the genre. And by the time the sixties were in full swing, rock and roll, blues and soul music were as important to jazz music as it was to radio stations.

With the work of guitarists like Grant Green and the organ theatrics of Brother Jack McDuff, the line between jazz and dance music had become blurred recalling times during the thirties and forties that found the genre at the top of every chart.

Read more >

The pastiche of whatever is on one’s plate that passes for post-modernism was driven to its breaking point during the time when hip hop revealed what recorded music was capable of. As the notions aurally expressed on break beat albums covered the globe and ushered in an international movement – or at least continued one with significant stylistic updates – there were a number of producers who figured sample based music needn’t any longer be just about dancing. And as a result of that, a slew of complex, composerly efforts cropped up during the late eighties and early nineties.

Read more >