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July 26, 2005
Costa Mesa, CA
For immediate release:
Ubiquity Turns Fifteen: The Ubiquity
Story
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Interior of Ubiquity's new warehouse
in Costa Mesa, CA (photo credit: Aaron Michelson)
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It’s Ubiquity’s 15 year anniversary! Well technically it’s 15 years
since Michael and Jody McFadin high-tailed it from Southern
California to San Francisco with a dream of starting a record label out of their
new-born record store called The Groove Merchant. They had visited San
Francisco on their honeymoon, and despite being caught up in the devastating
Loma Prieta earthquake they fell in love with the city. Investing the last of
their savings into a business that would combine their passion for music and
provide an income to live on they opened the Groove Merchant record store on
Haight Street in early 1990.
Within a year the small shop had built a reputation the world over as a place to
find rare records and learn about new sounds. A haven for collectors, DJs, and
producers looking for soul jazz, musical obscurities, and break beats, the
Groove Merchant even earned a toast on the Beastie Boys song "Professor
Booty", "This one goes out to my man the Groove Merchant, comin' through with
the beats that I've been searchin'," rapped Mike D. on 1992's
Check Your Head album. During these early days an English kid studying at
the University of San Francisco wandered into the store and struck up a
friendship with the McFadins. Andrew Jervis wound-up scoring a part time
job in the store and as a fill-in DJ for their club nights.
With start-up capital of one thousand dollars and little knowledge of the record
business, the Luv N' Haight record label (named after the Sly and The
Family Stone song) was launched. In 1993 the company incorporated as
Ubiquity Recordings releasing an instant hit-record from a then unknown DJ
called Greyboy.
Since then Ubiquity has grown into a company with several imprints: Luv n'
Haight remains the home for re-issue of rare groove gems with close to 50
releases, CuBop is the Latin jazz arm with just over 40 releases, and
Ubiquity has over 180 releases ranging from hip-hop to funk to cutting edge club
music. With a worldwide distribution network, and around 300 releases the label
is constantly striving to live up to it’s name, originally chosen because the
label wanted to make unheard music available everywhere. In 2005 Ubiquity moved
to Costa Mesa where Co-Founders Michael and Jody McFadin head a team of 4
employees, while Vice-President Andrew Jervis handles A&R up in the Bay Area. In
addition to a wide-ranging music catalog the label also runs a merchandise and
apparel company, and an in-house promotions company.
Over the past fifteen years, Ubiquity has developed into a strong, definitive
brand. Customers often purchase Ubiquity CDs without knowing the band, their
decision based solely on the label's reputation. The company remains the only
record label to guarantee their releases for customer satisfaction with musical
content. As a result, a cult-like customer base has developed that appreciates
quality and diversity in the ever-growing marketplace.
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Links:
www.ubiquityrecords.com
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January 5, 2005
Newport Beach, CA
For immediate release:
California-based Ubiquity Records Wins 'Label of the Year', SA-RA Creative
Partners wins John Peel 'Play More Jazz' Award at the 2004 BBC Radio 1
Gilles Peterson 'Worldwide' Awards in London
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Gilles Peterson's Worldwide show recently asked Radio 1
listeners to vote online for the annual Gilles Peterson 'Worldwide'
Awards. Categories included track of the year, Worldwide Session
of the year, album of the year,
compilation of the year, club of the year, label of the
year, the Worldwide lifetime achievement award and the first annual John Peel "Play More Jazz" Award named in
the memory of one of the most influential radio hosts/DJs in the
history of UK radio.
With nearly 25,000 votes cast from around the world, we're very
proud to have announce that Ubiquity won 'Label of the Year'
at the sold-out 2004 awards ceremony at Cargo in London and SA-RA
Creative Partners were awarded the John Peel "Play More Jazz"
Award. SA-RA Creative Partners performed an extended live set with a
full band which included "Rosebuds", "Hollywood", "Glorious",
"Double Dutch (Co Co Pop)", "Make a Difference", "Shorties on the
Block", "Butterscotch" and "Downtown."
Om'mas Keith
of SA-RA Creative Partners offered this statement on
receiving the first annual John Peel Award:
"John Peel is probably the most historic figure to come out of
UK radio and to have received the very first award in his honor is
by far the highest accolade. Rest assured we will continue to
do everything in our power to ensure that this award for creative
excellence was bestowed upon us for the right reasons. Thanks
Gilles, and congratulations to Ubiquity Records for winning label
of the year. We're poised to do great things together in the New
Year."
On accepting the award, Andrew Jervis (Ubiquity's
Vice-President and A&R man) admitted to the crowd "We don't know how to do
anything else, so we want to thank all of you for making our jobs
fun, for supporting our label, and supporting good music. We truly
appreciate it."
Michael McFadin (co-founder and President
of Ubiquity Records) added, "This is the best crowd I've seen
under one roof in twelve years. Give it up to yourselves. This
isn't about us! This is better than a Grammy - this is a room full
of our peers, a room full of music lovers and the people who
really matter."
Several Ubiquity singles, including PPP "I
Got You", SA-RA Creative Partners "Death of a Star", John
Arnold's "Inside" (featuring Malik Alston and remixed by Henrik
Schwarz) and The Rebirth's "Evil Vibrations" track from
Ubiquity's Rewind! 4 compilation were all nominated for track of the
year. Of the nominated tracks, "Evil Vibrations" earned a place at
#6 on the Worldwide Top 20 tracks of the year.
SA-RA is back in the studio following recent performances in
Amsterdam with The Roots, and a New Years Eve special
performance at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia with The
Roots, Rahzell, Black Sheep and more. You'll
find SA-RA Creative Partners on the cover of the latest issue of
Straight No Chaser (at newsstands now).
A heartfelt
thank you goes to each and every one one of you that voted for us
and supported us over the years.
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Links:
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1
www.sa-ra.net
Gilles
Peterson
2004 Worldwide Awards |
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Francisco Aguabella
Ochimini
Cubop
(CBCD042)
CD only
Release Date: January 20, 2004
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"After more than half a century of
mastery on the conga drums, Francisco Aguabella remains one of the
greats, ranking with Mongo Santamaria, Patato and Candido as an
elder statesman of Afro-Cuban percussion."
- GLOBAL RHYTHM
"Legendary, incomparable conguero." - JAZZ SCENE
"Cuban conga legend Aguabella delivers an irresistible mix of
original compositions and excellent covers that will appeal to both
jazz and Afro-Cuban aficionados... heaven sent." - PLASTIKS
Featured performer on ORLANDO JONES SHOW (FX Network)
Cubop is very proud to bring you Francisco Aguabella's (a certified
living legend) vibrant fifth album for Cubop, the latest musical
chapter from the driving force in Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music
since his U.S. arrival in 1957. A master percussionist who was born
in Matanzas Cuba, Francisco is one of the first eschelon of drummers
who came to America and are responsible for all drummers that came
after them," says Latin percussionist John Santos in the movie
"Sworn To The Drum.”
"He is one of the strongholds of our music and has always kept the
commitment to our Cuban rhythm. He plays with everybody but always
maintains our rhythm, that’s very important," adds Isreal "Cachao"
Lopez. On Francisco Aguabella's fifth Cubop album the master
Conguero cruises from the old school rumba of "Ochimini" to the
modern latin jazz of "Nuestra Era." He enlists the best Latin jazz
artists on the West coast to bring these old and new styles
together. Justo Almario, Sal Cracchiolo and Luis Eric Gonzales are
on hand to deliver masterful improvisations, while the drumming of
Jimmy Branly and Conra Coky Garsia keep the rhythms fresh and
exciting. The bass and piano team of John Belzaguy and Donald Vega
keeps everyone on their toes, pushing the solos to the limit, with
Vega displaying his enormous improvisational talents. But the leader
is what makes all these musicians push themselves, displaying his
mastery of the congas as well as percussion, Aguabella is always the
driving direction behind "Ochimini." ... more
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Tracklisting
(click for audio samples)
1. Ochimini
2. Funky
Cha
3. Love For Sale
4. Nuestra Era
5. OBA
6. Tumbaito
7. Guajira Candela
8. Makin' Whoopee
9. Te Olvide |
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John Arnold
Style and Pattern
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP180)
CD / 2LP
Release Date: October 11, 2005
Barcodes - URCD180: 780661118022 / URLP180: 780661118015
Download: Hype Pack
John Arnold feat. Ty
Style and Pattern (Nuff Version) + Moonstarr Remix
Ubiquity (UR12175)
12 inch
Release Date: August 23,2005
Barcodes - UR12175: 780661117513
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Photo credit (below): Jeremy Deputat
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“Loving the John Arnold track...dropped that last
week and will definitely be dropping it again”
ANNIE MAC, BBC RADIO 1
“A sure winner on the floor”
MINUS 8 (COMPOST RECORDS)
John Arnold has developed
the energetic experimental sound of his 2003 debut full-length
record, Neighborhood Science, into Style and Pattern,
a comprehensive new album of precisely tuned, devastatingly
effective future funk for the club. Created and test-run over a
series of live shows around the world the album was inspired by
direct interaction with crowds and dance floors.
Since the release of his debut Arnold has developed a completely
live, non-stop electronic show bridging the gap between DJ and
producer. This “freestyle” technique was developed with label mate
and Detroit neighbor Jeremy Ellis. Both are trained musicians and
studio scientists. Performing and creating tracks live allowed
Arnold to test run music on the dance floor in front of a crowd.
These improvisational moments were the inspiration for the Style
and Pattern album. “Most of the music for the album was born out
of live performances. These freestyle shows involve creating music
from scratch; playing beats on the Akai MPC, looping them and
playing keys on my guitar, while constantly looping and building,”
explains Arnold. “It allows for true improvisation and I can explore
all kinds of rhythms and music,” he adds.
Arnold and Ellis hosted a trio of monthly shows showcasing Detroit talent,
called Third Party Candidate. It was there, along with live and DJ performances
in Japan, England, France, Ireland, Portugal, Russia, Puerto Rico, and all over
America that Arnold developed the tracks for Style and Pattern. “I’ve
been lucky enough to dj for people from many walks of life and they have shown
me what really moves a dance floor,” says Arnold. “It never ceases to amaze me
that I am a part of a unified musical community that reaches far beyond my
backyard.”
One new track "La Cocina" which was created shortly after the album was
turned-in. It does not appear on the promo CD, but Arnold was so excited with
the end result we have re-mastered to include it. Its development was typical of
the tracks on Style and Pattern. First created at a live session at the
hyped Co-Op night in London Arnold developed the track at each gig throughout
the rest of his Spring UK/European. It was finished at an impromptu studio
session after a gig in Puerto Rico. The resulting “La Cucina” is a monster
Latin-tinged club jam balancing heavyweight beats, Puerto Rican vocals and
free-flowing percussion.
In addition to his own live dates Arnold has also toured around the world with
Amp Fiddler having played guitar all over his debut album. He’s also played with
Detroit legends Phil Ranelin and Wendell Harrison, the latter makes an
appearance on “1234” on Style and Pattern. Amp Fiddler band mate Paul
Randolph guests on “Rise Up” and “1234”. “Rise Up” was featured on the HVW8
compilation sampler 12” in May. The Detroit Metro Times called “Rise Up”, “Part
dance, Latin, R&B and just plain funky, its infectious rhythm is meant to get
the can moving… Arnold and Randolph hit home with a musical manifesto”. And Mark
de Clive-Lowe recently described “Rise Up” as, “a
staple in the box at the moment… a very strong tune.”
Crowned Best Artist at the second annual UK
Hip Hop Awards Ninja Tune recording artist Ty flexes his lyrical dexterity over
frantic beats and rude bass line on “Style and Pattern”, the title track. The
African vocalist on “Jangal” is Pathe Jassi from Senegal
... more
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Tracklisting
(Click for audio samples)
1. Style
and Pattern (Nuff Version) feat. Ty
2.
Geminade
3. Rise
Up feat. Paul Randolph
4. La
Cocina *
5.
Suppadupe
6. Jangal
feat. Pathe Jassi
7. Cabin
Fever
8. Show
Your Love feat. Jeremy Ellis
9.
Separately Together
10. 1234
feat. Paul Randolph
11.
Inside feat. Malik Alston (Mr. Scruff remix)
12.
Inside feat. Malik Alston (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
*Not available on promo
Style and Pattern (Nuff Version) 12"
(Click for audio samples)
A1.
Original Mix
A2.
Moonstarr Radio Edit
B1.
Moonstarr Remix |
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John Arnold
Neighborhood Science
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP136)
CD / 2LP
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Barcodes - URCD136: 780661113621 / URLP136: 780661113614
John Arnold feat. Amp Fiddler
Get Yourself Together / I Can Be (Joshua / Spacek Remixes)
Ubiquity (UR12137)
12 inch
Release Date: September 9, 2003
Barcodes - UR12137: 780661113713
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Detroit Music Awards
- '99 Outstanding Jazz Recording "Jazzhead-Jazzhead"
- '00 Outstanding Jazz Writer
- '00 Outstanding World Writer
- '02 Outstanding World Recording "Blackman & Arnold-Live"
- '03 Outstanding World Artist
Over the past few years John Arnold
has risen to public attention along with a new wave of Detroit
producers and artists. "Neighborhood Science" includes appearances
from some of those peers like keyboard maestro and vocalist Amp
Fiddler (of P-Funk All-stars and Genuine Records), vocalist and
multi-talented musician Ayro (Omoa music) and producer and vocalist
Malik Alstin (collaborator with Roy Davis jr). They just happen to
be from around the way, and helped shape the John Arnold sound on
"Neighborhood Science," his debut album. "My neighborhood is
brimming with talent, we all live and breathe music. I really wanted
to present this scene on my record, because it defines who I am,"
states Arnold ... more
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Tracklisting
(Click for audio samples)
1. I Can Be
2. Rough
3. Inside
4. We're Not
5. Broken
6. Fabric
7. Get Yourself Together
8. Anaconda
9.
Neighborhood Science
Get Yourself Together
/ I Can Be Tracklisting
(Click for audio samples)
A1. Get
Yourself Together
A2. Get
Yourself Together (Joshua remix)
B1. I Can
Be
B2. I Can
Be (Spacek remix)
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As One
Out of the Darkness
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP158)
CD/DLP
Release Date: October 26, 2004
Barcodes: 780661115823 (CD) / 780661115816 (LP)
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Kirk Degiorgio returns with an
album that flows effortlessly across BPMs and genres.
Central is the As One signature synth-heavy sound which sits on top
of downtempo, broken, house and even hip hop tracks. “Out of The
Darkness” is the first full-length recorded completely for Ubiquity
(previously we’ve released a “best of” and an album that was born
under the guidance of the ill-fated Blue label) and it’s
infectiously positive message bathed in progressive eclectic styles
is hard to resist.
There are 9 unreleased exclusive tracks on “Into The Darkness”
including several DJ-friendly club-cuts and a couple of his
specialty ambient tracks, there is even a cover of a track from the
rare Herbie Hancock soundtrack “The Spook Who Sat By The Door”.
The album was born post 9/11 and initially titled “Into The
Darkness”. Life changes, including a move back to his native Ipswich
with life partner Silvana, and the birth of their son Luca, gave
Kirk a new perspective and the album changed in a positive direction
to become “Out of The Darkness”.
“All the new parent clichés apply, it really does change your
perspective on life and your priorities completely change,” explains
Degiorgo. “It’s a very difficult period though - the body and mind
are resistant to change and after a pretty bohemian lifestyle of
doing 'whatever I want whenever I want' it was a tough transition. I
stopped DJing for a year and the album took a backseat whilst I got
to grips with the new environment” ... more
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Tracklisting
(Click for audio samples)
1. Hope
2. Out of the Darkness
3. It Ain't Nothin'
4. Shem Dem
5. Leviathan
6. What You Askin' For
7. I Love You
8. Shapechange
9. The Daisy Picker
10. I'm Down
11. Sanctified
12. Love Theme From The Spook Who Sat By the Door |
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As One
So Far... (so good)
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP133)
2CD / 3LP
Release Date: June 17, 2003
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This is not a best-of compilation.
It's an introduction. Ubiquity proudly presents 19 tracks by Kirk
Degiorgio that were recorded and recovered for this
retrospective.
With six albums to date, two successful labels, more pseudonyms than
an adulterous stock broker, and a discography that takes up way too
much paper, it's safe to say that Kirk Degiorgio needs little
introduction. What sometimes needs a little clarification however is
the lasting impression he has made not only on his own fan base, but
his peers, the generations of producers that followed, and the dance
music community as a whole.
First, there's the Kirk Degiorgio who played a critical role in the
formation and development of the intelligent techno community. In
his formative years working for a record dealer, Degiorgio's ears
perked not only to the otherworldly sounds of Detroit techno and
squelchy Chicago house, but the ease with which these producers were
rolling the tunes out. "After seeing the equipment that Derrick
May and Juan Atkins were producting stuff with," he says,
"I sold my record collection and bought a sampler, keyboard and fx
units." What Degiorgio brought to his sound however was buckets of
emotion and warmth to the machine language released on THE labels of
the day like R&S, Planet E, B12 and his own Applied Rhythmic
Technology (A.R.T.) ... more
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Tracklisting
(Click for audio samples)
CD1
1. Amalia
2. Isatai
3.
Shambala
4.
Meridian
5.
Celestial Soul
6. We No
Longer Understand
7. Theme
From Op-Art
8. You
Who Never Arrived
9. Return
of the Kingpin
10.
Hyeres
CD2
1. Epic
2. Chiaro
3. Queen
Constance
4. The
Electric Hymn
5. Music
Box
6. The
Circle Suite
7.
Reunion
8.
Contours
9. If It
Ain't Broke |
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As One
21st Century Soul
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP091)
Release Date: Now Available
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While working on this new album,
Degiorgio has completed critically acclaimed remixes for 4 Hero,
Beanfield, Azymuth, Tony Allen, and even the Newcleus classic "Jam
On Revenge." He recently released a mixed CD called "The Soul of
Science" (Obsessive Records) featuring unreleased Herbie Hancock
soundtrack material, future jazz, and classic soul. Degiorgio
currently uses As One, Elegy, Esoterik, Critical Phase, Family
Values, Super-A-Loof (with Jamie Odell), and The Off World Ensemble
as recording aliases. He has also established himself as a club DJ
/radio personality in London, where he regularly hosts the R
Solution show on Kiss FM.
Degiorgio was raised in Ipswich, England, a town also once home to
experimental producers like Photek, Patrick Forge (Da Lata), and
members of The Black Dog. In 1992 Degiorgio recorded his first
release on B12 Records. Shortly after this debut he founded the ART
label releasing early material by artists such as Carl Craig, Aphex
Twin, and The Black Dog. Degiorgio recorded material under the names
As One and Future/Past for ART, Planet E and R&S before signing As
One to New Electronica for the albums Reflections and Celestial
Soul, which both made the Muzik Top 30 albums for 1994/5. Further
albums for Clear (UK) and Shield (France) eventually secured Kirk's
reputation as a producer with a unique, individual sound, often
incorporating jazz, soul, and funk elements into electronic tracks.
Degiorgio's sound, as to be heard on the upcoming As One album, is
warm techno with real soul and often based outside of the
constraints of the straight 4/4 beat. His style can be partly traced
to his main musical influences: P-Funk, Motown, early hip hop,
Detroit techno, and mid-60's Blue Note.
Degiorgio's pioneering approach led to his first major release in
1997 for the Mo' Wax label, for whom he also remixed the Carl Craig
classic "BugInTheBassBin". The Planetory Folklore album on Mo' Wax
was a great commercial and artistic success which together with
several hi-profile TV ad soundtracks gave Degiorgio a wider
exposure. Infact his success as a composer of soundtrack/advertising
material (he's completed work for Adidas, Fanta, Michelen, and
Microsoft) has given him the freedom to take other musical
experimentations to new heights ... more
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1. Another Revolution
2. Undefeated
3. Problems
4. Music Is an Open Sky
5. In the Arms of You
6. Amalia
7. Like No Other
8. I'll Keep Lovin' You
9. Contours
10. House of Eternity
11. Sixty-Seven |
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The Bamboos
Step It Up
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP187)
CD & LP
Release Date: March 7, 2006
Barcodes: 780661118725 (CD) / 780661118718 (LP)
Download One-Sheet: PDF
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Step It Up by The Bamboos is the
latest full-length from Tru Thoughts Records (to be released
simultaneously in the U.S./Canada on Ubiquity Records), the UK-based
label and 2005 ‘Label of the Year’ winner at the Gilles Peterson
Worldwide Awards. Step It Up features two new songs with Quantic
vocalist Alice Russell including a driving cover of Afronaught’s
“Transcend Me” (Bugz in the Attic).
Heavyweight funk act The Bamboos hail from Australia. Their first 7”
single was limited to a pressing of only 300 copies but the tracks
“Eel Oil” b/w “Blackfoot” quickly made waves around the world. Based
on this first piece of limited-edition wax, funk-connoisseurs and
producers Kenny Dope and Keb Darge signed The Bamboos for a single
on their Kay Dee record label. “Tighten Up” b/w “Voodoo Doll”
cemented their reputation amongst the global funk community and saw
the band make new friends with fans of heavy dance floor beats.
“I sense in our music, and music from bands like Breakestra and The
Quantic Soul Orchestra, that a subtle shift that has taken place. A
few years ago all the new funk bands were dubbed “retro”. But I
think as time has progressed and we have all been performing live
that new elements have become standard for live 'new' Funk bands to
get across to a contemporary audience,” says band leader and
producer Lance Ferguson. “Things like really extended drum breaks,
segueing whole sets of music together (DJ-style), employing MC's
etc. It's raw Funk played with an aesthetic to get over with the Hip
Hop crowd. I think this 'style' makes what we do actually fresh and
in some ways a progression of the Funk style” ... more
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Tracklisting
(Click for audio samples)
1. Step
It Up feat. Alice Russell
2.
Tighten Up (album version)
3. In the
Bamboo Grove
4. Golden
Rough
5. Black
Foot
6.
Transcend Me feat. Alice Russell
7. Tobago
Strut
8.
Another Day In the Life of Mr. Jones
9.
Crooked Cop
10. Eel
Oil
11.
Voodoo Doll (album version) |
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John Beltran
In Full Color
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP142)
CD / DLP
Release Date: February 17, 2004
Barcodes - URCD142: 780661114222 / URLP142: 780661114215
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Photo credit (below): Cybelle Codish
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On "Sun Gypsy" (his first Ubiquity
album) John Beltran set out to explore his own roots and interest in
Latin rhythms. "In Full Color" is his sixth album and he dives
deeper into those roots but also brings the music full-circle
integrating the ambient warmth and electronic sounds found on his
first few albums. It's an album that very much reflects his personal
tastes and history. It's also one that he hopes reaches Beltran fans
of old while making new friends.
"The Latin thing is in my roots and has always shaded my sound in
differing degrees no matter which of my albums you listen to. It
happens to have become trendy and the floodgates are open for many
producers to pursue this sound. But no matter what it's always been
in my blood, and in my household. So I've kept the same sunny sound
of "Sun Gypsy", it's warm and rhythmic, but I've also tapped into
the melancholic moods of my early work."
With a direction dialed-in Beltran spent the time to make sure his
mixes, and his approach to the end product, whether it be full-on
club tracks like "Kissed By The Sun" (described by XLR8R as a
"sunny, conga-fueled samba shuffle"), or "Candela" ("An absolute
stormer!" exclaims Rainer Trüby ), the more ambient passages like
"Rain In Shibuya" and "Pictures And Indian Summer" or bossa tunes
like "Dia Brioso," were as big and bold or as subtle and musically
engaging as they could and should be. With lush pads and chord
progressions fused with Latin vibes, rhythm programming, soaring
vocal chorus, live performances and vocal collaborations this album
showcases the growth of a unique producer/composer and catches him
in full color.
"For me this is my best album yet, each song has its own space and
identity but they work together from start to finish in a way that
is similar to the cohesiveness of my Peacefrog album "Ten Days of
Blue," says Beltran. "I've always had a deeper sensibility and
bigger vision of my music with live players, not just machines - and
being with Ubiquity is the right label profile and opportunity to
incorporate my original electronic productions with the classic
music forms I've always been into."
Helping reach this next level are very special guests from around
the world: Producer Andreas Saag and partner/amazing vocalist Elsa
Hedberg from Sweden (of Stateless, Swell Session, etc) collaborated
on the enchanting "Starlight Memories" (look for the awesome Off
World Ensemble mix on 12 inch). The multi-talented vocalist and
keyboard player Ayro and fellow Detroit guitarist/producer John
Arnold are all over the album. Colonel Red (the vocalist from
Beatless and People Records recording artist) appears on "Your
Colors." Lastly, the Candela Arts crew, including Local 12
(Turntables On The Hudson etc), from Puerto Rico round out the long
distance collaborations. In fact at the recent Candela Arts festival
in Puerto Rico CD-rs of "Candela" were thoroughly rinsed by the
all-star DJ line-up and the tune quickly became a party anthem in
old San Juan.
Following on from the Candela/Starlight Memories 12" will be a
single featuring remixes by Osunlade and Buscemi, released just in
time for WMC 2004. Beltran is also working on remixes for Roy Davis
Jr, Osunlade, James Hardway and Colonel Red. He is set to tour Japan
and the USA in 2004 as well as European dates both solo and with
Detroit peers John Arnold and Jeremy Ellis.
Praise for John Beltran's "Sun Gypsy" CD/DLP (Ubiquity, 2002):
#29 on CMJ's RPM Year-End Top 40 Chart covering 1/2002 - 12/2002
"Spectacular release." - CMJ
"Beltran filled the record with bright Latin rhythms and soaring
choruses that punctuate tracks like 'Kiana' and 'Heaven and Earth'…
Beltran offers a fine set of breezily funky, enchantingly surreal
tunes." - REMIX
"This prolific producer is a studio chameleon… Beltran's jazz
sensibilities allow unrelated sounds and emotions to mesh together
fluidly." - BPM
... more
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Tracklisting
(click for audio samples)
1. Rain in Shibuya
2. Kissed by the Sun
3. Candela
4. She Is
5. Dia Brioso
6. Your Colors
7. Azulaje
8. Pica
9. Starlight Memories
10. Pictures and Indian Summer
John Beltran
Starlight Memories 12"
(click for audio samples)
A1.
Starlight Memories
A2.
Candela
B1.
Starlight Memories (Offworld Ensemble remix) |
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John Beltran
Sun Gypsy
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP113)
Release Date: Now Available
Click here for Kissed by the John
Beltran "Sun / Dia Brilhoso" 12" (UR12132)
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World renowned producer and DJ John Beltran
signed to Ubiquity Records in the Winter of 2001/2. The buzz about his Ubiquity
current singles and impending album is growing fast with labels like Quango and
Freerange knocking on the door for mixes and tracks. His ability to blend
organic music with studio trickery and club beats has even caught the eye of
major labels hiring Beltran to remix tracks by the Beatles and tango giant Astor
Piazzolla!
Eleven years since John Beltran released his first project on Carl Craig's
Retroactive Records he remains committed to his craft as a composer and
producer. He balances the funkiest of beats with killer musicianship and is
constantly pushing his abilities as a creator of electronic dance music.
Hooking up with Ubiquity Records (by Beltrans own admission, and no we didn't
pay him extra to say it (!) it's his favorite label) he has visions of a larger
sound with broader appeal. His "Sun Gypsy" album is set for release early
November 2002, will be as club-oriented as his work has ever been while
incorporating live instrumentation to give the project a warm organic feel.
Predominantly house tempo tracks with Brazilian undertones accompanied by a few
downtempo nuggets "Sun Gypsy" manages to be both listenable and DJ friendly
without losing any edge or becoming monotonous.
The title and music on "Sun Gypsy" reflect his movement across the USA, starting
with a relocation from Detroit to Florida, where he enjoyed a new lease on life,
a more positive outlook and a re-birth of interest in the music business this
Spring. Having DJ'd a couple of times in Los Angeles this year he has since
decided to move there in September/October - so watch out for some seriously
sun-kissed beats! Beltran will also become a resident DJ at our new monthly at
Zanzibar this Fall.
Beltrans first Ubiquity 12" "Felicidad Nova" has been compared to the music of
Masters At Work and turned heads stateside and abroad with the likes of Patrick
Forge (Da Lata), Ross Allen (Blue), and Rainer Truby (Compost) charting heavily ... more
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1. Intro
2. Kiana
3. Felicidad Nova
4. La Nueva
5. Bota Foga
6. Dashiki
7. Fragile
8. Sun Musica
9. Interlude
10. Heaven and Earth |
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Black Renaissance
Body, Mind and Spirit
Luv n' Haight
(LHCD/LP037)
Release Date: Now Available
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Harry Whitaker is a piano player, producer and arranger who at the
age of 26 recorded Black Renaissance "Body, Mind, and Spirit," a
holy grail amongst collectors of soul-jazz and rare groove, and an
album so rare it's virtually a myth to many.
Made up of two long tracks that periodically build and release for
forty minutes over two sides of an LP it's an improvised masterpiece
combining Afrocentric spiritual soul, jazz, poetry, amazing solos, a
tasty bass line or two and more than a fair share of funky beats.
It's also one of the earliest jazz albums to feature rapping. "I
called the project Black Renaissance because that is what I wanted
to see happen - especially in music. I describe it as Dixieland
circa 1976 - by the end of the songs everyone is playing together."
Given its rarity, when asked if he was surprised that people knew
about the album Whitaker jokes "I've told enough people about it
over the years! Now they can actually hear it. It was a record
before it's time. It's not a commercial release - I think of it as
classical. You can call it jazz, but it's free, it's got African
roots, it's for people who people who dig that sound."
Harry Whitaker has enjoyed a successful career as a producer,
arranger and composer, cutting his teeth on the best of the Roy
Ayers Ubiquity releases and making a living working closely with
Roberta Flack - as her musical director, even playing on her big
Eugene McDaniels' written hit "I Feel Like Makin' Love." Black
Renaissance "Body, Mind, and Spirit," was his first attempt at a
project where he wrote and composed the music and played keys on
both tracks ... more
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1. Black Renaissance
2. Magic Ritual |
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Blaze
Found Love
West End Records
Release Date: July 27, 2004
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The bright lights of Manhattan look
far away from New Jersey for a kid with big dreams. Growing up with
his very cool Mom in Newark, young Kevin Hedge became the resident
DJ at “rent parties” she would throw to try and make some extra
money during lean times. Kevin then became a small-time DJ around
New Jersey and always dreamed of making it across the river in
Manhattan. Hedge eventually hooked up with friends Josh Milan (a
former gospel singer and church organist) and singer Chris Herbert
to form a musical group called Blaze (the name is a nod to Earth
Wind & Fire, a group idolized by Hedge and Co). In 1986, the trio
started to write, produce and remix their own material as well as
songs for other groups.
Early one Sunday morning in 1987, still living at home with Mom with
not much else going on, Hedge got an enthusiastic call from a friend
who had just left the legendary Paradise Garage nightclub in
Manhattan. Hedge learned that the DJ there Larry Levan played
Blaze’s first track "Whatcha Gonna Do" at the Garage the night
before and most importantly, the crowd went crazy. Hedge went to the
club the next week and heard Levan play his song not once, but 5
times during the night. Pinned up against the wall of that magical
club with the speakers blasting his song, Kevin had an epiphany.
That was the first time that Hedge thought he had something going
with Blaze and this event gave him hope to keep at the music career.
Hedge volunteered at a record store in NJ called Movin’ Records and
through the owner met WBLS Radio DJ Timmy Regisford. Regisford
became a big-brother figure to Hedge and procured writing and
production work for Blaze with several different major labels.
Regisford subsequently got them a lucrative recording and publishing
deal with Motown Records.
Blaze authored a number of deep house anthems from the 1980s and
'90s, including "If You Should Need a Friend" and "My Desire" by
Amira. During the 90s, Milan and Hedge continued to produce and
record, both separately and together (Herbert left the group).
In 1994, they wrote and produced the UK Top Ten hit "Hideaway" by
De'Lacy which sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. Three years
later, Blaze added Tee Alford and returned with another club hit ("Lovelee
Dae") and their second full-length, Basic Blaze was released
(recorded for the UK-based Slip'N'Slide label). A Blaze
retrospective appeared in 1999. Their next project was “Natural
Blaze: The James Toney Jr. Project” which was released in 2000 on
Japan’s Life Line Records and served as a tribute to a dear friend
Blaze’s next proper album project was entitled “Spiritually
Speaking” which was released in September 2002 by the UK label Slip
N Slide. Spawning the huge #1 dance floor hits “Breathe” and “Do You
Remember House”. Another highlight of the album is the sweet “I
Think Of You” featuring the lovely vocals of Amira once again. This
album proved Blaze’s songwriting prowess since it offered a diverse
array of song styles, not just the soulful house they are known for
all over the world. The album is rich with R&B tracks, the Amira
ballad and the rhythmic instrumental “Gloria’s Muse (The Yoga Song).
West End Records released a special US edition of the album,
including a second bonus disc of classic Blaze tracks not available
anywhere else on CD.
As is fitting for an artist who has created dance-floor fillers for
almost 20 years, Kevin Hedge maintained involvement in the legendary
New York City underground Saturday night dance party The Shelter for
a decade. As producer and creative director of the party, Kevin
brought an array of fabulous performers to play live at the club
like Mary J. Blige, Ashford & Simpson, Stephanie Mills, Femi Kuti,
Grace Jones and Patti Labelle. The success of this long-running
party lead to the creation of Club Shelter in January of 2002.
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1. Blaze - Interlude
2. Peven Everett - Can’t Believe I Love Her
3. Ritmo Rua - Universal Love
4. Little Louie Vega feat. Blaze - Brand New Day
5. Joi Cardwell - Be Yourself
6. Jihad Muhammad - Movement Blues
7. Ambrosia That’s How Much I Love You
8. Elliot Vanegas - No Matter What
9. Oji and Una - Nobody
10. Jovann - Track Mode
11. Arnold Jarvis - Love Of My Life
12. Hollis P. Monroe feat. Christa - The Heat
13. Soul Station You (DJ Spinna Mix)
14. Blaze - How Deep Is Your Love
15. Blaze - Found Love |
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Breakestra
Hit the Floor
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP178)
CD/DLP
Release Date: October 25, 2005
Barcodes: 780661117827 (CD) / 780661117810 (LP)
Download Hypepack
Breakestra
Stand Up EP (w/ Quantic Soul Orchestra Remix of "Hiding")
Ubiquity (UREP191)
Vinyl Only EP
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Barcode: 780661119111
Download One-Sheet: PDF
Breakestra
Family Rap 12"
Ubiquity
(UR12177)
12" Single
Release Date: August 23, 2005
Barcodes: 780661117711 (12")
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“Breakestra back with another smash! Those guys - it's just good! Plus that
breakbeat on the b-side, those are the kinds of records that I look for when I'm
digging"
Z-TRIP
"Breakestra is the proud voice of America's inner cities. The band, one of those
outsize groove collectives, moves between genres with the ease of a medley."
LA WEEKLY
"When Miles Tackett gives up the funk, you best believe that it's the whole
funk... one of Southern California's most versatile and idiosyncratic bands"
XLR8R
“I sampled that shit myself!
The first time I heard their cuts, I didn’t know it wasn’t recorded in 1972!”
?UESTLOVE (THE ROOTS)
"One of the heaviest outfits amidst the current crop of contemporary funk bands"
DJ MAGAZINE
"Breakestra maintain rule over live funk and beats"
KNOWLEDGE
"These underground legends have followed the example set by their heroes
and now carry on the legacy with the same momentum as the funk they play."
WAV
"Ridiculous groove from top to bottom – they’ve got their shit down
tight"
MARK DE CLIVE-LOWE
Released on Stones Throw in 2001 The Live Mix part
2 put the Los Angeles-based live funk band Breakestra on the
map. In 2005, their new album Hit the Floor (Ubiquity
Records), a new single featuring members of Jurassic 5 and People
Under The Stairs, and recent performances with GZA, Guru, Raekwon,
Digable Planets and De La Soul (at New York’s Summer Stage) will
launch the band further into the public eye. While their debut album
and legendary live shows predominantly paid homage to old school
breaks n’ beats gone by, Hit the Floor goes a step further as
Breakestra create an album featuring all-original compositions and
songs. The funk flavor is as strong as ever and Breakestra’s main
man Miles Tackett explains the transformation from a cover band into
one flaunting their own material as the obvious next step, “While
hip hop dj/medley inspired covers are the foundation of Breakestra,
it is only natural we’d want to express our own soulful
proclamations,” he says. “I've been releasing original funk cuts
before putting out The Live Mix Part 2. The first Breakestra
single was an original song called "Getcho Soul Togetha", so this
album is really just a part of the natural flow,” he adds.
Four years is a long time to wait for a second album, but judging by
the size and enthusiasm of crowds at Breakestra shows or at their
weekly hosted Rootdown party in LA their fan base continues to grow.
And the global funk scene, which Breakestra are thoroughly
entrenched in, now includes a distinguished list of bands like The
Bamboos in Australia, The Dapkings in NYC, the New Master Sounds,
Speedometer and Quantic Soul Orchestra in England and seems to be
growing stronger by the day. “I don't think this music is going to
be here today but gone tomorrow,” Tackett enthuses, “it's the best
it’s been in years.”
Explaining the time lag between debut and sophomore albums Tackett
says, “I have a slight tendency to be a perfectionist, so creating
all original material was a little more difficult than I thought.”
He adds “It’s an intimidating thought for me that the music that
inspired Breakestra had set such a high musical bar.”
To help kick-start recording Tackett opened a heavily soundproofed
Funky Tilt recording studio last year. Setting it up from scratch
with Tackett paying as close attention to musical detail as he does
any of his recordings meant the public would have to wait a little
longer to hear Hit the Floor, but eventually this space
allowed for late night writing and recording sessions ... more
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Tracklisting
(click for audio samples)
1. Stand Up!
2. Gotta Let Me Know
3. Hiding
4. Burgundy Blues
feat. James 'The Penguin' King
5. Don't Need A Dance
6. The
Gettin' To It
7. At The End Of The Day
8. Recognize
9. Keep On Playin'
10. See Sawng
11. Family Rap
feat. Cali2na, Soup, Double K, Wolf & Munyungo Jackson on Percussion
12. How Do You Really Feel?
13. Show
& Prove
14. Hit
Tha Floor!
'Stand Up' EP
featuring alternative vocal from Choklate + Quantic Soul
Orchestra Remix of "Hiding"(click for audio samples)
A1. Stand
Up! (Original)
A2. Stand
Up! (Take My Time feat. Choklate)
A3. Stand
Up (Inst.)
B1.
Hiding (Quantic Soul Orchestra Remix)
B2.
Family Rap (Laid Back in the Rhodes Mix)
'Family Rap' 12"
featuring Soup and Chali2na of Jurassic 5, and Double K of
People Under the Stairs
(click for audio samples)
A1.
Family Rap (extended 12" version)
A2. How
Do You Really Feel (Cut Chemist Re-Edit)
B1.
Family Rap (1979 mix)
B2.
Family Rap (Instrumental)
'Don't Need a Dance' 12"
(click for audio samples)
A1. Don't
Need a Dance
A2.
Don't
Need a Dance (drumstrumental)
B1. See
Sawng
B2. See Sawng (Instrumental) |
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Freddie Cruger
Soul Search
Ubiquity Records/Raw Fusion (URCD/LP201)
Release Date: October 24, 2006
Barcodes: 780661120124 (CD) / 780661120117 (DLP)
Download One Sheet: PDF
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Freddie Cruger (left) and Swingfly (right)
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"Few can claim to create records
featuring 13 DJ sure-shots, which makes Cruger's genius shine -
4.5/5 stars"
Remix Magazine
"9/10"
Snowboard Magazine
"There's an undeniable buoyancy to Freddie Cruger's 'Over the
Ocean' when the beats come in like giant bata drums punctuating the
air...'Over the Ocean', just one of 13 exceptionally tight tunes on
this full length debut"
XLR8R
On Soul Search Swedish producer/DJ
Freddie Cruger delivers a debut album of original tracks that
illustrate why this master of genre-mash-ups has made a permanent
home of DJ record boxes across the globe. Cruger’s authentic mix of
old school hip-hop and b-boy grooves effortlessly incorporates dirty
funk, soul, reggae, Latin and disco rhythms into impossibly
irresistible tracks.
Integral to the rise of influential independent Swedish labels like
Raw Fusion and GAMM, vinyl-buying fans of hip hop and soul will have
found it hard to ignore the barrage of 16 releases and remixes
featuring the name Freddie Cruger or pseudonym Red Astaire over the
past few years. Despite the majority of his music being released
purely on vinyl to date Cruger has gained many devoted supporters
including names like Jazzy Jeff, Bobbito, Gilles Peterson, Quantic
and even Erykah Badu.
Hailing from the southern district of Stockholm, Sweden, Cruger has been
making beats for a decade or so. Aiding his graduation from bedroom
producer making simple instrumental beats to hit-capable producer
carving out an album of soulful reggae, b-boy disco and dark ghetto
blues are a handful of guest vocalist. Soul’stress Linn, who glides in
like a Scandinavian Jill Scott on “Pretty Little Thing,” and the
talented MC ADL represent Sweden. Joining them are Swingfly on the
dancefloor bound “I Feel Quote Whatever”, Rapadon, Anthony David on the
Latin-tinged “I Wanna Make You Move” and bluesy “New World Time”, and
Cee-Rock “The Fury” from the USA with Desmond Foster from Jamaica on the
good-time reggae flavored opener and “Something Good.” “I’ve had some of
the songs since way back in 1998 and have never grown tired of them, so
they had to be included,” says Cruger. “It took me a while to get this
album done, but now I’m in the zone, I could make the next one
pretty fast!” he adds ... more
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Tracklisting
(click for audio samples)
01. Over
The Ocean feat. Desmond Foster
02. I
Wanna Make You Move feat. Anthony David
03.
What'chu See Iz What'chu Get feat. Cee-Rock
04.
Running From Love feat. ADL
05. Pretty
Little Thing feat. Linn
06. I Feel
Quote Whatever feat. Swingfly
07.
Pushin' On feat. Linn
08.
Special Lady feat. ADL
09. The
Hustle
10.
Something Good feat. Desmond Foster
11. New
World, New Time feat. Anthony David
12. Bap
Yo Head feat. Rapadon
13. Take
It Personally feat. Personally
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Cuica
City to City
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP116)
Release Date: January 21st, 2003
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Following hot on the heels of two smash Ubiquity singles, Simone Serritella, one
half of the duo, describes their forthcoming "City to City" album as "Pure
entertainment prime-time beats with a Brazilian twist." That's about as accurate
a description as you're going to get, especially from a guy who speaks
London-brewed broken Italian-English. Mix the electro-bounce of Metro Area with
the percussive energy of the Truby Trio, add a smattering of old school disco
and some future breaks and that's Cuica. No mess, a little cheeky and twisted;
honest, full-flavor club music.
Serritella's partner in Cuica is fellow-Londoner Pete Herbert. Any vinyl junkie
who spent time in London between 1995 and 2001 will know Herbert from his days
running the legendary London record store Atlas. An emporium unrivalled for it's
eclectic wares Herbert laments the closure of Atlas due to financial pressures
last year, "It taught me a lot and I met a lot of great likeminded people - but
it became hard to make ends meet, believe me we tried!" he says. "I could see
myself turning into one of those grumpy old f*ckers that you see in London
record stores and when our friendly landlords trebled the rent that was that!"
Outside of Cuica Hebert records as Optimo (with Mat Anthony and Martin Jenkins
of Stratus/Pussyfoot) and used to record as Bushflange for Hard Hands. He also
compiles records as an A+R agent for Palm Pictures sub-label Quango.
Serritella grew-up in the industrial zone between Turin, Bologna, and Milan,
Italy. A mad collector of Italo-European jazz records he moved to London in 1999
and began work with longtime friend Joe Davis, the man behind Far Out records.
Helping start the Far Out sub-label Solaria their releases included tunes by
Marc Mac (4 hero), Flytronix, DJ Venom and Defusion. Serritella now runs the
Arision record label and this Fall he releases his own Big Bang album "Arriving
Soon".
The two met in ‘92 when Herbert worked alongside Simon Lee (Faze Action) at
Daddy Kool records in Soho, London. Serritella was a frequent long-distance
shopper and the two maintained a friendship as the years went by. Atlas sold a
hefty amount of Solaria releases and when Herbert complimented Serritella on his
new tracks they decided it was time they collaborated on music. The result was
the first ever Cuica single called "Percussive One" released on Arision. When
the demo CD-r version of "Trommel Monster" landed on Andrew Jervis A+R desk at
Ubiquity talks of a single release began immediately. The album deal was made
when Jervis visited London a few months later. That same week Serritella DJ'd
with Tyrrell (Interfearence) Alex Attias (Beatless) and Jervis at the Ubiquity
100th release party at the Nottinghill Arts Club.
Hanging with Cuica is time well misspent. That is if you like music, girls and
the occasional drink. They have an easy-going demeanor and an obvious chemistry,
which explains how the album came together so quickly - the majority of it
materialized in less than 6 months! "Pete is the funniest man ever," explains
Serritella. Herbert returns the complement. Tales of Serritella's drunken
rendition of the "Theme to the Godfather" at the end of a gig in Germany, or
getting booked to play in France because the promoter confused Pete Herbert with
Matthew Herbert are just the tip of the iceberg. The two keep a busy DJing
schedule playing all over Europe, Herbert with residencies in London, Brussels
and Paris, Serritella listing Switzerland and Central Europe as his favorite
spots to play. Herbert sums up a typical week as "Feel Like sh*t Monday morning,
do easy tasks to make it feel like I'm working. Dig for samples, go record
shopping, hang out with Molly (girlfriend), cook, work on compilation projects,
have at least one late night in the week and pay for it the next day. DJ one sh*t
gig and swear to give-up DJing, have one killer gig and buzz for the next 2 days
. . . all in no specific order." ... more
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1. Why Not Samba?
2. Cuidado
3. Meierising Part 2&3
4. Trommel Monster
5. Afrique
6. Double Blues
7. Meierising Part 1
8. Nights Over Vauxhall
9. Slipping Away |
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Roy Davis
Jr.
Chicago Forever
Ubiquity
(URCD/LP155)
Release Date: September 14, 2004
Barcodes:
URLP155: 780661115519
URCD155: 780661115526
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With recent DJ gigs racking-up
airmiles between Russia, France, Canada and all over the USA, a
steady stream of production work for Warners, and a potential radio
show in the works, a newly invigorated Roy Davis Jr. is finally
ready to drop his musical "thank you" to the city he grew up in.
"Chicago Forever" was originally slated for release in the fall of
2003. But Roy Davis Jr. lost his mother, went through a divorce, and
moved away from family to Los Angeles. The events from the past two
or three years have made this the most difficult album he has ever
produced. "I almost lost inspiration, and felt like I was wasting
time making music," explains Davis Jr. "But the last thing my Mom
had said was "don't you ever stop making your music!" Thinking about
her, all the things I have in my life, and my faith has kept me
going," he adds.
As if a mothers last words weren't enough motivation to get him in
the studio he has also become determined to elevate the current
perception of dance music from novelty status back to a genre that's
as popular as any other black music, back to the days when Chicago
house ruled the dance floor and set him out on his own career.
"The soulless dance music that most people have access to is so
commercialized and sugar coated. The best tunes are so often
underground now - it's time to take this black music from the hoods
of Chicago, Detroit, LA, etc, back over the top," explains Davis Jr.
"My approach is to merge aspects of more popular genres like soul
and hip hop into my sound because there's a younger generation that
may not have grown up on dance music like I did. And it's important
to have better songs at varied tempos so the tracks are not always
at 127 or 125 bpm."
Prior to the album release two singles have dropped on Ubiquity.
Featuring vocals by Ubiquity label mate Jeremy "Ayro" Ellis and
another Detroit native Terry Dexter, the latter single spent 10
weeks on the Billboard Dance Chart. ... more
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