Got a spare copy of the “Peace with Every Step” album of Build an Ark on Kindred Spirits. Sealed one. If anyone needs this album say something. 16,50 EUR and it’s yours.

Haven’t got much to share with you lately. Because it’s summer and that’s, apart from the many festivals, a quiet period music-wise. But also because we’re taking a little break from organising and being busy making plans ourselves. Which doesn’t mean nothing’s happening in the wonderful world of Onda Sonora. Nope. Quite a lot is going on. Mostly stuff I can’t share yet. Which is damn shame. For myself. Because I’m completely crap at keeping my mouth shut. Anyway, looking forward to the future. Seems like exiting times are ahead.

On the other hand. About time I fixed y’all another Podcast. Will try to have one up by the end of next week. Maybe a bit of my set at Bruksellive which I plan to record. Completely forgot I have a Minidisc I could use for that. And some more edits and even what one might call a remix are being constructed. When Disco Dalglish is back we’ll try to make an Onda Sonora edits only mix for the Podcast.

Saturday I’ll be dj’ing solo as my colleague is still enjoying the east coast of the US. A bit nervous about that. Haha. That big stage all for myself. For those of you who won’t be able to make it, there’s the live coverage of the festival on FM Brussel. They even plan a little interview with me. Curious what nonsense I’ll be saying this time.

Not much new releases during summer. That’s tradition. But sometimes there’s the rare exception to that rule. Like this Kenny Dope Remix of a track taken from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings’ latest album. A bit in the same vain as that James Brown remix he did for the latest Verve Remixed compilation (not a bad release by the way). Heavy on the fast pace funk breaks. I Like it. But check it for yourself here.

Although it’s a Germany only release you’ll be able to get it on the net fairly easy. Here for example.

Thanks to DJ Eff for bringing this to my attention.

Tonight we open with the ace Mark Rapson edit of that Marvin Gaye classic. We also prepare you for next Saturday’s Bruksellive festival where we open the main stage and help to close the second one. So we play tracks from other artists on the bill like Baloji, Infinitskills / Laid Back and Lefto. And an exclusive edit of ourselves. We end the show on an uptempo tip with new stuff on Sick Trumpet, an ace Million Dollar Disco edit and a top refix from a certified classic by Karizma and Simbad. Plus we play our Dubstep favourite of the moment. Enjoy.

Playlist:
Marvin Gaye - Heard it Through the Grapevine / Mark Rapson Edit (CDR)
McNeal & Niles – Summertime (Chocolate Industries)
Finn Peters - Ottanta (Accidental)
Luigi - Hombre (Citywurl)
Baloji - Ostend Transit (Virgin)
Lefto - Fania’s Fine (B9000)
Fela Kuti - Noise For Vendor Mouth / Lefto Edit (CDR)
Tower of Power - Soul Vaccination / Onda Sonora edit (CDR)
Million Dollar Disco - Perfect love affair (KAT)
Landslide & Don Freeman - Conundrum / Phil Asher’s Restless Soul Remix (Sick Trumpet)
Diesler - When She Was Bad (Freestyle)
MD-Xspress - God Made Me Phunky / Izmabad Dub (Defected)
Zomby - Spliff Dub / Rustie Remix (Hyperdub)

Had a nice weekend. Did absolutely nothing of the things I planned. No Dour, No 10DaysOff. Went to Paris instead. To do some shopping and to enjoy some sunshine. Nice weather over there. And 12 Inch Records is definitetly one of my favourite vinyl shops worldwide. Always finding some kickass gems there. Big up to Manu and crew. Big up to Phil for the nice trip.

Checked the Atomic party on Sunday underneath the Atomium. Superb surroundings. And a super ace Ableton Live performance from Home Run. Deep, moody Techno, just the way I like it. Keep up the good work Laurent. And thanks for the CD (got it back).

Up to next weekend with the Bruksellive festival. Really looking forward to it. Looks like the sun will shine. It’s going to be banging.

And thanks to all who told us about the “listen again” problems on the FM Brussel website. Still the first episode that’s available. Some computer problems apparently. Should be fixed soon.

This week we play a tribute track to Charles Stepney from the new Liquid Spirits EP on Kindred Spirits followed by an original production of the master. Together with freshness from Mr. Beatnick featuring Turkish chanteuse / beat maker Ahu, more of the new Flying Lotus release, something from the killer Osborne album and from the new Kon & Amir compilation. I also have a little chat about the Worldwide festival, play some tracks that went well there from Little Dragon & the Bugz mix on Fania. Something from the ace Wale Mixtape, something to prepare you for the upcoming Badu gig at Ghent Jazz and we keep pushing the music we like from San Soda, 6th Burough Project and more. Enjoy.

Liquid Spirits – Stepney (Kindred Spirits)
Phil Upchurch - Black Gold (Cadet Records)
Mr Beatnick feat. Ahu - I Know All The Bitches / Simbad Slow Mix (Altered Vibes)
Little Dragon - Forever (Peacefrog)
Flying Lotus - Auntie’s Harp (Warp)
Sa-Ra Creative Partners - Go Ahead (Jazzy Sport)
Wale - The Grown Up Wale (Free Mixtape)
Erykah Badu - Soldier (Motown)
6th Burough Project - 7 Grams Of Funk (Less Productions)
Osborne - Downtown (Spectral Sound)
San Soda – Quilombo (We Play House Recordings)
Blaze - Here With Me / Roots Alternate Vocal Version (West End Records)
The Faboulous Conti Family - You Got Me Goin’ Baby / Kon’s Edit (BBE)
Ruben Blades & Willie Colon - Plastico / Bugz in the attic mix (Fania)

Hadn’t seen this one. Found it here. More on Lefto’s Youtube.

Not feeling all that well lately. The bad weather is weighing on me both physically as mentally. Could use some more sunshine. Stayed home most of the weekend because of that. But every bad thing has its positive sides. This way I don’t spend too much money in this expensive period and I used the extra time to make some edits. One of the results of that is up on our Myspace page. It’s the “Tower of Soul” track. Keeping it a bit mysterious title-wise. Can anyone guess what the original track is ?

Didn’t stay in all weekend. Partied at Cafe Bota on Friday. It was nice. Lefto, Kid Sublime, some Laid Back / Infinitskills guys, Kwak, 72Soul, Dieter, Jazz, Karl, Elke and off course Vic ‘n Lloyd & Funky Bompa all making it a very nice party. Had a good time and I’m truly impressed with JC’s skills on the keys. Knew he could rock the decks and the mic, but he’s even hotter doing “the Kerri Chandler”. Nice one.

Up to the rest of the week. Really looking forward to recording our Radio Show, Erykah Badu at Ghent Jazz and Saturday (both killer Dour day and the only good 10DaysOff night). And to making more edits. I’m getting on fire.

Mellow Madness – Now Your Calling (Yoruba)
Flying Lotus – Los Angeles LP & EP’s (Warp)
Platinium Pied Pipers – On A Cloud (Ubiquity)
Build An Ark – Build An Ark (Kindred Spirits)
Liquid Spirits – Stepney (Kindred Spirits)
Marvin Gaye – Heard It Through The Grapevine / Mark Rapson Edit (CDR)
The MD-Xspress – God Made Me Phunky / Izmabad Vox (Defected)
Finn Peters – Butterflies LP (Accidental)
Samiyam – Moonshoes (Hyperdub)
Zomby – Spliff Dub / Rustie Remix (Hyperdub)
Osborne – Downtown (Spectral Sound)
Mr. Beatnick feat. Ahu – I Know All The Bitches (Altered Vibes)
Roland Appel – New Love (Sonar Kollektiv)
Bennson – Can’t Get Enough (Raw Fusion)
Linkwood – What’s Up With The Underground (Firecracker)
Discreet Unit – Written In Our Nature (Prime Numbers)

Told you already Benji B is playing the gamelan on this one but the main reason why you should buy it is because it’s genius. Call it spiritual Jazz or whatever you want, it’s a musical trip and a bloody good one. Love every single second of it. Would love to see this live at Sète’s Théâtre de la Mer. More about Finn Peters here.

If you like this you might want to check the new Build an Ark on Kindred Spirits too.

Gilles Peterson played a Fela Kuti edit by our friend Lefto in his show yesterday. Nice one. Big up to Lefto. This way we got 2 international stars on our bill in September. Haha.

Quite a busy Funk schedule in Belgium next few months. Thanks to Thierry for the list.

11 Jul, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings @ Cactus festival in Brugge
11 Jul, Blowfly @ Bar Mondial in Antwerpen
12 Jul, Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators in Kortrijk (free)
13 Jul, Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators @ Les Ardentes in Liège
17 Jul, Eli “Paperboy”Reed & the True Loves @ Dour festival
14 Aug, The Alpacas @ Bar Mondial in Antwerpen
15 Aug, The Alpacas @ Vivalola festival in St Niklaas
16 Aug, The Budos Band @ Vivalola festival in St Niklaas
19 Aug, The Budos Band @ Bar Mondial in Antwerpen
07 Sep, The Newmastersounds feat. Dione Charles @ Villapace festival in St Niklaas
0? Sep , The Apples @ Villapace festival in St Niklaas
17 Oct, Baby Charles @ “Dyn-O-mite” / Minnemeers in Gent

Some assorted music releases for all you vinyl heads :

The new 7” in the 7x7 series on All City
Flying Lotus Album + the first in the limited edition EP series
The second release on Prime Numbers
The new Platinium Pied Pipers 12” on Ubiquity
The Angela Bofill re-edit on KAT
Liquid Spirits EP on Kindred Spirits
The San Soda EP on We Play House

So don’t say we didn’t warn you.

All available at Rush Hour or other shops near you.

Tonight it’s Dieter and Yoeri in the studio. As I was still in Sète when they recorded it. Expect new music from Kid Sublime, Fudge Fingas (from the new release on Trus’me’s Prime Numbers label), Vaceo (from the upcoming compilation of releases on Sick Trumpet), Nu-era (4hero’s Marc Mac on the Here Comes Treble compilation), Roland Appel and more. Also some classics, a take on Radiohead by Muhsinah you can download for free on her site (but be sure to buy her superb album too) and an all exclusive Onda Sonora edit. Enjoy.

If you got remarks, questions or anything you would like us to know, please send us an email to ondasonora@fmbrussel.be.

Eddie Kendricks - My People … Hold On (Motown Records)
Kid Sublime - Own World (Dopeness Galore)
Muhsinah - Scatterbrain (Free Download)
Vaceo - Shine Y’Light (Sick Trumpet)
Fantasy - It ’s Your Rock (Strut)
Fudge Fingas - Dindins4dadda (Prime Numbers)
Pete Herbert - Don’t Let Go (Disco Deviance)
Touch - Love Hangover - Onda Sonora Edit (CDR)
Roland Appel - New Love (Sonar Kollektiv)
Japanese Synchro System - Check It, Spread It - C2 Main Mix (Life Line Records)
Quentin Harris - House (Un-Restricted Acces)
Nu Era - Robot Moves (Treble O)
Kraftwerk - Numbers (Warner Bros)

This weekend there are two parties we can recommend firmly in the Brussels area. First of there’s the Cheeba Cheeba party at Cafe Bota with Funky Bompa and Vic ‘n Lloyd. Free entrance and guaranteed funk a volonté. Saturday Steven de Peven is playing in St-Pieters-Leeuw with Vega in support.

Nice little interview with Chicago soul phenomenon Yaw proving Straight No Chaser isn’t dead yet.

Big up to Lefto for the promo. Haha.

Back home after a week of enjoying the sun and some fine music. Very tired, sunburned and with aching feet but in the meantime happy, inspired and motivated. It was a good week.

The place where we were staying was niceness galore. Very decent accommodation, a superb big breakfast every morning, the nicest host we could wish for, a swimming pool right outside our little chalet, a sound system where I could connect my laptop to, … . Just perfect. A slight minus was that it was in Béziers and the Worldwide festival was 50 km away in Sète. But it didn’t make me enjoy it one bit less.

The festival itself was good. Maybe no Southport. It was a bit too much a la Française with lots of room for improvement organisation-wise but maybe we Northern folk are a bit too much used to everything being strictly planned. Anyway it was irritating to hear Lefto begin his set but not being able to enter the site because for some dark reason the security didn’t open the doors. Or to have to wait at the bar for more than 15 minutes before being able to order when you know you could organise the whole thing far better with just the same amount of people. But it didn’t really spoil the fun for me. They got the sun and the genius setting to make up for it big time.

Music-wise there were up and downs. Lefto played one of the best sets I ever heard from him. Eclectic and with an impeccable flow. Setting standards for the rest of the festival that would rarely be topped. The first day he was by far the best act I saw. Didn’t see Benga though. And only a little of Gilles Peterson himself. Didn’t connect to the grimey M.I.A. Influenced female MC’s at all. Not my thing. Enjoyed Roots Manuva. Can’t wait to play that new single. Left halfway Ben Westbeech and Die’s set. It simply didn’t make me want to stay.

Second day started badly at the beach. Just missed an apparently ace set by Toshio Matsuuri to hear a cat named Dynamax play an awful R ‘n B set that literally scared everyone away from the dance floor. Made us leave for La Theatre de la Mer early. Where Little Dragon impressed me and Breakestra rocked the venue. At the beach party afterwards the decks had been recovered by decent dj’s and both Simbad and Pilooski got me dancing. This was what I hoped for and they delivered it nicely.

The last day I went to the beach early. Although the afternoon dj’s hadn’t been nice to my ears some other things had been just that to my eyes. Haha. Anyway, far better music this time. Enjoyed it a lot but it was getting a bit too hot for me and I left for Sète centre. To eat some ice cream and watch the boat game they like to play there. And to be early for the Pascal Comelade and Cinematic Orchestra gigs at the theatre venue with sight on the sea. They both blew me away. They could have played on for much longer and I wouldn’t have minded it. The combination of spheric music and top surroundings was a winner. But they stopped and I dragged my ass on last time to the Base Nautic where Henrk Schwarz had begun his ‘live’ ableton set. Which was dope to say the least. The man’s got an oeuvre that stands, brings it with enthusiasm and reaches that deepness I love so much. Loved every single second of it and ending with his Omar remix got me all exited. Together with Lefto and Cinematic Orchestra my personal highlights of the festival. Only watched Laurent Garnier begin. Was too tired and we needed to drive 50km over dark French roads.

Felt bad I had to miss the Sunday afternoon afterparty (Gilles Peterson vs Laurent Garnier) but we had to come back. Could have stayed for much longer and it will take me some time to get back in the daily rhythm. But the inspiration and motivation shot I got make we want to start some things urgently.

Big up to Meriam, Axel, Yayou and Elsa for being such great hosts. Big up to the crew; Phil, Dizze, Lieven, JF, Fluppe and certainly my main man Karl. Had a blast. And shout outs to Jos Diephuis and his girls, Lefto and Fatou, Simbad, Gilles and everyone else I talked to but forgot to ask their name.

Lefto ripped it Yesterday. Superb set. Roots Manuva was dope too. Not too sure about Ben Westbeech. But all in all a great night. Heard something about a worldwide gfestival in Instanbul. Sounds like a good idea.

Great to see some familiar faces. Southport and Nottinghill veterans.

We’re almost ready to leave for the festival. After 3 days of heavy chillin’, loungin’ near the pool and making cocktails. Made a little trip to Montpelier. Did some shopping. Vinyl and hats. Some nice finds. Anyway it’s been nice up until now. Will post some pics tomorrow if I get my laptop hooked to the net (blogging on another one for now).

The Sub Ensemble - Beautiful Spring (TrebleO Records)
Flying Lotus - Melt (Warp)
Bullion - Get Familiar (One-Handed Music)
Sa-Ra - So Special (Wonderful Noise Productions)
JRawls & Middle Child - Music Over Madness (Polar Entertainment)
Napihedz - The Bah (Sound Signature)
Blackjoy - Untitled (Project Recordings)
San Soda - Quilombo (We Play House Recordings)
Karizma - Alright (Kaytronik Movementz Part 1) (Juno Records)
Nutmeg - Stab (Neroli)
Family tree - Family tree (disco version) (Booton Records)
6th Borough Project - Just a memory (Five 20 east)
The Sunburst Band - He Is (Z Records)

Before I leave for the south of France I’m gonna leave you with the finished flyer for our room at the Spectakulo festival at JH Eenders in Halle. Main guest is Mad Mats like said before. More info after I’m back.

It will be quiet for a while on this Blog since both Disco Dalglish and myself are on holiday. But I’m taking the laptop with me so maybe I’ll do some posting from near the pool in the sun with a pastis in the hand.

There are pictures of our troupe in the official Southport Weekender gallery. Haha. See I you can spot ‘em. Tip, check the Jae Moonrisingnyc.com ones.

Woke up this morning thinking; “hmm, what about a quick mix before starting the day”. Last 2 days of partying / dj’ing made me want to record a Rare Groove mix. Nothing fancy, just a dope selection, sequenced and mixed to a mix about an hour long. Selection and sequencing are fine but the mixing isn’t always all that on point. Mind I was awake for about 15 minutes when I started recording. Still, won’t rerecord it. Hope you’ll like it this way.

Here’s the track list:
Ben E. King – Street Tough
Leo’s Sunshipp – Give Me The Sunshine
C.B. Overton – If I Can’t Stop You
Wizdom – I’m So In Love With You
The Futures – Ain’t No Time Fa Nothing
Bar-Kays – You Can’t Turn Away
Patrice Rushen – Hang It Up
Jon Lucien – Would You Believe in Me
Leroy Hutson – Lucky Fellow
Steve Parks – Movin’ in the Right Direction
Rene & Angela – Secret Rendezvous
The Fatback Band – (Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop
Logg – You’ve Got That Something
Rainbow Brown – Till You Surrender

Some recommended parties & concerts:

Tonight: Erykah Badu at Couleur Cafe, Brussels / us playing at De Kriekelaar
Tomorrow: Dixon at Dirty Dancing, Brussels
Sunday: Still Black Still Proud African Tribute to James Brown with Peewee Ellis, Tony Allen and more at Couleur Cafe, Brussels
Thursday 10/7: Herbie Hancock at Ghent Jazz, Ghent
Friday 11/7: Sharon Jones at Cactus Festival, Bruges
Saturday 12/7: Steven De Peven in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw / Cinetmatic Orchestra at Cactus Festival, Bruges
Sunday 13/7: Bootsy Collins Cactus Festival, Bruges
Monday 14/7: Jill Scott at Rivierenhof, Antwerp
Thursday 17/7: Erykah Badu at Ghent Jazz, Ghent
Saturday 19/7: Mr. Scruff, Lefto, Gilles Peterson, Hudmo, Typhoon, Black Moon, Soil and Pimp, Blu, Flying Lotus, Infinitskills, Dorian Concept & Sir OJ at Dour Festival, Dour / Ben Westbeech, Kerri Chandler, Osunlade, Red D & Lady Linn
at 10DaysOff, Ghent
Sunday 20/7: Jeff Neve & Soul and Pimp (20/7) at Ghent Jazz, Ghent
Monday 21/7: Al Jarreau at Rivierenhof, Antwerp
Saturday 26/7: Bruksellive, Brussels