Lefto will be playing some Trus’Me on the Radio tonight. Listen to De Hop live on Studio Brussel or check it on demand afterwards. Still the illest show on Belgian (national) Radio. Thanks for the support. Lefto will hopefully do an interview with the hippest cat in Jazzland (the hype for once totally justified). José James has dropped a superb album. If you want to hear something really fresh from the man go visit Flying Lotus’ Myspace. Very nice colab between them. And check the pics of FlyLo’s Studio. Basic but banging.

We got mentioned on another Blog (the Shook post), which I wasn’t familiar with, but which has some dope posts. Check the post with the link to the article with Mike Van Olden (many linking / shit getting complicated / I know / but I don’t care). He shares some interesting insights with the readers. Particularly the bit with Dan the Automator. Really feeling what the man is saying.

And a big thanks to everybody supporting us. In every which way you do. If it is mentioning us on the Radio, to your friends, spreading the word over the net or whatever. It’s all good and we know and appreciate that. If ever we can do something in return, just ask.

Another interesting release coming up. On Pulver records, a label I bought most releases from in the beginning but I lost their track a bit. Loved the “Detroit Jazzin” by Inverse Cinematics and “Tango Forte” by Dublex Inc. a lot. That last one recycled by the pure plastic Sugarbabes for “Round Round”. Anyway, bad reference because Pulver explores the deeper end of music. And their cover art was top.

The exciting new releases is Pulverising!, a collection of fine tunes selected by Inverse Cinematics. Not exactly the most well known names on it but at least Mr. Beatnick should ring a bell with the regular readers of this Blog. He’s one of the guys behind the excellent SHHHH.co.uk site and a beatmaker the keep an eye on. Check it, Support it.

For the fans of all things Inverse Cinematics we can firmly recommend the Motor City Drum Ensemble’s first 12” called Raw Cuts. Raw 4/4 Deepness rooted in all good things Disco / House / Detroit and like. Buy it at Rush Hour.

In the entire Digital Download evolution, like Qtrax aiming to make everything free and gathering income through adverts and you giving up a lot of privacy, there’s only one site I’m really feeling. Not that I’ve checked them all but this one feels correct at first sight. I’m talking about Ithinkmusic. What makes it so special is that it brings together a lot of decent independent labels and provides them the possibility to create a shop of their own and sell their music through that. Or like they say:

“Ithinkmusic enables a community of independent record labels, artists and retailers to create and sell a catalogue of music to the public. This community can manage and display content online, network between buyers, sellers, and creators of music, as well as manage revenues from the sale of digital music files.

Ithinkmusic provides its user base a complete solution for the distribution and merchandising of digital music online. The user base includes professional and amateur artists and labels, as well as their fans, customers who buy music and their friends. Ithinkmusic creates an interactive network of musicians, fans, and music stores that ties each of them together using the same application to make online record stores that sell digital content.”

This is all great, no doubt, but it would be worth nothing if the music stinks. But luckily it doesn’t. With labels and artists like Restless Soul, Freestyle, Sick Trumpet, Wah Wah 45 and alike the quality is solid. So if you buy Digital take a look at this site first. It’s not as big nor complete as some others but you’re supporting the artists and labels more.

Nice video interview with the DJ that impressed me the most in 2008; Karizma. Well together with Dixon if I want to be perfectly correct. The interviewer is something. Met the guy once at a little festival in the South of France. He leaves me the same impressions here as he did then. A tad too serious. Anyway, got to dig what he’s doing. Pushing good music properly.

Thanks to Jonathan for hooking me up with this.

And the club where Karizma is playing is Djoon in Paris. Like I’ve said times and times before; we need to go there. Every weekend there are the illest House DJ’s playing.

As we already wrote here, the legendary DJ Spinna will be in Antwerp on March 1st. Apparently, he’ll be spinning records in Brussels on the same date. This will be at BOZAR, nearby Brussels Central Station, at the after party of the first Brussels Museum Night. More info about the complete event on the website and the flyer.

Double bookings…the last ones we did were crazy combinations of an overcrowded Buizingen Is Burning and an abandoned Wereldfeest in Het Vondel. Or a birthday party in the rehearsal room of the local fanfare of Leerbeek and a mad party at Gibbereir, Ukkel.

Because not everybody has the same urge to be on point music-wise we can understand you missed the Trus’Me hype surrounding the release of his album. And that because of that you are a bit in the unknown about our guest for the Easter edition of Onda Sonora. But although we did our best to counteract this with several posts on this Blog already, we’ll add one, a definitive one, more.

First up a little bio about him:

TRUS’ME is the hottest talent rising out of Manchester this year. His first 12″ for worldwide infamous black label Love4Music has made more than the rounds. The stunning dance floor killer anthem, Nards, has been hammered by Giles Peterson and is already a winner on his “Best of 2007″. Giles said of the record: “If there was ever a house record made for me, it would sound like this.”

TRUS’ME has certainly impressed his peers and is now getting major support from the likes of MR SCRUFF, BENJI B, JAZZANOVA, MAD MATS, MICHAEL RUTTEN and many others.

TRUS’ME’s musical roots trace way back to an early age where he dabbled with various instruments. He began studying production, but soon developed a love of vinyl culture which shifted his focus towards the art of mixing and digging for unique samples.

Surrounded by experienced Manchester based producers and DJs his musical taste has continued to evolve, resulting in eclectic DJ sets where his passion exudes. Naturally, this diversity shines through in his production.

‘Working Nights’ his debut album. This 8 track set (plus bonus ‘live mix’ track 12:12 - CD only) features three of the hard to find Love4Music black label 12″s that shot Trus’me to notoriety in early 2007. His brief career has already seen DJ visits to New York, Chicago and Detroit as well as guest spots at Manchester institutions Electric Chair and Friends & Family. Remixes for Aaron Jerome, Chez Damier and Belleruche are all pending for 2008 …

More info in this nice interview with the man.

The Discography:

Love4Music - LFM007 – BROWN’S / 12″ (2007)
Love4Music - LFM 009 - TDWTW / 12″ (2007)
Love4Music - LFM 010 - W.A.R / 12” (2007)
Fat City Records – Various Artists - Producer No. 1 / CD (2007)
Fat City Records - WORKING NIGHT / CD, 2xLP (2007)
Defected - Vibrations (for Gilles Peterson “My Kinda House” compilation) / 12”, CS (2008)

Own label:
Prime Numbers – 02 (with Linkwood Family, Napihedz & Reggie Dokes) / 12” (2008)

He has an own night in Manchester called Prime Numbers with guests as Moodymann, Juan Atkins, Piranahead, DJ Dez / Andres, Rick Wade, … . you can listen to sets of Trus’me here and here.

Have updated the Dates pages in the section right from this post. So you know where to find us next couple of months.

You won’t get it much fresher than this. Just got confirmed we will be providing the beats, dj-wise, after the concerts of Mongoose and Soul:ID at De Kriekelaar in our hometown Schaarbeek. Pretty exited about it. Firstly because it will be an ace night with top Belgian Soul music and secondly because it’s our first gig in the town we both live in since a couple of years. Nice that people finally recognise us for that and don’t assume we’re from Halle anymore. We’re urban you know (don’t take this last comment too serious, please).

Anyway, hope to see all you Brussels cats at De Kriekelaar, Gallaitstraat 86 (or Rue Gallait if you wish), 1030 Schaarbeek on Saturday February 23rd.

With Gnarls Barkley you never know but through their Myspace Bulletin I’ve landed on this Blog with apparently a leaked song. Probably just another marketing trick. Song is nice though so don’t care about how it got there. Looking forward to their new album. Love the way they take the piss out of everything. Like I read on another Blog recently; we need more humour in the Music (or Hiphop as the original quote said) biz right now.

Marc de Clive-Lowe, the New-Zeeland keyboard wiz who delivers quality Music on a more than regular base has started a Blog. With charts, upcoming shows, travel stories and a remix competition. And that last thing is even greater than it sounds. MdCL has always been very web 2.0 but this time he has even outdone himself. You can remix the entire The Politik (his project with Bembe Segue) LP. One or more songs and the original Artwork of the album. Love it. Check it out.

Elmore Judd - Tron Song (Honest Jon’s)
Burial - Archangel (Hyperdub)
Dorian Concept - Thank Capita (CDR)
Double - Woman of the World - Long Instrumental Version (Metronome)
Motor City Drum Ensemble - Raw Cuts 2 (MCDE)
Taylor McFerrin - Georgia - Karizma’s Bruk It Down Remix (Bonzai Sound Exchange)
Skream - 2-D (Tempa)
Alexander Hope - Wonderland (Defected)
Jimmy Ross - First True Love Affair - Eddie Tour Edit (Disco Deviance)
The Million Dollar Orchestra - Dontcha Wanna Get Down (BBE Music)
Rick Wade - Forgotten Track (Harmonie Park)
Daniel Wang - Rings Of Saturn (Balihu)
Mad Mike - Give It To Me (Happy Records)

Yes, we got our first big guest for 2008. And we’re more than a little proud about it. In the series “if nobody brings him over, we will”, we added another ace musical mastermind to our list of guest DJ’s. The man who made the most mind blowing piece of vinyl in the album category in 2007. The man who hosts a series of guests on his Prime Numbers night we would more than love to have ourselves. The man you all should know as Trus’me. Yes, the don of the dirty House and Disco hybrid is coming to Halle. On Easter Sunday, March 23rd. It’s going to be good, very good. Mark my words. The rest of the info will be shouted from rooftops soon.

And watch out for the first release on his own Prime Numbers label. Dropping soon. Sounds on his Myspace.

Our good friend Alex from On-Point.be takes part in a contest where he can win 25.000 EUR for his On-Point and Killyourdarlings project. And he needs all the support he can get. All you’ve got to do his register, go to the links given at the end of this post and give both videos 5 stars. Simple.

KYDMag
On-Point

Some of you will have seen this movie already through the On-Point.be site. Got the link this weekend too from Jonathan, fellow purveyor of all music soulful and deep, but due to, for once, not being behind the computer all the time haven’t shared it until now. Nice little video of Theo Parrish.

Some contemporary Soul music. Guido from Rotterdam’s Strange Fruit crew (keep your eyes open for some freshness from them coming our way later this year) pointed me the way to this. Don’t know much about him, else than that he’s part of the new Platinium Pied Pipers project, but what I hear on his Myspace sounds dope. Being part of PPP he’s, off course, linked with the ever interesting Wajeed and the Bling 47 group. Only a bummer you need that damn Paypal to acquire his album.

Found a great source on Old skool Hiphop on the net. Interview, artist profiles, stories, pictures, … . A good point to start if you want to extend your knowledge of the origins of the genre. Mind, the site is as Old Skool as the music it’s about. Great site to kill the slow moments at work.

The visits to this Blog have skyrocketed these last few weeks. They doubled, even tripled in a fortnight or so. Can’t really put my finger on the reason for this. Doing nothing exceptional compared to last year. And as far as I can see, there are no other sites from where lots of people are directed to this Blog. If anybody has an idea where this increase in popularity comes from, feel free to enlighten me. Kinda curious.

Anyway, loving it and I take it has a compliment. Still, you’re welcome to leave some comments on the Blog. And thanks to everyone who mailed with some kind words on the Blog and Podcast. Feels good.

We promise you some very nice things in return. Where we are at our best; on the dance floor.

Loving the way Warp Records is going. The Flying Lotus EP was a dope release and next week there’s Mark Pritchard’s Harmonic 313’s EP1 dropping in the shops. Both will be followed by a full album later this year. And then there’s Hudson Mohawke from Heralds of Change who’s signed to the label too. Cream of the crop of the superheavy abstract beatmakers all on the legendary Techno label. After a long hiatus my collection of Warp vinyl will grow again. Will dig up my old LFO 12’s to celebrate it.

All of you who missed that dope Taylor McFerrin 12” on Rude Movement a while ago – and I understand that’s most of you (always love the reactions ending in a little bit of disappointment when I drop it ) - there’s another chance to buy some of Taylor McFerrin’s sonic magic. Not on vinyl I’m afraid but on Digital download. On the plus side there are more tunes to acquire than there are on the plastic. Among others the Karizma remix of “Georgia”. A must buy in my book. Head for iTunes to spend some money on this.

It took me a while to get my head around his music but lately I’m really getting into Elmore Judd. It reminds me a bit of Arthur Russel and his left of Disco kinda sounds. Actually, it took me a while to get my head around that too. Insect Funk was released in 2007 by the always spot on Honest Jon’s Records. Check it out if you like your music a bit more complex but still funky.

And check his Blog for some free beats.

DJ Deep’s Deeple Rooted House label will release a Kerri Chandler album with a theme. Like the title kinda gives away this will be “Computer Games”.

Here’s what Kerri himself has to say about it:

My love for computers and programming games began about 24 years ago with a machine called the Challenger 2P. My best friend Stephen Thomas had gotten it for Christmas and I just got my second Technics SL-B1 and a Gemini mixer. What a Wonderful Christmas for a couple of 14 year olds. I think the only thing that didn’t make us both nerds is that I was a DJ and we just practiced all the time. But when we weren’t messing around with turntables, we would both start learning how to program this Machine(Challenger 2P). So every day we would sit there and take turns at his house programing this machine which was in “Basic”. Neither one of us could type so it took days to get a page of code done, But it was magic when we got the programing right! The first game we made was a game that had the USS enterprise shooting a little black and white dot, (We used an old Black and white TV for a monitor). But WE WERE HOOKED!! This began my love for music and computers.

Love, Peace, Admiration, and Respect
Kerri Chandler

The album (CD or digital download) will be available atall the usual stores from March 31st.

February the 25th a 12” will be released to get us warmed up. It will be classic Kerri Chandler productions but with a vibe and feel that honours those early computer games. Listen to them here:

Kong
Pong

Loving the sounds. But Kerri Chandler can’t do much wrong with me. One of my big plans for 2008 is to stay awake at Southport so that I can finally see the man at work. Last 2 times I crashed just before his set. Still feeling bad about missing his reel to reel set.

Soul Heaven will be in Antwerp next months, literally and figuratively. We heard Stereo Sushi will be hosting the party four times in three months. Write these dates and names in your agenda: Danny Krivit on February 16th, DJ Spinna on March 1st, Mr V on March 20th and Kenny Dope on April 30th!!! Have no doubt, Brussels crew will be representing!

Dorian Concept has been hyped by the likes of Benji B, Domu and friends. I’ll let you decide if this synth freak’s music is worth the fuzz. Check his Myspace for that. On it you’ll find a free download which I like very much.

If you like his music then you might want to buy his Beattape which is out on Domu’s Treble O label (remember the ace Ben Mi Duck release).

It’s like club owners heard my complaint about the lack of tasty nights. They are even overdoing it a bit. Red D’s Chicago Boogie at Ghent’s Make Up Club has invited Alex Barck from Jazzanova. Nice, no doubt, but I can’t go. Will be spinning with Rainer Trüby & co at the 1Love. party. 2 funky Germans playing at the same time in Belgium. That’s rare. Anyway we recommend this firmly if you can’t make it to our party.

Those of you needing some extra motivation to go, here’s a blog with a little video. Can’t wait for summer to begin.