My wanderings through the world of SoundCloud have produced their first pleasant surprise. Discovering the music of Dutchmassive. I should probably have heard of him already because his online presence is one that puts ours to shame easily. But I didn’t. My bad. Because he’s making some of the nicest music I’ve stumbled upon in a while. Crossing borders between Hiphop and House like there are none, that’s what I like. Keeping it deep, raw and soulful. A bit Jazzy too. Check it out. Visiting all his sites alone will keep you busy for some time. You can score some free music on there, by the way. Enjoy.

We like having guests in our Radio studio. Last week was a blast and we’ve got more lined up for the coming weeks. The next one is Homerun, a Brussels based techno producer who’s sound touches the more atmospheric side of the genre. I’m a big fan of his work and I like the man a lot. He’s a big cuddly bear like myself but way less grumpy. Anyway, I’m far from the only one who likes his music. The people at Freerange have put a song of him on a compilation and now Eskimo and Tiga’s Turbo Recordings have done the same. All good. Played that “The Killer Storm” in our show this week. Go check them out. Even if you just want his songs (they’re both available on iTunes).

Various – Cosmic Balearic Beats Vol. 1 (Eskimo)

Various - Turbo Mind Vacuum 3 (Turbo)

My favourite Homerun song is called “Sean Penn” (I think, he forgot to write the titles on the CD he gave me) and I’ve been pushing that one a lot. Still not out as far as I know. Somebody should release it though. Wonderful piece of music.

I was kind of worrying there wouldn’t be a Deviation Session the rare first Wednesday of the month I’ll be in London. But that’s over. I’m going. Even though I’m seeing all these dj’s a few days later. You can’t have enough Kon & Amir nor Rick Wilhite nor Benji B. This really makes me happy.

If you clicked on the San Soda link in the radio show post of this week you might have seen it already. He’s got a little blog (Dutch only) talking about his experiences at the Red Bull Music Academy. Looks like a lot of fun and damn interesting. Nice for a young, talented producer /dj like himself to be part of it.

Getting a lot of very good music from Belgian friends lately. San Soda, Homerun, LuiGi and the Infinitskills crew, Made In Japan, … . Gets me positive about the future. Keep it up this way y’all. And keep pushing it everybody.

Theo Parrish interviews are rare. Good ones even rarer. This one is very good. Raw & deep like his music. Inspiring too. Check it out.

This week we have Red D and San Soda, the dynamic duo behind We Play House recordings, in our studio. Talking about their record label and music, the Deinze club and football scene, the Red Bull Music Academy (San Soda just got back from Barcelona) and more. The believe we have in these guys, we’ve been supporting these guys from day 1, bacame only more solid after this session. Oh, and we’re sorry we haven’t more time to give you more. A real shame this time.

Check it out tonight from 10 to 11pm or through the streaming all week long.

Track List:

LuiGi – Gratitude (CDR)
Ino Hidefumi - Spartacus (Innocent)
Black Milk feat. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price & DJ Premier - The Matrix (Fat Beats)
Paul Mac Innes & T.B.O.I. - What You Do (Mukatsuku)
Made In Japan - Babyspace / Georgia Ann Muldrow Remix (Citywurl)
Theo Parrish - Capritarious # 7 (Sound Signature)
Homerun - The Killer Storm (Eskimo)
Dubble D - Rope Trick (Third Ear)
Lynx feat Kemo - Global Enemies (Soul:R)
DJ Yellow & Astrid Suryanto - Alone (Project)
Motorcitysoul feat. Ovasoul 7 - Change You (Simple)
San Soda - No lead (CDR)
Kai Alcé feat Azulu Phantom - Power Thru (NDTAL)

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that we are big fans of Prime Numbers records. We love the music, we like the people behind it. And although we get all their music for free in the form of promo mp3’s I haven’t missed a single release on vinyl. But not everybody is mp3 or vinyl-minded. Some people prefer buying music on CD. And they’ve missed out on everything up until now. But not anymore. Label head honcho Trus’me has compiled a CD from all the releases that are out. A double CD to be more precise. One mixed, one unmixed. And with an unreleased edit of Linkwood Family’s “RIP” track.

Go buy it. It’s quality House music.

Had a very bad weekend. My favourite Soul Jazz bag being stolen is one of the many shitty things that sent my mood into dark territories. Feel like skipping the week entirely. But, on the plus, I’m almost on my way to London and Southport. Never needed being away so much.

Before that there’s Onda Sonora Soundsystem playing at Café Belga this Friday. Not sure what to expect but being behind decks always makes me feel better. And it’s my birthday this week so I’ll buy all the people I like something to drink. That’ll enhance my mood considerably, seeing a lot of people I like. That and ending up at home with a busload of sexy Swedish women for a little private after party (been fantasising about that bus for ages now – should come true once, innit?).

Soundtrack to my moodiness: Anything by Wajeed, Black Milk or LuiGi.

LuiGi – Gratitude (CDR)
Pat and rHil – Stoned Groove (CDR)
Homerun – The Killer Storm (Eskimo)
Alton Miller – Who Am I? (Yore)
The Specials – Ghost Town / The Revenge Increase The Peace Mix (OOFT)
The Matthew Herbert Big Band – The Story (Accidental)
Jake One – The Truth / Instrumental (Rhymesayers)
Dubble D – Brogue (Third Ear)
Todd Terje & Prins Thomas - Reinbagan (Sonar kollektiv)
Black Spade – Actioneer / Wajeed Remic (Om Records)
Hygher Baby – Let U Go / Part 1 & 2 (Circulations)
Fudge Fingas – Ghost House (Prime Numbers)
Discreet Unit – Unit (Prime Numbers)
Jazzanova feat. Paul Randolph – Let Me Show Ya / Henrik Schwarz Remix (Sonar Kollektiv)
Quasimode – Over The Horizon / SoulPhiction Remix (Sonar Kollektiv)
Kindred Spirits Ensemble – Shining Liberation (Kindred Spirits)
Liquid Spirits – Closing Time (Kindred Spirits)
Emanative – Petite Planete / Kira Neris Moody Moon Remix (Futuristica)

I feel connected with the Strange Fruit posse because they’re trying to get something going in a city that, in general, has no clue about what they stand for. We do it in Brussels, they do it in Rotterdam. Plugging artists that most of their co-citizens haven’t heard about just out of the love for music. That’s grand. So I give them all the support I can give even if didn’t manage to go to their nights. Not even once I’ve been there. But they have a knack for picking out dates that don’t fit me. Like this one. I’m in Southport that weekend.

Fat Lady
"It ain t over till the fat lady sings"

November 8th at Club Club Zonder Concessies

Live:
Stacey Epps (US / BBE)
Pursuit Grooves (US)
Onra (FR)

DJ’s
Fat Lady Soundsystem:
Dj Civil, Cut Nice, Lucky Dubz & Dj Thelonious

Hosted By: Colonel Red

Meer info: bsmusic@gmail.com

What started as a comment on the Cheeba Cheeba post went on to live its own life on Facebook in the form of a group. A group fighting the stupid policy between botanique and cafe bota that the latter can’t book "live" gigs because that’s the former’s domain. Kinda lame reason, innit ? And adding a MicroKorg keyboard and microphone to spice up your dj-sets is considered enough to see it as a "live" gig. Would they have said to Grandmaster Flash ‘ok, you can spin records but those 5 furious MC’s can only open their mouth to order something at the bar" ??? A big, fat Biz Markie styled "Gatouttahere!" is appropriate, I would say.

But through lobbying, and maybe a little bit because of that Facebook activity, the MicroKorg has been cleared. And I honestly don’t think not having a mic will stop J to the C from singing and shouting. Haha. We’re up for a great night again. Mark my words.

What’s nice is that the Cheeba Cheeba guys have their own ringtone. What a way to promote your party. Genius. Find it here.

Anyway, hope to see you all at Cafe Bota from 11pm on this Friday. 

To get you in the groove there’s this. Funky Bompa did some diggin’ in Santa Domingo last summer and mixed his 15 favourites together. Check out the story and mix here.

The man has a site. Looks good. Check it out.

If you want to send us track we can play in our sets there’s an easy way to do it. Through Soundcloud.com. Damn handy site. Our dropbox can be found here.

SoundCloud: The Tour from SoundCloud on Vimeo.

Although I’m not too fond of playing people’s music because they just died (such a negative reason, no? … we should continuously honour them if they are worth it), Disco Dalglish asked it so nicely if he could play this stone cold Onda Sonora classic by Alton Ellis, we’ve made an exception for once. Plus we give you plenty of freshness from FlyLo, The Revenge, Kenny Dope, Henrik Schwarz and Dubble D some looking back won’t hurt. And we play something very exclusive from Blaze.  

Watch out for next 2 weeks when we have guests in our studio. Red D & San Soda from We Play House Recordings and Brussels Techno don Home Run respectively.  

And we’ll introduce a new item in our show. Where we let people tell what changed their look on music. Which book, movie, album, whatever … . If you’re interested in being that person, drop a message in our mailbox.  

Check the show through the fm Brussel streaming.    

Alton Ellis – It’s a Shame (Soul Jazz)
Reefer - Let It Go / Flying Lotus Remix (Alpha Pup)
Will Powers - Adventures In Success / dub Copy (Strut)
Robert Palmer - Work To Make It Work / The Revenge Edit (OOFT)
Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man / Kenny Dope Remix (Giant Step)
LeRoy Hutson - Love the Feeling (Curtom)
Tanya ‘Sweet Tee’ Winley - Vicious Rap (Paul Winley Records)
Blaze - Here With Me (CDR)
Ashford & Simpson - It Seems to hang On (Warner Brothers)
Jazzanova - Let Me Show Ya / Henrik Schwarz Remix (Sonar Kollektiv) 
Alex Finkin & Reverend P feat. Jocelyn Mathieu - Lion In A Cage / Jon Cutler Distant Music Mix (Funk La Planet)
Nathan Haines - Right By Your Side / Restless Soul Peaktime Remix – (Chillifunk)
Dubble D - Rope Trick (Third Ear)

2 Solid soulful House releases to promote. Lately not too much goodness coming from that front. Or it is over-polished and too sweet for my taste (most NYC releases today) or it is formulaic pop (90% of all Defected & co releases). Nice too see some cats are still delivering the goods. Two of them just have new music out. Alton Miller and, Belgium based, Boddhi Satva.

Alton Miller - In Flight EP (Yore)
Still a big Detroit touch but a bit more straightforward than what we’re used of this town House music-wise. Reminding me a bit of Naked music releases. Still keeping it fresh though. If you like this then you must check Rick Wade (on the same label or Harmonie Park). Or vice versa.

Boddhi Satva - Reminiscence EP (Seasons Limited)
This gentle youngster is becoming a household name in the House scene rapidly (well, apart from the country where he lives - Belgium that is). Releasing on high profile labels like Osunlade’s Yoruba Records or Little Louie of Master At Work’s Vega Records. But this one is his 12" I love best. That "Isa" track is a killer.

First you can check Seun Kuti in the Ancienne Belgique and then it’s party time at Cafe Bota with Funky Bompa and Vic ‘n Llloyd. Last time they did this it was a blast. I’ll expect nothing less. see you all there.

Although I really want to hear some new stuff of the man himself, Trus’me keeps the good releases coming on his Prime Numbers imprint. The 5th release is about to drop and, in my opinion, it’s the best one yet. Some of the usual suspects (Fudge Fingas, Reggie Dokes and Discreet Unit) with the sound you have come to expect (utter electronic deepness). But even better than before. Pre-order it here. 

On the party front his Disco 3000 concept is really taking off. In Amsterdam (next one early December) and in Manchester where it’s a weekly night. Happening on Sunday. With the Unabombers, Marcus Intalex, Rick Wilhite and loads of others lined up for the weeks to come.

After a very long inactivity we’re Podcasting again.

To get you all prepared for our next GO BANG! party with as special guest Phil Asher I’ve recorded a mix with only his (co-)productions and remixes. After being astonished how many records I have with his name on I made a selection of essential tracks and / or personal favourites. It still turned out to be a massive amount of music. So the mix is more than 100 minutes long but I couldn’t leave out any songs without feeling I didn’t do my job properly. Sorry for those who can’t play mp3’s in their car stereo. You’ve got to split it yourself. Anyway, I tried to incorporate as many sides of Phlash’s music as I could. Slow, soulful and more broken or techy. Enjoy.

And don’t forget to come and dance at Biberium the 29 th of November.

Tracklist:
Blaze – I Think Of You / Restless Soul Inspiration Information Remix (Slip ‘N Slide)
Nathan Haines feat. Marlena Shaw – Squire For Hire (Chillifunk)
Focus – Having Your Fun (Versatile)
Restless Soul – Let Your Feelings Show (2000 Black)
Gigi – Gud Fella / Restless Soul Offcentre Mix (Palm)
T.Kolai – Zouk / Restless Soul Peaktime Mix (Chillifunk)
Restless Soul feat. Zansika – And I Know It (Seasons Limited)
Nathan Haines feat. Verna Francis – Earth Is The Place / Album Version FK Edit (Chillifunk)
Shuya Okino presents Phil Asher feat Josh Milan – Love Is The Key (Especial)
Nathan Haines – Right By Your Side / Restless Soul Peaktime Mix (Chillifunk)
Terri Walker – Ching Ching (Lovin’ You Still) / Restless Soul Vocal Mix (Def Soul UK)
Fonda Rae – Living In Ecstasy (I Like What You’re Doin’) / Restless Soul Rufftime Mix (Freetown)
Root Soul – Spirit Of Love / Restless Soul Boogie Mix (Especial)
Los Jugaderos – What You Doing To This Girl (Junior Boys Own)
Phoojun – Rainbow (BBE)
Afronaut – Transcend Me / Phil & Toni’s Spiritual Soul Mix (Fonz)
Black Joy – Metalbossa / Restless Soul Vocal Mix (Project)
Phlash & Friends – Revolution = Solution (Archive)
Focus – Marvin Is One / New Beat (Versatile)

Slowly our radio show is becoming more mature. First we needed to get accustomed to all the faders and knobs. Now that we are past that, we’re going to introduce some new items and invite more guests. Expect Red D & San Soda, Home Run, Phil Asher & others to pay us a visit in the weeks to come to talk about their music. Expect more info about our music. Expect more fun. Always interesting to have some chemistry between us and our guests.  

Don’t hesitate to give us feedback, by the way. Good or bad. We like to know what you think or what you would expect. We’re open for suggestions. Mail us at ondasonora@fmbrussel.be  

And I’m going to record a new episode for our Podcast this weekend. Dug up all the Phil Asher releases and productions out of my collection and selected some 20 tracks out of that surprisingly huge pile. To prepare you all a bit for our next Go Bang! party. Hopefully I get that uploaded by the end of the weekend.

Apparently they like playing together. After they first met recording the "Neve" radio show (see this post) they kept bumping into each other which led to this gig. At the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels. Sounds nice. Read more about it here. Attention, it all starts at 7pm. On November 17th that is.

A lot of people never reached further than that Carl Craig mix of Theo Parrish’s “Falling Up” (a still heavily requested tune), but the Detroit Beatdown series has got a lot more to offer than that. The second volume should drop soon with  3 EP’s already out in the shops. And there’s some nuggets on them. We’ve been playing lots of tracks from it in our sets and radio show last few months.

Always deep, raw and soulful, always fresh, always surprising. Although it all sounds definitely Detroit it never sounds formulaic nor are the songs clones of one another. It goes from midtempo vocal grooves to funked up electro to techy House music. But always with that motor city flavour. The guys behind this are Mike Clark, Norm Talley and Delano Smith, together with the ever fantastic Third Ear label. Disco Dalglish met Mike “Agent X” Clark this summer in Detroit. Seeing the man at work in his home town and meeting some of the local heads down there. Hopefully this results in some more cats from the D paying Belgium a visit to spin some records.

More info about Mike Clark and a mix from the man on the Restless Soul podcast.

Go out and collect all Detroit Beatdown releases. They’re all good. And dig a little deeper and see what other things the featured artists have produced. It’s worth the effort.

You might have noticed that there have been some minor changes to the column on your right. I’ve placed an embedded player of Laid Back’s online radio in it. We have a program on it called GO BANG! as you should know. Now it’s even easier to check that out. Redid some other things as well. Looks nice and should be handy.

If you experience some problems with this embedded player let me know. In Firefox all works well but I have my doubts about Explorer.

I’m subscribed to a zillion blogs but, to be honest, most of them I hardly read. I just flip through them in search for the rare interesting item. But there’s one I really love reading. And it’s one with a lot of text, little useful info, no free mp3’s (well sometimes it is but mostly not) and no pictures whatsoever. I read it because it are very funny tales about the life of an underground dj / producer. Written by Dominic Stanton aka Domu. Always reminds me we should ask him to play at our night. He’s tight behind the decks and I think he would connect well with our crowd.

Domu is filling in for Benji B, who’s off to the Red Bull Music Academy just like San Soda, next 2 weeks on the Deviation radio show. 

This week we’re playing lots of freshly delivered tunes. Starting off on the Jazzy Spiritual tip with the Kindred Spirits Ensemble, Ino Hidefumi and Matthew Herbert Big Band. We’re playing some edits made by Lefto and ourselves. And we’ll announce what’s up for next few weeks. And that means we’ll get a chance to play some Phil Asher. Expect more of him the coming episodes.  

Check it out tonight on fm Brussel 98.8 FM or through the streaming all week long.  

Kindred Spirits Ensemble feat. Pete Philly - Shining Liberation (Kindred Spirits)
Ino Hidefumi - Just The Two of Us (Innocent)
Jake One - The truth / Instrumental (Rhymesayers)
Matthew Herbert big Band - The Story / Demo Edit  (Accidental)
Gyedu Blay Ambolley & the Steneboofs - Simigwa Do / Lefto Edit (CDR)
Quasimode - Over The horizon / Soulphiction Remix (Sonar Kollektiv)
Caress - Opportunity (PAP)
The Mike Theodore Orchestra - Cosmic Wind / Onda Sonora Edit (CDR)
Bunny Sigler - By the way you Dance (Gold Mind)
Phlash and Friends – Running / Club mix (Archive)
Discreet Unit - Unit (Prime Numbers)
Exchange Bureau meets John Arnold - Spookie Dookie (Third Ear)
Ronnie Foster - Music Brew (Blue Note)

We’re very proud to present to you …

One of the unsung heroes of soulful underground music
A dj / producer who’s career spans almost 2 decades
Somebody who played at Southport Weekender, Ministry Of Sound, Co-Op, Inspiration Information and virtually every other funky place on this globe
A guy who’s done remixes for Fonda Rae, 4Hero, Jamiroquai, Bah Samba, Bugz in the Attic, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Arnold Jarvis, Peven Everett, Black Joy, Quentin Harris, Roy Ayers, Earth, Wind & Fire & more
Someone who released on labels like Versatile, Chillifunk, Soul Heaven, Archive, Raw Fusion, Especial, Estereo, Slip ‘n Slide, Junior Boy’s Own & more
The compiler of the excellent  “Jazz in the House” series
Someone who worked with Josh Milan from Blaze, Marc de Clive-Lowe, Nathan Haines & more

You might know him from projects called Phlash & friends, Focus, Los Jugaderos, Phoojun, Restless Soul & more

The one and only

PHIL ASHER (UK, RESTLESS SOUL) 

Onda Sonora Soundsystem will take care of the warming up / closing down duties.

From 10pm on at Biberium (the former Strictly Niceness home and right next to the Central Station).

ATTENTION: NEW VENUE. This way we are able to meet the complaints about the poor choice of beers (and price) plus we are more in control of the sound.

Entrance fee is 5 € before midnight and 7 € after.

We hope to all welcome you on our dance floor on this special night. This is only a first step into bringing you Soulful artists and dj’s who otherwise never come to our little country. So, we can use all the support you can give us. Together we’ll make this a warm and enjoyable haven in this cold world.

SPREAD THE WORD …