Second edition in our new Podcast series for which we’ve asked friends that influenced us to contribute a mix. Check it here.

DJ Xogn only stepped into our world recently but he managed to make a big impression nevertheless. He is a collector, record merchant and DJ who spent a part of his live in Dakar, Senegal. There he was DJ at the Koulgraoul parties. That alone should be reason enough to ask him to do a mix. But there’s more. The few times we saw him at work, he dropped so much unknown gems that I didn’t even bother to ask him about it. I would have been stalking him constantly and, as a DJ myself, I know that’s irritating. Asking him to contribute to this series of Podcasts seemed like a better idea. He made an African funk mix that consists, apart from that Matata track, of tunes I haven’t heard before. A collection of raw, funky grooves that work infectious on the hips.

Can’t give you much links of ways to contact him but we can always forward any questions. Just send us a mail if you need more info.

If want to check the man at work, that’s possible. He plays alongside DJ ReeDoo, at Cafe Bota Stereo on Friday the 6th of February. The day before our night. 

Like last time I’ve made a cover for when you burn it on CD.
 
Track List:
Kalle & L’African Team : African Boogaloo
El Rego & Ses Commandos: Feeling you got
Sebastien Pynasco & Poly Rythmo : Medida
Orchestre Baobab : Kelen ati len
Dr Nico / Bovic & African Fiesta : Sookie
Matata : Wanna do my thing
Ikenga Super Stars Of Africa : Greedy man
Fela Ransome Kuti : Beautiful dancer
Victor Uwaifo & The Titibities : Ominigie
Asiko : Love & peace
Ifan Bondi & The Afro Mandingue Sounds : Atis-a-tis
Etoile De Dakar : Tolou Badopu Ndiaye
Star Number One : Macakki
Myriam’s Quintette : Solo quintette

This is a book I most certainly will buy and read. From the people who brought "Last Night A DJ saved My Live". Read all about it here.

One for the One-Handed / Paul White fans. Interview, mix and cheeky cutup all here.

Our good and well respected friend Lefto has been playing our Diana Ross edit for 2 weeks in a row now on his “De Hop” radio show on Studio Brussel. Which we appreciate a lot off course. This gives me the opportunity to point out that he puts the mixes he does (without GUS’ announcements) online. You’ll find them, with track list, here.

Enjoy.

Good thing about the people at 1Xtra not cutting their shows very precisely is that I always catch the last song of Robbo Ranx’ show. Discovered this Shaggy tune that way and I absolutely adore it. Orchestral Dancehall. Gotta be honest, didn’t see it coming. But love it.

Haven’t got the faintest idea of this one is already huge in the charts. Should be. But so far off from the mainstream I don’t know.

Lots of good dj’s coming to Belgium next couple of months (although mostly on the same day(s)). 27/03 it’s Mr Scruff in Ghent. Firmly recommended. Always a true education in skills and selection.

Talking about bad timing. Qtip is coming to the AB on the same night as the Stones Throw package is coming to Trix. I go for that last one.  

Tonight we give away 2 “Deep Electronic Sounds” albums from the Phlash & Friends project. All you’ve got to do is listen and give an answer to the question we ask somewhere during the show. We play off course something from that plus new tracks by Mayer Hawthorne (that killer Astronote remix), Altered Natives, Mitsu The Beats and Hudson Mohawke. And some classics. And some new Onda Sonora edits.

If it sounds a bit sloppy at times that’s because we had some major technical difficulties before we could record. Would be handy if the others using the studio wouldn’t always try to rebuilt it or whatever. Too much stress on a Monday night.

Listen to it live, from 10 to 11pm tonight, on 98.8fm if you are in the Brussels area or online. Or through the streaming all week after it has been aired.

Track List:
Mayer Hawthorne & The County - Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out / Astronote Remix (CDR)
Faze-O - Riding High (She Records)
Innerzone Orchestra - People Make The World Go Round / J88 Worldwide Edit (Planet E)
DJ Mitsu the Beats – Gaggle Instrumental no. ? (Jazzy Sport)
Hudson Mohawke - Polkadot Blues (Warp)
Milton Wright - Keep It Up (EMI)
ZZ Hill - I Wanna Be Your Every Need / Onda Sonora Edit (CDR)                       
Material - Over And Over (Strut)
Phlash And Friends feat. Zansika - Think About It (Archive)
Candido - Dancin’ And Prancin’ / Onda Sonora Edit (CDR)                     
The Mighty Clouds Of Joy - Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC Records)
Main Ingredient - Evening Of Love / J&M Edit (White)                
Altered Natives - Bullet Blade Knuckle Slap / Souled Remix (Fresh Minute)
Stayshon 2 Stayshon - My, My, My / Dance Naked 2 My Dub (Kanduet)

The flyer for 54 Kolaktiv’s Mo’Yo’Fro party happening end of February is ready. Looking forward to it.

Something for the diehard collectors among you. Jakob aka AME from the Afterhours crew has started an online shop. He’s been our local Kon (or Amir) for years now and this site is proof of that. It’s got lots of Soul, Funk and other goodies. Not cheap but it’s for those needing the originals.

One of the names that’s been popping up quite a lot recently is Souled. You might have seen their productions in the playlists of most London based radio programs we like, you might have spotted their 12” in the shops or heard one of their remixes somewhere. What I’ve heard of them was always spot on. It’s deep, moody and fresh and I don’t need much more than that to get pleased.

If you like their music as much as I do, don’t hesitate to buy their 12” on Fresh Minute Music. Watch out for other releases on that label too. Got sent an Altered Natives EP (with a Souled remix) that’s very hot. Proving Broken beat is far from over.

And although I always fear for the worst when an artist puts an acapella on their 12” (that Jazzanova remix competition for example produced some toe curling bagger), the Souled remix of Erykah Badu’s “Honey” is one of the motivations to keep applauding the act. Proper slow House gem. Find it here for free.

Some info. Our new t-shirts are almost sold out. If you have reserved one there’s no need to panic, just let me know where I can hand it over. I will have them with me at Dieter’s birthday party and at our gig at Cafe Bota. Male medium and large shirts are gone, by the way. All other sizes are almost gone.

On top of that we’re doing a little sale. We still got “Love Saves The Day” shirts left. The black one with the print shown above on the breast. M, L, XL & XXL’s for males and XS & S for females. We’re selling them for 5 euro a piece. Send us a mail if you want one.

Yesterday’s gig at Maison Du Peuple was fun. Although we got some strange requests, crazy people babbling on about the Simple Minds (and when I told I hated them, I got asked repeatedly what music I liked – mind you, I just had finished a 6h set) and mad drunk people falling into the booth constantly, we also got a lot of love. For which we are thankful. Even got a guy telling me that if I were a girl he would have told me I was a hot thing. Yep, it was one of those nights.

Great bar although they got to work on the sound. Will need to test my new edit on another system to know how hard it pumps. Big up to the nice owners, Anthony and the lovely staff. And to our little family always supporting us.   

And got to tell y’all, not drinking any alcohol opens up new worlds for you. Never knew everybody (and I mean everybody) was that drunk at the end of a night. I’m beginning to really enjoy that part of going out.

The release of Phil Asher’s Phlash & Friends album, called Deep Electronic Sounds, is imminent. Early February it should be in the shops. We’ve been raving about it for what seems ages now and when you’ll hear it you’ll know why. It’s that good.

Next Tuesday (27/02) we’ll give away 2 of them. Yes, we will give away, completely for free and before it’s in the shops, 2 ‘Deep Electronic Sounds’ albums on CD (no vinyl release is planned – already some 12”s out, more to come). But we won’t be handing them out to just anyone. You’ll have to prove you earn them. So you better start listening to his music, double-check all the facts and buy all his music. Or be sure to know a thing or two about Onda Sonora. Just to be prepared. We know those CD’s are hot property and we want to be sure they end up in the right hands.

Listen to our show next Tuesday for lots of Phil Asher music and the all important question after which you can mail us on the usual address. In the meanwhile start studying.

Just a little reminder that we are playing at Maison Du Peuple in St-Gilles tomorrow. From 10pm on till we get kicked out. Really looking forward to it. It’s been a while since we’ve been behind decks in front of people. Might give some new edits their first spin. If I can finish them in time. Expect some major across the board funkyness. All styles, all tempos, all good. Entrance is free, drinks are at fair prices.  

If you feel the need to confirm your presence head for the Facebook event we made for it. And while you are there feel free to invite some friends.

The 21^st of February has got to be the busiest quality party night in years here in Belgium. Untitled!, Wonderful and now the first anniversary of We Play House Recordings. They’ve invited a true legend for that. Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers. If you love House music and don’t know him, you’re an ignorant fool and nothing else. They come rarely any bit more essential than this. True pioneer of the more subtle style of the genre, one of the Chicago legends, man who never has gone for easy success and still is as much on top of his game as he was when he started. I’ve seen him play twice, both times it was genius.

Supporting him will be Red D, San Soda & Lenny. Place to be is Decadance in Ghent. Entrance fee is 5 euro.

Both releases on the might WPH-label have been giving more than a little attention by us. We even invited Red D and San Soda to the radio studio for an interview this year. Looking forward to what they’ll bring in 2009.

Excited about the months to come. Lots of good stuff to check here in Belgium (and abroad). Lets give you a roundup:

13/2 – Het Depot, Leuven – Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, Lefto and some Italian Jazz I really don’t like.
21/2 – Trix, Antwerp – Hudson Mohawke, Rustie and a lot of Dupstep
21/2 – Tavernier, Brussels – Wonderful with Simbad, Cris Prolific, Lefto and BrownMo
11/3 – Trix, Antwerp – Dâm-Funk, Mayer Hawthorne, Peanut Butter Wolf
29/4 – De Kreun, Kortrijk – Flying Lotus Gaslamp Killer, Samiyam
14/5 – Botanique, Brussels – Flying Lotus

 And then there’s off course the Strange Fruit people in Rotterdam plugging some great artists. They’ll have nights on 14/2 (homegrown talents), 21/2 (Jazzanova) and 2/5 (Flying Lotus). In Rotterdam. Club Zonder Consessies if I’m not mistaken.

And there’s more coming from our own. Or things where we add our 2 cents. Some really exciting things. But more about that later.

Boddhi Satva is a great talent who’s living in Belgium. Been playing his Isa track on my iPod on constant repeat for ages now. Criminally underrated by the country he lives in, getting respect abroad from giants in the House genre like Osunlade and Little Louie Vega. Nice to see Kwak doing some effort to change that. An interview with the man on the Strictly Niceness Blog (In French). Big up.

One of the dj’s that is on top of our wants list for our own party is Rahaan. This Chicago Disco aficionado has been in Brussels before for a legendary nights from what’ve heard but it’s time to bring him back. Saw him at Southport and adored his set there. Proper deep Disco the way I like it. Brought the way I like it. Something lacking these days where dj’s only show off their perfect mixing technique or newest / rarest records. Rahaan got the skills and the killer records but above all he’s got what it takes to be great dj; he’s got a story to tell. So if you see him spinning near you, check it out.

The skills he has as a dj are reflected in his edits. He’s not just tagging his name onto rare records just for the sake of building up some reputation. Nope, he cuts and pastes until you got a proper dj version of the track. If you bring them right they are devastating on the dance floor.

Some of his edits are released. On Love4Music and on KAT records. That last label has just dropped their second 12” with Rahaan reworks. The Kokomo track has been playing on my iPod every morning since I got it. As a sonic breakfast to prepare me for the day to come. All other releases on this mighty fine label are firmly recommended too. I’ve always got some in my box when I go out to play.

This week we give away 3 duo tickets for the Zucchini Drive / Antipop Consortium concert at Nijdrop in Opwijk on the 29th of January. Drop us a mail if you want one. On top of that we do a little Motown special to celebrate the 50th birthday of this legendary label. Instead of playing the obvious ‘60s or ‘70s classics we pull out some personal favourites from the Disco era. And we play the killer Bopstar and Wbeeza tunes, 2 big hits at the Onda Sonora HQ. Enjoy.

Listen to the show live from 10 to 11pm tonight on fm brussel or through the streaming online after it has been aired.

Maximillion Dunbar - K / Z-RO Edit (Future Times)
Antipop Consortium - Ping Pong (Warp)

>>> Motown Special <<<
Eddie Kendricks - He’s A Friend (Tamla)
Eddie Kendricks - Girl You Need A Change Of Mind (Motown)
Diana Ross - One Love / Onda Sonora Edit (Motown)
Tata Vega - Get It Up For Love (Tamla)
Diana Ross - The Boss (Motown)
Syreeta - Can’t Shake Your Love (Motown)
The Originals - Down To Love Town / Dimitri From Paris Edit (Motown)
Touch - Love Hangover / Onda Sonora Edit (Zafiro)
>>> End Special <<<

Bopstar feat. Zara McFarlane - Captured / Restless Soul Mix (Soul Heaven)
Wbeeza - He’s So Crazy (Third Ear)

Although we are both very active on the Mixtape front we’ve asked some friends to make a mix for us to put on our Podcast page. All of them are people we respect a lot and have influenced us musically and often even beyond that. Not all are as hardcore dj’s as we are. Some of them are (mainly) collectors or simply lovers of good music. The common factor is that we have crazy respect for their knowledge and / or skills. Some of them have influenced us more than the Benji B’s, Theo Parrish’s or Dimitri From Paris’ of this world.

First one in this series is a mix made by Nick Blow. An Englishman living in Brussels who’ve we met a couple a years ago through our common love for quality Soulful parties (he’s a Southport Weekender legend). Since then we’ve been slowly discovering his vast knowledge of the music we adore, his many experiences and friends. He has introduced us to Rainer Trüby, Phil Cooper, Blaze, Boddhi Satva and Roger Sastre for example.

When we were invited into his record room early this year, more than a little impressed, we didn’t have to think twice about asking him if he could make us a mixtape. The result is a very nice vocal House mix that’s been on constant repeat ever since I’ve got it. Schooling us again.

A big thanks to Nick for the mix and everything else. And a big up to the Blow family. All loving the good music as much as we do.

If you’ll burn this mix on a CD you can download a sleeve design here.

Track List:
Lonesome Echo Production featuring Byron Stingily - Sweet Dream (Disorient)
Amp Fiddler - Eye to Eye / Unreleased Kenny Dope mix (Camp Amp)
95 north - Elevation (Large)
Masters at Work - Our Mute Horn (Cutting)
Cassio Ware - Makin’ Love (Music USA)
Black Rascals - Keeping My Mind (Sumo)
Kings of Tomorrow - Let It Go (Black Vinyl)
DJ Oji and Una - We Lift Our Hands In The Sanctuary (SancSoul)
95 North - Soon to be Free (Distant)
Voices - Voices in My Mind (Sound Of Ministry)
Karizma - The Power (Black Vinyl)
Nikos - Speaking in Tongues (Under My Skin)
Jazzanova - Let Your Heart Be Free (Sonar Kollektiv)

Bopstar feat. Zara McFarlane – Captured (Soul Heaven)
Infinitskills – Kismet (CDR)
Moodymann – Det.Riot EP (Mahogani)
Rhythm Based Lovers – Snow Drift (Future Times)
Madlib – Lifetime (Lifeline) (Stones Throw)
Dorian Concept – The Fucking Formula (Nod Nivigators)
Flying Lotus feat. Dolly – Roberta Flack / Martyn’s Heart Beat Mix (Warp)
Onra – My Comet (All City)
Maximillion Dunbar – K / Z-Ro Edit (Future Times)
J*Davey – No More (Interdependent)
Joy Jones – The Joy / Daru’s Drop It Remix (Record Breakin’)
Wbeeza – He So Crazy (Third Ear)
Dâm Funk – Rhythm Trax (Stones Throw)
Aretha Franklin – Jump To It / BC Edit (Disco Deciance)
Kai Alcé feat Phantom Azulu – Power Thru EP (NDTAL)
Floating Points – Love Me Like This (CDR)
Little Dragon – Twice / Aaron Jerome Remix (Peacefrog)

If you are anything like us and like 80’s Electro Boogie this is a truly essential mix. Almost any mix by Greg Wilson is that. I’ve seen the man for the first time at work last year and enjoyed every bit of it. Discovering him opened up a world I’ve been happily lost in ever since. The music he’s famous for is maybe the niche of the musical spectrum I love the most. To the point I even buy the not even remotely decent releases because there’s always at least 10 seconds I really like on them. Haha.

Head for the essential mix he did for BBC Radio 1 and enjoy. 

One of the stand out cuts in his set at our Go Bang! party. Out now. This ones is addictive, no less. Phil Asher doing it again remixing his Restless Soul colleague Bopstar. That bass, those vocal stabs. So heavy. Can’t wait to cause mayhem with this on dance floors. Hot!

Time to let you know some exciting things happening abroad. Tomorrow Motor City Drum Ensemble and Trus’me are playing at Dekmantel in Amsterdam. Really feeling bad about missing this. Line-ups like these we rarely get over here. Our friend Phil Asher is, next to releasing killer music, doing some nice things partywise. The release party (18/02) of the Phlash & Friends album with a stellar line up: Benji B, Afronaut, Bopstar, Zed Bias and Plash himself next to PA’s from Zansika, Sandra Nkake and Shea Soul. Free entrance and everything. On a Wednesday night in London though. And there’s the Inspiration Information party with Al Kent and the Development Music boys from Manchester. Same venue, 10 days later.

Not sure if I’ll be able attend one of those. What I’m certainly doing is the Shelter night at Ministry of Sound on the 7^th of March. Timmy Regisford, Quentin Harris, Phil Asher, Jazzie B (Soul II Soul), Josh Milan (Blaze) Live PA and more.

The same day / weekend there’s something swell going on in Frankfurt too. A Soul weekender called Uptight. Some of our favourite dj’s in the genre are playing there. Terry Jones and Thierry Boulanger for example. Disco Dalglish will be on that dance floor.

Plenty of party occasions. No need to whine about the lack of it over here. Just need more time and money to be able to attend them all.

If it gets a little quiet on this Blog lately that’s because we’re working on a lot of projects right now. Some of them you know already (the parties) and some of them will see the light of day pretty soon.

First up will be a series of Podcast mixes by friends whose musical knowledge we respect a lot. Not always hardcore dj’s like ourselves but sometimes collectors of the finest order. Most of them will be unknown to most of you but they all have influenced us. Some of them have, even more then the Benji B’s, Norman Jay’s or Theo Parrish’s of this world, been essential to our musical education. We’ll kick this series off early next week.

In a few weeks we hope to have our new site online. It’ll be better structured and more suited to the promotion of ourselves and what we do then the current blog. Which will continue to exist in a new form. Way too much fun to do and a great way to meet likeminded people. But up until now it was a bit difficult to clearly present you the many facets of Onda Sonora. That’ll change. I hope to tell you the date we share this with the world somewhere next week or the week after that.

On the promotion front you’ll see us moving out of the shadows this year. Time to make some noise about ourselves. Time to do stuff a bit more “professional” too. Meaning we are organising ourselves more, even legally, to achieve our goals. Making Onda Sonora more than just 2 guys organising parties and dj’ing. We’ve silently built a community but now we need to get that a bit structured. Expanding and maintaining our network is also part of that. The first results of that will be visible in the months to come.

A lot is moving on the edit front too. We were offered some help with the technical side of it, we got props from a lot of people we highly respect and we have some plans with them. What exactly is not entirely clear yet but we need to make some more of them before we can do what we have in mind. We’ll certainly shine some light on the edit phenomenon in our radio show and podcasts. Maybe we need to explain the why of it all first before continues with our wild plans. Keep an eye on this and other blogs we like. Or listen to De Hop this week to hear one of our edits.

This all takes up a lot of our time. Which results in less posts on this blogs. But be sure it’s only a temporary slow period.