Bongo Chilli - Real Musician!

Bongo has and alway will be heat!
The legacy of UK ragga continues with his hot new cut "REAL MUSICIAN"
Check it out!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/01_real_musician-mp3.html

www.bongochilli.com
www.myspace.com/peppaman

Mark Ronson - Version

Mark Ronson
Version
(Sony BMG)
3 Stars

Mark Ronson is a english party dj turned producer/entrepreneur based in New York City.
Much is made of Ronson's credentials and connections in his press release, but my knowledge of him is limited which leads me to believe he is more of a regional sensation then anything else.
Version is his second album and sees him remaking some big contemporary pop material by artists such as Coldplay, Radiohead, Britney Spears, The Smith and more, in a Mowtown/Stax 70's era style and roping in guest vocalists like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Robbie Williams and Old Dirty Bastard(RIP). Version does possess a certain something, an almost x-factor. But is dragged down by the overkill factor of so many guest artists and remakes of classic songs. Regardless I must applaud the Mark Ronson for making the effort to showcase remake/refix culture on such an epic scale.

Martyn Pepperell

James Brown - Dynamite X

J

James Brown

Dynamite X

(Couch Records/Universal Australia/Border Distribution)

3.5 Stars

James Brown was a pioneer of funk music and by a different stroke of the same brush the grandfather of hip-hop and breakbeat influenced dance music. From this point of view Dynamite X makes perfect sense. Take a select handful of international producers, dj's and musicians and let them loose with the layers to his many classic cuts.

The result is a mixed bag, but in this case it relates more to the perspective of the listener.

Dynamite X is a brilliant album for club dj's and dance music fans. For the home listener or closed minded funk purist it may all be a bit too much. Remix artists include Fantasista, Cornelius, Cay Taylan, Listen to Munro and more. Songs tackled include 'Funky Drummer', 'Call Me Superbad' and 'Sex Machine'. The 'Sex Machine' remix is a particular standout with it's funkier then funk punchy breakbeat loops. So damn fresh!

Martyn Pepperell

Blonde Redhead - 23

Blonde Redhead
23
(4AD/Rhythmethod)
4 Stars

Blonde Redhead are back and in the opinion of some (mostly the blogger massive) really hitting their stride with somewhat of a landmark album entitled 23. I am unfortunately not a blogger or a long term Blonde Redhead fan so I can't really validate this opinion.
What I can tell you is 23 has nothing to do with the recent Jim Carey film of the same name and is a beautiful sonic journey through high eerie vocals, melodic guitar riffs and rhythmic drum beats.
On a technical geek level I noticed that 23 is one of the louder recent soft rock style albums I've heard which may have something to do with the roping in of Alan Moulder and Rich Costey on mixing duties.
Blonde Redhead have captured a strong and comfortable sound in their music, one that is drenched in feeling.
23 is definitely worth a listen or two.

Martyn Pepperell

JB - GCP (Press Release)

J.B Sets Out To Release His Latest Single Around The World

Toronto, ON – April 27, 2007 - Toronto's most hyped rapper: J.B is set to release his new single “Fire In Your Eyes” featuring The Game internationally. The song has been one of the top requested songs at underground radio shows across the country, including The Masterplan Show in Toronto, Canada’s premier hip hop show. It is currently being added in rotation in commercial stations across the U.K. and the U.S. and presently enjoying success in clubs in the U.K., Australia , mainland Europe and Japan.

Fire in Your Eyes is J.B’s latest single from his upcoming album: My Environment, which is due out in fall/winter 2008. The album includes a number of impressive guest appearances by artists such as multi-platinum rapper The Game, Dipset’s JR Writer, Nicole Wray, Warner Music prominent street MC Gravy and others.

At the same time, the video for “Fire In Your Eyes” will be delivered to TV music stations in the weeks to come.

My Environment will be J.B.'s first solo venture. He has two prior critically-acclaimed albums released with G.C.P. "The Turf's Hot" and "Crime Connects" gave J.B. the reputation of representing for one of Toronto's toughest neighbourhoods: Flemingdon Park.

He brings that same street sense and vitality to his current work.
The album will be released world-wide and J.B is currently in negotiations to secure international distribution.

"The wait's over and the game's about to change."
J.B. (Whatcha Need)

http://www.jbzworld.com/videos/Fire_in_ya_eyes.mp4

For media enquiries / interviews, please contact:

contact@concept-inc.ca

Concept Inc.

www.concept-inc.ca

UB40: A Collection of Musical Influences & Inspirations

UB40: A Collection of Musical Influences & Inspirations
Under The Influence
(DMC Publishing/Border Music)
3.5 Stars

UB40 are arguably the number one reggae act of all time, bear in mind I say arguably, and this claim is based on records sales, chart positions and touring schedules over the course of their three decade long career. Personally I have never really thought that much of their music.
Regardless Under The Influence is a collection of music that has influenced UB40 over the years, and too be honest they have alright music taste. We get a selection of Black American artists like Micheal Jackson, Smokey Robinson and Otis Redding, then they chuck in some classic Jamaican artists such as Big Youth, Bob Marley, John Holt, Lee Perry and so on.
Under The Influence is mostly good music and would serve well as a soul, jazz, reggae compilation album for a listener looking for a collection of material they mostly know already with the odd fun rarity thrown in.

Martyn Pepperell

Soul Jazz Records Presents

Soul Jazz Records Presents
Studio One Kings: The Originals
(Soul Jazz Records/Southbound Distribution)
4 Stars

Soul Jazz Records have built a reputation for re-releasing quality reggae, soul, jazz, funk and disco music in the modern era. In this respect Studio One Kings: The Originals is more or less what we have come to expect from this label. 17 cuts of classic Studio One reggae music from vintage Jamaican artists such as Horace Andy, Burning Spear, Ken Boothe, John Holt and more performing timeless standards such as 'Every Tongue Shall Tell', 'Them A Come' and 'Be Yourself'.
Should you be familiar with the Soul Jazz or Studio One catalogs you know exactly what to expect from this release.
If not, you are in store for a delightful sonic journey though warm deep bass, rough echoing organs and guitars, heavy defined skipping drums and the beautiful vocal tonality that Jamaican music has become known for the world over, essential listening for reggae fans old and new.

Martyn Pepperell