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DISCOVERIES
"Wu-Chronicles, Volume 2"; "Another Late Night"
Dave Chamberlain
V/A
"Wu-Chronicles, Volume 2"
(Wu-Tang/Priority)
For the second collection of B-sides, outtakes and remixes from every sect of Brooklyn's extended Wu-Tang family, executive producers RZA and Mark Copeland cull from the Clan's most diverse and artistic side projects—more so than on last year's volume one of the "Wu-Chronicles." Kicking off with "Above the Clouds" from Gang Starr and Inspectah Deck, the first ten songs are, in fact, a clinic in oppressive, grainy hip hop, from GZA's "Hip Hop Fury" (with RZA, Hell Raiza, Royal Fam and Dreddy Kruger) to the underrated Gravediggaz "Dangerous Minds." But the back seven songs make the record. A Jon Spencer Blues Explosion collaboration with Killah Priest yields the dark, methodically jeep-cracking "Greyhound Part 2"; DJ Spooky and Killah Priest combine for a typically illbient, murky "Catechism"; on "Eyes a Bleed" (RZA remix), Jamaican dancehaller Bounty Killer joins forces with Masta Killa in a perfect combination of crisp dancehall and rolling hip hop. Add to that a sweaty track with D'Angelo (featuring Redman and Method Man), "Left and Right," and a glimpse of the Clan's newest family members, Black Knights, and what you've got is seventeen tracks of NYC's finest. Fila Brazillia
"Another Late Night"
(Kinetic)
Kicking off Kinetic Records' "Another Late Night" series is a downtempo, late-night mix by Hull-based DJ team Fila Brazillia, whose "Brazillification" double-CD from last year compiled the best of FB's remixes—including the ranks of Radiohead, Mixmaster Morris and ACR. The aim here is to present mellow, almost background music that should never intrude as you're watching the sun rise, and FB nails it, compiling tracks that span nearly thirty years and nearly as many genres. Coming off the blocks with John Barry's "The Persuaders Theme," Fila Brazillia moves through roots-dub (Prince Alla's "Bucket Bottom"), old-school R&B-jazz (Marvin Gaye's "T Plays It Cool," from the "Trouble Man" soundtrack) and experimental dance (Brian Eno's bhangra-heavy "Regiment"). The inclusion of David Holmes' slick acidjazzy "Rodney Yates," as well as Brazillia's own cover of the jazz standard "Nature Boy," puts the record at a climax, letting FB spend the next six songs in denouement, including Outside's ultra-downtempo, spare and haunting "Blue Skies," and Nightmares of Wax' beautifully lush, postmodern French pop "Les Nuits." Closing off is a blast from lounge music's obscure past, the Swingle Singers' "Prelude and Fugue in C Minor."
(2001-07-19)
Also by Dave Chamberlain
RAW MATERIAL
One of the more impressive newcomers to Chicago, Pearly Sweets and the Platonics relocated to the city from New Haven, Connecticut, at the beginning of the year, because the band "wanted to get into the R&B mix with indie rock," according to lead singer/organist Pearly Sweets.
(2001-07-12)
RAW MATERIAL
The 55-year-old native of Kingston, Jamaica, and owner of Martins Interculture, Inc, began the festival nine years ago to "Unite people together, regardless of their ethnicity and cultural background."
(2001-07-05)
RAW MATERIAL
They've given the intellectual and figurative middle finger to everyone from AT&T, Luke Perry, The New York Times, Henry Rollins and River Phoenix to Pearl Jam, Pepsi, Raygun, The Wedding Present and the Village Voice. But presently, their office is ash.
(2001-06-28)
RAW MATERIAL
The fifth MoBfest (Music Over Business festival) kicks off Thursday night, and oh how the questions burn. Who will be the next act signed to a major label? Will anyone? Will anyone show?
(2001-06-21)
RAW MATERIAL
(2001-06-14)
RAW MATERIAL
(2001-06-07)
SIZE MATTERS
(2001-06-07)
RAW MATERIAL
(2001-05-31)
RAW MATERIAL
(2001-05-24)
RAW MATERIAL
(2001-05-17)
RAW MATERIAL
(2001-05-10)
RAW MATERIAL
(2001-05-03)
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Newcity Communications, Inc.
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