Chris Joss is one funky man. If you don't believe me, haven't heard of him, or if you love funk music, you owe it to yourself to check out his latest album, Monomaniacs Vol. 1. I interviewed him back when his last album was out and he spoke a bit about this one. His original intention was to present this album as if it were a compilation. That explains the title. He was even considering making up fictitious bands to credit. He scrapped that idea, and that's good for him. He deserves all the credit here. [ CD ] | read more...

In a lot of ways this is music for those peculiarly shattered moments, when you're dealing with some heavy emotions, and because of them feel a kind of renewed strength, empathy and humility. It's disarming like that, and not at all simple. I'm talking about Mavis, a project from Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris, that holds as its sole major inspiration a cover version of a Burt Bacharach tune called "A House is Not a Home". The version was performed by the revered Mavis Staples. If you know that song, one listen here and you'll know that Mavis have faithfully recreated and explored its soul throughout each of the songs on this album. [ CD ] | read more...

As a single from his forthcoming, fourth album The Cut Up, Dub Gabriel's Luv n' Liv is something quite interesting. It manages to bring together some unlikely, and heavy talent. On vocals you'll hear toasting legend U-Roy. Playing bass is David J, whom you may know from his past work in bands like Bauhaus and Love And Rockets. The whole collaboration was touched off by no less than Scientist, an undeniable legend in the dub world. Following the talent trail further reveals Ysanne Spevack on strings, who recently finished work with Smashing Pumpkins. To call this a motley crew is definitely an understatement. But then you have to consider the remixers too. [ CD ] | read more...