Musical Pirate

The French Webzine Cultiz.com collected some tunes by a lot of talented beatmakers on their recent project "Cultiz Ton Beat".  On a total of 17 tracks you will find artists like Goomar, Roger Molls , Le Melodist, DJ Lumi and many more displaying their skills. The fresh sounding beats are based on a huge variety of samples that mostly find their origins in the jazz and soul genre. Nice tracks to groove and/or relax to - and its all for free! Get the stream and download on Bandcamp . Cultiz Ton Beat by Roger Molls

Biography : One of the most successful, and certainly one of the most prolific, German rock groups of the '60s, the Rattles enjoyed reasonable success in their native land without making much of an impression elsewhere (though some of their material was released in other countries). Starting out in the same Star Club-based Hamburg scene as the Liverpool groups of the early '60s, their early repertoire was built upon a similar base of '50s rock and soul/R&B. They released about 30 singles during the '60s (some on the Star-Club label itself), as well as almost ten albums, eventually making the transition to original material, and marching on well into the 1970s. (by Richie Unterberger) Tracklist : 01.You Can't Have Sunshine Everyday 3:02 02.The Mask 2:39 03.I Will 4:46 04.Where Is the Friend 2:23 05.Guy 2:22 06.The Witch 2:58 07.Worm Eaten Wood 3:32 08.Virgin 2:46 09.Rescue 3:39 10.Man 2:49 11.Eleanor Rigby 9:52 12.Suzie Q 6:06 Bonus Track : 13.The Witch (single ...

One word that comes to mind when thinking of Esben Brandt's music is definitely "soothing". Thats how you could describe the guitarist's last album featuring Fredrik Ljungkvist and it is also fitting for his new record "Constants". Here he is joined by notable names like RJ Miller on drums, Tomasz Dabrowski on trumpet and Anders Christensen on Bass. Aside from the uptempo track "Three Melodies" this album by the acclaimed Danish jazz composer is more about the aforementioned calm moods and melodies. Now you might call it Nordic Jazz tradition, music for quiet moments or something like that but this will only tell you half the story. Sure you will find some nice tunes to kick your feet back on this album but taking a closer look at how those soothing moods are constructed you will see that there is more to this album. Tracks like "The Story" or "Curie" are good examples of how all instruments blend together perfectly into an qu...

Beside their Frozen Planet 69 project the Attard brothers from Sydney also form the three piece rock band Mother Mars. Completed with Nathan Gatt on Keys this group is taking their love for psychedelic stoner sounds to the next level. The new digital release "Claimed by the Cloner" features harp and vocals by Dave Schembri on "The Cloner" and a dynamic instrumental tune in "Another Spare Flat Tyre". The heavy psychedelic moods on this one are made of excellent riffs and intense jams. There's a solid drive in every tune and a great approach to old and gritty rock sounds. The release also features a full and unedited version of "The Cloner" which spans almost ten minutes. Get the full stream on Bandcamp . Claimed By The Cloner by Mother Mars

Let me introduce you to another great Hip Hop label named Mic Theory Records. It is home to String Theory's excellent s/t record and the talented Epidemic rap duo. Hex One, one half of the duo is also featured on the latest digital release by Wordsworth. The new single "Buy Time" is an incredible laid back rap track with jazz samples and great production by Monowax. The virtual B-side features an equally impressive tune in "Soul on Paper" by Hex One. Emotional lyrics over a dusty and grooving beat make this one a real stunner. Take this small release as an introduction to more great rap music you will explore through these artists and this label. Get the stream on Bandcamp . Buy Time ft. Hex One (Produced by Monowax) by Wordsworth

Here & Now Records just added another release to their funky roster. The new compilation focusses on the works of the Leeds-based record label ATA and their tunes from the 60s and 70s. What you can hear on the twelve tracks is not only a well documented history of a great label but also some of the funkiest british tracks from this decade. Just like the title suggests, you will also find some heavy afro influnces in the tracks by "The Sorcerers", a serious funk banger in Cleveland Freckleton's "The Flip" or dynamic sitar sounds on Ivan von Engelberger's Asteroid's track "Thought Forms". And let's not forget those incredible slow jams like "Hawkshaw Philly". You will really find all kinds of grooves that the funk  genre can give you. Get the full stream on Bandcamp . Funk, Soul and Afro Rarities : An Introduction to ATA Records by The Sorcerers

Biography : Nosy Parker has been mislabeled as psychedelia, Baroque pop, folk-rock, and prog rock by zealous rare-vinyl dealers and collectors across the globe, but it doesn't quite fit in any of those categories exactly. It does, however, draw from each of those sources, some with more success than others. Regardless of whether the descriptions truly represent Nosy Parker's sound, with the Gear Fab reissue it can be easily judged on its own merits and against the claims of its proponents. By those standards, the album may be slightly disappointing to listeners searching for genuine lost treasure. Nosy Parker has its moments in fact, quite a few of them but according to objective criterion it is decidedly second-rate when stacked against some of the artists (the Byrds, Genesis) to whom it has been compared. In the band's defense, the recording may not be entirely representative of its sound, considering it was committed to tape without the benefit of overdubs in a two-day b...

There are probably countless artists out there that share the name with this rap group from Bristol. But when I'm talking about The Journeymen you know exactly what's coming, right? Exactly, its the rap formation that appeared on the "Where Pathways Meet" compilation with a bonus track off the sessions for this record. Ealier this month the new album "The Four Corners" was released on AE Productions. 10 new tracks by the four MCs Coherent, Gee Swift, Rola, Truck and Mr. Fantastic on turntables. Every tune features well produced beats and fierce and gritty rap character. It's Hip Hop done the old school ways - a DJ and a group of rappers doing their thing without any artificial flavours.  Get the full stream on Bandcamp or buy the album here . The Four Corners by The Journeymen

Even though this one might be already a bit more than a year old, it is still here and free to download. What I'm talking about is a digital record that features some essential tracks that appeared on Perfect Toy Records. It's not quite easy to find a lot about the German label on the internet except for a close connection to Tobias Kirmayer's Tramp Records. But maybe we should just let the musicians on this compilation speak. Here we find incredible Jazz artists like Deep Jazz, Hipnosis or Cesar's Salad, funk gems by Tommy Dark or Chet Ivey & His Fabulous Avengers and even some fresh raps by Numskullz' "G.O.D." - and it's all for free. This is a great introduction into an interesting record label you should look out for in the future. Get the stream and download on Bandcamp . Free Download Perfect Toy Selection by Hip Hop, Afrobeat, funk, library music, Jazz, Soul, brasil, soundtrack, latin,

Mt. Mountain is a five piece rock band from Perth that will take you on an intense psychedelic trip. Combining interesting moods with a floating blues character this group really creates an indivdual approach to the rock genre. Their latest release which is plainly entitled "EP" features five excellent tracks. From the start this record knows how to impresss with a kind of mood that will be your best friend while relaxing or a late night's drive. Sometimes you might even miss the transitions from one song to another on this trip. While other records are about special moments this one is one special moment in itself, stretching over 25 minutes with psychedelic guitars, slow rhythms and soothing vocals. Get the full stream on Bandcamp and look out for the new single "Chantry" which will see its release soon. EP by Mt. Mountain

The freshest Hip Hop Soul combination aka Soul Rev from the French west coast is back. "Soul Rev Strikes!" is the successor of lasts years "One More Time" by the dynamic producer duo Brother Lion and Dreego. Again its that positive Neo-Soul and Rap flavour that flows through every track on this record. The numerous guest appearances by Nuclear, D’oz, Natty & Blew, Low, Juice, P. Lasret and many more put that exquisite vocal flow in Soul Rev's sound. Raps in french, english or spanish and soothing soul singing - it all blends together perfectly on this album. And let's not forget about the flawless production on the beats and instrumentals that create that fresh Soul Rev character. Don't miss out on this one, you will miss it at the latest when you start strolling the sunny streets next spring. Get the full stream on Bandcamp . SOUL REV STRIKES ! by SOUL REV

With Kekko Fornarelli , The North or Gogo Penguin this year has already some terrific albums by piano jazz trios but let me just add another one coming from Germany. Julia Kadel released her debut "Im Vertrauen" this summer featuring Steffen Roth on Drums and Karl-Erik Enkelmann on Bass. You will find a lot of song-like compositions on this record that often blend into solo passages in which every member exactly knows how to fit into his or her role. While the focus rests on Kadel's piano she frequently makes room for her fellow musicians to play a more dominant part. "Im Vertrauen" showcases a perfect balance between solid songwriting and a dynamic playfulness, between the planned and the improvised. There's also a certain element of classical piano education that shines through tracks like "Alles Wolken" which is embedded in the trio's versatile sound. You can stream a few clips on Soundcloud or listen to some older tracks on Bandcamp .

Some of you might remember Love Equals Omnipotence (L.E.O.) from the last free download sampler "Where Pathways Meet" . The rapper from New York just released his new digital record with the help of notable names like Don Producci and J-Zone. As he states himself ," every song on this project deals with the feeling of being an outcast, of being stranded and never belonging". Indeed the tracks on "W.I.N. Volume 2: Left Out Stranded Everywhere" always sound like he has something to tell us. His lyrics and flow blend perfectly into the first class produced beats. Get the full stream and free download on Bandcamp . Look out for Volume 3 which is already underway. W.I.N. Volume 2: Left Out Stranded Everywhere by Love Equals Omnipotence

Almost a month ago the Michigan-based band BoneHawk released their debut album "Albino Rhino". At first it was the coverart that really caught my attention, then it was the great riffs and stoner/desert rock sound that made this one a top-notch record for me. From heavy and dirty guitar sounds to strong vocals, slow jams or uptempo tracks - you will find it all on "Albino Rhino". The opener "Argenia" is one of those heavy grooving stoner tunes that'll let you know that good times lie ahead. Though you might call BoneHawk's music pretty much riff focussed you will still hear some great guitar harmonies shining through the fierce sound of this dynamic trio. Which leads us to the slower tracks like "Desert Run" or "Albino Rhino" which know how to impress with some intense jams and on point songwriting. Get the full stream on Bandcamp . Albino Rhino by BoneHawk

Biography : Recorded in Phoenix Arizona's Audio Records with producer Hadley Murrell (who also contributed a pair of songs), 1969's "Bliss" was released by the L.A.-based Canyon Records. Musically the LP offered up a mix of originals (all three members contributing material), and blues covers. Interestingly, based on the cover which shows a chalice and a young, angry looking priest, our initial expectations were that this might be a Christian-rock LP. Those thoughts were reinforced by the opener "Ride the Ship of Fool" which blended a nice melody with sweet harmonies and a pseudo-religious lyric and "Cry for Love". While those characteristics are enough to send a large segment of the population running for cover, in this case the results aren't half bad. The religious sentiments are kept in check throughout and are wrapped in a series of tasty rockers. Powered by Aldred's powerhouse drumming and Reed's fuzz guitar (check out "VIsi...

Tramp Records is about to release some more funky music. The latest LP features tracks off the Goldband / Anla records catalogue that feature that gritty and intense soul sound that we have come to expect from the south german label. The history of Goldband records is a long one and it doesn't all have to do with soul music. Eddie Shuler, the man behind the label put all of his passion in this project and created a number of sub-labels like Anla records, which featured more funk and soul artists like Clifton White, Soul Senders or Count Rockin' Sidney. So what you can hear on this record is a nice combination of rhythm and blues with some heavy funk and soul influences. Other names Lee Bernard or The Showboats also show up on this one beside Chester Randle's fantastic "Soul Brother Testify".  Most of the tracks are from the 60s and 70s period where the label featured lots of funky artists among on the otherwise Country and Cajun music based catalogue. Get the full...

Biography : Featuring two strong singers (who often sang dual leads), hauntingly hazy arrangements, and imaginative songwriting that drew from pop and folk influences, H.P. Lovecraft was one of the better psychedelic groups of the late '60s. The band was formed by ex-folky George Edwards in Chicago in 1967. Edwards and keyboardist Dave Michaels, a classically trained singer with a four-octave range, handled the vocals, which echoed Jefferson Airplane's in their depth and blend of high and low parts. Their self-titled 1967 LP was an impressive debut, featuring strong originals and covers of early compositions by Randy Newman and Fred Neil, as well as one of the first underground FM radio favorites, "White Ship." The band moved to California the following year; their second and last album, H.P. Lovecraft II, was a much more sprawling and unfocused work, despite some strong moments. A spin-off group, Lovecraft, released a couple LPs in the '70s that bore little rela...

Portland's Sioux released a stunning sludge/stoner record in "The One And The Many" earlier this year. This one has been on my list for quite a while and now that I'm actually posting it, it seems like the band is about to split up... well guys, maybe take this as an encouragement to rethink your decision. Anyway, the first thing you will notice listening to this album is its bold approach to heavy riffs and slow stomping rhythms. Tracks like "Faithless" are the perfect example of how easy songwriting can be if you just put the right effort in the way you execute. But don't get me wrong, there are some great guitar and vocal harmonies on this LP and this band is never shy of creating some haunting psychedelic moods. Maybe it is even that crack between the slow heavy and the quiet (somehow still heavy) that makes this album so spectacular. Or maybe it's not that complicated at all and it's just great and intense rock music. Get the full stream on ...

Biography : Of all the zillions of CSNY-inspired westcoast hippie rock LPs from the early 1970s, this is one of the very best. Another feather in the cap for the great Columbia Canada office, with an excellent production bringing out the max from these talented long hairs. Clearly out of a "Deja Vu" corner (minus the sugary Nash crap, naturally), the song writing here is very good, grabbing your attention without being overly commercial, while the band lays down a groove that is both relaxed and tight. You can hear early AOR moves creeping into the hippie stylings, and much like on Homer this is not a disadvantage but helps broaden the album's impact. Female vocalist Franki Hart of Freedom North handles a few tracks, but is given solid competition by the male vocalists who sing just as well. Soaring, lyrical guitar leads recur throughout the LP, and there are some vague prog moves with flute on one track. Clocking in at 42 minutes, this could have omitted 1-2 tracks, and...

Over the last few years jazz pianist Ezra Weiss has managed to make a name for himself as a talented composer and arranger. On his recent album "Before You Know It" he is playing a number of original compositions in his hometown Portland. His reputation might also be the reason why he gathered a group of notable names for this record like  Farnell Newton on trumpet, John Nastos on alto saxophone, Devin Phillips on tenor saxophone, Jon Shaw on bass, and drummer Christopher Brown. Each composition is based on a great deal of harmony - between the notes and between the players. It also shows on the playful and dynamic uptempo tracks like "Five A.M. Strut" or the opener "The Crusher". But it's the calm and soothing character of tracks like "Before You Know It" that will stay with you after listening to this album. You can get a preview on Soundcloud or get more infos at Weiss' homepage .

Hip Hop, Jazz & Mingus Pt. 2 by Mos Eisley Music on Mixcloud This Mix features lots of Jazz based rap and actual Jazz. Not Breaks but mostly modern Jazz by talented and underrepresentated artists - Just like part 1 Setlist: The Elder Statesman - Montreux Sunrise The Smile Rays - A Toast Mitch Shiner - Watchful Eyes Soul Square - All About (feat. RacecaR) Deep Jazz - Heaven and Earth (feat. Julia Fehenberger) KazMega X Baggylean - Blue, Kind Of (feat. Mitchmatic) Teotima Ensemble - Counting The Ways Kista & Glad2Mecha - Nouns and Verbs Mammal Hands - Kandaiki String Theory - Art Of Rap (feat. Halfcut)

After some shorter EP-sized releases Philadelphia's Ladder Devils are about to drop their first full length album. "Clean Hands" will appear on Brutal Panda Records who already supported their previous tunes on "Nowhere Plans". To give you an idea of the group's sound you can already stream a few tracks off the album. No surprises here: Heavy and noisy riffs, harsh vocals and intense rhythms are still the trademarks that the Ladder Devils stand for. Any fan of heavy rock musc from sludge to hardcore or grunge should enjoy these tracks. Get the stream and download on Bandcamp . Clean Hands by Ladder Devils

Biography : The Heavy Metal Kids never became stars, never won any readers polls, never had a hit record. But, if you could roll back time to that moment in 1974 when the very first needle hit the very first pressing of their eponymous debut album, it would be impossible to predict that sordid fate. Quite frankly, Heavy Metal Kids rises so far above the rest of the period pack that Sparks and Cockney Rebel notwithstanding there was no more exciting proposition to be found on the new-release shelves. Part unrepentant boogie band, part pub rock leviathan, and part good-time distillation of the best of Slade and the Faces, fronted by the utterly irresistible cackle of singer Gary Holton, the Kids' flash, slash, and sashay assault had a cosmic energy that could transform even the ballads ("It's the Same," "Nature of My Game") into fists-in-the-air anthems. A decade later, the band could have so rewritten the notion of the power ballad that suffering through the ...