X-mas Treat

Super X-mas treat: two disc set with 26 old and new, original and remixed, reworked, reinterpreted jazz tracks by the great Nicola Conte.
Classy jazz and bossa nova! You've got to listen from beginning to end, such a nice flow and so hard to pick just 4 of them, but here they are...

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The Smiths

Good times for a change
See, the luck I've had
Can make a good man
Turn bad

So please please please
Let me, let me, let me
Let me get what I want
This time

Haven't had a dream in a long time
See, the life I've had
Can make a good man bad

So for once in my life
Let me get what I want
Lord knows, it would be the first time
Lord knows, it would be the first time


Stray - Get on up album sampler by strayproduktion



Stray - Get on up album sampler by strayproduktion

This is what Stray's next album gonna sound like. Will be released on Soularp Records in February and features 7: even Thirty, Eric L, Hanna Olsson, Vertual Vertigo among others..

Warpaint


* There are moments that you feel alone

* There are moments that you want to be alone

* There are moments that you say " where are everybody" ?

* There are times that you find a new song and your day starts to have more colors than the last one… This is one of these days..

No they are not Coco Rosie or Au Revoir Simone, Warpaint are these ladies with a rhythmic feel and style all their own..


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Warpaint - Billie Holiday

Focanegra Mixtape 2 by El Jeffe

So, this is the 2nd Focanegra Mix Tape!

This time El Jeffe from Creamy Meat takes control with his fantasy selection, and we are sure that he will warm up your living area!


Playlist

Jens Lekman - A Little Lost

Dan Mass - Sunday Drinking

Meanderthals - 1-800-288-Slam

Rocha - Hands Of Love (Gatto Fritto Mix)

Wendy & Lisa - Honeymoon Express

Topper Hedon - Du Cane Road

Linus Loves - Skagg

Crazy P - Lie Lost (Faulton Mix)

Future Perfect - Parmesan Helmet

I Level - In The River


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Focanegra Mixtape No 2 (El Jeffe Loves Focanegra)

Tindersticks

After finished their fifth soundtrack for a film, White Material, Tindersticks announce their 8th studio album, "Falling Down A Mountain", will be released in Europe on 25 January with a North American release following on 16 February.
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Tindersticks - Black Smoke (Right Click, Download File)

Kim Sun

He is often referred to as the Korean Elvis. A fierce guitarist and popular producer by the name of Shin Jung Hyun wrote this beautiful, melancholic song in the end of the 60s. From Stones Throw's lessons in global psych funk (and not funky psychedelia). Lower the lights now please for the man who must leave...

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The Modern Lovers


" Some people try to pick up girls
And they get called an asshole
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist his stare and so
Pablo Picasso was never called..."

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Julien Dyne

Beats and bleeps and soulful vocals all the way from New Zealand: Julien Dyne just dropped his debut solo album on bbe and this tune featuring vocals by Parks is simply addictive...
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Elvis Presley


Written by Bill Trader in 1952 and first performed by Hank Snow who peaked at number four on the country charts early 1953.

A recording by Elvis Presley was even a bigger hit, reaching number one in the UK and number two in the USA (1959)....

"Now and then there's a fool such I "....Wohhhh Elvis!!!!


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Elvis Presley - A Fool Such As I

Soul Shaker Vol. 6

Oh, I get a kick out of RecordKicks!
I’m a big fan of dj Nick Recordkicks and have been checking on his label in Milan since day one.

In the words of Craig Charles: "RK is like a great wine, it gets better and better with every passing year. If you are wondering why there has been a renewed interest in soul & funk over the past few years then RK has to take some of the credit!"

I think the man has great taste when it comes to contemporary soul/funk/grooves/dancefloor jazz with a distinctive old-style feel and his “Let’s boogaloo” and “Soul Shaker” series have accounted for many hours of shameless, uncontrolled dancing frenzy (not just for me, obviously…).

So, there it is! The sixth installment in the “Soul Shaker” series has just been released! And it’s good, good thing. Get a taste from these three really big tracks until you get your hands on the real thing.

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Dj Vadim Vs Paul McCartney & Wings

…your revolution will not happen between these thighs

your revolution will not be killing me softly, with Fugees

your revolution will not make you feel bombastic and really fantastic
your revolution makes me wonder, where could we go
if we could drop the empty pursuit of props and ego
we'd revolt back to our Roots, use a little Common Sense
on a quest to make love De La Soul, no pretense
because the real revolution, that's right I said the real revolution

you know I'm talking about the revolution
when it comes, it's gonna be real..

Brainy lyrics, uplifting rhythm and a powerful voice…


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Dj Vadim feat. Sarah Jones - Your Revolution


It comes from the early 70's but it’s still irreplaceable. And will always activate your sentimental wheel if you let it roll in to you…


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Paul McCartney & Wings - Let Me Roll It


Can


You'll gonna lose your head with this one..
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Natural Self


Natural Self (aka Nathaniel Pearn aka Keno-1 aka half part of Tru Thoughts' Broken Keys) knows the art of vibration pretty well. He's back with cooler, more future-looking electronica sounds infused with subtle melodies. "Midnight sun" co-written and sung by Elodie Rama and "Even planets get lonely" (what a title) are my favorite moments of the recently released "my heart beats like a drum" lp on tru thoughts.
Some sophisticated simplicity...

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The Friends Of Distinction


"And I Love Her" is a song composed by John Lennon , Paul McCartney and recorded by the Beatles on their third album A Hard Day's Night (1969). After a while The Friends Of Distinction covered this song and gave a slow-burning downtempo soul taste!


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The Friends Of Distinction - And I Love Him

Uptown Funk Empire


Super powerful sunshiny disco-jazz cover of Pharoah Sanders' classic masterpiece "You've got to have freedom" by the Uptown Funk Empire, Bruno Hovart's (Metropolitan Jazz Affair, the Dynamics) latest project.
You've got to have it!

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Late Nite Tuff Guy

Repeat and repeat and repeat....all day!!!

Focanegra Mixtape 1 by Dj Vags




Welcome to Focanegra's mix tape series!

In this mix-tape Dj Vags from Plaidmusic spins some records from early 90's to future classic tracks. From Marvin Gaye and David Bowie to Fleetwood Mac and Frankie Knuckles.. You only have to take a quick look to his playlist and you'll understand everything!!!


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Focanegra Mix-Tape 1 by Dj Vags (Plaidmusic)

Favorite Flava


Ok, we are happy that we can re-post this Monster track, and this time with the permission from Favorite Flava especially for the Focanegra's music lovers.. Love & support the music u like..
Favorite Flavas work is groundbreaking, blending influences like Miles Davis, Detroit hip hop and the Nordic folk/jazz music tradition. Favorite Flava consists of two individuals: Erik L (Erik Lidén), producer and multi-instrumentalist, also involved in projects with artists like Frank n Dank, Kissey Asplund and Cerebral Vortex to name a few. Stray (Mattias Axelsson), drummer, producer and singer, has recently released his critically acclaimed album Here To Stray along with a 12” and 7” single. Erik L and Stray have received support from Gilles Peterson, Benji B, Mad Mats, Jazzy Jeff, Jay Scarlett and Dj Jamad to name a few. So if youre ready to challenge your perspective on the arts and music check out Favorite Flava. They will raise the hair on your skin..

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Buy Album: Juno

Vinyl Strikes Back

The Vinyl Factory Manufacture from thevinylfactory on Vimeo.


Nothing is better than a vinyl. It is small piece of art, it sounds different, it is more classic, we love the big artworks and of course you give a big respect when you go to a gig and see the dj spinning vinyl records! Vinyl Factory Manufacturing (Ex Portal Space Records) has established itself as a leading manufacturer of quality record pressings. The BBC has featured the Vinyl Factory Manufacturing (link 1), (link 2)

Kongas


Formed in France in the early '70s, the Kongas boasted several members that would change the face of disco music, among them Don Ray and Cerrone. Tattoo Woman is from the group's second album called Africanism.


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Kongas - Tattoo Woman

Lucinda Slim

If you’ve ever been to a Friday deep funk night at Madame Jojo’s in Soho, you may have seen her spinning some dynamite vinyls along with Keb Darge and Andy Smith. More than a hot dj girl, Lucinda Slim (aka Nia Saw) has also been a vocalist at Zap Mama and a collaborator of the Haggis Horns and the Dap Kings. “All This Time”, her first solo recording on MPM, is a haunting old school soul tune produced by Belgian producer Krewcial and played by The Lone Stars. New tracks will soon follow...

p.s Watch the girl wake up in her LDN apartment to find a box of vinyls delivered to her door…

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Circlesquare

Video directed by Bienvenido Cruz

Circlesquare’s new album is exactly what it says. Songs about dancing and drugs. He perfectly combines rock elements with minimalist electronica and meaningful lyrics with a deep clear voice that sometimes sounds like whispering. His new album from our favorite !K7 records is one of the best in 2009 and the single Dancers one of the highlights.

“Where the world is a better place, it’s a better place

Now that everybody started to dance

now we are all dancers..”

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Circlesquare - Dancers

A Mountain Of One

You're gonna love it!!

Shuggie Otis


Strawberry Letter 23 is a song written by Shuggie Otis, but I' sure that most of you know the version done by The Brothers Johnson when it was used in Quentin's Tarantino film Jackie Brown. Otis wrote this song for a girlfriend who used strawberry-scented paper when she wrote letters to him..how romantic : P


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Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23

Transmission

"Listen to the silence, let it ring on.
Eyes, dark grey lenses frightened of the sun.
We would have a fine time living in the night,
Left to blind destruction,
Waiting for our sight..."

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Spleen

Look what I found this morning in my bathroom..

I love his myspace profile, check it out and learn more about him here!

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Jon Lucien


One of our favorite tracks from the great Jon Lucien. "Listen love to the song I'm singing hopefully you have heard my every word.."

South Africa Man


Great spiritual groove from one of the leading figures in 70's disco music!This is voodoo-disco...F%^%$ I love this track..and his hair!!!


Bohannon - South Africa Man

Fine

We don't know a lot info about Yu, but we stuck with this track that appears in new Brownswood Bubblers Four, compiled by the "Master Guru" Gilles Peterson , just take a taste from this great compilation!

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Taliban Discotheque

Great re-edit..great cosmic mid-eastern groove...Get ready to dance like a Taliban!!!

Berlin Calling


Strange day today..I just saw a "bad" dream and I woke up like a crazy in a psychiatric clinic!! Then I remember that recently saw "Berlin Calling" with Paul Kalkbrenner.. I'm not a big fun of Techno music, but I'm sure that after this film I just stuck with this soundtrack..Fortunately this song change it all..and my bad dream of course ..

Who Is He ?

..and what is he to you ? What a lyrics ! Ok, so everybody knows Bill Wither's original version..Try now Henrik Schwarz's edit and you will burn your stereo!

Madonna's Heavy Love Affair


We just loved The Revenge Rework on Marvin Gaye "Heavy Love Affair" , it's an amazing rework! That's why we want it to make a small re-touch.
So, this is the first focanegra's music attempt..

Alan Parsons Project

Thanks to my mom for this one and Happy Birthday to Her!
Just Love It!


Half The Man


We dedicate this song to a close friend..

"Yesterday I was
Brighter than the morning sun
Now my love is lost
And lonely days have just begun
A solitary chair
For a silent love affair
A king has lost his throne
And now he sits alone"

Get It Up For Love ..

Ned Doheny - Get It Up For Love

Back Again..


..but still surfing in our minds!!

Still Going


A killer track-release from DFA records and Still Going...This has been on repeat all morning!

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Dj Kaos

photo by feel-urban

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Any holidays for us ?

It's hot August and we need holidays!!!

Lee Fields


His look, his vocals, the grooves on his records was so indebted to James Brown that he earned the nickname "Little J.B.".Lee Fields returns with his new album called "My World" released from Truth & Soul records.."My World Is Empty Without You" (smells like The Supremes) is one of our favourites of his album..


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Lee Fields-My World Is Empty Without You

Naked Sides Guest Mix

This is our first guest mix...
Mr.Z spin some great tunes around of this great choice!
GP be aware..

Naked Sides For Focanegra Mix

1.Emanative-We Travel The Spacebeats
2.Fat Freddys Drop-Boondigga
3.Jazzanova-I Can See(light end mr.z edit)
4.Mocky-Birds Of A Feather
5.Radiohead-All I Need
6.Ghost-Return Journey
7.The pharcyde-Runnin'
8.A Taste Of Honey- I Love You
9.Donald Byrd-You And The Music
10.Karizma-Time
11.The Jacksons-Show You The Way To Go
12.Idea 6-Mr.Gb
13.Jazztronik-For You
14.Lizzy parks-Leaving Home(acoustic)

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To The End..


Toi et moi, en plein amour, Peut?

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Johnny Cash


Johnny Cash or "the man in black" shows his dark convictions to this song... As he said "The song is the thing that matters. Before I can record, I have to hear it, sing it, and know that I can make it feel like my own, or it won't work. I worked on these song until I felt like they was my own"...Of course Mick Harvey and Nick Cave wrote that song..What a great cover..


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Johnny Cash-The Mercy Seat

Focanegra Mix No2


So we are here in the middle of this hot summer with our 2nd Focanegra Mix.More jazzy, soul,groovy this time, because we are in a mood..You can start listening this mix, drinking Apple Martini (cheers Mr.Z), but in the end we are sure that you'll finish with a bourbon..


Focanegra No2


1. Exodus / Eddie Harris

2. My Baby Just Cares For Me / Nina Simone

3. Waltz For Koop / Koop

4. The shadow of your smile / Astrud Gilberto

5. Nothern Sky / Nick Drake

6. Of Raymond / Lambchop

7. Too Bright / Rubies

8. So Sorry / Feist

9. Feel Like I Feel / Paul Bryan

10. Gentle Smiles (Saxy) DJ Day edit / Gary Bartz

11. Promise In Love / Dj Mitsu The Beats feat. Jose James

12. Maybe So, Maybe No / Mayer Hawthorne

13. Didnt I (Trishes Edit) / Darondo

14. Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology) / Marvin Gaye

15. Autumn Leaves / Cannonball Adderley


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