J1 is still sorely missed by one and all having passed away in his second home of Gothenburg, Sweden on November 27th, 2011. Yours Truly were saddened but honored, to have captured the last Master Blazter session on tape with the family over at Different Fur.
"Make no mistake, at heart Damon Riddick has a musically omnivorous bent, with an equal ardor for soul, metal, jazz, techno, disco, and rock. Ask him about Prefab Sprout or Todd Rundgren and turn your tape recorder on to remember the recommendations. But at heart, he is a funkster, both traditional and experimental, futuristic and nostalgic. The Gemini Twin, a master of duality. InnaFocusedDaze is the appetizer for his next full length, due next year on Stones Throw."
Los Angeles' funk evangelist, modern Galactic Warrior and ambassador of cool, Dam-Funk returns with his latest creations gratis composing four new songs - all original material on Scion A/V. Each song has its own distinct character, united by Dam-Funk's dedication to constant musical experimentation. If the freebies Dam’s been delivering all summer haven’t whetted your appetite for InnaFocusedDaze I don't know what to tell you! Aside from those, this marks his first real project since 2009′s expansive and impressive Toeachizown. InnaFocusedDaze sounds exactly like its title implies. It’s hazy, fuzzy, and should leave you in a daze once you’re finished spinning the brief, albeit great, affair.
Be sure to keep an ear out for dude’s absolutely stellar guitar playing, which just might be a preview of what we can expect on the proper follow-up to Toeachizown. This serves as a precursor to that full length due to fall next year on Stones Throw. The 10″ shiny black plastic will be coming out soon but in the meantime preview below, and click here to download.
The "LA♥JPN♥LA" compilation is a collection of exclusive tracks from artists in Los Angeles and Japan showing their solidarity in supporting the earthquake victims of Japan.
Curated by journalist and DJ Hashim B., Vol. 1 of the series features rising stars from the Low End Theory and L.A. beat scene such as Sweatson Klank(formerly Take), Mike Gao, Co.fee, Ras G, and Samiyam, as well as the new generation of Japanese beatmakers influenced by the L.A. scene such as Emufucka, fitz ambro$e, Bun, MONO X MONKEY, ichiro_, and a.z.
Mellower tracks contributed by Mitsu the Beats of Tokyo's Jazzy Sport, 80's electro-funk revivalist and Stones Throw artist Dam-Funk, and Japanese producers such as Inner Science, Chikaramanga(TRES Records), Rebel Musical, Shingo Suzuki, and Coffee & Cigarettes Band, show the diversity of the beat movement. Indie rockers Free Moral Agents contributed a fierce and emotional rendition of "IOLITE" recorded at Low End Theory. Kutmah features MC Dakim on the avant-rap track "It Started In The Heart", and Low End Theory resident MC Nocando created "West Side Rentals" produced by DJ Nobody in dedication to the people of Japan.
Acoustic and ambient tones from artists such as Miguel Atwood-Ferguson & Carlos Nino, Golden HIts, Gaby Hernandez, and Turn On The Sunlight provide a sonic healing aspect to the collection.
Though the compilation's focus is to offer longterm support to earthquake victims in Japan, it is also a means of introducing new talent from L.A. and Japan, and shedding light on the cross-cultural exchange that is happening between the two regions.
Vol. 2 which is set to be released in late August, will feature heavier beats and experimental rap from up and coming artists in L.A. and Japan, while Vol. 3 which will be released in September will focus on leftfield artists from the respective scenes.
All proceeds of the compilation series will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross and Civic Force to help those affected by the Tohoku Earthquake.
1. Into Eternity Carlos Nino + Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
2. Wait So Long DJ Mitsu the Beats
3. IT STARTED IN THE HEART Kutmah feat. Dakim
4. Ghost of a Rose Emufucka
5. Morning After Pills (Instrumental) Sweatson Klank
6. nitta B fitz ambro$e
7. Japan Groove Dam-Funk
8. Vilal Loop MONO X MONKEY
9. Liv Inn Co.fee
10. Rakuda (駱駝) Ramza
11. Fullspeed Mike Gao
12. Just Like That Bun / Fumitake Tamura
13. Change Ras G
14. beat71 a.z
15. The Ripple Gaby Hernandez & The Life Force Trio
16. lighting Inner Science
17. Pillowillow Golden Hits
18. Rebirth Shingo Suzuki
19. Mi Hermano Chikaramanga
20. From C&C With Love Coffee & Cigarettes Band
21. helping hand Samiyam
22. No…No… u..
23. IOLITE (live at the low end theory) FREE MORAL AGENTS
24. The Silver (銀の腕輪) REBEL MUSICAL feat. FULL VIOLET
