Kid Vector and his Big Band present: The Rebirth of Yule (free download)

like a lot of people, i think Christmas is a load of hairy old wank, but i’m no pre-ghostly visitations Ebenezer Scrooge-a-like. see, we’re only a few hours into December and i’m throwing up this Christmas mix to help get you darlings into a festive mood. clocking in at over an hour, Kid Vector’s thrown together easy listening and jazz Christmas classics with added beats, hip hop and drum & bass. Bing Crosby, Charlie Parker, Julie London, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Mel Tormé, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Rosemary Clooney, Count Basie AND MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE BESIDES!

download the mix for keeps here kidvector.com

have yourselves a merry little Christmas . . .

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Poetree – Inner Orchestra (free album download)

Inner Orchestra by Poetree is rather refreshing, despite being firmly anchored in what seems to be a bygone time of funky hip hop and soulful jazz fusion. perhaps it’s because of that reason rather than despite it, as much of hip hop is so damn unlistenable these days. i grew up on the sounds of the old school, first school even and have followed the genre since, and to this day i still get passionate about  an artist now and again  and the rare gems that shine through. now Inner Orchestra doesn’t blow me away, but it’s a very accomplished work that smoothly combines old and new, and is a very welcome listen indeed, full of beats and melodies i’ll be happy to revisit again and again

Mr Bongo Presents: 2011 (free 10 track album sampler)

to celebrate the launch of their new website, mrbongo.com, Mr Bongo, an independant UK record label, have decided to giveaway a ten-track sampler containing the finest of the current Bongo sound. that’s a sound ranging from brazilian through to reggae, jazz and soul. this selection includes tracks from Hollie Cook, Prince Fatty and the Incredible Bongo Band, as well as a particularly tasty Illum Sphere remix. you can download it for free just below, but be quick as it’ll only be available for 30 days

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The Cinematic Orchestra – Manhatta and Entr’acte (new soundtrack recordings)

The Cinematic Orchestra have scored and recorded soundtracks for two films from the 1920′s. anyone who is aware of their Man With A Movie Camera project will have a good idea of what to expect

the first is for Manhatta, painter Charles Sheeler and photographer Paul Strand’s 1921 eleven minute  documentary about one of the five New York boroughs, Manhattan. it’s a film that declares of Manhattan:

City of the world (for all races here),

City of tall facades of marble and iron,

Proud and passionate city.

http://vimeo.com/29087932

the second film is René Clair’s 1924 Entr’acte. this twenty-minute piece contains many interesting sequences, such as people running in slow motion and events happening in reverse. it premiered for Ballets Suédois production of Relâche at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and was originally scored by Erik Satie

to purchase these go to the Ninja Tune shop here or iTunes

DJ Food – Magpies, Maps & Moons (promo)

where the hell can i get a copy!?!?!? according to Strictly Kev, “Not for general sale but I bet there will be a few out there as journalists hear it, go ‘WTF?’ and sell them to their local record store. The 12″ should be at the label later this week, full photos when I get it. This is the final of 3 EPs and is released on 12″ and download on Nov 7th. ‘The Search Engine’ album will be out Jan 16th, 2012 and features versions of 12 tracks taken from the EPs, plus some exclusive bits.”

here’s the finished and quite beautiful art work for The Search Engine album. inks by Henry Flint, colours and other stuff by Strictly Kev. the photo below that was taken by Will Cooper-Mitchell and  is of Strictly Kev dresses as a cosmonaut

now, as for something to listen to, here’s A Weird World Reader by DJ Food, which is, “A trip through the DJ Food EP ‘One Man’s Weird Is Another Man’s World’ featuring tracks, samples and influences that make it what it is“. it features, amongsts others, The Black Keys, The Broken Keys, Mr Chop, Grace Jones, Paul Weller, The The and Ken Nordine

Funki Porcini – 6 Minutes In Manchester

i’ve been a long time fan, 15 years or so now, of Funki Porcini (England’s James Braddell), yet it was only today that i discovered this superb track, released in July, and i feel compelled to share it.

enough said, now enjoy!

here’s the excellent video How Banking Works featuring the Funki Porcini track Belisha Beacon

Poetree – Chimps & Midi Keyboards EP (free download)

 

Poetree has dropped a short but very sweet 15 track EP of jazzy and soulful hip-hop beats. and it’s funky. like old Ninja Tune funky

the Chimps & Midi Keyboards EP is an infectious collection of tracks that i’ve been tapping my feet too for a couple or three days now. the weather here in London recently has been glorious, and this music is perfect for it. good vibrations

now listen!

Jesse Futerman – Super Basement EP (free download)

this is just what i need to help ease me into a Monday morning. chilled beats, mellow rhythms, soul and jazz flavours

with his Super Basement EP, Jesse Futureman provides something beautiful and accomplished and entirely free that should entrance the listener and leave you craving more

to hear more from Jesse on Soundcloud click here

and here’s a short interview/feature on Jesse Futerman by Pursuit Grooves for Studio Feed