TAG: Latin

Oct19

J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Undercover (Review)

J-Boogie's Dubtronic Science

Undercover

Released by OM Records


My familiarity with J-Boogie comes from the various remix and edit work he has done in the past (including one he made for Vieux Farka Touré's "Fafa" from 2009) as well as his collaboration with fan favorites People Under the Stairs, Quantic and his Combo Barbaro, Bay Area compadres Zion I, Goapele and Raashan Ahmad spanning multiple projects, personal and by others. By no means an exhaustive list, J-Boogie’s talent is undeniable and his knowledge of mixing, sampling, and creating great-sounding gems continues to this day. J-Boogie’s extensive network ...
Oct19

Quantic – The Best of Quantic (Review)

Quantic

The Best of Quantic

Released by Tru Thoughts


If Quantic aka Will Holland’s records are already some of the most solid music this side of the Panama Canal, what would make you think that a The Best of Quantic collection could be anything less? Beginning with his unfathomably impressive debut The 5th Exotic, Mishaps Happening, up to his recent interests in Latinoamérica, Quantic has gone through various iterations, styles, and musical metamorphoses. Thinking about this collection as a sum of its parts, The Best of Quantic 2-cd compilation brings together some of the standout selections from his previous ...
Aug15

STS9 @ House of Blues Sunset 08/11/11 (Live Review)

Having listened to STS9’s albums multiple times, working through their dense instrumentation and well-crafted harmonies on several occasions, this still proved to be very little in preparing me for their live performance. Showcasing their funk, electro, and hip-hop style through their diverse and contagious melodies, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) gave one impressive and memorable performance at the House of Blues Sunset last Thursday. Starting off their set with “Be Nice,” the live session started at an already elevated level, coupled with the anticipation by fans, all was equally matched by the collective energies of the Hollywood venue. At times dubstep, techno, but always surprisingly funky EDM, STS9 delivered in the first half of their show with tracks such as “One a Day,” “Hidden …

Jul26

Bituaya – ElectroCaribe (Review)

Bituaya

ElectroCaribe



Straight from Caracas the capital of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, electro-Caribbean Latin hip-hop outfit Bituaya is quickly becoming an act to follow. With a mixture of danceable rhythms, head-nodding beats, and liberating energy, their live performance and their new record ElectroCaribe is a multilayered medley of Latin American music history, socially conscious lyricism, positive thought and excitement—all in a familiar and aesthetically pleasing package speaking to a hip-hop and electronic sensibility.  Their live performance, which I will briefly discuss, is one of the more lively and intimate shows ...
Feb14

Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (Review)

Nicolas Jaar

Space is only noise

Released by Circus Company


Nicolas Jaar was born in NY, grew up Santiago de Chile, and returned to NY as a teenager.  This can be heard in his music, from a slow disco thump to emotional pianos. He started making music at the age of 14, and now barely out of his teens he’s making an impact on dance floors worldwide. His emotional full length debut album Space Is Only Noise is fittingly released on Valentine’s Day by Circus Company. We all know him from Wolf + Lamb and on his own label, ...