Re-edits/Nudisco - Rayko re-edit of Andy Gibb's Shadow Dancing

We mentionned it already, the nudisco & old-school funk/disco re-edit tide has been getting higher and higher these last few years.
For anyone (like me) who likes to dig for underlooked groovy gems, the quest is never ending. A myriad of independent labels are regularly producing great Eps but this musical space is also full of passionate individuals that use the power of musical social networks to share their homemade little reworks.
So from time to time I'll try to highlight some of the underground talented producers I appreciate. Today I wanted to drop the name of Rayko from Madrid, Spain.
Alternating between his own great productions in a balearic nudisco style (some of which have been released on several underground labels like his, Rare Wiri records) and amazing re-edits that he regularly spreads around on his Soundcloud site, he is a great example of what I love with the current nudisco/re-edit thing.

And to me what better example of the definition of "a great edit" than his rework of a late 70's classic disco song from Bee Gees' younger brother Andy Gibb that is called "Shadow Dancing".
Below you'll find a youtube link to the original version of the song. It is still really nice and groovy but a bit too "flashy-disco" and "bee-gees" in my opinion.

Now when listening to the Rayko re-edit below, you'll see that he kept the groovy vibe intact (the bassline, the funky guitar phrase, the vocal chorus) but lengthen the intro, fattened a little the beats and added a few cool voice effects. The result is a much more contemporary funky disco track that nevertheless still carries this timeless 70's/80's signature.
Go check his soundcloud site to discover many more of this kind!
Andy Gibb - Shadow dancin (rayko edit) by Rayko

Soul Kitchen, From Fatih Akin

A short digression from the musical world : I wanted to mention the latest film from German/Turkish director Fatih Akin that is called "Soul Kitchen".
Not really a digression actually as black music plays a large role in this comedy that takes place in Hamburg (that will soon get as much fame from its soul/funk scene than for its container port!).

Fatih Akin is one of my favorite independant filmaker. His most famous movies, "Head-On" and "Auf Der Anderen Seite" are must-seen dramas bringing up, among other things, reflexions about immigration.
This time it's a comedy, the story of a guy that tries to revive his faltering restaurant and that gets help both from an eccentric chef (the brilliant Birol Unel, that also played the unforgottable main character from "Head On") and Music. Fatih Akin is an authentic music lover, he even plays as a dj from times to times and his selection for the soundtrack of this film is just great (from Curtis, to Mango Santamaria or The Isley Brothers).
Soul Kitchen is a refreshing funny movie that will have you smile and groove for a relaxing time.

The movie is just out in France and currently being released in several other countries after having been awarded in the Venice film festival.
Below the trailer with french subtitles :

Build An Ark, Live Recording At Cargo, London (29/11/09)

We already mentionned on the blog California-based jazz collective "Build An Ark" (see our 2009 favorites records review including their latest album "Love Pt.1") as being one of our favorite jazz band at the moment.
The ensemble (45+ members!) set up by Carlos Nino is one of the leader of the current "spiritual jazz" movement, true to the legacy of the likes of Alice and John Coltrane, Sun Ra or Pharoah Sanders. I could attend neither of the two shows they gave in Europe following the release of "Love Pt.1, but I just realized they had the very good idea to record and broadcast the concert they did for the London Jazz Festival under the sponsorship of the Red Bull Music Academy.
So here is the 1h long set with a smaller band (8 musicians) than usual but for a nonetheless amazing musical journey.

This is inspiring spiritual/cosmic jazz music as I love, with warm fender rhodes notes floating in the air, spiritual flute, words of wisdom, deep contrebass and powerful horns.
I find this whole performance really amazing but I would like to especially highlight the live versions of "Celebrate" and "World Peace Now" from the latest album and the cover of Pharoah Sanders' "You've Gotta Have Freedom".
I really hope they'll be back in Europe later this year and will this time visit France as I'd love to see them.

In the meantime enjoy these peaceful vibes!

Tracklisting (I added the timing to help move through their player) :
Intro - short speach by Carlos Nino (27s to 3mn30s)
1/ Improvisation (3mn31s to 5mn20s)
2/ Celebrate (5mn21s to 9mn58s)
3/ A Love Supreme (9mn59s to 17mn20s)
4/ How Do We End All This Madness? (17mn21s to 25mn26s)
5/ We Have Not Come To Take Prisoners (25mn27s to 27mn34s)
6/ Sunflowers In My Garden (27mn35s to 32mn39)
7/ World Peace Now (32mn50 to 35mn45)
8/ Build An Ark (35mn46 to 40mn35)
9/ Improvisation (40mn35 to 44mn49)
10/You've Gotta Have Freedom(from 44mn50 on to 54mn20)
11/Bonus Track : Carlos Nino and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson - Find A Way (Stones Throw)

Gil Scott-heron - Documentary

A few days before the release of the long awaited new album from one of my true musical hero, Gil Scott-heron, I thought you may enjoy this really interesting Bbc documentary about his career and influences that I found the other day while surfing on Youtube.
It is split in 6 parts, the first is here, the other have links below. Thanks to Benanddonner1 for having put this online.


Part2
Part3
Part4
Part5
Part6