Tag: ep

GAUDI and SAVANA FUNK join forces for new EP: Listen to the 1st Single

Pre-order the ltd edition clear 7″ vinyl HERE. Listen to the new single “Raha” HERE.

Grammy nominated producer Gaudi (Steel Pulse, The Orb, Tricky, Lee Scratch Perry) joins forces with Italian Afro-funk band Savana Funk to revive the sound of “Cosmic-Disco” of the late 70s with the new EP “Raha”.
 
The terms “Cosmic-Disco / Afro” are used to describe various forms of African-influenced and Synth-based dance music with a particular method of DJing originally developed and promoted by a small number of DJs in Italy from the late 70s through the mid-80s, a freeform music-journey created with vinyl records, mixing and beat-matching a very diverse range of musical styles, from electro-funk to Brazilian-jazz, incorporating live percussion and effects. Pioneers such as DJ Mozart, Daniele Baldelli, Loda, Pery, Spranga, L’ebreo, Tosi Brandi, Lelli and venues such as Cosmic, Baia Degli Angeli, Typhoon, La Mecca, Chicago, Arlecchino to name but a few, had truly expanded and helped the development of the club-culture in Italy and subsequently in Europe. In his youth, producer and musician Gaudi was one of the punters who regularly attended these venues and followed the whole “Afro” scene, experiencing from the dancefloor that 90-110BPM hypnotic sound and subconsciously absorbing the essence of it. In fact, it is no coincidence that many of the productions he has released in his 35-year career have a strong Afro-influenced imprinting, the last of which is “Raha”, the new collaborative EP to be released on May 8th on Milan-based label Record Kicks as a combo with Savana Funk. A vibrant tribute to what is considered one of the most exciting and original movements in the club scene.
 
The first single carries the same name “Raha” and it is available from today on all the digital platforms and on April 26th on a beautiful limited edition 7” vinyl. Driven by a solid groove of “Afro-Cosmic”, this tribal number is infused with an eclectic krautrock sound, very distinct and very psychedelic at the same time: a texture generated by analogue synthesizers and “space-funk” riffs from guitar and bass. “Raha” means “peace of mind” in Arabic, the native language of the Italian-Moroccan drummer Youssef, who also appears as a vocalist on this track. Produced by Gaudi, written and performed by Savana Funk & Gaudi.

Active since 2015, Savana Funk are one of the most sought-after “afro-funk” bands in Italy, with hundreds of successful live shows nationwide including performances with Kokoroko, Seun Kuti and Nu Guinea, they have released 5 albums so far: ‘Musica Analoga’, ‘Savana Funk’, ‘Bring in the New’, ‘Tindouf’ and the latest ‘Ghibli’.
 
London based music producer Gaudi has contributed to a number of albums nominated for awards and prizes such as: Grammy Awards 2019, with the album ‘Mass Manipulation’ by Steel Pulse, BBC’s World Music Award, with the album ‘Dub Qawwali’ by Gaudi & Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His work and music contributions have topped international charts such as: Billboard Reggae Chart no.1 with the albums ‘Heavy Rain’ by Lee “Scratch” Perry, no.1 with ‘Mass Manipulation’ by Steel Pulse and again no.1 with ‘Vessel of Love’ by Hollie Cook. Studio works include name acts such as: Groove Armada, Simple Minds, African Head Charge, Lamb, Horace Andy, Brian Ferry, Don Letts, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Mad Professor, The Beat and more.

Tanika Charles unleashes the official video for “Parkdale” feat. I.JAMES.JONES.

Stream/Download the new EP HERE.

Canadian soulstress Tanika Charles unleashes a new live in studio EP called “The Union Sessions”, out now on digital platforms. Recorded live at Union Sound studio in Toronto, the EP comprises a total of five tracks: four of these appeared originally on Tanika’s first EP “What? What! What?!” from 2010, while “Since You Been Gone” was on her second album “The Gumption” from 2019. Watch the official video for the extract “Parkdale” [feat. I.JAMES.JONES.].

“Parkdale” is an ode to Tanika’s first Toronto home in one of the cities most unique and vibrant neighbourhoods, it transports to a time of part-time gig work, spontaneous hangs, and the constant hustle to make rent. But are these tensions a mere stepping stone of youthful adventure or an enduring and unescapable capitalist trap?

Tanika Charles announces the new live EP “The Union Sessions”

Pre-save/Pre-order HERE

Following the release of her third studio album “Papillon de Nuit” in 2022, Canadian soulstress Tanika Charles announces a new live in studio EP called “The Union Sessions”, to be released next July 26th on digital platforms. Recorded live at Union Sound studio in Toronto, the EP comprises a total of five tracks: four of these appeared originally on Tanika’s first EP “What? What! What?!” from 2010, while “Since You Been Gone” was on her second album “The Gumption” from 2019.

Tanika Charles has earned her stripes as a performing artist. Through nearly a decade of headlining she has revealed a knack for engaging her audiences, weaving storytelling, and building dynamism into every measure of her time on stage. As such, much of her catalogue of songs have evolved from their original studio recordings in a number of creative and interesting ways. This is especially true for some of her earliest works, originally constructed over instrumental beds more reminiscent of looped hip-hop beats. “The Union Sessions” is a freeze frame of evolution, bringing the tour-tested versions of these songs into a studio setting.

Far from a dusting off of old material, these songs have remained staples of Tanika’s live show. The writing harkens to a moment of innocence from a nascent songstress, eager for expression, but yet to carve a particular path. But with these new recordings that journey and realization is laid bare, serving a gumbo of influence and experience. Having now been played hundreds of times, these songs are the product of constant iteration, unlikely to remain as is for very long.

Whatitdo Archive Group: the new live EP

Whatitdo Archive Group is back with “Live At: Archive Group Studios”, the new EP consisting of three exclusive live performances and available on May 6th 2022 on all digital platforms.

Directly on the heels of their critically-acclaimed 2021 debut LP, “The Black Stone Affair”, Whatitdo Archive Group is back serving up three exclusive live performances recorded directly to tape at their Reno, NV studio. The EP will be available on May 6th 2022 on all digital platforms.
 
Known formally as a recording collective, this secretive west-coast based team allows us a rare glimpse into a thrilling, live take on their now cult-classic record. Oftentimes, studio projects are not easily replicated in a live environment, but that’s not the case with this flawless three song performance. Featuring the primary W.A.G. rhythm section of Alexander Korostinsky (bass), Mark Sexton (guitar), Aaron Chiazza (drums) and Christopher Sexton (keyboards) we are introduced to their small but ferocious horn section, percussionist and auxiliary keyboardist who hoist the arrangements to new heights, making these performances both authentic and unique in contrast to their intricate, refined studio version counterparts. The band once again leaves no stone unturned in regards to their unique approach to production value and creative recording techniques. “We use a mix of period correct analog recording gear and time-tested studio tricks to help us achieve the sonic qualities we enjoy so much in older recordings” says Korostinsky of the process.
 
Songs like “Blood Chief” offer the listener an insight into how this band can quickly operate as a classic funk-driven powerhouse– the horn section perfectly on cue with the band as they burn through this ’70s steeped cut that will make any fan of Incredible Bongo Band or Ennio Morricone‘s signature western compositions very happy. The French horror infused “La Pietra” demonstrates a darker, moodier side featuring spiraling piano, deep ominous baritone guitar and trademark harpsichord lines. This live EP wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of ethio-jazz hit “Ethiopian Airlines” performed with the same brooding intensity as their studio cut.
 
Much like all good records, this live EP seems over all too soon and has you wanting to play it over again and again. Next time, perhaps a full-length live album will make its way to us. Clearly the audio and production quality alone demanded a proper digital release from Record Kicks. Essential.

Calibro 35: the new EP “Post Momentum”

Italian cinematic funk heroes CALIBRO 35 return with the new EP “POST MOMENTUM”.

Order the LP on our Web Shop or Bandcamp.

Record Kicks is proud to present “POST MOMENTUM”, the new EP by Italian cult combo Calibro 35 to be released on June 11th 2021 on digital platforms and on July 9th 2021 on limited edition 12” clear vinyl. The extended-play comes 17 months after the acclaimed previous Calibro 35 album “MOMENTUM”, which – as the band stated: “represented a look at nowadays and a reflection about making music right in the time that we’re living”. The tour began right after the album release in January 2020, but it was soon interrupted when the whole world suddenly stopped because of the Pandemic. Now “POST MOMENTUM” represents a re-start and the first step towards the future, picking up where they left off. 
 
Among the six tracks of the EP, while “Digi-Tails” and “Stars and Stripes, Chirps and Bleeps” express the unique musicianship of Calibro 35 as we have come to know over the years; “Being a Robot is Awesome” and “Artificial Black Moon” see the participation of a guest from the world to come: Sophia, the humanoid developed by Hanson Robotics capable of interacting autonomously with everything around it, reminding us how being a Robot could prove to be the best strategy to survive sometimes. The opening of the EP is an alternate version of the single “Stan Lee” enriched by two heavyweights of Italian rap: Ensi and Ghemon, who don’t make us miss Illa J. The EP ends with another alternate version of “Stan Lee”, this time in all its instrumental glory.