Category archive: Funk

The homie Front2blaq hit me up on Facebook the other day and told me to check out Viridiana. Together with Mr Day she worked on the song “My Happiness” which is out via Favorite Recordings and available for purchase on .

Viridiana – My Happiness Ft. Mr Day

Myele Manzanza, aka the quirky kiwi with the drumsticks, has not only held down the drums as part of Wellington’s Electric Wire Hustle for the past 3 years. He was also a participant at the 2010 Red Bull Music Academy in London. It was there he met fellow participant Amenta who features on his first single “Me I Know Him” together with Myele’s dad Sam Manzanza. The second single is called “Absent” and is now available as a free download over at Myele’s Bandcamp page. His full length debut album “One” will feature guest appearances from Mark de Clive-Lowe, Mara TK, Ladi6, Charlie K & Rachel Fraser and drops this Friday through Every Waking Hour. Available as of now on .

Myele Manzana – Me I Know Him Ft. Sam Manzanza & Amenta

Myele Manzanza – Absent Ft. Bella Kalolo [left click]

Our buddy with the million dollar smile, Isaac Aesili, is soon to release a brand new single entitled “Dandilion”. He’s not alone on this one, since he’s releasing this together with Rachel Fraser under the collective name Funkommunity. This song was produced by fellow Kiwi Christoph El Truento while the b-side “Never Fading” was produced by Julien Dyne and Isaac together. Both songs are from their upcoming “Chequered Thoughts” album by the way. The 7″ is going to be released later this month via Wonderful Noise Japan so keep an eye out for that one! Oh

“Breathtaking sparkles, glimmering fractions. What melodical madness causes such satisfaction?”

Yes, yes…finally it’s here. A monthly selection of gems for everyone to enjoy in the form of a 1 hour mix (give or take a few minutes). Since the number 12 is also known as the number for perfection, we have chosen a birthstone for each month. So if you’re into diamonds by the dozen or you like rubies in the rough,  you’re in the right place.
January’s birthstone is the Garnet. It’s name comes from the 14th century Middle English word, gernet, meaning ‘dark red’. Enjoy our first mix of the year and spread the word if you dig this.

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OH SHIT…Peter Opolopo just hit me with this instrumental Jazz-Funk/Boogie jam called “Twenty-Second Thoughts” that’s been rotting away on his hard drive since 2005. Besides being Amalia’s hubbie, the tallest man I ever picked up (and threw over my shoulder) & Tokyo Dawn’s parade horse. Peter is also a generous fellow. I suggest you go get that free download over at his Soundcloud page and savour the flavor.

Opolopo – Twenty-Second Thoughts [left click]

L.A.’s ambassador of Boogie Funk, DaM-FunK, just uploaded a brand new unreleased goodie onto his Soundcloud page entitled “Fadin'”. Enjoy this little piece of Funk on your Monday morning.

DaM-FunK – Fadin’ (unreleased)

So we’ve been warning you about this particular Kiwi for some time now. Watch out now, because Christoph El Truento‘s instrumental “EP01″ just dropped today on the Japanese Wonderful  Noise label. We’ve been waiting for this one for ages, but it seems it has been pushed back a little. No matter, because it’s now widely available on and will also be pressed on wax. Let me get back on a later note with info about where to pick up the vinyl.

Christoph El Truento – Push On [112kbps]

Isn’t that cute?! Mario Sweet used the talkbox to make a special song entitled “Congratulations” for his lovely wife Malice. Nice free download to start the year in romance. In case you missed out on the duo’s earlier project “Happy 2 Year” deluxe edition, make sure you cop that one too on their Bandcamp page.

Malice & Mario Sweet – Congratulations [left click]

Another year has passed us by again. For the thrird time we’re gonna end the year with our very own ‘Best of 2011’. Together with Nevill and Deluge, I’ve picked out some of the finest music that was released this year. Many thanks to all our visitors and of course the artists out there making music that matters. We wish you a blessed 2012 with loads of great music and make sure you go out with a blast!!

Now on to the Best of 2011..

Best Album 2011
1. Thundercat – The Golden Age of Apocalypse
2. Amalia – Art Slave
3. Brandon Coleman – Self-Taught
4. Elzhi – Elmatic
5. Osunlade – Pyrography
6. Evil Needle – Cirrostratus
7. Mark de Clive-Lowe – Renegades
8. Teeko – Light Up The Darkness
9.  Phonte – Charity Starts At Home
10. Kan Sano – Fantastic Farewell

Best EP 2011
1. KING – The Story EP
2. Dirg Gerner – Preface EP
3. Terrace Martin – The Sex EP
4. fLako – Carving Away The Clay EP
5. Hazel – Playground EP

Best Compilation 2011
1. Soulection
2. The Heart Vol. 2
3. Starship 27 Vol. 2: Take Off
4. LA♥JPN♥LA Vol. 2
5. Label Love Pt.3

Best Videos 2011
1. Erykah Badu – Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long
2. J*DaVeY – Raincheck
3. Jay Electronica Dimethyltryptamine
4. Overdoz – Pasadena
5. Amalia – Freeze That!

Best Remixes 2011
1. Daedelus – Tailor Made with Milosh (Floating Points Remix)
2. Salva – Wake Ups (B. Bravo Remix)
3. Meemee Nelzy – Comme Un Lotus (Buscrates 16​-​bit Remix)
4. Leon King – More Than A Crush (Opolopo Remix)
5. Architeq – Into The Cosmos (Mr Beatnick Dub)

Best Documentaries
1. Real Scenes: Detroit
2. Still Shining
3. Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and the Crack Generation

Best New Musical Talents Spotted 2011
1. ERIMAJ – Conflict Of A Man
2. Brandon Coleman – Self Taught
3. Ayanna – Truthfully
4. Greg Spero – Acoustic
5. Manuals – MPG

Best Collaboration 2011
1. Martyn Slott – Pointing Fingers
2. Zebrahim – In My Heart I Am
3. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Thuggin EP
4. Onrazel – Two for the P (Bonus)
5. Bun B & 14KT – The Life

Best Record Labels 2011
1. Tokyo Dawn
2. Tru Thoughts
3. Plug Research

Most Slept On Artist 2011
Christoph El Truento

Ones to watch in 2012
1. Dirg Gerner
2. Union
3. Derrick Hodge
4. KING
5. East Liberty Quarters

It Was Your Time To Go 2011 (R.I.P.)
1. J-1
2. Fonce Mizell
3. Sylvia Robinson

Any of you wondering what to do with NYE? Well I’ve got an idea where my homies in Frisco are going to be gettin’ down. Opolopo & Amalia are going to be playing at the SOM bar at the legendary Sweater Funk party. Really wish I could be there, but not gonna happen. Good news is that Opo and miss Amalia made a song called “Sweater Funk” especially for the occasion. Even better news is that it’s available as a free download on Opolopo’s Soundcloud page. Get yourself a ticket if you plan on going or just snatch that download!

Opolopo & Amalia – Sweater Funk 2012 (NYE Jam)