Heading towards dawn with some beautiful music
1. Grace Jones – Hurricane
I love music and lyrics that deliver a visual to me. This song is very visual as it makes me feel and see the phases of the storm.
2. Common / John Legend – Glory
After seeing the movie Selma, this song was in the ending credits. My body and spirit was overtaken with emotion and I immediately bought the song.
3. Parliament – Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof Off The Sucker)
I live for freedom of expression and funk. Everything about Parliament/Funkadelic inspires me so it was hard to pick just one of their songs.
4. Betty Davis – Walking up the Road
I’m amazed at how many people don’t know about her! She was WAY ahead of her time and the ORIGINAL OG Queen B.
5. Missy Elliot – I’m Really Hot
If anybody knows how to make bodies move, it’s Missy Elliot. The house break is genius on this one.
6. M.I.A. – Bring The Noize
I care so much about music and people of the world. M.I.A. motivates the shit out of me with her beats and messages!
7. Talking Heads – Stay Hungry (1980 Live version)
There are several versions recorded of this song but this LIVE version from their 1980 concert in Rome is the most passionate and groovy version I’ve heard. I constantly rewind and repeat the drop.
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give it Away
Simple and intricate at the same time! The push and pull between the guitar and bass lines are sick.
9. Rage Against The Machine – Snakecharmer
Gritty punchy guitars and grooves energize me. I like my guitars gritty and I like cheddar in my grits at breakfast.
10. Rage Against the Machine – Roll Right
It’s all about the message, the tones, dynamics and grooves.
Sky Deep – Rebirth of Deep EP (Reveller Records)
Reveller Records offers up its much anticipated fourth release, this time in the form of a stunning EP from Sky Deep.
Reveller Records are a collective on their way to forming a well respected label and party series focussed on both house, techno and bass as well as electro soul, electro funk and hip hop. At the heart of all that is Berlin based American Sky Deep (previously known as Sky Disco or just Sky D) who has appeared on TV in the US, is a revered DJ and vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and arts educator. Sky’s former project, discoBAASSIK, also opened for Divinity Roxx (Beyonce’s bass player) at Knitting Factory in NYC to rave reviews. After years working as a hip hop artist this EP chronicles the transformation of Sky Deep into a more house and techno focussed producer.
Magic opener ‘Death & Glory’ is a curious concoction that marries birdsong like synths with jumpy, lumpy drums, a heady brew of withering synth lines and tumbling melodies. It’s loose limbed and feels like a live jam and will have dance floors in raptures, no doubt. ‘Rebirth of Deep’ is then a swaggering and staggering track with muscular drum patterns and squelchy synth lines that make for an off kilter rhythm. Well-treated vocals, lots of subtle effects and tribal flavours really make this a special one indeed. Lastly, the brilliant ‘We Are Here’ is a dark, texturally rich house track that is perfectly syncopated and swings its way through bright melodies and shapeshifting synth lines. It will sweep up everyone who hears it thanks to its leftfield charm and, much like the EP overall, it has a truly singular sound that reflects the well informed musical DNA of Sky Deep herself.
Sky Deep – Rebirth of Deep EP (Reveller Records) Release: 29th June 2015 Cat. No. REV004
