LP

Things are happening. It’s a perpetual truth and something of a mysterious, even ominous, sentiment as it applies to XL Middleton’s follow up to “Tap Water.” Fittingly, the content of “Things Are Happening” strays down darker or more cynical paths than its predecessor, and in doing so takes the modern funk ethos as a whole beyond tried and true formulas such as love songs or spiritual anthems. The grooves remain uptempo, the synth work is still warm and percussive. But, there’s a heavier story to tell, and greater truths to face. The album opens with the uptempo, lowrider-ready “Never Have Too Many Freaks.” Upon frst glance it’s a hedonistic ode to maintaining multitudes of willing women for carnal conquest, but further listens reveal the story of a man in search of love, let down too many times and thus led away from the pursuit of romance. “Look Who’s Talkin’” details the strenous nature of socializing as an introvert, with tongue-in-cheek lyrics seated atop a warbly electro-funk instrumental. This theme is explored again, in a more introspective fashion, on the album’s closer, “They Don’t Wanna Leave.” On “Better Friend” (feat. Moniquea), XL plays witness to those who would invade social circles for personal gain - an all too common sight in the music business, perhaps foreshadowing a future hip hop album by dropping a few bars before the song sizzles to a close. Him and Zackey Force Funk team up on “Paradise Of Pavement,” an anthem for the highs and lows of living in LA, framed by cosmic chords and grinding synth bass tones. “Purple Sheets” resonates with a slow Linn drum bounce as XL’s vocoder fnally offers a moment of unbridled love/lust, adding a dimension to the album more akin to “Tap Water” than anything else on the project. Some might argue that the internalized nature of “Things Are Happening” is badly timed, with the hyper-politicized environment we are now living in almost demanding social commentary in art above all else. However, this album is a reminder that, no matter who the president is or what global woes we are facing, we also exist outside of the collective mind and have our own individual stories to tell.

LP limited to 300 copies

Released in 1974, Téo Azevedo’s first album Grito Selvagem (“Wild Shout”) is an irresistible blend of soul and rock with an unmistakable Brazilian character.As many other lost gems of time past, the album found little commercial success, and still during the 70s Téo turned forever to the true Brazilian popular music – the forró, the roots of sertanejo and the rhythms and traditions of Brazil’s often forgotten countryside – becoming, from then on, a genuine cultural reference in Brazil not only as musician and composer, but also as a poet and researcher of popular folklore, being awarded the Grammy Latino prize in 2013.This career turn also contributed to push “Grito Selvagem” onto the dusty and forgetful shelves of time, until its rediscovery in recent years by DJs and record collectors. With lyrics reminiscent of the life in the city and the countryside, the album is one of Brazil’s forgotten treasures, with arrangements and production by Téo in partnership with maestro Daniel Salinas – producer / arranger very active in the Jovem Guarda movement, and known to collectors for his 1973 album Atlantis-, ten tracks which deliver the unmistakable groove you’ll only find in Brazilian records from the 70s. If you like Luiz Gonzaga, Tim Maia, Jackson do Pandeiro or Gilberto Gil, get ready to hear Téo Azevedo and his Grito Selvagem!

Reissued from the Spanish version of this awesome Cuban record from 1978 with a unique picture cover.Probably one of the best 70's Areito releases, for sure ahead of his times. The entire record minus two tracks of 10 total are all upbeat with afro-latin breaks, dope choral vocal arrangements and chunky bass and conga lines, but don t sleep, the lower bpm songs are great mellow gems. Gilles Peterson says: "If a Cuban record had come out on Sleeping Bag Records in 1982, I think it would have sounded a bit like this. It s an eccentric middle ground between Latin-styled pop and disco".