Galliano - 4our

Galliano was a London based acid jazz group, started up in 1988. The group was the first ever signing to Eddie Piller and Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label. The original members were Rob Gallagher (vocals), Constantine Weir (vocals), and Crispin Robinson (percussion). Other important members include Valerie Etienne, who participated in the recording of all their CDs, along with other musicians such as Mick Talbot on keyboards, Crispin Taylor on drums and Ernie McKone on bass guitar.

For those of you who know the Galliano of old,then this album will come as a bit of a suprise, because it doesn't really remind you of anything the band have done before,but do not let that put you off.

Granted, the keyboard skills of Mick Talbot and lyrics of Constantine Weir no longer remain, but it still manages to provide the listener with a very funky yet eclectic mix of Rock,soul,pop and even country.

I know it sounds bizarre but this album works on many levels, which enables you to listen to it right the way through without being tiresome or sounding the same,just listen to the haunting sound of Roofing Tiles or even Who ate the Fly.

The main difference with this CD is the fact that it sounds much more polished and slick ,even Rob Gallagher's singing has improved.

1. Who Ate The Fly (Gonna Get You)
2. Ease Your Mind
3. Slack Hands
4. Roofing Tiles
5. Slightly Frayed
6. Best Lives Of Our Days (Featuring Red Snapper)
7. Thunderhead
8. Freefall
9. Some Came
10. Funny How
11. Western Front
12. Who's In Charge
13. Battles Are Brewing (Reprise)

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DJ Uilson - Professor Groove

I love it when I stumble across a new blog, and this one is definitely worth a mention. Not that they are new, they've been spinning the grooves since 06, and some awesome grooves they are. Everything from classic jazz to the hip hop that matters, you really need to check these guys out.

While I'm on the subject, keep an eye down the right hand side of this blog, I am constantly updating the list of bands, blogs, labels and podcasts. You could spend more than a couple of lazy afternoons perusing all the sites I have listed. Enjoy.

The Brand New Heavies - HRE Theme Feat Grand Puba Masta Ace

From Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1

Brownswood Recordings Podcast

Brownswood Recordings has just put together a fantastic 1 hour podcast, showcasing an overview of the talent that the label is involved with, including the Heritage Orchestra, Ben Westbeech, Jose James (officially the smoothest cat on the planet), and the insanely jazzy Japanese mob, Soil & "PIMP" Sessions. Defintely worth an hour of your time. Go and check it out.

Raw Stylus - Pushing Against the Flow

The original Raw Stylus was 'Class-A Sound System Soul'. Ron Aslan and Jules Brookes released white label vinyl records into the funky London club scene, which bloomed post Soul II Soul in the early 90's.

'Pushing Against The Flow' was a big underground tune and later became the title track of the album. Giles Petersen named it his track of the year and Paul Weller claimed it 'should have been a No.1 record' in The Face. Other early singles were: Bright Lights, Big cities; Pushing Against The Flow; Many Ways (Mo' Wax); Use Me (Acid Jazz).

After original singer Debbie French left, it took a couple of years to find a replacement, but they did, with the wonderful Donna Gardier. At the end of this period, they recorded an album in the US on Geffen Records, who insisted that Steely Dan producer Gary Katz got involved. They didn't mind at all, being big Steely Dan fans. The music became more live orientated and they churned out a great record - which was timeless, but not particularly commercial. It is filled with musical talent like Bernard Purdie, Donald Fagen, Randy Brecker as well as many cool players from the 90's London and New York Acid Jazz scenes. A US Billboard dance music No.1 single, 'Believe In Me' came off this album. They were signed to Geffen in the US who were busy promoting Beck and Wu-Tang Clan and didnt really take much notice of them.

They called it a day after touring up till the end of '98. Donna went on to join Sting's back up band, Jules is MD of a successful music college and marketing company (www.pointblanklondon.com) whilst Ron relocated to Thailand, where he heads up a design company, Cha Cha Supermarket (www.chachasupermarket.com)

1. Pushing Against The Flow
2. Believe In Me
3. 37 Hours (In The U.S.A.)
4. Kings Cross/Daybreak
5. Higher Love
6. Cuban King Breeze
7. Tuesday Afternoon
8. Ridequake
9. Pass Me By
10. Hungry People
11. Change

Raw Stylus's MySpace Page

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