Dirty Sound System puts a new shine on space disco:
Sci-fi lovers know that the final frontier can be an anything-goes scenario. The same thinking suffuses the music of Paris' Dirty Sound System, responsible for a series of mind-boggling re-edits of such artists as the Alan Parsons Project, Cat Stevens, and even Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Founded in 2001 by Guillaume Sorge, Clovis Goux, and Benjamin Morando, the crew has explored the disco universe's alternate dimensions via an MP3 blog, a monthly, hometown club night, three Dirty Diamonds compilations for Diamondtraxx, and those aforementioned edits, by their colleagues Pilooski, Krikor, and Tigersushi's Joakim. Later this month, Dirty teams up with Tigersushi to release Dirty Space Disco, a hot-and-cold compilation of cosmic disco, new wave, and warped electronics. With average BPMs suggesting that slow is the new fast, the artists represented — John Forde, Roedelius, the Undisputed Truth, Conrad Schnitzler — are as unusual as any of Dirty's mutant picks, proving that space can be an elastic place, indeed.
Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited:
Although Thomas Mapfumo's Blacks Unlimited band has replaced numerous members in the past (due in no small part to the AIDS epidemic in his homeland of Zimbabwe), Mapfumo successfully continues to rely on his self-made "chimurenga" style of music — labeled after a Shona band of guerillas, whose name means "struggle" — to find hope and strength during times of strife. By combining traditional Shona mbira music with Western instruments (drums, bass, guitar) and a powerful political message, Mapfumo carries the entire nation of Zimbabwe on his back in an explosion of authentic, deep, African roots music. Experience this international force as he performs with his Blacks Unlimited, because this "Lion of Zimbabwe" won't let you down.
Mad Professor:
Dub reggae is all about the unappreciated but undeniably influential player, icons like England's Mad Professor who taught the world that dub is meant to be felt through the ears AND the body. Following in the footsteps of mentor Lee "Scratch" Perry, the Prof's wall-to-wall, second-wave sounds maintained a connection with '60s innovators, but also incorporated the riddims of the more progressive '70s and early '80s acts. He appears tonight along with backing band the Ariwa Posse and special guest Pan Africanist, pumping the smooth sounds and virtuosic computer manipulations that have kept him at the front of the class for nigh-on three decades.
Âme:
Âme, meaning "soul" in French, is quite an appropriate name for the German duo of Kristian Beyer and Frank Wiedemann. These gentlemen throw a healthy dose of soul into their techno, deep house, and broken beat flavors. Their recent full-length, Mixing — featuring mixes from Carl Craig and Derrick May — further illustrates Âme's ability to whet your dance-floor appetite. Tonight, they hit SF for the first time, bringing the kind of music that doesn't need a holiday to have a good time.
Sci-fi lovers know that the final frontier can be an anything-goes scenario. The same thinking suffuses the music of Paris' Dirty Sound System, responsible for a series of mind-boggling re-edits of such artists as the Alan Parsons Project, Cat Stevens, and even Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Founded in 2001 by Guillaume Sorge, Clovis Goux, and Benjamin Morando, the crew has explored the disco universe's alternate dimensions via an MP3 blog, a monthly, hometown club night, three Dirty Diamonds compilations for Diamondtraxx, and those aforementioned edits, by their colleagues Pilooski, Krikor, and Tigersushi's Joakim. Later this month, Dirty teams up with Tigersushi to release Dirty Space Disco, a hot-and-cold compilation of cosmic disco, new wave, and warped electronics. With average BPMs suggesting that slow is the new fast, the artists represented — John Forde, Roedelius, the Undisputed Truth, Conrad Schnitzler — are as unusual as any of Dirty's mutant picks, proving that space can be an elastic place, indeed.
Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited:
Although Thomas Mapfumo's Blacks Unlimited band has replaced numerous members in the past (due in no small part to the AIDS epidemic in his homeland of Zimbabwe), Mapfumo successfully continues to rely on his self-made "chimurenga" style of music — labeled after a Shona band of guerillas, whose name means "struggle" — to find hope and strength during times of strife. By combining traditional Shona mbira music with Western instruments (drums, bass, guitar) and a powerful political message, Mapfumo carries the entire nation of Zimbabwe on his back in an explosion of authentic, deep, African roots music. Experience this international force as he performs with his Blacks Unlimited, because this "Lion of Zimbabwe" won't let you down.
Mad Professor:
Dub reggae is all about the unappreciated but undeniably influential player, icons like England's Mad Professor who taught the world that dub is meant to be felt through the ears AND the body. Following in the footsteps of mentor Lee "Scratch" Perry, the Prof's wall-to-wall, second-wave sounds maintained a connection with '60s innovators, but also incorporated the riddims of the more progressive '70s and early '80s acts. He appears tonight along with backing band the Ariwa Posse and special guest Pan Africanist, pumping the smooth sounds and virtuosic computer manipulations that have kept him at the front of the class for nigh-on three decades.
Âme:
Âme, meaning "soul" in French, is quite an appropriate name for the German duo of Kristian Beyer and Frank Wiedemann. These gentlemen throw a healthy dose of soul into their techno, deep house, and broken beat flavors. Their recent full-length, Mixing — featuring mixes from Carl Craig and Derrick May — further illustrates Âme's ability to whet your dance-floor appetite. Tonight, they hit SF for the first time, bringing the kind of music that doesn't need a holiday to have a good time.
Gotan Project:
In case you missed the Gotan Project back in July, here’s a second chance to catch this dynamic group of French and Argentinian musicians who successfully mesh classic tango with modern dance beats. The group’s debut album, La Revancha del Tango, became an unlikely emissary for a new brand of “world music” that folds together traditional styles, glossy downbeat flair, and political consciousness (see “El Capitalismo Forneo,” dealing with Argentina’s monetary crisis). The result is a mesmerizing electro-acoustic atmosphere that squeezes you like a lover—or, for that matter, like an accordion.
In case you missed the Gotan Project back in July, here’s a second chance to catch this dynamic group of French and Argentinian musicians who successfully mesh classic tango with modern dance beats. The group’s debut album, La Revancha del Tango, became an unlikely emissary for a new brand of “world music” that folds together traditional styles, glossy downbeat flair, and political consciousness (see “El Capitalismo Forneo,” dealing with Argentina’s monetary crisis). The result is a mesmerizing electro-acoustic atmosphere that squeezes you like a lover—or, for that matter, like an accordion.
