Jose Roberto : Crioula Multicolorida
taken from the compilation “Brazilian Beats Brooklyn” on Mr. Bongo (2006)

Free Som Orchestra : The Kings Bounce
taken from the compilation “Ultimate Brazilian Breaks & Beats” on Murge Discos (2006)

Bappi Lahiri, Amit Kumar & Sulahshana Pandit : Kya Jaan Yeh Duniya Kya Jane
taken from the compilation “The Bombay Connection” on Normal (2006)

OP Nayyar : Kismat Title Music
taken from the compilation “Bomshell Baby of Bombay” on Normal (2006)

I’ve felt a bit intimidated about posting any Brazilian music lately due to the influx of heavyhitters on the scene. I mean, these guys pretty much have it covered. Full albums of samba-funk, tropicalia-psyche, and bossa-jazziness on the daily. My library of Brazilian music is a bit overwhelming right now. My fear is that I’ll never be able to properly listen to it all. That’s part of the reason why compilations like these are so important- they pick through the overwhelming mass of music and pull out the most important nuggets for us. They’re especially helpful when you’re dealing with a genre like Brazilian funk (where the likelyhood of turning up one of these originals in a local record store is about as rare as stumbling upon a Velvet Underground acetate for a $.75 – okay, maybe not quite that rare). Thankfully, a couple of my favorite Brooklyn DJ’s (Greg Caz & Sean Marquand of the weekly Brazil Beat Brooklyn party) have put together this goldmine of Brazilian booty. In addition to being music connoisseurs (check out Academy records where Greg can help you find good records in many genres), these guys are hard working DJ’s, which means that each track on the album has been tested for danceability. Listening to this collection, it’s easy to see why their Sunday night samba party has been going strong for 5 years now. Buy this comp now because you need it in your life.

Another recent gleaning effort, Ultimate Brazilian Breaks & Beats, draws a greater focus on one important aspect of the music- the drums. To any producers out there, I’m sure this will not disappoint, as each track comes equipped with a massive breakbeat ripe for picking- ready to be chopped and served up freshhhhh. Knowing that this comp is associated with some cats from the Raw Fusion label (much respect), something tells me that this one isn’t as legit as the Mr. Bongo
release (is it just me, or do I hear some vinyl crackle on “The Kings Bounce”?). Do your sampler a favor and pick this one up!

Bollywood proves to be a difficult hunting ground as well- within the vast quantities of Indian film recordings, only a small number delve into “fusion”-style tracks that incorporate rock, funk or disco. Not that I can’t appreciate the more traditional style soundtracks as well, but it’s the moog infested, wah-wah tickled, breakbeat battered goodness that I seek the most. Similarly minded Dutchmen Sacha Dieu & Edo Bouman have spent years putting together the most thorough and complete collections I’ve ever seen. On top of superb song selection, the albums come with beautiful detailed liner notes with artist bios and even mini film synopses! Check out their website where you can find out about the Bombay Connection band and a Remix project that’s currently in the works: www.Bombay-Connection.com. Apparently, there’s more collections in the works as well. I want to be down!

Viva Gozadera Mix : the latest Latin/Brazilian throwdown by Capt. P
UPDATE! click here to download the mix separated into tracks for your listening convenience. 80 mins of music, 27 joints, 1 .Zip file…

“Passport” Best of 2006 : broadcast from 01/08/2007

I feel like I’m always struggling to keep up with all this music around me. But I suppose that’s a good thing. Viva Gozadera is the new mix I made for S.O.B.’s, so it’s heavy on the Spanish and Portugese joints. I spent way too many hours putting it together, but the mixing is tight and the selection features a lot of the tunes that I’ve been spinning out on my Thursday night gigs. It’s definitely a good soundtrack for a steamy party or pump-up music to keep you sweeping on house-cleaning day.

This latest edition of “Passport” is my extra special best of 2006. Yeah, I know, this should of been up a month ago… but check the selection. Afrobeat, Samba, Peruvian House, Funk, etc. Due to the global format of the show, there’s plenty of U.S.- based fav’s that don’t appear here, but that stuff is easier to find elsewhere. Here in the crate, we keep it Gumbo Funky.

Viva Gozadera Tracklisting:
1. Luiz Bonfa – “Bonfa Nova”
2. Marcelo D2 – “A Procura Da Batida Perfeita”
3. Curumin – “Guerreiro”
4. Stereo Marcana – “Onde E Que Tu Ta
5. Jorge Ben – “Sou Da Pesada (7 Samurai Rmx)
6. Emilio Santiago – “Bananeira”
7. Edson Frederico – “Bobeira”
8. Cut Chemist – “The Garden”
9. Osvaldinho Da Cuica E Grupo Vai-Vai – “Vendaval”
10. Antibalas – “Che Che Cole”
11. Red Astaire – “Tito”
12. Louie Ramirez – “The New Breed”
13. The Latin Brothers – “Son Del Caballo”
14. Hector Rivera – “Llora Como Yo”
15. Andy Harlow – “La Musica Brava”
16. Calle 13 – “Atrevete”
17. Fulanito – “Suave”
18. Blanquito Man, Control Machete & Carlos Peña Y Su Ronda Bogota – “Cumbia Sobre El Rio”
19. Quantic & Nickodemus – “Mi Swing Es Tropical”
20. Los Amigos Invisibles – “Esto Es Lo Que Hay (Reggaeton Rmx)
21. Rodolfo – “Anito Viejo”
22. The Lat-teens – “El Nuevo Swing”
23. Sidestepper – “Campo”
24. Beatfanatic – “Jogando Capoeira”
25. Troubleman – “Toda Hora (ft. Nina Miranda)”
26. Bebel Gilberto – “Aganju (Rmx)”
27. LTJ X-Perience ft. Joe Bataan – “Ordinary Guy (Latin Club Edit)”

“Passport” Best Of 2006 Tracklisting:
artist – track title – album – (label)
1. Nomo “Nu Tones” New Tones (Ubiquity)
2. Ali Farka Toure “Machengoidi” Savane (World Circuit)
3. Salah Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Band “Oriental Mood” Egyptian Jazz (Art Yard)
4. Victor Boa Y Su Musica “Soy Solo Para Ti” Panama! (Soundway)
5. Jose Roberto “Crioula Multicolorida” Brazilian Beats Brooklyn (Mr. Bongo)
6. Aloe Blacc “Patria Mia” Shine Through (Stones Throw)
7. Novalima “Machete” Afro (Quango)
8. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars “Soda Soap” Living LIke A Refugee (Anti-)
9. Hallelujah Chicken Run Band “Mudzimu Ndiringe” Take One (Alula)
10. Ok-Oyot System “Osama Rach” Extra Golden (Thrill Jockey)
11. Jorge Ben “Lalari-Olala” Gilles Peterson Back In Brazil (Ether)
12. Mustafa Ozkent “Zeytinyagli” Genclik Ile Elele (Finders Keepers)

Ellen McIlwaine : Toe Hold
taken from the album “Honky Tonk Angel” on Polydor (1972)

Jorge Ben : Oba La Vem Ela
taken from the album “Forca Bruta” on Philips (1970)

Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers : San Juan 2000
taken from the album “Yaina” on Right-On (197?)

Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Titibitis : Sakpaide Special
taken from the album “Jackpot” on Makossa (1981)

It appears as though the digital music takeover, like the warming of our winters, is inevitable. It’s no longer a prospect for us to ponder, it’s our condition. While most of us bought MP3 players and started finding (or creating) music blogs, an army of tiny, efficient, 4MB songs crept it’s way into the comfortable vantage of our lowest common denominator. And now, as DJ after DJ gives in to the alluring convenience of the latest technology, music enthusiasts of every ilk– from the olde-tyme collectors of 78rpm hillbilly blues platters to the latest hipsters trying their luck as electro-clash trend setters– have no option but to surrender. Because whatever type of music it is that makes you crazy (however rare and obscure), there’s a place online where you can find it– probably for free.

When faced with the choice between A) maintaining the integrity of your physical music library at the cost of missing out on thousands of songs that you would surely love, and B) downloading more music than you could possibly listen to in this lifetime, every music-lover I know opts for B. The endless itunes library, set on shuffle, is just too appealing. What are the ramifications? Well, for me at least, it means a whole lot of recording records… Although the process is less than fun, I find some meager reward in the form of creating MP3s that will possibly outlive the records from which they came. When the arctic-melt flood waters reach my doorstep, it’ll be a lot easier to pack my hardrive than my record collection. This does not mean however, that I’m going to stop searching, scouring, looting, and hording while the gettin’s good. There is much still to be discovered in these plastic plates. And there’s a grumpy old man inside me somewhere that thinks I ought to earn my iTunes library with a bit of actual context. hmpf.

Check out funky guitar mistress Ellen McIlwaine here.

Explore the greatness of Jorge Ben by checking here.

Find more about Pucho and His Latin Soul Brothers right here.

Dig the truth about Sir Victor by peeping this.

Nephews Of Phela : Mulah 2
taken from the whitelabel 12″

Red Astaire : Move Yo Ass (at +6 speed)
taken from the whitelabel 12″

Elvis meets The Wailers : Crying In The Chapel
taken from the whitelabel 7″

SCANDINAVIA RUUUUUUULES!!!!!! That short little trip was undeniably rad. The people were amazing, the clubs were packed, the clubbers were bouncing, the weather was not nearly as cold as we thought it would be (I see you Al), and I exceeded my longest running stint without sleep by 48 hours– which made for a grand total of about 4 days non-stop! I’m still recovering as I sit here at work and daze fondly back into thoughts of fastfood waffles and afterparties of afterparties with endless hash spliffs that don’t get you high and rolling nordic hillsides crowned with actual wooden windmills! I just pray that the people who readily invited us back keep up their end of the deal. After two days in NYC, I’m ready to return.

We successfully managed to meet Freddie Cruger aka Red Astaire, who’s got a new album coming out shortly. Not only is this man a genuinely good dood, but he was open and encouraging enough to record a track with us in the few hours that we spent together at his studio. It ain’t finished yet, but it’s a start! Let’s collabo some more mang…

And we also finnagled our way onto Tommy Tee’s National Rap Show in Oslo. Freestyling and previewing some of our newly written material on air was a high point as well. So much goodness. It put me in the mood to give back, BIG time. So, here are some surefire jams that have been in my sets as of late. Enjoy em. And party like you’re Henrik, a regular Crate reader in Oslo who showed MAD love at club BLAA– where were you for the last beer of the night?

A quick note on the tunes: all of these superfly remixes are available at the everbumpin’ Turntable Lab. Cop ’em while you can.

PEACE.

Freddie Cruger : Over The Ocean ft. Desmond Foster
taken from the album “Soul Search” on Ubiquity/Raw Fusion (2006)

The Knife : Heartbeats
taken from the album “Deep Cuts” on V2 (2005)

Missy Ft. Ciara : Loosecontrol (Beatards RMX)
taken from our first mixtape “The Smoke Off” available NOW!

Some may be familiar with one of my major projects of the moment: Mixtape Riot! For those that don’t know, allow me to give a quick shpeal. It’s a party hosted by us, The BeATaRdS— 2 DJ’s, 4 turntables, and 1.5 MC’s (which means that while we have a frontman, I contribute the occaisional verse as well). We do live remixes with our own beats, and sprinkle in our original songs as well. Sounds a little confusing, but it’s easier to understand if you’re in the crowd. Well, we’ve been rocking shows in the L.E.S. for close to a year now, and we’re finally starting to hit the road… or airstrip, rather. EUROPE, baby! That’s right. We’re about to take Sweden and Norway by storm. Any of you folks over there, HOLLER, and check the myspace page for venue details. Gothenberg on the 18th, Oslo on the 19th, and Stockholm on the 20th. Plus we’re gonna be on Norway’s national hip hop radio station… Tommy T (I think)?!? Still not completely straight on all the details, but we’re definitely gonna be partying, so COME OUT and say wurd.

And here’s some tunes from up in those northern regions that I been feeling as of late. Gonna try to get into the studio with funkmaster Freddie Cruger while we’re over in Stockholm… got my fingers crossed. If you’re not totally convinced by The Knife’s version of Jose Gonzalez’s “Heartbeats”, then check the music video for the full-fledged experience. And yeah, cop our MIXTAPE! Paypal $5 ($8 Int’l) to captainplanet@bywayof.net with yer address attached.

p.s.- I was kindly informed by a reader that it was actually Jose Gonzalez who did the cover version of “Heartbeats”, originally by The Knife. Sorry.

“Passport” broadcast from 01.01.07 New Year’s Day Hangover Special!

“Passport” broadcast from 12.18.06 Egyptian Jazz, Turkish Breaks…

Every Monday, 8 -9 PM on WNYU 89.1FM
It’s never easy staying on top of this stuff. But better late than never.

Playlist for 01.01.07
Artist (location) — track title — album — (label):
1. Roy Brown (Puerto Rico) — “Mama Yoyo” — Profecia De Urayoan — (Disco Libre)
2. Unknown (China) — “Unknown” — Unknown
3. Jorge Ben (Brazil) — “Oba, La Vem Ela” — Forca Bruta — (Philips)
4. Ok-Oyot System (Kenya/USA) — “Ilando Gima Onge” — Extra Golden — (Thrill Jockey)
5. Orchestre Du Baobab (Senegal) — “Kelen Ati Len” — Kelen Ati Len 7″ — (Soundway)
6. Ricardo Ray & Bobby Cruz (Puerto Rico) — “Donde Esta Mi Negra?” — 1975 — (Vaya)
7. Mario Cavagnaro (Peru) — “Salchicha Con Huevo / Guaguanco Raro” — Cocktail De Exitos — (Sonoradio)
8. Ocho (NYC) — “Hotpants Road” — Tres — (Universal Sound)
9. Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Titibitis (Nigeria) — “Ewere Noyoyo” — Jackpot — (Makossa)
10. Pasteles Verdes (Peru) — “Angelitos Negros” — Recuerdos De Una Noche –(Gema)
11. Selda (Turkey) — “Gine Haber Gelmis” — Selda — (B-Music)

Playlist for 12.18.06
Artist (location) — track title — album — (label):
1. Marku Ribas (Brazil) — “Zamba Ben” — Marku — (Beverly)
2. Mustafa Ozkent (Turkey) — “Dolana” — Genclik Ile Elele — (Finders Keepers)
3. Adiss (Armenia) — “Pajanoum” — Adiss 78 — (Arka)
4. Salah Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Band (Egypt) — “Neveen” — Egyptian Jazz — (Art Yard)
5. Djamel Allam (Algeria) — “Samarkande” — Les Reves Du Vent — (L’Escagot)
6. Toubabou (Canada/W.Africa) — “Yama Nekh” — Le Ble Et Le Mil — (ProgQuebec)
7. Jesus Acosta & The Professionals (Belize) — “Theme From The Godfather” — The Professionals On Tour — (CES)
8. Soulful Dynamics (?) — “Gotomo” — Wildcats — (Decca)
9. Armando Hernandez (Colombia) — “Celos De Amor” — 14 Canonazos Bailables Vol. 21 — (Fuentes)
10. Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers (NYC) — “San Juan 2000” — Yaina — (Right-On)
11. Eba Aka Jerome et le Sanwi Star (Ivory Coast) — “Viliemon” — Trahison — (Papa-Disco)