Naomi Elizabeth / Tik///Tik [coll] – [Entropictarot]

MSTiZA   3/16/2011   7-inch, A Library

It’s no surprise that Naomi Elizabeth has teamed up with Tik///Tik. There is an element to Naomi’s sound that lends to the rough and lo-fi elements of Tik///Tik. Tik///Tik is SR Cano out of So Cal (Whittier,CA to be exact) and a self proclaimed self indulging artist prone to tantrums and and plasticization of emotions. He makes experimental noise made with synths, samplers, and drum machines, falling in line along with artists like Health & the Mae Shi. Naomi Elizabeth beckons you into her badness with sparkling synths and her vocal coos.

Naomi Elizabeth – “Naomi” – [Self Release]

MSTiZA   3/16/2011   A Library, CD

Naomi Elizabeth has produced and written some gems for the evr booming dance party scene. Seemingly, not intended for dance clubs, I doubt she’d shy away from the success of their plays. However, her strength lies in the conviction found beyond the music. She is not shy about her body and one could categorize the sound as porno-electro. It’s not like Peaches in vulgarity, but there is a bit of Peaches in the mix. You can lay this down with Jahcoozi, Adult, and the in between. She’s on her own tip, stepping outside her girlish cuteness bringing a raw lo-fi sound to the table. The lyrics are sexy cute with the sounds reaching for comfort in the low end noise. With “Naomi” you can dig back into the vault of electro and fill the gaps, while not missing a beat. Mix and mash to your hearts delight!

PGM: beware of the sugar fit, candy overload, & autotune on track 3.

Psych Funk Sa-Re-Ga: 1970-1983 [coll] – [World Psychedelic Funk Classics]

MSTiZA   3/9/2011   12-inch, International

Featured on this release is the golden years, 1970-83 of Indian Psych-Funk sounds. R.D. (Rahul Dev) Burman’s music on these tracks that is theatrical and soundtrack-ish. It’s no wonder what his influences are considering he is the son of the Bollywood music director, Sachin Dev (S.D.) Burman. Kalyanji Anandji are two brothers, one of who scored many films. Their sound is heavier and considered to show more of the western influence. Keith Kanga of Atomic Forest had taken to recreating versions of british and American film scores. His work shows moer variety than that of the previously mentioned artists. Horns, percussion, flange, abstractions & drama are laid about like saris tossed to the wind in a dance sequence. Bhangra and Dandiya elements are found in between original Indian compositions & interpretations of western songs. Fans of surf, psych, funk, will enjoy this all with an international spin.

3WR: Droppin’ the Bombay

Son of P.M., The – “Hey Klong Yao! : Essential Collection of Thai Music…1960s” – [Em Records]

MSTiZA   3/9/2011   12-inch, International

The Son of P.M. has been featured on several Thai collections form Sublime Frequencies. This thai sound is full band of traditional musicians. You hear the guitar, organ, and what seems to be wind instruments, the ranad, hand percussion, & more. The elegance of these songs lie in the instrumentation. You will hear the trance of molam mixed with myanmar; eastern sounds with explosive percussive elements that stay true to the claim that the sound is modernized thai of the 60’s. It’s layered and folk driven. This is more roots than covers as we have seen “the sons..” do in other collections.

Pakistan Folk and Pop Instrumentals ’66-’76 [coll] – [Sublime Frequencies]

MSTiZA   3/9/2011   12-inch, International

The region of the world we know as Pakistan had been part of almost every surrounding kingdom, greek, Indian, Persian, Tukic, Arab. Eventually, in 1947, a united Pakistan emerged from under british rule. With declared unity as an Islamic republic and adoption of a constitution, things were looking up. However a coup courtesy of Ayub Khan had stalled civilian rule. After it’s second war with India, dissent and political tensions grew. It was from 1972-77 that civilian rule had resumed under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It is from this era in Pakistani history that these folk and pop sounds were made. You hear on this record a decade of Pakistani sounds. These sounds are layered with sounds of the east- electric sitar, organs all made with the tranced psychadelia worshipped heavily by american students abrouad in the late 60s early 70s. Under the heavy guard of Eastern sounds you can catch a hint of other influences. Definitely not as crossover garage as the Psychadelic Aliens. Hear the sound of surf, garage, and Pakistani folk set along side pop dreams in eastern lands.

Explode Into Colors – “Quilts” – [M’Lady Records]

MSTiZA   3/9/2011   12-inch, A Library

As of June 2010, Portland’s Explode into Colors is now a disbanded 3 piece all female witchrock band. Members Claudia Meza(aka DJ Tropical Depression in Portie’s dance scene) has collab’d with Japanther, Thunder!Thunder!Thunder!. Lisa Schonberg is no longer with EIC, but instead is now workin with STLS (a female drum duo signed to KillRockStars). Vocalist Heather Treadway may be working in fashion(she co-owns Tolivar in the Burnside neighborhood), but you can hear her on keyboards & percussion on this 6 song release. You will find that these three created haunted garage gard. Some tracks are percussive, heavy, and gray, There’s a cowbell/wood block in a few tracks that scream blues rock then turn more psych garage with grace slick vox. It’s a lemon twist from Effie Briest & a bitter mulch from the Raincoats. This release included a bonus 7″ & was honorably mastered by Bob Weston(the Volcano Suns, Shellac, & post ’02 Mission of Burma)!

Mira Calix – “On E On One” – [Warp Records Ltd]

MSTiZA   2/16/2011   A Library, CD

South African born, Chantal Passamonte aka Mira Calix, moved to London in the 90’s. Both she and her husband have worked with Warp, she as a press officer and he, Sean Booth, as one-half of Autechre. As a DJ she played with Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Aphex Twin, and Radiohead. In 2009, she received a British composer Award & the Royal Philharmonic Society Award. This album was released six ways and this is the CD release on Warp in 2000.

The minimalism is driven by noise/field/foley recordings. Tracks include slow building beats with her vocals sparse and drowned in velvet. Each track transforms and makes use of it’s essence. Some are built around glitch & beats touching on ambient neo-classical. Others are awash in ethereal, bass heavy, and sample layered vox. Definitely for fans of Aphex Twin, Richard Devine, and the like.

P.s. the release includes two bonus tracks. Track 17 is a Boards of Canada of ‘Sandsings’ and the original is featured on track 18. The two vary quite a bit; with more glitch and beat in the remix & the original has a field recording ambience of static, bells, and looping vox.

3WR: lady cinder donna

Yole Boys – “Megakut #1” – [Megakut Records]

MSTiZA   2/10/2011   Cassette, Hip Hop

This cassette release is limited to 250 copies. It’s a mega mix from your faves DJ Quest(SF) on cuts and “records” alongside Fatees(OAK) with his “Bay”ami Bass style. These two hold it down with samples and beats that make you want to whip your hair back and forth. Keep a lookout for Megakut Records. They are takig back cassette culture releasing mixtapes and local side projects from Hip Hop greats, including a slice pulp fiction. Don’t sleep on this!

FM- BX Society Tape [coll] – [S.S. Records]

MSTiZA   2/9/2011   12-inch, A Library

FM-BX Society Tape 001 S.S. Records A Libraryy

This was originally released in a 220 copy run on tape for radio promotion out of Belgium. This vinyl issuing is limited to 500 unnumbered copies. Isolation Ward and Unit 4 are from Belgium and the Scottish band the Topplers are the three bands featured. Alan Henry of the Topplers runs Toppler Records now, but during the time of this recording played some straight forward garage punk . They might not Topple(r) you over, but if it weren’t one of the band memebers, Alan Henry, we may not have seen this release. Both Isolation Ward and Unit 4 feature females and similar sounds. Isolation Ward releases cold wave post punk and continued to record and release after this comp. As the notes read, the Topplers thought that they were the cutting edge band on this comp, but as you listen it is obvious that Unit 4 is the stand outs. Four females who have seemed to disappear made post punk no wave sounds that were far ahead of it’s time, at least in Belgium. This begs the question that is printed on the note from Alan Henry, WHERE ARE YOU UNIT FOUR???
~Mstiza

Peanut Butter Wolf – “Straight to Tape (the 4-track Years 1990-1992)” – [Stones Throw]

MSTiZA   1/26/2011   CD, Hip Hop

These recordings were made during a 3 year period when PB Wolf was living with his mom in the east foothills of San Jose. It was between 1990-1992 that PBW made these tracks with the vocals recorded straight into headphones ran through a mixer and into the 4-track. All tracks are produced by PBW but feature several emcees. There is a distinct rap style from this era. that one must be mindful of when indulging into this release. This is post Lyrical Prophecy and you hear Quiz One and Deshee on this release. Charizma makes a few appearances here and transcends the style he was to become known for, as these tracks are a bit rougher. Or maybe it’s just that this whole release is a bit rougher. In the east coast New Jack swing was the style of the moment that was making it’s way to the west. You can hear that on Quiz One’s & Charizma’s tracks. There is a bit of early gangster rap styles on N.O.T.U.’s tracks. Peace Maker has a ragga style that also came to the forefront in the early 90s rap scene. PB Wolf made beats from samples and loops and he details this in the liner notes. That said, PBW didn’t remix or taint these tracks for this release. There is a trajectory that PB Wolf and all west coast hip hop is affected by after these recordings. In 1993, Charizma was murdered while stopped at a light in East Palo Alto. Shortly after, PB Wolf started Stones Throw and put out “My World Premier” honoring Charizma. After Charizma’s passing, PB Wolf had no intention of working with any other emcees. Consider this an archive of an era that had little national attention and spawned the direction of what was to become of Peanut Butter Wolf.

P.S. The sleeve features a picture of a handful of emcees alongside PB Wolf circa 1995, none of whom are featured on the disc, but all of which I have ID’d for yalls.

LANG:4, 9, 12, 13

Rakaa – “Crown of Thorns” – [Decon]

MSTiZA   1/26/2011   CD, Hip Hop

Rakaa (Taylor) aka Iriscience is one third of Dilated Peoples. This is his debut solo album. Although this is his debut solo attempt, it is full of guest producers and vocalists. The tracks themes and styles are equally diverse yet cohesive. Rakaa is not only an emcee, but a graff artist and advertising student. He shows his roots sharing the mic with Hip Hop’s finest. He keeps his cadence solid and forceful, “calling it how he sees it”. He shows his roots sharing the mic with Hip Hop’s finest. He keeps his cadence solid and forceful, “calling it how he sees it”. He touches on subjects like big business, love, survival, art, & hip hop subculture.

Producers include King Jahzzy[2], Evidence[3], Exile[4], DJ Babu[5,8], Oh No[6], DJ Honda [7], Eric Bobo & DJ Rhettmatic [10], the Alchemist [11,13], El-P [12]. Vocal guests include Aloe Blacc [1], Mad Lion[2], KRS-One [4], Krondon [8], Noelle Scaggs [10], Evidence, Fshawn, & Defari [11], Chali 2na[12], and a whole lineup of players on track 7.

Lang 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 11

Psychedelic Aliens, The – “Psycho African Beat” – [Soundway Records]

MSTiZA   1/19/2011   CD, International

This Academy release is bound to please fans of blues, funk, and garage. It’s less psychadelic but to the Lebanese and Ghanian’s that made up the band and the time they emerged, it was this era of music that impacted their sound and success. In Accra, Ghana; they played with visiting bands and solo gigs as often as they could. They shared bills with big players, but early in their it was the Heartbeats who would change their path when they shared their equipment with the band. The Psychadelic Aliens began to purchase their amps and PA from touring bands whose contracts had ended and this is how they acquired their Vox Continental organ which you hear throughout this release. The booklet enlightens you to the depth of this equipment endeavor (fuzz and wah wah pedals) as well as their influences. Tracks 2 & 8 are instrumental, and track 3 is heavily influenced by Jimmy Hendrix vox. Enjoy this one with a bit of nostalgia for the times and you will not be let down.

Fat Worm of Error – “Broods” – [Ecstatic Peace!]

MSTiZA   1/19/2011   12-inch, A Library

What else would you expect from the instrumentalists who are Fat Worm of Error? Compost? Compositions, more likely. On ‘Broods’, FWoE work with additional players including Bhob Rainey (Nmperign) on soprano saxaphone , Jeremy Starpoli on trombone, Victore Signore on tenor sax, and Peter Bonos on Trumpet. Tracks are free and disjointed, like getting your shoulder dislocated by the bully who was doing you a favor, he could have punched your lights out. It will hurt, you may hear shrieks, black out and wake up to the angelic chants & the clanging of what you thought was pots and pans, but alas is simply FWoE and your shoulder is still attached. Bass, guitar, and drums fence in this zoo of roaming horns, samples, and sounds-which includes affected vocals thrown about. Things may be crawling and climbing along when suddenly the ground shifts and shards of glass rain down. Be warned, Fat Worm of Error will entice those who like the minimal with the unbearable.

Architects + Heroes Sampler Vol.1 [coll] – [Architects + Heroes]

MSTiZA   1/19/2011   A Library, CD

Architects + Heroes is a label & collective comprised of like minded musicians, producers, and sound artists based in CA. DJ Stephen R[uiz], William Rosario , & H.A. Eugene play many roles in this project. DJ Stephen R is part of the duo Zygote (not to be confused with the UK crust-punk or Czech noise-ambient oufits of the same name) and the Summer of Flux. Ruiz hails from the post bubble pop (internet and music) era of SF electronic music producers & DJs. Burbank International & Business 80 is SF’s H.A. Eugene of the Electronic/DJ group, the Luxury Tax. Burbank Int’l has recently garnered some attention locally for his full length release, City of Burbank. Another main player is William Rosario aka Asymmetrical Head (IDM, ambient, electronic) and Quiliuq (his techno house project). The pairing of the singer-songwriter elements of Eugene complements Ruiz and Rosario’s electronic based production, producing a languid collection complete with lush ambiance. In my opinion, too many artists, when merging genres (electronic, neo/electro folk, ambient, IDM) have fallen short with under produced-over production or macro minimalism; ultimately leaving my ears in want of more. In this case the A+H collective have a cross genre cohesion within the individual projects and the sampler as a whole.

Robust & Pore – “Something to Sit On” – [GALAPAGOS4]

MSTiZA   1/5/2011   CD, Hip Hop

There is a quote on the inner sleeve that says “..filling potholes in 2011”. And I couldn’t have put it better. This release fills the gaps in Hip Hop from ’96-2010. Next time you want to reminisce on the hard styles of NY late 90s backpack styles or midwest funk grooves pick this. It is almost like a time capsule. And honestly, by the looks of the album art, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a tape dug up from the wheel well of their car trunk and it turns out they decided to release it now, you know, filing in the gaps. Robust has a laid back cadence that is more classic and laid back. Pore puts together some thick, genuine soul samples and beats that really lay the ground for Robust. I could listen to instro’s of this all day long, The beats will get the jazz/soul audiophiles ears ringing. Vox samples start off a few tracks and some short interludes. Tracks 12, 14 are mostly instrumental with samples. Track 15 ends with a ‘thank you’ outtro
~MSTIZA

ass: 1,2,6
FCC LANG: 4,6, 9, 10, 13

Jay Dee “Fuck The Police” b/w “Move”

MSTiZA   4/13/2010   12-inch, Hip Hop

DJ Rhettmatic, aka Nazareth Nirza, began his DJ career in 1983 with the DJ group Double Platinum and was one of the founding members of the legendary Beat Junkie crew. In 2004, he released Exclusive Collection on Up Above Records and included this single, Jay Dee(J Dilla, RIP 2.10.06)’s, Fuck The Police. He was known as a Rapper then a Producer. This single is made for the OG Hip Hop head. The title track includes 3 samples of NWA’s ’88 original. The B side is a ditry & dry, with his original style, from his roots in Detroit to and all the artists he shared the circuit with. This single was released moments before he scored a deal with MCA, a deal that stalled, which produced the collaboration of Dilla with Madlib and named Jaylib. James Dewitt Yancy died(of TTP, a blood disease) with a core audience of mixtape fanatics and much of his work still waiting to be released. We have the first posthumous release, “The Shining”, which was 75% complete when he died.
~MSTiZA

Black Landlord – “Addicted to Distraction” – [Ropeadope Records]

MSTiZA   2/3/2010   CD, Hip Hop

Philidelphia gave us the Roots. The Roots gave Black Landlord their whole style ten years ago. Vocal delivery is like the call and response. His actual voice sounds simiar to Gift of Gab at times and at others it’s eerily like B Real(Cypress Hill) with his very own Send Dog sounding hype man. However, the rhyme style isn’t like these at all. It’s filled with story telling yelling verses and hooky choruses. I can’t say enough good about the band and their production. If you like the live sound of the JB’s, Crown City Rockers, or the Dap Kings, you will definitely like these tracks. You get the full sound of horns, guitar, keys, etc. Producers Leonard de Leonard and Olaf Hund have done an excellent job giving each member of the band due justice to their instruments.

FCC: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11

3WR: Hype Band, Man

Kid Acne – Romance Ain’t Dead – Lex Records (2007)

MSTiZA   12/9/2009   CD, Hip Hop

UK rapper/graffiti artist Kid Acne grabs the mic, dissing, pissing, ripping, and reminiscing. Req One claims to have “taken old-fashioned records and programmed them in to Fruity Loops”, but don’t write it off. These tracks may be laden with samples in landslides, but they are sequenced with emphasis. Don’t be discouraged by the samples, they are used in creative mentages, sometimes assaulting and other times simple in the breakdowns. I suggest you read the liner notes for the details on them. Vocals are humorous and clever; reminiscent of Kool Keith and his tenure in the UMCs, Beastie Boys, or Audio Two. On Track 5 you will find some of the smoothness of Slick Rick and LL Cool J. Lyrics are aggressive, entertaining, and follow the storytelling styles of the MCs mentioned. The release is consistently held together, intentionally?, by this throwback to the new jack sound of the late 80s early 90s in rap music.

3WR: Neo New Jack

FCC: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10,

Siamese Soul [coll] – [Sublime Frequencies]

MSTiZA   10/29/2009   CD, International

I can’t get enought of these tracks, or Sublime Frequencies. There is something eerie and enticing about the South East Asian groove on Western Soul. Their versions are endearing and haunting, yet rise to the measure of soul mixed with psychadelic. I just want to squeeze this collection into my pocket for the day and take it out at night and sleep with it under my pillow…love *sigh*

War, Gary – “New Raytheonport” – [SHDWPLY]

MSTiZA   4/22/2009   12-inch, A Library

What do you get when you take Anton Newcombe & Joel Gion of BJM and Morissey & Johnny Marr of the Smiths; shrink them and stick them in a leslie speaker? You’d get a third of the haunting and morose sounds of Gary War. Gary War first featured on bass for Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Pedestrian Pop Hits in 2005. He has 2 7″s out but this is his full length. If you are familiar with Ariel Pink/Haunted Graffiti, then you will recognize the names of Jimi Hey(Indian Jewelry), Tim Koh(White Magic). Album was recoded on a Tascam 488(8-Track Cassette based recorder). Besides the cover of Eye in the Sky (Alan Parsons Project) all music was sritten by War. Co-writer credit is given to Cole MGN(AP/HG) on Edge of Mass. Mastered by Jay Rajek (founding member of TRS 80-mid 90s electronic jungle scene, Producer-Nite Jewel) & Ariel Pink. These tracks are beautiful, melancholy, and rough. It’s like seeing your boyfriend cry because he loves, even though you are the cruel one. In GW’s effort to make an album he’s made his listeners turn into observers of sound. It doesn’t fail in delivering watery hauntings.