The Masala Mix Tapes #1 - Nord Electro Masala

1. Revelation of Love [Wurlitzer]
(from The Blue Van's "The Art of Rolling")
2. Holding Pattern [Wurlitzer]
(from Stebmo's S/T Debut)
3. After Hours [Hammond B3 Organ]
(from Jimmy Smith's "Root Down")
4. Wanda Vidal [Hammond B3 Organ]
(from Sound Directions' "Funky Side of Life")
5. Cris Chana [Fender Rhodes]
(from Wagon Christ's "Musipal")
6. Turn Out The Lights [Fender Rhodes]
(from Peter Elkas' "Party of One")
7. Funky In The Middle [Honer Clavinet]
(from Nickodemus' "Endangered Species")
8. Son Of Neckbone [Honer Clavinet]
(from The Beastie Boys' "The In Sound from Way Out")
9. Limbic Funk [Hammond B3 Organ]
(from Mr. Scruff's "Mrs. Cruff")
10. Shellah V [Hammond B3 Organ]
(from Chris Joss' "You've Been Spiked")

Green Tracks posted by The Cool Jerk
Blue Tracks posted by D.ave

Good People!
To anyone keeping track, today is the 30th of June. The day we promised a fresh batch of blues n' greens, one hell of a mix-up. Gentlecats, this is the first Masala mix tape.
A brief synopsis, perhaps?
We figured a cool way to keep our friendly, competitive spirit up and continue to offer plates of groovy Tuesdays, would be to post a mix-tape of stuff we dig at the end of every month. With congruity in mind, we decided to theme these mix-tapes based off challenges offered by you or other contributors.
This months theme is based off a good friend of my fingers, Clavia's Nord Electro 2, being a staple of the modern musician who no longer feels the need to force roadies into an early retirement from lugging around organs. Big fucking organs.
To anyone not familiar with the Nord Electro 2 or electromechanical keyboards, the former is a spot on synthesis of the latter. The latter being a vast array of brilliantly conceived analogue keyboards that shaped Rock/Funk/Jazz/you name it enormously. The four we will be focusing on are the Wurlitzer Electric Piano[track 1 & 2], Hammond B3 Organ[track 3, 4, 9 & 10], Fender Rhodes[track 5 & 6], and Honer Clavinet[track 7 &8].
The Wurlitzer is the king of headbuttin' rock and roll keyboards. Since the tone is produced through a oscillating resistor circuit, a very meaty, rich, flat sound is produced, and since these circuits are quite sensitive; Wurlitzers don't stay in tune. However, a bit of tremolo and overdriven tubes give a player acres of filth at his fingertips. JPJ illustrates this wonderfully on Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop". If you know the tune, you know how pissy this thing can get. Fans of Supertramp/Steely Dan will recognize the Wurrly. In the first track, the Blue Van show you how to replace a rhythm guitar by beating the crap out of a Wurlitzer. I suggest trying this at home. In track two, Stebmo negates all of the wonderful things I said about the instrument, by using it in an incredibly dynamic, musical manner. Way to go, Stebmo.
Next, is the illustrious Hammond Organ. A masterpiece. The most brilliant marriage of physics and art I've ever come across. I'll try not to go off, to anyone interested, research this instrument. It's history and cultural value are remarkable. After Hours is a classic example of how to make an organ ooze sex. Squeezed by the principal of Hammond B3 Organ grinding, Jimmy Smith. Dig this. The next three tracks are more modern uses of the instrument. Wanda Vidal couples the unmistakable shriek of the B3 with a cool Rhodes. Mr. Scruff's playful Limbic Funk reintroduces the endless opportunities the instrument offers.
The Fender Rhodes, being the piano sim that essentially popularized electric pianos, is one of the most versatile pieces of gear on this list. It's similar to the Wurlitzer, except the tone is created by a series of bell-tines, which give it a much more complex sound; for the dynamic pianist; this is where it's at. Cris Chana really plays with the rhythmic side of the keyboard, while Peter Elkas sinks you into your socks with the most syrupy, romantic Rhodes groove; which I think serves as a really sick reminder to all of us. Kiddos, you were conceived to the sound of a Rhodes. It's in your blood.
Last, but far from least. The Honer Clavinet. Perhaps one of the more unconventional keyboards, it sounds like a dead mix between a harpsichord and a guitar played by a chicken. Now, if I was to tell you that if you run that into a wah pedal, you would stumble upon the edgiest tone in the funk/reggae arsenal, would you believe me? I know Nickodemus and the Beastie Boys would. When is the last time the Beastie Boys lied to you? Fuck, if there is someone you should trust...I can't stand it, I know you planned it...
Anyway! I remember a gig that I used the Clav setting for a ultra funky jam, only to have an inebriated man come up to me afterwords and ask," dude, what was that porno thing you guys just did?". This, I think, leads to another equally strange revelation. Kiddos, if your parents go to bed early...when the clav starts a rockin', don't come a knockin'...I'm sorry about all of this.
Anyway, hopefully this mix makes you run to your local music store to add a bit of red to your wardrobe.

So. In the spirit of the joust, It's now time for me to lay down next months challenge that will be compiled by D.ave.
One of the most frequent debates ol' Davey finds himself in, refers to the merits of one controversial producer named Timbaland. One of the most frequent things I hear from the man is that he believes there are better producers. Much better. So! My challenge for this month is as such; Davey boy...show me.

(clickin' the cake will take you to the download link)

Dubmatix - Renegade Rocker

After you drop the needle on this album, you might be inclined to say "Hey D.ave, that's some rad dub. Serious underground UK shit, right mate?". And I'll say "No bruddah/sistah, that dub be commin' straight from T-Dot, Canada, mate". And it's true. Not only is Dubmatix's "Renegade Rocker" a rare reggae gem, it's also some sticky Canadian homegrown.

Serving Suggestions:
- On your front porch, burnin' from yo' ghettoblaster
- As a soundtrack for a hot days, cold lagers and good friends

Thick-ass bass, horns drenched in ephemeral delay, dubbin drums and sweaty, sexy organs (yeah): For all the above, Renegade Rocker is your one-stop shop.

Bruddahs and Sistahs: Until next time, hang loose, stay lit and for fuck sakes, don't let the ol' bastards keep you down.

(clickin' the heads will take you to the download links)


(Part 1)



(Part 2)

-D.ave

Damu the Fudgemunk - Spare Time

1. Last Ole
2. Rather Unique
3. Colorful Storms
4. Leo The...Part I
5. Coffee Table
6. Ego Trooping
7. What's Next (Damu Remix)
8. 2004 Beat Original
9. Randi
10. Work In Progress
11. Pulse <---- (this beat is paralyzing)
12. To RBI
13. L.B.
14. Leo The...Part II
15. Colorful Storms (feat. Raw Poetic)
16. Pulse (feat. Raw Poetic)
17. Rather Unique (feat. Insight)
18. Work In Progress (feat. Kev Brown)
19. Paranoid (feat. Insight)

A few weeks ago, to save myself the agony of picking a new groove every week, I decided I'd make a bit of a play list, or a schedule for what to post for the next few months. Needless to say, that was done and posts were prepared as such. However, when I did this, I never imagined I would stumble upon a record so "banging" I had to get it out to you folks immediately. That record is Damu's Spare Time. As far as I'm concerned, this is to date, the most musical breaks album I have ever heard.
You remember the last bit of "Long Island Degrees" from De La's Stake Is High? That, "Rap Music? I hate it. There just ain't no music to it. It's just niggers talking" Well, If that fellow wasn't a concrete conservative who has "lynch" in his vernacular, perhaps I would lend him this record and we would certainly see eye-to-eye. Who knows, maybe one day we would meet on a street corner and throw down. I could provide the beats and he could spit about his trailer park!
Speaking of De La Soul; Ego Trooping might blow up, but it won't go pop.
I believe quite strongly in the importance of hip-hop's cultural value, in terms of enriching our universal language by giving a voice to the brightest "pauper poets", and I know that the most common turn-off for new hip-hop fans can be those jarring beats coupled with bitter, militant gang rappin'. I assure you, you will find none of that here. Just the smoothest, rawest grooves coupled with the rich, aware poetry of Insight(for those not familiar with Insight, he's the Yngwie Malmsteen of hip-hop...a speed FREAK) and Raw Poetic. If you find you've been having a hard time getting into hip-hop, but still enjoy honest, genuine soul/jazz. Flip this! You'll go bonkers. If this really gets your appetite rollin', you might want to check out Y Society's "Travel At Your Own Pace", being another great collaboration between Insight and our favorite Fudgemunk. (leave a comment if you'd like me to post it)

To anyone keeping track, my last few posts were a handful of shitkickin' party albums. This weeks record is for after the hotel lobby (which proceeds the after party, and said party). Just sheer afterglow. If you spent the whole night wigglin' your rump to the ol' "boom-bap" and you're entirely spent, but the only thing on your mind is the kick and the snare; throw this on and watch the sunrise.
P.S. Just thinking about watching the sunrise to this, with a cup of tar-black joe...is giving me shivers. What are you kids up to this weekend?

It's rather unique.
Enjoy.

-The Cool Jerk

(Clickin' the head'll take you to the download link)

Two New Employees!!

Good People.
What's up? In case anyone is wondering, the links for Fuck Buttons and Wagon Christ are now fully functional. We've been hard at work keepin' Sonic Glee from the proverbial blogspot graveyard and we have some cool new projects and posts on the way. June 30th is fast approaching and the maiden masala is shaping up nicely. More news on up-coming projects as they start to congeal. Big news for now. ISSG has been syndicated! Which is great news for you folk who can't seem to remember frequent the page. The syndication has left us with two new helpers; being the Sonic Glee Chef and Sonic Glee Paperboy. For those of you not familiar with RSS Feeds, click on feed icon(this one ) in the sidebar and follow the instructions. Long story short, one way or another it'll get you a bite-sized feed of the site on your Google start page or right on your browser. This should sufficiently satisfy your Sonic hunger. If that isn't convenient enough for you; Fill your e-mail address in the sidebar and the pimply delivery boy will arrive with each new post in your e-mail, complete with garish uniform and dull, uninterested look. You don't need to tip him. Pretty cool, huh?Any other questions 'bout the new features? Pop us an e-mail or leave a comment.
Anyway, I'm pretty stoked about all that. Subscribe. It's cool. All your friends will do it. We don't really have any other way of finding out if anyone actually frequents these pages and it's nice to know we're not pulling out our hair for no one.
Thanks for being rad kiddos.

-The Sonic Glee Crew

Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing

This week's audiosteak is Fuck Buttons' bombastic "Street Horrrsing". A great introduction into experimental music and just a straight up very well composed album. This is one of those albums that is best listened to in full, from beginning to end. It's good shit mates. Check it.

(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)



Enjoy, and until next time,

-D.ave

Fdel - Audiofdelity

1. That's His Name (Intro)
2. Rocksteady
3. Dusty Fingers (Featuring Downsyde)
4. Instrumental Proficiency
5. A Fuller Culture
6. Get Up On Ya Feet
7. Shake Ya' Pants
8. Ladies & Gentlemen
9.The Crew
10. Bring It On
11. Let The Beat Kick

Upkeeping with my monthly theme of hardhittin' party albums here is an absolute treat from our pals at Freestyle Records. I originally picked this record up thinking it would be some kind of afro-cuban, but apparently Fdel is not a reference to a fatted communist. I think the only parallel I can draw between the two is in relation to that video of Castro falling down the stairs. When Fdel hits the deck, people get the fuck up. With the same urgency too. Once you make it seconds into the second track you'll sell your Toyota Corolla and buy a 1967 Convertible Cadillac Eldorado. Your friends might even call you Huggy Bear. Any fans of Chris Joss or Fatboy Slim should be at home here, 'sept Audiofdelity is considerably chunkier. To be fair, Fdel makes a fool of Fatboy in the field of turntablism (Fdel exuding the proficiency of an X-ecutioner) and his ear for samples is to die for. It's not everyday you catch a producer breeze through an Aretha Franklin track and pack more oomph into it. It's a perfect mixture of '70s soul music and '90s break. James Brown's licks with Mr. Scruff's kicks. I promise, this is a guaranteed gem for any fans of joy. Unfettered joy. This record is mighty groovy folks, mighty groovy.

Enjoy.
Gaddamn,
Gaddamn.

-The Cool Jerk

(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)

Wagon Christ - Tally Ho!

This week I decided to up one of my current favorite alternative electronica composers: Wagon Christ AKA Luke Vibert. "Tally Ho!" bears similar style (albeit slightly less sordid and dark) to Mr. Scruff's 1999 release "Keep It Unreal" (an album I might upload here in the future, just because it's so fucking good). Perhaps Mr. Scruff was influenced by Wagon Christ's sound, who knows. What is known though, is that three years after "Tally Ho!", Wagon Christ released his most well-known record "Musipal" on Ninja Tune records - Mr. Scruff's native label.

(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)



Enjoy, and until next time,

-D.ave

The Dirtbombs - Ultraglide In Black

1. Chains Of Love (J.J. Barnes)
2. If You Can Want (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
3. Underdog (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Your Love Belongs Under A Rock (The Dirtbombs)
5. I'll Wait (George Clinton, The Parliaments)
6. Living For The City (Stevie Wonder)
7. The Thing (Larry Bright)
8. Kung Fu (Curtis Mayfield)
9. Ode To A Black Man (Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy)
10. Got To Give It Up. (Marvin Gaye)
11. Livin' For The Weekend (The O'Jays)
12. I'm Qualified to Satisfy You (Barry White)
13. Do You See My Love (For You Growing) (Junior Walker & The All-Stars)

I remember a little conversation I had with a friend over whether or not I should throw The Arctic Money's "Your Favorite Nightmare" in the garbage. Long story short, the merits of the album were discussed. The opposing party brought up the argument of "Badassery", and more so, how a handful of wealthy, popped-collared kids possessed the illustrious title of bad ass. I want to tell you that argument was ever resolved, but being the bull-headed kid I tend to be, I reached for what I felt a defining, unarguably badass mafaking record would be. Moments into Chains of Love, I forgot all about the Arctic Monkeys, their flaccid grooves replaced by an imaginary, sweaty fist fight, in a dark bar with motorcycles parked outside...a motorcycle bar in Detroit. If you close your eyes and listen to Ode to a Black Man, you will see motorcycles, I promise.
The Dirtbombs are unarguably the soul of the Detroit garage scene (Mick Collins' Gories being one of Jack White's biggest inspirations). Although this is conventionally a cover album, it contains none of that..."Wow, the original was so much better, these kids are pretentious dicks". These don't so much sound like covers as the sweetest house party you've ever been to. You know when you go to some guys house you don't really know, and you find out he's in a band and there is gear all over the place? Then everyone gets drunk and he sits on the drums and starts bashing something out, and everyone's thinking..."this is kind of cool", but noone is really into it. Then out of nowhere this ogre walks up to the microphone and howls out "Living For The City" and for the next three hours everyone's rump is shaking. The band has the tightness of a bunch of kids who met for the first time but all love Curtis Mayfield so much they groove like ol' timers.
A few months ago, I had the unreal pleasure of seeing the 'Bombs perform live in a filthy nightclub. One of the hardest ass-kickings I've ever received. Two drummers falling through their kits, One hella distorted bass guitar, one three foot lady on a baritone Jag that was processed into heaven and oozing sex. And...holy hell. Mick Collins. The most terrifying looking man I have ever seen. His 7 feet and 300 lbs of muscle made his guitar look like a toy. How he didn't tear it into shreds is beyond me. I hurt all over for days, and I was entirely deaf and fully satisfied for weeks. If you miss a chance to see The Dirtbombs, you are an idiot.
Mick Collins, you are qualified to satisfy me.
Enjoy!

-The Cool Jerk

(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)

Brownout - Homenaje

1. Brown Wind and Fire
2. Homenaje
3. Laredo 77
4. African Battle
5. Con El Brownout No Se Juega
6. Latin Asscape
7. Barretta
8. Chema's Contraband
9. They Don't Know
10. The Sexican
11. El Narco
12. You Already Are
13. Chafa Kahn

So, I decided that the most apt way to describe new music to folks would be to relate it to something everyone is already familiar with, and what better medium than the culinary arts.
That being said, this Brownout record is still a bit of a sore thumb, as it doesn't remind me of food I've ever tasted.
Food so delectable, I just can't find a lovely Mexican, neigh, Sexican to make it for me.
Let's put it this way; you know the feeling you get when you go to Taco Bell? That Latin American cuisine must be delicious, but somehow Taco Bell just doesn't seem to hit the mark?
Consider "Homenaje" that family-run, south-of-the-boarder eatery that will charge you extra when they realize you can't read the Spanish menu. It's just the kind of place that once you visit , you'll feel inclined to frequent. Hell, your friends will call it "your thing". You'll get to know the staff, they'll give you that discount that is reserved for regulars. Words like cumbia and montuno will now have different connotations as you peruse the "ethnic food" section at your local Superstore/HMV. Be weary, this sound is as difficult to recreate as it is for Taco Bell to inspire. Although modern latin music is seeing one of the most revitalizing resurgences, stick to labels you trust to bring flavor (I've never seen Freestyle Records do wrong), believe me, Lou Bega's "Little Bit Of Mambo" will no longer cut it. If this record doesn't satiate your "clave" heartbeat, then you're a maniac and you should keep your eye out for Grupo Fantasma's "Sonidos Gold" due to hit shelves June 17th. Really, anything by Grupo Fantasma (On tour in eastern Canada in July, Toronto:July 2nd...*cough cough) or Adrian Quesada should keep your fiesta rolling long into the night.
Fans of Herb Alpert beware. Yes, this is Mexican music; but this is NOT your Tijuana Brass. This is comparable to Alpert in the same way Frank Sinatra is comparable to Sonic Youth. In the same way that water is comparable to tequila...Tequila that doesn't make you sick.

Cheers!

-The Cool Jerk

(clickin' the head will take you to the download link)

Bluejuice - Problems

1. Get Me Down
2. Hunnamunnafeeb
3. Vitriol
4. We Get It Right
5. Let's Kill It
6. Motorcycle Accident
7. The Reductionist
8. Phantom Boogie
9. Mountain Goat
10. Back Breakin'
11. Midnight At Band Camp...

Do you cats remember Woodstock? Now, I know how old you are. I'm talking about the Woodstock you'd remember. Yeah, that's right. Woodstock '99. Remember Limp Bizkit? Remember when Wyclef Jean lit everything on fire and everyone was overtaken by such a rotten energy that it was decided that Woodstock didn't really need to happen again? Remember how much we all loved the Beastie Boys? Ladies and Gentlemen, Bluejuice were there. Perhaps not on stage, but in spirit for sure.
I'm sure you're thinking. Nick, Woodstock '99 sucked. Limp Bizkit sucked. Well, I don't disagree at all. In fact, let me be the first to say we could have lived without the Chili Peppers re imagining the "tubesock". But, before I get too off topic, when you finish listening to this, you'll be covered in mud and sweat and it will be raining and things will be on fire and you'll fell like that destructive teenager you always wished you were. I think it's been almost a lifetime since I've heard a record so jam packed with conviction, energy and balls. Inhumanly large balls. You don't need to tell this to Bluejuice, because you only have to listen to minutes of this to understand that Bluejuice LOVE Bluejuice. If this album was a steak, it would be a criminally insane man biting a live cow. Simply one of the most enjoyable 34 minutes one could spend in front of speakers. Play this at a party with friends. Dance until you cannot stand. Yell along. It's so damn infectious. You will love this. You will. When you make it to the end, tell me what you think of "Midnight At Band Camp". Hopefully your heart is beating to hard from the first 10 tracks to take it too seriously.
Anyway, Enjoy...Mountain Goat, Billy Goat, What, What.
P.S. I dare you to tell me that brown fellow doesn't look like the product of mixing me with my brother. I don't know his name, we only refer to him as the Chuck-Nick Monster.

-The Cool Jerk

(Clickin' the head will take you to the download link)

The Masala Mix Tapes!

So, what started as an pair of Russian Imperial Stouts, a rainy day, some fucking fly hip hop and absolutely no Timbaland; birthed the idea for monthly installments of something so delicious, it can only be called a masala. In the spirit of a friendly joust, each month will be subject to a arduous challenge in which ISSG's contributors will duel to bring you the cherry on the top of your ice cream. Each challenge will consist of an objective, idea or quest that Dave and The Cool Jerk will, in equal parts, pick up the gauntlet of groove and serve up five smokin' tracks each, yielding the holy masala of the month.
So, to summarize, on the 30th day of each month; look out for a very special post, a ten track mix tape, or as far as we're concerned, a mixture of spice, or, for the crakas involved... a masala.

The challenge for June '08 is "The Nord Electro Masala". For those not familiar with the synthesizer; the Nord Electro 2 is a simply flawless reproduction of a Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Clavinet. Perhaps the nature of the challenge is a users guide to said instrument. The ten tracks will be our idea of the essential electromechanical. More info to follow with the post.

Anyway! as for any ISSG news, I seem to have started lagging behind in terms of posts. Be on the look out for a handful of posts as my solemn apology. Starting in July, I intend on running a segment I call "Essential Easties", or a month long, eight-part series of my best introduction to the sounds of Eastern Canada in the 90's. After that, you can expect a post every Thursday.

Dave has some wild exciting news on the horizon, which include a July that can only be called "Timbaland, you wish you produced this." Also, get ready for a new set of webisodes, that ISSG will be fucking proud to host, produced by our man, Dave. Look for those in the Fall. Again, they're gonna kick some ass. Get ready foos. Get ready.

Hey. If you have any ideas for challenges for the Monthly Masala, don't hesitate to holler. Your best bet would be to post a comment here or on any of the future Masala posts.

Happy Listenin'

-The Sonic Glee Crew.