Monday, June 30, 2008

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)

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