DJ Izem

I'm always pleased when I come across individuals like DJ Izem who tirelessly seek out the freshest sounds from around the globe and spread them around. The multi-lingual radio station Groovalizacion from which he broadcasts his weekly Dublin Tropical radio show is a repository for all things good going on in world music today. He regularly spins new artists like Tune Yards and Little Dragon, as well as keeping a watchful eye on the Brazilian scene and Afrobeat as well. And he won't hesitate to throw in some Tribe Called Quest or Gil Scott-Heron for good measure. 

But that's not all he does luckily for us. He also records his own tracks. In 2011 he came out with his Quiver/Debaixo D'Agua EP. It contains 3 original tunes featuring beautiful vocalists, and a genuine mix of Brazilian flavor, soul and hip-hop all wrapped up in a post-dubstep sensibility.

This guy knows what's good and he wants to share it with you. If you're frustrated by what you hear in new music these days and you're wondering what good came out of that wild year of recession, Arab Springs, royal weddings and Norwegian snipers that was 2011, take a listen to DJ Izem's Best of 2011 Show.


But before that take a listen to his original tracks below. Especially Do Avesso, the second track.

-Hillary D.

The Snarkiest Sh*#t

Snarky Puppy is a band that claims Brooklyn as its hometown, but is comprised of sidemen from Snoop Dogg, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Marcus Miller, etc. So you'd expect something funky. But it's more than that...

I caught Snarky Puppy at the Blue Nile on Frenchman St. a couple of weeks ago and was awash with amazement (Just like I expected to be). The 9 piece band was the tightest thing to hit the Blue Nile stage in a long while. Local drummer Jason Marsalis joined in on a few choice tunes and they also brought up Matt Perrine to work his Sousaphone Magic. They played songs mostly from their latest album Tell Your Friends, but also dropped some new joints and a few oldies.


They call it "Music for Your Brain and Booty" I like to call it Intelli-funk. Whatever you call it...hit play  and enjoy

Watch the WholeTHING!

The Souljazz Orchestra

These Canadian guys and gals just got a nomination for "Instrumental Album of the Year" from the Juno Awards (aka the Canadian Grammies). Not to mention #1 Album of the Year by a Canadian Band by the CBC.

The new album "Rising Sun" blends tasty bass lines with tight horns and textured latin rhythms to create an uber danceable Afro-Cuban FuNk ExPlosiOn!!!
They appeared at Glastonbury last year and they're gearing up for a pretty extensive European Tour this summer...

If you're into this check out other Strut Records artists. Strut is a UK label dedicated to underground disco, hard funk, Afro-beat, and old skool hip-hop that doesn't disappoint.

Soul's the Word...

Hillary