Went music shopping with my friend DJ Desmond Miller on Sunday. Most of my new music is bought on vinyl for use on my turntables, but every now and then I do splurge on some CDs for in the car and convenience.
New CDs:
Salon Oriental 1 (Inca Production)
Salon Oriental 2 (Inca Production)
The Salon Oriental compilations are new to me and I do not recognize any of the artists. If I had to categorize this sound, it would be South Asian downtempo or Oriental Lounge. I'm very excited by what I hear here. If you have any more recommendations for this kind of thing, please email me!
Interesting German site with "Oriental Grooves"
Danny Krivit "Expansions" (NRK Sound Division)
Krivit is one of the 3 DJs (alongside Francois Kevorkian and Joaquin "Joe" Claussell) who made up the "Body & Soul" phenomenon here in NYC. That club is now defunct, but they are all still making music. Krivit's new compilation is mainly instrumental house with a lot of jazz and latin/bossa thrown in. I loved the early Body & Soul stuff, didn't like the newer stuff, but love "Expansions" a lot! Great recommendation from Ryosuke Kobayashi (thanks!)
Thievery Corp. "Richest Man in Babylon" (ESL Music)
This is the eagerly awaited new Theivery full-length and it does not disappoint. I wouldn't say that it goes in any real new directions but it's great stuff if you love Thievery as I do. The liner notes consist of a very nice printed booklet with photos from Daniel Cima which come off as a strong social commentary.
Daniel Cima - photos of WTC disaster.
Negative review of "Richest Man in Babylon" at pitchfork media.
Hotel Costes 3 (Pschent)
Hotel Costes 5 (Pschent)
I heard that a famous runway model started the Hotel Costes CD compilations when she was taken by DJ Stephane Pompougnac's sound. The Hotel Costes series is amazing and perfect dance-lounge usually with a French flavor. Dotmusic review of Hotel Costes 5.
Bossa Tres Jazz II "Step Into the Gallery" (Yellow Productions)
If you love bossa nova, jazz, and you love dance music, you will love the Bossa Tres Jazz series which includes "Bossa Mundo" as well. This series is almost perfect for me. I love this stuff!
John Beltran "Sun Gypsy" (Ubiquity Recordings)
John is on Exceptional Records in the UK/EU but Ubiquity here in the US. He used to do harder techno stuff but his newer stuff is very warm and Latin/Samba sounding house which sort of mirrors Ian Pooley's stuff too. Beltran makes beautiful house music!
Thanks for the reviews. I am off to get the latest by Thievery Corporation...I love it already.