A pioneering dubstep producer being featured as part of the London Jazz Festival might seem strange from the outside. However, Mala has a habit of breaking moulds.
It was a hot Autumn afternoon for my meeting with Ben Westbeech; a gifted young musician whose confident nature preyed on my interviewing techniques. “Fucking hell that’s a lot of questions there,” – his eyes bulged out upon witnessing the thick amount of my question cards. Nevertheless, as he sat in the sun’s heat next to a cafe bar, Soul Culture’s Philip Javens talked to the Strictly Rhythm artist about his origins, his musical limbo, and the influences that helped him create his latest album: There’s More To Life Than This...
2010 was a productive year for Gilles Peterson’s label Brownswood Recordings, a highlight being the release of the Havana Cultura Remix album and accompanying tour. 2011 gets off to a promising start as Peterson and co launch the Worldwide Family compilation series. Brownswood hand over the controls to respected friends of the label, asking them to compile a collection of the tastiest beats around. Doing the honours this time are DJs Lefto and Simbad, who give us a very appealing mix of futuristic soul, electro-funk and melodious house.
One of the few DJs on mainstream UK radio whose name is synonymous with unmitigated credibility, Gilles Peterson has deservedly earned his reputation as a tastemaker of some serious mettle. Having brought to wider attention hidden musical gems from Brazil and Africa, two years ago Peterson set his sights on Cuba having been invited to sample some of the exciting sounds courtesy of the island’s gifted young things.
The Havana Cultura project was born and what was at first meant to solely generate another compilation CD turned into something of a movement; this generation’s Buena Vista Social Club, perhaps.
Gilles brought a cross section of some of his ‘discoveries’ to the packed out Barbican Hall last Tuesday with virtuoso Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca [pictured below], in turn backed by a superlative band. Initially the venue appeared too formal and subdued for the kind of hip-swinging fayre manifest on stage. Nevertheless, thanks to the boundless energy of the artists and a very responsive crowd, the Barbican was to be set ablaze with Fonseca and co’s heady mix of the Tango, various other Afro-Latin rhythms, Jazz, Hip Hop and Funk.
The night was
Black Magic is José James' second album, released on Brownswood Recordings and includes collaborations by an impressive set of out-wordly beat makers such as Flying Lotus, DJ Mitsu the Beats, Benga, Moodyman, BiLo, Taylor McFerrin and remix creatives Simbad and Joy Orbinson, also featuring Jordana De Lovely, a talented up and coming NYC based vocalist and songwriter.
Gilles Peterson-endorsed New York jazz vocalist Jose James talks to SoulCulture about moving away from creating 'just' jazz for his sophomore album, forthcoming collaborations with Flying Lotus and Basement Jaxx - and drops an acoustic performance of "Electromagnetic".. www.josejamesmusic.com Photography by Ettoruccio.com Visit www.soulculture.tv for more...