Blog Believe @ Musique Non Stop

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Staff Picks: Top Albums of 2013 #1 Posted: 02 Dec 2013 02:30 AM PST Artist: Nkengas Release: Destruction Label: Orbitone Records Release Date: June 2013 Picked by: Craig Evans – Label Manager A real cult classic… ‘Destruction’ by the Nkengas originally hit the streets in 1973, recorded in London at the legendary Orbitone Studio's and produced by legendary reggae producer Sonny Roberts. It showcases Nigerian music at its best and is overflowing with heavy Afro-beat, Afro-rock, and gritty highlife. After the recording sessions, the band returned to Nigeria and became known as the Ikenga Super Stars of Africa, finding much success in West Africa. Despite their later popularity, the heights of funky rawness in this early effort were seldom duplicated. One of the best re-issue's heard in modern times!  – Craig Evans

Believe New Releases w/c 02/12/13 Posted: 02 Dec 2013 01:59 AM PST Artist: Kosheen Release: Solitude Label: Membran Genre: Dance – Electro Kosheen’s 5th studio album ‘Solitude’ follows on from ‘Independence’, which in comparison is darker and more atmospheric. It has a deeper vibe to the tunes. The Band says: “Solitude for us, in the context of this album, is being alone without being lonely. It is a positive and constructive state of engagement. And it is a state of mind, where you provide yourself the sufficient company”. Being the 5th studio album, it is probably the most reflective work to date. The single ‘Harder They Fall’ will be released parallel. They also have a huge European tour! Artist: Total Warr Release: Feels Like Home Label: The Hours Genre: Alternative – Indie Pop Brand new EP by french electro duo Total Warr, who are capable of delivering the most furious electro as the most melancholic ballad. Total Warr was quickly considered by many influents medias (The Fader, Rcrdlbl, Sunday Times, etc..) as one of the power electro pop to carefuly monitor. Following their first acclaimed EP (Sterogum, MTV Iggy, Inrockpuptibles, Tsugi, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, etc…) and apparition on several compilations (A Nous Paris, Les Inrocks Lab). They are back with a brilliant new 4 tracks EP including three remixes by The End, Sleever, and D.L.I.D. Artist: Diggs Duke Release: Diggs Duke Label: Brownswood Recordings Genre: Jazz Following crazy love from the blogosphere, Gilles Peterson signed Diggs Duke to release this album that he compared to “Frank Ocean meets MadLib”. The sound of Diggs Duke’s music can best be characterized as a fresh, yet familiar interpretation of the bond between soul and jazz. Within the last year, the American vocalist, instrumentalist and composer has released a steady stream of quality music that’s been dominating playlists from LA to Indonesia. Shortly after the release of his debut EP, ‘Gravity’, the music was swiftly placed into the rotation of taste-maker Gilles Peterson. Artist: Toumani Diabaté Release: The Mande Variations Label: World Circuit Genre: World Legendary Malian kora master returns for special live shows ahead of new recording dates. ‘The Mandé Variations’ breaks new ground for the kora in many ways, establishing this West African harp as one of the world’s great solo musical instruments. Superbly recorded so that we can hear every touch of the strings, every throb and creak of the instrument’s wood and sinew, it is an African classical album that rocks and swings, that has learnt from Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix, yet remains true to the Malian griot music that is its heritage.