I havn’t done this in a while! Track of the week “Juju” by Black Coffee feat. Zakes Bantwini. AllI have to say is this track is FIYA! DAMN, super duper uber hotness right here. Last night I was practicing some steps @ Studio 50 FLO and I must have put this song on repeat for at least 7 or 8 cycles (no joke).

I for sure recommend picking up this track and adding it to your collection. As a bonus a it has a dope music video!

If ya don’t know Black Coffee, I don’t know where you have been. He is one of the hottest producers out of South Africa (among many). Here is a bit more info for ya!

“Curiously, South Africa, as the Spanish island Ibiza or England’s ‘90s Manchester scene around club the Hacienda or Michigan’s Detroit scene, presents one of the few places in the world where genuine house music has taken root. One of its leading proponents is the reserved, studiously academic Black Coffee, whose inventive, imaginative and a boldly educated re-interpretation of classic South African music is radically at odds with the many flash-in-the-pan hit-chasers that populate the dance music genre.

Black Coffee, who is one-part member of the unfashionable urban soul trio Shana, is one of the few Club DJs in the country who genuinely understands the precise function of a music deejay: he does not simply re-mix songs; he re-interprets their previously unimagined musical possibilities and therefore quietly reclaims the composition as his own. When he debuted with his interpretation of Hugh Masekela’s rambunctious jazz hit Stimela (2005 original South African release; 2008 UK release), subsequently to be the lead single off the self-titled 12-track debut album, by re-featuring the old musician to guest vocal anew Black Coffee simply demonstrated how it was possible to re-work the South African canon music vault into club music, acceptable to both the youth and the adults, a feat not easily achievable in the instant festive hit-obsessed market that is South Africa: it requires a decidedly original-inclined, singular mind such as that of Black Coffee to be able to pursue an original music trajectory.

Durban-born Nkosinathi Maphumulo has been on the music scene for over a decade but only got his break a few years ago. Nkosinathi, otherwise known as Black Coffee, is popular for his smash hit remixes, most of which have dominated the airwaves in the past couple of years. He studied music in Durban because he felt that as a producer, he had to deepen his overall musical knowledge, develop his listening skills and advance his knowledge of music theory. When asked who helped him achieve his goals, he said “I have Massive Respect for Christos and Oskido for taking me around and giving me slots on their gigs”. 2003 saw Black Coffee starting to put his first project together.

He revealed that his first album was created using very basic music-making software. “I don’t know how to explain the production stages of my album because all I did was put down the basic ideas that I had, I didn’t use any MIDI controllers everything was played with a Computer Mouse. He added that the use of live instruments in a song is also very important, giving a track that final magic touch and bringing it to life. Black Coffee is proof that if you have real skill when it comes to producing, it won’t take much for you to achieve your goals. After all he’s managed to penetrate the music industry with only a desktop computer, some music-making software and a lot of passion. His first big break was when his song “Happiness” was featured on the DJs at Work album. In 2006 he enjoyed international exposure when his song ‘Music’ got signed in New York and was released by Keith Thompson on the album, ‘Worlds Collide’. He was chosen as one of two South African participants in the Red Bull Music Academy in 2003(www.redbullmusicacademy.com) which jump-started him into the South African DJ scene. He released Two EP’s with London’s Label Kronologik (www.kronologik.com), which was out on Vinyl in the UK Records Shops and was also played in some Radio Stations Abroad. He then released two tracks with Real Tone Records in Paris featuring the Record ”Even Though” now this introduce him to the World as this Record was released in Globally and on Established House Music Websites. In January 2009 he released a Single ”Turn Me On” with a German Label “GOGO Music”, with Remixes by Ralf Gum, this Single became Number One on www.traxsource.com for Two Weeks. Black Coffee started a Label in South Africa www.soulisticmusic.com with Artist Like “Tumelo” who’s featured on Franck Roger’s Free Fall and “Culoe de Song” (who’s taking the World by Storm) signed on this Label. He has featured since at various clubs locally and Internationally like Taboo(SA),Cafe de Flore(Swaziland),Djoon(Paris), Scala(London)Ambassador(Lyon), Café Mugambo (Swaziland’s New Year’s Eve Parties)2008&2009 Miami Winter Festival,2008 & 2009 Ultra Music Festival(Miami),Sutra (Cape Town),In Namibia, Botswana, Barcelona, Lesotho, Cannes, Stratford, Birmingham and recently New York to mention a few. However, Black Coffee’s talent has taken him over the lines into the scene making him a DJ and a producer that has put together two Albums. The 1st CD was released end of September 2005 and since then it has been rocking the SA dance floors and the World. He scooped a SAMA Award for best dance album. He is currently nominated for the 2009 SAMA for Record of the Year.”

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Dream In Color (Casamena Kitchen Mix) – Spencer Gray
This is a beautiful and somber song. As a matter of fact every song/track on this album is incredible, Spencer Gray and his remixees did a wonderful job with every sound and selection. This particular song’s remix is the right blend of deep percussion with soulful lyrics – a fantastic intro to a fantastic melody and rhythm. This is the perfect song to hear at 2 am to let your legs cool off while you work the smooth accents to the various elements of the percussion and sweet vocal tone.

As I said this whole album is an awesome mix of Nu Jazz and house, buy the whole album – its a steal for such incredible music.

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=33834

From Traxsource:

The nom de plume of New York producer and DJ Marc-Alan Gray, and Loveslap! Records founder Charles Spencer, Spencer Gray was conceived in 2003 setting the benchmark high with their debut release ‘Pillow Talk’. DJ mag heralded the group’s arrival by drawing comparisons to the legendary house music partnership Masters At Work, proclaiming the single: “the sort of record that if made by MAW would be heralded as the epitome of cool, as it easily stands head-and-shoulders above the current competition.” Blues & Soul equally enthused about the single calling it “a joy” amongst other superlatives.

Six years in the making, Dreaming In Color, the group’s debut, about is upon us more than making up to the wait. A nine-strong collection of real songs (as well as a trio of additional remixes) that meander through a plethora of styles and tempos taking in house grooves, broken-beats, nu-jazz flavours and even electro influences en route, with an underbelly of warmth, rich textures and soulful jazz traditions.

Dreaming In Color is a debut set of pastoral impressions and beguiling dream-inducing electronica and deconstructed house from two protagonists who create a soundscape that boarders on cinematic themes, Afro-centric rhythms, and jazz-kissed soulful house at its most appealing. Enlisting the services of skilled musicians, singers and friends – among them vocalists Heather Johnson, Terrence Downs, Sylvia Gordon and Yshara, along with bass-player Andrew Higgins, trumpeter Rich Armstrong and jazz virtuosos guitarist Jay Bowman ? Spencer Gray have created a rare balance of live musicianship and contemporary technology all too missing in today’s club market.

Conceptually Dreaming In Color is an album for listening to from beginning to end; the journey getting underway with the smooth jazz-tinged ‘Over Tonight’, before ebbing-and-flowing into the airy vibes of ‘How Do You’. Fellow stable mate, the Galaxy Group (Spencer along with studio partner Tonee Green) adding swing beats to the song’s sparse arrangement allowing Terrence Downs’ subtle harmonies to envelope the senses.

A beautifully constructed opus of Balearic-kissed beats, rolling dance grooves and subtle nuances, the album sounds more delicious with each successive play: instinctively groovy, occasionally laid-back yet always polished and musically modish. Full of surprises and enriched by beautifully lush and dreamy numbers like the seductive ‘(Dream) In Color’ featuring Sylvia Gordon (fresh from adding her stamp to Moby’s ‘Last Night’ album), and the Stevie Wonder-like ‘Come On’ with Downs’ vintage delivery sitting atop percolating percussion-driven beats.

Highlights are many, and include the warm ambience of their 2003 debut ‘Pillow Talk’ – not a cover of Sylvia’s ’70s disco-erotica, instead an equally sublime shuffler with Heather Johnson’s seductive adlibs punctuating as deeply as her heartfelt words. (Also included is the sort after chunkier house remix by Asad Rizvi). The jazz-kissed bossa nova ‘Scatter Me’, with chanteuse Yshara (who’s worked with Loveslap! since the start of the decade and featured on singles like ‘A Better Way’ and ‘Freed Or Bound’), sounding uncannily like Bebel Gilberto; implausibly relaxed against a back drop of rattling Basilica samba rhythms. Iamni Uzuri (who has also recorded with Sly & Robbie, 4Hero and King Britt) delivers some truly captivating vocals on the bass-driven ‘Precious’.

Spencer Gray sustained success has been their vision for using the traditions of the roots of jazz, soul and a fair splattering of West Coast soulful house, to make their music more accessible. With the aid of sharp musicianship and sophisticated production flair, the result is a sound that pleases mature listeners whilst all the while maintaining contemporary aspects for both stalwarts and new fans alike. Edgy deep house grooves with the odd hint afro-beat, ooze elegance and panache, and add up to make Dreaming In Color a classic dance album.

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Thunderbolts – Ezel feat. Djinji Brown
I waited for this one to drop for while. I had been hearing it on DSOH and on CasaMena Radio hour for some time. Ezel’s debut on Ocha records – and what a debut it is. This track gets the dance floor jumpin’ fo sho. Congrats on the release Ezel, I’m sure many more dope cuts will come.

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=35606

From Traxsource:

The debut release for Ezel on Ocha featuring Carlos Mena and Djinji Brown

Ocha Records proudly presents the debut single from Ezel. This young talent is already making a name for himself with remixes on Yoruba, Ocha, and solo projects for Franck Roger, Boddhi Satva and Halo’s City Deep. “Secreto” is the title track from Ezel’s forthcoming full-length release “Secreto” on Ocha Records. A very deep affair, that gives you organic percussion, mysterious vocals by Carlos Mena, while Ezel takes you on an afro-tech ride that you will not soon forget. Next up on this release is “Thunderbolts”, also from the upcoming “Secreto” album, and features the powerful vocals of our brother Djinji Brown. “Thunderbolts will rock any dancefloor!

Thunderbolts
(Ocha People’s Music, Yoruba People’s Music, Ascap, Sony Atv Music)
Written & produced by Ezel @ House of Spirits studio , Santo Domingo, D.R.
All instruments by Ezel
Vocals & chimes by Djinji Brown
Thunderbolts by Chango (Kabio Sile)

Executive Producers Carlos Mena, Osunlade and Ezel
All songs mastered by Carlos Mena at the CASAMENA Studios, Oakland, CA.

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Rass Out – Altered Natives
This one is a super slap fo sho! The drum kit in this track makes the musicality possibilities almost endless. When dancing to this track there is no reason to have a short of creativity that is for sure. Lots of energy and most def can mix easy off into another red hot top of the night heater. Never owned or heard any music by the Altered Natives before, but this one gets a prize. Well done, thanks for making real dance music! HA!

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=32979

From Traxsource:

Altered Natives has hit hard with a raw, big beat driven drum and bass highly impressionable track – fans include Laurent Garnier, Afronaut, Quentin Harris, Phil Asher and many more

Following the well-received debut release this second single for Fresh Minute is starting to gather even more numbers of enthusiasts to the label who have already marked it for its revered qualities in production of underground electronic dance music… Altered Natives has hit hard with a raw, big beat driven drum and bass highly impressionable track – fans include Laurent Garnier, Afronaut, Quentin Harris, Phil Asher and many clubbers have been drawn to it, as have the noted house heads who equally are enthralled by the nod to old school disco elements on the Souled remix of “Bullet Blade Knuckle Slap.”

All tracks Written and Produced By Daniel Yorke.
Except Bullet Blade Knuckle Slap (Souled remix)
Additional Music Production and Arrangement by Adam Cook and Ben Tidy

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Ey Bi Yea – Jovonn (Blaque House)
Jovonn is the shit, nuff said – I have a pretty decent collection of Jovonn tracks that I faithfully play, practice, and choreograph too. I think what I like most about his music is the vast arrangement of sound that he produces. From deep and soulful to energetic and techy. Ey Bi Yea, on his recent release Blaque House on Code Red is a perfect example of an electronic sounding deep house track with a very live and musical feel. Its hard to use the type of sounds and synths that Jovonn does and make it sound so orchestrated. A super heater fo sho, get this TRACK!

I actually ended up picking up the whole album (my other fav on this album is “Trama”).

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=35053

From Traxsource:

Jovonn releases his latest artist album ‘Blaque House’ on the respected Baltimore house label, CodeRed.

For any true house fan, the name Jovonn is one which never fails to create intrigue and expectation. The Brooklyn born DJ and internationally respected Uber producer has been adding his vast musical talents to Dance, R&B, Hip Hop and Neosoul records for over 20 years and has become synonymous with the underground soulful house scene.

Few house fans will have forgotten Jovonn’s arrival onto the dance scene when he released ‘Turn and Runaway’ in 1991. Reaching number 10 on the billboard charts, it was a record which shook the scene and since then the DJ has never looked back.

Inspired largely by the works of Strafe, Jovonn’s musical career has seen him produce hits such as Ceybil Jeffries’s ‘Love So Special’, Valerie Jonhnston’s ‘Step Into My Life’, and many others.

With an unbridled passion for Dance music, and boldly declaring the genre as ‘Spiritual’, Jovonn’s recent hits have included ‘Cliff Hanger’, ‘Old Man Groan’, ‘Jurassic House’, ‘Circle Dance’ & ‘Something About Dis Love (feat Carol Sylvian)’.

Since the launch of his own record label ‘Goldtone’ in the early 90’s, Jovonn has produced more than 200 records, gaining worldwide appreciation and adoration. He then moved on and formed the labels, ‘NextMoov Records’ and ‘NextMoov Traxx’, which, in doing so, have seen the DJ/Producer passionately push the sounds of underground house to the masses.

Indeed, Jovonn, or as he’s otherwise known as ‘The God Father Of The Underground’ continues to flaunt his versatility as an artist, and this is epitomised on his latest record ‘Blaque House’, a collection of tunes which first and foremost finds an artist in fine voice and instrumental form.

‘Blaque House’ is a sophisticated House album, combining precise percussive beats, intricate synth keys, blissed out Jazz chords and a voice as soulful as they come.

‘Blaque House’ soulfully grooves along with a degree of coolness and competence not heard on a house record for some time, and can only enhance the singer/songwriter, musician, producer and DJ’s credentials further.

The album is made up of 13 new tracks, and features guest appearances from Chavelle Singleton on ‘Take Control’, the late K.T. Brooks on the sublime ‘I’m Gonna Miss You’ and Kareem on ‘Call Me’. The record also includes ‘First Night To Love’- the lead single from the Code Red winter sampler released in December 08, and the tracks ‘Trama’ & ‘Take Control’, which will appear on Jovonn’s imminent ‘The Take Control’ E.P.

Other highlights from the record include ‘Blaque Magic’, ‘Inside’, ‘6.30 AM’ and Jovonn’s message to his listeners, ‘Take A Chance’.

6. Jovonn ‘Ey Bi Yea’
Written, Produced & Mixed by Jovonn
Executive Producers Gary Deane and Sean Spencer
Published by Von Ton Chic (ASCAP)
P&C 2008 Code Red Recordings
GB-CPZ-08-03282

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Makossa – Abicah Soul
Deep and heavy – this song makes you jack your back. This is the type of song that touches that man made metronome inside our chest that we call the heart. I pop my chest to the sound of the deep voice sound “mama moo mama ka, mama makossa!” Dopeness, fo sho tho! A beautiful song to mix to anything with a percussion base – percussion rooted music does something to my soul that makes me dance differently every time. I find it much easier to “catch the ghost” to this type of song more so than any others. As always, Abicah Soul comes through – thank you for this gem!

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=31751

Produced by Abicahsoul
Recorded in Chicago ,il
Drum Programming by Stax
BMI suckapunchmusik

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Never Figure Out (Stimming Remix) – Rasmus Faber feat. Emily McEwan
This track is a winnnnnnarrr! This is one of those tracks that catches everybody’s attention. I heard this track on the Carlos Mena’s podcast and quickly picked it up. First time I played it @ Studio 50 FLO – there was a few of the FLO-ology family hanging out just practicing and everyone was like….damn what song is this. Thats how you know its good when every dancer in the room wants to know the name, artist and mix version! I’ll let the track speak for it self – go get it!

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=33688

From Traxsource:

“Keeping the releases flowing fast and furiously, May 11th marks the release of Rasmus Faber’s next single ‘Never Figure Out’ from his stunning debut album ‘Where We Belong’…

… – a sublime collection of melodic dance, edged with deep-house and upfront pop.

The single see’s a delightful collaboration with long term Rasmus Faber vocalist Emily McEwan (Ever After & Are You Ready) as Farplane are delighted to welcome debut remixes to the label from Stimming and fellow Swede Alf Tumble.

Stimming hails from Hamburg, Germany and is one of dance music’s most innovative producers right about now, having delivered stunning work for top labels such as Buzzin Fly & Freerange. He definitely doesn’t disappoint with his remixes of ‘Never Figure Out’. With his trade mark skips and intricate programming, Stimming takes you on an epic adventure of the deepest kind.

Alf Tumble’s Re-Dress chops and warps the vocal into a very pure electronic track complete with a superb breakdown to send the floor into complete euphoria. Alf, who is one half of the splendid Swedish outfits SUMO & Bangana is now producing his own solo material and gives us a real taste of what we have to look forward to with this remix.

Of course no Farplane release would be complete without another superb rework from the main man himself Rasmus Faber and yet again he comes up trumps with a dramatic main room filler that is set to be a huge favourite with discerning DJ’s across the global dancefloor, alongside the quirky and chilled-out original album edit.
This is one not to be missed!!!!”