Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 [2008]

Artist

Deltron 3030

Album

Deltron 3030

Year

2008

Genre

Hip-Hop, Rap, Electronic

Deltron 3030 is a supergroup of hip-hop artists, composed primarily of producer Dan the Automator, rapper Del tha Funkee Homosapien and DJ Kid Koala, though their work features many other artists as well, all taking on various futuristic pseudonyms. Their debut CD Deltron 3030 is a concept album set in the year 3030 that tells of Del’s alter ego Deltron Zero’s fight against huge corporations that rule the universe. The lyrics are characterized by extravagant allusions to futuristic outer-space cliches and astronomy. (Last.fm)

EarFodder Recommended Track: Mastermind

EarFodder Rating: 4.25 of 5

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Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 Instrumentals [2008]

Artist

Deltron 3030

Album

Deltron 3030 Instrumentals

Year

2008

Genre

Hip-Hop, Rap, Electronic

This album is great, deeps melotic samples, and dirty heavy beats. This album rivals the best triphop out there.

EarFodder Recommended Track: Positive Contact

EarFodder Rating: 4 of 5

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Otros Aires - Otros Aires [2005]

Artist

Otros Aires

Album

Otros Aires

Year

2005

Genre

Tango, Electronic

It is similar in some ways to the Gotan Project -- or even better. The beats and synthesis of old tango music with modern techno and are unique and to be cherished. Like most albums, a few songs are stronger than others like Milonga, Sin Rumbo, and De Puro (a very haunting, deep song in both English and Spanish). In short this album both uplifting, reflective, and truly a modern day classic. (Amazon.com)

EarFodder Recommended Track: Otro Puente Alsina

EarFodder Rating: 4.25 of 5

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Kid Koala - Some of My Best Friends Are DJs [2003]

Artist

Kid Koala

Album

Some of My Best Friends Are DJs

Year

2003

Genre

Turntabalism, Electronic

As his alter-ego, "Kid Koala," might suggest, Eric San applies a joyous childlike vision to his music on Some of My Best Friends Are DJs. Three years after his debut album,  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Kid Koala returns with a more youthful verve. Some of My Best Friends Are DJs offers less in the way of music, with the 35-minute running time meaning the restless sonic snippets wisely end before his humor has a chance to grate. Mixing sleazy whisky-bar vibes with adolescent antics, his second album never allows the listener to settle. Moments of playful mixing magic are at times followed by baffling inanity as "Skanky Panky" - with its wonderfully shattered Ska rhythm and frantic scratches - runs into "Flu Season", ostensibly a series of beat-accompanied coughs, sneezes, and sniffs. Blending blues, jazz, and funk with a myriad of bizarre samples, moments of pure eccentric genius such as "Robochacha" and "More Dance Music" make this a flawed yet fascinating slice of beat-driven bravura. (Amazon.com)

EarFodder Recommended Track: Vacation Island

EarFodder Rating: 3.75 of 5

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James Brown - Gettin' Down To It [1969]

Artist

James Brown

Album

Gettin' Down To It

Year

1969

Genre

Jazz, Soul

The first thing that draws your attention into the music is how comfortable Brown seems to be in an environment that, anyway is not that strange to him. Used to repetitive rhythms, he moves softly but also firmly along the swinging scales and notes of jazz. Anyway, he can't help rowing to his port, so that some jazz standards become funky exhibitions, especially those supported by the big band. Then, Mr Dynamite's throat, playful in the slow tempos, climb higher and higher, in a desperate need for generating faster frequencies. That shouldn't be the goal. Mr Brown is capable of doing better. He's got the technique, a gifted voice and an enormous musical talent that allows him to explore softer registers. Shouting is not expressing.

However, on the other hand, the experience of dragging a jazz trio into funky grooves is a kind of illumination. James Brown shows able to keep the powerful performances of his funky combos with just a piano, a bass and the drums. Just an experience to take into account. (Amazon.com)

EarFodder Recommended Track: Sunny

EarFodder Rating: 4.25 of 5

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Caravan Palace - Caravan Palace [2009]

Artist

Caravan Palace

Album

Caravan Palace

Year

2009

Genre

Swing, Electronic

Wacky, retro, and energetic, Caravan Palace is an eccentric amalgamation of the old and the new that's really not like any other music you've heard. Part 30's swing, part modern electronic dance, the music has a steampunk charm to it that makes you want to dance. The quirkiness takes a while to adjust to, but once you've acclimated you'll love it forever. (Amazon.com)

EarFodder Recommended Track: Lazy Place

EarFodder Rating: 3.5 of 5

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Gotan Project - La Revancha del Tango [2003]

Artist

Gotan Project

Album

La Revancha del Tango

Year

2003

Genre

Tango, Electronic

The name says it all - "Gotan" is a twist on "tango", the dance that's famed as "the vertical expression of a horizontal desire. Gotan takes the distinctive sound of the Buenos Aires squeezebox or bandoneon, plus violin plus the basic "slooow, sloooow, quick-quick sloooow" pulse and the sultry attitude of the tango, overlays loping bass'n'drums'n'dub and filters the whole mix through a witty Parisian post-modern sensibility.

The opening track "Queremos paz" (We want peace) samples Che Guevara's 1964 address to the UN General Assembly and "El Capitalismo Foraneo" (Foreign Capitalism) echoes with the ghostly presence of Evita Peron. There are cool reworks of Zappa's piece "Chunga's Revenge" and Gato Barbieri's theme for the movie "Last Tango in Paris".

It's lounge, it's mellow, it's sexy and it has just the right edge of sweet Argentinean sadness. (Amazon.com)

EarFodder Recommended Track: Queremos Paz

EarFodder Rating: 4.25 of 5

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Gotan Project - Inspiracion-Espiracion [2004]

Artist

Gotan Project

Album

Inspiracion-Espiracion

Year

2004

Genre

Tango, Electronic

"La Revancha Del Tango" is the blueprint to some of these tracks however, to truly appreciate this CD and the Gotan Project you must have both albums!

This album is absolutely out of this world; the mix of trip hop, jazz (the Chet Baker cover is beautiful), hip hop and, the main character, tango is just amazing. Imagine Astor, Anibal, the voices of the outskirts of Manhattan (were I've told the hip-hop was born) and Peter Kruder having a joyfull, solid, ethereal, fruitful conversation.

You have to give it a try.. (Amazon.com)

EarFodder Recommended Track: Confianzas

EarFodder Rating: 4 of 5

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Gotan Project - Live [2008]

Artist

Gotan Project

Album

Live

Year

2008

Genre

Tango, Electronic

The title speaks for itself. Gotan Project - Live. All your favourite Gotan tracks performed live for you wherever and whenever. Do not miss out on this album! Simply a must-have!

EarFodder Recommended Track: Vuelvo Al Sur

EarFodder Rating: 5 of 5

Buy it on Amazon