Dytomite Starlite Band of Ghana

Nya Asem Hwe

Too Tough / I'm Not Going to Let You Go

Love Me for Real

Introducing Kris Tidjan's debut album, "Small Axes"! This soul-jazz and Afro-beat infused LP takes listeners on a journey through Tidjan's Martinique heritage and contemporary broken beat and jazz influences from Philly to Detroit. The artist's unique and unorthodox approach to writing will transport you to a world of peacefulness and aerial feeling, leaving you relishing a re-listen to the album.

From the opening track, "Dazzling Ribbon," we are moved through a colorful world where we discover a passage to become an etheric substance. The album continues with "Incarnated," a powerful wake-up call that draws attention to the non-sense of perpetual oppression endured by melanated bodies. "Little Giant" explores the growth and evolution of children in urban environments, while "Lords of War" was inspired by a statement made by George Bush Senior in 1990.

"KATIOPA" is a standout track on the album, a product of Tidjan's 2005 collaboration with his cousin Jeremie Ornem and the label "APOLLOJAZZ". This track, like the entire album, features the talents of a diverse group of musicians including Mauro Pandolfino, Stefan Mercurio, Alain Rosine, Zoran Terzic, Scabolcs Bognar, Regis Molino, Thierry Banaré, Guido Ott, Michael Love and Simone Lagrand.
Tidjan is heavily influenced by the renaissance of black music, where music and message often came packaged together. Artists like Coltrane, Fela Kuti, Sun Ra, Ohio Player, Mulatu Astatke, Oneness of Juju, Maalem Mahmoud Ghania, Al Green were all examples of how message and music can combine to change the status quo. These sounds have all combined in Kris Tidjan’s mind to inform the music he makes today.

Tidjan’s music demonstrates a revival of a renaissance period, deeply informed by the sounds of artists such as Coltrane, Fela Kuti, Sun Ra, and Al Green, out of a sense of ancestral healing and expression.

He says: "I named my album "Small Axes" as an homage to Robert Nesta Marley. The message of unity in Marley's music inspired me, and I believe that the power of togetherness should be promoted and embraced by all individuals and groups. I referenced Bob Marley
in the first single "Lords of War" as a way to further pay homage to his message of unity and to encourage people to come together to achieve great things."

"Small Axes" is a powerful debut album that showcases Tidjan's unique and unorthodox approach to music. Don't miss out on this soul-jazz and Afro-beat infused journey, get your copy of "Small Axes" today!

Kris Tidjan - KATIOPA

Native to New York, musclecars is a DJ / Producer duo consisting of Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield. As musicians, they equally share an admiration for the artform. Their desire to blend genres and express their appreciation for music is focused around their community- the end goal is to bring people together. Through a regular stream of high quality mixes, they have begun to turn heads in underground circles.

In 2018 they launched ‘Coloring Lessons’, a party that was aimed to add value to their city’s nightlife culture. While the party and sound is not genre specific, it is heavily focused around house, disco, jazz, and soul, embracing the musical elements of their black and brown ancestors. The monthly party's intention is to bring New York City's dance music scene back to what it was during the golden era of NY nightlife. They aim to spread the music that has been influential to them, and share it with a younger generation of their peers.

COLORING LESSONS with musclecars @ The Lot Radio 12-31-2023

Join Errol and the Touching Bass family every month for regular voyages into inner-city, concrete jungle productions plus astral-facing funk, jazz, broken beat and anything else with a soulful pulse. 
https://www.nts.live/shows/touching-bass/episodes/touching-bass-20th-january-2024

TOUCHING BASS W/ ERROL, SEVEN DAVIS JR. & ILLNOLEDGE 200124

Native to New York, musclecars is a DJ / Producer duo consisting of Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield. As musicians, they equally share an admiration for the artform. Their desire to blend genres and express their appreciation for music is focused around their community- the end goal is to bring people together. Through a regular stream of high quality mixes, they have begun to turn heads in underground circles. In 2018 they launched ‘Coloring Lessons’, a party that was aimed to add value to their city’s nightlife culture. While the party and sound is not genre specific, it is heavily focused around house, disco, jazz, and soul, embracing the musical elements of their black and brown ancestors. The monthly party's intention is to bring New York City's dance music scene back to what it was during the golden era of NY nightlife. They aim to spread the music that has been influential to them, and share it with a younger generation of their peers.

COLORING LESSONS with musclecars @ The Lot Radio 01-28-2024

Celebrating Dilla Month with a mix tape made by Dilla himself. The full mixtape has never been broadcast before in its entirety. We got this mixtape from J Dilla while Peter Adakwah from BBE was in Detroit with him at the time of recording Welcome 2 Detroit.

**For the first time in our 9 year history, we’re asking you, our listeners to help support and build a better Balamii. By subscribing monthly you can contribute to the future of Balamii and help us to continue to nurture our creative community. From as little as £3 a month you'll help cover the cost of generating thousands of hours of great radio and support up and coming artists. As thanks, you’ll receive a code for 20% off our merchandise (code sent 24-48hrs after you subscribe) as well as being the first to hear about our events. Our goal is to develop new features that improve our service and therefore build a better Balamii for our family of artists and listeners.**

Subscribe here - www.balamii.com/supporters

Sweet Nothings w/ Jeff Higgins: Dilla mixtape - February 2024

Ash Walker was in the studio with Audrey Powne celebrating the release of her new project. Lock in for an hour of selected gems. 


**For the first time in our 9 year history, we’re asking you, our listeners to help support and build a better Balamii. By subscribing monthly you can contribute to the future of Balamii and help us to continue to nurture our creative community. From as little as £3 a month you'll help cover the cost of generating thousands of hours of great radio and support up and coming artists. As thanks, you’ll receive a code for 20% off our merchandise (code sent 24-48hrs after you subscribe) as well as being the first to hear about our events. Our goal is to develop new features that improve our service and therefore build a better Balamii for our family of artists and listeners.**

Subscribe here - www.balamii.com/supporters

Ash Walker w/ Audrey Powne - March 2024

recorded live at Blackbear Lodge, Meanjin Brisbane for Ron Trent's 2024 Australian tour.

Ron Trent Warm Up Mix - March 9, 2024

New and forthcoming music on BBE from musclecars, Audrey Powne & The Brkn Record.

Sweet Nothings w/ Jeff - April 2024

Selection of beats and tracks made in 2015. free to use, just ask.



2 - Pre - Or - Not - 2 - Pre

Join the BBE Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/yfBFX

Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...

Kris Tidjan - KATIOPA

BBE Music

Recent comments

Bman

Related tracks