Synthesthetics

Wah Wah 45s celebrate the joy of the cover version! The label has always had a keen ear for a re-working of a classic piece of music, whether it be an unexpected brass take of a soft rock or hip hop cut from Hackney Colliery Band, or a sultry rendition of a soul nugget from Stac, with the only conditions being that the cover takes the original piece of music somewhere new, fresh and exciting.

The label's 15thanniversary seemed like a good time to not only re-visit a number of very canny covers from over the years, but to throw in a couple of new and exclusive ones for good measure too and as a way of saying thank you for all your support over the last decade and a half. So, as well as well loved renditions of Bill Withers' The Same Love That Made Me Laugh from Ashley Thomas and Part-Time Heroes' gorgeous re-imagining of The Boss' Dancing In The Dark, you get a spine-tingling, pitch shifting, electronica flavoured take of Rose Royce's ballad Wishing On A Star from Stac x Blue Daisy and The Gene Dudley Group's fierce dance floor funk version of Richard "Groove" Holmes No Trouble On The Mountain (itself a Wah Wah 45s release back in the day!) featuring the rasping vocals of Annie Frankenstein.

Add to that Lea Lea's recent cover of Talking Heads' Psycho Killer, Scrimshire's updating of Tammi Terrell's version of All I Do, with Stac on vocal duties, as well as club classics from Henri-Pierre Noel, Bev Lee Harling, Alister Johnson and a couple of big hitters from Hackney Colliery Band and you've got one heavyweight haul of version excursions on your hands.

Hackney Colliery Band - Africa (The Wah Wah Version out July 14th 2014)

DWNTWN - Missing You (Synthesthetics Remix)

Had a lot of fun making this!  gonna make more of these so stay tuned!!

Miles Davis - Early Minor (Synthesthetics Remix)

Between the silence, a careful kindness,
Gently glowing, the warm hum of home.

Life is so precious and that's the message,
Live it with presence, you've got the message.

Download ↓

The Long Farewell (Part 1)

Stealing Drums

SO FRESH EVEN LL SAYS IM BAD BY DJ NEMA.m4a

pluck

The Uncertain 1

Lake Willoughby (Draft)

NikkiLeak #13 comes from a combination of a few travels & influences. The "Calindia" mix was recorded in 3 very important musical places. Bass & keys in Cali, Colombia @ Quantic's studio, alto sax in San Juan Puerto Rico in Casa Candela & vocals by Indian classical & pop singer Falu in my studio in Brooklyn, NYC! 

The past few days, Puerto Rico has been in my mind so much... I'm not sure why it's so strong, but I've been visiting in my dreams both asleep & awake. Maybe I'm due for another trip to El Yunque?  This morning in the studio, I found a CD I haven't seen/ heard in years. It was by my friend Ausubo (Christian) & it spoke of cosmic energies in & around us. I dedicate this one to him in his new form!  Please download & tap into Puerto Rico, Colombia, India, everywhere...



Didibina (Calindia Mix) by Nickodemus & Quantic feat Georgie Cruz !

3xA DAy

Automation

The Maasai are an extraordinary people with an even more extraordinary culture. They have lived in areas of Tanzania and Kenya for hundreds of years and graze their precious cattle in both countries even today.Originating from ancient lands and simpler times the Maasai can trace themselves back hundreds of years. But the way they live today still reflects both when and where they came from.Maasai culture is unique and their customs are sometimes thought of as controversial. But their story is a very human one.

This track is a melodic journey to their homeland, the ‘Maasai Mara’ and highlights the beautiful tradition and culture these fascinating people follow.It is very important to respect these traditions as they are unique, mean so much and honestly without them the world will not be the same.After travelling to South Africa,I fell in love with the people, the country and the atmosphere so decided to blend some of their native sounds with world elements and soundscapes.Get ready for a safari experience through the African Bush.

Much love, energy and greetings from India to all you lovely souls ! Keep vibing and smiling.

@soundofaroma
Mastering: @exotic-mastering

ɅRÕMɅ

Premiere:  AROMA - Maasai  (FREE DOWNLOAD)

BENGABELT VOL.1 - TUONGEE WAKENYA

Benga Belt Vol. 1 album is a clear attempt at unifying the pop sounds of Kenya, rooted in the cultural heritage of benga music and drawing creative inspiration from the Benga Belt of Kenya (from Kisumu in Western Kenya to 
Kilifi in South East of Kenya). TUONGEE WAKENYA references the extremely nuanced cross generational and inter-tribal conversations brought forth by the original compositions of Boaz, Jagingo, Missing Rotich, Msupa S, John ‘Kakee', Musyoki Mutua and the Abakisimba Troupe. The album is grounded by the prowess of Udulele John and Michael Ongaro on the guitars while Oduor Bernard Kidum holds 
down the drums.

Recorded & Produced by UMOJA
Executive Producer: Mwl. Gregg Tendwa
Mixed & Mastered by: Job André de la Porte
Artwork: Sogallo
www.bengatronics.com

Missing Rotich - Solidarity (UMOJA DISCOMIX)

Buy / Stream here: 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2FOFd16
Apple Music: https://apple.co/3iMq1A3
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3hMd6N8
Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/35PQxFc
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Gitkin’s music exists somewhere between primal, rootsy memory and distant exotic yearning — A dusty bordertown where the familiar blends imperceptibly into the enchantingly foreign. 

After a long and fruitful run as a bandleader with relentlessly touring party-rockers Pimps Of Joytime and a Grammy-nominated country blues collaboration with Cedric Burnside, multi-instrumentalist Brian J set out to “explore tonalities I’d never messed with,” as he puts it. It was a release from “having to write lyrics or involve my voice,” he notes, and so the (mostly) instrumental sound of Gitkin came into being. 

Reviews of Gitkin’s first LP grappled with descriptors, tagging it vaguely as “cinematic” and comparing it favorably with Khruangbin. True, the music is largely wordless, emotionally evocative, and guitar driven. But it possesses an alluring alchemy all its own. 

Gitkin’s first release, 2018’s well-received Five Star Motel, amply demonstrated his ease with earthy funk and comfortably-cut rhythm. On his new full-length release Safe Passage, the itinerant guitar slinger broadens his already rich palette with melodies informed by Greek and Middle Eastern modalities, Peruvian Chicha and Tuareg Saharan guitar styles. No gimmick, this juxtaposition of gut-bucket blues and funk low-end with unexpectedly twisting lead phrases highlights the intense flavors found in each savory ingredient. 

Recorded at his home studio in New Orleans, Safe Passage showcases a new batch of immediately engaging, repeatedly satisfying cuts, ranging from surf exotica (“Cat Nip”) to raunchy roadhouse stompers (“Fools Gold” and “The Drive”) to dreamy vocal cuts “Foot Steps” and “Hold On” to the floating finale of “Safe Passage.” 

Gitkin’s production radiates character and warmth, leaning on soft-focus vintage mics, dubby spring reverbs and the quirks of an analog tape machine. Further enhancing the intimate vibe are distinguished guests like Carol C (of Si*Sé), who lends her striking voice to three tracks, including the strutting single “De La,” veteran Chauncey Yearwood (congas) and New Orleans local Clifton “Spug” Smith, who provides a sousaphone low-end on the cumbia-not-cumbia “Spug Life.” 

Safe Passage will be released by Wonderwheel on September 18th, 2020 and will be available on vinyl, CD and digitally.

Safe Passage

Gitkin - Safe Passage

For Leases or Exclusives contact  : synthesthetics@gmail.com
FREE HipHop Beats : @WAXesthetics

Miles Davis - Early Minor (Synthesthetics Remix)

Synthesthetics

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