El Buho 'Ramas' Review

Artist: El Buho

Title: Ramas

Label: Wonderwheel

Released: 27^th of March

Over the years the Wonderwheel label has been a go to label for a variety of world music fusions where the sounds of Latin and South America, Africa and the Middle East meet hip-hop, funk, soul, reggae, house and more. This latest release from El Buho is a prime example as it features collaborations with 19 artists from 12 different countries adding their touches to his Andean and Cumbian compositions. 

In addition to this El Buho rather than throwing out the usual fan re-mix competition, asked for choreographers and dance groups in his community to submit videos for the music and has incorporated 18 fan created videos with original choreographed dances for visual representation of the album. One of which is shown in the video for ‘Nevar’ below.

Moving on to the music as I scanned the track list I noticed familiar names such as label boss Nickodemus, Thornato and a few others. However, their were many I wasn’t familiar with so in this review I will focus on the highlights of the album after the initial opening track ‘Amanueces del Espirtu’. This piece a collaboration with Dominique Hunziker placed my ears exactly where I anticipated, the sound of the Andes brought to life with lovely guitar strings and soothing vocals we are off to a good start.

Moving forward I discovered the album is quite laid back and listenable such as ‘Rumba Viento’ a collaboration with Captain Planet featuring the vocals of Kata. Where as the first to really grab my attention was ‘Sky City’ the collaboration with Thornato. Once again I could picture the Andes in my minds eye, most probably helped by those pan pipes. However, although this time it’s an instrumental piece there is a little more emphasis with the kick drum. Whilst I can imagine ‘A Minha Fraga (Re-mix)’ with Biauca could be somewhat of a marmite test with the powerful male vocal and female choir like accompaniment the music arrangement really appealed to me.

To summarise I found I could easily listen to this album throughout without skipping tracks. However, I would have liked a little more variation on pace i.e. a few danceable numbers wouldn’t have gone amiss. Nor would a collaboration with Lagartijendo one of my favourites in this genre from the Wonderwheel catalogue.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Links

https://www.sonidoelbuho.com/

https://wonderwheelrecordings.bandcamp.com/

Nickodemus 'Wonderworld: 10 Years of Painting Outside The Lines' Review

Artist: Nickodemus

Title: Wonderworld:

10 Years of Painting Outside The lines

Label: Wonderwheel Recordings

Released: 24^th February

Wonderworld is a mix cd featuring tracks released over the last 10 years by Nickodemus and friends. Although I have to wonder about the marketability of such an item in the current climate where dj mixes are readily available to stream in abundance, even from a chap whose Turntables on the Hudson parties feature esteemed guests such as Bonobo and Giles Peterson from here in the U.K. as well as high quality home grown talent Stateside. However, I'm a fan of the Wonderwheel output and Nickodemus especially, I find his productions a musical smorgasboard of latin, funk, afro-beat, dub, hip-hop and house that usually hits the spot fusing joys of the past with a modern twist.

Coming from this angle I found the mix contains a good number of classics from his three album releases. For me I really enjoyed the fact they are all there in one sitting and as I'm always plucking tracks from different sources when compiling a mix it's something I'd never have created. So on the other hand I'd imagine if your a lover of say Tito Puente, Baba Maal & Jurassic 5 or Thievery Corporation & Quantic but not familiar with Nickodemus or Wonderwheel it's a wonderful insight into their releases. Plus there's the added bonus of downloading the tracks featured individually in the price.

To summarise I really couldn't see myself buying a dj mix cd these days. But as files so easily disappear into the void those who still (like myself) keep the cream on cd with a selection such as this I really can't see any reason why not.

Review by Woodzee

Links:

http://www.nickodemus.com/

http://wonderwheel.11spot.com/

Various Artists - Turntables On Las Ramblas Review

Artist: Various

Title: Turntables On Las Ramblas

Label: Wonderwheel Recordings

Release Date: 19^th March 2013

Admittedly this release is probably more dance floor orientated than either dub or chill but I really like the Wonderwheel releases so jumped at the chance of reviewing it anyway. Turntables on las Ramblas is the 1st of the Turntables on the Hudson "City to City, River to River" series connecting various DJ's, artists, musicians & party people city to city that will soon feature Turntables on the Nile, Turntables in Lima, Turntables on the Caribbean & more…

Basing this release on the thriving scene in Barcelona it’s only natural to expect a heavy Latin influence on the album and it’s doesn’t fail to comply starting with Sabo’s Moombahton edit of Carlos Barbosa & Blasterjack’s “Toca Flute” which as the title implies is a fusion of heavy percussion and soothing flute with rub-a-dub samples injected at suitable moments.

The housier Sujinho re-mix of Nickodemus’s “Los Tarontas” I’d already picked up on the preceding sampler e.p. I really like the original but this re-mix really tears me in two. There’s a delayed synth employed which I find too harsh and way overused, making the intro and outro very repetitive. However the tweaks, delays and extensions on the piece in between (especially on the strings) are top notch. So I’ll leave you to make up your own mind on this one.

Barcelona’s Oscar Barilla re-works Sid Vaga’s latest release “Manouche” which is a funky enough track with an 80’s feel to the bass line. Although, I have to confess to preferring his last release “Brazuca” which I used as the opener in my set for House of the Flying Eyeball’s “My Favourite Things” radio show on BoxFrequency FM.

I hope I haven’t put anyone off yet as I wouldn’t say I dislike this release. On the contrary it’s a rump shaker throughout which I can see myself playing from time to time at appropriate moments. Additionally this release has introduced me to some new artists where I’d be inclined to dig a little deeper.

One in particular that caught my ear was Novalima’s “Macaco” bursting with horns and vocals it’s seemed to me like the Bueno Vista Social Club with a modern edge, which finishes in an almost reggae vibe. While Captain Planet (whose previously re-mixed Alice Russell, Erykah Badu and Vieux Farka Toure) re-mixes Los Chicharrons “Mar Do Nar” where I’d hazard a guess the vocals are actually African rather than Spanish or Catalan. Toti & Andy Loop’s re-mix of “Barcelona” by Catalan band La Troba Kung-Fú is also worth a mention as the piece retains a live band feel and has a real sunshine vibe about it.

Reviewed by Woodzee

Nickodemus - Moon People Review

Artist: Nickodemus


Title: Moon People


Label: Wonderwheel Recordings


Released: June 2012

Back when I was a youth I used to have a friend where I would go and smoke herbal cigarettes and listen to music very loudly until the ‘wee small hours’ (Very liberal parents). I would then stagger, sometimes on my own, sometime with other friends, homeward bound.

The journey home would mean walking down an alley way. This always caused a great deal of trepidation (heightened no doubt by the copious amount of herb inhaled)! This anxiety was no mere figment of the imagination but one born of bitter experience. The Knowledge that sooner or later ‘Nickodemus- the Devil dog’ would jump out and scare the shit out of us!!!

Nickodemus was a stray dog that used to frequent this area of the estate with the seeming avowed mission to terrify stoned youths! Thankfully this is a far from that mangy old cur as you could wish to get. Which is a good thing really.

This Nickodemus began his career back in 1996 in NYC as a resident DJ of the legendary Giant Step & Organic Groove nights. Two years later, he started Turntables on the Hudson with partners Mariano & Nappy G on percussion.  Turntables quickly gained fame for its eclectic open- minded music & and feel-good crowd. The party is still going strong by all accounts.

As a producer, Nickodemus creates music from all parts of the World fusing Latin, Jazz, Hip-Hop and whatever else takes his fancy.  He has 3 albums entitles "Endangered Species" (2005), "Sun People" (2009) & "Moon People" (2012).

I must admit that I’ve not heard the previous two albums but have seriously caned ‘Moon People’ since receiving - it is SUPERB.

This is music of the highest order played and produced with warmth and a sheer joy that is a delight to hear. I’m not exaggerating to say that the more I hear this album the more I love it.

The choice of vocalist’s is spot on from The Real Live Show, Candela All Stars, Sammy Ayala, Kissy Asplund to the mighty Afrika Bambataa (although truth be told I have to admit that Bambataa’s track is probably the weakest of the lot...but not by much)!

These vocal tracks are interspersed with instrumentals that really hit the spot- ‘Nights of Balour’, current single ‘Alruccabah' and the truly wonderful ‘Vino People’. A track so uplifting that the NHS should offer it free on prescription. If this track does not make you want to get up and dance like a loon then frankly you are beyond redemption!

As in his previous albums Nickodemus sticks to the style that he obviously knows so well- hip hop, dance grooves and warm Latin jazz infusions. It obviously works so why change it? This is a good time album-Music to make you dance with a wide smile upon your face.

I will be checking out Nickodemus’ other two albums and I would urge you to beat a hasty path to your local purveyor of bespoke tuneage (or order on ‘tinternet) and purchase this wonderful album. Beats getting chased down an alley by a dog!!!!

Reviewed by Matthew Foord

"Moon People" comes out June 19th 2012. It features collaborations with Afrika Bambaataa, The Real Live Show, Navegante, Belleruche & many more of the cast from his previous albums. He's also working on "A Global Minute" which features MC's from 10 cities combined with video & paintings by Justin Carty. 



Nickodemus "Moon People" album promo video 2012 from Nickodemus on Vimeo.