luck of...

As I'm sure most of you know, Luciano has a new record coming out in December, titled Tribute to the Sun. I've been listening to it for the past couple of days, and can honestly speak to its greatness as an album— though it contains elements that will be familiar to anyone initiated into the Cadenza sound, it also has a fresh and brilliant sonic palette. On top of all that, it is perhaps the first danceable full-length that Luciano has ever created, eschewing the tool-kit sound of No Model No Tool and the more esoteric Blind Behaviour. Certainly will be considered one of the best full-lengths of the year by many, and for good reason.

And no, I'm not giving any of it away. Wait a few months, friends.

In the meantime, though, I've been digging through Luciano's back catalogue, going from the cold heat of "Octogonal" to the trancey shimmer of "Amelie on Ice." The Switzerland-based producer is also well-known as a master of the remix and the edit, and for this reason, I'm sharing two of my favorite examples of this work with you today.

First, we have Luciano's remix of Salif Keita, the Malian afro-pop master known as the Golden Voice of Africa. "Yamore" was originally a collaborative track with the fado/morna doyenne Cesaria Evora, and might just be one of the saddest songs written in the past ten years. Watch and listen below.



Luciano turns this lament into a twelve-minute long workout, keeping the melancholy tone intact whilst adding pounding kicks, stretching the strings into hallucinogenic dubby echoes, and providing a breakdown that is one of his best. Gorgeous stuff.

Salif Keita- Yamore (Luciano Remix)

Next, we have the re-edit of Nina Simone's take on "Sinnerman," which takes the tune's piano line, loops it, and stretches it for thirteen minutes.



Furthermore, the most wailing parts of Simone's vocalizings are isolated and brought to the fore, allowing for another intense, kick-heavy hypnotism that is bound to cause as many tears as dancefloor antics. Quite something.

Nina Simone- Sinnerman (Luciano Re-Edit)

Tomorrow, some old school stylings.

video drop

Today, a compendium of YouTube videos that I've been re-playing again and again, with little anecdotes.

First up, the ladies of Mai Tai, performing their 1985 hit, "History." Excellent old-school video!



My friend Nick from Teengirl Fantasy is pondering a rework of the track in a style similar to Quiet Village Project-- just imagine the extended version below slowed. It is a pure balearic treat, let me tell you, and one that I was treated to pretty constantly during my week in Ohio.



Next up, a 1986 live performance by Farley "Jackmaster" Funk and vocalist Darryl Pandy on 'Top of the Pops.' Would that music like this were still on Top 20 charts!



Man, can Pandy sing!

Now, a jump to a 2005 performance by Paul Randolph, wrongly labelled as a Moodymann performance by the poster. This track is called "Break By Stone," and really, who the hell can argue with a man who is playing bass behind his head, singing, and dancing all at the same time? This video makes you want to go out and do something amazing.



Finally, a jump back to a 1969 performance by Nina Simone, whom I've been really digging to no end in the past couple of months. A pretty famous performance, but worth posting nonetheless.



Tomorrow, some digitized deepness for you. Have a good Sunday!