Remembering J Dilla on his birthday

Raising a glass to hip hop producer extraordinaire James Yancey aka J Dilla on his birthday with a interviews and more. 

R.I.P. Fred "Tonic" Smith of Television, Blondie, Fleshtones

Sadly, bassist Fred Smith – who played with Television, Blondie & The Fleshtones – has passed away at 77. He'll be greatly missed.

LINKS

Stereogum Television bassist Fred Smith dead at 77

Before They Were Famous: Dave Van Ronk

NYC folk legend Dave Van Ronk cut "Skiffle In Stereo" with pals Sam & Ann Charters and Spivey's Len Kunstadt in 1958. 

Orange Blossom Jug Five

Dave Van Ronk - Guitar

Sam Charters - cornet and guitar

Len "Kazoo Papa" Kunstadt - kazoo

Russell Glynn - jug

Ann Danberg aka Ann Charters - washboard

Bob Marley "King of Reggae" Birthday Celebration @ Lee's Palace, Saturday

The Pressure Drop & Bless Up selectas will be spinning reggae gems on vinyl in Bob Marley's honour at Lee's Palace on Saturday.

The 20th Anniversary of "King Of Reggae" Birthday Bash – Toronto’s longest-running Bob Marley birthday tribute takes place on Saturday, February 7th at Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor St. West), featuring Reggaddiction, Kairo McLean & Friendlyness, Pressure Drop & Bless Up selectas and more starting at 9 pm!

NuFunk Concerts proudly presents the city’s largest and longest-standing celebration of Bob Marley’s legacy. This iconic annual event showcases top-tier reggae talent while giving back to the community through food donations in support of the Parkdale Food Bank.

Join us at Lee’s Palace for an unforgettable night of live reggae. Enjoy a full set from the 10-piece powerhouse Reggaddiction, along with special surprise guests. The event also features exciting prize giveaways and a vibrant craft market. Tickets are $23.53 advance and available right here.

Hail up to Pressure Drop Selectors — DJs Guv’nor General and Chuck Boom. True legends of the Toronto reggae scene, from their early days at The Embassy in Kensington Market to their long-running annual Boxing Day Fundraiser. Over the years, they’ve shared stages with icons like Sister Nancy, Junior Cat, Stranger Cole, Carol Brown, Dub Connection Sound System, Jah Tubby’s, and Deadly Dragon Sound System featuring Screechy Dan.

No strangers to the Bob Marley Birthday Tribute, we’re blessed to welcome them back once again—spinning strictly 45s: roots reggae, rub-a-dub, dancehall, dub, rocksteady, and ska—fully powered by the 15,000-watt Bless Up Sound System. 

Check out the event preview clip along with some vintage Bob Marley footage.

Canadian hip hop pioneers Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee, Muzion get stamps!

Believe it or not, Canada Post has just issued a new series of stamps celebrating Canuck MC's Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee & Muzion!

Here's the scoop from Canada Post...

Our newest commemorative stamps pay tribute to three groundbreaking Canadian hip-hop artists Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee and Muzion. Each of these MCs pioneered a uniquely Canadian identity, with a sound influenced largely by musical styles and rhythms from Jamaica, Trinidad and Haiti. 

Maestro Fresh Wes  propelled Canadian hip-hop into the mainstream with groundbreaking hits that set new industry milestones. 

Michie Mee combined rap with dancehall and reggae to create an iconic sound that captivated fans. 

Montréal-based group Muzion layered French, English and Haitian Creole into their music, injecting the ever-evolving genre with a fresh new vibe. 

Learn more about our Hip-hop in Canada stamps here and pick up a set of today right here. 

Stamp designers: Noël Nanton, Nadia Molinari | typotherapy 

Stamp photographers:  

Maestro Fresh Wes: Wellington Williams; background by Edward James Rissling 

Michie Mee: Getty Images; background by Rick McGinnis (Rick McGinnis Photography) 

Muzion: Brigitte Henry; background by Marie-Michèle Bouchard

One For The Weekend: Duke Of Iron

Check out the swingin' "Calypso Invasion" by Duke Of Iron (center) and his Calypso Troubadors on Apollo Records. 

Sun Ra: Do The Impossible documentary airs on PBS, February 20

Christine Turner's new documentary "Sun Ra: Do The Impossible" screens as part of the American Masters series on PBS.  

Sun Ra: Do The Impossible

A kaleidoscopic portrait of the visionary jazz musician, composer, and poet known as Sun Ra and the musical, historical, and philosophical currents that shaped him.

Poet, philosopher, Egyptologist, bandleader. Jazz visionary Sun Ra was all of these—and more. With his ever-evolving band the Sun Ra Arkestra, he produced more than 200 albums, stretching the boundaries of free-form jazz while weaving ancient Egypt, interstellar metaphors, and scientific musings into a singular musical and spiritual vision of Afrofuturism that continues to reverberate across generations. Director Christine Turner takes us on an illuminating journey through the life of this multi-faceted artist, gracefully balancing recollections from the Arkestra’s still-devout band members and dancers with insightful interviews from music scholars, and unforgettable film and performance footage of Sun Ra himself. The result is a portrait—informative, inspiring, and mind-bending—of a man whose audacious vision, otherworldly imagination, and uncompromising artistry helped shape not only the sound of jazz, but the cultural landscape of the 20th century and beyond.

‍

ABOUT SUN RA 

Herman Poole Blount was born on May 22, 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama, and departed this earth on May 30, 1993, as Sun Ra. Along the way he became a conscientious objector, legally changed his name to Le Sony’r Ra, forged a vision of a Black Space Age future, created a big band that toured the world and continues to this day, wrote over 1000 jazz compositions, issued more than 200 self-produced records, pioneered the use of electronic keyboards,

and published volumes of broadsheets and poetry. Sun Ra reached back in time to ancient Egypt to claim civilization as Black and fused it with the dawn of the Space Age to assert Blackness as the very nature of the “omniverse. ” Compelling and strange, he claimed to have been “teleported” to Saturn, where he was told that the world would descend into chaos and that he must speak through music. Though his “Earth departure day” may have occurred more than three decades ago, his influence continues to grow with each successive generation.

‍

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Christine Turner is a filmmaker whose portraits of artists, activists, and everyday people capture the beauty and struggle of life. Previously, her short documentary, The Barber of Little Rock (The New Yorker), about a local barber’s fight for a just economy, was nominated for Best Short Documentary at the 2024 Academy Awards. Her film J’Nai Bridges: Unamplified, released in 2023, follows the titular opera singer as she takes the stage in “A Knee on the Neck,” a tribute to George Floyd (PBS/American Masters). Other notable work includes: Lynching Postcards: ‘Token of a Great Day’ (Paramount+), which was nominated for a Peabody and won an NAACP Image Award; Homegoings (PBS/POV), a critically-acclaimed portrait of a renowned Harlem funeral director; and the two artist profiles Betye Saar: Taking Care of Business (New York Times Op-Docs) and Paint & Pitchfork (The New Yorker). Learn more at christineturner.com.

Watch a red carpet interview with Sun Ra: Do The Impossible director Christine Turner at the Tribeca Film Festival followed by the documentary trailer. 

 

Happy Birthday Ann Sexton!

Raising a glass to South Carolina-born soul diva Ann Sexton on her birthday with a couple of smokin' performances. 

Whaddya mean you don't know Munetaka Inoue and his Sharp Five

Check out drummer Munetaka Inoue and his Sharp Five crew ripping through a few of their faves Eleki-style. 

Lori Yates with Derek Downham @ Friar's Music Museum, Thursday

If you're near Shopper's Drug Mart (283 Yonge) on Thursday at 12:30 pm, swing by for Lori's set with Derek on the 2nd floor. 

Midweek Mixdown: HonkyTonk Jukebox: Crackpot Country

Dallas DJ Bryan C takes some of his fave offbeat country 45s for a spin on his HonkyTonk Jukebox podcast.  

Here's the scoop... 

Straight outta Dallas, DJ Bryan C spins classic juke joint, outlaw and Texas country on vinyl 45s for his HonkyTonk Jukebox podcast in a bid to save country music seven inches at a time. For show #161, he takes a crooked path less travelled through the oddball terrain of what he calls "Crackpot Country" which includes Hank Penny singing about his love for Molasses, Lois Williams crooning about her obsession with a certain Hee-Haw cast member, Faron Young wacky exploration of Dingaka and much more. 

Listen to HonkyTonk Jukebox show #161: Crackpot Country via Mixcloud right here. 

Check out the complete tracklist below.   

HonkyTonk Jukebox #161 – Crackpot Country

Hank Penny- I Like Molasses (RCA Victor)

Cal Smith - It Takes Me All Night Long (Kapp)

Lois Williams - I Fell In Love With A Feller On The Hee Haw Show ( Starday)

Faron Young - Dingaka (Mercury)

Ernest Tubb & Red Foley Dr Ketchum (Decca)

Jay Gardner - Big Mouth Woman (EIm)

Walt Wilder - I Love What's In My Arms (Homa)

Johnny Free - Lusty Lady (Pageboy)

Billy Gray & The Cowtowners - How Would She Look In A Kitchen (CMR)

Rudy Preston - Goat Ropers Need Love Too (Showman)

Jethro Burns - Dolly Parton's Sweet On Me (RCA)

Carl Dobkins Jr - Linda The Motel Maid (Chalet)

Tony Burris - White Lines And Dirty Minds (Tony Burris Music)

Kirk Hansard - Nudist Colony (Chart)

BJ Wright - JR (Soundwave)

JIm Furst - The Milkman's Get Your Wife (KDR)

Chuck Penny - Don't Forget To Feed The Cat (TIM)

Mark Grothier - Fore In The Morning (Stop)

Cal Cavendish - U-Haul Trailer (Westmount)

Chuck Wagon & The Wheels - The Gas Song (Let's Drop The Neutron) (Wagontracks) 

JG Thirlwell releases the final Foetus studio album "Halt"

JG Thirlwell's last Foetus album HALT is out now on double vinyl, digipak CD and digital download. Get it on wax while you can. 

Here's the scoop...

The long awaited and highly acclaimed final Foetus album HALT is available NOW on double coloured vinyl, deluxe digipak CD and digital. Both physical versions are close to being sold out and are being repressed. The second pressing of the vinyl will come in a slightly different colour, Habernero Red blend for the first vinyl and Grey Matter blend for the second vinyl.

HALT has been variously hailed by Foetus followers as “JG’s best work”, “so freaking good”, “this album is PERFECT” and “a masterpiece”. You can order the album from JG's own Foetus site here or Bandcamp here. 

What the media is saying...

“The end of the Foetus project has been on Thirlwell’s own terms – controlled, deliberate, and uncompromising to the last….It’s a reflection of Thirlwell as a writer, creator, composer, and also as a human being. From pre-boy to man – Foetus has left the building.” - Wesley Doyle, The Quietus

“Despite its overwhelmingly dark themes, the album is refreshing in its singular approach and an artist’s willingness to use his platform to explore humanity’s collective dysfunction.” - Mike, Avant Music News

Check out a couple of podcast interviews with JG Thirlwell, some performance footage along with "Succulence" off Halt. 

Happy 70th Birthday Lee Ranaldo!

Celebrating 70th birthday of Sonic Youth co-founder Lee Ranaldo with a few old faves performed with his pals in Yo La Tengo. 

R.I.P. Stick Men With Ray Guns bassist Bobby Beeman

Sadly, bassist Bobby Beeman of Texas punk crew Stick Men With Ray Guns has passed away after a lengthy illness. 

Writes SMWRG mainman Clarke Blacker...

As many of you already know, Stick Men With Ray Guns bassist Bobby Beeman has passed away after a long illness. Although Bobby was the last to join the band, he instantly became an integral part of everything. I always trusted his judgement above my own in all things concerning the band. He was a terrific partner and I will miss him always. My thoughts go out to his family in this difficult time. 

I feel broken knowing that he's not there, and won't ever be there again. I hope that Scott is aware of what has happened, but we haven't spoken in probably 25 years and he wanted to disassociate himself from the band. I've honored his wishes. If anyone out there can reach him, please let him know about Bobby. Despite the estrangement, I think that he might want to know. 

Goodbye Bobby.

Charles Hackbarth shows his Mercury Blues drawings @ Mercury Espresso Café, Feb 2-28

Toronto artist Charles Hackbarth has his boffo new drawings on display in Leslieville at Mercury Espresso Café (915 Queen St. E). 

Remembering saxophone great Sonny Stitt on his birthday

Raising a glass to Sonny Stitt – born Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. in Boston – with a few stellar performances. 

Ottawa's Atlantis Jazz Ensemble preview "Mystic Suite" album with "Damocles"

Pierre Chrétien and his Atlantis Jazz Ensemble return with Mystic Suite, another amazing spiritual jazz gem out February 27th. 

ATLANTIS JAZZ ENSEMBLE – MYSTIC SUITE

Let us take you back. Waaay back. According to early Greek mythology, the three powerful sons of the god Kronos divided up the cosmos after overthrowing their father: Poseidon ruled the sea, Zeus commanded the heavens, and Hades reigned over the underworld. Conversely, this latest offering from the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble completes the group’s corresponding trilogy – "Oceanic Suite" (2016), "Celestial Suite" (2023), and now "Mystic Suite" (2026).

As you might expect, this "Mystic Suite", inspired by Hades’ supernatural realm, is perhaps the most intense, unusual and sublime of the three albums. It channels the energy of the spiritual jazz offered back in the 1970s by labels such as Strata-East, Tribe and Black Jazz, mixed with the urgency presented by the best of today’s jazz underground, fiercely struggling and searching for meaning within this era of global tumult. This is a meaningful record, driven by human connection, the kind that is only possible when like-minded musicians interact face-to-face within the same room.

The set flows as smoothly as the mythical River Styx. The Fender Rhodes electric piano starts things off slowly by churning an ominous brew during the intro to “Damocles”, before the full band drops a dark Elvin Jones-style mambo, set in a menacing Phrygian mode. The Coltranian vibes continue on the spiritually-charged “Spirits Unseen”, a fast-paced jazz waltz exploring the possibilities of polymodality, before settling into the softer contemplative sonorities of “Persephone”. Side A closes off with the sinuous bossa-tinged “As the River Flows”, before Side B picks things up again with the otherworldly harmonies of “Elysian Fields”. The 12/8 polyrhythms of “Asphodel Meadows” and the highlife jazz of “Gates of the Sun” bring in percussion-heavy Afro sounds into the mix, before things wind down with the horn-drenched melancholy soul-jazz of “Broken Dreams”.

It’s also worth mentioning that the core quintet of the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble is joined here by brilliant tenor saxophonist Petr Cancura, an alum of bassist Cecil McBee’s group, relocated to Canada after a long stint in New York City, as well as versatile percussionist Marielle Rivard, best known for her work as member of the Souljazz Orchestra. Engineer and co-producer Jason Jaknunas recorded the album live off-the-floor at his Metropolitan Studios location, subsequently mastering it to his beloved 1965 Studer Revox G36 all-tube 2-track tape machine. Cover artwork is based on a late 19th century water-colour sketch by Norwegian artist and explorer Fridtjof Nansen.

"Mystic Suite" is the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble’s 3rd album and is released by Marlow Records in vinyl LP, CD, and digital formats on February 27th 2026. LP format was meticulously cut, plated and pressed in Canada at Precision Record Pressing's state-of-the-art facility. Vinyl copies of Mystic Suite will be available at The Record Centre (1099 Wellington St., Ottawa) after the February 27th release date.

Personnel:

Ed Lister - trumpet, flugelhorn

Zakari Frantz - alto saxophone, percussion

Pierre Chrétien - electric piano, percussion

Chris Pond - bass

Mike Essoudry - drums

with:

Petr Cancura - tenor saxophone, percussion

Marielle Rivard - percussion

R.I.P. Billy Bass Nelson, 1951-2026

Sadly, founding Funkadelic bassist "Billy Bass" Nelson has passed away days after his 75th birthday. Billy played on many more recordings than you know. 

Session bassist Bob Babbitt shared his memories of Billy Bass...

Story Time: Billy Nelson recruited Eddie Hazel to join the Parliaments rhythm section on August of 1967. About a month later they picked up Tiki Fulwood at the Uptown in Philly. A few months after that those three decided to become their own group Funkadelic. But a year later they all left Detroit. Tiki went to work for Tyrone Davis. Eddie & Billy tried a thing called Sparky & the Pimpadelics (with Brad Innis & Herb Sparkman) that didn't work-out. Billy went to work for Bill Doggett. And Eddie went back to Detroit to put a live "Funkadelic" band together while studio musicians (Babbitt, Monette, Coffey, Hunter, Van Dyke & Andrew Smith) played on the the sessions for 6 of the albums 7 tracks (Music for My Mother was already done). Tracks like What is Soul & Mommy What's a Funkadelic were jams Billy & Eddie put together in rehearsals during the summer of '68. GC took the entire writing credit for both!

Studio musicians were used because there was NO band at the time, not because they couldn't play. Anyhow, when Eddie Hazel returned to Detroit in early '69 he brought Tawl Ross with him from Plainfield to play bass. They picked up Mickey Atkins (organ) and drummer Zachary Frazier (or Slater) from the 20 Grand Lounge house band. But the band never really clicked like before. GC begged Billy to come back and sort out the band as the album was being completed. Billy took bass, Tawl moved over to rhythm, Tiki agreed to come back and Billy recruited Bernie Worrell from Plainfield. Billy, Eddie, Tiki, Tawl & Bernie became the band. Those are the five pictured on the back of the first album even though they played on little of it. Frazier-Slater was free to go join McKinley Jackson's Politicians where he was the drummer on a number of H-D-H & Motown sessions through the mid-70's. I've never heard any more about Mickey Atkins.

Funkadelic stayed intact for about two years recording Free Your Mind & Maggot Brain as well as Parliament's Osmium album & their singles Red Hot Mama & Breakdown for Invictus (uncredited until a few years back), they were also recorded on most of the sessions for Ruth Copeland's two Invictus albums, although others did participate. Again uncredited until just a couple of years ago. Its often claimed that the Parliaments sang on Free Your Mind & Maggot Brain but Funkadelic did their own lead vocals. In the fall of '71 it ended, period! Tawl left the group, Tiki Left the group. Billy & Eddie quit to go work for Motown. Eddie was there for about seven years, Billy over 10. Funkadelic's '72 follow-up "America Eats its Young" was in part recorded from rehearsal tapes by the made original band.

Billy Bass & George Clinton with Chairmen Of The Board

While at Motown Billy & Eddie can be heard on the "finished" recordings by so many well known artists and on so many hit records. Norman Whitfield loved Funkadelic especially Billy and used him on tons of sessions from '71 - '83. Norman never saw fit to give Billy a single credit until the Tempts Back to the Basics LP in '83!! 12 Years!! The only proof we have that Billy played Bass on Car Wash is that his name is listed at the end of the movie. But he plays bass on nearly every Rose Royce track from the film. Norman used Billy & Eddie on Undisputed Truth & Temptations albums all the time. But it wasn't until the Jeffrey Bowen produced A Song for You & Wings of Love LPs (as well as Bonnie Pointer's '78 solo LP) when they got FINALLY got credit. Billy got that bass sound on Happy People & Shakey Ground by plugging directly into the mixing board. The sound was so out-front that they had to give him credit. Billy is all over the Commodores stuff. He had to play a majority of the bass lines on their first three albums (Machine Gun, Caught in the Act & Mobvin On). After that, Billy had to often teach Ron LaPread the bass-lines to songs like Brick House note for note, and Ron gets a writing credit!! LaPread even went as far as to go out and get himself a BC Rich bass like Billy's to try to copy "his own" sound. They either recorded or re-recorded the bass & guitar parts on so many sessions.

Yet, so many think that the only thing they played on was A Song for You. Of course who'd believe they're on Love Machine, Eddie Kendricks, Smokey Robinson, Rose Banks, Jackson 5ive, Willie Hutch, etc. Same thing at Invictus after the earlier studio guys went either east or west. Guys like Billy, Eddie, Bernie & Donald Baldwin stepped-in and played on a lot of sessions recorded for Invictus during '73 & '74 including the Chairman of the Board's Skin I'm In LP which features the hit Finder's Keepers. Again, no credit. I spoke to Billy about 10 days ago, and the bruh is still working and struggling. We have a very good mutual friend who was present at many of the sessions that Billy played on including just about all of the Commodores sessions. (professionally speaking) I've been asked to look into a few "financial" matters and I KNOW EXACTLY how much Billy has made from residuals & Royalties for all his contributions to P-Funk, Invictus & Motown.

So I got nothing but empathy for Bob Babbitt & so many other musicians who've added so much to the enjoyment of our lives because, other than a band salary while on tour and the session fees they were paid 25-30-35 years ago MOST of these players NEVER got paid anything else. And they don't have the face or name recognition to trade-on, like singers or vocal groups. They only have their resume's, which appear to be a "pack of lies" on the surface because there's no credit to be found hardly anywhere.

 

Kire Paputts' film "Junkie Run" screens at the Paradise Theatre, Feb 15

Junkie Run is the most Hamilton film you'll ever see. Check out the Toronto premiere at the Paradise Theatre on February 15th presented by Gary Topp.

Here's the scoop from Gary Topp...

"When I first met Kire in 2006, he was at Ryerson. He sent me his film ONLY I KNOW. I recognized his dad (Chris of the Viletones) in it. I recognized Kire as a fierce independent filmmaker. I introduced him to Colin Brunton and they made The Last Pogo Jumps Again together. Kire continues to prove me right.

"Come see his newest and fifth feature, perfect on a chilly Lord’s Day afternoon. There’s a bar, good popcorn and a live musical interlude in the lobby by one of the stars (Wayne Larabee, the East-End Sensation) before the screening." – Gary Topp

"About half the roles in Junkie Run were written for specific people. Many of these actors I’ve worked with in the past. For some, it’s our first collaboration. I’ve spent years building a roster of characters. Consisting of friends, family, and muses. And I’m constantly adding to my Rolodex. Always looking for new talent. The idea of building a community is very much inspired by John Waters." - Junkie Run director Kire Pauputts

Don't miss the Toronto premiere screening of Junkie Run at the Paradise Theatre on Sunday, February 15th at 3 pm. Advance tickets are $19.01 (Price also includes a Q&A with the director) and are already 50% sold. Get 'em while they last right here. Watch the trailer followed by a Toronto Mike'd interview with Kire Paputts below. 

B-Side Wins Again: Mickey Kalis & The Bakersfield Blues Band

Check out the rockin' "Got No Time" by Ohio's Mickey Kalis.... "2:10 To Yuma" on the flip ain't too bad either! 

Bruce Springsteen shares new video for "Streets Of Minneapolis"

Watch the video for Bruce Springsteen's "Streets Of Minneapolis" along with a recent performance of his powerful protest song.   

Watch DEVO perform as their Christian rock alter-ego DOVE, the band of love

Mark Mothersbaugh and his DEVO crew favoured lime green suits and visors when performing at DOVE in the late 70s/early 80s.

R.I.P. Canadian screen great Catherine O'Hara, 1954-2026

Sadly, brilliant Toronto-born film and television star Catherine O'Hara has passed away at 71. She'll be greatly missed.

Remembering British jazz great Tubby Hayes on his birthday

Raising a glass to saxophonist/flautist and vibes ace Tubby Hayes with the trailer for "A Man In A Hurry" and a few performances. 

Danko Jones, Zeus @ The Mod Club, Friday

Toronto's mighty Danko Jones return to rock The Mod Club with songs their 12th album Leo Rising. Doors at 7 pm. Get tix here.

Grab a copy of the uncut version of the new Leo Rising album from Danko Jones via Bandcamp right here.

One For The Weekend: YĪN YĪN's "Spirit Adapter"

Check out YĪN YĪN's appearance on KEXP following their video for "Spirit Adapter" off their Yatta! album out now on Glitterbeat.

YĪN YĪN – Spirit Adapter

YĪN YĪN, the highly touted Dutch quartet from Maastricht, have just released their fourth album Yatta! on Glitterbeat Records (available via Bandcamp right here). UNCUT magazine called the band's highly addictive sound "cosmic disco," and while that is a good place to start, the band incorporates a kaleidoscope of sounds and textures, occupying a sonic space somewhere between Khruangbin and Kraftwerk, surf music and Southeast Asian psychedelia, all the while staying close to the pulse and abandon of the dancefloor.

"Spirit Adapter," the first single from Yatta!, is a fervent shout out to the joy of disco nights. While YĪN YĪN are fundamentally an instrumental outfit, the group's bassist Remy Scheren lends his voice to the track, intoning "the room’s alive, the walls are shaking / transform me like a Spirit Adapter." Watch the video for "Spirit Adapter" below. 

The band told us this about the track: " 'Spirit Adapter' started from a self recorded demo - just bass, guitar and drums at home. From there, we pulled out little fragments—beats, melodies, chords—and reshaped them until the track transformed into something completely new. At its core, it carries themes of funk, spirituality, and the strength of the water. Releasing it now, it feels like an opening ritual for autumn — rainy, mystical and euphoric. On the dance floor raindrops evaporate into gaseous party spirits, this autumn, go to your favourite bar, throw your jacket on the pile and conquer the dance floor!"

From the beginning, YĪN YĪN have been devoted to exploring global sounds with an emphasis on getting the dance floor moving – an impulse that reaches its peak on their upcoming album, Yatta!

Across the album, YĪN YĪN specialise in creating the soundtracks to dream journeys, opportunities for the listener to visit places that exist in realms of the imagination.

There’s no shortage of sparks in Yatta!’s blend of dancefloor fillers and laidback soundscapes. Guitarist Erik Bandt explains: “We tried to make a mix of songs that are very energetic, danceable party starters, but also have songs that take you on trips and are more easy.”

“It’s our most organic album to date,” says Bandt. “We recorded together as a team in the studio instead of recording separate tracks for drums, guitar, bass – it’s all live and that adds a certain feel.”

All of which explains the album’s title. Bandt says: “Yatta is a Japanese phrase meaning ‘We did it, we accomplished it!’ After we finished the album, we thought this simple phrase actually ties it all together.”

Drummer Kees Berkers continues: “It also speaks for a more general idea that we, as a band, succeeded to really become a band on a professional level. So, it's also, ‘We finally are true musicians now. We have arrived.’ Basically, we made the dream come true.” 

 

Happy Birthday Bettye LaVette!

Raising a glass to Muskegon-born soul great Bettye LaVette on her birthday with an interview and a few performance clips. 

Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado perform the music of Suicide @ Lee's Palace, Feb 13

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Lydia & Marc present the songs of Suicide at Lee's Palace on February 13th. Get tickets right here.      Photo by Heéène Cazes

Here's the scoop...

After the Big Sexy Noise tour Lydia will be reunited with Marc, to perform the Suicide and Alan Vega songs, for the first time in Canada. Watch some recent performance footage below. 

Feb 13: Toronto - Lee's Palace

Feb 14: Montreal - La Sala Rossa

Feb 15: Ottawa - Club SAW

Happy Birthday Rick Donmoyer of Warpig!

Cheers to Rick Donmoyer of Canuck heavy rock crew Warpig on his birthday. Check out Warpig's whumpin' debut on Fonthill.  

Midweek Mixdown: Jazzman Gerald's Country Popcorn, Part II

Gerald Short's misleadingly titled "Country Popcorn II" set has nothing to do with country or popcorn. Yep, more rare jazz finds. 

Have  a listen via Mixcloud right here. Watch an interview with Gerald from 2006 below.

Ronnie Self vs. Bill Monroe

In 1957, rockabilly great Ronnie Self knocked out a swingin' version of Bill Monroe's "Rocky Road Blues" recorded in 1945.  

Remembering Elmore James on his birthday

Check out two songs from the classic Elmore James album Blues After Hours on Crown from 1960 and more. 

Watch some rare early footage of the Velvet Underground at a house party

Here's some footage of what could be the Velvet Underground's first public appearance shot by Jonas Mekas for Walden. 

Peter Case previews new My Life To Live album with "Somebody Told The Truth"

Peter Case will be going on tour with his new album My Life To Live although no Toronto date has been scheduled as yet.