Osunlade – Age of the (Aquarian Moon) Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age of the Aquarius.
Aquarian Moon was originally released by BBE back in 2006. Now re-released in 2014, several new tracks have been added to this Deluxe edition.

Osunlade is a man that needs no introduction, revered and adored by his dance floor believers, known to many as the ‘Black Messiah’. With a style that is fluid as the water that flows from the Aquarian star sign. Osunlade latest offering is an ode to his beloved adopted home Santorini in Greece, each track is a unique love letter detailing the many ways in which it has become his spiritual home.
Sculptured and shaped like wood made by the skilled hands of an devoted artisan. Rich, with a bounty of ethnic percussive elements which are the roots of the tree. At the core, Osunlade never loses sight of the importance of a his spirituality, to invoke the listener into experiencing a shared existence. Like the branches of an oak tree, each track holds it’s own by thrusting outwards an array of musical influences in it’s garden of earthly delights. The track, ‘Aquarian Moon’, fuelled by the beat of bongo drums, hand claps, melodic strums of the guitar and rhythmic slaps of bass; while ‘Twophish’, is a funk infused flute fest. ‘Circles’, is a beautifully orchestrated piece, with a broken jazz components. ‘Sokinsikartep’, is a track that is deep as it is wide, an electronic pounding thunderous storm, while ‘Casablanca Soul’, is the polar opposite, the sweetest sounding horn sections, fingers tips that skip across the piano keys in sheer delight, happiness in a love letter.
The Age of Aquarius is believed by some to herald in a time of peace and harmony, if this is true ‘Aquarius Moon’ would be the place that we all gather together in love and appreciation for the places we call our spiritual home, where ever that may be.

Artist: Osunlade
Title: Aquarian Moon Deluxe Edition
Label: Yoruba Records
Release date: Out now
Available from: Bandcamp
Listen again: http://yorubarecords.bandcamp.com/album/aquarian-moon-deluxe-edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tone Control Music  delivers another mighty dance floor blow.

Elevate is a master class in electronic deepness delivered with uplifting intention. Inspirational lyrics  by Fyza, deliver the lines “You’ve gotta get up. Style it out “!  The true to heart vocals motivates not only the mind but the body too. Elevate mixes: classic 4×4 drum patterns, mesmerising  electronic  swirls and melodic bass. Creating the music  equivalent to the release of daily  tensions, as the track suggests lose yourself and elevate your mind.

Dub version

This is deep house in it’s purest sense. Elevate is stripped back to the basics, raw and unforgiving. This track was made for the dance floor, it was meant to lose the listener and reappear when your feet touch the ground.  Floating strings and synths  pay their respects to the old skool classic Chicago house sound.

I like to call this eyes wide shut, a track that moves you from the inside out.

Artist: Tomson & Fyza

Title:  Elevate

Label: Tone Control Music

Release date: 10th March

Available from: Traxsource

Listen: http://www.tonecontrolmusic.co.uk/?p=673

Julian Gomes – The Gift The Curse

“It takes two to make a thing go right, it takes two to make it outta sight”! Which is certainly the case when it comes to Julian Gomes & Atjazz. I interviewed both ahead of their new album release, The Gift The Curse back in October. Julian is a producer and DJ in his own right and has been creating music for a decade, firstly with the G Family Project and then deciding to fly solo in 2012. Since then he has experienced success with his collaboration with Atjazz on the Overshadowed track and more earlier this year he was awarded best video for “Lovesong28″. So what happens when the two people who live across the globe from each other, who both share a passion for music come together? The result The Gift The Curse and this interview.

Q. Growing up in South Africa who were your musical heroes growing up?
A. I was influenced by a lot of music growing up, So its hard to point out one of my heroes when you think of so many musical forms, Especially when you growing up in South Africa. All I can say is that I’m grateful to have come across so much music from a young age.

Q. For all the people who may be unfamiliar with your style, how would you describe your sound?
A. Pure & Honest House Music

Q. There appears to be a special relationship emerging between British and South African artists, producers and DJs why do you think this is? And what if any, impact does this have on the current music scene?
A. I think universally that there are a lot of collaborations happening, I think the internet has helped DJ’s, Producers and general creative & exchange ideas and explore there ideas together, Which is great because Art is universal.

Q. You have collaborated with the likes of Omar, Black Coffee and of course Martin Atjazz. How does working with different artists influence your sound and creativity?
A. I’m Grateful to have collaborated with these artists because I’m a fan of their sound first and foremost. Collaborating is always exciting when the energy is on the same page, You learn a lot of things from each other and at the end of the day its all about putting out good music.

Q. Speaking of collaborations, you have been working together with Martin Atjazz on the new album The Curse The Cure, what can we expect to hear from this album?
A. Yes, The Gift The Curse, Is a project that is close to Martin and Myself. Its been a year and a half in the making. Martin and Myself came together and decided that we wanted to get into studio and write and Organic and Honest album. We happy that is officially available and people are getting to hear ”us on a plate” like martin says.

Q. There are many people who are keen to see you both play together. Will you be touring in the UK to promote the album?
A. I really like the sound of that, Need to talk to Martin about it.

Big love going out to Julian for taking the time.