The end of here, at least as far as 2008 goes.

This marks the last Urban Landscapes Radioshow of 2008. I’ll be on vacation until the first full week in January. Unlike past years, Part Two, the Singles & EP’s, will kick off the show’s 12th year.

As with past years, this is by no means a comprehensive list of my recommended albums There are more albums than a (nearly) two-hour show can fit in. Also due to time, I don’t count compilations or “best of” albums for the sake of brevity. Like previous years, there’ll be a complete list of my picks, including those I’m not able to fit into the show, as well as the aforementioned compilations and “best of’s.” I hope to have the list posted by year’s end, if not sooner.

This won’t be my last blog post of the year, but it is my last playlist for 2008. Now’s a good time to thank the many, many labels, artists, producers, DJ’s and tastemakers, radio/music promoters and fans of the show. You help keep Urban Landscapes going. Without you, I honestly would have cast this aside long ago, finding something else to occupy my time. As it is, the show has been a true labor of love. You, and the people who help create and bring the music, are the reason why I spend many hours a week outside the two-hour broadcasts, doing my best to bring you something special.

I also want to thank KCPR, Cal Poly’s student-run radio station, for allowing me the privilege of continuing to air the show live. There are a plethora of Internet stations left and right, and it’s good to know that the show has a home at a real, live radio station that’s a special place all its own.

Some special things are in the works for the new year, and I will let you know moving forward. I do hope that you move forward with me and the show.

If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and tell your friends. Have them subscribe to the podcasts, or have them find it via Twitter, Myspace or Facebook. Help do your part to keep the radioshow on the global radar.

Thank you again so much. Have a safe and wonderful holiday season, and I’ll be back atcha for Part Two, the Most Recommended Singles & EP’s of 2008, live come January 8th.

Peace.

Song - Artist - Title - Label
Prayer - Lizzy Parks - Raise The Roof - Tru Thoughts
Winter Wind - Jose James - The Dreamer - Brownswood
Run/Fedime’s Flight - The Sonar Kollektiv Orchester - Guaranteed Niceness - Sonar Kollketiv
The Land of Freedom - Quasimode - The Land of Freedom - Sonar Kollektiv
The World is Filled By… - Soil & Pimp Sessions - Planet Pimp - Brownswood
Identity Breaker - J.A.M. - Just A Maestro - Brownswood
The Story - The Matthew Herbert Big Band - There’s Me & There’s You - !K7
Fonte de Prazer - The Ipanemas - Call of the Gods - Far Out
All The Stars - NOMO - Ghost Rock - Ubiquity
Omak Besos (Big Waves) - TM Juke & The Jack Baker Trio - Boto & The Second Liners - Tru Thoughts
Brazilian Sugar - Jackson Conti - Sujinho - Mochilla
Interested Benevolence - The Souljazz Orchestra - Manifesto - Do Right
Cut You Loose - Kylie Auldist - Just Say - Tru Thoughts
Together (featuring Jennifer Johns) - J. Boogie’s Dubtronic Science - Soul Vibrations - Om
Bill Blows It - Shawn Lee & Clutchy Hopkins - Clutch of the Tiger - Ubiquity
Morning Scapes (featuring Bembe Segue) - Jazzanova - Of All The Things - Verve
Go - 2 Banks of 4 - Junkyard Gods - Sonar Kollektiv
Ethio-Steppers - The Lions - Jungle Struttin’ - Ubiquity
Hi Life Music - Lightning Head - 13 Faces of Lightning Head - Lion Head
Superpsychosexy - The One - Superpsychosexy - Om
Soundcheckin’ - Milez Benjamin - Feel Glorious - Tru Thoughts
Cosmik Dust - Stacy Epps - The Awakening - Japanubia Musik
END BROADCAST

 

 Show 11.37: The Most Recommended Albums of 2008 [113:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This show marks the last new Urban Landscapes of 2008, and also brings its 10th anniversary to close.

This show is truly special. In addition to some of the fine new music are a couple of goodies. The second hour brings the last guestmix of the year, and in fine style. Ricky-Tick Records, based in Finland, has been one of the central jazz labels of modern Scandinavia. It’s one of the few labels that I can say that anything the label puts out, you should run, not walk, to add the music to your collection. A few months ago, I’ve asked Antti Eerikainen, the founder of the label, to put together a guestmix for the show. I’m very happy that he’s come through with some beautiful, lively, wonderful slices of jazz, be it from his label or from others jazzheads will dig the selection. Big props to Antti for coming through!

The other goody I have to present to you is something that I don’t do that often; it honestly takes a lot of time for one person to do. But Cecilia Stalin is so worth the time to profile. Best known for her collaborations with native Swedish producers Koop (”Waltz For Koop,” Baby”), she dropped a stunner of an album a few years’ back called Straight Up to critical acclaim. I’ve been singing the praises of it since she’s sent it to me, because if you only know her for her vocal work with Koop, then you really don’t have a firm grasp of Stalin’s talent.

I’ve had the pleasure of interview her late last summer while she was visiting Los Angeles. We’ve held the interview via phone, which is partly why some of the audio is slightly choppy (but not severely so). I’ve taken some highlights of the interview, and mixed it in with music old and upcoming. She’s due to release her new album next year, tentatively titled In The Spirit Of. I hope you have as much fun listening to the interview as we had chatting.

The next show will be the last for 2008 due to scheduling conflicts. Whereas the year-end show usually consists of the final two shows of the year, the second part will kick off the show’s 12th year come January. More news to come on that one.

I do hope that you enjoy this extended edition of the show; peace.

On the web:
Ricky-Tick Records
Cecilia Stalin’s site

Song - Artist - Title - Label
Simply Good To Me (Shoes Edit) - Shoes - Re-Soled Vol. 1 - Shoes
Aldeia de Ogum - Joyce - The Best of Mr. Bongo - Mr. Bongo
Oye Como Va - Tito Puente - The Best of Mr. Bongo - Mr. Bongo
Aqui Da Tuda Certo - The Ipanemas - Latin Jazz II - Far Out
Magica (2007) - Joyce & Tutty Moreno - Latin Jazz II - Far Out
Visions - Nostalgia 77 featuring Keith & Julie Tippett - Tru Thoughts
Les Draps Sourds - Marianne Dissard - Les Filles - Le Pop Musik
Jimmy Jam - Tim Mabin - EP - 4Lux
Para (Sabo Remix) - DJ Sun - EP - Alternate
Take Believe in Something (Ceramic Vocal Mix) - Greymatter - EP - Unique Uncut
Smooth Criminal (Bugz in the Attic Remix) - J. Viewz - Jorjia Music
Yemp Booty featuring Colonel Red - Landslide - EP - Round The House

Song - Artist - Label
Two Jaguars in Warsaw - Auteur Jazz - Ricky-Tick
Charade - Sahib Shihab - Ricky-Tick
Hip Vibrations - Cal Tjader - Verve
Soul Daddy - Erik Kloss - Prestige
Ray-El - Elvin Jones - Riverside
Olive Refractions - Johnny Griffin Sextet - Riverside
Bolles Vaggvisa - Jan Johansson - Megafon
Seranata - LTC - Ricky-Tick
Tin Tin Deo - Clarke-Boland Sextet - Columbia
All Gone Over You - Chiles & Pettiford - Atlantic
Nile Valley Blues - Yusef Lateef - Impulse
Athatolaggloo - Astro Can Caravan - Ricky-Tick
It Ain’t Necessarily So - Eje Thelin - Metronome

Ess O Ess - Sona - Nosa
END BROADCAST

 

 Show 11.36 with exclusive Ricky-Tick Guestmix + Cecilia Stalin [171:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

2008 is rapidly winding down. After this show comes only one more new show before the year-end special. In spite of all of the challenges that have gone on in the music industry, much less all industries in general in light of the economic times of present, good music continues to make its way into the scene. A big salute goes to the artists, labels, distributors, promoters (radio and events), and fans among others who help contribute to keeping the flame burning.

And there are burners to be had, so immerse yourself in the sounds and enjoy the show!

Song - Artist - Title - Label
Twiggy Twiggy featuring Akiko (The Dynamics Remix) - re:jazz - Infracom
Pull The Catch - Fat Freddy’s Drop - Kartel
Water for Chocolate (featuring Souldrop) - Kinny - Tru Thoughts
Knife Dreams - Valery Gore - Avalance to Wandering Bear - Do Right
Lady Like - Amber Ojeda - Amber Ojeda
Guido - Auteur Jazz - EP - Ricky Tick
Glass - Jeff Resnick - Jazz Bizniz 4 EP - Counterpoint
With All HIs Might (Jackhigh Remix) - Kira Neris - Kira Neris Unreleased EP - Futuristica Music
Miso (Sumsuch Remix) - Soulphonic Soundsystem - Remixes Vol. 1 EP - Convincing Woodgrain
Kama Sotra featuring Inga-Lil (Kjellerstue Remix) - Kahuun - EP - Bagpak
Discord - NDV - demo
Last - Cavalier - EP - Drumpoet Community
Electro Funk (Edmund Remix) - Nikola & Sasha - EP - Onethirty
Was Better in 88 - DJ Ringardos - Versatile Records EP - Real Tone
Lost Luggage (Bangana Remix) - Nils Krogh - EP - NRK
My Angelic Demons - Justin Martin - EP - Buzzin’ Fly
Broken Shores - Matt Chester - EP - Melodika
Ess O Ess - Sona - Nosa
Haba Na Haba (DJ Smash Remix) - Nappy G. - Global Party Sounds Vol. 2 EP - Bagpak
Bushwack Baile (Kid Gusto Remix) - Nappy G. - Global Party Sounds Vol. 1 EP - Bagpak
Garato (Dorfmeister & Moestl Remix) - Cusmos - G-Stone
Sounds Like Love (featuring Debi Novo) - Illa J - Yancy Boys - Delicious Vinyl
Jazzhole (Kwesi Rework) - Binario - EP - Far Out
END BROADCAST

 

 Show 11.35 [121:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Time to revisit a theme I’ve wanted to get back to for most of the year, as this week seemed to have been as good a time as any to play another round of favorites from Urban Landscapes’s 10-year run. I’ve pulled out a small subset of 12″ singles from my vinyl collection.

Unlike the first round in January, most all of the music is from early 2000 onwards. I would need to have many, many more hours to try and play all of the music featured on the show that have withstood the test of time. Given that there are only two hours in this one, here’s hoping that you find the collection of music worthy of the spirit of what Urban Landscapes is all about; global club culture, made fresh weekly.

Enjoy, and the show will return next week with fresh new music. Peace.

Song - Artist - Title - Label
Pink Blue Hotel - Loopless - 12″ EP - Nylon
My Words featuring Marc Frank (Mitchell & Dewbury Remix) - Hipnosis - EP 12″ - Perfect Toy
Falling Into - Swell Session featuring Ernesto - EP 12″ - Hollow
Budapest Resonance - Toy Division - EP 12″ - Juice
Meu Samba (Nicola Conte Bossa Ahead Remix) - Eli Goulart E Banda Do Mato - EP 12″ - Unique
Sim ou Nao (Eddy & Dus Kontrapunkt Mix) - Jazzinho - EP 12″ - Ecco Chamber
Canopy - Partial Arts - EP 12″ - Out of the Loop
Wesley Music - RSL - EP 12″ - Players
Good Life - Thomas Schumacher - EP 12″ - white
Conchita’s Cabin - Briskey - EP 12″ - Downsall Plastics
Just a Little Lovin’ - Irfane - EP 12″ - white
Tryin’ (Butti 49 Nu Niveau Mix) - Nuspirit Helsinki - EP 12″ - Guidance
The Adventure (Version #2) - Sidewinder - Re-Done EP 12″ - Fenetik
No Melody (Truby Trio Treatment) - Turntablerocker - EP 12″ - Four Music
Kerma Elastica - The Bobby Hughes Combination - EP 12″ - Stereo Deluxe
Uam Uam - Povo - EP 12″ - Raw Fusion
Guarancho (Beatfanatic Rework) - Tata Vasquez - Jazz Bizniz 3 Reworks EP 12″ - Counterpoint
Root Down - Peter Kruder - 12″ - Compost
The Essence (Joaquin “Joe” Claussell’s Sacred Opus Mix) - Herbie Hancock featuring Chaka Khan - EP 12″ - Transparent Music
END BROADCAST

 

 Show 11.34 - 10th Anniversary Special Part Three [121:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Unless you’ve been on a deserted island with no means of communication whatsoever, this week was all about the presidential election here in the United States on Tuesday November 4th. Voter turnout was massive, with long lines of excited people casting their votes. By the end of the day, at about 8pm. U.S. Pacific time, Barack Obama was projected as the winner of the U.S. presidency.

The euphoria was electrifying, not only in the states, but throughout much of the world. For the first time in many decades, there was a feeling that a person’s vote can make a difference, and that the possibility of the status quo no longer to be the order of the day.

It remains to be seen just how things will go, but the sense of hope and optimism cannot be underestimated. It’s a special time, a historic time, a time that change is anticipated in a new, progressive direction. Let’s all hope that true change will occur, but there’s no denying that things are off to a memorable start.

This week’s show starts off with some tunes that are as timely now as they were when they were originally released back in the 1970’s, and are as relevant today as they’ve ever been. Following that, plenty of new music.

Keep the faith, and have a good week!

Song - Artist - Title - Label
Black Man - Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life - Tamla/Motown
Climbin’ Up the Ladder - The Isley Brothers - Go For Your Guns - T-Neck
Sweet Power of Your Embrace - James Mason - Rhythm of Life - Soul Brother
Put Your Hands Together - The O’Jays - Ship Ahoy - Philadelphia International
Alive (Instrumental Dub) - J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science - Mushroom Jazz Vol. 6 - Om
Golden (Marc Rapson Remix) - Electric Conversation - EP - Futuristica Music promo
Rockin’ You Eternally (featuring Leon Ware & Dwele) - Jazzanova - Of All the Things - Verve
I’m Changing - Now On - Tomorrow Already - A-Side Worldwide
Keep On (featuring Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh from Little Brother) - Up Hygh - Unfold Presents Tru Thoughts Presents Hip Hop EP - Unfold promo
Stars - Think Twice - Next Stop - PTR
DFTF (featuring Alison Crockett) - Illa J - The Yancy Boys - Delicious Vinyl
La Raquette - Chateau Flight - Versatile Records EP - Real Tone promo
Never Give Up (Shahrokh Sound of K Remix) - Robert Owens - EP - Compost promo
Blueprint - Kink and Neville Watson - EP - Hour Hose is Your Rush promo
HD 3000 - Franck Roger - FR Productions promo
Fred’s Bells (Onur Ozur Remix) - Audion - Spectral Remixes EP - Spectral Sound promo
She Said (Barem Remix) - Kate Simko - Spectral Remixes EP - Spectral Sound promo
Sun-Vibes (Beef Wellington Remix) - Swampburger - EP - Eighth Dimension promo
Ibirapuera - Binario - Binario - Far Out
Tiro Cruzado - Ollisipo - promo
Haemagloben - Consol - promo
END BROADCAST

 

 Show 11.33 [113:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The end of October has arrive, which means a mere two months before 2008 comes to a close. There’s still Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays around the corner, but people here in the States seem to be a long ways off from thinking about such things. The two most paramount things that seem to be on the minds of the public are the economic roller coaster that’s a big shot across the bow, and the U.S. elections that’s happening next Tuesday. It’s a bit of a crazy, yes indeed.

Here’s hoping that this week’s music will ease the crazies a bit. And if that’s not crazy enough, I have a crazy, leftfield guestmix coming this week from Me Raabenstein of Nonine Recordings in Vienna, Austria. You’ve heard some of the music from the label played on the show in the past, and the producer was kind enough to offer up a mix of music from the label’s roster. It’s an exclusive to the show, inna no-nonsense, Nonine style.

Enjoy the show, and I’ll be back atcha next week.

Song - Artist - Title - Label
Little Bird (featuring Jose James)- Jazzanova - Of All The Things - Verve
Where Would You Be - Yaw - Brownswood Bubblers Three - Brownswood
Breathe - The Matthew Herbert Big Band - There’s Me and There’s You - !K7
Cosmos (Jazz Chronicles Remix) - Electric Conversation - Golden EP - Futuristica Music promo
Drag Your Feet - Ed Seven & The Exposures - On a Mater Payer EP - Straightup promo
Agua Y Nieve (Rob Dubb Remix) - Radiokijada - EP - Month of March Music promo

Song - Artist - Label
Cincinnatti Phoenix - Sqaramouche - Nonine
Battle Fatigue - Me Raabenstein - previously unreleased
Blue Skirt Joe - Rael - previously unreleased
Colony of Cooperating Agents - Me Raabenstein - Nonine
Bound Dog Time - Slowcream - Nonine
Weekend Squeeze - Sieg der Liebe feat. Mark Gisbourne - previously unreleased
Day on a Tree - Me and Mrs Bee - previously unreleased
Either Or - Patron and Patron - Nonine
Breed Disorder- Me Raabenstein - previously unreleased
Muscadine - Langer & Raabenstein - Nonine
Vanity Fare - Dichromatic - previously unreleased
Enough Rope - Kaisen feat. Fay Victor - previously unreleased
Dead Jerk - Taub - Nonine
Into Butter - Slowcream feat. Major Major - previously unreleased

The Arrival - Vodovoz - Trip To Oz - Vodovoz
Candy (Johnny Miler Re-edit) - Cameo - promo
I Found Lovin’ (Johnny Miller Re-edit) - The Fatback Band - promo
C’mon Marianne (Mark Springfield Re-edit) - Four Seasons - promo
Tea House in China Town - The Four Tops - The Four Tops - Motown
Standing in the Shadows of Love - The Four Tops - The Best of the Four Tops - Motown
END BROADCAST

 

 Show 11.32 w/Me Raabenstein Guestmix [121:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download