Already the 3rd third of January and another couple of months before going for another round by the sunny shores of Florida where you may already expect some big thangz to happen as well as here on IDMW.Com as time goes. Starting with our Extended 2.0 version, synymous with the forthcoming launch of new services in the weeks to come incl. a record shop and a promo dept to name but a few. As for this week's concern, we're proud and honoured to welcome another giant, by the likes of Chicago DJ/producer Glenn Underground who happens to be amongst those who've produced the EOL's Extensions album released this week. Meanwhile, 12"wise, our Single Of The Week is the work  of French pair Pascal Rioux of Rotax label alongside Mr Day dropping a bit of retro funk feel. The latest developments being both the works of JM Irie on our International Edition and DJ ADN on our French Version. C'mon baby, let the good times roll…

ISSUE #81

NU GROOVE (SOUL, JAZZ, BREAKS, BROKEN BEAT + MORE…)

2005…it’s “all the way live” (as the Californian funksters Lakeside sung on Solar Records about 20 years ago) ! And talking about live (and extremely lively) music I will start this issue by recommending a very special DVD from Ether records. To be honest, I didn’t even get my hands on it yet, but judging by the amazing charisma that this man projects on stage each and heavy time I can only bet that Ed Motta’s thing is going to be super heavy (just like him! lol!). Also on Ether via 2000 Black Records (the home of Dego from 4Hero) we were one of the few medias to mention the beauty of Silhouette Brown, the new alliance between  Dego and Kaidi Tatham (keys master from Bugz In The Attic). An impressive album already out in Japan and very soon in Europe via this London based label. Another very important LP available only in Japan but soon to be as a full release (after a much sought after sampler) for the whole world is Mark De Clive Lowe’s Tide’s Arising . A masterpiece (on his own Antipodean label and now signed to the excellent ABB Soul from Atlanta). Mark whose Freesoul Sessions (from time to time in London at the Notting Hill Arts club and all across the globe) are highly recommended (see our diary) !

Also on the live music front, 4Hero also announced that this year should see the release of their first album under the Visioneers moniker (in a retro-futuristic jazz funk vibe) … as well as the very serious reunion between Marc and Dego for a long awaited new album by none others than 4Hero themselves ! In the meantime, Marc always keep it busy with another classic EP in a broken techno style as Nu Era on his own Twisted Funk imprint, plus numerous remixes on various labels for many other artists such as Marvin Gaye, Plantlife, Allen Hoist, Patricia Marx and Chungking amongst others. Not forgetting yet another collection of tracks -which is on every connoisseur’s lips these days- called How About A Game Of Chess ?.

Remember Madlib taking over the Blue Note catalogue to remix it in a ruff hip hop mood ? Some bad boy bizness you reckon ?! Well, if you love 4Hero’s sumptuous strings sounds, you then won't be surprised to learn that Marc Mac has just done the same job with Chess/Cadet Records, the legendary Chicagoan record label from the 60’s. Chess/ Cadet lead by legendary producer and arranger Charles Stepney -who discovered many great artists such as Ramsey Lewis, Terry Callier or even Minnie Riperton ( as the singer of Stepney’s own band, Rotary Connection). The later group whose most famous tune is the splendid “I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun”…that we find here as the last track of the CD in a new instrumental remix. A simple, nice and efficient mix, kind of club bossa style which is nice but doesn’t exactly top up the astounding virtuosity of 4Hero’s original reinterpretation, an epic odyssey in the form of an orchestral drum and bass remix (one of their ultimate rework released on Talkin' Loud back in the day, for Nuyorican Soul).

And crossing the Atlantic… talking about ½ of Nuyorican Soul, or about Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez to be more precise… well once again let’s just rejoice because the beginning of 2005 is spoiling us rotten ! As mentioned last year with much excitement, the Manzell remix album is finally out on Dopebrother Records. And it really lives up to our expectations ! It’s just so unbelievable that some of these jazz-funk gems were never released in the 70’s… but better late than never as they say ! And timeless music keeps making our good moments timeless ! From the old to the new, let’s conclude this Nu Groove issue by complementing Ubiquity records for their Worldwide Award as Label of the Year (as voted by Gilles Peterson’s listeners on bbc.co.uk). Ubiquity coming on strong for 2005 with big disks from PPP (Platinum Pied Pipers), Sa Ra and Jeremy Ellis (also known as Ayro), whose last tune “These Days Passing By” just oozes with sensuality. The kind of hypnotic tune you can never get enough…once you’re locked in that groove there’s just no escape to it ! IRIE

J’M IRIE’S NU GROOVES HOT 10

MARVIN GAYE Let’s Get It On - 4Hero Remix (CDR)

MANZELL The Party (Dopebrother)

JEREMY ELLIS These Days Passing By (Ubiquity)

PPP Deep Inside (Ubiquity)

MARC DE CLIVE-LOWE featuring BEMBE SEGUE Heaven (Antipodean/ABB Soul)

PLANTLIFE When She Smiles She Lights Up The Sky - 4Hero Remix (Gut)

SILHOUETTE BROWN Who’s In Charge (2000 Black/Ether)

BLACK BY BIRTH feauring RONYX Get It Right – I.G. Culture Remix (Mainsqueeze)

DOMU Quarantine (New Religion)

RECLOOSE Dust (Peacefrog)