The Eminent Stars - Bar Shift

Release date: 1 September 2017

Genre: Funk / Soul / R&B

Label: Tramp Records

Format(s): 7" EP / Digital

Cat #: TR1043

The Eminent Stars were founded by saxophonist Ben Mendes and drummer Toon Oomen. They both share the love for the great music emerging from cities like New Orleans in the ‘60s and ‘70s: Dr. John, Freddie King, The Meters and many more! Just mix up some soul, rhythm & blues, funk and blues and there you have it: a sound that consists of authentic elements: danceable, intriguing, vibrant and fresh!

Their debut Sittin' In With was released in February 2014, accompanied by a single. In the past three years The Eminent Stars heavily toured in their home country Netherlands and in Europe. They kept writing new songs and here we go with two new, fresh cuts. “Bar Shift” features guest vocalist Bruce James while “Brown Thang” is a smokin' blues-funk instrumental. These two sides give you an excellent foretaste of their second full-length album, scheduled for release in early 2018.

Check out this awesome live performance on video 

 

Pre-order now available from the Tramp Bandcamp store
https://tramprecords.bandcamp.com/album/pre-order-bar-shift-b-w-brown-thang

August Podcast!

August 2015 Podcast now up!
We're delighted to bring you our very first podcast! We dig into some very odd records and talk bollocks. What more could you want.
It'll be up on iTunes shortly, but for now you can hear it Mixcloud...

Tracklist

• Idris Muhammad - Soulful Drums
• La Batteria - Scenario
• Tullio de Piscopo - Drum Fantasy
• Dr Strangely Strange - Strangely Strange yet Oddly Normal
• Belle Epoque - Taste of Destruction
• The Night Terrors - Pavor Nocturnis
• Awolnation - Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)
• Propagandhi - Haile Selasse Up Your Ass
• Powerglove - Blood Dragon Theme
• David Hasslehoff - True Survivor

Curious Music for Curious People - August 2015 Podcast by Curious Music 4 Curious People on Mixcloud

RIP: Idris Muhammad, legendary New Orleans drummer

Some sad news to start the week. Idris Muhammed, the legendary drummer whose work spanned several genres and decades, has died aged 74.

A hugely influential part of New Orleans' rich jazz scene, he recorded with Ahmad Jamal, Pharoah Sanders and Lou Donaldson, among many others, and toured with the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke and George Benson.
Personally, it was his funkier output that alerted me to his existence, when I picked up Black Rhythm Revolution purely on the strength of its cover, several years back.
That record has got a lot of play over the years so I thought I'd give him a salute on his way to wherever dead people go.

Tullio De Piscopo - Suonando La Batteria Moderna

I wasn't sure whether to put this in 'Reissue of the Week' but Dan says he's got a jaffer so I'll leave that one to him and stick it here... 

This one is just essential for any producers or percussion enthusiasts... a high quality reissue of a 'holy grail' drum break compilation. I've got a fair few of these Drum Library type records and I've got to be honest, this one is the best by far. The recordings are quality yet rugged and rough, while the rhythms are explosive and super, super funky throughout. It's a touch expensive at £29.99, but I can't wait to get these breaks into the sampler and start enhancing my beats. 

Want it? Buy it from Juno Records here