New music is always the order of the day for Mondays on Sound Travels and today was no different in that it was all new. The title of the post says it all, although the love and understanding part is all about Jose Conde, the artist we started with as the hour turned noonward.
"Amor Y Felicidad" was the actual title of the tune I played from Conde's brand new, self-titled solo debut. Brooklyn based artist Jose Conde is a funky musician with a braod palate for Latin music pulsing throughout his songs and humor undeniably and soulfully Cuban, yet uniquely Conde. The self–titled CD is at once significant departure and logical followup from Conde whose previous work includes two world acclaimed, award winning, and much licensed CDs as Jose Conde y Ola Fresca (which I've played here in the past.)
Jose Conde "Amor Y Felicidad" Jose Conde
Skarra Mucci, perhaps the hottest dancehall artist in Europe, works into the set with his positive and anthemic "Feel Alright," his latest single. Jamaican born, Skarra Mucci is a versatile singer, unique for his ability to flip reggae with styles like gospel, soul and R&B. His voice has a rugged Buju Banton-ness to it, and a tenor all its own. He's been a new favorite of mine for the past year as his ongoing string of singles continues to impress. Highly recommended...
Skarra Mucci "Feel Alright (Heavenless 2011)" Single
Italian dancehall sensation Alborosie has, by any definition, had a busy year already. With his new album 2 Times Revolution dropping just a few weeks ago, the singer has just released an album with no vocals on it. Who knew Alborosie could dub it? And dub it is exactly what he's done on the new Dub Clash that just dropped; with seventeen heavy-weight dubs that almost sound as if the hand of King Tubby himself is at the controls. This one that I played is the dub side to his smash single "Kingston Town."
A lborosie "Dubbing Kingston" Dub Clash
Kulvinder Johal, who has been around since the early 80′s, has one monster of a solo album. With the aide of Tru-Skool on production, we've got a heavily hip hop influenced album that puts the soaring vocalist in a setting that is easy for the casual listener to enjoy. Rare is the bhangra that makes it to a New Music Monday on Sound Travels and this song is so strong I wonder why.
Kulvinder Johal "Sun Baliyeh" Mundeh Panjabi
