Sound Travels with a passion for fusion these days. By fusion, I mean producers and beatmakers whose style is difficult to qualify, whose exact genre is relevant on a song-by-song basis because they incorporate such a wide palette of influences and in this week's case, international.
So we got the ball rolling today with Chinese Zither player Bei Bei's collaboration with the genius beatcraft of Shawn Lee. An amazingly dynamic (and yet meditative) release that came out in 2008 called Into The Wind. Think far-eastern cinematic soul. And the same might be said about DC's Thievery Corporation whose sound is very international. On any given album of theirs you might find influences ranging from reggae to Indian to Latin and more. The one I played today is steeped in the subcontinental vibe that Ustad Sultan Kahn brings.
Bei Bei & Shawn Lee "Make Me Stronger feat/ Georgia Anne Muldrow" Into The Wind
Thievery Corporation "Tarana feat. Ustad Sultan Kahn" India Time
Brought a Brazilian vibe into the fold for the set from Marc Mac's Visioneers. A killer tune that almost sounds like vintage Bossa Nova, but for the big beat and hip hop feel. Speaking of authentic, Beatfanatic, one of my favorite beat creators gets samba right on the last song in the set "Jogando Capoeira."
Marc Mac "Dirty Old Bossa Nova" BBE15
Beatfanatic "Jogando Capoeira" single