Introducing TOMO

When we decided to release the BJ Smith covers of Mos Def and The Pharcyde we wanted to create a limited edition package for the vinyl junkies and collectors amongst our friends...

We had been aware of Liverpool based artists, TOMO via our brothers over at No Fakin' who had been using his artistic skills for time on various posters and promotional material... Plus having ran into him at various events and record fairs we knew this cat was right for getting involved...

So no more rambling from us... here is what TOMO had to say and hopefully the photos tell the story!

BJ Smith 'Umi Says / Runnin'' available here with limited edition hand screen printed sleeves by TOMO

TOMO
When I was first contacted about working on this project I thought "Not bad eh", this being the kind of interesting work that I always look forward to. At the same time though it was a bit daunting, having not only to create something worthy of B.J Smith's wonderful craftsmanship but also that of "The Greats" - Mos Def and The Pharcyde. I started just exploring how the themes of both songs related to my own creativity. The messages in both tracks are not only great but also important, facing your troubles and sharing your positivity, universal stuff really. So like most people I'm trying to do this anyway, the inspiration is there already. I was sitting in my kitchen drinking tea with some guests whilst explaining the fundamentals of locksmithing when the spark hit me, I could finally see how it would look. So I grabbed a pencil and start making it happen. There's a lot of symbols common in my work, the moving hand, the running man, bricks, clouds, gemstones etc. Some of it quite cryptic but in a nutshell it just basically shows my interpretation of the music, it came out alright and I hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did. Peace. - Tomo

TOMO Website

Dedications to the Greats!

For our next release we have lovingly covered two stone cold classic, soulful, Hip Hop tracks... We had heard Benjamin James Smith cover one of our favourite bands and friends of NNS, Crazy P. After we had finished The Movedrill Projects with Ben, we suggested that he do a couple of covers for us, and below the endeavours of his work...

This will be released on Monday 28th January 2013, you can pre-order HERE via Bandcamp


B.J. Smith 'Dedications to the Greats' [NUNS002] Sampler by NuNorthernSoul

Rather then us ramble on about this, we asked Ben to give us his reasoning and thoughts... enjoy the read!

[BJ Smith]

How this project came to be.

This cover versions project began when Paul and I were asked by Crazy P to do a Smith & Mudd remix of one of their tracks from their 2008 release Stop, Space, Return. For one reason or another Paul and I couldn't get together and the deadline was fast approaching. I had just finished watching the film on music legend Johnny Cash "Walk The Line" and had to sit down and work on an Ad pitch for Robinsons - the brief was quirky acoustic. Halfway through the often thankless task of composing a pitch for a sync company, I slid me and my guitar at speed across the room on my wheelie chair, away from the studio and towards the kitchen, strumming as I went. I was consciously channeling the Johnny Cash style in a bid to remember what I love about music, where things begin for me, escape the "work" brain by going into my own private virtual Sun Records Studio and make a cup of tea.

This was when a penny dropped somewhere in my brain when the various jobs and extra curricular activities collided together in my mind. It's moments like these (normally but not reliably when one is making a cup of tea) that magic can happen.

I knew CP's song Fascination very well having been privalleged to early pre-album completion versions, and suddenly it jumped into my brain as I was strumming Cash style in the kitchen, waiting for the kettle to boil. Danni's lyric "You've been looking ... in the right place" lept out of my throat and sat perfectly over the opened chord rhythm guitar part I was playing, so I got straight on to Danni for an accurate copy of her lyrics and dashed into the studio to set up a mic ready for a one take wonder. 

Rather apologetically I email CP my re-imagination, knowing that they were waiting for a Smith & Mudd remix and would not be expecting my Cash cover. I held my breath sure that I would here the belly laughs all the way from Nottingham. Thankfully and surprisingly they loved it and 2020recordings released my version of Fascination coupled with CP's original, all packaged up in a pseudo Sun Records format.

I am still threatening to cover all of their album in this Johnny Cash style, but for now that project is on the shelf for another day as NuNorthern Soul approached me with the interesting challenge of picking classic Hip Hop tracks for re-imagination. Only this time I decided to be more true to my own sound (whatever that may be) - I suppose a sort of blend of legends: Terry Callier, JJ Cale, Charlie Byrd, Nick Drake and more contemporary artist like the Stone Roses and Talking Heads.

In fact I have almost completed a Terry Callier cover in homage to the great man and his influence upon me, that blends a Roses indie vocal delivery with the rootsy folk picking patterns of Callier. This should be out early next year on NuNorthern Soul.

Big love and respect to NuNorthern Soul for all your support and kindness.

[BJ Smith] 

Trade secrets: A possible process I sometimes go through when deconstructing a song. 

1. Begin with scribing out the lyrics and getting into the story. 

1. Then listen to and focus on the melody lines and hooks from the original to find the essence of the "song".

1. Before a new concrete vocal line has been worked out, pick up the guitar or get in front of a piano to find the "song", by strumming/playing out a structure and listening for picking patterns or new chords that allow the "song" to breath.

1. Then spend several days playing around with the 
deconstructed song, working out an introduction and ending, finding a comfortable meter to deliver the lyrics (when dealing with Rap this can be a real challenge), till it all feels natural - like the lyrics and the guitar/piano belong together. Your aiming for an "unplugged" version.

1. Once an unplugged version comes to life it's time to record a "guide" track like they used to do in olden times - a one take wonder of vocals and guitar/piano.

1. After an atomspheric guide track full of character has been recorded, it's time to add layers of live instrumentation as if a "band" has turned up to develop the "song": live drums, live bass, live keyboards etc 

1. Once all the parts have been recorded and some dynamic shape (louds and quiets) developed, it is time to tweak the arrangement, get in to the mixing and add production sparkle.

1. Job done - turn around 2/3weeks!

Times are a Changing...

We are currently working on our new site... It will be the hime to lots of lovely music and info on events, releases, artists and general NNS musings...

Here is the designs as it stands, we have some tweaking to do, but it will give you a feel for the new styles...

NuNorthern Soul Session 43

NuNorthern Soul Session 43 by Nunorthern Soul on Mixcloud

Benjamin James Smith in Session / NME Selector / 27th July 2012

Our lovely friend and long time collaborator, and now NuNorthern Soul artist Benjamin James Smith has just been featured on the NME Selector show hosted by Goldierocks... He does his stripped back acoustic thang on 'Cortisol' which features on the 'Movedrill Projects' album that we have released then he flips the stone cold Hip Hop classic, 'Runnin'' by The Pharcyde into a Folk fuelled sing-a-long.


The Selector (week radio show for UK music, 27 July 2012) featuring Benjamin James Smith by British Council

Listen and buy Benjamin James Smith presents The Movedrill Projects HERE

NuNorthern Soul Session 39

We have been a tad lazy at NNS HQ of late, sorry about that...

Here is the latest instalment of our podcast series.



Track List
Alan Parsons Project - Time
Benjamin James Smith presents The Movedrill Projects - Show Me Love
Bobby Goldsboro - Summer
Double - The Captain Of Her Heart
Forget Me Not - What Were You Gonna Say
Cerrone - Hooked On You
Lo Tide - Yello Brick
Ave Blaste & Lopez - Yesterday's Games
Synkro - I Miss You
The Slow Show - Brother
Jabru - Vice
Joash - Assassin
Morris Chestnut - Doodlebug

NuNorthern Soul Session 36

NuNorthern Soul founder and host, Phat Phil Cooper takes over the reigns for this session of lowdown grooves.

Proper winter warmer gear with toe tapping and head nodding anthems a plenty.

Track Listing

Space Dimension Controller - The Birth Of A Feeling

Soft Rocks - We Hunt Buffalo

Dirg Gerner - My Queen

Little Roy - Come As You Are (Taken from the Nirvana covers album 'Battle for Seattle', check out one of the other tracks below.)

Com Truise - Hyperlips

1000names - Sushi Hour

LyricL - Amazed

Stevie Wonder - Living For The City

Joni Haastrup - Imokiraria

Colonel Red - Holla

Gregory Porter - 1960 What?

LyricL - Amazed

For those who maybe unfamiliar with the lyrical delights of LyricL throw back your mind and pin back your ears...

London based rapper and spokenword artist Nkechi da LyricL is British born with Nigerian origins. Her parents hail from Imo State (now Abia State), Isuikwuato and settled in the UK after fleeing during the Biafran War.

One of the UK's leading female emcees. LyricL has appeared on stages worldwide from St Petersburg to Lisbon, and released singles in New Zealand, Austria, Japan and USA. Sought after by many producers for her lyrical ability and creativity within Hip Hop, Jazz, Afro and Broken Beat and Soulful House.

Taken from http://www.lyricl.co.uk

When we received this album from old NuNorthern Soul Fam member, Sarah Sweeney who we first met when she was one of the Chibuku Shake Shake residents in Liverpool, and now resides in Cardiff, and  runs Fresh Rotations the label behind this release!

We couldn't believe our ears... Tight production, plenty of soul and killer lyrics and delivery so good, even UPS couldn't match!

NuNorthern Soul contender for album of the year!

Check out the sampler below... Then go and support the artist and label by purchasing a copy...

Buy from Kudos

Buy from iTunes

 

NuNorthern Soul Session 35 Guest Selector Mr Doris

First off, lets apologise for the numbering of the NNS sessions, we are at number 35, not 34 as this cloud cast may suggest...

Anyway, up to the plate is Mr Doris, Ibiza standard when it comes to something fresh and not mass produced, main stream junk food, this boy is straight up grade A connoisseur business, the Mac and cheese, the real tasty stuff... Mr Doris holds it down for We Love at Space on Sundays where he hosts his 'After Dark' sessions.

NuNorthern Soul first met up with Mr Doris many Ibiza full moons ago at the legendary Ancient People where NNS often shared the space to host leftfield parties, funky treats and beats order of the day (and night)... Ancient People has grown up in to an amazing Indian restaurant now, but back in the day it was the freshest party place for odd beats and pieces...

Our own Phat Phil clearly remembers hearing Mr Doris drop the following one afternoon, it was then he realised this man had soul! Perfect vibes!!

So here we have the Mr Doris guest selections for NuNorthern Soul.

Track List

This Is London  - Unforscene

The Roosevelt Blues feat. Megan Washington - Lanu

Mockingbird - Nostaligia77

In Your Eyes - Oddisee

Mutes & Drops - Hint

I Just Can't - Mozez

In the Twilight  - TM Juke

The Truth - Handsome Boy Modelling School 

Heroes (Kruder's Long Loose Bossa) - Roni Size

Rio De Noche - Red Astaire

Alcazar (Instrumental) - Tape Five

Pretty Little Thing - Fink

Sweet Thang - Shuggie Otis

Billy Jack - Curtis Mayfield 

For more fresh flavours and news from Mr Doris world check out

WEB: www.mrdoris.co.uk

FB: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9053832793

MS: http://www.myspace.com/mrdoris 

SC: http://soundcloud.com/mrdoris

Mr Doris is also touring hard over the next months, be sure to try and check him

07 /12/11 After Dark, Red Bar, Ibiza   

11/12/11 Lock Tavern, Camden, London 

16/12/11 Tonic, Sydney

17/12/11 World Bar, Sydney

24/12/11 Fundafied. Sydney

25/12/11 TBA Melbourne

26/12/11 Newcastle Raceway

26/12/11 The World Bar, Sydney

30/12/11 Funkdafied, Sydney

31/12/11 Bellavista, Cairns

01/01/12 Space Festival, Sydney

01/01/12 High Flyers, Sydney

01/01/12 The Jam, Melbourne 

NuNorthern Session #34 Guest Selector - DJ Rich Ears

Guest Selector Rich Ears - Balearic Supper by Nunorthern Soul on Mixcloud

Our good friend from Amsterdam, DJ Rich Ears has sent us this lovely blend...


This is one to lull you back to the White sands of Formentera and the blue Med waters... This is a truly Balearic session!


Tracks

Of a Star - Sun Yawn on Me

The Orb - Hamlet of Kings

Pink Floyd and The Orb - Is there anybody out there

Jonathan Jeremiah - Happiness (Quiet Village Remix)

AKmusique - Saudade (Inside Mix)

Laura Bee - Lovebleeps

The Verve - Lucky Man

Oasis - Wonderwall (LDM's Dry Stone Remix 2008)

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (eleventhirtyeight edit)

Zero 7 - Destiny (Irrelevant Remix

Aretha Franklin -  I Say a Rittre Player (Dimitri Flom Paris Le-edit)

Henry Mancini - The Pink Panther [Lennart Ibizarre's El Cielo Mix]

Rhian Sheehan - Essáy x Rhian Sheehan x Morning Mountain (Borrowing The Past)

Global Communication - 807 (Young Edits Cosmic Communication Version)

Kiky Dee feat Pied Piper - Got Music In Me (Extended NuDisco Mix)

Alicia Keys - Feeling u (Freddie Joachim remix)

Flanger - Innerspace suit

Baz Luhrmann - Always Wear Sunscreen

Rich Ears Facebook

NuNorthern Soul Playback - Sunday 23rd October 2011

On Sunday the 23rd October we hosted a session at The Paradise in West London. We asked our good friend Benjamin James Smith to come along with a bag of Sunday selections... he delivered a quality couple of hours of delightful sounds.


Part 1
 
Video streaming by Ustream

Part 2
 
Video streaming by Ustream

Sunday Afternoon Easy Listening

Bored on a Sunday? Well that's what prompted Phil to jump on the decks and throw down some of his current faves for Sunday afternoon sessions...

Ashley Beedle edits, Ben Smith covers of Crazy P, deep soul vibes from Steve Spacek, choice joints from Joyce Cobb, Bill Withers, Terry Callier plus loads more make for a lazy afternoon of music...

Slight technical issues at the start, but all smooth after that...


Video streaming by Ustream

NuNorthern Soul October Session

As we slip into October and the Winter starts to creep in... Wait, whats that...? It's still summer, a barmy late Indian one at that... Bloody brilliant!!!

Us NuNorther Soul monkeys are coming back to that London on Sunday 23rd October for a little soiree in The Paradise by Way of Kensal Green. Joining us to unleash a musical jaunt through laid backsville and thought provoking downtempo moods and grooves is our dear friend, Benjamin James Smith.

Helping to get things started properly, Ben has put together this lovely, jubbly selection for your ears, toes, fingers and feet...

Benjamin Smiths Indian Summer Selections by Nunorthern Soul on Mixcloud

Our session starts at around 5pm and more details are available on the Facebook page which is located HERE, please click on and check it out.

Wine, Beats, Trainers in the Mix

NuNorthern Soul has always been about music and enjoying it in comfortable surroundings, with great food and wine... Through our travels and endeavours to find the perfect spot we from time to time come across some very interesting people and places with a similar ethos...

I caught the train over to Hoylake on the Wirral to meet such a person, Adam 'Pooky' Speechly...

Adam is the owner of, aptly names, Adams Fine Wines upon first inspection it is much like any decent purveyor of wines, but then you meet Adam, B-Boy swagger, fly trainers, de-rigour body warmer and slightly off the arse wearing of jeans etc...

The Yard, the wheels, the owner...

The Owner

What immediately struck apart from the amazing wines was the crates of old music magazines and records intermingled with the fine stock...

Easy Reading

Then I started to notice the 'collectable' figures dotted around and the copious amounts of sneaker / trainer boxes amongst the crates of ale and wines...

Top Shelf Action

MC Hammer

Dennis Rodman with Hot Pants

Dennis Rodman Doll

Adam, was a face on the Liverpool DJ scene for many years holding a very successful residency from 1997 to 2004 at the 'Camel Club' playing his unique block rocking party beats to a loyal and up for it crowd... He took some time out after a spat with the club owner over his desire to improve the sound-system which the owners didn't think was needed... One of the decks started playing backwards, the owner didn't see that as a problem!!!

Although he took a back seat to DJing, he never gave up making and collecting beats...

Check the wall of sound below... apparently this is the tip of the iceberg, he has a huge vinyl collection also...

Adams Wall of Sound

As we mentioned Adam is a beat maker also. A basic set up, but it does the business...

Block Rockin' Beat Machine

While we drank fine wine, chewed the fat and generally mucked about, I asked Adam if he would do a mix for me, I hinted at a Jazz influenced vibe and after a few months came back with this teaser... He is finalising a full length mix and as soon as that is ready we shall be spreading the word...

POOKY - NEW NOTES FROM BLUE NOTES (PREVIEW) originally for the NuNorthern Soul podcast by ADAM SPEECHLY AKA POOKY

Check out more blends, mixes and edits from The Pooky Soundcloud

Hit him up on Facebook

We Love... Disco!

NuNorthern Soul loves Disco and so does Ibizian clubbing dons, We Love. Check out the video discussion with Dimitri from Paris amongst others on Disco.



For more videos like this head over to We Love TV

Music To Dine To...

Well it has been a while since we posted a blog, it has been a hectic summer for the NNS team...

Our Music To Dine To sessions in Hoole continue in the comfortable surroundings of The Faulkner Bar and Kitchen.

We shall also be live broadcasting the session on our uStream channel if you can't make to Chester.

Session starts at 4pm.

 

The Faulkner can be found HERE

NuNorthern Soul Session 32

Well it has been a couple of months since we graced your ears with a podcast, but we hope the wait has been worth it.

As usual, no specific musical genres or eras, just solid music...

There is so much quality music out there it's difficult to put it all in one session, the Yambee track for example is a Moodyman / Theo Parrish sounding epic that will have your toes tapping and heads nodding, this collboration from Ashley Beedle and YamWho is well worth hunting down... Check it out HERE

Track List

Mo Kolours - Biddies

Saturn Never Sleeps - Tory

Yambee - Chemical Love

Ye Mighty - Beyond

Hackney Colliery Band - No Diggity

Donald Byrd - The Black Disciple

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Get Up

Jhelisa - Friendly Pressure

Diana Ross and The Supremes - Stormy (Nice review HERE)

Unknown - Summer Nights

Detroit Urban Gardening Ensemble - Take Root

Dego - Not In My Disco