DDOSBS#42 - Belleruche

Belleruche, they describe their music as "Turntable Soul." Sounds rather artistic, but the music is straightforward.

How was the band formed, you ask? Their label's site provides the answer.
The two male members "who played weird turntable and guitar sets in London bars", bumped into their soon-to-be female vocalist at a market. Forming a band in between the fruit stand and fish-vendor worked out for these guys.

Their work was previously released under their own label, antithetically called Hippoflex.
Enjoy.

Belleruche - Anything You Want (Not That)

DDOSBS#41 - Josh Rouse

Josh Rouse (1972) has been featured on DDOS earlier, in a joint effort with Paz Suay.

This time, he's on his own. The song Summertime is a catchy chilled-out tune. It fits the song title, really. The bass and drums kick in late in the track but are worth the wait.

Josh Rouse - Summertime



Also check out Love Vibration

DDOSBS#40 - Majek Fashek

"I was born with dreadlocks"
That's how Majek Fashek likes to recall his childbirth.
Fact or fiction, it was clear from the start that the young Nigerian boy was destined for a career in reggae.

The Marley sound-a-like has been releasing music since the 80s and has, with his "The Best Of..." album, certified his status in the international music scene.

Majek Fashek - Love And Affection

DDOSBS#39 - Kenneth Bager feat. Julee

Here's a chill-out 101 track for you.

Chill-out music is often found on nondescript compilation CD's, of which a probable 99% of the featured artists wouldn't ring a bell with most people.

Upon closer inspection one can find some pretty decent songs on these CD's though. And with a little additional detective work, it turns out that there's an intricate little world behind these track-lists. You'll run into the same artists more often and see how they, their record and the production labels are one big musical-web.

This particular artist is from Denmark.

Kenneth Bager (Feat. Julee) - Fragment Two... The First Picture

DDOSBS#38 - Benny Goodman

There was a time when swing jazz was the name of the game and Benny Goodman played team-captain.

This "King of Swing" was born in a large but poverty-stricken Jewish family around the turn of the 20th Century. Nonetheless, Benny Goodman grew out to become the most celebrated big-band leader in musical history. Blowing his jazz clarinet like there was no tomorrow, he set in motion the Swing Era, thereby opening a new epoch in American popular music.

Take it away Benny!

Benny Goodman - Medley (1937) [from the movie Hollywood Hotel]



For something a bit more familiar to the ear check "Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing)" (1936)

DDOSBS#37 - Sean Bones

Throw a few reggea-cuts, a dollop of breezy pop vibes, a bit of doo-wop and a pair of canvas shorts in a blender, and here is what would pour out:

Sean Bones - Easy Street

You can give a listen to the track (and more!) on his Myspace.

DDOSBS#36 - Van She

Van She was featured on DDOS earlier for their work on a remix. They make some descent music themselves as well.

This song is from their 2008 album release "V". Most of the songs were written in a farmhouse south of Sydney, Australia. The band recorded the album in London, UK.

This Very First Record of the band is laden with their signature electropop style. Within this style, this particular song features the band in Pure Pop Mode. Enjoy the synths, and that feeling of cruising-down-the-road-over-the-bay-with-the-top-down-wind-in-your-hair.

Van She - Changes



The song Strangers is a blast as well.

DDOSBS#35 - Dizzee Rascal

British rapper Dizzee Rascal is at it again, adding a layer of electro to his already club-like grime rap. To get the job properly done, he pairs up with Armin van Buuren (one of many in the seemingly bottomless pool of famous Dutch DJs).

Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers (Feat. Armin Van Buuren)

DDOSBS#34 - Scarlett Johansson

We all know what happens when a Hollywood starlet takes a stab at the music scene (example 1, 2, and how can we forget 3).
Or do we really know?

Thespian talent Scarlett Johansson surprised us all in 2008 with her swooner record "Lay My Head", which consisted almost only of covers of the bourbon-voiced legend Tom Waits.
Scarlett seems to be up for a repeat, this time planning a Serge Gainsbourg-inspired follow-up album. For this she is teaming up with singer/songwriter Pete Yorn.

The album, 'Break Up' is not due until September, but the first single "Relator" is up for streams on the album's website.

Scarlett Johansson - Relator

Click here and give it a listen.

DDOSBS#33 - Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

Straight from 1988, taking it back old school. This track has a James Brown sample in it. Sometimes, older songs lose their glamour because of out-dated technology, but this one can kick it anytime, the beat just goes.

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two



Although this HipHop classic has been used as "inspiration" for many a track (see Ciara, The Fresh Prince and more...), the credit for that infamous "Woo!Yeah!" break-beat should go to Lyn Collins (1972) (check 1:24 onwards). That's double milking for ya.

DDOSBS#32 - Menomena

Although this is a random indie-rock band, the song's quite pleasant. Appreciate the melancholic instrumentals.

Oh yeah, something interesting about the artist as well. Hmmm... The band swaps around instruments during shows and recording sessions. And they all sing.

Menomena - Wet and Rusting

DDOSBS#31 - Paco De Lucia

'Paco De Lucia' is the stage name of Spanish guitarist Francisco Gómez (1947-). Having been raised in a family of flamenco performers, the young artist was soon to follow suit.
Gómez has been appraised as a virtuoso guitar player and although he is considered as the torchbearer of Modern Flamenco, the occasional cross-over into jazz or classical is not evaded.

What this guy pulls off with a sextuplet of gut strings is simply mesmerizing.

Paco De Lucia - Entre Dos Aguas (1976)

DDOSBS#30 - Zee Avi

Remember Zee Avi? Well, the Jack Johnson posse-member is finally ready to take on the big game. Having conquered the hearts of her ever-growing Youtube audience, Zee (also known as KokoKaina) released her self-titled debut album today.

This petite Malaysian's mature and soulful voice sure packs a punch!

Zee Avi - Bitter Heart

DDOSBS#29 - Amy Winehouse vs. Peter, Bjorn & John

"Why didn't I think of that?"

Mash-ups have appeared on DDOS before, not too often though.

In Mash-up land, there are tons of songs, but most just don't cut it. The songs by themselves are often significantly better than their product when put together.

Sometimes, however, a combination seems so natural, that you're surprised you haven't heard it before.

These songs merge well, and the versus becomes a with.

Amy Winehouse vs. Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks in Rehab

DDOSBS#28 - No Through Road

It seems Australia has its Instant-Rockband-Workmill turned to full blast again, spouting out another rock-ensemble.

The first single "Party To Survive" from No Through Road's last-month's album release 'Winner' might have some overly raw-boned vocals, but those guitars have a mind of their own.
These guys are going somewhere.

No Through Road - Party To Survive

DDOSBS#27 - Fake Blood

It's a song about a candy bar, how can this not be great.

Altough there is definitely no chocolate coating wrapped around this song, there's a vicious caramel filling and enough nuts to put the chocolate bar to shame.

Say "aaah"

Fake Blood - Mars

DDOSBS#26 - Jussara Silveira

Here's some more chill from Brazil.
Somehow, the Brazilian nationality seems to turns up quite often on here.
I guess they've just gotten the whole chilled-out vibe down.

This song has been performed by several artists, but this version definitely makes the cut.

Jussara Silveira - La Vem A Baiana

DDOSBS#25 - Axis Of Awesome

Australian comedy-trio "Axis Of Awesome" seems to have made a remarkable discovery. The formula for a golden pop smash-hit!

4 Chords, "That's all it takes to be a star".

Axis Of Awesome - '4 Chords'

DDOSBS#24 - Feist (Van She Tech Remix)

Leslie Feist is a Canadian singer-songwriter. As a solo artist she has released work under the name Feist. In the fall of 2008 she retired from the music business. Quite a shame considering her great voice.

Van She is an Australian electropop band. Under one of their names, Van She Technologic, they remixed this Feist song, 1234.

Enjoy

Feist - 1234 (Van She Tech Remix)



Another remix of a Feist song is My Moon My Man by Boys Noize.

DDOSBS#23 - Percy Faith & his orchestra

Percy Faith (1908 - 1976) rethought orchestration techniques during the 1950s, utilizing larger string sections than what was usual during 1940 orchestra music.

By softening the orchestra sound this way he (is often credited to having) created the 'easy-listening' sound.

Especially during the 1950s and the 1960s this music was very popular across the USA.

This composition, A Summer Place, won the Grammy award for record of the year in 1961. Let the strings take you away.

Percy Faith & his orchestra - A Summer Place

DDOSBS#22 - Motown Remixed

A little over 50 years ago Berry Gordy, a fanatic record producer from Detroit, decided to start a record label. Motown Records he called it.

Fast-forward a decade or so, Motown grew out to be the most celebrated production label of rhythm and blues and its subsidiary genres, bringing such artists as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many MANY more to fame and putting out 57 number one singles in the US! Its typical soul sound with strong pop influences is, to this day, considered as 'The Motown Sound'.

Back in 2005, several large names in the DJ/production industry came together to put out a remastered compilation album, aptly called 'Motown Remixed', with their interpretation of the original hit records.
Volume 2 was released a few years later.

Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (Z-Trip Remix)

DDOSBS#21 - Jack Johnson

Ben Stiller was born in New York (1965). He has written, directed, produced and starred in over 50 movies and TV shows. Some of his more known work are movies like Zoolander and more recently Tropic Thunder. His parents were both comedians and actors which shouldn't be surprising if you've seen his comedic slapstick acting.
Well, there you go.

Jack Johnson - Taylor

DDOSBS#20 - The Weepies

Singer-Songwriters Deb Talan and Steven Tannen met in 2001 and started making music together. A couple of years later they decided they really liked each other and they got married.

Their charming folk-pop has been featured in many TV shows, you can find a short list here.

The Weepies - The World Spins Madly On

DDOSBS#19 - Kreesha Turner

With "Bounce With Me", Kreesha Turner probably more-or-less represents the entire Canadian R&B scene.

The catchiness of this toffee-song might sound rather poppy/mainstream, but as an upbeat track it's pretty solid.

DDOSBS#18 - Coumba Gawlo

Nobody stands a chance in the ring with Miriam Makeba AKA Mama Africa, but Senegalese Coumbo Gawlo adds an upbeat feel to "The Empress of Africa's" famed South-African anthem.

Coumba Gawlo - Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba Cover)

DDOSBS#17 - Stafford Brothers vs. Hoxton Whores

This guy is just moonwalking all over the place. Beautiful. And as always, it's all for a girl.

Stafford Brothers vs. Hoxton Whores - Wherever

Stafford Brothers VS Hoxton Whores - Wherever (feat. Frank Stafford) from Moop Jaw on Vimeo.

DDOSBS#16 - Koop

Most of Koop's songs create a mental image of a small jazz orchestra. However, there is more to their distinguished sound than meets the ear.

The electronic Jazz duo Koop, from Sweden, only consists of Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson.

The songs have actually been composed completely by using pre-existing samples (musical soundbites) taken from existing tracks, songs, music etc.

Imagine now why it takes a while for them to release a new track, let alone album.

While the samples in the music are re-used, Koop works together with several different artists on their tracks for the lyrics. This one features Yukimi Nagano (swedish, seriously).

Koop - Summer Sun

DDOSBS#15 - Elbow

Elbow is a British band adored by critics and fellow musicians alike. Commercially they're not yet as big as they deserve to be, but their latest album has gathered some attention.

This is the first single from the record. It's got a guitar riff that will rock your socks off! So wear slippers.

Elbow - Grounds For Divorce

DDOSBS#14 - Mason Jennings

Singer-songwriter Mason Jennings is quite mellow with the lyrics, but his groovy baselines and wacky rhythms make for some fun music.

Mason Jennings - Butterfly

DDOSBS#13 - Room Eleven

The Dutch band Room Eleven first made a name for themselves by covering the song 'Bitch' for a WE TV ad campaign. Afterwards, they had a hit single with the song Hey Hey Hey. Next to this catchy song, their more unknown songs are even better.

Room Eleven - Sad Song

DDOSBS#12 - Cantoma

London presents: chill-out.
This DJ, who has been DJ’ing at spots around the world for over a decade, has successfully captured that Ibiza vibe and sound in this song.

Savour the island flavor.

Cantoma - Pandajero