| Clubbing |
By James Coulson |
Lee “Scratch” Perry
Now in his 70s, the grandest master
of dub lets fly with a new album
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| Flying Lotus |
| Courtesy of Beatink |
As Japan’s sweltering summer season looms, not everyone wants to throw weird shapes in crowded, dark, sweaty underground dancefloors. Just in time, then, come two marvelous releases from Beatink that provide excellent BGM for BBQs or just sitting on your balcony and sipping chu-hai with friends…
One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century still working today, Jamaican-born Lee “Scratch” Perry is a true legend. With a career stretching back to the 1950s, Perry, a man with eye-catching, to say the least, fashion taste, is responsible for almost singlehandedly pioneering the dub/reggae sound and bringing about the genre’s acceptance outside of Jamaica. In the ’70s, the Grammy Award-winning producer’s relentless pursuit of finely crafted sounds and effects saw him work with genre icons Bob Marley, Junior Byles and others. His latest offering, The Mighty Upsetter, is an astonishing album rife with humor and political comment, delivered in a voice sounding natural and fresher than ever—the voice, perhaps, of a wise and weathered prophet.
The Mighty Upsetter was produced by dub specialist Adrian Sherwood, who has not worked with Perry since 1990’s From the Secret Laboratory, and their reunification has resulted in an uplifting and powerful reggae sound. Look out for track “International Broadcaster”: energetic, pure oldskool dub that features the talents of UK rap’s own deep-thinker, Roots Manuva. Catch Lee “Scratch” Perry and Adrian Sherwood at this summer’s Fuji Rock Festival.
Los Angeles born-and-raised Flying Lotus (a.k.a. Steven Ellison) comes from a music-rich family. His grandmother, Marilyn Macleod, penned tunes for Michael Jackson, and his aunt is none other than the late jazz master Alice Coltrane. Flying Lotus’ latest album, Los Angeles, is a follow-up to last year’s Reset EP, and aims to redefine the sound of the city’s hip-hop scene. A dazzling assault of trip-hoppy scattered beats, and drifting, dreamy analog waves, LA exhibits Lotus’ multifaceted vision of urban life. The album’s 17 tracks merge and weave with intricacy, and its distorted, off-center vocals and samples had managed to put me in a distant trance in an unlikely place: the Inokashira line before 10am. All tracks on LA stand out, in particular the fast-paced, melodic electronica of “Parisian Goldfish,” and “Beginners Falafel,” a journey of meandering bubble sounds and deep, rolling bass.
Lee “Scratch” Perry’s The Mighty Upsetter is available on Beat Records/ON-U Sound. Flying Lotus’ Los Angeles will be released on Beat Records/Warp June 4.
This year’s Royal Tone Luxury Party is set to outdo the 2007 event, with over 1,500 revelers expected to arrive at the sprawling party rooms of the new Mado Lounge on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills. This year’s performers are headlined by DJ Kaori, Japan’s top female turntablist. Also to be featured are fashion shows by Victoria Webb and the LA-based Bohemian Society, salsa dancers, a “tower” of candy and cupcakes, celebrities and some serious VIPs. The first 500 women through the door will receive a party bag, which includes such goodies as perfumes, a travel set from Bandai, moisturizers from Victoria’s Secret and more. Dress code is “sexy smart,” and you’ll definitely want to look your best—Fashion TV will be filming the event for broadcast on its global network.
May 17, 10pm-5am. Tickets available at the door: men: ¥4,500 w/1 drink; women ¥4,000 w/1 drink. Mado Lounge: 52F Mori Tower, Roppongi Hills, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Nearest stn: Roppongi. See www.ma-do.jp or call 03-3470-0052 for more information. |
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