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There are a few people on the internet who insist - or imply - that Animal Collective, Gang Gang Dance and Vampire Weekend are racist. Or rather that their appropriations of 'world music' are racist - that styles like gamelan, high-life and afro-beat are better left alone by Western musicians. The people that say that are idiots and Rainbow Arabia know it, the married LA duo absorbing influences from all over the world and re-organising them into sick, synesthetic warp-outs of organ parp and hallucinogenic rhythm blister that fly in the face of received notions of 'world music' and 'tasteful' and 'taste'. New 7-track mini-album Kabukimono is out now, featuring remixes from Ghosts On Tape and Brenmar, and it's the sound of Jools Holland shitting himself.
Sounds like: Skream, Omar Souleyman, Blondie
Rainbow Arabia - Holiday in Congo (Mexicans with Guns Remix)
Rainbow Arabia - Harlem Sunrise
Previously:
Rainbow Arabia - Haunted Hall
Rainbow Arabia - Omar K (Max Justus Remix)
Rainbow Arabia - Omar K
Rainbow Arabia - See no Hear no
Rainbow Arabia - I know I see I love I go
Rainbow Arabia - Little Boys
Rainbow Arabia's RCRD LBL Page
I imagine you're as sick as I am of being reminded that it's summer now, and as such only "warm", summery songs are acceptable listening for the next couple of months. But really... get ready to vomit all over your Havaianas because Esau Mwamwaya, Radioclit and Ezra Koenig are just making it too hard to resist: The Very Best luring me pathetically towards journalistic cliche with steel pans that chime like the sound of channelled sunlight, the Vampire Weekend frontman hupping and bopping over the top of their springing rhythm like a man trying to dodge the water-pistol fire of a sun-crazed drunk. "The sound of late summer" their press release calls it and, dang, for once, the press spin might just have it right - The Very Best's debut album Warm Heart of Africa will be released soon through Moshi Moshi.
Sounds Like: Vampire Weekend, High Places, Lord Melody
The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa (Featuring Ezra Koenig)
The Very Best's RCRD LBL Page
The fine people of Norway and Sweden are in for it: while they are experiencing the perpetual night that is Scandinavian winters, Professor Murder are on their way to blast some tropicalia punk funk into the icy surroundings. The guys are playing in Oslo on Monday, beginning a mini tour that will take them through both countries in a week. Here are the dates, which of course can be found in our handy, downloadable tour widget conveniently located at your right.
Monday, February 18 - Oslo, Norway @ Garage
Tuesday, February 19 - Kristiansand, Norway @ Charlie's Bar
Wednesday, February 20 - Malmo, Sweden @ Club Debaser
Thursday, February 21 - Bergen, Norway @ Club Hulen
Friday, February 22 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Debaser Slussen
If you’ve missed the gradual unveiling of Professor Murder on a Desert Island, their exclusive RCRD LBL EP, download the tracks here. We’re premiering the final track off the record soon, so stay tuned.
Download: Professor Murder - Flex-It Formula
Download: Professor Murder - Flex-It Formula (Instrumental version)
Download: Professor Murder - Civilization Three
Also, the boys have a new remix of their non-RCRD LBL, but also awesome, single "Dutch Hex" by Trey Told 'Em (Gregg from Girl Talk and Frank Musarra) over at Pitchfork
Photo cred: Bao Nguyen
