K’bonus is back with a vengeance. After the quite incredible “Buckle Up EP”, featuring the sweet sweet vocals of the lovely Kissey Asplund, the man behind Boohgaloo Zoo (alongside U-gene) teams up with another vocalist, Bruno Coussee, who is actually the funky bass man on the track. The Ghent-based musician thought he’d have a go on the mike, and now see what he’s done: “Shed My Soul” is one fine piece of super soulful disco. Try keeping your behind from shaking on this one, baby!

Also from Ghent is One Man Party, who, according to his birth certificate, is actually called Steve Slingeneyer, DJ by night, Soulwax drummer by day. On his remix, he isn’t afraid to spread some delicious cosmic dust, while Wax On Records recording artist Negghead takes the track to some really late-night club territory. House, you say? Skyscraper, more like.

And as a bonus, you get the slow burner “Turning Point” for free. How do you like them apples?

Buy Shed My Soul EP at the Lovemonk Shop

Incarnations are back with an overwhelming 12″, just in time for the summer.

Remix action comes from Ilya Santana and his trademark SpaceDiscoPop, Wareika bringing the deepness and Rayko offering a shot of synth-driven discoid eighties.

“Meet Me At Midnight” is an exquisite hand-crafted pop piece, where you can clearly hear echoes of America (the band, not the continent), among many other things. It has summer written all over it and allow us to say that is the kind of song that makes you a better person.

Ilya Santana takes the original and drives it deep into space, without losing its amazing pop feel. Wareika take over “Make You Mine” and bring it deeper than deep, close to Maurizio, in a superb remix. And last but not least, Madrid’s own edit maestro Rayko shows us his powerful approach to the song getting the most out of his synth collection!

Buy Meet Me At Midnight 12″ at the Lovemonk Shop.

The nom de plume of one Quinn Luke, Bing Ji Ling is a NYC–based producer/musician with a rich legacy of work behind and in front of him. Having co-produced, written, recorded and performed two full length records, an EP, and a slew of singles (not to mention numerous collaborations and remixes), Luke thought the time was right to work with outside producers for the first time. Produced by Embassy Sound Productions (Sean Marquand and Daniel Collas, the men behind Phenomenal Handclap Band), the forthcoming LP, Shadow to Shine, is an infectious concoction of Soul, Pop and Psychedelia full of summer jams destined for heavy rotation. Featuring members of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Scissor Sisters, Antibalas and Phenomenal Handclap Band, Shadow to Shine is a work of stunning, soulful talent, marking the finest chapter in Luke’s already accomplished career.

The Background
As a member of the Phenomenal Handclap Band, Luke has toured the World supporting acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Simian Mobile Disco, and the Gossip, as well as playing festivals such as O2 Wireless, Latitude (U.K.), Field Day (Australia) and BBK Live (Spain). As Coppa, a duo comprised of Luke and legendary crate-digging haven Chris Veltri (of Groove Merchant), Luke has also produced a series of 12-inch singles that have earned the praise of Space Disco tastemakers Prins Thomas and Todd Terje. As Q&A (formerly Expanding Head Band), a duo with Tussle songwriter Alexis Georgopoulos Luke has releases on DFA Records, Smalltown Supersound, and Lo Recordings. Luke is also a constant member of legendary skater-cum-musician Tommy Guerrero’s group, who regularly wow crowds at various international festivals such as Fuji Rock Festival (Japan).

Bing Ji Ling
Named for the Chinese words for Ice Cream (Luke spent a year in Shanghai and became fluent in Mandarin during his residency), as Bing Ji Ling Luke has released two full-length albums, an EP and numerous singles. Last year’s single, “Home”, culled from his EP June Degrees in December – featured remixes by Tokyo Black Star, Phenomenal Handclap Band, and Blackjoy. The track has received significant support, most notably from David Mancuso at his legendary party “The Loft.” A Japan only compilation of Luke’s work to date was released in the Fall of 2009. Luke toured Japan, U.S. and Europe to promote June Degrees in December, including PS-1 Warm Up Music Series in New York City and SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX. Over the past few years, Luke has also played venerable hot–spots such as Bowery Ballroom and Knitting Factory (NYC), Viper Room (LA), the Warfield (SF) and Liquid Room (Tokyo). The albums include contributions from No Doubt’s drummer Adrian Young and Luke’s right-hand man Merkely. Press interest has led to coverage in Pitchfork, XLR8R, Swindle, and ReUp Magazine.

The New LP
In 2005, Luke relocated from San Francisco to New York. With the move, came a renewed sense of purpose. After releasing the EP June Degrees In December, which found Luke bringing his taste for yacht rock and 80s R&B to the fore, he decided to work with outside producers for the first time. In the Fall of 2008, with Marquand and Collas at the controls, Luke set about trying something he’d never done: write songs and let the producers guide the direction each song would take. The results speak for themselves: a brilliant, effervescent album that showcases undeniable pop singles, brilliant arrangements and the breadth of a classic long–playing album.

Two minutes into the album’s infectious opening track “Move On”, you can tell this is something special. Recalling classic Motown in a way that would make Mark Ronson jealous, the song opens up with a dubbed–out flute solo breakdown. Meanwhile, the classic fuzztones and acoustic strum of “Bye Bye” recalls the oft–overlooked 70′s work by Arthur Lee’s Love. The swagger soul of “Hold Tight” showcases Luke’s vocal acrobatics, his pitch–perfect falsetto showing impressive range. Meanwhile, the gentle lilt of “Sunshine Love” shows Luke isn’t just a rocker, he’s a lover too.

Luke has the kind of melodic sensibility most would kill for. Which says nothing of his musical chops and taste for vintage instruments. Utilizing a small arsenal of gear that includes: A Fender Rhodes piano, analog synthesizers, all manner of percussion and bass, drums and guitar, Luke coaxes a warm, familiar sound that sounds fresh.

The latter–half of the album finds Luke opening things up. The breezy “Hypnotized” maybe the album’s deep cut, a brilliantly arranged gem which draws on Bill Withers and Shuggie Otis – with a sly wink to the Beatles – again showcasing Luke’s knack for catchy, memorable vocal hooks and producers’ Marquand & Collas inventive arrangements. Somewhere, Burt Bacharach is smiling. “Some Things Never Change” is a lovely ballad, combining baroque Pop with classic LA Pop. As usual, Luke has a knack for a chorus that won’t leave your mind. Closer “Where Am I Gonna Go” is a lovely, acoustic track that suggests a Hendrix ballad as written by Erlend Øye – filtered through an echo chamber – it brings the album down gently to an intimate close.

Unquestionably Shadow to Shine is Luke’s shining moment to date. It’s the kind of album – like all great Pop music – that etches itself into you: The work of a great songwriter, great musicians and great producers pursuing something together.

Buy Shadow To Shine at the Lovemonk Shop.

For us, Wild Honey was love at first sight.After listening to just the beginning of “Epic Handshakes and a Bear Hug,” we were head over heels with Guillermo Farré’s songs.How could we not like an album that is so impeccable in both its substance and form?If you take Guillermo’s innate talent as a composer, musician and producer, add the great mixing of Brad Jones (Ron Sexmith, Josh Rouse, etc), and the visual imagination of Pablo Serrat (Grande Graphix) with the artwork, what we have is a well-rounded disc in every sense of the word
Although the disc has had a long journey (it was published more than a year ago in an exclusive edition on 180 gr. red vinyl and put together by hand by Guillermo himself), and has been recognized by the specialized press as one of those essential rarities for the refined ear, we had no other choice but to re-release it on CD and get it out there for the world to hear.Because, lest we forget, here at Lovemonk we wave the flag of “bonitismo,” and if there’s one thing we know, it’s a good record.And “Epic Handshakes and Bear Hug” is just that.
As Enrique Ramos said in the first promo sheet, “It’s an album that exudes a love for music. You can hear echoes of The Brill Building, The Zombies, Scott Walker’s first album, the Sherman brothers Disney soundtracks, Michel Legrand, Curt Boettcher, bubblegum music, and the entire distance between sentimental and upbeat music from the first half of 20th century America to an accessible Sufjan Stevens or Jens Lekman with an innocent look and voice.Tidy pop that means to sound pretty, and it does. It’s filled with with complete songs, careful arrangements and tributes.”

More info:
Behind Wild Honey, we find Guillermo Farré (the bassist of the Madrid group the Mittens) with his solo endeavour.In his work as composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist, he has released two EPs (“The House By The Sea” in the beginning of 2008 and “Diamond Mountain” in 2010), and an LP (“Epic Handshakes and a Bear Hug”) released on vinyl in October of 2009, and which is now being released on CD and digital format by Lovemonk.

Buy Epic Handshakes and a Bear Hug at the Lovemonk Shop.

Madrid-based Brighton boy Chip Wickham has finally found the time to record two brand new tunes for Lovemonk. Born from his love of Nuyorican music, he delivers the stunning “Hit & Run” and “Apache”; the first a driving Latin monster of a tune featuring Wickham’s trademark flute sound, the second a Willie Colon-style trombone stomper penned by and featuring Grupo X’s Jonny Enright. Two huge chunks of Latin funk making that would make Eddie Palmieri, Joe Bataan, Ray Barretto and Louie Ramirez proud!

Chip Wickham is as versatile as they come. His credits as a musician, writer, producer and remixer include Nightmares On Wax, Rae & Christian, Roy Ayers, Jimpster, Speak Low, Sweet Vandals and The New Mastersounds, among many others. He toured extensively with The New Mastersounds and collaborated on their single “Chocolate Chip”, and recently he was chosen by the public to be a member of The Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band, initiated by BBC 6Music show host Craig Charles and including members of the James Taylor Quartet, Snowboy, Dionne Charles, TNM’s Eddie Roberts, Speedometer, The Haggis Horns, John Turrell and then some.

Buy Hit & Run/Apache 7″ at the Lovemonk Shop.

Traversing with an understated technical assuredness, the ambitious shapes of Steely Dan, the popping lounge funk of McDonald era Doobie Brothers, the sweet mourning of the Stylistics and Delfonics, and the exquisite song-craft and flawless harmonising of CSNY, Daniel Collás (The Phenomenal Handclap Band), Bart Davenport and Bing Ji Ling have recorded an absolute darling of an album under the name Incarnations.

Daniel Collás, Quinn Luke (Bing Ji Ling) and Bart Davenport, three friends with enough musical guises, side-projects, collaborations and production jobs to fill the annual itinerary of your average musician twice over. When three CVs like these get together on a regular basis, it’s only logical they speculate and hypothecate on the possibility of an album together. But, how to make those congested diaries synchronise? Bart lives in Oakland and Quinn and Daniel are in New York, all three of them are on tour for the better part of the year.

One sunny day in Madrid, Spain, a plan was hatched and a proposal was made.

Lovemonk, a small, eclectic and affable Spanish label, dangled the carrot that clinched the deal; ‘find two weeks between gigs/productions/recordings and head down to this little place we know in Tarifa, Southern Spain’. A family-run studio, in a house 5 minutes from a wild beach and a short ferry ride from the coast of Africa; the perfect ambience for the fleeting melody and sultry grooves of the Incarnations debut album, “With All Due Respect”.

Arriving with bits and bobs of half-songs, grooves and melodies, Daniel, Quinn and Bart, sketched and improvised their way to the most intensely evocative songs you’ll hear this year.  Traversing with an understated technical assuredness, the ambitious shapes of Steely Dan, the popping lounge funk of McDonald era Doobie Brothers, the sweet mourning of the Stylistics and Delfonics, and the exquisite song-craft and flawless harmonising of CSNY.

Punctuated by a day trip across the water to Tangiers, all 9 songs were written and recorded inside a fortnight in October 2009 and laid to rest while our protagonists jetted off to their respective diary appointments. Whether it was the beach, the soft weather, the fact that you can smell Africa from the studio, the home cooked Spanish food or the relaxed environment of the recording room, when the band returned to the songs at a New York studio earlier this year, they found an album as fresh and resonant as the moment it came into being. Quickly mixed down with no over-dubs or re-records, “With All Due Respect” captures the combined gifts of Tarifa and the three very talented friends that paid a visit.

Incarnations are:
Daniel Collás: DJ, drummer, organist, and one half of production team Embassy Sound Productions, the minds behind The Phenomenal Handclap Band. Plays – drums, percussion, organ and synthesizers.
Bart Davenport: Collaborator with Greyboy, General Elektriks and The Phenomenal Handclap Band; Singer-songwriter with The Loved Ones, The Kinetics and Honeycut, and most recently a touring member of the Kings Of Convenience. Plays – guitar, bass and vocals.
Quinn Luke a.ka. Bing Ji Ling: Part of The Phenomenal Handclap Band, one half of DFA recording artists Q&A and long time member of Tommy Guerrero’s band; Solo artist on labels Ubiquity and Lovemonk among others. Plays – guitars, keyboards, vocals

The band are named after Encarnación “Nini” Sagrista, owner of the recording studio in Tarifa, who housed and fed them during their stay.

Buy With All Due Respect at the Lovemonk Shop.

As Pete Isaac from Jelly Jazz said, “Makala does tasty club rocking tunes that fuse old school rumba, salsa, reggae, swing and mambo with breakbeats and chugging 4 to tha floor beats”.

Remix action here from our friends and heroes Dusty and Dubben. Both delivering amazing takes on the originals. Watch out for Makala’s new album, coming soon!!

Background info:

Makala, or Mikel Unzurrungaza Schmitz as his mother calls him, surfer dude, music freak and all round good guy, hails from the picturesque Basque town of Zarautz. Having entered the music scene in the nineties as part of the Novophonic posse (with Javi P3z and Txarly Brown), he quickly established himself as a versatile musician, producer, DJ and remixer – playing all over Spain and Europe with Javi P3z Orchestra, Makala Banda, Makala Sound System or Funkel Sound System. Apart from that, he hosts his own radio programme Boom Shaka Laka on the Basque station E-Gaztea (EITB).

Buy Swinging The Afromambo at the Lovemonk Shop

In 2007 “Achilifunk”, a compilation + booklet selected and written by Txarly Brown, was released to much critical acclaim both in Spain and the rest of the world. “Achilifunk” was a surprise which opened the eyes of many, especially in Spain, where, for reasons of age, ridiculous hipsterism or whatever other excuse, people didn’t associate the word rumba with Barcelona, funk, disco, salsa as well as many other things, which are all as diverse and interesting as they are enriching. The reviews were incredible and the compilation was even chosen as one of the best records of 2007 by British magazine The Wire, which was the nudge some of the most hipster-oriented Spanish media needed to embrace “Achilifunk”.

Two years later, a new musical joint, baptised “Más Achilifunk”, shook the scene once more. This time, Txarly paired the best rumba combos from Barcelona with international remixers for a new funky stew with rumba and electronica as the main ingredients, far from purism and furiously festive. The result was as exciting as it was surprising, so much so that the prestigious and très avant-garde Sónar festival invited Txarly to present the compilation in its 2009 edition. After that, Brown had to once again come up with something original for the third and last part of the series. And what better way to do that than to start with a clean slate?

“Gitano Real” is that closing chapter of the Achilifunk trilogy. A musical evolution, an attempt to create a new rumba scene with what the predecessors have already accomplished. On this CD, the best musicians from this new scene have come together to form a unique band. On one side we have the gypsy faction, the “Achilis”: Sam (Papawa), Muchacho (La Troba Kung-Fú), Rambo (Sabor de Gràcia) and Jack (Rumbamazigha), all of whom have excellent pedigree. On the other side, you’ll find the great Hammond groove of Paco Manzanares (Mantecao y su Combo) and the super juicy guitar funk of Lalo Lopez (Fundación Tony Manero, Chocadelia, etc). And this combo, called Banda Achilifunk, is joined by the Original Jazz Orquestra Taller de Mùsics, a.k.a. OJO; Twelve academics with an outstanding reputation, captained by Vicens Martín. Together, they have all recreated, Achilifunk-style, a repertoire of rumba hits (”Cocos”, “Gitano Real”, etc.), funk classics (”Vulture” by Labi Siffre, “Bad” by Michael Jackson, “Miracles” by the Jackson Sisters, “Ain’t No Stopping” by MacFadden & Whitehead), and they even had time to record their own originals: “Feeling”, “La Loteria”, “La Hija del Panadero” and the surprising eighties-style gypsy rap of “Bombéalo!”. Disco, rap, funk, and soul blend with rumba and gypsy music on this incredible record.

Txarly Brown co-ordinated and designed this project in his usual inimitable style, with deluxe packaging for the CD, consisting of a specially designed sleeve including a newspaper and digifile. It couldn’t be any other way: life is better when in it’s in style!

Buy Gitano Real at the Lovemonk Shop.

Lovemonk releases the first 7″ by Juliane Heinemann: Do You See Me?, a delightful pop/folk/jazz composition that seduces right from the get go. To Juliane, Do You See Me? was “a tiny melody written for piano, its style reminded me of the waltzes from the music boxes. In order to maintain its naïve tone I added lyrics that could be from a children’s song (‘one two three, tell me what you see’); without any deeper meaning, just a happy rhythm.”

The B-side includes an alternative version of the same song:“My father liked it a lot, so he taught himself the song he could play it on his banjo. He sent me his version, and my co-producer, Jordi Matas, and I started to add other instruments like guitar percussion, harmonica and glockenspiel.” The original song can be found on her self-produced and released album Aren’t You Glad To Be Here.

Buy Do you see me? at the Lovemonk Shop.

This is the third single taken from Boohgaloo Zoo’s devastatingly good self-titled debut album. “I Got” is a relentless disco groover while “Come To This” is a slow-mo exotica housebomb (whatever that may mean) with some hints of exotica. Two fat and funky joints.

This time, the remixes are courtesy of Mugwump and Aardvark. Mugwump takes the original and turns it into an electrifying discoid tour de force. Aardvark does his thing, which lately means taking a song, and giving it an electronic shock treatment. Those who like forward thinking electronic music will go bananas for this one. Post “nameyourfavourite”?

Background info:
Boohgaloo Zoo are K’bonus and U-Gene, two veterans of the Belgian and Dutch music scenes, respectively. After meeting at the 10 Days Off festival in Ghent, the duo started sending each other beats and tracks, and soon enough a full album was in the making. K’bonus’ beats and samples and U-Gene’s vocals and keys are a match made in heaven, resulting in tunes reminiscent of Amp Fiddler, Chromeo, Arthur Russell and Funkadelic. And all at once!

Buy I Got 12″ at the Lovemonk Shop.

“Atraco a las 3” (“Robbery At 3 O’Clock”) is a fantastic cover version of the theme song to the Spanish 1962 film of the same name, composed by Argentine Adolfo Waitzman. On the flip side, you´ll find the Dead Capo original “Carnaza” (“Scraps Of Meat”). Two top tunes that are a remarkably fresh mix of jazz, swing, rock, soundtrack music in the vein of Mancini-Schiffrin-Barry-Rota, surf, lounge, funk and blues. Super hot!

Background info:
Dead Capo was created in 1999 from the ashes of the Spanish rock/punk/jazz combo Insecto. Like its predecessors, the band explores the outer limits of the musical universe, creating its own high-risk brew that is hard to classify.

In 2000 they founded their own label, Pueblo Records, releasing their debut album”Díscolo” (2002) on which they collaborated with two key figures of the Spanish independent music scene, Nacho Mastretta and Markus Breuss (Clónicos, OCQ, Mil Dolores Pequeños, etc). The album was critically acclaimed in several magazines from the pop, rock, indie and jazz scenes in their homeland. “Atraco a las 3 / Carnaza” is their first release on Lovemonk.

Buy Atraco a las 3/Carnaza 7″ at the Lovemonk Shop.

With the “Chocolate Bar EP” recently out on Grande Buffo Records, Space Ranger are now firing up for the release of their debut album on Lovemonk, set for early 2011. Featuring Captn K on vocals, the German outfit get the perfect mix of house and disco on this “Nightmoves”, with ace remixes by Brighton boogie banger BlackLodge and Madrid’s rising star Pional.

Background info:
Space Ranger come from the stars.
The trio based in Stuttgart has a wide experience and an unlimited love for music.
In their previous disguises they have done remixes for the likes of Kool and The Gang, Sugababes or Kurtis Blow, but now they are absolutely focused on this project.
Space is the place.

Buy Nightmoves EP 12″ at the Lovemonk Shop..

One of the most used adjectives by journalists to describe Gecko Turner’s music is “effortless”, probably because, as an Austrian critic wrote, Gecko’s tunes brighten up the darkest of days. “Gone Down South” is quite possibly Turner’s best effort yet, the one he has worked on the most even though to him it comes naturally.

It’s been four years since “Chandalismo Ilustrado” and since that album Gecko has gone through quite a bit in both his personal and professional life. He has played all over the world shared his music with artists from many different places and has been exposed to all kinds of sounds new to him.

“Gone Down South” is an album on which all those different influences come together to create a bigger picture: the unique, easy-going and sunny Gecko style. The album was recorded in Extremadura, Texas (with Tim Gerron), London (with Antonio Feola), Madrid and California (with Sunny Levine) with a wide range of musicians such as Irapoan Freire with his characteristic trumpet sound, the voice of Spanish soulman Gene García and the stunning piano of Cuban Javier “Caramelo” Masó.

The album starts with “Truly”, a grand piece of soul, luminous and fresh like the tunes that are to follow, such as the Afro-Cuban tune “Cuanta Suerte” and the Velvet Underground-influenced “So Sweet”. “Tea Time” is lazy funk lit up by the rhymes of Extremaduran rapper Isaya Thomas, while “Ámame, Mímame”, “You Can’t Own Me” and “Mbira, Mbira” have taken more than a few sips from the old African well, the latter brilliantly mixing it up with rhythms coming from Extremadura-style flamenco. “Holly Hollywood”, “The Love Monk” and “When I Woke Up” do the funk, Gecko-style, while “Let’s Stay Tonight” is a ballad that sounds like a Motown excursion to Jamaica. The finishing touch comes in the form of a nice little blues ditty, title track, “Gone Down South”.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a great record that will give you hours of pleasure. Trust us.

Buy Gone Down South at the Lovemonk Shop.

The opening track of Incarnations’ forthcoming debut album “With All Due Respect” is a sun-drenched Balearic bomb if ever there was one. Handsome threesome Daniel Collás, Quinn Luke aka (Bing Ji Ling) and Bart Davenport soaked up al the good vibes of the Tarifa studio on the south-coast of Spain, just in front of Africa, where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet, and transformed them into little over three-and-a-half minutes of pure loving goodness, reminiscent of the 70s west coast sounds among many other things.

On remix duties we have Christian Prommer and Alex “Jazzanova” Barck taking the track into the late night territory with an epic deep-house stormer, while Bing Ji Ling makes those lazy sofa surfers get up and boogie with a strong NY flavour while the sun is setting.

Pressed on delicious 180 grams vinyl and stuck in a silk-screen printed sleeve, “Make You Mine” is quite the 12” to get your hands on this autumn!

Buy Make You Mine 12″ at the Lovemonk Shop.

Four years after his last studio album “Chandalismo Ilustrado”, Gecko Turner is back with “Truly”, the first single taken off what is going to be his fourth album, “Gone Down South”. The album, to be released on September 20th is another demonstration of Gecko’s ability to process every experience good or bad and turn it into sunny, uplifting music, blending Motown soul, Afro-Latin, reggae, flamenco, pop and funk seemingly without effort.
The remix on the flipside comes from Canadian beatmaster Kevin Moon aka Moonstarr, founder of PTR Music and veteran DJ and beatmaker/producer.

More info:
Gecko Turner’s music is hard to define, but the adjectives we hear most when people refer to his music are “sun-drenched” and “effortless”. Our man has his own style, built from a lot of different influences ranging from The Velvet Underground to reggae, everything on the good side of soul.

Buy Truly 7″ at the Lovemonk Shop.