KING KOOBA & SIMONE "FLASH" GORDON - GOOD GOSH (REMIXES)

Boom boom boom, what’s that? Up in the sky! Is it a bird, a plane or a crushing break beat destroying your brain? Hot off the release of the first single from the forthcoming new LP from King Kooba comes three new remixes bringing the ruckus to your dome. First up is our Moulton Music compadre Homero Espinosa taking the track into old school Miami bass territory. So much 808 goodness, we can’t take it. Protect ya neck. Om fam Rob Grega brings the song on a bass infused Mushroom Jazz excursion. So dope! Two times dope even. Wrapping up the set comes another one from Rob G wrapping up the trippy dubbed out ride.

Photos: Top: Homero Espinosa (Ronny Rose), Bottom: Rob Grega (Shauna Regan)

BODY LANGUAGE - BEYOND THE BOOTH (PODCAST)

Props to Cameron Capers and Beyond the Booth for such a thoughtful interview with Body Language’s Angelica Bess. Listen below.

Michael "Double K" Turner

We're devastated to hear the news of Michael "Double K" Turner's passing. He was a brother to us and we loved him. The history of People Under the Stairs and Om goes deep. We'll never forget his love for funk (especially all things George Clinton) and his calm hilarious soul. We partied and laughed together for over two decades. There are so many memories. He was electric and a true innovator. Our pain is beyond words. To our brother Christopher "Thes One" Portugal, we're with you and are here for you and Michael's family and we are here for any of the fans who'd like to leave a story or memory of Double K.

KING KOOBA & SIMONE "FLASH" GORDON - GOOD GOSH

Introducing the first single from the long-awaited new LP from King Kooba! “Good Gosh” features talented vocalist collaborator Simone “Flash” Gordon with a message of rebellion in these turbulent times. Let’s join together to make an anti-racist world. Gimme a break, gimme a good gosh.

“The time is now let’s make a start since we’ve had enough of all this stuff. It’s unity and dedication that gets us out and far enough.”

— FLASH

BODY LANGUAGE - BOOMERANG

Teetering on the edge of a syrupy pit of reverb and pads, chopped and screwed vocals ooze and bubble like the La Brea tar pits. Just when we're certain that we'd never pull free, Body Language’s third single ‘Boomerang’ (from their forthcoming new album Travel Guide) seemingly launches into an uplifting beat. Driving forward in some newfound optimism, Angelica Bess touches gracefully upon a swirling instrumental to which she describes her musings as a "relationship that has changed but somehow still manages to bring itself back around." And back around we go - the chorus whips us around in a sampled rendition of U-turns and vocal cuts that asymmetrically whip and bob with curious momentum.   

“You’ll be my boomerang - Sooner than you think, sooner than you think.”

— BODY LANGUAGE

“Ricocheting off psych-induced dance beats and Bess’ velvety vocals, “Boomerang” slinks around all its experimental harmonies.”

— AMERCICAN SONGWRITER

ROCKET EMPIRE - CAVES

INTRODUCING ROCKET EMPIRE’S FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM - CAVES 

Produced from summer 2018 to autumn 2019, Caves was recorded entirely in Rocket Empire members Dave Dish and Jonathan Cates’ hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Caves showcases the history of Rocket Empire - from the distant past of working in record stores and the excitement of the first notes from a favorite artist’s freshly dropped track to the vastly different musical landscape of today. Social media now allows Rocket Empire to connect with fans from across the world, giving them insight into who they are and which songs speak to them.

With that connection in mind, Rocket Empire wrote Caves as a love letter to the fans. With this album, Rocket Empire were able to do what they do best – collaborate and have fun! The brotherhood and working relationships of the band remains the best part. Making music they love and sharing that music with the world has always been the goal. Have fun, make music, and see where the journey takes you!

Caves can be dark, but holds mystery and beauty. You never know what you might find around each bend, and the journey can be even more extraordinary than the destination. 

We hope you enjoy exploring this new collection, and we’re so grateful to the fans for all the support and love over the years. Thank you for allowing Rocket Empire to be a part of your journey.

– Credit: Nastassia Reichel

SHINY OBJECTS - AMBIENT DOWNTEMPO WORKS

The new album ‘Ambient Downtempo Works’ from Om Records founder Christopher J. Smith AKA Shiny Objects is a pause that refreshes, a calm after the storm (so to speak) in a time when we all need it. Slow dreamscapes unfold to find eleven songs that are simply soothing and lovely. Designed to be listened to from start to finish as an all-encompassing experience, ‘Ambient Downtempo Works’ joins the ranks of classic Om releases like Om Lounge and Mushroom Jazz. Put it on with headphones and enjoy the break from the madness.

“I wanted to create a laid back journey of electronic textures and subtle rhythms. The album is inspired by my extensive early 90’s chillout experiences.”

— Shiny Objects

BODY LANGUAGE - PERFECTION

Perfection only happens once, and so much so, they said it twice.  Body Language’s first single from their forthcoming fourth LP Travel Guide, Perfection, brims with pillow-y synths and saccharine splashes, however this nectar only looks so sweet on first glance. With lyrics musing on the destruction of a flawless world and the so called invincible, their warning glides atop a luring and sugary instrumental only to have it completely unravel right before the listener.

“We have our differences of form and color

take a little time to love each other”

SHINY OBJECTS - THE LIGHT THAT SHINES

The lead single from the forthcoming new album ‘Ambient Downtempo Works’ from Om Records founder Christopher J. Smith AKA Shiny Objects. The Light That Shines is a pause that refreshes, a calm after the storm (so to speak) in a time when we all need it. Slow dreamscapes unfold to a beautiful wash of guitar and rolling bass-line creating a beauty that is simply soothing and lovely.

“And we fade…  Into the night

I’ll see you again…  In the morning light”

OM RECORDS - 25 YEARS

Om Records is celebrating twenty-five years in the game! The little San Francisco label has grown into a breeding ground for underground talent, producing some of the greatest in the electronic, house, downtempo and hip-hop world. ‘Om Records – 25 Years’ features new and unreleased music from past, present and future artists followed by a retrospective representing a quarter century of independent music.

HERE’S A TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN

1.    Kaskade & Colette – When I’m With You

Leading off are two Om classic artists, Kaskade and Colette, joining forces once again on ‘When I’m With You.’ Feel good uplifting house music at its finest, this one sets the tone for the album.

2.    Body Language – Let’s Try

Next up is Body Language w/ ‘Let’s Try,’ an anthem of love and longing in these challenging times. Stay tuned for their new album coming later this year.

3.    Chuck Love & Fourfeet – Let’s Go Back

Chuck Love & Fourfeet deliver with ‘Let’s Go Back,’ a song that harkens back to the beginning with a dirty growly bass line that then seamlessly blends into disco.

4.    Mark Farina & Homero Espinosa – The Story

‘The Story’ from Mushroom Jazz maestro Mark Farina and aficionado Homero Espinosa delivers a heavyweight groove right in the pocket. ‘The story didn’t end there, so we didn’t stop there…’

5.    People Under The Stairs – Turfbuilders (Demo)

‘Turfbuilders (Demo),’ is an unreleased track from Los Angeles legends People Under The Stairs. This one just oozes all things good and funky.

6.    Colossus – This Is How We Do

‘This Is How We Do’ pairs up Colossus producer extraordinaire Charlie Tate w/ MC Loki to create a G Funk influenced summertime jam.

7.    King Kooba – Want Your Love (The Jazzual Suspects Remix)

Taken from the forthcoming full-length album from King Kooba, featuring the vocal stylings of Flash Gordon, ‘Want Your Love’ is that classic soul groove with the keys / beats / horns you come to love from all The Jazzual Suspects production.

8.    J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Be Free Feat. Carlos Araiza

J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science has released so much damn good music it’s not even fair. ‘Be Free’ features the flute talents of Mr. Carlos Araiza and is classic stuff.

9.    Shiny Objects – Believe In Somebody Feat. Jesse Rennix

Joined with vocalist Jesse Rennix, Om founder Chris Smith AKA Shiny Objects brings a heavy smoked out groove for the deep house heads with ‘Believe In Somebody.’

10. Rithma – Spin Cycle

The Wonder Ace returns with ‘Spin Cycle!’ Out of hiatus he comes, the wonderkid, the man (now) the myth. God it feels good to hear new Rithma stuff doesn’t it?

11. Blackbird Blackbird – Vector

Originally recorded for the Tangerine Sky album but never released, Mikey Maramag’s Blackbird Blackbird returns with ‘Vector,’ a haunting broken beat number that starts to slow things down to wrap up the first half of the album on the downtempo chill out tip.

12. Reptile Room – Sunlite

Boom bap beats, BASS, and Sami Michelsen’s heavenly voice create pure magic on Reptile Room’s ‘Sunlite.’

13. Rocket Empire – On A Bridge

Wrapping up the first half w/ a statement piece from Rocket Empire. Portland’s downtempo chill out kings have a new album ‘Caves’ coming this Fall and this is one of the stand outs and fits perfectly with the vibe of celebrating 25 big ones. “Got a long way to go.” Yes we do… 

---- INTERMISSION ----

(STRETCH, GET A DRINK, TAKE A WALK)

14. People Under The Stairs – Acid Raindrops

A bonafide weed smoking classic!

-       Originally released on ‘O.S.T’ in 2002

15. Mark Farina & Sean Hayes – Dream Machine

Rumor has it that this one was recorded in a closet at Mark’s house when Sean was his next-door neighbor. What a tune!

-       Originally released on ‘Air Farina’ in 2003

16. Kaskade – It’s You, It’s Me

This track was a milestone for Om. It was voted the track of the Winter Music Conference by URB Magazine before it came out

-       Originally released on ‘It’s You, It’s Me’ in 2003

17. Marques Wyatt – For Those Who Like To Get Down (DEEP Sunday Retro Vibe Mix)

The DEEP master delivered a knock out that still crushes to this day.         

-       Originally released on ‘For Those Who Like To Get Down’ in 2002

18. Groove Armada – Love Lights The Underground

Deep funky ass house music. Who can dispute the pedigree of the mighty GA? Nobody!

-       Originally released on ‘Love Lights The Underground’ in 2014

19. Colette – Feelin’ Hypnotized (Kaskade Mix)

Colette’s first album Hypnotized joined a long list of female artists on the label (including Terra Deva, Eighty Mile Beach, Soulstice, Samantha James) and it’s also from an era when Colette and Kaskade did multiple national tours together.

-       Originally released on ‘Hypnotized’ in 2005

20. Body Language - Social Studies (Plastic Plates Remix)

So fun, and definitely represents the new wave of artists for Om out of the social media era.

-        Originally released on ‘Social Studies’ in 2011

21. TWINKIDS – Overdressed

Two kids from Japan and Florida put together a masterpiece w/ Overdressed. Expect big things from these two in the years to come.

-       Originally released on ‘Boys Love’ in 2017

22. J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Movin’ To My Beat Feat. People Under The Stairs

Like chocolate and peanut butter, it just doesn’t get no better than PUTS and J Boogie on a track together. “Om put the label on it, that’s all you need to know.” Ha ha! Yeah, Double!

-       Originally released on ‘J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science’ in 2003

23. MING & FS – Hell’s Kitchen

This was the era of junglist hip hop and turntablism smashing into each other and their “junkyard” style was 100% unique and completely changed the game.

-       Originally released on ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ in 1999

24. Colossus – Thrupenny Bits (The Jazzual Suspects Remix)

An unreleased new remix of the West Oaktown collab w/ Roots Manuva AKA Hylton Smythe.

-       Original version released on ‘West Oaktown’ in 2005

25. King Kooba – Fooling Myself (Easy Access Orchestra Mix)

100% vibe throughout and still sounds fresh so many moons later.

-       Originally released on ‘Nufoundfunk’ in 2000

26. Soulstice – Fall Into You

The closer. Wrapping up 25 years! So many songs in the catalog, what to close with? It was always going to be Soulstice.

-       Originally released on ‘Illusion’ in 2001