The purple-hazed synth-funk of Jimmy Jam lives on and strong in this fourth volume from Los Angeles’ “Ambassador of Boogie Funk”, dãm-funk. The DJ/Producer continues his journey into the self-coined “Funkmosphere” with eight tracks (Red, Black, Silver, Sunset, Purple, Indigo, Gold and Chocolate), that could funk you up two ways: either solo with headphones strapped or as you settle in to the southern Cali club scene where he’s known to drop live funk for the locals. The 23 minutes of interstellar drum machine beak beats, hand claps and slithery synth are rooted in early ‘80s electro-funk and are a progressive throwback combination of boogie and modern soul that’s prime for interpretive sampling by other beatmakers or simple absorption into the innermost parts of your sonic sanctum. The subtle and sensual instrumental song cycle listens like a star trek that follows the path of the satellites around the solar system. It’s a trippy traverse through all the colors and tastes of the rainbow that stretches from ear to ear with a tasty pot of gold at both ends.

Purple

PopMatters’ C.L. Chafin on Further Complications: “Angela”, the first track released to the blogosphere (i.e., its “lead single”), is a prime example of the album’s rockism.  Cocker’s whispered come-ons hang on a distorted guitar riff and deliriously simple drumming, backed up with a willfully atonal and actively apathetic chorus of “Angela”s from the band. It’s like Cocker wandered into someone’s garage with some lyrics written on a few crumpled pages and they all decided to give it a go. “Caucasian Blues”, “Homewrecker,” and the title track all proceed in a similar fashion: Jarvis fronting the Animals.

Band of Skulls, that new bluesy and gritty power trio from Southhampton, England, play a 20-minute set for ShockHound. Songs include “Patterns”, “I Know What I Am”, “Death by Diamonds and Pearls”, “Blood”, and “Impossible”.

John Bergstrom recently said of the Pet Shop Boys new album Yes that “in an era when pop is going sour, it’s sweet and fresh. It’s the moment when Pet Shop Boys became relevant again.” The latest video from said release garnering a 7 from us is “Did You See Me Coming?”.

Wallpaper already remixed Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead” (included below) and now they’ve tackled another tune, “The Reeling”. Producer Eric Frederic explains, “the song has fantastic call and response vocals with a children’s choir. When I heard that, I felt that an Afrobeat rendition of the song was the only option.” Upcoming Wallpaper tour dates are listed below as well.

Passion Pit remixed by Wallpaper
“The Reeling (Wallpaper Remix)” [MP3]
     

“Sleepyhead (Wallpaper Dio Remix)” [MP3]
     

TOUR DATES
May 21 Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s (Digg.com Meet Up)
May 29 San Diego, CA @ Beauty Bar
May 30 Phoenix, AZ @ Rogue Bar (Shake!)
May 31 Las Vegas, NV @ Beatles Revolution Lounge at The Mirage
Jun 06 Mountain View, CA @ Live 105’s BFD Festival at Shoreline Amphitheater
Jun 12 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop (Blow Up)
Jun 19 Brooklyn, NY @ Studio B (Yikes! w/ Thunderheist)
Jul 25 Sacramento, CA @ A To Z Greens