With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Music Review: Six Degrees Records' Emerging Artists
()
One reason that I like theSix Degrees Records label so much is that it's a high-output label, constantly offering us new artists and music from literally all over the map. Six Degrees is also one of the first labels to truly embrace the web, with digital-only offerings, free downloads, and countless remixes available in almost real-time. Three recent arrivals in Six Degrees web-based Emerging Artist Series are EPs from David Starfire, Alien Chatter, and Harri Kakoulli.
Artist: David Starfire
Album: Bombay Beatz
David Starfire's Bombay Beatz starts out incredibly strong with the track "Indian Fever" which sounds familiarly like label-mates Midival Punditz's "Bhangra Fever" and this should be considered a compliment. The great tablas rhythms and twangy sitars means you'll be hearing it on the next LAist mix. Ranging from superb chillout ("Stargazer") to frenetic junglism ("Shaddi") it's a great EP with the exception of the track "Sucka Free". The instrumentation is great until some very mediocre and completely unnecessary rapping began a minute into the song. The solution? Just click through "Sucka Free" and enjoy the rest of it.
Support for LAist comes from
[2 more EPs reviewed after the jump]
Artist: Alien Chatter
Album: Invasion EP 1& 2
Alien Chatter put together two EPs for this downloadable collection. With a similar Central Asian theme, Alien Chatter as a definite jazz angle to their music with lots of piano, solos, and instrumentation made me think that the Weather Report decided to try their hand at ethnic fusion dance music. The first couple times I listened to Invasion it all seemed a little off but after a few more listens, it did grow on me so kudos to Six Degrees for again supporting new sounds. Favorite tracks were "20 Million Miles To Saskatoon" and "Last Ganesha On Earth".
Artist: Harri Kakoulli
Album: Bliss Like Gold
As the bassist for the 80s band Squeeze Harri Kakoulli has been around the block more than a few times. He's worked with world music artists like King Sunny Ade and trip hopper Talvin Singh so it's not beyond his reach to do a bhangra infused electronica album. This EP was a tribute to the memory Kakoulli's father and features a couple introspective tracks with sacred chanting in addition to the more energetic bhangra club tunes (favorites were "Love Exotico" and "Kuzima"). This EP is another definite winner and well worth the $3.95
With nine compelling artists already in this series I'm looking forward to what Six Degrees comes up with in 2008. Free downloads of several of the songs mentioned here, plus other artists are available at the Free Downloads Blog of the Six Degrees site.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump.
Best of LAist