In The City Where No One Knows Your Name

| 17 Feb 2015 | 01:54

    In the City WhereNo One Knows Your Name

    Just one day, though, I'd like to know where the hell everyone is going in such a hurry. Are you all running back to that job? For the past week, your boss has been calling you Larry when your name is Craig. Are you running back to your lover? She's sleeping with the bartender down the street. And she's a pain in the ass.

    The only reason I'm in a hurry is to get back to my crack den (aka, home) and hear some new issues. They come in the mail now. And I'm awfully proud.

    Rock This EP, DJ Angola (Pulver Records) DJ Angola is one of the more talented jocks in this city who gets overlooked for playing to the fabulously ditzy at Marquee and Lotus. But the Brooklynite has paid dues and earned his chops by playing with great bands like Antibalas. His first 12-inch on the Wonder Wheel label a year ago was a fruity piece of plastic Latin. Turns out the kid also had some real heat up his sleeve. His new EP, with the lead single featuring Jemeni the Gifted One, is a dance-floor bomb. With an ass-slapping dancehall riddim and Jem spitting a decent Busta Bus, this song will gain Angola some new fans. Probably in Europe, but this would sit comfy on a Hot 97 playlist, too. I wouldn't be surprised if I heard it there. Check it at djangola.com.

    The Kings of Funk, RZA and Keb Darge (BBE/Rapster)

    A few months ago the BBE released the Kings of Disco, with Joey Negro and Dimitri From Paris. Most people don't know who those guys are, but everyone-reaching for pop cultural savvy or not-knows the RZA. The mystery man is Keb Darge. He's hardly a lost member of the Shaolin Clan. The only clan Mr. Darge probably belonged to was the one where they rolled the 12-sided dice and dispersed magic points. It might also be the reason why he has one of the deepest collection of funk records. Darge, a UK jock, certainly gets his nerd on with tracks from Bobbi Humphry and Harlem Underground Band, but also gives us some of the new, with Sharon Jones and Spanky Wilson. Although not as physically intimidating, Darge shows he got as big a sonic muscle as Bobby Digital, if not more. The RZA's selection is a bit weak, like clock-radio speakers.