Influences: Lord Tusk

I grew up to a diverse versatile soundtrack during my childhood. On any given day a selection of various genres from Rap, soul, rock, pop to Opera, African funk, Reggae and many more could be heard. One album i distinctly remember hearing in my early teens was a record called “Love thy neighbour by Ras Micheal & the Sons of Negus”. This record is groundation foundation Roots & Culture music, a highly deep conscious ancient esoteric African rooted side of Reggae. The Nyahbinghi Drumming and deep wailing chants with an incredible mix down by the legendary Scratch at Black Ark studios makes for a memorable listening experience. I wasn’t captivated by this record when i was younger, it wasn’t till i was in my early 20’s that i truly appreciated and loved this album. Its one the greatest roots albums ever made. Every single song is hard hitting, educational, empowering, uplifting and musical. You could tell that Ras Micheal was open and influenced by all types of music as the album contains many contrasted elements. However one particular style the album encapsulates is funk, not to be mistaken for what most think is funky but P-FUNK, the highest echelon of Funk. ‘Ancient Futuristic Nyahbinghi P-Funk Roots’, hahaha, sounds mighty?! Yes I. Any who the song off this album i love and chose is ‘Long Time ago; A song about the brutal abduction of Africans into slavery by wicked men. Roots music is deep especially to the heart, soul and consciousness. Its challenges the inequity, the oppressor and compels you towards righteousness peace and love. Roots and culture Reggae music a gateway cultural music. Once you become absorbed into it other genres open up for you. Well for me it did, from Roots i got into Techno, House, Jungle and beyond. With each new genre or culture or movement you open up to another one emerges, its endless. Apply this method to life and you’ll advance in knowledge, manifest greater understanding and expand your consciousness. Now that is truly living.
Word sound & Power…

Professor Sir Victor Uwaifo is a legend in Nigeria as one of the sweetest vocalist and guitarist. Hailing from Benin City, Edo state Nigeria, Victor is famous for his Joromi music. To give more clarity ‘Joromi is an ancient folklore from the Benin Empire and based on a warrior who battled all rivals on earth, after defeating everyone on earth, much to the disapproval of his elders went on to battle those from the after world. He never returned to tell if he was victorious. Victors songs are based on these and other old folklore stories steeped in deep esoteric spiritual messages. This song Dododo was a song i remember from childhood. The guitar and vocals are so sweet and airy all running through echo chamber and hall reverbs alongside majestic organs.

Ahh yes eden ahbez who spells his name lowercase letters is true pioneer and artist. He composed the the song ‘Nature boy’, which he originally approached Nat King Cole to perform. His music is a warm summer breeze in ancient mystic paradise. Some would say his genre of music was easy listening or exotica but it surpassed that containing multiple contrasting influences ,elements and sounds within its realms. The sounds of tropical birds and animals in the background made his music sound like it was the voice of the wilderness. If there was a ever a song i could travel to this is one. The song is so peaceful, welcoming, ancient and kind. Beautiful is mystical world of righteous myth.

The mighty uplifting Empress Wendy Rene was first introduced to my life by the Wu-Tang clan on the song ‘After the laughter comes the tears’ a.k.a Tearz taken from Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Produced by the Rza. This song changed my life, on hearing Wendy’s Voice. So powerful, rich, uplifting yet sad at the same time. Her voice was so captivating and original with most amazing harmonies. Wu-Tang did justice by re birthing this lost unknown gem to the people and restoring her glory to its rightful place. Tearz by Wu-Tang was released on wu-tang records and featured the original version which was even better. The song was so deep and spiritual. Anyway like most hip-hop songs i grew up on i eventually started to seek out the original sampled version and find out more of what the song and artist had to offer. On further looking deep into Wu-Tangs archive of samples i soon stumbled upon Hi-Records and Stax, two legendary labels from Memphis, Tennessee. Wend Rene was signed to Stax records and had released a string of 45’s, much of which was almost impossible to find. One that i did find on a 9 CD Stax compilation was Last Love, Wow another amazing song by Miss Rene. Equally great and sweet as after the laughter. The beat is quite stripped down but hard same way with that classic Memphis sound. Sweet backing vocals and esoteric guitars run the song and take it to highly uplifting spaces.

Re-programme yourself as no false wittiness can enter the P and come out devoid of funk…P-Funk is the highest order of funk, the ultimate unpredictable fusion of galactic sounds from ancient present to beyond the future. P is for Parliament, psychedelic, purity, prestige and everything else powerful to the one. My childhood was showered by Funk from James Brown, Sly and Family Stone, Rick James to Zapp but nothing stood out and touched my soul more than Parliament Funkadelic. Most modern dance music today has it roots in the P. The P is God, a universe of adventures, characters, concepts, ghostly haberdasheries, layers upon layers of fly, continuous flow, bridges that elevate to Olympic heights, uncontrollable body movement, sensual desires and supreme enlightenment. My foundation, love and knowledge of music developed through Hip-Hop and Rap music. The funk was sampled in countless songs but once again nothing stood out more than p-Funk, songs like ‘me myself & I’ by de-la-soul, ‘So watcha sayin’ by EPMD and ‘Peace Treaty’ by Kam. Those songs and many more solidified my love for the P. Of all the songs i could choose from there extensive catalogue i chose Placebo syndrome. A beautiful song about the unfunky bland shit white folks can do especially in large groups. “when your smiles are out of town, and you’re going round and round, your find the syndrome”, basically when your at a gathering that’s intensely boring like your girls dry family or a dead meeting, you can escape to the syndrome! Salvation in urge overkill, the pimping of the pleasure principles. Loyal to the P

One of my favorite Rap songs ever! Gangster music at its finest with that OG P-Funk beat. Every time i hear it i’ve got to dance. Produced by Cold 187 Um and co produced by ATL. Originally released on Eazy E’s Ruthless Record label in 1992. Above the law are responsible for some of the west coast greatest music. Top notch rappers delivering hard G funk hits. Alongside N.W.A, Ice cube, Kokane, Spice 1 and Compton’s most wanted to name a few, ATL lead the way in gangster Rap, expressing life in ghetto, Police brutality, Poverty, the drug game, black misery, street gospels and parables. A truly legendary group from the Golden era of Hip-Hop. R.I.P KMG

A Low Fi gritty funky minimal wave classic. Philippe who hails from France is one the pioneers of electronic music. His approach to music was always experimental and free from any commercial or major label restraints. He released most of his music on tape via small independent labels in the early to mid1980’s. He was quite unknown throughout his career but made a recent resurge due to his Hot Bit release on Minimal Wave records. So i stumbled upon his one of his cassettes ‘Kunstausstellung’ released1985 and fell in love with his exposition and danse saga’s. I loved that he had 3-6 versions of one song. It was pure genius and opened up the listener to the full dynamic and endless possibilities of each song. Sun Ra was best known for this approach to music.Philippe is a huge influence to me along countless others from that time period who released original experimental electronic music. He is an eclectics collectors dream artist.