Red Snapper are a British instrumental band founded in London in 1993 by Ali Friend (double bass), Richard Thair (drums), and David Ayers (guitar). The three core members are also joined by various guest musicians and vocalists on different records. According to music journalist, Jason Ankeny (Allmusic) "the British acid jazz trio were notable for their pioneering synthesis of acoustic instruments and electronic textures". Stylistically, Red Snapper's music contains elements of jazz, funk, jungle, trip-hop, hip-hop and breakbeat, as well as references to early psychedelic and progressive rock. The band released three EPs before signing to Warp Records for their debut album, Prince Blimey (1996).[1] The band were a somewhat unusual feature of Warp Records' 1990s roster: in contrast to the studio-oriented IDM the record label primarily dealt in, the band had a live and organic sound: a smoky mixture of dub, jazz and all tempos of breakbeat from trip hop to drum and bass. In 1997, Red Snapper (along with the Foo Fighters) supported The Prodigy on their Fat of the Land tour in the UK For their follow-up Making Bones they were joined by jungle MC Det, Byron Wallen the jazz trumpeter and singer Alison David. The latter was replaced by Karim Kendra by their third album, Our Aim Is to Satisfy (2000). In early 2002, Red Snapper announced its dissolution. Also in 2002 the compilation album It's All Good was released. It included a previously unreleased track, "Ultraviolet".

Bert Joris started studying music at an early age. At first, he played piano and violin, but eventually, at the age of fourteen, he settled on the trumpet. He had a classic education at the Antwerp music conservatory, even though jazz held a greater attraction for him, being a style that was better suited to developing his creative talents. From 1978 to 1987, he worked with the BRT Jazz Orchestra, which was led by Etienne Verscheuren. Initially, he played the trumpet there, but he also attracted notice as a composer and arranger and eventually became a guest conductor. Meanwhile, Bert Joris continued to build on his reputation as a teacher. In 1987, this led to a teaching position at the famous Swiss Jazz School in Bern. At about the same time, he launched a jazz course at the Leuven Lemmensinstituut, which gradually developed into what is now the school's jazz department. From 1990 till 1992, he was a trumpet teacher at the Hilversum Conservatory. In 1992, Bert Joris started up an intense collaboration with the Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine. He has also performed with many other musicians and ensembles. He has toured Europe with the ensembles of Rob van Bavel, Robert Jan Vermeulen, Wolfgang Haffner, Ricardo del Fra, Michel Herr, Enrico Pieranunzi, Joe Haider and Act Big Band. In addition, he formed the Bert Joris Quartet (with pianist Dado Moroni, drummer Dre Pallemaerts and bassist Philippe Aerts). He is often invited as a soloist and/or as a composer-conductor by larger European formations and big hands like those of Klaus Weiss, Al Porcino, the Concertgebouw Jazz Orchestra, the Metropoolorkest and many others. In 1986, he toured Europe together with the renowned drummer and band leader Mel Lewis, which led to an invitation to conduct Lewis's big band at the New York club The Village Vanguard, in a project with his own music. The sudden death of Mel Lewis put an end to this project. In 1998, he travelled to the US, where he scored a great success with the SJS Big Band, with which he conducted work of his own, e.g. in the famous Birdland jazz club, with Clark Terry as guest soloist. This success was confirmed in 2003 when he was invited to come and present his music, together with the BJO, at the most prestigious and international meeting of jazz musicians from all over the world: IJAJE in New York. In 1998, Bert Joris received the Django d'Or Award and in 1998, he was voted the best Belgian jazz trumpet player by the listeners of RTBF and VRT and the French-language Belgian music press. As the house composer of the BJO, he has produced three CDs: September Sessions, The Music of Bert Joris, and Meeting Colours with Philip Catherine. (c)Tom Jannsens, 2006

Stereo MCs are a British rap group formed in 1985 in London, England. The group consists of Rob Birch (vocals), Nick "The Head" Hallam (turntables, production), Cath Coffey (backing vocals) and Ian "Owen If" Rossiter (drums). They are best known for their 1992 single "Connected" which was a major hit in the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as a crossover success on American alternative rock radio. Rob B, the indomitable front man behind arguably the biggest selling hip hop group the UK has produced to date, is a man ready to let the music do the talking once again. Brit Awards (x2), Mercury Music Prize shortlists and world tours - all these are of little relevance to the Stereo MCs today, in 2005, on the cusp of releasing their opus to freedom and 5th studio album 'Paradise' on their brand new Graffiti Recordings imprint. Rob Birch and Nick Hallam met in Nottingham in the mid-80s before relocating to London, forming the first incarnation of Stereo MCs and producing debut album '33 45 78' - a labour of love that involved hand-making drum loops in the most rudimentary of studios and crafting the blueprint for their sound. It was undoubtedly a raw record, but utterly original, drawing the attention of the likes of the Jungle Brothers who would soon feature in a star turn on the second album 'Supernatural', released in 1990. By creating a very British take on a very American discipline, influenced as it was by the rising tide of acid house as much as Public Enemy and the early rap pioneers, Stereo MCs had created what no British group had managed before - credible Hip Hop from London able to appeal to the masses. Touring their most successful album to date, 1992s chart smash 'Connected', with the likes of U2 and Happy Mondays cemented their position as musical icons of the 90s, and with sensational live shows, celebrated mix albums and increasingly high DJ profiles, it was not until 2001 that the band's fourth LP 'Deep Down and Dirty' was released amidst a whirl of expectation. "When that record came out in 2001 the whole feeling was very defensive, like any minute the door was going to swing open and ten people were waiting to pounce on us. The expectation was great, and it was hard not to be influenced by it. We were braced and tight, and didn't find ourselves in a position to enjoy what we were doing." If there's one thing that is certain about the Stereo MCs, they are a band very much influenced by their surroundings, in need of being comfortable within them and in control of them both on an immediate and wider scale. Now, from the studio base affectionately referred to as their 'front room' (also coincidentally slap bang on Brixton's frontline, just to give you a less congenial feel), Nick and Rob, writing again with a refreshed sense of creativity, have conjured yet another beautiful step in their continuing evolution as a band. Retaining their trademark throbbing bass bounce and injecting a healthy dose of soul, its unmistakably a Stereo MCs album but their liberation from the major label shackles has dusted the whole affair in a laid back optimism that was perhaps notable by its absence on Deep Down and Dirty. The new record is all about challenging people's preconceptions of the Stereo MCs, and the fact that they really don't sound like any other band before or since their 1989 debut '33 45 78' is counting in their favour. The opening track, Warhead, is an opening statement with an attitude that they are keen to convey, with immediately recognisable blend of bass, horns and keys, which sit in sharp contrast to Rob B's laconic rhyming style. Unwittingly bordering on the very crux of Stereo MCs popularity, in the band's own words it touches on a certain catchiness without becoming pop. It has an intent and walks a line which feels right for the band.

German techno/house musician Ian Pooley (real name Ian Pinnekamp) debuted as half of T'N'I, a duo with dj Thomas "Tonka" Gerlach that released the EP Low Mass (Force Inc, 1991). The two morphed into Space Cube and eventually parted ways. His early singles were collected on the first full-length under his own name, The Times (Force Inc, 1996). Meridian (V2, 1998) was substantially different from the "hard" style that had made his fortune, incorporating elements of pop, disco, soul and even jazz. Since Then (V2, 2000) turned to samba and bossanova to create a Brazilian saudade-like atmosphere in the dancefloor. Souvenirs (Ministry of Sound, 2004) is bolder but also a bit outdated in its resurrection of disco motifs. Hmm.... Ian's just one of the best deep house DJs around. His tune selection is just awesome - he's just got it nailed on the beaty but mellow into sexy house tip. His remixes are all phat and you only need to listen to 1 or 2 of his 2007-9 dj mixes to see where he goes over an hour to 90 minutes. I still like the noel nanton remix, but i'm old and boring :) Wish he played a bit more in the UK, but he's pretty much the first DJ I lturn to for quality modern deep house. Lovin' it, good times dude :)

Hooverphonic is a Belgian rock/pop group formed in 1995. Though initially placed in the trip-hop genre, they quickly expanded their sound to the point where they could no longer be classified so easily. The band originally called themselves Hoover but later changed their name to Hooverphonic due to other groups using the Hoover name. The band achieved international recognition through the inclusion of the track 2Wicky (from A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular) on the soundtrack to Bernardo Bertolucci's 1996 film Stealing Beauty (Io Ballo da Sola). The original members of the group were vocalist Liesje Sadonius, keyboardist Frank Duchêne, bass guitarist and programmer Alex Callier, and guitarist Raymond Geerts. Sadonius left Hooverphonic on amicable terms shortly after the release of A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular and was replaced by Geike Arnaert in early 1998. Duchêne left the band after Blue Wonder Power Milk. By the end of 2008 Hooverphonic announced that Geike Arnaert was leaving the band. Last we heard, Hooverphonic were still looking for a new lead singer. Hooverphonic released their fifth studio album No More Sweet Music in November 2005, featuring four singles: Wake Up, You Hurt Me, Dirty Lenses and We All Float. One year later they released a Best Of album called Singles 96-06. This was their latest release under the Sony label. Hooverphonic released their latest album The President Of The LSD Golf Club on 8th October 2007 in Belgium and Holland, which includes the single Expedition Impossible. European Release January 2008 (although available via mail-order). This was an independent release, recorded at the Willie Nelson studios in the USA. At the time of writing, it isn't known if it was also released in North America. Let us know if you can confirm this? On October the 10th '08 the management announced that Geike Arnaert will be leaving the band. Discography %u2022 A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular (1996) %u2022 Blue Wonder Power Milk (1998) %u2022 The Magnificent Tree (2000) %u2022 Hooverphonic Presents Jackie Cane (2002) %u2022 Sit Down And Listen To... (2003) %u2022 No More Sweet Music (2005/6) %u2022 Singles 96/06 (2006) %u2022 The President Of The LSD Golf Club (2007/2008)

Joseph "Amp" Fiddler, originally a keyboardist from Detroit, is a funk and soul musician who has worked with Enchantment, the Dramatics, George Clinton, Moodyman, Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, Fishbone and Maxwell. Along with his brother, Budz, he realsed the album Mr Fiddler in 1990 on Elektra. His debut solo album Waltz of a Ghetto Fly was released in 2004. The new album'Afro Strut' is the follow up to that record and a sign that his assured and open-minded approach to his own sound has engendered a stylistic leap forward, creating in the process a diverse and ambitious second album. As a man who has achieved almost every goal he has set himself, whether it be becoming a multi instrumentalist talent, joining George Clinton's Funkadelic, or developing a base for like minded musical luminaries to collaborate and create, it was always to be expected. 'Waltz...' was more of a vibe, a full stop on a long period of his life to that point and a drawing together of unfinished songs and feelings from his youth. 'Afro Strut' was to be the fresh start that sees Amp able to look further forward as well as back to his roots, and as a result has the feel of a more fully-realised vision. The array of collaborators and contributors to the record further emphasises this approach. Opener 'Faith' sets the standard with Amp joined by Raphael Saadiq on a timelessly deep ode to spirituality of a different kind. The UK's Justin Crawford (one half of Manchester-based dj/production outfit Unabombers) is brought in for two of the standout disco-flecked cuts 'Right Where You Are' and 'Ridin'. Amp's Jazz heritage rolls to the fore on the uplifting 'If I Don't', recalling his days in doo-wop outfit The Enchantments as a teenager and laying open the musical make up of its creator. The sadly departed Jay Dilla's group Slum Village, another product of Camp Amp, the basement recording studio at Amp's 7 Mile home that has also had local luminary Moodyman in regular residence, is represented on the bumping 'I Need You'. Tony Allen, the man accredited with creating afrobeat alongside the great Fela Kuti, provides the drums on Afro Strut and another great, Jay-Z collaborator, Grammy winning string arranger and former member of MFSB Larry Gold steps up on album closer 'Hustle. By referencing many of the great contemporary black music movements be it Jazz, Doo-Wop, Afrobeat, soul or hip-hop, Afro Strut is, like its predecessor, without modern day comparison. The collusion of a lifetime of influences and experiences that are drawn on, used, discarded and Amp-lified across twelve rich slices of raw funk. www.ampfiddler.com www.myspace.com/ampfiddler

Biography Rucker was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, where she was a graduate of Temple University's journalism program. She is of African-American and Italian descent. Rucker had been writing poetry since adolescence but kept her writings to herself until she read poetry in 1994, at Philadelphia's Zanzibar Blue which is credited as her debut. That very same year, Rucker was invited to collaborate with numerous recording artists, and producers including King Britt, 4 Hero, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Josh Wink and most notably The Roots. Rucker's garnered a reputation for unique poetry techniques and stage presence which were described as "strong, vulnerable, wounded and raging". King Britt gave Rucker recognition and invited her to create her first spoken word recording, the 1994 club hit, Supernatural. Dance music fans and DJ's quickly appreciated Rucker's vocals and rhythm, which was described as "mystical". According to Britt, while the original and remixes of Supernatural were continually used in clubs widespread throughout the United States. Internationally, the most popular mix of the song remains the a capella. Career Rucker's emotion in her work and words, has led some critics to compare her to celebrated writers like Sonia Sanchez and Nikki Giovanni, describing them as "powerful". Coincidentally, when Ntozake Shange was unable to supply The Roots with a spoken word contribution for their debut album Do You Want More?!!?!!, they called on Rucker to do it in her stead. The Unlocking led to subsequent invitations to close The Roots follow-up albums Iladelph Halflife and the certified gold record Things Fall Apart. In numerous reviews, many critics proclaim the value of Rucker's work with The Roots, 4 Hero and other groups. Rucker has had reviews in, URB, Vibe, XXL, Panache, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Straight No Chaser. Rucker has also performed her work at an array of venues, universities and festivals. Among these venues include the Montreal Jazz Festival, the 1999 Winter Music Conference, a performance at Drexel University and the 2005 Amnesty International Australia Freedom Festival which aimed to raise aware of Amnesty's global "Stop Violence against Women" campaign. Rucker has toured with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Sylk130, and 4 Hero in the United States and internationally in Europe. Rucker also has provided a single Soon for Unbound, which was off a benefit album for Mumia Abu Jamal who is most famous for his 1982 conviction and death sentence for the December 9 murder of officer Daniel Faulkner. Andy Puleston at bbc.co.uk writes in his review of her album Supa Sista: Ursula's vocals...is a silken delivery, that like Michael Franti, demonstrates that a quiet word in the ear can speak volumes above the microphone rant. Paul Sullivan also of bbc.co.uk says in his review of her album Silver or Lead: Ursula's velvety voice...manages to both mollify and add a sinister dimension to the harshness of her subject matter. Discography Supernatural (Single) (1994) Supa Sista (2001) Silver or Lead (2003) Ma' at Mama (2006) Ruckus Soundsysdom (2008)

Moodlex was born in October 2002 as the alter ego of music producer Frank Bongers. Since then, the project has grown into a collaboration of several musicians from Belgium and abroad. At this moment the heart of Moodlex consists of Stefan Wellens (Mr. Mute), Chantal Boes (Ms. Ivory), Peter Van Tichelen (Mr. Manic), Frederik Schnieders (Mr. Ebony), Frank Bongers (Mr. Moodlex) & several guests.

Voom Voom is an Austrian/German group producing techno/electronica. Their first full-length album, 'Peng Peng', was released on April 24, 2006, on Studio !K7 records. They had previously released four EPs. The band consists of Christian Prommer and Roland Appel (aka Fauna Flash, Munich) and Peter Kruder (of Kruder & Dorfmeister, Vienna).

Jazzanova is a crew of DJs/producers from Germany (Berlin, Hamburg & Munich). They have been producing hits in the breakbeat / electronic scene since 1996. Their music fuses many styles, including: acid jazz, soul & broken beat.

The profile of SweetCoffee (Patrick Bruyndonx and Raffaele Brescia) can be sketched in terms of past achievements, but the band can only be truly defined in terms of its evolving future%u2026

"Little Dragon stond twee jaar na elkaar op Pukkelpop (2008 en 2009), nu komen ze in Petrol hun nieuwe plaat voorstellen. Volgens De Standaard klinkt die ""bijzonder fris"", ""complexloos en avontuurlijk"". Er wordt vergeleken met Prince, La Roux en Lykke Li. Jazzy uithalen netjes uitgestald op subtiel rammelende elektronica, met soul en r'n'b. Een licht verteerbare bitterzoete delicatesse, met muzikanten (en het lief) van José Gonzalez. Iets speciaals, wondermooi."

Briskey is the musical child of Gert Keunen. With the new album Before-during-after Briskey has headed into a new direction: darker, slower and an even higher soundtrack-factor; but at the same time it sounds stimulating, pulsing and dynamic. cinematic postjazz. Cucumber Lodge (2003) and Scarlett Road-House (2006) showcased the unique synthesis of jazz and electronica, live instrumentation and samples and garnered a lot of attention from the press. Several tracks from these albums were licensed for use on compilations in the Netherlands, Germany, France (on the bestseller 'Saint Germain Des Prés Café'!), Portugal, Greece, Italy all the way to Brasil and even Taiwan. The Briskey live-band is formed with experienced players like Bart Maris (trumpet, Flat Earth Society), Nicolas Roseeuw (sax, Dolfijntjes), Isolde Lasoen (drums, Daan), Tim Vandenbergh (double bass, Sukilove), Sara Gilis (keys, Motek) and Dorona Alberti (vocals, Gare Du Nord). They bring the music to life and add a strong new dimension as well as a vibrant jazz-feel to the music. The Briskey live-band played a number of important clubs and prestigious festivals in Belgium (Ancienne Belgique, Vooruit, Blue Note Festival), the Nederlands (North Sea Jazz), Italy (Arezzo Wave, RomaEuropa Festival) and France (Jazz Sous Les Pommiers). In 2007, a Japanese label even decides to put out their own Briskey compilation. By forming the Briskey Big Band in 2007 the music received its perfect interpretation. Gert Keunen arranged old and new Briskey-tracks for a 15-headed band (see Live At Ancienne Belgique, 2008): a solid, contemporary big-band that has fire, strong rhythms and wild brass as its focal point. Not only is the Briskey Big Band the ultimate Briskey live experience, it is also a separate project that will continue to let itself be heard in the future. This big band enables the regular Briskey to explore new grounds. Before-during-after showcases a different sonic palette: more atmospheric and instrumental, filmic and especially: less ambiguous. Before-during-after sounds like a soundtrack to a film that has yet to be released. You can instantly imagine its dark alleys, nightly scenes, abandoned cities and dilapidated factories. At the same time the music suggests melancholy, hope and even moments of triumph. Before-during-after is the album Briskey had meant to make all along: uncompromising, suggestive and seductive. More info on www.briskey.be and www.myspace.com/briskeymusic.

K'bonus is Bruno Truyens Putting the funk back in it in its own original way!
K'bonus is the project of producer - dj- drummer -funkateer Bruno Truyens.
All of his influences and crazysexyfonky wizardry come together in this project.
Currently working with the Madrid based label Lovemonk Records he's about to release a lot of music in 2010-2011 including an album under Boohgaloo Zoo, some EP's and a new K'bonus album early 2011 and some other projects. On Fire!!!

Born and raised in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, TOKiMONSTA (Jennifer Lee) was an unfocused pupil of classical piano. However, she has come to use this background to understand and create vast soundscapes and textures through the usage of live instruments, percussion, digital manipulation, and dusty vinyl. Through the creation of beats, she is able to fuse the sounds of the past with her musical prowess into something avant garde all while preserving old school vibes.

"Muzikale 1000-poot die samen met de heren van Air en Etienne de Crécy verantwoordelijk is voor de fameuze ""French touch"" midden jaren '90. Een graag geziene gast in Petrol en de liefde is wederzijds (check zijn site). Zwoele house met veel funk, electro met rockende gitaren, prettige pop met een flinke dosis elektronica - de man draait er zijn hand niet voor om. Alex Gopher heeft sinds die ""French touch"" jaren allesbehalve stilgezeten: intussen is de tweede Aurora ep uit, producete hij voor oa Rhinocerose en vulde hij zijn remixrayon aan met The Subs, Shameboy, Dada Life, Autokratz en Shinichi Osawa. Deze maand verschijnt zijn nieuwe ep Handguns."