Y-Love, Jake Break & dj handler
Y-Love (Yitz Jordan) is an MC unlike
any other; he converted to Orthodox Judaism in 2000, and later took
on the traditions of Hasidism (the mystical branch of Orthodox Judaism).
He is among the most innovative MCs on the scene, weaving seamless
polyglot rhymes in English, Arabic, Yiddish, and Hebrew. Most unique
is Y-Love's revival of Aramaic, the language used to discuss Jewish
Law and Kabbalah. With each word he spits in the tongue of ancient
Babylon, Y-Love breathes new life into hip-hop, one beat at a time.
His much-anticipated "This is Babylon" album will be out February
2008 on Modular Moods/Fontana/Universal. www.myspace.com/ylove
Listen to: Mehaderin, by Y-Love
Filastine
Filastine creates music and live sets that bend genre, charting a new
sonic map by synchronizing mutated hiphop with other street rhythms and
international obscura. In 2006 Filastine dropped his debut full length
record, Burn It, to much critical acclaim, followed by a few vinyls on
labels Soot and Shockout, and a new split mix CD with DJ/Rupture. In less
than a year Burn It has been licensed and re-released three times, by
French label Jarring Effects, Japanese label ROMZ, and the anarchist North
American collective Crimethinc.
www.filastine.com
Listen to: Judas Goat, by Filastine
Los Desterrados
Los Desterrados – 'The Exiles' – are a London sextet who
on 'Tu' have created their own radical, rousing and rootsy take on the
ancient folk music of the Sephardic Jews. As the Gipsy Kings reinvigorated
flamenco and the Gotan Project revitalised tango so Los Desterrados
have brought vibrant new life to the ancient music of the Sephardic
Jews. Fusing Spanish Flamenco and the fiery Gypsy melodies of the Balkans
and Greece with the rhythms of Morocco and Turkey, Los Desterrados have
created a rootsy Mediterranean sound that is wholly their own. www.losdesterrados.com
Listen to:
Fantazia
Fantazia mix flavours of 21st century East London into their unique
blend of Gnawa, chaabi and dance, deeply rooted in the vibrant rhythms
and rich musical tradition of North Africa. Built around the original
compositions of Algerian oud player Yazid, Fantazia's irresistible grooves
create a sizzling party atmosphere that soon has any audience on its
feet and dancing.
www.fantaziamusic.com
Listen to: Khira, by Fantazia
Emunah
Emunah started in a North London bedroom in 2002, and have since become
an 6-piece live monster. The Emunah crew hail from a variety of ethnic
backgrounds, including Jewish, Palestinian and Russian. Emunah's repertoire
spans hiphop, reggae, breaks and drum and bass, shaking dancefloors with
their unique fusion of melodies from around the world, kicking beats,
uplifting vocals and soulful basslines.
www.emunahmusic.com
Listen to: Bum Ching, by Emunah feat. Anomaly MC
DJIB
DJIB has been upsetting vinyl for ten years now. He likes to destroy parties
by mashing together his own brand of filthy electro breakz pop, demonstrating
an unflinching devotion to the 303 and the heinous bassline and conducting
eager research into the relationship between gin and artistic endeavour.
Recognising kindred spirits in his quest for the domination of all bass
everywhere, he has been delivering the live scratch show with Emunah since
2005.
www.myspace.com/emunahmusic
Listen to: Imperial March, by DJIB:
DJ
Cous Cous
DJ Cous Cous... Musica dal Mondo Mixing styles from the Middle East
and the Balkans to Latin America and West Africa, CousCous brings the
beating heart of the world to the dance floor. Fusing western electronica
with traditional instruments and organic rhythms, he explores music
that transcends style and genre and is rich in political and environmental
content.
www.myspace.co.uk/mark_couscous
Listen to: Tamatant Tilay, by Cous Cous:
Elliott Tucker
Elliott Tucker is a filmmaker and artist whose themes
are spirituality, the mind and narrative imagery. His live large scale
expressionist paintings have been seen at gigs all over london as
well as at Glastonbury Festival and he also creates video art for
installation, fiction, experimenta and dance. Elliott is currently
in production for a feature documentary on the Jewish history of the
East End of London. www.elliotttucker.com
