Puto San [Black Starz Dj's] - "China Gueto"

The planet Earth is incalculably.

According to Chance the Rapper, the world might not even be flat either.

Thomas Friedman would, of course, disagree. Still, it seems that surprises are abound tonight. The state of affairs is not as it should be. Just when a consistent and stable view of the world is established it seems that a single event alters all mental trajectory. Neurons are interrupted mid-flight. Not quite tip-of-the-tongue syndrome, the author prefers the term intellectual disconnect: an inability to comprehend a set of fact due to lacking a prior register of such possibilities.

For example, consider a community of Jewish folk in the People's Republic of China.

These pages has featured its fair share of unlikely scenarios as well. On occasion the Asian continent has played a role. So, much like a Sino-Passover seder, the present selection continues a tradition; and for what it is worth, the "China" label is not misplaced. The sound of a pipa carries the track's melody. At any rate, what follows is a mid tempo batida. Puto San, a Black Starz Dj's] creates a light kuduro beat is with a close hi-hat/kick. The sound of a crash crash cymbal signifies transition while a distant snare swings. Bass is used selectively to great accenting effect. Where novel usage is concerned, the vocal sample provides harmonic and rhythmic contributions.

But what makes this busy, eleven, twelve, thirteen element sound different from all others is the taciturn nature. Listeners are drawn into a track that seems passive on the surface but is keeping them in constant motion. Another quality song from a group that continues to surprise.




Notable Mention: Dj Mika - "Natura"

Eastern imagery bleeds over into the second selection by sheer chance.

The electric currents on the figure sitting in a lotus postion, though, as understandable.

Below is a brevemente. Over the course of eighty second, Dj Mika presents a verse and a chorus to a potential afro-house song. The pace set by the kick/snare/hit-hat is average and bass is largely absent. At long last a woodblock comes into to support. But "Natura" shows promise regardless. Three synths are heard; harmony, a longer melodic synth, and a third during the chorus. Seeped in EDM the hook is undeniable, at which point the xylophone only drives the point home.



- J.N.

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