Seems like there’s a lot of busy business going on in the Man Recordings headquarters – there is not only label boss Daniel Haaksman’s debut album “Rambazamba”, due to be released on May 16th, and the first single drop “Rap da Silva” feat. Bani Silva out now, they are also throwing a big release party in Berlin this weekend!
Let’s start with the album: Man Recordings and especially Haaksman himself can be called the most important instance for Baile Funk in Europe during the last years. Today they are among the major contributors to a contemporary Club sound reflecting a hyper-accelerated, globalised world where musical borders melt together until they become indefinable – a development not only mirrored by the label’s releases but also with “Rambazamba”, which is indeed Daniel Haaksman’s debut album (although he has done tons of productions, remix works and compilations in the past). “Rambazamba” might be deeply rooted in the aesthetic of Baile Funk, but takes the Brazilian sound as starting point for a journey into the soundscapes of local music going global all around the world, full of references to the sonic aesthetics of cities like Rio De Janeiro, Salvador De Bahia, Belem, Cairo, Luanda, Napoli, or regions such as the Caribbean and the Balkan. For the non-German-speakers: The title of the album reflects this melting pot of ideas, as “Rambazamba” is German vernacular for “stir up” or “mayhem”, used a lot in German spoken language, yet it sounds “exotic”. Its origins are etymologically unclear (though a common belief is that it’s a vernacular appropriation of the Spanish “Carramba” or a mix up of “Rumba” and “Samba”), there are suggestions that it comes from Yiddish or Romanic languages.
Daniel Haaksman “Rambazamba”-Album Teaser by Daniel Haaksman / Man Rec
“Jesus” with its stomping funk synth and the queen of Baile Funk, Tati Quebra Barraco, shouting on the mic acts as a perfect starting point for the ride. It is followed by the classic 808 Baile sound of “Pobum Coco”, which has become a steady dancefloor burner thanks to its Polka-infused hookline (though originally stemming from a classic Brasilian rock recordings from Bahia).
After a short break with “Copabanana”, evoking the a mythical Rio of the 1960’s and 1970’s with it’s dreamy vocal sample over a disco break, Haaksman leaves Brazilian territory with the next track: an African atmosphere permeates “Hands up”, not least because of the support by Mozambiquean girl group Seguindo Sonhos. The continuing portuguese vocals don’t let you realize from the start that the references have changed, but the Kalimba’s characteristic sound and a catchy synth soon set let you realize the change of pace.
“Dubcheck”, a collaboration with Daniel’s old label partner Shantel and Boban Markovic Orkesta (one of the most legendary brass ensembles from the Balkan) is a sure shot dancefloor filler, a pumping uptempo hybrid of Gypsy Balkan Rave and Soca, airhorns included! Other highlights include the cool Egyptian Jazz of “Strut Oriental” influenced by Sun Ra, a UK Funky groove and pulsing percussion drives with “Sum Sum” which pairs UK bass science with Bulgarian choirs. “Senta Senta” melts an original baile funk Montagem with European house grooves, sirens included. “Kewok” feat. Genghis Clan is using elements from a South Italian tarantela recording, in which the horn sections gets drunk thanks to the hi-percentage drinks provided by Italian-British global bass maestro Genghis Clan. The journey across continents continues with “Carnaval” which brings the magic of Trinidadian Soca together with a hands-up-in-the air aesthetic and filthy Euroland basslines.
A cover version of “Din Daa Daa”, one of the most classic club tunes ever, which was originally written and produced in the early 1980s in Berlin by the former Tangerine Drummer George Kranz, sounds surprisingly fresh and banging in its 2011 rework by Daniel Haaksman. We remain in Haaksman´s city with Brasilian born Roxxy Bione who is featured on the twisted funk of “Bomba”. Finally “Berlin Brega” shows what the future may sound in reworking Brazil’s latest hype to emerge from the Amazon, Technobrega, through Berlin eyes. The combination of cheapest synth with a futuristic bassline and a hypnotic vocal cut-up sounds like it’s made to move behinds around the globe.
OK, now the the EP: “Rap da Silva” a collaboration with Brasilian MC Bani Silva, is a classic Baile Funk tune originally sung by Rio MC Bob Rum. The classic anthem gets an appropriate update for 2011 by Haaksman with a funky offbeat, a 1980s synth line and the great, deep voice of Bani Silva. Remixes come from French beatmaitre BIG DOPE P from hype ghetto label Moveltraxx as well as by Paris and Berlin based analog wizards ACID WASHED from Record Makers, who shaped „Rap Da Silva“ into a deep Italo Disco shape. The bonus track is “The Bass That Ate My Mami” – an ode to the low-end sound legacy of Miami Bass and one of the best track titles I’ve ever heard.
And guess what? Man Recordings is giving aways “Rap da Silva” FOR FREE on it’s Facebook page – so run, run, run and get it!
Daniel Haaksman – Rap Da Silva feat. Bani Silva by Daniel Haaksman / Man Rec
Before we finish: if you are in Berlin this weekend, the “Rambazamba” release party will be on Saturday, May 14th 2011 at Picknick Club (Dorotheenstr. 90, 10117 Berlin-Mitte). The line-up is worth to get dressed up in your best party gown and move your booty to the dancefloor. Besides Daniel Haaksman there will be Isa GT (live) and DJ Beware, as well as Schowi and the likes from the YumYum party crew on the second floor. Oh, and it’s not a wrong decision to sport a mustache in this club. Here’s the Facebook event for the hard facts.
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