Two items about recording production

Sorry about my lack of postings recently. I've had lots of ideas of things to write about but not enough available time...mostly because of the fact I have only two more weeks to study for my "Britishness" test. You can read about that in an entry from my main blog, Lord Celery, from May.

But I want to pass along links to two interesting items about recording production.

First is an article that John spotted on the BBC's website a few days ago. It's called "Producers Make 'Music for iPods'". As John commented when he sent me the link, it describes a very interesting connection between modern music production and old-fashioned engineering methods.

And speaking of old engineering techniques...BBC Radio 2 has been running a series of programs called "The Record Producers". Several weeks ago, I digitally recorded the episode which examined the influential Motown production team of Holland Dozier Holland. It's a fascinating program...especially the dissection of some of the most famous Motown hits! I strongly recommend that you give the show a listen, and you can do so through a "Listen Again" link on the web page that I've linked above.

Janet

Elvis

I didn't realize that Elvis' "Hound Dog" was back in the charts again...at least it is here in the UK! My officemate Gavin ("Guitarz") pointed it out to me this morning, and here's the story on the BBC's website.

Apparently, Elvis singles are being re-released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of his death.

Cool! That's a terrific tribute.

Janet

Jimmy Dludlu: "Afrocentric"

John and I recently returned from a trip to Cape Town, South Africa. I was running a week's worth of training classes there, and John went with me on his first-ever trip to that part of Africa. (If you'd like to see his collection of Cape Town photos, take a look at his Smugmug gallery.)

I didn't have much shopping time, and the staff at the big CD shop at the V&A Waterfront were too busy to be especially helpful. But when we got to the Cape Town airport for our return flight to Heathrow, I stopped in the little CD shop there in the international departure terminal.

I've been to Cape Town every year since 2003, each time during the winter south of the equator. And every time I'm there, I've shopped in that very same airport CD shop on the way home. The young Australian man working there has recommended some very interesting music to me each time I've gone in.

This year, one of his recommendations was Jimmy Dludlu. I knew nothing at all about him before this trip. I've brought home his 2002 CD "Afrocentric". It's absolutely terrific!

Dludlu is known as an Afro-Jazz artist. His guitar sound and musical style reminds me of George Benson and Wes Montgomery. His influences are clearly African, but the label "smooth jazz" would fit -- but it's smooth with a definite edge. I can already tell you that this is going to become a favorite CD of mine.

Here's a review of "Afrocentric".

If you like the above-mentioned guitarists -- or Earl Klugh, Peter White, etc. -- I think you'd appreciate "Afrocentric". If you can get hold of a copy! In the UK, it's available via Amazon. But I'm not sure that my American readers will be so lucky.

Janet