Cool Hunting

Quantic: Nugroove vol. 2
Known for deftly blending a wide range of multi-ethnic sounds, calling Brighton-based DJ Quantic a consummate crate-digger is almost an understatement. With that in mind and with the impending North American release of the 26 year-old's fourth solo album, An Announcement to Answer, we tagged along with Quantic on a recent visit to a Brooklyn record store. There and in an interview, he shared some tips and gave us a little insight into his current collecting habits, which naturally show up on An Announcement. The disc—a laid-back journey through jazz, funk, hip hop, and soul—are what you'd expect from a musician who's traveled throughout Africa and Puerto Rico, creating and recording much of his album on the road. From playful beats laced with trumpet samples and warm guitar loops to guest appearances by labelmate Ohmega Watts and LA-based chanteuse Noelle Scaggs, the eclectic lineup is well-balanced, never boring, and plenty lively. Due out tomorrow 25 July 2006, you can get it from Ubiquity or from Amazon.

Nugroove v1: Ellis and Arnold Live
Welcome to the first episode in our new CH Video series, Nugroove—an exploration of musicians who are able to expand both what we hear and think. This episode focuses on two critically acclaimed Detroit musicians; Jeremy Ellis and John Arnold. Ellis and Arnold have been playing together in an experimental live electronic format for over a decade. On Friday 24 March 2006, during the Winter Music Conference week in Miami, Arnold and Ellis performed an eclectic set of sounds that touched nearly every style and taste—in one improvised set they manifested a sonic tour through jazz, soul and funk to latin, rock, techno, electro, breaks and hip hop. The show took place as part of CO-OP MIAMI, an event organized by Goya Music and Amalgama at The District in Miami's Design District.