Tag archives: Blues For The Libyan

Damon Bell - Blues For The Libyan

[DBR-V025] Damon Bell – Blues For The Libyan LP

Damon Bell - Blues For The Libyan

Deepblak Chief Connoisseur Damon Bell following years of several outstanding EP’s offers up his debut album in “Blues For The Libyan“. Staying true to his penchant for mixing African rhythms with dance floor aesthetics the Oakland based producer weaves together a tightly knit escapade thru his world. Much like his long standing DJ residencies at S.F.’s “Make Out Room” and Oakland’s “389” Damon has built a solid reputation for his ability to traverse many sounds, and genres into one coherent groove. “Blues For The Libyan” follows suit as Damon melds experimentation, and tradition into a palatable experience for the listener. Tapping into the talents of label mate Afrikan Sciences for “Rhythm Meat” and Oakland based vocalist Khalil Anthony (Chromosome Replacement) the collaborations do well to further Damon’s vision of polyrhythmic dance. Studying percussion in his youth you can feel it’s influence throughout “BFTL” accompanied with Damon’s tinge for a little future dance floor funk. After receiving praise last year from luminaries such as the BBC’s Mary Anne Hobbs, and NYC’s Dope Jams crew Damon’s sound continues to build. BFTL represents Damon’s most outstanding statement to date of modern electronics mixed with traditional impulses. Culminating an authenticity, and honesty that is a breath of fresh air in the present space.

Title – Blues For The Libyan
Cat# – DBR-V025
Artist – Damon Bell
Label – Deepblak
Format -12”
Style?- Deep House/Experimental
Release Date – July 2015
Distributed by – Crosstalk

Tracklisting
A1. Chromosome Replacement ft. Khalil Anthony (8:12)
A2. Concrete Caravan (2:50)
B1. Blood (7:40)
B2. Striving To Be Who We Are (5:46)
C1. Rhythm Meat ft Afrikan Sciences (8:31)
C2. Libyan Ether ft. Son of Ororo (6:19)
D1. Broken Feathers (5:27)
D2. Kampala (DBo Vershun) (6:40)

Damon Bell (Photo by Marie Staggat)

Damon Bell

Damon Bell (Photo by Marie Staggat)

https://hue-manmademusic.bandcamp.com/releases

We travel through music, we speak through music, our ancestors communicate through sound and rhythm…it’s the in between’s, the details and the mistakes…the poly-rhythms, that’s where the juice is…the life in the music. – Damon Bell

Damon Bell, Chief Connoisseur at heralded Deepblak Recordings stands strong offering a complex variety of sounds that ebb, and flow through all of his productions. Known for his polyrhythmic, organic, and soul-filled musical releases on Deepblak Recordings, Sound Of Speed Records Japan and Do Over Records, Damon’s ability as a DJ to expose crowds to sounds that touch all genres of music is his hallmark.

Originally from San Diego, raised under the influences of music representing the African Diaspora, Damon’s love of Reggae, Brazilian, African, Hip-Hop, Blues, Jazz, Punk-Rock, and Soul all pay major roles in Damon’s trajectory as a DJ/Producer. A true connoisseur of music Damon was a child of the 70’s who experienced the cross-cultures of the 80’s which began his life long love affair with collecting vinyl into the 90’s.

Bell (aka D^Bo!) began record collecting and DJ’ing at age sixteen, playing Jazz, Salsa, Funk, and Hip Hop at the famed night Brass (Delicious Vinyl) at San Diego Supper Club, Ole’ Madrid. This along with his deep passion for music led him to learn to play the polyrhythms he heard in Afro-Cuban Jazz, and Jazz Fusion…he soon began to imitate those sounds by playing percussion, and wind instruments.

“DJ’ing is just an extension of my love and relationship with music”, states Bell.

In 2011 Bell released his critically acclaimed Kush Musik Wax on Deepblak, featuring the unversally championed song “Ezuku”. A stirring rhythm of African drums, chopped guitar, and dance-hall vocals, sprinkled with a touch of techno.

In 2012 Bell released a rare 10” under his alias, D^Bo!, on LA based DO Over Records, “JAM”(DOVR004) soon to be followed by his NOMMO EP (DBR-V015) which featured “Pathways n Mindframes” which again further exposed his productions into other realms heavy championed by choice selectors worldwide.

Damon has performed, and toured with artists & groups; Jazzanova, Bobby Matos, Femi Kuti, Erykah Badu, Dead Prez, The Roots, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Platinum Pied Pipers, Bugz in the Attic, Nortec Collective, Antibalas, Ron Trent and Saul Williams to mention a few.

Releases:

[DBR-D024] Damon Bell – Kush Musik pt.1
[DBR-D028] Damon Bell – Kush Musik pt.2
[DBR-V009] Damon Bell – Kush Musik Wax
[DBR-V015] Damon Bell – Nommo EP
[DBR-V017] Damon Bell – H.I.M EP
[DBR-V021] Damon Bell – Teph-Tep EP
[DBR-V025] Damon Bell – Blues For The Lybian LP

MIXES

Damon Bell Deepblak Mix Fall 2013
Damon Bell Steel SOund Mix | Ninja Tune 2014
Damon Bell | Deepblak Label Night Paris 2016