Wax Thematique

44 Minutes of sun-swelled Latin soul, Peruvian percussion, big-band stage funk, lofi Inca rock and Puerto Rican boleros excavated by Oakland, California DJ and crate digger Clay Grooves aka: The Sounds of Paradise. Exclusive Art Design by Small Studio. Exclusive pressings of Funk, Soul, Dub, New Wave and more at Wax Thematique.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Our sounds of the globe mix continues with Vinyl from Spain, France, India, Germany, Belgium, Indonesia and more. Selected by Nathan Womack and sourced from dollar bins in Southwest China. Mastered by Matt Sawicki. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Vinyl Internationalé is what we called Thursday evenings at Bastille Café in Seattle, WA and they were special. When Nathan Womack was introduced to acclaimed Chef Jason Stoneburner through a mutual friend, they instantly hit it off through their shared love of raw vinyl, and America’s underground of subcultures like skateboarding and punk rock. Stoneburner and the staff at the now closed Bastille, were incredibly gracious to us and our rotating guest DJ's and friends for many years. We brought an all vinyl weekly event with no cover charge, unique commissioned flyers and amazing food, celebrating the global sounds of Thai Funk, Afrobeat, Eastern Soul, Tropical Jazz & so much more. Keener patrons might’ve noticed this is where we’d debut a handful of the factory test presses from our releases. If you were there you in the beginning you might’ve seen Wax Thematique label founder Nathan Womack djing essentially from the restaurants’ rafters. Or perhaps in the later years you caught post-punk musician Select Level and ambient synthesizer artist Noel Brass Jr. djing directly behind the bar with technics and a vestax mixer next to the cafe’s meat-slicer. Some nights, only a handful of die-hards would show up to casually chat, sip and snack on the excellent menu. Other evenings, 50 or 60 would pack the place out with loud raucous energy. We're presenting this mix of the staple records we’d play on this night in dedication to a staff that was second to none, music that knew no bounds and a recurring night of the past we won't soon forget. Artwork by Rather Severe. For more mixes, limited edition vinyl pressings and apparel, visit Wax Thematique. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Bawdy Bossa Nova, Vintage Italian Vocals, Persian Proto-Pop, Turkish World Jazz, French Afrofunk and Spice-Scented Soul exclusively selected by French crate digger Projection Orange. Art design by Small Studio. Wax Thematique is a record label founded in Seattle releasing Dub, Funk, Beats, Ambient and more on vinyl. waxthematique.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

A genre defying palate crafted over two decades is bound to have an influence and J-Justice uses it to blend, broadcast and believe in a wide-ranging and all-encompassing spectrum of top quality music. From house to boogie, disco to jazz, techno to hiphop, all is relevant and revelatory in the hall of Justice. He’s perhaps best known as a founding member of acclaimed Seattle DJ crew SunTzu Sound, who is known for its underground staple of future Jazz titled “Black Daylight”. The crews’ mega head knodder production “Tickles” was selected for DJ Food and DK’s inedible masterpiece of a mix: “Now, Listen Again” on Ninja Tune (and you must hear how that was flipped). With a faithful following in Pacific Northwest and beyond, his tireless efforts have made him an indispensable participant in Seattle nightlife as well as a weekly co-host of Friday night’s influential City Soul radio show on KBCS 91.3FM. Now he heads up the Seattle chapter of Gilles Peterson’s highly coveted and globally syndicated WorldwideFM radio program ushering in yet another era of excellent music curated by one of the most trusted DJ’s in the music scene today. Check out more free mixes and limited edition vinyl pressings at Wax Thematique.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

New from our friends in France, the design and dj team of Turbo Lala and our longtime creative partner Small Studio comes the newest Wax Thematique mix “Perluette”. French and American hip hop, funk, jazz and lots more while our fav Small Studio, handles the artwork in their typical lovely fashion. This duo of DJ and design is an inspirational force! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Venerable Graphic Design and DJ Mixing adventurist The Ohmu, delivers a stunning mix of windy delights direct from the living room shelves of a Seattle apartment. This is the 3rd installment of our new mix series which encourages its participants to title each episode in the series themselves, pulling selections directly from their personal libraries of musical wonder. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Afrocop, the trailblazing trio of psychedelic jazz, was actually the very first thing we wanted to release on Wax Thematique. We didn't know the band members, any of their backstories or even if they had any recordings to put out. In actuality, we didn't even have a name for our label yet, at that point it was just an idea. Years ago we went to a small bar in Seattle to see Afrocop based on the recommendation of a friend (RUMTUM) and BAM, the chatter in our brains disintegrated within seconds of the first sound wave. Afrocop plays purely to keep things open, democratic and evolving. Mistakes, when you can catch them, are few but dealt with grace and curiosity. Bridges, changeups, pauses and just straight up sonic freak-outs are cultivated with a sense of boundless discovery. These are musicians on a mission and we knew this was something incredibly special and unlike any performance we had seen or record we had heard before. The closest thing to us at the time was perhaps, The Heliocentrics or some sort of ambient version of Medeski, Martin & Wood. Through getting to know the members of Afrocop over the years, we released bandleader Noel Brass Jr's ambient album, "Broken Cloud Orchestra" and drummer Andy Sells' post-disco project "Select Level". And we've watched Afrocop bassist, Carlos Tulloss' band Screens blow many a mind with their pulsating electronic live sets. We've experienced Afrocop live more than any other act, and the few times we couldn't make it we were emotionally and spiritually lacking. Afrocop fearlessly challenges newcomers while simultaneously giving the old heads exactly what they came for. Afrocop Live at Musiquarium was recorded in January 2020 and was the final time we saw them perform. We can't wait to see them blow the walls off the room again someday soon, but until then we have this recording to enjoy. Audio recorded by Nathan Womack, mixed and mastered by Andy Sells. Podcast photography for this episode by Mike Monaghan. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Presenting the 2nd installment of our new untitled mix series with German guitarist, bandleader and producer: JJ Whitefield. Spiritual Ambience is the offering and is much needed in these times of severe global unrest. Straight from the personal record collection of the creative force behind the Poets of Rhythm, The Whitefield Brothers, our personal favorite Karl Hector and the Malcouns (and lots more). This is an unrelenting cosmic adventure into prog, krautrock, spiritual jazz and ambient sounds. Go to Wax Thematique for limited edition vinyl, exclusive music mixes and more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Today we sit down with prolific synthesizer and keyboard musician, as well as Wax Thematique recording artist Noel Brass Jr. We knew when we released Noel’s debut solo LP, Broken Cloud Orchestra, the record was special to us, but we had no idea how well received it would be outside of our inner circle. Winning praise from Wire magazine, Earshot Jazz and KEXP, all of this was unexpected for only the 3rd release in our catalog. Some time has passed since Broken Cloud Orchestra was released, and yet, Noel continues to record with his psychedelic Jazz group Afrocop, and healm the live keys of Andy Sells’ Select Level project. Most recently, Noel’s been self-releasing gorgeous glowing ambient compositions through his bandcamp page collaborating with visual artists around the globe for a regular series of audio/visual experiments, pairing original art and photography inspired by Noels music while also donating proceeds of his most recent works to medical workers. Here’s a conversation with Noel Brass Jr. in his Seattle apartment studio, enjoy.  Check out Noel's solo album Broken Cloud Orchestra on Wax Thematique. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

33 minutes of Mid-Century Detective Funk, Italian Post-War Percussion, Big-Band Parisian Pop, Secluded Rap Symposiums and Metropolitan Jazz Field Recordings. Tracklist: 1. DJ Who “get on” / The Owl Service - The Rolling Of The Stones / Paces’ Korg Synthesizer / Unknown jazz field recording (Recorded Seattle 2013) / Andrew Franklin solo bass (Recorded St. Louis 2014) 2. Brian Bennett - Routine Check / J. Rocc “Record Digging with Madlib & Dilla” (Recorded Seattle 2010) 3. Brian Bennett - Startle Pt 2 4. Nick Ingman - Under Pressure / Child Ballad No. 49 - Sand & Stones Monologue 5. Rudy Ray Moore - The Jive Jungle 6. Tony Rubio - Bass in Action 7. Vincent Geminiani - Ophis Le Serpentaire 8. Riz Ortolani - I Wanna Kiss Ya 9. Teo Usuelli - Love And Faith 10. Syd Dale - The Hellraisers 11. David Lindup - Veiled Threat Part B 12. Nick Ingman - Come Together 13. Syd Dale - Walk & Talk 14. Neal Hefti - Mr. Freeze 15. Herman Clebanoff and His Orchestra - Yours 16. Jacques Di Donato - Casing --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

We present the March edition of the Fresh Produce Beat Battle held every month in St. Louis, MO. Hosted by DJ Who and Matt Sawicki, you’ll hear the first, second and third round of competition, DJ sets by Vthom and interviews from the competitors. Thanks again for listening, be safe, stay home and wash your hands.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Off-kilter electronic keyboards, no-name knock off drum machines, barely-there basslines and whaling over the top vocals collide in "Lost Asian Cassettes: SynthPop and HairRock". Found in back alley street markets, railroad track meetups and vacant bookshop storerooms, this collection of cassette tapes from the 1980s and 90s comes from one of the most unlikely places: China's Mainland. Compiled by Nathan Womack 2017-2019 as part of his ongoing exploration and presentation of the lesser known parts of Asian music: DigginEast. Photography by Nathan Womack, Audio Mastered by Matt Sawicki at Suburban Pro Studios. 亚洲盒式磁带流行 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

We present the Champions edition of the Fresh Produce Beat Battle held every month in St. Louis, MO. Hosted by DJ Who and Matt Sawicki, you’ll hear the first round of competition, interviews from the competitors and as a very special bonus, a live beat set by none other than Black Spade aka Blvck Spvde.  Thanks again for listening and big thanks to freshproducestl.com and don’t forget to check out the debut LP from Rezin Tooth on waxthematique.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

53 Minute vinyl mix of influences and inspirations by Select Level's Andy Sells from his personal record collection. Select Level "Bassline Mix" Tracklist: 1. Bennie Maupin_ Ensenada 2. Azymuth_ Dear Limmertz 3. Herbie Hancock_Just Around the Corner 4. Change_Heaven of My Life 5. Howard Johnson_So Fine 6. James Mason_Sweet Power Your Embrace 7. Puccio Roelens_Switch Off 8. Sylvester_Tell Me (remix) 9. Material_Discourse 10. Laura Taylor_All Through Me (breakdown) 11. GQ_This Happy Feeling 12. Ian Dury and The Blockheads_Dance of the Screamers 13. Robert Palmer_Looking for Clues 14. Paul Hardcastle_AM 15. Duran Duran_New Religion 16. Eddie Harris_ Zambezi Dance --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Here's a chance to hear the first round of November’s Fresh Produce Beat Battle held in St Louis, Missouri. Wax Thematique is based in Seattle, Washington, but the idea of it all began in St. Louis so it’s a pleasure not only to sponsor the long running fresh produce beat battle but it’s extra special that we get to also share this first round with you. Your commentators for this episode are Shaun Bardle of Basement Sound System and Matt Sawicki of Suburban Pro Studios. At the beginning of each Fresh Produce, they kick off the event with a rundown of how the beat battle works, as the first two producers step up to the stage for a chance at the much sought after subwoofer trophy and cash prizes. Thanks for listening and special thanks to skate socks for this episodes photography, Suburban Pro Studios in St. Louis for the audio and Fresh Produce Beat Battle for putting on this event every month. Intro and Outro music for this episode by Ben Bounce. If you want to catch the whole competition check out The next Fresh Produce is on December 4th, you can watch that on their Facebook page. See ya! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Andy Sells is the mastermind behind our most recent vinyl release, Select Level. Andy has a deep discography of vinyl singles, full albums and side projects and he’s recorded with and produced for musicians like downtempo explorers FCS North, electronic jazz producer David Hanke, thrash rockers Nosretep, Afrobeat players Cascadia'10, Funk and Soul Legends Wheedle's Groove, Psychedelic Jazz astronauts Afrocop, video game soundtrack master SCNTFC, and lots more.  From Afrobeat to Thrash Metal, Downtempo to Jazz and even his most recent adventure into Punk Funk and Post Disco with his Select Level project, his love of music is all encompassing and clearly insatiable.  Not even a near death experience could keep Andy from pushing himself to complete the Select Level album. We recently caught up with Andy in his home studio in Seattle, Washington. And if you haven’t heard already we just announced the pre-order of our next release with the group Rezin Tooth. This is a dub reggae album created by Nate Spicer of Seattle Afrobeat and Funk group Polyrhythmics. That’s up for pre-order now along with tickets for the release show that will be on January 10th at High Dive in Seattle. Grab that and the Select Level album on waxthematique.com and we also recently acquired the only 45 that the afrobeat group Cascadia ’10 put out.  Photography for this episode by Jasmine Kara. Buy Select Level's Debut LP on LTD Edition Cotton Candy Vinyl.  Tracklist of music from this episode: 1. Select Level - Unreleased 2. Select Level - Valentine 3. FCS North - Police Laughter 4. Select Level - Sham 5. Nosretep - Nosretep 6. Cascadia '10 - No Go Wacko 7. Afrocop - Unreleased 8. Motion Orchestra - Sonorous 9. SCNTFC - Dead Man 10. Select Level - The Race 11. Select Level - Unreleased --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Kunming is a city in the Southwestern region of mainland China. While the weather is gorgeous year round, the food outstanding and living costs incredibly affordable, on the surface it may seem to lack what bigger metropolitan Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing can offer culturally to record diggers, music lovers and art aficionados. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find much more. This is the story of Kunmings record room; a grandmother selling vinyl out of her 3rd floor apartment(for which she does not advertise). We've visited many times over the years and though she claims she’s no longer acquiring vinyl, her collection is obviously growing and her prices are still very cheap (for now). Her collection is not just Asian, but lots of music from Europe, the Americas and more. But with restrictions on imported media from the West, where does this diverse collection come from? Oddly enough the bulk of her records come from a very specific place and in a very specific way, a way that’s on the forefront of a much larger discussion currently taking place on a global scale, her records come from the trash barges of other countries. In this case, one mans trash is literally another mans treasure.  This is us talking with the owners of this hidden record store as well as songs from the records we found there in between the conversation. We were joined on this day by Angela Gan who grew up in Kunming to help translate the discussion from a local dialect of mandarin to English for this episode. Thanks a lot for listening, but we can’t help but think of one thing that wasn’t answered in this episode..What happens when the countries who previously accepted the worlds trash start saying no? And what happens to the people who've created their sole source of income based on this trash? See you next time. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Sourced from records found in Asia from 2017-19, this continuous vinyl selection is the first in our Diggin East series. Featured here is Chinese Funk 中国放克 , Japanese Surf 日本のサーフィン , Vintage Cantopop 流行音樂 and Singapore Garage rock - batu garaj singapura. Compiled and mixed together by Nathan Womack from his digging adventures in Thailand, Hong Kong and China's mainland. Audio mastering by Matthew Sawicki inside Suburban Pro Studios. Cover photography taken by Nathan while digging in Paul Au's Hong Kong apartment of 30k records. Visit Wax Thematique for the latest in limited record pressings, vinyl mixes and music digging adventures. Download this mix exclusively on waxthematique.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Paces Lift & Ben Bounce's 1st album, is called Quick Trigger. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the "spaghetti western beat tape instrumental masterpiece" that we originally released in 2014. To our surprise the record sold out in less than a year and a fair number of people consistently asked for a repress. Well this year we finally did it! This is the record that kicked off Wax Thematique and provided the blueprint for their 2nd album, Tropikoro. The repress of Quick Trigger on 180Gram vinyl is available now from waxthematique.com and includes a Quick Trigger turntable slipmat while supplies last. Special thanks for freshproducestl.com and their podcast Fruit of the Boom for allowing us to use snippets from their 2018 interview of Paces Lift and Ben Bounce for this episode. The intro and outro music for this episode was produced by Ben Bounce. Enjoy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Wax Thematique label founder Nathan Womack attempts to scratch the surface of The “Guqin” in southwest China. In this episode we interview Joyce / 文菡, a Chinese instrument instructor at her music space in Kunming, China. Many years ago Joyce was visiting a local ancient Buddhist temple and heard hypnotic string sounds coming from a Monk's apartment that would forever change her life. Though the sign on the door read "visitors not welcome", she couldn't help but follow the music into the Monk's den. The Monk invited her to stay and she soon became captivated by the Guqin (goo-cheen). A 3,000 year old instrument, she dedicated her life to its study. Joyce spent years traveling China and Hong Kong for the sole purpose of learning from those who've mastered the instrument. Now she has her own Guqin music studio where she teaches local and international students in Kunming. Check out Wax Thematique for our latest limited edition vinyl releases dj mixes and more. Subscribe and Rate if you liked this episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

A 42 minute vinyl selection from the trusted herb vendor of Raw Psychedelia. "a mind melt of cross-genre excursion" - Impose Magazine A 42 minute vinyl selection of Flamenco Fuzz, Bizarro Breaks, Futurist Gypsy Folk, Electronic Erotica, and Atmospheric Soul from a trusted herb vendor of Raw Psychedelia. See our latest limited edition vinyl releases at Wax Thematique. Follow DJ MAKossa: Soundcloud, Mixcloud, Facebook, Instagram. Art Design by Small Studio. 1. MHE - Mid-lude 2. J.Rocc - Andreti's Theme 3. Vex Ruffin - There's A Problem 4. Ron Wray Light Show - Speed 5. The New Year - My Bleeding Wound 6. Las Grecas - Bella Kali 7. Morena y Clara - No Llores Más 8. Sam Spence - Water World 9. Cherrystones - Honey's Pot 10. The Arms of Someone New - Transformation 11. Vyto B - Space Love 12. Vox Populi - Megamix 13. MHE - 007 14. White Noise - My Game of Loving 15. Essjay - Twins of Evil 16. The Ordells - Sippin' A Cup of Coffee 17. Doris & Kelley - You Don't Have to Worry 18. Arzachel - Soul Thing (Queens St. Gang) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Part 2 of record digging in Hong Kong with Paul Au and Nathan Womack. Our Wax Thematique podcast continues with Part 2 of label founder Nathan Womack digging for records with legendary record champion and living music encyclopedia Paul Au, in his Hong Kong apartment full of vinyl. This episode is a more comfortable, casual dig session between two people who love the art of finding a great record buried amongst many thousands. Some of the music found that day plays between chats with Paul about his love of vintage vinyl as he repeatedly hands Nathan many a record and juggles customers coming and going. Photos Nathan took visiting Paul’s vinyl lair (which Paul calls “Vinyl Hero”) from 2017-2019 are here. Feel free to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Be on the look-out and listen for more Wax Thematique episodes on the way. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support

Record digging in Hong Kong with Paul Au and Nathan Womack. Our first Wax Thematique podcast begins with label founder Nathan Womack (aka producer Paces Lift) digging for records with legendary record champion and living music encyclopedia Paul Au, in his Hong Kong apartment full of vinyl. When we say “full” we mean 30,000 records..and when we say “apartment” we’re talking 500 square feet. Paul’s story of escaping the 1970’s Vietnam draft to ultimately selling vinyl on the streets of Hong Kong to survive has been widely covered on the ‘net. But this episode is a more comfortable, casual dig session between two people who love the art of finding a great record buried amongst many thousands. Some of the music found that day plays between chats with Paul about his love of vintage vinyl as he repeatedly hands Nathan many a record and juggles customers coming and going. If you're ever in Hong Kong take some cash and bring a curious ear as Paul is a great story teller. There's more amazing records here than most people realize, you just have to spend the time digging for what you want. Tip: bring a portable record player for a more efficient experience. Photos Nathan took visiting Paul’s vinyl lair (which Paul calls “Vinyl Hero”) from 2017-2019 are here. Feel free to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Be on the look-out and listen for more Wax Thematique episodes on the way. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/waxthematique/support