'A spine tingling spiritual Balearic bomb - this is very special, magical, beautiful - it’s just outrageously good' Luke Una

"Green City" is the first single from Auntie Flo's (aka Brian d'Souza) new album "In My Dreams (I'm a Bird and I'm Free)", the follow up to 2018's SAY award-winning "Radio Highlife" (Brownswood).

"Green City" was first aired during Auntie Flo's headline slot closing the main stage at the inaugural We Out Here festival in 2019 and since then has evolved into a 15-minute, Fela Kuti-inspired, Afro-disco jam with an infectious groove that keeps on giving and giving.

Based around a field recording captured during a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, where d'Souza's mother is from, he subsequently assembled a heroes cast of musicians to perform on the track: East African Ambassa Mandela from the band Sarabi leads on vocals, a connection Brian made during the much loved sold out Highlife World Series of records back in 2015.

Yohan Kebede was part of the Auntie Flo live band during the last tour but is best known for his key role as part of the ever popular Kokoroko. London's Ziggy Funk plays the epic guitar parts, following a chance encounter on the video shoot for Havana Rhythm Dance feat Andrew Ashong from Radio Highlife. Laurie Pitt from the much-missed Golden Teacher band plays Tony Allen influenced live drums and Glasgow's Joe Howe (Ex Ben Butler & Mousepad) plays the sax.

The track is the fullest representation to date of d'Souza's musical vision and showcases his ability to bridge musical boundaries and influences, paying respects to the musical traditions that have inspired him whilst balancing his desire to present something new, original and non-derivative.

"Green City" is the ultimate summer festival track - with a timeless groove, euphoric snare rolls, gloriously uplifting Malian-inspired guitar, epic vocal lead breakdown and emotive, blissful ending, which despite its 15 min running time, you won't want to end.

A State of Flo supports Earth Percent. 10% of the revenue generated from this release will be paid to environmental charities.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Tasty tropical house from the legendary Auntie Flo. A real unifying moment, with a breakdown that'll have everyone in tears of joy.

TRACK LISTING

A. Green City (Extended 12” Version)

In contemporary usage, genius loci refers to a location's distinctive atmosphere, or a 'spirit of the place'...

"Genius Loci" is a new audio work by sound artist Brian d'Souza (fka Auntie Flo). Referencing the notion of the protective 'spirit of place' from ancient Roman times, d'Souza used a vintage accordion to capture the acoustic properties of the Het Hem building in Zandaam, Netherlands. A former munitions and gun testing factory, Het Hem is a space full of character made up of a range of rooms that each hold a different acoustic property. d'Souza is interested in the connection between sound and space, using the accordion as a sound source with a variety of microphones placed around each room to capture the resonance and reverberation. The results are presented as part of an immersive audio visual website which incorporates generative audio technology developed by d'Souza's Swell Studio in collaboration with The University of Arts in London and is now available at
https://thecouch.hethem.nl/genius-loci/ 

A State of Flo supports Earth Percent. 10% of the revenue generated from this release will be paid to environmental charities.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Brian D'Souza is a true maverick experimentalist. In comparison to his mycelial focussed release also out this week, "Genius Loci" highlights the reverberation characteristics of a munitions and gun testing factory in Holland. Utilizing a vintage accordian for the process! It sounds batshit, but the sonic fruits are a delight on the senses. Slow, long-form tracks that capture the eeriness of both the environment and instrument.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Grey Space
A2. Expo 1
B1. Shooting Range
B2. Expo 2

Brian d’Souza (fka Auntie Flo) teams up with in-demand DJ Or:la, harpist Róisín Berkeley and celebrated artist Jana Nicole for a release celebrating the humble mushroom. Originally commissioned for the Hayes Mycelium Pavilion at Glastonbury Festival 2023, these two pieces represent the artist homage to the unique power of connection within nature - the mychorrizal network that humans could do well from learning from. d’Souza’s piece uses a process of biosonification, picking up electrical impulses from four different mushroom species (Oyster, Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Shiitake) and turning them into musical notes. The 18 min piece is a literal ecological sound walk into the mind of the mushroom. Irish techno artist/DJ Orlagh Dooley aka Or:la debuts with her piece created in collaboration with harpist Róisín Berkeley. Glacial textures and delicious harp glissandos form a mushroom habitat that exists in peace and harmony. The bespoke art work was created by multi-award winning artist Jana Nicole, who used a combination of collage, digital photography and manipulation to put together an art piece that resembles the depth and beauty of the mushroom and its mycelium. The limited edition vinyl will include a scratch and sniff smell component and incorporate UV paint that will only show up in dark light, revealing a different perspective as mushrooms do in the wilds.

A State of Flo supports Earth Percent. 10% of the revenue generated from this release will be paid to environmental charities.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Two strange and otherworldly drone / ambient pieces from Brian D'Souza this week. This one made waves when it debuted live. Brian picks up the organic electrical impulses given off by various mushrooms and transforms them into music! A true symbiosis of man and mushroom!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Brian D’Souza - Mycorrhizal Fungi (Oyster, Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Shiitake)
B1. Or:La Featuring Róisín Berkeley - Portal For A Faerie