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DOWNLOAD: BLK JKS - Summertime (Carlos Ramos version) + STREAM: Summertime

Posted Jul 3, 2008 10:31 AM by Cameron Cook

BLK JKS are the newest rock hopefuls from South Africa—a band of musical misfits we fell in love with when we checked them out this past SXSW at the FADER Fort, and couldn’t believe the sounds that we coming from the stage: a potent mélange of rock, soul, experimental, and most surprisingly of all, some good old fashioned indie. Forming in Johannesburg in 2000, since then the band have recorded their Mystery EP with Brandon Curtis (Secret Machines!) from Electric Lady studios in NYC (in the fabled room that Hendrix used to use, no less). The EP is available digitally at Other Music, and the physical vinyl release is limited to 500 copies worldwide, so if you come across one, pick it up STAT. It's a smoker.

Today we’re streaming BLK JKS’ single “Summertime”, as well as a remix version from ‘80s downtown legend Carlos Ramos (DJ’d S.O.B.’s, participated in classic radio show Midnight Rockers Express, etc). Listen to the drum arrangement on “Summertime”—it almost sounds like two songs being played at once, the layering is so unique. Spread the word about these guys, they’re well worth the attention.

Sounds like: Extra Golden, Esau Mwamwaya, Atlas Sound

Stream: BLK JKS - Summertime

Download: BLK JKS - Summertime (Carlos Ramos version)