The Tropical Life

YO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-09T13:24:00.002-04:00

WERE HERE NOW
WERE HERE NOW
WERE HERE NOW

WERE HERE NOW

BOOKMARK THAT SHIT

HUGE NEWS: DJ Rashad & DJ Roc albums for Planet MU

2010-07-29T12:44:00.007-04:00

The day has come! We've been dreaming for years now that SOMEBODY would release DJ Rashad's "Its Not Rite" on wax. That dream will soon be fulfilled by none other than UK based Planet Mu, who are also releasing a DJ Nate Ep next week. We will finally be able to replace all those bassless imeem rips with some high quality 320s!!! Happy day!

... from a dissensus thread started in Oct. 08 to DJ Rashad, DJ Roc, DJ Nate, all having vinyl releases on Uk based MU in 2010. We are officially in the future. You think Obama is a closet juke fiend? I bet he gets down.

via fact

Well the electronic veterans have now announced full details of DJ Rashad and DJ Roc’s releases for the imprint. First off, Rashad, a veteran of the Chicago dance scene whose links to Paul Johnson and DJ Godfather go back years (you might remember that us and Night Slugs tried to book him for our Cable party this year, but immigration weren’t as keen on the idea), will release a six-track EP this October titled Itz Not Rite.

Rashad, along with his partner DJ Spinn, made his name on a series of releases for Juke Trax and Databass, many of which are available for download on Juno and Boomkat. He also represents the snappier, more club-focused side of juke, compared to DJ Nate’s pitch-bent cuts for the weirder side of the dancefloor. Itz Not Rite drops early October.

Later in October, DJ Roc will release his album for Mu, The Crack Capone. Roc has been producing juke for the best part of a decade, and formed the Bosses of the Circle crew who put on some of the city’s more successful juke parties. They were also, according to Mu, the first juke squad to put out their own mixtapes, the Juke City series.

Itz Not Rite will be released on October 4, The Crack Capone October 20.

Itz Not Rite Tracklist (samples here):
1. Itz Not Rite
2. Teknitian
3. 10 On Da Cush
4. Who Da Coldest
5. Baby
6. Rashad

The Crack Capone Tracklist:
A:
ONE BLOOD
LET’S GET IT STARTED
THEY CAN’T FUCK WIT ME
PHANTOM CALL
KING OF THE CIRCLE
B:
I MAKE HER SAY
I CAN’T CONTROL THE FEELING
FUCK DAT
MAKE CRACK LIKE DIS
TAKE HIS ASS OUT
C:
DJ ROC SYMPHONY
LOST WITHOUT U
GIRL WEN U DANCE
BALL EM UP
I DON’T LIKE THE LOOK OF IT
D:
GET BUCK JONES
GUN SMOKE
KILL DA BITCH
SHOT DOWN
BREAK IT DOWN

Local Love: WED 7.28 LOEFAH Presented by BASSIC & Subduction

2010-07-28T12:14:00.008-04:00

BASSIC & SUBduction are bringing in dubstep pioneer Loefah (Swamp 81, DMZ) for a night of massive dub weights. His label Swamp81 has been destroying 2010 with essential releases from Ramadanman (Work Them) and Addison Groove (Footcrab) and a slew of highly anticipated releases planned for the coming months. DO NOT MISS THIS.

LOEFAH
DJG
Goodlife Bar
28 Kingston street
Boston MA
$5 before 11pm
21+

Loefah (Swamp 81, DMZ) UK
Loefah aka Pete Livingston has been creating bass heavy beats since the early 2000′s with his first major release in 2004 alongside DMZ members Digital M…ystikz. With plenty of tunes & remixes like Rufage, Candyfloss, Punisher & Disko Rekah under his belt he’s earned himself serious rude boy status letting the people know that bass is his main function. The end of 2009 marked the next major step in his career when Loefah launched Swamp 81 Recordings. It’s most recent release “Foot Crab” by Addison Groove (aka Headhunter) is only more serious proof that Loefah isn’t playing around! Always on the forefront of music’s ever evolving wave Loefah has plans to take us for a ride and introduce us into the emerging sounds of Juke. If you haven’t heard its like Bootyhouse meets garage add a little dubstep and some grit. Then shake for a minute and serve up ice cold on a big sound system. Don’t forget your safety goggles!

DJG (Surefire, Lo Dubs, Tube 10, Narco.Hz, Transistor, Noppa) San Francisco
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dean J. Grenier aka DJG landed in the world of Dubstep in 2007 with his first 12″ “Shadow Skanking” b/w “Joyful Sound” on Narco.Hz. Immediate support on Rinse FM and in the clubs from DJ’s like N-Type propelled DJG to the forefront of American dubstep producers early in his career. DJG’s production style is richly melodic, emotive while full of groove and energy. Recognized early on for a more dubwise sound, DJG’s recent productions have revealed an evolution in his music, getting deeper into bass-heavy, tech-drenched, soulful tracks like the much-anticipated February ‚Äò09 release “Bunker” b/w “Apophenia” on Tube10 and “Avoid The Noid” b/w “Duality” on Pushing Red.

YO! It's about time! We are moving from blogger to wordpress and are currently moving over all the old posts. Announcement and links soon!

WED: 7/21 O'Briens AS BUILT PResents: Lord Jeff, Broadcaster (RI), Guillermo Sexo, Peace & Quiet

2010-07-20T16:19:00.019-04:00

Boston readers, I am putting this show on tomorrow night at O'Briens in Allston. You should come party with me and listen to some badass tunes. I'll have these posters available for donation. Check out tracks below son!

LORD JEFF (Ecstatic Peace) - Thurston Moore likes them so they must be good. Really though, these guys will be blowing up right about the time their new album drops. 60's Pysch X Doo Wop

BROADCASTER (RI) - Hot off the mixing board. Boozy brother of Neil Young and Built to Spill from Rhode Island.

MP3: "No Creep"

GUILLERMO SEXO - post punk influenced shoegaze mixed with melody driven 90’s college rock. They released their new album Vivid Nights in June.

STREAM: Vivid Nights

MP3: "Neon Lights"

PEACE AND QUIET - From the depths of two of my good friends Brendan and Main Fader minds, comes Peace & Quiet. Demented Les Claypool X JAMC X drone X

FRE(EP): Inauguration EP

Fresh Greens 002> ECTOCOOLER

2010-07-12T18:49:00.021-04:00

WAMP WAMP. Its hott out.. Grab some of these

and chillll out with our good friend Johnvonb aka Ectocooler. He's got it zoned in for our second edition of our Fresh Greens mix series of local BSTN talent.

He's takes us for a ride through the dirtiest parts of Allston with some sino grime and spaced out future garage & funky tracks, while closing the mix with a track off the one of the biggest WTFF!!! YES moments of 2010. Wiley's IMMMBAKKKK 10zipfile give away (DL Below). Ecto exclusive remix of the game changing Kode 9 Sino grime '05 mini mix.

Tracklisting

BENGA - Stop Watching

IKONIKA - Psoriasis (Edit)

SCUBA - Tense (Ramadanman Remix)

ROOF LIGHT - Harlem Power

FISCHERLE - Pneumatyk

DARK SKY - Drowned City

KODE 9 - Sinogrime Minimix '05 (ecto's miniermix '10)

AFRIKA HITECH - Too Late (Dub, Instrumental)

MERKY ACE - Actually

WILEY - Fame and Money

Links

FRESH GREENS MIX 002> Ectocooler ( July 2010 )

ECTOCOOLER

DOWNLOAD previous FRESH GREENS Mixes

FRESH GREENS MIX 001> Donovan Sharp & Kid K

PS. ESSENTIAL. Might put up some highlight tracks once I fully digest this beast.

pps. More exclusive mixes in the next week. Up next. New DJ No Requests, Donovan Sharp & Kid K.

COWBOY HIP HOP COWBOY HIP HOP COWBOY HIP HOP CUNTRY HIP HOP

2010-06-29T20:58:00.002-04:00

You can even add your shoulders if you want. That's the fun thing about hip-hop dancing.

Unquenchable Thirst - Ariel Pink & The Haunted Graffiti - Before Today (4AD)

2010-06-23T19:46:00.018-04:00

Rinse and repeat this whole album immediately. I haven't been obsessed with a cohesive LP this much in a long long time. Who knew that Ariel would benefit so much from a recording budget, some studio musicians and proper equipment. I mean, obviously the kid had immense talent with rickshaw perfect pop songs in "Kate I Wait" and "Alisa", but god damn this will be in constant rotation all summer. Mr. Pink you have outdone yourself once again. Big ups to 4AD for supporting good art. I guess the only downside to this album has to be...no mouth drums?

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, “Round and Round”

HOLD ONN> IM CALLING> CALLLING BACK TO THE BOWL> AND WE'LL DAZZLE THEM ALL>

9.5 .... IMMENSE UPS TO DECIBEL TOLLS FOR TELLING IT LIKE IT IS. Paul Pierce Truth 34 right here.

Guy is one prolific mother fucker. Check out this blissed out funky sax track he just put out with the ADDED PIZZAZ, where you might be able to teleport to a stoned out jazzy wave in the ocean, say'n.

Ariel Pink & The Added Pizzaz - In The Heat Of The Night (Decibel Tolls)

Local Love: WED 6.16 - LINKS SOUNDCLASH @ Goodlife

2010-06-14T20:19:00.006-04:00

Come out to the Goodlife on Wednesday for the 5th installment of Boston's DIY Links Soundclash with Lost In Bass. Homegrown productions from Boston's own talent all night long. Support. Look out for an unreleased Donovan Sharp tune on the links comp.

In other news, my debut EP titled "Astro Hippie" EP will FINALLY be out in the next few months on tape and CD-R. 1. Get Pitted!! 2. POWER HOUSE 3. Moon Rave. Labels get at me if you wanna help.

Local Love: FRI 6.4 - MARTYN @ BASSIC 3 YR

2010-06-04T12:40:00.000-04:00

Felix Cuplianos BASSIC! Been a crazy 3 years.

Like Kode 9, Martyn has slowly dropped out of the 140 dubstep game in favor of a hybrid of funky, 130 acid tribal, and 2 step flavored progressive garage. His Fabric 50 is an essential listen for anyone that has yet to hear it. Don't pass up an opportunity to see some flawless mixing!

BASSIC Presents:
MARTYN (3024, Techtonic, Warp, Revolver)
C DUBS (BASSIC, La Folia)
Damien Paul
Jay K
Goodlife Bar
28 Kingston Street
Boston, Ma
21+
$7

It has been a long road from when we first came together to throw BASSIC in June of '07. There were times we didn't think we were going to make it and times we never thought it would end. And we're still going strong thanks to everyone who has continued to support us on this amazing journey!

Join us on our 3 year anniversary with a special guest MARTYN! This Holland born native to DC transit has been a staple in the growth of what dubstep was before it had a name. His label 3024 has been killing it with a slew of big releases and more in the works with remixes by Zombie and fresh tunes from newcomer Illum Sphere. Always pushing the boundaries with his production and blurring the lines between techno, house dubstep, and beyond we never know what he's got in his record bag for us! Its the long awaited return of one of our favorites! And if you weren't there the last time he graced us with his presence then you just don't know!

This party also marks a huge milestone for Boston! We're celebrating the releases of BASSIC's own C Dubs. His remix of An On Bast's "Upon the Dew Drops" crafted alongside La Folia Label head Inanna has been receiving love from big guys such as Axel Bartsch, Konrad Black, and Luciano! And his first release "Don't Know, which was featured on the TOGETHER festival compilation has also been making waves.

We've got Boston's Bad boys Damien Paul & Jay K rolling out the beats upstairs all night long so there's something for everyone. Don't sleep and get there early b/c we can't guarantee there's room for everybody!

Local Love: THURS 6.3. ACTRESS @ Middlesex for M.I.N

2010-06-02T11:38:00.016-04:00

this is how I felt on Tuesday when I found out about this

ACTRESS + game 1 , Martyn back to back. start catching up on sleep now.

FUCK THE LAKERS UP. LETS DO THIS.

WE NEED YOU PATCHY

Tropical Life Mix 004> Slevarance

2010-05-29T22:34:00.005-04:00

Tropical Life Mix> 004

SLEVARANCE

Nottingham, UK

BRAP! For the fourth installment in the tropical life mix series we've got a BIG TIME mix from Nottingham's up and coming Slevarance. We've had this on repeat since it was sent over a few weeks back. Serious mix of funky flavors, classic instrumental grime, and some unreleased tracks from the new breed of future garagers, Hackman and Fauxhemian. Slevarances throws in 2 very promising dubs of his own tunes with "Throwing a Wibbler" and an untitled track with Hackman. Be on the lookout for those. "Strung Up VIP" still sounds as huge as ever.

Fruity Loops Workshop - Urnie & Bert
Slevarance - Throwing A Wibbler
Blackjack - Arcade 3
Rebound X - Rhythm 'n' Gash
Luke Vibert - London
Geeneus - You Know
Fauxhemian - Levitate
Hypno - Over The Top
Kano - Signs In Life (Instrumental)
Hodge - Apathagy
Mista Men - Move Down Low
Mr Keaz - Gunfight
Hackman & Slevarance - Untitled
Dj Narrows - Saved Soul
Dj Oddz - Strung Up Vip
Hackman - Fell Into Romance
SpamChop - Razor Piss

Available Here until it's up on Soundcloud

Links

Slevarance

ps. it shouldn't be this difficult to add text to a fuckin picture. Jobs, put that shit into iphoto. not difficult.

On Repeat: May 2010

2010-05-17T21:27:00.001-04:00

Juke is suddenly on the tip of everyone's tongue. A genre(and culture) that seemed entirely inaccessible to most just a few months ago is now embracing the idea of spreading their sound onto a world stage, trying to actually release some songs on vinyl in the coming months and a Dj Nate compilation in the works on Planet Mu(!!!). I envy that I can't cross the waters to see Rashad play with the Night Slugs crew but still being an outside observer it's easy to feel the heady vibes from this completely fwd>>> music.

Also spreading the good word is Chicago native Dave Quam. Our resident sage on the ghettohausmuziks of the world, his blog is quite an incredible pool of words and sounds. He featured a recent interview between Quam and Juke innovator Arpebu, it is quite the read.

words here.

Just got my copy of this from Bleep a couple of days ago and have to say as much as I loved Ramadanman's EP on Hessle Audio, these two songs are absolutely mental fusions of just about everything I love about electronic music right now. Jack 'Untold' Dunning's Hemlock imprint is unbelievably a cut above even the always righteous Hessle crew.

These songs are absolute fire.

A group I don't know much about except that I'm pretty sure they're from the US somewhere. They recently released an EP for free which is four songs of well swung tropical burners for some seriously sweaty peak-time business. Their song Got U was one of the highlights of Girl Unit's epic 2010 mix.

Download their EP here.

James Blake is unstoppable. His remix of 'Stop What You're Doing' is easily one of my top 5 songs of the last ten years and his sound keeps building and transforming. This song and three others are being dropped on May 31st on R&S records and really I can't say there's anything I've been quite so hyped on in a second.

Tropical Life Mix 003> Matthew Hiscock

2010-05-10T00:15:00.019-04:00

Tropical Life Mix> 003

MATTHEW HISCOCK

Montreal, Canada

ps.CLICK HERE to DL the correctly tagged mix.

Matthew Hiscock - Old&New&Me&You (dj mix, May 2010) by matthewhiscock

Proud to present the third installment in the tropical life mix series, by Montreal's Matthew Hiscock. This is a nice mix of progressive 2 step, future garage, and funky vibes. Hiscock's throws in some dubs of his own dubs which ride nicely between fg and euphoric funky. Check out his new bass music production blog Make Some Bass, which has already featured the likes of Bok Bok and Hovatron analyze what goes into creating one of their tracks.

1) Kyle Hall - Kaychunk [Hyperdub]
2) VVV - Project Z [Fortified]
3) VVV - Project X [Fortified]
4) Girl Unit - Temple Keys [Night Slugs]
5) Matthew Hiscock - Berry [www.matthewhiscock.com]
6) Pariah - Orpheus [R&S]
7) Roof Light - Street Level [L2S]
8) Todd Edwards - I Might Be (MJ Cole remix) [Scion Audio/Visual]
9) Hissy Fit - Late Night On Parc Avenue [www.matthewhiscock.com]
10) Akua and Matthew Hiscock - Monsters (Make Believe remix) [www.matthewhiscock.com]
11) Egyptrixx - Drive U Crazy [Aaahh! Real Monsters]
12) Gucci Vump - Sha! Shtil! (L-Vis 1990 Remix) [Sound Pellegrino]
13) Matthew Hiscock - Oh Those Sexy Sweatpants [www.matthewhiscock.com]
14) Mutiny - Ya Self [Underwater]
15) Rusko - Woo Boost (Sbskrpt remix) [Mad Decent]
16) Joel Mull - Fantastisch [Underwater]
17) MJ Cole - Thekla Riddim [Prolific]

Links

Matthew Hiscock

Make Some Bass

MH Soundcloud

Mi Ami - Latin Lovers (Thrill Jockey)

2010-05-08T19:47:00.004-04:00

Very rarely does a new band excite me as much as San Francisco’s Mi Ami. Their excellent and under-appreciated 2009 release "Watersports" never got the recognition it deserved with it being one of the final Touch and Go releases before they shut down. That didn’t stop it from being on constant rotation in my house all last summer and one of my favorite albums of the year.

Moving forward, the fine people at Thrill Jockey stepped in to release the bands new material and now we have "Steal Your Face." While I'm only starting to digest the album as a whole, SYF expands upon the noisy controlled chaos, tribal beats, and oft incredibly high pitched and sometimes unintelligible vocal screeches that made Watersports a must. There aren’t many other current bands that can mix eunuch no wave with tribal afro beat rhythms and krautrock influenced grooves so smoothly.

“Latin Lover” is a mutating 6 + minute freak out jam of epic proportions that has just about every stylistic element that makes Mi Ami.. well Mi Ami. For those unfamiliar with the band, this song is as good a start as any. Mi Ami will either be your new favorite band, or you’ll hate em. Fuck the haters!

MI AMI - LATIN LOVERS (THRILL JOCKEY 2010)

Links

MI AMI

THRILL JOCKEY

note: kind of reminds of the early Rapture tracks that were so infectious.

Fresh Greens 01> Donovan Sharp & Kid K

2010-05-01T19:07:00.006-04:00

First things first, hope all yall had a 420 to remember!! errr.... partially remember!!

I am currently living the REAL tropical life in Costa Rica at the moment, so with a clear mind and not much else to do besides drink beer and hang out with my family, I'll be able to catch up on everything that should have been posted last week. WORD.

..now on to some real nuggets. Let me introduce a new feature to Tropical Life, our Fresh Greens mixes/ podcasts. Fresh Greens will be posted every few weeks and will focus around our collective of friends and Boston artists. This will allow myself, Kid K, No Requests, & mates to post new mixes of our own new dubs, what we are currently grindin too, and really whatever the eff we feel like playing.

Below is the first, juke filled installment in the Fresh Greens Podcast/ Mix series by myself and Kid K that we recorded last Sunday at 2am. Once I figure out how to get these on itunes, all Fresh Greens / Tropical Life mixes will uploaded.

Fresh Greens Mix 01 - Donovan Sharp & Kid K (April 10) by TheTropicalLife

Tracklisting.

1. Pursuit Grooves - Start Something

2. Jay Revlon - Godzilla HA

3. Roulet - Kitamanda (Girl Unit Rmx)

4. Crooker’s - No Security (Zomby Remix)

5. DJ Nate - Below Zero

6. DJ Rashad - Its not Rite

7. DSharp - ASSTRO

8. DJ Nate - May Be Sum Day

9. DJ Lil Red - Bang Bang

10. DJ Pillsbury - Disco 93

11. DJ Elmoe - Whea Yo Ghost at Whea Yo dead Man

12. DJ Nate - Apocalypse

13. James Blake - CMYK

Our neighbors must be going absolutely bat shit crazy with this on repeat 24/7.

BOAT: The Nerves - When You Find Out (1978)

2010-04-21T17:16:00.008-04:00

This has been one of favorite songs for years now and regularly gets stuck in my head for days. 1978 pop perfection from one of the power pop kings. Out of all The Nerve's musical nuggets, this might be their best. Its also up there with the best songs the Beatles never wrote.

The Nerves - When You Find Out (1978)

Local Love: TODAY 4.15 ROSKA ROSKA ROSKA @ Enormous Room

2010-04-15T13:05:00.008-04:00

This is tonight. This will be funky.

"SoulChampion.com and Subduction Productions are proud to present Roska in support of his first ever US tour. Roska has been Bubbling in the UK Funky scene for the past few years and has grown into being one of the defining artist that has been taking Funky House and making it his own. Watch out for his long awaited full length dropping on the 5th of April."

Locals G Notorious, DJ Vice-T, C Dubz, and DJ Steppo will be holding it down all night.

Here's a couple our favorites tracks off Roska's recently released album on Rinse. Can't find a longer version of Squark, so this snippet will have to do, but it doesn't do the song justice.

Roska – Hey Cutie

Roska – Time Stamp (zshare)

thanks for squeegie and scatterblog for the DLs.

Support and Purchase Roska - RINSE Presents Roska HERE

Tropical Life Mix 001> Donovan Sharp

2010-03-31T18:22:00.010-04:00

Long overdue.. Peep my new dub Birds of Paradise.

Tropical Life Mix 001> DonovanSharp by DonovanSharp

Fever Ray - Seven (Martyn's Seventh Remix) [Rabid]

Untold - Just for You (Roska Remix) [Hot Flush]

Christian Martin - Elephant Fight (Justin Martin's Jungle Remix)

Crazy Cousinz - Inflation

Deadboy - U Cheated [Well Rounded]

Mosca - Square One (Julio Bashmore Longhorm Remix) [Night Slugs]

Pearson sound - WAD [Hessle Audio]

Emvee - Rat Race Riddim

Money Steak - Haarlem Drift [Steakhouse]

Greena- Tenzado [Apple Pips]

Doc Daneeka -Funky Bit

Scuba - Minerals [Hot Flush]

Ramadanman - Revenue (Untold Remix) [Apple Pips]

Resolve - Birds of Paradise (Dub)

Cosmin TRG - Siberian Poker [Tempa]

D1 - Pitcher [Dub Police]

The XX - Islands (Untold Remix) [Young Turks]

Breakage - Vial ft Burial [Digital Soundboy]

Introducing > Tropical Life Mix 002> Blox The Fox

2010-03-26T14:21:00.012-04:00

A huge exclusive mix from Londoner Blox the Fox. The first installment of many in the now newly christened Tropical Life mix series. Fox puts together a smooth mix of swinging grooves and perfectly airy, early spring vibes. Future Garage business this, get on it.

Trop Life Mix by bloxthefox

1. Most - RxYLAB

2. We Are VCR - Distal

3. Maybe I Wont Find - Duncan Powell

4. Attempt At Yellow - Mite & Distal

5. Orange Groove - Dale Howard

6. Friedrichstrasse - Martyn

7. Perspectives - F

8. Pistol In Your Pocket (Hypno's Tight Pants Mix) - Hackman

9. So Derobe - Joy Orbison

10. Liberation (MJ Cole Dubb Remix) - Corneille

11. Heavy As Stone - Mark Pritchard

12. Time It Take - Rumblejazz

Download Here

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma (Warp)

2010-03-26T14:08:00.008-04:00

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

01. Clock Catcher
02. Pickled!
03. Nose Art
04. Intro//A Cosmic Drama
05. Zodiac Shit
06. Computer Face//Pure Being
07. ..And The World Laughs With You ft. Thom Yorke
08. Arkestry
09. Mmmhmm ft.Thundercat
10. Do The Astral Plane
11. Satelllliiiiiteee
12. German Haircut
13. Recoiled
14. Dance Of The Pseudo Nymph
15. Drips//Auntie's Harp
16. Table Tennis ft. Laura Darlington
17. Galaxy In Janaki

- LIMITED FIRST EDITION PRINT CD W/ FOIL BLOCK SLIPCASE -
- 2 x LP DOUBLE GATEFOLD VINYL WITH VELUM INNER SLEEVES -

BUY THIS RECORD NOW AT BLEEP. NOW STREAMING ON MYSPACE. LISTEN The bar has been raised.

This will end up being one of the best records of the 10's

Interweb Highlights

2010-03-16T01:52:00.003-04:00

Loads of exclusives from Hessle Audio's main man Ben UFO in a recent Lucky Me mix. Huge track listing; also check out Hessle Audio's new show on Rinse FM.

Download Here

1. BFC - Galaxy (Fragile)
2. Apple - Siegaliser (White)
3. Addictive - Domino Effect [DJ Naughty Unreleased mix] (Unreleased)
4. Champion - Tribal Affair (White)
5. Floating Points - SHARK CHASE (Eglo)
6. Jo Ann Jones - A Better Love [4am Mix] (111 East Records)
7. Karizma - ICU (Co-operation)
8. Scratcha DVA - Sci Fi (Unreleased)
9. Major Notes feat. Mellody - Friend of Mine (Lossol Productions)
10. T Williams - Afrik (Forthcoming Local Action)
11. Spooky - Rum Punch Riddim (Unreleased)
12. Jam City - A (Unreleased)
13. Girl Unit - IRL (Forthcoming Night Slugs)
14. Mya - Free [Brackles remix] (Unreleased)
15. Wookie - Trooper (Manchu)
16. Jeremy Sylvester - Making Love (United Sounds of London)
17. Ation - Move With You (Unreleased)
18. Solange - I Decided [D Franklin remix] (Unreleased)
19. Ramadanman - Bleeper (Forthcoming Hessle Audio)
20. Addison Groove - Dumb Shit (Forthcoming Swamp 81)
21. Skream - The Bug (Big Apple)
22. Mos Wanted - Hungry Tiger (White)
23. Ruff Sqwad - Misty Cold (White)
24. Cubic Zirconia - Hoes [Ikonika remix] (Unreleased)
25. Joe - Rut (Hessle Audio)
26. James Blake - CMYK (Forthcoming R&S)
27. Mala - Lean FWD (DMZ)
28. Terror Danjah feat. Shola Ama - With You (Aftershock)

On Repeat: Airhead - "Pembroke" (Brainmath) / James Blake - "The Bells Sketch" (Hessle Audio)

2010-03-05T19:40:00.008-05:00

We got a couple big tunes for your weekend pleasure. Wonderfully haunting new numbers from wunderkid James Blake (& Airhead) recently released on Brainmath & Hessle Audio. All of which are pretty much necessary listening for any fan of Blake's previous work, Hessle Audio, & Hyperdub.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

2:39 AM

2010-02-26T02:39:00.000-05:00

Heavy as an Elephant.

2010-02-23T18:48:00.002-05:00

Mark Prichard's massive "Elephant Dub" just dropped on Deep Medi and it's a proper atom bomb of bassweight. The B-side 'Heavy as Stone' turns things more soulful and rolling turning in one of the grooviest tracks I've heard in a minute.

Huge.

Local Love: Tues 2.16. On A Friday Presents: The Grooms (NYC), Young Adults, Earthquake Party

2010-02-15T12:02:00.008-05:00

Last minute shout for a very well rounded show tomorrow night at Great Scott. For those of you not exhausted from TGTHR, On a Friday are bringing in NYC noise pop buzz band The Grooms with Boston up and comers Young Adults and Earthquake Party!

If you find yourself looking for something to do tomorrow, hit this up it.

Listen

Grooms

Earthquake Party!

Young Adults

.-.-.-.

Biggest of ups to Mistaker, David Day, C Dubs, and everyone that made TOGETHER happen. In my opinion, the entire week was a resounding success and we really got to see what this city is capable of. With the first one down and an additional year of planning, TOGETHER 2011 will surely be even bigger and more blown out. It's not too early to get excited right?

Local Love: WED 2.10 TGTHR Presents, UNTOLD @ Goodlife

2010-02-09T16:27:00.021-05:00

If there is one TOGETHER event not to miss this week, this is it. Hands down. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of other solid producers and DJs playing Boston in the coming days; there just isn't anyone else currently hitting their creative stride while redefining sub sections of electronic genres quite like Untold is.

He is one of only a handful of producers that really doesn't put out any filler or half arsed tunes and with his recently released double pack on his own Hemlock label, (which was easily our 2009 release of the year) is in the midst of an unprecedented two year streak of high quality releases dating back to the 2008 Kingdom/Purify/Test Signal 12" on Hessle Audio. With an upper level remix of Islands by the XX and a joint release with LV on Hemlock in the near future, it doesn't look like he's slowing down either. Now we just have to wait to hear the direction he will bring bass in next.

As if you needed any more reason to hit up the Goodlife tonight. In the recently renovated upstairs, DJ's Kon, 7L & Nomadik will be holding it down all night with a motha f'en J Dilla tribute. Doesn't get to much better than that folks.

Get there early for Houston's DJ Wheezie opening downstairs, followed by our good mate and BASSIC resident C Dubs, who will surely be playing some heat to get the groove in motion for Untold. I don't think I've anticipated a show this much since Kode 9 last spring.

Fuck the snow, just make it out. You will regret not going to this.

Links

edit. Search the blog for Untold to listen to previous tunes we've put up.

On Repeat: Starkey - Rain City

2010-02-04T12:22:00.004-05:00

What gives? Where's that incredible Tropical Life mix you promised a post down.

Well... 1) my fucking awesome cat Pipa passed away.... while not always the smartest or healthiest of cats due to a plethora of problems (scared lungs caused by the people that smoked in the house she was born in and she is a white siamese cat and most likely a product of inbreeding ha) she lived a hearty 12 year life and was always there for me when I went back to the parents house.

2) I'm flying to DC to pick up a car on Friday and won't have time to post this tomorrow.

3) This is actually the 99th real post, just noticed a draft of a post on Edan's incredible Echo Party that was never published. (but will be very soon!)

In the interim, listen to this new and incredibly sick Starkey track that I've had in my head since Camp Bisco mid July of last year. Glad it finally got a release. Buy the 12", both songs are dooooppppeee.

Mix will be up Monday.

Links

Purchase

Starkey

99th post + On Repeat: Gucci Mane - Boi (Zomby Remix)

2010-01-29T20:54:00.005-05:00

Time sure does fly by. It's pretty hard for me to fathom that the next post will be our 100th. A BIG shout out for everyone that has been following our ramblings from the start and to the new cats that have just discovered us in the last few months. For the occasion we will be launching our Tropical Life mix series. I will be kicking it off with a gem filled mix of my own and if I had to guess it will probably include a few funky and future bass tunes and maybe an Untold track hah. There might be a surprise or two thrown in, so be on the look out for that in the next few days

You can expect a new mix every 2 weeks or so. We already have several top notch mixes lined up from friends around the city and beyond. Again thank you for all the support, we have some great things planned for the rest of the year and into the future, so keep your eyes peeled.

Now on to a filthy tune.

Currently out on Diplo's Free Gucci - Best of the Cold War mixtapes. Syrupy 8 bit remix by the ever evolving Zomby. Essential for your weekend festivities.

Links

Zomby

Diplo presents Free Gucci Mixtape

On Repeat: Untold - Stop What You're Doing (James Blake Remix) Hemlock

2010-01-24T18:33:00.011-05:00

I realized we never posted this tune when Gaslamp Killa threw it down last Thursday at the Middle East. After hearing Air and Lack There Of the day it was put up on Boomkat in middle of last summer, I knew James Blake had some incredible tunes in him.... but shit, I was not expecting a track of these proportions. I literally had goosebumps on my neck the first time I heard those haunting and possessed synth lines. It's one of those tunes that you consciously refrain from playing over and over again so you don't get yourself burned out on it. Easily one of my top 5 tracks of 2009. Unfortunately, I am still waiting for the second pressing on wax though.

Our boy and contributor Henry Frankenstein reviewed this track back in 1931. "Look! It's moving. It's alive. It's alive... It's alive, it's moving, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, IT'S ALIVE! "

Untold is playing @ The Goodlife on Feb 10th for TOGETHER and he might very well drop this. I expect to see all of you there. The full schedule and lineup has been posted on the Together website, link below.

Links

Local Love: THURS 1.21 Pretty & Nice Mixer @ Mid East Up

2010-01-19T16:14:00.009-05:00

This should be a good time. Pretty & Nice are one my favorite and most promising locals acts we have in Boston. Their album Get Young released last year on Hardly Art ( an offshoot of sub pop) has been on repeat in our household too many times to count. They haven't played the city in a hot minute, so why not head down to the Middle East for some tight quirky indie pop done better than you can. This show is being presented by our friends at On A Friday and also features Mystery Roar and Nooka Jones.

Since I am having problems embedding the track here, go to the link below and listen to Pretty & Nice's - Tora Tora Tora. You are a square if you can't get down to this song

Links

Pretty & Nice - Tora Tora Tora DL

Pretty & Nice Myspace

ps. please bear with us through our design change

Two Thousand Ten pt 1.

2010-01-18T22:36:00.010-05:00

January is already flying by fast and so many essential tunes have dropped already. So before I have too much catching up to do, here is part one of the ten artists, labels and sounds to keep an ear on in 2010.

Julio Bashmore

His debut 12" just dropped on Dirty Bird records. The single "Um Bongo's Revenge" floated around for some months before finally seeing release. Julio makes catchy as all hell, deep soulful and funky house music and has some serious potential. He also remixed Buraka som Sistema's "Restless" certainly one of my favorite tunes at the moment.

NUMBERS

Three of the best UK underground electronic labels, Stuff, Dress to $weat and Wireblock, have cominbed to form one label. Combined the list of people Numbers has worked with includes, Hudson Mohawke, Rustie, Slugabed, Bok Bok, L-Vis 1990 and Emvee...that is some serious young talent now all on the same team. First slated Numbers release is a new Deadboy tune, "If you want me" which is absolutely mental.

Mosca.

"Square One" has been in the pipeline for awhile now and is finally seeing a release on Bok Bok nad L-vis 1990s home label Night Slugs. Combines the best elements of funky perfectly with a slick R&B vibe and some seriously tropical rhythms.

Greena

On the same tip Greena's remix of 'Square One' sort of sets the bar for the tropical house vibe that is my favorite sound right now. Even listening to this at home I start to sweat, probably best in heard in a packed, dark basement at 2 in the morning. His debut on Apple Pips, 'Tenzado' is essential as well.

Kyle Hall

Equal parts Dilla and Moodyman and with Omar-S as a tutor, 18 year old Hall is a true Detroit native through and through. Although what sets him apart from his elders is the warmth all his songs have, they feel like real old school joints with a real soul.

On Repeat: Blue Daisy - Wolf (Black Acre)

2010-01-18T16:24:00.008-05:00

This track is one of my highlight tunes off of Blue Daisy's recently released Strings Detached EP on Black Acre. It's a certified wonky banger in line with some older Flying Lotus tunes.

The entire EP expands on the style of The Fall/ Space EX on his debut 12" while showing growth and development to a sound unique to Blue Daisy. I'll be looking forward to what this cat has to offer in the coming year.

Links

Purchase Strings Detached @ Boomkat

Blue Daisy

Black Acre

TOGETHER: Initial Lineup Announcement! UNTOLD!

2010-01-11T13:37:00.006-05:00

So here we go, the first artist announcement for Boston's own electronic music festival TOGETHER. All I really have to say is UNTOLD, yep the hands down producer of 09, UNTOLD. Brain meet wall.

Other highlights and not to miss sets include, DJ Rupture, Dirtybird, and Tim Hecker. Be on the lookout for further additions in the coming weeks. The excitement grows!

Links

Interweb Highlights - Scratch

2010-01-09T17:03:00.006-05:00

Not sure how much longer this will be up for, so take advantage this weekend and watch this up at Pitchfork TV. If you consider yourself the slightest fan of anything hip hop this is essential viewing.

SCRATCH

"This 90-minute doc on the history of turntablism featuring DJ Shadow, DJ Premier, and more is shown in its entirety. Director: Doug Pray."

GKP # 5

2010-01-09T13:55:00.004-05:00

Hey people , It's No Requests with a another mix for that ass . Sit back and enjoy !

Local Love: FRI 1.8.10 - OMAR S @ Goodlife

2010-01-04T12:21:00.009-05:00

I confess, I am just getting around to the grooves of detroit techno vet Omar S ,but I gotta say I love what I'm hearing. One thing I do know is that his Fabric 45 mix should not be passed up on.

Get your dancing socks & shoes on.

Omar S jam of the week.

------------

PS. Be on the look out for our year end lists for albums, 12"s, and singles as well as a 2010 preview. Been busy, be patient.

On Repeat: B.o.B - Satellite (Hud Mo Remix)

2009-12-29T13:44:00.007-05:00

This song has been stuck in my head for weeks now. Hud Mo pretty much can do no wrong with his remixes.

Go to the link below and download the entire ATL Remix cd put out by none other than Adult Swim, and Rockstar & Timbaland's Beaterator.... Hey if they are helping support good artists, they're fine by me.

While there are a few duds on this the Flying Lotus and Starkey tracks are tight, so check those out too.

Links:

Hudson Mohawke

ATL REMIX

TOGETHER: The New England Electronic Music Festival 2.8 - 2.14

2009-12-22T15:01:00.004-05:00

So this is fucking incredible, I feel like we've all witnessed the Boston electronic music scene come of age in the last 3 - 4 years. With a growing reputation around the world of having a legitimate electronic scene, with nights and events like BASSIC, Make It New, Thunderdome, Beat Research, Basstown, etc etc, I think we've proven that a self sustaining scene can thrive in Boston. For how small this city is, I find it pretty remarkable that there are anywhere from 2 - 5 DJ nights going on every night and usually to a packed house.

In terms of "dubstep" I'd say that Boston can pretty solidly on the map by bringing the elite DJ/ producers Martyn, 2562, Clouds, Ramadanman, Falty DL, Mike Slott, Starkey, and Kode fucking 9, all in the last year. Its been a pretty ridiculous ride to say the least.

Now its time showcase what this city has to offer and celebrate how far we've come in recent years. This will be the first of a plethora of coverage for this festival. Please read the deets about what's in store for what is sure to be one of the most ridiculous weeks in my life. Be on the lookout for artists announcements.

Without further ado

TOGETHER ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL MUSIC FESTIVAL - February 8-14th in Boston

Together: The New England Electronic Music Festival announces it’s first-ever annual electronic music festival, held from Monday, February 8 to Sunday, February 14 at various venues around the city of Boston. Over 100 artists will participate in nearly 40 events during the 6-day event, designed to celebrate and promote electronic music in all its facets. Complete programs and schedules will be announced January 13, 2010.

There is no doubt Boston nightlife has undergone a transformation in the past few years, as it has in much of the world. With the growing acceptance of dance music as a venerable staple of nightlife, electronic music in all its forms has seen an explosion in the underground. Along with have come visuals, collaboration and creativity galore.

Beginning with a kickoff reception on Monday Feb 8th, the festival will ramp up through the week with launch events like Hearthrob and Throwed. Together will hold daytime panels at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Schools such as New England Conservatory will show off some of their newest technology with tours. Wednesday and Thursday include award-winning nights Midweek Techno, Elements, Work! and Make It New with guests from inside the city and out. Additionally on Wednesday, Red Bull Music Academy partners with the Together team and group of party innovators from the local community for a special event at Estate.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the festival culminates in a series of even larger events at signature venues like the Middle East Club, the Paradise Rock Club and Downtown Crossing’s Good Life bar. Other weekend festivities will include a VJ symposium, a record fair and trade show, all-ages concerts, film screenings and after-hours celebrations at Rise.

Throughout the week, there will be more to enjoy as well. Activities include classes in the art of DJing and tours of famous collections of synthesizers. To ensure that the young "mixing generation" has a chance to participate, there will be all-ages shows and many different parties open to those 18 and over, including all after-hours events at Boston’s Rise nightclub.

Righteous!

TOGETHER WEBSITE

TOGETHER TWITTER

TOGETHER FACEBOOK

Fire: Rustie Remix of Kelis w/ Crookers - No Security

2009-12-22T12:28:00.007-05:00

One of the best tunes I've heard in the last few weeks, some dirtyness that really should be blasting out of car radios.

You can also check out a preview of some of Rustie's equally mind warping new tracks from his Warp debut due in 2010. "Neko" is a hudmo styled prog rock killer.

Linx

Rustie

Boomkat Purchase

Local Love: Wed 12.16 : WU-TANG DUBSTEP RELEASE PARTY BOSTON @ GOOD LIFE

2009-12-16T17:24:00.005-05:00

UGHH.COM is teaming up with FRANK151, and Boston's longest-running dubstep party BASSIC to celebrate the recent release of WU TANG: ENTER THE DUBSTEP, the clan's latest re-envisoned / remix album. LIsten to tracks on the album the way they were meant to be heard...ON A EAR DRUM BLOWING SOUND SYSTEM! Free giveaways by FRANK151, and plenty of bass-heavy beats by Scotch-1, Damian Silva and Codiac of YES&NO.

Lo Ciento + COCO

2009-12-10T11:26:00.009-05:00

Yo my friends, I apologize for the lack of posts recently. To say that last month has been hectic would be an understatement. Between Thanksgiving, finishing up mother fucking college, As Built, Bach Bouree, birthday, and one Mike Slott @ Goodlife shit show, the blog kinda just had to take a back burner for a bit. BUT THE WAIT IS OVER!

The first Tropical Life mixes will be up in the next week, one from yours truly and one from a new friend Coco Bryce.

For starters give a listen to his gem off the Harmonia - International Skwee 2 Comp. We got a lot in store the coming months though so keep your eye balls on this page.

Coco Bryce - Ghetto Freaks

Links

Coco Bryce Myspace

Harmonia

Buy International Skwee on Boomkat

In Rotation: Zomby - Aquarium

2009-11-18T10:59:00.005-05:00

Right up the alley of his Digital Flora/ Digital Fauna 12" on Brainmath. Can't get enough of the sound palette he uses here.

Local Love: Wed 11/11 BASSIC vs SECRETS w/ FALTY DL

2009-11-11T13:13:00.006-05:00

There really is no excuse for you not to be at the Goodlife tonight. Bassic brings in the prolific Falty DL to slay some ears downstairs while Secrets lays down the grooves upstairs. Can't really ask for more on a Wednesday.

On Repeat: Four Tet - Love Cry (Domino)

2009-11-05T17:52:00.004-05:00

This popped up in online record stores a few weeks back and has been on heavy rotation here since. Four Tet has definitely gone the route of quality over quantity 09 with this 12" and his amazing 12" split with Burial. Expect big things though when he releases his follow up to 2005 everything Estatic on January 10th 2009 on Domino. One can only hope the release is full of tracks like this. Oh and Joy Orbison and Untold have done remixes of this track.

Moderat - Seamonkey (Untold remix)

2009-11-02T11:55:00.004-05:00

If you only casually follow this blog, our love for Untold should be fairly apparent. He's by far one of the leaders in future bass right now and his unique style is unparalleled at the moment.

Solar system size releases popping up soon with his Gonna Work Out Fine EP and the Stop What You're Doing 12" with a hot James Blake remix.

Local Love: HALLOWEEN with BASSIC and JOE NICE

2009-10-29T23:14:00.015-04:00

Do not miss this. If you consider yourself the slightest dubstep fan you will make this a priority on your saturday night. I know we will be there and Mr Nice is sure to throw down heavy in our exposed brick bass haven.

(from the bassic crew)

BASSIC w/ Joe Nice Goodlife Bar 28 Kingston st Boston, MA 21+

Halloween Night BASSIC brings you the return of the one and only Joe Nice, dubstep Champion, musicologist, and connoisseur of cool. Its been far too long since our good friend from B foundation altimore paid us a visit so you can expect he's going to have some serious goodies in the bag, and few extra prime dubs cut for our celebration on this spooky eve. Joe has been a block in spreading the sounds of Dupstep not only stateside, but worldwide. We gladly welcome him back to Boston and so should you. If you have not made the epic hike to experience Dubwar in NYC or you missed him the last time now is your chance. The energy and aura he radiates on and off the decks is truly something one must experience to understand what he's all about.

Joe Nice (DubWar, NYC)

Prodigal Son (Foul Play, Boston)

Scotch 1 (Bassic, N2O, Boston)

LD - King of Kong

2009-10-29T16:38:00.004-04:00

OOOOOOhh! ROOOOOAR. LD takes a similar sound palate to the one he used on his "Summertime Clothes" Animal Collective remix and gets some legit safari step right here. I know I'll be blasting this when I go to Costa Rica later this year. This is the B side of the recently released "International Roots" 12" on Dub Police. Purchase here.

Floating Points - Vacuum Boogie EP

2009-10-25T23:02:00.008-04:00

Floating Points has had an amazing breakout year with releases on R2, Planet Mu and this, the Vacuum EP on his own Eglo imprint. This is easily his best and most cohesive releases of the year and not much can come close to eclipsing the combination of woozy 4x4 house mixed with equal parts sunshine disco and LA boogie-funk. His bass lines really shine on these 3 tracks and Vacuum Boogie is pure space disco butter. Light up a L and lay back. MUST HAVE.

Local Showcase: Young Artists At War

2009-10-22T21:34:00.005-04:00

Hey everybody we got a huge event going down tomorrow at the Art Insitute of Boston . I have some art in the show plus I'm spinning !!! We went big on these walls . COME THRU!!!!

Neil Landstrumm -Bambaataa Eats His Breakfast (Planet Mu)

2009-10-22T14:33:00.004-04:00

This entire album seems to have been overlooked. Well, its quite a killer, this track especially. Its kind of like a less blunted Rustie track, which is sometimes just what some of his tracks could use.

Pre Order : Falty DL - Party

2009-10-21T18:44:00.004-04:00

Falty is on a ridiculous run of releases this year. Having already released high points of 09, "To London EP" on Ramp and his full length "Love Is a Liability" on Planet Mu, Falty casually drops two more next level releases with the hotly tipped Bravery EP for Planet Mu and this 12" on Ramp. This guy is one prolific mother fucker and as of right now can do no wrong. "Party" runs at a brooding UK garage swing with the soulful vocals of a US garage track. Fans of shortstuff should not miss this. Purchase here.

Local Showcase: Thurs 10.15 - FLIGHT SCHOOL w/ Durkin, Evaredy & Brek.One

2009-10-14T18:39:00.007-04:00

Lets give it up for one of our best dudes and the only kid to still use Acid 3.0, Captain Durk. This man is largely responsible for my infatuation electronic music, crate digging, and sambas. If I hadn't met the kid at Edan gig at our school almost 5 years back, who knows if I ever would have gotten into production or if this blog would even exist. Lets just say that I owe a lot to the kid and his beats are fuckin slick as hell, so expect to his name dropped quite frequently here. He will also be contributing one of the first Tropical Life mixes that you will see popping up in the very near future

Shake your ass to the finest space disco, baile funk, and funk grooves at the Milky Way in JP ever third Thursday.

Almost forgot......FREE PBR FROM 10 - 11! email durkinmusic@gmail.com with your name and the title PBR ME.

Along with GHOSTDAD and Brek.One, Durkin also spins every Sunday at Zuzu for DO IT AGAIN. Come out, its a hoot.

Darkstar - Videotape RMX. Aidys Girl's A Computer

2009-10-11T17:51:00.004-04:00

This track is exclusive to the very solid Mary Anne Hobbs Comp - Wild Angel. Glad to see that this is finally getting a release. You can purchase it from Boomkat here.

Darkstar's - Aidys Girl's A Computer is up for contention for top 12" of the year. From what I can gather from that video below the Kyle Hall remix sounds dope as well. Do Not Miss. Speaced out beautiful two step. Purchase here.

ITS HAUS MUZIK!!

2009-10-06T12:33:00.003-04:00

Beyond any shadow of a doubt the sound of the worldwide underground in 09' is deep, dirty, soulful House music. This isn't just signified by the explosion of UK Funky onto the worldwide scene but instead signifies a sea change in sensibilities; people want music that not only moves the body but reaches deep into your mind and soul with psychedelic inclinations. Here's a few songs that have been massaging my brain as of late.

This is a stone cold classic from 1996. Truly transcendent dance music from Kerri Chandler, the House legend from New Jersey. This song really carries a timeless air about it, Hallelujah indeed.

One of my favorite surprises of 09' comes from Detroit native Andres. His Andres II EP clocks in at under 30 min but is full of a mix of Dilla style grooves with more dance ability and a heavier R&B-house slant. I'd have to say this is probably the most soulful music I've heard in quite awhile.

Geiom can't sit still. He's dabbled in just about every style of urban UK dance music this decade. However i'd have to say this is possibly my favorite style of his. Eyl Booty has obvious nods to UK Funky but the production values are incredible and the percussion spot on. This is one for the 2AM crowd, a mind bending experience of bass, booty shaking and serious grooves.

Cooly G sits squarely in the middle of the Dubstep/Funky crowd while not really wanting to be part of either. Her music carries a signature broken-beat feel mixed with wonderfully moody atmospherics. Weekend Fly was just released on the Hyperdub 5 comp and is perhaps the strongest track of the whole bunch. Perhaps the track here least indebted to House is only because her style is so unique. However it's power in the dance in undeniable, its true future music.

Carry on.

In Town : Tuesday 9/29 Mayer Hawthorne @ Great Scott

2009-09-24T15:14:00.015-04:00

Let me start by saying that after years of putting out solid record after solid record, I will give every Stones Throw signee at least a few chances. Now it took me a little bit longer than usual to check out Mayer Hawthorne probably due to my subconscious not thinking that the guy in the picture above this had the chops to play mid 60's - mid 70's soul and funk as well as he does. After months of putting off the inevitable, I fired up "Just Ain't Gunna Work Out." I was blown away by how accurate and authentic Hawthorne's take on 70's crisp Motown tune. Hawthorne sings in a falsetto with a strong Smokey Robinson vibe and delivers an all around solid record that stands up just as well as some of the original soul tracks that influenced him.

For me, what really sets Hawthorne apart from the rest of the "retro" revival over the last few years is his obvious knowledge of all corners of soul and funk. To cut a record this tight and on spot to a time period requires countless hours of listening and digging. You can purchase A Strange Arrangement from the Stones Throw store here.

Hawthorne will be performing directly down the street from our house at Great Scott this Tuesday, September 29th. Check out the selection of tunes below.

Fever Ray - Seventh (Martyn's Seventh Remix)

2009-09-14T23:56:00.004-04:00

Two step done so incredibly right its hard to imagine why there are so few pairings that sound this perfect out there. While revisiting Great Lengths earlier this week, I realized how well the tunes have held up since it was released earlier this year. GREAT dub/tech/wonky fuckit albums are pretty hard to come by, but Great Lengths looks like it will take a place in 2009 as one of the better complete and flowing albums of the genre. Rinse and Repeat.

Lucky We

2009-09-14T23:42:00.005-04:00

Here's a total stunner of a mix from the Kode 9. Only there's no dubstep, just shimmering G-funk and sunny L.A. wooze-hop with a sprinkling of just about everything else stretching from Prince to Dizzee Rascal. Essential sounds taking is into this very purple fall.

Kode 9 - Hyper Lucky Mix

Sa-ra - Dirty Beauty
Prince - The Ballad of Dorothy Parker
Kleer - Intimate Connection
Cameo - Back & Forth
Herbie Hancock - Perfect Machine
Slava Tsukerman - Margrets Apartment
The Associates - Message Oblique Speech
Slava Tsukerman - Night Club
Gosub - Last Night at the Stardust
Slava Tsukerman - Seduction of Vincent
Simonetti/Morante/Pignatelli - Tenebre
Simonetti/Morante/Pignatelli - Slow Circus
Ryuichi Sakamoto & David Sylvian - Bamboo Houses
Dizzee Rascal - Brand New Day
Sun Ra - Rocket Number Nine

Shortstuff - Progression

2009-09-03T16:18:00.002-04:00

Another big tune from at the moment producer Shortstuff on Formant Records. Purchase from Boomkat here.

Hello hELLO.

2009-08-25T00:05:00.004-04:00

Sir Kid Kaleidoscope will be back with some real mind altering musics and words in a bittle.

In the meanwhile keep this tune on repeat.

Kasia - Over You (Dexplicit Remix)

2009-08-24T14:20:00.002-04:00

WAH WAH WAH WAAAAH WOOAHH WOOAHH

Interweb Highlights - Starkey Big Up Podcast 09

2009-08-21T19:06:00.004-04:00

Now this is the Starkey set I wanted to see at his Goodlife gig. Nice to see him slowly moving away from the "over the top aggro for the sake of being aggro" sound that plagued his set the first time I saw him. After he absolutely killed his 4:20 set at Camp Bisco (vids up shortly), it got me thinking that his Goodlife set could have been a fluke brought on by a few too many whisky sours and the few overly enthusiastic fucks telling him to play more wobble. No doubts in my mind after hearing this mix though. Big up to Big Ups for this!!...crazy amount of unheard dubs.

BIG UPS PODCAST 09 - STARKEY

In the Big Up Podcast mix he walks us through various musical flavors, making it hard to categorize his sound. The only thing is certain – you haven’t heard this before and it will make you move. Watch out for the lazers and Starkbots!

01 – Spiritualized “Ladies & Gentlemen We are Floating in Space” (parlophone)
02 – Shortstuff “Behave” (dub)
03 – Egyptrixx “Hexagon Ya” (dub)
04 – Kaiser “Agent 2.5″ (dub)
05 – Joker “Taste the Rainbow” (dub)
06 – Starkey “Beatingz” (dub)
07 – DNAE Beats “Blood Royale” (dub)
08 – Ikonika “Smuck” (planet mu)
09 – Monkey “Gloomy” (dub)
10 – DZ & SamXL “Cotton Candy” (dub)
11 – Slugabed “Drown It” (dub)
12 – Eskmo “I Dream I’m Flying” (ancestor)
13 – Buddy Leezle “I Left My Heart in Philadelphia (Starkey remix)” (seclusiasis)
14 – Gemmy “Dolla Digital” (dub)
15 – Mario ft. Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett “Break Up” (jive)
16 – Giorgio Moroder “Leopard Tree Dream” (mca)
17 – Stagga “Juju Science” (dub)
18 – Doshy “Scatter” (dub)
19 – Starkey “Rain City” (dub)
20 – Raffertie “Eyes Closed” (seclusiasis)
21 – Numan “Secrets” (dub)
22 – Starkey “Miracles (Jamie Vex’d Remix)” (planet mu)
23 – Mark Instinct “Invader” (dub)
24 – Starkey “Prism” (starksound)
25 – Dev79 “From the Get (VIP)” (slit jockey)
26 – Zomby “With Lazers” (dub)
27 – Starkey “Dark Alley” (planet mu)
28 – Stina Nordenstam “Until” (atlantic)

Interweb Highlights - TRG Fact Mix 75

2009-08-21T15:05:00.007-04:00

FACT continually pushes the boundaries in the ever evolving world of electronic music and covers more music that make my ears happy than not. Earlier this week they put up FACT Mix 75 by the ever versatile, Bucharest's TRG. He's goes on a welcomed Garage/housey/UKF vibe here that definitely gets the party rolling. check it.

FACT MIX 75 - TRG (up for three weeks)

(From Fact)

Cosmin Nicolae by name, you probably know TRG best for his dubstep productions on labels like Tempa, Hotflush and Hessle (his 'Put You Down' was the label's first release, and Martyn's remix on HES004 arguably their most well-known). But judging by his FACT mix, he's currently pushing a housier sound: Karizma, Hot City, Roska and Cajmere feature alongside a host of new TRG productions, and tracks are mixed deep into each other. Plus it ends on 'Trilingual Dance Sexperience', which is such a jam it's unreal.

Tracklisting:

1. Karizma - Necessary Madness (R2)
2. Seiji - Hohoho (CDR)
3. Roska- Elevated Level (Kicks & Snares)
4. Mystery - Speechless
5. Hot City - No More (Infrasonics)
6. TRG - Now You Know (CDR)
7. TRG - Tribal Flex (CDR)
8. L-Vis 1990 - United Groove (TRG Remix)
9. Hot City - Hot City Bass (Ramp)
10. Mescal Kid - Magic (Size Digital)
11. TRG - Purple Lights (CDR)
12. Pearson Sound - Wad (Hessle Audio)
13. Saeed Younan - Kumbalha (Younan Music)
14. TRG - Discotek 79 (CDR)
15. Cajmere - Percolator (Cajual Records)
16. Dorian Concept - Trilingual Dance Sexperience (Affine)

This blog post definitely does not contain a Chris Brown song.

2009-08-12T21:03:00.007-04:00

Just forget that this is a Chris Brown song and that this video is collage of his douchey

self, its a pretty fuckin good remix. Ups to Dexplicit for making this song listenable.

Gamma Knife Podcast

2009-08-12T20:50:00.006-04:00

Sup ya'll this is Dj No Request comin' out of the east coast jungle,check my podcast and blog ...got those ill beats all day . Peep the art too , if you need any work done just message me.

word.

New Grooves Volume II: Aug 10th - 16th

2009-08-12T12:46:00.010-04:00

Second edition of our weekly feature highlighting the grooves that are tickling our ears this week.

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VA - Echo Expansion (Porter Records)

(Flying Lotus, Ras G, Gaslamp etc)

It's hard to ignore the fact that there seems to be a lot of spiritual soul searching from the more thoughtful quarters of the American instrumental hiphop scene right now, with a bright spotlight of spectral sunshine breaking the clouds and focussing on the City of Angels. Recent records from The Life Force Trio and Flying Lotus among others have really displayed a yearning for something a little deeper, even extending to the psyche obsessions of Gaslamp Killer and Alfred Darlington's many guises. Dublab and Porter Records have succinctly compiled the best of these spiritually connected producers with 'Echo Expansion', dividing a group of 13 artists into two sides, 'Future' and 'Roots'. On the 'Future' side we have 3 tracks from Alfred Darlington (aka Adventure Time, Blank Blue and Daedelus), a psyche rock gem from Gaslamp Killer & The Gonja Sufi, plus a pure bomb track from Flying Lotus, and more from Ras G, Dimlite, DNTEL and The life Force Trio. On the 'Roots' side we have Languis, Jahbitat, Kutmah, Hashim B, Take, MatthewDavid and Andrew Pekler all exploring psyched variations on an elevated theme. It's a lovingly crafted and beautifully presented package that any of the more cosmically inclined heads will lap up. Very good indeed. (Boomkat)

New Grooves Volume 1: Aug 3rd - 9th

2009-08-03T21:33:00.014-04:00

There is no way we are able to cover EVERY release that has been pleasing our ears that week, so we decided that to do an oft updated weekly post, highlighting some of the finest cuts that need to heard . All of these come highly recommended.

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I have just enough time to sneak one more tune into this week's selection, and it's a biggun. This will see wax on Danjah's "Industry Standard Vol. 4" due on Planet Mu in the middle of August and could easily be THE truest vinyl release of 2009.

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Shortstuff - A Rustling (Ramp)

Shortstuff on point once again with 2 more big cuts. Both tracks "Rustling" and "Stuff" are heavy on the garage vibes and that highly syncopated left field percussion kick Brackles and Shortstuff have been deep into lately. This is the sound right here.

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Dam Funk - Toeachizown Vol 1: Latrik (Stones Throw)

Throwback boogie g funk beats from Stones Throw's resident synth master Dam Funk.

I really can't think of a good analogy to how great of a pairing this video and this song are, so just watch it. This reminds me of playing Cruisin' USA at Roller Kingdom eating some rotisserie pizza. Thanks Dam. Ups to BenUFO for this.

Lastly on this Dam Funk kick, he recently did an exclusive mix for Scotland UK's, Lucky Me. As one might except from Dam, this mix is an array of early some of the most out there early to mid 80's boogie funk, cosmo synth beats and spaced out prog. He also throws in a few newer releases and an unreleased track of his own. Intro for the mix and tracklisting below.

"This year has been Dâm-Funk's year. Which is kinda ironic given the man is the anti-hipster. He loves this music. He loves its very essence. With Damon you should know you aren't getting a DJ that's just exploring genres looking for ideas. These are not samples on this tape, fresh for the plunder. Nor are you getting a connoisseurial collectors tape here. I mean, who else lists labels and the year on his tracklisting? Dam is for sharing. If this music is rare then so be it. It's only there cause in Dâm-Funk's mind this is the best party in the cosmos - and you are invited. He lives this music. The real deal. We got this in the post with a note saying '"All music was recorded via the 'original wax' recordings. No Mp3's or re-issues were used whatsoever."

louis johnson - she's bad - capitol records 12" - 1985
impulse - can you hear me (calling you) - impulse records EP - 1984
bruford - one of akind pt's 1 & 2 - polydor records lp - 1979
carole walker - rejoice - secret records lp - 1987
lamont dozier - Interlude - columbia records lp - 1981
bronner brothers - what do i have to do - neighbor records lp - 1986
maniacs - sweet ladies (instrumental version) - 25 west records 12" - 1983
gosub - mind travel method - citinite records lp - 2007
reinhard lakomy - der traum von asgard - amiga lp - 1983
mike maineri - flying colours - warner bros lp - 1981
bim marx - stronger - stillove4music records 12" - 2008
kaidi tatham - swift inspiration (quick kid) - freedom school lp - 2008
wizardz - boogie slyde (original version) - sound wave records 12" - 2009
twennynine with lenny white - movin' on - elektra records 12" - 1981
bryan loren - do you really love me" (instrumental version) - philly world records 12" - 1984
ojeda penn - happiness is having you near - ife records lp - 1980
wavelength - funk dreams - glydezone records 7" - 2009
dâm-funk - breakthru - (unreleased dubplate) 12" - 2006

LISTEN HERE

Lil' Girl

2009-08-03T01:30:00.002-04:00

This song is beautiful.

big things on their way...

Zomby - One Foot Ahead of the Other EP - SHIPS FRIDAY

2009-07-29T17:01:00.006-04:00

Another new Zomby track called Godzilla from the forthcoming "One Foot In Front of Another" EP on Ramp. Thanks for Smoke/Less/Fuels for the heads up. You can grab it at Boomkat HERE. BIG RELEASE.

I've been in Wisconsin without internet for sometime now. Good to be back. New posts in the coming days. Now that I have confirmation (was there any doubt to begin with?) BIG UPS to Sir David Ramadanman for killing it at Bassic this past Friday.

Darkstar, Starkey, Zomby

2009-07-20T12:55:00.014-04:00

With only a handful of releases, Darkstar haven't been the most prolific act, but everything they do put out is stands out more than more than the many other producers making similar style synth beat dub. FACT Magazine has graciously put up new track Darkstar remix of one of the best songs of In Rainbows "videotape. It will be out in the coming months on the next Mary Anne Hobbs mix on Planet Mu. You can purchase it from itunes here and directly from Planet Mu, here.

I highly recommend everyone stop what they are doing and go listen to this tune over at Fact.

Listen here. This is a tune that you can lay back, close your eyes and lets yourself get transported to a different world.

Darkstar will be making their live debut at the Social Baller Club 2nd anniversy (BIG Post coming soon on this) with Rustie, Prefuse 73 and more. Debut album is coming out sometime in the near cuture

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Starkey killed it at Camp Bisco this past weekend in Mariaville, NYC. Here are a few vids of his set taken by.. Big ups, I can see myself for a small second. More big ups to Martyn and The Biscuits for putting on other top notch sets.

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New Zomby track called Godzilla from the forthcoming "One Foot In front of another" EP. Thanks for Smoke/Less/Fuels for the heads up.

Hesslin'

2009-07-13T20:57:00.018-04:00

As Dubstep continues to spiral outward internationally it's sound is quickly becoming more and more fractured, splintering into what seems like dozens of 'wut u call it?' sub-genres. Summer 09' is proving to be one of the most exciting times in recent memory for new sounds and new rhythms. Much of the best tunes being wheeled right now slow things down to 130 steering ears towards Funky, Dubbage or whatever you'd like to call it; regardless it's all about the House vibes, a breath of fresh air away from the brain melting aggro dubstep that was seemingly the status quo for a good two years. Now however there is plenty of interesting music being made on the fringes of the hardcore-dubstep crowd and perhaps no label is more forward thinking at the moment than the one and only Hessle Audio.

A mere 8(and soon to be 9) releases into their existence, Hessle Audio is slowly sneaking up on Hyperdub as the go to label for tunes which push the boundaries of the whole UK Garage sound and are primed to influence a new generation of producers and DJs. Perhaps the most exciting thing about this label is the youth of its founders, Ben 'UFO' Thomson, David 'Ramadanman' Kennedy and Kevin McAuley aka Pangaea. 3 friends with great taste, great talent and limitless potential.

Back in January, Resident Advisor did a well informed piece detailing the backstory of the Hessle Audio crew(read it here) and made it apparent that the groundwork had been laid for 2009 to be a breakout year for the label. David Kennedy lays out the mission statement for the Hessle sound.

"We just want to put out stuff that you're not going to stop playing after a few months because it's been rinsed—I think that's my interpretation of what the label's about. I think there's a lot of good music out there, but not a lot of really good music, and I think that sometimes not every tune has to come out just for the sake of it."

As of late, Ben UFOs 'Ruffage Sessions' on Sub FM have been amongst some of the most exciting mixes you can find anywhere, connecting the dots between UK Funky, US House, Dubstep and a good bit of w**ky hip-hop(Get locked every Thursday from 3-5 Eastern Time Sub.FM). Ramadanman surprised a few people when he revealed himself to be the man responsible for A Pearson Sound whose track 'Wad'(forthcoming Hessle 009) is one of the most wonderfully alien sounding things around right now, a percussive beast which reminds one of a more Funky slanted take on some of Untold's more bare moments(his refix of Ramadanman's Revenue comes to mind unsurprisingly.) And speaking of Untold, Hessle released his debut 'Kingdom' last year and in 09' the absolutely essential 'I Can't Stop This Feeling/Anaconda' 12", lending no small hand in the breakout one of London's most exciting producers. All this and we haven't even gotten to Pangaea's 'Memories' yet, a gorgeous garagey track with an amazing vocal hook that just dropped on white label and is second only to Joy Orbison's 'Hyph Mngo' for anthem of 2009. Exciting times for Hessle Audio.

Here's a sick mix Pangaea did a while back

Reprise.011.Pangaea. by Reprise Music Group

Also if you lot love these sounds as much as I do don't sleep on seeing Ramadanman on his US tour. He plays Boston next Friday July 24th at BASSIC, I for one, can't wait.

Hessle Audio
Ramadanman
A Pearson Sound
Ben UFO
Pangaea
Untold
Sub.FM

Ramadanman US tour

Jul 17 2009

8:00P

Dub War @ Love

NYC, New York

Jul 18 2009

8:00P

Surefire Sound

SF, California

Jul 24 2009

8:00P

Bassic

Boston, Massachusetts

Jul 25 2009

8:00P

Bazzaar

Atlanta, Georgia

Jul 31 2009

8:00P

Gallery

Washington DC, Washington DC

Aug 1 2009

8:00P

Pure Filth

LA, California

Aug 5 2009

8:00P

Weight

Austin, Texas

Hyph Mngo

2009-07-11T16:27:00.003-04:00

And thus...the anthem. I can't wait 'til this hits wax.

Pangaea - Memories

2009-07-10T14:20:00.005-04:00

Another big tune from the ever consistent Pangaea. Stunning funky 2 step rhythm with a mysteriously beautiful vocal. Does it get any better than this? Club killer. 12" out July 13th on STHoldings.

Early Morning

2009-07-08T08:29:00.004-04:00

"Music is holy to me, and the unblanched truths of the greatest music communicate to me at a level that is completely non-trivial, and the conduits of this force - well, they're not so much like shamen or monks than actual saints or incarnated deities..."

-Matthew "WOEBOT" Ingram
-

A couple of good pieces of writing from Martin Clark a.k.a. Blackdown. The first is the monthly grime/dubstep column on pitchfork about a Mr. Joy Orbison, whose dubstep/funky anthem 'Hyph Mngo' is destined to be one of the biggest tracks of '09. Read it here. Blackdown also has an excellent piece on his blog about the state of 'Dubstep' and how the best music is being made on the fringes of the sound. Those tunes which are pushing the boundaries towards house(Funky), hip-hop(W**ky) and synth madness(the Purple stuff) and the worst of the music is the hard-line mid-range aggro-step that goes against everything the Dubstep scene was founded upon. Give it a look here, and also check the healthy discussion on Dissensus about the same, here.

Fresh Greens

2009-07-06T00:51:00.005-04:00

This track makes it pretty apparent that Diplomats head Killa Cam hasn't lost a step during his two year hiatus between albums. Crime Pays is Cam's 8th studio release and it dropped in May on Asylum Records. Hate My Job is the lead single off Crime Pays and is straight up one of the catchiest and dopest anthems of the year. Big ups to Skitzo for this beat and the many others he produced off of Crime Pays. THOSE KEYS!!!!! FIRE. Celebrate life motha fuckers.

The quality of the tune in the video isn't very good so go pick up the release on itunes or record shop.

purple sunshine

2009-07-04T01:11:00.003-04:00

it's all too good.

Untold vs. Ramadanman

2009-06-30T09:28:00.005-04:00

This is the sound right here. Untold is without a doubt the most forward producer in the game right now. This re-rub of Ramadanman's 'Revenue' is a wacked out tribal workout with Funky sensibilities and ocean floor bass stabs. This music puts me in the mind of a rave being held deep in the jungle by a heretofore undiscovered tribe of mystics which happened upon an abandoned sound system and worships it as their god.

FWD>>>>

The machines, they sing!

2009-06-26T09:40:00.002-04:00