VIDEO: Trim - Monkey (Hood Video)

Arkse fo' Trim.

Link:
www.myspace.com/trimbale

DOWNLOAD: Final Ruffage Session

I was gonna tap this recording on to last week's piece on this very subject but I figured it deserved its own post; it's a bitter sweet honour for me to be able to present you with the audio from the final Ruffage Session on Sub.fm.

4 hours with Ben UFO, Ramadanman and Pangaea at the helm.

DOWNLOAD: Final Ruffage Session

Tracklist after the jump - I'd post it but it is retarded long.

INTERVIEW: XI [Immerse/Formant]

Sonic Router is incredibly proud to be able to present the first exclusive mix of 2010 from Candian producer, XI. With music forthcoming on a multitude of labels and a multitude of production styles, we first got wind of him through his forthcoming, ‘000’ 12” on Immerse Records. With a percussion heavy style his music has all the energy of the garage, funky hybrid perpetuating the airwaves but manages to retain some of those simple sine wave step hallmarks that first struck a chord with our ears back when.

After hearing more of his music thanks to another 12” on Formant, we reached out and touched our keypads, pinned XI down to an AIM username and shot him a few questions so we could learn ourselves a little something.

Sonic Router: Can you provide those who may not know you with a bit of background info?

XI: Sure, my name’s Christian, been producing beats since the turn of the millennium, got seriously into dubstep late in ’05. Started out doing experimental and moved to jungle early on. Always been an electronic music fan, also grew up on a lot of abstract hip-hop and metal from the 90s. Been DJing clubs since the age of 16, went to recording school at 19, and it’s been a wrap ever since.

Outside of music who are you? What do you do on the daily?

Music takes up a massive portion of my daily life, between playing shows, working on music by myself or with friends, working at local record store Slinky Music, or doing mix-downs for friend’s bands/projects; there is really only time for a few things. I like to collect comic books and trades, and was a competitive video game player for a bit, but those days are pretty well over.

How did you first get into making music? What was it that infected you to do produce?

Hearing artists like Aphex Twin, DJ Shadow, and Photek made me do a 180. I was totally captivated by the artist’s sonic palette and become obsessed with figuring out how to mimic the sounds and arrangements I was hearing. I copped a free version of Fruity Loops and started having more fun than I’d ever had doing anything. Ever.

What’s your production set up like?

I like to keep it minimal; I run a small basement studio with a Novation Xio Synth, and an MPD32 for control/performance. Aside from that I do a huge amount of my work inside Ableton Live.

How would you describe your sound to someone zoning in for the first time?

Manic depressive.



Whats the deal behind the XI moniker?

For a good while I was producing jungle under the name “35k” but was also making a good bit of experimental breaks, 2-step and hip hop. I wanted to have a different name for that project so I took the first 2 letters of my name’s short-form (“Xian”) = XI.

What first brought you to the dubstep sound? What inspires you musically?

The versatility was easily one of the biggest draws for me. Each producer in the early days of the sound came with a unique style, but no matter how they differed, they all fell under this one BPM umbrella. I personally thought it sounded like the drum & bass I loved turned into crunk (which I also loved). This fusion of UK music and hip-hop totally piqued my interest, and has definitely had an influence on how I make my beats to this day.

From the feel of your forthcoming 12”s on Immerse and Formant, you’ve got a keen interest in percussion. Is that your main focus when you start making a track...?

I almost always start with drums. I played drums in various bands though my younger days, so rhythm has always been a sticking point with me. For me a track can be little more than a complex drum pattern and bassline, with one or two other sounds accompanying it.

What’s the scene like in Toronto? Is it a healthy place musically? Who’s representing, other than yourself, the out there?

Toronto is doing its own thing, I haven’t really been to any other city like it in terms of the community. I wouldn’t say it’s the most healthy musical environment, but the tools for artists to progress are here. There is a lot of talent in T.O such as producers Bombaman, Egyptrixx, and the boys from Zed’s Dead have sent me some very impressive stuff. We have tons of talented DJs as well. The scope here among some promotional outfits seems to be a bit limited, but I’ve always been doing my own thing, I think that’s the only way to keep going around here. I’ve taken back up promotion as well, kicking off the year by bringing NYC’s Falty DL to town on the 21st of January.

Do you find it hard to keep up?

I suppose that comes down to your definition of keeping up. These days there are so many new artists, so much new music, and legions of new fans of the music. I just keep my head down and trawl around for the stuff I like. I’m finding right now to be one of the most exciting times in music ever in my life, so in keeping up with stuff that makes me excited, no, I wouldn’t say it’s hard, though it does take some effort.

I see you work with Bombaman as Loetech. How did you two hook up and what makes the project different from your tracks as XI?

Bombaman and I started producing experimental hip-hop and jungle together many years ago. We met through a mutual friend around 2002. Being that we are basically the same person it is very easy for us to throw down in the studio together. The way our collabs differ from my solo production is that Bomba’s more party and dancefloor driven attitude plays off of my braindance-y complex arrangements, forming something uniquely intelligent, energetic and groovy.

You’ve also got the Ultragamma project, which feels more hip-hop influenced, judging by a quick listen and your mix tracklist for the CC 001 mixtape. Tell us a little about that one?

Ultragamma is another solo-project I’m working on. It started a couple years back in much the same way XI did, just dabbling around with some other styles under a pseudonym. I actually love working on this kind of stuff, I never really intended for anyone to hear it so I was free to just do whatever I wanted, the main point originally being to create a more tweaky sound palette for my dubstep productions, but after a couple people heard the beats I got the notion I was on to something a little more important.



What up and coming releases have you got coming out?

I’ve got several XI plates dropping early this year, ‘000’ on Immerse Recordings out of Bristol, ‘Light FM’ on Texas label Formant Recordings, my collab with DJG, ‘Putney Says,’ on Surefire Sound out of SF and ‘The Ghost’ b/w the Headhunter remix on Orca out of London.

I haven’t started working on releasing any of the Ultragamma stuff, and am not in any particular hurry to.

Since 2010 is the most futuristic sounding date since the year 2000, have you got any future forward predictions for the year ahead?

Given the current climate I wouldn’t be surprised to see a total blurring between underground and overground styles. Not just in music, but in culture in general. People are takin’ it back this decade.

Can you tell us a little about the mix you’ve done for us and how it came together?

I wanted to do a bit of a producer showcase, to give your readers an idea of my production spectrum. As I stated earlier, I love versatility in music and try to keep my style varied and interesting, so for this I decided to start off on the lighter side of things and work my way into some of my more slammin’ work.

Have you got any words of wisdom for our readers?

You literally get out what you put in.

::

DOWNLOAD: XI – Sonic Router Mix



Tracklist:

01. XI - Unfair [dub]
02. XI - The Ghost [Orca]
03. XI - 000 [Immerse]
04. XI - Drip [Surface Tension]
05. Ludwig Coenen - Green Movement (XI remix) [Thoughtless]
06. XI - Light FM [Formant]
07. Tri-Funk - 620 [dub]
08. Thrills - Go (XI & DZ remix) [dub]
09. XI - Dreaming Void [Surface Tension]
10. XI & DJG - Putney Says [Surefire]
11. XI - Zurich [dub]
12. Egyptrixx - Just Say Really (XI remix) [Idiot House]
13. Starkey - Murderous Words (XI remix) [dub]
14. XI - Vacuum [dub]
15. XI - Luck Dragon [dub]
16. Dials - SEF [dub]
17. Rustie - Bad Science [Wireblock]
18. Loetech - Base [dub]
19. XI - Genesis [dub]
20. Swarms - Shiver (Ashburner remix) [For the Win]

Link:
www.myspace.com/xidubs
www.myspace.com/ultragamma

Photos: Kelly Koehler

DOWNLOAD: Roska - Hyp!Hyp!Hyp! Mix

Roska comes with a lil exclusive mix for the Hyp!Hyp!Hyp! crew to mark their event on Saturday at Plan B.

Info on that here.

DOWNLOAD: Roska - Hyp!Hyp!Hyp! Mix

Tracklist:

01. Zinc & Dynamite - Wileout (Roska Special) - Bingo Bass
02. Roska - Feeline (Original Mix) - Roska Kicks & Snares
03. Baobinga - Tongue Riddim (Roska Remix) - Build
04. Geeneus & Dynamite - Get Low (Roska Special) - Rinse
05. Gucci Vump - Shta Shti (L-Vis1990 Remix)
06. MA1 - Static - Karnival
07. Roska - I Need Love - Rinse
08. Marco Del Horno - The Only Way Out Is Down - Bullet Train
09. Roska & Jamie George - Wonderful Day

Link:
www.myspace.com/rosiroska

DOWNLOAD: The Best of Ruffage Sessions

There’s something so vital about internet radio; something about it feels a lot more hidden from the mainstream. You can’t flick across it accidentally on your FM dial as you drive, you have to be there locked into your station, frantically asking for wheel ups in the chat room by bashing your fists on the keyboard, adding a bunch of exclamation marks and then pressing enter. For me there is yet to be a more instant and personally rewarding medium.

After 3 years of helming the cult radio show, The Ruffage Sessions on the longest running original pirate internet station, Sub.fm, the core trio behind the Hessle Audio label, Ben UFO, Ramadanman and Pangaea, are calling it a day. Tomorrow night’s 4 hour special - from 8pm right through to midnight - presented by and featuring the platter merging of all 3 of them (“for the first time in ages” according to Ben UFO) will be the send off; that special present given to the loyal listeners and message board frequenters.

So, to mark the passing of a big part of the trio’s lives they’ve selected 10 of their favourite sessions - some archived on Sub FM’s cavernous recesses and others re-upped especially for this occasion – to give you a great idea of the guests they’ve had along the way along with a vital insight of the multitude of styles you can expect to hear tomorrow night.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions 01.03.07 (via Sendspace)

This is one of the first shows we ever did... it feels like a long time ago. We were all based in Leeds at this point, so we were doing a lot more shows together.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions – Ramadanman 05.07.07 (Right Click/Save As)

Another early show... Ramadanman was buying house and techno long before we started doing this, and this is the first time he showcased that.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions – Pangaea 31.01.08(Right Click/Save As)

Pangaea's first and only solo show, starting out with a Derek and Clive sketch and moving through a lot of different sounds.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions – Ramadanman 23.04.08 (via Divshare)

A solo Ramadanman show, 100% vinyl from early 2008. Broadcast from Dorset with the trusty headphone mic.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions feat. Appleblim – 29.05.08 (Right Click/Save As)

This was at the point when there was more hype around techno oriented dubstep than there'd ever been. At the same time there was a lot of music coming out of the house and techno scenes that sounded really exciting, and was unfamiliar to us. This show’s a good document of that.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions feat. Bok Bok – 20.11.08 (Right Click/Save As)

Ben: One of the hypest and most enjoyable show’s I’ve done. A lot of fun was had piecing together house music from all over the place and trying to keep everything from falling apart.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions– Ben UFO Jungle Show 01.01.09 (via Megaupload)

Recorded on New Years Day 2009. Although it's predominantly dark, mid-90s stuff I get quite a blissful vibe from it.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions Second Birthday Pt. 1 – Ramadanman 08.01.09 (Right Click/Save As)

The first half of our second birthday celebrations, broadcast from Lille. Ramadanman picked out some of his favourite tunes that got played regularly on the show through the two years it’d been running.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions Second Birthday Pt. 2 feat. Oneman, Elgato, Brackles, Bok Bok, Ben UFO and Asbo – 15.01.09 (Right Click/Save As)

Ben: Some of the happiest memories of radio I have come from this show. It was a real privilege mixing with everyone all crammed into a tiny room with piles of records all over the place. We kept it going for nearly 4 hours. There are tunes in this show I've not heard since.

DOWNLOAD: Ruffage Sessions – Ben UFO 09.04.09 (Right Click/Save As)

One of the first Ruffage Sessions focusing on a transition from lower tempo house through garage ending up at 140bpm.

Catch the last ever Ruffage Session on Sub.fm tomorrow night from 8pm. Oh and look out for Pangaea's double pack EP dropping on Hessle Audio imminently, 'Why?' is the one...

Links:
http://sub.fm
www.myspace.com/freshben
www.myspace.com/ramadanman
www.myspace.com/journeytopangaea

READ/DOWNLOAD: Blue Daisy - SRQ009

Camden resident and producer Blue Daisy is the subject of January's Sonic Router penned Quietus column. He takes us through a few of his processes and opinions and drops an exclusive mix...

READ/DOWNLOAD: Blue Daisy - SRQ009



No tracklist, sucker.

Links:
www.myspace.com/bluedaize

STREAM: Ikonika - Fenchurch Mix

Ahead of her full length album on Hyperdub and the slew of forthcoming remixes she's got listed on her myspace page, including mixes of Egyptrixx, DJ Madd and Illum Sphere, Ikonika has put together a mix for the clothing label Fenchurch.

STREAM: Ikonika - Fenchurch Mix

Tracklist available after the ^^^ jump.

Link:
www.myspace.com/ikonika
www.fenchurch.com

DOWNLOAD: LV - Aural Winter Blanket

Production trio LV today submitted a new mix to the Rhythm Incursions site, aiming to wrap up your ears and offer comfort in this icy turmoil textured time.

DOWNLOAD: LV - Aural Winter Blanket

Tracklist:

Biosphere – From a solid to a liquid
Pole – Taxi
Hieronymus – Honeydrops
Conjoint – Earprints
Oskar Sala – Klangfarben Caprice [V]
Burnt Friedman and the New Dub Players – Cassock Attack
Klaus Roeder – Kristalisation 9 (LV mix)
Sigha – Prayer
Asusu – Taurean
Untold – Yukon (FMF remix)
Flying Lotus – Auntie’s Lock/Infinitum
Zomby – Digital Flora
FaltyDL – To London

Link:
www.myspace.com/lvbass

RECOMMENDED: Julio Bashmore - Um Bongo’s Revenge/World Peace [Dirtybird]

If any more proof were needed of funky’s extraordinary capacity to infiltrate regions far beyond its immediate remit, Bristol boy Julio Bashmore’s signing to Claude VonStroke’s Dirtybird label provides it in excess. In terms of tempo, atmosphere and overall aesthetic ‘Um Bongo’s Revenge’ fits far better with the Dirtybird roster than it would on something like Apple Pips or Tectonic, pivoting around a startlingly minimal motif crafted almost entirely from percussion. Yet there’s something fundamental contained within that identifies its heritage as particular to the UK.

This 12” version is markedly different from an earlier form that circulated for a while, stripping away any semblance of its distinctive ascending melody, and with it any retention of tropical moisture. Whilst the unpredictable, Africanised snare pattern is pure funky, the track’s core is dessicated, brittle and oddly rigid - a paradox that lends the track a constant and barely resolved sense of tension between the demands of the dance and its machine heart. Yet it is this very contradiction that makes it so ferociously addictive, and eminently danceable – ‘Um Bongo’s Revenge’ is devastating in its very simplicity, and its chameleon-like nature ensures that you’re likely to hear that cartoonish voiceover in a huge range of DJ sets in the early half of 2010.

By way of contrast to the A-side’s oddly anthemic charms, the aptly named ‘World Peace’ moves into more subdued territory, generating a more contemplative atmosphere a little reminiscent of Berlin’s Rhythm & Sound label. Less overtly dancefloor oriented, it swells with shimmering melody and a downtempo warmth that remains hanging in the air long after the track’s end. Along with ‘The Moth,’ his track on fabric’s up and coming ‘Elevator Music’ compilation, its more considered nature is suggestive of more interesting material to come from Bashmore.

Words: Rory Gibb
Out: Now

Link:
www.myspace.com/juliobashmore

PRE-ORDER: DVA - Natty/Ganja [Hyperdub]

Rinse FM resident, Scratcha DVA, functioning here simply as DVA, drops his debut 12” for the iconic Hyperdub imprint, with his own take on the funky sound; one that the grime producer has been perfecting for some time. Hyperdub always seem to ‘do funky’ differently, be it the smeared secular synths of Kode9 or the loved up deep and spacious sounds of Cooly G, and after his infectious ‘Jelly Roll EP,’ Scratcha’s hitting back with two prime cuts of dark no nonsense percussive funky.

The snares on ‘Natty’ have that off-centre skippy nature, like skimming a pebble over open water; really giving the track a lilting groove, which plays off the tribal percussion in fine style, switching from one subtle groove to the other only to be enhanced by the pulse of a ragged bass tone that really makes things swing. It’s incredibly simple but so effective, a dark side funky track that really gets under the skin. ‘Ganja’ is less reliant on the percussive interplay and instead hinges on the catchy sinuous bass line that winds its way around the track not unlike DJ Mujava’s ‘Township Funk,’ a cycle of whining bleeps that twists into dance floor oblivion.

Words: James Balf
Out: 18th January 2010

Links:
www.myspace.com/scratchadva
www.myspace.com/hyperdub

You catch Scratcha alongside Ramadanman and Heny G at the Tropical Launch Party at the Wire Club in Leeds on the 10th Feb, for which he's done a mix...

DOWNLOAD: Scratcha - Tropical Mix



Facebook Event

DOWNLOAD: Stickem - Let Skweeedom Ring

Primitive, using simple computer sounds and what some might call outdated equipment, the genre of 'skweee' seems like it could be an insider joke when your trying your best to describe it to someone... like some kind of "fisher price dubstep..."

Its not. There's a lot to love, as displayed here by Stickem, providing a "75 minute mix showcasing the synthetic funk from Scandinavia" for the Skweeelicious blog.

DOWNLOAD: Stickem - Let Skweeedom Ring

Tracklist:

Mrs. Qeada (SWE) Dreamatis Personea
Melkeveien (NO) Fantôme
Claws Costeau (FIN) Cold Smokin’ Tofu
Boss Kite (UK) CMYK
V.C. (FIN) 30:00
Ricky Lemon (DEN) Copenhagen
Bellybelle (USA) Supercell Strut
LaZERcrotch (USA) Neon Dude’s House Party
Spartan Lover (FIN) Zbieg
Wankers United (FRA) Superfönky
Hybakusha (ESP) Lebannon79
Kid Logic (USA) Polyester Shirt
Miramichi (CA) Leggo My Ego
Limonious (SWE) Degenerate
Beem (SWE) Automan
Easy and The Center of the Universe (NO) Yazid
Daniel Savio (SWE) People Die Love Don’t
Rigas (SWE) feat. Markis Sage (SWE/FIN) Love Over Gold
Stickem (USA) This Thing Is On – Beatbully (NO) remix
Mesak (FIN) Sly Filmfestival (Sotchi Montage)
Sprutbass (NO) Hot Water Dirty Pits
Randy Barracuda (FIN/NL) Overnight Romancin’
Mackaper (SWE) Tale of Tale of Tales – Joxaren (SWE) remix
Slow Hand Motëm (CA) feat. Pubs Panseno (USA) They Lied

Link:
http://skweee.com

DOWNLOAD: Coco Bryce - Lowriders Mixtape 001

Having first seen the name Coco Bryce on a split 12" with Slugabed, I'd done the requisite googling and myspace surfing to know that the Dutch producer was someone to keep a keen eye on after releases on Harmonia and Myor. Then the Lowriders fam emailed to say he was kicking off their mixtape series - further entries in the series are promised from people like Hovatron, Debruit, 1000 Names and Slugabed - and I got really intrigued.

DOWNLOAD: Coco Bryce - Lowriders Mixtape 001

Tracklist

1. ELIOT LIPP – FLASHLIGHT (HEFTY)
2. RUSTIE & 215 TFK – CAFE DE PHRESH (STUFF)
3. CANDY HANK & MC SHADE – WE ALL GO TO DIE TONIGHT (SONIG)
4. SAMIYAM – RETURN (HYPERDUB)
5. MAD MEN – KANZULU (HUM DRUMS)
6. 1000 NAMES – TERMINAL 5 (CDR)
7. COCO BRYCE – SLECHTE RIP OFF (CDR)
8. REKORDAH – BEDROOM SUITE (SOON TO BE RELEASED ON POLLEN)
9. POGFLIPPER – ANTHOLOGY – COCO BRYCE REMIX (CDR)
10. STARKEY – OK LUV – EPROM REMIX (PLANET MU)
11. COCO BRYCE – DIS CAM BELIE (CDR)
12. DEBRUIT – KO DEBOUT (CIVIL MUSIC)

Link:
www.myspace.com/cocobrycebeats
www.lowriderscollective.com

DOWNLOAD: Om Unit - All City Past, Present & Future Showcase Mix

After his impeccable 'Pop Lock' remix of Joker's 'Digidesign' Om Unit has releases scheduled on Plastician's Terror Rhythm label as well as on the All City label. To mark his involvement on the All City roster, his 'Lightgrids' 7" should be out shortly, he's put together a mix so you can familiarise yourself with the labels output.

DOWNLOAD: Om Unit - All City Past, Present & Future Showcase Mix (Right Click/Save As)

Tracklist:

Intro
Matthew David - Late Nite Lo Fi For dak
Pudge - Awn My Dawn
Tokimonsta - Park Walks
Heralds Of Change - Work That
Take - warm Ruin
Dimlite - Quiz Tears
Hudson Mohawke - ROot Hands
Pudge - Blips Ahoy Mate
Mweslee - Jamas Jame Jamon
Dibiase - Spacely Sprockets
Fulgeance - Mamie Thè
Heralds Of Change - Ridin Chrome
Musinah - Lose My Fuse
Tokimonsta - Last Nights Blurry Memories
Om Unit - Lightgrids
Snowman - Rise
Onra - Wee Out ft. Buddy Sativa
Krystal Klear - Tried for your love
Devonwho -Keepthefunkalive
Knxwledge - Wait

Links:
www.myspace.com/omunit
all-cityrecords.com

Photo: Anna Marocco

DOWNLOAD: Shortstuff - XLR8R Mix

Another sure fire DL on sight podcast from Shortstuff courtesy of the San Fran fam from XLR8R.

DOWNLOAD: Shortstuff - XLR8R Mix

Tracklist:

01 Joey Beltram "Upper" (Novamute)
02 Scratcha DVA "Natty" (Hyperdub)

03 Martin Kemp "Wot U Got"
04 Shortstuff "Swine Time" (Ramp)

05 Hem feat. Terrible Shock "On a Mission (Shortstuff Remix)"

06 TRG "Tribal Flex"

07 Deadboy "If U Want Me (Brackles & Shortstuff Remix)"
08 Brackles "6am El Gordos" (Brainmath)
09 Shortstuff "Galaxy" (Ramp)
10 Steve Poindexter "Work That Muthafucker" (Musique)
11 Mosca "Square One (Roska Remix)" (Night Slugs)

12 Brackles & Shortstuff "Roots & Berries"
13 Doc Daneeka "Drums in the Deep" (Fabric)
14 Shortstuff & Hyetal "Crayola"

15 Bok Bok feat. Bubbz "Citizens Dub" (Blunted Robots)

16 Dizzee Rascal "Live O" (XL)

17 Untold "Bad Girls" (Fabric)

18 Geiom "Spiral Weave"

19 Lauren Pritchard "Stuck (Guido Remix)"

Link:
www.myspace.com/djshortstuff

DOWNLOAD: Untold - Elevator Music Mix for Sinden

Superb mix from Untold.
Featured on Sinden's KISS FM show last night.
Headhunter & Invisible - 'Luvdup' - fothcoming Soul Motive.
Bok Bok - 'Citizen Dub' - forthcoming Blunted Robots.

Ramadaman - 'Glut' - forthcoming Hemlock.

Spent.

DOWNLOAD: Untold - Elevator Music Mix for Sinden



Tracklist:

Boys noize - Transmission (Untold remix) - forthcoming Boys noize
Bok Bok feat. Bubbz - Citizens Dub - forthcoming Blunted Robots
Untold - Tastes like chicken - Unreleased
Wu Tang – Do It Big (Baobinga & I.D. Remix) – Cdr
Mark Pritchard – Elephant Dub – Deep Medi
Schlachthofbronx – Ayoba (Inst) – Man Recordings
Headhunter & Invisible – Luvdup – Soul Motive
Untold – You Dropped Something – Cdr
Sisters Of Transistors – Solar Disco (Untold Remix) – This Is Music
Ramadanman – Glut – Hemlock
Dj Eastwood – U Aint Ready (Untold Remix) – No Hats No Hoods

Link:
www.myspace.com/untolduk

DOWNLOAD: Pit Er Pat - Water

Thrill Jockey is an incredibly diverse label - the eagle eyed amongst you will have noted the Mountains record which was released on the label ended up in our albums of 2009 - one you should watch keeping a keen eye on their curve balls.

Pit Er Pat are one such act; and their album 'The Flexible Entertainer' is an offkey gem. One part Timbaland to two parts Mars Volta its definitely something that'll appeal to your more experimental ear. 'Water' is one of the stand out cuts from the album, a slow broiled electro number with pangs of southern hip hop and enchanting vocals.

I'm very chuffed to be able to bring you it for free.

DOWNLOAD: Pit Er Pat - Water (Right Click/Save As)

Link:
www.myspace.com/piterpat

DOWNLOAD: Jackmaster - Dazed Digital x Numbers x fabric Mix

Super Scot Jackmaster continues his slew of great mixes with an exclusive for Dazed Digital, well timed to coincide with his Numbers conglomerate taking over Room One of fabric tomorrow night.

DOWNLOAD: Jackmaster - Dazed Digital Mix

Tracklist:

Modeselektor - Art + Cash (SBTRKT Broke Remix) - forthcoming 50 Weapons
Rhythm Construction Co. - Mighty Love (Wickedest Dub) - Nice 'N' Ripe
Deadboy - Here 4 U - forthcoming Numbers
C. J. Boland - Sugar Is Sweeter (Armand's Drum And Bass Mix) - FFRR
TRG - Tribal Flex - forthcoming Tempa
DJ Slugo - Wouldn't You Like To Be A Hoe Too - Dance Mania
Mike Dunn pres. The MD X-Spress - Deep Down (The Unbderground) - Fluential
Kim English - Night Life (Retail Club Mix) - Nervous
Deadboy - if U ant Me (Brackles & Shortstuff Remix) - forthcoming Numbers
KingThing - Bump - forthcoming Fortified
Roska & Untold - Myth - forthcoming Build
Joy Orbison - Derobe - forthcoming Aus Music
George Fitzpatrick - Don't You - forthcoming Doldrums
Taz Buckfaster - Wetter Is Better - forthcoming Rwina
ROX - My Baby Left Me (Terror Danjah Remix) - forthcoming Rough Trade
Terror Danjah & Rudekid - Best Crawler - forthcoming No Hats No Hoods
Mr. De' - Whonleeone - Electrofunk
Fonzworth Bentley & Anthony Hamilton - Greener (Instrumental)

Link:
www.myspace.com/iamjackmaster

Photo: Shaun Bloodworth

PRE-ORDER: Mizz Beats – My World/The Jester [Deep Medi]

East London’s Mizz Beats first made her mark producing grime beats for names like Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and D Double E to name just a few, but she really came to prominence last year when heard co-producing the bubbling anthem ‘Purple Love’ with Silkie. As part of the formidable Anti Social Entertainment crew along with Silkie, Quest, J5, Kromestar, Harry Craze and Heny G, she’s flexing her soulful dubstep muscles and there really is no better place to do that than on Mala’s Deep Medi imprint…

On the A-side comes the swirling funk of ‘My World’ with its skipping tight drum patterns and a digital groove carved from midi trumpets and buzzy bass tones. There is a meditative, laid back quality at work here; you can really feel the soul oozing out. The flip ‘The Jester’ takes us down the 8-bit route, with SNES-like sound effects fed through a haze of high-grade mist into a psychedelic soup of digi-funk.

No one does it quite like Deep Medi and the Anti Social collective; they melt together the roots of dubstep with all its space and bass with a trippy street-funk that echoes late night cityscapes and pirate radio like no other labels. Mizz Beats adds a bleepy dimension to the crew with this 12” and on the strength of these two cuts that’s a dimension that’s more than welcome.

Words: James Balf
Out: 25th Jan 2010

Link:
www.myspace.com/mizzbeats
www.myspace.com/deepmedi
www.deepmedi.com

VIDEO: Martyn on On-Point TV

Also look out for Martyn's 'fabric 50' mix as of next Monday (11.01.10)... it comes highly recommended.

Link:
www.myspace.com/martyndnb
www.on-point.be

Number of Hits Since 13/02/2009: 100000

We reached something of a landmark today.

According to our hit counter, he who has been covertly lodged at the footer of our page since the first few weeks we started up, we just skipped passed the 100,000 hits mark.

To recap, over the last 11 months we've had:

32 exclusive mixes (28 with accompanying interviews).
12 interviews.
6 podcasts.
2 associated columns.
1 healthy computer tan.

Thankyou to every artist who has given us their time; and to all the readers whose eyes are hopefully as square as mine as a result.

In celebration please join us at our 1st birthday celebration in Bristol next month... We're hosting Room 2 at [dissident] and we're bringing Brackles, Jack Sparrow, Shortstuff and Gemmy with us.


Facebook Event

Here's to another 100,000 hits...

<3
mlr

SPECIAL OFFER: 20% Off At High Rise Clothing

January is commonly known as a time for rash purchases. You've been there, clambering over everyone else in the overcrowded, overheated shop just to get a shirt you kind of like because its £10 cheaper than the usual asking price.

In an attempt to give you something you might actually want we've teamed up with High Rise Clothing - the Bristol based tee shirt outlet stocking exclusive designs from Monsta and Spam Chop as well as Punch Drunk, If Symptoms Persist and Skull Disco label tees - to give Sonic Router readers a juicy little discount.

• Head over to the shop.
• Enter the code 'sonicrouter' at the check out stage (in the discount code field - natch).
• Get yourself 20% off.

This offer is valid until the end of January. Stocks are limited, so act fast.

Link:
www.highriseclothing.com

INTERVIEW: Terror Danjah [Planet Mu]

Veteran grime producer Terror Danjah has been producing his own strain of grime since day dot as part of both the Aftershock camp and the Nasty Crew before breaking out and making beats for the biggest names in the scene. Last year the Planet Mu label released an instrumental retrospective of his productions, entitled ‘Gremlinz’ it brought his unique horror film funk style into focus for a whole new audience.

This year he’s set to continue that trend, doling a few more of his productions out to Kode 9's Hyperdub label, oft reffered to as seminal across the specturm of December 2009's end of year polls; and the freshly birthed Butterz imprint. With a truck load of history and a bright future we thought it was high time we pinned him down for a chat...

Sonic Router: Can you provide those who may not know you with a bit of background info?

Terror Danjah: I am a producer from East London, one the original pioneers of Grime. I started of as a jungle/drum & bass DJ; I ran my own crew called Reckless Crew, members included where D Double E, Hyper, Bruza, Triple Threat (known as Lethal MC), Scratcha DVA, Mayhem, & DJ Interlude. In early 2003 I started my own label called Aftershock, which had big releases such as Crazy Titch 'I Can See U,' 'Cock Back' by myself which featured Hyper, Crazy Titch, D Double E & Riko, 'Get Me' by Bruza, 'So Sure' by myself featuring Sadie Ama & Kano, 'Frontline' by Big-E-D, 'So Contagious' by myself featuring Shola Ama & D Double, etc etc…

More recently, I have released two instrumental CD's 'Zip Files Vol. 1' and 'Gremlinz, The Instrumentals 2003 -2009' via Planet Mu. A vinyl EP entitled 'Industry Standard part 4' which includes Swindle's 'Zumpi Huntah' remix & 'Sidechain' is also on Planet Mu and theres the 'Hardrive Grime Compilation (Hardrive volumes 1 & 2).'

Outside of music who are you? What do you do on the daily?

I don't do anything but music. I'm sad really…

How did you first get into making music? What was it that infected you to do produce?

Well when I was a Jungle DJ, I wanted specials with my name in it, and I started to put my name in tunes. A lot of the drum & bass producers where tight with giving out tunes, you had be apart of the elite to get tunes. It was hard most times but I got lucky, DJ SS, Pascal, Bad Company, Brockie, Shy Fx, DJ Kane all used to look after me. That's when I decided to make my own tunes, mainly because I was getting all the tunes to compete.

What’s your production set up like?

A Quad Core PC (yes a PC lol), EMU 1820m soundcard, Neuman U87 Mic, Liquid Mix pre channel, KVK 12" Monitors speakers, Cubase 5, M-Audio Radium Controller Keyboard, Sony DAT machine, and billions of sly VST's & VSTi's (now that really would be telling… mwahahaha)!

How would you describe your sound to someone zoning in for the first time?

I couldn't, I have too many different styles, its hard, some of my sound is minimal techy, some days more R&B and hip hop like, other days ther'es a drum & bass influence… I dunno where to start…

What inspires you musically?

Different things like watching films, new VSTi's plugins and sample packs/sample CDs… going to different types of raves where I wouldn't normally go… hearing new albums or new tunes from every genre. Even sometimes being pissed off inspires me!

Your sound is really unique and not just the cackle; you’ve got this heavy funk, wide screen horror sound track thing going on. What draws you to the sounds you use/make do they just come instinctively?

I guess its more instinctively, growing up in the 80's & 90's listening to Jackson 5, Earth Wind & Fire, Afrikka Bambatta through to Notorious BIG, Tupac, Wu Tang etc has left an impact on me.

You’ve collaborated with some quality grime producers recently with DOK, Rudekid and Swindle, what do you like about hooking up with those guys and have you got more in the works with them or any others?

I rate them guys highly, I like collaborating with other producers like how MCs/artist would. It brings a fresh sound to whats already there. A new mix and blend.



You’ve worked with some of the biggest MCs in grime; do you have a favourite vocal of one of your beats?

Its quite hard to say, it depends what mood I'm in, but if I had to pick a favourite, it would be 'So Sure.'

Are you working with more vocalists at the moment?

Not really, I'm more concentrating on myself as a Producer/DJ. I'm getting back to my roots of making instrumentals, but saying that, I have submitted tracks for D Double E, Smurfie Syco, Griminal & Mz Bratt's albums.

Tell us a bit about the latest Hardrive compilation; what’s the thinking behind those?

My motive for 'Hardrive' was really to showcase my diversity as a producer and to highlight a few artists that weren't getting heard like One 4 One & Dream Mclean, Yazmin etc. Also there aren't hardly any grime compilations out there. I wanted to stray away from the name mixtape, because I didn't feel like it was an album as such.

Your retrospective Gremlinz on Planet Mu really got you attention from people all over the place that maybe weren’t following grime very intently before; tell us about how that comp came about?

I had featured on Mary Anne Hobb's 'Warrior Dubs' compilation, which was released on Planet Mu. I had tune on there called 'Give It To Em' which featured Mz Bratt & Bruza. Mike from Planet Mu contacted me and suggested the idea, and I was on it. The 'Gremlinz' album actually gave me a new lease of life, I didn't realise alot of people never knew I existed (I guess I was caught up in the whole grime bubble...).

Having the album out on Planet Mu really opened doors for me, so I have to thank Mike and all the Planet Mu staff!

What was your favourite instrumental from it and what did it mean to be put out there by that kind of label?

'Zumpi Huntah' is still one of my favourites; I didn't think about making the tune, it just made it self. Because I mostly had my own label Aftershock, I didn't feel the need to release my tunes any where else but I'm actually glad I've released my tunes with other labels; they each have different reaches, outlets and their own cult following!

You’ve got releases coming on Hyperdub and Butterz, tell us a bit about those tracks and how the hook ups came about?

I've known Kode 9 for while, he's the main reason why the interest is all on me, I've kinda known but never really realised that throughout the years Kode has been playing all my old material. Over the last 12 months people have been asking me like, "I've heard Kode 9 playing a new version this and that etc etc..." I always get confused by people asking for tunes that had been released in 2003 so obviously I had to return the favour and do something on Kode's label, Hyperdub!

I made two tracks on the Hyperdub release, 'Acid' & 'Pro Plus.' 'Acid' is like a ravey type of track thats got the elements of acid rave era synth stabs; Kode said it reminds him of 'Charley Says' by The Prodigy. Also there's an 8 bar drum & bass build up going through the track a few times to help split it up, plus theres a minimal tech sort of bridge. 'Pro Plus' is a more typical grime track; its myself and D.O.K collaborating on the production.

I know Elijah [from Butterz] through Loudmouth. Over the last year he and myself have been talking a lot about grime music and he told me that he wanted to start a label. The jokes thing about 'Bipolar' and 'Air Bubble' - which both feature on 'The Bipolar EP' - is that he was on the phone while I was making them! The EP also features D.O.K remix of 'Sidechain.'



What do you want to see happen in grime this year?

More proper and stable releases… more raves and more singing vocals on grime tunes but not the cheesy ones, lol!

Will you be DJing more in 2010?

Yeah defo, I'm full time DJ now, a mans got to eat! My bookings are already stacking up, I got Dublin, Glasgow, Nottingham and a few London dates coming.

What else have you got on the horizon with your music in 2010?

Along with the Hyperdub and Butterz 12s, I've got releases on True Tiger and No Hats No Hoods. I don't wanna say too much, I gotta keep the element of surprise, so just keep your eyes peeled at myspace.com/terrordanjah and twitter.com/terrordanjah.

Finally, have you got any words of wisdom for our readers?

Don't listen to no one, follow your heart and gut feeling. Take this music game with a pinch of salt whether its good or bad.

Words: James Balf

::

DOWNLOAD: Terror Danjah - KISS FM Mix

Tracklist to follow.

STREAM: Terror Danjah - Xmas Mix 09

Links:
www.myspace.com/terrordanjah
www.mixcloud.com/terrordanjah
www.twitter.com/terrordanjah

DOWNLOAD: Mosca - Square One (Greena Mix)

Limited freebie from Greena and Mosca (pictured): Greena's remix of Mosca's 'Square One' track which is forthcoming on Night Slugs with original versions of 'Square One' and 'Nike' alongside remixes from Bok Bok & L-Vis 1990.

Available for 7 days only.

DOWNLOAD: Mosca - Square One (Greena Mix)

Links:
www.myspace.com/ukgreena
www.myspace.com/deejaymosca

EVENT: Hyp! Hyp! Hyp!

HYP!HYP!HYP! - 16/01/2010
Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, SW9 7AY

JAMIE VEX'D
ROSKA
GEMMY
SUBEENA
MOSCA B2B UNKNOWN SOULJA
P45
HYPONIK DJ SQUAD

£8 otd / £5 advance
Doors: 2200-0500

Tickets // Facebook Event

AND to give this event that extra clout (as if Mr Vex'd didn't do that already) the Hyponik fam have sourced an exclusive mix from Subeena.



DOWNLOAD: Subeena - Hyp! Hyp! Hyp! Mix

Tracklist:

01. Lemonade - Sunchips (Ghosts On Tape remix)
02. Steve Summer - Shake the House (Clone Jack for Daze Series)
03. Rene Breitbarth - Pump (Deep data)
04. Major Lazer feat. Ms Thing - When You Hear the Bassline (Cooperative Music)
05. Oliver $ feat. Deize Tigrona - Com Medo de Mim (Man Recordings)
06. Hot City - No More (Infrasonics)
07. Hyetal - Neon Speech (Soul Motive)
08. Kazey & Bulldog - Fo Da Real Gs (Dress 2 Sweat)
09. Underground Resistance - The Force (UR)
10. Grand Puba - Get It (12th Planet Remix) (Scion Audio)
11. Kanji Kinetic - D Stomp (Electrostimulation)
12. Shortstuff & Hyetal - Don't Sleep (Forthcoming Punch Drunk)
13. Planetary Assault Systems - X Speaks To X (Appleblim & Al Tourettes remix)
14. Move Down Low (Grievous Angel remix)
15. Subeena - Picture (Forthcoming Opit)
16. Kid 606 - Monsters (Doshy Remix) (Tigerbeat6)
17. Royal T - Beat Fighter (Bok Bok remix) (No Hats No Hoods)
18. Face A Face - Galash (Ebola Remix) (LO Dubs)
19. DJ C ft MC Zulu - Body Work (Octapush Remix)
20. Photonz - Red Rooms (Forthcoming ?)
21. Diplo & Luke Laidback - Hey (Dre Skull Remix) (Southern Fried Records)
22. Unknown
23. Stereotyp feat. Edu K & Joyce Muniz - Jece Valadao (Man Recordings)
24. Cooly G - Jus Wanna
25. Bingo Players - Get Up (Diplo Remix) (Stealth Records)
26. Mad EP - Fire (Akira Kiteshi Remix) (Forthcoming Spectraliquid)

Links:
www.hyponik.com
www.plan-brixton.co.uk
www.myspace.com/subeena

VIDEO: Dynooo - Gum Dragon EPK

Unannounced (well he had to announce it for me to know about it... what I think I'm trying to say here is "I just got sent this out of the blue, just now") dopeness from Belgium's Dynooo. His 'Gum Dragon' EP will be out on the Digsville label later this month, so peep the EPK he's circulated below and DL the freebie.

It's really rather splendid; plus its got this kind of maniacal, murder-type-of slow brooding vibe across the way...



DOWNLOAD: Dynooo - Tranch (Right Click/Save As)

Links:
www.myspace.com/dyno
http://macflyisthenewblack.com

DOWNLOAD: devonwho - Elm & Oak Podcast

If you've at all been sidelined by the Beat Dimensions compilations, the Beatnicks duo of 12"s or the output of any of the many producers occupying that void where hip hop and bass music collide, then you should be up on devonwho.

A member of the Klipmode family, this LA based, Portland born producer has released a beat on the Fat City helmed Producers Series 7"s - on the flip of a dBridge beat no less - and has constantly been a fixture on inter-office msn conversations.

Here's a mix he's just done for the Elm & Oak website...

DOWNLOAD: devonwho - Elm & Oak Podcast

Tracklist:

devonwho – blueline – CDR
illum sphere – psycho (samiyam remix) – fat city
monopoly – glow – CDR
hi-res – funkshuns – freshselects
dibiase – keep on runnin – CDR
samiyam – woodrow – CDR
mike slott – my lightbridge – all city
mike slott – my lightbridge (knxwledge remix) – CDR
harmonic 313 – problem 4 – warp
jaylib – starz – stones throw
samiyam – 200$ – poobah
knxwledge – velvet rope – klipmode
knxwledge – wondrful – CDR
mndsgn – trance.dance ft. devonwho – klipmode
prefuse 73- Detchibe
oh no – getaway ft. aloe blacc – stones throw
low limit – turf day – rushhour
dizz1 – here we go again – nod navigators
devonwho – todo – klipmode int’l
mdnsgn – delaghetto – klipmode
devonwho – nimbus (alex b remix) – klipmode
devonwho – nimbus – fat city
suzi analogue – nnxt message (tokimonsta remix) – CDR
the gaslamp killer – birthday music – brainfeeder

Link:
www.myspace.com/devonwho

DOWNLOAD: Starkey - BBC 1xtra Mix

Ahead of his 2nd album for Planet Mu, 'Ear Drums & Black Holes,' Starkey speaks to the fabric Blog in anticipation of his Room 1 debut at the London club on the 15th January.

They've also given out a mix initially recorded for Redlight's BBC 1xtra Radio show...

READ/DOWNLOAD: Starkey - BBC 1xtra Mix

Tracklist:

01 - Starkey "Fidelio" (planet mu)
02 - SDUK "Clunge" (slit jockey)
03 - Slugabed "Ultra Heat Treated" (planet mu)
04 - Kuedo "Glow" (planet mu)
05 - NastyNasty "Four Letter Word" (dub)
06 - Starkey "Rain City" (rwina)
07 - R. Kelly "Bangin the Headboard" (jive)
08 - Mosca "Square One (Bok Bok remix)" (night slugs)
09 - Kaiser "Lost in an Analogue Dream" (slit jockey)
10 - Gorilla Zoe "Lost (Starkey remix)" (adult swim/bad boy south)
11 - Starkey "Capsule" (planet mu)
12 - Starkey ft. Badness "OK Luv" (planet mu)
13 - Gemmy "The Midnite Drive" (dub)
14 - Kano "Rock N Roller (Starkey remix)" (bpm)
15 - Bon Iver "Woods (Starkey remix)" (dub)

Link:
www.myspace.com/starkey

DOWNLOAD: Elijah & Skillam - 01012010 Mix

Rinse.fm staples Elijah & Skilliam, the duo behind the Butterz blog, marked the passing of a new calendar with an upfront mix packed with fresh beats from a smattering of producers, teeming the grime they're a little more renowned for with new beats from Joker, SRC and Terror Danjah - who'll you be seeing releasing a 12" on the newly formed Butterz label.

DOWNLOAD: Elijah & Skillam - 01012010 Mix

Tracklist:

Swindle - Open Your Mind (Butterz)
Royal T - Hot Ones Remix (Unreleased)
Terror Danjah - Acid (Hyperdub)
Swindle - 'Trending Topic' (Butterz)
DVA feat P Money - Wind It Up (No Right Turn)
Rude Kid - Absolut Vodka (No Hats No Hoods)
DOK & Terror Danjah - Hysteria (Butterz)
Swindle - Air Miles (Planet Mu)
Silencer - Miss Asia (Wow Bass Level 3)
Joker - Output One Two (Tectonic)
Rude Kid & Terror Danjah - The Best Crawler (No Hats No Hoods)
Tempa T - Boy Off The Ting (No Hats No Hoods)
Terror Danjah - Bipolar (Butterz)
OGZ - Hot Ones (Deeco Remix)
Maniac - Lengman Tune (Unreleased)
Terror Danjah - Sidechain (Swindle Remix) (Planet Mu)
SRC - Powerman 9 (Unreleased)
DOK - Keep Making Grime (Unreleased)
Rude Kid - Electric (Earth 616)
J Beatz - Life & Death (SCUK)
Terror Danjah - Air Bubble (Butterz)
Starkey - Ok Love (Planet Mu)
????? - ?????? (Teaser)

Link:
http://butterz.co.uk

DOWNLOAD - C.R.S.T. - Me & You (320) & Promo Mix

Welsh duo Chesus and Rodski (pictured) - alongside another couplet of dudes, Certified Sickness and J.D.S. - are collectively known as C.R.S.T. Proclaiming a love of garage, house, funky and "most other forms of dance music," its a penchant which is more than painfully evident after a quick dip into their 2010 Promo mix and the freebie 320 of 'Me and You' that just got spread over DSF via another hot Welsh talent, Julio Bashmore.

The Bigger Than Barry residents have an EP forthcoming on On The Brink Records next week under their given Chesus & Rodski moniker, whilst there is a full crew, C.R.S.T. EP in the works too.

DOWNLOAD: C.R.S.T. - Me & You (320) & Promo Mix

Tracklist:

Inside - C.R.S.T
Me N You - Chesus
Walk On - C.R.S.T
Good Love - C.R.S.T
Take It Back - C.R.S.T
Revisit - C.R.S.T
Jam For You - C.R.S.T
The Bells V.I.P - C.R.S.T
Mighty V.I.P - C.R.S.T
Funky Flex (C.R.S.T Remix) - C.R.S.T
Thank You - C.R.S.T
1 Just 4 U - C.R.S.T

Link:
www.myspace.com/chesusnrodski
http://chesusandrodski.blogspot.com/

DOWNLOAD: Desto - Level Up

As a prelude to a couple of forthcoming releases on Noppa and Ramp Recordings - and as a hello 2010 gift - Finish producer Desto, is giving away a track.

'Level Up' is the perfect introduction to Desto's mixture of unintrusive percussion and dancefloor savvy lead lines.

DOWNLOAD: Desto - Level Up

Link:
http://www.myspace.com/destodubs