Wednesday, 3 March 2010

PRE-ORDER: Geiom Ft. Marita – Sugar Coated Lover/Brackles & Shortstuff Remix [Berkane Sol]


Geiom’s Berkane Sol has proven itself to be an essential label with curveball releases from Nottingham’s finest producers, including NG associates Brackles & Shortstuff andwork from Spamchop, The Hizatron alongside tracks by Geiom himself. The label’s latest plate, ‘Sugar Coated Lover,’ is yet another reason why. Having explored the fringes of dubstep, embracing the sounds of house and garage for quite some the last time Geiom made an outing alongside vocalist Marita, it was on the anthem ‘Reminissin;’ so this is a welcome, if somewhat expectant, return.

Geiom and Marita’s ‘Sugar Coated Lover’ is a house anthem in waiting; the vocals deal with the age old notions of falling deep into a lover over melancholic house pads and slinky groove that goes right to your feet and hips because of the infectious bassline. It’s the subtle percussive elements that shakes the kick free from its four four pattern while keeping the drive; but most importantly it has that infectious bitter sweet, loved up vibe that brings a smile to the dance floor.

Brackles & Shorstuff shake the bottle and pop the cork on the sparkling stuff dropping a remix that’s on a determined garage flex. They take their energetic 8-bit boogie with a bassline that’s full of momentum and splice it with some of that broken 2-step magic; harnessing a dash of cut up vocals and plenty of the original vocal to make it into a harder dance floor hustle focusing their attention on giving it that all important slinky garage bump.

Words: James Balf
Out: 8th March 2010

Links:
www.myspace.com/geiom
www.myspace.com/djshortstuff
www.myspace.com/brackles

Geiom just upped an exclusive mix that he made for The Wire under his electronica Hem guise; showcasing his sound perfectly here thanks to the mix being comprised entirely of his own productions.

DOWNLOAD: Hem – Mix for The Wire

Tracklist:

1. Piknik Basket
2. Hot Wheelz
3. Plastic Lily
4. A Plus 2
5. On A Mission (Feat: Terrible Shock) (Berkane Sol)
6. Rich Chroma (Auralize)
7. Steamy Ezcape (Auralize)

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

DOWNLOAD: Dimlite - Béjart



With Dimlite's appearance at Brainfeeder London (win tickets here) next week laying heavy on my mind, it makes me super happy to be able to link a free download of his 'Béjart' track from the dude himself.

Out to Mr Beatnick for the words on this one, definitely check his 'A Brief History of Dimlite' piece over at the fabric blog.

It's super cool.

DOWNLOAD: Dimlite - Béjart



Link:
www.myspace.com/dimlite

DOWNLOAD: Ben UFO - Lucky Me Mix



It seems like a mix from Hessle Audio co-owner Ben UFO is fast becoming something of an event. Hailed by many, including Blackdown in his most recent Pitchfork column, as a 'Super DJ' his patchwork of tunes and seamless melding of tracks and styles is undoubtedly up there with the best of the DJs in the scene.

It also seems Scotland's LuckyMe family are also aware of his pon deck prowess, nabbing him to contribute the latest edition of their mix series.

DOWNLOAD: Ben UFO - Lucky Me Mix

Tracklist:

1. BFC - Galaxy (Fragile)
2. Apple - Seigaliser (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)

Link:
www.myspace.com/freshben

DOWNLOAD: Baobinga & I.D. - Bass Music Sessions



Bristol producers Baobinga, himself half of The Bodysnatchers duo, and I.D. are releasing a pay what you want album simply called 'Bass Music Sessions' - a tilte that ties into their blog of the same name - just without the 'Sessions'.

All proceeds raised by this project will be donated to Dove House Hospice in Hull, UK.

Cue Gumpf: "Called 'Bass Music Sessions', this album confirms their forward-looking approach, as it will be released for free through their website at www.bassmusicblog.com, using platforms such as bandcamp.com to take advantage of the flexibility and possibilities for promotion open to artists in 2010.

Since the last album, 2008's critcally acclaimed 'Big Monster,' the pair have released on labels spanning the bass music spectrum; from US hiphop innovators Mad Decent to dubstep legends Earwax, from NY crew Trouble&Bass to Portugal's Enchufada, home of Buraka Som Sistema, from Tayo's groundbreaking Cool & Deadly label to a remix of the Wu Tang Clan on BabyGrande. "


DOWNLOAD: Baobinga & I.D. - Bass Music Sessions



Links:
www.bassmusicblog.com
www.myspace.com/djid
www.myspace.com/baobinga

Monday, 1 March 2010

VIDEO: Jackmaster & Poirier - RBMA Interview



www.myspace.com/iamjackmaster
www.myspace.com/poiriersound

READ/DOWNLOAD: SRQ010 - F [7even]



I was so close to making the February deadline, but after a run of pars this past week the latest Sonic Router Quietus column managed to surface today, on the 1st March. This edition focuses on F, aka Florent Aupetit, a French producer releasing mainly dub-techno influenced material on the 7even label.

Catch him in the chat and in the mix...

READ/DOWNLOAD: SRQ010 - F [7even]



Tracklist:

Untold & LV - Beacon - Hemlock Dub
Helixir - Untitled - 7even Recordings Dub
Instra:Mental - Vicodine - Naked Lunch Dub
Jus Wan - Untitled - ?
Headhunter - Evolver - ?
F - Chillin' - 7even Recordings
J. Sparrow - The Fullest - Tectonic
Ruckspin & Quantum Soul - Venus Project - Transistor Recordings Dub
James Fox - Put It Back (Ramadanman Refix) - Take Records
F - Hologram - 7even Recordings
J.Sparrow - Untitled - ?
DJG - Avoid The Noid - Pushing Red Dub
DJG - Avoid The Noid (Headhunter Remix) - Pushing Red Dub
F - Funk Injection - 7even Recordings



F - 'See The Lights'
directed by DBKN + FxAxXx

Link:
www.myspace.com/musicbyf

COMPETITION: Win Brainfeeder London Tickets



Its impossible to stress how much fun I've had at Brainfeeder parties over the last couple of years. The first one in the Hearne Street carpark in Shoreditch was mental; simultaneous proof that this toxic stew of skewed hip hop has a voice beyond small basement clubs and evidence that whiskey maketh the man crazy. The next one I attended was in Barcelona, a first night pre-cursor to my first Sonar experience... crazy rammed, hot as hell and super super fun... I remember Martyn b2b Pinch.

Damn.

So, this post gives me double the pleasure to be able to give away a pair of tickets to next week's Brainfeeder LDN event at fabric. With the combined pull of Brainfeeder and the Red Bull Music Academy, the incredible initiative currently beginning term 2 today, you can scoop the opportunity to see Flying Lotus, Kode 9, The Mother Fucking Gaslamp Killer, Martyn, J Rocc, Dimlite, Daedelus, Nosaj Thing and TOKiMONSTA all on fabric's custom tweaked soundsystem.

Just email us the answer to the below question.

Q: Flying Lotus' debut album on the Plug Research label was called:

A) 1983
B) 1982
3) 1984

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.

Facebook Event // Tickets

Link:
www.brainfeedersite.com

DOWNLOAD: Kuedo - RA Podcast



His last two EPs, under the Jamie Vex'd and now Kuedo moniker, have been a great departure from the sound he pushed alongside production partner Roly on the Vexd project for Planet Mu. Read more on that here, then go kop the fresh RA podcast from Kuedo himself.

DOWNLOAD: Kuedo - RA Podcast

Tracklist:

The Creatures - Morning Dawning - Wonderland
Mike Slott - Snow Birds Expansion - LuckyMe
Kuedo - Glow - Planet Mu
Kuedo - Joy Construction - Planet Mu
Krystal Klear - Boogie Wan
Om Unit - Lightgrids - All City Records
Little Dragon - A New (Clay Moon remix) - Peacefrog
Mount Kimbie - At Least (Instra:mental remix) - Hotflush Recordings
Kuedo - Shutter Light Girl - Planet Mu
Kuedo - Shutter Light Girl (Falty DL remix) - Planet Mu
Computer Jay - Maintain (Ikonika remix) - Ramp Recordings
Rudi Zygadlo - Resealable Friendship (Slugabed remix) - Planet Mu
Slugabed - Take Off (Kuedo remix) - Ramp Recordings
Starkey - Ok Luv (Instrumental) - Planet Mu
Kuedo - Starfox - Planet Mu
Zomby - Mercury's Rainbow
Rudi Zygadlo - Resealable Friendship (Doshy remix) - Planet Mu
Diplo - Boi (Zomby remix)
SDUK - Clunge - Slit Jockey Records
Starkey - Pressure Points - Planet Mu
Sully - In Some Pattern - Keysound Recordings
Ramadanman - Work It
Tiago - Babel Fish - Rush Hour
Low Limit - Trapper Keeper
Loops Haunt - Rubber Sun Grenade - Fortified Audio
Comanechi - Close Enough to Kiss (Ghost Hunter remix) - Merok
Clark - Future Daniel - Warp Records
Alva Noto - Xerrox Phaser Acat 1 - Raster-Noton
Tim Hecker - Harmony in Blue II - Kranky
Mike Slott - The Now - LuckyMe

Catch him for free alongside Scuba, Untold and Mike Slott at the T Bar this Thursday.



Link:
www.myspace.com/jamievexd

Friday, 26 February 2010

DOWNLOAD: Fantastic Mr Fox - Hype Hype Mix



Manchester based producer Fantastic Mr Fox celebrates his appearance in the Hemlock Recordings (the label run by Untold that has not yet but a single foot wrong) room at Plan B on Friday 14th March for Hyp!Hyp!Hype! with a mix. Check the flyer for the full lineup, any LDN heads not at Bloc that w/e would do well to check it out.

If that's pricked your attention, check out our interview and exclusive mix with FMF here.

DOWNLOAD: Fantastic Mr Fox - Hype Hype Mix



Link:
www.myspace.com/fmforigami

Thursday, 25 February 2010

DOWNLOAD: Martyn - XLR8R Podcast



Fresh heet from Martyn, who follows up his crazy good fabric mix with a podcast for XLR8R Magazine.

DOWNLOAD: Martyn - XLR8R Podcast

Tracklist:

01 Washed Out "Get Up" (Mexican Summer)
02 Lukid "Veto" (Werk)
03 King Midas Sound "Lost" (Hyperdub)
04 Rotating Assembly "Orchestra Hall" (Sound Signature)
05 Anthony Shakir "Shake it Up Dub (Remix)" (KMS)
06 Robert Owens "Bring Down the Walls" (Trax)
07 Lone "Once in a While" (Werk)
08 Jacob Korn "Grosskariert" (Permanent Vacation)
09 Joy Orbison "The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow (Actress remix)" (Aus)
10 Prince "When Doves Cry" (Warner Bros)
11 Dez Williams "Abandoned Emotions" (Cheap)
12 DJ Duke "Future Blast" (Music For Your Ears)
13 Glass Domain "Interlock" (Clone)
14 Drexciya "Lost Vessel" (Tresor)
15 The Future "Daz" (Black Melody)
16 Aardvarck "Tulti" (Eat Concrete)
17 Motor City Drum Ensemble "Raw Cuts #5" (Faces)
18 Basic Soul Unit "Hopy Unity Vision" (New Kanada)
19 Adonis "No Way Back" (Trax)
20 K-Alexi "Vertigo" (Transmat)
21 J Dilla "Nothing Like This" (Stones Throw)

Link:
www.myspace.com/martyndnb

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

VIDEO: Wedge & Shadz - Running Away




If like me, you saw the behind the scenes snaps, forgot about them, subsequently got sent the mp3s, bummed the shit out of the Guido remix, playing it to death and every opportunity and then kinda forgot about the video; then this is for you.

If Symptoms Persist label boss Wedge informs us:

"This is the video we made for the first release on ISP - Wedge and Shadz - 'Running Away.' The video was shot at a remote location in South Wales and filmed on 16mm..."




Here's the 'making of' clip too:



Link:
www.ifsymptomspersist.co.uk

READ: Sonic Router on URB.com



This month's Sonic Router: Suburban Sine Wave Surfing URB.com column is now live-o.

Focussing on the forthcoming long players February has brought announcements of, it includes words on works from Ikonika, Vex'd, F, Kontext, Roska, Eleven Tigers and Clubroot.

READ: Sonic Router on URB.com

DOWNLOAD: Illum Sphere - BTS' Massive Post Deadline Mix



A weekly fixture on here, Illum Sphere drops a new mix for the supremely palatable BTS Radio.

Read our interview with him to learn more...

DOWNLOAD: Illum Sphere - BTS' Massive Post Deadline Mix

Tracklist:

Kan Kick - Pop Tunes, Morning Paper
Illum Sphere - Never Lie Twice
J88 - Stupid Lies
Harmonic 313 & Wiley - Scar
Ackie - Call Me Rambo
Illum Sphere- Go Killum
Oddisee & Ken Starr - This Is Hip-Hop
Salma Agha - Come Closer
Don Leisure & Rodski - Loose Women
Joker - Tron!
Africa Hitech - Glangslap
Three 6 Mafia - Tear Da Club Up
Someone - Just A Sketch
Computer Jay - Maintain (Falty DL Remix)
Lab Rat XL - Lab Rat 1
Illum Sphere - Titan
Sole Fusion - Bass Tone
Alfredo Y Su Salsa Montanera - La Escoba
Anthony Shakir - Roaming
Rainbow Team - My Darling
Exquisite Taste - It's You That's Happening
Lone - Once In A While
Krystal Klear - Since Then
Untold - Flexible
Africa Hitech - Said Speed
Jammer - Better Than (Lorn Remix)
Illum Sphere - Supercharged
The Beatles - Polythene Pam
Champion Soul (feat. Ronyx) - Holdin' On (Dr. Who Dat? Remix)
Dabrye - Gimme Lowlands

Link:
www.myspace.com/theillumsphere

VIDEO: Tranqill - Deadly Wintaz



First leakage from South London MC,Tranqill's 'The Hidden Treasures' EP on the ever reliable One Handed Music imprint. An exciting visual teaser directed by Haydn Davies.

You can also have yourself a merry little DL of the track over at Tranqill's bandcamp site, where you can conveniently pre-order the Vinyl EP or grab the mp3 release.

Hit that here: http://tranqill.bandcamp.com or here:

<a href="http://tranqill.bandcamp.com/album/the-hidden-treasures-ep">Chips &amp; Cheese by Tranqill</a>




Link:
www.myspace.com/tranqill

NEWS: Plastic People Faces License Review



Sign the KEEP PLATIC PEOPLE ALIVE online petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/PP2010/petition.html

The dark cave like womb of Plastic People's dance floor, lit by that one iconic red light (pictured), is one of those places its easy to feel completely comfortable. Ever since I first went there, traveling the width of London to go to a night where you could get your own tracks played on one of the UKs most respected soundsystems (later I learned about the incredible heritage the CDR nights have amongst hip hop folk), its been one of those places you get incredibly excited to see people play.

Personally, I've never attended religiously enough to become part of the bar's furniture, but Ihave had some of my most musical epiphanies there. Hudson Mohawke and Nosaj Thing's respective launch parties spring immediately to mind but the first time Joker, Starkey, Untold played there are landmarks in my history and I don't think they would've been half as memorable had it not been for the (literal) warmth, and power of the sound system packed into the recesses of that tiny room.

Now, unless you're twitter/facebook ignorant you'll have undoubtedly seen that the police are threatening to review Plastic People's license on the grounds that the way the management have been operating the club has breached the existing terms of its licence and failed to prevent crime and disorder and public nuisance.

Here is the management's official statement:

The notice outside the club’s premises will be there till the 11th March, which is the closing date for representations to be made by ‘interested parties’ for or against the closure or any other outcome of the review.

After the 11th, the licensing department at Hackney Council will, within 10 days, write to all parties concerned to invite them to a sub-committee hearing on a given date at a given address where they would make their case. That hearing should take place by the 31st of March.

It would then be up to the Committee to decide on the eventual outcome which could be one or more of these:

(a) To revoke the license altogether;
(b) To suspend the license for a period not exceeding three months;
(c) To modify the conditions of the license;

Once a decision has been made, we would be notified and in the worst case scenario, we would have the option of appealing, but our current aim is to work with the Police and the Licensing Authority to find a solution that is satisfactory to all.

A collection of people involved in the club are setting up a Committee called Friends of Plastic People. They will gather people’s experiences of working with and attending Plastic People over the years. They will meet this week and no doubt they will let you know how you can help.

I would urge everyone to hold back on making representations to the Police or the Council in the meantime, but by all means carry on spreading the word.


So for the lack of a better phrase, keep your eyes peeled for word on how you can help register your dismay at one of LDN's most potent music institutions, home of FWD>>, CDR, Warm and Medium amongst numerous other nights, being under threat.

Join the KEEP PLASTIC PEOPLE ALIVE facebook group here to keep up to date.

*UPDATE*

Sign the KEEP PLATIC PEOPLE ALIVE online petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/PP2010/petition.html


Until then, you can catch Medium's 3rd birthday party at Plastic tonight and welcome back the return of FWD>> to Thursday nights next week.

Facebook EventFacebook Group

Photo: Shaun Bloodworth

Tuesday, 23 February 2010

DOWNLOAD: Hudson Mohawke - Freek



To mark the announcement of his full UK tour, The Pegasus Rising Tour, Hudson Mohawke has upped a bootleg of Jodeci's 'Freek'n'You' - made in the vein of his much celebrated 'Oops' remix - as well as the third installment in his annual Valentines Slow Jams mix series.

DOWNLOAD: Hudson Mohawke - Freek/Valentine Slow Jam Mixtape

Catch the HudMo live show:

APRIL:
22 Thursday, - Inertia / World Headquarters / Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
23 Friday - Dollop & No Bones/ A Nation Of Shopkeepers/ Leeds
27 Tuesday - FAC251 / The Factory/ Manchester
29 Thursday - Monkey Knife/ The Thekla / Bristol
30 Friday - Dummy 1st Birthday party/ The Macbeth/ London

MAY:
1 Saturday - The Plug/ Sheffield
2 Sunday - Detonate indoor festival/ Nottingham



Link:
www.myspace.com/hudsonmo

DOWNLOAD: Slugabed - Pressure (Dynooo Rekuttt)



The internet is a beautiful thing when two hot to trot producers can get to link up over it. Here's the result, an exclusive, heavy as fuck 2 minute + remix of Slugabed's 'Pressure' by Belgian producer Dynooo.

Don't sleep.

DOWNLOAD: Slugabed - Pressure (Dynooo Rekuttt)



Link:
www.myspace.com/dyno

Monday, 22 February 2010

VIDEO: fLako - Live @ Vast



I do not give a fuck... fLako is a rudeboy.

Links:
www.myspace.com/flakomusic
www.thisisvast.net

DOWNLOAD: Gemmy - Purple Pictures Mix



After slaughtering our recent Sonic Router is 1 rave with his midnight slot earlier this month, we've been expecting big things from Gemmy. With word leaking months ago that his debut album for Planet Mu was ready (though its still to appear in the ether as of yet) there's been a couple of remixes surfacing of late including one on the grassroots Carbon Logic initiative; as well as a couple of sides on two of M4 Records most recent (split 12"s with Wedge) releases.

This mix also comes at a particularly pertinent time for Rob Booth who, with this mix, celebrates his 100th show. Booth's Electronic Explorations podcast has been a constantly great source of music since I first discovered it around about show 21, and looking back through the ample and, quite frankly stacked, list of guest mixes, its more than evident that there isn't any podcast series out there as committed to bringing quality electronic music direct to your iTunes as EE.

Much love to Bertrude.

DOWNLOAD: Gemmy - Purple Pictures Mix

Tracklist:

[01] – Wedge – A Nite On The Wonk (Gemzy Touch)
[02] – Gemmy – Kodama (Gemmy Vip)
[03] – Gemmy – The Midnite Drive
[04] – Gemmy – Late Timing
[05] – Gemmy – Dreamscape
[06] – Gemmy – Stokes Croft ft Shadz (Gemmy Dub)
[07] – Gemmy – Marron Chant
[08] – Gemmy – Lucky Number 8
[09] – Gemmy – Noob Tube
[10] – Gemmy – Supligen (Reach fo the lazers mix)
[11] – Gemmy – Elek-tro Love
[12] – Gemmy – Rainbow Rd
[13] – Gemmy – Bring IT Bk

Link:
www.myspace.com/djgemmy
www.electronicexplorations.org

PRE-ORDER: Subeena - Picture/Spectrums [Opit]


London based Subeena is another one of those producers that floats between the margins of several genres, seemingly taking delight in confounding any simplistic attempt to categorise her music. Ostensibly connected to dubstep, in so far as its skeletal percussive framework and focus on low-end motion were touchstones, her recent Planet Mu release ‘Solidify’ was essentially a standalone creature. Its strongly defined song narrative and gauzy synth melodies, along with Om’Mas Keith and Jamie Woon’s honeyed vocals, brought the final result closer to a kind of slo-mo electronic soul. She follows a similar path on the follow-up for Opit, but the pace has been upped considerably, tracing similar lines to the cosmic house and garage vibes of her similarly minded contemporaries on the Eglo label, Floating Points and Alexander Nut.

In fact, ‘Picture’ sounds a little like the cousin of Floating Points’ mercurial ‘Vacuum Boogie,’ built around thick, blocky chords and heavily filtered backing ambience that weaves in and out of a hypnotic percussive figure. The London connection is evident once again, in the track’s bubbling sub-bass and the spacious nature of its house-tinted rhythm, but it’s the pulse of London’s pirates shot into orbit with a headful of Lindstrom’s space disco. If anything, ‘Spectrums’ stretches even further from earth, its constantly shifting dynamics and eddies of reverb tapping into some otherworldly, pleasantly dissociated headspace.

Although driven by the ebb and flow of dance music, and with more than a little deep house in their genetic code, it’s hard not to feel that a little of these tracks’ charm would be lost in the mix. A little like most of Floating Points’ recent material, Subeena‘s productions are so defiantly musical that not to listen to them in their entirety would do her a disservice – further evidence that there’s far more churning in the melting-pot of London’s ever-shifting bass scene than simple floor-filling fodder. Space is the place, man.

Words: Rory Gibb
Out: "still not sure when it's out exactly but should be very soon"

Link:
www.myspace.com/subeena

EVENT: Bristol Takeover @ Rhythm Factory



Bristol's grasp on dubstep is undeniable... There's something about the city that breeds great music, from the hyperactive colouration of people like Joker, Gemmy, Guido and Hyetal, to the deepness of Pinch's Tectonic imprint (home to 2562 and Jack Sparrow amongst others) and beyond into the technoid void of people like Peverelist and Kowton.

And so its with a smattering of smugness we present you with Rhythm Factory's Friday line up bringing the best of the South West to East London...

Pinch
Peverelist
Redlight
Gemmy & Guido
Hyetal
DJ Derek

Venue: The Rhythm Factory
Date: Feb 26th
Doors: 10pm - 5.30am
Cost: £5 (Advance)/£8 NUS/£10 Door After 12

Facebook Event // Tickets

DOWNLOAD: Kontext - Acid Pasta EP



Ahead of his debut artist album, 'Dissociate,' dropping next month of the Bristol birthed Immerse imprint, Kontext has put together a free EP of older material.

Cue gumpf: "'Acid Pasta EP' is not a brand new piece of work. It's a best part of personal skill improvement I worked on at home studio in years 2005-2006. I wanted to find out if I could create something totally different from drum'n'bass and downtempo that I used to produce then. Something more about minimal 4x4 techno/house kinds of music.

Archive also includes some previews from my forthcoming Dissociate LP on Immerse Records (official release date: 26th of March 2010)"


DOWNLOAD: Kontext - Acid Pasta EP

Link:
www.myspace.com/kontextkontext

Sunday, 21 February 2010

DOWNLOAD: Om Unit - Rinse FM Guest Mix



When twitter blows up and word quickly spreads about something happening right on the radio right there and then, that you miss because you didn't yet have an iPhone with the Rinse.fm app, it can be somewhat of an annoyance. But luckily, thanks to his generosity, you can download/stream/file next to all the other boom mixes on your hard drive, Om Unit's guest mix for Plastician's Rinse show which was broadcast earlier this week.

DOWNLOAD: Om Unit - Rinse FM Guest Mix



Tracklist:

Intro
Om Unit - Lightgrids (Illum Sphere remix) (all city)
Freddy Todd - Can't Fathom This (Om Unit Remix) (carcrashset)
Om Unit - Wonderlust (dub plate)
Om Unit - Cradle (terrorhythm)
Foreign Beggars - Move Higher (Om Unit Remix) (dub plate)
The Mahavishnu Orchestra - Power Of Love (Om Unit's 5am Dub)
(A word from DR Channard)
Om Unit - Fibonacci 10 (dub plate)
Pixelord - Cybernator (Om Unit Remix) (forthcoming Error Broadcast)
Om Unit - The Timps (dub plate)
Mizz Beats - My World (Om Unit Remix) (dub plate)
Om Unit - Searching (dub plate)

Catch Om on the 5th March at the Original Cultures showcase at Corbet Place in Truman Brewery.



Link:
www.myspace.com/omunit

DOWNLOAD: Ramp Recordings - Kmag Mix



Unless you've been locked in a toilet for the last 6 months - fending off starvation through the consumption of toilet duck tablets and Imperial Leather - you'll have no doubt heard of Ramp Recordings; and the constantly mesmerizing roster of artists - including trailblazers like Shortstuff, Slugabed, Desto, Tokimonsta and Zomby amongst numerous others - that releases music on the imprint.

Kmag have just upped a guest mix from label lynchpin Tom, which features a whole heap of exciting ass material that's forthcoming on the label.

DOWNLOAD: Ramp Recordings - Kmag Mix

Tracklist:

1. Shortstuff Minimix
2. SBTRKT & Sampha - Break Off
3. Skweee Tooth Minimix
4. becoming Real - Fast Motion
5. FaltyDL - Hip Love (The xx Remix)
6. Tokimonsta - Cosmic Intoxication EP Minimix
7. P.U.D.G.E. - Idiot Box LP Minimix
8. Maxmillion Dunbar - Cool Water LP Minimix
9. Clouds - Cannibal Generals

Link:
www.myspace.com/ramprecordings

Friday, 19 February 2010

INTERVIEW: HxdB [Mindset/Formant]



Channelling that productive pocket of the underground where labels like Echodub and Formant Recordings seem to deservedly flourish, Canadian producer HxdB, has to date released only one physical 12", 'Prism,' on the Manchester based label Mindset. But on the strength of it - particularly the rolling sophistication of the single's Bside 'Showdown At The Cinema' - and of those few listens to his digital releases on the afore mentioned Echodub and Dubkraft labels, along with his Electronic Explorations mix, we asked him to craft something for us to better introduce his music to the globe.

In between flights to Thailand, he shot us a link to his mix instalment, humbly questioning if we were still up for having him. Luckily he had us sold at the F - 'Phase One' > DJ Madd - 'I Know It's You' transition...

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

HxdB: I'm 32 years old from Vancouver, Canada. I love pie.

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

I'm a pretty chill fella, I like to spend time with my fiancée and go out with friends whenever I can. Pretty much all the rest of my spare time is spent in the studio. My career is based around IT and I am a network administrator by trade and am Cisco CCNA certified, basically a nerd.

Whats the reasoning behind the Hexadecibel/HxdB moniker?

Hexadecibel is a play on words. This ties into my nerdiness... Hexadecimal is a positional numeral system with a radix (told you it was nerdy), and of course decibel is a measurement of sound, so I figured it sounded clever. HxdB is just to keep it simple for people.

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

Well, many, many moons ago (nearly a decade now) I was thoroughly entrenched in electronic music in it's many forms and had always been fascinated with computers, it was just a natural step for me to try my shot at production. I started producing with my best friend under the alias MIDIevil, we progressed quickly using a "borrowed" version of Fruity Loops and managed to knock out a dozen or so half-decent tunes. We both had many things change in our lives and the music fell by the wayside for quite some time. What REALLY inspired me to get back into it were 2 separate events. The first, was the very first time I heard dubstep, it was at a gig listening to my now friends Ben and Josh Searles (Daega Sound), which completely blew me away. The second was my epiphany moment, listening to Skream play at Shambhala music festival here in BC on a 90k watt system. The rest as they say is history, I just HAD to give it another stab.

What’s your production set up like?

Well, it's changed quite a bit over the years, having gone through an old EMU E4X sampler, Korg Triton, Oberheim Xpander, various external effects, and several mixers. Currently I'm running a rather crippled setup after my last mixer (Korg Zero 8) died on me. FL Studio is my main DAW, but I've been using Ableton Live more and more recently. I run an Echo Gina24 soundcard, Novation MIDI controller, Korg KP3 & KRK Rokit 8s speakers and a KRK 10" sub, along with a cornucopia of effects and VST synths. Recently though I've fallen head over heels in love with the VST synth, Sylenth1 and nearly all of my analogue sounds come from it.

Where do you take inspiration from while making music?

I get inspired from everything around me... sights I see, friends, experiences both good and bad. I live in such an amazing city it's hard not to be inspired all the time. Also, I hear so much incredible music from my producer friends, I'm constantly trying to improve and try new things with my sound.

How would you describe your sound?

Hehe, I was afraid you'd ask this question because I hate to describe it without sounding like a dork. I guess you could say that my sound is deep and soulful, I draw a lot of inspiration from jazz and blues sounds and the melodies and harmonies they use. I like to always try and give my songs a dance-floor edge while keeping the emotional content high. My dubstep is tinged with sprinklings of garage, 2-step, techno, house and drum n bass.



What’s the scene like in Vancouver?

2 words... A, MAZING. There are a number of great promoters in the city that have done a great job of building a fun and safe scene, with a seemingly endless supply of top-shelf shows. Everyone gets along and co-operates, it's a marvel really. Not to mention all of the other awesome producers, DJs and supporters here. I think it's like a "perfect-storm" of talent and timing. Unfortunately, I don't think many of Vancouver’s talented producers have been given the international acclaim I believe they deserve, so I'm going to flagrantly promote them right now! Max Ulis, DJ Cure, Taal Mala, Self Evident, Phowa, Calamalka, M. Red, Ill-Esha, Longwalkshortdock, Clix, Glitchy & Scratchy and a whole host of others are all doing very large things at this moment and I expect the world to see MUCH more from Vancouver in 2010.

I see you run the Pressing Issues label with DJ Cure; how did that come about and what sounds does the imprint represent?

Well, Pressing Issues started off as somewhat of an experiment in label management with a focus on community involvement. The label started on dubstepforum.com and was unique in that forum community members could vote on the music that would eventually be released on vinyl. The label did 2 successful vinyl releases but unfortunately, was put to the wayside due to PI committee members' increasingly busy lives. The label was given to Cure so that he could take the reigns and keep it moving along. This is where I came in, when he asked me to take part. Since then, we've put together an impressive list of demos from some of our favourite producers and are currently inches from posting the poll for 003. We've streamlined our process and plan to keep things rolling well into the future. Expect a tune from XI entitled 'Gravity' on 003, and for 004 we have a BIG surprise up our sleeves in the form of a tune from one of the top luminaries (in my ever-so-humble opinion) in the sound. The sound we're focusing on is big, deep, dance-floor, bass music.

What have you got coming up this year?

I've got 12"s upcoming on Formant Recordings, Surface Tension, 2 on Rob Sparx's Migration, hopefully another release on Mindset, perhaps also one on Syte and O-Dessa's Open Earz, and also hopefully 1 more on DubKraft. Digitally you can expect to see releases on Betamorph, Gamma Audio, Echodub & Kursed. As far as gigs go, the only thing major is a show at Burning Man, everything else is tentative, so I can't really comment.

Tell us about the mix you’ve done for us, what tracks just had to be included?

I wanted to do a mix that fully encapsulates what you could expect from a hxdb show, progressive mixing and a mix that tells a story...Something that starts in 1 place and ends somewhere else entirely different. I wanted to have some of my own material in there alongside some of what I feel is the finest of the unsung producers, alongside some of the top producers in the game. XI - 'Gravity' for obvious reasons was just a must, NumberNin6's tune is amazing and Distal - 'Attempt at Yellow' is just a killer.

Have you got any words of wisdom for our readers?

Be open minded with music!!!! Compartmentalizing music is harmful to creativity… Oh and, don't eat yellow snow.

::

DOWNLOAD: HxdB – Sonic Router Mix



Tracklist:

FBOM - Erat (HxdB RMX) {Migration]
Zed Bias - Cauldron [Sidestepper]
VVV - Flyaway (HxdB RMX) [dub]
F - Phase One [7even]
DJ Madd - I Know It's You [BOKA]
Daega Sound - Forest Floor [dub]
XI - Gravity [Pressing Issues]
Mayhem - Damn [Argon]
Distal - Attempt at Yellow [dub]
Shortstuff - Stuff [Ramp]
Zeno - Clish [dub]
Freeland - Do you (Joker RMX) [Marine Parade]
Noah D - Seeeriousss [Subway]
Numbernin6 - Fours [dub]
Autopilot - Household Symphony [dub]

Link:
www.myspace.com/hxdb

Photo: John Revolver

VIDEO: Starkey - Craters



New clip from Starkey, succinctly timed before the release of his sophomore album, 'Ear Drums & Black Holes' on Planet Mu, due 19th April - though this is him embracing his compositional side. An orchestral work rather than the brash street bass fuelled energy fans are used to.



Link:
www.myspace.com/starkey

Photo: Angela King

Thursday, 18 February 2010

RECOMMENDED: Slugabed - Ultra Heat Treated [Planet Mu]



Merely the second solo single release from Slugabed, discounting the bootlegs and split 12"s for dramatic effect, naturally.

Out now on Planet Mu

Read the full review here: http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=7153

Link:
www.myspace.com/slugabedmusic

DOWNLOAD: Deville - Snow Cone Mix For ScenexScience



Senseless honcho and all round vibeathon DeVille just linked an exclusive mix for the excellent ScenexScience blog featuring a shit load of forthcoming Senseless material.

Stream on the player, DL at the link.

DOWNLOAD: Deville - Snow Cone Mix For ScenexScience



Tracklist:

Maga Bo – Ransom [Forthcoming Senseless]
Pocz & Pacheko – Zarbak (Mr Gasparov Remix) [Forthcoming Senseless]
Pocz & Pacheko – Zarbak VIP [Forthcoming Senseless]
Bassjackers & Apster – Klambu [Sneakerz]
Hackman – ?? [White]
Max Romeo – Protest To The M1 (DeVille Remix) [Forthcoming Senseless]
VVV – Project X [Forthcoming Fortified]
The Phantom – Dolphins [Forthcoming Senseless]
Birdman & Young Jeezy – Money To Blow Remix [Young Money]
Hudson Mohawke – Overnight [Hudson's Heeters]
Royal T – 1Up Or Shattap (Silencer Remix) [No Hats No Hoods]
Dizzee Rascal – Give U More [XL]
Becoming Real – ?? [White]
Doshy – Scatter [White]
Numan – Top Cat [Forthcoming Senseless]
Cubic Ziconia – Freebase [Ready to Slide EP]
Sasquatch Feat. Aeon Crunc – Voodoo Sound [Forthcoming Senseless]
Starkey – Rain City [Rwina]
Kkingdomm – You [Fool's Gold]
Ghosttown Feat. Badness & Dajla – You Know (Cracks Remix) [Senseless]
Untold – No One Likes A Smartarse [Hemlock]
Octapush – Meninas [Forthcoming Enchufada]
Sasquatch – Outside Ear [Forthcoming Senseless]
Gucci Mane – Boi (Zomby Remix) [Mad Decent]
Cubic Zirconia – D.F.A.D [Ready to Slide EP]
Slugabed – Skyfire [Planet Mu]

Links:
www.myspace.com/devilledj
www.senselessrecords.co.uk

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

RECOMMENDED: Kuedo - Dream Sequence [Planet Mu]



New 12" from Jamie Vexd under a new guise, Kuedo. A potent mess of low slung hip hop, battling synthesizers and utter brilliance.

Read the full review here: http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=7150

Link:
www.myspace.com/jamievexd

DOWNLOAD: devonwho - Thumbtracks Remixes Vol 1



Portland raised, LA based beat maker devonwho is the nuts. Releasing his stew of seriously warped head nodding heat on labels like Rush Hour, Fat City and his own Klipmode imprint he's got our full attention right about now.

Perfect timing then that he's releasing a re-worked version of his album 'Funraiser Vol 1: Thumbtracks' for free via bandcamp. Featuring versions by people like P.U.D.G.E, Shlohmo, TOKiMONSTA, Matthew David and Teebs its well worth the 0.0003 of a calorie you'll exert by clicking on the below link.

DOWNLOAD: devonwho - Thumbtracks Remixes Vol. 1

Link:
www.myspace.com/devonwho