INTERVIEW: West Norwood Cassette Library [WNCL Recordings]

Email courtesy goes along way round these parts; and considering that politeness, astuteness and having your shit together are also bonuses, when we heard the first full release from West Norwood Cassette Library – forthcoming on his own label of the same name - and engaged in the back and forth ritual of electronic conversing, getting him to unsheath an exclusive mix for us seemed like the best possible thing for both of us after we realised his communication game ran so deep.

With a name that suggests an extensive knowledge of music and a penchant for near pedantic cataloguing of genres, a regular monthly night in Brixton and a sound that maintains a constant level of dancefloor appropriate energy whilst displaying perfectly his synergy between delayed techno chords and funky percussion, we’re proud to introduce you to the WNCL…

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

West Norwood Cassette Library: I’m Bob Bhamra aka West Norwood Cassette Library aka No.1 Astronaut, one half of Data 70 and another half of Plastic Soul. I DJ and produce a bit, put on a monthly night (Rock La Bibliotek! at The Hive Bar in Brixton), do a blog and podcast sometimes and have just launched WNCL Recordings.

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

I’m involved in production of an entirely different nature. I work at Verso Books, an independent publishing house based in Soho.

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

Records… I grew up surrounded by 3 older sisters who were all mad for buying records. Some of my earliest memories involve stealing their vinyl and staring at it for a long time. As for making music - the process was entirely informed by the desire to have a record out.

What’s your production set up like? What’s your favourite bit of kit in the studio?

Frankly, it’s embarrassing: a cracked copy of this, a broken down that, all held together with string. I’m sure it’s quite easy to upgrade everything but I’m a technophobe. Too many wires and I go blank. My favourite bit of kit is anything that doesn’t crash.

Where do you take inspiration from when making music?

Bleeps mostly.

What’s the deal with the West Norwood Cassette Library moniker?
It’s just a joke between me and a friend – a mild ribbing of my obsession for filing and memorising record catalogue numbers.

How would you describe your sound? You share a dancefloor slant similar to say Shortstuff…

I have no idea how to describe it – that’s your job! Still, I won’t sniff at a comparison to Shortstuff.



And how did you get into this current flux of dubstep?

I missed out on the roots of it. I’d been buying house records from the days of the early Chicago Trax releases and was equally obsessive about hardcore, jungle, speed garage and drum and bass that followed. But by the early millennium I just had dance music fatigue. The clever ones dug deeper whereas I just fell asleep in the corner for a couple of years. I blame my colleague Rowan at Verso for the dubstep infection. He pretty much spoon fed it to me on a daily basis until I gave in. I’d say that by early 2007, specifically N-Type’s Dubstep Allstars Vol 05 mixtape, I was sold; hook, line and sinker.

Your first release as WNCL comes out shortly. What’s the deal, what can we expect from the release?

It’s a 10” vinyl press of my own track, ‘What It Is,’ backed with a fantastic remix by Brackles. It’s in the shops from Monday 24th May. The digital version is already available.

What other projects have you got in the pipeline? What’s happening with you in the rest of 2010? Gigs, releases, personal growth etc?

At the moment, everything is based around promoting WNCL001. I’ve just done a spot for Jonny Mugwump’s Exotic Pylon show on Resonance FM and there are a couple of gigs coming up. This Friday 21st at Babalou, Brixton with James Blake and Untold and next Friday 28th is the next Rock La Bibliotek at Hive, Brixton with Hanuman from Monkey Steak.

Release-wise, I’ve got a remix of Unique 3’s ‘Take This Love’ out now, a track called ‘Blonde on Blonde’ forthcoming on Teal, a new label from Denmark and, of course, more plans to release on WNCL.

And there’s a WNCL mini mix on Mary Anne Hobbs’ Radio 1 Experimental show that broadcasts on June 2nd – which I’m terrified about.

Any words of wisdom for our readers?

Litter – put it in the bin

::

DOWNLOAD: West Norwood Cassette Library - Sonic Router Mix



Tracklist:

1. West Norwood Cassette Library - What It Is (Brackles Remix) [WNCL Recordings]
2. Quantec - Busted [WNCL Dubplate]
3. DJ C feat MS Thing - Jump Up And Bounce [WNCL Dubplate]
4. Unique 3 - Take This Love (WNCL Remix) [Mutate]
5. West Norwood Cassette Library - Blonde on Blonde [forthcoming Teal]
6. Kerri Chandler - House Is House [Downtown 161]
7. Gideon - Work That Shit [Southern Comfort]
8. Plastic Soul - Body Form [Dubplate]
9. Ramadanman - Glut [Hemlock]
10. Random Noise Generator - Instrument of Change [430 West]
11. Riva Starr - Dance Me (Jesse Rose Remix) [Made To Play]
12. Stuffa - A Million Secrets (Carli Remix) [Trunkfunk]
13. Point B - Industrial Revulsion [Combat]
14. Don Froth - Von [Dubplate]
15. West Norwood Cassette Library - What It Is (Origianal Mix) [WNCL Recordings]

::

You can catch WNCL at the following events:




Link:
www.myspace.com/westnorwoodcassettelibrary

Photo: Georgina Cook

STREAM: Roska - Sonar Mix

Roska's album Rinse presents Roska fully cemented him as one of the forefront producers of this new breed of house tempoed music dubbed UK funky after its release, what, a month or so ago now? Album cuts like 'Squark,' 'I Need Love' and 'Hey Cutie' all highlighted his knack for percussion, crazy catchy hooks and dancefloor prowess, and his own label Roska Kicks & Snares is going from strength to strength - he's releasing his first non Roska plate on the label by DJ Naughty shortly (full review to come).

Its not really a surprise then, that experimental airwave champion Mary Anne Hobbs has selected him (alongside Joy Orbison and Flying Lotus) to appear of her stage at this year's Sonar Festival in Barcelona. To mark the gig Roska has put together an exclusive mix which you can check out on Sonar's site.

STREAM: Roska - Sonar Mix

Tracklist:

Martyn & Dbridge - These Words (Roska's Speechless Mix)
Zinc - Nexx!
Roska & Jamie George - Love 2 Nite
Crazy Cousinz - Always Be My Baby
Roska - Jackpot
Deadboy - If U Want Me
Roska - Squark
Dj Naughty - Firepower
Roska Ft. Anesha - I Need Love
Laidback Luke - Step By Step (Roska Edit)
Roska & Jamie George - Wonderful Day
Zinc - Blunt Edge
Geeneus & Dynamite - Get Low (Roska Special)
Roska - Tomorrow Is Today
Bingo Players - When I Dip
Youtam Avni - Coke Bouquet
Fingaprint - It's On You
Brackles - El Gordos

Roska also gave away an unreleased remix of Hard House Banton's 'Reign' via his twitter recently. Kop that before the DL limit kicks in here:

DOWNLOAD: Hard House Banton - Reign (Roska Remix) (via Sendspace)

& finally... jump on the podcast of Roska's last Rinse.fm show which featured Untold as the super special guest.

DOWNLOAD: Roska w/ Untold - Rinse.fm Show 18.05.2010 (Direct link)

Link:
www.myspace.com/rosiroska

DOWNLOAD: Julio Bashmore - VICE Mixtape

A big week for Julio Bashmore this, a minimix on MAH and this mix for VICE Magazine.

Solid.

DOWNLOAD: Julio Bashmore - VICE Mixtape

Tracklist:

1. Deadboy - “Heartbreaker (Julio Bashmore Remix)”
2. Cooly G - “Love Dub”
3. Deadboy - “U Cheated”
4. Julio Bashmore - “Around”
5. Son of Aphrodite - “Vibrations”
6. DJ Sneak - “Fix My Sink”
7. Blackjoy - “Untitled (Solid Groove Remix)”
8. Mosca - “Gold Bricks, I See You”
9. L-Vis 1990 - “United Groove (Baobinga and I.D Remix)”
10. LV & Untold - “Beacon (Mount Kimbie Remix)”
11. Breach - “Fatherless”
12. Julio Bashmore - “Um Bongo’s Revenge”

Link:
www.myspace.com/juliobashmore

DOWNLOAD: 1000 Names - Lowriders Mixtape

Following their mix on Mary Anne Hobbs' BBC Radio 1 show and ahead of releases on Black Acre, the Bulgarian duo 1000 Names have put together a mix for the Lowriders Collective. Cop it and the accompanying interview.

DOWNLOAD: 1000 Names - Lowriders Mixtape

Tracklist:

1. Bibio – Great are the Piths
2. Black Monk & Ras G – Juju
3. Wankers United – Superfunky
4. Coco Bryce – bit crushing
5. Inko – Alma Parodia
6. Gards from KC – Statement
7. Robot Koch – Gorom Sen (Shlohmo rmx)
8. Kidkanevil – Mega joy
9. Lone – Arcade
10. Yoggy One – Moonwalk
11. Alan Hwakshaw – Technicolor
12. A.Rodionov – Electronic Jokey(horse races)
13. 1000names – Telephony 2000
14. Blue Daisy – Hunters
15. Shafiq Husayn – Evil Man (Flying Lotus rmx)
16. Lapti – Polar Bear

Link:
www.myspace.com/1000names

VIDEO/DOWNLOAD: Starkey - Building The Beat

Maybe some of you considered us to be a 'bit slow' on posting about Starkey's uber special challenge to build a beat in 2 hours live on Mary Anne Hoobs BBC Radio 1 Experimental show with samples provided by BBC DJs, producers and members of the public...

Truth is we were waiting for this:



DOWNLOAD: Starkey w/ Reso & Anneka - Building The Beat

Go PJ.

Link:
www.myspace.com/starkey
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs

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: Rooted Records Podcast 001

Rooted Records is undoubtedly Bristol's best record shop. One of the only vinyl specialists in the city its a must visit destination every time you go there, even if it is just to pop in with the sole purpose of bantering the staff.

That should really be common knowledge by now; the real news is they've upped the first in what promises to be a regular series of podcasts recently and we've been given the pleasure of giving you the scoop, and the link to download a mix of upfront dubplates.

DOWNLOAD: Rooted Records Podcast 001 - mixed by Breach

Tracklist unavailable.



Link:
www.rootedrecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/timbreach

READ: Sonic Router 005 - A Dubstep Column For August

Yep, its around that time again, and yes it is getting later and later in the month each time. Still... its compilation corner for us over at The Quietus with releases coming from Hyperdub, Mary Anne Hobbs, RSD, Echo Expansions and Rush Hour's Beat Dimensions Vol. 2 all getting a mention.

READ: Sonic Router 005 - A Dubstep Column For August

Oh and in related news, Hyperdub have announced the full tracklist for the afore mentioned dual CD compilation, '5.'



CD1:

01 King Midas Sound: "Meltdown"
02 Kode9 & the Spaceape: "Time Patrol [ft. Cha Cha]"
03 Darkstar: "Aidys Girl's a Computer"
04 Samiyam: "Roller Skates"
05 Flying Lotus: "Disco Balls"
06 Black Chow: "Purple Smoke"
07 Burial: "Fostercare"
08 Cooly G: "Weekend Fly"
09 Zomby: "Tarantula"
10 Martyn: "Mega Drive Generation"
11 LV: "Turn Away [ft. Dandelion]"
12 Mala: "Level Nine"
13 LD: "Shake It"
14 Quarta 330: "Bleeps From Outer Space"
15 Ikonika: "Sahara Michael"
16 Joker & Ginz: "Stash"

CD2:

01 Kode9: "9 Samurai"
02 Burial: "South London Boroughs"
03 Kode9 & LD: "Bad"
04 The Bug: "Money Honey Remix [ft. Warrior Queen]"
05 LV: "Globetrotting [ft. Erol Bellot]"
06 Burial: "Distant Lights"
07 Kode9 & the Spaceape: "Ghost Town"
08 Kode9 & the Spaceape: "Fukkaz"
09 Samiyam: "Return"
10 Darkstar: "Need You"
11 Zomby: "Spliff Dub (Rustie Remix)"
12 Ikonika: "Please"
13 Zomby: "Kaliko"
14 2000F & J Kamata: "You Don't Know What Love Is"
15 Joker: "Digidesign"
16 Quarta 330: "9 Samurai (Quarta 330 Remix)"

Just... wow.

INTERVIEW: Mary Anne Hobbs

Mary Anne Hobbs is still standing strong as one of dubstep’s figureheads. Her weekly BBC Radio 1 Experimental show has become the place to hear new music from key players and curve balls alike - first. After pioneering innovative bass music through her Dubstep Warz special in January of 2006, which featured guest mixes from Mala, Skream, Kode9, Vex’d, Hatcha, Loefah and Distance, m/a returned this time last year with Generation Bass, the sequel starring Joker, Cyrus, Starkey, Silkie & Quest, Oneman, Chef and Kulture.

Whilst the variation between the two corner point shows was obvious, with 2008 showcasing the new ‘shoots’ of dubstep rather than the well watered and bass rich roots, her passion for fierce innovation was still more than apparent. It’s in this that m/a truly excels, whether it’s using her radio show, her live appearances, her three Sonar stage curations or her compilations to reveal and expose true electronic talent.

With a CV that stretches impossibly far into the depths of broadcasting and journalism, she stands on the precipice of her third compilation on the Planet Mu label, ‘Wild Angels’, which harbours gems from Darkstar, Gemmy, Mike Slott, Hudson Mohawke, Brackles, Mark Pritchard and too many more for me to possibly list before this intro just becomes a drawl recollection of a tracklist; we caught up with her and shot her some questions.

Sonic Router: You’ve had a brilliantly varied career in radio pushing everything from metal to experimental electronic sounds and beyond, how did that all get started?

m/a: I could not imagine living another way. I had a burning desire that tormented me from my days as a little kid, listening to [John] Peel play punk under my blankets in bed in the dead of night. I ran away to London as a teenager and lived on a bus for a year on a car park with a rock band called Heretic… I was their lighting engineer, I made their backdrops and their clothes, designed their record sleeves... And I was also the bus mechanic!

What’s been some of your musical inspirations over the years, what made you fall for music and who’s keeping the light alive for you right now?

I’m unconcerned by genre in any formal sense, I just wanna hear something fresh, elemental and unique. I’m endlessly inspired by Sex Pistols, Public Enemy, Jungle, Metalheadz at The Blue Note, Nirvana, the DMZ label and club in Brixton, Chris Morris, Kode 9 & Hyperdub, the Tempa crew and FWD>> at Plastic People, Daddy Kev, The Gaslamp Killer and all the Low End Theory crew in LA plus Pinch, Joker, Gemmy, Jakes and all the Bristol family.

The list is endless and constantly evolving and I think that’s reflected in pace at which my BBC Radio1 show moves forward every week.

You’ve been given the accolade of curating a stage at Sonar for the last couple of years now, what have been your favourite moments of the festival so far and are you already planning the next one?

We made history in 2007, it was the first time dubstep was lifted out of tiny, intense humid club environments and onto an international festival stage. We honestly expected a couple of hundred people to show up, especially as The Beastie Boys were headlining the main stage at the same time, about 10 paces away.. Skream said to me it was the greatest night of his life on earth. The magic in the air was tangible.



Can you shed a little light on your first dubstep experience?

The first tune I ever heard from this generation of producers was P Dutty & Pinch – ‘War Dub.’ The rest is history…

How do you feel the scene has changed and progressed since Dubstep Warz in 2006 to now?

There are new textures of sound emerging every day, drawing in a myriad of different influences from every corner of the globe. There’s a fascinating sonic intersection between Flying Lotus and the West Coast crew, Vienna, Bristol and South London right now... And of course, it’s wonderful to see an artist like Skream with a gold record for the La Roux remix!

What is your most prized dubplate?

Darqwan – ‘M/a...ximum Reespek’ written for me as a gift, and cut onto acetate by Jason at Transition Mastering Studios.

Your brand new compilation for Planet Mu, 'Wild Angels,' is about to hit the shops, tell us about how that came about?

Electronic music moves forward in thousands of tiny scattered steps every day. 'Wild Angels' is a collection of future sound from Transatlantic producers building new creative causeways… beyond dubstep, hip-hop, soul, folk and electronic.

The album title was born out of an expression I used to describe the late Alice Coltrane, who has inspired and informed so much, on my BBC Radio1 West Coast Rocks special (which featured many of the US artists on the album).

You must get so much new music every week, how do you go about finding the good stuff and what’s your advice for new producers who want to get heard?

Be your own most ferocious critic. Work hard to get your beats in brilliant shape before you start harassing the fuck out of people...

Have you got any inspirational advice for our readers?

Charge at your dreams and never look back!

Wild Angels from LuckyMe on Vimeo.

‘Wild Angels’ is out on the 14th September (on CD and double pack 12”) on Planet Mu featuring tracks from Gemmy, Hyetal, Hudson Mohawke, Mono/Poly, Darkstar, Floating Points, TAKE and more.

Links:
www.myspace.com/maryannehobbs
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs

Photo: Shaun Bloodworth

PRE-ORDER: Cyrus – Space Cadet/Junk Yard [Tectonic]

In a world where dubstep is an ever evolving beast spawning and mutating into anything from full on rave anthems to strange hybrids of hip-hop people like Cyrus are keeping the original dark, dirty and deep vibes going and pushing it into new territories. After releasing the first artist album on Tectonic, this is his first single on the label since; pushing a similar concoction of bass weight and drum thumps as Distance, the man who picked Cyrus for Mary Anne Hobbs hallowed Dubstep Warz showcase sequel, Generation Bass earlier this year.

‘Space Cadet,’ which in fact got aired on Generation Bass as a dubplate, is a dubbed out almost industrial sounding number with, as the name suggests, a proper spaced out sound. You can almost hear the afterburners of a shuttle deep in space morphing into reverberating bass. There is a half step vibe going on here but the heavy kick plays off the high hats, crackles and snare to create a swung groove with an almost jazz swagger. The breakdown is so epic it drops out into silence where you feel like you’re in a vacuum before a chest-pummelling bass drops back in.

‘Junk Yard’ on the flip has a more driving sound to it with double kicks and a gnarly deep down and dirty alien bass line that’s coupled with that huge tell tale Cyrus sub. There is a dark bounce that you’ll surely connect with if you’re feeling anyone from Mala to Goth Trad. There’s a raw, physical feeling to this track and you can just tell it’s been made to test the big rigs.

Words: James Balf
Out: September ‘09

Links:
www.myspace.com/randomtrio
www.myspace.com/tectonicrecordings



Cyrus on Generation Bass

Random Trio have also just begun their foray into the world of podcasts.

SUBSCRIBE: Random Trio Podcast – Episode 1 (Via iTunes)

Tracklist:
Cyrus - Random Trio - Minimal - Dub
Cyrus & Tunnidge - Ding Ding - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Space cadet - Tectonic
Cyrus - Random Trio - Alone - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Sleeper - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Scanner – Forthcoming on RTP006
Cyrus - Random Trio - Decisions - Forthcoming on RTP006
Cyrus - Random Trio - In the background - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Wet Fart - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Silence - RTP005
Cyrus & Distance - Surrender - Chestplate
Cyrus - Random Trio - Power Trip - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Profits - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Night after - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Untitled - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Untitled - Dub
Cyrus - Random Trio - Junkyard - Tectonic

VIDEO: MAH - Wild Angels

Wild Angels from LuckyMe on Vimeo.

Promo clip for m/a's forthcoming compilation, 'Wild Angels,' on Planet Mu.

Her 3rd collection of bass influenced gubbins to date will feature tracks from Rootah faves Untold, Brackles, Rustie, HudMo, Starkey, Darkstar, Nosaj Thing, Gemmy and the criminally slept on Mono/Poly...

Out 7th Sept '09.

Link:
www.planet-mu.com

VIDEO: MAH stage @ Sonar 2009

Joker


Gaslamp Killer


Martyn

Woop.

Link:
www.youtube.com/user/maryannehobbstv

VIDEO: Mary Anne Hobbs @ Sonar 2009

The first of many Sonar videos that will get posted here no doubt.

MAH's stage was a unanimous highlight with her, Joker, GLK and Martyn ab-so-lutely murking it for 8000 sweaty Sonar goers.

Link:
www.youtube.com/user/maryannehobbstv

PRE-ORDER: Joker – Do It/Psychedelic Runway [Kapsize]

Kapsize is the label, Joker is the producer. His style is imitable, instantly recognisable and intrinsically his. The self proclaimed ‘Purple Prince’ has been much hyped of late, remixing Little Boots, Djing all over the world and releasing beats on Hyperdub, with another forthcoming on Tectonic. This plate is the third release on Kapsize so far - following on from the collaboration with Glasgow’s hip-hop badman, Rustie on KAP002 – and it features the heavily BBC Radio 1 supported ‘Do It.’

Still managing to sound as catchy and as fresh as the day you first heard it, ‘Do It’ makes for a wicked peak time floor shaker harnessing the southern boom bap kicks and snare snap-click that drive the dirty chugging, snaggle-toothed grime synths in making a dark backdrop to the ascending string samples and filtered Dr. Dre-esque talk box lead lines and the oft repeated “do it” vocal sample.

If Silkie played more Sonic The Hedgehog and less jazz at home he may well have channelled his soulful funk vibes through some whining 8-bit synths like Joker has on ‘Psychedelic Runway.’ Using jagged bass synthesizers Joker propels his straight dubstep drum pattern swabbing the edges with punishing pads and leads that take the track into a more melodic grime territory, swapping the aggression of the genre for a guide book on key Moog manipulations.

This platter shows that both Kapsize and Joker are growing. With these tune he shows that he can turn himself to the deep side as well as the darkside fusing the upfront melodies of grime with some spatial meditation.

Links:

www.myspace.com/thejokerproductions
www.myspace.com/kapsize1