Wednesday 23 November 2011

15 Years of Hospital Documentary: Skulls, Spaceships and Playmobil

Unsure about this one, not really about the music; main theme throughout the doc concerns itself with design and image.  Would have preferred for them to have talked about some of the tracks that have really stood out on the label over the years.  Still worth a watch.


Monday 21 November 2011

[502004] Desto & Jimi Tenor 'Eightfold Path'/ Desto, Clouds & Jimi Tenor ft. Cha Cha 'Time Bird'


Two new tracks from DJ Oneman's 502 label.  Producers Desto & Clouds and flutist Jimi Tenor collaborate to create 'Time Bird'. Desto & Clouds combine Cha Cha's beautiful Chinese vocals (I thought they sounded french at first) with down-tempo beats, atmospheric synths and Jimi Tenor's unique flute licks. 
The flute theme continues in 'Eightfold Path'.  The backbone of 'Eightfold Path' is created through a bass driven pulse; the flutes floating melody drives the tune and its combination with string echoes provides a sense of nervous suspense.  Its amazing what results can be achioeved when people from different musical backgrounds put their heads together.  Weird videos...
Out on the 28th of November.





Desto, Clouds & Jimi Tenor ft. Cha Cha - Time Bird/Desto & Jimi Tenor - 8fold Path (forthcoming 502) by Desto

For more information about how these tunes came about visit:
http://subcultureshanghai.com/2011/02/22/desto-jimi-tenor-clouds-feat-chacha-time-bird/

Data "Making simple things complex"- New Track


"Making simple things complex" has been on the production line for the last two years.  Data has added a new track to his sound cloud "Laid bare". Data continues to complicate the simple; "Laid bare" combines snarling layered bass, beautifully melodic synth overtones and powerfully emotive vocals. The other 140bpm tracks he has proposed for "Making simple things complex" continue to demonstrate his versatility. "The Fall of Phaeton" is a really mellow track (a world away from his techy dnb); within an instant of hearing the soft claps, glitchy pads and beautiful woodwind all the troubles of your day drift away. Awaiting album completion.  In the meantime listen to these!

Data - Laid Bare - Making Simple Things Complex by Data

Data - Making Simple Things Complex by Data

Ital Tek- Gonga EP Planet Mu


This time Ital Tek switches it up on the "Gonga Ep" working within the footwork, juke, ghetto-tek, whatever-you-call-it framework Planet Mu are currently championing.  Released December 5th.


Track list
01 Gonga
02 Pixel Haze
03 Cobalt
04 Gonga (µ-ziq)


Gonga EP Promo Mix (Out Dec 5th Planet Mu Records) by ITAL TEK

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Mixmag Podcast #50: Hatcha & Lost

GF001 Mensah- Resistance Dj First Aid & Pulsar- Bombaclat Gutterfunk Recordings


Gutterfunk is a new imprint from Bristol based dnb legend DJ Die.  Created to host a multitude of artists from different music backgrounds releasing tracks that defy genre confines allowing for innovation and experimentation.  The label will be a new voice in this exciting time where it is impossible to define electronic music simply by genre conventions; acting as a platform for Bristol seemingly endless stream of new talent we can expect great things from Gutterfunk.
Mensah breaks out of his mold with this one expressing the ethos of innovation behind the Gutterfunk label.  "Resistance" has a definite nostalgic vibe, circa 1980 electro to be precise. Mensah has been hard at work on this track, composing within a contemporary bpm whilst delivering bass-line funk and synth melodies synonymous with 80's electro.
Dj First Aid & Pulsar bring a completely different sound to the record.  First explores his range in "Bombaclat" expanding on his genre specific association with UK Hip-hop  (collaborations with the likes of Buggsy).  Pulsar appears to be responsible for the vision behind this track, similarities can be drawn between "Bombaclat" and his solo track "Dredstep"; though "Bombaclat" sounds more stripped down and true to its Dub influences. "Bombaclat" is a Dubstep track inspired by Dub, the track has a gritty, imperfect, analogue quality; providing something fresh whilst owing its creation to vintage production techniques. 
GF001 A - Mensah - The Resistance CLIP by Gutterfunk

Ikoninka mix includes Mensah's "Resistance" similar vibe going on here.

Monday 14 November 2011

Dexter RA.284 Podcast

TEMPA061 Skreamizm Vol.6


Skream returns from a long break to his Skreamizm series; propagating his own vision of the direction of Dubstep music whilst keeping firmly in touch with the sound he mastered in his youth.
Some really sick tracks here but I only have time to mention a few.  "Indistinct" brings a middle eastern vibe, the female vocals call to mind ezan chants beckoning worshippers to prayer, whilst the contrasting digital fuzz creates a sense of old-meets-new.  "Abstruse" brings the depth, weight and spot-on percussion that has become synonymous with Skream's sound.  Dark and minimal just how we like it.
Due for release on the 12th December Volume. 6 will definitely be worth the little wait.   In the meantime here are some sample clips to keep you happy.

Track list
Xmas Day Swagger
Indistinct
Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dumb! ft.Trim
Abstruse
Snarled
Fnkonomika


Xmas Day Swagger by SKREAMIZM

Critical Podcast- Volume 19 Hosted by Kasra


"Foreign Concept is first up with a selection of his favorite titles from the Critical back catalogue.  Mortem takes over and gives us a mix of some of the best in upfront underground bass."

Sunday 13 November 2011

HZN45 Amoss- Minus/Spitface (Promo) Horizons Music


After the success of their Spectrum EP (HZN44) Amoss returns with lightning speed to claim the next release on the Horizons label.  'Minus' intros with a light drum break coupled with a submerged bass-line reverberating far beneath the depths; the track opens up into a heavy roller utilising unusual vibrations in the b-line and metallic discs of synth.  'Splitface' on the other side has a more experimental sense of structure; there is no singular bass line the tune switches between delicate beats, abrupt pulses and hovering spaceships.  Available for digital download now, promo available from Monday.

Amoss - Minus [Forthcoming Horizons Music] by Amoss

Amoss - Splitface [HZN45] by Horizons music



To hear more from Horizons Music they are hosting a night at Basement 45 in Bristol on the 25th of November.

Friday 11 November 2011

Free Unquote Track



11/11/11

XLR8R are offering Unquote's track "Yellow Warrior" (feat. Lung) off his "Reverberation Box" album as a free download.  Just been having a look through their site seems pretty sick, they're offering plenty of free downloads including instrumentals from Joker's new album.  Definitely one to bookmark.


Tuesday 8 November 2011

Final Ever Mutated Forms Cloudcast

The trio Mutated forms present there final ever Cloudcast.  Not dnb.   Well worth a listen fusion of many styles going on here funk, reggae, trip-hop etc

MODULE009 MORTEM- Get Closer/Monolever Critical Presents:Modulations


Two sick tunes from Polish producer Mortem an anticipated addition to the Critical Music family.  'Get closer' rolls over with smooth waves of bass and punches of percussion whilst subtle shifts keep the track flowing without becoming stagnant.  'Monoelver' instantly creates a dark foreboding atmosphere. The bass line dominates the tune with its sinister tones whilst the background shakes and strikes to create a glitchy off-key composition.  Keep your eye on this guy.
Mortem - Get Closer - Critical : Modulations by Critical Music
Mortem - Monoveler - Critical : Modulations by Critical Music

Free Download Mykur/TMSV- Icarus


Everything free is better.  Serious tune, loving the whispers and Marimba sounding percussion. 
Myrkur & TMSV - Icarus [FREE DOWNLOAD] by TMSV

Monday 7 November 2011

TEAL004 KOWTON Dirty Little Bomb/Dirty Little Bomb (Rivet Remix) Teal Recordings

Kowton - TEAL Recordings
After the success of his "Basic Music Knowledge" and "Keep Walking" singles Kowton returns with more of his horror infused bass music.  "Dirty Little Bomb" is produced through a layering of sound.  Throughout the tune new loops are grafted onto the track.  What begins as a dull lonely sounding bass evolves over the bars into thought-provoking colourful sounds creating something complete.  Interesting stuff.
Rivet takes the original and increases the tempo to bring you bass driven head bopping badness, definitely a tune that will draw a crowd to the dance-floor.
Dirty Little Bomb by Kowton
Kowton - 'Dirty Little Bomb' (Rivet Remix) by BOILER ROOM

RA Kowton article- http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1114

Standard Procedure Wax Works Mix

GDKR003 TRUTH- Direct Blow/Snake Get Darker Recordings



New Zealand based Dubstep producers Andre Fernandez and Tristan Roake who are better known as Truth bring us a couple of gems on the young Get Darker label.  The A side 'Direct Blow' begins with  a sense sublime suspense achieved through distant echoes of mythical sirens and growing elements of percussion; the drop hits with bass heavy weight and the chant of "Get you with my direct blow". The bass slices of this club banger are instantly energising and are cleverly countered with returns to the melodic intro, to create a suprising yet relentless sense of flow.  On the flip 'Snake' takes the deeper role.  Again Truth emphasise the intro; 'Snake' presents itself with a precision use of percussive elements creating space and depth foreshadowing the direction of the tune.  The bass element of the composition opens with an interesting panning b-line that continues throughout the rest of the piece (the low end vibe is the real impetus throughout the song). This weighty bass-line contrasts with the mid-range violin melody to create a sense of beauty rising through darkness.  Definitely feeling the flip on this one.

Truth - Direct Blow - GetDarker 003 by getdarker
Truth - Snake - (GetDarker 003) by getdarker

Free Truth mix from last month.
Truth - Closer to Chaos - Mix (Free Download) by Truth

Wednesday 2 November 2011

The XX- Night Time (Synkro Remix)



Joe continues to impress enjoy.

The XX - Night Time (Synkro Remix) by

Download- http://www.mediafire.com/?i32dd702lt3xf5w

Lenzman and Riya Metalheadz 31 Mix



Missed this one.  Lenzman on the beats Riya's vocals making it extra special. 


Lenzman feat. Riya - Metalheadz Podcast 31 by Lenzman

OSMUK014 Matt U- Empty Inside/Unforgiven Osiris Music UK



Matt U is set to release OSMUK014- Empty Inside/Unforgiven on Kryptic Mind's label Osiris Music uk on Monday the 7th of November.  Osiris Music uk has become a hub of amazing releases since its creation in 2006 and is renown for striving to diversify genre confines. Matt U (Matyas Szalai) is a Hungarian born producer from Budapest he is regarded as having a tenacious work ethic pumping out tunes of the highest calibre.  Making a name for himself producing hard-hitting Drum and Bass his work envelops a variety of genre conventions; in recent years he has delved into the 140 realm to deliver some of the most exciting, forward-thinking bass-driven beats.
After doing the rounds on the dubplate circuit fans will be pleased to see these two tunes finally getting a well deserved release on vinyl next week.  Empty Inside encapsulates Matt U's deep tech sound; elongated synth fades sit on top of a warping bass-line, whilst spine chilling repetitions of "Empty Inside" create an uncomfortable undertone.  Unforgiven follows suit in its creation; the tech sounding synth heard in Empty Inside steals the show here playing the part of b-line with an indescribable amount of weight.


MATT-U - Empty Inside - Release Date: 07/11/11 by Osiris Music uk

MATT-U - Unforgiven - Release Date: 07/11/11 by Osiris Music uk

Listen to the FACT 241 Kryptic Mind's mix to hear some of Osiris Music uk's plethora of unreleased duplates http://soundcloud.com/factmag/fact-mix-241-kryptic-minds-apr/s-40XDb


Tracklist- http://www.factmag.com/2011/04/22/fact-mix-241-kryptic-minds/
Knowledge Interview- http://www.kmag.co.uk/editorial/features/matt-u-exclusive-free-track.html

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Distance and Benton STK




The Small Time Krooks are bringing you another night of sub-bass badness to kick-start your weekend.  Plymouth's Voodoo Lounge will play host one of scene's most influential artists: Distance.  Since the release of My Demons four years ago he has been a forefront of the genre creating tunes that provide the dirt but also include enough depth to appease the purists.
The success of his work lies in the way that he utilises percussion in contrast to mechanical sounding synths and dread bass beefiness.  The precision timing in the tweaks and beats of his production allows for the space to hear the intricate elements of his music; a sense of style that seems to be missing from the scene's current trend of producers making the loudest, most distorted, ear offending music possible.  The other worldly element of his tunes is one of his music's most appealing traits; his use of post apocalyptic voices combined with previously inaudible sounds creates a sense of terrifying suspense leaving you lost in the world of Distance on the dance floor.  Distance will be bringing the voodoo to the lounge this Friday; be prepared to be blown away by the Honey Bee Sound System as he cranks up the volume whilst lowering the tone with his eerily deep style.
If this wasn't enough STK are headlining another dj/producer rated for his creativity and profound productions: Benton.  Esteemed for his spine chilling tune Take Me Away of 2010 and his 2011 releases on N-type's Wheel And Deal label, Benton is well respected by his contemporaries and promises to provide even musical majesty as his career progresses.
Finally the STK residents will be out in force playing a massive range of styles for your audio pleasure: High T, DJC, Darko, Nakes, D-lux, MasterStatus, Ramos, Blotta, Jackart and Skeptix.  And not forgetting the Hosts: Gravity, Jman and Smallz to guide you through an evening of beats and bass.




Sub.mission Distance October 2011 Mix
http://subdotmission.com/sites/default/files/Sub.missionPodcast018_Distance.mp3
Track list
http://subdotmission.com/podcast/submission-podcast-018-distance
Knowledge Magazine Benton interview
http://www.kmag.co.uk/editorial/blogs/dubstep/introducing-benton.html