Audio Texture

Audio Texture Radio Show - February 17, 2012

2012-02-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - February 17, 2012 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So the show is back in full effect after a rare missed week due to work commitments and we kick off in fine style with a track from the Project Mooncircle 10th anniversary boxset, a nice slice of deep bassline action from Rain Dog, one of many great tunes celebrating this ever improving label and their dedication to unearthing fresh beat making talent. A 10th anniversary is a real milestone for a label in todays difficulty record selling climate and to have put out over a 100 releases in that time makes it even more so. Fink then kept the deep vibes flowing with an excellent Close remix of his 'Perfect Darkness' track from last year before Shlohmo kept the future soul vibes flowing with the excellent 'Wen Uuu' from his recent EP on FoF music.

We couldn't resist dropping more Jeb Loy Nichols as his new album is about to drop on Decca. We'd already hit you with 'Hard Times' but this time the track has been given a little reggae remix courtesy of Curtis Lynch to take the tune back to it's JA roots. Ruder dancehall bassline vibes then invaded the airwaves as Belleruche's DJ Modest gave Hint's 'Crash and Burn' a little dubstep refix. Lorca has been on our radar since last year and showed why by supplying a nice slice of swinging, jazz flavoured, funky house niceness before Micatone dropped the tempo and injected some country edged soul with their welcome return.

Now we've been on the case of Mancini and The Creepers since day one and I'm happy to report their debut album is about to drop. Now some people are going to say they sound a bit Ghostpoet like and we're not going to dispute that but to be honest we'd heard them before Ghostpoet and to be honest we don't care who was first as they both rock. Joash with a little help from Chocolate Garage then single handedly revived hip house with the killer 'Mission'. Subsequent featuring Festa then rounded off a trio of leftfield hip hop gems in a German stylee, thanks to Nonine for that one. Mo Kolours then dropped a real slice of Mauritian flavoured beat madness as he is wont to do before Bullion, if he hadn't already, cememented his stylistic versatility with 'Say Arr Ee' from his new R&S release before Maddslinky's Azymuth rerub ended the show in fine Brazilian beats style.

Rain Dog - Spatial Separations (Project Mooncircle promo)
Fink - Perfect Darkness, Close rmx (Freeload)
Shlohmo - Wen Uuu (FoF Music)
Jeb Loy Nichols - Hard Times, Curtis Lynch rmx (Decca promo)
Hint - Crash & Burn, DJ Modest rmx (Tru-Thoughts promo)
Lorca - Can't See Higher (Dummy Records promo)
Micatone - Handbrake (Sonar Kollektiv Promo)
Mancini & The Creepers - Killers (Jakharta promo)
Joash - Mission, Chocolate Garage Oldschool mix (Compost)
Subsequent feat Festa - Daglicht rmx (Nonine)
Mo Kolours - Banana Wine (One Handed Music promo)
Bullion - Say Arr Ee (R&S)
Azymuth - Heavy Up, Maddslinky rmx (Far Out promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - February 3, 2012

2012-02-07T03:54:00.000-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - February 3, 2012 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So the whole original Chicago footwork scene, that blew up on the back of Planet Mu's crusade, was a bit of disappointment musically but the dancing was out of this world. Now a whole heap of producers, with broader palettes, have jumped on board the wagon things are starting to get more interesting and the latest mutation is Dream Continuum's fusion of footwork and 90's drum and bass which is set to smash up the dance in 2012, check 'Side Set It' that opens the show and get your rave on. Around this time every year the J Dilla tributes to commemorate his passing start, thus prompted, I thought I'd give you his classic take on 'Think Twice' which led nicely into some Propaground action with Gusby's deep soul groover, 'Analogik Love Pt II'. Jeb Loy Nichols then provided some 'Countrymusicdisco' in fine blue eyed soulful style, look out for his new album dropping anytime now on Decca.

As mentioned recently the new Blundetto album is sounding great start to finish, so just to prove we're not lying we thought we'd drop you another little taster, this time Ethio jazz style with the excellent Akale Horns in full effect. Afrobuddha with the aid of the Kakatsitsi Drummers then provided some hyper real Afro House Sounds before Dancing Turtle's new signing Elpoep provided some deep hypnotic beats from their excellent new release. DVA then dropped the future soul from his new album on Hyperdub which funnily sounds largely like vintage broken beat with a slightly poorer choice of vocalists and obviously is none the worse for it.

Whilst I'm at easy comparisons the new Gang Colours album is sounding like a slightly less melancholic James Blake, you probably don't need much more encouragement than that to check him out. There is a nice Slugabed EP floating about at the moment with some cheeky tunes on. It was a tossup which one to drop but we opted for the soulful strains of 'Rockin U' featuring the one and only Leon Ware. Deep Medi new boy Dark Tantrums then provided some deep, simple but atmospheric dub step flavours before NonGenetic & Cooptrol showed that dubstep is a perfect riddim for some lyrical expression, if only more beat producers thought that way. Uptempo beats then led the show to its conclusion with some great bassline action from Dark Sky and then Magic Wire's, Neon Jung who really gave the sub woofers a good testing.

Dream Continuum - Side Set It (Planet Mu promo)
Jay Dee - Think Twice (BBE)
Gusby - Analogik Love Pt II (Propaground promo)
Jeb Loy Nichols - Countrymusicdisco45 (Decca promo)
Blundetto with Akale Horns - Crowded Places (Heavenly Sweetness promo)
Afrobuddha Meets Kakatsitsi Drummers - Obame, Radio Mix (Round In Motion)
Elpoep - Feed Your Love (Dancing Turtle promo)
DVA - Eye Know feat Natalie Maddix (Hyperdub)
Gang Colours - I Don't Want You Calling (Brownswood promo)
Slugabed - Rocking U feat Leon Ware (White)
Dark Tantrums - Unborn (Deep Medi promo)
NonGenetic & Cooptrol - Revolution (Spezialmaterial Records)
Dark Sky - Technology (Black Acre promo)
Neon Jung - Delirium Tremens (Magic Wire promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - January 27, 2012

2012-01-29T10:08:00.000-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - January 27, 2012 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So it's all about the mellow vibes this week kicking off with Torus, an 18 year old from Holland with a talent that belies his years and a great first release for the fledgling Sonic Router label. One of two tracks in this week's show from Sandro Perri followed to show what an underexposed talent this Canadian boy is, make sure you check out his Impossible Spaces album. Teho Teardo, the great Italian soundtrack composer, followed with a track from his new album on his own Specula label before The Boats provided a teaser of their great sounding new album on the ever consistent and interesting12K label.

The Gang Colours album is coming on Brownswood in February and this latest single is another fresh sounding slice of melodic electronica that bodes well for the full length release. We then dug out some Guts to keep the soul flowing before Anchorsong upped the tempo but kept the sweetness intact. It looks like 2012 is going to be a big year for Homeboy Sandman. The new promo teaser dropped through from Stones Throw this week and 'The Miracles' is just killing it and the other cuts are great as well. Earnest Endeavours are going from strength to strength with their second release, this time from Darkhouse Family and roping in Om'Mas Keith on vocal duties hasn't hurt them any. Londoners Midnight Davies then supplied some darker, slightly sinister vibes with some pleasing musical touches.

Now Lapalux's sun has been rising all last year and it looks like he's finally going to slap everone round the chops with the imminent arrival of his submerged soulful, pysched out EP of beats about to drop on Brainfeeder. Blundetto then brought us back to planet earth with the aid of Tommy Guerrero and we have to say his new album is sounding good all the way through, look out for it on Heavenly Sweetness in the not too distant future. Boss Kite then skweed the shop right up with some lovely restrained, spacious electro soul, another cool little EP available once again for free from Donkey Pitch. The new Aeroc album on Ghostly International is a lovely slice of melodic electronica which brought us nicely to another cut from the excellent Impossible Spaces album from Sandro Perri before Nathan Davies provided some deep jazz vibrations to end this weeks super mellow special.

Torus - Cavemonsters Are Kind (Sonic Router promo)
Sandro Perri - Impossible Spaces (Constellation)
Teho Teardo - Che Cosa Riccordare De Lei (Specula)
The Boats - The Ballad Of Failure (12K promo)
Gang Colours - Fancy Restaurant (Brownswood promo)
Guts - Laisser Lucie Faire (Heavenly Sweetness)
Anchorsong - Gingko (Tru-Thoughts)
Homeboy Sandman - The Miracle (Stones Throw promo)
Darkhouse Family - Take On The World feat. Om'Mas Keith (Earnest Endeavours promo)
Midnight Davies - Nothing Is Obvious (Five Easy Pieces)
Lapalux - Yellow 90's (Brainfeeder promo)
Blundetto - Final Good Bye with Tommy Guerrero (Heavenly Sweetness promo)
Boss Kite - You So Bad (Donkey Pitch)
Aeroc - If I Had The Time (Ghostly International)
Sandro Perri - Love & Light (Constellation)
Nathan Davies - Mandingo's Pad (Jazzman)

Audio Texture Radio Show - January 20, 2012

2012-01-22T23:42:00.000-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - January 20, 2012 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So loads of nice electronic bits and bobs in this weeks show kicking off with a killer tune from Virtual Boy from their forthcoming album on Alpha Pup due in February, should be a goodie if 'Memory Of A Ghost' is anything to go by. That was followed by some great soul music from Russia of all places, a country gaining a steady reputation for it's electronic producers but the Valique track is straight out of the American soul handbook. Twit One then kept the vibe rolling with a cheeky little edit of Brazilian soul boy Tim Maia. As you've already heard Bonobo has commissioned some great remixes of his Black Sands album from last year and the Falty DL twist of 'All In Forms' we're sure you'll agree is another winner.

Mike Gao and Daisuke Tanabe are the latest producers to grace the Faces series of singles from Project Mooncircle and Gao in particular has excelled himself with a great side of deep musical beat excursions as 'Futuristic Wife' ably showcases. The Alchemist and Oh No go under the name of Gangrene and we're loving the beats on their latest single 'Vodka & Ayahuasca' - pure pysched out beat making, shame the vocals couldn't live up to the production. The nice boys at Donkey Pitch then, rather sweetly, provided the chopped and screwed soul of 'Sweat Mode' from Ghost Mutt for free! The show then got into some deep progressive jazz with another taster of the great sounding Portico Quartet album which is due very shortly but which still seems too long.

Things then went all dubbed up courtesy of Jah Guidi and Sanguebom an interesting little French outfit who we hope to hear more of before the ever fresh Juan Atkins provided some great electro vibes under his Model 500 guise. Xosar then provided some deep spooky house music before Boddhi Satva graced us with some deep ancestral soul, aided and abetted by Vikter Duplaix's sweet vocals. Tim Toh then upped the intensity with the percussive monster 'Pandemonium' from his latest sterling effort on Philpot before Raffertie showed his maturing, more spacious, sound with the 'Mass Appeal' title track from his excellent forthcoming EP for the Ninja boys.

Virtual Boy - Memory Of A Ghost (Alpha Pup promo)
Valique - I'm Here feat Vadim Kapustin (Infracom promo)
Tim Maia - Do Bem, Twit One Edit (White)
Bonobo - All In Forms, Falty DL remix (Ninja Tune promo)
Mike Gao - Futuristic Wife (Project Mooncircle promo)
Gangrene - Vodka & Ayahuasca, instrumental (Decon)
Ghost Mutt - Sweat Mode (Donkey Pitch freeload)
Portico Quartet - Spinner (Real World promo)
Jah Guidi/Sanguebom - Samurai Dub (Do Not Cross)
Model 500 - The Messenger (R&S promo)
Xosar - Rainy Day Juno Jam (Rush Hour promo)
Boddhi Satva - From An Other World feat Vikter Duplaix (BBE promo)
Tim Toh - Pandemonium (Philpot)
Raffertie - Mass Appeal (Ninja Tune promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - January 13, 2012

2012-01-15T06:13:00.000-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - January 13, 2012 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So off we go again after the Christmas break, back, refreshed and raring to get stuck into some great music whilst ignoring all the hype - no hipster house here thank you. When we read this new micro genre term we didn't lower ourselves to investigate further but our theory is it's house music designed for people who are too cool to dance or just haven't got any co-ordination but to be honest we hope never to find out.

This week started with a song for our bank induced, crisis ridden times with Jeb Loy Nichols covering Pablo Gad's classic, 'Hard Times' to amazing effect and it bodes well for Jeb's new album. Doctor L, the uncompromising and diverse French producer is also coming through with a new album on Comet and we're particularly liking the street poetry meets deep jazz beats of 'Vocal Kidnaping' featuring the Unknown Poets. Some classic fusion then followed from The Headhunters who are being re-issued by R2 records in 2012. The label is also embarking on a series of other classic album reissues with a killer program lined up - watch this space!

Classic sounding, new music with a Charles Stepney vibe then followed from Quantic & Alice Russell backed up by the Combo Barbaro with an amazing slice of soul which again bodes more than well for the new album release in April. The Echocentrics ably followed with their interpretation of Timbaland's 'We Need A Resolution' from a really nice little EP of Timbaland covers done in a live soulful style. Medline then kept the soul vibes flowing on a blaxploitation tip with his excellent, soon to be released 'Soldier Of Love' track - look out for all sorts of releases from him this year. Fresh new talent from Brighton then followed in the shape of the promising J. Biscuits from Brighton who has just put out a lovely little album of eastern tinged beats for free download from his bandcamp page, surely a producer to watch.

John Phonics then kept the beats flowing with a collaboration with Peter Cannon given a Pedestrian remix, from the inaugural release on Prism records another promising label start up. Robert Glasper's new album is sounding great with all sorts of interesting collaborations and the first single from it, 'Ah Yeah' featuring Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michele is no exception. Julien Dyne then provided a taster of his new album on BBE which is due anytime now and will no doubt help cement this young New Zealand talent's reputation. Toulouse Low Trax aka Detlef Weinrich from Kreidler then provided some deep dub tribal, slo mo house vibes from his forthcoming album due on Karaoke Kalk in February, another winning album.

Downliners Sekt then showed why they are some of our favourite leftfield dubsters of recent times as they take some average shoegaze and turn it into a deep hypnotic dub roller, nice. Stan Smith is one of out new hip hop discoveries and this New York MC is about to drop his debut album aided by some bruk style production from Daz-I-Kue and it's sounding like a modern day hip-house winner start to finish. Jonti has gone and released some of his early material for free after the success of his material on Stonesthrow last year and there are some real nuggets on there, seek it out! Russian 8-bit don Pixelord is another one steadily building his rep and, amongst others, from his new EP we're particularly liking the Groundislava remix of 'Imaginery Friends'. Minamo, a Japanese quartet then provided the abstract live vibes that nicely finished the show from their new album on Room40.

Jeb Loy Nichols - Hard Times (Decca promo)
Doctor L - Vocal Kidnaping feat. Unknown Poets (Comet promo)
The Headhunters - Mugic (R2 promo)
Quantic & Alice Russell feat Combo Barbaro - Look Around The Corner (Tru-Thoughts promo)
The Echocentrics - We Need A Resolution, instrumental (Ubiquity)
Medline - Soldier of Love (Propaground promo)
J Biscuits - Spiced Rum (Free Download)
Jon Phonics x Peter Cannon - Romes, Pedestrian remix (Prism promo)
Robert Glasper - Ah Yeah feat Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michele (Blue Note promo)
Julien Dyne - Thirts (BBE promo)
Tolouse Low Trax - Jeidem Fall (Karaoke Kalk promo)
Cubenx - These Days, Downliners Sekt rmx (Infine promo)
Stan Smith - Get Up Gospel (Tokyo Dawn promo)
Jonti - Flesh Of Morning (Stonesthrow Freeload)
Pixelord - Imaginary Friends, Groundislava rmx (Hit and Hope promo)
Minamo - Bound Letters (Room 40)

Audio Texture Radio Show - December 16, 2011

2011-12-19T05:28:00.000-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - December 16, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

The Analog Players Society provided a nice skanking jazzy version of 'Let The Music Play' for the show's opener and they seem like a project to watch as Finnish crew, Yot, dip their toes into the Swedish Skwee scene to great effect and kept the submerged reggae vibes running. Barcelona's, The Ink Project then went all deep and atmospheric aided by a nice Gang Colours twist before DJ Food got all raucous with a taster of his new, heavier than heavy album.

Homeboy Sandman showed why arbiters of hip hop tastefulness, Stones Throw, have signed him up - we can't wait for more from him. Emmanuel Trep Kormann has given Raphael's operatic jazz a suitably bonkers remix before Krystal Klear and Olivier Day Soul dropped some brand new old school soul flavour, one for the ladie and lovers. Bonobo's last album was one of the years highlights and some of the tracks have been remixed with Mark Pritchard's version being the best of an excellent bunch. Back to the hip hop, Versus showed that their live jazzy vibes mark them as a group to watch out for, especially on stage.

Morlockko Plus then laid down the instrumental hip hop flavours which was a taste of the new Beat Fight comp on MPM. Now Again showed why they are one of the best re-issue labels about after unearthing the, until now, forgotten soul delights of New World Generation. Lana Del Ray showed off her shiny new Joy Oribison remix before next years release, Mr. Fingers then gave a lesson to the youngsters with his Gerd remix on Royal Oak, before John Gazoo and Compost Disco teamed up again and provided a bumping modern disco end to this weeks show.

So that's all the new material for this year, we'll still be at it over Christmas though as this week sees the preparation of a couple of programs containing some of our faves from 2011. We will then take a short break and then hit the ground running refreshed and raring to go in 2012 to provide you with some more quality radio focusing on the deeper and more esoteric releases that come our way.

Analog Players Society - Let The Music Play (Redbud Records promo)
Yot - Real Dub (Raha & Tunteet promo)
Ink Poject - Rewind Forward Replay, Gang Colours rmx (Blind Colour promo)
DJ Food - Percussion Map, Pt.1 (Ninja Tune promo)
Homeboy Sandman - New York Nights (Stones Throw promo)
Raphael - Dead Sea Scrool, Emmanuel Trep Kormann Spiritual Dust rmx (Heavenly Sweetness promo)
Krystal Klear & Olivier Day Soul - Never Thought Would Go (Eglo)
Bonobo - Stay The Same, Mark Pritchard rmx (Ninja Tune promo)
Versus - Almost Noon (Sound Sculpture promo)
Morlockko Plus - Mittagssonne (MPM)
New World Generation - Curious Soul (Now Again promo)
Lana Del Rey - Video Games, Joy Orbison rmx (Interscope promo)
Gerd - Palm Leaves, Mr Fingers Afropsychojungledub (Royal Oak)
John Gazoo - Midnight Runner, John Gazoo's Vintage Version (Compost Disco)

2011-12-11T11:18:00.001-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - December 9, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Some of Barcelona's finest beat makers Debilorithmicos kicked off this week with another great release on their own Molts Records imprint and it's a great thoughtful slice of beat craftmanship before things then went even mellower with the soundscape noodlings of Andrew Thomas and the delicate strains of Perter Broderick. El Kid then threw down a loose slice of fresh sounding and wobbly deep house before Downliners Sekt do what they do and took things to the outer musical realms.

Common is back with another album due anytime now and 'Celebrate' was a taste of it's, seemingly more mainstream, intentions before East of Underground showed just because you're paid to kill people it doesn't mean you can't sing. One of my pet favourites, Dub Colossus, are currently being given the remix treatement and the results being given away for free which is a result given the quality of the Wehgene remix. Doubleheart then dropped some deep and dirty bassline beats with only the most tenuous of links to the tracks 'Salsa' title.

A little mix then finished the show with the twisted disco delights of J.R. Plankton followed by the deeper than deep house tones of Vakula's 'Mama Said Go Slow'. Gagarin, given a little edit by Bass Clef, then livened up proceedings before Cessa's 'Nameless' came through with a peak time, feelgood banger before Daddykshun closed the show in perfect emotional end of night style.

Debilorithmicos - Loser For You (Molts Records promo)
Andrew Thomas - Black Sky Bright Sun (Luftbeschaffenheit Air Texture)
Peter Broderick - Solace In Gala (Erased Tapes)
El Kid - Mud (Left Blank)
Downliners Sekt - Lorem Ipsum (Infine promo)
Common - Celebrate (Warner promo)
East Of Underground - Walk On By (Now Again promo)
Dub Colossus - Wehgene, Almamegretta Rmx (Real World freeload)
Doubleheart - Salsa (Nonplus)
J.R. Plankton - Sundance (Karaoke Kalk promo)
Vakula - Mama Said Go Slow (Firecracker)
Gagarin - Third Radio, Bass Clef edit (Geo)
Cessa - Nameless (Missing Link)
Daddykshun - Love To Learn (Ratio Music)

Audio Texture Radio Show - December 2, 2011

2011-12-06T03:44:00.001-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - December 2, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

This weeks show is a steady builder kicking off with the gentle tones of Ryuichi Sakamoto tinkling over some lovely soundscapes from Fennesz, one to sink and think into. The Lund Quartet then provided some lovely jazz with subtle hip hop undertones from their forthcoming album before Nostalgia 77's 'Sleepwalker' was given a forward thinking Ambassadeurs Remix which led to great future soul from the excellent new Drive Me Home EP. New Ninja Tune signing Deco Child was then given an electronic makeover by Crewdson, who's star seems to be shining ever more brightly, since his great album on Slowfoot earlier this year.

Great nu-soul was then the order of the day from Theriak as Opolopo lovingly recrafted and bumped up 'The Crush' featuring the vocals of Alicia Renee. Things then took a skanking tropical turn with a taster from the Prince Fatty meets The Mutant Hi-Fi album a modern retro exercise in ska, cumbia and spaghetti western soundtracks. Burnt Friedman then gave the Shangaan excessive tempos a much needed reduction and some great dub touches before some funky Pharrel beats got the party started.

Heatsick then showed that house music is a feeling despite only using a crappy old Casio keyboard and various guitar pedals before Sapphire Slows from Tokyo followed with more twisted loose house vibrations. Things then got all dark, sweaty and tribal courtesy of Sandman with an nasty, killer of a tune. QQ then hardly brightend the mood with a dark, brooding dancehall workout goes modern bassline workout from the Greensleeves dubstep remix album. Two man Rocketnumbernine then made a lot of noise for such a small combo and provided a nice live musical end to the show.

Fennesz & Sakamoto - 0319 (Touch)
Lund Quartet - Tulipan (A Future Without promo)
Nostalgia 77 - Sleepwalker, Ambaddadeurs rmx (Tru-Thoughts)
Deco Child - Nocturne, Crewdson rmx (Ninja Tune promo)
Drive Me Home - Don't Play Around With That (Citinite)
Theriak - The Crush feat Alicia Renee, Opolopo rmx (Tokyo Dawn)
Prince Fatty meets The Mutant Hi-Fi - Plague of Locusts (Mr. Bongo)
Burnt Friedman Meets Zinja Hlungwani - Shangaan Shake (Honest Jons)
Freesol - Hoodies On, Hats Low, instrumental (Interscope promo)
Heatsick - Tertiary (PAN)
Sapphire Slows - Green Flash Mob (Not For Fun)
Sandman - No Prisoners (Blank Mind)
QQ - Tek It To Them, Kalbata rmx (Greensleeves)
Rocketnumbernine - Black and Blue (Soul Jazz)

Audio Texture Radio Show - November 25, 2011

2011-11-28T13:54:00.001-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - November 25, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

The epic 'Myrtle Avenue', in all it's 10 minute future boogie glory, taken from the new Floating Points EP, kicked off this weeks show and why not it's a wonderful thing. Rather more deranged, yet quality, slow-mo house then followed from Kowton and the aptly named 'Dirty Little Bomb'. Pole seems to be well and truly back after a prolonged absence with another release on his Pole Music imprint and as you can hear the 'Aue' A-side is another twisted dubwise winner and led rather nicely into the great new kooky beats of Paper Tiger's new cut 'Send Me'.Blundetto then threw down the soul vibes with a nice little version of 'Hercules' before the Stones Throw dynamic duo of Jonti and The Stepkids combined to great effect on 'The Days Have Turned'.

Now we don't normally drop too much drum and bass but we had to sneak in some recently unearthed Plug material from the mid 90's which is still sounding fresh and about to drop on Ninja Tune before 1000names provided some nice boogie beats from their new album on Project Mooncircle.Mecca:83 then showed just how soulful modern beats can be given the right sample source before Madlib combined nicely with Freddie Gibbs on one of the beat maestros more straight up hip hop cuts.

Some of the more interesting 4/4 offerings then closed the show up kicking off with Serph's new alter ego Reliq and some crazy layered melodic breaks before Photonz darkened the mood and destroyed the dance with 'Wall' which then led into the Euro disco delights of Mellophonia and 'Sky Glide'.

Floating Points - Myrtle Avenue (Eglo)
Kowton - Dirty Little Bomb (Teal Recordings)
Pole - Aue (Pole Music promo)
Paper Tiger - Send Me (Jus Like Music promo)
Blundetto - Hercules (Heavenly Sweetness music)
Jonti feat The Stepkids & Illa J - The Days Have Turned (Stones Throw freeload)
Plug - Feeling So Special (Ninja Tune promo)
1000names - Water Resistant Rakete (Project Mooncircle promo)
Mecca:83 - With You (Freeform)
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Deep (Stones Throw promo)
Reliq - Continuity (Noble promo)
Photonz - Wall (Don't Be Afraid promo)
Mellophonia - Sky Glide (Lo Recordings)

Audio Texture Radio Show - November 18, 2011

2011-11-19T09:33:00.001-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - November 18, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

The show kicked off with some jazz killers and the charity fundraising deep funky jazz vibes of Emanative & Ahmed Abdullah with Steve Reid on drums who's foundation, set up by Gilles Peterson to help poor musicians, the money goes to. If you didn't know Steve Reid died has he didn't have the money to pay his medical bills to treat his lung cancer, who says America doesn't need medicare? Nat Birchall followed with a killer from his soon to be released album on Gondwana and it's possibly his best to date, which is saying something as we loved his first two for the label. Deep jazz hip hop beats were then the order of the day courtesy of Hey!Zeus from their jazz soaked new release.

Taprikk Sweezee had turned us onto the fact that E/A/R/L had just put out a great album of beats for a limited amount of time and we're very happy to have hit the download deadline as it was better than a lot of paid for releases. Mr. Sweezee then provided the abstract future soul from his new excellent new album of remixes which led very nicely into some ambient beauty courtesy of Tokyo residents, Illuha. Dimlite then showed why he is one of the most interesting beat makers around with his multi-influenced, sprawling yet very together sound of 'Heroine Roof' - bring on the album.

Some of the deeper house cuts around were then the order of the day kicking off with George FitzGerald who seems to be saving his best cuts for Hotflush. The KiNK remix of Prommer & Barck's, 'Journey' is a lovely deep twisted affair which led into one of our favourite Mr. Scruff tracks ever 'Bounce', looks like he's getting deeper with age. Outboxx's 'Aporia' then provided a lovely melodic, but with a bit of cheeky extra bass weight, end to the show.

Emanative & Ahmed Abullah - Lions Of Judah (Brownswood promo)
Nat Birchall - Dance Of The Mystic (Gondwana promo)
Hey!Zeus - The Drones (Sichtexot & Chakra Sounds)
E/A/R/L - The Creek (Free Download)
Taprikk Sweezee - Eating At The Void (Error Broadcast)
Illuha - Kie (12K)
Dimlite - Heroine Roof (Now & Again promo)
George FitzGerald - Friends In High Places (Hotflush promo)
Prommer & Barck - Journey, KiNK rmx (Derwin promo)
Mr. Scruff - Bounce (Ninja Tune promo)
Outboxx - Aporia (Idle Hands promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - November 11, 2011

2011-11-13T04:42:00.001-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - November 11, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Some shows flow better than others, the tempos & styles just match and the mix is more natural but this weeks show is probably best described as a hotch-potch and it's none the worse for it. Discovery of the week has been Wechsel Garland a wonderfully diverse producer with a craftsmen's ear and a lightness of touch so we've included an older cut and a forthcoming tune from his excellent new EP. Now after the disappointment of missing the Portico Quartet in concert recently due to bad weather we are happy to report they are readying a new album and giving away a little taster which is boding well for next year's release. Kuhn then laid down some slightly odd but quality beats.

Owiny Sigoma Band are just about to drop another single from their great recent album in the form of some nice languid Afro pop and don't forget to check the great remixes as well. Kouyate and Neerman then kept the Afro flavour, jazzed it up and darkened the mood with a little taster from their eagerly anticipated new album, if it's anything like their first we'll be more than happy. The mysterious Dirk Gerner then confirmed his versatility and promise with 'My Queen' before Achilles belied their youth and rural location with some well crafted post rock, a band to watch for sure.

Ital Tek has jumped on the Juke/Footwork bandwagon with his new EP and it's great to see the Europeans adding some cultured production touches to this overly raw Chicago ghetto phenomenon. Pitchben then funked things up with a track from his great new album on Compost before we hit you with Gregory Porter again but this time given an excellent house rub from Opolopo. Rainer Trueby then kept the house vibes flowing with a lovely deep soulful cut from his super strong EP coming soon on Compost Black before we drifted out of the show and into a modern tribal haze courtesy of Burnt Friedman and Jaki Liebezeit.

Wechsel Garland Trio - Blind (Parapop Stereo)
Portico Quartet - Ruins (Real World FREE download)
Kuhn - Slime Beach (Civil Music promo)
Wechsel Garland - Hearts (Strzelecki-books promo)
Owiny Sigoma Band - Here On The Line (Brownswood)
Kouyate Neerman - Requiem pour un Con (No Format promo)
Dirg Gerner - My Queen (Ho_Tep promo)
Achilles - It's A Falcon Richard (A Future Without)
Ital Tek - Cobalt (Planet Mu promo)
Pitchben - Time Machine (Compost)
Gregory Porter - 1960 What?, Opolopo Kick & Bass Remix (Tokyo Dawn promo)
Rainer Trueby - Welcome To Our World (Compost Black promo)
Burnt Friedman & Jaki Liebezeit - 128.5 (Nonplace)

Mauricio Maestro feat Nana Vasconcelos - Upside Down (Far Out)

2011-11-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

Now we have written any blog posts for a while due to time constraints (we hope to change that soon) but we actually had no choice but to come out of writers exile when this sublime new album dropped through our inbox the other week, we just couldn't keep it under our hats.

Way back in 1976 Mauricio Maestro & Nana Vasconcelos found themselves in Paris recording the Visions of Dawn album with Joyce. It was an incredibly fertile time for Brazilian music with all sorts of western influences being assimilated into traditional Brazilian music and the burgeoning acid-folk scenes in Europe and North America weren't lost on these artists at the time. Tragically the project somehow got shelved until it was finally released 33 years later in 2009, also on Far Out.

Encouraged by Far Out label boss Joe Davies, Mauricio and Nana got back in the studio in Rio last year alongside guest vocalist Kay Lyra - hired to sweeten things up and now the follow up to Visions of Dawn is about to hit the shelves on November 16th, assuming all goes well and the release isn't put back until 2056. Here's a little taster of what went down in the studio:

Mauricio Maestro with Nana Vasconcelos - Upside Down Trailer from Far Out Recordings on Vimeo.

We're not going to get into depth on each track as it really is an album you just need to listen to start to finish. Maestro has gone to town on the arrangements with words like sumptuous, lush, delicate, intricate, shimmering all coming to mind - the harmonies just wash over you ably supported by subtle psychedelic twists and turns. The percussion from Vasconcelos is impeccable as you'd expect from someone voted best percussionist in the world 7 years running by the Downbeat critics poll and he is ably abetted by an impeccably arranged 10 piece orchestra that just melt into the background like the most natural thing in the world. Maestro darts in an out with his acoustic guitar and his easy vocal style. Apparently the idea was to create an album that stirred the mid '70s but is set in the backdrop of a liberated, prosperous Brazil but to these ears (and admittedly linguistic failings) it sounds like 1976 never went away.

All songs are Maestro originals except the lyrics of 'Todo os Santos' which were written by Joyce back in '77 and extract of classic 'Canto de Pajé' and were written over the preceding 40 years, starting way back in 1971. Apparently there is a follow up album already in the pipeline and all we can say is if it is anything like this then bring it on.

Far Out Recordings Website
Nana Vasconcelos Website (in Brazilian)
BUY(!) the record Here

2011-11-06T05:45:00.000-08:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - November 4, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Gregory Porterr smashes up the show right from the off with his incredible track '1960 What?'. and quite frankly soul/jazz just doesn't get much better. Normally we'd shy away from playing a 12.5 minute track in the show as it would take up too much space but this track has to be heard in it's entirety, pity it's not longer. Hip Hop with a twist was then the order of the day with the 'Run Shit' remix from the new Paul White - Rapping With Paul White remix album, remixed by the man himself. More quirky hip hop followed from Stan Smith and 'Disco Technic' another killer from the Boogie Vol. 2 compilation on Tokyo Dawn. Onra & Quetz then went back to the old school with a couple of lovingly crafted soulful beats from their new Tribute album.

Now we're not usually bothered by new artists trying to sound like the original greats as they so often produce sub standard imitiations but Nick Waterhouse is doing a fine job sounding like he was one of the original R&B greats, watch him blow up next year we reckon. The uncompromising bluesy, country tones and lyrics of Purity Supreme then commanded the airwaves before Loka went all undefinable on the show with 'The Tower' from their forthcoming and equally undefinable Ninja Tune album.

A quick fire selection of some of the more interesting beats around were then the order of the day with new Planet Mu signing Keep Shelly in Athens getting the ball rolling with the chirpiests single from their new EP before Teebs came in with some great new dreamy beats from his new Brainfeeder which showcases a welcome broadening of his sonic palette and marked progression. Mux Mool then upped the tension but kept the melody before Fulgeance dropped a taster of his new album on MPM. We then dropped another taster of the Julien Dyne album before Darling Farah hit the show with some great spacious, percussively alluring beats from his new Civil Music offering. The more avant garde jazzy vibes of Jac Berrocal, David Fenech and Ghedalia Tazart then helped the show drift off into the ether for another week.

Gregory Porter - 1960 What? (Motema)
Paul White - Run Sht feat. Marv Won, remix (One Handed Music)
Stan Smith - Disco Technic (Tokyo Dawn promo)
Onra & Quetzal - Brenton's Revenge (Project Mooncircle promo)
Onra & Quetzal - Stop, Walk On By (Project Mooncircle promo)
Nick Waterhouse - I Can Only Give You Everything (Innovative Leisure promo)
Purity Supreme - Dunderhead (Ash International)
Loka - The Tower (Ninja Tune promo)
Keep Shelly In Athens - Campus Martius (Planet Mu promo)
Teebs - LSP feat. Austin Peralta (Brainfeeder promo)
Mux Mool - Palace Chalice (Ghostly International freeload)
Fulgeance - Vilnius Bump (MPM promo)
Julien Dyne - Ernst (BBE promo)
Darling Farah - Model (Civil Music promo)
Jac Berrocal, David Fenech, Ghedalia Tazartes - Zilveli (Sub Rosa)

2011-10-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - October 28, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Chris Watson kicked off this weeks show with intricately and rhythmically constructed field recordings taken from jouneys in the final month of the great Pacific to Atlantic Mexican rail road, a poignant sound collage which led nicely into a track from the new Kammerflimmer Kollektief album, Teufelskamin which we are happy to report has lived up to all our high expectactions. The increasingly scarce sounds of Garifuna music followed courtesy of Aurelio and a pleasing Sidestepper remix of his 'Laur Beya' tune which paved the way for Omar to come and smash up the airwaves with a reissue of his dance floor destroying 'It's So', thank you Tru Thoughts.

The Sepalcure album is about to drop and I'm pleased to report it is another Hotflush winner and remarkably cohesive and listenable for a largely high tempo dance music album, full of layered emotion, submerged soul and kick arse beats. Next up followed a tune from one of our albums of the year and nothing less than a modern Brazilian masterpiece. Upside Down from Mauricio Maestro feat Nana Vasconcelos is staggeringly well arranged, impeccably played and oozing soul and class - full blog post on this release coming very soon. Now we have to admit we overlook Czech music, not through any great grudge against the country but more to do with a lack of exposure of their output but we are happy to rectify that this week with a track from the excellent Floex album, Zorya - a lovingly crafted meeting of electronics and live instrumentation. DJ Food then provided a nice little ambient moment from his otherwise rocking, shocking new EP.

The second half of the show was given over to some of the slower, more interesting house cuts doing the rounds at the moment kicking off with one of this years emerging talents, Kevin McPhee, giving a track from Jack Dixon & Rick Grant's new single a lovely deep soulful, leftfield remix which then led nicely into Dro Carey, another of this weeks musical talent discoveries and a track from his killer new EP due out on Ramp in December. Some of the Wurst(sic) house music of the year then followed with some great deep soulful instrumental vibes from Chicago Damn before Tycho took us on a Balearic dreamboat ride with 'Hours' from his new album on Ghostly International. The boogie vibes of East Liberty Quarters from the excellent new Boogie Volume 2 comp on Tokyo Dawn warmed the seat nicely for the disco finale and Escort's 'Starlight' from their new discotastic album due about now on Tirk.

Chris Watson - El Divisadero (Touch promo)
Kammerflimmer Kollektief - Teufelskamin Jam #2 (Staubgold)
Aurelio - Laru Beya, Sidestepper remix (Real World freeload)
Omar - It's So (Tru Thoughts promo)
Sepalcure - See Me Feel Me (Hotflush promo)
Mauricio Maestro feat Nana Vasconcelos - Upside Down (Far Out promo)
Floex - Petr Parler (Flow Records)
DJ Food - In Orbit Every Monday (Ninja Tune promo)
Jack Dixon & Rick Grant - Running Man, Kevin McPhee remix (Man Make Music promo)
Dro Carey - Journey With The Heavy (Ramp promo)
Chicago Damn - Romcom (Wurst promo)
Tycho - Hours (Ghostly International)
East Liberty Quarters - Lucky Charm (Tokoy Dawn promo)
Escort - Starlight (Tirk promo)

2011-10-26T02:42:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - October 21, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Torn Sail and the dreamy Claremont 56 label provided the lovely Balearic opener to this weeks show before fLako messed up the vibe with some twisted quirky beats from his excellent new EP forthcoming on Project Moon Circle which is his best work todate. Freestyle Fellowship then provided a taster of their forthcoming new album which if the promos are anything to go by is top quality and very diverse. Now new beatmakers are ten a penny but we've just stumbled across Baconhead who are sounding fresh and on the nicely titled 'Brainglue' track have enlisted the mental MC talents of Mindbender.

We keep coming back to the new Anthony Joseph album so thought we'd drop another taster from it and rather aptly, considering the current anti capitalist climate, the track is called 'Money Satan'. Not content with dropping an excellent album already this year Long Arm has just dropped another EP of killer beats and we're particularly liking the instrumental cut of 'Organic'. Now Red Snapper have been gracing the Audio Texture turntables since day one and we were more than happy to receive a killer Elementz remix of the 'Architectronic' track from their recent album, look out for the Elementz, they're a crew to watch.

Phaeleh is yet another in the long line of UK 'post dubstep' producers and another Bristol boy but what sets him apart is his multi-instrumental ability which adds a pleasing musicality to his quality beats and bass. DVA then followed this up with a crazy off kilter slice of nu-soul featuring the excellent vocal talents of Vikter Duplaix before more musical bassline adventures followed from London's Deptford Goth which led nicely into a great cumbia flavoured remix of the Gotan Project by Axel Krygier. Killer deep dark and moody house finished the show off with the amazing 'Atlantis' title track from Falty DL's new Ninja Tune LP before Madteo dropped some deep twisted sampledelic house vibes from his great new EP on the Belgium label Meakusma.

Torn Sail - Birds (Claremont 56)
fLako - Broken Toy (Project Mooncircle promo)
Freestyle Fellowship - Popular (Decon promo)
Baconhead - Brainglue feat Mindbender (Eat Concrete promo)
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - Money Satan (Heavenly Sweetness)
Long Arm - Organic, Instrumental version (Project Mooncircle)
Red Snapper - Architectronic, Elementz remix (V2 promo)
Phaeleh - From A Distance (Afterglo)
DVA - Madness feat Viketer Duplaix (Hyperdub promo)
Deptford Goth - No Man (Merok)
Falty DL - Atlantis (Ninja Tune promo)
Madteo - Bangin On The Ceiling featuring Sensational (Meakusma)

Audio Texture Radio Show - October 14, 2011

2011-10-17T03:40:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - October 14, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So Jazzanova are raising their heads again after a conspicuous absence with a nice new compilation called 'Coming Home' and their 'Behold These Days' track was a lovely way to ease into this weeks show. Ensemble Du Verre then carried on the cinematic jazzy vibes with the title track from their great new album 'The Contemporary Cowboy'. Inspired by the global protest marches on October 15 we then dropped a series of tracks reflecting some of todays concerns kicking off, rather aptly, with an Egyptian protest tribute track from Natacha Atlas, before the ever political global beatsmith Filastine dropped the 'Gendjer2' which is from his new EP of killer beats which is looking for a good home at the moment. I then dropped Roots Manuva's perceptive slice of social commentary 'Skid Valley' from his just released 4Everevolution album before dropping Rodney P's party skanking conscious call to arms 'Live Up'. All tracks with great messages whilst not compromising the musical quality - long live independent and internet radio where presenters can play this sort of music freely without restrictions.

Kromestar then came through with the catchy as hell bassline beats of 'Don't Make Sense' and continued the healthy start for Om Unit's Cosmic Bridge label. We then had to drop another track from the excellent debut EP on Earnest Endeavors from B Bravo, a really top drawer release, which led nicely into some more fresh boogie fueled beats from Sina from his great EP forthcoming on the ever dependable Project Moon Circle before hitting you with a slight cock up(!) and some impeccable, long forgotten soul music from Jean Wells which is dropping soon courtesy of those nice boys at BBE.

Falty DL then took the show into more experimental territory with a real curve ball of a tune from his forthcoming and excellent EP on Ninja Tune. Robert Lippok then provided some of the freshest synth sounds we've heard in a while and some nice beats - look out for one of our favourite Raster Norton albums for a while dropping from him in the coming weeks. Gerry Read has been cropping up on a lot of releases recently and for good reason and we're happy to help him up the ladder as he's coming through with some fresh vibes as the rather odd house sounds of 'We Are' aptly displayed. Sexier, more traditional, late night house vibes were then provided by the excellent Da Capo's Afro remix of Timmy Regisford's 'In Da Club' before we dropped some more IG Culture tribal funky tribute to Mongo Santamaria from his recent mix tapes in anticipation of some new material coming soon (pleaseeeeee!)

Jazzanova - Behold These Days, Berlin '74 (Sonar Kollektiv)
Ensemble Du Verre - The Contemporary Cowboy (Batterie)
Natacha Atlas - Egypt: Rise To Freedom feat Basha Beats (Six Degrees promo)
Filastine - Gendjer2 (Unreleased and looking for a home!)
Roots Manuva - Skid Valley (Big Dada)
Rodney P feat The People's Army & Mighty Moe - Live Up (Tru Thoughts)
Kromestar - Don't Make Sense (Cosmic Bridge)
B Bravo - Right On Time, Synth Dub (Earnest Endeavors promo)
Sina - Just Shoot (Project Moon Circle promo)
Jean Wells - Somebody's Been Loving You, John Morales Edit (BBE promo)
Falty DL - Can't Stop The Prophet (Ninja Tune promo)
Robert Lippok - Sugarcubes (Raster Norton promo)
Gerry Read - We Are (Fourth Wave promo)
Timmy Regisford - In Da Club, Da Capo's Afro remis (Tribe)
Nkrumah Santiago - Mongo (Manz At Work Mixtape Volume 1)

Audio Texture Radio Show - October 7, 2011

2011-10-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - October 7, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

A fictitious soundtrack to an imaginary version of The Shining set in a Dubai hotel kicks off this weeks very real show before talented young Chilean producer Ocelote Rojo was responsible for some great spiritual sample based vibes with 'Untitled #1' a 7" taster for his new album. A latin frenzy was then kicked off with Quantic Y Conjuncto which is part of his 'Best Of' compilation out now on Tru-Thoughts. More Chilean vibes followed with Chico Trujillo and a kick arse horn section laying down some wicked Cumbia vibes before the saucy vintage delights of Juaneco Y Su Combo kicked in, cheeky.Favourite are re-issuing the classic African jazz funk of Ray Stephen Oche & His Matumbo and the album definitely deserves a wider audience than the record collecting trainspotters (me included!) who paid too much for the original vinyl.

Paul Murphy has produced a great version of 'Moaning' by The Triptet from his new Hungarian HQ, some real swinging funky shizzle before another French re-issue alerted us and consequently you to the southern bluesy soulful delights of Levert Alisson.Some brand new old school funky hip hop vibes were then the order of the day with a new tune from down under's Katalyst followed by The (French) Funk League with the help of some classic US MCs. Things then took a progressive turn with the debut single from London based "art-led record label and magazine" Earnest Endeavors who have hit the ground running with their first release which sees the excellent 80's synth soul boy and funkateer B.Bravo laying down his best material yet, and that's saying something. Check the label, they are going to be one to watch.Mad electronic beats and bleeps were then the order of the day as we gave you a taster of Zanshin who, through all the electronic madness, still manages to keep the head nodding (partly in an effort to comprehend his sonic stew) - look out for the album coming on Affine, very soon.

Guy Andrews then dropped the UK house mutations with a killer track on his forthcoming EP for Hemlock which is never predictable before Makossa & Megablast laid down some killer jazzy funky tropical bassline vibes from their new album which led perfectly into the percussive madness of Cooly G's new single on Hyperdub featuring Karizma. Boo Williams then provided a taste of where it all started with his 'Home Town Chicago' track from a new retrospective release coming on Another Day Records.

Nettle - Shining One (Sub Rosa)
Ocelote Rojo - Untitled #1 (Hollie Records promo)
Quantic Y Conjuncto - Step Into A World, Raptures Delight (Tru- Throughts)
Chico Trujillo - Varga Varga (Barbes)
Juaneco Y Su Combo - Vacilando Con Ayahuasca (Barbes)
Ray Stepen Oche & His Matumbo - Alaglanu, Alaglano (Favourite)
The Triptet - Moaning (Second Floor Music promo)
Levert Alisson - Hear That River (En Avant La Zizique!)
Katalyst - U Can't Save Me featuring Buff1 & Stephanie McKay (BBE promo)
The Funk League - Through Good & Bad feat Large Professor, Breaking North Mix (Favourite promo)
B Bravo - Kiss 'n' Tell feat Zackey Force Funk (Earnest Endeavors promo)
Zanshin - Shadoubt Shaps (Affine promo)
Guy Andrews - Shades (Hemlock promo)
Makossa & Megablast - Jungo (Luv Lite)
Cooly G - It's Serious feat Karizma (Hyperdub promo)
Boo Williams - Home Town Chicago (Another Day Records promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 30, 2011

2011-10-04T03:45:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 30, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Another pleasingly mixed bag this week kicking off with some great progressive soul music from the mysterious Dirg Gerner fearuring Fatima on vocals followed by some slo-mo sci-fi beats from the new Kuedo album about to drop on Planet Mu. Tokyo Dawn have gone all pop with their latest release the solo project from one of Denmark's Boom Clap Bachelors under the Vindahl pseudonym and we're loving the boogie vibes of 'Not In Space'. Now Mello Music can always be relied on to deliver the hip hop goods and 95 Live are a great new addition to the roster and some great true school prospects. A hip hop base with more toppings than we care to mention then followed with another taster of the forthcoming Git album about to hit the streets from BBE.

The new Free The Beats comp is out and again offering a taste of unsigned beatmakers climbing the ladder and 'Strength and Science' from The Silent Titan is a little taste of what to expect from this uniquely packaged and limited CD run or free download compilation series. Now Mancini and The Creepers were sounding like Ghostpoet whilst he was still in his bedroom and we've always been a big fan and 'Don't You Remember' should be enough to make you want to discover more as well. Sarah Linhares then provided some sweet vocals over a catchy Kenlo Craqnuques riddim before Andreya Triana delivered an epic version of Fink's 'Perfect Darkness'. She is surely a major star in the making, buy the shares now!

David Minor then delivered some pleasingly twisted folk vibes from his new Nonine EP before we had to drop some more Gang Colours. Now there is a free download of some remixes of his original EP coming which are all nice but it sent us back to the originals again as the source material is amazing and well worth revisiting, we're looking forward to the album already. Now we hadn't heard of Dauwd before and we're feeling the deep bassline house vibes of 'Ikopol' and will explore more and all thanks to a nice new free download compilation of bassline royalty from the increasingly music obsessed Scion car company so big up to them. The Natacha Atlas remixes are about to drop with some nice new electronic versions of her more organic Arabic offerings and the Dog Beats remix of 'Batkallim' is alright with us and led nicely into a raw stripped down bassline riddim from Visionist and Lorca - rugged. Dub Gabriel feat The Spaceape then closed the show by laying down a politicised dubstep call to arms for the lazy arse millenials who seem to be slowly tearing themselves away from Facebook to the more dramatic surroundings of Wall Street and the like, let's hope that continues until the money starts to drip down again from that pesky 1%.

Dirg Gerner - Rubies & Diamonds feat Fatima (Ho_Tep promo)
Kuedo - Ant City (Planet Mu promo)
Vindahl - Not In Space (Tokyo Dawn promo)
DTMD - 95 Live feat Quartermaine (Mello Music freeload)
Git - Dreamz (BBE promo)
The Silent Titan - Strength and Science (Free The Beats)
Mancini and the Creepers - Don't Your Remember (Jakarta promo)
Sarah Linhares - Move Along (PTR promo)
Fink - Perfect Darkness, Andreya Triana version (Ninja Tune promo)
David Minor - Naked Commodore (Nonine promo)
Gang Colours - Dance Around The Subject (Brownswood)
Dauwd - Ikopol (Free download)
Natacha Atlas - Batkallim (Six Degrees)
Visionist/Lorca - WMID (Left_Blank)
Dub Gabriel feat The Space Ape - Is This Revolution (Destroy All Concepts promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 23, 2011

2011-09-26T05:45:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 23, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

No time for blogging and links etc this week just the good old tracklisting - google is your friend.

Bnjmn - Hallowed Road (RHDC promo)
Space Dimension Controller - Last Sunset On Planet Earth (R&S)
Lumisokea - Fiftyfour (Eat Concrete promo)
Floating Points - Danger (Eglo promo)
Anchorsong - Plum Rain (Tru-Thoughts promo)
Nebraska - Soho Grand (Rush Hour promo)
Greeen Linez - Streetdance (Diskotopia)
Slugabed - Depth Perception (Ninja Tune promo)
BUG - Mechanical Soul (First Word)
Pole - Wipfel (Kompact promo)
Gecko Turner - Amane Mimame, Blundetto Dub (Lovemonk promo)
SonnyBoy - Special Friend (Artsoul)
The Stepkids - Legend In My Own Mind (Stones Throw)
Jonti - Batmilk (Stones Throw)

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 16, 2011

2011-09-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 16, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So this weeks show is a beat loving yet musical affair, two things that don't always go hand in hand. Their really does seem to be a wave of exciting young producers at the moment that are looking beyond chopping up samples and throwing them together but are embracing the latest technology and combining the possibilities afforded by it with more traditional song structures and instrumentation and we are all for it.

Tropics provided a suitably progressive Balearic opener with 'Parodia Flare' which also happens to be the title track of his excellent new album on Planet Mu before Vondelpark laid down a beautiful slice of soulful electro pop from their second EP on the resurgent and increasingly eclectic R&S. Brand new music from one of the most ambitious electronic live fusion outfits of recent time, Stateless, followed and was taken from the latest remix EP to be spun off from their excellent debut album. More traditional beat making, albeit with a distinctive flavour, followed from Brooklyn's KRTS the latest addition to the Project Moon Circle stable of accomplished beat makers.

Now Astro:Dynamics are a fledgling label but are fast turning into one of our favourites helped by the brilliant new Samoyed EP. Hailing from the Highlands of Scotland this boy is one to watch, he's got a real delicate touch, we would imagine he's a sensitive soul and you have to love anyone with the dedication to write their own music production software. Bill Orcutt has been one of our finds of the week and big thanks go out to Editions Mego (and Ed at Dense in Berlin) for turning us on to him - this boy takes the blues and that most traditional of instruments, the guitar, and manages to twist both things out of recognition and generate a sound all of his own - no mean feat after the instrument and genre have been around so long. More virtuoso guitar playing followed from flamenco don Pedro Soler accompanied by some contemporary classical cello from his son Gaspar Claus and from what we've heard the rest of the Barlande album is equally as wonderful and distinctive.

Now the new Kid Koala soundtrack/comic release is a lovely yet desolate and lonely thing as the soundtrack taster in the show testifies. We urge you to check it's audio visual delights although it's possibly not a good idea if you are the melancholic, loner type, it probably wont do much for your spirits. Now Tarwater have been drifting on and off our radar seemingly forever and we were amazed to find out this week they've been around for 15 years with about ten albums to their name and we are happy to report all that productivity hasn't affected their creativity, the new Inside The Ships album is great. Julien Dyne then gave us a little taster of his new beats and, from what we can tell, pop direction and it's as accomplished as you'd expect from this Kiwi, RBMA graduate.

Goapele has been floating about the extremities of the nu-soul scene for ages now without making that big break but we're loving the taster from her new album which has hopefully, like the preview single, ditched the nu-soul production cliches for a really progressive electronic vibe. The show then swerved violently into three of the best slices of UK Funky doing the rounds at the moment kicked off ably by the leftfield genius of Lukid's vampish 'My Teeth In Your Neck', the simple yet devastating peak time floor filling 'Trouble' from Funkystepz and culminating in an oddball ending from Lone and the aptly titled 'All Those Weird Things'.

Tropics - Parodia Flare (Planet Mu)
Vondelpark - Feat B (R&S)
Stateless - Blue Fire feat Amenta (Ninja Tune)
KRTS - Rooftop (Project Moon Circle promo)
Samoyed - Malamute (Astro:Dynamics promo)
Bill Orcutt - How The Thing Sings (Editions Mego promo)
Pedro Soler & Gaspar Claus - Barlande (Infine)
Kid Koala - Hope (Ninja Tune)
Tarwater - Do The Oz (Bureau B)
Julien Dyne - Candy Apple Grey feat. Claire Duncan (BBE Promo)
Goapele - Play (Decon/Sky Blaze promo)
Lukid - My Teeth In Your Neck (Glum)
Funkystepz - Trouble (Hyperdub promo)
Lone - All Those Weird Things (Wigflex)

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 9, 2011

2011-09-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 9, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Deep house vibes were the order of the day at the start of this weeks show ably initiated by Japanese duo Velveljin and a track from their Nostalghia album out soon on Noble - excellent deep house, techno and electronica vibes, really cultured stuff. K'bonus and Negghead then threw some slowish twisted disco vibes into the pot before we dropped the Damian Schwartz remix of Ribbon from the great new EP from Lovemonk who are taking the Spanish folk pop sounds of Pajaro Sunrise into different sonic realms. Scuba then finished the little mix in fine 80's soul fashion, of course given a little twist by the man for 2011.

We then switched to the world of hip hop with the pure summer, bump it in your convertible, vibes of Eric Roberson feat Chubb Rock, the impeccable Diamond D/Brand Nubian cover from the recent J-Live mixtape before Dilated People's Evidence threw down some great lyrics on a typically solid DJ Premier beat, nice. Things then got all bottom heavy and nasty as we dropped a little taste of the new Aardvarck album project coming soon on Eat Concrete which set the scene nicely for a great bass heavy, abstract, hip hop(sound)scape from the Portuguese/Belgium duo of Fujako featuring Native on the mic.

Robot Koch then offered a taste of his excellent new album on Project Moon Circle. There is no disputing his talent in the studio but for us he was always at his most interesting when combining music, melody and lyrics with his forward thinking productions rather than trying to give people heart attacks and melt their minds at bassline rave ups and we are happy to report the new album is a really musical affair, loads of vocals and a great start to finish listen. He's not quite in the music for dinner party circuit yet but this is his most accomplished and cohesive listening album to date.

Now best use of a well known sample award for this year goes to Tall Black Guy and his 'Water No Enemy' tune available on the latest of the consistently interesting Brownswood Bubblers series, now up the dizzy heights of volume 7. The mysterious new producer based in Dublin, DJ Izem, then graced the show with a musical treat - the reggae flavoured, electronic vocal fusion of 'Do Avesso' - look out for this emerging producer, who incidentally is still looking for a label home! The show then veered back into hip hop territory with the excellent Madlib produced MED album taster, 'Outta Control' before BK-One, with more than a little help from the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, finished the show in fine party rocking brass band style.

Velveljin - Strub (Noble promo)
K'bonus & Negghead - Harmonizing Pt.1 (Compost Black promo)
Pajaro Sunrise - Ribbon, Damian Schwartz rmx (Lovemonk promo)
Scuba - Everywhere (Hot Flush promo)
Eric Roberson feat Chubb Rock - Summertime Anthem (Dome promo)
J-Live - A Day In The Life (Mixtape)
Evidence - You (Rhymesayers promo)
Aardvarck - Gubby (Eat Concrete promo)
Fujako - Mal'ak (Angstrom)
Robot Koch - Bugs (Project Moon Circle promo)
Tall Black Man - Water No Enemy (Brownswood promo)
DJ Izem - Do Avesso (Unsigned)
MED - Outta Control feat Hodgy Beats (Stones Throw promo)
BK-One - Tema Do Canibal, BK-One Video Edit (Rhymesayers)

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 2, 2011

2011-09-03T03:54:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - September 2, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So our August sojourn is over and the show is back and what a start with a track from the new Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band album, Rubber Orchestras, which is an absolute killer start to finish and another feather in the cap for this Caribbean poet, university lecturer and top drawer live showman. The album also marks the release of his new, same titled, book of poetry. DJ Diamond followed and his 160 BPM cultured juke productions strangely didn't seem out of place next to the afro jazz rock of Joseph. The unfortunately named Git, is a beat producer loosely basing his multi-faceted music on underground hip hop but flying off in all sorts of tangents and we like him. Check the album coming soon on BBE.

Now Roots Manuva is coming through with a new album and the first track a cheeky little hip house number kick starts the hype machine in fine style though we're leaning towards the more broken, cultured Slugabed remix. Walton is Hyperdub's new sensation and his debut album is a four track slice of dynamite, ready to blow up this Autumn's dancefloors, though for the show we chose the sunnier vibes of '808 Vybzin'. Kevin McPhee is a young Toronto producer and his new EP on Idle Hands is a left leaning twisted house techno gem. The deep vibes rolled on further with a cut from the new Brownswood Bubbles 7 comp in the shape of Cubic Zirconia with Bilal on the vocals. The rest of the compilation is killer as well and it's nice to see such a prolific compilation series consistently holding down the quality and introducing so many new faces to the listening world.

Not only is Oddisee one of our favourite MCs but he's a killer producer as 'The Carter Barron' track testifies, oozing musicality and class - can't wait for the album dropping any time now. Now we were slightly unsure about Fatima's soul credentials when we first heard her but she's growing on us and 'Mind' is another reason why. Colonel Red is undoubtedly Holland's leading soul light and has been floating about on all sort of soul jazz leaning productions for some time but it feels like his new album on Tokyo Dawn is a real coming of age release. The production is super tight and his vocals are deep, the largely bland 'nu-soul' scene has rarely sounded as good.

We've been warning you about the Holly Roller label coming soon to act as a showcase for IG Culture's work and just to wind us up even more they've just released another free download of hard to find remixes, bootlegs and unreleased gems which in most people's hands would be a lame collection, well not this one. Seek out the Manz At Work mixtape series quick style is our advice. Now Dels has been leaving us a bit cold but his new offering and specifically the Lucasse Island Redub of 'Capsize' is a deep slice of underground hip hop with lyrics (post riots) that have never been more relevant.

The Saturn Never Sleeps album is now out and doing the rounds so we thought we'd give you another taster of its Sun-Ra inspired depths with the deep broken beats of 'Divine'. Now if you've any interest in beats and jazz I'm sure you've been heard a whisper about the new Thundercat album so we thought we'd drop you a couple of tracks to let you know what all the well justified fuss is about. Klaus then finished the show in fine minimal beats and bassline style.

Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - She Is The Sea (Heavenly Sweetness promo)
DJ Diamond - Vibe (Planet Mu)
Git - Higher featuring Big Brooklyn Red (BBE promo)
Roots Manuva - Get The Get, Slugabed Remix (Ninja Tune promo)
Walton - 808 Vybzin (Hyperdub promo)
Kevin McPhee - Sleep (Idle Hands promo)
Cubic Zirconia feat Bilal - Night Or Day (Brownswood promo)
Oddisee - The Carter Barron (Mello)
Fatima - Mind (Eglo)
Colonel Red - I Will Be There (Tokyo Dawn Records)
Scienz Of Life - Break The Spell, SOS rmx (Manz At Work Mixtape #2)
DELS - Capsize, Lucasse Island Redub (Big Dada promo)
Saturn Never Sleeps - Divine (SNS)
Thundercat - Seasons (Brainfreeder)
Thundercat - For Love I Come (Brainfeeder)
Klaus - Tusk (R&S)

BLNRB - Welcome To The Madhouse (OutHere)

2011-08-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

'Ma Bhoom Bhoom Bhoom' is on repeat for the 4th time in a row as we bounce along to this house tune with the sounds of raw African percussion swinging in the background and the insanely catchy track title repeated over and over locking us into it's deep dubbed hypnotic groove. Welcome to the sounds of BLNRB - Welcome To The Madhouse the latest journey into the sounds of urban Africa from one of the genre's most reliable chroniclers and disseminators - Out Here Records.

Out Here kick started life and were brought to our attention when they started releasing some well selected compilations of the better produced and more African music flavoured slices of the continents urban music, as opposed to the raw slices of often hash, music light, urban tunes that more often than not drive the scene. The sounds of Africa for western ears well detached from the realities of young urban Africa or discerning selections, depending on your point of view. All we knew was most of the tunes became staples in our dj sets and we were grateful to be able to get our hands on some of the then more elusive tunes rocking the continent.

Well with this project Out Here are championing a more pro-active approach to Urban African music by releasing the fruits of a Goethe-Institut & Debruder Teichmann project that took some well known faces on the Berlin music scene down to Nairobi, Kenya to collaborate, meet and mingle with the local talent and the results are electric. As mentioned a lot of African music suffers from poor production values, which is perfectly understandable due to lack of facilities not to mention often intermittent power supplies and more pressing funding issues than the wealthy north, so to hear the immensely talented Nairobi crew: Mister Abbas, Kimya, Lon'Jon, Naziai, blind singer Michel Ongaru, Just A Band and Ukoo Flani to mention just a few riding some sick bang up to date, tightly produced, well mastered riddims is a wonderful thing.

The collaborations came to fruition in two studios established in a Nairobi townhouse where everyone in the project worked, performed and lived together. The previously named bands were invited but word spread like swine flu around Nairobi and there was soon a frenzy of artists coming and going and the now famous Madhouse was born.

After a first concert in Nairobi in 2009 the Berliners went back to Kenya in 2010 for a few weeks and it was during this period, that the first recordings of the presented tracks were made. In December 2010, the musicians from Nairobi went to Berlin for a concert night to celebrate the collaboration, the project being hailed a great success.

Now after the live show the CD has dropped and you really have to check it. From the catchy electro hip house vibes of 'Madhouse', Jahcoozi, Little King & Robo riding the ominous bass heavy dubstep of 'Take It Higher', Just A Band indie rocking out in 'Room For Me', the deep dubbed house vibes of 'Ma Bhoom Bhoom Bhoom' and 'Everyday Without You' to a whole host of more traditional hip hop tempo riddims all laced with the sounds of cutting edge production gear and a catchy, infectious African musical sensibility which lights up every track it touches. This is the sounds of joy, cultural curiosity, musical exploration and new friendships and a real winner of an album start to finish.

Check out the Dala Dala (Out Here's killer sound system crew) album mix for a healthy taster of the projects musical delights:

BLNRB - WELCOME TO THE MADHOUSE (DALA DALA MIX) by OuthereRecords

Here's a little video about the making of the project:

WELCOME TO THE MADHOUSE! from NRBLN_BLNRB on Vimeo.

Fabric Live 59 - Four Tet

2011-08-25T05:12:00.000-07:00

There's not too many producers or DJs that when asked to do a mix for a club would send their audio engineer friend (Sasha Lewis) into the club in question to make field recordings and then incorporate those recordings into the finished mix. Well Four Tet did. Just to make his life more difficult during the compilation process every track is also recorded from original vinyl which meant long hours searching for long forgotten and hard to find records. It also meant he had to go and cut acetates of his own exclusive tracks.

If that isn't attention to detail enough when the tracks were then recorded from vinyl they weren't digitally cleaned so the original hiss, pop and crackle of the wax was retained. The final mix was then surprisingly put together on a new fangled computer thingy, which from a sad trainspotter point of view, spoils slightly the analogue, old school vibe but is understandable. We'll forgive him just this once.

The music ranges from the experimental electronics of Michel Redolfi's 'Immersion Partielle', seminal UK funky in the form of Apple's 'Mr. Bean', the classic grime of Youngstar's 'Pulse X' to the fresher sounds of Burial's 'Street Halo'. Also expect to hear C++, Caribou, Floating Points, Ricardo Villalobos weaving in and out of the mix. These tracks are then split up by the aforementioned field recordings to recreate the feel of walking around the different rooms during a night out at Fabric.

The mix is a representation of Hebden's club sets rather than his more musical production side. Melody and vocals are stripped back, dubs largely the order of the day rather than full on vocals but what is never in short supply is musical adventure as he trawls through the boundary pushing, largely UK side of progressive dance music. The selection and sequencing is on point and the attention to detail thrown in with the field recordings and vinyl vibe just goes to show why the man is always worth checking behind the decks and is also one of the stand out producers of his generation.

As usual with music a listen is worth more that a 1000 biased words so get you ears around this 30 minute radio mix below and look out for the full release coming on September 19th.

Fabric Live 59 - Four Tet Radio promo mix by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Fabric Website
Four Tet Website

Jono McCleery - There Is (Counter Records)

2011-08-11T03:16:00.000-07:00

We first fell in love with Jono McCleery earlier last year when we received his debut single for Counter Records, 'Tomorrow'. How this heir to the thrones of Nick Drake and John Martyn had escaped us before we don't know.

His first, self produced album, Darkest Light was a crowd funding success story with BBC Radio djs Fiona Talkington and Tom Robinson as well as folk star Vashti Bunyan chipping in to make it a reality. Their foresight and Jono's obvious talents then saw him come to the attention of bigger labels (this album is out with Counter Records, Ninja Tune's guitar orientated sister label) as well as opening up touring possibilities with the likes of Portico Quartet, Little Dragon, Gil Scott Heron, Bonobo and others. He was slowly heading in the right direction.

His latest album, There Is (released September 5th), is more of team effort with Fybe taking care of the buttons and Matt Kelly coming through with some beautiful arrangements. Together they've created a really classy album not to mention one of this years best cover versions with an altogether darker and twisted version of Black's, now slightly dated (or Balearic classic depending on your point of view), 'Wonderful Life'.

It's a tough call but I guess the epic 7 minute, slowly building joys of 'Tomorrow' is perhaps our favourite track but every track on the album is a winner. You've got the sparse, mournful delights of 'She Move's', the schizophrenic change of pace and drama of 'Garden' (look out for an incredible remix of this by Seiji - easily his most interesting remix of the year) and the slightly mumbled but driving insistence of 'Home'. We could go on.

Just take our word when we tell you this is a great album and one of the singer songwriter albums of the year. Jono's vocals come straight from where they should and have a sincerity lacking in most modern songwriters. The production is faultless with Fybe's subtle electronics gently caressing Jono's voice and accentuating his simple but effective guitar. Matt Kelly's impeccable string arrangements add even more tension, drama and emotion in all the right places and are the icing on an already quality album. Go get it, you'll like it..

Check out his cover version of Black's 'Wonderful Life'
Jono McCleery - 'Wonderful Life' / 'Garden' mix sampler (Counter Records) by Ninja Tune

You can swap your email address for the 'Garden' track by heading over to this link at the Counter records website.

Here's a simple little video to accompany the radio edit of 'Tomorrow'

Jono McCleery Website
Counter Records Website

Walton - Walton EP (Hyperdub)

2011-08-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

Anything Hyperdub puts out has to be taken seriously, their track record is pretty impeccable, whether it's albums from Burial and King Midas Sound to killer 12"s from DVA, Ossie or Mark Pritchard and Om'Mas Keith, you always have to listen and then listen again just in case you missed the point first time round.

So it was with interest that we received a debut EP via Hyperdub from a young chap called Walton the other day. Now we've given up being surprised at the age of producers, it seems like today's youth when not looting and setting things on fire, are jumping into the world of production before they've stepped foot in a record shop or club and hence becoming studio proficient before they can drink legally. Walton at the age of 20 is another shining example of an old production head on young shoulders.

Hailing from Manchester's ever fertile musical breeding ground Walton has just sprung from being a Soundcloud page to relative instant fame due to the Hyperdub leggup and for good reason rather than PR hype, this boys beats are fresh. Another UK house mutation deviant he's obviously soaked up Detroit and Chicago's rich legacy, stuck his head into the odd grime club and soaked up the endless dubstep variants now on offer and cooked up his own diverse stew which is ready to rip up this Autumn's dancefloors.

Kicking off with the schizo funky grime bleep mental banger 'Aggy' the EP then ducks into the loose bass, polyrhythmic future tribal joys of 'Mangled Riddim'. Classic house vibes made relevant to today's dance and with a sunny disposition are the order of the day on '808 Vybzin' before 'Skrilla' gets all dark and deadly in a UK funky style.

Every track is a winner and this has to go down as one of the best value EP's you're going to buy all year and hopefully as a statement of intent for this rising star who obviously knows his roots but is starting to shape the future already.

Here's his Soundcloud page if you want to hear a bit more:

Latest tracks by Walton.

Hyperdub Facebook page
Hyperdub Website

Saturn Never Sleeps - Yesterday's Machine (Saturn Never Sleeps)

2011-08-10T04:30:00.000-07:00

So you may remember back in May we gave you a taster from the Saturn Never Sleeps album in the form of the excellent 'Tory' single, well happy days the album is now here and living up to the early promise of being an outhere future soul gem.

Most of the tracks feature the vocal talents of Rucyl, which although her ethereal style isn't going to grab everyone, it perfectly suits King Britt's interstellar production like a tailored glove and even on the instrumental cuts, her vocal snippets are finely chopped, manipulated and haunt the tracks like her future ghost floating around the vocal booth.

'Lotus' with it's loose and intermittent beats that provide the vaguest of frameworks for the dreamlike vocals, cosmic synth washes and snippets of intergalactic radio static disconnects you from your earthy existence and gets the album off to a pleasing trouble free launch. 'Bit By Bit', 'Hearts On Fire' and 'Tory' are then anchored more firmly by some alien hand claps and more traditional nu-soul style beats although the production is more Close Encounters than Philly.

Just as you are getting a little groove on Britt then drops the beats, dusts off the drones and ramps up the sci-fi soundtrack vibes before the short future soul of 'Grace' dumps you down into more familiar musical territory once again. The future folk of 'The Machines Are The Stars' follows before some tribal drums from a different dimension provide some stability in a turbulent sea of found sound on the great instrumental cut, 'Divine'.

Rucyl enters the fray once more for 'Yesterday Is Gone' before another beatless cosmic wind interlude blows from the speakers. Britt then ups the tempo with some stripped back, deep dubby vocal house before the almost normal soulful house sounds of 'Take It Out' end a pleasing 43 minute ride through the future soul sounds of Saturn Never Sleeps.

Now, reluctantly we're guessing, seeing as how much work has obviously gone into the project, Saturn Never Sleeps have actually offered up the album as a free download as well as putting it through the usual channels for sale but as always if you are getting pleasure from the release then we do urge you to throw some money their way, so they can fund future recordings and tours - you know deep down it makes sense and is the right thing to do.
Have a good listen to the album below:

BUY the album at our favourite on-line music store Boomkat or at the more traditional ITunes for a damned reasonable $8.99

Saturn Never Sleeps blog
Saturn Never Sleeps website

Paul White - Rapping With Paul White (One Handed Music)

2011-07-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

So One Handed Music has started teasing us about the new Paul White album and it's working, we're all juiced up and ready to dive into it.

Now if you don't know Paul White then you're missing out on one of the hottest young beatmakers in the UK whose been making waves since 2009. Amazingly Rapping With Paul White is the young producers third album so no writers block, good start.

Whilst the previous two albums were instrumental only the latest is the hip hop album that Paul White "always wanted to make" and we can only encourage him as modern hip hop definitely needs all the help it can get. We've also been musing for a while that adding some vocals over the avalanche of ever sophisticated and adventurous beats that have been hitting the market over the last couple of years could only be a good thing. Obviously getting quality MCs or singers over your bedroom beats takes time and support but we can only hope as the new beat generation develops and finds labels that actually have a budget/influence or people actually start buying music again this will be a growing trend.

So the first single from the album 'Trust' has already dropped featuring the vocal talents of Guilty Simpson and although the beats killed it (we played the instrumental on the radio show) we were a little disappointed with the generally great mans lyrics, not bad you understand but not the fire the beats deserved we felt. See what you think:

Don't worry though there are plenty more collaborations for the forthcoming album including Danny Brown, Marv Won, Homeboy Sandman, Jehst, Tranquil and Moe Pope not to mention Audio Texture non rapping favourite Nancy Elizabeth reading, in true quirky Paul White fashion, a 'peculiar' poem apparently.

If you're interest is still not perking up then the nice people at Paul's label, One Handed Music have, in proper hip hop fashion, just put out a mixtape mixed by underground Detroit hip hop stalwart DJ House Shoes. The mix is 30 minutes long and includes album tracks, unreleased remixes and exclusive beats - start to believe....

Rapping With Paul White - The DJ House Shoes Mixtape by alexchase

Paul White Bandcamp
One Handed Music Website (check the label out, they're great!)
DJ House Shoes Podcast
Paul White Discography

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 29, 2011

2011-07-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 29, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

So this weeks show has a decidedly experimental slant with loads of hard to pronounce artists and track titles in the playlist which we feel is always a good sign. Fennesz kicked off the proceedings with some sublime electronic noodlings from his excellent new 10" before the great meeting of Scottish folk and subtle electronics which is the King Creosote & John Hopkins album kept the contemplative vibes flowing. Our senses were then teased by the no barriers sounds of Hertta Lussu Assu which sigueued nicely into the equally vague but more structured sounds of Tomutonttu.

Now I've still got a Danger Mouse mix CD he handed to me after a Jazzy Jeff dj session in London when he was still hustling hard, just before the Grey album changed his fortunes and his latest project with Daniele Luppi is a thing of cinematic joy despite EMI throwing Nora Jones into the equation. The wonderfully named 'The Gambling Priest' track is one of the many great tunes on the album. Nu Soul was then the order of the day with another winner from The Heart Vol. 2 compilation in the form of Colonel Red and 'I Will Be There' before Slakah The Beatchild dropped the equally as good 'The Cure' from his new deluxe EP on BBE.

King Midas Sound has had a couple of make overs, a broken beat purplization job from Kuedo and a dark dub from Mala, with the Kuedo twist making the show before Om Mas Keith dropped some cultured pop vibes from his All City EP before great Turkish disco edit vibes from Edip Akbayram & Dostlar prooves the Middle East also had the funk, if not the platforms and flairs. Nochexxx has ditched his computer for an MPC and Ramp are putting out the twisted results including our favourite 'Savage Herald' very soon. Now Raoul Sinier is a very talented producer and multi instrumentalist and we particularly liked the raucous beats of 'Green Lights' from his new Guilty Cloaks album.

Benjamin Brunn was responsible for the dreamy house vibes that changed the mood considerably before we gave you a little taster of the twisted disco delights of the new Nebraska material in the shape of, 'Phtalo Blues'. Zed Bias then ended the show in nice cover version style giving the Soul II Soul classic 'Fairplay' a great little update for today's bass obsessed dancefloors. Look out for his new album coming at the end of the summer on the ever diversifying Tru Thoughts.

Fennesz - July (Touch Tone)
King Creosote & John Hopkins - Bats In The Attic (Domino)
Hertta Lussu Assa - Mehukkaat Luut/Juicy Bones (De Stijl)
Tomutonttu - Lautta Lahtee (New Images)
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - The Gambling Priest (EMI)
Colonel Red - I Will Be There (Tokyo Dawn)
Slakah The Beatchild - The Cure (BBE)
King Midas Sound - Goodbye Girl, Kuedo rmx (Hyperdub promo)
Om Mas Keith - Girls A Player (All City)
Edip Akbayra & Dostlar - Ayrilik (Nublu)
Nochexxx - Savage Herald (Ramp promo)
Raoul Sinier - Green Lights (Ad Noiseam)
Benjamin Brunn - Don't Cry For Yesterday (Ashes promo)
Nebraska - Phtalo Blues (Rush Hour promo)
Zed Bias - Fairplay feat Jenna G (Tru Thoughts promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 22, 2011

2011-07-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 22, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

The Southern hemisphere's Jonti kicked off this weeks show with some wonderful musical beats and it looks like he's going to be hitting everyone's radar with the release of his debut album, Twiligi, on Stones Throw this autumn - bring it on. Stones Throw subsidiary Now-Again then provided some classic soul vibes courtesy of Thomas East from their hard earned, labour of love compilation True Soul. Buy association vs Organica feat. Bilal and Bilal Salaam then kept the soul vibes flowing and I'm happy to announce that the Manz At Work mixtape the track was gleaned from announces the imminent arrival of not one but two record labels which will initially be focused on the work of the one and only IG Culture. You will be hearing more about this as and when the labels develop, needless to say we are super excited.

We then had to remind you of how good Mathisas Stubo was with the fresh boogie vibes of 'I Never Knew' before the ever interesting David Borsu kept the disco vibrations vibrating with the unfortunately named but worthy 'Murtis Kayfield'. Om-Unit, like so many new producers these days, have just set up a record label called Cosmic Bridge (great name!) and their debut is a fine mix of bass heavy beats and some nice melodic keys. fLako then kept the beats rolling with some deep beats and soul flavours from the excellent fresh new compilation from Project Moon Circle focussing on the new beat making talent from the UK and Ireland. Mark Pritchard then provided the riddim for UK MC Trim, who is all over everywhere at the moment, to drop some lewd London lyrics.

Afro vibes were then the order of the day, first off with the Jesse Hackett remix of the Owiny Sigoma Band and then surprisingly with 'Fassirimar' from the latest Soundspecies EP, which is more Konono no. 1 than UK soul boy, those boys are versatile. Alex HotFlush then provided the remix under his new Incyde moniker that strips down Falty DL's, 'Eight 18 Ten' to the bare essentials. Now Naive Machine is coming through with a new EP and it contains a couple of killer cuts and we are particularly liking the twisted percussive beats of 'Afrika'

Now Shabazz Palaces, once of the Digable Planets has come through like a modern day Watts Prophets with his new album, deep, dark, leftfield and uncompromising as the 'Youlogy' track ably demonstrates. We then had a guilty pleasure moment when we dropped Widowspeak's version of Chris Isaacs, 'Wicked Game' before Diagram launched some great quirky beats and a lyrical tribute to 'Woking' of all places. My favourite modern Italian soundtrack producer Teho Teardo then provided a great live soundscape recording which sees the launch of his new Specula label which we will be keeping a keen eye on.

Jonti - Begone Slumber (Stones Throw promo)
Thomas East - Slipping Around (Now-Again)
Buy association vs Organica feat. Bilal and Bilal Salaam - Space Volume/Change My Mind (Manz At Work Volume 1)
Mathias Stubo - I Never Knew (BBE)
David Borsu - Murtis Kayfield (Broadcite promo)
Om Unit vs Kromestar - Solar Cycle (Cosmic Bridge)
fLako - Blurry Dream (Project Moon Circle promo)
Pritch & Trim - Kiss My Arse (Planet Mu promo)
Owiny Sigoma Band - Margaret Okudo, Jesse Hackett Dancehall remix (Brownsood)
Soundspecies - Fassirimar (Round In Motion)
Falty DL - Eight 18 Ten, Incyde remix (Planet Mu promo)
Naive Machine - Afrika (Hit & Hope promo)
Shabazz Palaces - Youlogy (Sub Pop)
Widowspeak - Wicked Game (Captured Tracks)
Diagrams - Woking (Full Time Hobby)
Teho Teardo - Oh Hook (Specula promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 15, 2011

2011-07-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 15, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Atmospheric beat and bass adventures launched the show this week starting with another R&S winner with 'Lostwithiel' from the new ep from The Chain. This was closely followed by the nice XI remix of the great Sepalcure original 'Love Pressure' as Hotflush keep up the heat with a new remix EP of the dynamic duo, followed by an absolute gem from Emika and her forthcoming Ninja release - the girl's got talent and we eagerly await her album. Jono McCleery then raised his head again with his lovely version of 'Wonderful Life' from his recent EP and a taster of what is sure to be a great album. Now Karaoke Kalk are fast becoming one of our favourite labels so we had to give you an early taster of the Static, Freedom Of Noise album due out in September, not for the faint hearted but another excellent diverse addition to the label.

Deep Medi appear to be branching out into more varied sonic territory and the Old Apparatus EP is as diverse as it gets with the twisted UK hip hop of the 'Hammerhand' remix featuring Mowgli, but hold tight for the melodic, sweet vocaled flipside coming to the show soon! In your face hip hop then followed with the dream team of Pusha T, Tyler The Creator over a Neptunes beats - ouch. Anthony Joseph then dropped some deeply Afrocentric funk and a tribute to a rather older oral tradition, 'Griot', now if the rest of the album is this good we'll be first in the queue. The new Motor City Drum Ensemble DJ Kicks album is an eclectic winner from great deep house and techno to Sun Ra and it's a nice excuse to drop the great Timo Lassy track, 'African Rumble' which also features.

Another taster of The Heart volume 2 followed with rising soulster Amalia and the schizo B.Kun remix of 'All The Funk I Need' which led nicely into a great Funkineven remix of Breton's 'December' tune, he's not all acieeeeed you know. Now you don't hear much Catalan on international radio so we thought we would drop another taster of Guillamino's new material, he really is one of the shining lights of the Barcelona music scene. Now Tiger &Woods can be filed alongside Dam Funk as hype over substance but they've definitely had a moment with 'Curb My Heart' - great soul vibes. Funkineven, true to form, then hit us with the fresh acieeeed adventures of 'Take Back', forthcoming on Eglo before the deep Claude Vonstroke remix of Girl Unit's, 'Wut' ended the show in fine danceable style.

The Chain - Lostwithiel (R&S)
Sepalcure - Love Pressure, XI remix (Hot Flush promo)
Emika - Professional Loving (Ninja Tune promo)
Jono McCleery - Wonderful Life (Ninja Tune)
Static - Sad Rocket (Karaoke Kalk promo)
Old Apparatus - Hammerhand rmx featuring Mowgli (Deep Medi promo)
Pusha T ft Tyler The Creator - Trouble On My Mind (GOOD)
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - Griot (Heavenly Sweetness promo)
Timo Lassy - African Rumble (K7)
Amalia - All The Funk I Need, B.Kun rmx (Tokyo Dawn promo)
Breton - December, Funkineven rmx (Hemlock promo)
Guillamino - Fer Foc (Bankrobber promo)
Tiger & Woods feat 'Em - Curb My Heart (Running Back)
Funkineven - Take Back (Eglo promo)
Girl Unit - Wut, Claude Vonstroke's Undressed remix (Night Slugs)

Fabric Live 58 - Goldie Radio Mix

2011-07-13T04:54:00.000-07:00

We're guessing that Goldie doesn't need any introduction. Even if you weren't sweating in the Blue Note back in the day, you've seen him in the tabloids dating Bjork or his gold teeth gleaming in Eastenders or that James Bond film whose name we can't remember? From brushes with the law, painting up his estate to fine art, from long nights to intensive yoga sessions he is a larger than life, multi-dimensional geezer.

He's also been a long running DJ at the London nightclub institution Fabric so they've dragged him into the studio to put together their latest mix CD in the Fabric live series and we're happy to announce we have a little teaser mix for you to stream in anticipation of it's release.

Here's the mix:

Fabric Live 58 - Goldie (Radio Mix promo) by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Here's the tracklisting:

1 Marcus Intalex - My Soul (Soul R),
2 D Kay & Lee - Eternal Sunset (Metalheadz),
3 Dillinja - Deep Deadly Subs (Deadly Vinyl),
4 Boymerang - Soul Beat Runn (EMI),
5 Doc Scott - Machines (Emotif),
6 Goldie - I'll Be There For You (FFRR),
7 Goldie & Dego - Still Life, Photek Remix (Razor's Edge),
8 Rufige Kru - Beachdrifter (Metalheadz)

We thought we'd spare you the full press release but we've copied a couple of paragraphs from the ever quotable man. Here's what Goldie had to say about the full mix which is released on July 18th and rather oddly, in this age of rampant piracy when most stateside D&B/Goldie fans will have already downloaded the mix, in the USA at the end of August:

"For me, if I get the alchemy right, which I’ve done on this mix, to me each of those are standalone tunes. It is dynamic, it does take you from one extreme to the other, because for me that’s what my life is like. It’ll be bikram yoga one morning, then DJing long into the night. Everything is balanced, not too much of one thing. Now my life is completely balanced. When I think of some D&B tunes, I think of it as spiritual euphoria, like I’ve been lifted out of something. "

"Technology allows people to be lazy. You have to engage yourself from a spiritual point of view. The 70s were about the spirit but not about technology. The 80s were about discovering technology. And the 90s were about technology really arriving, and people not really knowing what to do with it. The naughties is about being lazy and letting Autotune do everything for you. We’ve actually regressed like fucking monkeys into what we’re allowing ourselves to listen to. And the way we’re re-wiring ourselves - we have so much to release that we can’t listen to an album anymore. We want to be in-the-now so much right now, and I understand for the youth generation it’s important that it’s current, but will that album stand up in 10 years time? Music, for me, has to have the sense of what I was brought here for: to be timeless. Metalheadz is that. It should be never aged, or like a mature wine. I’m only getting better with age - I’m 45, I’m in the best physical shape of my life, I’m in the best mental state. This album is the album that’s been in me, and I think that’s great."

Here's the full album tracklisting:

01 Rido feat. Thomas Oliver - Twisted [Metalheadz]
02 Marcus Intalex feat. S.P.Y. - Celestial Navigation [Soul:r]
03 Lenzman - Lasers [Metalheadz]
04 Need For Mirrors - Lofar [Metalheadz]
05 Enei - One Chance VIP [Critical]
06 Subwave & Enei - The Mines [Metalheadz]
07 S.I.N. & Mutated Forms - Right Now [Spearhead]
08 Fresh - The Gatekeeper [Ram]
09 DJ Hazard - Proteus [Playaz]
10 Critical Impact - Translation [Metalheadz]
11 Adam F - Metropolis [Metalheadz]
12 Mutated Forms - Crowlin [Metalheadz]
13 Jubei - Patience VIP [Metalheadz]
14 Rido - Focus [Metalheadz]
15 Basher feat. Xtrah - Convulsions [Ram]
16 Mutated Forms - Doubts [Grid]
17 A Sides - One DJ [ClearSkyz]
18 Mark System feat. Youngman - Hold It [Digital Soundboy]
19 Icicle feat. Robert Owens - Redemption (Alix Perez Remix) [Shogun Audio]
20 Lenzman - Open Page (Subwave Remix) [Metalheadz]
21 dBridge - Cornered [Exit]
22 Jubei - Alignment (Boddika Remix) [Metalheadz]
23 Mikal - Higher Forces [Metalheadz]
24 Wickaman & RV - Ev's Dead [Ram]
25 J Majik & Wickaman - Old Headz [Metalheadz]
26 Commix - Be True [Metalheadz] 27 Goldie - Timeless [FFRR]

For the real trainspotters here is Goldies track by track breakdown of the mix:

01 Rido feat. Thomas Oliver – Twisted [Metalheadz]
An inverted track: a kid that comes from the classical world first, that then got into engineering, and then it was like he almost had this dirty little secret. He made this hybrid music that he didn’t really think could cross it over into what we’re doing. Of course, on seeing him in Europe and meeting him a few times, I told him that this is the label that will allow you to do that. Using his classical composition and his background, I’ve been allowing him to understand the power of arrangement, and how he can be slightly more journey-minded in his music. Rido came to see me at a Red Bull lecture, and it completely turned him around in terms of how he does music. I told him, ‘It’s about arrangement, and it’s about the primal aspects of yourself, and allowing your spirit to make the music, and not to get caught up in the technology.’

02 Marcus Intalex feat. S.P.Y. – Celestial Navigation [Soul:r]
This track I’ve been playing for ages. For me, it’s probably one of his best tracks. Marcus is a very, very, very talented guy. He’s a very straight-up guy, very straightforward. But when he applies alchemy to his music it becomes something else. And I think that particular track is so euphoric, it gives you the feeling of hope. It’s one of those tracks that I always wish was on the label – for me, it’s like the bird that got away.

03 Lenzman – Lasers [Metalheadz]
This guy – if he wants it – can be one of the most prolific producers of this time. I tell you that without a shadow of doubt. He did a bootleg of Alicia Keys’ ‘Unthinkable,’ and it’s one of the most soulful things I’ve ever heard. He has the capacity to put the soul back into this music. ‘Lasers,’ to me, is probably Lenzman on a roller’s vibe; it’s a little less musical than he normally does, but it shows he has other aspects to his production skills. It just gets down to some primal funk. He’s always, to me, had this slight Detroit edge to him. If I play this to Mad Mike, I know Mad Mike would dig it.

04 Need For Mirrors – Lofar [Metalheadz]
‘Lofar’ is that dirty little Goldie aspect, that strand I have in me. It reminds of that big, underground, Blue Note straight-up track that ‘Rider [Grooverider] would probably draw back in the old days. Something that would really send me out. It’s a cross between Spirit and Dillinja for me, that kind of vibe.

05 Enei – One Chance VIP [Critical]
Kasra’s been looking after this guy, he’s signed to Critical. I just think that it’s one of those tracks that’s technically together, his sound is really beautifully future. This track’s been around for a while, but this particular VIP – it just has everything. It’s got the bottom end, it’s got the travel, it’s just sharp. I’ve never met him but hearing this I’m very curious about him; you hear something like this and you know he’s got so much more to give as an artist. This track reminds me of an artist that has distillation.

06 Subwave & Enei – The Mines [Metalheadz]
With ‘The Mines,’ I wanted to show the strand, so you can see the difference between Enei solo and when he works with Subwave. Subwave’s slightly more musical, I think he has a really mature sound. And I want him to realize how far he’s come in a year. A lot of artists – when they have 8 tracks, the last 4 – to make it a full album – can be the most difficult time in their lives. You need to be able to split their heads even more. ‘The Mines’ is a really good track, I like the expansion of it – and I think he’s only going to keep doing more powerful work.

07 S.I.N. & Mutated Forms – Right Now [Spearhead]
This tune has been one of my favorite tunes for the last four or five months. The buzz of that tune reminds me of rippled glass. And the whole future horn thing is amazing. I think the vocal says something about “right now,” and I just love the way it switches into really progressive drum & bass music. I want these guys to not worry about what anyone else says, and to keep making music like this. This is their best piece of work, the most free-spirited thing they’ve ever done.

08 Fresh – The Gatekeeper [Ram]
This is the kid that keeps reinventing his bloody self. He’s probably in my top five producers of all time, along with dBridge. I like how he’s alway been very clever with a vocal lick. And also, when you think about it – this is the same guy that made ‘Signal,’ this is the guy from Bad Company, these are the tunes he was infamous for, and yet he’s never stopped evolving. I also like how he’s not scared to show people he’s from the sample generation. That’s the problem I think with music – once everyone got all electro-synthy and listening to dubstep, everyone just wanted to work with synths again. There’s something good about mixing it up with synth and sample sound. I guess that’s what the old guard of Metalheadz was about as well, it incorporated that. Spirit was very good at that. When hip hop stopped using samples and went primarily synths, it became very boring for me. So I like having an alliance with that – you can be right on the edge without being cheesy – and always have integrity.

09 DJ Hazard – Proteus [Playaz]
This for me, is actually drum & bass on a wider tip. Some of his production is really up there as well. When you just flip it a little bit, and allow yourself to be a little more roll-y like that, it works for me. It’s the epitome of drum & bass – the typical tune, but a real good progressive tune that can work – nail on the head. You need tunes like this, to help get you in a switch up and make a more dynamic sound. You need to mix up the textures of what this music’s about.

10 Critical Impact – Translation [Metalheadz]
Critical Impact is a guy that hasn’t been on the Metalheadz label for a very long time. For me, I keep saying to him – he thinks about everything too much! When I got into his head about this tune, I told him to make something that was a homage to the old Metalheadz, but with a new little twist on it. And I think the proof lies in the track I mix out of it – Adam F’s ‘Metropolis’ – because to me, it sits so well with it. It’s almost like two members of the family meeting.

11 Adam F – Metropolis [Metalheadz]
One of the golden oldies I pulled out. One of the best things Adam F has ever made – ‘Metropolis’ has stood the test of time.

12 Mutated Forms – Crowlin [Metalheadz]
I’d been talking about doing a project with Mutated Forms for a while, and I liked the step of this one – ‘Crowlin’ is almost like it’s going through this page of love. I like the way they angled the vocal on it, but I also like the way they bring you through this section of twisted brass instruments, it just steps out. This has a little bit more of a raw vibe to it, which I loved.

13 Jubei – Patience VIP [Metalheadz]
Lenzman and Jubei are the two guys that I’m really looking after right now, they’re my spear heads. Jubei can be quietly left alone, because he’s making some real steppers. I’ve said to him, ‘Mate, you’re making us look good right now – you’re giving our label a good name.’ It’s not just a one way street, this is about sharing something. ‘Patience VIP’ was also taking up the old Metalheadz habit of making a dub version, like ‘True Romance’ (dBridge), ‘Kemistry VIP’ (Grooverider), ‘Drums’ (Doc Scott). We always like to do that extra bit, just for the roll out, so when you do have a Metalheadz night, you can pull it from your war chest and it can deliver.

14 Rido – Focus [Metalheadz]
The reason why Rido is so heavily focused is that I wanted to show his different sides. I’ve given you his classical tune, but this is showing more of his technical skill as a D&B producer, more in line with Ulterior Motive kind of sound, and more in line with what Jubei and Mikal are doing. It shows what he can do in third gear as opposed to fifth gear.

15 Basher feat. Xtrah – Convulsions [Ram]
Basher’s been on the radar for just a second really, but he’s been on the scene for quite some time. He did 3 or 4 tracks for Andy C, which were really well received and his evolution has been steady. He’s quite complete and quite strong in the way he wants to style a tune.

16 Mutated Forms – Doubts [Grid]
When I’ve had a few drinks, this is the kind of tune that makes me want to tear my t-shirt off and jump into the crowd! I normally play this tune when the crowd starts being too trendy and they start looking at each other. It’s the kind of tune where unless you get down, you might as well leave the club! This is like an old Doc Scott tune – it just lets go. Let’s ‘ave it, or let’s forget it, you know what I mean? “I’m gonna put my boots on and kick your face in” kind of tune – I love it. Every now and again you need a real screw-face tune.

17 A Sides – One DJ [ClearSkyz]
A-Sides has been on the block for a very long time. What he’s good at is seeing things from a roller’s point of view: what works in a club, and what can get you from one tune to the next? This tune is really DJ friendly and really easy to mix, and it’s just got a really nice tonal bass, which is very much on the edges of jungle. It can get played anywhere – it’s a real party vibe.

18 Mark System feat. Youngman – Hold It [Digital Soundboy]
Youngman – wow, bloody hell. I love what Shy’s done with [Digital] Soundboy, and I love the fact that Youngman’s really coming up and all the work he’s done with Benga. And also it’s a really sweet vocal – it reminds me of the late 80s sort of funk/soul. He’s very different in that sense. It’s more like touching on RnB, without being really bad. (laughs)It suits Shy down to the ground, it’s the Digital Soundboy vibe.

19 Icicle feat. Robert Owens – Redemption (Alix Perez Remix) [Shogun Audio]
Owens have been around forever – a legend in terms of people sampling his voice or wanting to work with him. For me, what Icicle does with that track – the way that he uses the vocal…I haven’t heard someone use his voice that well since Photek. Alix Perez, meanwhile, did to this track what A.I. did to [Rufige Kru’s] ‘Letting Go.’ He looked at the format of the tune and thought, ‘How can I make this darker?’ He took an area of the tune and played it to his strength. He takes the musicality of the track and completely tones it down, he almost makes it binary. The way that he plays the vocal off, when it gets to that middle, there’s a reverse cymbal – it’s almost more on the lines of what Photek would do. Perez definitely stepped into Photek’s arena with this one. It’s almost like a dub version of the original: it’s stripped back, and it’s raw.

20 Lenzman feat Riya – Open Page (Subwave Remix) [Metalheadz]
When I play this tune, a lot of people never got it. They’re not even ready for this yet. It’s a hybrid of what Detroit drum & bass is to me, it really is. It’s simplistic beats but a real super big synth, and I love that. It’s a monotonous thing, with a bit of soul sprinkled over it. Just so future.

21 dBridge – Cornered [Exit]
Talk about someone suppressing a break. He has the art of sublime better than anyone else in the drum & bass scene. The beautiful thing about dBridge is the best mixes I’ve ever had for this label have come from dBridge: ‘True Romance’ – bam. ‘Something About You’ – bang. He has the ability to take your sound and completely remake what you’ve sent him; not a remix, but a remake. So with ‘Cornered,’ he’s taken one of the most popular breaks in hip hop – basically ‘Funky Drummer’ – and he’s suppressed it so hard, he’s made it into a minimal thing all of his own. He just releases it on command, when he wants to; it’s the control he has. For me, it reminds me of a breakdance crew where moves are being thrown and all of a sudden the quiet guy that’s been watching throws a 1990 in your face. He has such a style. He’s like the Ken Swift of drum & bass. He probably is my favourite producer, by far.

22 Jubei – Alignment (Boddika Remix) [Metalheadz]
I just like what he’s done with this – he’s wrapped the tune inside out. And he’s managed to pull off something where I don’t know what’s going to happen next in the tune. I can read a lot of tunes. 9 times out of 10, if you give me 16 bars, I can tell you who made the tune. But something like this tune, it’s almost another place I have to go to. I like the fact that we should be more experimental. I also like the fact that it’s harking back to the metal box-sets ['Platinum Breakz Volume 1'], where I made everyone make a drum & bass track & a downtempo track. It’s what I like to do with our music, because it’s like graffiti – you can get anything from it if you’ve got the samples; you’ve got a really beautiful palette that you can expand on. You’ve got a really good set of colours: let’s see what your take is on this canvas. I like what Boddika does a lot.

23 Mikal – Higher Forces [Metalheadz]
Mikal’s featured so heavily on this because I am spearheading the new. And I cannot give him more compliments. I’m trying to make sure that he expands all of his arrangement skill, and that he starts to give us different textures. His output is a lot more intense – he doesn’t have anywhere he can run and hide, he has to deliver something new and fresh. He’s just feeling his way around his breaks and his arrangements, and I’m allowing him to do that.

24 Wickaman & RV – Ev’s Dead [Ram]
Now this is a dirty little tune. When I asked him why he named it ‘Ev’s Dead,’ he said his mate’s pet had died, or something mad like that. It’s a lot of old samples put together, well arranged, but it’s another great tune I’ve been mixing for a while now. I really like it, I would’ve proudly put it on the label. This tune is me slightly harking back, but looking forward.

25 J Majik & Wickaman – Old Headz [Metalheadz]
I just think it’s probably the gem of the whole mix, only because J Majik has that sound that you will never forget where he’s come from, in terms of artists. People forget that every artist that was signed to Metalheadz went on to be signed to a major record deal – everyone. And I think the fact that J Majik came back to that track, after doing all this different stuff, that it’s a beautiful tune of solitude. It just drops the whole world on me. I can play that tune anywhere, and it works. People got it, and they hadn’t even heard it yet – that’s how good it is. It’s an inherent thing. And for me, when a song sounds like it’s already been here, like it belongs here, but it’s brand new, there’s something melancholic about that that you can’t take away from it. The tune has got complete harmony and alchemy to me, and I love it.

26 Commix – Be True [Metalheadz]
That was the spearhead for Commix, full stop. It came out of nowhere, and it got into the heads of everyone. It was a very clever way of using a vocal. I like that I could play it in Cambridge at Warning, I could play it at Jungle Fever, I could play it at a predominantly drum & bass place, I could play it at Metalheadz – it just had a passport for all areas.

27 Goldie – Timeless [FFRR]
If I can still be here after 16 years, playing ‘Timeless’ in a club…for instance, I was in Russia the other week, and I opened with ‘Timeless’ and closed with it, and people really loved it. People really wanted to celebrate that – people that were probably 2 years old when it was made! It’s done exactly what it said on the tin. It motherly embraces the whole scene to this day. It’s one of my most beautiful pieces of work, and it will still make my hairs stand up on ends ’til the day I die. I feel blessed to have been given so much love to make that tune. Because really, this was my record of my coming of age, and what it’s like to be a young teenage angst adolescent coming from the inner city. When ‘Inner City’ was made, it kind of went over a lot of people’s heads – we weren’t under as much pressure then as we are now, a lot has changed socially. So it means a lot playing it these days, in places where people are having a hard time, where people understand what it means now as opposed to just the novelty of a record. This is the song that really launched my career and allowed me to do the things I wanted to do.

More info on Fabric club and it's great releases click here

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 8, 2011

2011-07-10T03:58:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 8, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Adventures from the more experimental side of jazz kicked off this weeks show courtesy of Splice and a track from their new album LAB before the more credible side of the whole cover band phenomenon reared it's head and Moondog lovers, Hobocombo, dropped the delicate, vocal delights of 'All Is Loneliness'. Now we've been keeping an eye on Raffertie and his ascent into the electronic music hall of fame and he just seems to get better and better as his new ep for Ninja Tune and the track 'You Could Be Forgiven For Thinking That' ably testifies. The new Mount Kimbie album is very near release and it's good to see the boys are not resting on their laurels as the melodic post dubstep tones of 'Flux' float out of the speakers.

Tokyo Dawn have been ploughing a solid release furrow over the last few years with a string of strong albums and they are about to release the second installment of their The Heart compilation series of nu-soul talent and it's another winner with everyone from Colonel Red and Reggie B to a whole host of lesser known but rising soulsters like Rachel Claudio, Amalia and Erik Rico, amongst others. We couldn't resist following that by a nice instrumental version of the ever fresh 'Get Down Saturday Night' which laid the carpet for the classic 'A New You In '82' from back in the day's Sheila Hutchinson-Whitt and yet another Mr. Peabody's classic from the latest in their Chicago series for BBE.

Now Marsmobil is a beat programming, multi-instrumentalist singer and the little taster from his new album is sounding wonderful as the prog rocky folds of 'Is It Tomorrow Now?' more than capably demonstrate and which, surprisingly and quite perfectly led, into 'A Devil Lay Here' a killer melodic bassline cut from the new Zomby album. Fresh beats were then the order of the day with the instrumental cut from the new Paul White EP, 'Trust' and then another quirky programmed winner from the prolific and amazingly consistent Jame Blake.

Now Deep Medi have signed a Robbie Williams style 3 album deal with graphic designer and electronic experimentalist Ulrich Troyer for a series of dub albums, the first of which, Songs Of William, which is coupled with a comic-novel, is about to hit the world and it's well worth checking it's deviant dubbed delights. Now Ezekial Honig is another consistent performer with a great line in thoughtful track titles and his new offering on Type, Folding In On Itself, is yet another winner. Diverse house music was the order of the day to end the show kicking off with the musical Arabic tones of 'Midnight Mawal' from Zepherin Saint before things got deep, dark and dirty with my favourite cut from new Martyn sampler for his forthcoming Brainfeeder offering the London's Arches edit of 'Viper'.

Splice - Ballade Fortuite (Loop)
Hobocombo - All Is Loneliness (Trovarobato/Parade)
Raffertie - You Could Be Forgiven For Thinking That (Ninja Tune promo)
Mount Kimbie - Flux (Hot Flush promo)
Bobby - Amends (Tokyo Dawn promo)
The Wonderful Sound Of Induce - Get Down Saturday Night (Wondersound promo)
Sheila Hutchinson Whitt - A New You In '82 (BBE promo)
Marsmobil - Is It Tomorrow Now? (Compost promo)
Zomby - A Devil Lay Here (4AD)
Paul White - Trust, instrumental (One Handed Music promo)
James Blake - Order (Hemlock)
Ulrich Troyer - At The Workshop (Deep Medi promo)
Ezekiel Honig - Subverting The Memory Of Your Surroundings (Type)
Zepherin Saint - Midnight Mawal (Tribe promo)
Martyn - Viper, London's Arches Edit (Brainfeeder promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 1, 2011

2011-07-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - July 1, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

It's the third week running we've played a track from the new Finest Ego 12" from Project Moon Circle and for good reason -it's great, especially the Pavel Dovgal side as 'Faust' again proves. Experimental AngloArabic fusion was then the order of the day courtesy of the interesting new Aida Nadeem album, Beyond Destruction. The experimentalism continues with 'Heist' by Softland followed by a pleasing (albeit not so experimental) Natural Magnetic remix of Beautiful Lie from the recent and recommended Nostalgia 77 album.

The intriguing Vegetable Orchestra then twisted their home made vegetable instruments into a moody, crackly, stringy, atmospheric downbeat killer before Sqaramouche injected some melody into his quirky and engaging beats. Offshore then provided some great, catchy, indie vocal drum and bass which deserves a bigger audience. Now we almost didn't play any Com Truise on the show because his name is so bad but 2 or 3 tracks from the recent album are pretty dope as the stuttering beats and synth funk melodies of 'Cathode Girls' showed.

Now La Fine Equipe have just released a monster compilation showcasing the next generation of French beat making talent so we picked out 3 of the best tunes with a soul heart and a progressive outlook. Look out for the likes of oOgo, Blanka and Hoosky to be taking up the mantles laid down by Onra and the like in 2012. Now Michael Kiwanuka is a hot young soul talent from London in the great tradition of the genre and his 'Tell Me A Tale' is almost as good as it gets.

Ilyas Ahmed then graced the show with some loose, scuzzy, pysched out folk vibes before B.Bravo dropped some of his trademark instrumental soul. As you may have read in our previous blog post Banda Black Rio are back with a new album and 'Isabels' featuring Elza Soares and Cesar Camargo Mariano, not to mention the large part of the album, showed they have lost none of their quality and fusion expertise. BBII then provided a nice jazz funk fusion end to the show.

Pavel Dovgal - Faust (Project Moon Circle promo)
Aida Nadeem - Ahlam (URUK)
Softland - Heist (Spezialmaterial)
Nostalgia 77 - Beautiful Lie, Natural Magnetic Rmx (Tru-Thoughts)
Vegetable Orchestra - Nightshades (Transacoustic Research/Monkey promo)
Sqaramouche - Traitarious Queue (Nonine)
Offshore - Pearls & Butler feat. Cienfuegos (Big Dada promo)
Com Truise - Cathode Girls (Ghostly International)
oOgo - Canistrelli (La Fine Equipe promo)
Blanka - Fraisier ((La Fine Equipe promo)
Hoosky - Dog Cookies (La Fine Equipe promo)
Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale (Communion Records)
Ilyas Ahmed - Ignored The End (Immune)
B.Bravo - Bubble Showers (Earnest Endeavours)
Banda Black Rio - Isabela feat. Elza Soares & Cesar Camargo Mariano (Far Out)
BBII - Car Chase (Fresh Up)

Audio Texture Radio Show - June 24, 2011

2011-06-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - June 24, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Kicking off this week with a lighter booty shaking moment, albeit heavily sampling the deep delights of Salah Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Orchestra(!), from Daniel Haaksman's fun on the floor new album RambaZamba. The Afro jazz flavour kept flowing with the exciting and distinctly non African Ye Mighty and their great new cut 'Beyond', we're excited about them. Raffertie then degrunged and 'future souled' the Daedelus feat Bilal track, 'Overwhelmed' to amazing effect and is the pick of the new remixes from the recent Daedelus' album. A new Deep Medi release is always something worth checking and the deep hypnotic bass excursion from Finnish boys, Clouds is no exception.

Babe Rainbow hails from British Colombia and has been picked up by Warp records for good reason, his vibes are fresh and insanely varied and 'It's All Happening' is just too short. Rarebit, who is equally at home designing graphics as he is producing deep electronica, then went all experimental and jazzy with his 'Initiation-Quitters-Freedom' quirk out before Baths proved why he is one to watch with the more melodic beat excursion of 'The Vapors' before Babe Rainbow sneaked back into the show to prove his versatility with some impecable, leftfield hip hop. The Hip Hop baton was then picked up by one of my favourite back pack MCs, LA's Open Mike Eagle with the almost horizontal 'Nightmares'. Ta-Ku from down under then enlisted the vocal talents of John Robinson to show that hip hop is alive and well if you look hard enough and if you needed any more convincing along came Dudley Perkins and Paper Tiger with the stuttering, funky BUG remix of 'Worldwide Takeover'.

Tru-Thoughts have decided Omar didn't get the love he deserved from his last album Sing (If You Want It) and have rereleased it. On it's original release his label went bust and it never got the exposure it deserved and being as it's got Stevie Wonder on it and love from people like Eryka Badu and the like, I think they've got a point. If you missed it make sure you grab it this time! This was followed by an all too rare Pepe Bradock remix, this time of 'Too Many Kids Finding Rain In The Dust' from Nicolas Jaar - watch out for your bassbins with this one. Laurel Halo then provided some great percussive, atmospheric techno breaks from her new EP on Hippos In Tanks. Wiley's new album, on his return to Big Dada, is being touted as his best yet and all we know is this boy has got lyrics for days as the title track '100% publishing' goes to show. Roots Manuva another UK vocal heavyweight then showed his funky soulful side on 'Watch Me Dance' before we mixed up the styles in ridiculous fashion and ended up with the sound of summer, the title track from Recloose's new EP, 'Electric Sunshine'.

Daniel Haaksman - Strut Oriental featuring Salah Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Orchestra (Man Recordings)
Ye Mighty - Beyond (First Word Free download)
Daedelus - Overwelmed (Ninja Tune promo)
Clouds - Lots Of Calls from No One part 2 (Deep Medi promo)
Babe Rainbow - It's All Happening (Warp)
RareBit - Initiation-Quitters-Freedom (Non Projects)
Baths - The Vapors (Anticon)
Babe Rainbow - Greed feat. Yung Clova (Warp)
Open Mike Eagle - Nightmares (Hellfyre Club)
Ta-Ku - Confessions feat. John Robinson (Project Moon Circle promo)
Paper Tiger - Worldwide Takeover feat. Dudley Perkins, BUG rmx (Jus Like Music free download)
Omar - Your Mess (Tru-Thoughts promo)
Nicolas Jaar - Too Many Kids Finding Rain In The Dust, Pepe Bradock's Blind Pig mix (Circus Company)
Laurel Halo - Speed Of Rain (Hippos In Tanks)
Wiley - 100% Publishing (Big Dada)
Roots Manuva - Watch Me Dance (Ninja Tune promo)
Recloose - Electric Sunshine (Rush Hour promo)

Audio Texture Radio Show - June 10th & June 17th

2011-06-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

No time for idle chatter as Sonar shenanigans have stolen all my time so I'm just going to drop the track lists from last weeks and this weeks show.

June 10, 2011

Audio Texture Radio Show - June 10, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Frederic Robinson - Mood Swings (Brownwood promo)
Beaumont - Lucky (Kinnego promo)
Maguett - Orange Flame (Error Broadcast)
Holy Other - Touch (Tri Angle)
Szare - Active Five (Idle Hands)
Tevo Howard - Autumn Spell, Top Shelf September Mix (Hour House is Your Rush)
DEGO - Not In My Disco (2000 Black promo)
Tropics - Mouves (Planet Mu promo)
Incarnations - Meet Me At Midnight (Lovemonk)
Fink - Perfect Darkness (Ninja Tune)
Samiyam - Lifesized Stuffed Animal (Brainfeeder promo)
Mr. Scruff - Wobble Control (Ninja Tune promo)
El Kid - Construction No.104 (Astro:Dynamics)
Vezelay - Sedative (Planet Mu)

June 17, 2011

Audio Texture Radio Show - June 17, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Seun Anikulapo-Kuti & Egypt 80 - Rise (Knitting Factory promo)
Oddisee - Al Mawrada (Mello Music free download)
Versus - Mr Blue feat. Bruce Sherfield (Self Released)
Kidboy feat. Ohmega Watts - The Culture (Jazz and Milk promo)
Mia Doi Todd & Jose Gonzalez - Um Girassol da Cor do Seu Cabelo (Red Hot promo)
Boom Clap Bachelors - Lob Stop Sta feat. Coco O (Plug Research)
Amon Tobin - Surge, Emika Version (Ninja Tune promo)
Pavel Dovgal - Guinea (Project Moon Circle promo)
Space Ranger - Plastic Romance, MCDE Dub rmx (Lovemonk promo)
The Melton Brothers - Livin' In The City (Favourite promo)
Omar & Zed Bias - Dancin (Tru Thoughts)
George Fitzgerald - Reset (Aus promo)
AnD - Swing Me (Project Sqauared)
Machinedrum - She Died There (Planet Mu promo)

Sbtrkt - Pharoahs (Young Turks)

2011-06-21T04:09:00.000-07:00

So Sbtrkt has been hot for the last two years or so, steadily building up a pleasing string of releases and quality remixes and his debut album is about to drop. The hype has no doubt been helped by his insistence on hiding behind a mask, a rather annoying habit of late for attention seeking artists looking for a gimmick to help them rise above the oceans of wannabe artists, but at least with this boy he has some quality music to push and his intentions for doing so seem rather more genuine than most.

So anyway the album is up for streaming prior to it's release next week and we're listening whilst typing and whacking up a very quick blog post and we have to say we are damned impressed!

The production and arrangements are showing a pleasing maturity, influences abound from classic dance music and black music gone by all stitched together with super fresh beats, the collaborations are hot and a pleasing musicality pervades the whole affair with some great guest vocalists. It really is an accessible listen but with a depth which will keep you coming back after the summer months and initial hype have faded. So that's our first quick impressions, judge for yourself:

If you wanted to know a bit more about the man then check this following indepth interview from last year we've purloined in true web 2.0 fashion from Blackdowns excellent blog:
http://blackdownsoundboy.blogspot.com/

Blackdown: I first clocked your music about 18 months to two years ago. For someone we’d never come across, your music seemed really finished: had you started producing then? You seemed to be far further down the production curve than most people we first encounter.

SBTRKT: I’ve been creating music for about 10 years and spend most of my spare time in front of Logic messing with tunes. Ever since listening to Masters At Work mid 90s house, drum & bass from the Reinforced/ Metalheadz era through to 2-step I wanted to make tunes, & started messing with those sounds. My early stuff was more of an imitation of other artists rather than my own direction. Over time I learnt how to record and arrange any of the ideas I had in my head from the beats to bigger strings.

B: You DJ in a mask and you’ve seemingly come out of nowhere to remix number 1 records. Perhaps unsurprisingly I’ve heard lots of cheeky rumours about you, that you’re really well connected in the music business for a “new” producer, that you’re friends with Gilles Peterson, you know Sinden and Switch … hahaha. How do you plead?!

S: Lol. Not guilty! It’s true, no-one knew who I was when I sent tracks out as SBTRKT... I’m pretty anti 'well-connected' artists. The only reason people heard my tracks is because DJs like yourself and Mary Anne Hobbs/Sinden/Benji B started playing them first and then it caught on to DJs like Annie Mac, Skream, Zinc...

Twitter has been great at hitting people up - I just write tracks and let them out there through my email. Or I just chuck my new tracks up on Soundcloud for people to hear. Chances are they won’t come out for ages because I’m crap at hooking finished tracks up with labels!

I used go to plastic a lot ‘bout 5 years ago where I became friends with Sinden. We lost touch for a bit. And then he started supporting my sound without knowing he already knew me - he booked me as SBTRKT to play at his fabric night last year. Only on the night, after months, he found out it was me...

Remixing Tinie Tempah is just luck of the draw. I turned it down at first but then it came back on my iTunes and decided I would give it a go... didn’t realise the original was set to no.1!

I’m now getting a load of crazy remix requests prob on the back of that. J.L.S for example?! I love remixing but it’s got to be a decent track!

B: When you first started sending us beats , they had a percussive, 2step influence that pre-dated the “future garage” movement. How did you find yourself going down this path and why did you choose it…

S: I’ve always been big into 2step since its early days. When you are first buying music you try and find a sound that you call your own. And that was UK garage for me. Used to spend a lot of time & money as a kid down in Release the Groove & Uptown records basements. Jay Da Flex [Ghost] used to be my main source of knowledge in R.T.G. its kinda strange hearing the name being used now as when I first started playing around with sequencers I sent out CD demos to my mates named 'future garage'!

I was really into the Seiji/ Bugz world. That was my journey from 2-step thru broken beat to basically where Appleblim, Kode 9, Burial came around. Playing & making music which fused all the similar strands of electronic music I’m into.

Garage has also always been my link to London. So the image it creates in my head drifting over the pirate station airwaves back in the day is inseparable. It’s that thing people say like 'unless you been to Detroit you won’t really understand the music' or similarly to Berlin. London has always been my city so that swing element has always been in my music - however far removed from the original 2-step sound it is.

B: You’ve also been known to play live sets in clubs using Ableton. How did that come about and how is it better/worse than traditional DJing?

S: I used to play strictly vinyl sets but I lost the enjoyment of playing in a traditional way. Could never really settle on one - vinyl ,CDs, digital?!

Ableton definitely works for me. I can splice between loops and cue points in tracks & full songs. Guess you have to use your method and run with it. Cooly G is great with CDrs. Gaslamp Killer flips the way to use Serato and Derrick May I admire for his turntable mixing skills!

I’ve rarely seen anyone playing laptop sets I’m impressed with. Generally its either head in the screen or too much -too loud/ too many overdubs/ timestretch to oblivion! The laptop set is byword for shit these days/ I want to change that image!

B: As I mentioned above, you often DJ or play live in a mask: what role does it play and how is it important to your performance?

S: live performance and music in general these days seems to be about the celebrity of it. something I'm not into. the music i make is slightly unexpected and the mask is part of that idea. I'm really into old cultures and new, also my background has roots globally. its inspired the way i conceptually write music, and in the end its just the visual identity of that. Everyone knows what SBTRKT looks like and that's enough, I just want people to focus on the music, not on where I grew up or what I ate for lunch!

The mask itself is created by Hidden Place they are working on a lot of the visual stuff - more to come on that front for live shows later in the year...

B: Can you tell people about the releases you’ve had on different labels and what they were like…

S: Well, to this point there’s only been a few releases. I’ve had two vinyl releases out on Brainmath Recordings & one on Young Turks. All the tracks on these were the ones which got a lot of attention before the summer last year. The first tracks people heard really. 2020 on the Brainmath EP and “Soundboy Shift” on Young Turks both got some really good feedback.

I guess musically they are all quite different. I’ve never really stuck to a tempo or template sound. So it’s harder for people to pinpoint my style. I just write tracks I feel fit my mood.

There’s also been the EP I co-produced with Sinden last November. We decided to hook up and experiment, see what would come out. Really happy with what we made. Def sounds like a blurring of two worlds. Learnt a lot about what works in clubs by hearing what else he’s producing and playing out. Reckon I’ve shown him a few studio tricks of mine too! We’re working on a follow up for later in the year. Future releases are “Break Off,” a collab EP with Sampha which is on Ramp, and then a couple of bits on Tempa & some other labels that people will find out about soon.

Additionally working on a 2nd EP for Young Turks which should be out in July and to follow up with an album, which I’ve spent most of this year working towards. Trying to hold down these tracks until its all done, as things end up on YouTube within an hour or being on radio these days , then people won’t appreciate it when its actually released & fully mastered & packaged...

B: You’ve had some pretty high profile remixes of late: Basement Jaxx ft Kelis & Chipmunk, Gorillaz and most recently Tinie Tempah’s number 1. How did they come about and how did you approach each of them?

S: Yeh, some of them are big artists I always wanted to remix , other remixes I really enjoyed making were for Fantastic Mr Fox, These New Puritans, Cessa & Modeselektor too. Jaxx came about through the label, same as Tinie Tempah. I’d been sending tracks to Modeselektor for a few months when they asked if I’d like to remix them. An offer I couldn’t refuse! Massive massive fan of theirs. I like the challenge of reworking someone else’s track. Responses to remixes I’ve done have been really positive. Gorillaz aint gonna happen though for No. of reasons. That A&R video that did the rounds sums that up. Haha

B: You’ve recently played on Rinse and at FWD>>, what were those experiences like?

S: It’s a seminal night to play at. So- pretty big shoes to fill...
Was pondering whether I should Ableton to play at Plastic as it’s just not the done thing in that club! But Plastic has always been about forward thinking music from whatever era & of course the atmosphere & sonics. So the medium for me doesn’t matter.

Rinse was mad. Really enjoyed that session. Nice to be able to stretch out over 2 hours. Showcased a few other tunes I wouldn’t normally drop in club sets. Something I’ve tuned into over the past few years listening to the Dusk& Blackdown show, Skreams Stella session, Zincs & Roska etc.

B: What do you make of music right now? Do you find it inspiring, and if so, what is inspiring you? What other producers or scenes – if any – do you feel inspired by or musical kinship with?

S:It depends on my mood. Producers who sounds I’m feeling like Roska, Ramadanman, Untold, Faulty DL, James Blake, Mount Kimbie, Lil Silva, Dubbel Dutch, Blue Daisy, Zomby and of course the mighty Zinc and MJ Cole. And then in a slightly different musical plain I really like the music of Santigold, Metronomy, M.I.A, Little Dragon, The XX, Animal Collective: the songs, attitude & energy of all this stuff appeals to me.

Sometimes I go on a digging mission and find some inspiring West African stuff or early techno, or a danceable jazz record. It’s too easy to follow trends and make tracks which just fit with everything else people are playing. It’s not really your own musical vision or path anymore. That’s my main thing is to write tracks I want to create and listen to, not just because it ticks certain neat current comparison boxes: “tropical yep, funky yep, 8 bit yep, vocal stabs yep, Detroit yep.”

I’m pretty impatient in listening too. I hate badly arranged tracks, there’s gotta be a beginning, middle and end.

B: The music industry and the scenes that interact with it have changed massively in the last 5 years or so: how do you see those changes and how have they affected you

S: I think the change from the days of vinyl stores, distributors and label being the focal point of a scene. To now nights, radio and internet sharing is a massive leap. Lot of new producers are pretty comfortable with the new regime! But noticed a lot of more established producers can’t deal with the uncertainties. When I first made tracks there seemed like a huge barrier between knowing someone to get your played, to now where you can upload it and people can respond to it immediately , and all by completely bypassing the 'who you know school. The music fans speak for you! I don’t have a problem with the way things are now. It seems there’s more empowerment as an artist than before. I always worked from a distance too so it works well for me.

B: What are your next big musical challenges or projects?

S: Have a couple of projects on the go. First up on being the support artist with a band called Holy Fuck on their UK tour in May. It’s different to the way I’ve been doing performances so far, but don’t see why tracks have to confined to being played in a club.

Finishing a record is a big thing for me. Gives me an opportunity to show what kind of artist I am without it being just a single track heard in different places. Working on live performances for the end of the year but I’ll give more info on that when it’s clearer...

Sbtrkt Soundcloud
Sbtrkt Myspace

Young Turks website

Audio Texture Radio Show - June 3, 2011

2011-06-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - June 3, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Simple folky delights led us gently into this weeks show firstly with Grey Reverend, of Cinematic Orchestra fame and his one man and guitar sound, before DJ Cam mixed the pleasant vocals of Chris James with some orchestral strings and hip hop touches. Free The Beats is a handmade CD compilation series featuring unsigned artists and was the source of the delicate, stringy, delights of Howard before things took a turn for the dark, dramatic and testing sounds of the new Vladislav Delay Quartet album which comes highly recommended.

The enigmatic Downliners Sekt then kept things twisted and dubby with a track from their latest offering on Barcelona's Disboot label before Johnny Clark and King Tubby laid down the dub roots and Wrong Tom and Citizen Sound niced up the dance with some feel good reggae vibes. Hail Mary Mallon otherwise known as Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz then dropped some of that good old underground hip hop before Starkey further carried the hip hop torch, bassline style and made you wonder why more modern, forward thinking producers don't throw vocals over their fresh rhythms.

Kuedo is back with another EP coming soon on Planet Mu and we particularly liked the dreamy Hetoric remix of 'Shutter Light' before we gave you a little taster of the drum mental floater, 'Farthing Wood Dub' from Hype Williams, rather (un)surprisingly on Hyperdub. Alex Barck then displayed his musical pedigree and versatility by remixing ambient pioneers Popol Vuh to prog rocktastic effect - epic! Loose limbed house vibes then finished the show courtesy of Ossie and rising star based in the Middle East, Darling Farah.

Grey Reverend - Box (Motion Audio promo)

DJ Cam - Swim feat Chris James (Inflamable promo)

Howard - Music In Slow Motion (Free The Beats)

Vladislav Delay Quartet - Killing The Water Bed (Honest Jons)

Downliners Sekt - All I Can Hear Now (Disboot)

Johnny Clark - Roots Natty Congo, King Tubby Dub (BBE promo)

Wrong Tom meets Citizen Sound - We Do Dance (Irieites)

Hail Mary Mallon - Smock (Rhymesayers promo)

Starkey - Bricks feat Curly Castro (Civil Music promo)

Kuedo - Shutter Light Girl, Hetoric remix (Planet Mu promo)

Hype Williams - Farthing Wood Dub (Hyperdub promo)

Popol Vuh - Haram Dei haram Dei, Alex Barck Prog Rock Edit (SPV promo)

Ossie - Set The Tone (Hyperdub)

Darling Farah - Crown (Civil Music promo)

Brownswood Electr*c 2 (Brownswood)

2011-06-08T03:11:00.000-07:00

Just had to give you all a quick heads up on the new Brownswood Electr*c 2 comp which is an impressive round up of today's freshest beats. The original comp came out this time last year highlighting the then still emerging talents of Pearson Sound, George Fitzgerald and Mount Kimbie amongst others so keep your eye on this years selection for some big names in the making.

The idea with the selection is to focus on the grey areas between genres, those microgenres, fusion moments that are hard to categorize except perhaps under the heading of 'good electronic music', although most of the tunes have a pleasing melodic thread running through their sequenced veins.

So what can you expect? Well here's a few names which might ring a bell or not: DJ Dials, Koreless, Gang Colours (see our previous related blog post), Frederic Robinson, Synkro & Indigo for starters. Don't worry if you are none the wiser as neither were we until we had a listen and that is one of the joys of this comp, not only is it great from beginning to end it's a great introduction to the new boys on the electronic music underground block.

Expect stuttering cosmic dubstep vocal vibes from Monky, hypnagogic bassline house from Anenon, the most 'liquid', languid and progressive drum and bass from Frederic Robinson, delicate James Blakesque post dubstep from DJ Dials, anthemic feel good house mutations from Jack Dixon and frenetic Juke to test the most agile of footwerkers from Stray amongst a whole heap more. In fact there was only one track that didn't appeal and in this day and age that is a result, believe us.

So with no further ado, here's a little taster for your ears:

Brownswood electr*c 2 // Album Teaser by Brownswood

Brownswood website

Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaim - SomeOthaShip (MelloMusic)

2011-06-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

"Like Lao Tzu in Hiphop Mello Music Group provides music for the soul, from the heart of American culture, opening the realm of the intelligent Hiphop experience through melodic evocations, beats that corroborate the truth, and voices that roar above the rising void and impose order on the terrible & triumphant moments of everyday life. This is the compelling sound of Mello Music Group."

Mello Music don't just talk the talk they have constantly delivered their manifesto, only dealing with the modern torch bearers of thinking American black music as their roster testifies with sweet, soulful beat don Apollo Brown, the think before they talk lyricist's Trek Life and Oddisee amongst their roster and of course the one and only Georgia Anne Muldrow and Delaime (otherwise know as Dudley Perkins)

So it was more of a pleasant surprise this morning when we noticed that Mello Music are giving away the Georgia Anne Muldrow and Declaime album SomeOthaShip which we were championing on the radio show when it first dropped at the start of last year and we thought we'd help spread the word.

The duo certainly pulled in the favours with this album with all sorts of like minded guests vocalists and producers jumping in to lend a hand including Kool G Rap, MED, Big Pooh & Flying Lotus. The album veers between the cosmic G-Funk of 'Endure' to club bangers 'Heaven or Hell', the hip shaking funk vibes of 'Get Up' remixed by Oddisee or the interstellar beats and erudite lyrics of 'Mages Sages II' produced by Flying Lotus.

Really you shouldn't need much more encouragement to swap your email address for a high quality download of this album. Just turn it up and help spread the Mello Music word.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/someothaship"&amp;gt;SomeOthaShip by Mello Music Group&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Here's a cool little video of Georgia Anne working on a remix for A Suite For Ma Dukes - how musical is her kid going to be!!

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Georgia Anne Muldrow Remix: Untitled/Fantastic

Mello Music Bandcamp
Georgia Anne Muldrow Myspace
Delaime (Dudley Perkins) Myspace
Epistrophikpeachsound Blog

Miles Bonny - Lumberjack Soul (Melting Pot Music)

2011-06-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

Miles Bonny could well be your next favourite soul singer. After gracing the soul underground for the last few years his debut album, on the ever excellent MPM record label from Cologne, could well be what deservedly pushes this singer into the wider consciousness.

Dubbed as "the missing link between D'Angelo and Willy Nelson" (!) this Kansas city resident is the son of professional trumpet player, Frances Bonny. He played his first notes at the tender age of two and whilst attending rehearsals with his dad he met and was inspired by the likes of Tito Puente and Max Roach, now that's what we call musical pedigree.

Miles has already released a few singles and collaborated with the likes of DJ Day, Shawn Lee, 74 Miles Away and Portformat amongst other Audio Texture favorites and the new album contains his early releases as well as five new tracks. Production credits are spread far and wide with DJ Day, The Ins, Suff Daddy, Kova, Testiculo Y Uno, Nicholas Kopernicus, 74 Miles Away and others all involved in the knob twiddling.

The album could probably be summed up as Sunday morning soul, with most tracks structured around languid beats and smokey trumpet licks with the exception a couple of tracks including his cover of The Meters, 'Handclapping Song' which gets all funky and uptempto just as you are sinking into the album's lazy, sensuous folds. Covers play an important part in the album with the Rapael Saadiq tracks 'Still Ray' & 'What's Life Like', Jerry Butler's 'Hey Birly' and even Kermit The Frog's, 'A Song From Kermit', we kid you not, intertwined amongst the original compositions.

There are no duffers on the album and it's a great listen start to finish right with particular highlights being the jazzy delights of 'Yes I Do', the uplifting 'Learning To Fly', the hoarse, "countrified", 'Nuthin' But Chu' and all the covers which are all exceptional, but there really is nothing that's going to make you want to skip a track.

Here is the video and slow sexy musical delights of 'J. Birly':

Check the full album and pre-order from Bandcamp:

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://milesbonnympm.bandcamp.com/album/lumberjack-soul"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Lumberjack Soul by Miles Bonny MPM&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Check 'Nuthin' but Chu' below and download for free on the MPM site here

Miles Bonny - Nothing But You by MPMCGN

Miles Bonny Facebook
MPM Website (For loads of great soulful, funky, hip hop vibes)

David Rodigan's Dubwize Shower (BBE Records)

2011-06-01T06:07:00.000-07:00

So David Rodigan shouldn't need any introduction to the reggae lovers amongst you but to the uninitiated he is a 60 years old white English radio dj and selector respected around the world, including Jamaica. He can play dub plates for days and any sound system that comes up against him knows they are in for a rough ride.

After two great trips, largely down sweet roots reggae memory lane, with his first two compilations for BBE: Real Authentic Reggae Volumes 1 and 2, Rodigan is back. This time he is taking a look into the world of Jamaican dub and again the focus is largely on the sounds of reggae's good old days. There are plenty of tracks from the late, great, dub originator King Tubby, Errol T & The Matador, Keith Hudson and Sly and Robbie amongst others but the compilation also gives a nod to the new boys who are occasionally flying the flag for modern Jamaican dub including Alborosie & Da Grynch.

Now you know the selection is tighter than tight and as you'd expect, if you are familiar with Rodigans musical leanings, generally erring on the sweeter, soulful and melodic side of the genre. Check out a couple of little tasters of the delights to come below before the release date in July:

If you want to find out more about the man behind the compilation then here's a great little video interview with his outspoken feelings on modern Jamaican music and some amazing anecdotes, followed by a couple little of interview snippets which should also be of interest:

Latest tracks by Rodigan.com

David Rodigan's website
BBE Records website

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 27, 2011

2011-05-31T02:53:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 27, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Sad news this week with the passing of Gil Scott Heron, a true musical legend and one of the most insightful political and social commentators of his generation, at least he went out on a high note after a couple of decades of ups and downs with his last album, RIP. Arthur Verocai kept the vintage vocals flowing, Brazilian style, with a dramatically arranged slice of soul jazz. Hawa then graced us with some brand new retro vibes from her great debut album coming very soon on Favourite recordings, excellent. I then dropped some tropical vibes courtesy of pysch-inclined latin funksters, Octote Soul Sounds from their new album, Taurus. Batida, all the way from Angola then mashed up the dance with a crazy riddim and some great soulful African vocals.

Gang Gang Dance are always worth checking and the future Balearic classic, 'Romance Layers' is, in my humble, the best cut from their new album. Gagarin then got all electronic, extra terrestrial and experimental with 'Dunnock' but it could have been any of a few cuts from his great new self titled album. DOK then re-invented G Funk with an East London grime twist with the aptly titled 'West Coast', which sounded fat on a big system when I heard Kode 9 drop it on the weekend.

Loose 4/4 vibes took over the second half of the show kicking off with the tripped out, uplifting hazy house sound of Benjamin Jackson before I gave you a taste of the forthcoming Crewdson album - Gravity and his trademark complex, yet melodic threaded, blend of electronica. The album definitely has hidden depths and is getting better with every listen, always a good sign. Brownswood new boy Gang Colours then let loose with some post garage dreaminess from his outstanding, soon to be releaed, EP. Patrick Zigon then dubbed up the dance with a great slice of twisted bass throbbing quirkiness which led nicely into the deep, sprawling, hypnotic bass heavy sounds of Deadbeat and a taster of the world of dub that awaits on his forthcoming new album, Drawn and Quartered.

Gil Scott Heron - Winter In America (Arista)

Arthur Verocai - Velho Parente (Luv n Haight)

Hawa - So Wrong (Favourite promo)

Ocote Soul Sounds - Tumba Del Payaso (ESL)

Batida - La Vai Maria feat Ize Teixeira (Akwaaba)

Finn Peters - Purple (Mantella promo)

Gang Gang Dance - Romance Layers (Warp)

Gagarin - Dunnock (Geo)

DOK - West Coast feat Terror Danjah (Hyperdub promo)

Benjamin Jackson - Tareco Drive (The Analogue Quadrant)

Crewdson - Starting Out On The Wrong Foot (Slowfoot promo)

Gang Colours - Dance Around The Subject (Brownswood promo)

Patrick Zigon - Momento Magico feat Caramelo Criminal (Danza Macabra promo)

Deadbeat - Fouth Quarter (Blkrtz promo)

Gang Colours - Is Your Gut Like A Knife (Brownswood)

2011-05-26T02:13:00.000-07:00

Artist ALERT!! Now new music comes our way all the time and more than established artists producing good music we get even more excited by new producers and groups who come and slap us around the ears with fresh new sounds and promise, Gang Colours is most definitely one of those.

Completely off our radar until yesterday, Gilles Peterson's label, Brownswood (who were originally tipped off about this boy by Ghostpoet chatting about one of his Myspace friends) kindly just his us with the Gang Colours debut EP which will be dropping on June 6th and we were immediately hooked by the spacious beats, hazy vibes, melodic joys and most of all the fresh sounds this boy is using. This boy is a beat producing wolf not a sheep.

So enough of the words for your eyes, turn up your stereo and get you ears around the EP's slowest, dreamiest cut 'In Your Gut Like A Knife' and put June 6th in your diary:

In Your Gut Like a Knife by Gang Colours

Here's the soundcloud EP teaser:
Gang Colours // In Your Gut Like A Knife // EP Teaser by Brownswood

You can also cut a free download of Gang Colours great 2-step remix of the unreleased Lucky Paul, 'Slowground' EP on the great new Somethinksounds label, just follow this link to the Xlr8 website

Gang Colours Soundcloud (new EP is better!)
Gang Colours Myspace
Brownswood Records Website

Banda Black Rio - Super Nova Samba Funk (Far Out)

2011-05-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

We almost spat our tea all over the computer screen when we got the notification this morning of a new Banda Black Rio album. Having just revovered we then almost choked on our toast and marmite when we read they had also dragged Seu Jorge, Marcio Local, Elza Soares and Caetano Veloso amongst others into the studio as well. They've even enlisted Flame Killer and GOD PT3 from the Mobb Deep crew on 'Back to the Project' to share their ghetto drug and violence tales, all too familiar in the favelas, to keep the cross cultural vibes right up to date.

Now that wouldn't be much good if the music didn't sound good and from the track snippets below it look like the album is going to be one of the soundtracks to our summer. There is uptempo vocal jazz fusion on 'Louis Lane' feat Seu Jorge, one of our favourite modern samba soulsters, Marcio Local doing the business on the broken, building soul killer 'Quem Vem Lá', the fresh Brazilian boogie of 'Som De Preto' and the classic sounding string laden mellow vibes of 'Aos Pes do Redentor' featuring Caetano Veloso.

So with no further ado check out what it sounds like:

Banda Black Rio - Super Nova Samba Funk by Far Out Recordings

Here's a classic slice of Banda Black Rio doing it live back in the day followed by a bit more info about the group and the project from the press release:

Formed in Rio De Janeiro, 1976, Banda Black Rio pioneered the soul-funk movement in Brazil led by renowned saxophonist Oberdan Magalhaes. As global stars of the politically charged Black Rio movement, emerging almost a decade earlier from the Soul Brasileiro genre, BBR brought together Rio’s black funk scene to rally against repression, a conservative record industry and white middle class press to mobilise disenchanted black Brazilian youth against the military dictatorship that mirrored the struggles in North America. Banda Black Rio released a string of unforgettable recordings in the late-1970s from 1977 debut album, Maria Fumaça, on Warner Music to 1978’s Gafieira Universal on RCA Recordings that is considered one of the all-time great Brazilian jazz-funk records. The third album, SaciPererê, was also released in 1978 by which point the band had made a lasting impact both in Brazil and abroad. Following the death of original band leader Oberdan Magalhães in 1984 the band stopped recording and performing. Far Out’s Joe Davis helped the rare-groove scene rediscover BBR in the early 90s supplying the top DJs such as Gilles Peterson and Norman Jay with the imported vinyl before celebrated artists such as Mos Def and Incognito recorded their songs to further resurrect the legendary band’s name. With a renaissance in Brazil's black music culture led by a new generation of soul, funk and hip hop artists BBR finally arrived back with a brand new formation for comeback album Rebirth in 2000, before launching their most ambitious project to date with 2011’s Super Nova Samba Funk – the group’s sixth studio album produced and led by William Magalhães.

The philosophy on Super Nova Samba Funk remains the same: celebrating the musicality of black Brazil through strong lyrical representation and its unique combination of jazz, funk, soul, samba and gafieira. Title track opener Super Nova Samba Funk and Samba Nova are two instrumental tracks that showcase Rio’s finest players who together form BBR. Isabela combines elegant brass, jazz and gafieira swing that counts the special input of Elza Soares – the legendary scatting samba singer – and Cesar Carmargo Mariano – the famed pianist and arranger, father of Maria Rita, and husband to Elis Regina. Irerê is built around a beautiful melody sung to Africa by Gilberto Gil – bossa nova MPB and tropilcalia revolutionary. Nossa Jornada, Final Feliz and Aos Pés do Redentor, featuring Tropicalia and bossa pioneer Caetano Veloso, confirm Afro-Brazilian roots exist in bossa nova and samba.

Seu Jorge – world famous Brazilian musician, singer, songwriter and actor famed for his roles in City of God and Life Aquatic whose latest music project with Almaz signed to Stones Throw Records – distinctive samba vocals fire the infectious Brazilian soul-pop of Louis Lane; Marcio Local – a major new Brazilian star signed to David Byrne’s Luaka Bop imprint – combines samba and soul on the swinging “carioca” melody Quem Vem lá. Rap and R&B brings respected artists such as Dom Pixote and Mano Brown as well as notorious Queens, New York, rappers from the million-selling Mobb Deep crew Flame Killer – extensively featured with Mobb Deep – and God Pt3 – leading member in Blaq Mobb & Infamous Mobb – on US East Coast hip-hop collaboration track Back to the Project.

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 20, 2011

2011-05-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 20, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

I eased you into this weeks show with a track from the new Fourcolor (aka Keichi Sugimoto) album, As Pleat a great new addition to the ever dependable 12K recordings before I dropped the title track from my album of the week the forthcoming Dakota Suite 'The Hearts Of Empty' which is simply wonderful. Africa Hitech then gave us an uptempo deep spiritual tribal vibe with the excellent 'Light The Way' one of the highlights of the new tracks from this rather inconsistent project.

It was a great excuse though to hit you with an organic African section ably started by Bombino, a rising star in the whole desert blues genre before some classic Congolese vibes with an East African twist carried on the vibe, good old Franco. Idrissa Diop & Cheickh Tidiane Tall then shifted the focus on to the golden age of Senegalese music before German funksters, Karl Hector & The Malcouns showed that scuzzy, pysched out Ethiopian vibes are a wonderful thing - check their new EP on Now Again, deadly.

Now Miles Bonny has been dubbed the missing link between D'Angelo and Willy Nelson, perhaps rather optimistically by his PR crew, but their is no denying he's no lightweight and his new album is a great modern soul work and rock solid start to finish. Saturn Never Sleeps, the Sun-Ra inspired project of King Britt and Rucyl Mills, is a wonderful thing and last week they gave away an interstellar slice of future soul called 'Tory', wow. Dego then kept the fresh soul vibes rolling with a track he gave away last week featuring Bembe Segue and David Okumo. Doesn't anyone sell music any more?

Jack and Juke then treated us to their great Sugar Hill Gang cover version '9th Wonder' which funnily was also a giveaway last week, along with 15 other nice tunes, as part of the label's 7th birthday celebrations before Floating Points came in and stole the show with a great meandering slice of future boogie which paved the way for Jin Choi to end the show on a lovely deep quirky scat vocal house vibe, I just wished I could have played all of it.

Fourcolor - Bleach Black (12K promo)

Dakota Suite - The Hearts Of Empty (Karaoke Kalk promo)

Africa Hitech - Light The Way (Warp)

Bombino - Tar Hani (Cumbancha)

Franco & Le Tout Puissant OK Jazz - Ku Kisantu Kikwenda Ko (Sterns)

Idrissa Diop & Cheikh Tidiane Tall - Caridad (Teranga Beat)

Karl Hector & The Malcouns - M'Hammath (Now Again)

Miles Bonny - What's Life Like (MPM promo)

Saturn Never Sleeps - Tory (Free download)

Dego - Sunchine ft Bembe Segue & Dave Okumu (Free Download)

Jack & Juke - 9th Wonder (First Word free download)
Floating Points - Marilyn (Eglo Promo)

Jin Choi - Half Baked, Vinyl Edit (Serialism promo)

Popol Vuh Revisited & Remixed, 1970-1999 (SPV)

2011-05-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

Popol Vuh is a corpus of mytho-historical narratives of the post classic Quické kingdom in Guatemala's western highlands. The title translates as "Book of the People" (what would we do without Wikipedia). More importantly Popol Vuh were also a pioneering German kraut rock band who split up after the death of the band's founder, Florian Fricke, 10 years ago.

The band were way ahead of their time and their first album Affenstunde, released in 1970 and using the, then new, sounds of the Moog synthesizer coupled with ethnic percussion, was one of the earliest ambient albums and also an early example of global fusion. Later piano led musical explorations of religious themes are also deemed pioneering recordings in the 'New Age' genre, but please don't hold that against them. Werner Herzog employed the band to soundtrack several of his films including Nosferatu, Aguirre and Cobra Verde with Fricke even making a screen appearance in The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Florian Fricke's passing SPV are releasing a 2CD compilation featuring one disc highlighting their ambient and electronica side plus selected soundtrack work from some of Werner Herzog's classic films and a second CD of remixes by a really well selected bunch of contemporary bands and producers including Stereolab, Moritz von Oswald, Peter Kruder and Mike Vainio amongst others.

Now there is no getting away from the fact that a lot of the original cuts sound a bit dated but it must never be forgotten how mind blowing and inspirational to a generation of musicians those tracks actually were. Apart from ambient trainspotters most people are going to cite Brian Eno as ambient's main pioneer but he didn't start going all musically horizontal until five years after these boys.

So CD1 is an interesting historical musical document but the remixes drag these seminal tracks into the new millenium and are destined to inform a new generation about Popol Vuh. Look out for emotive building deep house from Peter Kruder, bass heavy hypnotic grooves from the Orb's Thomas Fellmann, our personal favourite an epic sprawling prog rock inspired mix from Alex Barck, a deep house dubscape from Mortiz von Oswald, an eight bit beat adventure from Mouse On Mars and a lighter more playful rework from Stereolab amongst other worthy reworkings from the likes of Mike Vainio, Haswell & Hecker and A Critical Mass amongst others. The double CD with remixes will be hitting the shops in June.

If you want a taster of some of the bands original works then head over to their soundcloud page

Here's a little video taster of some of the remixes using grainy old Super-8 footage of the band in their heyday:

Popol Vuh Myspace
SPV website

First Word Is 7 (First Word Records free download)

2011-05-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

So First Word is 7 years old which in these tough times for music and small independent labels in particular is a ripe old age and to celebrate they have put together a nice little compilation from their catalogue which is up for FREE download for seven days from now.

If you don't know this nice UK based label have been putting out some quality Hip Hop, Soul, Funk, Jazz and Beats since 2003 including artists like The Haggis Horns, Kidkanevil, Eliphino, Lotek, The Simonsound and the Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra, just in case you didn't think they were serious.

Kidkanevil kicks things off with a couple of leftfield beat adventures before Homecut supplies some conscious hip hop and one of our favourite new generation beatmakers, Elephino, drops some classy jazzy instrumental hip hop vibes. Red then goes on a bass bin destroying sci-fi mission before Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra send out some classy Afrobeat vibrations.

Lotek gets forceful but fair on a righteous riddim, paving the way nicely for Herma Puma to deliver his distinctive vocals over some fresh beats before ASM gets all hyperactive over some classic drums. Simonsound then goes vaguely mental in the electro-sonic lab before Souleance return us to the soulful sounds of planet earth and The Haggis Horns hop on a plane to Mama Africa for a tasty slice of jazzy Afrobeat. Jack & Juke then provide a funky as hell cover of Sugar Hill Gang's '8th Wonder' with a electro twist before 6is Toys go back to the soul and funk source with their 'Do Your Thing' swinger.

Honestly this compilation is something you wouldn't mind paying for it's that's good so a BIG thank you to First Word. Many Happy returns and here's to another seven years of quality music. Cheers.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://shop.firstwordrecords.com/album/first-word-is-7"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;First Word is 7 by First Word Records&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

First Word Records Website

Dego - Sunshine ft Bembe Segue & David Okumu/Eyelids Heavy (2000 Black free download)

2011-05-19T06:12:00.000-07:00

Dego has a music history longer than most from rave to drum and bass, nu-jazz, broken beat and nu-soul this boy has been around and although I'm sure he is despairing at his diminishing returns from record sales he is still putting out the quality tunes and in a fit of generousity, this time for free (if you count exchanging your email address as free)

First up on the downlaod is 'Eyelids Heavy' a stripped back UK house mutation. A simple but funky bassline and unobtrusive but persuasive keys keep the broken beats rolling from a sparse intro through to it's jazzy and abrupt finish. The real gem here though is a great slice of nu-soul. If you liked the Saturn Never Sleeps tune we posted earlier this week then you'll love 'Sunshine'. West London vocal stalwart Bembe Segue provides the sweet sexy vocals whilst my favourite UK guitarist, Dave Okumu, long time jazz trooper but best known for his indie fusion project The Invisible, noodles along in the background over some classic nu-soul beats. It's all about mixing up the styles but holding down the quality.

2000 Black Website

Vezelay - Lyre EP (Planet Mu)

2011-05-18T04:25:00.000-07:00

Right, enough gangster 9mm bullet headphone shizzle let's get into some dreamy French produced pop music and when we say pop we don't mean the Take That reunion. Vezelay is 30 year old Matthieu Le Berre from Clermont-Ferrand in France and this new Planet Mu EP is his debut release. All we can say is it was worth the wait.

Vezelay inhabits a dream land where pop structures provide a loose framework for delicate, thoughtful vocals, THC sedated MPC operators throw in slo-mo beats so you don't lose all track of reality and lazy and hazy is the order of the day.

Now this is one of those EPs that didn't grab us straight away but after repeated listens it slowly but surely sucked us into it's hypnogocic depths and musical delights. The only problem is we've got a load of work to do and after listening to this it feels like Sunday morning. The release date is June 20th but have a little early listen to the opening track below and see what you think.

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://vezelay.bandcamp.com/album/lyre-ep"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Lyre EP by Vezelay&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Vezelay Bandcamp Page
Planet Mu Website

Munitio Bullet Headphones

2011-05-18T01:04:00.000-07:00

We've got to admit to being the most gangster of companies, but we're loving these 9mm Titanium bad boy headphones from Munitio.

Nice idea, brilliantly executed and ideal for bumping the latest Pusha T joints as you're pimpin your ride.

Munitio Website

Saturn Never Sleeps - Troy (Free download)

2011-05-17T00:44:00.000-07:00

Download the new Saturn Never Sleeps (King Britt) single below for the price of your email..

After the whole nu-jazz scene died a death and downsized to even smaller club back rooms King Britt went even further underground as well but never stopped putting out great music. Anyway a new album is due out in the summer called Yesterday's Machine and 'Troy' is the first single from it featuring Buddy Sativa on keys - we're excited already.

Here's a bit more info about the whole Saturn Never Sleeps project:

Saturn Never Sleeps came about when music producer King Britt and singer/artist Rucyl collaborated in 2009 for two improvisational performances specifically dedicated to the music and sound of fellow Philadelphian Sun-Ra. Carrying on in the tradition of Sun Ra’s vision of process as art, they decided to continue their project, which led to a year of amazing opportunities, performing at Moogfest (USA), Stadtmusik Festival (Basel, Switzerland), Art Basel (Miami), Micro-cosmos (Tokyo) and residencies in Philadelphia/NYC.

The duo have been inspired by the works of classic electronic innovators like Herbie Hancock, Raymond Scott, Delia Derbyshire, the present day forward-thinking electronic scene as well as experimental composers, dub and rocksteady. These inspirations have transpired in a solid stage show combining laptop/electronics with heart melting vocals and improvised electronic instrumentation, heavy bass vibrations and sonic ambience.The live two person show consists of King Britt on samples, beats, and textures with Rucyl layering vocals and added electronics. Often both performers vary their live rigs with home-brew music applications and experimental noise makers. Their sound resonates with fans of artists like Massive Attack, Little Dragon, Sun Ra and Philip Glass. Recently opening for TV on the Radio and Sun Ra Arkestra, music collectors and young audiences alike are taking notice of their unique approach to songs.

Their debut album, Yesterday’s Machine, combines an experimental create-in-the-moment vibe with inspirational lyrics and vocal sonics that range from Sade tones to Flora Purim’s ethereal layers. The result is well-crafted, intelligent, genre-pushing, electronic soul rooted in the duo’s collective years of experience and musical expanse. To be released in July 2011 on their label, SNS.

Saturn Never Sleeps blog
Saturn Never Sleeps Website

Hollie Cook - Hollie Cook (Mr. Bongo)

2011-05-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

So let's get the hype out of the way first, Hollie is the daughter of Paul Cook, who if you are 50, you might remember as the drummer from the sex pistols. So growing up she was surrounded by music and musicians which could explain the career choice and the fact she ditched performing arts school to go on tour with Ari Up and the reformed Slits. Can't blame her really.

The next steps on her career were collaborations with Ian Brown, Jamie T and most importantly Prince Fatty where the seeds of this album were sown. Now Hollie is a fan of classic reggae singers like Janet Kay and Phyllis Dillon as well as classic 60's girl groups and with Prince Fatty she has produced a fresh sounding reggae hybrid which at first we found a bit unsettling but soon learnt to love, Hollie calls it 'Tropical Pop'. Her voice has a sweet innocence to it and coupled with some authentic roots reggae riddims it's a lethal combination. We're telling you this album could be everywhere over the summer, and if it is, the warmer months will sound a whole lot better for it.

If that wasn't enough you also get the likes of Omar, Dennis bovell, George Dicker (Pioneers), Style Scott and Horseman all involved for good measure. Now 'Milk and Honey' might not need an introduction as it got widespread radio play from the Prince Fatty album and featured on Grey's Anatomy but this album is far from a one trick pony. We are also loving 'Cry(Disco Mix)' which juxtaposes Hollies sweet vocals with some gruffer ruffer male vocals, her immense version of the Shangri-Las' 'Walkin In The Sand' and the affarirs of the heart winner 'That Very Night', though the album is full of crackers start to finish.
Here's a couple of little tasters for you:

Walking In The Sand by Hollie Cook

Milk & Honey by Hollie Cook

Hollie Cook Website
Hollie Cook Soundcloud
Prince Fatty Website
Mr. Bongo Website

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 13, 2011

2011-05-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 13, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Happy Days, Red Snapper have got a new album, always something to celebrate in my book and this one doesn't disappoint and with quite a few mellower tracks on as the opening 'You Read My Cards Wrong' track testifies. Caural has a 'new' project with long term collaborator Jason Hunt which was originally conceived in 1995 and is now finally seeing the light of day, swapping the beats for a rockier edge - check it. Somethinksounds, the label of the Somethinkblue crew, aren't releasing much but what they are is quality, as the new Lucky Paul EP testifies - look out for the wicked Elephino remix as well. Electric Cowbell have realized not everyone has got a record player and are about to put out a CD and digital compilation of it's collectible 45's showcasing the varied sound of the big apple.

Zackey Force Funk is usually more at home robbing banks with baseball bats but has found the time to come out with an EP of grimy electro funk on fledgling label Machino Muerte, nasty shit as the 'Pistolgrip' track testifies. I like him. Letherette then showed that, after the Young Montana? album, the west midlands is the next hottest beat making center of the universe, I like their fresh take on vintage music. Now Mo Kolours has been getting a lot of love and rightly so and his debut EP is now in the shops, go buy, it's as fresh as anything out there as the 'Dead Of Night' taster shows. Also out about now is the LV album and it's a great fusion of dubstep's ruder roots and the new more sophisticated post dubstep sounds.

The Jono McCleery hype machine is gearing up and rightly so. The album is out end of year but Counter are starting to tease with some new bits and choice remixes including a killer Seiji remix, easily the most interesting thing he's done in years. Holly Cook then brightened up proceedings with 'Milk and Honey' from her reggae meets soul and pop, debut album, set to soundtrack many a BBQ it could be massive, she's the daughter of Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols don't you know. Now Birdy is a 14 year old being swept up by the hype machine and making Bon Ivor fans hate her in equal measure and some cheecky remixes arrived this week. I dropped the Lunice remix but the Jack Sparrow twist is growing on me, seek them out.

Mayer Hawthorne has just released a free download of 6 cover versions, 'Work It Out' being my favourite, check my Mayer blog post for more info. Americana is a new comp coming from BBE focussing on the murky world of AOR (look it up) and it's fusions with the world of black American music from days gone by - smooth, sexy, grooving and your mum will like it as well. SoulParlor is putting out an album on Tokyo Dawn soon and it's full of progressive beats, soul jazz flavours and a hip hop/spoken word twist not to mention some nice remixes, look out for it. As promised I finally dropped the Erodiscotique cut from Dimitri from Paris and DJ Rocca which led nicely into a new Moodyman remix of Billie Holiday from a generally pretty poor set of new Verve remixes before finishing off with some great techno bassline business from Breach and T. Williams.

Red Snapper - Your Read My Cards Wrong (V2 Benelux promo)
Boy King Islands - Lights In My Sky (Eat Concrete promo)
Lucky Paul - Thought We Were Alone (Somethinksounds promo)
Superhuman Happiness - Human Happiness (Electric Cowbell promo)
Zackey Force Funk - Pistolgrip (Machino Muerte promo)
Letherette - Shoe Be Do (Ho_Tep promo)
Mo Kolours - Dead Of Night (One Handed Music)
LV ft Joshua Idehen - Murkish Delights (Keysound promo)
Jono McCleery - Garden, Seiji remix (Counter Records promo)
DZA - Twat (Project Moon Circle/Jus Like Music promo)
Hollie Cook - Milk and Honey (Mr Bongo promo)
Birdy - Skinny Love, Lunice remix (White)
Mayer Hawthorne - Work To Do (free download)
Midnight Flyer - I Just Want To Love You (BBE promo)
SoulParlor - Real feat Colonel Red, Opolopo rmx (Tokyo Dawn promo)
Erodiscotique - Downtown (Gomma)
Billie Holiday - That Ol Devil Called Love, Moodyman rmx (Verve promo)
Breach - Fatherless, T. Williams remix (PTN promo)

Americana - Rock Your Soul, Blue Eyed Soul & Sounds from the Land of the Free (BBE Records)

2011-05-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

BBE Records are one of the kings of the compilation world, especially when it comes to classic black music. Killer disco, soul, funk, house, reggae, latin jazz, hip hop comps abound, not to mention an increasing amount of solo artist albums so you've always got to sit up and take notice when a new release is on the horizon.

For their new Americana comp they have recruited a couple of deep collectors from the UK, Zafar Chowdhry and Mark Taylor. Not household names unless you're a vinyl collecting loon but two guys serious about their music and who happened to be trawling the crates around the same time for blue eyed soul, that hazy meeting of classic soul, jazz, funk and disco with soft rock, country and pop.

Now this compilation is not going to appeal to the youth music market but to anyone with open ears it's an absolute gem. A bit like a lot of Bossa the comp walks a fine line between impecable playing and the world of musical cheese and you never seems to be far away from a schmaltzy string arrangement but the inherent soul keeps it well anchored on the right side of the fence even though your mum would probably like it. I've been sitting here in the studio all Sunday morning with the album on repeat and it's been the perfect soundtrack to my day.

It's also been a real eye opener having pretty much ignored the genre and having never heard the bulk of the artists on the album, but the next time I'm flipping through the racks I'll pay a bit more attention to those albums with dodgy covers by the likes of the James Walsh Gypsy Band, Evans Pyramid and Babadu.

Here's a couple of little tasters for you:

Here's what Zafar has to say about the compilation:

We have known each other since the late 80's and as is the case in many friendships, music of course was the main catalyst. We had lost touch due to family life etc, but again the lure of music brought us together again. We have both shared exactly the same musical tastes throughout, and Mark contacted me about a record I had sold to Gilles Peterson, asking if I had another copy. The conversation eventually turned to records and what we were chasing , and again in perfect symmetry both of us were going back to the sounds of our youth, A.O.R. (Adult Orientated Rock). Absurd abbreviation for such a great genre, but basically to us it was soft rock with elements of soul, jazz, funk, folk & disco. Which exactly what this compilation has.

After many conversations over the phone on what both of us had collected in this genre I suggested we do a comp. I had spoken with Peter years before about doing a comp for BBE and never got round to it, but this seemed the perfect project to launch with BBE. So myself & Mark both dug out 8 tracks each and instantly realised we had an absolute classic compilation in the making. The mad thing about the programming of this comp is that there is none. Mark gave me 8 tracks in no particular order & I just added my 8 tracks to the end of his. The flow is seamless and they sound great after one another, and the point is when you have beautiful music it doesn't matter which order you put it in. As well as mainland USA material, we've also included five tracks that originate from Hawaiian artists that fit nicely into this genre of music. We are both working on sourcing material for the Americana 2.

Here's some of the press release:

If you were inclined to put a location as the source of our Americana compilation – although the music here largely originates from other parts of the great union – it would be California. With its vast open-plan landscape and one season (summer) per year, it typifies the expansive style of songwriting that is contained in this compilation that stands in stark contrast to the claustrophobic (yet no less alluring) musical approach of Europeans. There’s arguably something in the climate that dictates much of our musical terrain, whether it be the sweaty loose-hipped funk of New Orleans or the frenetic and frosty four-on-the-top of Detroit’s Motown. American songs are born out of an optimism that is probably piped in the water (as well as flouride, the British have cynicism added to the drinking supply).
This cadre of – mainly – white musicians, although clearly influenced by some African-American music, were the first generation not! to be fixated solely by the music of black America. This was a flowering of something more general, less clearly defined, as hazy as an Los Angelean daybreak. What is notable about the music is that it’s neither black nor white, but contains elements of both, and though its influences undoubtedly derive from R&B (in the old meaning of the word), there are country, jazz, funk, rock and disco tinges to many of the songs.

The songs are no less good, the production no less shimmering than any Lenny Waronker job. We’d wager you’ve not heard of many of the artists here and that’s ultimately the purpose: to shine a light on the darker corners of American pop culture. And they don’t get much more radio-friendly than this shining collection here.

BBE Records website
Zafar Chwodhry website (dust off your credit card)
La Homage Soundcloud (Mark Taylor & Koh re-edits - lovely stuff!)
Happy Jazz Radio Show Myspace (Mark Taylor & Adrian Leach)

Mayer Hawthorne - Impressions (Free Download)

2011-05-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

So Mayer Hawthorne has sprung from nowhere in the last couple of years to become one of modern soul musics more interesting acts largely on the back of his single 'Maybe So, Maybe No' and a hectic touring schedule. Well now the nice man has just released a nice little EP of cover versions for FREE DOWNLOAD. Now a cover version is a personal thing so we'll hand you over to Mayer to tell you a bit more.

1. Work To Do
This one features my live band, The County: Quentin Joseph on drums, Topher Mohr on guitar, Quincy McCrary on piano, and Joe Abrams on bass. It was recorded live in a radio station studio somewhere during our Winter 2010 US tour. The tapes recently surfaced, but nobody can remember exactly where we were. The song is originally by The Isley Brothers, and that’s the only version I was familiar with until we started playing it in our live shows and people would come up to us and say “hey, loved your cover of Average White Band!”.

2. Don’t Turn The Lights On
My favorite track from Chromeo’s latest LP. On the surface it’s an electro-funk, dance floor filler, but underneath is a brilliant love ballad with lyrics that reminded me of something from Tyrone Davis. Dave1 (of Chromeo) told me the song is about a guy who falls in love with a ghost, so I wanted my version to have an eerie, ghostly feel to it. Quincy McCrary played the creepy piano solo at the end.

3. You’ve Got The Makings Of A Lover
Textbook Northern Soul from a little known Dallas, Texas group called The Festivals. I was digging for records in NY with my homey DJ Kurse, and the shopkeeper played the 45 in the store. Both of us immediately ran up to the counter and said “yo! what is THAT?!”. The original version was recorded in the late 60s, and the mix isn’t very good. I wanted a version that I could bump. Quentin Joseph played the drums and we recorded them at Sam Beaubien’s studio in Detroit. That’s Sam playing the trumpet as well.

4. Fantasy Girl
This song was written and composed by an amazing man from Pasadena named Steve Salazar. He was born with a heart condition and passed away at the young age of 27. Before he died he recorded one incredible album of demos in the mid-70s with a band called Shorty’s Portion. Peanut Butter Wolf found a copy of the album and I loved it so much that he gave it to me (thanks Wolf!). The vinyl had a handwritten note tucked in the sleeve that was addressed to anyone who could help the band with management, a record deal, radio airplay, etc. I’d estimate there were less than 300 copies pressed. That’s my Dad playing pedal steel guitar and Topher Mohr shredding the guitar solo on my version.

5. Little Person
Jon Brion is not from this planet. He penned this song for the soundtrack to Charlie Kaufman’s film “Synecdoche, NY”. I didn’t get the film at all, but I really got the soundtrack. The original has only female vocal and piano, but I always heard a larger arrangement. Hubert Alexander played some of the piano and I did everything else.

6. Mr. Blue Sky
This one also features my band, The County, and was recorded live, in one take, in a tiny makeshift tent, at a festival in Dour, Belgium.

Just for your interest here is the original version of 'Maybe So, Maybe No' by the long forgotten New Holidays:

Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin' (Colombia)

2011-05-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

A new Raphael Saadiq album is always something to celebrate, he is constantly interesting and holding down the quality and the new album Stone Rollin' is no exception.

This time he has gone back in time and paid tribute to all his musical heroes with a 'real' R&B album, not the modern lightweight pop manifestation of the term. Just to prove he is the real deal he also plays the bass, mellotron, keys, guitar, percussion and even drums on most of the tracks, now that's talent.

He nods his head towards Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Little Walter and Sly Stone but gives all the tracks some Saadiq 'sabor' and throws in a few special guest as well - Larry Dunn (Earth Wind and Fire), Robert Randolph (The Family Band) and displaying his eclecticness even Yukimi Nagano from Little Dragon.

Here's a little video taster of what to come

Raphael Saadiq EPK from Columbia Records on Vimeo.

You can also head over to the Colombia records website and grab the album's title track for the price of your email address.

Raphael Saadiq Website

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 5, 2011

2011-05-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Audio Texture Radio Show - May 5, 2011 by Audiotexture on Mixcloud

Ethiopia is the launch pad for this weeks show kicking off with a track from the new Dub Colossus offering which has gone more Ethiopian and less dub and is certainly none the worse for that. Geneva boys, Imperial Tiger Orchestra, then continue the Eritraen vibes with an authentic, albeit by a bunch of Swiss lads, take on the country's music. Mother Africa then provided a funkier reworked Afro groove from the excellent Owiny Sigoma Band whose album has just dropped and which I highly recommend. Boxcutter then kept the funk but with an interstellar twist with the excellent 'Zabriskie Disco' from his new album. Cosmic house courtesy of the San Soda remix of Sebastien San's 'Great Cities' then kept the galatic vibes flowing and I for one will be playing this cut for a long time.

Now I played you a bit of Falty DL a while back as an introduction to his latest album but I was listening back to it the other day and couldn't believe the deeper than deep 'Voyager' track had escaped me, I guess it's the dangers of trying to listen to too much music too quickly. Mathias Stubo then "future discoed" up the dance with the title track from his forthcoming album on BBE, '1979'. Now the 80's are influencing a lot of producers at the moment and the lastest is young Scottish producer Beaumont who has made what sounds like a modern version of the original Miami Vice TV soundtrack and I'm particularly liking the 'Tokyo' track. Look out for the EP coming soon on Kinnego Records out of Ireland.

Moa Pillar is one of the new breed of Russian beatmakers and his 'Flying Low' track is an intense yet evocative slice of great beat making. I've just been sent a whole host of other Russian beats so expect to hear more of what's happening up north soon. I then changed to a more sedate and contemplative tack kicking off with a new Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto tune from their latest collaborative album - beautiful stuff which led nicely into the guitar led soundtrack meanderings of Barcelona boy Microfeel. Seargent Garcia then provided a heavy percussion workout from his new album on Cumbancha before Ghostpoet crept into the house with a killer, dBridge remixed hip hop cut. It's great to hear an MC with a really distinctive sound and flow especially when the production is sick as well. I then dropped Young Montana's warped view of the hip hop world featuring the vocal dexterity of Stainless Steele before Bibio provided a new Balearic wind down to the show, lovely.

Dub Colossus - Yezema Meseret (Real World)
Imperial Tiger Orchestra - Anchi Bale Game (Mental Groove)
Owiny Sigoma Band - Nabed Nade Ei Piny Ka, Rework (Brownswood)
Boxcutter - Zabriskie Disco (Planet Mu)
Sebastien San - Great Cities, San Soda's downtempo mix (We Play House)
Falty DL - Voyager (Planet Mu)
Mathias Stubo - 1979 (BBE promo)
Beaumont - Tokyo (Kinnego promo)
Moa Pillar - Flying Low (Gimme 5)
Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Moto - Pionier IOO (Raster Norton promo)
Microfeel - Guitar & Your Silence feat Arbol
Sergent Garcia - En El Domino (Cumbancha)
Ghostpoet - Survive It, dBridge Limbo rmx (Brownswood promo)
Young Montana - Suchbeats feat Stainless Steele (Alpha Pup)
Bibio - Light Seep (Warp)

Prommer And Barck - Alex & The Grizzly (Derwin)

2011-05-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

To call this album a house music album would do it a bit of a disservice as it wouldn't adequately allude to the sheer craft, musicality and creativity these 11 tracks contain and let's face it, the amount of good house music albums over the years is pretty minimal, whereas this is an enthralling, structured listen start to finish.

Prommer and Barck have always been involved in projects where good old live music has been married with studio trickery as their Drum Lesson and Jazzanova musical escapades will testify so as well as the boys singing the musician credits also include Dollkraut, Kim Sanders, James Teej, Eva Milner, Sascha Gottschalk and Uwe Karpa, To be honest the names didn't initially ring any bells but they certainly deliver the goods.

The whole album will be performed live as well which can only be a smart move in these days of diminishing revenues from record sales and they've also set up their own record label, Derwin, to release the album and it's ensuing remixes although Best Work, Permanent Vacation and Gigoloa have already given us single tasters of the album.

So it's always good to have a listen rather than be swayed by the opinions of others so check this little taster, 'Sleeping Beauty' a lovely soulful, life affirming, string laden, builder of a track:

Latest tracks by Derwin Recordings

As for the rest of the album, musicality and variety is where it's at. From the dreamy soulful opener 'Pictures Of The Sea' which floats you gently into the album to the deep brooding Detroit multi tempo soul of'Lovin', which you might have heard on our radio show a couple of weeks back. You get the warm summer sounds of 'Everything', the classic old school vibes of 'Gladys Knight' and 'The Barking Grizzle' not to mention the slo-mo folk sounds of 'Faces From The Past'. There really is something here for everyone but we recommend starting at the start, finishing at the finish and going along for the 80 minute ride, it really is time well spent.

Prommer And Barck Website

"What's your name, where you from, what you on?"

2011-05-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

Now this track isn't really our cup of tea to be honest, though it's by no means bad but it's the video that really grabbed us! For all of you too young to have gone to any raves in the UK between '88-'92 then this is essential archive footage of some amazing times and vibes. We just wonder why those people are pulling all those funny faces :)

Young Montana - Limerence (Alpha Pup)

2011-05-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

Young Montana is an old head on young shoulders. Tipped as one of the next bright young things by Mary Anne Hobbs in 2010 at 20 years of age already he is producing beats as cultured as anyone around. Not only is he putting in more flavours than Ferran Adria the soul and funk always shines through the density and complex programming, something a lot of his contemporaries struggle to do, often losing themselves in a swamp of fashionable plug-ins, dense compression and overly spasmodic beats.

A largely instrumental album he does manage to slip in a killer hip hop track with Stainless Steele flowing effortlessly over some crunchy, crackly yet melodic beats. Apart from that vocal duty is performed by small slices of cut up, heavily manipulated vocals lovingly splattered over the other ten cuts. There are no real duffers on the album and the album flows pleasingly from folk hop, via future electro boogie and neo classical tropical mutant hybrids to peak time twisted club bangers, largely at a hip hop tempo.

All in all this is a stunning debut album that is never formulaic or predictable, packed full of musical twists and turns and one that deserves repeated listens. We might even have a future classic on our hands and definitely one of the beat albums of the year.

Young Montana Soundcloud
Alpha Pup Records Website
Purchase album at Boomkat