Brenmar >>> Badman!

You may have heard of Brenmar from our homies over at Pipedown last month after he dropped his amazing remix of Aaliyah's R U That Somebody... a classic that was brought to life by Brenmar's playful but emotive production style.

He's back with an awesome new remix, this time of Cassie's Me & U, which was also recently remixed by man of the moment Kastle (expect a new feature on him this week too).

I certainly remember this tune getting a simply stupid amount of play on MTV Bass back in the day... that synth was absolutely synonymous with the RnB scene at the time... memories. You never forget a video like that when you're a 16 year old.



Brenmar was also kind enough to let us give the track away on our Mediafire account, as it's a pretty certain reality that his 100 download limit will pass very soon, and you need this remix in your life. Bigup sir!

Cassie - Me & U (Brenmar Remix)

Cassie - Me & U (Brenmar remix) by BRENMAR

Neoteric shows Deadfish how to boogie...

I'm really rushed off my feet this morning as I'm starting a new internship in Notting Hill, but I just wanted to throw this awesome new mixtape you way from my man Neoteric, which I've been bashing out all this week.

He's just been kindly asked to supply the latest edition of the Deadfish podcast... a fantastic label responsible for releasing the monster London To Paris by Mowgli, and who is also currently nurturing the talents of the Camel, Round Table Knights and Tom Flynn.

You can grab it from iTunes and subscribe to the podcast here... or download directly below... I hope you enjoy it!

Deadfish Podcast 06/10 - Neoteric

Para One // Toadstool (Jesse Rose Made to Play Dub)
Onno // Common Sense
Adam Porte & Sante // Own
Spice Girls // Holler (Masters at Work Spice Beats)
Crookers // Hold Up Your Hand (Renaissance Man Remix)
David Keno // Upside Down
Monkey Safari // Waiting
Pirupa // Whatever Girl
Senor Stereo // I Am The Beat (Edu K Remix)
Madkids // I Know
Playmode // Shimmy Shake
Camel // Cohiba (Nat Self Remix)
Belocca & Soneec // Bla Bla (Martijn Ten Velden Remix)
Tim Deluxe // It Just Won’t Do (Mowgli Remix)
Riva Starr // Splendido
Mowgli // We Think Its Cool
Richard Dinsdale // Boom Boom
Camel // Bamboo
Pleasurekraft // Tarantula (Hugo Remix)
Thomas Schumacher // Taxi (Riva Starr Remix)
Surfing Leons // Polis (LA Riots Remix)
Autoerotique // Record Breaker
Solid Groove // Throwing Stones

Sound Di Vuvuzela

Hey all... my first post since arriving back in the UK from Ibiza... I've had a few days recovery and a few quiet days spent with the misses, but definitely time to check in and give you a wee update tomorrow on my experiences of my first time on the white isle...

But first grab a listen of this fantastic new tune from Serocee... World Cup fever has been in full swing in the past few weeks and this embodies everything that is great about The Rainbow Nation.

Serocee & Rukaiya - Sound di Vuvuzela by Serocee

Too Moody To Swing

New mix from me for you today, bit of a moody one this time round - less danceloor orientated than my usual mixes, this should do nicely for nightime bus rides around London or anything like that, it's pretty much just me getting irritated with uni work in mix form!

Check it out on mixcloud or download it directly below from Mediafire

Ben White - Too Moody To Swing

Too Moody To Swing by Ben White on Mixcloud

Brandy // Angels In Disguise (Fantastic Mr Fox Remix)
Mala // Level Nine
Goldie // Timeless (Sbtrkt Remix)
Skream // Sub Island
Rylski // Ain't Got You
Mosca // Square One (Greena Remix)
Appleblim // Girder
Bonobo // Eyesdown
Mount Kimbie // 50 Mile View
Sticky ft. Miss Dynamite // Boo!
Pangaea // Sunset Yellow
Scuba // You Got Me
Sam Diamond // Aaliyah
Ramadanman // Glut
Massive Music // Find My Way (Kode 9 Remix)
Pariah // Crossed Out
Zed Bias // Time Out (El-B Remix)
Ellie Goulding // Starry Eyed (Chemikal Remix)
James Blake // Limit To Your Love

Pipedown Mix Series: H.U.D

So it's the beginning of another week, and what better way to celebrate the summer solstice today than by posting up a new mixe?

This mix is the next one in the excellent Pipedown blog's mix series. This mix comes from H.U.D. (Hang Up DJ), who runs an excellent series of warehouse parties (the last one feautured Lazer Sword, Bok Bok and Jam City). This three deck mix moves between South African house, dancehall, techno, house and juke.

Pipedown Mix Series - H.U.D

(right click, save as - hosted by Pipedown)

H.U.D. / Pipedownmix07 by Pipedown on Mixcloud

While on the subject of Pipedown, watch out for the 3rd of their parties at London's Rhythm Factory - it takes place July 3rd, and entry is completely free - the lineup is stellar, with Addison Groove, James Blake back to back Airhead (for the first time ever live I believe) and all the Pipedown fam - Cntrst, Matt Flynn and Rylski. Get yourself attending over at the facebook event.

Institutions

Aka Aka Roar has been a part of Brighton's nightlife for a massive six months now, which means we have been peddling our own peculiar brand of 2-step/dubstep/house/techno every monday, for 24 weeks now.

We opened our doors with a bang for the Appleblim launch party, and since then it' s gone on and on - we've heard Jackmaster do his own karoake version of 'I Would Walk 5ooo Miles' by the Proclaimers, heard Greena's tips for the world cup about a milllion times over (we get it Dan, you're from South America and Argentina are gonna win), seen Tom Aka Roar spill soy sauce all over Appleblim's nice shirt.

We've seen Cappy fall asleep on the toilet, given Pariah his own personal 'reggae' themed hotel room (what DJs put in their riders these days...), heard about a million times over how enthusiastic Season Five's Snugfelix is for Pizza Express, how L5D feels about CD DJs (despite playing out on them regularly)

Essentially we've learnt how much I love Gin & Tonic and most importantly of all how much Nick Aka Roar loves Trim. We've also had some DJs play some actual music believe it or not, and the list of people who've featured is a varied one: Appleblim, Oneman, Brackles, Kode 9, Untold, El-B, Shortstuff, Greena, Mosca, Reecha, Pariah, Bok Bok, Hyetal, Deadboy, James Blake, Jackmaster, Shackleton, Ben UFO, Ramadanman, Pangaea, Fantastic Mr Fox, Nosaj Thing.

A pretty impressive booking history we reckon (apologies if this all comes across some what smug, but seeing as we managed to run a weekly night for 6 months without any fatalities).

However all good things have to come to an end, and mondays in Brighton will never be the same again from the end of June. Aka Aka Roar is taking a break over the summer, and returning in a more work/uni friendly format (friday nights anyone?) in September. The lineups will be beefier than ever though, so no fear on that front!

All that's left to be said is a few big-ups - out to Paul, Nick and Tom, without whom it would never have happened. Equally out to Stickie, Paste, L5d, Temple, Donga, Whistla, Dawntreader, Littlefoot, Renegade Youth, Tom Unlikely and the SeasonFive boys (Furesshu and Snugfelix) who warmed up and down for the headliners better than anyone could have asked. Last of all out to all the regulars, all of those who reached on a monday, even though it was a school night, even though they were broke - out to Phil Herbert, Cappy, Tom Loops, Sean Dubloke, Voytech, Will Bunch, Andreas, Christina (even though she had a 9am seminar on tuesdays ;), Grant, Greena and probably a whole load more who I've forgotten.

Anyways nuff' talk abou the past, what about the future? This monday LA hip-hop don Nosaj Thing graces the decks, with support from me back to back with Deadly Rhythm's Paste... and all of this for £2 before 12, as always! The week after our final monday headliner Fantastic Mr Fox is playing, with support from me and Temple.

Aka Aka Roar Monday 21st June - Nosaj Thing (Facebook event)

It would be cruel to reminisce over six months of Aka Aka Roar without giving you any audio goodies - so find below a zipped package of goodies from a few of the producers who've graced our decks... I think you'll agree it's worth your while.

Aka Aka Roar Goodies Package

P.S... Sorry if you're not from Brighton.... this would have been an awfully boring blog post to read over.

Sweatin'

Just a quick heads up for you about a new track from Leeds producer Ghosts of Venice aka Lee Dunn aka one half of Youth Attack aka one of the guys responsible for the now defunct (but excellent) Kill The Rhythm Leeds night. Hands. Pies. A lot of.

Lee's being doing big things as GOV, teaming up with the likes of Le Principle, Jo Kira and Bobby Analog. With support from Grum and Laberge, his debut EP well and truly did the rounds, and his Shakira re-edit made Shakira cool for the first time in a while (since Hips Don't Lie??). He's also toured the US, and plays out a fair bit around the UK.

His latest production, Sweatin' is not just a great piece of disco-house, it's also music for a good cause - all proceeds from the sale of Sweatin' will be given directly to a charity called CETA, part of Braintrust. Braintrust as a charity does research into our thought processes, trying to maximise the ability of individuals to use every part of their brain at maximum efficiency, so a highly worthy cause. You can pick Sweatin' up for a measly £1 (although this is a minimum suggested donation) over at Bandcamp, so why not do so - it's a great summer anthem, perfect for BBQ's, beach parties or the club. Proper good vibes, guaranteed to get some hands in the air action.

Ghosts of Venice - Sweatin' (Bandcamp)

While you're at it why not grab GOV's excellent guest mix for the Chemical Jump blog (originally found here). This mix is summer in a bottle, proper disco funk vibes, with a nice diverse tracklist.

Ghosts of Venice - Chemical Jump Guest Mix

(Right click, save as - hosted by Chemical Jump)

Tracklist:

1. Toecutter – Best Party Ever (Jordan Lightyear & Jimmy 2 Sox Remix)
2. Swivel Hips – Cheaters
3. En Masse – Paura
4. Matt Hughes – Stand Up
5. DJ Sneak – All Over My Face
6. Paul Johnson – I’m Alone Until You Show Me
7. Defunk – Move Me
8. Sebastien Léger – Saturation
9. Patrick Alavi – Overfunk
10. Spiller – Groovejet (Ghosts Of Venice Edit)

Sepalcure - New Hotflush

Scuba's Hotflush imprint can do no wrong right new - the Scuba LP was an absolutely cracking release, as were their Mount Kimbie remixes EPs, and the upcoming Mount Kimbie album is no different, packed full of quality tracks. Their 25th release to this date comes from Brooklyn based duo Sepalcure. Their music is a tightly woven blend of tribal dub, soulful rhythms and skittery two-step vibes. Their debut release on Hotflush, the Love Pressure Ep is a skillful combination of bassey hard hitters and 90's house vocals, melding neon synths that echo Detroit techno and wooden beats that owe as much to the Berghain as they do Brooklyn.

Appleblim played for us at Aka Aka Roar on Monday in Brighton, and Every Day Of My Life sounded absolutely massive - one of the highlights of his set. Spacious atmospherics and a massive vocal hook create a truly epic rolling house track. The lead track off the EP, Love Pressure is an equally skillful combination of the styles that have made Hotflush so popular - techno, house and dubstep.

The other two tracks are no different, Down sampling the same vocal as Dubbel Dutch's recent Deep Underground tune, adding some driving, thrusting synths and broken, rolling beat.

Many people will be familiar for the EP from it's appearance on the recent Scuba vs SCB Resident Advisor podcast - and perhaps it is the dual nature of this EP that makes it so successful. The skippery, cut up vocal samples and atmospheric synths place the EP nearer to dubstep, however the rolling broken beats and the tempo place it nearer to the house/techno side of the 'nuum. The truth is this EP straddles both of these genres, making it as likely to appear in a Ben Klock or SCB set as they would a Scuba or Appleblim set.

Sepalcure - Love Pressure (HF025) Vinyl Link

Sepalcure - Love Pressure (HF025) Download Link

Melé in the Mix

We've talked about Melé a lot on the blog before, and with good reason - the producer has got backing from a lot of big names, with releases in the pipeline for Sinden's Grizzly imprint, an EP already out on Mixpak and a tune on Hervé's Cheap Thrills imprint.


His mixes are also worth checking out, he's got bookings all over the country, and a Ustream session I caught of his the other day covered pretty much every spectrum of electronic music.

His new mix for June is no different - kicking off with a new Joy Orbison bit that has been kicking around for a while, and is one of his best yet, the mix also covers new tunes from Braiden, whose new mix I featured here, GreenMoney, C.R.S.T, Supra1, Tomb Crew, R1 Ryders, Jack Beats, Deadboy as well as a new blend from Martelo which has been doing it big for me - mashing together intelli-wobble Fis T's Night Hunter - and a classic Wookie garage riddim.

Anyway, enough words - cop the mix below, and watch out for his upcoming Grizzly release. If you're feeling this, then head over to Juno Download here and buy some of his productions.

Melé June Mix by Melé on Mixcloud

Joy Orbison // Gr Etiquette
Professor Green // Just Be Good To Green ft. Lilly Allen (Greenmoney Remix)
Fis T vs. Wookie - Down On My Night Hunter (Martelo Blend)
Bambounou // Nappy Head (French Fries Remix)
Baobinga & Cosmin TRG // I Get Ruff
Andy Bell // Call On Me (Deadboy Remix)
Greenmoney // Who's Greenmoney? ft. Mz Bratt (Melé Remix)
Drop The Lime // Sex Sax (MJ Cole's Lubricated Re-Lick)
Jack Beats // Revolution
Teki Latex // Dionsaurs With Guns (Pipes Remix)
Savage Skulls & Douster // Rendevouz (Jay Weed Remix)
Melé // I Swear Down
R1 Ryders // On Your Marks
Teed // Blood Pressure ft. Riko
Tomb Crew & Wholesick // Stars & Moons
Supra1 // Ghoster
Melé // Kanopa Riddim
C.R.S.T // Dance (Mosca Remix)
Manaré // Pirog
Jackal Youth // Let Me Be
Detboi // Get Murked
Wildlife Ft Terry Lynn // Nocturnal World (French Fries Remix)
Marcus Price and Carli // Mat Bira Kvinnor Weed (Kingdom Remix)
C.R.S.T // Saturday Tingz
Detboi // I Got Dope
Braiden // The Alps
Mele // Digits

Tune Tuesday

Hope you enjoyed the mixes yesterday... got some great gems for you today!

Kicking things off with a new track from US producer Kingdom, whose Mindreader 12" was one of the finest releases of last year - 'You' came as close to trance as good music should, and the Todd Edwards remix was (as expected) ridiculously good. New bit Pathfinder comes from Rob Wonder's No Static At All Compilation, created for Scion Radio. Kingdom's offering is definitely the pick of the EP, although it's worth checking out the whole thing certainly.

KINGDOM // Pathfinder

Bit late on this one, but good music shouldn't be time-stamped. Township Funk was remixed about a million times in between its original release and subsequent releases and remix packages, but the Crazy P one somehow slipped me by at the time. The finest of the bunch, Crazy P drops things down in tempo and slides a sleazy bassline under that all too recognizable hook, though the hook twists and changes throughout - a nice balearic workout.

DJ MUJAVA // Township Funk (Crazy P Remix)

Brackles remix of Crystal Fighters is an undoubtedly large tune - searing synth lines, that classic vocal refrain and cracking drums, it's easy to see why Oneman chose this tune to end his Rinse CD, and Mishka NYC's DJ P.O.L.STYLE ups the ante by throwing the vocal from DJ Pied Piper's guilty UKG pleasure Do You Really Like It over Brackles production. A snug fit!

CRYSTAL FIGHTERS VS DJ PIED PIPER // I Love London (Brackles Remix/DJ P.O.L.STYLE Edit)

EL-B and Noodles' legendary Groove Chronicles collaboration showcased a more soulful side to the dark garage that El-B became famous for - way back in '98 they created this euphoric slice of 2-step that melded female vocals, warm sub bass and nuff sax samples, and it's still warming dancefloors today. A stone cold killer...

GROOVE CHRONICLES // Stone Cold

Last but not least, Hessle Audio's ever enigmatic Joe's latest offering Claptrap takes a ghetto leaning via Sound Pellegrino's DJ Orgasmic. The percussion heavy clap track fits perfectly with this Ludacris acapella, showing all the US producers how hip hop really should sound: dark, frantic and full of 909 action!

JOE VS LUDACRIS // How Low Clap Trap (DJ Orgasmic Bootleg)

Mix Monday

Lee's away in Ibiza partying this week, Bastard! So it's up to me to keep you updated this week... I shall do my best :).

First up this week is an african house mix from DJ Umb - recorded live in one take, DJ Umb's latest offering moves through deeper South African house, kwaito house and various other 4x4 leanings. Nice to see a mix with a bit more of a diverse tracklist, especially one that digs a little deeper into African house music. Some of my favourite tracks so far this year have had a proper African house vibe - particularly the Boddhi Satva Ancestral Mix of Bertrand Dupart's Ketokole and Outthere Records' Ayobaness compilation.

House Of Afreaka Vol Ii - Deeep South Sessions by Dj Umb on Mixcloud

Next up is a slow jam mix from Well Rounded Records headhoncho Donga. Donga is the owner of both the biggest beard and the biggest record collection in Brighton (apparently...), and his Well Rounded imprint have been responsible for some great releases - Hackman's Bodies EP, Deadboy's Cash Antics Vol 1 and U Cheated, and upcoming releases are coming from Doc Daneeka, C.R.S.T. Watch out for a Well Rounded Records showcase night in Brighton in association with Aka Aka Roar later this summer. Donga's latest mix takes in the new Funkineven 303 workout She's Acid, Deadboy's R&B/Hip Hop belter Long Way 2 Go and great records from Kowton and Dam-Funk.

Donga's Cool Yr Boots Mix 21-05-2010 by Donga

Steve Braiden has always been one of my favourite DJs, his Rinse show always brings the heat, as do his studio mixes. Plus Steve is one of the most talented photographers about, he seems to be the go to guy for press shots for pretty much anyone involved in the dubstep/funky/wot-u-call-it scene. His new mix is promoting Sonar festival, which takes place later on this week in Barcelona. If you are lucky enough to be heading out to Barcelona then don't miss the Numbers vs Butterz stage, and get this mix on your Ipod for the plane journey! Braiden moves from some nice house bits from labels like Dirty Bird and Night Slugs, to his own production The Alps (which has been getting play from a lot of big DJs), up into some dark 909 bits from Addison Groove, Girl Unit and Space Dimension Controller. You can stream the mix from the Sonar website here, or download it from here (right click, save as).

Make sure you keep yourself locked to the blog this week, Lee may be away in Ibiza but I've now finished uni for the year, so expect plenty of music goodness - Tune Tuesday brings you a bootleg of Joe's new Hessle Release, some classic Groove Chronicles 2-step, the best Township Funk remix ever, a new track from US head Kingdom and a bootleg of Brackles vs DJ Pied Piper. Later in the week, you can expect a new mixtape from me, news of my first official release, an exclusive interview with Phantasy Records' Paul Chambers, a review of grime MC Jammer's upcoming LP for Big Dada Records and a roundup of the first 6 months of Brighton night Aka Aka Roar, which is set to stop for the summer at the end of June (but will be returning in November, bigger and better than ever!). Keep it locked!

Measurements

New James Blake bit today, showcasing the more vocal side to his production that his cover of Fiest's The Limit To Your Love also uses. Blake discussed this side to his production with Giles Peterson on his recent Radio 1 interview and guest mix, which is long gone from the BBC's Iplayer system but well worth seeking out if you've not heard it.

The synths scream James Blake, but his treatment of vocals and percussion are a radical change from James' previous productions, eschewing his 2-step on PCP approach to drum programming, and his habit of throwing vocals through a million auto-tuners and vocoders, here the vocals are layered into harmonies but left largely untreated, and the percussion is so subtle as to be almost incidental. This one is all about Blake's voice, and when it's a voice that good, there's no problem with that. Blake is reportedly going to put out an entire release of this kind of thing - softer, less dancefloor friendly (if his music ever was), largely piano and vocals stuff, and this has, for me anyway, a very exciting prospect musically. Whether it will come out on R&S like the recent CMYK EP, and whether it will be merely a 12" or an EP/LP only time will tell, but whatever the format, it is sure to be worth the wait.

Edit: just read Blakes' recent Xlr8r interview (find that here), and there's a quote about this vocal release:

"The second [R&S release] will draw from recordings i did recently of

myself singing and playing piano—more introspective

and personal. i'm also working on a vocal album

of electronic production but of my (unadulterated)

voice. it's pretty minimalist in vocal arrangement, and

the production serves the voice, not the other

way round."

Deep.

Purple Brain

As far as UK hip hop goes, Alex Chase and his One Handed Music camp are absolutely killing it right now. Bullion, Tranquill and Fulgeance have all had quality releases recently, and now Paul White joins the fray with his second long player for the label. You can listen to previews of the album in full and buy the mp3's for only £6 from the bandcamp site here.

You can also cop album track Organ Therapy for free from the bandcamp, so head over there and grab that if you need further convincing! As ever with Paul White, The Purple Brain goes above and beyond simply good music - this album flows like any classic beat tape - although the Purple Brain is much more than just a beat tape. Every single note is taken from the obscure Swedish musician, S.T. Mikael, whose weird and wonderful take on pysch rock is a perfect compliment to White's beats.

In addition to mp3 downloads, OHM are offering two physical options, and as ever with the label the physical packages are the pick of the release, much like Factory Records famous Blue Monday 12" they eschew budgets for quality artwork and concepts:

The CD comes in an environmentally-friendly Arigato Pak. It's 100% recyclable card, uses vegetable-based inks, and looks great too. More pics below. That's just £10 and includes an immediate hi-res download.

The first press of the 2LP comes with a bonus 12" featuring 3 versions of Ancient Treasure ft Guilty Simpson and all instrumentals. OHM are making just 1000 of these. It's £15 from the bandcamp and you get the download today and OHM will ship the vinyl as soon as they have it (in the next 7-10 days).

You can check out one more track from the album, Pride below - Katherine Extance has put together a video for the track - bringing together OHM's three favourite music video devices: "9th century Russian peasants, mysterious wizards and flying boats made of ice".

New video for 'Pride', taken from the Purple Brain

Jack Beats... Out of Body

Jack Beats... are back!

After months of teasing and half a dozen times that I've heard this tune out in the past 4 or so months... it's come down to a YouTube exclusive unveiling from Jack Beats themselves to promote the release of their new EP. The double-A side... Revolution/Out of Body... out on Cheap Thrills on a Slime Green Wax 12" on June 21st... and Digitally on June 28th. I'll keep you posted on this one.

Surely one of the releases of the summer, and we'll be fed up with it in a few weeks, but just for now, feast... this is massive!



This one has Summer written all over it... absolutely awesome tune!

Kode 9 - DJ Kicks + New K9 House production

As many of you by now know, Hyperdub label boss and all round good guy (he produces, DJs, teaches at a university level, lectures all over the world and has written a book... Hands/Pies.) has just completed the latest DJ Kicks compilation, and it is a treat - kicking off with some nice mellower house bits and moving up into more energetic funky and finally finishing off with some serious Terror Danjah/DMZ/Zomby heat (the mix from Stiff >> Mountain Dread March >> Godzilla = woiiiii).


The Burial DJ Kicks was famously never completed, but this more than satistfiies me - I highly recommend you pick that up from your local retailer, or here online on it's release date (June 22nd). In the meantime, DJ Kicks have released an exclusive new production from the man himself, a classic house production from the Hyperdub don, moving into altogether mellower and less broken beat territory for the producer. Also worth mentioning is his new mix from Fact, showcasing the man's enthusiasm for '94-'96 era jungle. Check that out over at the Fact site here.

Kode 9 - You Don't Wash Dub (Right Click, Save as)

It would be silly to mention the DJ Kicks compilation without making a big deal out of the launch party - it's hosted by London and Brighton clubnight Deadly Rhythm.
If you don't know about this night, get to know - they just hosted a Hotflush party for Mount Kimbie's album launch that blew the head off Plan B in Brixton. Deadly Rhythm soundsystem plays all over and Deadly Rhythm Soundsystem's Paste will be putting together the next mix in our Squeaky Bleeps mix series (apparently anyway... if he ever gets round to it).

The launch party takes place at Plan B on the 25th June - Kode 9 headlines the affair, with HudMo, Rustie and Paul White supporting him in Room 1, and Room 2 shifting from hiphop vibes to more of a funky/bashment vibe with Lil Silva, The Heatwave, Hardhouse Banton and Lego (Bricks).

The facebook event is over here, and if you don't click attending then you must be maaaad. Or even better, grab an £8 advanced ticket here.

Baobinga... Good Skanking.

One of my favourite producers of the past year is back again with the third release on his Build Recordings imprint, and this time he means business. Baobinga... this time in collaboration with Bristol's finest selection from the lower end of frequencies... Ginz and Bucharest's wonderful...Cosmin TRG.

I was a huge fan of Build's first release... Tongue Riddim. A new episode in sonic musical production that really set the tone for the sound of Bristol in 2010.
I caught a few words with Baobinga on Saturday @ Shit The Bed #14 @ Motion on Saturday. A fine display of what the scene outside of London offers today's party-goers. There seems to be something about the Bristol scene that is very unlike any other scene I've come across in the UK... It's a sense of community that drives the city, a drive that really pushes young talent and shapes it into something fruitful and promising for the future. You only have to take one glance in Joker's direction, to have an idea of what I'm talking about.



The new release featuring The Good Skank and Ruff Stuff  is out now on Build Recordings. Here's the word  from Build on exactly what this release is all about.

For this third release, stylishly trimmed in a delightful red hue, we have an A side whereby Ginz (of Purple City fame) and label boss Baobinga team up to create their own crunked-up take on the Purple sound. Long time collaborators, their highly accomplished production skills and well established studio rapport are immediately evident in the crunching analogue synth processing, tuffer-than-tuff hip-hop drum patterns, Timbaland-esque percussion and almost-wonky basslines... Not to mention the soaring melodic content and dynamic arrangement. One for the thugs, but also their gyal dem. And it's all about the gyal dem.

Meanwhile, on the AA (and it really is a double A), Baobinga flexes on a different tip with Romania's very own Cosmin TRG. Fresh from releases on Tempa and Rush Hour, 'I Get Ruff' was built through the swapping of files from Bristol to Bucharest and back again. Taking as a starting point Cosmin's new take on house and funky, this 128bpm smasher adds layers of Baobinga's exuberant bass and percussion, with TRG's trademark nod to classic chopped up garage vocals providing the icing on the dancefloor-friendly cake. Pure energy, but zero cheese.

Video by You Naughty Monsters... in conjunction with the artist Modern Monstrosity

You can also stream the mad tip release on Soundcloud below... Really feeling the vibe on this... you can almost tell where every sample in this tune comes from. Baobinga's buzzing bass, Ginz's hypnotic synths and snarling drums from TRG. I could be wrong on those, but it's where the soul of these tunes lie, a colloboration full of heart and soul.

BUILD003 - Ginz & Baobinga 'The Good Stank' / Baobinga & Cosmin TRG 'I Get Ruff' by Build Recordings

If you're feeling this release then please, do the honourable thing and support the artists in the best way possible. You can purchase the 12" from Boomkat or grab it Digitally from Juno. Finally here's a wee mix from Baobinga & TRG to promote the release... lots of funky kick snare action for your ears.

Cosmin TRG vs Baobinga - MiniMix for BUILD003 by baobinga

Tune Tuesday

Been a bit quiet on the blog recently - it's that time of year when exams start to take over, but a bit of a break in the clouds of Uni work means normal posting resumes this week - tune action from Dizzee Rascal, Wookie, Wiley & Trim and Sam Diamond.

First up is the excellent Glasswerks from Chicago Skyway - Chicago seems to be bringing the exciting music in a big way at the moment, between juke and this Acid House project from Sean Hernandez. This tune is from the Wolfgang Hair Ep (Uzuri Recordings), you can cop the whole EP on vinyl here. Glasswerks combines vintage jacking acid rhythms with fragile melodies, and is well worth checking out - it takes the spirit and vibe of classic Chicago house without ever sending too derivative, and retaining a sense of originality.

Chicago Skyway - Glasswerks

(via You Can Call Me Pelski)

Next up is more Chicago action, this time on the 160bpm juke vibe. RP Boo is often cited as one of the pioneers of the Juke sound, and this tune is a great sample of his sound. For some reason that I'm not 100% clear on the song is under the name Arpebu, although I'm assured by Dave Quam (who's a promoter/general Juke enthusiast from Chicago) that it is an RP Boo production. Like much of the Juke stuff floating around the interweb, no real information on the song, although it is taken from Arpebu's (RP Boo???) Dude off 59th Street mix, which is well worth checking out in it's own right.

Arpebu - Aza Za

Another massive mixtape has to be Roll Deep's Trim and his Soul Food Volume 2. War Report 4 is one of the highlights of that mixtape, featuring Eski Boy Wiley on supporting vocals alongside the very talented Trimbal. In a day and age where vocal grime is floundering and the Butterz camp of instrumental bizzniss is bringing the most exciting music (for me anyway), then quality vocal grime has to be supported.

Trimbal - War Report 4 (feat. Wiley)

On a mellower tip, Sam Diamond's excellent Aaliyah sampling UK house track has been doing it in a big way for me in warmup sets, combining the great R&B songstress vocals with a classic xylophone melody and a nice rolling beat. Check out Sam's soundcloud here, the excellent Goldfish Riddim is well worth checking out too.

Sam Diamond - Aaliyah

Keeping it on a housey tip, UK garage legend Wookie has (much like MJ Cole, Sticky and many other UKG heads) turned his production skills to that murky area in between UK house and UK Funky, and Gallium combines the best of those two genres to great effect. Uplifting piano riffs sit nicely alongside catchy vocal samples and a steady beat.

Wookie - Gallium

Last up is an excellent sinogrime remix of Dizzee Rascal's I Luv U - this remix combines that classic vocal sample with new bars from Dizzee himself and a synth that comes straight from the Orient. Who would have thought that hi-energy grime smasher I Luv U could become a mellow sinogrime roller, taking the vibes of Wiley's Shanghai and Lewi White's Chiney Chin riddim but toning everything down and creating an altogether mellower vibe.

Dizzee Rascal - I Luv U (Remix)

Zed Bias... Biasonic

Got a fantastic treat for you this evening... a mix that will surely become one of the greats of the year. Part One of Zed Bias' new Biasonic mix series... many new cuts from himself and his Maddslinky alias that hasn't seen a release since 2005... The epic Lost On Tenori Street, which has been making the rounds over the past few months is surely to become a must have for every Bass head.

Funky vibes with more than its fair share of snare action... this mix is vital!

Zed Bias - Biasonic Pt. One

Zed Bias BIASONIC Mixtape 2010 PT1 by zedbias

Maddslinky // It Was You
GP presents Havana Cultura // Chekere (Seiji Rerub)
Zed Bias and Harmonic 313 // Trouble In The Street
Zed Bias // Bareknuckle
Zed Bias // To The Leff
Greenmoney // Who's Green Money ft. Mz Bratt
Maddslinky // Lost on Tenori street
Addison Groove // Footcrab
Altered Natives // Oh My Zipper
Zed Bias // Get Get Down ft. Ghost1
Zed Bias // Badungdeng ft. Rodney P and fallacy
Zed Bias // Wait for the fill ft. Inja
Omar // It's So (Zed Bias remix)
Redlight // Stupid (Instrumental)
Zed Bias // Spare Ribz (Roska Remix)
Zed Bias // Get Close ft. Jenna G
Zed Bias // Together
Maddslinky // Special (Toddla T remix)
Funk Butcher // Streets of Africa
Seiji // It's You

Elijah & Skilliam... Something Very Very Epic June 2010 mix

Quick heads up for you hear on a new mix from one of Rinse FM's best loved duo's Elijah and Sklliam as part of their appearance @ Sonar festival in Spain. Serious dubstep and grime for you here, get to know!

You can stream the mix via Mixcloud or download the mix via the link below.

Elijah & Skilliam - Something Very Very Epic mix

Elijah & Skilliam 'Something Very Very Epic' Mix by Elijah & Skilliam on Mixcloud

Royal T - Stop Messing With The Radio
Teddy - Samurai
R1 Ryders -Hydraulic
Terror Danjah - Sidechain (D.O.K Remix)
Trc - Bandit
D Double E - Woo Riddim
Terror Danjah - Air Bubble (Teeza Remix)
Joker - Psychedelic Runway (Mensah Remix)
Swindle - Airmiles (Terror Danjah Remix)
Dok & Spyro - Missing
P Money - Slang
Terror Danjah - Stomp Test
Swindle - Sally
D Double E - Street Fighter
Src - Sex On The Beach
Guido - Mad Sax
Wiley - Born On My Own

Mix Monday

New week, new Mix Monday. Missed this last week so some of these mixes are a week old or so, but no reason not to get on them! As high quality as ever!

First up... we have Oneman and his latest podcast for Rinse FM... and with special guest Jackmaster also in the building, it turned into quite the early morning rave up... love it when you can hear everyone vibin' up in the background... Rinse fam.
Clearly I can't be trying to figure out a 2 hour long tracklisting for this one, but trust me... big show!
Also make sure you grab Oneman's top Rinse CD from all the best stores around... we recommend Uptown Records.

Oneman - Rinse FM - 30.05.10

Next up we have an equally talented DJ... by the name of Dowee, whose productions you need to be keeping an eye on for the second half of 2010... a big prospect for the 2011 scene. By day he's an A&R man for the london based label Lost Souls, and by night he runs the excellent Bedtime Bunnage blog. This mix was put together for the excellent Chelmsford night Oscillate Wildly, who relaunch on the 12th June with UK funky don Roska and all round top producer/DJ James Blake - click attending on facebook here, and get the first Oscillate Wildly podcast in your ears:

Oscillate Wildly Podcast 1 - Dowee by oscillatewildly

Burial // Unite [Soul Jazz]
Brackles // 6am El Gordos [Brainmath]
Cosmin TRG // Groove Control [Rush Hour]
Basic Soul Unit // Jak D Freq (A Made Up Sound Acid Mix) [Creme Organization[
Noob & Brodinski // Peanuts Club (Bok Bok & Greena Mix) [Night Slugs]
Motor City Drum Ensemble // Get Slapped Up [Compost Blacklabel]
Vincent J. Alvis // Body Killin' [Babyshack Recordings]
Four Tet // Sing (Mosca Remix) [Domino]
SBTRKT // 2020 [Brainmath]
Kyle Hall // You Know What I Feel [Hyperdub]
Digital Mystikz // Neverland [DMZ]
Africa Hitech // Blen [Warp]
Lv & Untold // Beacon [Hemlock]
Ramadanman // Glut [Hemlock]
Disturbed Blade // Hell [Sound Ninjaz]
Addison Groove // Footcrab [Swamp 81]
Dj Eastwood // Braindead [B Line Recordings]

Next up is not strictly a mix, but the latest Mary Anne Hobbs show is packed full of tunes, as well as 3 excellent guest mixes. As always, MAH brings the exclusive tuneage in a big way, with a new project from Pipedown's Matt Flynn (aka Sduk), new Cooly G, Hudson Mohawke, Altered Natives and Mount Kimbie. Mix wise, Pariah presents a mix largely composed of tune's off his upcoming 2x12" for legendary R&S imprint (Crossed Out is especially worth a look), Hessle Audio's Joe and the bafflingly named West Norwood Cassette Club provide the other guest mixes. No mp3 link here, but support underground music on the BBC by listening again on Iplayer, the more Iplayer plays shows like MAH's get the more likely they are to continue. Head over to the BBC page here to listen.

Edit: just seen that this is set to expire in two days so later on in the week I will be uploading the Pariah guest mix as a standalone mp3 for your listening pleasure.

Tracklist:

Oriol // Memories (Jake Slazenger Remix)
Cooly G // Nocturnal
Arp 101 // Dead Leaf
Sepalcure // Love Pressure
Roel Funcken // Koortshond from the LP Vade
Matt Flynn // On - Dubplate
Da Altered Natives // Oh My Zipper
Hypno // Over The Top
Pudge // JusWannaRockuAll
iTAL tEK // Moment In Blue VIP
Mount Kimbie // Mayor from the LP Crooks & Lovers

WEST NORWOOD CASSETTE LIBRARY MIX
Quantec // Devil’s Workshop
The Protagonist! // Death By Stereo! (WNCL Remix)
West Norwood Cassette Library // What It Is (Brackles Remix)
West Norwood Cassette Library // Blonde On Blonde
Plastic Soul // Body Form
West Norwood Cassette Library // Mrs Fingers (Quantec Remix)
West Norwood Cassette Library // Get Lifted
DJ C feat Ms Thing // Jump Up And Bounce
West Norwood Cassette Library // What It Is (M.A.H VIP Mix)

PARIAH MIX
Pariah // Railroad
Pariah // Prism
Pariah // Untitled
Girl Unit // I.R.L
Pariah // Crossed Out
Hyetal & Peverelist // The Hum
Distal // Boss of the South
Joe // Level Crossing
James Blake // CMYK

JOE MIX
Joe // Claptrap
Joe // Digest
Fatback Band // Gotta Learn How To Dance
Joe // Digest
Joe // Untitled
Joe // Level Crossing

Sigha // Shake
Gemmy // Maroon Chant
American Men // Am System (Hudson Mohawke Remix)

New Music: Ikonika

Ikonika's debut twelve for Hyperdub was one of the most sonically arresting things I'd heard in a while, and her productions haven't let up - her LP for Hyperdub was similarly successful, combining the rhythms of UK funky and dubstep with a rich texture of melodies - this new tune from Ikonika is no different.

A staccato beat and bittersweet synths, this is a must listen. Coming out on Planet Mu records, who are also set to release a compilation by Chicago juke head DJ Nate, this is sure to be a big release!

Check the new song on Ikonika's soundcloud here, and if you haven't got Ikonika's album yet then do the right thing here.

Vesper... Future of Funk #3

Howdy... June mix from me... had some awesome support from everyone on the with my last mix that helped me win the Braindrop Mixcloud comp... cheers... here's my latest offering, hope you enjoy!

Went in a slightly different direction with this one... focusing on a lot more UK Funky and some top Bass tunes. Less of the bangers and more of the Funk for this one... lots of summer tunes.

If you're feeling any of the tunes then please support the artists in the best way possible by buying them from a respectable retailer. I really recommend Supra1's 'Ghoster' and the GreenMoney remix of 'Josephine', beautiful.

You can nab it below via Mediafire or stream it via Mixcloud. Enjoy!

Vesper - Future of Funk #3

Future Of Funk #3 by Vesperdj on Mixcloud

Mindflow - Switched
92 Eternal - Feeling (Luna-C Remix)
Kill The Noise - Jokes On You
AC Slater - Take You ft. Ninjasonik (Doorly Remix)
The Count & Sinden - Strange Things (Mele Remix)
Lady Chann - Sticky Situation (Toddla T Remix)
Geeneus - Get Low (Crackish) ft. Ms Dynamite
Redlight - Stupid ft. Roses Gabor
Redlight - Kid Soldier
Major Lazer - Hold The Line (Skream Remix)
Swindle - Airmiles
Diamond K & Al Ripken Jr - Hands In The Air (Bok Bok Remix)
Girl Unit - IRL (French Fries Remix)
Modeselektor - Art & Cash (SBTRKT Remix)
Cubic Zirconia - Josephine (GreenMoney 'Trancestep' Remix)
Supra1 - Still Believe ft. Amy Douglas (L-Vis 1990 Remix)
Supra1 - Ghoster

Introducing... Joyce Muniz

2010 is a year of many good things... but one thing that seems to be standing out more prominently than ever this year is the state of the female DJ scene. There have always been female DJs in some shape and form over the years, but never before has there been such a melting pot of talent, supporting such a diverse range of music and styles. Long may it continue!

Step up, the Brazillian beauty and all round salsa sub shaker... Joyce Muniz.

After being brought to my attention a couple of months ago via Man Recordings and her fantastic 2010 Carnival mix, which you need to check out. I've borrowed and edited down her bio from her Myspace... naughty me, yes, but it really gives you a great insight into Joyce as an artist and promoter as well as a fantastic and talented DJ with an eye for a great tune and the vibes for a party to match.

Joyce Muniz, a Vienna-based, vocalist, club promoter, producer and DJ. Equipped with musical influences of her home country Brasil, Muniz has revolutionised the European club scene with a new blend of club music incorporating everything from Afro, Jamaican, Carribean and Brazilian sounds & massive bass. Rave with prowess and passion edged in stone... World Music, you might call it.
Born in 1983 in Sao Paulo, Joyce Muniz arrived in Vienna during the mid nineties and was soon introduced to the vibrant Viennese electronic music scene. Short after her first DJ gig at the tender age of 16, she began collaborating as a vocalist with Markus Dohelsky aka Shanti Roots (Vienna Scientists) and I-Wolf (Sofa Surfers/Klein Records). In 2007, Muniz teamed up with Stereotyp for the first time and together, created the first Funk Mundial 12” “Uepa/Jece Valadao” (Man Recordings). In that same year, she and Shanti Roots started producing under the name of Monte Laa Prod and released their first 12”.
Last Year she contributed her vocals to the Cusmos (Herwig Kusatz ad Karl Möestls) track “Garoto,” which is wasreleased on the Kruder & Dorfmeister label G-stone. Joyce Muniz also did some collaboration with Flore, Buscemi and Skero. The lastest offering of Joyce Muniz is the Get Your Conga On EP (Top Billin Rec.), co produced with Shanti Roots and a remix of Malente on Shir Khan's Exploited label.

A brief snapshot at her already exploding CV, which can only get bigger and better. Featuring on the first Funk Mundial release as well, that is huge. Why have I only found out about this woman in the last few months, my life has been led very sheltered!

Anyway less of my life and more about Joyce, whose just done an awesome mix for XLR8R.... 49 minutes of pumping soca action... some damn tasty tunes I'll be adding to my collection with haste.

Joyce Muniz - Exclusive Mix for XLR8R

Shanti Roots & Gümix // Beijota (Joyce Muniz Edit Intro)
Shab Ruffcut // I Don't Know (Disco Killah Remix)
Beataucue // Chachacha (Daniel Haaksman Remix)
Dakunt // Ta Surdou (Lorcan Mak Remix)
Girl Unit // IRL (French Fries Remix)
Gregor Salto & DJ Gregory // Vem Rebola ft. Dama Pancha & DJ Manika
Sekta // Jabajaws ft. Spoek Mathambo (Raziek Remix)
Douster // Punani ft. Spoek Mathambo
Seiji // Elevator Rinse
Joyce Muniz & Shanti Roots / Maluca
PHCB // Baby (Daniel Haaksman Remix)
Bassjackers // Sujo (Bart B More Balkan Edit)
French Fries // Saurus Rhythm
Veron & Praia del Sol // Sleazy
Malente & Dex // Habibi (Shir Khan Remix)
Supa Flu // Dischn
Joyce Muniz & Shanti Roots // Pinga

Also, don't check out her new upcoming EP with Shanti Roots, coming soon on Top Billin... big things!

Joyce Muniz & Shanti Roots - Get Your Conga On EP by TOP BILLIN

Night Slugs Showcase... June 2010

As contenders for Producers of 2009, L-Vis 1990 and Bok Bok were literally on fire... and now their most prized possession is making noises all of it's own.

Exciting week for the Night Slugs crew - their fourth official release is out this week from funky badman Lil Silva, and they're putting on room 2 for Fact Magazine's Cable party - the coming together of a lot of hard work from the Night Slugs crew. Blending UK and US styles like no other, the NS camp sound like no-one else right now.

The latest release on the label... Lil Silva's Night Skanker EP, is a perfect example of this - a fully upfront mix of UK Funky and Grime. Two classic Lil Silva tracks sit perfectly alongside some newer hits and one of the tastiest mash ups we've heard in a long time. Previous releases have seen the NS crew take on aspects of Juke, Bruk, Detroit, House and much much more. For a taste of what to expect, check this free giveaway from Night Slugs (only available on vinyl until recently). Also please grab the Night Skanker EP if you're feeling it... just click the image and you'll be taken to it.

Lil Silva - N0 Hooks

Bok Bok's showcase mix ties all the previous releases together aswell as giving an exclusive look into what is forthcoming on the Night Slugs label.... If this mix is anything to go by, Night Slugs will no doubt be the label of 2010. No tracklisting for this one, so trainspotter's represent... first one to send us it, get's a packet of Starmix Haribo!

Bok Bok - Nights Slugs Showcase Mix

Also don't forget that Night Slugs will be in town this Friday (June 4th) collaboration with We Fear Silence and Fact Magazine for a top night down @ Cable... Ram @ Fabric is now sold out, and you'll have to queue up at 8pm to get in on the door there, so you now have no excuse to head down... Facebook info here!

Squeaky Bleeps #007... Attack Yourself!

Howdy do... another new addition to our blossoming mix series is upon you all today. From the sleepy town tides of Redcar in the North of England comes one of the most exciting prospects for the future of House music in the UK... Attack Yourself!

What amazes me more than anything about this lad is taking into consideration that he produces (pretty damn well), DJs and one of the most diverse tastes in music I've come across in a long time... he is just 15. One-Five... Fifteen, an age at which my life involved listening to solely Eminem, Ludacris and Xzibit, and playing Gran Turismo 3. Not much to shout about is it.

If that's not enough to impress you, then maybe the fact that also produces more Techno based music under another alias by the name of Le Vamp, might just sway your opinion. I'm a huge fan of one of his earliest remixes of Phoenix, which he did last year at the age of just 14... git!

Phoenix - 1901 (Attack Yourself! Discotheque Remix) by AttackYourself!

We are very proud to present our 7th mixtape from the one and only Attack Yourself!

Squeaky Bleeps #007 - Attack Yourself!

Blackjack presenté Jackpot // Prelude To Blackjack
Uffie // ADD SUV ft. Pharrell (Armand Van Helden Club Remix)
Roy Davis Jr. // Rock Lights ft. Bear Who? (Junior Sanchez Remix)
Meroz // Trump
Chaka Khan // Ain't Nobody (Galactik Knights Remix)
Redman // I Hold The Crown (His Majesty Andre's Gimme Back Da Crown Remix)
Strip Steve // AM FM (Sedat The Turkish Avenger Remix)
Cassius // Cassius 1999 (Reset! Remix)
Don Diablo // Disco Disco Disco
Swivel Hips // We Can't Hide
BeatauCue // Bus

In keeping with his free spirited attitude towards music and the dance scene in general, Attack Yourself! very kindly gave away his new EP titled, EPs Are Cooler Than Albums for free via his Myspace last month, and I assure you it's an absolute must have! You can stream the EP below, and if you're feeling it then please feel free to download it below in 320 MP3 or WAV quality.

EPs Are Cooler Than Albums by AttackYourself!

Attack Yourself! - EPs Are Cooler Than Albums (WAV)