The Lowdown – This Week’s XLR8R Top 10 with Jamie xx, Four Tet, Teebs, and More

Throughout the week, a whole lot of material gets posted here on XLR8R. And while we know—and love—that some hardcore readers will eagerly pour over every single news story, interview, podcast, video, and MP3 download that appears on the site, we also realize that for most people, it’s impossible to see everything, which means that some quality XLR8R content is likely to get missed in the hustle and bustle of everyone’s daily lives. In the interest of making it easier for everyone to catch up, every Friday we present The Lowdown, a weekly wrap-up of the top 10 tidbits from our site.

1. Jamie xx (pictured above) and Four Tet teamed up for a joint DJ mix on Sydney’s FBi radio, and the session included a new collaborative tune from the pair called “Seesaw.” Within a few hours, a stream of the track had surfaced online.

2. UK synth and controller designer Novation gave away a 1GB sample pack of “loops, single hits, multi-sampled patches, and drum kits from its unforgettable and modern classic synths.”

3. This week’s XLR8R podcast was assembled by Italian-born, Berlin-based avant-techno auteur Lucy.

4. UK garage legend DJ EZ performed for more than three hours on Boiler Room this week, and the video of his set quickly became mandatory viewing.

5. Ahead of Strut’s double-disc Dance Mania compilation, Hardcore Traxx, which drops next week, a mini-documentary detailing the history of the pioneering Chicago label debuted online.

6. A brand-new video interview with Berlin techno mainstay Magda was premiered this week; it’s the latest installment of Resident Advisor’s Origins series.

7. LA beatmaker and Brainfeeder affiliate Teebs announced the impending release of his sophomore LP and posted a new track online.

8. London producer Perc took part in the latest chapter of our Hi-Five series, selecting five of his favorite acid cuts.

9. Dutch synth wizard Legowelt will soon be releasing a new LP, Crystal Cult 2080, and the Creme Organization label stoked our collective excitement by posting an extensive preview of the album’s 12 tracks.

10. Com Truise will be releasing a new EP, Wave 1, later this month, but a stream of the entire record popped up this week.

An expanded version of the The Lowdown is also available via a weekly email newsletter. Those interested in an even more in-depth round-up of XLR8R content, including a complete listing of all the free downloads we’ve offered in the past seven days, should sign up by entering their email address below.

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Roland Reveals Further Aira Details, Shares New Teaser Video

Let’s be honest, the rate that Roland is revealing the particulars of its new Aira line of products is wearing on us. But it looks like the end may be near, as some more concrete details as to what exactly Aira will bring to the table have been revealed.

As FACT reports, Roland’s Aira line will consist of four separate units: the TR-08 drum machine, the VT-3 Vocal Transformer, a TB-303 clone, and a proper synthesizer with keyboard. Furthermore, each unit will utilize Analog Circuit Behavior (a.k.a. ACB), a newly developed technology which allows the Aira products to effectively build upon the renowned sound of Roland’s classic analog instruments.

Below, we’ve included two new Roland teasers, the first of which shows off the four unreleased units amidst a flurry of flashing lights, while the second briefly explains Roland’s ACB technology—promising to meet “the needs of today’s music scene” and provide the “next step” in the evolution of electronic instruments.

DJ Taye “New Age 14”

DJ Taye has accomplished quite a bit during his time as an artist, becoming a member of Chicago’s well-respected Teklife crew three years after beginning his music career. The young DJ/producer plans to continue building his momentum by self-releasing the 22-track Overdose on Teklife II LP on February 11 on Bandcamp. Before then, we’re treated to the smooth footwork of “New Age 14,” a melodic production which incorporates flashing synths with swift kick and hi-hat patterns. Dwelling on a more chilled atmosphere, this one-off exclusive from DJ Taye is a prime example of how to balance electrifying and relaxing vibes all at once.

New Age 14

Watch Jon Hopkins Perform Live in the KCRW Studio

During his North American tour late last year, longstanding UK producer/composer Jon Hopkins made a stop at Los Angeles’ KCRW radio station to deliver a live set for its flagship Morning Becomes Eclectic show. Now, the entire performance and interview from Hopkins—whose astounding Immunity LP came in as our favorite album of 2013—can be watched in full. Delivering two separate sets broken up by an interview with Morning Becomes Eclectic host Jason Bentley, Hopkins utilizes a tabletop full of Kaoss Pads and controllers to reinterpret some of Immunity‘s standout pieces. In addition, Hopkins also makes use of the radio station’s grand piano, running through a medley of acoustic pieces from his albums and soundtracks.

The 40-plus-minute performance can be watched in its entirety below. And for those who still can’t wrap their minds around Hopkins’ beautiful work after the video’s conclusion, one can always revisit our In the Studio feature with the accompished producer here.

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Dubspot and Livid Partner on New MIDI Mixer

NYC-based production school Dubspot and Austin-based controller designer Livid Instruments have combined their varying expertise to yield a new MIDI mixer, called DS1. The new unit is billed as a “portable solution for computer-based mixing, production, and performance,” the features of which include nine high-quality, 60mm faders, 44 rotary knobs with single-color backlighting, 25 RGB buttons, and one push encoder. The DS1 is said to have been designed with Dubspot’s classrooms in mind—as the school’s founder and CEO puts it, “We could never find a single complementary controller on the market to meet our functionality and durability needs, so we decided to simply build one ourselves.”

While there is no exact release date set for the DS1 at the moment, those interested can find more info on the forthcoming MIDI mixer and sign up for email updates here.

King of the Mountains “Zoetrope”

Operating as King of the Mountains, longstanding UK producer/composer Philip Kay (a former member of Manchester’s Working for a Nuclear Free City outfit) will release his Zoetrope LP (artwork above) in the coming weeks via the Meldoic imprint. On the record’s title track, Kay sounds utterly confident in his craft, piecing together an immense composition that fuses sharp melodic tweaks, grainy pads, and textured percussion in expert fashion. But Kay gradually pulls “Zoetrope” apart as it nears the end of its six-minute run, letting the synths run wild amidst an ever-deepening soundscape. It’s all impressively reminiscent of Jon Hopkins’ most recent work and bodes well for Kay’s upcoming 10-track album as King of the Mountains.

Zoetrope

Planet Mu to Release New EP from Footwork Veteran DJ Clent; Preview It Now

Mike Paradinas’ venerable Planet Mu label will continue with its seemingly ceaseless support of Chicago’s fertile juke/footwork scene in the coming months, when it drops a brand-new EP from Windy City veteran DJ Clent. According to Juno Plus, Hyper Feet “blends MPC sample workouts with frenetic 303 production” across its five productions which comprise the artist’s first solo record for Planet Mu. DJ Clent’s new EP is set to drop on April 7, but before then, its tracklist and artwork can be found below; snippets of each production can be heard here.

A1. Hyper Feet
A2. Baby Yeah 2012
B1. Clent’s Dog Catcher
B2. Don’t Go Down
B3. Don’t Leave Me (Baby)

Watch Magda Talk Berlin, Detroit, Richie Hawtin, and More

In a brand-new video interview, Berlin-based techno mainstay Magda talks about her background in Poland, moving between Detroit and Berlin, teaming up with Richie Hawtin and his Minus label, and more. The piece premiered today as the third installment of Resident Advisor‘s Origins series, which has previously featured the likes of Eats Everything and Chris Liebing. Magda’s nostalgic and personal new interview can be seen below.

Klaves “Return”

No stranger to our Downloads section, Polish producer Klaves has tossed another sugar-laced freebie our way in the form of “Return.” Built around a bed of airy percussion, the tune lands in the more tender side of dancefloor fare, tucking wordless vocal snippets under a bouncy progression of melodic bells and reverb-washed string plucks. With upcoming dates opening for Nicolas Jaar in Poland and an EP on the way later this year, “Return” serves as a welcome re-introduction to Klaves’ brand of inviting dance music.

Return

Stream The Field’s New LP as HANDS

Announced late last year, the new LP by Axel Willner (a.k.a. The Field) under his HANDS alias is set to arrive next week via the Ecstatic label. But before the noise/drone project’s debut sees a release, its four lengthy tracks are now available to stream in full. Said to have been produced using only “a Roland JX-3P, Roland SH-101, Tenori-On, and Elektron Machinedrum,” The Soul Is Quick certainly charts a new path for the Swedish artist’s work, but also appears to retain his unique knack for patient compositions and absorbing sonic landscapes. HANDS’ forthcoming The Soul Is Quick LP can be heard in its entirety courtesy of Pitchfork Advance.

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