Back in February XLR8Rposted the details of a music video contest for Soul Clap’s “Lonely C.” Nearly two months later, Vancouver, BC director Dan Hellmann’s video has emerged victorious. Hellmann’s video details the duplicitous life of a man who dresses in civilian clothes by day, and as a robot in his club-hopping life by night. Against the backdrop of Soul Clap’s wan robo-crooning and metallic synth-and-hi-hat sheen, Hellman’s visual execution seems more than apt.
Unknown to the Unknown “Assassin”
DJ Haus, one of the two illustrious club maestros in UK funky production outfit Hot City, has a fresh solo endeavor, called Unknown to the Unknown, under which he just dropped the new Assassin EP. We’ve got the title track from that release here, and it certainly proves itself to be a proper departure from the producer’s day job. Instead of the slick, pop-heavy inclinations of Hot City’s tunes, DJ Haus crafts a rough-and-tumble bit of hard-stomping dancefloor music chock full of lo-bit audio samples, distorted basslines, and kitschy synth melodies that could’ve been lifted from any of the boss levels in the Super Mario Bros. games. If that’s your jam, you can check out the rest of the release, which includes a remix from Underground Resistance/Drexciya acolyte DJ Stingray, here, and also download a free version of “Assassin” that features Japanese grime MC Dekishi, here. Still not enough? DJ Haus just did an exclusive mix for Sounds of the Universe this month, which you can check out here.
Check Out a Fresh Mix From Hessle Audio’s Pangaea
Just yesterday, DJ/producer/Hessle Audio co-owner Pangaea dropped a lengthy DJ set as part of FACT’s ongoing mix series. Apparently, it took about two years for the site to nail down the mix, but, as they put it, “it’s been very much worth the wait.” Pangaea’s mix is a 78-minute behemoth of handcrafted electronic grooves, impeccably produced audio, and serious, serious bass. The tracklist itself is comprised of dancefloor mainstays Blawan, Kode9 & The Spaceape, Skudge, Boddika, FaltyDL, Martyn, Addison Groove, Coki, Pinch, Peverelist, and so many more. You can check out the whole thing, for the next three weeks, here.
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Download a Free Boddika Tune From Hotflush
Before the UK’s Scuba-run bass label, Hotflush, drops its brand-new compilation, the two-disc Back and 4th, the excellent electronic imprint is hooking up its fans with a free track from that forthcoming release. The tune is called “Warehouse,” and arrives courtesy of one half of dark (drum &) bass duo Instra:mental, DJ/producer Boddika. So fork over your email address to the widget below, and snag a previously unreleased production from the much-celebrated artist.
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Lapalux “Time Spike Jamz”
Taking a step back from its work on the dancefloors of the world, UK label Pictures Music branches out from releasing high-tempo bass music with a new EP from Essex-based producer Stuart Howard (a.k.a. Lapalux). The 22-year-old artist seems to prefer crafting chopped rhythms, slow-moving bass grooves, sporadic sample flurries, and other handmade audio treats, as opposed to the kinds of slick club burners we’re used to hearing from his new label home—and that’s just fine with us. Like on the fractured sounds of “Time Spike Jamz,” Lapalux’s formula exposes the bones of his productions, allowing the listener a chance to see the many ideas that float and flutter about inside his musical mind, but not without leaving us with a fully formed jam before the track’s end. Expect more of those revealing sounds when Howard’s Many Faces Out of Focus drops as limited-edition cassette and digital download on April 18.
Podcast 191: Chrissy Murderbot
Whatever you think of Chrissy Murderbot, there’s no denying one simple fact—the man has a lot of energy. How else can one explain the fact that the Chicago-based DJ and producer spent most of 2009-2010 dropping a mixtape a week for an entire year? These days, he’s (slightly) slowed down the output of material, but he still maintains a clear affinity for high-octane sounds, whether it’s raved-up bass music, hyperactive grime, or the breakneck juke and footwork of his hometown. On this exclusive mix for the XLR8R podcast series, Murderbot covers all that ground and more, including plenty of unreleased tunes and some offerings from his own Loose Squares imprint. (Side note: He also runs the Sleazetone label.) Make no mistake, the mix represents hard for juke and footwork, but Murderbot explores a lot more musical territory here. We’re looking forward to similar sonic diversity when his debut album, Women’s Studies, is released in May via Planet Mu. If you haven’t done so already, peep the album’s first video, then grab an energy drink and dig into this podcast.
01 Mega Banton & Kush Arora “Shake Sitten”
02 Cardopusher “We Run This State”
03 T. Williams “Getting Mine (Drumstrumental)” (Enchufada)
04 Sunday Roast “Lo Fi Box” (Soulserious)
05 Olin “Hard Times”
06 Chrissy Murderbot & MC ZULU “The Vibe Is So Right (Atki2 Remix)” (Planet Mu)
07 French Fries “Merel” (Youngunz)
08 Sandra St. Victor “FMAO (Seiji Garage Dub)” (Strategic Soul Ventures)
09 Madeline Puckette “Everything Is Alright (TRRBO Remix)” (Globelle)
10 Canblaster “Clockworks” (Nightshifters)
11 Blackmass Plastics “Selecta Infecta” (Mutant Bass)
12 Submerse “Need To Know”
13 Lethal Bizzle feat. Allstars “POW! 2011 (Royal-T Remix)” (Butterz)
14 Pacheko & Pocz “Tuki Love” (Enchufada)
15 Nehuen “Between Love And Hate” (Iberian)
16 Cardopusher “Damelo”
17 Spooky “Spartan (D.O.K. Remix)” (No Hats No Hoods)
18 Chrissy Murderbot feat. Johnny Moog & Coool Dundee “Sweet Thang” (Planet Mu)
19 Machinedrum “Come1” (Planet Mu)
20 DJ Earl “Drip” (Loose Squares)
21 Chrissy Murderbot “Break U Off” (Planet Mu)
22 DJ Spinn “Man I Do It” (Planet Mu/Loose Squares)
23 Traxman “Lady Dro”
24 DJ Rashad “Lay Down”
25 Eprom “TwerkuL8”
26 Machinedrum “GBYE” (Planet Mu)
27 DJ Rashad & DJ Gant-Man “Intimate Friends”
28 DJ Spinn “LOL” (Planet Mu / Loose Squares)
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Jacques Greene, Todd Edwards, Zinc, and More on New Katy B Single
In preparation for the release of her debut LP, On a Mission, burgeoning UK dance music chanteuse Katy B (pictured above) just dropped her “Broken Record” single this month via Rinse, which boasts remixes from an array of house, garage, and UK funky producers. Canadian up-and-comer Jacques Greene, veteran tunesmith Todd Edwards, Rinse’s own Geeneus and Zinc, and DJ Fresh Future all contribute versions of the soulful pop tune to the eclectic release. You can check out each of those tunes, along with a video for Katy B’s original track, below.
“Broken Record (Jacuqes Greene Remix)”
“Broken Record (Todd Edwards’ Angel Voice Remix)”
“Broken Record (Zinc Remix)”
“Broken Record (Geeneus Funky Mix)”
“Broken Record (DJ Fresh Future Jungle Mix)”
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Bibio Mind Bokeh
After six years of releasing music under the name Bibio, UK producer Stephen Wilkinson has practically mastered his style of songcraft, one which relies on pastoral field recordings and touches of folk and soul music. His early albums (Hand Cranked and Vignetting the Compost) leaned heavier on bucolic, Boards of Canada-esque sounds, but Wilkinson’s first album for Warp, 2009’s Ambivalence Avenue, found the artist diving deeper into his love for homespun pop while leaving enough room for striking beat compositions. On Mind Bokeh, Bibio’s fifth proper album, the producer attempts to mesh all of his proclivities into a sort of pop LP, with a less than desirable success rate.
When Bokeh does work, Wilkinson’s arsenal of off-kilter rhythms, vintage instrument tones, lo-fi-sounding vocal hooks, analog synths, and crisp electronics channel the soul of classic AM radio hits. Though the comparison may seem unfair considering Bibio’s experience, those tracks—songs like “Pretentious,” “Wake Up!,” “Feminine Eye,” and “Light Seep”—bear a striking sonic resemblance to chillwaver Neon Indian. Then there are the other songs. The saccharine guitar and synth loops on “Artists’ Valley” seem written solely for a car commercial, while “K Is for Kelson” relies on a bevy of cheeseball hooks. “Take Your Shirt Off” might as well be a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute. “Excuses” can’t decide whether it should be a mysterious opener, a somber ballad, or a noisy beat suite. With more misses than hits on Bibio’s new LP, it’s apparent that his array of influences are best served in separate portions rather than blended together.
Moths “Summer”
Caught somewhere between the hip-hop sensibilities of beat music, the unabashed hook obsession of chillwave, and the ghostly moods of witch house you’ll find Jack Colleran (a.k.a. Moths), a 17-year-old tunesmith who calls Ireland home. “Summer” is the latest track to drop on the internet from young Colleran, and it gathers those aforementioned contemporary sounds into one minimalist production boasting a sheen that belies the creator’s age and brief musical career. Moths’ quasi-tropical hook dances nimbly over a half-time groove, buried vocal coos, and the subtlest of molasses-paced basslines—rarely veering from its original formula. With only four original tunes under his belt, it’ll certainly be interesting to see where this hungry artist takes his influences next.
Listen to Carl Craig’s Broadcast on BBC 6Music
Just this past Sunday, dance music legend Carl Craig was on BBC 6Music’s 6Mix show for a two-hour broadcast of music curated by the DJ/producer, which you can listen to for the next 11 days or so. The program has Craig sharing music that influenced his musical career, playing tunes he’s currently into, chatting a bit about the world of techno and music in general, and performing an hour-long DJ set, too. You can listen to it all on the BBC website, here.
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