The mind behind yesterday’s XLR8R exclusive MP3 “Murder,” London’s L-Vis 1990, has another goodie to bestow upon our ever attentive ears. On the beautiful-looking Curb Crawlers blog (to which he contributes), the house-loving producer debuted a new set, given the timely title “Mid Summer Mix,” of 17 tracks featuring his own sinister productions and some of our favorite producers as of late, including Bok Bok and Brackles. You can check out the percussion-heavy, summertime party starter here.
There’s so much amazingness on the upcoming Daniel Haaksman remix EP on Man Recordings it’s hard to know where to begin! Edu K and Rob 3 do awesome takes on “Kid Conga.” K’s is a bouncy minimal number with Threezy offering up a hyped-up classic rave/Baltimore-club hybrid. Sharkslayer of the Top Billin‘ crew in Helsinki cuts and chops in classic club style, but the real winner is the Schlachthobronx mix of “Jesus.” A half-time/full-time global ghettotech interpretation that’s super-bouncy and fun but still makes your face screw up at the heavy, bassy goodness. Man Recordings delivers as consistently as ever. Available September 4.
James Pants and Jamie Lidell, eat your hearts out. There’s a new soul-obsessed, boogie master in town, and that man is Scotland’s Hudson Mohawke. Lifted off of his forthcoming debut LP, Butter, “Rising 5” is just a short taste of the synthetic flourishes, booming drum kits, and poignant songwriting featured on his October 15 release for Warp.
Kicking things off with a sample Timbaland seemed to overlook in his Missy Elliot productions, Ohio’s Teengirl Fantasy built around the chanting loop a dreamy and epic piece of early-’90s house reimagined for the world’s current dancefloors. The near eight-minute track, “Azz Klapz,” never grows tiresome as new sounds and movements in the song are introduced just about every 15 seconds. The buoyant melodies and filtered synths give credence to the duo’s lighthearted moniker.
The visionary duo of The Books have a new record coming out soon, and to whet their fans’ appetites, they’re premiering a heavy dose of upcoming tracks on their fall tour. Featuring the synesthetic pleasure of minimal sound pastiches accompanied by found video collages, the group‘s three-year hiatus since Music for a French Elevator seems to have been fruitful, as the two are playing some of the most well-known venues across the U.S., bringing their ponderous and infectious pieces to old and new audiences alike.
The Books Tour Dates
08/14/2009 The Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC
08/15/2009 Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, NC
09/15/2009 First Unitarian Church Sanctuary, Philadelphia, PA *
09/16/2009 Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, PA *
09/17/2009 Wexner Center, Columbus, OH *
09/18/2009 Ladies Literary Club, Grand Rapids, MI *
09/19/2009 Krannert Center, Urbana, IL *
09/20/2009 The Luminary Center for the Arts, St Louis, MO *
09/22/2009 Eyedrum, Atlanta, GA
09/23/2009 Visulite Theatre, Charlotte, NC
09/25/2009 The Southern, Charlottesville, VA *
09/26/2009 Terrace F. Club, Princeton, NJ *
11/25/2009 The Clutch, Vancouver, BC
* With Lymbyc Systym
U.K. bedroom-pop wiz Ben Esser is only 23, but he attacks his work with the quality and layered diligence of a much more seasoned musician. Braveface, his debut record, sees the troubadour exploring elements of pop structures, hip-hop playfulness, and Brit-pop attitude with varied results that are more often than not reminiscent of weirdo alt-star Beck. Opener “Leaving Town” is all sassy rock n’ roll, while the title track recalls the Stone Roses’ Ian Brown. Elsewhere, bleeping electro punctuates tracks like “Headlights” and “Work It Out.” For pure pop escapism, Braveface is your portal, but if you’re looking for something a little headier you’ll have to dig a bit deeper.
BBC 1 Radio Host, DJ, and tastemaker Mary Anne Hobbs will begin a 10-date tour of the United States on September 10 in support of her latest compilation on Planet Mu, Wild Angels. The mix features the latest in transatlantic, forward-thinking electronic music, from the underground bassline house of Starkey to the laser-dubstep of Rustie. Representing the best of what Hobbs plays on her groundbreaking radio show, the compilation will certainly prove a nice companion to Hobbs’ tour, which zig-zags across the U.S. at a marathon pace. Luckily, we get to track the doyenne’s observations and impressions of the U.S. through an exclusive tour diary here at XLR8R.com, so check back in the weeks to come.
Mary Anne Hobbs U.S. Tour Dates
Thursday, September 10 Smartbar (DubFix Party) – Chicago, IL
Friday, September 11 103 Harriet St, (Afterburn Party) – San Francisco, CA
Saturday, September 12 Venue TBD – San Jose, CA
Wednesday, September 16 Holocene – Portland, OR
Friday, September 18 Love (Dub War Party) – New York, NY
Saturday, September 19 SubDivision – Pittsburgh, PA
Sunday, September 20 Barcelona (MadClassy Party) – Austin, TX
Wednesday, September 23 Low End Theory – Los Angeles, CA
Friday, September, 25 Cervantes (Bass Invasion Party) w/Skream – Denver, CO
Saturday, September, 26 Decibel Festival – Seattle, WA
Wild Angels Tracklisting (** exclusive track)
01 Mark Pritchard – ?
02 Hudson Mohawke – Spotted
03 Gemmy – Rainbow Road**
04 Mike Slott – Knock Knock
05 Brackles – LHC
06 Teebs – WLTA**
07 Nosaj Thing – IOIO
08 Untold – Discipline
09 Tranqill – Payroll (Paul White’s Clean Dub)
10 Architeq – Sleeping Bear Lament (Take Remix)
11 Rustie – ZigZag
12 Mono/Poly – Red And Yellow Toys
13 Hyetal – We Should Light A Fire**
14 Starkey – Gutter Music V.I.P.
15 Darkstar – Videotape**
16 Floating Points – Esthian Three**
17 Sunken Foal – Of Low Count And Light Pocket
18 Legion Of Two – And Now We Wait
Photo by Shaun Bloodworth
London upstart, Night Slugs resident, and Mad Decent associate L-Vis 1990 brings some seriously foreboding funky house vibes with this new track, exclusively available for download here at XLR8R.com. Minor-key synth stabs are coupled with the bass hits, and a dark synth progression provides the lead-up to the piece’s break. Definitely something for those late-night treks down cavernous city streets.
San Francisco’s Triple Base Gallery has an installation coming up just around the bend that might be worth checking out if you’re strolling along 24th Street in the Mission District neighborhood. Curated by S.F.-based artist Michelle Blade, Involved, Socially is a group exhibition of foil-wrapped letters, photography, and video montages that examines how an artist may be informed by a parallel social practice. David Horvitz, a New York photographer who has collaborated with artists like B.A.R.R., High Places, and Xiu Xiu in the past, is one of five artists featured, and will organize a walk through the streets of San Francisco starting at dusk on August 21 until the dawn of August 22. Those interested in participating can meet at the Triple Base headquarters (3041 24th St., S.F., CA) around sunset to depart at 8 p.m. The opening reception is August 7 from 7-10 p.m. and runs through September 6.
pictured David Horvitz
There’s something bubbling in the cool waters of Norway, because every month brings more cosmic disco from its chilly climes. diskJokke is one of the country’s newer imports, and while he’s often lumped with Prins Thomas and Lindstrøm, his sound is much more indebted to the infinite arpeggiations and slow-motion hypnotics of Italy’s Daniele Baldelli. In other words, this Norwegian delivers retro space disco at its finest.
