With heavily processed drums and more laser fire than a battalion of imperial storm troopers, “Brood” is one of the heaviest tunes released this year. Yet it remains melodic–a skillful layering of musicality and aggression. On the flip, “Sunshine” captures the post-rave dawn experience. The blissful flutes and keys grab the mind in a cloud of dub echoes and the beats give the piece movement and flow.
Self-Scientific Change
LA’s Chace Infinite and DJ Khalil drop knowledge for a generation seduced by the thug life gospel. Building on Gods and Gangstas (2005), Self-Scientific proposes revolutionary changes that will keep youngsters out of jail and our government from starting wars against people of color. Rolling with Aftermath since 2004, Khalil shows a Dre influence as he flips samples (“Tears”) and fierce anthems (“King Kong” featuring Bun B). Like Pac, Chace resonates (“When I Die” w/ Planet Asia) with Gs and ghetto activists alike when he raps: “I hope God is a gangsta who embraces my torch and soul.”
Various Artists Alter Ego: Transphormed
Injecting ‘90s living room electronica with some breathing room, Germany’s Alter Ego now figures prominently among the Teutonic tech-house, heroin house, microhouse, et al. empires. Transphormed collects one disc of Alter Ego’s contemporary remixes and one of Alter Ego remixed. The remixes-of Human League, Octave One, Primal Scream, 2Raumwohnung, Solvent, Riton and Tiefschwarz, among others-feature a bevy of beats transmogrified with constricting suspense, 6/8 schaffel’s glide and Krautrock undulation. Meanwhile, the remixes of Alter Ego’s Transphormer album-including those by Robag Wruhme, Isolée and Ricardo Villalobos-sublimate from streamlined, clenching chirps and churning assembly line electro/NRG into soulful shuffle and clipped stomp.
Padded Cell Signal Failure
Much like Emperor Machine’s off-kilter approach to disco, Padded Cell throws out the rulebook for their debut, offering two sci-fi-tinged, dark, dubby house masterpieces. “Signal Failure” is the a-side for a reason: a fervent bassline propels this monster while synth histronics and unexpected change-ups keep even the most discerning ears perked up.
O.C. Smoke & Mirrors
O.C.’s time in the rap race isn’t up just yet. Aligning with those Hieroglyphics purists in Oakland for his latest, the Brooklynite delivers another finely crafted tutorial for would be lyricists. On “You Made Me” he rhetorically asks, “The rap game is, like, senile/Does he fit in this time frame?/Can he still spit flames?” Of course he can. Cocksure rhymes are effortlessly hurled at chopped rock guitar licks on “My Way” while our underground hero asserts his artistic integrity over a haunting vocal clip on “Going Nowhere.” No illusion here-fiery hip-hop is always a welcome reflection.
Bitstream Streamlining EP
The latest single on Andrea Parker’s label comes from Midlands, UK brothers Steve and Dave Conner. Using electro (think Nucleus and Cybotron) and primal techno (á la B-12) as a blueprint, the brothers explore the outer realms of analog production. Their machines chirp, sqeek, click, pop and rumble like R2D2 getting a lube job. All four entries are unique, experimental and worthy of a listen.
The Fusion Experience Scaramunga
Jazz, funk and soul are alive, well and flourishing in Glasgow, Scotland, home of Buff-a party, label and soon, a new music venue. Spawned from their capacity club nights, Buff regulars The Fusion Experience came together around the flying fingers of organist Raymond Harris, whose quintet recently added gospel back-up singers. “Scaramunga” sounds like Latin funksters War belting out a feisty Jimmy Smith number. Fellow Scotty Sidewinder proffers a wicked Afrobeat rework, and the party is complete.
Platinum Pied Pipers Shotgun
To these ears, super-producer JayDee ain’t really built for rappin’. Talking all that hardknock simplicity on “Shotgun” about what he’s gonna do to your wife, he nearly ruins PPP’s fine soul horns beat–I’ll stick to the instrumental instead. For the lover in me, “Fever” is a radio-worthy slice of weighty R&B. DJ Spinna’s mix captures its essence, taking the song’s refined heat and adding quivering, back-forth hip-hop beats, lovely keys and pads.
Square One Sequential
On Freerange’s 62nd release, Manchester-based Mark Wadsworth (Square One) offers a beautiful spectrum of electronic production. A MIDI synth master, both the hot, bubbly “Sequential,” and the dreamy, late-night Detroit-tinged “High Rise”-which sounds like I:Cube mixed by Mark Pritchard-highlight Wadsworth’s growing prestige. Also essential on Freerange: Marco De Souza’s “PBC” EP, for its great electro-Latin house vibes.
Shy FX Feeling
This is one bad-ass vocal track! Undoubtedly one of the biggest anthems out there at the moment, it’s a sing-a-long classic. Be sure to get out there and buy it! Check the separate 12″ with the Incognito remix on there, a lovely take on the original.
