bass music. - everything crispy

DMX Krew EP (Wavey Tones 002)

May 16

DMX Krew's latest release emerges on a new label, and clubnight offshoot, Wavey Tones (organisers of this recent, phenomenally good lineup in London).

Complex, multi-layered machine funk vies for attention with some really quite accomplished and emotive melodic synthesizer programming. Though this EP consists of real, detailed, almost challenging 2012 electro-funk, the producer's affinity with genuinely touching and affecting tunes pulls it into the territory of 'proper songs' (that's lazy, but you know what I mean). Fans of Todd Terje's latest quirky crowd-pleaser 'Inspector Norse' will lap up the trundling, grinning arpeggios of opener 'Mustard Parasol', while 'Decaying World' displays some unashamedly Drexciyan DNA in its yearning and discofied electro groove. The defining moment, for me, is on 'Flat Rate'. The 'difficult' melodies and monumentally odd but satisfying synth hooks, create a very Drexciyan atmosphere; this is the sonic equivalent of playing Abe's Odyssey on the Playstation. More so than with much of his recent work, the AFX influence is plain to see here, especially on the closing track, 'Three Days of Entropy'. Overall, DMX Krew pulls off everything here with magnificent, gleaming results - massive tip. Drops in June, on vinyl and digital.

----

Gwyn

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [0]

Om Unit's Cosmic Bridge unveils its new release: Moresounds - Breath Control EP (+ free mix)

May 16

In case you hadn't noticed, Jim 'Om Unit' Coles has been blazing quite a trail lately. Never afraid to take it really slow, or really fast - ever since his unprecedented and ahead-of-its-time 2010 release on Plastician's dubstep and grime label Terrorhythm - his productions seem to have a weird gravitational pull, dripping with bass weight and beautifully-wrought synths. Apparently defined by a love of sci fi atmospherics and stone cold grooves, and the guy has yet to produce a duff track, also embarking on collaborations with Baobinga (on the latter's recent album), and explorations in the jungle/juke axis as Philip D Kick and Dream Continuum (with Machinedrum). All this considered, its pretty amazing that Jim's had time to inaugurate his own label, Cosmic Bridge Recordings, with a handful of high quality releases from Kromestar, himself, and now Moresounds.

This latest release goes off on another tangent, at times moving far away from the epic space-thug sounds of the previous few records. 'Weeda' is a stocky, spliffed out digital dancehall rub - no faux-dreadlocked cheese, but a seriously legit steppa. 'Analog Steak' gets gritty with some analog synths and stumbling, crunky hip hop drum patterns, almost everything soaked in angry distortion. Indeed, a few of the tracks on offer travel on a similar tangent to Rustie's latest work, albeit with a more 'head-down' and unsociable mood; 'Shtrakstep VIP' even recalls Skream and Benga's earliest efforts on Big Apple in its paranoid aggression. 'No Coke' reverts to the digi-dancehall template, but crosses it with Kromestar wobbles, making for an unhealthy concoction of raw, black hole funk. Release date is 21st of May, stream samples below:

Coinciding with this announcement Moresounds has recorded a new mix of "digi-dancehall junglist juke & dubbed bass beats", check it here:

Moresounds Operating Table Mix by Moresounds on Mixcloud

----

Gwyn

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [0]

Lone - Galaxy Garden

May 15

Lone's new LP is quite a beauty. Fans of Matt Cutler's synthesizer magic won't be disappointed; the album seems to glow, drip, and sparkle with fountains of molten colour - the only possible parallel would be Rustie's Glass Swords album.. Every track is hedged with the whirls of blissful melody, rainfall or just elated whooshes; this is a resolutely sensory work. Cutler's earlier output, from woozy, post-Boards of Canada slump-hop, to kaleidoscopic, rushing, yet oddly watered-down warehouse techno has all been absorbed into an all-inclusive rhythmic mix, with aspects of classic house, garage, dubstep, and juke all becoming perceptible at times, certainly in the rhythm sections. Highlights for me are the gleaming, rotational-sounding synth and beat construction of 'Lying in the Reeds', and the psychotic, glorious energy of 'Crystal Caverns 1991' - which seems to insufflate every single 'moment' at every rave of the '90s. Available to buy at all the usual outlets, or to stream in full here:

----

Gwyn

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [0]

Weekend Mixes

May 11

Afghan_muja_crossing_from_saohol_sar_pass_in_durand_border_region_of_pakistan_august_1985

Ed and Sam are in Leipzig right now (playing at Basstival at Distillery club, if your inna di area) so I'm going guide you through my picks of some recent DJ mixes that are worthy of attention.

Love Saves The Day Preview Mix

In a characteristically arrogant and self-indulgent manner, I'm going to begin with one of my own. With my cohort Shaun P we've just recorded a promo mix for a brand new inner city festival taking place in Bristol in a few weeks; check out the festival here. We took it from disco, through house, garage new and old, US and UK, techno, electro, what can only be described as 'bass music' and some weird things in between. For the tracklisting and download link follow the link below.

http://www.kmag.co.uk/editorial/blogs/dancefloor/love-saves-the-day-preview-mix.html

Second serving is Om Unit's new mix. Will post about his upcoming releases on his label Cosmic Bridge very shortly, but this is an amazing showcase of his mindset and vision; he's one of the real originators at the moment. Tracklisting's in the link again.

http://finestego.com/2012/05/11/om-unit-the-world-is-simply-a-mirror-mix/

Thirdly let's have a live one. Mr Beatnick, previously a very much hip hop tempo producer (and a fine one) has recently turned his talents to more straight up house, notably on his amazing release for Don't Be Afraid. Recorded at TB2 club in Bristol for the great Headrush clubnight (they've got BNJMN on the 19 May at the same club), this contains a great and surprising range of flavours - from R'n'B tinged swagger and jacking bleep sounds to jungle and classic dubstep (love that phrase).

http://soundcloud.com/tb2_bristol/mr-beatnick-headrush-tb2-14-04

----

Gwyn

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [0]

Bristol update: Win two tickets to Dimensions Festival / Crazylegs this Saturday & more...

May 9

The next monster lineup Crazylegs brings to Bristol assembles in Blue Mountain club this Saturday, the 12th of May, and is as varied as they come, and supplemented beautifully by Headrush's inclusions of Samoyed, Outboxx and support in the second room. Crazylegs' Blue Mountain events have a tendency to get a bit epic, and this promises to be no different. Devised as the launch party for hotly-hyped Dimensions festival (Outlook for house heads), there's a competition running to win two tickets to the festival if you head to the Crazylegs fan page here; all you need to do is 'like' the image and turn up!

For some more Bristol-related tip offs, be sure to check the ever-dependable Steak House show on Hivemind FM tonight 8-10 UK time; the special guest is Okzharp (part of LV, blogged here) showcasing his new take on Kwaito-informed dance music (also see my previous posts on Jumping Back Slash).

"Okzharp is Gervase Gordon of LV's new project, focusing on his South African house influences. Originally from Capetown and settled in London, he brings a unique twist to the genre, mixing it with UK funky, footwork, and other styles. He was the essential cog in the hype surrounding LV's 'Boomslang' release and continues to delve further, warping the genre into something new."

I am excited.

DONUTS

Lastly, Donuts, Bristol's cutting-edge fashion emporium, has just opened its mid-season sale. Affiliates of Crazylegs as well as having run important and vibe-heavy parties over the last few years, the guys who run the shop have their fingers on the pulse. If you're in Bristol this weekend, these guys are DJing at The Bell pub's fantastic Sunday session, Boundary Object.

This way to the sale.

----

Gwyn

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [0]

OH91 drops free tunes and an interview

May 9

OH91 is the Bristol young gun tipped by some to be 2012's answer to Joker, in terms of youthful prodigiousness (is that a word?). His house, garage and grime productions are turning heads at the moment; look out for this guy because I think he's going to be going places.

Head over to Get Some to check some decent words with the guy; the tunes are linked here ('after the drop' as people seem to enjoy saying - *shudder*):

----

Gwyn

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [0]

Phil Banks Live at Maggies

April 28

A few years back, in those heady days of about 2007, I was playing a gig at a cafe in the bus station in Plymouth. I know, I know - you think I just make up these impossible tales of glamour to make myself look cool. But it did happen. Anyway, afterwards, I was introduced to this dude Phil Banks, who's a local DJ who gave me a couple of mix CD's. And they were wicked - house, disco, italo, cosmic synths - pure summer music.

So ever since I've kept an eye out for mixes by him, and a new one popped up this week - recorded live at Maggies (a tea house in the train station? I dunno) but it's wicked and I've rinsed it 3 times already. All slow-mo, swinging house, chunky swagger and blissed out atmospheres, mixed tightly too - definitely worth a download. Cop it below:

====
ed

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [1]

Kahn, Baobinga, Rider Shafique

April 27

The next Build release is upon us already - BUILD007, featuring the amazing Kahn RMX of Baobinga & I.D. ft Rider Shafique 'Gun Talk', which has had big support from everyone you'd expect. There's also a fresh funky bashment ting by me, I.D. and Rider called 'Lickle Further', and the original of Gun Talk, which still kills it.

Grab the vinyl here - digital out soon. And if you like what you hear, why not check out the album Gun Talk came from...

Anyways, as part of the fun and games surrounding the launch, me, Kahn and Rider headed down to the Red Bull Music Studios in London to build a track in a day...

Head here to read the full story and download the track you hear in the video above :)

Boom!

===

Binga.

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [2]

Subp Yao: Crunky Jukey Shizz

April 25

Had a quick listen to this, and it's great - Subp Yao has been doing his thing for a hot minute, and it's a really interesting blend of aquacrunk, hip hop, juke, dubstep and all that good stuff, but done with loads of character and style.

If you like what you hear, check out his label Saturate for more goodness on a similar tip.

===

Binga.

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [0]

Propellerhead Figure

April 24

Anyone had a play with this yet? Looks like a lot of fun - one of those times you wish you had an iPhone. For about 70p it's got to be worth a shot though - fire up the phone, run it in through your desk, drive it hard to get it clipping horribly - grime for the smartphone generation? I want a go!

====
ed

Posted by bassmusic

Comments [3]

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 129 130 Next »

Tags