======================== 'Bass Music Sessions', the new album by i.d. & baobinga, out now, FOR FREE, exclusively through label.bassmusicblog.com ========================
Every so often I get pointed towards something that totally stands apart from all the stuff I'd been posting/listening lately, and really piques my curiosity. It usually involves someone that is totally into what they're doing, and this week I came across this dude DJ Canyon. He's got two projects to shout about this month - firstly his new DJ mix, which is a world-tour of beats, from Africa to South America via Brooklyn, Baltimore and London. He gives a short paragraph about each track, which is something I really enjoy when I see it on a mix, especially if you don't know half the artists (like Edison Victrola, or the Pachugo Boogie Band). A bit like reading the liner notes on a new CD, if you're a dinosaur like me who remembers when music came on strange silver discs.
The other thing he's been playing at is quite odd - recording a 'flamenco hip-hop' album in Spain. I told you he was really into this stuff. This was, apparently, funded by a Fulbright Scholar research grant; I have no idea what this is but I want one. In fact I could do with half a dozen of them, truth be told. But yeah, it features 16 assorted live musicians, and in my humble one seems to be a fairly traditional Spanish album with influences from electronic music and US funk/soul structures. Unlike the mix above, it's not gonna be a dancefloor smacker, it's pretty chilled and pretty folksy, but it's one of those things that you're quite glad there's somebody out there doing this kind of thing.
It's also completely free, so instead of reading my inane chatter, why not get out there and decide for yourself? Full details and download link here.
Now then, this is what I'm talking about. I've been prattling on for a while about Gella, and he's stepping up this month with a single release and DJ mix, which I thought was well worth a blog.
Gella comes, I suppose, from the breaks scene. It's no secret that I reckon breaks has been in a bit of a sad state the last couple of years - stodgy, generic tunes that lacked the creative spark that made it so exciting in the first half of the last decade. (!) Fortunately, Gella is one of the few people I've seen come up doing something new and interesting, and managing to keep some funk about it while he does. So I'm keen to give him some of the props he deserves - I know he's been grafting hard.
His release 'Twinkle' is out this week on Sub Slayers and features the vocal talents of Spyda, and although it's been rather delayed for several reasons, I think it's probably worked out for the best - the 130BPM ragga/bass music stylings have come right into focus in the last few months and this bad boy slots in perfectly with what's going on in 2010.
It's the new Bass Music Mix, and this time we've got some new heat from Cardopusher for you. He sprung to prominence last year with his massive remix of Double S - From Day which managed to be hard enough for the wobble crews, breaksy enough to cross over and still stopped short of being brainless wobble. Mighty. He's had loads out since, and has got plenty more in the pipeline - details are all below, so I'll let you get on with the interview, and thanks to Cardo for taking time out to do this for us!
Please introduce yourself - who are you and what do you do?
I make music under the name of Cardopusher and I come from Caracas, a place where there's nothing to do. Almost 2 years ago I moved to Spain where I'm having a great time. I'm also an audio engineer since 10 years ago and I've been working for some years in the post production area.
What were you trying to do with this mix? Would you say it's like a set you'd play in a club?
Well, yes this mix shows a little bit what I'm into these days. I just simply tried to put in some tracks I'm feeling a lot, and and also show a bit of what I'm playing at the moment.
How did you get to this point - when did you start producing?
Around 2000, I started to do electronic stuff with a friend in a band we had together by that time and this is how I learned the basics of working with software. But it wasn't until 2003 that I started the Cardopusher thing. I got really bored working with others because I felt like I had so much stuff to save for later to work with the band project, and I really hate to wait to do things, so I decided to go on my own.
Really enjoying your track 'It's Yesterday Already' - is this where your sound is going at the minute, towards the slower, beatsy kind of vibe?
"It's Yesterday Already" is definitely one of my favourite tracks I've ever done and as you said is the sound I'm really into, I'm focussing a lot on the percussive side of music.
Which artists are you really feeling at the moment?
I'm listening to lots of different stuff at the same time but to mention a few of them: Sensational, Bok Bok, Octa Push, Mr. Gasparov, Nehuen, Ghosts On Tape, Baobinga & I.D., Company Flow, Lone, Filastine, Monkey Steak, Atom TM, Dreciya, 808 State, Boredoms, Shortstuff, Geiom, Demdike Stare, Cornelius and many more.
You're in Barcelona, right? How is the scene out there? I always get the impression it's quite house-dominated...
As I mentioned before, I come from Caracas, Venezuela but moved to Barcelona in 2008 and since then have been checking what´s happening here - but it depends on what you're looking for; there is loads of house but also reggae, dancehall, techno, dnb, hardcore and bass music oriented stuff which has been growing up recently. I think I have seen more dancehall parties happening than house stuff.
What's next for you? Any forthcoming releases or projects you'd like to plug?
I just had 2 new releases during the last month, Gibold/Gibold (Scandalous Unltd. Remix) (12" / Digital) on True Tiger Recordings, which is a track I made a couple of years ago but finally seeing the light this year; then I've got the Schematic Blocks EP (12" / Digital) on On The Edge which is really more into the new sound I'm into, it was released 2 weeks ago. Also I've got a remix on the just recent Filastine new EP called Extra Dirty Bomb (12" / Digital). In the pipeline I have an upcoming remix for Badawi to be released as a 12" on a new label called The Index, another one for Moldy upcoming on Heavy Pressure and a finally another one for Kid606 new project with Jesse Quattro (from Secret Chiefs 3). There is also another old dub remix I did for Enduser some time ago which is gonna see the light soon on Ad Noiseam, and there is more stuff coming up on Tigerbeat6.
Bigger Than Barry got in touch this week with a promo mix that C.R.S.T. have put together for their new single, which is on Bigger Than Barry records. So I was just having a scan through that, to see if it matches up to the requisite Bass Music standards for publication on this here quality-controlled-to-within-an-inch-of-it's-life blog (answer: yes) - see, I do listen to all that stuff eventually. Anyway, about two thirds of the way through what is a chunky, house & funky oriented mix, comes the chunkiest house roller I've heard in absolutely ages. Turns out it's Kerri Chander's 2005 track 'Bar A Thym'. Never knew Mr Chandler was Welsh, but hey - I missed this classic too, so who knows what else I miss while I'm staring out of the window picking my nose.
So anyway, listen to this track in wonderment, like I just have about 3 times -
and then check out the mix I found it on. Biggups C.R.S.T. for that!
I said it before, but that was several days ago, in which kind of timeframe anything can change. So to repeat, I reckon Mosca is really one of the most exciting new producers around at the moment, especially in this 'future garage' type scene. His tunes are a feast of cool ideas and I've got high hopes for his next stuff. So I'm pleased to see he's been putting some mixes together too. Here's one he's just done for Polish crew BBQ ahead of his gig there this weekend. If you should happen to find yourself in Wroclaw this Friday - never been there myself but I'm willing to bet it's full of distressingly attractive women, if the rest of Poland is anything to go by - then that's gonna be the place to be.
Anyway, back on track, this mix is full of wicked tunes and you should be listening to it. As I am, right now.
Check out this new mix by the man like Scuba, recorded, I believe, this week at the Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival in Holland. Always one of the most interesting producers out there, this takes the techno/dubstep crossover sound of the last 2 years and shoves some real grit in there. Nice.
I've just this afternoon landed a copy of Scuba's new album, incidentally, called Triangulation. A quick scan through suggests it's absolutely amazing (the last one was, so I'm expecting big things) - so I've just bunged it on the phone for while I go to Tesco. Should make a dull walk much more enjoyable.
I've just done a mix for the fine folks at This Is Breaks. It's a website dedicated to breaks music, which, y'know, hasn't been getting the best of press over the last year or 3. But I've been noticing lately, that there's plenty of music that could fall under the 'breaks umbrella', if people wanted to see it as such - from the likes of Seiji, Octa Push, Martyn, and plenty more. It's all 'broken beat', it's all funky, rolling stuff, it's all current, interesting, creative and relevant to what's going on today.
So, we had a bit of a chat/interview about what I thought concerning the whole scene, and I put together a mix about what I feel 'the breaks scene' these days should be looking to incorporate. In short, loads of cool beats, no Justice ripoffs, no trance, and a distinct lack of The Biggest Snare In The World. See what you reckon.
Just been digging this mix from Waer Rock, who writes the cool NY-based 'Culture System' blog. It's broadly dubstep(ish), but cooler - more in the way of tribal beats, rolling rhythms, some funky, some deeper stuff but still quite driving. Definitely feeling this one. Pretty interesting looking tracklisting, and what's cool is that they've used some tunes that were given away for free on the net, but rather than keep these gems to themselves, they've linked us up, so everyone can share the wealth. Get hunting!
It's mix time again. This week we've got a frankly awesome mix from upcoming Bristol head Orphan101. He's got a release coming up on a new label, a Boka Records off-shoot called Saigon Recordings, which is an epic two-part trip through heavy dub techno. He's also got another release to follow on Applepips in short order, so big things are gonna be happening for him this year. I know I've already said how big the mix is, but seriously - it's amazing. Check the string swells in track two (Orphan101 & Bloodman - "Au Dela") - incredible stuff. Get on it sharpish! Tracklist below.
So, please introduce yourself - who are you and what do you do?
My name is Rob Davies and I go by the production name of Orphan101. I mainly produce Dupstep based minimal techno I guess you could call it. It’s a bit difficult to specifiy as I don’t really have any set plan when making music and don’t really like to stick to a genre.
What were you trying to do with this mix - is it like a typical club set for you?
Yeah it’s the kinda thing I would play out as a set, slow start, some nice movers in the middle, and something different to end with. My sets always depend on what the vibe is before I play and on the radio it’s more about what sort of mood I’m in at the time.
How long have you been producing?
I’ve been producing for about 5 years.
Was it always this kind of style?
No not really. I’ve always made a variety of music but at the moment its this Orphan stuff I’m more into the chilled vibe but I do like the dance floor smashers too there’s room for everything in my head it just comes out when it comes out. I seem to write styles in blocks of about 6 tracks a time with a similar vibe then it will change a bit and so on and so on.
You've got a release coming up on new Boka offshoot Saigon soon, how did that come about?
Well I first met John who runs the label through an old friend from Southampton called Mark “Physics” Worcester. I had played at their Subset night in Southampton with Appleblim, me and John got talking and it really all came from there.
It's marked as being in two parts - is the intention for it to be listened as an 11-minute whole?
Yeah the tune was really about 15 minutes long in total so it was cut down and split into two parts. Its no longer intended to be listened as a whole but I always mix them together as a whole, there’s plenty of additional sounds in part two to be separate from part 1.
Which artists inspire you, what eras do you take influence from?
I’m fortunate that most of my close friends are producers of all types of music my inspiration also comes from them, J@kes Appleblim Komonazmuk Headhunter, Bloodman, Arkist, Gatekeeper, Wedge, Joker, Phaelah and XI are just a few of them. They all have so many musical styles going on that most people don’t get to hear, the Gatekeeper tune at the end of this mix is just an example.
All of my early musical influence comes from my father, He listened to a lot of artists ones that stick out in my mind are Dire Straits and Led Zepplin. He also listened to a lot of classical music, he understands music in the way that producers do and by him explaining movement and patterns from an early age he gave me a better understanding of what I was listening to and how it was made.
Your stuff sounds a bit harder than the average dub-techno, I'd say.
It all depends on how I feel that day I recently made a album just for Jakes to chill out to, I’m currently in the process of writing beezys next album as well as writing a track for Dread Mc’s E.P which will be out later in the year - oh and I’ve just started a track with Shadz which is sounding real nice.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Apart from my mates stuff, at the moment I’m listening to JPLS, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Pan Pot and Ben Glock.
Anything else coming up you want to plug?
All roads are leading to a new label I’m staring with Headhunter and Bloodman called Deca rhythm - its going to feature new and established artists showcasing more experimental sounds but still dance floor, also I have a release pending on Applepips which should see light in the next few months (when I pull my finger out and get the tunes sounding right, sorry Mr Blim).
Tracklist:
01. Sleeper - Snug Felix 02. Au Dela - Orphan101 and Bloodman 03. J Rock - Orphan101 04. Start Of Something New - Albert 05. Chasing Dragons -Addison Groove 06. What Do I See – Arkist 07. Space Cake - Headhunter 08. Hocus Pocus - Headhunter 09. Remote Viewing – Bloodman 10. Avoid The Noid – DJG (Headhunter Remix) 11. Polycore – XI 12. 305 – Phaeleh 13. Tribtek – Orphan101 14. Gatwick Science – Social Chameleons
It often seems as though 2009 was the year in which 4/4 was finally sucked into the ever-growing vortex that is bass music, resulting in some killer hybrid styles that combined the chunksome beats of classic US house with a hefty dose of UK soundsystem bass. Enter Brixton's Dean Bryce, aka Photomachine - one of the foremost exponents of this sound. With tunes all over some of our favourite blogs for time now, and a raft of tunes waiting to drop, we thought it only right that we invite him to do an exclusive guest mix for us as 2010 gets underway. What's more, he was even kind enough to provide us with a super upfront exclusive free tune to go with it - witness the rude grime-meets-funky-meets-2step of 'Nite Fevr'.
Download both mix and track below - for now, read what the man has to say: BMB: OK, for those who don't know, who are you and what do you do?Photomachine - Club DJ & producerI got into wanting to produce when I worked for MJ Cole's old manager. I spent my university days in MJ's studio sorting out records and asking questions about what makes a good club track. But at the time I had really low grade student style equipment - But Mj did lend me a keyboard for a couple of years.I guess I mostly make house music in the broadest sense - It's always around that kind of tempo... Unless I'm doing an artist specific project. I've actually just done a non club track for Singer songwriter Shea Soul (make it funky for me) It's called Ready Go Go.Tell us a bit about the mix that you've done - what tracks are your favourites?I consume so much music that my faves are always changing. The mix I did for you guys was mostly on that 'jump up - girls go wild in the club' type of vibe. My fave track on the whole mix is Sonic C - Stickin. That tune came out of nowhere & although it has no bassline. It's seriously dope. I didn't even realise it had no bassline until Seiji pointed it out to me - I was just buggin on that crazy synth line.Zinc's new music is really cool too. I probably buy more of his stuff than anyone else at the momentHow would you describe your sound? What are the main things that have influenced its development?I just try & produce fun club records that I can play out or make stuff that sounds like what I want to hear in clubs. It's definitely bass music but I try not to pigeon hole myself too much.In terms of production I'm influenced by the old skool crew such as EL-B (one of the best drum programmers in the business), MJ Cole (obviously) Dem 2, Steve Gurley, Basement Jaxx, Armand Van Helden & Todd Edwards. I've got 100's of Todd Edwards 12" records - & he was so underrated by the US house crew so it took us UK guys to embrace his mastery. We're always one step ahead over here. We've got a culture for it.From the current generation - Hot City are dope and really know their stuff. Zomby is a genius -straight up. I'm also into Rosca's stuff too. L-vis 1990 completely switched direction and I think United Groove was one of the most innovative dance tracks in 2009.I always check for Greenmoney, Seiji & Redlight too, and as it happens we're playing together on March 13th at Plan B in Brixton.You've given away quite a few tunes for free via your Soundcloud and blogs, why did you decide to do this? has it worked out in your favour?I did it because I used to run a blog called flymusic (r.i.p for now) and realised that artist used to get so much positive feedback from all the over the world - that freeness made sense. It's great to get kids from Angola playing your tracks when you're starting out. The freebies have definitely helped - but I might cut down a bit now.What was your highlight of 2009?My highlight of 2009 has nothing to with anything i've done (although I did that Santigold remix in a few hours solid and it's one of my faves). 2009 was great for club music & i hope it continues to grow. Funky got sophisticated, Future garage made another comeback & crack house is large. What have you got in store for 2010? Lots of new tunes... I found over 100 beats in my itunes the other day. That Shea Soul track should be coming out and expect my debut ep anytime yesterday. Finally, any messages for our readers? Thanks for downloading the mix and come say hello in the clubs...http://soundcloud.com/bassmusic/bass-music-mix-17-photomachine
Comments [0]