Saturday, October 10, 2009
Rockin' The Boombox
After a lengthy hiatus from this blog I've decided to return and give you all more music than you can shake an electronic stick at. These tunes have been rocking my stereo for the last couple of months.
Echaskech - Shatterproof // Just Music BuyTitle track from their great new album out now on Just Music.
Every month Echaskech showcase different electronic artists at their residency at The Concrete Bar on London's south bank.
The next event is on October 17th with Max Cooper (Live) and Input Junkie (Live). For more info go to www.echaskech.co.uk
They also have an album launch for Shatterproof at the Queen of Hoxton on October 28th.
Point B - Track 1 // Combat Recordings BuyGreat melodic Dubstep from the forthcoming 'Suicide Beauty Spot' album on Combat Recordings. Released October 26th.
Andrew Weatherall - Built Back Higher // Rotters Golf Club BuyRadical Majik - Direct Action (Andrew Weatherall Remix) // Rotters Golf Club Buy
Andrew Weatherall confounds critics who try and put his sound into any type of box. 'Built Back Higher' is my favourite track from his new album 'A Pox On The Pioneers'.
Weatherall also teams up with his Boardroom crew for more new tracks and remixes from 'Andrew Weatherall Vs The Boardroom Vol 2'
Ikonika - Smuck // Planet Mu released Oct 26thSubeena - Analyse // Planet Mu released Oct 19th
The ladies are upstaging the boys with these two new releases forthcoming on Planet Mu.
It's more great 8 bit Dubstep in a Zomby style from Ikonika plus a melodic Dubtec wonder from Subeena
Florence And The Machine - You Got The Love (XX Remix) // UniversalSo this is a remix of a cover version of The Source feat Candi Staton - 'You Got The Love' which itself was a mashup of her original acapella plus Jamie Principal's 'Your Love'.
Hmm.... Worth it though.
And finally some superb podcasts and mixes you should definitely check out.2562 - Fact Mix 81
Scuba - Podcast 03
SCB - mnml ssgs mix 37
Labels: 2562, Andrew Weatherall, Echaskech, Ikonika, Planet Mu, Point B, Scuba, Subeena
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Orchestral Maneuvers
Glasgow based Stuff Records have been responsible for some of the most out there, ground breaking releases to come out since Warp records first came onto the scene in the last Millennium. Warp records respect them so much that they have signed Rustie, the Glasgow wunderkind after his first two EPs for Stuff and being signed by the label is now seen by many as a stepping stone onto greater heights.So we were filled with much excitement when Stuff sent through their latest release for our starving ears to review.
The Village Orchestra or TVO as he is sometimes known is the Techno nom de plume of Ruaridh Law, The Dark is Rising is a new mini album + EP which brings together elements of old skool Hardcore, Detroit Techno, Warp Electronica and the Techno/Dubstep crossover which has been championed on these pages many times.
2562 has been chosen to remix 'Afanc' from the EP and his mix is superbly spacious track, half dubstep and half Chain Reaction Heroin House.
The Village Orchestra - Afanc (2562 Remix) // Stuff 006
The first 200 records are accompanied by a CDR of the mini album, The Dark is Rising and this reverts to the more familiar territory of subtle atmospheric Electronica, perfect listening material for the early hours.
The EP and mini album should be released shortly through the usual outlets.
The Village Orchestra - The Grey King // Stuff Records
I couldn't leave without giving you a slice of the genius of Rustie, the young scamp, that with his releases have put himself and Stuff Records firmly on the musical map. 'Soapy Tits' is taken from the Beatnicks Vol 1 EP released in 2007 on Up My Alley Records.
Rustie - Soapy Tits // Beatnicks Vol 1 EP. Up My Alley
Labels: 2562, Rustie, Stuff Records, The Village Orchestra
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I Call It Dubtec.
The amalgamation of two genres and two sounds, both with very different origins has started to materialise. The Berlin Dub Techno scene has been around for over 15 years now, with the godfathers of the metallic Techno sound, Basic Channel, (Pictured) having influenced everyone in the electronic scene since their inception in 1993. Since then they have created era defining Techno, dubbed out House and Electronic Reggae all with the metallic shards of sound that became their signature and which has been imitated by so many.Dubstep has its origins in a very different place. Out of the UK Garage/2 Step scene in the late Nineties emerged two separate genres. Grime, with its influences from Hip Hop and its utilisation of the MC as the main focus for the music and Dubstep, with its influences coming from Drum 'n' Bass and Dub Reggae. The commercial strains of 2 Step have been totally bred out from Dubstep's genetic structure, this has led to innovation and exploration of Bass and rhythm that now shares Techno's passion for innovation and pushing boundaries of sonic exploration.
Recently however a divide in the genre has become more evident. like Drum 'n' Bass a decade ago, Dubstep is becoming fractured between the heavy sounds and punishing bass for the dancefloor and the deeper strains which which are starting to be influenced by the Techno scene. One could argue that it all started with Ricardo Villalobos' remix of 'Blood On My Hands' by Shackleton, a tune which was already heading into deeper sonic territory than previous Dubstep offerings.
There are a new crop of artists emerging that are taking the Dub Techno influences to produce music that now seems a logical merger between the two sounds. Artists from the Bristol scene including Shackleton himself, Skull Disko co-founder Appleblim, and artists Peverelist and (dutch producer) 2562, both on Pinch's Tectonic label are merging Techno influences to create a new hybrid of Dubstep. I like to call it Dubtec.
Shackleton and Appleblim have always cited Basic Channel as a big influence and now what with Shackleton moving to Berlin and Appleblim being shown the 'secrets' to the Basic Channel sound from the Hardwax crew, and remixes by both camps now doing the rounds, this amalgamation of sound is set for a very interesting future.
Check the following releases to hear what I'm talking about.
Shackleton and Appleblim have always cited Basic Channel as a big influence and now what with Shackleton moving to Berlin and Appleblim being shown the 'secrets' to the Basic Channel sound from the Hardwax crew, and remixes by both camps now doing the rounds, this amalgamation of sound is set for a very interesting future.
Check the following releases to hear what I'm talking about.
Appleblim and Peverelist - Circling // Skull Disko 008
2562 - Channel Two // Tectonic
Peverelist - Junktion // Tectonic
Appleblim has just mixed Vol 6 of Dubstep Allstars. Buy.
The new album 'Aerial' by 2562 is released on Tectonic on June 2nd. Buy. Check out the review at FACT
Buy Peverelist and listen to his remix of Pole here.
Labels: 2562, Appleblim, Basic Channel, Dubstep, Skull Disco, Techno, Tectonic
