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Author Archives: Gabe Meier

Bobby Browser Mix For The Astral Plane

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October 29, 2013
Mixes
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bobby browser artIt’s not everyday that you get an electronic music producer who learned to improvise, using a wide range of hardware, before they learned to make songs using software, but that’s exactly what Oakland-resident Bobby Browser did. Born Andre Ferreira, Browser tells of an influential trip to Europe that stoked his interest in dance music and, later, participation in a rotating quartet of hardware obsessives called Party Effects. It wasn’t until 2010 or 2011 though that Browser started recording his own tracks and subsequently linked up with Los Angeles-based imprint (and Not Not Fun sister label) 100% Silk to release the (functionally titled) Just Browsing EP, a four track collection of patient, fulfilling house tunes. Later, Ferreira would release the Still Browsing EP (also on 100% Silk), continuing his exploration of funk-oriented basslines, whispering synth work and delectable restraint. For his Astral Plane guest mix, Ferreira has taken us back to his improvisational days, crafting nearly an hour of free-wheeling beats on a Teenage Instruments OP-1. At times, the mix veers towards meandering beat-less sections, broken only by an acid squelch or a crunchy lo-fi kick drum. At its best, the mix offers an idiosyncratic blend of left-field beat-work and a rare opportunity to peer into the mind of one the most promising West Coast producers. Stream/download below and hit the jump for a list of Browser’s upcoming tour dates!

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New Vissacoor (L-Vis 1990 & Massacooramaan) – “Spectral Evidence”

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October 28, 2013
New Music
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vissacoor

Straight out the fucking dungeons of planet Night Slugs (from the Fade To Mind galaxy), London’s L-Vis 1990 and Portland’s Massacooramaan have conjoined to form Vissacoor, a joint venture that is certainly more man than machine. If you haven’t noticed, the Night Slugs and Fade To Mind camps have a penchant for collaboration and this Thursday will see Vissacoor come together in New York City for a special live performance alongside a stacked lineup that includes Rinse.FM founder DJ Slimzee, Total Freedom, J-Cush and many more. “Spectral Evidence” is the first track from the duo and is currently up for free download. It’s a dense, dark affair so prepare yourself before listening. Stream/download below and check out the show flyer after the jump.

DJ Kiff Remixes Planet Rock’s “Sarah Palin”

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October 24, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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planet rock

There’s something to be said for senselessly repeated phrases in American club music and while I can’t exactly back it up with a cultural studies lexicon of terms and theories, I can say that it has become one of the defining features of the Baltimore, New Orleans Jersey and Chicago sounds. On it’s own, a repeated Big Sean line is annoying to the point of inflicting self-harm, but in the context of DJ Kiff’s remix of Planet Rock’s “Sarah Palin” it takes on new, hypnotizing function. Vocal repetition might not offer any deeper meaning into life, but it often makes for damn effective dance music. Stream Kiff’s remix below and cop a free download here.

Kahn Lays Down Roots & Foundation Mix

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October 24, 2013
Mixes
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kahn

Whether you prefer Kahn’s straight up dubstep excursions with Neek, soundsystem culture tributes as Gorgon Sound (also with Neek), or his left-field grime machinations with Bristol’s Young Echo collective, it’s undeniable fact that the Bristolian has had a huge impact on the UK scene in recent years. This week, he surpassed the 20,000 follower mark on Soundcloud and, as a thank you to the fans, laid down nearly an hour and a half of reggae, dancehall and other Jamaican music that has melded his sound. From the big man himself:

I put this mix together to give thanks to everyone who has been supporting and following my journey in music so far, whether you’ve been there from the start or have just found me today.

Reggae and dancehall music is a great passion of mine and over the years I’ve collected many records which I rarely have a chance to play out at shows. I decided to use the milestone of 20,000 followers on Soundcloud as an excuse to put together a mix of some of my personal favourites, both as an enjoyable way to mark the occasion and to hopefully give you a glimpse into part of the foundation of my sound as Kahn. To give some background and context to what I do.

For someone as uneducated about reggae, dub and dancehall as myself, this mix offered quite a bit of insight into what feeds into the various jungle-derived sounds the UK offers. Stream/download below and hit the jump to get a taste of Kahn’s contributions to last month’s war dub battle.

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Jim-E Stack Remixes Hyetal’s “Jam The Network”

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October 24, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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jim-e stack

Ever since he jumped onto the scene with a few well-timed remixes, San Francisco-born producer/DJ Jim-E Stack has been on an impeccable streak of releases. At some point between his transition from San Francisco to New Orleans, and most recently New York, Stack has developed one of the most refined sounds in the American club music game. First came the Come Between EP on Good Years, then Body High released his Bubble Boy single, all while Stack continued to spit out quality remixes. For his latest feat, Stack has taken on buzzing Bristolian Hyetal’s (of Velour and Modern Worship fame) “Jam The Network”, reducing the throbbing, riffy original into a calm, collected piece of slow house mastery. It’s almost too easy to fall into the slightly moody air of the remix, it’s pulsating rhythm growing ever more persistent without seeming to force the issue. Stack’s sense of pacing is just so on point at times that you forget that the listener forgets that they’re listening to dance music.

Helix Remixes Chits’ “Looking So Good”

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October 24, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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helix

Photo via Resident Advisor

Grime/techno/jungle hybrids have become all the rage in the UK over the past few months with producers like Peverelist, Girl Unit, Tessela and more striving to make their tracks as bare-bones and percussive as possible. Of course, Hessle Audio (specifically Pearson Sound) has been pushing this sound for years and has received many plaudits for it, but its recent popularity has opened the floodgates for experimentation. Of those dipping his toes into the mix, Atlanta-based Helix has produced some of the most engrossing results, starting with “Drum Track” off of Night Slugs Allstars Vol. 2 and continuing with Club Constructions Vol. 4. The young producer’s tracks are skeletal and, at times, harsh, but also retain a certain euphoric quality that resonates in his brief, but tactful synth work. On Helix’s remix of Chits’ “Looking So Good” (out now on Astro Nautico), the stomping kick drums are the clear focus, but percolating chord arrangements keep the track from fomenting into industrial madness and it’s this balance of mid-range tones and deep low end that allows the remix to function as something more than a DJ tool. Stream the remix below and look out for the vinyl release on 11/26.

Lake Haze Mix For The Astral Plane

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October 23, 2013
Mixes
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lake haze

The Unknown To The Unknown roster is made up of a wide-ranging group of producers that, more often than not, bely the expectations set upon them by fans and the music media. Elusive Portuguese-bred producer Lake Haze fits that bill to a T, spilling out a bubbly, direct take on garage and bassline for the ‘nuum-focused masses. With only one release to his name (the aptly titled Late Night Trip EP) and another UTTU release on the way, we didn’t have a ton to go on when we first up Lake Haze for a guest mix, but the mix manages to function as both a comprehensive introduction to his influences and DJ stylings, as well as a surefire party starter. Made up of a combination of UTTU classics and choice bassline cuts, this mix has enough curvaceous low end and patois for even the most jaded listeners. Hit the jump for the full tracklist and download below!

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New DJ Funeral – “Shutterbug”

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October 17, 2013
New Music
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SHUTTERBUGCOVER

2012 saw Los Angeles-based label Body High transition from minor local outpost into one of the foremost names in left field club music. In 12 months, Jerome LOL and Samo Sound Boy’s label released massive tunes from the likes of Todd Edwards, DJ Sliink, Jim-E Stack and many more. While 2013 hasn’t been quite as splashy for the BH crew, it has been an equally huge year with the label doubling down on its existing roster, stylizing one of the most known brands in American dance music (Body High shirts are a constant at high class functions), and touring the country incessantly (most recently with Juan Atkins, Anthony Shakir and DJ Pierre). Before 2013 comes to a close though, it looks like we’re going to receive another huge release from BH in the form of a new DJ Funeral single. “Shutterbug” is predictably huge and is another track in the growing procession of sort of-but not quite Bmore mutations that have erupted in recent years. Stream “Shutterbug” below and hit the jump for info on DJ Funeral’s upcoming tour!

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Mumdance & Logos Collaborate On “Wut It Do”

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October 17, 2013
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mumdance

If you haven’t noticed, break beats are becoming quite a trend these days. 2013 is quite a far toss from the jungle heyday of approximately ’94-6, but if producers like Tessela, Om Unit, Special Request (Paul Woolford) and the legions of Bmore/Jersey/Philly clubbers have anything to say about it, the sound is about to see a creative resurgence. And after listening to Mumdance and Logos‘ “Wut It Do”, it’s not that difficult to imagine massive crowds going mental (once again) to this sort of junglist hybrid tune. The sound is angry, snarling and immediate, but as Tessela showed us with “Hackney Parrot”, can also be utilized to mobilize populist dancefloors. “Wut It Do” is off of Mumdance & Logos’ upcoming Genesis EP, which will be released in early November on Dusk & Blackdown’s Keysound Recordings. Expect more junglist madness, but also a good deal of the spacey, eski-derived grime that we heard on the Kowloon EP.

New Lil Durk – “Who Is This” (Prod. Zaytoven)

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October 16, 2013
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lil durk

Lil Durk, like many of his Chiraq brethren, generally splits attention among the rap listening public. On the one hand, Durk has a knack for story telling and his hooks are always on point, not to mention his impeccable beat selection, but if you can’t get past the warbling use of autotune and sometimes lackadaisical technical ability, his music might be difficult to delve into. We count ourselves in the firm believer camp and the Englewood-bred MC has only solidified that sentiment with his latest tape, Signed To The Streets. Of the tape’s 15 tracks, the Zaytoven produced “Who Is This” was the first to immediately catch us. The track is a harrowing cinematic tale of government officials, phone taps and dope that, despite some fairly blatant plot holes, is one of the more interesting mob tales to come out of the hip hop canon in a minute. Stream “Who Is This” below and download the entirety of Signed To The Streets here.