New Spark Master Tape – “Picture On My Coffin” (Prod. Paper Platoon)

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November 6, 2013
New Music
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spark master tape

And if they hate me when they see my face/you’ll forgive me for the time I spent up on the grind/feel like every day

Spark Master Tape is all pastiche, an internet-era Houston disciple with an ear for schmaltzy samples, a penchant for misogyny and violence, and a willfully obscured personality. For the uninitiated, he’s an easily ignored product of a section of hip hop that should have never been given the due it’s been given. What differentiates SMT and his “Paper Platoon” from the Sprite slurping masses though is its try hard functionality and the fact that the rapping, well, actually deserves respect. SMT effortlessly switches between half and double-time flows over some of the most irregular beats and song structures in hip hop. Whoever is behind SMT’s music, it’s readily apparent that they care, something that can’t be said about the many Yung Leans creeping out of the internet woodwork. “Picture In My Coffin” is the first track off of SMT’s third project and is produced by Paper Platoon.

New Gorgeous Children – “Sour”

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November 4, 2013
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gorgeous children sour

Most Vangelis/Blade Runner-sampling hip hop songs don’t work. Neither do most hip hop releases on Canadian boutique electronic music labels. But then there’s Gorgeous Children’s upcoming mixtape/EP on Jacque Greene’s ever-picky Vase imprint. With Gorgeous Children’s resident producer Gila Monster taking a good helping of synth whirls from Vangelis’ soundtrack and adding a solid amount of hi hat/snare-based percussion, Face Vega takes us home with a few sharply executed, fuck the-world verses and a surprisingly chant-able chorus. The tape is called ICE and will be upon us soon. If you forgot, the group is Gila Monster and Face Vega. Expect big things.

Murlo Blends Kevin Gates & Meleka On Latest Bootleg

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November 4, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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dj sharda murlo

If you checked out Murlo’s recent contribution to Truants’ “Functions of the Now” mix series (or any of his other recent mixes), you’re privy to the London-based producer’s body moving, eclectic mixing style. Murlo operates in a number of unique spheres in both his production and DJ work, placing soca’s bright, airy melodies across grime’s spacious infrastructure and utilizing American hip hop and R&B to tie the whole affair down. Never one to hide away DJ secrets, he recently let loose a sublime blend of Kevin Gates’ “Arms of a Stranger” and Meleka’s “Go”, superimposing the latter’s aching vocals over the former’s (S1 produced) trance-informed melodies. The blend is a wonderful DJ tool and elicits quite a few feels as an original in and of itself. It’s also free so give it a listen below and jumpstart those creative engines.

Figgy Remixes Justin Bieber’s “Hold Tight”

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October 30, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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Taking a step back from his usual slow house structure, Figgy’s latest remix of Justin Bieber’s “Hold Tight” falls somewhere between woefully nostalgic and perspective-altering re-imagination. As we’ve noted before, pitching down R&B isn’t exactly a new science at that point, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done in a functional, effective manner. Figgy’s turning down of Bieber’s vocals works in tandem with twinkling synth work and refreshingly bouncy percussion, never settling down for a simple “screwed” effect. It’s not the most innovative remix on the block, but we’re glad Figgy took the reigns and not another less-gifted producer.

New Sinjin Hawke & Gangsta Boo – “Yea Hoe (Devil’s Daughter Mix)”

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October 30, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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gangsta boo

By most estimations, last months Sinjin Hawke + Gangsta Boo collaboration, “Yea Hoe”, was a resounding success, providing the former with an established, well-respected MC and the latter with some of the best club collaboration the world over. That being said, I don’t think anyone is mad that we’ve received an alternate/remix version of the song in the form of he “Devils Daughter Mix”. Whereas the original was all braggadocious horn work and Greek Tragedy wails, the new mix strips all of that away (for portions of the song), relying on reverberating, over-the-top synth drums and strapping hi hats. If the original was a club track, then this is a club track. It’s hard to choose between the two, but considering that both are free, expect to hear both in abundance over the coming weeks and months. Stream/download below and catch the original mix after the jump.

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Nadus Remixes Drake’s “Furthest Thing”

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October 30, 2013
New Music, Remixes
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There are a lot of producers (from the Northeast and elsewhere) that are making incredible Jersey club right now, but few manage to transcend the sub-genre, twist it around their finger and subject it to their will quite like Newark’s own Nadus. Whether’s he’s trending more towards the aggressive, breakbeat-led end of the club spectrum or whipping out a more subdued, feels imbuing sound, Nadus is straight quality, turning out a steady stream of new music and rarely faltering. His remix of Drake’s “Furthest Thing” certainly falls into the latter camp with a dream-like atmosphere, subdued kicks and drug-haze inducing synth-work. With all these varied remixes, we just have one question: where’s that Pelican Fly EP yung Nadus? We’re all waiting.

New Midland – “Driving Bell (Drum Dub)”

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October 30, 2013
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midland graded

Midland’s hazy club contortions have been lighting up Britain for years now and it wasn’t until I caught the London-based producer at Decibel Festival last month that I completely understood why. Not that I didn’t enjoy his music, but as with many producers, it was difficult to put it in context until I heard it in a club setting. That’s not to say that Midland’s tunes can’t make good home music. In fact, his music functions on a plane that many others in his class cannot and can play the role of headphone music quite well. The alien squelches and rounded percussion of “Diving Bell (Drum Dub)” make for excellent club fair, but their slightly dissonant, off-kilter nature also turns out an interesting solitary listen. That being said, go see Midland if you get the chance. And look out for the digital and vinyl release of the Diving Bell EP (November 25 on Graded). You won’t regret it.

New Dubbel Dutch – “Inevitable”

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October 30, 2013
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dubbel dutch

Dubbel Dutch’s upcoming Cloud Cub EP (out November 12 on Mixpak) has either been completely mistimed (unless you live in the Southern hemisphere), or the man born Marc Glasser is just supremely confident in his music’s uplifting abilities. Belying the trend towards icier, cold, minimalist music come wintertime, Glasser has turned out his most effervescent track to date, the Ce’Cile covering “Inevitable”. Soca, dancehall, Jersey club and UK funky are all invoked on this riddim, but it’s the trampoline drums and nearly over-the-top, tinkling synth melodies that make the track a Dubbel Dutch riddim. It’s fair to say that there are few producers I would trust to turn out something so overtly poppy, but Glasser has turned in an incredible tune that might just light the dark months. Stream below and pre-order the Cloud Club EP here.

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
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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.