Nicolas Jaar Darkside EP
Here are some clips of Jaar’s latest project, already featured on the blog, with guitarist Dave Harrington. The duo will be performing exclusives from their new project in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on the 1st of Dec. Anyways, here’s the clips. Enjoy.
After attending OUT OF STEP’s sample sale back in July, we couldn’t wait for another one to come around. This time, however, SAMPLED are putting on a cultural tour de force; by combining fashion, music, and art; this ‘sample sale’ is going to be pretty chilled day out. Brands like ALIFE, STUSSY, GENERIC SURPLUS and many more will feature at ridiculously discounted prices. Music wise, there will be new and old rare vinyl up for grabs in nearly all genres. If that wasn’t enough, after the sale is over there is the chance to attend a one-off night with guest DJs Andy Smith (Portishead), Spin Doctor, and many more. Don’t say that we don’t keep you informed with all things über fucking cool….
The event will take place on the weekend of the 3rd of December @ Bar Music Hall, 134 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AR
Entry costs £2 or a fiver with entry to the club included.
Iconic hip-hop duo Black Star (Mos Def Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli) drop the first track from their upcoming album, which is set to be only their second in 12 years. Rapping over a smooth beat from your favourite producer’s favourite producer Madlib, this song serves as a throwback to classic ’98 Brooklyn hip-hop – and if we can get a Common feature and a few Hi-Tek beats then we’re due for something special all over again ladies and gents.
If this is your first exposure to rap’s version of Simon & Garfunkel then do yourself a favour and cop their first album: Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star. In the meantime, check out the track below -
Kevin McPhee – Blue Organ
With releases on Idle Hands and [nakedlunch] already in 2011, Toronto’s Kevin McPhee returns on Hypercolour’s off shoot HypeLtd. The EP, titled Blue Organ, follows previous releases by house’s newest matriarch Maya Jane Coles and London’s T.Wiliams.
Lapped up in sensual female vocals, ‘Your Side’ and ‘I Will’ show McPhee’s tentative side; teary eyed and heart wrenching, the tracks exemplify ability to induce emotion. These tracks for me are the highlight of a much-accomplished EP.
‘Hang My Head’ is a less dreamy, more club orientated track, punching along with a low-slung baseline. While ‘Blue Organ’, the title track, reestablishes the equilibrium, with dreamy percussive tones.
This is an accomplished EP from McPhee, blanketed in subtle mopey vibes perfect for 5am listening.
The Roots – Undun
The legendary Roots crew are back; and to coincide with their new album they have produced a short film showcasing 4 of the tracks. The album, Undun, is dropping on December 6, and from what we hear it is dope. Undun tells the story of Redford Stephens (1974-1999) through the utilization of a reverse narrative, with Redford attempting to make sense of his former life. As he progresses and the story deconstructs Redford discovers that he in fact led to his own demise. The video was shot and directed by Clifton Bell, whom has worked with everyone, following his four-year study at the University of North Carolina, from Ice Cube to Method Man; Redman to Anthony Hamilton. Anyways, enough of this babble check the video; cop the music.
FaltyDL – Atlantis
New Yorker Drew Lustman, aka FaltyDL, is one of my standout electronic artists of 2011. Following releases on All City and, his excellent album “You Stand Uncertain”, on Ramp Records Drew Lustman returns with his latest offering on Mr Scruff’s Ninja Tune print.
Built around moody chords, vocal phrases and ridden with percussive elements, FaltyDL’s trademark sounds are synonymous with the last decade rather than the former; reminiscent early 90’s dance is what we have come to expect; and Atlantis delivers.
I think it’s been a good 2-3 years since I first heard this snippet on TiRon’s mixtape Ketchup (If you ain’t got it, get it). Finally the full version has been liberated by Pac Div in anticipation for the Cali-based trio’s debut LP The Div (Nov. 8). Even though the snippet was only around 1 minute – it was easily one of my most played songs on iTunes. The full version comes with the additional verses from BeYoung and Mibbs and retains the hook from TiRon. Check the song out below and don’t forget to cop the album when it drops.
Carl Craig – Just Another Day (2011) – PE65277
Detroit, once a thriving hub of industrial commerce in the modern Western world, synonymous with Automobile manufacturing – General Motors – an innovative and debouching powerhouse, the area became known as the “Motor City”. A series of cataclysmic events culminated in the demise of the region as a global industrial epicenter. However, away from the apocalyptic industrial landscape Detroit’s arts scenes flourished, mainly music, with Motown records a major player in the emergence of African American music.
It was not until the 80’s, when again Detroit’s African-American populates rose, that Detroit stamped its authority again, with the emergence of Techno. Using analog synthesizers and drum machines young musicians, such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Carl Craig, facilitated an electronic movement that would change the face of clubbing for ever.
Fast forward to 2011, and dancefloor experimentalist and innovator Carl Craig is still on top of Techno. “Just Another Day” was initially released in 2004 as an EP; however, Craig has remastered it as a mini-album.
Testament to the strength of the material, 7 years on and its still sounding fresh, tentative and groundbreaking. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, nor will the vast majority of people find this ‘groundbreaking’ or ‘tentative’; for the vast majority this is simply a techno album, like most other. However, that is missing the very essence of the EP. The drum kit has been stripped, depriving dance music of its fundamentals– the beat – to most this is desolation, deprivation and desecration. In modern music, that is dance music; the beat facilitates the dancefloor; without it, what is there to dance to? This is the marvel of the album; the essence; the point; and testament to it. Not only does each track engross, captivate and subdue the listener, it does so without the maximum impact of dance’s favorite instrument.
Nicolas Jaar presents Darkside
Darkside is an amalgamation between Nico and guitarist Dave Harrington, whom is part of Jaar’s live band. The pair, under Jaar’s own label Clown and Sunset, will be releasing the EP in early December, with each track shrouded in mystery simply named A1, A2 and A3. Little information has been released, as of yet, clips are impossible to find online, with only Giles Peterson’s exclusive clip available – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wq8d. However, from what we have heard, which was a mini clip of all three tracks, this EP is huge, and will indefinitely be one of the standout releases of the year.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or just don’t live on the internet like I do) you must’ve wondered where this ASAP Rocky fella came from. Since his Purple Swag video went viral earlier this year, the Harlem representer’s hype has gone completely off the charts in recent months, with the self-styled “Pretty-boy” being the toast of all the cool NY socialite circles. Anticipation for his debut mixtape LiveLoveA$AP, which was pushed back several times, has been frenzied – but since it’s release has it lived up to expectations?
Simply put, this tape delivers. If you’re looking for in-depth lyricism about social ills a la Lupe Fiasco or Immortal Technique then this may not be for you. However if you are a fan of great production, great flows and overall great music – this is a must. With a clear influence from his counterparts in Houston, LiveLoveA$AP is a chilled and very enjoyable listen – and serves as an ode to the lean drinking, laid back Texans. Features from Schoolboy Q, SpaceGhostPurrp and other impressive cameos from fellow ASAP crew members ensure this tape never gets boring. Enough chit-chat, download by clicking the artwork.
If you need to get acquainted, check these vids below:
In anticipation for his upcoming EP Boogaloo City, producer extraordinaire and blog darling Darq E Freaker has let this little promo video loose from a track titled Roar. With numerous US-based acts expressing their love for the eccentric and energetic artform, it’s only a matter of time before Grime gets the platform it’s long deserved. Check out this little gem above and keep your eyes peeled for the EP.
Albanian-American wordsmith Action Bronson has let loose this latest gem “Cocoa Butter” from his prospective offering, Well Done, which is a collaborative project helmed by the Queens-based rapper and DJ Statik Selektah.
Just as the name suggests, this track is pretty smooth ear candy – which is a pretty apt description befitting a song made by a rapper who is also a part time chef. If you’ve listened to Action before you’ll know what to expect – dense lyricism, plenty of references to exotic cuisines and laugh out loud lyrics. Statik Selektah also does his thing behind the boards, accompanied by a blast from the early 2000s in the form of Nina Sky. Who are they, you ask? Exactly. Check the track out below and keep your eyes peeled for Well Done, which is scheduled to drop on November 22nd.
After proving everyone that he’s still got it, Queensbridge legend Nas has released the official visuals to his monster single Nasty off of his upcoming LP – tentatively titled Life Is Good. Directed by the acclaimed Jason Goldwatch, the video has all the hallmarks of classic and grimy 90s hip-hop. Nas takes us on a tour of his notorious projects, all the while flexing lyrical godliness on the beat. Check it out below.
The elusive house label My Love is underground here serve up another outstanding release in their vinyl only collection. The label, built around an ethos of ‘hardcore’ deep house, has truly manifested into a collectors dream – with releases such as Brawther’s Deep Inside being limited to 100 copies.
The sixth release on the Parisian label comes from Inner Sense – aka French producer Henri Fontaine – who vindicates his position with an outstanding EP. Now in the 7th edition, the releases seem to be following a tangible course –contradictory to electronic music on the market at the moment.
This limited edition vinyl, coming in a tasty red, has already sold out; therefore, is already a collector’s item. Sorry to tease. Anyway, check out the tracks.
