Born in Detroit, Jason very much eluded the bright lights of the emerging House/Techno scene, this was however his own choice. Emerging in the 80’s dj’ing at underground parties, he was even invited on to radio shows to play, however, he never released any of his music. Instead, Jason – whom makes all of his music using analog machines – continued to produce his music on cassette only, releasing it only to friends and local indie stores. When someone got their hands on his work, after hearing this fairytale story, in a L.A record store they were, to say the least, amazed. Not only are Jason’s tunes original, classic-house, but they are some of the most amazing deep-house you will ever hear.

Following on from his first release on Wax classics, a branch of Skylax records, Jason is back with his 2^nd EP. We will be featuring the EP as soon as it drops, on the 23^rd of March. However, until then you can enjoy the highlight of the last EP Lost Cuts #1. Safe.

Our favorite British festival has a new home. Admittedly, it is in the heart of Olympic London, making it an expensive do; however, the location is, in a nutshell, sick. ‘Pleasure Gardens’, is overlooked by a monolithic, Stalin esc, industrial landscape, more like a rave site than a festival one.

A far cry from the arcades and the comforts of Butlins, the new venue promises custom built stages like no other. If we are going the adventurism of the ‘The dome’, an inflated stage equipped with visuals, then we are in for a hell of a weekend.

Curated by those behind the nighttime area of Glasto, this is promising to be big. Oh, and if your worried about the timing, if you get pissed off with the early finish of city festivals, such as Parklife, don’t worry the license is till 6am. Bloc2012 is on 6/7th of July, tickets are on sale now. Peace.

Brooklyn based Travis Stewart, aka Machinedrum, is set continue the precedent set in 2011 with his latest EP, titled SXLND. The man behind 2011 smash Room(s) is back, this time on Glaswegian label LuckyMe. The label, which showcased Jacques Green’s – Another Girl in 2011, present the EP, originally written back in 2010 and which after being leaked on rinse has been engineered for 12. Coming fully equipped with a Scuba remix, the 12inch is out on Jan 17^th. Until then check out the soundcloud.

Machinedrum – ‘DDD’ by BOILER ROOM

Shades of Blue - Madlib

Madlib is a mad genius. If I were to explain why I think this to be true I would completely forget the true reason why I started this post – so I think we’ll leave that for another day. In this latest entry into the REVISION ROTATION series, I’ve included Madlib’s Shades of Blue album, a series of remixes over the archives of the legendary Jazz record label, Blue Note records.

This album is a masterclass in the meshing of smooth beats and chill vibes with technical prowess – a description that fits Madlib himself. It manages to be impressive sonically without being obtrusive enough to take your mind off the matter at hand – you could definitely do with this on while you’re busy cramming useless information you’ll never use again.

Best.Artwork.Ever

Some say the New York rap scene is having something of an identity crisis these days. When the only rapper with any legitimate hype in a city is so deeply influenced by another city’s culture (ASAP Rocky, anyone?) that you wouldn’t have known he wasn’t born and bred there – there’s a case for saying there’s a problem. However, at PSA we believe there’s cause for the birthplace of rap to be a tad more optimistic.

Rappers like Action Bronson and Mr MFN Exquire are getting serious exposure as of late, and unlike some, they are so NY it’s impossible to listen to them without thinking of grimy subways and army jacket lining. There is, however, a tendency for the ‘next big thing’ out of the Big Apple to be overhyped and expected to single-handedly restore the city to the pinnacle of hip-hop – which always seems to flop (Cory Gunz, Uncle Murda, Papoose, Charles Hamilton…etc). Which is why in the case of the ‘Flatbush Zombies‘ we hope this trend dies…for good.

The Brooklynite duo hooked up with producer Erick Arc Elliot to drop what can only be described, as eloquently as possible, as a banger. Lyrics, beat and video are the holy trinity of a viral hit these days – and this song can put a tick next to each category. Check the song out below and stay posted.

CLICK TO GO TO THE BANDCAMP PAGE

If you, like me, have some sort of coursework/revision/slave labour to concern yourself with around this time of year – the right kind of music can often put you in the right frame of mind and make the work less labourious. With that in mind, I’m going to be compiling a little series of posts featuring music that gets me in the mood for mind-numbing reading.

If you’ve heard of Diggs Duke, then you should already know what to expect. His Gravity EP was released a few months back to critical acclaim, despite being very short, and ended up on many ‘End of Year’ lists – with a jazzy voice and an ambient, atmospheric sound being prevalent throughout the tape. You can get your hands on this heavy EP for only 99 cents (convert that into GBP if you’re that much of a Scrooge).

His recently released Black Gold EP (produced in collaboration with BamaLoveSoul) is also not the longest in the world (at all), but the soulful and sultry sounds emanating from the Maine resident will definitely have you putting it on repeat. My personal favourites so  for me include ‘Something In My Soul’ and the title track ‘Black Gold’.

To enjoy Black Gold in it’s entirety, head to the bandcamp page (click the cover artwork above) and name your price. The first 1200 people get a free download, no complaints here.

Picture courtesy of HIGHSNOBIETY

Stussy, being no stranger to collaboration (whores), have kicked off 2012 in typical fashion. Collaborating with Danner, the streetwear icons have brought another casual boot to increase your choices in that department this winter.

With the coming months set to be cold as a bitch, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment to get yourself kitted out sherpa-style. Release is scheduled for Jan 7th.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

I’m calling it first – Habits and Contradictions is going to be the mixtape of the year. Schoolboy Q‘s 2011 effort, Setbacks was probably my personal favourite of the year – and the TDE spitter looks like he’s ready to force his way onto everybody’s playlist.

Show stealing features on the critically acclaimed Section 80 and LiveLoveA$AP – two of the biggest tapes of 2011 – have set the tone perfectly for the Cali representer to have a crazy 2012, and if you had listened to any of his previous work you’ll know that his hype is long overdue. This latest track to leak from the upcoming HnC is called “Blessed” and features man of the moment and fellow TDE partner in crime, Kendrick Lamar. Peep the track below.

To begin with, this is not a reflection of the collective opinion here at PSA; this is a collection of my (Sameed) favourite releases of 2011. I hope you enjoy.

20

Kool Vibe – Deep Inside (Brawther’s 7inch dub)

This 7inch, released on My Love Is Underground, was limited to only 150 copies maintaining the labels elusive ethos. Paying homage to the classic house sample, the dub never left the record bag.

19

The Odd Trio – The Medley (Bastard, Lemonade, AssMilk)

Covering Odd Future the Jazz trio, now under their new alias BADBADNOTGOOD, reworked much of the collectives work. This edit of Tyler the Creators ‘Bastard’ provided a fantastic teaser to the mixtape.

18

Hype Williams –  Your Girl Smells Chung When She Wears Dior – One Nation

The strange duo produced some of the strangest music of 2011, and not to everyone’s taste. Your Girl Smells Chung samples Cassie’s vocal from ‘Addiction’, reworking with vintage chords a shuffling percussion and excessive tape delay. The eccentric pair are one of the most original artists to break through 2011.

17

Julio Bashmore – Battle for Middle You – from Everyone Needs a Theme Tune EP

This monster house track was a staple for most DJ’s in 2011, and was dropped by everyone across dance spectrums. Not much more has to be said.

16

Michael Kiwanuka – Tell Me a Tale

Since our review back in May, the soulful Londoner has done it all: Numerous appearances on Giles Peterson’s show, toured with Adele and a slot before Red Hot Chillies on Jools Holland. His sound has been dubbed as vintage soul and comparisons to Bill Withers are rife, making it a massive breakthrough year for the 23 year old, sure to blow in 2012.

 15

Gang Colours –Fireworks in Pocket – from In Your Gut Like a Knife EP

The latest talent to get gobbled up by Giles Peterson’s Brownswood label, Gang Colours debut four track EP falls into that ambiguous electronica/post-post category. Playing with psychedelic and futuristic instrumentation the EP provides perfect 5am listening, one to watch out for again in 2012.

14

Tyler the Creator – Yonkers

Need i say anymore?

 13

Boddika – Warehouse – from Back & Fourth

Boddika aka Instra:mental was a huge figure in 2011. It proved difficult to select one track to sum up his year, with ‘Acid Jackson’/’Soul What’ also huge; however, this track was a central feature of his acidic sets in 2011 and fully went off.

12

Space Dimesion Controller – Flight of Escaped Vessels – from The Pathway To Tiraquon 6

Another of the huge breakthrough act of 2011, Space Dimension’s psychedelic sounds provided the soundtrack to some amazing R & S records nights.

11

Shlohmo – Places – from Bad Vibes

LA Hip-Hop’s latest son produced some outstanding music in 2011; this is my pick from his EPs etc.

10

James Blake – Whilhelms Scream – from James Blake

At first, I was cynical; I didn’t like his whining voice and his nervous aesthetics. In short, he annoyed me. I will be first to admit I was wrong, as his almost apocalyptic singing grew on me I was converted after seeing his band live. Much like Nicolas Jaar, he took electronic music to a visceral level, returning to live instrumentation.

9

Deadboy – Here for You – Here

Glasgow based NMBRS has established itself as a front runner in UK electronic music, and with releases like this its easy to see how. Following 2010’s sellout ‘If U Want Me’, Deadboy returned from his US tour with a fresh house orientation.

8

Joy O – Sicko Cell

As stated, 2011 was a huge year for Swamp81. This ambiguous release was kept under wraps for much of the year, before Mr Orbison claimed responsibility. A camp favourite at Outlook, in the tent not the gay sense, I was subjected to this one on a daily basis.

7

Unknown Artist – B1 – from Music Institute 20th Anniversary (Part 1 of 3)

- B2 , not B1

The first of three limited edition vinyl’s released on Detroit’s Kai Alce’s NDATL imprint as part of the 20^th anniversary of the world famous Detroit Music Institute. Hailed as the epicentre of Detroit’s epic rise to electronic folk law, the institute played host to a who’s who of Techno/House. The release, although not made in 2011, is unreal. Salvaged from DAT’s tapes/CD’s, in a series of ultra rare and lost tracks, this release blew my mind! Unfortunately i couldn’t find B2, so heres B1.

6

Brawther – Do it Yourself – from Do it Yourself EP

A focal point of my sets for much of the year, this is a pure darncefloor groove. Straight up house grooves from a standout player in my 2011.

5

Daphni aka Caribou – Yes I Know – from Yes I Know/Jiao EP

2010 gave birth to Caribou; 2011 gave birth to Daphni, his evil twin. ‘Yes I Know’ was a feature of his outstanding RA podcast, and completely throws dance floors every time.

4

Wendy Rene – After Laughter Come Tears (Nicolas Jaar Edit)

It would be easy to harp on. So I wont. His album was sick; live sets, also sick; and mixes, again sick. This track was never released, being part of his mix for XLR8R magazine; however, the edit of Wendy Rene’s original, which can also be heard in Wu-Tang’s classic, is epic and hard to come by.

3

FaltyDL – Brazil – from You Stand Uncertain

A standout track from one of my favourite albums of the year.

2

Bugge Wesseltoft and Henrick Schwarz – Kammermusik – from Duo

German house mogul Schwarz needs no intro, remixing from MJ to Bill Withers; however, 2011 saw him turn his attention away to live shows, and away his house roots. With the progression of both musicians coinciding, Schwarz towards live music and Bugge towards electronic, a project seemed fitting. The collaboration merged live Jazz improvisation with carefully orchestrated compositions, making a beautiful record. ‘Kammermusik’ is underpinned with a Piazolla esc piano line and evocative percussion, making a remarkably original record.

1

Thundercat – For Love I Come – from The Golden Age Of Apocalypse

Thundercat is best known for his extraordinary basswork for the likes of FlyLo, Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn, including the bass on Cosmogrammas “MmmHmm”.Produced by FlyL and featuring Grammy award-winning drummer/brother Ronald Bruner Jnr the album included an amazing re-interpretation of George Duke’s classic “For Love I Come”, quintessential listening.

Fresh vibes from the XX