2010, Free Tunes, Liquid D&B, Melodic, News, Producer Profile

Producer Profile: ICR

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Hungarian D&B artist Zoltan Gal, also known as ICR, has been a key figure in the country’s thriving D&B scene. In 1999 he established it’s online magazine and community site, ImpulseCreator.hu and has releases on dozens of diverse labels worldwide such as Offshore, Covert Operations , Good Looking, Nerve, Fokuz, Counter Intelligence, Flatline Audio, X-Tinction Agenda, Red Mist, Vibez and Influence.

In 2007, he started own label, Misspent Music, which continues to release high quality liquid and esoteric D&B. ICR has been integral in shaping the exceptional Hungarian D&B scene, and he continues to blaze a trail gloabally by releasing his latest album Restored as a free download. Not only is this incredibly generous, but I also think this will be the way of things in the future for music in general.

As a true D&B pioneer, ICR we salute you.

ICR – Restored

1. ICR – Painful Every Day
2. ICR – Hailstones From Heaven
3. ICR – Hungry Man (remix)
4. ICR – Nevermore (remix)
5. ICR – Remember
6. ICR – You Don’t Have To Know The Title
7. ICR – Downhill
8. ICR – Heavy Water
9. Robot Death Squad – Tokyo Burner (ICR remix)
10. Rufige Cru – Krisp Biscuit (ICR remix)
11. ICR – Less Than Three (DJ Trax remix feat. Assorted Anonymous)
12. ICR – How The Glitch Stole Christmas

Cross Genre, Mash-up, Melodic, Old Skool, Rave

Come Again? – pfradio.com Session #1

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Some people may remember back in the day when I played for Phuture Frequency Radio. Run by the amazingly versatile and talented DJ Raptures / Iambic, Phuture Freq has gone from strength to strength over the last eight years until it is now in the top 100 itunes radio stations.

Around Christmas time Raps contacted me and asked if I would like to contribute a set and I jumped at the chance. The result was this mash-up mix of all sorts from old hardcore through to modern day ambient and even into the uncharted territories of Exile’s twisted music. I’m dedicating the set to Rapture’s for being a great mate down the years, and for always inspiring me to do more musically.

Come Again? – 1hr of Mashed-Up Beats for pfradio.com

Bass Boy & Techmaster P.E.B. – Activated
Blame – Music Take You
Soul Delay – My Shadow (138 Remix)
Missy Elliot – Best Best (Two Fingers Remix)
2 Bad Mice – Drum Trip II
Kaotic Chemistry – Illegal Subs
Tipper – Disolve (In)
Santogold – Unstoppable
Skanna – Heaven
Exile – Merlin
The Prodigy – Claustrophobic Sting
Universal Love – Deeply
Shapeshifter – Summer Haze
D-Bridge – Wonder Where
Ruxpin – Now I Turn To You
Panda – Leaving Amsterdam
Shapeshifter – The Ride

Chill Out, Ear & Drum Session, Jazz & Bass, Melodic

Finer Things – Ear & Drum Session 26

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Last year I did a mix of old 96 chilled jazzy tracks called The Finest. I guess you could call this a sequel of sorts. There are a few well know tracks amongst this lot, but by in large I’ve tried to pick some of the more obscure tracks from the golden era of D&B.

I’m sending this one out to Haste, Blick and Niddle (Nidal) who never cease to amaze me with their knowledge of old D&B and who’s mixes are always welcome on my iPod any time. Respect fellahs.

Finer Things – 2hrs of jazz & bass classics from 1996

Elisabeth Troy – Let Me Be
DJ Krush – Only the Strong Survive (Dillinja Remix)
Alex Banks – Control
Elementz of Noize – Astral
Natural Mystic – Got to Have You
Foul Play – Artificial Intelligence
Hyper-On Experience – East Coast Vibes
Spring Heel Jack – 60 Seconds Dub
Jonny L – 2 of Us
Wax Doctor – Off Shore Drift
Plug – Snapping Fuss
Tekniq – Awakening 96
JMJ & Flytronix – In Too Deep
EZ Rollers – Believe (Photek Remix)
Q Project – Solar System
Doc Scott – Tokyo Dawn
Wax Doctor – Finer Things
E.R.K. – Still Not Smoking
B.L.I.M. – Jeamland 96
P.F.M. – The Eleventh Hour
P.F.M. – The Mystics

2010, Free Tunes, Liquid D&B, Melodic, News, Producer Profile

Producer Profile: DJ Clart

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I first heard of DJ Clart through the Golden Orb Weavers EP with his track So Selfish. His ability to toughen up a liquid track and still keep it melodic jumped out at me straight away. Just to prove it wasn’t a fluke he dropped the monster Avenue on Sole Digital, the super smooth Watchout VIP on Liquid Brilliants and sublime Mysterious Ways with Glen E Stone on Quilin’s 4 Corners EP.

To call Clart liquid doesn’t really do him justice. His diversity is always underpinned by a ‘deepness’ that remains consistent in all his releases. His use of organic bass lines which he twists into growling stabs and the crisp, clean and loud production on his beats really make his tracks hold up in a mix.

It’s looking like a big year for Clart with upcoming releases on Peer pressure, Next Sense, Ingredients, Vampire and Influenza Media. I am convinced 2010 will be year that this talented producer blows up big.

Just top get a taste here is a free track Clart has graciously let me host. It’s a bootleg of Lupe Fiasco’s Paris Tokyo and whilst quite a bit lighter than some of Clart’s official releases it still shows what talent he is.

Enjoy. 🙂

Lupe Fiasco – Paris Tokyo (DJ Clart’s D&B Bootleg)

Hard D&B, Requested Archive, Tech Step

Blazed – Phuture Frequency 32

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This one is for Darklin who reminded me that this mix even existed and to Robotone for once again filling the holes in my archiving system.

This was a radio set I did in September 2005. Loads of classic Audio Blueprint, RAM, Liftin’ Spirit, Underfire and Skynet Tracks from those masters of hard techie funk Stakka, Skynet, Kraken, K-Tee, Spy, Profound Noise, plus a whole heap of others.

It’s all class, no arse!

Blazed – 2hrs of Audio Bluepint / Underfire / Skynet Recs

Stakka & K-Tee – Hear Say (RAMM 015)
Stakka & K-Tee – After Hours (ADMM 008)
Stakka & K-Tee – Bad Influence (ADMM 009)
Stakka & K-Tee – Living for the Night (ADMM 008)
Stakka & K-Tee – Rugged and Raw (ADMM 008)
Skynet – MK Ultra (ABPR 002)
Skynet – Hal (ABPR 004)
Kraken – Warped (UDFR 011)
Friction & Skinny – Depth Charge (UDFR013)
Stakka & Skynet – Logistics (ABPR 002)
Kraken – Meatball (UDFR013)
Profound Noise – Luminous (UDFR0LP 002)
Spy – Z-Plane (UDFR013)
Profound Noise – Dropzone (UDFR013)
Kraken – Analogue Spikes (UDFR0LP 002)
Kraken – Side Effects (UDFR0LP 002)
Hard Evidence – Mind Field (UDFR0LP 002)
Profound Noise – Nu Level (UDFR0LP 002)
Stakka & K-Tee – Synthesis (UDFR0LP 002)
Stakka & K-Tee – Synthesis RMX (UDFR014)
Stakka & Skynet (Feat. Skinny) – Straight Jacket (UDFR0LP 003)
Stakka & Skynet (Feat. Kemal & Rob Data) – Biosphere (UDFR0LP 003)
Stakka & Skynet – Clockwork (UDFR0LP 003)
Stakka & Skynet (Feat. DJ Friction) – Altitude (UDFR0LP 003)
Stakka & Skynet (Feat. DJ K-Tee) – So Confused (UDFR0LP 003)
Gridlock – The Search (ABPR 018)
Skynet – Insomnia (SKY 001)
Stakka – Strange Daze (ZEROG 002)

All Label Mix, Cross Genre, Ear & Drum Session

31 Seconds: Part 3 – Ear & Drum Session 25

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Closing out the over view of 31 Records this mix goes to show what a varied scope of sounds Doc Scott has covered since the days of the Rollers EPs. The later releases cover all sorts from Liquid, Dub, Tech, Hard, Atmospheric through to Minimal.

Whilst 31 Records has never had the pulling power of Moving Shadow or Metalheadz there can be no doubt that Scotties label has done a huge amount in shaping the sound of D&B. If you want to hear where Doc Scott thinks D&B is going in the future you could do a lot worse than checking out his Soundcloud Page where the man himself puts up all his mixes.

Massive respect to 31 Records and the Doc Scott for the years of truly original and ground breaking music.

31 Seconds: Part 3 – The final hour of 31 Records in the mix

Staks 2 – Sight Unseen
Mutt – Incredible
Visionary – She Makes Me Feel
Visionary – After Hours
Zero Tolerance – Damascus
Stranja – Red Desert
Calibre – Intro
Commix – Trojan
Total Science – Come On Baby
The Insiders – Back & Fourth
Spectral – Buried
DC & Kubiks – Pull Your Body
Commix – You’ll See
Doc Scott – Tokyo Dusk
S.P.Y. & Mosus – My World
Nasty Habits – Shadow Boxing (Blu Mar Ten Unofficial 2006 Remix)

2010, News

Rip: A Remix Manifesto – A movie on the culture of sampling

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I saw this recently and thought it nailed the debate about sampling music to make other music perfectly. What’s more the makers of the movie are inviting you to pay whatever you think the movie is worth to watch it (al-la Radiohead), and then download and remix the movie yourself. So for the more media savvy of you out there this might a great opportunity to show what you can do behind the camera and in the editing suite.

The generational divide is very apparent in this film between those who copy and those who don’t. We now have two generations worth of digitally aware members of society who don’t view copying as a criminal offense. Especially if the copied material is being recycled and altered to sound nothing like the original, as is the case in electronic music.

Rip: The Remix Manifesto is about this divide and what electronic music is doing to fight for it’s right to sample. But don’t take my word for it, check it out and see what you think yourself.

Immerse yourself in the energetic, innovative and potentially illegal world of mash-up media with RiP: A remix manifesto. Let web activist Brett Gaylor and musician Greg Gillis, better known as Girl Talk, serve as your digital tour guides on a probing investigation into how culture builds upon culture in the information age.

Biomedical engineer turned live-performance sensation Girl Talk, has received immense commercial and critical success for his mind-blowing sample-based music. Utilizing technical expertise and a ferocious creative streak, Girl Talk repositions popular music to create a wild and edgy dialogue between artists from all genres and eras. But are his practices legal? Do his methods of frenetic appropriation embrace collaboration in its purest sense? Or are they infractions of creative integrity and violations of copyright?

You be the judge by watching RiP: A remix manifesto

Free Tunes, News, Producer Profile

Producer Profile: Data

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Data was one of my stand outs for 2009. Tracks like Delicate, Vice and Antenna from The Prologue EP on Horizons and Muted & Splice off his debut Metalheadz 12″ single saw him prove that he has his own unique sound, but that he can also cross genre boundaries with ease.

Based in West London Data has been turning heads with his mature and different approach to modern day drum and bass production. Quickly rising through the ranks with a slew of signings, his tracks quickly found their way into many top dj’s bags, including Goldie. Data’s focus on ambience, groove, minimalism and experimentation provides a whole new take on current drum and bass.

If you want find out more then check out his soundcloud and myspace, or just download the three tracks provided below. Two of these were slated to be on Metalheadz, so make sure you show your appreciation by purchasing any other Data tunes you stumble on and like in 2010.

Download here. 🙂

Data, E & Dynamic – Chiba City Blues
Data & E – Relic
Data – The Black Pagoda

2009, Deep D&B, Ear & Drum Session, Melodic, Minimal

New Year’s Break – Ear & Drum Session 24

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One last mix to see the year out. 2009 has been a great year for D&B. New sounds and boundaries are being forged and despite the constant baying of the haters and the ‘it used to be better’ brigade the music is stronger than ever.

This mix covers a lot of ground from deep, drumfunk, liquid, minimal, tech and more. A big shout to Consequence who’s new LP ‘Live for Never’ has flipped my lid with it’s depth and beauty. Also props to The Upbeats, Audio, SPL, Seba and esspecially The Square for the free tracks.

If you are stuck for something to listen to on or in the New Year then get on it. Happy New Year to everyone who has supported me in 2009 and here’s hoping 2010 is bigger and better for you all.

New Year’s Break – 1hr+ of the deep and the dirty to see off 2009

The Upbeats – Through The Night
Consequence – A Man and a Woman
Consequence – Farewell
Rufige Cru – Chances (Alex Perez & Sabre Mix)
Consequence – Long Lies
Consequence – From A Distance
TVG Hates TVG – Wasting Away… (Indidjinous Remix)
Audio – Error
S.P.Y. vs Mosus – Drop Shadow
Rufige Cru – Sometimes Sad Day
SPL – It Will Be Different
Consequence – Lime Green
Seba – Dangerous Days
The Upbeats – Ki Ki Kai Kai Feat Cardz
The Square – Rock ‘n’ Roll
Soul Defiance – Hurt Me
BCee – Come Home
Sequent Industry – Train to Space (Square Remix)
AK1200 – Junior’s Tune (Digital Remix)

2009, Cross Genre, Ear & Drum Session

First Class – Ear & Drum Session 23 – Special Anniversary Mash Up

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The Ear & Drum officially turns one today. 🙂

And to celebrate I’ve broken out of my D&B shackles and put together a mash up of almost everything but. I spent a long time getting this one right, so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it together.

Expect a few more mash up mixes in the new year as I am making a resolution to expand the Ear & Drum’s musical horizons in 2010. Also I am going to ramp up the news, reviews and free track give aways in an effort to keep the blog fresh and interesting.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us in the last 12 months and downloaded sets, registered, left kind words and/or spammed me with email for penis enlargement pills. I hope you all have a awesome Christmas break and a kick-ass 2010.

FIrst Class – 1hr Anniversary Mash Up – Happy Birthday to us

A Guy Called Gerald ft. Jennifer Neal – The Universe
Dr. Dre – The Watcher
Kelis – Bossy (Two Fingers Remix)
Chomatics – Running Up That Hill
Atlantic Connection – Interlude to L.A.
Oak – Starbird
Klute – Torrential Pain
Adam F – Mother Earth
Underworld – Rez
Break – In Between
Kid Cudi – Day ‘N’ Nite
Mutt – Face
Fresh – Heavyweight (Benny Page Remix)
Z-Trip – Mashup Tight
Jamie Vex’d – Radiant Industry
Mistabishi – Printer Jam (Barbarix Remix)
Martyn feat. D-Bridge – These Words
Utah Jazz – Atmospheric Interlude