Because life happens…
Author Archives: therealwetpaint
Tracks: On The DL 2
Usually Wednesday means reviewing a free compilation, but this week has been a busy one and I haven’t had much in the inbox other than Dilla tribute songs. So why don’t we make our own compilation? Here’s a collection of free soundcloud downloads from the past week or so.
Window by Insightful
Aaliyah_Rock the Boat_ Shigeto Remix by SHIGETO
Shlohmo – wen uuu (Teebs Remix) by FoFMusic
08.Soft Space by Keor Meteor Beats
Somepling – GramaLead by Somepling
Toucan Wing (Dilla Tribute) by BoomBaptist
Mecca:83 – Jay’s Theme by Solar Sound System
RIP Dilla
J Dilla is responsible for so much of what presently shapes the music that enriches my life daily. He was ahead of his time and certainly ahead of the curve. He birthed an entire generation of hip hop artists who bear his insignia on every piece of work they do, and for that privilege we should all be thankful. “Anti-American Graffiti” has long been a cherished song for me, and it does well in explaining why it took so long for him to be recognized as a genius on the forefront of not just hip hop, but music, period.
“Too much too soon.”
Track: Ta-Ku & Kit Pop – Bounce (DNte Remix)
This post could (should?) have been about Bounce as a whole and the growing consistency of beats emerging from the great down under. We’ve seen a steady parade of quality releases from Ta-Ku as of recently and his partner in crime, Perth’s Kit Pop, made a fan of me with December’s genre-smashing Smoke Cloud EP. The title track does exactly what it’s name implies. But this post was really designed to shine a little light on one of my favourite new artists to emerge last year (a statement based on the strength of one album), DNte. Everything he does just strikes a chord and, even when twiddling with a head-nodder like this, he always manages to create an emotive aspect to his work. Here he works around the original’s strong bass melody with some soft pianos and wiggly synths, adding layers until it opens up with a dramatic violin and some MLK. If that’s not pulling at your strings, I don’t know what is.
Video: Evy Jane -Sayso
Bandcamp:
http://store.kingdeluxe.ca/album/evy-jane-12
2012 keeps bringing good things my way. The good folks over at King Deluxe are preparing their first physical release in Evy Jane‘s Sayso 12″. The project focuses on slithering alt-RnB, built on the quality and sensibilty of UK bass and filtered through a lens smeared with what’s left of post-rave culture. Yeah, that was an elaborate description, but Vancouver’s Evy Jane is not easy to describe. This is a nice maturation for King Deluxe – a smooth comedown from their erratic, beatcentric catalogue. Head over to Bandcamp and preview the single, which also has a couple pro refixes from Vancity bass stalwarts Max Ulis and Taal Mala, and pre-order the vinyl.
Track: Mecca:83 x Bobby Blunt – Aura
Mecca:83 x Bobby Blunt – Aura by Solar Sound System
Dilla disciple Mecca:83 has been everywhere at once as of late. D A Y B R E A K, an album crafted in 24 hours (?!) provided me with some seriously soulful vibes last week, and his recent collabo with Somepling has been on loop since it dropped. Here we get another look at D A Y B R E A K highlight “Aura”, this time with an smooth vocals from alt-rap crooner Bobby Blunt. The result is all languid grooves and a great soundtrack to start or end your day.
Freebie Friday: heRobust – Late Night / Morning After
Being the first (and quite possibly last) double LP to receive the Freebie Friday treatment and the first taste of Saturate Records circa 2012, it’s safe to say I’ve been looking forward to this release more than any other so far this year. For fans of heRobust, it should go without saying that these dual 8-track albums are simply on another level, following in the same vein as Albumin‘s lurching, unraveling complexity. For those looking in for the first time, I recommend approaching with optimistic caution. This is electronic for the headstrong – dauntingly maximalist and demanding the listener to match it’s enthusiasm. Give it a good look, not just a glance. heRobust’s penchant for metallic arpeggios and massive drops could, if not given time to breathe, be received as just another fruitless off-shoot of glitch hop. However, listening to Late Night (dedicated to the party) and Morning After (a tribute to recovery) in succession reveals something more than just humongoid bass and spacey synth lines: balance. For it’s most fiercely robotic tendencies, a soothing, soulful vocal is there to lighten the load. The more wandering psychedelic moments are kept grounded by stomping drum rhythms. Places in which headspace is completely cluttered are always rewarded with a climax of melodically satisfying clarity. Did I mention this music is complex? The biggest and best of ideas are rarely the most accessible and this is no exception. heRobust’s swinging brand of hybridized electronic funk isn’t catering to anybody, and doesn’t need to. This young ATLien is developing a cult following one download at a time.
Label: Dub Temple Records
Representing internationally with operatives on 3 continents, Dub Temple Records still keeps a subterranean profile. With a persona as low key as their dub reggae infused beats, the clique seems to have all their bases covered. Dope aesthetic, check. Dope roster, check. Dope tunes, check check check. A lot of dope tunes. I’ve been checking in them since September (and the release of 1988′s Forever, their best output to date) and since they’ve released about a dozen or so records, ranging from they aforementioned dubbed out hip hop, to some more minimal endeavours, and even some chippy 8-bit stuff. They bring it all together with their compilation style beat tape series, each one covering a favourite reggae artist. Whether you’re a dub head or not, the way Dub Temple is cutting up records is unlike anything going on right now.
Beat tape series:
Catalog Highlights:
Event: Lazer Sword in Vancouver
Vancouver welcomes back the inimitable Lazer Sword, their first visit since the release of their eponymous debut album and Lando Kal’s subsequent move to Berlin. Despite my affection for said self-titled, I haven’t heard much from the left coast duo as of recently. My guess is they’ve been in their respective zones, crafting more unclassifiable electro ish. Basically, don’t go into this with any expectations.
I’M GONE FEAT. TURF TALK by LAZER SWORD
Lazer Sword – 808 Mix for International Tapes by LAZER SWORD
But wait there’s more.
Salva, the man responsible for 2011′s multifaceted powerhouses Complex Housing and Yellobone EP, is another big reason to love this ticket. Expect some seriously crunk vibes at The Waldorf March 9th.
Mix: Jesse Futerman – Live At the Drake Hotel
Jesse Futerman – Live @ the Drake Hotel Jan 27 2012 by jessefuterman
Jesse Futerman is another Canuck who is doing great things for the frosty north’s reputation. His Super Basement EP was one of my favourite albums of last year and I’ve been eagerly anticipating his next project. This mix, live from the T-Dot’s Drake Hotel, is proof positive that this dude doesn’t just murk his original productions, but is a beast in the mix as well. Gathering rap and electronic selections and some highlights of when the two meet, Futerman crafts an hour long mix that doesn’t miss the mark once. This should hold me down for a bit.
