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Dubplate Culture

time March 9th by Afro Monk authorTags: , , , , , , ,

There is one reason and one reason alone that we should love a DJ, and it’s because of the music he or she plays! Most electronic music has always been fairly exclusive and the era of Dubplate culture is still amongst us. The Dubplate culture refers to producers and record labels releasing an acetate record versus a full vinyl release. The acetate disk is almost a beta of the final version and is limited to certain amount of plays. These copies of the track are very limited and given to a select few. Although records are not commonly used today by DJs a dubplate also refers to a unreleased track that is held by only a select few DJs.

Ultimately what has happened is that big producers make a tune but don’t release it right away and give to a small group of DJs they chose to play the record. This builds hype for the track and good indicator of how much of the vinyl release should be pressed.

A lot of people have different views on this dubplate culture. On one side you have the people who love this because it makes the song more memorable when you hear a certain DJ drop one of your favorite track and then there’s the argument that music should be freely available. No matter what stance your take on this is it does give a certain aura about tracks and DJs. I can’t tell you countless nights where I’ll be out raving and an exclusive dubplate gets dropped and the place goes WILD because everyone knows it’s an unreleased tune.

This gives DJs power yet almost creates an elitism some say when it comes to music. At the same time some DJs make a living out of playing out and certain dubplates they have are the reason they get booked all over. This is predominate with DJs who play Drum & Bass and Dubstep today.

Now all the hype for this dubplate has gotten has faded once everyone gets their hands on it. This results in certain tracks being played out. It becomes a bit discouraging also as a follower of music and knowing you can’t purchase one of your favorite tunes at the moment especially when you know it won’t be out for months since you first heard it. The flipside is you will search and search for a specific song and have no luck but when you do get a hold of it; it’s this unexplainable feeling to finally have in your possession.

Today in a digital world you don’t see much of acetate records being made because of cost but you will see white label and promo copies floating around on very limited pressings before an official release. CDJs and Serato are so popular now that it has become about who you know and if you’re on that secret mailing list for certain producers.

All things considered now chose wisely on what parties and DJs you go check out this year at WMC. There are some tracks that I’ll never forget hearing last year at WMC events solely because it was something so rare to hear at the time on a big system. One that stands out to me right away was hearing Joker & Ginz’s Purple City dropped by Plastician at London Bass at Black Sheep months before that tune got an official release.

Hate it or love dubplates create a special moment for us all when we hear music played live. It’s what can make a lasting memory of the night hearing a certain song with hundreds of people around us loosing control to what is to be one of the hottest songs of the year.

Category: Music, News, Vinyl | commie No Comments »

WMC Miami 2010 - Afro Monk’s Guide - Dubstep Glitch Hop Drum & Bass

time March 8th by Afro Monk authorTags: , , , ,

I’ve been asked by a few people what are the events that I’m considering on going to this Winter Music Conference in Miami for 2010. WMC can get a bit wild and you never want to miss someone you’d want to see and found out about it too late (Rusko LIVE at Apple Store 2009). Right now this is what I’ve collected so far.

Wednesday:
Bang Bang @ White room
Facebook Event Page

ViRam @ Mekka
Facebook Event Page

Galaxy Music Gathering @ 90 Degrees
Facebook Event Page

Witness the Sickness @ Twelve Lounge
Facebook Event Page

Stanklove @ Jazzid

Thursday:
SMOG vs Basshead @ White Room
Facebook Event Page

World of Drum & Bass @ Mekka
Facebook Event Page

Friday:
Future Sound and Breaks @ Mekka
Facebook Event Page

Dub N Bass II @ Living Room
Facebook Event Page

Saturday:
Slippery @ Cinema (Upstairs + Patio)
Facebook Event Page

Dubstep Massive @ Cinema (Downstairs)
Facebook Event Page

Metal Headz vs Bassline @ Heathrow
Facebook Event Page

Sunday:
Down WMC Edition @ Cinema
Facebook Event Page

Category: Dubstep, Events, Glitch Hop, Miami Dubstep, Miami Glitch, Music | commie 1 Comment »

Subtitle - LA Cita Strobe EP

time March 6th by Afro Monk authorTags: , , , ,

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Just got an e-mail last night from Mussck about a new release from his brother, Subtitle. Mussck produced the music and Robby Massey directed a video for it and all. Even as I write this and stare at the screen I have deja vu. Now I know what was missing from this memory, the music.

LA Cita Strobe EP is the first release that Subtitle puts out. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I saw the title but wow totally shocked how banging this tune is, Leggings are the Style of the Day. Good to see brothers team up together and putting something out.

Check out and buy the release, LA Cita Strobe EP.

Category: Glitch Hop, Music, News, Videos | commie 1 Comment »

Inaudible - Coporate Propaganda

time March 4th by Pierre authorTags: , , , ,

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Artist: Inaudible
Title: Corporate Propaganda
Cat # Muti054
UPC # 705105139609
Tracklisting:
01: Corporate Propaganda 4:24
02: Dog Logic 4:49
03: Storm Therapy 5:49

Now we’re talking, Inaudible really shows how Gltich Hop should sound!
First of all I can’t understand how Dov keeps finding all these gems and releases them via Muti Music, the quality of all his releases is very high.

Inaudible hails from Great Britain and I must say that’s it’s a rather new name for me, I’ve seen the name around but I believe this is the first time I had the opportunity to listen to his music. On “Corporate Propaganda” Inaudible gives us three hardhiting tunes yet the bear a real melodic and groovy sound to them, just as as I want this music to be. The music resembles a bit of that The Glitch Mob is doing both as a band and as soloartists.

This could very well be one of 2010’s best electronic release cause I utterly and truly love the sound that Inaudible and presented to his audience.

Muti Music
Inaudible
Inaudible @ Myspace
Inaudible @ Soundcloud

Category: Glitch Hop, Music, News | commie No Comments »

Free the Robots - Ctrl Alt Delete

time March 3rd by Pierre authorTags: , , , ,

freethe

Free the Robots
Ctrl Alt Delete
Label: Alpha Pup Records
Release Date: Mar-30-2010

01. Sci-Fidelity
02. Turbulence
03. Jupiter
04. Orion’s Belt Buckle
05. Wandering Gypsy
06. Select/Start
07. Voices
8. Granite Rock
9. Mental Universe
10. Global Warning
11. The Eye (feat. Ikey Owens)
12. Turkish Voodoo
13. Inter Arma

Finally it’s here, the very much anticipated debut album from Free the Robots. The first track blast off with Free the Robots version of instrumental Hip Hop, really love this 60ies space/spooky sound that he’s implemented in this track, stuff like that really strings a note within me.

Mixing Hip Hop beats, some Jazzy tunes and electronics this album sound really contemporary and just right in time, perhaps a little to much 2010 cause it’s nothing really innovative and most of this stuff you hear on this album you’ve heard before, but it’s still a real good album, a bit to long maybe.

A real interesting feature on this album is the guest performance of Ikey Owens from The Mars Volta, adding some of his groove to the track “The Eye”.

All in all a great album but I guess cutting out a few tracks wouldn’t have hurt. I see no reason at all why you should get a hold of this album when it hits the streets!

Alpha Pup Records
Free the Robots @ Myspace

Category: Music, News, Uncategorized | commie No Comments »

MusSck Interview - The Glitch Legend!

time March 1st by Afro Monk authorTags: , , , , , , , ,

mussck

I’ve had the honor of becoming friendly with the Digital Ninja himself, MusSck! He was open enough to do an interview for the website and have to say without a doubt since I’ve entered this game he has be the realest of them all. This man has some serious love and respect! Here is the interview!

You’ve clearly have made an mark on what a lot of people call glitch music. Have you always gone by the alias Mussck? Where did it come about?

When I first started putting music on the net I had a 3 other aliases but like Myng said in the Digital Ninja LP description (MusSck was the diamond in the rough). in 2007 it was spelt (muse-sick) then figure another way how to pronounce it, I chosen this name because i wanted to flip to all sorts of musical genres in a glitchy environment.

When did you start producing music at what age and what sort of medium did you use at that time and how has it evolved into what you do today?

I’ve started making tracks when at 18, I’m still using the same music software which i first started off with (FL Studio) the equipment doesn’t make the music, you do as the individual. During the the years coming up i was thought by people that I call legends in my books;

Myng (Global Vortex / Glitch Hop Temple): 6 years ago I didn’t know how to structure my tracks but he believed and got my tracks played on Global Vortex Radio.

Subtitle (Briefcase Rockers) I sent him a demo before we met in London, during those couple of hours hanging out he taught me how to put soul in my music, now he calls me the Al Green of Glitch Ish ha ha ha.

Daniel Lambert (Global Vortex): I’ve been working with this guy for the last 5 years and learnt so much from him when it comes to trippy sounds and random patterns.

Thavius Beck (Mush): One of my favorite producers who works along as Subtitle as Lab Waste taught me how to put my stamp on remixes.

You have been hard at work with your college and putting things together for them. Can you tell us about what you do on a daily basis?

As soon as I arrive to the studio at the campus I edit loops, chop samples and make beats that’s what all I do in my classes, before the holidays I produced a press kit showcasing all my work including the students in my class from the music technology department to the head of creative studies letting her know that there’s so much we can do instead of remaining behind the scenes, so I am working on her latest project making themes which I can nominated for a college award for best composer at the end of the term.

Clearly you have lots of big releases to date but are there any that stick out to you the most while you were producing them and do you feel a certain vibe when you create music?

Whichever label or crew that I represent for in that current moment in time I put 100% within all my tracks, I am humble dude as well grateful to be in the position that I am in so I have to put in the work for my peeps.

What do you have planned for 2010? I know you have releases coming up on Cosby’s Car Crash Set and recently on Daly City Records. Have any other future plans?

Adopted By A Nes EP going to be release on Briefcase Rockers which should be out around my birthday (May 25th) also to release material on 7 inch hopefully, doing another project at college entitled Team Animation, all of my music is based around Japanese Animation, programs such Ergo Proxy / Death Note / Monster / Ghost In The Shell / Fist Of The North Star / Cowbow Bebop and the list goes on, so I am going to based music around this theme and release it as a part of my assignment, but apart from that I am just taking my digital journey into sound.

You reside in the UK and have talked to you about coming to the States. Is there a US tour coming together? I was disappointed to hear you had chance to come to Miami for WMC but were told to late. When can we expect a Mussck landing in the States?

I could of may it to WMC but there’s always next time, its legendary event so it’ll never die, I’ll be coming to the states in July first stop will be New York City to visit my family as well as peeps like Myng and Powerstrip Circus Crew, then heading down to DC to meet my other peeps B-rice / Jezika / Aligning Minds and HipGnosis.

Trying to save as much money as possible to head over other states but if I can’t make it next time for sure.

You seem to have some great artwork and feel to some of your album art. Do you take a certain theme or idea for having stuff put together on your releases?

Myng, Mochipet & Ill Cosby organize the artwork for the for the material which was going to be release, I am now working close with a good friend of mine in New York name David.Delmonaco who’s going to help me out with my artwork for my college project.

Where do you think music today will be say 5years from now? Do you feel the day and age of vinyl will be lost? What do you currently use to preform? Is there anything you plan or wish to incorporate with your current setup?

The world rotates in 360, things fade and slowly return back from the shadow that’s life for you, my current set up for now is a Rane TTM 57 SL DJ Mixer which I am happy with.

Now let’s get to know the real person behind Mussck. After being introduced to you recently you’ve been nothing but a great friend.

I am a dude that takes the day as it comes my friend, learn new things everyday either to do with music or life in general now I hitting the winter of my 20’s ha ha ha.

What is it that you feel us as humans need to do more when it comes to creating relationship with each other?

Remain loyal and work together on a personal and professional level its all to do with balance, flip different music genres together (music has colours it speaks many different languages)

When you meet someone for the first time what would you say would be a good topic starter or ice breaker that will lead into a great conversation? Would it involve music?

Just introduce yourself and remain true to yourself there’s no point acting like something that you’re not, when it comes to ladies you have to be a good listeners, most of the conversation I have is based around music though ha ha ha

Are there any interest you have besides music that totally captivate you? When you come home from school and not working on music what is it in the world that makes you smile?

Playing old school videos on my roms and watching Manga, just purchase an animation entitled Violence Jack haven’t seen that for years.

You’re located in the UK but is there any place or city that you’d absolutely love to call your home or visit for a short time? Feel free to make a place up and describe it.

The musical floating animated island which lay on the top of mind

If you had to describe love or what you feel as a human drives you to be complete content what would it be for you?

Someone who loves me for who I am.

Biggest influence, person you respect the most, and can call a friend in music?

Biggest influence my father he got me into music back in primary school as i was a troublesome child and had to do extra lesson (R.I.P.) as for friends in music; Myng / Daniel Lambert / Alex Blip / 8bitch / Tidy Kid / Subtitle / Thavius Beck / K-the-I??? Nobuko Hori / B-rice / Jezika / Aligning Minds / HipGnosis all the peeps on soundcloud the list goes on

Who is your top musical influences that really hit you with emotion?

The Soundtrack for Ergo Proxy

Anything you want to say to anyone or message you want to conclude with for your final words?

Shout to my labels: Glitch Hop Temple / Global Vortex / B.E.A.R. / Daly City Records / Car Crash Set and to all the people that showed me love from day one truly means a lot to me

The Random Black Guy at your service

Thank you Mussck it has been a pleasure ever since we’ve been in contact! Wish you the best of luck in the future and see you when you get to the States! Much love brother!

Category: Interviews, Music, News | commie 2 Comments »

Psymbionic - The Fozzie Bear Crunkadelic Mixtape

time February 26th by Afro Monk authorTags: , , ,

psymbionic

Recently I’ve forgotten to put a featured Friday mix.
Luckily I remembered today and went out for a mix that contained orgininality. Been really digging mixes that have slow build ups and then out of no where it hits with some dubstep and glitch hop.

This mix takes you on a real sweet journey. Big ups to Psymbionic on this one.

Download: http://www.zshare.net/download/72245556abc12a61/

Tracklist:
1. Reso - Hemisphere
2. Eskmo - Sister, You Have Got To Listen
3. PantyRaid - Enter The Machine
4. Mimosa - Dead Like Me
5. Siren - What a Life
6. Sub Swara - Hi Fidelity (ill.gates Remix) vs. Kraddy - Forget About Dre Instrumental
7. Klone - A Lot Kooler
8. FreddyTodd - Can’t Fathom This (NastyNasty Remix)
9. Product 1 - Ready2Rage (Bassnectar and Jantsen Remix)
10. Mochipet - Godzilla New Year (Vibesquad Remix)
11. The Widdler - Slow Dance Chubby vs. Seventh Swami - Escape Artists
12. Opiuo - Nun Cha Ka
13. Heyoka - Borscht
14. Bassnectar - Boombox (Bassnectar Remix) vs. Eprom - 64 Bytes (Eprom Remix)
15. Bird of Prey and Chillax’n - Pipe Dream

Category: Downloads, Dubstep, Fire Friday Mixes, Glitch Hop, Music | commie No Comments »

Mimosa - False Idols Mix

time February 24th by Afro Monk authorTags: , , , , ,

mimosa-photo

Mimosa is at it again bringing heavy original joints into solid mixing. After releasing more of a dubstep chill vibe on recent EP release he shows us all he still got the bass flowing out with his signature glitchy highs and booming bass.

This man is soaring to the top of the list. I’ll never forget when first heard his tracks over year ago now and thinking wow I want to see this guy live! This mix is a prime example of what I want to be doing in the future. Be able to just play all tracks that I’ve done and just rock out yet have emotions attached no matter how low the freq go.

Mimosa - False Idols Mix

Track List:
1. MiM0SA - iN Search of Beauty
2. PantyRaid vs. MiM0SA - Chaos Control
3. MiM0SA - Days Go By (ReMiXx)
4. MartyParty vs. MiM0SA - The Perfect Flaw
5. MiM0SA - Looking Back
6. MiM0SA - California Rude Boy
7. MiM0SA - LSD Excursions
8. NastyNasty - Python Kiss (MiM0SA ReMiXxx)
9. MiM0SA - Money to Blow (ReMiXxx)
10. MiM0SA - Bamboo
11. MiM0SA - Ride The Snake

Big up Mimosa!
Keep it fresh and don’t let the fame get to you.

Category: Downloads, Dubstep, Glitch Hop, Mixes, Music | commie 3 Comments »

Epstein y El Conjunto - When Man Is Full He Falls Asleep

time February 23rd by Pierre authorTags: , , , , , , ,

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Epstein y El Conjunto
When Man Is Full He Falls Asleep
Release Date: March 9th, 2010
Label: Asthmatic Kitty

Tracklist:
01. Arrival to New York (a short story about getting there)
02. When we Hide (this time)
03. Vilcabamba
04. El Condor Despierta (El Conjunto Edit)
05. I can Memorize you (can you?)
06. Una Tarde
07. Gallop
08. Needed
09. BgBgBg (offset tape splice)
10. Our Brain That Wouldn’t Die
11. Temporary
12. A Lost Animal - Featuring School of Seven Bells
13. Ting and Pinge
14. There’s a Way under (Here)

Epstein seems to a really busy musician having released a number of albums prior to this one still this one is the first being release outside of Japan (Asthmatic Kitty will re-release the entire back catalog though).

The music is dreamy, somewhat jazzy, jam based and experimental and this album reminds me a bit about the later albums from the Norwegian band When.

For me personally it’s kind of hard getting into this album, nothing really sticks it just goes in through one ear and out of the other but still I find myself nodding my head when I listen to it but on the sad note is when the last track is played I really don’t remember much of what I’ve heard (the twelfth track “A Lost Animal” seems to be the “hit” though). I believe that the album is somewhat to “unstructured” for me to get a full value from it.

Epstein y El Conjunto @ Myspace
Roberto Carlos Lange
Asthmatic Kitty Records

Category: Music, News | commie No Comments »

The Delta Mirror - Machines that Listen

time February 23rd by Pierre authorTags: , , , , , ,

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Shoegaze goes electronica? The Delta Mirror mixes these two genres with a very good result. ”Machines that Listen” is The Delta Mirror’s debut album but they’ve been working since the late nineties TDM started out as a Hip Hop duo but when Karrie K joined in on bass guitar their sound started to evolve.

I’m not the biggest fan of the Shoegaze genre but I like some of the albums from Slowdive and a few others but when you mix it with some electronic tuneage things can get really interesting like in this case.

I’ll keep it short this time, this was a real good album even if the lyrics seems a bit pretentious the music is still real wicked.

To be released 03.16.2010 on Lefse Records

The Delta Mirror @ Myspace
Lefse Records

Category: Music, News | commie No Comments »