Afro Monk

Inanna’s new EP “Cariad”  released on Florida’s Dubporn records is a musical bass journey into the dimension of chilled back vibes.  The EP consists of one single, plus three remixes from the onetime garage/2 step stalwart of North America.  This release moves into a much more melodic and sexy direction with a smoothing downbeat sound that works perfect for any late night after-party set or on a chilled out Sunday relaxation session.  Ptr1′s remix adds some broken beats that add tempo and bass, but keep the blissful sound intact.  I personally really enjoy this version.  The experimental mix add a 4×4 kick for movement, but doesn’t overpower the heart and soul of this tune.   Dubporn really put together a nice release providing a track that will appeal to all different tastes.

While talking to Inanna about this release she was really excited about her current project, “Dalliance”.  She really thought this was a huge step up in her production and was really excited to get the tracks out to all of us.   As of now, it isn’t signed with any label, but I’m sure we will hear the finished tracks soon!

I had the privilege to ask a few questions to Inanna about her journey into music.

My inspiration comes from my experience, mostly my journey of self realization, truth and light. It is always an expression of emotion, and a way to creatively express and realize myself. I think with Cariad especially when you watch the video, it is also apparent I love faeries, and am inspired by nature, and beauty in general. The story of the video is one of the passage of that moving towards light and truth. An emergence of the truth of the soul. I filmed it at my house that I grew up in that is now empty. In the ‘dream’ I discover who I am, breaking the mask. It is actually based on a faerie dream I have where a young girl searches chasing her faerie self, when she finds her she awakens to the truth she is the faerie, the being of light.

The song I originally worked on with the intention of creating beauty. I love melody driven music that carries your imagination and heart to pleasant bright altitudes. Cariad I think differs from some of my more structured album future garage/bass music I am working on now, and is very different from the kirtan devotional music I am working on that I am singing on under the name Sat Avtar Kaur. The original Cariad version had so much heart and depth to the melody the beats were just a little sprinkling of structure.

I started teaching myself maybe a decade ago but couldn’t seriously start getting into it until about four years ago. Even then I didn’t have a permanent studio until a year and a half ago and I could still use some upgrades with equipment but I have what I really need. My first track came out in 2001 I think when I was dj’ing heavily in the North American garage/2-step scene. Iv recently listened back to it, Iv come a long way but I appreciate it, it wasn’t as bad as I remember, in fact it had a great little groove. I’m always reaching though.

Pick up the Cariad EP on Beatport here!

ill Gates was challedged to do a remix of “Aag Da Kariya” by Dr. Zeus for a BBC Asia show.  They wanted him to think outside the box and work with Asian music in new creative ways.  I Think ill Gates nailed it.  Make sure you check out his website, ill Gates.com for free downloads!

I have been noticing a cool thing going on within our community of artists challenging each other in some new creative ways to create music.  In this case, a radio show asks ill Gates to think outside the box, but I have also seen some cool communities working together to make some tracks.  I love seeing folks get creative and work outside their normal workflow.  I think we all benefit from the results.   Hopefully in the future, we will get to hear some of these cool collabs. and multiple artist challenges!

Pressha drops a long awaited Simplify mix today that is sure to be a ear pleaser!  In my first post with Afromonk, I promised to bring some DJ’s from the Northwest to the blog.  Pressha has always been friends to this blog and he was one of the first of the artists I contacted to bring a Mix.  Super excited!  With out further to do. Here is DJ Pressha’s brand new mix, ” Simplify Mix Sessions Volume 9″

Pressha Simplify Mix Sessions #9
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1.) Did it on em- Nicki Minaj (Lobounce Remix) (Bandcamp)
2.) Trouble Blind-Sugarpill (Subsynthesis)
3.) Money Talks-Deathstar (Bandcamp)
4.) Sun Burst-Minnesota (Tyco Records)
5.) Let me Love You-Stephan Jacobs & Love and Light (Muti Music)
6.) Lucid-Ruff Hauser (Muti Music)
7.) Pretty Boy-Stephan Jacobs & GRiZ (Simplify)
8.) Driving- Sugarpill (Simplify)
9.) Doebd-Sugarpill (Chris B Remix) (Simplify)
10.) Where’s the Love-GRiZ (Soundcloud)
11.) Jewel St-Mimosa (False Idol Muzik)
12.) Dream On- Aerosmith (Griz Remix) (Soundcloud)
13.) Hold up-Minnesota (Mallabel)
14.) Longest Road-Morgan Page ft Lissie (Papa Skunk Remix) (Soundcloud)
15.) Sexy Shapes-iONiK (Simplify)
16.) Activated-Signal Path (Bandcamp)
17) Scheme-STS9 (Polish Ambassador Remix) (Bandcamp)
18.) Fireflies Remax-Lokid (Bandcamp)
18.) Lost in Bass-SuperVison (Pretty Lights Music)
19.) Crunch Pleazer-Freddy Todd (Simplify)
20.) Simmer Gently-Blunt Instrument (Bran Richards Remix) (Simplify)
21.) Phresh- Love and Light (Simplify)
22.) Lightning and Rain- Love and Light (Simplify)
23.) Swamp Gate-Nicoluminous (Subsynthesis)
24.) Rock This-Dj DLG (Lazor Music)
25.) Zingy- Ak’sent (Jantsen and Dirtmonkey’s Boombahton Remix) (Unsigned)
26.) Jump-Kriss Kross (TBMA Remix) (Play Me)
27.) A Bad Place-Mimi Page (Carrier Remix) (Simplify)

Tipper’s new EP “Bubble Control” demonstrates his signature bass sound to perfection.  A true master of the band-pass filter delivers a truly out of this world sound full of bubbly bass, heart palpations, and complex sound design.  After listening to the release in my cans a few times, I wasn’t even sure where to begin.  Seems Tipper recreates his mood and ambiance with each release while keeping that bass we all love.  The title track, Bubble Control, is a complex blend of bubble mayhem with a driving bass line that keeps the movement full speed ahead.  For sure, this is my favorite track on the release!  Covered in Lobsters, showcases some funky percussion with crunchy bass that is sure to bring your head into a new dimension!  You can grab this hot Ep at addictech!

To top all things off,  Tipper just dropped a new promo mix yesterday full of a mixture of tunes of the past, present, and future!  This mix has been on constant repeat all day for me.  He seamlessy mixes through a high energy blend of what makes Tipper’s signature sound design out of this world!

On a personal note,  Some of you might be wondering about how my review of the high energy Tipper EP works into our Blogs direction.  Tipper’s sound is a perfect demonstration of all that I love in Future Bass Music.  There is a lot of energy, but still the intelligent sound design is forefront.  Artists that create these imaginative sounds continue to adapt and impress release after release.  Not just trying to capitalize on today’s trends.  I still love the funkiness of glitch hop,  the creativity of taking one sound and messing with its roots, and the mind-bending, out of the world sounds found within.  There is so much talent in our community,  I just have been struggling lately to sift through the massive amount of ugly sounds that attack my brain.  I have always believed in to each their own.  This world is so amazing because we each create our own art,  enjoy our own sounds,  not limited to what the masses our pushing in our direction.  There is a place for all music and the fans that enjoy it, but I’m so proud to work with Afromonk because we continue to collaborate/support/hype our friends and the music we love!

Mohov, russian born, but San Fran based producer has just dropped us a jewel in the form of Kickback.  His first release on Made in Glitch Records is an infectious mix of neon synths and funky breaks that really caught my fancy.  For me, Coming from a Hip Hop background this EP delivers the wonky beats I have always loved, but layers on top playful glitched up vocals.  The overall feeling of this release says to me all is going to be ok in the world, we just need to let the stress go and enjoy our times together.  Things tend to get to complex and ugly out there, but Kickback plays on the positive side of things!

“Neon Kiss”  has synths with an early 90′s flavor, but the irregularities of the percussion and the chopped up vocals are completely a product of our generations musical tastes.

Pick this release up at Addictech!

Edit:  Just had a chance to ask Oleg a few questions

How long you been at this game?

I started making music late ’99 and pursued a traditional producer
career in the ’00s, but it’s essentially been on-and-off until early
2011 when I decided to actually get serious with music. I learned a
lot from creating a few businesses and started to do my own thing with
music and treat my music career as a business startup.

Your music has some really interesting and creative sounds, what
inspires you to create your sounds?

Thank you. I get inspired by vibes that are emotionally-hitting,
euphoric, take me to a magical place. That’s been lush electronic
music (Aphex Twin, Tycho, Boards of Canada, countless IDM/ambient
tunes), the atmospheres of Balearic trance/house (Orbital, BT,
Chicane, Sasha, Tastexperience, etc), and any other music in that
strain.

On the flip side, I’m a big fan of hip-hop, particularly the beats:
Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Kanye West, Just Blaze, J Dilla, Nujabes,
AraabMuzik. It’s the most hard-hitting music out there. You can’t help
but nod your head to hip-hop beats – it’s the best rhythm style as far
as I’m concerned. So simple yet so primal in its funk – everyone can
move/dance/nod to it.

Add to that my love for catchy pop songs, and I mix the 3 together.

How do you feel your overall sound has progressed in the last year?  Years?

Obviously I’d like to think I’ve gotten a lot better over this past
year (especially when I decided to take my music career seriously in
early 2011). I think I’ve gotten more assured in creating a natural
fusion of music I wanna listen to but don’t hear much of: combining
the emotional and magical vibes of Balearic electronic, the
hard-hitting and funkiness of hip-hop, and the simplicity and
catchiness of pop.

Tell me a story about one of your favorite performances/a sweet
connection with the crowd or something of the like?

Haven’t performed live actually.

What DAW do you use, plugins?  For production, what kind of
hardware/software for live performances?

Laptop + Ableton Live and a software synthesizer plugin (which
changes, lately it’s been Native Instruments’ Massive).

Any production tips you want to pass on that you have really been digging on?

1. Use as few elements as possible, make each element hot ie. if you
solo it it’s still hot. Way easier to mix since you have less elements
to juggle and I think the tune becomes stronger and catchier to listen
to. Think of songs with a guitar riff leading the way as opposed to
layers of forgettable guitar noodling.

2. Quickly finish the structure of the tune, then go back and mess
around with effects/transitions, etc. That’s what people listen to
after all: the tune, not the little effects and such. Otherwise you
could risk never getting the tune done because you keep messing with
little details without actually making progress towards finishing it.
I’ve stopped having incomplete project files–a big problem I used to
have–by forcing myself to follow this principle.

Plans for the next year?  Production? Touring?  Life in general?

More music-making, more releases, more
producing/licensing/remixing/etc, more traveling. And of course, more
peace and love (sounds corny and wishy-washy but it’s true).

Where will you be for NYE this jan?

Probably in a comfortable chair making tunes

Whats your Phobia?  Do you have a overwhelming fear of Heavy Bass, Melodic synths, and Sick Beats then Woofer Cooker’s new release Phobia is going to drive you over the edge!  This compilation was created by the members of the Glitch Hop Forum Community.   The winners of the 2ed forum production contest were picked for the best original song following the theme, Phobias.  The results were across the board and were judged by some big names in the Glitch Community.  There were prizes and the such, but the selected were offered to be released for everyones listening pleasure!  After listening to this collection, I’m proud to be a member of our little community at Glitch Hop Forums and once again am totally impressed by how talented our members our!

Make sure you check out Noel Planet’s sick ink blots.  Each tracks gets its own orginal creation! Check Her out here!:

Here is a little Tease!

The release is going to be exclusively on Addictech for one month and then will be for sale through Woofer Cookers.  Grab it here!

Hypha just hit us up over here at Afromonk with some stellar sounds.  He is dropping 22 tracks that consist of a collection of originals and remixes that have been released during the last year.  As of right now, you can download all these dope tracks in one place.  Pretty diverse mixture of sounds in this collection from melodic bass poetry to some fun and funky remixes that are sure to get people moving on the dancefloor!

Protohype ft. Ozone – With the Stars (Hypha Remix)

Hypha, representing Humboldt County has developed a unique sound in the West Coast Bass world.   Each track I’ve gotten to listen to from this producer/Instrumentalist has highlighted one of his most impressive skills, the ability to keep things fresh and new.  Letting us swim in a sea of acoustic mayhem, but keeping our feet moving and the party soaring!   If you haven’t checked him out in the past this is your opportunity to grab his tracks for free.

Grab all of Hypha’s tracks here!

If you like what you hear check out BassStream Radio on Glitch.FM on October 25th where he will be dropping a brand new Mix!

Whitebear’s (Arthur Song) new release Inanimate Incarnate totally caught me off guard when I listened to this tonight.  In todays world, We all struggle to find those gems that really show creativity and genius in the massive sea of music releases.  With only 1 year of production experience and 20 years under his belt, Whitebear has really created an amazing piece of music.  Enig’matik Record’s gave this talented youngster a platform for him express his creativity and I feel we will all reap the benifits for a long time to come.  This is just one more example of why the Australian IDM scene is exploding with new talent.

Inanimate Incarnate’s mixture of field recordings and immaculately produced percussion is glitched up bass goodness! Check out the release on his Bandcamp page with a name your price download option!

Inanimate Incarnate EP – OUT NOW ON ENIG’MATIK RECORDS by Whitebear

Our friends at Be Green Records just tipped us off to a their first official release, 2 tracks from the Denver based Bass master, Seied!  I was lucky enough to get to preview these tracks today, and I could see why they  jumped at the opportunity to release these tracks.   Bugz In My Headphonez and Skewed Up have been secret weapons by some of the best performers out there, but now they are cleaned, polished, and perfected to be released to the world.  Cherry on the cake,  they have been mastered by Bill Bless.  Constant repeat around my home today!

Just a quick word about Be Green Records,  These guys are really on to something.  If you don’t know about them be sure to check the website out.  This sustainable label is founded by artists for artists. They understand the artist’s they work with and work hard to distribute their music in the most sustainable and green way possible.  On top of that 33.3 % of all their profits go back into non-profits.  I must say that would make the folks at Occupy Wall Street proud.

Just to get you even more excited for the upcoming release listen to Seied’s last release  Subdimensional Harmonics out now on Addictech.com.

Holographics-Seied & Diverse

Futurebounce-Seied

Cryptex is well learned for being an 18 year kid bursting onto the Glitch Hop scene.  His new release, Isolated Incidents, out today on Austin-based Gravitas Recordings is sure to push some speakers to their bass limits!  Cryptex has educated himself well, and the production quality speaks for itself.  The clean bottom end is complimented with an onslaught of lasers attacking from every direction.  Isolated Incidents sound has roots in solid Hip Hop beats, but Cryptex has taken that flavor and created something much more out of this world.  Even with all the comparisons to Glitch Mob, Samples, and Crystal Method, this sound is still fresh.

The song “Footsteps” did its job fullfiling my bass addiction providing a pure unadulterated fix of  deep bass sounds, futuristic synth sounds, and glitched up vocal samples.  This midtempo bass slammer delivers glitched out greatness!
Footsteps-Cryptex

Cryptex is giving this track away for free download.  The Glitch Anthem is a crazy mashup of The Glitch Mob, Kraddy, and Skrillex with covered with Cryptex’s signature sounds.

Grab your copy at Addictech