Afro Monk

Female vocals take tracks to a whole new level. My true passion is Trip-Hop mainly due to the fact that I melt when I hear solid vocals from a woman. I’ll even go as far as saying that some tracks would never live up to their full potential if wasn’t for the vocals.

Rayne, is one of the few female vocalist that I don’t think you might know about. Truth is the point of this post is specifically to put her on the radar because I was informed that she wasn’t getting credit for her vocals on an upcoming release by June Miller. The track is even the titled track for the release. The music industry has a way of forgetting to mention things in all the mess and decided to put this together.

As far as it goes as what I think I’ll keep quite and not raise my voice. I’ll just let the vocals on this one do the work. Rayne’s vocals are the closest thing I’ve heard to timeless trip-hop that I love on a drum and bass track. The track goes hand in hand with her voice on this one perfectly.

Rayne and I randomly became familiar with each other before I left Miami for Dallas. Over the past year we’ve become close friends and I have to say never have come across such a sweet girl with one of the most incredible personalities out there. She really does give me faith for humanity. Now that I’m back in Miami she shortly left for LA unfortunately. She’s one of those good people that you hate to see people take advantage of because their so nice. I couldn’t believe it when she told me they weren’t putting her name on the track and haven’t responded to any forms of contact. This one is for you. I don’t post much drum & bass but man this is one of those few tracks that just hit the soul and majority of it is because of her stunning vocals.

June Miller ft Rayne- Give up the ghost
Rayne Music

Big ups girl! <3

Sounduo, is the greatest act I know in the Florida region. I can say that with tremendous confidence. I was lucky enough to interview them a few months ago when I lived in Dallas and thrilled to hear of such an act had finally appeared in the Miami area.

Now that I’ve moved back to Miami everyone has been asking me how things are out here. The truth is I knew I was signing my death note for my music career moving out here. The Miami bass scene targets more of the mainstream dubstep fans and not so much of the glitch-hop west coast scene. Don’t get me wrong Miami Dubstep is alive and thriving but it’s quite different from what I’d consider myself part of. The first week-end I was in town I heard about Archnemesis playing a show, which totally blew me away because I had never heard of anyone like Archnemesis coming into town since I left the city. Turns out that Sounduo was opening for them for a few dates in FL. I was thrilled to finally hear and see these guys play live.

WOW. These guys are incredible performers and have their own unique sound which mixes their dub, reggae, and bass roots together into a great package. Zach absolutely crushes it on drums live and Will is behind many controllers playing live keys during many of their songs. They play all originals and can expect them to glitch it up just how we all love and even some massive bass drops. Needless to say I was impressed and consider them one of the best live acts with a drummer in the game.

I’ve had the pleasure of being able to become friends with these guys and man they’re totally legit. They’ve got a lot ahead of them and have a great outlook on everything all around. I’m honored anytime they come over to jam out or play live on my Glitch.fm show. They truly give me hope for the Miami local scene in regards to what I’d consider myself part of. The Archnemesis show showed me some light for this city. There was a super chill crowd and even could pick out about 5-6 Grassroots California hats in the crowd which usually is a good sign.

Overall these are guys you want to keep your eye out for. Their debut release is due out on Made in Glitch which makes me really happy to hear. I assure you everyone who fancies most of the music we post on here will love their upcoming release. Now for the real treat. They contacted me recently that they were working on a tune specifically for the site. It has been awesome getting to know them and playing beside them in my studio and we’ve gotten to discuss what sort of sound I enjoy and am trying to accomplish. The track they send over totally took me by surprise. It’s EPIC. A 7min long tune that sends chills down my body just because after hanging out with them they’ve created something so perfect that fits exactly what I would want to represent Afromonk.com.

I’ll also be working on some new stuff with them in near future, which makes me scream with excitement.

Much love to Will and Zach!
Expect that Made in Glitch release soon!

Hailing from Austin, Texas, producer One4All (Augustine Verrengia) has tremendous passion for electronic music, the feelings it emotes, and its ability to bring people together. This is manifested in his latest album, History of Things to Come, which he released for free last week after reaching 1,111 Facebook likes. The album offers a diverse range of sounds that showcase his unique talent and ability to produce an array of electronic grooves. I particularly love the smooth, dubby feel of “Calling Out”.

Augustine also helped launch Gravitas Recordings, a creative collective involving an array of talent – the likes of Cryptex, Blunt Instrument, The Digital Connection, and Brede. Gravitas Recordings will be releasing a compilation album this week that will showcase the label.

Make sure to grab One4All’s album History of Things to Come. Don’t hesitate to chip in for his efforts so he can continue to bless your eardrums with audio delights! I am excited to hear more from One4All as he clearly has a lot of potential.
Also if you’re in the Austin area, he’ll be opening at 10:00pm on November 11 for Paper Diamond and Run DMT at The Parish; this is guaranteed to be a great show!

Anna Love has become of my favorite people here in Texas that I’ve met. I honestly wrote her off the first time I saw her play but after following her online and getting to talk to her I realized that maybe I made a huge mistake. Just because I’m not impressed the first time doesn’t mean I forget and stop paying attention. After realizing what a misread I had on her I made it a point to invite her out to play a show for me here in Dallas. That set totally changed my outlook and knew that she had incredible talent and soon to be great artist.

Anna has been posting some of her own original work online and can’t be happier to see another Texas producer rise up. She might have been MIA from Texas for awhile but the way she is hustling with all her projects such as her monthly event in Austin, Broken Teeth, Tropical Bass, DJing, and producing expect to see her name a lot more often.

My favorite thing about Anna besides her music is her passion. The things she says and expresses online and off are inspiring. She has no fear and does what she does cause she wants to express herself. The most recent tracks she has posted online have sold me and hope to eventually add her to the Afro Monk Records roster. I’m glad I reached out to her and have become friends with her. Keep on it girl!

Check out some of my favorite tracks she has worked on:

Bleep Bloop is the moniker that is Aaron Triggs, a bass music producer out of Northern California.

His style spans from Lazer Blap, Dubstep, and even to wonky-Glitch Hop, always pushing his productions further with every tune.

His sets are polytempo, fun filled sonic journeys comprised of original tunes, and remixes.

Bleep Bloop is signed to Gruntworthy, Lazer Town, and Prime Dub Records so look out for new original tunes on the regular.

We’ll start off with a free remix!

A full mix with unreleased material –

A free stream of his EP –

This is where you can purchase his EP on Addictech entitled, —> “Lazer Bouquet“. <—

For booking contact lazerlazerlazer@yahoo.com
http://www.soundcloud.com/bleep-bloop — Soundcloud
http://www.facebook.com.bleepbloopbass — Facebook
httP://www.twitter.com/bleepbloopbass — Twitter

Sounduo is a collaboration of Zach and Will which brings a live element to what many of us call dubstep or dub hop. Zach plays drums live while Will is behind the computer and guitar. Right now they are located in Miami where they met at The U (University of Miami). Will is originally from DC and Zach from Orlando. They are revolutionizing the game in Miami and proud to give them some light.

These two are bringing to life a new sound to Miami and can’t be happier to hear about them. As I was born and raised in Miami starting a DJ career there can be tough. The market there is one of the toughest and cliche out there. You’ll find your typical big names out there that everyone knows but extremely difficult to find something new and cutting edge in the moment out there. When Sounduo was brought to my attention it gave me hope for the future of Miami. Incorporating live instruments into the dubstep game isn’t a new thing but for Miami this is leaps and bounds compared to what is going on there. You’ll be lucky to find a dubstep producer out there who plays their own material let alone one or two of their tracks when I last was there. After watching a few videos and tracks on soundcloud I had to write about them. These guys are easily the best producers I’ve heard who reside in Miami.

Sounduo plays all originals and would be described as digital dub. They are heavily influenced by dub music and reggae. Now add the electronic vibe of dubstep, throw in some hip-hop beats, add some live musicians, and you’ve got yourself the formula of Sounduo. They are not the only ones doing the live thing as Miami has been curating some other live bands which seem to be uniting, Afrobeta, organicArma, and Telekinetic Walrus and The Pride of Ions.

The thing that got me most excited about Sounduo is that this only means more is to come and the East coast is starting to catch up. I can not tell you how big the contrast is in music compared to the both. Having live electronic groups appearing is just the start but I believe after talking to Zach and Will there is a lot ahead.

Sounduo will be planning a Florida tour in July and expect to hear a lot more from these two. I can’t wait to go back home to Miami to visit and get to kick it with them. After talking to them for awhile over Skype it makes me so happy to have an act like that to support in Miami. I can totally see these guys on the festie circuit real soon.

Much respect goes out to Zach and Will!

Voodoo Farm is the music project of NYC-based producer/DJ/filmmaker Liam Dirlam. The sound is described as “Electronic Dancerock” and infuses styles of Electro House, Dubstep, and Hip-Hop using live instruments, vocalists, and machines. Voodoo Farm’s first single, “Bangers & Cash” was placed on rotation on at MTV, VH1 and SpikeTV… also considered for mtvU’s “Best Freshman Video Award” in September 2010. They have a bunch of dope remixes that they’ve done recently that are up for free download at soundcloud.com/liamdirlam. Without fail, every time I drop one of their tracks live, there is always someone who will run behind the DJ booth to see what I’m playing, haha.  Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for their awesomeness. Check out the remixes below and grab the free downloads (alternative download links posted within the descriptions of the tracks on soundcloud). Also, each of the songs has a fun video to go along with them and you can check them all out at www.youtube.com/user/voodoofarmmusic.

Wiz Khalifa ft. 2Pac- Roll Up (VOODOO FARM Remix)

Outkast ft Lady Gaga – Wheelz of Steel (VOODOO FARM Remix)

The Doors – People Are Strange (VOODOO FARM Remix)

Download (right-click save as): Adele vs. Jay Z vs. Biggie – Rolling in the Deep (Voodoo Farm Remix)

Dirlam and Robert E. Corrigan JR (Muscle Car Chronicles) are now working on a REMIX/B-SIDE album that will drop this summer for free.   Their second full-length album will be finished in September. I’m stoked to be sharing the stage with them this summer in Dewey Beach on July 29th! If you’re on the east coast, you should def check out this event: Dewey Beach EDM Fest

Make sure to like Voodoo Farm on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/voodoofarm

Much love and respect!

-EA (EA@afromonk.com)

soundcloud.com/djeamusic

I came across this beautiful gem of a song today from The Walton Hoax, a collab from producer infraBuse and singer/songwriter Peter Vanek out of Antwerp, Belgium.  If you’re a fan of the chiller side of dubstep, 2-step, UK Garage and artists like Burial and Asa, then you’ll def dig this track. I’ve been listening to this type of music a lot lately to help me relax and focus when i get stressed or to just wind down at the end of the night. This is a beautifully constructed track with great vocals. I’m definitely looking forward to more music from these talented artists. Much thanks to The Walton Hoax for offering up this amazing track as an exclusive download for our readers!

Bio:

The Walton Hoax is an electronic music project from Antwerp, Belgium. A dark mix of 2-step, Dubstep and UK Garage is molded into a type of bass-heavy sound that is aimed at live sets as well as casual listening. It is inspired by futuristic dance producers like Mount Kimbie, Skream, Jamie Woon, James Blake and of course Burial. The project started in 2010 as a remix collab between the two founding artists. Singer/songwriter Peter Vanek had written some songs for this purpose, and asked producer infraBuse to give them a makeover. After finishing the first couple of tracks, they were so pleased with their sound, that they made it into a separate project: “The Walton Hoax.” Inspired by a 90′s science fiction film, the band name is based upon the supposedly true story of a UFO abduction. A few months after the project’s birth, The Walton Hoax put out a first song: Chemical Burn, constructed out of melancholy vocals intertwining with brooding, live-wire electronics that take the listener for a sizzling ride into the dark. It was supported with a video clip, which earned them no less than 15.000 views on youtube within the first month. This song is a prelude for the 3-track EP called “Chemical Burn” that’s coming out in June 2011. The ep will be up for download and pressed on a limited number of vinyl records, obtainable through www.TheWaltonHoax.be.

Exclusive Download: The Walton Hoax – Chemical Burn

And, check out the vid here: The Walton Hoax – Chemical Burn

Make sure to follow The Walton Hoax on Facebook.

Much love and respect!

-EA (EA@afromonk.com)

soundcloud.com/djeamusic

This week’s Fire Friday Mix comes from the one and only Scott Nyce out of Dover, Delaware. Scott is a DJ legend of sorts around here and it has been a pleasure to get to know him and share the stage with him recently. He has a lot of passion for music and helping build the scene around here. Like myself (and prob just about every other DJ), he doesn’t seem to get much sleep, so you can catch him doing online ustream sets in the middle of the night at least once a week lately. This double-genre studio mix of dubstep and dnb goes hard and will surely help you kick your day in the face!

You can catch Scott Nyce live this summer along with myself, Drivepilot, Minnesota, Dirty Talk, Voodoo Farm, Bassdread, and HMAZZ at Dewey Beach Delaware’s first ever Electronic Dance Music Festival on Friday July 29, 2011. All of the details here: Dewey Beach EDM Fest.  So stoked about this show! Can’t go wrong with a rave at the beach :p

Bio:

Scott Nyce was born in Newark, NJ and later moved to Delaware as a child. He has been a Drum and Bass DJ since 1997 and continues to be highly regarded as an institution in “The Delaware Underground.” As a small child, he was attracted to almost all things underground, obscure, and dark. Scott has been driven by a plethora of musical influences and discovered EDM shortly before turning 15. As he spent the next two years quietly jumping from party to party, trainspotting DJs and observing EDM culture, he became saturated in electronic music. At 16, he discovered the early sounds of Breakbeat Hardcore; the earliest form of Drum and Bass/Jungle. At 17, he decided to buy a pair of turntables, teach himself how to spin, and eventually throw his own parties locally. In about a year and half, Scott was being booked for shows in the Tri-State area and Canada. He has opened up and performed next to artists such as Ray Keith, DJ SS, Dieselboy, Storm(UK), and many others.
In the early part of 2000, Scott began producing everything from EDM to Ambient film scores. He continues to do so today. As a DJ, Scott has performed at events both big and small. He’s played everything from house parties to rental halls, beach parties and parking garages to major music and arts festivals. To date, he has branched out into other genres such as Dubstep, Glitch-Hop/Crunk, Electro, and Tribal House.

Scott Nyce – The Obscene Gardener Of Filth

TRACKLISTING:
1.The Headunit’s Shadow – Building Bass With A Grain Of Mash(intro)
2.Broken Note- Zound
3.Broken Note vs. Machine Code – Knuckle Dust
4.Kane Dubstep – Always Will(The Psychotic Murmur)
5.Addergebroed – Out Of Control
6.Triage – Pitbull
7.Bong – Nosnam
8.Doctor P – Big Boss (H3 Refix)
9.Rrrump – Chubby Decker(J. Rabbit Remix)
10.Jogo – Bunny Rabbit
11.Point Blank – West Side
12.Ajapai feat.Adroa – Decimation
13.Lonestar – Counter
14.Yohanne Simon feat.Nyree – Scream My Name(Balkansky Remix)
15. DZ- Untitled Facemelter
16.Dieselboy – Invid(Hulk VIP)
17.Encode&Davip-Vamonos
18.Encode-Magic Points
19.Fourward-Stuck
20.The Sect – Cyberman
21.Break Feat.Calyx&TeeBee – Don’t Look Down
22.Commix – Satellite Type 2(NRanges&Uberman Remix)
23.Flame – Ghostpunk
24.Hedj&Blokhe4d – Spirit
25.Xilent – Outer Inside
26.Telekenesis – Hate
27.Noisia – Friendly Intentions
28. Xilent – Step One
29.Hybris – Keeping Me
30.Alcrani – Earthbound

Make sure to follow Scott on Facebook so you don’t miss out on all of the late night u-stream sets: Facebook – Scott Nyce

Much love and respect!

-EA (EA@afromonk.com)

soundcloud.com/djeamusic

This week’s Fire Friday mix comes from BASSDREAD, out of Baltimore, MD.  I had the privelage of meeting and hanging out with these guys at Big Dub Candy Mountain Festival last year and they’re two of the coolest, down to earth people I’ve ever met. I brought them in for a guest DJ spot at my weekly event recently and the crowd went bonkers for them. They’re stage presence and energy are awesome and their track selections are on point. I’m glad to see that they’re doing well and I’m really digging their latest mix. Grab the free download on this one fo sho!

Make sure to like Bassdread on facebook and def make your way out to one of their upcoming shows.  You won’t be dissapointed!

Stoked to be sharing the stage with BASSDREAD again soon along with Drivepilot, Minnesota, Dirty Talk, Voodoo Farm, Scott Nyce, and HMAZZ at Dewey Beach Delaware’s first ever Electronic Dance Music Festival on Friday July 29, 2011. All of the details here: Dewey Beach EDM Fest.

BASSDREAD- The Story About Us