Afro Monk

Ever since I heard their pleasant sound on the Bass From Above Volume 1 compilation, I have been tuning into Colorado pair Slim Thugz, comprised of Cody Yozipovic (Frequent C) and Julian Garland (The Candyman). Well Slim Thugz are no more – welcome their new alias, Crushendo! Today they released a dazzling minimix that showcases their project under this new alias; it is a glimpse at their upcoming debut EP, Drop Logic, which will drop on February 15th. The mix, which is up for free download, incorporates a tasteful amalgamation of melodic strings, “intelligent bass”, fresh hip hop samples, and assorted tempos. It starts off with a bang with their collaboration with rhyme master Kruza Kid, who has been featured in a lot of the Mile High Sound Movement guys’ production. The whole mix masterfully blends playful audio delights with a touch of gangsta elements, which I find to be irresistible. I have always loved Frequent C and Candyman’s signature flowy yet upbeat synth patterns; I like that whenever a track of theirs comes on my iPod I know right away who it is and know that I will enjoy it.

Although I did love the old alias I can see why they wanted to change their name; whenever I talked about Slim Thugz, a lot of my friends would be like, “Oh Slim Thug is rapping on Friday?”. No people. Slim ThugZ is playing, who I would rather see live any day to be honest. And I was blessed to see them twice when they came out to the Tahoe area – they absolutely crushed it! I really love the new Crushendo alias and think it is very fitting. Catch them live if you get the chance; they will be playing at the upcoming SnowBall Music Festival in Colorado in March which is sure to be an epic weekend. Check out the minimix below and be sure to grab Crushendo’s Drop Logic EP on February 15th!

Decided to put a quick mix together of a bunch of the tunes I have been digging lately.  Bit different feel then previous mixes I have put up on soundcloud so Id love some feedback!  I have only been mixing for about a year now and play gigs here and there during that time.  My motivation is purely for the enjoyment of the music.  I have played stringed instruments for years and felt like it was time to try something new.  So here is my 2011 Mix,  No fancy tricks, Just solid tunes mixed in Traktor with the S4.  Hope you enjoy!

It hasn’t been a secret on here that I’ve relocated back to my hometown Miami. Truth is I haven’t really made it a point to tell anyone except my close friends. The music community is so vastly different here and knew I was giving up a lot moving back to this market. It’s not meant to be taken in a negative sense. Unfortunately the music I’ve been playing/pushing doesn’t really have much presence here. We all know the meccas are Colorado & California.

I was lucky enough to discover a market in Texas that allowed me to do what I’ve always wanted to do… Play glitch-hop. I became extremely involved in Texas and turned my life focus on music for the most part. I’d go out every night and actually network/talk to people. I’ve always been shy and moved to Texas only knowing my roommate. Texas was a scary move but once I got there it took me for one of the best rides of my life. I was only in Texas for a year but it feels like I was there for over five years. The amount of talented artist is overwhelming! The festival crowd is full force and plenty of homegrown events.

Now that I’m back in Miami I’ve started an entirely new lifestyle. I know that bass music popularity has reached a new height but it has also left me much to be desired. I don’t want to become that bitter old man complaining non-stop. I’ve decided to put this mix out there to target the Miami audience and nightlife but at the same time tip my hat goodbye to this sort of style. It’s fun, party, dance, and rave out music but truth is I’m burnt out and have been for some time now I’m sure. If you follow me on FB and Twitter you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’m a mid range bass hater. Yes, I admit it.

It’s time to focus on a positive new attitude and something different that will brighten my spirits. 2012 will be the start of many new things. As I said my lifestyle is quite different now. I don’t go out anymore and I’m going back to my anti-social recluse ways. My nights consist of me laying around my dream apartment on the beach listening to chill out lounge music and playing video games. My roots are in trip-hop/downtempo/lounge. I’ve decided to focus on that for 2012 and create a sister site that will built around that vibe. Expect a soft beta launch around Feb 2012.

This doesn’t mean this site will be executed!!! Ed and Tara have been doing an incredible job and I’ll still be writing post but come to understand I won’t be as active. It’s time to expand the market. I’ll still be around at all the events but keep in mind Miami doesn’t offer acts that I’ve been spoiled with while living in Texas. The bass scene is very alive here but it’s very brostep/moombah oriented which truthfully I can’t vibe with. Along with the sister site launch there will be a new weekly event that will be created to support the new movement here. I’m super excited to see how this pans out.

Now about this mix. It was designed on the fly to get you moving and sing along. There are times where I need to get motivated to go out to the club or bar and these tunes get me all hyped. They are mostly top 40 remixes with me giving them an extra umphhh to them and adding my glitches live. It’s been over a month since I’ve played or even mixed since I’ve been so busy with the move. Not to mention like I said I’ve kept myself isolated in Miami so not looking actively to play out. It was fun to rock out in my new studio to this. Anxious to see what the reception of this mix will be.

I hope you enjoy and have a happy new year!!!

-Afro

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!

Hello new friends.   This post has two purposes.  First to introduce myself to all of you.  My name is Ed, and I have been writing for Afromonk for the last 2 weeks.  This is something I have wanted to do for some time now.  Ask JM, have bugged him for months.  Personally, I really enjoy not only the Music, but the community that surrounds it.  There is some amazing people involved with this scene, and I feel honored to be apart of it and help promote some of those people who bring so much joy to my life with the music they create.  That being said, I want your hear what your working on so I can get it posted up here!!!  Got a finished Album, Ep, Tune, or mix , I want to hear it,  Send it to Ed@Afromonk.com

The 2ed part of this post is to kick off a few weeks of posting mixes from some of my favorite DJ’s in the  Northwest!  I live outside of Seattle for only 1 more month so I want to say thanks to these people who gave me many a good night of fun.    So to kick it off I’m posting a mix of my own.  Im no pro,  but this was really fun to record.  It was recorded live at a party last week on Traktor with the S4, and no sync!  Hope you enjoy!

Run For Cover-Tipper
Rolling In The Deep-Griz rmx
Lost In Bass-Supervision
Pure Gasoline-SUN:MONX
Learning is Remembering-Tipper
Vision Of Happiness-GriZ
Olympus Egg-Blunt Instrument
Robobooty-Opium Alias n Benson rmx
BlackWater-Doobie Brothers(Love and Light rmx)
Gongshow-Tipper
Swamp Gate-Nicoluminous
Ride-Ciara&Ludacris(LoBounce rmx)
Sleaze Me VibeSquaD

NicoLuminous has been slowly gaining more visibility and with good reason, his music is incredible. I first heard of him though ill-esha and after I heard his release on Street Ritual I was hooked. I’ll openly admit that I probably play way too much of Nico when I DJ out but too be honest his vibe and style is exactly a perfect mix of sexy bass music and dancefloor hype.

The first time I met Nico was at LIB and had the pleasure of catching a set from him at the Dr.Bronner’s Foam Tub area. He truly is one of the most positive people out there. He just has that good energy vibe and willing to help out with anything. I ran into him again at Sonic Bloom and finally got to catch one of his legendary beat-boxing performances. He has a utility belt with assorted guitar pedals that he uses as he is beat-boxing. It’s truly one of the craziest things I’ve seen. There is no doubt that his is going to be on top of the world soon.

NicoLuminous is prepping for his new release, Love Star, and man is it good! I’ve had the luxury of getting to preview it. This mix gives you a small taste of what is to come as well as great set to throw on while in any mood. I will say Nico has added a bit more hype to this one but its got that sensual vibe he has become known for. I’m stoked to be seeing him at the upcoming ArtOutside festival in Austin. Be on the look out for the official release of Love Star!

TRACK LIST
1. NicoLuminous – Speaker Box REMIX
2. NicoLuminous – Lumadrop
3. NicoLuminous – Love Star
4. NicoLuminous – Will Our Time Come Around?
5. NicoLuminous – Unpredictable by Jamie Foxx REMIX
6. NicoLuminous – Look at Me Now by Chris Brown REMIX
7. NicoLuminous – Tell Me You Care ft. Roisin Murphy
8. NicoLuminous – Bass Maze
9. NicoLuminous – Love Sets You Free
10. NicoLuminous – Sunrize in L.A.
11. NicoLuminous – Rock That
12. NicoLuminous – Love is Real ft. Beyonce & Sean Paul
13. NicoLuminous – Chunga’s Revenge by Gotan Project REMIX ft. Johanna Phraze
14. NicoLuminous – Y La Bassbox Harp ft. Luz Elena Mendoza

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

A HEAVY mix collab with kHoff … Should have your walls shaking.

I’m up first…
1. NumberNin6, Messinian, Bare – Murk That
2. Castlevania – Vampire Killer ( King Kuula remix )
3. Excision – Subsonic ( PotatoFinger remix )
4. Ajapai – Incoming ( VIP )
5. Robokop – Giggles
6. Dubba Jonny – Liyaan
7. Cyberoptics – Geisha ( VIP )
8. Cahb – Together ( VIP )
9. Dillon Francis – Beautician

kHoff is up next
10. Requake – Arma Bass VIP
11. An0dyne – Mayhem
12. Skream – Seasick
13. kHoff – Agoraphobia
14. Jakes – Claw
15. Vannin – Kelevera (forthcoming Abducted)
16. Instigate – Sinister
17. Zimo – 400 Damage Points
18. Bratkilla – A message to the government
19. Bukez Finezt – The Bunch
20. kHoff – Make Me A Mortal
21. Dash Total’d – Here We Go
22. d-Queue & Luke Nukem – Rick Troll

Enjoy.

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