Afro Monk » Trip-Hop

Futexture | The Science of How Things Unfold

Mr Ed — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:20:32 +0000

I am honored and privileged to bring word on Afro Monk Record’s Debut Release. Futexture “The Science of How Things Unfold” combines top-notch production, with out of this world arrangements and the creativity to bring the listener to a higher dimension. No matter if you call this release IDM, FutureBass or Downtempo, Futexture, aka Danny Krantz, has taken the more sonically diverse elements of our genres and brought us a complete piece of work that will entertain the mind and tickle the ears. My first listen to this release was done after a long day kicked back with the cans on and a bit of a mood enhancer. Not only did the music grab a hold of me but it provided energetic boost to my whole body. Some would say thats just the herb, but thats what pure quality music should do to all of us! You should not just hear it, but experience it. I must congratulate both Futexture for such an amazing album that is sure to make quite a name for him, but also the founder of this blog, Mr. JM aka Afromonk for pushing through and bringing us his first debut release on the brand new record label. Now, with no more bullshit from me, I bring you the music!

I hope to hear Futexture’s sounds being dropped in the wee hours of the morning all summer long. Pick up this release Addictech!

The Art of the Way | The Human Experience

Mr Ed — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:16:46 +0000

I have been in the mountains for more days in a row then I can count. Snow was deep, turns amazing. Got home last night and woke exhausted to the sound of rain on my roof. All I can think about is a mellow morning with coffee and a big breakfast. Checking my email from the past week and I find a great recommendation from JM “Afromonk” that fits my mood perfect this grey day. The Human Experience’s release “The Art of the Way” is a gorgeous piece of music. David Block took last year to travel around the globe and grow as an human and this release shows just that maturity in the tracks. Sometimes it just takes stepping out of your normal day to day life and venture into the unknown to be inspired and unleash the inner creativity. I don’t know David Block, but from listening to “The Art of the Way” this morning I think he has succeeded. Check out his whole release on Bandcamp!

“Lion Heart” -The Human Experience

Desert Dwellers – DownTemple Dub: Remixed

Mr Ed — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:14:43 +0000

Desert Dwellers are super excited to release their newest release that has been fully funded by their fans through a kick-starter project! DownTemple Dub: Remixed will be released on April 3ed thanks to a huge rally from fans and friends helping to promote this project. This is just one more reason why our community is such a blessing to be apart of. Everyone benefits in this situation, new music, new live show. Now the music. Desert Dwellers put together a release filled with otherworldly down-tempo and psy-chill grooves. Some of today’s top producers took classic Desert Dwellers yoga dubs and remixed them into another dimension. Combining sounds of the future with the roots of years past this release is perfect for sitting back and allowing your mind to drift far from daily life. Prepare for a sonic exploration into higher dimensions! Remixes from Love & Light, Aes Dana, Kaminanda, Kalya Scintilla, Duke Mushroom, Eastern Sun, Drumspyder, Androcell, and Earthrise SoundSystem.

Grab Love and Lights remix of More than Anything!

Sunmonx | Power Salad

Mr Ed — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:00:42 +0000

Sunmonx’s debut release “Power Salad” is one I have been waiting for all winter because I’m a sucker for live instrumentation blended with top notch production. Sunmonx consists of the Australian duo of Opiuo’s tight production style with Austero’s down under funky guitar rifts. This tight fusion of production blends together pieces from many genres including bass music, blues, and funk. I picked up moments that really reminded me of Signal Path’s funky guitar while other tracks slowed things down and had a much chiller organic sound. The Australians have been killing it this past year and this release is no exception. Power Salad is true to its name, a sonic fusion that explores new dimensions of the electronica spectrum.

Sunmonx is releasing “Power Salad” on March 21st, but you can get it Pre-Release on Interchill’s bandcamp and Addictech March 7th.

Sunmonx-Pickle on Interchill

Lounge Temple

Afro Monk — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:43:02 +0000

I’ve been working on a new project for 2012 and it’s about time I share it with you all! The past few months I’ve become a bit more critical than usual. Bass music hasn’t been doing what it use to do for me. My relocation back home to Miami has changed a lot of things especially my life style. When I lived in Texas I was always out with friends, partying, DJing, traveling, etc… Now I spend most of my time relaxing enjoying the ocean breeze on my balcony. My nights consist of digging for more music and that peaceful state of mind. I’ve grown up and feel like an adult. Music now plays a different role for me now.

It’s not that I’m disappearing now but expect much of my focus to go in this new direction. Lounge Temple is ultimately Afro Monk 2.0 with its primary genres being downtempo, trip-hop, and future bass. It’s a lot more laid back and lounge like.

Not only will the site be something new i’ll be exploring but also have a supporting weekly lounge night here in Miami. I’ve been offered an industry night at The Stage here in Miami. It offers a great environment as well as chance to start something entirely different from your typical club rave night. Gooddroid and I will be playing lounge music ever Sunday night! Chilled Out Sundays starts up February 19th, 2012!

For more information and your chilled out needs go to:
Lounge Temple: Downtempo, Trip-hop, & Future Bass Blog

Kalya Scintilla | Dance the Spiral Never Ending

Mr Ed — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:25:08 +0000

Kalya Scintilla is ready to beam you to a totally different dimension with the new release “Dance the Spiral Never Ending” Ever release I have heard of his as been excellent in pulling my head out of every day life and transport me to somewhere totally new. This multidimensional tranmission is no exception. Grabbing influences of dubstep, glitch hop, and sounds from his home star system,”Whomp” and blending them naturally with the seductive sounds of the middle east and traditional gypsy. Hard to believe I’m sitting here watching snow fall as I listen to the release because my mind is somewhere all together much more exotic. Pick up “Dance the Spiral Never Ending” over at Kalya Scintilla’s Bandcamp!

Shadow Attack | Aqua Dipped

Mr Ed — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:31:43 +0000

Shadow Attack’s new album Aqua Dipped out now on Deepblip records was a real surprise when it showed up in my mail box earlier this week. I spend a lot of time sorting through numerous submissions to this website and every once in awhile the time pays off. The sounds that move me are constantly changing, but a few of the tracks on Shadow Attacks release really grabbed me and made me do a double listen. Thank You! He nailed it on this one. Tracks like “You Work For It” and “Simply Beautiful” are gorgeous demonstrations of sound design. Both of these tracks are on the mellower side of this release, but the combination of beats that propel the mood forward towards some unknown dark space and complex eery atmospherics really work for me. This is one of those Albums you should put on a good system or headphones lean back and enjoy!

Grab this at Shadow Attack’s Bandcamp!

Inanna | Cariad EP

Mr Ed — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:38:19 +0000

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!

Virtus in Sonus Compilation | Gravitas Recordings

Taradactyl — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:45:05 +0000

Gravitas Records has just announced its second official release, Virtus in Sonus, for FREE on Addictech! The 24-track compilation is comprised of a diverse roster of producers that invite you on a gratifying musical rollercoaster ride. The album kicks off smooth and sexy for the first few tracks (my personal favorite of these being Rion King’s “Bliss”) and evolves into more funky and ethnic varieties found in Blunt Instrument’s and Govinda’s work – where the coaster is doing pleasing twists and turns. Then after enjoying the scenery for a moment comes the exhilarating peak, where you can sense a division between soul and body with One4All’s, Cryptex’s and Brede’s awe-inspiring tracks. Cryptex’s “Reset” is absolutely phenomenal; it’s drippy and melodic yet packs in some serious heat. After finding yourself again, you have a chance to reflect on the experience with some effervescent tunes including Jake Scarborough’s bouncy “Radar Junkie”, The Digital Connection’s lazerblappy “Starwalker”, and Bobby Tank’s 80’s-inspired “Good Girl Bad Girl”. The Virtus in Sonus coaster may have left you stunned, and that’s simply because it encompasses such an array of sounds that flow impeccably.

Given the fact that Gravitas Recordings has only been in the game since May 2011, the caliber of this release is exceptional. Jesse Brede, founder of Gravitas Recordings explained that he “reached out to guys that [he] knew would provide a certain type of sound so it wasn’t the same BPM or style the whole time. The compilation has just about every genre of electronic music on it – everything from downtempo to dubstep to house to electro to dnb to trip hop to glitch hop, so if you listen from start to finish you really don’t get bored.” I agree; the genre-encompassing album is brilliant for listening all the way through while on a road trip, at work, or chillin with friends. Grab it here from Addictech, give it a thorough listen, and gain the “Power of Sound”!

Woofer Cookers Present Phobia

Mr Ed — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:11:49 +0000

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!