Aussie Mr. Bill’s latest album “Focus” pretty much knocks my socks off. It is so masterfully thought out and crafted. This album embraces a variety of deep yet glitchy, swaggy yet moving, complex yet simple, and aesthetically-pleasing yet entirely unique sounds. I always had Mr. Bill on my radar to an extent, but since hearing this album I am without a doubt interested in what else he has to express through his production.
On a Monday back at work after a raging weekend in the sun, I can definitely say that I could use some cheering up, and this album did it for me. Focus is elaborate and beautiful and allowed me to clear my mind. The album guides listeners through sundry soundscapes with marvelous blips and tasty melodies; it truly pushes the envelope.
I am now kicking myself for passing up the chance to see Mr. Bill live in Nevada City last month where he also hosted an Ableton Live workshop. No doubt that both events would have been inspirational. I’m not sure how many other times I’ll have the opportunity to catch Mr. Bill, but if I do I will not surpass it!
Also, there will be [Re-Focused Part 1] & [Re-Focused Part 2] coming soon – with remixes from Kalya Scintilla, Circuit Bent, Blatwax, Whitebear, Kursa, and more. Pretty psyched for that!
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!
Michal Menert just released his new full length release, Even If It Isn’t Right, today on Pretty Lights Music for FREE. If you’re a fan of Michal Menert or the sound that Pretty Lights represents I highly recommend grabbing this right NOW!
I had the pleasure of meeting Michal over WMC this year and got to kick it with him and take a glimpse into what the future holds on his side of things. This album defies a lot of the norm for most releases and tells his story in this long composition. Spending a few days with him and his manager I knew that I had to help them out. It’s not very often you come across such a talented artist with the ideals and vision that Michal has.
He’s your regular guy who likes to play video games, chill, make music, and eat tons of sushi. His story is quite a unique one and he’s the only person who could say that early Pretty Lights music was composed of Derek and Michal. It’s something that I believe isn’t noted enough.
I had the pleasure of being in Denver for Menert’s debut of his new fancy projection mapped stage. The moment I walked into Cervantes I was totally blown away. The team that put together is the same team that has put together Pretty Lights past stages but this one has been taken to a whole new level. The dedication and effort put behind Michal Menert is second to none. It’s a honor to have been brought in to take part of it. There’s much ahead and can’t even describe to you how incredible the experience was that night except by showing you a video of how wild it all came out below. The video was done by the Swaager team/website and is only a small glimpse into this magical stage represented by mountain like structures with a sun/moon center where Michal performs in front of. The lasers, video clips, and seamless combination of music and visuals are some of the best I’ve ever seen in my life.
Dear promoters of all locations. This show and stage will be touring in the Fall. I HIGHLY recommend picking this up. It’s one of the most amazing stages I’ve seen. The production levels is on par if not higher than Pretty Lights and other projection mapping stages out there. Cervantes was completely slammed and no one had any idea that the stage was being showcased for the most part.
Passionate producer/DJ and homie The Digital Connection (Ricky Shine) is doin’ big things. I kid you not when I say that every time I listen to Ricky’s newest tracks on SoundCloud, I am even more impressed than the last. His latest and greatest all-original Lazer Party Mixtape certainly reflects this sentiment. And he has spoiled us with a free download! With a nice gradual yet enticing build including sparkly notes and deep stunning melody, the principal development of the mix is on point. Then it transitions into a killer beat with ___ samples from Aretha Franklin’s “I Say A Little Prayer for You”. I really can’t wait for that track’s release. The remainder of the mix continues to satisfy my constant craving for mellow yet vibrant electronic frequencies. At a little over halfway through we get some of that nice blappy lazerbass Ricky loves. We later get hints of gangsta bass at around 30:00 which is personally my favorite segment. The bass gets deeper while retaining the unique multidimensional structure of the rest of the mix. Then we get an absolutely beautiful poignant section that makes me want to call my friends and tell them how much I love them J. His remix of Kaskade & Deadmau5’s “I Remember” (while admittedly I dislike most that I hear from both) is a fun way to start the wind-down. The mix ends on a high note with a fun upbeat tempo. Listening to Lazer Party Mixtape all the way through is such a treat and it takes you on a pleasant roller coaster ride; just when I feel a slight lull the next moment I feel myself grooving to the beat. It’s so clean and thought-out. I can tell that Ricky devoted his soul to this music, revealing to each listener a part of it. This is more expressive and sincere than anything I’ve heard from him yet.
Indulge yourself and take a listen to The Digital Connection’s Lazer Party Mixtape! I know you won’t resist downloading.I can’t wait for his upcoming release as well as to hear more of his collaboration with friend One4All (named Connect4)! Those two are crushing it across state lines.
This morning I decided to take a day off from chasing this spring’s amazing corn skiing to prepare for spring. Searching for a new Mountain Bike! As I sat in my sunny kitchen drinking a wonderful cup of coffee waiting to hear if my dream bike is mine I found a wonderful sonic gem. Proper Motion just dropped a new album, “A Refined Perspective” that is a great mix of classic funky jazz samples and energetic basslines. Music that grabs your mind and transports you do a different land has always been near the top of my charts and this release does just that. Includes, all the componets of modern bass music that I have grown to love and combines that with the soul of yesterday. Moments, of this release like “How Long” brought me back to my parents den where my farther was rocking the turntable with his classic jazz tracks. Colorado producers Noah Marion and Harrison Watkins have really stepped up to the plate on this one and taken their listeners on a wonderful sonic journey. I for one appreciate the time travel to keep my mind off of whether or not my dream bike will be hitting the trails this season. If the tunes are not enough Noah and Harrison have offered this entire realease for free on Soundcloud. Give it a listen and grab these tracks while they are hot!
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!
ChrisB just dropped a fantastic new EP this morning that totally kills it. 2 Songs full of gorgeous melodies layered over slightly glitchy beats with some atmospherics really showcase how ChrisB is taking his music to the next level! The release which can be found on Bandcamp is perfect preview to what we can expect to see this festival Season. Catch ChrisB at the Do Lab stage at coachella or check out his site to see the other venues he is playing this spring!
One of my favorite albums from GoldRush just got remixed by some of the freshest names in the game! Goldrush is dropping his 2ed release on Generation Bass with the help of some friends. Each a talented producer in their own right, re-imagines one of Goldrush’s original tracks off the Love Hz release. The result is a new creative look on what started as amazing tracks. These creative additions add elements of percussion, melodic atmosphere and dance floor ready beats! Love Hz Rmxd drops on March 23. Enjoy!
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.
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.
Afro Monk
April 30th by Taradactyl 
Tags: Adapted Records, Focus, Mr. Bill
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