Friday, September 10, 2010

EXCISION - SHAMBHALA 2010



EXCISION - SHAMBHALA 2010
Mirror

I always feel like I'm looking into the future when I listen to Excisions Shambhala mixes. This year is no different, and to be quite honest, has upped the ante considerably. Limits are smashed, rules thrown out the window, planets are eaten and galaxies are destroyed. A truly Galactus-sized mix that slams the underground's most deliquent and twisted productions right up in your grill, leaving you twitching on the floor. Yeah there's a few misses for me, a few tunes are just too R2D2 and filled with derivative transformery. What can I say, I am a finnicky mother-fucker when it comes to filthy basslines. I don't ape shit for every little wobble, womp, and robot burp. However on the whole, I will say there are some true sonic innovations that Excision has put together and presented in a masterful set. It's set that fully embraces the idea of taking it's listener on a journey and revealing an otherworldly experience that is the sum of it's part. It's got a sprinkle of pop, a dash groove, a pinch of soul, and a shit load of utter devastation. Really it's a fucking great listen.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Mary Anne Hobbes quits Radio One



I'm a bit slow on the UK news, being in some kind of Chicago limbo that I am, but anyways MAH quit Radio One. Here's her resignation letter:

"Yesterday I resigned from BBC Radio1, after an amazing multi-dimensional 14 year career.
The great freedoms the BBC have given in me as a broadcaster, have allowed me to help break so many confrontational artists as diverse as Slipknot and Skream, and of course, the whole genre of Dubstep in recent times.

My current Experimental show is in peak condition, it’s never been stronger. And although it’s a very emotional decision to leave the show that I love so much, it’s also an optimum moment to bow out, at the very top of my game.

My work for Radio1 on the Breezeblock, Rock Show, many fascinating documentaries about everything from David Bowie to Dubstep, on daytime, at festivals and award ceremonies, has been exceptionally rewarding. These have been glory days not just for me, but for all the artists who have shared my BBC platform, and of course, the listeners everywhere from Beijing to Berlin, Baltimore to Blackpool, who shared a great passion for future sound.

I will continue to DJ live, work in film, and curate at Sonar festival in Barcelona.

I have also accepted a new job mentoring and teaching students at the University of Sheffield’s Union Of Students radio station, TV station and the newspaper that operate out of their superb Forge Media Hub, which presents me with a really exciting new challenge."


It's a bit of a loss to the Dubstep scene to say the least. She definitely helped put that sound out there. According to wikipedia : Her 2 hour special 'Dubstep Warz' on BBC Radio 1 in January 2006 is widely regarded as the show that broke the dubstep sound globally." So there. I wasn't always interested in her interpretation of the genre, but I've certainly appreciated all she's done for experimental music on the front lines. Big ups and respect to you Mary Anne Hobbs.

Here's the link to her full last show which includes mini-mixes by Kode 9 and Burial: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tm12t

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Specimen A - Cold As Ice Freebie



Specimen A - Cold As Ice

Here's a hilarious remix of Foreigner's "Cold As Ice" by Specimen A. I'm a sucker for the original, and I like that the fact the main hooks of the song remain in tact and it wasn't too deconstructed. The bassline is kinda on the average side, but I think the nostalgic arena rock vibe, wins this one over for me.

http://www.facebook.com/specimena
http://www.myspace.com/specimena
http://twitter.com/Specimen_A
http://soundcloud.com/specimena

Thursday, September 2, 2010

RINSE FM- 16th Birthday Giveaway



http://rinse.fm/category/iam16/

Rinse FM turns 16 and is giving away loads of free tunes. Here's the press release:

The countdown to Rinse FM’s 16th Birthday Party at matter has begun!

To get you on a hype we’ve got hold of 16 tracks from the likes of Benga, P Money, MA1, Bok Bok and more to give away free – one each day until the rave on Friday 10th September.

First up is Roska — whose remix of Katy B’s “Katy On A Mission” is available now on iTunes and will be available from all other digital stores this Sunday 29th August — with “Play Gamez”.