Ez peeps,
Most of what I do is now taken care of on my label's blog. Check it out:
http://2nddroprecords.blogspot.co.uk/
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Also check the new release for South London Ordnance:
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Monday, 19 September 2011
DJ Magazine reviews issue 501 - Sept 2011
My September 2011 reviews for DJ Magazine.
King Midas Sound
Earth A Kills Ya - Mala Remix (Hyperdub)
This has a Kuedo remix of of KMS's 'Goodbye Girl' on the A-side, which is nice, but essentially unremarkable. Toss it over and you'll find a much richer province. Mala, one half of the legendary Digital Mystikz and owner of Deep Medi, opens up the guts of the tune and yanks out the meaty organs leaving the essentials for life: heavy dread vibes dialled down further into a steppah's funeral march.
8/10
District
Haymaker (Chestplate)
Bowling in from the Midlands comes a new face with a heritage sound. It's no wonder Distance picked this up for his label, these three tracks could easily be a shared 12-inch from himself and Cyrus. As Youngsta, Tunnidge and Jack Sparrow are all supporting this, you'll get the sound architecture right away: icy, overcast and mordant angles that only really strike a chord when your head's fuzzy with weed and buried in the scoops.
6/10
Teeth
Swarm/Shift/Sequence/Spawn (Ramp)
Yes, that is the title and confusingly not the title of the four tracks on this EP. So, with that cleared up, let's pop the surgical gloves on and get up to our elbows in this new offering by Mr Teeth from Helsinki. If you stitched the tracks together they would make a nice little quartet, as 'Frequencies' and 'OJ' build layers of drums, 'SW' flips the light switch with rays of blinding synth work and '19eme' is all washy emo mulch.
7/10
Admiral Bailey
Jump Up (Terror Danjah Remix) (Greensleeves)
The last few remixes of the Greensleeves catalogue have been OK, but not overly scintillating. Here a dancehall legend gets treatment from the grime overlord to great effect. A profusion of beat patterns fly abound un-tethered and often at odds in true dancehall style: a Mala-esque bassline, replaced by a pastiche hardcore Amen, betwixt a funky poke for a truly bashment experience. Shame the dub doesn't go to town on the effects, but otherwise pretty damn ire.
7.5/10
Instra:mental/Trevino
Pyramid/Chip (3024)
As if it is a dirty, hellish peculiarity, the 3024 label announce their first split 12-inch. Wait! Has the world ended? The harpies flown from the cracks of Dante's Inferno? Nope. Good, carry on. Gracing us on the A is that pesky duo Instra:mental who have clearly missed each other on their solo pursuits as Boddika and Jon Convex and now nuzzle, reunited, to produce this electroid, clemently acidic arpeggio beasty. Some chap called Trevino pops in further electro nostalgia on the flip.
6.5/10
Yogi feat Ayah Marar
Follow U (Ministry Of Sound)
Oooooh, big vocal dubstep. What a fuckin' anthem. And you know it's really good when the label gets five remixes made. Trolley Snatcha doesn't hold back on the stadium-esque vibes, as emo as a gaggle of lanky bi-polar goths. Xilent clearly got the same brief as Mr Snatcha: nice, sensible radio-friendly dubstep. But before I fetch the rope, Submerse and Mike Delinquent chip in something remotely interesting … but not quite.
3/10
Pritch & Trim
Stereotype (Planet Mu)
I nearly wet myself when I saw this pairing of beatsmith extraordinaire Mark Pritchard and probably East London's finest MC, Trim. And whilst the quality of delivery from both is unquestionable, I find myself a little disappointed when listening to it. 'Stereotype' sounds too flippant and 'Kiss My Arse' a little vulgar. These two are both at their best when they're working in darker corners of their subconscious.
6/10
Cyrus
Visions (Deep Medi)
Never one to get swept up in the trends or pressures of modern day dubstep, Cyrus stoically continues to plough his own field in straight, symmetrical and tidy lines churning out uncompromising music. On 'Visions' the magic is in the subtle detail, counterpoint percussion intertwines with the subtlest of smokey whispers and an insistently pulsing bassline. Minimal dubstep doesn't sound much purer than this. 'The Calling' is slightly more pedestrian, but still offers plenty for those who like to listen a bit deeper.
7/10
Damu
Ridin EP (Keysound)
I like the fact that Damu fills his music with so much colour. Every track on the EP explodes with its own rainbow personality.
7/10
Akira Kiteshi
Transmission (Afterglo)
The last thing I heard from AK was very blunt wonky dubstep. Now it sounds like they have discovered girls and started making cool, mildly syncopated, melodic-type stuff you can actually dance to… to get in their pants, I expect.
6/10
Jack Stat
Acid Step (Lucky Break)
This grotty little rodent of muted dubstep aggression gets chased around the house by Afghan Headspin, who tries to bash it with a two-foot dildo - the remix violated it, and me!
4/10
Sarah Williams White
Hide The Cracks (Minds On Fire)
This has the classic hallmarks of a bored producer knocking out a 'dubstep' remix for some non-descript vocal track. Very average.
5/10
King Midas Sound
Earth A Kills Ya - Mala Remix (Hyperdub)
This has a Kuedo remix of of KMS's 'Goodbye Girl' on the A-side, which is nice, but essentially unremarkable. Toss it over and you'll find a much richer province. Mala, one half of the legendary Digital Mystikz and owner of Deep Medi, opens up the guts of the tune and yanks out the meaty organs leaving the essentials for life: heavy dread vibes dialled down further into a steppah's funeral march.
8/10
District
Haymaker (Chestplate)
Bowling in from the Midlands comes a new face with a heritage sound. It's no wonder Distance picked this up for his label, these three tracks could easily be a shared 12-inch from himself and Cyrus. As Youngsta, Tunnidge and Jack Sparrow are all supporting this, you'll get the sound architecture right away: icy, overcast and mordant angles that only really strike a chord when your head's fuzzy with weed and buried in the scoops.
6/10
Teeth
Swarm/Shift/Sequence/Spawn (Ramp)
Yes, that is the title and confusingly not the title of the four tracks on this EP. So, with that cleared up, let's pop the surgical gloves on and get up to our elbows in this new offering by Mr Teeth from Helsinki. If you stitched the tracks together they would make a nice little quartet, as 'Frequencies' and 'OJ' build layers of drums, 'SW' flips the light switch with rays of blinding synth work and '19eme' is all washy emo mulch.
7/10
Admiral Bailey
Jump Up (Terror Danjah Remix) (Greensleeves)
The last few remixes of the Greensleeves catalogue have been OK, but not overly scintillating. Here a dancehall legend gets treatment from the grime overlord to great effect. A profusion of beat patterns fly abound un-tethered and often at odds in true dancehall style: a Mala-esque bassline, replaced by a pastiche hardcore Amen, betwixt a funky poke for a truly bashment experience. Shame the dub doesn't go to town on the effects, but otherwise pretty damn ire.
7.5/10
Instra:mental/Trevino
Pyramid/Chip (3024)
As if it is a dirty, hellish peculiarity, the 3024 label announce their first split 12-inch. Wait! Has the world ended? The harpies flown from the cracks of Dante's Inferno? Nope. Good, carry on. Gracing us on the A is that pesky duo Instra:mental who have clearly missed each other on their solo pursuits as Boddika and Jon Convex and now nuzzle, reunited, to produce this electroid, clemently acidic arpeggio beasty. Some chap called Trevino pops in further electro nostalgia on the flip.
6.5/10
Yogi feat Ayah Marar
Follow U (Ministry Of Sound)
Oooooh, big vocal dubstep. What a fuckin' anthem. And you know it's really good when the label gets five remixes made. Trolley Snatcha doesn't hold back on the stadium-esque vibes, as emo as a gaggle of lanky bi-polar goths. Xilent clearly got the same brief as Mr Snatcha: nice, sensible radio-friendly dubstep. But before I fetch the rope, Submerse and Mike Delinquent chip in something remotely interesting … but not quite.
3/10
Pritch & Trim
Stereotype (Planet Mu)
I nearly wet myself when I saw this pairing of beatsmith extraordinaire Mark Pritchard and probably East London's finest MC, Trim. And whilst the quality of delivery from both is unquestionable, I find myself a little disappointed when listening to it. 'Stereotype' sounds too flippant and 'Kiss My Arse' a little vulgar. These two are both at their best when they're working in darker corners of their subconscious.
6/10
Cyrus
Visions (Deep Medi)
Never one to get swept up in the trends or pressures of modern day dubstep, Cyrus stoically continues to plough his own field in straight, symmetrical and tidy lines churning out uncompromising music. On 'Visions' the magic is in the subtle detail, counterpoint percussion intertwines with the subtlest of smokey whispers and an insistently pulsing bassline. Minimal dubstep doesn't sound much purer than this. 'The Calling' is slightly more pedestrian, but still offers plenty for those who like to listen a bit deeper.
7/10
Damu
Ridin EP (Keysound)
I like the fact that Damu fills his music with so much colour. Every track on the EP explodes with its own rainbow personality.
7/10
Akira Kiteshi
Transmission (Afterglo)
The last thing I heard from AK was very blunt wonky dubstep. Now it sounds like they have discovered girls and started making cool, mildly syncopated, melodic-type stuff you can actually dance to… to get in their pants, I expect.
6/10
Jack Stat
Acid Step (Lucky Break)
This grotty little rodent of muted dubstep aggression gets chased around the house by Afghan Headspin, who tries to bash it with a two-foot dildo - the remix violated it, and me!
4/10
Sarah Williams White
Hide The Cracks (Minds On Fire)
This has the classic hallmarks of a bored producer knocking out a 'dubstep' remix for some non-descript vocal track. Very average.
5/10
Thursday, 25 August 2011
DJ Magazine reviews issue 500
I've not been blogging here lately due to work commitments and running the label. But I will start popping up my reviews page from DJ Magazine on a monthly basis at the very least! Music forward>>
Martyn
Masks (Brainfeeder)
The Dutch rascal who dwells in the USA is one of the most successful artists to cross genres and scenes with seamless finesse, outgrowing each of them at their peak and opting to forge new paths with pioneering fearlessness. This single drops well ahead of his second album 'Ghost People' (out in October), and barely moves the goal-posts, but 'Masks' is still a cracking fragment of angular bass music that needs to be owned.
8/10
Deco and Linker
Verus (Deceast)
The fourth release on this Californian imprint comes from label honcho Deco and fellow West Coast hombre Linker, and boy can you hear the Cali heat oozing from these two. If Dr Dre had G-funk, then these two have dub-funk: check 'Greenthumb Funk' for some seriously purple vibes similar to Silkie and Quest. On the A-side, 'Verus' locks a tight riddim and rocks out a decaying technoid half-step flex, a very tidy affair.
8/10
Daedelus
Overwhelmed EP (Ninja Tune)
Since the good ole days of his equaled "crunchier than a mouthful of glass and gravel" hip-hop, to the past couple of years where it has meant a very skewed take on psychedelic electronica, Daedelus's inventiveness and character has always shone through. This remix package welcomes three soldiers of fortune in the guise of Manchester's Star Slinger, London's Raffertie and New York's Sepalcure for a confection of bass-laden treats.
7/10
Illskillz
Fire Everyday feat Dub FX (Illskillz)
Drum and bass stalwarts DKay and Rawfull, aka Illskillz, offer up a triplet of dubstep tunes before their new album drops this summer, just to prove they can mix it up with the best of 'em. 'Gold Streams' and 'Memorizer' are both piss-weak efforts, leaving 'Fire Everyday' to mop up the effluence, luckily avoiding the emo-stained melodies for balls out beats and a bassline that punches the wind from your chest.
5/10
Damu
Mermaid (Local Action)
The sixth release on the Local Action label sees Mancunian new boy Damu get his first pair of long trousers with a snug four-track EP featuring three originals and one zeitgeist-channeling Juke remix from the legends of Baltimore, Rashad and Earl. But before we get too erect, let's saunter back to the rather heady 'Mermaid', which sounds like classic broken beat with a dose of nitrous-boosted euphoria, a very pleasant conclusion to an evening's waltzing.
7.5/10
Saint Rider
D.A.T. (Section 8)
As always, a number of these records start off in a promising manner and 'D.A.T.' is no exception; washy synth lines, a few stabby piano-esque bits and a smattering of nifty claps build up to a frankly slag-infested drop. I have no doubt this goes off in the "rave" and sweaty teenagers from across the world are losing their small, underdeveloped minds to it, but it just pummeled me into a spiraling abyss of despair because of its obvious lack of originality.
4/10
Aquasky
You Take Me There (Passenger)
If you were a joyriding, feckless little teenage shite tearing around council estates in less salubrious parts of Berkshire 19 years ago, then you'll probably also remember when massive gurn-inducing piano riffs dominated the (pirate) airwaves, and rave flyers promised never-ending psychedelic blow-jobs in a smiley-faced hinterland. Yes, Aquasky capture 1992 with aplomb, only for Cutline to take it by the greasy ponytail and slap its slack-jawed chops with a dubstep back-hander. Irritatingly infectious.
6.5/10
Clouds
Lots Of Calls From No One Part 2 (Deep Medi)
Flying well under the radar for some time now, the reclusive Finnish duo have popped one or two bits out over the past few years, but are far from prolific. Thankfully this can be forgiven, as they have clearly shut themselves away in a dusty, vinyl-filled basement wigging out to Dilla and Davis whilst imbibing chronic quantities of cheeba cheeba. Please buy this two-tracker as it will take you to delicately fuzzy and moodily whimsical places.
8/10
Quickies
Ak0pian
Waterfoul (Echodub)
A syrupy four-track EP from the Italian producer who explores blessed out dub with syncopated techno aesthetics.
6/10
Gerry Read
Untitled (Fourth Wave)
A bright talent, this Home Counties lad is a prolific producer and is banging out raw, unadulterated house music with a hollow tip edge. Keep an eye on this one.
8/10
Tallullah
Colourblind (Transducer Records)
Did someone put the wheels back on my tricycle wonky? That's exactly what Actress does to 'Colourblind', expect spasmodic electronica with high levels of umami.
7.5/10
2 Bit Thugs
Keep The Faith EP (Corrupt Music)
Terrible name, but boy do they make brilliantly nostalgic (2-step) garage/house music to shake your fillings out. Pop this on, get loaded and have a good time.
7/10
Martyn
Masks (Brainfeeder)
The Dutch rascal who dwells in the USA is one of the most successful artists to cross genres and scenes with seamless finesse, outgrowing each of them at their peak and opting to forge new paths with pioneering fearlessness. This single drops well ahead of his second album 'Ghost People' (out in October), and barely moves the goal-posts, but 'Masks' is still a cracking fragment of angular bass music that needs to be owned.
8/10
Deco and Linker
Verus (Deceast)
The fourth release on this Californian imprint comes from label honcho Deco and fellow West Coast hombre Linker, and boy can you hear the Cali heat oozing from these two. If Dr Dre had G-funk, then these two have dub-funk: check 'Greenthumb Funk' for some seriously purple vibes similar to Silkie and Quest. On the A-side, 'Verus' locks a tight riddim and rocks out a decaying technoid half-step flex, a very tidy affair.
8/10
Daedelus
Overwhelmed EP (Ninja Tune)
Since the good ole days of his equaled "crunchier than a mouthful of glass and gravel" hip-hop, to the past couple of years where it has meant a very skewed take on psychedelic electronica, Daedelus's inventiveness and character has always shone through. This remix package welcomes three soldiers of fortune in the guise of Manchester's Star Slinger, London's Raffertie and New York's Sepalcure for a confection of bass-laden treats.
7/10
Illskillz
Fire Everyday feat Dub FX (Illskillz)
Drum and bass stalwarts DKay and Rawfull, aka Illskillz, offer up a triplet of dubstep tunes before their new album drops this summer, just to prove they can mix it up with the best of 'em. 'Gold Streams' and 'Memorizer' are both piss-weak efforts, leaving 'Fire Everyday' to mop up the effluence, luckily avoiding the emo-stained melodies for balls out beats and a bassline that punches the wind from your chest.
5/10
Damu
Mermaid (Local Action)
The sixth release on the Local Action label sees Mancunian new boy Damu get his first pair of long trousers with a snug four-track EP featuring three originals and one zeitgeist-channeling Juke remix from the legends of Baltimore, Rashad and Earl. But before we get too erect, let's saunter back to the rather heady 'Mermaid', which sounds like classic broken beat with a dose of nitrous-boosted euphoria, a very pleasant conclusion to an evening's waltzing.
7.5/10
Saint Rider
D.A.T. (Section 8)
As always, a number of these records start off in a promising manner and 'D.A.T.' is no exception; washy synth lines, a few stabby piano-esque bits and a smattering of nifty claps build up to a frankly slag-infested drop. I have no doubt this goes off in the "rave" and sweaty teenagers from across the world are losing their small, underdeveloped minds to it, but it just pummeled me into a spiraling abyss of despair because of its obvious lack of originality.
4/10
Aquasky
You Take Me There (Passenger)
If you were a joyriding, feckless little teenage shite tearing around council estates in less salubrious parts of Berkshire 19 years ago, then you'll probably also remember when massive gurn-inducing piano riffs dominated the (pirate) airwaves, and rave flyers promised never-ending psychedelic blow-jobs in a smiley-faced hinterland. Yes, Aquasky capture 1992 with aplomb, only for Cutline to take it by the greasy ponytail and slap its slack-jawed chops with a dubstep back-hander. Irritatingly infectious.
6.5/10
Clouds
Lots Of Calls From No One Part 2 (Deep Medi)
Flying well under the radar for some time now, the reclusive Finnish duo have popped one or two bits out over the past few years, but are far from prolific. Thankfully this can be forgiven, as they have clearly shut themselves away in a dusty, vinyl-filled basement wigging out to Dilla and Davis whilst imbibing chronic quantities of cheeba cheeba. Please buy this two-tracker as it will take you to delicately fuzzy and moodily whimsical places.
8/10
Quickies
Ak0pian
Waterfoul (Echodub)
A syrupy four-track EP from the Italian producer who explores blessed out dub with syncopated techno aesthetics.
6/10
Gerry Read
Untitled (Fourth Wave)
A bright talent, this Home Counties lad is a prolific producer and is banging out raw, unadulterated house music with a hollow tip edge. Keep an eye on this one.
8/10
Tallullah
Colourblind (Transducer Records)
Did someone put the wheels back on my tricycle wonky? That's exactly what Actress does to 'Colourblind', expect spasmodic electronica with high levels of umami.
7.5/10
2 Bit Thugs
Keep The Faith EP (Corrupt Music)
Terrible name, but boy do they make brilliantly nostalgic (2-step) garage/house music to shake your fillings out. Pop this on, get loaded and have a good time.
7/10
Saturday, 8 May 2010
2nd Drop 010 - Duncan Powell - Pushing
2nd Drop Records is proud to present its tenth release!
Duncan Powell
A. Pushing
B. Pushing - Falty DL Remix
2ndrp12010
Vinyl> out Late May 2010
Digital> out mid June 2010
An underground legend with releases on MJ Cole's personal label, Profile, Reading lad Duncan Powell offers a classic slice of, as Jackmaster (Wireblock/ Numbers) described it, James Bond Step. A big string laden anthem, Pushing was originally given away as part of a free EP on Duncan's blog. But much like Ramadanman's Good Feelin record which they also saved from the same fate, 2nd Drop Records believed that it was too good to be a freebie and pressed it up onto vinyl.
A gold mine of musical elements, Pushing was ripe for the remix treatment and as Falty DL was a big fan of the original, and 2nd Drop being a big fan of him, they set him to work stripping back the cacophony of melody transforming Pushing into a dark, broken 2-step swing with flashes of vocals and strings to awesome effect.
Played and supported by Modeselektor, Peveralist, Diplo, Sinbad, Desto, Mary Anne Hobb among others.
The guest illustrator on this release is Audrey Rogers, a fine artist/ illustrator with a visual style which quickly resonated with the 2nd Drop guys and fitted nicely with the 12" format. Her excellent work can be found here
'Pushin' - Duncan Powell by 2ndDropRecords
Pushin'- FaltyDL Remix by 2ndDropRecords
Friday, 19 February 2010
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Better late than never retrospective top ten
I know it's nearly the end of Jan 2010, but had to drop my big tunes of 2009. Just wanted the dust to settle and the mind to clear before I dropped this.
Singles
Darkstar – Aide Girl’s Computer (Hyperdub)
James Blake – Air and the Lack Of (Hemlock)
Ramadanman – Revenue – Untold Remix (2nd Drop)
Hard House Banton – Reign (Spoilt Rotten)
Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo (Hotflush)
ScratchaDVA – God Made Me Phunky (Fantastic 4)
Mount Kimbe – 50 Mile View (Hotflush)
Headhunter – Prototype (Modeselktor’s Broken Handbrake Remix) (Tempa)
Joker – DigiDesign (Hyperdub)
Blue Daisy – Space-Ex (Black Acre)
Albums
The XX – The XX (Young Turks)
Falty DL – Bravery (Planet Mu)
Dam Funk – Toeachizown (Stones Throw)
Various Artists - Hyperdub 5 (Hyperdub)
Silkie – City Limits (Deep Medi Musik)
Hudson Mohawke – Polyfolk Dance (Warp)
Peveralist – Jarvik Mindstate (Punch Drunk)
Starkey – Ephemeral Exhibits (Planet Mu)
Kind Midas Sound - Waiting For You (Hyperdub)
Revisited album of the year:
Augustus Pablo - King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown (Clocktower Records)
Singles
Darkstar – Aide Girl’s Computer (Hyperdub)
James Blake – Air and the Lack Of (Hemlock)
Ramadanman – Revenue – Untold Remix (2nd Drop)
Hard House Banton – Reign (Spoilt Rotten)
Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo (Hotflush)
ScratchaDVA – God Made Me Phunky (Fantastic 4)
Mount Kimbe – 50 Mile View (Hotflush)
Headhunter – Prototype (Modeselktor’s Broken Handbrake Remix) (Tempa)
Joker – DigiDesign (Hyperdub)
Blue Daisy – Space-Ex (Black Acre)
Albums
The XX – The XX (Young Turks)
Falty DL – Bravery (Planet Mu)
Dam Funk – Toeachizown (Stones Throw)
Various Artists - Hyperdub 5 (Hyperdub)
Silkie – City Limits (Deep Medi Musik)
Hudson Mohawke – Polyfolk Dance (Warp)
Peveralist – Jarvik Mindstate (Punch Drunk)
Starkey – Ephemeral Exhibits (Planet Mu)
Kind Midas Sound - Waiting For You (Hyperdub)
Revisited album of the year:
Augustus Pablo - King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown (Clocktower Records)
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
New 2nd Drop - J:Kenzo & LD
2562 (Tectonic) - “J:Kenzo track is nice, liking the stripped down percussion n bass flavour :)”
Joe Nice (Dub War) - “Conqueror has been tearing up the dancefloor”
Diplo (Mad Decent) - “I love your label!!!”
DJ support from Caspa (Dub Police), Benga (Tempa), Untold (Hemlock/Hessle Audio) Mary Anne Hobbs (Radio One), Ramadanman (Hessle Audio/2nd Drop), Shortstuff (Blunted Robots), Reso (Civil Music), Sinden (Kiss FM), Desto (Ramp), Modeselektor (BPitch Control)
Another slick double artist 12” from the 2nd Drop camp and for this, our 9th release, Soushakerz head honcho and Kent second finest achievement after the Channel Tunnel, J:Kenzo, offers a blistering A side with Conqueror. This moody, skittish and intense bongo led firecracker that descends into a thumping bass skank out on the drop, is pure dancefloor dynamite.
On the flip sees the return of LD, who continues to take the percussive elements deeper on Derailment, adding in ravey synth line and switch up 2nd Drop that compliments Conqueror perfectly. Two tracks that will never leave the box.
As always, 2nd Drop commissions some fresh and totally bespoke artwork, welcoming back one of Portugal’s finest illustrators and guerrilla artists, Uiu, last seen on 2nd Drop 006, interprets Conqueror in his own unique style. (http://www.uiu-uiu.com/)
Joe Nice (Dub War) - “Conqueror has been tearing up the dancefloor”
Diplo (Mad Decent) - “I love your label!!!”
DJ support from Caspa (Dub Police), Benga (Tempa), Untold (Hemlock/Hessle Audio) Mary Anne Hobbs (Radio One), Ramadanman (Hessle Audio/2nd Drop), Shortstuff (Blunted Robots), Reso (Civil Music), Sinden (Kiss FM), Desto (Ramp), Modeselektor (BPitch Control)
Another slick double artist 12” from the 2nd Drop camp and for this, our 9th release, Soushakerz head honcho and Kent second finest achievement after the Channel Tunnel, J:Kenzo, offers a blistering A side with Conqueror. This moody, skittish and intense bongo led firecracker that descends into a thumping bass skank out on the drop, is pure dancefloor dynamite.
On the flip sees the return of LD, who continues to take the percussive elements deeper on Derailment, adding in ravey synth line and switch up 2nd Drop that compliments Conqueror perfectly. Two tracks that will never leave the box.
As always, 2nd Drop commissions some fresh and totally bespoke artwork, welcoming back one of Portugal’s finest illustrators and guerrilla artists, Uiu, last seen on 2nd Drop 006, interprets Conqueror in his own unique style. (http://www.uiu-uiu.com/)
J:Kenzo - Conqueror (2nd Drop Records) from Markle on Vimeo.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Rebel Skankin - Friday 27th Nov 09
Reading stand up!
27th November 2009 @ The Venue, Reading
10pm – 4am
£3 before 11pm - £5 after
£1.50 a pint!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------
Dubstep / Jungle / Drum & Bass / Hip Hop / Bassline / Crack House / Dub / Reggae / Funk / Soul
-------------------------------------------------------
Room 1
10-11 Martial b2b Acronym
11-12 Savage Henry b2b Dub Chambers
12-01 2nd Drop Records
01-02 Dusty Lungs b2b Saine (Old School Jungle set)
02-03 Hijak
03-04 Benny Page
Room 2
12-01 Ritch
01-02 Martial b2b Acronym
02-03 Daddy Nature
03-04 Room Closed
-------------------------------------------------------
Hijak (Deep Medi/Tectonic/)
http://www.myspace.com/thehijak
Benny Page (Digital Soundboy)
http://www.myspace.com/bennypage1
2nd Drop Records
http://www.myspace.com/2nddroprecords
Daddy Nature b2b Pneuma (Urban Nerds)
http://www.myspace.com/audiorevolution1
Dusty Lungs b2b Saine (STEP:ONE/ Urban Nerds)
http://www.myspace.com/dustylungs23
Savage Henry b2b Dub Chambers (Tasty Bits)
http://www.myspace.com/djsavagehenry
Martial b2b Acronym (Acetate)
http://www.myspace.com/rsollydesign
Ritch (Junction)
Monday, 9 November 2009
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
We Wah Ten @ Scala
It's nearly here! Wah Wah's Tenth Birthday!
So, with a stupidly sick main room and the awesome One taste in room three, I am going to be rather selfish and big up the dubstep room (2), and boy what a line up! Loefah, Ramadanman and LD all bringing their unique take on where bass music is right now.
Loefah is one third of the legendary label and club night, DMZ, along with Mala and Coki. These three men have been instrumental in defining the early dubstep sound, and continue to break boundaries with their musical output. Loefah now concentrates much of his time on his own Swamp 81 imprint, and released the debut album by Krytpic Minds in October.
2nd Drop was lucky enough to work with Ramadanman on one of his first dubstep projects, releasing a rather naughty bootleg of Nina Simone's Feeling Good in 2007. Now, his music has been championed by key tastemakers Ricardo Villalobos, Rob Da Bank and Modeselektor among others. He has recently mixed the latest Dubstep Allstars 7 with Chef. He is one of the most exciting and forward thinking of producers and DJs in underground music, so expect dubstep, funky, electronica, techno and everything else in between.
Apart from holding one of the most important roles in dubstep - cutting dubplates for the scene's key DJ's and producers - LD is also a wicked producer with a distinctive and vibrant style. With releases on Hyperdub, Ringo and 2nd Drop, LD offers a heavily percussive sound that is both unique and brilliantly effective.
Also joining the fray is Reeps One who is currently the 2009 UK Beatbox champion. Saw this guy at one of our Big Dirty nights in Birmingham, he tore the place up.
TICKETS ARE SELLING SUPER FAST!! BUY YOURS NOW!! ONLY £12!!
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=xxx&query=schedule&promoter=wahwah
Friday, 16 October 2009
Sunday, 11 October 2009
New 2nd Drop - LV ft Errol Bellot "Don't Judge"
Diplo (Mad Decent) - “I love your label”
Untold (Hemlock/ Hessle Audio) - “Love the Fantastic Mr Fox Remix”
Mary Anne Hobbs (Radio One) - “Oh yeeeeeah!! I love this”
DJ support from…) Sinden (Kiss FM), Alex Nut (Rinse FM), Starkey (Seculsis/ Planet Mu), 2562 (Tectonic), Alex Chase (One Handed Music), Wrong Tom (Resonance FM), Geoim (Berkane Sol), Brackles, Clouds, Dave Q, Sully, Dom Servini etc etc.
LV ft Errol Bellot
A. Don’t Judge
B. Don’t Judge – Fantastic Mr Fox Remix
2ndrp12008 Release date: 12th October 09
Following in Ramadanman's supreme tribal tracks, comes South London production outfit LV. Fresh from two releases on Hyperdub and remixes for Hemlock, the quartet deliver the rootical Don't Judge featuring vocals from seasoned UK rootsman Errol Bellot, who has worked with King Tubby among others.
On the flip side, Wolverhampton’s Fantastic Mr Fox takes the big tools to the original and refashions an epic remix with a wicked 2 step swing. Nuff said, enjoy!
As big fans of illustration and graphics, over the last seven releases the label has commissioned some truly wonderful art from a slew of talented artists including Remi/Roughe, Uiu and Phil Blake. For 008, London based Mat Pringle was given the chance to design our first 12” sleeve. His wave and bamboo illustration is wicked and is hand printed onto just 500 limited edition sleeves.
Please check his blog for more stunning works of art: http://www.matpringle.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Sony Ericsson B-Boy Championships in Brixton
For those into breakdancing, you'll be a fool not to check the Sony Ericsson B-Boy championships taking place at 02 Academy in Brixton on Sunday 11th October.
The legendary Crazy Legs will be hosting the world final event, which sees the best from the USA, Japan, Korea, Russia, Holland and Scandinavia compete to be crowned world number ones! The qualifiers were held over five-months and seven international eliminations stages.
Repping for the UK is the eight-strong team hailing from London, the Soul Mavericks.
Plus, a little dubstep fact, for those that know dubstep producer and all round top guy Desto, he will be throwing power moves with the Scandinavian contingent.
For more info check www.se-bboys.com
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Falty DL - Bravery (Planet Mu) Album Review
Still deep within the grooves of Drew Lustman’s debut album for Planet Mu, Love Is a Liability continues to dominate the audio tapestry of my life. Released in July, his debut marked an emergence of a interesting new talent from New York, here was a producer with a toe in the world of dubstep, but actually, much like Burial, is much more than that. So, it was a little surprising to hear that there was a new album dropping in October.
Entitled Bravery, the mood is darker, morehttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4977582656427216755 dissonant than his previous material. There is an overt sense of progression in both the sound and production; the record pulses forward, none more so urgently than on Tronman, an epic, rolling beast of eerie, panning synths and wailing soul vocal snippets. The intensity is only heightened on Play Child, which has a charged air of Axelrod about it. Mother Beam wonks and samples its way around – Nas’s It Ain’t Hard To Tell sneaks in sporadically. Title track Bravery is some space age, wigged out p-funk, alongside Discant, rife with Herbie Hancock harmonies and Roy Ayres strings. Whilst Pressure jacks a ton of speed and creates hyper funk, opening track Made Me Feel So Right is the most beautifully discordant piece; mournful, stinking of decay and perfect for the post-Burial blues. Album of the year? Quite possibly.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Urban Nerd Carnival Special! Saturday!
Location:
The Hearn Street Car Park 16 Hearn Street (off Curtain Road) Shoreditch London EC2A 3LS Nearest tubes: 10 minutes from Old Street or Liverpool Street station!
Google Map
Limited £10 advance tickets still available & will sell out.
Tickets WILL be on sale on the door for more, first come, first served!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Sub FM 27/07/09
Artwork above is by Remi/Rough and is entitled 2nd Drop. Nice.
Markle on Sub FM – 27/07/09
Markle27Jul09SubFM.mp3 http://bit.ly/fgYbp
Lone - Karen Loves Kate (?)
Paul Weller – Wild Wood (Sheared Wood-Portishead remix) (Go Beat)
Mount Kimbe - 50 Mile View (Hotflush)
Blue Daisy - Space-ex (Black Acre)
Ras-G - Stealth Mode (?)
The Alkoholicks - Damm (Loud)
Mark Pritchard and Om'mas Keith - Wind It Up (Hyperdub)
Krystal and Shabba Ranks - Twice My Age (Greensleeves)
Mungo's Hi Fi ft Tippie Irie - Ruff Mi Tuff (Scotch Bonnet)
Daddy Freddy - Dirt (Ninja Tune)
Terror Danjah - Zumpi Hunter (Swindle remix) (Plantet Mu)
Falty DL - Tronman (Planet Mu)
Spectrasoul - Insignia (Exit)
DRT - Girlstar (Unreleased)
Pangaea - Memories (White)
High Planes Drifter Vs Goldspot - Sholay (Tempa)
Sully - Toffee Apple (Unreleased)
Silkie - Concrete Jungle (Deep Medi)
Breakage - Higher (Digital Soundboy)
Akira kiteshi - Boom N Pow (Black Acre)
James Blake - Air and the Lack Thereof (Hemlock)
LV ft Erroll Bellot - Don't Judge (Fantastic Mr Fox) (2nd Drop)
Geeneus - Yellowtail VIP (Rinse)
Untold - Just For You (Roska Remix) (Hotflush)
Floating Points - Vacuum Boogie (Eglo)
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Silkie City Limits Launch Parteeee
Silkie celebrates the launch of his brilliant debut album on Deep Media Musik (see review below) at Corsica Studios on Thursday 23rd July. The line up is:
Silkie
Quest
Mala
Chef
Harry Craze
& support from Antisocial
Reviewed in ATM Magazine, July 09 Issue
Silkie – City Limits Vol 1 (Deep Medi Musik)
23 year old Soloman Rose is a rare breed in dubstep. A meticulous craftsman of melody and gifted with a capital G, listening to Silkie’s debut album, City Limits Vol 1, you would have laid money on this youngster being much, much older. The palate of sound used is eclectic and almost timeless: deep within its digital canvas you find a plethora of texture and layers; rich seams of reggae, jazz, soul, jungle, garage. Check Turvy for its jazz funk smoothness, the low-riding g-funk on Concrete Jungle, the broken beat swing of Horizon and Mattaz, channeling the classic West London vibe of Bugz In The Attic inna 2009 stylee.
At once refreshing, City Limits brings something unique to the dubstep genre. If you just dip a toe into the 13 tracks on offer it will sound like no other. Sure, the gargantuan basslines rumble form the speakers like slugs on steroids, but they are vibrant with funk. More importantly they underpin a lush and detailed sound panorama that can traverse from darkly hypnotic to palatial in a single tune - Head Butt Da Deck, Beauty and Quasar are perfect examples. Buy this album to truly realize the flexibility and potential of dubstep, but also buy it because it’s a bloody good listen.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Remi/ Rough latest show
This Saturday is the LAST chance to see Remix/Rough's exhibition! The Gallery will be serving cold beers and soft drinks on Saturday between 1 - 3pm.
He's got some truly dope original artwoek for sale. I'll be taking my cheque book for sure!
He also did the artwork for our latest single - Ramadanman "Revenue" on 2nd Drop Records. Buy here
Urban Angel Gallery
41-43 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DJ
http://www.urbanangel.com
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