Hey look, people are still making stuff! So, my boy Brockelbank is killing it over at EDMTunes, especially when he’s posting tracks like this. Frankly, I don’t know where this came from but I’m not entirely sure I care. Non-tropical deep, but light house. I know that was a bunch of adjectives, but it’s kind of exactly that. It’s a driving but muted beat that seems to pull from both tropical and minimal at the same time. It’s sunny, up-beat, but there are no steel drums, no random parrot sounds and it’s still got some oomph that I can hear working on a main-stage. This is definitely going to be a sleeper track used by DJs who are on festival billings in tiny fonts. While the headliners might not be into this kind of sound, if you’re playing for a couple of hundred people, or early in the day, there’s going to be some support from the crowd I wager, and to Kelvin & Lash’s credit. These two need to start working together more often, if just because Kelvin & Lash sounds like a cool cop drama with DJs.
Tag Archives: Midnight Music
Midnight Music: Strife II – Morning Chorus [Liquid Drum & Bass]
I told you I interviewed Strife II for a reason. This guy just had a new track of his bomped on MrSuicideSheep, the place for YouTube dopeness. As always, the stupendous piano work & vocals are center stage, supported by varsity drum & bass beat work. This guy knows what he’s doing, and this track totally reminds us all that he needs a bigger stage & a check to make this stuff sound even better. I don’t want to say too much more, because really, just put it into your face while you’re walking around in the rain, snow, or sunshine (depending on where home is of course). (From the amazing & crucial MrSucideSheep)
Midnight Music: Ibeyi – River
Hey now, new awesomeness. This twin-sister duo of French-Cuban ladies by the name of Ibeyi push out some of the best live production I’ve heard in a while. This is a fantastic combination of sounds, with a severe dose of feels. The vibe has a moody intensity that feels like what would happen if trip hop, a competent drum circle and some blues hung out. It doesn’t need to be in English to get the point across. This is a really fresh sound, even though it seems to have a vintage flare to it. I think there’s a lot that artists can do in this space, so I’ve gotta give it up to the Joy of Violent Movement blog for pushing this kind of stuff out. The post has a bunch more info on the artist, so if you’re into it, get into it.
Midnight Music: Senbeï – Raïn
SENBEÏ – RAIN from Victor Jardel on Vimeo.
Victor Jardel has created a masterpiece for a music video. Senbeï (woo copy/paste!) is a fascinating artist and this music video really brings out the best in what he’s created. Victor Jardel‘s creatures come to life and I kind of want to be able to 3D print them and put one on my desk in my office. The design is stupendously polished, with the gremlins blending effortlessly into the background in Paris. The retro-infused beat is broken delightfully, and really needs to get a lot more press. The tune straddles turntablism, electro soul, and an almost Japanesese neo-punk aesthetic at times. I know I just used aesthetic to describe a sound, but you’re also reading about something you can listen to & see, so don’t shoot the messenger 😀 It’s a tremendous effort by Senbeï and I’ve definitely put him on my radar. (via Laughing Squid)
Midnight Music: Boxplot – Escape With The Clouds [Liquid Drum & Bass]
I really do have to give it up to Liquicity. They are one of the only places besides Hospital Records on the internet to get consistently dope beats of the liquid variety. I had no idea that there was a liquid DJ in Boston! This means I’m looking into booking things toute suite. This kind of track is exactly the sound that the scene needs. The cool intensity of the back beat rumbling along with the potent, but not abrasive low end is damn near perfect. The vocals put some sexy frosting on the top of the tune, and you’ve got a neat 6:41 of fun. BoxPlot you say?! I’m into it. I love the feeling when you find a new artist and have an entire new Soundcloud to go through. Is that the equivalent of binge Netflixing?
Midnight Music: Flunk – Lost Causes (Rashid Ajami Remix)
Rashid Ajami is one of these names I would never have come across without Stoney Roads. This mellow, melancholy re-work of Lost Causes by Flunk is fantastic, though it’s not exactly the most euphoric. The slow pace matches the soft, soulful vocals from Flunk, and the result is a song made of feels. This kind of stuff may not get festival main-stage play, but it’s a decidedly necessary part of the music spectrum. Especially in the world where many genres seem to have gone content-free while slapping a smiley face on stuff, Ajami is keeping it real. This is good for a gray day or a contemplative mood. Get at this London/NY based producer who is definitely coming up in 2015.
Midnight Music: Rameses B ft. Veela – Mountains [Soaring Drum & Bass]
Rameses B is back on Monstercat and this track had me tore up. It’s kind of impressive when a tune can reduce you to a blubbering mess on a gray rainy Monday afternoon. The unbeatable formula of perfect builds, stupdendously positioned vocals, a tremendous back beat & a sample that comes out of nowhere wins again, as Rameses B bursts out of the gate for 2015. If this is any indication of the year that this guy is going to have, my ears are going to love 2015. This track is an immediate listen, even if it’s chock full of feels and may make things bubble inside you that you weren’t expecting. No, that’s not gas. You’re just being taken away to the world of liquid d&b made by one of the best. Veela doesn’t disappoint so put the track in your face and tell yo friends. This one is going places, you heard it here first.
Midnight Music: Gil Scott-Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Babicka’s Lost Muscle Mix)
This track is everything right now. This downtempo remix of Gil Scott-Heron’s masterpiece is a must listen. The source material is treated with the reverence by Babicka it deserves and adds a perfect amount of ambiance. This kind of more minimal & technical sound approaches chillwave, but definitely keeps you moving. The voice reminds us all, echoing the struggles of the past, as we seem to be fighting many of those battles all over again. The tune definitely needs wide exposure, and those who are fighting need to know that they are not alone. I’ve got to admit, it’s getting better, it’s getting better, all the time. Check out the Untzz, the label out of Adelaide, Australia this fire is coming from.
Midnight Music: Submotion Orchestra – All Yours (S.P.Y Remix) [Drum & Bass]
This is the kind of remix we need to see more of. Submotion Orchestra does some stunning work that you need to check out, right after you listen to this song of course. S.P.Y. is another one of the drum & bass knights at the round table that is Hospital Records. He’s got this preternatural sense of how to build the low end while keeping you grooving with his mastery of the vocal remix. A bustling track, this kind of sound is what make the genre one of my favorite. Get at this guy and don’t forget, Hospitality is coming to this side of the planet!
Midnight Music: Funkerman ft. J.W. – The Masterplan [Deep House]
In case the snow has got you down, Funkerman has you covered. This original that dropped last week is groovy & sophisticated enough that you’re kind of concerned about buying her a drink. But while she has her own money & doesn’t need you to tell her she looks good, if you can dance, you will definitely get her attention. The throbbing bass & no-nonsense chords keep you moving, but you may need to come back with a better outfit next time. In all seriousness, this is a dope little track that makes me think of the last cool party I hit up off the L train. Funkerman‘s coming up in 2015. I done told you.
Terry Gotham 