Sunday Morning Tunes

So it's obviously been way too long since I did a music post. But Sweden has been keeping me busy and time for detailed reviews has been far and in between.

Actually I shouldn't even be writing this, I have exams in a few days and I'm just procrastinating.

eh. Whatever.

Too Much by Lofty Labz
Nick Tann out of Vancouver, Canada has blown the LID off of a sweet but way to short career as a producer on Soundcloud. This tune, out for less than a month now, is not getting the attention it deserves -- as is the producer. I will be following Nick very closely, the tracks he is pushing out, though far and in between, are GOLD.

In Too Much, the intro begins with a tinny, sampled soulful tune before exploding into a grandiose shower of punchy bass rhythms accompanied by chopped brass and piano -- all backing up the aching, expertly sampled wailings of a mo'town style singer. This track, too short and sweet for its power, hits you with full force and keeps you flying through its waves of hip-hop brilliance up until its ending beat.

The One Ive Got by ChromadaData

Sticking with the soulful hip-hip theme I'd like to introduce ChromadaData -- Ian Jones of St. Augustine, Florida. A true hands-on producer, ChromadaData creates all his beats using an MPC5000, a music production machine. His music can be described as a balancing act between smooth rnb flavors and the high tension of sampled, complex contemporary beatstrumentals. Truly a producer of high caliber, his beats always carry a melody that sticks in your mind and keep you movin even after the music has stopped.

The One Ive Got showcases the eclectic, funky style that ChromadaData has developed for himself. Sampled screaming crowds, afro-rnb melodies reminiscent of gospel halls and 60's funk layered atop fast-paced, high energy hi-hats and snare drums all built on top of that familiar punchy hip-hop bass beat serve to conjure up a slick, cool-cat beatstrumental unique only to ChromadaData.

LUNOVA LABS - Vieux Nouveau by Lunova Labs

In a change of pace to a slower, more ethereal realm comes Lunova Labs. Based out of Franklin, Tennessee, LL is one of those artists I admire personally for their motivation in making music. Rather than subscribing to a particular genre or style of sound, Lunova Labs' objective in sound production is creating aesthetically pleasing soundscapes. Experimental by nature, radically designed by choice -- artists who aim for this echelon of production have a supreme level of respect in my mind.

Vieux Nouveau has been on repeat in my playlist for some time now. From the start the unique atmosphere of this track sets a precedent few can follow. A crescendo of ethereal noise opens this track leading into a deep, immersive punch of bass that is followed by white noise and vibrant, reverberating chords and tailed by piano. Just as the tone is set for an ambient styled track the bass kicks in and floating, metallic percussion brings out a melody that is set in the same mood as the mysterious piano progressions. An enigmatic, foggy soundscape soon emerges as Lunova Labs continues to tinker and experiment with the visual image produced from this conglomerate of sounds. Absolutely brilliant.

Finally, I'd like to leave with you a podcast I have started listening to. Radio Love Love, a german weekly-or-so podcast of a wide range of artists from hip-hop to trip-hop to classical piano to live performances. It's reall y a grab bag of music, but it's all high quality and excellently chosen. Check out the podcast at http://radiolovelove.blogspot.com/

So that's it for now. I have so much more to share but no time to do it in. Maybe I'll find more time now since it's getting so cold outside!

See you later space cowboy.

Oi! Sweden!

Week 4 or 5, I'm not even sure at this point. I've settled in and think I've hit the stable point. Honeymoon period is over but I still love it here. In fact I still love all of Scandinavia.

I could definitely retire here.

Music to come if I find the free time and motivation to write some entries. Soundcloud has been ALIVE with incredible music lately.

From Photo A Day

From Photo A Day

From Photo A Day

From Photo A Day

From Photo A Day

From Sweden

From Sweden

From Sweden

From Sweden

From Sweden

See you space cowboy.

Chapter 2: Sweden

It's been a nutty two weeks. Two think that 14 days ago today I was still in Marietta -- it seems like only a dream. 30 hours, 3 cities, 2 flights, 1 train, and a missed stop and have placed me in Karlstad, Sweden for the next 5 months. New faces, new languages, new tastes, sounds, and temperatures. I've come severely under prepared but recklessly open and am ready for anything. Friends, I've made many, new connections, I've forged them. I hope this is an opportunity to begin anew and start strong. Only time will tell, här är till Karlstad.


At Water's Edge by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART


Boardwalk, Going Where? by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART


Sunny Study - Lonely Hoody by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART


Waiting for a Train by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART


Blustery Day by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART


Storm Approaching by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART


Pensive by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART

Bonus: Two before I left.


Handprinted Color by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART


Shift In Perpsective by ~pianoblack97 on deviantART

Anonymous, Where Art Thou?

As promised(though I'm sure no one was keeping record) here is my monthly picture post.

Every day I am learning more and more about photography. I truly think this is the hobby I've been missing out on my entire life. I've played guitar, piano, attempted sports, had a hand at writing -- all of these I enjoy and feel I am comfortable with, but I have never felt that spark that drives me to peruse each on a deeper level. This is not the case with photography though. The whole process is incredibly therapeutic to me. From scouting locations to composing a shot to processing and tinkering, each step in developing a final picture is sublimely enjoyable and just makes me feel good.

To add to the personal enjoyment of the workflow is the amount of knowledge I still DON'T know about photography. I've recently joined a few photo forums and taken upon myself to embed deeper in flickr and Google+ now and the sheer amount of techniques, styles, and nuance to both composition and processing I do not understand is astounding. I love this though -- having a field I can so readily thrown myself in to head first is a joy to me. Each day is a new quest for knowledge and I have an unquenchable thirst for it. Photoshop, Lightroom, masking, hues, exposures, layers. It's all mindblowing and far beyond my reach....for now. Watch out world, here I come.

Oh. And my title is a request for Anonymous from my last picture post to reappear. Who are you? More advice please? I relish it.

From Georgia On My Mind

From Georgia On My Mind

From Georgia On My Mind

First HDR shot

From Georgia On My Mind

From Georgia On My Mind

From Georgia On My Mind

From Georgia On My Mind

Gaining Momentum

I'm in the music listening business and let me tell you, business is booming. I've got a veritable honeypot of excellent artists that are long overdue in garnering some praise. So without further ado, let's dive in! (P.S. Next post will be pictures, stay tuned!)

Dennis Coffey_All Your Goodies Are Gone feat. Mayer Hawthorne (Shigeto remix) by SHIGETO

Zach Saginaw, aka Shigeto, is a Michigan-bred electronica genius. Known by his middle name, which means "to grow bigger", he has definitely lived up to his moniker. With a solid library of stunning tracks under his belt Shigeto is a superstar in the field of modern electronica. Characterized by rich, textured beats and powerfully nuanced melodies brought forth through a multitude of mediums and sounds Shigeto stands on a high pillar, his style is unique among his peers. Two EP's and a full-length album, Full Circle , have carried Shigeto to new heights as he continues to shatter the norm. This is an artist you do not want to miss out on.

Shigeto's remix of Dennis Coffey's "All Your Goodies Are Gone" pays homage to his early childhood influences of motown and funk by taking the soul of this smooth heartbreak ballad and catapulting it to new heights. Cascading bass beats and twitching percussion layered atop spacey guitar samples and brass set the atmosphere for this tonal masterpiece. As Dennis Coffey's aching voice enters the aural landscape the mood is finally set, the smooth style of the original piece is preserved yet enhanced by the funky manipulation of Shigeto. Absolutely brilliant.

Amnesia by Handbook

Hanbook, a UK-based beats maker and producer, has been on my list for a long time now. Cranking out new sounds like a madman this avid beat wielder has been developing a sound and following on Soundcloud for quite some time, even collaborating with rappers on a few songs to create absolutely sick tracks.( <a href="http://soundcloud.com/handbook/water-molecules-feat-shuteyes">Water Molecules</a> , I'm looking at you). However with the release of a new track just days ago I figured it is about time to feature him, as the future may be a-changin.

Amnesia is a chance of pace for Handbook. As mentioned in his description it is the first track he has produced in awhile that contains no samples -- original sounds only inquire within. Brimming with waves of electronic sines and heartfelt strings this track takes a different turn from his usual, evoking an nebulaic image that is completed by the presence of eastern-eque string plucking. A refreshing deviation from the norm, I'll be eager to see what else Handbook is cooking up. Stay tuned! 


Shell of Light (Shlohmo Remix) - Burial by shlohmo

Next up is Shlohmo, an LA-based trip-hop and electronica producer. With a plethora of tracks behind him and very little bio info to be found, Shlohmo comes off as the kind of artist who focuses on the music, not the publicity. From the wedidit collective of which Shlohmo is a part of ," Wedidit is a collective of dudes and guys, mostly from the LA area, who make shit and want to give you the shit we make.

-Professionally Unprofessional since 1990"

And that just about sums up the intro for Shlohmo, let's let the music do the talking now.

In his remix of the classic "Shell of Light" by Burial Shlohmo takes the already ethereal and minimalist style of Burial and brings it to a new level. Complete with sparse percussion, deep, penetrating bass lines, and a level of reverb reserved for the only best of trip-hop and minimal dubstep Shell of Light is transformed in to a other-worldly, floating abstract of musical euphoria.

Make sure to watch for more Shlohmo soon, his Soundcloud tracks are few, but their quality is immense.


Ghostfunk - 10 - Funky Criminology by Max Tannone

A recurring favorite of mine, Max Tannone is the creative genius behind Mos Dub, a mashup of Mos Def lyrics and fantastic reggae/roots, Dub Kweli, a fusion of Talib Kweli and reggae, and a multitude of other mashups featuring the Beastie Boys, Radiohead, and Selene. Among the mash-up scene Max Tannone stands alone as one of the most innovative and talented in his field. He has a knack for throwing together clashing genres and blending the two in to a work so superbly addictive and surprising you can't help but raise your eyesbrows on every track change.

In his newest project Max combines the forceful rhyming of Ghostface Killah with retro afro-funk and psychedelic rock to forge an high-energy, fantastically spunky jumble of organ solos, cowbell, and heated words. Funky Criminology, the last track on the album, upholds the quality mashing skills Max is so known for and keeps you nodding your head the entire span of the track.
 

Awakenings by Clear Blue

In a change of pace, instrumental artist Clear Blue sets the stage for a new take on Hip-Hop. Based in New Jersey this creative force and musician-for-hire has been blowing my expectations out of the water for some time now. His style, though backed by standard rolling/off beat percussion so familiar to the instrumental hip-hop genre, presents an element of off-the-beaten-path production that is new, at least to me, for hip-hop. A mix of samples, synths, and targeted, themed continuity to his beats breathe a magic in to his style that keeps me coming back for me.

In his latest release, Awakenings, a wall of unique, droning synths and sitar-style melodies emanate from the background of this mesmerizing intrumental. Along with perfectly inserted bass and a tamborine that constantly unwinds like a toy the atmosphere set in this track is dreamy, yet powerful and very much danceable. The subtlety found in this track keeps me coming back for more, I hope to see great things from Clear Blue in the future. Keep an eye on this one!

Propeller Seeds by imogenheap

Wow. What can I say about this track that doesn't include the word STUNNING? Imogen Heap, known most for her song Hide and Seek, is so much more than that. Since her first album, Speak for Yourself, Imogen Heap has released two albums each trumping the last in creativity and individuality. Now, as she approaches her 4th solo album, she has taken a new approach to sound shaping.

As exhibited in Propeller Seeds, Imogen Heap has developed an incredibly strong sense of sound staging and story telling through her music. Though the concept is not new, her use of these elements is unprecedented in today's mainstream culture. To see a relatively pop-music associated artist change her sound so vastly over the course of her career, and explore such strong concepts is deeply touching to me and greatly deserving of respect. From the ambiance of a restaurant to the perfectly crafted sounds of limbs creaking and leaves rustling, every second of this track, and what I am assuming will be the album, is expertly crafted and painstakingly attended too. This album will be phenomenal.

Beach of Life, Life On The Beach Part 2

So Part 1 was all about the beats, this post is all about the....treats? The photographic treats I guess. A few weeks ago I acquired a Canon T3, as photography has been a long-standing passion of mine, and have been putting it to good use. This post is just to show off, shamelessly, some of the pictures I like the best.

There's something to be said about small aperatures and me. As a commenter mentioned on my last picture post, I like close up shots of objects. I feel this stems from a lack of focus in my life in general. I've never had the capability to throw my creative passion in to an outlet and never been able to focus it well. I constantly see images, places, scenes in my life that I wish I could capture and mold, in order to express my own world view but have rarely had the chance to. I guess that since I've bought this camera I've been overcompensating, purposefully focusing in on the little details around me to make up for the time I haven't had the ability to do so before. So for right now a bug, a leaf, someone's smile, a railing, whatever I see and want to focus on will be my subject. At least until I fufill this desire to see the fine details and allow myself to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Until then, this is what you get:



I also got(as a steal) a telescopic lens. Canon 70-300mm USM. It works well when its bright outside, other conditions not so much.



Jeykll, Island, GA




Direct Positive is a fun filter



The cottage we stayed at in Nova Scotia





Fort Liousberg, NS



On Cape Breton, NS



Sunset in Inverness


House down the beach from our cottage, what a view!







Advocate Bay, NS





Yours Truly

Beach of Life, Life On The Beach Part 1

It's been awhile hasn't it! I've got quite the post for you here, pictures, music, praise and musings! Where to start...well it's been three week I believe: I've finished In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson, an amusing and thoroughly entertaining travel guide and history of Australia; Traveled to Nova Scotia, Canada with my family for a vacation; caught up on much of the music I've been meaning to listen to; and been working my camera for all it's worth!

Since I'll be linking many tracks from soundcloud to this page I will spare all you visitors the experience of having to scroll through my shoddily produced photography attempts and just start with the music. But where to start??



First come first serve eh? This EP, released by Sirkri whom has been mentioned before is a hidden trove of high-energy, fast-paced chops and cuts that give new meaning to the idea of a beatstrumental. Swirling with barely intangible after-thoughts of the original song, each track on this EP sets itself apart from the last in a unique and subtle style that can only be the work of Sirkri. It's as if each track has a mind of its own, with each track being a different facet of a whole unseen by the listener yet there all along.


Triumphant Flow (feat. Divine Victory) by Handbook

Next up is Handbook , a beatstrumental maestro from York, United Kingdom. This master of chill has been throwing up tracks for quite awhile now and, to be honest, I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to sling him some praise. Exquisitely produced, full of soul AND body I can't stop my head from bobbing regardless of the track I'm listening to. Powerful basslines and soaring strings, accompanied by expertly executed vocal samples characterize the essence of Handbook's style, though there is a hidden shine always present between the beats that give me the sense that an outpouring of emotion crafted each song in to the remarkable production it is today.

In Triumphant Flow a rollin, flowin clash of grandiose brass and strings layer on top of the powerfully literary sermons of Divine Victory, an intelligent rap group from the U.S. Broiling seas of hip-hop soul and sick lyrical musings culminate to form a track that is top-notch on all fronts: production, dialogue, mastering, riddim -- it's all there.

Fall by Handbook

In an earlier work from Handbook the funky bassline and beat play from the bass and cymbals smooth together with the rich female vocal samples and background strings in a perfectly sublime mix that leaves me grasping for more. If only it wasn't so short!

Mor & Far - Tekst + LilErik by tёķšt

Dear God, it keeps getting better?! In this mashup of Old Fashioned from previously showcased Tekst and Swedish rapper Erik Johnsson an already perfect beatstrumental is catapulted to stratospheric excellence with absolutely stunning vocal skills of Johnsson. Folk, this is what I like to hear. This might as well be gold to my ears. An achingly funky beat and string melody, masterfully cut to perfection, matched with the dictation of an grade A vocalist. In perfectly complimented synchronicity this dynamic duo manage to pull off a stellar performance with the grace and ease of sleeping. It's absolutely fantastic!


Sweet Love prod by Fuso & Q3000 by Q3000

Time to chill with Q3000, a Berlin-based producer who puts brings new meaning to the word "cosmic". Smooth like a well aged scotch Q3000 showcases the slower side of jazz hip-hop, sending this track hurling in to outer space in what I can only assuming is a sleek, stylish spaceship headed for the planet Cool. Powered by gliding cymbals and a sauntering bassline, the sampled vocals and cosmic background reverbs floating throughout this track give it a spacey vibe sorely needed in the realm of jazzy hip-hop.

Keter by proflogik

Finally, on the other end of the chill jazz sector is the venerable proflogik. A guru of jazzy, spacey beats proflogik has been churning out dazed gems for quite some time now and his style of trippy, cosmic echolations shows no signs of stopping. This track, Keter, exhibits scratchy, analogue melodies lofted by bouncing basslines and ethereal synths that fly through space at, what I'm hoping, is the speed of light on their way to greet aliens in another galaxy. This track is perfect if you are flying high or back down on earth just trying to chill. Make sure you check out the rest of his cosmic beats on his soundcloud page.

This is Part 1, Part 2 is pictures and Part 3 is more music, make sure you check them all out! 

Jekyll and Hyde

Summer is a time for recuperation -- for relaxing and re-centering oneself after a long year of school. For me this summer holds even more importance due to the fact that I will be leaving for Sweden in August. This summer represents a time for me to base myself, to find an anchor I can ground my mind in and prepare for the trials ahead. Because of this I find that my musical tastes vary widely in the sizzling, humid Georgia summers -- from abstract new age to bluegrass I touch on all musical styles. Mostly though, I see themes of slower tempos and more relaxed sounds rise to the surface. So this posts strays from the beaten path as I explore some less commonly frequented sounds.

"SILÊNCIO" - Ayahuasca Revisited (SECOND ACT) by M&Ms

Opening today's post is Greenland based M&Ms. A virtuoso with ambient and classical tastes Martim, aka M&Ms, has taken the definition of epic mixes to a whole new level. Weaving together floods of classical, lo-fi, and electronica music Martim effortlessly controls the energy and dynamic flow of his hour long masterpieces creating an ocean of musical emotion that ebbs and flows at the whim of its creator. Beset with achingly beautiful minimalist string pieces and dotted with shamanistic influences that manifest into the whistling of spirits and the call of otherworldly beings, Martim does justice to the psychedelic Ayahuasca potion this mix is named after.

I suggest finding a quiet, isolated space to listen to this track in. Close your eyes and let it take you. 

Breathe on my Contacts by TOKiMONSTA

I can see the road up ahead! Based in Los Angeles Jennifer Lee began her musical career as a young classical pianist before moving forward in to the rich world of digital production where the fusion of all areas of music boosted her into a dazzling career of superb musical production.

Are we back on the beaten path yet though? Not likely, Breathe on my Contacts by the venerable  TOKiMONSTA, is a trip of its own -- taking the fast-paced lo-fi Just Breathe by Telepopmusik and conjuring up a, dare I say, even more chill version that respects the original mood of the song while taking it's ethereal heights to a new altitude. An accentuated bass beat, slower tempo, and plenty of reverb work in unison to send this originally down to earth piece rocketing in to the far reaches of deep space.

HVNRD & LGWBB - Extraterrestrial flowers by lame grandma with big bag

If you remember from my last post I reviewed another track collaborated on my LGWBB. Yes, the same artist two posts in a row, I know, but trust me IT'S WORTH THE LISTEN. I never cease to be amazed by the sheer diversity in the sounds and style LGWBB harnesses in his productions. At this point I'm going to start referring to him as a sound engineer rather than an artist, his mastery of production is truly out of this world.

Working in tandem with another fellow Russian artist hvnrd, the duo have built a aural landscape reminiscent of the old SEGA handheld. I imagine this is what Sonic The Hedgehog 2 would sound like if it was both made of hip-hop and comprised of pure awesome. Old school synth soundbtyes and a grandiose beat backed by electric organ turn this beatrumental in to a strangely arousing(oh god) cross between a 80's porn soundtrack and roots video game overture title. An interesting(and funky!) combination to say the least.

Breath And Run [Lila Negr] by IP(identity problem)

Ok, we're in the high grass now. The IP Group, a musica/visual/theatre art project based in Poland, has created a multimedia music performance dubbed Lila Negr inspired by Alexander Vertinsky, a Soviet singer, poet, and cabaret artist deeply entrenched in traditional Russian art. This track is an excerpt from the whole performance and features only the music part. The dark minimalist elements emphasized in the piece were full of raw emotion and set the atmosphere with clarity through the powerful lack of huge sounds. I'm usually not a fan of abstract pieces but this one was exceptional. Check it out and let me know what you think of it!

Schlachthofbronx-Chambacu (Smutlee Remix) by maddecent

Finally, on a lighter note, is the german based group Schlachthofbronx. A heavy hitter in the Bass genre, they have released a killer EP on Maddecent this year named Nasty Bass EP from which this track is originally from. Infused with copious portions of horns, cumbia style beats, and south american tropical influences this European group brings the latin heat and brings it hot; great for parties, better for beaches, awesome for the car on hot summer days. Make sure you watch Schlachthofbronx for more big drops this summer, there are bound to be more groovy hits like this on the way.

Woah, Wait What?

I think it's been two weeks since my last post. Sad, I know, but it feels like I'm more busy at my summer job than I was in school! In fact, I am. 8 hour workdays Monday through Friday, and then friends after work. I've barely had time to splash the top of my Soundcloud backlog, it's bad.

So, unfortunately, no new artists for this post. I promise next one I'll have some tasty treats for you.
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However...I do have something to show you...
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Pictures.

I recently purchased a Canon EOS T3 in preparation for my journey to Sweden this fall for study abroad, and I'll tell you right now there is nothing like having a nice camera. I've always had an appreciate for photography and now I finally get a chance to explore that passion. It's been an interesting experience so far, almost addicting! Anyway I don't want to ramble so let me get to the pics.

These are just a few of the many I have been taking, let me know what you think and if you have any advice I am willing and eager to learn.













You can visit my full flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/justasignal/

Beatstrumental Review #2: Intergalactic Indian Shootout Soundoff

The second in my probably on-going series of posts showcasing fantastic beat artists across the net. Beastrumentals aims to discover fresh and unique hip-hop, instrumental, and experimental beat tracks from bleeding-edge producers from around the world! This week I have way too many artists to share, I might have to make two posts...

p∆n❍r∆m∆ x slamagotchi :: stir fry by p∆n❍r∆m∆

First up this week is Panaorama, an intergalactic traveler who has taken up residence in Australia. Staying true to image, Panaorama's tracks evoke the quintessential atmosphere of an extraterrestrial experience. His beats are strewn with echoing, vast expanses of jumbled bass punches and claps set to an alien cacophony of beeps, whirs and electronic thingamajigs. If you were planning on staying on earth for a listen through of any of his tracks, I suggest you turn around now -- Panorama's style is for deep space aural cosmonauts only.

Keep an eye on his soundcloud  as a free digital release of his new EP is due at the end of this year!

Sirkri - Hai (The Beat Inn Chop XVII) by Sirkri

Next up is a contender in the Therapy Chop Chop project over at The Beat Inn. Sirkri, a 17-year-old beat welder from France, has been on my watch list for awhile. With high-energy, on-the-edge-of-your-seat productions he has shown exceptional skill in slicing and dicing the source tracks for the last several Therapy Chop Chop.

In Chop 16, Sirkri takes the layed back, meandering Vytas Brenner - Morrocoy and transforms it into a relentless beast exploding with melodic tension between the perfectly timed chops and beats. For the cherry on top, he tunes down the intro on this beast and lets the sound fade out before blasting you with the drop, blowing away all impressions and expectations. Sirkri is a man with a vision, one I will certainly be watching for in the future.


OffBeatKid X LGWBB - Spanish movie by lame grandma with big bag

Taking a break from the intensity of Sirkri, Lame Grandma with big bag(or LGWBB as he abbreviates) is a humble veteren beat producer from Khabarovsk, Russia. Though he claims that he has no musical talent and that "This music is made by my own bear on his own balalayka under control of the Tesla troopers.", LGWBB is a true master of the beat art. Layed-back thundering claps, cinematic elements, and rich, clean instrumental backtracks characterize the master production of LGWBB work. Whether he uses sampes or creates his own music via Tesla troopers is unknown to me, all I know is m head starts bobbing when his tracks spin up.

Often collaborating with other artists on soundcloud, LGWBB has accumulated a diverse and unique collection of sounds in his repertoire. His latest foray in to collaboration involved another Russian native, OffBeatKid, and has provided some incredible sounds as a result. The track featured, Spanish Movie, feels as if it was pulled right out of a spaghetti western, complete with lonely horn solos and epic soaring vocals fit only for an old fashioned-shootout. With rising crescendos trailed by mournful chords accompanied by some dope percussion beats this is a masterpiece of production. Make sure you check out the rest of LGWBB's collaborations and solo projects on his soundcloud .



Last, though clearly not at all least, is the talented Mr. Ollie Finn. Based in Lewes, Britain Mr. Finn has been chop chopping beats for The Beat Inn for some time now and shows no sign of slowing down in his spectacular production. Sourcing the popular traditional indian track Hai Re Hai Tera by Ghungta Mr. Finn has reconstructed an absolutely brilliant grime-filled beatstrumental that is unbelievably unlike the original. Full of chopped strings, harsh drums, and incomprehensible babble set to support the atmosphere of this indian-influenced chop, the only samples coherently taken straight from the original are the short interspersed vocalizations of a male singer. Mr. Finn has thrown this track into a blender and poured out a delicious beat full of gold quality chops and samples, a truly outstanding feat. And to beat, the music video for this track is wonderfully trippy and abstract, a perfect match for the superbly-mangled, warped style of the song. Bravo!

That's it for this post, I still have 4 artists queued up and waiting for a write-up so check back later in the week for more beats rhymes and rhythms!

Tropical and Mountainous Summer Sounds

I know, I know. Half a month of silence. Eh, what can I say? Finals week came around, then the first week of summer was here and all I've wanted to do was relax, see friends, and enjoy a moment of freedom. I know it's no excuse for laziness, but why do I need an excuse? It's my blog, I do what I want :P

Anyways, I have three artists for you today, and many many more in queue. (Seriously, I have two unfinished posts with 3-4 artists each, I just need to get around to writing them!)

Changing seasons change my mood for music. It always happens, regardless of what I'm listening to. This means your in for a sporadic, constantly changing selection of unrelated music, hope you're buckled in!




First is Megafaun, a decidedly unfolky folk band from the Appalachians consisting of the brothers Brad and Phil Cook and Joe Westerlund. Wandering twists and turns dominate the sound of Gather, Form & Fly,  as Megafaun meanders from organic, lo-fi folk instrumentals to traditional country love-song melodies. In a style neither entirely practiced nor improvised, you will find yourself listening to heart-stretching harmonies produced by the trio before being lofted in to noisy droning of violins and broken drums.

Gather, Form & Fly, the self-titled song from the album is what caught my attention my first listen-through. Long pauses broken by sweet and sour harmonies sung by softly conversing banjo and guitar, cymbals and drums quietly interjecting, yet supporting the mysterious melody, and a grand finale composed of peacefully powerful vocal harmonies create such an effect in my mind I can nothing but close my eyes and listen.

Juju Sound + Nü Latin @ Mini-mal 110506 (Audio taken from Makala's Boom Shaka Laka Radio Show) by DJ Andres Leguizamon

Second on the list for today, in a completely different hemisphere of musical talent, is the ceaselessly amazing DJ Andres Leguizamon. Playing at his regular venue at the Mini-Mal, Andres has thrown together a mix of latin groove, nu-latin, and jazzy beats that irresistibly command you to dance.

Look no further if you are seeking out high-quality beats from south of the border, there is none better than Andres. Check out his soundcloud for more.

Spring Mix 2011 (Electronic Latin) by g-funkster

Lastly, recommended to me by Andres, is a cool tropical mix just in time for summer. Though the title suggests spring is the recommended season to listen to this latin-fueled throwdown of hip beats and humid sounds, just about anywhere on Earth with a temperature of 80 F will do this mix justice.

Based in south west England, G-Funk is an afro-driven enthusiast and expert on the dancier side of the southern hemisphere. Though his blog and history of public tracks is short in time, it does not lack quality. Make sure you check out g-funkster's soundcloud and blog for more tropical beats.

Beatstrumental Review #1: Blazin Beats, Rich Rhythms, and Soulful Samples

I have entered the realm of instrumental hip-hop, and judging from the mad outflow of absolutely brilliant tracks I see everyday on soundcloud, I'm going to be stuck here for awhile. If you have been following my other posts you've probably noticed by now they are all chalk full of outstanding beats. Now though, I've decided to dedicated full posts to the amazing beat artists filling my ears with sound everyday. 

Este tango habla por mi by Kerusalén Beatz

Opening this post is a Venezuelan artist by the name of Kerusalen Beatz. A 22-year-old raised in the heart of Caracas, his self-described call to music arose from a need to develop a unique sound in his home country, and he has certainly achieved his goal. With his first track uploaded only 3 months ago, Kersualen Beatz is a newcomer to Soundcloud. However, upon listening to any of his tracks it is immediately apparent he lacks no experience in production. The high energy atmosphere of his sound is enhanced by hard-hitting basslines and perfectly sampled string, guitar, and other orchestral instruments that command you to feel the beat, the rhythm of his tracks.

"Este tango habla por mi", his first uploaded track on soundcloud, intros with a mournful accordian and strings followed by the title of the song spoken in a thick south american accent. With controlled immediacy the beat changes to sampled loop of a quite badass accordion accompanied by a powerful bassline and minimal hip-hop beat which, in my opinion, demands head bobbing. Though the track is short, its power is evident.

Check out more of Kerusalen Beatz tracks on his soundcloud.


Belly Beast by ELECTRIC SEA SPIDER

Next up is wonky producer from down under, Electric Sea Spider. Based in Melbourne, Australia, this 20-year-old beat forger throws tradition to the wind in his productions as he melds all sorts of sounds together, ranging from table tennis field recordings to eerie child's chorus samples. Full of lazy, sporadic beats and frequent juxtaposing samples each track by this talented artist is guaranteed to introduce you to a sound unlike anything you've heard before.

In "Belly Beast", a cacophony of pots and pans, humming children, and rolling basslines meshes together to create a strangely mellow atmosphere that I wish would only last longer! Truly unlike any other instrumental I've heard, I could hear the likes of MF Doom or Common laying down some profound lyrics on top of this grade A track.

Crayons by ELECTRIC SEA SPIDER

As a bonus, here is Crayons, a mashup of familiar ambient/analogue synths and tones layered below softly shaking percussion instruments and melodious bass beats. The chopped samples of a youth along with the ringing of bells and clustered drums completes this track and creates an musical image of rolling green fields and lazily passing clouds in my mind. This track is going on a cd for the car for sure.

Dreamy Nods-Therapy Chop Chop XIII by Messenjahmusicproductions

A rare treat, Phillip J Morris (Philey J) is a musician, rapper, and producer from the heart of Britain. Owner of Messenjah Music Productions, Philey J has been honing his skills as a hip-hop artist over the past 10 years, and he definitely has the skills to prove it. A master of hip-hop compositions influenced by jazz, soul, and blues his tracks tell tales of clear summer nights, smoky jazz clubs, and longs nights in front of the piano. Masterfully styled instrumental pieces dominate his sound, and the smooth flavor of hip-hop rhythms only help to enhance the classy, crisp sound of tracks.

Therapy Chop Chop, a series of minimal and chilled-out instrumentals produced by Philey J Dreamy Nods, the track I am showcasing today by Philey J, is a contribution to the Therapy Chop Chop project -- a collaborative effort by beat welders across the globe to share in their creative process, hone their skills, and engage with like-minded individuals in musical "wrestling" ;) Dreamy Nods combine hypnotic drum loops with fleeting piano progressions and basslines in to a mouthful of tasty sounds I wouldn't mind having on my palette every day of the week. Check out Therapy Chop Chop Victory Battle if you enjoy Dreamy Nods.

Etcetera by mndsgn

Last, but not least, is "Land O Lakes" native mndsgn. With only 3 tracks listed on Soundcloud he's an elusive artist for sure, but his jumpy, airy beats tell a story of a budding talent who(hint hint) is just waiting to burst forth.

Etcetera is a whimsical, fun instrumental strewn with watery sound effects and buzzing basslines that get me thinking more about Yoshi's Island than a backtrack to a rap album. However the impact of mndsgn's style in this track is no less powerful than the cream of the crop on any major record label. If you like what you hear in Etcetera, make sure you listen to Birches , a 26 minute mix of some excellent tunes labelled as "glimpsehop" by mndsgn. It's a doozy, I'll tell you that.

Hurry Up and Wait

Research paper due next week, feature article in the works, and at east three finals ahead of me. How I am finding time for new artists is beyond me! However I do have a few interesting tracks for you this week, along with an album just released! The title of the blog this week feels like it's mirroring my life, and this music, right now. Hurry up and do all my work for classes, then wait a few days for a new load of impossible goals to be doled out. Sigh. Almost there though!


Easy by Malefique

As you may very well know by now, I have a soft spot for funky beatsrumentals. Perhaps no artist I have discovered in the past few weeks embodies the spirit of a classic, soulful hip-hop instrumental than Malefique. A beatmaster from the heart of Russia, Malefiques signature sound prescribes an "atmosphere for each, the tracks under which one might think, laugh, mourn."

Easy, which opens with a up-pitched and energetic sample of Linonel Richie's Easy Like Sunday Morning  holds the crackling, looped, catchy characteristics of a perfect beatstrumental. Malefique's excellently time chops and superb production provide a grade A example of a quality hip-hop instrumental. One that I will be using as my alarm in the morning for quite awhile! 

ramachandran #japan -bugseed's sequel- (Fancy Mike - Sigma Chi Primavera) by bugseed.

Following in the same vein as Malefique, though quite in another direction, is bugseed. More experimental in his technique, Bugseed's sound is imbued with qualities more akin to yahn look picard's lazy beats from my post 2 weeks ago. Making frequent use of dirty signals, such as distorted beats, and compression along with a pleasing array of percussion instruments and modulating synths, Bugseed throws digital paint across his soundscape like it's playtime.

Check out his soundcloud for more smoky sounds and bodacious beats. 

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care by Constant Artists

Next up, with a change of scenery, is the new post-rock album by Texas-based band Explosions In The Sky. Traveling back to their roots after a short departure in to multi-instrumental experiments on their last album, So Long, Lonesome, Take Care is a return to the simpler, and earlier, style of Explosions sound. Composed with a few guitars, a drum kit, and a bass guitar, the dynamic crescendo and decrescendos so familiar to Explosions style is fortified on this album and, as always, writes a story of emotion evident from the first track. If you have never heard of post-rock before this post, this is a perfect starting album as it exhibits all the classic, and well-performed, aspects of the genre. Long, drawn-out movements of sonic ether that heave and sigh in perfect unison. Whether you're listening to this album as you fall asleep on a rainy night, or conquering a mountain at daybreak the emotion of this album will lend itself to you.

That's all for this week! I had a few more artists lined up but have decided to wait until next week to showcase them. Quality over quantity, right? Until next time!

In The Nick of Time

Less than 3 weeks less of school, the pressure is on! Despite the tremendous amount of work I have to do I was able to find these gems at the last second(read: this weekend) and put together a semi-decent post. Check back in the week for a special weekday post of some of my favorite hip-hop performances as well!


Pazes - Evaporar (Aether Remix) by Aether

Based out of San Antonio, Texas, Diego Chavez is a multi-talented artist, painter, producer, and professional daydreamer with a knack for innovation. Whether on the canvas or through speakers Chavez has been creating works of art aurally and visually for several years and shows no signs of stopping. I was excited this weekend to finally discover Aether after several months of inactivity from his other moniker, A.M. Architect, and, honestly, have been having a hard time trying to find just a few songs to show off his talent.

In a style all his own Chavez wields his songs like fine-crafted weapons of aural bliss. Complex, rolling beats that thrum and waver in a perfectly choreographed dance with the floating, wild melodies of synths, vocal samples, and subtle chord progressions only begin to characterize the musical landscape Chavez paints. With a good pair of headphones and several minutes of closed-eye listening it's nearly impossible not to fall in to the mysterious, broiling ocean of sound Chavez manages to churn together in each new track.

The first track brought to you today is a remix of  Evaporar by Pazes, an incredible acoustic performer that meshes post-rock, folk, and latin influences in to his sound. A listen to Aether's remix will have you wondering if it's even the same song at all, with fast-paced maraca rhythms, deep bass beats, and a out-of-tune music box sound that transform the track in to a creation of jerking melodies and sampled vocals far from the original.

Leavin' On Your Mind by Aether

This second track embodies a sound more akin to A.M. Architect, complete with a deftly sampled piano loop and the unique, rolling beats signature to Aether's sound. To me, the sound Aether so perfectly emulates in his rhythms and tracks is a feeling of "falling" over the beats continuously, almost as if he is urging his listener to press forward in to the story the song is unfolding. With perfectly tuned, aching chords and a dreamscape of sound unraveling as the song progresses Leavin' On Your Mind is one you won't want to be have missing from your collection.



Following suite is ETHEREA, a relatively new and unknown electronica producer from New York. Despite having released an absolutely brilliant free album aptly named FREE ETHEREA, not much is known about the artist behind the name.

With a style that draws from influences like Animal Collective and other noise-pop bands, Etherea exhibits a strong use of repetition, sampling, and electronica elements. However, his sound is not generic: with melodies that hang in the air sounding like they are ready to explode and 8-bit components accompanied by hip-hop influenced beat progressions his style is a commendable mix of modern genres with a new twist.

Etherea - WAVVES vs. DOOM by vanilla_face

In this second song Etherea creates a mashup of lo-fi band Wavves and MF DOOM, a rapper and producer, to create a pleasing, chilled out throw down of clashing genres that fit together like puzzle pieces. This track reveals the true talent of Etherea and leaves me wondering who this mystery artist is and when I can hear more of him...

Na Na Ni by Fredrik (the band)

Switching gears to a more organic theme, Fredrik is on the top of my list for this week. An ensemble band from Sweden, Fredrik combines rich acoustic guitar, natural percussion, and smoky vocals in to a medley of haunting, folk-influenced sounds that emanate across their first album, Na-Na-Ni. Building on layers of sound, this experimental band from up north has been conjuring achingly beautiful compositions across the folk and indie genre since 2008.

Na Na Ni, the track, is a ghostly, trance-inducing instrumental creation that speaks only of musical feeling, as if the repetition throughout the song is more a mantra that the musicians use to bring out the true meaning of the song than just a compositional device. This song will have you hooked by the first regression back to the simple, hypnotic voice of the guitar.



On a final note, I bring you an even more hypnotic piece. Composed by model, songwriter, and composer superstar, Eric Whitacre, Sleep is an original(and somewhat older) choral piece for SATB choirs. With its melancholy, slowly moving, powerful chords and poetic lyrics Sleep is a massive favorite among traditional choirs. As a former chorus student myself having sung Whitacre pieces and seen Sleep live, I have to say it is a deeply moving and powerful piece of music. This rendition, however, is unlike any other as it contains over 1700 performers from 58 countries performing "virtually" through youtube. Though the dynamics of the piece are not as strong as you might find in a "real" choir, the end result is still magnificent.

NOTE: You may have to visit the youtube channel in order to listen.

Bright Lights and Sunny Skies

Anybody care to tell me where spring went?? It was 93 F today in Milledgeville and the rest of the week looks like it's going to be just as bad. Oh well, that mild weather didn't last long...

A quick note before I get in to this week's artist: I went to Microcenter yesterday and saw the most awesome novelty CD's of all time. Take a look at these bad boys.

That's right. Digital Vinyl. Unnecessary, yes. Retro(hipster?) magnificence, absolutely. Will I buy more? God willing.

Starting this week out I have a diamond in the rough for you, a local gem that can do nothing but rocket skyward from here.

Bright Lights by J.Goods

Based in Austin, Texas Josh Gonzales "J. Goods" is leading the local hip-hop scene in Austin. Armed with a background as a solo and lead drummer in high school, J. Goods has developed his musical talents and lyrics prowess from an early age and is now taking his career as a rapper, artist, and producer to new heights. With several hits already circulating locally in his hometown you'll be sure to see this young star making waves soon.

Brights Lights, though not one of his touted one-hit wonders, is an excellent example of J. Goods creative talent in the realm of hip-hop. Produced and sung by Russell Lee and co-written by J.Goods the intelligent rhymes and catchy melody forged in Bright Lights is sure to please your ears for weeks to come.

Check out the rest of J. Goods lineup on his soundcloud.


Washing Line Wheel And The Old Mangle by Roof Light

Lulworth Pebbles by Roof Light

In an abrupt change of tune(I always seem to do this...) I present you with Roof Light. Little info is available on who, or what Roof Light, exactly is, but this actually plays better to his vast, eclectic span of musical production. Self-described as "Advanced Soul/Psychedelic Folk/Rhythm And Blues/Field Recordings", Roof Light's sounds range from ambient synth productions to dark, grungy garage beats to decayed, analogue electronica complete with atmospheric "field recordings". Roof Light has been on my radar for awhile but not until the last several weeks as he as released more Board of Canada-esque material have I had a chance to show off this musician's true talent.

Washing Line Wheel and Lulworth Pebbles bring a warm, fuzzy sounds to a down-tempo style atmosphere that I have not heard since Boards of Canada's album Campfire Headcase. Wavering analogue generators, scratchy vinyl sound effects and floating melodies dominate the sounds of both of these tracks and bring a refreshing, old school sound to the table I haven't heard in years. I commend Roof Light for steering his work in this direction and hope it leads him to more undiscovered bounds of musical creative that I, as a listener, can only wait in anticipation for.

Pron__St∆rr (quickie) by yahnLOOKEpicard

Bare with me as a deviate yet again (though not as severely this time!) in to the world of hip-hop. Y∆HN LøÔK∑ PIc∆RD of Minneapolis, Minnesota is an intrumental hip-hop artist that has been experimenting with beats, rhythms, and sounds in a way I didn't think it was possible. If you have ever wondered what a bleeding-edge pioneer of hip-hop sounds like, look no further. His combination of lazy beats and spacey samples meshed with his out-of-the-box line of thinking and production provides for an aural experience unlike anything I've ever heard.

Leave It All Behind feat. The Rebirth & Aima the Dreamer by jboogie dubtronic

Cumbia Dubbin by jboogie dubtronic

Finishing out this post with a smooth and drinkable flavour is J-Boogie, a world-renown DJ and producer influenced by latin soul, hip-hop, electronica and many many more sounds. Leave It All Behind, an r'n'b track influenced by down-tempo beats and a soulful, female vox accompanied by chorus bring me back to the 90's and all their smooth, funky glory. Cumbia Dubbin, a mix by J-Boogie created after a trip to South Africa, showcases classic cumbia and a house sounds and clearly demonstrates J-Boogie's exceptional DJ'ing ability. Be sure to check out his entire library of world sounds on his soundcloud.