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! 

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.

Hiatus No More!

Well, it's been a month since my last post. Mid-terms, projects, and Spring Break have all contributed to my laziness and this post is long over-due. However, the artists I bring for you today do not lack in the same quality I seem to have no grasp for :)

I'll start this post with the electro front.

Speak because I can - Laura Marling - (Engine-EarZ Experiment Refix) FREE DOWNLOAD by Engine-EarZ Experiment

Mixes of ethnic electronica, dubstep, and a taste for blending world sounds only just begin to characterize the collective known as Engine-Earz. A quick perusing of their soundcloud page will introduce you to sounds ranging from indian sitar backed rave anthems to hip-hop mashups crossed with alternative rock and Michael Jackson staples, all the while containing a beat and flow that lends itself only to the style of the band. Though you could argue they are not trailblazers of the musical frontier, the melting pot Engine-Earz creates is one truly unique to the scene.

Speak Because I Can by Laura Marling is remixed in to a prime example of Engine-Earz creativity and genre-bending sound in this ode to an untouched tract of musical fusion, Electronic Folk. Engine-Earz manages to retain the spirit and emotion of Laura Marling's soulful melody while at the same time completely transforming the image of the track. This one's been on repeat for me for awhile now!

Inspirations Mix BBC Radio 1 2008- C22/Engine-EarZ by Engine-EarZ Experiment

As an added bonus, this is a mashup/mix Engine-Earz performed on BBC radio back in their infancy. The familiar sound of mashup artists such as Girl Talk come to mind when listening-- Mashing hip-hop lyrics with other genres is nothing new. However, I believe the production and selection of music Engine-Earz works with(in particular the hints of eastern influence) in this mix make a listen-through more than worth the time.


Sorrow - Summer of Love by Sorrow.

Sorrow - Nostalgia by Sorrow.

Next up is a Garage/Ambient artist by the name of Sorrow. A true gem in his genre, Sorrow has been producing grade A Deep Garage and Dubstep for over a year now. Though not particularly innovative, he is a shining example of how this genre of music should be done. Complex, multi-layered drum lines, ethereal floating melodies and an atmosphere of deep, quality soundscapes -- Sorrow is a talented producer and upholder of high standards for his sound.


Fool's Gold by Fool's Gold

This next band is a large segue from the world of electronica. Fool's Gold is a Los Angeles based collective that meshes together sounds from the African continent with tropical and funky influences into a groovy, danceable smoothie of world sounds that will always leaves a smile on your lips after just a taste. Saxaphones, wind-instruments, and percussion out the wazoo party together in to create an organic, almost tribal sound that is complemented perfectly by the wavering and energetic voice of Luke Top, vocalist and bassist for the band.

Their self-titled debut album is definitely no fool's gold, each song is just as catchy and unique as the last. This album is truly a piece of musical genius. Just take a listen for yourself.

Menahan Street Band - Montego Sunset by Johnny Strychnine

For the cherry on the top of the cake, I bring you Menahan Street Band. Perfect for a summer's day cruise, MSB combines jazz, funk, and ska sounds to create a layed-back medley of summer sounds. Sax, trumpets, and reggae-esque guitar rhythms permeate their intrumental debute album Make The Road By Walking.

A Dynamic State of Awareness

It's been a busy week

I have a few new artists and two big releases to showcase today.

First though, let's start with the upcoming artists:

Floetry Ft Mos Def - Where You Are (Converse Remix) by Con-Verse

Conor Lloyd is Con-Verse, a UK-based hip-hop producer. Chilled, smooth, and soulful are a few words that come to mind when describing his style. A master of the bassline and weaver of funky, 90's reminiscent, Con-verse exhibits his exceptional skills in this remix of "Where You Are" by Mos Def. Though he's only 18, Con-verse is talented beyond his years.

3. Saved - Kasi RocsWell by FLOYDCHEUNG

Staying in gear with hip-hop Floyd Cheung is next on the list. An international traveler, Cheung is based in the UK or Hong Kong(apparently). Regardless, his beats shine with a light untethered from region or culture. Most of his tracks are short excerpts of home-made beats and production mixed with perfectly blended samples. For the track I have brought to you today, Cheung provided the production and beats while Kasi RocsWell added the lyrics and mastered the album, From West To East. The track combines expertly sampled harps, flutes, and bongos with a frictionless lyrical story that will have you lost by verse two.

Bordeaux [clip] by MJ Cole

Steering away from hip-hop and heading back towards the electronica scene, I bring you MJ Cole. I have been following Cole(real name Matthew James Coleman) for months now but have been hesitant to showcase any of his tracks as they are usually only clips of the full version. However, today MJ Cole released the Satellite EP which contains his newest and most forward-moving tracks yet. Based(you guessed it) in the UK, MJ Cole has been developing garage and electronica since the late 90's, even starting his own record Prolific Recordings. This clip from Bordeaux is a perfect example of MJ Cole's airy yet energetic production style, playing off of high string melodies and fast-paced, on-your-feet drums.

Another example of MJ Cole's excellent work is his mash-up of TGV and Wiley's "From The Drop" which can heard in the opening of MJ Cole's Winter Vibes Mix:

MJ Cole - WINTERvibesMIX by MJ Cole

The Satellite EP was released today on Prolific Records, you buy the whole album on Beatport for ~$8

Finally, the best for last...

Benn Jordan is The Flashbulb, an IDM/classical/dnb/ambient producer, artist, singer, and label owner who is more talented than any other artist I know of. His musical prowess breaks barriers and in and over any musical genre or preconceived notion of an artist's limitations. Beginning as an IDM and dnb artist in the 90's, The Flashbulb has progressed into experimental soundscapes, classical fusion, and now full-fledged jazz.

The Flashbulb - Passage D by omni9

As an example of The Flashbulb's talent, I bring you Passage D, off of the Kirlian Selections album. The juxtaposition of fast-flowing, subdued classical piano and shrill, programmed drum machines in the track creates a style of sound that is at once unusual yet strangely comfortable. The Flashbulb forces his listeners to constantly reexamine what music should sound like, and how instruments should mix.



As a last example I give you Undiscovered Colors off of Arboreal.

His innovative style has been a joy for me to follow for the past 3 years and now I am happy to announce the flashbulb has posted a date for his new release Love Is A Dark Hallway.

 To ship on March 14th, Love Is A Dark Hallway is Jordan's first full jazz album and will focus on his performance and compositional efforts rather than any conceptual themes or ideas. Make sure to pick it up when it is released, I know I will be.