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.

It's this kind of funky, swinging thing...

The past week has been busy for me both academically and musically! As is probably apparent by now, I am an enthusiastic user of Soundcloud. How could I not though? As a electronic music lover Soundcloud is THE place to be right now. Every week I follow more and more incredibly talented artists and continue to expand my knowledge and horizons on the frontier of experimental music. Sometimes it's overwhelming!

Before I get started on tracks for this week, I'd like to take a moment and make a quick note of some conflict I am experiencing with this blog...In school right now I am taking a journalism class and I have found that as I write these entries I tend to use a more informal, casual style of writing. More like what my speech would be like in conversation. But, I find myself stopping, deleting, and rewriting sentences with a more formal style because of my class. What should I do? Do I keep it professional and lay back and stay casual? Which do you prefer?

Anyways, in to the music.

Leave The Light On (Stumbleine Remix) preview by Asa.

Starting out is an artist I have just recently discovered, Asa. Although I have stumbled upon this musical mastermind, Asa has been carving out a groundbreaking career since early 2010. The track I bring to you today is a remix of the original track, Leave The Light On, released by Asa about 5 months ago. This remix transforms the dub-centric original into a post-rock reminiscent soul-jerker filled with haunting electric guitar overtones and ghostly, fleeting vocals filled with melancholy lyrics.

With his first release on Screwloose Records Asa has been turning heads, don't miss what this budding artist will be bringing to the table in the coming months.


Old Fashioned by ŤЭKSŤ

My next artist for today, in a change of pace, is San Francisco based hip-hop artist by the name of Tekst. Still attending university, Tekst has been releasing instrumental, hip-hop tracks for a little over half a year now and has seen a following of avid fans grow steadily with his style. Chops, samples, and clever manipulation of the beat are just a few of the tools Tekst uses to produce high-quality(and incredibly catchy, if I say so myself) tunes that are practically begging for some fresh lyrics.

The tune I bring to you today, Old Fashioned, harnesses a multitude of sampled strings and funky beats to get your feet tapping. Uplifting lyrics complete the picture to create a fresh, soulful sound that brings you back to an earlier time when things weren't as complicated. I'd advise all listeners to take a walk on a sunny day while listening to this musical treat!


Cumbia colombiana (y otras delicias locales) by DJ Andres Leguizamon

Now for an artist I have been overdue in showcasing. Two weeks ago on my radio show I featured DJ Andres Leguizamon, a colombia-native deeply immersed in the sound and culture of cumbia and latin jazz. With his early beginnings rooted in house DJ Leguizamon has developed into a global producer, exploring sounds that defy regional and genre borders. His musical scope jumps from nu jazz bullerengue and everything in between.

Cumbia Colombiana, mixed solely for the victims of the flooding in colombia, is a tribute to its inhabitants perseverance and diversity. Look forward to jumping beats, twisted melodies, and far-out latin sounds sure to please your ears.




Wrapping up this post is a more mainstream artist I have been following for some time. Fever Ray, also know as Karin Andersson from the electric dynamo The Knife, released her solo debut album self-entitled "Fever Ray" in 2009. Known for her vocal style of sharp contrasts in pitch and volume, Fever Ray has been performing experimental electronic music on tour for some time now. Along with her unique musical style, Fever Ray is known for her colorful and wild theatrical aesthetics as is apparent from the music video for "When I Grow Up".

More of Fever Ray's music can be found on her soundcloud page.

I Always Start It

This is the flagship post for my new blog. I'll be sharing recent musical discoveries and thoughts when I feel like updating. Enjoy..


You Always Start It (master) by xxxy

First up is an UK-based producer and artist, xxxy. Under the name Ten Thousand and Yen he released this shining gem less than a month ago and is already making waves. XXXY has the unique ability to move in between genres throughout his tracks and this one is no exception; the 2-step rhythms and perfectly timed voicing samples, along with the wavering synths, mesh together to form a piece that is both danceable and catchy. XXXY tells the truth when he labelled You Always Start It as "not fucking future garage". For sure, it's a sound of its own.

One For Dimlite by Illum Sphere

Next we have another UK producer from Manchester. Illum Sphere has been working in the progressive electronic scene for some time and his influence reaches far, grabbing the attention of artists like Martyn and record labels like Warp Records. This release, while not new, showcases his talent for combining wide dynamics into his work. The description, tersely worded "no samples", just makes this seemingly sampled song work even more miraculous.

Oceania - So It Happened (unreleased) by oceania

Bringing up the rear, though undoubtedly not in talent, is Oceania. Nick Kostylew appeared on the scene less than a year ago but is already stirring waters. His atmospheric, spacey melodies combined with deep, resonating, and powerful bass lines create a subtle soundscape full of cavernous echoes and intense melancholy that will be sure to have you grasping for more.