Pieman - Tribe of Frog - NYE 2009 Mix

OK so its a bit late but this excellent mix by Pieman who is a resident at Tribe of Frog came to my attention recently and just blew me away. Solid track after solid track on the more Psy Breaks Electro side of the usual Psy Trance stuff.

Unfortunately its just been removed from their Soundcloud page due to file limitations (12hrs at a time only apparently) but you can still listen to it from the TOF website here.

Just scroll down to Pieman - Recorded at ToF New Years Eve 2009 and click on the green download arrow button on the left of it or just stream it from where it is by clicking play. Plenty of other good stuff on there too really, depending what flavours you like! Also some good stuff on their Soundcloud page.


Looks like their last bash at their regular venue Lakota (in Bristol) is on 24th April 2010 until after the summer. But it might be worth checking them out (and the other usual suspects) at Waveform on the 10-12th Sept 2010. Enjoy un-sensibly!


P.S. Finding the Font control on this blog site a bit annoying... but you get the idea! ;)

Halcyon - Matter Feb 12th - Review

Right here goes... my first attempt at a blog entry on the wonderful Musical Mana blog which I have been checking out for a while now. Since Chris is not connected to the intra-web at home at the mo, he's asked me to start contributing. So gonna keep them short and sweet at first (ha ha!... authors comment post blog... its a long-un!)

HALCYON at Matter 12th March 2010

What an unusual way to celebrate your mum's B-Day!... after springing a surprise visit on her at around 6pm and providing a healthy picnic meal for the dining table (cholesterol concerns are ingrained in my family at the moment)... I then drove down from Notts to pick up CD-Ra in the Saburbiton-Jungle and we headed to East London to the O2 Arena... having driven past this on NYE and seeing it all being lit up I was disappointed not to get the full-lit-up-dome show on arrival.... but once we figured out how to get in I appreciated the walk by the river to get in (all-be-it through the bitter cold in only club wear)... Although the same walk back past the river was also much appreciated in the morning; maybe a bit of sunshine would have been nice.... still it never rained so that's a bonus... RA!

Once in the club we spent some time meeting up with peeps in the main room but soon decided that the music we were really after was in the 2nd room up-tut-stairs and soon found ourselves parked by the first available speaker dancing to Atomic Drop, I think (never to really return to the main room really). After some weeks of just filling my head with phat beats via earphones it was so lovely to be covered all over it grating, serrrrrated, crrrrrackling beats that could be experienced by the whole body. Nothing like feeling the bass all over and scratching you behind the ears...mmmm... bass shower!

For most of the early part of the night 1-4am was spent just pissing around meeting people and chatting, loosely based around some dancing and comedy photograph taking (which was also based loosely around the magic shades - which I did loose for a bit but someone found them and gave them back to me - nice!).

It wasn't until Mary Miss Fairy was on the decks that things got serious. A palpable change in the heaviness of the music was evident as she blasted one floor stomper after the other. My favourite being "Felguk - Buzz Me" which I recognised from one of my favourite mixes (also by Mary) called Wonk this Way which I think is also on this blog with other exclusive releases from MMF a while ago.

At times her Matter set was bordering on the edges of actually-melting-my-brain. But probably the best way to sum it up is Chris-Ra's Tweet that I think was sent (long word alert) semicontemporaneously to the actual violence on our psykeeees (rhymes with cheese):

"Speakers are growling and giant slabs of techno are dropping from the ceiling!" - C-Ra mid attack

I think I got hit by a few of dose slabs and fully appreciated the power of this set from the very lovely and talented Mary who recently pushed several other top DJ's to the margins of the pages of Highlight mag (nothing to do with the sizzling picture of her I'm sure ;)


This is one of her at Matter after many shaky blurry failed attempts:

.... turns out she also loves alliteration alot... as I qoute: "(Mary) is shopping for some exceptionally edible electro and some tantalisingly tasty techno" ...Nice words me'dears, loving your work...word-play and music-play :)

Next up was Hedflux who I first found out about through this Blog via his Glade09 minimix... which is where I first heard Basscake, which is my ALL TIME favourite track (at the moment ;). So I was looking forward to his set immensely and it didn't disappoint, with some lovely toones and top mixing, all capped by finishing with a new 'in progress' track. If you wanna check out some new stuff from him check out this new Hedflux Feb mix which you can download for nowt... top value! For slightly more you can buy his new remix that is busting its way up the neatport charts as of 4th April 2010... please support if you can ! Here's Dr. Hedflux in action at Matter early doors...



Regarding the Feb mix - once again a lovely progression from thick/deep/solid but mid- energy music then escalating up to some more full-on-stuff. All great tracks and lovely to listen too fully without tinkering about doing udder stuff (i.e. just sit and listen and focus!). Although I'd like to hear a mix from Steve that stays at one tempo just so I can go-to a Hedflux mix for a stable-mood rather than a journey if I want to. Just so I can have both options... not too much to ask is it! ;) Turns out he's a lovely person with great values too, which makes the music even better when you listen to it. Read this to see what I mean about where its all coming from!

So after Hedflux (not to be confused with the imposter HEADflux who either just seems to copy Dr. Hedflux or doesn't do anything for ages!!) it was into the main room for some meandering and general winding down.... but given the general feeling of "I'm so over Psy-trance" when in the main room, it was soon time to head off after a top night.... and many adventuRAs after that in all kinds of landscapes to follow.... ups and downs but all RAlly REAL!

Here's the full line up:
MAIN ROOM

HALLUCINOGEN LIVE
SHPONGLE DJ SET
TICON LIVE
EAT STATIC LIVE
DEJAVOO LIVE
LIQUID ROSS
LIBRA 9 B2B ANDI LEPPARD
ZEUS B2B FABRY
MATT LORAINE

ROOM 2 – HOSTED BY ALPHAOMEGA in association with ARCHANGEL

TIM HEALEY
HEDFLUX
ATOMIC DROP – LIVE
MONK3YLOGIC – LIVE
CASANUEVA
GEO
MARY MISS FAIRY

InSpiral Lounge: Dreadzone Sound System, Ade Laugee and DJ Ade

  
Had a brilliant party at the InSpiral Lounge in Camden last Saturday night, as the final leg of Danielle's birthday weekend. When we arrived Ade Laugee (Planet Angel) was rocking the canalside cafe with funky goodtime breaks, the perfect warm-up for Dreadzone Sound System. He handed out this wicked little promo at the end.

Ade Laugee - Kumina EDM (YouSendIt link - valid until 27 March)

 

Dreadzone are one of my all time favourite bands and every time I see them turns out to be a special occasion. Greg Dread and MC Spee were on fine form as always, and had the whole of the tiny cafe bouncing to the ceiling with dubwise energy. It was so frantic that condensation was forming on the ceiling of the tiny cafe and dripping down onto the decks.

 I always forget how much fun Dreadzone are, and found myself dancing more than I have in ages. They finished with a new tune in an east end gansta ska style, from their new album Eye on the Horizon which is coming out on 24 April supported by a full live tour.  Greg Dread told me after that on the DJ front he's been playing a lot of electro and dubstep lately - sounds like something I'd like to hear!

Dreadzone Sound System Live at Glade 2008 (click on Dreadzone DJ Downloads)
Tour dates for Eye on the Horizon
Greg's Dread's best tunes from the noughties

Up after Dreadzone was my mate Ade (Om Bongo), invited to play one of his epic progressive techno sets. He really kept the engergy in the room going, despite the change in style and by the time I left was blasting out Dirty Loud to a busy room. I posted this wicked mix from Ade in December and he's just released a new mix, Revenge of the Techno Hippies on Soundcloud!

Ade - Revenge of the Techno Hippies  by  4d3

Jungo Road: Undecided, Raydeus, Fort Knox Five and Robosapiens

What with all the flat hunting, working and partying lately, I haven't found much time to blog. I do now have an iPhone though, so that might all change! Here's the first attempt:

One of the things that's been keeping me going through January is the brilliant Jungo Road podcast. These boys, Chad North and Dale Purrough, now joined by Raydeus, select the finest fidget, glitch, tech funk, breaks and techno from both sides of the pond and deliver it straight to your mp3 player. You can't ask for more than that really...

Here's a few of my favourites from the end of last year:

Undecided (Sacramento) 26 October 2009

Fort Knox Five (DC) 7 Dec 2009

Raydeus (SF) 15 Dec 2009

Robosapiens (UK) 8 Feb 2010

Raydeus at Decompression 2009 - Photo by Deven Sezgen

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone (anyone know how to embed links and tags?!)

Breakz R Boss Records: Mr. Bassline Junk-E

My mate Len's recently come back over from Canada for a short stay in the UK. He went out there to follow a girl who promptly dumped him... what a bitch! He's still enjoying life in Calgary though....

Something slightly more positive to come out of Canada lately is this free web EP from a new label, Breakz R Boss Records. The original contains a sample from the 1974 hit single "Dreamer " by Supertramp's, which to be honest I find pretty pretty annoying, but the underlying tunes are phat. I particularly recommend Proton and Grateful's funky electro breaks remix, which doesn't have the awful singing on it. They're apparently from Russia, which I'd never known before for it's breaks music, so I'll be looking those two up now for sure!

Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer + Remixes (BRB-P01) 2010 (Rick click save as)
FREE WEB E.P. from Breakz R Boss Records

Tracklisting:

Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer (Original)
Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer (Dave Dialect Dubstep Remix)
Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer (Proton & Grateful Remix)
Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer (Toy Quantize Remix)
Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer (N.Filtr8 Remix)
Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer (Dj Chaos Remix)
Mr. Bassline Junk-E - Dreamer (Jprime Remix)



Annoying twats get dubstep makeover:

BREAKZ R BOSS RECORDS is a New Digital Label from Western Canada, owned and operated by Bass Charger and the Breakz R Boss Crew. Their 1st release will be out in February 2010 which is a Dj Somsay original with Remixes by Breakz R Boss artist Dreamthief & Mr. Bassline Junk-E. This should be followed by Tech, Tearout, Funky, & Electro Breakz, Bassline, Fidget & Electro 4x4 styles, DubStep & DNB.

Sounds like my kinda label - good luck to ya boys!

Invisible Circus: St Valentine's Day Massaquerade (Bristol, UK)

If you're in the UK and jealous of Lucent L'amour in LA, check out the Invisible Circus St Valentine's Day Massaquerade in Bristol this weekend - there may still be tickets left for the Sunday! It's less glitch hop and more swing/balkan/d'n'b/1930s hip-hop, which is also good! Again I am jealous of all who are going....

These videos should give a flavour of what to expect. They're from the Carny-Ville party that took place at The Island in Bristol each Autumn for the last few years. Depending on which night they were shot, you might just catch D-ra or me fire spinning in them. You can also see the legendary Troy Diamond on his roller skates.

The Do Lab presents: Lucent L’amour (LA)

 
Shilo from DANCEFEVER5000 recently sent me this info about Lucent L’amour, a Valentine's Day music and art festival on February 13 at the Shrine Expo Hall in downtown LA. It looks sick so I've offered to post here since so many hits seem to come from stateside and I'm jealous...

Here is the quick rundown:
* 100+ artists, musicians, performers and art installations
* Two stages of music and dancing with live and electronic acts
* Live mural and digital painting, art gallery and silent auction
* Romantic, colorful and whimsical décor all throughout venue
* Aerialists, acrobats, burlesque dancers and other live performers
* Unique arts and crafts vendors, full bars & delicious food
* Downtown LA location in historic venue, plenty of parking
* 7PM-4AM, 18+ event, VIP passes available presale

VIMBY - Lucent L'Amour

MUSIC: The festival is presented by The Do LaB, one of the premier Burner tribes in Los Angeles, known for throwing fat parties with eclectic lineups and colossal bass. This year’s Lucent L’amour festival has two stages and a keen selection of beautiful beats on the lineup. Both big names and critically acclaimed artists will provide a rousing night of fresh beats for the crowd: Bassnectar, N.A.S.A, Stanton Warriors, Yard Dogs Road Show, Lucent Dossier Experience, Beats Antique, Lazer Sword, Lynx & Janover and Patricio.

ART: Visual arts go hand in hand with music at Lucent L’amour, and you will find a stimulating feast for your eyes all throughout the festival. In addition to a huge art gallery curated by Mike Russek and Deborah Vogt featuring the work of dozens and dozens of artists, we will have a live mural painting by The Mac and Retna as well as a silent art auction, with proceeds going towards the purchase of music and art supplies for under-funded schools. Capping it off is the avant-garde electroart of Andrew Jones, whose inspired creations resonate with the West Coast electronic music community like beats rolling out of a bass bin.

SELF-EXPRESSION: Lucent L’amour promises to create a collision of music, art and creative self-expression. The festival is not a series of performances or a show, but rather an interactive art event where everyone becomes part of the experience, immersed together in one fantastic night of revelry. Come as you are, or deck yourself out in colorful and romantic attire: petticoats, corsets, zoot suits, ruffled parasols, purple polka dot knickers, feathered top hats, green corduroys, striped stockings, and sequined boots- or all of the above.

ROMANCE & MORE: In addition to the music and visual art offerings, Lucent L’amour will dish out a sexy serving of playful décor from the fun to the freaky, captivating theatrical performances, unusual craft vendors, hot munchies and full bar service for those 21+ (event is 18+). VIP passes and tickets are available here, and check the Lucent L’amour website for more videos, photos, music from our featured artists and weekly ticket giveaways.