SCB aka Scuba - XLR8R Podcast 193

The blogosphere is unfathomed in size with numerous blogs and websites offering up mixtapes from some of the best emerging and established electronic artists on offer. The quality of these offerings can be wildly inconsistent from one mix to the next, but there is always one series I keep going back to and it never fails to impress, XLR8R. This time SCB or Scuba (Hotflush Recordings) is in the mix and it’s quite literally the best mix I’ve heard this year. Scuba has composed a mix that flows beautifully from start to finish taking in house, electronica, techno with dubby undertones and acidic flourishes. It also features one of our tracks of the moment SCB - Loss. A great mix that deserves your undivided attention.



Click link to Download (SCB aka Scuba - XLR8R Podcast 193)

Tracklist
01 Recondite "Yield" (Plangent)
02 Sven Wiesemann "Emphasized" (Mojuba)
03 Terence Fixmer "Comedy of Menace" (Electric Deluxe)
04 Braille "Leavin Without You" (Rush Hour)
05 Obsolete Music Technology "Relapse" (Machining Dreams)
06 Unknown "Untitled"
07 John Spring "Drummachines" (Airdrop)
08 Shifted "Untitled" (AVN)
09 Sigha "HF029B1" (Hotflush)
10 Deadbeat "Vampire" (Echochord)
11 SCB "Down Moment" (Ostgut Ton)
12 SCB "Loss" (Aus)
13 Instra:mental "Pyramid" (3024)
14 2 AM FM "Desolate Cities" (Mos Deep)
15 Ness "Ancient Crackle" (Sonata)
16 Patrice Scott "2000 Black" (Sistrum)
17 Mike Denhert "Unknown" (Fachwerk)
18 Jon Convex "Order into Chaos" (3024)
19 Rod "Malmok One" (Klockworks)
20 Sigha "Politics of Dying" (Our Circula Sound)
21 SCB "Overlay" (SCB)
22 Portable "Inside Your Mind" (Karat)

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Exit Festival 2011 - 7th to 10th July

Festival Season is upon us and this year I’ve got myself booked in for Glastonbury, Wireless O2 and for the first time Ill be heading to Serbia for Exit Festival.

For many years Exit has been a festival that I have longed to attend and finally this year ill be raving for 3 days within those hallowed and picturesque walls. Exit is set within a 18th Century Petrovaradin Fortress which plays host to over 800 performances across 20 different stages with some of the biggest names in rock, dance, indie, Latino, reggae, electronica and chill out in attendance. Check the current lineup below....



A 4 day ticket is only £89 + BF plus an extra £25 for camping, which is what we're doing, however there are a number of other flight and accommodation discount packages offered by Exit that are worth checking out, click Here for details.

Dirtybird 50 EP

Dirtybird was launched in 2004 and between then and now has risen to become one of the most respected and consistent Dance Labels in clubland. Although technically speaking there have been more than 50 releases when you take into account secret releases and remix EP's, this is still a landmark moment and one that should be saluted by anyone who has a genuine love for dance music and its abiding and evolving existence. This release is another solid highlight in Dirtybirds history and if you like your tech-house rolling, full of percussion and groove then this is essential listening. Personal favourite is B-Ju's Babbel Net.

Dirtybird 50 EP - Buy Now



B-Ju - Babbel Net (Dirtybird 50) - 96kbps Stream


Dirtybird 50 Promo Mix - By Maelstrom

Toddla T - Take it Back (Dillon Francis Remix)

This is a pure unadulterated peak time monster that is sure to be ragging a few sound systems over the coming months. Dillion Francis has taken Toddla T's rave influenced 'Take it Back' slowed it down Moombahton style, chopped up the main vocal, layered some soaring synths before dropping everything for a crunching in your face riff that is devastingly effective on the dance floor, not for the faint hearted or ponderous of mind. Love it or hate it this will be hard to avoid.

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Trouble

As you may know we are big TEED fans, and it has just been announced that he has signed to Polydor Records and is busying applying the finishing touches to his debut LP which is due for release later this year. Preceding the album will be his 4th EP titled 'Trouble' which is set to be a 'Special Delivery' on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show, 7-9pm tomorrow. Trouble will be released on itunes May 2nd, and for a sneak peak see below.



TEED - Trouble


TEED - Garden


TEED - Household Goods


You can also catch TEED (Live) at Blah Blah Blah - May 14th.

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Tom Vek - A Chore / Leisure Seizure

Its been five years since we last heard anything from Tom Vek but now he's back with a new single 'A Chore' (Out Now) and album 'Leisure Seizure'(Due in June). A Chore is the lead single from the new LP and we cant recommend it highly enough, Check the video below....



Leisure Seizure - Released June 6th

Tracklist
01 Hold Your Hand
02 Aroused
03 A Chore
04 We Do Nothing
05 World of Doubt
06 Seizemic
07 A.P.O.L.O.G.Y
08 Someone Loves You
09 Close Mic’ed
10 On A Plate
11 You Need to Work Your Heart Out
12 Too Bad

Digitalism - 2 Hearts

Its looking like 2011 is the year that 06/07 is resurrected with Justice, SebastiAn and now Digitalism all announcing well over due LP's, LP's that are no doubt leaving both fans and critics unsure what to expect.



Digitalism will release their second album 'I love You Dude' on June 20th preceded by the single 2 Hearts (June 12th). 2 Hearts is a decent enough indie-dance track that blends soaring synths with a solid vocal. However I must confess I was a little disappointed as it sounds like they have taken the superb Pogo from 'Idealism' attempted to recreate that moment and fallen slightly short. That said I enjoyed their returning EP Blitz, and therefore like many others I am hoping the likes of Digitalism, and friends can all deliver in 2011.



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Gesaffelstein - Conspiracy Pt.1 (Turbo 099)

Gesaffelstein got everyone buzzing with his stomping Variations EP so much so that Turbo declared it to have generated the most feedback any one artist has generated on their label. Pretty impressive when you consider who has released on Turbo since its inception in 1998.



His new EP 'Conspiracy Pt1' like Variations is aimed squarely at the dance floor with buzzing synths, sub laden drums and snappy percussion, with enough peaks and troughs to keep even the most stubborn of dancers moving. Again this EP is likely to appeal to many a DJ (us included), however I must confess I was a little disappointed that both 'Hatred' and 'Aufstand' sound remarkably similar to Atmosphere and Glass but not quite as strong. That said I still like the EP, I just hope the next release shows a little more variation in sound.

Gesaffelstein - Conspiracy Pt.1 (Turbo 099)


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Death In Vegas - Enforced Peace

Masters of UK electronica, Death In Vegas, return in 2011 with new album Trans-Love Energies set for a September release and they're giving away a new track to celebrate.


It's classic, dark, hypnotic Death In Vegas. It'll be good to have them around again! Head to their official website to grab the MP3 for free.

Written by Stopmakingme

Essential Mix - Alex Metric (2011)

Alex Metric popped back to Radio 1 last night to deliver an undeniably party infused Essential Mix. In his own words the mix takes in "80's Synth Funk, Italo Disco, New Disco, Techno House, Electro and Indie". This is a mix that clearly represents what Alex Metric is all about, unpretentious hook laden pumping electro with rasping synths and funk, a little obvious in places leaving no room for chin scratching aficionado's. As you would expect the mix is seamlessly mixed and well thought out, with each track and genre melting into each other with no loss of momentum or energy. If you like to get your head down and shuffle hard to straight up party, this is for you.

For those of you in Brighton, UK you can catch Alex Metric at Audio tonight. Doors 11pm / Free Entry before 12.30.



Essential Mix - Alex Metric (Click Here to Download )

Tracklist

01. Spiritualized – Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
02. Phoenix – School’s Rule
03. Q – The Voice Of Q
04. Les Rythmes Digitales – About Funk
05. Ray Parker Jr. And Raydio – It’s Time To Party Now
06. Sneaky Sound System – When We Were Young (Breakbot Remix)
07. Chaka Khan – We Can Work It Out [Warner Bros]
08. Colonel Abrams – Trapped [MCA]
09. K.I.D. – Don’t Stop [Dance Factory]
10. We In Music – From Happiness To Loneliness (Les Rhythmes Digitales Remix)
11. The System – You Are In My System [Mirage]
12. Daft Punk – Short Circuit [Virgin]
13. Kylie Minogue – Slow (Chemical Brothers Remix)
14. David Bowie – Let’s Dance [EMI]
15. Lo Fidelity Allstars – Battleflag [Skint]
16. The Prodigy – Diesel Power [XL]
17. Happy Mondays – Step On [London]
18. Phoenix – Lisztomania (Alex Metric Remix) [V2]
19. Peter And The Magician – Twist
20. Cassian – Get High [Bang Gang]
21. The Human League – Never Let Me Go (Aeroplane Remix)
22. Gorillaz – Stylo (Alex Metric Remix) [EMI]
23. Alex Metric & Angello – Open Your Eyes (Style Of Eye Dub)
24. Russ Chimes – Tonic
25. His Majesty Andre – Clubs [Cheap Thrills]
26. Alex Metric & Theopholus London – All Night (Acapella)
27. Alan Braxe – Vertigo (Thomas Bangalter) [Roulette]
28. Hot Streak – Body Work [Easy Street]
29. ZZT – Zzafrika (Light Year Remix) [Turbo]
30. The Helmholtz Resonators – Gypsy (Kurtis Hardrive Remix)
31. Splittr – All Alone (Alex Metric Remix Dub) [Eye Industries]
32. BeatauCue – Behold [Kitsuné]
33. Ellie Goulding – Salt Skin (Alex Metric Remix Dub) [Polydor]
34. Alex Metric – Raveageddon
35. King Cosmic – Acid In My Soul [Elevation]
36. Chromeo – Hot Mess (DJEdtronic Remix 2) [Back Yard]
37. Hurts – Better Than Love (Burns Remix) [RCA]
38. Niki & The Dove – Mother Protect (Alex Metric Remix)
39. Infadels – Explain Nothing (Part 1) [Wall Of Sound]
40. Apparat – Ash [Mute]
41. Underworld – Pearls Girl [Junior Boys Own]
42. Twr72 – Autumn
43. Marc Romboy vs Stephan Bodzin – Triton [Systematic]
44. Nathan Fake – The Sky Was Pink (James Holden Remix)
45. UNKLE – In A State (Acapella) [A&M]
46. Grincheux – Voix
47. Cock N Bull Kid – Asthma Attack (Stopmakingme Remix)
48. LCD Soundsystem – You Wanted A Hit [EMI]
49. Katy Perry – Peacock (Yuksek Remix Dub) [Capitol]
50. New Order – Blue Monday [Factory]
51. Alex Metric & Steve Angello – Open Your Eyes [Positiva]
52. Infadels – Black Sky [Wall Of Sound]
53. Toto – Hold The Line [Sony]
54. The Beatles – The End [Parlophone]

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Maurice Donovan - Babeh/Satisfied (SSSSS002)

You may or may not remember that in October last year we highlighted the resurgence of Chicago and Detroit influenced House and it would appear that this trend shows no sign of abating, what with producers from all backgrounds mining their sample packs for 808/909 kicks, claps and snares. At present this sound feels fresh and vibrant, however I am slightly concerned that things could very quickly become over saturated as everyone jumps on the late 80's early 90's band wagon, consequently flooding the market with poorly conceived unimaginative pastiche of former glories.

Having said that quality releases keep coming, and the latest to catch our attention is by man of the moment Ramadanman under his Maurice Donovan guise. Both tracks are stripped back classic House, so stripped back that it sounds as if he restricted himself to the basic setup a late 80's House producer would have used. Each track is built around a simple but effective vocal loop backed by a single key synth line and a classic 808/909 Kick, Snare, Clap, Hi-Hat drum pattern.



Maurice Donovan - Babeh - Out Now


Maurice Donovan - Satisfied - Out Now

Midland - Through Motion EP

We recently featured Midland on our blog as an artist who's music we greatly admire and he is already back with another stunning EP. Midland as a producer does not appear restricted by any single genre or trend, taking reference from House, Techno, Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Electronica and beyond to create tracks that benefit from low end bass rumble and top end melody and drama. His latest 'Through Motion EP' demonstrates this beautifully with two close your eye moments that work just as well on headphones and a big soundsystem. Both these tracks have a real progressive house quality to them which takes us back a few years to the Bedrock days at the Beach Club, Brighton.

Midland - Through Motion EP - Out May 16th



Midland - Through Motion EP


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Magnets - Propeller Falls EP (Kill Em All)

The next release on Kill Em All is a big one! A brand new artist from London called Magnets specialising in big room techno to tear the roof off (trust us, we've seen it happen.)



The EP has already received amazing DJ support from the likes of Brodinski, Optimo, Ewan Pearson, Jokers Of The Scene to name a few. In Alex Magnets' own words, the music "draws influence from the days when all you needed was a drum machine, a synth and an idea". We like the sound of that!

Released through Kill Em All on 10th April.



Written by Stopmakingme

Electronic Artist of the Week #8 - Boddika

Boddika AKA Instra:mental is the 8th in our Electronic Artist series and someone well worth getting excited about. Admittedly Alex Green as Instra:mental has been with us for a good few years, however under his Boddika guise we are talking a matter of months, and like a number of artists of late he has also succumbed to the temptress that is House of the Chicago / Detroit variety.



Alex Green as Instra:mental had a reputation for producing deep Detroit influenced almost minimal Drum & Bass, and the Boddika monica is no different other than these sounds are now built around a predominately House BPM. This may alarm certain Drum & Bass purists, however I would suggest that this should have the opposite effect with stand out moments Soul What, Underground, Electron, Warehouse and Breezin having the potential to appeal to both Boddika and Instra:mental fans alike.

The above mentioned tracks aside, also watch out for his Joy O collaboration Swims. Thanks to the Daily Bugle for alerting us to this one.

Boddika - Underground


Boddika - Electron


Boddika - Soul What


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SebastiAn - Total (Ed Banger)

It would appear that SebastiAn is actually releasing his debut album, which when you consider his two most seminal moments Ross Ross Ross and Walkman came out in 2006 you would probably have to agree that this is long overdue and perhaps a little late when you consider the Ed Banger sound is not as prevalent as it once was.

Timing is often crucial when it comes to successfully releasing music, for example if you look at the great electronic artists who have stood the test of time they were either perceived as innovators of a particular sound such as Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk, Daft Punk or they delivered when the time was right eg Prodigy, Justice, Soulwax, and therefore have remained relevant with subsequent releases. In SebastiAn's defence you could say not everyone becomes a legendary artist (true) however I still believe your debut LP must come when the going is good, look at someone like Fatboy Slim who delivered two great albums during the Big Beat era, had he released 'Rockafellar Skank' and 'Praise You' and then waited 5 years to release 'You've Come a Long Way Baby' I don’t think he would be quite the megastar he is now.

Anyway having said all of that SebastiAn was not without talent and therefore I’m intrigued to hear 'Total' when it is released May 30th on Ed Banger Records, and considering Justice are just about to drop their second album the timing could be perfect.

Check the new single - Embody


Tracklist - Total
01 Hudson River
02 Love in Motion [ft. Mayer Hawthorne]
03 Tough Games
04 Embody
05 Ross Ross Ross
06 Fried
07 Kindercut
08 Water Games
09 Total
10 Jackwire
11 C.T.F.O [ft. M.I.A]
12 Cartoon
13 Arabest
14 Prime
15 Mean Games
16 Tetra
17 Motor
18 Night
19 Yes
20 Bird Game
21 Doggg
22 Frustra

Record Store Day - Must Have Records

Record Store Day was founded in 2007 by a collaboration of US Record Store enthusiasts who wanted to celebrate the unique culture surrounding independently owned record stores. Since 2007 Record Store Day is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of April every year. Each year record stores and musicians from across the globe come together to celebrate music offering exclusive Record Store Day only limited edition releases, one off in store performances and other promotional goodies. The majority of the releases are non-electronic which is disappointing, however there is still plenty to check out.....

Last year I missed out on an exclusive Blur 7" by not getting myself organised and being as they are my all time favourite band I was a little gutted. So if there is an artist who you simple cant live without make sure you get on the Record Store Day website pronto for the full list of exclusive releases and participating stores.



Here's a few things we're tempted by....

Caribou - Swim Remixes 12" (Ltd 1000)
Gorillaz - The Fall 12" (Ltd 2000)
Nirvana - Hormoaning 12" (Ltd 4000)
Pink Floyd 66/67 12" White Vinyl (Ltd 1500)
The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations 10" (Ltd 5000)
The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar 7" (Ltd 5000)
Ed Banger x5 7" featuring Justice / Sebastian / Busy P (Ltd 500)
Toddla T - Cherry Picking 12"
Radiohead - The Butcher & Supercollider 12" (Ltd 2000)

Click here to find a participating record shop near you