Sent in by Simon, this proves that there are perfect guys out there.
Oh Diplo. Why are you so hot?

Two cuts…

The first comes from Prefuse 73’s ‘Piano Overlord‘ project.

• Electric Manatee (Diplo remix) – mp3 here

The second comes from the Ragga Twins

• Iron Lady – mp3 here

Anyway, I shall carry on. I thought it’d be wise to split the posts up as there’s a lot to cover and WordPress’s formatting system/Firefox/Mac OS X can’t seem to handle me typing too much. Let’s get on with this.

Everyone in the electro world seems to be teaming up and making epic tunes that you can’t help but nod your head to. For example, Diplo and Laidback Luke, and Crookers with Congorock, and then we have LEE MORTIMER and FOAMO. I saw the former last weekend, and I’ve gotta say, he was much better than the headliner (Fake Blood – who, if you’ve ever read this blog before, asked me to take a track down, spoilsport!) and Foamo has grown up and made some good music, much like Boy 8-Bit did too. Anyway just listen to it you’re probably not reading this anyway haha:

“It’s Going Down” – Lee Mortimer & Foamo (zshare)

Oh yeah, and A1 BASSLINE has a new track and it ain’t bad. I found out recently that he was half of Partyshank, which kinda makes sense considering his first solo stuff, but he’s changed a lot. A little birdy tells me he’s a bit of a prick, but hey, he still makes good tunes.

“8oh8″ – A1 Bassline (zshare)

Yeh so this next track is SIIICK! Cannae remember where I found it, but it’s pretty effin wrecky. It’s by some guy called BILL EFF. According to my minimal research he has been involved with the aforementioned Lee Mortimer – just gonna say, from where I stand right now, that guy seems like a saint. Until I meet him, I’m gonna stand by that. Anyway, this stuff is quite blow-your-hat-off heavy so be prepared Scouts:

“Baby Baby” – Bill Eff (zshare)

HARVARD BASS are pretty sweet. I’ve heard his mixes and stuff pop up all over the shop. I noticed his stuff in the Buraka Som Sistema Fabriclive tracklisting (BUYBUYBUYBUYBUY!!!), which looks incredible by the way (on my Christmas list fo sho), and I dunno, it’s pretty bangin’ stuff from the States. Good club music. Try this for size…oh yeah, is it me or does he look oddly like a dark-haired Diplo? Maybe they’re related?

“The Whole Sh’bang” (Harvard Bass Remix) – Mom & Dad (zshare)

And just to jump back a bit, and calm it down to a nice mellow pace, I’m back with a last bit of dubstep (please don’t groan). JSAXTON has come to my attention as one to watch out for. As far as I know it’s some 16 year old kid from Leeds, which is pretty, no wait, VERY astounding. I should go up there sometime, see what they’re feeding them, but last time I checked, I’m scared of the North, and they’re scared of me…this is my favourite edit this lad has done (I think it’s a lad?):

“Who’s Afraid Of Detroit?” (JSaxton’s Scared Remix) – Claude VonStroke (zshare)

Labl’d – Weight of an Empty Room

Tracklist:
Joy Orbison- Hyph Mngo
Simian Mobile Disco- Cruel Intentions (Joker Remix)
Havocndeed feat. Theresa Joy- Vindicta
NastyNasty- No Names
B. Rich feat. Reese- Make Me Dance (J. Rabbit Remix)
Emalkay- When I Look At You
Daedelus- For Withered Friends (Mumdance & High Rankin Remix)
Buraka Som Sistema- Restless
Little Boots- Remedy (A1 Bassline Remix)
Crystal Fighters- Xtatic Truth (L-Vis 1990 Remix)
Afrojack- Hard Love
Sticky & Natalie Storm- Look Pon Me
Max Morrel- Girls Meltdown
Lykke Li- Dance Dance Dance (Buraka Som Sistema Remix)
Dances With White Girls- And How We Live
Wolfmother- New Moon Rising (Riton Vocal Rub)
Congorock- Exodus (Malente Remix)
Diplo & Blaqstar- Get Off (Jack Beats Remix)
Amanda Blank- Might Like You Better (NROTB Remix)
Kid Sister- Right Hand Hi (Kill The Noise Remix)
Djedjotronic- Dirty & Hard
Boy 8-Bit- The Cricket Scores

GDD homie SPINSTYLES is back at it again with dubby renditions of two tracks that have murdered club goers for a couple months now. Get amongst it.

Laidback Luke & Diplo – HEY! (Spinstyles Remix)

Chuckie – Moombah (Spinstyles Remix)

Keep It Goin’ Louder is the third single from Major Lazer’s awesome album Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazer Do. The original feature Ricky Blaze & Nina Sky. In this remix by Lazer’s own Diplo, he left out the entire Ricky Blaze vocal and keep only Nina Sky’s part. In some part, this track reminds me so much to Olive’s classic tune You’re Not Alone. Nonetheless, it’s a good and worthwhile remix.

Major Lazer myspace
Nina Sky myspace

Music:
Major Lazer ft. Nina Sky – Keep It Goin’ Louder (Diplo remix)

Jon Curtis is spraying out decent dance vibes at a rapid rate. Milk Teeth got a proper hard-on over his earlier track ‘Driven’ last month, and the next slice ‘Pull Up’ has us bubbling at a heavy level.

If I was hosting a UK hyper-dance X Factor ( firstly I would be Simon cause no other fucker matters) I’d fix stuff to make sure Curtis was in my group (just like Simon does) give him the best venues, the best equipment, and watch the audience bounce like silly-putty when he kicks off a set with ‘Pull Up’. The phonelines would be bringing off the hook. There’s an element of 2010 relevance to these sounds, stuff we know is happening and that is bound to explode a whole lot bigger: uk funky breaking prime time slots, soca influencing commercial sounds, reggae basics being pummelled by harsh basslines and fractured samples – there’s a whole lot to come.

Anyway, at some point in this story Curtis switches on some Jedward Skank  and comes second after Stacey – who can beat a donkey in a dress afterall.

And, erm Diplo, we wanna hear this TONIGHT!

Jon Curtis – Pull Up (yousendit mp3)

Jon Curtis – Pull Up (zshare mp3)

You have to follow Jon on Twitter @joncurtis – he’s such a precious cunt he makes my cold bitter heart look like a carebear.

I miss the Gorillaz.

They changed the whole music scene for me when I was still in high school. I hadn’t heard of anything quite like that before and they introduced me to possibly my favorite producer now Dan the Automator. And I’m a huge advocate of both cartoons and genre-bending so they seemed like a band tailor made for me.

It was four years between the release of their debut and sophomore albums, which would have put them on pace for another album in 2009, but as the year draws to a close it’s clear we won’t see it before the 31st of December comes around. At first there were reports we’d never see another Gorillaz album. Then reports that another one was on the way with newly designed characters (I’m a big fan of the existing designs). Then there were some underwhelming leaked demos, and some reports of guests as varied as Snoop Dogg and Barry Gibb, and a title: Plastic Beach. No news of a release date however, and more importantly no news of a producer.

In the virtual band’s short history, they have cornered the market on picking my new favorite producer. In 2001 they introduced me to Dan the Automator, of Deltron 3030, Dr. Octagon, Peeping Tom, Lovage and Handsome Boy Modeling School. All projects of sheer unadulterated brilliance. He immediately became my favorite producer. In 2005 they introduced me to the architect of the Grey Album, Danger Mouse, who went on to create the stupidly dope duos Gnarls Barkley and Dangerdoom, which composed my life’s soundtrack for the next few years. With no news of a new producer for “Plastic Beach” or whatever the new album will eventually be titled, I’ve decided to try and anticipate the band’s pick for a new album, and therefore create a sort of self fulfilling prophecy for who my new favorite producer will be (the Automator may still have it all-time though).

There are a few pre-requisites it seems to being the next Gorillaz producer, that hopefully I can use to predict the new producer.

1) They need to have started as a DJ.

2) They must have a basis in hip hop production.

3) They must be comfortable working in multiple genres.

4) They must be an up-and-comer in the music industry.

And most importantly…

5) Their name must start with a D.

For some reason the Gorillaz seem to employ a number of personnel who’s names begin with the letter D, including their only two producers to date. Also the Gorillaz founder is named Damon Albarn, and their in house rapper for their first album was Del the Funky Homosapien. On their second album Demon Days, without Del to rap they brought in De La Soul and DOOM. Also randomly, Dennis Hopper is on a track. I think I’ve made my point.

So what follows is my list of candidates for the new Gorillaz producer:

Damon Albarn

He’s been the brains behind the outfit since the beginning, and while he’s not a DJ or a hip hop producer, he has to have picked up some game from the first two albums while working with some of the mad geniuses of hip hop. And since no producer has been announced, who did those first leaked tracks (sure as hell wasn’t Gorillaz artist Jamie Hewlett, who’s seen Tank Girl)? If Damon does in fact produce the new album, expect a lot of old Blur joints to start popping up on this blog.

Dub L

No faster way to look stupid than to tattoo your own name on yourself.

The small amount of material I’ve heard from this man, is still some of my favorite music period. His collaborations with my second favorite rapper Aesop Rock are brillaint (Shere Khan is one of my favorite songs ever) and his work with Ann Colville as the Controls proves he can work outside rap if not necessarily hip hop. Still, he’s very downtempo and I don’t know he has the versatility to pull off a Gorillaz record plus calling him an up and comer is a stretch, he’s seemed to remain in obscurity for years and I don’t think he’ll be coming out anytime soon.

Dabrye

Another niche producer who has quite an underground reputation and not much of one elsewhere. Just the kind of producer Gorillaz love to pull from obscurity. However Dabrye is an IDM (Intelligent Dance Music – the worst named music genre since alternative) artist, and although he produces for mostly rappers (including Gorillaz alumnus DOOM on “Air”) his sound remains clearly in that electronic vibe. Also, like Dub-L, he’d need to pick it up to give Gorillaz those left field dance hits they’re become known for.

Daft Punk

Doesn't this picture make it look like they really walk around like this...

Daft Punk at this point are more than up and comers. They’re an established solo act, and are too established to step backwards and do a Gorillaz album. And although they’re basically DJs, they’re very clearly electronic house, and rarely deviate from that, with few ventures into hip hop or alternative rock. But seriously, how dope would a Daft Punk Gorillaz album be? Come on. Fuckin’ redefine dance music, that’s how dope.

The Dust Brothers

Appointing the Dust Brothers wouldn’t really be recognizing an up and comer, but more like a rescue from irrelevance. The once legendary architects behind the Beastie Boys’ “Paul’s Boutique” have laid pretty low in recen years. They’ve handled a number of Beck albums, none of which have really caught the fire they captured with Odelay (Beck went with post-Gorillaz Danger Mouse for his latest effort). That said they’re versatile enough (did you now they produced Mmm…Bop?) hip hop enough, and definitely ill enough. They’d almost be a shoo-in if they weren’t so old.

Dr. Dre

What? Dr. Dre can do anything.

DJ Shadow

He's already been Gorillazified...

My personal choice for the new Gorillaz album for years, the godfather of instrumental hip hop, is big enough to be a huge get for a new Gorillaz album without overpowering the Gorillaz name. Most people gettin’ busy to the next Feel Good Inc. may have heard of DJ Shadow, but won’t be familiar with his work. Plus DJ Shadow has worked on Gorillaz-esque projects before with the first UNKLE album (pure dope). And DJ Shadow could use a rebound after the disappointing solo hyphy effort The Outsider. That said as INCREDIBLY BRILLIANT AND DOPE as a DJ Shadow Gorillaz album would be, it would also be the most depressing Gorillaz album to date. Shadow CAN make upbeat music, as shown by the Outsider, but it’s not his strength, as shown by the Outsider. So although I think DJ Shadow would make the best Gorillaz album, I think there is a better choice for producer…

Diplo

Diplo is that shit. And it’s not just ’cause I live in Philly, he’s that shit. He’s a DJ, with a hip hop basis, whose worked in different genres and he is the definition of up and coming. He is absolutely perfect for the new Gorillaz album.

One of the masterminds of the electro Hip Hop movement coming out of Philly and Baltimore, Diplo is coming off the success of producing M.I.A.’s Paper Planes (nominated for record of the year at the Grammys) as well as producing for Santigold and Amanda Blank and and being half of another animated character based band Major Lazer.  He’s got his hand in careers of a bunch of hipster hip hop acts that are about to pop as that trend heads closer and closer into the mainstream. And he’s good. Plus his Philly sound will give the Gorillaz another influence after going with Bay area funk in Dan the Automator, and Atlanta soul in Danger Mouse. Diplo can do the dance shit easy, but he can do the alternative shit too. He’s the go to guy.

But obviously, none of these guys are going to be the new producer. Why? Well mostly because this list was basically compiled based on how many producers could I think of who’s names started with a D. Secondly because the Gorillaz always pick a producer that I don’t know of, and I then discover through them. I’m pretty familiar with everyone on this list.

So Gorillaz… who’s it gonna be?

Watch it be Dre Day…

I have a soft spot for Nina Skyy. I don’t love their new look but they are fire.
Vid is majorly cracked, but in a good way.

Diplo does it. Directed by Eric Wareheim (of Tim and Eric.)

MAJOR LAZER ALWAYS GETS DOWN WIT IT!!!! DIPLO IS A BEAST AND NINA SKY KILLS IT LIKE ALWAYS!!! CHECK THIS FUNNY, CREATIVE AND COOL VIDEO FOR YOUR HUNGRY EARDRUMS!!!! ENJOY!!!!

Posted for the video more than anything – its class
Dont get me wrong its a catchy little tune but you have to wonder why they bothered with the “lyrics”.
one more thing Major Lazer is Diplo and Switch. Switch? this Switch?

Answers on a postcard

Here is the video for Major Lazer’s “Keep it Going Louder,” the exceptionally popular dancehall track that’s only getting bigger. This brings me right back to summer, mojitos, LA beaches, Benjamin Franklin…I mean, what? I will do a Major Lazer post soon because they (it’s Diplo and Switch, people) are the shit but for now, watch and feel slightly uncomfortable with the video directed by Eric Wareheim. I’d imagine this is probably what you’d see if you did hallucinogens in a club in South Beach. Spring Break anyone?

Пройдемся по списку.
The Prodigy – Mescaline: сложная для The Prodigy получилась микстура из Music For The Jilted Generation и Invaders Must Die. Мелодии последнего и непомерный для Invaders Must Die грув второго номерного альбома. Мощный боевик, но, повторюсь, для танцпола, по моему, слишком сложен.
Headhunter – Prototype (Modeselektor’s Broken Handbrake Remix): этот трек же наоборот достаточно прост, но как захватывает дух. Чувствуется в нем этакий транс 90-х. Modeselektor сделал несвойственный для него дабстеп ремикс, очень глубокий и техничный.
Plan B – Rakin’ The Dead: прелесть, а не хип-хоп. Plan B в этом году явно в фаворитах. то у Chase & Status, то у Pendulum. Забавный, очень качественный трек. Немного ускорить, добавить ударных и на танцпол.
Tom Stephan – Turn That Shit Up (Diplo Remix): Diplo оседлал любимую лошадку, сделав ремикс на “самого себя” = Pon Di Floor + Jump Up. Но и при этом чувство грува ему не изменило. Сонм трендов последних 6 месяцев, вроде и точку уже ставить пора.
Crystal Fighters – I Love London (80kidz Remix): совсем не оценил поначалу я этот ремикс на один из моих любимых треков, только раза с третьего увидел в нем потенциал, мелодику Thin White Duke и фирменный звук Foamo.
Delphic – Doubt (Riton Vox Remix): ремиксы Riton в этом сезоне принято любить, хоть и ничем не примечателен этот, а радует слух.
Annie – Antonio (Designer Drugs Remix): Designer Drugs ремикс за ремиксом создают мощные басовые линии вкупе с отличными мелодиями.

The Prodigy – Mescaline (alt)
Headhunter – Prototype (Modeselektor’s Broken Handbrake Remix) (alt)
Plan B – Rakin’ The Dead (alt)
Tom Stephan – Turn That Shit Up (Diplo Remix) (alt)
Crystal Fighters – I Love London (80kidz Remix) (alt)
Delphic – Doubt (Riton Vox Remix) (alt)
Annie – Antonio (Designer Drugs Remix) (alt)
Kidda – Strong erTogeth (Heavyfeet Remix) (alt)
Moby – One Time We Lived (Hijacks One Time Remix) (alt)
OH SNAP!! – I Ain’t VIP (alt)
Sia – You’ve Changed (alt)
Tiesto – Kaleidoscope (Feat. Jonsi) (High Contrast Remix) (alt)
Bloc Party – Where is Home? (Burial Remix) (alt)
DJ Fresh – Hypercaine (Nero Dubstep Mix) (alt)

COM.PILE#14: The Prodigy, Riton, Modeselektor, Diplo (zip)

The video is different from most, not a terrible different, more of a unique different.

Its Sick, Statement, Beautiful, Weird and Diplo.

All these years, I had no idea that Diplo was white, hot and hot.

HD version:

Major Lazer “Keep it Going Louder” from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Thanks to Chris for giving me a heads up. Now Nina Sky has been in my head for three days straight.

This has been so long overdue it’s not even funny. This mixtape was probably made a few months ago with a few tweaks here and there…and I wanted to make more changes as every week brings new music and would work so well in this mixtape but alas, no more procrastination! <Clear the Runway> is pretty awesome. Not gonna lie. It has a some songs from my previous mixtape but no worries, it remains Awesome. Perfect for the weekend. Body movin’ body movin’ we be gettin’ down and you know we’re crush groovin’.

Download: Mixtape – Clear the Runway

Track list:

01 Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa – Car Service

02 Drake – Best I Ever Had

Y’all know my obsession for Drake. Seriously if his mixtapes So Far Gone and Property of October didn’t already leave you completely satisfied, as well as the “Forever” track featuring Eminem, Lil’ Wayne, and Kanye, well, you need to get your priorities straight! This boy is seriously blowing up! Not even an album and already he’s got a Grammy nomination. Watch out for some crazy Drake mania in the two zero one oh. This is his best song.  Hands down.

03 Spank Rock – Loose

Off the Bangers and Cash EP. So dirty it’s right. COP IT NOW!

04 Trouble Andrew ft. Diplo – Run, Hide

Not the biggest fan of Trouble Andrews, but this song is pretty sick.

05 Modeselektor ft. TTC – 2000007

Aaaaah my favorite German electronic artists. WHy oh WHYYY aren’t they more well known. It makes me angry. Yet at the same time I’m happy that I have them all to myself…well and a few others. They’ve already released two albums, Happy Birthday and Hello Mom which are ridiculously amazing and seriously unrecognized. They are amazing live. I can’t wait to hear a new album, which is hopefully in the works?

06 Moderat – A New Error

Modeselektor + Apparat. In case you didn’t know. Two huge German powerhouse electronic artists come together and made easily one of the best albums this year, self-titled Moderat. Electronic music, though rising, is continually under-represented! Errrrrbody is all up Indie’s ass with the St. Vincent, Dirty Projectors, and Animal Collective. Sure these albums are great (they really are). But electronic music in the decades and end of year lists are seriously on the back burner. Shit. Moderat is easily in the tops in the decade and end of year for me.

07 Paskal – Sweet Settings (Original Mix)

08 Siriusmo – Nights Off

Download: Mixtape – Clear the Runway

09 TMDP – Running

10 Steve Angello and Eric Prydz – Woz Not Woz (Norman Doray & Arno Cost Remix)

11 DatA – One in a  Million

12 Ducksauce – aNYway

13 Basement Jaxx ft. Lightspeed Champion – My Turn

14 Miami Horror – Make You Mine (Fred Falke Remix)

15 Rustie – Zig-Zag

Electronic artist from G…lasgow! This is off the Body Language Vol. 8 compilation. Short and sweet.

16 Vitalic – Second Lives

17 Trickform – Grain Plek

18 Misteur Valaire – Astronef (SP4 Lovers)

19 Cougarettes – Ego Head

20 Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy

No words can describe how STOKED I am for the upcoming Massive Attack’s Heligoland to be released next year. Splitting the Atom EP was released late this year. It is a short taste of what’s to come and I think it’s pretty sweet. I must admit it’s defs not along the lines of Blue Lines or Mezzanine but it’s freakin’ MASSIVE ATTACK! It will be awesome regardless. This is one of my favorite songs of MA. Enjoy!

21 Craig Armstrong ft. Elzabeth Fraser – This Love

Download: Mixtape – Clear the Runway

I love Diplo’s selection of songs to remix; the finished products are always impressive.

Circles (Diplo Remix) – As Tall As Lions
Reckoner (Diplo Remix) – Radiohead
The Perfect Crime #2 (Diplo’s Doing Time Remix) – The Decemberists
Helicopter (Diplo Remix) – Bloc Party
Shake a Fist (Diplo’s Noise of Art Remix) – Hot Chip

First published 23rd May 2009

Apparently Major Lazer is a Jamaican commando who lost his arm in the secret Zombie War of 1984. The US military rescued him and repurposed experimental lazers as prosthetic limbs. Since then, Major Lazer has been a hired renegade soldier for a rogue government operating in secrecy under the watch of MI5 and the CIA.

So, there’s a renegade commando with a lazer arm and a rocket powered skateboard who fights the spoils of vampires, zombies, pimps, mummies and other unsavory forces of evil, and judging by his myspace he also makes some of the sickest dancehall and electronica around. So far, so very early morning weekend cartoons.

On closer inspection it seems that Major Lazer is the moniker for Diplo and Switch’s new side project. It looks like Mad Decent are set to do for dancehall what they’ve already done for baille funk. The album, ‘Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazer’s Do’, released next month, was recorded at the legendary Tuff Gong studios in Jamaica, and features a plethora of guest appearences from the likes of Santigold, Mr Vegas, Crookers and my personal favourite Turbulence, amongst others.

Below are links to an album mix by Diplo, sort of a 5 minute run through of everything we have to look forward to, and also the remix of lead single ‘Hold The Line’ by Dave Kelly (found on the fantastic Mad Decent blog), personally I can’t wait, all of the artwork and the story concept is very reminiscent of the dub albums released by The Scientist in the 80’s, while the tunes heard so far, are exactly what you would expect from a collaboration between Switch and Diplo; plenty of beeps, blips and beats, but with some of the most exciting talent from around the world on the microphone. June 16th can’t come quick enough.

EDIT: The album’s out and it’s as sick as could’ve been expected, get on it here.

Major Lazer – Lazer Boom 1 (Diplo Album Mix) (Mediafire)Major Lazer – Call Me (Dave Kelly’s Hold The Line Remix) (Mediafire)

First published  24th May 2009

This was super tast. It felt like a village, or a boutique festival, with a huge sense of community. No mean feat for a one night event! It would be impossible for me to report on everything that went on, so I’ll stick (obviously) to what i saw.

First up in the live room were Shake Aletti who did nothing to dispel any comparisons to Chromeo with their Sheffield take on P-Funk. Next up were Scarlet Harlots who delivered a home coming show worthy of a returning champion.

Into the main room; a superbly transformed pool area, Boy 8 Bit and Fake Blood warmed up for what in all fairness was the main event; the Birmingham debut of Diplo. Those in the tent were taken on a musical journey through hip hop, dancehall, electro, dub step and just about everything else, all accompanied by the captivating Mad Decent visuals which were on top form all night.

With all the furor surrounding Digbeth at the moment, and the potential troubles facing the Rainbow and the ramifications this could have on the music scene in the area, the 23rd of May was an ideal advert for the positive effect of these club nights as people from all walks of life came together in pursuit of pleasure in superb surroundings.

Yesterday evening I was watching Live at the rehearsal Studio and I was reminded as to why I love Canadian starlet, Leslie Feist. Her soulful voice is a throw-back to lost times, which pays homage to many great voices of the 40s and 50s, like Edith Piaf. While she embraces the past, Feist effortlessly storms into the future as she incorporates electronic sounds into her music for our modern musings, which is why her tunes might have become an instrument of remixery by many masters’ of the art, like Diplo, Boys Noize, LifeLike, Van She Tech and fellow Canadian electro pop duo, Chromeo.

Feist – My Moon, My Man
Feist – 1234 (Vanshe Tech Rmx)
Feist – I Feel it All (Diplo Rmx)

So, Major Lazer’s latest offering from the album ‘Guns don’t kill people Lazers do‘ has arrived, and I’ll be honest… I’m not really feeling the song. I mean you gotta admit, it’s no ‘Pon De Floor’?. But the video is amazing! Directed by Eric Wareheim and featuring Nina Sky, Ricky Blaze and four of the ugliest girls to appear in a music video since Windowlicker. It has to be seen to be believed. Check it out!

Knockturnal