Deep Medi...

I've spent much of the day delving into the archives of Mala, DMZ, and Deep Medi Musik. I started digging last week after checking out Mala's interview/lecture for the Red Bull Music Academy. It's amazing what you can do with some Discogs info and a bit of googling.

Out this month on the Deep Medi imprint is Mark Pritchard's Elephant Dub/Heavy As A Stone 12". Heavy As A Stone is stunning, I just had to loop it 3 times in a row to appreciate what's going on in this track. Very essential stuff.



Read what Boomkat have to say on the matter and get your copy here, before it's sold out.

Mala Myspace
DMZ Myspace
Mala Discogs

Oh aye, and the other half of DMZ, Coki, is at The Faversham in Leeds this Friday with Joy Orb and Brackles. Get on down.

Magnetic Man...

If you didn't know, Skream + Benga + Artwork = Magnetic Man.

You might think that the originators and innovators of the dubstep sound would be content to rest on their collective laurels and let a new slew of producers take the mantle, but they are still pushing forward into new territory as The Cyberman EP shows in abundance.

Much attention has been lavished on the title track, but it's Eclipse that captured my attention. What with all the stabbing synths, staccato drums and, of course, a nice bit of wobble, you may need a neck massage after listening. Be warned, this is big.

Magnetic Man - Eclipse (YSI)

Blackdown posted an interview with the guys recently, well worth a read in you're interested in dubstep history.

Buy the EP at Boomkat

George & Caplin get remix'd...

Plastic Sound Supply are a record & art label from Denver, CO, USA, specializing in genre defying experimental electronic music and art.

They're celebrating the release of George & Caplin's 'He Really Got Through to Advertising' remix album with a free MP3, and how could I resist?

This Cacheflow remix from the album is right up my street. The term 'melting pot' may have been coined for just such an occasion, as Cacheflow segues seamlessly from glitchy futurism to dubstep-lite and all the way through to folksy, ambient beats.

Grab it for yourself here (Right-click)

Preview & buy MP3s from the album here

Slam & Groove 4 - Mixed by Optimus Gryme...

This does what it says on the tin, the latest in the Slam & Groove series is a serious heavyweight mix. Get it while you can, Noize Zealand is on the rise!

Featuring 30 tracks of pure Dubstep goodness from some of the world's top producers including Datsik, Chasing Shadows, Excision, Kryptic Minds & Optimus Gryme.

Direct links:

Good Quality (192kbps : Faster Download Time, approx 8 mins)
http://www.mediafire.com/?iejozmzlnit

Best Quality (320 kbps : Medium Download Time, approx 11 mins) http://www.mediafire.com/?mhyiyjmyiyz

Tracklist:

1. DR. ISRAEL - GANGSTA N POLICE
2. DISTANCE - HEADSTRUNG
3. FREELAND - ROCK ON [EMALKAY REMIX]
4. TIKI - TANGAROA VIP [BULLETPROOF REMIX]
5. OPTIMUS GRYME - SING IT TO ME
6. NERO - BAD TRIP [BAR 9 REMIX]
7. CHASING SHADOWS - AMIRAH
8. 12TH PLANET & DATSIK - TEXX MARS
9. STEREO TYPE - SHOCK [NERO REMIX]
10. CHASING SHADOWS - ILL
11. ULTRABLACK - BEAR TRAP [EXCISION REMIX]
12. OPTIMUS GRYME - MEZZANINE [VIP]
13. VASKI - RESONATE
14. DON GOLIATH - NO SOUNDBWOY NO CRY [DZ REMIX]
15. TRUTH - INTERNATIONAL
16. OPTIMUS GRYME & BULLETPROOF - BUNGALORE
17. BULLETPROOF - SAN CROW
18. PLANAS & RUCKSPIN - THE NATURE OF IT
19. SCHEMA - CHUTNEY GRIP
20. BOOT - SPEECHLESS
21. DISTANCE - TRAFFIC [GOTH TRAD REMIX]
22. BREAKAGE - HIGHER
23. ROB SPARX - BLOODBATH
24. EXCISION & THE SUBDIVISION - TITANIUM
25. KRYPTIC MINDS - ONE OF US
26. BLACK SUN EMPIRE - THE INVASION
27. KRYPTIC MINDS - SIX DEGREES
28. SUB SCAPE - NOTHING'S WRONG
29. SUB SCAPE - ARTIFICIAL DREAMER
30. ANNE RANI - FALL [TECH ITCH REMIX]

For more Free Dubstep Mixes go to: http://www.optimusgryme.co.nz/downloads

And check out http://www.nzdubstep.blogspot.com/ for more scene info

Noise Zealand style...

I spent this summer in New Zealand, and between all the skiing and partying managed to dig up a few gems from the local scene.

Optimus Gryme aka Charlie B is the biggest name in the NZ dubstep game right now. I saw him play live at the BASE 10 year party in Wanaka, and was surprised the roof was still on the building by the end of his set.

He released his debut LP back in June, and his Annihilation of the Ego EP is considered one of the best records of the year. If you like your beats heavy, smooth and experimental then this is the guy to check out.

Optimus Gryme - Immortal

Optimus Gryme - A Billy (ft. Billy Fluid)

Buy Optimus Gryme @ Beatport
Grymepace
Check out nzdubstep.com for more info, tour dates and free mixes

Purple Trinity...

I've been listening to a lot of Dubstep this summer, and Joker is one producer who's really caught my ear. Part of the Purple Trinity group with Guido and Gemmy, his bright, technicolour beats are just what the scene needs to revive itself after getting slightly sidetracked into the 'who can make the heaviest bassline' thing. The Purple Trinity's brand of psychedelic dub is much more my thing.

So to catch you up, a mix from each.

Joker - Purple Wow Sound Mix (Z-Share)

Tracklist:
1. Heny g – Delayed Style
2. Silkie – 7-1
3. Joker & Ginz – Purple City
4. Joker – Psychedelic Runway
5. Joker – Gullybrook Plain
6. Joker – Digidesign
7. Guido – Tango 140
8. Gemmy – Espaniola (SOMETHING LIKE THAT )
9. Gemmy – The Box Remix #2
10. Gemmy – BT Tower
11. Gemmy – Back 2 The Future 2012
12. Gemmy – ……
13. Joker – Do it
14. Joker – Early morning
15. Benga – Buzzin’
16. RSD – Naked Mario Kart
17. Skream – Unknown
18. Silkie – Weird Piano
19. Quest – The Unknown
20. Rude kid – Are You Ready (Instrumental)
21. Maniac – Three Crows
22. Joker & Rustie – Play Doe
23. Joker – Untitled

Guido Mini Mix (Save as)

Tracklist:
Guido - Tantalized
Guido, Aarya & Ruthless - Beautiful Complication
Guido - Chakra
Guido - You Do It Right
Guido - Orchestral Lab
Gemmy - Johnny 5
Guido - Mad Sax
Joker - Do It!
Guido - Tango
Joker - Digidesign

Gemmy - Mix for Fact magazine (Sendspace)

Tracklisting:
Jakes - 'Nyabingi'
Rustie - 'Black Block' Remix
Gemmy - 'Purple Moon'
Gemmy - 'Johnny 5'
Kutz - 'Spaceman' VIP
Davinche - 'Jam Hot' Remix
Joker & Ginz - 'Purple City'
Joker - 'Do It'
Gemmy - 'Shanti Riddim'
Gemmy - 'Kodoma'
Gemmy - 'Rusty Tin'
RSD - 'Pretty Bright Light'
Gemmy - 'Bk 2 The Future'

Further reading on the Trinity and Purple sound.

myspace.com/guidoproductions
myspace.com/thejokerproductions
myspace.com/djgemmy

Albums of 2006 - Various Production...

"See you later, I'd hate to see you soon"


Dubstep meets Folk. If that thought puts you off then don't bother with this post, it'll only scare you. Sounds good? Then read on.


The thing is though, that description is far too simplistic for the type of tunes that Various throw out. Grime rythms, haunting, melancholic folk-like vocals, beguiling melodies and a rough edge that takes you to dark places while telling you that 'Everything's going to be OK'.


While it's taken Portishead 8 years to come up with a follow-up to their self-titled second album, Various have snuck in there and produced some of the most vital 7" and 12" records of recent times and still nobody really knows who they are. Media-shy almost to the point of arrogance, this collective, led by two producers with a smorgasboard of vocalists in tow, are not to be slept on. Their debut album 'The World Is Gone' is at times beautiful, menacing, driving and at all times, wholly indispensable. Buy.



Various - Deadman
Various - Hater
Various - Sir