While we’re on with the DnB I might as well get to these gems. They’ve been on the blogs for a minute already, so you probably already got them from somewhere else but if you haven’t then make sure to copp a feel right now.
LE CASTLE VANIA has been a favourite of mine (does anyone really have favourites anymore) since his remix of “Black Eyes” two years ago. This colab with COMPUTER CLUB however takes, uh, my breath away. Really. I couldn’t wait to get home and play this number – again!. You should do the same, but remember, it’s roots. The track below is originally a Renegade Hardware release from KONFLICT.
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While we’re in the jungle (bad joke I’m sorry) here’s one courtesy of MISSING TOOF who reports that Dylan (AKA Le Castle Vania) produced drum n bass under the moniker Messiah-1. Neato.
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PENDULUM formed in their home-town of Perth (Western Australia) in 2002, when producers Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen teamed up with DJ Paul ‘Elhornet’ Harding. While their individual formative roots ranged from producing drum & bass, breakbeat and hardcore – to playing in metal and punk bands – their comparable talents proved an unstoppable force when they managed to conquer the world of drum & bass in their first 12 months together.
For the last 12 months PENDULUM have retreated to the depths of the underground to work on their second album, and kraft their knob twiddling into live performances. They found that relying only on electronics left something to be desired so they fetched their guitars and combined them with their drum machines and sequencers to produce what some call “an electronic Led Zeppelin,” or “a crunked up Soundgarden.”
Catch the original version of Pendulum’s first single “Propane Nightmare” in the video below.
Here’s also a stellar remix from VIP.
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1 Boston, MA Middle East
3 Chicago, IL House of Blues
4 Toronto, ONT Kool Haus
5 Detroit, MI I Rock
7 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
9 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
11 Salt Lake City, UT Murray Theatre
13 Los Angeles, CA The Mayan
14 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
18 Mexico City, MEX Motorkr Festival
19 Guadalajara, MEX Motorkr Festival
22 Atlanta, GA The Loft
24 Baltimore, MD Ottobar
25 New York, NY Webster Hall
26 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
I was thinking the other day that there haven’t been many mashups on Manalogue in a while. The thought must have strired cosmic magic into the wind because this morning I received love from LOS BPMS.
Los BPMS are made up of Blaz Gallegos and Paris Wang, two guys who’ve been featured on MASHUPTOWN a few times (I think). Their bootlegs below all showcase their roots, perhaps, with a tonne of old-timey vibe that makes me smile. I love hearing tunes from my youth! Why just the other day I was telling my wife about Rotterdam techno. She didn’t care but I felt important explaining it to her anyway.
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I feel like I’m suffering a little from A.D.D. or something. There’s always so much to do and so little time to do it. With some massive changes coming in the Manalogue family it’s impossible to focus on anything for long before something else pulls my attention away. (There’s a bit of a hint there as to what’s going on. Here’s another: it’s biological but not at all related to the blog.) Yer not here for personal quagmires – yer here for beats so on with it shall we.
Here are two remixes of a track from songwriter, DJ and Babyshambles drummer Adam Ficek, the mastermind behind wistful Anglo-pop wunderkinds ROSES, KINGS, CASTLES. The track “Entroubled,” by its authors own admission, is a quirky little summer alcopop of a song certain to wrap listeners around its nimble fingers. On its own, the original isn’t Manalogue material however the remixes come from both BOY+GIRL and GEEK CHIC SOUNDSYSTEM, both fittingly transforming the track for the dancelfoor.
“Entroubled” is being released via Mr Ficeks own label, The Sycamore Club, which takes its name from the community centre of the council estate that he grew up on in Bletchley, Milton Keynes. You could go there on Friday night to meet girls or Saturday morning to fight boys.
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The superstar, in demand, duo from Toronto are touring and they hit the fair city of Winnipeg Saturday, October 4 and I can’t wait. The last time MSTRKRFT were here they were on a tour for Trojan Condoms and it seemed like no one knew who they were considering the venue was barely half full. This time around I expect things to be a bit different. For one, I think the show’s nearly sold out already.
Also, Vancouver’s producer and remixer FELIX CARTAL provides support, along side local jock Dougie B. It should be a evening of maximalism and aural destruction transposed into a sweaty mess.
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I don’t know much about METERHEAD other than he/she/they know how to bring it. I’m assuming from the brief message accompanying the latest EP, there’s more than one individual behind the act. The only other info available on their myspace says METERHEAD are from Los Angeles – so if you’re in the area keep your eyes (and more importantly your ears!) peeled for any bills because everything I’ve heard from this act is solid. They received love from blogs for a minute already and it seems like the true identity’s being kept a secret. Who knows, maybe someone famous churns out these sample-based menacing beats. Maybe not. Whatever. It’s hot.
Like not knowing who’s behind the digital mask though, it’s frustrating not being able to pinpoint the source of the samples that are used as well. There might be some Public Enemy in “Escalator” and I’d bet both the guitar and vocal sample in “Let It Go” comes from AC/DC. Really though – I don’t have a clue. “Newness” however is all Jay-Z. Werd.
As you can see from the image above and the animated gif below, METERHEAD know a thing or two about eye-catching artwork as well. Very much appreciated.
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I don’t really watch much television but while spending some quality time with my wife watching our favourite show,HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, I caught the tail end of a Cadillac commercial and nearly flipped when I heard the opening track to Cross.
This wasn’t the commercial – the one I saw was for a hybrid Escalade and I guess because the original spot in this series aired during the Superbowl, millions of people already heard/saw what I didn’t.
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This Brooklyn duo have graced the pages of Manalogue a few times and for good reason – they turn out quality production. Their bootlegs and remixes have made it onto my years best lists and Mark announced yesterday that they’ve signed a mini deal with RCRD LBL. Congratulations boys! Their first single “NY Sound” is an exclusive on the site, although if you’ll remember, last January the fidgity robotdisco number appeared on Manalogue’s previous blogspot domain.
STREETLAB have also dropped a few remixes recently. You can copp them below.
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John Legend’s new album, Evolver, is due for release shortly and features collaborations with Estelle, Will.I.Am, Kanye West and Andre 3000 who appears on the first single “Greenlight”.
A small disclaimer first: my foray into “pop” music is fairly recent, beginning with an pomo (postmodern) exploration of mashups, bastard pop, bootlegs and remixes. I held a general disdain for rnb chart toppers so I feel slightly uncomfortable with myself listening, liking and posting this kind of material. My tastes, like everyone’s, are subjective. However, as pop culture evolves from the amalgamation of so many different styles I have to wonder if my ears have done the same, or is it that over the years have my purist ideals have become diluted.
The newest single from JOHN LEGEND (aka John Stephens) is a perfect example. Simply put, “Green Light” sounds good with ts light flanged filters and Andre 3000’s rhythmic toasting (“let’s hop a cab and split it / I’m kiddin’ / we both goin to where you livin”) over soft bed of beats.
John Legend feat Andre 3000 – Greenlight (Radio edit)
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I do admit that the association with TOM NEVILLE provided a much greater incentive for me to give this track a chance. Neville’s remix tears the original apart and transforms it into an electro house stomper. Aside from the vocals, I hear very few similarities between the two tracks. Using a small vocal sample he adds huge progression, building it into what should be a club hit with a dripping wet bassline and subtle acid-like modulation.
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John Legend feat Andre 3000 – Greenlight (Tom Neville remix)
SANDY RIVERA delivers a smooth 4/4 and ample groove to the rnb number, tweaking it into a stellar house tune. It’s astonishing to hear the borrowed arrangements transformed into an entirely new track – one fit for summer full of sunshine and happiness. Running at nearly seven and a half minutes this one’s quite deep and progressive, but without the void-filled breakdowns that could kill a mix.
John Legend feat Andre 3000 – Greenlight (Sandy Rivera’s KOT remix)
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Here’s a new one from Budapest. WE PLANTS ARE HAPPY PLANTS haven’t given me much info about themselves so all I can gather is from their myspace page. Just when you thought you’ve heard enough of them this tune is another maximal grinder full of chainsaw synth work ready to devour any dancefloor. ROAR!
