20
Jul
10

sixtieth post


Off the new, 4th dubstoned EP, “Kopf” is essentially a triptych. The first part is classic acid machinery laid atop a minimal garage riddim. At 1:45, however, the claustrophobic swirling squelches go subterranean in preparation for shimmering, expansive synth chords that float, for a minute plus, nicely over that same percussion. At 3 minutes the acid and chromatic aspects are both brought to the foreground, blending the first two stages. I think this track has such a beautiful progression, albeit modest in its aims, that it works even without some of the more exploratory rhythm editing you come to expect from a solid Funcken bros. track.

Funckarma – Kopf

22
Jun
10

fifty-ninth post


We recently came across this old Modeselektor track from a hard to find ’05 DVD titled ‘Labland’, which they produced with the design collective Pfadfinderei. There’s also a music video with dancing tractors, lawnmowers, and random graphics. Once again, the Berlin boys bring us crunchy beats alongside haunting minor chords, a combination which can only inspire introspective dance.

Modeselektor – Grass Grows Greener

15
Jun
10

fifty-eighth post

This delicious Machine Drum track has been my earworm as of late. That solid beat running parallel to the searching synth probe till they’re met by Nami’s intoxicating vocals. A potent undulating tincture that finds you in a state of despair, but leaves you dancing. We eagerly await more sounds from this Brooklyn producer.

Machine Drum – Roll & Feel (feat. Nami Unreal)

02
Jun
10

fifty-seventh post


A free catchy Siriusmo remix of the Berlin trio, Bodi Bill. This group has been making waves with their unique blend of indie, dub step, and electronic. Watch for their new album, Two In One, on June 7th.

Bodi Bill – Tip Toe Walk (Siriusmo Remix)

21
May
10

fifty-sixth post


Glitchy ambient ear candy from producer, Mike Slott. This guy is all business.

Mike Slott – 40 Winx

05
May
10

fifty-fifth post

Here’s a feisty number off Ratatat’s upcoming album, LP4, set to release on June 8th. The boys employ a toolbox of samples including strings, spoken word, and what sounds like a vocal bassline turned inside out(0:19). It’s the steadfast Ratatat formula wearing more relaxed fit Levis and drunk on space gas.

Ratatat – Neckbrace

27
Apr
10

fifty-fourth post

Drew Daniels is something of a bad ass. He is one half of Matmos. He is also a professor of English at Johns Hopkins.  And, after being challenged by Matthew Herbert to make a house record, he released “Do You Party?” in 2002.  This album has held up unbelievably well, I think, as a dance record.  The collage and found-sound techniques so expertly explored by Matmos are here channeled into extremely quirky, but deeply funky, house cuts. “Everybody’s Soft”, the intro track, has one of those funk synth lines that, when it drops at 0:55, plants a sneer on your face and a hop in your two-step.  The heavily layered cut-and-paste makes for some engaging, emotive (even house-y) tangents, but the track never loses sight of that groove.  On top of all that (or should I say, beneath it all), the minimalist glitchy percussion has a refinement and a stereo sculpture that sounds great after almost ten years. Yikes. Get that sneer ready when rollin’ this out.

The Soft Pink Truth – Everybody’s Soft

20
Apr
10

fifty-third post


If you like Flying Lotus or dubby Darkstar, then you should enjoy this LA diddy from Free the Robots. The short-lived jazz keys in the first half offer a nice contemplative respite from the wonky beat. Overall it’s a fitting theme song for a pan-asian hemp disco bar in the future.

Free the Robots – Jupiter

09
Apr
10

fifty-second post

Roel Funcken, one half of Funckarma, just released a new album.  It’s good.  This track is in line with some of the Dubstoned EP work from the past two years — only Funcken brings the baroque, chromatic aspects to the forefront on this track.  Yeah, some of you out there might be tired of the dubstep bpm these days. But I think it’s hard not to enjoy the swirling candy coating of the synth lines here….

Roel Funcken – Vertox Dreaming

09
Apr
10

fifty-first post


A taste from the electronic music pioneer, Gary Numan. This track is off a 2009 re-mastering of his solo debut album, ‘The Pleasure Principle’. I remember listening to the song ‘Cars’ as a child and thinking the synthesizer sounds were from the future. So, remember your roots, break out the black eye liner, and have a happy Friday.

Gary Numan-Airlane (Remastered 2009)