Happy Holidays! I couldn't resist..the Carlton song + dance

Holiday Party - Pretty Lights, Gramatik, SuperVision, Mos Dub, Mr Scruff

I recently DJ'd my MBA program's "Ugly Sweater" holiday party and was really excited to introduce my friends to my DJ and music style. Here's a small but representative selection of tracks I included in my set. Enjoy! Gramatik - Beatz&Pieces Vol. 1 by Gramatik Mr Scruff "Music Takes Me Up" (feat. Alice Russell) by Mr Scruff Time Has Written by ThatSuperVision Pretty Lights - Fill Your Eyes by prettylights Mos Dub by Max Tannone

The Two.Fifteens - Wavy Life

Sword Inspired: Kaleidoscope Jukebox + 3rd Eye Visionaries - Double-Edged Sword ; and Marcel - Sword Progression

Love this track by Kaleidoscope Jukebox and 3rd Eye Visionaries - a few artists i've been introduced to via Soundcloud. Enjoy the downbeat hip hop...and follow them on Soundcloud! Double-Edged Sword with 3rd Eye Visionaries by Kaleidoscope Jukebox And Marcel's "Sword Progression" is a lovely downtempo hip hop swinger that I've been listening to several years - i layer it into my mixes all the time. This came to me through Wax On Records - the label started by downtempo legend Nightmares on Wax. Sword Progression

New Pretty Lights Electro Downtempo Remix of Run DMC's "It's Tricky"

I've been a bit in love w/ everything Pretty Lights has been doing these days - and I'm not apologizing for it. His sound is representative of the downtempo electro fusions that inspired this blog several years ago and represent what I love about the future-sounds of music. Check out Pretty Lights' new remix of Run DMC's classic "It's Tricky" - some fine listening.

DJ Unkut on Traktor Scratch - i can only dream...

NINJA TUNE SOLID STEEL PROGRESSIVE MIX

Solid Steel Radio Show 11/11/2011 Part 3 + 4 - A Guy Called Gerald by Ninja Tune Solid Steel Radio Show 11/11/2011 Part 1 + 2 - DJ Cheeba by Ninja Tune

New Pretty Lights Single - "I Know the Truth"

Pretty Lights has been dropping his new single "I Know the Truth" at live shows for the last few months, and finally FINALLY he's published it on Soundcloud, with a downloadable version available for free on his web site here: http://www.prettylightsmusic.com/#/downloads. Pretty Lights - I Know The Truth by prettylights

New J Boogie Dubtronic Science Album - Undercover

J Boogie released his new album last month and it's true to form - an excellent collection of internationally influenced dub, funk and soul that chills you out and makes you move at the same time (a major theme of this blog overall!) Definitely check this out - you'll hear all sorts of instruments ranging from horns to drums, synths to deep bass - all very well balanced and mastered perfectly. There's a ton of collaborators that get me excited as well, including MC Zulu, Afrolicious, and The Pimps of Joytime. Stream a selection of tracks via J Boogie's Soundcloud page: "Best of" Album Cuts

Mikey Dubs Summerhouse Mix - Free Download

Mikey Dubs drops some really smooth house and dub beats, making a cool mix that is equal parts energy and chill. He's got a great rep - always delivering great mixes that keep me relaxed, but get me moving at the same time. Mikey's Summerhouse mix 7.2011 by Mikey Dubs

New Fort Knox Five mix - Endless Summer

Endless Summer Mix by Fort Knox on Mixcloud

Gramatik - Downtempo Hip Hop, Pretty Lights Music Label

Just downloaded Gramatik's new album - Beatz & Pieces Vol. 1 - his first album on Pretty Lights Music record label. His mostly instrumental hip hop beats and breaks are downtempo oriented, very smooth hip hop vibes to accompany a lounge atmosphere or smoke-inspired session. I liken his style to Fat Jon the Ample Soul Physician, but not quite as smooth/sexy flavor - rather distinct vintage funk thrown in throughout a chilled hip hop tracks. He's an East Coast/NYC hip hop producer to follow for years - especially as as he rolls with the Pretty Lights Music label. Check his beats below and download his new album for free (but give him some cash via PayPal here! http://www.prettylightsmusic.com/therecordlabel/

Gramatik - Beatz&Pieces Vol. 1 by Gramatik

Wonka Bass

Fog - Wonka Bass by Fog

DJ "Kramnik 1.0" EP - progressive, engaging, and beautiful

Been listening to Kramnik's latest progressive electro house EP, the "Kramnik 1.0" EP, and its transporting me back to BOOM in Portugal, with 5 tracks of precise, progessive house. I have a sweet spot for minimal and progessive stuff like this, it's trance-like and very warm, and the feeling while listening to this sways into loungy downtempo, especially if you allow this music to hypnotize you. The video for Viclone adds a really fantastic and future aesthetic to help you sink into these tracks even more.



Tracks by Kramnik

MC Xander - Sick of the Lies

National Geographic Music: Nat Geo Record Label

National Geographic has it's own record label, Nat Geo Records, with bands that you may have heard of, including Bedouin Soundclash, Balkan Beat Box and Grupo Fantasma. The label is a growing collection of great international sounds. I really look forward to following this label and the work of its artists.

Additionally, the National Geographic Music web site has great interviews with artists beyond their label, music videos, playlists and a newsletter. Check out some tracks on their SoundCloud page:

Latest tracks by NatGeo Records

Matanza - Chilean Dub, Chillout

Matanza - Apolinar EP by Antartek Records

Max Tannone's Ghostfunk - Ghostface Killah + Vintage Afrofunk + Psychedelic Rock mashup - Free Stream/Download

I'm really pleased w/ Max Tannone's newest mashup project - Ghostfunk - which is Ghostface Killah rap vocals mashed with vintage afrofunk and psychedelic rock. It's really well done. I've been impressed with his mashups, including Jaydiohead (Jay-Z + Radiohead) and Mos Dub and Dub Kweli (Mos Def + dub/reggae; Talib Kweli + dub/reggae). Get all the tracks for free via the Soundcloud download portal below:

Ghostfunk by Max Tannone

Nice Dub/Reggae Mix by Properly Chilled

Properly Chilled Podcast #53 (B): Encore of Echo Beach (WLUW) Mix by Properlychilled on Mixcloud

REVIEW: New Thievery Corporation Album - Culture of Fear - plus free streaming...

Thievery Corporation released their 6th studio album today - "Culture of Fear." Being a die-hard fan of their sound - dubbed the "Outernational" Sound for their fusion of eastern, reggae, jazz, funk, hip hop and other-worldly beats - I instantly downloaded the album.

The album has a real downtempo flow, and doesn't includes some of the more electronic and reggae dance-hall type tracks that were prevalent on their last album, "Radio Retaliation." Instead, the first half of the album has a much more loungy jazz and funk feel, focusing less on synthesized sounds combined with international instruments like sitars and ethnic drums, and more on jazz drums, and roots rock guitar. This first half is reminiscent of the Cosmic Game - Thievery Corp's 4th album and one that was a departure from their signature "Outernational Sound." The title track - Culture of Fear - has an incredible flow delivered by Mr. Lif, though its lyrics and message is almost paranoid and conspiratory, I like the song itself but the tone of the lyrics can be distracting - even like the cover art to the album - the "big brother" like camera is mostly just disturbing and not very thought-provoking.

The second half of the album shifts a bit from the jazz and funk vibe, and is more dubbed and almost ambient in nature. It's much more reminiscent of their earlier albums, like "Sounds From the Thievery Hi-Fi" (my favorite album of theirs). I admit to being a Thievery purist - so this second half pleases me more than the first half of the album. Songs like "Is It Over" and "Free" are much more wandering and dynamic dreamscapes of songs that engage listeners in different ways, from deep bass and primal drums to ethereal synthesizers and siren-like female vocals. The track "Overstand" is a chilled reggae track, true to form of what we've also heard from Thievery Corporation's last album - Radio Retaliation.

Check out a teaser of the album below. For a limited time, Thievery Corporation is also letting fans stream the entire album for free here.

Crinkum Crankum - Luvverly Jubberly - dark, international downtempo

My buddies DJ Andy Ward (Wicked Good Records, Boston) and electro artist/producer Jeff Keenan (Boston) got together one day, picked out a few records and created this track from random samples from the crate. Love the international, eastern vibe with the high operatic vocals and shuffling beats underneath. Well done guys!

Crinkum Crankum - Luvverly Jubberly by wickedgoodrecords

Avicii Penguin FOLLOWUP - VOCAL MIX "Fade Into Darkness" ... Which do you like better?

Highly happy and addictive, and still unreleased, Avicii "Penguin":



OR

Highly happy and addictive w/ VOCALS - to be released by Avicii as "Fade Into Darkness" (on Ministry of Sound)

PREVIEW Avicii - Fade Into Darkness (Vocal Mix) by AviciiOfficial

Right now, I honestly like the sample better w/out the vocals. THAT SAID, I can see the vocals growing on me, especially when the full track is released and when I can mess around with it in a DJ set.

Boom Festival 2012 Dates Announced! Plus Boom Documentary in the Works

Boom Festival 2012 is July 28th to August 4 - Portugal! Boom is an incredible festival built around the universal and primal ideal of peace, love and creation - manifested through the arts. It's a cross between Woodstock (and it's peace/love vibe) vs. Burning Man (it's experimental, utopian ideals) vs. Electric Zoo (amazing electronic music - from downtempo international to psytrance). I've seen and discovered DJs here who have blown my mind, from Dasha Rush (minimalist electro) to Heyoka (San Francisco, tribal dubstep) and it's all about letting yourself go and embracing the primal nature of music.

There's all sorts of live music and DJs - outdoor tents the Groovy Beach, Sacred Fire, Dance Temple and, my downtempo favorite, Ambient Paradise.

Boom Festival, A Universal Message - Movie Trailer from Boom Festival Official on Vimeo.

DJ Shadow - I Gotta Rokk

Been following the rise of the Identity Festival - pretty interesting how this new festival has blown up and bringing together some amazing artists in major and secondary music markets - from LA to Boston. They're sharing music every Monday and Friday - sometimes it's a mix, a new track, or multimedia. This Friday, they shared this video from DJ Shadow - "I Gotta Rokk" - a track from his upcoming album which Shadow describes as a return to his original form. It's on the experimental side, and creates hip hop, downtempo sounds with "extreme" rock! I'm not sure the song has the same meaning without the video - watch it and see for yourself:

NEW Pretty Lights Track ! - "I Know The Truth" + Bonnaroo Video

WOW. I'm counting down to Pretty Lights at Governor's Ball in NYC and just got an email from PL Music - his new song "I Know the Truth" is some crazy downtempo dubstep. He takes a page from Skrillex and lays sick transformer dub w/ his trademark hip-hop beats. Check it here:

New Razoof Dubs & Mixes Album coming July 8

If you like chillout, reggae and dub - get to know Razoof. George Solar turned me onto him very recently and shared his upcoming "Dub & Mixes" remix album and it's very very nice. It comes out July 8. There's a ton great artists contributing remixes and dubs, including Zeb (Spy from Cairo), Gelka (Wax On Records) and Chin Chillaz, among many more.

Listen to the original source material, RAZOOF's previous album, here:

High Tide, Low Tide by razoof

And check out a RAZOOF downtempo reggae and dub dj mix:

The Sun & The Sea - Razoof's Dub & Downbeat DJ Mix 2011 by Razoof on Mixcloud

Here's more about the album:

RAZOOF "sun salutation - dubs & mixes"
(ckp records / intergroove)
release date: 08. july 2011

TRACKLIST
1. Donde El Dub (TK's Version)
2. High Tide, Low Tide feat. Don Abi (Levthand Remix)
3. Let's Think Of What We Got feat. Sebastian Sturm (Salz Mix)
4. Nothing More, Nothing Less feat. Sofia Pettersson (Gelka Remix)
5. Talking Trees (Zeb's Version)
6. Lamb's Bread (Kieser.Velten Mix)
7. Calling feat. Don Abi
8. High Tide, Lower East Dub feat. ZEB
9. Dub On The Beach feat. Tom Dams (East Mix feat. ZEB)
10. Khajuraho - Expressions Of Bliss (Chin Chillaz Dub)
11. Jah Is Watching You feat. Lady Alma (Salz Dub Mix)
12. High Tide, Low Tide feat. Don Abi (Ganga Remix)
Bonus CD Tracks:
13. Someway, Somehow (Internal Dread Dub)
14. Universal Love (Extended Dance Mix)

Paying tribute to the good old reggae tradition of following up a studio album with a well crafted collection of dubs & versions, Cologne based producer/dj/drummer RAZOOF aka Uwe Lehr finally presents his fifth longplayer. Made of 14 fresh, dub infused tracks & classy remixes, Sun Salutation unites a string of top notch electronica producers from around the globe, heavily inspired by RAZOOF’s previous
album effort „High Tide Low Tide“.

New York based global beat hero ZEB („The Spy from Cairo“), GELKA from Budapest (of WAX ON records and CAFE DEL MAR fame), Cologne dubhouse dons SALZ, Mister LEVTHAND (aka CAN 7), infamous dubbernauts CHIN CHILLAZ, swedish reggae legend INTERNAL DREAD and GANGA from the balears all layed hands on their favourite RAZOOF music, adding quite a bit of their personal touch. As the icing on the cake, RAZOOF blended in some rare original material (like a.o. an extended version of his monster tune for JAH LOVE Recordings, „Universal Love“, as well as the legendary KIESER.VELTEN rework of the infectious „Lambs Bread“, both previously only available on vinyl).

Vocalists on Sun Salutation include the legendary LADY ALMA (known for her exceptional work with a.o. KING BRITT and 4HERO), reggae crooners SEBASTIAN STURM and DON ABI, jazz singer SOFIA PETTERSSON from Sweden and RAZOOF’s SOLAR MOON cohort TOM DAMS, joined by first call musicians and long time RAZOOF collaborators like drummer Thomas Kessler or sax player Ismael Diallo.

Pretty Lights Interview - Dropping BRAND NEW Set Experience at Governor's Ball

The lineup schedule for Governor's Ball on Saturday, June 18 was just released and I cannot WAIT! to see Pretty Lights again. This'll be my third time seeing him (once in Boston, once in NYC), and he just did an interview for Governor's Ball where he announced that his upcoming set will be a whole new experience - full of new lighting displays, music approach and experiential components. Cannot WAIT!

In a chilled drum & bass mood - amazing classic track from LTJ Bukem, a father of jungle/D&B

Conrad Roset Art

New Pretty Lights Remix - Pretty Lights vs. Nirvana vs. Nine Inch Nails vs. Radiohead

Awesome new downtempo remix track from Pretty Lights - he's gettin into some remixes now, can't wait to see what comes...

Download this for free here.

For the DJs - Turntable Lab's Give Away: Native Instruments, Traktor Scratch Pro 2

Can't get enough Avicii

I just can't get enough of this Avicii track - it's the dreamscape piano melody backed by driving bass that really gets me.

Anatomy of a Daft Punk Mashup

This is a must listen/must view. @TheManInBlue (aka Cameron Adams, mashup experimentalist and visual designer) wanted to visually demonstrate the auditory components of his Daft Punk mashup, so he built this incredible visualization showing how his mash-up evolves in real time. VERY COOL.

Click here or title above to see "Anatomy of a Daft Punk Mashup"

Dub FX and the Traktor S4 Controller

Inspires me to up my creative game...

White Panda - Till the Bromance Ends (new track - Britney + Avicii Mashup)

New White Panda - get it while it's hot!





Till The Bromance Ends by whitepandamusic

Reptile's Theme by Skrillex

I cannot stop playing this new Skrillex track - Reptile's Theme from the new Mortal Kombat Soundtrack: Songs Inspired by the Warriors...



A ton of other great tracks off this soundtrack too, lovin' this more ambient, industrial Sub-Zero theme by Shinrei...

And the dark side of Downbeatscape... Mileena's Theme by Tokimonsta.

Spring Strut - April 2011 Danny Massure Mix

I know I'm gonna love a mix when Danny Massure throws together afrobeat, reggae, funk and more from artists like Kraak & Smaak, Planty Herbs, Giles Peterson and more.

Check out Danny's Spring Strut mix - stream or DL free, from Soundcloud or his PodOmatic page.


April 2011 Danny Massure Mix by Danny Massure

Rainbow Gathering on the Behance Network

Beautiful beautiful photography of beautiful beautiful people. Reminds me of my time at the Boom Festival in Portugal - people living with each other and the earth, celebrating the manna we've been blessed with beneath our feet.

Rainbow Gathering on the Behance Network

Fort Knox Five DJ Mix - "All Good Things Come In 5's"

Love these guys - always fantastic mixes, compilations and original tracks. Take a listen to one of their DJ mixes from last year. The sun is shining where I am, and here's a ton of mixes for your listening and grooving pleasure!

FORT KNOX FIVE DJ MIXES by fortknoxfive

Couches Eat Dreams

Antidesigns urban wear, based in Boston, has some cool prints. The message of this one caught my eye. So much truth in this. For so many people sitting equates with comfort and luxury - but what do you give up? What inertia do you lose? What dreams become stagnant? Stop sitting. Start living.

Budos Band in Boston! Finally!

My night just got funky! I've been listening to Budos Band for years and they're finally coming to Boston! Budos Band is a mix of funky, soulful, latin-style jazz and funk - lots of horns, percussion, and hip swingin flavor. Love the sound they bring and I've heard their shows are great. check out a sample here:

Artist: Snake Dove Track: Desert Snow. Mood: Simply Chill Out.

Snake Dove, a downtempo producer out of Houston, sent me this chilled track. It's quite simple and melodic, a perfect chillout tune for a time of relaxation and reflection. Stream or download it here, and check out more of his downtempo tracks on his Soundcloud Page.
Desert Snow by SNAKE DOVE

VIA Pitchfork: Daft Punk's Tron Score gets Remixed - ft. Pretty Lights, Boyz Noise, Com Truise, Cystal Method, more

Check the full news and discography at PITCHFORK

New White Panda mashup album: PANDAMONIUM

The new White Panda mashup album came out yesterday! It's a good one - click the cover art image below to go directly to their page, where you can DL for free, but I encourage you to send them some cash to keep em in business!

Here's a continuous mix, via SoundCloud:
Pandamonium by whitepandamusic

Rabbit in the Moon LIVE

I really appreciate it when DJs, producers and artists create a show that combines their music with other aesthetic experiences. I've heard of Rabbit in the Moon's live shows, but have actually never seen one or even looked em up on YouTube...until now. Check out this video - the combination of the downtempo (almost ambient) track with the light show, eastern inspired dancers, flame, smoke and just the movement and artistry of everything working together - its quite beautiful, it make me feel like I'm there.