Homegrown Videos of the Weekend - DJ Logic

DJ Logic is active in jazz and trip-hop projects such as Medeski, Martin and Wood, and most recently Global Noize, the jazzy duo comprised of DJ Logic and Jason Miles (i'm reviewing Global Noize's latest release for ProperlyChilled.com and it will be posted here as well...)

DJ Logic's "Hope Road" brings flight to those pesky pidgeons and makes them a successful standin for the hope-inspired dove. This track is an electronic trip-hop mix from Logic - his turntables stand out on this one.

In the Queu...

It's been a busy few weeks. After finalizing the interview with Jeff Bennett (read below posts!), I was able to enjoy Suburban Dream's latest recording out of Ireland.

I'm currently listening to a few new albums and mixes that came in the last two weeks:
- Cosmic Rocker's Action Breaks EP - a downtempo album out of New York from
- Global Noize's self titled world jazz album
- an excellent mix from DJ Riff Raff
- a Mike Monday mix
- A taste of Blackfish's ambient favorites - self produced by Blackfish

I've been getting a good taste of hip hop these days too, and actually went to the Rock the Bells festival a few weeks ago in Boston. Saw so many hip-hop pioneers on one stage - Nas, Tribe Called Quest, Ghostface Killer, Method Man, Rakim, Mos Def, De La Soul. Mos Def was by far my favorite, but maybe that's because "Black on Both Sides" is one of my favorite hip-hop albums ever. Nas was really good, and I'm glad I saw him live because it helps me enjoy his new CD even more. I haven't been into hard rap or hip-hop, much more trip-hop and more soulful stuff (another reason Mos Def lands as a favorite), but this show was pretty dope.

I've also got tix for Aesop Rock in Boston on August 15, and just saw that Federico Aubele is touring and making a stop in Boston in the beginning of September. That'll go on my list...

Suburban Dream's latest release

Its exciting - all the different people who contact me from around the world. Downbeatscape has been in touch with Downtempo artists, producers, DJs from the U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, the U.K. and now Ireland.

Producer Ciaran McCarthy created Suburban Dream Recordings in Dublin, Ireland not too long ago- in the later months of 2007. Ciaran's goal is to release one or two singles every other month or so, and since launching, has blessed us with 3 releases. The first is "We Choose Death" - a dark, industrial downtempo beat that is an underground club dream. The next is the single "Crowd Control - Been Elected" - a trip-hop anthem with reggae undertones that highlights Suburban Dreams DJ and production skills, and is aggressively different from its accompanying track "New Buzz." This track is a jazzy downtempo tune that borders on ambient. With this release, Suburban Dream gives a flavor of what's in store.

Suburban Dream sent me the latest single "Everything Provided But...Part 1" which includes two downtempo and ambient tracks: "Music" and "They Start Out Using." "Music" is a sensitive tribute to, well, music. An opening monologue introduces what I'd assume to be Ciaran's philosophy - that music can accompany any experience and should be on at all times possible. The track has a delicate, rolling drum foundation with piano and horns that take turns with the spotlight. Like "Been Elected," "They Start Out Using" is a different downbeat style from its counterpart (Music). "Using" has sharper edges and popping drum sequences that are softened by electronic bells and keyboard rhythms. The song is ultimately about marijuana - the kids start using...

I told Ciaran it makes me think of all the suburban kids and their moms and dads - all of them are smoking and they're all hiding it from each other. Oh the suburbs...but I can tell you, Suburban Dream isn't for suburban consumption, their first singles are definitely for anyone who wants good downtempo to chill to or to mix in as a cool off track in their club mix.

Download Suburban Dream from Beatport.com and DjDownload.com

An Interview with Jeff Bennett

Jeff Bennett, the Swedish producer behind dozens of tech-house singles has a chillout side – his dub and lounge aliases, Don Imuze and Eddie Silverton. Downbeatscape and Slackline Radio have been in touch with Jeff to learn about his chillout vibe, and listen to his recent dub release, “Great Illusions.” Beyond offering readers a copy of “Great Illusions” (keep reading to find out how to get a copy), Jeff told us a bit more about his forthcoming lounge album to be released at the end of summer, Eddie Silverton’s “Loungez & Couches.” After reading the interview, visit Jeff’s artist and label sites to sample music and hear his latest mixes. His music can also be purchased at Beatport and iTunes. Happy lounging!

Slackline Radio (SR): With all your alter egos, you get to explore many sounds. Tell us about some of your recent projects and how you express your musical moods…

Jeff Bennett (Jeff): At the moment I’m mostly recording lounge music under Eddie Silverton. I’ve always loved lounge music so when I decided to produce it, it felt natural immediately. Same goes for reggae/dub where I use the alias Don Imuze. My Tech-house side will always be a part of me as it’s how I started. Actually, I started out doing Detroit/techno that transformed into what I do now. All these styles represent music that I personally listen to.

SR: Why do you release material under so many aliases (such as Eddie Silverton, Don Imuze and Jeff Bennett)?

Jeff: When I started as Jeff Bennett, producing was great, but when I released my first lounge album as Jeff Bennett’s Lounge Experience, there was a lot of confusion. People, magazines and promoters thought I had given up on techno. This led me to take on different aliases for my projects. And it can be fun for somebody digging into a producer’s various aliases, finding out he does different types of music.

Downbeatscape (DBS): Do you have a favourite alias? How do you transition when you move from one project to the next, or are you constantly creating music in all genres?

Jeff: I have a favourite alias for the day. When arriving to the studio, I get a subtle feeling pointing me in the direction of the day. I have a hard time forcing music, so I try to be on top off on all my aliases by having songs finished on forehand. That being said, sometimes I have to do remixes and releases in a certain order – then I have to leave the natural flow [of making music] for “work”.

DBS: You just released “Great Illusions” under your dub alias, Don Imuze. What dub and reggae songs or artists inspired this album?

Jeff: There are so many!! Eeka Mouze, Mad Professor, The Gladiators, Peter Tosh, Alpha & Omega, Augustus Pablo, Black Uhuru, Ini Kamoze, Linton Kwesi Johnson, King Tubby, The Congos, Prince Far I, Bob Marley of course, plus many more.

DBS: When you create an album, do you have an idea of what you want it to sound like when you begin? How do you approach the creative process?

Jeff: I have tried different approaches to my projects, and the best for me is to have a clear goal like “finish the album before the end of the month,” but with an open-minded approach. There is a saying I like: “If you can’t do it, you must!” I use that for all I do, I never thought I would be able to finish that whole album in just one month but I did, I had to! My first thoughts towards finishing this album started many years ago, so the basics were already there and I had most things sorted before starting the actual production. Normally, the finished result doesn’t sound like the original idea.

DBS: “Great Illusions” is a minimalist approach to dub – the tracks are a stripped down, straight forward take on reggae. Why did you choose this direction?

Jeff: I didn’t choose it, it came to me. I actually thought it would sound a bit different before I made it. But I like it a lot. Sometimes I get surprised by some of the sounds that I choose.

SR: On “Great Illusions,” it seems you have an affinity for the letter "z". Almost every track has the letter "z" in the title. Is there a reason for your love of "z" on this terrific dub release or do you just enjoy the way it rolls off the tongue?

Jeff: There is actually a strategy behind this, I won’t give it up here, but if you send a mail with the correct answer ill send you a copy of the album. [Note from Downbeatscape: visit Phunctional Loungin’ to contact Jeff. If you can figure out why he has an affinity for the letter “Z,” send him an email with your answer and he’ll send you a copy of “Great Illusions”)

DBS: What do you prefer to perform live - your house, dub or lounge tracks?

Jeff: I haven’t actually performed my lounge/dub music live yet, but it feels great to be able to have a bit of diversity style-wise as this is something I’m in the process of building. When that time comes, I guess it could become difficult to choose! I hope not.

SR: From your early days of owning a record store, a lot has changed in music from production to promotion to distribution. How have changes in the music digital age transformed your sound and your audience?

Jeff: Indeed many things have changed, I think for the better without a doubt. Before the digital age you would hear about new artists/labels in the record store talking to a friend or the guy behind the counter, now you read it at a forum or similar. This makes it easier to directly reach your listeners as a label.

When I first heard there was a shop selling music digitally only I immediately restarted my labels without blinking. It just felt so natural that this [digital distribution] would be the thing of the future. As an artist you have more competition now that before fighting for the same amount of space in the main magazines, etc.

On the production side, when I installed Cubase VST and tried the first VSTi’s out, within a couple of months I had sold almost all my physical gear. According to my friends, I was a just a computer nerd thinking you could do complete productions and mixdowns inside a computer only. I guess I proved them wrong. Now it’s common as a fish in the water.

The flexibility offered by the digital age is endless. The hard thing is to be able to use it without abusing it and drowning in the loads of opportunities and programs available. In the end it’s the result that is important. I tend to have less synths/effects and use them in a wider way instead.

DBS: You mention your labels, such as Phunctional Loungin', which releases Don Imuze and Eddie Silverton. How do you manage your labels while creating your music?

Jeff: It's a delicate balance. I don’t publish other artists for the simple reason that I don’t want to end up doing label work all day long. That being said, I’m always looking outside for possible collaborations. I have optimized the workflow of my labels so I do as little work as possible when scheduling a new release. This took time to do but it’s worth every minute invested many times over in the end.

DBS: You have a new lounge album coming out at the end of summer under your Eddie Silverton alias. What will this album sound like?

Jeff: Since I enjoy many sub genres of lounge music, I end up producing all of them as well. It’s electronic lounge, chillout, dub, lo-fi, downbeat. The overall vibe is positive lounge.

SR: Tell us a little about your process of writing electronic music - maybe you can use your upcoming album as an example. Do you rely on vinyl, tapes (i.e. analog) or lean more towards sophisticated software production like Albeton's Live (i.e. digital)?

Jeff: My foundation is Cubase SX, and the rest of my set up is based around that, software only though. I use a lot of sampled sounds from various sample CDs I have collected over the years. It’s funny how an old sample CD can sound different after not being heard for some time.

I tend to start at different points all the time, sometimes it’s a sample that kicks it, sometimes I play around on some keys, usually though the result doesn’t sound even near the starting point. There is always a strong sound leaving an impression that triggers the starting point of each track. That can be a sample, loop or lead that I play, that sound usually remains throughout the song.

SR: Do you have other passions in life other than music that motivates you?

Jeff: Besides music……Most of my private time I spend with my family, they are also my biggest source of inspiration. Besides that I workout every second day and play Squash once a week. Renovating the house also takes a lot of time, after that, there’s no more time left!

SR: We're always interested in learning about the finer things in music and life. Tell us what favorite meal you might serve with “Great Illusions”?

Jeff: That would be a pepper steak, potatoes, green pepper sauce, a couple of Red Stripe and rounding it up with a fine aged Rum like Zacapa Centenario. Listening to “Great Illusions” of course!

Jack of all Trades - Downtempo Funk Video

This is one of my favorite songs off of Flashbaxx's Changing Tides EP. Its generally hard to come by downtempo and ambient music videos, but when you find 'em, they're gems. Check this video for Jack of all Trades, an animated space funk adventure that trips you out in only the best of ways...

Lava Experiments

Antimatter Music continues to give me great leads on downtempo and ambient music. The label, based out of Glasgow, Scotland, recently released The Lava Experiments first EP - Blackbody Vol. 1. This EP is the first in a trilogy, and I'm already awaiting the second and third installments.

Blackbody is five lush tracks from The Lava Experiments. Every track contributes to a beautiful ambient listening experience, they flow nicely together but are unique enough that they can stand alone. Tracks like "Electric Garden" and "Beautiful Crystal Hall" begin with synthed soundscapes that conjure images of cascading water or...churning lava. After the ambient introduction, organic drums and beats add a surprising layer of warmth. I was taken by the ambient, and then the melodic soft rock came in and added a complementary sound that enhanced the ambient and brought surprising energy to it.

Other tracks, such as "Organize the Box" and "Wake Up" keep a true ambient feel, while still establishing deeper sounds through downtempo drum beats, guitars and pianos. They are a bit experimental, introducing electronic sounds that are reminiscent of Brian Eno - in fact, this isn't the first time Lava Experiments has been compared to Eno.

Visit http://www.antimattermusic.co.uk/lavashop.html to get a copy of this limited edition EP. There are limited copies available, or you can stream and download tracks on iTunes.

Weeks of Listening

It's been a few weeks since my last post. Work has kept me very busy - travelling, clients, late nights. On top of that I'm moving out of my apartment in the fall so I've been trying to find a new place - hence I've neglected the Downbeatscape a bit. Though, I certainly haven't stopped listening...

The past few weeks I've been listening to some great music. Here's some I recommend, and I hope to review/post more about these soon:

- WMSE 91.7 FM, Frontier Radio out of Milwaukee (http://www.wmse.org/) - travelling to my hometown is rough b/c the radio, nor the trip hop or chillout scene, are very good; but the Milwaukee School of Engineering's college radio consistently shines - check out the morning shows - always more chill and during the summers are chock full of Reggae, dub and downtempo - especially Monday Morning's Putumayo World Music Hour

- Coldplay - Viva La Vida - Brian Eno produced album, really great stuff, very inspirational, emotional, ballad type work

- The Herbaliser - Same As It Never Was, Take London, Very Mercenary - this trio of albums combines UK produced trip-hop with male and female vocalists who rap and rhyme over jass and funk beats - you may have heard "The Sensual Woman" on the Snatch soundtrack

- 9th Wonder and Buckshot - The Formula - Two Southern rappers join on this album to tell tales of struggle and formula's for success through underground hip-hop struggles, nice beats and flows, recommended to me by my friend Jay, who has quickly become my source for all underground hip hop

- Thievery Corporation - Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi - my favorite Thievery album never gets old

General Fuzz

Work has wasted the last week of my life - I truly need a chillout mood right now. The Downbeatscape email queue has been active these days, so I dont check my spam filter. But I did tonight - and among the "VI8AG9A You're A MILLION EURO BMW Price Pak Winner" emails I found a message from General Fuzz. Basically, it said "I give away music, listen some."

Bwah! His tunes are so chill. In the vein of my Brian Eno post, General Fuzz has some absolutely beautiful melodies. "Cool Aberrations" would be pure Eno ambient if you stripped the energy from Fuzz's electronica additions. Its beautiful, quirky, and heart-felt.

All of his music is available for free on his site under a Creative Commons agreement - basically his willingness to, and want, to help y'all ease into a good mood. The iciing on the cake is his descriptive and honest writing on his blog and site - he explains his creative motivations, the difficulties of the recording and distribution process, and the sincere obligation he feels to share his creations with us for free.

Summer's here, bust out the Fuzz.