Archive for May, 2008

DJ C & Zulu “Gods & Robots” Out Now

Buy Gods & Robots Now ->

DJ C and Zulu Gods and Robots Album CoverWicked ragga vocalist Zulu comes together with dance-floor dominator DJ C to activate a next level blend of dancehall, dubstep, club and all around party music.

The album also features Montreal bounce-maestro, and Ninja Tune recording artist Ghislain Poirier’s remix of Darling, along with a slammin’ juke version of Body Work by Chrissy Murderbot of Chicago’s Sleazetone records. In addition, Freestyle Fellowship founder Aceyalone, and dancehall deejay Jah Orah provide guest vocals on the album. And topping the whole package off is the brilliant cover illustration by Bartek Karas.

“[The album is] a heavy slap of blazing ragga bashment - Zulu’s Panamanian lyrical flow is very much to the fore, with the eagle-eared amongst us spotting both some new DJ C rhythms and a couple of gems unearthed from the vaults and given a shiny new rub. It’s fast, mean and easy, and a guaranteed fire-starter - throw in remixes from Ghislain Poirier and Chrissy Murderbot and it’s an undeniably solid package.”
- Fat Planet

Shopping Cart IconPreviews

Exhibition Virtues (Hardcore Tonight Remix)

Dear John

Soundgun Emergency (DJ C Mix, ft. Aceyalone & Jah Orah)

Gods & Robots

Buy Gods & Robots Now ->

Also, give a listen to the Gods & Robots Mixtape featuring tracks from the album and many more remixes (free download).

Continue reading ‘DJ C & Zulu “Gods & Robots” Out Now’ ->

Chicago’s Crack Down on Event Promoters

Hot Mix 5 Acid Record LabelIt’s come to our attention that late last week the Chicago City Council rammed through a new “Promoter’s Ordinance” aimed at small-time / “underground” event promoters. According to the Save Chicago Culture blog:

Imagine a Chicago where local music is only heard in the suburbs and theater is limited to Wicked and Jersey Boys.

Scary thoughts. But if the City of Chicago’s City Council doesn’t hear your voice by Wednesday, May 14, they’ll become reality.

On that date the council will vote to approve an ordinance that has the power to stifle creativity in Chicago’s musical, theatrical, and general cultural scenes. With no public discourse or commentary, this proposal has been approved by the City Council Committee and is on the fast track to be pushed into law. It is up to us to let our elected officials know that Chicago’s creative scene is too rich, too varied, and too vital to be regulated in such a blanket fashion.

The details:

  • The “Event Promoters” ordinance requires any event promoter to have a license from the city of Chicago and liability insurance of $300,000, but that’s just the start:
  • The definition of “event promoter” is so loosely defined it could apply to a band that books its own shows or a theater company that’s in town for a one-week run.
    “Event Promoter” must be licensed and will pay $500 - $2000 depending on expected audience size.
  • To get the license, applicant must be over 21, get fingerprinted, submit to a background check, and jump over several other hurdles.
    This ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since those with 500+
  • permanent seats are exempt.
    Police must be notified at least 7 days in advance of event.

For the complete ordinance, check out Jim DeRogatis’ blog on the Chicago Sun-Times.

You’re encouraged to leave comments there as a form of petition. As of this writing there are already 1,340 comments on that post.

Here’s the comment that we left there:

Entire genres of music would not exist if it weren’t for “underground” music scenes; most notably in this case Chicago-blues and house music. Lets take the later for example. From the Wikipedia entry on house music:

“House music was developed in the houses, garages and clubs of Chicago and Detroit, and it was produced for local club-goers in the ‘underground’ club scenes, rather than for widespread commercial release. As a result, the recordings were much more conceptual, longer than the music usually played on commercial radio.”

This underground music went on to have a gigantic influence on dance music all over the world which is one reason why Chicago is known as an important cultural center. The underground clubs like the Ware(house) where this music developed would never have survived a draconian law like this. This is a deep disappointment, Chicago!

Our friend Micada has also posted up a bunch of helpful resources and links about the ordinance here ->

“Ransom The Senator” Frikstailers Mix

Frikstailers Video ImageHere’s another in our series of Zulu remixes leading up to the release of the Gods & Robots album Tuesday.

This mix of Ransom The Senator is from Córdoba, Argentina-based Frikstailers, who also have a tune on the Gods & Robots Mixtape. The track will also be featured on their forthcoming debut 12-inch vinyl release on the Glasgow, Scotland label Revolt Into Style.

MP3 Download

Zulu; Ransom The Senator (Frikstailers Mix)

Mochipet Remix Contest

Mochipet Microphonepet Album CoverRemix tracks from Mochipet’s Microphonepet album and you just might end up on a big-old slab o vinyl.

Rules & Instructions

  1. Download A Capellas and Remix.
  2. All Samples used in your song must be clear of copyright.
  3. Submit your remix via EMAIL as a 320K mp3 file to remixmicpet[at]dalycityrecords.com
  4. Winner will be chosen by Mochipet, Chris De Luca vs. Phon.o, Darko, DJ C, Jahcoozi, Machine Drum, etc…
  5. We will need a WAV/AIFF from the winner for mastering.
  6. If you win, your remix will be pressed on to a 12″ with other remixes by: Chris De Luca vs. Phon.o, Darko/Spankrock, DJ C, Jahcoozi, Machine Drum, and more… good luck and have fun

You can check the remixes as they come in at the remix context blog, or get more info/connect at the Myspace page.

“Body Work” (Sabbo Remix)

Sabbo on BikeAlthough the Gods & Robots Mixtape has already been released, the awesome remixes continue coming in. We’re gonna share a couple of them with you over the next few days in anticipation of the Gods & Robots album coming out in the Mashit MP3 download shop next Tuesday, May 13.

This remix of Body Work is by Sabbo from Tel Aviv, Israel. He’s got a tune on the Mixtape too. Check it:

MP3 Download

DJ C & Zulu; Body Work (Sabbo Remix)

History of the Future

Thnk ahead just 50 years, perhaps, to the day when everyone will appreciate the nuances of electronic music”

What the Future Sounded Like… dreaming of a future sound-scape of London”

-What The Future Sounded Like

Electronic music pioneers in the mid 20th century invented the tools that are now so ubiquitous that they have a profound effect on the sound pop music today. This short documentary on London’s EMS (Electronic Music Studios) presents an informative overview of developments durring the post-WWII era and beyond.

Watch What The Future Sounded Like

Poll: Wot U Call It?

Wot U Lookin At by HugovkSince writing that last post about lazer-bass it’s become clear that there are a number of names being tossed around for the emerging genre of dancehall, hip-hop, club influenced, gritty-BASS infused dance music. Here’s the question we pose to you. What u call it?

Wot U Call It? Choose up to 3

  • Lazer-Bass (17%, 2 Votes)
  • Wonky (17%, 2 Votes)
  • Ragga-Clash (17%, 2 Votes)
  • Wub (17%, 2 Votes)
  • Bouncement (17%, 2 Votes)
  • Street-Bass (17%, 2 Votes)
  • Other (explain in the comments) (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 12

Vote ->

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Lazer-Bass

Lazer BassI was reading the New Yorker this week and came across an article by Sasha Frere-Jones in which he coined the term “lazer bass” to describe the music of Montreal-based party crew Megasoid. Ghislain Poirier used to call the genre “big asshole bass” or “big ass bass.” accurate descriptions but less likely to fly as an official term than lazer-bass.

Update
2 more contenders for the title: “raggaclash” and “wonky.” See the comments on this post for more ->

Turns out Sasha’s been writing about lazer-bass on the New Yorker blog too, and that piece is more in-depth; he also mentions LA’s Glitchmob and a crew from Scotland who I hadn’t heard of called LuckyMe.

He says lazer-bass is “a loose affiliation of musicians in California, Montreal, and Glasgow.” That seems true, but I would argue that the affiliation goes far beyond the 3 locals mentioned.

Vancouver, BC for example; check out the track She Lives in San Fransisco on the Myspace player of Max Ulis. He, along with Taal Mala and the Lighta Sound crew, has been rokin’ the sound for a while now. Meanwhile, over in Vienna there’s Stereotyp. He and the Al Haca posse kick out the big-dirty-bass riddims as well. Let’s not forget Philly’s Starkey supplying nuff bass hugeness. Then, across the pond there’s Toddla T outta Shefield U.K.. Down south in Austin, TX there’s Bird Perterson. And further down south in Caracas, Venezuela Pacheko and Cardopusher are shooting serious blasts of bass. There are many more in other parts of the world too.

Clearly some of these artist’s tunes could be said to fall into genres like dubstep, bloghouse, Thank Thong Graphicnu-dancehall, etc., but what ties them all together is what Sasha describes as “Menacing, bass-heavy productions with layers of electronic noise.”

One thing’s for sure; the Megasoid Thank Thong remix tape that Sasha advocates is awesome, so I’m reposting it here:

MP3 Download

Megasoid; Thank Thong Remix Tape

Tracklist

  1. Megasoid f. D-Shade - Tank Thong Intro.
  2. Thunderheist - Jerk It [Megasoid Demo Mix]
  3. Megasoid f. Zulu - Student Riot [Demo Mix]
  4. Bangers and Cash - BOOTAY [Megasoid Rmx]
  5. Justin Timberlake - My Love [Megasoid Rmx]
  6. Dr. Dre - Still DRE [Megasoid Dre Day Cover]
  7. Clipse f. Pharrell - Mr. Me Too [Megasoid Rmx]
  8. Master Ace - Jeep Ass Niguh [Megasoid Version]
  9. Blahzay Blahzay - Danger [Megasoid Re-Rmx]
  10. Busta Rhymes - Touch It [Megasoid Rmx]
  11. Slim Thug / BunB - Ain’t Heard Of That [Mgsd Rmx]
  12. Clipse - Monopoly [Megasoid Rmx]
  13. Missy Elliot - Get Your Freak On [Megasoid Rmx]
  14. Nas - Made You Look [Megasoid Rmx]
  15. Old Dirty Bastard - I Like it R.A.W. [Megasoid Rmx]
  16. Hot Dollar - Streets On Lock [Megasoid Rmx]
  17. Bonjay - Gimme Gimme [Megasoid Remix Rddm]
  18. Lazer Sword - Gucci Sweatshirt [Megasoid Rmx]
  19. Dead Prez - Hell Yeah [Megasoid Rmx]
  20. Megasoid f. Isaiah (T.T.T.) - Kick ‘em Outro

Continue reading ‘Lazer-Bass’ ->