UK Garage

Martyn | i-DJ mix

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3024 label-boss Martyn takes the decks on the latest i-DJ mix podcast…


Lone | Reality Testing LP

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R&S has made Lone’s new Reality Testing LP available for streaming in its entirety via THUMP:


Martyn | The Air Between Words LP

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The folks at Ninja Tune and Thump have made Martyn’s new LP The Air Between Words available for streaming in full:


SBTRKT | Temporary View ft. Sampha

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Here is a new single forthcoming on Young Turks from a duo that needs no introduction…


Nauruan Stranger | Inka EP

Based in Austria, Nauruan Stranger follows up his debut ‘Bot / Human’ EP with a new offering for Berlin-based Konstruktiv imprint, which includes a remix of the title cut by the label’s founder Rekord 61 .

The title cut evokes a mood of profundity and anticipation. On “Inka” Nauruan Stanger blends a muffled broken beat, a muted acid bass line, a dance of glowing synth pads, and indecipherable pitched-down vocal snippets.

“Akbar” is a dark acid trip. In other words, the focal point of this tune is a sinister warping Roland TB-303 riff that wiggles over top the driving four-to-the-floor groove. It features soft hypnotizing re-pitched vocal loops and chops.

On “Holga”, Nauruan Stranger lays down another broken beat overlaid with short vocal chops, a solemn choir section pad, a brooding muted 303 line, and distant otherworldly synth pads.

Inka EP is sublime. (And I love the art.)

Nauruan Stranger ’s Inka EP is out on Konstruktiv on June 2nd 2014.


Martyn + Four Tet | Glassbeadgames (8 Hours At Fabric Dub)

Two of my favourite producers– Four Tet and Martyn –got together and created this dark, melodic, and hypnotic gem.

The duo weaves together a rolling clankety groove, deep “Reese” bass, an indiscernable re-pitched female vocal phrase, a kalimba sample–(one of Hebdan’s sonic signatures), and a bright crispy synth chord progression.


Anushka | Atom Bombs

This one won me over easily first listen through.

The vocal performance is magical. “Atom Bombs” is driven along by a manic skanky rolling UK groove. It will be included on Brighton-based duo Anushka’s Distorted Air EP forthcoming via Brownswood .


Howson’s Groove | Body & Soul

Following up their recent remix for Todd ‘the God’ Terry out now on Southern Fried , London-based duo Howson’s Groove return to Chasing Unicorns with two throbbing heaters–”Body & Soul” and “Shake Up” and remixes from Fybe:One and Arkist . This release also marks the label’s first foray into the world of vinyl distribution…

Upon first listen through, the B-side “Shake Up” grabbed me immediately. I love that deep ‘reese’ bass, the perfectly chopped and re-pitched vocal snippets, and the rolling ‘UK swing’ of the groove.

Howson’s Groove have also offered up another new track entitled “Live On” as a free download via XLR8R .


Igloofest 2014 | Retrospective

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Another Igloofest has passed (the 8 th if you’re counting), and I have the perma-mud infused into my shoes and burn-holes speckled all over my parka to prove it.

Truly, something different is in the air when Igloofest is unfolding. It’s almost as if the festival exudes a unique seasonal spirit throughout the city of Montreal, in the “hey, it’s cold as balls, but fuck my toes –  let’s party” sort of way.

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Dancing to amplified music in the open air while gazing at visual art displays and spectacular light synchronization amongst 11,000 other concertgoers is certainly an attractive experience at face value, even more so if located in the handsome and charming Old Port of Montreal. When this idea is placed within the context of a bitter Quebec winter however, the notion becomes almost comical. It’s certainly no joke though, despite the many cracked amidst the festivities.

In all seriousness, the team behind Igloofest does just that- produces a spectacular dance-music festival in the freezing Canadian cultural hub, an experience rising far above any speculative comfort-seeker’s initial expectations.

A total of 85,768 jovial spirits braved the cold on the weekends falling between January 16 th and the 8 th of February to experience a brilliant month-long celebration of dance music, winter spirit, and artistry.

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Now, it is my job to recount the many merits and few shortcomings of Igloofest 2014.

Part of what makes Igloofest so exceptional is it’s location. Igloo village stands along the frigid St-Lawrence River, specifically on top of the Jacques Cartier Quay. Beauty is easily found in the juxtaposition of the remarkably architectural infrastructure staging against the clean lines of the Quay. Steel covered in snow and ice is certainly pleasing to the eye. While dancing in the crowd, I consistently found myself gawking in the opposite direction of the stage, staring lustfully at the beautiful antique architecture of vieux-Montreal.

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A different sort of sentiment goes for the actual infrastructure set up by the Igloofest team (excluding the main stage).  The general theme of stacked rounded cubes and playful ice sculptures made for a welcoming and universally joyful atmosphere, a much needed warmth to oppose the mutual suffering caused by the unforgiving winds and temperatures.

The main stage, Scene Sapporo, was everything one would want a main stage to be -in a word- epic. A sprawling set of aligned rectangular screens puzzled together with a dazzling array of light fixtures opening at the centre to produce a makeshift ‘throne’ for the guest of honour. The hidden speakers produced a loud and full sound as absolutely necessary.

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The secondary stage –Scene Videotron- boasted local, generally more techno-driven acts when compared to its larger counterpart. The environment was sheltered from the icy wind by way of stacked rounded luminescent cubes, making the dance floor a nice spot to warm up (at least a little bit).  This was Videotron’s inaugural year, and from the limited time that I spent there it seemed to be a successful one, providing a legitimate secondary stage that was absent in previous years.

As mentioned in Low-Life’s 2013 Igloofest review, the crowd in attendance is different from those at other festivals in a way specific only to Igloofest. In no way did this audience feel different than last years, so I believe that Samuel Scott Rutledge’s words on last years audience paint a perfect portrayal of 2014:

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“I’m not sure if I’ve ever witnessed a more consistently dancing group of people. The audience is not solely comprised of dance music fanatics either; older individuals and a great many who may not even relate to music of an electronic variety make up a considerable portion, if not a majority of the crowd as well. I believe that this rare phenomenon can be attributed in part to the physical need to keep moving, but also to the entirely non-judgmental, come-one-come-all atmosphere provided by the event’s organizers. Either way, a sense of unity was often inevitable.”

Now on to what made the festival really come to life: the music.

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[Art Department; Kenny Glasgow (front), Johnny White (back)]

The most impressive set of the month was Art Department ’s sensual, smouldering Igloofest opener.

The group’s sexy style of futuristic deep house/techno made me lose touch with reality. I was caught in a feverous trance of right foot left foot, possessed by the group’s buoyant, deep, slow-burning synth lines and salacious low-end vocal samples. My impression could have been tainted by the fact that it was my very first, long awaited night at Igloofest 2014, but in any case, Johnny White and Kenny Glasgow threw down a memorable set that I hold as the pinnacle of the festival.

The artists listed below all put forth sets that made up the highlights of the festival for me, personally. It should be noted that I didn’t have the opportunity to see every single performance, and that music in general is subjective, so I ask you, the reader, not to take my selections as an objective analysis on who played the best sets of igloofest, for I hold only one perspective.

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[Scuba]

Scuba is known for his technical prowess as a DJ, and in no way did his Igloofest set fail his legendary reputation.

The Hotflush labelhead treated the shivering audience to his own brand of sophisticated techno. His masterful mixing resulted in a level of crowd control that I had never previously witnessed. Paul Rose’s unimpressed demeanor was not representative of the time he had; he insisted on social media feeds that he had a memorable and exciting experience (a common thread among the majority of acts). Regardless of whether the artist had a good time or not, Scuba captivated the audience with true four-on-the-floor craftsmanship.

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[Matthew Dear]

Matthew Dear ’s performance was a similar style to Scuba’s (pardon my intentional lack of genrefication), but where Scuba took successful and effective risks, Dear was considerably more precise and smooth with regards to mixing. Dear was expressive, and it was clear to the audience that he was enjoying himself. Overall, his set was a tasteful and lucid- credit given.

[Skream]

Oliver Jones ( Skream ) appealed to the masses in the best way possible. The dubstep-birthed linchpin threw together an eclectic array of popular deep-house hits, revitalized disco, dubstep-reminiscent dance floor heaters, and even a little bit of ballady UK rock. The set came to an epic culmination when Breach harmonized over a heavily reverberated “ Spiral ” ( Todd Terje ) with white lights shooting upwards accenting the fresh falling snow; it was truly a beautiful sensory experience. Directly after this climax, Jones broke the set down into an array of feel good disco, eventually concluding on “ Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (JM 4am mix) ” by Inner Life . Audience members surely had an extra skip in their step leaving the festival after Skream’s exciting performance.

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[Adam Beyer]

To bring the festival to a victorious and feverish close was Sweden’s industrial techno stalwart, Adam Beyer . The Drumcode Records founder dropped heads and moved bodies with heavy-handed made-for-the-festival-type records. The mixing was flawless and the selection excellent, but the crowd on this particular night was a little too elbow oriented for my taste; likely having to do with the fact that it was festival’s sold-out closing ceremony. All in all, Beyer’s set was nothing short of ravenous.

Besides these, my five personal favorite performances of Igloofest 2014, there are many acts that rightfully deserve a nod… or several nods.

Breach, Âme , Kenny Larkin , Pete Tong , Stephan Bodzin , Seb Diamond & Kyle Kalma, Prince Club , Justin Martin and Claude VonStroke , Levon Vincent , Francis Oak, and Ida Engberg all spun excellent sets, well deserving of recognition.

At the end of the day, the team behind Igloofest absolutely nailed it with the booking this year.

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[ Zach of Prince Club ]

It’s hard to defame such a magical festival experience, but I believe I should mention the few disappointments I had with this year’s edition.

A recurring problem from last year to this year was the vast volume differential  between “opener” and “headliner”. To have such a talented roster of musicians is a blessing, and I understand why some of these musicians must take the opening slot, but it’s not a fallacy to say that Ame or Kenny Larkin deserve equal sound treatment to anyone playing a closing set.

A qualm that can probably be attributed to local law; I found the set-times to be a touch too early. Trying to make it “party-ready” in time for an 8:30 show is tough. My lack of time-management skills and chronic lateness caused me to miss a few sets that I was really looking forward to. It would have been nice had the festival been pushed a little deeper into the evening.

For me personally -and I definitely will be disputed on this- the visuals this year were somewhat underwhelming. At last year’s event I remember obsessing over the incredible displays accompanying the music; this year, the visual displays just barely stimulated me.

Lastly, the weather was too cold.

Just kidding, they call it the “world’s coldest festival” for a reason. The party is honestly, and unintuitively, better off with those merciless temperatures.

To conclude, a visual recount of the time to be had at igloofest 2014-

We’d like to thank all members of the friendly Igloofest team (most specifically Francois and Barbara) for their incredible level of support and hospitality.

Until next year, Igloofest.

LL

words:  Adam Rutledge
video:  Kane Ocean
interviews:  Rader Turner

special thanks: Ben Schreiber


Atem. | Joy EP

Atem. let us know that he plans on letting this two track EP go for free download this coming March.

Here are full-length streams of “Joy”–which is a soulful bittersweet UKG inspired number, which samples some old Diana Ross record on Motown, if I’m not mistaken–and “Distance”, which ventures into anxiety-ridden sub-marine house territory.

see previously:

8prn x Atem. | Rhea

Atem. | Grey EP


Four Tet | I got this song Burn stuck in my head…

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brand new from Four Tet


8prn x Atem. | Rhea

Vancouver-based producers 8prn and Atem. joined forces to create this moody crackling UKG roller. (If you like Burial or Four Tet , give this a try.)

Be sure to cop that free DL if you’re vibing…

see previously:

8prn | Cunha EP

8prn | Over It EP

Atem. | Grey EP


Huxley & Sam Russo | Don’t Undastand

Out now on London-based Leftroom Records , this collaboration between Huxley and Sam Russo combines a gritty muffled 1-bar bass riff with a rolling UK swing and manic hypnotic repetition of the vocal hook. Anticipation builds as the Solina strings drop back into the mix at (3:21) and we hear a fat square-wave analog synth arpeggio swelling up from the abyss (3:27) into the forefront of the soundstage…

Here is a little preview… Pick up the full-length version in a digital format here and on wax here .


Katy B | 5AM (Tian Karl remix)

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Today, we received this submission from Tian Karl over in London and we were hooked immediately by the infectious repetition of snippets of Katy B’s vocals and the crisp funky bass riff.


Bodhi | No More

Bodhi just put up the second half of their latest EP for Future Classic .

With “No More”, the duo offers a serving of catchy rolling UK house with a generous helping of warm sub.

see previously:

Bodhi | Imperfection

Bodhi | Culture / Deliquesce


Maribou State | Blue Sunday

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This London-based duo, known as Maribou State has shared a cut from their latest EP entitled Truths , which is due out October 28th on Southern Fried Records .

See previously:

Maribou State & Pedestrian | Mask

Post War Years | Glass House (Maribou State remix)


Burial & Four Tet | Unreleased

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Four Tet & Burial

During his eight-hour set on Rinse FM last night, Kieran Hebden shared a handful of previously unreleased tracks, one of which was a joint effort between him and his relatively frequent collaborator, Burial . Knowing that the song was going to be recorded and posted on Youtube, as he notes on the show, Hebden went ahead and played it anyways- and we’re certainly grateful. Listen to the moody piece below-


The Bootleg Tapes | Vol. XIV

BOOTLEG TAPES | VOL. XIV (ART) draft #2

BOOTLEG TAPES | VOL. XIV (ART) draft #2

Another chapter in a music diary is ready to be shared with you.

This dance revival trip continues…

TRACK LIST

Love Inc. – Booka Shade [Embassy One]
Moderation – Light Year [Bang Gang]
Too Much ft. Sampha (Jason Burns & Jessie Andrews remix) – Drake [self-released]
Cathedral – Indigo Kennedy [Token]
Emperor ft. Kali (Maceo Plex remix) – Ali Love [CR2]
Arise (Trus’me remix) – Anthony Shake Shakir [Syncrophone]
Giving It All (Joe Goddard remix) – Bondax [self-released]
Hummel – Topsin & Dmit Kitz [Save Room]
Nobody Else – Dusky [Aus Music]
Imprint Of Pleasure – Tube & Berger [Suara]
Follow The Step (Kink mix) – Rachel Row [Defected]
Say You Won’t Ever (Larry Heard club mix) – Wallflower [Rebirth]
Things I Didn’t Mean – Urulu & Steve Huerta [Dirt Crew]
Discoteca Clandestina (Bufi remix) – Andre VII [self-released]
Those Days – Amtrac [self-released]
It’s Only (dj Koze remix) – Matthew Herbert [Pampa]
Horus – Butch & Hohberg [Visionquest]
Youth (Lane 8 remix) – Daughter [self-released]
U Ranaway – Moodyman [Scion A/V]
Time ft. Seth Troxler – Subb-an & Tom Trago [Visionquest]
Love Jam (Maceo Plex remix) – Sound Stream [self-released]
I Can Tell – George Fitzgerald [Double Six]
What I Might Do (Karma Kid remix) – Ben Pearce [MTA]
I See Lights (Karmon remix) – Jimmy & Fred [Exploited]
Strings Of The Strings Of Life – Derrick May [Transmat]

xox


Drake | Too Much ft. Sampha (Jason Burns & Jessie Andrews remix)

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Jason Burns and Jessie Andrews put together this infectious future bass uk-house re-interpretation of Drake’s “Too Much” featuring Sampha . Burns and Andrews leave Drake out of the equation and shine the spotlight on Sampha’s angelic falsetto.

This jam is pretty undeniable. As one SoundCloud commentator, Vick the God, put it, “I love this shit, and I don’t even fuck with techno.”

Don’t forget to snatch up the free download if you’re feeling it.


Disclosure | Help Me Lose My Mind (Paul Woolford remix)

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Paul Woolford has taken what is easily the least appealing track for me on Disclosure ‘s sensational debut Settle LP, “Help Me Lose My Mind” featuring London Grammar, and re-arranged it into something much more compelling. No disrespect to the enormously talented brothers behind Disclosure ; they set the bar for themselves pretty high with tracks like “Confess To Me” and “When a Fire Stars to Burn” and the tracks from The Face EP. This remix will be available soon via Island / PMR .


Ludovico Einaudi | Walk (Phaeleh Remix)

In a Time Lapse - The Remixes

Bristol’s Phaeleh imbues his familiar and unmistakeable garage sound with a classical flavour. The original track is by Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi and is featured on his latest album In A Time Lapse . What follows is a tremendously moving product with dynamic percussive rhythms and emotive swells through strings, synths and keys. Enjoy.

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[Phaeleh]


The Bootleg Tapes | Vol. XIII

bootlegtapes vol.xiii (art & copy)

bootlegtapes vol.xiii (art & copy)

“I know you don’t get a chance to take a break this often–
I know your life is speeding and it isn’t stoppin”

The summer is drawing to a close… Here is a hand-picked selection of tracks that have kept us grooving over the past few sun-soaked months–mixed by yours truly.

TRACK LIST
And I'll Show U Heaven If U Let Me – Dean Blunt [self-released]
Sullen Ground – Mount Kimbie [Warp]
Rokcr Broth – Adapt [AvantRoots]
Strandbar (disko version) – Todd Terje [Olsen]
Eyesdontlie – Machinedrum [Ninja Tune]
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This – Idris Muhammad [Kudu]
Raw Cuts #5 – Motor City Drum Ensemble [MCDE]
Gotham – Ten Walls [Innervisions]
Burning Bright (ft. Kim Ann Foxman) – Maya Jane Coles [I/AM/ME]
Majestic Mountains – Franskild [Sweat It Out!]
Mr. Man – Dusky [Arjunadeep]
Get Back To My Baby (TBD extension) – Try To Find Me [self-released]
A1 – 8prn [self-released]
Anaphora – John Tejada [Kompakt]
Got Me So – XXXY [Rinse]
Turn The Music Up – The Players Association [Vanguard]
Wires (Theo Parrish remix) – Owiny Sigoma Band [Brownswood]
Can You Party – Royal House [Idlers]
Silberpfeil – Kolsch [Kompakt]
The Grass Is Always Greener – Jichael Mackson [Risquée]
Move Your Body Back – Dense & Pika [Hot Flush]
Just Want Another Chance – Reese [KMS]
Lady C'mon (Kissey remix) – Sinkane [DFA]
Faithful – Jacques Greene [LuckyMe]
Survive – Kidnap Kid [Black Butter]
Pyramid (Atoms For Peace remix) – Four Tet [TEXT]
Waterfalls (3 A.M. Mix) – After Hours [Strictly Rhythm]
Patticakes – Ben Pearce [Annie Mac Presents]
Brotherman – Detroit Swindle [Freerange]
Wit(z) – Valentin Stip [Clown & Sunset]
To Be In Love (ft. India) – Masters At Work [Defected]
Confess To Me (ft. Jesse Ware) – Disclosure [PMR, Island]
Never Knew Love (Made In Detroit mix) – Chez Damier [KMS]
Hi-Tech Jazz – Underground Resistance [self-released]
Mainline (ft. Syron) – Tensnake [Defected]
Beyond (Darkside remix) – Daft Punk [self-released]
CAS – Walkin' [self-released]

...

with love,

Wolfey


xxxy | Broken Dream Sequencer / Heart of Lead

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While clearing out his hard drive, London-based producer xxxy happened to come across a pair of corrupted project files. Fortunately, instead of tossing them out, Rupert Taylor decided to hand them out free-of-charge.

“Broken Dreams” and “Heart of Lead” aren’t exactly what you’d expect from an artist who tends to produce busier, beat-driven tracks. This time around, in the absence of any percussive pattern, Taylor relies on cosmic, swelling synth sounds to create emotive yet serene soundscapes.

And if you missed it, stream the title track from xxxy ’s “Got Me So EP” via Rinse , released earlier this year.

alh


Joy Orbison | Donnell

[Peter O’Grady, a.k.a. Joy Orbison]

UKG kingpin Peter O’Grady, a.k.a. Joy Orbison , has released his rendition of Donnel Jones ‘ original “U Know What’s Up”. Joy has kept the track to himself for a little while now; playing it out for a couple of years, but today, he released it for free download. The single features everything you know and love about a Joy Orbison tune; stream/download below-

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