Dark Sky | Clear
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London-based trio Dark Sky just put up this single off their Brothers And Sisters LP forthcoming on Mister Saturday Night . Pre-order the 12″ here .
It would seem that the majority of the tunes I have been listening to lately feature a four-to-the-floor kick drum. So if you’re of the opinion that most of that “nst’ nst’ nst'” crap sounds the same, you should probably stop reading now and find something else to listen to… However, if you have read this far already, my guess is that you have a sense of what you’re getting into and that you too will share my enthusiasm for many of these funky soulful gems.
In this instalment of The Bootleg Tapes , you will hear new material from the likes of Duke Dumont, Disclosure, Booka Shade, Mount Kimbie, and Daft Punk alongside a handful of selections from the stacks…
TRACKS
Hey Now – Romare [Black Acre]
Rewind – Omar S [FXHE]
Take Your Shirt Off – Cocolores [Compost]
White Noise ft. Aluna George – Disclosure [Island]
Confunktion – Dark Sky [Tectonic]
Work It Out – Kastle [self-released]
You Naked (Jimmy Edgar remix) – Jamie Lidell [Warp]
Sicko Cell – Joy Orbison [Swamp 81]
1960 What (Opolopo Kick Bass re-rub) – Gregory Porter [Tokyo Dawn]
So Into You (Inner City radio mix) – Michael Watford [Rhino Atlantic]
Close – Squarehead [Sounds of Sumo]
Wear It Well – Locked Groove [Hot Flush]
Send A Prayer pt. 1 – Motor City Drum Ensemble [Rush Hour / MCDE]
Black Out White Noise – Booka Shade [Blaufield Music]
Waiting All Night ft. Ella Eyre (Kidnap Kid remix) – Rudimental [Warner Music UK]
Too Much – Amateur Best [Double Denim]
Headlock (Graphics remix) – Mr. Fogg [Kicking Ink]
Ebonics – Theo Parish [Sound Signature]
saṃsāra – unknown [unreleased]
You Rock My World – Michael Jackson [Epic]
Need You 100% – Duke Dumont [Ministry of Sound]
Makin' Love – Sound Stream [Sound Stream]
A Girl Like Me – Mason [Great Stuff]
Same Old Place – Genius Of Time [Aniara]
Made To Stray – Mount Kimbie [Warp]
Get Lucky ft. Pharell Williams – Daft Punk [Daft Life \ Columbia \ Sony Music]
Yours,
Wolfey
The new Dark Sky . ‘Confunktion / Double U’ out on Tectonic . We’ve been bumpin’ it for days; enjoy-
KO
Two hours ago, Kastle put up this foxy bougie-house single, ‘Red Light ft. Ayah Marar ‘, off his upcoming album on Symbols . Keep an eye out for the album, and if you have the opportunity to see him spin, see him spin. He’ll be alongside Dark Sky , Jets , Nick Hook , Starship Connection , House Shoes , and Tyler Tastemaker for Surefire Sound ‘s SXSW showcase.
KO + Rader
Why is this mix series titled “The Bootleg Tapes”? I have been pondering this question… Wikipedia describes a “bootleg recording” as “an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority.” The article goes on to explain that “the process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging.” To be honest, I did not pay for any of these tracks, and some of them have not yet been released by their respective labels. I did not receive permission from the “copyright holders” to re-distribute this content, (as SoundCloud’s copyright infringement detection software pointed out to me when I tried unsuccessfully to upload the mix the first couple times.) In short, these mixes are conceived and distributed in contravention of music copyright law. For this reason, it would seem that the title of the series is fitting.
For this tenth episode, I put together a special two-hour mix comprised of an eclectic selection of house, techno, UK garage, and soul. Most of the tracks are contemporary, but you will hear a handful of classics from the likes of Fingers Inc., Rhythim Is Rhythim, Inner City, and Carl Craig.
Special thanks to the other Low-Life staff-writers who helped me find a great deal of this music–as well as to our followers.
TRACKS
Cirrus - Bonobo [Ninja Tune]
Harm In Change - Toro Y Moi [Carpark]
You Give Me Fever - Romare [Universal]
Whatnot - Machinedrum [Innovative Leisure]
Everything - Justin Jay [Southern Fried]
Turns Turns Turns (Blue Hawaii Flüchtig Mix) - Majical Cloudz [Arbutus]
Elegante - Squarehead [5AND7]
So Submissive - Citizen [MadTech]
Reykjavik - Brolin [Double Denim]
Guuurl - Lapalux [Brainfeeder]
Local Traffic - Wolfey [White]
The Variable - Wolfey [White]
Can You Feel It? (instrumental) - Fingers Inc. [Trax]
Something We All Adore - Solomun [Supernature]
Desire - 69 [R&S]
Brazil (slow version) - Luke Abott [Border Community]
Sandstorms - Carl Craig [Planet E]
The Fallout - Dark Sky and Breach [Naked Naked]
Tenderly - Disclosure [Make Mine]
Good Life - Inner City [Virgin]
Soul What (Boddika Remix) - Boddika [Swamp 81]
Sunshine (Uto Karem Remix) - Tomaz & Filterheadz [1605 Music Therapy]
Sad - Jerome LOL [Self-Released]
Phosphor (Norman Nodge Remix) - Onmutu Mechanicks [Echocord Colour]
Tomorrow Belongs To Us - Booka Shade [Defected In The House]
Beam Me Up (George Fitzgerald Remix) - Close [Aus Music]
Energy Flash - Joey Beltram [R&S]
Positive Education - Slam [Soma Quality]
Defiant Order - Birdy Nam Nam [OWSLA]
Loose Your - Günther Lause [Laut & Luise]
Mask - Pedestrian & Maribou State [Catz N' Dogz]
Closer - Lulu James [Sony / RCA]
Distant Shores - Petar Dundov [Music Man]
Ford Trax - Baby Ford [Virgin France]
Strings Of Life - Rhythim is Rhythim [Transmat]
Retrograde - James Blake [Republic]
Love,
Wolfey
[Breach]
This is the video for Breach and Dark Sky ‘s single, “The Click;” a taste from their forthcoming collaborative 12″.
Though brief, the tune finds emotional pay-off through what I hear to be a clever balance of Breach ‘s tense atmospheric tendencies and Dark Sky ‘s knack for a polished and buoyant hook.
[Dark Sky]
Dazed Digital ‘s accompanying video, which, as of right now, is the only singular way to stream the song, is a stark tribute to both the violence and brotherhood of gang culture.
Look out for backside “The Fallout,” come February 11th via Breach ‘s own, Naked Naked .
“From that day on we just became tight & clicked up”
sam.i.am
Last we heard of Dark Sky was following their triumphant four track return to British label Black Acre Records . Black Rainbows marked a distinct turn for the three boys from South London, as they chose to follow their more tribal, junglist tendencies, forgoing the glossy euphoria present on their debut effort for Modeselektor ‘s 50 Weapons imprint, 2011’s Radius , and specifically its lead single, Neon , for something distinctly darker – in the words of our own sam.i.am., it was “playfully moody.”
Though the Myriam EP brings Dark Sky back to 50 Weapons, the mood here continues along the darker trend established by Black Rainbows.
Opener Shutter Speed sets the tone early, with a stuttering bass line, and one of the most unconventional melodies they have released to date, yet this track still has the potential to pack dancefloors around the globe, a quality that has become unsurprising with the inherent talent in this group.
Hequon follows, filling a head bobbing rhythm with deep industrial tones, and a sharp focus on the fullness of the production, lending gravitas to the relatively bare-bones song.
Up next is the centrepiece of the release, the eight minute epic – Shades. This grandiose piece manages to combine some of the harshest, mechanized sounds on the EP with its most human moment, the velvety synths that bring this track to a close.
Dark Sky wrap up the EP with easily its most in your face choon – Gaddagive. While there is an inherent quality to this song that will grab hold of your skull and toss it around, like a cat with a ball of yarn, there is nothing obvious about it, from the jacked up tabla rhythms to the chiming melody that kicks this song off. In the context of the album this piece feels primal, prehistoric even, yet even with these ancient qualities, it fits firmly in the groundbreaking, genre defying new wave of UK bass that Dark Sky has found themselves at the forefront of.
-St.Patty
In response to this jam, one commentator on SoundCloud shared “fuck perfect bass.” Something like that notion ran across my mind as I haggardly bobbed up in down in my chair while listening to this teaser of Dark Sky ‘s villainous new production entitled “Shades”–forthcoming on Modeselektor’s 50 Weapons imprint on December 7th. I suspect this one will smash up a handful dance caves around the globe over the holiday season.
Wolfey
[Atoms For Peace]
Atoms For Peace is a ‘supergroup’ comprised of Thom Yorke , Flea of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich amongst others. Default is the single released by Atoms For Peace to keen ears yesterday afternoon; it is a 5-minute atmospheric ride reminiscent of a combination between UK-based DJ group Dark Sky , and In Rainbows – era Radiohead .
The proper release for Default comes September 10th via XL Recordings , with the release of the full LP supposedly coming sometime this year.
Atom
The minds behind Croatia’s Outlook gathering have self-confidently dubbed their brainchild to be “Europe’s leading bass music and sound system culture festival.” Now this may read as just another self-serving and over-zealous sale’s pitch, but I am happy to inform you that most every bit of zeal in this statement is justified. In fact, through a breif calculation of logic, this proclamation may prove even modest;
If Outlook is indeed the leading bass music and sound-system culture fetsival in Europe, which, from my experience, appears to be quite true, and if Europe is the world’s leading continent in that same category, which, again, I can attest to, then Outlook festival may in fact be the leading bass music and sound system culture festival in the world.
Now, this is a bold statement, so let me begin to tell you why I think so:
First off, the event takes place in, on, and around, an abandoned fortress, which, by my degree of knowledge of 18th Century Mediterranean Architecture, is essentially a castle, and not only is a castle one of the most exciting and appropriate settings that I’ve had the opportunity to indulge in a variety of deep sounds and styles, but acoustically speaking, its almost as if those determined Croates of yesteryear built it expressly for the ideal presentation of contemporary bass music.
Speaking of which, the music was thrilling, utterly so, and I know that I stand risk of sounding like a jittering fan-boy, but today that’s something I may very well be.
So, who was good? Jackmaster , playing his typically eclectic mix of dance music – from Usher to Joy O ; Scuba , proving he that he was worth his steep price-tag; Sepalcure , Plastician , XXXY , Eliphino , Disclosure , and, of course, Skream with Sgt. Pokes , were all a bonafied pleasure to catch. Also making it into this congratulatory category is Kode9 , Loefah , Oneman , Black Acre newcomer, Alby Daniels , Silkie , and Ben UFO ; A tip of the hat to all of them.
Some favorites heard from this category:
Now, who was fantastic?
[Addison Groove]
If I had a crown to give, it’d have to go to Addison Groove . He threw down the most exciting set of the weekend; at the end, mixing from his trade-mark grit-house jams, to a combination of Hudmo ‘s “CBat” and Earl Sweatshirt ‘s “Drop,” and finally into a booty shaking version of The Chordette’s barbershop classic, “ Mr. Sandman ,” of which I have yet to track down. A round of applause is more than in order for Mr. Groove. If he’s coming to a club near you, do not miss out, just go.
Dark Sky rounded off the Black Acre party on Saturday night, and even from outside the fort, one could tell it was the place to be, with a line-up extending easily over 50 meters out the gate. The beats from their Black Rainbows EP sounded ripe and juicy on the Courtyard system.
[Boddika]
The Swamp 81 party was yet another stand-out, with Boddika standing as the personal highlight of the exhibtion, though only just ahead of his more than worthy label mates, Oneman and imprint-boss, Loefah . And since we’re on the topic of dubstep, big ups to Joker for up-staging the DMZ showcase in a big way. Sorry, Mala and Coki , we still love you.
Friday Night at Mungo’s Arena was a breath of fresh for anyone feeling a bit claustrophobic from the prominence of D&B at Outlook. Girl Unit was the highlight of this party. His work on the Club Rez Ep dazzled between the stone walls of the military fort.
Some respect is to be given to trap stalwarts, Baauer and Hudmo , because their numbers, “Harlem Shake,” and “ CBat ,” were springing up dj’s sets of every genre. Same goes to Julio Bashmore for his summer anthem’s of 2011 and 2012; “ Battle For Middle You ,” and “ Au Seve ,” respectively.
So, we’ve run through the good and the grand, but was it a perfect experience? No, of course not. All things are flawed, even the most wonderful.
The major bone I have to pick is with the audience, who whilst being, for the most part, avid fans of these genres, neglected some of the bare necessities of festival etiquette. Muscling belligerently to the front of the bar line was a common activity. Now that I think of it, muscling any where at any time without an excuse me or a patient moment’s wait was standard practice at Outlook. Friends assured me that this was simply the English way of doing things, but I don’t take that as a valid excuse. Thumbs down. Love thy neighbour next time, boys.
The second pickable bone is not necessarily the fault of anyone in particular. It was the simple fact that Mala, Coki, Loefah, and Disclosure, were far from being loud enough at the Harbour stage on Saturday night. The open ocean is no natural amphitheatre. Fortunately, this is where Dimensions Festival comes in.
Opening tonight, Dimensions festival promises an equal if not more impressive line-up of underground artists, an audience of presumably more committed listeners, and lastly, exclusive use of the Fort stages, which means, better sound and smaller venues for bigger artists. Let’s hope it lives up to these other-worldly expectations.
Outlook , thank you. It was a blessing to be a part of. Considering the legend of setting and sound that your team has etched into bass-music’s youthful history, the title of world’s leading bass music and sound system culture festival is yours to loose. Now, to see what your little brother is packing…
See you next year,
sam.i.am
Album art for Dark Sky's "Black Rainbows" EP
Released last week, the “Black Rainbows,” EP is the playfully moody follow up to the London-town trio’s 2011, world-wide-web shaking “ Radius ,” EP. Reverting to their roots at Black Acre records, the combined efforts of Tom, Matt, and Carlos satisfy an array of expectations, from the dark hustle of “Zoom,” to the sassy bounce and finger wagging mystique induced by “Tremor.” Look forward to more from this incredulously consistant production unit in the coming months; Dark Sky is little else if not relentless.
Zoom – Dark Sky [UK-bass]
Totem – Dark Sky [UK-bass] [recommended]
Here’s a bone that they tossed back in January – tasty indeed.
Stand Off – Dark Sky [UK-bass]
sam.i.am