Vaib-R - Intl EP

Here comes Athen based label, Nous, sophomore release. The first release from this label brought us some decent standard deep house styles from Militades. The second release is not so much different, especially in terms of good music. Wes 'Moon B' Gray, who is adopting a new moniker in Vaib-R presents Intl EP, a collection of 3 brand new productions kept in four-four kick lo-fi funk style, each being more propulsive than the last. Budapest's Route 8 and local Greek name, Retrograde, do their job on the remixes. 12" vinyl is still available online. Grab it while it lasts.

Tracklisting:

A1. About Freedom
A2. Winds
B1. Intl
B2. About Freedom (Route 8 Daytime Mix)
B3. About Freedom (Retro:grade Restruction)

DISSECTION: Invent - Hey You + Space Stacker

Hey You! 

A new installment of Dissection is finally here. This time we teamed up with Invent - turntablist, dj and now turned producer. His debut Hey You EP dropped last month on U Know Me Records and it just had to be featured here on Beatscapes -  it's really that good. We couldn't decide which track to feature so Invent was kind enough to lay down the techniques behind both. Ladies and gentlemen: Invent - Hey You & Space Stacker, let the man explain how it's done:

I took Hey You EP really personally as a way of showing my musical journey as a DJ and producer. With hip-hop background on one side, and electronic and dance music music on the other, I tried to combine that oldschool vibe with more modern sound. Following this key I've selected the artists for remix duties - A-Side (Hey You + Azari & III remix) is an oldschool hip-house (one would argue it's nudisco/electro, although in today's climate it's just tags and semantics) and on B-Side (Space Stacker + Hey You Lunice Remix) it's pure hip-hop/electronic from AD 2013. 

Having the opportunity to record with KRS-One and to send to send tracks to remixers of this calibre, I tried to make it as authentic as possible, especially when music has a really short lifespan and is considered being "fresh". That's why I opted to exclude on Space Stacker trap drum patterns, bass-kicks and 808 Snare-Rolls and KRS-One is rapping on a 113bpm 4x4 beat, quite unusual if you ask me. 

Both tracks were made mainly on MFB-503, Roland MC 303, Microkorg, Jumbo 61 R6 and dusty samples. 

Hey You" EP traktuję personalnie jako ukazanie w czterech numerach drogi jaką przeszedłem dotychczas jako DJ i producent. Z jednej strony hiphopowy background, z drugiej natomiast elektronika i muzyka klubowa, na której od dłuższego czasu już jestem skupiony. Starałem się także połączyć oldschoolowy vibe, do którego zawsze miałem słabość ze współczesnym brzmieniem. Według tej filozofii nagrałem moje tracki oraz dobrałem remixerów - strona A (Hey You + Azari & III remix) to staro szkolny hip-house (niektórzy już nazwali to nudisco, czy też electro, co chyba nie ma w obecnych czasach większego znaczenia), z kolei strona B (Space Stacker + Hey You w remixie Lunice) to hiphop / electronic AD 2013. 

Mając już okazję nagrywać z KRS-One i wysyłać ścieżki do takich remixerów, starałem się zrobić wszystko jak najbardziej oryginalnie, szczególnie w momencie kiedy muzyka ma bardzo krótki termin ważności. Dlatego własnie przy "Space Stacker" omijałem szerokim łukiem trapowe patterny, bass-kicki i 808-snare-rolle, a KRS-One nawija na bicie 113 bpm 4x4, co chyba nie jest często spotykane. 

Oba utwory powstały głównie na MFB-503, Roland MC 303, Microkorg, Jumbo 61 R6 i starych samplach. 

HEY YOU 

The title track is based on a chopped, super-stretched snare drum and a bassline making half the bussines done. Intro was arranged manually and supressed to make ground for the bass drop and drums. The main loop gradually unfolds until Kid Daytona's verse.

Tytułowy track oparty jest na pociętym samplu, czyli rozciągniętym wszędzie gdzie się da, długim werblu, oraz linii basowej, która robi połowę roboty. Intro wbiłem ręcznie i stłumiłem, żeby przygotować pole pod mocne wejście basu (#jebs) i podstawy perkusji. Główny loop rozwija się stopniowo o resztę perkusjonaliów aż do wejścia The Kid Daytona.

While arranging I was inspired by oldschool house (the main motif is present through the whole track) and hip-hop dynamics (strong openings for succesive instruments and synths as well as the lack of build up traded for a short, soothing breakdown preparing for the drop w/ KRS-One hitting the track). You can hear different hi-hats, 808 sound in the form of the world's best cowbell (after applying a short echo and adding a little "melody" on it) and rim shots, chopped arpeggiator and a floating synth (space echo). All mixed to keep that dirty, oldchool sound intact.

Aranżując całość, inspirowałem się starym housem (stąd właśnie główny motyw przewija się przez prawie cały numer) i hiphopową dynamiką (zdecydowane wejścia kolejnych instrumentów i synthów oraz brak build-up'u na rzecz krótkiego, łagodzącego track i przygotowującego pod dropa z wejściem KRS-One break downu). Tak więc dalej można usłyszeć kilka różnych ścieżek hatów itp, 808 sound w postaci najlepszego na świecie cowbella (na który nałożyłem krótkie echo i stworzyłem delikatną 'melodię' zamiast pozostawić go jako zwykły element perki) i rim shotów, pocięty arpeggiator i rozpływający się synth (space echo). Całość jest zmixowana tak, żeby pozostawić brudne, oldschoolowe brzmienie. 

SPACE STACKER

From the beginning it was meant to be a massive hip-hop/electronic sound, but as I said earlier I didn't want any trap sounds in it. Some of you may look suprised but one of the inspirations was a track by WWO - Mogę Wszystko (although in the end both don't have much in common). To get that massive, clean electronic sound I frequently used the reverb, space echo etc. I used MFB-503 and Roland MC303 for the drum patterns. Kick interchanges with a puntual, delayed bass and the hi-hats got tweaked using the slightest touch of flanger effect. I also added channel-split clicks and the vocal sample.

Od samego początku miał to być massive hiphop / electronic sound, ale jak już wspominałem, nie miał on wchodzić na obszary trapu. Pewnie niektórych to może nieźle zdziwić, ale jedną z inspiracji był numer WWO - Mogę Wszystko (chyba jednak w efekcie końcowym nie mają ze sobą wiele wspólnego).

Żeby bit miał w sobie sporo powietrza oraz masywny, elektroniczny i czysty charakter, często posługiwałem się reverbem, spece echo itp.

Do stworzenia perkusji posłużyłem się MFB-503 i Rolandem MC 303. Stopa wymienia się z punktowym, lekko zdeleyowanym basem (Microkorg), na hihaty nałożyłem bardzo mały flanger oraz dodałem rozbite na kanały kliki i sampel wokalny. 

The rest of the track consists of 2 arpeggiators. First one - low, is recorded on half-time 41bpm, cut a bit and faded at the end by space echo (this time from Pioneer DJM 900 Nexus mixer), while the second has really stretched frequencies and is floating between the channels. Until the chorus the arrangements are typpically hip-hop'ish, but the second got a little more electronic, but all the tracks interplay rather nicely.

Dalszą częsć tracku tworzą dwa arpeggiatory, pierwszy, niski jest nagrany na half-time 41 bpm, lekko przycięty i rozmyty na koniec frazy kosmicznym echem (tym razem z mixera Pioneer DJM 900 Nexus), drugi natomiast ma szeroko rozciągnięte częstotliwości i pływa pomiędzy kanałami. Do refrenu, aranżacja jest typowo hiphopowa, druga połowa Space Stackera ma charakter bardziej elektroniczny, a wszystkie ścieżki się wzajemnie wymieniają. 

The Space Stacker chorus is a classic, chopped pitch-down based on the acapella of a house classic - Junior Jack - Thrill Me (Such A Thrill).

Refren w Space Stacker to klasyczny, pocięty pitch-down oparty na acapelli housowego klasyka - Junior Jack - Thrill Me (Such a Thrill).
                             Let's pull it back together and see how it sounds: 

Harvey Sutherland - Nexus

Today's retro vibes come from melbourne's Harvey Sutherland. The track Nexus is an intstrumental take on the 1983 italo disco classic "Stand Up" by Nexus. I was more than happy when I without any problems was able dig it up the original tune on youtube. I will say that Harvey has done a very good job of reworking it. The vibe in NEXUS is perfectly balanced making it a top shelf rework.



Nexus is actually one of the three tunes recently released on a very cool casette, the so called "cassingle" (the label is This Thing). Nexus is accompanied by lo-fidelity Roland sketches "Q3" and "Pale Blue" on the B-side.

Harvey Sutherland is in fact better known as Mike Kay - a synth nerd, producer, keyboardist, DJ and boogie enthusiast.



His excellent Low Altitude has been given a 12" re-release via good some good folks at Peoples Potential Unlimited (still available, just hit their webstore). Modern boogie at it's best, the title track is a funky 808 driven dance floor filler. You can stream it below:

B.Bravo & Teeko pres. Tempo Dreams vol.2

  

We covered the split Starship Connection/K-Maxx 7'' earlier, but Tempo Dreams vol.2 for Bastard Jazz is out and it's too good not the write about it. B.Bravo & Teeko have been pulling the strings in the modern funk scene for a while so it was quite easy to get the best cats on the comp. The Bay is represented by Bayonics, K-Maxx, Rojai & E.Live and Mugpush. The One finally got the vinyl treatment and from my perspective I'll be able to finally spin Pomrad's Dans from wax :) (shipping costs in Belgium were too damn high when Vjotles dropped first time round). Guys also didn't forget about Cherries Records who've pushing their quality 7'' since last year.

The Verdict? - Great soulful vibe through out the whole record, immaculate selection must say. The previous volume was quite a hit, so it should be easily available from your favorite retailers or just go directly to Bastard Jazz Bandcamp, will you?

J1, Rest in Peace somewhere in the funkmosphere ! 

Nadia Ksaiba - Virtual Lover

Usually I don't dig in the wave/synth crate in my local record store, but Nadia Ksaiba's Virtual Lover single cover looked soooo 80's I just couldn't pass. Like the artwork everything else is also vintage - Virtual Lover ticks all 80's pop/funk boxes - spaced out retro synths, sweet vocals and crispy playful bass. Most 80's singles had (dub) versions on the flip and it's no different this time - we get a stretched out 6-minute spaced out affair. Last but not least Jimmy Edgar returns to 2013 with his spot on Detroit electro remix combining old, new & robots, lots of robots (and echoes too). Released on Phantasy Sounds, the 12'' is available in most record stores so grab your copy at least for the cover, perfect for an instagram sleeve-face photo. 

Beatscapes pres. 'Put On Your Dancing-Gown'

First in-house Beatscapes mix is finally here! We've overcome the laziness and put out a 55 minutes set of  disco, slo-mo, house and boogie straight from vinyl. Definately "feel good" vibes and favs from 2013 were the ideas behind the selection process, but we've still added a few older gems here and there. Hope you dig it! 

Put on your dancing-gown by Beatscapes on Mixcloud

Sons of the Morning - The Way Winter Passed Us

Warp beatmaker and glitch-hop godfather Guillermo Scott Herren aka Prefuse 73 launched his very own imprint Yellow Year Records. His plans with the label are quite fascinating as it will release Speak Soon, a twelve-volume series of EPs that will feature Prefuse 73 collaborating with beat scene masters Teebs, Nosaj Thing, Lapalux, Synkro, Nathan Fake, Dimlite to name few (Pitchfork). 

The first big move is Sons of the Morning,  the new duo comprising Brainfeeder artist Teebs and of course Prefuse 73. "The Way Winter Passed Us" is an instrumental masterpiece, with flowing melody powered by rolling percussion. As Herren speaks himself (Spin): 

"On a musical level, Teebs taps into really simple hardware and pulls off consistently beautiful music. He's kind of like the Erik Satie of the SP-303, which is a cheap sampler. I'm inspired by his effectivness with what he works with and the sincerity that comes out in his sound".

On Point Summer Sampler 2013

So, we've reached mid August and most of the summer '13 is behind us. I therefore call On Point Summer Sampler 2013 a late summer compilation. Freekwency, Jazz Neversleeps, Billy Palmier, The Essence and Seiren, are all brought together on one 12" delivering perfect tunes to close summer season with. Watch for the 12" when it comes out! 

Starship Connection (B. Bravo & Teeko) “We Can Go All Night”

Two of the Bay Area's finest future funk personas, Teeko and B.Bravo (Brownswood, RBMA) are back with an ode to going all night long. "We Can Go All Night Long" is a brand new track released on 7" earlier this week by Bastard Jazz ahead of their Tempo Dreams compilation series (in fact compiled by B.Bravo and Teeko). B side features another San Francisco producer and vocalist K-Maxx on "Dreamin' Of You". This 45 is a must have, purchase it here.

Pathetic Waste of Talent – Triburbia

This duo going by a quite sarcastic name, Pathetic Waste of Talent, is hailing from Heidelberg, Germany. In case of their new track Triburbia, there is no speculation about waste of talent whatsoever. Triburbia can be downloaded for free... and I guess you're already in the process of downloading it. 

FKA Twigs - Water Me (EP2)

Sounds like this autumn is going to be taken by storm by a bunch of talented vocalists, all trying to find their place in the future soul/electronic pop scene. Jessy Lanza w/ an upcoming debut, personal favorite Fatima just released the 12'' single Circle, Py & Maths Time Joy working on former's debut LP... FKA Twigs fits nicely in this lovely bunch of beautiful female voices; Water Me ticks all the boxes of our definition of beatscapes from the top of the page: ethereal, glitchy and spacious yet intimate, absolutely stunning future soul ballad. EP2 drops in September, reserve your 12'' HERE

Jessy Lanza - Kathy Lee

I dunno, but I have a feeling that new music has been a bit weaker this year than last couple of years. This feeling was immediately gone when I listened to Jessy's Lanza track Kathy Lee - wow this shit is amazing. I reckon this has been my top 2013 discovery so far.

Kathy Lee has been co-produced by Canadian synthpop wizard Jeremy Greenspan of Junior Boys. This will be released in September on Hyperdub. I look so much forward to!

Tiger & Woods - Golden Bear EP

Not much is known about these dudes or Editainment label on which they release their stuff. Tiger & Woods duo is back with their another jaw-dropping installment. The Golden Bear EP provides three tracks of loop rich and groove heavy tunes. This will surely be another big one for all their fans. Out now in good record stores.

Roux Spana - 9 Weeks of Sun (Morning Heat)

The time has come and the summer is here in effect. Roux Spana is, for the second time, delivering unstoppable vibes for the picnic days (make sure that you check 9 Weeks of Sun vol.1). The concept is slightly different, since this time, the album drops at once, where last year Roux Spana released one track for 9 weeks.

This record isn't just for headphones. It's a summer album, conveying images of spraying fire hydrants and melted popsicles and can be well played during hot barbecue nights and beach parties.

It's made up of old-sounding elements, but sounds fresh and new. Funky vintage synthesizers, chopped funk & boogie samples, and woozy drum breaks bring new life to these 80' tunes.There is some straight-out hits like Week 1 (She Got The Move) or Week 6 (Out Tonight) or buttery tracks like Week 2 (You Give Me Fever). Without further ado, make sure that you check this album. Free download!

DJ Nature/Admin - BoogieFuturo #2

Futureboogie Recordings little sibling Boogiefuturo returns w/ the 2nd installment and the both cuts on this limited, hand-numbered 12'' are absolute masterpieces, the groove seems to never end, just perfect for looping it all summer long. DJ Nature does magic and remixes Typesun's Last Home adding the bongos and reworking the trumpet and string arrangements. Looks like even simple measures can lead to a tasty groove. On the flip, Admin put out a wonderful piece of jazz house in Gold Soul, really Vakula-esque (and even more jazzier than Andres' tracks from 2012). Seriously recommended 12''  - don't miss out because the stock is running low, yet it's still available in a few shops.

Shigeto - Detroit Part 1

This time it's not any recovered music but really fresh output from the one and only Shigeto representing Ghostly International. With Ann Arbor series seem to be done and dusted it's time for Detroit, Part 1 to be exact. Multi-textured melodies are floating over crisp drums while the track builds towards it's climax. But when you think it's the end a lush outro re-emerges serving as a little nod to the Ann Arbor days.

Exquisite piece, No Better Time Than Now drops on August 19th/20th on Ghostly.

Yosi Horikawa - Vapor

For anyone who checks Beatscapes the name Yosi Horikawa should be a familiar one. Our favorite Japanese producer is finally releasing his debut LP titled Vapor, which drops on June 24th via First Word Records. The signature sonic elements should all be present - prescisely crafted eerie soundscapes, multi layered melodies and some field recordings and unexpected samples (like on the Wandering EP). Don't sleep on deluxe version - it's stricly limited to 35 copies and has Letter pressed on... a playable postcard. Get your's HERE. Here are all the tracks we've been able to find in one playlist - and oh my they're really groovy and breath in the own sense, pure bliss: 

DJ Czarny/Tas - Time To Build LP

Since their first album Passion, Music, Hip-Hop Dj Czarny & Tas have made huge leaps forward - 2 years forward the're IDA World Champions and return w/ a new album that's a few levels higher than the debut. At 14 songs long the Polish duo manage to squeeze in 90's hip-hop, LA Beats, Jazz-Hop and forward thinking electronic music while maintaining a warm, soulful vibe. Turntablism skills are presented by DJ Czarny, but with a certain balance without overshadowing the beautiful melodies. Roux Spana & 3K from RSBT, Night Marks Electric Trio and rappers AB & Ozzay Moore all make guest appearences. Don't know if it's hip-hop yet, but that's what I would like to hear in 2013. Stream the album below or grab a CD HERE.