Mucky

Speaking of large things... how about some delicious, high-cholesterol beats? Specifically, Jack Beats. Mr Beats has obviously been knocking about for a bit and he's a big favourite with certain blogs, but I'll admit I'm not a massive fan. 'Get Down', though, is impossible to ignore. It's got a more house-style structure to it than his other stuff, and his trademark wobble is combined with a grinding mono-synth which gives the whole song a rough, aggressive edge. The youtube comments pretty much sum it up - 'this is fuckin NUTS!!!!!!!!!! '. If you haven't heard/got it already then it's a must grab. (He's also put out a solid La Roux remix that's well worth checking out.)

It's kind of hard to follow 'Get Down' with anything that's similarly crazyily hype, but 'Mucky' by Kry Wolf comes pretty close. It kicks off with one of the bounciest drum patterns I've ever heard and then brings in a huge, filthy, deep, fuzzed out bassline punch that sounds like 'Flat Eric' on electro-infused crack/a rubber duck taking an amplified shit. I played it on the tube this morning and nearly ruptured my face/seizured. It's deep. Another must have.

Also, Calvin Harris' album leaked the other day, to mixed reviews. Personally I think he got the singles spot on. The rest of the album isn't bad but nothing really jumps out. I could happily listen to it, but I don't think I'd remember much of it after. Either way, apparently all people are buying at the moment is singles so I guess it doesn't really matter how good the album is.

In other news, Deadmau5 has finally put a radio edit of 'Ghosts 'n' Stuff' together and is getting some airplay. I prefer the original mix, without the corny vocal bit over the top, but it's still a bit of a tune so fair play to the geezer.

Last up, one more tune. This one is some deep, grimy dubstep from Calibre - a tune called 'Tenopause'. So far all I've heard is a radio rip from Hatcha and Mala's b2b on Kiss, which is more low quality than Paris Hilton's home videos. But despite the quality the track appears to be a piece of pure fucking mentalness. I won't call it minimal, because that's bound just to put people off, but it's not the usual jump-up. The best way to describe it is as basically one rip-roaring bass sound with some freaky ghost noises over the top. And some drums. Banging.

If you're looking for any other huge dubstep tunes than hit up Rossi B and Luca and check out Enemy (or the Tallinn Evil remix) on their page. The other tunes are pretty obese as well. Looking forward to some more releases from them.

That's all, folks.

Jack Beats - Get Down Buy

Kry Wolf - Mucky Myspace

Calibre - Tenopause Myspace

Euphoric

Madcon made a bit of an impact with their single 'Beggin' (which used that awesome Pilooski edit of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons), but I wrote them off fairly quickly, assuming they would be a bit of a one-hit wonder.

Whoops.

Although they might not be the best rappers in the world by any means, they definitely know good production when they hear it. The sexy electric guitar in '2000'n AA' is pretty much one of the best used samples I've heard in a long time. The drums are also great, really funky, and it's all mixed in with some horn stabs and a few electronic sounds. It sounds very smooth. And the lyrics aren't all bad, though they seem a bit aggressive for the track. (The way he sings 'we Madcon' sounds awesome as well). 'Liar' and 'The Sweetest Drug' are done in the same kind of style and are worth a listen as well. I think 'Liar' is quite possibly on a few BBC playlists... You can count that as a good thing or not depending on personal preference.

But it can't be all commercial hip-hop on this blog. In fact it hardly ever is. Because that would be no fun. So I turn to commercial dance instead - meaning the new Calvin Harris track in particular. I can't be the only person who spent the last week searching for a non-tagged version of the song, or one that wasn't horribly distorted by (non)virtue of being a radio-rip. Alas, I can't find one. To make do, I've listened to my less than ideal versions of the song about 50 times a day. I love the new direction he's gone in, moving from a 'disco' revival to some good, old-fashioned, mainstream house - possibly because he's trying to jump on the hype surrounding 'Pjanoo' and 'Infinity '08'. Not that I'm cynical. Regardless, 'I'm Not Alone' is a great song, it builds up nicely and it's about as euphoric as you could possibly want. Can't wait to hear it on a night out.

I won't put up the song, because it's on his myspace and all over the web anyway. I've put up an old remix of 'Dance Wiv Me' by Shazam instead, because it's pretty much amazing.

Sticking with the trance theme, I've linked an old Lifelike tune as well. I'm pretty sure he doesn't need any introduction or any hyping. Which is good, because I've already written far more than necessary.

Also, Damn Arms are quality. They've been getting a lot of attention recently, courtesy of their new EP. Their remix of 'Far Away' is one of my favourites, and I think I may have linked it before. Nevertheless, it's worth a second mention. The grainy electric piano in particular sounds fucking brilliant, and the treatment of the vocals is perfect.


Madcon - 2000'n AA Buy
Cut Copy - Far Away (Damn Arms Remix) Buy
Geyster - Under The Fuse Of Love (Lifelike Remix) Buy
Dizzee Rascal (feat. Calvin Harris and Chrome) - Dance Wiv Me (Shazam Remix) Buy

TEPR Eff

I've been listening to some flipping HUGE tunes lately, courtesy mostly of two producers. First up is London boy Bill Eff, competing with the French electro crowd and not coming off to bad at all. Fittingly, his remix of Yelle's 'Ce Jeu' is the best I've heard, thanks most to it's simplicity and epic use of reverb. A lot better than The Twelves attempt, which is usually saying something. Although in this case it isn't because their version wasn't particularly spectacular at all. As well as that, I've had Eff's tune 'Hate You' on repeat. It carries strong overtones of a kind of 'Flat Beat' tune, but a little more dubsteppy and with a few more levels. You can imagine it influencing a drug-related burst of paranoia. (Which is a good thing).

As well as Eff, I've been listening to the ever-popular TEPR. No idea what it stands for, or where TEPR is from. And I've put zero effort into finding out because as far as I'm concerned his remixes tell you all you need to know. Which is that he's pretty good. His version of Ironik's 'I Wanna Be Your Man' is kind of excitingly rectro in its use of sliced-up chipmunky vocals, but the real banger is his old remix of 'Dangerseekers' (which has already done the rounds on the blogosphere, but I thought I'd revive it in the interests of good music). It's a pretty straightforward track - some good old synth stab rhythms and a thumping dance beat. Plus a bit of harmless fidget here and there. Well done, Mr (Mrs?) TEPR.*

And also, Calvin Harris's remix of See The Light may start off as slightly annoying and ridiculous - but for some reason I played it 5 times in a row today. It cheered me up. Great use of vocals and nicely playful with the melody. Definitely a good one so I thought I'd throw it in.

Bill Eff - Hate You (See Below)
Yelle - Ce Jeu (Bill Eff Remix) Myspace
Kap10Kurt - Dangerseekers (TEPR Remix) Buy
Ironik - I Wanna Be Your Man (TEPR Remix) Myspace
The Hours - See The Lights (Calvin Harris Remix) Myspace

*By the way, just checked the French (apparently) producers myspace and there is an incredible remix of Ce Jeu on there. Very clubby, and competition for Bill Eff's.