Back on track...

It's been a long time since I posted. So there.

Since my last post back in August I have visited New York and all of it's amazing sites AND moved into a brand new, £18m, state-of-the-art school campus where I work. It's all very exciting, and a good enough reason to have been slack on here - or so I tell myself.

By the way - New York is an incredible place, I had an ace two weeks there and recommend a visit to anyone that's willing to listen. On a music tip, I went to 'Rock The Bells' on Governor's Island with an allstar line-up, followed up by the last Pool Party of the summer by the water in Williamsburg, Brooklyn - again with a sweet line up. Add that to an interesting trip to Cielo, and an underground, little known Jazz place called 'Nublu' and we have a shit hot adventure in the Big Apple. Might put some pics up soon. Maybe.

For now though - back to the music the best way I know how... LIQUID.





Balance - For What I Want I Can Wait (You) by RolandDubbs

And then this beauty from Unquote which i'm not even going to pigeon-hole. It deserves better than that...

Juicy / Zimboouicy

Probably the best ever cover of Notorious B.I.G's classic cut 'Juicy'...

More more more...

Firstly - get this club tune out of my system. It's a good'un...



Now two videos from UNKLE. Same track ('The Answer'), two different directors. Both sync up really well considering the stark contrast in content.
The first, directed by John Hillcoat, stars Ray Winstone with a story to tell set to some thought provoking imagery.
The second video, directed by Ross Cairns, accompanies the dreamy, feel good music with film-like-footage tastefully shot of extreme sports - surfing and snowboarding.
Considering the differing focus of both videos you would expect one to really work and the other to maybe not quite fit right. Whereas infact they both pull it off. Which one is your favourite?





Thanks to Discobelle once again :D

Big Fat Dope Shit

Some durty beats... because we can.



Can't help but snap my neck to this Bassnectar tune with added vocals from King Fantastic.



Starts off as bassy beats, finishes as a big bassy mess. Brilliant.



Don't know much about this guy, just discovered him in the blogosphere. Maybe one to watch out for?



Redlight's 'MDMA' tune has got a new name and a snazzy Ms Dynamite vocal. The original was BIG, will this be BIGGER?

Some Hot Treats

Served fresh by some of the best and hottest producers out there, taRDyboy brings you some tasty little treats to bump to this summer. A little something for everyone right here...

First up, Jesse Rose lays down a bumpin' remix of one of House music's old boys, DJ Sneak. A tasty piece of southern fried goodness. Get your Cooper Shuffle™ on people! The Cooper Shuffle™ is a registered trademark.



Next up is a sweet little J Dilla instrumental, recently given away with 5 other Dilla beats for free courtesy of the good folk over at Stones Throw Records. It's simple, it's catchy and has an 80's ish synth... all ingredients add up to one tasty little donut!



This beat sits you down real comfortable on a blanket and feeds you fresh strawberrys at a summer's picnic in the long grass. Lay back and chill out with Flying Lotus' delicious remix of Andreya Triana while the sun's rays break through the trees and dance across the countryside.

Magnetic Man

I have been meaning to post about Magnetic Man for a while now - and during that time every other blog has done the same - but they're making so much noise right now it's definitely still worth mentioning.
I will always remember being at The Warehouse Project a couple of years back and watching Magnetic Man enter the stage...

The lights went out throughout the underground air raid shelter, except for a small ultra-violet glow which was emitting from the front, behind a seemingly smaller stage than I remember. Long, black curtains had deliberately been drawn in across the stage, and the screen lowered above the deck stand in order to create this tiny square of UV light - it was the focus of everyones attention.
Then, with no warning the three dubstep musketeers - Benga, Skream and Artwork - filed in. Appearing in almost military fashion one behind the other, all three in a perfect line and wearing striking, pure white hoodies which obviously caught the glare from the blacklights and created this almost sci-fi feel to what they were about to do.
They were in perfect sync, not only with how they looked and what they wore, but also with what they had in their hands. Their white Macbooks were clearly visible, and again with this jet-fighter precision they layed them on the table - in sync - and opened them up together. They connected them in unison and the first tune dropped...

It was way back then that it was clear Magnetic Man had a plan. Shortly after this I found myself in Brighton and recall a friend of mine, 'Figure Of Wax', bumping into Artwork and the gang outside his work. They were in town for a show, and from what Artwork explained to him it seemed like he already knew big things were on the horizon.

There will be many Dubstep purists who will listen to what Magnetic Man are doing right now and have a massive hate-up on them. Vocalists? Big, trancey synths? Music videos? "Dubstep has gone pop!" you'll hear them cry. Fuck them and the horse they rode in on. The UK has always, but always been about discovering new sounds and pushing them on. New genres break out and EVERYBODY has something to listen to. It's exciting. It's us.

What, it seems, Magnetic Man are doing - whether deliberately or not, is sending Dubstep into the stratosphere. It's no longer a genre for dimly lit underground caverns, or reserved for ravers bedrooms. It's the sound of now and the music of the people. It's become an event. If Daft Punk made Dubstep it would resemble something like Magnetic Man - huge stages, incredible light shows, thousands of unified music lovers, and a dramatic but effortless stage presence.

Get ready for chart attacks, get ready for sell-out shows, get ready for Dubstep-ageddon - because for Magnetic Man, the lights are now most definitely on.

Magnetic Man's album is out Oct 4th.

If you don't believe, then listen...








Also - they have just done an Essential Mix for BBC Radio1 - search it and you'll find it. It's there.

Future Beginning

It's been a while since I've posted a new Roland Dubbs production. Some recent efforts have found their way onto my Soundcloud page but no further. Mainly because they were just little experiments using a few ideas. Nothing wrong with that, but as they were tunes I wouldn 't normally make I found it hard to relate to them, if you will.
I've been busy in the studio recently and I can promise you at least two more House tunes on the way - one is filter housey, while the other is most definitely jackin'! Back to the wobble.

The track that I bring you today is almost of Chemical Brothers ilk. An electronic journey, a release, a feel-good tune. With some polished production and some tidy compression of which I'm fairly proud (although that is through my monitors which aren't perfect!), I present...
'Future Beginning'.

It's a tune for your summer that punches in all the right places. It has a wicked drop and It's available for free through Soundcloud (first 100 downloads).
Roland Dubbs - Future Beginning by RolandDubbs

Iron Heart

Netsky's album landed a couple of weeks back and is already establishing itself as one of the contenders for album of the year - I know this because my girlfriend, a self-proclaimed hater of drum & bass, actually bought the album after hearing it! The boy from Belgium is certainly making all the right noises.
Standout tunes on his self-titled debut include the likes of 'Secret Agent', 'Mellow' and 'Let's Leave Tomorrow', which I recommend to anyone regardless of whether you like drum & bass or not.
However, it's the first single 'Iron Heart' that gets a rare video treatment that I want to share with you. Available to watch in HD, featuring the obligatory "person running in an dance music video", but this time with a twist. Hospital's foray into music video's comes up trumps once again! And keep them peeled for a brand new High Contrast tune and video in the coming months...you have been warned ;)

The Clap

You didn't see this one coming! Benga switches it up with an absolute banger once again. It ain't called "Baltimore Clap" for nothing, ya heard!
Also - how cool is the video? Well I'll tell you... way cool. Waaaay coooool.
Throw ya bmore hands up!

Saturday 5th June

THIRSTY EAR Presents
A PEACE IN THE PARK FESTIVAL FUND RAISER
A Night of Hip-Hop, Future Beats, Glitch, Electronic, Dubstep & More.

With Special Guests

**sixAM**
[Chibuku/Skanky Panky Records]

Buddha, WhiteNoiseBoy & Dogs Pocket make up the 3-man DJ/production team of sixAM. Mangling tough as nails hip-hop beats with blazing scratches, samples, and technical wizardry has earned them some raised eyebrows. They have become some of the few that have been pushing the state-side glitch-hop sound in the UK and have been devastating dance-floors at clubs such as Chibuku and laying waste to festivals as far afield as the Lake Of Stars Festival in Africa. Back in their hometown of Liverpool they have played alongside the likes of Andy C, DJ Hype, Diplo, Caspa & Rusko, Fake Blood, Joker, Digital Mystikz, Gentleman's Dub Club, Sukh Knight & Stenchman.

Do not miss a rare chance to catch sixAM smash it here in Sheff.

With Support FromFigure of Wax & JDevious
[Throw Some Shapes]

Hailing from Brighton, these guys are involved with one of the town's freshest club nights. 'Throw Some Shapes' have hosted the likes of Stones Throw main man Peanut Butter Wolf, Paul White, Bullion, JFB, Hint, as well as teaming up with the red hot Donkey Pitch crew.

Matter of Fact & Roland Dubbs
[Thirsty Ear / tarDYboy]

Drink Promos // Free Mix CDs
10pm-3am
£3 Entry
Last Entry 1am
****************************************
PROFITS GO TO THE AWESOME PEACE IN THE PARK FESTIVAL
SAT 12TH JUNE 2010
PONDEROSA PARK,
SHEFFIELD

Saturday 29th May 2010!

Throw Some Shapes presents:

* THROW SOME SHAPES BEACHSIDE ALL-DAYER

with

SIDE BY SIDE & BIG KAIJU
ATALANTA
MATTER OF FACT
ATTAK.MEDIA
FIGURE OF WAX
JDEVIOUS & ROLAND DUBBS
JAY C
LOST TWIN
----------------------•
SATURDAY 29TH MAY 2010
----------------------•
FORTUNE OF WAR,157 KINGS ROAD ARCHES, BRIGHTON
----------------------•
14:00 - 02:00
----------------------•
£ FREE ENTRY

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀THE THROW SOME SHAPES NIGHTS HAVE SEEN PEANUT BUTTER WOLF, PAUL WHITE, BULLION, NATURAL SELF AND HINT COMING THROUGH THEIR DOORS.
SO WE ARE LUCKY THE FORTUNE OF WAR HAVE HANDED THEM THE PUB FOR THE DAY AND NIGHT TO CELEBRATE THE BANK HOLIDAY. LOOK OUT FOR FREE CDs, SPECIAL GUEST DJs AND FUTURE BREAKS AND BEATS MUSIC.

▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀
FEATURING MUSIC BY
JDILLA- MOS DEF-QUANTIC-JAZZANOVA-MIKE SLOTT-BULLION-PAUL WHITE- DUSTY SPRINGFIELD-SPANKY WILSON-STEVIE WONDER-OH NO-KOOP-GOLD PANDA-AARON NEVILLE-JILL SCOTT-FOURTET-HOT 8 BRASS BAND-NATURAL SELF-HINT-ALICE RUSSELL-JOHN BELTRAM-NIGHTMARES ON WAX-DE LA SOUL- MAYER HAWTHORN-DWELE-APHEX TWIN-SQUAREPUSHER-DECLAIME-NAS-EPMD-BIGGIE SMALLS-JOKER-KING TUBBY-PETE ROCK-RJD2-FS GREEN-SA-RA-WHITE STRIPES-JEHST-BRAINTAX-SLY & THE FAMILY STONE-STEVE SPACEK-4 HERO-ZERO DB-BIG BUD-DJ SHADOW-MILEZ BENJAMIN-JESSE ROSE-THE YOUNG LOVERS-ALAN BRAXE-DAFT PUNK-THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS-MR.SCRUFF-HIS MAJESTY ANDRE-AND MANY MANY MORE...

Jam Hot!

There is certain musical terminology that seems to have almost become a taboo subject. Phrases that send the "cool kids" running for the hills while they scoff at the naiivity of the common people for daring to discuss or enjoy such a thing. Phrases such as "funky house".

I like 'house', and I enjoy a bit of funk from time to time. But do I enjoy "funky house"?
Well, if it all sounded like this amazing Tensnake remix of Johnny Dynell's hit "Jam Hot" then I would have to say yes!

This sun-kissed remix brings with it a sumptuous bassline, a sax that isn't overbearing, and a deeper understanding of what turns house music into good house music.

So I say who cares that it has a funky house vibe to it, let the "cool kids" laugh - we all know they're the real twats anyway - plus, it's just damn good music! Go buy it from iTunes for just 79p :D

Infact, it's music that I shall definitely be playing on Brighton Beach next Saturday for a big, BIG Bank Holiday Special (more to come on that ;)

Jaaaaaaam HOT!

JOHNNY DYNELL "Jam Hot" (Tensnake Remix) SNIPPET by Tensnake

Scribble

Underworld cement their place at the top with another epic anthem, this time recruiting one of Drum & Bass's legends in the making - High Contrast. 'Scribble' is definitely one for the summer festivals - sun going down/hands going up kind of ish! If you're quick you might still be able to grab the radio edit FREE from the official Underworld website!! That's right, FREEEEE!!

"...and it's okaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy".

Chali 2na & Rusko... YES!

I know what you're thinking...but it's true. The J5 man lays it down over a sick Rusko beat (Go Go Gadget) and it's a big tune. It WILL moooove the dancefloor.
Rusko continues to make serious noise as his sleeper hold grip on the USA gets stronger...good lad.
The track will feature on Chali 2na's new album, which will be released on Decon, and he has been kind enough to offer this little tit-bit for free!

Chali 2na - GO GO Gadget! (Prod. By Rusko) (mediafire link)

A nod goes out to Discobelle for the heads up :D

Things On My Stereo

'Nuff said.

Official Snoop Dogg entry!

Please support Roland Dubbs' entry!

Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Filthy remix business right here! Roland Dubbs is on point with a brand new, totally fucked up, and oh-so dirty version of Snoop Dogg's latest tune featuring Kid Cudi - 'That Tree'. Turn this dust-nugget upto 11 and bug out!
Snoop Dogg - That Tree (Roland Dubbs Barking Up The Wrong Tree-mix) by RolandDubbs

Set Me Free

I realise some of my recent posts have been fairly Hospital Records heavy, something for which I shall not be apologising. It seems Tony Colman et al have been super busy of late, and everything is coming to a head this summer.

With artist albums and compilations in the pipeline it's Nu:Tone who has raised his head first with the absolute storming tune "Hyper Hyper" which has been ripping it's way through dancefloors for a few months already.

You've all heard that tune though, so it needs no more discussion.

For me the real gem lies on the b-side to the single release which is due out May 3rd. "Set Me Free" is almost hypnotising with that incredible synth work that can only be attributed to Dan Gresham - and Pat Fulgoni's sultry vocals of course! Head over to the Hospital shop now to pick a sneaky promo copy - otherwise grab the release in a couple of weeks.

Until then - listen here...

Antony & The Johnsons - Another World (S.I.N Bootleg)

It was almost a month ago when taRDyboy got all excited about a beautiful remix of Antony & The Johnsons and posted a snippet of it up on the blog - a little prematurely. Of course, as a polite and respectful blogger I had to take it down. But now it's back, with permission - in it's full 320 glory and available for FREE DOWNLOAD!!!

I am quite happy to say that it is fast becoming one of my favourite songs... ever. By far one of the most delicate, balanced and beautiful tracks to grace my speakers this year. The whole production is sonically perfect; not only does S.I.N not tamper with the original too much, he adds electronic elements to it in such a way that it actually makes it more transcendent.

Just listen for yourself and spread the good, good word...
Antony & The Johnsons - ANOTHER WORLD [S.I.N BOOTLEG] - 320 MP3 - FREE DOWNLOAD! by S.I.N

Any jungle in, guy?

I've been away partying in Brighton for the last week - always good fun. It's also a good chance to catch up on some tunes in the car for the 10hr round trip. Amongst some other bits (Subfocus Mixmag CD, The Pacific Soundtrack) I got on with some more Hospital Podcasts. Their new compilation 'Sick Music 2' is fast approaching and here are a couple of choice cuts from the album.

First up is Illskillz tune 'Directions'. It's subtle yet sublime, the kind of tune that got me in to drum & bass all those years ago. You probably know Illskillz better as D.Kay and Rawfull, but no matter their name they are always on the button.


Second tune I'm going to bring to you is on the other, dirtier end of the vast D&B spectrum. Reso is a dubstep producer who has tried his hand and his basslines on a drum & bass tip, with outstanding results. Just have a listen to "Slap Chop" and you'll know that this is a tune that takes no prisoners.
Both tracks will soon be available through Hospital Records before the end of the month, and I strongly recommend you go buy the whole compilation - don't sleep!