Box Musique » Tracks & Mixes

Crazy Titch – Crazy Times Volume 2

David — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:53:09 +0000

Initially due for release at the end of August, stock restrictions and various other limitations meant that we had to wait a few extra days to hear Crazy Titch’s new material. Crazy Times Vol. 2 — recorded in prison — is a 23 track mixtape which is now available to buy from all good retailers (well…UK Record Shop). In it Titch retreads the ever more obscure path of grime and also strays into hip-hop territory, spitting venom and heartfelt emotion almost in equal part.

Admittedly I’ve not had a chance to really get to know it yet, but judging by a couple of hours listening today, it [almost] lives up to the hype. As lyrically powerful as he ever was, perhaps even more so now that his claims are backed by reality, Titch has undoubtedly assembled some weighty tracks brimming with genius one-liners… I suppose it all begs the question as to how good the release would have been were he a free man…I guess we’ll never know. Crazy, eh?

I’ll post again once I’ve had time to thoroughly listen to it, but for now, here’s a tune to warm you up.

Crazy Titch – Live in the Booth (feat. Ghetts)

Buy Crazy Times Vol. 2 at UK Record Shop.

Minilogue Remixed (TRAUMV127)

David — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:16:40 +0000

The genius of Minilogue lies in their ability to formulate organic yet paradoxically regulated minimal, aligning vast swathes of atmosphere, hooky rhythmic sweetness and eccentric nuance to heart-achingly sublime effect. Their music is a beautiful canvas upon which many producers would love to scrawl and last week saw the release of Remixed, Traum Schallplatten’s 3 track EP comprising reinterpretations of some (well…a couple of) Minilogue classics.

Dominik Eulberg and Freska have both applied their talents to aspects of Certain Things, Minilogue’s first release on Traum way back in 2005. Eulberg’s instalment is melodic and haunting, spectrally drifting through an array of textures, melodies and intricate percussion, adding countless layers of depth and a glitchy, crushed charm. Freska’s effort takes a different turn however and buoys its source material to a jauntier and more optimistic plateau. The bassline and wonky vocals drive it like a sand buggy through a crowded town centre and the beat shines through, unashamedly waving itself in your face.

Dividing the two Certain Things tunes is Max Cooper, the man behind dancefloor banger ‘Wasp’. His effort expertly injects the anodyne beauty of ‘Seconds (Colour & Sound)’ with a dose of energy and movement, arousing the original’s hidden anthemic potential to produce the sure highlight. Relaxed yet uplifting, it conjures images of a stuporous night time stagger in a deserted big city district and the rise and fall of the relentless note towards the end lends it an epic quality that really tips it into the “something special” pile. I think it’s an incredibly beautiful track and were I not such a strong, masculine man, I’d probably get a little wet around the eye area right about now…

Short but sweet, this is a brilliant release which will surely placate all the heads patiently awaiting new Minilogue material. I would urge you to spend whatever you’ve earned in the brothel on this and turn it up really loud. As a wise yet possibly morally corrupt huge corporate entity once said: just do it!

Minilogue – Certain Things (Part 1 – Dominik Eulberg Remix)

Minilogue – Seconds (Max Cooper Remix)

Minilogue – Certain Things (Part 1 – Freska Merged Mix)

Buy Minilogue Remixed at 7digital.

Mount Kimbie – Crooks & Lovers

Oldsy — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:35:42 +0000

Dentists should have this album playing on surround sound while they fuck about with your teeth. Who cares if they eventually get sick of it, I’m having my damn molars ripped out here. There is little to be said about this superb album that hasn’t been said already; even the Telegraph admitted it was bloody brilliant and it’s not often they use naughty words or have a clue what’s going on with people under the age of 52.

The album is made up of tracks right, and those tracks are made up of drums and bass and beeps and twangs and guitars and, most importantly, silence. The genius of Crooks & Lovers, therefore, lies in it’s sparsity and simplicity. At no point during this long player’s relatively un-long exploration of contemporary electronic dance music does a sense of uncertainty or bewilderment ever rear it’s ugly head (Editor’s note: better descriptive words needed here; shame author is retarded). Words are boring so here is the official video to ‘Would Know’. The ‘review’ continues after the drop.

To try and describe this album using references to genre-related shitballs is an exercise in destroying what this album stands for. It belongs in the same border-less vacuum as Flying Lotus’ Cosmogramma in that it is music for music’s sake; a space you can float into, be gone with worries such as pre-determined structure or standards and lose yourself.

Crooks & Lovers is a work of art and, like all works of art, a completely subjective affair. The beauty lies in discovering how this album moves you. ~~A friend~~ My only friend recently said it’s the perfect driving album. True but it’s also the perfect everything album. For me ‘Blind Night Errand’ is the solo bedroom skank, ‘Mayor’ is an invitation to cycle as fast as possible and ‘Between Time’ the nostalgic gaze over forgotten horizons.

Box Musique were raving about Mount Kimbie way back when and for good reason. They won’t be soon forgotten with a release as timeless as this. Unless the world ends in 2012 but then who’d be complaining. Not that I hate life, there just wouldn’t be anyone around to complain you see. Point is, Crooks & Lovers is undeniably brilliant, jeeze.

Buy Crooks & Lovers at 7digital.

The Kid Koala Solid Steel Mix

Oldsy — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:41:42 +0000

Check me using ‘The’ like I’m an integral, nay crucial cog in the Ninja Tune machine. I love playing dress-up; ties and stuff. Those cheeky otters over at Ninja Tune keep throwing out awesome treats every week in celebration of 20 years providing us with some of the best damn music ever made. It’s all getting a tad overwhelming. Like some fat kid who can’t catch all the Werther’s originals that his Grandad keeps throwing at him from across the room.

If you’re an idiot and haven’t done got involved with Ninja Tune XX then it’s really about time you pulled your finger out. This Kid Koala mix is really, really, really lovely. I mean top-notch. Prime cuts of spaced-out, trippin-balls, chill bones goodness. No mix that opens with Boards of Canada is ever going to disappoint.

Only potential downside for grumpy grumpers is you have to sign up to download the mix. However, if I remember correctly the last scheme that didn’t involve the ol’ electronic sign up left me one pinkie short of a once-useful right hand. No such thing as a free lunch.

Click here for the Ninja Tune XX homepage and links to the download. The goose is cooked.

Mackaveli’s Fabric Celebration Curators Mix

David — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:31:55 +0000

As part of the Mixcloud Curators series, Fabric DJ Mackaveli has compiled a formidable hour long chronicle comprising tunes from the likes of Wookie, Dop, The Knife and more. At times relaxed, at others funkier than your Grandma in an MC hammer video, this has a little bit for everyone. The Mosca remix of Tempa T’s ‘Next Hype’ is particularly mad and I’ve also been enjoying Mount Kimbie’s take on Foals’ ‘Spanish Sahara’.

Listen below, the tracklist is snugly located inside the little widget.

ASC – Deep Space Mix 15

David — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:06:36 +0000

ASC is definitely one of the most interesting dubstep/electronica producers currently inhabiting our glorious planet, his recent LP Nothing is Certain was a tranquil triumph and everything he creates seems to be more delicate and exquisite than what came before. He’s also a pretty prolific DJ and every now and again drops an intriguing ambient mix on his blog. The suitably titled ‘Deep Space Mix 15′ is essentially a 50 minute atmospheric soundscape that submerges you in aural depths as chasmic as infinite…well…space. Beautifully relaxed yet languidly interesting, this is one to slide on when you really need to take a step back and collect yourself.

Tracklist after the jump.

ASC – Deep Space Mix 15

Tracklisting
01 – Brian Eno – Signals
02 – Fill – Involved With The Shadow
03 – Mint Julep – Refraction
04 – Alpha Wave Movement – Silent Promise
05 – Brian Eno – The Secret Place
06 – Quosp – Night Coast
07 – ASC – Bloom From Rainfall
08 – John Serrie – Gentle, The Night
09 – Plaid – White’s Dream
10 – John Serrie – The Auran Vector
11 – Robin Guthrie & Harold Budd – And Then I Turned Away

Buy ASC tunes at 7digital.

10 Rave Tunes That Should Never Die

David — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:12:19 +0000

Rave had its heyday in the ’90s and unfortunately, I was just a little kid who was more interested in making Lego forts than spending all night in warehouses getting fucked off my face and dancing like a rag doll. Of course, I’ve made up for that since but it’ll never replace the fake nostalgia I feel when I listen to old school bangers. In light of this, I thought I’d compile a list of the 10 best rave/techno tunes from that period. They’re all seminal tracks in their own right, from the cathartic depths of Orbital’s ‘Halcyon + On + On’ to the comedic venom of Urban Hype’s ‘Trip to Trumpton’, but together they’d probably make one hell of a set…if the DJ was a bit of a schizophrenic with no particular focus. Still, in no particular order, I present to you ‘10 Rave Tunes That Should Never Die’.

Awesome 3 – Don’t Go

Cloud 9 – You Got Me Burnin’

Jonny L – Hurt You So

Prodigy – Everybody in the Place (Fairground Remix)

Orbital – Halcyon + On + On

The Ragga Twins – The Homeless Problem

Guy Delacroix – Dreams (Strawberry Fields Mix)

Kicks Like a Mule – The Bouncer

LFO – LFO

Urban Hype – Trip to Trumpton

This list is subjective, so I know that some people will think there are a lot of important tunes missing. Comment with YouTube links if you know one that should be included!

Henry Homesweet’s Essential Chip

David — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:15:56 +0000

For some people chiptunes are the aural equivalent of being chainsawed in half, they just can’t handle the awesome lo-bit vibes. For others — myself included — they’re sick. I was brought up on the sound of my Gameboy and Megadrive beeping out dope little tunes and listening to chip music is as exhilarating as listening to the soundtrack from Street Fighter, Toejam and Earl or James Pond II: Codename Robocod (classic). This mix by Henry Homesweet is a comprehensive collection of some of the sickest modern chip available and it’s pure madness. Get your head out of the yoghurt pot and bang it against your Amiga instead!

Tracklist after the jump.

Henry Homesweet – Essential Chip Mix 2010 by Essential Chip

Tracklisting
1. Nonfinite – Sorrowsong
2. Sadnes – Wicked Game (Chris Isaak Remix)
3. Touchboy – Live At Savage
4. Xaimus – Horf 5000
5. cTrix – TekDemo May 2010
6. Trash80 – Haunted Candies
7. Fast Foot – 8-Bitworld
8. Labcot and mac – Game Over
9. UB – Angels And Dynamite
10. DrSzliszka – Like a Fly Into The Web
11. Breakbeat Heartbeat – Still Alive Remix
12. Dubmood – Traverse De Rn85 (Sodamnloud Remix)
13. Boy 8-Bit – Video Games Crash
14. Huoratron – Hoedown
15. Goto80 – Volksing (Kuti 77 Remix)
16. She – Coloris
17. 2Special – Highway
18. Slagsmalsklubben – Smedby Eyes
19. Xaimus – Fasp
20. Trash80 – Missing You
21. Geyster – Come My Direction (JDDJ3J 48Kz Remix)
22. Alter Ego – Why Not
23. Cream In All Moustache – Hear My Voice (Faites Luer La Danse Remix)
24. Meneo – Papi (Dubmood Remix)
25. Tobiah – I Love Your Music
26. Thermostatic – Driving
27. Shirobon – Starlight
28. Dexter – Secrets
29. 4mat – Paper Dolls
30. Sabrepulse – OutBRK
31. LiveAnimals – Kiwis
32. Sebastian Svahn – Gasp
33. DrSzliszka – So Long Captain Sievert
34. Eat_Rabbit – Bouncing Tale
35. JDDJ3J – Kaizoku (cTrix Remix)
36. Anamanaguchi – Mermaid

The History of Dubstep

David — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:22:06 +0000

Recorded at Thekla in Bristol for the Foo Magazine versus Monkey!Knife!Fight! night a couple of weeks ago, ‘The History of Dubstep’ is Plastician’s masterfully compiled journey charting the genre’s evolution from its humble garage beginnings to the diverse landscape we know today. Featuring tunes by the likes of Wookie, Skream, Flux Pavilion, Artwork, DJ Zinc and Sukh Knight, there’s a huge amount of quality running through this mix and some equally good MCing from P-Money — the guy who destroyed Ghetts — augmenting proceedings. If there’s one thing you download today, don’t let it be another Anal Adventure flick…let it be this.

Plastician and P Money – The History of Dubstep

Tracklisting after the jump.

Tracklisting
Masterstepz – Melody
Groove Chronicles – Black Puppet
Reservoir Dogs – Buddha Finger
DJ Zinc – 138 Trek
DJ Zinc – Go DJ
Wookie – Storm
Menta – Sounds Of The Future
Artwork – Red
Alias – Fight Club
Musical Mob – Pulse X
Bootleg – Eskimob
Wizzbit – Jamhot
Alias – Gladiator
Plasticman – Venom
Plasticman – Hard Graft
Digital Mystikz – Anti War Dub
Skream – Lightning
Skream – Midnight Request Line
Coki – Burning
Rusko – Jahova
Benga & Coki – Night
Skream – Chest Boxing
Coki – Tortured
Macabre Unit – Lift Off VIP
Benga -
Joker – Gully Brook Lane (Plastician Special)
Wiley – Morgue
Plasticman – Jackal Riddim
Plasticman – Section 7
Wiley – So Amazing
Terror Danjah – Creepy Crawler
12th Planet – Sixty Eight
Boogaloo Crew – Days Go By
Chase & Status – Saxon
Emalkay – When I Look At You
Magnetic Man – Mad
Simian Mobile Disco – Cruel Intentions (Joker Remix)
Skream – Filth
Trolley Snatcha – We Rock The Forest
Mr Virgo – Megaman
Doctor P – Sweet Shop
Redlight – MDMA
Skream – Wibbler
Skream – Raw Dogz
Skream – Untitled
Bassline Smith – Fu Manchu
Flux Pavillion – Got To Know
Rude Kid – Electric
Plastician – Elixir
Joker – Tron
Sukh Knight – Shutdown
Teddy – Dirtbag VIP
Teddy – Modern Warfare Instrumental
Kosheen – Guilty (Plastician Remix)
Flux Pavillion – Normalize
P Money – Left The Room (Skream Remix)
Plastician & 12th Planet – West Croydon

Outside the Box is… (TEMPACD016)

David — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:26:09 +0000

Amazing. From the lush beginnings of ‘Perforated’ to the frenetic finale of ‘The Epic Last Song’, Outside the Box is a pleasure to behold. Somehow richer than his self-titled debut, Skream’s sound has matured to positive effect, offering sweeter melodies, deeper pads and a new dimension of gorgeous vocal presence. Tracks such as ‘How Real’ featuring Freckles and ‘Where You Should Be’ featuring Sam Frank are testament to the evolution of his style and the rhythmic fluidity of the album as a whole. Similarly, his collaboration with dBridge and Instra:mental on ‘Reflections’ and the appearance of 8-bit infused roller ‘Listenin to the Records on My Wall’ displays a versatility which has become increasingly evident in his work with Magnetic Man. This is no surprise as Skream’s involvement in the development and innovation of dubstep is undeniable and I believe that from every angle Outside the Box is another step in the progression of the genre’s unspoken yet over-arching blueprint.

With all this talk of maturity and change you could be forgiven for thinking that raw edge of old was gone, but that is certainly not the case. Nastiness is still a tangible force in Skream’s world and ‘Wibbler’ delivers enough to venom to down a herd of elephants mounted by Ghurkas on crack. There are also plenty of other tunes, such as ‘Fields of Emotion’, ‘The Epic Last Song’ and ‘CPU’, offering up their fair share of booming low-end masochism, so bass is by no means scarce. At the opposite end of the scale, aperitif ‘Perforated’ introduces us to the action with a largely percussion free soundscape and ‘A Song for Lenny’ acts in a similar fashion as a light interlude before ‘The Epic Last Song’ executes the firework finish. These two particular tunes are a fine example of the album’s lavish musicality and Skream’s new attention to atmosphere and majesty.

I literally have nothing bad to say about this album. It is a tour de force and should be lauded as such. I just hope the genre elitists can handle listening to it knowing everyone else loves it too. It’s incredible.

Skream – How Real (feat.Freckles)

Buy Outside the Box at 7digital.