Yesterday saw the release of a single from 4AD featuring two utopian remixes of Joker’s ‘On My Mind’ from his recent album The Vision. The first of the duo is an orchestral and break-heavy rework by none other than Goldie and the second track, from Glasgow producer Rustie, is literally da bomb. And I don’t use that term lightly…or at least, I haven’t since the ’90s. Seriously though, it’s an absolute cracker. Which is kind of a fitting description considering it’s almost Christmas. If you bought the track, put it on a USB stick and placed it inside a cracker which you rigged in favour of your opponent’s victory, they would be on-their-knees-grateful when they found out what they’d won. Trust me, I’m a pro.
I was actually going to sit down and craft a lengthy and inspiring description of the Rustie tune, but instead I ended up watching an episode of Sharpe and completely losing myself (which tends to happen quite a lot). You should probably just listen to it below and directly immerse yourself in the kaleidoscopic goodness like an eccentric Alice in Wonderland extra with a penchant for bass.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
No, this is not the title of Johnny Knoxville’s autobiography — although it should be — it actually denotes a compilation celebrating 15 years of the UK’s most famous drum & bass label, Hospital Records. An epic double CD release, the first disc features 15 new and previously unreleased tunes and the second bears a shiny ‘History of Hospital’ mix by Cyantific. Basically it’s a cunning combination of new and old, like a Hollywood face…but, like, in a musical context. Anyway, I’m going to buy it purely for the VIP mix of ‘Song in the Key Of Knife’ and I’m going to play it over and over and over. And under.
15 Years of Hospital drops on November 28th. Pre-order it at Amazon. The [incredibly long] tracklist and a preview of the ‘Song in the Key Of Knife’ VIP lie after the jump.
Sometimes it seems like my mind inhabits an apathetic space unto itself. As I stroll the wide avenues contemplating the colour of the wind in another galaxy, there are people out there actually doing amazing things and contributing to society (I’m serious). Bop is one of these people and his sophmore album, The Amazing Adventures of One Curious Pixel, dropped on Med School last week. I, however, only heard about it today, but I’m bloody glad I finally did.
Although I am yet to peruse the album in its entirety, the 20 minute preview below showcases exactly the kind of tranquil, electronically-tinged vibes I was expecting from the man that brought us the supremely beautiful ‘Song About My Dog’. If you’re one of those oh-so-chilled-out-people on a constant search for the record that attains the mythical halcyon plateau, you’ll not go wrong with this as a stepping stone. Stay strong brothers and sisters, one day you’ll find a perfectly serene piece of genius and spend the rest of your days getting stoned and growing your own vegetables. Wait, can I join?
Although I’ve completely lost touch with reality and have been beatboxing to myself for the last hour, the rest of the world is functioning pretty well and Hospital Records’ Med School is gearing up for the release of their latest New Blood compilation, New Blood 011. Showcasing a host of cutting-edge drum & bass talent, the 12 track release features an array of tunes fresher than a still wriggling salmon, most of which you can preview over at the official Med School site. My favourite however is Spherique’s ‘Snowflakes Catcher’, a fluid and serene piece from yet another impossibly good Russian artist. I don’t know what’s happening over there, maybe they study Goldie at school instead of English literature, but they’re making insane music and I’m dancing to it…in my head at least. I’ll be snagging that tune even if I decide not to pick-up the whole release, although it seems to be pretty damn spiffy all the way through and the mention of blood makes my fangs tingle. I call them my fangs, but I guess that’s just because they’re the only two teeth I’ve got left in my fat head. It’s all the god damn Sunny D and rum!
In light of the upcoming Hospitality at Fabric — which is going to be ridiculous — Blu Mar Ten have strung together a delectable promo mix intended to make you clear your schedule, buy a ticket and sit with it clutched tightly in your filthy paws until the fateful night arrives. If I lived nearer the capital I’d probably be doing just that, but as it happens, I live in the north so I’m too busy making spoons and mining coal. This pie is so tasty, somebody get me my flatcap, I need to go and check on the sheep. Seriously though, the mix is sick, the night looks insane and I think you should organise your life.
For more details on Hospitality head over to Fabric and for the tracklisting, take the jump.
Last year saw the release of Bop’s incredible debut album, Clear Your Mind. Minimal, anodyne and revolutionary, the record was a beautiful example of the fact that drum & bass still had boundaries to push. Of course, Hospital — being the friendly tycoons that they are — haven’t slept on the success and a couple of weeks ago dropped Remix Your Mind EP on Med School. Comprising 5 album track remixes by Blu Mar Ten, Lynx & Hellrazor, Unquote, Subwave and competition winner Thinnen, the EP is every much as enchanting as the source material. From the sparsity of Unquote’s re-imagining of ‘Enjoy the Moment’ to the snarling menace of Lynx & Hellrazor’s mix of ‘Tears of a Lonely Metaphysician’, the project has proved to be a fantastic concept brilliantly executed. There’s not a bad track on it.
Personally, I believe that’s down to the sheer quality of Bop’s music. It must be impossible to fuck it up. It’s like the musical equivalent of lego bricks…
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Posted by 