With only 24 days left in 2010 (where did the time go eh?) it's about that time when we start looking forward & predicting who we'll all be namedropping in the year to come. The BBC have released the official longlist for the Sound of 2011 and although in some years it's been slightly off the mark, it's usually pretty solid. I'm glad to see some of our favourite electronic artists such as Nero & James Blake are floating about in the top 15 and I'm certainly interested to see who delivers. Incase you've not seen it yet, here is the list in it's entirety with links to our favourites:
Personally I believe 2011 is going to be a seriously interesting year for popular music. With dubstep reaching new heights in 2010 with the likes of Magnetic Man & Katy B surely it's only a matter of time before we see the first official dubstep number 1 and who's to say Nero won't deliver it? Further to that, with artists like Jamie Woon & James Blake in particular fusing sub-bass into electronic soul this is truly an exciting progression for mainstream music. Check out the latest cuts from our favourite longlist artists below:
Ok, so a new week, the situation with the snow still hasn't changed but I'm not going to keep bangin' on about it, because let's face facts, everyone's pretty much bored of it now. Infact it added extra pressure to Killer Kitsch, Muck & Dirty Noise's Xmas bonanza on Friday. Poor PMcQ had to undertake a massive 140 mile round trip to pick up Ado from Dundee because the trains were cancelled and Reset! very nearly didn't make it when Edinburgh airport got closed, AGAIN.
Thankfully all came together in the end, with Reset! & Ado bringing a serious mix of head-nodding tech and bouncy electro-fuelled fun to Stereo. By 4am the state of the dancefloor was a messy amalgamation of spilt drinks & sweat, there was even some nutter parading about with a massive lampshade on his head. All in a good night's work I guess.
Right, tuuuuuuunes
BLOG BURNER:
So it seems Dr Dre has finally got tired of teasing us. After literally five years of speculation the first official cut from 'Detox' has dropped under a storm of hype. The track has seemingly been about for a month or so (apologies if your already on it) but it was only this weekend that it finally DROPPED if you know what I mean. It's standard Dre material, big West Coast piano's, bouncing 808's & more expletives then I care to mention. Was it worth the wait? The jury's definitely still out at the moment.
Dr Dre ft/ Snoop Dogg, Akon & Timbaland
At the completely opposite end of the spectrum I heard a lot of quality disco air this weekend and needless to say Tensnake was at the forefront. It literally seems whatever this man touches will turn to gold as yet again he comes good with a hot new mix on American soul singer Aloe Blacc. It's a blissful 7 minutes of deep grooves, lush vocals & sax induced breakdowns which scream quality. Look out for Tensnake at Subculture this Saturday!
Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar (Tensnake Remix)
Yet more disco next with Azari & III's latest offering, 'Into The Night'. With a galloping bassline which sits neatly beneath a swirling constellation of cosmic synths, this is the perfect remedy for the current cold snap. It almost comes on like a digital Barry White, tempting you to get downright sensual as they encourage us to 'get it on' while 'giving it to the night'. Get your girl by the fire, dim the lights and throw this on - guaranteed results.
Azari & III - Into The Night
Finally, here's something new from Tom Staar's 'Pandemonium EP' which is turning a few heads. It seems Moda's flagship signing has a penchant for dancefloor devastation with every track on this EP translating as utter filth on the floor. Perhaps the techiest number is the rather disturbing 'It Excites Me' which has a breakdown which will either induce a sex explosion in your pants or encourage you to be voluntarily sectioned.
Well, I've got my fingers crossed that I'm going to be able to make it down to Reset! & Ado tonight but the snow is falling rather rapidly now. Mind you, it's Friday night, I've been stuck inside all week and I'm desperate for a booze, I'll get there by dog pulled sled if I have to.
LOCAL HERO:
So it's time to dish out this week's Local Hero award, and with Heartbeats 2: Change Your Tune getting a release next week it seems appropriate that we should have yet another cut from the album steal the spotlight. This time Itch! resident and super-talented dub technician Mia Dora goes in on Megamegaman's quite unpronounceable 'Tywyllfyd'. With dark, menacing undercurrents complimented by trance inspired stabs it's a song of beautiful contrast. Look out for a full feature on the new Heartbeats compilation next week....
Megamegaman - Tywyllfyd (Mia Dora Remix)
We blogged our next tune way back in July, but with an official release this week on Beatport it felt right to give it some extra exposure. Here Dirty Basement slap MC Freeflow with a pulsating bassline and an addictive piano loop, ultimately delivering the dancefloor satisfaction Freeflow promises throughout. No nonsense, peak time devastation. Trust. Also, look out for Dirty Basement's new track 'So Cruel' with Baby Taylor...it's MASSIVE
MC Freeflow - Dancing Shoes (Dirty Basement Remix)
If you were lucky enough to be at S-Type's EP launch at the Art School last night for Mixed Bizness then you might have heard this at some point. Recently signed to Phuturelabs, this Glasgow based hip hop, grime, anything-goes producer is definitely a name to watch in 2011. Here he provides the beats for Emilio Rojas with a track that lies somewhere between Dilated Peoples & Just Blaze. Download the track for free by following the link & check out S Type's EP (also free) below. Straight heat.
Finally, Kid Robotik returns with more fire from his twisted dub machine. Taking a more relaxed approach then some of his recent productions 'Exit' announces itself like the calm before a terrible storm, eery, peaceful, but ultimately menacing. As the bassline drops, you find yourself gripped by the unveiling soundscape, a contrast of distant thunder and fading rainbows. Wow, what the hell am I talking about?
Yes, the country may be incapacitated by snow, and yes it is probably warmer in your favourite onesie, but you still need to get loose right? Personally, if I don't get one good night out a week I tend to become somewhat of a turbo-grump. Thankfully then a tripod of hard-partying club factions have come together to bring you an out and out orgy of bass this Friday with Italian renegade's Reset! and Dundonian heat-rocker Ado.
No doubt you will have heard of the three club nights in question here, Killer Kitsch is of course responsible for bringing you the finest Tuesday night party action at the Buff Club with a mix of jump up electro, cosmic disco & classic funk while Muck has been getting messy for the last two years with the likes of Malente, Mighty Fools, Clouds & Strip Steve purely for an excuse to get taps-aff wild and overdose on bass. Meanwhile Dirty Noise descend on Sleazy's basement on the last Wednesday of every month to provide you with somewhat of a harder midweek alternative. Think pounding techno and ear-bleeding electro mixed as smooth as a baby's arse.
So it was only right they got together for a filthy gang-bang then, but what of Reset! & Ado? Hailing from Milan, Reset! are a troupe of bassline molesting stallions who have remixed the likes of Cassius, Fatboy Slim & The Count & Sinden. Residing on Herve's Cheap Thrills label, they like it hard & sweaty but also fun & frivolous. Check out their latest EP 'Your Army' below:
Reset! - Prepare To Fight
Reset! - Sabarage
Scottish native Ado will only be trundling down the road from Dundee but he still means business. Freaky naughty, face-blasting electro for the likes of Wax:On & Blood Music has caught the attention of Annie Mac, Felix Da Housecat, Erol Alkan & more. Check his flex below:
Ado - Multiply Me
As an extra treat here is Muck's PMcQ's latest mix he did for the DUR launch party. Crammed full of certified tunes from The Clash to Clouds. 17 tracks, 10 minutes. SAFE
We recently caught up with Killer Kitsch big cheese & all-round nice guy Euan Neilson about the forthcoming messiness (they also have Drop The Lime & Wafa playing Buff Club on Tuesday)
S: So this Friday heralds the start of rather hectic week for you as Reset! and Ado bring the heat to Stereo, while your weekly night Killer Kitsch presents Drop The Lime & Wafa at the Buff Club. What should we be expecting from both these nights and what is it about these particular artists that have compelled you to book & promote them?
E: Expectation wise, if I'm being honest I just hope people turn up and have a great night and everything goes smoothly. We book these people cause we like their music, and I'm proud to bring acts to my city....
S: For the event on Friday you’ve teamed up with Muck & Dirty Noise, do you think there is a good sense of community in Glasgow’s club scene or is there an element of competition involved when there are so many great nights running at once?
E: There is some sense of community, but not as much as i would like to be honest. I wish clubs would work more closer together. I do think there is too many nights in Glasgow, and at the moment that is a real problem as no one has any money, so all your are getting is loads of nights but only a quarter full.
S: Your weekly night Killer Kitsch has been running successfully on a Tuesday night for nearly 6 years now. How do you feel Glasgow’s club scene has changed over this time and what would you attribute to your own longevity?
E: I would hope by playing good/more interesting music and offering something different from all the other places in Glasgow. That's what we set out to do, and i think we have achieved that. I think there is a lot of luck involved as well, being at the Buff Club was a stroke of luck, i don't think many people knew of it, especially students, before we started there.
S: Over the last few month’s we’ve seen the likes of Tom Staar, Yolanda Be Cool, Grum & Simian Mobile Disco appear at Killer Kitsch. As a weekly party do you feel it’s important to still make these bookings even when you have a consistent and arguably loyal following?
E: You could argue there is no point at all, but while we are in the position to do so we will keep on booking guests. Its nice to give people something different, it's good press for the club and we build up lots of contact through them.
S: Finally, with Reset! on Friday, followed by your popular Saturday spin off Konichiwa at ABC, plus Killer Kitsch on Sunday in Edinburgh and then of course Tuesday at The Buff Club with Drop The Lime, how difficult do you find it to stay on top of it all? Have you any tips to fend off debilitating man flu for other DJ’s or indeed punters who like a solid bit of partying?
E: Its total murder to be honest. I couldn't do it without the help of everyone involved in Killer Kitsch, the other dj's, Buff managers, our pr staff etc etc. I've been close to cracking up at times, but its a great job so you keep going.....I just had the man flu so I'm maybe not the best person to ask.
Following on from yesterday's mixcentric post, my attention has recently been brought to Mighty Mouse's November mixtape which features an hour & twenty minutes of unadulterated cosmic soundscapes & sparkling grooves. If your not familiar with Mighty Mouse then you really should be, the London duo have been responsible for some of the finest remixes and production in the last few years, rivalling Aeroplane for sheer quality and ingenuity.
You can get an idea of their quite diverse tastes on this mix, from the flowing, liquid rhythms of Little Loud's mix on Cloud Opera and Still Going's recent take on Patrick Wolf to the more eccentric bleeps & blips of Vandroid & Etienne De Crecy, all put together with the understanding & love which gives each song it's own identity & purpose within the mix. Look out for an interview with the guys on this very blog soon and check out their debut album 'Song With No Word' released next Monday on Top Button Digital.
1. wai santana ‘que vida e essa’ 2. lizzy pattinson ‘sing it back’ (nacho marco remix) 3. clock opera ‘once and for all’ (little loud remix) 4. bryan ferry ‘heartache by numbers’ (circus parade remix) 5. patrick wolf ‘time of my life’ (still going remix) 6. mobroder ‘rush’ (in flagranti remix) 7. munk ‘violent love’ (the twelves remix) 8. mickey ‘farlalle’ 9. jaga Jazzist – 220v/Spektral (final mix) 10. crystal fighters ‘follow’ (diskjokke remix) 11. bag raiders ‘way back home’ (club mix) 12. etienne de crecy ‘no brain’ (munk remix) 13. tronik youth ‘think’ (midnight safari remix) 14. the c90′s ‘shine a light’ (bxentric remix) 15. mark ronson & the business ‘somebody to love me’(holy ghost instrumental) 16. vandroid ‘master & slave’ (van she tech remix) 17. ludovico einaudi ‘divenire’
While I'm at it, tonight's Synth radio show on Subcity will be hosted by the lads from Killer Kitsch as I'm still immobile due to a thick blanket of snow & ice. You can expect some big, bouncy club records ahead of this Friday's party with Reset! at Stereo. It all kicks off at 6 for two hours of non-scripted nonsense that not even I can control...
Based in Glasgow, Synth is a hub for one of Britain’s most thriving clubbing communities. We pride ourselves on getting in on the ground level, whether it’s reporting on an incredible party in an abandoned warehouse, putting the spotlight on an up and coming local producer or bringing you interviews with some of the key players on the scene, Synth is your guide to one of the best party city's in Europe.
Glasgow producers, promoters and DJ's: We want to hear from you! If you've got a hot new track that needs to be heard, a brand new mix which you think should be featured or a big club night coming up that you want listed or reviewed hit us up on info@synthglasgow.com and we will get back to you. We're also currently looking for writers to contribute to the Synth blog. We have a lot of guest list opportunities for exciting new clubs and established nights. We need people to go and review them, so if your interested please get in touch on the above email address. All audio featured on this blog is for promotional purposes only, if you want a song removed please contact us on the above email address and we will remove it immediatly.
