July 3, 2008
Words: Thomas Palermo for XLR8R.com
Bass Reaction’s theme this month: Enter the Technodrome. Lately, dubstep has been infiltrated by interesting IDM and dub techno elements. For evidence, check out completely superb new recordings by 2562 (Aerial, on Tectonic), Scuba (A Mutual Antipathy, on Hotflush), iTAL tEK (Cyclical, on Planet Mu). and Appleblim’s standout mix compilation for Tempa, Dubstep All-Stars Volume 6. All of the above mentioned titles excel and explore dubstep’s spatial possibilities, with clicks, pulsing melodies, and synthetic dreamscapes that drive the music. These albums are techy, dubby, refreshing.
Kode 9 and Hatcha are touring the U.S. in July. Dates include Tuesday, July 8 at Chop Suey in Seattle, Wednesday, July 9 Rotture in Portland, Thursday, July 10 at Mezzanine in San Francisco, Friday, July 11 at the Roxy in Los Angeles, and Friday, July 18 at Love in New York.
Hotflush Recordings has a big night called Sub:Stance happening July 11 in Berlin. The event takes place at one of the city's most renowned venues, Club Berghain, and features sets by Mala (Digital Mystikz), Shackleton, Appleblim, Distance, Scuba, and more.
BBC1 Radio’s Mary Anne Hobbs announced a special one-off radio broadcast called Generation Bass she’ll host August 18-19, featuring sets by new artists chosen by the original Dub Warz 7: Mala, Skream, Kode 9, Vex'd, Hatcha, Loefah, and Distance. The show will be recorded, filmed, and posted on YouTube. Hobbs recently compiled the diverse dubstep-to-techno Evangeline CD compilation.
Digital store and label Sonic Boom will air an exclusive video interview with Antisocial producer Silkie, available for viewing starting Monday, July 14.
Benga breaks down his production wizardry for Future Music in a scintillating video series! Essential viewing!
Matty G’s “West Coast Rocks – Glitch Mob Remix” is available as a free download. Nice one!
The ill Grime City collective is offering its third multi-DJ mix, featuring Cyan, Munk, SamSupa, 100 Spokes, Enzyme, and hosted by the brapped-up Emcee Child.
Big respect to Dusk & Blackdown who drop their debut album, Margins Music (Keysound), July 14. The heavy disc features established grime MCs Durrty Goodz, Trim, Farrah, Target, and more. A launch party takes place July 13 at FWD featuring Blackdown, Dusk, Oneman, and Joker. Blackdown’s blog and monthly Pitchfork columns are also essential reading!
Sub Swara’s Coup d’Yah (Low Motion Records) is 100% fire. No exaggeration. The 12-track album, available now as a MP3 download, features vocals from Zulu, MC Coppa, Napoleon Solo, and Juakali
Jackhammer dubstep producer Kevin Martin, a.k.a. The Bug, drops his Ninja Tune debut, London Zoo, on July 29. The album features Warrior Queen, Tippa Irie, Ricky Rankin, Flodan, and more. Watch the video for “Poison Dart,” featuring Warrior Queen.
A Bass Reaction underground hero is the mysterious Mr. Forensics, who’s pumping out the fresh DJ mixes (the Adventures In Death Star Valley series) and original plates with a quickness. His style is dark, fractured, and slightly IDM-influenced, but weighty nonetheless.
Fixations: Series One is the new compilation from Seattle‘s Insectmind that dropped April 20 and features new business from Hatcha, MKS, Struggle, and others.
Support BareFiles, the site for exclusive DJ mixes and new releases. New mixes and profiles are up now of Deapoh, Incyde, and Alien Pimp.
Other new and forthcoming releases:
-Joker's “Gully Brook Lane” (Terrorrhythm) drops July 7.
-Los Angeles’ Edwin Mendoza and Graham Dye introduce their new LA Dubstep Nostra label with a debut label-titled EP featuring Nebulla & Dore, 6Blocc and Parson.
-Hyperdub’s next release is by King Midas Sound with remixes by Flying Lotus and Dabyre.
