Monthly Archives: January 2012

Dub Down Babylon!

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Wag wan bredren, yes I!  Thursday is here, meaning that the weekend is right around the corner.  We wanted to bring you some tunes that would get you out of that work mode and ease you into the freedom that the weekend brings.  Today’s focus is going to be on Dub Reggae influenced riddim’s, tunes that incorporate elements of rasta in their production.  It is crucial to appreciate the Dub Reggae influences in the music that we listen to.  All bass music has stemmed from a root that leads back to Dub-Reggae one way or another.  From Jamaican soundsystems with selectahs holding it down on 7″ platters, to influences like King Tubby and his innovative role as a mixing engineer/producer, Dubstep would not have evolved without the help of past soldiers pushing the growth of Roots-Reggae.

The first tunes we bring to you are from an artist from Poland that has consistently provided Reggae infused dubs over the years.  He goes by the name Radikal Guru.  Earlier this year, in October, he dropped a record titled the ‘Rootsteppa’.  With the title of the album used perfectly to indicate the vibe that you’re about to enter when listening to this album, he lays down 12 riddim’s full of Reggae drums and high-quality basslines for listeners to enjoy.  Some tunes have vocals while others are straight forward dubs.  A couple tunes to highlight from the album are ‘Wisdom Dub’ and ‘Tundra Dub’.

Wisdom Dub comes in with a sitar-like intro met with BIG kick drums and a beautifully delayed Reggae horn.  When the tune drops, the combination of bassline, weegie board snares, and horns creates 5 minutes of listening pleasure.

Radikal Guru – Wisdom Dub

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Tundra Dub starts off real nice with the combination of horns, piano, snar, and delayed vocals to mesmerize you.  The tune rocks steady for its entirety, showing the value in its production.

Radikal Guru – Tundra Dub

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The next tune we have for you is one forthcoming on Moonshine Recordings, the primary label for Radikal Guru’s releases.  The tune, titled Cry Murda, by JingBong Ting ft. Ziggi is a massive deep riddim’ laced with sick vocals throughout.  With remixes by Ho T and Roommate, this track will be a massive release when it hits the streets next Monday, January 16 as a digital release.  Classic piano chords and Ziggi chanting rasta flows make this one a great gem for kicking back to or throwing into sets.  Guaranteed to make listeners swagga’.  Check for the bass distortions near the end of the tune and make sure to check the remixes.  Roommate brings his vibes into da’ ting’, while Ho T gives a classic jungle take on it.  Tell a soundbwoy run!

JingBong Ting ft. Ziggi – Cry Murda + Remixes

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The last tune is SO FRESH!  We can’t wait to get our hands on it!  Die & Break recently came out with a video for their new single, Peace & Dub, featuring vocals from MC’s Fats and Buggsy.  Forthcoming on Digital Soundboy as part of the Grand Funk Hustle EP, this is one to watch out for.  With the date of release unknown, it may be a bit of time before you find yourself bagging it if you know what I mean.  Real live sounding drum kits, ragga chants, spot on vocals from Fats and epic flows from bugsy, you can expect this one to be tearing up dance floors for some time.  Kick back and enjoy!

Die & Break – Peace & Dub

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Hope you guys enjoyed the sounds!  We will be coming at you with much more rasta love in the future as this was just a mere fraction of the large tunes out there that fall into this category.

AIYO!

-BWS (Lowkey)

Rewind Wednesday! Timeless Tunage

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Respect!  Here we go with another Rewind Wednesday.  This week is featuring some, as the title states, absolutely timeless music.  Hope you enjoy the sounds!

The first tune that we want shout out is one written by the Dubstep messiah, Mala.  Currently in the lead for the DSF awards‘ “Best Producer” category, this tune, although on the older side, showcases the skills and heart that have earned Mala this standing.  The tune, titled ‘Miracles’, is one of the BWS all-time favorites.  The vocal samples put into this track speak so much truth and really hit home for those who have followed the genres progression from early on, and even those new to the game.  The claim of “soundsystems have done miracles” could not ring more true, especially once you here this tune on a proper set of speakers.  The sub-heavy, reggae-influenced, and groove-filled production perfectly exemplifies the timelessness that Mala institutes into, literally, EVERY SINGLE PRODUCTION of his.  This man is truly an inspiration.  One out to the badman Mala, who will never read this post.  Just for shits and giggles.

Mala – Miracles

This next tune hails from across the seas on the small island of Japan.  Goth-Trad, the bassweight samurai as we like to call him, has been making music since a lot of us were still young children.  Stated by Kode9, this  is a “one-man army who has been changing the UK continuum from Japan”.  BWS would full-heartedly back up this statement.  His ‘Babylon Fall’ EP that was released in 2011 was an absolute smasher, and the highly anticipated full-length album, ‘New Epoch’, will be released sometime in February of this year.  The tune that we have for you today, ‘Cut End’, was released back in 2007 on the Deep Medi imprint and is truly a heavyweight anthem.  With asianic strings hooking you from the beginning this tune progresses into irie horns, reverb drenched stabs, and a wall of bass that makes the Great Wall of China look like a picket fence in suburbia.  Mad respect out to Goth-Trad!

Goth-Trad – Cut End

Next up to bat for all the heads is a tune that quite a bit different from the above.  The Glasglow based producer, Rustie, has been pushing some of the most feel-good music for the later part of the 2000’s.  His dance-filled interpretations of Bass music are not only unique, but just plain incredible!  On collaborations with the purple king himself, Joker, Russel Whyte has made quite the imprint, on an international level.  This tune was released in 2008 and is titled ‘Zig Zag’.  As stated above, it’s a bit different, so make sure you press play with an open mind on this one!

Rustie – Zig Zag

The last track we want to leave you with is ‘50,000 Watts’, produced by Matty G.  This tune BLEW up the west coast and most importantly, Matty G.  Although he had already had releases prior to this tune, it wasn’t until Joe Nice starting playing this out on Gourmet Beats radio and at the DMZ nights that Santa Cruz native Matty G was literally known by every head in the Dubstep scene.  An absolutely massive bassline, a mad-catchy vocal sample, and perfect timing put this tune down in the history books to never be forgotten, or at least we hope!  Lend your ears, children.

Matty G – 50,000 Watts

There it is everybody!  Enjoy the sounds, and pay your respects to the artists.  Check back tomorrow as Bassweight Society takes a look at the influence Reggae has had on the formation/perpetuation of Dubstep.

One love.

-Bassweight Society

Future Jungle – An Introduction

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Hello once again everybody.  By now, you have all most likely broken your new year’s eve resolutions so….cheers! Going into 2012 we have a lot of sounds, artists, and labels to be looking out for, and at BWS we like to focus our efforts on doing just that. Today’s post is a brief introduction into future jungle, a sound that is gradually gaining popularity and still has room for growth and evolution.

Future jungle – also dubbed as 140 jungle – seems to make sense to dubstep enthusiasts, and you’ll see why. Future j’s upbeat sound takes from Jungle’s use of pacey amen breaks, set at a lower tempo – 140bpm. It also revives a lot of other sounds from early jungle such as speedy chord progressions, punchy sub hits laced with rolling basslines and the essential ragga vocal. When combined successfully the tracks create an atmosphere of a smoky, lazer-lined warehouse packed at 4.a.m. One artist who would be headlining this rave is Arc 88.

Take a minute or two to explore his Soundcloud especially his most recent track, ‘Pelican’ and his release on Terrain Records, ‘2 Many’. Both tunes exemplify what we think is a good representation of the 140 lovechild of jungle and dubstep.

Arc88 – Pelican

Arc88 – 2 Many

Larger artists are embracing the sound as well. Check out this 145 bpm Goldie remix of Joker‘s ‘On My Mind’ ft William Cartwright:

Hopefully these tracks took you back in time, and now you’re looking forward to the sounds to come, and remember, this is just and introduction to sound that is still largely undefined (we’re still hesitant about sticking a name on it). We’ll be back next week with more tunes and some firsthand insight from artists themselves. Stay Tuned!

To wrap up this post we have a special Future Jungle mix from local Santa Barbara artist and selecta – Archive. We asked him to put this mix together for us because he’s been pushing the sound in his sets, and is a great resource when finding new tracks and artists. Archive’s appreciation for 140 Jungle stems from his deep jungle/drum and bass roots and his love for deep sub heavy dubstep. Please give the mix a listen, it is absolute FIRE, no joke! Tracks are posted on his Soundcloud, and check back in a week for a follow up post.

Archive – Bassweight Society Mix

Peace!

-BWS (Shice)

Mix Mondays: Weight For The Week

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What up everybody!  We hope ya’ll had a great weekend, we most certainly did.  BWS co-founder, Shice, tore up the streets of Santa Barbara at the Santa Babylon party featuring headliner Esh-One from New Mexico.  Always a good time with the Santa Babylon boys!

We’re back with another installment of Mix Monday, and we, as always, have some heaters for your ears.

The first mix that we have for everybody is one built by Birmingham based producer/DJ, ENIGMA.  This mix, done for the Dubheadz crew, is jam-packed with HUGE tunes.  Sub-frequencies emitting at the most powerful level, mixing skills on point, and a track selection of the highest caliber, this mix will set your head straight.  Starting things off with one of his own productions, titled ‘Lights Out’, you will be instantly hooked by the lurky sounds of this mix.  Starting off with the melodic, atomospheric bass music that ENIGMA does so well, the mix slowly rises to it’s peak, causing panic on the dance.  Being a seasoned musician since the age of 5, ENIGMA is no stranger to finding a proper balance within his sounds, as shown in his productions and mixes.  So, lend an ear and enjoy!

ENIGMA DUBZ – ‘Mix for Dubheadz’

The next mix that we have for you is one done by BWS founder, Kinman.  This all-vinyl mix showcases some of the largest tunes produced in 2011.  Starting off with ‘Celestial Dub’, a tune produced by Coki, the mix progresses into the soulful productions of Antiserum, Ill-Esha, and Author, then taking off into a realm of mad percussion and chestplate-shaking frequencies.  So many HUGE double-drops lined up in this one.  Sit back, light one up, and enjoy the deep sounds of Killawatt, Benton, DJ MADD, District, Headhunter, and many more.  Nuff’ said!

Kinman – Bassweight Sessions Volume 2 (ALL-VINYL)

The last mix that we have for you, Jah’s children, is one done by the recently added BWS artist, Lowkey.  Long-time Bass enthusiast, Lowkey sets the vibe right with some of the most purple sounding dance floor rhythms that are available at the moment.  Featuring artists such as Joker, Kavsrave, Icicle, and Distance, this is nothing short of a heavyweight anthem.  An entry in a recent mixtape competition, the mix displays a keen ear, seasoned mixing skills, and an overall good vibe.  Take a listen and show some love to Lowkey.

Lowkey – Jah Know

That’s the word this week, as far as mixes.  Again, in case you forgot, we will now be featuring a post  everyday, Monday – Friday.  Be sure to check in tomorrow as we have a very special highlight on 140 Jungle.

Enjoy the sounds.

To the Gods.

-Bassweight Society

F*ck Yeah Friday: Now Gimme’ Some Cornbread!

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What’s good party people! So, the first weekend of the new year, 2012, has arrived. How are you guys going to start the year off? Hopefully within the answer to that question lies layers upon layers of low-end frequencies, nudity, consumption of alcohol, and, of course, spliffs. Pretty much the most crucial components to any weekend for us here at BWS. We hope that all of you had a great NYE, now it’s time to get rollin’ into 2012.

We have some really big plans for BWS this upcoming year, it’s going to be very exciting. We are going to be bringing in a lot of top-notch artists to all of our family that is located in Southern California so, those of you this is applicable to, make sure you keep your eyes on this page in addition to our Facebook page: Bassweight Society. Aside from the talent we will be bringing in, there will also be some re-vamping of our website. Starting next week there will be a post up each day Monday through Friday, so hopefully the two extra days of content will aid the suppression of ya’lls bass addiction. There are many more changes that will be happening this year, many which cannot be disclosed at the moment, so we hope everybody is ready for a sick year!

Now, since all of the formalities are out of the way, let’s get busy.

Today is going to be an eclectic one, as far as the music featured. We have a few songs that we felt needed to be highlighted, and one of them even has a FREE download accompanied with it!

The first tune that we have for you is one done by previously featured artist, Compa. Being nominated in the Dubstepforum awards as ‘Best New Producer’, this man is going to be blowing people away all year long. This tune was featured in Compa’s EXCLUSIVE Bassweight Society mix done back in November, and is titled ‘Signals’. This one is an absolute necessity to any deep-heads collection. This spacey track is most definitely what would be playing prior to stepping into a wormhole through space. It’s reverb-filled snare drums, sweeping risers, and astranged-sounding shakers all leave you in some sort of catatonic state of bewilderment. This one is a free download, so make sure you click that download link after listening. Don’t be afraid to give a shout out to Compa for this one either. Big ups Compa, much respect from us here at BWS.

Compa – Signals

The next track that we have you people is one produced by the almighty himself, Skream. He released word about this production around Christmas time stating it was “like Xmas Day Swagger’s ugly brother”. An absolute old-school jam this one is. The wobble on this tune is so clean and so well-executed it’s no wonder Skream is, without doubt, one of the most prolific artists in the history of Dubstep. Swag out with this track folks! BOOM.

Skream – Scrooge’s Revenge

Third on deck we have a tune from, yet again, Killawatt. Another contender in the ‘Best New Producer’ category in the Dubstepforum awards, Killawatt has one of the most unique and amazing styles we have seen lately. His ability to master any and all types of percussion remain no secret as his songs are layered with the most intricate sequences. The tune that we have you today, titled ‘Numb’, is one of the sickest tracks I (Kinman) have heard the past couple of months. The track is just, so, ….. COMPLETE. I don’t know how else to describe it. I listen to this song and feel nothing but satisfaction the entire time. Make sure that you have your subs turned up for this one, because it is truly one of the heaviest tracks. Massive outs to Killawatt for this all-time production. Hopefully we will be seeing a release sometime soon!

Killawatt – Numb

The final track that we have for ya’ll today is one from some of the heaviest sub-frequency producers out there, Subreachers. This one, despite it’s title, is filled with melody and soul. A real nice way to end any night, or start one for that matter. The catchy vocal sample immediately hooks you while the ravey-stabs and groovy string-riff immerse your mind and soul with nothing but straight VIBES! If you haven’t heard of these guys, you NEED to get on their level. Absolute DON-like material right here. Big up to the Subreachers! P.s. THIS ONE IS FREE TOO! Check the description for the DL link.

Subreachers – Bastards

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Alright everybody that’s the word for today. We hope you enjoy the sounds and free downloads if you haven’t already copped them for yourself. Have a great weekend people! Let your mind be the guide.

To the Gods.

-Bassweight Society