Category Archives: Artist Highlight
Compa – ‘Outer Lines/Timelapse’ [TUBA]
Ez everyone.
The next installment for the TUBA gang comes from Manchunian, Compa. Still fresh off his debut release with the formative Deep Medi imprint, Will returns stateside for the release of his next three beats (2 Vinyl + Digital, 1 Digital Exclusive), marking his second appearance with TUBA (his remix of Prism’s ‘Future Samba’ featured on 006). 007 is yet another testament to Compa’s intricate sound design and plunging sonic explorations. Each of the three tracks radiates with a dark and meditative vein, harboring feelings of somber splendor through means of ominous atmospheres and warm sub-work. Have a listen below and mark your calendars.
RELEASE DATE: 3 MARCH 2014
COMPA || TUBA
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With its recent campaign of #bridgethegap and communications with the FatKidOnFire collective, it will be very interesting to see what label boss Ric has in store for TUBA in 2014 with regard to release schedule and other extraneous endeavors. Anywho, that’s it for today – I’ll catch you soon.
One love.
– Kinman
Hatti Vatti – ‘Worship Nothing’ LP [New Moon Recordings]
Ez.
The day I got this release in my inbox was one of pure joy. Following the powerfully weighty single from The Illuminated & TMSV, New Moon and Hatti Vatti put forth something in a vein completely opposite. The release plunges into moments of melancholy, as seen in ‘Ae’ with Synkro, and uplifts back into a flash of warmth as Cian Finn softly reminds us it’s a wonderful world. Then, transported to a distant realm of ambient tones and dreamy progressions with works like ‘Synthesis’, the journey continues. The brilliant, and often subtle placement of vocal clips throughout this album provide an avenue for each listener to interpret and apply meaning relevant to their experience, opening a dimension beyond the standard subjectivity in purely instrumental music. This is a true album, in the sense that it should be enjoyed from beginning to end as it tells a story and curates an intrinsic experience. It’s a truly beautiful piece of work that I would recommend to everyone. Check out below for a couple of previews, hopefully they will release more for you guys before the album drops!
HATTI VATTI || NEW MOON RECORDINGS || PRE-ORDER
RELEASE DATE: 3RD FEBRUARY 2014
Tracklist:
- Ae
- Struggle ft. Sara Brylewska
- Tokyo ft. Synkro
- 72 Dub
- Wonderful World ft. Cian Finn
- Sopot
- Synthesis
- Treasure
- Nights ft. Versa
- Black Flowers
- Worship Nothing
- 1ne
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One love.
– Kinman
LAS & Mikael – ‘LAS & Mikael’ EP [Innamind Recordings]
Ez everyone.
The signing of this release has been doing jumping-jacks through the underground for the past couple of months (maybe only a month, I have no concept of time anymore). After each of the tunes were first aired with Mikael’s TRUSIK feature a couple of months back, there has been an uproar of anticipation among deep-paletted listeners across the globe. This statement is bolstered by the marking of Innamind’s first 12″ 180 gram plate, and the pre-orders on Innamind’s Surus store selling out twice already. Granted, there was a very limited number placed for pre-order, but still, that says a lot about the release! While I’ve been following LAS for some years now (2010 I believe is the first I heard from him w/Desto on Black Box), Mikael I had never heard of prior to TRUSIK featuring him. I’m not sure how the two crossed paths, but if I believed in any nonsensical ideas of “fate” I would say these two were meant to make music together. Their styles on an independent basis are strikingly impressive, but more notable is the seamlessness in which their sounds compliment each other, culminating as one of the most refreshing output’s I can recall since the over-saturation of dungeon plagued dubstep. Quick note: I say “plagued” not because I am displeased with the cavernous and dark aesthetic of that particular offshoot, but because lets face it, there were way too many songs coming out sounding formulaic and there was lull in innovation. Obviously these thoughts can’t be blanketed for the scene in its entirety because there were always innovators, but as a general whole that is how I feel/saw things. Now, back to LAS & Mikael. The warmth in their productions is what immediately hooked me. Their production resonates on more of a human level with me than much of the electronic music coming out of recent. While modern engineering has paved avenue for the biggest, deepest, crispiest, and flawless sounds to date, it at times has neglected the feeling of slight imperfections and nuances often only experienced as a result of the human touch/experience. The nostalgia when listening to music that evokes these associations is something I cherish nowadays so I find solace in the music of those who are able to replicate it.
Have a listen below to the previews and make sure to be quick on Monday if you want to purchase this 12″ – I suspect it will fly off the shelves very quickly.
LAS || MIKAEL || INNAMIND || BUY @ SURUS
RELEASE DATE: 27 JANUARY 2014
- LAS & Mikael – Dem Break
- LAS – Need Fire
- Mikael – Drain
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I hope you enjoyed the sounds! One love.
– Kinman
DJ Madd – ‘High Grade/Judgement Time’ [1DROP002]
DJ Madd returns to his white label vinyl-only imprint, 1DROP, with another Jah-infused single for any rudebwoy looking to smash up the dance. Pre-orders are now up via the Roots & Future Surus Store. Be quick as this one won’t last long…
DJ Madd || Roots & Future || Surus Store
RELEASE DATE: 27TH JANUARY 2014
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– Kinman




