Category Archives: Dubstep

HyperColour, Octane & DLR, Killawatt, & Blackwax

Posted by Bassweight Society on

Big up fam’!  I feel like it’s been too long since I’ve gotten up here and thrown down some words – no esta bueno.  Regardless, I hope everybody is feeling fine and cruising through the week nice and steady.  We at Bassweight Society had quite an epic weekend.  Seven came through Santa Barbara to throw down at our monthly co-hosted with Santa Babylon and BOY did he throw down some heat.  Never have I seen Santa Barbara so amped on the deeper sounds, it was truly an amazing experience.  A club packed wall-to-wall just skanking to 4×4 tribal bassweight music is not something that our city is very accustomed to.  Gotta give one more shout to all the heads that rolled through and made the night what it was, WE LOVE YOU!    Bless up to the MC Hoodzpah and Sciphen for your support in the booth!  A massive shout is also owed to Mr. Seven for giving the people dem’ what they wanted to hear, and doing it inna’ proper fashion.  The Bassweight-Babylon connect is growing strong and hopefully we can keep this momentum going to keep bringing out these amazing artists.

Today we got a few different artists to showcase who have been tearing up the scene lately.  Bless up and enjoy the sounds 🙂

First to highlight is up-and-coming producer HyperColour.  Releasing his ‘Marvin’ EP just over a week ago with our friends at Inna Riddim Records, HyperColour is sure to be a producer that sticks around for a bit.  The EP contains three tunes, two of which stand out to me a lot.  The first one I want to mention is a track called ‘Fools Gold’.  This tune is definitely a big one for the ravers, bringing in classic 90’s style vocal samples, sirens, and quite the bouncy drum sequencing.  The shakers give it a nice jungle/breakbeat-esque atmosphere that keeps the feet moving and the big bassline keeps the soul warm.  The other tune off this EP that I wanted to point out is ‘No One Else’.  Again, HyperColour lacing your eardrums with some sexy pre-millenium house vocal cuts to set the vibes right for the dance.  The groove in this track is what really got me moving.  The intricate placement of the kick, snare, and hats respective to the walking bassline puts some love into your hips, keeping the vibes ill.  Have a listen for yourselves below…

HyperColour – Fool’s Gold (Inna Riddim Records)

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HyperColour – No One Else (Inna Riddim Records)

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This next bit is from the hand of, arguably, one of the best producers in the deep scene.  I’m sure it’s no secret to the BWS regulars that I love Killawatts music.  The man pushes boundaries, has magnificent production skills, and a work ethic that many producers can only dream of.  Tune after tune after tune, this guy.  His most recent upload to Soundcloud is a tune called ‘Foreign Accent’ and is definitely one for those with a proper sound at their dispense.  The sub-bass on this track will blow the hat right off your head.  Per standard, Matt brings crisp drums, unrivaled atmospherics, and intelligent progressions.  Would love to see a release on this one.

Killawatt – Foreign Accent

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Up next is a tune in the 170 arena from the badmen behind the moniker Octane & DLR.  These guys are some of the sickest drum and bass producers around – and if you’ve heard ‘Red Tape’ you should know they can throw down a proper 140 beat, too.  This tune is forthcoming off their album titled ‘Method In The Madness’ due out on Dispatch Recordings, which is a 17-track project due out September 3rd, 2012.  The sample today is a track titled ‘Murmur’ and features co-production by Break.  A beautifully laced vocal intro that breaks into an energy-drenched stomper.  The control that these two exhibit over the bassline is top-notch, add that to Break’s arsenal of technique and skill – BLADOWW!

Octane & DLR ft. Break – Murmur (Forthcoming Dispatch)

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The final tunes for today are favorites of mine, no doubt!  I just recently discovered these guys a week or two ago via the badman Alex Pitts who runs AJP (If ya don’ know AJP, GET TO KNOW it here).  The UK duo, Blackwax, has taken on their own front in darker-electronic music.  I have yet to hear a tune of their that I don’t like!  The tunes that I want to highlight today are a bit old so some of you have probably already heard them but if there’s anybody out there like me who hasn’t heard their sound, I want to introduce them. First track is titled ‘Surface’ and is most definitely a tune I wish I had on wax this past Friday night.  One of the skankiest beats I’ve heard in a LONG minute!  I highly recommend making room to dance wherever you decide to listen to this one!!  The second track is called ‘Offkey’ and, again, blows my mind.  The percussion variation utilized in both of these track is f*cking mental.  There’s also a free tune below called ‘Trapped Dub’.  It’s a very recent giveaway through XLR8R (here).

Blackwax – Surface (Tube 10 Records)

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Blackwax – Offkey (Tube 10 Records)

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Blackwax – Trapped Dub (FREE DOWNLOAD)

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Hope you enjoy the sounds!!  Bless up fam’.  We’ll see you next time.

To the gods.

-Kinman

Digital Mystikz @ SMOG Sunday Sessions: Recap

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I am still floating off the vibes from Sunday night at Los Globos…

It is really hard to verbalize the experience that went down.  There was just SO much to take in.  My night didn’t start off the way it ended (which was in a state of bliss).  Two of my closest friends, who stupidly didn’t buy tickets before they sold-out, decided that they wanted to take the risk of POSSIBLY getting tickets at the door.  So, out of a desire for them to experience the night alongside a desire to not have to make this drive by myself, I told both of them to meet me at my house so we could take off.  We didn’t end up actually hitting the road until after 9pm, so a 1 hour drive now meant we were taking the chance of missing out on Kahn’s performance.  Sure enough, we did.  I am still quite disappointed about this as I do not know when he will be making another appearance here in California.  We pull up to the venue and see a dense line of people coming out the door – this was expected.  We look at each other and say “oh shit, that’s nuts, hopefully there’s some tickets left”.  As we begin to make a left turn around the building to find parking, we see the line extend about a half-a-block down.  I immediately knew that my friends were fucked on their ticket situation, but didn’t have the nerve to be so blunt in expressing my thoughts to them.  We found parking and began to head over to the theme-park style line that awaited us.  It was already ten minutes until 11pm, so it was here that I decided Kahn was out of the picture.  30 minutes go by and the line has moved in a infintesimal fashion.  Thoughts of missing DMZ now begin to cross my mind and the anxiety begins to build.  By this time one friend has secured a ticket from someone that was already inside and would meet him at the door.  The other friend (the one who drove us!) was still in fucked mode.  So as time began to pass we started to discuss how we were going to get home because our homie wasn’t going to stay if he didn’t get a ticket in tonight.  I start calling around and texting friends inside to see if anybody has room for us on the way home.  Out of nowhere an old friend of ours approaches us with a smile on his face and begins to chat.  We immediately tell him that we still need one ticket, because we are getting closer to the door and hear the bouncers repeating “if you don’t have a ticket, don’t waste my time, you’re not getting in.”  Out of pure coincidence and luck this guy a single extra ticket!  I honestly couldn’t even believe my ears when he told us.  The degree of relief apparent on my homies face was priceless.  I’m sorry if this story bored some of you, but I felt it quite appropriate to set the tone of how mystical the vibes were, and how aligned the energy’s seemed to be on this night.

I look at my watch and it’s 5 minutes til 12 – DMZ takes the stage in five minutes.  I’m freaking out.  The line starts to move extremely quickly as the bouncers funnel people inside.  I walk in and as I’m walking into the main room “Return II Space” is dropped, pulled back, and dropped again.  Goosebumps overtake my body.  The system is warmed up and tuned for people to really FEEL the music.   The F1’s were hitting so hard the needle jumped (at least towards the beginning of the set), but the crowd understood that this is how dubplate culture worked – especially with music emitting frequencies in the 30-50 hertz range!  Not one person looked disappointed.  If the record skipped, a simple rewind from the selectors set the mood back right.  Shortly after arrival I am in a trance-like state and end up leaving my friends to go stand in the apex of the sound field.  As I begin to look around I take in the surroundings for the first time.  The dim lighting, the way people are packed in like a sardine can, and the way the sound fills the air with sub-frequencies all act as a fuel for my trance, and I begin to drift further and further away.  My friends find me and I vaguely remember them trying to talk to me or tell me that they were going to go meet up with some other friends and I should come.  I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage, though.  Mala dropped his first few, then Coki stepped up to the decks and lets people know he’s not fucking around with ‘Gangsta For Life’.  ‘Tree Trunk’ comes in next and the place goes absolutely bananas, and the children start to mosh.  I usually detest the kids that do this type of thing at the dubstep/dnb shows that I attend, but tonight it didn’t even phase me – I couldn’t have cared less about it.    Stage packed with all the Smog fam, floor packed with heads that came out of the woodworks for this ONE show.  It was honestly so inspiring to see people in such a state of deep appreciation and respect.  Coki finishes his first go on the decks w/ Celestial Dub and I’m blown away by how hard it hits on the system.

I don’t want to go through every moment of the night because that would just end up being an excessively long script.  The entire 2 hours and 45 minutes of the Digital Mystikz set was like the above description.  This was a night that exceeded the boundaries of performance and hype.  Regardless of sex, gender, race, age, hometown, etc., people were unified in a plane of consciousness.  We were brought together to celebrate the beauty and power of soundsystem music made to elevate the mind.  I am so thankful that I was able to experience this night.

Massive shout to Drew Best, the SMOG family, DMZ, and all others involved in this event.  It was one that Los Angeles will never forget – trust!

To the gods.

-Kinman

[LUVSIC002] Riskotheque & Marchmellow: Truth – Don’t Explain (Remix)/1-800-LOVE

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Bless fam!

Hope all is well with ya’ bad selves. I wanted to take time out today to highlight the forthcoming release from Love Sick Recordings. These badmen were the first crew/artist to give us an interview last year after we got the site up and running so, aside from the fact that they write amazing music, they will always have a deep respect in my heart for the love they showed us back then. If you don’t know about the Love Sick then I strongly suggest that you acquaint yourself with their sound. On an individual level, Love Sick is composed of Riskotheque, Screen Age, Marchmellow, and Max Mudie. Four amazing producers that encompass a vast array of styles. They teamed up to create Love Sick with the mission to bring the sounds of love, funk, soul, and timelessness to the table. Late last year marked the debut release for the imprint with tracks from Riskotheque & Marchmellow alongside Southbound Hangers(Screen Age & Max Mudie). It was a top-notch debut release and if you haven’t snagged that one up do so, it’s a must have! The crew is back again, with LUVSIC002 showcasing an AMAZING remix of Truth’s ‘Don’t Explain’ and ‘1-800-LOVE’ done by Riskotheque & Marchmellow. I first heard the Don’t Explain remix back in October /November of last year and I literally went mental, and have been anticipating this release ever since. Needless to say, I’m quite excited to see if finally get a release onto wax.

The original of ‘Don’t Explain’ was already an absolutely massive track. If you haven’t heard this one it was released back in 2010 on Aquatic Lab on the Puppet’s album. This is one of my many all-time favorite tracks ever written. Usually I’m a snob about remixing tracks that are already of the highest quality but, I must say, Riskotheque & Marchmellow were not fucking around when they built this remix. The interpretation takes on a completely different persona and turns into one of the most dance-friendly tracks that I’ve heard in my life. Hold tight for the second drop. The boys infuse elements from the classic 90’s house era into the present day production quality, creating feel-good vibes that can rival almost any tune written on the late. The energy is kept constant with a 4×4 kick pattern, rolling high hats, and rave stabs that incite orgasms in your ears. Like I said, hold tight for the second drop, it’s absolutely MENTAL. You will skank like no badman has ever skanked before!

Truth – Don’t Explain (Riskotheque & Marchmellow Remix)

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The AA side is ‘1-800-LOVE’. This track slows down on the tempo side of things ending up in the 120-ish arena. This tune progresses with rising pads and chopped up vocals into a rolling house track with an extremely funky bassline and chords that fill the air with “sunrise at the rave” vibes. A truly beautiful track this one is. Between the claps, high hats, and the shakers this beat is laced up with rhythms and grooves that force footwork upon the people dem’. Another perfect fit for the Love Sick imprint. Have a listen:

Riskotheque & Marchmellow – 1-800-LOVE

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Make sure to keep your eyes out on your favorite record store for this one! Due for release on July 2nd in all good shops. This is definitely going to be one of the better releases for the year, in my opinion.

Catch you next time.

-To the gods.

-Kinman

System Overload: Too Many Men

Posted by Bassweight Society on

EZ brothers and sisters.  Hope everybody is doing well, feeling good, and vibing out to this beautiful world that we live in.  Time has been straight up FLYING by lately, it’s truly insane.  I thought that once school was done with I would have all the time in the world to keep this site updated and content constantly rolling through during my summer break.  Life just keeps throwing this and that, and things just haven’t been catering to my free time.  I apologize for that, hopefully all ya’ll heads can understand :).  It’s been almost a week since I last got a post up here and in that time there has been some really amazing music put out and some great news revealed, as well as some saddening news.

Let’s get the sad out of the way first.  Although it seems to be quite speculative, considering no definite statements have been recorded, rumors are spreading that Pendulum will no longer be writing/performing music as they’ve decided to concentrate on their Knife Party project.  I have no hate for what they’ve chosen to do with Knife Party, everybody needs to make money, and I’m sure they really do enjoy the music they make and the reactions they get from the crowds.  However, it saddens me that Pendulum will no longer be.  They provided my youth with some of the greatest EDM experiences and I draw a lot of influence from their innovation and flat-out talent.  I hope that it’s not really the end but, times change, people change, and the game changes too.  Much love and respect out to them boys for doing their thing for so long and I wish them the best in their future endeavors!

To lighten things up a bit, their is two specific events that made me extremely happy recently.  One being that Mala’s in Cuba album was reviewed by Joe Muggs and published on The Arts Desk (read here).  Not that I ever doubted the quality of Mala’s production skills, but it was quite an intriguing concept to incorporate Latin music into the South London brainchild of dubstep.  I’ve heard the two tunes that I’m sure everybody else has heard as well, but to read to Joe Muggs interpretations of the remainder of the album made my heart jump up like a schoolgirl who had just seen the Nsync tour bus pass by.  I truly cannot wait for this album to drop!  It’s going to look all these ignorant bastards, who make claims like “dubstep is dead”, straight in the eyes and tell them to FUCK OFF!  I’m getting really tired of all these jaded listeners who incessantly complain because they are too lazy to do their homework and search through hype.  Dubstep will never die.  Second thing that made me quite happy was the announcing of the boat parties that will be held during both Dimensions and Outlook festival.  HYPED!  The tickets will go on sale this Thurday at 8pm (GMT), so all the US heads that means 11am.  So many unreal parties will be going down, I can’t even begin to imagine the vibes that will be going down.  Make sure you get to your tickets to whichever party you want to attend fast!  They will sellout in an extremely quick fashion.

Now, to the beats.  I’ve got a solid handful of tunes that I want to post up on this beezy, hope you enjoy dem’.

First track is from a favorite producer of mine, TMSV.  It’s a collaboration with the notorious Beezy.  The track is laced up with some awakening lyrics that get your mind thinking about some of the more troubling things occurring on our planet.  The words are abruptly met with percussion that will take your mind back to the tribal roots we all share.  The dread-ridden synth created for this tune is all-time.  Puts out some of the most intense energy.  Massive one out to TMSV and Beezy for this production.

TMSV ft. Beezy – Crashing

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This next bit is a forthcoming on Tempa Records by Consequence.  Proper soundsystem music, this one.  Such a powerful kick, the snare is tailored perfectly, and the space in this tune is just as vital as the notes.  I’m sure there will be lots of great things to come from Consequence after this release.

Consequence – Injunction (Forthcoming Tempa)

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This next track picks the energy up and gets in your face with Biome incredible production skills.  This one is another tune filled with percussion that will incite the most primal of urges inna’ dance.  THIS TUNE IS FUCKING MAD!  I keep finding myself saying this but the man just keeps putting out heat after heat but, Biome has seriously been on a roll for about a year straight, putting out the heaviest and most intricately constructed tunes.  Big respect to the badman.

Biome – Shadows (Forthcoming New Moon Recordings)

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Next up is forthcoming on the almighty Deep Medi imprint.  I’m sure you’ve heard it because it’s been getting so much hype but I have to repost it because it’s such an amazing release.  Medi 59 will be from Jack Sparrow, and it’s about bloody time this man got signed to the Medi fam!  This track, titled ‘Good Old Days’ features Ruckspin on the production with Sparrow and is a jazz-infused bassweight masterpiece.  These guys have nearly unrivaled mix-downs, every element of the track being placed and EQ’d with the finest of precision.  The flip, ‘Afraid of Me’, takes a step away from the jazzy side of things and delves into the sonic exploration of techno-infused bass and analog sounding atmospherics.  Going to be an amazing release and I cannot wait to snag up a vinyl for myself!

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I want to send you off tonight with two absolutely MASSIVE remixes done by Sleeper and Compa.  Sleeper has remixed DCult’s ‘Deadly Hands of Shang Chi’ and done an amazing job!  Rupturing sub-bass on this one!  Compa has chosen to release his rendition of Reamz – Fear on the ‘We Are Wax’ white label imprint.  This tune displays Compa’s top-notch ability to take an original, that is already an amazing tune, and turn it into an equally as large interpretation.  Make sure that your subs are ready to flex on this one!

DCult – Deadly Hands of Shang Chi (Sleeper Remix)

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Reamz – Fear (Compa Remix)(Forthcoming WXWL002)

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BOOM!  That’s it for tonight fam.  Stay locked and stay high.

To the gods.

-Kinman

Fresh Bits From Nanobyte, Dismantle, Indigo, and Core

Posted by Bassweight Society on

Bless, familia!  We’re back with a handful of absolutely FIRE tunes for your ears today/tonight.  A little something for everybody’s palette.  Going to start things off nice and soulful and send you off with immense amounts of energy 🙂

First track that caught my eye today is one that is forthcoming on Innamind Recordings as part of the Nanobyte EP, due out this Friday, June 15th.  This bit, titled ‘Lost Time’, embraces a body-warming vocal sample that sets the stage perfectly for this ambient piece of art.  Beautifully placed high-hats groove into a kick that makes you think you’re heart is jumping out of your chest like you’ve just fallen madly in love.  Truly an amazing piece of music right here.  Have a listen.

Nanobyte – Lost Time (Forthcoming Innamind Recordings)

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Picking up the energy with next one!  Dismantle on the buttons with one of the sickest tunes I’ve heard this year.  Just screams get the f*ck up and dance!  Only have a clip, but I’m sure the tune progresses nicely throughout.  The snare on this tune along with the This one is forthcoming on Digital Soundboy alongside the rest of his EP, sometime in July.  I hope you’re ready to be filled with some of the most feel-good vibes circulating the airwaves!

Dismantle – Dots (Forthcoming Digital Soundboy)

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This next bit is one that’s forthcoming on Exit Records (EXIT042) from Indigo.  Some groove-ridden madness, the both of these tunes.  The A side, ‘Ayahuasca’, gets straight to the point with its intricate atmospherics and swinging basslines cutting out occasionally for the apocalyptic sounding vocals.  ‘The Root’ on the AA again displays masterful atmospheric placement but is a bit more on the tribal side, as far as percussion.  Indigo is definitely one to keep your eye!

Indigo – Ayahuasca / The Root

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To wrap things up for today I have a tune that somehow slipped under my radar late last month.  This one is from Core and titled ‘Vital Nerve’.  Core is definitely a man responsible for some of the heaviest and most powerful sounds I’ve heard.  The snare on this tune top-notch, the growling bass brings monsters out the closet, and the tunes overall dynamic is phenomenal.  Large respect out to Core for this one!

Core – Vital Nerve

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That’s what we got for your ears today fam, hope you’re feeling the vibes.  We got a big weekend ahead of us and hope all ya’ll will get amongst as well.  If you’re near Santa Barbara be sure to stop by Statemynt as Bassweight Society teams up with Santa Babylon to host Distal on Friday the 15th (event page here).  All the LA crew be sure to roll through Smog Sunday’s as the one and only Goth-Trad will be throwing down a set that I’m sure will be remembered for a long time to come (event page here.).  Smog is really on a role with the quality bassweight artists they are bringing through on the late.  Mad respect out to Drew, Kelly Dean, Emu, and the rest of the Smog family.  Until next time…

To the gods.

-Kinman