Monday, Bloody Monday.

Bless!  Back again from another weekend, hope everyone had themselves good times.  It’s kind of been one of those “case of the monday’s” type days, if you catch my drift.  Not really much to say, we just have some high quality tunes for your audibal pleasures.  The badman duo Truth has been on releasing some hype tunes lately, like always.  Two new ones from them.  We also have two new tunes from DJ Madd.  The release, his The Real and The Shadow LP, is out late this week so make sure to snag dem a tunes.  Then theres another massive collaboration between Sleeper and District called ‘The Risk’.  Once these two boys get on the track together, nothing but quality reaches your ears.  Just for fun we’re going to leave you off with Skream’s disco mix that he did for Solid State Radio.  Straight vibes throughout.  Enjoy.

Truth – Born Enemies

Truth – Babylon London

DJ Madd – Riginal

DJ Madd ft. Lady Maroo – Deeply

Sleeper & District – The Risk

Skream – Solid State Radio Disco Mix

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That’s it for today, yo’.

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-Bassweight Society (Kinman)

Mix Mondays: Weight For The Week

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

Top 20 Releases of 2011: #20 – #11

Well everyone, we have reached that time of year. A time when you look back at all the things that you have accomplished, and of course the things you have yet to. It’s a time when we begin to make goals for next year, however ridiculous they may be. It’s a time for family, friends, loved ones, and blah, blah, and blah. It has always been of interest how we, as humans, thrive on some sort of calendrical affirmation to our existence. It is both a very scary, and settling concept. Scary because each year that passes we are closer to the end of our existence. But is this not the same reason that the concept is settling? This constant reminder of our mortal existence, does it not attribute meaning to everything that we do? It is the recognition of this finite boundary that motivates our species to achieve. Without time effecting the biological/physiological expiration dates of our bodies, what would be the reason in finishing anything?

Today is part 1 of a 2 part series that will be highlighting Bassweight Society’s choices for the top 20 releases of 2011. We say releases, so our choices will range from a single song to a full-length album. It seems silly having to say this but, just for the record, we are covering releases within the 140 Dubstep arena. This was of one of the most painstaking things we have had to do for the website thus far. It took so long to gather all the great releases of this year. But, that was a cakewalk compared to the difficulty in narrowing a list of almost 100 tunes into a list of 20, and then ranking those 20. We understand that some of you will not agree with our choices but it’s our website so, start your own if it bothers you that much. We tried to encompass a lot of different styles within Dubstep, so hopefully that is seen by those reading this. So, without further ado, let’s get this thing started.

20. Sukh Knight, Mensah, Squarewave – G Activity (Hench Recordings)

  • One of the greatest party tunes this year has seen. Eastern vibes layered up with one of the most anthemic drops. Each producer on this track, on an individual level, smashes it. So, nothing less than great should be expected when all three collaborate on the same tune. Download here.

19. V.I.V.E.K. – Eyes Down EP (Deep Medi Musik)

  • Perfectly suiting the Deep Medi imprint, this 4 track EP takes the listener on a journey through human emotion. The sampling used in this album is of the highest caliber. His sounds have been described as “conciousness moving”, and this album is just that. Be on the look for this man in 2012. Download here.

18. Matt U – Straightened Up (Subway Music)

  • 1 of 3 tracks released on the Straightened Up EP. This tune is just an absolute slumper. Matt-U has been releasing some really big tunes for the past few years and this is just another one for him to add under his belt. Top notch production. Download here.

17. Distance – Meanstreak EP (Chestplate Records)

  • Founder of Chestplate Records, Distance, is out with another set of the heaviest and most evil sounds in the genre. This package is filled with 4 tracks produced with some extremely unique and technical sounds. Download here.

16. Truth & Decoda – The Emperor (Wheel & Deal Records)

  • As if the New Zealand duo hadn’t made enough noise since 2009, they had to top off their year with this absolute gem. We feel that this tune is a perfect example of how you make an aggressive party tune without going over the top. Download here.

15. Matty G – Back To The Bay EP (Dub Police Records)

  • It is a proud moment for us to place this release on our top 20. California native Matty G released one of the most unique and West Coast-vibed Dubstep albums ever this year. Each track has a different feel. Each track is produced amazingly. The samples and influences that Matty brings into his sounds truly make an imprint on the UK dominated genre. Download here.

14. Pinch – Swish (Deep Medi Musik)

  • The almighty Pinch, who never ceases to amaze, dropped this ultimate sub-flexer mid-year. The tune is a fine display of innovation applied to classical Dubstep ideals. Download here.

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13. L Wiz – Fotbojan (Hench Recordings)

  • One of the finest producers of the “purple” sound, L-Wiz releases amazing tunes each year. This track is an absolute feel-good vibe. One you grab the person you love to and skank out. One that you hear as the night is about to end and you look at your friends around you and say to yourself, “fuck, life is so good!”. Massive out to L-Wiz for this one. Download here.

12. LX One – You/Give It Up ( Wheel & Deal Records)

  • Both of these tunes are for the deep heads. Spot-on production skills. The bouncy vibe of ‘Give It Up’ is too good. The track ‘You’ is one that emits a tremendous amount of low-end pressure. This is how an MC shows you a thing or two about production. Download here.

11. DJ MADD – Arpz 3000 (Subway Music)

  • DJ MADD is a producer who has been making huge tune after huge tune in the shadows. A lot of people don’t know that this man is one of the hardest working and talented artists out there. Each year he releases a large number of tunes on various labels. This year he blessed us with many more. ‘Arpz 3000’ is a tune that anybody can get down to. Download here.

BOOM! There you have it. Bassweight Society’s first half of the top 20 releases of the year. Some absolute gems in here folks. If you haven’t already purchased these tunes/EP’s/Albums, please show these artists some support and do so!

Make sure you stay connected with BWS. Next Friday we will posting choices 1-10! Hope everyone has a great weekend and a fantastic Christmas, if you celebrate it that is.

To the Gods.

-Bassweight Society

Feeling ‘Love Sick’ : A Look at One of Brighton’s Emerging Bass Labels.

Today we have the very special honor of interviewing with one of Brighton’s newest Bass labels, Love Sick Recordings.  Founded by Riskotheque, Marchmellow, and the Southbound Hangers(Screen Age & Mudie), this label has already been off to a great start.  Prior to starting the label,  each of these artists has had a number of releases from labels such as Disfigured Dubz, Boka, and Skint.  With that said, what can be expected other than HUGE sounds?  The label’s sound has been recognized by some of the most respected names in the scene such as: Kode9, Skream, DJ MADD, Ramadannman, N-Type, Trolley Snatcha, and Mary Anne Hobbes(And that’s just to name a few).  To top it off, they have gained a residency at HOSPITALITY, which is one of the UK’s most successful club nights run by Hospital Records.  With the label’s intention of side-stepping “the more aggressive styles of dubstep”,  they have made a great appeal to “educated music lovers”.  Given the versatility of the genre and Love Sicks production abilities there is no way to identify a distinct sound within the label.  Their ability to incorporate influences from a variety of genres only further accentuates the bright future that this label has.  In the words of the label, “Love Sick is a bass music label with one thing on it’s collective mind……Love!”  Make sure you keep your eyes out for these guys because they’re sure to turn heads, as they already have.

BWS was fortunate enough to get a couple questions answered from these guys aside from their busy schedules:

BWS: What are Love Sick’s  plans for 2011 and 2012?

  •  Love Sick: For 2011 -2012 we really plan to build the Love Sick label/brand. This will include more releases of course, initially from us but with a view to building a strong roster of new talent too, and all within the context we have already established for Love Sick Recordings. We are considering organising Love Sick events too… club nights with a musical policy directly related to the labels output… quality music for music lovers. Maybe even touring with the label too. Our weekly radio shows on the Electric Sound Stage channel of iHeart Radio have been incredibly well received in the U.S. so this could more than possibly lead to some sort of American tour… Watch this space!

BWS:  Much respect for keeping the vinyl culture alive.  What are some of the challenges that come along with pressing vinyls in today digital age?  How do you overcome them?

  •  Love Sick: In this throw-away digital age we think its important to give people the option to buy a product that is more than just a bunch of 1s and 0s on their hard drive… something they can hold, collect, treasure and show off to friends! Obviously we would never disregard the digital format as many people don’t have the luxury of a turntable these days but in the same way we wouldn’t want to leave out those that still love the whole thing of collecting and playing vinyl. Infact we want to encourage this and to this end we will be adding extra bonuses for those buying the limited vinyl, to show that we appreciate their support…. and we have some really cool things lined up, believe me!

BWS: Who were some of your biggest musical influences growing up?

  • Love Sick: All four of us have very different musical backgrounds. I (Riskotheque) grew up with rave culture and was influenced very early on by this but having worked in an indie record store for 6 years my influences have diversified hugely. It would be boring to mention them all… just imagine lots of great music in the melting pot of my brain and you might understand.

BWS: If you had to describe your label’s sound to someone who has never heard ‘dubstep’ or electronic music, how would you do so?

  • Love Sick: It’s a combination of the soundtrack to a 70’s porno flick, a Woody Allen romantic farce and that bit in Bambi when his mother dies.

BWS: What about the ‘deeper’ sounds of dubstep appeal to you?

  • Love Sick: We love the longevity of the so called ‘deeper’ sound. The fact that you can keep coming back to this music without tiring of it and discover hidden details and intricacies that maybe you hadn’t noticed on the first few listens. It’s music that gives the listener space to attach their own meanings and emotions rather than thrusting it forcefully down their throats.

The labels first release, LUVSIC001, came out TODAY!!!!, November 14th in 12″ and digital format.  You can find the it at almost every major site such as Beatport, Chemical Records, Surus, and Juno.  This release contains ‘All Alone” on the A side, which is produced by Marchmellow and Riskotheque.  On the flip you’ll find ‘You Don’t Understand’ by Southbound Hangers.  Both of these tunes exemplify great production skills, and exhibit a sense of maturity in the sound that is hard to find these days.  Support the atrists and BUY these tunes!

PS. Don’t forget to envision Bambi’s mother dying next to Woody Allen while he’s watching some old school porno’s when you’re listening to the Love Sick sounds 😉

Below are links you can listen to and follow Love Sick at.

Riskotheque & Marchmellow – All Alone(LUVSIC001)

Southbound Hangers – You Don’t Understand(LUVSIC001)

Von D & Mr. Lager – You’re My ft. Phephe (Riskotheque Remix)

Chase & Status – Time ft. Delilah (Southbound Hangers Remix)

Love Sick Facebook Page

Love Sick Soundcloud Page

Well folks thats what we got for you today. Check back for more tunes and interviews. If you like the content, please share BWS with your friends and fam.

Peace and as always, one love to the gods.

-Bassweight Society