September Beat Tape 2011



Beat a day beat tape throughout the whole of September. 30 days, 30 beats. All raw who gives a fuck bout mixing this shit. Free Download http://hazbeats.bandcamp.com/

Photo by Johnny Rescue aka @honebegood.

We've Moved!

You might have noticed we've been a bit quieter lately, this is due to us moving over to a new site over at http://hipdrop.co.nz . Same shit different place.

@Peace

@peace 'Be Like' from @ Peace on Vimeo.

Mo Kolours - Drum Walking Mix

Wax Poetics & One Handed Music have hooked this mix up by Mo Kolours who recently released his EP Drum Talking, a record based around...well, drums (and percussion). Hella dope tunes and if you're the first who can give a complete track listing using only the given drummers then your up to win and limited edition (only 20 made) OHM T-shirt. Track list of drummers in the comments. Downloads have maxed out via Wax Poetics but you can still cop it here for now.

White Noise - Love Without Sound

Rolling out my week with this masterpiece from White Noise, a group formed by American David Vorhaus after meeting BBC Radiophonic Workshop composers Delia Derbyshire & Brian Hodgson (of Unit Delta Plus). This is probably one of the most spliced and manipulated records in history, employing numerous tape delays, manipulation techniques and uncanny sound effects (orgasms, double bass sped up to sound like cello and violin and so on). It's hard to describe the record but I would say it is akin to some sort of Gothic theatre (although the cover art does give a good indication of what it sounds like). Matthew Murphy did a great review of the record for pitchfork back in 2007 when it was re-issued. Definately recommended for those broadcast fans out there.

@Peace

@peace 'Time Travelling' from @ Peace on Vimeo.

Letherette - EP2


Latest from Alex Nuts (Eglo/Rinse FM) Ho Tep imprint bringing another quality EP from UK duo Letherette. This one brings together a few joints you've probably heard floating around in some of their mixes and finally gets a proper vinyl release.

In & Out

Put Em' On Blast V3


The limited Put Em' On Blast mix series is back again with Monky featuring all original productions. Previous releases from Darkhouse Family & Mr Healan have been scooped up pretty quick, so for your free copy email Don Leisure and hopefully there might be some left. 100 copies only. Also there's a bandcamp to be set up in the very near future for some of the mp3's to be purchased, but we'll keep you posted.
More info over at Put That Shit On Blast.

Bleep x Sonar (Free DL)

In the lead up to the Sonar Festival Barcelona, Bleep are giving away two free mp3 downloads everyday up until Friday (Saturday in NZ/Aus). All downloads feature artists participating at the festival and last 24 hours before the next two become available. Todays release is brought to you by Illum Sphere & B Bravo (click the image above to beam you there).

@peace preview

Kicking off my working week with some top shelf heat courtesy of @peace who also released the track Sky Is Falling a couple weeks back. The homies Lui Tuiasau (Nothing To Nobody) & Tom Scott (Homebrew Crew) bring the killer shit with this release. It's due out next month but in the meantime here's a joint to keep ya ears warm. Don't Sleep!

Shouts to Lui for the hookup. Mean.

@peace - Nobody

HipDrop Vinyl Clearout



Dopeonplastika and me are clearing out some records tomorrow at the Mighty Mighty Markets
come get your fingers dusty if you want to pick up some deals. Lots of shit going crazy cheap too many to list and music from lots of different genres. If you are interested and are lucky enough to be in Wellington come down to Mighty Mighty upstairs on Cuba St tomorrow from 1-5pm. Guest DJ playing tunes and I hear there is going to be a stand with Mexican food so after you get your records you can spice up your saturday afternoon.


Zebrahim - In My Heart I Am



Zebrahim sessions with Häzel

r&b vibes to conquer cancer


Vanilla - High Life



Choice beat tape from Vanilla right here

Fantastic Man - Say What You Said


Kicking off my Sunday morning with a little Slo-Mo house joint that my homegirl Amy Jean sent through (Thanks!). I don't know what they put in the water over there in Melbourne but it seems to be the place for all things chugg. Fantastic Man and Kolour Recordings come correct on this vinyl only release.
Real Deal.

R.I.P. Gil Scott Heron


Thank you Brother Gil Scott Heron. Rest In Power.

Midnight Eez - Midnight Eez


Loving these rock solid HIP HOP beats courtesy of All City Dublin & Turntablelab.
All City label head has been sitting on these for a good 15 years before he manage to unearth them during a move and now they are here to provide many bluntheads with some theme music.
This is goin' down a treat with my scrabbled eggs, chopped cherizo & hotsauce.
The Bizness.

HipDrop Presents NZ Music Month EP 2011


It's time again for the HipDrop to bring together a varied cross section of new local gems from the wealth of producers and beatmakers that we are lucky enough to have around us.
01 Si_res - These things
02 Ralphhimself - Rap beats 2
03 Dick Darstedly - Dreaming
04 Tony and the tones - Deep in it
05 Cruickshank- Misguided
06 James Skylab - Glass Dance
07 White on Rice - Dream Girl

Click the link on the artists name to find more bits.
Also if you missed last years One
Thanks to all the people who helped make it work.

Mara TK & Lord Echo Duel Release


Mara TK & Lord Echo Dual Release Party.


Instrumental is chuffed to present Lord Echo and Mara TK’s Dual Release Party on the 28th of May at San Francisco Bathhouse in Wellington.

This night of merriment is set to show case the exceptional new musical wares from enigmatic musicians Mara TK and Lord Echo.

Lord Echo aka Mike Fabulous (Black Seeds) will present his "Melodies" in glorious live sound, with his band of feverent followers in tow. The album of the year is now the gig of the year - and your uncle is now your dad! Instrumentation will be mostly wooden and sometimes electric, performed by professional musicians with complete credibility and casual competence. There's Riki Gooch, Samuel Lindsay and Lord Echo's own brother Danny Pash, not to mention some other guys he is yet to find - do you know a trombonist? Special guest singers will sing, clowns will cry, but be warned: this reclusive musical enthusiast may not perform again in the near future due to an overly nervous disposition, so witness the spectacle now or forever hold your peace!

The second half of this dual release party will feature Electric Wire Hustles front man Mara TK and his brand spanking new Red Bull Music Academy Ltd edition 7” vinyl “Taniwhunk”. Recorded at Red Bull Studios late 2010, this 7” of previously unreleased material contains two tracks of soulful spacey goodness that showcases Mara’s golden voice and globally towering musical talents. Throughout this performance Mara TK will be joined by several of his fellow space cadets whose talents will aid this orbital Maori in bringing Taniwhunk’s futuristic vision to life.

Tickets available now from under the radar.

Auckland Church Of Moloch - Moloch ist Mein Gott

I know nothing about this person/persons other than that they're from Auckland and that I like what they do.

Samiyam - Cushion

Taster to the forthcoming Samiyam album which gets released next month.
Heard a couple other new joints off the album on Kutmahs Sketchbook mix, sounding killer.
Thanks XLR8R.

K*Saba - Escape EP

Here's some more local produce courtesy of K*Saba outta Wellington and mastered by Benny Tones at Organik Muzik Workz.

Ciggy Breaks Minimix


Here's a minimix I have for the times I'm DJing and want to auto-pilot DJ booth whilst I take a piss, grab a drink and have a ciggy. It's easy to keep track of where you are in the mix and provides the perfect of amount of time to get these essential things done. But hey if you don't DJ then it's great for those morning ciggy breaks.

Lee Moses - Hey Joe


Had this one on frequent rotation this weekend. A damn fine version from Mr Lee Moses.

PressPausePlay




Interesting looking doco PressPausePlay

"The creative landscape is changing. Some talk about a revolution. Others talk about a natural evolution. These changes affect everything. From creation to distribution, from artist to consumer."

Electric Wire Hustle - NYC


Hella dope vid. Shouts to the Wire Hustle Boys (who will be embarking on a Northern Hemisphere tiki tour in the near future) and Vibol @ Foxtree Studio for the banging video work.

VA - Galaxie Junktion


The homies over at Junktion have put together this very fine selection of tunes for y'all. Featuring beatmakers from round the globe. Do yourself a favour and click here for this dope free release.

Leno Lovecraft - May Mix

The sexual maestro that is Leno Lovecraft sent us through his latest mix, a sensual and flamboyant aural affair for sure.

Scratch 22 - Cold hands


Very interesting brand new video from Scratch 22's new album Distance from View

Check out his website for more on the album

New Mayer Hawthorne Covers EP


The Mayer has hooked this one up for free, the download is hosted on the rollingstone website.

I have kindly saved you the trip.

Don't say the HipDrop never hooks you up.

VA - Secret Hangout Vol.4


The lastest Secret Hangout is available for free download thanks to Turntable Lab.
Features some dope tunes from Suff Daddy, Pure P and our very own Benny Tones & Sacha Vee.

VA - Secret Hangout Vol.4

Parliament - Wizard Of Finance


Just reminiscing about how dope President Clinton was the other week.


Fresh Daily - The Quiet Life


SBTRKT feat. Little Dragon - Wildfire

Nice lil freebie from SBTRKT and Little Dragon via The Fader.

SBTRKT f. Little Dragon, "Wildfire" by The FADER

Jamie XX Interview


Found this over at the Turntable Lab blog. I've often wondered what makes this young man tick. He's been all over the internet blogesphere lately, but this is the first time I have seen him give any insight into what goes into his wonderful productions.

Here it is:

Your drums for XX combine the aesthetics of bedroom producer and traditional drummer rock drummer... Who influences your drum style? What made you decide that you'd perform your drums on a controller rather than a drum kit?
I much prefer the versatility of samples and electronic sounds to the limitations of a standard drum kit. Its also much easier, when playing live, to pack a punch with electronic sounds. The first person I saw using an MPC live was RJD2.

What artists from the past influence you? What current peers influence you?
Recently I've been digging up a lot of 70s boogie records, they're having an influence on what I'm making right now. Incidentally, a 'current peer' Floating Points, who plays a lot of boogie in his sets, has been making some real nice stuff

What hardware, software, modules do you use to produce?
Logic, Space Echo.

What is your favorite piece of studio gear? why?
The Space Echo, it's a classic.


You've worked with some incredible artist already, whose on your dream list of artists to work with?
Most of them are dead.


A lot has happened since you released the XX album, do you foresee any style shifts / developments for the next XX release?
I think each of us have developed our own ideas about music much further since we wrote the last record. That will have an effect for sure.


Indulge us, what's the coolest thing about becoming "famous" from relative obscurity
It's the same, but I meet more people.


Bastard Sons Vol.1

Whilst I'm on a bit of a metal tip here's a compilation of black metal compiled by Some Bastard.
When it comes to Metal, Techno & Reggae, this bastard trumps me. If it's deep, dark or heavy then the homies got you covered.

Beastwars - Album Preview

Beastwars self-titled album is being released this coming Monday (May 9th) on CD/gatefold vinyl and digitally. You can check an interview with hipdrop hombre Martyn Pepperell here.

Be sure to check their supporting NZ tour coming soon (tickets and the full album preview from UTR). Below is a free download from the album "Damn The Sky".


Butler - Bang Bang


Came across this whilst up in Aucks last week, outta my price range but maybe one day I'll get to dig it out of obscurity somewhere. Here's some words from Sergent, which better summarize Butler than I can or should.

Line-Up:
Steve Apirana (Guitar / Vocals)
Heidi Warren (Guitar / Vocals)
Angel Adams (Bass Guitar)
Hori Sinnott (Drums)

Bang Bang


Butler were one of few all-Maori rock bands. All four members were originally from Rotorua, but the band actually formed in Christchurch in 1970. Predominantly an underground group, they played their early gigs at the Open Door, before moving into Trevor Spitz's nightspot Aubrey's.

Having built a strong Christchurch following, the band took stabs at other South Island centres, returning to hometown Rotorua in 1971. From there they began building up a North Island following, proving popular on the University circuit with their combination of originals and Led Zeppelin / Wishbone Ash covers.

Some television exposure followed with a spot on 'Happen Inn', 'Popco' and 'Free Ride'. This was fairly rare for an underground group and even with this they never really gained much pulling power.

In 1973 they recorded a self-titled album for Pye. It was released on the Family label and from it came one single, "Green River"/"Especially For You".

Shouts to Rosco for puttin' me onto them. Aue!

Red Eye Society - Absolute Epoch


These cats been on the scene for a long time now. I remember when R.E.S came out in 1996. Tomorrow is the official release of their newest album "Absolute Epoch" Which is true to form street music. Wicked rhymes and really solid production. Guest's include the crazy man alphabethead on all the cuts, NZ regulars Mareko and Louie Knuxx, and a very special remix by the one and only Haz Beats!


The Kind folks over at Breakin Wreckwords hooked us up with this, check it out!
In stores tomorrow. Go get that!

Shanalog - End Of Summer Mixtape

The homie Shanalog has sent through this all New Zealand mixtape he's put together which is a nice prelude to NZ music month. Definately a few peeps to keep your ears open for. Tracklist is posted in the comments. Shot cuz!

End of Summer Mixtape by Shanalog

Abacus - My Brazillian Love



The Definitive Sounds Of Prescription Records Vol. 1 Compiles 9 classic, hard to find Chicago house tracks

Kutmah - The New Error Vol.2 (sampler)


Preview to The New Error Vol.2 Mix by Kutmah and Hit+Run.
Probably one of my favourite DJ's when it comes melding new and classic joints with really obscure shit. As always though, quality+heavy. While your at it check his mix of unreleased Madlib instro's.

Dam Funk Mix for oki ni



The man Dam Funk just dropped this nice little collection of tracks for dope online store oki ni
Here's what the man himself had to say:

“All songs were taken from the original wax pressings. This mix is what I simply listen 2 on any given day, while living life. It's a pleasure to share these tracks with my new oki-ni friends. I own all of these records. No mp3s or computer files were used for this mix. No fake shit or fads; just the truth.”

oki ni has a really wide selection of clothes and shoes, all at quite fair prices. They got plenty of other cool mixes available for download too. Found over at Stonesthrow

Damn Sam The Miracle Man & The Soul Congregation - B.J.

Spent the last few days up in Auckland (shouts to the Dick Dastardly & Dylan C up at Base FM).
Picked up a few new bits and pieces, with this being the pick of the lot. STOMPING 1970's rhythm and blues infused funk from O.C. Tolbert with the help of Jack Taylor and The Soul Congregation (built outta Detroit musicians). Anyways, if your lucky enough to find an original copy (which you probably ain't) then you've hit the jackpot cause it goes for large Benjamin Franks.

Modern Jazz - Industry

Here's a dope synth pop band outta Australia, released in 1986 off Cleopatra Records.
I was pretty blown away when I played this record on 45, really sounds like something James Pants would do (try it if you've got the vinyl), or maybe it was just the weed.

Herbie Hancock - And What If I Don't

Had this one on play this morning, Herbie Hancocks second album (I've been giving his more celestial influenced Sextant lots of lovin' as well!). Some really dope cuts on here which is not too surprising considering that lineup (really diggin' Tony Williams steez on the drums). King Cobra is another killer track but this is just a good end of week jam on that "everythang gon be aight" tip.

fLako - The Mesektet Album Snippet



Lookin' foward to this one from fLako via Project Mooncircle.
Hit up the bandcamp for a free download of "Trujana".
Out on the 6th of May.

Rapohnelizenz Beat Tape Vol.2


The homies over Rapohnelizenz have just put another fine selection together.
Name your price over at the bandcamp.

Record Store Day

So it's record store day today, a celebration of independent records stores and the whole culture that comes with it. So take some time to go visit your local spot, have a dig and support a really dying art. With the closure of Real Groovy Wellington & Christchurch, it's quite a blow, but fortunately there are still a number of stores doin it. I thought I'd post a link to a little video on conch as Cian makes some good points on how the record/record store game is these days. Support it, cos one day it might be gone and you'll have to dig through more dumpster than your used to. (shouts to Andy M for puttin me onto the vid)

Frank Mitchell Jr - Booty Lock

A very slick 70's tinged heater from Washington DC's Frank Mitchell Jr, who wouldn't sound out of place on the more 80's focused Peoples Potential Unlimited (also based outta DC). That falsetto is a perfect accompaniment to a fly honey, fireplace and glass of pinot noir (oh and some trees, can't forget the trees).

Booty Lock by ESLmusic

Co.Fee - Easy Listening Promo



This just got released today. check his "spark plug" joint released via xlr8r last week for a taster. It's no real secret I'm a fan of ethnic/world music and I dig the way co.fee incorporates it into his sound (Nahid Akhtar anybody?). Anyways you can order the 10" from myhollowdrum or hit up ya local mp3 stockist.

IKONIKA


Ikonika is Playing Wellington on friday.
Ikonika's music fits somewhere into the post dubstep thing thats going down right now. She has an album out on Hyperdub, as well as starting her own label called Hum and Buzz with fellow artist "Optimum". Her music features a lot of video game type noises and really interesting synth melodies and textures. Big up National radio for having a dope little interview with her on saturday afternoon's Music 101 show. Get your tickets to fridays show from 1-night.co.nz or Cosmic corner.

Ta-Ku - 24 Beat Tape

Check out Ta-Ku's new beatape "24" out via SOULECTION (L.A). Free download available here : http://soulection.bandcamp.com/album/24

Laxmikant Pyarelal & Asha Bhosle - Yeh Dhuaan


Picked this one out of a heap that work were donating to a Christchurch fundraiser a few weeks back. I carted about 10 crates up town, so of course I had to have quick look myself. Amongst a couple James Brown & Prince Far I 45's was this. It's the soundtrack from "Dilaur Deewaar" a late 70's Bollywood flick. You might recognise this cut from the J-Rocc track "Party (Boogie Man Remix)". This particular tune is sung by Asha Bhosle with the music and lyrics by Laxmikant Pyarelal & Anand Bakshi respectively. Coincidently both tracks run for 5m.31s.

Laxmikant Pyarekak & Asha Bhosle - Yeh Dhuaan



J Rocc - Party (Boogie Man Remix)

DJ Spell EPK



The cuzzy spell drops his EPK. If you don't know or ain't heard, this ma'ucka right here is one of NZ's livest DJ's. I haven't seen anybody rock the decks with more enthusiasm than this man in a long time. So when he says he's a bad mutherfucker, well, you better believe it.

Kazi & Madlib - Blackmarket

Lost tracks from '96 with Kazi & Madlib.
CDP in effect!

Parallel Dance Ensemble - Posession And Obsessions EP


Picked up the 45 of "Run" the other day, so I decided to see what the homies been up to since "Turtle Pizza Cadillac" and "Run" (which was initially released back in 2009 as well). Turns out they've just put out a 9-track EP, "Posessions And Obsessions".


Run


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Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Festival

This is one of the best "festival" lineups that I have ever seen. Set in the small fishing town of Sete in the south of france. What I wouldn't give to be there...



Check out the site for more info.