Sureskank Convention Vol. 1: Kähn

Maybe it's youth, maybe it's the luck of the draw with which city's hospital you were in when you fell into the midwife's arms, or maybe it's that most terrible of abstract concepts: instinct. Regardless of the correct answer, some people just seem to have their head in the right space, an index finger bumping along to each beat of the pulse and, most importantly, their feet firmly on the ground. Joseph McGann, or Kähn as the posters would have him known, seems to be the entertainer of a rather subtle blend of those factors mentioned above: irritatingly young, at the tender age of 21 (if, in a post-Skream world, such a claim can really be made) and hailing from Bristol, most things seem, so far, to have gone his way. Working with and running Bristol nights Sureskank Convention and Shäkoom respectively, his productions cover the full range of intelligent bass music; blending aspects of Dub, Garage, UK Funky and the deeper, darker and denser end of the Dubstep spectrum to create a consistently intriguing sound. Having been producing for around three to four years now, he looks set to push out from the Bristol scene of which he has become such a part of as he offers the sort of diversity in his production which, up until very recently, there was no real demand for. As more nights (significant in being the best place to hear the newest tunes) begin to devote themselves less and less to a single particular style and rather present an increasingly wide selection of genres, opportunities for producers with strength in diversity (Scratcha DVA being perhaps the most prominent example currently) are growing.

This month sees the first in a series of mixes from the aforementioned Convention courtesy of Kähn (and Cölouryüm blog), and includes a whole of host of his own original productions; demonstrating the full spectrum of both his influences and abilities:

http://colouryum.blogspot.com/2010/02/mix-sureskank-mix-vol-i-kahn.html

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Rinse 11: Mixed By Oneman

It's hardly new knowledge that Oneman is to grace the cover and decks of the next mix CD from the UK's most successful pirate radio station: Rinse FM. The honor for a DJ or MC of a show on the station is one which is perhaps only topped by being asked to mix a CD as it is no longer simply a question of playing a selection of tunes representative of a personal radio show, rather it is the challenge of producing a tight mix reflective of the world-famous station's output which is laid down. Oneman's skills cannot be doubted as his ability to slickly blend genres and course through a whole range of BPMs in any set is almost unrivaled; yet this also presented the query as to what his offering for this latest in the influential station's line of mixes would truly represent: 2-step? Garage? Dubstep? UK Funky? Deep House? At least some of the anticipation stirred by this has now been quelled as the tracklisting has been released, and a release date scheduled for March 1st:

Rinse 11: Mixed By Oneman

1. Double Helix (LHF) – 96 Flavas (No More Games)
2. Ramadanman – Mir
3. Martin Kemp – After The Night
4. The Detatchments – Circles [Martyn's Round & Round Mix]
5. Jazzanova – I Can See [Doc Daneeka Dub-Bump Mix]
6. Kode 9 – 2 Far Gone
7. Martyn – Mega Drive Generation
8. Bassjackers & Apster – Klambu
9. Deadboy – U Cheated
10. Zomby – Rumours and Revolutions
11. Efdemin – Acid Bells [Martyn's Bittersweet Mix]
12. Geeneus & Ms Dynamite – Get Low
13. Smoove Kriminal – Represent
14. Sticky – Jack It Up feat. Marvin Brown
15. R1 Ryders – Rubberband VIP
16. SouLTonic Sound System – The Flying Saucer
17. Bok Bok – Citizens Dub feat. Bubbz
18. Hem feat. Terrible Shock – On a Mission [Shortstuff Remix]
19. A4C – Untitled Mambo [Boogaloo Crew Remix]
20. Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo
21. Breakage feat. Newham Generals & David Rodigan – Hard
22. Desto – Disappearing, Reappearing ink
23. Joker – Digidesign
24. 2000F & J Kamata – You Don’t Know What Love Is
25. Starkey – Rain City
26. Headhunter – Prototype [Modeselektor's Broken Handbrake Remix]
27. Crystal Fighters – I Love London [Brackles Remix]

The man Blackdown also provides an extensive interview with the boy Oneman, gaining comment on everything from DJ tips and technologies to getting locked inside pirate radio stations and girly garage vocals:

http://blackdownsoundboy.blogspot.com/2010/02/there-can-only-be-oneman.html

.Fukhed.

Manchester still bringing the goods...

Never a city to be left behind when it comes to its music scene (if we can excuse the occasional bunch of Oasis-alikes or Madchester revivalists), and its bass music representatives are currently pulling their growing weight in maintaining this reputation. Local DJ/producers Rich Reason and Al Sonar continue to bring in the heavyweight DJs and producers from the often intertwined spheres of Drum & Bass and Dubstep with their weekly clubnight Hit&Run at Area 51; the base that this provides for other, smaller clubnights is an essential ingredient for the development and progression currently evident in the city's music culture. Whilst The Guardian runs features on the latest crop of forward-thinking Manchester bands (Delphic, Egyptian Hip Hop...), a select few individuals are continuing to push boundaries with music for the dance, in all its various forms.

Local boy and co-promoter (alongside Jonny Dub) of the Saturday night Roadhouse clubnight Hoya:Hoya, Illum Sphere, is currently residing among some of the most tipped artists for 2010 after not only being included in FACT's annual predictions, being selected for the Red Bull Music Academy and having his 'Long Live The Plan' EP as a featured release on Boomkat in January. His 'next-level' beats (unfortunately, for the purpose of these words) genuinely defy genre through their innate experimentalism. This was particularly noticeable on his remix of Martyn's 'Brilliant Orange', which transformed three minutes of little more than stringed chord progressions into a fully fledged tune. With the digital release of 'Long Live The Plan' forthcoming, and an album in the pipeline, Illum Sphere could well be one to watch.

Illum Sphere - Agent White

.Fukhed.

Fukhed: January Mix

Fukhed: Cough Mix Cut:

http://depositfiles.com/en/files/fc0bjr6j4

Tracklist:

Sukh Knight - Ganja Dub
Caspa - My Pet Monster
Major Lazer - Hold The Line (Skreamix)
Skream - Calous
Breakage - Hard (feat. Newham Generals & David Rodigan)
Kromestar - The Buddha
Jakes - Warface
Benga - 26 Basslines
Excision & Datsik - Swagga
Flux Pavilion & Trolley Snatcher - Fucking Noise
Sukh Knight - Jinglist
Coki - Red Eye
Cluekid - Chicken Foot
Benga & Coki - Night
Zero G - Bass Culture
Plastician - Intensive Snare (feat. Skepta)
Coki - The Sign
RSD - Pretty Bright Light
Skream - Oskillatah
Rossi B & Luca - Ghost Town
Gemmy - BK 2 The Future
Rusko - Soundguy Is My Target (feat. Lutan Fyah)

Cough Mix Cut - January 2010 by Fukhed on Mixcloud

.Fukhed.

Ears to the ground...

Dubplate culture, although enviable for its sentimental value, is an exclusive one; the result of this being that many tunes never actually get a full release. Example: the VIP of Giant's banger 'Drumstick' was, when first played out, generally hailed as one of the best VIPs to be produced. Obviously, DJs and fans across the country begged for its release, but to no avail. The original tune was put out on Hench and that, it still seems, was that. However, there are definite positive aspects to this which must be noted. Firstly, the dubplate format is cheap enough to encourage producers to be more prolific and, furthermore, put much of their output onto wax to be played out by whoever is lucky enough to be getting a steady supply of these 'plates: this keeps the scene fresh. Secondly, hearing tunes played out on dubplate raises anticipation for tunes getting a full release; and these first few months of 2010 are looking ripe for such releases:


Kryptic Minds - Badman / Distant

Since the first airing of the smoke-drenched vocal that introduces this tune, 'Badman' has been on the wishlists of any and all fans of a deep, threatening bassline. The fact that N-Type, arguably the best tune selector in the game, chose to open his mix for Rinse 09 with it is testament to its weight. Yet, it did not make an appearance on 'One Of Us' (Kryptic Minds' outstanding LP released late last year on CD and to be pressed to 3-piece vinyl for early 2010). Dissapointment was not to be shouldered for long, though, as 'Badman', it was announced, was to be given its own release shortly after the album. Bad pressing, however, forced postponement on the release until early 2010 which, unless we are very much mistaken, is now. So: ears to the ground for this one.

Rude Kid - Electric

This one's on a grime flex, but is surrounded by similarly vague release news. Featuring as the instrumental for Scorcher's 'Spartan Gang', this tune can be heard in use as an instrumental countless times on any grime radio show. Despite the Kid's trademark "are you ready?" sample making consistent appearances in grime sets, he is also notorious for keeping his tunes to himself and putting very few out on general release. 'Electric', however, has been flagged for release this month on No Hats No Hoods. So: ears to the ground for this one.

Hatcha & N-Type Present: The Croydon Dubheadz Pt.II

Less ambiguity about this one, but certainly more anticipation as Hatcha (with easily one of the most upfront boxes around) and N-Type (also with a steady stream of dubplates coming his way) collaborate again for the second installment of 'The Croydon Dubheadz'. With the first installment housing its fair share of exclusives from some of the scene's biggest producers, the second looks to continue this idea. Hatcha revealed that the forthcoming double-pack will feature tracks from: Skream, Loefah, Hatcha, Kromestar, Lost, LD and Cluekid. Whilst lips have remained tight as to which tracks will appear, both Hatcha and N-Type have exercised their exclusive rights in playing tunes from the double-pack on their radio on shows on Kiss and Rinse FM respectively: Cluekid puts forth another unique blend of spacious, squelchy bass with a tune which apparently combines his early 'Toadstep'-era tunes with his more recent junglist output; Kromestar has, it would appear, found the middle ground between the deeper, ambient sounds of 'My Sound' with the thinner, more aggressive textures of his 'The Other Syde' collection; Hatcha's effort is a dark stomper in the form of a tighter, heavier take on tunes such as Coki's 'Goblin'. According to N-Type, pressing is now complete and the double-pack waits now on artwork and distribution only. So: ears to the ground...

.Fukhed.

Gravious rolls out Mixtape 4

Gravious, that's 'Grah-vee-us' as he helpfully points out, has put together another mix tape (his 4th in a series running since '08) showcasing some of his newest and deepest tunes. Influenced by J Da Flex, Femme Fatale, Future sound of London, Boards of Canada, Radiohead, LTJ Buken, Aphex Twin, and a raft of more leftfield DnB artists, the sounds of the Gravious are both varied and Beautiful. Enjoy

http://www.gravious.com/mixes/Gravious_Mixtape_Part_4.mp3

[00:00] 1. Intro (Life Support 303)
[03:06] 2. Erik XVI – Gravitationskraftens stilla vrede (Gravious Anti-Gravity Mix)
[06:46] 3. Cascade
[11:48] 4. Omo Delta
[16:36] 5. City of Spheres
[21:11] 6. Ghostly Steps
[25:03] 7. Lunar Module
[28:57] 8. Wu Shin
[33:58] 9. Recoil Unit
[39:00] 10. Deepchild – Wannado (Gravious Remix)
[44:02] 11. Continuum
[48:41] end

Gravious's other mixtapes can be found on his website

http://www.gravious.com/

FACT: 10 Producers to watch in 2010

Having correctly predicted the rise of producers such as Cooly G, Kowton and Mount Kimbie in 2009; FACT are at it again. This time however, each producer has done a mini mix showcasing their tunes. HEDMUK particularly likes Numan Khan and SRC, but thats just our opinion, isn't it. Check out all the producer's in part one:

http://www.factmag.com/2010/01/14/10-producers-to-watch-in-2010-part-one/

And part two (featuring Manchester's very own Illum Sphere):

http://www.factmag.com/2010/01/22/10-producers-to-watch-in-2010-part-two/