Monday, February 28, 2011

It Came From The Cloud - Interview and Sounds with DJ UMB



It has been a few weeks since my last SoundCloud profile but the wait is going to be well worth it. This week I am going to share with you some of my favorite mixes from Dj Umb, one of the founders of Generation Bass. He was kind enough to give us an interview so I hope you enjoy the wordz and the sounds....

Generation Bass Presents Transnational Dubstep Compilation Promo (Excerpt/Taster Mix) - 1 FEB 2011 by djumb

If you liked the sounds in the teaser, make sure you pick up Generation Bass Presents Transnational Dubstep here


SBA: First off, congratulations with your blog's first compilation album. Just based on the mini-mix and title alone "Transnational Dubstep", it sounds like you are going to be featuring artist from around the world. How did you got about finding these artists?

DJ UMB: Thank you.

Most of the artists on the compilation I discovered almost 2 years ago or some discovered me knowing what I was into. Some like Celt Islam, Bandish Projekt and Barbarix I’ve known personally and for a longer period too. Others I found on soundcloud and some were introduced to me by various people in the industry after they heard my mixxtapes.

I’ve been into global sounds for as far back as I can remember. There’s just something about music from foreign shores that excites me so much and so I have always been interested in that. I suppose in way, it’s my way of finding my own utopia on this earth through music.

For me, as a DJ, I have always found African, Arabic, Indian, Balkan, Latin and Far Eastern sounds far more fascinating and when fused with Western beats, it’s like my idea of heaven.

Also for me, it’s like to trying to paint the kind of world I’d like to live in through music. Where there is no prejudice, racism and intolerance and where people take each other for what they are without pre-judging on the basis of skin colour, ethnic/religious background or nationality. It’s a perfect world for me. I know it sounds a bit hippy but there isn’t anything wrong with that in my opinion and I just want to live in that kind of world.


SBA: With such an international vibe found on generationbass.com it seems that you are on top of the global movement. Where in the world is the next hot spot for bass music / dubstep productions outside the US / UK?

DJ UMB: Mexico seems to be doing its thing atm, not with dubstep but with Tribal Guarachero/Hurrache, 3ball & Pre-Hispanico which seems to be some of the most exciting new stuff coming out at present. However, there is a dubstep offshoot too created by Sheeqo Beat called Guaracherostep!

Of course the States too with Moombahton and in the Netherlands with Monsieur Munchi who is gonna kill it in 2011 with Moombahcore!

Moombahcore is gonna be one of the next big Dubstep sub-genres, created by our very own Generation Bass genius Munchi.

Munchi is Holland’s next Tiesto, with one major difference, he’s gonna piss all over him!

Africa is still doing it on so many levels with stuff like Kuduro and also South Africa with it’s sublime deep house and shangaan electro.

I think we might see some very interesting dubstep coming from all over the world in various forms!

WORLD IS CALLING TRANSNATIONAL DUBSTEP (NOV 2009) by djumb


SBA: In Atlanta, Dubstep is now becoming the sound of the counter culture. When I was growing up it was punk rock that the displaced youths were gravitating to. Now it seems like Dubstep is becoming that scene here. What is the Dubstep scene like in Birmingham / Britain?

DJ UMB: Yeah it’s still pretty underground and you’re right. For me, it has that same kind of tribal element that Heavy Metal had way back in the 80’s.

In London the scene gravitates more towards the deep soulful/post Dubstep club vibe and producers and dancers are attracted to that.

In Birmingham and other areas, the more brostep/popstep type of vibe seems to be most popular with artist like 16 Bit, Datsik, Flux Pavilion, Bare Noize etc etc killing it.


SBA: What direction you see Dubstep music going in 2011?

DJ UMB: I think the more poppier elements, Magnetic Man, Nero etc etc will solidify and start becoming very commercial worldwide and not just in the UK.

I hope for more song based compositions like James Blake (without the hype) and our boy GoldRush who is demonstrating melodic/romantic song based dubstep/bass .

I think there will be a movement towards more chill out grooves as the brostep will force that to happen.

I feel there will be far more Global/Transnational experimentations with it too and so I still see a very exciting future for it.

Also of course, I’ve already hinted at Moobahcore and that’s already being confirmed as dubstep heads are gravitating towards it .

Skrillex is playing out Munchi Moombahcore tunes!!! Skrillex is in the process of creating original Moombahcore tunage himself!!!!

So, remember that word, MOOMBAHCORE!

POPSTEP DUB SYMPHONY VOLUME VI [HippySTeP] (DEC 2010) by djumb


SBA: I first heard your work on the Maddecent blog during the World Cup when they posted your African Deep House Mixtape. How did you get linked up with those
guys?

DJ UMB: We’ve been following Mad Decent from the early days of the blog and you just get to know each other, it’s inevitable.

We’re at a stage now we seem to be giving back the influence they gave to us in the early days but of course we’re no way near being on the same level as them from a commercial perspective. Diplo’s become very bankable and has a huge and very celebrated musical history behind him.

They’re signing a lot of the talent we’re breaking and also showing us a lot of love on their blog and that is appreciated. Man, I think we do deserve it too as we’re not just following. Indeed we are leading the way in a tastemaker way and doing things our own way too.

HOUSE OF AFREAKA VOL II - THE DEEEEP HOUSE SESSIONS (JULY 2010) Free track but click BUY 2 get free! by djumb


SBA: I really like the multi-genera dubstep sounds on Transnational Dubstep ranging from Indian influenced to Jamaican in sound. Were you exposed to global music growing up or is that something you grew into?

DJ UMB: I’ve been Global/Transnational from day 1. I had no choice. I am a product of post-colonization and my parents were asked come to the UK from Kashmir in the 60’s. I was born and brought up in the UK feeling very English but not feeling fully accepted by everybody because of my background. This did not manifest itself in an overt racist way (occasionally it did but not too often) but in a more unwitting way. So I found solace in Transnationalism, I prefer to keep company and socialize with people of all national backgrounds and I always found their music/cultures enticing and attractive. It’s my world and that’s how I’d like to see the world and society progress, where we are all, ONE!


SBA: What types of music influenced your production and dj style?

DJ UMB: Great quality music from all over the world. It just needs to hit me emotionally or physically.

French DJ Claude Challe was really the guy who was the most influential person to get me into dj’ing though his creation of the Buddha Bar sound. He was one of the first guys, after David Mancuso, to really give music from around the world any credibility in the dance world. You know the guy has sold over 10 million albums as part of the Buddha Bar brand and man that is HUGE!

I love all sorts of stuff really but for mixing, obviously something with consistent ranges of Bmp makes the task of mixing hugely enjoyable. I go for melodic stuff and always try to create a journey when laying down a mix to listen to. Live, it’s different as the main task is to get people moving.

House music was really the first thing that grabbed me, dance music wise and essentially some of the House inflected with a global feel in some way. But since then I’ve got into all sorts.


SBA: Your profile says that you have been djing for 6 years now? Are you a vinyl guy or have you moved onto laptop technology? What type of equipment / software are you using now?

DJ UMB: No I’m a strict CDJ guy. I don’t use vinyl and I’ve never used a laptop in my life to dj with, I wouldn’t know where to start.

I still use CDJ’s.

For production I just use my mind and somebody else does all the hard technical work..ahahahaha I don’t have the time to be a fully fledged producer and I don’t want to be either. I’m the “ideas” guy!

HOUSE OF AFREAKA VOL II - THE DEEEEP HOUSE SESSIONS (JULY 2010) Free track but click BUY 2 get free! by djumb


SBA: I am always interested in Dj's favorite artists. Who are your favorite producers / artists out there? Do you have any "guilty pleasure" artist that your fans wouldn't expect?

DJ UMB: Favourite dj’s – Claude Challe and you know I never listen to many dj’s at all.

Favourite producers – At the moment it’s guys like GoldRush, NastyNasty, MartyParty, Schlacthofbronx, Liquid Stranger, FLeCK, Celt Islam, Bandish Projekt, Datsik,.

Guilty pleasures – Dj Cremoso, a guy who does cheesy covers of pop tracks in a Brazillian style called TecnoBrega.

Favourite artists are peeps like Zeppelin, Tom Waits, Cowboy Junkies, Radiohead, Rush, Prince, REM, Flaming Lips etc etc and I love bands such as The Fleet Foxes and so at present anything with a baroque gothic vocal harmony is my guilty pleasure.


SBA: You spin a bunch of different Generas. Do you have a favorite to listen to or a favorite to mix?

DJ UMB: I love mixing dubstep atm and also Moombahton/Moombahcore and Deep House!


SBA: If you had the chance to spend an afternoon with one musician living or deceased, who would that be?

DJ UMB: I’d love to spend an afternoon with Jeff Buckely listening to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

This video is always the easiest ways to get me to shed some tears. Buckley was not just a vocal/song-writing genius, he was a genuine, sincere and passionate music lover too! He knew the truth!


SBA: What's next for generation bass? Now that you have a compilation out, is a record label next?

DJ UMB: We already have a label and are on our 5th release already.

We’ve had 4 dubstep releases:

Herr Muller

Unsub

Puzzle

GoldRush

and 1 footwork release:

Sabbo

We go some mega releases coming this year. Some really innovative stuff, Dubstep, Moombahton, Moombahcore etc, so watch out for it.

Hipgnosis LUvLY Lovestep/ Sexytech Mix

HipGnosis - LUvLYm Lovestep/Sexytech mix by Between Zero and One

We have been fans of Hipgnosis for quite some time here at SBA. I am very excited to bring you a ridiculously good dubstep mix from the man himself. Anytime you start a mix out with an XX dubstep remix, I am totally sold...

Friday, February 25, 2011

Broken Dreams - Fleetwood Mac (Julien Love Edit)




Broken Dreams (Julien Love Edit)-Fleetwood Mac by SUPERBREAK CHARTS

First off, Happy Friday everyone! I heard this remix last friday when I was down in Florida visiting the one and only Big Jim. After seven days, I still couldn't get this jam out of my head. I never was a fan of Fleetwood Mac but this lazy, relaxing by the beach in Ibiza, after a long night, remix is some really fantastic stuff....

Monday, February 21, 2011

Fare Soldi - Dancing with the Monster Mixtape




Dancing with the Monster 2011 by FARE SOLDI

"Mr. DJ, You's a Nasty Mother******" is how Fare Soldi announces to the world that they are back with another unbelievably great Mixtape. It is 40 minutes of mutated disco funk. The mixes are quick and heavy hitting. I literally could spend the next five paragraphs talking about each track and how it is perfectly suited for this mix. It would be an enormous waste of your time. You should spend the next forty minutes dancing your ass off to this mix and not reading in front of the computer... Hit play on the soundcloud widget already! What are you waiting for??? While you are listening, download the Dancing with the Monster Mixtape.

Tracklist:

01 • Deltron3030 - The Fantabulous Rap Extravaganza
02 • Sam Sparro - You’s A Nasty
03 • Vandroid - Master & Slave (Siriusmo ‘Slave Disco’ Remix)
04 • Kelis - 4th Of July (Fireworks) (Calvin Harris Remix)
05 • Madrac ft. Caparezza - Normale (Fare Soldi “DiscoFu” rmx)
06 • Moullinex - Love it is, then
07 • DJ Zinc & Jack Beats - Nexx the Bassline (Plaza De Funk Remash)
08 • Chromeo - Hot Mess (Oliver Remix)
09 • BeatauCue - Disque Oh ! (Eumig & Chinon Remix)
10 • Brassroots - Good Life
11 • Fare Soldi - Volluto
12 • Kraak & Smaak (feat. Sebastian) - Dynamite
13 • Reset! - Sabrage
14 • Mobroder - Love Duet ft. Amanda Blank (Shazam Remix)
15 • Lucio Battisti - Arrivederci a questa sera

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Flirtphonic - Marvin Gaye vs The White Stripes Remix

What's Going On [Marvin Gaye vs. The White Stripes] by Flirtphonic

Half of the LuvStep duo that I posted on Valentines Day, Flirtphonic drops this ridiculously sick remix of Marvin Gaye. Not quite sure what the White Stripes have to do with it but not complaining in the least...

Monday, February 14, 2011

LuvStep 2 - Happy Valentine's Day




Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix - Luvstep 2 by flufftronix

Valentines day means something entirely different to the Dubstep heads. It means the yearly LuvStep compilation from Dirty South Joe and Flufftronix is back. To tell you the truth, this one slept on me all day. I was making a romantic dinner with my Fiancée and trying to think of something to play... Luvstep #1 immediately jumped into my mind... Wait a minute... #2 is out!!!

Enjoy

1. Allie
2. Claire Maguire - Ain't Nobody (Breakage Remix) [UMG]
3. Starkey - Cockroach [Civil Music]
4. Hooray For Earth - True Loves (Rx Remix) [Dovecote]
5. Skream ft. Sam Frank - Where You Should Be [Tempa]
6. Magnetic Man ft. Katy B - Crossover [Sony]
7. Freestylers ft. Belle Humble - Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix) [Circus]
8. Gemini - Blue [Inspector Dubplates]
9. Yasmin - On My Own (Stench Man Remix) [Data]
10. Afrojack ft. Eva Simons - Take Over Control (Adam F Remix) [Spinnin]
11. Blue Foundation - Eyes On Fire (Zeds Dead Remix) [White Label]
12. Kito & Reija Lee - Sweet Talk [Mad Decent]
13. Blu Mar Ten - Nobody Here (Kastle Remix) [BMT]
14. Starkey ft. Anneka - Paradise [Civil Music]
15. Koreless - Maria [White Label]
16. boyChild ft. Soundmouse - Counting What Ifs [boyChild]
17. Summer
18. dBridge - Rendezvous [Exit]
19. dBridge - City of Lonely Runaways [Disfigured Dubz]
20. Intra:mental - Watching You [Nonplus]
21. Two Inch Punch - Love You Up [White Label]
22. Pearson Sound - Down With You [Darkestral]
23. Gladkill - Eastbound [White Label]
24. Phaseone - Being With You [Lefse]
25. Caspa ft. Mr. Hudson - Love Never Dies [Sub Soldiers]
26. Derek Allen & Top Billin - Suspiria [Mad Decent]
27. Fenech-Soler - Lies (Doctor P Remix) [B-Unique]
28. Cassius - I <3 U So (Trowa Remix) [White Label]
29. DJ Fresh & Sigma - Lassitude (Dillon Francis Remix) [Breakbeat Kaos]
30. Claire Hux - Grab On (Flufftronix Remix) [Unruly]
31. Submerse - Hold It Down [Well Rounded]
32. Psychonaught - One Wish [White Label]
33. Submerse - Downcast [Maltine]
34. Clementine

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Paris Jones - Sky of Love (Video)



Got nothing but love for Paris Jones. One of the most underrated MC's in the game. If you like this, please go download both free mixtapes here at SBA...

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Kanye West - Dark Fantasy (Figure Remix)



Kanye West - Dark Fantasy (Figure Bootleg) by Figure

There is nothing like free music. Actually there is nothing like really good free music. Figure dropped this remix fifteen days ago and its still available for download (1400k and counting). Kayne has one line in the remix and the rest is pure grime... Luv it.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Vicki Leekx



M.I.A. - VICKI LEEKX MIXTAPE by Pretty Much Amazing

So far M.I.A. has been one of the real surprises of 2011. She released her Vicki Leekx mixtape on December 31, 2010. The album's concept is drawn from the Wiki Leeks scandal that still is going on today. The last I heard, Julian Assange was runner up for the Times person of the year. Well, I am throwing in my vote for Vicki Leekx to be the mixtape of the year.

M.I.A. hasn't gotten the best press in the past year. Her album Maya wasn't received well with the public and the critics. I was one the initial haters out there when I first heard it. The sounds were so foreign. The concept was so abstract that it took me multiple listens to even start to tolerating it. I have to admit that there are songs on the album that I automatically skip. But there are others that are some of the best work she has ever created in her eleven year career.

The thing that separates M.I.A. is fierce independence and belief in herself. She does what she wants and never apologizes for it. Maya shared the 2010 demo version of the album with friend and long time producer Diplo. His now famed public criticism of her new work was brutal. "Tell me why does it sound like a toilet just flushed at the end of 'Tell Me Why'???? Cuz rest of album is a turd." Hearing criticism from the man that helped shape her early sound and created most of her street credit didn't deter her.

The album was released as is and the rest is history. The single Born Free horrified most that watched it. Graphic images of executions and persecutions of little red headed children isn't normal for most Americans. This imagery is not far from being biographical. In Maya's early youth, her family went into hiding from the Sri Lankan Army during their civil war. Growing up in a civil war environment where the government attacks its owns people, sheds much light on this album's first single.

Unfortunately, that one video lost most of the momentum for the album. By the time she started releasing the real gems of the album like, XXO, many had lost interest. Then she dropped Vicki Leekx out of no where.

Vicki Leekx will re-energize M.I.A. fans that she lost in the last year. Its 36 minutes of old and new. Remixes of old tracks. New tracks that have never seen the light of day. It's classic M.I.A. in sound. It's got just enough edge to keep the underground heads wanting more but enough pop-swag to entice new listeners. By the time she drops "fresh sway" 21 minutes in, the hairs on the back on my neck couldn't get much higher. The beats don't grind on your nerves like some on her last release but instead move your feet. The transitions between tracks are seamless and most importantly when Vicki Leekx ends, you are left wanting more...

Friday, February 4, 2011

Croz, Quinten 909, and Justin Faust Mixtapes!

What a busy two days it has been on Soundcloud for Croz, Quinten 909, and Justin Faust. I love all three DJs and it has been months since they released any extended sets. I have been patiently waiting for any of them to release something new and I get 3 sets in 2 days! I hope this will bring some joy to your weekend. Five O'clock can't come soon enough. At least I got 3 hours of killer house music to get me there :)

Quinten 909 - Thriller January Mix by Quinten 909

Tracklist:
Bill Withers - Who Is He (Henrik Schwarz Edit)
The Shoes - Stay The Same (Siriusmo & Jan Driver Remix)
Nicolas Jaar - Stay In Love
Tom Trago - Use Me Again
Makam - New York G
White Girl Lust - Ride On
Shakedown - At Night (Kid Creme Remix)
Señor Stereo - Unintentional (U-Tern Remix)
Zinc - Blunt Edge vs Gucci Mane - Make The Trap (A-Trak mash)
Quinten 909 - Everybody
Evil Nine - Auto (Broke One Remix)
Salif Keita vs Martin Solveig - Madan (Exotic Disco Mix)
Crydajam - Playground
Deejay Punk-Roc - My Beatbox (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix)
Quinten 909 - Romance Suprȇme
C-Code - Burning Up In Here (Rubix Remix)
Prince - Controversy (Stupid Fresh Remix)
Brent Vassar - Old School Slow Jams (Banana Groovz & Jackie Remix)

Barium Superconductor Mix by crozcrozcroz

TrackList:

JULIO BASHMORE // BATTLE FOR MIDDLE YOU (MAURICE DONOVAN DUB)
DEKKER // STOP FINAL
NICONE AND SASCHA BRAEMER // NUR MAI KURZ (PHILIP BADER REMIX) RENAISSANCE MAN INTERNATIONAL EDIT
CASSIUS // I I _3 U SO (BOWSKI REMIX)
JUSTIN MARTIN // GET LOW (SECT Remix)
MARK E // R&B DRUNKIE
MAYA JANE COLES // CONTRADICTION
PIONAL // WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU
JAY SHEPHEARD & TAD WILY // PARALLEL PERC
SUPERLOVER // ROMANCE
UNKNOWN // THANK YOU MICHAEL
ELI ESCOBAR / / GLASS HOUSE
DAS GLOW & STRIP STEVE // CALCIUM
MEOW // MEOW (REMUTE REMIX)
CROZ // FAMOUS (FINAL)

Justin Faust "La Grande Bouffe" Mixtape by Justin Faust

Download here:

Tracklist:

Kartell - Pantera
ODahl - Out Of Control (Justin Faust Remix)
Bag Raiders - Sunlight (GLOVES Remix)
CZR - Southside Of Chicago (Adulture Remix)
Senor Stereo - Unintentional feat. Danny Daze (U-Tern Remix)
Melee Beats - Chains and Whips
Attack Yourself! - Long Time No See (The Phantom's Revenge Remix)
Second City Rhythm - You Got Me
Geisha Twins - Love Situation
White Sea - Ladykiller (Gigamesh Remix)
Madrac - Normale (Fare Soldi DiscoFu Remix)
Speaker Buster - Rollercoaster

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hercules and Love Affair - My House (Video)



I have been listening to the new album Blue Songs for a few days straight now. Fans of the band will not be disappointed with their latest effort. They have a unique ability to turn extremely sharp electronic sounds into friendly pop tunes. The video is so great. The commercial break in the middle is perfect. Enjoy.

Bonus single...

Hercules and the Love Affair - Painted Eyes by smithblogsatlanta

It Came From the Cloud - The Lempo and JapWow Project



The lempo and Japwow Project - Street Sounds by JapWOW

The second installment of the weekly Soundcloud project got delayed by work of all things. You would think that traveling would be a perfect time to search soundcloud for new and amazing artists but it is totally not. Inconsistent hotel internet connections and long hours driving in the car do wonders to kill all motivation for working on the blog. Well enough with the excuses and on to the music!

The Lempo and Japwow Project - Jack In Boots (Phoenix Music International) by JapWOW

I have been following The Lempo and JapWow project for a few months now on soundcloud. They began 2011 with a bang by releasing an incredible hot mixtape in early January. To be specific, it is their very first mixtape and consists mostly of their original remixes.

The Lempo and Japwow Project - MIXTAPE - Jan 2011 by Lempo and Japwow Project

Mike McGuiness and Nina Japwow are from Manchester, Englad. They are doing some really interesting stuff with house music these days. Their music consists of jazz and swing standards screwed and chopped to house beats. I love that they use Gypsy and Bollywood influence in some the tracks as well. For having 8 months of airtime on soundcloud, it is a shame that most of their tracks haven't gotten more play.

Japwow - Trumpet Smack by JapWOW

For now their music will be our little secret but I guarantee that it won't be for long. I could totally hear these beats shaking the dance floors in the USA and the UK. Until next week, enjoy!

Alex Gaudino - Destination Calabria (Japwow gets dutch remix) by JapWOW

Generation Bass Dubstep Teaser



Generation Bass Presents Transnational Dubstep Compilation Promo (Excerpt/Taster Mix) - 1 FEB 2011 by djumb

Download it here:

Wordz: 25 minute mini mix by Dj Umb. A very international feel to this Dubstep mix. The sounds vary from Indian to Chinese in influence. It's truly is a teaser because when it ends you want more. I have never heard Dubstep with an international feel. Its an awesome sound that needs to be duplicated.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Siba e a Fuloresta (Amy Grante Edit)




Siba e a Fuloresta - A folha da bananeira (Amy Grante Edit) by amygrante

I absolutely love it when I hear a beat that sounds like nothing I have ever heard. Amy Grante has a ridiculous remix that reminds me Buena Vista Social meets Favela Funk. Some really interesting sounds on this one!