Fare Soldi - Cassoto EP

Stream the new EP here...

Casotto by FARE SOLDI

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.

It Came From the Cloud - Fare Soldi

I am very excited to announce a new venture this year with SmithBlogsAtlanta and DeadJournalist - It came from the Cloud. Each week we are going to bring you the very best SoundCloud has to offer by featuring an in depth look at my favorite artists on this unbelievable site.

Stevie Wonder - Superstition (Fare Soldi Zupparstition rmx) by FARE SOLDI

Last Month I released my first mixtape of my favorite soundcloud artists. I found it extremely hard to just pick one song per artist and it got me thinking about a weekly post like this. Luckily DeadJournalist was receptive to the idea and here we are.

Duran Duran - Rio (Fare Soldi "Sposerò Simon Le Bon" rmx) by FARE SOLDI

I have been fans of Fare Soldi for at least two years now. The thing I love about this Italian duo is that they have a definite "sound." Not matter what genera they are remixing, you can hear a track and instantly pick them out. Santana Pasta and Luka Carnifull got a cool disco / house vibe that make sitting still while listening to their music impossible. They can take the biggest sounds in electronic music and make them better.

Barbra Streisand- Duck Sauce (Fare Soldi - Duck Soldi rmx) by FARE SOLDI

Fare Soldi isn't only just about remixes though. Their production tracks can be heard throughout the dance floors of Europe and the USA. They have the ability to bring that disco feel without sounding dated. Their music would work as good in the 70's and 80's as it does today. Make sure you listen to all their soundcloud tracks because there is just too much great music by them to fit in one post. They also have some fantastic mixtapes if your in the mood as well.

Fare Soldi - Guerrino by FARE SOLDI

Mount Kimbie "Before I move off" (Video)

I have to give a shout out to MashKulture for posting this video today. Mount Kimbie was one of the best groups to drop an album in 2010 and am very happy to see them getting some more buzz.

This official video dropped in the middle of December and is a damn shame only 3500 peeps have watched it. The entire video is made up of still shots in strange mash of stop motion, flashes of messages, and a movement to the beat. I found it to be even better watching the second time.

Shit Robot "Take 'Em Up"

It has been no secret that SBA and Shit Robot are FAF's (Favorite Artists Forever)... So without further interuption, here is the newest Shit Robot release featuring Nancy Whang from LCD Soundsystem / Juan Maclean...

Shit Robot - Take Em Up from Eoghan Kidney on Vimeo.

Girl Talk - All Day

Its been a minute since Girl Talk obliterated everything you thought you knew about music. In terms of being able to mash anything and everything, Girl Talk is an absolute expert.

In most of his mixes he mashes three and four tracks together. No genera is off limits. For example he starts this newest mix with Ozzie Ozborne providing the beat for Ludacris. Each mash up brings back everything you loved about music for the last 30 years. 80, 90, and the 00's are forced to get along in a way that only Girl Talk can pull off. The is must have and its free. For my Atlanta people, tickets are on sale now for his January 21st show at the Tabernacle.

Matt & Kim - Side Walks

Exhibit One:


Exhibit Two:
Matt & Kim - Block After Block by smithblogsatlanta

Exhibit Three:
Matt & Kim - Red Paint by smithblogsatlanta

Now after those three exhibits of greatness, you should either A) jumping to concert list and crossing your fingers that these two haven't already played in your town or b) buy the album by finding $7 in the cracks of our couch or in your jeans pockets while doing laundry.

I won't lie to you and tell you that Matt & Kim have done something revolutionary in their third release. They didn't add band members. They didn't add strings or guitar or some crazy shit like that. They kept to what has made them so widely popular.

Great percussion from Kim. Fun synthesizers and melody from Matt. Energy for days. Songs that make you want to dance in the living room by yourself with the blinds drawn. For fans of the band, you will not be disappointed. For new comers, if the two songs above remotely interested you, all the music on the new album holds up to that same integrity. There are no throw aways with this one.

I have had "block after block" posted for only a few days on my soundcloud page and it has already received 1/4 of my total plays. That is incredible. Each time I see the band, more and more people are singing every word. This year is their first headlining tour and from the videos I saw at the masquerade, they packed the place. Next year when they come through Atlanta they will be filling the Tabernacle.

The thing about Matt & Kim, you can't help but fall in love with them when watching them live. My mouth literally hurt from smiling so much the first time I saw them. They genuinely love playing and you can tell by watching them live. That same love permeates through their music. It is this love that continues to build fans at an incredible rate. I hope through this post that I can help them gain another. They deserve it.

Lykke Li is back baby!

Brand new hotness from the one and only Lykke Li...

The XX - VCR (FOUR TET REMIX)

The xx - VCR (Four Tet remix) by Four Tet

It looks like this week's theme is remixes by my favorite artist of my favorite artist. These two together make an amazing track. SBA has been big fans of The XX since their debut album dropped. I got excited when I saw that the one and only Four Tet was applying his spaced out minimal sounds to the ever growing English indie group. Four Tet's version of the song is allot faster than what I was expecting. The remix reminds me of something Latin (almost a spaced out salsa). In 13 hours it has already gotten 12,179 hits on Soundcloud! I hope you take the time to listen and add to that number.

Touch Bass Alive Promo Mix 1

ALIVE promo mix 1 by TOUCH BASS

Over the past few months I have become of huge fan of this Vancouver Dj. Readers SBA have already been exposed to two of his mixes throughout the past summer. The man is the Mixtape making machine. By the time I start getting into the "newest" Mixtape, he always seems to drop another. This "Alive Promo Mix" is the latest in Touch Basses growing archive of wonderful Mixtapes. If the set list below doesn't make the slyiva in your mouth pool, you are reading the wrong blog...

1. Ocelot - beating hearts (louis la roche remix)
2. Lifelike - love emulator (club mix)
3. miami horror - moon theory (punks jump up remix)
4. evil nine - real love
5. miami horror - sometimes (gloves extended mix)
6. deadmau5 and wolfgang gartner - animal rights
7. underworld - bird 1
8. tomcraft - room 414 (can't get away) (the other version)
9. john dahlback - Olympia
10. ean skizzle - dibby dibby
11. shinichi osawa - push (alex gopher remix)
12. Kissy sell out - joanna (fasial remix)
13. radiohead - pyramid song (zed's dead Illuminati remix)

Chiddy Bang Behind the Scenes

Chiddy Bang behind the scenes at Glastonbury from this summer. I literally can't wait for the new album "The Preview." I love everything these guys do from the remixes to to their production work. 2010 has already been a huge year for the duo. Once their album drops, the year is going to get even hotter. Here's a tasty track to hold you over while you wait...

Big Sean - "Too Fake" Feat. Chiddy Bang (Prod. By Xaphoon Jones) by Some Kind of Awesome

Snowden's Back

You may be wondering why I am posting a Snowden concert from three years ago... It is because they are back. They may not release a lot of new music (One 5 song EP in 3 years) but they rock. I get excited any time they play and that is happening very soon. Check out Snowden at the Earl on September 25th...

Parov Stelar - The Phantom EP

Big news on the blog today... Or at least for me. I finally figured out the best way to bring you the best music I am hearing daily. Gone are the days of lame youtube videos still shots with music playing in the background.

From here on out you can visit my soundcloud page to stream the music that gets my blood pumping. Out of respect for the artist you will not be able to download these tracks but I highly recommend buying the music that you like there.

Speaking of buying some music, last night I was in heaven when I saw the new Parov Stelar available on emusic. The EP has three different versions of the new single but I think this 1930s version is the cats ass. In true Parov Stelar fashion it blends tasty electro with classic jazz and big band rhythm. Once again Parov Stelar drops another hit for me to wear out.

Parov Stelar - The Phantom (1930 Version) by smithblogsatlanta

Emily Jane White - LaBlogoTheque

The last couple of weeks each post has been only electronic music. Today I am going tone it down a notch. Emily Jane White first hit SBA in our first year of posts. She released her new album in the states "Victorian America" in March of 2010. Just watching this video has convinced me to go home and buy it even though I don't have the finances to justify it. The first album was absolutely brilliant. The new joint seems to be following suit.

I can't finish this post without mentioning the incredible LaBoloTheque who make incredible live public videos time after time. Give them a search for your favorite indie artist. Chances are you will find them.

Emily Jane White - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Mighty Fools - That's the Shit Mixtape 2010

This morning wasn't good. You know sometimes when you get a full night sleep but wake up dead tired anyways. That was me. Now fast forward two hours and my day has completely changed. Not only is it Friday but I just found the new Mighty Fools Mixtape! To make things better... You can actually download this one here. There isn't a dj group that makes more fun music. God, their mixes just make me happy. I am glad I am almost the only one at work today because I am bouncing around like an idiot bumpin' this mix in my own headphone world. Do yourself a favor and brighten your day by downloading this or at least previewing it here.

Mightyfools - That's The Shit Mixtape 2010 by Mightyfools

01. Uffie ft. Pharrel - Add SUV (Armand Van Helden Remix)
02. The Krays ft. Ebony Bones - We're Ready When You Are
03. Human Life - In It Together (Jaymo & Andy George Remix)
04. Duck Sauce - The Motion
05. Swedish House Mafia - One
06. Canblaster - Chicken Run
07. Sonic C - Drunk Skunk (LA Riots Remix)
08. Lucid - The Calling
09. Lady Gaga ft. Wale - Chillin (Top Billin Remix)
10. Foamo - Centavo
11. 92 Eternal - The Feeling (Luna-C Remix)
12. Sound Of Stereo - Metric
13. Missy Elliot - Pass The Dutch (Angger Dimas Remix)
14. David Guetta - Memories (Armand van Helden Remix)
15. Foamo - Movin it over here (Will Bailey Remix)
16. Mumdance - Kerplunk
17. Owl City - Fireflies (Mightyfools Remix)
18. Public Enemy - Night Of The Living Bassheads (DJ Figure Remix)
19. Black Noise - Jungle Iz Em
20. Gtronic - Suck My Lollipop
21. Mightyfools - Baguette
22. Mightyfools - That's The Shit

Crystal Castles - Sometimes a girl has got to scream

I am very excited to get a sneak peak at the Crystal Castles new album "Crystal Castles (2010)". The duos second album gets released tomorrow, Friday April 23rd. The album starts with Fainting Spells and is completely off-putting. Its basically almost a three minute loop of static and distortion. Then something amazing happens. Celestica starts. It's well produced, clean, well sung, and has a brilliant beat. Then the third track Doe Deer literally rattles my speakers to the point that I am worried. More screaming... They follow that with one of my favorite tracks that they have ever done in Baptism.



At first this can be very frustrating but I get it. I am no longer a musician but I do remember the days when I was. My bands would write songs for the sole purpose of releasing angst. Why should I fault them for doing the same. These quote end quote bad tracks give them a chance to freak out one stage. Hell, sometimes a girl has got to scream. Who am I to hate on their god given right to rock the fuck out.

For now, to protect my old-ass-sensitive ears, I will be quick to press "next" on the screaming and enjoy the other brilliant 11 songs on their new EP. Hopefully I will be able to experience what those other songs were intended for live someday...

GURU Rest In Peace

A very melancholy throwback Tuesday today. I was absolutely shocked to hear that Guru passed away today at 43 years old. Details of his death revealed that Keith Elam has been battling cancer privately for the last two years. I know he had been admitted to the hospital a few months back but things have been quiet on the Guru front until today. I am saddened because a part of my youth just died with Guru.



Back in the early 90's I got my first taste of Gang Starr when I was 14. After I bought my first Gang Starr tape, Daily Operation, my view of the entire hip hop scene was rocked. The beats of Dj Premier spoke to me like nothing I had heard from this genera before. The smooth, witty, and unpretentious lyrics of Guru would drift my mind away. Together they were an amazing team. My heart goes out for Dj Premier who has to be feeling an enormous void today. When I hear these songs I will always remember Guru, a man who changed me musically.

Mos Dub

Its starting to feel like summer here in Atlanta. If found the perfect soundtrack for your poolside bbq. If you got hip hop heads, reggae/dub heads, or even top 40 radio listeners, this lp will please everyone. Here is another free brilliant product from Max Tannone , the dude that dropped Jaydiohead and Double Check your Head. This new project is Reggae remixes of some of the best music ever created by Mos Def & Black Star.

Here is the direct link if you want to download the mediafire:

Mos Dub by maxtannone

The Presets Surprise

Last week I found a interesting mixtape by Kim Moyes, 1/2 of The Presets, on one of my favorite blogs - Stoneyroads. The note that went along with it said that Kim was recording the 64 minute mixtape for modsquads modcast while in the studio working on the new album. This was a surprise because I didn't even know that they were recording or that Kim (plays drums and keyboard) was a DJ. Usually if the musician is talented they have a good taste in music but where it is iffy is that they may or may not be able to spin. I downloaded with optimism.

I didn't know what to expect but I have been more than pleased with the Mixtape. For a guy that plays drums and keyboards for a living he sure has a hell of a talent mixing tracks. Some of the stuff that put on here is like nothing I have
heard before and its amazing. Very cool instrumental builds and vocal
centered electronica weave back and forth for over an hour. If you are a fan of the presets and like music in that genera, this is a must have. Go check out Stoneyroads and download the mixtape here

Jaydiohead - Encore

I first heard about Max Tannone a year ago when a friend tipped me off on the first Jaydiohead Project. At the time, I thought the idea of mashing Radiohead beats and Jay-Z vocals was crazy. It seems like it would never work. One listen to the first mix and I was hooked. I am not a huge Jay-Z fan but I am life long Radiohead junkie. This project alone made me a fan of Jay-Z. It is really interesting in hearing him in an entirely different context beat wise.

Encore is exactly what it states. Another five brilliant mash-ups that dig way deep into the Radiohead archives. My favorite track on here is Reckoner's Encore. Listen here on SBA and please go to Max's site and download the album for free. Buy a tee-shirt while you are there and help a brother out.

Jaydiohead - Reckoner's Encore from Max Tannone on Vimeo.