M-Phazes

Hip Hop post this time. Australian hip hop too, though not in the usual sense. M-Phazes is an australian beat-maker (as far as i know anyways, havent had much time to investigate the man yet, though soon as i have a home again, i will find out if he raps aswell.) who has been achieving some play internationally on blogs like The Smoking Section.

Two things he's done so far have caught my attention. Firstly he's done some sweet beamaking for the Emilio Rojas track Bold and Arrogant. This is a far cry from the typical Australian productionwhere it sounds as if the beatmakers dont wanna do anything that will go past the triple j hip hop audience. Big drums, blaring sirens and a catchy vocal refrain make this a beat that stands up in the vicious US mixtape circut. The remix is the choice cut here with an unexpectedly killer verse from white boy Asher Roth who shows that when hes not pandering to frat boys, he can actually spit.

Emilio Rojas - Bold And Arrogant (ft. Styles P and Asher Roth) (Prod M-Phazes)

But more remarkable still is his Michael Jackson remix. The original is a typical MJ pop number, upbeat, with a quick passed bassline, standard fare. M-Phazes here takes it to another level turning it into a sparce yet lush, soulful number. The bpm of the instrumental is slashed in half with finger snaps and snares forming the background with a plodding bass while Michael's vocals and sparkling synths take it to another level. This is brilliant stuff. A must hear for sure.

Michael Jackson - Remember the Time (M-Phazes Remix)