Oneman B2B Jamie XX @ The Boiler Room

This is my shit right here. Amazing stuff from Jamie XX and Oneman going back and forth at what is probably the internet epicenter for this sorta music in my eyes, the Boiler Room. The two DJ's show their prowess, dabbling in what is essentially disco for the first 25 minutes, before getting into anything resembling bass music. And while the mixing may leave something to be desired, its the selection that shines through. Through 90 minutes we take a trip through garage, house, bass music, hip hop and disco. In the last half, probably 80% of the tracks get rewinds. You can see edge of the crowd on the video going ham. Definitely a good way to spend 90 minutes.

However, why is this so important? There's better mixes out there from both of these gentlemen and the countless others that have graced the Boiler Room, the Fact Mix, Rinse Fm and the other institutions of bass music. Its also a pandering set, that for a lot of it isn't even bass music but rather other more well known genres and tunes. However in my eyes its a huge moment as it demonstrates the accessibility of this scene to the dance music world at large.

It really highlights the importance of the aesthetic of bass music. Remember for a second here that the style and sense of music that is dominating non commercial clubs these days is the brash and aggressive electro and brostep. Bass music is alot cooler with its approach, emphasizing rhythm and dance above noise, moshing and pranging out, Bloody Beetroots style. As such, this set emphasizes the style of bass music where the rhythms of funky, garage and dubstep can sit alongside the house and hip hop for the masses. It makes the case that bass music can have as much fun as the other scenes, drawing on the favorites of the crowd, in a 'pop' sence, so long as it fits into the 'vibes' of the set. It sets itself up as a viable alternative and gives us two heroes in Jamie and Oneman

In the end, it hints at an interesting battle for the future of our dance floors, one that's not so much about genre, as it is about ideology.

Watch it or listen to it here.

Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX - I'll Take Care Of You

I'm being real original this week aren't I? Copped We're New Here the other day and I've been giving it spins in my car. I really dig it (surprise!) but the real standout for me is the gorgeous closer. Its gorgeous piano driven house, with loads on the low end and a typical xx style guitar sample. Its really the full delivery on the promise of this collaboration. I wont say anymore on it, just listen.

Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie XX - I'll Take Care Of U by acid stag

Adele - Rolling in the Deep (Jamie XX Shuffle)

In continuing my obsession with everything Jamie XX, heres the new jam as posted by the fine folks over at the FADER. Rhythm and fucking Blues.

Gil Scott-Heron - New York is Killing Me (Jamie XX Remix)

So excited for this project as I'm a massive fan of both Jamie XX and Gil Scott-Heron. They're a natural fit for each other in the sense that Jamie's production gives the appropriate amount of menace and despair as a backdrop to Gil's words.

We're New Here drops on the 21/2/2011
Props to GVB

Deadboy - Rhythm 'n Bass

Dubstep changed a lot of things. Its still unbelievable popularity on dancefloors worldwide has altered many things in the world of electronic music and as a result what’s getting produced for the dancefloor. Its so starkly different in both tempo, rhythm and sound from anything else, that it has captured the attention of DJ’s the world over, meaning even on the most superficial level, most sets will have at least a few dubstep tracks in it. More importantly though, it’s having an impact on a wide range of genres, from electro and house, to the California beat scene, and the original UK bass staples of Garage and Two-step.

This is where the badman Deadboy fits in. Coming to Perth really soon for DON’T SLEEP at the newly revamped Bakery venue, hes bringing his brand of future garage and bass music to unsuspecting punters and dance floors here in on the best coast. Yet despite what my opening paragraph may have you believe, his style has more in common with the forward thinking R&B of Timbaland than the wobbles of conventional dubstep. Rather, I mean to argue that the popularity of dubstep has opened doors on dance floors for other styles of music that have similar low-end aesthetics and focus. So while Deadboy may not have the crazy wobbles audiences are used to, he’s just as important and relevant now as a Rusko, Magnetic Man or Joy Orbison.

Deadboy wears his R&B cred on his sleeve, doing garage refixes for Cassie and others. You can hear what sounds like chopped up Usher vocals on ravey anthem U Cheated over that very, very low bass and skittering drums, while downtempo garage tune If You Want Me, has clattering diva samples while keeping the mood sounding more like a traditional R&B tearjearking ballard. His resulting catalogue is dripping with heart and bass, and will get the club going ham.

As a result we have music that sounds more like Timbaland in his prime, when he was making forward thinking R&B for Missy Elliot, Jay Z and others, instead of his far more insipid recent work with people like One Republic and Katy Perry. Its music which no matter which audience its aimed at or for what purpose sounds like the future and despite its weirdness compared to its contemporarys still strikes a chord with the average punter.

This influence can also be heard in fellow British bass merchants The XX who wrap themselves firmly in the twin influences of R&B and bass music, yet have managed to peddle this music to the indie kids. With Jaime XX on the MPCs and decks, the group have grounded what are essentially R&B tracks with heavy bass music or in the case of their Florence and the Machine remix, garage. (Also for more dubstep cred, check out his fantastic mix for Collette). The only real difference between them and Deadboy is that Islands wasn’t made for the dance floor.

Make sure you get out to the Bakery on October 16th. This is where music is going, mark my words and you’d be foolish to miss out on it. Remember, DON’T SLEEP!
Deadboy - U Cheated
Deadboy - Unofficial Girl (Ft. Cassie & Lil' Wayne)
Foals - Spanish Sahara (Deadboy Remix)
Tweet - Oops (Oh My) - LINK REMOVED
Jack Penate - Pull My Heart Away (Jamie XX Remix)
Jamie XX - Mix for Colette 10

NOTE: All this music has really low bass on it. HEADPHONES OR SPEAKERS ARE A MUST. Your laptop cant handle this shit.