Downbeatscape

New tracks, videos from K'naan - Nothing to Lose & Santigold - Big Mouth

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:16:00 +0000

K'naan and Santigold always have a solid flow and their own unique style. They each have come out with new tracks in the last week that I'm really enjoying. Check out their videos below, and you can DL Santigold's new track on her website. K'naan's new EP "More Beautiful Than Silence" is out digitally now - a great EP followup to his Troubadour success. I love each of their vibes in general, usually wavering between positive and upbeat with a slightly aggressive, take-no-prisoners flavor. They relax but amp me up - which is always a theme of this blog. It's this balance that they achieve that keeps me coming back to their tracks.

Future of TRAKTOR

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:46:00 +0000

Traktor has released a sneak peak at new technology that combines the best of DJ tech with real-time production technology and workflow. I'm really excited for this 1) because it will enable a whole host of plug and play and all-in-one opportunities for real time mixing and production - there is a ton of creative room and potential here, especially for experienced producers who want to DJ, or experienced DJs who want to produce; and 2) because I think this will also make producing more accessible for DJs who aspire to produce more. Some may say that sux - why would we want to get newbies into producing the same way digital DJing has enabled scores of amateur DJs to dilute the pool of talent. But I'm a firm believer that the more opportunity and capability people have to be creative just inspires everyone and puts more ideas out there for people to build on. So bring it Traktor - keep innovating with the technology - I can't wait to see this hybrid tech when it comes out.

Excellent video: C2C - F.U.Y.A.

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:57:00 +0000

C2C - F·U·Y·A from On and On on Vimeo.

Happy New Years! A new chill mix from J Boogie Dubtronic to enter the new year w/ a positive vibe

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:24:00 +0000

J Boogie KCRW mix by jboogie dubtronic

Happy Holidays! I couldn't resist..the Carlton song + dance

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:46:00 +0000

Holiday Party - Pretty Lights, Gramatik, SuperVision, Mos Dub, Mr Scruff

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:22:00 +0000

I recently DJ'd my MBA program's "Ugly Sweater" holiday party and was really excited to introduce my friends to my DJ and music style. Here's a small but representative selection of tracks I included in my set. Enjoy! Gramatik - Beatz&Pieces Vol. 1 by Gramatik Mr Scruff "Music Takes Me Up" (feat. Alice Russell) by Mr Scruff Time Has Written by ThatSuperVision Pretty Lights - Fill Your Eyes by prettylights Mos Dub by Max Tannone

The Two.Fifteens - Wavy Life

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:35:00 +0000

Sword Inspired: Kaleidoscope Jukebox + 3rd Eye Visionaries - Double-Edged Sword ; and Marcel - Sword Progression

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:44:00 +0000

Love this track by Kaleidoscope Jukebox and 3rd Eye Visionaries - a few artists i've been introduced to via Soundcloud. Enjoy the downbeat hip hop...and follow them on Soundcloud! Double-Edged Sword with 3rd Eye Visionaries by Kaleidoscope Jukebox And Marcel's "Sword Progression" is a lovely downtempo hip hop swinger that I've been listening to several years - i layer it into my mixes all the time. This came to me through Wax On Records - the label started by downtempo legend Nightmares on Wax. Sword Progression

New Pretty Lights Electro Downtempo Remix of Run DMC's "It's Tricky"

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:42:00 +0000

I've been a bit in love w/ everything Pretty Lights has been doing these days - and I'm not apologizing for it. His sound is representative of the downtempo electro fusions that inspired this blog several years ago and represent what I love about the future-sounds of music. Check out Pretty Lights' new remix of Run DMC's classic "It's Tricky" - some fine listening.

DJ Unkut on Traktor Scratch - i can only dream...

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 01:10:00 +0000

NINJA TUNE SOLID STEEL PROGRESSIVE MIX

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:04:00 +0000

Solid Steel Radio Show 11/11/2011 Part 3 + 4 - A Guy Called Gerald by Ninja Tune Solid Steel Radio Show 11/11/2011 Part 1 + 2 - DJ Cheeba by Ninja Tune

New Pretty Lights Single - "I Know the Truth"

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:47:00 +0000

Pretty Lights has been dropping his new single "I Know the Truth" at live shows for the last few months, and finally FINALLY he's published it on Soundcloud, with a downloadable version available for free on his web site here: http://www.prettylightsmusic.com/#/downloads. Pretty Lights - I Know The Truth by prettylights

New J Boogie Dubtronic Science Album - Undercover

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:18:00 +0000

J Boogie released his new album last month and it's true to form - an excellent collection of internationally influenced dub, funk and soul that chills you out and makes you move at the same time (a major theme of this blog overall!) Definitely check this out - you'll hear all sorts of instruments ranging from horns to drums, synths to deep bass - all very well balanced and mastered perfectly. There's a ton of collaborators that get me excited as well, including MC Zulu, Afrolicious, and The Pimps of Joytime. Stream a selection of tracks via J Boogie's Soundcloud page: "Best of" Album Cuts

Mikey Dubs Summerhouse Mix - Free Download

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:03:00 +0000

Mikey Dubs drops some really smooth house and dub beats, making a cool mix that is equal parts energy and chill. He's got a great rep - always delivering great mixes that keep me relaxed, but get me moving at the same time. Mikey's Summerhouse mix 7.2011 by Mikey Dubs

New Fort Knox Five mix - Endless Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Endless Summer Mix by Fort Knox on Mixcloud

Gramatik - Downtempo Hip Hop, Pretty Lights Music Label

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:48:00 +0000

Just downloaded Gramatik's new album - Beatz & Pieces Vol. 1 - his first album on Pretty Lights Music record label. His mostly instrumental hip hop beats and breaks are downtempo oriented, very smooth hip hop vibes to accompany a lounge atmosphere or smoke-inspired session. I liken his style to Fat Jon the Ample Soul Physician, but not quite as smooth/sexy flavor - rather distinct vintage funk thrown in throughout a chilled hip hop tracks. He's an East Coast/NYC hip hop producer to follow for years - especially as as he rolls with the Pretty Lights Music label. Check his beats below and download his new album for free (but give him some cash via PayPal here! http://www.prettylightsmusic.com/therecordlabel/

Gramatik - Beatz&Pieces Vol. 1 by Gramatik

Wonka Bass

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:50:00 +0000

Fog - Wonka Bass by Fog

DJ "Kramnik 1.0" EP - progressive, engaging, and beautiful

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:30:00 +0000

Been listening to Kramnik's latest progressive electro house EP, the "Kramnik 1.0" EP, and its transporting me back to BOOM in Portugal, with 5 tracks of precise, progessive house. I have a sweet spot for minimal and progessive stuff like this, it's trance-like and very warm, and the feeling while listening to this sways into loungy downtempo, especially if you allow this music to hypnotize you. The video for Viclone adds a really fantastic and future aesthetic to help you sink into these tracks even more.

Tracks by Kramnik

MC Xander - Sick of the Lies

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:30:00 +0000

National Geographic Music: Nat Geo Record Label

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 20:11:00 +0000

National Geographic has it's own record label, Nat Geo Records, with bands that you may have heard of, including Bedouin Soundclash, Balkan Beat Box and Grupo Fantasma. The label is a growing collection of great international sounds. I really look forward to following this label and the work of its artists.

Additionally, the National Geographic Music web site has great interviews with artists beyond their label, music videos, playlists and a newsletter. Check out some tracks on their SoundCloud page:

Latest tracks by NatGeo Records

Matanza - Chilean Dub, Chillout

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:51:00 +0000

Matanza - Apolinar EP by Antartek Records

Max Tannone's Ghostfunk - Ghostface Killah + Vintage Afrofunk + Psychedelic Rock mashup - Free Stream/Download

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:24:00 +0000

I'm really pleased w/ Max Tannone's newest mashup project - Ghostfunk - which is Ghostface Killah rap vocals mashed with vintage afrofunk and psychedelic rock. It's really well done. I've been impressed with his mashups, including Jaydiohead (Jay-Z + Radiohead) and Mos Dub and Dub Kweli (Mos Def + dub/reggae; Talib Kweli + dub/reggae). Get all the tracks for free via the Soundcloud download portal below:

Ghostfunk by Max Tannone

Nice Dub/Reggae Mix by Properly Chilled

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:23:00 +0000

Properly Chilled Podcast #53 (B): Encore of Echo Beach (WLUW) Mix by Properlychilled on Mixcloud

REVIEW: New Thievery Corporation Album - Culture of Fear - plus free streaming...

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 01:54:00 +0000

Thievery Corporation released their 6th studio album today - "Culture of Fear." Being a die-hard fan of their sound - dubbed the "Outernational" Sound for their fusion of eastern, reggae, jazz, funk, hip hop and other-worldly beats - I instantly downloaded the album.

The album has a real downtempo flow, and doesn't includes some of the more electronic and reggae dance-hall type tracks that were prevalent on their last album, "Radio Retaliation." Instead, the first half of the album has a much more loungy jazz and funk feel, focusing less on synthesized sounds combined with international instruments like sitars and ethnic drums, and more on jazz drums, and roots rock guitar. This first half is reminiscent of the Cosmic Game - Thievery Corp's 4th album and one that was a departure from their signature "Outernational Sound." The title track - Culture of Fear - has an incredible flow delivered by Mr. Lif, though its lyrics and message is almost paranoid and conspiratory, I like the song itself but the tone of the lyrics can be distracting - even like the cover art to the album - the "big brother" like camera is mostly just disturbing and not very thought-provoking.

The second half of the album shifts a bit from the jazz and funk vibe, and is more dubbed and almost ambient in nature. It's much more reminiscent of their earlier albums, like "Sounds From the Thievery Hi-Fi" (my favorite album of theirs). I admit to being a Thievery purist - so this second half pleases me more than the first half of the album. Songs like "Is It Over" and "Free" are much more wandering and dynamic dreamscapes of songs that engage listeners in different ways, from deep bass and primal drums to ethereal synthesizers and siren-like female vocals. The track "Overstand" is a chilled reggae track, true to form of what we've also heard from Thievery Corporation's last album - Radio Retaliation.

Check out a teaser of the album below. For a limited time, Thievery Corporation is also letting fans stream the entire album for free here.

Crinkum Crankum - Luvverly Jubberly - dark, international downtempo

noreply@blogger.com (Downbeatscape) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:46:00 +0000

My buddies DJ Andy Ward (Wicked Good Records, Boston) and electro artist/producer Jeff Keenan (Boston) got together one day, picked out a few records and created this track from random samples from the crate. Love the international, eastern vibe with the high operatic vocals and shuffling beats underneath. Well done guys!

Crinkum Crankum - Luvverly Jubberly by wickedgoodrecords