Here in Boston the April / May showers are in full effect. But that shouldn’t mean you should give in to society’s normal depressed reaction. Keep your soul upbeat by jamming out to some of the square’s MP3′s for this here Friday, May 2nd post. (This are all legal MP3 downloads provided by the label or promoter).
Black Grass Download
Download: “Hold Fire” (Ft. Dionne Charles)
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Look out kids, DJ Mex and his latest Black Grass release are knocking on your dance floor. This is my first introduction to the DJ and his Black Grass productions. According to Mex the last album was quite dark.
“This album is my Return of the Jedi, whereas ‘A Hundred Days In One’ was my Empire Strikes Back and was quite dark, this is more fun with couple of Ewoks thrown for laughs. Rest assured I won’t be ruining it with a load of unnecessary CGI though.”
There a several guest appearances including J Live, vocalist Dionne Charles from funk sensations Baby Charles, Hearin’ Aid’s Aaron Phiri, reggae representation by Benjammin’ and Jah Marnyah. The album is entitled Three and will be released on My 12th by Catskills Records.
I chose a track by Dionne Charles because I feel it well represents the light hearted, funky, dance vibe sound on the album plus, the plethora of remarkable vocal contributions. For a DJ album, the vocals sure are front and center. That must mean that Mex is a level headed fellow who respects his musical peers and knows how to stand quietly in the back or rather quietly in the front like any good maestro.
“Three” Tracklisting:
- Alright
- Without Your Love (Ft. Dionne Charles)
- Set it Straight (Ft. J Live)
- Bass Man (Ft. Ben Jammin’)
- Splash the Cash (Ft. Koaste
- Makin’ Emcees Run (Ft. Aaron Phiri)
- How Much Can You Take (Ft. Dionne Charles)
- Queztalcoatl Returns
- Hold Fire (Ft. Dionne Charles)
- This & That (Ft. The Good People)
- Bless (Ft. Ruben da Silva)
- Stormy Weathers (Ft. Jah Marnyah)
- Away (Ft. Rider Shafique)
Bonus Download: “Bless” (Ft. Ruben da Silva)
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The Futureheads Download
Download: “The Beginning of the Twist” (Atephoald Vs The Futureheads)
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When it comes to NME hyped bands, The Futureheads definitely pass the solid rock band litmus test. You may have heard but they recently pulled a “Radiohead” on us by announcing that they will be releasing their third album, This is Not The World, on their own (Release date for US and Canada is June 3rd and May 26th for the UK). They playing at Bowery Ballroom in NYC on June 17th. Details here.
“The Beginning of the Twist” is the first single off the new album and it was officially released on March 10th. For those who haven’t heard the original, give it a go:
It’s quite a brash little ditty. Packs a decent British punk punch. Little bit of a mouthful description. What I like about this remix by Atephoald is they take this once rocking punk tune, turned it on it’s head and created a club hit. It’s important that any remix takes the song to new arenas. Atephoald have successfully taken The Futureheads into the club scene and I guarantee there are DJ’s out there right now giving kids heart attacks with this one.
The mix is available through the experimental online label, RCRD LBL. If you’re not familiar with this site, become familiar. The more people become aware of this site and what these labels are trying to achieve, the better off the music industry will be. Tons of free downloads available allowing you, the music fan, a chance to hear these artists on your own time (in the car, walking to work, mowing the lawn, or where ever else you take your MP3 player).
Four Tet Mix
Download: “DJ Set” mix
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Provided by the ever so gracious, Fader Mag, Four Tets latest DJ set is dominated by his new single “Ringer” which is due out on May 6th. As the Fader notes, the first 30 minutes of this mix is purely a meditation of “Ringer” sound effects. Consider this your Saturday late night option as you sink deeper and deeper into your drunken stooper but don’t worry, this won’t make you completely pass out as the ‘Tet kicks in the techno and dubstep after the 30 minute “Ringer” loop comes to an end.
Get the Ringer EP at Other Music Digital or Bleep.
