The Plugs

This Wednesday sees a nice little launch party for Brighton’s indie and electro pop blog phenomenon The Recommender, which was started over a year ago and has become a real hit here on our seaside city.  I never plug Brighton nights enough, which is a shame as it’s really been getting a piece of the action with live music and dance music still both going strong.

So, it’s mid-week, but I think I’m going to go down check it out as there are some interesting looking bands on, like The Plugs, which is indie pop from  Does It Offend You, Yeah?’s front man, and the charmingly named The Woo!Worths.

The Woo!Worths

Party darlings can get snapped in the Photoboosh, by fashion photographer, Eleni Mettyear (check out her flickr pics) and look forward to receiving their free goodie bag, promising amongst its treats the Recommender’s monthly mixtape.

If you’re not yet a fan of the site, the Battery Powered DJs will be playing music featured on the blog.

The Recomender Launch Party, Wednesday 3 Feb 2010, Doors 8pm @ Jam, Middle Street, Brighton. £3 advanced tickets from Resident, Rounder Records and Ape.

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Radio Slave aka Matt Edwards

On the eve of the fabric 48: Radio Slave US release, which takes place on 20th October 2009, I’m pleased to give you an interview I conducted with famed  DJ and producer Radio Slave aka Matt Edwards back in August.

Soft-spoken and modest, Matt talked as easily about his recent trip back to Brighton as he did about his mixes for London’s legendary club. We meander through life in Berlin after Brighton, love, music and what’s driving his new creative projects, which include the fabric 48 mix CD, new releases on his Rekids label and a top-secret art project.

Although from South London and infinitely lauded for his many projects under his various guises (Quiet Village, Sea Devils, Matthew E, Rekid), there was little talk about his past achievement, focusing on the present – and the future.

The fabric 48 mix, which came out in the UK last month, includes the Steve Lawler remix of “Koma Koma”, tracks from Baeka, Nina Kraviz, Spencer Parker, DJ Boola, Brothers’ Vibe, Michel Cleis, Dance Disorder, 2000 & 1 and Nate William’s Club Patrol – and of course Radio Slave. Five of the 13 tracks are exclusive unreleased material.

Radio Slave’s selection of house floor fillers are truly representative of the sort of quality sets he plays; if you’ve ever been to a night where he’s playing, you’ll know that he delivers the goods and at length. The mix is quite chilled out in places, but builds up nicely with some stand out moments with “DDB” and latin-doused “La Mazcla”.

Enjoy the interview and check out fabric 48 on the Fabric site.

Interview with Radio Slave

Amy Riley Hi, this is Amy, phoning from you from Brighton.

Radio Slave: I was actually visiting Brighton yesterday.

AR: What were you doing?

RS: I was visiting, well, I guess my ex wife, and having a look round town.

AR: Oh cool.. did you pop into any of the shops?

RS: I did actually. I bought two paintings from Art Republic and then we went to the cinema, to Duke of Yorks and saw the Coco Chanel movie.

AR: How was that?

RS: It was amazing. Yeah it’s really good. Really slow, it’s very moving, but very slow.

AR: I love how you can take booze in the cinema (laughs). I’m just trying to remember what the weather was like yesterday.

RS: It was pretty good. I used to live there so I haven’t been back for quite a while. It was good to wander round, see some friends.

AR: How long ago did you live here?

RS: I lived there for eight years, for pretty much from 1998 to 2006.

AR: That’s pretty cool. Did you play out at clubs down here?

RS: Yeah, I used to be resident at Stompaphunk. It was with my friend Anthony at Funky Buddha Lounge – I used to hang out with those guys for years. It’s a good place to live, but it ended up being too much like a small town for me. There’s too many people in each other’s business and it’s incestuous and it caused a few problems in my life.

AR: I used to live in New York and I’ve been waiting for Brighton to lose it’s thing – it’s charm – maybe but it’s thing – maybe I’ll move to Berlin.

RS: Well if you lived in New York, you’ll like Berlin – there’s a great comparison between the two cities.

AR: I’ve been going over the past two years, to visit friends, go to the clubs and take in the music. Do you go over there a lot?

RS: Berlin? I live there!

AR: Oh sorry.

RS: I’ve lived there for two years.

AR: How’s that?

RS: It’s amazing. I’m not there very often, but when I’m there, It’s a very free city, it’s so bohemian, in Kreuzberg where I live, they’ve got everything you need from a city, but it feels like a village. It’s a beautiful city.

AR: When I’m there, it really reminds me of New York. I used to live in Williamsburg.

RS: Okay, I know it very well. Some parts remind me of Brooklyn, with the overhead subway train line.

AR: So do you want to tell me about the Fabric mix?

(more…)

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SGS vs Wrestling Alliance from Cleveland SGS on Vimeo

Here is one to round off your week!! The almighty High Rankin will turn you out after a listen to his relentless mix from Glade Festival this past July. It’s SICKKKK, twisted, hard and heavy, with a bit of this and a bit of that!!!! I’ve already listened to the mix 2 x’s through and it appears it will be played over and over until someone shakes me and tells me to stop. It’s sure to set you in high motion for the weekend and just may leave you feeling like all other mixes you’ve listened to lately are a bore.

Keep an eye out for a ton of High Rankin remixes, some appearing on this very mix, which include Skunk Anansie “Charity” (High Rankin Remix), Mumdance and Brodinski “Eurostarr” (High Rankin Remix), Phonat’s “Set Me Free”, out 24/8/09, Sinden and Trevor Loveys “Organ Grinder” (High Rankin Remix), Krywolf “Mucky” (High Rankin Remix), and a brand new EP Dropping this September on Cheap Thrills!!

Stay up with Mr Rankin’s antics over at his bloggggg and catch him out over the Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday 30th August, as Audio and Chew The Fat present, Cheap Thrills vs Skint 10 at Audio Brighton.

Via High Rankin –
“Big thanks to Jay Cunning and all the nu breed crew. And a special thanks to the people who commented on my Clockwork Orange outfit. Particularly the comments:

1. Nice Boiler suit
2. Is that your PJ’s?
3. Nice tracksuit
4. Nice baby grow

I love you too you bunch of cunts.”

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High Rankin live at Glade Festival 19/07/09

Tracklisting:

01. High Rankin – Soundboy
02. High Rankin – No Money for guns
03. Krywolf – Mucky (High Rankin Remix)
04. Trevor Lovey and Sinden – Organ Grinder (High Rankin Remix VIP)
05. High Rankin – Occupation: Pimp and Gambler
06. Phonat – Set me free (High Rankin Remix)
07. Black Daniel – Here comes Caeser (High Rankin Remix)
08. High Rankin – The Airloom 2009
09. High Rankin – Requiem for a dream
10. Hérve feat: Marina Gasolina – Baseball Bat (High Rankin Remix)
11. Alex Roots – Don’t stop (High Rankin Remix)
12. High Rankin – Beak Street
13. Barbarix – Bass Rocker
14. Temper D – Wonky Glasses VIP
15. Diplo and Switch – Get Off (Jack Beats Remix)
16. Rusko – Cockney Thug (Scratch Perverts Remix)
17. High Rankin & Gyto – How Many Records
18. Skunk Annansie – Charity (High Rankin Remix)
19. Kevin Rudolf feat: Kid Cuddi- Welcome To The World (High Rankin Remix)
20. High Rankin – VERY METAL
21. Steve Angello & Laidback Luke feat: Robin s – Show me love (AC Slater Remix)

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Calling UK peoples, especially those in the B’TON area – that means you TM AMY! The good people at ADDICT are throwing a free party on Saturday 26th July – two days before my birthday – to celebrate the launch of their new Brighton store at Audio. As per usual the music is brukka. My good man Young & Positive (Thugs & Hugs resident) brings his ragga flava. On the get down.

Keeping in the mood – peep this exclusive new Aaron La Crate & Samir refix of Mr Vegas’s classic ragga stomper “Oh My Gosh”. Delicious Vinyl’s Rick Ross (the OG Rick Ross) hollar’d it over – sneak peak of Rmxxology 2? Hell yeah. Top 5 Notting Hill Carnival banger for 2008? Hell yeah. Ya got ya bogle on yet?! Hell. yes.

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LA CRATE & SAMIR VS. MR VEGAS OH MY GOSH GUTTER REFIX

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Now in its 5th year running, the 10-day Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival smashed up the UK’s London-by-the-sea, music lover’s favorite, Brighton. Rising Styles threw together all sorts of exciting elements and colorful people: artists, dancers, rappers, graffiti artists, filmmakers, photographers, b-boys and b-girls, hip hop lovers and enthusiasts. From breakdance battles to freestyle open mic to a massive all day festival on the beach, there was a lot to get into.

Festivities kicked off on Friday 4th July, with a private view of the 3-dimensional graffiti sculpture exhibition featuring the works of legendary NYC hip hop graffiti artist Mare 139 and UK’s Zeus, on display at the store-front-esque University of Brighton (Grand Parade) art school site – followed by the Rising Styles Festival Launch Party at Positivity at the Loft.

Carlos ‘Mare139′ Rodriguez at work on his 3-d sculpture. Photo from Rising Styles website.

Mare 139 (Carlos Rodriguez), who appeared in the 1982 graffiti documentary “Style Wars”, was commissioned to create a 3D sculpture, which he’s been working on all week in super tough, ultra thin steel.

Carlos is a lovely guy, doesn’t look a day over 29, and when I met him, looked a bit overwhelmed by the jetlag and buzzing crowd who turned up on the night to enjoy the art, hip hop, free wine and of course the chance to meet the legend. Later in the week he gave a talk about his work and process at local film development agency Lighthouse.

Brighton blew up on Sunday 6th July when b-boys and b-girls descended from all over the country for the festival’s annual Battlejam, in association with All Elements, where individuals and crews went head to head. The day started with a screening of “Inside the Circle“, a feature-length documentary about a breakdance crew from South Texas (courtesy of Black Soil from Holland), followed by a day of beatboxing, MCing, druming and rapping battles. There was some insane moves and crazy energy, with heats in popping, locking, crew battles and bonnie and clyde.

On Monday 7th July, there were film screening of “Rappers of Senegal”, “Whole Train”, “Inside the Circle” and shorts. On Tuesday, Brighton’s monthly open mic/decks rap night, Slip Jam B led the freestyle spirit of hip hop. The night was hosted by Hinesy Hines and Richie Cunningham and included special guests Dr Syntax and Ramblers Association (Vecks and Herbie Dragon). This night is a Brighton institution – the place was PACKED with people – it was hot, sticky and sound! On Thursday, there was a slam poetry night Hammer & Tongue, another Brighton institution. The night featured a battle between poets and…you guessed it, rappers!

Friezebox. Photo from Rising Styles website.

All through the week graffiti artists painted the FRIEZEBOX just outside the Brighton Jubilee library. Artists included Snub23, Sinna1 of Grafik Warfare, Sri, MNKY, Pinky, Mishfit and The Osh.

Yesterday (Saturday 12th July) was the hip hop festival finale – the Rising Styles Block Party!!! The forecast was shitty cloudy skies with a splattering of rain, which for summer in England is pretty good going, but by about 3pm the sun was out, people were pissed, and the place was buzzing.

This year’s line up included hiphop acts from the US, all over the UK, plus local talent from the Brighton hip hop scene: Kidz in the Hall (USA), Sway, Emmanual Jal (Sudan), the Infomatics, Blak Twang, Skinnyman, Jehst, Skilf & band, Serocee, Percy Filth, Kosyne, Soweto Kinch, Floriginal, Million Dan, Special School, Dizreali, Longusto, Witchdoctor Wise, Southern Suspects, Koaste, Enlish and loads of special guests. Plus aerial hip hop performances from Bandbazi and live samba from Baruhlio.

All of the artists were on top top form, but the camera crew & I were especially enamored with Million Dan and his crew, who were just totally lovely people & really got people bouncing – and who our photographer called Millionaire Man Dan (nice one Els!). Million Dan, who’s just come out with an album called Spektrum, is most well known for his collaborations with the Freestylers – does “Dogs and Sledges” ring any bells?

Emmanuel Jal was also a total sweetheart. He raps with conviction about the state of Africa and the hell he endured as a child soldier, and off stage was so appreciative to be there with everyone. He’s going on a 15 city tour this autumn, showing his documentary at universities followed by a Q&A. It was great to catch Kidz in the Hall – you could feel the NYC/Chicago ‘more bounce to the ounce’ flavour bursting off the stage.

The only drawback to the day was Blacktwang getting their set cut off half way. The programme ran over (technical difficulties) and the Council said if the power wasn’t cut, people would lose their licenses. Fair enough but – everyone was like “what?” Blaktwang were really cool about it, but I know production crew felt shit. And then, right at the very end, Skinnyman lost his rag with the crew over food and threw over the entire table. That was a major downer, and I sincerely hope he does some major apologies to the main organiser (Indy of Kala Phool) & crew, who all worked their asses off for free to put the festival together.

Yesterday – Sunday 13th July – was the last day. Mare 139 unveiled his commission at 3pm – an intricate graffiti design crafted out of thin steel, with the shit shined out of it and back-lit with invisible lights. The design splintered off into directional arrows, “weaving in and out of the wall” – the sculpture appeared on either side of the wall and to see it properly you had to stand in the doorway.

The crew were recovering from hangovers from the late late hip hop party at a local pub (Full Moon), but otherwise in good spirits. We had our final farewell celebration at Wagamamas followed by drinks at Riki Tiks. I’m tired today, but it was definitely worth the effort to be part of a great celebration of hip hop.

I’ll post a bit more photos and footage shortly, but in the meantime, cut your teeth on these fine UK hip hoptracks, which form the Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival Soundtrack for 2008. They were featured as a free giveaway with the July edition of Hip Hop Connection and pulled together by Rising Styles and DJ Excalibah.

UK HIP HOP!!!!!!!!!! You may not have heard much, it’s a bit more intelligent than the US counterpart, but hip hop is hip hop isn’t it??

Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival Soundtrack for 2008

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Blak Twang – ThumbzUp (http://www.blaktwang.net)

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Young Kof ft Rukus – Represent (http://www.myspace.com/urbeatzkof)

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Sonnyjim – The Next Generation (http://www.myspace.com/sonnyjim01)

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Aviation – High & Windy Day (http://www.myspace.com/howsaviation)

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Blaktrix – Tektime (http://www.myspace.com/blaktrix)

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Koaste – Drop Somethin’ (http://www.myspace.com/koaste)

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Jid Sames – Pull Your Socks Up (http://www.myspace.com/jsames)

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Gentleman’s Club – Hold Up Your Head (http://www.myspace.com/elementalmrsimmonds)

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Diversion Tactics – No Collaborations (http://www.diversiontactics.com)

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Chris L – Better Than You (http://www.myspace.com/chrisleese)

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Multifinish – Minor Swings (http://www.myspace.com/multifinish)

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Lady Lykez – Tryna Get To Da Booth (http://www.myspace.com/ladylykez)

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Scizzahaz ft Dr Syntax & Kosyne – Directions (http://www.myspace.com/scizzahz)

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Influx – Step One (http://www.influxproduction.co.uk)

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The Last Skeptic ft Kashmere – Yin + Yang (http://www.myspace.com/thelastskeptikmusic)

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Illustrate – Do What You Like (http://www.headcountrecords.co.uk)

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Skrein ft Micall Parknsun & Smife – Poverty’s Paradise (http://www.myspace.com/skrein)

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Brighton-based Passenger, are full of stories to tell, with songs of heartbreak, disappointment, rejection, being jaded, you’d almost feel as if you’d have to sit down with yourself at the pub, beer in hand and contemplate life. Despite the lowliness to it, these words have a quirkiness about them and have probably found a place within all of us at some point or another.

If you prefer to live life at a faster pace, Passenger frontman Mike Rosenberg has written lyrics and loans his voice to “Torque of the Devil“, the forthcoming release from one of my all time favorites, Plump Djs!! “Torque of the Devil” appears on the hotly anticipated album ‘Headthrash‘, due for release 2nd June, available at Finger Lickin! Belgian boys The Subs have added their vibrant remix skills on Torque as well!! Check the above MySpace pages for a listen.

Beyond songwriting, Mike also dabbles in film editing. He has put together the nice animation featured above, for “Saturday Night TV“. Passenger are set to release their first EP, ‘Night Vision Binoculars‘, digitally in the US on 24th of June and will follow up with their debut album release, “Wicked Man’s Rest” late summer.

If you’re for an evening out with new and good sounds, then you’ll be pleased to know that Passenger will perform two shows in the US this June! Catch them, 9th June, Los Angeles, CA at Hotel Cafe and 11th June, New York, NY at Mercury Lounge.

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