Today I have a couple tracks that are so hot out the oven, both were released no less than 24 hours ago as of the writing of this post.  Some two-step infused with solar energy, and plenty of earth-shaking bass to keep your subs content.

Charles Trees – The Dream – The Dream EP

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My man ‘ newest release is out today on Warp’s Bleep storefront, from Musique Large’s new Tour de Table series, it’s called The Dream, and it’s coming from a similar stylistic angle as his previous release on Moodgadget, Accepted Truth, with a bit more of a positive, care-free vibe, as abundantly evidenced by the EP’s titling choice. Considering his Fleetwood Mac edit as Mingus Rude, dreams appear to be a subject of musical interest to Charles.  The track’s synths paint a fantastic picture, made slightly nostalgic and blissfully swagged out by the halfway mark with even more keys and an accent of funk.  It calls on the sorts of memories and imaginings of those bygone ages, perhaps even before we were born, which we can only revisit in our dreams.

Blawan – Iddy – Fram/Iddy

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is Hessle Audio‘s newest signing, whose new single, released today, has been generating buzz and “what track is this?”-questions since it hit speakers.  There isn’t much info about this producer, from South Yorkshire, but tracks like this, low-rolling and moody, with an assault of wild and unpredictable metallic snare and tom hits to match the low-end sub assault, are more than enough to warrant more attention…let’s keep an eye on Blawan and Hessle for their A&R that carries a similar appeal to the likes of Hemlock and Hotflush, but with guys like Blawan– a colder, more technical style that keeps the label’s collective sound diverse, unique and original.

James Blake – Air & Lack Thereof – (single)

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Here’s another hot one on a similar tip, by , another artist with some new hotness on Hessle.  This track is bassically a classic before it’s newness has even faded, released last summer on the aforementioned Hemlock, I’ve heard it on some of my favorite dubstep mixes, it’s still absolutely mixable, and undeniably hype during the drops.  The intro is lovably mixable, and the meat of the track is satisfyingly full of flavor, between sub movements that force your entire body up and down, not just your head, and chopped up bits of processed soul sampling…deeee-lish.

Keith Murray – The Rhyme (Slum Village Remix) – AKA Yancey

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Finally, I figured I would finish things off with one of my absolute favorite hip hop tracks from out my vault of -produced material.  It’s a remix of , a killer track I always fall back on for its grittiness, matched only by a sense of self-assurance that leads listeners to understand the magnitude of hardship and tough sights that emcee’s like Murray have experienced.  The translation of struggle and strife into a resounding statement of determination, calling on the sorts of life-lighting aspects found throughout the human experience– camaraderie and hope that keep dispair and squalor at bay, feelings we can all relate to at one point, regardless of whether we dig hip hop or not.

Posted in Music Posted by on May 17 2010 05:38 pm

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