Beatportal Feed

7 February, 2012 | 12.32PM

Tribute to J Dilla

Written by: BeatportSean
Filed under: Music News:

Celebrated this week are the anniversaries for both the birth and death of one of the most revered and inspiring producers in all of hop hop. J Dilla (born James Dewitt Yancey on February 7, 1974) died February 10, 2006, at the age of 32, of complications due to the combination of the autoimmune disease, Lupus and the rare blood disease TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura). His passing was a tragic loss, but his legacy lives on, continuing to inspire musicians and listeners around the world.

J Dilla’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan pays its respects and celebrates its hero this Friday, on the sixth anniversary of his death with Dilla Day Detroit. Featuring Busta Rhymes, Jay Electronica, Phife Dawg, Danny Brown, DJ J-ROcc, and more, the event marks the launch of the Yancey Media Group, responsible for the forthcoming Rebirth Of Detroit, an anthology of the producer’s work; proceeds from the event will support the J Dilla Foundation, which funds music-education programs in urban communities. Parallel events are scheduled in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Baltimore.

In remembrance of the late producer, we’ve put together a series of videos showcasing his work. Read on to check them out.

Happy birthday, Dilla! We miss you.

7 February, 2012 | 12.01PM

Introducing: Shades

Written by: mferry
Filed under: Music News: introducing shades synthemesc

Of the many exports of the gem state, one I would have least expected is quality live electronica. Idaho’s Shades, a four-man outfit, is at the forefront of the burgeoning (really) Boise scene, and their debut release, Clear Motions (Synthemesc Recordings) caught the ears of everyone that heard it coming down the content pipeline a few weeks back. It’s heated haze-wave to the core and is the perfect soundtrack to the upcoming summer season. Lucky for us, the guys had a few minutes to talk about their live act, their take on the modern electronic scene, and their plans for 2012. Read on for more!

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7 February, 2012 | 10.02AM

Beatport’s guides to dub, hip-hop, neo-soul + more

Written by: Beatportal
Filed under: Music News: black history month

Dance music is universal, but its roots overwhelmingly reach back to black cultures and their musical traditions around the world. Funk and soul are the source of disco, house, hip-hop, electro, jungle, even techno, and despite dance music’s global reach, many of its key innovations originated in black communities in cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York, and London. In recognition of Black History Month, we highlight some of the innovative icons who shaped the music, as well as the artists connecting today’s EDM with its roots in black culture.

Today, we offer guides to disco, neo soul, hip-hop, dub, and Afrofuturism—read on, and explore some essential dance-music history.

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7 February, 2012 | 7.06AM

On Rotation: Staff Picks Week 6

Written by: Beatportal
Filed under: Music News: on rotation staff picks

This week, our editors wax ecstatic over new releases from Goth-Trad, Jacob Korn, Tropic of Cancer, and a new mix of classic dub reggae. From chilly post-punk to deep house, you can go either way--either luxuriate in the freezing temperatures out there, or dream of sunnier days.

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7 February, 2012 | 4.09AM

Track Of The Day: Latecomer - Cosmic Cart (SoulPhiction Aced Out Remix)

Written by: beatportchristine
Filed under: Music News: faces records latecomer soulphiction track of the day

Young Muscovite Latecomer is just one from a batch of talented Russian producers that are currently putting their own spin on house music, a crew that counts Nina Kraviz, Vakula and Anton Zap amongst them. The multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer was discovered in 2011 by Motor City Drum Ensemble, and eagle-eyed house pundits ought to be familiar with the name--MCDE introduced him to the masses with the inclusion of the track “Cosmic Cart” in his celebrated DJ-Kicks compilation last summer.

7 February, 2012 | 12.06AM

Max Cooper talks with Traum Music Magazine

Written by: Beatportal
Filed under: Videos: max cooper, traum

Cologne’s Traum Schallplatten has grown into a sprawling conglomerate since it was founded in 1999, spinning off a wide array of sub-labels—Trapez, Trapez LTD, MBF, MBF LTD, Telrae, and more. The latest venture in their media empire is Traum Music Magazine, a series of interviews with the label’s artists.

Here, the versatile techno producer Max Cooper gives us an extensive look at his background, productions and performances in a 10-minute conversation with label founder Riley Reinhold (aka Triple R).

6 February, 2012 | 3.48PM

Borgore: Flex

Written by: BeatportSean
Filed under: Videos: borgore, buygore, dubstep, video

Naughty, naughty Borgore is at it again. The video for his upcoming single “Flex” has surfaced, and news of the EP has provided us some details of its contents. “Flex” will see remixes from Coven, Figure, and Document One, while Borgore sweetens the package with a tune featuring the vocals of LA indie-pop singer Dev. The EP is due for a full release in March, but you can catch the exclusive on Beatport coming February 27. In the meantime, check below for a behind-the-scenes-look at the video shoot.

6 February, 2012 | 1.30PM

Track Of The Day: Moon Boots - Aretha (Zimmer Remix)

Written by: mferry
Filed under: Music News: moon boots nurvous track of the day

The guys at Nurvous have once again graciously delivered us more deep-disco goodness from the city so nice they named it twice. Moon Boots, of French Express fame, unleashes ”Aretha," a blissed-out summertime deep-houser, smack dab in the middle of one of the most miserable winters on record. In typical low ‘n’ slow Nurvous style, “Aretha” is a sleazed-out take on the modern deep house sound. Rolling bass, chopped vocals, and an arpeggiated synth move the track through its unfortunately short duration, but thankfully there’s plenty of remixes in the package.

6 February, 2012 | 11.13AM

Beatport #1: Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl – In My Mind (Axwell Mix)

Written by: BeatportSean
Filed under: Music News: axtone axwell beatport #1 feenixpawl georgi kay ivan gough tv rock

Congratulations to Axwell, whose remix of Ivan Gough and Feenixpawl’s “In My Mind” just hit the #1 position on the Beatport Top 100!

His dance-floor touch tips the track, originally produced by Australia’s Ivan Gough (of TV Rock) his countrymen Feenixpawl, over the edge. The single enlists the vocal talents of award-winning vocalist Georgi Kay, and it looks as if both factions have soon-to-be-released projects in store with her.

If you’re in New York, be sure to check out Axwell ‘s upcoming opening of the Cosmic Opera dance event. Also be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming releases from his label Axtone.

Get the track on Beatport here, or keep reading to listen to an audio sample.

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6 February, 2012 | 9.30AM

Friction: Led Astray

Written by: BeatportSean
Filed under: Videos: drum & bass, friction, shogun audio, video

You might know Friction as head of Shogun Audio or as the artist whose many tracks took the DnB scene by storm last year. Either way, brace yourself for 2012 because Friction looks to be continuing his upwards trajectory. Here’s the latest video released via Friction, for the new track “Led Astray.” The tune is a monster with “peak-time raver” written all over it. News from the camp pins the single to a February 27th release, but it also looks as if we can expect a full artist album from Friction some time this year.

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6 February, 2012 | 6.30AM

Lucky Paul: Elephant Island

Written by: beatportchristine
Filed under: Videos: lucky paul, somethinksounds, wolf + lamb

London-Berlin collective Somethinksounds are premiering the video for Lucky Paul‘s forthcoming “Elephant Island” today; read on to see hear the forthcoming Elephant Island EP in full.

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6 February, 2012 | 4.34AM

Matthew Dear: In The Middle (I Met You There) feat. Jonny Pierce

Written by: beatportchristine
Filed under: Videos: ghostly, matthew dear, spectral, the subliminal kid, van rivers

The new video for Matthew Dear‘s ”In The Middle (I Met You There)” confirms Ghostly International‘s reputation as one the best labels for compelling, forward-thinking music, combined with with a genuine appreciation for progressive visual art.

Read on for more of Dear’s new sound and vision.

3 February, 2012 | 4.20PM

Sounds/To/Sample: Progressive House Melodics 2

Written by: mferry
Filed under: Music News: sounds to sample

With WMC only a mere two months away, it’s about time you started working on the anthem that could be played up and down South Beach the last week of March. If you need a little inspiration to get tweaking synths and sequencing your tracks, Sounds To Sample has the answer! Progressive House Melodics 2, constructed from scratch by Steed, is packed with 100 loops of screaming prog synths and a low end so fat, even a Funktion One stack will struggle to keep up with it. Also included are 60 MIDI files to help get you started on your own progressions that could end up playing out day three of Ultra! Pick up the pack here and peruse the rest of our production-focused sister site Sounds To Sample here. Now fire up those DAWs and VSTs and get to work!

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Jump start your productions on Sounds To Sample

3 February, 2012 | 1.02PM

Emika: Hit Me feat. Jimmy Edgar

Written by: Caleb Rakes
Filed under: Videos: emika, jimmy edgar, ninja tune

If I had a dollar for every time we wrote a post about Emika, I’d have, well, quite a few dollars. But when someone is as productive and exciting as Ninja Tune’s new protégé, then it’s hard not for us to continually update you.

We recently told you about her new video for “3 Hours,” co-produced by Jimmy Edgar and lifted from her debut album. Well, now there’s a video for the rework by none other than the multi-talented maestro (aka Mr. Creepy Autograph) himself, entitled “Hit Me.”

To coincide with this, Emika is also running a “rework” competition on her Soundcloud page. You can download the stems and upload your re-worked version of the track for a chance to win several exclusive goodies from the Berlin-based producer. For inspiration, check back at Beatport on February 13, when her new single drops.

3 February, 2012 | 11.12AM

Track Of The Day: Dismantle - Computation

Written by: Beatportal
Filed under: Music News: dismantle track of the day wheel & deal

Considering that this track’s release was back in September and leaders in dubstep had their hands on it for some time before that, we may be a little late in honoring this tune. Still, this is a track that’s become a part of a revolution in the bass scene that is well worthy of reaching back to highlight. Still collecting spins while most of its peers fall into dusty bins, Dismantle’s debut with ”Computation” has become one of the highlights of N-Type’s Wheel & Deal label. Its use of new sounds and elements in bass production has exposed many of the dubstep allegiance to a new world of crowd-pleasing alternatives to garden-variety wobble.