That Filthy Shit

David Byrne & Brian Eno – Qu’ran

Brian Eno & David Byrne “My Life in The Bush Of Ghosts” on Sire Records

Eno combined with Byrne is nothing short of spectacular. Eno’s dark and subdued soundscapes matched with Byrnes knack for arrangement. Lp as a whole is definitely worth a listen. A recording of an exorcism was even used on the track “The Jezebel-Spirit”. Qu’ran is a dark growler of a middle eastern track that has dubstep potential.

Serum and Induce – afterburner (instrumental)

Slug & El-P – RPM (instrumental)

The Vapors Project: Slug & El-P 12” on Counterflow

“Afterbuner” The reason I bought this record is for this instrumental. The sound file is a shortened version. I started it where the track really gains my attention and where I would drop it in a mix. Swirling synth, heavy beat, and sludgy guitar riffs. FILTHY

“RPM” True to El-P’s form this is a dark one, psychadelic guitar loop , distortion, and a heavy backbeat with loud snares.

The Opus – The Fallen

The Opus Online

The Opus – 0.0.0; 12” on Ozone Music

Fanum & The Isle of Weight are the producing duo that make up The Opus. Chicago, IL. Evil soundscapes with heavy beats is there modus operandi. Producing since 94, they have two full lengths and a slew of 12”s under there belts. Worked with a number of mc’s and producers (most notably Dj Krush and Meat Beat Manifesto). “ The Fallen” deconstructs and reconstructs itself with a haunting melody, screaming horns, and a boom bap beat.

Tundra – Urban Quilt

Tundra “Good Drummer” from the Urban Quilt EP on Inner Current

I have to thank the Hobo for putting me on to this one.  I had seen it discussed on a couple of message boards…the cover indicating their might be some dark cityscape beats lurking.  True indeed, as this track should let you know.  The basslines and muted samples project the urban landscape, but this could just as easily be the soundtrack for a lonely Arctic Cat in a sea of white.  At any rate, the drums are hypnotic and this track is pretty ace.    A lone scrawl on last.fm indicates this Brooklyn-based DJ might be at work on a 2xLP.  I hope so.

DJ Cam – Return of the Jedi

DJ Cam “Return of the Jedi” from the DJ Cam 2 x 10″ No. 1 on Shadow Records.

I thought I’d make one of my early posts a tribute to one of the greats of the scene.  DJ Cam’s  “Mad Blunted Jazz” material is staple material for a lot of cats.  He established his name early on at the “Dawn of Trip-Hop” or whatever with hard drums and a deft mix of jazz samples.  “Return of the Jedi” is notable for the, uhhh, DRUMS which switch-up just at the right time, apparently prompted by a transmission from outer space.

Crescent – They are Rebuilding the City

Crescent “They are Rebuilding the City” from the Sun/They are Rebuilding the City 7″ on Planet Records

This record is really more of an indie-rock thing.  Crescent were on Domino out of the UK, making records in the mid to late 90s. The atmospherics of this song remind me of the recent MRR-ADM 10″: just some drums, a bass and in this case, sheets of noise in the form of guitar drones and feedback instead of analog synths.  The drummer on this one is probably not as proficient as Malcom Catto in the funk chamber, but he provides exactly what late-night smokers like me are looking for: a rock solid base from which to trip out.

Nettle – Defragmentation

Hailing from Spain, Nettle is comprised of Abdel Hak, Jenny Jones,
theone and only DJ /rupture, with assistance from Khalid Bennaji, and Greg Filastine (well get to him later). Releases are on Soot Records and the Agriculture. Like all of Netlles songs, the middle eastern sounds are very prevalent. Defragmentation is a prime example. For those impatient heads, skip to the 1:03 mark for some chinsplitting drums, or you could use that minute to reevaluate just what you think heavy drums really are.

EOSS – Carrot.mp3

True to the projects name, it lends an organic feel to it with subdued but still heavy drums. Moody organ with simple guitar samples make this a slowburner. Big ups to Toneburst Collective….jake trussell, /rupture…etc…

Timeblind – Desperado Move

Timeblind is a master of dense and dark soundscapes accompanied by abrasive beats. Desperado is just that. Melts itself and deconstructs itself seamlessly with keeping a sharp edge. Extensive catalogue with releases on Tigerbeat6, Dropbeat, Soot, Sound-Ink and Orthlorng music. Current output is in the global dub, grime, and dubstep scene. Highly recommended..

Riow Arai – New Thread

Riow Arai – Fleeting

Riow Arai – Break Roads

First things first, cats in Japan are serious with this shit. I found out about Riow Arai during a Dj Krush live show back in 2000. Necksnapping and compact beats are Riow’s game. Although a bit repetitive after awhile, he still does not fail to bring the sound.