MODERN MASTERS — THEO PARRISH
electronic_ music
Seems fitting to be closing the decade with a post on Theo. I can’t think of any other producer whose had such an impact on me or who in my opinion has consistently come up with the goods in the last 10+ years. Like the other dons I’ve looked at in this series I don’t like everything he makes, but guaranteed I’ll love the sheer craftsmanship of his work and the fact he’s coming from such a unique place. If you listen closely to his productions you’ll hear that he’s got every layer in the mix working as hard as he can get it: whether that’s a filter on some hats or an eq’d clap, he’s on top of every detail, shaping and finessing. It’s the same when he plays out, as anyone whose checked him will testify, he’s glued to his dirty old desk constantly working the eq. Then when u bring his countless remixes & edits into account, we truly are looking at a Modern Master, no question.
So the hardest part of this series for me is gonna be which Theo tune to end on. I’ve gone a bit left here with a track whose theme is particularly relevant to me (us) at the moment. Hope u feel it.
Big up the ‘D’. See u in 2010, Quaid.
Theo Parrish — Timeislafinacharunninout
Buy here.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
BACK ONLINE
music
Except for some of the Friday Fusion posts which we’ll sort in the next couple.
SERVER PROBLEMS
music
Got a few technical glitches at the moment, back online shortly…
MODERN MASTERS — CARL CRAIG
electronic_ music
One of the most versatile producers out there. Naturally I’m more drawn to the jazzier side to Carl’s sound than his bangin’ Planet E vibe, but I’ve always loved his approach. Particularly when he applies his electronic aesthetic out of the traditional Techno context and when he’s working with live musicians.
Been a massive influence from that killer La Funk Mob remix back in the day through to his Innerzone Orchestra output, the Detroit Experiment and much more. The tune I’m dropping here is from the Detroit Experiment, the much rinsed ‘Think Twice’. Love the build on this one, the trademark analogue synth work and above all else that deep groove. Feel it. Q
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MODERN MASTERS — KENNY DIXON JNR
electronic_ music
I caught a show of his in the smoke a few years back. I remember saying as we we’re going in that I was hoping to see & hear something I’ve never checked before. In fact that didn’t happen till after the support acts came off. Then he dropped ‘Freaky Mutha’. Suddenly we had this sexy/surreal/fucked up combination of a booty shaking babe on stage with the man himself singing and posturing behind a sheet in the background, all with this killer track behind it (the first time I’d heard it, so it was super heavy).
The high expectations I had for him as a performer came from my love and appreciation of KDJ as a producer — making music that is utterly unique to him whilst sounding both strangely familiar and like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Particularly like the Prince influence that runs through ‘Freaky Mutha’ & the tune I’m gonna drop here, ‘Rectify’.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
MUSIC FROM THE FUTURE (PART 4)
music_ scifi_ unified theory
We go from the experimental to the mainstream: a little something from 1979’s ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’. It’s scored by composer Stu Phillips who put together the soundtrack to the original ‘Battlestar Galactica’ series a year earlier — so he’s no don by any stretch of the imagination.
And for the most part it’s a by-the-numbers Hollywood soundtrack, but this track ‘Something Kinda Funky’, taken from the film’s spacey disco scene, does have some nice synth work and syncopated drum programming (courtesy of Ian Underwood from Frank Zappa’s The Mothers of Invention) if you can get over the cheesy lead b-line…
Stu Phillips — Something Kinda Funky
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
FRIDAY FUSION
music_ unified theory
I wanted to find a selection that represented a fine example of Cold War Eastern European fusion. There is only one stable that can offer the full range of fusion flavours east of the iron curtain and that is MPS. I’ve been dipping into their back catalogue for some time now and, as often with fusion, it’s a hit and miss affair. From the 60’s folky/jazz of Dave Pike, George Duke’s albums of the early sevs to the various prog flavours of late sevs early 80’s there is loads to discover. Like this little gem from Dutch keyboard legend Jasper van’t Hof. Enjoy.
Jasper van’t Hof — Titty Chickie
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Punch it!
scifi_ video
A collection of hyperspace clips from films.
via kottke
COSMIC CONNECTIONS
disco jesus_ mixtapes
It’s a particularly spacey selection this month, with Disco Basso at the controls who puts together a mix of deep synth, cosmic jazz, & kraut. Get it here.
MODERN MASTERS — OMAR S
electronic_ music
What I like about Omar S is that whole stripped back aesthetic. Not minimal exactly, just raw — getting straight to the point. He also comes from that generation of Detroit producers who mixes in the Hip Hop influence to his sound, whether that’s a slower, head nodding bpm or more beat driven grooves. He’s also open about the fact that much of his music is meant to be played in the mix, not DJ food as such but maybe just bubbling away under another tune. I don’t like everything he does, but he’s definitely a big influence, and I’ve rinsed the tunes I do like on my last couple of mixtapes. The tune I’m dropping here I first heard on Jez Proctors super deep ‘4am in Detroit‘ and yeah it probably works best in the mix than standalone, but I like it either way, check it yourself. Q
Omar S website. Buy his music here.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Featured
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
