Languis- In the Fields Of (Lonely Fences)

The Tuss- Alspacka

A fantastic interview with my friend Sam Valenti (of Ghostly fame) over at Murketing. The author, Rob Walker, writes the ever-reliable "Consumed" column in the NYT Sunday Magazine.

My friend Aaron recently mentioned he thought Jackson had a huge influence on the stuttering, cut-up, Ed Banger and co. sounds. I tend to agree. Here's a story I did for XLR8R awhile back (click the image for a larger version).

An excerpt:

The record cribs from his early flirtation with glitch, 80's electro and funk, but also emphasizes his early musical background as a drummer, albeit doing so via cut-up and recontextualized breaks.

If you haven't given the album a spin lately-- go back and check it out. I think you'll see how prescient his sound was. Now, I'm curious to see what he's going to do next. My guess is that his ultra fluid, 4/4 live sets will be a good indication of the next direction. In any case, I can't wait to hear it.

A great Al-Haca feature by Toby Warner (Earplug)

In the latest Rolling Stone, BPitch control artists Modeselektor are featured in the "Hit or Hype" section. The verdict?

"We haven't rocked out to music this rave-marish since parachute pants were all the rage. Say it with us: Never Again."
Verdict: Hype.

The new Modeselektor is one of the most interesting records I've had the pleasure to hear this year. Also, it has little or nothing to do with "Rave," at least in the comparison the writer is trying to make. I find it also quite interesting that the magazine fawns over MIA and her creative beatmaking, global influences, fashion style, etc. a few pages before.

I'm not denying that the new MIA album is quite good, but perhaps if the Modeselektor chaps had a glossier, pop-friendly public image, complete with tinny proclaimations about "power to the people" and garish neon clothing, they could be more palatable. Instead, they just make groundbreaking dance music that is an intelligent amalgam of several disparate genres. Rave being one of them. Dancehall, Dub, Industrial and Pop being others.

However, it's no surprise that traditional media can't wrap their heads around this. My advice: stick to your strike zone, Rolling Stone. Surely there's some new Pete Wentz news, or overhyped, derivative UK garage rock band to drool over.

Battle for Blogosphere Ballot Box Heats Up (Financial Times)

The Tuss- Shiz Ko E

A nice new mix from my friend Philip Sherburne. This installment is very minimal, but has more than enough swing to stay engaging. Very deep and hyponotic...a good one to lose yourself in. His first record, "Lumberjacking", is out on Lan Music in September.

Philip Sherburne- Chips the Light Fantastic Mix

Uusitalo- Korpikansa

Modeselektor- The White Flash (Feat. Thom Yorke)