Downbeat | Electronica | Leftfield 207 Items

10 years of RJD2ism and here we go with the 4th album.

Wintermusik’ was recorded on the 21st and 22nd of December 2007 at Durton Studio. It was originally intended as a Christmas present for my family and friends. ‘Wintermusik’ is 30 minutes of pure improvised piano music combined with celeste and reed organ.

Shortly after the release of his hugely successful album “Death Star Droid” , Robot Koch returns with this Remix EP, that also includes 2 brand new tunes by the sleepless robot.On this EP, Robot gathered some friends and like minded artists from around the globe to flip his original compositions.
The EP kicks off with a brand new original tune from Robot Koch: “Blind” featuring Grace on vocals, who also appeard as a guest vocalist on on Death Star Droid.
Robot and Grace are working on some new stunning material at the moment that will come out sometime in fall 2010.
When Robot played in NY last time, he met Brooklyn based band Body Language, who release on Machine Drum's Normrex label, and shared a stage with them at Coco66 in brooklyn.
For this EP Robot remixed their tune “New day” and they made a surprising flip of Koch's dubstep infused album tune “Gorom Sen” in return.
Robot's berlin mate fLlako, who recently grabbed the attention of the likes of Giles Peterson and Stones Throw, make a nice re-edit of the title track of Robot's album: “Death Star Droid”.
Phon.o (of CLP/Shitkatapult fame) took the club banger potential of the tune “Gorom Sen” to the next level and made it sound like zomby and boy 8 bit jamming it out.
Upcoming beatmaker Shlohmo from San Francisco also remixed “Gorom Sen”, making some noise on the blogoshpere about it prior to the release already.
Loops Haunt from Scotland, who could be found recently in Rustie's Fact magazine mixtape and Hudson Mohawke's BBC Essential Mix, made a ten remix of “Gorom Sen”.
Producer Beat Laden from Portugal, that recently caught attention with his KUBO remix on man recordings gave that original sengalese vocal scatting a rerub and turned it into a solid club banger.
Talen, from Switzerland made their very own unique interpretation of Robot Koch's frenetic original.
And last but for sure not least, UK Producer Blue Daisy made a sublime remix of the song “While” feat. Manya one of the few vocal tracks on Robot Koch's Album. His mix does the cinematic original justice and takes it even further out of space or underwater. A pure sound trip.

Authentic Blue Eyed Soul. Jamie Lidell fans, listen up!

Finally new material from suisse wonderboy Dimlite, now on Stones Throw's Now Again label.

After last year's release “Death Star Droid” Berlin stromtrooper Robot Koch kept himself busy. He finished off the new Jahcoozi album “Barefoot Wanderer” which is coming out on BPitch this spring. Coinciding with the release of his “Death Star Droid Remix EP” (incl fresh mixes by Loops Haunt, Blue Daisy etc). Robot Koch was on tour in the USA and Mexico, stopping by in LA for a stunning gig at Low End Theory and finally settled down for 2 months in Mexcio City, where he found time to work on new material with his girlfriend and singer Grace . Visiting some ancient Maya and Atztec sites and Pyramids sure added to the spaced out magic of the new EP. The new material is dark, percussive and surreal. Like an audible painting my leonora carrington. Its dubby but not dubstep, rather next step maybe. The songs are heavy and dripping with analog and organic sounds…. Lo Fi field recording mashed up with heavy bass and unquantized grooves. Live sounds like guitars work like samples. Vocal talent Grace, that was already featured on the Death Star Droid album and the last EP brings in a dark and yet soulful gospel vibe over Koch’s twisted beat concoctions. This EP is only a taster of the new album that should be ready to drop in october on Project: Mooncircle. In the meantime Koch will keep himself busy with playing shows (with Dorian Concept, Stagga, Darkstar, Boxcutter) and festivals including a live show appearance at this year's Sonar Festival.

The Q4 is a Dutch production trio consisting of sampling specialists Sense, Arts the Beatdoctor and STW. Although their collage of sounds covers bits of many genres, it is generally perceived as hip-hop or trip-hop. Numerous of obscure records are worked into every song with the greatest of care, often accompanied by live instrumentation or scratches giving their music an organic feel.

The Q4’s name refers to the quadraphonic sound systems that where used in the seventies, as one of the earlier forms of surround sound installations. Hence the title: Sound Surroundings for their critically acclaimed debut that was released on the 22nd of January 2010 through Project: Mooncircle. Aside from instrumental songs the album also features a number of guest vocalists, ranging from rappers to flamenco and blues singers.

Their upcoming release Darker Days however will be fully instrumental and features four original new tracks and two remixes. The 12 Inch comes with a promotional cassette (yes, a cassette!) on which another new TheQ4 song can be found, as well as an introduction to Shahmen, one of Sense’s solo projects which will be released in April/September through Project: Mooncircle.

The Q4 is a Dutch production trio consisting of sampling specialists Sense, Arts the Beatdoctor and STW. Although their collage of sounds covers bits of many genres, it is generally perceived as hip-hop or trip-hop. Numerous of obscure records are worked into every song with the greatest of care, often accompanied by live instrumentation or scratches giving their music an organic feel.

The Q4’s name refers to the quadraphonic sound systems that where used in the seventies, as one of the earlier forms of surround sound installations. Hence the title: Sound Surroundings for their critically acclaimed debut that was released on the 22nd of January 2010 through Project: Mooncircle. Aside from instrumental songs the album also features a number of guest vocalists, ranging from rappers to flamenco and blues singers.

Their upcoming release Darker Days however will be fully instrumental and features four original new tracks and two remixes. The 12 Inch comes with a promotional cassette (yes, a cassette!) on which another new TheQ4 song can be found, as well as an introduction to Shahmen, one of Sense’s solo projects which will be released in April/September through Project: Mooncircle.

Simon Green aka Bonobo returns with his fourth, most eagerly-anticipated and most accomplished album to date, the magnificent Black Sands on Ninjaaa Tune!

Handsome and mysterious Dane Trentemøller will release his sophomore LP at the end of May entitled Into the Great Wide Yonder. The man, who constantly offers up musical surprises for us, will release his first single ‘Sycamore Feeling’ in early April via his own label In My Room.

Numaads sounds different, looks different and thinks different.

Esperanzah is like a siren calling the listeners to her as she floats on the ocean of sound, created by her long time friend and musical partner Sense (of The Q4 and Shahmen). Her smooth earthy rap voice and angelic singing are carried beautifully by the strong drums and atmospheric vibes, and speaks to us of realignment with nature, with our roots and with ourselves.

Sense skillfully combines original use of sampling, interweaved with organic instrumentation, to sculpt a sound that carries an almost mystical atmosphere. He is a craftsman who has been perfecting his art for many years and is now coming forth in to the light.

The record features four original songs and two remixes of the title song Now, by renowned producers Robot Koch and J Rawls.

This limited 7inch introduces Andreikelos with a catchy downtempo tune on which mediterranean flavour meets electronic sounds as the traditional Greek organ bouzouki smoothly flows over an abstract hip-hop beat. Also includes dubstep remix by Earthkeptwarm. Includes free download code with additonal track.

The 'Dub To Go EP' represents the first teaser for the upcoming Kabanjak solo album 'Tree of Mystery' which will be released by ESL Music in the late summer of 2010.

Into his 25th year as a DJ, Aardvarck comes with his second full length album for Eat Concrete Records. Much in the vein of his Bloom series, but in an album context with songs and lush internoodley bits.. currently on rotation from Thom York.. TIP!
With 'Choice', Aardvarck has created one of his finest selections to date. The 22 tracks go in all directions Aardvarck is known for: from bass-heavy dub to lush soundscapes, broken beats and soul vocals. After a few introducing words by Gaslamp Killer, the beautiful 'Lucky Shot' features vocals by Alexandra. The following cinematic and hypnotising ambient-like pieces are sometimes reminiscent of Boards of Canada and the Aardvarck classic ‘Find the Cow’. From then onward we are treated with songs similar to some of the recent 'Bloom' releases, displaying a taste for heavy bass, beats and dub samples. Yet 'Choice' has more to offer than dj-food alone; the album flows like a mix and keeps a light and fresh vibe along the way with lots of sketches and interludes. Aardvarck also offers some definite classics with 'Heal' and 'Find the Cow Almost', featuring guest vocals on both tracks. Timeless.

While Cosmogramma is a monolithic convergence of 20th and 21st century musical forms, high in concept and wide in musical collaboration, Pattern+Grid World pulls the focus back to Steven Ellison and his machines. These machines are speaking (and possibly looking as well, judging by the EP's cover) from the go, as "Clay" introduces itself in a fog of synth and vocoder and gives way to one of the many surprises here, the schizophrenic ping-ponging electro of "Kill Your Co-Workers". Drenched in alternating melodies, it's a synthetic counterpart to the grand string and harp arrangements of Cosmogramma, making acclaimed illustrator Theo Ellsworth's subtly psychedelic cover image of vision-through-noise all the more intimate.

When Flying Lotus records hit their stride, all buttons labeled "pause" and "stop" disappear, and this one is no different. "Pie Face" is led by icy keys that could almost be mistaken for classic grime, before the stoned plastic marching band steps in. "Time Vampires" amazingly lands somewhere between vintage DJ Premier and Lee Hazelwood, while the stripped back bass and drum explorations of "Jurassic Notion/M Theory" are as shamanic and ceremonial as anything you're likely to hear come out of California. If "Camera Day" brings to mind a certain crew of dungeon-dwelling ATLiens, it won't come as much of a surprise that Killer Mike found its syrupy bounce recently inspiring.

Much of the messages surrounding Cosmogramma's release as well as reportage on the world's ever-emerging beat scenes has painted a picture of Flying Lotus as a patriarchal figure blazing the trail for scores of young artists with new conceptual notions of what can be done with a drum machine and a dream. While this notion is certainly not inaccurate, it sometimes overshadows the fact that FlyLo is also an incredibly singular entity. However, as "Physics For Everyone!" stutters to a close, if you listen closely you might just make out the sound of another kid in his room somewhere in the world, anxiously tapping out his first beat.

Even in the land of the rising sun, during the last months the enthusiasm for eccentric rhythms has increased. More and more young beat maker in Japan emulate their models J Dilla, Flying Lotus or Hudson Mohawke. This new generation of beat smiths understood Hip-Hop not as a mere pose, but as an aesthetic principle, in which it is explored, where the boundaries of this music style lie. The artistic crucial questions are therefore: How can you make known subjects in other contexts? How abstract can it be? Some of these emerging artists, we can now gather on this download Compilation. It’s a good way to become familiar with these extraordinary artists. So the Compilation shows the wide range of this emerging beat music scene, the originality of each artists. The title of the records tries to reduce very different types of artists to a common denominator: Finest ego.
The compilation includes BudaMunk, a.z, Daisuke Tanabe, The Astronotes, Dj Olive Oil, FERRARI, RLP, SATO, Ogiyy, ichiro_, Eccy & Himuro Yoshiteru.
Design by LGB5. A&R by Akira Inagawa & Gordon Gieseking. Mixed & Mastered by Sven Friederichs.

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After last year's release of his debut full length album entitled “Death Star Droid” Berlin stromtrooper Robot Koch kept himself hella busy. In 2010 alone he dropped the new Jahcoozi album “Barefoot Wanderer” on BPitch, released his EP “Listen To Them Fade“ on Project:Mooncircle, did a bunch of remixes and productions for both major and indie artsits and played stunnig live shows everywhere from Low End Theory in LA to the Sonar Festival in Barcelona.

And now he's back to do some serious damage with his 2nd LP “Songs for Trees and Cyborgs”.

The album shows Robot’s versatility as a producer – it mixes and blends fresh, forward thinking electronic beats with heartfelt melodies and organic live instumentation.

On choice tracks Mr. Koch teams up with the likes of Boxcutter (Planet Mu), 1000 Names (Black Acre), Doshy (Robox Neotech), RQM (Baby Sumo) and Graciela Maria (Project Mooncircle) to present the point where dubstep, hip-hop and its myriad of influences fuse into a kaleidoscopic collage of sounds.

Artwork by 44 Flavours.

After last year's release of his debut full length album entitled “Death Star Droid” Berlin stromtrooper Robot Koch kept himself hella busy. In 2010 alone he dropped the new Jahcoozi album “Barefoot Wanderer” on BPitch, released his EP “Listen To Them Fade“ on Project:Mooncircle, did a bunch of remixes and productions for both major and indie artsits and played stunnig live shows everywhere from Low End Theory in LA to the Sonar Festival in Barcelona.

And now he's back to do some serious damage with his 2nd LP “Songs for Trees and Cyborgs”.

The album shows Robot’s versatility as a producer – it mixes and blends fresh, forward thinking electronic beats with heartfelt melodies and organic live instumentation.

On choice tracks Mr. Koch teams up with the likes of Boxcutter (Planet Mu), 1000 Names (Black Acre), Doshy (Robox Neotech), RQM (Baby Sumo) and Graciela Maria (Project Mooncircle) to present the point where dubstep, hip-hop and its myriad of influences fuse into a kaleidoscopic collage of sounds.

Artwork by 44 Flavours.

/ C-Minus Particles ... produced by Moonstarr

Gorillaz strike back, this time feat. Snoop Dogg, Kano, Mos Def, Lou Reed, De La Soul & Bobby Womack!

After last year's release of his debut full length album entitled “Death Star Droid” Berlin stromtrooper Robot Koch kept himself hella busy. In 2010 alone he dropped the new Jahcoozi album “Barefoot Wanderer” on BPitch, released his EP “Listen To Them Fade“ on Project:Mooncircle, did a bunch of remixes and productions for both major and indie artsits and played stunnig live shows everywhere from Low End Theory in LA to the Sonar Festival in Barcelona.

And now he's back to do some serious damage with his 2nd LP “Songs for Trees and Cyborgs”.

The album shows Robot’s versatility as a producer – it mixes and blends fresh, forward thinking electronic beats with heartfelt melodies and organic live instumentation.

On choice tracks Mr. Koch teams up with the likes of Boxcutter (Planet Mu), 1000 Names (Black Acre), Doshy (Robox Neotech), RQM (Baby Sumo) and Graciela Maria (Project Mooncircle) to present the point where dubstep, hip-hop and its myriad of influences fuse into a kaleidoscopic collage of sounds.

Artwork by 44 Flavours.

After last year's release of his debut full length album entitled “Death Star Droid” Berlin stromtrooper Robot Koch kept himself hella busy. In 2010 alone he dropped the new Jahcoozi album “Barefoot Wanderer” on BPitch, released his EP “Listen To Them Fade“ on Project:Mooncircle, did a bunch of remixes and productions for both major and indie artsits and played stunnig live shows everywhere from Low End Theory in LA to the Sonar Festival in Barcelona.

And now he's back to do some serious damage with his 2nd LP “Songs for Trees and Cyborgs”.

The album shows Robot’s versatility as a producer – it mixes and blends fresh, forward thinking electronic beats with heartfelt melodies and organic live instumentation.

On choice tracks Mr. Koch teams up with the likes of Boxcutter (Planet Mu), 1000 Names (Black Acre), Doshy (Robox Neotech), RQM (Baby Sumo) and Graciela Maria (Project Mooncircle) to present the point where dubstep, hip-hop and its myriad of influences fuse into a kaleidoscopic collage of sounds.

Artwork by 44 Flavours.

Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century Greek astronomer Ptolemy and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. In the sky Cassiopeia sits with Andromeda on the South side. In Greek mythology it was considered to represent the vain queen Cassiopeia, who boasted about her unrivalled beauty.
This album is a mix between different sides of the concept of “Cassiopeia”. It’s about life, the universe, humans and the future. Cassiopeia includes musical approaches comparable to Prefuse 73, Robot Koch and Kryptic Minds. The record is predominantly Hip Hop, but features tracks with other artists that are not strictly part of this genre such as BekBekson, Verhovski and Fancy Mike. Pavel’s music is a trip into a fable and his medium is the music of different genres: Hip Hop, Dubstep, Glitch, Wonky and Downbeat, used to form pictures. His work is free spirited and there are hints of feelings, allusions, enigma and mystery. We won’t get into the inner workings of his music, how it finds its way into the hearts and souls of the audience, the important thing is that it serves its purpose. Tracks such as “LA” or “Andromeda” are very personal statements from Pavel, “Quant Magic” is composed using Overtone, Didgeridoo, Boomerang, Yedaki and other Australian instruments. “Sacred Chants Of Shiva” seizes the listener with a sensation of restlessness.
Pavel Dovgal’s “Cassiopeia”, the incision between intergalactic music and the human soul. The same formula that has been present for over a thousand years.

Cassiopeia is a constellation in the northern sky. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century Greek astronomer Ptolemy and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. In the sky Cassiopeia sits with Andromeda on the South side. In Greek mythology it was considered to represent the vain queen Cassiopeia, who boasted about her unrivalled beauty.
This album is a mix between different sides of the concept of “Cassiopeia”. It’s about life, the universe, humans and the future. Cassiopeia includes musical approaches comparable to Prefuse 73, Robot Koch and Kryptic Minds. The record is predominantly Hip Hop, but features tracks with other artists that are not strictly part of this genre such as BekBekson, Verhovski and Fancy Mike. Pavel’s music is a trip into a fable and his medium is the music of different genres: Hip Hop, Dubstep, Glitch, Wonky and Downbeat, used to form pictures. His work is free spirited and there are hints of feelings, allusions, enigma and mystery. We won’t get into the inner workings of his music, how it finds its way into the hearts and souls of the audience, the important thing is that it serves its purpose. Tracks such as “LA” or “Andromeda” are very personal statements from Pavel, “Quant Magic” is composed using Overtone, Didgeridoo, Boomerang, Yedaki and other Australian instruments. “Sacred Chants Of Shiva” seizes the listener with a sensation of restlessness.
Pavel Dovgal’s “Cassiopeia”, the incision between intergalactic music and the human soul. The same formula that has been present for over a thousand years.

Self-titled debut, Anika, produced by Geoff Barrow of Portishead.

This is a story about a young Russian girl named Jinna Morocha who had a vision of one day flying to the Moon.
Many years ago during the hard times of life in Moscow, the young girl saw the Moon consciously for the first time and at that very moment the dream began. These vivid thoughts remained in her mind and she started to ask herself “How can I get to the Moon?“. Soon she found the label Project: Mooncircle over the internet and told them her story, at once she saw a chance to come a few steps closer to her dream. By now Jinna lived in Germany and it was possible for her and the label to meet, her key question was “Can you bring me to the Moon?“. The answer was a faltering “No, but maybe we can let you fly to the Moon in your mind. Let’s build the soundtrack to this vision, close your eyes, clear your thoughts and let us begin on your journey“.

That was the beginning of “The Moon Comes Closer“, come embark upon this voyage with us lead by the next level soundscapes of:

Robot Koch, fLako, Pavel Dovgal, I.D. 4 Windz, John Robinson, Lambent, 813, Nienvox, Juj, Mr Cooper, MyOwn, Long Arm, Daisuke Tanabe, Graciela Maria, Scienz Of Life, Andy Kayes, Abnormal, Capella, Comfort Fit, Kansano, Gards From KC, Puzzle, Sense of The Q4, Sotu The Traveller, V. Raeter, Himuro Yoshiteru, Skyence, Dexter, Portformat, 40 Winks, Dela, Brazzaville & Killing Skills.

Raphael gets the Gilles treatment and the people love it as well.

The tendency towards advanced beats seems to be more and more a global phenomenon. As we already have said: Decentred beats for decentred people. During the last few years arose also in Russia a small, loosely networked scene of people, who have experimented with Hip Hop-beats. But in this case, the young Russians have no examples or references for this kind of music in the musical culture of their own country. All of their inspirations are taken from blogs and from the intensive study of their role models worldwide. The result is an organic, very playful, snappy and jazzy sound, which is carried by a common vibe, but is in the same way as diverse as the finest egos of the artists themselves.

The compilation includes Pavel Dovgal, DZA, Pixelord, Demokracy, Moa Pillar, Arktor, Shawalski, Myown, Nienvox, 813 and Long Arm.

В течении нескольких лет появилось все больше и больше музыкантов,экспериментирующих с хип-хопом.А делать это не легко,так как в России beat культура развита не так хорошо как на западе.Но ребятам удается создавать свой собственный,непохожий на других,стиль,и это не может не радовать.Мы представляем Вам второй сборник серии Finest Ego,с такими музыкантами как Pavel Dovgal,DZA,Pixelord,Demokracy,Moa Pillar,Arktor,Shawalski,Myown,Nienvox,813 и Long Arm.В итоге сборник получился очень разнообразный,некоторые треки звучат джазово и органично,а некоторые наоборот,можно даже отнести больше к дабстепу,чем к хип-хопу.

Design by LGB5. A&R by Jinna Morocha & Gordon Gieseking. Mixed & Mastered by Sven Friederichs.

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‘Mini Tollbooth’ is inspired by a novel called Phantom Tollbooth. The film adaptation from 1961 is so beautiful. I like to get lost in these childish worlds of freedom, where everything is possible. This modern fairy tale is about a young boy named Milo who is bored by the world around him. He feels everything is a waste of time. He comes home from school one day to find in his bedroom an anonymous package containing a miniature tollbooth and a map of the Lands Beyond. He takes the map, drives through in his toy car, and instantly finds himself driving on a road to Expectations. Enjoying the ride, he pays no attention to his route and soon becomes lost in the Doldrums, a colorless place where thinking and laughing are not allowed. He is having plenty more adventures like watching Chroma the Great conduct his orchestra in playing the colors of the
sunset or meeting The Awful Dynne, a genie who collects noises for Dr. Dischord. – fLako

All Songs produced by fLako.
All Vocals by Dirg Gerner.
Except Vocals by Shuanise.
Art Design by Iain Macarthur.

Incredibly versatile debut album from the one and only Toro Y Moi. Think of Madlib and Thomas Bangalter producing the next Panda Bear album and you’re halfway there.

"The Branches" album is a reflection of a world, where human feelings and natural powers are bound together. Everything is correlated in this world. There is no alive-dead distinction. The season change depends just on state of mind. Every move, every wind breath, every sound brings an information, opened for everyone who believes and ready to accept it, who hears and knows how to listen.

A staggering work of mind-warping electronics, fuzzed-out psych and devastating hip-hop beats, the impending release of Ctrl Alt Delete will catapult Free The Robots to the forefront of the world renowned L.A. beat scene.

The most anticipated … what more can we say? Double gatefold vinyl with printed innersleeves!

Timely reissue!!

180g Vinyl

On 11 October 2010, Brainfeeder released the debut album by a 23 year old ex-skater, painter and music producer from Chino Hills called Teebs (real name Mtendere Mandowa). The title 'Ardour' means great enthusiasm, love or passion and was a fitting descriptor for his inherently warm, lushly textured beats. It’s an undisputed classic in the Brainfeeder canon and more widely considered an essential chapter in the ever-evolving puzzle of the global “beat scene”.

Brainfeeder and Teebs are celebrating the 10th anniversary with a limited special edition reissue of this landmark record. Pressed on deep pink 2LP and housed in a beautiful gatefold sleeve with artwork by Teebs himself, the new edition features six previously unreleased bonus tracks.

With roots at the ‘My Hollow Drum’ collective, Dublab and Low End Theory, Teebs has been a staple in Los Angeles music. “My creative family in LA is so important,” he explains. “It’s a part of who I am when I step outside and how others in LA view me. I love the feeling of community and trying to understand how I can be useful in it.”

Following 'Ardour' (2010), Teebs released 'Collections' (2011), 'Estara' (2014) and, after a 5 year hiatus, his most recent album 'Anicca' in 2019, with the help of a host of musical friends including Panda Bear (Animal Collective), Sudan Archives, Ringgo Ancheta aka MNDSGN, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Anna Wise. Universally acclaimed, Pitchfork gave 'Anicca' a glowing 7.8 review hailing Mandowa’s “effortless, shape-shifting tracks that make time stand still.” Meanwhile, FADER described the record as “deeply atmospheric... cool-headed and uncanny.”

Marcus Fischer's Monocoastal is one of the most defining moments in the arc of 12k's evolution. Released over 10 years ago (CD, 12k1063) and long-since out of print, Monocoastal shaped the sound to come for the label for a decade and beyond. It was also Marcus Fischer's debut release and he would go on to become one of the staple roster members of 12k as a tour partner and collaborator.

Gorillaz strike back, this time feat. Snoop Dogg, Kano, Mos Def, Lou Reed, De La Soul & Bobby Womack!