SLL EXCLUSIVE : DJ Clairvo - Suppa Shoota (MustBeat Crew) *FREE DL*

The MustBeat Crew

After many months plugging away on here, I'm delighted to announce our first EXCLUSIVE download from the MustBeat Crew over in Hungary.

MustBeat are a bunch of wicked DJs, musicians, party promoters and artists hailing from Budapest. Collectively they are skilled in all manner of artistic trades, not just producing music but also specialising in graphic design, video production and a whole host of other projects besides.

The team began life in the Listen! record shop in 1998 where they worked as booking agents for DJs alongside their graphic design work. Then when the shop closed in 2001 (such is the sad fate of so many decent wax retailers these days), the guys decided to pool resources to promote their own music and art under one brand. MustBeat was born, with this leading to the launch of their own record label in 2011.

In two short years they've been massively busy, putting out over 20 releases from artists the world over, with their output being met with high acclaim by a broad cross-section of DJs and music lovers alike - indeed, several records have already begun to make it into Juno's top-5.

I've been talking to one part of the outfit - DJ Clairvo (of Nynfus Corporation fame) - who put together a new take Wrongtom's 'Superteng' (which we reviewed a few months back) and has offered it up to SLL's readers exclusively for the princely sum of nowt! A great peak-time party vibe that offers a sympathetic update, maintaining the reggae bounce of the original and the full vocal whilst beefing-up the beats with a broken rhythm that is the trademark of much of MustBeat's stellar output.

A serious record. Big thanks to the guys for letting us have first dibs. :-)

Eagles For Hands - Holla *FREE DL*

The vibe

Upfront, uptempo, intelligent future bass. 'Holla' draws on the house and garage beats that have become so influential of late, coupled with dancefloor-devastating synth hooks. Expect to hear Eagles For Hands getting caned by all the main Radio 1 DJs this festival season.

Sounds like

Think Disclosure and you're on the right lines.

Serving suggestion

Perfect for making shapes in the lounge pre-club or on the floor at peak-time. In-car consumption discouraged owing to epic hands-in-air-bugger-not-on-steering-wheel moments.

Did you know?

Eagles For Hands can often be found playing free shows in Brighton…

eaglesforhands.com

Ovidio - Reflexiones (Harlum Muziq Remix) (Moulton) *FREE DL*

Another label that's been whetting my tastebuds of late has been San Francisco's Moulton stable.

On this free download from XLR8R, remixer Harlum Muziq knocks-out a hypnotic deep house version of Ovido's 'Reflexiones', a string-heavy, hypnotic and dubby rework.



I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this, but the track features an orchestral sample I've heard a million times before and always adored, but can't for the life of me remember where from. Any ideas from the avid trainspotters out there?

Anyhow, despite XLR8R's editorial team not really feeling the track, I'm loving what by my reckoning would be the perfect soundtrack to any loungy day by the beach this summer. Set padding it certainly is, but the very best kind in terms of the track's atmospheric quality.

'Reflexiones' is out now on Moulton Music via Beatport

Michael Jackson - Rock With You (The Reflex Re√ision) *FREE DL*

I'm starting the weekend massively overexcited by the news that The Reflex has finally made his absolutely killer Re√ision of MJ's 'Rock With You' available for free download via Soundcloud.



The track first emerged following a chance meeting between The Reflex and Gilles Peterson through DJ Day, who mentioned to Gilles that he had an edit of 'Rock With You' and that he'd 'done a little thing to it'. Understatement of the year probably.

The Reflex is famed for taking the master stems and re-imagining the studio recordings for a new generation. And this has to be his finest effort to-date, stripping the 1979 original back to bring greater emphasis on the timeless vocal, Rhodes melody, rhythm guitar and orchestral section, as well as beefing up the classic disco drum pattern.

Unfortunately, the only omission from this version is the intro as played by Gilles on Radio 6, which featured an original guide vocal for Michael as sang by its writer and former member of Heatwave, Rod Temperton. Still, this has to be one of the greatest edits of one of the greatest soul/disco records of all time. Simply brilliant.

Ellie Mae - Without You (A Stop.Look.Listen. Edition) FREE DL

Apologies for having been out of touch this last week - I've spent the last few days head-down in the studio which has consumed all my brainpower. I figured seeing as I spend so much time passing judgement on other people's music, I should work on my own stuff and put it out there for scrutiny. Plus it meant I could start messing with my new Vocoder. :-)

The track is a remix of 'Without You' by the gorgeous Ellie Mae, a singer-songwriter who I first met when she played at WIRED a few years back as the vocalist for Rigolo. It's been fully approved for release by Ellie, who's likened it to the Gotan Project sound. Praise indeed.

We've kept in touch whilst Ellie has been working on some beautiful acoustic melodies, culminating in her first studio EP 'Wash Away My Love'. Without You was my favourite inclusion; minimal, moody and moving, I just had to give it a splash of broken beat flavour. Check it out, download it, distribute it, enjoy it - and don't forget to check out Ellie's FreEP via the link below - it's ace!

Sola Rosa - Spinning Top feat. L.A. Mitchell (Way Up/Agogo Recordings)

I was just in the throws of finalising the playlist for this week's Podcast, when Agogo's latest release stopped me in my tracks. I've now been listening on repeat for the last 30 minutes...

New Zealand's Sola Rosa have teamed-up with soul goddess L.A. Mitchell on 'Spinning Top', a jazzy, feel-good soul number with an infectious nu funk groove. And then there's the video, which is genius in its simplicity and head-spinning camera work.



A great little package. But, hang on - the DJ Alias Soul Bass Remix is available for FREE DOWNLOAD (just as I was about to insist you buy it!) - see the Soundcloud stream and download link below.

And watch out for the new album 'Low and Behold, High and Beyond', out on 13th September via Agogo. 



'Spinning Top' is out now on Way Up/Agogo and for download via Bandcamp | solarosa.com

Handbook - Rare Ivory EP (Free Download)

Hailing from the home of wonderful ales and incredible tea, Handbook is a name which keeps cropping up, with the Yorkshire lad consistently delivering beats so inspired you'd be forgiven for thinking he was a veteran west coast producer.

Handbook's sound is a dreamy piano-led soundscape, giving more than a nod to the future beats scene but with a style uniquely his, weaving broken beat/hip-hop rhythms around uplifting instrumental samples to create infectious downtempo melodies.

His latest EP is no different - four brand new tracks and accompanying remixes to give the originals a lift for the funkier, housier floors. And all for gratis! A bargain indeed.

Handbook's 'Rare Ivory' EP is out now via Filthy Fortune Records, for free download via Bandcamp (see below)

Thabo & The Real Deal - Thabo & The Real Deal (Free Download)

Released back in 2011, this album is what the band call 'bare knuckle soul', their guiding principle being 'to make the kind of music Bob Marley would listen to if he were alive today'. This mantra has given Thabo and The Real Deal recognition from some of the biggest names in soul, supporting the likes of Eric Robertson, Leon Ware and Cody Chestnutt, all big SLL faves.

Their self-titled freEP is pure stripped-back soul, the guys opting for Fender Rhodes, percussion, acoustic guitar and vocals in place of the typical drum patterns and deep basslines. The result is an exceptionally pure, organic sound, Thabo's vocals floating perfectly atop the heavenly backing tracks. As I write this, I can only draw comparison with Zo!, such is the immense quality of this 4-tracker.

Sitting somewhere between soul, RnB and acoustic, this is a jaw-dropping release that requires repeated listens. Enjoy, and spread the word. Expect to hear much more from these guys.

'Thabo & The Real Deal' is out now as a free download via Bandcamp | thaboandtherealdeal.com

Tuxedo - So Good EP (Free Download)

This week I happened upon one of those free treats that just leaves you spellbound and kind of wishing you'd paid for these guys to keep making such incredible music.

The record in question is the Tuxedo EP by Tuxedo, an electro-funk smash arriving in perfect time for the summer (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway!). My favourite track comes in the form of 'So Good', an infectious, radio-friendly vibe with a super catchy feel-good vocal. That was until I heard the other two tracks: both 'Do It' and 'Get You Home' also dish-up some serious 80s-inspired soulful goodness.

We don't officially know who this/these guy(s)/girl(s) are (although I have a pretty good idea), but I intend to find out - we need to know. In the meantime, go grab the download from Soundcloud before someone inevitably picks this up and makes you, quite rightly, pay for the privilege. The logo design is serious too...

tuxedofunk.com

Ella Chi - Gobstopper [Ben Cox SLL Dub Instrumental]

Tonight I'm delving into the archives.

Here's a wee dub remix I did on Ella Chi's 'Gobstopper' after meeting the lovely lady numerous times through my sets at WIRED.

A soul goddess if every there was one, and a beautiful lady to boot. Here's my dub version for free download. Enjoy and feedback peeps!

Kid Loco x Captain Planet - My Daddy Ningani [Stop.Look.Listen. Lumpy Mash]

I was just in the toilet (where else??) and recalled this remix I put together last year. It came about while toying with a couple of my favourite tracks at the time, and by sheer fluke this little booty came together.

It’s a mash of Kid Loco - My Daddy Waza and the instrumental version of Captain Planet feat. Fredy Massamba – Ningani. I pinged it over to Dom Servini at Wah Wah 45s who thought it was worthy of radio airplay, but have sat on it since. All done on a rather sexy piece of software called mashup - get involved!

Anyway, here it is. Can't believe I neglected you lot! Download, play, and let me know what you think.

Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar (Ambassadeurs Reconstruct) [Download]

Another track I've got on repeat this week (and thus included on this week's Podcast) is the Ambassadeurs Reconstruct of Marvin Gaye's 'Ain't That Peculiar'.



Sporting that nu skool hip-hop vibe, this rework is driven by a huge, soulful electronic lead, as well as sharp, robotic organ stabs and crisp percussion. What I love most is that the track is not overly produced, as is the temptation with many producers looking to better a timeless soul classic. This is more a contemporary optimisation, a sensitive revision for the modern listener. It showcases Marvin's vocals perfectly and retains the depth of the original without trying to be too overbearing. A mean feat indeed.

Funnily enough, I've since found out that Mark Dobson, the name behind Ambassadeurs, is actually a guy I DJed for at a tech house night at Club EQ in Southsea many, many moons ago. A top bloke - it's great to see he's flourished into such an amazing producer.

Check the embedded download link in the SoundCloud widget above. | @AmbassadeursDJ‎ 

Chicha Libre - Danza de los Simpsons [Download]

I just had to post this - it's so catchy!

In that very Spanish/South American Señor Coconut style, Chicha Libre do wicked Latin covers of well-known tunes, in this case The Simpsons theme tune in 'La danza de los Simpsons'.

Discovered while listening to Robert Luis' Tru Thoughts radio show with my mates over a few barbecued 'snags' yesterday, this is a real fun, head-turning record that made everyone go quiet and toe-tap-head-nod.

The best bit: it's available as a free download via SoundCloud. Check the embedded download link below. Also available on this week's Podcast. | chichalibre.com

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #6

So here we go with Podcast Number 6, a special extended edition to make up for a few weeks away. Apparently I can fit three Tru Thoughts releases into one podcast - safe to say Robert Luis and the guys are on FIRE at the moment. Enjoy!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #6 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#6 - 22nd Apr 2013

01. George Ezra – It's Just My Skin (Bandcamp) [download]

02. Evil Needle – Radiance (Self Released) [download]

03. D33J – Park (Tape Version) (Self Released) [download]

04. Nefarious! – Buena Vista (Self Released) [download]

05. Ta-ku – ONEFORTREY (Soulection) [download]

06. Roane Namuh – Down Supreme (Bandcamp) [download]

07. El Ten Eleven – Thanks Bill (Com Truise Remix) (Fake) [download]

08. Ben Mono - The List (Bandcamp) [download]

09. Robin Thicke – Wanna Love You Girl (Sango Remix) (Self Released) [download]

10. Sango – On My Mind All the Time (Self Released) [download]

11. Ayanna Witter-Johnson – Roxanne (Bandcamp) [download]

12. Lady – Karma (Truth & Soul Promo)

13. Numbe:ra – There I Go feat. Frank Nitt (Tokyo Dawn Promo)

14. The Gene Dudley Group – The New Lots Of Cooperstown (Wah Wah 45s Promo) [download]

15. Homeboy Sandman – Peace & Love (Stones Throw Promo)

16. The Allergies – You Wouldn't Know (Riddim Fruit Promo)

17. Uraz Kurt – Beach Dance (Soulab Promo)

18. Hot 8 Brass Band – Milwaukee Fat (Tru Thoughts Promo)

19. London Posse – Money Mad (Wrongtom Remix) (Tru Thoughts Promo)

20. Olivier Daysoul – I Want You (Self Released) [download]

21. Mayer Hawthorne – Designer Drug (Self Released) [download]

22. The Hi-Fly Orchestra – Get Ready feat. Karl Frierson (Agogo Promo)

23. Alice Russell – Hard And Strong (Tru Thoughts Promo)

24. Kalabrese – Purple Rose (Sonar Kollektiv Promo)

25. The Knife – A Tooth For An Eye (Rabid Records Promo)

26. Omar – The Man (Maddslinky Remix) (Freestyle Promo)

27. Anushka – Yes Guess (Chesus R.A.W. Mix) (Brownswood Promo) [download]

28. TNGHT – ACRYLICS (Warp Promo)

29. D Tiberio – Lie/Losing Form (Turntable Promo)

30. JAW JAM – The Truth (Yoin's Nothing But The Truth Remix) (Tuff Wax Promo)

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