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. :-)

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!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #13

So to episode 13 of the podcast.

This week's shenanigans are very much focussed on the future beat side of things, but with the usual splash of neo-soul, funk and housey flavour, most of which is out there for free download. Lovely jubbley. 

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #13 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#13 - 10th June 2013

01. Jono McCleery - Painted Blue (Ninja Tune Promo) [download]

02. Kid Smpl - I Think It's Gone (devonwho Remix) (Hush Hush Records Promo) [download]

03. Laura Mvula - Green Garden (DJAO Remix) (white) [download]

04. SmokedBeat - Hall Street (Millenium Jazz Music Promo) [download]

05. Handbook - Intensify (Am I Real?) (Filthy Fortune Records Promo) [download]

06. Nikitch - Hate Or Wait (Darker Than Wax Promo) [download]

07. LDFD - Twerk It (white) [download]

08. Paul White - Watch The Ants (One-Handed Music Promo)

09. Quantic & Alice Russell with the Combo Barbaro - I'd Cry (Tru Thought Promo)

10. Amel Larrieux - For Real (IAMNOBODI RMX) (white) [download]

11. Dezaray Dawn - Don't You Dare (white)

12. Georgia Anne Muldrow - Akosua (Mello Music Group Promo) [download]

13. The Art of Fresh - The Chase (Catch Me If You Can)  (Bandcamp) [download]

14. Ta-ku - Know You (stillmuzik Promo) [download]

15. Tuxedo - So Good (white) [download]

16. Jill Scott - Golden (Kaytranada's Life Living Edition) (white) [download]

17. Uptown Funk Empire - You've Got To Have Freedom (Patchworks Remix) (Soulab Promo)

18. Henri-Pierre Noël - A Fifth Of Beethoven (Wah Wah 45s Promo)

19. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On? (Roundhouse Kick Remix) (white) [download]

20. Octa Push - Green Limo (Senseless Promo) [download]

21. Lokiboi - All Nighter (Somethingsounds Promo) [download]

Automixed with Algoriddim Djay for iPad

Style: Standard | Duration: 2.0 seconds | Auto-Sync BPM: OFF | Trigger Before End: 5 seconds

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #12

Marking the Queen's birthday here in Oz, things have gone a bit soulful/R&B this week, mainly down to the man Steve Ripley over at Soulfood who continues to prove himself a complete music superstar.

Tracks come from Diggs Duke following this week's interview with Tall Black Guy, plus the usual crazy niceness with two tracks from Omar's much-anticipated new album 'The Man', more biggies from Tru Thoughts, First Word, Ninja Tune and Stones Throw, alongside a fresh REFLEX take on Daft Punk and my very own Bastard Jazz edit. Have a wee listen, my good friend.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #12 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#12 - 3rd June 2013

01. Diggs Duke feat. Vaughan Octavia - Is It Love? (Thundercat Cover) (Bandcamp) [download]

02. B.jamelle - Rose Tea (Bandcamp) [download]

03. Sheree Brown - Time For The Party (Expansion Promo)

04. Timotha Lanae - ALBUM TRACK 2 [UNKNOWN]

05. C. Robert Walker - Something's Going On (Expansion Promo)

06. Omar - Fuck War, Make Love (Freestyle Promo)

07. Omar - Simplify (Freestyle Promo)

08. Quasimoto - Brothers Can't See Me (Stones Throw Promo)

09. Natural Self - An Invisible Light (Tru Thoughts Promo)

10. Nickodemus feat. Sammy Ayala - Baila Tu Manera (Whiskey Barons Remix) (Wonderwheel Promo)

11. The Impellers - Do What I Wanna Do (Clear's Muchacho Sucio Remix) (Légère Recordings Promo)

12. Kid Loco x Captain Planet - My Daddy Ningani [Stop.Look.Listen. Lumpy Mash] (Soundcloud) [download]

13. Omegaman - El O'man Boogaloo (All Good Funk Alliance Remix) (Fort Knox Promo)

14. Daft Punk - Doin' It Right (REFLEX Remix) (Soundcloud) [download]

15. Kid A - BB Bleu (Eliphino Remix) (Ninja Tune Promo) [download]

16. Yosi Horikawa - Stars (First Word Promo)

17. Hidden Orchestra - Vorka (DC Breaks Remix) (Tru Thoughts Promo)

Automixed with Algoriddim Djay for iPad

Style: Standard | Duration: 2.0 seconds | Auto-Sync BPM: OFF | Trigger Before End: 5 seconds

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #11

I've gone a bit world this week, in no small part due to the kindness of new friends IRMA Records in Italy and Far Out Recordings in London. There's also some cracking freebies from groovesters Soulection, as well as brand new tracks from First Word, Jalapeno and Fort Knox. Lovely stuff. 

The mix is a little schizophrenic this week, as is the selection. Thankfully there's still no digital substitute to an experienced DJ. :-) Enjoy my lovelies and spread the word about these cracking new releases!

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #11 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#11 - 27th May 2013

01. OL & ¥oin - Sink (Fine Grains Promo)

02. Lakim - Future Bounce (Soulection) [download]

03. Flako - What's That Calling Me (Project: Mooncircle) [download]

04. Dwele - Lady (Sango & Lakim Edit) (Soulection) [download]

05. Kilo Kish - Give It 2 U (Cover) (Self-Released) [download]

06. Kraak & Smaak - The Future Is Yours (Ambassadeurs Remix) (Jalapeno Promo) [download]

07. Riot Jazz Brass Band - Paradox (First Word Promo)

08. Fort Knox Five - Once Again feat. King Kamonzi (Fort Knox Promo)

09. Basement Freaks - The Last Train (Jalapeno Promo)

10. Leon Ware - I Know You (Original Mix) (Reel People Promo)

11. Thabo & The Real Deal - Hey Mama (Bandcamp) [download]

12. Jaidene Veda - If Only (Elle's Chill Reprise) (Jaiveda Productions Promo)

13. The Blue Hammock - Wonderwall (IRMA Promo)

14. Hawa - Gone Away (Favorite Recordings Promo)

15. Benoit Viellefon & His Orchestra - Minor Swing (JohnJohn Records Promo)

16. Joyce Moreno - Dor De Amor É Água (Far Out Recordings Promo)

17. Christian Lisi - Besame Mucho (IRMA Promo)

18. Unknown - I Want Your Love (Soul Clap Records)

Automixed with Algoriddim Djay for iPhone

Style: Standard | Duration: 2.0 seconds | Auto-Sync BPM: OFF | Trigger Before End: 5 seconds

Nu Era - The Third Adam (Omniverse Records)

Out on Monday, 'The Third Adam' is the latest outing from Nu Era, aka Marc '4Hero' Mac.

For this long-player, Mac has harked back to the good ol' days of analog, employing numerous vintage instruments to create a wholly electronic yet warm, soulful sound.

Marc's Detroit techno influences are ever present on this release, with more than a hint of that unmistakable 4Hero vibe. That said, there is something that makes 'The Third Adam' undefinable - is it house, is it hip-hop, is it beats, funk or electro?? Who knows - but that's what makes it so remarkable - it's in a genre all its own. There are few artists out there that can draw heart-warming soul from cold, dusty electronics like Marc Mac can.

Already a firm favourite - take a listen.

Nu Era's 'The Third Adam' is out on 27th May via Omniverse | omniverse-records.bandcamp.com

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #10

What a great week for music! My Inbox has been veritably bursting at the seams with amazing new tracks, so I'm really excited to share them with you. I know I've been a bit quiet this week - rest assure there's lots more coming over the weekend in terms of reviews and freebies. Watch this space...

The usual eclectic blend, this week's selection features more great stuff from the Melodica stable, a re-hit of tracks from Colm K's latest EP and the new album from Australia's very own Kerbside Collective, plus a fresh-off-the-press Hint remix on London Possee's 'London Style' and new Chromatics material. And last but not least, an incredible release from Pedestrian - one of my favourite tracks of the year already. You can download all the available tracks from Juno Download [here].

As ever, pull up a chair, open the paper and take a listen.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #10 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#10 - 20th May 2013

01. Jesse Boykins III – Limit To Your Love (Self Released) [download] 

02. Ojan - Beginnings (Melodica Promo)

03. Shortcircles - On My Mind (Anenon Remix) (Plug Research Promo) [download] 

04. Flako - Dwarf Dance (Project: Mooncircle Promo)

05. Colm K - Nothing (Bastard Jazz Promo)

06. [re:jazz] - At First Glance feat. Mediha (INFRACom! Promo)

07. Harleighblu - Enough Now (Tru Thoughts Promo)

08. The Hi-Fly Orchestra - Roda De Samba (Agogo Promo)

09. The Kerbside Collection - Jelly Belly (Légère Recordings Promo)

10. Resonators - Try Again (Wah Wah 45s Promo)

11. London Posse - London Stylee (Hint Version) (Tru Thoughts Promo)

12. Mr Beatnick – I Know All The Bitches (Atjazz Astro Remix) (R2 Promo)

13. Uraz Kurt - Remember The Light (Soulab Promo)

14. Jaidene Veda - Open Love Letter (Ananda Project Remix) (Jaiveda Productions Promo)

15. Satin Jackets - Come On (Melodica Promo)

16. Chromatics - Looking For Love (Italians Do It Better Promo)

17. Pedestrian - Hoyle Road (Original Mix) (Born Electric Promo)

18. Badboe - Playin Yourself (Booty Fruit Promo)

Automixed with Algoriddim Djay for iPhone

Style: Standard | Duration: 2.0 seconds | Auto-Sync BPM: OFF | Trigger Before End: 5 seconds

Jesse Futurman - Exquisite Basement EP (Jus Like Music) [Download]

Here we have the final in Jesse Futurman's trio of free EPs from SLL faves Jus Like Music.

The 'Exquisite Basement EP' is exactly that - a gloriously delicate collection of lo-fi samples and melody, forging a perfect harmony between smooth, soulful jazz and electronic broken beat.

Be it the downtempo, piano-led groove on 'One For Dan Zacks', to the moody and melancholic strings on 'Disappear', to the 4/4 dance vibe on 'Trouble Man', this 7-track mini EP takes you on an all-enveloping journey through Jesse's deepest imagination. It's a curiously dark yet peaceful, enlightening place that will keep you wanting more.

The 'Exquisite Basement EP' is out now as a free download via Jus Like Music. Download it via Bandcamp below.

Mr Bird - Birds Birds Birds (Vital Force)

It's been a productive week so far! I'm again delighted to announce another hook-up for the blog, this time with soulful broken beat stable Fat Bird Records.

We start with an album from label head honcho Steve Bird (aka Mr Bird) with 'Bird Bird Bird'. Released in February this year on Vital Force, the album is a 13-tracker of original material, a slight departure from the remix work for which he's famed. His third album release, 'Birds...' explores Steve's new found influences having moved from Newcastle to Lisbon, Portugal several years ago.

The album is a rich soundscape of dancefloor-orientated beats, jazzy percussion-led jams and soulful downtempo - personal faves include 'The Eskimo' and 'Wanna Be Good', two of the more loungy tracks from the album. Given the intense atmosphere felt throughout the tracks, it's hardly surprising that Mr Bird fits his own production work around a day-job writing original music for TV, documentaries, dance and theatre. The whole album has splashes of Scruff about it, which is why I'm super excited to hear more from Mr Bird, particularly a new album due to drop at some point this year on BBE. A really exciting artist to keep a watch out for.

Birds Birds Birds is out now on Vital Force. Grab it from Juno Download [here].

Various Artists: Cloud Watching Volume 1 (Riddim Fruit)

Again I'm overjoyed to announce another new label tie-up for the blog - this time with the Riddim Fruit imprint based in Devon, UK. Typically a region famed for its glorious range of dairy products, this relatively new label has been churning out its own unique brand of soul food since 2010.

With a discography focussed on sun-drenched West Coast-inspired beats and downtempo, the best bit is not just the amazing quality of the music, but also that they've started putting out compilation albums of their material completely free. 

'Cloud Watching Volume 1' is an incredible mash of lo fi hip-hop, broken beat and dub, with funk-filled cuts and captivating melody at the heart of every track. Such an incredible soundclash is a result of the label looking to artists right across the globe to source its material, with the resulting sound something really very special. Personal faves on the album have to be 'Humble Love' by Kalamari Beats and Kill Emi's 'Don't Love With Hatred'. 

I tip these guys for very big things, so be sure to get your download on and check their back cat too. Oh, and there's a Volume 2 of 'Cloud Watching' as well which I'm really looking forward to getting round to.

Cloud Watching Volume 1 is out now as a free download [here] or via Bandcamp above. | riddimfruitrecords.co.uk