Debian Blak - Six Months From Mars EP (Audio Doughnuts)

Another label I'm super chuffed to be working with is Audio Doughnuts, an independent label founded in a West London houseboat back in 2010.

Through a string of successful club nights across the City featuring top name guests such as Jamie XX, Julio Bashmore and Zed Bias, the label continues to go from strength to strength. Its latest release comes from relative newcomer Debian Blak with his 'Six Months From Mars' EP. 

Since emerging in 2011, Debian has become a go-to producer and remixer for music royalty such as Laura Mvula - praise indeed. This latest outing features 4 tracks of heavenly electronica - some call it indie, or bass, others dubstep, and some would liken it more to the choppy MPC stylings of Ta Ku or Flume. Whatever you call it, this is a super soulful, progressive soundscape that draws you further in on every listen. Soaring pads, sharp, harmonised leads and atmospheric percussion are the order of the day; it sounds familiar, but you're not too sure. This is an EP which builds a musical curiosity that'll have you hooked.

Check out my favourite cut from the EP - 'Dive' featuring Kate Wolf from Mt. Wolf. Sick.



'Six Months From Mars' is out now via Audio Doughnuts. Grab it from Juno [here]. | audiodoughnuts.com

Stop.Look.Listen. Interview - Sek (Lost My Dog, Large Music)

The journey to Oz has already been a voyage of discovery, the time away from the clubs leading me to music pastures new and previously familiar territory.

Having been listening to more electronic bits over the last few weeks, I came across an old friend in Lost My Dog, a deep house label grown from the roots of a humble record shop in Loughborough. Run by a team of true house heroes, in just 8 years the label has developed a devout and reputable following - everyone from Laurent Garnier to Maya Jane Coles have LMD records entrenched in their playlists.

So I contacted the label to say Hi, and was lucky enough to receive a wicked new deep house roller by Sek, a relatively new kid on the block and one of LMD's latest signings. What wasn't surprising was the quality of the release - safe to say LMD is a label that never fails, a rare brand of quality that screams 'buy me' before you've even hit play.

Anyway, ever the inquisitive listener, I thought I'd hit up Sek and find out more. Here's what the new boy had to say.

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BC: What’s your name and where d’you come from?

SEK: My name is Dimitris Kesses. Im originally from Spetses, a small island of 4500 residents located at the southwest of Athens, but the last 8 years I've spent my time mostly in Greece's capital, Athens.

BC: What three records would sum-up your musical influences and why?

SEK: Cypress Hill's self-titled debut album, Jimpster's Amour, and litterally all the Strictly Rhythms back catalogue from 1990 to 2000. Each and every one of these - among many others to be honest - have contributed on what SEK is all about at the minute. Sample-based production, bottomless deepness and groove.

BC: What was the last live act / DJ you saw that left a lasting impression on you?

SEK: A couple of months ago, I had the chance to hear Agoria's live set in Athens. It was simply great! I'm the type of dj that likes to cross-genres while I'm playing and Agoria was certainly all about it. He started with some mellow deep house then jumped into some classic techno, he then added some tech-house flavours and then right back where he began. Straight from the heart and quite unique to me. The connection with the crowd was immense. It was more like building a story from scratch rather than simply telling it. I was really happy being among the crowd that night but on the other hand I was kind of jealous that I wasnt the one spinning that glorious set. I still didn't get the chance to hear Move D, The Revenge and Jordan Peak playing live but I'm sure they will be great too - I always check their live sets on SoundCloud and they have never failed me.

BC: Grab your choice of music device, press Shuffle and list the first three tracks that come up. Tell us in a few words why has each earned a place in your playlist.

Burial – Archangel

Quiet an oldie but still a goodie. It hasn’t left my music device since it was released. It can simply make my day. In fact was my "weapon of choice" last year while I was in a really bad mood while serving Greek army.

Little Dragon - Ritual Union (Maya Jane Coles Remix)

In love with the vocals and the re-work that Maya did.

Flying Lotus - Tea Leaf Dancers

Sub basses, killer stabs, and dark voice. The ingredients of a hip hop success.

BC: What’s the secret to your sound?

SEK: No big secrets at all actually. I guess the only thing that we can call a "secret", is that I always like things to be abstract and raw. I’m not a fan of crystal clear digital sound. I like it glitchy, grainy and old-fashioned. That from time to time leads me to use quite unorthodox ways of producing. Of course that doesn't always lead to the right place but it's working for me at the minute.

BC: What or whom most inspires you and helps focus your musical creativity?

SEK: I guess my family and some really good friends. They have been supporting me forever. I’m not the easiest guy to handle. I have done some extremely crazy things in my life so far, but they were always there no matter what supporting and counseling me. That helps me stay focused on my music and explodes my musical creativity.

BC: Which music producer do you think is going to be making waves in 2013?

SEK: Well, Kindimmer is already making huge waves into deep techno/house scene. He is one of my favourites at the minute alongside Jordan Peak, James Dexter and Pete Dafeet. Those guys simply can't do any wrong right now.

BC: What’s next for Sek?

SEK: We just released the Fergasm EP on Lost My Dog. Right up next is the Swagitude EP on Large Music. I'm very excited about that release - being a part of Large family and seeing my name among house legends like Roy Davis Jr and Kerri Chandler it certainly means a lot to me. And then I go back where i feel like my musical home, Lost My Dog Records, to compile Prime Cuts Vol.2 later in the year.

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Sek's 'Fergasm EP' is out now on Lost My Dog - grab it from Juno here. 

facebook.com/sekgr | soundcloud.com/sekpr

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #7

Here's the latest podcast fo' yo' lugs. A real nice diverse mix this week, featuring everything from future beats to dubby electronica, through tropical funk via disco, hip-hop and reggae. I was massively chuffed to receive a re-mastered version of Rose Royce's 'Still In Love' this week too - it just had to go on there! Anyway, take a listen and let me know what you think.

Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast #7 by Sllmusic on Mixcloud

#7 - 29th Apr 2013

01. Freddie Joachim - Golden Temple feat. Mar (Remix) (Mellow Orange Promo) [download]

02. Jesse Futerman - Broken Glass (Jus Like Music Promo) [download]

03. Substantial - Cross My Mind (feat. Jsoul) (Mello Music) [download]

04. Quasimoto - Planned Attack (Stones Throw Promo)

05. Paper Tiger - The Sting feat. Homeboy Sandman (And Then I Bounced Remix) (Wah Wah 45s Promo)

06. Janet Jackson - If (Kaytranada Edition (Live Set Version) (Poplockin Music Promo) [download]

07. The Revolution of St.Vincent - The Little You Say (Record Kicks Promo)

08. Nickodemus - Mirage feat Kissey Asplund (Yukicito Remix) (Wonderwheel Promo)

09. Rose Royce - Still In Love (Morgan Khan Remaster) (Soulfood Promo)

10. Mr Bird - Green Beans (Fat Bird Sounds Promo)

11. Liam Bailey - When Will They Learn (Ministry of Sound Promo)

12. Pablo Sánchez - Out And About (Lovemonk Promo)

13. VECT - Soulful (Sonar Kollektiv Promo)

14. OL & ¥OIN - Sink (Fine Grains Promo)

15. Sieren - The View (Project: Mooncircle Promo) [download]

16. Chrissy Murderbot - Hornet's Nest (Call My Name) (Hyperboloid Promo)

17. 813 - Dote (Bandcamp) [download]

18. Outboxx - Home (Idle Hands Promo)

Automixed with Algoriddim Djay for iPhone

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

London Posse - Money Mad (Tru Thoughts)

As a relative newcomer to hip-hop, I’ve got to admit that the London Posse are a group I haven’t been familiar with until now (I know).

Having read through the press release, it’s fairly clear that I have committed some kind of heinous crime as a self-proclaimed music lover. That said, better late than never and, if you’re in a similar boat to me, I can hopefully help you right this wrong too.

The London Posse are held-up as one of the most definitive hip hop crews of all time, with their single ‘Money Mad’ widely regarded as the finest rap recording ever made. Released as part of their ‘Gangster Chronicle’ album some 20 years ago, Tru Thoughts have taken it upon themselves to put the album back into circulation for a new generation, with ‘Money Mad’ the first single release from a deluxe re-issue package due to hit shelves on 17th June.

In its original form, ‘Money Mad’ is a dub-infused hip hop cut offering raw reflection of urban culture all those years ago, a scene which ultimately inspired a world of new producers and led to the prevalence of a genre that continues to dominate dancefloors and evolve to this day.

The track is sensitively bought bang up-to-date by TT’s dubby new boy Wrongtom, as well as Drumagick who gives the single both a jungle and dubstep slant with two very distinct reworks.

If you’ve been living in ignorance like me, get involved as this single plays like a precious musical relic – essential listening for anyone with an interest in the roots of contemporary hip-hop and rap. Check the mini documentary below to learn a bit more about this seminal act.

‘Money Mad’ is out on 13th May. | truthoughts.co.uk

TNGHT - Acrylics (Warp)

'Acrylics' is the new single from TNGHT, the collab between SLL faves and future music pioneers Hudson Mohawke and Lunice.

Like a haunting nursery rhyme, the track is threaded around the delicate, wharped chimes of a mobile from a child's cot, the distorted minor melody building into an massive dancefloor tour de force.

Typical of Hud Mo and Lunice output, offbeat bassdrums dominate before leading into a horn-led ravey stormer, laced with dark vocal snippets and atmospheric FX. It's the kind of old skool-inspired track Liam Howlett could have written in its immensely bold and genre-defining style.

For me, this is the future sound of electronic dance - brave in its approach, flawless in its finish. Cracking.

'Acrylics' is out now on Warp. Head over to Juno and get on the download. | warp.net