Tag Archives: trip hop

So Romantic

413008_10150914225562692_1297326992_oSo Romantic by EZRAKH   (New Jersey)

 
 

Remember ALL CAPS when you spell the mans’ name. EZRAKH is the man and if you’ve been lucky enough to be in the room when he’s spinning, you know it’s always a vibe to bring the people together. Organic and eclectic in taste, mixes are likely to include anything from afrobeat to jazz to funk to hip hop to house. Part of the Brick Bandits crew out of NJ, EZRAKH has made his name known at every venue you can imagine including premier NYC/Brooklyn clubs to house parties and underground d.i.y holes in the wall. It is his deep collection and broad taste that allows him to chameleon into any scenario, all the while staying true to his form. Check him out on the scene and stream/download his current mixes on soundcloud. [Free Download] @thinknotsleep

 

English Breakfast

3311432713-1English Breakfast by English Breakfast   (New York City, NY)

 
 

You suit my mood. I am sleepy, I am comfortable and cozy. I want to sit by a fire and bob my head to your grooves. It must be the drums. There is something–not extremely unique, or perfected, but joyous and indulgent. Expression found through creation without concern for specificity, but wholeness of sonic quality, trials and errors, discovery. @TheSnakeRecords

Heaven

heaven by ccbaxter   (Basingstoke, England) *

“Trip-hop is dead” is exactly what someone said to me when I put on ‘Book’, the opening track from heaven, the debut ccbaxter bandcamp release.  And to some extent that statement is true,  but the genre is not really dead, it’s merely asleep- starved for talent, the next Portishead or Massive Attack.  Heaven is hit or miss providing tracks that mingle perfectly between traditional textures and progressive framing and others that seem too thought out and serious for their own good.  However, the good and the over-the-top together, ccbaxter has put forth an interesting album that dances softly in an sensual procession focused on a melodic purity that’s rare, these days.  @Dingusonmusic 

Tawk Tomahawk

Tawk Tomahawk by Hiatus Kaiyote   (April 1, 2012) *

Inspired by jazz structures and infused with the same kind of soulful trip-hop we’re used to from old Morcheeba, Tawk Tomahawk dances in with a contemporary swirl.  Rather than trying to outshine one another, as sometimes happens when tallent is evenly dispersed, the band comes together as one; strength in vocals and instrumentation coalescing, empowering the arrangement, as they teach for atmospheric highs.  Described, accurately, as “future soul”, Hiatus Kaiyote fuses some of the most movable genres into poetic wrestling matches with each other.  Dingus

Bedtime Stories

Bedtime Stories EP by Andrea   (April 16, 2012) *

Andrea is one of the hidden gems of the DIY underground.  Recording out of his Parisian loft, along side female vocalist Julia Losfelt (who I think is on the cover), the producer is responsible for a formidable list of single and EP releases that depict an amorphous evolution.  His latest release, Bedtime Stories, fits right into his trending habits, tilting toward minimalism with an emphasis on negative space.  ’Going Down’ is the more proper step, reflecting a structural maturation that abandons previous dynamics while maintaining simplicity.  Dingus

Losange Jaures

Losange Jaures by Mister Bibal   (July 14, 2011) *

Like a smooth rider, Mister Bibal launches his latest EP as an assortment of back crunching beat twists that stay fresh and clean for the duration of the piece. It falls somewhere between R&B arrogance and trip hop aggressiveness.

- Big Boss

You Know You Like It (Best New Video)



AlunaGeorge combats the physique of their last video by taking a more formal approach, tossing the deep for the fun.  Aluna is perfectly into her own song, while George (get it?) seems perfectly content pulling the strings from behind the curtain. Complete with a contagious chorus and fittingly playful dance moves, their latest production furthers the common belief in their pseudo-indie-r&b genre as a career favoring category over the one-hit-wonders of yesteryear.

- Big Boss

Prelude

Prelude by Botaz   (July 25, 2011)

Solidus would suggest that this is a failed piece of minimalism; that the layering is too static.  But I disagree, I think that the strength to resist being ‘artistic’ and provide a track that focuses purely on creating an energy deserves just as much praise.  Prelude by Botaz is an album that makes you feel nostalgic for the moment you’re in (if that’s possible).  It’s the kind of music that puts you right to work as you, like the music, becomes mechanically oriented.  The suspense set by the first 90 seconds bring you in softly and then, as if to bud in slow motion, unfolds itself.  Within the fabric there seem to be hidden melodies, tracks set to such a low volume that you need to squint your ears to hear them.  Devote your attention.

- Big Boss

épicentre

‘épicentre’ by L’entourloop   (August 1, 2011)

French producer L’entourloop is running on a long line of excellent singles and unfortunately this was the first we found.  Be assured we’ll get to the rest eventually.  He goes under the tag trip hop, but it’s so much more.  It’s definitive. When I think trip hop, I think Morcheeba, I think early Zero7, but L’entourloop is more symphonically epic.