Digital Diggers

V/A - Innovative Leisure 12 for 2012 [2012]

2012-04-01T21:42:00.001+12:00

Sampler/database builder from the Innovative Leisure camp/roster - and it's FREE! Home to some of the planets most forward thinking proponents of electronic music... part with your favourite email address and recieve the following "12 for 2012" collection.

1. Allah-Las - Catamaran
2. Nick Waterhouse - Is That Clear
3. Hanni El Khatib - Dead Wrong
4. Hanni El Khatib - Millionaire Mother Medley
5. Feeding People - Insane
6. Rhye - Open
7. Lazer Sword - Def Work
8. Machinedrum - Let It (Edit Remix)
9. Hanni El Khatib - I Got A Thing (N.F.Y. Remix)
10. Freddie Gibbs - Slammin (Maker Remix)
11. Mexicans with Guns - Highway to Hell Feat. Bun B & Freddie Gibbs
12. Nguzunguzu - Moments in Sexx

Great people, show your support and enjoi...

VA – Kutmah Presents Worldwide Family Vol. 2 (2012)

2012-03-30T13:21:00.004+13:00

01 Mo Kolours – Ridda Mountain
02 Groundislava – Creeper Shit
03 ESMK – Blunt Hopes
04 Seven Davis Jr. – Thanks
05 Slugabed – Sex
06 Sam Irl & Ritornell – Three
07 Dibia$e – Remind Me Somethin’
08 Hudson Mohawke – Are You Feelin’ Hot
09 Tehbis – Higher
10 Lapti – Leaving Home
11 Shash’U – LA
12 The Darkhorsemen – Taking Over Empires
13 Samiyam – Medallion
14 Mono/Poly – With Grace
15 Bruce Haack – Ancient Mariner (Jonwayne Remix)
16 Tadd Mullinix – Exchanging Modes
17 Flying Lotus – Samsfav
18 Dakim – Typeofblue
19 Doc Daneeka & Abigail Wyles – Tobyjug
20 Gaby Hernandez – Twin Flame
21 fLako & Dirg Gerner – Lonely Town

Blockhead - Interludes After Midnight [2012]

2012-03-29T22:05:00.000+13:00

Interludes After Midnight, Blockhead's fifth LP sees another collection of eclectic choons that twist, turn, and grind their way into the listener’s psyche - emerged after two years of globe travelling. While the title might recall film noir ala Truffaut or Modigliani, the title comes from a decidedly less inspired source – an after hours New York City public access show that ran throughout the 80’s and early 90’s. This time, before cell phones, TiVo, and the Internet - a simpler time, has informed the sonic landscape steering well away from a rehash of 20 years of popular hip-hop; this is Blockhead’s ultimate homage to the times and places that defined his upbringing.

This is a pre-digital road map through Blockhead's musical consciousness, a virtual tour of a decidedly non-virtual society – when the airwaves were for TV, phones were for making calls, and newspapers were printed. Hence, Interludes After Midnight is populated with dusty samples of beeping synths, smooth horns blended seamlessly with funky percussion. A sound that will keep you listening – classic Blockhead (Ninja Tune).

Available 30 April 2012... 5 DD Stars, highly recommended.

KingThing & Jamie Grind – INFRA12005 [2012]

2012-03-29T21:39:00.004+13:00

A cracker label debut for producer/DJ/scribe, KingThing. Flighty Footwork-cum-Garage infused with flash vocal loop edits and cut up 2-step onna mercurial Juke tip. Dope...

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VA - Tectonic Plates Volume 3 [2012]

2012-03-29T21:09:00.000+13:00

Always quality documents Vol.3 is another absolute corker, zoning in on A class new productions from the Tectonic roster and extended label fam. Heavy, resonant, a package for the real steppers and heads alike. Highly recommended...

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Clark - Iradelphic [2012]

2012-03-29T20:52:00.001+13:00

Chris Clark returns with No. 6 LP which once again defies classification. Luckily pigeon holing isn't necessary when the tunes are this good with a jerk stew of exploded, morphing IDM-infused psychedelic electronica - a broth of unheimlich folk and natty prog pushed into unsuspecting ears and open minds.

Iradelphic is full of big, bold gestures - the gorgeous, unmistakably smoky vocals of Martina Topley-Bird feature but even here anything remotely paletable to the unadventurous bucks convection, with all manner of strange, lysergic elements destabilising any friendliness. Clark has all manner of fanciful ideas down-pat, thankfully he knows how to skilfully and convincingly bring these disparages to life, making for yet another impressive full-length address. Excellent...

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Boddika – Acid Jackson / Basement [2012]

2012-03-29T19:37:00.000+13:00

BUY

Dream Continuum – Reworkz [2012]

2012-03-29T19:11:00.002+13:00

Stanley Pedigree - Overtime EP [2011]

2012-03-24T17:02:00.003+13:00

Here it is, the finest Hip-Hop out of Palmy since... forever. From one of the original P-Town proponents, JSV AKA Jimmy Snooker AKA Stanley Pedigree drops the EP (more of an album really) he's been threatening, on the broil for many a moon with the resulting stew clearly speaking for itself. With a who's who on production (from the local lower North Island Hip-Hop underground and some who dat's as well) the EP delivers a well rounded flavour to the seasoned palette, with plenty of promise when you needs seconds. Gladly this EP isn't teeming with 'cliche golden era Dilla-isms', keeping its distance from the male bravado and hype and preoccupation of bling/bitches in mainstream rap, steering well clear of the avant-garde experimentalism rife in the Hip Hop underground.

Instead you're taken on an honest Kiwi Hip Hop journey, heading deep into classic 90's turf on a conscious tip (ala @Peace and Kiwi stalwarts Homebrew - two more conscious Kiwi Crews from these climes you MUST check). Once again refreshing, keeping to its turf in a well rounded manner... I'm not gonna harp on about this and that - it's posted here because it meets the standard, nothing less and we think you should know. Stanley is true local DD fam so show your support if you feel inclined and more importantly spread the word

If you dig Hip-Hop then this is your jam, solid Kiwi beats from the NZ Underground with nods to all four corners and then some. Many overseas diggers ask regularly for kiwi tunes so here you go, fresh beats from the real down under to impress your out of the loop friends. This is a Bandcamp situation so show your support... Future Classic nek yes!?!!

Shout outs to Taka's and Radio Active for the support thus far (Stanley is still in their top 11 after many a week which is impressive given Palmy's cultural status) and big ups Stan, DD is proud to call you a comrade. Watch this space, more to surely come...

Ghost - A Tale of Life in VI Parts (2012)

2012-03-21T10:02:00.004+13:00

UK hiphop beatsmith Ghost has dropped plenty of gems over his carrer, most notable is 2004 track with Abstract Rude 'Basic Instinct' . A move to Aotearoa and a few albums later comes the most recent addition, 'A Tale of Life in VI Parts', a reflection of a father faced with life, love and setbacks as told in the albums bio;

"..... So December 2011, Ghost, now a proud father of 2 boys (one 2
years old and the other 5 months old) heard the news that his love and partner
had a rare form of cancer. Although treatable, ahead lies 6 months of treatment
and hopefully a happy outcome...

This is a name your price release, the emphasis being to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of seeing your doctor if you’re worried about a lump anywhere, do not think it will go away it won’t."

'A Tale of Life in VI Parts' doesnt pander to musical trends, its a headphone soundscape album from the melodramatic, empty void, soulful and rewarding aspects of life. A somber mentality towards the craft is noted. Pick it up, pay what you want.

Slugabed – Sex [2012]

2012-03-21T09:43:00.001+13:00

BUY

Martyn – Hello Darkness [2012]

2012-03-21T09:26:00.000+13:00

Martyn presents an exclusive addendum to his all-taking 'Ghost People' album, backed with remixes... almost guaranteed to get caned in any clubs worth their salt. Hot off the press... literally. Enjoy and support where you are able

BUY

2562 – Air Jordan [2012]

2012-03-20T23:50:00.001+13:00

Air Jordan' is 2562's sidestep into uncharted territory. His untouchable feel for swinging rhythms and bass are still upfront, but it's his choice of samples and textures - taken from field recordings made in Jordan - which refresh his sound with a dry, dusty, mystically outernational aesthetic. Heem be nek level... recommended

BUY

VA - EP3: Cities of Technology [2012]

2012-03-01T22:00:00.005+13:00

I never fail to get excited with each Keysound release. You're assured of quality second to none and a production clout that has to be heard to be believed. With a depth missing from 99% of electronic music today after multiple listens, the arrangements go through a crysalis of sorts before ones synapses fully fire and the dopeamine gushes. And so it continues with this scorching EP on Keysound, tilling the ground to plant their debut album later in the year - what surely must be one of the most anticipated releases of recent times. The group have built their reputation on a particularly cinematic, auteurist vision of dubstep, embroidered with memorable samples and here once again Cities Of Technology is no exception. Impresss your friends.

BUY

DJ Kicks The Exclusives [2012]

2012-03-01T20:21:00.001+13:00

BUY

Joy Orbison & Boddika – Froth / Mercy [2012]

2012-02-25T16:08:00.001+13:00

Sturdy-but-sexy technofied House music from the fruitful partnership of Joy O & Boddika. Swiftly capitalising on the sold-out success of 'Swims', they're in big room mode again here. A-side 'Froth' rides slinky triplets shackled to a welting 4/4 and adrenalising synthline peaks in debonaire style. B-side 'Mercy' has a much darker intent, rolling hollowed kicks and staggered acid bass to boost the floor with a calculated blend of Chicago and UK House styles (Boomkat).

BUY

Model 500 – Control/The Messenger [2012]

2012-02-25T14:57:00.000+13:00

Pure Detroit Electro from Model 500, a masterclass in the dark art of sexually-charged, futuristic funk which could only originate in the 313 - young upstarts take notes. A-side is the incredible 'Control', a deadly dancefloor dedication rocking soul-slydin' snares, pendulous bass pressure and more Kraftwerk-than-Kraftwerk vocoders and synths - in one fell swoop putting the new skool to bed and slipping off with its girlfriend in his hovercar. Flipside, 'The Messenger' cuts deeper on a debonaire Detroit flex, swerving with effortless, classic elegance to sci-fi melodies and body-tucking ElectroTechno syncopation. Hella recommended... (Boomkat)

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Mux Mool - Planet High School [2012]

2012-02-21T22:48:00.005+13:00

DD fav for some time Mux Mool unleashes what really is an opus to the modern connected world. A diverse album of tasty electronic beats and a solid listen from start to finish that you'll rewind for more. This is downbeat music that is definitely free of the 90's genre hangover and sees Mux stride with a much more confident, crafty and funked-up step showing he really has put in the yards here. The album sees an effortless cycling between blunted Hip-Hop head-nod instrumentals (ala Dilla), switch-flickin' Footwork soul, Dabrye-like Electro-Hop boom bap, confident Daft Punkish/Ed Banger-esc Electro, restrained digital dancehall - all with production aplomp. Hell there's even some pop infused world beats (and a Cumbia track) for good aural measure. To me the continued thread here is the strong elements elements that allow each composition to shine. All the right tricks in the book have been utilised but with a very keen awareness of space, layer, and the end product - there's an emphasis on nuance and subtlety here that is really refreshing, especially when the globe is focussed on smashing the floor at any opportunity.

This without a doubt is likely to make many top 2012 releases lists, what we have is a very tall poppy indeed. Enjoy and support if you are able and keep an eye on Mux Mool, this is going to be a very interesting space in the very near future and I expect the live show will be off the chizzain...

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Jamie Grind – Rum N Raisin [2012]

2012-02-21T22:05:00.001+13:00

Great tunes... perfect for the more discerning dancefloor.

BUY

SBTRKT – Hold On [2012]

2012-02-21T21:54:00.000+13:00

Holy... [insert preferred Deity here]. Simmering soul and tricky electro for the dance from SBTRKT and his trusty vocal spar, Sampha. 'Hold On', one of the weaker tunes from the album in my humble gets the single release and sheds a new light on a skipped tune. A ditty if ever the term was bandied about with vox and a glassy-eyed melody sharing a sensitive pop soul with Jamie xx's best. Brand spanker 'Ride To Freedom' is classic SBTRKT, an exercise in twirling, swinging Electro with a nod to Chicago Footwork, worth the entry fee alone. But it's the remix that really gets the head nodding here. The mysterious Sisi Bak Bak (if rumours are to be believed - a new nom-de-plume for none other than Thom Yorke) offers the most interesting moment with a brittle, heady re-groove of 'Hold On' that morphs into three distinct and downright funky movements. Excellent, purchase on sight if this ever gets pressed...

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Emika – 3 Hours [2012]

2012-02-21T21:39:00.001+13:00

Emika returns with the fourth single from her fucking awesome debut LP. The opening track of that remarkable record is '3 Hours', showcasing Emika's skills a bass-heavy artist and commanding vocalist who can take you metaphorical places via a classically trained pianist's approach to composition. According to Ninja Tune HQ '3 Hours' is about being strong and resisting whatever dark vibes come your way, being honest and upfront about who you are. Funny enough it is also the song (in demo form) that clinched her a deal with Ninja Tune and written soon after her move to Berlin from Bristol.

The title itself comes from an experience had when still a teenager, one of those crucial life decisions that hindsight allows to shine. Emika explains, "this song, this vibe, it's my guts and spirit from start to finish. It is almost 4 years old now all ready and yet to my ears, it still sounds like tomorrow. I saved this special one for my fans until now, this is the final single from my debut album."

In addition to the original version, Emika has joined forces with Jimmy Edgar to collaborate on a brand new version 'Hit Me' plus a tasty Kilon Tek late-night dancefloor assault remix and instrumentals to boot. Another keeper...

BUY

Machinedrum – Nastyfuckk EP [2012]

2012-02-21T18:17:00.002+13:00

This is friggin excellent... with Junktion illuminare Pixelord on the remix tippage. The Juke on here alone is blimmin mental.

Gang Colours - Fancy Restaurant [2012]

2012-02-18T14:34:00.000+13:00

Including Machinedrum and Ifan Dafydd remixes... out just now on Brownswood Recordings.

Busdriver - Beaus $ Eros [2012]

2012-02-17T15:56:00.003+13:00

LA's most wacky and gifted wrapper continues on down the yellow brick road of weirdness with wicked almost indy production (ala Daedelus meeting Jel et al). Regan Farquhar, better known as Busdriver seems pretty eager to keep his schedule full. And whenever one of his albums drops (this his 9th), you know it’s going to be a pretty kooky affair...

Beaus $ Eros plays in that exact tradition, the look of the title demanding that dollar sign be an ampersand, Busdriver chuckling because it just isn’t. His insistence on frustrating expectations is often downright funny, if not antagonistic and these 14 tunes continue the tone. The production covers a very wide spectrum but still manages to feel cohesive allowing the off-kilter, eccentric mind of Busdriver to unfurl (as it always seems to) in an engaging, surprising way.

Beaus $ Eros is further proof of Busdrivers artistic uniqueness. There isn’t much else on the hip-hop spectrum like this, even as new and emerging artists continue to push the pre conceived barriers. Busdriver’s Zappa-like ingenuity is definitely enticing, though prolonged exposure might give the air of craziness off to the uninitiated. And just like Zappa, Busdriver’s creativity means that for every brilliant track he records there will be several tracks that are just plain fucking weird, and Beaus $ Eros is no exception. And Jenks said it when he crowned the winning 'song title of all time'... period “NoBlacksNoJewsNoAsians”. Thats pretty much the album in one statement - absurb, topical, preposturous - highly recommended.

Lapalux - When You're Gone EP [2012]

2012-02-12T21:56:00.001+13:00

2nd British signing to Brainfeeder Lapalux drops the surprisingly accomplished 'When You're Gone EP' continuing his rapid ascent from releative obscure producer into the "ones to watch" list of 2012. These seven tracks of crystallized R&B/Electronic/Pop - poised somewhere between James Blake, Flying Lotus and Panda Bear, are intoxicatingly layered, with a depth only a good head of phones will appreciate (get a pair of those Seinheiser HD-25's you've always ummed and arghhed about and do your ear holes and synapses a service). Two words - Humanised syntheticism. Perservere, many try and pull this off and fall far short... 5 listens and you'll be bumping this on the regular.

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