scissorkick

Since their first release on Dublab's Freeway comp, Ammoncontact -- the duo of Carlos Nino and Fabian Ammon Alston -- have continually dropped some of the most elastic and sponge-like California downtempo surfacing from the West coast. Elements of hip-hop, latin and world groove are dubbed out into an angular mix of instrumental cinematics, equally suited for extended road trips (this I can guarantee) and foot races through hectic city streets. Having released a couple of records for Prefuse's Eastern Developments label, the pair move to Plug Research for their upcoming release One In An Infinity of Ways which is a nice follow-up to their recently dropped EP for the label. Here are a couple of tracks from the new record and if you like these, there's plenty more you'll enjoy on the record.

Posted by Steve at 9/29/2004 03:03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments   

A couple of downtempo nuggets from the recently released debut LP by the NYC-via-Miami trio Secret Frequency Crew. Blending organic instrumentation with breaks definitive of the more electronic side of the downtempo spectrum (think BoC if they were from Chicago), SFC builds instrumentals situated somewhere between the dancefloor and the headphone space. The programming is tight, the energy is raw and the trombone is, well, a trombone. Perhaps one of the most listenable records released in sometime by Schematic, the trio of DJs Matthew Brown, Matt Friedman and Adrian Michna have put together an accomplished debut that hints at some amazing things to come. Plus, they are the crew responsible for the sci-fi robo-dolphin artwork gracing the cover of their "Underwater Adventure Hop Secret Treasure" on Counterflow.

Posted by Steve at 9/23/2004 04:01:54 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Blogs need muses too. It's no secret that Opacodex has a thing for Bjork or that O-Dub over at Soul Sides has recently championed young Rachel Yamagata. And although scissorkick lacks a great many things, we've finally found our own muse, a chanteuse (yes, I said it) who has the qualities generally reserved for underground diva stardom. Gaelle is a singer from Atlanta who stresses she is not R&B. And I agree, she's not just R&B, but is musically open to limitless styles and moods, much like the aforementioned Icelandic starlet who seemingly has a monopoly on this sort of open creative ouptut. Honestly, this is one of the few records I have heard of late that reminds me of standing in the Union Square Virgin Megastore in NYC -- in the back of the first floor, at the crossroads that separate the R&B, electronica and dance sections. Imagine, if you can, a single track that sounds like a mash-up of Coko from SWV, Selected Ambient Works-era Aphex Twin and Sigur Ros. While her vocals are definitely R&B in their strength, clarity and range, the backing tracks offer a boldly envisioned bridge between polished experimental electronica and R&B or Neo-Soul groove with breaks ranging from minimal house palpitations to crackling West London broken beats. It's not unfathomable to imagine Gaelle doing for the young hip-hop/R&B set what Bjork has done for the alternative kids -- offer a digestable level of experimentalism within the context of a familiar form.

Posted by Steve at 9/22/2004 01:10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments   

I had the pleasure of DJing with Monk One a few months back and his set was an inspiring one to say the least. Fresh from a stint in the UK, he mixed hot-off-the-lathe dancefloor jazz breaks with classic white-label hip-hop and palatable esoteric soul, capping off the night off with a ridiculous remix of The Police's "Voices Inside My Head" that had the dub-rock enthusiasts picking their minds up off of the floor. Known around NYC (and the UK) as a storehouse of vinyl knowledge, the man also manifests his love for music as a contributor to the vinyl-junkies bible, Wax Poetics. Today's posts are the first three tracks off of his phenomenal mix CD Breakin' Rocks which is an exploration of classic rock tracks that have been pilfered for their incredible breaks. Like most of the scissorkick posts, the goal is to entice you with a little so that you'll go out and get the record. Thing is though, this is a pretty tough mix to come by, but I managed to find a copy online from Fat City. Just check out the tracklisting for the first 3 tracks below. The rest of the mix jumps from notables like Zeppelin, Billy Squire and Grand Funk Railroad to unknowns like Sea Train, Grootna and Wynder K Frog. If learning could always be this much fun...

Posted by Steve at 9/21/2004 01:27:24 PM | Permalink | Comments   

I have already uncovered enough evidence -- in the liner notes, online, and in the press materials -- that the new re-release of McNeal & Niles' Thrust will be heavily regarded by journalists and diggers as "sublime." And you know what, I agree with the description. I had never heard of this partnership, nor of this thankfully unearthed gem that puts the disco back in discovery. This is funk for fans of funk et plus and soul for folks that may not be tapped directly into the holy spirit. "Punk Funk" is practically indescribable unless I plan on breaking 300 words (so just listen to it) and "Untitled" sounds like Tortoise covering Zapp & Roger's "Dance Floor" (sampled by Tupac in "California Love"). Some really nice, eclectic esoteric funk re-released by the good people at the excellent Chocolate Industries imprint. Check it.

Posted by Steve at 9/20/2004 03:27:46 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Warning. Before I launch into today's post let me clearly state that scissorkick is not a secretly veiled attempt on behalf of Scion to infiltrate the blogosphere and influence you all to buy their cars. Okay, now that we are clear that this is done for love, not money (if anyone from Scion is reading however...) let's get to the post. I spent the weekend at RESFEST and at any event like that you ultimately leave with a handful of promotional materials -- CDs, magazines, flyers, etc. One of the promo discs I grabbed was a mix sponsored by Scion done by DJ Haul & Mason, the 2x4 tagteam that has made a name for itself by demonstrating the winning combination of technical acuity, crate-digging prowess and an ear firmly affixed to what is happening in the underground. They are fantastic live and this mix will attest to their broad mix-tape abilities.
I am posting a series of three continuous tracks that I feel represent the spirit of what the duo do best. I'm not sure where you can get this promo CD, although Scion.com does have all the tracks available for stream (not download unfortunately). Here is some specific info about the tracks. Track 7 Speech Defect - "Amusing Amazing" instrumental (No Cool Music) Jaylib feat. Frank n Dank - "McNasty Filth a cappella (Stones Throw) RJD2 - "Exotic Talk" (Definitive Jux) DJ Rylo - "Heart II Heart" (Sebadukes) J-Rocc - "Play This One" (Stones Throw) Track 8 Thes One - "DBC Let the Music Play" instrumental (Kajmere Sound) J-Boogie - "Conga Rock" (Future Primitive Sound) DJ Zeph feat. Raashan Ahmad - "Floor Wax" (Wide Hive) Romanowski - "Train Song" (Future Primitive Sound) Track 9 Pete Rock feat. Dead Prez - "Warzone" (BBE) Cut Chemist - "Bunky's Pick" (Stones Throw) Longevity Crew - "Contrast" (Untapped Sounds) Egon - "Runnin' Wild" (Stones Throw)

Posted by Steve at 9/16/2004 11:09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments   

While I may not have as clear a grasp on some memories as I would like, others, specifically the indelible imagery of Ninja Tune resident VJs Hexstatic, are surprisingly vivid. As a student in London in '96, the boys and I would frequent Ninja Tune's now historic Stealth nights every Thursday at the Blue Note in Hoxton Square London. The Hexstatic duo would be laying down the visuals to accompany then regulars like DJ Food, Coldcut, Cabbageboy and others and would always mesmerize the eager, organically- and synthetically-altered crowd of the frenzied Ninja hardcore. Now almost exactly 8 years later, the talented team is back with their second LP (and third release including their Solid Steel Mix) Master View. Unlike other VJs who focus exclusively on the moving image, Stuart Warren Hill and Robin Brunson are also talented producers and with Master View release their most accomplished material to date. I'll spare the details (you can read a small feature I wrote for earplug here) but will mention that the DVD includes a handful of 3-D anaglyph videos and comes with accompanying nostalgic red/blue glasses.
Below are a couple of MP3s and a link to the "Salvador" video on iFilm. I recommend the 3-D version, available from Ninja Tune on DVD when it is released in a few weeks.

Posted by Steve at 9/13/2004 10:57:43 AM | Permalink | Comments   

A truly exclusive nugget for you all today. The iconic Warp Records will be releasing a compendium of all of their videos on September 27th, but more importantly, the DVD will come with a phenomenal mix by UK up-and-comers Buddy Peace and 'ZILLA.' This is not merely a mix CD, but more specifically an interpration by the duo of the entire Warp Catalog -- from the early Sweet Exorcist and LFO days up to the Prefuse/Anti-Pop glitchness. Purchasing the DVD is a no-brainer, but the fact that the Warp crew included this in the deal is a real treat. Fans will enjoy the identification game, with each segment of the mix borrowing from Boards of Canada, Squarepusher, Plaid, Aphex Twin and Nightmares on Wax and reconfiguring and layering them like a game of musical Upwards. Besting even some of the most accomplished feats of creative cutting-and-pasting, the Watch and Repeat Play mix is a rarity that you have to get your paws on if you have at least 3 or 4 Warp records in your collection or at least appreciate the label's historic contributions to the elevation of electronic music.
The posted tracks are three diverse 'movements' taken from the mix that should really be listened to in its entirety to be fully appreciated. Fellow DJs and skilled Acid-users will appreciate the attention to detail and creativity the due took in assembling this mix, but all music lovers (and especially Warp-addicts) are advised to take a listen. Please leave some comments if you feel as strongly about these mixes as I obviosly do.

Posted by Steve at 9/09/2004 01:48:16 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Words will not adequately describe the enormity of today's post. While I am often guilty of hyberbole (my tombstone may read "Best Death Ever") the new Fingathing record is an instant 2004 top pick, and the opening track, "Walk In Space" is pulled from their forthcoming And the Big Red Nebula Band which will be released by Ninja Tune and Grand Central. Those unfamiliar with the instrumental hip-hop duo of DJ Peter Parker and bassist Sneaky will enjoy the levity the duo bring to a generally brooding genre, and the application of their talents on decks and upright bass respectively are not to be missed live. "Walk in Space" is simply massive -- keys introduce the mood, then give way to a thundering break and equally powerful bass. DJs will immediately be scrambling to find the most appropriate acapella, but this is instrumental hip-hop at its cinematic apex, reminiscent of the best offerings from Cam, Krush and Shadow.

Posted by Steve at 9/08/2004 01:31:37 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Back from Atlanta and came home to a stack of packages that will make for some great postings this week. The first is from Romanowski who will be dropping his a new EP, Party in My Pants on Future Primitive Sound in a month or so. If you are familiar with his "Steady Rocking Inna Jamaican Stylee" mini-album which is a solid collage of classic rock-steady through a modern filter, you'll be down with his new stuff and should definitely grab this batch of cut-and-paste party-ready future funk breaks.

Posted by Steve at 9/07/2004 03:50:27 PM | Permalink | Comments   

Wow. Of all the weeks for this to show up in the mail. Keeping with the current theme, is a slice of legendary funk from Manzel retouched and re-released by Dopebrothers Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez and Victor "The Undercover Brother" Piagneri. Originally recorded in 1975, Manzel's Midnight Theme is considered among the holy grail of crate-digging funk finds and samples have been used by De La Soul, Cypress Hill and others. This is some killer stuff. From Boomkat: space funk’ and ‘midnight theme’, recorded in 1975 but not released until ‘78 ‘& ’79, are two of the funkiest and most collectable disco / funk breakbeats of all time, figuring heavily in hip hop's first wave of sample-based hits (eric b & rakim) and standing well on their own to this day, manzel were about 20 years ahead of their time, and their full album, though completed, never saw release...until now.
Sorry for the short post, but I have a million things to do. I will be away for a few days, so expect new postings starting Monday.

Posted by Steve at 9/01/2004 06:28:52 PM | Permalink | Comments