Lebz: January 2011

Morning all, a belated HNY to you and yours wherever you may be. I'm sure that the 3 or 4 readers that follow this (poorly updated) blog will be interested to know that I haven't fallen off the edge of the Earth and am in fact still here shooting my mouth off!

Main reasons for the absence of posts? A new relationship. The absence of a functioning digicam. A general feeling that gigs towards the end of last year were getting a bit samey-samey. It's hard to stay inspired at times, but the search for the Good Groove Theory continues.

However, this does not mean that I ain't been working. The gigs, the mixtapes, it's a constant process. I'm hoping 2011 will be a big year in that respect. I've recently been booked to play the Sunsplash Antalya festival for a third time in a row. The line up has been greatly expanded this year, featuring some real legends of the DJ game (anyone for Theo Parrish? Louie Vega? The Mad Professor? Or how about Kon & Amir?). I will definitely compose a more thorough description of the festival at a later date, but for now, you'll just have to check the website here. That, combined with some potential spots around Europe, and this year may just turn out to be the best one yet as far overseas gigs is concerned.

I suppose the next task will be to run down some of the 'Big-In-Me-Box' tunes from 2010. I felt that 2010 was an excellent year for music. Alot of underground scenes raised their heads above the parapet whether old scenes picking new fans or new scenes noisily announcing their existence(s). It's funny, so much happened! The Celine Fashion Show, The Netherlands reaching the WC Final (Hup Holland!), Getting utterly lost in Turkey, The odd gig/night out clubbing, last year was pretty mental at times

Here's some of my favourite tracks of 2010 (in no particular order!):

1) Electric Love: Vikter Duplaix

A huge return to form for one of my favourite singers of the modern era. 2010 was a big year for Vik, seeing as he also came second in the Master Of The Mix TV show. This will have broadened his appeal massively and I'm looking forward to hearing more of that sexy future-soul he seems to have put a trademark on. For more Duplaixities (see what I did there?), click here.

2) Gonorrhea: Lil Wayne

One for my spaced out thugs. Lil' Wayne is one of those artists who over the years has forced me to grudgingly admit his talent and productivity. The boy can rap (check the lyrics 'I'll let ma goons rush ya/like it's Moscow'). Seriously. It's not a sound that's for everyone, but for those who like it, this kid a poster boy. This release became all the more impressive due to the fact that good ol' Weezy F. was incarcerated when it came out!

3) Work Them: Ramadanman

An absolute dancefloor smasher. Straight up, no-frills, bass drums and a sample that let's you know w'sup through out the entire song. WORK THEM!

4) Rainstars (lebzthedj Re-Edit): Sampha

Of course, this tune had to get a mention! The mighty Sampha, hailing from deepest darkest

South London is quite simply one of the biggest UK talents to emerge on the alternative/

leftfield/eclectic scene for a long time (The above picture is of him playing at The Boiler Room).

With a bit of luck (and alot of support from you lot!), he's gonna be huge (remember where you

heard it first!)

5) Arabic Emotions: The London Snokelling Team (see write up here)

6) Racketeer, Duologue

OK, so my mate Mels' little brother is in this band. So what, they're great! A very edgy and slightly unnerving sound, another group set for big things. 'Racketeer' is an amazing mix of indie vocals and dubstep? Yeah, well the description sounded weird to me as well when I first heard it. For more info on them, click here.

7) Night Air (Ramadanman Refix): Jamie Woon

A big tune that sneaked in right at the end, bought it in late November. Haunting. Yet one more punt for 2011? I think so.

8) Exhibit C: Jay Electronica

Here to save us all! Totally reaffirmed my love for Hip-Hop in an age where it seems to be going to the wall in terms of cultural influence. I'm sure Cengiz remembers us hearing this in a club and me whipping off my Tee to wave it in the air like a flag! (Oh dear...)

9) Samba Skindim: Gerardo Frisina

Funnily Enough, I'd say that this year I've probably bought the least amount of jazz ever. There's been too much other stuff. Check this one out though, beautiful Bossa style out of Italy.

10) Must See: Kyle Hall

Detroit's latest famous son with a chilled out slice of 'technouse'? Either way, it got rinsed!

11) Grandma's Rocking Chair (Kenny Dope Mix), Kenny Dope

'Nuff said.

12) Ion Bru, Akira Kiteshi

I was introduced to the music of Akira Kiteshi by a young Scottish chap called Fergus who was the sound engineer at a gig I was DJing at near Edinburgh back in July. He gave me the inside track 'cause you see Akira Kiteshi ain't really Japanese. I'm not sure if he's even been there! The kid is actually from Glasgow (Numbers Collective) and uses this moniker to cover his tracks...there's been alot of DJ's and producers hiding behind something recently...SBTRKT, Deadmau5, MF Doom...maybe I'm missing something.

13) It's That Bass: Machinedrum

NY's abstract beatmaker in chief came through strong again with the 'Many Faces' EP...looking forward to the next LP.

14) As We: Black Spade

Don't know much about this dude, except he's a great MC. My pal HenrySoundSpecies put me on to him, so maybe I'll be able to give you more info at a later date.