14 Jan 2009
This may be classed as next-big-thing bandwagon jumping, but these tunes have got me roped in somewhat…
Glasgow’s hip-hop beatmaker extraordinaire Hudson Mohawke has been getting some attention of late thanks to his rather energetic and unique sounds – and whose buzz factor has only accelerated since Warp Records’ succeeded in signing him. Hud Mo’s style is centred upon loose, off-kilter beats not dissimilar to the influential work of the likes of Madlib and the late great J Dilla, but also features a bright, playful melodic style and some great pop hooks nestled amongst the action.
His album Polyfolk Dance is out on January 26th, but if you’re curious here are two tunes that were included on a pre-release sampler (which can be purchased now on Bleep)
Hud Mo has another project called Heralds of Change – a collab with fellow Glaswegian Mike Slott – which also features fractured beats set against a darker, grittier canvas. The band’s releases come via the All City Dublin label, and is available for purchase on Bleep as well.
- Future (mp3 currently unavailable – coming soon)
23 Aug 2008
Anyone who knows me well is bound to get a good dosage of Squarepusher at one point or another. Some love it, some can’t stand it – but very few deny that the man is a talent to be reckoned with.
I’m ecstatic to discover that Squarepusher (or Tom Jenkinson, as his mother knows him) has a new album coming out, which follows his slightly lower-than-peak-performance Hello Everything album.
Jenkinson’s last few records have seen him placing an ever-increasing emphasis on his live bass playing, experimenting with live bass techniques and approaches as well as integrating it into his electronic arsenal via MIDI pickups and filters. Live drums have features, alongside guitars, an assortment of other instruments and classic synthesizers – along with plenty of sequenced synths, drum machines and digital manipulations
A taster for album in the form of a new track – available on the Warp Records Myspace – indicates Jenkinson is once again taking things in an even more live direction while retaining his classic trademarks of manic squalls of rigour and noise.
On first listens the track seems to be little more than Jenkinson permitting himself a little fun – a good natured, fairly capable sounding garage thrash rock-out. It sounds like the instrumentation is all live – no noticeable cut-ups or manipulations. I don’t mind it as a bit of a lark, but I’m not sure what I’ll think if the whole album turns out like this.
Nonetheless, keep October 27 in your diaries. And please, Tom, let’s see some live dates for Australia!
Tracklist for Just a Souvenir: (courtesy of Pitchfork)
- Star Time 2
- The Coathanger
- Open Society
- A Real Woman
- Delta-v
- Aqueduct
- Potential Govaner
- Planet Gear
- Tensor in Green
- The Glass Road
- Fluxgate
- Duotone Moonbeam
- Quadrature
- Yes-Sequitur
