Shit Robot - Take 'Em Up (featuring Nancy Whang)

Nancy Whang steps out from behind LCD Soundsystem's synthesisers to star on the latest single from fellow DFA act Shit Robot, Take 'Em Up, which is also probably the best track on his album From the Cradle to the Rave. The video features some clever visual effects which may or may not have been inspired by Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

Black Strobe - Me & Madonna (The Twelves Remix)

Seems like The Twelves can do no wrong at the moment, and are having a great deal of success rocking Indie Disco dancefloors with their remixes. This rework of Black Strobe's 2002 track Me & Madonna certainly hits a sweet spot.

Notre Jam Summer Playlist 2010

I've been sitting on this mix for a few weeks now, which showcases a few of the tracks that have been getting regular spins at Notre Jam gigs over the last few months. Turn your speaker stack up to 11 and enjoy.

1. Holy Ghost - I Will Come Back (Classixx Acacpulco Nights Version)
2. Aeroplane vs Friendly Fires vs Flight Facilities - I Crave Paris
3. Miike Snow - Black And Blue
4. Theophilus London - Humdrum Town
5. Twin Shadow - Slow
6. Chromeo - Don't Turn The Lights On (Aeroplane Remix)
7. Database And Holger - This Is An Untitled Song
8. Count And Sinden feat. Mystery Jets - After Dark
9. Robyn - Love Kills
10. Jammer - Back To The 90s

Notre Jam - Summer Playlist 2010 (Right-click, save as)

To book our DJs to play at your event, send an email to dj@becauseassociation.com.

Twin Shadow

It has taken me an age to write this post, but the subject is well worth the wait.

A few months ago Pitchfork posted a track, Castles In The Snow by Twin Shadow, on their Forkcast section which I loved instantly. The album which followed, Forget, has since replaced everything else I previously listened to, and is on daily (more likely hourly) rotation. Even while on holiday in Ibiza, I spent most of my time with it playing in my headphones. From the opening of Tyrant Destroyed, to the last moments of the title track it is a revelation.

The most outstanding track on the record for me is Slow (see video above), which blends the drums from Joy Division's She's Lost Control with a bassline nod to The Cure's Forest. Surely a mix of some of the best elements alternative 80s music had to offer. George Lewis Jnr even manages to sound like a cross between David Bowie and Morrissey on a number of tracks.

If this sounds like your kind of sound, catch Twin Shadow on tour over the coming months. I'll be heading to the show at Madame Jo Jo's in London. I can't wait!

Radio Silence

The Because Association team have all been on their summer holidays recently, hence the lack of updates. We hope you have all enjoyed breaks of your own.

Expect some action from us this week as we get back to regular service.

Jack Splash - King Of The Beats

Gilles Peterson played Cee-Lo Green's new track I Want You on his radio show this week, and this slice of sweetness is produced Jack Splash who has form for producing high-quality, soulful music. His Plantlife project was well received by critics, and seen as a pretender to OutKast's polished hip hop sound, and he has worked with Alicia Keys (Teenage Love Affair), Solange Knowles (T.O.N.Y.) and John Legend (P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)). In the run up to the release of his first solo album, Technology and Love Might Save Us All, Jack is releasing mixtapes online to whet our appetites and remind how prolific he can be. Of the two available so far, King Of The Beats Vol. 1 and Heir To The Throne Vol. 1, check out King Of The Beats Vol. 1 which showcases the sunshine soul side of his repertoire and features Cee-Lo on 38 Special.

Staygold - Backseat (Live P3 Guld 2010)

I felt I had to post this after having played it on repeat for the last few days. The Scandinavians just seem to make effortlessly brilliant pop music, as demonstrated here by Sweden's Staygold with Robyn, Damien Adore and Spank Rock playing Backseat live at P3 Guld awards show.

Also appearing were Teddybears, who played their track Rocket Scientist minus collaborator Eve but without losing any of the quality of the original:


I've still got my fingers crossed for a Junior Senior reunion.

Intel x Vice - The Creators Project

The Creators Project, a diverse multimedia exhibition curated by Intel and Vice Magazine, landed in London at Victoria House this weekend for the second of five scheduled stops in major cities around the world. Featuring a vast array of artists who push the boundaries of thought and technology to produce their works, the event was an eye-opening experience. The curators hope to expand the reach of the event to more cities next year after taking in New York, London, São Paulo, Seoul and Beijing in 2010.

Connect With Kinect

We were lucky enough to be invited to the Microsoft Christmas Showcase yesterday to get a preview of the new Kinect motion control system for Xbox360 at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Filling the gap between Nintendo's Wiimote/Sony's PlayStation Move and the futuristic technology of Minority Report, Kinect allows you to play games without traditional controllers by mapping your body to your on-screen avatar. This brings an even greater level of immersion the gaming experience.

Defeated by Apple...

So How did I, Apple-hater #1, end up bending over and letting in the Apple horde?    Read on...

So now I was ready for my next video-playing device, but I didn't want something I had to use to transcode video...

At this point, I was against device convergance, and thought a phone should be a phone and a media player a media player.  Looking around at my options, I decided to go back to my old friends Creative for a device that was again billed as an "Apple Beater"...

Dr Applehater - or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the iPhone.

So here sit I, the eternal iPhone/Apple hater. Listening to a nice Krafty Kuts mix on my new 32gig iPhone 3GS. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?  Read on to see how I lost my soul to the big A!

I used to hate iPhones and Apple. A lot. I respected their design, and their user-friendliness, but hated the closed ecosystem of iTunes, and their inability to play downloaded TV shows (without conversion).  Also, the fact that I couldn't move music around to wherever I wanted it was a big problem for me.

So, my rebellion against Steve Jobs began when all my mates were getting the 1st gen iPods, and I rebelled by...

Summer Mixtape!

I put together this mixtape to soundtrack my lazy Sunday lounging and thought I would share it so you can do the same. Years ago I helped out on music festivals on Morecambe promenade (Summerbreeze 1996-1999), and loved the sound of the bands drifting around the seafront like "aural lens flare" (© Joel Crookes 2010). If this were the soundtrack to a film, Sofia Coppola would most likely be directing it.

Tracklist:
1. Washed Out - #1
2. Summer Camp - Ghost Train
3. Atlas Sound - Walkabout
4. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
5. Breakbot - Baby I'm Yours (Siriusmo Remix)
6. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round And Round
7. The Dum Dum Girls - Blank Girl
8. Tennis - South Carolina
9. Phoenix - Love Like A Sunset Pt 1 & 2

Summer Selection - June 2010 (Right-click, save as)

Summer Camp and Tennis

The year may be 2010, but for me the most exciting music being released at the moment is distinctly 1960s-influenced and experimental in its production values. Bands seem to surface on blogs weekly who are embracing lo-fi recording technology, or at least digital filters, which enable them to sound like they recorded their music on an old reel-to-reel tape in a garage just for fun. Two such acts who have taken this approach and made it their own are Summer Camp and Tennis, and I have had their releases on repeat for at least a month now. I am a nostalgia addict, and I have a Jones for less dangerous DIY Phil Spectors.

Tony Hawk Ride on wheels for real

Tony Hawk Ride pretty much failed at doing what it set out to: recreating the authentic thrill of skateboarding through a video game and plastic board peripheral. The controls and game were panned by reviewers, and in HMV's Oxford Street store I have seen huge piles of the unwanted game boxes in a corner with massive price reductions but still nobody wants to buy it. Even the TV spot for the game showed more of the player's carpet than the gameplay on-screen. Nice threads.

Some enterprising skaters have customised the plastic board with wheels and grip-tape, and it seems to stand up to the rigours of the ride. Unfortunately, the video does not catch any special move trick combos so we'll probably never know if the buttons still function.

[Via Kotaku]

Onra is on the beat

Onra - The One feat. T3 from Slum Village from Onra on Vimeo.

Another rising French producer, Onra, has just released his third album and it definitely hits the 80s old-school funk sweet-spot. Likened to Hudson Mohowke's debut record "Butter" (best track - "Joy Fantastic"), "Long Distance" also feature a collaboration with Olivier Daysoul ("Long Distance"), as well as T3 from Slum Village ("The One", see the video above), and a great cover of the S.O.S. Band's "High Hopes" with Reggie B. Love it.

Javelin!

I discovered Javelin a few days ago, and their Avalanches/Go! Team/DJ Shadow-esque style instantly had me hooked. "STD Fury" is a track they produced for a group called SEX/ED, and should probably be played in schools to teach the kids to strap it up.

Their album "No Mas" was released in May 2010, and you can download one of the stand-out tracks, "Oh! Centra", below courtesy of superb music blog RCRD LBL.

Low-Down Content

DLC - Gotta love it. Sure sometimes it's (the now infamous) Horse Armour, other times it represents the welcomed expansion of beloved fantasy. Fallout 3 had the excellent "The Pit", "Point Lookout", "Broken Steel" etc. Value continue to delight fans of Team Fortress 2 with continued (free) support. And who can deny the Kings of DLC - Rockstar Games with GTAIV: Tales from Liberty City. But what about exclusive DLC? The kind of promotional goodies reserved for the fortunate few who made their purchase from a specific (often American - but we'll get to that) retail outlet or took advantage of a promotional offer from a vertically integrated corporate cousin.

Red Dead Redemption - First impressions...

Well... I couldn't really see much of what was happening because of screen-glare. Its been rather sunny this weekend.

I did shoot some rabbits and got shot by lawmen, and that's about it so far. The game looks great though, with believable voice acting, and I even read in the manual that the animals were mo-capped. Makes the rabbit murdering more realistic I guess.

Second impressions to follow shortly.

Sunset Riders FTW

As the release of Rockstar Games' "Red Dead Redemption" is getting so much press at the moment (and rightly so... we at the Because Association are very much looking forward to the free-roam online multiplayer!), I though it might be a good time to refresh your memory of/introduce you to the best cowboy/western video game ever made (possibly until today): Sunset Riders. Check out the video above to see some awesome 4-player arcade action.

I have not been at all interested to play Gun, and had not even heard of Red Dead Revolver (until its sequel was announced), so was not really in need of or had an interest in another western-influenced game. However, all the articles I have read about Red Dead Redemption have piqued my interest and would have made it a Day One purchase if I had the chance to leave the office for a lunch break today. In the meantime I have been playing Sunset Riders on my Nokia N900 using the DrNokSNES emulator.

I first played Sunset Riders on a family caravan holiday, and was hooked straight away. Konami have made some great games in the past, and I would put this near the top of the list alongside International Superstar Soccer and Contra. The game is essentially a platform shooter with all the American Old West features you would expect (outlaws, saloon bars, wide-brimmed hats), some clever set pieces (buffalo stampedes) and challenging boss battles. It still has a lot to offer, and if you can find a physical copy for SNES or SEGA Mega Drive (or an emulator) it is well worth playing.

An open question for Londoners (including my fellow BA comrades)...

This is a typically beautiful London building in a fairly well known location... A prize for the first person who can tell me what road it is on.

Because Association DJs!

This Saturday sees the Because Association DJs - Joel Ninety and B-Roll - hit the road to deliver some tasty musical delights in aid of a very good cause.

The Thrill Billy Fete is being held at The Queen's Head in Stockwell on Saturday 22nd May (THIS SATURDAY!) to raise money for Cancer Research. Live music comes from Sir Richard Newman, and there will also be a burlesque show.

We will be DJing both upstairs and downstairs all night. So head on down, do your bit for charity, and have a dance to some awesome sounds.

All the details:

Thrill Billy Fete
Saturday 22nd May 2010
7pm - 2am
The Queen's Head, 144 Stockwell Road, London, SW9 9TQ
Entrance Free / Show £5

Soul and Funk Selections by Joel Ninety

Soul. Funk. Disco.

Nothing has influenced modern music as much as these three branches of the Black Music tree. Artists such as Barry White, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Chic are without doubt the first names that come to mind for most people due to their countless hit records, and they have clearly left their musical footprints across the genre spectrum. Look beyond the tracks still in constant FM-radio rotation and there is a wealth of wonderful hidden gems to discover. I grew up on soul music courtesy of my Dad and his huge vinyl collection, and have had an interest in crate-digging since being deemed mature enough to look through his records and not destroy anything valuable.

These mixtapes are a series of samplers I put together, featuring scratchy vintage sounds alongside modern acts aiming to emulate their heroes. More to come soon!

Keep on dancing. Spread love.

Soul and Funk Selections by Joel Ninety

RIP Glade Festival

It is with a super-heavy heart that I read about the cancellation of this years Glade festival.

Even though I haven't been in a couple of years, this festie has a special place in my heart, I went the 2nd and 3rd year it was on. For me, this was my Glastonbury.

It was unbranded, with no corporate sponsorship, and a free and safe environment for people to dance their asses off to breaks, Psy, Tech and other quality dance music genres.

Security and police presence was always there, but minimal and unseen, which really made for a great, safe vibe.

It looks like councils and police are trying to milk as much money out of festivals as possible, and although I am gutted they cancelled the event, I do have to give respect to the Glade peeps for not giving in and paying out more money, to more people with their hands out.

As the scene becomes bigger, I guess more people want more money out of it. Lame.

In the end, had needed to pay more money out, it would have meant more corporate sponsors, more costs to the ravers.

I suspect the Police wanted a larger presence at the event as well.

Click the link for the full details:

Glade Sadness

The upside is we can all look forward to next years "Pepsi-Apple Dance Fest" - Headlined by SCOOTER!

Three TED Talks for Mind, Body and Soul

Jane McGonigal: Gaming can make a better world

A particularly interesting lecture for Maverick - Jane McGonigal informs us how those millions of hours of computer gaming that humanity enjoys each day can be harnessed for our own good.

Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight

An absolutely incredible story of a scientist conducting brain research, who through experiencing a stroke for herself, is able to break down, moment by moment, what messages are being transmitted between her mind and her body.

Daniel Kahneman: The riddle of experience vs. memory

Perhaps we are remembering happiness all wrong!

VEGA Pre Party Jamz for Nicky Digital

Alan Palomo is one very prolific music maker, and while his Neon Indian project is currently gaining him fans worldwide, another of his monikers deserves some coverage - VEGA. Under this pseudonym he released the "Well Known Pleasures EP" which showcased his take on the updated 1980s synth-funk sound that contemporaries such as Chromeo and Lifelike spin so well. This mix for Nicky Digital's party blog fuses tracks new and old with a few keytars thrown in for good measure.

Tracklist:
1. Miami Horror Vs. Dan Hartman - Starmaker
2. Gary Low - You Are Danger (Romeo Erotic Re-Edit)
3. B.W.H. - Livin Up (Putsch 79 Remix)
4. Casco - Cybernetic Love
5. Lifelike - L.O.V.E. Is What You Need
6. New Edition - Cool It Now
7. Alan Braxe/ Fred Falke - Arena
8. VEGA - No Reasons
9. Sebastian Tellier - Kilometer (Aeroplane ‘Italo 84’ Remix)
10. Kano - It’s A War (Serge Santiago Re-Edit)
11. Dynasty - I Don’t Want To Be A Freak (Lmr Edit)
12. Breakbot - Penelope Pitstop
13. Rhigeria - Vamos A La Playa
14. Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Treasure Fingers Remix)
15. VEGA - Kyoto Gardens (Unreleased)

VEGA - Pre Party Jamz (for NickyDigital.com)

Thoughts on the LAST SEASON of Lost

So I just spent the last day and a half watching the 1st 14 episodes of THE FINAL SQEASON of Lost.

Why am I calling it Sqeason?

Well, there is clearly going to be so much nonsense to "squeeze" into it so henceforth it shall be known as the final Sqeason.

Now I have been a steadfast fan of the show since series 1. Everyone knows that was the best one. Everyone knows that they had to string it out, it was such a huge success, so some of the seasons Lost their way.

Many of the fans dropped off too, season 2, season 3, numbers went down every season.

But I still kept watching. I HAD TO KNOW what the hell this show was all about. I will be damned if I will give up on this now, in the last leg of this thing. I was convinced the writers had a plan for this show, and I wanted to know what was inside their brains.

So I waited till I had a good amount of episodes of the final season to watch, and the combination of being ill, GF being away, and having 14 eps to watch... well, it just seemed like it was the right time to dig in.

But now, after consuming them, and some pizza and ice-cream (I was ill after all), I am mostly annoyed, and here is why:

NuFunk Sampler by B-Roll

As promised, here is the link to the sound of NuFunk through the earholes of me, B-Roll.

Listen to it, love it, download it and come to the gig on the 28th of May: Supatronix 7th Birthday at The Jamm in Brixton.


NuFunk Sampler 090510 by B-Roll

Buy yourself a ticket via TicketWeb.

The NuFunk sound of Nu Dance Music that NuClubbers like

What's all this NuFunk about then?

Its the new sound of breakbeat and I loves it. Artists like A-Skillz, Featurecast and Def-Cut are churning out funky, hip-hop/funk influenced breaks which are slaying parties, clubs and festivals all over the world.

The cool thing is many of the tunes use recognisable hooks, raps and samples, so it really gets the crowd grooving.

Its like breaks, but less ravey and more lady-friendly, and that's a good thing. :)

I will be playing a gig in Brixton Jamm shortly (as B-Roll), details and sample mix to follow later, but in the meantime enjoy this superb promo mix from Featurecast.

Trust me and listen to it. It's the shit.

Featurecast Promo Mix 2009/10 by Featurecast

Iron Man 2? Nowhere near as cool as IRONING MAN!!!

How the UK Election map should really look...

Crysis 2 "The Wall" trailer

This new trailer for Crysis 2 has been doing the rounds for a few weeks now, but it is still an excellent piece of work and worth a look. The whole clip was rendered using Crytek's latest iteration of the CryEngine, and demonstrates the in-game graphical fidelity we can expect from Crysis 2 when it releases towards the end of 2010. The game will be available for Xbox360, PS3, and PC, and is sure to challenge Halo:Reach and Call of Duty for next-gen gamers' attention and cash.

Google Chrome Speed Tests

Filmed on super high-speed Phantom cameras, this Google Chrome promo aims to show that the browser is pretty much the fastest thing you could ever imagine. Pitted against a rocket-powered potato, a keytar and Tesla coil-induced lightning it certainly looks like it could be.

His and hers "laserwear"

After seeing Daft Punk live a few years back and their movie Electroma, I have really wanted my own robot helmet and flashing racing suit. Add to that a love of the original Tron film and huge excitement for Tron: Legacy. Motherboard TV introduces us to Janet Hansen of Enlighted Designs, who is the genius behind Kanye West's light shades and Daft Punk's Alive Tour suits. I have all my fingers crossed for a retro-futurist fashion revolution!

Janet Hansen: Giving Daft Punk, MIA and Kanye West that Laser Look [Motherboard.tv]

JAMAICA!

JAMAICA, formerly Poney Poney, have knocked out a high quality party mixtape just in time for the summer which flows from Disco to Electro via Led Zeppelin and back again without stopping to breathe. Stream or download it using the player above.

Tracklist 
1. Cream - White Room
2. Bob Seger - Love The One You're With
3. Jimmy Ross - First True Love Affair (Larry Levan Mix)
4. Automat - Droid (Cecil Edit)
5. Mother's Finest - Dis Go Dis Way, Dis Go Dat Way
6. In Flagranti - Louvre For Yo
7. Siriusmo - Girls Rock
8. David Rubato - Circuit (Siriusmo Remix)
9. Harry Thumann - Sphinx
10. Azari & Ill - Hungry For The Power
11. Ali Love - Love Harder (Extended Version)
12. Prince - I Would Die 4 U
13. Led Zeppelin - Moby Dick
14. Billy Squier - The Stroke
15. Electric Light Orchestra - Last Train To London
16. Aleem feat. Leroy Burgess - Release Yourself
17. Le Knight Club - Rhumba
18. Surkin - Fan Out
19. High Powered Boys - Highway
20. Pierce - Miss Your Tape (The Phantom's Revenge Remix)
21. Das Glow - Phase IV
22. Jamaica - I Think I Like U 2 (Breakbot Remix)
23. Carole King - Out In The Cold

Kavinsky mix for Dazed Digital

French producer Kavinsky has put together an exclusive mix for Dazed Digital to promote new EP "Nightcall" and showcase his 80s movie action theme style. Essential listening for city driving in the dark.

Tracklist:
1. The Beepers - History Lesson
2. Goblin - Flashing
3. Anne Clark - Sleeper In Metropolis
4. Jan Hammer - Crockett's Theme
5. Serge Gainsbourg - Kiss Me Hardy
6. Escape From New York - Fire In My Heart
7. John Carpenter - Moochi's Death
8. Cerrone - Overdose
9. Tangerine Dream - Beach Theme
10. Sebastien Tellier - Roche (Kavinsky Remix)
11. Kavinsky - Nightcall

Kavinsky on Autocruise

Breakbot also got loved-up earlier this year for Dazed with his Valentines mix, which is superb and definitely worth a spin.

Tracklist:
1. Harvey Scales – Keeps Getting Better
2. BB and Q Band – It’s Over
3. Cerrone – Look for Love
4. Dimples D – Sucker DJs
5. Bumblebee Unlimited – Lady Bug (John Morales Edit)
6. Prince – I Wanna be Your Lover
7. Breakbot feat Irfane – Baby I’m Yours
8. Breakbot feat Irfane – Baby I’m Yours (Siriusmo Remix)
9. The Dells – What a Night
10. Michael Jackson – Johnny Raven
11. Donna Summer – Bad Girls
12. Sugarhill Gang – Lover in You
13. The Escorts – I Can’t Stand to See You Cry (Breakbot Edit)
14. Chic – Funny Bones
15. Bob Sinclar – Gym Tonic
16. Second Image – Is It Me
17. Change – Miracles
18. Push – My Heart
19. Blue Magic – Clean Up Your Act
20. Joe Bataan – Mestizo
21. The Bombers – Shake
22. Cheryl lynn – Got to Be Real
23. Nice and Nasty 3 – The Ultimate Rap
24. Lew Kirton – Here’s My Love (Come and Get it)
25. Mary Clark – Take Me I’m Yours
26. Droids – Tchoung Fou

Breakbot Valentines mix

Adidas Originals get it right

We are big fans of clothing with stripes, especially those with three of them. These Adidas Originals commercials are achingly cool, their parties look awesome, and the Pilooski remix tracks just finish everything off to perfection.

This thing starts now.

Why? Just Because.

Soulwax - NY Excuse (Fast Version)