Because Association

Filthy Friction party - TONIGHT

2011-05-10T10:12:00.000+01:00

Filthy Friction launches tonight (13/05/11) at The Alibi in Dalston, with DJ sets from Push Music, Optics DJ, and our very own Notre Jam.

The event has been set up in association with AV production company Imetrages and culture blog Cloak and Swagger, and promises to be an electronic feast for your ears (that doesn't make sense, but let's pretend it does).

The all important details:

Filthy Friction
Tuesday 13th May 2011
9pm - 2am
The Alibi, 91 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, E8 2PB
Free entry!

R.I.P. Loleatta Holloway

2011-03-27T00:20:00.000Z

This week saw the unfortunate loss of one of the greatest artists of the Disco era, Loleatta Holloway. Her influence on dance music is huge, her work sampled countless times - most notably Love Sensation for Black Box's 1989 hit Ride On Time.

Gilles Peterson put together a podcast featuring some of Loleatta's best-known tracks, and tributes from Norman Jay MBE and Louie Vega of Masters At Work. As people that were lucky enough to work with Loleatta Holloway, they offer an insight into the projects she was involved with and her immense talents.

Loleatta Holloway Tribute (via Gilles Peterson Worldwide)

Theophilus London - Strange Love

2011-02-17T21:11:00.000Z

Futurecop! featuring RENEGADE - Afterburner

2011-02-17T21:07:00.000Z

The Aikiu - The Red Kiss (The Magician Precious 80s Dub)

2011-02-17T21:05:00.000Z

Notre Jam February 2011 Mixtape

2011-02-09T15:32:00.002Z

The latest Notre Jam mixtape is now available to download for your listening pleasure. This mix is heavily influenced by 80s movie soundtracks, retro-futusitic car chases, action sequences and Miami Vice party-hedonism. Nice.

1. Lykke Li - I’m Good, I’m Gone (Metronomy Remix)
2. Miami Horror - Don’t Be On With Her
3. Treasure Fingers featuring Haley Small - Keep Up
4. Kavinsky - 1986
5. Nite Jewel - It Goes Through Your Head (Dâm-Funk Club Dub)
6. Chromeo and Elly Jackson - Hot Mess
7. Futurecop! featuring RENEGADE - Afterburner
8. Crystal Castles featuring Robert Smith - Not In Love
9. Electric Youth - Right Back To You (Demo)
10. The Drums - Me And The Moon (Twin Shadow Remix With No FX)

Notre Jam - February 2011 Mixtape (Right-click, save as)

All of the Notre Jam / Joel Ninety mixes are also available to download and stream from www.notrejam.com.

Guards and CULTS

2011-01-08T15:15:00.000Z

The Kitsuné Maison compilation series is one of the best for a zeitgeist look at the best new indie and electro, and the latest instalment, 10: The Fireworks Issue, has introduced an interesting band called Guards. Their debut release, Guards EP, is available as a free download and is a tasty slice of C86-style lo-fi in keeping with the likes of Best Coast and Girls. The EP is one of the most popular to be uploaded to the Bandcamp website, and led to a record label war to sign them up. Featuring on the EP track Sail It Slow is Madeline Follin of CULTS, who is the sister of Richie Follin from the band.

CULTS are also receiving a lot of attention, and their eponymous 7" single showcases their take on the 1960s girl group-inspired sound contemporaries Summer Camp have had success with.

Both bands are currently on tour and will be visiting The Lexington in London (Guards / CULTS) in February 2011.

Adele - Rolling In The Deep (Jamie xx Shuffle)

2011-01-06T10:05:00.031Z

Jamie xx must be the most prolific producer around at the moment. Not content with just working on a follow up to The xx's debut album and his own solo material, he has reworked Gil Scott-Heron's I'm New Here in its entirety (due for release in February 2011 as We're New Here, check out the incredible NY Is Killing Me and I'll Take Care Of You below) and is also regularly dropping bass-heavy remixes for artists such as Jack Peñate and Florence And The Machine. This version of Adele's latest single Rolling In The Deep is a definite winner, and is out to buy on 16th January 2011.

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

2010-11-21T21:29:00.000Z

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)

2010-11-21T21:13:00.000Z

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

2010-10-31T19:22:00.000Z

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

2010-09-30T19:29:00.002+01:00

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

2010-09-11T13:25:00.000+01:00

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

2010-08-04T21:28:00.000+01:00

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)

2010-07-29T09:43:00.003+01:00

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

2010-07-19T17:13:00.007+01:00

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.

At the press conference on Friday night, John Galvin from Intel and Vice co-founder Shane Smith discussed how the partnership and project came together with the aim to get people to think about technology, and its application, in different ways. Also on the panel were Mark Ronson, a long-time proponent of musical collaboration, and Trevor Jackson, who arguably changed the aesthetic of record sleeve art through his label Output Recordings.

Many of the exhibits on show had some foundation in commercially available devices, and hacking them to produce something new. Prime examples of this are Mark Essen and Paul B. Davis who take Atari's and Nintendo's 8-bit consoles to create new DIY games and chip-tune music. Essen's Jetpack Basketball game looked impossible to control but was great fun to watch, and when players finally managed to score points they were rewarded with spectacular pixellated explosions of colour. Patrick Jean's excellent film Pixels also celebrates the retro style of the 8-bit era with cameos from Donkey Kong and Pac-Man running amok in New York.

The screening of I'm Here, Spike Jonze's robot love story, was followed by rapturous applause in the auditorium. The film was produced in association with Absolut Vodka, and looked beautiful on the big screen. Ladj Ly's Go Fast Connexion, a gritty documentary which follows a drug gang in the projects outside Paris was also well received.

United Visual Artists' installation Triptych was a personal highlight. Three monolithic LED structures stood a few paces apart, reacting to human proximity and emitting a loud, unsettling hum from hidden speakers. After a few minutes the lights would turn red and flash, while the hum grew louder and more violent, almost like the Master Control Program from Tron.

Music was a strong influence on the event, from the entrance area placement of Felix Thorn's instrumental sculpture Felix's Machines, to the final performances of the night from Tinchy Stryder in the ballroom and Trevor Jackson DJing in the auditorium. The Pop Song Panel resulted in the creation of a party jam by Mumdance, Jammer and C-Gritz, Sampha, Rodaidh McDonald and a few audience members, and it was exciting to watch them collaborate on the brink of anarchy. Compere Eddy Moretti entertained the crowd during the moments when the panel had to concentrate hardest on the job at hand. The finished track should be available online soon on The Creators Project website, along with the track produced by the NYC event panel of Mark Ronson, Alex Greenwald, N.A.S.A., Alan Palomo (Neon Indian, VEGA), and Donnis.

Later, the ballroom started to fill up in anticipation of the post-Lovebox live set by Mark Ronson and The Business Intl. The new band he has assembled includes Alex Greenwald (who previously sang on Just), Rose Elinor Dougall (formerly of The Pipettes) and MNDR (Amanda Warner). Spank Rock joined the band on stage, having guested on Ronson's new album Record Collection, and told me that he was touring with them to "fill in the gaps" on tracks such as Bang Bang Bang when we had a brief chat on the way out. It was great to get a preview of the new material, with Ronson singing lead vocals for the first time on Lose It (In The End) and Rose Elinor Dougall fronting Hey Boy with her usual sass and a little help from Spank Rock. Singles from Ronson's last album Version, Just and Valerie, were big hits with the crowd. Kyle Falconer of The View took the lead on Valerie as he did previously during BBC Electric Proms in 2007.

There was so much going on that it was impossible to see everything, so unfortunately I missed Peaches DJing with her broken, plastered leg perched on the decks, Filthy Dukes, Mumdance and Kele live. The free bar was definitely popular, courtesy of Bacardi, Becks and Red Bull. After the successes of the New York and London events I am very interested to see what comes out of the next shows, especially the Pop Panel workshops.

Connect With Kinect

2010-07-15T22:45:00.002+01:00

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.

On show were Kinect Sports, Kinect Adventures, Kinect Joy Ride and Dance Central. Kinect Sports' bowling game was much more involving than the Wii Sports equivalent, requiring you to pick up the virtual ball from the racks and go through the full swing and release movements. Savvy Wii Sports players have learnt how to cheat with quick wrist flicks while sitting down, but Kinect makes you get up and play fair. Kinect Adventures' river rafting (as demonstrated recently on Jimmy Fallon) was fun but slightly awkward to play in a room full of people, jumping to lift the vessel off ramps and waves to collect tokens. There was a slight lag between my movements and their recognition by the sensor, but these kinks will no doubt be ironed out before release.

After almost forcing Rampage (Treble T and Mike Anthony) from BBC 1xtra's gaming blog to get on stage for an impromptu performance on stage with Dance Central, it was our turn to throw some shapes and show the professional dancers how to do their jobs. Luckily, there is no video evidence of these three minutes of shame, but we did get a better look at Kinect's motion tracking powers during the "freestyle dance" section where a silhouette of your body moving to the music is shown.

It remains to be seen whether Kinect will be able to appeal to hardcore gamers, as the upcoming releases announced so far are distinctly Wii-esque. The PlayStation Move controller will be compatible with a re-released Heavy Rain and Killzone 3, so it will be interesting to see how Microsoft will entice developers to match Sony's ambitions for similar games.

Defeated by Apple...

2010-07-13T15:16:00.000+01:00

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"...

The Zen:

This device really had it all: Large capacity, great video format support, TV out, Radio, great sound etc. So what if it didn't look as slick as the i-shit, I could drag-and-drop content to and from here, I could organise stuff the way I WANTED it to be organised.

I loved, and still do love this device very very much. A year or so after getting it, the idea of convergence popped into my head again. I was rockin the Nokia N95 8gb as my phone, which was, a super device. Slightly lacking in design, sure, but it was a workhorse with GPS, Music player, internet etc. I started to like and trust Nokia, which is why when they announced the N900, I decided I HAD TO HAVE IT.

In my head, this was the Apple-beating "All-In-One Everything" I had been waiting for. It was open-source, played all video and audio formats, had a hardware keyboard, and was tough as nails. For a few months, it was exciting and new, but soon I realised that I was deluding myself. Nokia had deceived me with their clever clever Finnish double-talking. What were the problems?
- Jerky video playback
- Shonky apps (always a risk with open-source stuff)
- Slow performance while surfing the net
- Hardly any official app support from Nokia

Also, this device was billed as the perfect "hacker phone". Although I like to think of myself as one, I am not a hacker. Nor do I have the time, or knowledge to become one. I liked what this device was trying to do, but really it was made not for me. It helped me to realise that I was a consumer, not some kind of Matrix manipulator guy, who could get the most out of the Linux OS and the community around it.

Since this was an upgrade though, I had prepared to sit through the next 18 months before I could get something else. Then the iPhone 4 arrives on the scene.

I thought: If only there was a way I could get my hand on one of those 3GS phones, which no-one likely wants anymore since all the fanboys would be after the 4? Well, I cannot tell you the whole story, but let me just say I am now a Vodafone customer for life.

They gave me one, for free, without extending my contract, and didn't even want the old N900 back! Proper customer service there. As for my methods? They shall remain a secret, except to say, be loyal to Voda, they will be loyal to you.

So I am now in possession of a spanking new 32 gig iPhone 3GS. This totally pains me to say, and I wish it wasn't true but: this phone is the nuts. I wouldn't have wanted to pay £500 for one, but damn... The thing is: it JUST WORKS.

It syncs up perfectly with my Google accounts - email and calendar. Update on my PC, it goes to the phone too, and the other way round. I know other phones can do this, but I have never experienced such seamless and easy integration.

Web browsing - except for flash-based sites, this is really quick to load, and looks amazing on the screen.

Email app: much quicker than on my N900, and is a real breeze to read and reply to emails.
Wi-Fi: Automatically connects to my known networks when I am in range, and uses them. Had to do this manually on the N900.
Apps: TheTrainline app - knows where I am and tells me what time the next train home is from the nearest station. Virtually instantly. Amazing.
Facebook app: Better than the full internet version of the site.
Google Maps/Earth - full versions of the software, in your hand.
Media playback: Video looks great, and most importantly, the sound through the headphones is full, and deep.

I discover new things about it that I like every day.

Overall, I am astounded with it. I am glad I got the 3GS and not an earlier version as I think this is the pinnacle of the device so far. Not bothered about the 4, especially after experiencing the infamous call drop-out from someone I was speaking to yesterday. Honestly, holding it wrong? Lame.

Anyway, I am now one of the mindless zombie horde, wanking around the place with my iPhone, telling the world how great it is. Because it is.

And I hate myself for saying that.

I still hate iTunes though, and my next phone is going to be a Windows7series phone, so I won't be an Apple whore forever.

Ideally.

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

2010-07-07T16:58:00.001+01:00

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...
getting a 60 gig Creative Zen Jukebox. This thing was awesome - massive capacity (compared to the iPod), great sounding player with great sound - way better than all my friends iPods (we did listening tests, nerdy much?).

All was well until I couldn't put music on it anymore from my laptop. It was meant to be drag and drop, but neither that, nor the bundled software would work anymore. I even went to Creative and asked them for a replacement but the problem persisted.

At this point I was still on my high-horse about not becoming an iZombie.

So I sold it on eBay (no complaints from the buyer, thankfully) and moved on to my next non-iPod product: The Cowon iAudio M3:

Why was this better than a fruity device? Again, more storage space, slimmer form factor, great battery life and a nice remote. Also, it could record with a line-in, which I thought I would use all the time, but in truth, only used once or twice...

More importantly, it had a great, thick, bassy-sound to it.

By the time I was ready for my next device, I decided that video was important to me. Could an Apple device suit me here? No, as it wouldn't play all the episodes of Lost and BSG that I had "obtained" through the internets. Conversion would be involved. This was a problem. Crunching video at that time, was a very time consuming process, which my PC couldn't handle.

So what did I get next? How did I end up taking a bite of the Apple? Stay tuned to the blog for the next and final part of my confession...

Summer Mixtape!

2010-07-05T16:36:00.000+01:00

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

2010-07-03T23:59:00.001+01:00

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.

Summer Camp are Jeremy Warmsley and Elizabeth Sankey. Their first release, "Ghost Train" is a beautiful track which captures the feeling of an all-too-brief holiday romance, and is complimented excellently by the video below which re-edits clips of the 1969 film Last Summer. The film itself isn't as idealistic as the video below might make out, however, but if you can track it down on an NTSC VHS tape or online somewhere it is worth seeing. Their forthcoming EP, "Round The Moon" will hopefully see the band receive more glowing critiques, its title-track being a superb driving piece which remenisces on a particularly memorable night out for the protagonists.

Summer Camp - Ghost Train (viral) on Vimeo.

If I had the freedom to leave my job, buy a boat and sail around the Eastern Seaboard then write songs about my travels I would hope they would sound as good as those by Tennis. Husband and wife duo Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore did just that, and we are now lucky enough to hear their stories in such a delightful way.

Tennis - South Carolina on Vimeo.

"South Carolina" is their first single, to be released late July on 7". Get your copy now before they sell out. "Marathon" is also a great track which is on the hype-train at the moment, deservedly so.

Also worth mentioning are Kisses, whose album "Heart Of The Nightlife" is perfect for summer garden/balcony/car park evenings. Scheduled for release in August, there should hopfully still be some opportunities to enjoy it outside before autumn arrives.

Tony Hawk Ride on wheels for real

2010-06-23T18:20:00.000+01:00

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

2010-06-23T17:59:00.000+01:00

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!

2010-06-07T21:28:00.001+01:00

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

2010-05-27T11:24:00.009+01:00

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.

Before, these items represented little more than an unlockable skin or custom weapon (I remember being jealous of B-Roll's Golden Lancer in Gears of War). If you pre-ordered Arkham Asylum from Play.com you got early access to the Armoured Batsuit (which you could still unlock upon completion). Being a huge fan (quite literally) of the Mass Effect franchise, I was initially concerned when I heard about the various pre-order outlet-specific bonuses. Luckily someone leaked all the codes online - true digital democracy in action - and I had a chance to get them all before I'd even bought my copy. Happily my fears were baseless as once again, the items were novelties, not gamechangers....

That's the heart of the problem. Now we're seeing DLC that not only is so localised that European gamers are completely excluded from their benefits or face considerable delays to access. But we're also seeing bonus content included on Limited Edition or Special Edition bundles, the value of which we can't possible comprehend without having actually experienced the core title first hand. Let me briefly outline the two recent experiences that have prompted this entry.

Case 1) Battlefield Bad Company 2: The Dr. Pepper fiasco. I was addicted to this game since it's release. Slammed through the single player campaign, then dipped into the multiplayer. Normally I'm really not one for competitive MP, but I thought I'd give it a shot, and it hooked me. I found I could carve my own niche, offering support as a medic I felt part of a team yet retained my anonymity, which suited me. Levelling up became like online game crack. I wanted the next item until my medic was maxed, then I moved onto the engineer - liking the idea of having a squad of top flight support soldiers. I wanted to drain the marrow from the experience, and would periodically check to see if there was DLC.

Every time I did, I noticed there was content from a US only Dr. Pepper promotion unavailable to international consumers. I thought it was probably nothing special. Recently it came onto XBL, one pack for each class at 160 points apiece. Each seemed to be offering a special player skin and a special camo-version of a weapon. It was then I noticed that the weapons available for each class, were the ultimate weapons one unlocks when maxing out that class. I thought "surely that's not the case, they couldn't have made this kit available to US players months before UK gamers, that would completely unbalance the experience". Giving the top guns to newbs that haven't gone through the hard work and grid of levelling just because they bought a frakkin soft drink? Sadly, this was the case. I bought the sniper pack, and sure enough, you could be a PFC and have the most powerful weapons in the game if you had a can of fizz or 160 MS points.

I couldn't help myself, I had wanted to try these guns, I had been working so hard for it. So I bought the pack for the Soldier and Sniper...but the thrill had gone. I jumped into a game, tried them out, but didn't feel the high I got every time I acquired a new weapon through sheer hard work. Then every time i was killed by a lower rank with one of these weapons, I felt cheated...

I haven't been back to the Battlefield since, and it's a real shame.

2) Red Dead Redemption: Special Edition. I was tempted to buy this. Check it out - now going for far more £££ then originally advertised.

The content sounds so good, but too good to be true. I thought "can it really be that much of a boost?" Surely not. Well, again, I was wrong. Here's where the paradox in my whole argument makes itself known. That content (War Horse, Golden Guns, Assassin Outfit) turns out to be massively powerful. Now, I bought the vanilla version and I loved the game. I had no way of knowing before having made my purchase, what that limited edition content would mean to me, as a gamer and consumer. Now I do, I feel like I've been slightly betrayed (by myself, and Rockstar).

So why do I feel like I cheated myself when I bought my way to power in BBFC2, but feel like I've been cheated by not having such goodies in RDR? BBFC2 is a contest, a twitch gaming frag fest. RDR, whilst it may not admit it openly, is a Role Play Game. You become Marston, you inhabit his avatar, you imprint upon him. There's none of the frivolity (unless you court it) of GTA, as your actions matter. That said, the legend of Marston is at odds with his status at the start.

You walk into town as a former outlaw, a trained and talented (albeit reformed) killer. You've been sent on a mission to take down your old posse. You're Clint, let's face it. And when it dawned on me what I was, what characterised the experience that lay out before me, and what that Spec.Ed. content represented, I suddenly felt betrayed by the fiction. If I rode into town on the War Horse, which in my mind would have been the stead I rode in the ol' killin' days and took care of ever since. Rode into town with my golden guns strapped and primed, again relics of my past infamy. Rode into town wearing the assassins garb which once again provided stat-boosting benefits in keeping with my legend - then I'd ride into town as John Marston. The man, the legend, going back to his old ways in search of....Redemption.

This is something I couldn't ever possibly have predicted without living through the game, as I have now. And even though, perhaps, I'll unlock this content through playtime alone, it will never change the fact that right now, I feel as though I've missed an opportunity to play the ultimate version of this truly epic fiction.

I love DLC, I love what it can be at it's best...all I want is informed choice. Even if it comes at a cost to me while free for the drinkers of the Doctor's finest soda. I want to know what the content is, does and represents. Then when I make my informed purchase, I am the only one responsible for the outcome.

If you've been arsed to read all this, I'd love to know about your low down DLC experiences.
Peace out
Gaijin.

Red Dead Redemption - First impressions...

2010-05-23T22:46:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-22T03:39:00.003+01:00

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)...

2010-05-19T16:48:00.004+01:00

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!

2010-05-19T16:17:00.005+01:00

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

2010-05-12T23:58:00.004+01:00

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

2010-05-12T16:40:00.011+01:00

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

2010-05-12T11:05:00.008+01:00

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

2010-05-10T22:19:00.011+01:00

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

2010-05-09T21:05:00.013+01:00

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:

From this point on, look away if you want to avoid spoilers on these latest 14 eps.

OK. Problems:

1) I only really care about the action on the island. I always have. To me, flash-backs, flash-forwards, flash-to-alternate-dimension time space crap means nothing to me. I care about the mysteries and adventures on the island. Some people say you can't have one without the other, but to me, all the other crap is filler. Lost could have been 2 seasons of quality Island adventure mentalism if they dropped all the various backstory bullshit filler.

2) Season 4 specific problem - "Join Locke's group" no wait, "Join Sawyer's group" no join "that dude from neighbours group" and so on. Not forgetting the mysterious Japanese shogun/Miyagi-type temple-people-group, that after a few episodes, all got nailed. Glad too cause their leader guy was a right mysterious dick. For no reason, kind of like Jacob, but we will get to that later.

Anyways basically there is too much group/allegiance/promise-swapping and it gets hard to keep track of.

3) People trek all over the island on bullshit errands for no real reason but to fill time. The lighthouse, Dharma village, temple, back to the temple, the beach etc. This annoyed me. I actually enjoyed the alternate dimension crappo in this season more than the island stuff as the running back and forth, joining and unjoining groups and trekking through the jungle was just tedious.

4) Jacob - Boring, mysterious for no reason, and a general penis. Here's an idea Jacob: "Tell people what you want them to do, and why, and they might do it and you will get what you want!"

Also, Ben Linus kills him. Lamely.

The actor that plays Jacob is much better as Satan in "Supernatural". In fact, maybe he is Satan, the same Satan, in both shows. Once they killed him in Lost, he popped into Supernatural ready to posess Sam Winchester... (that's for another blog though)

5) This is a general problem with this show: Why has no-one ever asked either Jacob, Locke-creature (to be known as McLocke from now on) or Miyagi-man "Excuse me, just quite what the hell is going on here on this island and really, just what the frak am I doing here". That annoys me that no-one ever does that.

Saying that, then this series would have been over in like 10 mins. They could have done an architecht-style speech like they did in The Matrix. That would have satisfied me and as a bonus I wouldn't have had to wait 6 years to find out wha gwan on that there island there.

Also ABC would have made no money (sounds like a win win to me)... anyways.

5) Juliette being dead. She had hotness. Seriously.

6) Sudden semi-explanation for smokey - McLocke: "Oh yeah, that's me. I can change into black smoke and kick-ass. Now moving on, y'all best do what I say. Otherwise I Will Smoke Your Asses!"

Good things so far this season (cause there are some!):

1) The episode about Richard Alpert (or Ricardo) was just totally awesome. Nice to see what he is all about, where he came from etc. The bit where Jacob shares wine with him is the closest explanation we have for what exactly the island is, and who Jacob is, and who McLocke is.

2) McLocke - I don't quite know who he is or what he is, but he is a hard-ass awesome character. I used to think regular Locke was cool, but McLocke is way cooler.

3) The way the alternate dimension stuff all links together. I know, I know, I said I thought all this stuff was filler, but the way they keep the connections going between the characters even after Juliette creates the Lostverse2 (where the plane doesn't crash) is a rather clever bit of plotting and scripting.

4) Alternate universe Hugo being a super-successeful gazillionaire. Win.

5) Episode 14. The ending. Jin and Sun. Nearly brought a tear to my eye. I swear. After watching all 14 eps and being ready to shred them all, this episode redeemed it.

I once was lost, but now I was found.

This ep had: excitement and action, McLocke kicking ass, Sayeed blowing up (dead for a second time????) and... well... Jin and Sun re-united, then drowned. This episode ruled. Because of this episode, I decided to write all this crap, and I hope you enjoyed reading it.

I cannot wait for the final episodes, but I am going to wait till I have them all, and watch them in one big fat sitting.

And then slag them off.

Again.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below!

NuFunk Sampler by B-Roll

2010-05-09T15:30:00.007+01:00

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

2010-05-07T16:39:00.009+01:00

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!!!

2010-05-07T16:31:00.004+01:00

How the UK Election map should really look...

2010-05-07T11:51:00.007+01:00

Crysis 2 "The Wall" trailer

2010-05-06T16:19:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-06T11:15:00.002+01:00

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"

2010-05-06T09:18:00.006+01:00

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!

2010-05-05T15:52:00.002+01:00

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

2010-05-05T13:43:00.011+01:00

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

2010-05-05T13:19:00.001+01:00

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.

2010-04-21T19:46:00.001+01:00

Why? Just Because.

Soulwax - NY Excuse (Fast Version)