Deepblak

Interview Deepblak Recordings Crew

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 | Sounds, Vision | No Comments

Oakland’s Deepblak Recordings crew (Aybee, Afrikan Sciences, Damon Bell, EPS1 and Percepticon) recently came by The Friday Night Session for an interview, where they talked about music past, present and future, touching down on the difference between beats made in Oakland vs. San Francisco or Detroit, and how having the expensive pieces from your studio stolen makes you a better artist. You can check out the full audio interview here. Shout out to my co-hosts Mike Bee and Andrew Jervis who held it down despite the technical difficulties.

Tags: Aybee, Deepblak

Singles, Reissues & Comps (2010 Catch Up!)

Thursday, July 8th, 2010 | Sounds | No Comments

I’ve been slacking off on posting reviews in the first half of this year and there has been a lot of great music released, so here’s a few bits and pieces that I’ve been feeling from the past few months.

Dutch label, Rush Hour, have been on fire this year. Not only have they been putting out new forward thinking music, but they’ve also been responsible for re-releasing classic hard-to-find house and techno. The much talked about ‘Frictionalism’ release from earlier this year, collects Anthony ‘Shake’ Shakir’s works from 1994-2009, which is essential, as is the self-titled Virgo album and the Rick Wilhite ep’s. The more recent Boo Williams release collects the best tracks from three ep’s released on Residual in the late 90’s. If you enjoy Boo’s releases on Relief and Djax then this is a must. As for newer material, Tevo Howard delivers his updated acid house sound on the double 12″ ‘Crystal Republic’. Although nothing mind-blowing it’s definitely a grower and the crisp production sounds great. Also worth checking out is the 12″ from FaltyDL ‘All In The Place’. FaltyDL delivers his usual unclassifiable sound that brings together 2-step, house and techno.

If you’re into Nu Groove and the deeper side of NY house, the International Dee Jay Gigolo re-press of the Bobby Konders collection ‘A Lost Era In NYC 87-92′ is a must, complete with cuts like ‘The Poem’, ‘The Future’ and ‘Slackness and Sax’. Another must is Ron Trent’s ‘Altered States - Blak Tech Society’, which collects the three tracks included on the original 1990 Warehouse release, as well as remixes and other recordings from that period. Absolutely timeless and both collections providing much needed relief to original vinyl versions.

Updating those deep sounds is Oakland’s Aybee and his Deepblak label. The forthcoming ‘Blaktropolis Vol. 2′ showcases new material from label regulars, Blaktroniks, Afrikan Sciences as well as Aybee, and also highlights some new artists; especially interesting is 17 year old Shen 7, who’s track ‘Void’, sounds beyond his years. Aybee also provided the thoroughly engrossing ‘Ancient Tones’ release on Seattle’s Further Records. There’s been a lot of interest around Further and their highly limited cassette only releases. At first I didn’t quite get the cassette only thing and the limitations that goes along with the format, however, a recent Resident Advisor article on Further provides some sound reasoning. For those without a cassette deck, it looks like Further’s vinyl experiment has worked out and we’re going to see the excellent ‘Ancient Tones’ on vinyl.

One of the key players of the genre defying sounds coming out of London at the moment, Floating Points, delivers (yet again) another massive record. ‘Peoples Potential’ has been doing the rounds for quite a while, however the flip side (’Shark Chase’) is where it’s at. It’s relentless jacking drums and bass, sound like it came straight out of mid 80’s Chicago. Absolutely devastating when played on a proper system. Other tracks meant for big systems, Levon Vincent’s ‘Double Jointed Sex Freak’, John Robert’s ‘White’, Mike Dehnert’s Dico EP and of course Wax 003.

Tags: Aybee, Chicago House, Deep House, Deepblak, Detroit techno, Floating Points, New York house, reviews, Ron Trent

JGM 53 - Best Of 2009 Pt.1

Thursday, December 17th, 2009 | Podcast, Sounds | 2 Comments

2009 saw a tonne of great music in many different genres. Here are some of my favourite artists, tracks and labels from the past 12 months. Hopefully, I’ll have a part 2 together before the end of the decade!

1. Radiohead - Reckoner (Fascinating Rhythms) Info
I was fortunate enough to hear Balearic Mike play a couple times over the summer and was blown away by his selections. One of the tracks that really stood out for me was this Johnny Miller remix of Radiohead’s ‘Reckoner’, which Mike subsequently used as the debut release for his Fascinating Rhythms label.

2. Cottam - Cottam#2 (Cottam) Info

The vast majority of edits don’t do much for me except for leaving me wanting to hear the original version. The Cottam edits however, turn it up a notch, slowing the BPM and adding raw techno infused beats to the R&B and afro-beat originals. All three releases have been great - expect good things from Cottam and his Ruff Draft label in 2010.

3. Rainer Trueby - Ayres Rock (White) Info

Another couple of respectful edits and a pleasant departure from the Latin infused house that Rainer Truby is known for, although, it sounds like most of the new direction came from (the un-credited) Motor City Drum Ensemble. MCDE’s Raw Cuts #6 was also killer.

JGM 46 - Moov

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 | Podcast | No Comments

Artist - Track (Label)

1. Ricky L - Red (Unrestricted Access) Info

2. Literon & Ovatow - Permutations (Frantic Flowers) Info

3. Black Rascals - For The Next Time (Smack) Info

4. Delano Smith - Synergy (Third Ear) Info

5. Francois K - Moov (Wave) Info

6. Karizma - Tha D (R2) Info

7. Culoe De Song - African Subway (Innervisions) Info

8. Soul Ascendants - Tribute (Nuphonic) Info

9. Fabrizio Ortella - Intensive Care (Deeply Rooted House) Info

10. Ragtyme - I Can’t Stay Away (Clone Classics) Info

11. X2 - Time Elevation Rhythm (Relief) Info

12. Orion 70 - Enki (Deepblak) Info

Direct download: Just_Good_Music_5_19_09_-_Moov.mp3

Tags: Acid House, Blaze, Deep House, Deepblak, Detroit house, Francois K, Innervisions, Karizma, New York house, Ron Hardy, Shelter

Interview - Aybee (Deepblak Recordings)

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 | Sounds | 5 Comments

Armon Bazile and his Deepblak label has been releasing deep, electronic music since 2001, under a number of guises such as Aybee, Prof Delacroix, Orion 70 and o1o. With the imminent release of his first solo album, Armon gives us an insight to his label, influences and working techniques.

Q: You’re about to drop the debut album under your Aybee moniker - tell me about that and what else is in the pipeline for Deepblak in 2009.

A: The album is called the East Oakland Space Program. I have been trying to complete it for more than 3 years now. It’s changed form at least 4 times, but I finally think it’s time. It is most definitely time. You only get 1 chance to do something for the 1st time, right? I have been holding off to make sure that when that TIME comes, the proper energy is available to be transferred. Once that project is out early May I will be releasing a slew of projects under different names throughout the year. Also working on a live show hopefully to be ready by summer of 09. This year I’m looking forward to championing artists such as Afrikan Sciences, Blaktroniks via Deepblak in 09. Read more and listen…..