Happy New Year everyone!
As the Summer months are upon us (yes, Summer down here), a good mixtape does nor go astray when driving around to beaches, having BBQs or when you work through your holidays while everyone else parties. Stink. They're pretty awesome in Winter as well.
I went round the office here and found some of our favourite mixes to listen to from labels and Scratch Live/ITCH artists that we work with on the reg.
Hessle Audio
Founded by Ben UFO and DJ/Producers Ramadanman and Pangaea this label celebrates techno, dubstep, garage and other electronic influences, and is one of the most innovative new (well, since about 2006) labels around. Supporting artists like TRG, Untold, and Martyn has seen them rise in popularity, and have quickly become a favourite label in the office. If you want to know a bit more about them, Resident Audio did a killer feature on them here.
Listen:
Mix from RamadanmanMix from Ben UFOMix from Pangaea
DJ Spinbad
No list of mixtapes would be complete without including one of Spinbad's. He brought out a 90s mix last year which killed, but his 80s mixes are still some of my favourites. The one below is the sequel to his infamous "Rock the Casbah" 80s mix which pretty much started the whole mash-up ting.
Listen:
Spinbad's 80s Mix
A-Trak
One of the most versatile DJs around, A-Trak always manages to pull some awesome rabbits out of his hat (Duck Sauce anyone?). I wrote about it when it came out, but Infinity+1 was one of my mixtape highlights from last year. Party time fun time. You can buy this mix from pretty much anywhere (iTunes, Amazon, etc)
Listen:
Preview Inifinity+1
Martyn
What a guy, and what a mix! Martyn consistently delivers intelligent tunes and mixes that you can seriously dance too. As opposed to non-serious dancing. Can't wait till he makes it one day to New Zealand (cough hint hint cough). For those who think he's all dubstep and techno, check out the Brainfeeder mix he did below featuring classic hip hop tracks from the likes of J Dilla and MF Doom
Listen:
Martyn Fabric Radio MixMartyn Brainfeeder Mix
Diplo
Oo ee oo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang. For some reason, writing stuff about Diplo makes me want to write childish nursery rhyme stuff. Maybe because his bio according to Twitter is "mekalekahigh mekahighnee ho". Anyway, picked by Aroha, it's around five years old now and still bangs our drum. How good is The Cure into Outkast? Wa wa wee wa.
You can listen to a few tracks here, but you've got to buy this for the full effect.
Classixx
Do these guys make bad stuff? I don't think so. Their remix of Psychic City by Yacht had to be one of the biggest tunes of 2009 (amongst the rest of their heaters). This mix of theirs from last year is pretty awesome. Another act that would do well to travel downunder sometime soon. Listen!
Listen:
Classixx Mix
Borgore
A relatively new DJ on the scene, Borgore is already making big waves. With influences of Dubstep, Rock and Hip Hop, Borgore's sound is a heavy and industrial with a bus load of bass. Coming off a US tour, and already collaborating with big players and labels, Borgore will definitely be an interesting DJ to watch in 2010.
Listen:
Gorestep's Most Hated Mixtape
Steve Lawler
He's the man. (Thanks Dave) Draws music from all over the show in the house scene, and then puts it together in one big delicious pot of DJ soup. Yummo
Listen:
Steve Lawler Big Shot Mix
King Midas Sound
We love Kevin Martin. Sonic genius!
Listen:
FACT mix 103: King Midas Sound
J-Rocc
How could I make a list of mixtapes and not mention this guy. He's put out tape after tape over the years, so it's hard to pick just one mixtape to post up. The Droppin Science mix definitely goes up. His "Thank You Jay Dee" mixes are always good. Everyone has their own favourite, and if you've never heard any mixes from J Rocc, have a scrounge around. He really does something for everyone. Skills for daaaaays.
Listen:
Droppin' Science Blue Note MixDil's Beat Shop Mixtape
I know I'm forgetting killer ones, so excuse me if this list grows longer as the days go on. Maybe I could do a part two?