Category Archives: The Robot Recommends

Symmetry presents ‘The Other Side’ LP

Posted on by
Reply

Symmetry Recordings drops a brand new LP with cuts from various artists, the CD featuring no less than 12 individual tracks. Drum and bass in abundance here with excellent work from label boss Break joined by Eastcolors, Ulterior Motive & Code 3, Octane & DLR, Prolix, Silent Witness, Need For Mirrors, Fields,Hydro, Mako, Villem and Mikal. An impressive roster and it makes for a fantastic long player. From the deep roller ‘Power Down’ to the more vocal ‘Who We Are’ and also the subtle in ‘Watch Out’, this LP really shows off Symmetry for who they are; A committed label excited by pushing the sounds of solid Drum & Bass.

Symmetry Recordings

Bizarre Tribe: A Quest to the Pharcyde

Posted on by
Reply

Thanks to Amerigo Gazaway of Gummy Soul, this free album sees possibly my two favourite rap crews from the East and West Coasts, A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde, join forces for this 14-track project. Mixing and matching vocals and instrumentals from both camps, this makes for ‘gems that never were’ like Pharcyde’s ‘Runnin’ set to the rhythm of Tribe’s ‘Electric Relaxation’. Incredible. Stream, download and embark on the Quest to The Pharcyde.

Download the full album here at Bandcamp with an instrumental release there too.

Not For Sale: Red Bull Music Academy Madrid

Posted on by
Reply

This compilation actually now dates back to 2011 but the music far exceeds the time is was concepted. And the 2012 compilation isn’t available yet anyway so bag this.
The annual international music event hosted by Red Bull where up and coming producers, singers, arrangers, DJs and musicians get an opportunity to learn from top industry professionals has been throwing up surprise results year after year.
Incredibly, the compilations are put together and the event in Madrid last years see’s no less than 35 tracks included for free download. In any format I might add for the audiophiles amongst us.
Without going into too much detail theres a rich blend of deep electronica but theres still the core instrument playing musicians there in the fold making this an incredibly varied selection.
Absolutely pushed for standout tracks I might be inclined to say Yosi Horikawa & Dorian Concept with the glorious track ‘Red Sound’ & Jorge Caiado & Mathew Jonson with the deep house vibe on ‘Ecovillage’ are the tracks that led me to seek out the full compilation. Get involved.

Pragmatic Theory Present : Curtis The Beat Tape

Posted on by
Reply

Bandcamp has fast become one of my favourite sources of both new and experimental music. The ‘Pragmatic Theory’ cut is one such download available right now on there. The vibe sees a collective of producers, samplers and beat maestros from around the world getting involvoled purely for the love of music. They take elements from Curtis Mayfield cuts and create whatever beats it inspires.

Its a 25 track release and all of them are available straight from the beatsmiths alike. They are bouncy, they push the stereo limit, they make you turn the bass down and right back up again,
Stream it, download it and listen in. Concept albums are rocking my world at the minute and what better way to get involved than this…..Its packed full of soul.

Boka Records – Niveau Zero & Tambour Battant

Posted on by
Reply

Boka Records one again making sure they are on the very cusp of whats new with their release ‘Big What’ which features Parisian Niveau Zero on production alongside his fellow countrymen, duo Tambour Battant.
The title track builds with some funked out filter action while some deep vocals guide you in before breaking down into a monster of a tune. Heavy production here from this trio. Perfect dancefloor smasher whilst also being a riddim that makes your head bounce when it comes through your home speakers or headphones.
The flip sees duo Matta on remix duties and they take all the original vibes and break them up into a smooth deep roller. Amazing work from these two once again.

Shouts to Boka for this release. Killing it.

Niveau Zero
Tambour Battant
Matta

Egoless – Before/ After EP

Posted on by
Reply

The LoDubs label has steadily gained pace since it’s inception in 2006 as a sub label. Swiftly and without haste the label become and important part of modern bass music with their feature debuts from the likes of XI, 6Blocc, DZ, Bombaman, Starkey, Clubroot, Swarms and Cardopusher.

Their latest cut see’s Croation beatsmith Egoless on a 3 track E.P. ‘Before Dub’ is the opener and captures the roots vibe perfectly before the intruigingly titled ‘Woodpeckers Groove’ picks up the pace with skippy breaks and smooth harmonies rising throughout. ‘The Day After The Riot’ tops the E.P of with some traditional stabs and horns while the drums lay down the funky pattern and a subtle vocal rides over the lot.

A fine release, still only days old, and perfectly highlighting the versatility of this committed label.

Buy LoDubs music