Thursday 21 August 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SOUNDCLOUD STEEZ VOL.4


In the fourth volume of my ‘Soundcloud Steez’ column for Loose Synths, I picked out tracks from Boothroyd, Fallow, William Skeng, Preditah and Tom E Vercetti as some of my favourite online finds over the last month. 

Thursday 7 August 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: PICK YOUR OWN @ HYPONIK - JULY '14


Picked out tracks from both Gundam and Local Action signee Finn in July’s staff picks over at Hyponik. Some cracking selections from the rest of the crew as ever too!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SCORCHER


Ahead of the release of his new single ‘Work Get It’ alongside Wretch 32 and Mercston, I caught up with Scorcher on his music, acting and the challenges facing grime MCs today for Hyponik.

Tuesday 29 July 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 #21 - BOOFY & LEMZLY DALE


In the second of a series of label-focused ‘Life at 140’ columns for Clash Music, I spoke to Bristol duo Boofy & Lemzly Dale about their city, the formation of Sector 7 Sounds and even asked them to pick out their favourite dub plates too.


Wednesday 23 July 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: ROPE - 'COTHAM WARRIOR' / 'SLUGFACE'


Reviewed Rope’s debut EP and inaugural transmission for new Bristol imprint Parison Records, featuring co-production work from Sentiment on ‘Slugface’ and remixes of ‘Cotham Warrior’ from Trouble & Bass duo Klient and fellow Bristol-based grime head Boycott.


Wednesday 9 July 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SPECIAL STAGE AUDIO - 'CAKE TRAY VOL.1'

Reviewed the first volume of Special Stage Audio’s ‘Cake Tray’ EP series, featuring tracks from William Skeng, Dellity, Secundus and Nammy Wams for Hyponik - really individual takes on instrumental grime.


Tuesday 8 July 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SOUNDCLOUD STEEZ VOL.3



In the third volume of my 'Soundcloud Steez' column for Loose Synths, I picked out five of my best discoveries over the past month. Tracks from Rope, DJAO, Impey, T_A_M and Pedro 123 all feature.

Friday 4 July 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 #020 - MADAM X // BPM



In the first of a number of label-focused 'Life At 140' features for Clash Music, I spoke to Madam X about her recent 'Kaizen Movements' compilation and the defining moments behind her Manchester-based party & label BPM.

Wednesday 2 July 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: PICK YOUR OWN @ HYPONIK - JUNE '14



Plucked for tracks from Mumdance & Novelist and the excellent El Mahdy Jr in June's staff picks at Hyponik, in and amongst some pretty expansive choices from the rest of the writing staff too.

Monday 30 June 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: MADAM X - KAIZEN MOVEMENTS VOL.1



Reviewed Madam X's 10-track 'Kaizen Movements Vol.1' compilation for Hyponik last week. Featuring tracks from the likes of Murlo, Sudanim, Timbah and BPM starlet G.S. One, it represents a really exciting look at contemporary UK club music.

Tuesday 17 June 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: IMPEY x SONIC ROUTER



Drafted in London-based producer Impey to provide the latest Sonic Router mix following the release of his debut 12'' on Sector 7 Sounds this week. For all the instrumental grime currently making headlines, 'Bangclap' / '4titude' is some of the best - the mix is one to remember too.

Friday 6 June 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: HYPONIK STAFF PICKS - MAY '14



Opted for tracks from Last Japan and Samename in May's staff picks for Hyponik, which also features a healthy selection from all the regular contributors.

Tuesday 3 June 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 - FLOWDAN



I caught up with legendary MC Flowdan in my Life At 140 column for Clash this month. We spoke about his debut EP on Hyperdub, 'Serious Business', and I got him to pick out his three favourite tracks to vocal in a rave.

Tuesday 27 May 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: AIR MAX '97



Really happy to be back on mix series duty again for Sonic Router. Following the release of his debut EP 'Progress and Memory' on Liminal Sounds this week, I got Australian producer Air Max '97 to put together a special mix for the site & wrote a little introduction to his talents too.

Wednesday 21 May 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: INTERVIEW w ELIJAH



I've interviewed Elijah quite a few times over the last four years but, to coincide with the release of he and Skilliam's FabricLive mix, I spent some time in conversation with him to talk about his achievements, grime and the future for Butterz.

Wednesday 14 May 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: KAHN & NEEK x TRAP




Was asked to start writing occasional pieces for Trap Magazine last month and it's an honour to say my first double-pager was reserved for two of Bristol's best (and my favourite) underground producers, Kahn & Neek.

You can read the interview from pages 33-35 (+ in the print magazine): http://issuu.com/trapmagazine/docs/trap_19

Thursday 8 May 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SOUNDCLOUD STEEZ VOL.2



Chose bits from Madam X, Kahn, Dehousy & Ana Sia, Visionist and Callahan in Vol.2 of my Soundcloud Steez column for Loose Synths.

Wednesday 7 May 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: PICK YOUR OWN @ HYPONIK - APRIL '14



Chose tracks from Australian producer on-the-rise Strict Face and beat-less specialist Kid Smpl in April's staff picks for Hyponik, alongside typically stellar choices from all the other regular contributors too.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: MERIDIAN DAN



Caught up with Meridian Dan last month on the story behind 'German Whip' and his relationship with PMR in the latest issue of Clash Magazine - the interview is now available to read online too. 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: MATT WIZARD - JUDGE REINHOLD



Ahead of the release of his debut EP on Mr Mitch's Gobstopper imprint, I wrote a few words on the exclusive video for skippy heater 'Judge Reinhold' for Clash.

Monday 28 April 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: WEN - SINGALS



After letting the dust settle on Wen's brilliant debut album 'Signals', I caught up with him to talk about the influences and emotions behind releasing his very first LP. 

Photo by James Clothier.

Read the interview in full at Hyponik here: http://hyponik.com/features/bridge-gap-wen/

Thursday 24 April 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 - NOVELIST



In my latest 'Life At 140' column for Clash Music, I caught up with hugely promising young MC & producer Novelist on his top 5 favourite grime instrumentals of all time.

Monday 7 April 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SOUNDCLOUD STEEZ VOL.1



Started a new monthly feature at Loose Synths today - you can catch me rounding up my top 5 Souncloud finds every month. Picked out tracks from Murlo & Famous Eno, Chesslo Junior & Air Max '97 as well as mixes from Chemist and Riz La Teef this time around.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: PICK YOUR OWN @ HYPONIK - MARCH '14



I went for tracks from both Gage and Footsie in March's staff picks at Hyponik as part of another stellar monthly selection from all contributing writers.

Thursday 27 March 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 - DJ MILKTRAY


In my latest 'Life At 140' column for Clash Music, I caught up with edit maestro DJ Milktray about city-centric grime movements, Boxed and the story behind the name..

Tuesday 18 March 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT - PRINCE RAPID



Was given the chance to chat to Ruff Sqwad's Prince Rapid about grime and his new EP, 'Turning Point', for Sonic Router recently. Interesting to note the change in attitude, from both fans and artists, towards grime and how it's represented and discussed.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LUNE - 'FALLING' (MAO REMIX)



I was given the opportunity to choose Track of the Day over at Clash Music again today and opted for Mao's atmospheric rework of Swedish songstress Lune's new single 'Falling' - it's gully.

Wednesday 12 March 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: PICK YOUR OWN - FEB '14



I plucked for tracks from JT The Goon and stellar new talent G.S One in February's staff picks for Hyponik - few gems from the rest of the team too.

Sunday 9 March 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: PARJO01 - SHADOWS



Fledgling imprint Club Soda Records, whose inaugural transmission comes from the intriguingly named 'parjo01', offer up a slice of stellar dance floor fare across four tracks here. 

Buoyant title track 'Shadows', which also features a dub mix as well as remixes from Mella Dee and DFRNT, glides along with bleepy rhythms, steely percussion and a inescapably catchy vocal loop, all of which give it plenty of dance floor charm. 

Mella Dee works his signature brand of darker, altogether grittier, garage-led sounds on his stomper of a remix whilst DRNT draws in the atmospherics on his tech-layered re-edit. The dub mix is pretty good value too, with parj001 opting for a far harder, thugged-out rework that seems to do-away with the niceties and subtle groove of the original. 

Not an obvious Uncle Albert choice, but one that should certainly raise a few eyebrows. Props.

Out now on Club Soda Records.

Wednesday 5 March 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: KORMA - BOOTLEGS EP



Stateside imprint Hush Hush, home to the extraordinary, weightless talents of Kid Smpl, have looked to bootlegs for inspiration on their latest release from promising beatsmith, Korma. 

Resisting the temptation to chop and screw in keeping with similar, contemporary grime-themed edits, Korma instead chooses to layer more complex compositions over original vocals from the likes of Ashanti, Ciara and Destiny's Child across seven impressive bootlegs. From the down-tempo 808 bangs on his rework of Kelis' 'Bossy' to the sino-grime leanings on a refix of Aaliyah's 'Are You That Somebody?', Korma showcases a rich and diverse palette of sounds. Whilst the concept may be a popular one, it's the unique approach and delicate craftsmanship on offer here that really stands out. Tip!

Out now on Hush Hush Records.

Tuesday 25 February 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 #18 - DOT ROTTEN



In the first of my Life At 140 columns of 2014, I took a more in-depth look at Dot Rotten and his latest free volume of iconic instrumental series 'Rotten Riddims' for Clash Music. As opposed to rounding up the month's news, this year I'll be taking a closer look at releases / events / general topics that catch my eye each month. 

Tuesday 18 February 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: NATIV - SHIFTY EP



I reviewed Nativ's 'Shify' EP on Tumble Audio for Hyponik - think Champion but even more dark and even more gully. Features a really interesting remix from Arctic too.

Tuesday 11 February 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: 'PICK YOUR OWN' - JAN '14



In January's staff picks for Hyponik (the new site looks nag), I plucked for tracks from Mumdance and Wen in and amongst a great selection from the rest of the staff.

Friday 24 January 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: OIL GANG



Ahead of his second appearance at Fabric tonight as part of Boxed's Room 3 residency, I caught up with Oil Gang for Hyponik on instrumental grime's resurgence, staying ahead of the curve and his label's first full length transmission..

Wednesday 22 January 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SKETCHMAN 2014



From attending studio sessions with him back in 2008 to interviewing him for Uncle Albert back in 2011, Sketchman has remained a firm advocate of the blog but more importantly, a great MC.

After a near two-year hiatus, he spent much of 2013 promoting his new material, having taken up the guitar to blend his gritty, grime heritage with a new found penchant for acoustics and spoken word. With a slew of performances at smaller venues across London and new album 'Nothing Is Enough' in the pipeline, he's hoping to make real waves in 2014 and establish himself as one of the capital's brightest up-and-coming lyricists.

You can update yourself on what he's been up to by checking out his YouTube channel here and via his website here. Regularly updated with gig footage and exclusive new content, including an iconic bus freestyle with Raheim of Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5 on a recent trip to New York, both provide a unique and candid insight into Sketchman's life as an artist.
Sketchman in NYC

Tuesday 14 January 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: LIFE AT 140 #17



In my latest 'Life at 140' column for Clash Music, I looked back at grime throughout December and selected my top 5 tracks of the month. Going forward, it'll be the last I write in this format - from next month, I'll be taking an in-depth look at individual releases weekly!

Read up in full at Clash here: http://bit.ly/Kh1i5w

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: GANTZ - SPRY SINISTER / RISING



I reviewed Gantz' two-track debut record for Deep Medi over at Hyponik this week. Quite honestly some of the best dubstep i've heard in years.

Monday 13 January 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: AI & KATHY BROWN - 'SOMEBODY TO LOVE' (MASSAPPEALS REMIX)



I was given the task of picking my first Track of the Day of 2014 over at Clash Music and opted for Massappeals' bold, 808-laden rework of Artificial Intelligence & Kathy Brown's new single, 'Somebody To Love'.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: MIK VS OH91



As a follow up of sorts to last years 'Vs' mix with Kahn, MIK has enlisted another of Bristol's rising stars in OH91 to proceed the ammunition for a second instalment, and I was lucky enough to grab the exclusive audio for Clash Music.

Friday 3 January 2014

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: 2014



Uncle Albert will be entering it's fourth year in 2014 and although it's become more of a home for my writing elsewhere, I'll still be posting regularly and keeping things updated with some exclusive content here and there. Thanks to all who regularly visit the site and keep up to speed with what I'm doing - here's to another great year for grime and moreover, music generally. 

THANK YOU!