Call It A Day

So, we all can call it a day then :(

   The most influential, the most respected and the most widely read jungle / drum'n'bass magazine has ended its journey.

I remember buying it for the first time back in 2006 and putting the free CD, included in every issue, for the first time in my CD player. I became immediately hooked! I have been following Kmag since then!

   Released on a monthly basis Kmag presented wicked interviews with scene's finest artists, contained hints and tips for all bedroom producers polishing their sonic crafts and, first of all, been showing great dj mixes in the form of above mentioned free CDs included in each issue. I am still listening to the mixes of Photek, DJ Kane, EZ Rollers to the current day so I can tell you it's been a hell influential magazine. And I am not afraid to say, influential too for a lot of people like.

   I wasn't happy when Kmag decided to go online a few years ago as it lost its physical touch for me, but u gotta adapt to the market, especially the one ruled by constant development of technology. On the other hand though, we got access to a lot of tunes (Soundcloud, Youtube, etc.) which could have not been heard otherwise.

So, yeah... like every journey must come to an end so does musical journey with the best jungle/drum'n'bass magazine. R.I.P. Kmag !!!

Kenjah

2014 so far

  It's been a while since I logged in here last time - the lack of Internet connection did it's job :/
Whenever possible though, I was checking what had been goin' on in the world of jungle/drum'n'bass. And since 2014 has almost reached the end it is a chance to share what wicked music has been released this year.

So I picked up a few bits (in no particular order) that really did it for me this year.

Kenjah

Technimatic - Desire Paths [Shogun Audio, SHACD 009]

Amazing piece of work. Perfect combination of jungle riddims, soulful pianos/harmonies and sunshine vibes! Personally, it's the best release so far from DJ Friction's Shogun Audio imprint!

Lenzman - Looking At The Stars [Metalheadz, METACD 003]

Forward thinking yet classy, subtle but bass heavy. A debut LP from Dutch master Lenzman does not disappoint. Released on mighty Metalheadz label Looking At The Star is definitely one of the most important albums of 2014! Check out: Through My Eyes and Empty Promise (jubei remix).

S.P.Y - Back To Basics Chapter Two [Hospital Records, NHS260C]

A follow up to Back To Basics Chapter One [Hospital Records, NHS252LP] released earlier this year confirmes S.P.Y's talent to blur jungle classic flavours together with atmospheric liquid rhythms. It's good to see that more and more producers are coming back the the roots instead of following the synthetic-the louder-the better-high hats trend which is unfortunatelly much of visible nowadays in broken music. Outstanding tunes: Twilight Zone and Guidance (with special appearance of Total Science).

Acid Lab - Oddysey LP [Omni Music, OMNI 028]

If LTJ Bukem was put to hibernation in 95-96 and woke up in 2014, his music would sound like this release! Excellent album treating Good Looking sound with a modern twist. Tracks worth checking: Dreams of Mars, M31 and Distant Space.

Intrigue 11- The Anniversary Collecttion (V.A.) [Intrigue Music, INTRIGUE 11LP]

A compilation from Ben Soundscape's label summing up its 11 years of existence. A few classic bits, a few unreleased tunes as well as brand new ones. A must have addition for every jungle/drum and bass follower. Don't Call It Anything by Quadrant, Kid Hops & Iris is a smasher !!!

Amaning - Time Warp [Fokuz, 14085LP]

Bring some liquid vibes. Mix them with clever samples/melodies. Add some experimentation and you will receive Amaning's full length debut LP Time Warp. Huge! Why? just check these tunes for the answer: Be Good To You and High Roller.

Vintage LP (V.A.) [Soul FlexDigital, SFD 0018]

I came across this compilation when reading Kmag the other day. It would pass rather unnoticed if it wasn't for DJ Physics. I haven't heard anything new from this producer for a while therefore I was pleseantly surprised to hear some brand new cuts so I checked the whole compilation. Some real old skools flavas are happening out there! Physics (Feeling So Real) and Howitzer (50 Memories) are doin' serious damage. Worth checking!

Interview with L. Howlett of The Prodigy

Hey... Ho...

Since the new, name-to-be-revealed, album by The Prodigy will hit the streets early next year we would like to share with the interview done with Liam Howlett, for Polish official The Prodigy's fansite, back in June 2010. 

Enjoy reading!

(the orignal spelling has been preserved)

TheProdigy.pl: Are you planning to release an EP with unreleased tracks like 'Stab', 'Heatwave' and 'Dean Ken' before releasing a new album?
 

Liam Howlett: MAYBE THESE TRACKS WILL SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY BUT MY MAIN FOCUS IS ON NEW MATERIAL ,, THESE TRACKS RNT FINISHED SO ID PREFER TO BE DOIN NEW MUSIC NOT GOIN OVER OLD GROUND

TheProdigy.pl: Will the new LP be combination of 'Music For The Jilted Generation' and 'The Fat Of The Land', or will it sound similar to any of those?

L.H.: DONT KNOW UNTIL I START IT , BUT IT WILL BE A SLIGHTLY DARKER RECORD BUT ALLWAYS ONE WE CAN PLAY LIVE 

TheProdigy.pl: Can we expect any collaborations on the new LP or you wanna make 100% Prodigy album , only all 3 of you?

L.H.: MAD ITS TOO EARLY IV ONLY JUST STARTED IT! , WHO KNOWS ,, THERE WILL DEFINATLY BE A GUEST GUITARIST AS WELL AS ROB , ID LOOK TO GETTING A FEMALE VOCALIST ON A TUNE WITH KEEF ,,, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PLAY WHO ALBUM LIVE ON OUR OWN WITHOUT DRAGGIN LOADS OF GUESTS ABOUT ,, IF WE DID THAT WE WOULD TURN INTO THE GORILLAZ AND WE DONT WANT THAT DO WE !

TheProdigy.pl: Which gig in Poland do you remember the most as far as atmosphere is concerned?

L.H.: THE NEXT ONE WILL BE THE BEST 

TheProdigy.pl: What do you think about Poland? Did you have a chance to visit any part of Poland?

L.H.: IM NOT MUCH OF A TOURIST ME SO I TEND TO STAY LOCKED UP IN HOTEL ROOM WITH CURTAINS CLOSED THEN OUT AT NIGHT . BUT I DO KNOW ITS THE PEOPLE IN A COUNTRY THAT MAKE IT WHAT IT IS AND THE POLISH PEOPLE HAVE GREAT PASSION AND TOGETHERNESS WHICH WE RESPECT

TheProdigy.pl: Have you ever thought about installing that laser light system as you had at Mitlon Keynes’ gig for all your show? We know it’s a lot of equipment but that makes the gigs more spectacular and unforgettable.

L.H.: ITS TOO EXPENSIVE TO CARRY THAT SHIT AROUND AND WHEN WE PLAY FESTIVALS ,THE PROMOTERS DONT WANT TO HIRE THEM .. MILTON WAS A SPECIAL OCCASION LETS SAY ,, WE NEVER WANT TO RELY ON ANY LIGHTS

TheProdigy.pl: What about your Ragged Flag label? Have you signed any artists so far?
L.H.: NO , I DONT WANT TO BE A LABEL BOSS , I WANT TO WRITE THE TUNES … WE MAY DO OR WE MAY NOT ..

TheProdigy.pl: Apparently you’re writing a soundtrack for the horror movie. Can you tell us anything about that?

L.H.: AM I REALLY ? WELL THATS NEWS TO ME .. THERE IS ALLWAYS RUMOURS FLYING AROUND BUT I HAVNT CONFIRMED ANYTHING SO NO.. I LIKE THE IDEA OF IT THOU

TheProdigy.pl: How has your way of writing tunes changed over the years? You started with W30, then switched into Cubase. How does it look nowadays? Software or hardware?
 
L.H.: AH BORING STUFF ! STILL GOT THAT ORIGINAL W30 LEANING AGAINST MY STUDIO WALL … I USE LOGIC WITH ABLETON AND REASON PLUGGED THRU IT . SOMETIMES I JUST USE IT AS A RECORDER LIKE IF IT WAS TAPE WHEN IM MESSING AROUND WITH ALL THE OLD ANALOGUE SYNTHS , GET THEM ALL KICKIN OFF AT THE SAME TIME AND RECORD FOR 20 MINS GOIN MAD , THERES USUALLY A FEW GOOD THINGS THAT COME OUT OF IT .

TheProdigy.pl: In ‘Invaders Must Die’ book and on your Twitter page are photos of Keith with smashed head. Were there 2 different videos made for 'Take Me To The Hospital' EP?
 
L.H.: YES THERE WERE ,, WE TRYED TO DO ONE WITH WALTER STERN WHO DID FIRESTARTER , BREATHE , POISON ETC BUT IT WASNT GOOD ENOUGH SO WE BINNED IT

TheProdigy.pl: A question related to the past. In 1995 during the gig in France Maxim was replaced on the stage by MC Ruff. Why, do you remember what happened?

L.H.: FUK ME THATS YEARS AGO ,, WELL HE HAD A THROAT INFECTION AND JIMMY ( RUFF) GLADLY JUMPED IN TO ROCK IT .. SADLY JIMMY PASSED AWAY AND WE ALL MISS HIM , HE WAS A PROPER RASCAL AND GEEZER

TheProdigy.pl: What about 'Dirtchamber Sessions Vol.2'? Do you want to focus on writing the new LP or can we count on solo releases in the near future?
 
L.H.: NAH , IM NOT A DJ , IM DOIN NEXT PRODIGY RECORD , NOT INTERESTED IN DOIN A DJ ALBUM AT THE MOMENT

Good Beats Podcast 02

All the Junglist BIG UP!

  Hope you have enjoyed the first Good Beats Podcast as the second instalment has just arrived! 

Summer brought us lots of excellent tunes; outstanding albums in the shape of Lenzman's Looking At The Stars and Technimatic's debut LP Desire Paths. Breaks pioneers Botchit & Scarper Records are back too. And for this particular podcast we have also wicked guest mix prepared by DJ Neurotic and smashing legendary jungle/drum'n'bass tune!

So, here it is: Good Beats Podcast 02:

Listen to the podcast here:
http://www.mixcloud.com/GoodBeatsKenjah/good-beats-podcast-02/

Tracklist:

1. T.Power - Blowout (Pt. 4) (feat. Elisabeth Troy & Stamina MC) [Botchit & Scarper]
2. LSB - The Hurting [Spearhead Records]
3. Lenzman - Through My Eyes [Metlaheadz]
4. Loadstar - Stepped Outside [RAM Records]
5. Technimatic - Not A Perfect Love [Shogun Audio]

****DJ Neurotic in the Mix ****
1. Calibre - Again (feat. Chimpo) [Signature Records]
2. Bredren - Rejection [Radar Records]
3. Amoss & Dabs - Latch [Dispatch Recordings]
4. Calyx & Teebee - Elevate This Sound [RAM Records]
5. Xtrah - No Good [Metalheadz]
6. Dementia & Rregula - Timeline (optiv & btk remix) [Citrus Recordings]
7. BTK - Drop it (optiv remix) [Dutty Audio]
8. Maztek - Dizzy Step [Program]
9. The Upbeats - Corposant [Blackout Music]
10. Subtension & MC Nuklear - Break The Rules [Renegade Hardware]

**** Classic ****
Roni Size/Reprazent - Brown Paper Bag [Talkin' Loud]

Liquid continues...

  This is another soulful imprint that got my attention recently. I would say their approach is to fine the new liquid talents in the drum'n'bass scene, cause, honestly speaking, I didn't know any of the artists recording for Soul Flex Digital before.

Anyway, they released a complilation LP, titled Vintage LP [Soul Flex Digital, SFD 0018], a month ago and the album perfectly showcases what to expect form this young label.

  If you're looking for a fresh blood within the softer side of jungle/drum'n'bass this the place to look for. Label's head honcho DJ Dubsta knows where to find a good music and he has gathered quite a few promising producers under his wings. Just check the tracks of Radias or Howitzer and you will know what I mean!

There's plenty more in the pipeline from Soul Flex Digital so keep your eye out!

Radias - Pushing It [Soul Flex Digital, SFD0004]

Another Drum'n'Bass Album of the Year ?

  DJ Friction's Shogun Audio imprint has huge reason to celebrate as Technimatic duo finally unleashed their long-awaited monster Desire Paths [Shogun Audio, SHA08] in the late July.

  Full of soulfull vibes Desire Paths will take you on a wicked jounrey along jungle riddims, sun-driven chords and beautiful piano riffs. 
  It's the finest release from Shogun Audio stable, apart from Johnny L's Back To Ya Roots (dj friction and k-tee remix) and gonna be the best album of 2014!

Things are getting serious: Technimatic's debut LP, Lenzman's fantastic Looking At The Stars album...difficult to choose which of them is better. Or treat them both as the best d'n'b albums of the year ex aequo.

I grabbed both albums already, you should get ones too!

Technimatic - Night Vision [Shogun Audio, SHA08] 

 

Integral Select(ah)

   This one has been released a month ago by Integral Records - a label ran by legendary liquid masters Artificial Intelligence. Well, it took them a longer while to put music together for this release (the label was established in 2007) but the compilation does not dissapoint.

 The release showcases the Integral Records' history: in a form of back catalogue favourites (Phil Tangent's fantastic Remembrance), new remixes (my favourite, Rotary Motion (calibre remix) by Technimatic & LSB) and unreleased cuts (Holdtight's Burning Flag). 

  It's an essential release for all AI's followers as well as all the liquid headz out there - add it to your d'n'b collection right away!

Holdtight - Burning Flag [Integral Records, INTCD001X]