A really nice DJ battle set… no really

Scientist from Equinox records just sent me this video of the German DJ team that competed at the recent IDA (ex-ITF) world finals in Poland. The team includes Snatchatec, who we’ve had guesting on Turntable Radio and Rhythm Incursions before, as well as Sixkay and Aspect. Considering how nice Snatchatec is I had a feeling this might be good, and it turned out even better especially considering it’s the footage from their set at the world finals.

I can’t remember the last time I sat through an entire DJ battle set without wanting to rip my ears out or skip it or just not suffer it. Don’t get me wrong it’s not like no one is doing anything nice, just no one is really doing anything nice enough for me to sit through 5 minutes or more of it. In the case of these guys though it’s 5 minutes well spent and the first team DJ set I’ve seen in a while that isn’t messy or overdone in any part. It’s totally listenable, really enjoyable and a strong display of skills. The kind of stuff that used to make DJ battles dope.

I still think battles are a bit of a waste of time, but it’s good to see that innovation isn’t dead and more importantly that good skills and an ear for ‘music’ do still happen at battles. Peep it for yourself.

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’: Week 6b

Coming to Week 6, and a month and a half since we started the Cuts of Culture 2 podcasts (damn already?). This time round we head off to Italy and Japan – worldwide for some exclusive music and video from some of the most interesting talents from both countries. The audio side of things is taken care of by Bungalow Zen, the Italian outfit headed by Tayone and Skizo, while the video pleasures come from Japan courtesy of DJ Baku – quite possibly the most interesting DJ/producer/tablist to come out of the country since DJ Krush.

DJ Baku – Spin Street live
This week’s video comes to us from Japan, courtesy of DJ Baku and his label POPGROUP recordings. Having a Japanese representative on the second volume of the compilation was something that was important to us for many reasons. It’s a country which has been integral to the development of the artform from a practical point of view (manufacturers such as Vestax are based there) but more importantly it’s a country where many artists have developed and evolved styles for a few years without really being heard outside of Japan. Apart from appearances at the DMC (Kentaro being a prime example of this – having gone to become a world famous DJ since then) and some of these artists appearing on rare US or European compilations, the majority of the most exciting and interesting Japanese artists rarely get heard outside of the country, and if they do it’s always on a very low level. And so this time round we’re very happy to be able to feature some Japanese talent on the compilation, in the shape of DJ Baku and Tatsuki (who will appear on the mix as part of Bichi and solo on week 7 of the podcasts).
DJ Baku is a name who should be familiar to regular listeners of the show, as I’ve championed his work for the last few years ever since discovering him back in 2004/5. What’s more we had the man remix the Turntable Radio intro a few months ago – if you haven’t checked it yet, we recommend you do. I’ve written and said plenty about him on spinscience (check the Japanese feature article) and on the TTR March 05 Japan special podcast, but for those who missed it first time round here’s the short version.
Baku has come out of the Japanese hip hop underground in the last 3/4 years to establish himself as a definite successor to the sound and aesthetic pioneered by DJ Krush, and carried on in the new century by the likes of Kentaro, Hifana, Klock (RIP) and others. His production style is unique and refreshing – evolving what DJ Krush achieved in the 90s, and carrying it into the 21st century. At times harsh and cold, at times warm and subtle and always changing. He’s worked on many projects over the years, developing his style with time and patience – he waited nearly 10 years since his musical beginnings before releasing his debut album, ‘Spinheddz’, from which the video and track featured on the compilation mix are taken. He’s collaborated with and produced for Japanese MCs including MSC and Rumi, he’s worked with metal bands, punk guitarists and electronic producers, he’s performed at some of Japan’s biggest festivals and he was part of Japan’s first turntable band, Wah Kha Kha alongside Klock and Tatsuki. And as part of the Dis Defense Disc collective he’s been an integral part of the Japanese hip hop and turntablist underground since the late 90s, helping to herald through a change in sound and style which, to me, today makes Japan one of the most interesting countries musically, especially from a turntablist point of view.
Since the release of his debut album, which has given him a new, more mainstream, audience he has continued to work relentlessly, touring, remixing and working on his second album (as they say you’ve got your whole life to make your first album but only one year to follow it up). In Japan he’s probably only second in popularity as a live DJ to Kentaro and he’s recently been acclaimed by the likes of Vex’d (from the mighty Planet Mu label) and The Bug (Ninja Tune, Rephlex, Hyperdub) who are looking to collaborate with him in the future. On that subject, and as a bit of an exclusive, you can expect Baku to make an appearance on The Bug’s forthcoming Ninja Tune single, ‘Poison Dart’. More details as we get them.
And so for all these reasons and more, we felt it was only right to feature Baku on the compilation, and we’re very pleased that he’s agreed to not only give us a track from his debut album but to also give us an exclusive video from his album launch party (held in Tokyo last year, and which also featured D-Styles). The video is of a live rendition of the album’s main single, ‘Spin Street’, a bouncy, energetic roller of a track as you’ll hear and see. The video also features extracts from DJ Baku’s DVD ‘Kaikoo’, which was released in the summer of 2005. The DVD, directed and soundtracked by Baku, documents the Japanese hip hop underground with Baku introducing and featuring his friends and collaborators including Kentaro, Tatsuki, Goth Trad, Wha Kha Kha, Miyajima and many more. It’s only available in Japan, however I heavily recommend you check it out as it’s one of the most interesting documentaries about the burgeoning Japanese music underground.
For more on Baku you can check his website and the POPGROUP recordings’ website as well as Turntable Radio’s March 05 podcast and Spinscience’s Japan special feature which includes an interview with Baku and a feature on his work and that of other 21st century Japanese pioneers.
The file is 99mb, .m4v format – best viewed in Quicktime and on iTunes and iPods.

Direct download link (right click and save as)

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’: Week 5a

Week 5 of the Cuts of Culture 2 Podcasts, and this time we go back to the UK for another video from the main man, 2tall, showing a much more abstract and improvisational aspect of things, while audio comes courtesy of another heavy hitter, ie.merg_ from the US.

2tall – Feedback Jam
Originally recorded as an easter egg for the planned DVD release of the project, this video sees 2tall improvise a little jam using the equipment showcased in the first video we podcasted. The difference being no records were used this time – only the equipment available. What ensues is five minutes of extraordinary rhythmical and musical improvisation, in true musical spirit. Abstract and funky. Words can’t do this video justice so we’ll just let you enjoy it for yourselves.
For more info on the man and his many projects, head over to dj2tall.com and don’t forget you can buy his latest album, ‘2tall presents Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow: Beautiful Mindz’ right now at all good record shops and online outfits, on the Eclectic Breaks/Amalgam labels. And look out for more 2tall audio in the compilation mix and the last week bonus downloads.
The file is 62mb, .mv4 format – best viewed in Quicktime and on iTunes and iPods.

Direct download link (right click and save as)

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’: Week 4a

For week 4 of the Cuts of Culture 2 Podcasts we bring you more exclusive video and audio, this time from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Grazzhoppa’s DJ Big Band provides the video, with a promo of their live shows, while Netik provides the audio, with an exclusive track recorded specially for the Cuts of Culture 2 compilation.

DJ Grazzhoppa’s DJ Big Band – DJ Big Band video
Grazzhoppa’s DJ Big Band is a unique project, started and headed by Grazzhoppa in 2004. Grazzhoppa is one of Belgium’s finest and longest standing DJs, producers and tablist, part of the Real Tablit collective and label (alongside Lamont) and who has recorded and collaborated with countless artists from Europe and the US.
The project is simple, as implied by the name: regrouping DJs together to form a big band, in the spirit of the live funk and jazz bands. Since its inception the Big Band has taken on various forms settling in the last few years on its biggest and most challenging one yet: 120 fingers (12 DJs), 1 singer (Monique Harcum) and one Saxophonist (Fabrizio Cassol, who also acts as conductor). The DJs are split into four sections (3 DJs each) covering percussions, basslines, keys, guitars, horns, strings and vocal samples. The shows are based around songs created largely through improvisation and then fine tuned and arranged into compositions, covering a range of styles.
Grazzhoppa was able to bring the project to life with the help of a Belgium promoter, and since its beginning they have received help and support from various local and European organisations for funding and shows. The Big Band have played countless festivals, live shows and concerts in settings outside the turntablist and DJ world, spreading their musical vision to new crowds and warm receptions.
Alongside Grazzhoppa the Big Band regroups DJs from Belgium and the Netherlands (including the likes of Lamont, Vindictiv and Optimus from Real Tablist) as well as guest DJs CeeBrown from the US and Raskal from Belgium. The band has recently played a series of gigs with various live musicians and jazz groups.
For the full info and low down on the band’s history, tour info and current status, as well as plenty of audio and video of their many shows, head over to their myspace and own website.
The video is a promo video for the Big Band, showcasing all the performers as well as some short clips from recent live shows. Look out for more from Grazzhoppa solo, in week 7 of the podcasts.
The file is 55mb, .m4v format – best viewed in Quicktime and on iTunes and iPods.

Direct download link (right click and save as)

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’: Week 3b

Week 3 of the Cuts of Culture 2 Podcasts sees us take in music from Japan, America and Belgium in one fell swoop. This week’s video comes courtesy of the mighty Studio Rarekwai gang and features US producer and Japan resident Quietstorm alongside Japanese MC Twiggy, while the audio is from none other than US born, Belgium based Lamont, a member of the TTR extended family.

Studio Rarekwai Showcase: DJ Quietstorm feat Twiggy – Be Quiet
This week’s video comes courtesy of the archives at Studio Rarekwai. If you’re not familiar with their work, which includes the excellent documentary ‘Scratching the Surface’ and book/DVD ‘Rack Gacki’, then head over to rarekwai.com, because these guys do some seriously amazing work. Not only have they documented the various facets of Japan’s hip hop scene (which is how we came to meet, they were responsible for hooking us up with DJ Baku originally) they’ve also worked with the cream of UK hip hop and are currently working on new projects which take in new musical and visual horizons.
And so with so much quality work under their belt it was only right we asked them to get involved on this, and while their original contributions to the project were 3 videos, we’ve kept what we think is by far the best one – the original music video for DJ Quietstorm’s track ‘Be Quiet’ featuring Japanese MC Twiggy. This track is taken from Quietstorm’s second LP, ‘Soramiro’. Quietstorm is a long time member of the Living Legends crew from California (home to such rap luminaries as Murs and The Grouch) who relocated to Tokyo over ten years and has since established himself firmly in the Japanese hip hop scene. We chose the video for this track not only because the track itself is great, but also because we think it’s quite a fitting video for the project. We won’t say no more though and let you check it for yourselves.
For more info on Quietstorm check the following wikipedia page and look for his releases on Amazon and similar online sites.
The file is 49mb, .m4v format – best viewed in Quicktime and on iTunes and iPods.

Direct download link (right click and save as)

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’: Week 2a

Rolling into week 2 we bring you fresh new music and live action from Germany and the USA. Noisy Stylus start things off with a video of their 2006 Musikmesse live showcase, and then Dq (Animal Crackers/Glue) takes us on a little musical trip with an exclusive track made especially for the compilation.

Noisy Stylus – Live at Musikmesse 2006
This video was filmed (by none other than the man like Lamont) at Musikmesse 2006, Germany and Europe’s main DJ gear show. As far as I know this is Noisy Stylus’ last showcase and likely to be the last one in a while as the various members of the crew have all moved on to new projects and horizons.
The showcase itself features a selection of tracks from the crew’s debut album ‘Table Manners’ performed live. If you’ve never heard the album than this is a perfect introduction, and if you have then this is the chance to see the album tracks performed live, complete with variations and changes from the studio versions. Noisy Stylus also feature on the Cuts of Culture 2 compilation mix.
The album is still available on 2xLP and CD from all good record shps. For more info on the crew and their multitude of past and present projects head over to noisystylus.com. And look out for the week 9 podcasts which will feature some very exclusive Noisy Stylus related downloads.
The file is 80mb, .m4v video format – best viewed in Quicktime and on iTunes and iPods.

Direct download link (right click and save as)

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’: Week 1b

We kick off the Cuts of Culture 2 Podcasts with an exclusive video from 2tall following the exclusive track from L.A based producer, and DJ, Exile featuring DJ Day.

2tall – 2006 Showcase
This exclusive video was originally filmed for the Cuts of Culture 2 DVD. 2tall puts together 9 minutes of musical goodness live using a bunch of records, turntables, mixer, MPC, loop pedal, effects and a keyboard. We could go on about it but you really just need to see it for yourselves.
2tall’s latest album, ‘2tall presents Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow: Beautiful Mindz’ is out now on Eclectic Breaks, available worldwide. For more info on the man’s many ongoing projects and musical efforts head over to dj2tall.com.
The file is 113mb, .m4v video format – best viewed in Quicktime and on iTunes and iPods.

Direct download link (right click and save as)

Enjoy and stay tuned for Week 2 dropping in exactly 7 days.

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’ start July 2007

We’ve been hinting at something happening with the Cuts of Culture 2 release for a little while, here’s the full info.

Originally planned for a 2006 release, as a CD/DVD package, we feel times are changing and that exposure, not profit, is the key issue here. Hence we intend to make this release available FREE via a dedicated series of podcasts – the first time anyone has used podcast techology to make available a complete package that would normally be on CD and DVD

So it’s with great pleasure that we can announce the Cuts of Culture 2 podcasts. Basically we will be making available, for free, pretty much the entirety of the planned release via podcast starting next month. This includes the mix, videos and more. See below for full details.

The Cuts of Culture 2 podcasts will be made available over a period of roughly 8 weeks – with one podcast a week. This series of podcasts will culminate with the actual mix from DJ 2tall which follows from where volume 1 left off.

We’re starting it off with a trailer to let everyone know. The trailer is now available on our feed, as well as on youtube.com (see below). Spread the word and tell your friends. There’s only one month to wait.

Cuts of Culture 2 will be the last in the series – the final statement from ourselves, Turntable Radio & Eclectic Breaks, about the state of things worldwide. We’ve included in there what we believe to be some of the most interesting and arresting music to have come out in the last couple of years, by artists we respect and rate as some of the best in the world. From established names like D-Styles to lesser known guys like Eprom or DJ Baku. We hope you enjoy the music and video, as much as we did putting it all together.

A massive thanks must go to all the artists and labels involved in this, as well as the TTR and EB families. It wouldn’t have been possible without any of them.

Sign up to the podcast feed if you aren’t already and the content will be downloaded to your computer automatically every time a new podcast is made available. You can subscribe via iTunes (search for Turntable Radio) or any of the podcatchers icons you see on the right hand side of the screen. Alternatively you can download the files directly from our feedburner page – here.

Lastly I’d like to thank all the listeners as well – you make TTR what it is. If our current stats are anything to go by the audience for TTR has continued to increase over the years. So much so that it seems we’re now only second to the One Life Left podcasts on Resonance FM’s roster, no mean feat for what is still very much a specialist radio show. So a massive thanks to you and to all the artists who keep making TTR what it is.

‘Cuts of Culture 2 – The Podcasts’ playlist

1 / Audio

Cuts of Culture 2 mix by DJ 2tall
2tall � Intro
Eprom aka Base Bizzard – Action Break
Netik – Synthesiz
Dq � Strike Part 1
DJ Baku � Vandalism
Real Tablist – 6 DJs + 1
DJ Majestik feat. Rizkay � Harmonia
K-Delight feat. DJ-JS1, J-Red, Woody, Profound & Ironcyde, Universon, Krash Slaughta, Eddie Scratch, Evil Ed & 2tall � Scratch Club
DJ Exile & DJ Day – A Day In Exile
DJ Happee feat. Dinoh – Get My Point
Lamont – Senses Overloaded
A.D.S – Cold Mornings
ie.MERG – Midnight, NYC, July, 90 degrees
Taim & Faltmeister � Rendez-Vous
Excess � Ask And I Shall See
Noisy Stylus � Kindness
Manipulate & Thrash – Strontium Sleazewave
Bayaka feat. D-Styles � Edomachen
Phonomorphia – Plan�te Cerveau 44-3
Bungalow Zen � Frequency
Bichi – Clouds Are Parcelled Out Across My Vision
2tall – Sharpshooters Convention ft. Enfoe, Taim, Unkut, Square One, Rafik, Captain Cavern and Netik

Bonus tracks
African � Hornlife
Tatsuki � Super Sucker Killer
Grazzhoppa � Rockin� Raw

Scratch Beats
Rudy W
Monkey Hands

2 / Video

Studio Rarekwai Showcase � DJ Quiestorm video – ‘Be Quiet’ ft Twiggy
DJ Baku � Spin Street (live)
Noisy Stylus � Live Showcase
Grazzhoppa�s DJ Big Band � DJ Big Band video
2tall – Live showcase
2tall – DVD extras

3 / Other

Full liner notes and artwork in pdf/jpg format

‘Cuts of Culture 2 -The Podcasts’ trailer