A weekend away in Oxford

A few weekends away I went to Oxford for the first time, and absolutely loved it as a city. Of course my trusty camera was with me and I've made an album on flickr of my photos.

Flickr Album

Its been far too long!

I haven't written a blogpost for ages and ages now, so maybe its time I get back on it.

The show on Brap.fm is still going on, so why not bring the latest installation as a new post, August 2015. A selection of my slowly growing reggae vinyl.

Listen link & Download

Acoustic Chemistry Bassface Show - May 2014

Ugh, I've been so slow at updating this on the blog, but you can find the May Bassface show mixed by myself and Natty Red for stream on Brap.fm now.

The direct link to the Archive is here to download it, but you can also subscribe to the Brap podcast

Tracklist
Here 4 U (Original Mix)-Deadboy
Myth (Original Mix)-Untold, Roska
Red Mask (Original Mix)-GoldFFinch
Contact-My Nu Leng
Done Me Wrong (Original Mix)-Mosca
Work The Love-Rain City Riot
Hackney Parrot (Original Mix)-Tessela
Quivver (Original Mix)-Pearson Sound
Take You feat. Ninjasonik (Drop The Lime Remix)-AC Slater
Missing You-Dr Cryptic
Feel Good (Proxy Remix)-Roksonix
Rave On! (Original Mix)-Karetus
Fire (Original Vocal Mix)-Denzal Park
United Groove (MJ Cole Remix)-L-Vis 1990
Womble ft. Holly Cork – Don’t Go-Womble
I Know You Want Me (Original Mix)-Royal-T
Moony – Poundcake-Moony
Chicago6am VIP- DeadbeatUk
Mans On Road- Kommun
Why & You Don’t-Dankle
Nancy’s Pantry-Tessela
Ripgroove (2006 Version)-Double 99
Trust (Original Mix)-Palace
Faster Than Light (Original Mix)-Far Too Loud
Holy Super Fuck (Original Mix)-JELO, Frederik Mooij
Heartbeat feat. Mila Falls (Original Mix)-Mila Falls, Resistance (UK)
Walkin Manz Klub-The Squire of Gothos
Master Renegade-Thorpey
Friday night carcass-UnderTheSurface records- AudioGutter
Bounty Ice Cream (Vandal AKA Remix)-Squire of Gothos
Otaku Of The Dead-Submerse
Ratchet (Meow Version)-Zeds Dead
Hadouken-Zeds Dead
Taking Over (Donkong Remix) [Feat. Zhi MC]-Symbiz
Dogfight (Fei-Fei’s Feided Remix)-Roksonix
K Theory – VC Commander-K Theory
Crystal Castles – Pale Flesh (Hugsnotdrugs Remix)-hugsnotdrugs
I Love It (Willy Joy Bootleg)-Icona Pop
Ookay-Star Wars
Funk Blaster (Culprate remix)-KOAN Sound -
Do It Now-RRRitalin -
Bang Harder EP-Kanji Kinetic
Twisted (Original Mix) Invisible Man-ACME BASS RECORDS
the Siren-spaceface
heart of darkness-onken
Original Rubadub Style-EDMX
Liberation of Desire-Shitmat
Ghetto Red Hot (Original Mix)-RRRitalin
BRAINBOW (INSTRUMENTAL)-LENKEMZ FT DJA
LL Cool J – Hey Lover ft. Boyz II Men “Taurus Scott Remix”-LL Cool J
herbsmoke remix

Scraps from the internet: 1940's British Propaganda Films

The British Film Council have upload British Propaganda Films from the 1940's. These should make a really interesting watch, and I think there's about 100 of them in total.

Vimeo Link

The Land of Invention is the only one I've look at so far, but I'll certainly be getting involved in the others when I get a chance. Props to Elbows at Urban75 for the share.

Land of Invention (1941) from British Council Film on Vimeo.

Scraps from the internet: Photos from 70's & 80's New York

So this got posted up on one of the forums I use daily, and I thought they were great. Photos from New York in the 80's and 70's. Now I'm way too young to have visited New York in that era, but I have been in the last few years. Its mad to think how much it seems to have change. I absolutely love it as a city and can't wait to go back, but looking at these photos its crazy to think how much of a different time it was thirty years ago.

70's and 80's New York in photos

Some of the photographers are listed on the page, but not all images are credited.

Props to Editor @ Urban75 for sharing the link.

Photographs: 2 Week tour of Japan

So, at the end of April I went on a tour of Japan, covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Takayama, Hiroshima and a few other day trips out. Its been a long while coming, but I've finally edited all my photos and uploaded. I have to say I absolutely adored Japan, its a strange country, but at the same time not too disimilar to the UK. I definately want to go back, certainly to spend more time in Tokyo. All images were shot on my new Nikon D800 that I bought just before going away, and Japan was the first real test. If it can serve me as well and for as long as my D200 did (well still does, I'm keeping it for festivals etc), than judging from my first experience, I'm really going to love my D800 A couple of shots:

You can find the rest of the images from my trip on in my flickr set by clicking here

The first radio show - Brap.fm

January since my last post? How appalling! The good news is we've started up a monthly show, the first saturday of every month on www.brap.fm, our first show was in may and its now in the archive to listen to here We had a couple of technical hitches, but we're trying to iron those out for the second show on the 3/4/2014 3-5PM BST. I've also just got back from Japan, so I'm sure Ill have some photos to post up soon.

January 2014 160 BPM Juke/Jungle mix

January 160 Mix by B!Shbashbosh on Mixcloud

Albums of the year 2013

Ugh! How rubbish have I been, barely any posts this year let alone the last couple of months.

Anyway, its been that time again to provide my top albums for the urban75 top albums of the year thread, and in the past I've written my selections up.... This year will be no different.

1. By The Rivers - By The Rivers
Been hearing a lot on David Rodigans sunday reggae show on BBC 1xtra. So I decided to take a punt on itunes, and its undoubtedly been my favourite album this year. Nice and summery, reggae vibes, and I've got to admit, I love singing along to it in the car.

2. Death Grips - Government Plates
Death Grips have been at the top of my list before, amazing life, fantastic on album. Back again with a free album, this avant garde rap outfit from Sacramento make some of the filthiest background tracks ever, complete with lyricist and mental drummer for live shows (last seen playing handcuffed).
Well worth checking out, especially when its free. (or just listen to the album mixtape in the youtube video)

P.S. It'll be explicit

 

 

3. Queens of the stone age - Like Clockwork.....

One of thos bands thats grown on me a lot as I've got older. A great stoner rock album with distinctive lyrics and a really nice flow to the album throughout.

 

 

4. Ruby My Dear - Form

With out doubt, one of my favourite breakcore artists of the last few year, this latest album remains on form, but with some crunchier slower tracks. Haven't given it as many plays as I'd like as my iPhone was playing up, but each time I listen I am thoroughly stoked.

 





 

 

5.The Flatliners - Dead Language



One of my freinds went on about this band so much on facebook I had to look them up. On listening to the first tune I found on youtube, it was basically a "YES!". Great punk band.

6. Om Unit - Threads
As far as DJ tunes for me this year, its all be about Juke influences, and none better than Om Unit. One half of Dream Continuum who I think I've written about her before, lots of Jungle influence juke about 160 BPM.

7. Shaggy and others - Out of many, one music
This probably seems like an odd choice for me, but shaggy has always made waves in the reggae scene, really bringing the music to masses worldwide. Again I first heard this on David Rodigans Reggae show on 1xtra, there's some great songs on the album.

8. Gentlemen's Dub Club - FOURtyFOUR
Their first full album, I've been big on these chaps since I first heard them, and I'm glad to see them through to a first album. There's a lot of influences in there, reggae, dubstep and at one point even a trap beat at one point. Well worth a look up.

9. Machinedrum - Vapor City
The other half of Dream Continuum as mentioned in the Om Unit bit above, again more deep jungle juke sound, another one of my DJ faves this year.

10. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
Highly anticipated album this year by many people, I was dissappointed when I first heard it. The more I listened, the more I liked though. Its only really just making it into my top ten, and its got some nice guest appearences, but I certainly wouldn't be forcing my way to the stereo at a party, shouting "listen to this!"

Finally when I submitted my votes, I totally forgot about the brilliant Congo Natty album this year. I've had the joy of seeing them 2 or 3 times, and they smash it every time. Anyway, on a hot junglist tip this year, I would have put this in at about number 4, but it came out ages ago and I totally forgot when I was writing up me votes.

The Filthy Bastard Mix

Its been a while since I've put up a new mix, so here's a smasher I recorded today. Lots of tunes from PRSPCT and some from others like Killing Sheep and Ad-noiseam....... This needs to be played LOUD!

Malice Afterthought - The Enemy + Kid Kryptic

Prayer's End - DJ Hidden

Dying Time    The Enemy

Rivers Of Hades (Lake Of Fire remix by Gore Tech) - Underhill

Ravepit (Original Mix) - SHAKA-ITCHI

Total Confusion - I:GOR

VD Majick - The Panacea

Misbit (with Current Value) - COOH

Fallen Sons [Lowroller Remix] - Bong-Ra

Riget - Limewax

Dubwar - Gore Tech

Mindfuck - Counterstrike

Judgement - C Netik & Erre

Testify - I:GOR

Hope you all like :)

The Filthy Bastard Mix by The Wonkydonkey (Sim) on Mixcloud

Mini Album Review: Queens Of The Stone Age - ..Like Clockwork

So Queens of the Stone Age is a bit of an odd band for me to review compared to my usual suspects of Electronic, Hip Hop and 8 Bit esque stuff, but in all fairness I was very into my rock/metal as a teen.

Queens of the stone age were a band that I got into a bit later into my rock time, probably not until my early twenties. I wouldn't normally by their albums, I'd usually wait until they found me, that said, I've only got one, and heard two in total (Rated R & Songs for the deaf), but I'd heard a song of the new album, and really liked it, and as I was a bit glum today thought I'd buy it for myself.

The album starts of with quite a clunky song, a good opener, but not particularly to my taste, after that it all picks up and leads into a really good album.

"I sat by the ocean" is song number two on the album and has that really distinguishable Queens of the Stone Age balance between vocals and guitars we all know and love, this is a great song, well worth a listen.

My favourite song on the album I still think has to be the one that prompted me to buy it in the first place it reminds of a lighter "First it Giveth" but I can't quite put my finger on why.

Anyway overall I would say that the album is a great addition to the collection of any QOTSA fans, maybe a bit more mature and tame than previous albums I've heard, but then I'm coming back to them after a 2 or 3 album break, and I'm sure they've probably matured a bit since then, are the cock in sock days behind them?

Mini review - Crystal Castles - (III)

Im going to keep this one short and sweet because anyone who knows me knows I'm a big big Crystal Castles fan and have been since they were releasing demo's.

So their newest album is in my opinion their best so far, a very well developed sound which is a lot more chilled out than their earlier stuff, that said the production has really improved. Its not a new album, coming out in 2012 (yeah I've had it a while), but I still listen to one or two tunes of it daily.

First tune I'd recomend trying out is Kerosene, definately my favourite on the album

The second tune I'd recommend is mercenary, its just another one of their songs called sad eyes backwards and slowed down, but it packs a really trippy punch in comparison to their counterpart.

You can find more out about the Crystal Castles here and you'll be able to catch them at Glastonbury festival this year, hopefully they'll tour too.

Mini Review - Monokle - Saints

Monokle is an artist suggested on the Urban75 forums, and I noticed it because of the "chilled out footwork/juke style" it was described as. Indeed it does have some juke elements to it, but its still stays on the lines of other artists I'd associate with a more house style like Martyn.

Monokle comes from St. Petersburg (a lot of good russian electronic artists coming to the fore lately), and I think this is his first LP after releasing previous EP's. The album is a great driving album in my opinion with a lovely chilled out flow to it, and I think its safe to say their isn't a single song I don't like on it.

The first tune I listened to is probably still my favourite, and its the only one with noticeable vocals on it from memory, its a good starter one I'd suggest anyone to try out.




If you want to know anymore about monokle you can find him on facebook here

Updates (again) & Mini Review - Spoek Mathambo - Mshini Wam

So again its been ages and ages since I updated this. I've got some new music to post up and some new images (which will be in a seperate post). Its been a busy few months, working hard, really practicing my mixing and taking a 10 day jaunt to Budapest, Belgrade and Zagreb.

 So to start this off, lets talk about music, and what I've been listening to of late.

 Whilst not a new album Spoek Mathambo's Mshini Wam was an album I had to have after hearing his cover of Joy Divisions "Control" - My attention was brought to the video by the British Journal of Photography magazine, as its directed by Pieter Hugo a well known South African photographer



Spoek Mathambo is a really eclectic artists with influences from rap, bass music and afro pop. The album doesnt disappoint at all, very well produced, interesting lyrics and comes highly recommended.

Two tunes I'd seriously recommend checking out off this album are Mshini Wam (the album title track)
- I really like the female vocal on this track

And War on words with a warbling bassline and some great lyrics.

To find out more about Spoek Mathambo and to get links to buy his stuff you can visit his site here

Its been a long time since I posted: Update

Yeah yeah I know its been an age since I last posted here, but I'm determined to get going on the content again, but just a little update.

Firstly I'm helping out with a new soundsystem, hiring to other nights and running our own too. For more info check out Acoustic Chemistry

Secondly I'm now doing the odd mix for Nexus radio which you can also subsribe to on the iTunes podcast service.

Thirdly I've been mixing quite a lot, and learning too, with some new kit and really enjoying it.

Here's a couple of mixes, firstly a drum and bass jobby, and secondly a deep dubstep one.... Still having a few beatclashes, but a damn site better than what I've posted up here before

More reviews and clips from the internet to come soon!!! Keep your eyes peeled on this page

Drum and bass mix

We all love the drity drumstep, with some drumstep, and utter boom boom boom filth at the end

The gloves off mix (drum and bass) by The Wonkydonkey (Sim) on Mixcloud

Revolution - robyn chaos

Pleiades (zardonic remix) - Efrain Vargas

Wall of death forbidden society

Bad dreams in the night - dylan and kitech

Trauma Cell - SPKTRM (Duomix)

Damage - Subvibe

Razor Fist (Miii remix) - Unumenura

Demolished - Limewax

Fresh Hell (2011) - Nanotek

Drill - Donny & Current Value

Medieval beating - Donny

Ruin - Avenger

Crawlers - Bong Ra

Bass to the top (ft Erre) - Dub Elements

Kill MC (Roughneck MC Remix) - FFF

Sunday afternoon dubstep mix

Right, new tunes, and been practising quite a lot :)

Sunday afternoon dubstep mix (20 mins) by The Wonkydonkey (Sim) on Mixcloud

Goth trad - Betrayal

Reso - Holograms

Rdubz - Danger

The Cross (ft Aucan) - Niveau Zero

Alpha & the Omega - Disonata

Bass Monster - Reid Speed, FS

Subsonic - Excision

Grudge (Balkansky remix) - Statix

In_sect (the Un1k remix) - Niveau Zero

Music Box - Freqax

Mini album review: Niveau Zero - Jasmine

Niveau Zero's not someone I've reviewed before, but I've heard tunes from him in passing, mostly what seems to be termed 'filthstep' on youtube, which is bollocks, its just metal influenced dubstep, and doesn't need a 'label'

Anyway Jasmine by Niveau Zero has to be one of the only dubstep albums I've found myself able to listen to all the way through without becoming a bit bored. Its got some real heavy riffs that wouldn't sound out of place in a black metal song, but then some really uplifting mellow tunes on it too. To say its a really well produced album would be an understand, easily one of my favourites this year too, even the album artwork is cool.

It comes with 7 of his own tunes, and 2 remixes, so its definately not a long album, but if you like it you'll really like it, if not you really won't like it, I don't think there's any middle ground on this one.

Favourite tunes have to be 'The cross (ft Aucan)', complete with American Psycho quotes, middle of the road dubstep beat, but amazing uplifting samples, this is one I reckon will be appearing in a mix soon (I'm determined to actually make the next mix good).

Distorted rules (Niveau Zero Remix). Death metal couple with worb worbs, all about the furious drums and screaming in this one.....

This release is out on ad noiseam, priced at 9 euros (adn161)

Mini Album review: Death Grips - No Love Deep Web

It seems like Death Grips have been churning out material at the rate of knots, no complaints from me as they're one of my favourite emerging artists over the last couple of years.

Their latest offering 'No Love Deep Web' is a free download of their website, and comes complete with a photo of a cock (as in an actual erect penis) as the front cover. One the first listen, I really struggled with this album, it was one of those I couldn't decide whether it was genius, or they'd just gone mental. The album has that real death grips 'sound' to it, but over the 3 albums I've heard the production quality has changed beyond belief. Im now on my 4th or 5th listen, and I have to say its well on its way to getting into my top 5 spot for favourite albums at the end of this year now. Some of the tunes are exceptionally discordant to the point I literally couldn't work out the beat to start off with, but this chaos couple with some forward thinking ideas and proper death grips brutality really makes this album into a nicely rounded one.

Stand out tracks for me have to be:

Black Dice: I particularly like the driving bass contrasting the highs in this tune, something that death grips do repeatedly well.

And: Bass rattles stars out the sky - Again contrasting bass and highs working well, but a dream beat and samples that really give a feeling of panic to the tune..... Banging!

You can download the album for free at the death grips home page http://thirdworlds.net/

Wonky Mix number 3: The f**k knows mix

Got a bit carried away with this one, just having a play with some free trap thats all for free download on soundcloud, and ended up playing some of my fave tunes from all the genres I like to play....... working on my collection of juke and footwork at the moment. I reckon I'm getting better at mixing though, only a few mess ups, mainly when I sped the music up a bit.

Tracklist underneath

The fuck knows mix by The Wonkydonkey (Sim) on Mixcloud

1. DJ Belly - Make dat ting clap
2. Love trap - Daebull
3. Trapped in my mind (kid womp remix) - Kid Cudi
4. Here they come - Loud Flavor
5. VC Commander - Kid theory
6. Settle down - Kimbra (Nightmare! bootleg)
7. Bass Canon (Proper Villains remix - Flux Pavillion
8. Bass Canon - Flux Pavillion
9. Pink Elephants - Daladuz
10. Killing me - Dodge & Fuski
11. Bass Monster - Reid Speed, FS
12. Freaqs - Deforme
13. Wrong Number - Subscape
14. Nosebleed (Sinister souls remix) - Wormskull
15. Crystalline (Current Value Remix) - Bjork
16. Murder Machine ft Dieselboy - Mark Instinct & Bare
17. Cocaine - Shufunk
18. Mechanical Jaw - Bong
19. Bad Load - Mr Sly
20. Medieval Beating - Donny
21. Fresh Hell 2011 - Nanotek
22. Sickness and Suffering (Donny remix) - Counterstrike & Mumblez
23. Damage - Subvibe
24. The Spell ft Snow - Current Value
25. Kentar - Cooh
26. Crawlers - Bong-ra