This compilation features elusively tight cuts. The kind that you could hear inside an independent movie theatre in Europe. But to call this a cinematic presentation of the finest downbeat and dub is nothing short of an understatement. Most of the artists here were either born in Austria or moved to the mountainous country at some point in their careers. Professor Oz, who brings us the opening number "Whatever the Sun", is one good example. Born in Paris, he eventually relocated to Vienna to meet Sugar B, also credited on the track, and Richard Dorfmeister of Tosca. [ CD ] | read more...

If you like your jazzy, soulful, downtempo vibes on the ambient side then this is definitely the CD for you. Released on the German label Sonar Kollektiv, it’s a masterful sonic landscape, of the kind Brian Eno used to make before he became one of the greatest producers the world has ever known. [ CD ] | read more...

The collective of Anthiliawaters calls its music "sexy breakfast electro resistant to time coming from here and there... a sound track for starting your day." I'll go along with that, even if I don't quite understand what it means. This is a slick, well produced album laid-back electro that runs just short of an hour. [ CD ] | read more...

Whether it be Dissolving Clouds, the Earth Octave Lounge series, or Arcana, Interchill Records have been wrapping up selections of sounds on their numerous compilations to classify their style of downbeat. Combined with solid solo releases from the likes of Mauxuam, Ashtech and Gaudi, this Canadian based label continues to define the meaning of quality downtempo, dub, and ambient infused electronic music. [ CD ] | read more...

The sunrise is that moment of the day when anything seems possible, especially after a night with no sleep at all. The body is so tired and the mind so far beyond numb, that time is decomposed in numerous shades, none of which is fully apprehended by the casual partygoer. Zane Tate's first volume of his "Boom Bap Sunrise: Rural Sounds" is the perfect soundtrack to that elliptical time when it's neither dark nor bright, even if the atmosphere feels more urban than rural. [ CD ] | read more...

Chris Joss returns with a smartly written album of swing and funk that proves he is one of the masters of the retro-revival and sets the bar high with Teraphonic Overdubs. Merging downtempo of now with genre-bending melodies, each track keeps the listener guessing and happily waiting for the next unexpected turn. [ CD ] | read more...

Ben Tweel, a.k.a. Build Buildings, has twelve atmospheric, dreamlike pieces on his fourth release called "Ceiling Lights From Street". Tweel's bio says he makes music with "computers, instruments, household noises and records." Most of it seems to be with computers, using long, drawn out notes, sometimes backed with beats and sometimes without. His strongest work exists where he manipulates skittering glitches and ambient tones. [ Digital Only ] | read more...

LIBATION (Fela! Party) w/DJ's Ian Friday & Simbad :: 9/11 - Sep 11, 2008 10:00 PM @ Sullivan Room (New York, NY, USA)

Pandora Could Be First Major Casualty of New Royalty Rates
Aug 19, 2008 - [Posted at Wired] For over a year, publications including Wired.com have warned that the U.S. Copyright Royalty Board's new rates for webcasters would end online radio as we know it. Now, those chickens are coming home to roost. ... read more

Six Degrees Unveils Global Noize
Aug 14, 2008 - Six Degrees, San Francisco's well known purveyors of modern world music, announced today that they have launched a new label blog called Global Noize. ... read more

Thievery Announce Radio Retaliation
Aug 13, 2008 - Thievery Corporation are set to drop their 5th studio album, entitled Radio Retaliation on September 23rd, 2008. Along with longtime microphone co-conspirators like Sleepy Wonder, Lou Lou, and Notch, Eric and Rob are joined this time by a new cast of musical collaborators including Nigeria's afro-beat heir Femi Kuti, Brazilian star vocalist and guitarist Seu Jorge, Indian sitar virtuoso Anushka Shankar, Slovakian chanteuse and violinist Jana Andevska, and Washington DC's own godfather of go-go Chuck Brown. ... read more

Burial is Finally Uncovered
Aug 07, 2008 - THE search to find the true identity of Mercury Music Prize nominee BURIAL has finally ended. ... read more

British Tabloid Embarks On Quest To Unmask Reclusive Dubstep Producer
Aug 05, 2008 - Untrue, by the pseudonymous artist Burial, is heavily favored to win this year's Mercury Prize, which is given to the best British album of a 12-month timeframe. But if Untrue should win as expected, the man behind the album will have to come out on stage and perform a song from the record—effectively revealing himself to the world and dispensing with any mystery the album might have at that point. ... read more

Natalie Walker Announces Clubbing Schedule
Aug 05, 2008 - Natalie Walker has announced a fall club tour in support of her sophomore album With You (Dorado Records/ Fontana/ Universal), scheduled for release on August 19th. Walker will hit both the East and West Coast starting September 6th and is sure to impress all with her enchanting mix of pop and new wave melodies. ... read more

Burial now favourite for Mercury Prize
Aug 01, 2008 - The 'Banksy of dubstep' overtakes Radiohead in betting. Burial has emerged as the new favourite to win this year's Nationwide Mercury Prize, according to bookmaker William Hill. ... read more

Burning Bowl Records
An international boutique label based in "the live music capitol of the world", Austin Texas. Featuring musicians from Austria to Australia, Burning Bowl Records instantly emerges as an ambassador of Downbeat and Dub music. ... read more

Isophlux
Starting in Miami, Florida in the early 90's Isophlux was one of the first experimental electronic music labels in North America. The Isophlux quest to release future music that would be immune to time and bringing new artist to the spot light was achieve ... read more

Leisure Lab
Leisure Lab is a record label with a focus on Broken Beat, Nu Jazz, Future Soul, Hip Hop, Drum and Bass, and Downtempo music. Our first official release is Zane Tate’s Boom Bap Sunrise: Rural Sounds Vol.1. ... read more