“Black Jack” and “Get Got” are the first two tracks to be released off of Death Grips’ new record The Money Store. The new record will be the group’s first major label release and the followup to last year’s grueling Ex Military. Though Money Store will be out on Epic, the two new tracks (both available for free download) sound like a promise that Money Store will be just as tooth-gnashing and heavy as its indie predecessor.
Dubbel Dutch & Samo Sound Boy, of Body High fame, thankfully recorded their recent 2 hour set from Jungala in New Paltz, NY. Right now there’s no tracklist, and be warned many of the tracks will be DD or SSB productions that you may not be able to get hold of. For more Mixpak x Body High goodness, head to Texas next month!
Samo Sound Boy and Dubbel Dutch Live (New Paltz, NY 02/2012) by dubbel dutch
With a range spanning dark danceability to chase scene adrenaline, Cardopusher has seen non-stop releases of high quality lately. This newly available track is no exception with its tumbling and dynamic drums, each clearly defined as the opposing sides it seems to evoke. While Badawi’s original runs lost in a spiral of dark caves full of reverberating despair, Cardopusher’s version finds hope in revolt. A technified menace makes itself known from the hills with distant melodies, while a fight to keep an oasis of the heart from desertification fills the veins through rhythm. The remix was given out as a free download last week by The Index, a New York based label run by Badawi (now known simply as Raz Mesinai) and Dub War’s Dave Q. Index just dropped an EP by Machinedrum called Nastyfuckk. Cardopusher also saw a new single hit the streets earlier this week on London’s DVA Music. (Art by Peter Skwiot Smith.)
Popcaan’s ‘Get Gyal Easy’ remixed by Poirier and Toddla T & Cass Lowe is out today on Mixpak, get it right here on iTunes or Juno.
After blasting onto the scene in 2010 on the biggest dancehall tune of the year, “Clarks,” Portmore’s Popcaan has since proved himself as one of the most talented vocalists in the genre. Coming up as Vybz Kartel’s protégé, this year the 23 year old has lent his distinctive voice to an arsenal of bashment hits, from ghetto laments to party smashers. Most recently, this past fall Popcaan was the first dancehall artist since Sean Paul to have his track playlisted on the BBC and big things are set to follow for the “Raving King.”
2012 sees Popskull team up with Dre Skull for a series of Mixpak releases, the first being the single “Get Gyal Easy”. Dre Skull’s shaking bass crescendos and minor key string stabs provide the backbone for an emotional gallis anthem, a slow-burning and euphoric bashment tune that showcases Popcaan’s versatile singjay style.
After being playlisted on BBC 1Xtra on the day of its release in January, ‘Get Gyal Easy’ now keeps in the Mixpak tradition of the remix EP, getting the rework treatment from UK dancehall ambassador, Toddla T, alongside collaborator Cass Lowe, and Montreal’s forward-thinking soca producer, Poirier.
Toddla T & Cass Lowe take the ‘Raving King’ moniker to its limits, keeping the deep bass intact while chopping the vocals and even layering in some steel drums to produce an anthemic UK funky track whose synth-filled chorus will take you into festival euphoria. Across the pond, Poirier’s offering keeps the island vibe strong, pushing the bpm to 160 and transforming the original into a hyperactive soca track fit for any carnival, complete with synthlines reminiscent of 90s UKG.
This is Mixpak pushing dancehall to the edge, keeping the collaborations fresh and the music fresher.
Mixpak fam Murlo is releasing his own EP, the Wineyard EP (a Super Cat shout we believe), on March 10th via Bandcamp, again showcasing his flair for big bass and pitched vocals. Watch out for his track coming soon on the brand new Mixpak Pressure compilation series.
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