Build Recordings‘ third release is a big one. Both songs are collaborations with label boss Baobinga, and each tune is completely different, drawing influences from across the dubstep/funky/garage/grime spectrums of sound. The release is already seeing support by Sinden, Jackmaster, Redlight, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Modeselektor, Mista Jam and Mary Anne Hobbs.

Ginz and Baobinga align forces on the first tune, yielding a funky, purple joint called “The Good Stank”. The synthy melodies have a strong Joker influence to them, which is no surprise considering how closely Ginz and Joker have worked together.

On the flip is a steppy, housey tune with some funky vocal edits, the product of Baobinga and Cosmin TRG. “I Get Ruff” is 128 beats per minue of hypeness, garage throwbacks and raw energy that move the tune along while an arpeggiating synth snakes through the rhythms.

To promote the release, Baobinga and TRG have recorded a minimix, getting 10 minutes a pop to show their stuff. Download the mix and make sure you cop the release!

Cosmin TRG vs Baobinga – MiniMix for BUILD003 by baobinga

Kicking off their newly decided diversification of music, spreading the scope of their releases from just dubstep, DubKraft Records has released “Style Is A Cage”, which features a variety of styles of drum and bass that touch on the rising “minimal” style, surely influenced by the dubstep sound.

The EP is doing quite well on various charts and has been receiving a lot of critical acclaim from DJ’s and music lovers alike.

Read more for my legnthy review!

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This past Monday I finally received my highly anticipated Digital Harinezumi camera from the makers at Superheadz in Japan. The first thing that really struck me about this camera was it’s small size. Fitting directly in the palm of your hand, one might think that a camera of this size would not pack such a powerful punch. But it does. The Harinezumi shoots both digital stills and video. My experience so far with the Harinezumi this week has been nothing short of amazing; the pictures come out absolutely stunning, especially if you are  searching for those really nostalgic, over-saturated type photos.

Shooting video with the Harinezumi is nothing like shooting with a normal video camera; it mimics old 8mm cameras creating over-saturated colors, giving the video a more dreamy feel. The video setting produces no sound, but this give the user a chance to personalize their video with anything from their favorite music to any sound bite that one so chooses, leaving endless possibilities for the final product.  With a price tag around $150.00 this little beast is sure to please any photo enthusiast.

Harinezumi Test Shot #1

[View with PicLens]

Harinezumi Test Video #1

Digital Harinezumi-001 from Dfunkdamager on Vimeo.

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From abstract beats to acoustic dub, this multi-genre master producer, dj and musician Fin Greenhall aka Fink continues to surprise and delight.

Highlights include:

Fresh Produce (2000 – Ninja Tune)
This still finds its way to my player at least monthly. For all you dubstep fans, note that this was released around 2000 when Fink was based in Bristol. A release quite ahead of its time. Following on the heels of several tasty drum and bass singles for NinjaTune, there is still nothing quite like this release. Complex percussion flipping from half-time to double-time and back, layered with clever samples reminiscent of Scruff, anchored in dub, informed by hip hop and jazz, yet stretching into muscular bassline territory; there is way more here than just ‘downtempo’ as some have classified this release.

Sort of Revolution (2009 – Ninja Tune)
Step forward in time to 2006. Fink appears with a new sound, so different in style most would not realize this music is by the same person. Who knew that the master producer from Fresh Produce was also a master songwriter, lyricist, vocalist and skilled acoustic guitar player. Three releases later, this year’s “Sort of Revolution” continues in this vein and is so far, the culmination of Fink’s unique style. The subtleties of this work are amazing. Recording and touring with drummer and bassist, Finks’ soul/blues/dub stylings lick around the edges of world music and jazz. At some points during his vocal performance he slides from enunciating words into singing raw emotion. Kudos to Ninja Tune Records for keeping Fink on the roster to let his talent fully blossom as he so rightfully deserves.

Sideshow – Admit One LP (2009 – AUS Music)
Under his Sideshow moniker, Fink’s produced house, dnb and dub tracks. The current release on AUS Records entitled “Admit One” is full-on dub inflected with indy, jazz and even classical influences; created with both electronic and acoustic instrumentation from a number of talented musicians. Paul St. Hilaire (aka Tikiman), Tina Grace, and Cortney Tidwell provide powerful vocal performances.