Downtime.

Well, this week was a lot of nothing. I noticed that as I was sitting in my room eating a bowl of cereal on my bed. I came to the realization that since I quit my job 95% of my time has been taken up by sitting around the house not doing much of anything. I know most of you are thinking right now "Oh man, I would kill for that!" I promise, it's not all it's cracked up to be. It's actually really depressing. I want to go out, get up, do something, but my mind says to me "Sit there. Do nothing." I need to snap out of it. I need to stop waiting to get invited to something and start making plans of my own.

But in true fashion of the blog, my action will relate to a mixtape.

[+]

Sit There. Do Nothing.

Trip-Hop/Lounge Mixtape

Trip-Hop is one of those genres that runs deep with me. In high school, I took a lot of adderall, a LOT, about 75 mg a day (normal dosage around 30-60mg.) It's the only way I could efficiently finish my work. And it did; I ended up finishing high school in 3 years time. But there's always a negative to a positive. I would spend the rest of the day coming down from it. I would play instruments, program glitch and downtempo songs, not eat, stare around my room, not eat, find new music, read, and not eat. Trip-Hop was one of those things that I just saw a lot of beauty in during that time. Dreamful soundscapes. It was the only thing that could lull me to sleep when I was cracked out.

Traditionally, Trip-Hop producers use a lot of the same technics used in Hip-Hop productions. MPCs, synths, samplers, and turntables. Most Trip-Hop is instrumental with maybe one or to vocal samples mashed into a track.

Trackss:

1. All in Forms - Bonobo
2. Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer - Blockhead
3. Headroom - Matterhorn
4. Bittersweet Symphony (UNKLE Remix) - The Verve
5. Grim Advantage Pt. 1 - Egadz!
6. Birds Of Prey - Architeq
7. Number 41 - Dosh ft. Andrew Bird
8. Frontier Psychiatrist - The Avalanches
9. Hands - Four Tet
10. Head in Colour - Nightmares on Wax
11. A Grand Love Theme - Kid Loco
12. Temper - Dabrye
13. Moon - Little People
14. Cascade - Tycho
15. Blue Little - 1032
16. What We Are Destined To Do - Egadz!

Find your favourite track and buy an album from that artist. I promise that you will find more gold.

More goodies next week.

TvT

REWARDS!: AFROBEAT!

Man, I have been slacking. But you're going to have to give me a break. This one was a toughy. Sure, I haven't been up to much and I should have gotten to work on it much sooner if I thought it was going to be a problem. But I didn't, so take that internet. Plus, these mixtapes aren't supposed to be your main source of new music. That's a shit ton of pressure! So much pressure!

This blog is to open you to new genres. Like the genre? Do some research, find some songs you like! and then send them to me to make my job easier heheheh

[+]

AFRO

Afrobeat Mixtape

I cannot describe how much trouble I had with this mixtape. Afrobeat is a product of the 70's. It's origins are more or less from the heart of Nigeria. It's more of a subgenre if anything. But damn is it amazing. I have spent many road trips and flights with this stuff in my ears. In fact, I don't think I've ever not listen to some bit of afrobeat on a flight. This music says "travel time" to me. It's adventure music. The problem with finding the "good stuff" though is that most of the songs are still mainly both listened to and bought on vinyl. I've had to spend 2 weeks on this thing. I just didn't have the collection for it. I had a few samba and latin compilations with afro tracks on it, but that was about it. So, yet again this genre has lived up to it's feel. It was an adventure trying to find these tracks. Both the hardest to compile and the most rewarding so far. So, eat of the fruits of my labor and enjoy this mixtape.

Trackss:

1. Mamaya - Souljazz Orchestra
2. Upside Down - The Darktaris
3. Pas O Soué La - Abel ZENON
4. Dorrough + Fela Kuti - Wallpaper (<- from the mixtape they put out back in Jan. check it)
5. Dima Bolane - Le Ry-Co Jazz
6. Cooba Edit (Daz-i-kue Mix) - Wale Oyejide
7. Already Doin It - Orgone
8. Expensive Shit - Fela Kuti
9. Noude Ma Gnin Tche De Me - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
10. Congo (Sao Benitez Mix) - River Plate Samba Orchestra
11. El Nino (Big Band Mix) - Coleman Brothers
12. Ipe Amarelo - Quasim
13. Agnon Dekpe - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou
14. Kilode (Carl Craig Straight Mix) - Tony Allen
15. Dirt And Blood - Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
16. Crache La Douleur - Fanga

Sit in a room, turn your heat up, hold a glass of rum in your hand, buy a tropical bird(put in same room), listen to this mixtape.

See you next week.

TvT

Bail! BAIL!

Sorry, I screwed the pooch on this one. Monday (two days ago at this point) was the day that I post mixtapes so that people can get through their work weeks a bit easy.

I failed. I'm sorry. I left this weeks compiling in the hands of my friend Jan, who is more well versed in this weeks mixtape, Afro. I didn't get it in time.

As punishment, and to show that I'm committed, I will post a TvT live mix as well as the mix that was owed. Until then, consolation prize:

TvT

SHRED/SHRED/SHRED//SHRED

This blog is slowing making me realize how lucky I am. The average person despises Monday with every fiber of their being. However, this is the day that I get to post a mixtape! I love that!

It also helps that this past weekend was probably the best in a while. I quit an abusive job. I was woken up Saturday with a text for free lunch. Followed up with going to a massive vinyl sale. I found TWO Yusef Lateef albums (my favourite jazz artist, check him out.) And then after that I went on a bike ride with a good friend and got hit by a car. I got to smash a car with my body. Best part: No damage to myself! (as of yet) What's up, miracle?

And now the perfect end to the perfect weekend. MIXTAPE

Shred the Delaware

Math Rock, Post-Math Mixtape

[+]

After last weeks post, I realized that I had only posted genres on the electronic end of the spectrum. Nonetheless it's gotten good response, but that's only covering one genre in a sea of music. High School is when I started to branch into other forms of music besides what I would hear on the local radio stations. I figure that's what most youth do nowadays. Find something new and exciting as to not blend in with the rest of their peers. I don't condone that reason; However, I do condone the exploration into different genres, whatever the means.

As for me, one of the genres that definitely stuck during my exploration period were post rock, math rock, and other experimental forms of music. When I was 17, my interests could be easily broken down into 4 parts: Burritos, Zombies, Beards, and Math Rock. I'd say all of the subjects still stick, now there's just more complexity.

Speaking of complexity, allow me to explain this genre. Math rock is easily the most technical form of guitar driven music out there. Timing is key. In most cases it doesn't even matter what note you play, as long as it's at the right time. Rhythmically, you will hear some of the most talented drummers perform in math rock bands. Not only is the goal to play complex rhythm patterns, but also while chaining different time signatures together (4/4 into 5/3 into 3/4 etc.)

That's one of the reasons it's called math rock, you end up having to do math in your head in order to play in proper time.

I could go on for days about this genre. It's by far my favourite. But instead, why don't we just get to the track listing?

Trackss:

1. Half Half & Half - Oxes
2. Can I get More Steel in My Monitors? - you.may.die.in.the.desert
3. 7/1000 - Volta Do Mar
4. Goodbye - toe (The japanese band, not the Tortoise side project)
5. Second Instrumental - Sharks Keep Moving
6. Death Rides a Horse - Russian Circles
7. Sea Song - Faraquet
8. Christmas (etc.) - Lustre King
9. Women Lifting Men - Pele
10. Truck - The Octopus Project
11. Ted Zancha - Maps & Atlases
12. Playing with Pink Noise - Kaki King
13. 1-800-Ghost-Dance - Hella
14. It's Easy-eeeee To Be Full Of Shit And Look Good In Black - Giraffes? Giraffes!
15. Futuristic Genitalia - Ghosts and Vodka
16. Twelve - ¡Forward, Russia!
17. Keep - El Ten Eleven
18. Freckle Wars - Ecstatic Sunshine
19. Details On How to Get ICEMAN on Your License Plate - Don Cabellero
20. 777 - DD/MM/YYYY
21. You'll Never Make It Home - Cats and Cats and Cats
22. Race In - Battles

I hope you find this genre as wonderful as I have.

More to come.

TvT

Bonus video:

I'm definitely buying one of these when it comes out.

Rub-a-Dub, Sucka! (and some!)

I've been wanting to post this for about two days now. Keeping to a weekly schedule is hard when I feel like I'm sitting on so much music by talented artists. But finally! Monday is here! And that means it's time for a mixtape! Rejoice!

Low Low: Dirty & Low

Dubstep Mixtape

[+]

As I previously stated, Dubstep is an acquired taste. But it's so much fun once you understand it. Few genres can stand up to the energy of Dubstep without being aggresive. I first came across Dubstep in the cultural melting pot that is Toronto. Dubstep shows happen weekly there. You wouldn't believe some of the dance moves that are prevalent in this genre. They're both excited and confusing.

So, if you still don't understand the genre, download the mixtape and give it a chance.

As for the fanboys, get ready for some jams.

Trackss:

1. The Big Weekend - Brain Matters DJs
2. Run This Shit - Aniki
3. ltwxrmx (j dilla's lightworks remix) - Flying Lotus
4. Hide and Seek (Mt Eden Remix) - Imogen Heap
5. Pro Nails (Rusko remix) - Kid Sister
6. Death to the Throne - M.I.A
7. 28 Hours Later - 12th
8. Please Mr. Postman (Dubstep Refix) - Cragga
9. Everyday Hustle (AC Slater Remix) - B.Rich
10. Gutter Music (VIP) - Starkey (<- Thanks Jan!)
11. Pony (Boson Remix) - Ginuwine
12. Legacy - Rusko
13. Swagga - Excision & Datsik
14. Re-Up - Ginz & Joker
15. Sierra Leone - Mt. Eden Dubstep
16. Hammertime - Rusko
17. A Milli (Excision & Datsik Remix) - Lil Wayne
18. Crunked Up - Benga

Now, for those that can't stand dubstep but were really hoping for a mixtape this week, I have a little secret for you:

I'm in cahoots with another very talented compiler.

Party Prism (aka Contra-stiltskin, aka Tom Gustafson) put out a wonderful mixtape today, the second in his series of Monday Mixtapes. I've learned about quite a few new artists from his mixtapes and you might have just the same luck.

His post is as follows:

Friends.
I've been listening to a few tunes lately. Thought you may dig listening to them too. Not all of it is new stuff.

If you like any of these tunes:
Buy their album on iTunes
Go see them when they come to your city
Buy a T-Shirt from them

---

Monday Mixtape - Vol. II

Various, Upcoming Artists Mixtape

1. The Soft Pack - Parasites
2. Shout out Louds - Fall Hard
3. Atlas Sound - Walkabout
4. Surfer Blood - Take it Easy
5. Neon Trees - Animal
6. Fang Island - The Illinois
7. Zeus - At the Risk of Repeating
8. School of Seven Bells - White Elephant Coat
9. Pantha Au Prince - Abglanz
10. The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

MM - Volume II:
[+]

MM - Volume I:
[+]

So much content today!

Now, if you have a mixtape and you think it's worth blogcasting, hit me up and I'll throw it on here.

Let these tracks fill your ears this week and I'll be back next week for more.

TvT

RIP Nujabes

The news was broken yesterday that Nujabes, a Japanese hip-hop/jazz producer, died last month in a car accident. This hit me pretty hard. Myself, as well as my roomates, have spent many days listening to his music while lounging around the house. Nujabes could paint an audio dreamscape unlike anyone else. He will be missed dearly. If you have not heard his art yet, you should start now.

Nujabes - Peaceland

TvT

Preview

Alright, alright, alright, alright. Let me explain something. The mixtape for next week will be Dubstep. Never heard of Dubstep? Don't understand Dubstep? That's fine. That's what this blog is for, testing new waters of music genres.

The fact of the matter is that a good majority of people don't like it. The good news is that the people that do like it, like it a LOT. There's not a whole lot of medium ground on this one. Thing is I would like to post things that everyone would be able to enjoy. Yet, the idea alone of pleasing everyone is entirely fictional. It's impossible. So I'm going to take the band-aid approach on this one and just rip this right off.

For those of you that do enjoy dubstep, or that are at least interested: here is a preview of next week's post. It's a mash-up I did a couple weeks ago:

Bombs Over the Future - Outkast vs. Trolley Snatcha

[+]


(RSS readers: click "read more" to listen to the preview.)


TvT