This Shit Is Ridiscolous!

Hot Mix Action! Here's one I did for NYE but never actually got to play out. Long story. Disco classics, re-edits & versions plus some bonus '80s moustache love. It's too long to put on a CD, which is pretty gay, and the mixing is a bit dodgy in spots... but I did this in one take, so deal with it. Besides, it's guaranteed to make your pants wanna dance. Disco love. Let's get high and make plans to start a business...

Tonegent presents "Ridiscolous"

(Supa Disco DJ Mix - 99:46 - 182.7Mb @ 256kps)


Can't do a track listing because this thing will be pulled down right quick if I do. Turns out there's one song on here that the record company does not want you to hear, even though its 30 years old. I can only imagine what an awful dent in sales would be caused by me putting it in this mix. THE HORROR! But you can always drop me a note with any track ID questions. Enjoy!

Blog-achella Goes to '11: Hope ya like Dubstep!

Look, I'm not the one who made these bottom two lines of Friday into Dubstep-chella, okay? So just shut up and deal with it. Besides, the only other acts to come up so far are this mangy lot...

The Rural Alberta Advantage are about as bad as the name would indicate. Just super "meh" Indie Rock bollocks. But they are really from Canada... how on the nose! If they were playing at a Tuesday night free showcase, I'd go play pool or something during their set...

... but I'm even less impressed with this Clare Maguire chick. Just bad, melodramatic, overproduced pop with a bit of a homeless man's Kate Bush vibe from what I can gather. Gag.

Hurts is a British Synth-Pop act that has been getting a lot of notice lately, but I have a feeling it's more because they have a major label behind them than anything else. I mean, it's not offensive, but it's not notable either. Plus... every video has an ad in front, only short clips available on the Myspace and you should see the ludicrous number of "buy it" tabs on there. The whole thing just reeks of artificially created buzz. Plus, I'm positive if I posted a tune of theirs it would be DMCA'd in seconds. So, eat a bag of dicks, Hurts. Besides... there's better bands at this festival doing this style. I'll point them out to you as we get to 'em... that's what I do.

Which will bring us back to 'doh'... and by 'doh', I mean Dubstep...

Breakage



Who he is: An apparently rather angsty young man named James Boyle. I wonder if his mom is Susan Boyle. There can't be that many Boyles in England, right? I mean, England's a small place... you guys all know each other, right?

What he sounds like: In his full length, Foundation, we have another record split between Dubstep and D & B... very similar to the Jakes, actually, but with a slightly less sinister, more sexy edge. Like in this tune, with vocals by this gal named Zarif. Vocal Dubstep? Apparently!

Breakage - Over (ysi)

What I think: I think there should be more vocal Dubstep tracks. Tone Seal of Approval. Actually, I think I'd rather have a Platypus of Approval. They have poisonous barbs, you know. Much cooler than seals. Anyhoo, there are a bunch of clips of Breakage live on the YouTubes, but the sound isn't too great on most of 'em. So... did I pick this particular one because it has topless chicks in it? Maybe...



Hehe... boobies...

Blog-achella Goes to '11: There's a New Superhero in Town...

It's a beard... it's a plane... it's a muthafuckin' badass beatboxer... it's...

Beardyman



Who he is: He goes by Darren, I believe. Lovely chap... but don't you think he should be required to have a beard at all times? Calling yourself Beardyman and walking around sans beard? The fuck's up with that?

What he sounds like: Jamie Lidell's live looping x Rahzel's beat boxing x a half-decent stand up comedian to boot. Homeboy does not have an album yet, but it drops in March. So you'll just have to deal with this half-hour live set from his Soundcloud. Prepare to have your earholes fucked in the very, very good way...

And just in case you were wondering, there is a wee bit o' Dubstep in there, keeping the streak alive...

Beardyman live @ Reading Festival 2010 by Beardyman

What I think: Holy shit, right? Remember how I said a couple posts ago that Jakes was my new fave? Well fuck that guy. My borderline-inappropriate man love is now being rightly slathered all over the (curiously not) bearded one. This video only cements it. It's also an entire set, so grab a Shasta, some pot brownies and your favorite furry pet and enjoy...



Holy holy shit fuck, right? Wow. How did I not know of this guy before?

Full disclosure... I actually kinda did. So did you. We just didn't know it yet. Go to the new Facebook page and have your memory jogged. See what I did there? Cross-promotion, bitches!

Blog-achella Goes to '11: Get Mounted!

A lot of excitement around here this weekend... peep the new banner photo up there... snazzy, eh? Took it myself. I AM AN ARTIST! Also, I made a Facebook page for this thing. You should join up. I'll make it worth your while with bonus content and whatnot. Plus who knows... maybe you'll find your true love or something. It's not likely, but stranger things have happened. I mean... you're not ugly, are you? Man, I really hope you're not ugly. Anyhooo, back to Tone's Dubstep Hut Blog-achella...

Mount Kimbie



Who they are: The most promising young British duo since Elton John & David Furnish. (I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.)

What they sound like: Remember when I went on my little rant about Dubstep a few days ago. This is what I meant. This is the 3rd straight (described as) Dubstep artist, and none of them sound even remotely like one another. Mount Kimbie is on the very atmospheric end of things, taking clues from people like Burial and Four Tet... dark and lovely...

Mount Kimbie - Blind Night Errand (ysi)

What I think: Love the record, don't know exactly how ragin' the live show will be... it'll probably be at least a little more ragin' that this clip from a slightly more intimate-style gig (but I do like the way you can see their every move...)



Yeah, that's pretty good shit. Next... more Dubstep, I'd imagine...

Blog-achella Goes to '11: The One Jake(s)

I'd say we're off to a good start this year... I don't even have to skip anyone today. And that so rarely happens when we're down in the small print. Added bonus... more Dubstep!

Jakes



Who he is: I hadn't heard of this bloke before, but he seems to be a pretty well-established producer and also runs the Hench label, which I have heard of. So I guess I'm halfway hip, right?

What he sounds like: So I picked up his record, The Jakes Project, and it's split between some wikkid jump-up Drum & Bass and dirty down-low Dubstep. Both done rather well I might add. I'm sure you can guess which one you're about to hear... and I'm pretty convinced that, on a proper system, the bass in this tune might actually liquify your bone marrow...

Jakes - Calypso (ysi)

What I think: I think guys like this are why I do Blog-achella, whether or not I actually go to the show (I'm going to try very hard to at least make it for Sunday this year... it's harder to make the investment of both time and $$ when you're an old fart like me). It's about finding your new favorites, and Jakes fits that bill. Here's the man in action...



I didn't say it was great footage of the man in action, now did I? But you get the idea... ruff bidnezz. Have a great weekend...

Blog-achella Goes to '11: Because Its One More Than Ten

And so it begins again... our yearly slog through the mire of the Coachella lineup. Here's how it works. Bands that do not suck, I do a post on them. Bands that suck, I do not. Bands that are somewhere in between, I also do not, but I mention that you should maybe check them out on your own and figure it out for yourself. You are sentient beings with the power to make decisions for yourselves, after all. And just remember... if you disagree with something said here... I do not care and no amount of calling me a douchebag in the comments will change that. YOU GOT THAT, INDIE TWATS FROM THE COACHELLA BOARDS? IT IS I WHO MAKES THE TASTE AROUND HERE! IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO JERK YOU OFF ABOUT HOW GREAT ANIMAL COLLECTIVE IS, GO READ GORILLA VS. BEAR! Because it's the one time of year I get to write nasty, and I am man enough to admit that I kinda enjoy it. Let's get to it, starting (as is the custom) at the bottom of Friday on the poster...

... with Emicida, who appears to be a Brazilian rapper. Not bad but a bit shouty for my tastes... plus if there's one kind of music that I place some importance on the lyrics of, it's Hip-Hop. And I don't know Portuguese so that doesn't help. How do you say "grillz" in Portuguese, anyway? What is the proper term in Rio for "make it rain"? Beats the hell out of me. Check him out though, it's worth a listen... but the first act to get a proper post this year will be...

Kyle Hall



Who he is: A rather young up-and-comer from Detroit. Dude can't even buy a drink and he's playing Coachella. I believe I hate him for that (but it's only a reflection of my own lack of life accomplishments, so don't read to deeply into it).

What he sounds like: He does some Dubstep records and he also does some Tech House records. I like what I've heard from him in both genres, but I'll go with a Dubstep tune because the Dubstep is totally my shit right now, as I may have mentioned once or twice...

Kyle Hall - Kaychunk (ysi)

What I think: I think the set will more than likely NOT be a Dubstep set, as every video I've found of the guy on YouTube is of him DJing Techno/Tech House. THE POWER OF DEDUCTION, HOLMES! Now... for those of you who are new to this little venture, I always include some live performance video in these things. So here you go...



No, the DJ videos are not always terribly exciting. But whatever... it makes you feel like you're there, don't it now?

And that's how this thing works. I'll be doing it right up 'til the show itself, so grab a comfy chair, some Funyuns and a Four Loko and go off!

We interrupt this program for a special announcement...

Ok, so I was all in the middle of this whole Ten Top of Ten thing, but look what's happened...


(click to embiggen)

Now what are we gonna do about that? We're gonna scrap the Ten Top of Ten, is what we're gonna do... for now anyway... because there's no way I can wait for the two weeks it will probably take to get five more posts up. Just can't do it... the A.D.D. I'm convinced I have simply will not allow it. I'm also convinced that I was an apothecary/blacksmith in feudal times - like a combination Pizza Hut & Taco Bell of the Medieval era, but that's a whole other story. Anyhoo... strap on your protective gear, because tomorrow...

BLOG-ACHELLA GOES TO '11!

(Get it?)

(I kill me.)

Tone's Ten Top of Ten - Part 5

It may seem odd to say, as this is the first thing you're reading here... but this post is taking me forever so I'm gonna just make it quick. Because when it comes to 2010, all I really have to say is...

Part 5: The Dubstep Is Totally My Shit Right Now



... although to be totally honest, like most genre labels in dance music, the word Dubstep itself is almost impossible to define at this point as the sound simultaneously evolves in several different directions at once. Which is exactly why its' so fuckin' good. This is the new, the first real new since Drum & Bass if you ask me... even though it is a mutant cousin of D & B in many respects. Whatever. When it comes to music, words can be stupid. So here's a couple tunes...

Untold & Roska - Myth (ysi)

James Blake - CMYK (ysi)

That James Blake, that doughy-faced motherfucker up there? Wait until you see him blow the fuck up this year, people. Mark my words on that one. The words that aren't stupid, that is...

Tone's Ten Top of Ten - Part 4

Hey all! Wow, busy and sick (as in physically ill) first half of the week, but I'm back and never wack. And despite the raping the DMCA dickweeds gave my last post, I'm gonna continue on with my 2010 review with...

Part 4: International Men of Mystery



Now, I'm not gonna pretend to have anywhere near the kind of knowledge to give you any sort of meaningful overview of World music, but today we do have a couple of artists who are definitely World-y and worldly who threw down two of the really good albums of the year. The first are the masters of Tango-tronica, the always amazing Gotan Project. I'm pretty sure I remember this single first hitting my earholes on KCRW right before the World Cup started, and appropriately it has a great vocal sample from "the celebrated Argentine football commentator Victor Hugo Morales (who name-checks all the musicians featuring on the track before shouting GOOOOOOTAN instead of his trademark GOOOOOOOAL!!)" (quotes because I cut & pasted that shit, obviously)... I like how my boys are on da fuckin' nose like dat, yo...

Gotan Project - La Gloria (ysi)

Of course, that song did nothing to change the fact that soccer is gay and stupid and boring, but it's damn catchy, no?

A good way to tell if something is World-y and worldly is the use of wacky instruments, so now we move from accordions to vibramaphones and the legendary creator of Ethio-Jazz, Mr. Mulatu Astatke. The man has really come back strong in the last couple of years, culminating in his first original record since the '80s, and it's as if he never left...

Mulatu Astatke - The Way To Nice (ysi)

It sounds so much like his classic stuff... but in this case, that's a very good thing I think you'll agree. And if you don't, I will fight you...

Tone's Ten Top of Ten - Part 3

Just because I'm doing this little special kerfuffle right now doesn't mean I'm gonna fuck with House Music Friday. That would be THE CRAZY TALK!

Part 3: Housey Doingz




(DOUBLE UPDATE! GET THIS... THIS POST GOT DMCA'D AGAIN, AFTER I TOOK THE FUCKING MP3S DOWN. SO DOUBLE FUCK YOU, RECORD COMPANIES. I NOW KNOW WITH TOTAL CERTAINTY THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ENTITY IN THIS WORLD STUPIDER THAN THE FUCKING REPUBLICANS.)

There were, of course, tons and tons of great House records released in 2010 and I could wow you with a list of obscure 12's from hip European labels... but that's pretty much what I do every House Music Friday. So go back through the archives and suck it all in. But to figure out what those records are, I'd actually have to go back through my posts and my iTunes and, um, figure it out. As great as the best House records are, it can be hard to remember which one is which without some visual reminder in front of you. But there are a couple records that pop into the ol' brain without prompting. And they're not exactly obscure. They're actually a bit popular. But why are they popular? Because they're a little bit goofy, they're catchy as hell, and they've got a good beat and I can dance to it, Dick...

The first of these tracks is Riva Starr's bizarre Balkan beatdown "I Was Drunk", which used oompa-oompa accordion, some filter freaking and vocals by the kings of WTF, Noze, to provide the perfect soundtrack for an Armenian security guard to do headstands to. Come by a Chelsea Lately taping sometime and you'll see what I mean...

(ONE OF THESE TRACKS GOT ME DMCA'D RIGHT QUICK-LIKE. I'M GUESSING IT WAS THIS ONE, AS POSITIVA IS PART OF EMI AND IF THERE'S ONE THING MAJOR LABELS DON'T LIKE, IT'S PEOPLE TO HEAR THEIR MUSIC. BUH-BYE.)

This one has an equally bizarre video which takes the talking baby meme to a whole new level... A MOUSTACHIOED ONE!

(THERE WAS A FUNNY VIDEO HERE WITH TALKING MOUSTACHIOED BABIES, BUT I GUESS THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE THAT EITHER. MAKES PERFECT SENSE.)

Um. Yeah.

Now Armand Van Helden... interesting case, that guy. For long stretches I do not give two shits about Armand Van Helden, but every couple of years or so he comes out with something too genius to resist. Like the Tori Amos remix. Or "The Funk Phenomena". Huge tunes. And now he's teamed up with A-Trak (who most of the world knows as Kanye's DJ) to form Duck Sauce. Two words. Barbra Streisand.

(BUT I GOTTA DELETE THIS ONE, TOO, JUST IN CASE. SEE? ONE ASSHOLE RUINS IT FOR EVERYONE.)

Say what you will, but that's my jam, right there. This one also has a notable video... as you can imagine, these two guys have some pretty fancy friends in the music biz, and every single one of them lends a hand...

(USED TO BE A VIDEO HERE, TOO. KANYE WAS IN IT, SITTING IN A CHAIR. HE LOOKED PERTURBED FOR SOME REASON.)

Fancy friends, indeed. Kanye could lighten up a bit, but what else is new right? Oh, and fuck the Vampire Weekend guy and his stupid band. Someone had to say it. Have a great weekend, kiddies...

Tone's Ten Top Of Ten - Part 2

And now for the second chapter of this ten-headed beast, in which things get a bit more jazzy. Hence the title...

Part 2: New Jazz Hustlers




I know, I know... I complain here all the time how new Jazz is mostly shit... but that's not completely true, of course. But here's the thing... I listen to a lot of K-JAZZ quite a lot in the car (it's Mrs. Tonegent's favorite) and instead of playing the new good stuff, they play a whole hell of a lot of new stuff that wouldn't sound out of place at your local Howard Johnson's lounge on a Friday night. I don't know how else to say it, so I'll just say it. The shit is so damn WHITE! And then you get a bunch of pasty Europeans like Nostalgia 77 and Portico Quartet and lots of other names you'll hear on Gilles Peterson's show making amazing Soul Jazz that harks back to the good old days and cutting edge black artists of the '70s. What gives? But hey, there's at least one American Jazz artist getting it right and that is trumpet genius Christian Scott, who as a bonus is actually black himself. I saw him perform without previously knowing about him a few years ago and have been following him ever since as he gets better and better. His 2010 record, Yesterday You Said Tomorrow, is fantastic, full of really vibrant original compositions... so of course I give you the Thom Yorke cover, because I am a Radiohead WHORE...

Christian Scott - The Eraser (ysi)

But DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED about the vocal Jazz one hears on the radio now. The shit makes Manhattan Transfer seem gangsta, it's so cliched, cheesy and other derogatory adjectives beginning with "C". But again, another young American (albeit with some help from across the pond) is here to save the day, and that would be Brooklyn's own Jose James, who should be familiar to you if you come around here often... and really, you should come around here often. Jose released not one but two genius albums this year. For All We Know was a straight-ahead, all standards vocal and piano duo with Belgian ivory-plinker Jef Neve, released on the legendary Impulse! label... but I will, of course, go with his more beats-oriented record Blackmagic on Brownswood, because I am a Gilles Peterson WHORE as well...

Jose James - Detroit Loveletter (ysi)

That one was produced by the one and only Moodymann, by the way, so the Detroit propas are SOLID, yo!

I have the feeling both of these young cats are gonna be around for a very long time, so get to know 'em now. Coming next... I'm not sure, but it will certainly be Part 3...

Tone's Ten Top Of Ten!

Greetings and Happy New Year, except for the assorted Jews and Chinese and other folks for whom it's not yet the new year and it's also like the year 6843 or something. Whatever. I'm going to try to start things off in 6843 2011 by doing something I've never done before, the yearly review. Not quite a Top Ten list, because I'm not presumptuous enough to believe that I know or have even heard the 10, 20, 100, whatever number of best songs made by humans (and Die Antwoord) in the last year... more like a 10 that were top, if you get my drift. Except that there are 20. But in 10 parts. The fuck? Exactly. So strap in for Tone's Ten Top Of Ten!

Part 1: Indie Pop Perfection





Aside from my upcoming and completely unsurprising choice for Single of the Year, Pop Music in 2010 for me was dominated by two songs that I guess you would file under Indie Pop. Honestly, what people call Indie Pop should be just called Pop and the Chart Pop should just be called Bollocks. Because as I've mentioned before, I've become unfortunately reaquainted with Chart Pop this year and that stuff is, wait for it... bollocks... for the most part. But we'll get to that in a few posts. Now what the hell were we talking about?

Oh, right...

The year was a tale of two tunes, with the first half being ruled by a tune from a band from Northern Ireland that was remixed by some Brazilians and released on a French label. How's that for some Benetton ad shit? Here's Two Door Cinema Club and The Twelves with a song that blew me away at first listen and hasn't stopped blowing me since. Away that is...

Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work (The Twelves Remix) (ysi)





How 'bout that Benetton joke for a dated reference? Does Benetton even exist any more?

But just when "Something Good..." looked like it would dominate the entire year, The Ting Tings dropped a single from their (still) forthcoming second album, and I was all like, "Two Door what?"

The Ting Tings - Hands (ysi)

After delivering "That's Not My Name" on record one and now this beaut on record two, I gotta think maybe these guys stick around for a while. Or the rest of the new record could suck balls. We'll find out soon enough.

And thus ends part one of Tone's Ten Top Of Ten. Get it now? Well, maybe after a couple more...