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Showing posts from February, 2014

About The New Beatmaker

Hi!  I'm Lee.  Welcome to my blog.  Here we talk music: news, reviews, interviews, tips, tutorials and more.  I'm also working on the upcoming podcast  Influenced  as a guest, writer and researcher alongside music aficionado Mark Williams and friends.  Watch this space! I have been a lover of music for as long as I can remember, an amateur lyricist for 25 years, a music writer for 15 years and a hobbyist musician and blogger for almost 10 years. My tastes range from jazz to house to hip hop and I love helping artists from all genres develop their sound. My music, videos, reviews and interviews have been featured in a variety of magazines and websites, including: B-Boy Tech Report Gimme That Beat Humanhuman Audio Skills Dream House Beats Where Did the Road Go Beat Tape Co-Op Push Power Promo Drum Magazine You can find my music on Bandcamp: Monkey Mind Sounds AKA LeeTNB And you can find me on Facebook: The New Beatmaker page Lee's personal page

Kaytranada XOYO Mix

NEWS:  B arnstorming  mix of RnB, electro, house, hip hop and trap The unstoppable Kaytranada was recently in the UK and chopped it up with i-D Magazine ( read here ). He also hit up XOYO and dropped this absolute barnstormer of a mix, taking in RnB, electro, house, hip hop and trap. Needless to say this mix slaps, knocks and other such superlatives.

Free 'Slow Down and Stop' Effect by WOK

The 'tape or vinyl slowing down to a halt' effect is one that has been used on many a classic.  Get the effect yourself on this great new VST by WOK 'Tapebreak'. Download 'Tapebreak' by WOK here . Video: VST4Free

Frankie Leroux and Band 'Donde no Alcanza mi Verso'

NEWS:  The New Beatmaker favourite Frankie Leroux documents his Senior Recital at the world famous Berklee College of Music Big shout out to The New Beatmaker favourite   Frankie Leroux  for sending over this video recently. Here, Frankie's senior recital band perform "Donde no Alcanza mi Verso" by Cultura Profetica. Frankie is a Graduate of the world famous  Berklee College of Music  in Boston, a college with alumni including Quincy Jones, Aimee Mann and Roy Hargrove, amongst others. In addition he is a drummer, manager, producer and videographer; and he is part of one of my favourite new acts in years, LowTone society , who combine jazz, reggae, funk, hip hop and more with class and virtuosity.       This performance, which is faithful to the original song, shows off the depth of talent and diversity within the recital band, which includes several LowTone members.  I can't wait to see and hear more from them.  Props to Frankie and everyone else involve

J Dilla’s Magnum Opus Continues to Inspire: BBoy Tech Report Guest Post

In memory of the late, great J Dilla, I had the honour of a guest post over at bboytechreport.com in which I explored his magnum opus, 'Donuts'. The post was published on 10 Feb. in memory of J Dilla passing away on 10 Feb. 2006, three days after his 32nd Birthday and the release of the game-changing album. Without giving too much of the post away here, my feature focuses on the following topics. The context of 'Donuts'. How J Dilla, a revolutionary producer in his own right, pays tribute to fellow iconic and innovative producers on 'Donuts'.  The producers being Pete Rock, Rza, and The Bomb Squad. J Dilla's mastery of the vocal snippet throughout 'Donuts'.  How these snippets either explicity convey an emotion, or subtly add another, often haunting, layer to the track. The paradox inherent in an audience consuming art from an artist exploring their imminent demise. The post was published on 10 Feb. in memory of J Dilla passing away on 10 Feb. 2006

Jay Bishop: 'Late Pass #1 Mix' is a Sumptuous Blend of Beats and Soul

The New Beatmaker favourite Jay Bishop dropped this absolute heater of a mixcloud session this past weekend, and it's been in regular rotation ever since.  It's the perfect mix of future beats, neo soul, rnb, and underground and instrumental hip hop.   Late Pass #1 by Late Pass With Jay Bishop on Mixcloud I started out writing which were my favourite cuts from the show, then realised I pretty much mentioned every track! All I will say is there are a few long time favourites of The New Beatmaker on here, including Jay's own disco-infused '5/4' and Solomon Vaughn's haunting 'The Wonder Years' , as well as some great music that I am hearing for the first time. Don't be late! Check out the show, then head over to Jay's Bandcamp and website for more.

FREE DRUMS: Free 'Life and Death Drum Kit Vol. 1' Taster Kit

An exciting bit of news. Life and Death Productions (of Anno Domini Beats fame) have just released their first drum kit, 'Life and Death Drum Kit Vol. 1', and, as a special gift, have made a selection of the samples from the pack FREE to readers of The New Beatmaker. Included in this free taster pack are 13 hard-hitting drum one-shots, which will beef up your beats and help give your tracks a more epic feel. The full kit has already garnered praise from producers Ear 2 Tha Beat (The Game, Onyx, Bushido), Dansonn Beats (MOP, Kool G Rap, ESPN) and Rhapsodist Beats (Tajai, Street Light). As anyone familar with Life and Death's work will know, the standard of these samples is top drawer. Enjoy.  To download the free taster pack click here . To Buy: Producer Loops and Modern Producers For more information: Life and Death Productions  

Darrell "Digga" Branch (Jay Z, 50 Cent, Cam'ron): Music Mastery Business Program Download

Music Teacher, Entrepreneur and Man Behind Massive Hits for the Biggest Names in Hip Hop and RnB Delivers a Ten-Part Music Business Program to own for $47 at Time of Press Darrell "Digga" Branch is the 30 Million + Producer famous for work with Jay Z, 50 Cent, Cam'ron, Jennifer Lopez,  Ghostface and more.  The producer, Entreprenour and Music Teacher has just launched his Music Mastery Business Program available at  theproducerschoice.com Incorporating 10 video lessons and bonus material, the course can be purchased for $47 at time of going to press. The course includes: 10 Video Lessons - 2 PDF Guides Developing a Brand;  Registering Your Trademark: Incorporating Your Business; Finding Legal Representation: Financial Management; Producer Management; Becoming Your Own Publisher; Performing Rights: Designing SMART Goals; Sound Exchange. Darrel ''Digga'' Branch is the man behind classics for some of hip hop and rnb's biggest acts. Also included is an

Ar Wesley ft. Love Cadence: 'RunAway' and 'Love & Happyness'

The New Beatmaker favourite Ar Wesley has come correct yet again, with new tracks 'RunAway' and 'Love & Happyness' (sic), both featuring female vocalist Love Cadence. As I have said before , Wesley is an MC that can convey the pressures of life seemingly just as easy as he can speak on relationships - or spit some of that old fly ish - and this one-two punch proves that point yet again.  'RunAway' is a stark slice of social commentary, exploring a harrowing tale of family abuse.  'Love & Happyness', with it's talk of infatuation, sees Ar Wesley spitting an especially impressive assonance-heavy flow in the second verse.  Superb.   Shout out to Ar Wesley, Love Cadence and 'Love & Happyness' producer Philly Anderson.  Keep the music coming, people. For more Ar Wesley:   twitter.com/thereal_ARW facebook.com/itsarwesley Soundcloud.com/ar-qiddo Check out Ar Wesley in 'Your Beats'