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Showing posts from May, 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

J Rawls 'Rio'

NEWS:  A suitably summery offering from the legendary hip hop producer Check out my exclusive interview with J Rawls:  J Rawls: The New Beatmaker interview 'Columbus, Ohio-bred jazz-hop producer, teacher, DJ, emcee, and Polar Entertainment head J. Rawls presents the music video for “Rio”, the new single from his new album The Legacy out now featuring Masta Ace, Illa J, Oddisee, Wordsworth, Nottz Raw, Blueprint, JG the Juggernaut, P Blackk, Jean P, Driskill, Ms Sara D, Rashad, John Robinson, Ceezar, Lea Anderson and Keisha Soleil as well as production from Kev Brown, The Mighty DR, Rob Riley, Lakim and DJ O Sharp.  “Rio” is directed by Hieroglyphics emcee Casual and is produced by Stalley/Lox/Mase collaborator Rashad.  The Legacy is the final solo album from Rawls, the producer behind tracks for rap luminaries from Mos Def & Talib Kweli to the Beastie Boys, and to commemorate his transition he produces only one track on the album.  “This album represents my

walkingshoe 'Blastphemy'

REVIEW:  The debut release of Chicago beatmaker, guitarist and folk musician continues Cosmonostro label's winning streak Regular readers will have noticed a love for Chicago and Cosmonostro Records .  So it's only correct that the two combine at some point, right? Enter, 'Blastphemy', the debut release of Chicago beatmaker, guitarist and folk musician walkingshoe which came out last month on the forward-thinking French record label. Opening track 'Facebearer' mixes delightful, almost easy-listening jazz with an unexpected sci-fi twist in the final third, this tension is then satisfyingly released as walkingshoe brings back the chilled out vibes. Lovely. The title track is a haunting mix of twisted RnB samples and frenetic drums.  The cut hints that at any minute Andre 3000 is about to turn up to drop a classic verse.  Again, just when you think you have the measure of the track, Walkingshoe changes it up on you.  Beautiful.      'The Falls&#

Central Parks 'East Vs. West'

​ NEWS: A The New Beatmaker favourite shares thought-provoking concept project Central Parks dropped a well thought out, cohesive and above all dope concept album recently, 'East Vs. West'. Parks' has this to say about the project, which was a long time in the making before the recent events in the Ukraine: 'East: The view of the East in a Westerner’s perspective is vague and gilded. That is what I tried to portray through music. We now know of the struggle that the Soviet people lived through, but this is a dated and restricted look into Soviet life.   Vs. West: The heroes of the world, according to themselves. This is a look into Western life during the Cold War. Convincing the public that having more nuclear weapons than the blood thirsty Soviets was of utmost importance.   This is government propaganda at it’s finest. People needed something to believe in though, and John F. Kennedy was a beacon of hope and change. That legacy was snuffed out as quic

Dissecting J Dilla and Black Milk Style Mixing Techniques

HOW TO:  Matthew Weiss deconstructs some of the ingredients that make J Dilla and Black Milk beats so special  Accomplished Mixing and Mastering Engineer Matthew Weiss (!llmind, 9th Wonder, Dizzee Rascal) breaks down three classic tracks, Slum Village's 'Call Me' produced by Black Milk; Slum Village's 'Climax (Girl Sh*t)'; and Common's 'It's Your World', both produced by J Dilla.  In part one Weiss analyzes the frequency ranges of where the drums and the bass sits in each track and their relationships to one another. He also takes some time out to break down J Dilla's kicks and their attacks.  This will be of particular note to some beatmakers who think that a kick drum must be excessively 'sharp' in order to 'knock'.  Written down, this may not make much sense, but it will do when you watch the video. Another interesting point Weiss raises is just how much of the original sample Dilla often left in his productions

Point Blank Guide to DIY Mastering

HOW TO:  Tutorial from renowned music school on m astering loud, bright, balanced tracks using free plugins Here's another great video from the good folks over at Point Blank Music School.  Check out how to create louder, brighter and more balanced tracks using an array of powerful free plugins. As Declan says, this video is to help you create a rough version of a track to test in the club, on soundcloud etc. This is a great video to refer back to again and again when you are relatively happy with a track and want to take test how it sounds outside of your DAW, but aren't at the stage to take it to a professional studio to be mastered. Point Blank is based in London and has been voted 'Best Music Production and DJ School' by DJ Mag. You can learn Ableton Live or Logic Pro via their online courses or in their state-of-the-art studios in Hoxton. More information here: pointblanklondon.com

The Bill Laurance Project 'Swag Times'

NEWS:  Check out this  sublime slice of jazz fusion, soulful electronica and more Hashtag #SoulfulSundays. The Bill Laurance Project provide an absolutely sublime new track which will appeal to a wide spectrum of music lovers. 'Swag Times' is taken from the DVD 'Flint' out on GroundUP Music.  'Flint' is available as a download and CD, the CD contains the DVD. Buy 'Flint' at Bandcamp (US) Buy Flint at Bandcamp (UK) Available on iTunes Never miss a post by The new Beatmaker again, subscribe by email below. Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner

Lowtone Society Perform 'Lowtones'

NEWS:  The New Beatmaker favourite Frankie Leroux documents his Senior Recital at the world famous Berklee College of Music Wow.  An absolutely amazing performance by The New Beatmaker favourites  Lowtone Society .  I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the previous performances, but this is my absolute favourite so far.  The energy they bring on this track is incredible.  It's impossible to pick my favourite element of the performance; everything is super on-point.  Sit back and enjoy. This is part four of a seven video series from The New Beatmaker favourite Frankie Leroux documenting his Senior Recital at the world famous Berklee College of Music . The band line-up in full: Joanna Teters and Ernesto Rodriguez: vocals Kalani Trinidad : flute Craig Hill : saxophone John Egizi: trombone Lauren Fuller : keys Brandon Ferguson: guitar Marco Marcel: bass Frankie Leroux: drums " Moduloktopus ": sound design Gabo Lugo: percussion Enjoy the previous videos

Sombrero Galaxy 'Midnight Ghosts'

REVIEW:  T he super-charged soundtrack to a Philip K Dick adaptation Shout out to San Diego's  Sombrero Galaxy   who recently sent over their debut EP, 'Midnight Ghosts', for which I am very grateful. Taking inspiration from legends like El-P, DJ Krush and DJ Shadow, the project is an invigorating mix of music which is, in Sombrero Galaxy's own words, 'electronic with a hip hop backbone'. The rip-roaring 'Natural Selection' is a fantastic and frantic introduction.  'Broken Patterns', whilst slower in bpm, loses none of the tension.  The haunting 'Distant Lights in Midnight' is a fantastic ending to an EP which plays like the super-charged soundtrack to a Philip K Dick adaptation.    With it's haunting, engaging and dynamic compositions, topped off by top-notch mastering courtesy of Conrad Magabo (of Daddy Kev's and Nocando's Cosmic Zoo Studios), 'Midnight Ghosts' is a brilliant introduction to an artist who

Moduloktopus 'Button Pushah'

NEWS:  Moduloktopus track f eatured on 'Together Boston' 2014 compilation  Big shout out to The New Beatmaker favourite Moduloktopus .  From the man himself:  'I've been blessed to have an original release on Together Boston's 2014 Compilation representing a collection of original, exclusive tracks produced by artists from Boston and greater New England scene worth keeping sights on. 6 of these tracks have been pressed to a strictly-limited 12" vinyl single with full color art by the label  ZAKIM .' As part of this compilation and his first vinyl release ever is Moduloktopus - Button Pushah Together Boston 2014 Compilation is free via Soundcloud . With only 125 copies existent, the limited edition Zakim 004 Vinyl release is available via Bandcamp Together Boston is an annual celebration of music, art and technology.  This years acts include Paul Johnson, Cashmere Cat, Noisia, Julio Bashmore, Jackmaster, Robert Hood, Kolombo, Sophie, Ill.Gates, Tanne

Judah X Dub MD 'The Lupita Instrumentals'

NEWS:  A n exciting exploration of art, fame and love The second concept project post in a row, accomplished beatmaker Judah takes Lupita Nyong'o as his muse, in this exciting collection of tracks which mix soulful, dramatic samples and big, heavy drums. The Lupita Instrumentals by Judah Highlights include 'This is ALL for YOU!!', 'Unformat the Format'; and 'Her touch after the show'. However, the whole project is a great listen which explores fame, the creative process, triumph and attraction / infatuation.  Fall in love with 'The Lupita Instrumentals' today. judah.bandcamp.com/album/the-lupita-instrumentals  

K15 'The Black Tape'

REVIEW:  A Project full of skill, grace and feeling   Shout out to The New Beatmaker favourite K15, whose recent project 'The Black Tape' is a graceful and emotion-filled outing. The Black Tape by K15 From INI Movement : 'London based DJ and producer, K15, returns to INI Movement with a stellar 7-track jazz-ambient Beat Tape. Black Tapes is a tensely conceptual record brooding on the notion of the colour ‘black’ as a vital element in circle of life. The Tape is the first instalment of a series of tapes each named after a colour. Black of the very darkest colour owing to the absence of or complete absorption of light; is in itself the beginning and of itself the end of life.' Throughout 'The Black Tape', K15 manages to evoke emotions including grief and sadness - as well as some hope and resilience - with great skill and taste. 'Time Humbles Us All' mixes poignant synth strings with frenetic drums; 'Beneath The Tomb' is a beautiful,