I consistently get the sense that Canadians are underappreciated as producers of electronic music. Sure, a few of them get plenty of well-deserved credit as the groundbreakers they are—looking at you Plastikman, Tiga, A-trak. And even in recent years, deserving folks like Kaytranada and Jacques Greene have made more than respectable careers for themselves. But I’m always amazed that for a country of only ~35 million people, there is such a high concentration of talent up there. This feels especially true with respect to technical prowess. A lot of the producers I run across from north of the border just have major fucking chops.
RiDylan (real name Dylan Gauthier) is one of those producers. For well over a decade, he’s been releasing music that lives somewhere in the universe between breakcore, jungle, acid, and glitch. Notably, in 2019 he released what appears to have been the next-to-final record on Jason Forrest’s Cock Rock Disco imprint–a real brain-melter collection of fucked up ravey junglism (check that release here).
Gauthier’s latest release, a five-track EP called Switch 8, still exists in the universe he’s inhabited over the years, but some of the ebullient rave chaos of past releases has been replaced by more of an icy refinement. This is exemplified by a song like “Eternal Minutes” — a stripped-back 150+bpm electro number with tightly EQ’d drums underpinning a bitcrushed acid bassline and a meandering glassy sine wave pattern–who knew a bitcrusher could be used so carefully? The record’s opener, “Balaclava Clouds” also demonstrates how Gauthier is saying something new using familiar tools. The amen break reprogramming is as detailed and complicated as anything he’s produced in the past, but instead of piling mayhem atop the sturm und drang, here the 303 isn’t much more than a single triplet squelch that automates in and out of audibility. Save for the breakbeat kaleidoscope and minimalist acid licks, the track is just a huge cloud of bells and pads. These may sound like simple changes to have made, but capitalizing on the contrast of these disparate elements–and delivering each with such care–ends up functioning as an effective way to communicate a set of nuanced emotions instead of just fire and brimstone or all-out-rave.
The other three songs on the record are admittedly more reminiscent of Gauthier’s breakcore past–including an absolutely frenzied remix to close out the record by Osaka legend Laxenanchaos. But despite all the breakbeat havoc, these last three still demonstrate an evolution. Even the Laxenanchaous remix elegantly winds itself down in the final minute of the EP from disarray to relative simplicity, ending with a few seconds of what sounds like a field recording of children playing on the street, set to a Vangelis score.
Gauthier is making music as energetic as ever, but his palette–both sonically and emotionally–is expanding to include subtler shades between all of the primaries.
RiDylan – “Balaclava Cloud” (bc)
RiDylan – “Eternal Minutes” (bc)
RiDylan – Turbocide (Laxenanchaos Remix) (bc)
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This review was written in support of the artist’s promotional campaign.
Goitia Deitz – Speaking In Code
Check the stunning new video for Goitia Deitz‘s “Speaking In Code”, directed by Kyle Moriwaki.
Also stream their newest mix: “T H R E A D S”
From the future: miss you Ben.
Dubbel Dutch – Slow Club Mix
Dubbel Dutch says…
Record high temperatures in Texas this week and I’m feeling kinda sluggish. This mix is inspired by O.G. Ron C’s F-Action mixtape series. I decided to take some of my favorite Jersey Club RnB remixes of the moment and slow em down a bit.
I feel the same way. Summer in New York is oppressive! I’m out to the northwest on Saturday, thank goodness.
Dubbel Dutch – “Slow Club Mix” (35min sc)
Chicken & Beer in Miami
Friends of the family Jillionaire & Jubilee are throwing a daytime party this Saturday in Miami – featuring our own Carli, French Fries, Sound Pellegrino Thermal Team, MayaVanya, and some special guests. Those of you in Miami this weekend should go!
Jillionaire did a mix to celebrate, and he included a couple of tunes I have coming out soon… check it out on letsmix.
TRACK LIST
Denise Belfon — Dance & Dingolay
Blaxx — Tanti Woi
Watch Em Come (BOTNEK Remix) — Micro Prophet
K.I.S.S.I.N.G. — Dooze Jackers & Deviance
Where Yuh From — Kes The Band
So High — Machel
No Gangsters (So Shifty Remix) — Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons
Performance Pt. 1 — MX Prime
Don’t Need No One — Maya Vanya vs Majik Johnson
Ani Riddim feat. Mumdance — Toy Selectah
Come Gyal — Kes The Band
Jerpa — BOTNEK
Cairo (Tony Senghore Remix) — Jean Nippon
Chicken Lover — Bassanova
Bad Gal — Savage Skulls & Douster
Senta — French Fries
Bear vs Lion vs Shark — Boody B
Guap — Boody B
Baxter — Richie Beretta
Masta Blasta — Dillon Francis
Tik Tokka — BOTNEK
Chickenazo — Icy Lytes
Wotless — Kes The Band
From the future: this mix is long dead (RIP letsmix). If anyone has a copy of it, drop me a line.
ABRAK48DABRA
Michael Magnan & Nita, aka BOOKWRMZ, who throw The Beat monthly with Chaz & Jason of Palms Out, have just released a mix for the new K48. Check out the K48 books, and preorder the upcoming issue, which explores the theme of magic in 196 spellbinding pages.
BOOKWRMZ – ABRAK48DABRA MIX (70min sc)
Also, in case you missed it, soak in the feeling of Nita’s remix of Monica’s “First Night”.
Monica – “First Night” (Brooklyn is Burning Remix) (mp3)
Tracklist after the jump.
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01. Ayshay – Jemsheed
02. Teengirl Fantasy – Cheaters
03. Work TVK – PHNTM PWR
04. Brenmar – Paper Running
05. Blondes – Rude Boy
06. NGUZUNGUZU – _X_
07. Realness – Fade Shade
08. Unsolved Mysteries – Blood
09. Escandalo – Nocturning
10. Light Asylum – 12 Horsemen
11. Mirror Mirror – Nau Sau Ser Bil
12. Prayer Town – Super Predator (Live)
13. House of Ladosha – Witches of Bushwick
14, Salem – Las House Onna Lef
15. Ayshay – Shaytan
Venus X – GHE20 GOTHIK 1 year Anniversary Mixtape
In celebration of GHE20 GOTHIK’s 1 year anniversary on October 27th – Venus X in the mix.
Venus X – “GHE20 GOTHIK 1 year Anniversary Mixtape” (29min sc)
Mixtape Wrap-Up
NGUZUNGUZU deliver a stunning 25 minute mix for Truants. Perfect for a humid day in New York.
Truancy Volume 11: NGUZUNGUZU (25minutes sc)
“The Massacooramaan, also known as Sea Master, is a huge, hairy, man-like creature that lives in rivers in the interior. The name is derived from the chapters of redemption. This beast is almost untamed-looking, with the appearance of a wild Berhane, but don’t be fooled: It is a fearsome thing that capsizes small boats and eats the occupants.”
Massacooramaan – The Vulture Life Mix (54min mp3)
Dubbel Dutch’s Austin Mix
Dubbel Dutch just did a mix for the Austin edition of XLR8R’s City Guide, just in time for SXSW. For those of you down there for the festival, be sure and check out Dubbel Dutch at Bersas Disco’s Tormenta Tropical on Saturday the 18th, or one of the other fine events he’ll be playing.
The mix is 45 minutes of steppy, high-spirited, free flowing bump for your feet.
XLR8R Podcast 127: Dubbel Dutch’s Austin Mix (46min mp3)
NGUZUNGUZU – Got U
Video for NGUZUNGUZU‘s – “GOT U / A RING TO IT” directed by Leilah Weraub
Aaand – in case you missed it, check out NGUZUNGUZU’s mixtape tribute to Art of Noise’s classic “Moments in Love” – suuuch a good listen.
NGUZUNGUZU – “Focus Mixtape Vol.1: Moments in Love” (38min mp3)
From the future: this link is still alive, but streaming it from this site sometimes doesn’t work because it’s hosted elsewhere. If the player doesn’t work, click the link/download it.
New Hots Hots 2
DJ Sdunkero – “Bonke Bonke” (mp3)
L-Vis 1990 – “United Groove” (Sound Pellegrino Thermal Team VIP) (mp3)
Djuna Barnes – “Muzak 3 mix” (84min mc)
From the future: Djuna Barnes/Maria died in 2017. Rest in peace, Maria. She shared one last mix before her death, “Step into the light, please” — which is beautiful.
Club Vortex UK Bass Edition
Club Vortex Mix – June 2008 Mixed by Manara and Girl U No Its True [mediafire link]
Friday Juno 20 — Kingdom and Palms Out sounds present: CLUB VORTEX (UK Bass Edition) Featuring DJs Bok Bok & Manara, Girl U No Its True, and Kingdom. Guest visuals by Blackmoth, plus a very special performance by Shyvonne of her brand new Kingdom-produced track.
Monkeytown (back room) 58 N 3rd St. BROOKLYN $5 – doors at 11:30 pm / Performance at Midnight
From the future: yep, that’s Girl Unit
Palms Out Mix Series Vol. 1: Snack & C’mish
A few weeks ago, my friend Ben invited me to eat Korean BBQ with him and his friends. I was lucky enough to meet one of his friends, Jay, a very sweet guy who goes by the name Snackmaster. He knew Palms Out, and told me he had grabbed a Chromeo edit a few weeks before from Remix Sunday, for the mix he and his padna C’mish had recently done for Lemon-Red. Of course I had no idea which song he was talking about, and felt like a fool. But it was all for the best – I asked him if he’d be interested in being the first up in our brand new feature–the Palms Out Sounds Mix Series–where we ask your favorite DJs to step outside the box- and create a special mix they’ve always fantasized about. Lucky for me (and you) Snack & C’mish were down, and the result is this absurdly great mix of classic electro, disco, and house: Midnight Run.
Palms Out Sounds Mix Series vol.1: Snack n’ C’mish – “Midnight Run” (30min mp3)
Tracklisting after the jump.
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Escort – “She Is”
Bombers – “Shake”
David Morris – “Saturday Night (C’mish Re-edit)”
Citispeak – “Don’t Give Me No Handouts (Dub)”
Megabeat By Megabolt – “Groove Time”
Inner City – “Good Life (Magic Juan Mix)”
Dark Heads – “Lifted Up (The Hyff Dub)”
Charlie – “Spacer Woman”
NYC Peech Boys – “Don’t Make Me Wait (Snack Edit)”
Pink Project – “Instrumental Project (Gritty City Edit)”
From the future: Jay started making music with Ben, and they released a number of beautiful records together as Goitia Deitz. Ben died in 2015. I miss him a lot.