8-Bit Basslines

I cant remember how i found Boy 8-Bit, nor whether long hair is fashionable again, but what i do know is that he probably one of my favourite producers / remixers out right now. He sits nicely between a sea of filthy bangers and wobbly basslines that are populating the DJs playlists right now.

Taking his name from an 8-bit megalosound sampler he used to make tracks, hes gathered quite a following in the last year or so, and for good reason... His background and passion for dnb, garage and bassline sounds can be seen to melt through his tracks, whilst adding cheeky 8-bit sound with an ease and style that is often crudeley attempted by others. 8-Bit's remix of the Black Ghosts 'Anyway you choose to give it' brought him to the attention of the bloggers, with floaty gameboy-esque interludes complimenting the fuzzy bass lines and splashing cymbals.
With a growing back-catalogue of remixes, Boy 8-bits remixes of South Rakkas Crews 'Mad again' and bublegum pop prince Mika's 'Lollipop' are personal faves offering clever breakdowns and rasping garage-y basslines. His remix of the Bumblebeez 'Rio' takes a slightly different direction, with a more echoey, dreamlike intro driving the vocals, followed by a hip-hop sounding synth and topped off with a smidge of Boy 8-bits trademark bass.

Mika - Lollipop (Boy 8-Bit Remix)

Bumblebeez - Rio (Boy 8-Bit Remix)

Actionherve

A quick post is needed for my old fave Herve. Hes continuing to churn out wobbly beasts, and his trademark style still hits the spot. I wonder ..... how long it will be until i get bored of him? Well i hope its a good year or two before that happens.

Anyways.. Herve AKA Joshua Harvey is known by a multitude of aliases: Action man, herve, the count of monte crystal etc etcbut this doesnt detract his tradmark wobbly, bassy club tracks. Favoured by the likes of Switch / Erol and Annie Macs radio shows hes already a favourite in the electro scene.

If hes not working on remixing other peoples tracks hes probably chumming around with Sinden or playing at Bugged Out nights and the like. His recent remix of Kidda's - Under the Sun has a summery buzz that cant be missed.

Kidda - Under the Sun (Herve Remix)

A crowd pleaser from Hannah Hollands Field Day set:

Jesse Rose and Actionman AKA Herve - Take it to the Club

And a slick remix of Bloc party:

Bloc Party - Mercury (Herve is in Dissaray Remix)

A-Trizzy

I first heard A-Trak 3 or 4 years ago when i got my first pair of turntables (i was really into hip-hop back then), whilst I was looking through DJ Battle. I stumbled across A-traks battle rotuine, he seemed to be pretty slick:



In between winning DMC titles and more recently touring the world with Kanye, A-traks all-round DJing skills have been turned to production. What a treat... He is now schmoozing with Ed Banger crew members Mehdi and Busy P to name but a few, which has no doubt has influenced his creative juices.



A-trak has succesfully turned his production skills to the likes of Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco, Boys Noize and of course Kanye West. A-Trak has the ability the combine melodic drum beats and chopped vocals with growling, punchy basslines. They work in such a way to produce tracks worthy of any dancefloor.

He has also recently been involved in the Nike "Running Man" series, a group of mixes from various artists including LCD soundsystem designed to "accompany jogging workouts". Its definately worth a listen - combining hip-hop, electro, electronica and techno across a seamless mix. The fact a giant such as Nike are backing A-trak shows just how big he is likely to get... Whether or not he will keep producing electro or not remains a mystery, but im happy to jump on the bandwagon while he does.

Digitalism - Idealistic (A-Trak Remix)

Field Day Festival

Despite the oh-so unpredictable english weather, im hoping that next weekend will be bright and sunny! Londons Victoria park is hosting the quality line-up-fest that is Field Day Festival 2008, and im sure its going to be a corker. With the likes of the Crookers, Foals, Brodinski, Richie Hawtin and Simian Mobile Disco all gracing us with their presence: theres going to be plenty of naughtiness for everyone, all for 26 quid.

I must say, im a little weary considering last years efforts: which saw hundreds of angry punters queuing ages for both a pint, and for a piss. But rest-assured, the Field Day website has reassured us that the facilities will be upto scratch this time round!

Amidst a sea of sweaty, booze (and other stuff) fueled revellers, my highlights for last year had to be Erol Alkan and Justice, but im sure that these electro beasts will not be missed this time round - the huge Crookers steamtrain will probably be crazier than both put together !

This year is definately feeling a touch more techno, with BattyBass flag-flyer Hannah Holland and heavy techno/electro lover Brodinski making Bugged Out stage appearances alongside Berlin dub madmen Modeselektor.

For me, the Bugged out stage is where its at - so expect lots of wobbles, bass, synth and goodness from early doors on saturday. Cya there

x

Alter Ego - Fuckingham Palace (Modeselektor Remix)

Radioclit - Divina Gosa (Brodinski Remix)