Video: DBridge On All Saints Basement Sessions

Drum & bass don DBridge is the latest musician to hit the hot seat in the most excellent All Saints Basement Sessions, sitting down with host Christopher Tubbs to chop it up on a range of topics, from his musical history as a major player in the drum and bass world to what he's working on currently.

DBridge (a.k.a. Darren White) was an original member of legendary drum & bass super group Bad Company - the makers of many a heavy hitting tune, like this one for example. In this interview, he offers an interesting perspective on the bubbling drum and bass scene of the 90s, and how his music has developed over the years.

But there's definitely more than one string to DBridge's bow. The respected producer, DJ and label owner reveals the wide range of influences that have helped to form his sound, be it drum and bass or as a key player in the electronic music scene through his record label Exit and his stellar Autonomic podcasts.

If you have even a passing interest in drum & bass or electronic music, this is essential viewing. You can watch parts one and two of the interview below:

Video: David Dallas - 'Caught In A Daze' (Feat. Freddie Gibbs)

David Dallas has been making fans in far-flung places over the last year or so.

The talented M.C., who hails from my home land of Nu Zulland - sorry, that's New Zealand to those of you who don't rock the dulcet Kiwi accent quite like me and my peoples - is pretty handy with the pen.

Dallas' writing skills have seen him snapped up by underground hip hop force Duck Down Records, and opening up for his illustrious label mate Pharoahe Monch recently at his NYC album release party at the infamous SOB's.

On top of that, his praises have been sung throughout the hip hop blog world (let's dead the term blogosphere right now, okay?), with the likes of Nah Right and The Source giving him a little love. All pretty big stuff for a humble Kiwi kid, really.

As if befitting of a man of Dallas' new-found status, he's starting to work with some bigger names in the hip hop game, too. His latest video, 'Caught In A Daze' is proof positive, with the one and only Freddie Gibbs swinging by to add his two cents worth. Chick utt. Sorry, dulcet Kiwi tones again...I mean check it:



Watch out for David Dallas' new album, The Rose Tint, which is due out next month.

New Music: Self Scientific - 'God's Language'

I've got a bit of a soft spot for Self Scientific (known individually as DJ Khalil and Chase Infinite).

The two-man team from the City of Angels have been quietly turning out quality music as a group and individually for years now.

In a couple of days time, Khalil and Chase will drop a new album, Trials Of The Blackhearted.

And there's sure to be some fire throughout, especially if the first leak (well, the first one I've heard anyways) is anything to go by.

'God's Language' shows the pair doing what they do best, with Khalil cooking up a booming beat based on a wall of heavy percussion, and Chase dissecting the track with his usual pinpoint precise vocals.

You can listen to 'God's Language' below or head over to Nah Right to get your own copy.

New Music: The Milk - 'Danger' (Nextmen Remix)

New goodness today from The Milk, those likely lads from the fair shores of Essex (if you haven't acquainted yourself with this smoking four-piece, get yourself over here and get familiar).

The Milk are working with producer extraordinaire Brad Baloo of The Nextmen on what is shaping up to be a blinding album, so it makes sense that The Nextmen boys have had the first crack at remixing 'Danger', one of the tunes that will most likely feature on said album.

With electro-esque keys, booming sub-bass, and a verse from a gentleman by the name of Random Impulse, The Nextmen's quality interpretation of 'Danger' adds a heavy dose of hip hop sensibility to the excellent original.

You can pre-order the original version and remix version of 'Danger' by The Milk on iTunes (the tune - The Milk's official debut single - is released tomorrow), or check out the remix below:

The Milk - Danger Nextmen Remix Feat. Random Impulse by The Nextmen

Don't forget, the latest installment of The Nextmen's podcast has also dropped this week. Here's the word:

"Spring has sprung and finally the deep’n’bleak wee beasties seem to be fleeing from ol’ London Town (thank $£@*!!!) - just in time for Episode 6 of The Nextmen Podcast!

"The boys have come armed with cucumber sandwiches, piles of Pimms and a few Jammy Dodgers for your springtime audio picnic.

"Expect everything from our nod to fallen legends Nate Dogg and Smiley Culture to brand new heat from Jamie Woon, The Milk, Interface, Katy B and Sbtrkt to name a few. Tiptoe through the tulips people!"

You can subscribe to The Nextmen's podcast through iTunes by clicking here. There's also another free track to download for your listening pleasure - this time, it's a classic bootleg combining Nas and The Doors.

You can download this cut by listening out for the password during the podcast, and heading over to TheNextmen.com to unlock the goodness.

Video: Kooley High ft. Median – 'Somethin’ Outta Nothin’

Nice, vibe-heavy hip hop from Raleigh, North Carolina natives Kooley High today, with the six-man crew from the Cackalack drafting in the services of fellow NC represenster Median to grace the laid back 'Somethin Outta Nothin'.

This tune, which features on Kooley High's solid Eastern Standard Time LP, has been quietly bumping away in the background here tonight. So what they hey, why not give it a little shine, right?

And as it turns out, KH have just released a video for 'Somethin’ Outta Nothin’. It seems like it was meant to be, doesn't it? You can check the video out below:



For more Kooley High info and/or downloads, visit the Kooley High website.

Mix Tape: Hayden Brown - Big L Rest in Peace! (Mini Tribute Mix)

Big L is a firm favourite around these parts (if you're still playing the 'pause' game that showcases hip hop in all it's homophobic insecurity, now might be a decent time to shout 'pause!' And then grow up).

So when all-round good guy (and as it turns out, a former Acclaim magazine compadre of mine) Hayden Brown sent through a mini tribute mix, you can sure as hell guarantee that I was going to give it a listen.

Mr Brown's done a good job of pulling together a solid selection of obscurities, re-rubs and freestyles for what is a tidy little half hour of Big L power, fittingly titled Big L Rest in Peace!

Here's what Hayden has to say on the project: "It was on my mind this February to do that Big L mix I'd always wanted to, to say thanks for all those verses he'd blessed us with. I'd been a fan since the age of 17 and he was slain only a couple of years after that.

"I feel the world was of robbed of one of the greatest rappers that ever lived, and this has only been partially recognised by folks since.

"I had almost forgotten about the mix when I heard a song by London rapper Yungun on Gilles Peterson Worldwide show which was a tribute to him and also Jay Dee. This seemed almost too crazy to be a coincidence so I've set out to pay homage to someone who never got to see this side of the millennium."

Plenty of heat here, including a few tasty D.I.T.C. numbers ('Thick' still bangs to this day). Do the right thing and get your download or stream on below, and check the tracklisting here:

Big L Rest in Peace! (Mini Tribute Mix) by Hayden Brown

Gig: CH+CH - a benefit for the Christchurch earthquake

As many of you might have picked up, I'm not from London. I'm from New Zealand, a part of the world that many (well, Australians at least) refer to as the 'shaky isles'.

I'm proud of my country and my heritage. So it was extremely disturbing to watch from a a far as Christchurch - New Zealand's second largest city - was rocked by a major earthquake which has impacted thousands of people, my family included.

This was the second quake in six months, but while the first mainly impacted property and possessions, the latest one resulted in a loss of life that is expected to top 200.

There are a whole heap of New Zealanders in London, many of whom - like me - were left wanting to help their country and the people impacted by the quake.

Thankfully, there are people who are organised enough to turn this desire into action, and the result is CH+CH - a benefit for the Christchurch earthquake, featuring a charity auction, raffle, cocktails, and music from the likes of Belleruche, dBridge, Mark Rae and a whole host of others (myself included).

Entry to the event, which is taking place at Vibe Bar in Brick Lane, will be via a £5 donation at the door, all of which will go straight to British Red Cross, as will the proceeds from the cocktail bar, raffles and auctions.

The raffles will be of real interest to music fans, with drum & bass particularly well represented (big up dBridge!). There's also art for auction (including a piece by the one and only Goldie), as well as food, wine, coffee... oh, and an autographed Chelsea shirt... if you're that way inclined. You an check out the lot on Facebook.

If you are unable to come on the night, a Just Giving page for you to make a donation - www.justgiving.com/ch-ch/. This will go directly to British Red Cross. Any support will be greatly appreciated.

New Music: Nas & Damian Marley - Nah Mean (DJ Numark Remix)

Just when I thought I'd got all this Nas and Damian Marley business out of my system (conservative estimates show that I must have done a month's worth of posts on their Distant Relatives LP over the last year), the boys are back with another tune.

This time around, Left Coast beat digger and wax mangler extraordinaire DJ Numark (he of Jurassic 5 fame - man, that feels like a long time ago) has revisited Nasir and D-Marl's DR album cut 'Nah Mean', adding his own twists and turns to the rather excellent original.

Numark has flipped the previously booming cut in a rather lovely fashion, deploying a laid-back guitar riff and vibes over a shuffling beat and dissected chorus which puts a whole new spin on the original. It's been floating around for a minute now, but is well worth checking out below or downloading it here.

Hats off to the crew at Nice Up! (big up Shepdog!) for unearthing this one. London folk, if this kind of music is your cup of tea, make sure you check out the Nice Up! in session at the Jazz Cafe on the first Friday of every month. Tickets available here.

Podcast: The Nextmen - Podcast #5

I'm back in the room after a week or so off, and the lack of posts can be made up for in one hit thanks to another blinding podcast courtesy of The Nextmen.

Brad and Dom Nextmen are going from strength to strenghth with this podcast thing, I tells ya.

Their fifth 'cast has well and truly been lighting up my iPod and £7 headphones (nothing but the best for me) over the last week, and is easily the best in the series so far.

Their's quality a-plenty on offer: expect anything from hip hop bombs by the likes of Ghostface ('Ghetto') and Fashawn (the Queen-sampling 'Manny Pacquiao'), a head nod-inducing number from Red, and up-tempo business from Photek and MJ Cole.

Here's what The Nextmen have to say about the fruits of their labour: "Rammed with exclusives and good music for good people. Expect heaters from Ghostface Killa, MJ Cole, Liam Bailey, Shy FX, The Milk and Photek to name but a few."

"Guaranteed to warm the cockles of anyone's heart and, hopefully keep you away from the ledge a little longer on these grim, grey days. What's our favourite word? Subscribe! Keep calm and eat a cupcake."

You can subscribe via iTunes here. And make sure to check out The Nextmen's Valentines Day special while you're there. Believe it or not, this Grumpy Old Man With A Beard ™ loves him some slow jams. Oh yes he does. Third person speak, ahoy.

For more info (including the tracklisting), and to download the free cut that's become a welcome feature of the Nextmen podcast (it's the Yes King remix of 'Something Got You' by the boys themselves this month - listen out for the download password during the show), visit The Nextmen's website.

Live: Kanye West and Mos Def freestyle - Blue Note Jazz Club

Here's a blast from the past: Mos Def and Kanye West freestyling over a selection of interpretations of Dilla beats played by a live band. But this isn't really a throwback post - because this little open mic session actually took place this past weekend.

The platform for this little off the cuff session was provided by jazz man extraordinaire Robert Glasper (if you don't know, you should get familiar, or check out this dope little tribute project).

Mister Glasper, who is signed to the legendary Blue Note Records, staged an event in New York City this weekend gone, which featured Lupe Fiasco on the mic (read more about that on CicsoNYC). But while Lupe dropped a few of his own tunes ('Kick, Push'), Kanye and Mos arrived unannounced and decided to improvise.

Mos shows that he's definitely not afraid of the freestyle. But while he's technically better than Yeezy, it's good to hear 'Ye drop a little somethin' somethin' off the cuff. He even broke off a few notable, quotable lines of his own:

"Now I’m scared of the Grammys
Cause everybody know that Dark Fantasy,

Was the highest rated album in history, get me?

So I just avoid it, not to be exploited, not be recorded

Cause I cannot afford it, I cannot afford more shit and be in more debt."

Kanye and Mos Def at The Blue Note Ft. Robert Glasper Experiment by cisconyc

All we need now is Common to hit the stage wearing some crocheted pants and we can kick off the who Soulquarian/neo-soul thing again. Someone pass the incense.