Anthem - Music

"Bossa do Morro"

nik.mercer — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:50 -0700

With a genre as ubiquitous and widespread as bossa nova, it's difficult to realize that the Latin music was birthed at a very specific time and place (how can you just invent a new style like that!?)

Around 1957 or 1958 in Rio de Janeiro's southside, a small group of musicians―Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes and João Gilberto being some of the big affiliated names―came together and literally concocted the style that we all know as bossa nova.

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the funky, rhythmic, incredibly dancey genre, Man Recordings dove into Universal Music Jazz's Verve and MPS archives, dug up some prime examples of the Brazilian music, and commissioned a handful of baile funk DJ's to remix the cuts. The resultant thirteen track compilation, Bossa do Morro (put together by Berlin-based DJ, producer, and music journalist, Daniel Haaksman), reverentially maintains the core soul and beauty of the original songs, but twists everything in this amazingly modern and accessible manner. Let's be honest, something that got people boogieing fifty years ago ain't going to have the same magic for today's audiences―beats need to be dropped in, synth ditties need to be added, and some stellar turntablism needs to be integrated.

Unfortunately, we can't even give you a sample stream or two, but we assure you, this is a record you must buy! The disc drops on October 24, so you won't have to wait too long!

Man Recordings

Serato Audio Research Launches Whitelabel.net

nik.mercer — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:37:48 -0700

Serato―long the envelope pusher for all things DJ related―is changing the name of the game once again with the launch of Whitelabel.net.

The new website, wholly designed and developed by Serato Audio Research (along with a few renowned record labels), sets out to bring DJ promo records ("white labels") into the 21st century. One of the unfortunate side effects of our all-digital DJ culture is the lack of "white labels" (DJ promo records). Jockeys of yesteryear would traditionally receive a pile of freebies to play for their crowds; now, this is not the case. Whitelabel.net aspires to solve this problem.

The website culls together labels' white labels and releases them as high-quality MP3s, perfect for any sort of digital mixer. Milk crate sifting's never been easier!

Whitelabel.net

Kitsuné Preps for "Kitsuné Maison 6" Compilation

nik.mercer — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:53:18 -0700

"The Melodic One" is what Kitsuné Records is dubbing its sixth Kitsuné Maison compilation―and that's no joke!

Kitsuné has been steadily evolving towards a "more melodic" aesthetic since its birth in the earlier part of this millennium. No longer does the label solely push heavy glitch, micro house, and abrasive beats. No, this is a brand that continually matures and branches out.

We're psyched for Kitsuné Maison 6, the latest in the well-respected series of compilations, and got our grubby hands on a mini mix of the release by JBAG. Check it out in the media player to the right or download it below.

The thing drops on October 27, but you can pre-order it at Kitsuné's online shop, Roughtrade's Web store, or Bonjour Records if you're in the Far East.

JBAG - Kitsuné Maison 6 Mini Mix

Fabric Enters Awkward Stage With Toddla T. Mix

nik.mercer — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:53:13 -0700

Traditionally, anniversaries to get jazzed about are divisible by five or ten; such is not the case anymore, though. Any excuse for another party is a good excuse... and in the case of London's Fabric, to be honest, Anthem couldn't be the happier.

Fabric is getting to the awkward stage here―the infamous club is about to turn nine this weekend. In typical Fabric fashion, there's going to be a huge party to commemorate the seminal event. To get jazzed for the party, stream the Toddla T. and Serocee mix for Fabric's ninth. If you're in the London area, be sure to swing by Fabric at some point during the coming weekend... the club will literally be raving straight through Saturday and on through Sunday.