Beat Meet: The Grown Folks, Younger Sister, Local, Remixed, Kills Less Porpoises Edition

Even (especially?) if it's a shortened week, gotta have a Beat Meet, right? This week's installment, for the most part, features a number of winner albums. Plus, we've got a couple of extra treats, too. Let's be honest, for our U.S. readers, you're going to need a soundtrack for the self-induced coma you're going to put yourself into come Turkey Day. Fortunately for you, this can be it.

i'm constantly bemoaning (bragging about?) the fact that we get a LOT of submissions here at LET. And as good a job as we try to do listening to everything, well, things are going to fall through the cracks, plain and simple. Sometimes, though, the Fates realize this will not stand. Such is the case with Durojaiye Versatile's The Fermented Sessions. When DV sent a follow-up email earlier asking what we thought of the album, i had to scramble, but i'm glad i took the time to listen the second time around. The wine label CD art pretty much sums up the experience--grown folks' grooves just right for a dinner party mentality. Don't be fooled into thinking this is NPR-approved, light stuff, though--while i'm sure they'd dig it, too, this is for beat heads.

mp3: Bree (Durojaiye Versatile from The Fermented Sessions)

If the Powers-That-Be had their way, we wouldn't be talking about Caroline here at the Beat Meet. The Mice Parade member and younger sister of J-Pop sensation Olivia Lufkin originally was signed as the next J-Popper sensation, but walked away from a huge contract to make the music she wanted to make. What we've got here is ethereal vocals over dreamy beats and occasional, crisp percussion. i calls 'em likes i sees 'em, and this is one to keep an ear open for when it drops on January 25, 2011.

mp3: Swimmer (Caroline from Verdugo Hills)

Oddisee is blowing up the world over, but as a Prince George's County native, well, we DC-area bloggers take special pride in this hometown talent. Were you a fan of his work with Trek Life on Everything Changed Nothing? Were you more interested in the grooves than the raps? Well, are you in luck today then, kiddo, as we've got the instrumentals here for your listening pleasure.

mp3: Ready to Live Instro (Oddisee from Everything Changed Nothing Instros)

mp3: Still Never Rains Instrumental (Oddisee from Everything Changed Nothing Instros)

Sure, that's all good and well, but where's your Glitch Mob fix? Well, i do happen to have the latest DJ Vadim remix of Fortune Days featuring Yarah Bravo & Pugs Atomz. So eat, eat, you jackals. When the album DownloadToDonate.org on January 12, 2011, all proceeds go towards Haiti relief programs, so enjoy this sample, and then do the right thing when the time comes.

mp3: Fortune Days (DJ Vadim RMX ft Yarah Bravo & Pugs Atomz) (The Glitch Mob from Drink The Sea - The Remixes Vol. 2)

And since it is a feast week for we fat assed Americans, what better way to close things out than with another Simple Recipe from our beloved Pro~Ef? Answer: there isn't one. Tell me i'm wrong when i tell you that all recipes are better when read over stellar beats. Can't do it, can you? Don't question your Uncle Terrible, kids. Just trust me on this one.

mp3: Dolphin Friendly Tuna Quesadilla (Pro~Ef from Simple Recipes Series)

Beat Meet: The Endlessly Repeating, Hungry, E.T. Instructional Version

Well, kids, we've got a bit of everything today--recipes, instrumental jams and Pogo-like cut beats. All in all, a pretty good haul, if i do say so my damn self.

Even though i gave him a full post, seriously, people go back and DL all that Pogo stuff. After repeated listens, it only gets better. His beats using classic cartoon and movie samples are not only intricate and melodic, but head nodders you can share with the toddler set, too. Never too soon to start today's youth down the appropriate musical path. And, clearly, i'm not the only cat who digs Mr. Pogo's stuff, as this awesome mix from Skye dedicated to the Australian wonder attests. For his source material, Skye goes Groundhog Day on your ass. The results speak for themselves. Hell, y'all seemed to like the "Wishery" video, so try this one on for size.

mp3: Bing (Skye from Groundhog Day & Pogo Tribute)

Here's a first--a recipe for a tasty treat laid over dope beats. Now, i haven't had a chance to make this myself yet, but i have grooved to it, so i feel like i'm halfway there. Get some for yourself.

mp3: Epic Pumpkin Ice Cream (Pro~Ef from Simple Recipes)

Now, one of these things is not like the other, but that doesn't automatically mean it does not belong. Whereas Beat Meet typically is for electronic instrumental, i see no reason why we can't include a maximalist instrumental jam, heaving on the keys and skins, that has a decidedly electro vibe to my ears. And, hey, if i'm wrong, what do you care? The music's good, and that's the real point of you being here anyway, right? Damn kids, here i am bringing you all this fine, fine tuneage, and that's the thanks i get? Get the hell off my lawn! Oh, and enjoy.

mp3: Meds (Phone Home from Phone Home)

Beat Meet

i really need to come up a name for this recurring column. "Beat Meet" seems to be both truthful, as we're here to discuss the latest i've dug up from the beat music scene, plus the double entendre in the name is just childish enough to work for me. i'll gladly accept other suggestions should any of you care to post in the comments, but we may just have a winner here.

Anyway, as luck would have it, we have a particularly good haul this week.

From one of my all-time favorite labels out there today, the folks over at Project:Mooncircle have remained busy. Hell, Robot Koch apparently is working on the Madlib model and will drop his Songs for Trees and Cyborgs this October. The LP comes essentially on the heels of his phenomenal Listen to Them Fade EP, which came out just a few months back. This time around, the Mad German Maestro teams up with the likes of Boxcutter, 1000 Names, Doshy, RQM and Graciela Maria, amongst others. Koch happens to be one of my favorites in the game right now. His stuff demonstrates a bit more of the European sensibilities you don't always find in U.S. beat scene, more structured and textured than a lot of the other players out there. Just to get you pumped, we've got an early listening treat for your ear holes.

mp3: Brujeria (robot koch vs graciela alatorre) (Robot Koch from Songs for Trees and Cyborgs)

The other main reason this week is so good is that i finally got off my ass and downloaded a new browser, thereby allowing me the ability to download from the fantastic XLR8R site. Holy Christ, it's like a freakin' treasure trove of grooves over there! And guess what? They had even more Robot Koch, remixed by my hero, Alex B.

mp3: Devil Drums (Alex B Remix) (Robot Koch from Friends of Friends Volume 3)

What's more, Alex B just released a brand new podcast mixtape for XLR8R, thereby bringing perfect symmetry to where we are. And thus, it all returns to foot wear.

mp3: XLR8R Podcast: Alex B - August 24, 2010 (Alex B from XLR8R website)

Hell, while we're at, i dug up a boatload of remixes over there that need to be shared with you lucky bastards. Truth be told, i don't know too much about the first two actual artists, but you know of my love for Shigeto and Flying Lotus. Of course, the last one is just the opposite; i'm way down with Baths (thanks, Ernie and Bert!), but couldn't tell you too much about the One AM Radio or the Los Feliz Ladies Choir. All share one thing in common, however, and that's that they're all bad mama jammas.

mp3: Lost Where I Belong (Flying Lotus Remix) (Andreya Triana from Lost Where I Belong)

mp3: Black Canyon (Shigeto's As I Inhale Mix) (Ana Caravelle from XLR8R site)

mp3: Hall (The One AM Radio Remix feat. The Los Feliz Ladies Choir) (Baths from XLR8R site)

Since i'm feeling so generous today, i've got to also throw love towards We Did It Collective yet again for these two new gems from jonwayne, both from his upcoming Doodles CD. Sounds like that's only going to be available at shows, so pick up these tracks and say you got there first.

mp3: Big Like Curby (jonwayne from Doodles)

mp3: Infinite (jonwayne from Doodles)

The Pro~Ef camp just sent us over a sample of their upcoming adventure score series, Compression Chamber, due out September 21st 2010. Stuttering beats over hazy grooves. Me likey. If you've read this far, i'm guessing you will, too.

mp3: Paper Trail Exerpt (Pro~Ef from Compression Chamber - Episode One: Paper Trail)