BLK EP is the first release on Astro Nautico for 21-year-old Atlanta-bred experimental producer Time Wharp.
Sequel to last year’s self-released GRN EP, BLK finds Time Wharp departing somewhat from hip-hop beats in order to flirt with more dance-oriented musical forms including house, 2-step and juke. But despite the genric flexing, there remains intact Time Wharp’s core sound: meandering synth melodies fly high and lush emotive pads run low on top of churning rhythm tracks in arrangements so solid they’re practically architectural.
BLK‘s tracks originated in Boston late last year around when Time Wharp decided he would relocate to the West Coast in 2012. Accordingly, throughout the EP there persists the air and sentimentality of leaving, perhaps best inscribed in the R. Kelly-sampled vocal mantra of single ‘yrLyf’ and the heartfelt washed-out cries of ‘mdat,’ a collaboration with fellow ATL representative Divine Interface.
On remix detail, BLK features a trio of all in-house productions from Astro Nautico artists. First, RAJA busts out of any of his previous molds, spinning ‘yrLyf’ into a deep house roller. Obey City then passes ‘BLK’ through his glitter bass dimension to generate a euphoric bouncing house gem. Finally, The Range chops up the already-chopped vocals of ‘yrLyf’ before cranking out the rapid fire 808 kicks we know and love him for.
Follow Time Wharp on:
HEY GUYS HERE’S A LIL’ EDIT OF THAT FUNNY BASS TRUNK MUSIC SONG I DID – FREE DOWNLOAD, WE ALL LUV EM ! ! !
anyone wanna sync this video to my edit? or you can just watch it on mute while listening…
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
The second Ghost we’ve had participate in this series, and the second ATL based artist in a row to do an Astrocast, Featureless Ghost hits hard with the most relentlessly upbeat and intense mix we’ve had since Howse’s juke blaster (Astrocast 13). No track plays on its own for more than 30 seconds, and the bpm hovers just over a cool 160 for most of the mix. If you’re having an unproductive day, press play on this one and we guarantee you’ll start getting something done.
Featureless Ghost is a guy/girl duo whose previous output is compelling, slightly deranged synth-based pop music. With punchy kicks and attention-grabbing David Byrne-esque vocals acting as the nucleus for most of the tracks, these songs bang equally hard in the club, the bedroom or the whip. It’s some of the most refreshing music I was exposed to last year (bigups Ian @ Friendship Bracelet). Lately, Matt from FG has been making some footwork type instrumentals in the same vein as what you will find on Astrocast 20, which we will be exposing in some form or another on Astro Nautico in the months to come.
check out Featureless Ghost’s website and bandcamp.
IA MIX 49 RAJA by Inverted Audio on Mixcloud
RAJA’s new mix for I/A is just beautiful. This is your chance to escape an underwhelming winter and get in touch with your inner tropical well-being. Don’t miss his interview as well!
In case you missed ‘em, here’s RAJA’s October Series tapes: Red, Witch and Color.
And truly big up Inverted Audio. They were among the first to recognize and share our sounds back in 2009. Always forward-looking journalism from them. Respect!
Pacific Northwestern crew Dropping Gems has released the second compilation in its Gem Drops series. Pay what you like and notably all proceeds from album sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
Amazing tracks on here from a lot of names you know and some you probably don’t. If you donate $15 you can cop the whole comp on a professionally mastered limited edition cassette. Only 150 copies so moveit!
Been meaning to post this for a hot minute. Serious new tape from the CRIMEKILLZ boys (Nate No Face x Skumbag Tony). Side A is a string of recent bangers in the gameboy thrash style they’ve been steady originating as their own. Side B is a ton more instrumentals in the same vein – hard-nosed 8-bit synths and drums running down the street with a knife in each hand.
Let this tape be your daily medicine for city living, and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming CRIME shows in the west/southwest regions of the U.S.A.
follow CRIME on soundcloud.
Brighton’s best Donky Pitch just got The Range in the mix today for their show on Hive FM. All originals, no tracklist. (FF to halfway to cut straight to this mix.)
About half the tracks are off The Big Dip, and the other half is unreleased. Don’t miss the DMX guest spot (“My dawgs believe in me”) as well as newfound soulful chipmunk diva vocals and all the characteristic hyperhythms for your feet and brain equally.
Also, if you’re local, you should know there’s an Astro Nautico double feature this month.
If you’re free beforehand, on the sly is hosting a special pre-game collaboration with Oaxaca Taqueria on 16 Extra Place (near Bowery & Bleecker) from 8-10p.m. $2 tacos and free brews until they’re dry. Meet the artists and all that. Just mention “on the sly” at the register. We feel like we never get a chance to chat with people at loud shows, so come support this genius and beerful attempt to invigorate the bass community of our fair city!
As their first offering of the year, Stones Throw has released Jonti‘s Moon & Sine. Apparently all of these songs were included on a podcast with the same name earlier last year and after many requests for the individual tunes, he’s decided to release them for free download.
Originally recorded on a 4-track, these tracks continue to display his experimental/psychedelic twist on pop music, as he so skillfully did on 2011′s Twirligig.
Needless to say, I’m excited for his official sophomore release, Tokorats, which is slated for a first quarter 2012 release on Stones Throw.
Download Moon & Sine here and preview the track “Lost Machines.”
Although this is slightly late, I recently had the pleasure of contributing a mix to LuckyMe‘s renown mixtape series. I’ve been listening to these mixes for years now, so to be able to have my name up there with the rest of the talented contributors was a huge honor for me.
It was posted a couple of weeks ago, but if you haven’t checked it out yet, scroll down on this page to #97 and give it a listen. If you really dig it, you can even download it. Made sure to represent Astro Nautico heavy in the mix, so tracks from myself, Kuhn, RAJA, Paul Jones and The Range are all in attendance.
Tracklisting:
Aeroplane – Mountains Of Moscow
Inc. – Heart Crimes
Beaty Heart – 2Good (Jam City Remix)
L.V. – I Am L.V.
$1 Bin – This Is A Melody
Gwen Stefani – Luxurious (Lapalux Bootleg Remix)
SBTRKT & Sampha – Evening Glow
Machinedrum – TMPL
Kon – Earthbound
123Mrk – Unrest
Look Like – Buggin (Sinjin Hawke Remix)
Obey City – Radio Rah
Starkey – Lost In Space (Kuhn Remix)
Raja – Big Guns And Coke (Can’t Ace Me)
Obey City – Intrigue
The Range – A Solitudinous Diptych
Todd Rundgren – Prana
Knxwledge – Dukshun
Chris Clark – Lord Of The Dance
Bobby Brown – I’ll Be Good To You
Bobby Nunn – Do You Look That Good In The Morning?
L-vis 1990 – One More Day
Paul Jones – Supermax (feat. Puff Daddy & Cassie)
Hyetal – Beach Scene
Rustie – Surph
Obey City – Melted Magic
d’Eon – Tongues
James Pants – Plain To See
Thanks & stay tuned, cause there’s always more to come 
Montreal based producer CFCF just dropped this lush little collection of tunes through his bandcamp titled Reincarnation.
Full of FM styled bells, ambient pads & percussion, it transports me to a variety of exotic places. Mainly a safari in the 80s. I guess you could also call it “ambient-balearic-dance-downtempo-drag-electro-electronic-house-leftfield-space-disco-techno” as well.
Stream the tunes and if you feel so inclined to support him, purchase the tunes for $3.
