New subgenre alert! Well, not new to everyone, but there hasn’t been a lot of press on this- so here is what is possibly your introduction to “futurebeats.” Popularized on reddit here, it is chilled electronic beats mashed with other genres. For those of us who have been around a while, it is reminiscent of the “intelligent” subgenres that abounded in the late ’90s. Imagine afterhours chill-out music mixed with ’80s slow jam R&B, ambient, hazy synths, and a touch of trap. That’s the best way to describe “Vessel” by Blackedout. It is a slight change, of course, from their debut EP (free download on their Bandcamp here) which seemed to focus on nature and environmental soundscapes. The darker, moody sound of “Vessel” seems a better fit for their vibe.
Brilliant on so many levels – that is the easiest way to describe this incredible collaboration of uniquely-talented individuals. Following up his energetic electro collaboration with Luciana, “Guess What,” rapper Cazwell comes harder with his modern version of a bitch track. It takes a lot of balls to reference Helen Keller as a verb for reading someone, and with his talent for comical and biting flows, he proves he can handle it. Working with a variety of artists (Peaches, Colton Ford, Avenue D), Cazwell harnesses a range and depth comparable to Eminem. Teaming with both Roxy and Manila Luzon, he channels both the history and future of transgressive drag. If you haven’t heard the classic tracks “Accident” and “Love to Do It” by Roxy, do yourself a favor and discover some herstory. Roxy’s well-chosen hooks add the biting camp voice that’s essential for a successful bitch track. When I first heard Manila on the track, I was shocked, in a good way. Who knew she had this much edge and aggressive bitchiness in her character? Her cleverly-written parts are perfectly delivered with a flow that reflects Cazwell, while showing her own unique style. The original midtempo house production by Richie Beretta is perfectly in sync with the currently-in-vogue NuHouse meme. Check out the mixes by Jodie Harsh and Fierce Tease for a more aggressive take for the big room clubs. Be sure to watch the video by Leonardo Herrera (HomoChic), which is lush, vibrant, and just as entertaining visually as the song is lyrically.
Image courtesy of Peace Bisquit.
SONG OF THE DAY: Cazwell & Manila Luzon ft Roxy and Richie Beretta – “Helen Keller”
If you dig through crates of disco vinyl, you are going to find a lot of lost treasures that time might have forgotten. Sometimes its the job of a producer/dj, to freshen one up a bit and give it new life. Freda Payne is definitely best known for “Band of Gold” yet many of her follow up releases deserve some attention as well. Her 1976 slow jam “I Get High” can obviously be interpreted a few different ways and listening to vocals closely, they have been sampled recently in a few other club records. San Diego based producers Fresh N Cutz give the song a respectful update by injecting a bit of energy and giving it a “Love Hangover”-esque feel. There is a small bit of repeated echoed vocals and hints of electro but thankfully its done with tasteful restraint. While I am not sure whether is a bootleg/whitelabel or an official remix (though it being a free download on Soundcloud makes me think its the former), I have a feeling that someone is going to hear this track and be inspired to have it resung for a big 90s vibed NuHouse release in the next few weeks.
