(BB19) Sipp & Steamgoat - Valor

It's been a long time overdue for a record label to finally take the plunge and put out some music from the Montreal-based duo, Sipp & Steamgoat, and I'm not surprised that label is Broken Bubble, fast becoming a home for forward-thinking music that strives to stand out as unique.

"Unique" is not a word I find myself using rarely when listening to the music produced by these guys, and when you buy this release (which you will), you'll see why. It is, in my opinion obviously, the greatest showcase of their work that there is.

Opener "COUSCOUS" really sets the tone for the EP, and is so loosely held together you get the feeling it might break down at any moment in total collapse. It's nice to hear something recent that's so loose and laid back that doesn't feel like the latest take on L.A.-style "beats" music, and it flow's perfectly into the next track, "In Between", a piece that feels almost like it could fit into the "Modern Classical" bracket, until Sipp & Steamgoat up the intensity on the drums (I noticed that I was actually leaning in towards the computer during this tune) before taking it all away with a few seconds of calypso. Next up is the ethereal "Doorstep", which benefits from the vocals of Graciellita (who couldn't do anything that sounds like what anybody else is making if she tried). "Real Estate" highlights the amazing vocal work on this release. Where other producers might let the samples run on, Sipp & Steamgoat cut them frantically, stopping them short of delivering their full message. "Shelf Life", the most overtly "Night Tracks" tune on the release, calls an end to the original works, but don't be disheartened.

Broken Bubble have really pulled out a series of remixers on this one. Prof. Logik adds some bounce to "COUSCOUS", Kwala completely deconstructs "In Between", label-head Cogidubnus manages to summon a ghost of "Real Estate", while Mirror State puts some distance between you and "In Between", and Sina brings things to an epic finish with his take on "Real Estate".

Props have got to go to Cogi for putting out this piece. Every release from Broken Bubble makes me wonder how they're going to top the last, or keep putting out fresh, new sounds, but they haven't failed yet.

You can pre-order the release now, or just wait until tomorrow, June 25th for the full release.

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A Reminder...

On the eve of the previews of NT006, remember that you can still bag our previous releases over at our Bandcamp store. Check out releases from the likes of Venture, EPLP, Apple Bottom, Bhava and Kid Smpl, and bag at a price a lot lower than the digital stores.

Out to all those that support the music, and help the label continue. I like to think that we do things well, and I appreciate those that still pay for tunes, and allow us to put out more music that we're really feeling at a high standard you deserve.

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(NT005) Kid Smpl - Float

The day has come, and Night Tracks' latest release, Kid Smpl - Float, is now up for sale on our bandcamp page.

The release is a Kid Smpl original, "Float" backed with remixes from Venture and Mirror State. Buying from bandcamp gets you the exclusive "Kid Smpl's Accidental Devil Mix" version too. All for £2.50. We are too generous. Anyway, check out the sample below....

 

Bag here.

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BB17 - Mirror State - Extension

Dudes, have you ever wondered what your collection of Garage Nation tape packs would sound like ten years later, only after the apocalypse and inevitable nuclear winter? Look no further than Broken Bubble's seventeenth release by Australian producer, Mirror State.

To put it succinctly, this is the darkest release I've heard so far this year, and I am not in short supply of dark garage, I can tell you. Big up to Broken Bubble for nailing Mirror State down for an EP, because there isn't nearly enough of his stuff available as there needs to be. This is pure garage at its most deconstructed. Stripped down to its bare skeleton on an almost industrial level, with pulses of light that occasionally break the darkness, with only ghostly cold, sparse vocals to remind you of the human element.

Few Tunes To Keep You Going...

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I'm starting to put stuff together for the Night Tracks End of Year Review, so to keep things ticking over, here's a selection of quality recent tunes from Soundcloud. Big up. Tunes after the jump...

Night Shift Collective

Check out a new group, the Night Shift Collective on Soundcloud of like-minded producers pushing a 'Night Time' sound.

 

From the description; "We will be showing you our best tunes along the lines of Future Garage, 2-Step, Ambient and related styles that feature deep, sincere vibes.
If you're trying to find the soundtrack to your night in solitude or just chilling out, look no further." 

Out to Inofaith for setting this up! Other members apart from me, Budeaux, are all worth checking out. The list in full is: Sorrow, Klātu, fedbymachines, Mirror State, delete, Great Skies, Roof Light, Birds Of Passage, Shura, Essáy, Venture, Gallery Six, Owsey, Sipp and Infest.

It's a real worldwide thing, with members from The Netherlands, UK, Canada, Germany, Russia, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, so keep an eye on it if you dig that sound.