(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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Sipp

What up. Posting to you from the past today! Getting all technological to bring you today's interview with one of the most versatile producers out there today, Sipp. Not only that, but he's also very kindly chosen to bless your ears with a piece he created with the aid of Zelda and Ghost Ark, called Strawberry Fool. Bliss...

NT: First up, introduce yourself dude!

S: Hello. My name is Giovanni Randisi. Known as Johnny to most. I'm from Montreal, Canada

NT: So, you're from Montreal. Montreal, and Canada in general seems to have quite a reputation for underground/alternative music, and even seems a fashionable place to be musically. How does living in a place like that affect you?

S: My apartment is a great environment for me. Steamgoat just moved in. There are great vibes between the two of us. We have 2 cats here. It's just a very calm and peaceful vibe that I think is very key for producing.  It's in a small town away from everything, a long bus ride to the metro and a 25 minute car ride down-town. It has its pros and cons living here. What I like about it most is that I can sit on my balcony at night and not hear cars driving by. Tranquility...

Shemo Neat - Kinjii Osak

(BB16) Cogidubnus - Memorabilia

Fresh out of the Haus of Broken Bubble, it's label head honcho Cogidubnus with a new EP.

I knew it would be quite a release when I noticed that the opener was 'The Future Boards of Cheadle', a track that caught my ears on Soundcloud a couple of months ago, and it really sets the scene for an EP full of tracks that sound like they were unfortunate to be cut from a Selected Ambient Works of Aphex Twin release (although the name of the track alone more than hints at a homage to The Future Sounds Of London and Boards Of Canada).

In previous reviews of Broken Bubble stuff, I've mentioned that they manage to constantly release stuff unlike anything you've ever heard before, and it's like Cogidubnus took upon a challenge of reinforcing that as strongly as possible. Different though it may be, I can't help but feel like there's sounds I've heard before waiting to burst through, and I guess that just shows how strong the release is. Not many have forged sonic memories into something so futuristic as well as this. It's not easy to do. Cogidubnus himself says "Memorabilia is the past's re-imagning of the future" and he sure hasn't disappointed.

The EP finished with four remixes that could easily form a release capable of standing on it's own with tunes re-imagined by BB stalwarts Pogflipper and Hurtdeer and two outstanding pieces from soon-to-be BB favourites Steamgoat and Sipp, the former being a chilled (loathed as I am to use that term) yet emotional piece, and the latter being a futuristic slice of UKG that unexpectedly transforms into alien breaks just after the 3 minute mark.

Grab the EP from Broken Bubble's Bandcamp page from March 26th.

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