In Portugal there is a Discotexas
March 28, 2010 | Filed Under music | 1 Comment
image: via flickr
I guess blogging about labels is more interesting to me these days, and for good reason. The good people behind them.
Our homeboys in Portugal just recently one HELL of a compilation EP (Forbidden Cuts Vol .1) and just yesterday dropped Justin Faust’s latest jam ‘Holdin’ On’. The label name is Discotexas and they’ve been doing it right. Moullinex, Xinobi, Rockets, Cpt. Luvlace, Double Damage, Bandido$, Flip, and Gun N’ Rose are the leading talent right now and it’s only bound to get better. (more proof? see here, here, here, aaand here)
There 3 major factors that come into play when successfully promoting and distributing albums.
1. Album Artwork – this is so much more important than you think. Who wants to buy a record with ugly or poorly designed sleeve art? I have so many records that I’m almost ashamed to pull out because their sleeves are so ugly. This isn’t to say that the music inside sucks, because it totally doesn’t, but it’s the very first impression someone gets when flipping through a crate or even when browsing iTunes without having had any prior bias. (case in point) You might say, “Chris, there’s more to an album than the artwork.” Well you know what? I’m shallow and design OCD (sup @erinautomatic). get over it. At least it’s better than being sloppy.
2. OK, this is kind of understood but the music better be fucking amazing. To this day, I don’t understand how records get released with such horrible composition/proofing/mastering.
3. Distribution model. Distribution model. Distribution model. Utterly important. Nobody is going to buy your record if it doesn’t make any sense. I am not going to name names, but some labels have been recently putting out vinyl again WITHOUT offering a free digital download.
NOBODY WANTS TO BUY THE FUCKING SAME RELEASE TWICE.
INCLUDE (high quality) DIGITAL COPIES WITH ALL VINYL PURCHASES. Everyone loves vinyl (yeah you do). But not everyone has an analog -> digital interface to rip it themselves. Fuck CDs. Don’t get me wrong I would take vinyl for listening purposes any day but actually prefer playing CDJs based on mechanics and convenience. You can burn cds for that purpose as easy as anything and not give a fuck about them. Stop wasting money and plastic on CD albums please?
Here’s a selection of my fav releases old and new by Discotexas.
THE THEME!!! If anyone reading this was a #radiotuftsmania regular they’d know I sometimes used this track as my sign off. Such a feel-good vibe. Tambourines, what did I tell you?
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Moullinex & Xinobi – Discotexas Theme (Digitalfoxglove Remix)
A beautiful track by Rockets (formerly discorockets), I’ve had the pleasure of hearing his style evolve over the past couple years and it has matured into the refined and masterful product you see here. The demos he sent me almost 2 years ago showed a general structure, but this product is just…. wow. Can you just hear the amazing? –but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s to fat basslines and 2010!
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Rockets – Constellation [off the Constellation EP... out later this year? sssshhhhh]
Moullinex in with that disco shimmer!! Has anyone heard a Moullinex remix that wasn’t good? case in point.
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Justin Faust – Holdin’ On (Moullinex Remix) — [off Discotexas' latest release, listen to the whole album here]
BUY: Beatport, Juno Download, Amazon
So much vibing!!! That keyboard!! The chorus with the vocal ooh’s kills me. Use this as your exmaple mastering drums and layering percussion elements.
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Xinobi – Valsa in NJ — [off Forbidden Cuts Vol. 1, listen to the whole album here]
BUY: Beatport, Juno, Itunes, Amazon (us) (uk) (fr) (de)
Lastly, a super chilled-out remix by Moullinex. This time, it’s of Who Made Who’s ‘I Lost My Voice’. The vocals sound eerily like Øye (not a bad thing) but pay very close attention to the fucking perfect bass and hand percussion. yeeww!!
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Who Made Who – I Lost My Voice (Moullinex Remix)
PS: You can pre-order the Forbidden Cuts Vol. 1 here. (Can’t wait to get mine!!)
update: The Forbidden Cuts Vol. 1 has arrived and it sounds GLORIOUS http://twitpic.com/1al1×4
Sunny, Warmer
April 12, 2009 | Filed Under music | 5 Comments
image: via flickr
The days here are getting longer, the sun seems brighter, and the climate is getting warmer.
(sidebar) The beginning of this past weekend was ridiculous. Whoever missed out on the Bag Raiders party better start following my twitter and stop sleepin! Met up with Jack + Chris of Bag Raiders (sounds) fame for some shit talk, shop talk, dinner talk, snake head tofu talk, australia talk, and partymania talk (and mania). That’s not what this post is about, but it’s coming up in the next one..(end sidebar)
The main point is – Fred of Discorockets fame (proof) has been working on some new original productions and I must admit, I’m very excited. It has laid back poolside steez but keeps a groove that gives you no choice but to get into it and follow. This is just a taste of things to come.
A little tidbit of real talk that happened with @bag_raiders was how we’ve all kind of been feeling a bit sorry for the ‘bangers’. We still love them as much as the next ‘bag but we’re yearning for something playful, melodic, and less serious. Allow me to quote discorockets:
90% of new producers these days are stuck on stupid trying to be the next BN/Justice. boy, has that boat sailed.
-@discorockets
Watch this spot for info on the vinyl + digi release of the Discorockets EP soonish. (word on the street is a Moulinex remix is gonna drop with it!)
UPDATE: Fred of Discorockets just updated me on on details of the EP release: coming out on Discotexas, and Fred will be heading out to Munich next month to work with Moulinex for the release.
This is gonna be a “done when it’s done” release and that’s what I like. Don’t trade deadlines for quality! Expect this release sooner than later though.
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Put this on,
open your blinds,
and let the light in.
pocket piano, ladies
November 19, 2008 | Filed Under music | 9 Comments
image: via tuftsmania via flickr
I can’t wait for DJ Mehdi’s new EP, Pocket Piano/Tunisia Bambaata to come out.
You can’t wait either.
This little number’s from the B-side.
B1 – DJ Mehdi – Tunisia Bambaata
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You can hear another cut from this EP in a post I did not too long ago here.
…and I still can’t get over this stuff. Probably won’t. ever. Discorockets out of SF/Portugal are burning shit up. on the real. Check them out ASAP. (it’s hard to botch this song either way) If you need more proof check the Discorockets myspace page.
Kool and the Gang – Be My Lady (discorockets remix)
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