Beats + Pieces

Irish breaks duo Splitloop launch their stunning debut album, Here On Business, at the Pogo club, Dublin in August.
The Supercharged Records release, which features vocal contributions from US rapper Bukue One, African rapper MC Marvel, Canadian MC Curtis Santiago and Liz Melody, has been confirmed for its official UK release on CD (mixed) and limited-edition double-vinyl from September 19th.
The single, ‘On My Mind’, was released last month to huge critical and clubland acclaim, while its follow-up, ‘Soul Roll’ – to include a new Breakfastaz remix of their earlier release ‘Both Knees’ – is scheduled for release on August 29th and is already causing a big stir among key breaks DJs.
The album launch party, incidentally, takes place this Saturday (August 13th). Another Irish album worth mentioning is Hulk’s recently released Silver Thread Of Ghosts (Osaka), a soothing set of organic electronica from Dubliner Thomas Haugh.
Irish drum ‘n bass stamp Bassbin Recordings has three new 12” releases lined up for August and September.
The first pairs Breakage’s ‘Ask Me’ with ‘Cosmos’ from Alias; the second couples ‘Bless Me’ and ‘Firefly’ from Francture & Neptune; the third features Random Movement’s ‘Stars In The Dark’ and ‘Struggle To The Grave’.
Ri-Ra DJ and man about town Pete Pamf has just unleashed a new single from his Prone To Abuse album.
The infectious guitar-laden funk track, ‘Tripping In The Meadow’, is featured in the Murphy’s Stout TV and radio ads and comes in three mixes.
Aspiring producers should note that the Sound Training Centre in Temple Bar, Dublin is having an open day on August 27th. For more details, contact [email protected].
New international albums dropping about now include the highly-recommended hip-hop effort, Confessions Of A Ghostwriter from Skillz (on All City), which features among its producers The Neptunes, Hi-Tek and Timbaland.
Also on the hip-hop tip, Treva Whateva’s Music’s Made Of Memories (Ninja Tune) is a feast of quirky future funk.
XLover’s Pleasure & Romance (International Deejay Gigolo) is a thumping electro set graced by some neat guitar work from Jon Klein of The Cure and Siouxsie & The Banshees fame. There’s a guest appearance by Felix da Housecat, too.
Pick of the bunch around these parts is the eagerly-anticipated second album from Tiefschwarz, Eat Books (Fine), which features Matty Safer from The Rapture and Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn among its guest vocalists. And Buck 65’s Secret House Against The World on Warner ranks as one of the year’s most impressive hip-hop collections.
On the singles front, the biggest release of the fortnight is bound to be the new Erick Morillio (feat Leslie Carter) slammer, ‘Waiting In The Darkness’ on Subliminal.
The Solas Anseo DJ Carnival will run in aid of the ISPCC from 4pm until late on August 28th and 29th in Dublin at three Wexford Street bars – Solas, Anseo and Carnival (the latter on two floors).
The brainchild of Big Brother Records, the weekender will play host to over 70 of Ireland’s most popular contemporary club and radio DJs.
These include 2FM’s Jenny Huston, Spin FM’s Johnny Moy and Barry Redsetta, Spirit’s Scott McNaughton, and living legends Billy Scurry, Liam Dollard and François.
A ticket office in the form of a Volkswagen camper-van parked on Wexford Street will be selling wristbands on both days.
Sponsors Becks will be raffling iPods and loads of other cool goodies in aid of ISPCC in each of the bars and Sounds Around is providing DJ equipment for giveaways. For more information, see www.bigbrotherrecords.com
The BudRising events taking place in Marlay Park in south Dublin later this month have both been given the welcome addition of the Mash-Up dance tent. DJs appearing with The Chemical Brothers [pictured] on August 19th are Jacques Lu Cont, Tiga (who also plays the monthly Mash-Up event at TBMC in Dublin city centre later the same night), Johnny Moy and Jon Averill.
On August 20th – a night headlined by Basement Jaxx and Mylo – the Mash-Up tent features Erol Alkan, Rex The Dog (who also plays TBMC later that night along with Billy Nasty), The Glimmers, Al Gibbs and DJ Philth. Tickets for both events are on sale now.
Techno-stalwart The Surgeon graces the hallow-ed turntables of Electric City in Dublin on August 25th. The aforementioned Irish techno godfather, Francois, spins an old skool set at The Legal Eagle on August 26th, alongside Desy Balmer and the Head Shake crew.
On the same night, Bassbin’s awesome new Friday nightclub Fever, at The Basement on Dublin’s South William Street, hosts an Old Skool session with Naphta and Don Rosco.
Mississippi-born producer Diplo makes his Irish debut at Ri-Ra in Dublin on August 26th. The Gwen Stefani remixer’s 2004 debut album Florida, on Big Dada, was one of last year’s best hip-hop efforts, and he recently had a big hand in MIA’s Mercury-nominated Arular set.
THE BEAT GOES ON!