Building on this discussion, I'd say that arguably Ill Blu takes Caspa-esque dubstep's banger mentality and does it properly, that is: bangers that are for dancing rather than just (head)banging.
And in truth "Bhangra Knights" actually is a dubstep tune, or at any rate close to it, but again: if Caspa actually sounded like (or rather, as good as) this I could totally get on board with yobstep.
I should clarify that my statement on the funky house sceptics thread to the effect that Ill Blu's occasional similarities to dubstep felt inadvertent wasn't meant to suggest that they don't know or like or are influenced by dubstep, but rather that if I had to guess at what they were really reacting to it would be "Pon De Floor" et. al but with the raviness intensified - that is the thread that seems to unite "Bhangra Knights", "Dirty Monkey", "Warp Speed" and "Get Freaky With You". That brings them close to dubstep at times and I'm sure they're well aware of that, but it doesn't feel like an aesthetic they're making a concerted effort to embrace.
Certainly Ill Blu's weakest tracks are their sparer non-dramatic efforts (e.g. "Dragon Pop") so if it's a choice between them veering towards Caspa or them veering towards Scratcha DVA or Mala, I think I'll actually take the former.
― Tim F, Monday, 11 April 2011 10:35 (twelve years ago) link
I <3 Dragon Pop the bassline is awsome. I've had it in my head since I fist heard it. Such a quality bump to it. Plus it sounds massive on a nice club soundsystem.
― jimitheexploder, Monday, 11 April 2011 15:26 (twelve years ago) link
ive yet to hear them going more towards mala/dva territory (mala and scratcha dont occupy the same sort of space anyway) so that seems like a false binary to me. the idea of their dramatic stuff vs dragon pop stuff is pointless, as they do both really well, without it sounding like a concession to anyone. ie dragon pop is too funky/percussive for dubstep. dubstep does bongos/percussive stuff but its never very groove-ful. its stiff. the main difference id say is just that their tracks have gotten 'bigger', 'better' produced, whereas the old tracks mostly in general were minimal rollers, and spare, more like grime. they seem to be making more complex (lots of big synth lines, more changes it seems, esp compared to something like that redlight tune posted above, which is a total banger, but a lot more stripped down compared to meltdown etc) stuff now, at the same time as theyre getting more intense and harder, almost abrasive. but then as for timelines, who knows, meltdown is about two years old.
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 11 April 2011 15:53 (twelve years ago) link
that seems like a false binary to me. the idea of their dramatic stuff vs dragon pop stuff is pointless, as they do both really well, without it sounding like a concession to anyone.
You and jimi started this false binary in the first place by contrasting drama with rhythm. Of course it's a false binary, that was my entire fucking point.
― Tim F, Monday, 11 April 2011 21:18 (twelve years ago) link
they do both really well, without it sounding like a concession to anyone. ie dragon pop is too funky/percussive for dubstep. dubstep does bongos/percussive stuff but its never very groove-ful. its stiff.
You were the one criticising me upthread for denying that they've gone dubstep.
― Tim F, Monday, 11 April 2011 21:21 (twelve years ago) link
the binary i was talking about was the choice of them going into dmz or caspa mode. i was never talking about dragon pop being concessionary, or at least, displaying an awareness of dubstep, it was the newer tracks, and a particular sort of dubstep aesthetic which i seem to hear there, ie dominating/maximal inyerface synth blasts. i never really considered DP being a response to dubstep dominance, even though it does nail the hyperdub aesthetic pretty well.
― titchy (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, 11 April 2011 23:08 (twelve years ago) link
so when it's a direction you do like it's a false binary but a direction you don't like it's a real one?
― Tim F, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 03:10 (twelve years ago) link
Tinchy only you could turn a thread about the most banging shit in the entire world into this kind of tedious handwringing.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 08:48 (twelve years ago) link
had a listen to the rinse fm mix while running today (lol the only time i listen to dj mixes now, slightly older man's compartmentalised life etc) and really liked it. tho i was more into the first hour with the vocal stuff than the second hour or so. lots of it is so refreshing tho, just raw energetic dance music with no piousness going on.
― Will.Have.Known (Local Garda), Tuesday, 12 April 2011 18:20 (twelve years ago) link
Haha, in that case you should just hang out on the funky house skeptics thread ronan.
― Tim F, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 20:48 (twelve years ago) link
The first track, carnao's "get out", is a longtime favorite of mine - reminds me of mark bell's "woman cry" and the like.
Finally released on that EP rtc linked to upthread.
― Tim F, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 21:47 (twelve years ago) link
for the bird, for the geezer, introductory funky listener, wicked selecta:
ILL BLU 29th MARCH
Carnao Beats ft Teeboy & Kadey - Get OutDakar - I've Got That Feeling??Barber Bizzle ft Miss Fire - Do You Feel The Same (Remix)Funky Twinz ft Angel J - SmileRoska ft Nikki - EnergyChang-Sam - Don't Hold BackIll Blu - Blu Magic
----- 30 minsIll Blu ft Shanique - Say YesBassjackers & Apster - Klambu (Seany B Refix)Miss Fire - 004FHDJ Mystery - Room 101Fingaprint - Night Time (DVA's Hi Emotions Remix)LR Groove - ?Ill Blu - CheltDJ Eastwood - Oh YeahShay & Sinista - Big Up YaselfDVA - Flute Tune
----- 60 minsIll Blu - Time To Get NastyA1 Bassline - Shock HeadedIll Blu - Get Freaky With You??Ill Blu - MonstaChampion - Undisputed - SunglassesJ Bevin - Zulu ??
----- 90 minsIll Blu - Funerealness Toddska - Gal From EnglandIll Blu - Good Time (Version)Ill Blu - Alrite Mate Bassboy & Marcus Nasty - Next FunkyIll Blu - ?DJ Naughty ft Miss Fire - It's YouBlack Coffee ft Bucie - SupermanTeedra Moses - Be Your Girl (Perempay n Dee Remix)
― r|t|c, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 23:06 (twelve years ago) link
Excellent work.
Ill Blu - Funerealness
Do we agree this is them? It doesn't seem as obviously Ill Blu as with, say, "Get Freaky With You". OTOH I couldn't guess at who else it might be.
― Tim F, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 23:33 (twelve years ago) link
Damn r|t|c! Thanks for the tracklist. This might be the best set I've heard this year so far.
― matt damon & the jb's (the anephric project), Tuesday, 12 April 2011 23:38 (twelve years ago) link
haha really..? i was just thinking this is the same 7/10 set they always play on a tuesday! it's not like they're really putting their backs into it.
(seem to recall there was one particular ill blu show a few months ago i thought was notably good, and i believe i said so on the funky thread at the time. unfortunately though if i havent already lost it then i won't have access to to for a while, so if anyone would care to oblige...?)
a funky 7/10 is obv better than most of all yalls infinities though so i'm glad people are enjoying it whatever!
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 00:18 (twelve years ago) link
it certainly takes shape a little differently than usual but the orchestration at very least is surely unmistakeable. i just can't imagine otherwise. the other thing in favour of it is i think if we'd first heard 'alrite mate' uncredited we'd have had a harder time guessing that was them than this.
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 00:31 (twelve years ago) link
Perhaps an overstatement, but I've found it far more exciting than a lot of my other go-to shows lately (Marcus, Smoove Kriminal, etc.), It feels nice, rough, and dirty. A lot of other sets have tended to go a more sophisticated route lately, it seems. I don't like the edges worn off of my funky.
― matt damon & the jb's (the anephric project), Wednesday, 13 April 2011 00:37 (twelve years ago) link
http://soundcloud.com/goochionline/illmana-vs-goochi-bossman
not saying it's remotely on the same level but did you ever hear this other bit of inflationesque drama btw? think handy andy on the other place has also mentioned it. i was thinking mixed over something that rolls it could be a thing. (xp)
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 00:38 (twelve years ago) link
can't remember if i mightnt have just been feeling charitable but i quite enjoyed the last marcus show (with depeo); hard to pick out an outstanding radio set this year though i agree.
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 00:40 (twelve years ago) link
11th january ill blu set was the one i highlighted if anyone's got that
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 00:46 (twelve years ago) link
That Illmana track is lovely. It's not quite "Kiss You", but those strings and flourishes are amazing. I've got to say I love the bassline folks producing this stuff.
― matt damon & the jb's (the anephric project), Wednesday, 13 April 2011 01:32 (twelve years ago) link
This is true. "Bhangra Knights" and "Do That" too probably. They seem to be branching in more different directions than before.
Notwithstanding its recognisable Ill Blu-ness, "Get Freaky With You" is notable for switching up its rhythmic attack several times, like "we have so many beats." There's the stuttery first breakdown, the breakbeaty second breakdown and the snare-overload third breakdown. I can't think of another recent track that is so generous rhythmically.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 01:52 (twelve years ago) link
'chelt' too i think was quite an unexamined departure for them, despite it having been accepted without question.
as you say though, there's a implacable ease in their turning the screw every which way that belies titchy's fingerpointing, not to mention a variety that makes a mockery of any simple reduction to "dubstep".
in fairness to the little fella however, as absorptive as funky is in itself there is perhaps value yet in loosely trying to corrall whatever vibe it is it's picking up: a kind of mistajamified urban brit frankendance beyond (and largely uninterested in) the crippled ring-the-alarm horizons of dubstep, hyperdub, future garage, factmusic et al. a world of mike delinquent remixes, d double e on dnb, and the crown prince maverick sabre. (was dizzie really as reactive as first seemed with tongue n cheek?)
btw tim i was flabbergasted to find that you'd already just had the exact same dubstep argument from this thread back in january re britney? you bloody love it you slag.
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 21:47 (twelve years ago) link
told you it was just a regular set didnt i!
ILL BLU 12th MARCH
Carnao Beats ft Teeboy & Kadey - Get Out?? [¡levantate! (what is this thing anyway, it's great?)]Murdz 86 - No GlitchesDJ Eastwood - Oh YeahBassboy & Marcus Nasty - Next FunkyDVA - Flute Tune Chang-Sam - Don't Hold BackCooly G - ?
----- 30 minsLil Silva - Cheese & BunDJ Mystery - Room 101Fuzzy Logik ft Myshy - PlaygroundBassboy & Marcus Nasty - Stamp?? [46']Ill Blu - Get Freaky With YouMr Tickle - Citrus OxideToddska - Gal From England
----- 60 minsSP ft Rosita - Right SideIll Blu - [mind's gone blank]DJ Q ft Louise Williams - OverRoska - ?Ill Blu - CheltFunkystepz - ? [new!]Ill Blu - MonstaSelah ft Donaeo - Out My HouseFunky Twinz ft Angel J - Smile
----- 90 minsIll Blu ft Shanique - Take It LowLil Silva - ? [slyly incorporating the 'good life' sound...]Ill Blu - MeltdownA1 Bassline - Shock HeadedGuGu - RockAByeBabyIll Blu - Alrite MateRoska ft Nikki - EnergyMiss Fire - CrazyEncore - Wind Up (Ill Blu Remix)
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 21:51 (twelve years ago) link
MARCH APRIL
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 21:52 (twelve years ago) link
I was gonna namecheck frankendance!
― Tim F, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 21:55 (twelve years ago) link
who knows about maverick sabre? is anyone in the world really ready to discuss maverick sabre? i think i'm ready to discuss maverick sabre.
in particular i would like to hear the views of a local garda regarding this preposterous pikey.
― r|t|c, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 22:05 (twelve years ago) link
Tell me about him/her/them.
― Tim F, Wednesday, 13 April 2011 22:34 (twelve years ago) link
i saw an awful maverick sabre vid on youtube, awful song too. that's about all i can say.
― nultybutnice (whatever), Wednesday, 13 April 2011 22:41 (twelve years ago) link
― r|t|c
here : http://www.mediafire.com/?2mosm2htqj95hhe
OMG! 'get freaky with you' is such a banger. best funky track of the year, so far? most likely.
― rusty_allen, Thursday, 14 April 2011 13:33 (twelve years ago) link
I'm starting to think so!
― Tim F, Thursday, 14 April 2011 13:39 (twelve years ago) link
a kind of mistajamified urban brit frankendance
This sound is going to be huge but it already overlaps with Rusko and Chase & Status and people as well though doesn't it? Might have been what Tinchy was blindly fumbling towards at to an extent.
― Matt DC, Thursday, 14 April 2011 13:46 (twelve years ago) link
best funky track of the year, so far? most likely.
funkystepz' forthcoming face off ep is astonishingly great
― lex pretend, Thursday, 14 April 2011 13:48 (twelve years ago) link
there's a track called "piano storm" in particular which is just >>>>>>>
piano storm
This is right in the Ill Blu tradition of "look, we want you to know well in advance that this is going to be amazing" titles.
― Matt DC, Thursday, 14 April 2011 13:52 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah "Piano Storm" is great. Was originally the backing music for some remix of a pop tune I think? But was a bit too massive and "look at me!" to work well in that context? Trying to remember back to funkystepz mixes circa Feb 2010.
― Tim F, Thursday, 14 April 2011 13:53 (twelve years ago) link
Funkystepz' "Warrior" also an amazing tune that hopefully will get a release soon (and "Lovers"!!! Please!!!!)
the tracks on the EP are champion/loca moca/piano storm/shocker - all amazing, so much house piano
― lex pretend, Thursday, 14 April 2011 13:56 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, 'warrior' is probably the one tune around right now that can son any ill blu number in a epic monster beef
the swing of it once it gets going is just !!!!
― r|t|c, Friday, 15 April 2011 11:14 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf6o2pg4WJ0&feature=related
never heard this before, is at the end of the march rinse fm set. amazing tune...
― Will.Have.Known (Local Garda), Sunday, 17 April 2011 09:58 (twelve years ago) link
Ronan I assume you know "Turn Me On" as well??
― Tim F, Sunday, 17 April 2011 10:02 (twelve years ago) link
no...just listening now.
the above reminds me a lot of elle by dj gregory or the francois k remix of moloko, could imagine the former being played in an in ill blu set. i like the whole set a lot actually, getting more into the more banger type stuff.
i love the track just before the sound cuts off for whatev reason at about 1hr 37 mins...
― Will.Have.Known (Local Garda), Sunday, 17 April 2011 10:16 (twelve years ago) link
Driving listening to the weeknd and frank ocean whos with me? 2:07 AM Apr 12th via Twitter for iPhone
― Will.Have.Known (Local Garda), Sunday, 17 April 2011 10:17 (twelve years ago) link
Ronan from memory that's an instrumental of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFW9lb1Mr0o
― Tim F, Sunday, 17 April 2011 11:49 (twelve years ago) link
In my private version of reality the "Good Times" and "Green Light" remixes were as big as Guru Josh's "Infinity".
― Tim F, Sunday, 17 April 2011 11:52 (twelve years ago) link
― Will.Have.Known (Local Garda), Sunday, April 17, 2011 10:17 AM (6 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink
:-/
― D-40, Sunday, 17 April 2011 16:29 (twelve years ago) link
that was ill blu btw...i don't have an active twitter or a car...and have never heard frank ocean. i thought the weekend was okay and i do have an iphone.
― Will.Have.Known (Local Garda), Sunday, 17 April 2011 19:11 (twelve years ago) link
ha nah i knew what you meant.
― D-40, Monday, 18 April 2011 00:33 (twelve years ago) link
If anyone can see fit to use their expertise to upload "Get Freaky With You" to youtube, I will credit you in a (non-remunerative) piece of internet-writing thereby ensuring you achieve instant and eternal fame.
― Tim F, Monday, 18 April 2011 09:49 (twelve years ago) link
Also, this is great:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-TzeyoIRzw
― Tim F, Monday, 18 April 2011 13:27 (twelve years ago) link