Tormenta Tropical

Tormenta Tropical has been heating up in the last year, always a big wild night whenever I've made it out, especially now at its new home, the Elbo Room, whose intimate space and generous soundsystem make it the ideal space right in the heart of the Mission. The Bersa Discos boys (Oro11 & Disco Shawn) have been busy throwing down the psychedelic cumbias at many clubs around town, starting up Tormenta Tropical LA - the inagural bash in January brings one of my favorite producers of '08, Zomby (!) to the Echoplex - and are up to their fourth release on Bersa Discos which has been getting mad love by a wide array of folks. States-wide they are probably the premiere outlet for neo-cumbia and latin infused electro, a worlwide phenomenon profiled a few months ago by Jace Clayton (aka DJ /rupture) in The Fader.

This month will be a biggie with an appearance from The Heatwave, the London-based collective bringing their potent blend of dancehall reggae, bashment, hip-hop, mixed with UK bass sounds. Hopefully they will be springing some new Heatwave-patented refixes on us, the last few have been sensational: Rubi Dan over Benga & Coki's "Night" and Beenie Man paired with "Wearing My Rolex". Also supporting is Paul Devro of Mad Decent.

If you need more convincing check out the much in-demand Warrior Queen slewing it over The Heatwave's "Piano Riddim". Massive!

Warrior Queen & The Heatwave - Things Change

LAST SHOW: San Francisco Bootlegs And Beyond

This week: a screening of rare and unavailable shorts featuring final or unique performances by musicians and other artists whose careers were ended, irrevocably altered, or otherwise truncated in our city by the bay, curated by the fine people at kino21, who have really been bringing some quality underground cinema as of late. Appearing in clips will be The Sex Pistols, Throbbing Gristle, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Lenny Bruce, and more.

Also, the best part is that this program is a benefit for the volunteer-run Artists' Television Access space on Valencia Street. A true home for film and video that would otherwise slip through the cracks into the forgotten realm. Please support.

8pm, Thursday Night, ATA, 992 Valencia St (@ 21st), San Francisco

25 Favorite Albums From 2008

Flying Lotus - Los Angeles [Warp]

Deerhunter - Microcastle/ Weird Era Cont. [Kranky]

Why? - Alopecia [Anticon]

Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair [DFA]


The Bug - London Zoo [Ninja Tune]

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend [XL]

Portishead - Third [Mercury]

High Places - High Places [Thrill Jockey]

Benga - Diary Of An Afro Warrior [Tempa]

Stefan Goldmann - The Transitory State [Macro]

Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna [Social Registry]

The Mole - As High As The Sky [Wagon Repair]

Trim - Soulfood Vol. 3 [Self-Released]

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III [Cash Money/ Universal Motown]

Quiet Village - Silent Movie [!K7]

Lone - Lemurian [Dealmaker]



MIXED OR COMPILED

Appleblim - Dubstep Allstars Vol. 6 [Tempa]

Luciano - Fabric 41 [Fabric]

Various Artists - Steppas's Delight: Dubstep Present To Future [Soul Jazz]

Andrew Weatherall - Watch The Ride [Harmless]

Optimo (Espacio) - Sleepwalk [Domino]

Dixon - Innercity 2005-2008 [Cdr]

Plastician - Rinse 06 [Rinse]

Ivan Smagghe - Cocoricò 03 [Mantra Vibes]

Grievous Angel - Devotional Dubz Mix For Fact Magazine (download)

Favorite Producer of 2008

Martyn

Recommended Releases:
Natural Selection / Vancouver [3024]
All I Have Is Memories / Suburbia [Apple Pips]



Remixes:
Ican, "Caminos Del Niño (Martyn's Oscuro Mix)" [Ican Productions]
Shut Up And Dance, "Epileptic (Martyn's No Strobe Mix)" [Shut Up And Dance]
TRG, "Broken Heart (Martyn's DCM Remix)" [Hessle]
Black Pocket, "U're A Star (Martyn Remix)" [Fat City]
Flying Lotus Feat. Dolly, "RobertaFlack (Martyn's Heart Beat Mix)" [Warp]

Favorite Singles of 2008

Techno/ House/ Electro


SIS, "Nesrib" [Cécille]
Danton Eeprom, "Face Control" [Fondation]
3 Channels, "It's Gettin' Kinda Hectic (Mihalis Safras Remix)" [Trapez]
Ane Brun, "Headphone Silence (Henrik Schwarz Remix - Dixon Edit)" [Objectivity]
Simon Baker, "Plastik (Todd Terje Türkatech Mix)" [Playhouse]
Afefe Iku, "Mirror Dance" [Yoruba]
Alter Ego, "Jolly Joker (DJ Koze's Nuttich Styler Remix)" [Klang]
Italoboyz vs John Coltrane, "Bahia (Party Swing)" [Mothership]
The Juan Maclean, "Happy House" [DFA]
Little Boots, "Stuck On Repeat (Hot Chip Dub)" [White]
Stimming, "Una Pena" [Diynamic]
Tim Green, "Revox" [Dirtybird]
Runaway, "Brooklyn Club Jam" [DFA/Rekids]
DJ Mujava, "Township Funk" [Warp]
Idiotproof, "The Deacon (Oliver $ Made To Play Dub)" [Made To Play]
Ellen Allien, "Out (Audion's Out For Infants Mix)" [BPitch Control]
Move D & Benjamin Brunn, "Honey" [Smallville]
Discodeine, "Joystick" [Dark & Lovely]
Tobias., I Can't Fight The Feeling EP [Wagon Repair]
Henrik Schwarz / Âme / Dixon, "D.P.O.M.B. (Version 1)" [Innervisions]
Radio Slave Feat. Danton Eeprom, "Grindhouse (Dubfire Terror Planet Remix)" [Rekids]
Gotye, "Heart's A Mess (Supermayer Supermess Remix)" [Unreleased]
Late Of The Pier, "The Bears Are Coming (Beyond The Wizards Sleeve Remix)" [Zarcorp]

Dubstep/ Wonky/ Funky/ Grime



Geiom, "Reminissin' (Kode9 Refix)" [Berkane Sol]
Ikonika, Please/ Simulacrum [Hyperdub]
Magnetic Man, "Ligma VIP" [Planet Mu]
Kode9 vs LD, "Bad" [Hyperdub]
Ramadanman, "Blimey" [Hessle]
2562, "Morvern" [Tectonic]
TRG, Missed Calls EP [Subway]
Gemmy, "BK 2 The Future" [Punchdrunk]
Pangaea, "Router" [Hessle]
Shackleton, "Death Is Not Final" [Skull Disco]
Pattie Blingh & The Akebulan 5, "Brother: The Point (2562 Remix)" [Ramp]
Zomby, "Spliff Dub (Rustie Remix)" [Hyperdub]
Dabrye Feat. Jay Dee & Phat Kat, "Game Over (Flying Lotus Remix) [Ghostly]
Starkey, "Dementia" [LoDubs]
Darkstar, Need You / Squeeze My Lime [Hyperdub]
Joker, "Snake Eater" [Soul Motive]
Joker - Top Of The Game EP [Terrorrhythm]
Hudson Mohawke, "Oops!" [Wireblock + Luckyme]
Geeneus, "Yellowtail" [Rinse]
Benga & Coki, "Night (Geeneus Remix)" [Tempa]
Donaeo, "Devil In A Blue Dress" [Zephron]
DJ NG Feat. Katy B & MC Versatile, "Tell Me" [Data]
Paleface feat. Kyla, "Do You Mind (Crazy Cousins Remix)" [Maximum Bass]
Wiley, "Wearing My Rolex (Agent X Mix)" [Asylum]
Ghetto, "Sing For Me" [Unreleased]

Everything Else



The Lava Children, "I Am A Pony"
Hot Chip, "Ready For The Floor"
TV On the Radio, "Crying"
Lykke Li, "Little Bit"
Usher, "Love In This Club"
David Banner feat. Chris Brown & Yung Joc, "Get Like Me"
David Banner feat. Lil Wayne "Shawty Say"
T.I. feat. Kanye West, Jay-Z & Lil Wayne, "Swagger Like Us"
Music Go Music, "Light Of Love"
Santogold, "Creator"
Spiritualized, "Soul On Fire"
Speck Mountain, "Blood Is Clean"

Blackdown's 2008

I forgot that the reason I really wanted to check in for the first time in 8 months was to link up on Martin Clark's year in grime & dubstep column from his excellent monthly gig at Pitchfork. 2008 had a lot of releases to entertain the ears, so in case you missed any of these do take the time to track them down. He delves into a lot of superb dubstep & grime, and also the new scenes emerging behind the the genre terms 'funky' and 'wonky' which don't mean a lot unless you've been following UK dance music this past year. A lot of stuff I missed out on and will be playing catch up with, but some have been favorites throughout the year. I will be posting a year end list of some sort next week, hopefully before before all the usual-year-end-madness and posturing begins...

As Above, So Below

Well, I've spent most of the year in hiding. But not without any results, I suppose. The dreaded Master's thesis is kaput/ done/ completed and I get to move on from the realm of education for the foreseeable time being. This thesis was a short film project that ended up considerably longer than suspected, finishing at 27 minutes. Thematically I have a lot of things to say about it - a written component was required - but for here all you need to know is that As Above, So Below is an audiovisual journey through the mindscape of California featuring the city, the desert, the coast and the pathways that connect them. Sounds courtesy of Burial, Quiet Village, OOIOO, Massive Attack and more. Some clips can be seen on my new video production blog.

http://aaronrietz.blogspot.com

I made a small series of homemade covers to give to a few friends and supporters. I like how they turned out so I scanned and posted them below....
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our good friend Gavin Burnett (Oro 11 - pronounce as "orrrro own-say") lived in Buenos Aires for the last four years soaking up the sounds of Argentine clubland. Now settled down in Oaktown, he owns a gold-plated AK-47 & his cumbia edits have garnered praise from the Mad Decent blog and in Fader magazine. Tonight is a big night for him and fellow bay area/ Buenos Aires sometimes expat Disco Shawn as they are launching the first 12" from their label Bersa Discos with a big party at the Rickshaw Stop. Expect a bunch of peeps going bonkers to psychedelic cumbia edits, baile funk, dancehall, and various electronic sounds from all over the (un)known world. Paul Devro from Mad Decent guests.



If you haven't heard this sound called cumbia yet, just know that it's what all the thugs bump to in Argentina and other parts of the Latin world. Traditionally it has been very relaxed, riding along at a smooth 90 bpm with big fat accordion lines propelling the mellow groove. But now some bedroom producers from down south are messing with the formula, injecting mash-up culture, hip-hop, b-more, & dancehall samples, and some electronic textures and people are starting to take notice. On of the bigger techno tunes from last year - Samim's "Heater" - had a prominent cumbia sample. Diplo did a cumbia mix for the mad decent podcast a few months ago. But listen for yourself. Below is a track from Bersa Discos #1 and also a bumpin' mix of "Heater" with a Pitbull a capella done by some Swedish dude. Also check out Oro 11's MySpace for a bunch of edits and his original productions, my pick is "bussabussCumbia".

Daleduro - Bombon Asesino [from Bersa Discos #1]

Samim vs Pitbull - Hot Chico (Jonas Arbsjö RDS Bump)

Oro 11 MySpace [various tracks]

There was also an article in SF Weekly a bit ago on Tormenta Tropical that you can peep here.

Monday Movie [Parte 6]

Light Years (1988) / dir. René Laloux

Excellent psychedelic animation from the French team who brought you Fantastic Planet. Originally titled Gandahar, the Weinsteins ported this gem across the pond and grabbed an bunch of American actors (Glenn Close, Jennifer Grey, Christopher Plummer) for a proper re-dubbing, which is actually a little flat, but renders the whole thing more watchable and lets you concentrate on the amazing imagery and bizarre time-bending story.

One young Gandaharian, Sylvain - looking much like David Sylvian from the cover of Quiet Life - is sent to investigate a strange mechanoid force who is running around turning peaceful countryfolk to stone. Aided by a band of genetically deformed outcasts who dwell in deep forests and underground caverns, he eventually discovers the source is a science project gone wrong that has come back to haunt his people. A giant synthetic brain they once devised and now operating from 1000 years in the future, has created the time traveling robot army to replace his decaying neural mass with the petrified people. I would say more but that would be giving away too much of the plot. Rest assured, the French have no problem with their animation being more strange, intellectual and adult-oriented than a dozen Disneys combined.

Also, the score is fucking sick. '88 still had just enough cheese mentality and soundtrack composers were willing to fool around with electronic gear and synthesizers way more than happens today.

Addendum: Three Boompity Bonkers Techno Tracks With Choir Samples From 2007

Stefan Goldmann - Lunatic Fringe


Italoboyz - Viktor Casanova


Ricardo Villalobos - Primer Encuentro Latino-Americano

If you still care to read some dude's take on the old year end wrap-up over a month late, I finally prepared my Best of 2007: One LOOOONG muthafuckin' list. In between a busted hard drive and some hectic holidays this took way longer than I would have liked, but as the sporadic nature of maintaining this beast has proven, it seems most of my time is spent listening to music rather than writing about it and sharing it. With all the developments in electronic music it is a full time job just tracking down new singles and mixes from one genre or corner of the globe, let alone the good bits from the whole world of stuff out there. I will remember this past year as a time when pop music as a whole seemed weak, but the rest of the music galaxy felt stronger in its diversity & cohesion than in years. Everybody started feelin' everybody else, hip-hop went all electro, techno confessed its love for dubstep, nu-disco for yacht rock, psych-folk for hipster metal, etc etc..... inclusivity reigned. This type of rampant cross fertilization has been a hallmark of the '00s, but never before has it been as fully realized and unforced than in this past year. Our future is bright compadres.

I would have added links to listen to everything here but the list kept growing and growing, making this damn near impossible to do. Please do leave your comments on what you were digging the most in this past year, what looks right-on with my list, what is whack, etc. Here's to a


you luved 'em, i luved 'em, we all luved 'em

Panda Bear, Person Pitch [Paw Tracks]
M.I.A, Kala [XL]
LCD Soundsystem, Sound Of Silver [DFA/EMI]

superbad lps

Matthew Dear, Asa Breed [Ghostly International]
DeepChord Presents Echospace, The Coldest Season [Modern Love]
Skull Disco, Soundboy Punishments [Skull Disco]
Burial, Untrue [Hyperdub]
Animal Collective, Strawberry Jam [Domino]
Holy Fuck, LP [XL]
Kalabrese, Rumpelzirkus [Muve]
Supermayer, Saves The World [Kompakt]
Pole, Steingarten Remixes [~Scape]
Melchior Productions Ltd., No Disco Future [Perlon]
Jens Lekman, Night Falls Over Kortedola [Secretly Canadian]
False, 2007 [M_nus]
Cobblestone Jazz, 23 Seconds [Studio !K7]
Chloé, The Waiting Room [Kill The DJ]

(Notably, this was also the only year in the past ten when Radiohead or Björk released an album that hasn't warranted inclusion on such a list.)

mixed and/or compiled

V/A, After Dark, [Italians Do It Better]
Prins Thomas, Cosmo Galactic Prism [Eskimo]
Ricardo Villalobos, Fabric 36 [Fabric]
V/A, Dirty Space Disco [Tigersushi]
Justine D, Rvng Prsnts MX5 [Rvng]
Optimo, Walkabout [Endless Flight]
Dixon, Body Language Volume 4 [Get Physical]
V/A, Ed Rec Vol. 2 [Ed Banger]
A-Trak, Dirty South Dance [Obey]

short stuff

Junior Boys, The Dead Horse Ep [Domino]
Lawrence, Rabbit Tube [Mule Electronic]
Dave Aju & The Invisible Art Trio, Love Always [Circus Company]
Âme, Balandine Ep [Innervisions]
Baby Oliver, Feelings 2 / Shot Caller [Environ]
Lovefingers, Rvng Of The Nrds Vol. 4 [Rvng]
Stimming, Funkworm Ep [Diynamic]
Audion, Noiser / Fred's Bells [Spectral]
Nôze, Remember Love [My Best Friend] & Piano Ep [Milnor Modern]
Jichael Mackson, ...Wasn't Me [Musique Risquée]
DJ Koze, All The Time / Cicely [Philpot]
Alex Under, Gris Anthemo [Cmyk]
Robag Wruhme Als Rolf Oksen, Bart Eins Ep [Freude Am Tanzen]
Hatchback, White Diamond Ep [THISISNOTANEXIT]
Roland Appel, Dark Soldier / Changes [Sonar Kollektiv]
Lee Douglas, New York Story [Rong]
Excepter, 'Burgers / The Punjab [Paw Tracks]
Gang Gang Dance, RAWWAR Ep [Social Registry]
Durrty Goodz, Axiom Ep [Awkward]
Studio, Life's A Beach Remixes [Information]
Hercules & Love Affair, Classique #2 /Roar [DFA]
The Lift Boys, Anarchy Village / Anarchy Way [Smalltown Supersound]

shorter stuff

Marc Romboy vs. Chelonis R. Jones, "Helen Cornell (Stefan Goldmann Macro Version)
Rihanna, "Umbrella (Vandalism Mix)"
D1, "Mind & Soul"
Benga & Coki, "Night"
Chromatics, "Running Up That Hill"
Rufus Wainwright, "Tiergarten (Supermayer Remix)"
Hot Chip, "My Piano"
Black Dice, "Roll Up"
Efdemin, "Just A Track"
Radiohead, "All I Need"
T2 feat. Jodie Aysha, "Heartbroken"
Peverelist, "Roll With The Punches"
Klaxons, "Golden Skans"
The Tough Alliance, "Miami"
Mari Boine, "Vuoi Vuoi Me (Henrik Schwarz Remix)"
Lindstrøm, "Breakfast In Heaven"
Battles, "Atlas"
Prinzhorn Dance School, "You Are The Space Invader"
DJ Blaqstarr, "Shake It To The Ground (Claude VonStroke Remix)"
Radio Slave, "Bell Clap Dance"
Pharoahe Monch, "Body Baby (An Optimo (Espacio) Mix)"
Jamie Woon, "Wayfaring Stranger (Burial Remix)"
Cortney Tidwell "Don't Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up (Ewan's Objects in Space Remix)"
Mark E., "R&B Drunkie"
Maps, "To The Sky (The Loving Hand Remix)"
Hurricane Chris, "Ay Bay Bay"
Kanye West ft. Daft Punk, "Stronger"
50 Cent, "I Get Money"
50 Cent ft. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland, "Ayo Technology"
Snoop Dogg, "Sensual Seduction"
UGK ft. Outkast, "International Players Anthem"
Lil Mama, "Lip Gloss"
R. Kelly ft. T-Pain & T.I., "I'm A Flirt (Remix)"
Kia Shine, "Krispy"
Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson & D.O.E., "Way I Are"
Grinderman, "No Pussy Blues"
Kid Sister, "Control"
Samim, "Heater"
Burial, "Archangel"
Justice, "D.A.N.C.E."
Animal Collective, "Fireworks"
Vampire Weekend, "Mansard Roof"

in person

Benga & Hatcha @ Temple, SF
Italoboyz @ Decibel Festival, Seattle
Grizzly Bear @ Great American Music Hall, SF
Soulwax @ Mezzanine, SF
Daft Punk @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley
JD Twitch & Tim Sweeney @ Gun Club, SF
seeing Lemonade about 5 or 6 time around town

flicks

There Will Be Blood, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Zodiac, dir. David Fincher
Silent Light, dir. Carlos Reygadas
I'm Not There, dir. Todd Haynes
No Country For Old Men, dir. Joel & Ethan Coen
Death Proof, dir. Quentin Tarantino
Inland Empire, dir. David Lynch

other takes

FACT Magazine's Top 100 Tracks
Idolator Pop 07
TAPE's Top 100 12"s of 2007
Resident Advisor Poll: Top 10 Albums
Dusted Magazine - End of the Year: 2007
Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2007