DJ Die’s records played a big role in our love for drum & bass. The fact that he grew up on a skateboard and to this day laces up the trainers and jumps on a deck makes it even harder to find a reason not to like the guy. Here is an interview to give you a bit of background should you not be familiar with his work.

After producing a slew of the legendary V Recordings best releases and winning a Mercury Music Prize with Roni Size and the Reprazent crew he started his own label CLEAR SKYZ RECORDINGS. Fellow drum & bass dons Commix did a nice rub of one of our favorite Die tunes called ‘Autumn’ from the V Recordings days.

DJ Die - Autumn (Commix Remix)

Big tune alert! First official single from BURNS off of Mylo’s Breastfed Recordings.

Burns - Disko

Jess & Crabbe….hard to put into words how influential they were on us. Their sound reached beyond the frontiers of house music. Inspired by hip-hop, reggae, Chicago house, with a punk attitude. A little background for those who may not be familiar:

Jess & Crabbe - The Hell and Back

‘Jungle Steppers’ is taken from Hervé’s inaugural mix compilation ‘Ghetto Bass‘ released this week. It features a slew of his remixes, original tracks under The Count & Sinden name as well as Hervé’s other alter egos (Action Man, Young Lovers, Dead Soul Brothers and Voodoo Chilli). The guy just keeps pumping out project after project. Mr. Harvey has a busy 2009 ahead of him with The Count & Sinden album being released through Domino and a second Machines Don’t Care album in the pipeline.

Here is a video of the man himself talking about the release:

Appears to have been a successful scam pulled off in Shanghai, China surrounding a “secret” Daft Punk concert that was schedule for February 13th. 3800 people apparently bought tickets over the course of a couple of days at 500 RMB a pop ($70-80). A Facebook group has popped up recently dedicated to the issue. The photographs below were taken by surveillance camera at the ticket office the scammers rented.

Daft Punk - Essential Info (Daft Trax)
Paul Johnson - Summer Heat (Peacefrog)
Armand Van Helden - Funk Phenomena (Henry Street)
CZR - Chicago Southside (1HR)
Artist Unknown - Git Down Saturday (Dance 6)
Remix Delux #1 - Dee’s Knots [Remix] (Delux)
Parris Mitchell - Ghetto Shout Out (Dance Mania)
Daft Punk - Teachers (Daft Trax/Virgin)
Martin Luther King - I Have A Dream (20th Century)
The Godson EP - Drum Patterns & Memories (K.D.J)
Jammin Gerald - Get The Ho’94 (Dance Mania)
DJ Attack - Da Way U Work (U.C.)
Thomas Bangalter - Spinal Scratch (Roule)
Tha West Siders - Waxscratch Trax (Dance Mania)
Fantom - Faithful (Source)
I.Cube - Disco Cubizm (Versatile)
Daft Punk - Rock ‘n’ Roll (Daft Trax/Virgin)
Cajmere - Only 4 U (Cajual)
Trankilou - Champagne (Kif S.A.)
Artist Unknown - And Da Beat Goes On (Dance 6)
DJ Funk & Gerald - Hold Up (Universal Funk)
Ween - Freedom Of ‘76 (Flying Nun)
Zdar & Boombass - Foxy Lady (Cassius)
Gusto - Disco’s Revenge (Bumble Beats)
DJ Deeon - Deeon Doez Disco (Dance Mania)
Sweet - Somebody’s Watching (White)
Da Mongoloids - Spark Da Meth (Strickly Rhythm)
Roller Rink 2000 - Stining (Kumba)
Roy Davies Jr - Gabrielle (Large)
Robert J Hairston - Preacher Man
Daft Punk - Around The World (Daft Trax/Virgin)
Kenny Dixon Jr - U Can Dance If U Want 2 (K.D.J)

Rave on! This one is a banger. London’s Fazhands has a few original productions as well as a handful of remixes bouncing around. Looking forward to seeing what comes from this young (19 years old) producer in the coming year. Thanks to our friends at KIDCITY for the heads up.

Fazhands - Joie D’Vivre

Kanye West - Love Lockdown (Fazhands Remix)

Norwegian Casiokids are releasing a series of double A sided 7″ vinyl EP’s over the course of the year. ‘Fot I Hose’ is just one of those dance-indie-pop tunes that you cant get out of your head after hearing it for the first time. Lots of European radio play and extensive touring are helping to fuel the buzz. The EP will be released on Moshi Moshi on March 2nd.

Casiokids - Fot I Hose

Its been way too long since Mylo has released any original material. Annie Mac debuted his new single aptly titled ‘I’m Back’ on her show a week or so ago. Looking forward to hearing more soon. Listen to the rip below and let us know what you think!

Mylo - I’m Back

This must have taken some time to piece together. 2 Many DJs unleash another mind boggling mix on the world while sitting in for Rob Da Bank.

2 Many DJs - Introversy (420 intros in 60 minutes)

TRACKLIST

‘Forget My Name’ is the new EP from Berlin-based Jesse Rose. The B-side on this Dubsided release ‘Touch My Horn’ isn’t necessarily the most sophisticated tune but it grows on you after a couple of listens. Playfully balancing his signature bounce with glitchy horn samples throughout. Look for a Crookers remix to hit the streets soon.

For those of you who didn’t get a chance to catch it earlier this month, here is Rose’s recent Essential Mix for your listening enjoyment.