Easily the most pleasant post i have done in a while - here is a collection of smooth grooves that shouldn't get your pulse racing, but should be enjoyed in the small morning hours, lock the doors, close the curtains, lie back, close your eyes and let the soothing music envelop you...

You know the feeling when you put your hand in your pocket and feel a note (and then you go through the inner prayer - please be £20, please please please) - i get the same feeling when i stumble across amazing old songs, this is one of those songs - with its rolling lounge beat, carefully placed piano melody and shimmering episodes of plucked guitar, 'The Real Deal' is mesmerizing. However, its the inclusion of stunning chanted vocals which really makes this track shine, transporting you across continents, and giving you a taste of Africa. The electronica duo Goldfish (the 'Fishies' to their fans) hail from SA and are just ludicrously talented, buy their latest album here

The Real Deal - Goldfish.mp3

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I love getting the excuse to post Kalkbrenner, so here we go, a really laid back remix released in 2009, the original 'Closed Eyes' - Chordian was a classic piece of Detroit Techno, Kalkbrenner has retained the soulful vibe of the original, but injected his own juice into the mix - with the integration of a really sharp synth and a fattened bassline, you would think this pumped up version would have you hitting the dancefloor, however the repetitive beat and muted piano makes it delightfully soporific - earning it a spot here

Closed Eyes (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix) - Chordian.mp3

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Hypnotic, dreamy, heavenly - all of the above, the drumbeat is so light its almost insubstantial and the strummed backing guitar is strangely uplifting amidst the melancholic instrumentals (a little ivory tinkling is also thrown in for good measure at the end) - all nicely wrapped up with Erlend Øye's soft, sombre vocals - a very pleasant track that i am sure is well known to most of you!

As an added bonus Röyksopp have released another track in 320 completely free and its very, very nice - 'Electric Counterpoint: III. Fast (RYXP True To Original Edit)' - Steve Reich.mp3

I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Röyksopp Remix) - Kings of Convenience

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Ok, i don't really like Indie music, however i do like Au Revoir Simone and i really like Max Cooper (as i am sure you will have guessed from previous posts) - so i jumped on the release back in 2009, when it was posted for free in 192kbps here. However i have been in the process of updating my entire music collection into 320, so i was recently reacquainted with this fantastical remix - the familiar Cooper clicks and static hiss prickle throughout, a muted kick breaks through the cold whispering synth. Out of the depths slowly climb the tinkling piano chimes and the dampened vocals of the original... which eventually break into warm liquid sub bass, its awesome. Over 6 minutes of spiritual enlightenment...get it here

Take Me As I Am (Max Cooper Remix) - Au Revoir Simone.mp3

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First of thanks to BLeigh for persuading me to get my hands this one - talk about pleasant D&B, seriously deep, no known release date for this tingly bad boy, although it should be coming out on the highly anticiapted Commix album 'Recall To Mind,' - get your atmospheric fill-up here, ya beauty:

Japanese Electronics (Instra:mental Rework) - Commix.mp3


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I cannot get over how many amazing D&B tunes have been released in 2010, no question D&B is my preferred genre of the moment, so... i can't help but give this post a bit of preferential treatment by posting 7 tracks instead of the usual 5 - but all the tracks are stormers, so i apologize for nothing!

I know very little about the Russian artists 'Liquilade' aside from the fact that the cover art of their website is a little like a Gap Advert - check it here. Nevertheless (moving on from poor photo choice,) these guys have a pleasant sound going on - particularly in the case of 'Colorite.' Some nice smooth (fairly generic but very listenable) liquid to spread on the dance-floor

Colorite - Liquilade.mp3

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I have chosen to showcase a track by the artist 'Gen' taken from an unreleased compilation album called 'Time Travel Volume 2' - i really, really recommend you go and buy this one -  cause its just awesome. 'Reactor' is stunning Atmospheric Jungle - can't get enough of the nasal vocals, its firmly on repeat in my head and available exclusively here

Reactor - Gen.mp3

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For such an ominously entitled track, its surprisingly light, although definitely more grinding than your standard liquid - its got a nice Tech-Step buzzing vibe, and a vocal instructing us to 'get our rage on'... If the song says so, you must comply! Its out on promo 12" here

Rage - J Majik & Wickaman.mp3

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I guess this is Neuro Funk - its certainly got a very Electro feel to it, really spacey music with a rapid staccato beat... i really like the anticipation build with this production,  its a full 5 minute wait before a break at the crescendo finally leads into the tasty heavy-hitting drop

Uphill Struggle (Original Mix) - The Fairchild.mp3

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More Atmospheric D&B, with another great vocal sample (what can i say, i'm a sucker for mellow beats) - and they don't get much more mellow than this. Pulsing synths, crooning vocals and the odd clap, all undercut by a very deep muted kick - beautiful

Sunshine Through Rainy Clouds - Blue Motion

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Nice bit of heavy heavy D&B, sort of diet-hard-style, this is an absolute smasher, very much like heyday 'Hold Your Colour' - Pendulum. Phetsta has stripped back the speed of the original, maintained the awesome dark spoken sample, and jumped up the throbbing bass and buzzsaw synth - the vinyl will be released on the 30/04

Vampires (Phetsta Remix) - Camo & Krooked.mp3

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The release 'Warrior' has been remixed by SBTRKT and Jus Wan, however its the fresh style of the Rockwell Remix that really grabbed my attention. Its a moody stripped-down minimal D&B beast - a heavy roller that utilizes the original vocals in a really powerful fashion. You have to listen to it through headphones (a transcendental experience

Warrior (Rockwell Remix) - Jose James.mp3
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Now for a selection of music taken from my playlist 'Dubout' - for those slow on the uptake - its my amalgamation of 'Dubstep' and 'Chillout,' - but i don't really restrict the playlist to 'Dubstep,' pretty much any relaxed rhythms with heavy bass made the cut...

Ok, this is DFRNT (pun absolutely intended) - he released his debut album 'Metafiction' late in 2009 - i quickly snapped it up... and its been in my most played ever since, the album is a masterpiece of acoustic pleasure, each track is a heady mix of sweet lounge beats seamlessly blending into the next...it was a difficult decision, but i have decided to showcase 'Aftermath' - a journey of skittering synths and warm liquid bass...you can buy it here

Aftermath - DFRNT.mp3

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I think by this point you will all be aware of my continuing love affair with Phaeleh. However those of you who have taken my advice and actually brought some of his stuff will agree with me...Phaeleh is the master of ethereal dubstep! 'Reflections' is the title track taken from his recently released EP - its a haunting half step affair infused with (what sounds like) female Gregorian chanting - you can buy the superb 'Reflections EP' here

Reflections - Phaeleh.mp3

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I grabbed this recently, its 'Lay It Down (Triad Instrumental)' - Omar feat. Estelle, the track is D&B - however the minimal structure and the heavy atmosphere it generates means its too good to miss - in my humble opinion this is considerably better than the vocal version, but you can decide for yourself here

Lay It Down (Triad Instrumental) - Omar.mp3

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Recently heard this half way through Radikal Gurus' storming set at SubDub Exodus - this raw dub samples the famous 'Come Around' - Collie Buddz good times are to be had skanking away to such raw dub!

Sweet Sensi - Claw.mp3

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Last up is another laid back D&B offering brought to my attention by a friend (cheers Alastair) - huge love to Deep Focus for giving away such a stormer for free (and in glorious 320 - you can grab it here,) really simple and beautifully laid back but with subwhoomping bass, a real grower, definitely something for soothing the soul

Vanished Into - Deep Focus.mp3

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This was a seriously fun post to put together, but after the filth i have waded through i think i need to go take several baths'... no question, this selection 'could turn Hari Krishna into a Bad Bwoy'

No need to introduce Moby seeing as even my mum knows about him - the MC belting out lyrical madness is Aynzli Jones...Noisia's remix is the best of his oh so heavy...deep, dark, thumping take-no-prisoners bass...apparently even Moby likes this mix :)... it was released in 2008 and is available here

Alice (Noisia Remix) - Moby.mp3

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You will all know the original, i personally thought it was untouchable on the remix front. However in 2006 a White Label 12" was released by an Unknown Artist featuring this gem - God knows how you are going to get hold of it - i can only suggest you buy the vinyl! However a little birdy told me the unknown remixer is in fact Kabuki...so happy hunting :)

Feel Good Inc. (D&B Remix) - Gorillaz

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Slightly melodramatic beginning which then kicks into one of the best vocal samples around - i think we can all relate 'I grew up, i grew up, i grew up....a fucking screw up' the track then descends into a hellfire of pure bass...its an absolutely foul rerub....5.15 minutes of pure unadulterated filth!

Screw Up - Ewun & The Upbeats

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Now onto a lighter note... taken from one of the best EP's i have recently bought is 'The Dawn' - Alternative Vibes, it's an epic tune... perfect liquid for the morning floor, i am getting good vibrations from this one and i don't even think its the best track off the EP, but you can decide for yourself here

The Dawn - Alternate Vibes

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Some more D&B from my choice artists of the moment - Camo & Krooked. This time they have collaborated with another D&B duo - Body & Soul to produce this dance floor smasher - the 12" promo has sold out and for good reason, its high energy D&B gold sounds like it was produced in a Tardis...which is a good thing!

The Big Rush - Camo & Krooked vs Body & Soul.mp3
 
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Here are a few tracks that have been keeping me entertained over the last couple of weeks -

Dear Readers,

Let there be rejoicing in the streets - ONEUPMANSHIP is back - but with a brand new look, two fantastic new writers and one shiny new rule

From now on we will NOT be posting 320 kbps mp3's - the exception to the rule is if we have the express permission of the artist, if we do post a link, it will be YouTube quality

I am sorry for the ridiculously long down-time, i had plans for a .com collaboration with our old blogging friends APEWITHBARRELS, however the cost was too high, so for the time being .blogspot will have to do!

In the sites down-time i continued finding, expanding and refining my music collection - in doing so i unearthed a mountain of old school finery which i will be sprinkling throughout the blog over the coming year... i will continue to post whatever is in my current most played - the music that delights and inspires me - as usual i will try not to focus on any particular genre... and if i am struggling for inspiration i will be looking to the Shoutbox to provide me with ideas for posts.

So here we go (in no particular order)

As per usual Hospital records maintain their ridiculous signing standard by bringing Blokhe4d onto the scene, i have had their debut album 'Bad Taste' for a while - and it doesn't disappoint,  Frictions' review sums it up in a nutshell - 'Super dark, super dirty, what did you expect?' - suffice to say they are certainly good enough for this whole post to be devoted to their sterling efforts, instead i am giving you a taster of NHS162 release 'Full Circle' - its out on promo now (and i was lucky enough to bag a copy) - get yours direct from Hospital Records on March 22nd

Scratchy, thumping and oddly relaxing check it out here,


Next up a techno track from Spektre, this ridiculously exciting duo hail from Leeds, i have been watching their growth with interest since i stumbled upon their remix of Wake Turbulence by Koen Groeneveld - they are England's roundhouse kick to Berlin's Techno scene, and definitely ones to watch - here is a sample of their latest burnt offering 'Tesseract' from the Black Ice EP available here for digital download

Tesseract - Spektre.mp3
 

While Spektre seems to heading for greatness, this artist is already out the other side, a veritable Techno god... master of all he surveys - Sascha Funke is a veteran producer and firm member of the Kompakt and BPitch Control club,  i have always admired his work - and once again i was forced to pull my jaw off the floor after listening to his latest album 'Mango' - it is a masterpiece, this is one of my Desert Island Discs - and here is a taster - 3.05 in and you will be throwing money at the computer screen for the 320 (i guarantee it!)

Feather - Sascha Funke.mp3
 

I posted a Netsky remix of Miike Snow back near the birth of this blog - just like Calvin Harris, Miike Snow has a remarkable pull for remixes, his latest song 'Silvia' is literally drowning in them... to be honest this version can get a bit grating after the first few plays - however i am going to post it here cause it would definitely make a crowd jump - i must confess i know nothing about the artist responsible for the remix, but their juddering rework of the vocals is spot on and definitely lives up to their name

Silvia (Robotberget Remix) - Miike Snow.mp3
 

Last but not least a song that i have been searching for since Sonar 09 - Joker dropped it in his EPIC set at the Sonar Lab Stage (check it here,) there was a possibility that this song would never be released because of difficulties getting sample rights cleared - but i waited nearly a year and one month ago my prayers were finally answered by Black Box Recordings when the nicely wrapped vinyl dropped through the post - so here you go, one of the best dubstep tracks of the decade - the vocals are sublime and the drop is oh so heavy

Naked Mario Kart - RSD.mp3
 

ONEUPMANSHIP is back boys and girls - and it feels good :)

Enjoy!