Vintage Photo Friday
80’s Punk Rock is alive and well in the rainforest. The image isn’t vintage. . .but the attitude is. Happy Friday.
New Mix: Dimensional Impressions
A couple of years ago I came out with a certain mix entitled Sounds From The Green Room Volume 1. Kind of like a step-out-of-your-skin type of mix, layered with jazz fusion and introspective undertones.
Welcome to Sounds From The Green Room Volume 2: Dimensional Impressions. This is a musical journey — through space, time, and wherever your little mind may take you.
Download it here (1:01:01-146MB – 320kbps):
Dimensional Impressions — right click save as to download
Since many songs are taken from old vinyl, there’s going to be some popping, clicking, and overall gritty character to this. Enjoy.
I’ll break down the tracklisting here:
1. Marc Moulin — Tohubohu (Part 1). Curiously interesting jazz piece. It is a five part, 17 minute epic poem sort of song. The exerpt here is only a couple of minutes before we transition to Homunculus. Bring your miner’s helmet with a light. Off his album Sam Suffy, 1975.
2. Passport — Homunculus. Led by the saxist Klaus Doldinger. If you’re privy to Progressive Rock, Krautrock or Jazz Fusion, you’ve probably heard the name. Extremely influential. You know how Doc Brown from Back to The Future gets in his Delorean and floors it to 88mph, then disappears into a track of flames? Yea, it’s kinda like that. Off of the album Cross-Collateral, 1975.
3. Pat Metheny — Third Wind. This track is one of my favorite songs, period. I’d be willing to say it’s in the top 3 out of everything I’ve ever listened to. Uplifting, inspiring, purely magical. Off the album Still Life (Talking), 1987.
4. Weather Report — River People. I’ve had an affinity for Weather Report for quite some time now, and this is the track that hit it all off for me. Powerful aura, Jazz Fusion at its best. It’s just a two minute snippet. Off the album Mr. Gone, 1978.
5. Jose Padilla — Orientation. Ibiza resident, chillout pioneer, and largely responsible for popularizing the Sunset Sessions at Cafe Del Mar. This ambient track is particularly moving. Off the album Souvenir, 1998.
6. Neu! — Hero. I got the ambient plane/nature noises from the end of this track. Nonetheless, I strongly urge you to listen to this in its entirety on your own; it is an amazing historical tune in Rock. Stellar Krautrock. David Bowie was extremely influenced by this offshoot of Kraftwerk’s demise. Off the album Neu! 75, 1975.
7. Quant — Blow My Mind. A funky breakbeat that has a similarly themed jazz fusion sound as previous songs, but twists the direction of the mix into deep cut house. This exclusive rarity came off of a Naked Music label compilation released in 2003, titled Bare Essentials Volume 2. From what I gather, this was the only time this song ever got released. I get the chills with this one.
8. Justin Martin — Night Owl — Manoo & Franois A Remix. Deep, ambient, chilled, minty house. This San Francisco native has been a major deep house breakout — his sound described as melodic and tough with a hint of soul. He was featured on Pete Tong’s buzz chart and continues to produce A-List caliber work. Released 2007.
9. Weekender — Weekenderstyle. Funked and chilled, shaken but not stirred. This house tune was also taken from Bare Essentials Volume 2. I actually found this album stuffed underneath a load of CDs, and was pleasantly surprised when I popped it in for a listen. I was even more surprised to find that most of the tracks were exclusive to this release.
10. Jaydee — Plastic Dreams. Yes. Robin Jaydee Albers’ Plastic Dreams. When was the last time you heard this song?! This was an on the cusp, gotta throw it in mid mix track. I saw it in my crate, and it was perfect. Released in 1993, this permeated every club and disco in Ibiza for years. MASSIVE track — dark, dangerous, ominous yet playful, jazz inspired, and epic. A historically important blast from the past for EDM fans.
11. Master H, Francois Dubois — La Balance — Dirt Crew Mix. Remember Chicken Lips’ He Not In? How about Dogtown Clash’s Ya Bitch? If you know the sound — that dark, dirty-funk disco, underground, Super Mario Bros. Level 1-2 type of sound — this is it. Funky and fresh. Released 2008.
12. Billy Cobham — Stratus. A legendary jazz fusion song of epic proportions. From far out psychadelic effects to guitar busting solos, to laid back groove, to Dead type drum solos, this track is a concrete abstract. The break is one of hip-hop’s most well known cuts, ever (IE See: Gag-Seal Breaks by Dirtstyle Scratch Records). I found it appropriate to end this mix with a bang. Off the album Spectrum, 1973.
Bobby Vs The ASP
I’ve purposely given this issue a bit of time to cool down before providing my commentary. I think in hindsight it’s a bit easier to analyze things; the controversy that arose from this stirred a pot of heated emotion from both parties involved, and the media had a feeding frenzy.
Here is our Robshead comment on all of this.
Bobby’s Actions: I think Bobby got so wound up that he just lost it. His points were valid; his delivery was backed with a bitter heat — an uproar of emotion that conveyed his message to the public eye with reckless abandon. Perhaps he thought professional surfers’ opinions, thoughts, and concerns were not only being smothered by the conglomerate surfing world, but extinguished. Perhaps he thought surfers didn’t have a voice. Perhaps he was fed up with the pre-packaged BS spoonfed to surfers by interview coaches about what to say and how to say it. Fed up with the extremely subjective judging and favoritism. Fed up with the fakeness of it all. And he was to be this martyr to expose the inherent evils of professional surfing’s shadowy politics. The ASP fired back with suspension for the remainder of the year, and possible expulsion from ASP competitive surfing for good. Was this action an objectively warranted discipline, or threatening implied lesson to others?
Devil’s Advocate: Bobby gets paid to travel around the world and surf. When you have that for a living, why is it essential to have a voice? Just shut up and surf.
Rebuttal to the Devil’s Advocate: Surfers are people. People need to know that they’re important. That they matter. That they are actual people instead of mere subjects of spectation. Even in a dream job if you don’t quite agree with things, or have frustrations, or have suggestions on how to make things better, or merely just want to voice your opinion, you should be able to express that with consideration and feedback. And yes, if your voice is not being heard, and you are strong-headed enough, you WILL make yourself be heard. Case in point: Bobby. Albeit, at the expense of his career, his initial interview and subsequent commentary sent a major shockwave of controversy and discussion surrounding the whole structure of how the ASP runs the professional tour and treats its athletes.
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA –ESSENTIAL SELECTION ON BBC RADIO 1 — 9/16/11
The Swedish House Mafia take over Pete Tong’s Essential Radio Program on BBC Radio 1 — 09/16/11. Full of exclusive bangers. Check it out!!!!!
Download Here (right click save as):
Swedish House Mafia Essential Selection on BBC Radio 1 9/16/11
Tracklist:
Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin – Save The World (Original vs. Knife Party Remix)
Dada Life – Happy Violence
Niki & The Dove – Mother Protect (Alex Metric Remix)
Axwell – Heart Is King w/ R.E.M – Losing My Religion (Acappella) w/ Ferry Corsten – Punk (Arty ‘Rock-N-Rolla’ Remix)
James Blunt – Dangerous (Deniz Koyu & Johan Wedel Remix) (Axwell Edit)
Arty – Around The World w/ Axwell feat. Errol Reid – Nothing But Love (Acappella)
Swedish House Mafia – One
ESSENTIAL CONTENDER 1
Swedish House Mafia & Knife Party – Antidote
ESSENTIAL CONTENDER 2
Justice – Audio, Video, Disco
ESSENTIAL NEW TUNE
Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects feat. Erik Hecht – Walking Alone
AXWELL MIX
Jan Driver – Golden Super
Michael Calfan – Resurrection
Rye Rye feat. Robyn – Never Will Be Mine (Fedde Le Grand Remix)
Serge Devant feat. Taleen – 3AM (Zoltan Kontes Remix)
Arty vs. Matisse & Sadko – ID
Thomas Gold – Sing 2 Me
INFLUENTIAL TRACKS
Daft Punk – Alive w/ Daft Punk – One More Time (Acappella) w/ Together (DJ Falcon & Thomas Bangalter) – Together (Acappella)
Aphex Twin – Windowlicker
Man With Guitar – Man With Guitar
SEBASTIAN INGROSSO MIX
Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso – Calling (Instrumental Mix)
John Dahlback feat. Erik Hassle – One Last Ride (Tommy Trash Remix)
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close w/ ID w/ Daft Punk – Technologic (Acappella)
Cazzette – Killmode w/ Fatboy Slim – Right Here, Right Now (Acappella) (Cazzette’s ‘A Soccer Hurdle’ Bootleg)
Cassius – I Love You
Michael Woods – Bullet w/ Nero – Promises (Calvin Harris Remix)
STEVE ANGELLO MIX
David Guetta & Afrojack – Lunar w/ Steve Angello – Yeah
Pendulum – The Island (Steve Angello, AN21 & Max Vangeli Remix)
DJ DLG – The Ritual w/ Daft Punk – Superheroes (Acappella)
Steve Angello & A-Trak – Higher
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Otherside (Third Party Remix)
AN21 & Max Vangeli – Fresh Start
AN21 & Max Vangeli feat. Example – Whisper
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA VS SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA
Lady Gaga – Judas (Thomas Gold Remix)
DEVolution feat. Amy Pearson – Good Love (Alesso Remix)
AN21 & Max Vangeli feat. Example – Whisper
Chilly Gonzalez – Knight Moves
St. Germain – Rose Rouge
Emeli Sandé – Heaven (Nutone Remix)
RECORDED AT T IN THE PARK
Coldplay vs. Swedish House Mafia – Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso – Calling (Instrumental Mix)
Spread the Meme
I took this photo a couple weeks ago out in front of the Yardhouse. Yes, this dog is wearing designer sunglasses (that had D&G rhinestones on them — no joke), and he has blowout hair. I call it, obnoxiously fashionable dog. FYI, my friend Jaymi said his name is Louis Vuitton. Stellar.
Mounir’s Fabergé Egg of Wisdom
I have some exciting news for all of you little rascals: I’ve added a link to my friend Mounir’s blog. He’s basically an all out Egyptian Magician who’s famous for his skills in wizardry.
Now here’s where things get really masterminded. Mounir’s blog is hidden on my site; in commonly accepted internet nomenclature, this is referred to as an Easter Egg. However, I’d like to think of this particular instance as a Fabergé Egg, because Mouni’s site is intellectually rich in scope, colored with dynamic verbage, and professionally dramatic in execution. It is based around financial insight and global economic affairs, highlighting current trends while offering candid market opinion.
So, now it is your turn to comb the pages of Robshead in search of Mounir’s Secret Temple. The first person who finds it gets a Billion Dollars.
*UPDATE: Ok, it’s been quite awhile, I’m giving away the location: click on the sumo wrestler pic on the homepage! If you get overwhelmed by all of the bright lights on Mounir’s page, click on his sumo, and you will be redirected right back here. Pretty sweet little revolving door huh!
BBC Radio 1 Swedish House Mafia Essential Mix 2010
The Swedish House Mafia has spoken.
Electro progressive powerhouses Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, and Axwell came together last year to form a Voltron of musically envisioned synergetic genius.
Their signature sound is unmistakable and hypnotic — progressive, edgy, and bold with an irresistible, massive anthem appeal. From One, to Miami 2 Ibiza, to the collaborative work Leave the World Behind with Laidback Luke and Deborah Cox — this trio has left an undeniably significant footprint in the house music genre over the past year. And how else to top it off but with a legendary BBC Radio 1 mixset recorded live in Northern U.K.’s Creamfields? It was voted #1 on the Essential charts for 2010 by listeners, and now it’s hosted on RobsHead for your naughty little ears’ enjoyment.
-Enjoy-
Tracklisting
00. Intro
01. Sander Van Doorn – Reach Out (Original Mix) /w Florence & The Machine – You’ve Got The Love (Original) /w Axwell, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso & Laidback Luke feat. Deborah Cox – Leave The World Behind (Original Mix)
02. Butch – Tease Me (Original Mix) /w Fatboy Slim – Star 69 (Acapella)
03. Prodigy – No Good (Da Fresh Boot)
04. Mohombi – Bumpy Ride (Sebastian Ingrosso Remix)
05. AN21 & Steve Angello vs. Pocket808 & Hook N Sling feat. Nathan Hudson vs. Eurythmics – Sweet Ghostship Valodja
06. TV Rock feat. Rudy – In The Air (Axwell Remix) /w Laidback Luke – My G.O.D (Guns On Demo)(Original Mix) /w Basement Jaxx – Where’s Your Head At (Acapella)
07. Swedish House Mafia – Miami 2 Ibiza (Instrumental Mix)
08. Thomas Gold – Agora (Original Mix) /w Junior Jack – My Feeling (Acapella)
09. Steve Angello – Rave ‘N’ Roll (ID Remix) /w Robin S – Show Me Love (Acapella) /w Daft Punk – Oh Yeah (Acapella)
10. Alex Kenji & Thomas Gold – What’s Up (Dub Mix) /w Countdown (Acapella)
11. Swedish House Mafia – One (Original Mix) /w Rune – Calabria (Tool)
12. Marco V – Reaver (Original Mix)
13. D-Formation vs. The Bloody Beetroots feat. Steve Aoki – Weakness 4 Warp (Bass Kleph Bootleg Mix)
14. Pendulum – The Island, Part 1 (Dawn) (Steve Angello, AN21 & Max Vangeli Remix)
15. Axwell feat. Errol Reid – Nothing But Love (Remode)
16. Sebastian Ingrosso – Kidsos (Original Mix)
17. Funkerman feat. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Otherside 2010
18. Adrian Lux – Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B Remode)
19. 2000 and One – Spanish Fly (Butch Remix) /w Calvin Harris – Flashback (Original) /w Steve Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Robin S – Be (Acapella)
20. Oliver Twizt – You’re Not Alone (Bingo Players Remix) /w Congorock – Babylon (Steve Angello Edit) /w Steve Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Robin S – Be (Acapella)
21. Steve Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Robin S vs. Steve Angello – Be Knas /w Axwell feat. Max C – I Found You (Original Mix)
22. C-Mos – 2 Million Ways (Axwell Remix)
23. Supermode vs. The Verve – Tell Me Why vs. Bittersweet Symphony (Axwell Bootleg Mix) /w Axwell – Heart 2010
24. Steve Angello – Tivoli (Original Mix) /w Booka Shade vs. M.A.N.D.Y – Body Language (Tocadisco Remix) /w The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix)
25. Daft Punk vs. Steve Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Robin S – Be More Time (Laidback Luke Bootleg Mix)
26. Swedish House Mafia – One (Original Mix) /w Swedish House Mafia – One (Congorock Remix) /w Swedish House Mafia feat. Pharrell – One
Neu!
Krautrock: as the name suggests, it’s a German sub genre of spacey, experimental rock. Characterized by “motorik” (or ostinato type melodies), and improvisational inspiration, Neu! composed on a level of comparative accessibility (and listen-ability) akin to other Kraut bands such as Faust and even elements of Amon Duul. The horroresque visions that other Krautrock groups such as Can crafted are kept to a minimum, but the reverb of white noised chaos is just a blink away. I presume it’s that fringed chaotic, evil element that makes this genre so appealing. Comprised of Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother, who teamed up after Kraftwerk’s split, Neu! is a nice introduction into the world of Krautrock, and they very well may be the band that provided the framework for the entire genre. Go with Neu! ‘75 (the most melodic and user friendly of the bunch) if it’s your first time.
David Bowie was extremely influenced by this band, to the point that his song “Heroes” was a flattering nod to Neu!’s original, uncanny “Hero”, and encore version entitled “After Eight”. Other successful musicians influenced by Neu! include Radiohead and Brian Eno.
The song titled “e-musik” in broken beat is an early example of what would later influence artists to create an evolution of electronic music. Hence the name.
Hope you enjoy these guys.
-Rob
*EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT THE ALBUMS. . .I’m not allowed to share such things publicly, as I am a law abiding citizen who is politically correct.
Living Electro is Officially in the House
Chances are if you’re in the house music scene – be it DJ, producer, bonefide music aficionado, or just a wicked house music enthusiast – you’ve either heard of, seen, or visited Livingelectro.com. It’s a combination of Beatport without the regional restrictions, and Beatportal without the commerce-driven hype. All music is in downloadable, full fidelity, 320kbps mp3 format. I will always support my artists by using Beatport, Trackitdown, and other DJ mp3 commerce sites to purchase music. But the main selling point about this site is that they have unreleased mash-ups, accapellas, and remixes from high profile artists(READ: the Swedish House Mafia). They have exclusive tracks and regionally restricted music that no other resource seems to have, and all of the music is in 320kbps! Did you hear that!? 320KBPS!!!!!!!!!! Why am I such an audiophile stickler? Because I am. Everything depends on quality — the quality of the tracks, the quality of the arrangement, the quality of the transitions, the quality of the vision and planning, the quality of your media equipment, and the quality of your recording equipment. All of this stuff matters, BIG TIME. The way people receive and react to music depends on quality. Anything less than 320kbps is uncivilized. The people at Livingelectro know this! So if I ever catch any of you downloading or buying a track that is anything less than 320kbps, well let’s just say my trained ninjas are watching you at ALL times. They all have ninja stars, and they are disguised as mariachis, so you won’t even know what hit you.
How does Living Electro work? It’s basically an intermediary knowledge base, bridging the gap between P2P file sharing resource Tunescoop.com and users. It’s got a chatbox, forum, news blog, and searchable database. Best of all, the people who frequent the site know what’s up.
Quarkbase describes Living Electro’s internet traffic as low but sharply increasing. The unique monthly visitor count average hovers around 40,000, and as you can see from the graph, people have seriously started to take notice: between July and September the unique visitor count tripled from 20K to 60K+! The site’s most popular visitors hail from Sweden, accounting for 31% of all it’s traffic, with U.S.A. (9.3%) and India (4.9%) as second and third, respectively.
Hopefully the future is bright with this website. . .but not so bright as to cast a suspicious shadow on the powers that be.
-Robshead
What he really wants for Christmas, Part 2
What he really wants for Christmas: the deadmau5 crossfade. 
V-Moda’s super stylish Crossfade LP headphones have been out for awhile now, and touted for their dynamic sound in the dance music genre. With 50mm Dual-Diaphragm High-Definition Drivers, they are built for pounding bass and atmospheric staging.
But the question on all of our minds is. . . how do you get ahold of these golden, laser-etched, mau5head themed beauties? You just might have to crash on Joel Zimmerman’s couch one night, and borrow em on the way out.
What he really wants for Christmas, Part 1
What he really wants for Christmas? He needs a good rubber. Check out the freshest new rubber player available from Nixon. All black, with a dash of pink!
They’re already sold out on nixonnow.com after a week. . .but you can still snatch em up at select core surfshops, or the one and only eBay. Geef’um the bizness!
RobsHead News!
RobsHead is gettin crazy! You will see that we have a whole new ambiance to the site. It’s amazing what a new background can do to a page. It really adds a new dimension and I’m diggin the shadowbox effect.
New additions to the site:
New Dirty December Electro Mix: Yes, I’m throwing down a new mix for December! I got an insurgence of tracks that are just bangin and the arrangement fell right into place. I’ll record it sometime this week.
New updates to Robshead!
What’s up cool cats! Rob’s been doin work! We have some spectacular, amazing, mind blowing, unimaginable, unfathomable new features on the site.
First off, Frisky Radio stream has some live sets from around the globe, offering up some super sick electro, progressive, and deep house. This station is gunna get your booty shakin, so check it out! Frisky has a superior selection and arrangement of music — the DJ’s are ON POINT!!
Second off, check out the new top 30 Beatport chart, in real time! Sample the hottest tunes of the moment right here, right now. Start and the top, and let ‘er ride!
And third, bird is the word, and we have a nice little news stream brought to you by Surfline, detailing the latest in the global surfing community. Surfline is world renowned for having their finger on the pulse of everything that is wave riding — from WCT standings and evaluations, to exciting surf spot checks, to awe inspiring pictorials of your last local swell, Surfline has got you covered. The feed displayed here is the most up to date, breaking NEWS you don’t want to miss!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stay tuned for more!!!!!!