Latest Posts

September 26th

September 26, 2014

Bicep – “Poly Pineapple” Belfast duo Bicep will finally deliver their long-anticipated BBC Essential mix this weekend and recently shared a new track “Poly Pineapple” via Soundcloud. Recorded in a single live take, the cut features lively arpeggiating synths and typically rough-around-the-edges sounding drums. As usual the pair manage to evoke considerable energy and movement from a fairly simple arrangement, making for a style that balances house energy with techno textures. Listen below. SBTRKT – “The Light” (Feat. Denai Moore) UK producer Aaron Jerome, better known as SBTRKT has become known for his tasteful collaborations with vocalists like Sampha, Jessie Ware, and Little Dragon. In anticipation of the artists’ latest LP Wonder Where We Land, comes the latest single “The Light” featuring lovely vocals from Denai Moore over a minimal, yet strongly emotive instrumental. Listen below [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/168479631″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Nachtbraker – “Warme Kachel” Amsterdam based house producer Nachtbraker[...]

Transfer in Jamaica Releases Speculative Party vol. 1

September 25, 2014

Buffalo producer/mashup artist, Transfer in Jamaica, creates music that, at it’s most compelling, can shift our perception of two seemingly unrelated styles and reveal an unlikely common ground, reminding the listener that genres are dynamic as a result of this eclectic creativity. The artist’s latest release,  Speculative Party vol.1: “Cry If I want To,” is part left-field DJ mix, part mashup album, divided into three parts that spans styles from indie rock to r&b, trip-hop, soul, electronic, and mainstream pop. The first track includes transitions from a pitched-up Beyonce sample to Radiohead’s “Lotus Flower” along with an surprisingly fluid segue from Salt-n-Pepa’s “Shoop” to Pixies’ funky, guitar-led track “Hey.” The third part of the release finds Transfer in Jamaica leaning towards a more hip-hop/club music approach with tracks from Disclosure, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Rihanna, and Kanye West making appearances. Speculative Party Vol. 1 offers a pretty comprehensive snapshot of pop music over the[...]

Fashion Expo 1990 Releases New Album, waiting for memphis

September 18, 2014

Earlier this year, the debut release from Fashion Expo 1990, a relatively unknown electronic/house alias of Difficult Night’s Miles Kirsch, was named our Album of the Week here at buffaBLOG. That record was filled with nostalgic vibes from various dance music scenes of the 90’s and featured impressive keyboard melodies and highly dexterous rhythms along with interesting sample selection. Earlier this month, the project released its second album, the six track waiting for memphis, via bandcamp. Like the self-titled debut, the record consists of previously recorded material, this one dating back to 2006. Standout tracks include “98% hustling,” with it’s archaic samples and breezy melodies and “c.h.a.r.m.,” which features soulful piano chords and classic house vocal sampling. Once again, the keys throughout the album are virtuosic and give many of the tracks an urgent feel to balance out the ethereal, blissed out element found in the artists’ production. Listen/download waiting for memphis below.

September 11th

September 11, 2014

Bodhi – “Satisfaction” UK production duo Bodhi have developed a tight, modern house sound that still exudes the funky and flavorful sound that the genre was built on. With previous releases on labels like Ten Thousand Yen, Future Classic, and the Street Tracks compilation, the pair’s latest EP, Satisfaction, comes via Exploited and features three organic sounding dance tracks with a warm feel and enticing grooves. The title track includes a subdued, yet functional vocal sample that keeps the track moving over soulful chords and silky smooth percussion. Listen to a clip of the track below as well as “Soul Music” and “Truth,” also included on the EP out September 22nd. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/166325116″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Baba Stiltz – “Reality Sparks” Stockholm, Sweden-based producer Baba Stiltz has tracks for cloud-rap sensation Yung Lean credited to his name as well as for the playful house label Studio Barnhus. The young artist’s[...]

Heavy Rotation: DJ Pizza Pizza

September 9, 2014

Buffalo producer Pizza Pizza first caught our attention earlier this year when he started posting a series of tracks or “slices,” as the artist refers them, to his soundcloud account. Despite the whimsical name, many of Pizza Pizza’s beats are a sinister blend of trap and bass with hard-hitting drums and sparse, chopped-up vocals. Tracks like “Slice 30” and “Slice 21” display a more idiosyncratic take on the Chicago-born juke style brought to international acclaim by the late DJ Rashad and show the artist’s grasp of several high-energy dancefloor styles. Balancing ethereal vibes with effective, straightforward trap inspired percussion “Slice 25,” released as a free download and featured here at buffaBLOG is perhaps the best example of the vibe the DJ will bring  this Friday when he spins at our second installment of Heavy Rotation at Allen Street Hardware. The event will also feature local artists Chauncey Tails, Teenwolf, and Rick[...]

Tonight: UB Fall Fest

September 6, 2014

Coming off of the release of his critically successful third LP, Oxymoron, Compton rapper Schoolboy Q has cemented himself as one of the biggest artists in hip hop at the moment. With his melodic, hook-heavy style combined with eclectic and forward thinking beat selection, Q, along with members of his Los Angeles Black Hippy collective Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul, have helped spur the resurgence of the West Coast hip hop mentality. The group has pushed boundaries in hip hop sonically with their sample selection as well, with sounds from indie artists like Beach House, Chromatics, and Twin Sister being used to forge an art-pop oriented hip hop vibe that has gained crossover appeal. Tonight, at University at Buffalo’s Alumni Arena the rapper will co-headline the school’s annual Fall Fest with Atlanta MC T.I., whose latest album, Paperwork: The Motion Picture, is due out late next month. T.I. has had an enduring career that has[...]

Tonight: Hooray For Earth

August 20, 2014

Originating as an alias for the home recordings of multi-instrumental Noel Heroux, New York-based experimental rock band Hooray For Earth have released five studio albums since 2008. Their most recent LP, Racy, was released back in July on Dovecote Records and includes the blissfully experimental single, “Keys,” and features an atmospheric pop-rock sound. The latest single from the album, “Say Enough,” had its’ video premiere on Stereogum earlier today. The clip follows the band’s tradition of pairing their work with equally experimental visuals. Tonight, the band plays Buffalo all-ages venue Sugar City in support of Racy. Doors open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm.

August 19th

August 19, 2014

Caribou – “Our Love” Canadian producer Dan Snaith’s fifth album as Caribou, titled Our Love, is due to be released on October 7th in North America via Merge Records. The title track combines cerebral textures with sounds deeply rooted in club music as a sensual vocal sample is paired with a deep, rumbling bass line and the artist’s typically eccentric synths. A breakdown at around the 2:30 mark makes way for a more straightforward club approach led by a kinetic bass riff and vibrant synth stabs. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/162983976″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]  Les Sins – “Bother” Chaz Bundick is best known for his project Toro Y Moi which started as hazy, bedroom pop before progressing to smooth, slightly eccentric funk and soul. His lesser known side project, Les Sins, debuted in 2012 with a pair of singles on Jiaolong records and now Bundick has released the latest track from the[...]

Tonight: Moby

August 14, 2014

Born Richard Melville Hall, Harlem-born electronic musician Moby is one of the leading artists responsible for bringing underground sounds like house, techno, and electronica to a larger audience, when his 1999 album Play broke through and eventually became the best selling album of it’s genre. With a career that spans 13 studio albums and nearly 25 years as well as sounds as diverse as hardcore punk, trance, breakbeat, and ambient, the artist has become an icon not only for his musical legacy, but for his animal rights activism and establishment of the Area:One festival which created a blueprint for the eclectic style of dance music festivals that currently reign supreme. Tonight, Moby closes out the Thursday concert series at Canalside along with an opening set from local dance music veteran DJ Xotec. After releasing his latest LP, Innocents, last July to favorable reviews, it was clear that the musician had not lost[...]

August 13th

August 13, 2014

The Juan MacLean – “A Simple Design” Veteran house producer John MacLean is set to release his latest LP as The Juan Maclean, titled In A Dream, on September 16th via DFA records. Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem fame once again pairs with the producer for the single “A Simple Design.” The synthpop jam features a smooth groove with a funky, spirited vocal delivery from Whang along with a sprawling solo that accentuates the track’s idiosyncratic design. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/162714162″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Artifact – “How Did You Change” (Feat. Gates) Bristol producer Ryan Bonfield aka Artifact drops his latest EP, How Did You Change, for Saints & Sonnets on August 18th. The title track features guest vocals from Gates and shows off a command of melodic, driving house and smooth [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/161906652″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Tensnake – “Feel of Love” (Kaytranada Edition) Montreal producer Kaytranada has quickly gained a[...]

Disco Infiltrator: July 31st

July 31, 2014

Dark Sky – “Odyssey” London electronic trio Dark Sky have been fairly prolific so far this year, with two excellent tracks appearing on the Mister Saturday Night compilation Brothers and Sisters in addition to an upcoming 12″ single, “Silent Fall,” out on August 15th. The b-side from that release is a typically atmospheric, moody techno track with a heavy bass line and driving percussion that provide a sense of urgency while still managing to use the restraint necessary to keep the tune sounding concise. Look for Dark Sky’s debut album, imagin, out August 29th via Monkeytown Records. Kresy – “Expresso” Spanish producer Kresy is known for his nostalgic house and disco vibes, crafting silky smooth grooves that along with warm bass and elegant sampling create an infectious vibe. His latest track, “Expresso,” follows a familiar formula, combining ethereal textures and melodic piano with a memorable, gritty groove that highlights the subdued bliss the artist is[...]

Tonight: RADARADA

July 29, 2014

Combining jazzy live instrumentation with dexterous, melodic lyricism, Buffalo hip hop outfit RADARADA have quickly caught on as one of the most intriguing new groups to emerge locally as of late. Their excellent debut, First Edition, received album of the week honors here at buffaBLOG and was a soulful, welcome addition to the already eclectic local hip hop scene that boasts a healthy mix of veteran talent and hungry newcomers.  Tonight, the band brings their impressive live chops to McGarret’s on Elmwood for a show following the Bidwell Concert Series beginning at 9pm. Admission is $3 at the door. 21+.

July 8th

July 8, 2014

Kelis – “Friday Fish Fry” (Maribou State & Pedestrian Remix) R&B artist Kelis released her sixth studio album, Food, earlier this year on British electronic label Ninja Tune, which featured production from TV on The Radio’s Dave Sitek. Following the album’s release, remixes have been contributed by electronic artists like Machinedrum, Mount Kimbie, Ben Pearce, and Breach, with the latest rework coming courtesy of UK producers Maribou State & Pedestrian. The pairs’ take on “Friday Fish Fry” begins as an eerie, cinematic build with an elusive bass line and smooth, chilled percussion that eventually shifts to an elegantly layered breakdown that centers around the singers’ sultry vocal delivery. Ejeca – “Jalek” British house producer Ejeca’s latest EP, Contemplation, features four tracks that reflect the wide range of the artist’s influences that have informed his ever-evolving sound. The recently shared clip of “Jalek” from the EP shows off an infectious deep house vibe with[...]

Disco Infiltrator: July 3rd

July 3, 2014

FaltyDL -“Some Jazz Shit” New York producer FaltyDL has always veered towards jazz influenced, spacey atmospheres in his productions, so the straightforward, soulful sound that makes up his latest track “Some Jazz Shit” feel like a natural progression of the artists typically contemplative, sometimes melancholic style. With sprawling percussion, melodic keys and an elegant string arrangement, the track stretches out to just over six minutes of smooth, atmospheric beats reminiscent of the deep house orchestrations of London’s Floating Points. Listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156670261″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Soldiers of Twilight – “Believe” (PBR Streetgang Remix) UK house duo PBR Streetgang’s latest remix of Soldiers of Twilight’s “Believe” appears on the forthcoming “Content” via 2020 vision recordings. The cut features a thick bass groove and sultry vocal sample that sets up a dark disco vibe and an overall smooth, nostalgic feel. Listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156702798″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /][...]

Lone – Reality Testing

June 25, 2014

British producer Matt Cutler began recording as Lone in 2007 and has since been responsible for the some of the most inventive, dynamic tracks in dance music in recent years, layering hip hop drums with 90’s rave-inspired synths  to create a maximalist sound that feels equally suited for a solitary headphone trip as it does for the club. Reality Testing, Cutler’s fifth full length and second LP for the esteemed, rehashed dance label R&S Records, delivers much of the same kaleidoscopic bliss as 2012’s Galaxy Garden, but with more concision and emphasis on texture and reflective atmospherics than its’ predecessor. As a result, the album presents itself as synthesis of 90’s hip hop grooves and jazzy, melodic house, two genre’s that share both a common past and formative purpose. When last year’s J-Dilla referencing single “Airglow Fires” was released along with the ethereal b-side “Begin To Begin,” it was apparent Lone’s return would be marked[...]