Awww snizzap son, it’s time for some downtempo hip-hop. Check out this funky six-track release from Budabeats. Mixing hip-hop with elements of house and funk, this is an all over the place audio trip that will have you tapping your feet and drumming beats on the desk. Reminiscent of Revolution Void, this style of music features jazzy basslines, breakbeats, wah-wahed synths and funk guitars – you name it, it’s in there. The first track, entitled Birds And The Bees, is a humorous take on ‘the talk’ (don’t worry, it’s family friendly). The other five tracks follow suit, making this an first-class, entertaining and just downright fun release.
Posts Tagged ‘Downtempo’
Sliptone – Funk Agent 1
Rho – October Turncoat
A nice little EP that sounds reminiscent of Boards Of Canada or Orange Crush. Mellow electronica grooves with acoustic guitars and chilled, downtempo beats. A nice, relaxing EP.
Lunar – Wall Of Sound
Remember Lunar? Another stunning release has been issued forth from the brain of Lunar. His last release, Hybrid Awaken, was top notch and the follow up is only better in every way. Wall Of Sound has everything – ethnic instruments blended with electronic beats and synths, staccato rhythms and minimal basslines mix it up with orchestral strings, piano and electric guitar. This release is such a melting pot of different styles but it still boils down to one style and that style is simply Lunar.
Mark.Nine – Artificial Horizon
Mark.Nine brings a great set of tracks to the table. Very reminiscent of BoC, Mark.Nine utilizes breakbeats over washy synths that create a perfect mood for chilling out. This style could be called ‘inspirational breakbeat’. Artificial Horizon contains fifteen tracks that sort of fade into and out of your head, instilling a flying feeling. Very interesting for the detail oriented type, this is one of the best finds in quite a while.
Gas – Microscopic
Schilli-San – Smooth Situations
From the German net label Sofasound comes Schilli San. Smooth Situations is indeed what this release is all about; it doesn’t get much smoother. I once heard that if the mirror inside the hubble space telescope was scaled up to the size of the Atlantic ocean, the imperfections would only be a couple thousandths of an inch high. Thats how smooth these seven tracks are. Jazz influences combine with slightly glitchy drum tracks and acoustic instruments are mixed with synthesized instruments and samples that drive the whole thing home. Smooth Situations is a don’t miss release.
Obsibilo – Movie on the Moon – subnet014
Tru Thoughts
Tru Thoughts is a netlabel that features artists such as Bonobo and Quantic. They have a freebie page as well as a podcast. Check out the free tracks, the four that are there now will be taken down on March 20. Four quality tracks of downtempo chilledness. Get ‘em before they’re gone. Then check back for more.


