Our first impression of Ryan was that he was one hell of a friendly RBMA participant and this impression got confirmed just now when we asked about his new “Titan” EP. Mr. Illum Sphere sent it over in mear minutes and we gave it a quick listen. I definitely hear a bit more House influences when I compare this release to his previous two EP’s on Fat City. Impressive nevertheless and I bet Martyn was thinking the same thing when he decided to bring this out on his 3024 label. This 3-track release on sees him moving into slightly more dance-oriented waters yet keeping it wonkey. I really like “Technopolis” is because of it’s tumbling piano keys hoisted aloft on a pulsing techno beat and misty-eyed chords. To listen to the whole thing…head on over to to purchase the Titan EP.

Illum Sphere – Technopolis

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written by nilez \\ tags: 3024, electronic beats, fat city records, house, hoya hoya, illum sphere, itunes, london, martyn, rbma, red bull music academy, techno, titan ep, uk, wonkey

Fat City is back once again with the second full lenght album in the Producer series, entitled “Producer 2″. This album includes exclusive beats from big names such as: Dabrye, Harmonic 313, Martyn and Daedelus as well as rising Cali producers such as Devonwho, Mr Dibiase, Low limit and Mono/poly. From the UK we have my man Illum Sphere, Mike Slott & Tandy Love who bring the ruckus. All in all a good collection of electronic beats with some heavy hitters on it. The tracklist can be found after the jump and the CD can be bought at Rush Hour.

Darkhouse Family – Stay Blazed

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Monopoly – Oilfields (Devonwho Remix)

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written by nilez \\ tags: blackpocket, calofornia, carlos y gabby, cd, dabrye, daedelus, darkhouse family, dbridge, devonwho, electronic beats, eric lau, exclusive beats, fat city records, harmonic 313, illum sphere, low limit, martyn, mike slott, mono/poly, mr dibiase, producer 2, producer no. 2, rbma, rush hour, tandy love, uk

After two long days at the Red Bull Music Academy, our third day here started with a lecture by legendary UK DJ & A&R Norman Jay. Norman told the participants about his 40 year history in the music industry which spans from witnessing the birth of hip-hop in New York to founding the legendary Talking Loud label. After this we had the chance to catch some more previews of tracks being made here and in the late afternoon Kode9 stopped by to talk about his music and career as an independent label owner. The evening was dedicated to perhaps the most anticipated event of this RBMA, the Brainfeeder night in Fabric with a classic lineup of Nosaj Thing, TOKiMONSTA, Gaslamp Killer, Dimlite, Daedelus, J.Rocc, Flying Lotus, Dorian Concept, Martyn and Kode9. In between all of this we found some time to talk to some participants, as well as get some music from them for y’all to enjoy.

B.BRAVO (San Francisco, USA)

What has your experience at the Red Bull Music Academy been like so far?
It’s gone by really fast. At first it seemed like time went by slowly…the first couple of days. But now it’s just going too fast. I don’t want it to end, it’s paradise!

Out of the participants in your term who has caught your attention the most?
Ad Bourke from Rome, Space Dimension Controller from Belfast. Definitely those guys.

Has anything happened so far that will influence your music (from now on)?
Yeah. I mean I was sort of on to this a little bit before, but the common thread that all the lecturers share is that they just do their own thing. They don’t try to make a specific genre, they don’t try to create a certain sound. They just do whatever the hell they feel like doing and then that’s how they get recognition and that’s how they create new, creative, inspiring things. What I take away is…do you.

What’s the most valuable thing about Red Bull Music Academy in your opinion?
Probably just having the space for everybody to co-exist and ofcourse all the participants from around the world. Also all the studio techs, who are such amazing musicians and producers. The staff is so knowledgeable. All the lectures… everybody involved is so into music and connected in some way. They’re all part of something. It’s just great to all share the same air.

B.Bravo – Bubble Showers

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ILLUM SPHERE (Manchester, UK)

What has your experience at the Red Bull Music Academy been like so far?
It’s been really amazing man. You know getting to meet a load of people around the same age who are doing similar stuff or different stuff or people around the world. Making new friends as well. There’s a lot of people that I felt… we kinda like made friends, like who I can call up whenever I go to Singapore or whatever. Likewise for them whenever anyone’s in the UK I’m hoping they’ll come to Manchester. The food’s been wicked, it’s been fucking amazing actually… I didn’t have to worry about what to eat. The studio has been really good as well. Trying new gear and different set-ups. You know like original mini Moogs, fucking 909′s, 808′s and 303′s and blablablabla. It’s been really cool getting to know people like Benji B a bit better. Eventhough I’ve known him before, but now I can properly spend some time with him. It’s just been wicked. Really really good. None of us want to leave really.

Out of the participants in your term who has caught your attention the most?
00Genesis I think, cause I knew about his stuff before. He’s just super talented for his age. Also Juan Son who is unbelievable, I don’t know if you guys have seen him play. That guy has got a big future ahead of him definitely.

Has anything happened so far that will influence your music (from now on)?
Yeah I think that just learning about certain people’s recording techniques might change the approach that I… I can take some bits. Even the things Martyn was saying after the lecture. Like you should try and do that. So it can really benefit your sound or whatever. Getting to learn what the processes are of people like Martyn. And it’s definitely going to change how I make music for the better.

What’s the most valuable thing about Red Bull Music Academy in your opinion?
Pffff….the most valuable thing about the Academy… I think it’s just the RBMA as a whole. It’s hard to pinpoint one element of it that is the most valuable thing. The academy in itself is just insanely valuable. I haven’t even made much music since I’ve been here, but I’ve been making mixes for this, mixes for that. You know going on Benji B‘s show, playing at his night, playing at Plastic People Thursday (CDR) which will be the first time I play at Plastic People. Shit like that is all happening in a space of two weeks. That’s the kind of value that it gives you. Guys like Swede:art and Hiro… it’s the first time they’ve been in London and they play at Plastic People. They don’t even have records out. That’s amazing for them. I just think the whole things has a value that’s unmatched. There’s absolutely nothing like it. Being here is essentially the most valuable thing about it.

Illum Sphere – Incoming

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written by Deluge \\ tags: 00genesis, ad bourke, b. bravo, brainfeeder, daedelus, dimlite, dj klem, dorian concept, flying lotus, gaslamp killer, hiroaki oba, illum sphere, jrocc, juan son, kode9, martyn, norman jay, nosaj thing, space dimension controller, swedeart, talking loud, tokimonsta

You might have noticed that we haven’t been posting for the past days. We’ve been getting a taste of London and today our Red Bull Music Academy adventure officially started with a lecture by Flying Lotus. Stones Throw‘s Egon hosted the inspiring lecture which covered everything from his music to his live set as well as deeper more personal subjects. Afterwards some of the participants showed us around the Academy to give us an idea of what happens around here. Lots of good music in the making, interesting workshops, a private Ableton class by FlyLo and even an unexpected birthday surprise for one of the participants. The next few days we will go more in depth on who’s here and what they’re doing as well as give you all an idea of what one can expect at the RBMA. Basically our first day at the Academy was wicked and good to have met 00Genesis, TOKiMONSTA, B-Bravo, Illum Sphere, Katy B and all the nice staff & crew from Red Bull. Last but not least a happy b-day to Jack aka Space Dimension Controller who just turned 20 hours ago!

Top photo by Red Bull Music Academy, all other photos by Deluge

written by nilez \\ tags: 00genesis, ableton, b. bravo, flying lotus, flylo, illum sphere, katy b, Lecture, rbma, red bull music academy, showcase, space dimension controller, stones throw, tokimonsta, warp

As the digital release of Long Live The Plan has been slightly delayed (now available on Feb 18th apparantly),  Red Bull Music Academy London participant Illum Sphere decided to give a track away. Taking inspiration from his favourite Japanese animation film. This isn’t going on any release, so add Hoya:Hoya to your favorites and get this free download.

Illum Sphere – Agent White

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written by nevill \\ tags: agent white, hoya hoya, illum sphere, long live the plan, rbma, red bull music academy london

I’m really glad the legendary BTS Radio is back. Andrew Meza started a movement in our genre. And if you forgot about it, or never got the chance to check it out, it won’t be a waste of time if you check the BTS archive in the next few months. Now Andrew started where he left off and will continue to bring you quality mixes/podcasts. Up first…. Ras G..AIRHORN!!

Ras G is a commanding force in Los Angeles and a classic example of what artistry is. Always pushing his production limits and bending his sound to a point that really make you believe he’s from outer space. His live shows have a reputation of blowing out sound systems and shaking walls to the point of deterioration.

This exclusive set for BTS is only a taste of the destruction he can bring to speakers…Take cover. Tracklist after the jump.

Ras G – BTS Radio Live Set #001

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written by nevill \\ tags: andrew meza, bts radio, flyinf lotus, illum sphere, los angeles, mike slott, poobah, quasimoto, ras g, samiyam, tokimonsta

Red Bull Music Academy 2010 participant Illum Sphere drops the first vinyl ep of a two part album. ‘Long Live The Plan’ features six new tracks plus a Samiyam remix. I personally first heard of  Illum Sphere from MyManHenri, who put me on to this Illum Sphere Dublab Mix. After hearing the 7′ with Mono/Poly we knew Illum Sphere was someone to follow in 2010. This new EP is scheduled for a december release, but already got a first spin on Benji B and Mary Anne Hobbs.  You can head over to Fat City for more info, or just follow Illum Sphere on Twitter..

Illum Sphere – Chasing The Midnight Moth

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Illum Sphere – Psycho (Samiyam Remix)

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written by nevill \\ tags: benji b, fat city, illum sphere, long live the plan, mary anne hobbs, mono/poly, red bull music academy, samiyam

Get ready for the third installment already of the “Producer No.2″ 7inch series. This release is the will consists of four singles that are set to feature Ras_G, Daedelus, Low Limit, Tandy Love and Anagram Jam, Illum Sphere, Carlos Nino and Mr. Dibiase..

San Fran based Low Limit, one half of Lazer Sword, describe their sound as “your favourite top 40 rap shit chopped up into a tronado filled with razor blades and molasses or Frank Zappa rocking the home made Lil John tank top at the rooftop party”. This pretty much sums up “Inspirational Jumpsuit”.

Straight out of Southern California, we bring you Brainfeeder’s Charles Dickerson aka Mono/Poly with electronics beats that will shake the ground you walk on. Be on the lookout for his upcoming release on Faces Records. “Oil Fields” might be an oldy, but damn it’s still on and crackin’!

Buy this release and support all these wonderfull artists…HERE.

Low Limit – Inspirational Jumpsuit

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Mono/Poly – Oil Fields

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written by nilez \\ tags: anagram jam, brainfeeder, carlos nino, daedelus, faces records, frisco, illum sphere, inspirational jumpsuit, los angeles, low limit, mono poly, mono/poly, mr dibiase, oil fields, producer no. 2, ras g, tandy love