Watchtower Vol. 1

In 2011, Kevin Energy and Sharkey, arguably the two most notable names in the freeform hardcore scene, separately announced their retirements. The long-running Nu Energy Collective mostly shuttered as well, replaced by the Hard Beats Collective; four labels were formed from Nu Energy's ashes: Stamina Records (run by A.B), A-Tech Music (Arkitech), Emfa Music (S3RL), and Watchtower (Endemic). Additionally, Relentless Digital continues under new ownership and other labels like ReBuild and FINRG are still associated with it. Of these labels, Watchtower is the second to release a physical CD; ReBuild's World Heavyweight Freeform was released in late 2011. Watchtower Vol. 1 was the third actual release from the label, following two free MP3s on the label's SoundCloud. The label doesn't take any profit from downloads, instead giving it to charity. Half of the sales of the CD also go to charity as well.

The album itself contains two CDs, one with ten unmixed tracks and the second containing the ten tracks mixed and the extra track "Zero-G Fire" by Transcend. The track selection is top notch, with four countries represented: Substanced and Proteus from Finland, Aryx from Slovenia, Qygen from America, and the rest from England. The Watchtower DJ's also mix the tracks to perfection from start to finish. I recommend this album for anyone who likes freeform or hard trance. You can buy it now at the label's website.

True story

Attractive 30something female customer buys some things from me, and hands me a $5 bill and a bunch of $1 bills. Usually, when such a person has a bunch of singles, they're either a waitress or a stripper. I, of course, like to look for the best in people...

Me: Are you a waitress?

Her: I wish...

Me: *poker face*

A thought

I'm thinking about learning to produce music again. I briefly tried it early last year, but various things in my life derailed it. If I do try this again I'd give it out for free, as is becoming more common these days. Thoughts?

Feed Me's Escape From Electric Mountain

This month Feed Me, a.k.a. Spor a.k.a. Jon Gooch, released a new six-track EP on Mau5trap. I liked his previous output (under both aliases), so as usual I checked it out. It was mostly more of the same, especially when compared to his previous EP "To The Stars", but the first track "Trapdoor" featuring Hadouken (oops, I mean "Hadouken!") is a good, hard-hitting drumstep track, hinting at a return of Spor. The next track, "Relocation", starts off as a mau5y electronic song but near its end becomes a remix of the previously released "Blood Red". The most interesting track to me is the third, "One Click Head shot", with its cut-up vocals and quirky samples. The rest are OK, but all sound pretty similar. If you're into bro-step, then by all means get the whole EP, but otherwise tracks 1 and 3 are the only standouts. Now excuse me while I wait for that Spor album...

Advice for everyone, but especially Generation Y

To force your beliefs on someone who disagrees, and not expect them to do the same to you, is insanity. I'm talking about both sides of every argument. EVERY argument. Religion (that includes you, non-believers). Politics. Cars. Authors. Even Coke vs. Pepsi. If you shove it down their throat, expect them to do the same.

Hospitality Drum & Bass 2012: The Review

Every January, or at least the last two, Hospital Records releases its first compilation of the year. It has a mix of new tracks, recently released tracks from the label and others, as well as tracks that the label's staff (mostly boss Tony Coleman, a.k.a. London Elektricity) have been playing out. This compilation continues that tradition, with tracks and remixes by most of the Hospital regulars (Fred V & Grafix are notably absent) and friends of the label, like Blu Mar Ten. Logistics in particular has two new tracks, preparing for his fourth album "Fear Not" out in April. The tracklist is very solid, but I have two tracks that I'd like to have been replaced: Camo & Krooked's "Hot Pursuit" was my least favorite track from their album, and I'd rather have had the superior "Run Riot" in its place. I'd also switch Enei's remix of London Elektricity's "U Gotta Be Crazy" with Logistics' remix of "The Plan That Cannot Fail". A minor complaint is that the presence of the track "Heaven (Nu:Tone Remix)" by Emeli Sandé caused a restricted version of the album, without the track or the DJ mix, to be sold in America due to Sandé's music not being licensed here yet. Still, the full version is available at Hospital's website worldwide. It's great music at a great price. I give it a 9 out of 10.

The funniest thing to happen to D&B since Fake Andy C

If you're into drum & bass at all, or even just intentionally poorly done parody art, you should check this guy out.

Design & Bass Portraiture

In other news, yesterday was my 26th birthday. I'm getting closer to 30, but I sure don't feel like it. I've gone out to dinner and hung out with friends for the past two nights and plan to do so this weekend. It's been a good week.