Letherette

Letherette are an unsigned duo from Wolverhampton. I have only recently come across them, and since this moment I haven't been able to stop listening to their material. The music they produce is experimental, crossing genres from hip-hop to electro to disco-house. This forms a great sounding mash-up of different styles, which draws comparisons with the likes of Bullion and more recently Young Montana? who take similar approaches in the line of their works.

On their myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/letherette), there are a number of brilliant tracks which have been recently created by the duo. The tracks to look out for especially are 'Langsette', 'In July Excerpt', 'Blad', 'Shoe Be Doo' and 'Giro Milo'. However, as they are unsigned, it is extremely difficult to try and download the tracks I have found on their myspace.

In January though, Lethrette recorded a 58 minute mix for BTS radio, in which they included no less than 15 of their own tracks in what is a fantastic mix. The mix takes their own tracks and mixes them with music from hip-hop legends in the form of Pete Rock and Madlib, as well as newer experimental artists such as Hudson Mohawke. This comes together to create an inventive and soulful mix of the electronic and hip-hop genres. You can download this mix now by clicking here.

Here is the tracklist for the mix:

Letherette - Eye To Eye (CDR)
Pete Rock - We Roll (Nature Sounds)
Letherette - Master Chin (CDR)
Letherette - In July (CDR)
Madlib - The Mystery (Dilla's Still Here) (Stones Throw)
Letherette - Check My Head (CDR)
Kashif - I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On) (Arista)
Pheonix - If I Ever Feel Better (Source Records)
Cherelle w/ Alexander O'Neal - Saturday Love (Tabu)
Letherette - Langsette (CDR)
Letherette - In And Out (CDR)
Machinedrum - Late Night Operation (Letherette Remix) (Normrex)
Letherette - Good For Me (CDR)
Lone - Fire Fly Rainbow (Dealmaker)
Letherette - Feel Real (CDR)
Letherette - Shoe Be Doo (CDR)
Letherette - Blad (CDR)
Letherette - Yea Yeah Love (CDR)
Letherette - Giro Milo (CDR)
Hudson Mohawke - Track #003 (CDR)
Letherette - Donnie Ball Ball (CDR)
Letherette - Optimise In Prime (CDR)
Thomas Bangalter - Club Soda (Roule)
Letherette - This Time (CDR)
Bibio - Jealous Of Roses (Warp)
Bibio - Lovers' Carvings (Letherette Remix) (Warp)

Letherette have also tried their hand at producing work for other artists. Their most notable production to date is the brilliant 'Ooohs and Ahhs' by Theophilus London from his debut album 'This Charming Man'. This was no doubt my favourite track of the album, and immediately sets up the experimentation between electronic music and hip-hop that can be seen throughout the majority of their work. These guys are really pushing boundaries, and I'm sure if they keep producing great works we'll be hearing a lot more from them in the future.

James Blake

With a lack of releases on my radar this week, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce you to James Blake if you haven't already heard of him. Blake is 21 year old producer from London, and is currently in his final year of studying Contemporary Music at Goldsmiths University. His music is wonderfully unique, a post-dubstep sound which infuses elements of soul funk and bass.

As a kid, Blake played the piano and would sing along to classical music, which is where his musical development began. However after moving to university, where he discovered dubstep, his musical focus moved in other directions, leading up to his creative and challenging releases of the past few months. His music is normally very slow and bass heavy, with Blake contributing all his own vocals in the tracks but distorting them for a slowed effect in order for them to match the pacing of the tracks.

Blake currently has two solo releases to his name, one on Untold's 'Hemlock Recordings', and the other on Ben UFO and Ramadanman's 'Hessle Audio' record label. The first of these is my favourite material of his, the 'Air And Lack Thereof' EP. This included the tracks 'Air And Lack Thereof' and 'Sparing The Horses', which is rumoured to have been so admired by Ramadanman that he wheeled up the track four times during one of his DJ sets in New York. His second EP 'The Bells Sketch' was released on 8th March, and is to a certain extent even more experimental than his first releases. These tracks have a seemingly slower tempo, and the jazz and soul influences on his work shine through more clearly in this EP than the previous. These EP's are weird and off-key, but so brilliantly inventive and intriguing that I can't help but love them. I have played them to a few people, and reactions have been very mixed, I think this is a sound you'll either love or hate.

As well as his solo work, Blake has also released a couple of remixes and undertaken a collaboration. His first remix was his reworking on Untold's 'Stop What You're Doing', which brilliantly follows the type of sound established by his 'Air And Lack Thereof' EP. This week his remix of Mount Kimbie's 'Maybes', which featured on Scuba's 'Substance' mix, was released on the Mount Kimbie's remixes EP which is now available for download and includes FaltyDL's amazing remix of 'Serged'. His collaborative work has come alongside a similarly experimental artist in Airhead. Together they managed to release the 'Pembroke' EP in March, which includes the tracks 'Pembroke' and 'Lock In The Lion', and creates similar sounds to those found on Blake's 'The Bells Sketch' EP.

There are great things ahead for Blake in my opinion, and he has a number of new releases on the way very soon. His upcoming release sounds very promising, described as an 'R&B sampling EP' which will be released on the R&S label next month. Blake has revealed already that this EP will exclude his own vocals, and rather sample the like of Aaliyah, Brandy and R-Kelly. This is something I very much look forward to, and I'll keep you posted on the details of it's release.

For more information on Blake's live dates and upcoming releases, check out his myspace page which is http://www.myspace.com/jamesblakeproduction. On a final note, my friend Dave wrote a brilliant article on the evolution that is currently taking place on the dubstep scene, one which Blake is no doubt a part of. It's a great read, so make sure you take a look at http://goldenstatic.blogspot.com/.

Size? Anniversary Adidas Originals Series

Adidas Originals and Size have teamed up to create a special edition series of jackets and trainers which celebrates the 10th anniversary of Size?, one of the UK's greatest outlets for rare and underground styles of clothing and trainers. In total there will be a release of 6 Adidas Originals city packs, all of which will be released in selected Size? stores and online at http://size.co.uk/. These packs include classic styles of jackets and trainers from previous Adidas Originals collections, with different colours and styles to represent each different city included in the series.

This collection is extremely limited and exclusive, with only 500 trainers and 300 jackets from each of the packs being released worldwide. A nice addition to the items in the packs is that the number of the item is placed on the back of the jackets or trainers, something evident in the close-up photo's below. The first line released was the London City Series on the 22nd March, and this collection includes classic Gazelle styled trainers and a heritage track top with red and black colouring, and a gold trim to outline the designs. The London series of Adidas clothing had been originally released in the 1970's, but with these designs Adidas manage to update the style whilst keeping true to the original designs.

The latest collection to be released is the Manchester City Series pack, which includes a set of trainers and a retro superstar jacket. The pale blue material and red stripes complement each other nicely, with the gold trim finishing off the design. These were released in selected Size? stores yesterday, and a few of the items will be released in limited numbers online at http://size.co.uk/ tomorrow morning, so if you fancy purchasing items from the Manchester city series pack I would recommend that you do it fast.

Over the next few months the remaining four city packs will be released, and I will be keeping you updated on details of these new collections.

Manchester City Series Pack

London City Series Pack

Lazy Oaf

Whilst exploring in London a few weeks back, I came across a new store along Carnaby Street. The store was Lazy Oaf. I recognised the name and styles of clothing but didn't know too much detail about them, only knowing that they had had a smaller store around the corner hidden in Fouberts Place. I was impressed the first time I went into the store in Fouberts Place a couple of years, back, but the brand seems to be developing nicely with some awesome designs in what is now a larger store, a sign of the brands growing reputation.

Originally created by Gemma Shiel in 2001, the brand is known for its bright graphic t-shirts, reversible sweatshirts and accessories. The clothing is still designed in house by Gemma today, but there is also a team of artists in Shoreditch, which have been recruited as the brand looks to expand with its ever growing reputation and increasing demand. Below are pictures from the range of clothing available from the brand at the minute, and you can find these items available online at http://www.lazyoaf.co.uk/index.html, from the flagship store in London (Carnaby Street), and also from Selfridges on Oxford Street in London which stocks the label.

Yeah!
Word

Wolf Moon

Thumbs Up

Teardrop

Special

Special Sweatshirt

Spaced Out

Something Appears To Have Changed

Round Face Yellow

Round Face Pink

Rosy Bear Sweatshirt

Rad

Rad Sweatshirt

Pyramid

Leopard

Knock Knock

I Read Books

Gummy Eyeballs

Groucho

Flat Top

Don't Be Squared

Crazy Seal

Colour Block

Cityscape

Cityscape Grey Sweatshirt

Cityscape Blue Sweatshirt

Burger Sweatshirt

Beatbox Boy

Alsation

Young Montana? Interview

(Photo By Adele M. Reed)

Yesterday I was lucky enough to get an interview with the brilliant Young Montana? thanks to the wonders of the Internet and social networking.

I have recently written on Montana, who was described by the first lady of electronic music, Mary Anne Hobbs, as her "favourite unsigned artist of 2010", something Montana firmly justified with the fantastic 20 minute mix he provided for her Radio 1 show. I really do believe that there are big things ahead for 19 year old Jon Pritchard, he is definitely one to look out for in the future. Just visit http://flavors.me/youngmontana and listen to the tracks posted on his soundcloud and myspace pages (which can be accessed from the website above), I'm sure you'll soon start to understand what I mean.

Young Montana? has also kindly agreed to make his new great new track 'suchbeats' available for free downolad from here. This is most definitely worth downloading!

Let's move onto the interview...

(Photo By Adele M. Reed)

Interview:

How did you get into music production?

"I've been playing in bands since I was a kid, whether it be drumming or whatever really. A few years ago I did a little workshop course on sound recording and technology, and basically how to record a band in the studio. That taught me to listen to music a lot different.Then last year, after playing synths in my band Delta Rush for about 3 years, I realised I had all the equipment necessary to start making my own music!"

How long have you been producing for now?

"Well that was early 2009 so I've been doing it for just about a year now! I never made a conscious decision to get into producing, but I suppose a few things in my life took their own course and I took mine."

Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?

"There's been so many different figures and aspects of music that have influenced me throughout my life. A lot of my knowledge of production has been from studying Radiohead albums such as Hail To The Thief, I love the craftwork of those albums - the subtleties and mindfulness of the productions have really left an imprint on my style.I think one influence that shows in my music is that of Chris Clark, as he embodies all the things I've said about Radiohead, and there's no electronic artist like him."

"It would probably be fair to give the Letherette guys a shout out too, I really hope they do big things this year."

How would you describe your music to those who haven't heard it?

"I'm a bit coy when it comes to this really, I'd probably just say it was Glitch-hop.. Then they'd be like, 'what?' and I'd be like.. 'what?' But really I think it's a lot more eclectic than that.. I would usually just say they should listen."

Do you DJ as well as produce? If so what sort of thing do you play in your sets?

"I have yeah, at the moment I haven't got the equipment to really give a live set justice, so I just kinda DJ it out. I play a wide range of underground styles, anything from Rustie or Mike Slott, to Santogold/Cookie Monsta Mashups. I also tend to play a lot of my favourite unsigned or unheard artists as well, so expect anything really!"

What music are you into at the minute? Are there any artists that you admire in particular at the moment?

"Well I'm a bit of a musical recluse to be honest, I rarely listen to any music. I've been distancing myself from it all recently so I can write more stuff, and so it's totally me. Just listening to a lot of cranky old records to turn inside out."

How did Mary Anne Hobbs get hold of your work? What was it like to hear her describe you as her "favourite unsigned artist of 2010"?

"Pure chance really, out of 900 tracks that had been sent to her on Soundcloud, she found mine! She replied by email saying she loved it and wanted to hear more, and it all went from there really. I guess you don't really realise who your talking to or the significance of what they're saying really is, but in retrospect I'm starting to see that being her 'favourite unsigned artist of 2010" is a pretty big deal, and not something that's said about everybody."

"That said, it's not worth letting anything go to your head, I'm just focusing on succeeding in making the music that I am happy with at the moment, and from there I can try proving the belief Mary Anne Hobbs has shown in me is right!"

What are your hopes for the rest of the year?

"I hope to really push my own sound, whilst finding comfort within it. To get a full length release up and running as soon as possible. Finally, I have a few plans for some big shows in the summer, and am really hoping it all comes together. I don't wanna be stuck at Coventry's Godiva Festival for another summer! That would be dark...

tthhaannkkss for having me, mmaayynngg!!!"

(Photo By Adele M. Reed)

I would like to say a big thank you to Jon Pritchard for the interview. Also thank you to Adele Mary Reed for providing the great photos as well. If you like the look of these photos, check out her website http://www.adelemreed.co.uk/ and also http://www.flickr.com/photos/adelee. There is some really great work on these pages, I really like her spontaneous and unstaged style, so make sure you check her collection out for yourselves.

Adidas Originals World Cup Collection 2010

Adidas have marked the occasion and their sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by creating a collection which celebrates World Cup history. Adidas have created items for selected nations, producing a zip-up jacket and t-shirt for the chosen nations. On the collar of each of the jackets the year which the design is based on is written, and this ranges from 1978-1990 within this collection.

Many of these designs have been inspired by styles of kits/training-wear worn by the respective nations in moments of greatness. This is best shown above, where the kit Germany which wore when winning the World Cup in Italy in 1990 has been almost replicated in the retro t-shirt and jacket design within this collection. Along with the German designs, the standout items for me are the Argentina and Spain jackets, which combine a sense of the retro with the up to date styles of Adidas Originals jackets.

The items of this collection, the majority of which are pictured below, can be found online and also in a couple of stores. To browse/purchase the goods online, visit either http://shop.adidas.co.uk/index.jsf?_VCM=1271240150536 or http://size.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Home_10701_11551_-1. You can also find the items in selected Adidas Originals and Size? stores, with the stores in London (Earlham Street, Covent Garden and Carnaby Street) being the most likely to stock such items.

Argentina Collection 1978

Brazil Collection 1978

France Collection 1982

Italy Collection 1982

Netherlands Collection 1982

South Africa Collection 2010

Spain Collection 1978

Sweden Collection 1978