Dibiase & PUDGE – Smoke It Over

We’ve been waiting for this one for a while now. The excellent Dublin-based All City Records are starting a new series of vinyl releases for 2010, following from their acclaimed 7×7 series back in 08 which saw them release 7 (well actually 8 as they did an extra one in 09) 7″s featuring tracks from producers that had been bubbling under and a few of which went on to receive greater acclaim and fame in 09. These included Hudson Mohawke, Onra, Mike Slott and Fulgeance to name a few.

For 2010 the label returns with a similar concept this time the 10×10 LA Series. The concept couldn’t be simpler: 10 10″s from LA producers featuring one producer on each side and artwork from the mighty B+ of Mochilla fame. Simple concept maybe but packing an almighty punch especially when it’s that well executed.

First up are two producers who we’ve been following keenly for a while – Dibiase and PUDGE. I saw PUDGE in November when he played the Ramp party in London, and must admit his set was a pleasure. I’d known of him but not that well and the live set was a perfect introduction. As for Dibiase, he’s someone whose music, or more accurately beats, I’ve been hunting over the last year ever since I discovered him on a video with Ras G back in 08. As Take, another LA producer, put it when I saw him in the summer, Dibiase is a sort of unsung producing hero on the LA beat scene, a local Dilla with an incredible knack for the most catchy headnodders.

To celebrate the launch of the series, All City have given out one track from the first 10″ entitled ‘Smoke It Over’ and featuring both producers. See below for download link and stream.

Here’s some blurb from the press release regarding both and also tracklist for the first 10″.

Dibiase – Representing HollyWatts in South LA, Dibiase has been making a name for himself beneath the surface over the last few years. Now coming overground he’s recently dropped 45s on Detroits OTW label plus Fat City.
P.U.D.G.E – Originally from Jamaica, Queens now residing in L.A producer and MC P.U.D.G.E has released on Ramp and most recently on the Beat Dimensions 2 LP.

LA Series 1 – Dibiase & PUDGE – BUY IT HERE

• PUDGE – Intro
• PUDGE – Satta MariJuana
• PUDGE – Blips Ahoy Mate
• PUDGE – Afrilude
• PUDGE – AwnMyDawn
• PUDGE – ArabIncense
• PUDGE & Dibiase – Smoke It Over
• Dibiase – wtf
• Dibiase – Thrilla Time Slime
• Dibiase – Spacely Sprocketts
• Dibiase – I Pity the Fool
• Dibiase – Axel Bop

Download Dibiase & PUDGE – Smoke It Over (right click and save as)

Alongside this new series All City are also starting 2010 with a 7″ from Om Unit, who regular listeners of the show will know by now. The release, Lavender b/w Lightgrids, has been on rotation in our shows for a few months now as we’ve been lucky enough to get the early heads up on it and we’re very happy to see it finally come out. For my money, Lightgrids is the joint and it’s been getting some serious support from the likes of Martyn, Benji B and Mark Pritchard as well as being featured on XLR8R’s website.

The 7″ is out now, and you can buy it here. Comes with some beautiful artwork too.

Lastly Om Unit has also done a 30 min mix of All City material past, present and future. It’s the perfect addition to both releases and a great way to catch up with the label’s output, or if you aren’t new to it, reminisce on the good stuff. You can download the mix here.

Nov 25th – Ramp Recordings @ The Lightbox, London

Early heads-up for those in/around London: on November 25th, Ramp Recordings will be hosting their first official event at the Lightbox in Vauxhall, London. As you know we don’t usually do too many event related news round these parts, but suffice to say that if you can make one party this month in London, or possibly even this winter, I highly recommend it’s this one. Nevermind it’s midweek, these guys have laid on a serious line up that reflects the label’s amazing year.

Started around 4 years ago, Ramp Recordings have been working at it slowly over the years, releasing music from a variety of artists, most notably Count Bass D, Kan Kick and Georgia Anne Muldrow, but 2009 has really seen the label hit a more than respectable cruising altitude with an output that as so far, for me, made them one of the labels of the year by a long mile. By combining quality control, diversity and art they’ve achieved what a lot of labels wish for, and still managed to keep their integrity and a low-key profile, though hopefully that last one might change as people realise what they’ve been missing. To give you an idea, in 2009 the label has released music from Flying Lotus & Declaime, Shortstuff, Ras G, FaltyDL, Zomby, Slugabed and a collaborative compilation with Flogsta Dancehall showcasing Skweee music. And there’s a lot more in the pipeline.

Back to the point, Ramp are having their first party in London this month and for the occasion they’ve brought in some special guests all the way from L.A. alongside some of their own artists. Full details are below and stay tuned for a freebie from TOKiMONSTA, one of the L.A. artists that will be playing at the gig, to celebrate this fine event and her forthcoming release on the label. From the email we received this morning:

It’s been a long time coming, and with a roster that most other labels would pawn their offices for, RAMP Recordings are set to hold their first official event at the Lightbox in Vauxhall, London. Championed nearly weekly by Mary Anne Hobbs, and heavily backed by Gilles Peterson, L.A. resident and newly signed Tokimonsta makes the flight all the way from L.A. for an exclusive London show. Recently accepted to the RBMA 2010 in London, back home Toki rolls with Flying Lotus and fellow RAMP label mate Ras G, and is readying her “Cosmic Intoxication” EP, which is set to drop soon. Next to step up, and with a debut live PA show no less, is SBTRKT & Sampha, performing amongst other future garage joints, the highly anticipated RAMP single ”Break Off”, currently being battered by Annie Mac & Sinden, and highly tipped for huge success next year. Joining Toki from the planet’s current hot bed of talent that is L.A., P.U.D.G.E follows his astounding session for Mary Anne Hobbs with his European debut show, dropping knowledge from his upcoming “Idiot Box” LP. The RAMP contingent is in full effect, with funky/garage monkey Shortstuff, A.D.H.D. riddled problem child Slugabed, and the big boss man, Tom@RAMP, a.k.a. The White Suge Knight, firing bullets from behind the decks.

So all that’s left to say is get your tickets in and mark the date in your diaries. You can find more details on the Facebook event page, as for tickets I haven’t got any link information at hand unfortunately but will update soon as I do. Or keep an eye on their myspace.