Six Days – DJ Shadow (1996)
Josh Davis was born on 1 January 1973 in Hayward, California. He is best known, as a precursor of sampling, DJ, producer and musician under the name DJ Shadow.
He starts very early to work with samples. This allows him to get quickly discovered by the director of a radio in San Francisco (KMEL). There, he make several remixes which reach the ears of James Lavelle, then boss of the label Mo’Wax.
He works under the tutelage of Mo’Wax to produce several maxis which let discover the sound which will become his trademark, involving rock, soul, jazz, funk samples, and scratches, covering a deep and powerful rhythm.
In 1996, he releases his first album Endtroducing. The composition of the album, based solely on samples made him join the Guinness Book of Records. This album will probably remain one of his major works.
Then, in conjunction with his solo projects, he works on collective projects such as U.N.K.L.E. in 1998, on which you can hear Thom Yorke or Richard Ashcroft of The Verve and Mike D of the Beastie Boys. You can also see him participating in projects with Cut Chemist, DJ Krush, Massive Attack, DJ Q-Bert…
The track Six Days is extracted from the album The Private Press that was released in June 2002. To make the clip of the song DJ Shadow asked Wong Kar-Wai, who no longer needs to be introduced. The expressionist atmosphere of the clip perfectly fits this great song full of spleen.
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DJ Shadow Official Website
DJ Shadow Official Myspace
Six Days by Wong Kar-Wai Live on Youtube
Further information on Wikipedia [en]
Buy The Private Press on Amazon.com
Cymbal Rush – Thom Yorke (2006)
Thomas « Thom » Edward Yorke is a british musician. He was born October 7th, 1968 at Wellingborough in the Northamptonshire. At birth, the eyelid of his left eye is paralysed. During his five first years, he spend a lot of time at the hospital.
He met the other members of Radiohead in his private school at Abingdon, when he was 11 years old.
Thom Yorke took part in several artistic or musical projects. For example, he worked with PJ Harvey, Björk, U.N.K.L.E. and Beck.
On July 11th 2006, when he released this solo album: The Eraser, fans were disapointed and feared the end of the mythical band. But thom Yorke was very clear: it was only a trial of personnally written and produced album. It was produced and arranged by Nigel Godrich, historical producer of Radiohead.
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The Eraser Official Website
Further information on Wikipedia [en]
Buy The Eraser on Amazon.com
Too Late – M83 (2008)
M83 is a group of electronic music formed in 2001 by Anthony Gonzalez in Antibes. He is quickly joined by Nicolas Fromageau, guitarist and drummer from his first rock band. The M83 influences range from Sonic Youth to Mogwai or even My Bloody Valentine and Tangerine Dream. He is the worthy heir of Shoegaze style. In addition, we can’t miss the massive use of persistent electronic sounds which reminds us the tracks of Vangelis.
On Saturdays=Youth album released today, Anthony Gonzalez has worked with producers Ewan Pearson (who also produced for Ladytron and The Rapture) and Ken Thomas (also known for his work with Cocteau Twins or Sigur Rós). The voices are much more present than on previous albums, which do not make the album less gliding. We keep being carried away by these beautiful melodies fueled by melancholy.
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M83 Official Website
M83 Myspace
M83 Facebook Page
M83 YouTube Directory
Further information on Wikipedia [en]
Buy Saturdays=Youth on Amazon.com
