Formed out of the Wild Bunch in Bristol in the late 80′s Massive Attack have lasted the pace more than most electronic acts formed at that time. With six albums under their belts with various line ups they are masters of the blissed out trip hop sound that came to life during the inception of the early 90′s dance culture.

The sound is summed up no better that with the all time classic “Unfinished Sympathy” from the eponymous first album “Blue Lines”. Financial support came from Neneh Cherry, who’s husband Cameron McVey also provided production expertise. Out of these early recordings came Labs favourite Tricky and well as members of Portishead, together they would emerge to create a whole new musical genre.

Sit back, relax and lets the beautiful vocal, and string arrangements take you back. Blissful yet emetional this song never fails to hit the spot.

Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy

As some of the Phuturelabs collective will be knee deep in T in the Park madness this weekend, I thought I’d dig out a Tricky favourite for today’s Friday classic. The man himself will be playing live in the Slam Tent on Sunday and this one’s sure to appear in the set. After departing from Massive Attack, Tricky’s debut album “Maxinquaye” showed that he was an immense solo talent and with the amazing vocals of Martina Topley Bird in full effect, “Aftermath” stood out as the best track for me.

So if you’re at T this weekend – make sure you catch Tricky and if not, sit back, relax and enjoy his finest moment to ease yourself into the weekend.

Tricky – Aftermath

We get many, many demo’s at the labs to listen to and a few weeks ago one came along that really turned our heads. Ghost Bike is an unsigned artist based is Israel who is looking to release his latest work in May. Currently without a label we thought we would try and give him a hand finding some support.

Vlad Shusterman, the man behind the project has worked in the music business under several guises and in several genres. This really shows through in the album. Haunting, vacuous soundscapes with some wonderful guitar work combine with deep stuttering bass lines and innovative sampling. This is a producer that understands sound and composition to create real atmosphere.

The are two free tunes to listen to and download below and we will keep you posted on a possible album release. Genre wise it tips its hat to Trip Hop, Dubstep and IDM with some Post Rock drone thrown in. You can get a larger sample of the album on the great Bandcamp site here. Enjoy.

Ghost Bike – Memory Drain

Ghost Bike – Strays

Not more than 2 weeks ago we brought you a superb free LP “Best Laid Plans” from Glasgow based producer/turntablist Ronin. Well we have done it again with access to the free “Battledrums” EP just brought out on Nerve Breaks label.

After rave reviews it didn’t take long for Paul Reset, label boss of resurgent Scottish imprint Nerve to snap him up. Here is what Paul had to say about this excellent new exclusive free EP. (yes I did say free!!)

I was delighted when he agreed to put together an EP for Nerve Breaks and off to work he went! I’m very very proud to present “The Battledrums EP”. Taking a harder route than his debut album but keeping up the epic factor, this serves as a taster for his second album “Remixes From The Field”

1: “Quarantine”

2: “If You Fear Dying”

3: “Vicious Tradition”

4: “My Own Summer”

5: “The Battledrums EP (Seamless Mix)”

We thought the best thing would be to allow the man himself to give us the lowdown on “Battledrums” EP and its influences…..

These tracks are a taste of things to come, they represent the harder edge of the album. Trying to show as much variation in style as possible to reflect my range of influence, so the album ranges from the downtempo ways of the first LP to 190bpm efforts like the My Own Summer remix. Composition is a big part of what I’m doing so I like to think some songs span the whole spectrum within the same track.

The song choices for this EP are amongst the heaviest on the album to contrast with my previous stuff.

In making this new effort I set out to make what I was feeling, regardless of what genre any given track might then fall into. With any luck they’re still all very much “Ronin” tracks, so not to fret – there’s still all the dreamy, cinematic stuff pulling these tracks together. The tripped out, spaghetti western shit is still very much a part of my M.O, I just like to think I’ve got a bit more in there aswell now!

So down to the specifics, Quarantine samples primarily “In a Heartbeat” from the 28 days later soundtrack, the vocals are scratched and cut from a Thom Yorke acapella. On “If You Fear Dying” that is indeed Zach De La Rocha (RATM being one of my all time favourite bands) The track remixed is from his One Day As A Lion EP. Vicious Traditions is a rework of a track by The Veils, and My Own Summer I assume speaks for itself, that track just deserved a remix that took it in the opposite direction from the downtempo NIN remix!

I’d also like to add that although in places it might not sound it, I think this is very much a hip hop album, using “old school” hip hop techniques. 99% of it is still MPC work, filters & turntablism, its just used to different effect in parts.

In my (humble) opinion, the original hip hop of old sampled and remixed soul & funk records because that was the music of the time. I’m just doing the same thing with the music that I love from MY era. It just comes down to trying to be as honest as possible with the music I create.

Now that we have heard from him we thought you might also want to see him in action.

Maynard James Keenan has built a reputation for being one of modern rock’s more inventive frontmen with his bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. In 2007, he formed Puscifer. With Keenan being the only constant member it’s seen as more of a solo project but with various musicians being drafted in as and when required. Musically it veered far from his other work – taking in elements of trip hop, dub and hip hop.

The album “V is for Vagina” just blew me away, absolutely amazing stuff – epic in it’s scope and ridiculously funky too. Since then he’s released various remix albums and 10th November saw the release of some new material in the shape of “”C” Is for (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE)”. It’s a bit short in that it’s only a 6 tracker but it’s absolutely brilliant.

From Milla Jovovich’s jaw dropping vocal on “The Mission (M is for Milla Mix)” through to two live tracks recorded at the first Puscifer live shows earlier this year via three new tracks – one of which, “Potions” is allegedly a result of the infamous Tapeworm sessions with Trent Reznor and co.

So aye it’s absolutely gallus, so grab it and be delighted!