Top Ten Updated for December

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

The beats that are moving my feet this month. Lots of Drum 'n Bass for some reason, partially I think 'cuz I just discovered Culture Shock and I've got a love hang over for Pendulum after the amazing show at Kool Hause a couple months back. :)

1. Pendulum - Showdown - Warner
2. A. Skillz and Krafty Kuts - Happiness - Finger Lickin' Records
3. Senorita - Swing Session - GAMM Records
4. Aldo Vanucci & Featurecast - Walk Like a Man - Funk Weapons
5. Deadbeats - You never know - Wax On Records
6. The Jazzual Suspects - Ba Dada - Om Records
7. Culture Shock - Imax/Kronix - RAM Records
8. Bahama Soul Club - Rhythm is what makes Jazz Jazz - Buyú Records
9. Kokolo - Soul Power (Lack of Afro Remix) - Record Kicks
10. Culture Shock - Smoothie - RAM Records

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Non-dj Performance: Univox Choir

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

EDIT: Slight update on the prices for tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, kids k-12 free. Also, if you buy an adult ticket in advance, it's only $10!

I'm in a different choir this year, Univox, and our Christmas Concert is fast approaching! I've been a little slack in promoting it this year, so hopefully I'm getting this to you all in time.

Our Christmas concert is happening next friday night, Dec 12th @8pm. Location is St. Timothy's Anglican Church, 100 Old Orchard Grove, Toronto. (Map)

A slightly different group this time out: the members are younger but the music is older. :) No Christmas Carols, but expect beautiful choral singing of songs celebrating the season.

Tickets are $15, $10 for students, and can be purchased at the door or in advance through me.

It's a great way to slow down and sooth your soul during this busy time of the year. Hope to see you there!

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Korg Synth for the Nintendo DS:

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Another slightly older music story, but still pretty cool: someone's making a Korg-approved DS-10 synthesizer for the Nintendo DS. Pair this up with Protein DS and the more commercial Jam Sessions and you can have your own DS Orchestra!

I think the explosion of music-based software for consoles/portables in the last little while is interesting. On one side of the spectrum you have the fun arcade experience of rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. On the other, you have simple to complex simulations of real world instruments that could become full-fledged professional tools with a bit of time, dedication and creativity.

It might be easy to dismiss these tools as "toys" (I alluded to this earlier), but in the right hands, I think real art can be made.

When it comes to software-based music making, I've eventually come to the conclusion that all these different apps are just different ways of doing the same thing: playing back recorded sound at the right time and effecting it. Digital music-making is basically sample-pushing, it's not like you're "playing" a computer like you "play" a guitar, physically making sound. Because you don't need a physical skill set to arrange samples, the technology has democratized the music making process, for better or for worse. (That's a different argument)

I digress...the point is that whether it's Cubase or ProteinDS, they're basically doing the same thing. As a digital music maker, it's up to you to figure out what interface, work flow and tool set works best for unlocking your inner creativity.

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DJ Shagz spinning @ Lee's Palace, Thurs, Nov 6th for Inside a Mind

Posted By: DJ Shagz
Date:

Just a last minute update on the Inside a Mind CD release party on Thursday at Lee's Palace: I'll be dropping beats between the bands alongside DJ Dialect! Expect avant garde hip hop, blunted beats and other bassy goodness as we warm up the speakers and your ears for the evening.

Inside a Mind CD Release Party
w/ Guests LAL and Peter Project
Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W, Toronto
Doors @ 8:30
Tickets are $8 in advance (Rotate This, Soudscape), more at the door

See you there!

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Top Ten Updated for July/Aug

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

I'm going to start making actual blog posts when I update the Top Ten 'cuz I think most people are missing it. :P

Actually, I think there are a few things that are going missing on this site, and I will be modifying the site in the coming months...perhaps a new design, definitely a new code base (I'm still using *tables* for the site layout, for Pete's sake :P)...

To the beats!

1. Jaytech - Groove Nova - AnjunaDeep
2. Elite Force - Kinetic Connection (Rogue Element Mix) - U&A Recordings
3. Strike - U Sure Do (Eric Smax & Thomas Gold Remix) - White Label/Internet
4. Sam Sparrow - Black and Gold/21st Century Life - Universal
5. Kraak and Smaak w/ Ben Westbeech - Squeeze Me (Jem Stone Remix) - Jalapeno Records
6. Dr. Rubberfunk - Modern Day Lothario - GPS Recordings
7. Melody Gardot - Goodnite (Charles LP Mix) - White Label/Internet
8. Plump DJs - Torque of the Devil - Finger Lickin' Records
9. Smoove - Rejoice in the Righteousness - Acid Jazz
10. Ramsey Lewis - Les Fleurs - Cadet Records

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