Since their inception in 2010, local independent culture firm EKL has specialized in visual production, music, and clothing, creating a unique brand designed to cultivate all things creative, aiding clients in the pursuits of their passions. Tonight, Verve dance studio hosts the collective's fourth anniversary party, featuring music from Kinda Like Dreamin', Wza, Goodman Brown, Shuteyes, Hooizzy, and Rada Rada. Buffalo MC's Sammy Booms and Dr. Ooo of Kinda Like Dreamin' will also have solo sets at the event which will include free drinks, photography, clothing giveaway and a copy of the EKLephantz Volume 2. mixtape with $10 admission.

The lineup features some of best local hip-hop talent, a group of artists committed to keeping the founding cultural ideals of the genre intact with individual style, thoughtful lyricism, and soulful instrumentals full of personality. As new producers and rappers continue to emerge on a consistent basis, Buffalo hip hop is a growing scene, full of creative, innovative and deeply passionate artists. Head down to Verve at 10pm and catch the EKL's celebration of the inspiring work they do to help build our strong sense of local culture. Watch the video for the new Dr.Ooo single below, "Primetime," produced by Goodman Brown, which appears on the EKLephantz Vol 2. mixtape as well as a new EP, Canary Yellow, due out this summer.

Octo Octa - "Cause I Love You"
Los Angeles based label 100% Silk has a reputation for releasing slightly left-field, eccentric dance tracks and their latest release from Brooklyn producer Octo Octa is no exception. "Cause I Love You" layers several vocal samples over skittish percussion accompanied by the producers' signature warm melodic synth swells creating a significantly higher energy, more full-bodied vibe than his reflective 2013 LP Between Two Selves. 



Kele Okereke - "Come To Me" Ft. Jenny Bastet 
Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke is set to release his second solo EP on Crosstown Rebels after seamlessly making the transition from indie rock to house on his Heartbreaker EP. Candy Flip, which drops April 14th, features a noticeably deeper sound, with B-side "Come To Me" boasting a late night atmosphere with vocals from Jenny Bastet.




Ossie  - "She Knows (That Love Hurts)"
With releases on Hyperdub and 20/20 Vision to his name, UK producer Ossie leans toward classic NY house on "She Knows (That Love Hurts)," part of his latest EP for WOLF music. The track displays a clear r&b influence, with sultry vocals and a straightforward house rhythm. Look for the EP out on vinyl on March 31st.

From the moment they took the stage with a vocal excerpt of Rhythm Control's classic track "My House" playing faintly, it became clear that Tuesday night's Cut Copy show at the Town Ballroom would be yet another memorable and celebratory performance from the Melbourne synthpop band. Touring in support of their latest record, Free Your Mind, co-produced by Fredonia based studio maestro Dave Fridmann, the band showed an effortless ability to incorporate house and Madchester influences into their eclectic, pop oriented sound. 

Opting to play the album's spectacular title track early in the set, "Free Your Mind," was projected behind the band in Facebook's signature font before a blue background, making for an interesting juxtaposition and provoking statement on independent thought in the digital era. Given frontman Dan Whitford's background in graphic design, the show had a strong and concise visual element that ranged from hypnotic black and white spirals during "Let Me Show You" to psychedelic color blends during "We Are Explorers." Combined with lustrous light coordination and a highly charismatic delivery, Cut Copy were able to create a warm, uplifting atmosphere on a cold Buffalo night as they captivated the audience with each drum solo, cymbal crash, breakdown and buildup.

The set also included cuts from their 2008 album, In Ghost Colours, and 2011's Zonoscope, with standouts like the infectious, riffy "Lights and Music" and the acid-house stylings of "Hearts On Fire." After briefly leaving the stage the band returned for a two song encore that featured "Walking in the Sky" and the always affecting "Need You Now", whose yearning chorus set to majestic oceanic scenery was a powerful way to end an impassioned performance. On Tuesday night, Cut Copy were able to prove the ability purposeful pop music has to transcend age, race and gender and bring people together for a damn good party.

Buffalo based singer/songwriter and producer Jon Bap has an eclectic sound that ranges from experimental rock to soul, jazz and hip-hop. In addition to boasting impressive skills as an MC, the artists remix work which includes tracks from Beyonce, The SEVENth, and an ethereal, spaced out take on 50 Cent's "What Up Gangsta". Evident from his diverse Soundcloud uploads, Bap is capable of incorporating countless influences to create a truly unique sound, like on the track "The Best Out" which features a mellow beat and soulful vocals sampled from UK singer Sampha juxtaposed with fiery Drake sample from "Too Much."

In anticipation of his upcoming album, the artist recently shared a collection of demos and studio takes that didn't make it onto the album. The nearly ten minutes of material includes smooth vocal melodies, a comical impression of Atlanta rap group Migos and an experimental track that borders on noise rock with psychedelic and soul elements. With ambitious instrumentation from Bap along with flute and saxophone from Kevin Jacobi and guitar from Dominic Missana, the still untitled sophomore album promises to be highly creative and as sonically adventurous as his 2012 debut Parallels, which featured a slightly more straighforward, indie rock sound. Check out the demos below.

Medlar - "Tap Spring"
London DJ/Producer Medlar makes house tracks with a heavy jazz influence, favoring loose grooves and soulful sampling. His dream-like debut LP, Sleep, was released last year on WOLF music to favorable reviews. On March 21st, the Sleep Remixes EP will be released as a vinyl exclusive, which includes the track "Tap Spring," showing off a more mellow, tribal sound from the producer.



Howson's Groove - "Live On"
UK production duo Howson's Groove recently shared their latest track "Live On" as a free download from their upcoming EP, Body & Soul, out on March 31st. The slow-building, smooth track features subtly warped vocals and swirling synths. Listen and download the lush production below.




Mario Bee - "3xtr^"
Brooklyn via Buffalo producer/DJ Mario Bee occasionally drops demos and instrumentals on his soundcloud page. The latest of his often experimental productions, "3xtr^," shows off grime and UK bass influences, with hard-hitting, tenacious percussion. With a sound that brings to mind London's Night Slugs label, the producer balances melodic synth work with tight bass and drum work to create an ambitious, highly resonant track. Listen below.

Samo Sound Boy - "Open"
Body High co-founder and LA producer Samo Sound Boy is set to drop a new EP, entitled Open/Divine on March 18th. "Open" continues the trend of Samo's more recent work, focusing on a more subdued, sensual vibe. The track also shows the progression towards a significantly more economical sound, placing melody and atmospherics at the forefront of his sonic aspirations. With artists like Jim-E Stack, Jerome LOL, and Floyd Campbell, the Body High camp continues to impress, coming into their own with a unique, and emotive aesthetic.




Maya Jane Coles - "Something In The Air" (Dark Sky Remix)
London production/dj trio Dark Sky offer a stunning rework of Maya Jane Coles' "Something In The Air" with ethereal vocal melodies, keeping the chilled, reflective vibe of the original intact. The track is available as a part of the Don't Put Me In Your Box four track EP released earlier this week via Hypercolour records.




Factory Floor - "How You Say" (Daniel Avery Remix)
The tracks of UK techno producer Daniel Avery have a certain murky, analog style that focus on slow-paced transitions and drawn out melodic sections. His latest remix of Factory Floor's "How You Say" is typically serene and a gorgeous nearly nine minute trip that balances dreamy atmospherics with darker undertones. Look for the physical release of the track on April 14th.

Citizen -  "U Don't Know"
London producer Citizen has become known for his huge sounding tune's that often make use of pitch shifted vocals and raucous percussion. Last year's Jagged Edge sampling, "So Submissive," featured in George Fitzgerald's excellent BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix was as infectious as dance music gets. His latest release for 2020Vision Recordings, entitled "U Don't Know," is another crisp cut with a subdued beat and highly inventive vocal sampling that carries the track with its' shifty melody.




The Juan Maclean - "Get Down (With My Love)"
Former LCD Soundsystem member Nancy Whang once again contributes vocals on, "Get Down (With My Love)," the latest single from DFA's The Juan Maclean. According the artist, the track marks the final installment of a "dancefloor trilogy" that included last year's "You Are My Destiny" and "Feel Like Movin." Look for a  new album from the band out this summer.




Rufus Du Sol - "Desert Night" (Groundislava Remix)
Often the most impressive remix work involves taking the most evocative elements of a track and using them to create a musical hybrid that manages to escape genre classification. Los Angeles producer and WEDIDIT collective member Groundislava's remix of Rufus Du Sol's "Desert Night" is a gorgeous, surreal cut with a deep bass line and hypnotizing vocals. The bright, bouncy nature of the original is flipped as the producer heads in a different direction, playing on subtle changes and giving the track space to make for a brilliant piece of reflective dance music.




Tom Richman - "Dro Montana" (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)
Over the past few years, Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth has made a name for himself with his awe-inspiring remixes that draw upon hip-hop, R&B and bass music to create an effortless balance of tenacity and ethereal bliss. Much like his eclectic DJ sets, his latest rework of Kansas producer Tom Richman's "Dro Montana," features fierce hip hop production with soulful vocal sampling, which makes sense for an artist who has previously paired Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire with J-pop star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and A$AP Rocky with a Britney Spears instrumental.

Moon Boots - "C.Y.S."
The unique style of Chicago producer Moon Boots blends 90's r&b with house and funk in a way that makes for some undeniably fun, blissful tracks. The French Express label member's latest track, "C.Y.S." samples Total's 1995 hit "Can't You See" featuring The Notorious B.I.G., using the soulful vocals to build a killer hook around a smooth deep house tune with infectious chords and a characteristically lively rhythm. Download the track below.



Audion - "Sky (Daniel Avery Remix)"
UK producer Daniel Avery released the stellar, Drone Logic, last year, a lush record that used Detroit Techno influences to create a masterful and hypnotic sound. His remix of Audion's "Sky" is a murky, driving track with powerful percussion and a deep bass line. Listen below and check out the single's appropriately cerebral artwork.



Karma Kid - "Like I'm On Fire (Behling & Simpson)"
Bristol duo Behling & Simpson's smooth house rework of fellow British artist Karma Kid's "Like I'm On Fire" is a more straightforward, club-oriented take on the original. With crisp bass and intense drums, the vocals fade in and out throughout the track driven by a tight hi-hat groove. Listen below.        



Justin Timberlake - "Let The Groove Get In (Alex Burkat's Social Network Edit)" 
Brooklyn based producer Alex Burkat has released tracks for house label 100% Silk and Party/label Mister Saturday Night for which he released his first single "Shower Scene," a track that made its' way onto John Talabot's incredibe DJ Kicks mix last year. The recently shared "Let The Groove Get In" is a sleek edit of the Justin Timberlake track with an impressive breakdown and well crafted vocal hook.



Mix of The Week: Whadafunk & Mario Bee - "Super Wavy"
Brooklyn via Buffalo producer/DJ recently mixed this hip hop mix for New York based clothing company Whadafunk featuring tracks from Eloheeeem, A-N-T, Supra Natural, and SanchMasta. Combing classic boom-bap with ethereal, heady beats, the nearly half-hour mix boasts a talented collection of MC's. Download below and check out the cover artwork from fellow Buffalo ex-pat Witchoria.

British Columbia dubstep producer Troy Beetles has been recording under the name Datsik since 2009 when he released his debut EP, Against The Machines on Substruk records. After seeing fellow producer Excision at the Shambhala music festival in 2008, Beetles was inspired to create his own tracks, eventually collaborating and releasing several remixes together in the following year. Last September saw the release his second full length record, Let it Burn, on his imprint Firepower records.

Tonight Datsik returns to the Town Ballroom after last playing the venue in April 2013 with support from Atlanta trap producer HeRobust, whose hip-hop infused bass tracks are a maximalist combination of numerous influences throughout club music. Also on the bill is GETTER, a young artist and San Jose native signed to Beetles' Firepower label whose 2013 single "I Want More" found its' way to the top of the Beatport chart. Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $24 presale and can be purchased at the door for $29.

Local rapper Coleman J Brahski premiered the Malt Disney-directed video for his track "Pixel Party" last summer, in which the fiery MC posts up in a recycling container, a parking garage and other places around the city with former Buffalo DJ/producer Mario Bee. Fans of Odd Future might recognize the Weird Eye produced instrumental from Earl Sweatshirt's "Molliwhopped," which has been edited by Malt Disney. With plenty of nostalgic 90's references, including a shout out to Dunkaroos, combined with the warped, scatter-brained vision of Malt Disney's production, the clip captures the raucous artist firing off random commentary in his eccentric, socially-conscious manner.

Jerome LOL - "Fool" (Feat. Angelina Lucero)
Body High label co-founder and Los Angeles producer Jerome LOL has a new EP entitled Deleted/Fool out on February 4th. "Fool" features Chicago singer Angelina Lucero, who delivers melancholic vocals over the sparse, haunting track. With decadent layers of affecting sounds coupled with the yearning vocal melody, the result is the type of reflective atmosphere the producer has become known for in his ambitious, warped pop soundscapes.



Aden - "Whip (Jimmy Edgar Remix)"
Berlin based producer Jimmy Edgar started his Ultramajic imprint back in June of last year, releasing tracks from Danny Daze, Aden, as well as his stellar Hot Inside EP. The latest single from the label is a jacking, New Jersey house track from Aden with an infectious, pulsing beat. "Whip" has been remixed by Edgar himself who keeps the formula simple, nodding to early 90's deep house with an upbeat vibe and energetic keys.



Jeremy Glenn - "Jump The Fire" (J.Wiltshire Remix)
Hypercolour artist J.Wiltshire puts his moody deep house stylings on this remix of Jeremy Glenn's "Jump The Fire." Pitching down the original vocals and chopping them up beyond recognition, adding a chugging bass line and murky drums that make for a euphoric rework.



Saint Pepsi - "We Belong Together"
More of a remix than an original, Saint Pepsi's "We Belong Together" offers a garage/house fusion take on the Mariah Carey track of the same name. Also sampling Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock's "It Take's Two," the sprightly tune is built around an incredible groove and funky bass line that does the soulful vocals of the original justice.

Released back in October of last year, "Mosquitoes," the first single by local MC INDIGO//AMADI, managed to fly under our radar here at buffaBLOG. An initial listen to the track reveals an artist capable of bringing a unique vision to the Buffalo hip hop community, with an immediately captivating, breezy instrumental that brings to mind Los Angeles producer Flying Lotus. The rapper's mellow flow comes across as effortless and well developed despite having no other known releases to his name. Listen to the track below and hopefully this year will see more material from the artist who presents one of more intriguing sounds to emerge from our local scene.

Bodhi - "Entropy"
UK production duo Bodhi blend elements of garage, house and bass music in their tracks that often results in a smoldering, soulful sound. Their latest effort, "Entropy," is no exception as a sultry vocal sample is introduced before a deep bass line and sprightly drums carry the infectious tune. Look for a new three track EP from the pair out February 24th via Ten Thousand Yen. Listen/download below.



Lokiboi - "Paumes"
Moscow born producer Lokiboi recently shared this track as a free download upon reaching 3,000 Facebook followers. The bass heavy tune features imaginative synths, hard-hitting drums and packs an incredible amount of energy over just more than four minutes, with a murky atmosphere underlying the unrelenting beat. Download the track below.



Grimes - "Vanessa" (Buzz Trillington OC Mixtape Exclusive Remix)
Local artist Buzz Trillington debuted this ethereal remix of Grimes' "Vanessa" on his remarkable new mixtape for Buffalo streetwear company Only Comrades. Claire Boucher's airy vocals are backed by masterful drum patterns and near subterranean bass that deserves much more than a laptop speaker listen. The style of production has been fittingly referred to as "chill trap" and provides an intriguing juxtaposition of art-pop atmospheres with rhythms and bass influenced by hip hop that is hard to deny as one of the more interesting hybrids to emerge from club music in recent years.



Rain Dog - "Regolith"
London artist Samuel Evans, better known as Rain Dog, is set to release a new LP entitled Two Words on project:mooncircle on January 14th and has shared a new track from the record. "Regolith" boasts a moody, ambient vibe with a slow pace and vocals that mirror the song's reflective nature. Using interesting piano tones and percussion textures, the emotional track shows flashes of brilliance that hopefully leads to a breakout effort from the producer.

Lone - "Dream Ache"
The futuristic jazz stylings of London producer Lone have a certain adventurous quality that takes shape around infectious synth melodies and dizzying percussion. His latest track, "Dream Ache," is available as a free download on soundcloud and picks up right where the artist left off with last year's impressive "Airglow Fires" single. First appearing on Rustie's Essential Mix back in 2012, the crisp production includes detuned chords that add a layer of dissonance to the original melody and a patient pacing that allows the track's elements to be individually appreciated. Download the track below.

     
Crackazat - "Candle Coast"
Bristol based artist Benjamin Jacobs aka Crackazat has previously released tracks on hometown label Futureboogie recordings and now makes his debut on Swedish house label Local Talk with the release of the Candle Coast EP. The title track is a deep house cut with a mellow groove and acidic bass line that churns along, picking up momentum as the track moves along.



Trumpet & Badman - "Love Keeps Changing"
DJ Q and DJ Haus recently teamed up under the name Trumpet & Badman to release an EP, Love Keeps Changing. The title track features nostalgic jacking house vibes reminiscent of the early 90's New York sound. It's a sound that's hardly inventive, yet one that the pair manage to execute with ease, capturing the energetic, bouncing nature of the records from that era.




Rhythm Operator vs Rhode & Brown - "Fiona's Room"
New York label Let's Play House put out producer Rhythm Operator's Hope EP back in November of last year. The record's lead track, "Fiona's Room," features production duo Rhode & Brown and a soaring vocal sample that carries the tune and set's up a nice groove with crisp drums and a shuffling rhythm.