02 October 2010 - 0 Comments

The Black Seeds are to release their new Specials digital LP exclusively through their website on October 5, and then from all other digital outlets on October 11, 2010.

After the success of their platinum-selling studio album Solid Ground, the Specials takes songs from their latest album and mashes them up into different styles and genres - from funk to dubstep to acoustic to electronic and back again.

Not strictly a remix album, the Specials features a collection of unreleased B-Sides, acoustic versions & dub mixes from the 'Solid Ground' sessions, as well as remixes from the likes of the UK's JStar, Berlin's Frost & Wagner, and local artists acts such as dubstepper's Truth & Downtown Brown.

"It's like a 20c mixture. Some tracks have a more familiar 'Seeds' sound to them, and then some come totally out of left field. It was a chance to present Solid Ground songs under a new light and to encourage experimentation". Says Barnaby Weir, the bands lead singer/guitarist.

The 14-track album also includes the recently announced winners of the bands remix competition - Wellington producer D-Duff, and Californian based D-Tox.  The band received over 75 entries from all around the world for their website-run competition.

Special Pre-Order Offers will be available for a limited time from http://www.theblackseeds.com/ from Tuesday 28 October.

The Specials - Featured Artists

JStar
Big up'd by the likes of Grandmaster Flash, and Norman Jay, the UK's JStar is widely known for his slick reggae & hip-hop mash-ups. He's been described as "the year's best pure party shizzle mash up DJ, bar none", and his remixes of 'Come to Me' and 'One Step at a Time' are sure to put a smile on your face. Check out:
http://www.myspace.com/jstarmusic
http://soundcloud.com/jstar-1 

Truth
Fast making a name for themselves on the international Dubstep scene, NZ based trio Truth have been receiving vast DJ support from the likes of Mala, Hatcha, and Skream, and airplay on the BBC's Radio One, and Kiss FM.  Four of their tracks will soon be released on Skreams label Disfigured Dubz, and check out their amazing bass-heavy rework of 'Slingshot'.  For more about Truth, visit: http://www.myspace.com/truthdubstep
http://soundcloud.com/truthdubstep

Downtown Brown
Member of the Sunshine Sound System, owner of Queenstown club Subculture, and acclaimed NZ DJ, Downtown Brown's production work and addictive live sets have turned heads both here and overseas. His killer NYC Movin 12" was selected to be the tune of the month in both iDJ & Mixmag, and now checkout his scorching remix of our Solid Ground track 'Make a Move', featuring MC's Mighty Asterix and fellow Sunshine Sound System member  MC Switch.  Check out:  hwww.myspace.com/sunshinesoundsystemnz
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18840781187

Frost & Wagner
Berlin-based producers Frost & Wagner have made a name for themselves through their ability to blend innovative reggae-based productions with genres such as soul, jazz, and hip hop.  Check out their dark, electronica  re-working of our track 'Take Your Chances', or then check out:
http://frostandwagner.com/
www.myspace.com/frostundwagner

International Observer
'Deeply dubby', 'bass heavy', 'gorgeously seductive'..... these are all phrases used to describe the genius that is U.K producer, International Observer. Perpetrated by Tom Bailey of the extraordinarily successful Thompson Twins; International Observer continues to produce instrumentally lush sounds that push the boundaries of dub. Check out his remix of our track 'Come To Me', and then check out his latest album Felt, and new EP Popcorn Slavery: 
http://www.myspace.com/internationalobserver 

The Mighty Asterix
NZ's favourite reggae MC, The Mighty Asterix has been key in spreading the reggae vibes in both NZ and Australia over the past 20 years. He helped introduce 'soundsystem culture' to NZ in the '80s and features on both Downtown Brown's remix of 'Make A Move', and a new version of 'Come To Me', which also features his son MC Desta. For more info check out:  http://www.myspace.com/themightyasterix

D-Duff
20-year old Wellington producer D-Duff - AKA Damian Duffy was the first of our two remix competition winners for his heavy re-working of our Solid Ground track 'Rotten Apple'. Now based in Christchurch, D-Duff is also a member of up and coming NZ reggae act Merchants of Flow who are currently working on their debut album: Check out more here:
http://soundcloud.com/damian-duffy

D-TOX
Hailing from California, D-TOX  is the second of our remix competition winners. We love it how his impressive re-working of 'Rotten Apple' takes this Solid Ground track somewhere completely new. We're looking forward to hearing this in the club!
www.youtube.com/user/AdamGowerMusic

Radio Riddler
Radio Riddler is a two man production team featuring Fast and Frank from US band, Fun Lovin' Criminals. Radio Riddler's love for all things reggae shines through with their upbeat re-working of our Solid Ground track 'Make a Move'.  2011 will see the release of their dubbed up reggae version of Prince's Purple Rain, as well as a reggae tribute to Marvin Gaye:
http://www.myspace.com/radioriddler

Reality Chant
Reality Chant is a NZ-based label and collective spearheaded by Gabriel 'Messenjah' Calcott, also the producer behind Christchurch's Dubwize. Their new version of our Solid Ground track 'Love Is A Radiation', called Little Sunshine  features fellow Reality Chant member David Levi (aka Papa Levi), as well as  Christchurch-based vocalist Porina. For more on Reality Chant, or to check out their just released album Kings Highway, visit:
http://www.myspace.com/realitychant

MC Ishu
Jamaican born MC Ishu is now UK based after moving to London in the '80s to record with seminal punk band The Slits. On the Specials he adds his sublime vocals to JStar's re-working of 'Come to Me'. He's also a member of UK live dance act Step 13 - who have stormed UK venues from East London's Cargo to Bristol's Clockwork, and performed at festivals such as Glastonbury, and Secret Garden: http://www.step13.co.uk/

Thanks to www.thebratagency.com for this story.

Comments

Return to News Archive