Dusty Crates

The beats are kickin. The bass is thump, thump, thumpin.

Your toes are tappin. The tempo starts to travel from your toes, up your leg and through your body.

Your heart is pumpin just a bit faster than the cut that’s playin right now. But all you hear is the next one cued up in your headphones.

You look up for a sec…yep…they’re still dancin. Now you’re starting to feel their heat. A beam of light shines in your eyes. The disco ball showers the dance floor with color.

OK, focus…

Levels? Check!

Beats are on…

Timin’s right…

All right, here we go…

When it comes to DJing, Austin’s DJ Mel always maintains that next level. His eclectic musical taste blends well with his masterful mixing. This DJ innovator pulls out classic gems and current tracks for awe-inspiring mixes each and every time. He programs sets from a vast collection of history’s recorded dance music. Plus, it helps when you’ve been Waterloo Record’s perennial music buyer for years.

Mel’s broad criss-crossing knowledge of music genres coupled with an unbelievable dexterity behind the decks has earned him numerous credits–Lollapalooza’s stage manager (2008), Scion “Free Your Mix” Finalist (2004) and Austin’s “Best DJ” four-times over!

But, I personally consider DJ Mel a “DJ’s DJ.” He happens to be one of my top favorite DJs of all time and, I’ll even admit, a source of inspiration for my threading musical taste in my DJ journey. But I’m not gonna discount that he still makes me shake my ass pon de floor.

Mel made his debut at The Lot (4212 Washington, 77007) with us last month in the H. It was one of the coldest weekends in Houston, but he brought some heat with him and set shit on fire. The response was tremendous!

So, I’m happy to announce that he’s back this month to DIRB! with us again! This Saturday, February 6th, get there early because traffic on Washington Ave. gets pretty heavy after 10 p.m. Parking can be spotty, but there’s valet available right out front of the Lot. There’s no cover and drink specials include our favorite Texas beer: Lone Star tall boys. I’ll be on deck to warm it up before Mel, but save me a spot on that dance floor as soon as he’s on!

Now, if that ain’t enough to get you out to see this man live in 3-D this Saturday night, push play on the video link to see what you missed last month. Or just download DJ Mel’s mixes and remixes at www.smellyone.blogspot.com.

DJ Mel Mixes

• DJ Mel – The Motel Mix
• DJ Mel – The Funky Terrier.
• DJ Mel – Live @ Nasty’s – 06.11.07.
• DJ Mel – Live On East Village Radio – 11.17.06.

For more details, RSVP: DJ MEL at The Lot, Feb 2010 (Facebook)

Kid Sister’s debut album Ultraviolet that’s been in the works for a while (you’ll recognize a few of her previously released tracks) finally dropped today, Tuesday, the 17th through Fool’s Gold/Downtown Records.

Here’s the track list with all production credits:

1. ‘Right Hand Hi’ (prod. Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso)
2. ‘Life On TV’ (prod. Yuksek)
3. ‘Big n Bad’ (prod. Hervé & Sinden)
4. ‘Step’ ft. Estelle (prod. Rusko)
5. ‘Let Me Bang 2009′ (prod. XXXChange)
6. ‘Pro Nails’ ft. KanYe West (prod. A-Trak)
7. ‘Daydreaming’ ft. Cee-Lo) (prod. Brian Kennedy)
8. ‘Switch Board’ ft. DJ Gant-Man) (prod. DJ Gant-Man)
9. ‘54321′ (prod. XXXChange)
10. ‘Get Fresh’ (prod. A-Trak + XXXChange)
11. ‘You Ain’t Really Down’ (prod. A-Trak)
12. ‘Control’ (prod. XXXChange)

Sadly, the rework of Queen Latifah’s fly girl classic, “Ladies First” that Kid Sister did with Estelle was removed. However, these fine ladies teamed up with one of Kanye’s back-up singers, Joi StarRR, to upgrade Treasure Finger’s original “Come True Tonight.” Their remix, “Tonight,” will be featured on Joi StaRR’s upcoming album.

Tonight – Joi StaRR feat. Kid Sister & Estelle (zshare)

Right Hand Hi (Kingdom remix) – Kid Sister (zshare)

RHH (GreenMoney remix) – Kid Sis (zippy) <– just added!

Meanwhile, check out her ultra hot new video above for “Right Hand Hi,” the 3rd official single off the album. It was directed by Sarah Chatfield.

We here at DustyCrates are digging the underground sounds of London and all the ways that 2-step, garage and UK funky is intermingling with dubstep, house and other genres. One of those newer sounds on the scene is known as “funky” and it’s highlighted by hard-hitting, syncopated drum beats and upfront percussion.

But all along in Houston, it’s been the Lamborghini Crew who have been driving us in that direction with DJs Brad Slack (aka Bugatti) and Vince Garcia (aka Maserati) riding shotgun. They’re joining fellow DJ Antonio and I this Friday night, October 23, for our 2nd DIRB! RECESS at Boondocks (1417 Westheimer, 77006).

I caught up with Bugatti for a quick 5 ON IT Q&A and this is how he broke it down:

DustyCrates: How did Lamborghini Crew come about and who’s a card-carrying member?
Bugatti: Basically, a few of the guys like Shawn (Vishnu) and Vince (Criminal V), were playin’ 2-step and pushin’ that sound back in the day (early 2000). They joked about starting a Lamborghini crew; you know how silly Vince is. Well, I was there one time when they were talkin’ about it and loved the idea. So when we started gettin’ back into this (2-step, UKG) sound, I told him we should revive that.

Now the members are: Vicente Garcia a.k.a. Maserati; Brad Slack a.k.a. Bugatti; Dwayne Turner a.k.a. Bimmer; Shawn Jimenez a.k.a. Aston Martin; Michael Davila a.k.a. Cadillac; Ryan Boland a.k.a. Bentley; and Steve Swift a.k.a. Rolls Royce.

DC: What other forms of music were you involved with before?
B: DJ wise, it has been jungle/drum & bass, techno, ’80s and house. But I love panty droppin’ music mostly!

DC: So why are you in bed now with arrhythmic 4/4 “funky” beats?
B: Because it makes the ladies shake their ass and that motivates me.

DC: How is d&b and vinyl dealing with your breakup?
B: I still play d&b and when I do, I play 99% vinyl.

As far as playin’ on Serato, when I play UKG stuff or UK funky it’s mainly because there is so much out there and so many different takes on it that I don’t want to be limited to one vibe for my whole set. I would have to recruit a whole gaggle of record bitches, and I love the ladies too much to put ‘em through that. (DC: Gee, thanks…)

DC: What do you consider the UKG/funky/2-step anthem? And which artists are pimpin’ it hard?
B: Attacca Pesante “Make It Funky For Me” would be the “anthem,” I guess. There so many different vibes of funky it’s really tough to say just one. That tune has been in everyone’s box, though.

Also, Roska, MA1, Warrior One, Geeneus, Sticky, Greenmoney and MJ Cole are my favorite (artists) at the moment.

Roska XLR8R Mix (mp3)

Bodytronic Podcast: Greenmoney (stream/mp3)

Make your way out on Friday for the funky, fresh sounds of the newest tunes selected by our own Lamborghini Crew. There’s no cover and the show starts at 10 p.m.

Here’s a new video release from our dear and talented friend Ben Godfrey, lead singer of Listen Listen. Their video for “On the Water” from Hymns from Rhodesia (out September 22nd), is now up on youtube and vimeo!

So, Watch Watch! “Shall We Meet” with Interview >>

Hymns from Rhodesia (Murkville Music) by Listen Listen will be available in gold-embossed packaging.

She may have started out as a visual artist but the world soon came to know her for her musical styles. Lately M.I.A. is known as a mommy, Grammy-nominated musician and now director.

“Bang” by Rye Rye featuring M.I.A. is her directorial debut. Video is pretty low-tech, but compliments the angsty, frantic beats. So, go ‘head girl!

On a side note: Rye Rye won’t be performing at Warehouse Live in Houston this Saturday. Instead, Theophilus London takes the stage with A-Trak and Treasure Fingers. More show info >>

Passion Pit, “The Reeling” from Benjamin Technology on Vimeo.

Can’t say enough about these guys…Passion Pit is blazin’ right now.

Passion Pit is an electro band from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Formed in 2007, the group consists of Michael Angelakos (lead vocals/keyboards), Ian Hultquist (keyboards), Ayad Al Adhamy (synth/samples), Jeff Apruzzese (bass) and Nate Donmoyer (drums).

The band’s debut Chunk Of Change EP (originally intended as a Valentine’s Day gift from Angelakos to his girlfriend) was released on September 16th, 2008 on French Kiss Records. –Last.FM

This Calvin Harris redo is on point…Sizzle & Jeffe, it’s def your steez!

The Reeling (Calvin Harris) – Passion Pit (mp3)

The Reeling (Wallpaper remix) – Passion Pitt (mp3)

Thanks to my co-worker, Keith Young, for hippin’ me to them! Jammin’ this indeed.

DIRB! with Witnes

Does this man really need an introduction?

If you don’t catch Witnes at CAM’s Steel Lounge Underground on Friday, Do It Real BIG with us at Block Party (2420 Washington) this Saturday for his birthday and homecoming!

You won’t be sorry…

RSVP here and see event e-flyer in sideline –>

Rocks Off: Rock Box’s Final Night, 2008

SLFEMP mixtape – Witnes & Squincy Jones (mp3)

Cerebral Vortex & Kissey Asplund – HeyCat from blythstyle on Vimeo.

Since our boy Cerebral Vortex migrated to Chitown, he’s been keepin’ it Texas large. Here’s his latest video with enchanting former Malmö-based vocalist Kissey Asplund in a video of the track “Hey Cat” taken from the upcoming Cerebral Vortex album Kitty Kat Kaboodle.

Go ‘head, boy!

Since I missed a lot of the SXSW 2009 shows last month (Dusty Crates’ limited recap and pics soon to come), I should be making accomodations to make up for it now.

The Fader.com just released this information about the upcoming Bacardi B-Live Tour:

Diplo, Switch, A-Trak, MSTRKRFT and More Headline Rum Tour

Hollloaarrrr, we are going to this. Major Lazer (Diplo & Switch), MSTRKRFT, Jazzy Jeff, Tiga, FADER blogger A-Trak, FADER Label’s Matt & Kim and FADER cover star Santigold are all signed up for the Bacardi B-Live tour traversing the US this spring/summer, so we are professionally and personally obliged to go to as many as possible and sweat our hairdos out. The full dates are after the jump, though it’s not yet clear who will be at which dates and what the venues will be. But seriously, when was the last time someone offered you rum and some grinding and you were like, “Maybe, but where?” Watch the video above of Major Lazer and the Mad Decent Mummy making it nuts at The Levi’s®/FADER Fort a few weeks ago and stay tuned for more details.

Wednesday, May 20 Seattle, WA
Friday, May 22 San Francisco, CA
Thursday, May 28 San Diego, CA
Friday, May 29 Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, May 30 Phoenix, AZ
Wednesday, June 3 Denver, CO
Saturday, June 6 Kansas City, MO
Thursday, June 11 Milwaukee, WI
Friday, June 12 Chicago, IL
Saturday, June 13 St. Louis, MO
Wednesday, June 17 New York, NY
Thursday, June 18 Boston, MA
Friday, June 19 Philadelphia, PA
Thursday, June 25 Louisville, KY
Friday, June 26 Cleveland, OH
Saturday, June 27 Columbus, OH
Thursday, July 2 Charlotte, NC
Friday, July 3 Atlanta, GA
Saturday, July 4 Orlando, FL
Wednesday, July 8 New Orleans, LA
Friday, July 10 Austin, TX
Saturday, July 11 Dallas, TX

Hailing from Houston’s multicultural community tucked away just on the north side of downtown, dubstep innovators Heavy Heights is made up of the scene’s most notorious players. There’s Suma from Rebel Crew and Soular Grooves, then you’ve got BMC of Texas Dub and Purrin Lion, and to top it off you’ve got the voice and the creator of Rebel Crew, Joe B. Truth and Rights is their debut release which features local vocalists Gina and Karina Nistal, plus hints of Dunnock’s Ill Advisory.

Backed by local imprint Starlight Beats, Heavy Heights has created and assembled a collection of dub-infused hip hop that aim to put Houston on the map for yet another original sound. Peep their heavy duty tracks over at HoustonsMostHated.

The album release has been followed up with a healthy dose of Texas Dub events and live performances at SXSW 2009. This Saturday, April 4, Suma joins us at DIRB! Block Party (Block 21, 2420 Washington) to blend in his ecclectic break beats on the decks.

Houston’s Most Hated – BMC of Heavy Heights (mp3)

For more monsterous dubstep beats, go to GotDarker.com.

On Saturday we’ll also be celebrating a few birthdays–Antonio, Caitlin, Oanh, Tina, Squincy, Dru, Witnes–ya’ll know who you are! Aries/Taurus folks represent. More info on Witnes’ upcoming birthday party at DIRB! Block Party here.