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Frank Wu

Frank Wu has written 693 posts for Lost In The Sound

Clams Casino and the “Just For Now” Sample

It’s rarely the case that a hip-hop producer can single-handedly carry an emcee through a track. But such is the case with New Jersey’s Mike Volpe, better known by his stage name Clams Casino, who first turned heads after his collaborations with Soulja Boy and Lil B began making rounds on the Internet. With a keen sense for smooth vocal samples, Clams Casino creates dreamy, ethereal soundscapes that swallow you up and carry you away before the first crash or hi-hat even drops. And the best part of it all? His music works with or without an emcee over top.

That’s something you can’t find with new-age (pardon the pretentiousness) producers. Sure, T-Minus creates synth-laden beats with a similar loftiness, but the soundscape doesn’t even come close. Face it – a track like “She Will” needs Drake and Lil Wayne to fully function.

What may be more impressive is how all of his fantastic beats come together. “I’m God”, perhaps the defining song so far in both Clams Casino’s and Lil B’s careers, takes it roots in Imogen Heap‘s breathtaking “Just For Now”, a song that sounds nothing like “I’m God”.

MP3: Imogen Heap – “Just For Now”

MP3: Lil B – “I’m God” (Prod. by Clams Casino)

That same song, “Just For Now”, was even been sampled by Clams Casino more than once. ASAP Rocky‘s “Bass”, believe it or not, comes from the very same sample. Originally intended for Lil B, Clams Casino actually reworked the beat after the Based God decided that one part of the song was a bit too fast for him, ultimately resulting in yet another song from the same sample entitled “I’m The Devil”. That part was thus taken out, slowed down, and given to Rocky.

MP3: ASAP Rocky – “Bass” (Prod. by Clams Casino)

MP3: Lil B – “I’m The Devil” (Prod. by Clams Casino)

Simply put on your headphones and slip away into the music…

Listen: Common – “The Believer (feat. John Legend)”

It’s disappointing that Common‘s forthcoming LP won’t arrive until December 20. Why? That release date has two meanings to me: 1) we still have over two weeks to wait and 2) The Dreamer, The Believer won’t make it onto this year’s year-end lists. Considering My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy‘s snubbing at the Grammy’s this year, here’s to hoping that Common won’t be left behind in a years time (but really, who cares about the Grammy’s, right?).

Com just dropped off yet another new song on his Soundcloud page and this time, it’s one-half of the title track. “The Believer” features a soulful hook from John Legend and follows in the footsteps of the previously released tracks with an incredibly inspirational and uplifting sound. It’s practically audio therapy.

Listen: Cass McCombs – “Bradley Manning” [Tribute Song]

To honor Bradley Manning, the American soldier who is currently being charged with giving defense information to WikiLeaks, singer-songwriter Cass McCombs has released a brand new song. McCombs has been extremely productive in 2011, releasing two full-length albums, and it looks like he’s poised to have yet another huge year in 2012, starting the year off with a brand new single, which will include “Bradley Manning”. You can already check it out below, but the track won’t be officially released through Domino Records until January 31st, when it will be backed by another new track entitled “Empty Promises”.

MP3: Cass McCombs – “Bradley Manning”

Live Review: Mogwai @ Shanghai, China’s MAO Livehouse (11/28)

Bands: Mogwai, Wang Wen
Location: Shanghai, China’s MAO Livehouse
Date: November 28, 2011

Opening for a band you’ve revered for years and based your own music on must be one of the hardest things in the world. The other night, Chinese post rock band Wang Wen was put up to this very task when they solemnly took the stage as support for Glaswegian five-piece Mogwai, who were making their very first appearance in Shanghai.

And for the most part, they held their own, warming up the crowd for the main act. Aside from being surprised by the occasional, shrieking outbursts of the Shanghai concertgoers, Wang Wen found themselves enjoying the attention of a good-natured crowd hungry for some solid instrumental music. As they worked through their tremolo-heavy set, however, it became clear that people were aching to see Mogwai take their turn and the Chinese band good-naturedly wrapped things up, leaving the crew to set up and the venue to buzz excitedly about what was to come.

With a flash of lights and a blast of smoke, Stuart Braithwaite announced his band’s triumphant appearance with a few thank-you’s and waves. With that, Mogwai launched directly into Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will‘s opening track “White Noise”. Complemented by the hazy, smoke-filled venue’s dazzling light show, Mogwai’s music hit hard, sending the crowd into uproar.

Throughout the entire set, they played a lot of old fan-favorite songs that weren’t on the new album such as “Mogwai Fear Satan”, “Auto Rock”, and “Glasgow Mega-Snake”. Each transition was masterfully planned out and it ultimately became remarkable to see Mogwai seamlessly switch from a mellow tone to one that might appear at a metal concert. The build-ups of each song were probably the most impressive aspects of the show, something the band has been heralded for in the past. And from seemingly out of nowhere, Mogwai in unison would shock the crowd with a massive drop, blasting a chord or riff at maximum volume.

Perhaps the weirdest part of the night was the end of the final twenty-minute-long encore. Pumped by the adoration of the crowd, Braithwaite began a relentless wave of, well, sound. With around five different distortion pedals laid in front of him, Braithwaite would press each one in order to intensify the escalation of the song. As he fiddled with the pedals and his amp, he refused to end, building up layer after layer of fuzzy, heart-thumping noise. Ten minutes and a few broken strings later, he finally decided enough was enough and walked off the stage with the sound still going, leaving the crowd dumbfounded but thoroughly impressed by the craftiness of the guitar legend.

All photos by Kevin Ma

Setlist:
01. White Noise
02. Ithica 27 – 9
03. How To Be a Werewolf
04. I’m Jim Morrison, I’m Dead
05. Mexican Grand Prix
06. Helicon 1
07. Auto Rock
08. You’re Lionel Richie
09. Friend of the Night
10. Hunted By A Freak
11. Mogwai Fear Satan
12. Batcat

Encore:
01. My Father, My King

Listen: Lana Del Rey – “Born 2 Die”

It seems like whenever you log onto the Internet nowadays, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll see New York City songwriter Lana Del Rey‘s name mentioned somewhere. Today was certainly no exception as just moments ago, BBC Radio 1’s Fearne Cotton premiered Lana’s newest single “Born 2 Die” from the upcoming debut album of the same name, which you can already check out below. The song has a somber tone, but according to Lana Del Rey herself, the song is a “homage to true love and a tribute to living life on the wild side.” I guess it’s for you to decide.

Lana Del Rey’s debut full-length Born 2 Die is expected to be released on January 30, 2012 via Interscope Records. This new single will reportedly be available a week earlier on January 23rd.

Kanye West’s Behind The Scenes of the ‘Watch the Throne’ Tour

Say what you want about his ego, but Kanye West has carved a legacy for himself that has extended far beyond producing albums. And seriously, how many people truly know someone as unique as Ye? I’m willing to bet not many, and if you’re one of the few that think you do, I don’t believe you.

I mean, this is the same man who almost died in a near-fatal car crash and recorded his very first single two weeks later with his mouth wired shut. This is the man who has repeatedly stood up for his own work after losing out in major award shows. And finally, this is the man who raps about Manolo and Guiseppi Zanotti (seriously… Google that).

So you know it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look behind the scenes of Kanye and Jay-Z‘s Watch the Throne tour. If you can’t (or simply don’t want to) watch Ye and Jay perform “N—as in Paris” eight times in a row with Kanye wearing a kilt, you can at least see what goes on in his head, away from the lights and away from the fame. It’s insightful and for the first episode, it’s also free. Watch here.

More information about VoyR after the break. You can also watch footage of “N—as in Paris” being played eight times in a row, taken from the Chicago show.

“There are music fans. And there are true fans. Which one are you? Fans download the single. True fans know the whole album. Fans trip on the myth. True fans understand the reality.

VOYR is your all-access pass to behind the scenes at Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Watch the Throne tour. It’s a daily video document of all of the actual hard work that goes into living life at Kanye’s level. It’s not about models and bottles. It’s about working hard, from the moment the sun rises, until you just can’t push your body any further. If you want hype, just stay with the music mags and blogs that you already read. If you want to understand the reality of this business from the inside, come inside. We’ve got a seat for you.

Five episodes a week. Live from the tour. And you’ll join a community of hustlers that understand how the industry works and are ready to take their involvement to the next level.

This is just the beginning. Join us.”

Video: Avicii – “Levels”

Stockholm’s Tim Bergling’s, better known as Avicii, current single “Levels” has reached number one on the international Beatport chart and has been warmly received worldwide. For good reason too: “Levels” is bright, fun, and ridiculously catchy. After quite a long wait, we now have the music video for the song, which was directed by Petro and shot in Los Angeles. Check it out below.

Stream: The Roots – ‘undun’

It’s sad to admit that nowadays, leaks are almost inevitable. Unless you devote every living moment towards protecting your music from being leaked or don’t allow any advanced listens — I’m looking at you Kanye and Jay — your album will probably get leaked. After releasing thirteen records, it seems The Roots know what they’re doing and a few days ago, partnered with NPR to offer a free stream of their latest, undun, a strikingly powerful album about the fictional Redford Stephens, a poor Philadelphian kid who gets tangled up in the drug trade.

With help from Sufjan Stevens (his song “Redford” inspired the character’s name), Just Blaze, Big K.R.I.T., and more, The Roots’ first attempt at a concept album is an inspiring and beautiful piece of work. You can listen to the whole thing at NPR right now, with the album available in stores everywhere on December 6th via Def Jam.

undun Tracklist:

01. The Un
02. Sleep
03. Make My (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)
04. One Time (feat. Phonte & Dice Raw)
05. Kool On (feat. P.O.R.N.)
06. The Other Side
07. Stomp (feat. P.O.R.N.)
08. Lighthouse
09. I Remember
10. Tip The Scale
11. Redford (For Yia Yia & Pappou)
12. Possibility
13. Will To Power
14. Finality

Download: Mike G – Award Tour EP

Odd Future‘s haziest rapper and self-proclaimed king Mike G has released his long-awaited Award Tour EP, a seven track project filled with in-house production anda few collaborations with Vince Staples. Mike G’s still gearing up for the release of his proper sophomore album Gold (set for release on Odd Future Records?), but at least we can bump the Award Tour EP in the meantime. Download link below.

DOWNLOAD: Mediafire

Award Tour EP Tracklisting:
01. Moracular World (w/ Vince Staples) [Prod. Frisco TSC & Left Brain]
02. Chevron [Prod. Hodgy Beats]
03. Carrera Ft. Vince Staples [Prod. Jay Curry]
04. Chanel [Prod. Patrick The Great]
05. Award Tour (w/ Vince Staples) [Prod. Frisco TSC]
06. Vicks (w/ Vince Staples) [Prod. Left Brain]
07. Michael Douglas |Speak! & Vince Staples| [Prod. Frisco TSC]

ASAP Rocky – “Peso (Star Slinger Refix)”

Producer Star Slinger just gave Harlem upstart ASAP Rocky‘s web hit “Peso” a complete reworking, releasing the song on his Soundcloud page. The vocals are sped up for the majority of the track and ASAP Ty Beats‘s original production is pretty much completely “refixed,” with a much harder-hitting set of drums. Personally, I’m still a bigger fan of the original track and its more laid-back vibe, but Star Slinger’s version is so different in style and energy that it’s worth giving it a listen or two. Check it out below and hit the down arrow on the player for the free MP3.

ASAP Rocky – Peso (Star Slinger Refix) by Star Slinger