Posted by Frank Wu

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.