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ROLLDABEATS PRESENTS A DECADE IN THE MIX, PART 4
DOA: Rolldabeats.com has gone from a dope idea into a full-fledged necessity for many DnB heads looking for info on this thing of ours. When did you guys realize that it had gotten a lot bigger than originally envisioned to be?
Haste: I don't think Thijs (rolldabeats' founder) ever realised that the site would get this big. He created a website called Tarzan to teach himself a few web skills and to catalogue his own collection and it just grew form there. Over the years, there's been a name change and loads and loads of bits added on top, and the site has come a long way from its humble beginnings. When I look at the stats for the site, I'm often shocked by how many people are using it on a daily basis, it's really great to see that there are plenty of folk out there putting it to good use.
DOA: Speaking on that, you guys are unrolling a serious revamp of the site in the very near future. Can you speak on some of the changes that visitors can expect to see?
Haste: We've been promising this for ages and it's taken a long time to get done, but we're finally ready. We're really pleased with how it's turned out and hopefully all of the site's users will be, too. We tried to speak to the RDB community to see what they wanted adding or changing, so I'm expecting the new features will be well received all round.
I guess the biggest changes are to the collection and wishlist areas. It's now far easier to update these, and members are also able to export to Excel. Another big thing is the addition of sound clips for tracks. We've wanted to add this for ages, and found a way to implement them. It'll be a slow process getting clips of everything on there but expect to see plenty appearing in the next months.
We've also opened up a comments feature, so users can now comment on any release, label or artist and have added a little favourites section that allows users to save artists and labels to their profile so they can access these quickly when they are logged in. I expect we'll build this section to include other things, but I want to wait to see whether people find it useful and to find out what else they want adding.
There's now the ability to rate things, so hopefully people will go through and rate their favourite (and most hated) releases. We've also introduced genres for tracks in the database. This is only available to the admin team at the moment, but we're going to be going through and labeling up the database in the next few months so that artists, labels and releases will all show what genres of music they contain. Once the data is there for enough of the tracks in the system, we'll start to add new features for users to filter results when browsing & searching, as well as some other little bits and pieces here and there.
There are still loads more things to come and, now that we've got RDB v2 out there, you should start to see some new sections and lots of new features appearing in the coming months. At last we're in a position to put a lot of the ideas we've been having in place and it's really great to have the site progressing like this.
DOA: How do you think RDB stands up against Discogs and other sites that may try to catalogue Electronic music?
Haste: I think both do their own thing well. Discogs is an amazing site and far ahead of us in terms of musical coverage. I use it a lot myself, especially if I'm searching for information on non-DnB music. Their marketplace area is really handy, that's something that we're very keen to include on RDB, as our users have definitely showed a lot of interest in it.
We've managed to build up a good community of music fans over at the forum, which is where we gather a lot of the info and changes that go into the system, as well as loads of wicked content that we haven't got around to inputting yet. I know that many people like the way that they can have direct input into the site without any hassle; we think the more interactive way we deal with submissions really works in RDB's favour.
I think that RDB is more accurate when it comes to the listings that we have. We're all a big bunch of nerds over here and we've spent a long time working hard to iron out all the little errors in the database, even to the minutest detail. One thing that really bugs me about Discogs is the search, I often find myself really struggling to find things on there. I'd like to think that RDB is far more easy to use but I think we'll always be behind in the coverage terms. I think we're happy to be the smaller site if it means that we can concentrate on keeping it error free (well, as much as that is possible!) and really work on building a product that does what it does really well.
DOA: Over the last year or so, RDB branched out in cataloguing Dubstep releases, among other things. Are there plans to expand the site to include genres like Techno or House?
Haste: I'd absolutely love RDB to catalogue other forms of dance music. Now that we have genres defined in the database we'll start to open the site up further. Of course, we'd only ever do this if we had people with the right sort of knowledge on board. I think one of the key reasons behind RDB's popularity is that we've been incredibly lucky in finding a lot of people to help out with our listings who know almost everything there is to know about this music. There's no point adding new genres in if the info is wrong and I don't want to just go stealing info off sites like Discogs, that's not how it should work. Some genres that I think would be great to branch out into are UK Garage, Breaks, Electronica (or whatever you want to call it!) and other forms of Hardcore. I know there are people on board who would like to get more Techno in there, which would be great. Personally I'd like to include more Rock music, but I think I'm alone there!
 DOA: RDB has gone from being a solo operation to now being a small operation with a few more heads brought into the fold. Are you guys accepting applications or helping hands from outsiders, aside from info on releases via your forums?
Haste: Help is always welcomed. I don't think people realise but there are only really 3 of us involved behind the scenes so the time it takes us to get things developed is always longer than we would like. Our problem's always been that we have way too many ideas but not enough manpower to get it all implemented.
We're about to begin a huge redevelopment of the backend platform that RDB runs on, and it's no small task. Once this is underway/completed, we'd love to get more and more people involved in all aspects of the site. Also, we'd certainly appreciate people helping out with sound clips as many of us simply don't have enough MP3s of newer tunes to make clips. We have a handy little application that can be used to make clips in batch, it couldn't be easier!
Anyone who has an idea or wants to help out should just send me a message – haste(at)rolldabeats(dot)com.
DOA: You guys also put on a party back in August of 2008, right? Are there plans for more RDB nights?
Haste: Absolutely. We had our first party in London back in November 2007. We weren't sure how it would go but the night was a huge success and everyone who came said that they had a really great time. I'd love to do more on our own in London and, as you pointed out, DJ eXtreme and I did our first back to back set at Curves in Newcastle in September (originally planned for August) under the rolldabeats banner. I'm certainly up for trying to get out to other places and play some old skool. Teaming up with other promoters for RDB nights makes our life a lot easier, as the last party took up so much of our time. It was well worth it, though.
Talking of parties, I should probably plug the re-launch night. We're going to be having a little event at the Castle on Commercial Street in East London. It'll be the rolldabeats team DJing with a few special guests, and you can guarantee that you'll leave having heard more tunes that you can shake a stick at.
(Ed Note: The free RDB Re-launch party is set for 7th March 2009, and features Craggz & Parallel Forces, Equinox, Haste and the Grid’s own Ben Kei rollin' da beats; more details over on the RDB forum.)
DOA: What's next for RDB? Will there be more t-shirt/record bag designs? Will you guys be branching into more Web 2.0 things (RSS, YouTube, etc.)?
Haste: We need to sell this lot first before we do any more! I would love to make some more T-shirts - I have done a load of other designs already, but we just don't have the cash flow coming in to develop this side of things any further at the moment.
We'll certainly be adding more and more functionality and features much of it taking advantage of fancy Web 2.0 technologies. Running a small design agency on the side means that I come across lots of interesting bits & pieces that can be added to RDB. I definitely like to use it as a place to try out new technical things as I think it's such a great site in terms of developing functionality and extra frills.
DOA: What's your favorite era of DnB? Do you follow the current scene now?
Haste: Tricky one that. Can I cop out and say that I just love all of it? I suppose I play the ragga jungle stuff the most, but I do have a real soft spot for old skool hardcore, particularly the ‘93 darker style stuff. I rarely actually get to hear any of it out but it's always great to hear that stuff over a kicking soundsystem.
I have to admit that I don't follow much of the newer stuff, although I still like it. I caught DJ Hype playing at a festival in the UK in 2008 and it was great to hear him play, as I very rarely go to DnB clubs any more. I was half expecting to not enjoy it, but he played some really cool tunes and I was pleasantly surprised. I also caught the last Ram Records night at The End in December and that was too much fun. It's always good to see Andy C play; I can't think of anyone else who's really up to that standard, and a three hour, three deck set was no disappointment. He's always playing older tracks alongside the newer stuff, so that keeps us old timers happy; I haven't seen a crowd go that crazy in a long time. It's good to see that there's still nothing like a DnB set for wicked club vibes.
DOA: Now, we've got the final installment of the "Decade In The Mix" series you guys have put together for us. How important do you guys think series like these are for the new heads out there? Would you be planning on any more series like this in the future, maybe with a specific sound?
Haste: I think it's great to put these sorts of things together. There's so much excellent music out there and I'm often disappointed by people who release compilations or mixes with old skool on them as it's often the same tunes again and again. We'd certainly be interested in doing more of these and that ties in nicely with a new section that you'll see appearing on RDB very soon... ;-)
DOA: Since RDB is primarily a spot for vinyl collectors, one has to imagine your collection is serious. What would you say is your favorite or most cherished piece of vinyl, any genre, and why?
 Haste: Yup, it's not too bad! I've run out of room for it two times over now, but I absolutely love my collection. I was always into music from a very early age and I've been buying albums & tunes for over 15 years, but it's still definitely a work in progress. I've always been into many different types of music, so I collect a lot from other styles, particularly rock and metal. My '80s mixes are testament to that and quite how varied (and strange) my collection is.
As far as favourites go I don't think I could pick just one. I've always been a sucker for a picture disc so I've got plenty of them lying around – Enforcers 5 on Reinforced is one of my favs there, that Metalheadz logo just looks amazing in black & white on a record. I've got a soft spot for any Iron Maiden picture discs, too, which has meant I've spent a little too much cash on eBay at some points.
I've also managed to pick up some really rare bits & pieces over the years, unreleased TPs, dubs of things that never came out and, of course, there are a few that I reckon everyone should own and are always in the record bag. "Babylon" by Splash is one tune that I don't think I could ever leave at home, it's always there in case of people losing interest in a set. If you're ever playing a jungle set and people seem to have lost interest just put that one on, wait for the drop and...
DOA: Now those who know should remember that you have some production under your belt. You still making music in any capacity?
Haste: I used to make loads of music with friends and, due to whatever reasons, most of it didn't come out. I think most producers can relate to that. I had a couple of DnB releases, and also used to make some UK Garage (which I love), and we put out a lot of music from our little studio back in the late '90s and early '00s. I've not gone near a studio for years now, and simply don't have the time to make tracks anymore, although it would be nice to do at some point as I've always loved making music. I actually used to play guitar and drums many years ago, and have got back into that recently. I think studio techniques have moved on so far from when I was making DnB 7 or 8 years ago that I'd be lost now, luckily guitars are still the same shape that they've always been. Who knows, you might see some music come from me yet!
DOA: Do you have any final thoughts or shout outs to kick before we get into this mix?
Haste: I just want to say a huge thank you to all involved in RDB, especially Rob Phokus for helping me out more than anyone can imagine on this project. Of course Thijs for having the idea and creating the site that we now all use. The mods on the forum do a great job and have really contributed so much information and loads of wicked ideas for the site.
The biggest shout out really goes to all the people who use the site. RDB is a bit of a labour of love for all involved but we continue to work on the site because we know how invaluable many of you find it. It's always great to hear how much people like using it and we're hoping to make it better and better for you. Keep visiting us and we'll keep on improving it. Also, if anyone spots anything on the new site that's not working for them make sure you let us know so that we can fix it!
And now, we at Dogs On Acid are proud to bring to you the long-awaited fourth and final mix in RollDaBeats' "A Decade In The Mix" series; this edition is mixed by The Manipulator, and features some timeless Drum & Bass gems. Accompanying this mix are comments from the RDB crew themselves on each tune within the selection...
The last part has a small overlap with Part 3 as far as years is concerned. The split between the parts is more in style. While Part 3 concentrated on Blue Note, Part 4 showcases the variety that there is. From strictly drums and bass to vocal tunes, abstract to melodious and dark to uplifting.
Tracklist
01. Rolldabeats/Shy FX - Bambaata [Ebony]/Glamour Gold - The Only One [RAP records]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/ebony_records/ebr015
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/ebony_records/ebr020
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/rap/rap001
My mate and I were selecting an intro tune from the shortlist and wanted to use Hype's "RollDaBeats" vocal in the intro. It ended up as this... using the original and Dillinja mix of Bambaata.
02. John B - Salsa Remix [Formation]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/formation_records/formlp07/
Let's start on a happy vibe with this one from senor Juan B. From the World of Drum and Bass album, this one is instantly recognisable with the 'speedy gonzales' vocals.
03. Adam F - Circles (Andy C Remix) [F-Jams/Positiva]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/f_jams/12circdj1
Aah... Bob James sounds nice in this Adam F classic, from the collectible Picture Disc promo.
04. Breakbeat Era - Breakbeat Era [XL Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/xl_recordings/xls95cd
Takes me back to MTV's Party Zone. From an era where there were probably more DnB videos than there are now... This tune jumpstarted what the Bristol crew later fine-tuned with songs like "Brown Paper Bag" and "Share The Fall", combining live instruments with sequenced ones.
05. Jonny L - Piper (Grooverider Mix) [XL Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/xl_recordings/xlr74
Arguably his biggest hit after "Hurt You So" (well, apart from "Out Of Your Mind"...)
06. Adam F - Brand New Funk [V Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/v_recordings/v029
If "Circles" didn't put Adam F on the map in capitals, then this must have. Again leaning heavily on a 70's rare groove by Bob James with the looped "brand new"vocal all over the intro.
07. Reprazent - Share The Fall (Grooverider Mix) [Talkin' Loud]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/talkin_loud/574421_2
In my opinion one of Grooveriders finest works... The original is already great, but this mix just perfectly blends vocals withinstrumental bits and deep synths with breakdowns.
08. Dillinja - Tudor Rose [Hardleaders]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/hardleaders/hl42
What would a mix be without Dillinja. This tune is a nice example of his well known raw, distorted , trademark sound. The originator at work. Later often imitated.
09. Boymerang - Still (Dom & Optical VIP mix) [Sony]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/sony/xpcd856
This hard to find tune, which is only available on a 6-track promo CD, is the ultimate in abstract tunes for me!
10. Cause 4 Concern - Epox [Cause 4 Concern]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/cause_4_concern/c4c002
The second Cause 4 Concern release on their own label. Dark, nice synths.
11. Jonny L - Wish U Had Something (Jonny L remix) [XL Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/xl_recordings/xlt96
Very strong remix by the man himself, remixed from a dark tune in an abstract one.
12. Breakbeat Era - Our Disease Tera [XL Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/xl_recordings/xls107cd2
This is what happens if you're working on "Bulletproof" but load the wrong set of samples... A very nice accident!
13. Krust - Warhead [V Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/v_recordings/v025
Talking about simple tunes that do damage! This tune and the one following it are what that's all about. Both released at about the same time on V and directed straight to the dance floors.
14. Scorpio - Trouble [V Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/v_recordings/v024
Using Indeep's "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life", this one became a huge hit!
15. Ed Rush & Optical - Function [V Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/v_recordings/v026
The first mixdown included 6 tracks by Ed Rush, Optical and Fierce. I don't consider myself a fan, but man, they certainly released a LOT of great tunes in the late 90's! And don't worry, there are still 3 left in this mix... I took a few out of the playlist to balance things out, but this one had to be in the mix.
16. Flytronix - Contemporary Accousticz Jam (Origin Unknown Remix) [Moving Shadow]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/moving_shadow/shadow119r
Next on the list is Flytronix. Andy C and Ant Miles gave this song the Ram treatment.
17. Cyba Space feat. Shanie - Life (Dom & Roland Remix) [Cyba Space]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/cyba_space/cyba003
Not sure what it is, but the Cyba Space releases were mostly remixes by people like Dillinja, Ray Keith and Moving Fusion. But I picked the remix by Dom & Roland for its nice vocals and atmosphere and great flow.
18. Future Forces - Dead By Dawn [Renegade Hardware]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/renegade_hardware/rh04
Classic tune on Renegade Hardware from what later became one half of Bad Company. Both the original and the "Final Chapter" mix are great.
19. Dom & Roland - Thunder [Moving Shadow]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/moving_shadow/ashadow16lp
As soon as you hear the intro synth, you know what tune is coming. Dom delivers once again.
20. Ed Rush, Optical & Fierce - Alien Girl [Prototype]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/prototype_recordings/pro014/
Dark, raw synths on the flipside from Cutslo.
21. Ed Rush & Optical – Compound [Virus]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/virus_recordings/vrs001lp
This track from the Wormhole album is just awesome. The drop before the bass comes in is brilliant!
22. Souljah - Fade 2 Black [Hardleaders]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/hardleaders/hl26
With Dillinja already in, I just had to get Lemon D as well. Been shifting this around a bit, but at the moment the amen part and the drop work perfectly with the next one…
23. Roni Size - Brown Paper Bag [Talkin' Loud]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/talkin_loud/tlcd28
The original that spawned so many covers... from DJ SS to Foul Play Productions, everybody seems to have released their own double bass tune.
24. Profound Noise - Wired [Underfire]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/underfire/udfr003
Personal preference here. I just had to use something from the Audio Blueprint/Under Fire stable and I've always loved this one. It's just so different from everything else I know. It's happy, jumpy, a bit cheesy... but I love it!
25. John B – Secrets (remix) [New Identity]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/new_identity_recordings/nirlp02/
The original from the "Prototype Years" album was remixed for his own "Visions" album, with an added vocal (and slight re-arrangement).
26. Lemon D - 12.01 [Valve]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/valve_recordings/vlv001
The first Valve release is definitely a double A-side! Though Violent Killa is a great tune, I opted for this one. A bleepy intro (that goes well with John B)... a drop... and an amen workout!
27. Bad Company - The Nine [Bad Company Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/bad_company_recordings/vdbcr001/
First Bad Company release... this one hits hard! Driving bass drone and that synth fill...
28. Swift - Twisted [Charge]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/charge_recordings/chrg001
Swift's first releases on his Charge label were all big tunes. Whether it's (another) "Just Roll" remix, the strange string intro of "Feel Good" or the first release, "Twisted", with it's combination of bass sounds.
29. Moving Fusion - Turbulence [Ram Records]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/ram_records/ramm21
Over the years, Andy C and Ant Miles have gathered some nice talent on their labels. The first real outside act was Moving Fusion, who made quite an impact with “Turbulence" from the "Sound In Motion" album.
30. Calyx - Double Zero [Audio Couture]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/audio_couture/ac005
I think by now it's clear I'm into the more abstract tunes... Calyx' star rose quickly in the late 90's. And the drop in this one... nice synths… and then the snare with the reverb... just awesome!
31. Ram Trilogy - Evolution [Ram Records]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/ram_records/ramm26
"Things are gonna change"… but hopefully not too much! Another great one from the Ram crew, which is typical for the releases around the "Molten Beats" album as far as the instrumentation is concerned. Though I really wanted to put the vinyl-only track "Both Worlds" in here as well…
32. Bad Company - The Pulse [Prototype Recordings]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/prototype_recordings/pro001uk/
The other anthem from Bad Company in this era, this time on Grooverider's Prototype label. It follows the same rules as "The Nine". Use a driving beat and bass... and it just blends so perfectly with the last tune...
33. London Elektricity - Rewind (Acoustic Version) [Hospital]
http://www.rolldabeats.com/release/form_and_function/faf041
(Yes, I know the CD is from 2002, but the vinyl promo also starts with the acoustic version!) What better way to end than on a quiet, vocal note and asking everybody to Rewind the "Decade In The Mix"!
Words: khal |
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Dogs On Acid > Comments > ROLLDABEATS PRESENTS A DECADE IN THE MIX, PART 4
02-23-2009 05:01 PM
Orange at the Rocket Every Saturday!