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Multiple Beats, Multiple Dimensions :: The eclectic producers behind the Beat Dimensions comp get connected

By URB   Photography by URB

07/16/07 :: URB web

This world wide web phenomenon is just straight internuts. Truly, it's plain plantains. It can be used for good and it can certainly be used for evil (just wait until the Republicans figure YouTube out), but the dub-dub-dub is so beautiful when it's used for good music. The Beat Dimensions compilation is good music—futuristic instrumental hip-hop on that electronic tip that balances experimentation with banginmentation—and since they pretty much put this thing together on the internet, we decided to give them love on the internet. It's meta that way.

Curated by Cinnaman (Rush Hour—the label responsible for this shmorgasborg) and DJ Jay Scarlett (Spacek Sound System, Sound In Colour), Beat Dimensions features producers from all over the world and it shouldn't be slept on...no more than this new thing Al Gore thought up (not global warming...but the other one). URB gathered some of the compilations stars to get their insight on the future of words to describe future music, getting out of the bedroom and stealing shit. And if you like someone's answers, click their name to hear the music. Now, if that doesn't just blow your mind.

Super Smoky Soul  
If this is the future dimension of music, what are the words to describe it?
The most advanced music scene with no limitation. This sound collective head toward wherever they want. Really expect the scene is getting wider.

What production tricks do you intend to steal from your fellow compilationers?
There's loads of sounds influenced us. [I'm] wondering what equipment each contributor used.

What's the best way to stand out among the shmorgasborg of bedroom producers on the internuts?
Now is the greatest time that you can communicate with your own music easily. Good music will be paid attention to naturally.

Mweslee
If this is the future dimension of music, what are the words to describe it?
I guess more than the future dimension it's the nowadays dimension of music, at least in the hip-hop/electronica area. I think we have more or less the same background and most of us had this crisis in the mid '90s about the direction hip-hop had took, which is why we found a home in the electronica/glitch igloo. That became so cold though, and then the mixture of this gave birth to all this wide range of beat-based music, with all the shuffled offbeats, twirkling synth sounds, the abstract sample cuts, etc. Anyway, in this compilation, you can hear stuff that goes from post boom bap stuff to a more ICM (Intelligent Crunk Music) oriented thing.

What production tricks to you intend to steal from your fellow compilationers?
I think what's amazing about a comp like this is that we can picture a whole new and fresh scene that's growing worlwide, same as when Mo'Wax put out the "Headz" compilation. But it could be dangerous because you could have it labeled and packaged, the formula is ready to take and boringly apply over and over. Best thing is go to the roots of each thing—uncut hip-hop, electronica, jazz, R&B, etc—and take the original sources and make your own recipe.

What's the best way to stand out among the shmorgasborg of bedroom producers on the internuts?
Definitely get your gear out of the place where you sleep...don't mix thangs!. Once you can take off that "bedroom producer" label, cut off the Internet connection, stop lurking on everyone else's MySpace or that cool board and start listening to your own. Don't try to be on the hype, create a new one. We should make music that the world needs, and there's enough amazing stuff out there, so basically it's about taking this a step or two higher.

Dyno  
If this is the future dimension of music, what are the words to describe it?
Refreshing, eclectic, innovative... some for you and your momma to have!

What production tricks do you intend to steal from your fellow compilationers?
I don't steal...Although, I must admit listening to this project makes me wonder what kind of equipment some of these guys use.

What's the best way to stand out among the shmorgasborg of bedroom producers on the internuts?
No formula here. Be yourself. DO YOU.

ill Dubio   
If this is the future dimension of music, what are the words to describe it?
Çe nachtre.

What production tricks do you intend to steal from your fellow compilationers?
It's not about stealing shit! I guess I'll have to find my own tricks. I definitely gotta get this bag of tricks!

What's the best way to stand out among the shmorgasborg of bedroom producers on the internuts?
To leave the bedroom? To buy a waterbed? Who knows? It depends if you're in a competition mood. I would say just do your thang and have fun.

Aardvarck  
If this is the future dimension of music, what are the words to describe it?
NO WORDS... THAT MUSIC IS MUSIC!

What production tricks do you intend to steal from your fellow compilationers?
ALL

What's the best way to stand out among the shmorgasborg of bedroom producers on the internuts?
STAYPUT @ YOUR MIND!

Slum Gullion / SirOj  
If this is the future dimension of music, what are the words to describe it?
Crazy, crackmusic with a soulflavour. I mean it's crazy but still bangin' and soulful.

What production tricks to you intend to steal from your fellow compilationers?
Hmm...how to create a lot from nothing.

What's the best way to stand out among the shmorgasborg of bedroom producers on the internuts?
I'm one of them myself, lol. Just do and create everything you want with no limits.

J Todd  
If this is the future dimension of music, what are the words to describe it?
Instrumental beat music has been around since the beginnings of hip-hop...but it has been evolving all the time. The music on Beat Dimensions is very new in its rhythmic vocabulary and use of texture, and the compilation itself suggests that it is possible to have a very different listening experience with this new sound.
     In the past ten years we have seen a handful of great artists release the instrumental versions of vocal-based albums, and now we have the likes of J Dilla, Dabrye, Madlib, Sa-Ra, and others really opening up this notion of the beat LP. As far as a genre name goes, it's instrumental hip-hop to me until someone comes along with that magic term that rolls off the tongue nicely. Maybe we are the new Easy Listening? Or perhaps Truzac? Nah...it'll probably take a good new label to step up and market it if it's going to become any bigger that it is, and I'm really glad that Rush Hour is trying to make it happen.

What production tricks do you intend to steal from your fellow compilationers?
Oh man...yeah, I've already been doing that! It's mostly the synthesizer textures that really kill me...and the ridiculous hi hat patterns.

What's the best way to stand out among the shmorgasborg of bedroom producers on the internuts?
I think we need to look at making great instrumental songs, instead of just great loops. It's an important and difficult lesson to learn, but it's the only way to keep the average head interested. There still needs to be changes and hooks and melodies as the song progresses and I don't think that necessarily needs to come from a vocalist. Some have tried to solve the problem by making their tracks really short. Producers are just lazy...but go and listen to 'Entroducing' or Justice or Flying Lotus and you can hear the potential for instrumental song development right in front of your ears!