February 2012

So you may have noticed a severe lack of broadcasting from Synth over the last few weeks or so. Let us assure you that we've not abandoned the show, merely made it monthly so we can focus more energy and time towards it. Tonight we return with all our usual features and a whole stack of amazing new records to play (and when we say records, we mean high quality mp3s of course).

The coming together of two of Glasgow’s biggest soundsystems was always going to prove popular; the ultimate combination of Mungo's Hi Fi meets Chungo-Bungo attracting a huge crowd on Saturday despite the less than tropical winter weather. Blown in by the elements, the dedicated yet rain drenched crowd surged onto Chambre 69’s dancefloor, making the modest-sized club noticeably more crowded than usual.

When Numbers throw a party you know about it. Without a word of warning you can find your weekend plans instantly altered to include a night with Rustie, Jackmaster or any other achingly hip artist they have on their roster – such is Numbers reputation in Glasgow, they could no doubt rely on word-of-mouth to sell their parties. Needless to say, their first event of 2012 is shaping up rather nicely, with none other than Text Record's Four Tet taking to the decks alongside Number’s favourite, Spencer. Following on from their New Year blow out with Vitamins, you can expect this to cause the necessary damage…

It’s not often we post something from outside Glasgow, but when we do it’s always worth it. Last year we stumbled across London-based production duo Colo, who after remixing close friends and current Radio 1 favourites Disclosure, soon became a regular feature in our playlists and columns. Infact, we were so impressed with their quite extraordinary sound that we even commissioned them to provide a very special guest mix which you can listen to here.

Grobbie gone done it again. Does this boy even sleep? Over the weekend we were treated to a free download from the Glasgow-based Tuff Wax producer and needless to say it smacks of sheer quality. If you’re just waking up to the new week this will go some way to easing you into a rather dreary Monday morning. Drifting in on shimmering synths and gothic vocal cuts, the foundation builds with rumbling sub-bass and a subtle kick before fading into a distant horizon. Perfectly executed and genuinely stirring, ‘All Of This Time’ is further proof that Grobbie is quite simply ready to blow…

If you’re a regular visitor to this blog you’ll be fully aware of how highly we rate Glasgow-based Deep House aficionado, Dominic Martin. Over the past twelve months his productions have consistently delivered some of the freshest sounds to come out this city and we have no problems in declaring him as one of Glasgow's finest new talents. Releasing on such labels as Tronicsole, Lost My Dog and Point Blank, his sound combines jacking Chicago House with a futuristic 2012 flavour, oozing late-night sophistication and pure unadulterated groove. Building a reputation over the last few years for unwavering quality, his music has found its way into the hard-drives of everyone from Miguel Migs to Round Table Knights, Lee Curtiss to Roger Sanchez, proving the producer is as versatile as he is talented.

Dare we say it? Summer is technically three or four months away but with a dizzying high of 17 degrees today and the smooth sounds of Tronicsole’s HiRO filling our ears we’re seriously considering donning a pair of shpants and hitting the park. We’ve been big fans of HiRO’s inter-planetary vibe for a while now and with this new release coming not a moment to soon, it’s easy to remember why…

Described once as London's biggest pirate radio station, the now legitimate Rinse FM boasts an impressive cohort of artists forever in debt for the exposure the station has given them. Names like Skream & Kode9 will ring bells for anyone with any interest in UK Bass, while everyone else can thank them for the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley.

Something excites us about Scottish Hip Hop. Slowly discovering this growing, passionate scene was almost like discovering a new form of music. Realising that a wealth of talent lies on the whole untouched by the selective hand of commercialism creates this feeling of being part of something entirely fresh – almost exclusive. As with each new artist presented to us we’ve found ourselves overwhelmed by talent, often unrecognised but nevertheless unmistakable. Maybe it’s the impression of being the underdogs, overshadowed by their English counterparts or maybe it’s the fact that Scottish MC’s have a raw passion which is deep-rooted and utterly boundless. Whatever it is, it’s about time you got familiar.

“Honey I’m Home!� - Scotland’s coolest label and party planner, LuckyMe returned to its birthplace last month welcoming us to its first bimonthly party at Nice’N’Sleazy’s. Host to Glasgow favourites Hudson Mohawke and Rustie, it ticks all the boxes, providing us with clever beats fuelled by futuristic garage and hip-hop at a slow and sensual tempo - touching us where it feels good.

We like consistency here at Synth. Knowing that on the last Friday of every month you can count on How’s Your Party? to deliver the biggest names in bass is a reassuring constant which never wavers. Over the last few months the Mixed Bizness monthly has hosted everyone from much hyped up and comers Disclosure to Dubstep superstar Benga, making the night an essential fixture in the party calendar. So, with that in mind, it comes as no surprise to find Digital Soundboy big-hitters, Breakage and Redlight manning the decks next week in what will undoubtedly be another sweat induced throw-down.

Every so often an artist comes along which instantly gets us excited, and after hearing a demo track from the mysterious Tim Narloch late last year we promised ourselves to hold off before revealing our all-encompassing enthusiasm for this young producer. As it turns out, it’s just not possible so after quietly containing ourselves for months we can now confidently state that this guy is going the distance. Check his latest upload below and prepare to concur.

Oh Hudson, you make us all weak at the knees. If like us Valentines Day means buying yourself a box of chocolates and sitting in a dark room watching Maid In Manhattan then you should definitely get locked on to Hudson Mohawke’s Valentines Slowjams. The LuckyMe lothario has selected some of his all time favourite heart-melters and boy, if you’re not feeling the love after 45 minutes you may as well resign yourself to celibacy.

It’s quite appropriate that from this period of relative quiet we return with a release which burns with all the energy of a rising sun. We’ve been transfixed by the solar-sound of Holobeams & Broken Machines for some time now, his self-titled debut EP indicating a comprehensive understanding of an electronic landscape which has yet to be mapped. Returning last month with the highly anticipated follow up ‘Holofractal’, we are again taken under by his crystallised vision, finding ourselves on another journey of unlimited horizons.