Epitonic Newsletter: Vol. 4, No. 37 'The King of Pop Pops Off Again'
11/22/02
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So Michael Jackson went and did something totally bizarre again. Aren't you shocked? In case you missed it, Jacko (as the less reputable media sources delight in calling him, which seems like an odd nickname for MJ and more like something you'd call your old Princeton chum) freaked out fans in Berlin on Tuesday when he appeared on a hotel veranda and briefly dangled an unidentified infant four stories above a screaming throng of admirers. The child turned out to be his own, a boy named Prince Michael II (seriously) whose mother remains unknown. In a statement, Jackson apologized for his actions, claiming he got "caught up in the excitement of the moment" and wanted to show off his baby to his fans. Ironically Jackson was in Germany to accept an award for his philanthropic work on behalf of children.
Do we yet realize how essential these Michael Jackson episodes are to the way we understand ourselves as a society, and as individuals? Don't try to deny it. Going all the way back to the Pepsi-commercial-hair-on-fire incident almost 20 years ago, and probably even before that, Michael Jackson has given us freaky stories to puzzle over with the regularity of the changing of the seasons. He's the Howard Hughes of our era, and who would be surprised if he too began using Kleenex boxes for slippers and getting blood transfusions from Mormons? Let's just hope that he doesn't decide to go off and live on an island somewhere with Macauley Culkin and Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando and thus deprive us of the peculiar brand of joy he so frequently brings to our lives.
In more serious news, Epitonic is pleased to be able to offer the Bjork tune "It's in Our Hands." Recorded in collaboration with Matmos, the reflective song was originally supposed to appear on Bjork's 2001 album Vespertine, but it was pulled shortly before the release date. Bjork performed it regularly while touring for Vespertine, and it soon took on a special meaning to many in the wake of September 11. Now she's included it as the sole new track on her just-released best-of collection, Bjork's Greatest Hits. It kicks off this week's newsletter, alongside the many great electronic songs to hit Epitonic in recent days, including new tracks from Mark Rae, DJ Touche, and Mark Farina.
"It's In Our Hands"
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Bjork
In her decade-long career since parting ways with the Sugarcubes, this famous Icelandic diva has changed the way we think about pop and electronic music. And with her every move, she keeps on surprising us.
"Square"
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DJ Touche
Formerly of The Wiseguys, DJ Touche bridges the gap between U.S. hip hop and U.K. breakbeat. As a producer, he has licensed tracks to Mitsubishi and Budweiser adverts and as a DJ, he has played the biggest and best clubs in the world.
"Inside MG"
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Dubital
These guys dive deep into the beat with their special brand of melody-laden electronic dub. So kick back, relax, light up the dutchie, and let your mind wander into the indelible experience that is Dubital.
"Lavish"
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Mark Rae
As one half of the acclaimed Manchester duo Rae & Christian, Mark Rae is at the forefront of the U.K. hip hop and creative beats scene. Having launched the careers of Riton, Only Child, and Mr. Scruff, his Grand Central imprint vies with Talkin' Loud as the U.K.'s finest outlet for forward-thinking beats.
"Phone Tap"
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Mark Farina
As one of America's premier DJs, Mark Farina plays in excess of 300 gigs a year, switching between soulful house and swirling downtempo sets. Famed for his Mushroom Jazz sound, Farina has also released a number of house mixes on his label of choice, Om Records.
"At The Beach"
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Minus 8
Discovered by French downtempo don DJ Cam, Switzerland's Minus 8 trod the drum and bass path for Sony sub Higher Ground before switching his production style to nu-jazz and signing to Compost.
"Soundz from my Stereo"
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Aruba
Elevation Recordings owner Darran Nugent has plied his trade on some of the best house labels on the planet, including Toko, Brique Rouge, and Stay True. His softly, softly approach to production has made him a house hero in his hometown of Galway, Ireland.
"Nautilus"
by
Loscil
Loscil is the pseudonym of Vancouver-based recording artist Scott Morgan, who uses synths, samplers, and computer programming to create hypnotically pulsing ambient minimalism.
"And Then"
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Takagi Masakatsu
Using interesting and creative people and places samples, audio/visual
wiz kid Takagi Maskatsu weaves a rich tapestry of otherworldly ambient
music.
"Ungst Func Slag Collision"
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Soul-Junk
Glen Galloway from Truman's Water has recently become Glen Galaxy. His new project Soul-Junk offers a steady flow of mixed-up influences centering on hip hop and experimental music, and seemingly inspired by the heavens.
"Pixel Stitched"
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Wauvenfold
Wauvenfold's musical deconstructionism is about as abstract as a Picasso and about as accessible as a painting of a couple of pooches playing poker. If you like chop-shop hip hop beats, cartoony jungle rhythms, and organized IDM confusion, look no further.
"Commun Changement"
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Tadd Mullinix
Under his own name, Michigan producer Tadd Mullinix records lush, glitchy abstract techno with a pronounced sense of humor. He has also released material under the aliases Dabrye, James Cotton, and SK-1.
"Power Lunch"
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Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar Superstar is on this planet for one reason -- to make you "Sweat" like Keith himself. Harold Tillman brings R&B slow jams to the hip kids with help from his beat-constructing comrades in arms The Busy Signals.
"Divine (Ian Pooley Mix)"
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Supreme Beings Of Leisure
An urbane, smoothly musical amalgamation of pop elements and more heady electronica that make for a chill techno soul sound with sultry, trenchant lyrcism to boot!
