Release Compilation Volume 1

(click on the album art to listen!)

We have dedicated many radio show and online mix to promoting the talented Belgian producers and musicians that fit the RELEASE philosophy but it felt like the right time to take it up a notch. We have compiled a bunch of tracks we like made by people who have performed at our events or sent us track to play.

These are all people we believe in and who confirmed our believe there’s undiscovered talent out there. It is in no way a definitive overview. There’s still a lot of beautiful music waiting for more attention. But our quest isn’t over yet. We’ve got some aces up our sleeve. Some of them we’ll present at our next event on December 11th at Beursschouwburg in Brussels.

We feel very privileged that the artists involved allow us to share their music. We hope we can help them get noticed some more this way. Although some of them like JtotheC, UpHigh Collective and San Soda left sizeable bleeps on different radars already this year. But they all deserve (even) more attention. So feel free to spread the word about this compilation.

All tracks are free but if you want to support RELEASE by donating a few gold nuggets feel free to do so. This money will be reinvested into the RELEASE project which has been going solely on volunteers (organisation as well as all artists involved) but has costs anyway (from nails to hang the artwork on walls to printing flyers).

Note: If this blows up though we might spend it all on a 100ft yacht we’ll put in a fancy Mediterranean port. But you’ll be the first ones we invite to party on it with us.

JtotheC – Layerman
A producer that RELEASE took out of his bedroom, put onto the stage and now slowly is conquering the rest of the world with his Funk fuelled mayhem. His first ever gig was at our first event. With only a few tracks in his repertoire but oozing enthusiasm he claimed himself a live reputation from that first gig on. A 7” release on On-Point Records did the rest and since then he has played at De Kreun, Democrazy, Bruksellive, Clap Sessions and more. Expect more music from this cat soon and go check him live if he’s performing on a stage near you.

Billy Palmier – Time Zero
Many know him for his dance moves, all should praise him for his bedroom producer moves. Few play that game as hardcore as Billy Palmier does. Making music, releasing it on his own Citywurl label and selling it through his own online shop. That’s true conviction. Producing cutting edge Soul music as Made In Japan (together with Gusto aka Gust Van Den Berghe) or his solo outfit Billy Palmier that has been played by tastemakers like Lefto and Benji B (BBC 1Xtra). The track on the compilation is from the same sessions as his EP called ‘Sure Shot’. Out now on Citywurl.

Versatell – Slow
One of the most low key producers we know. But what he lacks in being prolific he compensates generously in skills. Instrumental Hip Hop firmly rooted in the tradition set by pioneers like Dilla, Premier and Pete Rock but with a distinctive touch of his own. His contribution to the Nine compilation curated by Infinitskills and the word of mouth buzz his admirers have created, have made his reputation outgrow his hometown Ghent.

MonkeyRobot – Symbiosis
Consisting of former Infinitskills members, Luigi & Eric P. LuiGi is equally one of the forces behind RELEASE but also an accomplished producer in his own right with beats for Baloji, a release on the Japanese Jazzy Sport imprint and much more on his account. The joint effort of MonkeyRobot with jazz musician Pierre Anckaert will be released on the German Melting Pot label and will see daylight early 2011. Together with their VJ, Mathieu Cadet, they performed at the first RELEASE event as Infinitskills delivering an outstanding sonic and visual treat which could be experienced in Kortijk and Namur later on.

Toma – That NY Feeling
Toma is a sample based producer from Brussels who has been regularly sending in quality beats. Hip Hop instrumental with big nods to Soul, Jazz and Funk with respect for the classics and a personal edge. Working hard and promoting his music far beyond the local scene, working together with artists from around the world and from very different backgrounds. A true bedroom producer with a mission.

Weedy – If The Spirit Moves Ya
Together with Padmo’ – as 40 Winks – this fine beatmaker has already established a fine reputation for himself on the international scene. Always crafting exquisite instrumentals firmly rooted in a Hip Hop tradition. It felt as a big pad on the back for our concept that he started sharing tracks with us to play on our radio shows and at the RELEASE events. Currently 40 Winks are busy making a new album together with BRZZVLL (Melting Pot Music) incorporating live instruments in their music. A project which should be released late this year.

72 Soul feat. Brise – Fool Is Blind
A true veteran of the Belgian underground soulful music scene who formed a band to perform his music at our second event. Although he makes beats himself he is mostly known for his crooning and rapping over the output of a wide range of bedroom producers. Inspired by Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk and Dub electronics. The song on the compilation is produced by LuiGi from former Infinitskills, nowadays MonkeyRobot fame. 72Soul is currently touring with his band Doo Doo Dawn. Check his site for dates and much more links.

UpHigh Collective – Blend (i-Sa edit)
UpHigh Collective is a joint venture between among others Ducap, Oddlaner, Title, Delvis, Sir-5 and William. Some of them make abstract beats with lots of Soul under the name i-Sa. Under that moniker they were the opening act at the first RELEASE event. Since then they became a name to be reckoned with. Releases on On-Point Records, a much blogged about appearance on Lefto’s show on Studio Brussel and gigs at STUK in Leuven and De Vooruit in Gent have spread their name. But that’s only the beginning. Expect much more from these guys soon.

Panzer Kunst – Eating One’s Own Cat Food (Remix by Shepherd feat. Isa Lain)
Founding father of Umbrelladelika Records, a Brussels based label pushing all kinds of electronic music. As Shepherd he makes abrasive, grimy, bass heavy (break)beats. There’s a new split 7” with Baconhead out on his own label and you can download his “Riddle Of The Unflocked EP” on Acroplane for free. Together with Isa Lain on vocal duties he performed at the second edition of RELEASE at Beursschouwburg. A major force on the underground scene ready for a more widespread recognition.

SkyFix – MonoWe
A trained and versatile musician making relaxed electronic music. After an excursion through Drum and Bass, Breakcore and Psytrance he found his calling in producing dreamy soundscapes. One of these mood pieces got stuck in our heads and we asked kindly if we could put it on our compilation. As it was one of these songs that made us convinced the RELEASE project made sense. If you like this tune, head for his Soundcloud where you’ll find many more, usually for grabs.

SubReachers – Taking House Back
SubReachers have been dropping tracks on Soundcloud at an incredible rate. Certainly considering the amazing overall quality. Always situated between atmospheric, subtle Dubstep influenced beats and banging deep House. It won’t take long before they produce a major blip on the radar of everyone loving forward thinking music. They’ve performed at our second event and are now ready to take on the rest of the world. We’ve warned y’all.

San Soda – Gala + Tiesto + Fergie
This cat has taken the House world by storm. What started with a brilliant 12” on We Play House Recordings, shortly before he played at our first event, has blossomed into international recognition and all around praise for his first album on the same label in magazines like Resident Advisor. A Red Bull Music Academy Barcelona alumni (together with Dorian Concept, Fatima and Culoe de Song) and soon to be established name in the scene we’re proud of to have given his first opportunity to do a live gig. Something he nowadays does in the finer clubs all around Europe.

Shepherd – 10% (Panzer Kunst Remix)
One of the beat providers of Mr. Spartako, one of the finer Belgian Hip Hop outfits of the last few years. His solo stuff is somewhat dark electronic music. A style Brussels seems to have a knack for. Check out his Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages for more, sometimes free, music. One of the usual suspects in our RELEASE themed mixes and radio shows.

1352 – Wopatune
One of the youngsters that responded to the call for bedroom produced music we did while preparing our first event. He proved our belief that there had to be talent around. Since then many of his productions have been played on our radio shows and mixes with this particular one being one of our absolute favourites. 1352 is currently working on a live set. Hopefully we can see him banging tunes like this one out of his MPC soon.

Jazzanova – I Can See (Title Remix)
We received his music in the build-up to our first event and got blown away by the quality of it. ‘Caravan’ – released on On-Point Records a while ago – was the first ‘hit’ we had. On heavy rotation on our radio shows and moving people on the dance floor. Together with Delvis he performed at the second RELEASE night and convinced all who hadn’t heard of him before effortlessly with his personal take on electronic music. Currently busy brewing more excellent music as part of the UpHigh Collective, making remixes for Vermin Twins and others and performing as much as possible.