Minimum Wastage

Darkhouse Family - In & Out EP

The Earnest Endeavours crew follow up on B. Bravo’s Kiss ‘n’ Tell - last year’s sublime label debut - with an EP by below-ground beat makers, Darkhouse Family.

Having made their breakthrough with Family Trees on Fat City, the Cardiff-based duo of Don Leisure and Metabeats have crafted a monstrous collection for EE002 that boasts input from eminent vocalist-cum-producer Om’Mas Keith on Take On The World, the aforementioned B. Bravo on Like No Other, and the sweet homegrown soul of Vanity Jay on Sticky Trees.

On first inspection it earns major style points; cosmic dutty synth-funk disjointed by drums that owe much to the expansive vision of the sound’s forefathers over in L.A.: Carlos Niño, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Daedelus, Madlib et al. So it’s little wonder that the new breed of America’s West Coast, like Gaslamp Killer, Kutmah, Jonwayne and Salva are rallying support for the Welsh duo. While on domestic soil Mary Anne-Hobbs, Kode 9, Gilles Peterson, and Sinden have all certified their endorsement for the Darkhouse Fam.

The In & Out EP drops February 27th, available on 12” vinyl and digital.

Link here for the teaser: 

http://soundcloud.com/earnestendeavours/darkhouse-fam-in-out-ep-teaser

Ian M.W.

MWR007: A Broadcast From Collingwood House Studio

Minimum Wastage // MWR007 - includes Adjowa and [crack] live sets by MinimumWastage

For our first show of 2012 we dig out recordings from our launch event that took place back in early December of last year. Enclosed you will hear thirty minutes of fist-clenching funk from Adjowa, he did his thing live on the MPC and he did it correct. You will also hear an hour’s set of electronic devastation from [crack], and if you know us by now you understand that our support for this duo is committed and unwavering.

A huge thank you must go out to those who joined the celebrations and showed your support on the night. It was fun-filled. High fives to those who provided the entertainments too. More of the same over the coming months, we hope.

In amongst these recordings we pick out some selections of our own - a couple of tracks in there made our end-of-year favourites list.

And don’t forget to link us on Facebook, if you’re that way inclined - http://www.facebook.com/minimumwastage

Tracklisting: 
DJ Rum – Undercoat [2nd Drop Records] 
Fatima & Floating Points – Mind [Eglo Records] 
Jazzanova - Look What You’re Doin To Me (Motor City Drum Ensemble Remix) [Sonar Kollektiv] 
**Adjowa Live Set - From Minimum Wastage Takeover at Platform Bar 3rd Dec** 
Linkwood - Secret Value [Shevchenko] (forthcoming) 
Zed Bias – Music Deep Inside [Swamp 81] 
Sepalcure – Me [Hotflush Recordings] 
**[crack] Mix - From Minimum Wastage Takeover at Platform Bar 3rd Dec**

Reach out, take with you and share.

Circulate don’t percolate.

Jonny & Ian M.W.

Charity Shop Wins

Dobie - Cloud 98 3/4 on 12”

(Pussyfoot Recordings Ltd, 1998)

49p, Oxfam, Dalston, London E8

Ian M.W.

Best of 2011: Part 2.

It’s time to reflect on the year’s best. Here’s Part 2: singles and EPs.

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5. DJ Rum - Mountains EP (2nd Drop Records) 

A massively under-appreciated EP from the enigmatic producer. Mountains EP delves into tripped out bass with ripples of hip hop and juke to come out sounding like no one else. Sounding like the narrative from a forgotten film noir, the mesmerising EP is essential listening and yearns for repeat after repeat.
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4. Omar S - Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance!! (FXHE Records) 

Right now, no one really does this better. It’s something which may be far more than the sum of its parts but they weave together to build a sublime cut of Motor City soul; and despite this only being a one track EP, fully justifies its place in our top 5. He is the master, and we are not worthy.
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3. Mosca - Done Me Wrong / Bax (Numbers)

Not much to say about this record which hasn’t already been written. Both sides are absolute party starters, wherever and whoever you are. 
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2. Fatima & Floating Points - Follow You (Eglo Records)

It’s been another stellar year for Floating Points, who’s talent seems to grow exponentially. It could have been any of his releases from this year on this list - particularly the Danger EP, whose far-reaching spaced out techno was just what 2011 needed. However we’ve plucked for this 4 track EP collaboration with Fatima. The depth of her vocals and laid-back delivery combined with Sam Shepherds’ cosmic boogie deliver that all important hairs-on-the-back-of-neck soul by the tonne.
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1. Julio Bashmore - Everyone Needs A Theme Tune (PMR Records)
  

Killer EP from another champion of 2011. Each of his releases have been essential, but for us this EP and particularly Battle For Middle You is the one, and has soundtracked at lot of moments in 2011.

Jonny M.W.

Exclusive Acid Mix by Mark Archer (ex-Altern 8)

In eager anticipation of WANG’s huge NYE warehouse party, Minimum Wastage have been blessed with an exclusive mix by Mark Archer, formerly of seminal rave outfits Altern 8 and Nexus 21.

The selection binds track from the tougher end of the early house spectrum; moving from Jack Frost & The Circle Jerks onto the jacking rhythms of The Robot DJs, Armando, Mr Lee, the bleepy bliss of Steve Poindexter’s Computer Madness, through to undisputed classics from Phuture, Mike Dunn and KC Flightt; acid sounds that were embraced and subsequently mutated by Altern 8 and the rave contingent here in the UK in the late 80s, early 90s.  

Exclusive Acid Mix by Mark Archer (ex-Altern8) by MinimumWastage

Tracklist:
Jack Frost & The Circle Jerks – Cool And Dry [FLEX Records]
Lidell Townsell – Get The Hole [Trax Records]
Jack Frost & The Circle Jerks - Two The Max [Trax Records]
Armando – Confusions Revenge [Trax Records]
Adrenalin MOD – Ecstasy (Wherever You May Be) [MCA Records Ltd.]
The Robot DJs – Energy [Underground]
Mr. Lee – Rock This Place [International House Records]
Mr. Lee – Pump Up London [Trax Records]
The House Gang – Cool J Trax [International House Records]
Mike Dunn – Magic Feet [Westbrook Records]
Steve Poindexter – Computer Madness [Muzique Records]
Phuture – Acid Trax [Trax Records]
KC Flightt – Planet E (Acid Mix) [RCA]
Julian Jonah – Jealousy & Lies [Cooltempo]
Lenny D & Tommy Musto – Everything Bamboo [Magnetic Dance]

We strongly recommend you catch a set from the man himself on NYE, alongside Simian Mobile Disco, Andrew Weatherall, Radioactive Man, Electro Elvis, Ben Lyford and Lula. Taking place at a secret East London location. 

http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?316720
http://www.theransomnote.co.uk/ticket/wang-nye-warehouse-rave/77/
http://www.wanging.com
Info: 07587637304

Best of 2011: Part 1.

It’s time to reflect on the year’s best. Here’s Part 1: the long-players that impressed.

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5. Andy Stott - Passed Me By (Modern Love)

Over the past ten years, thanks to Polmo Polpo I’ve enjoyed some of the best distorted electronica imaginable. Though for whatever reason I hadn’t paid due attention to the body of work recorded under his real name, Sandro Perri. It being more post-rock, singer-songwriter in its treatment. That was until Impossible Spaces cropped up a few months back and stunned me with its finesse; a myriad of textures, melodies and balladry that felt already familiar. Uniting the best bits of Mystic Chords of Memory and Dirty Projectors with an identity of its own.

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3. Patten - GLAQJO XAACSSO (No Pain In Pop)

The head spins trying to conjure up accurate references for this album in the confines of a few sentences. GLAQJO XAACSSO is, for the most part, a brilliant, complex beast of machine-made arpeggios colliding with broken-down drum patterns. Moments of clarity do come midway through in the form of & our Wild Paths Collide, a visceral, paranoid strain of kosmiche, and the huge undulating 4/4 groove found on the next track Fire Dream. All in all, the album is a treat for those who navigate the trails blazed by Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, Clark, Rustie and Actress.

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2. Legowelt - The TEAC Life (Self-Released)

Some of this year’s best output was available to download for gratis, and for me The TEAC Life by analog techno patriot Legowelt ranks right up there. It was recently announced that this 14-track collection of deep, stripped-down house is to be given a vinyl pressing. We’re beaming with the thought that the retro-futurist melodies of Moonmist and the counterfeit Chicago classic The Soul of a City might be made even more vivid, in the way only vinyl can.

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1. Clams Casino - Instrumentals (Self-Released)

New Jersey beat-maker Clams Casino (Mike Volpe) earned recognition this year due to his high-calibre productions for enigmatic rapper Lil B, Soulja Boy, and Main Attrakionz, among others. The self-released Instrumentals collection soon followed (another free giveaway making the list) doing away with vocals to showcase Volpe’s knack for crafting nostalgic, wistful beats that have scope and integrity.

Part 2 to follow.

Ian M.W.

Charity Shop Wins

Nicole - Happiness (Ballroom Version) on 12”

(Sleeping Bag Records, 1989)

£1.49, Charity Shop, Hackney, London E8

Ian M.W.

FREE Launch Takeover - Sat Dec 3rd @ Platform E8

To toast a fun few months, this coming Saturday Dec 3rd we’ll be spinning soulful electronic sounds alongside some truly talented guests that we’re delighted to have join us. 

It’s our launch event, taking place at our new favourite East London hangout, Platform Bar Terrace. Here’s how it’s going down:

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ADJOWA - LIVE
Adjowa recently piqued our interest when we heard his Eglo-esque take on modern funk, on local institution NTS Radio. We welcome the London-based producer for a special live show.

Letter to Sun Ra by ADJOWA

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[CRACK]
Footwork and techno are the keystone elements of this duo’s output. Top class productions. We’ve been championing these gents from the get-go.

Radical by [crack]

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KIT J GRILL (Vessel)
As the main man behind Vessel Music, Kit is the curator of some of the web’s most eclectic mixes from the likes of B.Fleischmann to Legowelt to Wooden Shjips. This man knows a good thing when he hears it. Expect a carefully crafted set.

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JONNY & IAN M.W.
A meandering selection from the Minimum Wastage men.

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There’s no charge at the door for this one, so we hope to see you there.

For all enquiries email ian@minimumwastage.com