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Various Artists

Various Artists
Heartbeats
Available from here.

The tragic situation in Japan needs no introduction. However, the on-going problems and recovery process are among many ideas that may not have fully sunk into your minds and so the urgency of our action to help those in need cannot be stressed or emphasised enough. Any perspective needed is right there in front of us: we have it pretty easy in this country and I’m sure many of us will settle for a few days of sunshine amidst moderate grey skies every year in exchange for not constantly being under mortal threat from the planet we live on. Every little act really does help, so it’s reassuring to see so many musicians thoughtfully utilising their positions to raise awareness and support the recovery process.

One of our favourite producers, Submerse, has teamed up with Andy Bee and Toby ‘Price’ Godwin and spearheaded a music project with the sole purpose of raising money for Japan. It’s a great simple idea that’s already gained wide support from producers and musicians across the world and is very worthy of your attention, not just for the cause it represents, but for the staggering amount of goodness packaged inside.

The first compilation (unmixed) has been hand-picked from an enormous range of submissions by Submerse and co. and is due to feature cuts from Phaeleh, Dj Madd, RSD, Donga & Blake, Submerse, Price, Resketch, Whistla, Rrritalin, Duncan Powell, Sclist, Sentinels , VVV, Klaxons (a previously unheard official remix from Steve Aoki!), Indigo, Blnd!, Valta & Minikin, Sines , Opti, Von D, Littlefoot AND more. This is no slapdash compilation of b-sides. This is the real deal, for a very real cause. For just a fiver you’re getting 20 fresh cuts of delicious tuna and 100% of that fiver will go straight to the Red Cross in support of Japan’s recovery from the tsunami disaster that occurred last week.

Have a listen to the official Soundcloud set below which features some very notable selections (some of which have long been overdue a release…) including VVV’s deep, deep, deeeeeeeep and cavernous, Burial-like ‘No Longer’ and an extra special cut from Submerse himself. ‘I’d Rather Have You’ is an emotional, string-driven future garage gem that blissfully wanders through similar territories occupied by some of his biggest tunes (‘Hold It Down’, ‘OVA’ – both hugely recommended of course) and is guaranteed to sit well amongst the rest of the tunes from a stellar range of artists who are all at the top of their game. Show your support for this one.

Joe Moynihan.

Heartbeats – First Set by Heartbeats365

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Sims

Sims
Bad Time Zoo
Doomtree Records

Having released his debut album Lights Out Paris in 2005, it took a good while for Sims to bring out the follow-up but it was most definitely worth the wait. Bad Time Zoo is 14 track record full of cutting lyrics which range from the apathy of modern society to the simple fact that the MC loves his girlfried all layered over supremely powerful production from Lava Banger creator Lazerbeak.

Opening up as he means to go on, the Minneapolis rapper claiming that we “dropped the borders but we kept them walls” and being “so close I could almost see your breath / but so far I can’t hear your words” before lamenting the so-called “time of plenty” whilst all the while feeling like something is missing.

It’s a theme that runs through the album but never once falls into the preaching category, which is a testament to the ability of Sims’ lyrics, who despite all the problems we face implores us to “drop that cynicism” on Weight. Listening to these beats, that task doesn’t seem quite so difficult.

Relying more on his own talent than bringing in scores of guests, Sims does relent on Too Much by having P.O.S. giving his take on a near-disasterous road accident. Far from taking away from Sims, it simply goes to show how talent the Doomtree camp are as both mould their flows over the beat in their own inimitable style.

It’s impossible to pick a stand-out track on the record, such is the quality of the output – every time the play button is pressed, a new favourite presents itself. Suffice to say it’s worth multiple plays, so that every layer of the rap patchwork can get its time to shine, something it does brighter than ever.

The production is similarly tight all the way through the album from the horn led melody of Burn It Down to the dub-influenced, piano sampling LMG, the heavy drums of The Veldt and In My Sleep to the scratched vocal samples in Radio Opaque. Lazerbeak has one-upped himself once again, providing the perfect backdrop for his crew mate. The beats fit the rapper and the rapper’s flow fits the production, it’s rare that this happens over such a consistent period of time, yet that’s what you get on Bad Time Zoo.

Whether you’re into rap bangers or introspective backpack tunes, you need to check out this album. Doomtree just get better and better and with this latest release, Sims announces himself as a bonafide king. Absolutely brilliant.

See for yourself by listening [and then supporting great independent music by buying] here.

Abjekt.

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Music News

Watch: New Atmosphere video

Atmosphere have unleashed their new video onto the web.

Just For Show is taken from their upcoming album The Family Sign which is released on April 12th on Rhymesayers Entertainment. The duo [can we call them veterans yet?] show they still haven’t lost their love of dubby influences shown on Lucy Ford whilst continuing their live instrumention and less sampled based hip hop seen on When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold.

Either way, this track is great. And the video has a dog in it, which is great. What are you waiting for? Press play!

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Music News

Kid Koala hits London

Turntablist extraordinaire Kid Koala is hitting London this month.

The Canadian DJ, who has wowed crowds across the globe with his quick hand skills and ability to turn anything into a coherent tune, will be playing Koko on March 12th. He will be ably supported by DJ Vadim, a live set by Polar Bear and Mr Thing, which is set to be a stellar night.

Make sure you grab your tickets while they’re still available from www.soundcrashmusic.com

Check out what to expect below:

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Music News

Fashawn drops new free mixtape

Fashawn has released his latest mixtape onto the web.

Higher Learning 2, which is hosted by DJ Ill Will and DJ Rockstar, showcases the Cali rapper’s talents over 22 tracks and includes guest spots by GLC, Tony Williams from G.O.O.D. Music and J. Cole amongst others. Cole also lends his production skills to the proceedings on three tracks.

You can grab the mixtape by going here. You totally should, it’s great. In the meantime, check out the video below, for a track taken from his excellent Boy Meets World album.

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Music News

Watch: Yelawolf & Bun B

We’ll keep this one nice and simple – We love Yelawolf here at Crossfire, have done for ages. So we’re delighted he’s dropped a video for one of the best tracks from his Trunk Muzik mixtape.

Good To Go features legendary UGK rapper Bun B and proves exactly why many consider Yelawolf to be the most exciting and unique rappers to emerge in many years.

This one is huge, so crank it high and get good to go.

Yelawolf-Good to Go Feat. Bun B from Figz! on Vimeo.

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Music News

Dinosaur Pile Up tour dates and video

Dinosaur Pile Up are back with a single and have a brand new video for the track.

My Rock N Roll is one of the first songs frontman Matt Bigland wrote for DPU and will be released on March 14th. The band are also hitting the road with The Xcerts and Japanese Voyeurs as part of the Rock Sound tour, the dates for which are:

FEBRUARY
17 – Bedford Esquires
18 – Bournemouth Champions
19 – Brighton Audio
20 – Tunbridge Forum
22 – Cambridge Haymakers
23 – Birmingham O2 Academy3
24 – London Relentless Garage
25 – Bristol O2 Academy2
27 – Glasgow King Tuts
28 – Newcastle O2 Academy2

MARCH
02 – Leeds Cockpit 2
03 – Manchester Roadhouse
04 – York Duchess
05 – Southampton Joiners

Check the video below:

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Music News

Watch: Waka Flocka Flame’s ‘No Hands’

The man with the most memorable name in rap, Waka Flocka Flame, has a new single coming out in the UK.

No Hands, which features guest spots from Roscoe Dash and Wale, has already proved a huge hit in the States, selling over a million copies and will be released in the UK on April 18th. With an army of fans thanks to his Lex Luger produced anthem Hard In Da Paint, it’s only a matter of time before Waka is massive over here too.

Get it going by watching the video below.

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Music News

letlive. hit the UK next week

One of our new favourite bands, letlive., are over in the UK next week with Your Demise.

They’ve also just signed to the legendary Epitaph Records and will release new album Fake History on 11th April. It’s phenomenal and the live show is set to match. Just take a look at the footage below…

letlive. tourdates (w/ Your Demise, Stick To Your Guns) are:

20.02.11 UK Southampton Talking Heads
21.02.11 UK Birmingham O2 Academy 3
22.02.11 UK Nottingham Rescue Rooms
23.02.11 UK Newcastle O2 Academy 2
24.02.11 UK Leeds The Cockpit
25.02.11 UK Manchester Sound Control
26.02.11 UK Plymouth White Rabbit
27.02.11 UK London Underworld

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Music News

Watch: Grieves & Budo on St Val’s Day

Rhymesayers duo Grieves & Budo have dropped a new video for Valentine’s Day, to ensure the whole world feels loved.

The track is called Pack It Up and you can grab it for free, yep, absolutely free, right here.

We hope you got chocolates and flowers yesterday and if you didn’t, then go and buy some for yourself and say balls to Cupid.