Tag archives: Blaktroniks

Deepblak | Eastbay Express Feature (2009)

East Bay Express - Fade to Deepblak (2010)

Fade to Deepblak
How an East Oakland native creates space for techno.
By Zoneil Maharaj

As head of the innovative Oakland-based label Deepblak Recordings, producer Armon Bazile always has his eyes wide open to the pulse of emerging music in the Bay Area. “The musical underground railroad is rumbling,” he said. “There’s some brilliant stuff going on, especially here in Oakland. A lot of people are taking chances again.” But for Bazile (aka Aybee), it’s been an uphill battle without armor. Read Full Article >>

Video | Deepblak Summer 09

Much movement on the Deepblak scene in this summer of 2009. I don’t quite know where to start so here goes. The summer kicked off with the release of the AYBEE – East Oakland Space Program LP. A huge amount of gratitude to all who reached out to me about the album. Your words of appreciation, and encouragement are the currency that I cash in on my not so creative days. For me as an artist there is a profound sense of humility that comes from throwing your music into the void, and having uplifted voices come back to you.

deepblak_summer09

We then followed up with releases from Blaktroniks with their SlapMatik EP, and Damon Bell with Kush Musik pt.1. I was very honored to be able to champion these cats. Blaktroniks who have been solo pioneers on the Oakland Electronic front since the mid 90’s, in many ways laid the foundation for Deepblak to be born. It was from what I saw them do that gave me inspiration to follow my voice. So for them to release on Deepblak brought things full circle, and has sparked something that I can’t quite find words for at the moment.

Damon Bell since coming to Oakland from So. Cali has been a consistent purveyor of all things Deep. I also feel very blessed to be able to play host to his solo debut, which was his Kush Musik pt.1 EP. Outside of being a solid Producer/DJ, Damon is a solid Spirit that contributes greatly the ethos of the Deepblak mission. Kush Musik has been getting great support (thanks all), so we will try and roll those vibes over into Kush Musik pt.2, which will surface around late fall.

On my front this year is turning out to be the year of the collaboration with projects underway with: Afrikan Sciences, Fred. P (Black Jazz Consortium), Erik Rico, Damon Bell, Trinidadian Deep, Malena Perez, and an EP coming on the mighty Jus-Ed’s Underground Quality label. I am very excited about the coming outputs of these projects. There will be much activity in the Deepblak Hall Of Science

Late summer will also see the release of the o1o – Bread and Circuses LP for my Celestial Slap heads. With tons of beats and pieces. All this leads into the fall with the release of the BLAKTROPOLIS II compilation featuring new Deepblak material along with music from FAM around the globe. There’s also a new face coming into the Deepblak fold…I’ll just say two words…Aku9 (aka Lady Blaktronika). Brace yourselves for some amazing sonics coming this way this fall.

As you can see I have my work cut out for me, and there are several special treats that I will save for a later date. It will give me another excuse to connect with you. Again BIG respect for the support, and continue to spread the word. Much growth ahead and I hope that we continue to grow together.


Love | Respect | Power

AYBEE

Deepblak Recordings Summer 09 from Deepblak on Vimeo.

AYBEE | In The Headspace July 2009


Everything Michael Jackson…RIP man RIP…

Cebolla – Fantasy and Fame (cdr)
Jonny Miller – Switch It (Jus Listen)
Blaktroniks – Scatter Chat (Deepblak)
Pursuit Grooves – Fear of Genetic Engineers (What Rules)
Internationational Pony – The Royal Pennekaums
Damon Bell – Ezuku (Deepblak)
Fred P. – Something Old (Soul People Music)
o1o – Moonstalk (cdr)
Akiko Kiyama – You Won’t Speak To Me
Ron Trent – Manifesto (AYBEE’s Blak Space Federation Slap) (cdr)
Kaidi Tatham – Swift Inspiration (Freedom School)
Ashford and Simpson – It Seems to Hang On
Ronnie Milsap – Any Day Now
Ron Trent – Hooked On Your Love
Imagination – Burnin Up
Jay-Z – DOA
Pursuit Grooves – Petrol Water Feeders
Wayman Tisdale – Amazing Grace
Stanley Clarke – Lisa

Blaktroniks SlapMatik EP

DBR-D023 | Blaktroniks – SlapMatik EP

BLAKTRONIKs – “SLAPMATIK” is taking the beats back to basics.

“We are all about hard beats, bass lines, and razor sharp melodies”. This time it’s all about the hardware sounds and samples. No smoke and mirrors, just beats that stomp a mud hole in your ears. Blaktroniks has a long discography of creative style and productions.
Oakland artists Edd Dee Pee, MC Veda 36, and Percepticon have developed a tele-presence in the electronic music industry for more than a decade genre bending sounds.

Percepticon plays guitar, write compose, arrange, and design etc. Edd Dee Pee drum programming, digital processing, and bass playing makes up a good team for a SlapMatik style. Making music with a focus, and knowing when to have fun at the same time.

“When I (Edd) was a kid I use to hook up a drum machine to the deck in my ride and put my home stereo speakers in the trunk”. Everything must bump or slap. When we added the technology to the equation, it became electronic. Now it only made sense to bring the two elements together and form the SlapMatik EP. – Edd Dee Pee

Some dope tunes in da EP, gr8 vibe and original soundin, playin & chartin
big up da Oakland massiiiiiiiiiiive !!!! – Simbad

All songs written and produced by Blaktroniks for Deepblak Recordings (c) 2009

AYBEE - East Oakland Space Program

[DBR-D022] AYBEE – East Oakland Space Program

Deepblak Chief Alchemist AYBEE unveils his window into the world known as the East Oakland Space Program. This highly anticipated solo album from AYBEE pushes rhythm, and beats far beyond the expectations defined for the urban experience. This project carves musical space for something uniquely Oakland, and resoundingly cosmic. On this trip the talents of Erik Rico, Paul Randolph, Afrikan Sciences, Blaktroniks, and local siren Karyn Paige join AYBEE. In true Deepblak mode all styles are open, avant-garde, and forward. Enjoy

This album is dedicated to the many faces that are swept away by the streets in silence. For those that remain understand that there is a better way, a higher frequency that can lead you to the greatness of who you truly are. I hope that you open your ears, and soul as we journey inward through the Rhythm.

– AYBEE

Words

soulpeoplemusic

 

Visionary! – Fred P. (Black Jazz Consortium/ Soul People Music NY)

vission in session

Welcome to the 25th century soundscape, ocean deep basslines, organic vox and a hotbed of rising talent collaborations, welcome to Aybee’s debut album. Welcome to the future! ESOP needs no genre classifications or box ticking exercises, this is electronic music in its finest form. – Mickey Blanco (Soulfulbeats. Visions UK)

atjazz

 

By george, this shit is the bomb! the meter has spoken… and brokenAtjazz / Atjazz Record Co.

presclogo

HOTTRon Trent (Prescription/Future Vision)


An amazing release by a real artist!
An album you can actually listen to!
Once again thanx for sending this
peaceEnrico [volcov / Isoul8]

Aybee’s 2008 release “Blacktropolis” was one of the most pleasant surprises to blare out of my speakers. “East Oakland Space Program” builds on the soulful futuristic sound that has made Aybee a visionary to be reckoned with. “EOSP” contains thirteen heart pounding tracks that will dive deep into your body and force you move to the hypnotic rhythms. The disc begins with “Hidden Treasures”, a deep pulsating groove reminiscent of the early Detroit techno sound. “Windows” is a warm, atmospheric deep dish that’s anchored by the earthy arrangements by Aybee and the vocals of Karen Paige. Another winner is “No Mystery” featuring Paul Randolph, whose deep vocals are a perfect match for Aybee’s spacey compositions. “Love Of” and “Ozzie Davis” are the kind of deep house jazz tracks you’ll love whether you’re on the dance floor or just lounging. “EOSP” is full of funky beats, hip vocals and gorgeous rhythms. This is another quality recording from the Deepblak label that will provide definite satisfaction.
Reg Dancy (Catchagroove.com)



—————–

Written and produced by Armon Bazile (BMI) for Deepblak Recordings 2009.

*01 Co-Written by E. Porter

*04 Co-Written by Karyn Paige

*06 Co-Written by Erik Rico (Lifenotes Music)

*08 Co-Written by Paul Randolph

*10 Co-Written by Eddie Smith

Recorded Mixed, and Engineered by AYBEE at the Deepblak Hall of Science, Oakland California © Deepblak Recordings 2009

(DBR-D022) (P)+ © Deepblak Recordings 2009. All Rights Reserved

Deepblak presents Blaktropolis Vol.1

[DBR-D020] Deepblak presents BLAKTROPOLIS vol. 1

V/A – Deepblak presents BLAKTROPOLIS

In the not so Distant Future these are the sounds of BLAKTROPOLIS the city of Soul and Sound

Freshest shit this year, off the meter!
Atjazz/Mantis

Yes I. Dope shit as usual!. Love especially the Aybee rmx of Dozie.
– Enrico (isoul8) Archive/Neroli

The DOZIE I have been playing for months on the show – KILLS me everytime, so much soul, emotion, feeling in the delivery !  Its been a big favourite of mine in 2008.
– Mickey Blanco (Visions UK)

The 3-track teaser I got sounds dope again: the very dark, futuristic and industrial ‘Solaris’ venturing in the techno/IDM space is my absolute favorite. This would fit just perfect with those fly-by scenes of Blade Runner! There’s also a great Aybee remix for Dozie’s soulful vocals on ‘Sensuality’, and the experimental breaks of Afrikan Sciences in ‘A Decision’. My ears are eager to hear more!
– Lensco (Beyondjazz.net)

Just when I thought I had heard everything, along comes a disc out of nowhere to truly mess my head up. The music I’m referring to is Blaktropolis Vol 1 from Deepblak recordings. This compilation features futuristic soul in an array of styles from house, spiritual jazz, tribal and broken beat that will have you asking yourself, “Where did these guys come from?”
– Reg Dancy, 10/08 (Basic Soul, UK)

(DBR-D020) Various Artists (P)+ © Deepblak Recordings 2008. All Rights Reserved

o1o – The Undatow 2 in XLR8R

o1o - The Undatow 2

Abstract Beats, Broken, Downtempo:
o1o
“The Undatow 2”
Deepblak

This upstart Oakland, CA-based crew is going to heat up Fall 2008 with this smoking four-track EP. Picture future-funk and dreamy beats that lie between Flying Lotus and Boards of Canada territory. Evocative and supremely bumpin’. – XLR8R