On Saturday the 27th of February, Black Athena and Runner of the d2 duo (founders of the Ital Soundz nights) are pleased to be able to present the UK garage legend El B (Tempa/Ghost Recordings/Groove Chronicles/UK) for the very first time in Athens. The fabled producer, who was famously cited by the enigmatic Burial as the reason he was motivated to make music, started producing back in the 90s, possessing 15 years worth of experience within London’s urban music scene; from his 90s era work as part of Groove Chronicles and El Tuff through to the past decade and the dark swing sound that has since firmly established itself on the international map. Now 2010 sees the return of El-B with his forthcoming release this April of the long awaited Nu Levels LP, whilst a steady flow of (as yet) unreleased dubplates continue to pique the interest of the Bass scene worldwide.
Nu Levels is an album/collection which gathers artists from the past, present and future of the UK urban scene including such heavyweight names as J Da Flex, Skream, MRK-1, Zed Bias and Heny G, demonstrating the resonance and ongoing relevance of the renowned Ghost Recordings imprint. The collaboration which has attracted the most buzz however is the one undertaken with the aforementioned Burial, radio rips of exclusive playbacks already littering the blogosphere and picking up instant praise and respect, hot on the heels of which (and adding to that hype) came El B’s extensive interview with The Wire magazine (www.thewire.co.uk/articles/2280/) which incorporated extracts of Burial's email to EL-B!
Accompanying El B on MC duties on the night will be London’s one and only Crazy D, typically credited with being one of two MCs considered Godfathers within London’s Bass scene; Crazy D is the original MC of dubstep’s pioneering FWD party, currently taking place at the legendary Plastic People club in Shoreditch, and also finds time to appear as a resident MC at Brixton’s regular DMZ night alongside Sgt Pokes. Crazy D started his career as an MC back in the early nineties and has since developed an individual lyrical style and reputation for skilled flow and unforgettable hooks. He has also worked for London’s Kiss FM and made countless guest appearances worldwide and his name is a solid guarantee for any DJ looking for a Master of Ceremonies with character and style and who truly knows how to complement and do justice to the music.
From the basements of Brixton & Shoreditch to the lofts of Athens: El-B and Crazy D will appear here for the first time on Saturday the 27th of February for a night of dark garage beats, old school & new school bass.
Warm up: Black Athena (+ cheeky birthday session (s) by Runner (d2) )
Red Bull Music Academy Music Production Workshop ft. El-B & host Paul Bennett
The day after the event, on the 28th of February at 3pm a workshop will be held at Gaz A L'Eau, Technopolis with key speaker El-B, who is lecturing with Red Bull in this year's Red Bull Music Academy, currently taking place in London. In this session the British producer will examine methods and means of music production as well as the technical secrets behind the production of his trademark bass resonance. Hosting the workshop we will have English producer and DJ, Paul Bennett (of Gazi’s 360 Record Store). Participation is open to the public and the media, and while the workshop will be held primarily in English there will be interpreters available for assistance and to help field questions.
About the Red Bull Music Academy
Some of the most creative minds in the world and musicians from across the globe all looking for new musical forms have tuned their antennae to the stimuli coming from the pioneering stages, teachers and speakers, with credentials acknowledged by the public and critics alike and with an impetus towards the avant garde within an academy that after ten years has proven without doubt that it can effectively have an integrated music policy and aesthetic incorporating the past, the present and above all the future of music.
Huge "legends" of the past; new talent that will be dissected suspiciously by music blogs and acclaimed music magazines such as The Wire and Paste; former participants building their careers on the decks and stages around the world; the most hi-end equipment within the most sophisticated studios; parties every night at the clubs within the host cities – all the above and more is the Red Bull Music Academy, which has again opened its doors in February 2010 in the Musical Mecca that is London. Artists’ info: *El-B Reprise Agency page: http://www.reprisemusicgroup.com/agency/artists/elb.php * El-B on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/ghostrecordings * Crazy D Reprise Agency page: http://www.reprisemusicgroup.com/agency/artists/crazyd.php * Crazy on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/crazydubstep * Black Athena: http://www.myspace.com/blackathenagreece * Runner (d2): http://www.myspace.com/intasoul Event Sponsors: Red Bull (in conjunction with Red Bull Music Academy) Media Sponsors: MTV, SAE Hospitality: Hotel Areos (www.athensareoshotel.gr ) Heads High Ft. El B (UK) & Crazy D (UK) Saturday the 27th of February Gaz A L’Eau Technopolis, Gazi DOORS: 11pm / 10 Euros with a drink Contact: Black Athena E: black-athena@hotmail.com W: www.black-athena.com www.myspace.com/blackathenagreece www.facebook.com/youknowwhatloveis T: 6976429070 Listen to Black Athena live every Saturday and Sunday, 1-3pm on Athens International Radio 104.4FM or via www.athina984fm.gr.
