Excerpted with permission from:
BREAKIN' NEWS: The breakbeat newsletter
By DJ Aras (Amsterdam)

http://www.xs4all.nl/~aras/bnews/
DATE: November 1, 1999

Apex

"Bangin'" by Apex will be the next release from Adam Freeland's ground-breaking label Marine Parade, out November 29th. Apex was formed back in '93 by Matt Jarrett, Zen and MK1 DJ. Their sound is drawn from their love of electro, Detroit techno and hip hop, developing a breakbeat style with a raw futuristic vibe.

"Rumbling bass-fumes stream from the speakers, over twisted, toxic beats. Layers of intricately crafted, electro edged scuffles and scrapes lye neatly over the top with a trembling groove that powers forward with determination" is how Marine Parade describes the tune. "Razor sharp production and funky as hell, this electronic masterpiece has been well tried and tested by Adam Freeland who has been dropping it off acetate for the last few months and believe us it's a proven dance floor devastator.

Based in Brighton, Marine Parade was started by Adam Freeland in 1998 and in just over a year has established itself as a musical force to be reckoned with. Recently, it was nominated for a Muzik Magazine award for best independent label. The most recent release from Marine Parade, was 'Hip Hop Phenomenon', a collaboration between American producer Brian Transeau (BT) and Tsunami One, aka Kevin Beber and Adam Freeland. 'Hip Hop Phenomenon' is widely regarded as one of the most important releases this year, featuring heavily in the DJ sets of such luminaries as Carl Cox and Sasha who regarded it as "absolutely massive".

For more info about Apex and other Marine Parade artists, email jemma@marineparade.co.uk

The Creatures

Who would ever have thought that Siouxie Sioux would be releasing tunes on a breakbeat label these days? But there you have it. Siouxie and Budgie are called The Creatures now, and their remix album "Hybrids" is out November 8th on Hydrogen Dukebox.

The former Banshees personally chose all the remixers on this album: Dr Psyche, who turns out a nu skool breaks mix of 'Exterminating Angel', plus Howie B, Omnivore, Black Dog, Endemic Void and others. There will be a very limited cardboard packed CD (retailing for £11.99) and double vinyl. The first 1000 copies of the double vinyl will include a free 7" with an exclusive Black Dog remix different to the CD version.

Hydrogen Dukebox has earlier released two Creatures 12 inches: Say/Thank You (with a Dub Pistols remix) and Disconnected/Prettiest Thing (Remixes).

The Creatures: 'Exterminating Angel (Nu Skool Mix)' (RealAudio) http://www.hydrogendukebox.com/getreal.cgi?catalogue=duke066&track=02

http://www.thecreatures.com/
http://www.hydrogendukebox.com/

DJs & live acts wanted

Toga Productions, based in Monterrey, Mexico (near the Texan border), is looking for DJs and electronic live acts to promote and book for raves in Mexico and the USA.

For more information, please contact:

Thomas Gaspardo
Toga Productions
Icq: 46024544
http://www.dumb.org/toga/
E-mail: togaprod@mail.com

Fatboy Slim

Norman Cook is cashing in on his success as Fatboy Slim by re-releasing some of the tunes which he's released under various other aliases on an as-yet-untitled CD compilation.

A representative for Hip-O Records, which is releasing the comp, told MTV News that they hope to have it out before the end of the year, and that the name "Fatboy Slim" will not appear in the title of the record. The compilation will definitely include some of his Beats International material, and may also offer some of the tunes he's released as Pizzaman and Freakpower.

In a recent interview with Canadian site JAM! Music, Norm noted that despite the success of "Rockafeller Skank", MTV and the rest of the mainstream American music industry ignored "Praise You" until it caught on with the rock radio stations.

"There were terrible wobbles," Norman Cook told . "It was only because everyone was playing it on the radio that MTV had to grudgingly start playing it. It was quite ironic when it won all the awards."

"It goes to show it's a thin line between genius and bollocks. I've often strayed on the side of bollocks."

Cook, who got married in August, also confirmed he is winding down touring to concentrate on his next album.

"I have loads in my head," he says with a laugh. "Just nothing down on tape yet. That's what this breather is for."

Source:
http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusic/
http://www.mtv.com/
Listen to set by Fatboy Slim, originally cybercast live on the Internet on October 27th.
http://www.primeticket.net/FatBoySlim/

Lexi Love

Lexi Love is the latest signing to UK drum 'n' bass and breakbeat label Second Skin. The first 12" from Lexi Love will offer two tracks, "Dreams" and "Love 1". Out January 31st, 2000 with promos due in a month's time.

"A vocal-based bastard hybrid of UK garage and breakbeat - what more do you want?" according to Second Skin.

Lexi has most of his debut album recorded, and the album is scheduled to be released on March 27th, 2000. Lexi's "Nigeria" was included on the Second Skin comp, "Skinful Vol. 2", while his track "Hyrogliphics" was included on Second Skin's latest comp, "Skinful Vol. 3".

http://www.s-skin.demon.co.uk/

Jungle Brothers

The Jungle Brothers are back with a new album, "VIP", which is out next week on Gee Street. The album was produced by Alex Gifford of the Propellerheads, who they met when they worked on the American release of his album, "Decksanddrumsandrocknroll".

"He invited us to do a show with him at a Tibetan Freedom concert in DC with the Beastie Boys and we found out that he was moving to New York during this time. We said, 'Well, we've got a project for you. We've got the songs already written. We'd like you to work on these songs for our album'", the lads told BBC Radio 1. "He said, 'Sure. As soon as I get the studio set up in my place, let's get it running'".

With Alex on production, the JBs have now got more of a big beat, commercial type sound.

"It's a part of our repertoire that people kind of like make the connection", say the lads. "The Jungle Brothers come from a place that is relative to the whole big beat scene now, you know, 'coz we have on there a song, a line where I say 'I just laid back and let the big beat lead me'. Big beat, y'know, kind of brings in the Fatboy Slims, the Propellerheads, the Freestylers of the world - that's where we're at".

The Jungle Brothers are out now with the single "Get Down" featuring a Bronx Dogs remix.

http://www.junglebrothers.com/

DJ Sandy

DJ Sandy, a well-known American breaks DJ/producer based in Orlando (Florida), was named Best DJ in the second annual Orlando Music Awards recently.

The awards, based on the votes of over 2000 Orlando Weekly readers, were handed out on October 16th at the Club at Firestone in Orlando. Runners-up included another well-known breaks DJ/producer, Andy Hughes, and last year's winner, Q-burn's Abstract Message. The trio Prophecy took home the award for Best Electronic Act.

DJ Sandy, aka William Fite, holds down residencies at several central Florida clubs, including the Blue Room and the House of Blues in Orlando. He runs breaks label MAFDDAP - that stands for "Mothers Against Fat Drunk DJs and Producers" - together with Andy Hughes. He has released 12 inches on MAFDDAP, Knight Life and other labels, as well as a full-length album on Last Minute Records, "The One And Only DJ Sandy", which includes his remixes of the classic funky breaks tracks "Yummy" and "Everyone Thinks I'm High And I Am".

In addition to his solo releases, Sandy produces breaks with Mike Hiratzka under the name Neurologic and also works with TVT/Waxtrax producer James Bernard under the name Sybertax. A mixed CD on MAFDDAP is in the works.

http://www.djsandy.com/

4:20h!

Florida breaks label 4:20h! is forced to change its name on January 1, 2000 in order to avert a potentially nasty dispute with an outfit in San Francisco who already own the 4:20 trademark. From January, the label will be pressing tracks with the same label but under a new name, which is still under wraps and will be announced in the near future.

The next release from 4:20h!'s DJ Sharaz is the "Eight" EP, in stores by November 1. The label has also signed a progressive house act, Medusa. The first Medusa 12" will be out around the middle of February.

http://www.dropthatbass.com/