Gigamesh

One of my favorite producers and remixers of the past few years is Minneapolis (soon to be Miami)-based Gigamesh. Gigamesh is a man of many synths blessed with a golden ear, and, he can turn any tune into a gorgeous stomper brimming with warm analog and chunky bass. He is part of the remix group, Discotech, which has released some of my personal most-played-in-a-dj-set edits and remixes of the past few years (Radiohead, The Police, The Stones, Foo Fighters, Zep, M.I.A., to name a few). He is also in the electro group, Senor Stereo, which released their debut ep on Slow Roast Records (also home to DJ Craze and Kill the Noise). Lately, he might be most well-known for producing Mike Posner's hit, Cooler than Me. If you've heard the Gigamesh version and the one Posner originally started with, you will believe what I'm saying about the Gigamesh magic touch. One of my favorite Gigamesh remixes, however, is of the Minneapolis band, Estate, and you can download it via Rcrd Lbl: Write to Make.

To commemorate his move from the land of ice and snow to the land of flamingos and thongs, Gigamesh just released a 14-song mixtape called Moving Cities featuring an excellent selection of disco, electro, hip hop, and, even some Gigamesh originals that were previously unreleased. My favorites from the mix are Jacques Renault's remix of Midnight Magic's Beam Me Up, Azari & III's remix of the Voltage dazzler, One Night, and of course a Gigamesh remix of Marching Band's, Another Day.

Download the mixtape here.

Also, the Midnight Magic remix is so good, I just have to share:

Holly Miranda

I'm a big fan of Holly Miranda but I didn't know it before I saw her in Minneapolis at the 400 Bar on Monday night. I had never seen her live and only knew a handful of her songs. Basically, I didn't have a ton of expectations going into it, I was mostly intrigued and curious. After she sang the first note, however, I knew it was all over and I stood, transfixed, reveling in every gorgeous note, bridge, and chorus. Her voice! The songwriting! The band's instrumentation! The covers (Yoko and Etta James)! It really was one of those rare experiences in life where I was completely and utterly blown away. This is some deep stuff right here.

Miranda and band landed in Minneapolis after wrapping up a 9-week van tour, much of it in support of Tegan and Sara. During the set she mentioned being tired, so, this begs the question, if I was so moved by a worn-out Holly Miranda, what would happen if she was in tip-top shape - would my head explode and pop off? Don't answer that.

Miranda is on the fast track to big things. Her first solo full-length album, The Magician's Private Library, put out by the excellent XL Recordings, was produced by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio and given the nod of approval by Kanye (true story). She's put in her time in NYC and I would imagine she'll be playing bigger and better venues as more people are exposed to her (touring with Tegan and Sara, as well as The XX doesn't hurt). She is a true talent, seems genuinely sweet and down-to-earth, and I hope she will be rich soon.

Gorgeous: "Slow Burn Treason"




Adorable, yet informative (Stone Roses shout out!)

The Minneapolis Sound for One Small Sound!

In honor of the creator of this blog visiting my temporary residence, I would like to present the official Minneapolis Welcoming Committee! There have been significant bands and artists that call the 612 home since THE PURPLE ONE, but, really...Prince and his roster of minions is what people remember (unless they also remember Husker Du & the Replacements). The Minneapolis Sound:

1. Apollonia 6 - She starred in Purple Rain and never looked back. BTW, I can't find an mp3 of this song anywhere!




2. Morris Day & the Time - The foil in Purple Rain





3. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (Flyte Tyme) - They played with Morris Day and eventually got into producing - Janet Jackson, Robert Palmer, Human League and so on...and on. It would be hard to find a more successful production team out there.





4. Sheila E - These two songs blew me away when I was a kid.

Glamorous Life:


A Love Bizarre:



Minneapolis loves their music and I don't think it will ever get better than this window in time.

Dessa

Although people outside of Minneapolis might still reminisce over the Replacements, Husker Du, or even Prince and Morris Day when thinking about the city's musical offerings, hip-hop has always been on the minds and in the souls of its residents. The city's hip-hop rep might still be considered underground on the national level (or, is it), but, people in this town are as passionate about their music as any other -- and, probably more. Would you leave your cozy apartment and schlep through the snow in -30 degree weather to check out local hip-hop on a Tuesday night? If you're from Minneapolis you would.

From Atmosphere and the entire Rhymesayers label (www.rhymesayers.com), Eyedea and Abilities, Brother Ali, Felt, Heiruspecs, and the Doomtree Collective (http://www.doomtree.net/) - this city has a wealth of talented MC's, musicians, producers, and dj's involved in the game. Any of these acts could easily take it to the next level, it's only a matter of time.

The Doomtree collective is a hip-hop crew, yes, but they are also a fast-growing label. Their biggest resident might be critically-acclaimed MC, P.O.S., but, they've also got Cecil Otter, SIMS, Mike Mictlan, Lazerbeak, Paper Tiger, and, the writer and MC I'm here to talk about -- Dessa.

Dessa's debut full-length album, "A Badly Broken Code," was released this past Tuesday. What I've listened to so far is a complex mix of dazzling wordplay and hip-hop production with trace elements of RnB, with more than a few nods to vintage torch singers. Her voice is gorgeous, the production is killer, and, the songs are not only solid, they're inspiring.

Here are a few cuts from "A Badly Broken Code" ala youtube:

Dixon's Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eQL3BrRqM8

The Crow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JfAnS8mRK4

Alibi (not the best sound quality on this one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j2A4Lb7RFo


Buy Dessa's album on Doomtree:
http://store.doomtree.net/product/a-badly-broken-code-dessa

Check out Dessa's profile on Myspace:
www.myspace.com/dessadarling