DJ Perplex - Digital Killed The Vinyl Star

From an eager teenager taping shows from underground radio, to a DJ of world standing, the last five years have seen Australian spinner DJ Perplex soar. Set for the release of volume 2 in his ultra-fly ‘Digital Killed The Vinyl Star’ Mixtape series, Perplex has also been enlisted as the spokesperson for new Nintendo DS game ‘DJ Star’.

Having made a name for himself by taking out the Australian DMC title in 3 consecutive years, then going on to claim 7th place at the world finals in London late 2008, Perplex has established himself as an in-demand DJ, regularly playing the hottest clubs and festivals across Australia, Asia and Europe.

More than just playing record after record, Perplex’s highly evolved Turntablist skills play an integral part in his DJ show, as he mixes Electro, with Soul, Funk, Hip Hop and Baltimore, with layers of atmospheric undercurrents. The result is a genre-bridging mash-up style that is as original in its delivery as it is eclectic.

DJ Perplex (Myspace)

Koolism - JMJ Til Infinity

Koolism (Myspace)
Koolism (Website)
Invada (Website)
Koolism - JMJ Til Infinity (Download)

Fluent Form - Every Step

Fluent Form (Myspace)
Obese (Website)

fRew - Wish You Were Here 2009

At Vacation Records it’s always holiday time and now the latest installment of Vacation Records' annual compilation series is here!

Mixed by fRew, "Wish You Were Here 2009" is a collection of the label's biggest hits of the last year and features exclusive remixes and bonus material not available anywhere else including tracks by Bass Kleph, Tommy Trash, Baby Gee, Twocker, Kid Dub, and of course fRew himself.

To say Vacation has had a massive year would be an epic understatement. With releases regularly featuring in the ARIA Club Charts, tracks on countless record breaking compilations, singles receiving massive nationwide radio airplay, videos on music networks and songs being licensed for movies, this Australian label just seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

DJ & Producer fRew has three words that best him; One. To. Watch. With an undeniable talent and an international reputation most producers would kill for, the bearded wonder with the cheeky smile has been turning all the right heads for some time now. With a style that’s best described as classic big room house, and yet distinctly his own, fRew has carved a place in the big bad world of dance music.

Known for tracks ‘Shake With It’, ‘Call of the Crow’, ‘Deep Love’ and ‘Bermuda Nights’; it’s his most recent tune ‘My Heart Stops’ featuring Chris Arnott & Rosie that has the dance music world aflutter with praise.

As has become tradition and with the firm philosophy that everyone deserves a holiday at least once a year, the "Wish You Were Here" compilation series and tour aims to bring the party vibe to stops all around the country and as far away as New Zealand too. With over 12 destinations on the tour there is bound to be festivity galore for everyone.

fRew has fast become a big name in the Australian dance scene and this new mix album shows just why.

He's equally talented as a producer and DJ and will soon become a key player in the global scene. - Bass Kleph

Featuring 17 of the labels biggest tunes of the past year, the compilation includes Bass Kleph & Stellar MC's "$pend My Money", fRew's "My Heart Stops" and Twocker's "Stitch" among a slew of other hits.

Everyone knows that there’s no escape like a good Vacation and you'll feel like you're on one every time you throw ‘Wish You Were Here’ on.

fRew (Myspace)
Vacation (Myspace)
Vacation (Website)

The Typhoons - Pleasure Is A Freedom-Song

From little things big things grow.

Perth-based Soul-Hop behemoth The Typhoons are living proof. From two men, toiling in garages, averting their attention from the fact that around them the world seems to have faded to a dull whimper, to 10 sweating bodies kicking and screaming their way out from the stigma that tarnishes the face of hip-hop. To push the envelope until it rips open. To flip ignorance on its head. To open people’s eyes.

This juggernaught has steadily taken over the live hip-hop scene in Perth over the last 4 years. Voted ‘Best Live Act’ in the Perth Dance Music Awards 2007 and 2008, the last few years have seen them support the likes of Lyrics Born, The Streets, Mix Master Mike, People Under The Stairs, Scribe, Resin Dogs, Downsyde and Drapht and play at festivals such as Parklife, Good Vibrations, Breakfest, Summadayze, the We Love Ministry Of Sound Winter Festival and Hyperfest ‘07 & ’08.

1. Genesis
2. The Build
3. Pleasure Is A Freedom-Song (feat. Mathas)
4. Walk Between Lines
5. Introducing...
6. Bad News
7. Automated
8. The Need
9. Inter
10. The Curse
11. Mrs Mystery

The Typhoons (Myspace)

Nine High - Nine High

Snatching the name from their local underage alcohol vendor, Nine High are made up of three UK MC's - Fraksha, Scotty Hinds & Felony.

From back alley rapping to releasing critically acclaimed mix tapes (First Take & Take 2), Nine High represent the UK to the fullest - with an Australian twist..

With both Fraksha & Scotty Hinds now living permanently in Australia (since 2007) and Felony residing in the UK, Nine High have already made a massive impact on the Australian scene.

Touring alongside Bliss N Eso & Phrase, collaborating with Australian artists such as Reason, M-Phazes, Mantra, Autism & Ciecmate, Nine High have been etching their name into the halls of Aussie Hip-Hop.

Written & recorded both in the UK and Australia, Nine High's self titled debut album is 15 tracks of UK Hip-Hop in it's purest form.

Kick starting the album into high gear is the thumping M-Phazes produced "Fugs Needs Hugs" which sets the scene for these 3 rhyme artists to do what they do best.

With a blatant lack of filler tracks, the highlights from the album come in the form of "Jokers"; their brutally honest exposé of fake rappers and "What Bothers Me"; which sees each MC bringing their take on society's downfalls.

But a Hip-Hop album without a braggadocio track or two thrown in just wouldn’t be a Hip-Hop album now would it? Nine High blow holes through your speakers on the heavily grime influenced “Driff Banger” and their impressive wordplay on “Roll With A Crew” are simply world class.

Production on the album comes courtesy of M-Phazes (Royce Da 5’9”, CL Smooth, Heltah Skeltah), Ghost Town (Jehst, Foreign Beggars), Jase (Pegz, Phrase), Drif (Mikey T, Lumes) & Lewis One.

With each MC bringing their own unique style to the table over an impressive array of world class production, Nine High’s debut album is set to be one of the stand out releases of 2009.

1. Fugs Need Hugs
2. Jokers
3. What You In It For
4. Alone time
5. Life Part 1
6. Driff Banger
7. Bait
8. What Bothers Me
9. Life Part 2
10. Typical Week
11. GT Bang Her
12. Cookout
13. Life Part 3
14. You Over There
15. Roll With A Crew

Nine High (Myspace)

Street Art Of Sydney’s Inner West

Sydney’s inner west has some of the best examples of street art in Australia. Yet many landmark street art pieces such as “Idiot Box” painted in 1993 have unfortunately disappeared in a time of intense high-density housing construction and renovation. Street Art of Sydney’s Inner West a pictorial reference book is a celebration of 30 years of street art and the artists who create it.

Meet the artists and their crews such as teazer, phibs, zap, doer and the movement, in their own words and art.

Street Art varies from the iconic “I have a Dream” mural on King Street Newtown, to graffiti writing, stencils, and paste ups. All hold cultural and social significance to an area gradually being cleaned up. Just as common as the street art itself is the residents appreciation.

People who appreciate graffiti and street art will like this book.

Fine Line Design (Website)

Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne - Move

He is Chasm, Sydney-based producer-extraordinaire who made his mark in 2008 with the Triple J feature album debut Beyond The Beat Tape. She is Melbourne-by-way-of-Ghana’s Vida-Sunshyne, and the enigmatic voice featured on both Beyond The Beat Tape and Astronomy Class’ Pursuit of Happiness. Together they are an electric collaboration of musical talent; one half behind the boards, creating the template for a limitless sonic foundation. The other, centre stage; creating the connection between performer and listener.

The pair have created Move, the brand new album that traverses the global spectrum of soul, reggae, and hip hop. It is a combination of styles and performances that raises the bar for Australian music. For Chasm, his latest continues the tireless legacy of work forged with countless production credits (working with labelmates Dialectrix and Skryptcha as well as Astronomy Class) and a critically acclaimed album of his own. For Vida-Sunshyne (who raised her live profile by sharing the stage with the likes of Burning Spear, Ziggy Marley, and Horace Andy) this is the next big step for one of Australia’s burgeoning talents after spending the last year touring the world with the Mista Savona Band.

The collaboration results in breathtaking work from two talented individuals; music that any fan can truly appreciate regardless of genre or interest. It is a union both gracious and cultured, and a connection worth your attention.

1. Lion Up
2. Where Did We Go Wrong?
3. Reaching
4. The Highest (feat. Damajah)
5. Don Dada
6. Twinkle Twinkle (feat. Million Dan)
7. For All You Knew
8. Meditations
9. Stress (feat. Damajah)
10. Give Thanks (feat. Mantra)
11. Set Me Free
12. Arguments (feat. Damajah)
13. Move (feat. Damajah)

Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne (Myspace)
Chasm (Myspace)
Vida-Sunshyne (Myspace)
Chasm (Website)
Obese (Website)

Dunn D - Headstrong Sampler

To say that Hobart has a hip hop scene active enough to rival the main Australian cities would be a bit of a stretch, but among a handful of hard working hip hop artists who've managed to find a pinch of success, one MC in particular has stood the test of time and continues to move crowds around Australia with his energetic, comical, and often in-your-face style.

Seasoned Tasmanian rapper Dunn D started raising a few eyebrows as an MC in the live funk flavored, hip-hop band 'Unleash The Nugget' throughout early 2002. Since then the group have played alongside the likes of True Live, SS Pecker, Simon Wright and the Eclectic among others, and performed at music festivals such as Soundscape and Falls Festival. The group have since released an EP by the name of 'The Illustrated Guide to Rifles and Submachine Guns'.

Throughout the next couple of years, Dunn D began entering local hip hop battles, which saw him connecting with local hip hop artists, as well as writing and recording demo tracks which never saw the light of day until 2005-6, when Dunn D began performing and recording with a four man hip hop outfit named 'Heads Of State', The group included Tasmanian hip hop veterans DJ Dameza, DJ Grotesque and Mdusu, who released a full length album in 07 titled 'Making the Best of What We've Got' Between 2006 and 2008, the crew racked up supports slots performing with the likes of De La Soul, Bliss n Eso, Funkoars, Downsyde and the Herd, which cemented Dunn as a force to be reckoned with in Australian hip hop.

After the crew disbanded in 2008, Dunn D began focusing on his solo material and called in the help of Launceston hip hop producer Akouo, to begin producing his debut solo album. Dunn D began performing with Akouo (on the decks) and MC Jonny Hack in late 2008, who have since performed alongside the likes of Koolism, D'Opus & Roshambo, Muph & Plutonic, Classified (Can), among a handful of others.

Currently Dunn D and Akouo are piecing together the final parts of Dunn's much anticipated debut album which is set to drop towards the end of 2009, featuring artists such as Jonny Hack, Javs, Phatchance, Wizkid (Unleash the Nugget) among others.

If you'd like a sneak peek at what will be on his album, you can currently pick up a copy of Dunn D's Headstrong Sampler, at live shows, on the net and at hip hop stores around Australia which includes five tracks from his up coming album.

1. Headstrong (feat. Phatchance & Jonny Hack)
2. Can't Catch Me (feat. Javs)
3. Lately
4. Recession is Me
5. Own Interest

Dunn D (Myspace)
Dunn D - Headstrong Sampler (Download)

Maximum Bass Overdrive

Ministry of Sound returns with the SIXTH instalment of this phenomenal bass-heavy series with the most bangin', teeth rattling, bone shaking release EVER of Maximum Bass - Maximum Bass OVERDRIVE!! Following on from the huge success of our first ever triple CD set with Max Bass Xtreme (which sold close to 60,000!!), Maximum Bass will be loaded with more chart-topping hip hop, drum 'n' bass, and electro bombs than ever before - and this time has been mixed by 3 of Australia's top DJs, with Disc One been manned by international DMC champion DJ SAMRAI (Blazin'), DJ Tom Piper and the hardstyle disc mixed by DJ Suae.

And not only are things cranking up on the music front, we're also taking a lead from last year's sexy cover girl Krystal … and following up with an even bigger name - none other than Dancing With The Stars contestant and all round men's mag FAVOURITE, Emily Scott! Doesn't get more OVER the top than that! Created especially for the car lovers market, Maximum Bass has carved its place as the highest selling urban compilation release in Australia, and this year's release is set to do it all over again with massive hits from the biggest names in the business, including Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, MIMS, G-Unit, Young Buck, Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake, Akon, Black Eyed Peas, Flo Rida, The Bloody Beetroots, Dizzee Rascal and Pendulum

Bass Heavy Hip Hop
1. Lil Wayne - A Milli
2. Soulja Boy Tell`em, Sammie - Kiss Me Thru The Phone
3. Gs Boyz - Booty Dew
4. MIMS - Move (If You Wanna)
5. Birdman, Lil Wayne - Always Strapped
6. Jadakiss, Swizz Beatz, OJ Da Juiceman - Who's Real
7. Maino - Million Bucks (feat. Swizz Beatz)
8. G-Unit, Young Buck - Rider Pt. 2
9. Ciara - Love Sex Magic (feat. Justin Timberlake)
10. NASA - Gifted
11. Chelley - I Took The Night
12. Chuckie - Let The Bass Kick (feat. Jermaine Dupri & Lil Jon)
13. LMFAO - I'm In Miami Trick
14. Bob Sinclar - Lala Song (feat. Sugarhill Gang)
15. Pitbull - I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
16. Akon, Colby O'Donis, Kardinal Offishall - Beautiful
17. DJ Class - I'm The Ish
18. Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
19. Flo Rida - Sugar (feat. Wynter)
20. Jeremih - Birthday Sex
21. Lazee - Hold On (feat. Neverstore)

Subsonic DnB & Electro
1. The Bloody Beetroots feat. Steve Aoki - Warp 1.9
2. The Prodigy - Omen
3. Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden - Bonkers (Doorly Remix)
4. Diplo & Blaqstarr - Get Off (Jack Beats Remix)
5. Dirty Funker - Flat Beat (More Mix)
6. Cutlass Supreme - Show 'Em
7. Fake Blood - Blood Splashing
8. Major Lazer - When You Hear The Bassline
9. Tom Piper - Noise (feat. Elle Dub)(Nom De Strip Remix)
10a. Sticky K - Bandari Funk
10b. Oh Snap & Ed Orable - Everyone's A DJ (Accapella)
11. Laidback Luke & Diplo - Hey! (Foamo Remix)
12. Silvio Ecomo & Chuckie - Moombah (Afrojack Remix)
13. Danny T - Chico (Malente Remix)
14. Tom Piper & Destroy Disco - My Sound (Nick Supply Remix)
15. The Noise - Shake It (feat. Xamplify)(Tom Piper Remix)
16. Afrojack - Polkadots
17. Mind Electric - Rock Da House
18. Dada Life - Let's Get Bleeped Tonight
19. MSTRKRFT - Heartbreaker (feat. John Legend)(12th Planet Remix)
20. Pendulum - Granite

Bass Crunching Hardstyle
1. Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden - Bonkers (Bass Slammerz Remix)
2. Sidney Samson - Riverside (Hard Dance Alliance Remix)
3. Da Hool - Meet Her At The Love Parade (Suae & Pulsar Remix)
4. Masif DJ's - Paint It Black (Steve Hill vs Hardforze Remix)
5. Hardforze vs Suae - Inertia
6. Archie & Arbor - Outta Control (Jon The Baptist & Chuck-E Remix)
7. Suae - Secrets
8. Hardforze vs Soul-T - Let The Beat Drop (Exclusive Remix)
9. Showtek - 2 Late
10. Steve Hill vs Hardforze - The Scientist (feat. Pete Millwood)
11. Lisa Lashes vs. Alex Kidd vs Kidd Kaos - Nu Religion
12. Alex Kidd vs Kidd Kaos - Kiddstock Theme 09 (BK Remix)
13. DJ Isaac - The Sound Of The Underground
14. The KGB's - Channel KGB's
15. Bioweapon - Move Your Body
17. Abyss & Judge - Hardstyle Revolution (Showtek Remix)
18. The Pitcher - I Just Can't Stop
19. Headhunterz, Wildstylers, Noisecontrollers - Tonight
20. Tuneboy - Re-generate It

Ministry Of Sound (Website)

Polo Club - Shouldn't Let Him Out

Polo Club (Myspace)

Dirtbox Kings

Dirtbox Kings represent that hard yakka hip-hop with a do it yourself aesthetic, preaching the philosophy of funk in a dissident voice. They don't dance unless it's standing in a B-Boy stance. Comprised of eight multi-tasking members the Dirtbox Kings are rolling posse deep, here to kick up dust with their self titled debut album. They don't just make hip-hop, they're made from it. These blue-collar street scholars have united and ignited to bring forth a fun filled, home-grown, raw style of hip hop with impeccable skills and professional presentation.

1. Filthy Sovereignty
2. Comprende
3. No Exaggeration
4. Grime Pays
5. Spooky Truth
6. Shit Kicker Manifesto
7. Hot City
8. Self Titled
9. Up The Back, Smokin'
10. Dirty Work
11. When You Hear This Sound You Will Know It Is Time To Turn The Record Over
12. Story So Far
13. Heavy Excavation
14. Whatever Life Affords
15. Do Your Dirt
16. Kick Up Dust
17. Rusty Crown
18. Def To My Enemies
19. Lazarus Chamber
20. Like To Flow
21. Minerals
22. Good Versus Evil

Dirtbox Kings (Myspace)
Unda K9 (Myspace)

Space Invadas - Life

Hot on the heals of the success of the first single Original, Katalyst & Steve Spacek team up with Jade Macrae to bring you Life.

Life is the 2nd single from Space Invadas forthcoming album "Soul-Fi".

Life reveals a different side to the record than the 1st single Original. The track sits somewhere between Beyonce's Crazy In Love and Gnarles Barkley's Crazy.

Upbeat big band horns and driving drums combine with Spacek's urgent delivery, giving the track an instant summer vibe. The second verse features Jade Macrae who adds her energy to the mix. Giving us a slightly reflective take on "Life". Combine this Katalyst beat with the true soul styling of Spacek and Macrae and you have a modern classic.

Space Invadas (Myspace)
Katalyst (Myspace)
Steve Spacek (Myspace)
Katalyst (Website)
Invada (Website)

Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne - Fire

1. Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne - Twinkle Twinkle (instrumental)
2. Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne - The Highest (feat. Damajah)
3. Chasm - Rise Of The New (feat. Thundamentals)
4. Mista Savona - Ras Woman (feat. Vida-Sunshyne)
5. Astronomy Class - On Your Mind (feat. Vida-Sunshyne)
6. Chasm - Let The Beat Go (feat. Diafrix)
7. Astronomy Class - Breather (feat. Vida-Sunshyne) (Semper-Fi Remix)
8. Chasm - The Niceness (feat. Ozi Batla & Vida-Sunshyne)
9. Chasm - Outlander (feat. Urthboy)
10. Rakim - Its Been A Long Time
11. Combat Wombat - Corruption Dub (Chasm ‘Corruption Bounce’ Remix feat. The Tongue )
12. Chasm - Cyanide Tip (feat. Mantra)
13. Mista Savona - By The Way (feat. Vida-Sunshyne)
14. Astronomy Class - Heatseeker (feat. Lotek)
15. Astronomy Class - Where You At ? (feat. Vida-Sunshyne & Kween G)
16. Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne - Reaching
17. Marcia Griffiths - Feel Like Jumping

Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne (Myspace)
Chasm (Myspace)
Vida-Sunshyne (Myspace)
Chasm (Website)
Obese (Website)
Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne - Fire (Download)

Fluent Form - The Furnace

After the success of his independently released debut album Chapters Of Substance, Fluent Form wasted no time in returning to the studio to begin work on his sophomore LP, The Furnace. Across these 13 tracks, Fluent continues to demonstrate his ability as a lyricist to combine concepts with complexity. To add to this release, Fluent has recruited a stellar line-up of guests including veterans Brad Strut and Ciecmate alongside some of Melbourne’s premier talents; Mata N Must, 1/6, Maundz, Fatty Phew and crew members Raven and Geko. With a diverse range of production from Geko, Ciecmate, Doc Felix, Must, K21, Methodz, Discourse and WIK, this is an album for the heads that like their Hip Hop genuine and honest.

1. Spit Surgeon
2. Every Step
3. Lead Pipe Languages
4. Loco Motive (feat. Fatty Phew & Maundz)
5. Short Stories
6. The Furnace Cometh
7. Paper Chase Days
8. Take Notice (feat. Brad Strut & Ciecmate)
9. Repent
10. Endless Road
11. Authorized
12. 4 Aces (feat. Mata, Must & 1/6)
13. Capo Regime (feat. Raven & Geko)
14. Bright Lights Dark Shadows

Fluent Form (Myspace)
Obese (Website)