Gotta love UK beat master Darren Williams, aka Star Slinger. His latest full-length album, Volume 1, was released last year and seems to have been overlooked by a lot of people outside the UK. On this album, you will find numerous tracks of clean sampling and mixes that use 80s, 90s, funk, hip-hop, R&B, disco, and reggae. Slinger takes different tracks, chops them up, slows them down or speeds them up, and combines them.
Williams revives the 80s, only he gives everything a dusty coating and a layer of crackle, creating something completely new and marvelous. Some tracks were reportedly made in the comfort of his own bed in the early hours of the morning and others were made not long after waking. Darren believes that routine and weekend culture aren't his forte, and creating music at any given moment is how he approaches his projects.
Although Volume II is in the works, Slinger has recently released a free 6-track EP titled Rogue Cho Pa via Mexican Summer. This EP features plenty of heavy chopped up vocals and enough funky beats, bright rhythms and fresh fragmentation to send you into a climactic state of motion.
Aside from his own projects, Williams is also doing a side project called Seeing Suge with San Francisco's Blackbird Blackbird and Canadian rapper Emay on an album appropriately called Collaborations. The first single that has been released is "Breaking," featuring Blackbird Blackbird's frontman Mikey Sanders with background vocals and Emay with some profound lyrics.
Star Slinger started touring Europe in December 2010 and will tour the US with Baths and Braids in February 2011.
By
sweeney kovar
on
May 3, 2012
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This one is bit out there. Darq E Freaker is a grime/dubstep artist out of the UK, and he recently linked with wunderkid Danny Brown for "Blueberry (Coke & Pills)," a jagged anthem for the two items in parenthesis. By now it's no strange occurren...
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By
James Curtis
on
Apr 7, 2011
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If someone was to tell me that I am the new J Dilla, I would probably make them my friend for the rest of my life. Then, in some gross, vain music ritual, I'd have them repeat it to me every day. This, surely, is what Star Slinger must feel. Why does...
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By
Devin Duckworth
on
Mar 22, 2012
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Online UK producer Star Slinger partnered up with Tennessee-based Teams for a collaboration that is twerked in all the right places. Released in 2010 via Mexican Summer, Teams vs. Star Slinger is a 12" collection of songs that is soulful, atmospheri...
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By
Hugh McClure
on
Feb 25, 2013
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With a new EP in the works (out within the next few months), we've been treated to some more exquisite sampling from Sydney beatmaker Kilter. The producer, now with label etcetc, is gaining plenty of momentum in the lead-up to his new release, and wi...
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