Well Karl has asked me for my comments on this, and given the huge amount of effort you've all put in I'm more than happy to oblige. Also I'd like the record to be altered to reflect the fact that I really really like K, but I misread the closing date on the competition so didn't get to vote for it. I don't think it's fair that K should only have two votes.
My own experience of producing extends to a couple of hours playing with Fruity loops when it first came out in the late nineties, so you'll have to forgive me if I don't use the kind of technical language you might expect. I believe I managed to get an eight bar loop going, but was too stoned to finish it. Also I must warn you that I like mixing tunes a lot so I nearly always approach tunes from the point of view of the beat.
I, I like the extended intro.. it's particularly haunting especially when the bass kicks in. Makes me think of the swamp yoda lived in, although a slightly more sophisticated version. The 'fade to grey' type poetry really took me along with it, although I found myself wishing maybe she would do it in french. The beat's not really my thing, but it's a very well put together tune. Also I'd like to know what's being said in the vocal loop at the end, I felt a bit like the FBI listening to a wiretap as I played those few seconds again and again. Please do tell.
H, Had me bopping my head from the off, great beat, great use of vocals. Real funky. Clearly bar oriented, I imagine all sorts of fabulous people listening to this. The tune has some difficulty keeping it's shit together in parts, like rogue beats and such, but that's a minor. The second drop is grimey as. Nice build up again from the drop, it's the beat that really shines through for me here.
L, I love the kicks and powerful driving beat/bass combo on this one. And the stripped down vibe. It's simplicity and rawness is very much part of it's charm. And as Adam says it's a very Critical (ie dope) sounding tune. For my own personal tastes I wish the beat had been darked up a bit, but I think it sounds great as it is. I would definitely like to mix this one.
A, Great intro, love the build up, all the elements are in there nice and early. The tune is well layered, there's a lot going on, and the piano/strings combo is back which helps give it a very atmospheric feel. Could probably have done with a bit more variety ie switch up with the second drop but that's just my opinion obviously.
Q, Sounds a technically accomplished tune, you can tell this person has been producing for quite some time. Love the little noises, I can imagine them working well in tandem with another tune (like 'call and response' style mixes). The second breakdown comes in a bit too soon, but the drop is wicked. The only fault I have with this one is that it lacks bass (I am a bass junkie though it has to be said).
Big up to everybody that took part this time around. I was not expecting the quality and variety in the field to be that strong. It's a tough tough decision it has to be said. It's between
Q and
L for me. If I'm being honest I'd have to say that
L, with it's slightly tougher/meaner sound, just pips it for me.
So that's 2-1 to
Q so far. I believe Karl said there should be five judges, and he is usually a man of his word. So who's next? Moskit?