Set for release on March 23, 2010 is Gaudi’s latest record No Prisoners. Before the release even drops, a remix contest has already begun (audio for participation available here)

London based producer and solo artist Gaudi’s latest project, No Prisoners comes to us after a very fertile year in which the renowned artist toured the world, rocking dance floors and gathering fans with his unconventional innovative performance style and irresistibly floor friendly tunes. It was also a year where Gaudi was nominated for a BBC World Music Award for his Six Degrees release, Dub Qawwali (in which he added all new reggae & dub production to rare and previously unreleased tracks by the revered Pakistani vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan). That album’s success extended Gaudi’s fan base substantially, particularly in America and Canada, reaching #2 on the iTunes World Chart in the US and #1 on Amazon.com’s Electronica charts.

On his previous releases, Gaudi has worked to create his own unique synthesis, using elements of dub, electronica and world music producing tracks that have been mostly down-tempo in nature. No Prisoners is a very different and definitely up-tempo creation. Stylistically its primary energy comes from breakbeat influences underpinned with fat basslines and subtle live world instrumentation such as Oud and tribal percussion. The performances of many fine musicians on the album bring a human touch; with live bass and guitars, percussion, melodica, highland bagpipes and piano amongst others. The electronic elements, as per all of Gaudi’s albums, come from his beloved analogue equipment – vintage synthesizers, tape echoes and moog. The result gives No Prisoners the warmth and authenticity of sound which has become synonymous with Gaudi’s music.

A highly respected line-up of featured guests add their international appeal and individual flavors to the album, amongst them; California’s conscious political lyricist and founder of Spearhead Michael Franti, who lends his emotive voice to “There’s Enough” and long established Brooklyn based reggae artist Dr Israel (of Easy Star All Stars’ “Dub Side of the Moon” fame) who features on “No Time”. Multi-million selling Italian singer-songwriter Elisa brings a feminine edge to “Brainwashed Again” and Jamaican Reggae vocalist Kenny Knots goes deep with the ecclesiastical “Strictly Goodness”. Other notable guests include pioneering down-tempo dub producer Dub Gabriel on “Barracudub”; UK Breakbeat duo Far Too Loud and emerging electro-breaks producer Tom Real; who contribute to “No More Blood” and “Bad Boy Bass” respectively.

No Prisoners as the title suggests, is an album made without concessions, each track uncompromising in the delivery of its sonic payload. It is a fresh and versatile album with the potential to become an original classic.

If you like to read your music videos, here’s a video that makes sense of the “Be Stupid” Diesel ads. The clip features “Honeytrap” from We Have Band.

Let’s get something straight. If You’ve ever seen us write the phrase, “baller ass shit,” it was entirely inspired by House Shoes. We have yet to meet this musical DJ, producer, tastemaker and ambassador. We have also yet to see him perform, but are looking forward to it very much so.

Soooo… cop an album that you need.

When Kid Sister announced this show on her Facebook, we hadn’t even heard about it, but snagged tickets online the same day because intuition was just shouting that it would be a fun time. Kid Sister–aka Melisa Young–and Flosstradamus–J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci): are you kidding us? Our expectation for the show could not have been more accurate!

Detroit Bar isn’t a huge venue in terms of space, but it’s big enough and the vibe there the whole night was awesome. We arrived early: before the place had even really filled-up, and it was still entertaining to start the night by listening to good music as the TV screens played clips from the 80’s. Not much time passed before the place was packed and everyone was dancing.

This was the best show that we’ve been to in months. It’s not purely about the music, of course, but it’s also about the crowd. Not only were the performances great, but everyone at the event was pretty chill. You know those times you’ve found yourself out and there’s some belligerent drunk guy trying to start beef with you over nothing, or when everyone’s so hung-up on looking cool that they are kind of awkward and don’t even seem like they’re really having a good time? Well, this night was the opposite. Most everyone seemed like they were just busting loose and enjoying themselves. For that reason it was a memorable night. Check out the video below and see how part of how wild things got for yourselves.

Okay, so you may have noticed the annoying feedback in the series of clips. Oh well, just like love, shows aren’t perfect. Kid Sister handled it in a breezy way though, and honestly, the energy during the show was so intense with everyone all hyped-up by the performance that it wasn’t all that noticeable.

The show was also covered by the OC Weekly crew. See their fantastic coverage at ocweekly.com.