THE MELTING POT Featured Artist 11/9/2010 THUNDERBALL Tune in Tuesday 11/9/2010 8-10pm (pst) As we check in with members of THUNDERBALL about the new release tour, the future and their past... Ill be blending tracks from their Four full lenth releases including 12 Mile High wich drops this Tuesday 11/9.
The "Ambassadors of Style" return with their fourth full-length recording, 12 Mile High, on Thievery Corporation’s ESL Music. Rob Myers, Steve Raskin and Sid Barcelona are the masterminds behind Thunderball. This Washington, DC-based trio are globally renowned purveyors of sophisticated, stereophonic-thrillers, and cinematic dub. Since 1997 their productions have shifted effortlessly between the genres of drum’n’bass, dub and downtempo, building a strong following for their signature sound. 12 Mile High marks the return of the Thunderball trio from their duties with the venerable breakbeat production group Fort Knox Five.
On 12 Mile High Thunderball deliver 13 tracks of globe-spanning, mind-altering, cinematic music designed to bring you straight to the edge of the stratosphere. The adventure begins in a sitar-drenched den and quickly jets to the gritty streets of Philadelphia where the plot gets thickened with an herbal dub. When the clouds clear you find yourself on a bossa tinged beach with only a reggae soul 7" in your briefcase and ticket to the penthouse suite. 12 Mile High is packed with live-instrumentation, jazzed-out guitars, deep orchestrations and floor-stomping beats. Laced with vocal performances by long-time collaborators Mustafa Akbar, Miss Johnna M and Rootz & Zeebo (of See-I), this soundtrack is destined to pull you into the fantastical world of Thunderball.
As one of ESL Music’s original artists, Thunderball rapidly defined their sound with their 1999 debut which received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone magazine. Ambassadors of Style earned the group respect for its rich, cinematic soundscapes that are reminiscent of old blaxploitation and spy films. This was followed by 2001’s seminal release, Scorpio Rising, instantly hailed as a downtempo classic. Scorpio Rising’s integration of live instrumentation helped establish the organic vibe that is the cornerstone of the Thunderball sound. On their third release Cinescope (2006), Thunderball upped the ante with fresh elements including collaborations with the godfather of hip hop, Afrika Bambaataa. 12 Mile High is the culmination of over a decade of sonic exploration in the Thunderball realm.
Thunderball will be performing select shows as DJs and as a trio with live instrumentation and visual projections to support the new album. Currently in production are high profile remixes from some of today’s leading edge producers. Visit www.eslmusic.com and www.thunderballdc.com for updates and tour dates.
VIDEO LINKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5YFhCbANAc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55NfE-_Uj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAYw_BqnYvM&feature=related
FREE DOWNLOAD - http://soundcloud.com/thunderballdc/sets/cinescope
Dont Miss Natasha Kmeto stopping by the studio bout 8:30 pm to talk about her New Release Party for EXPRESSOR her full length debut...
Thursday 9pm @HOLOCENE w/ Graintable & Nicky Mason
Natasha Kmeto (pronounced "kuh-meh-toe") is an electro hip-hop, singer-producer based in Portland, OR. With a rich musical background in jazz, r&b, electronic and hip-hop she likes to describe her music as "futuristic soul."
Kmeto was born and raised in California, playing and touring with bands of all genres since the age of 15. She completed the Keyboard Performance program at Musician's Institute in Hollywood and soon thereafter relocated to Portland in 2007. The move helped rekindle Natasha's creativity and passion for music which got lost in the bustle and industry of LA. Here, Kmeto was able to explore and take inspiration from her biggest influences, ranging from the cutting edge sounds of Flying Lotus to the classic soul hits of Carole King. As the Portland Mercury writes, "Kmeto's found a trance-ready spot that tugs at the sleeves of hiphop, IDM, and maybe even a tinge of goth, with a singing voice that keeps the digital zeroes and ones imbued with flesh and blood.” -Ned Lannamann, The Portland Mercury, April '10
Kmeto released her debut EP, "9" and supplemental remix EP "v9" in 2009 and began playing live regionally in early 2010.
Currently, Natasha is set to release her first full-length album, "Expressor", which finds Kmeto delving further into experimental electronic music while staying rooted in hip-hop and R&B. "Expressor" shows a marked progression in Kmeto's production and songwriting.
Natasha also continues to play live regularly, having wrapped up a great 2010 summer opening for the likes of Low End Theory residents Baths and Nobody.