Stee Downes
All In a Day
(Sonar Kollektiv)
As an album, Stee Downes' "All In a Day" is the equivalent of a slow, unforgettable stroll in a sunny park, somewhere in your favorite city on the planet. I'm not saying this is unforgettable, sunny, perfect music, but it sure makes you feel that way. Stylistically it's focused on soft soul, but as you'll hear in songs like "What's Wrong With Groovin" and "I'm Telling You", it shifts effortlessly into and out of bossa nova and jazz. It's more than enough to bring a smile to your soul. ... read more

Various (hfn music)
Harbour Boat Trips 01: Copenhagen
(hfn music)
It's not some obscure fact that Andreas Trentemoller is well known for his solid, thumping mininal house sounds, but anyone who has listened to his album The Last Resort, noticed it's pretty ambient stuff. Still, it isn't anywhere near the soft, folksy ambience of Trentemoller's commissioned compilation effort called Harbour Boat Trips 01: Copenhagen ... read more

Various (Wax On)
Nightmares On Wax Presents Wax On Records Vol. 2
(Wax On Records)
Wax On may sound like a prescriptive method for honing your karate skills. But, really, it should ring the sound of that Nightmares on Wax label delivering all the "honest music" of so many great talents. In case you are unfamiliar, the sounds of Wax On are now available on a second compilation, Nightmares on Wax Presents Wax On Records Vol. 2, just in time for your next Shotokan training session. ... read more

Lodekka
The Get On EP
(Freshly Squeezed)
While dub and reggae were the strongest influences on Lodekka's self-titled, debut EP, this time around, Lodekka's The Get On EP explores his creative flows with an ear turned toward funk and soul. At the same time however, the island sounds aren't far from the surface of this music. Lodekka's alter-ego Stuart Dace is still rocking the ukulele and dub production techniques, a fact you'll experience throughout the EP. ... read more

Various (Water Music)
Hotel Chill 2
(Water Music Records)
Hotel Chill 2 is the second in the Hotel Chill series from Water Music Records. Water Music Records deals exclusively in lounge, chill out, and downtempo music, and produces a lot of quality compilations. This a 2-disc compilation of relaxing tracks running through a variety of styles, featuring along with some of the big names of chill out music, a lot of lesser known acts. There is definitely something for everyone, and it makes a really good introduction to the chill out scene. ... read more

Mystikos Quintet
Wup Bup
(Independent (Artist Released))
Wup Bup, the latest and fourth album from Indiana-based Mystikos Quintet is one of those jazz-rooted albums that nourishes itself from the earth of its mood. Everything here depends on getting your head in a certain space, an unhurried, warm, and smoky space. ... read more

Dubblestandart
Return From Planet Dub
(Collision (Cause Of Chapter 3))
Consider it an interstellar mixtape. Dubblestandart's 11th album, Return from Planet Dub, feels like a road-trip crowd pleaser. There are explorations of classic dub tracks and refreshing new sounds from deep in the unknown to keep your trip energized. ... read more

LIFTED w/DJs Scooby Carolan, Lazer & Blazer, and Brandon (aka Properly Chilled) - Jul 03, 2009 11:00 PM @ Savannah\'s (The Dublin Underground) (Albany, NY, USA)

Between Earth and Sky - Jul 04, 2009 8:00 PM @ Section 8 Container Bar (Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), Australia)

Properly Chilled - Jul 17, 2009 10:00 PM @ MARE Lounge (Saratoga Springs, NY, USA)

Free Dubstep Documentary
Apr 15, 2009 - Even casual fans of dubstep can relate to a title like Living Inside the Speaker, which happens to be the name of a dubstep documentary that’s been getting some love of late. ... read more

UPDATE: "DJ Hero" gets Z-Trip and DJ Shadow, dumps Tiesto...
Apr 10, 2009 - As the countdown begins to the release of “DJ Hero,” Activision’s forthcoming turntablist counterpart to “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band,” a few details are beginning to emerge, including a new website, Twitter account, and a SXSW appearance by DJ Shadow. ... read more

Electronic Music Genres for Mere Mortals and Non-Librarians
Apr 01, 2009 - Navigating the labyrinth of electronic music based genres is no task for mere mortals. Even being the editor of Properly Chilled, where we focus on "downtempo" music, it isn't always clear what a certain sound should be labeled so that other people know what we're talking about. Well, that's where "Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music, v2.5" comes to the rescue. ... read more

URSULA 1000 Teams with FOEM for "Star Machine" Remix Contest
Mar 30, 2009 - Ursula 1000 (née Alex Gimeno) has teamed up with FOEM, for a remix contest featuring his new song, “Star Machine,” from Mystics released through Eighteenth Street Lounge (ESL). The disco-funk track features jazz-breaks producer Mocean Worker. The contest’s grand prize will be awarded to the best remix entry, which will be released digitally via ESL. The runner-up will receive a signed Ursula 1000 prize pack and an ESL Music label package (CDs t-shirts) will be given to the third place finisher. It is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring producer! ... read more

Dance music: let's get pretentious
Mar 10, 2009 - There is a certain received wisdom that says electronic music exists in something of a cultural vacuum - the preserve of teenage headbangers, drug-addled clubbers or vacuous funky house devotees rather than musical sophisticates. Although I can understand why, given the images one might have in one's head of sweaty nightclubs, this is, of course, absolute tosh. Anyone who has for a moment surveyed the full spectrum of electronic music out there today knows this. ... read more