Hydroponic Soundsystem - Uptown Shakedown EP

BJ-009 - 12" Vinyl

Yes Ayah! The Dallas duo better known as the Hydroponic Soundsystem have returned for a stateside Bastard Jazz 12" release after a couple of big records and a full length album on the well regarded Swedish Brandy label..

The Hydroponic Soundsystem is a musical collective spearheaded by the production team of Skin and Rube, along with a ever-revolving cast of vocalists, MC's, and musicians. Their debut CD, Routine Insanity was released through Def Jam/Universal and made several year end Top 10 Lists. XLR8R likened it to "3 Feet High & Rising" and "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back." Hydro's gone on to produce a number of full lengths, compilations and singles for their own Alternate Take imprint, as well as additional production and remix work for the likes of or JT Donaldson, Azeem, Ocote Soul Sounds, The Polyphonic Spree, Nike, The Dallas Mavericks, and Boxcar, among others.

Now, on their first Bastard Jazz release, The Uptown Shakedown EP, Hydro hurdles expectations and delivers right where you want it dropped off - midtempo sounds meet Jamaican chat meet analogue afro boogie meet downtempo funk meet the big, booming dusty breaks we've all come to know and love the boys for...all on one tasty slab of well-seasoned wax.

The title cut, "Uptown Shakedown" is a voracious midtempo romp with a hard hitting drum break, a deeply sunken synthesized bassline, and toasted ragga-style workout vocals from frequent Hydro collaborator Grand Supreem. It's a cut to straight murder a dancefloor, having already lit up plenty of dancefloors across the US and UK in early CD-R tests. Also included on the A-Side is a dub of "Uptown Shakedown", still bringing fire on to the dancefloor through the echo chamber and bits of the vocal sample swirling in and out of the track.

On the flip, "Heat", Hydro delivers a dusted uptempo re-work of a traditional African arrangement, complete with a huge, gritty breakbeat, a saxophone solo and plenty of stops and changeups. Next up, "Beats for Mbenga" is an uptempo dancefloor cut inspired cut with an infectious bassline under a big disco brake, warped vocal snippits and tasteful synth action. Lastly, rounding out the EP is "Disco Illumination", a downtempo cut driven by a vintage Moog-esque sound, freshly scrubbed drums and rhythm guitar. A lovely way to round out the EP.

Tracklisting & Sound Clips

  1. Uptown Shakedown feat. Grand Supreem Hydroponic Sound System - Bastard Jazz Presents Uptown, Vol. 1 - Uptown Shakedown
  2. Uptown Shakedown Dub Hydroponic Sound System - Bastard Jazz Presents Uptown, Vol. 1 - Uptown Beatdown
  3. Heat Hydroponic Sound System - Bastard Jazz Presents Uptown, Vol. 1 - Heat
  4. Beats for Mbenga Hydroponic Sound System - Bastard Jazz Presents Uptown, Vol. 1 - Beats for Mbenga
  5. Disco Illumination Hydroponic Sound System - Bastard Jazz - Downtown V.1 - Disco Illumination

Selected Press & Quotes

"If the Uptown Shakedown EP was a pancake, it would be rolling along it's edges up a hill with a big smile on both sides instead of laying flat on plate and getting eaten. In other words, you can't stand still and listen to this. It deserves to be danced to." -Bobbito aka DJ Cucumber Slice / NYC

"Here come the new group of the decade. Thank you Hydroponic Sound System for keep the real shit alive." -DJ Jazzy Jeff

"5 out of 5. Wicked! Playing it Everywhere" -Ursula1000 (ESL Music)

"HSS bring a nice plate of "dub 'n roll" to the downbeat massiv. As claimed in the song, they're most definitely certified by the association of all things wikked! To be played when: DJ is in need of being on the midtempo crushdown." -RE:Up Magazine

"Hydroponic Sound System coming with the Reggae Funk Sound! May be our favorite slice of Bastard Jazz yet." -Fort Knox Five, DC-USA