

Mixpak favourite Wildlife! has been locked up in his recording studio for the best part of 2011, which can only mean that 2012 is going to be full of Wildlife goodness, including his debut full length, an EP and other secret projects he has yet to announce. He’s still had time to put together this New Year’s mix of some of his favourite tracks to play out over the past year, including our very own Dubbel Dutch, Melé and Poirier. Run it!
Bonne Année by Wildlife! on Mixcloud

This year has been Mixpak’s best year so far, seeing the release of the Dre Skull produced Vybz Kartel full length, Kingston Story, alongside a big line up of EPs and singles from Andy Petr, Dubbel Dutch, Schlachthofbronx, Lil Scrappy, Koyote and Melé.
Thank you to everyone who supported us by buying a record, wearing a tee or coming to Mixpak Extended Play in 2011. Next year is set to be even bigger, with releases from Popcaan, Poirier, Douster, Dre Skull, the launch of our compilation series and a heap more to be announced in January. Stay tuned and happy new year!
A roundup of this week’s choice twitter posts from Mixpak artists, remixers and extended family.
Mixpak: Getting excited for Mixpak 2012…@popcaanmusic @poiriersound @hugodouster @dreskull releases soon come!
funkystepz: FUNKYSTEPZ – REFIX EP FOR FREE DOWNLOAD!!!!!! www.sendspace.com/file/spu8uc
Lil Scrappy:Video: Lil Scrappy – Body Bag http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh5e6tHj6EtG62UGmC #WSHH via @worldstar
Poiriersound: DJing in NYC on Jan. 21st w/ @rizzla_dj @dreskull @JustJubilee for @Mixpak Extended Play at Drom #SocaRoadEP release!
BertOnBeats: dj @stareyezzz does a selection of shes favourite producers of 2011 in @TroubleandBass blog. Thank you biiigtime!!!http://troubleandbass.com/blog/tag/bert%20on%20beats
NatalieStorm: I actually just joined soundcloud so this is my first post http://soundcloud.com/natalie-storm/natalie-storm-one-man-girl/s-mYacV Follow if you’re on!
PopcaanMusic: Sting 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ffrmtvu-5A&feature=share

The emotional weight of this new R&B release by Grizzly is powerful but nuanced, both through Boykin’s lyrics and the producers’ work. The original version by label boss Sinden gives Boykin‘s vocals full stage. They unveil a portrait of feelings left unguarded to burgeon with the force of storm clouds colliding. Sinden adds to it only with heavy heart drums and distant minded clacks moved along by subtle swing and syncopation alongside expectant synths. The Brenmar remix manages to be the largest and most forceful while retaining the same basic mood. The lyrics are not as understandable, yet his intention is still clear. The beat is languid but alive with dynamic fills. Brenmar’s hand is clearest where the percussion tumbles like reservations scattered across wooden floors to disappear down tiled stairwells. Lucky Beard takes it into more confused, excited territory. This free release is the first of a planned monthly series of tunes. (Photo of Boykins by Cleon Grey.)
Upcoming Mixpak artist Popcaan stepped up for this year’s annual Sting in Portmore, Jamaica earlier this week, running through his biggest tunes (and some of this year’s biggest dancehall records): ‘Up Inna The Club’, ‘Clarks’, ‘Hot Grabba’, ‘Real Badman’, ‘Only Man She Want’, ‘Raving’ and of course ‘Clean’ with a full live band. It’s only a small glimpse of his talent; watch out for Popcaan’s Mixpak releases coming soon.

The electronic music and hip hop blog Truants recently released their second compilation of original music, and the below track is exemplary of their heavy, refined interests. On Riffs‘ “Threadbare,” 808s ricochet around plastic jugs over a driving house beat, low end loops, and rude boy vocal clips. Like the rest of compilation, it’s available as a free 192, but if you desire the full 320 or WAV, you gotta drop €3.99. It’s for a cause though – the profits go to Save Darfur up until Feb. Immy, cofounder of Truants, used to do great work for us here at Mixpak and continues to do so over there. (Art by Olly Gibbs.)