TAPE BLOG IS...ONE!

Er, Happy Birthday, us. So, the first year is behind us. Thanks to all those who've visited us, left comments, sent us tunes, flattered us and rinsed us. It's been a pleasure, and we hope to not only continue but also to improve in 2007. Coming soon - more interviews with techno/house/disco heavyweights, upfront mp3s and sneak previews, the usual guest charts and exclusive mixes and, if all goes to plan, the first TAPE party in our nation's fair capital (London, fact-finders). There's a lot of shit I need to get done with regard to all the above, so it's not really the time for nostalgia.

First up for your delectation, a b-side to the new release from Bristol boy Joker, on Pinch's other label, Earwax. While Tectonic has been the focus of our attentions in the past year, with heavy productions from the likes of Loefah, Distance and Skream, we're rather enchanted by Earwax's more dancefloor-oriented, grimey curveballs. Here's how Monsieur Pinch describes Joker's styles:

Already, at the age of 18, he’s well known in Bristol for his sound – from his Kold Hearted days and through DJ sets at the premiere dubstep night, Dubloaded. Last year his beats received massive amounts of airplay on BBC Radio One from The Plastician and, more recently, by Roll Deep at Sidewinder and many others on Rinse FM – bringing him into a much wider circle of awareness. His productions are tightly engineered and smack of originality and quality – like Neptunes meets melodic grime, with totally off-the-wall results.

Intrigued? You should be. Enjoy the tres demented 'J.V. Anderson' from the Kapsize EP, set to arrive in stores around mid-February, at which time you should check Boomkat, Phonica, Rooted, the usual outlets.

Download:
Joker - J.V. Anderson // Earwax


Also look our for the new Tectonic 10" from Moving Ninja lined-up for imminent release - it's well tasty.

More 4x4 tackle and banter on its way to you tomorrow. Oh, and Carnage should finally get round to announcing the winners of the 2007 TAPE Awards this week. Check out the mixes from Sean Johnston and our very own Mike Bull (see below) if you haven't already.

And again, thank you to everyone who shares our unholy obsession.