Various Artists - The Content Label - Sampler 5 (The Content Label)

The Content Label is a Los Angeles project-based record label and worldwide collective. As the logo illustrates, over the years various elements have combined to produce works that have contributed to the lineage of sample-based music with an emphasis in electronic and hip-hop production. Curated by critically acclaimed recording artist Dday One, the LA-based boutique label’s exclusive catalog is exquisite and experiential.

This fifth label sampler is an overview of The Content Label’s latest exploits and the variance of the artists involved. Parisian producer, visual artist, and MC Lex (de Kalhex) sets the scene with “Solstice,” transforming from a jazzy boom-bap experience to spacier realms partway through the cut. Salty, the accomplished Japanese beat-maker, delivers on “ADSL,” showcasing an introspective hip-hop terminology via phased electric piano vibes, timeless vocal drops, and shimmering atmospheres. Dday One, The Content Label’s guiding force, next drops “Cielo Azul.” The track features layers of intricately assembled sound for a melancholy, worldly take on the sampler’s overall vibe.

The next two artists hail from Russia, underscoring The Content Label as a global affair. With a deft, strings-laden soundscape, Fiji unveils his “Sketch,” a sonic imagining of moodier, distant climes. LTF then shows the funkier side of Moscow with “Soviet Groove Machine,” an upbeat stew of drum beats, plucked guitar rides, and dubbed-out horns. Returning the artist roster to the USA, but inspired by Soviet-era classical music, the duo of Gone Beyond & Mumbles exhibit their poetically constructed “Apropos For The Wet Snow.”

Enigmatic Los Angeles producer Marques Lafelt adds a dreamy four-on-the-floor flavor on “Love Unlimited,” complete with night-scape chord pads and an echoey, bass synth lead. The innovative electronics continue with audio/visual quartet Von Neumann Effect who close out the sampler. “A.I Assisted Climax” is descriptive of its sound, evoking possessed circuitry and sentient rhythm.

Dj Halabi (Reversion Records) “Solid stuff from Dday One on Vol.5 of this label sampler. For me, Lex really shines on this project. Top Stuff.
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Heavy business. Nice work.”
Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “So damn good!”
DJ Friction (Bodymovin / Complex) – “Dope beats. Solstice and ADSL are my faves, but all of these are really good.”
Renegades of Jazz (Agogo Records) – “Absolutely love this.”
DJ Wash (Butter Music) - “Nice release, especially feeling the Soviet Groove Machine track.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “ Absolutely stellar release.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Top notch work from all involved.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z, Nuremberg) – “A true 5 star deluxe package.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “A real box of musical goodness. They cover all the beats!”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

An Interview and Live Performance from Tokyo's Salty

Salty is Tokyo-based producer / videographer Naoya Ninomiya and an exciting new talent on the global instrumental hip hop scene. His early years with a breakdancing crew led him into an appreciation of b-boy music, crate-digging, turntablism, and eventually music production. His new album, Camera, was sent as a demo to L.A.'s The Content Label and it was immediately snatched up and released without much embellishment – just a top notch mastering job by legendary Japanese hip-hop studio engineer ‘The Anticipation Illicit’ Tsuboi was added.

Here's a video displaying Salty's uncanny acumen … with two turntables, a sampler, and some effects he performs the album track "We'd Like To Do A Poem" live:

8DPromo caught up with Salty to ask a few things that we were curious about. Here's the interview:

What is it like crate-digging for vinyl in Japan? Is it difficult to find records and beats that have not been discovered by other hip hop producers? Have you had a chance to crate-dig in other countries?

Salty: I think Japan is a great country for hip hop producers because there are many talented buyers in each record store. A lot of the store managers also have a profound knowledge about hip hop and sampling. My favorite stores in Tokyo are Weekend Records (SHIMOKITAZAWA), Rubbergard Record (JIMBOCHO), and Ballroom Record (KICHIJOJI). Also, yes, I have had a chance to crate-dig in other countries. My favorite spots have been New York, London, and Bangkok.

What past music from your life influenced the sound of Camera?

Salty: This is difficult question to answer because there are so many influences, but, If I had to choose I would say that during my teen days I was inspired by mixtapes, especially the ones produced by B-Boy Soji. Also I love music that expresses feelings of traveling, calmness and passion and I think Camera has the same feelings.

Tell us a little bit about EN TOKYO and what it does, and what your involvement is.

Salty: EN TOKYO is event in which participants go to record stores to dig in the day and create beats from the outing that night. My role is as a designer for the sessions. In my country there are not a lot of media outlets that showcase beat-making, so EN TOKYO functions to connect producers and acts as guide to educate people about beat-making and crate-digging.

Camera started as a demo tape sent to The Content Label. How did you discover The Content Label and why did you choose them to release your album?

Salty: In 2006 or 2007, I learned about The Content Label for the first time via Dday One’s Loop Extensions album and I have loved the label's output since then. I choose to send a demo to them because I feel they completely fit my style.

Are there any other great new hip hop producers from Japan we should be looking out for?

Salty: As far as the new generation of producers I would say that Yagi is one of my favorite beat makers in Japan. Actually, he is featured on my song “The Thing” from Camera. Also there is Bugseed, Tajima Hal, and STUTS which are also great modern producers. We are the same age and close friends.

What is next on the agenda for Salty?

Salty: Currently, I am thinking about expanding my live set and creating a new exciting live performance style. Other artists like DJ Krush have taken performance in Japan to a higher level and I would like to build on that.

Salty's album Camera is out now on The Content Label and is highly recommended. Listen to the full album on Bandcamp by clicking HERE.

Salty - Camera (The Content Label)

The Content Label, Los Angeles’s ‘experiential’ hip hop imprint, rarely signs an artist based on a demo, but an impressive delivery from Japan recently broke the trend. Recorded by Salty – AKA Tokyo-based producer / videographer Naoya Ninomiya – the demo arrived as a nearly complete object, ready for dissemination to the global hip-hop headz-space. The songs have been mastered by legendary Japanese hip-hop studio engineer ‘The Anticipation Illicit’ Tsuboi and, with Dday One acting as executive producer, unveiled as the thirteen track album Camera. It’s a fantastic audio journey that gives a glimpse into Japanese beat-making prowess while sitting proudly within the instrumental hip hop echelon.

In his teens, Salty joined a local breakdancing crew which fueled his love of early electro and breakbeat music. Hunting for vinyl treasures, the art of turntablism, and learning about production and studio technique naturally followed. Studying sound and visual programming at university further honed Salty’s skills, along with the constant flow of rare records he absorbed. Today Salty is known as designer for EN TOKYO, a party and beat-making crew that also counts Pigeondust and Bugseed as members.

With Camera, Salty showcases a diverse set of styles and an acumen for rhythmic patterns and tone, developed through his years of crate-digging and experimentation. And there are many moments to claim as highlights … “Remonoganac” with its gentle piano, atmospheric textures, and tough beats; the laid-back hip hop funk and scratches of “ADSL”; the ’90s downtempo vibe of “The Sea Came At Midnight”; and “Melting In The Dark” with its cinematic layers and haunting vocal. These all qualify for honors, among other possible choices. With Camera, a compelling portrait of Salty as a rising star on the beat-making scene has emerged and The Content Label is on the case.

Tim “Love” Lee (Tummy Touch) – “Really digging this!”
Renegades Of Jazz (Agogo Records / Mojo Club) – “So good! Been a Big fan of The Content Label from the first hour, I have every release.”
Stereo 77 - (Plimsoll Records) – “Damn, this is good.”
Danny Ward (Moodymanc / Dubble D) – “Lovely stuff, thanks!”
Azaxx (Tru Thoughts / FCLR music) – “ADSL is a very good track. Nice project!”
Ben Mono (Undertones Gang / Plant Music) – “Dope release. Will definitely play on my radioshow.”
Amrisha Prashar (IAMRISHA / A Worldwide Thing radio show) – “I Love UBIQ.”
Lebrosk (Warriorz / Mixmag) – “Some gems in this package.”
Belabouche (Midnight Riot / DiscoDat) – “Very nice album.”
Ross Wakefield (Part-Time Heroes / Wah Wah 45s) – “Niceness!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “The left-field side of beats at their best, and not one one filler track among the lot!”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, iTunes, Juno Download, and Beatport.