Call the AMBALANCE..

If you're unfamiliar with Toronto's own XI, then get to know. His new collaborative project (with lesser known Toronto producer Skeleton Bone), AMBALANCE, is a lot slower than what you would normally hear from him; and shows off a side of XI that I've been waiting to hear. Artists that have been doing it for a while seem to branch off and be able to make mature, creative music, all whilst putting their undeniable stamp on it. This is demonstrated very clearly on their new EP, "Cokewave", and it's nice to know there is an artist out there to make Christian Andersen produce slow, soupy, sidechained headbobbers. He's back in the western world to tour with Zed's Dead, and while I think everybody knows it's good for him to be in Berlin, I also think it's nice that he's home. Big fan of his personally, and this side project is definitely up to par.
Download for free !

XI putting the Squeeze down once again..

It's no surprise that Toronto's XI is getting attention from some very big names overseas, the most recent being Benji B who dropped his upcoming release on Orca Recordings the other morning on BBC's Radio 1. He is pushing a sound that is beginning to get overpopulated, but easily maintains a very strong individuality that sets him apart from the onslaught of 808 samples and syncopated percussion that have become so popular as of late. With an arsenal of well-received releases and remixes and fresh off a US tour, Christian Andersen has made the move over to Europe(Berlin, specifically) and the results look promising. In his time there he has already opened during a Hotflush release party, and has become acquainted with the likes of Scuba, Machinedrum, and others doing big tings. I expect nothing but badness in the future from XI, and to start it off here is his(soon to be) first release of 2012. "Squeeze" is more tame than we're used to, as it makes great use of space as opposed to the brilliant layering and synthesis we're used to hearing. Nothing but love for this dude, bigup! Follow XI at @XIGamma

XI - Immunity / Squeeze

Sepalcure - Love Pressure (XI Remix)
Here is a dope three track present XI gave away at Christmas(with limited downloads). The price in no way reflects the quality of these tunes, heaviness as always!
XI Christmas Giveaway
Gamma Rain(128, buy this shit)
And for good measure, because XI's talents as a dj should not be over looked, here is his set for the Hotflush Podcast.
And a more recent set here.