We first caught wind of this project late 2009 – when producer/DJ Mooken Tooken (aka Martyn Lester) announced that he was in works with electronic songstress and Camp Mozart label owner Cornelia Dahlgren on a project entitled ‘Social Monster‘, evidently an adept description of Mooken coined by Cornelia some months back.

Both artists representing the finest in creative underground music – known for pushing their own boundaries in a refusal to avoid being pigeon-holed – meant this was something to look forward to. Mooken’s production work (check the mysterious ONO label as well as his currently signed to Ruf Kutz) sees him on an ongoing journey to craft untouched bleeps and beeps from a variety of strange and obscure sounds. His constant stream of mixes and DJ sets have set him apart from the rest of the crowd, diverse experiences going anywhere between ’stoner doom, modern classical, noise, early tape music and sonic sludge of the highest order.’

Another RBMA graduate, though in a different year to Mooken, Cornelia is someone who’s been on the radar for a while. Ignoring for a moment her inimitable voice and live shows, she’s established herself as an uncompromising songwriter and composer, a unique quality in her vein of music. Back in 2004 she pulled the plug on her mainstream career with Swedish Idol, dropping out in the final stages on the basis that the manufactured approach to music wasn’t what she was about. As well as regularly serving up shows that are a mash of electronica mixed with breakbeat, soul and a touch of pop, she’s characteristically a style-icon for the scene in her home country of Sweden and established her own independent label – Camp Mozart – in 2007.

Wanting to showcase their favourite artists and friends, Social Monster Mixtape #1 is the end result of piecing together their top bits and fine tuning for a finished product. With exclusives from Axel Boman, Daisuke Tanabe, and Professor Ojo alongside forthcoming material from Milyoo, The Blessings and 8Bitch, it’s made for essential listening material.

If you’re new to the two artists who’ve put this together I highly recommend checking out their individual links at the bottom of the page, below the mix itself.

Tracklisting:

Social Monser Mixtape Volume #1
Milyoo – Multitude (Opit Records)
Sam Spence – Sunken Ship (Music De Wolfe)
Professor Ojo – Sunken Ship (CDR)
TOKiMONSTA – Doing It My Way (Ramp Recordings)
Debruit – Battement (Civil Music)
Cornelia (Pepepe Remix) – U Got It (Camp Mozart)
Matmos – Steam And Sequins For Larry Levan (Matador)
Los Macuanos feat. Scout Klas – Pueblo Muerto (CDR)
Axel Boman – Cirkus Musik (CDR)
Cécile & Venice – Rimmel (Gomma)
Gatto Viola vs Doc Daneeka – Backstabbin angie for a ten bag (CDR)
Subeena – Picture (Opit Records)
Mount Kimbie – Sketch On Glass (Hotflush)
8Bitch – Hathor (Seed)
The Blessings – Arrisseee Henson (Nod Navigators)
Daisuke Tanabe – Thin (CDR)
Mwëslee – Variations Pour CX Pallas (Nod Navigators)

Right click for download or stream here: Social Monster #1

Social Monster – http://socialmonster.tumblr.com/
Mooken Tooken Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/mooken
The Cornelia Diaries – http://iamcornelia.com/

A participant at the London 2010 academy, Daisuke returned to the club he frequented during his five years living in the capital. Super-charging the crowd, he buzzed between Ableton, a Korg Micro Controller and small Yamaha mixer, energetic sonic and rhythmic manipulations as sound as similar performances by Dimlite or Flying Lotus. One especially memorable bassline made its way into an anthemic acappella, “You know what love is!” the crowd sang back at him.

Open session underway, for three hours Tony threaded recently burnt CDRs together as bodies mingled in the dim basement. The strong community of regulars welcomed new clammy-palmed submitters, all parties eager to hear their (and others’) works in progress. Ideas flowing, comments were shared on the contributions. Familiar CDR idiosyncrasies amused as always, anxious first-time attendees gingerly approaching the booth to hand over their productions; people’s gaze drawn to the projection screen displaying artists’ names and track titles.

Amid a flux of tempos and styles, Mr Beatnick’s ‘Turn Your Back’ surged hard with a dark Italo mood, in contrast to the calming shadow cast over the floor by Teri Gender Bender’s ‘The Bed’. BPM-dipping down to a hip hop pace, Cohoba’s ‘Ergonomia’ sounded crisp and prompted much applause. Eyebrows were raised as the police dropped in, their motives unclear but seemingly not to submit new music. Such perturbing visits have become familiar in the past year, suggestive of a targeted campaign.

Houselights on, a 2am end time was enforced, “Police are in our midst so we have to be sensible.” Tony acknowledged. Bouncer Barry bid people on their way, “Goodnight and good morning!”. Attendance and standards high, fresh bodies experienced the unique community vibe. “Good to see new disciples enter the church that is CDR.” Gavin beamed, “Hopefully their conversation will continue either in London or back in their respective cities.”

Recorded for Red Bull Music Academy Radio, a full track listing and audio of the event will be available at redbullmusicacademyradio.com.

CDR’s latest release of songs, 2.1 is out now on burntprogress.

More images of the evening here.