Metropolis is Back by Popular Demand!

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Every since Jason Bentley took over the reins of Morning Becomes Eclectic, people approach me ALL the time and say “when are you guys going to bring back Metropolis?!?”  Well, we now have an answer. Saturdays from 10pm to midnight!

For those who don’t know, Metropolis launched the electronic dance music revolution in Los Angeles in the early 90’s. On a life-changing trip to Europe, Jason discovered the genre and brought it to KCRW’s airwaves. As he told the Hollywood Reporter recently, dance music was “my defining youth culture, my punk rock, my British invasion.”

Metropolis in 2013 has an accompanying website that will take it to the next level with curated DJ mixes, playlists, and interviews with some of the top names in the genre.

Jason gives us a hint at what’s ahead for THIS Saturday below. Check it out and explore the site here.

From Jason Bentley:

It’s a new dawn for Metropolis on KCRW, and our premiere episode features some exciting names old and new from the world of club culture.

I’ve always been amazed at the enduring influence of singer Robert Owens. He’s been a prolific yet mysterious force over the last 20 years, appearing twice in our first episode of Metropolis. In many ways, Owens embodies the very essence of House music, having emerged from the Chicago music scene in the mid-80s with Fingers, Inc (with Larry Heard) and drawing from a gospel and R&B background to help shape a sound that would change the world. Listen for Robert Owens in this week’s mix with a remake of his classic 1991 club hit “I’ll Be Your Friend” as well as a new collaboration with German producer Kris Menace entitled “Trusting Me” out this month.

James Blake is another artist that appears twice in the mix this week. First, as a refresher, a bootleg version of “Limit To Your Love” which I first heard in Bali this past Summer and then managed to find online. Blake’s new single “Retrograde” isn’t a dancefloor record by any means, but it’s simmering power is undeniable. It’s worth mentioning that James Blake live at the FYF Fest in LA this past Summer was an absolute revelation. Do not miss him at Coachella in the Spring.

London’s Disclosure are a buzzworthy name these days in dance music circles, and their latest single “White Noise” featuring AlunaGeorge will continue to turn heads. It feels like this duo have the potential of fellow British innovators Basement Jaxx and Groove Armada, while leaning slightly more pop than their predecessors. AlunaGeorge is also worth checking out, especially her single from late last year “Your Drums, Your Love“.

Additional highlights from this weeks playlist include a dreamy and psychedelic new record from James Zabiela called “The Healer“, as well as Adam Freeland’s frenetic electro version of Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness”. Karl Hyde of Underworld has released the very atmospheric song “Cut Clouds” from his April album Edgeland. Apparently, Karl has assembled a rock quartet to tour this record, and will reportedly play some Underworld classics in this format.

Lastly, the return of influential ’90s era producer MK, who smashed the charts back in the day with tracks like “Burning” and his epic remix of NightcrawlersPush The Feeling On” now delivers “Electricity” with Lee Foss and vocalist Anabel Englund for Crosstown Rebels. MK also brings his midas touch to Sky Ferreira’s new single “Everything Is Embarrassing“.

Enough musings on the particulars of the set, please click “listen” and enjoy the return of Metropolis – the pulse of the city on KCRW.
Jason Bentley