You’d think that Andrew Field-Pickering–between rapping in Food For Animals, DJing in Beautiful Swimmers, and running his own record label (Future Times)–probably has enough cool urban-music-oriented-work to fill his days. But one more thing can’t hurt, can it? Field-Pickering recently launched “Heal Yourself and Move,” a column devoted to dance music, electronic music, deep vibes, and all things in between, that will run bi-weekly on Fader’s website. You can check out the first post–a mission statement, but also a thorough lab session on the work of teenage techno-genius Kyle Hall–here.

So far, summer is having a little trouble getting started. So far all we’ve gotten is a lot of rain, no Screen On The Green, and no Fort Reno schedule. But please, let this free summer mixtape, compiled by local label Sockets, be a salve to your bruised expectations. There are exclusive cuts by Maximillion Dunbar (Food For Animals rapper and Future Times label boss), Hume (recently back in DC after traveling through India), and Cornel West Theory, who have been M.I.A. since ‘06, or maybe I’m just out of the loop.

Tracklist:

1. Loveloop – Maxmillion Dunbar
2. Prophetic Suicide – the Cornel West Theory
3. Wise Light Born – Hume
4. Sleep In – Big Gold Belt
5. Tired – The Fly Girlz
6. Olds Achieva Care Bear – Framed Mistake
7. Come on the Deathbed – Chris Grier

Happening Saturday.

Last weekend, while attending the Blues Control show, I realized that Comet Ping Pong has a pretty nice sound-system. It’s big and boomy, the kind of thing that blows Marty McFly across the room at the beginning of Back to the Future.

It certainly did the trick for Blues Control’s burbling sonic-gravy, but it will be even more appropriate
for tonight’s Lovefingers/Lee Douglas/Beautiful Swimmers throwdown. Nu-Disco will no doubt be blasting loud and clear, making Cleveland Park just little more decadent, at least for a night.

If you want a taste, check out Beautiful Swimmers’ mix, which is streaming here.

Lovefingers/Lee Douglas/Beautiful Swimmers @ Comet Ping Pong
5037 Connecticut Ave, NW DC
9:30PM – 3AM
FREE!!!

DJs Andrew Field-Pickering and Ari Goldman, known collectively as Beautiful Swimmers, recently completed their first 12″ record, “Swimmers Groove” b/w “O Yeah”, which will soon be available from local dance Future Times. With its sampled call-and-response vocals, its sequenced synths, and its lake of gated reverb, it’s pretty decadent. Sort of like Brian Eno scoring a Michael Mann film, if that makes any sense.

In the meantime, this music video for “O Yeah” should give you a pretty good idea of the record’s sub-aquatic-kraut-rock vibe.

When I first heard about this it was just a concert/dance party, but now the affair has been upgraded to Wonkette’s inauguration party. Which changes very little, except that now a few more people will probably show up.

Otherwise it’s just going to be business as usual. Local duo Big Gold Belt, who sound kind of like a dirty version of 80s-pop band Nu Shooz, will perform with DJs Andrew Morgan and Beautiful Swimmers (Future Times records’ Maximillion Dunbard and Ari G) spinning funk and disco records shortly afterwards. By the way, BYOB.

Big Gold Belt, Andrew Morgan, Beautiful Swimmers
Friday, 1/16 at 10 pm.
Liz Glover’s Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill
410 H Street NE
$5 (Suggested donation, don’t be stingy!)

If all you wanted for Christmas was a few hours to cut loose to afro-futurist-house and body music, then I’m guessing that Santa probably stiffed you. Luckily, Future Times has you covered. The DC-based record label will be holding its first ever label event this Saturday night, which will feature live performances by Maximillion Dunbar (Food For Animals) and Rhythm Based Lovers (ex-Manhunter) as well as DJ sets by local rhythm luminaries Beautiful Swimmers, Andrew Morgan, and more.

You might want to test the waters first by checking out Dunbar’s recently posted “Holidaze Mix.”

Future Times Consciousness Event @ Dahlak
1771 U St. NW
12/27 @ 10 pm

Rhythm Based Lovers, an alias of former Takoma Park resident and ex-Manhunter member Jason Letkiewicz, has just released a 7″ single on DC-based record label Future Times.

A machine may not be able to love, but in Letkiewitz’s hands it can at least be made to purvey cheap romance. Packed with lo-bit cowbell and analog bass squelch, “Boogie Vision” sounds sleazier than a date with Rob Lowe circa 1988. B-side “Snow Drift” has a B-movie-style synth melody that makes it a little more moody and less overtly sexy. My guess is that if Snake Plissken was going to make out, this might be what he would choose to put on.

You can preview both songs on Rhythm Based Lover’s Myspace page. If you want to purchase the physical artifact it can be had at the Future Times website.