Ben Mono – ambitious multi-player, producer, remixer and in demand DJ from Munich – has built himself a solid reputation in the world of advanced diskotainment during the past years. His debut album "Dual" was praised by critics for being “complex, deep, tight and authentic at the same time†(De:Bug). His tracks can be found constantly on heavy rotation in the playlists of supporters like Dave Clarke, Jazzanova, Funkstörung or Zombie Nation. Finally, after carefully polishing his latest compositions, Ben Mono is about to drop his long awaited sophomore effort: "Hit The Bit" .
The new album is a manifestation of a new and unique style labelled by himself as Bit-Hop! While the majority of party people in Germany are attached to minimal techno grooves, Ben Mono draws a deliberately counterdraft to this predominant sound pattern. He slows down the tempo and adds some abundance – Bit-Hop means less beats per minute but more density in sound. Bit-Hop also means the digital merging of different styles, a symbiosis of stripped down HipHop and booming Electro. Remember when in the late 80s HipHouse was the catalyst for the fusion of rap vocals with electric dance music? It initiated a continuing metamorphose of sound steadily giving birth to new styles like Ghetto Tech, Grime, Dubstep, Hollertronix or most recently Neu Rave.
Bit-Hop is the youngest offspring in this family tree. Based on catchy hooks and old school synth lines it can be described best as an amalgamtion of ingredients Ed Banger or Spank Rock would probably feel tasty too. Just listen to “Don’t Stopâ€, “Pull Em Down†or the rocking title track “Hit The Bit†for comprehension. Ben Mono creates a new sound aesthetic a bit off from the current minimal affection defining the German electronic music scene. Considering this, Bit-Hop furthermore represents a break out, a metaphor for movement, progression and aggregation. On this mission he gets support by aspiring artists from all around the world like Bay Area MC Capitol A, the Miami Bass queens Yo Majesty from Tampa Florida, Weather Girls.. backround singer Kerry L. Dooley, caribbean bred Jemini who is guiding through the album, electro crunk general Shane Fontane, Bliss & Main Flow (of Mood) or British multi vocalist Killa Kela. - new friends and collaborators found while being a globetrotting DJ .
Over 80 DJ-bookings during a year take him to metropoles like Buenos Aires, Taipei, San Francisco, Bangkok, Dubai, Sydney, Beijing or Manila. All those different places have local scenes of their own posing new challenges for Ben Mono. Don’t expect him to play a straight DJ set when he rocks a party. Wherever he spins records he comes up with new variations in tempo and style while never forgetting about some sureshot bangers. But although it gets a little bit adventurous sometimes – like him being shot at with plastic bullets by some American street kids or being attacked by an organ trading taxi driver in Argentina – Ben Mono won’t stop his worldwide quest for the quintessence of sound to embed it into his universal Bit-Hop formula. All this experiences have been aggregated and transformed into his new album: "Hit The Bit" . So please pump up the volume and enjoy!
DISCOGRAPHY
Albums:
Ben Mono "Hit The Bit" – Compost
Ben Mono "Dual" – Compost
Wei-Chi "One I, Two Eyes" – Compost
12"s:
Ben Mono " Hit The Bit Remixed - Compost
Ben Mono "Beatbox" - Compost
Ben Mono "Plastik Passion" – Compost
Ben Mono "Protection" Remixes – Compost
Ben Mono "Universal Unit" – Compost
Ben Mono "Transmission" – Compost
Remixes:
Vivek - If We..re Not Talking (ben mono mix) - Kuskus
Tj Kong & Nuno Dos Santos - Tranentrekker (ben mono mix) - Compost Black Label
When Saints Go Machine - You Should Be Somone Else (ben mono mix) - unreleased
Maral Salmassi "Natural Fun (Ben Mono..s Synthetic Pleasure Mix) - Television Rocks
Jahcoozi "Double Barrel Name" (Ben Mono remix) - Sugarcane
Shortboard "Together" (Ben Mono Remix) – Curlcurl
Stick Figures – "Slim Pickings" (Ben Mono Remix) – Future Classic
General Electrics "Facing That Void" (Ben Mono's Snack Those Kids Mix) – Compost
Gabriel Ananda "Süssholz" (Ben Mono's Low Level Mix) – Compost
Max Berlin "Elle & Moi" Ben Mono Remix (USA Import)
Afro Saxon "U..ll Never Know" (Ben mono Remix) – Striking Hand
Jaymz Nylon "Virgin Sand" (Ben Mono Remix) – Perfect Toy
Martin Peter "Psychoville" (Ben Mono..s Shrink Mix) – Angora Steel
Further projects:
Only Fools And Horses "Spectacle Wins" - Permanent Vacation
GB..s "Lucky In Vichy" – Gomma
Force & Paul "Breakbeat Mutation" – Compost
Force & Paul "Blue Movie, Chocolate Bar " – Compost
Force & Paul "Casablanca" (FSOJ Vol. 5) – Compost
Space Clique "Exit 1 Luna Park" – Spininng Wheel
Space Clique "Cosmic Confusion" – Spininng Wheel
Space Clique "Continue the Journey" – Spinning Wheel
Druckwelle "Three Quatters" (Space Clique Remix) – Spininng Wheel
Blue Monkeys "The Way You Make Me Feel"(Space Clique Remix) – Spinning Wheel
Micatone "Sit Beside Me" (Space Clique Remix) – No Zession/Sonar Kollektiv
Chari Chari "We" (Space Clique Remix) – Ultima
Sonic Surfer "Lizard Land" – 2bob-soundz
Sonic Surfer "Insect Island" – Spininng Wheel
Element Peak Squad "Midi Message" – Beatinfusion
Film Music:
Soundtrack "Lautlos" – Island Recordings
Short film "Framed" (in collaboration with Gary Marlowe)
Short film "Styx" (in collaboration with Gary Marlowe)
Advertising Spot "Deutsche Krebshilfe" (German Cancer Aid)
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