Black Grass is the primary alias of Brighton-based DJ and producer Mex, a central figure in the UK's south coast independent music scene since the mid-1990s. Emerging from a background as a record shop owner and battle-record producer, Mex transitioned Black Grass into a full production outfit that bridged the gap between the Ninja Tune-style trip-hop aesthetic and the more aggressive breakbeat culture of the era.
His work is characterized by a deep reverence for vinyl culture, utilizing 'dusty' textures and complex sampling techniques that prioritize groove and 'head-nod' factor. The project is notable for its collaborative nature, frequently featuring UK hip-hop royalty like Jehst and Blak Twang alongside unexpected vocalists like Dominique Noiret. Critically, Black Grass is positioned as a bridge between the 'Big Beat' energy of Brighton and the more cerebral 'Downtempo' movement of London. Mex's reputation as a selector informs the music's structure, which often mimics the flow of a high-end DJ set, moving through funk, jazz, and conscious hip-hop with a cohesive, warm analog finish.
Shares trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); soulful, playful, nostalgic (moods)
Shares trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares funk, downtempo, nu jazz (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style); trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres)
Shares trip-hop, downtempo, nu jazz (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares trip-hop, nu jazz, downtempo (subgenres); sample_based, analog_warmth, lo_fi (production style)
Shares dusty, turntables, trip-hop, funk (signature)
Shares dusty crate-digger aesthetic, dusty, trip-hop, funk (detail)
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