For those very few D&B heads not aware, Beats In Mind is a label out of the UK with a unique model: to release music with the aim of raising awareness and funds for mental health charities that support the arts. With their eighth Headsbass album dropping this Friday, February 25, it’s safe to say they’re more than achieving that aim and Your EDM is happy to premiere a track off this installment.
Headsbass founder London-based DJ and producer Pyxis (Goldfat, Liquid Drops, Eloisa) had the idea to put together a compilation album with the purpose of artist mental health awareness in October 2019, just before COVID hit. Of course with the pandemic, the need for awareness at the very least was more important than ever. Pyxis now works with a talented team of producers, promoters and engineers spanning the UK, Europe, the US and Australia and New Zealand to produce what has now become the Headsbass series, which has now raised over $4000 for various mental health charities.
With each compilation album punched up by at least a couple of big names, Headsbass also focuses on releasing work from artists who might otherwise not get as much exposure due to cultural blocks or simply the way music trends happen to be breaking. Volume 8, put together especially to highlight Children’s Mental Health Week, however, sees Pyxis and the A&R team taking even more risks than usual with the lineup. It seems Pyxis believes these artists are more than enough to hold up an album on their own, and based on the work coming off this volume, fans will likely agree. From the atmospheric and liquidy “Space Between Us” by Luciano to the deep, dark and ameny vibes of IV’s “Kerry’s Tune,” the Beats In Mind team have curated yet another interesting and diverse installment in the series.
Remixes are quite rare in the Headsbass world, so this one by Baltimore-based newcomer Kenneth A of Higher (Than)’s “Won’t Stop Chasing” original from her mini-EP of the same name on Erculean Recordings last year. While the original from the classically trained Hungarian artist is jazzy and melodic, Kenneth A inserts some eerie atmospherics, some neuro-style sound design and sting synths and a vintage-style slap of a beat that changes the whole vibe of the track while pulling in those characteristic Higher (Than) jazz vox and horns. It’s a great homage to the original and a bit of a wild card on a Headsbass release.
Aside from being for a very worthy cause, the Headbass releases have also now provided hours of different, interesting and viable music from artists who may not have otherwise got this sort of exposure. Artists are some of the most giving people on the planet and continue to step up in order to entertain society in any kind of climate. Beats In Mind and Headsbass are working to make sure someone steps up for them.
Headsbass Volume 8 will be out in full on Friday, February 28. Click here to pre-order or pre-save. To donate directly to Beats in Mind, click here.
This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Your EDM Premiere: Beats In Mind’s Eighth Installment Proves Musicians ‘Won’t Stop Chasing’ Support for Mental Health In the Arts