The DA CHIP project started back in 2008 as an open competition organised on the 8bitcollective website by two french artists, Je deviens dj en 3 jours and Zombectro.

Four years later, the project returns, this time providing an expansive cast of chiptune talent in 13 crunchy chip tracks. From Sabrepulse to Cheapshot, Rushjet1 to Henry Homesweet, Da Chip Vol. II is a diverse and rocking album worthy of any gameboy.
And best of all, it’s free.

Download both albums at DaChip.com

For a full list of artists involved, visit DaChip.com

The third volume in an on-going Chiptune and Chipmusic mix series, CHIPTOPIA is now available for free download and stream via Soundcloud. Featuring music by some of chiptune’s finest writers and musicians, including Sabrepulse, Electric Children, and FantomenK, Chiptopia is a welcome departure from the harsh and dark nature of today’s dance music.

A full tracklist is available here

2/12/12 will mark the release of the next chapter in the ChipTuneMusic saga, which began almost two years ago. Chiptopia serves to be a new chapter in this musical journey, so let’s take a moment to reflect the past two volumes.

ChipTuneMusic is a free dj mix series by Dj CUTMAN, highlighting some of the best chiptune and chipmusic songs from around the world. The first installment, Sounds From 20XX, served as a primer for the world of fun, upbeat chiptune music. Featuing artists from the funk-oriented Mr Spastic, up through dance music marvels such as FantomenK, Sounds From 20XX was based on the breakthrough live shows of a young Cutman in upstate New York. The mix landed him a spot at Otakon 2010, which at the time was his largest show, with an attendance of almost 3,000.

Second in the series was Dubtropolis, released shortly after the Otakon performance in August 2010. It was the dawn of a new era for electronic dance music, a genre called Dubstep was just starting to crack the surface of America. Skrillex had just released his first EP via MySpace and, to most, the style was still unknown. Dubstep influence had penetrated Chiptune communities, and a wealth of dubby chipmusic fueled the production of a new mix from Cutman. Dubtropolis was a clear juxtaposition from 20XX, defined by syncopated wobbles, harsh bass and dripping atmosphere. With a focus on artists adept at creating space in their songs, tracks like Smiletron‘s Gemini and Superspink‘s Robot City set the tone, while ahead-of-their-game producers like Mizuki’s Last Chance blasted through with cutting edge dubstep and chiptune sounds.

Dubtropolis was a particularly significant mix, as it marked an era of collaboration between Cutman and other DJs. Underground dubstep and tech house DJ Doctor Z brought his unmistakable sound mixing talents in the form of a minimix. Doctor Z drew influence from Cutman’s track selection, and created a gritty and atmospheric interlude for Dubtropolis.

Next tuesday, Chiptopia will be released. As the third Volume in the series, it serves to provide yet another view of the world of ChipTuneMusic. Inspired by the place where Cutman first began producing electronic music; a town of infinite venues, shows, and opportunity known as Ithaca, New York.

“When I first came to Ithaca, it was unlike any place I had ever been before. There was music everywhere, nearly every venue and restaurant had a stage, there were performers on every street corner, in every gazebo. No matter where you went, there was new and different live music to be heard.”

Drawing from life experience and a wealth of Creative Commons music from composers around the world, Chiptopia is shaping up to be a promising new addition to Cutman’s repertoire.

Follow Dj CUTMAN on Facebook and Twitter.

Described as an “Mega Man music orgy festival,” producer and composer Benjamin Briggs brings us a four track EP of snake-like proportions. Woah, that reads weird.

Ben Briggs, who I remixed about a month back, is an awesome dude with boundless talent. With production chops and musical ingenuity, Ben Briggs weaves a engaging, exciting, and downright fun soundscape in each of his tracks.

He writes: Four Mega Man remixes, as byproducts of DarkeSword’s awesome Wily Castle Remix Gauntlet, a weekly team-based song-combining competition. It includes, in order, all four of my tracks that were submitted as entries in the Gauntlet. My character theme was Snake Man throughout the competition, so each song includes his theme, and a damn good theme it is.

Damn right. The album is available for free via Bandcamp with an option to donate via paypal. Follow Ben Briggs on Twitter, Facebook, and Soundcloud.

New release from Atlanta based Nophi Records are 13 bumping chiptune tracks from a slew of 8bit talent, including An0va, Bubblyfish, Cheap Dinosaurs and even a track from myself :] The album is available right now from Bandcamp.

A little slow on the uptake of this fine album from OCRemix, “25 Year Legend” is a collection of Zelda-inspired songs by some on indie gaming’s greatest composers. People like Disasterpeace, Joshua Morse, Big Giant Circles, MisfitChris, and SoulEye all contribute stunning arrangement in their trademark styles. This album stands out to me as a one of the finest examples of how a diverse set of genres can feel through cohesive thanks to a strong theme. The music of The Legend of Zelda is powerful on its own, in the hands of so many talented composers it truly becomes magic.

Watch the trailer below and download on OCRemix.