We’re admittedly quite a bit late covering the latest release from unfortunately-titled-but-excellently-curated label Lobster Boy, but maybe that’s partially due to the elusive nature of it.

One minute it’s being played out on Rinse FM, with no release details known about it, and seemingly minutes later it’s been sold out on Phonica. One day it’s being attributed to certain artists on Boiler Room track lists, the next it’s being vehemently denied by YouTube users.

Regardless of who or what it is, NYTA weaves through a varied history of house histories and incorporates a little bit of dissonance and enough bass to make it just a tiny bit menacing. Not to mention that all the conductor related spoken word vocal samples overtop are probably the most fun that a vocal sample on a record has provided since “Sicko Cell’s” cocaine addicted drawl.

New York Transit Authority – Off The Trax (YouTube)

New York Transit Authority – Off The Trax (Soundcloud)

Fact Magazine recently wrote a really great review of “Far Nearer” that poses a poignant question. After addressing the fact that the likes of Jamie Smith and a select group of others have pioneered a difficult to pin down sound that’s spawning a huge number of copycats and offshoots, Fact asks: “After your hero’s released a track like this, how can you continue to copy him?”

While that quote is specifically about “Far Nearer”, the same thing can be said for Jamie XX’s recent Rinse FM session with Jackmaster. Calling it “hard to pin down” is an understatement.

The mix starts off with a slowed version of 20th Century Steel Band’s “Heaven and Hell”, stripping the track down a bit to let the exceptional steel drums ring out. He plays “Far Nearer”, but at a sluggish BPM and with Addison Grove’s “Footcrab” thrown overtop of it, changing the vibe immensely from tropical love song to a sluggish vocal looping club workout. Some tributes to recently deceased American legend Gil Scott-Heron are sprinkled in throughout, and the fact that it lacks a tracklisting adds to the mystique.

I guess if you want to be Jamie XX, (or sound like him at least) studying this mix is a good start – but maybe it’s a futile effort regardless.

Numbers Show on Rinse FM – Jamie XX, Jackmaster & Spencer (Mediafire)

Bok Bok & L-Vis go back to back with Martyn, the founder of 3024 and generally nice guy (from the vibe of this radio show at least).

Bok Bok & L-Vis 1990 on Rinse FM w/ special guest Martyn – 31 May 2011 (download via Night Slugs)

Also, don’t sleep on Bok Bok’s newly released EP on Night Slugs, a love letter to early 2000s grime.

SBTRKT – Rinse FM Podcast 24/5-11 (direct link)

“Today is the day of Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points, one of the most appreciated producers among british radio DJs, from Mary Anne Hobbes to Benji B via the legendary Gilles Peterson. In the last three years Sam has released several 12” including our favourite “Vacuum Boogie”. In 2010 together with Rinse.FM’s Alexander Nut he founded Eglo Records, which became in a short while one of the reference label for the new british sounds. In the next days Eglo will release “The Follow You EP”, a collaboration between Floating Points and the soul singer Fatima. It’s about a “journey through soul, gospel, blues and house”, which are some of the genres of Shepherd’s musical background. While we are waiting, you can spend one hour listening to some very good music, selected and described by him, through the link below.”

RBMA x Pig Radio: Floating Points (direct link)

How’s that apple, Egyptrixx? I bet it doesn’t taste nearly as good as your forthcoming Bible Eyes LP on Night Slugs will be. In anticipation, here’s Egyptrixx’s 25 minute live set from the Night Slugs show on the 20 December 2010, featuring some re-assembled material from the forthcoming LP.

Also, if you missed the amazing video for Chrysalis Records ft. Trust, watch it here with all the lights out.

Egyptrixx live on Rinse FM – 20 December 2010 (direct link)

And here’s the official video.