Tuesday, December 20, 2011

the little (motor city) drum(mer boy) Ensemble. para pa pum pum

Ooof what a weekend.  Hosted my 3rd Annual tree trimming extravaganza at my place which took most of my attention last week getting the house ready, but happy to be back with a new post.  Most people that love dance people know they owe something to Detroit.  But how about Stuttgart?  When I first heard this guys work I loved it.. and as I usually do, started looking into who he was and didn't really bother to think about where he was from because it was clearly Detroit.  Ooops. As it turns out a more appropriate name may have been the Autobahn Drum Ensemble, but I guess the geography of it all doesn't really matter.  He also feels he owes something to Detroit and his adopted name is merely an homage to one of the birthplaces of the music he loves... after all it does sound more like it came out of Chicago or Detroit than Stuttgart or Berlin!

Motor City Drum Ensemble - L.O.V.E.

Motor City Drum Ensemble - Raw Cuts #3

Good ol' Cocoon does it again! Whether they put out a stompy banging techno track or something as pretty as this next one, such an amazing catalogue of music!  Came across this on a compilation album by Robag Wruhme, ya I know.. say that 3 times fast, but i've been listening to it quite a lot :)

Kollektiv Turmstrasse - Dead Room

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

speed of sound

I have a lot of music on this hard drive... And it seems like since I started this blog its growing exponentially. To the point that my other half is concerned over the processing speeds of our dearly beloved iMac.  So I'm trying to slow down my err consumption, a bit, and it has also made me realize so much music I have, I hear it a couple times and its lost in a sea of others.  So for the next little bit I'm going to dedicate myself to re-exploring my hard drive in search of lost and somewhat forgotten gems. For instance, this post. A track I was introduced to by a DJ friend of mine in London, Tom Davey.  If you're in blighty check 'em out! meanwhile..

Four Tet - Angel Echoes (Caribou Remix)

I'm not sure where this one came from, but H.O.S.H if i am not mistaken is one of the residents of Panoramma bar in Berlin, which I am way past due for a visit. I could do without the little rap bit nearer the end, but I love Queen, and its such a classic bassline....

H.O.S.H - Another One Bites The Booty

Monday, December 12, 2011

Aging gracefully

As I have mentioned before, I'm a waiter. I work at a cute little neighbourhood Bistro in a nice part of town.  We have a lot of older rich ladies as customers.  Last night I was marveling at this table of 7 Jewish ladies in their 50s who were waiting for the guest of honour, the birthday girl, with such baited breath I thought  Barbara Streissand might come in. Their level of excitement was oddly palpable, and when she finally arrived she was this tiny , stick-thin woman in her 50s with impeccable hair and skin so tight you could train a gymnast on it.  Every time I looked at her face I was actually surprised by the effort people go through to make themselves look THAT fake.  And I wondered if when I get old and saggy if its something I would ever consider.. you know; a tuck here, a lift there.  Whatever happened to getting old gracefully? Being older but still looking fabulous without all that stuff in your face.
So heres a marriage of the two. I heard him play this track last time he was here in Toronto, a few years ago.  Grace Jones, the epitome of looking amazing at whatever age shes at now.. saw a live performance on line a few weeks ago and shes still AMAZING! And then theres Danny.. who, if you have never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, and as much as I like 'em, has a fair bit of filler in those cheeks!

Its a long mix and the first few minutes kinda drag on... but again, its Danny.. get used to him dragging on.

Grace Jones & Tricky - Cradle To Grave (Danny Tenaglia White Label Mix)

This one I was sent last week from a friend of mine and i love it! Lots of layers of stuff happening around a nice steady rhythm. Thanks Michael!  I don't really know anything about the artist, and Last.fm and Google weren't a whole heap of help tracking anything down.. but great track :)

Henry Saiz & Pional - Uroboros (Original Mix)

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Techno? Tech Yes!

Along with a couple of my boys last night, I went to check out this techno party at this solid concrete block called the Polish Combatants Hall.  Essentially it was a Polish community centre complete with little old ladies picking up empty beer bottles and probably wondering what the hell this noise they were listening to was, and if it was a sure sign of the impending Apocalypse.  Started out ok, nice vibe, fun mixed crowd, then it got better and better before ending pretty promptly at 5am.  Heard some new local talent (DJ Howie-i think- was quite fun). It was totally a throw back to the 90s rave feel and I loved it... a sucker for nostalgia. Highlight of the night totally goes to whoever it was that dropped this new remix of, what in my mind, is a classic. Detroit Grand Pubahs track "Sandwiches".  Its absolutely ridiculous vocals are something really that always make me smile. So thanks for the new mix mister Marc Romboy! here she is

Detroit Grand Pubahs - Sandwiches (Marc Romboy's Systematic Soul Remix)

And just because I had so much fun listening to some stompy friggin techno last night... few people stomp it as well as Adam Beyer.  Its a track from a few years ago but it will definitely scratch my techno itch :)

Adam Beyer - A Walking Contradiction (Joseph Capriati Remix)

Friday, December 9, 2011

technological marvels

Today as I sat on one of Toronto's brand new Subway cars for the first time, returning from some Christmas shopping there was an elderly fellow beside me, I didn't really notice him at first.  I continued carrying on about my business playing with my iPhone (skipping to a point in a set i wanted to hear.. adjusting volume etc) and I realize that this fella beside me is VERY intently watching my every move and everything my phone does.  So i flipped through some screens and things so he could see, and I sneak a little look and hes totally smiling at my phone. It kinda made me chuckle a little bit and to think about the things this guy has probably seen in his life(he was around 80) and now to see a phone do the things our phones can do now, it was obvious he was having a moment to himself as the display continued for several minutes.

Anyhoo, kinda harking back to the post i made the other day about the top live acts and whatnot. Martin Buttrich, who ranked in at the #8 spot, will be here in Toronto for New Years Day.  His set at CZ a few months ago was so dynamic and interesting that i can honestly say it was unlike anything i've heard in a club before and I have spoken with several others who have corroborated this fact.  Add to it the guy has been producing tracks for Timo Maas(over 100) and Loco Dice and others for years, nominated for a Grammy.... basically if you're in Toronto on NYD you better be at CZ(bringing in an extra sound system for it too!) cuz this guy will bring you such an inventive sound and vibe.. its all encompassing. I've felt it with other DJs when they were really on but Martin is also producing a vast portion of his set live, so I have come to learn. So here is some Martin Buttrich to wet your appetite for what is sure to be a party to remember! -And my last time on a dancefloor for several months as I am having knee surgery a week later.... Out with a bang? Don't mind if I do!

Martin Buttrich - Hamuda (Original Mix)

Martin Buttrich - Hunter (Original Mix)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Top of the Top

So I guess I was right on the money last week when I mentioned that Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler are ruling the World. The Resident Advisor Top 100 DJs list was released today: #1 Jamie Jones #2 Seth Troxler. The rest of the list you'll see here at the end of this article and a few of the names you'll recognize from remixes and productions associated with the blog: Resident Advisor Top 100 DJ Poll Results.  They have also released their top 20 "live acts". So i'm not a producer.. or a DJ and I know theres a difference obviously, but the live acts listed here.. well I dunno. for example, when I cast my vote in the top DJs poll I put Martin Buttrich in. His set at CZ here in Toronto in August was absolutely stunning(hes also coming back for a NewYears Day party and im THRILLED!) -but here we find him listed as Live. i dunno.. I do not dispute at all the greatness of some of these acts i just never knew that some of them were live. I guess that is open to interpretation: Resident Advisor Top 20 Live Acts Poll Results

Moving swiftly on.. You know that little sort of "ping" sound sonar makes? i love it. and I'm incredibly happy people put it in the odd track here and there. This is one that i've been listening to a fair bit lately and also... when is it summer? cuz this track is so chilled n groovey it makes me wanna be on a beach or at least a patio in the hot summer sun

Lee M Kelsall - On The Road (Matt Fear Remix)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Tupac Lives.. sort of..

Solomun, he of that fabulous remix of "Around" by Noir, has a new EP out.  Three tracks, but one stands out from the rest.  I listened once, and I knew that I knew the hook in the song from somewhere but I couldn't place it. A second listen... its Tupac.  And I'm not exactly what I would call a Tupac fan... I respect his work but just never really got into it.  Anyhoo here he is sampled from some sort of out-take in relation to his song "Fame" hope you like it too

Solomun - Something We All Adore

MURK Monday

If you like dance music, which is why I assume you are here, you probably know MURK productions whether you know you do or not.  And since they keep creeping into my life one way or another for the past few weeks its time to celebrate with MURK Monday. So I'll start the ball rolling with a lil intro. MURK is basically Ralph Falcon and Oscar G, also Funky Green Dogs, Liberty City and the list goes on... but its basically those two guys a couple Cubanos from Miami.  Hell, they even did remixes for Madonna's "Fever" in 1992..  Ok Papi? now lets dance :)

Its also wayback playback Monday, so why not kill two birds with one.. song? This is a remix from the maestro, Mr Danny Tenaglia. Ya-Ya I know a lot of people that hate on Danny...whatever. I like em.  Hes unlike any other personality involved in this scene and I think it should be celebrated...

MURK presents Liberty City - Some Lovin' (Danny Tenaglia New Hook Mix)

I have this beautiful little music swap going on with my buddy Josh. Its been running for years and between the two of us, we've managed to furnish each others hard drives with some pretty awesome tunes.  Its like back in the day when you'd make mixtapes for your friends with stuff you recorded off the radio...(I'm not the only one right?) only evolved. So he sent me a new mix yesterday and POP! theres MURK again.. Also, they seem to have this branding obsession. If MURK is involved in a product it seems to say so somewhere at least once in the title or via a "presents" sub header or something.. good for them for getting their name out there. A little dedication for this post.. it goes out to my favourite rookie who i also know has a love for MURK

Intruder feat. Jei (A MURK Production) - Amame (Long Ass Mix)

Saturday, December 3, 2011

dream a little dream... of techno

I had the CRAZIEST dream last night! This big giant abandoned building in the centre of a busy city had been taken over by this enterprising young man and he turned it into some sort of ..laser tag.. but instead of laser tag people used theses intricate hand signals -like sign language- as weapons in this war games kinda scenario.  Only, somehow these intricate hand signals were actually killing people. But only in this building... mostly occupied by junkies and street kids. And I was a journalist sent in on the story.  I woke up out of the dream at least 3 times and still went back into it when i fell back asleep! that never happens.  Well not to me anyway.  Coincidentally, I had my iPhone on shuffle yesterday and this track from a few months ago by Toronto's own Carlo Lio(who by the way is amazing..) popped on.  Guess what its called....

Carlo Lio - Stuck In A Dream

Jamies Jones & Seth Troxler are pretty much the squirrels of my World right now. Why? Because... Who runs the World? Squirrels! Exactly.  For reals though everything I hear from these guys, whether its a set or a remix is awesome.. plus they look like they have a LOT of fun when they're DJing.  Fingers crossed for a Toronto visit this year.  If you watch a video of Seth Troxler and he doesn't bust out the ever so classic "index finger whirlwind" dance move then something is wrong.  Anyhoo, I heard this track in one of their sets and I liked it.  Bless the Germans for their synth-pop.

Sono - Take Control (Extended Mix)

Friday, December 2, 2011

chop chop

With all the attention in the past few months on Wall Street and Big Business and their nasty habits, and with the relative demise this past week of the occupy movement here in Toronto, and a messier take-down in LA, this track from tech giants Tiefschwarz was pretty perfectly timed.  Though don't expect the usual glitchy sounds and electro funny-business with this one... its been remixed by Solomun.  So it doesn't exactly sound like Tiefschwarz, even the original is kind of a departure from what I would say is their signature style but ho hum, thats evolution baby!

Tiefschwarz - Corporate Butcher (Solomun Remix)

I feel like if James brown needed to step it up a notch.. wait a minute, did I just actually ponder James Brown stepping it up a notch?  I did, and I apologize.  Clearly there is no way he could step it up any more notches than he already did... especially since he's dead. But say he wanted a new intro track for his live show.... ya, somethin' for the kids. I think he might choose something maybe like this?

Butch - Drummers Drama (Original Mix)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Goodbye MOvember

So here in Canada, and in a few other Countries as well, there is a program called MOvember.  It runs for the month of November and encourages men to grow a moustache, starting clean shaven on the 1st of November, for the whole month in an effort to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Its a pretty bad ass cancer that in Canada alone will affect 25,000 men this year. Seriously nasty stuff.  This was my 2nd year being involved and my team was able to, between 4 of us, raise nearly $3,000 simply by making ourselves look ridiculous with a moustache for the month.  So in honour of the pain in the ass (literally) that is both prostate cancer AND growing a moustache for a month, I present you my first post for today.  Its deep 'n sexy and by the fantastic Nina Kraviz. A Russian club promoter turned DJ/producer/vocalist, from what I can tell this chick does it all and does it all very well.  I've been bopping to this one for a little while now, hope you enjoy the kind of creepy vocals about the "killing jar"

Nina Kraviz - Pain In The Ass

And this one I came across last week, a remix from NiCe7.  What I have heard from them in the past I generally like and this is no different.  I would hardly call it ground breaking territory as it sounds pretty dated back to the mid 90s or so, but I don't mind. A good track i a good track, and it gets me movin. :)

Tahloula - We Play House(NiCe7 Remix)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

limitless

Heard a few really great remixes of this James Blake guys stuff.  This is actually a cover of a Feist (yup Toronto again!) track and the remix is by Daniel Bortz.  Its rainy and gross here today and I'm sitting here at my desk trying to get a bunch of personal paperwork crap done before work... Its kind of  a perfect rainy day song.. i think its the piano.  I feel like i should be looking out of a window in some old European Capital or something.

James Blake - Limit To Yor Love(DB Edit)

Continuing with the piano melancholy-deepness is Sarp Yilmaz from Istanbul. If you get the chance the video for this makes me laugh cuz its synced up with that famous scene from The Graduate.

Sarp Yilmaz - My Baby Got To Go(Santos Resiak Remix)

Monday, November 28, 2011

back to the future

Its way back playback time again! I was listening to a new set by Art Department this week and they played this track, which TOTALLY brought me back.  I had never known who it was that did the song, but I always loved it.  Its Green Velvet! cool.  Originally released in 1995, I had it as part of an old Mark Farina set from the 90's and I played the hell out of it. So as I get ready to go do a little couch shopping on this cool, crisp Toronto Monday... I'll be bopping to this in my head.

Green Velvet - Thoughts

Sunday, November 27, 2011

hung over, Grey Cup Sunday

Today is the 99th Grey Cup.  For those of you from other Countries, thats the Championship game in the Canadian Football League.  I'm pretty hung over after a great night out dancing at Mr.Big with some friends but still contemplating making the journey down to the pub to watch the game at a party my friend Andrei throws every year.  After, of course, I cure this hangover via my headphones with a healthy dose of Toronto's own Art Department.  I'd been digging their sound for a while and heard a few remixes, and THEN i found out its Kenny frickin Glasgow and Jonny White. I wondered where Kenny Glasgow had disappeared to... He went from being on the flyer of every single party that was thrown in this city to just not being around.  Well, this is what hes been up to.  You can't rightly post part 1 and not post part 2 ... even though the first 2+ mins of part 2 are a little weird and for some reason remind me of  the theme from Halloween(ish), except for the plucky bass.  Stick it out though, as the gays have been saying for a year now, it gets better.

Art Department - Tell me Why (part1)

Art Department - Tell Me Why (part 2)

Saturday, November 26, 2011

..And all that jazz!

I just got home from working a private function at the restaurant where I work, which featured a live (fantastic) jazz band, they were just jamming for the whole shift. If everyone's life were full of live, free-form jazz at their place of employment, the World WOULD be a better place.  Live is important because it brings me great joy to see the faces of jazz musicians.  They are unlike any other, and have somehow perfected what I call "Jazz Face".  Its kind of a cross between a comedic "orgasm" face, and what one might presume to be the look you would have on your face if you just poo'd in your pants.  It really cements the whole live feel for me, and I took great pleasure in the Jazz Faces this afternoon!  First track up is a guy... err young man we shall call him, Nicolas Jaar(he's only 21 and been releasing music since he was 14!).  The more I learn about and more importantly, hear from this incredibly talented producer, the more I am in love.  It's not a brand new track but still, pretty awesome.  His edit of one of my favorite songs, Nina Simone's "feelin' good".

Nicolas Jaar - Nicos feelin' good

There was considerable debate amongst a few of my friends how it was, exactly, that we came across this next one. But it turns out that our friend Gary had a DJ friend visiting from Barcelona and she dropped it while she was here in Toronto playing at Comfort Zone.  Its got a little sexy vocal to it and just makes me wanna dance around my house with a duster in hand.  You know... to keep the place clean.

Miguel Campbell - Something Special

And finally I've been meaning to post this one for a little bit but what can I say, I get distracted.  One of the new musical loves for me this year has been Fritz Kalbrenner. You wanna talk about a great album to go for a very long bike ride to?  His album " Here Today Gone Tomorrow", is just that.  This track isnt from that album, infact, its not even produced by him! but he is featured on it as a vocalist.  And its very much in his style.  His label mate at Suol Records, Trickski invited him to guest on his album "Unreality", which got a TERRIBLE review on Resident Advisor, but I actually quite enjoy it. Hope you do too.

Trickski feat. Fritz Kalkbrenner - Without You

Friday, November 25, 2011

Dead Poet's Society for the Dancefloor

umm so remember in "Dead Poet's Society" when the class have that beautiful moment of rebellion and unification and recite a Walt Whitman poem? No? K, well re-watch(or just plain watch) the movie.. I think I'm going to have to re-watch it because it's been over 10 years and I need a refresher.  But when I heard this track pop up in a set  it reeeeally took me back. Its by Pan-Pot, who are this pretty cool duo from Berlin who apparently love cookware, and Walt Whitman.

Pan-Pot - Captain, My Captain(Rodriguez jr. Remix)

You'd think after the amount of dance music I've listened to I would be used to the ludicrous lengths of some of the intros before the song really gets going. Well, I'm not. I know why it's there.  And I fully am ok with like 45 seconds to a minute of oonts oonts oonts until the trak gets going so the dj can cue everything up blah blah ya I get it... but Carl Craig. You sir have just pushed me over the edge. 5 minutes and 45 seconds. Are you kiddin' me?! Lucky for you, you're Carl Craig, and that as usual this remix is pretty killer. So be warned, this one is over 10 minutes long but theres nothing all that cool going on until 5:45. Dude from Hot Chip's voice... love it.

Hot Chip - One Life Stand(Carl Craig Remix)

Also I just have to mention how friggin' cool it is to look at the stats when you operate a blog.  As my mother could attest to, I am a geek for statistics. So seeing everyday that I get 4 hits from Russia, and The Netherlands and Germany etc etc its pretty awesome. Also that close to 70% of those people are Mac users.. well my heart swells a little. :)  So, thanks subscribers! :)

Thursday, November 24, 2011

something to Think About..(it)

keeping up with posting everyday caught up with me apparently! work and life can sometimes be damned inconveniences.  But here we are again with a day off and time to get caught up on things, I've decided to do the fun stuff first(posting here) and leaving the not so fun stuff for later(cleaning the floors & bathroom).

Its the second time this track and these artists have appeared on the Mooonboots, well sort of.  See the track IS featured in the Matthew Dear set, and I quite enjoy it.  I know I've heard it before and now that I know who the track is by and who its remixed by I'm pretty sure Maceo Plex played it here in Toronto at Wrongbar back in September.

Martin Dawson feat. Nicholas Ryan Gant - Think About It (Maceo Plex remix)

I'm sure a lot of people know the Solomun remix of Around by Noir & Haze, and with good reason. Its gorgeous. I came across a new remix of it done by Subb-an.  As the story goes it was meant to be kind of a white label for a few select people(ie: Noir, Subb-an and some friends), but they gave it out to a few others.  Next thing you know Seth Troxler & Jamie Jones drop it at the DC10 closing party in Ibiza and apparently they got bombarded with demands to release it. So here she is.

Noir & Haze - Around (Subb-an remix)

Now what am I gonna make for dinner?

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

baked.

I'm fairly certain everyone in the World knows the song "White Horse" by Laidback. You know, "if you want it right. Ride the white horse" with a big heavy funky bassline. Its dirty. Its about heroin and sex and probably other things too but what shocked the Hell out of me about a year ago was learning that Laidback were two white guys from Denmark who were producing this amazing hard funk/cool dance stuff in the early 80s. WHAT?!?! White guys made that music?!?! Mad props to Denmark for that one.  So when I came across  a Soul Clap remix of another Laidback track called "Bakerman" I had to have it.  Also of note, the video for Bakerman's original release in 1989 was directed by Lars Von Triers, and its rather hilarious. Check it out.

Laidback - Bakerman (Soul Clap remix)

Monday, November 21, 2011

SUNday

It was an absolutely gorgeous November day here in Toronto... a rather shocking 14 degrees! So keeping it short 'n sweet.

I don't really think Paul McCartney needs much of an introduction. This is from his "Wings" days and its been given a nice little downtempo-disco'd up vibe courtesy of Jimi Bazzouka. Perfect for chillin on a Sunday for those of you that are.

Paul McCartney - Let 'em In (Jimi Bazzouka edit)


And here's a set I've been loving this past week or so. My friend Josh sent this over and at first I didnt even bother to give it a listen.  I figured a 2 and a half hour Matthew Dear set would be likely a little bit too abrasive for me at the moment...but wow.  Its gorgeous melodic and deep. just how i like it.. and the last hour gets a little harder. Its kind of perfect to just have thumping along in the background while you're working away on something. Recorded live from the Electric Pickle in Miami(best club name I've heard in a while!!) on October 22nd, so pretty current.

Matthew Dear Live @ The Electric Pickle, Miami (22-10-11)

Saturday, November 19, 2011

mind blowing musical trajectories.

So i told myself yesterday that maybe I wouldn't post anything on the weekend, but its my day off today and theres just too much great music in the World.  Like actually have you ever thought about all the songs you know, or better still: all the music you hear out at a club that you DON'T know.. then you start looking into who those artists are, and who the remixers are and blah blah blah all of a sudden your mind is blown. Well mine is anyway. I bet if every person in the world listened to music nonstop for a year there would still be music that some of us haven't heard.... yup blown again.

On that note, heres some maybe you haven't heard! If you're lucky maybe it will blow your mind.

This one is from defected Records, arguably one of the most important House labels out there and a pretty iconic name in dance music.  Joris Voorn's stuff that I've heard was usually a bit more tech sounding than this but i like it. It reminds me of "dj you've got my love" by richard dinsdale which, I also love and coincidentally, is also a defected track.

Arthur Baker feat Jimmy Somerville - I Believe In Love (Joris Voorn vocal mix)

I was totally going to post another track here but I had my iTunes playing as I wrote this and ever notice how with good quality headphones on you pick up so much more in tracks than you do when its just playing on a system(unless its a great system..)?  Its full of these fantastic weird little noises, but doesn't come off sounding too busy...dig it.

Johnwaynes feat. Stee Downes - Belong To Me (Original mix)

Ever wonder what would happen if you locked Prince, Peter Gabriel & Cassius(who I LOVE) into a recording studio and told them they couldn't come out until they produced something together? I have... and then I heard this and realized someone already had that idea too and actually did it!-And yes that "A" is supposed to be a capital... he's French.

SebastiAn feat. Mayer Hawthorne - Love In Motion

Friday, November 18, 2011

YAY Weekend!

Hey there Friday, how are you?  It's been way too long.  Since I'm a waiter and my restaurant of employ is open on weekends the weekend doesn't mean as much to me in the usual regard as it does for most of the rest of the population.  But it does mean clubs are open for business, which means I might just be out dancing.  This weekend I plan on checking out "Main Street House" @ Fly nightclub on Saturday. Fly is a gay bar which usually plays circuit/tribal stuff which isn't really my cup of tea. It's lowest common denominator dance music as far as I'm concerned(Dance Music for Dummies?). But every now and then they do these nights where they bring in some house & tech djs to shake things up a little but and show the gays what dance music is supposed to be all about.- Hallelujah!
This weekend its Addy, Ticky Ty & Chris Ink. dope lineup for sure.

But enough about talking about music. What's that quote:"dancing about architecture"? ya, "talking about music is like dancing about architecture." love it.  So I've made a new musical pal in Leeds, UK who seems to be able to have his hands on music well ahead of the release date, take for example the new Maya Jane Coles EP that Marko sent me this morning.  Its due out in December, and if you like her stuff you'll love this. Here is a sample of what you'll find there (also notice I figured out how to post links embedded in text-yup I'm that new to this..):

Maya Jane Coles - Cutting It Fine

Btw- I went to see Maya Jane Coles here a little while ago at Wrongbar, and shes about the size of a feather... but she did turn out a pretty sweet nice of tunes, and i LOVE her productions so far.

If you want something with a bit more bite for your weekend, like I do, try this sucka on for size.  I'm not shy about my love for Green Velvet, and Quentin Harris, well he's a legend. This is the best remix I've heard of this track which i already loved. BONUS!

Green Velvet feat Russoul - Millie Vanillie (Quentin Harris Dub)

Happy Dancing y'all. Also, check out Marko's blog. its listed here in the ones I follow.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Critics.. don't you love 'em?

I just got in from a rather wacky night at work; I'm a waiter and I frequently have wacky nights so its no bigs, just a couple interesting tables.. one of which got me on the gin....lemme tell you somethin'.  Hendricks, neat, is god damn delicious! Who knew?! So now i feel like dancing.. and those of you that know me, know that is hardly a newsflash.  For the past 4 or  5 months when that mood hits I've had one solid go-to-guy: Maceo Plex a.k.a Eric Estornel a.k.a Maetrik. Everything he touches is gold. Including his new track "Stop Your Hate".  Apparently he has had enough of shitty reviewers. Can't say as I blame him, with some of the remixes and productions he's had out this past year, dancefloors everywhere should be shaking the man's hand. Heres why.

Maceo Plex - Stop Your Hate (Original mix)

Maceo Plex - Falling


I don't really know jack about this next guy. And this is all I've heard from him. But its a fun house track with a great, laid back old school vibe to it. A fun easy-breezy tune that really ought to put a smile on your face :) As if Maceo didn't look after that already..

Bubba - Dance With Me

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

vacation time?

As i sit at my desk, fully mowin' hard on the best omelette of life(leek, cream cheese and smoked salmon- smoked by my friend Josh's dad!) and listen to the timeless classic "beau mot plage" by isolee, I realize that I really should be on vacation, say in the South of France, eating this omelette.  Surely it would be more delicious, non? but that ain't happenin. But if I were sitting on a boardwalk in St-Tropez this is probably what I would be listening to.

Martin Dawson - Is This Goodbye (Tale Of Us remix)


but lets be honest...If I've just gone all the way to France for a damn omelette, I'm somewhat obliged to visit the White Isle... that's Ibiza, rookie. Ibiza is that hedonistic place you've been hearing about since you discovered House music... where all the top clubs and DJs in the world are, oh and it sits in the middle of the sea between Spain & Africa. Oh ya, and all the people are beautiful. damn Spaniards.  When I was in Ibiza last year this was the song that was on repeat on my iPod, and it will always remind me of the Sun setting on Sa Trinxa beach bar. *tear*

A:xus - Suite Disappointment (Pete Heller vocal mix)

Monday, November 14, 2011

Harvest Moon(boots)- its Monday.. and I'm already over it.

Not like I had a stressful weekend or anything, far from it in fact. But man, sometimes you wake up and think that it would be okay to just stay in bed all day. And its actually my day off.. I miss the time when having a day off meant you did nothing, instead of used it to do the stuff you didnt do during the rest of the week.  Maybe this'll put me in a better mood? A gorgeous, sun-soaked, chilled cover version of Neil Young's Harvest Moon, done by California's "Poolside".  A duo whose poolside based recording studio is turning out lots of this..

Poolside - Harvest Moon (Neil Young cover)


K so that didnt exactly get me in a better mood, or rather even resolved to just deal with the day but maybe this will? Jarvis Cocker, in my mind, is one of the great geniuses of our time. A modern David Bowie, with more tongue-in-cheek, anti-establishment, slippery vocals than you can shake a stick at.  From when he was Pulp's front man to his more recent work as a solo artist, nobody can touch the Jarv.  Im waiting (rather impatiently) for the day either his solo tour or the Pulp reunion tour come my way!  But in the meantime here are two rather shining examples of his solo work.

Jarvis Cocker - Running The World

Jarvis Cocker - I Never Said I Was Deep



That actually did help shake it :) thanks Jarv.  but now i need some sexy beats to get me going. Its time for a lil way back, playback action.  Now I know a lot of people that love this song... and I know a lot of people that hate this song. I fuckin love it. I know its got that stupid bit nearer the end with the talking.. but i don't care.  It takes me back to Halifax, Nova Scotia and the house scene of the late 90s early 00s(i refuse to call them the naughties... its dumb.). It reminds me of guys like Fat Devin and the other great DJs that were throwing great parties back then. Or just dancing around my livingroom with Tams. *sigh* nostalgia achieved.

Armand Van Helden - Flowerz

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Pisces loves Aquarius

So maybe its because I was born on the cusp of two signs(Aquarius & Pisces- but all Pisces y'all) but damn I love me some Aquarius. Especially Aquarius Heaven. He's this Caribbean dude now based out of Paris. Not Paris, Ontario or Paris, Texas... Paris, France.
He started out as a vocalist doing dancehall & reggae stuff but found electronic music when he moved to France and I am so glad he did. He and his producer, dOP make some pretty intense sounds, fuelled by a kind of minimal, hip-hop vibe, coupled with these vocals that are so rough and vulnerable sounding ..Instant fan.

Aquarius Heaven - Universe

Aquarius Heaven - Can't Buy Love

the jump off

So its post #1. I figure since I'm living in Toronto, why not start things off with a lil local flava.  It seems like at least once a month I found out about some new fantastic performer, producer or record label and oh, ya, they are from Toronto. It really feels like we've got something special going on here right now, like Montreal with all those Indie bands, house(or dance music producers in general) are killing it out of Toronto right now! So ya, good on ya! and even better for me. I get to go out and hear great new tunes on a regular basis...and now I get to share it with you.. whoever you are, that might follow this thing.

So first off, really I have no choice but to start with Azari & III (pronounced "third"). the Jamie Jones remix of their track "Hungry for the power" isn't really a party starter... it's a party destroyer! Nathan Barato dropped this sucker at Comfort Zone about a month ago and I (as well as everyone else who was there) actually hit the roof. if you've never been it has a low ceiling.

Azari & III Hungry For The Power (Jamie Jones Ridge Street Remix)



Next up is a guy I've heard a lot of lately but didnt really know anything about him.. and ya.. he's from Toronto too. James Teej. He runs a label called My Favourite Robot, and also releases under that name too.

My Favourite Robot - Forest Fires

I am still not totally convinced that this is going to actually work and that the songs are actually there...