Best of the Week: 07/07/2010

There aren’t enough good donuts here in New Zealand, and here in Wellington they really are seemingly nonexistent. The perfect mid-winter treat with a nice cup of espresso, why can’t we get good donuts round ‘ere? We are saturated with just about every other brand so why can’t we at least get a Krispy Kreme here or there to solve a glazed-donut craving. Anyway in the meantime, here are some musical donuts to chew on.

Taken from the soon to be released, ‘Strange Weather, Isn’t It’ LP on Warp Records, this track demonstrates what I love about Chk Chk Chk, with abstract rock shapes underpinned by a phenomenally funky rhythm. As always this is an essential piece of indie with disco tinges and acts as an indicator of another interesting album on the horizon/Download: !!! (Chk Chk Chk) – AM/FM



Another lead single for a much anticipated album, Chromeo’s latest is one of their best songs yet, and hopefully we can expect the same from ‘Business Casual’ when it is released later this month. This Takes the duo’s satirical r&b sound to new heights with superior production and songwriting/Download: Chromeo – Don’t Turn the Lights On



With his second release on Boys Noize Records, Parisian Djedjotronic is fast establishing himself as a go-to man for slamming electro. Taken from the EP of the same name, this features the sort of production you’d normally associate with Jesse Rose or Riva Starr/Download: Djedjotronic – Bit This Thin Pt. 2



Truly a unique artist and performer, Mr. Oizo has crafted a niche for his own abstract blend of electro house and the avant-garde. His latest project is the film ‘Rubber’, which follows the story of a car tire’s daily life, and features a soundtrack recorded in collaboration with Justice’s Gaspard Auge. If that isn’t enough, the 12" single also features an amazingly weird remix from another one of a kind, Flying Lotus/Download: Mr. Oizo & Gaspard Auge – Rubber (Flying Lotus ‘Unprotected Sex’ remix)



Madrid based label Lovemonk have seemingly uncovered one of the best new disco acts for some time with the trio Space Ranger, who feature members of Dublex Inc., and deliver the sort of sample based beat odyssey you would normally associate with the likes of Rayko, Todd Terje or The Revenge/Download: Space Ranger – Phase Fever




Get your music from these great stores-Picadilly, Bleep, Rush Hour, Conch, and Samurai.

Mixtape Madness - Stuff to dance to

Just thought I’d share a couple of amazing mixes from two of my favorite producers going around right now. Some of you may already have them, but I’ve been thrashing both these mixes so much I felt they needed to be heard by everyone else, so enjoy!

ROSKA

In an exclusive mix for the Sonar festival and Sonar Radio, UK funky innovator Roska shows why he is the man at the forefront of the progressive movement within the genre. Featuring unreleased material alongside a few of Roska’s recent self-titled LP cuts, the mix also features a couple of garage classics for good measure. You can stream the mix and check out the Sonar blog HERE.

Roska – Sonar Mix 2010

Martyn & Dbridge - These Words (Roska's Speechless Mix)
Zinc - Nexx!
Roska & Jamie George - Love 2 Nite
Crazy Cousinz - Always Be My Baby
Roska - Jackpot
Deadboy - If U Want Me
Roska - Squark
Dj Naughty - Firepower
Roska Ft. Anesha - I Need Love
Laidback Luke - Step By Step (Roska Edit)
Roska & Jamie George - Wonderful Day
Zinc - Blunt Edge
Geeneus & Dynamite - Get Low (Roska Special)
Roska - Tomorrow Is Today
Bingo Players - When I Dip
Youtam Avni - Coke Bouquet
Fingaprint - It's On You
Brackles - El Gordos


Download: Roska – 2010 mix




GIRL UNIT

Having featured on L-Vis 1990 and Bok Bok’s Night Slugs label, South East London’s Girl Unit is a young talent showing much promise with his debut release ‘I.R.L.’, a cut that blends old school rave style breaks with an innovative modern touch. This mix for the absolutely essential FACT magazine delivers those same ingredients, and features loads of exclusive unreleased material. Check out the mix over at FACT’s website HERE.

Girl Unit - Fact mix 154 (May 2010)

Mista Men – Lengthy Riddim
Jay R Revlon – African Runway
Machinedrum – Carry the Weight (Bok Bok remix)
Mauser – Jack Orchestra
Dubbel Dutch – Throwback
Girl Unit – I.R.L (DVA’s Hi Emotions remix)
50 Cent ft. Justin Timberlake – Ayo Technology (Instrumental, Prod. Timbaland)
Pirate Soundsystem – Dub N U (Girl Unit remix)
Gemmy – Dolla Digital
Optimum – Crash Riddim
Japanese Telecom – The Making of Ultraman
Girl Unit – Shade On
Terror Danjah – Sidechain
Dubbel Dutch – Madloopz
De Schuurman – Nu Ga Je Danse
Aaliyah – R U That Somebody (Brenmar’s Windy City remix)
Addison Groove – Nautilus
La’ Chat – Smoke Junt
Girl Unit – Showstoppa
Chrissy Murderbot – I Believe In Love
DJ Rashad – Drop Juke Out
DJ Diamond – Gang Bangz
Cedaa – Tiffany


Download: Girl Unit – FACT mix May 2010

Best of the Week: 30/06/2010

Looking for a flat generally sucks. You so want it to be easy and perfect, yet this is almost unimaginable, let alone feasible. Oh well the trials and tribulations of shifting house, it is the kind of crap we all have to take sometimes, so why not see the funny side. Good luck on your next flat or room hunt. Here are some cool beats to play once you shift in.

French hip-hop producer Onra successfully undertakes the difficult task of making instrumental beats and pieces sound good without the raps. This almost Pete Rock-esque cut oozes is available on his recent Long Distance LP for Dublin label All City/Download: Onra-Send Me Your Love



Maryland based Maxmillion Dunbar makes beats that blend several genres but manage to retain a certain underground finesse. Check his new EP for the exceptional Ramp Recordings label here, and get a taster from his last release with this tasteful sample based cut/Download: Maxmillion Dunbar-Wouldn’t Matter



Belgian outfit Aeroplane are a duo no more, with one half apparently continuing to record under the name, while the other forges a new solo career. Fortunately the good news is that the final recording as a duo is one of their best, a slinky bit of new disco for fans of Lindstrom and Prins Thomas. Available now from Eskimo Recordings/Download: Aeroplane-We Can’t Fly



Two talented Brooklyn based producers on one tune, remixer Brenmar and songwriter Blondes are two worth keeping a close eye on as 2010 progresses. Check the Blondes EP Touched, out now on Merok Records/Download: Blondes-Spanish Fly (Brenmar remix)



Stunning remix from German deep house maestro Motor City Drum Ensemble of Domino Recordings group Archie Bronson Outfit, this reminds me of Basic Channel meeting Theo Parrish in the studio. Full of backwards beats and shuffling cymbals, it is a cut made especially for those very early hours of the morning/Download: Archie Bronson Outfit-Hoola (Motor City Drum Ensemble remix)



Get your music proper here: Picadilly, Bleep, Rush Hour, and Samurai.

Best of the Week: 23/06/2010

The priorities of University required a little break from the Girl Trouble blog. Now that the exams are finished it must be time for another best of the week, or more like the best music of the last month. For that very reason there is loads to enjoy, with Polish funky, house music from L.A., disco oddities and much more...

Coming with limited details and an unknown artist on edit/production duties, this deceptively simple slice of cosmic disco is finding its way into the right DJ’s record boxes. Fans of Todd Terje or Lindstrom will love this record. Available now on the International Feel label/Download: Unknown-Turmerica

From the recent Mickey Moonlight EP of the same name on French label Ed Banger, this cut is far more subtle and groove orientated than the likes of Justice and Sebastian, but just as appealing. The live sounding bass and subdued vocals give this tune a certain touch of class/Download: Mickey Moonlight-Love Pattern

With a weird science fiction intro and stuttering electro beat, I was surprised to find Morgan Geist on the remix credit, the Environ Records boss taking the original on a journey into almost Kraftwerk-like territory. Another essential release from I’m A Cliché/Download: Bot’Ox-Overdrive (Morgan Geist remix)

House music from Los Angeles, SECT is a collaborative affair between four up and coming producers who have featured on hip tech-house labels Dirtybird and Airdrop previously, and deliver trippy beats and samples that remind me of labels like Tirk and Permanent Vacation/Download: SECT-Thieve $krilla

Far removed from the R&B influenced garage you’d expect from MJ Cole, the Riddim EP features tough beats full of bleeps and pulsing basslines, this cut is my favorite across the four tracks but they are all outstanding. A great record for the open minded DJ/Download: MJ Cole-Flux Riddim

Another essential piece of music from Dublin based All City Records, former Detroit duo Houseshoes now call Los Angeles home, but still deliver the sort of beats you’d associate with Motor City legends Slum Village. Taken from All City’s L.A. series Vol.4, and released on 10” vinyl/Download: Houseshoes-Newports

After releases for Mule Musiq and Compost, Portuguese duo Johnwaynes deliver their best record yet for Endless Flight, supplying tech-house filled with disco touches and Moodymann-like slow and funky beats, this is also available on their Soundcloud page/Download-Johnwaynes-Get Up (Just John mix)

Available on the digital version of the ‘Phaze: One’ EP, out now on Tempa Records, this cut identifies with all the things that make Benga such a fascinating producer; intricate dubstep beats, melancholic Aphex-style textures, and mutant basslines/Download: Benga-Transform

Bristol label Black Acre continue to solidify their reputation with another killer release, this time Dark Sky stars with a cut that sounds a lot like the recent output of contemporaries Scuba and Pinch, with funky rhythms creeping in on the Detroit-like atmospherics and subsonic bass/Download: Dark Sky-Something to Lose

The jury is out on Kelis’ recent output, but this remix Paris-based duo Acid Washed seems to suit her vocal perfectly, somehow reminding me of Giorgio Moroder’s production for Donna Summer. Not many details available on this one so perhaps it is a bootleg/Download: Kelis-Acapella (Acid Washed remix)

Fresh from the Trouble and Bass label, this cut showcases an outstanding remix from the ever improving L-Vis 1990, and features a trademark half-time intro and banging broken rhythm. The EP also comes with a Brackles rework of this Krakow-based producer/Download: Supra 1-Still Believe feat. Amy Douglas (L-Vis 1990 remix)

South East London’s Hardhouse Banton has been a favourite with me since hearing his awesome funky anthem ‘Sirenz’, so this remix from the man of the moment Roska seems destined for goodness, and damn does it deliver with a combination of tough beats and smooth textures working a treat. Released as an internet freebie only, get yours now/Download: Hardhouse Banton-Reign (Roska’s ‘ard Food remix)

Another Polish outfit, the city Krakow is turning into a new hotbed of talented producers; Teezy & Zeppy deliver a wobbly slice of quirky funky tinged house music. This is a free download sourced from XLR8R magazine, but be on the lookout for an upcoming release on Top Billin’/Download: Teezy & Zeppy-MTP Riddim

Recent collaborations with Ginz and Cosmin TRG show that Baobinga is a producer is much demand right now, and with twisted post-garage beats like this it is not hard to see why. Releasing tracks since 2002, this is out on his own Build Recordings/Download: Baobinga-Ride It

Clever name, and equally clever music, the mysterious Tiger & Woods deliver a slice of disco-house that doesn’t try and get to musical, preferring to tighten up the groove and lay down the fatback funk. Available as a limited white label release on Editainment/Download: Tiger & Woods-Deflowered

Swiss producer Secondo follows releases on Soul Jazz and Dreck Records with this catchy remix of UK trio Kinema. Blessed with perfectly placed percussion and warm rising pads, this cut reminds me of recent outings from The Revenge and Henrik Schwarz/Download: Kinema-Circles (Secondo remix)

Portuguese producer Roulet gets remixed by Londoner Girl Unit, both producers recently featuring with DJ mixes for FACT magazine. This is sub exploding foot stomping goodness, kind of like hearing ‘92 era hardcore reborn all over again, but with better production and ideas/Download: Roulet-Kitamanda (Girl Unit remix)


Get your music here-Picadilly, Bleep, Rush Hour, Conch, and Samurai

Best of the Week: 12/05/2010

Pushing boundaries until there are no longer any barriers in between, post-modern dance music is full of contrasting connections, and hypocritical eccentricities. This week we bring you a crop of new school club beats that don’t identify with the norm, are hard to pigeonhole and bend the rules and clichés, delivering music that excites the senses and shatters your misconceptions.

Another triumph from Bok Bok and L-Vis 1990’s constantly interesting ‘Night Slugs’ label, this is probably the best release so far, hotly tipped newcomer Girl Unit has come up with a staggering mixture of old school rave and new school programming/Download: Girl Unit-I.R.L.



Very little subtlety about this collaboration, but if banging rave with freaky techno overtones is your thing, then there really is nothing better. Erol Alkan and Boys Noize have conjured up a beast that lurks the dance floor in the wee hours looking for the next willing victim/Download: Boys Noize & Erol Alkan-Avalanche



Good cheesy fun that will surely make even the most wary get their dancing shoes on. German’s Malente & Dex are remixed here by Berlin’s man of the moment Shir Khan, hints of Latin guitar add humor value to a frenetic party tune ideal for fans of Sound Pellegrino and Made to Play/Download: Malente & Dex-Habibi (Shir Khan remix)



This beautiful synth-laden cut came out a little while back, but Deadboy has been making such an impression lately that I’ve been listening to this all week. Check out the original EP out on Well Rounded here/Download: Deadboy-Heartbreaker



The legendary DJ Harvey has been mixing records since the eighties, and alongside Andrew Weatherall and Greg Wilson played a huge part in creating the modern disco scene. This slinky piece of late night shuffle shows that in 2010 he is as relevant as ever. Out now on International Feel/Download: Locussolus-Gunship



Fresh on the ever reliable Planet Mu, Swindle’s first official release follows in a similar vein to the likes of Ikonika or Falty DL, matching garage style beats to Warp Records like electronics. The results are essential/Download: Swindle-Daredevil



This much hyped artist is expected to do big things in 2010, and this brilliant mix of piano, disco and banging electro is a great start. Chilly Gonzales has come up with a truly addictive piece of musical oddness. Out on Riton’s impeccable Phantasy Sound imprint/Download: Chilly Gonzales-Never Stop



Get your music here: Picadilly, Bleep, Rush Hour, Conch, and Samurai.

Best of the Week: 05/05/2010

This week our dedication is fairly obvious. Mums are cool, and deserve our absolute adoration. Let’s face it, the unconditional love that Mums all over the world give help us to get through the dark moments and bad times, and are always there to celebrate the magic of life and our grandest times. So this week the selection is for all the Mums out there, let your hair down and have a boogie, your sons and daughters will love you even more for it. It is your time to celebrate.

Italian producer Bottin is a firm favorite of this blog, his releases and remixes on labels like Italians Do It Better and Tirk have established him as one of the more reliable artists making new disco right now. This collaboration with Rodion features all of his hallmark touches; impeccable bassline, loads of reverb and delay, completed by catchier than catchy melody. Out now on Bear Funk/Download: Bottin & Rodion-Galli (Give It Up)

Incredibly talented London based producer Leo Zero is establishing himself as one of the most adventurous and accomplished disco/Balearic beat makers working today. Part of a package of remixer’s that includes producers The Revenge, Jayou, and Alex Metric, this is funk laden piece of cosmic disco thoughtfully interpolates Kenneth Bager’s already impeccable slice of deep house/Download: Kenneth Bager-I Can’t Wait (Leo Zero remix)

Another outrageously good edit from New Yorker Jacques Renault, whom we only just featured last week, but when you hear something this deep and funky surely the only option is to dance through the middle of the night/Download: Jacques Renault-In the Middle of the Night

Deeper than the darkest trench, this amazing piece of abstract techno slowly builds into a lush ambient arrangement full of soft pads and wooden hits. Available from his Soundcloud page, this is an essential piece of electronica from newcomer’s xxxy. Check their new EP here/Download: xxxy-Save Our Souls

Absolute anthem alert, big-room house music’s man of the moment Riva Starr, takes Dennis Ferrer’s garage inspired classic, and gives it the treatment. Using the vocal to key effect, the Italian has laid down a remix that builds and builds before exploding into horns, bells and whistles. Can’t wait to hear this on the sort of sound system that truly does it justice/Download: Dennis Ferrer-Hey Hey (Riva Starr’s Paradise Garage remix)

Noisemaker extraordinaire Sinden meets distinctive newcomer SBTRKT on this massive piece of bass debauchery. Think of an enormous sonic wall of sound matched to skipping garage style beats and you’re half way there. Check out the rest of the EP here/Download: Sinden & SBTRKT-Midnight Marauder

Improving upon his own original, our favorite dubstep producer, Joker, comes up trumps once again. Adding melancholic beauty to the digital noise and distorted bass which make this artist so exciting and unique/Download: Joker-Tron (VIP mix)

Easily the most exciting producer working in UK funky right now, Roska was originally a 2-step MC who moved into beatmaking. This explains his amazing vocal arrangements, but it is also his broken rhythms and crafted bleeps that make this a producer for anyone with an interest in electronic music to enjoy/Download: Roska-Love 2 Nite feat. Jamie George

Back with a two EP set entitled ‘Sleep Less’ on his own Made To Play label, Jesse Rose is a master of simple tech-house bangers that make dancefloors meltdown, and this new cut with its freaky looped vocal snippet and deceptive drops fits that formula perfectly/Download: Jesse Rose-(Where Were You) Last Night

Get your music here: Picadilly, Bleep, Rush Hour, Conch, Samurai.

Best of the Week: 28/04/2010

The likelihood of you enjoying your current employment is highly improbable, or is that you just don’t get paid enough for the job you do? Generally working sucks, at least when compared to clubbing, DJ’ing and listening to music, which of course is paid for by money made from working? Um, catch-22! So this week the selection is dedicated to all the people who have held down shit jobs to pay for their weekend’s entertainment.

If haunted house music is your thing then it doesn’t come any better than Actress, whose own label Werk Discs, has released a steady flow of adventurous singles that mutate dance into an altogether different beast. This is taken from the upcoming LP ‘Splazsh’, released by Honest Jon’s/Download: Actress-Always Human

South Londoner Boy 8-Bit has that ability to fuse banging dance floor beats with melancholy harmonies, and in the process is creating some of the more interesting electro going around. Released on This Is Music, this acid fueled roller is absolutely essential/Download: Boy 8-Bit-The Keep

The discordant beauty of Pantha Du Prince’s minimal techno is almost staggering, building sculptures out of loops and reverb. This remix of indie band Cold Cave draws you into its dark heart with glistening shapes and hollow pipes/Download: Cold Cave-Life Magazine (Pantha Du Prince First Flash remix)

Half of the brilliant Runaway, New Yorker Jacques Renault also puts out some stunning production and edits under his own name. This cut is from a new EP for the mysterious On The Prowl label, and manages to take in new disco, old school techno stabs, and warehouse bass/Download: Jacques Renault-Miranda

In a similar same vein as Joy Orbison or Scuba, London’s Deadboy is making future garage that bends the clichés, and matches funky rhythms with the rich atmospherics of Detroit techno. Available now on Numbers/Download: Deadboy-If U Want Me

Taken from a collection of reworks by Italian producer Bottin released by Nang Records, this remix of cosmic disco don Lindstrom has a trademark bass riff to die for, and a lush swagger of synth washes/Download: Lindstrom-Passkelyd (Bottin remix)

Perhaps the most innovative figure in funky, Roska is a forward-thinking producer whose tracks have the playful jack of early Chicago house, and staggered rhythms of the broken beat scene. This is taken from his new LP out on Rinse Recordings/Download: Roska-Squark

The latest DJ/producer to provide a mix for the DJ Kicks banner, The Juan MacLean continue their stellar run over the last year, following on from the brilliant ‘The Future Will Come’ LP with this killer indie disco tune, available as a limited release alongside the album version(s)/Download: The Juan MacLean-Feel So Good

Another excellent rework from the ever improving Texan Dubbel Dutch, taking dubstep star Silkie’s already inspiring post-jungle vision further towards the dance floor/Download: Silkie-Quasar (Dubbel Dutch edit)

With his distinctive voice and conscious lyrics, Ty has delivered a body of work that is both accessible and completely single-minded. This track is the title cut from his new LP, which takes in hip-hop, soul and r&b, and is out now on BBE/Download: Ty-Special Kind of Fool feat. Erik Rico


Get these releases here: Picadilly, Bleep, Rush Hour, Conch, and Samurai.