Deep House Mix: Recorded Live 23/03/12

Here is a mix that was recorded live at Saturday Social in Wellington that features tracks by Mic Newman, Aeroplane, Eddie C and more. Shouts out to Jamie Christer and Vernon McCarthy for the gig.

Check the full track list here - http://serato.com/playlists/B_Lo2/saturday-social-3-24-2012

Mayer Hawthorne: Live @ San Francisco Bath House 14-02-12

Scratch 22 warms the anxious crowd with some Bill Withers as the time nears for Mayer Hawthorne to come onstage. The people here are almost as interesting as the music so far, as DJs mingle with jazz musicians, and homies, hipsters, and hotties populate the bar area in search of one last drink before heading closer to the stage. The night is clearly a special occasion for some, with those in the know dressed in slim fit suits, accompanied by ladies in throwback prints.

Hawthorne’s quartet burst through the room, their propulsive funk gleaming with the shine of punk energy. This isn’t a hobbled together group of session musicians looking for a buck, not at all; in fact it proves to be by the end of the night, a band with superior understanding and ability of how to decimate an audience.

I was initially skeptical about the thought of Hawthorne live. Would his voice hold up? Would the slick production and catchy songs transfer to a live set? Can a hip white boy really deliver pure soul music worth your time? After a shaky start, which took up only half of the first song, the Michigan born singer delivered a set which could be seen as some sort of dictionary definition of professionalism. Within a handful of songs Hawthorne’s charisma, call and response, and astonishing band had turn the large crowd into a frenzied pit of singing, dancing, clapping participants. Standouts were predictably the best songs from his recorded output, ‘Your Easy Lovin’, Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’ was delivered with a Commodores’ style stage dance, while the infectious ‘A Long Time’ drew probably the biggest response from the crowd, and ‘Green Eyed Love’ then showed the band at its most precise and effective. Throughout Hawthorne interacted with the audience with ease and charm, the composite front man, even if his voice was exposed at times during ballads as a little flat. Never once were his calls for hands in the air, or singing along to a chorus meet with any hesitation. Every song, joke, and recognition of the crowd was met with mild adoration.

The musicianship was a display of inspired discipline and considered flamboyance. The first half of set was a tightly programmed medley of floor fillers delivered with ridiculous efficiency, underpinned by the sort of rhythm and blues played by musicians whose influences are as broad as Allen Toussaint and Talking Heads. A switch into ballads isn’t completely successful, paling in comparison to what has come before. Towards the end of the show, Hawthorne confesses that he collapsed only an hour before the show, the effects of a busy schedule the cause. Onstage he jokes that it’s just because he’s “living like a rock star”, before continuing to perform. This proves the impetus for a huge finale, with the band showing an emphatic ability to deliver not only grooves, but also break into some impressive solos as they brought the intensity in the room up to boiling point, finishing as they had with Hawthorne leaving the stage first, his band winding things down just as they had warmed up.

Dubbel Dutch - Free MP3 and exclusive mix for URB!

Got this great little package from FACT magazine in the mail, which features the latest remix from the Austin, Texas based New Yorker Dubbel Dutch, who has been fusing funky, old school house and rave into his own suitably unique productions for Palm Out Sounds. An unreleased mix of Planet Mu signing Parson, this cut is destined for anthem status, and is kindly available for 7 days. So get it while you can.

You can check Dubbel Dutch’s latest EP HERE, and make sure you head over to the always interesting FACT website, which features loads of great interviews, plus the magazine’s infamous mixtape series, whose latest edition is from UK band These New Puritans.

Download: Parson – I Rep The Dirty Sound (Dubbel Dutch remix)

A track from the 'Throwback' EP-


As a bonus check out this downloadable mix for URB magazine HERE. Tracklisting and details available by following the link. Much thanks to URB!

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