In this week's Round Up: Knights, Slovakians, and Chameleons! Let's goooo.
Andy Riley (of Inland Knights)
Live in San Antonio, Texas
Since I've started writing for DPC, I've wanted to somehow feature Inland Knights in some capacity. Problem is, these guys rarely release mixes, let alone live recordings. That patience paid off last week as a live set from Andy Riley popped up on their official Soundcloud. Color me giddy. Together with his partner-in-crime Laurence Ritchie, Riley has been a steady purveyor of groovy, unabashedly fun house music since the late 90's. This experience, coupled with excellent track selection and a knack for whipping crowds into frenzies, makes these guys a must-see/hear whenever I see the name pop up. Inland Knights' approach to electronic music is not inclusive or needlessly emotive and complex. Instead, it seems like these two U.K. natives want everyone to join in on the party. This sense of warmth and barely-concealed joy gives their sets, productions, and remixes a levity that's exceedingly rare in House these days, and impossible to ignore.
It's been a long time, and I shouldn't have left you. Whether you're braving the I-95 corridor or waiting for the person in front of you to grasp the subtleties of airport security instructions, here's some tunes to shake you out of your tryptophan coma.
Noir Music Podcast November 2012: Tapesh
We start off this special Thanksgiving edition of the Round Up with an artist whose popularity has skyrocketed in the past few months - Germany's own Tapesh. Releasing off heavyweight labels like Defected, Noir, ALiVE, and Suara, Tapesh has garnered a sterling reputation for inventive, playful production that pulls from all corners of the musical spectrum. His taste for samples - from 90's hip-hop to funk and R&B - is second to none, making Tapesh's originals and remixes instantly accessibile and dangerously addictive. He's found kindred spirits lately in the form of Bunny Tiger's Sharam Jey and LouLou Records boss Kolombo. Their collaborations together have been shaking dance floors for the past couple of months with no signs of slowing down. This mix for Noir Music dips between heavy, industrial tracks and bouncy, upbeat house, punctuated by a fondness for hi-hat and percussive breakdowns. Head-bopping material for sure.
This Round Up is an amalgamation of old and new - my apologies if you’ve heard and re-heard any of the oldie mixes. At least the Drippings are always fresh :). Without further ado..
Della Zouch - ALiVE Recordings Podcast
This first mix comes to us straight from the heart of London, courtesy of Della Zouch. A decade-long veteran in the U.K. House scene, Zouch has just recently begun to break out a little with stellar releases and remixes off Kote Records and ALiVE Recordings. His sound is pure London Deep House - furious hi-hats, spacey progressions, and rumbling basslines. His new Slow EP that dropped a couple of days ago is excellent, a track from which is featured on this mix. And what a mix it is - great selection and mixing, all showcasing Zouch’s penchant for melodic, rhythm-driven Deep House. Keep an eye out for this guy in the next couple months. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
In this week's Round Up: Manolo, more Karmon, and a nice side of Louche.
Tom Flynn - Junk Promo DJ Mix
Our first mix this week comes from Tom Flynn, a U.K. producer and DJ who’s been rapidly ascending into the house scene’s consciousness with stellar releases and remixes. After being named “Best Break Through Producer of 2010” by Pete Tong in 2010, things have not slowed down for Mr. Flynn. His releases off Dirtybird, Mobilee, Hypercolour, etc. have been, almost without exception, great; from churning, in-your-face house to melodic, complex soundscapes, Flynn does it all. This promo mix is a great encapsulation of his sound and his talents as a DJ. Flynn’s mixing and track selection borders on frantic at times as he regularly switches from techno to house to breakbeat to almost electro. He never dips his whole foot in any of these genres though, always pulling out right as the listener is getting comfortable with one sound or groove. It’s great to see a mix where the artist isn’t afraid to yank the listener by the ear, refuse to get stale, and be totally comfortable with taking risks.
In this week's Round Up: Romania, Noir Music, throwing things, drippings and more Diynamic! Yay!
David August - Diynamic Neon Promo Mix
Surprise! Diynamic being featured again. You
guys better get used to it, because I don’t think they’re going anywhere.
Hailing from Berlin, David August is another example of Diynamic’s knack for
scooping up young, insanely talented producers and giving them a platform to
shine from. It’s always fun for me (and I hope for ya’ll) to listen to a
mix that truly expresses an artist’s musical voice and character. The inside of
David August’s head is a stormy place, and this mix is unequivocally David
August. Unlike the majority of promo mixes, this one is borderline meditative –
August has no problem slowing down the tempo and letting his tracks fully
breathe. There’s a haunting, almost remorseful, edgeto a good deal of his selections. Even some
of the more upbeat tracks are underpinned with a melancholy bassline or vocal
track. One gets the sense that every single one was picked with a purpose in
mind, and August’s ability to convey that through his mixing is a testament to
the youngster’s skill. Draw the blinds for this one.
Looking for a new mix to get you through the day? Need some
inspiration to get up and get moving this weekend? More importantly, need more
Dance Party? Starting this week, DPC will aim to highlight and disseminate some
of our favorite mixtapes, podcasts, and EP releases from across the wide world of
EDM, including our own backyard. Your personal curator for this intergalactic
journey is new staff writer Sam Warren, a NY-to-D.C. transplant who listens to
far too much of this stuff to be healthy. Each week, Sam will break down a
handful of mixes in the hope that, somehow, somewhere, a booty will be shaken
due to his efforts.
If you are a regular reader and follower of DPC, you know that we are huge fans of Business Casual Disco. We've featured them on the blog before, watched them do their thing in DC at The Black Cat, and even took a nice stroll to the Lincoln Memorial with them. Basically, what I'm trying to say... is that we are totally best friends.
This past week, Business Casual Disco dropped their fourth mix, "First Class Essentials", and I cannot tell you enough how appropriate the title is. You know how they tell you not to judge a book by its cover? Because it’s rude or something? Well, I think it's safe to say that you can and should judge this "book" by its cover.
Awesome mix title? Yes.
Airplane shot with suspiciously-looking whiskey drink in hand? Yes.
Intriguing track list? Yes.
This mix is most definitely essential. Meaning that it is absolutely necessary in your life.
I could liken it to slap bracelets, the genius combination of peanut butter + chocolate, or Adidas Superstars again, but I think that this mix is essential (see what I did there?)... Like the power move you make at 3am by drinking a glass of water before going to bed to soften your impending hangover. Or deciding to press that snooze button one more time in the morning before work - even if it means that you're haphazardly throwing on the first thing that looks like it matches in your closet. Or ordering one two beers and a shot, (let's be real) before last call cause you know that it's... well, last call.
Today we want to keep you dance partiers up-to-date with the DPC happenings and share some exciting news (and a mix, of course!). We hope you enjoyed our second Summer Series GuestMix, by Satin Jackets, posted early this week. Judging by the pageviews, it’s quickly becoming one of our most popular! Look out for another exciting next installment toward the end of the month.
Speaking of things to look forward to, if you were unable to make it to Movement Festival (DEMF) this past weekend, we’ve got your back. Next week we’ll be providing some post-fest coverage. One half the DPC crew journeyed to the Motor City and back; risking life, limb, and sobriety to not only dance on your behalf, but to bring back a first hand account of their experience to share with us all. They’ve recouped and recovered and have been tirelessly piecing the weekend together. So stay tuned in next week for that.
We’ve been a little busy at DPC “offices” -Ha!-. Busy with the usual unrelenting search to find and share the music we love. Busy locking down exclusive content -*cough*Incoming on Monday*cough*.
This weekend, half of the DPC crew will be out in Detroit for Movement Electronic Music Festival (a.ka. DEMF) doing what we do best: dancing, partying, and chronicling. So, look forward to some great post-festival coverage when the gang returns. Meanwhile, look out for your DPC resident selector, Remote CTRL, to be making noise in the District all weekend (see: Events).
But you didn’t come for promises of dance parties. You came to get your Friday Fix, amirite? Today’s comes from the aptly named Disko! Selectors. It’s the 15th in their Serie Disko and comes by way of DJ called J.A.Z. The mix is a Disco and New Wave collision. It’s like a Donna Summers, Giorgio Moroder, and New Order love child, in DJ mix form. Most of the tracklist is beyond me, but I can say with certainty that there are gold and rarities throughout. It will be revealed next week however. In the meantime, just jam out to the spacey, funky Disco grooves J.A.Z. has put together for us.
**If you’re at DEMF and see a tall guy wearing DPC shirt, be sure to High-Five him. And if you’re looking for a dance party in D.C., let us point you to the dance floor.**
It's almost as if the Soundcloud and Dance Party Gods were looking down upon me after I published yesterday's post. And thank goodness for Soundcloud because I now have another new DJ that I can become obsessed with (!!!). Cue all my guy friend's groaning cause now I won't shut up about this one.
20 year old (!!!) David August is a house/deep house DJ/Producer from Berlin. As a child, August was a piano player and at the young age of 15, he began DJing. Only two years ago he released his first EP, and also has a residency at Diynamic's Club EGO. (source)
After looking at EGO's calendar of events - I find myself wanting to book a flight to Hamburg, Germany for some epic dance parties. Who wants to join me? More importantly, who wants to buy my plane ticket or sneak me in their suitcase?
August was the spotlight for Diynamic's Radioshow this past week, and did not disappoint. At numerous points I found myself backtracking to segues and peaks that were freaking amazing. And I'm not exaggerating either. Around the 8 minute mark "Supreme" by Doctor Dru & Adana Twins drops. Love the piano in it and it's simply soothing to me.
It really boggles my mind (probably out of slight jealousy) that people can actually put together tracks so seamlessly. Or seem to pick the right tracks that work and speak to people. I mean, don't mind me - I'm just your average Asian girl, I'll be over here...enjoying the music, dancing in the corner and taking some shots to the face while you're playing beautiful music.
The 17 minute marks Moullinex's happy song, "Sunflare", where I found myself singing along. And it starts to get going around 21 minutes as Slow Hands' track, "Kreuzberg Blues" hits which changes the tempo of the mix - and it is a w e s o m e. That's right, so awesome that it needed space in between it. Duh. I could go on and on about the different parts, but I will highlight the 37 minute mark which seems to be a favorite among the comments on Soundcloud. Me? I'm obsessed with it.
And if someone wants to find the song, I'm sure Rashad would be grateful because I was bugging him about it (via GChat) for about an hour yesterday as I kept asking him the difference between samples, edits, and music definitions I don't understand. I immediately recognized the sample which our friend, Mr. Bonkerz, has included in Volume 4 of his mixes. Rashad informed me it wasn't the same song - the track wasn't slowed down, and then explained musical lingo that I once again didn't understand (woops).
The mix rounds out nicely and another highlight of mine was at 48 minutes. Once it was over, it left me feeling a little sad. I hate and love when that happens because I want more! So I obliged my feelings and promptly listened to this mix 3 more times and decided this will now be the mix that I will be playing whenever people come over.
Sorry I'm not sorry but I'm pretty sure my taste in music is better - therefore I get to choose what goes on at all times. Though after taking one listen to this, I'm sure you wouldn't object to have this playing either.
PS - Does anyone else agree he is extremely good-looking? Because my hand is raised. PPS - Go Hokies! As you read this, I'm getting ready to head to Blacksburg for the first time in almost 2 years. Be happy for me, but also scared. Hello, Homecoming weekend full of awesome decisions. PPPS - What are you excited for this weekend?
I have been obsessed with Drop Out Orchestra since I began listening to them about a year and a half ago - and it's getting a little ridiculous. With each edit and mix they release, my love for DOO and DDPs gets bigger (if that is even possible). They just have this way of stringing together songs that create one large DDP orgy. I'll take 15, please.
I was able to listen to this mix last night via a friend that linked me to a website that had a stream - Thank you!!
The October Session Mix was amazing last night, and today is even better because I can follow along with the tracklisting! Hello, Down on the Corner - Drop Out Edit... you make me so happy. And the TLC song - flashback to 6th Grade and my love for "No Scrubs". I've listened to one other mix with this track in it - and I am a huge fan.
And I know the "When You're Dancing" track has been in so.many.mixes people may want to puke at the sight of it, but let's be real people, it's that good and you know it. Plus, Drop Out Orchestra's segue from "Casual Boogie" into the remix at 26 minutes was seamless.
With all of that being said, I will leave you with this:
PETITION TO BRING DROP OUT ORCHESTRA TO THE US - Specifically, DC. (!!!)
01. Sten & Stanley - Down On The Corner (Drop Out Edit) 02. Late Nite Tuff Guy - Not In Love Anymore 03. Small Pyramids - I Want Blood (Goldroom Remix) + TLC / Drop Out Edit 04. Cosmonauts - Cycle Eyes (Cosmonauts Summer Version) 05. Opiates - Reality TV (Drop Out Orchestra Dub) 06. Black Strobe - Boogie In Zero Gravity (Drop Out Orchestra Remix) 07. Casual Encounters - Casual Boogie 08. Gigamesh - When You're Dancing (Cassian Remix) 09. Moullinex & Xenobi - X Marks The Spot (Drop Out Orchestra Remix) 10. Pink Stallone feat. Joey Washington - Mine (Eddie Mars Remix) 11. Strange Talk - Eskimo Boy (Tim Fuchs Remix) 12. Clubfeet - Last Words (The C90s Remix) 13. Mustang - Shooting Love (Black Strobe Remix) 14. Crave Trazan (Drop Out Edit) 15. Diana Ross - Upside Down (Drop Out Orchestra Rework) 16. Jimmy & Susy - Come Back (Instrumental 12") / Drop Out Edit
Well with Becca on her way to New Orleans, it’s time for a Friday guest post. As a daily DPC reader and a dance party lover, I’m honored to fill in for her. Today is the autumnal equinox and summer has officially come to a close. This summer was filled with countless dance parties, but just because the seasons are changing does not mean we are going to stop dancing.
Although not many mixes were released this week (compared to the plethora of material that came out last week), I did come across a mix that I wanted to share. Below is the Daft Funk 1.5 Mixtape by Pat Lok and Cyclist. Admittedly, I’d never heard of Cyclist or Pat Lok before listening to this mix but I really enjoyed the funky, old-school feel. If you follow this blog, you will definitely recognize some of the artists and tracks. Have a funky-fun-filled Friday as well as a funky-fun-filled Fall.
Tracklisting: Mark Ronson - Somebody to Love me (Rhythm Plates's Jack Mix '87) Runway - Chapter 4 (Tensnake Reinterpretation) Honom - Bedcat Tony Lee - Reach to the Top D'Atra Hicks - Sweet Talk Jonas Rathsman - Love is my Middle Name Goldenbug and Mustang - Soapopera (Hannulelauri Remix) Ruben & Ra - Dreman Maxxi Soundsystem - Get Up (Danny Daze Spinin Out Remix) Raw Power - Wanna Be Your Girl (A 'G' Thang Mix Eli Escobar - Desire Calanx - Glossin Suzanne Kraft - Turning(Original Mix) Benoit and Sergio - Everybody The Jets - Rocket 2 U Bizzy & Co - Take a Chance Pink Project - Amama
There's a lot of things that come together to make a great mix. It's not just tracks and transitions. An important and often looked over aspect is pacing (pretty sure there's a more technical term, but I'll go with it). I've said it before, but there's no shortage of people who can string together a set of fantastic tracks. Fewer can mix them together smoothly. But what I think sets apart the "elite" from the rest is combing those aspects with great pacing. A DJ mix should take me on a journey, so to speak. There should be high an low points. And by the end of it. I should either be completely satiated or want to start the thing over again.
So, like any form of music, a mix should be dynamic. DJ's can do this in a few ways. They can adjust the tempo/BPMs of the tracks they are playing. They can play more/less mellow/energetic tracks, or switch up the genre. Some will even add effects and loops. This is far from a comprehensive list, but just a few of the things that catch and keep my attention when it comes to a great DJ mix.
This new one from Pharao Black Magic for Disconnected does a lot of those things. Hence why I was felt the need to rant about it first. Listen for the stuff I mentioned above. PBM do lovely job blending Nu/Disco/House tracks while incorporating a number of those aspects I feel make a great mix. Be patient with the first half, the energy is low but fun. You'll have a hard time keeping still come the second, when get kicked up a few notches. Enjoy!
Tracklist:
01 - Almunia - New Moon
02 - Out Of City - Whirlpool Of Youth
03 - Runaway - Indoor Pool (Slow Hands Half Full Remix)
04 - Kon & The Gang - Sunlight
05 - Munk - Can I Have Your Attention (King DJ Edit)
I love when mixes include tracks by the DJ(s) or their own reworks/edits. These always seem to flow very well. I think it's because DJ/producer is able to craft the vibe of the mix more directly to his or her liking. And I'd say that's the case with Drop Out Orchestra's September Mix.
**The September Mix was taken down, and they have their mixes via Download available on their Soundcloud**
Tracklist:
01. Gredit - Ben E Slow 02. Lou Teti - Shake (Drop Out Orchestra Reload) 03. Honom - Bedcat 04. Rambla Boys - Cocomero 05. Lou Teti - Love It (Dublin Aunts Rework) 06. Mary Mary - Shackles (Praise You) Drop Out Orchestra Rework 07. Drop Out Orchestra - Ego (Black Strobe Remix) 08. Tronik Youth - Toke-Yo 09. Katzuma - Life In The City 10. Dub On Film (Drop Out Orchestra Rework) 11. Ajello ft Hard Ton - Chocolate Black Leather (Tempelhof Remix) 12. Fabmayday - Disco Verme (Drop Out Orchestra Remix) 13. 3io - Born Slippy
I'm getting picked up by a cab to head to the airport in like 15 minutes.
BUT, I woke up this morning, and saw that Tensnake had a new mix up that was exclusive for Pulse Radio. So...clearly this takes presedence over getting to the airport, especially since I just got a text that said my cab was on its way (Shit). So you must bask in all of his disco house glory-ness as well this Friday morning.
So now I'm multitasking as if my life depended on it; applying make up, dance partying in my room, making sure I'm packed, and trying to eat breakfast before my cab comes at 8:15am.
So far this mix is so good that I'm willing to miss my cab to write about it. That right there my friends, is dedication.
Happy Friday, and around the 8:40 mark a huge DDP starts (!!!)
Sometimes we need to slow things down for you at DPC. Because sometimes when you're in the office, your music listening isn't always about disco-jacking, dance partying, I want to take 10 jager bombs to the face kind-of-music.
At the moment, it's all about "serenity now". Which is exactly what I need. And maybe you do too! This one is a slow-burner from Ichisan and I intend to keep it handy whenever I need something relaxing and slower-paced to enjoy.
Throughout the mix, I felt this kind of tranquil peace, and around the 8:20 mark, the beat begins to pick up to get your head nodding. The 14 minute mark it slows down once again to a beautiful spaced-out track that I am a huge fan of. It sounds ridiculously familiar, and I found myself playing that sequence over and over again.
Some other highlights to watch out for is around the 25 minute mark when the mix gets a little pep in its step once again, and at 31:30 a familiar song "Heaven" by Kasper Bjorke reveals itself. It doesn't fully sound like the Nicolas Jaar remix, and it's definitely not the Prins Thomas one, so can someone enlighten me?! The entire mix is a great listen, and I'm hoping that Ichisan puts out the tracklist soon because there are some tracks I recognize but can't pinpoint them exactly.
I don't know about you all, but it's been a long week (yes, I'm aware it's only Wednesday). Normally, around this time of day I'd be sure to post something to get pumped up and ride out the rest of the day to, but personally I needed something to ease the nerves. I found just that:
Here's a new one from Mario Basanov. Do not get me wrong, this is not a boring mix by any means! From the press of play, there some very sensual and soulful House. Groovin' rhythms are laded with soothing melodies and vocals. I really appreciated the seamless transitions that glue it all together. There's a shift into particularly Deep House around the quarter mark of the mix. Just listen for the deeper bass tones. I was happy to hear a track off his recent EP "Just Think About". It's the "dub mix" of the title track and is archetypal of Deep House in my opinion. There's plenty of other goodies in this mix, so I'll leave you to it to discover them. I will say though, this one is as sultry as it is soulful and deep. Enjoy!
It is the act of baking sweet confections and having dance parties in your kitchen when you have other things you need to do. Like packing because you are traveling to Charlotte and New Orleans. Working out because you have a race in 3 weeks. Finding/buying black flats cause you can't wear tennis shoes to a conference. Taking your dress clothes to the dry cleaners so you don't look like a ragamuffin at your work conference.
So instead of doing any of the above mentioned tasks, I did the next logical thing and baked cookies. I know I talk a lot about cupcakes on this MUSIC blog, but can we please take a moment to admire these cookies in their freaking brown butter, coconut, dark chocolate cherry (I added those on a whim) goodness?! These are literally the best darn cookies I have ever made in my life, and I'd like to thank my stress levels, craving for sweets, this man, and this mix for aiding me in my endeavors. I must be honest though, I started this a little after the baking project started, but watch out for 22 minutes in, I LOVE that song by Larse himself.
So, thanks Larse, for the kitchen dance party. It was truly a rager, and I'm only sorry I don't know German - because apparently that's the language you need to know how to read what you to learn more about you.**
Tracklisting: 1. Life (Original Mix) - Outmode 2. Without U - Nicholas 3. Don't look any Further (SJ & Chris Jyllke Reconstruction) - M-People 4. Congolal - Tensnake 5. The More I Want - Larse 6. Night Flight - Satin Jackets 7. Age Of The Jaguar - Toomy Disco 8. In The City - Martin Dawson & Andre Crom 9. Costa Verde - Space Ranger 10. Point 0 (Chopstick & Johnjon Mix) - Trickski 11. Stranded - Iron Curtis 12. Makin' a Livin' - African Dream
**I actually tried looking up more information on Larse, and really couldn't find anything other than where he was from (Dortmund, Germany), so if anyone has any other information (!!!) let me know. I'm really curious.
Hope you had a great weekend. DPC got chance to check out Volta Bureau at our favorite spot, U Street Music Hall. Eastman, Outputmesage and Micah Vellian threw down some DEEP House. It was a great night of music, dancing, and friends [among other debauchery] to say the very least.
Long weekend, but not quite long enough, I'm still in the mood for that deep house sound and vibe. So I was glad to see that Conor Bevan, London's "Debonair", put together a mix called "Voyager One". It's a sexy blend of deep disco/house tracks. The first half of the mix stays on the Disco side of things. There's some classic stuff like Stephanie Mills' "You Can't Run From My Love" along with some deep and synthy tracks. The Munk track marks the shift into House, as the mix takes turn for the sexier. Henrik Schwarz's Bside Remix of The Jackson Five's Dancing Machine is a House'd down homage to a disco classic. The remainder of the mix follows suit and finishes with LEB Harmony's spaced out "Feeling Love".
