Monthly Archives: December 2014

Midnight Music: Shogun – Skyfire [Trance]

Posted on by

For Throwback Thursday, we’re not going very far. If you listened to dance music in 2011, this track was in your head whether you liked it or not. I, loved it. This massive anthem was the perfect way to give your crowd a scintillating breather during a set, while building back into a trance drop of startling proportions. It was played everywhere, and I recently remembered the drop during one of Shogun‘s crazy sets that year, after it had been played by Armin & dozens of other DJs. That moment of “man, that is a crazy good progression” & frisson inducing chords, that was shared by thousands across the world.

Website: www.shogun-music.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DJShogunmusic
Twitter: @shogunmusic
YouTube: youtube.com/djshogunmusic

Koalas Got No Time For Trifling Hoes.

Posted on by

Koala HoesI’m all about glib & lolworthy music-related art, and my boy Jim dashed off a dope sketch featuring a gives-no-fucks Koala. Who knows, maybe if we help him get some replacement hardware he can draw some more animals spouting lyrics. Can someone please make woodland creatures dropping 2 Chainz & Taylor Swift?

Midnight Music: Izzard & Alicks – Looking Out With You (Strife II Remix) [Liquid DnB]

Posted on by

Izzard & Alicks - Looking Out With You (Strife II Remix)Strife II has returned, rejoice & be glad! The crown prince of liquid (in my eyes anyway) released an opus clocking in well over seven minutes. This kind of sound is totally rare, but Strife II proves once again that he can do it like no other. The soulful, melodic chords & quiet piano progression are at the core of my favorite sub-genre in dnb. The smooth, emotional vibe glides across your awareness, packing a punch without jarring one’s senses. I am at a loss as to why this kid isn’t one of the biggest sounds coming out of the UK, but I’m going to keep yelling about him as long as I’m able. This is the future, or at least, I hope it is. I think it would lead to a better world, Wyld Stallions-style, but what do I know. Take a listen and tell me what you think.

Bounce ft. Timothy Delaghetto Will Get You Through Monday

Posted on by

This what happens when boys are left alone. If you ever wanted to see what happens when two friends don’t let a joke die, this is it. The dulcet tones of DJ Ele waft along with these two, gyrating and generally being dopey for what must have been way too long when it came to filming it on the street. There’s a quiet authenticity here without pretension that I’m really into. If you were taking anything seriously, you won’t after watching this. Abjo’s remix comes in for support, and plays you out. 4min 19 sec to keep you going.

Midnight Music: Jesse James – 50’s Manhattan [Future Lounge]

Posted on by

This is something new alright. This track saunters through piano, old school hip hop beats, never rushing, never overdone, and no sounds out of place. The tune is a fantastic example of music for chilling, crashing out on a Sunday morning, lounging before going out Saturday night, or smoking a cigarette with Jazz vipers at midnight. It’s got a distinctly vintage feel, but is produced expertly. This is part of a larger compilation of a bunch of crazy, but vib shit. There’s abstract hip hop, downtempo, menacing garage & trip hop. Get at it below if you’re in a chill mood and raring for something other than elevator music. This is NEW right here, and I guarantee you won’t hear anything like it anywhere else. It’s great, it’s just definitely not EDM by any definition. (h/t to drue)

Mix Of The Weekend: Sunshine Forecast #10 Music For The Streets

Posted on by

Tommie Sunshine - Sunshine Forecast #10In case you’ve been on the moon, there’s been some shit going down in my city the last week. People made the decision to not indict a cop for chokeholding an asthmatic, obese black father of six to death. This has resulted in demonstrations, protests & non-violent civil actions all over the city. Tommie Sunshine has been a consistent source of news from the streets, because, he’s actually out there protesting with his fans. His 10th edition of his podcast is heavier than normal, mirroring the mood of the streets. Pushing the heaviest of releases out is a strong statement, one that’s hard to execute. He does so, in an almost menacingly competent way. There’s a strong reminder that not all the performers out there forgot that dance music used to be counter-culture, and a place for those pursued by the various authorities. They end with a mini-mix of tracks off their Brooklyn Fire label, another facet of the city he supports. Consistency is important y’all. After this rocks your face & causes gratuitous fist pumping and possible shame, Mr. Sunshine also released a chill Elvis remix with Wuki this week. When he told me he was going to be busy, he wasn’t kidding.

A Brief History Of Trance (2014 Edition)

Posted on by

(This is a repost/expansion of a post I did last year at EDMTunes. Give them some love & help me thank them for giving me the opportunity to yell in long form on the internet about music people don’t listen to anymore)

As fans of Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto, Ferry Corsten and others can tell you, Trance has been around, but it’s been a while since it’s been at the forefront of the dance music consciousness. But how long has it been around for, and how did it get here? I’d like to take you on a brief trip, from Trance’s humble beginnings, through its boom around the millenium & all the way up to New Years 2014.

Continue reading →

Midnight Music: Volor Flex – Vişnu [Garage Breaks]

Posted on by

Volor Flex - VisnuFor Throwback Thursday, I wanted to give some love to the now defunct Volor Flex. Alex Frolov of Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, Russia does so much work in the future bass, dark chill, and menacing drum & bass spheres. Volor Flex produced 4 albums and Sabo, the one this track came from, was his last. The bass progression & production value on this song is without equal. Make sure to listen to this garage breaks track on a system that has great low end & sub bass response, because most of the awesome shit going on in this tune is in the basement. This track is so much like Burial you’ll probably ask why he stopped producing under this moniker. He’s going some very interesting work under the new alias of Trampique. A recent album by Trampique was a moody chromatic triumph, which you can listen to here. Huge fan of Alex, can’t wait to hear what he does next.