This delightful little cover by Flash Mob Jazz is exactly what we need more of these days. Someone should call Puddles and make a full compilation of vintage’d dance hits. The frontman kinda looks like Boy George, but he’s got the chops where it counts. The trumpet & sax solos are on point and the drum & bass (upright bass that is) work bring it all together. It’s Monday afternoon, you’ve made it through the hardest part of the week. (via Laughing Squid)
Monthly Archives: February 2015
Midnight Music: Rameses B ft. Veela – Mountains [Soaring Drum & Bass]
Rameses B is back on Monstercat and this track had me tore up. It’s kind of impressive when a tune can reduce you to a blubbering mess on a gray rainy Monday afternoon. The unbeatable formula of perfect builds, stupdendously positioned vocals, a tremendous back beat & a sample that comes out of nowhere wins again, as Rameses B bursts out of the gate for 2015. If this is any indication of the year that this guy is going to have, my ears are going to love 2015. This track is an immediate listen, even if it’s chock full of feels and may make things bubble inside you that you weren’t expecting. No, that’s not gas. You’re just being taken away to the world of liquid d&b made by one of the best. Veela doesn’t disappoint so put the track in your face and tell yo friends. This one is going places, you heard it here first.
Ten Questions With Terry Gotham: Alex Funk
(Super honored to bring you this chat I had with rising star DJ Alex Funk. If you were at Bonnaroo last year, you know what I mean.)
1. Headed back to Bonnaroo this year? What’s on tap for 2015? I have no idea, but if they want me, I’ll be there with bells on! At Bonnaroo 2014 – as an unlisted act – I built a crowd of 200-300 people into a crowd of 5000 two nights in a row during the my set on Friday night and my set on Saturday night on the Kalliope Stage (both recordings on my SoundCloud). Skrillex showed up on Saturday after his SuperJam, liked the party and asked if he could jump on. I was drenched in sweat and dead after two insane hours, so Skrillex and Mija (OWSLA) took over and it was the surprise – now infamous – Secret Skrillex Morning Party. (Check a clip from his stupid good Bonnaroo set below)
This winter I’m really focused on the NYC after-hours scene and production, production, production – there’s no real DJ career without original music. Definitely Burning Man 2015, where I’ll have a curatorial role besides DJing at several camps.
2. Now that you’ve performed in a number of different cities in the USA, do you have preferences? Do you think one city “gets it right?” Phoenix, AZ (period). They are totally open-minded to new sounds while giving tons of respect to the history of dance music. You can hear talented local DJs like Sean Watson, DJ Ascension, Steve Hill, etc and big touring acts like Diplo, Dillon Francis, Zedd, etc…All the pieces are there.
Most local party scenes are big on “personalities”…this is nothing worse for the music. Inevitably,when the popular kids are in the DJ booth and it just becomes selfie sticks and bad bootlegs. If you want great music, ask the music nerd, not the popular kid. Phoenix respects and elevates artistic talent over personality appeal. That’s what makes it a great scene.
Midnight Music: Gil Scott-Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Babicka’s Lost Muscle Mix)
This track is everything right now. This downtempo remix of Gil Scott-Heron’s masterpiece is a must listen. The source material is treated with the reverence by Babicka it deserves and adds a perfect amount of ambiance. This kind of more minimal & technical sound approaches chillwave, but definitely keeps you moving. The voice reminds us all, echoing the struggles of the past, as we seem to be fighting many of those battles all over again. The tune definitely needs wide exposure, and those who are fighting need to know that they are not alone. I’ve got to admit, it’s getting better, it’s getting better, all the time. Check out the Untzz, the label out of Adelaide, Australia this fire is coming from.
Earworm Of The Month: Ferry Corsten ft. Haris – Back To Paradise (Flashover Mix)
Sometimes a track stays with you for a little while. Sometimes, you go back to a track and you find more to like about it. This is one of those tracks. Ferry Corsten has been in the trance game longer than the term EDM has existed. This original track, featuring the soaring vocal work of Haris. These kind of euphoric vibes & soulful lyrics don’t come along very often, and when they do, they’re usually saccharine or idiotic. The build is powerful, with a drop a friend of mine labeled as shockingly chill. I couldn’t agree more, and I hope this starts reminding people that breaks can sound like that. No need for the trouse or trancelectro that we’ve become used to. It can just be smooth, joyful & rambling on, like the morning sun. This is a must listen and Ferry deserves your undivided attention for this.
Midnight Music: Hedegaard ft Lukas Graham – Happy Home (Sam Feldt Remix)
Sam Feldt knocks this one out of the park. I hadn’t heard the original, but now both are going to be on repeat. Sam Feldt’s one of the few producers out there right now that’s able to straddle the line between euphoric, progressive & tropical. This remix triumphs in bringing out the best parts of the song, while adding a delightful unique layer on top of his own. Spinnin’ Records has a winner in Sam Feldt, just in case you didn’t think so, this track will convince you. Enjoy it, and find your happy home y’all.
Midnight Music: Submotion Orchestra – All Yours (S.P.Y Remix) [Drum & Bass]
This is the kind of remix we need to see more of. Submotion Orchestra does some stunning work that you need to check out, right after you listen to this song of course. S.P.Y. is another one of the drum & bass knights at the round table that is Hospital Records. He’s got this preternatural sense of how to build the low end while keeping you grooving with his mastery of the vocal remix. A bustling track, this kind of sound is what make the genre one of my favorite. Get at this guy and don’t forget, Hospitality is coming to this side of the planet!
Ten Questions With Terry Gotham: Swolf
1. What is the hip hop scene in VA like? Is it blinged out like some of the bigger regions, or is there a more singular vibe at parties & battles in VA you can’t get anywhere else? To be honest I’m not sure what to think of the hip hop scene here, being from the Northern side I am technically looked at as a “DMV” artist. There’s nothing flashy about it just a lot of talented artist trying to find their identity and I feel as a VA artist we are overlooked in some ways.
2. How did you connect with St. James The Pro to get such top-notch production on the EP? We actually met at a Beat Battle. He was one of the 1st contestants and the 1st beat he played just really caught my attention. I introduced myself after his set and he told me he’s going to New York and that he’ll be back. I thought he was giving me the run-around but about 2 weeks later he hit me up like he said he would, told me he had checked out some of my previous work and was impressed. The rest was history really.
Midnight Music: Funkerman ft. J.W. – The Masterplan [Deep House]
In case the snow has got you down, Funkerman has you covered. This original that dropped last week is groovy & sophisticated enough that you’re kind of concerned about buying her a drink. But while she has her own money & doesn’t need you to tell her she looks good, if you can dance, you will definitely get her attention. The throbbing bass & no-nonsense chords keep you moving, but you may need to come back with a better outfit next time. In all seriousness, this is a dope little track that makes me think of the last cool party I hit up off the L train. Funkerman‘s coming up in 2015. I done told you.
Daft Punk + Guitars = Liberal Amounts Of Win.
Welp, this is kind of wonderful. If you wanted to know what Get Lucky would sound like if Steve Vai or Kurt Cobain played it, here you go. This 3 min vid gets you everything you need in your afteroon, if of course, the only things you need are quality guitar work & Daft Punk’s later work. Andre Antunes is a burgeoning artist that might deserve a second look from y’all. The video should help you skid into the 5 o’clock whistle on your Monday if you’ve not been able to take snow day #2 for 2015.(via Stoney Roads)
Terry Gotham 