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]
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)
Hey Williamsburg, I Remember You.
Music, laughter and fun, spontaneously. Without profit, started by someone playful and childish. Williamsburg glimmers with hope perhaps, and kudos for people dancing to the Grateful Dead. I’m not the biggest Deadhead, but jam band stuff works on a subway. The kid certainly didn’t need to be told what to do.
Mix Of The Weekend: Sunshine Forecast #10 Music For The Streets
In 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)
(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.
Wisdom From deadmau5 (Illustration By DashMagic6)
This really is true. deadmau5 may seem like a hater, but he’s as big a fan of authenticity as anyone out there, and I’ll always give big ups for that. This great little motivational piece from DashMagic6 on Deviant art is amazing and this guy’s work totally deserves your attention. Keep at it y’all.
Midnight Music: Volor Flex – Vişnu [Garage Breaks]
For 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.
Hip Hop Hooray + Kermit & Fozzie = Best Thing This Week.
I mean, really, what else can I say. It’s Muppets and Naughty By Nature. It’s as good as that sounds. Kermit’s career as a fly hip hop artist really was overlooked I think. He seemed to be able to drop flow whenever necessary, and honestly, who wouldn’t be interested in hearing banjo incorporated into hip hop just once. Fozzie provides support and this fantastic spoof mashup is exactly what your day needs. (via Laughing Squid)
The Subway Party By Glove & Boots.
This is slightly off topic for me, but since everyone gets to and from most of these parties using cabs or parties, I had to make sure this got eyes. Glove & Boots is one of the best places on YouTube these days, with Johnny T as a highlight of the channel. The subway being a party in a studio apartment with 700 people, none of whom like each other, is the. The. Best explanation of the subway experience during rush hour I’ve ever heard. Now the only thing I can think of whenever I’m on the subway is the ape going “ughhh” when the dude’s playing Sandstorm on his phone.
What I’m saying is, watch this. It is wonderful.
Midnight Music: Dillon Francis – When We Were Young (Steve James Remix) [Prog Wonderful]
I think the last couple of weeks have been pretty stressful for the country, with the heavy eating, family obligations and various protests/riots, so here’s something completely different. Steve James, the young upstart, is at it again. He took on the August hit from Dillon Francis, Sultan, Ned Shepard & Chain Gang of 1974, injecting his increasingly skilled, signature progressive sound into the banger. The tune is delightfully poppy, euphoric & frankly happy. I think we could all use it right now. Be kind, hug your loved ones, and treat people better than you think they deserve. Let the youth light the way, and show Steve James some love. He’s doing a show out in LA, supporting Kill Paris, so West Coast people, get the hell out there so you can say you were down with this kid’s sound before he rocks the mainstage at Beyond Wonderland in a couple of years.
Terry Gotham 