You should be able to get these tracks at any mp3 download site. Some are in iTunes, some are on Beatport. The theme of my selection is "something for everybody". I used to be one of those facist deep-house DJs that would only play one kind of music that drove everyone who wasn't high on something to tears of boredom. I quit DJ'ing for years, but recently have been getting back into buying music. With the dawn of pay-for-mp3 downloads, you can get access to the entire world's greatest record stores and pay $1-2 for just incredible tracks, without having to deal with asshole record store clerks. What could be better? These cuts are the kind of cuts you should be able to play for anyone who loves music and they will feel it, spanning genres and styles and adding great songwriting and tight production.
(Artist - Track - Album)
Tita Lima - Catatonica - 11:11
This is some seriously classy Brazilian pop music. Totally classy and clean without feeling anesthetized and non-threatening, this track features a seriously syncopated groove with a hip-hop backbone (that reminds me of Dr. John) that'll have you ready to be chilling in the shade on the beach with a caipirinha in no time. Subtle funky clav lines mesh with funk guitar and Brazilian percussion elements, and seamlessly blend into a more traditional electro-Samba chorus. There's a depth and soulfulness to this track that transcends the Ibiza chill-out lounge vibe that too many projects like this end up with.
Chicken Lips - Eggy's Pause Button (Idjut Boys remix) - You're Playing Dirty
This is part of a series of Chicken Lips tracks that were re-issued in small quantities with exclusive remixes in 2002 or so. Now with the wonder of internet mp3 downloads, every punter can get a piece. I love this amazing age of more accessible good music -- I hope it translates into more informed crowds ready to be taken on deeper journeys. Because it takes a more knowledgeable crowd to appreciate this out space disco dub found on this track. All the Chicken Lips elements are in place, but taken to the outer limits of some hashish fueled bliss out zone -- a brickish 70's dubby disco bassline, way dubbed out and delayed beats, and unidentifiable chick vocals way back in the mix. You could rock this at 4am for a seriously niced up crowd, or you can just pass out to it afterwards.
Circus - I Know You EP
This whole EP is just off the chain funky, and has a little something for everyone's forward-looking tastes. The original mix features Lyrics L, the female MC who blew the lid off of Seiji's "Loose Lips" cut back in '02, along with Bugz' MC Motet. This track is definitely on a similar wavelength as "Loose Lips", but it's a little deeper and layered. There's a more moody tension between dark and light in this track, but what a lot of blah blah blah, it's dancefloor broken beat that will drive any dancer into a frenzy with its pumped beat and killer MC styles. This track is enough to sell the whole thing, but then you also get the Inverse Cinematics remix, which is as funky as the original mix. This is more of a super deep techy house track, with some Dego-ish keys and an absolute rumbler trouser-rattler bassline that doesn't quit. But wait, there's more! You also get "Signs", which is a quality rub up of soulful brokeny beats, with some great vocals from L'enfant Terrible. This track can work in the lounge or on the dancefloor and further highlights the skills of the Circus crew.
Headman - It Rough feat. Tara - It Rough
Headman - On and On feat. Tara - On
Definitely on the same wavelength as the Chicken Lips vibe, but with some very ESG-ish vocals on top, if the girls from ESG had nicer vocals. Dubby deep disco. "It Rough" is the more straightforward track, while "On and On" features the more funky and driving sound that is very "Downtown 81" but updated. Bits of "Eye of the Tiger" guitar way in the back with a dubby disco bassline and vocals that are vaguely reminiscent of what A Certain Ratio would sound like with a chick vocal. Both of them will let you get your '80s on without feeling like a snarling but non-threatening remake of shit old people like me remember dimly from elementary school.
Freaky Flow - Same Thing - Smell the Glove
Freaky Flow - Say It With Me feat. Ylook - Smell the Glove
T Dot's own Freaky Flow has been representing the world-famous T.O. drum 'n bass sound ever since I can remember. Thankfully I didn't know that before checking this out, where I was surprised with some really quality deep tracks that transcend genre with their soul. "Same Thing" is a really innovative track that feels very smart, informed by classic house song writing, a bit of 80's electro in the back of the beat, and it sounds like the producer has also been keeping up with the latest broken beat rythym programming styles. The result is a unique yet very accessible soulful cut for all crowds that you won't feel guilty about. Along those same lines, "Say It With Me" is your classic Mary-style hip-hop beat with sultry R&B vocals. The use of the Headhunter's break that you've heard many times before is done in a new way, the the TO MC stylings give the track a unique feel. As my girlfriend said, "Why is it so hard to find good R&B that isn't corny?" This track kind of answers that question, as hitting that sweet spot between pop hook and cheese can be really tough and not many do it as well as this track does.
Jesse Rose and Rob Mello - Do Ya Wanna - More Than One
Just some classic tech-house dopeness with a sexy vocal, great pulsing square wave bass, and analoguey keys.
Trevor Loveys - Outside In EP
I didn't realize that this guy was one half of "House of 909", but it figures he's been in the game for that long, because this is some of the most well-produced dance music I've ever heard. Incredibly lush production, amazing effects, and beat programming that'll knock your socks off. There's something here for everybody once again. The Sinbad remix of "Sambooka" is just totally off the chain with very 50's funky mamba horns, heavy duty percussion groove, a broken style backbeat, some funk guitar -- the kind of stuff chicks just love because they know it's so funky! Never mind that it's some of the most innovative and fun dance music I've heard in a while -- they don't care! The ring modulator or vocoded or whatever weirdness keyboard bit in the middle of the track is so out and funky and innovative. But on top of that, you get a slew of other great tracks to go with. The original mix of Sambooka is just as good as the remix, but places a lot more emphasis on the percussion, the guitar lick, and the very funky bassline. A trippier and more minimal mix that is for more advanced crowds. Then you also get "Strange But Not", a very funky techy track that has the feel of John Tejada but is more musical. The Max Fresh remix gives it more of a broken beat feel and is the more accessible of the two. Very tasty. You also get a nice little downtempo track, "Nobody" to round out this very strong release.
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