Avicii

Avicii has been churning out remixes and original songs like no other this summer. The guy is a musical cyborg. He is a special bread who not only puts the time in, but has the creativity to turn every project into a memorable one. Oh yeah, and then he collaborated with some guy named John Dahlback (I haven't heard of him either) to produce one of the summers biggest tunes.

Robyn-Hang With Me (Avicii Remix)

Jovicci- Don't Hold Back

Island Livin

Pendulum is about to tear up dancefloors all over the world with his soon to be released 'The Island' Part 1 (Dawn) and Part 2 (Dusk). Dusk was Pete Tong's essential tune recently and for good reason. I don't want to spoil this song with my crappie writing, so I'll let it do the talking for me.

Pendulum- The Island Part 1 (Dawn)

Pendulum- The Island Part 2 (Dusk)

HEAVY

This track is heavy all round- beat, build, bass. I have posted the whole "You Know EP". Enjoy.

Sercan and Nico Las- You Know.

Byron.

Axtunes

Title says it all....Axwell has released an absolutley massive 16 track volume of some of his greatest and most recent works. Here's a link to the whole cd. Enjoy.
Axtones Volume One (Byron highly reccomends)

Hide and Seek Avicii?

While I know that we have oggled over Avicii's tribal drumlines and cataclismic synths before, but these two tracks epitomize his sound. First up is the Axwell remix of "Bromance", as expected the Swedish producers has added lovely vocals and a piano roll. Personally, I find the track a bit long and redundant, it seems as if after the first drop, it is just repeated Next we have Avicii's remix of "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap, which I find to be one of the best around- they're have been at least two dozen or so remixes of this song.

Imogen Heap- Hide and Seek (Avicci Remix)
Avicii- Seek Bromance (Axwell Copenhagen Remix)

BONUS:
Those Usual Suspects- Shadows (Norman Doray Remix)

Your Name

Pharrell has officially been incorporated into SHM's 'One', now known as 'One (Your Name)'. Definitely more top 40 friendly and as far as I'm concerned not as good of a song. I'm not posting this because it's one of my favourite songs but that some of you may like it more than the original. Personally I don't. It feels too short and segmented, and the vocals feel forced. I know I said I would like a vocal mix when I first posted the song but maybe I was wrong and the song is too powerful already. Don't take my word for it though:

SHM ft. Pharrell- One (Your Name)

Reach Out

I figure this would be an appropriate title, and track for a post on Mother's day. Dirty Harris introduced himself in 2010 by winning the Funkagenda - Afterclub remix competition for Toolroom records. His infectious tribal, tech mix will feature alongside Funkgenda & Riva Starr. Enjoy, although given the day I would suggest using headphones.

Dirty Harris- Reach Out
Bonus: Funkagenda ft. Big Ed- Afterclub (Dirty Harris Remix)

Mainstream This.

Deadmau5 has been busy at work lately producing a huge group of new tunes. This guy lives and breathes house music. A lot of people have lately been proposing that Deadmau5 is now too mainstream and too well known. My retort: Who cares? Being popular doesn't devalue your work unless you let it. Maybe some people just need to feel they are always on the cutting edge and once the secret is out, so are they. I understand where this thinking comes from as it's always nice to share a niche (musical, cultural or whatever) with a group of friends but what I'm not agree with is that an artist is too 'played out' because every Joe bro knows them and has googled how to make a Deadmau5 mask. The problem I have with bands/producers going mainstream is the assimilation of their sound to a radio friendly, cheap-pop style of music that will appeal to the masses simply to appeal to the masses. In no way does Deadmau5 fit this criteria; he does things his own way, and hopefully always will. He constantly pushes the barriers of his genre and has now released a couple new tunes to further support his case, which brings us to the reason for this post (sorry about all that, feeling a tad preachy this morning).

First up, his remix of Pendulum's 'Watercolor'. I really like the vocals on this track so it gets off on the right foot with me immediately. Keep in mind this song, like the majority of his new tunes, is made for an arena or a festival. It may not sound too terrific playing out of your 5 year old 2.1 logitech speakers you're 'borrowing' from your roommate. If you've ever seen him live just visually implant this song somewhere in the set and you'll see what I mean. If not...it's called Youtube. Deadmau5 masterfully uses a catchy chorus to elevate this song to another level. It has me salivating for the next time I see the man live, and hopefully it will have you too.

Pendulum- Watercolor (Deadmau5 Remix)

Next, his original production 'Some Chords'. This song definitely has the Deadmau5y sound to it. At nearly 8 minutes long you'll have plenty of time to enjoy it through its progressive journey, starting out slow and moving its way to one of his trademark energy infused chorus'. Somehow he has managed to keep his original sound and kept our ears excited with new melodies and synths that will have you scratching your head and hitting the rewind button (in a good way).

Deadmau5- Some Chords

Hey Hey

Dennis Ferrer entered the dance music scene by combining with Jerome Sydenham to create "Sandcastles" in 2003. Since then he has produced and song-written for a myriad of genres ranging from acid, techno, gospel and soul. His his latest release, "Hey Hey" is a soul-stirring, modern house tune that reflects Mr. Ferrer's wide range of musical tastes. We have included the Riva Starr, who is a favourite of ours, remix, however the vocal mix is far superior.

Dennis Ferrer- Hey Hey (DF's Attention Vocal Remix)
Dennis Ferrer- Hey Hey (Riva Starr Paradise Garage Remix)
Dennis Ferrer and Jerome Sydenham- Sandcastles

Bingo

While this song was released a few weeks ago, and given my scan of the blogosphere, did not get the respect or praise it deserves. Dalhback takes this track in a different direction than he is known for; it's a bit less progressive and underground, and a bit more house and mainstream. Nonetheless it's a gem.

John Dahlback ft. Elodie- Bingo (Extended Mix)

SHM

I'm really not going to go to in depth on this song. You have all by now heard of the Swedish House Mafia's new single 'One'. Everyone believes it's the best thing since sliced bread and it just might be. There have been rumblings of a vocal mix which I would personally love to see, but until then I guess we'll just have to settle for the biggest song released this year. Woe is me.

Coming soon to a set of speakers near you:

Swedish House Mafia- One

Morning Sunshine

As I awoke in my own bed for the first time in a few months, I thought to myself, "how can I make this morning better? Fresh new tunes of course!" Genius, ne pas? And so I quickly sifted through my iTunes recently added and mashed some of my favourite tunes together starting out relatively calm and slowly building.

The first song that really stuck out for me was Nic Fanciulli's remix of 'Two Dots'. Is there a better way to start a morning than to great vocals and a melodic up-beat tune? I think not. I suggest saving this one for the next lazy morning you have, and just kick back with a big bowl of Harvest Crunch and enjoy.

Luisine- Two Dots (Nic Fanciulli Remix)

The Longer the Better

While debating if I should mission it two hours to see Funkagenda play tonight I went off on a tangent of some of my favourite progressive tracks. All of these possess lovely long, drawn out build ups as they approach the crescendo. Most people are too impatient for these builds-they are foolish. As with most things that are leading to some big explosion or critical moment, the longer the the better, or at least that's what she said...

First up we have Sebastian Leger, a favourite of ours, this time with an edgy sounding tune using vocal samples from Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People".
Sebastian Leger- The People(Original Mix)

While David Guetta is notorious for his trendy electro collaborations with such artists as Akon, Kid Cudi and Will.I.am, his independent progressive collaborations are why I respect the Frenchman. "Grrrrr" and his remix of Calvin Harris' Flashback are the epitome of his talent, and versatility.
David Guetta- Grrrr (Original Mix)
Calvin Harris- Flashback (David Guetta 'One Love' Remix)

This post wouldn't be complete without some Funkagenda tracks- he was the impetus for this post after-all. I implore you to listen to these tracks on the best and loudest sound system you can get your hands on to truly appreciate the nuances and effort he puts into his music.
Funkagenda- H3lix (Original Club Mix)
Funkagenda- Flauta Magic (Original Mix)
Funkagenda, Mark Knight- Antidote (Original Mix)

Human

I come today bearing gifts of vocals and synth basses. Mariana and The Diamonds' "I am Not a Robot" is a powerful song that Doorly has managed to harness and turn into a beautiful remix with a very cool relaxed bassline. The vocals carry the song and will be swimming around your head for forthcoming days without a doubt. This is one remix where less is definitely more. Doorly hasn't ripped out the heart of the song, he has put it on display and built an amazing track around it. Turn off your TV, YouTube clip, any outside pollutants and turn this up.

Mariana and The Diamonds- I am Not a Robot (Doorly Remix)

How Do You Spell Huge?

A.V.I.C.I.I.

This guy just can't help but make the biggest progressive tunes known to man. His latest song 'Bromance' (insert Brody Jenner joke here), under his alter ego Tim Berg, is ripping up the electronic world. If you haven't been following Avicii up to this point this song will leave you no doubt he is headed for bigger and better things. The 'Arena Mix' was no lie as adding just the right amount of reverb has written 'festival approved' all over it. 'Bromance' will surely be destroying a dancefloor near you in the not so distant future so, you're welcome.

Turn. It. Up.

Tim Berg- Bromance (Avicii's Arena Mix)

Gotta Love Gimmicks

I was up late watching awful infomercials last night and I started to think about gimmicks. My thoughts continued throughout the day as I thought about the ice-cream maker I bought that could barley make a scoop of ice cream- let alone the 2L's that was advertised, the 3-way super soaker that never amounted enough pressure to ever shoot 3 continuous streams and finally the hot dog toaster oven that was used maybe twice before the novelty wore off. Thinking about music in general, it is very gimmicky, and it takes a lot of talent, especially in the techno and house genres, to endure the test of time. Having said that and keeping with the theme, these two songs are both very gimmicky. So enjoy them while there hot.

Francesco Diaz and Young Rebels- Damascus (Dada Life Remix)

Aria, Mark M. and DJ Ortzy- Party in Miami

Monday MEGA Post

Exams have been here so I thought I would compile all of my favourite songs I've dug up over the past week and deliver them to you in one super sized post to save everyone time.

First, Michael Woods and Chris Lake's 'Dominos'. This is one of those songs you can just get lost in and by the time the hook comes you've started pumping your fist and moving your body to the beat. Very progressive, very 'Woodsy' (a good thing), dark with it's simple drum beat and deep bassline, and overall a large sound that will swallow you up.

Micheal Woods and Chris Lake- Dominos

Next, Laidback Luke has remixed Moby's new tune 'Wait for Me'. You've probably heard about this song already, as it has been circulating the blogosphere like a rampant swine flu (about half a year late for that reference to be funny). I am and have always been a sucker for a great piano roll (c. Axwell), and Laidback Luke has certainly refined his art. Although I find the second hook to be a little anti-climactic, because of a pseudo-hook a few seconds before, the song is still a gem. That's just my opinion, I've always been a little timid of songs that are more minimal/progressive. Even so, this song deserves a listen no matter what genre you find yourself drawn to. Well done Luke.

Moby- Wait for Me (Laidback Luke Remix)

Michael Woods makes another appearance with his latest single 'Dropzone 2010'. Once again progressive with a big room feel that Woods seems to be able to capture on all his songs and remixes. Subtle but huge seems to be the theme of the day, so I figured 'why not another?'

Michael Woods- Dropzone 2010

Now to destroy any pattern I had going before this last song jumps to the other end of the spectrum directly into a house/dub step genre. Rusko's 'Woo Boost' is certainly the dub step song of the year with its HUGE wobbly/synth bass, but Subskrpt has given it a more club friendly, house approved feel. He has added a nice drum beat along with a quicker tempo and his own take on the song. Although it remains evident the song's roots lay in dub step, the tempo tells another story and will fit nicely into a set without having to change pace too much.

Rusko- Woo Boost (Subskrpt Remix)

Hope you enjoy these tunes, I know they are at the top of my study playlist.

Weapon of Mass Destruction

So I was surfing around all my favourite blogs and beatport charts the other day and found a bomb. Granted this is no super exclusive-secret song (Beatport #1) that I dug out of the depths of the underground, it is just too huge not to be posted. It just makes you..... move. To top it off it's a home grown good ol' Canadian boy smashing the remix.

The song? Fatboy Slim's 'Weapon of Choice'. Yes, you've all heard the song and seen the music video where Christopher Walken busts a move. I didn't know if this anthem could be improved on after hearing years of remixes that did little or anything to improve on Slim's work. Lazy Rich (hailing from Vancouver) has done just what I had thought impossible: made this song madder than the original. I mean the bassline is insanity and will certainly give any dance floor an energy boost. Lately I've been moving away from electro and I've missed some of those crazy hooks that come along with it. Thank you Lazy Rich for reminding me why I loved that genre for so long.

By now you probably think that Rich wrote this review himself, but I assure you as Byron's closest confidant that he would never allow anyone to compromise the integrity of this blog. The song is really just that good.

Try and tell me otherwise:

Fatboy Slim- Weapon of Choice (Lazy Rich Remix)

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Stupid

I posted this song a while ago now, and thought this video would help jolt your memories.

Maison

It doesn't really surprise me when new artists burst onto the scene hailing form France. It is by now expected to churn out a new crop of producers and artists that change the way we view French house.. Next-in-line Surkin, hails from Paris and is breaking the mold yet again. A recent participant of WMC, his tunes are gaining respect all over the dance music world. With trips spanning from Buenos Aires to the Australian coast and his home in Europe it won't be long before this kid starts earning some major club play.

His newest song 'Fan Out' at the risk of sounding old fashioned is grooving. The big bassline doesn't overpower the song's undeniably retro vibe but gives it a club friendliness. I'll say it again like I've said it before, there's something in the water in that country.

Proof:

Surkin- Fan Out