Browsing Soundcloud this morning, I was happy to find that Mosca, one of my favorite DJs/producers out of London, dropped by Annie Mac’s radio show to deliver a preview of his new Eva Mendes EP, which features 3 new deep house tracks (“Accidentally”, “Murderous” and “Eva Mendes”). Eva Mendes is set for release on Hypercoulour records early this month, so keep your eyes peeled and make sure you don’t sleep on this one. Here’s the soundcloud preview plus the video for the single. Cheers

Mosca – Eva Mendes (Hypercolour) from Hypercolour on Vimeo.

Hello everyone, welcome back. First thing’s first: I’d like to wish those of you celebrating this weekend very happy Passover and Easter. I hope you enjoyed the first part of your holiday weekend, now here are a few tunes to keep things moving until we get back to the grind.

 Neptune (Sinjin Hawke Remix)- Lemonade

Automatic (Fuchs & Horn Remix)- Lexy & K-Paul

Ever since they first burst on to the EDM scene, I’ve been a sucker for the masterfully constructed beats and tripped-out vocals that constitute Pleasurekraft’s signature style. For a while, it was hard for me to imagine that remixing their songs could really do the duo any justice, but my mind has been thoroughly changed since the recent release of “The Remixes” on Great Stuff Recordings. This 4 track EP features two of my favorite Pleasurekraft tunes (namely Carny & Anubis) re-imagined by top-notch producers Tom Flynn, Jaceo, Mike Vale & Chase Butch/Nick Olivetti. Go grab the whole release on Beatport, but for now here’s one of my favorites to give you an idea of what you’re in for.

One of the things that I love most about electronic music is that it exists in a constant state of evolution. In the last couple years, we’ve seen entire genres rise and fall in the matter of only a few months as producers and audiences struggle to find or create the next big sound. In that spirit, myself and a few fellow music addicts have been hard at work trying to create a fresh new fusion of styles designed to delight your eardrums and bring a lot of diverse styles of electronic music together under one roof. The result? Peasunk Volume 1.

The idea was to go beyond and beneath the traditional boundaries of music by fusing elements of garage, UK funky, house, juke, hip-hop and whatever else into something you just can’t help but vibe to. The tracks on this compilation come from a lot of very, very talented up and coming producers who I’ve gotten to know over the last few months, and Peasunk Vol. 1 is just the beginning of something much bigger. We’re excited about what’s on the horizon, so give it a listen and spread the word if you like what you hear. You can download the whole compilation below, and keep your eyes peeled for Volume 2 not too far down the road. Check us out

Donwload PEASUNK COMPILATION VOL. 1
Mediafire

Last week, during my final vacation as an undergraduate student, I got the chance to cross a big item off my bucket list and attend the madness that is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I’ll spare you most of the grizzly details, but suffice it to say it’s a wild time and I highly recommend it to anyone toying with the idea of heading down next year. However, the highlight of the trip wasn’t the binge drinking or nudity (although both of those were also pretty good), but rather New Orleans’ famous music scene.  It’s no secret that the Crescent City has been a hub of jazz, funk and blues music for over a century, and I was very happy to see that the tradition is still alive and well down there.

One of the highest points of the trip came during the Lundi Gras celebrations, when Monday night turns to Fat Tuesday and everyone goes wild in accordance. For years, it’s been a Lundi Gras tradition for funk heavyweights Galactic to play an all night show, starting at midnight and ending at sunrise, and seeing these guys perform live in their home town for this annual party stands as one of the best experiences of my life thus far. The collection of talent on stage that night, which included not only the renowned band members themselves, but also high school drumlines and many other special guests, was staggering.

Galactic has been kicking out the jams since the mid-90s, but somehow it took me a 2,500 km journey across North America to finally discover and appreciate their talent. Conveniently, Galactic just released a new album last week called Carnivale Electricos, and I highly recommend you all go grab it immediately. Here are a few funk-tastic tracks to entice you, and also be sure to check out this recent interview they did for NPR that describes the inspiration they draw from Mardi Gras and New Orleans, as well as the process they go through before the show. Enjoy

Ha Di Ka (Ft. Big Chief Juan Pardo & the Golden Comanche)- Galactic

Magalenha (Ft. Casa Samba)- Galactic

What’s up yall? Just thought I would drop by with a video and a few new tunes to get you over that Wednesday hump. First up is a spasm-enducing new video from Huoratron, the Finnish techno specialist who has a new LP in the works. Seriously though, take heed of the warning at the beginning of this video, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Huoratron – “Cryptocracy” (Official Music Video) by LastGangRecords

And now some new tracks for your listening pleasure. Cheers

Arrow- Jacques Greene ft. Koreless

A La Modeliste (Bonobo Remix)- Produced by Mark Ronson Ft. Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Zigaboo Modeliste, Trombone Shorty & members of The Dap Kings

Tenderly (Original Mix)- Disclosure

It’s no secret that as time passes by, your tastes in music, clothes, friends etc. will inevitably change. While I still love my EDM music as much as ever before, I’ve recently found myself more and more seeking out new down-tempo, chilled out tracks from younger, up-and-coming producers, and New York’s Cream Dream is one of the producers who’s caught my ear because of his infectious hip hop instrumental beats. His music is in a somewhat similar vein as Clams Casino, another beatsmith who I can’t seem to get enough of these days. Here’s what the man himself had to say about his new EP:

“Cream Dream is pleased to present his third release, Spliffy Beats Vol.I. It’s a smooth, chilled out beat tape perfect for easy listening or cruising around town with the bass turned up. The tape consists of 5 original bass heavy, airy beats and 2 screwed tracks that pay homage to the late DJ Screw. The tape is available now for free download for your listening pleasure!”

You can download the whole EP here for free.

Keep your eyes out for this guy in the future, now here’s a small taste of what you’re in for.

Fast Life (Screwed by Cream Dream) by Cream Dream

Purple Keys by Cream Dream

So I was browsing through Mad Decent’s most recent Soundcloud Roundup, a feature they run every week to promote up and coming unsigned artists, when guess who’s name should appear but Montreal’s own Jaekwon Waxmoney (aka Jacob Waxman). I’ve featured his tracks before on the blog, and this most recent track “Off Balance” is a slice of bass-heavy goodness layered in between very chill melodic vibes. Big ups to the man for getting some recognition from one of the biggest labels out there today, make sure you keep your eye out for Jacob’s name in the future. Check out the track below as well as a link to Mad Decent for some more great tunes.

Jaekwon Waximoney – Off Balance by Jaekwon Waximoney

Mad Decent Roundup #57

It’s shameful that it’s taken me so long to write up a review of a release by one of my favorite artists, but better late than never I suppose. Renaissance Man Project, released at the beginning of November on Turbo records, is the latest creation of Finnish duo Renaissance Man, who I’ve praised profusely on many occasions in the past. Their new LP spans the spectrum all the way from bizzare, yet extremely creative art-house type music, to insanely catchy basslines and infectious drum riffs that will crawl inside your head and stay there for days. This album definitely warrants the use the word “Project” in the title, because it has the feel of musicians who really wanted to push their boundaries and see what they could come up with.

On some tracks, specifically “Stalker Humanoid,” “Knocking Doors,” and “Nonsensus,” the guys stay true to their tech-house roots, constructing complex beats and incorporating eclectic samples of gongs, chimes and even bouncing ping-pong balls. (Side note: the ping-pong ball sample at the beginning of “Nonsensus” immediately reminded me of the sample used in Marble Anthem) On the other hand, the album also has some songs, like “Vancouver” and “Sensemaker,” are a bit harder to wrap your head around. The dance elements in each song are still strong at points, and when you hear them it’s hard not to admire the way Renaissance Man can craft a rhythm out of even the oddest and most unnerving pads and samples.

All in all, I have a mountain of respect for these guys. Not simply because of their tremendous skill as producers, but also in their willingness to push the envelope to create something brilliant and unique. Go pick up the whole album ASAP, Renaissance Man Project has quickly established itself as one of my favorite albums of 2011.

Nikolai Kopeloi- Renaissance Man

Nonsensus- Renaissance Man

S.O.S- Renaissance Man

Happy Friday everyone, welcome to the other side of another long week. As I mentioned earlier, we have a lot of great shows coming up this month, and I’ve just updated our concert calender in accordance. On Sunday one of my favorite hip hop duos of all time, Black Star, will be stopping by La Olympia and limited tickets are still available. Get on that fast if you’re planning on going, hope to see you there.

So NT89, one of my favorite producers to keep track of at the moment, has just released his newest Payne EP. Don’t bother trying to download this one, it’s locked up pretty tight, but you can always check out this teaser on NT89′s soundcloud. Enjoy the this minimix, although it’s pretty much just torture for me.

NT89 – Payne EP teaser inluding Obi Blanche rmx [Bad Life] by NT89

And now your tunes for the weekend

Anticipate ft. Sam Frank (Netsky Remix)- Skream

GO (Original Mix)- Diplo & Oliver Twizt

Globus (Original Mix)- SCNTST

Buzzin (Original Mix)- Overwerk

New Theory (RAC Remix)- Washed Out

Epic (Original Mix)- Sandro Silva & Quintino