Today, Gabriel and Dresden’s new double CD mix Mixed for Feet is released.  The title could not be more fitting.  Reunited after three years on solo projects, Gabriel & Dresden are now in the middle of a North American and European Tour.  This weekend, in fact, they are headlining New York’s Electric Zoo festival on September 4th.  That’s good news for fans of house music–a trance influenced direction of the house sound has taken hold of popular taste.  The call of the day continues to be genre-crossing, and Gabriel and Dresden are on the pulse of the moment with this mix.  Along with tracks from Gabriel & Dresden themselves, there are tunes by Tiësto, Umek, Felguk, Dada Life, and Fedde Le Grand in the mix here.  That type of range in selection is the surest sign of the current era of electronic music.
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What an era it is by the sound of it!  One the finest sequences on these mixes happens on the second disc: Gabriel & Dresden’s own “Dust in the Wind,” which features the vocals of Molly Bancroft is massive and anthemic, all lilting piano and reverb until the beat drops into a blend with the intense, no-nonsense banger “Eponym” by D-Wayne and Jacob Van Hange.  The driving pulse of Eponym soon gives way to the melodic synths of Funkagenda and Adam K’s “Drift.”  This trifecta is an example of what a DJ does, and why crowds love it.  Music selection makes a difference, and, yes, for electronic music the medium is the message.  Each of these songs on its own makes for great listening, but when put together into a set something very human and emotional takes place.

There are plenty of further examples to draw from across these two discs.  The first  CD especially is a gem and makes for great for virtually any setting dancefloor, gym, headphones, take your pick.  Mixed for Feet puts a phenomenal spotlight on the reunited Gabriel and Dresden–Welcome back!

House has its history like every other form of music– there are books about it; documentaries about it; it even appears in movies (what’s that playing at the Hacienda?).  It was born recently enough that more often than not the story is told by the people who were there to see the beginning.  A classic house song like Phuture’s Acid Trax, therefore, is no secret but known the world over.  Phuture began as a trio of Chicagoans in early house music: Spanky, Herb J, and DJ Pierre, who had a rare gift for minting new genres as he made music.

In 1981, Roland Corporation introduced TB-303: The Bass Line, invented by Tadao Kikumoto.  In 1987, the Chicago-trio Phuture would release “Acid Tracks.”  DJ Pierre made new possibilities for the bassline in house music.  Chicago’s “Acid” House sound had an audience around the world.  Around the same time DC Comics was issuing its Watchmen graphic novel, and the smiley face worn by the Comedian in that series became the icon of the sound.  Fast forward to 2011, and DJ Pierre is now a legend of Chicago house music having pioneered progressive and wildpitch styles of house as well.  Pierre teams up with another legend of Chicago House music, Green Velvet and they cover the classic in rare fashion.  This EP has another major producer out of Chicago as well, Angel Alanis.  Angel Alanis’s pulsing tech house remix features the producer at the top of his form, and he pairs his remix with a remarkable dub version.  Kris Menace rounds out the major talent on this EP with an electro remix filled with languid synths and a sharpened techno edge.  This EP is in fact an homage to a crucial song of global dance music who’s influence continues to be a heard and felt to this day.

North Carolina is rapidly becoming a center of talent in electronic music. One of the biggest names to emerge from the state is also one of the youngest talents to make serious waves. Anyone who keeps up with electronic music knows that Porter Robinson exploded onto the festival and touring circuit by making music that’s good. “Say My Name” the song that made him famous managed to use the word “honor” in way that was not out of date and actually seemed kind of cool. . .all that, and face it the theme of the song was unexpected given the title. Not yet out of high school, Robinson is one of the wunderkinds emerging in global dance along with other producers such as Madeon from France and Temabes from Russia. These kids continue in the tradition of The Belleville Three, Felix Stallings, Jr (now Felix da Housecat), Tevo Howard, and Steve Porter all of whom were in high school or, even, middle school when they began making club hits.

Being in North Carolina right now, it’s only fitting to take a moment to point out Porter Robinson’s new remix of Lady Gaga. Undoubtedly it’ll be a huge track a huge track. As I write this it’s been up for a less than three hours, and is approaching 600 plays…that’s about three plays a minute. Wow. This remix shows that Robinson is an artist who looks to challenge himself in production. Hardest part of being a wunderkind is, well, being a wunderkind, rather than say just another little Johnny one note. Porter Robinson is working hard, and his remix shows it. For that reason it pairs well with Gaga’s latest hit, the result of her own tireless grind.

Lady Gaga – The Edge of Glory (Porter Robinson Remix) by Porter Robinson

Its been forever. But its summer again, and content is king so its time for some updates. I figured that it would be best to get things going with some upcoming brilliance of the tech house variety. A little while I had the pleasure of catching Marco Corona on Ustream.tv when Ritchie Hawtin flashed the news on Facebook. It was a remarkable set to watch even if beamed through cyberspace. Glad I saw it. Recently I’ve had the pleasure of grooving to Corona’s Tech House ’70 vol. 1. . .Spectacular tunes on that one! Here’s one of them:

MARCO CORONA "Jack Black" (Original Mix) by Marco Corona

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Also for your listening pleasure Corona has whipped up a banging mix for the start of summer. From its first minute Corona goes for a massive sound that just sweeps you away in its high energy groove. Definitely tech-house at its very best, and from a maestro.

http://soundcloud.com/marcocorona/junes-podcast-marco-corona

Marco Corona’s upcoming material is definitely exciting, but there are more reasons for excitement.

The summer heat means hot tunes, and tech house label rEJEKTS is revving up for a new release from Gamal Kabar. This release is great for a couple of reasons.  First of all its the fifth release on rEJEKTS, and its been about a year since the label has had a new release.  This EP pounds out serious dance floor grooves from start to finish.  My personal favorite is the track Unsure Future, which has been a long time in coming:

RJKT005 – Gamal Kabar – Unsure Future by Rejekts

Despite the time between releases rEJEKTS has stayed busy.  On the EP up coming there’s a stellar remix of the releases second track “Bucca”

RJKT005_Gamal_Kabar_Bucca_rEJEKTS_Remix by Rejekts

To support this upcoming EP Iain Taylor has put together a mix in support of the release…”Das Uber Trendy.”  This one grooves hard, and spotlights Gamal Kabar’s music.  Cool listening for hot weather!

IAIN tAYLOR (rEJEKTS) – June Promo pODCAST for RJKT005 release by Rejekts

Speaking of which there will be plenty more to come so be sure to subscribe and/or check back regularly for updates!

Kyau and Albert are among the most popular DJs in the world right now with avid fans everywhere. Hailing from Germany, this mix is a massive set of progressive house interwoven throughout with elements of trance and techhouse. Recorded on July 10th, this mix is in support of their new song “Painkiller” released on their label Euphonic, which releases some of the most exciting progressive music today.

If you’re a fan of Kyau and Albert, the sound of this mix is what you’d expect: big, swirling synths; bouncing bass-lines; hard hitting beats; strings sailing in and out of the ether. If you don’t know these guys, then you’re in for treat–the set begins with a big sound, and grows without a pause. Definitely a fine and satisfying addition to the Summer Series!

Kyau and Albert July 2010

. . . and check out the video for Painkiller video:

You may trace techno to whatever deep historical origins in electronic music that you would like. Personally, I think the deepest roots of electronic music are in the principles of musique concret that Karlheinz Stockhausen adapted from Pierre Shaffer, and which in turn influenced Miles Davis’s landmark recordings Bitches Brew and On the Corner. Other’s may go to the first electric instruments Telharmonium and Theremin, which no doubt inspired jazz musician Raymond Scott to experiment with electronic jazz composition. A third route may be Kraftwerk, the seminal German pop group who combined the drum rhythms of Clyde Stubblefield with a brand of robotic stage presence. I’m sure there are other ways to map just where techno came from, but one place ties these strands together: Detroit.
Without Detroit no techno—whatever its deepest origins before the 1988 compilation “TECHNO!: The New Dance Sound of Detroit” there was no electronic music called techno. That seminal release christened a musical form as surely as champagne christens a boat. The boat was built before the christening, but an unchristened boat has no purpose since no one will sail in it.
Track Masta Lou has been a fixture of Detroit techno. A legend of the music, his collective of artists, Scan 7, are often called mysterious due to their deliberate practice of anonymity. Masked, known for live analogue performance, and invoking esoteric symbolism Scan 7 may be mysterious, yet they are whimsical enough to have bobble head dolls and trading cards. The true affect of being so hidden, so unknown is that their music is put in the foreground. They are unknown but their music is very knowable. Moreover it is danceable, driving, hard as nails. At the same time, this combination means that Scan 7′s very presence evokes the introspection and subtlety of the serious artist. The seriousness of an artist is often measured by longevity, and by this standard so there’s no doubting Track Masta Lou and Scan 7 collective.
Most artists will sell you merchandise and recordings, but few will ask you to write what you think about vinyl as something in return. That point should sound like an anecdote because that’s exactly how I got my bobble head, hat, records, and trading cards! Fittingly the seventh part of the Summer Series is Scan 7′s live performance at the Maximal Festival in Milan from June ’09.

Tommie Sunshine is amazing. If you don’t know that already, then you are in for a real treat. This Summer Soundtrack mix has made the rounds on-line because it’s excellent. Brooklyn remains one of the brightest and most vibrant centers for dance music of all stripes and Tommie Sunshine represents all the best reasons why! I should note that hearing Tommie Sunshine’s spring mix is part of the idea behind doing a summer series of my favorites mixes at all! Tommie Sunshine has been a fav since I heard his mysteriously sad track “Runway Runaway” on the classic Misery Loves Company compilation in ’02 from Ersatz Audio. Eight years on he’s even better and continues to be both astoundingly creative and productive. Enjoy this mix!

1. Black Box – Ride On Time [Zombie Disco Squad Bass Remix]
2. Estelle – Freak [Riva Starr Remix]
3. Wiley feat. J2K and Jo Connor – Electric Boogaloo [Riva Starr Remix]
4. Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne – I Can Transform Ya [Bart B More Remix]
5. Robbie Rivera – Rock The Disco [David Guetta Laptop Remix]
6. Usher feat. Will.i.am – OMG [Alvaro Dirty House Bootleg]
7. M.I.A. – XXXO [Sylaxia Edit]
8. Sandro Silva – Told Ya [Apster Remix]
9. Fatboy Slim and Herve – Machines Can Do The Work
10. Moby – JLTF [Chuckie Remix]
11. Kelis – Acapella [David Guetta Extended Mix]
12. Snap! – Rhythm Is A Dancer [Armand Van Helden Remix]
13. Benny Benassi pres. The Biz – Satisfaction [Afrojack Remix]
14. Vandalism – Throw Your Hands Up [Angger Dimas Remix]
15. Addy Van Der Zwan and R3hab – Get Get Down [Biggi Remix]
16. Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman – I Like To Move It [Sidney Samson Remix]
17. Congorock – Babylon [Steve Angelo Edit]
18. Tommie Sunshine – 5AM (A Girl Like You) feat. Oh Snap!!
19. Richard Vission and Static Revenger starring Luciana – I Like That [Angger Dimas Remix]
20. Dennis Ferrer – Hey Hey [Vandalism Remix]
21. Timbaland featuring SoShy and Nelly Furtado – Morning After Dark [Wolfgang Gartner Club Mix]
22. La Roux – Bulletproof [Foamo Remix]
23. Black Eyed Peas – Rock That Body [Richard Vission Remix]
24. Kaskade feat. Haley – Dynasty [Dada Life Remix]
25. Deadmau5 – Some Chords
26. Swedish House Mafia – One
27. Scissor Sisters – Invisible Light [Boys Noize Remix]
28. Grum – Can’t Shake This Feeling [Grum Club Remix]

[PS- We're getting into August now, and Ive a bunch of mixes in the waiting. Maybe now is the time for the summer series to go daily for a bit?]

Don Rimini’s new Nlarge Your Pants EP is one of the best releases of the summer. I’ve already written about it over at NoVegans, so I won’t repeat myself here. I will say though that while every song on the release won’t be to everyone’s taste, Don Rimini’s impeccable blending of influences does make his EP standout affair. Rimini adds to the Summer Series this week with a mix dropped in support of the EP. With some of the best material from the EP here, the mix showcases Rimini’s electrifying vibe. Can a hard-rocking set have charm? I don’t know, it seems like an oxymoron to me, but I think that particular balance is exactly what Rimini strikes in this mix. It gets going, and doesn’t stop, and along the way there is an awful lot to like here! Listen to it once, and you’ll definitely want to get back to house!

Rimini Setilst:

Don Rimini – Riminology
Supabeatz & Landmark – Rhumbla Woohoo
2 In A Room – Carnival (Armand’s Kokonut Killa Mix)
TWR72 – The Creation (Genesis Version)
Brodinski & Noob – Peanuts Club (Serial Chillers Pea Your Nuts Remix)
The Subs – Vomit In Style (Don Rimini Chi Town Remix)
Auto Erotique – Bubonic
Sir James – Special (Bingo Players Remix)
Tony Senghore – If You Came Here
Funke & Lange – I Believe
French Fries – Senta
Don Rimini – Whatever
Djedjotronic – Computer Jerk
Pink A Pads – Out For The Count (Breega Remix)
Kenny Dope – Jam The Mace
Dirty Super Car – Get A Grip (The Loops Of Fury Remix)
Dolby Anol – Weapons Of Mass Distraction
Speaker Junk – Run The Track
Modek – Quasimodo

It’s another week, and I’ve got another mix out of Chi-town for you. . . A while back, I bought Tevo Howard’s vinyl pressing of “Passion Sounds,” “Inter-Tribal,” and “Dreamer’s Reason.” A fantastic group of songs, the record quickly began appearing regularly on the playlists of the radio show I was doing at the time. I didn’t know much about Tevo Howard, but wanted to hear and know more. Surprise, surprise I ran across his mix on soundcoud.com for the website Roof.fm. Turns out there’s a reason his tunes were so polished and surprising–he was a well know DJ in Chicago in 1990, making rounds in clubs throughout the city and on the radio when only fourteen years old! Wow! That was 1990, and now the wunderkind is all grown up, and making remarkable music.
His twenty years or so years of experience on the decks shows in the precision of this pop-inflected mix of deep house. The sound is distinct and the set satisfying. Over at soundcloud, they’ve promised to post a setlist, so keep you eyes peeled because some of these tracks are so delicious they are almost edible. Almost.