Hard and Heavy Computer Music

Hey y'all, sup?
Note the southern inflection, in honor of the sick group Computer Club out of Birmingham, Alabama. An amalgam of Gigantor and Evol Intent, both drum n' bass masters, Computer Club mixes disco, electro and their originals and remixes to great success; they even somehow manage to blend Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize.

Let's start with some originals:

Bizarre Love Triangle, a remix of the New Wave hit back in the day, has been stuck on repeat for a while.
Laptop Levitation definitely has an 80's feel to it, with the chorus chanting and such.
Load Rocket is just wicked hard and heavy

and check out their hour of glory:

www.zshare.net/audio/125220720ca4d081

Tracklist:
01. (Intro) - "Welcome To The Computer Club Meeting"
02. Midnight Juggernauts - "Shadows (Knightlife Remix)"
03. Prince - "Erotic City (Computer Club Edit)"
04. Wired All Wrong - "Elevatin' (Computer Club Remix)"
05. Computer Club - "Laptop Levitation"
06. Buddy Akai - "Cut Me Up (Villains Remix)"
07. Les Rhythmes Digitales - "Sometimes (Computer Club's Front Room Reflip)"
08. Micky Slim Vs. Deadmau5 Vs. House of Pain - "Jump Around"
09. Computer Club - "Load Rocket"
10. Boys Noize - "My Head (Para One Remix)"
11. Nine Inch Nails - "That's What I get (Computer Club's President Emeritus Remix)"
12. Sebastian - "Dog"
13. Mr. Oizo - "Flat Beat (Computer Club's Fat Eric Remix)"
14. Kill The Noise - "Hey You (Robbie Monticello Remix)"
15. Rrrump - "Twerk It"
16. Computer Club - "Flat Response"
17. Ocelot - "This Is Our Time (Treasure Fingers Remix)"
18. Kill The Noise - "Pull my Strings"
19. Hail Social - "No Paradise (Hot Pink Delorean Remix)"
20. Fantastadon - "Skampa"
21. Computer Club - "Bizarre Love Triangle"
22. Lismore - "Paradis (Udachi Remix)"
23. Young MC - "Bust A Move (Don Rimini Ravekid Remix)"

Hooligan Disco, Episode 1

I just came across this video today. It's the inaugural 45 minute episode from a mini series Para One is editing together from footage of the Institubes North America tour from about 8 months ago. I saw the tour when it came through Montréal and it was easily the best electro night I've been to all year. Surkin is in this video more than anyone else, but it also includes Curses!, DJ Orgasmic and a few cameos from the director. The video originates from Vimeo so please do check out their site.


Hooligan Disco (w/ English subtitles) from Institubes on Vimeo.

Falke pt. 2

I'm glad Nestor dedicated a post entirely to Fred Falke. Since i've returned to New York not a day has gone by where I haven't listened to these two tracks:

I'm Good, I'm Gone (Fred Falke remix) - Lykke Li

Golden Cage (Fred Falke remix) - Whitest Boy Alive

Blissful, euphonious; just a few words that come to mind. Check out the live mix as well.

Triple J set

Head here for an interview with Fred Falke and learn more about his live/DJ hybrid performances.

Hell A

Of all the emergent electro scenes in the United States; New York, Philadelphia, Houston... Los Angeles reigns king. Groups like Guns 'n' Bombs and heartsrevolution are blowing up, mainly through the diffusive power of the blogosphere. The one group that doesn't receive much attention however is Acid Girls; a production / DJ duo from SoCal who left the states back in late 2007 to record some tracks and repatriated themselves only a few months ago. There are rumors of a forthcoming summer album but ultimately this group is elusive. Everything they release is class. Here are a few tracks, a mix of the old and the new. Head over to HypeMachine or iheartcomix, L.A. based blog, record label, party throwers, etc. to hear more.

Prism Effect [It's Not the Size that Counts Acid Girls Edit] - heartsrevolution (oldie but a goodie)
Sirens [Acid Girls Can Hear it Too Remix] - Dizze Rascal (new remix, HQ mp3 folks)
Palms [Extended Dub mix] (myspace rip, not the best quality but a must have)
Tender Loving Care (ditto)
Neon Noise Mixtape (20 minute mix, download it, don't think twice. Head over to iheartcomix for a tracklist)

Video Interview

Le Contact Francais

Yea so electro is all great and cool and everything, but often one yearns for something new...after all, its hard (at least for me) to listen to hardcore dance music without wanting to burst out dancing, and sometimes it is not entirely appropriate to do so. To remedy this we have now gotten into 'French touch', a modern and better kind of house music, specifically the work of Fred Falke who is mega beast at bass and synth and all those wonderful happy instruments he uses. In addition to composing originals with his cousin Alan Braxe, Falke has some really good remixes, overdubbing his own bass lines making songs generally more upbeat and, yes, more dance-oriented I suppose. In any case, here are some the best of what I've got from them:

Intro, which is a huge club hit by Falke and Braxe;
Love Theme, has Falke's awesome bass line pumpin' through it and a funky breakdown near the end;
Burn it All Down, Falke's remix of the VHS Or Beta tune;
Hot Chip's Colors remixed again by Falke;
Black History Month a remix by Falke and Braxe;
Don't even know what to say about this one, Rubicon;
and Falke's original, Sanctuary
peace, enjoy and keep the volume up!

top 10 (very subjectively) modern female vocals

As some of you may know, I tend to listen to a lot of music with female vocals. I enjoy the female voice in music, and I like to find beautiful and interesting incarnations of it. Since new good music is hard to come by for me lately (probably because I'm too lazy to look), let's look at the old favourites and - why not? - rank them from best to better to still very good. And mind as well put some mp3's here and there, for your enjoyment.

(Preface: this is modern music. Billie Holiday not included.)

#1. Tamar-kali (Easy Star All-Stars)
I saw Easy Star in Montreal, and Tamar-kali's voice was the most beautiful sound ever to hit my eardrums, probably in my entire life. Rich, powerful, graceful like a black puma (are there white pumas?) preparing to kill its prey. I rest my case.
Listen: Easy Star All-Stars - Climbing Up The Walls (zshare)

#2 Jo Swan (San Ilya)
The sultriest, richest and most versatile voice ever to be found in electronic music (although San Ilya is hard to classify), Jo hits highest to lowest in half a second without any visible effort. A pleasure to listen.
Listen: Ilya - Quattra Neon (zshare)

#3 Joanne Pelletier (Jorane)
Jorane's voice is best described as angelic. When you listen to it sometimes you wonder whether it actually exists or you're just dreaming it. Accompanied by cello (also played by Jorane) it sounds... well, like the sky. Sometimes it's sunny, sometimes there are drifting clouds, sometimes there's rain and sometimes there's storm.
Listen: Jorane - Rose Velours (zshare)

#4 Beth Gibbons (Portishead)
You don't know what sorrow is until you hear Beth Gibbons' ghostly, lamenting, beautifully set voice accompanied either by Portishead's moody trip-hop or by Rustin' Man's downtempo. It's a classic. Enough said.
Listen: Beth Gibbons & Rustin' Man - Tom The Model (zshare)

#5 Ane Brun
Very dreamy vocals, velvet-y overtones, very versatile and moody, a very complex smoky voice. The music is great for rainy days, give it a listen when you're feeling... say, nostalgic.
Listen: Ane Brun - Balloon Ranger (zshare)

#6 Carla Bruni
Moving into the realm of more one-dimensional, yet still incredibly sexy and smoky voices, Carla Bruni is a lead. A model, a singer, a president's wife... Carla knows her stuff. Don't miss out on this one.
Listen: Carla Bruni - L'excessive (zshare)

#7 Bajka (Bonobo)
Sultry, understated and sweet, Bajka's voice is on the lower end of the spectrum, and was an excellent choice for Bonobo's latest tunes on his album, Days To Come.
Listen: Bonobo - Nightlite (zshare)

#8 Leslie Feist
iPod commercials nevertheless, Feist is still cool. Strong, pleasant voice singing catchy tunes. No explanation needed, really.

#9 Lhasa de Sela
Soulful and emotional, Lhasa's voice really grips. Really nothing much to say, just listen.
Listen: Lhasa - De Cara A La Pared (zshare)

#10 Zemfira Ramazanova (Zemfira)
Previously featured on this blog. Strong, powerful, emotional, in-your-face voice. Hard to come by & highly recommended.

These are my personal favourites and you must keep in mind that I can't listen to ALL music in the world, so the scope is somewhat limited. Otherwise, enjoy

tunes to study to

Hey guys
I know its been a while, no one has posted for some reason or another. In any case here are some songs I'm currently obsessed with. The first is a remix of a Röyksopp song and is nice to listen to when you're trying to get things done...or in any circumstance as its just a good song: Remind Me (if you haven't used megaupload before, just enter the three letters and wait a few seconds on the next page for the download). The original is nice too.
Next is some kinda feel-good electro-house something, Fred Falke's remix of Golden Cage, I've been listening to it a little too much. But it keeps the spirits up. The original by The Whitest Boy Alive is here.
And if you're awake late at night doing whatever it is you do, check this out: Moan by Trentemøller, nice for 3am zone-outs.
I've kinda given up on various essays I've been writing, I hope you have better stamina and determination in whatever it is that occupies you. I'm just waiting for Mexico.
As usual I would love to hear what you're listening to (provided its good), so drop me a line or a comment with some recommendations.
peace

For Your Amusement

three videos that will make you smile on the inside

1.) datarock's "computer camp love"


if you were a fan, you may be interested in these tracks...
datarock - computer camp love
datarock - i used to dance with my daddy (metal on metal remake)
datarock - i used to dance with my daddy (para one remix)




jumpsuit + bmx = ultimate cool


2.) the whip, "sister siam"


for further enjoyment:
the whip - sister siam (bitchee bitchee ya ya ya remix)
the black ghosts - anyway you choose to give it (the whip remix)


3.) midfield general, "midfielding" (w/noel fielding)



if you want some more melodic midfield, check these out...
robots in disguise - the sex has made me stupid (stupid sex midfield general remix)
midfield general - disco sirens (boy 8 bit short vocal mix)

and if you like to smoke dust, this may give you the giggles
dj lobsterdust - its fun to smoke dust (queen v. pastor gary greenwald v. midfield general)

x0x neonguns x0x

p.s. bonus tracks!!!
neon knights - problems in the playground (worth a listen, but lacks polish)
neon knights - hoods up for justice (be patient with this one, my favorite part starts around 4:55)
apparat - arcadia
boys noize - shine, shine (apparat remix)

Essential Mixing

Its been a while, I know. That is why I am here to tell you about the most complete electronic music collection online: BBC's Essential MIx. Since 1993, BBC has put out over 900 sets, of different Djs. This means that there is at least 2000 hours of music. Plus, the set are easily found online.
It is hosted by Pete Tong who is one of the driving forces behind English electronic music. Who also compiled the first essential Mix in 1993.
I tried to find this set, and surprisingly it was online. I heard the first 20 minutes, and its pretty good. It is 15 years old! If you guys like going back to the classics, you can check it out.
Pete Tong @ Essential Mix BBC Radio 30-10-1993

I like lists. So here we go. Here are some DJs that have mixed Essentially:
Sasha, John Digweed, Laurent Garnier, Moby, Carl Cox, Massive Attack, DJ Krush, Portishead, Daft Punk, Kraftwerk, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Felix da Housecat, Basement Jaxx, and Air. And believe me the list goes on. Those are only the big names I could find from before the year 2000!

I found a BEAST site. It has Essential Mix form 1993-2005. So if you guys get curious and decide to explore the dangerous world of electronic music, thats your online database.
Those Germans sure got it. Click for Essential mix Collection

So that was in the past. What is new? Adam Freeland.Resident DJ of Fabric. Grammy nominee. BEAST.
His set is amazing. Just check out the tracklist.
1. Billy Nayer - Ship Alarm - BSG
2. Siriusmo - Girls Rock - Bungalow
3. Unkle – Restless (loop) - Surrender All
4. Evil Nine – They Live - Marine Parade
5. Rogerseventytwo – Imagination - Tiger Trax
6. Grinderman - No Pussy Blues (Adam Freeland edit)
7. Adam Freeland – Glowstix - Marine Parade
8. Boys Noize - Lets Buy Happiness - Boys Noize
9. Autolux – Blanket (Adam Freeland remix) - Full Time Hobby
10. Junkie XL - Cities In Dust (Glimmers remix) - Artwerk
11. Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor (Soulwax remix) - EMI
12. Shadow Dancer - End Hit - Boys Noize
13. Alan Braxe – Addicted - Vulture
14. UNKLE – Restless - Surrender All
15. Blake Baxter and Mark Romboy - House Ya (bootleg)
16. Alex Metric – Pins - Marine Parade
17. Crookers - Love To Edit - Crack Crack
18. Bloody Beetroots – Butter - Crack Crack
19. Shadow - Right Thing (Z-Trip get the party off mix in 3 parts) - Island
20. Freeland – Do Ya - Marine Parade
21. Map Of Africa - Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys - Whatever We Want
22. Black Strobe - Shining Brightstar (Phones remix) - Playlouder / Beggars France)
23. Sebasien Tellier - Sexual Sportswear (SebastiAn remix) - Record Makers
24. Breakbot – Happy Rabbit - Moshi Moshi
25. Tepr - Midniut Jacuzzi (Data remix) - Wall of Sound
26. Soulwax – Krack (Nite version) - Play It Again Sam
27. Midnight Juggernaughts - Road to Discovery - Siberia
28. Adam Freeland – Hate - Marine Parade
29. Freeland - How To Fake Your Life - Marine Parade
30. Splitter - All Alone (Alex Metric remix) - Eye Industries
31. Can – Mothersky - United Artists
32. Swayzak - Smile and Receive (Apparat remix) - K7!
33. Simple Minds - Theme For Great Cities - Sanctuary
34. Caribou – Niobe (Adam Freeland edit)

Freeland EM part 1

Part 2

Hope you love it!

Austria contributes: Parov Stelar - Shine

Those of you who like to relax in style, prepare to hear great news - Parov Stelar came up with a new album, longer and better than anything he's produced before. An elegant mix of nu-jazz, breakbeat, downtempo and perhaps a pinch of lounge - but don't be scared, it is quite far from elevator music. Quite on the contrary, the tunes on Shine (2007) manage to engage, just enough to put you in a good, relaxed mood. His Myspace page perhaps will say this better than I:

"The freedom of jazz combined with the groove of house and breakbeat describes the character of Parov Stelar. The main theme is clearly defined, high quality music engaged in functionality."

Indeed, it is all about very well-produced intelligent grooves than will leave even the most fastidious listeners pleased. While it starts off a bit lounge-esque, the first two compositions employ very lush vocals, and so were forgiven by me for their sometimes tiring escapades. The album really kicks in around the area of "Your Fire", quite a catchy tune with some piano thrown in for a good measure. It all gets better from there, with impossibly stylish "Lost In Amsterdam", very reminiscent of Bonobo's lightly jazzy electronic downtempo. "Love" (both parts of the song) set a mood-lifting groovy and upbeat atmosphere, separated by a couple of tunes, most notably "Charleston Butterfly" which could very well be the most elegant and groovy effort on the record, and "Autumn Beasts", a somewhat darker and more sinister streak in a mostly light atmosphere of the album.

Overall, Shine is a clever, refined statement that will leave you asking for more of Marcus Füreder's work. Don't miss out:

Download here.

Tracklist:
1. Come Closer (feat. Kristina Lindberg)
2. Good Bye Emily (feat. Gabriella Hanninen)
3. Shine (feat. Lilja Bloom)
4. Tango Muerte
5. Your Fire (feat. Luke)
6. Lost In Amsterdam
7. Little Lion
8. Love (Part 1)
9. Charleston Butterfly (feat. Gabriella Hanninen)
10. Autumn Beasts
11. On My Way Now (Love Part 2)
12. Crushed Island
13. War Inside
14. Happy End
15. Homesick (Bonustrack)