You spin me round: Austin duo @BronzeWhale extend and reshape @runCryWolf’s “Slow Burn”

https://soundcloud.com/thebronzewhale/slowburn

CRYWOLF, “Slow Burn” (Bronze Whale remix)

At first I wasn’t sure if Austin duo Bronze Whale were out to drive me a bit mad with their reshaping of their friend Crywolf’s “Slow Burn”.  I think that was because I could relate to the lyrics of the song, which perhaps are so honest and cutting that it slid under my skin too much.  But really this remix is a whirlwind, with so much going on in the first two minutes that you may not know which way is up.  It represents the crazy feeling when you’ve been in a relationship for so long, as singer/songwriter Justin sings I can still feel your claws in me twisting ’round, Bronze Whale capture the essence of that sentiment perfectly.  The mix goes on about a minute longer than the original but is well worth sticking through because it’s inventive with an ending that peters out deliberately just like memories of a now-gone relationship begin to fade.  “Slow Burn” is beautifully sung too and this chaotic but bang on remix perfectly suits the vocals.  You’re gonna want this one – download it for free at the link above.

Bouncing a fine line: Supurb deep house-meets-tropical in”Balance” by @TheHimofficial feat. @Oktavianmusic

THE HIM featuring OKTAVIAN, “Balance”

“Balance” is a supurb, effortless slice of bouncy deep house with tropical delights added for good measure, courtesy of Dutch duo The Him (aka Jeroen and Steven), and featuring silky smooth R&B vocals by L.A.-based fellow Dutchman Oktavian.  

TheHim

It almost goes by too fast – 2:47 is wicked tight and makes you want an extended version.  “Balance” will throw down nicely in a mid-evening set when you want to see your audience at their peak energy.  And you won’t be able to get enough of all of the goodness going on, from the honest vocal through to the well-knit electronics.  The Him proudly have had all of Tiësto, Martin Garrix, Pete Tong, and The Chainsmokers in their corner, so the writing is on the wall:  “Balance” is one of 2016’s summer club bangers to remember.  Listen above or check it out on Spotify.

We want the funk: @Jenauxmusic reworks @Gramatik as “Native Son Prequel” (featuring @LeoNapiermusic)

GRAMATIK featuring LEO NAPIER, “Native Son Prequel” (Jenaux remix)

As both a remixer and performer, NYC’s Jenaux has a fierce style to be reckoned with, which will keep performers-a-calling, wanting a taste of his edgy but funky sound.  This time Jenaux reworks none other than Gramatik’s “Native Son” from the Epigram album, which already received raves for the original collaboration with reknown rapper Raekwon and hot new vocalist Leo Napier.  Well you won’t hear Raekwon in this mix, so “Native Son” is refashioned as “Native Son Prequel”, which takes all of the best kinds of 80’s funky R&B – think Prince, The System, The Time, Cameo – and washes it down with Gramatik’s original melody and Leo’s distinct voice.  Jenaux’s style is party now, go home later 🙂 I guarantee that your butt will not stop grooving to “Native Son Prequel”.  Download it on any available platform using the link above.

Sunshiny anthemic pop single “Ready For Us” by @Drapermusic featuring @Sykesband

https://soundcloud.com/air-326619038/draper-ready-for-us-feat-sykes

DRAPER featuring SYKES, “Ready For Us”

“Ready For Us” is one of those delectable anthemic pop/dance confections that is made either for bright sunny days, or to make your day just that bit better.  It comes to you courtesy of British performer and producer Draper, who has employed fellow Brits, the trio Sykes, to put the rock pedal-to-the-metal that meshes so well with Draper’s electronic mix.  As sung by Sykes’ vocalist Julia with an infectious delivery, “Ready For Us” also doesn’t overwhelm you with an abrasive electronic backdrop.  Although it comes from Britain, it has definite American alt.pop flavour and could find itself following up-and-comers on the scene like Powers or Sofi Tukker.  Give it a listen above and pick it up at your favourite online music store.

Ready to take the summer by storm: @theDiscoFries’ “Born Ready” (featuring @HopeMurphyuk) in a @real_Halogen radio edit

THE DISCO FRIES featuring HOPE MURPHY, “Born Ready” (Halogen radio edit)

Sometimes timing is everything and it makes creating a record all the more worthwhile.  “Born Ready” by NYC duo The Disco Fries (Nick and Danny) featuring UK singer Hope Murphy and remixed by Georgia duo Halogen has been around for a while now.  But persistence pays off, and I think clubland worldwide should truly embrace this outstanding song thanks to a new major record label release!  “Born Ready” happily marries contemporary feel-good house with the zest of the early 90’s club hits, and Hope Murphy’s intense divalicious vocals rank up there with the best of ’em!  So don’t just get ready, you’re “Born Ready” to love this one whether it be in a club or on dance music radio.  Get it on iTunes.

Powerhouse pair: @JackWinsmusic & @KattRoseworld with “Slave 2 Love”

JACK WINS featuring KATT ROSE, “Slave 2 Love”

Every major name – Tiesto, Nicky Romero, Laidback Luke – seems to have recently rallied round Dutchman Jack Wins, and his latest featuring noted UK singer/songwriter Katt Rose should continue that trend with “Slave 2 Love”.  Not that this is anything new really, the theme of the song is ages old.  But Jack and Katt keep it fresh with a breezy, slick disco rhythm and a convincing, playful vocal.  I’d love to hear some extended remixes of “Slave 2 Love” but this short and sweet single (coming in under 3 minutes) will keep listeners and club goers very happy.  A winner for the Mixmash Deep label, you can pick it up on iTunes.

French duo @KLYMVX put a unique stamp on @TheChainsmokers’ “Inside Out” (featuring @Charleenotes)

THE CHAINSMOKERS featuring CHARLEE, “Inside Out” (KLYMVX remix)

Rarely do I write about the same song twice.  I never actually got to write about the original, and then shortly after release the excellent, inventive Not Your Dope x Spirix remix came along.  A little while later, and French duo KLYMVX has put their unique stamp all over their official remix of The Chainsmokers’ “Inside Out”.  While I’m waiting for this to become the official follow up hit to “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Roses”, the KLYMVX remix of “Inside Out” is full of subtleties which you won’t find in other remixes.  This one goes up and down a bit, alternately with busy effects and classical-inspired moments, but from one extreme to another this remix sustains itself by being totally captivating.  The last 40 seconds or so are worthy of applause.  Download it for free at the link above.

@Kaufaudio’s progressive electronic pop song “A Ruin” gets a @truBluHawaii makeover

KAUF, “A Ruin” (Blue Hawaii remix)

L.A.’s Ron Kaufman has been garnering attention these last four years or so with his remixes and a unique approach to progressive electronic pop music that incorporates elements of 90’s Björk through to James Blake.  “A Ruin” is mainly a multi-layered instrumental that incorporates Ron’s dreamy, well-suited vocals to excellent effect.  The song is given added textures of power from noted remix duo Blue Hawaii that help make it memorable.  I was fortunate to see Kauf in concert in Toronto last night and while it requires your focused attention, his music and the direction he’s headed in is wildly creative and has so much potential.  Sometimes danceable, sometimes not, watch for more original music coming from Kauf very soon.  In the mean time you can hear “A Ruin” above and pick it up, in original or remix form, on iTunes.

80’s Motown-flavoured funk comes full circle with “Let Me Be Me” by @NiteFunk

NITE FUNK, “Let Me Be Me”

Get your 80’s Motown-flavoured funk on with “Let Me Be Me” by L.A.-based duo Nite Funk, consisting of instrumentalist DāM-FЦПK and vocalist Nite Jewel.  “Let Me Be Me” is like reliving the Teena Marie/Rick James experience all over again, albeit with some refinements and perhaps with some elegance replacing aggression.  This allows it to tread into Patrice Rushen/Sheila E/Rene & Angela territory and the instrumentation throughout just shimmers.  This is warm and inviting R&B/dance with so many retro graces on a contemporary tip.  Note in the credit that the mastering is done by François Kevorkian, whose name will be well-recognized by  70’s and 80’s remix fans.  Simply very well done!  Get it on iTunes.

Slick as thieves: Smooth chilled-out house by @LoudLuxury x @Shoffymusic “Villains”

LOUD LUXURY x SHOFFY, “Villains”

Hot off the presses today, promising Toronto duo Loud Luxury (Joe and Andrew) team up with intriguing vocalist Shoffy (who has already got the attention of Spinnin’ Records) for “Villains”.  If there’s such a thing as smooth chilled-out house music, then these guys have it down in spades.  There’s an R&B flair in Shoffy’s voice that recalls the best of the 90’s (the style of Brian McKnight comes to mind) and it’s matched with a genuinely interesting mix of tropical-infused house music.  This kind of dance music goes down really easy and the song conspicuously perks your ears up along the way.  Download “Villains” for free at the link above.