Man of Many Projects

Maurice Fulton, I had no idea how many projects this guy is involved in. On top of the gazillion remixes (The Rapture, Annie, Hot Chip, etc...) he has done, and solo projects, he is also produced his wife's music project Mu (remember the track Paris Hilton?) and some of !!!'s early tracks and plays with his band, Syclops on Kathy Diamond's ridiculously awesome debut, Miss Diamond To You, and he has now just released my current obsession, the new full length from Syclops on none other than DFA.

Just look at how many aliases and projects he is involved with:

Aliases
Boof, Dr. Scratch, Eddie & The Eggs, Equal People, Javen Souls, Ladyvipb, Noize Boyz, The, Orphies, Sticky People

Projects
2 Flights Up, Chantilly, Hot Sauce, Moonwalkers, The, RWJ, Spenitch, Syclops, Watershine

Syclops first came under my radar with the track Mom, My Radio Broke on Four Tet's DJ Kicks (get it). Well that was the tip of the ice berg. The album drop kicked me in the face when I first heard it. Definitely different. It skips the 4-4 beat most of the time in favor of more experimental beats. An extremely progressive album. (Weird?) These are the types of albums that blow me away and I realize that there are still new ideas being created.

All of this from a Detroit DJ.

Maurice Fulton's name is one of those unexpected recurrences in dance music, I mean still knowing almost nothing about him he never seemed to merit mention along with Frankie Knuckles/Bones/Whoever nor in the Detroit pack of May, Carter, Atkins, and of course the master Craig or early euro-stirrers like Kirk Degiorgio and others. But none of that really matters, much like early hip-hop or the days of disco, house music wasn't created with the intention of lasting, crates of 12"s siphoned off the press with none of rock's bravado of "making it" either financially or into history. It was still somewhat naive. Fulton went a different route than many of his contemporaries. His work appeared on left leaning house label Warp records right alongside deep house classics . His music is more complex than Craig's or Knuckles, breezing through an mp3 can present you with 4 very different compositions in on track, yet on listen your only aware of one central conversation holding the entire thing together.

So what do I have for you today??? First up, is a DJ mix that Maurice Fulton made for Resident Advisor back in 2006. It really showcases his taste in music and his expansive record collection. Next up are a couple of Fulton remixes including the definitive Over & Over remix. (Can you believe this song came out in 2005??? Please don't start playing it again though... It's up there with Le Tigre's Decepticon already...). The Mu track smacks you in the face. He's married to that woman! Next is up is Brighton's disco chantreuse Kathy Diamond. Her follow up album is in the works for this year. And finally it is Syclops with their album opener NR17.

Kathy Diamond's and Syclop's debut efforts are worthy of a splot in your record library. Syclops's I've Got My Eye On You is currently on my shortlist for album of the year. THAT good.

MP3: Maurice Fulton - Resident Advisor - RA.021
MP3: Rollmottle - Take A Break (Maurice Fulton Remix) (ysi)
MP3: Hot Chip - Over & Over (Maurice Fulton Remix) (ysi)
MP3: Mu - Out of Breach (ysi)
MP3: Kathy Diamond - All Woman (ysi)
MP3: Syclops - NR17 (ysi)

They Make It Good

Pick up this mix right quick. Expertly put together. Seriously. Damn good. Chris Devlin slaps togethers some choice tunes that seeminly do not seem like they would go together. They do.

"…not a dj mix in the live sense, but yea I am a DJ and i mixed/edited all these
songs and sound bytes together. I started with the basic format for a mix, other
peoples music. Not satisfied with that, I put in some original material I have
made or collaborated on, and did some edits of older songs in an attempt to
re-introduce them. "

-Chris Devlin

Why Don't I Do It?

Monday morning, Memorial Day weekend, I woke up early enough (better said my dog woke me up) and decided to just slap some songs together I have been listening to (on and off again) for the past few weeks. Some old, some not. I was surprised to record this mix in just one take.

It actually took longer to upload this mix than to record it! Crappy wifi kept on fading out on me. (I need to buy a new router.)

And since my early summer included my recent trip to Japan, I figure this is a good time to share a few of my pictures with you guys.

Early Summer Mix Tracklist
Clinic - Come Into Our Room
The Turtles -Happy Together (Wade Nichols Edit)
Chez Jankel - Get Yourself Together (Hercules & Love Affair House Mix)
The African Dream - Makin' A Living
Sally Shapiro - I'll Be By Your Side (Tensnake Remix)
(some beats from LCD Soundsystem - Time to Get Away (Gucci Soundsystem Remix))
The Knife - Silent Shout (Live in Gothenburg)
Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire (Joakim Remix)
Free Blood - The Royal Family (ACTH Remix)
Joakim - Lonely Hearts

MP3: Early Summer Mix (YSI)

Famous Glico running man billboard at the Dōtonbori Bridge in the heart of Osaka's entertainment district. Originally installed in 1935, the giant athlete is a symbol of Glico candy.

Inspiration for movies like Blade Runner and Black Rain in the Dōtonbori district.

House in an upscale suburb of Osaka.

Underside of an umbrella in Kyoto.
The top of Monkey Mountain in Arashiyama area of Kyoto where (surprise) Japanese monkeys (macaques) roam free.

Guardian of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Wishing well I am pretty sure in Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto


Shops were typically a surprise since I could not read the signs to know what was inside.

新幹線, Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo.

Shibuya crossing reportedly the world's busiest intersection. All traffic, in all directions stops and everyone scrambles to get where they are going.

Dinner was always a surprise. Here we have some of the ingredients for Okonomiyaki.

Seafood is everywhere.

View from the New York Bar at the Park Hyatt. Yes, where Bill Murray had drinks with Scarlett Johansson in that movie.

Forget trying to figure out the Tokyo metro map written in Kanji. But the Japanese are very friendly and helpful. I even had people approach me asking if I needed help (I did).

Shinjuku

Harajuku station. You can see a couple of the Lolita girls just hanging out.

Hello Kitty floor at Kiddy Land.

Barrels of sake donated to the Meiji Shrine.

One of the world's largest Torii (gate) leading to the Meiji Shrine complex.

Mt. Fuji from the bullet train.

HOME! Downtown Miami, the engine covered up my apartment building.

MIX TAPE :: Dance Jams Edition

Wow, the Quinceanera Party was a blast last night! Jose El Rey killed it and I got to play Freestyle & Miami Bass! That's always fun. Don't get to play that stuff out too often. Some of that Freestyle stuff has some pretty amazing production values and beats. Funny how some of that reminds me of modern stuff I dig now. Music like everything else goes around in cycles. It all comes back eventually, albeit with a new modern twist. Gonna have to do a Freestyle Mix Tape for you guys one day.

Anyways, it's been awhile since I've done a Mix Tape post and I know how much you guys love those! I have a ton of new stuff for you guys so think I'm gonna split it up into two posts. One for this week and one for next week. Can't spill all your beans at once...

First off here's a bad-ass remix of Portishead's Nylon Smile by the Scienticians! It's great how you can get a slow song and have it remixed so it can also be a dancefloor jam as well. This is an excellent example of that!

MP3: Nylon Smile (Scienticians Remix) - Portishead (YSI)

I love Fred Falke as well as his partner in crime Alan Brake! First heard about these guys on the Erlend Oye's DJ Kicks compilation a few years ago and have been a fan of anything they do ever since. They're pretty amazing! Anything they touch turns to gold! I recommend grabbing anything with their names attached to it. They'll never steer you wrong. Here Fred Falke remixes Ladyhawke's 'Back of the Van' and creates a disco dancefloor masterpiece! Sounds like a classic 70's dance jam. Excellent! Check it out, I think you'll will dig it.

MP3: Back of the Van (Fred Falke Ultimate Beverly Mix) - Ladyhawke (YSI)

In keeping with the disco sound here is a great track by Aeroplane feat Kathy Diamond called Whispers. It's the original version. Sometimes tracks don't need to be remixed. They're just perfect the way they are. Like this...

MP3: Whispers (Original Mix) - Aeroplane feat Kathy Diamond (YSI)

I was playing this next track Flight Night by Muddyloop remixed by Love Vs Machine Keenhouse the other night and I had someone come up to me and say House? I never thought of myself as a House DJ but then I realized this track is pretty much a house track. Anyways I find as I've gotten older I don't care for genre boundaries so much. If it sounds good to my ears it's a good no matter what label people associate with it. Good music is good music in my book. Just check this track out and see what you think. If you like this I recommend you check out other stuff by Muddyloop. I got 3 tracks from them and they're all excellent!
'Take a Flight Night... When the Feeling is Right'

MP3: Flight Night (Love Vs Machines Keenhouse Remix) - Muddyloop (YSI)

This next track by Chavy Boys of London called Request Line is pretty pumping dance jam. It's mostly instrumental but it still manages to not get boring. I'm a big fan of vocals, so if a song is instrumental it better be damn good to keep my attention. This is one of them. Great beat and rolling synth lines.

MP3: Request Line - Chavy Boys of London (YSI)

Here's a great track by Headman called 'Catch Me If You Can'. Wasn't there a Tom Hanks/Leonardo Di Caprio movie by that name? Anyway's this is a great pop dancefloor track sure to get the Indie Kids dancing with smiles on their faces.

MP3: Catch Me If U Can - Headman (YSI)

Here's a great housey track by Millioners called Body into Use sure to get you moving up and down that dancefloor. This is also a great track to jam out to while your on the treadmill. Give you that extra energy to speed up even while your body is saying stop!!!

MP3: Body into Use - Millioners (YSI)

Finally I leave you with a track by Zombie Zombie called 'Driving This Road Until Death Sets You Free'. Sounds pretty grim huh... Like the name implies it sounds like the score to a slasher or zombie flick. All dark and ominous. I love it! Great experimental instrumental track!

MP3: Driving This Raod Until Death Sets You Free - Zombie Zombie (YSI)


That should keep you busy for awhile... Hope you enjoy them and pass the love!


Here's the New Video for Radiohead's 'All I Need' off of their latest 'In Rainbows'. Their gonna be performing this coming Monday in West Palm Beach! Time to scramble for some tickets...

I Can't Swim To Japan

So I think I have mentioned that I am going out of the country later this week. That is of course if the US Passport Agency can process a replacement for my passport in time (they promised 2pm by Wednesday and I leave at 8am on Thursday). There is no reason for me to be worried but this trip isn't exactly a commute to NYC if you know what I mean.

Osaka Castle
(minus the Cherry Blossoms which I missed by about 3 weeks).

Oh so what happened to my brand new passport? The one that was less than 2 months old? Let's just say that I have a very... um... anxious dog that doesn't like it when I leave him alone.
So before I leave, I will leave you guys with some new music. Courtesy of Adult Swim and Ghostly. This is similar to their last comp almost a year, Warm & Fuzzy.
This one features Ghostly artists exclusively including some unreleased tracks.

Matthew Dear
Dabrye
FLYamSAM (Flying Lotus and SAMIYAM)
School of Seven Bells
Cepia
Kill Memory Crash
Osbourne (I have been playing this guy out a lot lately... new EP out)
(and Miami's own Egg Foo!) Michna

You can download the entire thing here.

MP3: Michna - Triple Chrome Dipped (YSI)

So if you see a post from me after Thursday, then you know why.... otherwise SAYONARA bitches!!

(Ray will take good care of you guys while I'm gone!!)

Musical GPS

I love my iPhone again! (I'll admit it I have one - all those times I said iPod I was lying). Anyways, I finally got new music onto it. I had a bug (?) in one of my Smart Playlists and no new music was coming onto it. Look up how to use them, it is a pretty handy feature in iTunes. Since my iPhone (8GB) cannot hold my entire music library AND I like to listen to different music all (most) of the time, I use Smart Playlists to update my music based off of things like last time played (or never played) and date added, etc... Well the point is a BUNCH of new music made it to my iPhone. So here is my recent journey during my lunch break through my new music. Oh and when I mean new, I don't necessarily mean new release (but there are a few of those too).

First up, I finished a pretty big project at work this morning and so far so good, no problems. Kinda funny that this next song by Chaz Jankel popped up at lunch. It is from the 1985 movie Real Genius starring Val Kilmer. I kinda felt like Val in the poster at work. Except I'm in a suit and tie and and I don't a CRT monitor or bunny slippers. Or blond hair for that matter. I DO have the alien antennas though.

MP3: Chaz Jankel - Number One (YSI)
How awesome was that movie? (Um Uncle Rico - Napoleon Dynamite as Laslo?!?!) When I saw it (yes, in the theatre when it came out), I always thought college was going to be like that. Lasers and secret government missions. And mansion in the desert filled with popcorn. But um, yeah FIU's engineering campus in Sweetwater is, um, in Sweetwater.

So Chaz Jankel is still extremely relevant (Ray posted his new track back in November). How about a fresh release of the track with a Hercules & Love Affair remixes and a Todd Terje re-edit b-side) (that was a mouthful) Okay, I'll post one and you go buy the other and let me know which one you like? Deal? (Wow they are both so good...).

MP3: Chaz Jankel - Get Yourself Together (Hercules & Love Affair House Mix) (YSI)

The next track reminded me why I like to DJ. Even though I took a brief hiatus, I know I'll find myself DJ'ing again. I can't help it. I have too much good music to share. I pretty much expect this next song to be my set opener. I prefer the shock-n-awe technique to DJ'ing. Juxtaposing weird (but still danceable - at least on some planet) beats and textures next to each other. And this new track by Free Blood from the upcoming EP Part 2 is INSANE. I can see myself going crazy on the dance floor to this song. And the funny thing is that of all days to post this song, I'm not even grumpy...

MP3: The Free Blood - Grumpy (YSI)

And since all this happened while I was driving my car, why not put on some Hot Chip offshoot- Grovesnor and a remix of the Drive Your Car by Bird Peterson?

Let's pretend I was driving this car...

Wow the bass just drops to the floor and rubs itself in baby oil after the chorus break.

MP3: Grovesnor - Drive Your Car (Bird Peterson Remix) (YSI)

Leopard skin and tiger eye...

I love the "Gears Changed by..." on the cover.

Soooo basically, the point is, I need to DJ again so you guys can hear these tracks in all their thunderous glory. Zshare is having some difficulties so I'll try (yeah no) posting them later there.

I know all of you chismosos wanna know what I ate for lunch. I had a papusa and taquito from Paseso Universitarios (say that three times fast) at Mall of the Americas. A few doors from Last Chance (you chongas know what I'm talking about.. I kid! I kid!) Papusas are some damn good tortilla concoction from El Salvador. I got the pupusa mixta with Quesillo, beans, and chicharrón. It's the pancake looking thing on the right. And now I'm stuffed. And clicking on publish post...

Urban Outfitters' Backlot

Purveyors of ironic t-shirts and prepackaged wall art, Urban Outfitters has compiled a playlist of the artists they will be showcasing on their Backlot Stage, this week in Austin, TX as part of the SXSW festival. Despite staking a spot in every major mall in North America, URBN still manages to dip its toes into the indie music world. There is a rather distinct line between street cred and profits.

Anyways, the artists they have lined up are worthy enough for a listen. They are not particular the newest acts out there, but I believe most have yet to make it to a WB show soundtrack.

The Urban Outfitters showcase has shows starting right about now (Thursday, March 13th) through Saturday, March 15th. Not a bad line up either. The shows do seemed to be crammed together, so it is either going to be a total cluster f#ck or extremely short sets.

Among the artists performing:

Lightspeed
Champion
Le Loup
YACHT
MGMT
Walter Meego
Holy Fuck
Murs

Check out the complete listing here. And download the sampler here.

bang, bang, dance..

Just heard this great new track called 'Elvis' by U.K.'s These New Puritans. Loving the lyrics! They blend politics, spirituality, danciness and aggressiveness all with one punch. 'We're being watched by experts', 'I'm gonna tell you my secrets'. Reminds me of the illegal wire tapings and such that have been occuring since 9/11 and probably were our society is heading in general. You know, to stop terrorism. Cameras everywhere watching our every move, just like in the George Orwells classic '1984'. It also deals with spiritual issues like the religious rapture and agnosticism when it says' and if there is a god, then he'll take me up', and 'we're all waiting'. The album is out in the U.K. already. Should be out in the U.S. sometime in March on Domino Records.

Here's another track from the Neon Neon (Gruff Rhys from SFA/Boom Bip side project) The first single is called 'Trick for Treat' and features vocals by Har Mar Superstar and Spank Rock. It's pretty irrisistably catchy. The way a Gorrillaz track can mix dancey grooves & hip hop. Should be pretty big hit for them this year. Go to their myspace page and check out the other 2 tracks 'I Lust You' and 'Raquel'. Both great songs as well! There's also a video of them doing another track Live in the studio for BBC. Can't wait till it's released, March the 18th. Birthday present anyone? I'm a March 14 baby.

Here's another great band from Paris called Das Pop (great name!) Loving their track 'Fool for Love'. 'I just can't get enough, cause I'm a fool for love'. Great pop song filled with hooks and melodies and we can all relate to those lyrics, no? Go their myspace page for more.

Finally here's a band called Private from Copenhagen, Denmark. Found out about them through my friend Liz from Freezepop and it looks like they were formed after Superheroes broke up and features the lead singer and a couple of Superheroes members. It's definitely more of a mainstream pop feel, like classic 80's Micheal Jackson/Prince or even Justin Timberlake or Annie, but it's a guilty pleasure, I can't help liking it. Apparently their pretty big in Denmark. Their single 'My Secret Lover' went Platinum. The albums not available on itunes or the US yet. Gotta get it through an international internet store or as an Import. I'm thinking of ordering it. Check out the video 'Crucify My Heart' below with a little nod to Micheal Jackson's Thriller in some of the dance moves.

Enjoy!

MP3: These New Puritans - Elvis (YSI)

MP3: Neon Neon - Trick for Treat (YSI)

MP3: Das Pop - Fool for Love (YSI)

MP3: Private - My Secret Lover (YSI)

These New Puritans - Elvis




Private - Crucify My Heart

Bits & Pieces

It's incredible how much great new music is out there at any given time... I stayed up just last night looking through the blogs and found like 40 great tracks. Enough to fill like 3 cds worth! That's just looking through my usual spots. If you search Hype you could probably find tons more. So there really is no excuse for not finding great new music. Lucky for you guys that we love to do it for you!

Anyways I still need a few days to sort out which ones make the final cut (only the best ones make it on our little blog here), but right away I know there are some amazing ones that I can share with you guys.

The first one is by a band from Stockholm called Rocca. What is it with Stockholm, they have so much great dance music over there. I'm gonna have to pay a visit one day. These guys ooze pop sensuality. My favorite track is Carrie-Anne. Been burning it out for a couple of weeks. It's an electro-pop gem in my opinion. See what you guys think. After all 'It's all for Carrie-Anne..'

The next one is by one of my favorite singers Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals. This guy is so prolific. He had a solo album and a full album with SFA last year and yet he still managed to do this project as well called Neon Neon with Boom Bip from Los Angeles. This track is more electronic and dancey that what I usually hear from him. Seems like he may be trying to do something like what Ben Gibbard from Death Cab did with Postal Service and have a more dancey side project. Even the artwork looks very Italo Disco. Can't wait to hear the album which comes out in March and also features Spank Rock and a few other collaborators. Check out their MySpace page for a few more treats.

Been awhile since we heard from The Helio Sequence and they didn't waste one minute. This track of theirs Can't Say No is spectacular! They got a couple more you can download on the Obscure Sound blog as well (all good) as well as interesting reading on how the singer almost lost his voice and how singers like Bob Dylan helped inspire him to get through it.

Run Dan Run are from Charleston South Carolina and they put out some great Indie-Pop. My favorite track so far is 'Your Name Escapes Me' and you need to check it out.

Finally here a slinky/groovy dance jam called New Romantic Sounds by a band called Superheroes. There's so many bands called Superheros on MySpace, I had no idea. Couldn't figure out which was their page. You figure it out.

Enjoy!


P.S. I took the picture on top in New York a few of years ago at the MoMA. Can't remember the name of the artist but it was pretty sweet. Pieces of this persons body displayed on all these different sized monitors.

MP3: Rocca - Carrie-Anne (YSI)
MP3: Neon Neon - I Told Her on Alderaan (YSI)
MP3: The Helio Sequence - Can't Say No (YSI)
MP3: Run Dan Run - Your Name Escapes Me (YSI)
MP3: Superheroes - New Romantic Sounds (YSI)


I leave you with a great video I saw on Headphonesex for Zongamin's track Azzazza...

One week down, 51 more to go...

Here are a few tracks for your weeeeekend. Unbelievably it's here. The first full week of 2008 is officially over. Anybody still keeping their resolutions?

crickets chirping...

Here are some tracks I lined up for you for each day of the weekend:


Friday, it's not quite Saturday but shit it's been a long week so you gotta do something tonight. This sat in our mailbox for a while before I realized that we (or at least I) was not getting any Off the Radar emails. It is a remix of We Saw Ghosts by Spiral Beach by Toronto's Cory Martin.
MP3: We Saw Ghosts (Cory Martin 12" Record) (YSI)

(I just don't think there is actually a 12" of this though... so where did the name come from?)

Saturday, it's celebration time. Celebrate whatever you want (you still have Sunday to sleep it off). And Nina Simone gets treated properly by Groovefinder with their remix of Ain't Got No / I Got Life.

There is something i've got,
nobody can take it away...

Got my hair on my head
Got my brains, Got my ears
Got my eyes, Got my nose
Got my mouth, I got my smile
I got my tongue, Got my chin
Got my neck, Got my boobies
Got my heart, Got my soul
Got my back, I got my sex

MP3: Nina Simone - Ain't Got No / I Got Life (Groovefinder Remix) (YSI)


Sunday, you should make yourself a nice big ol' breakfast (the perfect breakfast would of course include an unlimited serving of bacon of course...), and then pop this track from Honeycut. Don't worry it won't aggrevate the headache from last night. Honeycut are a trio out of San Fran's Quannum Projects, you know them.... DJ Shadow, Blackalicious... but their sound is not exactly the typical sound coming out of the Bay area hip hop collective.

MP3: Honeycut - Exodus Honey (YSI)

I'm Going For It

I have 12 and a half hours to finish this post before my midnight deadline. Best of 2007, or better said, what I listened to a lot in 2007. Honestly I am not even sure this is complete, but it's kinda close. There was a lot of stuff I listened to this past year and no matter how organized my iTunes is (it's pretty damn organized, I even use the music rating system), I know I missed something.

But we promised a year-end list, and it would be wrong not to present something.

Now, considering I am doing this from work (yes I'm at work on New Year's Eve), I most likely won't have too many MP3's to post, but I will try the best that I can (if you really want a song, shoot an email and I get it out to you, I promise).

The beginning of the year is a blur for me, the blog didn't kick off until May (it's been 8 months already!! 229 posts!! over 25,000 visitors!!! amazing!! thanks to all the regulars!!), so I had to dig deep to find stuff.

So let's start with the best albums of 2007 (in no particular order).

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible - A MUCH anticipated follow up to their brilliant Funeral. The songs are bigger, the band knows its place this time around -- and channeling The Boss seemed to help. My Body Is A Cage still haunts me to this day.

MP3: Arcade Fire - Keep The Car Running






Yeasayer - All Hours Cymbals - This is one of several of the "spiritual bands" (don't know what else to call them) that caught my ear this year. In fact, I think this ritualistic sound is going to be even bigger in '08. Think late 70's David Byrne. Their first single 2080 was on constant repeat on my iPod.

MP3: Yeasayer - Sunrise





LCD Soundsystem - Sounds of Silver - Lets just pause for a moment and remember that year that it was all about LCD Soundsystem. How many "extra" albums did Mr. Murphy release. Sounds of Silver is 9 tracks of perfection. It is impossible to even come to a consensus about which was the best track on the album. In fact, I think every month I had a new favorite track. In the end it is the lyrics of All My Friends that do it for me.

MP3: LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends



M.I.A. - Kala - Everybody predicted it, M.I.A. blew up/tore up/mixed up the scene. Who else can mixed political bombs with favela-booty-bass dance beats?

MP3: M.I.A. - Boyz (The Twelves Remix)






Radiohead - In Rainbows - It's funny because everybody loves Radiohead and everyone thought the album was great. But I find very few people that are still listening to it? Nevertheless, the album is amazing but more importantly the impact of how it was released I think will ring well into 2008. All I Need is classic Radiohead, I'll be first in line with the 2008 tour tickets go on sale.

MP3: Radiohead - All I Need




Burial - Untrue - Dark, mysterious, it is Portishead minus the sour times. (Besides, I am really doubting they are ever going to release a new album. It seems all they ever do is complain about other people and TALK about the release. I predict it an over-hyped flop...). Back to Burial, he taps into a common human feeling, loneliness but instead of feeling sad, you realize there is a freedom in being by yourself.

MP3: Burial - Raver



!!! - Myth Takes - I can listen to the band all day long. Pop songs that do not feel like pop songs. Long jams, acoustic instruments, electronic flourishes, proper remixes, amazing live energy. I am looking forward to their show at the Langaredo Festival in '08. (I remember giving Matt the track Heart of Hearts to play at PopLife because I could not get enough of that song.)

MP3: !!! - Heart of Hearts




Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank - This is one of those albums I had forgotten about until I dug into my iTunes and found it hanging out in the earlier part of the year. Missed The Boat with The Shins lead singer, James Mercer, should not be missed.

MP3: Modest Mouse - Missed The Boat





Matthew Dear - Asa Breed - I think this was one of the first posts for the blog. I'm a HUGE Ghostly Records fan, Matthew Dear is one of my favorite artists (Dog Days was a my ringtone for a while...), but this album just blew the roof off any of his previous albums. And then there was Hot Chip's cover of Don & Sherrie to top it off.

MP3: Matthew Dear - Don & Sherrie (M.A.N.D.Y. Remix)




Interpol - Our Love to Admire - You gotta give to these guys, their albums are consistent. This one seemed the most personal (check Rest My Chemistry) . Ignore their bored-with-life on stage persona's and you will get a glimpse of why our generation is discontent with the way some things are going.

MP3: Interpol - Mammoth





Shocking Pinks - self titled - This is proof that DFA is trying to break the mold and is on the hunt for new music. I think Shocking Pinks nailed it where Prinzhorn Dance School tried and only moderately succeeded.

MP3: Shocking Pinks - Yes! / No!






Prefuse 73 - Preparations - This is an album you can start from track 1 and not get bored. It is suitable for background music to play dominoes to, to driving to work in rush hour traffic. I'm still annoyed that I missed this show a couple months ago.

MP3: Prefuse 73 - The Class of 73 Bells






YACHT - I Believe In You, Your Magic Is Real - Pop music at it's finest (well pretty damn close). Add to the the multiple bands that are linked to YACHT (The Blow, The Microphones) and you got quite a family.

MP3: YACHT - See A Penny (Architecture in Helsinki Remix)






Architecture in Helsinki - Places Like This - I admit it, I like the name of the band. Two albums of theirs where top in my list for 2007 (except one came out in late 2006). We Died, They Remixed had artists like Hot Chip, DJ Medhi, Mocky, and a host of others remixing their 2005 release In Case We Die. And then in 2007, they released Places Like This cementing themselves into my iPod for months. They're like Of Montreal except with lyrics that make sense.

MP3: Architecture in Helsinki - Heart It Races


A Mountain of One - Collected Works
Studio - Yearbook 1

These two albums are new for me, but are getting me excited for what is to come. Along with the Yeasayer album I mentioned above, I think they will dictate a new trend in music for this coming year. Along with Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, TV on the Radio they are going to lead a new wave of music. I think the general indie-music-listening public is ready to embrace this spiritual sound. No it is not a new sound per se, but a reemergence (with a twist) of sounds of prior generations.

MP3: A Mountain of One - Brown Piano
MP3: Studio - Self Service (short version)

So there you have it. Most of my favorite albums released in 2007. I have a ton of albums that I discovered in 2007, and I love equally. And I'm sure I missed a couple here and there. In fact, I know I did. I'll just admit it now.

How about you guys? What did you guys like?

UPDATE: I completely forgot about the Electrelane, Klaxons, Chromeo, and Joakim albums. I bet you this list is going to grow because of the knowledge I gain in 2008. Or better said my memory comes back to me.

UPDATE to the UPDATE: I also forgot the Simian Mobile Disco album. I Believe is a great track.

Feliz Navidad Amigos!

Here some music to play as you open your gifts from Santa. It's a mix of some of my favorites and a couple of new ones from this year (Cepia from Ghostly). Mix up your traditional playlist a bit. New interpretations of old songs can breath new life into traditions! And some of course should be played unchanged.

MP3: Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime (YSI)
MP3: Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus and Lucy (YSI)
MP3: Cepia - Christmas Time Is Here (YSI)
MP3: Dean Martin - Jingle Bells (Dan The Automator Remix) (YSI)
MP3: Sufjan Stevens - Holy, Holy, etc... (YSI)
MP3: The Walkmen - The Christmas Party (YSI)
MP3: Erlend Oye - Last Christmas (YSI)
MP3: The Ramones - Merry Christmas (YSI)

Yeah, um. About those year end lists... How does that song go again?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne!!!!!!!

MP3: Tony De La Rosa - Auld Lang Syne (YSI)

And for those that don't know... La Caja China (literally the chinese box - don't know why it's called that) is a requirement for all Cuban Christmas eve dinners. The coals go over the pig and my family will general fight to get the first piece of chicharron. It is similar (but obviously easier) to digging a hole in the ground and cooking the pig in a pit.

For the turkey... deep fried is the only way to go!! (Dang why did I eat such a big lunch?!?!?!)

Porta-Party

At the Scope Exhibit last week they had this cool little Porta-Party cubicle. Once you go inside they have this little disco ball and like 2 little lights and music for an Instant Party! Thought it was pretty cool idea and more interactive than a lot of the displays at Basel. The inside picture didn't come out as good. It was too dark and the flash messes shit up. This space dude was cool too. Took tons of pics of me and my girl reflecting off the visor for a real artsy effect. Here's one of just the space dude, which is cool on it's own merit.

Me and Chris are gonna be working on our 'Best Of' lists this week-end, so if you have any tracks/albums you think we should consider for it please leave it in the comments section and we'll look into it.

In the meantime I have some sweet tracks to keep you occupied and dancing throughout the week-end! Try some of these in your Ipod when you jog. One of my favorite places to hear new music.

The new Hot Chip track Ready for the Floor is pretty amazing! Kinda reminds me of the vibe of Over and Over. I think it will be a big dancefloor hit in the coming months. Just check out those amazing bleeps and booming bass! Dance sucker!!

Also got a new Presets remix of their new single My People. I like this Damage Edit better than the original. It's darker and more reminiscent of the Presets sound I love.

This self titled Lions at Your Door track mixed by Mailer Daemon is pretty sweet also. Got a little edge and kick to with some butt kicking female vocals to boot!

Finally the Vector Lovers track Hush Now is a little more mellow so I'm putting it at the end of the list, but not because it's the worst. Far from it, one of my favorites of the bunch. I love to start mixes/nights with this track. Nice and smooth. A perfect late night track...

Enjoy!

MP3: Lions at Your Door - LAYD (Mailer Daemon Mix) (YSI)

MP3: The Glamour - Fly by Night (YSI)

MP3: Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor (Ext Version) (YSI)

MP3: The Presets - My People (Damage Edit) (YSI)

MP3: Vector Lovers - Hush Now (Bitten by the Black Dog) (YSI)

Parrillada Mix

My sister just got back from Buenos Aires visiting the in-laws and after hearing this mix, I kinda wish I had gone with her and hunted down where this guy plays at (Zizek Urban Beats Club @ Niceto Club).

Dave Refusenik, grew up in Boston (from Moscow) but is currently living in Argentina. His mix features a bunch of artists from the emerging electronic/experimental cumbia scene in Buenos Aires, along with some of his favorite producers from Boston (DJ C, Baltimoroder) to Argentina (Oro11, El Hijo De La Cumbia, El Remolón, Daleduro). Honestly, any mix that throws in Shannon's Let the Music Play is alright in my book.

While we are on the topic of mixes and since holiday (house) parties are beginning to ramp up slowly, let me STRONGLY suggest to hosts if you do not have a dedicated playlist for the party and are letting iTunes Party Shuffle decide for you, play a mix like this instead. You are more likely to keep the party going instead of bringing it to a screeching halt when a guilty pleasure track (Shakira's Hips Don't Lie or Maybe Mark Anthony and J.Lo's latest duet) comes on and the crowd gasps and proceeds to file out the nearest door (drinks in hand of course). Leaving you to sort through the empty bottles, half drunk beers and used lime wedges sitting on your kitchen counter.

...And I'm on tonight... You know my hips don't lie...And I'm starting to feel it's righ...

(shrieks!)

Please. Be safe. Use a mix.

MP3: Refusenik - Kold Krussian Mix

More info on Refusenik.

Kold Krussian TRACKLIST:

Cheba Fadela - N’Sel Fik
Refusenik - Bring Your Bomb On (Los Palmeras vs. Daleduro vs. Missy
Elliot vs. Baby Cham & Majic Massey)
Bassnectar - Bomb The Blocks (Ghislain Poirier Mix)
Santogold - You’ll Find A Way (Switch and Sinden Mix)
Refusenik - Miss Bichera (El Remolón vs. Million Stylez)
Alika & La Nueva Alianza - Para Bailar Cumbia (El Hijo De La Cumbia Mix)
Refusenik - Long Time Tomaza (El Hijo De La Cumbia vs. Capleton)
Funk E aka El Buki - Tussle
Ratatat - Lex
Krames - How We Do It Over Hur
Baltimoroder - Wile Out (VIP Mix)
Refusenik - La Danza De Dizzee (Dizzee Rascal vs. Oro11)
Lil Mama - No Music (Starkey Refix)
Shannon - Let The Music Play
Rihanna - Don’t Stop The Music (Rock Steady Drew MJ2 Mix)
Rammstein - Sehnsucht
Scottie B - Niggaz Fightin
DJ Tameil - Throw Some Deez
Diplo - Put That Pussy (Remix Instrumental)
Mavado - Weh Dem A Doo (Vin Sol Remix)
DJ C and Zulu - Body Work (Murderbot’s Britny Work Refix)
Daft Punk - Around the World (Killdahype Remix)
Refusenik - Bamboo Vegas (M.I.A. vs. Mr. Vegas)
DJ Luciano Olivera - Culo (This One Too - Funk Carioca Remix)
Refusenik - Lick Italiano Lento (20 Fingers vs. DJ Sandrinho)
DJ Sandrinho - Medley Yazoo
DJ C and MC Jorge Stylo - Juce
Math Head - Drop It (Drop The Lime Dynasty Of Fury Remix)
Prodigy - No Good For Me
Cuizinier - No Good
Refusenik - March With My Feet (Dude N Nem vs. Virgo)
Siddhartha - Polarity
Earlybird - Never Let You Go, Laura Palmer (Elvis vs. Angelo
Badalamenti)

That reminds me, I have a some mate at home (mate cup and all) that I have never drank (drunk?) it. Here are some pics from around the city. Oh and I just realized that most of the visitors to the site might not know what the beauty of a parrillada is but it's basically an Argentinian barbeque (pic below). Everything from churrasco to chorizo to blood sausages (morcilla) to grilled chicken to sweet breads (trust me, it's not bread) is all grilled on an open flame using specific Argentinian firewood.

Parrilla = grill
Parrillada = meat on the grill

And then there are the desserts. Let's just say three words: "dulce" "de" "leche". Okay I am beginning to sound like a travel guide.