Posted by Scott Willats

A short week, what with the Family Day holiday on Monday, but I’ve still managed to load up a supply of raging tunes to rock you all through the weekend. We’ve got new cuts from some lesser-known names that you’ll want to clear some memory space for, plus a brand new remix from New York’s own Nico Jaar that is up to his usual high standards. Plus new joints from A-Trak, Guxxi Vump and Conspirator. A serious supply of 128 bpm, so let’s get right into it.

SWEETS

Seems right now like some of the most innovative sounds are coming out of … Hungary? Tits & Clits put this country on the map for me, but it’s We Plants Are Happy Plants that have me booking my flight to Budapest. This track may not get people in the club raging like lunatics — but it’s definitely one for those early morning sessions when you feel the need to zone out and vibe.

We Plants Are Happy Plants – Rise And Fall: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Nico Jaar has the rare ability to make each of his songs sound completely different from the others. That’s creativity in a nutshell. Another slower track for you to vibe to — and like the previous offering, it’s a top-quality production.

Shlohmo – Rained The Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

This is just right. A-Trak takes a man who’s “Big in Japan” and flips him on his head. Fly and funky …

Martin Solveig – The Night Out (A-Trak Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brand new Killabits. ‘Nuff said …

The Killabits – Motown 2000 (Ft. Riggadale): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Brodinski is as streaky as Phil Kessel. For long stretches you don’t hear from him — then he turns around and pots five joints in a week. He’s definitely feeling the heat right now.

Yuksek – Off The Wall (Brodinski Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Speaking of which, this track goes just as hard. Wait a good 1:30 for the drop.

Lana Del Rey – Born to Die (Guxxi Vump Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Moombah madness. Let’s take one of the biggest hip-hop tracks of our era, and throw that 110 bpm we moombahton fans just can’t get enough of. Sounds wick-it!

Dr. Dre – Still California (Wick-it Moombahton Remix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

Nothing better than a pop song gone EDM. Laidback Luke seems to do these best.

Madonna – Give Me All Your Love (Laidback Luke Remix) (Snippet): LISTEN TO IT HERE

The best thing about music nowadays: everyone is doing it. OK, sometimes that’s actually a bad thing. But in the case of Dimension5 it’s a magical thing. Try it on — bet it’ll fit perfectly!

Dimension5 – Blasted (Original Mix): LISTEN TO IT HERE

VISUAL SWEETS 

Rusko is doing an album with Cypress Hill. At first I thought there was no way they would blend well. I am and continue to be wrong. Perfecto! Expect to hear this a lot.

That’s it homies … keep it locked and bookmarked, ’cause the sweet is never as sweet without sour………..xx

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Posted by Scott Willats

Let’s talk about Moombahton. Whenever a new genre pops its head into our iPods, there will always be skeptics, haters and posers. I’m not here to examine what types of people make up those three unique categories — that’s not my job. Truthfully, I don’t believe it’s any person’s job. What is my job is to present to you the various characters who have become influential in this genre, lay it on a plate for you, let you savour and digest it, and come to your own opinion about the outcome.

I’m not going to date myself and say I remember when dubstep started. I’m really not that old, and I don’t want to be. But I do remember when it first started to get big here in North America. It was 2007-2008 when the people who had their ears glued to London’s underground began picking up on this grungy, drum-influenced, bass-inspired music. What it had in common with moombahton was: it was very specific, and people either loved it or hated it.

Well, the tables have turned. This time around, it’s North Americans who are the creators of a new genre, and it’s everybody else who needs to decide whether they “feel it or not.” Now, I’m not expert on the subject of who invented the genre or how, but from what I understand, it all basically started with Dave Nada slowing down an Afrojack beat. The track was Moombah, and when he slowed it to 108 (107-111 is the bpm that all moombahton follows) he thought it sounded like reggaeton — so he named it Moombahton.

Whatever the story, this is definitely made for dancing. Sometimes electro just goes faster than you can manage on the dance floor. I mean, you’ve had a couple of brews and you’re a little bloated, right? Lol, no problem: we just slow that tempo down to 108 and it’s easy skankin’, ya dig me?

The one criticism that can be laid on Moombahton — and it’s the same one I’ve heard about dubstep — is that it’s too much like reggae. I’m a huge a dancehall fan, huuuuuge, and I respect what the likes of Vybz, Movado, Busy and Jahvinci are all doing right now. I do believe the genres sound similar (I mean, Major Lazer‘s Pon de Floor could as easily be placed in either category). But Moombahton has way more of a EDM feel, while reggae always seems closer to soul.

But enough of the dry stuff; let’s get into the tunes — starting with the track where it all began.

Dave Nada – Moombahton: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Mad Decent seem to be the nation of Moombahton, and Diplo is their Prime Minister …

Diplo & Skrillex- Amplifire (Kristiän Edit): LISTEN TO IT HERE

A totally crossed out video that will leave you yelling ‘Que!’

Dillon Francis & Diplo feat. Maluca “Que Que”: LISTEN TO IT HERE

Which leads us to the beast known as Dillon Francis. You’ve heard me sing his praises thousands of times — quite simply, this man is Moombahton.  Enjoy this selection of hits from young Dillon…

Huge!!!!

Dillon Francis – I.D.G.A.F.O.S.: LISTEN TO IT HERE

A teaser of epic proportions …

Digitalism – Circles (Dillon Francis Remix) **TEASER**: LISTEN TO IT HERE

And a mix to put in your playlist for the right time … enjizzzoy.

Dillon Francis 25 Minimix On Flux Pavilion Takeover BBC Radio 1: LISTEN TO IT HERE

If you’re looking for other Moombahton artists, try Port Alberni, BC native Paul Devro, Munchi, Nadastrom, Sabo, and basically anything Mad Decent!

Class is now dismissed……………xx

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Posted by Scott Willats

A Monday morning after a relatively quiet weekend always brings the ambition to find new tunes.  If your weekend was like mine, it was a good chance to catch up with old friends and really dig into what they have been listening to over the summer now that we are approaching the always new-album-infested fall.  Whether it’s the third-quarter push or the back-to-school plunge, for some reason this time of the year always has heavy names dropping some decent tracks.  This is a collection of what I found over the weekend.

DEVolution feat. Amy Pearson – Good Love (Alesso Remix)

I have no idea what these Swedes do in their studios or in their spare time to make them all stadium big room DJs, but I believe more study should be put into this. Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, Avicii, Dahlbeck and so on and on.  Right now, and for at least the past year (if not two or three) the Swedes have been running the big room game.  Dubstep, electro, trance — all great genres in their own right, but none has the selling capacity of the big room house music.  It’s a monopoly the Swedes possess, so it’s no surprise that the newest big room DJ comes from the land of Ikea.  Alesso is that man.  After completing the absolute summer smash “Calling” with Sebastian Ingrosso, he’s back at it with a remix of DEVolution‘s “Good Love” featuring Amy Pearson. This has all the elements of a classic big room banger.  The vocals create great emotion, and Alesso plays with that to produce a tune fit for stadiums.

LISTEN HERE

LMFAO – Sexy And I Know It (Mord Fustang Remix) 

We also have a brand spanking new track from Mord Fustang, my pick for 2011′s rookie of the year.  The Estonian mastermind behind “Lick the Rainbow” and “The Electric Dream,” he continues to perfect his remix game — this time taking on bpm:tv favourite LMFAO‘s “Sexy and I Know It.”  Great synths on this track, with the chorus vocals almost massaging the beat.  This isn’t exactly going to blow the roof off, but it will definitely get your head nodding and feet moving in unison.

DOWNLOAD THAT BAD BOY HERE.

Aeroplane – Big Boys Don’t Cry [Tribute to DJ Mehdi]

There is something very elegant about Aeroplane. Ever since the “break-up” I feel a new page has been turned for the DJ. His tracks have become very melodic, very catchy and extremely funky. I have had his recent remix of the club classic “Cassius – The Sound of Violence” on repeat for the last month; he has continued to stay true to that simple yet excellent format, and is really evolving into a hit for hit producer. This one is all him: no remix, no samples, just fire. It also happens to be a DJ Mehdi tribute. Classy.

So those are my three bangers for The Monday Mash– and here are three that just missed the cut but are too good to leave unheard. Some Toronto dubstep, Some moombahton and some house. Wolfgang Gartner‘s album drops tomorrow!!!!!! I feel like it’s Christmas Eve. PS. Check the Keys N Krates Web Exclusive: those guys are next level.

Jesse Fex – The Gentlemen – Nightmare

Lucid – I Can’t Help Myself (Tim Mason Remix)

ETC!ETC! – Indian Flute 2011 (Moombahton)

Let the Riddim Ryde……xx

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How awesome is Annie Mac? A massively successful DJ and host of her own highly influential BBC Radio 1 show, she’s the star of this week’s bpm:tv Web Exclusive video, which you need to check out asap.

All that, and she posts a brilliant free track on her Web site every Monday. Our favourite of late comes from Dillon Francis, one of the stars of the emerging Moombahton scene, which you can hear Annie discussing in that Web Exclusive clip. The track is called “Beautician,” and you can listen to it here.

Dillon Francis – Beautician by Annie Mac Presents

You can listen to more from Dillon Francis over here.