Monday, November 30, 2020

The Who - Eminence Front (The Back Room & Hektagon Rework)

It seems Soundcloud's theme of the day is edits. After scrolling through a handful of forced house takes classics from Heart, Diana Ross & others, I finally found a good one in this balearic rework of The Who.

From their antepenultimate studio album, It's Hard, "Eminence Front" is a little known funk rock piece and one that is considered to be the album's lone bright spot. The album, primarily penned by Pete Townshend, and largely panned by Roger Daltrey, features a mix of Townshend's new wave tilt with the band's classic sounds. While it may not be for everyone, it's hard to ignore the cool quality of "Eminence Front."

Written around a chord progression on Townshend's Yamaha E70 organ and featuring further electronic elements in the shimmering synths and pristine electric piano, "Eminence Front" is rife for a balearic rework. Placing those captivating and cool crescendos atop a laidback drum beat, The Back Room and Hektagon lean on the awesome intro of the original to ease you in before Townshend finds his front, singing about the delusions and drug use of the wealthy and hedonistic. And what could be better for a strung-out rework like this? It doesn't take much imagination to hear this (like Cale/Clapton's "Cocaine") being played on an endless loop in an Ibiza villa as its inhabitants seek to keep the party going.

Lay back and let the ever-growing groove of "Eminence Front" remind you of The Who's timeless quality. Stream now below and add it to your collection with the free download via Hypeddit here.

Thursday, November 26, 2020

ANII - Let's All Make Love

Yesterday, Anjunadeep offered up the 15th edition of their Explorations compilation series showcasing six rising talents, half label veterans and half fresh faces. Alphabetically first on the list, ANII (a staple of Afterlife, Kompakt, Parquet and others) may be making her Anjuna debut, but she is no new name to fans of the borderlands between progressive house and techno. Her offering "Let's All Make Love" marries the two subsets marvellously, crafting an equally groovy, gritty and euphoric odyssey. Mixing a mountain of instrumentation together, ANII's use of both organic and electronic sounds is truly awesome, giving her track a fabulously fresh feel and incredible depth of character. Surrounding the crisp, echoing claps and the metallic grit of the bass guitar with all kinds of masterful movement, the seven and half minute epic cruises along effortlessly and at times, rapturously. It's not hard to feel, or fall into, the love in this track. In fact, ANII succeeds in filling "Let's All Make Love" with a wicked warmth and powerful passion that, whether catching it in a mix or playing it on its own, will have you hankering for more. Stream now below and get all six of the Explorations 15 tracks via Anjunadeep, here.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Bump In The Hump: November 25 (Season 9, Episode 52)

Tracklist
  • Rhett - Morning Glory
  • Simon Doty - Dear Ben (ft. Oliver Wickham)
  • CRi ft. Jesse Mac Cormack - Never Really Get There (Gerd Janson Remix)
  • Caribou - Like I Loved You (India Jordan Remix)
  • Sultan + Shepard - Never (ft. Nathan Nicholson)
  • ATTLAS - In A Cloud
  • Dowden - Have Hope
  • Sia - Breathe Me (Crimsen Remix)
  • Speaker Honey - Drop And Roll
  • ChrisLvck - Lullaby
  • Kenny Glasgow - Just Let Go
  • So Kobayashi - Weeping Owl (Topology Remix)
  • ill.Gates - Endless (ft. Andrew Huang, ill-esha & Ludlow)
  • Dance System & A-Trak - Retina Scan
  • Malaa & Koos - Hell (Sheps Remix)
  • Nostalgix - Act Out
  • Kage - The Grave
  • NC-17 - Cemetery Of Splendour
  • Juelz & QUIX - Chicane (MSFT Remix)
  • Dropwizz - FOOTWORK
  • Bishu - XBOW
  • Au5 - Flashback
  • Paragon Cause - Modern Love Is Automatic
  • Kllo - Still Here (Jacques Greene Remix)
  • Brock Edwards & Jacques Waty - You're The One
  • Austra - Risk It (Planningto Risk It)

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: QUIX & Juelz - Chicane Remixes

After a couple episodes centred around epic action, Bump In The Hump delivers a more diverse array of offerings this week. While we continue to showcase the incredible longer form releases from Simon Doty, Sultan + Shepard, ATTLAS and others, we do indeed get down and dirty with a bunch of bangers. Highlighting said section of scorchers is a cut from QUIX & Juelz's Chicane Remixes, which is surrounded by dark DnB and genre-defying madness from Dropwizz and Bishu. Just like those latter two, the remix EP itself delivers diverse and forward-thinking fire while largely maintaining the awesome power of the original. With a list of names that includes Kumarion, msft and Capshun, "Chicane" benefits from a breath of fresh air from some of the underground's hottest talents. Catch one of the following six remixes in the mix on Bump In The Hump, live tonight from 7-9 PM EST on Radio Humber, or after the fact as cataloged on Mixcloud here. Get Chicane Remixes via Seedeater Records.
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Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Fairchild - Touch The Sun (Nox Vahn Revisit)

A VIP mix five years in the making, Nox Vahn returns to his now-defunct project Fairchild for a facelift of his Arkade release "Touch The Sun." It's always intriguing when an artist remixes themselves, especially so after several years and through the lens of a new project, so of course, this track is full of fascination.

On the surface, "Touch The Sun" remains largely, if not wholly, intact in its structure and quantitative values (runtime, key and BPM). But as much as this revisit is a sidestep, it is indeed an enjoyable affair. A brilliant track even if were released today, "Touch The Sun" is not broken and therefore does not need to be fixed. Rather the revisit appears to be more of a refining as opposed to a wholesale remix.

As if "Touch The Sun" were the first stepping stone in the evolution from Fairchild to Nox Vahn, it showcases the producer's dive into darker, more diversely orchestrated epics. And therein lies the difference between the five-year-old original and this new Nox Vahn version.

While you wouldn't be wrong in calling the original an epic and immersive soundscape, the new version has even more of that film score type feel in its plethora of percussion and myriad of movement. The biggest difference is the depth of sounds and designs, turning the foggy dreamscape of the original into a more animated and lifelike awakening.

Compare and contrast the original vs the revisit yourself, and follow Nox Vahn below.
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Friday, November 20, 2020

Enlightened Listening for November 20

We've made it through another week, and with that comes another edition of Enlightened Listening. Keeping things quick this week, I'll simply say that we've got a glut of great new releases from several of my favourites, including an 18-track album from Dance System that features India Jordan, Hudson Mohawke, UNIIQU3 and ABSOLUTE., and that's just the first four tracks! The playlist opens with awesome EPs from Rhett and Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas and continues with an incredible run of remixes around two collaborations from PAX & Gorgon City and Lee Foss, Detlef & Anabel Englund. Arranged for maximum flow, stream the playlist below and find each individual release at the bottom.












Thursday, November 19, 2020

Throwback Thursday: Screendeath - Packback

Immediately upon opening my feeds today I was struck with several waves of nostalgia as accounts shared their Throwback Thursday posts. After gorging myself on said good feelings, and coming up empty on inspiring new music, it was clear that I was also meant to share a slice of the past. I've often felt the years around 2010 produced some of my favourite and most foundational music and memories, so with that in mind, I sought out a 10-year-old track for my own Throwback Thursday post. What I came up with was this Southern Fried stunner, Screendeath's Svengali-like sensation "Packback."

Released exactly 122 months ago (September 19, 2010), "Packback" is still as potent a production as ever. One of the greatest club weapons I've ever encountered, I can confirm from first-hand experience that this Screendeath slice quite literally commands whatever club it's played in. Of course, its iconic screwface-inducing synth lead is the backbone to its brilliance, but from its opening drum rollout to its progressive finale, "Packback" is perfect.

Right from the jump, Screendeath is deliberate and methodical in mesmerizing his listeners. The opening drum groove and subsequent horn hits are unavoidably, and inevitably, infectious. Whether your toes are tapping along or not, "Packback" is already in your head. And it's clear that Screendeath is setting us up for something sick here as the atmosphere grows through the subtle genius of his percussion's progression. Then comes the best part which, despite the setup, hits you like a ton of bricks as you and the rest of the room turn into puppets under Screendeath's command. The gorgeous groove of the drums plays perfectly against the shrill, shrieking synths. The result is that "Packback" becomes a siren, both in the alarm and mythological sense, but more the latter. Never loosening his grip, Screendeath continues his chokehold as the track gets further filthy and stupefying in the second half, offering up a little extra alien inspiration in the rebuild ahead of the second drop. And with that final rollout, the club once again moves in unison, doing the "Packback" version of "Walk Like An Egyptian," all the way out of the club and into the dark of night.

Take care when playing a track this powerful as you'll likely lose all autonomy, then again, isn't that one of the best parts of music? Either way, enjoy the awesome offering that is Screendeath, "Packback."

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Bump In The Hump: November 18 (Season 9, Episode 51)

Tracklist
  • The Brothers Macklovitch - I Can Call You (DJ Spinna Journey Remix)
  • Simon Doty - Open Air (ft. Liu Bei)
  • Sultan + Shepard - Ekto
  • Hyunji-A - Salm
  • Dustin Nantais & David Hohme - In Your Sway (Original Mix)
  • Dezza & Lauren L'aimant - Settle
  • Clarian - Sunbeam
  • Distracted - Epifania
  • Yu Su - 1024
  • Sixtroke - Katamarino
  • Demuir - Shroom Trippin'
  • Nostalgix & AC Slater - Dangerous
  • Kage - Trust
  • RYYZN - Hustle
  • PEACE MAKER! - Scratcher
  • JC Ordonez & Dave Summit - Everybody
  • Fabrikate - All Up To Love (The Holy Remix)
  • Woodhead - What You Got
  • The Patchouli Brothers - Body Party
  • ATTLAS - When We Were The Same
  • ASHE - Wintermute
  • deadmau5 & Kiesza - Bridged By A Lightwave

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Demuir - Shroom Trippin'

Every episode of Bump In The Hump is a journey. It's a story told through sound. Equally so, every track played is an odyssey in its own right. In tonight's epic-laden episode, Demuir's "Shroom Trippin'" stands as a stark reminder of both of these facts. Resetting the energy of the show in the middle of the two-hour sojourn, the Sola release is an immersive experience, one that's both memorable yet ephemeral. Just as you'd expect with its name, "Shroom Trippin'" delivers vivid colours and moody grooves throughout its acid-laced and iridescent delivery. But one piece of the pie that is the pilgrimage of this week's episode, catch it in the mix live tonight from 7-9 EST on Radio Humber or after the fact as cataloged on Mixcloud. Get "Shroom Trippin'" as part of Demuir's Legend EP exclusively via Beatport.
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Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (Late Nite Tuff Guy 'Right On' Remix)

It seems like it's been ages since we've been graced with a new Late Nite Tuff Guy production. In fact, it's barely been four months since I shared his take on Tom Browne's classic "Funkin' For Jamaica." Chronology aside, it's always a good time for Marvin Gaye and perhaps his greatest gift, "What's Going On."

Truly one of the coolest songs of all-time, with some great stories attached to it, this new Late Nite Tuff Guy version really lets it all hang out, allowing the awe-inspiring instrumentals to swell in our soul. Using the original multitracks, the sound of "What's Going On" remains largely intact, while the added strings and extended runtime make it even more swoon-worthy. This seemingly pushes it further towards its intended direction, as its original writer Renaldo "Obie" Benson wanted, it is not a protest song, but rather a love song. Being more instrumentally driven, especially as it features less of the chatter, this version of "What's Going On" glides along with incredible grace and ease. It is astonishingly soft and soothing, lavishing its listeners with layer upon layer of love. Like a security blanket, the smooth soul of the track alleviates any anxiety or unease you might be feeling. And as I said above, anytime is the right time for "What's Going On," one of the world's most universally acclaimed pieces. Add it to your repertoire below, and be sure to follow Late Nite Tuff Guy for more.
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Monday, November 16, 2020

Archie Ward - Mirabel

As this year continues to both drag and drive towards its eventual conclusion, the mood for reminiscing and urge to wrap it up arises. We're not far from the inevitable year-end lists as the themes of 2020 continue to solidify. I, like many others, have noted DnB's growth and dominance, but after some recent reflection, I've come to realize that breaks/breakbeat seem to been present in many of the tracks I consider the year's best.

A trend I enjoy tremendously breaks again appear in the track behind this post "Mirabel," the second-ever original from Archie Ward. Now going by his legal name and leaving his previous project Ferris Foxx behind, Ward has seemingly found a home on Icarus' Fly Boy imprint, which previously backed debut original "Music & Dance" featuring The Pressure. While its predecessor, supported by Pete Tong, delivers big drums and bold swells, "Mirabel" makes smaller, more subtle waves through its slick and shimmering style. Crisp and cool, the design of this follow-up is fabulously lush and stimulating, especially in its lively drum delivery. Riding the percussion of "Mirabel" is an immensely pleasurable experience. While that is the key to its success, you cannot overlook the quality of the rest of Ward's production. The swinging synth strides are simply sublime, as are the silky, spellbinding vocals which are woven so wonderfully throughout this divine dance affair. A pool of pristine pleasure, "Mirabel" is a marvellous second serving of what promises to be an awesome turn for Archie Ward as Archie Ward

Stream via Soundcloud below and find the fabulous Fly Boy offering elsewhere here.
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Friday, November 13, 2020

Enlightened Listening for November 13

Another week is done and with it comes another installment of Enlightened Listening. This week's playlist features three highly anticipated releases alongside more than a handful of pleasant surprises. 

Starting with the anticipated offerings, ASHE launches his new label Ocean Dark with two of his trademark organic and chilling concoctions. TSHA's Flowers EP finds its conclusion with two more awesome and inspired collabs in "Renegade" and "Demba" featuring Ell Murphy and Trio Da Kali, respectively. Finally, after more than a year of anticipation and apparently five years in the making, The Vision's The Vision has come to fruition. With a handful of fabulous singles and countless killer collabs, it has the makings of an album of the year contender.

As for the aforementioned pleasant surprises, Sultan + Shepard start things off with another incredible EP on This Never Happened, continuing their ridiculously high-quality run of releases there. Another unstoppable pairing crops up next as Clarian returns to Anjunadeep with sublime Sunbeam. Staying with dynamic duos, Bonobo and TEED deliver a divine b-side to brilliant "Heartbreak." Rounding out the stunning selection of remixes of HiRUDiN, Octo Octa offers up an epic take on "Mountain Baby." The Prospa boys continue their incredible run with the classic vibes of "The Thrill," which after seeing a tweet say it sounds like Black Mirror's "San Junipero" I can't get out of my head. Finally, the playlist concludes with two top-notch remixes of The ShapeshiftersBilly Porter led "Finally Ready."

Stream this week's Enlightened Listening below and find each individual release linked at the bottom.









Thursday, November 12, 2020

Trilucid & Esque - Glimmer In The Dark

As the world continues to burn and little is done to stop it, I always know music, a pure and positive endeavour, will be there to at worst distract me from the evergrowing darkness, or at best, remind me of the good, however little, the world has within it. A clear and obvious instance of said salvation arrived yesterday in the form of "Glimmer In The Dark," courtesy Colorize. A collab between Trilucid and Esque, the track quenches the flames of fear and drowns the pervading doubt and despair, at least for a moment. Like its EP partner "Illuminant," the a-side is an uplifting offering that serves as a sonic salve. Resplendent and warm like the sun's rays bursting over the horizon, "Glimmer In The Dark" delivers sublime synths from on high, cascading down your spine like ethereal endorphins. More upbeat than its follow-up, it has an undeniable uplifting quality as though each synth stride is a rung in a ladder to an almighty escape hatch. Climb towards the light and embrace the beauty that is "Glimmer In The Dark" below and get the whole wholesome and heartening EP from your preferred outlet now, here.
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Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Bump In The Hump: November 11 (Season 9, Episode 50)

Tracklist

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Ben Fox & Hot Tub - Moonlight

I can still remember the exact moment I first heard the track behind this post. As I like to do, I was listening to Hot Tub's episode of My Mixtape on a bike ride and was appropriately awestruck when he concluded his hour with "Moonlight." Released October 31st as a free download, it fills the second to last hole in the tracklist here. Following in the footsteps of his previous collaborations with Ben Fox, this track delivers both beautiful instrumentation and infectious electronic grooves. What makes "Moonlight" such a stunner is the fact that it has all the polish and catchiness you'd expect from a pop track, while remaining progressive and playful enough that it doesn't ever feel like it's hitting you over the head with its hook. It's bright, beautiful and breezy allowing listeners to bask in its glow while also enjoying its little intricacies with each subsequent play. Get "Moonlight" free now here and catch it in the mix on Bump In The Hump live tonight on Radio Humber from 7-9 EST or after the fact as cataloged on Mixcloud.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Caribou - Never Come Back (Youngr Live Cover)

If somehow you've managed to remain woefully unaware of the tremendous talent that is Manchester's Dario Darnell, aka Youngr, I'm here to set you straight. Quite simply put Youngr has been on a hot streak all year. In January he authored a 10 track album of originals in Memories and recently followed that with a brilliant bootleg project in which he takes on the likes of Lifelike x Kris Menace, Autoerotique, Phats & Small and several others. While listening to the productions themselves is a fun experience, the best way to witness Youngr's brilliance is through his live performances. Just as he shared a full live version of his Bootleg Mixtape, Vol. 01 (here), last week he appeared on ORLOVE's weekly series "Under The Covers" with a take on Caribou's "Never Come Back" (below).
Starting right from the opening vocal chops, Youngr covers the Caribou track in real-time. As you can hear in the Soundcloud version below, this is a rehearsed routine but one that still takes incredible skill, concentration and flexibility. Watching Youngr command countless instruments so seamlessly, and then play with their layering, is all kinds of awesome. The cover, which begins as a simple rebuild, quickly becomes a jam session as Darnell caresses the keys before firing off a flurry of fills on the drum kit. Sadly, it all ends quite quickly, inevitably leaving us hungry for more of his fabulously fun energy. So this is where I again recommend Youngr's incredible live performance of his Bootleg Mixtape, Vol. 01 (here), a tremendous feat by not just him but the camera crew, production team and other behind the scenes entities. An equally talented producer and performer, Youngr is undeniably one to watch going forward, especially as it seems like he's already working towards a follow-up to his Bootleg Mixtape with a new take on classic "2 People." Find Youngr's socials linked below and enjoy the ride!
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Monday, November 09, 2020

Catz 'n Dogz & Gerd Janson - Modern Romance

One of the best things that 2020 has brought us is Danny Howard's Lockdown Link-Up, a series of collaborations between two previously unpaired acts. Of the long list of new tunes spurred by the series that includes MK x Kölsch, Franky Rizardo x Joe Goddard, and Boys Noize x Skream, perhaps my favourite was released this past Friday. Fittingly found on Misfit Melodies and aptly titled "Modern Romance," this Lockdown Link-Up features two European titans in Polish duo Catz 'n Dogz and German genius Gerd Janson.

Immediately upbeat in its drum delivery, "Modern Romance" is an undeniable body mover especially as its killer club synths kick in. No matter which version you press play on, the collaboration commands a powerful punch that plays perfectly with the diverse drum deliveries, potent piano and slinky strings. Its infectious energy and stomping syncopation make it perfect for dancefloors regardless of whether they're full or functioning. It's got an old-school allure that all but demands a dance-off, especially during each offering's extended groove section. And while it's likely there's no fluorescent club for you to make use of, "Modern Romance" obliges by rifling off a ridiculous amount of radiant, rave-like sounds that through closed eyes imagines the dancefloor of your dreams.

Let yourself melt into the marvellous "Modern Romance" below and check out more of the Lockdown Link-ups through Danny Howard on BBC Radio One.
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Friday, November 06, 2020

Enlightened Listening for November 6

We've made it through another week, and what a week it was, so let's celebrate with some new music.

This week's edition of Enlightened Listening opens with ATTLAS' second album of the year, an even more sublime offering than his usual ethereal excellence. It's not the only awesome album either as the ageless Kylie Minogue offers up an absolute delight in DISCO. Staying with longer releases, This Never Happened continues its unbelievable run of quality as Deeparture delivers an incredible EP, just as Overmono complete their inspired Everything U Need with two more top-notch tracks. Closing the book on EPs, HERO's CLUB NOWHERE is another stunner that, like CRY BABY and Dirty Work, will keep me coming back for weeks, if not months.

Now for the singles: Moullinex delivers sensuous pleasure in "Ven," Tiga turns Elderbrook's "Back To My Bed" into an infectious, uplifting roller, The Magician goes Italo disco on Mercer's uber-catchy "Lemonade," The Reflex brings "Sweet Freedom" closer to Michael McDonald's original, KUU deliver a chill second single, KAS:ST does dark and dismal with "VTOPIA," and we get the first taste of what promises to be a killer collaborative project from Frustra and Maddmon in "Eternal Wake."

Thursday, November 05, 2020

Leygo - Cape Fear

Of the most memorable film scores in the past 70 years, more than a handful belong to Bernard Herrmann. Few can stimulate senses, manipulate mood or exploit emotions like the longtime Hitchcock accomplice. While Herrmann can be as breathtaking and beautiful as anyone, his best work lies in the spine-chilling, anxiety-inducing, unnerving vein. Everyone knows the slasher quality of his work in Psycho, the noxious nature of Twisted Nerve and the crazed stalker vibes of the track behind today's post: Cape Fear. Taking on the immediately identifiable horns, Leygo launches Herrmann's hellbound theme into the depths of DnB darkness. Instead of the slow, slinking-in-the-shadows pace of the original, this energetic assault turns Max Cady (the film and track's antagonist) into a slapdash psycho, running headlong and haphazardly into his heinous plot. While Leygo's version of "Cape Fear" does indeed deliver the same kind of craven energy as the original, this new DnB delivery, with further flurries of percussion and synth play, give it enough of a new feel that it doesn't appear as a lazy cover, but rather a worthy weapon for dancefloors. Get it free via 9th Records' Bandcamp and follow Leygo below.
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Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Bump In The Hump: November 4 (Season 9, Episode 49)

Tracklist

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Justice - Stress (Glass Petals Remix)

After posting a clip of their remix of "Stress" from Justice's all-time great album Cross at the beginning of September, Glass Petals finally made good and released the banging bootleg last week. An obvious fit for spooky season, the killer club cut sets the mood early on in tonight's all-new episode of Bump In The Hump. As mentioned last week, this week's episode will mirror the Halloween haunt as we clean up its lecherous leftovers and showcase more of the malevolent music our great Canadians have crafted. Made available for free download, the duo of Felix Cartal and Johnny Jover have kept the two main samples of "Stress" intact while giving it their hype-inducing club re-rub. The off-kilter genius of Devo's "Jocko Homo" and the tension soaked strings of David Shire's "Night On Disco Mountain" loom as large as ever, at once reminding us of Cross' can't miss quality and Glass Petals' status as rising stars. Get "Stress" for free via Hypeddit here and catch in on Bump In The Hump, which premieres exclusively via Mixcloud tonight at 7 PM EST and then on Radio Humber Saturday from 9-11 PM EST.
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