Enlightenment For Your Ears: Charlie Darker

Showing posts with label Charlie Darker. Show all posts

Friday, December 02, 2016

My Mixtape featuring Oggie James Vol. 1

DOWNLOAD MY MIXTAPE FEATURING OGGIE JAMES VOL. 1

Tracklist

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Throwback Thursday: Congorock - Ivory

It feels good to get back to basics, and continue my journey of musical growth, through my Throwback Thursday series. This week it gives me great pleasure to revisit one of my favourite tracks from one of the most inventive and influential producers I've ever heard, Congorock and his 'elephant bass' track "Ivory." It undoubtedly spurred a slew of tracks from the likes of Dimitri Vegas/Like Mike, Clockwork, Hard Rock Sofa, Showtek, Felix Cartal, Nom De Strip and Charlie Darker, among countless others. I'd go so far as to say Congorock's influence, for better or worse, is part of the reason we have such acts as Martin Garrix, DVBBS, and fellow Italians VINAI. There's no questioning Congorock's groundbreaking production skills, first entering into mainstream consciousness with the unavoidably awesome, "Babylon," but it is my assertion, "Ivory" was the track that truly cemented his status as a producer's producer. Whether it's the wobbly, throbbing pulses of the bass synth, the perfectly tuned percussion, so finely placed in the incredibly deep atmosphere, or the obviously awesome pitch bent, elephant trumpeting; Congorock absolutely nails the hands in the air, ecstasy inspiring, inescapable big room sound.

The atmosphere of "Ivory" whisks you away to an African safari, with ominous tension abounding as you wait to see your first glimpse of wildlife. Suddenly, as though from a scene straight out of The Jungle Book, a herd of elephants trample through the nearby bushes and are right on top of you. Overwhelming in magnitude and unyielding in size, there is no escaping the mammoth power of Congorock's "Ivory."

While I find myself listening to less and less of this particular brand of big room electro, there's no questioning the impact it had on me and the love I still have for Congorock. Despite not hearing much from him lately (his most recent release came last April), his library of tracks, will no doubt stand the test of time. Be sure to enjoy the awesomeness of his original productions "Sirius," "Monolith," "Bless Di Nation," with Stereo Massive, "Minerals," with Nom De Strip and "Infinite Mana" with Clockwork. And don't forget his raucous remixes, Zedd's "Spectrum," Swedish House Mafia's "One," Clockwork's "Titan," and Zeds Dead's "Cowboy." Here's to hoping we get some new Congorock in there near future.

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Wednesday, April 06, 2016

Bump In The Hump: April 6 (Season 3, Episode 14)

Tracklist

PUSHER - Clear (feat. Mothica)

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Botnek - Clickbait

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Gesaffelstein - Hellifornia (Rezz Revision)

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Thugli - Sic Em

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Grandtheft & Sleepy Tom - Hold On

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Chet Porter - tby ily

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Ryan Hemsworth - From Grace (Henrik The Artist Remix)

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Keys N Krates - Treat Me Right (Grandtheft Remix)

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ZZT - Zzafrika (Light Year & The Finger Prince Remix)

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ZZT - Zzafrika (Gesaffelstein Remix)

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A-Trak ft. Jamie Lidell - We All Fall Down (STFU Remix)

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Autoerotique & Max Styler - Badman (Torro Torro Remix)

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Autoerotique - Asphyxiation

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Autoerotique - Asphyxiation (Botnek Remix)

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Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk (Charlie Darker Remix)

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Lazy Rich & Mord Fustang - We Are

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Chromeo - Jealous (Dillon Francis Remix)

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Zeds Dead & Dirtyphonics ft. Bright Lights - Where Aere You Now (Hunter Siegel Remix)

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Stephen Walking - Shark City

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Tristam - Till It's Over

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Kayj - Black Suit

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Sunday, February 07, 2016

Super Bowl Sunday: Best Remixes of Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga

In honour of Super Bowl Sunday's numerous pop performers, I've decided to compile a list of remixes that make their music that much more palatable. With Coldplay already utilizing Avicii's production its only a matter of time before the NFL enlists Avicii, Aoki or Kygo to leverage the youth demographic.

First off, Lady Gaga will be singing the national anthem, and although I don't have any remixes of that, there have been a number of good Gaga remixes over the years. Perhaps my favourite is Jody Den Broeder's "Poker Face" remix (video below). Rainmain (the main producer, previously behind Krewella) delivered a remixes of her massive debut track "Just Dance." And of course, everyone remembers Skrillex's remix of "Alejandro." These should keep you dancing throughout the endless commercial breaks, regardless of whether your team is winning or not.

Apparently one year of Bruno Mars isn't enough for the NFL, enlisting him once again for the halftime show. Luckily his particular brand of pop is easily remixed and improved upon. The first is more of a mashup but an enhancement nonetheless, DJ AJ's "Locked Out Of A Bottle" pitting the classic Police "Message In A Bottle" against Mars' "Locked Out Of Heaven." And of course there are those intoxicating "Uptown Funk" remixes from Riggi & Piros, as well as Charlie Darker (below):

Beyonce will also join Coldplay and Bruno Mars onstage for the halftime show, and it goes without saying that there are a plethora of Bey remixes to choose from. My personal favourite comes from Jack Beats and their remix of "Countdown." Right alongside the Jack Beats mix, comes the Jack U remix of "7/11." My final addition to the Bey remix collection is actually a Destiny's Child remix. Lazerpiff delivered a game changing bootleg of "Lose My Breath" over three years ago, but you can still pick it up free for yourself. Finally we have Coldplay, who have dozens of great remixes, that I've cut it down to an even half dozen. First is the Gabriel & Dresden remix of "Clocks." Mashup legend Party Ben combined Coldplay's "Talk" with Kraftwerk's "Computer Love" to create "Computer Talk." The Cryptonites also took on Coldplay, remixing "Violet Hill" to great success. Of course there is Kygo's remix of "Midnight" and Aylen's remix of "Fix You." There's also two great Canadian remixes from Moiez "A Sky Full Of Stars" and DeBoer "Viva La Vida." Gorge yourself on these tracks and remind yourself the world isn't just pop bullshit, while you get bombarded with endless consumerism and a barrage of pop culture.