Magic In The Rain - Jamlife

This past Friday marked the debut release, an epic one at that, for Andy Swanson's new project Magic In The Rain. The 26 track output, All The Things You Are. Always., from the man more widely known as Djemba Djemba is an introduction like no other. Its beats include ambient, future bass and trap touches, and even has a track that features Djemba Djemba. While there's a lot to like and even more to digest as you wade through the 1.5 hour album, there is one track that stands above the rest.

Here I'm talking about "Jamlife," a fun, playful and alluring offering that seemingly nails the ethos of this debut release. Over the course of the album as a whole you'll notice a kind of childlike wonderment amidst generally warm and wild natural vibes; while of course it and "Jamlife" are electronic productions, there is an undeniable organic life-force at its core.

"Jamlife" feels like a sonic safari, a journey into the uncharted outdoors. It surrounds you in a resplendent scene, inoculating you with naivety and unadulterated innocence. It feels as though it could be pulled from any of your favourite childhood films, and like most nostalgic moments, "Jamlife" strikes a stronger chord than the actual memory you're thinking of. Pull up a memory from a film or TV show and think about the feelings it brings with it, then go back to that source material and compare that feeling. Our memories tend to exaggerate or magnify the impact, especially those memories that last long, as they must be important if we can remember them after so long. This is yet another example of the power of, and magic inherent in, music. Adam Swanson seems to have tapped into this with Magic In The Rain, and while I'll remain hopeful for more Djemba Djemba, this project is indeed a powerful one. Stream All The Things You Are. Always. here, download it free here and follow Andy below.
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Enlightened Listening for September 14

Another Friday, another top notch day for releases. This week's Enlightened Listening includes EPs and album we already enjoyed singles from (Bob Moses, Dizzee Rascal, Aphex Twin, and Djedjotronic), remixes of tracks we love (Djemba Djemba, Gerd Janson, Babert, Sultan + Shepard, and Friction) and some of our favourites artists in (Harrison, BIJOU, Masayoshi Iimori and Sub Focus with Dimension). Once again I've attempted to curate the 46 tracks and 3+ hours of content into a flowing movement while obviously albums break that up. Individuals releases below along with short descriptions.

Bob Moses - Battle Lines
Fantastic follow up album. Not a collection of singles but a brilliant story led by Tom Howie's lyrics. Worthy multiple listens, done easily through the wonderfully woven, chill connective tissue.

Harrison - Your Girl (ft. Ralph)
Beautiful, chill funk with just enough snap to keep you coming back for more. Harrison's album is really starting to take shape.

Kiesza - Phantom Of The Dancefloor (Djemba Djemba Remix)
The Stuart Price (Jacques Lu Cont) produced single enjoys an update from previous Kiesza collaborator Djemba Djemba. Sparkling, spritely, futuristic fun this one warms my heart.

SG Lewis ft. AlunaGeorge - Hurting (Gerd Janson Remix)
Would not have guessed that "Hurting" would be this good as 118 club tweeker but here we are thanks to Gerd Janson who continues to stay hot. ICYMI check out his "Neutron Dance" mix from last month.

Purple Disco Machine - Dished (Male Stripper) [Babert Italo Disco Remix]
My favourite of the new remix package. Stay closest and is in my eyes the most well suited to the original. A wonderfully, warm bouncy ride that you never want to end.

Aevion - Wild Safari
The most feels from whatever is making that oh so safari sound, and I don't mean the elephant-esque horns, the bird cries, or the tribal chanting. Wreaks of wide open spaces and wild energy.

Fatboy Slim - Gangster Trippin (Sultan + Shepard Remix)
The duo keeps updating the past and keeps doing it well. The energy and allure of the original stays strong while this new version pops off with an extra ounce of oomph.

BIJOU - Super Phat
One of bass/G-house's finest artists on arguably bass/G-house's best label. Four equally intimidating and mean banging bass tracks with just the right amount of swing to leave the crowd in the lurches.

K+Lab - I Can't Wait (ft. Phonik Ops & Jakeda)
Westwood comes through again with stanky sax and gritty glitch hop grooves. Fire funk.

Dizzee Rascal - Don't Gas Me
Big productions in the title track and "Money Right," which is immediately one of my favourite tracks of the year, two legends atop a sick beat. Skepta has one hell of a production ear.

Masayoshi Iimori - Flow
Masayoshi is like a mad scientist, when his monstrous creations come to life they can bring worldwide destruction and this one does some serious damage.

Aphex Twin - Collapse
There is no one quite like Aphex Twin and we're reminded of that fact again. Where working with seemingly ethereal synths or their darker dirtier counterparts he always crafts something of uncommon value. Tweak out to these five tracks and feel your brain collapse in on itself.

Sub Focus & Dimension - Desire (Only on Youtube in Canada)
Every time these two legends meet up magic is made. Screams of the good old days especially when you have to watch on UKF's youtube.

Tom Grennan - Found What I've Been Looking For (Friction 'Back To 92' Mix)
Another nostalgia laced DnB track. Friction has absolutely nailed the raw energetic ethos of those days.

Djedjotronic - R.U.R
I've never encountered a techno album quite like this one. Djedjotronic is an absolute wizard, authoring some of the most enticing and electrifying releases of the year. There are no holes, only puzzles pieces of a greater whole that is all kinds of awesome.

LIZ - Pandemonium

There are very few 'pop' artists I enjoy more than LIZ. Over the years she's tapped some talented producers to bring to life her incredible artistic vision. Favourites include: Djemba Djemba for "Underdogs" with RiFF RAFF, Lido for "Y2K," SOPHIE for "When I Rule The World," Henrik The Artist for "Wild Target," and Wave Racer for "Queen Of Me." Yesterday she did it again as she linked up with Grammy nominated Finnish producer, Nico Stadi whose credits include Justin Bieber, Lindsey Stirling and Goldroom, to name just a few.

"Pandemonium" does a great job of living up to its complex and crazy namesake with its wild sound design and onslaught of effects. That said Stadi does a masterful job of keep it all taught, in its short pop delivery. LIZ's lyrics mirror the groove and get down of the bouncy bed, bringing her trademark throwback fun and goofiness, never more apparent than in the line "I make it pop like a VHS." And while there's always room for experimentation and progression in an artistic ouvre, consistency in the world your art creates is the best reward for your fans. That's exactly what we get with the look for "Pandemonium" which arises at the end of the music video from her previous single, "Super Duper Nova." Stream via Soundcloud below, and purchase from your favourite outlet here.FOLLOW LIZ: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER