Enlightened Listening for July 24

While I said I wasn't going to blog this week, I can't just pretend like this week didn't come with tons of incredible new tunes, so here's an abbreviated version of Enlightened Listening. As always I've compiled it for maximum flow, moving from more chill, groovy stuff to heavier, banging bits. There's a great variety with several standouts. You can find everything listed below, but I will recommend my three favourites (hint: I'm leaning to more open-air, summer type stuff, while I have a ton of love for the new Kevin de Vries). Personal favourites: Planningtorock's supremely satisfying Planningtochanel, the Tiger & Woods remix of Sébastien Tellier, and Sasha's remix of MJ Cole. Have a great weekend, enjoy!

Jessy Lanza - All The Time

Planningtorock - Planningtochanel

Myd - Together We Stand (Bullion Remix)

The Brothers Macklovitch ft. Leven Kali - Give Love To Get Some (Morgan Geist Dub)

Sébastien Tellier - Venezia (Tiger & Woods Remix)

Tensnake ft. Boy Matthews - Somebody Else (Shadow Child Apollo Remix)

MJ Cole - Sonoran (Sasha Remix)

Sultan + Shepard - Guaba

Denney - Reflections Of Time

warner case - dance music for dancing, vol. 2

Howling - Need You Now (Adriatique Remix)

Eelke Kleijn - Woodstock (Gerd Janson Remixes)

Kevin de Vries - Utopia

Erol Alkan - Sub Conscious

Zeds Dead - We Are Deadbeats (Vol. 4/Deluxe)

Spor - Anachronic

Enlightened Listening for April 19

Is there such thing as a not good Friday? As long as there's new music to enjoy, I don't think so. This week's Enlightened Listening includes the completion of a number of projects we've previewed here before including Peggy Gou, Myd, and Dean Grenier & Pilo's collaborative Take Form EP, plus a slew of my favourite names dropping dope records which I'll guide you through below.

Things get started with Four Tet who just graced the Mojave stage at Coachella this past weekend. "Teenage Birdsong" is a smooth, catchy little number that plays through an immense amount of instrumentation, especially considering its tight three and a half minute run-time. Next up, Prospa deliver a dope dance groove which just capture Annie Mac's Hottest Record In The World today. Peggy Gou then follows up the single "Starry Night" with sublime sensation "Han Pan," more in line with "It Makes You Forget." I have a strong feeling this one will be not just one of my songs of the summer, but of the entire year. Club Cheval's Myd then makes good on the rest of his Superdiscoteca EP with two more top notch tracks, my favourite being the cascading brilliance of "The Bouncer."

Next up Purple Disco Machine comes through with an absolutely massive compilation in collaboration with Glitterbox which brings together Purple Disco Machine originals, remixes and a number of awesome offerings from the likes of Hatiras, Mighty Mouse, Bob Sinclar and more. Staying with various legends, the next release is a match made in heaven: The Black Madonna remixing Robyn's "Between The Lines." Again with The Black Madonna, she, Horse Meat Disco and Maya Jane Coles have all been supporting ABSOLUTE.'s brilliant remix of Steve Lawler "Narna." Finally we wrap up this week's selection with two top notch techno EPs starting with the aforementioned Take Form from Dean Grenier and Pilo, before being swept off our feet by Kevin de Vries' Vertigo. If you need a single track to sell each EP look no further than the title tracks of each. Stream below and enjoy your weekend!

Four Tet - Teenage Birdsong

Prospa - Intended

Peggy Gou - Moment EP

Myd - Superdiscoteca

Various Artists - Purple Disco Machine & Glitterbox Present: Discotheque

Robyn - Between The Lines (The Black Madonna Remix)

Steve Lawler - Narna (I Am Happy) [ABSOLUTE. Remix]

Dean Grenier & Pilo - Take Form

Kevin de Vries - Vertigo

Tale Of Us - Afterlife Voyage 013

Whether it be through their own productions, their label Afterlife or their mixes, German duo Tale Of Us have been turning heads for years, first breaking through into mainstream consciousness with the runner up for Essential Mix of 2015. Last month they once again authored an awe-inspiring mix, the 13th edition of the Afterlife Voyage series, featuring countless forthcoming and unreleased tracks. Like Afterlife's motto "an odyssey through the realm of consciousness," this mix is one hell of a journey.

While writing this, and working on other odds and sods, I've made it through the first 47 minutes without it feeling like even half that length, however this is where I'm starting to notice a transition into more involving pieces, capturing my consciousness. Now of course this is not my first time listening to the voyage, and I am beginning to feel my favourite section coming to life. As many have noted in the comments, the second half of the mix seems to be the most widely appreciated, and I would agree as my two favourite IDs reside here. In fact when showing my friend this mix a couple weeks ago, I pressed play around the hour twenty-five mark but had to keep going back 5 minutes at a time because every time I moved back there was a banger waiting there for me.

So starting with the ID shortly after the hour mark through to what has been identified as NOID "125" and unreleased Ae:ther near the hour thirty-three mark, you cannot go wrong. But special attention has to be paid to the trio of tracks that starts with Ivory "Black Haired Sea" through to the aforementioned Ae:ther. This section is jacking, sweep you off your feet sensational, both with the blending transitions and the tracks' stunning sound designs. And while that section is truly a treat, a mere 10 minutes later we're welcomed to another exceptional run of IDs and unreleased cuts.

Much like Innellea "Vigilans," I was immediate awe-struck by the drop of Citizen Kain's "Indigo" at about 1:43:30. Of course the bleepy brilliance is all kinds of cool, but it wouldn't be nearly as effective without the deftly designed drums which add so much oomph there's no way you don't feel it in your core. Another one I cannot help but feel in my heart is of course the What_If edit of "Love Will Tear You Apart," which seemingly begins the descent into the expansive finale that includes Camille Luciani's take on "Sweet Disposition" and closes with a Kevin de Vries ID.

This more than two hour epic is most definitely a trip I'll continue to take whether I'm traveling, working out or just need a strong section for my shower and shave routine. Being that there's so many unreleased gems in here, I would not be surprised if it becomes one of my most played mixes this year, however I'll certainly be waiting with baited breath for the likes of that unreleased Ae:ther and "Indigo."FOLLOW TALE OF US: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW AFTERLIFE: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Enlightened Listening for November 30

We're gonna need a bigger blog. This week's edition of Enlightened Listening is maybe the most ambitious yet, highlighting 16 releases in and around this date. There's a number of releases we've been waiting patiently for (Haywyre, Krafty Kuts and Apashe) and some incredible surprises (Attlas, Robert Robert and Vessels). As always I've organized this wide ranging collection for maximum flow from more chill groove to heavy hitters in the playlist below. I'm going to get back to the short descriptions following that, but be sure to give each release a chance, they're all of the highest quality.

Tom Morello - A Higher Frequency (ft. Serj Tankian and Attlas)
Still not sure this is real life. Attlas has had one of hell of a year, but this leaves all his previous productions in the dust. Tempered, yet as resplendent as ever and that magical ability is only amplified with Tankian's truly awesome vocals. Oh yeah, and Tom Morello, he's no slouch either. One of the tracks of the year.

George Fitzgerald ft. Lil Silva - Roll Back (TOKiMONSTA Remix)
My favourite George Fitzgerald track and TOKiMONSTA has done it justice. Beautiful chill stuff.

KAYTRANADA - IT WAS MEANT 2 B
I could take or leave the other two tracks on this EP, but man this is the kind of cool Kaytranda production that just leaves me mystified. Groovy and warm, just the way I like it.

Haywyre - Panorama: Discover
This is exactly what I expected when Haywyre's return became immanent. Didn't miss a step despite two years off. Right back to fantastic form. Incredible artistry and musical abilities. Welcome back!

Krafty Kuts - Fresh Ingredients
Everything we've heard from this EP has been fire and the new additions maintain that quality. Surprising retro feels with some of the synths that make even the more chill tracks uncontrollably groovy.

Keys N Krates - Live In Toronto
Rarely is a live album better than a studio one, but this is very much so the case with Keys N Krates who first made the mark as a live band and continue to thrive through their play. They are now masters of their craft and it shows in this release. If you haven't seen them live I cannot recommend it enough.

Robert Robert - Okay Alright Okay
Last year Robert Robert blew me away with "Coolest Place In The Universe" and he's done it again with this brilliant bouncy beat. Fun and funky, and just indie enough not to feel too processed.

Ryan Davis - Obsidian (Vessels Remix)
Big epic build up. Maybe it because I've been listening to the Ed Banger Orchestral album too much, but it certainly feels like this is built the same way. An absolutely killer craftwork.

Cowboy Rhythmbox - Terminal Madness
Wickedly weird techno EP from trusted providers in Phantasy Sound. Think Mr. Oizo, Djedjotronic and Erol Alkan all wrapped in one. "Vodonik" is my favourite of the bunch.

The Reason Y - Almathea (Kevin de Vries Remix)
Another awesome, illusory production from Kevin de Vries. Try not to float off into the afterlife.

Murlo - Evaporate
A little jolt of energy as Murlo once again showcases his sensational club craftsmanship. WILD!

Various Artists - 7Wallace Sampler
As if Idris Elba didn't already have enough on his plate, his label can now boast tracks from GAWP, Golf Clap, Avesie & Cadence and more. Five equally strong tracks all in the house sphere, leaving me hard pressed to pick a favourite, although the middle three seem to be a notch above.

Anti Up (Chris Lake & Chris Lorenzo) - Hey Pablo
Could I get away with just posting the "I've fallen down and can't get up" meme? An undeniable dream-team and they did not disappoint. Not only is each track awesome but they fit together perfectly too. Not sure what we did to deserve this treat, but boy am I glad we got it.

Smalltown DJs & Dances With White Girls - Bad Behaviour (ft. SkiiTour)
It's most definitely a party. Slick, smooth bounce. The kind that will get you jumping on the floor and flying with whatever dance you feel.

Various Artists - WE ARE DEADBEATS VOL. 3
Since Deadbeats first started, they've been on the leading edge and they've done it once again. um.., Ducky, Holly, Cozway and Rome In Silver all on one release? Weird, wicked stuff all around.

Apashe - Requiem Remixes
Not only did Apashe craft some of the best bass of the year with the original release, but tapping the likes of CloZee, TenGraphs and Chuurch makes for one hell of a remix EP. Plays like a black and white horror film.

Enlightened Listening For October 5

Another busy Friday, another great day for releases. This week's edition of Enlightened Listening includes the returns of Tchami, Botnek and WHIPPED CREAM, a genius album from Marie Davidson, one of my most anticipated tracks in the last while, Kevin de Vries' "Aratak" and a couple other gems. Once again I've tried my best to curate the playlist for optimal flow but there's a remix album right in the middle which is sure to throw things off. Otherwise, enjoy individuals releases as listed below.

Anderson .Paak - Tints (ft. Kendrick Lamar)

R.LUM.R - With My Words

Tchami - Aurra

Martin Solveig - My Love (Kölsch Remix)

Lane 8 - Little By Little Remixed

Marie Davidson - Working Class Woman

Kevin de Vries - Aratak

Botnek - Wiggle / Vibrate

WHIPPED CREAM - Blood