Enlightened Listening for June 19

It's only been two weeks since the last Bandcamp day but they've gone bimonthly in June, donating their share of profits on this Juneteenth to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Of course that means this edition of Enlightened Listening is once again hosted on Bandcamp. This week you'll find Baauer's sensational sophomore album PLANET'S MAD, a trio of EPs, a couple free downloads and a 10 artist charitable collaboration. Find each release below with brief accompanying description. Enjoy!

Lost Desert - Lost Desert & Friends
As the temperatures continue to rise, I can't think of a better catalog to enjoy in the shade with a cold drink. A touch heavier than most of the previous ADID releases, but the slow burning brilliance of it remains. Personal favourite: "That Moment And You."

Moon Boots - Pure Moons Vol. 1
More easy flowing deep house/disco/dance cuts. Electronic escapism. Personal favourite: "Sundae."

Gregory Porter - 1960 What? (Ahmed Sirour Remix)
Incredible tribute mix made with a number of classic samples as well as a chant from this year's BLM march in Seattle. The passion is palpable and the energy infectious. My favourite release of the day.

DAVIE - Testify
Another impassioned and soulful affair. Instantly catchy. Sure to have you tapping your toes and clapping/snapping along. Expect big things from DAVIE and Defected.

Ticklish - The Way I Love You
Beautifully crafted, especially as the vocals and strings sew it all together. Top notch Ticklish.

Juelz - Renegade
How seven producers managed to make a singular track so seamless is a stunning feat. It's a wicked ride that feels like a megamix of all things Sable Valley. Watch out for the reprise in the last minute.

Baauer - PLANET'S MAD
An album/project like no other. Short of literally making a new planet, Baauer has done it all. It comes with its own full length video (here) and even more immersive content on Spotify (see here). Further proof that Baauer is in a league of his own. Personal favourites: "PIZZAWALA," "AETHER" & "HOME."

Masayoshi Iimori - Wonky Rave
The title says it all. Iimori offers up a trio of truly turnt tracks, each more brain-battering than the last. Explosive energy and gut-wrenching grit amidst some supremely satisfying rave sounds. Personal favourite: "Wonky Rave."

Jesse Zimmerman - Gamma
Fitting final track as we enter into the void. Dark synthwave affair clearly inspired by the cyberpunk movies Zimmerman was watching when this was written.

Mr. Oizo - Rythme Plat (Masayoshi Iimori Remix)

As Japanese genius and rave wizard Masayoshi Iimori was on his come up in the mid 2010s, he released a bootleg remix of Mr. Oizo's "Positif" from groundbreaking Lambs Anger LP. Already as avant-garde and jaw dropping as anything around, Iimori somehow managed to further push "Positif" into the future, bringing in even more head-spinning, stomach-churning sounds and mind-melting motion. And it wasn't as if it was unhinged wildness for the sake of showing off, but rather a powerful, progressive take on an already advanced production, so much so that Mr. Oizo often played it in his sets. Perhaps it was this remix that lead Oizo to tap Iimori for an official mix of his latest, "Rythme Plat."
Released as a free download via Mr. Oizo's uber cool website, Masayoshi Iimori's take on "Rythme Plat" is that of a crazed killer from a future full of destruction and devoid of emotion. Cold and cut-throat, it is as dark and dirty as they come, sending shivers down your spine as sirens alert you of the oncoming aerial assault of a drop. Bomb after bomb lands sending countless shock-waves and nuclear fallout in every direction, permeating the entire production. The future is here, and you might as well stop worrying and love the bomb. Also be sure to follow the sonic soothsayers below.

FOLLOW MASAYOSHI IIMORI: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW MR. OIZO: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Enlightened Listening for January 18

Something, something, new year, new music. Yeah yeah, these intros can be formulaic and really, do you even bother to read them? It's about the music, which you'll find below. This week's Enlightened Listening has a couple killer remixes, the first release from Dr. Fresch's new label, and fire EPs from both Aylen and Masayoshi Iimori. Read brief descriptions below and enjoy your weekend. Cheers!

Tycho - Epoch (Luttrell Remix)
Your new alarm/wake up call. You can see the sun bursting over the horizon and feel its warmth. The already beautiful original gets a top notch touch up from one of techno's melodic masters.

Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart (Martin Solveig Remix)
The remixes just keep coming, only further showing the strength of the original. Solveig pairs his production with Cyrus' voice brilliantly, letting each lead, and the whole thing grow organically.

Bob Sinclar - Electrico Romantico (ft. Robbie Williams)
The longevity of Sinclar is stunning, and so is this. Poppy, uplifting and funky. I think this is my favourite track on this list.

Mishap - Motions
The first in a long run of bangers in this list. A really strong example of the hybrid nature of bass driven tracks we're seeing these days. Dubstep, trap and do I hear some Pink Floyd "On The Run"?

Noizu - Dance
Rolling raucousness, acidic punches and dark dirty vibes. Noizu remains one to watch; whether it be on CONFESSION, OWSLA, or BlackBook like this, he always brings bangers.

Aylen - Routines
Always on top of the sound design game, Aylen seems to have made XXL the home for his weird, and wickedly effective house tracks. Both tracks are weapons, but in this case I'm more for the a-side.

London Elektricity - Funkopolis
I still remember the first time I heard London Elektricity, and while I can't say any of his productions have captured my attention the way "All Hell Is Breaking Loose" did a decade ago, this comes close. These two share that same kind of cool, almost soundtrack style delivery. Funky and full of energy.

Various Artists - The Remedy Volume 1
You cannot go wrong with 1) anything Dr. Fresch touches or 2) a compilation that includes the likes of BIJOU, Tony Romera, Gerry Gonza and JAXX DA FISHWORKS. If g- and bass-house are your things, best keep your eyes and ears locked on The Prescriptions Records.

Masayoshi Iimori - Euphoria
While Aylen and Iimori work in different genres, I cannot help but see similarities in both the quality and wildness of their productions. Both are liable to batter your brains with any given release, and certainly that holds true with this three track tumult. It'll surely leave your head spinning and your body moving. If you're still on the fence, let me say that "FMW" gives me a Boys Noize vibe and what could be wrong with that?

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.

Holly x BeazyTymes x Masayoshi Iimori - Pump It Up

As fresh as it gets, the threesome collab of Holly, BeazyTymes and Masayoshi Iimori "Pump It Up" has been online for only 23 minutes as I write this sentence. Hosted on the Portuguese producer's soundcloud, Holly is quickly becoming known for blistering bootlegs and countless quality collabs with the likes of Ian Munro, Woolymammoth and Whipped Cream to name just a few. Masayoshi Iimori continues to crop up just about anywhere fire new tracks are heard; I've already written about his penchant for genre and mind bending tracks (see his track for Filet Mignon Vol 4 and his Malaa "Fade" bootleg). Add BeazyTymes into the mix and you've got yourself a three continent collab of epic proportions. From North America, to Europe and Asia, "Pump It Up" has it all, not just musically but production-wise, as these are three of the fastest rising stars of the trap/bass scene. These three are not messing around, they've created an enigmatic, ear-shattering and explosive track that will surely be blasting it's enormous bass in club sets and car stereos worldwide, in absolutely no time at all.Be sure to get it while it's hot, so you can see the screw faces on your friends, as they hear it for the first time. "Pump It Up" is available for free download now!

FOLLOW HOLLY: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW BEAZYTYMES: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW MASAYOSHI IIMORI: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

12 tracks for the last weekend in August

With summer drawing to a close, it seems people are rushing around trying to take advantage of whatever time is left under the empowering and freeing summer sun. This being the last weekend August, I too am feeling the push to post up lakeside and relax. So before my family and I head to the cottage for this last stretch of summer, I've compiled a list of 12 new tracks that will make your time pass that much more enjoyably. Even better, the majority of these tracks are up for free download. The first three or four tracks are rough, raw and hard hitting trap numbers from big names Masayoshi Iimori, Slumberjack, San Holo and Josh Pan. Slumberjack and San Holo are back with new originals, while Iimori and Pan build on their already inimitable styles with two massive remixes. After taking on Kanye West earlier in the week, Josh Pan now takes on Amerie's "1 Thing." Following that is a brilliant bootleg from German producer, Bibo of classic Skylar Grey "Love The Way You Lie." The next four tracks are extremely bright, futuristic tracks from Italian, Mordecai, Frenchman Offramp, Pluto and Ye. and Sweater Beats. The following track from Bonnie and Clyde is somehow able to combine many of the styles from the previous tracks. "Tonight" is part future bass, part house, part trap, part tropical; a blissful balance between pop and bass.  The duo of Los Angelenos, DJCJ and Bloodtone rework Kevin Gates' "Really Really" to perfection, calling me back to Dr. Fresch's "Gangsta Gangsta." Rounding things out in the best way I know how, with UZ's joint remix with MYRNE of his own "Trap Shit 16." It's always awesome when an original artist remixes their own work but the touch of MYRNE takes it to the next level, as a true work of art. Follow through for all of the download links and get your own copy of the tracks above.

Malaa - Fade (Masayoshi Iimori Remix)

The world works in unbelievable ways, hours after writing about Masayoshi Iimori being ahead of the curve, crafting the most uncanny tracks, the Japanese sensation outdid himself by infecting, Malaa's already ominous and infernally deep, "Fade" with a radical cybernetic possession of a remix.
The computer virus like, glitchy trap cuts, stab to repeated perfection over the ever so sour-tinged, blazing fast rap. Insidiously utilizing the hollow vocals, Masayoshi Iimori thumps the bass as though the spectral figure behind that voice, were punching you right in the gut. There's no escaping the diabolical dark alley of this electrifying state of the art remix, that you can grab free here.

SUPPORT MALAA: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
SUPPORT MASAYOSHI IIMORI: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Filet Mignon Volume 4

The time for massive compilation from French label Record Record's Filet Mignon series has finally arrived, with it's fourth installment, including tracks from Madeaux, DZZ, Dombresky, Masayoshi Iimori and Birdy Nam Nam, among others. I've been waiting for this ever since I first heard, what I called at the time, the track of the summer, Point Point's "True Summer." The aim of this series is to shine a spotlight on "tomorrow's new talents" with the backing of more experienced artists, through a coherent and clear artistic direction. There's no question Record Record has achieved this feat, as they've lead me to discover talents like LigOne, Araatan, Aazar and Valy Mo. They were able to get my attention by giving San Holo's "BWU" a place in their third installment, and it was because of it's inclusion that I found two of my favourite tracks, the aforementioned LigOne's "Uprising," and the Little Freaky Things, L'homme aux 4 Lettres' "in2." Once again they've compiled a great combination of tracks, working together to create a consistent and thematically succinct 15 track album. I can truthfully say there are no holes in this massive compilation. Each track works both on its own but truly together in the album. When you can start with a Madeaux, DZZ collaboration and only build upon that foundation with each following track, you know you've got greatness on your hands. Devoted To God's "Burning Bridges" is worthy of worship not only for its pious production quality but Goldilox's voluminous vocals.

The following track from rising star Dombresky is yet another awesome track from him, and perhaps my favourite of the collection, with its swinging strings, soaring in loving beauty. Nomak's "What About Us" showcases a naughty and nasty touch that feels as though the couple in question is bickering in some infernal give and take. Pyramid follows that up with a rave worthy get down track, that just begs unsuspecting listeners to cry out, "Damn son, where'd you find this?" Asan & Halpe's "Amber" is an incredible piece of production prowess that's cinematically cool and sure to sweep you off your feet.

The enigmatic Masayoshi Iimori once again delivers a track that seems miles ahead of anything even the most future forward producers are making. You can be sure DJs the world around will be adding "Down" into their sets for surefire screwfaces and cries of "What in the world is this?" The following track from Birdy Nam Nam is perhaps the best example of the importance of track placement, there is an inevitable let down following Masayoshi's mastery and "Sad Boys Club" emotes that so brilliantly with the downtrodden, depths of his sorrowful synth work.

The aptly named "Don't Let Them Stop You," leads the compilation out of despair, before BeazyTymes "Get Hit" beams it back into oblivion, and in my opinion ought to be named "Get Lit." Once you are indeed 'lit', the best thing for you is a refreshing, cool breeze, and there's no track that better elicits that feeling more than Point Point's "True Summer." The following track from Brunelle, "Chemistry," rivals Dombresky for my favourite of the collection. As though crafted by a scientist in a lab, it truly lives up to its name, as a perfect mixture of so many of the elements we've heard in this massive compilation; groovy, beautiful and as dance-able as anything in Filet Mignon.

The penultimate track from Araatan, "Zereglee," utilizes a guitar and piano better than any electronic track I've heard and runs so brilliantly into the final boss track of Ateph Elidja's "TRRN." Things turn violent as it seems even the artists don't want the compilation to end. Once again utilizing cinematic sweeps, "TRRN" seems to be a triumphant and beautiful finale that caps off an amazing collection of tracks with an echoing slamming of a door, until the next installment.

I'm truly in awe of Record Record and this incredible album, not just because of the sheer number of great tracks, or their unbelievable cohesiveness, but the way they've been so thoughtfully compiled and showcase so many talented artists in a way that other labels can only dream of. You can stream or download Filet Mignon 4 on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon.

SUPPORT RECORD RECORD: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER