Greg Wilson - Live At WOMADelaide Festival

Somehow Mondays continue to be a difficult as ever, so instead of forcing myself to find a new release to write about I've decided to return to the always awesome and reliable work of Greg Wilson. The legend's mailout arrived in my inbox today showcasing his "Last Festival 'Til When?" blog post and what may end up being both his first and last festival set of the year. Just over two months ago, immediately before the global lockdown took hold, Wilson took the stage at WOMADelaide Festival in Botanic Park in Adelaide.

Spanning nearly two hours, the set is full of upbeat and uplifting disco, funk and soul classics as well as its fair share of more recent releases in said sphere. The likes of Poolside and Todd Terje lead the mix to the tune of their "Harvest Moon" and "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes," respectively. Even more trusted names follow as the mix really starts to soar with Late Nite Tuff Guy, Psychemagik and Dr Packer waiting in the wings. The latter appears a couple times, but I'm most drawn to his seemingly unreleased take on The Spinners "I'll Be Around," which appears around the 47 minute mark. As always with Wilson's mixes, there's gems like that galore and who couldn't use an extra shot of Prince, the Gibson Brothers or Chic in their life? Treat yourself to the effortless ease and glorious grooves of this mix (along with free download) and follow Greg Wilson through both his socials and blog below.FOLLOW GREG WILSON: BLOG FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Stevie Nicks - Stand Back (SanFranDisko Re-Visit)

Editor extraordinaire, SanFranDisko has done it again, this time re-visiting Stevie Nicks' 1983 single "Stand Back." Lending itself to this kind of edit thanks to the Prince played synthesizers (as Nicks wrote the song around the melody from "Little Red Corvette"), SanFranDisko leverages that lush lead adding just a little more oomph to the synthpop/dance-rock original. Already a triumphant number, this take feels even more fearless than before; Stevie stands resolute, staring daringly at a darkened, dreamy dance-floor. However this is par for the course for Nicks who always exudes a mystical allure, spellbinding listeners with for decades, and that's just what happens here. It's impossible not to get wrapped up in Stevie's sublime vocals and those sensational soaring synths, get them free here.FOLLOW SANFRANDISKO: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Prince - Controversy (Mighty Mouse's Revised Edit)

Going back to November, Mighty Mouse has had quite the month. His sensational Glitterbox release "The Spirit" got tapped as Annie Mac's Hottest Record and he shared the stage with Rob da Bank for 1999: A Prince Odyssey. Smack dab in the middle of that stretch we were graced with a revised version of The Purple One's classic "Controversy." Like the vast majority of Prince's catalog, there is no shortage of magic in this edit. It is a marvelous mixture of divine disco, bubbling bass, and gurgling guitar, all brewing in a massive purple pot. Just one sip of this sublime concoction will leave your head spinning, or perhaps, you spinning on your head. It quite simply overflows with the kind of love and allure that His Royal Badness brought to every room he entered. Bring it to yours with free here.FOLLOW MIGHTY MOUSE: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

New Mixes from Dr Packer, Erol Alkan, Late Nite Tuff Guy and The Magician

Last week I saw the legendary Late Nite Tuff Guy's name above an hour long track entitled "Soul Mix 3" and got really excited. The recording from 2009, features the likes of Barry White, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye and many more. While it's a super cool insight into the mind of LNTG, its more about selection rather than transitions and easy flowing enjoyment. That said, today's search led me to 3 other mixes that bridge that gap better, so I've decided to showcase these live sets/mixtapes both for selection and mixing quality. They're all on the funky, disco end of the spectrum so if hard hitting stuff is what you're looking for you're out of luck. However you'll surely find some favourites, new and old. So let's get started, working back towards Late Nite Tuff Guy. Stream below and grab free downloads.

The Magician - Magic Tape 82
Finger firmly on the pulse, The Magician always has the hottest commodities in his show. He's got two of the new Disclosure tracks, his own remix of The Chainsmokers and the killer collabs of SG Lewis/AlunaGeorge and A-Trak/Todd Terry. The vibes are very laid back and groovy, before things pick up in the second half with FISHER's smash "Losing It," Riton's raucous "Up & Down" followed by Angelz "Yeah Yeah." While I'm sucker for disco, this deeper darker section may be my favourite.

Dr Packer Live @ Downtown Disco [25.08.18]*
So much great stuff in here. Dr Packer's ear is extraordinary, always finding the best edits and grooves. Strings and bongo stand strong throughout, while bass riffs beckon your feet to the floor. The extended nature of this set allows for longer more subtle transitions, and like the strings these swells are oh so sweet. Of course there's a number of his own productions, while other highlights include Late Nite Tuff Guy's "Startin' Somethin'," Todd Terry's "Love Sensation" and the Deep&Disco rework of "Stomp." If you're looking for pure pleasure look no further than the final half hour.

Erol Alkan (Disco Set) @ Homo Electric [25.08.18]
While only the final hour of Erol's "disco/italo/hi-nrg" set it's better than nothing. Funky, groovy and gritty, it is Erol through and through with his penchant for powerful records. Going for the classic killer "Right On Target" early, sets the stage for more high octane heat. There's a ton of bleepy brilliance in this more electronic-tilted disco mix with the likes of "Remember" and "Cybernetic Love." Hearing this hour gives a greater appreciation for the evolution of electronic from disco to house.

Late Nite Tuff Guy - Soul Mix 3
A considerable cool-down from the above sets, but still sublime. It is the opposite end of Erol's mix, the foundation from which those artists built upon. You don't have to look far to find the love at the core of this mix, as it emanates not just through the lyrics but the music that later inspired the edits used above. It's just so incredibly powerful to hear these tracks together especially after the other mixes. Watch out for the section of Prince, Roberta Flack and Minnie Ripperton: it's too nice.

* asterisk indicates free download

Janelle Monae - Make Me Feel (Remniqe Live Edit)

The past week and a half the internet was aflutter with astonishment over Janelle Monae's "Make Me Feel." Personally, I didn't quite get it, but that seems to be the case with most hyped tracks. While it struck me as very similar to much of Bruno Mars' catalog, I actually started to feel it a little more after hearing the various versions that inevitably arise after such a hype track appears. I came to find more similarities to Prince and Michael Jackson, and how could that not make you smile. This version below, courtesy NYC producer Remniqe, not only nails the brilliance of both of those two but gives it a deeper house groove. Fashioned more for filling the floor than the original, this one quite simply speaks to me, and I'm sure will have people going crazy in the clubs. Sorry I only shared on a Sunday, but I'm sure it'll still go over just as well next weekend. Pick up the free download via Hyppedit here, and have at it!FOLLOW REMNIQE: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

5 Tunes To Wake Up To

There really is nothing like waking up your senses to some smooth grooves and with that in mind, I've put together a playlist of 5 tracks I'm playing non-stop right now that fit this category. Enjoy!

Mura Masa - Second 2 None (ft. Christine And The Queens)
I could've gone with any of Mura Masa's album but "Second 2 None" really got me when I heard those pans live on a big system at WayHome. It's incredibly beautiful and perfectly produced.

Pierce Fulton - Life In Letters
That piano makes me feel like a god within the first 5 seconds. How's that for a wake-up call?

Late Nite Tuff Guy - Do I Believe In God (LNTG Muscle Mix)
Been absolutely rinsing out Joe Goddard's disco mix for Annie Mac during Glastonbury (stream here), and this may be the peak cool it hits. As if Prince wasn't funky enough already, this is seriously sublime.

Kraak & Smaak ft. Joi Cardwell - Just Wanna Be Loved (Blende Remix)
Blende sure knows how to bring the bouncy beauty, and with Kraak & Smaak's delightful disco this is a can't miss, despite me doing just that for three years.

A-Trak - Believe (ft. Quavo & Lil Yachty)
Almost at a million plays on Soundcloud should be a sign as to just to how good this is. Oh yeah, and those three on one track? Come on, it really doesn't get much hotter than this extremely cool cut.

RYME and Justin Jay Deliver The Goods

After posting some my hopes and expectations for RYME and Justin Jay's sets yesterday (full post here), they proceeded to meet and surpass anything I could have hoped for. In typical RYME fashion they played so perfectly to the crowd dropping two tributes to Prince, first the original Green Velvet "Bigger Than Prince," and the heartrending mashup of "When Doves Cry" and Metro Area's "Miura." The duo also delivered on my desire to hear some Tiga, with the ridiculously wild Hey Today! remix of "You Gonna Want Me." And yes they did drop some exclusive and unreleased BADLQQK content, to which they made good on my request for Slowbody's remix of KMRT "Flash Flash."  Furthering their streak of bangers, they once again went to Marc Spence's truly filthy track "Nasty." But perhaps the greatest joy I got last night was when Justin Jay played his Late Nite Dub of "Karma," to which I felt ridiculously compelled to personally thank him, giving him my phone with the message "YOU MADE MY NITE." It is that connection between the DJ and the crowd that makes EDM so alluring. And whether it was with fellow Dirtybirds Sacha Robotti's "Shaky," Tim Green's "Kitch-In" or Renato Cohen's "Suddenly Funk," Jay established his groove early starting with his edit of Tag Team's "Whoomp," (which you can find in his "Fantastic Voyage House Party Mix") and kept us reaching for the sky through his set in absolute ecstasy. 

Slumberjack - Open Fire (ft. Daniel Johns)

Freshly added to Spotify, the single from Australian duo Slumberjack "Open Fire" with vocals from fellow Aussie, Daniel Johns, is ready for streaming, ahead of it's official release next Friday, the 29th. Perhaps best known for their incredibly powerful 're-fix' of What So Not's "Touched," the duo's original releases "Enigma" with GRRL PAL, "The Others" with KLP and "Horus," showcase their wide range of production skills and musical sensibilities. "Open Fire" feels like their most mature and thoughtful production to date, with its wavering guitar intro accented by Daniel Johns' vocals, through poignant piano chords and simply stunning, soaring drops that slaps your heart silly. Perhaps the most powerful piece of Slumberjack's production in "Open Fire" is their impassioned treatment of Daniel John's already emotive vocals.

Right off the bat, the first line (5 seconds in) shows their delicate touch. The skimming, modulated vocal, immediately before the drop, adds an incredible level of depth, that is only amplified with Johns' effervescent crooning that soars high above the second drop. The cherry on top that confirms "Open Fire" as one of the best all around productions of 2016, is the disconsolate lyrical value Daniel Johns adds, that ought to send a chill down any spine that's ever experienced loss. I can't think of a better example of any track to both cry your heart out but also reignite the passion to achieve such a love again. It shines a spotlight on the sore-spot that is forever wondering where it all went wrong.

The overall production adds to the petrified feeling of being stranded, immobilized and helpless; how one thing leads to another and suddenly you find yourself marooned and utterly disabled. I cannot help but think of my own losses and far too fittingly, the world's loss of Prince, yesterday. I truly cannot get enough of this track, I've had it on repeat for nearly an hour now and it continues to hit my heart in such a profound way. My only hope is that you can experience this same penetrating, heartrending feeling, as 'music makes it all better' (something I saw on Skratch Bastid's shirt during his touching tribute to Prince here).

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Throwback Thursday: Prince

This Throwback Thursday pays homage to the man, the legend, never to be forgotten, Prince. May he forever Rest In Purple, as so eloquently put by A-Trak. There truly is no comparing him and his absolutely extraordinary life, and the tremendous influence he's left on countless others. As a tribute, I've compiled some of the best examples of his musical life I could find, so that we can properly remember his greatness. Unfortunately, much of his enormous catalog is not available online, and even less is quality video that does justice to his inimitable live performance. However, the first video in the YouTube playlist is perhaps the most striking and clear example of his status as an unparalleled talent. To think he's on a stage with arguably three of the greatest guitarists and absolutely dwarfs them, is simply breathtaking. Good luck holding back tears, as you make your way through the videos.
 
The NFL is blocking me from embedding his performance at the Superbowl, but you can still access it from YouTube itself via my playlist here, and I urge you to check this one out, if only for truly incredible circumstances, that could have only occurred in the presence of Prince's godly aura. Finally, my favourite of Prince's songs, so thoughtfully uploaded by Skream, and for once Soundcloud has done the right thing and left it up for the world to enjoy, and bask in Prince's genius.

2013 Grammy Awards (How Did I Do?)

So I really didn't do to poorly considering most of my picks were intended to rock the boat/advocate the devil. I really felt that with some of the picks I was picking the least likely and contrary artist/record. Skrillex came up huge again, as I predicted. I was wrong about the remix, although Skrillex/Nero were my second choice, and probably the most likely choice, whereas Photek was a dark horse, no doubt. I still can't believe that Diplo was robbed and didn't get Producer of the Year, it really seems to be as though he is far more deserving than Dan Auerbach, but I guess the Recording Academy felt electronic production is not worth yet, but boy are they wrong. Jimmy Fallon won the Comedy album which seems reasonable, but it puts me at zero for three, but this however is where is start to turn it around. My picks of Skrillex bringing down the house with Bangarang the album and the track, were right on with him taking them both down, 2/5. I did however get beaten down on the last few and more 'important' picks. Poor Frank Ocean got spanked by Fun as the Best New Artist and Mumford & Sons for Album Of The Year. How Fun beat out Ed Sheeran and Carly Rae for Song Of The Year, I honestly cannot say. It really was a terrible performance by Fun except for the rain indoors, but I mean could you pump the cheesiness factor any higher? Meanwhile Ed and the original legend-wait-for-it-dary, Sir Elton John smashed the place with an unbelievable duet of A-Team. Far more deserving than Fun. I did however guess the Record Of The Year correctly with Gotye, I don't think it really could have been anyone else, and the justification is seen quite easily with Prince declaring "Oh, I love this song." And how fitting that their first thank you goes to Prince, someone who had so greatly influenced them and their music. All in all a fun night, a celebration of music, something that I do everyday, every moment I spend listening to music. Music is the magic of everyday life.  Overall score: 3/9. Gotta thank Skrillex for hooking me with two correct picks.