The Magician - Magic Tape 102

The Magician launched us into June with another lush episode of his marvellous Magic Tape mix series. Like all previous editions, this new hour features a variety of funky disco house joints with a focus on new and forthcoming music. Also, just like its predecessor Magic Tape 101, the first twenty minutes are pure bliss. No matter my mood, I cannot bring myself to skip these sublime starts. In fact, these two most recent mixes have supplied some of my favourite tunes in the last month or two (see: the Perel remix of "See You Again," Dorothys Fortress' fabulous "Lucha Libre," and Krystal Klear's intoxicating "Piano Banana.") But, back to Magic Tape 102. The opening track, the only ID left, has a really familiar feeling. And here's where I get to the fun speculation as I have a sneaking suspicion (more likely just misguided hope) that this is new music from Joe Goddard and Raf Rundell, aka The 2 Bears. Musically, lyrically and thematically, it screams The 2 Bears, and I couldn't be happier if that is the case. However, and serendipitously punny, it could also be a new warner case production. Again, this would be a fit in his oeuvre, and we know he's been part of Magic Tapes and The Magician's Potion Records in the past. That said, there is no proper evidence either way as to whether this is The 2 Bears, warner case, or someone else entirely. Regardless, it's a fun, funky start to another exceptional edition of the Magic Tape series. Get down to it below and check out the largely complete (and correct) tracklist here.

UPDATE: The opening track has been released on Potion Records. It's Carl Chaste, "Change."

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Enlightened Listening for July 31

It's a long weekend so I'm keeping this week's Enlightened Listening extra short. There's nine new releases below, all on the funky, disco, house tip moving more from the former to the latter as the playlist moves on. Find each release linked at the bottom and have yourself a great, safe weekend!

Charlie Puth - Girlfriend (Haywyre Remix)

Myd - Together We Stand (Radio Slave & Thomas Gandey Remix)

Foals - Wash Off (KUU Remix)

Roosevelt - Sign (Alex Metric Remix)

Aston Martinez & Marco Berto - Holdin' On (ft. Bryan Chambers)

Fat Sushi - Fanfare / Angry Driver

Kiwi - Hello Echo

SUZé - Urban Butterfly

Tim Engelhardt - Shine

Enlightened Listening for June 12

After last week's Bandcamp edition of Enlightened Listening we're back to our usual home on Spotify. This week's nearly eight hour long playlist features a staggering 85 tracks including 45 from one massive charitable compilation CARE4LIFE which supports the NHS. Said compilation includes big names Daniel Avery, The Chemical Brothers, Luke Solomon, Damian Lazarus, Joe Goddard, Jamie Jones, Pete Tong and so many more. It closes with a a killer DnB cut from 3Strange and the playlist itself does too with a Special Request vs Paul Woolford remix of CLIPZ. Otherwise you'll find that this week's playlist is largely funk and disco driven with amazing offerings from Roosevelt, Cavego, Chromeo and a handful of others. Somehow Ejeca is back with another new EP, just as Tensnake, Tinlicker and Yotto each stay hot with a trio of sick singles. Rounding things out there's standout remixes from Jacques Greene, ABSOLUTE. and Lonely Boy and an epic vocal techno EP from Charlotte de Witte. Find each individual release linked after the Spotify embed below. Enjoy!

Amtrac - No Place (Remixes)

Ejeca - Polar Nation

WhoMadeWho - Synchronicity I

Yotto - Tarantia

Tinlicker - Sleepwalker

Tensnake - Simpansi

Roosevelt - Sign

Cavego - Dovregubben

Kapote - L.O.V.E. 2020 (NYC Tribute)

Chromeo - Quarantine Casanova

Flevans - Realisation (Remixes)

Haska & Salif Keita - Madan (ABSOLUTE. Edit)

Charlotte de Witte - Return To Nowhere

Various Artists - CARE4LIFE

CLIPZ ft. Ms Banks, Ms Dynamite & Jaykae - Again (Special Request vs Paul Woolford Remix)

A Weekend of Beautiful Music

Even though my computer is going through some rough times at the moment, both my trackpad and soundcard have failed in the last two weeks, I always find a way to have music playing. This weekend I found myself down one of the most beautiful Soundcloud wormholes I've ever come across. Du Tonc's "Slow Down" immediately had me reclining my lawn chair as their bass line throbbed underneath evaporating vocals and the kind of cool atmosphere that suits this scorching weather. Featuring the same kind of modulated vocals, and funky bass, the theme both in "Peace" and this wormhole at large, is one of love, unity and beauty. Super styling, Kenton Slash Demon delivers a track that will assuredly have your toes tapping, as you get up to join the group of reveling dancers. Delightfully dreamy yet poignant, "Always Be Motivated By Love" is not just a great tag line for a t-shirt, but a song as beautiful as a world where people live by that very maxim. The fleeting nature of SQRD's "Gold" left me yearning for more of his unique brand of electropop. Immediately taken aback by the latin flavour of "Bossa Lady" it didn't take long for me to make a fool of myself dancing around in my backyard pretending I was some kind of Cassanova. Already a beautiful track in itself, Prins Thomas adds a little extra groove, transporting Roosevelt's original to a bleepy, playful, all night discotheque, surrounded by people vogueing and posing. It feels like we've come full circle, finding another awesomely funky track with a bass line that you cannot help but be struck by. Enter the dance circle with your best moves; by now you've got the "Jist" of what Soundcloud was recommending by sending us down this wormhole. Sit back, relax and be one with the funk.