Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Face 2 Face Mix

Orlando Tobias Edward Higginbottom, better known by another four-part name, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (or TEED for short) shared an eclectic mix "for kitchen dancing in times of isolation" this past Friday. A mind-blowing melange, this "Face 2 Face Mix" features a host of electronic energizers sure to inspire some interesting dance moves. The grooves grow steadily through more world-type tracks in the open to the seriously jacking Bufiman "Blow Your Head" around the 15 minute mark. Dancing between disco and dark, acid-tinged tracks the next section really showcases TEED's diverse ear and the influences he brings to the fore in this mix. This diversity is perhaps best illustrated in the move from the powerful Anatolian folk techno track "Teleported" by Anunaku to the crisp, pristine piano-led and beautifully buoyant Bag Raiders remix from TEED himself. This theme of incredible movement and multiplicity continues through the second half, but rather than spoil any more of the "Face 2 Face Mix," I'll let you enjoy it unencumbered below. Stay in, stay safe and let's dance this off.FOLLOW TEED: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Enlightened Listening for March 8

We've got an extra funky Friday full of releases for this week's edition of Enlightened Listening. There's a couple cool albums of the groovier house variety, opposed by the despair driven darkness of Gesaffelstein's first album in over five years. There's also excellent EPs from Jon Gurd and Joe Goddard, as well as some sick singles from Don Rimini and Juelz, plus a couple sublime remixes from Folamour and Joris Voorn. Stream via Spotify playlist below and find descriptions at the bottom. Enjoy!

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Energy Fantasy (Folamour Remix)
Fantastic opening track. The drum work dazzles beneath bright and beautiful, soaring synths.

Birdee - Then Came The Sun
There are no holes in this album. Full on funky fun with awesome vocal driven and instrumental tracks alike. Big bold beats like "Love" and "Rumours" and more spacious, slow-burning sensations like "Meant To Be" and "Don't Give Up Your Love."

Locked Groove - Sunset Service
A lot like Birdee above, the funk is strong with this one; however, the energy is kicked up a notch, as immediately noted in "Pudding." Verging on classic rave vibes, there's no shortage of dance energy at the core of these tracks. They can be dark and dirty like "Zillion" or bright and ethereal like "Out Of Orbit."

Yotto - Walls (Joris Voorn Remix)
The typical top notch brilliance of Voorn is on full display here. As always, the extended offering allows the ease of "Walls" to breathe its beauty into your soul.

Jon Gurd - After It All
Like Folamour above, the drum work throughout this EP lays a fantastic foundation for the swirling synths to dance around. While it opens skyward in its projection, After It All gets deeper as it progresses.

Joe Goddard - Pull The Plug
My most anticipated release of the year so far. Each track is exceptionally designed, delivering some seriously sick grooves. "Sacred Heart" is both hypnotic and brilliantly bumping. "Max De Fool" builds on this hypnotism, turning further towards techno before Kool Keith cuts the chord with a wild get-down and fulsome flow on the title track. Finally, the fire inducing, furious drum opening of "Broken" will have you on your ass when the beat finally drops. Unreal.

Don Rimini - Homeboy
Bleepy shuffling brilliance. Not an all time stunner, but a surefire party starter.

Gesaffelstein - Hyperion
Expectations are dangerous. Expecting an artist to craft the same kind of tracks they did nearly a decade ago is foolhardy. No, this is not Variations, Conspiracy or even Aleph, but yes, it is still Gesaffelstein. His genius is still there; just like any of us, he's changed/evolved/grown over the years. Admittedly, I was not big on any of the singles, especially after the first few listens, however they've grown on me and now I'm quite the fan of both of the features. Of course I'm here for HAIM, and The Hacker/Electric Youth collab is incredibly intriguing, but the three track finale is perhaps the best bit of this whole endeavor. It's a bit soundtrack-ish, but hey, he's always had those proclivities and if you're not a fan of quality soundtrack stuff like John Williams, Wendy Carlos, Alan Menken and others, you're kind of missing the point...

Juelz - Closure (ft. Ruby Chase)
Finally, Juelz gives us our first taste of his Shanghai Nights EP, due out May 3rd on Fool's Gold. His club capabilities are on full display as he blends trap and future bass better than I've hear in a while.

Rory No-Mates - Hard Liquor EP

Last week saw the release of Abidanti's side project Rory No-Mates' debut EP Hard Liquor on T.E.E.D. led label Nice Age. A three track journey through lush leftfield house, it is equal parts exotic island and smooth spacewalk, all dreamscape. The title track takes little time to inject its intoxicating aura with a cool, off-kilter jazz core. Funky, freaked-out play between the chords and drum work make "Hard Liquor" a potent production, and a great opener for the EP. A darker turn, "Goldfish" wanders in waves of synths, growing ever more noxious as it progresses. No question a natural beauty, the EP really hits its stride with "Land Of Broken Dreams," a brilliant blend of the two previous tracks. Lounge vibes abound as the cool keys cruise atop the crunchy percussion, subtle samples and gripping, groove growls. Lose yourself in the delightful debut EP Hard Liquor with download/stream here.FOLLOW RORY NO-MATES: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Enlightened Listening for February 16

The last few Fridays I've been compiling playlists of new music for the weekend, so today I've decided to give it a name and make it a routine. I present the first proper edition of Enlightened Listening. The name is a simple tie to the blog itself, which features all dance and electronic genres under the sun, as does this list and the others ahead of its naming today. I should also state that while I use the term enlightened, I'm not suggesting that each of these are the pinnacle of production but rather some creative cultivations on the endless road to musical enlightenment. So once again here we go, find the tracks in no particular order, note the free downloads marked by asterisk and reviews at the bottom.

ATLiens - Interstellar (ft. Sara Skinner)
Fantastic mix of fearsome fire in the incredibly twisted trap drops countering Skinner's savory vocals.

Madeaux - The Wave (ft. BRUX)
Another captivating creation from Madeaux that fits its title to a tee. I can't quite put my finger on what this reminds me of most, but certainly the likes of Jack Beats, Mr. Oizo, Boys Noize and others.

NuKid - Hustlin'*
The more I hear from NuKid the more convinced I am that he sits atop the crowded crossroads of deep, g-, and bass house. The combination of grit, drive, and bounce of this track is mindblowing.

AOTA - D Sides*
Five classics (or soon to be classics) twisted to fit AOTA's particular brand of deep house. Likely your eyes are drawn to "Satisfaction" or "Bodak Yellow" and while they all deliver a good groove get your feet going, I'm most struck by the Borgore remix, which like the original goes ridiculously hard.

BETON - Directions (ft. Wevie Stonder)
My most anticipated track of the year. I've gushed about it following Tiga's New Names Mix and again when the B-Side was released (here). Crank it to up 11 and shake the whole house. MASSIVE!

Robotaki - Limbo (ft. SHOR)
Seems like every new production from Robotaki raises the bar further and further. It's the perfect mix of T.E.E.D., SBKTRKT, Chet Faker and future bass when it was fresh coming out of Australia. Beyond beautiful, fantastically funky, smooth and sublime. Oh my days, might just have a little cry.

Max Olsen - Sub Zero (ft. JC)*
Expect to be moved by this one. Deep bass bonks and sweeping grooves. And how about those lyrics?

SAKIMA - Death Is In The Air
Maybe it's just the album art but I can't get The Cure out of my head. There may be nothing I enjoy more than dark lyrics with bright uplifting grooves. This is gives new meaning to scary good.

Minnesota - Hilow (Charlesthefirst Remix)*
Serious get down with these drops. This is atmospheric bass brilliance with all kinds of crazy elements.