Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: A-Trak & WEISS - Funk U

There seems to be an affinity between Alicia Myers' oft sampled "I Want To Thank You" and years ending in 1. Originally released in 1981, "I Want To Thank You" has been sampled at least 39 times (per WhoSampled) by acts ranging from Busta Rhymes & 50 Cent to Tiësto & Norman Doray. Perhaps its most popular use came a mere ten years after Alicia, as Clivillés & Cole (of C+C Music Factory) reworked it for Mariah Carey's "Make It Happen." Now twenty years later, A-Trak & WEISS have returned to that well for "Funk U." Released Friday on Fool's Gold, this latest iteration appears alongside other funky joints from Bit Funk, Pat Lok and others in tonight's all-new episode of Bump In The Hump. Stream the eminently familiar "Funk U" below, get it from your preferred outlet here, and catch on Radio Humber live from 7-9 PM EST or after the fact, as cataloged on Mixcloud, here.

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Enlightened Listening for January 29

While weighing in a hair lighter than last week's hefty harvest, this week's Enlightened Listening is no featherweight. Spanning 20 releases, this 82 track six-hour odyssey is built around a ridiculous number of remixes and a couple killer compilation/mixtapes. Of the latter two, The Magician brings together an all-star lineup for his milestone Magic Tape, #100, while James Grant & Jody Wisternoff curate a killer second CD for Anjunadeep 12. Both deserve full plays, and that's easy with both, as they're each released in seamless, mixed form as well. Now, as far as remixes are concerned, there are plenty to highlight. I love the 'Foals' remix of Everything Everything, especially as, with the Gentle Dom remix two weeks ago, it paves a unique path. BRONSON again score some sick remixes with Hayden James, obli and Patrick Topping delivering a diverse trio. Similarly stacked, the Aluna Renaissance (Remixes) boasts brilliance from the likes of UNIIQU3, TSHA and The Martinez Brothers. Capping the remix conversation, Olof Dreijer, Dimitri From Paris, and ASHE, work wonders with "Monument," "Finally Ready," and "Grey Skies," respectively. Finally, I'd be foolish not to further direct your attention to TroyBoi's warm, resplendent and ingenious EP, V!BEZ, Vol. 4. Have a great weekend and enjoy!

Everything Everything - Big Climb (Jack Foals Grouse Party Remix)

The New Division - Broken (Christopher Sky Remix)

BRONSON - BRONSON Remixes N°2

Colombo - Pleased

Aluna - Renaissance (Remixes)

SOPHIE - UNISIL

Shadow Child - 4U

TroyBoi - V!BEZ, Vol. 4

Röyksopp & Robyn - Monument (Olof Dreijer Remix)

Nile Rodgers - Do What You Wanna Do (The Reflex Clubbed Up Revision 2021)

A-Trak & WEISS - Funk U

Hot Chip ft. Jarvis Cocker - Straight To The Morning (Mighty Mouse Remix)

The Shapeshifters ft. Billy Porter - Finally Ready (The Shapeshifters & Dimitri From Paris Remixes) 

Felipe Gordon & Cody Currie - Atlantic Exchanges, Vol. 1

Various Artists - Magic Tape 100

NTEIBENT - Colours (Theo Kottis Remix)

Hammer - Patella

Crimsen & Feyln ft. Oliver Wickham - Grey Skies (ASHE Remix)

Various Artists - Anjunadeep 12 (CD 2)

TÂCHES - For You (My Love) / I See You In My Dreams

Top 100 Tracks Of 2020: 100-76

Starting today through New Year's Eve (Thursday), I'll be revealing my list of the "Top 100 Tracks Of 2020." The following is my disclaimer, as I feel it important to preface this kind of list with some insight into its creation and the methodology behind it. While I spent a lot of time seriously pouring through this year of music, this is not really a serious endeavour. No one was polled. Sales and streams are irrelevant. This is merely my fun way of sharing the tracks and artists that made my year better, in hopes they do the same for you. The rankings are not scientific or even fair, rather they are simply a reflection of how strongly I felt these tracks and how much praise I felt they deserved. 

You'll notice the thread of disco/funk continues to run through these year-end lists, while DnB and breaks appear more than ever before. Another trend continues as we see a further diminishing amount of club-type tracks included, primarily as circumstances changed consumption and led to the vast majority of my musical enjoyment coming on my many escapist bike rides. That said, the power of some of these tracks is unavoidable as they will assuredly kill when clubs come back.

Finally, I will once again say that this is by no means an exhaustive list; there are without a doubt exceptional tunes that somehow failed to make the cut. However, onward and, in this case, downward, from tracks 100 to 76 we go. Find the Soundcloud playlist here and Spotify here.

#100: Weiss & Harry Romero - Where Do We Go?

An early summer earworm. Makes masterful use of the sample from Alan Parsons Project "Games People Play." Not overly inventive or banging, but rather slick, smooth and altogether enjoyable. The first of many house tracks in this list that captured my heart this year, even if only for a moment.

#99: HAIM - I Know Alone

While it's been half a decade since I spent day after day with HAIM and Days Are Gone, the sisters and their work with Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij remain close to my heart. A toss-up as both this and "Now I'm In It" are perfect for 2020, I landed on this garage joint thanks to its catchy, crisp and crackling production and overall atmosphere.

#98: MERCER - Lemonade

Fabulous French filter disco house. Almost too slick. Undeniably good and groovy. The kind of track that has you tapping your toes uncontrollably and later leaves you humming its magnificent melody.

#97: Nikki Nair - 3XL

An acid-induced fever dream. Propelled by Nair's potent percussion and scintillating synths. Like so many of the tracks in this year's list, "3XL" is all about the journey. There's no skipping ahead to a dope drop or sick section, rather one has to ride out this rolling wave of resplendence.

#96: SBK. - One Man

Perhaps the most ominous and irksome track in this list. Spine-tingling strings, all kinds of ingenious percussive hits and of course the equally screwface and shiver-inducing sub-bass. Truly diabolic dubstep.

#95: Soda State - Midnight

Among the year's most fun and funky productions. I know nothing about Soda State, nor had I ever heard them before this, however their inclusion in Magic Tape 98 made for an incredible introduction. An awesome mix of pop sensibilities alongside retro dance resplendence.

#94: SOSA - The Sax

A track so infectious that I can turn a blind eye to its misleading moniker. The trumpet (not sax) top-line is awesome, as are its babbling vocal bits, but it is the way those two elements play with the rollicking percussion that makes this track one of the year's best house offerings. Like many on this list, I expect this would have ranked much higher were clubbing possible in 2020.

Weiss & Harry Romero - Where Do We Go?

After scoring one of 2018's hottest summer records with "Feel My Needs," London producer Weiss delivered a sensational followup in "Let Me Love You" last year. Seems a trifecta is in order as Friday he joined forces with NYC's Harry Romero for the fabulous and catchy "Where Do We Go?" Driven by an Alan Parsons Project sample, from 1980's "Games People Play," this new tune begs for replay after replay, especially due to its mere 2:30 runtime. It is incredibly polished, tightly wound and supremely crafted with each element beckoning the next progression in quick succession, propelling its listeners to the floor and their arms to the air. It's got a great inspiring and uplifting quality to it, in spite of the directionless nature of its vocals/lyrics. That said, the vocals are indeed the key to the track's hook, playing perfectly around the masterful musical bed. While I've only had a few days with "Where Do We Go?" I can confirm it is simply sublime under the summer sun. Add it to your repertoire now here.

Weiss (UK) · WEISS, Harry Romero - Where Do We Go?

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Top 100 Tracks Of 2019: 75-51

Continuation of the list started yesterday: from 100-76, which also includes my disclaimer/preamble. Soundcloud playlist here and Spotify here.

#75: Flume ft. Vera Blue - Rushing Back (MJ Cole Remix)
While Flume had a huge year as countless clamored for his mixtape, you won't find any of those tracks here. Instead he appears in this list twice having released a few sick singles that made way for fantastic remixes. Here MJ Cole kills the catchy "Rushing Back" with a brilliant bleepy flip that makes masterful use of Vera Blue's vocals. A spine-tingling sensation.

#74: Jai Paul - He
The enigmatic master returned in 2019 and he seemingly hasn't missed a step with two sublime singles. And of course I gravitated towards the b-side, as "He" seemingly delivers more of that genius "Jasmine" vibe. It's soulful and ridiculously satisfying. And of course it showers its listeners in ethereal ecstasy.

#73: Barney Lister - Matchu
Not the only track in this list I first came across in a Magic Tape mix. Of course it's got the awesome alchemy one would expect for an inclusion in said series. It's beautiful, buoyant and oh so easy to dance to. That said, the slippery, squelching groove that emerges as the track progresses is some kind of sick, satisfying perversion.

#72: Angelov - Chero
An alien awakening, this is some serious top notch techno and one hell of a debut record. The whole EP is sick and I really thought about adding "Retrida" to the list but the vocal feel of this one took the cake. Like the others on this EP, Angelov's abilities shine the strongest when all elements come together in supremely satisfying syncopated fashion.

#71: Stanton Warriors ft. Sian Evans - Up2U (René LaVice Rooftop Remix)
Like so much of my favourite DnB this year, this one absolutely explodes out of the gate. It's got so much to like. The piano. Sian Evans' vocals. The way the two play together: <chef's kiss>. Then of course there's the drops that play like a defibrillator forcing you onto the dance-floor. A roaring success.

#70: Kölsch & Sasha - The Lights
The kind of epic, clean quality you would expect from a legendary pairing like this. Once you've heard that unreal lead line you'll never hear the track the same again, as you wait breathlessly for it to kick in. I know I'm doing that right now as I listen to it yet again. And as good as that lead line is, it's nothing without the duo's deliciously effective backing.

Enlightened Listening for June 2

Once again I'm late with this week's Enlightened Listening but it turned out for the best as it now includes Jai Paul. THAT'S RIGHT, JAI PAUL IS BACK! He leads the playlist with a double b-side of brilliance. Following that is the fantastically funky and highly anticipated LP from The Kount that had me floored with "Yesterday's Gain." Next up is Myd with another funk number, this time remixing Charlotte Gainsbourg. After that comes three consecutive killer vocal performances from Kaleena Zanders, Melba Moore and Kariya. As if that trio weren't enough to leave you heaving in ecstasy, how about another taste of Hot Chip's A Bath Full Of Ecstasy in the engrossing excellence of "Melody Of Love."

Moving towards techno comes a trio of remixes of RÜFÜS DU SOL's "Underwater," which is followed by EMERCIVE's latest and double shot of Booka Shade. Changing gears, Drainpuppet comes through with an epic 17 track album in Bliss. Turning dark and heavy, Falcons follows that up with a wicked remix of his classic "Aquafina." A couple of bangers follow in The Bloody Beetroots and Dr. Fresch's "Fkn Face," which is what you'll be making when you hear Trentino's remix of "Hustler." As if this list of legends weren't enough, Dog Blood come through with an exceptional EP in Turn Off The Lights, which is followed by an equally wild and twisted release in Wilted Woman's debut on Phantasy Sound.

Enjoy all the new music via playlist below and find individual releases linked at the bottom!

Jai Paul - Do You Lover Her Now / He

The Kount - Virtually Yours,

Charlotte Gainsbourg - Bombs Away (Myd Remix)

AC Slater - Final Fantasy (ft. Kaleena Zanders)

Melba Moore - My Heart Belongs To You (Ferreck Dawn Remix)

Weiss - Let Me Love You

Hot Chip - Melody Of Love

RÜFÜS DU SOL - SOLACE REMIXES VOL. 6

Kiro - Anubis

Booka Shade - The Unseen / Banderas

Drainpuppet - Bliss

Falcons ft. GoldLink & Chaz French -  Aquafina (2K19 Remix)

The Bloody Beetroots & Dr. Fresch - Fkn Face

Destructo & DARKO ft. Ice-T - Hustler (Trentino Revision)

Dog Blood - Turn Off The Lights

Wilted Woman - Lon Lon Night Vision

The Magician - Magic Tape 85

If you enjoy a mix of all things funky and electronic The Magician's Magic Tape series is always worth a listen, with this latest edition a prime exemplar. Magnificently mixed, this hour long 85th iteration sees the whiz bring an incredibly keen focus on current releases alongside the awesome alchemy these tapes are known for. Most every track is released in the last month with a few still forthcoming in an A-Trak remix of "In Arms" and originals from Dom Dolla and Boston Bun (via 1001tracklists).

More than the nuts and bolts, The Magician picks tracks that fit perfectly together, combining in a powerful progression. The steps each track change signifies is part of the greater movement that he is authoring. It's all too easy to get swept up in Jengi's vital spirit in "Ice Tea" and move to an even more scintillating substance in Cavego's "Vår I Øyer." The twisted takeover of the beyond brilliant "Beulah Loves Dancing" puts takes the mix back down to earth, but boy does the dance spirit remain, as it does throughout. That three track opening is a microcosm of this Magic Tape, especially as it begins to rebuild immediately with the massively funky march of Jarami's "No Chance."

The ups and downs come and go, but all the while the big picture moves ever forward. Huge, full bangers hit in the middle of the hour as Prospa and Cousn slam the speakers. In perhaps the best move of this whole mix The Magician moves from "Juggle" to the Weiss dub of "Missing U" dragging the tape out of the dark by the light of Robyn. That is all to say the following four tracks are unreleased, ending finally with the Moon Willis remix "Hear The Music." So truly whatever your appetite, Magic Tape 85 has the funk to fill it. Enjoy and follow The Magician's socials for more below.FOLLOW THE MAGICIAN: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Purple Disco Machine @ CODA

Friday night I finally crossed out one of the names at the top of my must see list, as Purple Disco Machine brought his blend of disco funk, soul house to CODA. With disco's popularity seeing a surge, there's been few who have benefited more than PDM, who has been ablaze behind the decks and in the studio over the past year plus. He's been on big time BBC slots in Ibiza and the Essential mix, as well as authoring chart topping originals and remixes. Really this was the perfect storm, and it certainly came to life at CODA Friday night.

The atmosphere was palpable immediately upon arrival as the now typical all black outfits were much fewer and far between as the line at the door was littered with bright, floral patterns. People were giddy to get in and meet up with their friends, and questions as to what tracks Purple Disco Machine would drop arose as the anticipation to take the floor became more real. Upon entering we were welcomed with a new stacked wall of speakers at the back end of dancefloor, essentially enclosing the square with surround sound. CODA has always been known for good sound, but this certainly cements its status as the spot to be.

Already busy an hour before Purple Disco Machine's set, Simon Jain was doing a great job getting the groove started. Sporting a bright ice cream cone patterned tank top and flanked by half disco balls, Simon spun smooth disco house numbers full of string swells, funky bass lines and dope drum grooves. I nearly melted when he took to Yuksek's remix of L'Imperatrice "Vacances," yet this was just the beginning as PDM was soon to follow.

When the familiar face of Purple Disco Machine and his own floral outfit emerged in the booth and the transition became immanent, the crowd cheered thanking Simon Jain and roared in anticipation of PDM's presence on the decks. Building slow and strong the groove and warmth of his set was omnipresent as he offered the perfect blend of nostalgic feels and contemporary production potency. He broke out many of his own productions and a number of repackaged classic samples, all to great appeal.

One of my favourite things about disco and house sets is their long form, extended dance sections. These oppose the kinds of sets happening at Lost Lands this weekend, where its more about rapid-fire drops and banging bass blows. Here you can come and go more, drift in and out of tracks, always able to rejoin the reliable dependable four on the floor presence. You can explore the club and the space, no need to drop everything and run to the floor to go crazy to the drop, just play around how you like and let the music move you. And while Purple Disco Machine wasn't really following A-Trak and Todd Terry's "DJs Gotta Dance More," he was indeed in tune with the crowd, literally and figuratively playing with them. Not giving too much away I've posted a short playlist of some of the tracks I heard Friday, one of those wonderful nights where you truly get lost in the music. Enjoy below and be sure to check out PDM if/when you get the chance. Same goes for CODA who's system and setup is can't miss.