Posts from — July 2008

Released: 30/06/2008

The mighty Modular label have provided us with tons of good stuff in the last few years. Chromeo, Colder, Cut Copy, Jack Johnson, Klaxxons, New Young Pony Club, The Presents, Wolfmother, Robyn (yeah the blond swede), the Avalanches and much more. 

This the second single from Ladyhawke, raising the level from her first single “Back of the van”. It is definitely true that Paris is burning these days, so much good stuff coming out of the french capital that it would be unfair just to list some of them here. The city of love is screaming all night long.

Remixes from label-mates Cut Copy, Alex Gopher, Peaches, the almighty Chicken Lips and a french take in the “Paris Senflamme mix” – A package you should find hard to resist.

On a personal note, I am looking forward to see Ladyhawke at the Lovebox Weekender in London’s Victoria Park later this month. This festival is the lovely creating of the mighty Groove Armada, and is an event you can’t miss. 

YouTube | Modular Recordings | Ladyhawke | MySpace

Released: Not sure, but around 1979 me thinks.

I was turned onto this by the one and only Gilles Peterson who included it in one of his podcasts (if you haven’t signed up...) and also included it on his excellent “Digs America” compilation released on Ubiquity. Dee Edwards might have been better known for her single “All the way home” on D Town, but for me personally this is her best track.

Great positive soul vibe from the former Paragons singer. Detroit soul at its finest.

Ubiquity Records | Gilles Peterson Worldwide | Fat City

Another great mash up by the mighty Zamali. From the unlikely home base in Belgium (!) these guys are delivering funk gems faster than Coca-Cola bottles soft drinks! The keyword is combining and editing old Motown classics into contemporary dancefloor favorites. This 7″ single combines Jackson’s ABC and a great funkbeat from Krafty Kuts.

The b-side mash up Jurrasic 5 and The Detroit Spinners – decent enough work, but compared to the flip it is never able to compete.

Fat City | MySpace |

With releases from artists like Rex the Dog, Wolfmother, Digitalism, and some smokin’ compilations, Kitsuné Music is delivering by the bucket. But the collective is not satisfied, and being a style crusader in their vocabulary means also producing clothing and some decent artwork. No limits to creativity.

“I wanna be a style crusader” starts out as a funky groove and cool vocals, before breaking down into a driving electro banger with massive playful synths and full on rock guitars. Excellent! Two remixes mixes is included on the release, my favorite being David E. Sugar’s Paradise Garage mix which adds an additional squeaks and cliks to make it even more funky. The Data remix provides a slow and continuously building guitar-fueled gem. Described by the label as “New wave from Scotland via New York City and Paris” – you will hear the influences from all these great places.

Youtube | Kitsuné Music | Amazon | iTunes

Released: 02/03/2008

This tune is crazy! One of the best mashes I have hear for a while. Beastie Boys “Tripple trouble” neatly laid together with Billy Ocean’s 1980 smash hit  “Stay the night”. What a baseline! Manmade the latter gives it a up-tempo workout and the Beastie’s additional layer of attitude. This one could lighten up even the most uptight dancefloor!

Fat City Records

Released: 01/04/2008

This lady is taking the world by storm. Coming from a musical family, Pip Brown is a real multitalent playing all instruments on her album. She had a brief stint as bassist for the Australian band Teenager, before starting out her personal project as Ladyhawke – with the freedom to express herself without answering to anyone.  

“Back of the van” combines old school 70-80s vintage synth hooks with a catchy pop vocal, backed by some a very decent bassline. It is not ground breaking, but hey, it is a happy tune you should be able to move your feet to, so don’t be so critical.

Remixes comes from Fred Falke, Van She Tech, and Mock and Toof. The “Ultimate Beverly mix” is providing us with a Falke’s traditional happy and dreaming french disco soundscape that compliments the original. The Van She Tech remix provides more punch, a darker, driving electro house mix that mess up the vocals and adds the distortion that seem obligatory these days. Behind the moniker is Michael De Francesco, who also produced her album. Mock and Toof’s mix is a more minimal, funk based disco take that grooves along neatly. Good package overall.

Youtube | MySpace | Modular Recordings