Riton - Lost My Mind EP

Henry Riton returns to the electronic music realm with his latest EP forthcoming on Ed Banger Records. My favorite cut from the EP is (aptly!) titled Bang Your Head (get it? Bang Your Head, coming out on Ed Banger ...don't laugh at me!). Scrufizzer, Jay Norton and Miss Kittin all make appearances on the EP. Check out the preview here for the upcoming release:
Side note: in the artwork for the EP, is that a shark going for some ganga? Weird!...

Gregor Salto & Funkin' Matt - Foxy

The latest from Laidback Luke's Mixmash Records comes from Dutch hero Gregor Salto and Norway's Funkin' Matt. Its strange they are releasing this on Mixmash because together they run the label called Fjordin Records. Funkin' Matt, whose real name is Mats Ronander, released "I Wish" off of Fool's Gold Records earlier this year, gaining him a little more notoriety on the west of the Altantic.

Maybe its just because I am obsessed with Swedish House Mafia, but parts of this track remind me of "Leave the World Behind." In any case, the track is an electro banger reminiscent of the sound that emerged in the early 2000s, but it still sounds fresh (to death!) Check it out here:

Jacques Greene - Quicksand

Montreal's darling Jacques Greene has posted his latest track entitled "Quicksand" to his SoundCloud account. The downtempo track will leave you in a trance...utterly beautiful!

Flashmob feat. Laila Walker - Pieces

The mob have gone ACID! The duo of Danny and Alessandro who hail from Milan prove they aren't a one hit wonder with "Need In Me" and return to Defected Records with their latest entitled "Pieces".
For me, its all about the Panorama Mix! The talk over on this track reminds me of Underworld's "Two Months Off."
DJ Pierre would be proud!

Catz 'n Dogz - Mass Confusion (Eats Everything Remix)

Hot off their label's Stefano Ritteri release http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2013/01/stefano-ritteri-let-us-pray-jaymo-andy.html comes Mass Confusion from the label owners themselves! And what a remix that gets delivered by everyone's latest favorite producer Eats Everything!


The track is destined to come out on their "Pets Will Carry You Home Too" compilation, which also features the likes of A1 Bassline and more, due out early February 2013.

Dirty South & Deniz Koyu - Halo

Dirty South was one of my first DJ crushes. So cute, and so talented! While I'm less of a fan of his more EDM-esque tracks, I loved his earlier productions and have really high hopes for his side project with Rudy Sandapa called Ruben Haze.
One of my favorite remixes of his from back in the day was his take on the Pussycat Dolls track "When I Grow Up." What a banger and transformation from the original!

When I heard this teaser for his collaboration with Deniz Koyu, my interest was peaked. The beginning of the track is reminiscent of Dragan Roganovic's earlier productions. Yet the track goes into full "screechy synth EDM mode" and loses me. But I think it is a valiant effort to bridge the two (though I doubt that's what they were trying to do!). Take a listen and form an opinion!

Waze & Odyssey - Be Right There EP

I love being right. It doesn't happen too often, and when it does, I'm not usually one to gloat, but I am so incredibly happy I was right about this duo. Waze & Odyssey are breaking into 2013 with a great EP forthcoming on Kerri Chandler's MadTech Records (love me some Kerri!).
Deep, delectable house!
I'll admit though, every time I hear "Be Right There" I just start singing the Brothers in Rhythm track "Such a Good Feeling" which I'm guessing is what the boys sampled. What a classic!
p.s. in case you weren't following what I meant by being right, I've been keeping my eye on this elusive duo all of last year and so excited to watch them grow! Big tings!

Nicky Romero ft. Nilson & John Christian - Still the Same Man

Oh Mark Knight, I can never predict who you are going to sign next!
Nicky Romero marks his Toolroom debut with a collaboration between fellow Dutchmen Nilson and John Christian.
I remember in 2006 hearing the House track "Same Man" from Germany's Till West and DJ Delicious. I'm going to guess that it was that track that served as inspiration for Romero's "Still the Same Man" but both heavily sample the B Beat Girl's "For the Same Man." Check out the track from 2006:

And here is the upcoming track for Toolroom:
Hashtag EDM!

Dannic - Clobber

A lot of artists who make EDM get slammed because of its "hit you over the head with a hammer" sound. This whole phenomenon is actually where I think Holland's Dannic got the name for his new track. "Clobber" is the latest from Daan Romers, who hails from the same hometown as Tiesto and Hardwell (Breda, Holland).  Mark Knight is known to sign some obscure and not-so-obscure tracks to his Toolroom label, and I think this signing is warranted for this rising star. The track is fun, fluffy, doesn't make you think too hard, and hey, isn't that what having a good time is all about?!

Joy Orbison - BRTHDTT (Louis La Roche Remix)

So far, I've found 2013 to be a little blah. Ok, I know its only been 22 days, but I thought at least some people would be releasing heavy arsenal to mark their debut for the year. I'm really excited about this remix from Louis La Roche (real name Brett Ewes). He takes on Joy Orbison's BRTHDTT (<- I thought that meant birthday but after some googling I saw that it stands for "Big Room Tech House DJ Tool Tip)...also, I can't get on board with this whole Roy Orbison/Joy Orbison play on his name. His real name is Peter O'Grady). Despite not being a huge fan of his name, Joy Orbison continues to blaze and conjure up fans from around the globe.
Check out the original here. It samples Tevin Campbell's "I Got it Bad":

And here is the super duper remix from LLR:

Carli - Look Up

If there is one thing that A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs know what to do, it is see talent! Sweden's Carli Lof has made an absolute banger track that sounds like its from the 90s UK garage era. I first heard it when A-Trak dropped it at a festival late last year (it was either EZoo or EDC), and then again in his Diplo & Friends guest mix for BBC Radio 1. Carli is also part of the Swedish collective Galantis (with Style of Eye and Bloodshy) and duo Savage Skulls (with Mans Glaeser). The track is destined to drop January 29th on Fool's Gold Records. So so good!



Here is the B-side:

13/02/13 Update: Here is the official video for the track. Why is there a baby at this party?!

Oliver - Mechanical EP

Oliver are Vaughn Oliver (aka U-Tern) and Oliver Goldstein, and together will release their latest on A-Trak and Nick Catchdub's Fool's Gold label. The Mechanical EP features the title track, which sounds like 80s synths from Grand Theft Auto, as well as tracks "Night Is On My Mind" (a slower, downtempo track), "MYB" which stands for Move Your Body (which is being championed by the likes of Justice), and finally "Control" which samples the 80s record "Self Control" from Laura Branigan.
Heavy on the 80s influence this EP shows maturation and growth from the duo, and is sure to rock many a dancefloor.

GTA - Ai Novinha (Moska Remix)

Miami's GTA(Van Toth and JWLS) put their drum kits on and burst into 2013 with their Mixmash release "Ai Novinha." The duo are good friends of label head Laidback Luke, and this release is laced with the Dirty Dutch sound.
I really enjoy this remix by Moska (not to be confused with Mosca of Bax and Eva Mendes fame). Check it out!
Side note: Ai Novinha is Portugese for "all new"

FCL - It's You (San Soda's Panorama Bar Acca Version)

After FCL generated one of the sickest remixes of the year by putting their twist on Audiojack's Stay Glued (My Beat Will Control!) they bring their latest offering to the House of Defected.
The duo hailing from Belgium includes San Soda (Nicolas Geysens) and Red D (Bart Van Neste). San Soda remixes their track for a chilled out handle on the record entitled "It's You".

Update 12/04/13: Here are remixes from MK, Mr. Fingers and Flashmob.

Coyu - The Cat & The Furious EP

Pretty sure I've mentioned Coyu at least half a dozen times in my blog. I can't get enough of this cat-loving Spaniard! Releasing on 2000 and One's 100% label, Coyu's new EP features fun, tech house tracks which come equipped with a remix from Pig & Dan.

Chicken Lips - He Not In (Remixes)

I love the possibilities of learning something new everyday. Today's lesson is that Andy Meecham and Dean Meredith were both behind the outfit Bizarre Inc., and later created a different project called Chicken Lips. Under Bizarre Inc., two of my favorite singles were "I'm Gonna Get You" which featured the vocals of Angie Brown (Yo DJ pump this party!) and "Playing with Knives"(Gotta get up, gotta feel good!).

(This isn't the video, just a clip from the UK show Dance Energy. Even though I don't believe in reincarnation, in my next life, I want to be a member of this audience!)

Under their alias of Chicken Lips, one of their most recognized singles was "He Not In." It came at a time when the electro sound was emerging. Acts like The Egg followed a few years later with "Walking Away" and SHM boys Ingrosso and Angello, at the time where they had little notoriety, were making tracks like For Sale (under the alias Buy Now).

Gone are the days of electro, that gave way to what we now call EDM. But House producers Groove Armada, Eats Everything and Noir have revisited "He Not In" to give a different, updated edge to the track. And of course, who better to champion a classic House sound than Defected Records.



The Groove Armada dub is something really special!

Mayra Veronica - Ay Mama Mia (Chocolate Puma Remix)

Those Dutch drums will get you every time! The soundtrack to the upcoming film "The Sons of the Buena Vista Social Club" will feature the song "Ay Mama Mia" and the duo take on the Latin flair and put some Euro spin on it.


Oy aye!

Stefano Ritteri - Let Us Pray (Jaymo & Andy George's Refix '96)

The artist formerly known as Solo (I wonder if he'll do a Prince and go by "TAFKAS") has released his latest EP on Catz'n Dogz' label Pets Recordings. Britain's beloved duo Jaymo and Andy George take on the remix for the heavenly "Let Us Pray" to make it even more holy. They use a sample from an old dance track that I can't put my finger on. If you know it, please comment below!

J. Phlip - Coefficient

First lady of Dirtybird, J. Phlip, delivers a tech house masterpiece with her track "Coefficient." Jessica Phillippe hails from San Francisco but now calls Berlin her home and that is quite evident in her dark and dirty record. Sounds a little more Hotflush than Dirtybird, but I'll take it!
You'll see that at 2:37 of the clip, something pretty magical happens!

Duke Dumont - Need U (100%)

Did you hear it? Were you there? Did you take part in history?
I'm talking about last night, Friday, January 11th, when Duke Dumont provided BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix. It was nothing short of glorious. He was chosen by Annie Mac as 2013's "Future Stars" and proved exactly why.

Its gonna be a big year for Adam Dyment. His track "The Giver" http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/08/duke-dumont-giver.html http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/12/duke-dumont-giver-remixes.html cemented his right to be on everyone's radar. He is now heading up his own label, Blase Boys Club, and its first release is "Need U (100%) which features the vocals of Aminata Kabba, also known as A*M*E.

On his essential mix, he also debuted two tracks called "Slow Dance" and "Mumble Man." Check this space for those tracks, they are floor-fillers!

Update 22/02/12: Here is the official video for the track

The track has also been remixed by Waze & Odyssey as well as Oliver Jones aka Skream, who brings back the 80s in his version:

Happy (belated) New Year!

Keeping this blog going is a labour of love, but it gets so hard sometimes to find the time to update it. I wish I could say my New Year's resolution was to be better at it, but we're already 12 days into the New Year, so...

Please bear with me and don't give up on me. I hope you share the same passion for dance music that I do and (the 5 people reading!) you will continue to come and read about the music that I love!

2012 began my blogging journey, and it opened with the beef between SHM and DJ Sneak. Since then, Sneak has continued to slam the mainstream, declaring himself all knowing when it comes to House music. Recently he sparred off with Deadmau5 after Zimmerman made comments about the old guard living in the past.

Before that, he took on fellow veteran Tommie Sunshine, who has become the unofficial spokesperson for longtime producers in support of EDM. Something about the lack of respect the two had for each other.
I mean, who is off limits?

I don't know, I think Sneak has had a lot of exposure through his rows. Its like bad publicity is better than no publicity. The whole mess Sneak has made even prompted the creation of a parody Twitter account of Sosa's psychiatrist, cause he seems to angry and bitter: https://twitter.com/DjSneaksShrink

Sebastian Ingrosso was quoted as saying that Sneak's attacks come from being a marketing stunt http://www.mixmag.net/words/news/ingrosso-dj-sneak-is-a-fucking-douche-bag. I have to say I disagree, because if you read what Carlos Sosa tweets, he is far from articulate and I don't think he has the brains to come up with something that strategic. That being said, no one can take away his contribution to house music's past. I hope 2013 brings him less anger and more gigs and he gives up his "House Gangster" ways.

Dennis Ferrer, a friend of Sneak's and a champion of the underground (and remixer of one of my favorite tracks of 2012 http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/10/nick-curly-underground-dennis-ferrer.html) has been weighing in on the continued vinyl vs traktor debate http://www.attackmagazine.com/features/interview/dennis-ferrer/ One thing is certain, that debate will never go away, with people who spin one way continuing to think they are a cut above the rest.

Resident Advisor posted their year-end poll of the Top 100 DJs http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature.aspx?1700. Its so funny to see how "underground" the list is. After all, everyone is annually up in arms over the DJ Mag poll due to its commercial nature. Well, I personally think both polls stink and its up to me to listen to who I like and uncover different artists and that poll is as meaningless as DJ Mag's.

The new year has already started off with more debate and disdain.
I personally have disdain for guys like former editor-in-chief of Dancing Astro, Jacob Schulman, being enlisted to work for Billboard, and EDM Snob Albert Berdellans commissioned to work for Ultra Music Festival. Its not about being jealous, but rather uncertain this crop of young kids have done their homework and earned their stripes to be the voices of dance music. Able to talk about current dance music in America, yes, but able to provide relevant perspective, no.

Another adolescent making a statement that doesn't sit well with me:

Are you kidding me? I think Robinson has some really good production technique, but have you heard his collaboration with Mat Zo called "Easy"? I mean, eek! Diva house is such a pillar in the foundation of the genre. If he doesn't "get" it or like it, fine, but don't call it the funniest thing in the world cause when I first heard "Easy" I laughed pretty hard and it was completely in the ironic sense of the word. Bah...

Afrojack went into Deadmau5 by addressing his "we all push play" rant from a few months back: http://m.billboard.com/news/afrojack-to-deadmau5-don-t-talk-about-stuff-1008075642.story Is there something in the air of those private jets? Is this Fight Club or guys making dance music for the masses?

Tommie Sunshine and Ed Simons from the Chemical Brothers got into it when Sunshine sang his praises for SHM's "Don't You Worry Child" via Twitter:

Well, then. Like I said, Sunshine is going all out in blogging about how happy he is to see EDM's success. While I agree with some of his points, at the end of the day, I think we just have to agree to disagree. Not everyone will embrace the music. Sad we are fighting within the genre, cause I am just glad I don't have to be subjected to depressive rock like the 90s on the radio airwaves.

Their conversation got the attention of frequent Mixmag contributor Ben Gomori, which ended up in Mixmag hosting "the great EDM debate": http://www.mixmag.net/words/features/the-great-edm-debate

And they are still going at it:

I love these reactions!

 Haha, Sasha. I don't agree with you but love you long time.

Ok, ok, ok. One final say:

Things that make you go hmmmm

Things I hope to see in 2013:
- less analysis of dance music. Myself included. More sharing and caring.
- less "back to 90s house" in deep house
- less sampling of RnB in deep house
- less bad EDM (there is still good stuff out there. Looking right at you Tommy Trash. Lead the way!)
- a wedding between Deadmau5 and Kat Von D that lasts longer than the year
- more views on my blog ;)