Jack Had a Groove

Deetron feat. Ovasoul7 - Out Of My Head EP

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 02:17:00 +0000

After hearing so many praises over the George Fitzgerald remix of Deetron's latest, I searched high and low to hear a sample.
Preview of Deetron's Out Of My Head EP, which features the vocals of Ovasoul7:
This isn't the first time that they have worked together, having also released "I Cling" to Music Man Records, the same label releasing Out Of My Head. It seems George Fitzgerald is returning the remix favor after Deetron remixed his Hypercolour track, Every Inch: http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/10/george-fitzgerald-needs-you.html
Though the Swiss Deetron, whose real name is Sam Geiser, has been producing for almost 2 decades, there has definitely been a renewed interest in his productions as of late, and with good reason, as the production quality is nothing short of stellar.
I think this was probably the first Deetron track I ever heard:

* * *

This track sat in my drafts folder for awhile, so why not share it now: a remix of Aeroplane's "I Don't Feel". Yet another example of why Deetron is one of the best!

Jaydee - Pulsate EP

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:16:00 +0000

Ha! In light of "bathgate" Maceo Plex took the opportunity to feature the lastest EP coming out from his label Ellum. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that it was from legendary House producer Jaydee! You know, Plastic Dreams Jaydee!

The Dutch producer, whose real name is Robin Albers, is back with a new EP, and it features remixes from the label head himself and Dutch-based Steve Rachmad.
Tech it out!

Hey boy, hey girl, scandalous DJs, here we go!

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:10:00 +0000

I guess I can call this part 3 of my "female DJ" series in that I've already spoken twice about it: http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/04/i-am-female-and-i-like-house-music.html and http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/09/dj-vs-djane-is-this-even-real-word.html
Though I wanted to talk more about this earlier, I feel like today is obviously good day to bring it up because of bathgate: its Nina Kraviz vs her detractors folks, who will win? Ding ding ding!

It all started with Nina doing a Resident Advisor feature, and about 5 seconds of it is her in the bath

Then Greg Wilson decided to ~~declare his undying love~~ speak about the piece and the "myth" that is Nina. http://www.gregwilson.co.uk/2013/04/nina-kraviz-the-mistress-of-her-own-myth/

Nina then took to her own Facebook to address the article written by Wilson and that's pretty much where the controversy began. Maceo Plex posted a now taken down retort to Kraviz' appeal for "sexism and similar bullshit needing to die" by saying (sarcastically) "i'm so happy blatant uses of sexuality and superficiality can take the place of hustling vinyl and spending countless hours in the studio" This is in reference to seeing her in the bath. He then proceeds to shout out other female producers for "playing amazing music and pushing the scene forward with nothing else but sick records and studio time."

This got Kraviz in an uproar and cued a lot of responses, mostly trashing either Kraviz or Maceo Plex:

Obviously Rekids label master Radio Slave will come to her defence, seeing how he gave her a pretty big break in her career.

I can tell you that seeing men trying to make this an insignificant issue is the reason why there needs to be more female exposure and dominance in the dance music industry.

Blogs and music mags like Beatport (the blog) and Mixmag were covering the exchange between Nina Kraviz and Maceo Plex and then Gina Turner weighed in.

* * *

This isn't really a case of pot calling the kettle black cause Turner doesn't deny that she too uses her sexy to promote her image.
And no one said Nina was talentless. But why does she have to be naked? What does it have to do with her music except making those who lust for her drool more? If using her sexuality is part of her schtick, then at the very least own up to it! I'm not condoning the use of sexuality to further one's career, especially women in dance music, given the history of mostly being portrayed as sex symbols without a brain. But it seems like she's in denial that she was unaware of what having an interview in the bath would appear as.
Annie Mac and B.Traits and so many others are really pretty but I've never seem them in exceptionally provocative poses for campaigns. They don't need to, their success comes from their impeccable taste in music and quality productions. And females like them are still able to exude sexy while being fully clothed.

I read something absurd like "are female DJs not using their sexuality to be taken seriously?" Wow, just wow. This is exactly the problem. It shouldn't matter if you are pretty or not, your music should speak volumes for you.
Kraviz even says something along the lines of showing that DJs take baths and are clean. But everyone knows that baths are basically sitting in your own filth! And Nina cites when Seth Troxler was interviewed in the bath (rubber ducky and all) and how its a double standard. I think its hardly comparable. One image is sexualized, the other is being silly.
I posted a link to this picture in a previous post but now I'm just (to my dismay) going to post it:

Yeah yeah, its meant to be "artistic" as it is part of a campaign for Hugo Boss. Please! Its meant to display her sexually and there is no other argument. I'm surprised no one commented on that pic which emerged a few months ago but a split second bath scene is causing so much uproar. This can be compared to other musicians, and other figures in entertainment, and basically saying that their fans and industry should dictate what projects they undertake. Obviously that is ridiculous, as people should have the right to choose, but again, don't cry about people saying you are overtly using your sexuality and then actually do so.

Montreal's Prince Club (again, in now deleted tweets-everyone is deleting what they say) pretty much called her a whining baby for complaining, and Mathieu posted a vine video of himself in the bathtub. Haha, very funny.

And then all the irony in the world comes out of this tweet

Jessie Andrews was actually the initial subject of this blog entry (nevermind that Ultra is the worst when it comes to female portrayal in dance music videos). A lot of glamour models (tame word for porn stars) have taken up DJing. Its mind boggling.
Just reading Jessie Andrews wiki makes me uncomfortable. Yeah sure, I'm a prude, but let's face it; she is a porn star. She was (is?) dating Borgore, and ...wow, this whole scene, I just can't even comment on it...his videos are crass to say the least. Its really not a style of music I enjoy anyway. But I wonder if dating a producer is what got Andrews into producing. And I can honestly say that I've heard male producers singing her praises and her remixes are nothing spectacular. Here is a perfect example of someone's sexed up image playing right into the hands of the same male producers who probably don't even flinch when women are displayed in the ugliest light by the dance music industry.

So the gist of what I'm trying to say is: you can be female, and you can produce and DJ, but you shouldn't have to "look pretty" to get any credibility, your music should be good. Just because you are female doesn't mean you can't play up the sexy. But being sexy doesn't mean be pornographic. And if you are going to be sexy, own it and don't deny that was your intent with a provocative picture you agreed to take. This is my opinion, agree or disagree. Its a free speech world wide web after all...

Green Velvet - Destination Unknown (Felix Da Housecat Mix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:04:00 +0000

There is definitely an insurgence of people moving from the ranks of EDM towards "techno". I'm talking less about producers and more about fans. I think part of it is that "I listen to techno" just sounds cooler than "I listen to EDM".
If you're a longtime follower of the movement or a newcomer, Green Velvet is an artist that you should undoubtedly have on your radar. Probably best known for his track "Percolator" (hey hey Outhere Brothers) and "Brighter Days" with Dajae, Curtis Jones also produces under the moniker Cajmere amongst others.

Felix Da Housecat takes his hand to remix Green Velvet's 1997 track "Destination Unknown" and it is a corker! Together these Chicago boys pack quite the punch!

Felix took a break from the scene and has returned with a new EP entitled Sinner Winner. Green Velvet is expected to provide a remix too!

Yolanda Be Cool feat. Gurrumul - A Baru In New York (Chocolate Puma Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:54:00 +0000

I love Chocolate Puma, and any chance I get to talk about their music, I take it! They are, in my esteemed opinion, the most underrated producers out there. They have been in the biz for so long, and yet always seem to go under the radar. I'm so excited that Swedish House Mafia was playing their track "Go-Go Boots" http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/06/chocolate-puma-go-go-boots.html in their One Last Tour sets because I'm hoping its gets them even more exposure.

That being said, check out their latest remix of Australia's Yolanda Be Cool's track "A Baru in New York" which features the vocals of Gurrumul, an indigenous Australian singer who was born blind and is renowned for his contributions to world music.

Jaymo & Andy George - Moda Black Vol. II

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:34:00 +0000

The boys are back http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/06/kill-frenzy-nick-monaco-this1-that-1.html with another compilation for their Moda Black label. Jaymo & Andy George have brought together some of the biggest and brightest rising stars of House for this amazing album.
Check out longer previews of 4 of the tracks here:

Rex The Dog feat. Jamie McDermott - Do You Feel What I Feel

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:28:00 +0000

Its like Jake Williams aka Rex the Dog's ears were burning. I tweeted him saying that he should do another disco-infused remix of anything off Sweden's The Knife's new album "Shaking the Habitual", and then I see he is going to release a new EP (not related to The Knife but still...).

If you want to hear The Knife's latest, you can stream it here: http://theknife.net/
It's pretty screechy and kind of scary. Just saying...read this hilarious review here: http://noisey.vice.com/blog/the-knifes-shaking-the-habitual-is-actively-irritating

The electro-synth heavy "Do You Feel What I Feel" is receiving a lot of remixes, including ones from Riva Starr and Tiger & Woods:

Forthcoming on Fatboy Slim's Southern Fried Records.

Rudimental - Waiting All Night Feat. Ella Eyre (Lee Foss Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:39:00 +0000

With their new album slated to be released later this year, its been quite an exciting time for quartet Rudimental. Its actually been a year since I first heard about them http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/04/one-to-watch-rudimental.html, and its amazing to see how they have attracted so many fans! I'm waiting in anticipation to hear the whole album especially excited to hear the tracks featuring the voice of Sinead Harnett, who lent her vox to Disclosure for Boiling http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/04/jessie-ware-110.html.

Hot Natured's Lee Foss has remixed Rudimental's latest single, and its a nice little deep house ditty. Very much stays true to the Hot Creations sound:
Check out the video for the original track which features the story of Kurt Yaeger and his comeback from injury.

Chasing Kurt - From the Inside

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:27:00 +0000

Germany's Chasing Kurt is Daniel Blanche, Wojtek Kutschke, and Lukas Poloczek, who together share a passion for deep house. Their latest comes from Suol, Berlin-based label that houses the likes of Fritz Kalkbrenner, Till Von Sein, Daniel Bortz, Meggy and many more. Their track, From the Inside, gets remixed by fellow Suol players Bortz as well as Till Von Sein & Tigerskin. Check it here:
Update 25/04/13: Here is the video for From The Inside, complete with hipster imagery (sorry, had to!)

Chaim - We Are

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:53:00 +0000

Chaim's latest is entitled "We Are". Built in the same vein as fellow Israeli producer Guy Gerber's melodic productions, the track has dawn rhythms written all over it. The track is forthcoming on Gerber's Supplemental Facts label.

Justin Timberlake - Tunnel Vision (J Paul Getto Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:43:00 +0000

I've been a pretty harsh critic of Justin Timberlake's latest album. Boring is a word I've been using often. Maybe it comes from some deep seeded resentment of wishing JC Chasez's career to have taken off like Timberlake's solo career did post *NSYNC. Nah, its just boring.

But I will admit, its been spawning off some great remixes, bootlegs, edits, you know, all that lingo!
Maurice & Tony of J Paul Getto have taken JT's Tunnel Vision and transformed it into something pretty magical: a danceable, fun track with the original paling in comparison!

Redlight - Switch It Off

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:16:00 +0000

The UK's Redlight aka Hugh Pescod brings forth his latest featuring the vocals of Meleka.

The video shows some serious Forrest Gump style running that just can't seem to be switched off! You can catch a glimpse of Pescod in the clip too.
Spoiler alert: at the end, he finally switches off the running!

HAIM - Falling (Duke Dumont Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:31:00 +0000

So this week Duke Dumont's Need U 100% http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2013/01/duke-dumont-need-u-100.html was released in the UK (not yet stateside), and it catapulted to number 1 on the iTunes chart, winning the accolades of fellow DJs, and even One Direction's Harry Styles! You can't escape the buzz! Some are calling it a comeback, though Adam Dyment insists he's been immersed in the scene, having never left but rather doing a lot more remixes.
Segway!
Ok, so I feel kinda bad saying this but this all girl trio look like the perfect candidate for Carles' next target on hipsterrunoff! They are actually sisters that hail from California (not Brooklyn), so I'll give them a free pass ;)
Their latest single, Falling, gets the remix treatment from the man of the hour. Seriously, EVERYONE is talking about Duke Dumont, and rooting for him to claim the number 1 position on the charts. Rightly so, but also because it is a win for the whole dance community to show that not just EDM can represent the dance scene and appeal to the masses.

The remix is great, and channels an 80s sound (much like Skream's remix of Need U). For me, all I can think of is Cyndi Lauper's All Through the Night and something else from the 80s I can't quite put my finger on. Been racking my brain to figure it out, but can't (if you have any ideas, please post!).

Check out this minimix he did for Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show. It includes a lot of great Chicago House, so you can get to know the second wave generation of House producers and how this great genre came to be:
Side note: so I may have previously called into question Adam Dyment's ethnicity. I shouldn't use past tense since I still wonder. I read this Mixmag interview yesterday while at the bookstore (the city I'm currently in is the boondocks and clearly they are behind with the editions they carry. The interview is in the February 2013 issue) http://www.mixmag.net/words/features/duke-dumont-duke-abides. I read in there that he used to participate in judo competitions, further fueling my Asian suspicions...not that non-Asians don't do judo...ok, digging myself into a deeper hole here.
I'm embarking on a big move back to NYC and pretty much coordinating it around trying to catch Duke Dumont when he plays Montreal in May, so maybe I will find out once and for all!

PR(Y)DA - PowerDrive

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:01:00 +0000

The enigmatic Eric Prydz takes to his alter-ego PR(Y)DA with PowerDrive. Having previewed it on his EPIC Radio show (007), the track for me channels more of his techno alias Cirez D, but I suppose all the lines blur at some point when you are producing under more than 3 monikers. Whichever part of Eric Prydz's brain this magnificent piece of music comes from, we're glad it's here!

You can hear BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe going nuts over the track (rightly so). There have been so many people coming out of the woodwork singing Prydz's praises, especially since his arrival to the US. Having been in the music scene for more than a decade http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/05/eric-prydz-presents-pryda.html, and nurturing future stars like Jeremy Olander and Fehrplay, this Swede doesn't look like he is slowing down anytime soon. No complaints here!

Prince Club - Came Back EP

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:37:00 +0000

Mark Knight always brings the variety to his label, and has a sharp ear as A&R for Toolroom Records. His latest recruit are Montreal boys Prince Club, who are hot off their Nervous Records release with Poupon http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2013/03/prince-club-poupon-only-one-ep.html.
These boys are constantly tapping into old school sounds, and this is their newest offering:

For me, "The Way I Feel" is the standout track. Very MK-esque!

Black Tiger Sex Machine & Dabin - Jack Dat Body EP

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:13:00 +0000

In the beginning there was Jack, and Jack had a groove, and from this groove came the groove of all grooves...etc etc. We all know how the story goes, and Jack is making quite the comeback. After just posting the name of Breach's latest EP http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2013/04/breach-jack.html, Montreal outfit Black Tiger Sex Machine along with Dabin are set to release "Jack Dat Body". This isn't Chicago's Jack, however. This one is armed with electro beats and the remixes are full force entrenched in dubstep.
Side note: David Guetta's label is called Jack Back Records, also an hommage to "Jack"

Breach - Jack

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:51:00 +0000

Dirtybird gets the worm! Ben Westbeech http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/05/you-need-to-know-ben-westbeech-aka.html under his pseudonym Breach has been creating quite the buzz with his latest Dirtybird EP entitled Jack.
Westbeech also recently teamed up with Sweden's Rasmus Faber to lend his vocals to "No Surprises". Faber had contributed to Westbeech's sophomore album. Another familiar collaboration comes from Kraak & Smaak with Westbeech. Having lent his vocals to Squeeze Me, he teams up with the Dutch producers again for "The Future Is Yours." Check out the single and remixes, among which Tom Trago is a contributor.
And last but not least, maybe my favorite collaboration of them all comes from Westbeech and Artwork (who along with Skream and Benga make up Magnetic Man). They made the funniest promo video for Snowbombing, Austria's music festival in the snow:

Poor Julio Bashmore haha!

Tracques - Volume One

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:25:00 +0000

So I'm guessing Tracques is a play on the word "tracks" and the name "Jacques". Am I right, am I right? Stuart Price's alter ego takes you into a techno journey with his latest album. From the artwork, looks like its gonna be called "Volume One". Here's a teaser:
Part of that album is Lunatrick, one of my favroite cuts.

Is it me or does this aptly fill the void Daft Punk has left behind (not that I'm not excited for their new album but this sounds way future!)

Another great release is Traques new EP for Boysnoize Records, which you can preview here:
Finally, sounds like Stuart Price is slated to be producing the next Pet Shop Boys album. If you're a child of the 80s like me, then you are probably extremely excited by this upcoming project. The album is called Electric and I'm sure it will be exactly that, if this teaser is anything to go by!

Dave Clarke - Wisdom To The Wise Red 2 (Boys Noize Wild Pitch Mix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:04:00 +0000

Leave it to the King of Acid House, DJ Pierre, to lead me towards greatness. After charting this track on his March Top 10, I got to re-discover why Dave Clarke is the penultimate techno producer.

Getting the remix treatment by Alex Ridha aka Boys Noize, he brings a little darker and dirtier sound to the classic track.

Here is the full remix set:
Lots of fun coming out of the Boys Noize camp. Szymon Rabowicz aka Audionite, has brought his latest to Boysnoize Records, and its a doozy! Check out the heavy "No Good" EP here:

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:41:00 +0000

Is it me or has Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso been distancing themselves from Steve Angello? Just thinking out loud...tbc

Check out this interview Steve did. Yes I am a total dance music conspiracy theorist! http://www.spinner.ca/2013/03/27/steve-angello-break-up/

KiNK vs Marc Romboy - Over and Out

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 02:49:00 +0000

Courtesy of Audiojack's Beatport chart, I heard this great track from Marc Romboy and KiNK. Its out now on Romboy's Systematic Recordings.
I know everyone is fawning over Justin Martin's remix of Follow the Step by Rachel Row, which was written by KiNK, but I think you should pick up Over and Out instead (or also!)
Check out the video for KiNK's remix here:

Boys Noize - XTC (Chemical Brothers Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 03:36:00 +0000

Many people lament that gone are the days of old fashioned techno. The good ol' days, the good ol' days...even I do it a lot! But if you want to go back to the days of 90s techno, say hello to this track!

I'm always late to the dance music party, and so my introduction to the UK's Chemical Brothers came late in life. I remember walking into a boutique in Montreal called Juan & Juanita (they had some of the best clothes in the city) in 1999 and blaring on the speakers was "Hey Boy Hey Girl." I asked the sales girl what was playing, and she handed me a copy of The Chemical Brother's album Surrender. Of course I had heard of the name "Chemical Brothers" but probably could not name a single track before that time. The track is definitely in my top 10 best electronic tracks of all time. So so good!

Ok, well, the video creeps me out a little, but that's cause it doesn't take much!
Fast forward to close to a decade later, and Germany's Alex Ridha releases the groundbreaking Oi Oi Oi under the moniker of Boyz Noize. Chalked full of electro beats, the album made quite a mark on the electronic scene's landscape. Since, Ridha has collaborated with heavyweights like Mr. Oizo and everyone's favorite dubstep brostep poster boy Skrillex (known together as Dog Blood). He also released his sophomore album Power, which included the gem Jeffer, and late last year released Out of the Black. That album contained the track XTC, and has now been remixed by Tom & Ed Chemical. Its almost as if the duo has returned the remix favour, as Ridha remixed their track Swoon in 2010.

Taking you back to the days of warehouse raves!

Duke Dumont - Street Walker (DJ Sneak Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 02:53:00 +0000

Hey hey, its a post about DJ Sneak not calling him out on being whiney!
The producer of Puerto Rican origin who now dwells in Toronto after being inspired by the streets of Chicago during the birth of House puts his hands on Duke Dumont's "Streetwalker." You can hear the Latin sound that has been a huge part of Sneak's influence on the music he has made.

The track is fittingly featured on the Turbo Recordings Miami compilation, just in time for the annual Winter Music Conference.
Streetwalker comes from Duke Dumont's (real name Adam Dyment) Turbo EP "For Club Play Only Vol. 1." http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/05/sinden-keep-it-1000-duke-dumont-remix.html. Percussion is huge on both the original and the latest remix!
Check out the video for the track: lol!

Side note: this is how I plan to pay back my educational loans...just kidding!

Kid Sublime - Keep On

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 04:01:00 +0000

New music and a new artist (to me) I'm excited to share with you. Jacob Otten is Dutch-born and based producer also known as Kid Sublime. Releasing his Return of the Basehead EP on his label Dopeness Galore, a standout track for me is "Keep On". Reminds me a lot of Daft Punk in the Homework era. I know people think its sacrilegious to compare anything to the French duo (who are slated to release new material in the not-so-distant future), but I think the track has a great old school vibe, and once you listen to it, you will agree:

Ellie Goulding - Explosions (Stay+ Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (Saver) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:28:00 +0000

Ellie Goulding has always been dance music's darling since she burst onto the scene. I was first introduced to her through Max Vangeli & AN21's remix of Starry Eyed. Her title track from her breakthrough album, Lights, was famously remixed by Bassnectar. She became entrenched in the scene when she started dating dubstep giant Skrillex. She collaborated with Calvin Harris for "I Need Your Love" and her latest sighting was in the video for Diplo's track featuring Gents & Jawn called "Butter's Theme."

I last blogged about Stay+ with the track "Crashed" http://jackhadagroove.blogspot.ca/2012/11/stay-feat-queenie-crashed.html. Little was known then about the artist behind the name. It has now emerged it is the work of Matt Farthing of Manchester, but details still remain murky. Stay+ has remixed Ellie Goulding's Explosions off her latest album Halcyon. Its pretty darn good!

Side note: Halcyon was the name of a benzodiazepine, and is the name of one of my favorite Orbital tracks from 1992. The track was titled as such because of the brothers of Orbital had a mother addicted to the medication. Kristy Hawkshaw's voice is played backwards as the vocals of the track, and she is featured in the video: