Redlight feat. Lotti - 36

Hugh Pescod returns with his track "36" featuring vocals by Lotti.
Jet airliners fly at 36 000 ft, so not sure if this is in reference to Redlight's jet set life, or really just a catchy hook.
I love the track because it is so different from what else is out there in the dance music world, and it is so damn catchy!

Lancelot - Givin' It Up

Australia's Lancelot has released a smooth House track on Above & Beyond's Anjunadeep label. The track is currently undergoing the remix treatment and so far both Panda and the legendary MK serve up their takes:

Panda's Remix:
MK's Remix: The release also has the track "Make Ends Meet" on it and also features Antony & Cleopatra

Swanky Tunes - Jump Shout Make It Loud

Maybe its the Sochi Olympics that have me having Russian on the brain...but I keep thinking Swanky Tunes and Hard Rock Sofa are the worthy successors of Swedish House Mafia. They make big room EDM that actually has rhythm, and isn't just random noise. Here are some of Swanky Tunes latest releases. I'm especially liking Jump Shout Make It Loud

Swanky Tunes - Full House

Swanky Tunes - Jump Shout Make It Loud

Yolanda Be Cool feat. SYF & Fritz Helde - All That She Wants

I'm not a fan of Dim Mak (because I'm not a fan of Steve Aoki) but this is definitely an interesting take on Ace of Base's classic "All That She Wants." Brought to you by Italian duo Yolanda Be Cool featuring Starving Yet Full (SYF) and Fritz Helder (who both have collaborated with fellow Canadians Azari & III), the track sounds more 80s than 90s (the decade the original track came from!)

Lol, these guys are so weird...

Armand Van Helden & Hervé - Power Of Bass

House music icon Armand Van Helden teams up with the UK's Hervé (don't let the accented name fool you of his origin!) to bring you the Power of Bass. Sounds very much like a throwback track, which is a style AvH often channels with his Ducksauce partner A-Trak (stay tuned for their album Quack slated to come out this year).

Style of Eye feat. Soso - Kids

I'm posting this not for my undying love for Style of Eye (which is alive and well), but because how hilarious I find the lyrics.
"Kids" is pretty much hurling all kinds of insults towards the younger generation.
I first thought the track was being sung by Rebecca & Fiona, but it turns out its by Eklow's fellow Swede Sophia Somajo (aka Soso). The video also reminds me of Abba for some reason...all things SWEDISH!!!

I'm wondering what is up with kids nowadays
you're all so deep, unique and interesting
suffering poets with a fashion sense
free hand tattoo with a misspelled name 
everyone's special the exact same way
you live your life on a Facebook page

Kids just wanna be in 
Don’t know what it is
But you’re part of it
You are the cool kids
You are the, you know f*cking who, kids

I'm wondering what is up with kids around here
you're trying so damn hard to come off weird
you bought you image in a package deal
generic hipster got no sex appeal
you're so authentic yeah you're oh so real
you hurt yourself today to see if you still feel
come down, baby come down

Buy another vintage 
Reject another feel
Pop another pill
make a deal with the devil
Wear your high heels tonight and come closer to heaven
Let a doctor waste some time on you
Let him cut you open and drip another drop into the well of a bruise
For beauty eh' alright then hope your wishes came true
Post another pic
wanna see that cappuccino
Look at you, looking lost, little human 

Kids just wanna be in 
Don’t know what it is
But you’re part of it
You are the cool kids
You are the, you know f*cking who, kids

The White Lamp - Ride With You

Now here is a combination I like! Darren Emerson (who was formerly a member of Underworld) and vocalist Peter Josef team up as The White Lamp and release their latest on Scuba's Hotflush label. "Ride With You" is a pretty tame track, but the release gets remixed by Emerson, Mike Dehnert, and the ever elusive ItaloJohnson, and their remix is by far my fav:

Dusky - 9T8

Speaking of house heads gone techno (see post below), Dusky's latest is coming out of School Records, and is entitled 9T8 (twas a good year, fyi). Goodbye deep house trend, HELLO TECHNO!

Aden - Whip (Jimmy Edgar Remix)

Interesting stuff coming out of Jimmy Edgar's Ultramajic camp these days. Miami's Danny Daze went all techno and recently released off the label, and now Berlin's Aden brings this tech gem to the forefront. The remix by Mr. Edgar delivers a fresh take on the track too!

Hard Rock Sofa vs. Eva Shaw - Get Down

The Russian mafia duo team up with model/DJ Eva Shaw (a.k.a. DJ Bambi-ugh, what a name :/) for Spinnin' Records release "Get Down." On first listen, you think that maybe this is a departure from the big room, EDM sound, and a hint of old school house shines through...but make no mistake this is the big room anthem the producers intended it to be. Its not bad, but I think that it could actually be remixed and stripped of the screeching and actually sound pretty phat.
I still think that Hard Rock Sofa (or was it Swanky Tunes) could be SHM's successors...

Thomas Schumacher - Hush (Catz 'n' Dogz Remix)

Happy New Year! Wow, its been too long since I've written a post! But in my defence, I have fallen way behind in keeping up with new music since moving to NYC from MTL and working in my field. So busy!
I guess my New Year's resolution is to try to blog more, so I can keep up with my music passion!
I heard this recently, though I believe it came out sometime in early December (but surfaced in November). Its so good! I like it cause it isn't some 90s sample of R&B which is becoming such a mundane trend, yet it still catches that 90s old school vibe:

Deetron feat. Ovasoul7 - Out Of My Head EP

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

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!

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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

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!)