DJ Neil Armstrong
As a DJ, over the years I’ve developed a few routines that I like to break out here and there to keep my sets interesting. Sometimes I do this thing where I’ll play the sample source and mix it into the song using the sample. I call it “Single City.” Other times I’ll loop a section of lyrics and mix that into another song with the same or similar lyrics. I call this “Swing City. How do we filter out the teases? We don’t let them in. This goes for the guys, too, because sometimes the guys are tapped out. But check your lease man, because you’re living in “Fuck City!”
One better-known DJ who has also discovered the wonders of “Single City” (aka a standard DJ routine) is NYC’s Neil Armstrong, founding member of the 5th Platoon DJ collective and Jay-Z’s tour DJ. Armstrong has also appeared on Letterman, Carson Daly (is that still a show?), at the NBA All-Star Game and the Olympic Games.
Additionally, he has been steadily churning out mixtapes for over a decade now, among them Originals, which takes the sample->sample source idea to new levels and DNA of The Blueprint, which serves as Armstrong’s personal tribute to his current MC (both are available for download after the jump).
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Telephoned
There is a long history of ironic, white covers of popular hip-hop and R&B tracks — from Dynamite Hack singing “Boyz in the Hood” in golf sweaters and flip flops, to Little Boots’ recent melancholic cover of Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite.” In general, these attempts range from the retarded to the horribly offensive — with the rare creative or interesting recreation emerging here and there.
The new Fool’s Gold-repped artist Telephoned has recently joined membership into this group and whether they are one of the rare, successful entries into the sub-genre, I will let you be the judge. One thing I can say for Telephoned is that its members are talented. The group is a collaboration between DJ/Producer Sammy Bananas and DJ/Singer Maggie Horn. Bananas has put out a number of solid dance tracks in the past two years, including a pretty wicked remix of Passion Pit’s “The Reeling.”
(mp3s after the jump)
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Felix Cartal x Christian Martin
A couple of things about ducks: 1) the males have giant, corkscrew-shaped penises and 2) they have an unfortunate penchant for gang-rape.
While I was in college, a few friends and I had just finished a delicious and affordable meal at a South Bay Chili’s when we witnessed one of the more disturbing spectacles of our young lives. A group of ducks were gathered near the edge of the parking lot and appeared to be reenacting a scene from “The Accused.” As we walked closer, we saw two ducks holding down the head of what we assumed was the female duck, while a third ravaged her from the rear. This continued for a few moments until the lucky duck (!) got off, withdrew and swaggered off down to the adjacent stream, followed by his accomplices.
At the time we were shocked, but apparently gang rape is as much a part of being a duck as flying through rainbows is part of being a unicorn. Also, female ducks have spiral vaginas with trap doors to mislead duck rapists. All of these things are true (except the part about the unicorn) and you can read all about it here.
(Here comes the segue… wait for it…)
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Jokers of the Scene
When most Americans think of Ottawa, they picture the historic cholera outbreak of 1832 or the precise urban planning of Frenchman Jacques Greber. However, in addition to being recognized for these fascinating details, Canada’s capitol city supports a pretty solid little house scene. At the center of this lies Disorganized (now Frenzy), a monthly party which for the past 7 years has brought Ottawa’s dance community together to party with some of the world’s top DJs.
Founders DJ Booth and Chameleonic, together known as Jokers of the Scene due to their early difficulties in earning respect from their Ottawan DJ peers, started Disorganized as a small loft party and it quickly grew into one of the city’s premier dance parties. They have since graduated from playing host to that party to touring the globe, signing with record label Fool’s Gold and releasing a handful of original singles, including the massive Baggy Bottom Boys. In addition, they have been commissioned to produce remixes for Passion Pit, Kid Cudi, Acid Girls, Thunderheist, Flosstradamus and Muscles, among others.
Next Friday (4/23), they join The Faint spin-off Depressed Buttons, LA’s Frankie Chan (iheartcomix) and San Francisco’s favorite DJ/Male Model Richie Panic (Blow Up) at 330 Ritch. Advance $13 tix are available here.
(mp3s after the jump)
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Fake Blood x Boy 8 Bit
Everyone loves a good mystery, especially when that mystery is solved by a talking dog and a group of meddling kids. So in 2008 when some quality dance tracks (including the massive “Mars”) began appearing around the innertron produced by the then-unknown producer Fake Blood, there was active speculation in the dancenerd community as to the producer’s identity and whether it was just an alias for an already established artist. Turns out it was, as Fake Blood was until then better known as Theo Keating aka DJ Touche aka one half of the indie-electro band The Black Ghosts.
(mp3sss after the jump…)
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Pilooski
One of my favorites, French disco edit master Pilooski a month ago released a 12″ vinyl only single whose A-side was a house remake of Nora Dean’s “Angie La-La.” It’s titled simply “AAA” and it is a 9 minute early a.m. house epic. It wouldn’t hurt to be high for this one.
Enjoy:
Bonus:
DJ Riz
Last week, I came across this mix by DJ Riz — co-founder of Crooklyn Clan and arguably one of the best hip-hop DJs alive. Now best known for his website, where DJs can buy the latest BEP song mashed up with “Love is Gone,” Riz is also kind of amazing behind the decks and apparently the favorite DJ of some of my favorite DJs.
In this short set, he quick mixes classic hip hop and soul. Enjoy:
M.A.N.D.Y.
German production duo Patrick Bodmer & Philipp Jung, together known by the curiously effeminate label M.A.N.D.Y., gained fame in 2005 with their club hit “Body Language,” a collaboration with Booka Shade, with whom they also partnered in launching the Get Physical record label.
Tomorrow night M.A.N.D.Y. visits SF, headlining a show at Paradise Lounge. Opening will be Nikola Baytala, John Wander and Kuze. Advance tix are $12 and available over at Blasthaus.
(mp3s after the jump…)
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Afrojack
Dutch DJ/Producer Afrojack has been on fire for the past year, steadily churning out bangers including cross-over hits produced for Major Lazer and Pitbull. Yesterday, he dropped this throwback acid house number, which is vaguely reminiscent of The Chemical Brothers during their raver hey-day. You can buy this and other Afrojack tracks here.
Enjoy:
Bonus:
Will Bailey & Mikey Hook – Turn Out the Intro (Afrojack remix)
Solo
So, then she said, “What’s your favorite position?” and I was like, “the fetal position.” And then we made out.
Anyway, kind of a late pass on this one but I recently came across this EP by UK DJ Solo and it is pretty dope. UK Funky with shades of last year’s smash “Trompeta.” You can buy it here.
Solo – Minimood (Round Table Knights remix)
Enjoy.
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Brooklyn Circus made a last minute announcement today regarding their regular hip hop & soul party at Yoshi’s (SF) Le Cirque and it doesn’t get much bigger. The party has been moved downstairs to the main performance venue and headlining will be none other than DJ Jazzy Jeff. Friend of The Projects King Most and the City’s favorite DJ under 5-feet Shred One will provide support. Tix are $22 and you can buy them here. I will definitely be making this one.
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
My first Valentine’s Day in San Francisco was spent at the now defunct “Club Neon” hosted at the now defunct Hush Hush on 14th and Guerrero. The Hush Hush had become a popular hang-out for my friends and I as it offered, among other things, a 25 cent PBR special every Friday night happy hour, meaning that despite our elaborate weekend plans we would typically be in bed by 10.
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Morse Code
Former San Franciscan and now Southern Californian DJ Morse Code just released an indie dance mix today that should appeal to any fan of synths and disco basslines. I’ve managed to catch him live a number of times and his shit is generally sick. You can catch him February 20th at Medjool.
Morse Code – Walking on the Moon
Tracklist after the jump…
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French Fries
French Fries, the appropriately named French producer who scored a hit with his afro-beat single “Coconut” last year, has just released a new EP on Youngunz entitled “Arma.” This time FF combines several current dance music trends and the resulting beats are perfect for any tech house or UK funky set. Or just for folding your laundry to. Trust!
Cop the EP at Beatport. Also includes remixes by Bok Bok, Tomb Crew and BeatauCue.
DJ Excel
Ol’ head DJ Excel of Philly’s Skratch Makaniks crew is one of those rare DJs that possesses both insane turntablist skills and the rare ability to rock any party. After regrettably missing Edan’s set last week at SOM’s Change the Beat party (which was apparently unbelievable), I’ve been rabidly devouring classic hip hop sets in an attempt to make up for my absence on Tuesday.
Fortunately, DJ Excel just posted this gem up last week and it is sick. I just wish it were longer.
Mix of the Month
2010 is but a few weeks old and already we’ve seen the release of a number of really bangin’ mixes. My favorite thus far is a tech-house mix from D.C. duo Nadastrom. Originally posted as a promo mix for New York monthly Flashing Lights, which includes Fool’s Gold’s Nick Catchdubs, Night Shifter’s Jess Jubilee and The Rub’s DJ Ayres.
Direct D/L from The Rub website
(tracklist after the jump)
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Idioma
It was about two years ago that a friend and I, suffering from some mid-20s angst, decided to rent a giant SUV, drive up to Point Reyes (pic above), get high on mushrooms and “figure things out.” One thing we figured out is that Point Reyes is extremely cold. Another lesson was that driving giant, rented SUVs while high on mushrooms is kind of amazing (and maybe kind of dangerous, sooo… ummm….).
The soundtrack for that day was Broadcast – Tender Buttons. If I were to do it again (and don’t worry, I won’t), I might choose something like the new track “Landscapes” by Tim Paris project Idioma.
It’s that perfect ephemeral, atmospheric track that can make staring out your window into a profound experience. DFA’s Shit Robot has also contributed a tastefully drummed-up remix that thankfully leaves much of the original production alone.
Mellow out y’all:
Caligula
If there’s one thing Americans love, it’s 1st Century Roman-style orgies. It’s that unique mixture of old world hygiene, sex slaves and exotic STDs that you just can’t find at your typical contemporary “sugar party.” No one understands this better than bicoastal production team Caligula, made up of sometime San Franciscan Vin Sol and weirdo production duo Skin & Bones.
Their debut single “The Countdown” dropped on iTunes at the end of ‘09, and is now available all over the innertron. Buy here.
Here’s a sample (abbreviated tracks):
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The xx
Oh hey, have you heard of these guys??
Okay well…. a couple new remixes have come out of late that you can add to your collection and they’re not bad. The first is a disco edit from Grand Theft — one half of Canada’s bottle service duo Team Canada. Second is a simple edit of the melancholic “Stars” by Skinny Friedman of The Philadelphyinz.
Who says dancing and crying can’t coexist?
The xx – Crystallised (Grand Theft remix)
The xx – Stars (Skinny Friedman edit)
– White Mike
Shiny Toy Guns
LA-based and Grammy-nominated electropop act Shiny Toy Guns this past month released a remix album entitled “Girls Le Disko” that compiles the best of their remixes over the past few years, including reworkings by Boys Noize, Evol Intent and Kissy Sell Out, as well as trance names BT and Ferry Corsten.
Nadastrom and Hervé have more recently jumped on the bandwagon and spread their vocals over some ear-splitting electro goodness. LA duo Classixx also goes in, this time abandoning their typical synth-ey disco style for something with more wobble.
You can buy the album here. Enjoy:
Shiny Toy Guns – Rainy Monday (Hervé remix)
Shiny Toy Guns – Ricochet (Nadastrom remix)
Shiny Toy Guns – Starts with One (Classixx remix)
– White Mike
Merry Christmas!
It was somewhere in the middle of my adolescence that I began to question why one of our most oft-played Christmas songs involved a child bearing witness to his mother’s adultery. Especially baffling given my upbringing, was the child’s naive conclusion that his father would react with good humor after seeing his mommy “tickling” Santa Claus.
“Oh what a laugh it would have been
if Daddy had only seen”
Had this episode played out in my boyhood home, the room would likely erupt not with laughter but rather wild screaming and gun violence. How this would be different than other Christmases, I can’t really say.
So, in the spirit of non-traditional Christmas music, I present a small collection of holiday tunes that will likely never make the neighborhood carolers’ list.
Merry Christmas from The Projects!
Kurtis Blow – Christmas Rappin
Jim Jones – Ballin on Xmas
Eazy-E – Merry Muthafuckin’ Christmas
Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg – Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto
– White Mike
Them Jeans
LA’s favorite big and tall DJ Them Jeans (Banana Split, Cinespace Tuesdays) today dropped this drummed up edit of one of my favorite recent tracks from Baltimore’s Beach House. Perfect for a melancholic winter Sunday like today. Also included is his edit of “Shelter,” which is my after-after party track of the year.
Enjoy:
Beach House – Zebra (Them Jeans edit)
The xx – Shelter (Them Jeans edit)
– White Mike
Hollertronix #10
This week marks the release of the final installment in what has been one of the most consistent and interesting remix series of the decade. Flipping the brand that he and Low Budget had built off of their legendary parties at the Ukie in Philadelphia, Diplo’s vinyl (and now digi-) releases have featured an eye-popping roster of guest producers, including Buraka Som Sistema, Blaqstarr, A-Trak, Eli Escobar, Scotty B, and DJ Sega, and have helped expose the Chips and Beckies of the world to 21st century dance trends such as B-more Club, Baile Funk and massssh-ups.
The latest and ultimate Hollertronix release features Dutch producers Party Squad (not to be confused with child crime-fighting unit Monster Squad) and crosses b-more, electro and UK funky with some familiar samples. Buy here.
Here’s a track that didn’t make the cut, but is worth checking out nonetheless:
The Party Squad – Murderer (Diplo & Jayou remix)
– White Mike
Lee Mortimer
Choosing a DJ name can be hard. While first starting out as a DJ, selecting a name that will represent you while still sounding “cool” can seem of far greater import than learning anything related to the mixing of two songs. Many choose to assign themselves a name based on some abstract concept, a la “DJ Infiniti” or “DJ Solipsism.” Others choose a handle related to their craft, such as “DJ Revolution” or “DJ Slipmat.” Still others opt to simply use their real names, or names that sound like they might be their real names but are actually made up because their real names are something like Harold Skimpole or Betsy Slutbucket (I’m looking at you Claude Vonstroke…).
London’s Lee Mortimer is one who chose the simple route of allowing his parents to select his performing name for him, and I believe that that may have been a mistake. Whenever I see his name pop up on my iPod, I can’t help but imagine that I am listening to the production of some bow tie-wearing cartoon turtle or perhaps a mid-19th century gold prospector.
But despite the handicap of carrying such a drab brand, his music is contrarily dynamic and appealing. His tracks have been finding their way into the sets of Annie Mac, Switch, Diplo, Crookers and Pete Tong, among others. And he has just released a single entitled “Blau!” with current house demigod Laidback Luke and it lays so nicely on the ears that you might forget its author is a man named Mortimer. Buy here.
Cheers:
Laidback Luke & Lee Mortimer – Blau! (LA Riots remix)
Futureheads – Struck Dumb (Lee Mortimer remix)
– White Mike