The first Essential Mix of the year comes from the very talented UK duo Jas Shaw and James Ford, collectively known as Simian Mobile Disco. Emerging from the ashes of the band Simian, these two caught fire by combining the propulsive groove of techno with basic rock dynamics to create unique productions and sought after remixes. Last October, the duo tore down Webster Hall with their synths, Moogs and drum machines, remixing their own dubs on the fly. This mix changes the pace, seamlessly grooving between minimal tech, dubstep and electro. Check out the tracklist and an XLR8R walk-through of their live studio rig after the jump and be sure to catch them when they return to NYC on March 11th at Le Poisson Rouge.
German DJ and producer Timo Maas delivers more than enough surprises to fuel a revelry fit for an Armageddon. Exhibiting creativity behind the decks and mixing with a unique selection of tracks, Timo Maas is a hybrid of an artist within the commercialization of Electronic Dance Music. DJs like Timo are the fresh air relieving from the cycle of methodology that often stifles the stigma of expectations when it comes to popular music – all while progressively pushing the threshold of familiarity. The Grammy-nominated producer emotes originality and a sense of his surroundings and audience. Timo Maas has worked with Kelis, Sweden’s Neneh Cherry, Placebo’s Brian Molko and contributed to soundtracks like The Italian Job (2003), Riders, FIFA Football (2003 and 2004) and a Budweiser commercial.
For the grand opening of Dance.Here.Too. at Santos Party House, Timo Maas created an electronic carnival, supported by a style and grace, that is nothing short of an enchantment. With treble and base on rectors that reformed faces in “the House,” it was an unfamiliar Santos. Fitting, his hash of a style combines familiar and unfamiliar tracks (some yet to be released) to hook the audience along with melodies and effects at the turn of knobs and twists to a frenzy of pure sounds sparking enjoyment. From ethnic Indian to Argentinean/Brazilian tracks, Timo’s capability on the stage is like a force of wind through a tunnel. The room was packed, yet everyone found some space to dance – dipping to the ground and rising while reaching up in the air. Timo inspired a dance of unison that only a ritual could conjure.
While he is considered to be a house DJ/producer, Timo Mass’ progressive style blows the roof off the house. Keeping the fires of a party ablaze in full force is very hard to do in New York City, yet Timo managed to keep the room alive until close. After a splendid eclectic set, our hope is that he will return to New York with another delivery soon.
Click here for photos by Kenroy George from the grand opening of Dance.Here.Too., and click through to check out Timo Maas’ interpretation of Tron for his video “Ubik”, featuring Martin Bettinghaus.
Mishka delivers another heavy hitter with Rusko banging out the twelfth installment of the Keep Watch series. Keep a look out for a new spin on Kid Sister’s “Pro Nails”, a wobble tossed Dire Straights dub, and fresh re-edits from his current North American tour. You can catch him in New York October 10th, for the Hard NYC Festival with Crookers and Major Lazer.
This week, Radio One brings us a very special mix to wrap up the summer. No stranger to the Essential Mix program, Paul van Dyk continues to deliver tight mixes across the globe and this two hours is no exception. Except the fact you will hear the Berlin native reflect on Ibiza’s chill sunset side, a new direction from the Vandit man who pioneered the hard techno sound. Don’t worry though, his second hour brings the club beats back to life with a couple of classics and his new single “Home”. If you’re craving more Paul, he broadcasts a weekly radio show, VONYC Sessions, which showcases the best electronic artists around the world.
Two sets recorded live at the legendary Creamfields festival in the UK last weekend. Local lad Yousef takes care of hour one from the Chibuku Arena. Whilst Toolroom Records’ Mark Knight steps up for hour two from the Swedish House Mafia Arena. Listen out for exclusive new remixes of Derrick Carter & U2!
Yousef, Mark Knight – Essential Mix from Creamfields
Best known for his work as one half of the Grammy Award-winning duo Deep Dish, Sharam Tayebi is met with packed clubs, warehouses and even airplane hangers across the globe. Sharam’s debut album, Get Wild, was released in April 2009 and features cameos by Kid Cudi, Patsy Kline, Diddy, Chuck D, Tommy Lee, and more. His Essential Mix contains a few world premieres so keep your ears glued to this gem and remember, he doesn’t like to play the “genre game”, so expect the unexpected.
Sharam – Essential Mix
Full tracklist & “She Came Along” video after the jump…
Experiencing Ibiza is one of those thrills that can not quite be illuminated with words. After all, it’s all about losing one’s self to the dancefloor, so if you are not familiar with this sort of daft idealism then I’m afraid this post might be a bit worthless. The island always provides this opportunity at the hands of arguably the finest DJs in the world, yet I’ve always been left sensing something was lacking from my soundtrack. This is where Ibiza Rocks’ Reclaim The Dancefloor shakes things up.
Every Tuesday for the past two months, artists like 2 Many Djs, Skream, Steve Aoki, Pendulum, & Boys Noize redefined the perception of what a Balearic summer should sound like. Paired with rock acts MGMT and Vampire Weekend, the island’s non-stop party never looked so good. If you haven’t made it out to Ibiza yet this summer, pack your bags now as there are just three of these parties left with the closing night bringing you The Klaxons and Digitalism.
Since we have arrived at the climax of these events, we want to shed some light on Doorly, the unsung hero who holds the resident honor at every single Reclaim party. Remixing everyone from Dizzee Rascal & Calvin Harris to Kanye West & Major Lazer, this man inflicts rhythms that switch across filthy dubstep and banging electro. Before the summer began, he put together a warm-up podcast which he dubs “the 1am to 2am warm up set” and we believe it’s still pretty hot. Judge for yourself.
Chicago house legend Felix da Housecat serves up this week’s Essential Mix with electro funk. This man has been producing tracks since 1987 and is consistently on the DJ Mag’s Top 100 list. He drops a new album, He Was King, August 25th, and he will be stopping by Brooklyn, September 12th, at 213 N. Eighth Street.
Now tune into two hours of non-stop booty beats as the Aphrohead takes over.
I’ve attended a few parties in dodgy locations before, but finding a bit of revelry in a Chinatown mall was a first. Enter Flashing Lights: your no-nonsense solution to realizing a sublime NYC evening. Spearheaded by DJs Ayres (The Rub), Jubilee (Nightshifters), and Nick Catchdubs (Fool’s Gold), these tastemakers bring a genuine dance party to life without the pretentious attitude found in clubs across the apple.
The NYC debut of Toadally Krossed Out begged a comparison to Dim Mak’s Bloody Beetroots as the two DJs donned green toad masks while rocking the dim sum restaurant. What stood out for me was the attendance from label heads, Diplo and A-Trak, who both came out to support their artists and partake in the action. In return, the DJs played their respective remixes of tracks by Switch, A-Trak, and Major Lazer. Their presence exemplifies a certain kinship that exists amongst labels like Fool’s Gold and Mad Decent and the artists they represent. All this juicy party goodness is wrapped together with big help from MeanRed Productions and Good Peoples.
We look forward to what artists and collaborations Flashing Lights will be offering in the future. In the mean time check out the site www.flashinglightslightslights.com and be sure to catch their next party at Glasslands September 4th! Also check out some photos from the evening debauchery as well as the M.R.I. Lightpainting blog.
Major Lazer – Hold The Line (Toadally Krossed Out Remix)
Two phenomenal & unique back to back performances celebrating 10 years of the Exit Festival, featuring four of the world’s biggest DJs. Hour one features Richie Hawtin & Dubfire going ‘click to click’ on a vast array of laptops and samplers and mixers. And hour two brings together Locodice with Cocoon regular Magda.
