Amadou & Mariam - "Sabali (Miike Snow remix)"

An unbelievable remix of a beautiful song. Amadou & Mariam are a a duo from Mali. They both lack the gift of vision, and both realized they had a passion for music while attending the Institute for The Blind in the 1980's. They're married now and play what has come to be known as afro-blues. Right on.




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Deadmau5 - "Limit Break"

And apparently Deadmau5 dropped some new shit the other day. Christmas presents are better late than never.




Deadmau5 - Limit Break by Ear Cande

The Clancy Brothers & The Dubliners

Nothing reminds me more of Christmas, or any winter holiday for that matter, than being drunk before noon and listening to music from the green isles. I guarantee that if you put these on and pour yourself a pint of Guiness and a shot of Crown, you're going to have a great day. I couldn't find links for the songs so Youtube must suffice, disregard the videos. Happy Holidays people, drink and be merry!










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Jerry Garcia & David Grisman - "Whiskey In the Jar"

Mele Kalikimaka

Happy holidays from The Beat Garden!

Vasudeva

If you happen to be in Manhattan tonight, come check out Vasudeva's show at The Delancey. If you don't know where that is, it's on Delancey st near Clinton st. Come one, come all fools.

J Mascis - "Not Enough"

After a week long impromptu backpacking trip to California, I have returned to so much good music. First up is the new single from J Mascis' much anticipated album 'Several Shades of Why'. I used to be obsessed with Dinosaur Jr., and haven't heard anything from their reclusive guitarist since he did the soundtrack for Alien Workshop's last video Mind Field, so I'm stoked for this entire album, and highly suggest that you check it out whenever it does drop.





Download

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Mac Lethal - Love Potion 5

It's rare that I find a rap or hip-hop tape that I can listen to straight through, let alone on repeat. I'm not going to hype this up too much, but this mixtape makes me love hip-hop again, and gives me faith in humanity. Mac Lethal is honest as fuck. Every track has a different, unique beat and his flow is remarkable. There are no catchy hooks or radio friendly tracks, just eloquent and complex rhymes that leave you waiting for what he's gonna say next. Fucked up relationships, smoking kratom, acid binges, hating Pitchfork, twitter, politics, fake mc's, playing gears of war, paying the rent, staying educated; his commentary is priceless. Words like 'real' and 'legit' get thrown around a lot in the world of hip-hop, but Mac Lethal is one of the only dudes I've yet heard who I would actually apply those adjectives to.
You can get Love Potion 5 on itunes for $9.99, shits worth every penny. Here are my two favorite tracks off of the tape.

Combo Breakers: Epic Unlikely Jams

Spending an unnecessary amount of time on YouTube has it's perks. All these videos fall under the category of "holy-shit-they're-playing-together!?" The first two are John Frusciante and Flea jamming with Omar Rodriguez from Mars Volta, and the rhythm they get into towards the middle of the second video is ridikulus. The third video is Dinosaur Jr. & Del tha Funkee Homosapien doing a song from the movie Judgment Night. The last, but not least jam, is Lotus playing with members of Future Rock and Big Gigantic at a secret stage in the woods at Rothbury. And yes, they do jam into a fucking "Robot Rock" by Daft Punk at the end of Moonrise. I will never forget missing this show.

Two Door Cinema Club - "Come Back Home (Tropical Chill Remix)"

Another hit from Two Door Cinema Club, and another great remix to complement it. This time the icing on the cake comes from Tropical Chill, an entity I can literally find no information on. A/S/L? Nope. An 8-bit sounding synth with some hard hitting bass and a bit o' distortion; touche. Nice work random heroes.




Two Door Cinema - "Come Back Home (Tropical Chill Remix)"

Metric - "Help I'm Alive (Alcala Remix)" + "Twilight Galaxy (Death To The Throne Remix) "

Double the Metric, double the fun. Two new mixes, one song of old and one song of new. All I know about Alcala is that he's a NYC producer/DJ, and I like his stylee. If you're into it then check out the rest of his stuff at his site, and enjoy his odd 8-bit mix of "Strobe" and a great remix of "ADD SUV" below.




Metric - Help I'm Alive (Alcala Remix) by Alcala


Metric - "Twilight Galaxy (Death To The Throne Remix)" - download

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Uffie - ADD SUV (Alcala Remix) - REMASTERED by Alcala

Deadmau5 - "Strobe (Alcala 8-bit remix)"

Beef Theatre - "Purple Pain" & "The Dentalist"

You might be saying to yourself, wow, what an off-putting name for any sort of group. But these guys are fucking dope, on par with el Beetroots. These are the only two tracks they've released so far, but I can only hope they come out with an E.P soon.




Beef Theatre - Purple Pain by beef theatre


Beef Theatre - The Dentalist by beef theatre

Ercola - "Sax (Yasmin Le Bon Remix)"

Sax and electronic; lamb and tuna fish. This is like Big Gigantic, just way less funk and much more club.




Download

Playlist: $ /\/ 0 \/\/

I like to make playlists, it's what I do. I figured I'd channel that into something productive and turn it into another semi -regular section. BEHOLD, the first playlist.
This is a slimmed down version of my snowboarding playlist, compiled over many years of watching snow and skate movies and collecting mixtapes from friends. What you see before you is the bare essentials required to enjoy any powder day.




1) Mint Royale - "Show Me (Ft. De La Soul)" - The most standard song in existence
2) The Fitness - "Analog Synths" - 90's Dance-punk outfit from Seattle
2) Solvent - "My Radio (Dr. Lektroluv Remix)" - Best song to snowboard to in the world
3) Dramarama - "Anything, Anything" - Jeff Anderson's song in Full Metal Edges, R.I.P
4) Midwest Product - "Swamp" - Chill IDM-type electro, just download the whole album
5) The Sounds - "Queen of Apology" - Before there was Uffie, there was The Sounds.
6) Sweatshop Union - "Cut Back (Since June)" - Dope Canadian hip-hop guys
7) Pretty Lights - "I Can See it in Your Face" - Self explanatory
8) Fischerspooner - "All We Are" - It sounds like snow falling
9) Solvent - "Panel Of Experts" - More chill electro for glade runs
10) Thievery Corporation - "Lebanese Blonde" - Good to zone out to
11) Youth Brigade - "I Hate My Life" - Awesome.
12) Mr. Airplane Man - "Not Living At All" - Terminally chill
13) Ratatat - "Lex" - I only put one Ratatat song on here, but I usually just put them all.
14) Reggie & The Full Effect - "Apocolypse WOW!" - Synth-punk for the slopes
15) The Stooges - "Gimme Danger" - Classic.

There it is, Boom. One or two didn't have links, but the chances are you probably know how to find a song and download it yourself if you're reading this. Enjoy!

Sky Ferreira - "One"

Catchy female vocals and Miike Snow style synth beats, there's nothing not to love about this song. Que bueno!

"Head to the ground,
I don't ever want the beat to stop"




Listen
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Afrojack - "Replica"

New Afrojack! Yaaaaaay! It seems he is unstoppable.




Download

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Afrojack - "Pacha on Acid (Original Mix)" - Three Thumbs Up

Cyberoptix - "Geisha"

Dubstep with a decidedly eastern flair. Cyberoptix is a DJ from Huntington Beach, CA, which I feel is cool to begin with, and according to his myspace, his music sounds like 'megatron taking a shit on your face.' I think that's good enough. Thanks to the Iranian Sensation for this one.



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Aled Jones - "Walking In The Air (Linton Brown Dubstep Snowman Remix)"

Here's a great seasonal dubstep track. If you ever watched The Snowman when you were a little kid, you'll immediately recognize how incredible this song is. Otherwise, you'll probably be a little confused. Either way you should just check it out.





"We're womping in the air..."

Vasudeva

I've decided to add a semi-regular new section to this here blog. Each week I'm going to highlight a different band / DJ / group / entity. It's pretty simple.

"The more he realized it, the less strange did he find it; the more did he realize that everything was natural and in order, that Vasudeva had long ago, almost always been like that, only he did not quite recognize it; indeed he himself was hardly different from him." - Siddhartha

Vasudeva is the lovechild of a foursome of Basking Ridge and Bernardsville, NJ locals; Derek Broomhead, Chris Ratay, Grant Mayer & Corey Mastrangelo. I've been fortunate enough to know approximately 1/2 of them for a long time, and can honestly say they are some of the most talented musicians I know. Comparisons are odious, a wise man once said, so I will just say that Vasudeva has mastered a sound and style that I have yet to hear anywhere else. Their Live E.P is available for download, fo free, here.
However, their live show is where it's at, and seeing as they play only on ultra special occasions, I would highly suggest attending their E.P release party at The Public Assembly in Brooklyn, NY this Sunday night, December 12th. You can also check out their myspace for upcoming show dates, new tracks, and videos.

Enjoy the tunes ya'll, see you on Sunday night.

The Live E.P

Just Jack - "Starz In Their Eyes (Boss Boss Remix)"

Nothing Just Jack does sounds bad to me. In fact it sounds quite good, and this remix is no exception. So behold; A sped up, danceable version of a classic, from deep within my itunes vault.



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Steve Angello - "Sweet Dreams (Remix)"

Another member of the SHM A-team, Steve Angello does a great edit of the Eurythmics dance floor classic.



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Skrillex - "With Your Friends" & "Kill Everybody"

I missed alot while I was in the woods these past few months, and one of the artists brought to my attention after returning was Skrillex. "With your Friends" takes cues from early Daft Punk and Dada Life, combining the two styles into an infectious dance anthem. "Kill Everybody", as the title suggests, is a little heavier and truer to Skrillex's dubstep roots.



Listen - "With Your Friends" ++
Download

Listen - "Kill Everybody" +
Download

Minus The Bear - "Into The Mirror" & "Animal Backwards"

Minus the Bear killed it again this past Saturday night at Terminal 5. They played a number of new jams from their 2010 release of Omni, as well as the standards like Absinthe Party and Pachuca Sunrise. They have a heavier new style, with way more synth and bass, which I will go ahead and give 3 thumbs up. Enjoy these noisy new melodies.

"And we could play a lot,
You get what you pay for.
But you do it for the taste of a good high
You do it for the sake of a hot night"



Listen - "Into The Mirror"
Download

Listen - "Animal Backwards"
Download

Clockwork - "Airflow (Original Mix)"

I'm trying to figure out how to do HTML, so the site will be going through some renovations in the near future. This is a dope track from LA/NY based music-maker, Clockwork. If you're familiar with that ridiculous mash-up of the Office Space theme song and a Lil' Wayne verse, this is the same dude. Except this is actually really good, and that wasn't really. Check his myspace for a list of other mixes, enjoy.



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Baby Dayliner - "You Push, I'll Go"

"You feel good about yourself
Cause you think that this girl is looking at you, while you dance to the beat
She may not be looking at you, but that's okay
Cause you're having a drink and you're feeling alright,
And you're kinda sober even though you're high,
At the same time"

This song has a special place in my heart, and reminds me of many beautifully blurry nights spent in dimly lit rooms on Antoinette. Baby Dayliner is a five member outfit out of NYC who have made some of the chillest songs I know, this being one of them, and also remind me alot of The Smiths. Thanks to Taubman for originally showing me this, and to BTG for hosting the link.




Download

Hudson Mohawke - "Fuse"

Thanks to Dj Hadgi aka The Iranian Sensation for this one. Need a song for your next New-Age-Native-American-Dance-Party? Check. It's really easy to listen to over and over again on repeat, too.




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Pendulum - "I'm Not Alone (Cover)" & "Propane Nightmares"

Pendulum is a killer drum & bass crew from the U.K, and as you'll see from the crowd's reaction in the following video, all they do is win. Their cover of Calvin Harris' "I'm Not Alone" is epic, and the video from their show in Glastonbury is too. I guess epic is also the word I'd use to describe "Propane Nightmares". Epic, righteous, rad, gnar, epic, epic.




Watch - "I'm Not Alone (Calvin Harris cover)"
Listen - "Propane Nightmares"

Big Gigantic - "High Life"

I had no idea who Big Gigantic was until I found myself in the late-night tent at Nateva over the summer, staring what appeared to be a live DJ/Saxophone duo. It was confusing to say the least, but they played an epic show and this song is burned into my memory. Sometimes it's jazz, sometimes it's hip-hop, sometimes it's dubstep, but whatever it is they do it well and it will keep you moving. Big Gigantic are also of a generous nature, and offer all of their older albums free of charge here, a la Pretty Lights. Isn't that convenient?



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The Glitch Mob - "Animus Vox"

an·i·mus

n.

1. An attitude that informs one's actions; disposition.

2. A feeling of animosity; ill will.

3. In Jungian psychology, the masculine inner personality as present in women.

vox
n.
1. a voice or sound

I think I saw Glitch Mob once at Rothbury, though I can't be sure. Regardless, after listening to the title track off their 2010 release of Drink The Sea, I'm definitely gonna make an effort to get to one of their shows. Some heavy, fluid sounds you can get weird to.



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Railroad Earth - "Right In Tune"

After seeing these guys over the summer at All Good, and realizing they were Jersey natives, Railroad Earth has quickly become most played on my ipod. Tight, soulful bluegrass for a warm summer afternoon or cold fall night.

"came through the summer to the fall,
came through the winter
came to spring again
and we're right in tune
yes it's true,
right in tune
me and you."





Listen

Boombox - "Midnight On The Run"

Back from a three month stint in the wilderness of Baja, Mexico with tunes from the trail. Boombox is the producer/engineer/guitarist/drummer/dj duo also known as Russ Randolph and Zion Godcheaux, hailing from muscle shoals. "Midnight On the Run" is off their 2005 album Visions of Backbeat. This song sounds like a funky after-party in the middle of the woods, and if you buy the whole album (or download it here) you can probably have your own such fiesta. Thanks to el baja crew for this one, better put em' on them dancin' shoes.



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Two Door Cinema Club - "Hands Off my Cash, Monty" & "Costume Party"

I've grown to love Two Door Cinema Club, they're consistently awesome despite how much I overplay them on my itunes. I'm sure these new singles will be no different. "Hands off My Cash, Monty" sounds like a sped-up version of a Death Cab song I can't quite remember, merged with a Vampire Weekend riff. "Costume Party" is the real gem though, and you can only obtain it by trading your e-mail address here. Definently worth it. Thank esau.se for hosting the link and finding this first.




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Drop The Lime - "Sex Sax"

This sounds exactly like what the title suggests. It's as sexy as a sax can get, plus some sexy drums and sexy clapping and a sexy bass line. Thanks to Stay Snooty for hosting. Suavemente.




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Social Disco Club - "Daft Funk"

I can only assume that the Social Disco Club and the Buena Vista Social Club are very similar, but have no actual relationship to one another, except that they're both great at giving old songs new latino pizazz. This is their funky take on Daft Punk's "One More Time".





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Mac Lethal - "Party In The U.S.A" & "Undertow"

"Went to the club later on that night and I bought some ecstasy,
When I was Miley's Cyrus' age I smoked weed and took LSD"

This Miley cover/remix/whatever is alarmingly good.


"Undertow" is a single off the upcoming Special Reserve 8 from Black Clover Records. The video is choreographed and directed unreasonably well by an amateur guy named Kyle Harbaugh, who will undoubtedly not stay amateur for long.




Listen - "Party In The U.S.A"
Watch - "Undertow"
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Goodies!

Mac Lethal - "A Mill(er) Lite freestyle"
Mac Lethal - "Lookin' Bro"
Mac Lethal - "Mindfuck Maggie"

Mac Lethal - "Calm Down Baby"

If I could only listen to one rapper for the rest of my life, it'd be Mac Lethal. A bold statement, I know, but he's fucking awesome. He reps Kansas City, Skoal, Wu-Tang, Wilco, whiskey, dosing up, and being an honest dude.

"My name is Mac Sheldon, I'm a fire-sign Leo
Alcoholic, anti-mall, anti-hero
Anti-soccer mom, anti-hipster; pro-eating captain-crunch-cereal-for-dinner
Pro-taking-bong-hits-to-cure-your-depression,
and pro-demo cd; if you got one let me check it
But never ask me what the hell I'm laughing about,
See ya later, I'ma go take a nap on the couch, alright?"

Just listen.




Watch
Download (Live from Daytrotter, Also features "Rotten Apple Pie", "Pound That Beer", and "Die Slow"

You can download his album "11:11" here, but seriously just buy it, every song is fucking great.

KO - "Moving Mountains"

So I went to catch a Michael Franti Show while I was in Vancouver, and got in early enough to see the opening act, a dude named KO. I was impressed to begin with, because it's gotta be pretty stressful to open for a guy whose known as 'the international party starter', but KO didn't falter once. This guy was a ball of energy, and between his Macbook, his acoustic, and a few J's thrown on stage from the crowd, he got everyone in the place grooving. His new album entitled "Let's Blaze" is out soon. Stoner anthems, raga grooves, and some sweet freestyles, KO has plenty of chill tunes for a blunt session anywhere in the world.



Listen

This Is Ivy League - "The Richest Kids"

"Don't let the tiniest of troubles bring you down my friend,
Don't let the slightest complications drive you mad.
Although we haven't got much money, you must admit it's pretty funny
How they think we are the richest kids in town"

Speaking of channeling this Beach Boys... this is getting a little ridiculous. A solid summer tune with a great chorus.




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Cut Copy - "Where I'm Going"

This sounds like the Beach Boys and/or the Beatles circa Revolution more than a little. "Where I'm Going" is Cut Copy's new single and first track of the upcoming album, but unfortunamente, you must get it from his website here by trading your precious e-mail address.




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Young Empires - "Against The Wall (Demo)"

An appropriate post since I'll be in Vancouver for the rest of this week, here's more disco-y pop-y dance tuneage from Canadians Young Empires.





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Jah Division - "Dub Will Tear Us Apart 12" "

Holy shit I didn't even know something like this could exist. Incredible dub cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart". According to their myspace, Jah Division is from Brooklyn, and that's it. Whoever they are... good idea.





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Bill Plummer & The Cosmic Brotherhood - "Journey To The East"

"Ride the snake, ride the snake
To the lake, the ancient lake, baby"

Sweet eastern jam from the late 60's.







Listen
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Airborne Toxic Event - "Sometime Around Midnight"

This song is flawless. No exaggeration. Thanks to Digital Bill for showing me this a while ago.



Watch
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Airborne Toxic Event - "Innocence"

Bone Thugs N' Harmony & Dj Copy - "Ecstacy"

Not even Bone Thugs are immune to the magic of molly. Dj Copy keeps the beat going in this homage to one of the best late-night party favors of our time.

Roll Out.




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Matt Duncan - "Heart & Arrow"

Another childhood love of mine was A capella; I can't sing at all, but I like listening to it. There's something about making music with just your own voice that's pretty appealing from a purist perspective. I'll confess that I've never heard of Matt Duncan, and this isn't totally A capella, but it's a great little melody. Thanks You Ain't No Picasso para le link.





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Sri Aurobindo - "Soul Vibrations of a Man"

One more... If both Dungen and The Stooges were recording in the same building, and someone set up a mic in an empty studio between the two of them, this is what it would sound like. Sri Aurobindo is Baltimore's heaviest psych-rock entourage, as well as a very respected Yogi from the early 20th century. They combine a shit load of different styles into one rough liquid dose, and they do it really well. Graci to i guess i'm floating for the linkage.




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The Pass - "Cross Walk Stereo"

To continue with the analogies: If Phoenix had a twin brother, who after being separated at birth was given a synth at an early age and raised by both Morrissey and Modest Mouse, that twin brother would be The Pass. I was obsessed with their song Colors for the longest time (Which has an amazing music video), and this one is no different. The intro sounds eerily like 1901, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say it's original. Dig it, why dontchya.



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Gyspy & The Cat - "Time To Wander (Mopp remix)"

If Imogen Heap, Tiesto, and Temper Trap all had a threesome, and a child was born from it- this remix would be that child. Super blissful vocals, upbeat bass, starry synth parts... you get the point. It makes you want to just close your eyes and do that wavy head-bobbing dance that signals you love a song. Thanks very much to Electrorash for the link




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Van She - "Don't Fear The Reaper"

I forgot I had this, just remembered, and now it's here. Van She does a sweet re-work of Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper", and then Holy Ghost! does a longer live mix of Van She's re-work. Remixing remixes of remixes? I'll tell you, the kids these days...




Download

Van She - "Don't Fear The Reaper (HOLY GHOST'S B-LIVE MIX)"

Edward Maya ft. Vika Jigulina - "Stereo Love"

"La cancion del verano 2010." I feel like I've heard this song / a variation of it mad times before, but that must just mean it's a good song worth repeating. It has some sweet balkan / spanish sounding instrumentals in the back, and the DJ Ivan Flash remix is decent and makes this track house-worthy. La'chaim!



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Edward Maya ft. Vika Jigulina - "Stereo Love (Dj Ivan Flash Electro Love remix)"

Bar 9 - "1983"

Well, it's back to the womp again- I've relapsed hard. I don't know why, sometimes it just happens and there's nothing you can do about it. If you like your bass wobbly and violent, then this song is for you. Otherwise, you probably won't find it that appealing. Bar 9 is an O.G dubstep fellow from the U.K, and believe it or not, "1983" was released in 2010.
Enjoy the Womp.



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Coco Lovers - "Time to Stand"

Mooooooooore folk! I'm on a binge, and it's great. Coco Lovers are another U.K folk group, hailing from Deal. This is a lovely, happy, upbeat tune which goes great with beer and darts. Unfortunately, you can't download it, but it's worth shelling out $3.50 for their E.P.




Watch

Stornoway - "I Saw You Blink"

I grew up listening to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, so I've always had a natural love for folk music. Stornoway is a folk group from the U.K, and after first hearing this rediculously contagious song, I've been checking back weekly to see when their EP/Album is coming out. Check out the video of them at a Take-Away Show.




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Solvent - "Loss For Words"

Solvent is a Jason Amm, a man who has been making beautiful analog noise for quite a time. He's been literally the only thing I've listened to while snowboarding / skating for the past few years, ever since I first heard one of his songs in a short movie by Vans called A Lucid Dream (One of the coolest-ly edited snowboarding movies ever). He hasn't done much recently, but this is a single off his upcoming album entitled Subject to Shift, out on Ghostly International. The video is neat, and definitely worth a watch. Thanks so much to Lizzyville for the link.



Watch
Download

If you're into analog, here's a great mix created by Solvent & the heads at Ghostly International, and another super awesome one by Solvent himself, done for Allez-Allez.

ESSENTIAL SOLVENT:

Solvent - "My Radio (Dr. Lektroluv remix)"
My Robot Friend - "Waiting ft. Alison Moyet (Solvent remix)"

Jack Beats - "Out of Body"

Here's some fresh Jack Beats after their several month hiatus. It's funky, shiny, awesome stuff, and the title is dope. It's a little more relaxed than their previous bangers, but I still love it either way. Thanks to The Music Ninja for the link.




Download

Stay Ali - "Emotional Day"

Groovin' groovin' groovin'. "Emotional Day" is a track from Swedish group Stay Ali. The vocals sound odd at first, but the music and production are suhweet. It sounds like Bag Raiders x Dada Life x Fred Falke.



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Passion Pit - "Tonight, Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins cover)"

This is truly an incredibly well done cover, it has a life of it's own. I never thought Smashing Pumpkins could sound so blissed out and spacey, or that the singer from Passion Pit could sound remotely like Billy Corgan. Just sign up for their mailing list to grab a free download, it's really gweat.



Download it Here

O'spade - "Pay Off (Sam Sparro & Golden WERQ remix)"

This is fresh from the vine folks. Released yesterday exclusively on beatport, its a fucking fantastic song, the only downside being that it's not available anywhere else on the internet and you must pay $2.49 for it here if you wish to listen to it at your own leisure. I'm sure it will be available for free download somewhere in a few days, but until then groove to the Sam Sparro goodness.







O'Spada - Pay Off Sam Sparro & Golden WERQ remix by despotz