The Summer Effect

Summer is occurring all around us in full effect in the northern hemisphere right now, and inevitably this golden season affects the forms and styles of the music that end up getting blasted on every speaker within reach of me. Darker, harder edged sounds get replaced by lighter and softer ones, and I find myself absolutely in love with anything and everything that would be perfect echoing across a swimming pool or on a beach. In honor of this, I present to you a selection of tracks, some old, some new, but all chosen entirely with a summer vibe in mind:

download: Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love (Classixx Remix)



download: Body Language - Social Studies (Plastic Plates Remix)



download: Disclosure - What's In Your Head
 


Released recently on Mother Recordings, this original by Daniel Dexter is at once nostalgic and positively uplifting. Sampling the beat from Pete Rock & CL Smooth's 90s hip hop classic 'T.R.O.Y.' (see video below) will get you automatic points in my book, but the way Dexter does it here is just phenomenal. Summer bliss and good times are practically bursting from this one at the seams. Pool party anthem.
download: Daniel Dexter - Today (Original Mix)





Simple, happy energy on this bootleg that can only really be dignified by the word BANGER.
download: Lykee Li - I Follow Rivers (Sam Young Bootleg)



Italo disco vibes on this good times edit from Dimitri From Paris. Time to groove.



Just about the only thing wrong with that amazing track above is it version isn't available for download, but luckily this slightly shorter dub version is so grab it below..
download: Little Boots - Headphones (Dimitri From Paris Dub)



Strip Steve's newest single is absolutely gorgeous. A future disco on acid vibe combine with incredible vocals to add up to a perfect summer track. Head over to beatport to grab the equally styling edits/remixes by Kink, Boys Noize, and Destructo as well.
download: Strip Steve - Astral Projection feat. Puro (Original Mix)



Oh and if you're in LA, be sure to stop by Dim Mak Studios this tuesday as Strip Steve, Destructo, and DIM take over the dance floor for the official Astral Projection release party. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the wonderfully trippy music video for the track below:




Stay Classy,
Augustus

I'm an F-18, Bro

I've said it before and I'll say it again; I love RAC. They are wizards when it comes to remixing. They choose such subtle and cohesive instrumentation and they keep the integrity of the song while still drastically improving upon it. Roughly three years ago, RAC released a remix album called RAC VOL 1 that was critically acclaimed and really laid the groundwork for this awesome collective. Today, March 4th, they have finally released their second volume on their website and it's FREE. Below are two tracks that I've been abusing over the past week ever since I heard them, but if you fancy yourself a music enthusiast, you should just hop on over to their website and download the entire album in a nice little .zip file (or just click here).

Suckers - Black Sheep (RAC Remix)


Washed Out - New Theory (RAC Remix)

Dance Ritual was founded in 1998 by two of dance music's most respected artists, Louie Vega and Joe Claussell. The two wanted to create a party without musical boundaries, where African, Jazz, Latin, Soul, Gospel, R&B, and Brazilian sounds would blend through house forms. Vega is unquestionably a major force in house music, both as a producer and DJ, and Dance Ritual is his cultural and spiritual home. Without further adieu, here are a couple tracks I've been fiending over lately.

Black Coffee feat. Hugh Masekela - We Are One (Dance Ritual Mix)


Hardrive: 2000 feat. Lynae - Never Forget (When You Touch Me) (Dance Ritual Mix)

I recently found out that Tepr plans on releasing one track at the beginning of each upcoming month on his website (www.tepr.net). This month's track is definitely club ready. A bit on the deeper side, but with those standard Tepr floating synth lines that really create a dancing atmosphere in pretty much any setting. Enjoy this in all its free glory.

Tepr - Rigolease

Now, Quinten 909 uploaded this track to his soundcloud 1 month ago, but just recently decided to make it available for download out of the kindness in his own heart. French/Disco House master does it again. Repetitive but insatiably pleasing to the ears, You're My Friend will undoubtedly soothe your troubled brain.

Quinten 909 - You're My Friend

Brand new Classixx original guys. It sort of sounds like it's in the same vein as the Ghost Busters theme song... pure 80's cheese, from the funky bass line to the nostalgic synth guitar chord stabs. These lyrics... I'm beginning to think this is actually an 80's song. Anyways, here.

Classixx - Fortunate Star

Now this one is from 2007, but I recently began listening to it and I have to say... I wish more music was made like this. SebastiAn is an Ed Banger GOD and he needs to release more music for me to froth over. This crunchy kick drum and the grimey bass synth... yum yum yum.
The Rakes - We Danced Together (SebastiAn Remix)

Bonus:

Just wait for the vocals to kick in on this beautiful track

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Household Goods (Justin Martin vocal remix) by T-E-E-D

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeper

MayaVanya - Panama! (Lolboys Remix) by MayaVanya

Love, Patrick

Good 2 You

Incase you missed it, we posted the download link for all of the songs from this week's Saturday Essential Mix below this post.

Laidback Luke
The crazy dutchman, who says his name comes from the classic Gin 'N Juice by Snoop Dogg, has been on a rampage recently, releasing all sorts electronic fire ready-made to destroy your speakers. I like how he's been able to distinguish himself from his numerous uber-talented countrymen by not sticking to the typical dutch sound, but rather by branching out in a whole bunch of directions to demonstrate the depth and versatility of his talent. This first track, a remix of Do! Do! Do! by Carte Blanche (aka DJ Medhi and Riton) and Kid Sister, demonstrates just how wide a range of sounds Mr Luke is easily able to synthesize together into a coherent whole. The song weaves between miami-vice-type upbeat house and relentless euro-electro. The result is a monstrous club banger that feels reminiscent of (my personal favorite Laidback luke song) MSTRKRFT - Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Remix)

Carte Blanche feat. Kid Sister - Do! Do! Do! (Laidback Luke Remix)

This next track from Mr. Luke is a progressive house masterpiece and a perfect testament to how wide a range of skills he has. Look for this track to be destroying dancefloors all over the world this winter.
Laidback Luke feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Timebomb (Instrumental Mix)


Duck Sauce
Ever since my man Sir Real pointed out this awesome collaboration between Louis La Roche and Duck Sauce in one of La Roche's mixes two weeks ago, I've been desperately trying to find a copy of it because anything even remotely related to those two artists is worth my/your undivided attention. The song is as groovy as you would expect from Duck Sauce, but it has a distinct french-house/louis la roche touch to it that really makes it irresistible. After sifting through loads of crappy radio rips, I finally found a nice edit/refix that should hold you over until the release.
Duck Sauce - Good 2 Me (Louis La Roche Edit - Jamie What Easy2DJ Fix)


Alvaro
I don't know if you guys have heard the new Black Eyed Peas single, but it's surprisingly house-ey and enjoyable. They were some of the first pop artists to recognize and embrace the electronic revolution (they played at Ultra last year and Will.I.am is a frequent collaborator with man of the moment David Guetta), so I guess you have to give them some respect. Alvaro brings some dutch-style amplitude to this track, beefing up the airy house-synth section and introducing an explosive, monster drop to balance it out. The result is this song has something for everyone (a great weapon for any DJ).
Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit) (Alvaro Remix)



Classixx
I hopped in my man petey's car the other day, only to hear this relaxing and awesome remix of Buzzin' coming out of the speakers. I asked him what the song was, and I was surprised to learn it was a Classixx remix I hadn't heard of. Classixx are the bomb; something about their productions seems to have this warmth and lushness to it that's really unmatched by anyone. This track may not be new, but it's thoroughly incredible, so grab it below if you don't already have it.
Shwayze - Buzzin' (Classixx Remix)


DirtyLoud
A nice little electro thumper here courteousy of DirtyLoud. Can anyone tell me what old deadmau5 song is sampled extensively here?
Aerospace - Simple Words (DirtyLoud Remix)


Stay Classy,
Augustus

Balance

It's all about balance boys and girls. Newton's third law of motion: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Why do you think the human body needs 12 hours of sleep for every 12 hours awake? Or better yet, why do all midgets marry really tall people? It's nature. You can't fight it. The universe revolves around balance. For that reason, I'm going to ebb and flow between heavy and soft, raging and mellow on this post. Hugging you with one song, only to punch you in the face with the next. Try to think of it like a multi-vitamin, or like an abusive father.

Question: can Dada Life do anything wrong? Answer: No.

Tim Berg - Alcoholic (Dada Life Remix)

Adrian Lux is a master of beautiful progressive house.

Rebecca & Fiona - Luminary Ones (Adrian Lux Remix)

Boys Noize is the only human on the planet with a unibrow that I can take seriously.

N.E.R.D. - Hot-N-Fun (Boys Noize Remix)

Moby + Holy Ghost! = so nice

Moby - I Love To Move In Here (Holy Ghost! Remix)

Erol Alkan & Boys Noize are always doing crazy, wonderful shit together. Throw Bobermann in the mix, and you just get straight lunacy. If you like this song, chances are you're probably either a robot or some sort of rave crazed monkey. (I love this song)

Erol Alkan & Boys Noize - Death Suite (Bobermann Remix)

What the fuck kind of name is jovicii?

Jovicii & Andi P. - Don't Hold Back (John Dahlback & Avicii Original Mix)

Autoerotique is coming to DC tommorow, and it's free if you sign up on facebook.

Don't be a clown. Go.

Sarah McLeod - Double R (Autoerotique Remix)

Cartwall - Let It Up (Databas Re-Remix)

Classixx! Yes.

Yacht - Psychic City (Classixx Remix - Fabio Pop Dancefloor Rework)

HOMEWORK

Today's homework section is really awesome. You know the rules, turn it up loud and get ready for a blitzkrieg of ragetastic noises.

Erol Alkan & Boys Noize - Avalanche (Religion Remix)

Uppermost - Rox Sox (Original Mix)

Laidback Luke - Need Your Loving (Felix Cartal Remix)

.Augustus

Late Night Jams

I'll keep it short and simple. This is late night music. You know, the type of stuff you want to be listening to in a parked car somewhere at 3 in the morning, or on the drive home from a ragetastic shenanigan-filled night. Soak it up.

The name says it all for this first one.

4 AM (Adam K & Soha Mix) - Kaskade

This next song is an absolute classic. If you don't already have it, shame on you (but download it and start loving it as soon as possible).

Lisztomania (Classixx Version) - Phoenix

While everyone knows that Deadmau5 songs like Strobe and I Remember make for great late night listening, most people aren't familiar with the progressive house goodness of his deeper cuts, like these next two. (Warning - play as loud and with as much bass as possible)

Alone With You - Deadmau5

Not Exactly - Deadmau5

Although this next track doesn't quite fit in with the bass-pumping tunes I've been giving you, it's one of my favorites and definitely deserves to be on any legit late night playlist.

Ambivalence Avenue - Bibio

This one is a little low key, but nonetheless a good late night progressive house tune.

True love (Original Mix) - George Acosta feat. Fischer

This song takes a minute or so to build up.. but once it does, it's straight BOMB

Innuendo (Original Mix) - Jean Elan

Late Night Alumni are great.

Run A Mile - Late Night Alumni

When Kaskade and Deadmau5 team up, you know you're in for some seriously progressive and deep late night tunage. While this one doesn't live up to the epicness of I Remember, it's still a great track. Give it a minute or two to build up.

Move For Me (Extended Remix) - Deadmau5 & Kaskade

HOMEWORK

Now for some bonus homework from the Bright & Shiny School of Music, this next track is the absolute opposite of a late night jam. It's a bonafide club-destroying banger of a song. Mixed by JFK from MSTRKRFT, this is a song that you should listen to at your own caution, as it has been known to cause face melting and spastic body movement amongst other physical symptoms. If you do choose to attempt this homework assignment, the only requirement is that you play it as loud as your speakers will allow.

Body Crash (JFK edit) - Buy Now

.Augustus

Allow me to introduce myself

Hey people who don't read this blog yet. I'm Patrick, one of the four people you will be seeing posts from here on Bright & Shiny. I can say with confidence that you should just blindly download the four songs I've posted today, but I don't have to do that because I found a nifty little player. Play the songs, THEN download them. In conclusion, please refer left <<.

I'm usually not a fan of remixed classics, but I think this little number deserves an exception.

The Beatles - And I Love Her (Allure Remix) [Right click, save as]

They opened for Chromeo and I got there too late... This song will creep inside you and take residence in your brain.

Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back (Classixx Acacpulco Nights Version) [Right click, save as]

Need to relax? Long drive ahead? Prepare with a little Bit Funk.

Things I Can't Remember - Bit Funk [Right click, save as]

Craziest sampling right here. Two a's in Caasino? Ok I guess...

Your Wish Is My Command (Caasino Remix) [Right click, save as]

Love, Patrick