I Survived Ultra Music Festival 2011

 

Well, it's come and it's gone. An amazing 3 days just whipped right by me in a blaze of deep bass and screaming fans (and those fucking whistles I wanted to rip out of everyone's mouths). There were very few low points (Deadmau5 was a huge disappointment) and very many high points (Sub Focus, Skrillex, Rusko, Afrojack, Laidback Luke, Wolfgang Gartner, Benny Benassi, Nero, Claude Vonstroke, Boys Noize, MSTRKRFT and many more). Now it looks like I'll have to look forward to Camp Bisco...

Download: Sub Focus - Splash (Rusko Remix)

Ultra is So Close I can Taste it....

 

In less than 24 hours I will be on a plane, flying south to the fun and sun of Miami. I literally have been waiting for this since the beginning of September. And here I am sitting at work, anxiously awaiting the end of the work day so I can focus on the next 4 days of awesomeness. 

Here's a little ditty that is getting me Ultra pumped up (pun intended): Carte Blanche ft. Kid Sister - Do! Do! Do! (Laidback Luke Remix)

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

Hump Day Hotness: Rusko - Everyday (Netsky Remix)

TURN UP THE BASS!!!!

Via Rusko's Facebook Page we find out that the up-and-coming Netsky made a ridiculous remix of "Everyday." And let me tell you my friends, this is worth checking out. This guy is from Belgium and just tearing up the Drum n' Bass scene. I'll have to check him out at Ultra, although he plays Saturday and the whole day is loaded with acts I need to see. TWO DAYS TIL MIAMI! Listen and download here:



Download

Hercules & Love Affair - My House (Tensnake Remix)

Heard this funky tune on Gotta Dance Dirty's recent compilation of sweet songs called The Dirt. The original song is a throwback house track, but I'm a fan of this more modern remix. Not quite disco, but not quite dirty dutch house or electro-house either. Something sweet to get me [even more] ready for Miami this week.



Download "My House (Tensnake Remix)"  Here

Monday Throwback: A Tribe Call Quest - 1nce Again

I've surprised myself with the fact that I've yet to include a Tribe Called Quest tune as a part of my Monday Throwback segment. I don't know who in their right mind wouldn't like TCQ - their beats are so smooth and their flow is on point (You on point Phife? Once Again Tip). I'm a fan of the vocal sample on this one, which turns out to be the song "Untitled" by Cannonball Adderley. I tried to find a link to download but was unable to - I will try to upload that tonight.

New Adidas Commercial Featuring the New Justice Single

Yeah, a bit of free advertising for Adidas, but this is a pretty badass commercial featuring the new Justice single "Civilisation" out April 4th. Has that same Justice feel to it - just as good as I remember...

Fuck Yeah Fridays!: Dissecting A DJ Set

As the anticipation builds for next week's Ultra Music Festival, I've been continuing to listen to Essential Mix after Essential Mix. In particular I have found myself continuing to go back to the Swedish House Mafia's mix from Creamfields back in September of 2010. This mix, recorded live, was voted best Essential Mix of 2010 and there's damn good reason why. Steve Angello, Axwell, and Sebastian Ingrosso come together to form this threesome, mixing one, two, or three songs together at once (that's the benefit to having three DJs perform at once).

I want to take this opportunity to highlight a couple songs they threw together to create this seamless 2-hour party. First off, the opening mix they do is fucking awesome (it's been stuck in my head for days). They take trance master Sander Van Doorn's "Reach Out" and combine it with the vocals from Florence and the Machine's "You've Got the Love." These two songs on their own are quite unique (I'll be honest in saying "Reach Out" is a little boring for me, but when the vocals are added it's great). Then SHM smoothly transitions into their amazing "Leave The World Behind" featuring Laidback Luke. It's a hell of a way to open up a show:



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And the Result (Wait for it....)



BOOM. That's how you do it.
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Now check out one of my favorite parts of the mix: Steve Angello's "Tivoli" mixed with the sweet sweet bassline of Booka Shade's "Body Language" and the lyrics of Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition."



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The Result:

RIP Nate Dogg

I know this is coming a day late, but since I was traveling all day yesterday I didn't have a chance to update this until today. Nate Dogg was a legend in the west coast hip hop game. Nate's soulful voice automatically made any song an instant gem. From Tupac to Dr. Dre to Fabolous to 50 Cent, this dude was the epitome of G-Funk. After suffering a massive second stroke in 2007, Nate Dogg wasn't able to sing like he used to and his death was likely caused because of a complication of that incident. He will be missed.





Download "Regulate"

Travis Barker & A-Trak Perform @ The Roxy

Um....yup

Fuck Yeah Friday!: Porter Robinson

I guess this was one of those situations where I'd heard this dude's music but I didn't connect two and two when someone said how dirty Porter Robinson was (thanks Goldie). Now that I've keyed in on Mr. Robinson, here are a couple of his fire tracks to get your weekend started right. In two weeks I'll be able to see what this kid has first-hand. Oh yeah - he's 5 years younger than me and 5 years ahead of the game. Fuck.



Download Spencer & Hill ft. Lil' Jon - Less Go (Porter Robinson Remix)



Download Porter Robinson - Say My Name (Original Mix)

Laidback Luke Essential Mix, 2/19/2011

I love the style of his productions, I love his song choice when he DJs. This is an artist I'm amped to see again at, you guessed it, Ultra. 15 days.

Stream it Here:
http://westlacnct.com/2011/02/19/laidback-luke-essential-mix/ 

Download here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ft3uoe1ssdbe7q2

Tracklist:
01. Manu Chao - King Of The Mambo
02. Designer Music - Good Girls
03. Roman Flügel - Gehts Noch
04. Juice String - Sex Weed (Laidback Luke Remix)
05. Afrojack & Steve Aoki - No Beef w/ Laidback Luke - Till Tonight (Acapella)
06. Sandro Silva - Prom Night (Laidback Luke Remix)
07. Sandro Silva - Big Room House w/ Swanky Tunes - Together (Original Vocal Mix)
08. 2 Funkin Matt - Anywhere
09. Mopho - Mopho (Hatiras Remix)
10. Tagteam Terror - Flashin Part 2
11. MSTRKRFT - John Legend (Laidback Luke Dutch Remode)
12. M.I.A. - Xr2 (Diplo Turbo Remix)
13. Tai - Rocking The Set (Gianni Marino Remix)
14. Rage Against The Machine vs Laidback Luke - Killing In The Name Of (Gregori Klosman Bootleg)
15. Soulgrabber - Motorcross Madness
16. Cassius - The Sound Of Violence
17. Jah Bunch - Style
18. Spiller - Sola
19. Le Knight Club - Boogie Shell
20. Archigram - Carnaval w/ ID (Acapella)
21. Laidback Luke feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Timebomb (Remode)
22. Billy The Klit & Dani L Mebius - Kniftig
23. Bobby Burns & Sidney Samson - Countdown
24. Robyn vs Laidback Luke - Indestructible
25. Mark Ronson & Boy George - Somebody To Love Me (Congorock Remix)
26. Proxy - Raven (Laidback Luke Edit)
27. Loopers - Power
28. Mr. Oizo - Flat Beat
29. Calvertron - Bring The Bass Back
30. Jay Robinson - Optimal Grime
31. Joker - Tuck In The System
32. Nero - Me & You
33. The Prodigy - No Good
34. Thomas Bangalter - Trax On Da Rocks
35. Alan Made - Show You How (Laidback Luke Edit)
36. John Roman - Sala
37. DJ Hyperactive - Bass Trap
38. DJ Argonic - Future Frontier w/ Laidback Luke - Break Down The House (Acapella)
39. iSquare - Hey Sexy Lady (Laidback Luke Remix)
40. Steve Angello - Teasing Mr Charlie w/ ID (Acapella)
41. David Alvarado - Blue w/ ID (Acapella)
42. Wynter Gordon - Dirty Talk (Laidback Luke Remix)
43. Angger Dimas - Are You Ready (Mahesa Utara Remix)
44. Bassanovva - Chicken Lover (Munchi Likes Em Fried Moombahton Remix)
45. Jwls - Move
46. Diplo & Laidback Luke - Hey!
47. The Ultimate Seduction - Instant Seduction (Kriss-One's Edit)
48. Abel Ramos Feat. Rozalla - Where Is The Love (Nicky Romero Remix)
49. Laidback Luke feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Till Tonight
50. Darude - Sandstorm
51. Michael Woods - No Access w/ TV Rock - Long Time (Acapella)
52. Calvin Harris - You Used To Hold Me (Laidback Luke Remix)
53. Daft Punk - Aerodynamite
54. Stupids - Blau (Appella)
54. Armand van Helden & Steve Aoki - Brrrat!
55. Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki feat. Lil Jon - Turbulence
56. Steve Angello - Body Crash (Laidback Luke Remix)
57. Fatboy Slim - Champions Sound (Switch Remix)
58. Robin S. - Show Me Love

Getting You Through the Week: Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey (Vandalism Remix)

I remember drunkenly hearing a sick song over the weekend, I knew it was a remix of a previous favorite, and thought it was lost forever. I was just going through my phone and it turns out my drunk ass had written this down and I'm glad I did. Vandalism owns this shit.

Download Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mirymq2jnqg

Monday Throwback: Erick Sermon ft. Marvin Gaye - Music

So soulful.

Fuck Yeah Friday!: A-Trak - O Let's Overdo It

In honor of A-Trak announcing that he's coming to Boston in May, thought I would throw up a track from his Dirty South Dance 2 mixtape. This is probably my favorite track off the mixtape because the beat is "Knas" by Steve Angello, which is easily one of my favorite house tracks.

Crank the bass, do something stupid, and enjoy your weekend. I know I will be, up in VT!

Diplo - Work Is Never Over

One of my favorite producers in the game...so unique, and so good. He played this during his set at Electric Zoo 2010 and for some reason I never sought it out. Found it today and happy I did. VT in 1 day - back to my roots.

Vadrum - Classical Drumming

Vadrum killin' it as usual. This guy is really fun to watch, not only because he is pretty dirty at the drums, but because he plays drums along to pretty unusual music. He is famous for drumming to the Super Mario Brothers theme songs as well as the Simpsons Theme song. As usual, I couldn't resist the opportunity to post a sweet drumming video.

Get Over the Hump with DJ Spiezio's March 2011 Mix

DJ SPIEZIO - March 2011 Mix by Speez

Boston's own Speez just killin' it as usual. What I like about his mixes are that they feature a lot of songs I've never heard. A lot of the mixes/DJ sets the big names put up contain a lot of repeats and it's refreshing to hear new and different stuff from. As always you can find Speez and his crew at Bill's Bar (the side room of Landsdowne Pub in Boston) Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm-2am.