Epic Consistency

David and Stephen Dewaele are simply amazing. I've been obsessed with their music for years now... and I still can't get enough of it.

While they are extremely good DJ's (2ManyDJs), its their production talent that really propels them way above the rest. As Soulwax, the one thing that never ceased to amaze me was their consistency. Even though I know what is coming (Those typical Soulwax drums, wild Synth basslines and massive buildups/drops) they still consistently blow me away. So before sharing a video preview of their new remix, I first wanted to share a couple of older gems, for those who haven't heard them before.

Lets start with an original... one that always makes me want to go completely nuts... I'm such a sucker for those little breaks at 1.50. Such a great raw synth sound.

Soulwax - Krack

Then lets take a listen to a couple of their amazing remixes. Probably still the best remix of a Daft Punk song: Guaranteed to get the crowd jumping.

Daft Punk - Robot Rock (Soulwax Remix)

And a killer remix of the Klaxons... I want to marry that cowbell!

Klaxons - Gravity Rainbow (Soulwax Remix)

Love Hot Chip, Love this remix:

Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor (Soulwax Dub)

So, now we've heard some of the classic older joints... Time to preview their newest remix. The video is creepy and awesome... and the remix is exactly what I've been looking forward too... Massive Soulxwax build up!!!



Enjoy,

Ben
GMGN

Ratatat LP4 Album Review

First off, Ratatat is challenging music. But, LP4 is consistently a rewarding experience. It is endlessly creative, full of twists and turns, very interesting rhythyms, very different melodies, LP4 has creativity in spades. Part of the reason why this album is challenging is because there really is no song in any sort of traditional format and Ratatat are unlike any other musical group out there. The end result is a very refreshing listen. Also, the guitar and synth playing are just so......different. That said like everything else Ratatat does, it accomplishes all of those things while still being incredibly fun throughout.

At times LP4 sounds like its like some of Navajo/Southwest/Classical/Tropical/Calypso jam and at other times it sounds like its out of an epic psychedellic western. So, yeah, it's pretty sick. The drum arrangements and rhythyms also make this album very danceable, and I have no doubts that all of these tracks would be amazing live with the way Ratatat can seemingly morph any track into an epic stomper or a rhythm circus. So, LP4's lack of any traditional songwriting is probably a put off to the poppier crowd, but for everyone else LP4 is a journey into creativity and imagination and rythym that is a rare treat indeed.

So,below are a small selection of tracks from the album. But first, the most epic video in the history of the internets. Wait for the payoff at 2:32, ohhhhh party! Impossible not to laugh.



Ratatat - Party With Children
Ratatat - Bare Feast
Ratatat - Bilar



Still watching that video on loop,

Mike
GMGN

Aces in the hole

Who doesn't like a bit of Sveeedish fun? Nothing gets the dancefloor moving like a familiar tune, and both tracks I wanted to share today achieve that is very different ways.

For those unfamiliar with Todd “Terje” Olsen - He is the king of re-editing disco gems.. and someone both Mike and I adore. Just spend some time looking through his catalog on Beatport - You won't be disappointed. Under the quite hilarious moniker "Chuck Norris", he has re-invented a 90's pop gem - and as we discovered last week...  it will destroy the dancefloor. If the kids didn't figure it out from the bassline, they got it by the whistle! I couldn't help but laugh as we played this out, and enjoyed every second of it!

Chuck Norris - All That She Wants

Check out more of his work here:
Todd Terje's discog
Todd Terje's Myspace

Next up, we have a track from a local producer/DJ I meet a few weeks back while DJ'ing a party with him: Dark and Stormy.

Dark and Stormy's has used his sampling/mashup skills to create a much more dramatic and heavy hitting version of the same Ace of Base track. It builds and drops nicely, and has a nice groove.

Dark and Stormy - E-Samba (Junior Jack/Ace of Base Mash-up)

Check out more of his work here:
Dark and Stormy's Myspace
Dark and Stormy's Soundcloud

Enjoy,

Ben
GMGN