Cinema (Skrillex Remix)

This song always puts the hitch in my giddy up whenever I need a kick in the pants to get moving. It's a serious banger and strictly for the BIG BOY SPEAKERS! The song is Cinema by Benny Benassi remixed by Skrillex. Now, if you are not a fan of dubstep then I suggest you not hit play on the attached video below, and if you are...you're welcome :)

There's really nothing left to say but enjoy!

Man of Steel (Dub step remix)

I think the intro to this song is just pure bad ass. The best way to hear it though is loudly so you know what that means, it's big boy speaker time. The song is crafted by Troels Folmann and it's a remix of the Hans Zimmer composed Man of Steel score. This is a dub step remix and while I love it, the actual Man of Steel melody has been sped up to sound like something almost completely different. That really doesn't matter though because as I said the intro is truly bad ass, the rest isn't so bad either.

The song rides along to a serious backbeat and yes there are elements of dub step in the song. For the most part though the song sounds more like an epic piece than a dub step remix. It's arranged nicely with a serious breakdown at the 1:26 mark where the vocals are unleashed. On the other side of that vocal break the song takes on a darker more menacing tone for some seconds.

In my opinion nothing touches Zimmer's MoS score, but this was an interesting interpretation of the main theme. I always enjoy it when it comes up on the ipod, if for nothing else than that bad ass intro. Enjoy!  

FML

There is only one way to describe FML by deadmau5, primal. This song could make a dead person want to get up and move. It's all forward motion and it only stops when the song is over. The way the drums relentlessly hit you over and over again inspires that forward motion, when you add in all the other instrumentation, it becomes primal.

Primal because there's no real song here. Initially there is no melody, there's absolutely no verses, no chorus, there's nothing "pop" about this. This was created for one goal and one place in mind, to get people on their feet and moving on the dance floor. Off of his 2009 album For Lack of a Better Name, FML stands out and is a great first song on the album.

If you like this cut, look into deadmau5's A City in Florida (another "primal" dance floor cut), Right This Second, and my all time favorite Faxing Berlin (put that one on repeat, it loops perfectly). Oh, and I don't think I need to mention this, but I will anyway, make SURE you put this on your big boy speakers. You'll thank me, seriously. Enjoy!

Beauty Never Fades feat. Saffron

I posted a track from the Man of Steel score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL, but then it dawned on me, not everyone who reads my blog may be aware of the one known as Junkie XL. So I thought I would post one of my favorite tracks by him, the one track will allow you to hear his influence on the track with Hans.

It's called Beauty Never Fades featuring vocals by Saffron. It's off the 2003 soundtrack of Animatrix movie. Junkie did some work on the Matrix soundtrack so it was only obvious they would tap him to add a song to this soundtrack as well. The music is fast, the beats are strong, and the vocals are ethereal. Where I hear the similarities with Arcade and his influence on that track is in the low end. The bass line brings to mind the darkness that is Arcade.

I don't know if working with Hans Zimmer will change the dance master/remix king's sound, working with an orchestra and new instrumentation can definitely change a person. If it does though, then I can't wait to hear what's next from Junkie. Enjoy!

Learning the Ropes

Learning the Ropes, a crazy danceable tune from Ludique takes me back to the days when I spent my nights in the clubs and my days in a fog. The song is off of their 2011 self titled release and in my opinion, the song rocks. When I hear it and close my eyes I can see the strobe lights, the lighted floors and darkened corners of a dance club somewhere in the belly of Manhattan.

The groove is unmistakable and unshakable, the beat of course keeps the up tempo pace as instruments and vocals come in and out. Quite the witty arrangement in my opinion, it keeps the track from becoming stale. The best way to appreciate this track of course it to strap on your big boy speakers and let it rip. Your neighbors may initially hate it but don't be surprised if they come knocking on your door to get the name of the song eventually.

This is a great activity song but my only issue with the song is its abrupt ending. Its like someone just chopped off its tail. If you can get past that though, then chances are you will come to dig this groove as much as I do. Enjoy!

Miles de Pasajeros

I heard this funky piece of music in Oliver Stone's motion picture Savages and I couldn't get it off the brain. In fact I still can't and because it makes me bop my head and smile, I felt I had to share it. It's put together by the DJ Luciano Supervielle of the tango collective known as Bajofondo. The song, Miles de Pasajeros was released on the 2005 album Bajofondo Remixed, and while I have no idea what's being said, I love this song.

It starts off with a guitar piece that was lifted from the score of Babel, courtesy of Gustavo Santaolalla. It's accompanied by a percussive beat which then brings in the drums, once they hit, this song is off and running, kinda. It's got a great bass line and a pounding beat which fades out only to come back suddenly. The rap over the track is spit with passion and on beat which makes it even funkier. The vocals are like an added instrument almost. The tango element comes in briefly with the accordion but the key ingredient here is the beat.

Like I said, I have no idea what's being said but good music is good music, regardless if you know what's being said or not, and this is good music. This is the second time featuring Bajofondo on my blog so I'm a fan. Take a listen to this track and you may become one too. Enjoy!   

Rock With You (Frankie's Favorite Club Mix)

This song makes me smile every time it comes up on the playlist because it's so damn cool. I see this song as driving music. Picture it if you will, driving down the highway as fast as the law allows (or faster for you lead foots out there), this song pumping from your soundsystem and you just singing along to Rock With You by Michael Jackson.

This is the remix though, not the Off The Wall version but a remix by the great Fankie Knuckles, the preeminent house music DJ. He breathes new life and soul into what was already a damn good song. This remix is off Michael's They Don't Care About Us EP which came out in 1996. It's arranged immaculately and it never losses steam. Flat out, this song rocks.

I'm still stunned behind Michael's death but I am forever grateful for him and the music he left behind. It is here for us to enjoy over and over again and thanks to Frankie, this song stays in the rotation. Enjoy!

Vandaag

I'll be the first to admit that the ending for this song sucks. it just leaves you hanging. It's got a great beat and cute melodies but the ending just flat out sucks. Maybe that's because it's supposed to be played in a club and it's supposed to be followed up by or blended in with another song. The main reason though why I chose to blog this song is because of who supplies the vocals.

Because we have an election coming up, where the country has a choice to RE-elect a Black man to lead the nation. Because of that I thought this would be timely. The vocals are supplied by none other than Martin Luther King Jr. Taken from his now famous I Have a Dream speech from the 1963 March on Washington, there are excerpts that bring into sharp focus just how far we've come. We still have so much to overcome but look at where we were just 50 years ago.

The music is supplied by a Netherlands DJ by the name of Bakermat and the song is entitled Vandaag  (I also recommend his Mas Que Nada cut...banging). I am almost certain this song rocks in the club and gets the dance floor jumping the second the needle is dropped. Just hope the DJ playing it has another cut cued up to avoid that sorry ass ending

Still Going Theme

I have been accused of not having enough dance music on my blog. To some extent that accusation is correct but as I told my accuser, mine isn't a dance music blog. However, that being said allow me to introduce you to a dance floor staple entitled Still Going Theme by the group Still Going. To say you need your big boy speakers to get the full effects of this song is an understatement. This song pounds, which is part of it's appeal.

Still Going Theme is off their 2007 EP release. The B side is another groover entitled On and On and if you like Theme then you'll enjoy On and On as well. The beauty of Theme is that beat hits you right up front and then it's slyly joined by the bass line. Then the piano comes in with the melody and it rocks on from there. Added keys and percussion are added for flavor along the way. Still Going is made up of Liv Spencer and Eric Duncan, two people who know what they're doing when it comes to dance music.

Now this song isn't for everybody. This song is for those that have been at the club, danced all night, are all sweaty, their feet hurt, and they don't think they can get back on the floor. This song is for them because that's exactly what this song makes them do, it makes them soul clap and get right back on the floor. Ahhh memories. Enjoy!