Back to the future

So '90s I could easily believe, without second thought, that it was on the tracklist of our high school parties. I mean, I can clearly see us, as 17-year-olds, dancing with our hands in the air to this tune. This of course doesn't mean that it's a high school tune, but surely brings out a nostalgic, old-skool touch, even though it was released in 2013.



I wonder what those 17-year-olds would do with this sound today.

Hope they'd still have butterflies. I do.

track's info: 
Erol Alkan - A Hold on Love
Illumination
Phantasy Sound 2013

Dub '80s

Dub and I are like those friends who you don't see very often, but when you do, it's so cozy and nice that you feel that it hasn't been that long since the last time you saw them. You can still tell them all about you, listen to their life stories, loosen up, do stupid things together and feel that warm sensation in your heart.

While dub isn't usually on my every-day playlist, I always feel warm and cozy when it comes up. Then I get stuck to it for a day or two and move on from there till the next time something brings it back to my attention.

Yesterday, while on our way to Dub Pistols, we ended up swaying to the sound of a random dude, playing dub music and drawing it back from my long term memory. Inevitably, today I can't listen to anything else.

One of my favorite ones, back in the '80s, always hitting my dub playlist.

track's info: 
Scientist meets the Roots Radics - Fighting Radics
Scientist meets the Roots Radics
Selena 1982

Ain't silly at all

If you dig Mayer Hawthorne, there's absolutely no way you won't be digging this.



Utterly groovy, tight and kinda kinky take on Hawthorne's A Long Time (2011), which is top-notch as well, by Silly Pilly.

Didn't know Silly Pilly till now, but sure as hell wanna give him a high-five for these 7 and a half minutes.

track's info:
Mayer Hawthorne - A long time (Silly Pilly edit)
2011

When words aren't there

For a dear friend, who just lost her dad.



track's info:
Thrupence - Folds
2012

Sunday antidote

Sundays can be awesome, people. You have the whole day to yourself, you can go hang out by the sea even if the weather sucks and you're one step before winter, you can cuddle all day, you can eat all day, you can sleep all day and you can play top-notch tunes to make it even better. Like this one.

Bobby Nunn and Motown join powers and make this beautiful tune out of the second album of their collaboration, "Private Party".

Not even my runny nose and my 100 sneezes/second can bring me down while listening to its synth sound.

track's info:
Bobby Nunn - Don't knock it (until you try it)
Private Party
Motown 1983

Yo Australia!

If you like Breakbot then you'll sure as hell like this.



LeBRON is Sam Roney from -surprise, suprise- Australia, he's into electronic funk and I'm into him in the most pure, melodic and musical way there is.

Especially when this reached my ears, with awesome samples and flow.

Enjoy your Sunday.

track's info:
LeBRON - The Time is Right
2015

Where'd all the good people go?

What’s goin’ on in this world is so beyond me, I can’t deal with it.

I feel genuine love and sympathy for all the tortured ones out there, whether they’re from Paris, Lebanon, Syria or any small corner in this disgusting world.

From borders to religion, from money to power, whatever divides people should be vanished, if we want love and peace to conquer our hearts.

Otherwise, there’s no hope.

track's info:
Jack Johnson - Good People
In Between Dreams
Brushfire Records 2005
video from Mahogany Sessions

What happens if you fall in love?

This wonderful tune was a very interesting intro. There are two people (man/woman) talking about love, with the woman stating that relationships are messy and she's better off enjoyin' life on her own, raisin' the amazement and surprise of the young man. I don't know if this is from some kind of movie or something, but it gets really interesting when he asks "What happens if you fall in love?".

This is exactly what happens.



Lovely tune, one of those who feel like butterflies in your stomach from Yazid Le Voyageur (remember him?).

Hope those two worked it out in the end.

track's info:
Yazid Le Voyageur - It's Love 
You and I EP
Roseville Music 2014

Vintage-street situation

As I may have stated many times before in this blog -or maybe just think I have stated- I don't really like labels. I like what I hear and -in this case- what I see. Below you'll see one of the most extraordinary dance battles I've ever seen between lindy hoppers and street dancers, with each group dancin' to their own tunes and makin' a crossover attempting to dance to the opponent's music towards the end. Totally amazed by the moves, I must admit I love both groups equally.

However, as far as music is concerned -and this I've surely stated before- the street dancers kick serious ass. Among poppin' and lockin', aerials, swing outs, charleston and splits there are some awesome tunes goin' on. And I totally love, love, LOVE this one.

If only all fights and disputes were settled like this. What a wonderful world it would be.

info: 
Montreal Swing Riot 2015
Swing Dancers vs Street Dancers
Produced by Social Art Beat http://socialartbeat.com
Video by Alain Wong http://www.youtube.com/user/alainkinwong

Autumn coziness

Sunday isn't all about wrapping yourself in a blanket and cursing the shortness of the weekend. It's also about reading a book, cooking, hanging out with beloved people, resting, relaxing -never, ever underestimate the simple things in life.



As long as you have decent tunes filling your day. Skibblez's tune (in which I love the filters by the way) is definitely one of those that's gonna be keeping me company the next few days, makin' my days smooth and cozy, while autumn gets in the way of sunshine. Sure thing.

track's info: 
Skibblez - The Sure Thing
Horeazon Records 2015

Little summer

Mid October and sun's still shining. Especially when this is on.



Some real summerish thoughts put together in notes and melodies by this french dude whose soundcloud page is like ear-paradise.

Buh-bye autumn melancholy.

info:  
She said disco - Gold Shore EP
Keats//Collective 2015

Say my name*

Just before the 60’s turned into ‘70s this gem sprung. 

Man, how I wish I lived during the ‘60s. And the 70’s. And the ‘50s. Damn.

This is my next best from the same album. Trippin' into the psychedelic side. 

*Quiz for the Breaking Bad fans

track's info:

Tommy James And The Shondells – Crystal Blue Persuasion

Crimson and Clover

Roulette Records 1969

Keep it mellow

Sure, Mondays usually suck and they'll probably suck till pension. But isn't it nice when it's time to go to bed after the first grueling and moody day of the week and you find the perfect tunes, all gathered up in a mellow set that guarantees sweet dreams?

Yeap. Give it a little bit of soul, people.
Good night.

set info: 
Ralfi Pagan and Joe Bataan tunes by DJ Leo

Gotta be willing

I don't listen to the radio much -actually, the only time I turn it on is in the car, while I change cd. In these 20 seconds, I caught this unexpected tune the other day.



It gave me eight whole minutes of appreciation and maybe a little bit of uncertainty that I'm losing stuff by swearing off the fm waves. And then there was some Lana Del Ray going on and my cds took it personally.

track's info:
Gil Scott Heron & Brian Jackson - Willing
2012

Right on

Yeap. That's the sound.



Keep it up, 78 Edits. 

track's info:
78 Edits - Keep it Up
Various Varieties
A Friend in Need 2015

My kinda Sunday

Wicked tune for a wicked Sunday, with sax and all.



Ltj can't let you down. Just can't.

(This set can easily prove that as well. Pick a lazy hour of any day and give it a go).

track's info:
It's a small world disco - All the way (ltj rework)
2011

Disco Drop

Man, it's been a while since a fresh disco edit got me chillin' this way. If Love Drop continues like this, he'll be my new favorite.

Ok, I know I may say that a lot, but this time I mean it.

Actually no. I mean it every time.

track's info:
Love Drop - Temptation 
Disco Deviance 2015

You still got it

Sorry dudes, romance ain't dead for this blog. Not even close.

And The Whispers is a good deal to remind us we 're not all superficial douchebags or cynic-driven beings catching romantic moments only between us and a full-extra burger.

You still got it people. Trust me.

track's info: 
The Whispers - The time will come
Planets of Life 
Janus Records 1973

Readjustment tune

Man, it's unbelievable how time flies when you're on vacation and how quickly you adjust to the citylife, from the first minute you set foot at home. For these last hours, before I head back to "normality" and everyday life, I selected a sort of weird tune with ups and downs, shiny and obscure phases, that blends a feeling of classical and '70s mood, to match the anticipated mood swings of the readjustment. 

Having devoted himself to music, Janko Nilović composed this magical piece of music in the '70s, probably watching the sun rise and wanting to make the perfect soundtrack for it.

track's info:
Janko Nilović - The Sun is Rising
Pop Shopin
Editions Montparnasse 1976

Freshen up your disco moves

Don't listen to what it says. It definitely ain't bad for you.



All set, Disco Tom playin' through my speakerz and it's this summer's chance to prove that it ain't all shit.

track's info:
Disco Tom - Bad for You
Whatchawannado 2011

Dream prelude

Nujabes is a Japanese hip-hop producer and dj who, sadly, I wasn't aware of till about 3 or 4 weeks ago, when this lovely gem reached my ears and made it through my top introduction-to-dreams tune.

Tragic thing is that as I was searchin' through his music tryin' to get to know him through his dope beats, I found out that he's no longer with us, as of 2010. So I guess I'll be hangin' around in his soundcloud page for a while, making up for lost time. 

track's info:
Nujabes - Aruarian Dance
Samurai Champloo Music Record - Departure 
Victor 2004

Cruel summer

Not quite a summerish tune to fill your vacation usb stick with. Unless you're Greek tryin' to survive this summer.

The lyrics of this song are so unbelievably powerful and so incredibly gloomy, that are too much to bear along with this dark tune. So, I'll stick with the instrumental version, till the next bright disco tune comes along and brings a little sunshine in here.

* For those who don't know, this is actually a traditional American gospel song originally recorded by Bozie Sturdivant in 1941, but composed in 1934 by Claude Ely, whose version was recorded in 1953.

track's info:
Johnny Cash - Ain't no grave
American VI: Ain't no grave
Lost Highway Records 2010

To all fuckin' Kens

I just started watching "Breaking bad". I know, I know, I'm a little late, but I'll grasp the chance to use the "better late than never" saying and move on with my point.

There's an episode in season 1 (episode 4 to be exact) that ends with one of the most powerful and beautiful scenes I've seen lately and really identified with: the brilliant KenWins scene. In that scene -for those of you who are even later than me- our protagonist, in a desperate moment of coughing and dealing with a messed up life by lung cancer -and other stuff-, faces this dude, an obnoxious yuppie, one of those who drive those convertible shit that cost about 3 years' salaries to most people (or whatever, I don't know), perfect slaves to capital, with bluetooths coming out of their ears. One of those dudes with a "Ken Wins" license plate that steal parking spaces when you've already set your alarm to park, take your place in line when you look the other way, humiliate people who they consider inferior to them, have no culture whatsoever and serve nothing else but money. This dude, was the same dude that stole the parking space to our protagonist the other day, and so he decides to do something about it.

Maybe all these fuckin' Kens will stop winning someday. Maybe their capital serving "values" will go down the drain and maybe when that happens, there won't be any more of these governments and screwball country "unions" that reflect the exact same thing that all these Kens believe in and drive people and countries to a living hell in the name of money.

Now wipe the tears from your eyes and press play to the tune that led this awesome scene to its ending and made me lose my sleep for a couple of hours.

track's info:
Darondo - Didn't I
Music City 1972

Naaah

If one thing is certain, it's that we're never bored in this country.

Broke, yes. Bored, naaah.

track's info: 
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - I'm Broke
Tell Em' What Your Name Is!
Lost Highway 2009

Laid-back

I couldn't possibly ask for a better tune to relax, sink into my bed, kiss this tiring week goodbye and get prepared for a new one.



I think I'm more into the instrumental version, as I can better relish the laid-back tempo, the soothing bass, the dope guitar...

Already sinking.

*Check out the whole album here before you give in to Morpheus as well.

track's info:
Jenova 7 - Long Way Back Instrumental
Painkillers & Parasites
2013

Sexy-not sexy

This is a melodic proof that nothing can be sexy (or awesome) all the time.

Janko Nilovic's Machine Gun kicks off as one of the sexiest tunes ever, screws up the whole feeling at 0.45 with this cheesy '70s pattern, brings sexy back at 1.10, screws it up at 1.38 again, kicks ass at 2.05 and screws it up one final time towards the end. Kinda like real life.

track's info:
Janko Nilovic - Machine Gun
Super America
Editions Montparnasse 2000, 1976

 

Jazzy week-ending

After an evening walk at the Athens Jazz festival with jazzy and ethnic tunes from Yoav’s Eshed Trio Millionaires from Israel, Hijaz from Belgium and Mercan Dede Secret Tribe from Turkey, I'm kinda in the mood to let this week go with a jazzy tune that's more my kinda style.



I may not really get pure jazz, but I truly dig everything that is inspired by it.

While you're at it, check out the whole LTF debut album here. It kicks ass keeping the jazzy feeling, throwing at it some dirty hip-hop beats, with a little bit of scratchin', in a combination that with the right amount of volume can send you straight to hell. 

track's info: 
LTF - Get you
Light the Fuse
Black Milk Music 2015

Summer repeat

After having slept for only about 4 hours, this is the ONLY thing that managed to keep me up and movin' all day today, after about 3 million repeats. 

God how I love this early house feeling that stays alive in most mixes of this track (Pete Herbert's dub mix is about to ruin my repeat button as well).

Faze Action have been one of my favorite groups since the Kariba era, back in the late '90s. And they've been provin' me right for lovin' them, ever since.

Faze Action - Time by your Side
Body of One
FAR 2014

Still funkin'

Funkanomics is a three member group from South Germany with a totally funked-up style, blending funk with other stuff like hip hop and whatever suits best in their funkadelic mind and ear.



Hit the free download button, burn a funk cd startin' with this and start drivin'. When all goes wrong, funk is the solution and these dudes seem to know what they’re doin’. Eyes on the road, ears on the music. That's all you need. 

track's info:
Funkanomics-Linda and the funky boys
2015

Funk high

Some people hike up and down a mountain or ride a bike covering kilometers or do yoga to get a natural high. That's nice, that's really nice and healthy. But I'd rather get my natural high from this.



Karim's version on John Luongo's version on Sly Stone's "High on you", 100% wicked funk ready to raise your pulse rate as if you just ran a marathon. Ok, ok almost as if you just ran a marathon.

track's info: 
Karim Chehab - I get high on you (Karim Basement Party Dub)
2015

(original version)
Sly Stone - I get high on you
Ten years too soon
Epic 1979

It's a funky situation

 If you only knew how much I've loved this tune back in the days, you would probably get a vague idea of how my heart flied just a little bit to this.



Damn, it's so amazing how some tracks can last forever as a feeling in your soul.

track's info:
Jazzy Dee - Get on up (disco tech rework)
2015

*original tune 
Jazzy Dee - Get on up
Laurie Records 1983

Backwards

 This track has a weird story behind it. Tuxedo didn't follow the classic route to this track making. They didn't dig up a rare old track and sample it. What they did was take a little trip back to 1993, listen to "Ain't no fun" by Snoop Doggy Dogg -sorry, can't keep up with him, Prince and their stage name changes- tried to find the original sample, never found it, so they made it. They actually made it. And this is it. An imaginary prequel.



Reminds me a little bit of Slave or maybe Logg, but I won't more get into this. I'll just sit down and clap my hands to those guys who created a fictional original track.

*Serious clapping taking place right now.

track's info:
Tuxedo - Number One
Tuxedo
Stones Throw Records 2015

Roots jungle

Spring days always bring out in me (and about 90% of world population with access to music) a more intense need for reggae -this could be a serious hint. And this. This year, it hit me a bit differently.



Reggae vibe (Alborosie sampled), drum'n'bass rhythm, highs'n'lows, sweet melody, no harsh parts, summerish feeling, absolute musical sunshine... What the hell am I still doing here?

*Check out Slynk's tunes here. This Australian dude is all about the funk and the breaks.

track's info:
Slynk - Know your roots
2015

We'll always have Paris

Yesterday a dude visiting Athens stopped me in the middle of the street to ask me where he could find a decent night club to listen to some hip hop and dance. His question kinda filled me with embarrassment, as I haven’t been in one of those for years and, inevitably, I wasn’t anywhere near the most suitable person to answer such a question, especially as far as hip hop stuff is concerned. The worst part was that I was in his shoes in 2007 when I visited Paris and asked everyone around where I could find a place to listen to some good ol’ french house, but nobody really knew what to recommend.

Anyways, I did my best to give him some directions on how to get to a place with many bars and stuff and maybe some nightclubs -which might be playin’ bouzoukia today for all I know- and left feeling older than ever. 

But today I listened to this.



Good ol’ disco house tunes from Cesare and Jukebox Recordz, just like the ones I was lookin’ for in Paris.

Don’t know if the poor guy found his way into his musical heaven, but I kinda just did.

*Check out the whole LP. You'll find an awesome Gene Chandler sample in there among others -with a free download.

track's info:
Cesare - Never Give Up
Give Your Love
Jukebox Recordz 2015

Groovy people

Everyobody -well, almost everybody- has their own groove. And by groove I mean a certain rhythm, a certain swing that comes out in everyday life and is most recognizable when in tune with music, but can also be sensed by the way we walk, talk, laugh, move, sway, dance.

In some cases, our groove can also be sprung from other people. And these people need to be kept close to us no matter what.

Bobby Patterson can explain it better. And with a groove. 

track's info: 
Bobby Patterson - I get my groove from you
It's just a matter of time
Paula Records 1972

Daydreamin'

Since I'm a hopeless daydreamer, I really need the perfect tunes to complete my inner journeys. This one took me by the hand on a Wednesday morning, when I was so not in the mood to work and shit -surprise- and led me to my secret place.

That is a place that smells like jasmin, tastes like salty lips and sounds like just about that. And then I saw the light. Of my fucking pc screen.

track's info:
Ohio Players - Angel 
Angel
Mercury 1977

Out to get 'cha. Twice.

Mr. Latimore's '78 "Out to get 'cha" tune received 2 kisses of life the past months.

Rare Cut's sooth and sexy one.



Dj Vas and Soulist's a bit more uptempo one.



And they both got me.

tracks' info:
 (original)
 -Benny Latimore - Out to get'cha
Dig a little deeper 
Glades 1978

-Latimore - Out to get'cha (Soulist & Dj Vas rework)
2015

-Latimore - Out to get'cha (RC edits)
2015

June brought spring

I'm startin' to think that spring has made other plans for this year. So it looks like we're gonna have to try and find it elsewhere.



I think I found it in a J.U.N.E. track. Weird.

track's info: 
Nicholas - J.U.N.E.
Love Someone
4lux 2014

Reminder

Do you know what I love about skilful edits?



That they make me re-love and re-play old favorites that I haven't listened in a long time and that at some point I've even gotten a little bored of, cause of my maniac excessive repetition.

Thank you Jay Todd for this beautiful edit and for bringing me back to my roots.
Richie Havens, I know you' re watching/listening.

track's info:
Richie Havens - Going back to my roots (Jay Todd Disco edits) 
2015

Saxy Sunday

Whatever takes a moody Sunday and makes it shiny or energetic or jolly is worth a mention.

This one makes it sexy -and saxy.

track's info: 

Ramsey Lewis - Brazilica 

Salongo 

Columbia 1976

This ain't a love song

Anacostia, also known as Presidents, released this beautiful tune in 1977, which was written by actor and musician Richard Harris and Van McCoy.

If you pay close attention to the lyrics, you'll see that it's a track you can use as a polite and melodic way to say to your partner "What the fuck is going on here?".

So there. Anacostia took care of that with the nicest possible way.

track's info:
Anacostia - What kind of love 
Anacostia
MCA Records 1977

I love Aliens

Headphones on, volume in an upsettigly high point and this tune on.



It's been 11 months out there and I just pick it up yesterday on the radio. It was such a good moment, that it made me start thinking I should give radio another chance. And the best part? It's greek stuff!

I knew this dude had more to give.

track's info:
Alien Disco Sugar - Unlimited Alien Phunk (Vocal Mix)
Unlimited Love
Digital Wax Productions 2014

Go Hator

Less than a year ago I was kinda hooked on Hator Records and the "Haunt me" release (this post will enlighten you -or refresh your memory). These days Hator Records hit me once again with a more groovy sound that brought my house-y self back on -I admit I lose this self occassionaly as digging in way past decades' music keeps me away from one of my true loves.



Check out the release here -cause my favorite mix may not coincide with yours- and while you're at it stay tuned for this upcoming release which brings back another true love of mine back: the '80s.

track's info: 
-Glenn Dale feat. Diana Moore - On my knees
Hator Records 2015

Ready, set, dance!

After 4 hours of a dancing workshop, swollen feet, sore back and head about to explode, I still want to listen to something I can dance to.



Yeap! You got it right. It's this one. Now get up and do your thing!

track's info:
Stephane Deschezeaux - Number One
Springbok Records 2015

Rockin' original

Gramatik sampled it (listen here), Wu-Tang Clan sampled it (listen here), The Genius sampled it (listen here) and I still can't get over the original one.

Late '60s atmosphere in a tune that should inspire dozens of edits out there. Well, it's never too late.

track's info:
The Charmels - As long as I've got you
Volt 1967

There it is (again)

Less than a year ago we shared this post with the Ezlv rework on Shalamar's "There it is", a track that always makes my wrinkles form, cause it really makes me smile -wow, what the fuck did I just say?

Well, there's one more reason to smile with this one.



A smooth take on the original tune, a bit extended and remaining smile-inducing from Disco Tech Edits. Don't miss out on his soundcloud page. There are really great stuff goin' on there. Stuff like this. And this. And this.

I better stop now, you're on your own.

track's info:
Shalamar - There it is (Disco tech edit)
2014

(original)
-Shalamar - There it is
Friends 
Solar 1982

Shadow dancing across the floor

It looks like the Shadow Dancing Project continues, cause I just can't believe my ears with the "Across the floor" track that Deadly Sins and Giant Cuts brought to my speakers.



Andy Gibb's original tune is transformed into this frisky, contemporary sound and still can't leave all the creative producers out there alone -my guess is it never will. Not to mention the "Cloudy days" track, that gave a new, bouncy meaning to "Taste of bitter love" by Gladys Knight & the Pips.

Bring it on!

info:
Deadly Sins - Cloudy Days EP
Giant Cuts 2014

-Andy Gibb - Shadow Dancing
Shadow Dancing
RSO 1978

-Gladys Knight & the Pips - Taste of bitter love
About love
CBS 1980

Why?

David Pope

track's info:
Timmy Thomas - Why can't we live together
Why can't we live together
Glades 1972

With bells on

Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" may have spinned Linda Blair's head around, but the Champ's Boys Orchestra disco, synthpop version definitely came close to spinning mine. In a different way. Let's see how you can deal with this gem.

Believe me when I say I truly didn't mean to wish you "happy new year" with music bringing the Exorcist in mind...

Happy new year, mates!

tracks' info: 
Champ's Boys Orchestra - Tubular Bells
Vogue 1976