BA-BUSH-KA

A wonder woman with a wonderful voice - Kate Bush made her debut in 1978 while only 19 years old with the album The Kick Inside. It features the lovely track The Man With The Child In His Eyes, released as her second single.

Two years later, she released the number one hit album Never for Ever. It features maybe her most famous song Babooshka which made it to number five on the UK singles chart (and number four in Norway).

Her best album, in my mind, is the 1985 Hounds of Love which features the favorite tune Cloudbusting. For the video, actor Donald Sutherland appears as Wilhelm Reich, the inventor of the cloudbuster.

Here's a recent reworked version of Cloudbusting by Young Edits.

LOOKOUT WEEKEND

The Axel F crew teams up for another evening of jheri curl funk, champagne soul and new wave at LIV on U Street and 11th. 10PM-3AM. Free entrance. Don't miss out!

The latest Axel F mix can be downloaded from the Soul Controllers web site. A favorite jam is the 80s dance floor classic Lookout Weekend by Debbie Deb.

TIME TO MOVE

Carmen - Time To Move is an electro-tinged boogie bomb from 1984 which is still given steady rotation by DJs with a feel for the funky side of electronic music. The song is an all female funk collaboration produced by the rather obscure Daisy Earnest.

Every time I hear this groove, it makes me want to move.
Must be the feeling it brings to you that makes you feel what to do.
I know I can't keep still for I don't mind to hold you within.
When it comes, I start to yell, the next down on the floor.
Green lights start to flash, telling me it's time to go.
Sirens start to sound, that means for me to get on down.
It's time to move, time to get loose, anywhere you are.
It's time to groove, me and you out there on the floor.

Here's a reworked version by Rayko, slowing down the Carmen tune a bit...

Carmen - Time to Move (Rayko edit)

...and here's a more up tempo edit.

Carmen - Time to Move (Boogie Down edit)

The tune Sometimes by Danish producer Vindahl sounds like a remake of the Carmen tune.

LUNCHBOX

The British-American rapper MF Doom is back with the album Operation Doomsday. It comes with a  lunch box which contains the original album as well as a bonus CD with instrumentals and alternate versions. Out this week.

GOLDEN TRAIN

Penguin Prison aka Chris Glover just came back from a tour with Jamiroquai. Glover's latest song is Golden Train, which comes in a variety of flavors, including an MJ mashup and a remix by Norwegian DJ and producer Diskjokke.

Original mix

Sam Sparro remix

Penguin Prison - Golden Train (Sam Sparro & Golden Touch Remix)

Diskjokke remix

Penguin Prison - Golden Train (Diskjokke Remix)

MJ Mashup

Penguin Prison - Golden Train vs. Workin' Day And Night

An acoustic version of the song can be downloaded from the Penguin Prison facebook page.

WAMP WAMP

Canadian DJ and producer A-Trak is touring the states with Kid Sister and Gaslamp Killer. They're playing in DC tonite at U Street Music Hall.

A-Trak aka Alain Macklovitch is originally from Montreal and is the younger brother of David Macklovitch from the Canadian electro pop duo Chromeo. Alain started his DJ career at a young age and won the Disco Mix Club (DMC) award in 1997 when only 15 years old. Since the mid 2000s, he has been the personal tour DJ of U.S. rap artist Kanye West.

Since 2009, A-Trak has collaborated with house producer Armand van Helden in the electronic disco duo Duck Sauce. Check the video for aNYtime, posted previously.

My favorite track by A-trak is the electronic rap song Wampercycle from the EP Dirty South Dance Remixes.

02 Wampercycle(A-trak)

A-Trak met up with the Chicago-based female rapper Kid Sister in 2006 and produced Pro Nails, which also features the vocals of Kanye West.

Pro Nails brought instant fame to Kid Sister, who has developed a unique blend of underground electro sounds, cool female rap and cheesy dance music. In 2009, she released her debut album Ultraviolet, which included the song Big N Bad.

The Kid Sister Kiss Kiss Kiss mixtape can be downloaded from her facebook page. A-Trak's latest mixtape Dirty South Dance 2 can be downloaded if you click on the link.

PLANE MIKS

Check out the latest mixtape by Aeroplane.

Aeroplane April 2011 Mix

Track list

1) Alex Winston - Sister Wife (Moonlight Matters Remix)
2) Crimea X - Liubov (Daniele Baldelli Remix)
3) Peter Visti - Be A Vise Man
4) Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (Plastic Plates Remix)
5) Montauk - The Gum Thief
6) Pony Pony Run Run - Hey You (Copacabana Remix)
7) B.C. x Delivery - Return To Me (Munk Remix)
8) South West Seven - Absolute
9) Azari & III - Hungry For The Power (Art Department Remix)
10) Shit Robot - Losing My Patience (Unabombers Android Re-Fix)
11) Aeroplane - My Enemy (Rex The Dog Remix)
12) Pro Logic - Stardust

THE BLUES

Got the monday morning blues? Enjoy this cool re-edit of Labi Siffre "I Got the..."

I got the (Rayko edit)

SOMETHING GOOD

Spring is in the air. And what better way to celebrate than bring out Two Door Cinema Club's Something Good - a favorite spring jam last year - in two nice repackages.

Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work (Ted and Francis Remix)



Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work (Twelves Remix)

CAREER GIRL

Carrie Lucas was a late 70s/early 80s singer signed to legendary Sound of Los Angeles Records (SOLAR). Her major breakthrough as a disco funk diva came with the album Carrie Lucas in Danceland which featured the stomper Dance With You.

The 1980 album Portrait of Carrie Lucas was less of a commercial success, though it featured some nice tunes, especially the tight and funky Career Girl.

The next album Still in Love (1982) was Carrie's last recording for SOLAR. It features one of her best tunes - Show Me Where You're Coming From - which is memorable for its groovy bass line.

In the mid-80s, Lucas decided to spend less time on music and more time on her other passion - horses. Fittingly, her last album, released in 1984, was titled Horsin' Around.

BUNDLE UP

The latest electric rap jam from The Cool Kids - Bundle Up!

The Cool Kids - "Bundle Up" by greenlabelsound

DO! DO! DO!

Carte Blanche consists of electronic producers and DJs Riton and Mehdi. They've teamed up with dance diva Kid Sister for Do! Do! Do! Catchy tune that comes with cheesy animation.

Carte Blance feat Kid Sister - Do! Do! Do!

Kid Sister appears live in DC on Tuesday (April 26) at U Street Music Hall with A-Trak and Gaslamp Killer for an all-nighter of electronic beats. Don't miss out!

LADY LUCK

The Jamie Woon debut album Mirrorwriting is out this week. It features the new single Lady Luck. Here's the Hudson Mohawke remix.

RAYKO DISKO MIKS

Check out this cool mixtape by Rayko for the House of Disco.

Tracklist:

B-boys (Rayko edit)
Make You Mine (Ooft edit)
Pocket Angel (Leftside wooble edit)
I Want Your Loving (Evelyn´s facelift edit)
If You Want Me (Munga's quickie)
Foreign Affair (Rayko version)
Invisible man (Rayko edit)
Edge of seventeen (Rayko edit)

DANCE TONIGHT

Fatback returns with an allnighter of soulful delight. Tonite at LIV on the corner of U Street and 11th. A little taste - Fatback mixtape. Enjoy!

FatbackMix30

Track list

MVP Interlude (Big L) - Omer Saar
With You (Ft Drake) - Lil Wayne
Punch Drunk Love - Team vs Star Slinger
International Players Anthem - UGK
Soldier (Mark Wayward Remix) - Erykah Badu
Didn’t I (Trishes Edit) - Darondo
Nu Nu - Lidell Townsell
Can’t There Be Love - Pilooski
Before I Move Off - Mount Kimbie
Curtis - The Revenge
Raygun Kills - Afrodisiac Soundsystem
My Boo - Ghost Town DJs
Swing My Way (ft K.P. & Envyi) - Mixzo
Dance Tonight - Lucy Pearl

AFRIKA

The 1982 Toto classic Africa gets sliced and diced in a b'more way. Cool video too. Hands Up For Africa!

CHAZ CHILL

Chill-conductor Chaz Bundick, better known under his artist name Toro Y Moi, will appear live at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight (sold out).

Bundick recently released his second album Underneath the Pine, featuring the new single Still Sound. My favorite Chaz chill jam is last year's Low Shoulder, which is a bit more upbeat.

FOOD FRENZY

HOT LIPS

Pacific! aka Bjorn Synneby and Daniel Hogberg of Gothenburg (Sweden) is a musical project inspired by electro and pop. Their debut album Reveries was released in 2008 and contains the tune Hot Lips.

Pacific! - Hot Lips

Pacific! - Hot Lips (Twelves remix)

IN FLIGHT

Check out this 70s mix by Flight Facilities.

Tracklisting:

1. Pink Floyd – The Wall (DreamTime Edit/DJ Agent 86 Edit)
2. The Bee Gees – Stayin Alive (Tokoloshe Edit/Original)
3. Franki Valli – Grease (Flight Facilities Edit)
4. Gwen Mccrae – All This Love That I’m Giving
5. The Brothers Johnson – You Make Me Wanna Wiggle (Flight Facilities Edit)
6. Chic – Good Times
7. Chilly – For Your Love
8. The Emotions – Best Of My Love
9. Edwin Birdsong – Cola Bottle Baby (Flight Facilities Edit)
10. Breakwater – Release The Beast (Flight Facilities Edit)
11. The Brothers Johnson – Stomp
12. ABBA – Gimme Gimme Gimme (Flight Facilities Edit)
13. Cerrone – Supernature/Sebastien Tellier – Kilometer
14. The Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes
15. Flight Facilities – Dreams In The Edit/Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
16. Heat Wave – Boogie Nights
17. Electric Light Orchestra – Last Train To London
18. Don Ray – Got To Have/James Curd – Got To Have
19. Boney M. – Gotta Go Home
20. Carrie Lucas – Dance With You
21. Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough/Crave You

STILL SOUND

Toro Y Moi aka chillwave maestro Chaz Bundick of South Carolina has returned with Underneath the Pine, the follow-up to last years stunning Causers of This. Check out the new single Still Sound. It comes with a nice video.

Bundick will play live in DC at the Rock and Roll Hotel on April 14.

April tour dates:

4/1 Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
4/2 Omaha, NE - Slowdown Jr.
4/3 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St. Entry
4/5 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
4/6 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
4/7 Toronto, ON - Wrongbar
4/8 Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa
4/9 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
4/12 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
4/13 Baltimore, MD - Talking Head
4/14 Washington, DC - Rock N Roll Hotel
4/15 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506

CHEESE LOVERS

Cheesy, but oh so catchy.

His name is TB1. His mandate is to have fun. This MC from Montreal says "pour one for me and one for you."

Black Cards' Dominoes given a makeover by Weareoliver. Pure Italo electro pop delight.

(UN)HAPPY

Lykke Li aka Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson is one of several amazing artists that have come out of the Swedish music scene during the 2000s. (Another personal favorite is female singer Karin Dreijer Andersson aka Fever Ray.) The pronunciation and approximate spelling means happy in the Scandinavian languages (the Norwegian word is "lykkelig" with a silent g; the Swedish word "lycklig"), but happiness hardly comes to mind when listening to her music.

She has just released her second album Wounded Rhymes, mentioned in a recent blog post. Her first album Youth Novels (2008) is worth revisiting, and is perhaps a bit more dance floor friendly. It contains the favorite singles I'm Good I'm Gone and Little Bit.

Lykke Li - Little Bit

The Franco-German DJ and producer Fred Falke gave the tune I'm Good I'm Gone a touch of mellow electronic vibes, perfect for an early night warm-up or a late night wind-down.

Lykke Li - I'm Good I'm Gone (Fred Falke remix)

Another gem from the 2008 album Youth Novels is the melancholic Dance Dance Dance.

Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance

Lykke Li will play live in DC at the 9:30 Club on May 15. Don't miss out!

NEKST MEN MIKS

Straight outta Britain comes the disc-spinning duo Nextmen aka Dom Search (Dominic Betmead) and Brad Baloo (Brad Ellis). In this mixtape, they show off some of their amazing spinning skills and eclectic music style, incorporating hip hop, jamaican beats and electronic sounds in their DJ sets. Enjoy!

Tracklist:

01 You Ain't No DJ (Ft. Yelawolf) – Big Boi
02 Dopeman – NWA
03 Louie Louie – Toots and the Maytails
04 Chains – RA The Rugged Man
05 Clean Up Woman – Betty Wright
06 A Million and One Questions – Jay Z
07 Nah Mean – Nas & Damien Marley
08 Spread Love – Shepdog Edit
09 Wanna B Where UR – Floetry with Mos Def
10 Cuidad Del Swing (Pt 1) – Quantic
11 Friday Night - Leisure Allstars Ft. Lady Chann
12 Les Barons - White Label
13 I'll do anything for you (Red Astaire Philly Mix) - Lee McDonald
14 Baby I'm Yours - Breakbot (feat Irfane)
15 Cruel Intentions - Simian Mobile Disco
16 Hot Raw Sex - Jimmy Edgar
17 Don't turn it off - 40 Thieves Feat. Qzen
18 From The Drop – Wiley & MJ Cole
19 Nexx – Zinc
20 Wile Me Love – The Nextmen
21 I Need Air – Magnetic Man
22 Street Fighter Riddim – D Double E
23 Stop Watching – Benga
24 Bright Lights (Rockers Mix) - Die & Interface

DREAMS

This week started out with a Stevie Nicks tune, so why not end it with one as well. Rocco Raimundo's re-edit of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams - from the 1977 album Rumours - is a perfect song for a perfect Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

UNITED COLORS

MARVIN

He was born in DC, became the pride of Motown and is still the joy of every soul lover across the globe. Marvin Gaye died 27 years ago today (April 1) and would have turned 72 tomorrow. His tragic death (he was killed by his own father) ended prematurely the career of a truly great singer.

Several nice reinterpretations of Marvin's soulful sounds have come out the last years, celebrating his musical genius. Here are some different flavors.

SEXUAL RE-THERAPY

Marvin Jamaican mashup style...

Marvin marching band style...

Marvin retouched Moplen style...

Marvin modern RnB style...

GIVE IT UP - GET IT ON

GAMM JAM