Music: I'd be your American Boy...

...But I'm taken. Anyways, this song by Estelle is getting tons of airplay in Europe, but haven't heard it here yet. Have you? Man do I miss having cable. Either way, Kanye does his little rap thing here and there talking about his style and bla bla bla... it's so new and so fresh. Honestly Kanye, i'd be intrigued but i already spend most of the day on Hypebeast so you don't have to tell me what designers you're wearing. Well... enjoy the video. Cheerio

Music: This is hot!!!

Thanks to Discobelle, we got a hold of this incredible remix from Hercules & Love Affair's upcoming single "You Belong". Remix Duties are for Riton, who once again gives us a spot-on remix. I'll stop yapping....listen to it. THIS IS GONNA BE HOTT!!!

Hercules & Love Affair - You Belong (Riton Remix) DFA Records (order album here)

Music: My Dirty Little Secret (AKA The Biggest Rant of the week)

Do you know that feeling when something gets so overplayed and yet you just can't get enough of it and you're too embarrassed to tell anyone? Well people, I have something to confess. I think I'm in love with that song "Calabria". Yes, her and all her bastard children. I don't know what to do. The song is too damn catchy. Last week at the Enormous Room I was talking to BREK.ONE about this very track (and I didn't catch him, but he probably rolled his eyes and felt very sorry for me). Him being a DJ with a memory like wikipedia, was able to tell me in .01 seconds the name of of the song which had been bugging me for months (and has since then become a youtube sensation). I knew it sampled an old Ibiza-type House track but the name always escaped me. People... in 2003 I was still listening to Electroclash (yes...another dirty secret exposed) and had no interest whatsoever about what was happening in normal people's clubs. So there you have it....i feel like I'm about to lose my reputation over this. But really, when a song has such a good beat and those hypnotic horns... there is nothing you can do but surrender, put on a button up shirt, slap in some gel, put on some khakis and go party at Avalon with the rest of your Fraternity and Tom Brady. Fun fact...I lived in Italy for most of my teenage years so call me Eurotrash if you must, and while i did not live in Calabria, I would like to go and visit with this song on my ipod.

Rune - Calabria (AKA the OG version)

Alex Gaudino - Destination Calabria
Pitbull ft. Lil' John's flawless Spanish - The Anthem

Which one is better? I think it's quite obvious: "esa morena esta sabrosa, y cuando tu la tocas, ella se vuelve loca!"

ps: BREK.ONE will be this weekend at The Re-Up Store to spin the Sneaktip v.s DunkXchange event. If you love your kicks, I'm sure you won't miss it. See ya there!

Music: Bobmo + Surkin

You know you have a good Record when you can play all 3 cuts in one DJ set. Let's face it, this is usually a hard task since most remixes in the 12" usually serve as unnecessary filler. Well, that's not the case with Bobmo's 300%. Out now on Paris Label Institubes, this 12" Record combines the "Good" of House, the "Bad" from Baltimore, and the "Ugly" from French Electro. A year ago when we first heard of Bobmo, I was shocked to learn the dude was only 17. An internet buddy of Surkin (19 and also on Institubes) these two great promises of French House are already crossing the Atlantic and destroying every dance floor on their path. Considering they were babies when we were listening to Daft Punk in the 90's, it's kind of funny to learn from interviews that they only listen to Ghetto-Tech and Chicago House labels like Dancemania and Trax. Lucky them, they technically missed the explosion of Drum&Bass in the late 90's, the crap that was UK garage, the really cheesy Ibiza House of the early 2000's not to mention all the washed up crap from Paul Oakenfold and the Trance scene. I mean, I could go on forever with this list. In any case, Institubes are a label that's here to stay. Shit, did I forget to say Bobmo + Surkin = High Powered Boys?

Bobmo - Rock The (institubes) Buy Here
Surkin - White Knight Two (institubes)

And if you live in NYC... "celebrate the upcoming 3rd anniversary party of The Cut. Together Mishka and The Cut pay tribute to New York Hardcore band Sick Of It All with the "New York Heavy Bass" tee. The tee features glass shards with pictures representing three years of The Cut parties. 80 tees will be handed out for free during the anniversary party. For more info on the party set to take place Thursday, March 27th, check Mishka and the flyer for more details." - (this taken from hypebeast)

Shop: Parra @ Concepts Cambridge!!!

I stopped by Harvard Square on Sunday to see what was new, and to talk to our friends over at Concepts. I went to the OG Concepts first, and it's good to see that even with the new store open, the old spot is still holding it down. Lot's of Fresh new stuff from Stussy, Twelve Bar, Futura Labs, and obviously, the Latest from the Jordan Line. What was a real treat was to see the new Piet Parra Colab with Nike. This colab windrunner is part of the Running Man Series and comes in a black/ blue chill/ cherry colorway. Parra also runs the streetwear brand "Rockwell", but he's probably best known as an artist/ typographer for his twisted illustrations on album covers (Pase Rock, Teenage Bad Girl..) and flyers (Stones Throw). An underground sensation in Amsterdam, Parra has also received commercial success with his sold out gallery openings, and features in magazines like Arkitip and WAD. So, if you can't get a hold of his prints then go get yourself the windrunner and gear up for this spring. They might have the sneakers too, just ask Jimmy.

In any case, our friends at Concepts have been real busy this year with the opening of the new spot and it's nice to see how well the store came out. Now Carrying Visvim, Vintage Gucci, and limited edition Levis, the store is bound to become a boutique with international credentials. If you read the streetwear blogs, you probably know about their colabs with Recon, False, The Hundreds, New Balance and Clarks. Well, Expect more to come though...I hear there's some great things lined up for the summer. And don't forget to go to their "pre-launch" party this Friday at Z-square in... yes you guessed it, Harvard Square.

Music: Ed Banger MixMag Mix

This is a simple post....If you didn't get this month's Mixmag, you missed a pretty good free mix. Well, no worries. We're always here to hook you up. Happy Easter people!!! The highlights here are "Don't go" and "White Knight".

Ed Banger Ménage à Trois

Tracklist :
01. Steed Lord - Dirty Mutha (DJ Mehdi Dirty Remix)
02. Ben Mono Feat Killa Kella - Blind Sweep
03. Puzique - Don’t Go
04. Bumblebeez - Dr. Love (Crookers Remix)
05. Surkin - White Knight
06. Kazey & Bulldog - Give It Up
07. High Powered Boys - Hoes Get Down
08. Bobmo - Rock The
09. Feadz - Numanoid
10. Armand Van Helden - J’Taime (Switch Remix)
11. DSL - Invaders (Busy P Remix)
12. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Spank Rock & Mos Def Remix)
13. Das Pop - Fool For Love (Sebastian Remix)
14. Smith N Hack - Space Warrior
15. Cool Kids - I Rock

Music: New Presets Single.

Years ago Australian label Modular made a name for itself when The Avalanches took the world by storm and everyone knew "Frontier Psychiatrist" as that track with like a trillion samples. Well, that was then and now it's now. After having released some of the most commercially successful indie-dance acts (Cut Copy, Wolfmother, Klaxons...etc), Their token Band "The Presets" is about to release their second album "Apocalypso". The first single "This Boy’s In Love” sounds practically like an old school Seal track when he was kickin' it with Adamsky. Pretty Vocals, Pretty Melody, and more accessible than their previous singles....this will probably make it to a bunch of Ibiza compilations by the summer. I could bet my non-existent fortune on it. In any case, expect a trillion remixes of this one too. Enjoy it. We are.

The Presets - This Boys's in Love (Modular)

ps: get their debut album or pre-order "apocalyso" now HERE! See them Live 06-02@ The Paradise

Music: Crystal Castles debut

O Canada! In praise of thee we sing!!! If you haven't heard, Canada is the new France. (ha...that almost sounds ironic). In any case, If you haven't heard of Crystal Castles, it's probably because you were too busy listening to Justice. It's been a couple of years since they first showed up in the hipster radar courtesy of the "Everything Chic" Kitsune Label. They've since then remixed the Klaxons, Uffie and Bloc Party...In other words, la creme fraiche of la creme de la creme.

Wondering what they sound like? Well...If you enjoyed Electroclash, then this is right up your alley. Do you remember Adult.? I think it's fair to say, Crystal Castles would be their sweet 8-Bit cousin from Toronto who's into collecting Dunnys and wears hello kitty socks. Punk Rock my ass, the Crystal Castles do sweet delightful songs for the Gossip Girl Generation on E (and trust me, that's not even an insult...maybe). Expect Cute girls everywhere to be rocking some American Apparel while listening to this. And yes, also boys who like boys who like girls.

Their Debut Album is out now through Last Gang Records, who also brought us the likes of MSTRKRFT, Metric, DFA 1979 and motherfunkin' Chromeo. Not bad Canada not Bad at all.

Crystal Castles - Crime Wave (Buy Album here or here or newbury comics, just ask Marianne)
Bloc Party - Hunting for Witches (Crystal Castles Remix)

Event: Let's go to AKULT this Saturday!!!

It's Saturday tomorrow and you are wondering where to go? Do you have a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell? if so, then head over to Goodlife where our friends Scott Bliss and Brenden Wesley will be spinning some of the most exciting music you've never heard before. The boys at Akult have been busy this year bringing some of the best DJ's to Boston, and while this is great, it was about time they got to play their own night. You gotta give them some credit, they've been saving up a lot of sonic ammunition and tomorrow night, It'll be a great chance for them to Blow/Soothe your ears. So now you know it. Dress Hot, Bring Friends, and Get Ready To Get Down!

PS: Expect to hear more about Akult and other cool events soon. Rumor has it, this summer might be Boston's "Second Summer of Love". (you heard it here first)

Music: Digitalism Essential Mix

Yeah I know...it's an old mix but boy is it a good one. I was uploading it to my ipod to go to the gym so i figured I'd share it with you so you don't have to use your Yoga Booty Ballet DVD anymore. Anyways...I played at a friend's Birthday Party last month and i kid you not my set was a lot like the one in this mix. Granted you know I don't use ableton or serato so it never sounded so smooth, but we did fuck around with Carl's KAOSS Pad all night and that was a blast. Anyways, enjoy this mix courtesy of the BBC, The Queen of England and Digitalism.

Digitalism - Radio 1 Essential Mix

Playlist:

1) Digitalism Intro
2) Chemical Brothers Hey Boy Hey Girl
3) Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins It's Like That
4) Martin Venetjoki Notaussteigung
5) Kim By The Time They Reach You (Bagraiders Rmx) White
6) Alter Ego Rocker Klang
7) D.I.M. Airbus (MSTRKRFT)with 20 Fingers Short D**k Man
DJ World US with Culture Beat Mr. Vain
8) Daft Punk Rollin' And Scratchin'
9) Bucketheads The Bomb
10) Lipps Inc. Funky Town
11) The World Domination & Adam Sky Galactic Lover
12) The Clash Mustapha Dance with The Horrors Gloves
13) The Horrors Gloves
14) Test Icicles Dancing With Pegs
15) Klaxons Gravity's Rainbow (Klaxons Rmx) Rinse
16) Armand Van Helden Unknown White
17) The Exploited Sex And Violence
18) Gang Of Four Damaged Goods
19) Joy Division Transmission
20) Fat Boy Slim Right Here Right Now
21) Digitalism Idealistic Digitalism Edit
22) Goose British Mode (Jester Rmx) Skint
23) Proxy Decoy
24) Thomas Bangalter Colossus Roulé with
Yelle Je Veux Te Voir with Westbam Beatbox Rocker
25) Digitalism Home Zone Kitsuné/Virgin
26) Armand Van Helden Ultrafunkula Henry Street
27) Azzido Da Bass Doom's Night (Timo Mass Rmx) Club Tools
28) The Prodigy No Good Digitalism Edit XL
29) Hadouken! That Boy That Girl
30) Rage Against The Machine Killing In The Name (Mr Oizo Edit)
31) David Rubato Circuit
32) Puzique Don't Go Boys Noize Records with Bel Amour Bel Amour
KLR with White Stripes The Hardest Button To Button
33) White Stripes The Hardest Button To Button with NYPC The Get Go
Modular with Gary Numan Cars
34) Digitalism ZDRLT (Rewind)n
35) CSS CSS Suxx Digitalism Edit
36) Bloc Party Helicopter (Whitey Rmx) with The Cure Grinding Halls
37) DJ Assault Ass'n'Titties with Tom Vek I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes
38) NYPC Ice Cream (Herve Rmx)
39) Armand Van Helden KTU Digitalism Edit
40) Faithless Insomnia
41) Digitalism Jupiter Room
42) Digitalism The Pictures (Pimp-My-Compressor Mix
43) Digitalism Apollo Gize

TV: Barack is Qualified Bitches!!!

So While we were out Saturday night bouncing from Bar to Bar running into la Creme de la Creme of Boston, we missed perhaps the funniest "weekend update" on SNL. If you guys remember, last week Geraldine Ferraro made some pretty dumb comments about Barack's campaign. Here's what Tracy Morgan had-to-Say-About-THAT! (note: the pin was given to us outside the South Street Diner by a suit with aspirations to be Attorney's General. hahaha, he wanted $5 for them but gave them to us for free anyway!)

"Barack's a Gangster...He from Chicago!"

Music: New on DFA!!!

So it finally dropped. The Hercules & Love Affair album is out now and yes, even with all the hype from the singles, it didn't disappoint. If anything, this album is freaking outstanding!!!. There are a couple non-dance tracks which are good as they highlight Antony's voice, but the real bread and butter of this album are the tracks that make us remember the early Trax sound and the more intelligent Disco of the early 80's (Y'all remember Larry Levan and Arthur Russell right?). All in all there's a couple tracks that I'm sure will end up packaged with killer remixes and I'm willing to put money right now that the next singles will be "Raise me up" and "You Belong". I recently had a conversation with Brendan Wesley from AKult who claims this is gonna be the "new shit". Let's hope he's right and let's hope the boys bring them to Boston like they did with Holy Ghost a couple months ago.

Also out now, Juan Mclean's new single "Happy House" with more interesting vocals from Nancy Wang. I've heard somewhere she'll be touring with them full-time. Let's wait and see. Don't forget Hot Chip is coming to Boston April 14th so please be "ready for the floor".

Juan McLean - Happy House (Buy Here!!! or Here!!!)
Hercules & Love Affair - Raise me up (Buy Here!!!)

Music: When did Justice get so huge it sells out in 30 minutes in Boston!!! WTF.

Well...Justice is in town but since the show sold out in 30 minutes, I guess I'll have to sit on my couch tonight. yeah right!!! It's St. Patty's day Weekend and here in Boston this is like more important than July 4th. Well...enjoy Justice's new Single "DVNO". It's a pretty original look at 80's TV/movie production logos. At this rate, expect the new Kanye Video to be just like this. I'm a go shower now and wear my special green undies. Enjoy the video.

Music/Art: The Escapades of Futura 2000

I while ago I did a huge post on Futura 2000. Well...I'll try to keep this one short. Through the magic of ebay, and obscure record stores in Quebec, I managed to get of hold of this piece of music/art treasure. When the Clash went to New York in the 80's, they fell in love with the new culture of Hip-Hop and asked Futura to go on tour with them and paint while they performed. This collaboration didn't end there though. If you listen to "overpowered by funk" on Combat Rock, you will hear Futura doing a freestyle over some funky-ass beats. The favor was later reciprocated when Mick Jones produced what is this "epic" EP titled: The Escapades of Futura 2000. Check the credits and you'll also find Dondi White and Fab 5 Freddy on backup vocals. Insane right! Well... Basquiat produced an album too but that's till next time! Enjoy this for now. Also...I guess it's not a secret that the new Concepts store in Harvard Sq. has a massive Futura Painting... and trust me, we needed 2x4's to make that canvas. It was that big. If you're good maybe uncle Tarek will let you see it.

Futura with Glenn O'Brien (the 80's Rob Heppler)

The Clash - Overpowered by Funk
Futura 2000 - The Escapades of Futura 2000

Music: "Last Night" is like looking back at Moby

Remember that scene in 24 hour party people when they are talking about the drug problem at The Hacienda? If you pay attention you might recognize that the track on the background was Moby's "Go". Most of you might be too young to remember this one, and Jesus, why should you it's been 17 years since that song came out. Frankly it almost makes me freak out about my own age. "Go" was already a couple of years old when I taped it off the radio in 1993 in my now vintage and broken walkman. Maybe it was because i was so in love with his early House stuff that i didn't really bother paying attention to Play and the records that came later but I like dance music and Play to me was more like a soundtrack to my Starbucks experience.

In any case, I think Moby has since then been nostalgic for the Dancefloor as some of his recent singles (lift me up, NY NY) have shown. His new album also runs in this path and we love it. His sixth studio album "last night" will be out in April featuring a number of guest vocalists that include MC Grandmaster Caz, Sylvia from Kudu, Aynzli jones and SO Simple from the nigerian 419 squad. Apparently Moby wanted to make this album as a tribute to the NYC dance scene, condensing an "8hr night out into a 65 minute album".

I have to admit, I'm in love with "Disco Lies". The first time I heard it I thought it was a remix of an old track. So yes, Moby is back to his dance roots and back to the DJ booth (Check the Cheeky bastard nights at the Hiro Ballroom). Let's face it, this is a win-win situation! Don't foget to download the "last night sampler" free from moby.rcrdlbl.com

Moby - Disco Lies (Mute) Buy Here or Here!



because it's hard to forget.

Music: Nine Inch Nails just hit me with a curve ball!!!

I didn't sleep last night so this might be a delirious rant but i hope it isn't. I've been a fan of the nine inch nails since Trent Reznor had long hair, looked heroin chic and had a kind of "Morrissey" type of relationship with Marilyn Manson. In any case, Reznor's career has sort of been the shadow of the monster it was in the 90's. Even when the fragile came out in '99 to some critical acclaim, it never translated into money. It was a rough period in music and every other kid was listening that friggin' nookie song. Anyways...to me the fragile was perhaps the most beautiful thing I had listen to while in High School and to this day I'd consider it a musical achievement/risk that I don't think many artists have taken since Radiohead went electronic. Although the last two albums weren't bad, it just felt like he wanted to relate to all the new hipster kids in them skinny pants. A DFA remix can do wonders and give you mad indie cred, but It just wasn't enough. Plus, I realize we are going to some rough stuff with the war, but Reznor also just happened to go all political on us. Frankly I blame the steroids. Seriously have you seen the guy lately? He looks like Jose Canseco's triplet...He looks like the kind of guy who could snap Hulk Hogan in a second...He looks like the kind of guy who'd be stuck in a bathroom with the New York Yankees!!! (yes...I write for David Letterman!)

And here is where the rant ends.... it ends like a fairy tale. I heard on Italian Radio (which is awfully commercial) that there was a new album coming out, and immediately went to www.nin.com. Yes people, there is a new album. It's entitled "Ghost" and it's split into four volumes. This is where the curve ball hit me. It's 36 instrumental tracks recorded over a period of 10 weeks. "This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams"

Honestly i thought this might be another flop, and i know that people might not give it the chance it deserves, but you should, because it's the best thing that I've heard in a while. It might not come obvious, but Trent Reznor is a 1st class Musician. The type of perfectionist who takes 5 years to release and album because the mixing was not flawless or fires his whole band because they sound old. I am satisfied to say though, that while some Artists just keep trying to have a "comeback album" produced by Timbaland or Pharrell it does nothing to hide the fact that they are washed up messes. Yes... I love Madonna too, but I'm just not gonna hang around to hear her Justice Produced album in 2010? Old people...please retire!!! Trent Reznor, you are serious musician with integrity, Keep doin' ya thang son!


Yo...is this a concert or did I just get tickets for a Gun Show?

Download the free 9 track EP here!
Also... be sure to buy Saul William's Trent Produced album "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust" it's $5 bucks you cheap skates!!!