RMX MON: "Only Insomnia in the World" - Rihanna v. Faithless

 

About a month ago, I discovered this mash-up (which originally dropped in October 2010), and I cannot stop using it in my workout mixes.  I edited it a bit, but it's definitely the best of both worlds.  DJs From Mars really worked this out well.  It has the unmistakable trance feel of Faithless' Insomnia... which basically takes me back to "those days" of questionable choices.  To make it even better, the most iconic chords in Insomnia are laced behind the chorus of one of (perhaps) Rihanna's most powerful tracks.  If not her most powerful, it's easily her most empowering.  In any case, this is great for working out, running, or just doing "questionable" deeds.  

As far as my editing, I definitely increased tempo, took out a great deal of fat that would bore a dance floor, put a back-beat on the down-tempo moments (which were superfluous), added a really cool quiver in the middle of the song that makes my heart smile, and made the most of one of the best mash-up ideas I've ever heard.  Also, check out the original tracks, below- it really brings it all into context.  Enjoy:

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remix mon: "Get a Job (MAJR club edit)" - The Gossip

Granted, this is not the most exciting of posts, but I wanted to make this track available for those DJs out there who want a mixable version of what I consider one of the best dance songs of 2012: The Gossip's Get a Job.  Now, this club edit is no prize winner, it is more utility-based (it does have a few fun tweaks, though).  I wanted something I could play live, and this does the trick.  I dropped it last Thursday at Club Congress to quite the reception, and that's all this DJ wants.

GURL, GET THE SONG

Reactions to the original version of this track seem to be quite polar/dichotomous: adoration or abhorrence.  For me, well... I love it more than my luggage, obviously.  It is gloriously sassy and has a drop that is sensationally danceable.  So those of you who do not care for it, 

YOU ARE WRONG!

xo

PS: werk werk werk werk werk-werk werk werk

"Goods (MAJR club edit)" - iamamiwhoami

IAMAMIWHOAMI is a Swedish act/project (SWEDEN! AGAIN!)  of singer/lyricist Jonna Lee, an immensely talented broad worth hearing.  The debut album, Kin, is getting fantastic reviews since its release on June 11 of this year.  It is worth noting that IAMAMWHOAMI has been leaking a lot of these tracks since 2009, and finally put them on one album for the world to distribute and enjoy.  So... do that.

As much as I know this track will probably never fly at regular pop-laden gigs (i.e. gay bars), I am in love with it and can't get it out of my head.  It is a beautiful combination of haunting synths, cerebral pop/lyrics, and the kind of danceability that cannot be denied.  It is a wonderful piece of work, and was worth editing to play in house sets.  It is definitely a track I'd have to sandwich (between two 'winning' tracks), but I hope (in my foolishly optimistic mind) that one day someone will request it.

And we shall marry immediately.

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ORIGINAL VIDEO/SONG

rmx mon: "When It Feels This Good (MAJR edit)" - Richard Vission v. Luciana

Luciana really is the queen of electro/club dance.  The London songstress returns with a vengeance.

She has returned in a very Dragonette-esque track with Richard Vission.  If this collaboration sounds familiar, it is the same one that brought you one of late 2010/2011's biggest dance jams, I Like That.  Check out their "new" one (it was dropped in Europe in late May), below.  Special thanks to DJ MATT BAILER back home, in DC, for throwing this my way.  I edited it up a bit to play it live in heavy dance sets.  I hope you dig it.

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Luciana has really been hitting it out of the park this year.  Her Bodyrox track Bow Wow Wow is one of my favorite dance tracks of the year, her track Jump with The Cube Guys is right up there, as well.  And, lastly her club-killer track We Own the Night, with the duo of none other than Wolfgang Gartner and Tiësto, is being blasted everywhere there's a house beat.  She has also, in the past, been responsible for some MASSIVE club hits, such as her previous Bodyrox collaboration, 2006's Yeah Yeah, 2007's Super Mal track Bigger Than Big, 2008's Come On Girl (the only good song Taio Cruz has ever produced), 2010's I Got My Eye On You (by Nari & Milani with Cristian Marchi) and Figure It Out (a track she did with Dave Audé under a pseudonym Isha Coco).    All ELEVEN videos are below.

Oh, and she wrote Kylie Minogue's Cupid Boy, perhaps the best song on Aphrodite.

remix monday: ruff draft: "Primadonna (MAJR club edit)" - Marina & the Diamonds

If my instincts are correct, Marina Diamondis is about to kick the 'sophomore slump' right in the brown eye. After multiple quality leaks of new tracks, Marina & the Diamonds is about to drop what could be one of the best follow-up pop albums in years. Due out APRIL 30th, Electra Heart could be special. Here is the track listing:

1. Bubblegum Bitch

2. Primadonna

3. Lies

4. Homewrecker

5. Starring Role

6. The State of Dreaming

7. Power & Control

8. Living Dead

9. Teen Idle

10. Valley of the Dolls

11. Hypocrates

12. Fear & Loathing

The only omissions that worry me are Radioactive and the superbly stellar Scab & Plaster. But, if her direction in those tracks is any indication, this record is going to be dance-pop meets indie meets jizz your cerebral dance-pants.

Here's the first single, Primadonna:

And here's my FIRST remix of it (I may work on this more). I debuted this on Friday at Cobalt in DC, and it went over well. It went over even better in Tucson on Saturday at IBT's:

GET THE REMIX

remix monday: "Party (Megaman & Panic City remix)" - Beyoncé

You know, when I first heard this track, I thought it was bland. Then, little by little, I started to really enjoy how simple it is as a dance track. So, then I started playing it in live sets, and it was an immediate hit. Beyoncé's music has a tendency to do that, and whenever I see Megaman & Panic City attached to any remix, I take notice. You will definitely hear this in my set on Friday at the SIREN: The Say-Something Hat Rave. Enjoy!

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remix monday: "Charlie Brown (Dave Aude remix)" - Coldplay

Remix is a strong word here. Yes, it does make Coldplay a little more enjoyable, that's true, and is a reworking of the track by the consistent Dave Aude, but this is not quite... what's the word... something to which I would shake my anus about.

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It's great walking music, though. So all you fatties out there, get on it! Grab your ShakeWeight, your wonderfully misnomered New Balances, and press play!

"I Like It (Buffetlibre remix)" - Plushgun

Plushgun is a synth-pop band that is highly underrated. In the long line of Postal Service-influenced acts (isn't it amazing how much a band/duo with only ONE album can influence so many others?), Plushgun produces beautiful little pop tracks that are nothing short of delightful. They really are my kind of easy-listening, if such a thing exists, and I am in love with the original and stellar remix by the reliable Barcelona beasts, Buffetlibre. This is the second time Buffetlibre has worked magic with a track of Plushgun's. The first, Mixtapes, was pretty fantastic, as well. Check'em out:

Oh, and a fantastic line in this track: "They call it lust. We call it trust, yeah, we call it love." Awwww....

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"We Are The Drums (Fear of Tigers remix)" - Le Kid

As someone of Swedish lineage (have you read my last name?), I always get excited when I hear something good come from IKEA Proper. Of course, everyone knows my long-past-borderline obsession with Robyn, as well as my great appreciations for Lykke Li, The Hives, The Knife, Teddybears, The Sounds, Caesars, Fever Ray, Miike Snow, Kleerup, Shout Out Louds, Millencolin, Peter Bjorn & John, ABBA, The Cardigans, and (lest we forget) Roxette! Can Sweden get any better, musically?

In any case, the constitutional kingdom of meatballs and allen wrenches produced Le Kid, a dual-female led synth rock band with a lot of spandex and sass. This Fear of Tigers remix has been out a few months, but is new to me, and that's all that matters. Hopefully you dig at as much as I do. Hooray!

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Here's a lovely video of them performing the album version live.

Shake (MAJR club edit) - Little Boots

I have a serious Little Boots fever right now. I have missed her so much! Anyway, here's a taste of what I'll be dropping at clubs. Get on it!

Shake (MAJR club edit) - Little Boots

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remix monday: "Seven Nation Army (Digitalism remix)" - White Stripes

So, I am super jealous of my home city, Washington, DC, tonight. Digitalism will be there at U Street Music Hall, and I won't be back in DC until Thursday! Life is a soulless slutwhore sometimes... but the silver lining is that I will get to throw a massive bash when I arrive... and I am basically vibrating with excitement about that. Woohoo. Anyway, back to this fantastic remix of the White Stripes...

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remix monday: "Alien Summer (Buffetlibre remix)" - Toxic Avenger ft. Annie

This song marks the return of Annie to my ears, and that's all I need to smile and post. Add to that the electro-quality of the initial track's producers, Toxic Avenger, and the flawless remixing by Buffetlibre, and BAM! - It smacks you in the ear like an angry nun.

Seriously... this song is ruling my life right now. Oh, how I missed her sweet, soft Scandinavian voice...

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The Toxic Avenger (feat. Annie) - Alien Summer (Buffetlibre Remix)

remix monday: my fav U2 remix

I recently rediscovered this old remix by Crookers of U2 that is fantastic. I used to play this track back in 2009, and I still enjoy it. It is so good (if you don't hate U2) and worth having if you enjoy throwing in an unexpected track in your sets -- which is what I did in my Capital Pride set (at the Hirshhorn in '09). So, enjoy this electro-goodness:

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remix monday: "Mr. Know It All (DJ Kue rmx)" - Adele Lite

"BACK OFF, I'M STAAAARVING!"... r.i.p. Chris Farley

As much as I hate to admit it, I often enjoy me some Adele Lite, AKA Kelly Clarkson. Half the talent for half the filler (or filling...). She's pretty talented, obviously, as we all know from the soothsaying American Idol. Ha. But, yes, I do enjoy her, and I still find joy every time I play Gone- my favorite of hers.

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So, she has a new album and the market is finally ripe for her slightly rotund self. She's totally likable, which definitely helps, and has a real edge to her, or curve rather, to which a lot of heifers out there (myself included) can relate. So, as we all delve into the holiday calories, let's enjoy our favorite semi-fatty, Kelly Clarkson, and her new remixed track (by the oft-impressive DJ Kue) Mr. Know It All. Download link above.

I also used this in the awesome new mix, which is available HERE.

remix monday: get out your glowsticks...

During the raves of the late 1990's and (briefly) early 2000's (yes, I caught the ass-end of this one), Insomnia was one of the greatest tracks in the limited history of trance. I found this electro remix recently and I'm sorta in awe of how good it is... or, rather, how they could have to balls to remix a trance track, much less a classic one. Faithless has never sounded so club-ready. I <3 it.

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rmx mon.: "hot hot love (kids at the bar remix)" - madison

You put some playful lyrics on top of a driving and explosive house beat, and throw in some electro-distortion, and I'm good to go, sometimes... Madison's single from last year, Hot Hot Love, is remixed here by the oft-reliable Kids At The Bar. Enjoy!

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Also, here is the original track (not too shabby), as well:

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remix monday: "Inside Out (Shark Blood vs. DJ MAJR edit)" - Britney Spears

I did this a few days ago, and I'm quite happy with the response. This is seriously probably the worst song Britney Spears has ever "made." But, this remix is absolutely stellar. Shark Blood has some serious talent. I shaved it down, displaced some bass lines, played with the momentum/tempo, and voila! I'll let you listen for yourself, but I will say this: I hate dubstep more than any other genre of music. I'd rather listen to karaoke covers of death metal with accenting slide guitar and piccolo. It's a terrible genre for drunk white bitches to grind up on their girlfriends in some false sense of nauseating bro-dom. This remix gives the How's Your Father to the dreadful dance genre with some danceable electro and a club-ready house bpm.

Inside Out (Shark Blood vs. DJ MAJR edit) - Britney Spears by MAJRmusic

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remix monday: bitter, party of sophie

Sometimes, though never when playing live, I just like a big ol' extended remix in my everyday life. This is especially true now that I walk to campus and require the 8 min+ uptempo cadence-maker to keep me moving and get my blood pumping on a morning where all I really want to do is eat pancakes and fall back asleep in a food coma.

This track, produced and remixed by The Freemasons, is sung the lovely Sophie Ellis-Bextor. A gay club icon in the UK, but barely known Stateside, was used in my recent Summer Pop 2011 mix, and the album track is one of my top songs of the Summer ("top 7" entry will be out later this week). Enjoy!

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remix monday: my fav Moby remix

This is easily my favorite remix of ANY Moby track. By the banger-heavy Spencer and Hill, this remix has been on my rotation for a few years, now. It's straight-up get the hell out of your seat and dance- and that's what I love about it. The drop at :59 is nearly orgasmic, and then the drops during the choruses (first one at 2:12) are so wonderfully aggressive, you can't help but move. The song also slowly instrumentally builds, which you know I always adore. Anyway, give it a spin, y'all:

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Also, enjoy the remix video... haha:

remix monday: sexy overdosing on the killers

Ok, kids. This is an oldie but a goodie. I've been playing this track a long, long time, but haven't managed to fit it into any sets in the past few months. I actually played it at my very first Capital Pride (2009) set. It's great. Anyway, I had my iTunes on shuffle the other day, and it popped up... and wouldn't you just know it, it's still fucking great.

Personally, I love when The Killers are remixed. Perhaps it is my own personal issue, but this song makes me want to take lots of drugs and get naked at a rave with Brandon Flowers. WHAAAT!? Totally normal.

Sander Van Doorn gives it to The Killers like a dirty priest on the last day of Lent. Give it a spin.

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