Hip-Hop | Mike Champoux — One
Posted by jeffwbaird on March 10, 2013
It’s a rare moment these days when I come across a new emcee whose sound truly transfixes me. Rapping has become such a major fad in our college culture, and as more nontraditional hip-hop acts gain prestige in this community, it continues to saturate this work and turn a genre that once exclusively documented the struggles of urban life into one accessible to all. I’m very proud of the progression of hip-hop and I believe that it’s an adaptive genre by nature, but simultaneously—as an advocate of hip-hop’s finesse and literary qualities—it has made me loathe checking my inbox and staying on top of the trends. There’s a definite lack of awareness and a presence of ignorance in those who self-identify as artists of hip-hop that I can tell upon first listen. These are artists who’ve been drawn to hip-hop because of the perceived ease of constructing a strong where no message or originality is necessary. Tracks have become defined by punchlines and producer’s remakes of industry singles, rarely detailed and rarely bearing any sign of lyrical prowess. I digress, but this morning a Seattle artist named Mike Champoux was brought to my attention, and has provided me with a temporary sense of trust. He’s a multitalented producer and rapper, and is a few weeks away from releasing his first full-length, L.I.F.E., which highlights the introspective qualities of his work. “One” is a beautiful homage and response to a friend of Champoux’s who took his own life, with a melodic and gripping instrumental that has that characteristic Seattle sound that Ryan Lewis has brought to global attention. Enjoy.
Electro-House, Progressive House | Walden – Intropial (Remixes) [Preview]
Posted by Middy on March 7, 2013
With several releases already under his belt this year and the video for “Intropial” coming out a month ago, Walden tabs three up and comers to remix his latest single on Big Beat Records. Dutch duo TV Noise provide a melodic electro track that does not provide a hint of much in the preview, but from what we hear, it gives the track an edge that may make it more suitable for the bigger stage. Pierce Fulton previews what is to be his second release of the year with a remix that uses a stripped back progressive drop that does not try to do too much, but is just what you want from Pierce Fulton. Ghost provides a dubstep rendition of the track with cruchy synths and fast paced laser synths and snares. The remix package is scheduled for a March 18th release date, just in time for the more “business” oriented side of WMC.
Albums, Progressive House, Review | Dirty South – Speed Of Life (Album Review)
Posted by Middy on March 6, 2013
Serbian born, Australian native Dragan Roganovic, better known to the world for the past decade as Dirty South has finally released his debut artist album “Speed Of Life” after countless singles, EPs, collaborations and remixes. The album is where his sound is at this present moment, but it is also a culmination of everything he has done to this point and how he has evolved and grown as an artist. There is no doubt that if he had written this 2 or 5 years ago, the album would have sounded totally different, and we are grateful that he took the time to wait and mature to venture into the difficult, arduous, yet rewarding process of creating an album. The 45 minutes containing “Speed Of Life” have no wasted second, every bit has a purpose and there is no song that seems to be a filler. This carefully crafted album may leave you wishing there was more at the end, but isn’t that a good thing, or at least a whole lot better then you wishing there was less.
Progressive House | Sander Van Doorn & Mark Knight vs Underworld – Ten
Posted by Middy on March 5, 2013
A collab that came a bit out of left field, as previewed by Mark Knight & Sander van Doorn a little while ago, at first I was unsure what I was going to hear with how Sander’s sound has progressed in recent years, but this is a pleasant surprise. The track has all of the hallmarks of tech house leader Mark Knight’s sound, while turning back the clock with Sander van Doorn, turning up the tempo and borrowing some from his days of trance and mixing in some of his current big room melodic tendencies. Underworld’s soothing vocals mesh perfectly with the churning, techy, yet melodic instrumental.
Beatport: Sander Van Doorn & Mark Knight vs Underworld – Ten
House | Jeremy Olander – Let Me Feel
Posted by Middy on March 5, 2013
Pryda Friends protégé, Jeremy Olander makes his return to Eric Prydz’s revered label after releasing a few free tracks and making a stop over at Mark Knight’s Toolroom Records. “Let Me Feel” is another super progressive and melodic track from Jeremy Olander with a rolling bass line, a strong groove and an intoxicating melody of quick key strokes, piano and just the right amount of male vocals. Having shown off over a dozen unreleased tracks in his Frisky Radio mix a few months back, this single is just the tip of the iceberg of what we can expect to see from the Swedish producer in 2013. After the jump you can preview the Eric Prydz dub mix of “Let Me Feel” that is a more stripped back version of it. Because Miami is coming right up (we will have more previews soon), you can catch him on a boat with Pierce Fulton, Jaytech and Khoma on Saturday the 23rd — so if you aren’t inside the gates of Ultra at that time, check them out. Grab tickets here.
Beatport: Jeremy Olander – Let Me Feel
Progressive House | Dimitri Vegas, Moguai & Like Mike – Mammoth
Posted by Middy on March 5, 2013
One of the most sought after IDs from Tomorrowland 2012, the aptly named “Mammoth” from Belgian duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike with the help of German producing star Moguai is finally out. Moguai has been a little silent lately on the production front, while Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike have been releasing a spree high powered, high energy tracks to start the year. However this one is in a class of its own when it comes to 2013 releases from the 3 of them. “Mammoth” relishes in blistering synth chords, a pitched lead and a grinding low end that gives this melodic yet tough track the power it needs throughout. Already seeing support from just about all of the top Djs, look for “Mammoth” to be among of the first contenders for one the the best tracks in 2013.
Progressive House | Arias – Pegasus
Posted by Middy on March 2, 2013
Frenchman Arias follows up his previous effort “Andromeda” with his second release “Pegasus” on his newly launched record label Olympia Records. “Pegasus” ventures into the same style as his previous release that is very melodic and upbeat using chugging bass lines, churning synth chords and haunting pitched key play to bring out the sound that is both his own and lends itself to a Pryda Friends release. Arias has been quiet recently, but with these two releases in the past two months, it is great to hear his sound again.
Beatport: Arias – Pegasus