August Picks feat. Jimpster + Vincenzo + Kraak & Smaak + Luis Junior

Been more than a month since I posted, and now I've heard so many tunes that need a shout out. I'm going to try and span the entire spectrum of sub-genres in the 'Good Stuff !' space, but I'll warn ya, I'm a sucker for deep house. Check it:

1. YouANDewan - 1988(Jimpster's Second Summer of Love Mix)[Lo:Rise]

My favourite producer, Freerange boss Jamie Odell aka Jimpster gives us a monster and I mean MONSTER take on Ewan Smith's 1988. I love the way he's turned this delicate melodic masterpiece into a bouncy and perc'ish version filled with vibe. Drop this on the dancefloor during the warm-up hours and you're guaranteed a couple of ears to what follows. Part of the 1988 EP, which includes the original.

Release Date: 22-06-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There | Time of the Day: Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon, Early Evening, Late Evening

2. Doubtingthomas - It Keeps You Occupied While You're On Flight[Manual]
Frenchman Aurelien Riviere aka Doubtingthomas, who I've started following now, dishes out this deep tech. tune that's got some trippy voice samples over a very neat groove. Part of the Sound Shifting: Versatility EP.





Release Date: 16-05-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup | Time of the Day:  Late Afternoon

3. GusGus - Changes Come[Kompakt]
Here's a dark tune with great vocals and deep acidic textures. An overall mood-setter this, part of GusGus' new album Arabian Horse on Kompakt. Been digging this alot !




Release Date: 23-05-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup | Time of the Day:  Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon

4. Vincenzo & Elon - Yarra Valley(Reprise)[Bedrock]

German deep house producer Vincenzo Ragone teams up with Edon Admony to give us a bliss'ed out version of their massive tune 'Yarra Valley'. Soul and dub wrapped in a classy package, this comes as part of CD 1 of John Digweed's Structures Two compilation, which features ambient reworks of quite a few timeless tunes.

Release Date: 20-06-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup | Time of the Day:  Morning, Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon


5. Kraak & Smaak feat. Lex Empress - Hold Back Love[Jalapeno]
Getting into something different, going back to the roots of disco and adding funky freshness to it is Wim Plug, Oscar de Jong and Mark Kneppers aka Kraak & Smaak. Really nice vibe to this tune, reminds me of that retro sound that I wasn't around to witness(*sob* *sob*). Synth, Soul and a whole lotta love ! Part of the Electric Hustle compilation, which also features Never Too Late feat. Janne Schra,  another fav. of mine.
Release Date: 22-04-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup | Time of the Day:  Morning, Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon

6. The Disclosure Project - Excursions[Disclosure Project Recordings]
JP Phillippe and Mr. Jones aka The Disclosure Project drop another bomb of love, rather dark this one. Casual keys and balearics splashed over a tight groove, this tune is a phase change from Fortean Quack, which you should check out if you haven't already, classic chill-out house music. Part of the Excursions Remixes EP, which features the Frankman and Evren Ulusoy takes.



Release Date: 14-02-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There | Time of the Day:  Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon, Early Evening


7. Infusion - Love and Imitation(Luis Junior Remix)[Vapour]
Achtung Achtung all prog. heads ! Spaniard Luis Junior provides a stellar remix of Love and Imitation. Deep-border lining-progressive basslines with ambient textures from the original, this remix defo stands out for me. Part of the Love and Imitation Remixes - Part 1 compilation, which features two other splendid takes. The whole EP is worth checking out.



Release Date: 24-05-2011 | Set Fit: Peaktime, Finish | Time of the Day:  Night

 8. Von D feat. Phephe - Love Music[Boka]

I'm not a big fan of dubstep, but keep the layers minimal, add a chick's vocals and keep that love coming ....You've got my attention ! Part of Von D's Daydreaming album, this tune has defo got me hooked to the lighter, more trip-hop oriented side of the sub-genre. Great stuff !

Release Date: 06-06-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There, Peaktime, Finish | Time of the Day:  Morning, Early Afternoon

9. Embliss - Back To Mine[Anjunadeep]
What I love about Tim Brandwijk is that on top of the usual hackneyed proggy basslines, he always adds a certain subtlety to his productions, through sounds that aim at the bottom of your heart. Remember Lemonakia? What a friggin' tune that is. So simple and beautiful. Michael Cassette provides his trademark 80's take on the same, part of the Back To Mine EP.




Release Date: 07-12-2010 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There | Time of the Day: Late Afternoon, Early Evening, Late Evening, Night

Half Way Thru June feat. Eric Prydz + Soundprank + Gioeni + Kruse & Nuernberg + Depeche Mode

Man, is it me or is time actually flying so damn fast? The horrid memory of the 2010 going on 2011 new year party, when the DJ belted those cliché'd bollywood-with-a-traditional-4/4-beat songs that makes the crowd go nuts, is still fresh in my mind. You either stick to Hindi songs or play good electronic music or make a remix which actually stands out. Don't mix and match with low standards, and f**k up the creativity involved in both the styles.


Some stuff I've been digging:
1. Gioeni - Save My Soul[Alma Soul Music]

Call me a sucker for deep house, I don't care. This stuff gives me goosebumps. Thanks to Feodor Allright and Elena Mechta's AMDJS Radio Show Ep. 119 that featured this tune, I was hooked from the first time I heard it. The "dup-do-dee-do-dee-da" does the trick on this, supplemented with great melodies, a deep bass line and a bouncy groove. Part of the Save My Soul EP, that features a Dub version, a remix by Terry Lee Brown Junior and a Tom Conrad & Andre Bonsor Adaptation.  




Release Date: 06-09-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There | Time of the Day: Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon, Early Evening



2. Till Von Sein & Aera - Dynamite[Pets Recordings]
Chillllll is the vibe on this one, really neat guitar and vocal hooks over some light hi-hats and synths.  Perfect for those I-hate-office monday blues or while cruising in your car. Part of the Lafayette Dynamite Dunk EP, which features Lafayette and Dunk.










Release Date: 05-02-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup | Time of the Day: Morning, Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon




3. Kruse & Nuernberg feat. Nathalie Claude - Silk City[Lazy Days Music]
The magical duo, one half of Wiretappeur, is back with yet another vibe of a tune. Nathalie's vocals are absolutely beautiful. That, coupled with their traditional subtle deep sound and bouncy groove, this stuff is bound to get you in the mood and make you feel good about everything. Part of the Silk City EP, which features an instrumental mix of the same, another single Mama's Garden, and Fred Everything's Lazy Vox and Lazy Dub takes.





Release Date: 04-19-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There | Time of the Day:  Early Evening, Late Evening, Late Night



4. Soundprank - Fortis(Arthur Deep Remix)[Proton Music]
Speeding thinks up, Arthur Deep drops a stellar mix of Soundprank's Fortis. A perfect concoction of deep, proggy and tech. styles, this man really knows what outside the box means. Great stuff ! Part of the Fortis Remixed EP, which features the original and a Bastards of Funk & Sonic Union Remix. 







Release Date: 05-10-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There | Time of the Day: Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon, Early Evening, Late Evening

5. Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again(Eric Prydz Remix)[Mute]

That's right, the Swede is back with two brilliant mixes for Depeche Mode. This one's my favourite, reminds of Eric's take on Calvin Harris' Flashback. What a sick tune ! Trademark Eric Prydz synth, space and that roaring bass. Part of Personal Jesus 2011 EP, which features his take on another Depeche classic Personal Jesus. 







Release Date: 05-08-2011 | Set Fit: Warmup, Getting There, Peaktime, Finish | Time of the Day: Night, Late Night