Enkel Apa

Enkel Apa is the combined handiwork of brothers Pontus and Hampus Lindin.

Having dabbled in some production work in his early teens, Pontus' love for making music was rekindled after coming across a battery of electronic staples. The likes of Justice, Kavinsky and the Ed Banger set. After cobbling together a Myspace page and getting his brother on board, the Enkel Apa production juggernaut was complete.

As it's the beginning of the year, let me start off with a prediction: "I truly believe this Swedish duo will hit big in 2008". Aside from the killer production, the old skool vibe, and of course the cute pixelated monkey mascot, Enkel Apa's adeptness at referencing their contemporaries without ever parodying them should see as them a fundamental throughout the coming year.

MP3: Enkel Apa - Selleck DOWNLOAD

MP3: Enkel Apa - Back In The Days DOWNLOAD

...And We're Back

I'm so proud of myself. Not only have I refused to post any music related to the festive season, I've also managed to resist posting one of those cumbersome 'Best Of...' lists that seem so ubiquitous at this time of year. Worry not, nothing of that nature is posted below. Yes, there are rather a lot of Daft Punk remixes out there, and yes I'd say that most are decidedly average. Fortunately, Frenchman F.R.A.C.T.A.L. has restored my faith in the reinterpretation of Daft Punk tunes, after off loading this superb Technologic remix onto his Myspace page. The beat here is nothing short of genius.

MP3: Daft Punk - Technologic (F.R.A.C.T.A.L. Remix) DOWNLOAD

Mylo: Salt Lick

Mylo - real name Myles Maclnnes - is the man responsible for one of the most important records of the noughties: 2004's Destroy Rock And Roll. Receiving widespread critical acclaim (even Elton John is quoted as saying it was his album of the year), the Scotsman's debut was as refreshing as it was retrospective, providing something acceptable to fans across the musical spectrum.

There was however, a track that never made it onto Destroy Rock And Roll: the Toto sampling Salt Lick. Having failed to receive clearance from Toto ("they completely blanked it") Salt Lick never saw the light of day.

Fortunately for us, Mylo is a daring soul. You may remember his unauthorised leakage of two Kyle Minogue tracks that never made it onto her X album. She was not amused. Undeterred, Mylo has done it again, releasing Salt Lick to fans on his Myspace page, despite Toto's disapproval.

It's a real shame that Salt Lick never made the album. It's a superb example of Mylo's trademark slicing and dicing of prime choice samples. See for yourself.

MP3: Mylo - Salt Lick DOWNLOAD (Myspace Rip)

MP3: Toto - Stop Loving You DOWNLOAD

Salt Lick will be removed on Christmas Eve.

Mat Payne Mixtape

Mat Payne's little mixtape for Get Werid Turn Pro was an absolute knockout. Well, the boy has kindly done one for Check The Availability.

If you like what you hear, you can catch Mat at Saki, Manchester, for the M.I.A. after show party.

Oh, and I also have it on good authority that Mat will hopefully be releasing some of his own production work sometime in the new year.

Fil OK - Wink Wink (Blende Remix)
Junkie XL ft. Lauren Rocket - More (D.I.M. Pop Em All Dub Rework)
Duke Dumont - When I Hear Mu'Sic
D.I.M. - Is you (Brodinski Remix)
Klaxons - Gravitys Rainbow (Soulwax Remix)
Brodnski - Bad Runner
Armand Van Helden - Je Taime (Switch Remix)
Krafty Kuts And Tim Deluxe - Bass Phenomenon (Josh David And Reid Speed Remix)
Alter Ego - Why Not!? (Joakim Remix)
Deadmau5 - Stereo Fidelity
Laidback Luke - We Rock Da House
Devil's Gun - Gold Dust (Boy 8 Bit remix)
Dusty Kid - The Riot
Ocelot - Lo Sforzo (Loud Pipes Remix)
Hot Chip - Ready for the floor (Soulwax dub)

MP3: Mat Payne - Exclusive CTA Mixtape DOWNLOAD

BONUS: MP3: Chromeo - Needy Girl (Lifelike Remix) DOWNLOAD

Goodtimes Goodtimes

It's Monday evening, I'm full of a cold, and as I peer outside my bedroom window I'm treated to a landscape caught up in the throes of a typical British winter. What should I be listening to? The Cure? Kate Bush? The Smiths? Something reflective of the scene that meets my eyes. Instead, my room is filled with the ambiance of songs with names like Sunshine, Sunshine and Sea Shanty. Hardly befitting of the situation I find myself in.

Enter London based Goodtimes Goodtimes.

First off, I've never heard a band name that so aptly describes the music behind the pseudonym. For Goodtimes Goodtimes is exactly that. A heady blend of dulcet, sweet sounding folk/blues music that warms the heart, evoking false memories of summers that never were, not for most of us anyway.

Vocally, comparisons to legends Johnny Cash, Tom Petty and Van Morrison, are perhaps unavoidable, but nonetheless never detract nor hinder the experience of listening to the frail, textured tones of Francesco Cinelli, the Roma born driving force behind Goodtimes Goodtimes.

The following songs are taken from the album, Glue, which can be found on the itunes library.

MP3: Goodtimes Goodtimes - Sunshine Sunshine DOWNLOAD

MP3: Goodtimes Goodtimes - Kids DOWNLOAD

Lo Sforzo (Loud Pipes Remix)

I know you all think Ocelot are the best thing since MSTRKFT, so you can understand why I continue to post all things related to the Brit/Yank duo. Here's a fine remix from Loud Pipes which I've been anticipating for a while and which, as you might expected based on previous output, doesn't disappoint. If you want more head over to Finger On The Pulse NYC for a ton of Ocelot based tunage.

MP3: Ocelot - Lo Sforzo (Loud Pipes Remix) DOWNLOAD

I thought this was a joke at first. Looking back, I'd have to agree with my initial assessment. Further investigation reveals Oscar Cash to be Metronomy's live keyboard, saxophone and guitar player. This will bring a smile to your face no matter how bad your day's been. Imagine Muzak for cool kids. For that reason alone, I urge you to give it a 'whirl'.

MP3: Oscar Cash - Golden Skans (Klaxons Cover) DOWNLOAD

And The Winner Is...

I'm a lowly blogger, not a trusted journalist. I make mistakes from time to time. On this occasion I was under the erroneous impression that the below track won the recent Ocelot remix competition. Luckily, I have people in the know who are willing to correct my inaccuracies. The St. Andrew remix was actually a runner up, receiving this little write up from the Ocelot boys:

"This one also was doing a lot for us, the synth solo alone sold me on it. You need to hear it, cause I think you'll hear a lot more from this dude in the future. maybe even on a certain itunes release of a certain double 12"."

For what it's worth I actually think the winner's (which can be found here) are a bit, well, boring. But I don't want to upset anyone so let's pretend I didn't say that.

MP3: Ocelot - Lo Sforzo (St Andrew Calculation) DOWNLOAD

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In Rainbows

Unless you've been holidaying in outer Mongolia for the past two months, you can't fail to have missed the release of Radiohead's lastest album, In Rainbows. The reason is two fold. Firstly, the release of In Rainbows provided fan's with the longest gap between studio albums in the bands 15 year career. However, the main thrust of media publicity came from the unique nature in which the album was sold to consumers, namely that individuals, aside from a 45p transaction fee, were able to choose the price of the digital download. If you wanted to pay nothing, you payed nothing. your prerogative.

There has been much discussion about the average price payed for the album, with some going as high as £4.00 and others as low as £2.90; a mean of £3.45. If these figures are to be believed, then the album, economically speaking, has been a great success.

According to CNN/Billboard, the average price of a record is £11.61, of which: £4.26 goes to the retailer, £2.29 covers distribution and shipping, £1.47 is taken by promotion, £0.51 covers printing and pressing costs, £0.74 goes on record production, £0.58 on retailer discounts, £0.40 heads to the record label, and £1.36 goes to the artist.

I'm no industry expert, but as far as can tell, Radiohead will have only incurred one of the above overheads, specifically the production costs involved in the making of the record. As In Rainbows was sold via Radioheads website digitally, all the other cost were made redundant, meaning the actual cost of the record was a fraction of what consumers seemingly have payed for it.

MP3: Radiohead - Videotape DOWNLOAD

MP3: Radiohead - Down Is The New Up DOWNLOAD

Two Radiohead related posts in as many days. Huh! That ain't right.

Nude Remixed

As soon as I saw this in my mailbox, I knew that everyone and their mother had already posted it. I pleaded with myself not to join them, if not for that reason, then simply for the fact that I hate that self-serving pillock, Thom Yorke and his sanctimonious band. But hey, it's actually a pretty good record, so I guess it'd be rude not to put it up.









MP3: Radiohead - Nude (Amplive Remix) DOWNLOAD

Chewy Chocolate Cookies (2)

You may remember the swarm of Chewy Chocolate Cookies (who from now on will be referred to as CCC) remixes I posted a little while back. Well, the lads just dropped this BIG sounding Loto remix into my mailbox. For those who don't know, Loto are an Indie/Electro trio from Portugal, who's latest EP, Beat Riot, features collaborations with Peter Hook and Del Marquis of New Order and Scissor Sisters respectively.

Speaking of extended players, CCC are themselves due to drop their own EP, Pepities, this coming January, on Eckler'o'Shock records. One to stick in the diary, right.

MP3: Loto - Back To Disco (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Loto - Back To Disco DOWNLOAD

Just a little note on the side to say that I'm now contributing to the wonderful Ohh! Crapp. This is a great music blog run by a guy who been blogging since I was in nappies.

Chromeo: Live

1. The venue seemed to allow aggressive drunks through the door who clearly weren't aware that they were attending a gig and that there was a good possibility that people might just bump into them.

2. During initial technical difficulties, some of the more lairy members of the crowd thought it'd be perfect to reel of their repertoire of Liverpool football chants.

3. There was an extremely obese drunk who made every one's life a misery and who so happened to be in my close proximity.

Even so, In spite of the above hindrances, Chromeo still managed to pull of a performance so stellar, that I can say with some confidence, it was one of the highest calibre gigs I've attended. YOU MUST SEE CHROMEO BEFORE YOU DIE!

MP3: Chromeo - Bonafied Lovi' DOWNLOAD
MP3: Chromeo - Needy Girl DOWNLOAD
MP3: Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin' (LA Riots Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin' (Lazaro Casanova Remix) DOWNLOAD

Mr Miyagi: Pick Your Posion (JFK Remix)

If I didn't know any better, I'd probably say that Canadian multi-instrumentalist, Jesse Frederick Keeler (better known as JFK) had given up on that MSTRKRFT thingy him and Alex Puodziukas had got going. I'm only saying 'cos as far as I'm aware the last thing they released under that collaborative guise was a remix of the Crystal Method's, Keep Hope Alive, and since which JFK has appeared to have gone it alone, churning out a bevy of top notch remixes, the latest being Mr Miyagi's, Pick Your Poison. Now (bear with me here), if the original is as an all out nuclear assault, Keeler's is more of a 'Cruise Missile', if you will. Toned down and with an added vocal hook (a dead ringer of Moby's Bodyrock), the result is not as ear bleedingly destructive, but certainly no less vicious.

MP3: Mr Miyagi - Pick Your Poison (JFK Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Bloc Party - Flux (JFK Remix) DOWNLOAD
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Robyn: Be Mine (Ocelot Remix)

Robyn. Probably this years most celebrated Pop artists. Ocelot. The slickest remix team around. With this in mind, imagine how unbelievably good an Ocelot remix of Robyn's Be Mine would be. It'd be mthrfckng brilliant:

MP3: Robyn - Be Mine (Ocelot Remix) DOWNLOAD

(Sorry to keep re-posting this but the Hype Machine, god love 'em, doesn't seem to want to index this post!)
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Grrrls Aloud

I shouldn't be posting this. Aside from the legal issues regarding copyright infringement, posting a pleasure as guilty as this one could, potentially, leave my good name in tatters. The evidence is stark. Girls Aloud were born out of Popstars: The Rivals, one of those ghastly reality TV talent shows, and subsequently managed by the rather twatty, Louis Walsh. Nonetheless, for a pop group as manufactured as this, Girls Aloud have been surprising recipients of wholesale praise from the music print media. As for myself, I've always found their sound, although not without merit, a tad sickly sweet, a product of their production team, Xenomania.

However new single, Call The Shots, is a rather different story. Having first heard it via a live performance on, God forgive me, The X Factor, I was at once at ease with its spacey synths, angelic vocals and chugging bassline. Although it is essentially a piece of Euro-Pop, it is a credible piece of Euro-Pop. More edgy and emotive than is typical of the genre, indeed more edgy and emotive than most of their back catalogue. So please, for your own sake, cast aside your prejudices and simply enjoy what is ultimately a great piece of Pop music.

MP3: Girls Aloud - Call The Shots DOWNLOAD

MP3: Girls Aloud - Call The Shots (Xenomania Remix) DOWNLOAD

Graduation: Samples

I think there's a general consensus about town, that Kanye West's latest album, Graduation, is consistent with the high caliber of previous efforts, College Dropout and Late Registration. Although, (in my humble opinion of course) it sags a little in the middle, I am in overall agreement with the prevailing reaction. But look, we all know that Kanye's work relies heavily on samples (not that I'm complaining like), so here's a comprehensive list of tracks used to make Graduation. Please note the ironic lyrics of Labi Siffre's My Song: "This is my song and no one can take it away"...'cept Kanye mate.

MP3: Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight DOWNLOAD
Used In: Good Morning
MP3: Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne DOWNLOAD
Used In: Champion
MP3: Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger DOWNLOAD
Used In: Stronger
MP3: Labi Siffre - My Song DOWNLOAD
Used In: I Wonder
MP3: Michael Jackson - PYT (Pretty Young Thing DOWNLOAD
Used In: Good Life
MP3: Mountain - Long Red DOWNLOAD
Used In: Barry Bonds and The Glory
MP3: Can - Sin Swan Song DOWNLOAD
Used In: Drunk And Hot Girls
MP3: Public Enemy - Bring The Noise DOWNLOAD
Used In: Everything I Am
MP3: Prince Phillip Mitchell - If We Can't Be Lovers DOWNLOAD
Used In: Everything I Am
MP3 Laura Nyro - Save The Country DOWNLOAD
Used In: The Glory
MP3: U-Roy - Wake The Town DOWNLOAD
Used In: Good Night
MP3: Super Cat - Nuff Man A Dead DOWNLOAD
Used In: Good Night

BONUS: MP3: DJ Rut - Diamonds 4 Life DOWNLOAD

Big thanks to Milk Crate Breaks for providing me with these tunes. Get yourself over there and give them a holla.
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Chewy Chocolate Cookies

The other day, while surfing the 'Internet Super Highway' (you don't hear that phrase so much these days) I came across habitual remixer's, Chewy Chocolate Cookies. Now, their Myspace page doesn't tell me nowt, so I did the done thing and wrote a quick message asking them to explain themselves. Unfortunately, they, well,I say they but that may be a little presumptuous as I can't extrapolate the numbers involved, haven't messaged me back. Lucky for them, I'm not the bitter sort. So here I am, giving them a nice bit of unauthorised promotion.

MP3: Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin' (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Simian Mobile Disco - Hotdog (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: DJ Mehdi - Saharian Break (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Toxic Avenger - Superheroes (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Justice - Genesis (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix) DOWNLOAD

By the way, they've done an official remix of Robyn's Handle Me which is available HERE.

Gutted

Imagine my excitement when scrolling through the Hype Machine's Popular list I came across a blog post containing a Justice remix of When The Sun Goes Down by little known indie band, the Arctic Monkeys. Alas, we (I say we as a hell of a lot of folks checked this track out) were collectively duped by the offending blog, Pretty Much Amazing, as the initial excitement quickly faded after the first 30 seconds of listening revealed the remix to be nothing more than a disappointing mash-up bearing little resemblance to the Frenchies trademark sound. Anyway, every cloud has a silver lining as they say as I thought it'd be a worthwhile exercise to breakdown the track, revealing some great music of old. Here goes:

MP3: The Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Urban Shakedown - Some Justice DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Liquid - Sweet Harmony DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: Beastie Boys - Ch-Check It Out DOWNLOAD/Zshare

The Urban Shakedown and Liquid tracks themselves contain samples from this CeCe Rogers track from 1987:

MP3: CeCe Rogers - Someday DOWNLOAD/Zshare

...aaaand in case you missed the original track posted on Pretty Much Amazing:

MP3: Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down ('Justice' Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

NEW VAN SHE SONG!!!!

Wha!?! My heads spinning and I have heart palpataions. Have I had my head buried in the proverbial sand or have the Van She lads been a tad coy in bringing this one to our attention. New single, Cat And The Eye, is a slight departure from the bands quirky, bright 80's sound, but is no less catchy or anthemic than 2005's classic, Kelly. Honestly, even though I've just got my hands on it, I'm totally hooked. But maybe, as Bigstereo so eloquently put it, I'm just struggling to tame the inner fanboy. We'll see. Oh, and he's the accompanying video for you to ogle at. Fucking weird to say the least.



MP3: Van She - Cant And The Eye DOWNLOAD

Verbene Selected

Those Buffetlibre guys sent me a nice e-mail. At first glance I assumed it to be yet another mixtape, but no! Rather than selecting content themselves, they've democratised the whole process, asking a list of prominent artist (Simian Mobile Disco, Bag Raiders and Ocelot to name just a few) to select individual tracks to feature in the mix. Pretty cool, huh?

Verbena Selected Tracklist:

1. Pomomofo - Back At The Club (Boy 8-bit Remix) (Selected By Loose Cannons)
2. M.I.A. - Boyz (The Twelves Remix) (Selected By Bag Raiders)
3. Project Jenny – 320 (Selected By Amable)
4. Friendly Fires – On Board (Selected By Bilbadino)
5. Ocelot – Our Time (Selected By Dragonette)
6. LCD Soundsystem - Get Innocuous (Soulwax Remix) (Selected By Simian Mobile Disco)
7. Daft Punk – Technologic (Digitalism Remix) (Selected By Shitdisco)
8. Klaxons – Atlantis To Interzone (Crystal Castles Remix) (Selected By Pomomofo)
9. Bag Raiders – Fun Punch (Selected By Yelle)
10. Chemical Brothers - Salmon Dance (Crookers Wow Mix 2) (Selected By The Bloody Beetroots)
11. Rainer Weichhold Vs Dandi & Ugo - Infinite Template (Kissy Sell Out Remix) (Selected By Alex Gopher)
12. Dj Dlg And Laidback Luke - Ambition (Laidback Luke Remix) (Selected By Ocelot)
13. Boys Noize - & Down (Selected By D.I.M)
14. Justice – D.A.N.C.E. (Live Version)
15. Dusty Kid - Tsunamy On Systematic (Selected By Play Paul)
16. D.I.M. - Airbus Baby (Selected By Hostage)
17. Lionel Richie – Dancing On The Ceiling (Selected By Midnight Juggernauts)

MP3: Buffetlibre DJ's - Verbena Selected Zshare

MP3: Bag Raiders - Fun Punch (Whitenoise Remix) (Removed As Per Artist Request)
MP3: Whitenoise - It's What We Do DOWNLOAD

The Twelves

Yeah, so I know this post may be a little belated considering that The Twelves have already appeared on all these blogs. That said, I have no shame in reiterating the fact that these guys are hella good.

The Twelves, of Rio De Janerio, Brazil, have become darlings of some of the more influential blogs, however, owe little to these bastions of underground musical promotion. Their adeptness at turning out simple, nuts and bolts, upbeat electro edits would have broke into the conciseness of most, even without said publicity. These dudes certainly ain't no one trick pony's either. No sir. Their original production work is shockingly good.

Although I've not posted it, The Twelves remix of Asobi Seksu's Thursday is something to behold. Get it here.

MP3: New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky (The Twelves Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: M.I.A. - Boyz (The Twelves Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: The Twelves - The Other Side DOWNLOAD
BONUS: MP3: New Young Pony Club - Get Lucky (MSTRKRFT Remix) DOWNLOAD

Pop Matters

Is it just me or is Pop music, a genre I haven't traditionally had much time for, really good at the moment? I've always struggled to understand what is being referred to by the term 'Pop music'. Is it simply referring to the literal popularity of a song, album or artist? If so, then looking at the UK Top 40, Timbaland, Kanye West, The Cribs and The Wombats must be included in the genre. Or is it more of a identifiably separate style of music characterised by happy rhythms, simple melodies and repetitive structures? Or maybe it's me just thinking too much. Yeah, it's probably that.

MP3: Britney Spears - Gimmie More DOWNLOAD
MP3: Britney Spears - Gimmie More (Gaetan Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts DOWNLOAD
MP3: Kylie Minogue - 2 Hearts (Alan Braxe Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Madonna - Hung Up DOWNLOAD
MP3: Madonna - Hung Up (Diplo Remix) DOWNLOAD

Tonight, Tonight

Right, tonight you need to be HERE!!! There's kinda no excuse y'hear. 9pm-2am at The Magnet with Check The Availability's favourite, Loud Pipes and Korova's J.A.M.E.S. not to mention Get Weird Turn Pro backed Matt Payne! This is what Liverpool's been missing.















MP3: Radiohead - Videotape (Loud Pipes Remix) DOWNLOAD

Asobi Seksu

What better way to celebrate Halloween than to attend Asobi Seksu's first date of their extensive European tour. Particularly apt, as Asobi's miniature Yuki Chikudate's vocals have always struck me as being rather haunting.

I'd never seen 'Shoegazer' rock in a live context before so had little to no idea what to expect. I say with some regret that I was slightly disappointed. I don't know if it's symptomatic of the genre or if I was just unlucky on this occasion (I fear the former may be true) but Asobi Seksu suffered from a disconcertingly cluttered sound, often resulting in a wall of unfathomable noise which even the most hardened of Asobi fans must have struggled to untangle. The unquestionable highlight of the evening however, was their performance of the staggeringly beautiful Thursday. A climax of my own music collection.

The 2 Days remix posted was the winner Asobi's own Thursday remix competition. A deserved remix if ever there was one.

MP3: Asobi Seksu - Thursday DOWNLOAD
MP3: Asobi Seksu - Thursday (2 Days remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Asobi seksu - Strawberries (CSS Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Asobi Seksu - Strawberries (The Whip Remix) DOWNLOAD

Sneaky Sound System

Sneaky Sound System are holders of rather dull and unimpressive accolade. Their self titled album is the first that MP3 that I downloaded from the itunes library, a fact I somewhat resent as I always promised that I'd never purchase anything from there until they brought the price down and didn't hold control of my purchase after I'd parted with my cash. Nonetheless, at the time (mid '07) it was the only 'place' that allowed me to get hold of the record by a band who'd been poking their way into my conscience after a swathe of big blog appearances.

Why would this Sydney based quintet, purveyors of bouncy dance pop; support act for Robbie Williams and containing band members with names like MC Double D (referring to his name not bra size I believe), have any credibility with super cool blogs like Palms Out Sounds and (the now deceased) Chazology? The fact of the matter is that Sneaky Sound Systems cross platform success is inextricably linked to the release of remixes by authoritative comrade Australians such as Van She Tech, Bagraiders and Riot In Belgium. That said, Sneaky Sound System album is one of true quality, containing rounded accessible electro that never takes itself to seriously as well as upfront trashy pop. Well worth the £7.99...and the DRM.

MP3: Sneaky Sound System - I Love It DOWNLOAD
MP3: Sneaky Sound System - UFO DOWNLOAD
MP3: Sneaky Sound System - Pictures (Styalz Fuego Remix) DOWNLOAD

(P.S. The first two tracks posted were bought from itunes and thus are DRM'd. I have no idea what'll happen when you download them, indeed, whether you'll be able to downnload them at all)

Erm...Yeah

Robert Stewart of Ayr, South West Scotland, has appeared in court charged with sexual breach of the peace after being caught having sex with a bicycle no less. Workers at the Hostel where Mr Stewart was staying described how they "Knocked on the door several times" receiving no reply. Using the hostels master key to unlock the door, staff witnessed "The accused...holding the bike and moving his hips back and forth as if to simulate sex". Mr Stewart has now been placed on the sex offenders list!?!

The Telegraph notes that this is not the first instance of weird sexual mishaps with "inanimate" objects. Electrician Karl Watkins was sentenced to prison after being caught having sex with pavements in Worcestershire!

MP3: The Black Ghosts - Let's Get Physical DOWNLOAD

Fresh To Death

MP3: Chromeo - Bonafide Lovin' (Yuksek Remix) DOWNLOAD

MP3: Enur - Calabria DOWNLOAD

Infix

It has been 7 days since my last post. The reason? Simply nothing I've heard in the last 7 days has excited me enough to get me off my ass, plonk myself in front of the computer and reel off my usual guff about musical bundles worthy of your precious time. It's partly my fault I suppose. A degree of emotional burnout has resulted in a something of a motivational void but enough of the sob story.

Infix is an artist who amuses me somewhat. By rights I shouldn't have much time for the guy. All tracks that the Suffolk based producer has sent me have been remixes of artists who are not exactly favourites of mine, however Infix turns even the most unbearable of tunes into superbly textured, building, beat driven monsters.

MP3: The Maccabees - First Love (Infix Remix) DOWNLOAD
MP3: Tokyo Police Club - Nature Of The Experiment (Infix Remix) DOWNLOAD

Does anyone else find this Les Rythems Digitales remix to be disappointingly overblown and ultimately messy? Nope? Only me then?

MP3: Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Les Rythem Digitales Remix) DOWNLOAD
BONUS: Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat (Dub Mix) DOWNLOAD

The Whip

Hmmm, I was frankly agog to find that Salford's The Whip were strangely omitted from the line-up at Chibuku last Saturday. Fortunately, all was not lost, as Japanese DMC finalist DJ Kentaro and one half of Brighton's Evil Nine more than made up for their absence.


MP3: Evil Nine - Crooked Ft. Aesop Rock (Myspace Rip) DOWNLOAD
MP3: The Whip - Trash DOWNLOAD/Zshare
MP3: The Whip - Divebomb (Kitsune Edit) DOWNLOAD

Roisin Murphy

A rather dismal Friday Night With Jonathan Ross show (I know I should have better things to do on a Friday) was livened up by the ever so energetic, yet terribly dressed Róisín Murphy's performance of new single, Let Me Know. Although I don't exactly envisage any chart success for the former Moloko songstress (her last single reaching no. 149), I do find her vocal tone pleasant enough with musical accompaniment taking on a disco-funk edge not to disimilar to Jamiroquai.

MP3: Róisín Murphy - Let Me Know DOWNLOAD
MP3: Róisín Murphy - Overpowered (Herve Remix) DOWNLOAD

Bonus: MP3: Moloko - The Time Is Now DOWNLOAD

Jo Wiley...Fake? Tell Me Something I Didn't Know

In case you didn't know (it's about time I came clean), I've always had a general hatred for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey and television personality Jo Wiley, so you can only imagine my glee upon hearing that the toffee nosed, nasal toned, bandwagon jumping buffoon has herself become embroiled in the recent spate of phone-in "slip-ups" to hit the BBC. How? Well, it transpires that during a pre-recorded section of the show, a BBC employee posed as a competition winning member of the audience. The BBC strenuously points out that Wiley herself was unaware of the goings on, but I beg to differ. I know phone lines muffle the voice of the caller somewhat, but how could she not have known that it was a member of staff? So, either she new about it, or the women is so unbelievably arrogant that she never makes time for conversation with her co-workers.

Anyway, onto matters more pressing: the blogging debut of French based ER2, the brainchild of electro-dudes Willo, Nicolas, Antoine and Maksyme. With a combined age of 75, ER2 possess the ability to amalgamate tough undertones with softer textures managing all the while to maintain a coherent, stylish sound that permeates your capability to concentrate on anything else.

MP3: ER2 - The Search DOWNLOAD

MP3: ER2 - Avril 200 000 DOWNLOAD

Feist Video

Here's a video of the Feist gig in Nottingham I went to. About 40 seconds in, you can see the back of my ugly mug! I think I can safely say that it was the best gig I have ever been to. If you ever get the chance don't let it pass you by.


MP3: Feist - I Feel It All DOWNLOAD

MP3: Feist - My Man, My Moon (Damage On The Back Seat Remix) DOWNLOAD

Various Artist

Moulinex: I suppose, with the similarities in our names (my surname being Molyneux), it's high time I posted one of this German dudes uber cool, disco infused monsters. Here you go:

MP3: Moulinex - Leisure Suit DOWNLOAD

Alex Metric: Surely you remember this guy? His superb remix of Metric's Monster Hospital engraved itself on my puny little brain. Well, he's done it again with this slick remix of Suburban Knights by Staines ska loving four piece, Hard-Fi.

MP3: Hard-Fi - Suburban Knights (Alex Metric Remix) DOWNLOAD

Loud Pipes: One of Check The Availability's favourite artists, this is Loud Pipes first original offering. Taking a more chilled out approach to that of previous efforts, Feels Like Forever provides the listener with an insidiously dark and at times devilishly trashy electro track. The boy done good.

MP3: Loud Pipes - Feels Like Forever DOWNLOAD

Moving Units: Playing alongside the likes of Justice and Bloc Party at LA Weekly's Detour Music festival, Moving Units upfront post-punk sound begs to be heard in a live context. Nonetheless, the recorded effort is pretty damn good. Oh, and Big Stereos a fan...erm...so there!

MP3: Moving Units - Paper Hearts DOWNLOAD
MP3: Moving Units - Crash 'n' Burn Victims (Felix Cartel Remix) DOWNLOAD

Destroy Cowboy: Having toured with everyone under the sun (The Stills, Cold War Kids, 1990's...), Destroy Cowboy surely deserve some limelight of their one. Vocally akin to The Editors yet at times evocative of French sound-scapist M83, Destroy Cowboy have an uncanny ability to make a sound I usually detest, wholly appealing.

MP3: Destroy Cowboy - 1000 Candles DOWNLOAD

Fresh To Death

For those in the know, Liverpool is soon to be be host to Fresh To Death; a night of wholesome electronic goodness brought to you by Check The Availability's favourite scouse impresario, John Hyde and his motley crew of electro loving soldiers. Taking place at the famous Magnet bar on 6Th November, Fresh To Death already boast Manchester's Matt Payne (head over to Get Weird Turn Pro for an exclusive mix) as confirmed DJ, with others to be announced...watch this space.

In the meantime, the lads asked me to pass on this snippet of information: "Fancy yourself as a DJ? If so send your mix-tape to Freshtodeathliverpool@gmail.com or send a message to our myspace with a link to your mix-tape. We will listen to each mix and the DJ we most like will win an hour long slot at Fresh To Death, along with free entry for them + 1 guest". Radical!

In celebration of the event, they've even got together a nice little mix to show you what it's all about. Rather Kind of them wouldn't you agree. Oh, and if you're accompanied by a Flat Eric, you get in free.











MP3 Joey Nelson - Retreat From The Lounge Mix DOWNLOAD/Zshare

As a slight ad hominem, I came across this track the other day. It frankly can't wait any longer to be posted, so here it is. Thanks to La New Shit for bringing it to my attention. Pop over there and tell 'em I sent ya.

MP3: Matt And Kim - No More Long Years (The Risk Remix) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

iwhack

There's no doubting that Steve Jobs and crew are true innovators of their field, but has anyone else noticed that their products are always mired with restrictive caveats that do nothing except hinder the enjoyment of often near perfect products. Case in point: the new iphone, due to arrive in the U.K. on 9Th November.

• I thought the deal was that if you buy a phone rather than have the network subsidise it with a contract, then not only do you own the phone, you also get to decide which provider you use. Not so with the iphone; Apple dictate the provider.

• Apple will not allow you to customise your ring tone, unless it's bought from the itunes music store of course. One of the most basic characteristics of a modern day mobile simply cast aside so we can all watch Steve (yes, I'm on first name terms) laugh all the way to the bank.

• The use of the word 'unlimited' with regards to the data package is obviously a misrepresentation of the truth when you notice that there's a 'Fair Usage Policy' involved.

• Again, using the word 'unlimited' when describing access to Cloud's Wi-Fi hotspots is code for 60 hours per month.
  

• No 3G = No rapid downloads of YouTube videos outside those wireless hotspots
  

Having said all this, if you happen to call me in 6 months time, we'll no doubt be conversing through the medium of the iphone. I have the integrity of a Gnat.

Thanks to G2 for the info.

MP3: Muallem - New Thunder (Feat. Beans) DOWNLOAD/Zshare

Put Your Hands Up In The Yeah!

OK, so it doesn't look like Minor Crisis (the file hosting service I use) is going to fix itself anytime soon making this is as good a time as any to use another hosting service that will allow me to upload larger MP3's such as this mix from Aussie musician/producer/DJ, Turbosaurus. Gorging itself on upfront dance music staples as well as containing some cheeky nods to past influences, Turbosaurus presents a mix thin on DJ arrogance and fat on listener friendly accessibility. Top notch, say I.

Tracklist:

01. Crystal Castles "Alice Practice"
02. Uffie "Hot Chick"
03. Riot In Belgium "La Musique"
04. Audio Thieves "(Pray Like) Aretha" (Van She Tech Remix)
05. Boney M "Sunny"
06. Simian Mobile Disco "Hot Dog"
07. Tepr "Minuit Jacuzzi" (datA Remix)
08. I Am Finn "I Love You" (Van She Tech Remix)
09. Franz & Shape "Countach"
10. Stardust "Music Sounds Better With You" (Miami Horror Remix)
11. Fannypack "You Gotta Know"
12. PM Dawn "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" (Tittsworth Neutron Dance Remix De-neutron'd by Turbosaurus)
13. Presets "I Go Hard I Go Home"
14. Larry Tee ft. Princess Superstar "Licky" (Herve Goes Low Remix)
15. Armand Van Helden "I Want Your Soul" (Fake Blood Remix)
16. Digitalism "Echoes"
17. Cut Copy "Hearts On Fire" (Joakim's Heartattacks On Fire Remix)
18. Feist "Sea Lion Woman" (Chromeo Remix)
19. Pase Rock "So Fucking Disco"
20. Yo Majesty "Kryptonite Pussy" (UMYO Remix)
21. Mazarati "Players' Ball"

MP3: Turbosaurus - Roulade Mix Re-heated Zshare