Havn't We Had Enough Already?

D.A.N.C.E. is yet another undoubtedly great song that has been overplayed and over remixed. After MSTRKRFT tweaked with it, I assumed that we'd heard the last on the subject. Then, doesn't Frenchman (it's always a Frenchman isn't it) and all round music genius, Alan Braxe have a go at it. The result? A typically 'Braxian' smooth, mellow re-work, complete with 80's keyboard stabs and dreamy synths. Rather a contradiction for a song named D.A.N.C.E. but certainly a worthwhile attempt at reinvigorating the now tired original.

MP3: Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Alan Braxe Remix) MP3 DONWLOAD

Odd Couple

OK, I know!!! I'm pretty sure you've all had just about enough of Gnarls Barkleys Crazy for one lifetime. If I'm totally honest, I don't blame you. That said, I happened across a version that is certainly worth adding to your Crazy collection.

This is a somewhat odd coupling of Crazy and Kelly Osbourne's One Word, a song which I confess to be somewhat oblivious to. It comes courtesy of Frenchman ElectroSound, who aptly describes his art as 'music recycling'. It's a damn good pairing if I'm frank. It even comes complete with stirring Martin Luther King speech. I will say however, I don't believe for one second that Kelly's voice is that impeccable. I could post Changes to re-jig your memory on the matter...that would be just mean.

To change the subject, remember the E.L.F. track I posted? Well, the man behind the project, Darren Cross, contacted me to say that he'd put together a video to accompany the song. I watched it while recovering from a hangover. It cheered me up no end. Thanks Darren.

MP3: ElectroSound - Crazy Kelly MP3 DOWNLOAD

VIDEO: The E.L.F. - Cockroaches YOU TUBE

Justice D.A.N.C.E. (4)

...And here it is. Regular readers will know I made a promise to post a quality version of MSTRKRFT's remix of D.A.N.C.E. First time it got posted it was a very poor radio rip with Pete Tong talking all over it. Second post was missing a minute off the end, while the third attempt was the full song at a pitifully low bitrate. Anyway, thats all in the past. This is the real deal. Enjoy!

MP3: Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MSTKRFT Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD

Feist Vs. Van She Tech

This is going to be a quick post...I'm in hurry. But don't fret!!! It may well be short, but it sure is going to be sweet.

I was anticipating this one after reading Van She Tech's (the remix wing of Van She) Myspace page were they announced they'd dropping it soon. Well here it is. Feist's 1234 given the Van She re-work. I really didn't know what the hell to expect . Their remixes range from Electro to Euro Trance. This one, I guess, sits somewhere in the middle. Happy, without being euphoric. Electronic, without casting too great a shadow over Leslie Feists flawless voice. I must admit however, as far as Feist remixes are concerned, the Boys Noize remix of My Man, My Moon still sets the benchmark.

MP3: Feist - 1234 (Van She Tech Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD

MP3: Feist - My Man, My Moon (Boys Noize Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD

BONUS: MP3: Feist: My Man, My Moon (Boys Noize Remix Vs Lutek) MP3 DOWNLOAD

Love Music. Hate Glastonbury

It's that time of year again. Glastonbury. Great. What the hell does it even mean anymore? Is the line up really that great to justify the extortionate ticket price? If I wanted to see The Who, which, by the way I don't, I could toddle off to the Knowsley Hall Festival for half the price. Isn't it just a place were the kids of middle England pretend they are just like everyone else, were celebrities descend to give their support to the latest flavour of the month. Heres some comments I got off the net which I found particularly amusing:

• "I hate Glastonbury with a passion. A festival for the great unwashed and unemployed dole dossers, how they afford the tickets is beyond me."

• "I have never been to the Glastonbury rock festival and I never will go. I do not want to be in a field full of assholes who work for the BBC and The Guardian and the British government, temporarily decked out in casual gear while pretending to be counterculture fellow travelers for the weekend, listening to Radiohead, Coldplay, The Who, Dirty Pretty Things, and suchlike vermin. Nuke Glastonbury, its New Labour promoter, and his nasty, phony, rich bitch daughter."
  

• "I hate Glastonbury, It's shit and full of people who like music one week per year."

MP3: The Waterboys - Glastonbury Song MP3 DOWNLOAD

Liverpool

I suppose, living in Liverpool, I should take my part in pushing forward some of Liverpool's music. It's a big city that has a hell of a lot to offer...aside from the freaking Beatles. I'm literally just scraping the surface here.

John Hyde: This guy, I notice, has been picking up some momentum of late, featured on both Chazology and Palms Out Sounds, two well respected blogs. I find it quite funny. The guy lives and plays in Liverpool, yet I'd never heard of him until some blogger half way around the world gets wind of him. Crazy. Although he has some fairly decent tracks of his own, it's his remixes that are most poignant. Hyde is not afraid to take on Metric and Beastie Boy records and converting them into dirty, electro funk gems. Check out his Myspace

The Wombats: I've been lucky enough to see these guys on two occasions now. Having just looked at their Myspace, I see that they've finally got signed to 14Th Floor Records. The Wombats stay away from the traditional jangly guitar sound associated with so many Liverpool bands, instead opting for an indie-pop sound infused with tuneful harmonies and ear pleasing melodies. Soon to be heard on prime time Radio 1 no doubt.

Alphabeater: All I remember about Alphabeater is accidentally seeing them at the Barfly and being totally blown away by the sheer energy of their sound (even if they did look like a bunch of arrogant tw@ts). Admittedly, the recordings don't have the same oomph, but they at least give some idea of what to expect. As yet unsigned, but certainly worth your listening time. Visit Alphabeaters Myspace, I believe their in need of a new drummer.

MP3: Metric - Glass Ceiling (John Hyde Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: The Wombats - Lost In The Post MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: Alphabeater - Get Out The Way MP3 DOWNLOAD

And Then There Were Two

You may have noticed, if you're the observant sort, that Check The Availability has a new contributor, Joel. Rest assure, I wouldn't let anyone get this prestigious job. As I'm sure Joel will testify, the selection process made The Apprentice look like a walk in the park. Joking aside, Joel is an incredibly adept writer (thought we better have one), with an eye...or ear...for great music. Glad to have him aboard.

For reasons that have no connection to the above subject, I've posted a track from Swedish producer Mr Suitcase. Admittedly, my ears are not familiar with this chap. Shame, because this is really simple, emotive dance music, dance music you could take round to your mum and dad's without causing offence. One thing I did note is that if you were to strip down his records, you'd find some very straightforward ideas. However, on top of this, Mr Suitcase layers warm sounds with clean production, giving a refreshing look to otherwise tired concepts.


















MP3: Mr Suitcase - Missionaries MP3 DOWNLOAD

New Vague

In a world which is increasingly becoming disinterested in traditional print media, the British music press finds itself vying for attention as its conventional readership flocks to alternative news mediums. One way it draws awareness to itself is to create a whole new music genre. Its latest creation is of course, New Rave.

I have no qualms with the artists. The likes of the Klaxons and New Young Pony Club, I have a lot of time for. Why wouldn't I, they make good music. I just object to the obsession of pigeonholing artists with frankly ridiculous labels. And let's face it, there's nothing new about New Rave. I wouldn't call combining Indie, Disco and Electro exactly innovative. Disco-Punk anyone?

Of course I realise it's too far gone. It has become way too embedded in youth culture for me to do anything about it. I no longer go to dance, I now go to rave. Neon pink appears to be the new black and dare I ever leave the house without my trusted glowstick. Maybe, for once, I should consider the well known saying: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

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MP3: New Young Pony Club - Get Dancey MP3 DOWNLOAD

The E.L.F.

I think I can claim this to be something of an 'exclusive', at least in terms of UK blogging. While away, up in the in the North East of England, I got sent an Mp3 from Australian group, The E.L.F. I use the term group in the loosest sense, since it's the lone project of Sydney based Darren 'Daz' Cross, who so happens to be the guitarist/vocalist from Gerling.

As I said to Darren, I've seem to have developed an obsessed with Australian music. With the likes of Cut Copy, Van She (Tech) and Riot In Belgium consistently releasing high quality tracks, many are turning away from traditional music hot spots like America and seeing a new meaning to the term 'world music'.

The E.L.F. sits quite comfortably within this vanguard of Australian music, however takes a very different approach than the likes of Van She et al who've developed their sound around the current 80's reverberation. Instead, and without wishing to over analyse, The E.L.F. sound like the love child of Dee-Lite and Joe Cocker. An amalgam of mid 90's underground pop genius (if that isn't to much a contradiction in terms) and cool 60/70's ambiance. Perfect for those who enjoy fine music on oppressively hot summer days.

Visit The E.L.F.'s myspace for some nice mash-ups.

MP3: The E.L.F. - Cockroaches MP3 DOWNLOAD

New Kanye West Song

A short radio rip has been pretty ubiquitous on the internet, but here is the full version of Kanye West's 'Stronger', which is set to feature on the new album 'Graduation', due in September.

I'm perplexed about my feelings toward this one. Looking at other blogger reviews, it seems I'm not the only one. Some go as far to say that he's finally cracked, gone crazy under the weight of his ego. Maybe he has. I mean c'mon, taking an absolutely 'sacred' track like 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger' and then blabbering all over it is pretty far out. That said, Kanye is a man whose whole career is based on sampling classic records, but is this a step to far, even for him?

Although I find the track a little sparse sometimes, I must say that after the initial shock, I am coming round to the idea. If anyone was going to pull this one off then it was never going to be anyone other than Mr West.

MP3: Kanye West - Stronger DOWNLOAD

Van She

This is a post that's been due a good while now. Kinda inevitable. Y'see I was lucky enough to find Van She about a year ago. Another one of those pleasant accidents that you stumble across sometimes. I've been pretty captivated ever since. I am however, aware that some quarters are still in the dark. THAT JUST ISN'T RIGHT!!!!

Rather than bore you with incessant facts, I'd rather outline some salient points, and let your ears do the work for me.

• Foursome, from Sidney, Australia
• Formed back in 2005
• Signed to 'Modular'
• Have one EP out Van She
• Van She Tech is the genius remixing arm of the band
• I think I may do all my posts in bullet point form!?

MP3: Van She - Kelly MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: Van She - Sexy Mission MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: Van She - Kelly (Cut Copy Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: Van She - Kelly (Alan Braxe + Fred Falke) MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: Dragonette - I Get Around (Van She Tech Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: The Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow (Van She Tech Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD
MP3: New Young Pony Club - Ice Cream (Van She Tech Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD

BONUS: MP3: Niki Van She + Dangerous Dan - Around The World Again MP3 DOWNLOAD

Justice Vs. Simian

I've not had much sleep, yet here I am, writing away. That's dedication!!!

Last night, slightly off the cuff, I went to see Justice and Simian Mobile Disco at Chibuku in Liverpool. At the moment, Justice is pretty high on my play lists, and I know it's kind of a cheesy track that's probably wearing very thin with most right now, but D.A.N.C.E. is a song I ain't gettin' bored of. Probably helped by sheer mass of remixes I keep picking up.

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I'll have to be a little honest with you though, I'm not a huge fan of SMD. I just find their sound a little to, well, minimal. That said, I can appreciate why people like them, I mean, theres no doubt, 'It's The Beat' is one hell of a track and they don't half do a dam good remix sometimes.
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At the end of Justice's set, we were unexpectedly treated to Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name Of.' Did that bring back memories of teenage angst or what!

MP3: Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of (Mr Oizo Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD

MP3: Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat (Siriusmo Remix) MP3 DOWNLOAD

MP3: Justice - Phantom (JC90 Edit) MP3 DOWNLOAD

Vive La Fete

My one and only claim to fame: spending new years 2003 in Ghent, Belgium with my Brother at the home of Vive La Fete. It was the first time I'd tried oysters....among other things. Those crazy Belgies!!!

Vive La Fete, French for Long live the party, were doing that 80's throw back thing long before it became 'cool.' Made up of Danny Mommens, of Deus fame, and Els Pynoo, Vive La Fete formed back in '97. Their sound can be summed up in one word: SEXY, probably due to the vocals being sung in French. Hell, for all I know they could be singing about the World Banks disastrous economic policy towards South America! To date they have released 6 studio albums as well as 1 EP back in 1998, made up purely of Demo's recorded on an 8 track.

The new album, 'Jour De Chance' is due out on 8.06.07

MP3: Vive La Fete - Mr Le President MP3 DOWNLOAD