1 Out Of 2

Breakbot is back. It's not that he ever really left (thank goodness), but he spent a considerable amount of time focusing on releasing remixes rather than original material. But just this week, he released his third EP of original material, 1 out of 2. Like his unforgettable first single, Baby I'm Yours, the EP's title track also features French vocalist Irfane, who adds a touch of class with his smooth croon. And like his first single, this one is also pretty close to perfect.

As an on-point Viceroy tweeted, "Breakbot is the electronic Elton John." By this I assume he means that Breakbot can do no wrong (I mean can you really think of a terrible Elton John song?), in which case, I agree wholeheartedly. Sure he's an electronic artist, and French no less, but Breakbot's style transcends genres, which has allowed him to create some of the best pop songs of the past decade. Not convinced? Time will tell.

1 Out Of 2 was released Monday, in Europe [buy it here]. Still waiting on that US release… Until then, stream the dancey Oliver remix below, and head over to our Facebook page to hear the original.

Breakbot - One Out Of Two (Oliver Remix) by weareoliver

RIP DJ Mehdi

Photo by Karl Hab

News broke this morning that DJ Mehdi, the immensely talented French (via Tunisia) DJ/Producer responsible for some of the most rousing electronic music of our day, not to mention greatest DJ sets, passed away in an accident. Mehdi was one of my favorite musicians and one of the greatest DJ's I've ever had the pleasure of seeing live. He was full of energy, always with a goofy smile plastered on his face, and seems to have been--according to the outpouring by acquaintances in the wake of his death--a stand-up gentleman as well.
Mehdi, you will be missed.

Signatune (Thomas Bangalter Edit) - DJ Mehdi


Our hearts and thoughts go out to Medhi's family and friends, including his label, Ed Banger Records. Ed Banger embodies a musical 'family' perhaps more so than any collective I've ever come across, and this is no doubt a devastating loss for them. While living in Paris, I couldn't go to a single party or show featuring an Ed Banger artist without seeing the entire crew there to support. They are their own biggest fans, and most importantly each-others' biggest support group, as I'm sure anyone who knows or has seen them live can attest. Our best wishes go out to the label/family who, with last week's release of their Fall 2011 Delivery sampler, looked poised to dominate the dance music scene in the upcoming months. It's regrettable that their impending success be overshadowed by this tragedy, and we wish them strength and the best of luck.

ED REC FALL 2011 DELIVERY by edbangerrecords

P.S. Less than 5 days ago Mehdi released his 'Tunisian Summer Mix' via his blog on Cool Cats. Be sure to download what is regrettably his final mix.

Civilization

Photo by Christian Weber

It's here.

The new Justice track, courtesy of Ed Banger Records.

Civilization--Justice * in 320


*Make sure to buy Justice music on iTunes.

Embody

Photo by Irina Werning

I'm a few days late, but here is the better-than-expected (read, amazing) new single from Ed Banger's SebastiAn, Embody. Though his remixes have been stellar, after the questionable (read, kind of boring) solo showing on the Let the Children Techno compilation, there were worries that his long-awaited debut album was going to be a bit of a disappointment. The release of Embody has proved that those worries were horribly misplaced. The song, a glorious piece of downtempo filter house (filter funk?), is true to the old-school SebastiAn while remaining firmly rooted in today--it's an homage to house's honored years gone past while remaining wholly modern. Plugging along at 105 BMP, it grooves and swoops, decorated with a sexy funk bass line. This isn't the type of music you're going to lose your cool to, it's the kind you use as the soundtrack to your freshest-feeling moments. The accompanying video, directed by SO ME--who is arguably the most consistent of all the Ed Banger artists--wholly embodies this freshness. This kid, whoever he is, is the flyest kid on the block. Or your girlfriends block, or your best friend's block, or your cousins block, or your grandma's block or hell...anywhere.



The Embody EP is out April 4th (big, big day for Ed Banger it seems). SebastiAn's debut album, Total will follow on May 30th.

SebastiAn - Embody by edbangerrecords
*Though this is just a Soundcloud stream, I assure you you can find a download somewhere. Just be crafty and go look. It looks like there's been takedowns, and since I'm not one of the lucky few to have been sent a promo copy (powers that be, please get me on that list), I'm not going to illegally host.

Don't forget to like LOOSE L!PS on Facebook, or follow on the Hype Machine.

1999 (RESET! Remix)

Print by TechnoDrome!

It is both surprising and tragic that more Americans don’t know who Cassius are. They’re playing here in Paris tonight (I’m so excited I can’t sit still), but I’ve had a hell of a time finding an expat friend to go with me. Having to describe them as “similar to Daft Punk, but without the mainstream stateside success” pains me a bit, but for easy categorization’s sake it’ll do. Plus it helps to piques people’s interest. Why they haven’t achieved the same statewide recognition as say Daft Punk or Justice is beyond me, especially considering how long they’ve been around—15 years—and their Grammy-winning work with other artists (ever heard of the band Phoenix, or their Grammy-winning album, Wolfgang Amedeus Phoenix? Phillipe Zdar produced that). Despite their inability to truly penetrate the American market, they’re absolutely fantastic, and legends in the French house and disco scene. Their feel good brand of French touch is the perfect soundtrack to any party. Or run, for that matter. Speaking of party…remember RESET!? Their remix of Graffiti 6’s Annie You Save Me was one of my favorite tracks of 2010, and since bursting onto the scene last year, this Italian collective is quickly establishing themselves as one of my favorite electronic artists. Their bouncy, fun, occasionally frantic remixes and original productions are the type of joyously groovy numbers I am such a fan of. Never short on energy, their remix of Cassius’ 1999 takes it from sunny house number to verifiable funk-a-thon. I challenge you to try and sit still while listening.

1999 (RESET! Remix)—Cassius

Difficult (SebastiAn's 2006 Parties Remix)

Photo Credit Rachael Crowther

It's Christmas, woohoo. I hope Santa was good to all of you. I've got some bad news though: there's no way in hell I'm posting a Christmas song on here (actually, maybe that's good news). After 2 months of hearing 'Jingle Bell Rock' EVERYWHERE I went, if I never hear another Christmas song again it might be too soon. So, instead of posting a warm and fuzzy joy-to-the-world type of shtick, I'm going to embrace the darker side of the holidays: Consumerism. What better way to do that than with a song practically dripping in dollars? Paris' favorite bad girl Uffie (the original, better Ke$ha) released her single Difficult in October. The EP included a remix her label-mate SebastiAn, with a title invoking the the glory days of the last decade, before the financial crisis hit and the economy went to shit; when times were simpler and all we cared about was having a rocking good time. His remix highlights Uffie's delivery of the satisfyingly slick line, "Don't worry if I write rhymes; I write checks." I think it's pretty poignant in light of the holiday season, which has increasingly evolved to mean less about togetherness and more about conspicuous consumption. Whatever kind of spirit the holidays move in you, let's be real here: If it really is Jesus' birthday, I bet he'd want us to party. Turn up this song and get down.

Difficult (2006 Parties Remix by SebastiAn)--Uffie

Comedown Sunday: Nightcall (Breakbot Remix)

I'm giving you a night call to tell you how I feel.

Now that I'm finished with what has been an absolute hell of a semester's end, I'm devoting my time to keeping up with this blog. To start, I'm compiling a years end 'best-of' list, with a number of my favorite tracks from 2010. Going through all the music I've acquired and loved over the past year has been arduous at best, but simultaneously rather inspiring. 2010 was a great year for music, though perhaps not so much for its audiences. With the rising popularity of music blogs, blog aggregators, and artist-direct free downloads, the sheer volume of available new music proved somewhat problematic for a listener (like myself) with a wide range of music taste and a penchant for discovering the next big thing. If 2010 has taught us anything, its that the world's talent pool is endless, and the chance of music celebrity in this day and age is quickly dwindling.

Today's Comedown Sunday tune is a product of this too-much-too-good paradigm. Kavinsky released his Nightcall EP (produced by none other than Daft Punk's Guy-Manuel) in September, as an 'aperitif' to his upcoming 2011 album. In conjunction with the release, Kavinsky and his label, Record Makers, ran a remix contest promising the winner a spot on the EP. In the excitement over the contest, pre-approved remixes became a passing thought in blog posts and reviews. One such remix is by Ed Banger's audaciously talented Breakbot (my favorite breakout artist of the year). I hope this post gives this stellar remix some of the front-and-center attention it deserves, as it oozes sex and funk, and begs repeated listenings.

Right-Click to Download: Nightcall (Breakbot Remix)--Kavinsky

I < 3 U So

Photo Credit Gen Kay

I < 3 U So is the first single off Cassius' new The Rawkers EP, released October 11th on the ever reliable Ed Banger Records. It’s a slow burning piano driven soul tune, modernized by hard stomping kicks and fuzzed out distortion. And when I say modernized, I mean it. Cassius forgo any type of genre snobbery by temporarily eschewing their French Touch roots and exploring one of the most popular new genres, dubstep. No, really. Check it out.

Right Click to Download: I < 3 U So--Cassius


Also take a look at the music video for the song. At first glace it may seem merely a flagrant marketing ploy: the iPhone app featured in the video can be downloaded so the everyman can make their own tribute. But the app is free. And even if it wasn’t, they’re fucking Cassius—they can do whatever they want; flagrant marketing ploys included.

Cassius, I Love you so from WE ARE FROM L.A on Vimeo.