You may not know the name Joachim Garraud, but you definitely know his work.? The French DJ/producer collaborated with David Guetta on many of his landmark early productions.? He’s also collaborated with synth mastermind Jean-Michel Jarre.? For the debut release on his new label Space Invaders, he’s created an instantly lovable commercial electro track which blends electro and stadium with a playful cheekiness that is uniquely French (think about the goofy smirks of Martin Solveig in his videos for an idea). The production is quite complex, with sudden transitions between grooves in the phrasing.? It recalls classic techno songs by artists like Digital Boy and The Creator, with three measures of one loop and then a surprise contrasting fourth measure that changes groove.? Throw in a “Jump” chant and the feisty Luciana-esque vocals of Girl & a Gun and you got a standout club track that will command the dance floor.? Let’s hope the forthcoming remixes are able to maintain the cheeky playfulness of the original.
Image Courtesy of Space Invader Music.
Category: Featured
SONG OF THE DAY (SUNDAY FUNDAY): The Good Natured – “5-HT (Kat Krazy Remix)”
When the energy is right, the crowd will follow. ?Even if the energy is attached to a song or group your crowd doesn’t even know. ?The Good Natured, responsible for 2011’s “Skeleton,” quietly dropped “5-HT” with a clever video and modest level of oomph. ?But that all changed when remixers Kat Krazy got their conniving little hands on the track. ?Of course, the lyrics are still mostly hard to understand and a little… less poppy than a big room remix like this likes to have, but there is no doubting that the bass and beats of this mix will get your body moving.
Image Courtesy of Regal.
SONG OF THE DAY: Tomcraft – “Loneliness 2k13”
Wow, it’s hard to believe that this track is more than ten years old.? Originally released in 2002, the dark electro track by German producer Tomcraft is based on a vocal sample from Andrea Martin’s “Share the Love.”? With a stomping Benny Benassi remix, it topped the UK pop chart and was a club hit around the world.? Fast forward to 2013 and the release of his ’20 Years’ album (preceded by his catchy curveball track “The Noyz” with Sam Obernik – reviewed here), this rerelease is perfectly timed.? While it sounds like the vocals are resung, they are quite close to the original.? The production is also true to the original, just tweaked and updated a bit with a little more of an electro and rock vibe.?? The “Loneliness 2k13” Club Mix is by far the strongest version on this rerelease with the Tujamo remix sounding oddly dated and the Jaxxon remix just losing the point.?? Going back to the original 2002 version (and Benny Benassi remix), you will notice how close they sound to many current records out right now.? “Loneliness” stands out as one that was way ahead of its time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Image Courtesy of Tommy Boy.