Category: Featured

SONG OF THE DAY: Vato Gonzalez – B52 Riddim

For Dirty House master Vato Gonzalez, it’s all about da riddim – be it Triplet, Sushi, Volfied, Ganja, Bio, or of course, Badman.? On his new riddim track, “B52 Riddim,” he mashes together a few of the previous ones into a new one, while adding a bit of a progressive vibe.? The vocal sample “Drop the Bomb” teases the explosive energy and makes it obvious that the title isn’t a reference to the beloved classic ’80s/’90s dance troup.? This Riddims series are strong tracks in their own right, but feel like they could be elevated further with a vocal or rap topline (a la Ganja/Badman). ?It will be interesting to see how his forthcoming “Desert Riddim” collaboration with Afrojack fits intro the progression.

Image Courtesy of Ultra Records.

SONGS OF THE DAY:? David Vrong – I Said and? Steve Silk Hurley – Jack Your Body (Doorly Club Remix)

The nu-House genre continues to develop and morph as producers rediscover and rework classic sounds for a new generation of househeads.? John Dahlback protege and comic book character David Vrong blends a ’90s classic house-sounding bassline, loops, and vocal sample with modern electro and progressive electronics for a hypnotic track that lulls you in with a seductive repetitive groove. It’s not a banging big room festival track, but rather a sexy house track that will make you dance rather than jump up and down.? When you think of classic house tracks, “Jack Your Body” by Steve Silk Hurley always comes to mind.? The? anthem gets reworked by UK producer/DJ Doorly in a tasteful modern style that keeps the original elements in place while refreshing it with a modern flavor for the club kids of today.? The new remix is featured on the brilliant ‘US House Legends’ compilation, forthcoming on Toolroom Records which features classics by the likes of Todd Terry, Blaze, Kevin Saunderson, and Frankie Knuckles updated in a way which shows reverence to their place in house music history.? Those looking to learn the history of Jack should definitely hunt this set down.

Images Courtesy of Ultra and Toolroom.

Song of the Day: Lodato – Welcome To My Head

The recent release of Michael Alig from prison inspired me to look for a few darker tunes to write up, and “Head” fit the bill perfectly. NYC-based producer DJ Lodato updated the classic Thunderpuss/Barnes track (not sure if it is a sampled or resung vocal) with a dark electro, almost industrial, production. The layers or movements of the track illustrate either a scary drug trip or a descent into mental illness. Eerie minimal breaks build the tension like a horror movie at the point right before the evil character attacks. As great as this track is, if Lodato plans to continue this dark trajectory, incorporating elements of hardstyle or even grindcore elements will make him stand out even more, maybe even leading to a (dare I dream) collaboration with Sharkjumper/Shreddward.