Category: Song Of The Day

SONG OF THE DAY: Scott Binder ft Melakai – “Good Time Tonight”

Some pairings just work well together. The Banger Bros teamed up with Melakai a few years ago, and the resulting “Beep Beep Boom” buzzed from the underground to dance radio. Keeping the vibe, Banger Brother Scott Binder has reunited with Melakai to create “Good Time Tonight,” effectively a modern electro take of the classic Kool & the Gang “Celebration.” Well, it’s not exactly a cover or a sample, but the way the title is sung is so similar to the disco classic, and the word “disco” is repeated throughout, it can hardly be a coincidence. The beats are electro and energetic, with Melakai keeping the same tone as “Beep Beep Boom” – playful, fun, and sexy with a bit of an edge – kind of like Dev before she got too serious. There mixes from Damon Daniel, SpekrFreks, and Banger Bros are all different electro interpretations, adding everything from rave, video game noises, glitch, and feedback to give it a different flavor. The Hoxton Whores mix goes in a more bouncy house direction with a touch of the retro feel- imagine if Crazibiza channeled the ’90s to get an idea. “Good Time Tonight” is a fun, strong release perfectly suited for the club, a girls’ night out, or even possibly the radio.


Image Courtesy of Golden Needle.

Scott Binder ft Melakai – “Good Time Tonight”

SONG OF THE DAY:? Anna Lunoe – “Breathe”

Australian artist Anna Lunoe’s single “Breathe” has been out for a few months and gaining buzz as she’s been touring North America.? Listening to the original track, it’s easy to hear why- it’s catchy and somewhat familiar, with a bassline and hook that just etches itself in your mind.? When I first heard it, I thought it was a new single by Infinity Ink as it share the dark, hooky bassline and rhythm structure.? Also evident is a full-on ’90s house-styled production, yet it sounds modern and futuristic rather than derivative or?dated.? The mixes are varied takes on retro vibes, yet all are interesting and creative? – a rarity for most EDM single releases.? Sleepy Tom uses stutter/stop segments, making the remix sound like a modern, more esoteric take on freestyle.? Treasure Fingers’ mix is so retro eighties, complete with vocal effects, that it sounds as if Debbie Deb was getting ready for a big 2014 comeback tour.? Danny T bangs out a straightforward, almost literal ’90s house mix. Mixing speed garage and traditional Hi-NRG samples/effects, Wordlife’s mix feels wrong when you describe it, but it is just as wonderfully strange as it sounds.? The video for Breathe is quite compelling as well, with a claustrophobic, kinetic vibe that captures energy without the usual suspects in most dance music videos.

Image Courtesy of Fools Gold/Ultra.

SONG OF THE DAY: The Young Punx – “Kowloon Kickback”

Swing-house had a moment in the ’90s with “Doop” and “Prohibition Groove,” and again a few years ago with big hits by Gramophonedzie and Yolanda Be Cool.? The Young Punx release their version with “Kowloon Kickback,” yet there is something special about the track which sets it apart from the others – all of it was recorded on live instruments on vintage 1930s recording equipment.? How better to capture the real sound of swing?? The result is a magical mashup of old school swing and modern electro – blending the first take solos with precision electronic fusion.? Its the kind of project that you wish there was a “making of” video to accompany it.? While the original version is brilliant, it’s not the most club-friendly, so they wisely brought in Gramophonedzie (the guy who sampled the timeless Peggy Lee song from Who Framed Roger Rabbit “Why Don’t You Do Right” to create the massive hit “Why Don’t You”) to give it a house structure and tempo while keeping the original vibe and instrumentation in place.? Easily one of the most creative tracks of 2013, one could only hope that they pull in a vocalist like Sherry St Germain, Sam Obernik, or even Fantasia Barrino to sing a fitting topline.

Image Courtesy of MofoHifi.

 

The Young Punx – “Kowloon Kickback”