SONG OF THE DAY: Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike, Diplo, and Fatboy Slim ft Bonde Do Role + Pin? – Epparei (W&W Remix)

It looks like Fatboy Slim’s “Bem Brasil” album is becoming the soundtrack of the summer.? Inspired by the World Cup and his love of Brazilian sounds, the double CD has already spawned the Gregor Salto mixes of “Madalena” and “Sambo Do Mundo” that are so infectious, you can’t not play them. Up next is “Epparei” which unites what seems like half of the DJ Mag Top on one track.? The original album version is like a trap take on mambo (yes, it works). Add in the full cast of characters and it’s an ADHD EDM lover’s fantasy – because something different happens about every 30 seconds.? No, it’s not disjointed, there are just so many different elements (tribal drums, chanting, reverse vocal efx, big horns, massive drop, festival electro) that it feels like a whole night compressed into 4 minutes.? This W&W remix of “Epparei” has set the bar for big room festival anthems so expect to hear played all summer long.

Image courtesy of Smash the House.

Seamus Haji Interview 2014

As a DJ/producer/label owner/A&R guy, Seamus Haji has worn many hats in the dance music world. He is also one of those rare producers that can make credible underground/progressive releases (like the buzz record ?Inception? with Sheldon) and remix big commercial pop songs by artists like Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Girls Aloud, and The Saturdays. It was quite a fun interview especially since I got to ask so many questions I?ve wondered about for many years.

DJ Ron Slomowicz: I?ve always wondered ? with a name like Seamus, are you Irish?
Seamus Haji: My mom is Irish and my father is Indian. I was born in the mix!

RS: Someone just told me that you used to do A&R for Strictly Rhythm.
Seamus Haji: Yes, it was back in 2010. I went to work for them for a year after they split from Defected. They asked me to come aboard and sign really good club records which is what I did, but after a year they wanted to move towards a commercial direction, so we were at two different head spaces. I was about signing good underground club music and getting into events and they really just wanted to concentrate on having commercial hits so we decided to part ways. During the time that I was working for them I put Big Love on hold and have now re-launched the label. I also have a label deal with a big company in the UK called New State. They do a lot of Cream and Pacha compilations and so I am really excited about a lot of new music that we have coming up.
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SONG OF THE DAY: Aly & Fila with Jaren – For All Time

High energy trance at 140 BPM; yes, this is the Future Sound of Egypt.? Aly & Fila preview their forthcoming artist album with the title track “For All Time.”? It is aggressive and massive while possessing a pretty softness thanks to the vocal performance of Jaren.? There’s a reason why all the big producers work with Jaren (Armin van Buuren, Dash Berlin): she has a pretty voice that sounds great on trance records, yet there’s a dimension of blue-eyed soul that probably comes from either a folk or country background.? You can imagine the dancefloor swaying and singing along during the acapella break.? For those who are “afraid of 138,”? the Avenue One Mix slows down the tempo to 130 bpm and gives the track a Zedd-like electropop feel.? Awaiting the release of the album, we wonder how amazing it would sound if Jaren did a topline for Aly & Fila’s FSOE 250 Anthem “Sand Theme.”? Hey, it could happen…

Image Courtesy of Future Sound of Egypt / Armada.