SONG OF THE DAY: Chocolate Puma ft Kris Kiss – Step Back

One thing you quickly realize about EDM producers is that they tend to change names every few years, so if your favorite team suddenly disappears, just do a discogs search on the members and there are bound to be other aliases.? As The Goodmen, Dutch duo Zki & Dobre had a massive club hit in the early ’90s with “Give It Up” featuring tribal batucada drums that was inspired by a Sergio Mendes track (“Magalehna”) and ended up inspiring a massive pop hit by Simply Red (“Fairground”). As Riva, they had the major pop hit “Who Do You Love Now” with Dannii Minogue.? With their current name Chocolate Puma, they’ve released several massive club records like “I Wanna Be U,”? “Always and Forever,” and collabs with Bingo Players (“Disco Electrique” and “Touch Me”). ?For their new single, the duo literally “Step Back” to the ’90s with a speed garage bassline-oriented track that feels equal parts Artful Dodger, Armand Van Helden, and Sharp Boys.? Like the better Nu-House tracks out there, it is a modern update- not just a direct retread of the original sounds, which they accomplished by adding a modern breakdown with a hint of Eric Prydz-style progressive synth work. The track on its own is quite strong but by bringing in vocalist Kris Kris they seem assured another pop crossover record.? It also makes you wonder if they’ve gone back to their old DATs from the ’90s to mine bits for inspiration.

Image courtesy of MixMash Records.

SONG OF THE DAY: Jin Jin – “Fire Me Up”

Following up the playful and insanely catchy pop ditty “Whistle at Me,” the colorfully exuberant Jin Jin returns with “Fire Me Up.” Aimed directly at the clubs, the track is a modern mash of two beloved ’90s styles – two-step garage and speed garage, with a taste of electro to make it fresh for 2013.? Imagine Wynter Gordon as produced by Artful Dodger for a frame of reference The results are energetic and playful, yet tough enough to go off massively in a big room. The delightfully low budget video is quite sharp, and makes a great introduction to Jin Jin as she and her friends have an impromptu party at a random loft. It’s the kind of house party worthy of an escape.? While your clicking around, be sure to check out her unique take of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.”

Image Courtesy of Live On.