Aurgasm

two-step // mallet percussion

The history of this song is pretty storied, but I’m already plenty distracted by the production of this take on “You’ve Got The Love” by The XX. We open with arpeggiated harp lines. A basic two-step beat trots out, chased by the two-step signature sub-bass, descending in hertz. The XX give us tag-team male & female vocals, matching in harmony just when… a float of mallets tickling vibraphones come flirting past your ears. The bass and vocals meet up with the percussion, stimulating an aural foreplay. I’ll let you take it from here.

Vibraphones, harps, ‘n deep bass on the dance floor.
Florence and The Machine -You’ve Got the Love (The XX Remix)

Beats // Latin // Soul

Jonathan Radford a.k.a. Diesler creates vibes that make you want to move. The sounds are warm and full of rhythm, hence the title of his previous album The Rhythm Station (on Freestyle Records). The warmness of Diesler’s sound is reflected by a clear influence of latin music, with some beats and twists added for good measure, all keeping a positive and fresh style, to which another album title is testament: Keepie Uppies (on Tru Throughts). He is also one of the masterminds behind retro-funk outfit Laura Vane & the Vipertones. There is certainly a lot of music out there by this producer, but let us first point our attention to this summer’s Tie Breakers, released on Social Beats / Unique Records. Check it out for yourself with album track “Deepest Cuba” and the reggae remix dub of “Samba Magic”, reworked by Grant Phabao.

Positive vibes for your mind.
Diesler – Deepest Cuba
Diesler vs Grant Phabao – Reggae Magic (dub)

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A luscious and vibrant sound was my aim for this mix, titled ‘Safe Bet’ because I wanted to create an introduction to downtempo / electronic music in a way that may captivate and grow interest. To subtly build an unfamiliar atmosphere and give hints of more to explore.

donthink – Safe Bet (63min):

1. Xploding Plastix – Dieci
2. Mujaji – Siempre (Jon Kennedy Remix)
3. Bonobo – Change Down
4. Jon Kennedy – Brown Acid
5. Bathysphere – Where’s Vicky (Quantic Mix)
6. Caural – Sipping Snake Blood Wine (Savath & Savalas Remix)
7. The Cinematic Orchestra – All Things To All Men ft Roots Manuva
8. Broadway Project – Beauty
9. Yenara – When Mountain Meets The Sea
10. A Guy Called Gerald – Humanity ft Louise Rhodes (Funkstörung Remiks)
11. Daedelus – Minor Detour
12. King Seven – Hidden
13. Opiate – Pk 50
14. Hint – Count Your Blessings (Bonobo Mix)
15. Florian Ross – Piano Interlude

latin // downtempo// dub

You are most likely not familiar with name, but you might recognize Natalia Clavier’s vocals from the Aurgasm featured Federico Aubele’s album Panamericana (2007). Argentinian songstress, Natalia is the first and only female artist of Washington DC based legendary Thievery Corporation’s label Eighteenth Street Lounge Music. For those of you who enjoy the repertoire of ESL Music, Natalia’s album Nectar (2008) is a real treat. Nectar offers a journey from Buenos Aires tango-tingled melodies to the sublime Barcelona late night vibes, all wrapped in top quality production.

Smooth downtempo with a distinct Latin flavour.
Natalia Clavier – Ay De Mi
Natalia Clavier – La Mitad
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funky breaks // dance // freestyle

Sicilian Fab Samperi a.k.a. The Captain has played his eclectic sets all over the world. In summer 2010, Fab is releasing his first album Power Bossa with Agogo records, the label of such talents as Una Mas Trio, The Juju Orchestra and Mo`Horizons. While waiting for the full length album to be released, we’re excited about his first single. “In The River” will definitely appeal to the dancefloor music lovers as it carries incredibly addictive bluesy riff, uptempo beats and solid grooves. Bellissimo!

Probably Italy’s most stylish freestyle groove.
Fab Samperi – In The River
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