Order In The Court (OLD GOLD BOUTIQUE EXCLUSIVE MIX) by h34dup

Recorded exclusively for Old Gold Boutique – http://oldgoldboutique.com
Original post: http://oldgoldboutique.com/news/transmissionoldgold22

Martin Beume – Solid Rubber
Nebraska – Time Has Come
Andy Hart – Tell Her You Know
Fantastic Man – Groove With You
Chet Faker – Love and Feeling (Sleep D Mix)
Iron Curtis – You, On a Friday Night
Francis Inferno Orchestra – Meet Me In Salt Lake City (Soul Clap Remix)
Kitano – Going Home
The Soul Renegades – Darlin’
Genius of Time – Drifting Back
Mario & Vidis – Loove Wars
SE62 – Wax Pencils
Telma & Luisa – My Luv
James Teej – Fame

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Jan 26 2012

Tags: Andy Hart, Chet Faker, Deep Disco, Fantastic Man, Francis Inferno Orchestra, Genius of Time, Iron Curtis, James Teej, Kitano, Mario & Vidis, Mario Basanov, Martin Beume, Mix, Nebraska, Old Gold Boutique, SE62, Sleep D, Soul Clap, Telma & Luisa, The Soul Renegades, Transmission

The fourth and final semester of my graduate work in Design & Technology at Parsons here in NYC has commenced, and the greatest challenge of my fledgling career is now upon me. In advance, there isn’t much hope for weekly activity around here, but I’ll be back to normal by May. I have continued to explore and collect, and will share the best of my explorations as often as possible.

Tolga Fidan – Double Edge Sword – (single)

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I just posted about Tolga Fidan at the end of 2011, and he’s already stepping up to the plate in 2012 with this fantastic track. Gotta love the tone of those keys, I am thoroughly enjoying Fidan’s approach to infusing pop in some form into each of his compositions. The EP features a solid remix from deep/tech house veteran, Jin Choi. Tolga Fidan is shaping up to be one worth keeping an eye on this year.

Taylor & Costes – Spank It (Things Happen Remix) – (single)

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Not sure if Things Happen is the name of this Taylor & Costes remix, or the name of an actual DJ/producer (enough of the ambiguous google-proof naming conventions, guys!), but this is some funky shit. I love the build and release of this track, and the authentic, well-executed flavors of electrofunk. Strictly Groove is on-point as usual.

Jersey Shore Guido – For That (Pauly D’s Fist Pumping Mix) – Doz Go Tak EP

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Speaking of ambiguous naming conventions, this absolutely killer edit of Hall & Oates has to take the cake. Check the name of the track above and try to find anything about a DJ other than the guy from Jersey Shore who calls being a “Guido” a “way’a life.” The only hints of the identity of the editor was D-Sounds, who also was ungoogleable, and a reference to this balearic edit’s popularity for a time in Ibiza clubs. A perfect example of how well-composed choice classics from pop masters like Daryl Hall and John Oates can be revitalized with minimal additions.

Soul Clap – Dreams of Tomorrow – R&B Edits

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While on the topic of edits, Soul Clap released this edit of Lonnie Liston Smith on the limited Wolf + Label Black label, which is generally a vinyl-only affair, likely the reason it passed under my radar until now. I was obsessed with this track when I heard my friends Lock & Kirk, who DJ fun, deep, low-key all-vinyl sets as Half-Handed. Through this obsession, I discovered via YouTube comments on the track that it incorporates the kick from the Lee Curtiss track Smoking Mirrors…so technically it’s a mashup edit with almost no additions, but the edit, like the dub, begs a question of original composition– is it a new track or is the edit simply an outsider’s after-thought of the original production process?

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Jan 25 2012

Tags: 80's, D-Sounds, Deep House, Disco, edit, Foot and Mouth, Hall & Oates, Lonnie Liston Smith, Pop, Soul Clap, Taylor & Costes, Tolga Fidan, Wolf + Lamb Black

Get ready for some essential classics. This past year I’ve been trying to uncover the roots of all my favorite modern genres– especially focused on the realms of disco, funk, soul, and R&B. Tragically, the sort of craftsmanship that went into music in the days before the advent of the personal computer and the drum machine is largely absent from mainstream popular music today, and much of the independent and underground scenes as well. Think of how much incredible music is out there waiting for you to happen upon it and hear it. For me, it’s a constant need– new tracks and new influences lead to new ideas and new insights. Amazingly, as challenging as it is to locate gems of disco like these, when you know an artist name, or a track or album title, or even just part of a lyric, there’s a good chance it’s out there on the blog of some hyper-focused music scholar. We need to strengthen this network somehow. My thesis work on GenreCodex, the main reason things have been so slow around here, attempts to answer the question of how we can help each other fill in the blanks and start discovering things we actually like to listen to again.

Brenda Russell – Way Back When – Ultimate Collection: Brenda Russell

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I first heard an edit of this track on LCD Soundsystem frontman and DFA label head James Murphy’s Beats in Space Mix, and was instantly obsessed with tracking down the source, which of course, was not listed anywhere. Miraculously, the Shazam app did what Google searches could not, revealing singer/songwriter Brenda Russell as the source of this incredible find. The Underdog edit of Russell’s track takes just about every piece of the original mix that can be looped and expands it into a tantalizing study of what makes this track so appealing– the unconventional rhythm, the positive grooves of the bass, and of course, Brenda’s golden voice. Enjoy, and if you can find the Underdog edit than kudos to you.

Sandra Feva – If You Want It You Got It (Long Version) – 12″

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Another more recent unlisted Beats in Space find came from Junstin Vandervolgen (of TBD), who left a challenge in his tracklist to “Try and find me.” Well, the abundant lyrical reference made things a little bit easier (but not by much– sometimes it takes a serious effort of pragmatic Googling), eventually leading me to Boogie Palace, where Sandra Feva was identified as the artist. Now, I’m sure there are edits abound that bring the subtleties of modern dance into this classic disco tune, but for now, I am perfectly satisfied with the original mix. Gotta love a track that beckons the listener to “put your stuff in my direction.”

The McCrarys – Love On A Summer Night – 12″

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This past year couldn’t have seen more edits of this classic track by The McCrarys. Seriously. Not that I have an issue with good disco edits, but Onur Engin, Gazeebo, even 18 Carat Affair (whose take on the track remains my favorite) couldn’t resist showing their love for the original, I’m sure there are enough now to make an entire mix of “Love On A Summer Night” edits. This track sounds excellent pitched down to around 100 BPM, Denys was onto something in his edit: let the echo resonate, and surrender yourself to a lazy groove vivid enough to taste the salty ocean air and detect the smell of sandy palm trees.

Nigel Martinez – Better Things to Come (Joey Negro Edit) – Backstreet Brit Funk

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Nigel Martinez may not have been one of the biggest names to arise out of his era, but one track of his, “Better Things To Come,” which appeared on Joey Negro’s essential Backstreet Brit Funk compilation, should be enough to remove any doubt of his talent and contribution. This edit by the compilation’s curator leaves much of the song untouched, while a re-edit by Ashley Beedles that appeared on Backstreet Brit Funk Remixed does the same thing as the Underdog edit of Brenda Russell– expanding on the initial brilliance to add more repetition and build/release, essential nuances between then and now that make tracks more floor-friendly. Regardless, the golden brass, the backing vocals, even the goddamn cowbell come together to create a brilliant melody that can’t be ignored. Dig it.

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Jan 05 2012

Tags: Beats in Space, Brenda Russell, Disco, Funk, James Murphy, Joey Negro, Justin Vandervolgen, Nigel Martinez, R&B, Sandra Feva, Soul, The McCrarys, Tim Sweeney

No time nor need for a lengthy introduction to today’s post, let’s get right into it and hit play without thinking twice. Today’s image comes via Designspiration; I’m actually surprised at how many designers I talk to who don’t know of the site. Well-curated, reliably amazing design inspiration.

Great Weekend – That’s The Thing (To Do) – The Wurst Music Ever

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Great Weekend, who apparently is related somehow to Chaka Khan, contributed this track to the recently-released label comp The Wurst Music Ever. I first heard it on Beg to Differ’s excellent session with Tim Sweeney on Beats in Space, and had been waiting eagerly for its release. For whatever reason, I’d heard of Nick Chacona but not about Beg to Differ (his collaborative DJ moniker with Wurst Music namesake Roy Wurst), I’m glad I’ve seen the light.

Voices of Black – Dry Ur Eyez ft. Rap Lisa & Greg Paulus – 7:30 Mixtape

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Voices of Black is Baba Ali and Jules Born representing Teaneck, NJ. They made their debut on Wolf + Lamb, the well-respected NYC deep house mainstay you read about here on Blog.H34 all the time, and have been turning heads with catchy R&B-flavored “milky” house vibes. This track definitely has me hitting repeat, it features regular VoB collaborator Rap Lisa, along with my man Greg Paulus on trumpet. It’s a version from their free 7:30 mixtape, check that if you want to hear more.

Anish – Feel Years Younger – Come Back Jealousy EP

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I caught this brand new split EP on Leftroom’s Left’d sub-imprint (?) by Tala and Anish, an elusive pair of young producers on the rise picked up by label boss Matt Tolfrey. Definitely digging the dark sub-heavy vibes combined with vocals that, for a change in house music, don’t sound like gospel singers but don’t sound creepy or anti-social either. Fans of Benoit & Sergio, Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts, Junior Boys, etc. should enjoy these two guys.

Deepchord – Sofitel – Hash Bar Loops

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Every few months for about a year now, I’ve complained about how few new high-quality dub techno records are released these days. While that still holds true, and it is a crying shame, we can at least take solace in knowing that when the modern stewards of dub techno release an LP, it will be enough to keep the genre alive. Rod Modell is imitated often, but perhaps not enough, because so few can even come close. Hash Bar Loops is a complex release, to say the least. It pulsates and cracks like alien technology weaving through frozen catacombs, and while I still feel more partial to his collaborations with Steve Hitchell, this marks a solid entry into his solo catalogue.

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Dec 06 2011

Tags: Anish, Deep House, Deepchord, Disco House, Dub techno, Echospace, Echospace Detroit, Great Weekend, Left'd, Leftroom, Rod Modell, Tala, Tech House, Voices of Black, Wolf + Lamb, Wurst Music

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Posted in Design Posted by Alex on Dec 02 2011

Tags: Julia Wargaski, Massimo Vignelli, MTA, New York City, NYC subway, Parsons, Paul Shaw, Re-design, Subway Map, transit

We’ve been treated to a very easy fall thus far (not counting the brief but intense Halloween weekend blizzard), filled with warm days and sunlight that illuminates the beautiful colors before the leaves fall and leave behind bare branches that only look good in a blanket of snow. I’ve been completely wrapped up in a wide range of sights, sounds and flavors, here is an eclectic selection for you to check out.

Autumn Park – Aldom – Old Oliver EP

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As we wait for Autumn Park’s forthcoming EP on the Spacebreaks imprint, I got into an EP of his released at the beginning of the year. It’s rare these days to find good dub house and techno, and most of it is released in the colder months, let’s hope this winter will bring more solid dubs than in weak winters past. I really think dub techno is best consumed in colder environments, there’s something about that sonorous echo of everything that keeps winter warm and beautiful (and bearable).

Aeroc – You Say That – R+B=?

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Since I’m getting a bit nostalgic, I figured I’d share this with the IDM heads out there– it’s a new (as in newly-released, apparently the material is over seven years old) LP from Aeroc that was released exclusively on Ghostly Music Service and is coming out on digital Dec 13th. I’m hazy on the specifics, but since I’m a GMS subscriber I got access to this gem of relaxing blip and guitar ambiance that reminded me of my days listening quietly to Merck Records, lots of Ilkae, and Limbik Frequencies Internet Radio (which if you have been following H/34 for a while now, you might be interested to know is what led me to Moodgadget and Ghostly).

Beacon – So Anxious – (single)

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Speaking of Moodgadget, here is the newest signing, R&B outfit Beacon, who has emerged this fall as one of Brooklyn’s most promising debuts. It’s tough to pinpoint the undeniable appeal of Thomas Mullarney III and Jacob Gossett if you just listen to their studio material– their live performance is what has gotten people talking. Mullarney demonstrates the fidelity of his voice with natural ease, moving like some kind of 21st-century Jim Morrison or Elvis, while Gossett controls the majority of the instrumental with razor-precision, managing to sound better live than on the album. The two have chemistry on stage, and when tracks peak and drop, they make sure the crowd is having as much fun as they are. Can’t wait to see where these guys take it from here.

Mirko Loko – Gloria – Visionquest Fall Winter Collection

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Was talking to someone yesterday about Wolf + Lamb, and how the musical/cultural statement they made in 2009 cascaded and hasn’t resided since then per se, but it’s like everyone went off and started to do their own thing. W+L hasn’t gone anywhere, it’s certainly more than just a label, but if you look at where many of their original producers are today, it’s like it crystalized and many have gone in their own directions and are now finding success. An example of this is the Visionquest label, run by Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, Shaun Reeves and Lee Curtiss. Every release of VQ since founding has featured worthwhile tracks from relevant producers with solid art direction, and their new Compilation for this season is no exception. I really love a good Mirko Loko beat that bumps along with that unconventional groove.

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Nov 21 2011

Tags: Aeroc, Autumn Park, Beacon, Dub, Ghostly, IDM, Mirko Loko, Moodgadget, R&B, Techno, Visionquest

The love affair between the indie scene and bygone eras of popular culture provides enough juicy material to write your dissertation on (trust me), but it never seems to get old to my ears to hear how new musicians are coming to the scene and identifying with genres and recording styles that had their time in the mainstream spotlight and have since been outmoded. It’s a lot like fashion trends, but it never seems to be out of style to know how to translate what used to get everyone groovin’ into something modern, fresh from re-discovery and re-interpretation.

Chad Valley – Ensoniq Funk – Chad Valley EP

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It’s CMJ in NYC, and accordingly, I am trying to break off my non-stop work/study loop to take in some new performances. While it’s off-putting not to recognize more than a handful of the bands who are taking the stage, I was reminded that this is what CMJ is really all about. One of the bands I knew, and was blown away to hear live, was Oxford’s Chad Valley. This guy’s voice is surprisingly incredible live, the kind of true talent we are disappointed to miss a lot these days with indie musicians in this specific space.

Kindness – Cyan

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Speaking of good voices, I’d like to know how Kindness‘ undeniably catchy track, Cyan, would sound live. I don’t think it’s possible to sound bad, the chorus’ melody almost invites the listener to sing along. With a music video of Kindness walking aimlessly around New York that, while not poorly-filmed or produced, is cliche and does nothing for his sound, this track stands on its own, and I predict that it will do good things for this young musician. Looking forward to hearing more.

Jensen Sportag – Everything Good – Pure Wet

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I have been meaning to post up something from Cascine, the American spiritual brother-label of Swedish imprint, Service. These guys did a remix swap with Moodgadget‘s Teeel, and the resulting Jensen Sportag remix of Ojai Valley had me floored and drooling for more. I’m hoping we’ll hear more soon from the Jensen brothers– their Cascine-debut EP is called Pure Wet, which includes this sexy track, Everything Good.

18 Carat Affair – Iced – Gorgeous / Fantasy

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Seriously, I cannot get enough of 18 Carat Affair. Denys Parker has really gone off the deep end with his intoxicating, alluring new age funk. You can discover the sources of his inspiration if you dig deeply and obsessively enough, this track has me wondering where he draws the line between his unique sampling methods and carefully-programmed instrumentals (even though he already told me in his interview here). It’s astounding how much material 18K can generate, and how much of that material will cover your soul like honey on top of melted wax.

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Oct 21 2011

Tags: 18 Carat Affair, 18k, Cascine, Chad Valley, CMJ, Disco, Indie Dance, Jensen Sportag, Kindness, New Age Funk, Pop

Fall approaches, and in a flurry of yellow leaves and blustering wind, I find myself overwhelmed with the rigor of my design study. I rarely feel like a designer anymore, more like a design researcher, or a design scholar. Sometimes, the only thing we can lean on are our favorite tunes. Since I always keep a steady flow of new favorites, here are some picks to keep you standing up straight in the face of the coming months of cold and toil. The above is a time lapse video I took of the corner looking out from my desk, hope to begin to capture some more good material and make something cohesive out of it all.

Martin Beume – Solid Rubber – Wip Catch EP

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Martin Beume is a German producer and DJ whose newest EP just came out on Private Gold, a label known for “emotional and soulful dance music,” which sports Axel Boman and Tolga Fidan, among others, both of whom have been posted here before. This track is definitely on the low-key tip, with a soulful piano/vocal combo that induces both a nod and a grin.

Nebraska – Patina – Displacement

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Nebraska may not actually be from Nebraska (he is from London, as it happens), but Ali Gibbs has crafted a brilliant LP in the form of Displacement, released recently on Rush Hour, which has been absolutely killing it this year. Just about anything Rush Hour puts it’s name on is guaranteed to be expertly-sourced and genuine in production value. I had no idea such bold statements would be made from such humble beginnings with Terrestrial Variations, still a gem in its own right.

Genius of Time – Drifting Back – Drifting Back EP

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Junior Boys included this jaw-dropper by Swedish deep duo Genius of Time in their recent mix on Beats In Space. I am a proud Rhodes piano addict, and Alexander Berg and Nils Krogh have thrown me a seven gram rock of fluttering keys, deep, warm subs, and a dreamy vocal loop that just needs to be listened to over and over again.

Rene Breitbarth – Chill – Inner Peace EP

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Rene Breitbarth continues to amaze with a relentless assault of surprisingly solid material on his Deep Data label. If you don’t get inspired by the statement the Deep Data catalogue as a whole makes, or how each of his EPs has a theme or context of focus, you probably wouldn’t enjoy the music either, which consistently hovers around that grey area between the dance floor and the bedroom. His new Inner Peace EP is about as close as one can get to relaxation music without going ambient, but on a larger scale, it’s evidence that this guy can continue to channel ideas and inspiration into killer deep house.

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Oct 20 2011

Tags: Breitbarth, Deep Data, Deep House, Disco, Genius of Time, Martin Beume, Nebraska, Private Gold, Rhodes House, Rush Hour

Hello, My Love – Live at Le Bain – Friday August 26, 2011 by h34dup

It’s been a long while since any activity on the blog, my apologies, and my thanks to those of you who are still following! Blog.H34 is most certainly not dead, but my second year of the MFA Design & Technology program at Parsons has been taking up all my time! Still, please stay tuned, I will be posting as often as possible. There are plenty of exciting projects going on around here outside of MFADT, looking forward to sharing them with you all.

A musical love letter from Manhattan to Melbourne. Just over an hour of deep disco, mixed live from Le Bain on the rooftop of the Standard Hotel in NYC on a gorgeous friday afternoon, part of Select Summer Fridays. Thanks to Bijules, Jessica Kizer, and Good Peoples for bringing me in!

Hello, My Love: A very guilty deep house party is coming to NYC soon.

Brenda Russell – Way Back When (Underdog Edit)
Cottam – Tale of the Tape
Telma & Luisa – My Luv
Francis Inferno Orchestra – Meet Me In Salt Lake City
Weekend Express – Deeper
Larse – Lovin’ U
Phreek Plus One – Passion feat. Mr White (DJ T Remix)
Motor City Drum Ensemble – L.O.V.E.
Francis Inferno Orchestra – Rush Back
Francis Inferno Orchestra – Lovers
Fantasic Man – Groove With You
Tornado Wallace – Paddlin’
Homework – Hold Me Tight
Francis Inferno Orchestra – Me And You
Majesty’s Pleasure – Don’t Stop The Dub
Graceful Exit – Let It Ride

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Sep 02 2011

Tags: Brenda Russell, Cottam, Deep Disco, Deep House, Disco, DJ T, Fantastic Man, Francis Inferno Orchestra, Graceful Exit, Homework, Larse, Majesty's Pleasure, MCDE, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Phreek Plus One, Telma & Luisa, Tornado Wallace, Underdog Edit, Weekend Express

Well, I’ve spent just about the entire summer without doing much mixing. That’s all about to change at the end of this month in Brooklyn. August 26th, I’ll be mixing deep cuts downstairs at Cameo, and then on August 30th, I am co-hosting the Moodgadget & ISO50 Under the Mountain showcase at Glasslands.  More details will be forthcoming. I’ve been keeping my ear to the dancefloor, and here’s what has been catching it.

Telma & Luisa – My Luv – Road Trip EP

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Details on who exactly Telma & Luisa are are sketchy. One would assume the duo behind Ibiza balearic-leaning Isgud records newest release could be the label’s founders, Tania Vulcano & Tato. It’s likely for the best that the identities remain anonymous, as this track, a fun edit of the Brothers Johnson classic take on Shuggie Otis’ Strawberry Letter 23, is meant to be that secret edit everyone recognizes but no one knows the editor.

Vahagn – Relapse – Relapse EP

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Ben Watt‘s Buzzin’ Fly imprint has blown me clear away with some of their releases this summer. Tragically, I just read that most of their stock has been destroyed in a warehouse fire, amidst the rioting taking place in London. My heart goes out to you guys. We should thank our lucky stars for digital downloads, and for this solid offering from Vahagn, another producer who I can find scant more information on than the Armenian diety after which he likely modeled his num du plume. The stab in this track is resonant and heavy, it drives the entire mix with aerodynamic smoothness.

Weekend Express – Deeper – Melbourne Deepcast 1

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Melbourne would have deftly seized the deep house trophy had my calendar year been recorded from Australia’s summer to summer and not winter to winter. The ensemble of producers, which includes Tornado Wallace and Mic Newman, have put their city on the map, which has been revitalizing it’s image worldwide on many fronts, and establishing Melbourne as cultural center entirely independent of the larger and more well-established Sydney. Maybe I’m getting too deep, but then again, that could be the whole idea. Melbourne Deepcast recently released this compilation of Aussie heavy-hitters, it includes this sick cut from Weekend Express, the entire EP is delectable.

Mic Newman – 5 O’Clock – Murmur Essentials Volume 2

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Speaking of Mic Newman, just about every track of his that I hear has this really specific groove of his, I think this cut sums it up especially well. The dude is out there working with all kinds of great labels, including Freerange and Murmur, the latter of whom included this track on a recently-released essentials comp. That muted guitar chopping in the background has come to envelope a small section of the soundtrack of my summer this year, so don’t be afraid to incorporate a little air guitar with that head bobbing if you feel the need as well.

Posted in Music Posted by Alex on Aug 09 2011

Tags: Brothers Johnson, Buzzin Fly, Deep House, Deepcast, edit, House Music, Isgud, Melbourne, Mic Newman, Strawberry Letter 23, Tech House, Telma & Luisa, Vahagn, Weekend Express