The OXD Mirror: New Music For 3.22.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / TADEU MAGALHÃES

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

We are now on Spotify!  Subscribe to our 'As Featured on Towleroad' Playlist to listen to tracks posted from past weeks.

 

Mickey feat. Jeremy Glenn: 'Heartstrings (Extended)'

Mickey and Jeremy Glenn are no strangers to our columns, nor are their collaborations. Last summer, we showcased Glenn's remix to Mickey's single 'Love For Sale,' a song that also featured another one of our favorites, Monarchy. The two producers are now back together with the release of 'Heartstrings,' a lovely piano-driven uplifting house track that begs to be played by the pool on a sunny day. Glenn's soulful vocals are becoming a familiar sound in the house music scene, with features for other artists like Mario Basanov and MANIK.

 

Nick Monaco: 'Party Therapy'

Young producer Nick Monaco, hailing from San Francisco, is a child of the 90's with a passion for hip hop and house and an ear for great music. His productions recently caught up the attention of the Soul Clap and Wolf + Lamb collective, who have helped translate his creations into the dance world through their labels. Monaco's first official release, the EP Naked Is My Nature, is a statement of his originality and innocence. In his own words: "I started singing, collecting sounds, beatboxing, walking, grunting, whatever I could to get a piece of me and my environment inside this music." This particular track, 'Party Therapy,' is a captivating song with minimal yet strong elements from jazz and hip hop that are beautifully combined in this debut work.

 

The Juan Maclean: 'You Are My Destiny'

DFA Records’ John MacLean, also known as Juan MacLean, has been producing, singing and DJing for the label since 2002. His impressive repertoire of remixes includes songs by artists like The Presets, Chromeo, Chicken Lips, and many others. After nearly 3 years with no new original material, the New York-based producer has shared the soon to be released 'You Are My Destiny.' The track's mix of strong grooves and spacial synths are really delightful and I foresee this becoming a huge hit throughout the year.

MORE NEW MUSIC AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music for 3.15.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / RU BHATT

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based collective created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.  

 

Nickodemus: 'Los Tarantos'

When I first heard this track, while listening to Tensnake's phenomenal Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1, my jaw hit the floor. I instantly recognized samples from two huge Bollywood hits, 'Har Kisiko Nahin Milta (Not Everyone Will Find Love)' & 'Pyar Do, Pyar Lo (Give Love, Take Love).'  While Bollywood frequently "borrows" samples from Western songs, it's rare that the opposite happens, especially on a track that would pass Tensake's muster. Inspired by lovers on a journey from Rajasthan to Barcelona, NYC's Nickodemus (née Nick DeSimone) adds some flamenco-driven flair to the Bollywood-influenced track by including a Spanish guitar & horn section.  The result is a languid melodic tune that connects the lovers via music despite being separated by circumstances beyond their control.

 

Rufus: 'Take Me (Cassian Remix)'

'Take Me' is the lead single off of the Australian trio known as RüFüS’ debut album, Atlas. While the production on the original song is light and warm (see the video), fellow Aussie producer Cassian draws from the song's melancholic verses to create a darker production that still maintains the pop elements of the original. The deep rolling bass and catchy vocals are dance-inducing, creating a perfect "end of summer" tune for those down under. Luckily for us, it serves nicely as a "warm up to spring" tune as well.

 

HAIM - 'Falling (Duke Dumont Remix)'

If you've read our column before, you know I'm a huge Duke Dumont fan. Hot off of the heels of the success of 'Need U (100%)' (and its amazing remixes), Dumont tries his hand at California-based HAIM's catchy 80s inspired single, 'Falling.' With this remix Dumont steps away from the bass heavy production he's known for and creates a more mellow, groovy, and yet, danceable tune that shows he's certainly not a one-note. Many music blogs have already pegged the trio of sisters known as HAIM to become a massive act in 2013, and pairing up with the likes of Dumont will hopefully launch both musical acts into the stratosphere.

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The OXD Mirror: New Music for 3.8.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / JOSH APPELBAUM

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

We are now on Spotify!  Subscribe to our 'As Featured on Towleroad' Playlist to listen to tracks posted from past weeks.

 

French Horn Rebellion: 'Girls (Rogue Vogue Remix)'

French Horn Rebellion are 2 Brooklyn-based brothers that describe themselves as "band geeks gone wild." While normally I would scoff at a song from two guys paying tribute to the female species, the song also features vocals from ex-Le Tigre member and out lesbian J.D. Samson, thereby mitigating the chauvinistic nature of the track. Chicago disco DJ Rogue Vogue adds in his signature disco style and chops up the vocals, making this once cheeky pop song a fun, dancefloor-appropriate work. The track is available for free download through the link above.

 

Gold Fields: 'Dark Again (Penguin Prison Remix)'

Although recently my taste has leaned towards deeper and 90's-inspired house, this appropriately dark remix of Australian band Gold Fields' single 'Dark Again' really struck a chord with me. Penguin Prison added deep synths, rolling bass and a much more sinister vibe to this song, giving it a very 80's new wave feel. Gold Fields have a sound that is reminiscent of pop/rock/dance comrades Phoenix and Van She. Their debut album is available on iTunes here, and it's definitely worth a listen if you like the former two bands.

 

Kraak and Smaak: 'The Future is Yours'

Netherlands-based trio Kraak & Smaak have been producing their own original songs and remixes for artists like Sam Sparro, Moby and Jamiroquai since 2003. Their latest single features vocals from a personal favorite of mine, UK crooner Ben Westbeech. His smooth and sexy vocals go quite nicely with the slick "uptempo lounge" sound Kraak & Smaak have crafted.  If this single is any indication of the sound of their new album, we are in for quite a deep house treat. I'm also a big fan of Tom Trago's deep house remix of this song, which can be found here. For extra credit, check out the video for Ben Westbeech's slick 2011 single 'Something For The Weekend'.

MORE NEW MUSIC, AFTER THE JUMP...

The OXD Mirror: New Music For 3.1.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / TADEU MAGALHÃES

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

 

Mitzi: 'Down'

While we featured the teaser single from Mitzi's debut album, Truly Alive, last October, the album finally dropped on Future Classic Records this month. The Australian quartet has mastered a beautiful, light-hearted electropop LP that will surely resonate well with fans of Cut Copy and Van She. My favorite pick on this 10-track album is 'Down,' which mirrors the classic disco mood into a track that is very cute and powerful. The album is available for free stream on Future Classic's SoundCloud page as well as on Spotify and in the iTunes Store.

 

Benoit & Sergio: '$100 Bill'

DC-based slick house duo Benoit & Sergio are on track to become one of next big names in dance music with their latest 2-track EP, Bridge So Far. The EP is released by one of my personal favorite labels, Hot Creations. Although the title track already stands out at first listen, it is the b-side, '$100 Bill' that really shines. The song is a mix of funk, deep house and pop with an extremely catchy beat, making it nearly impossible to stand still while listening. Our friend and fan of OXD, Mighty Mouse, gave this track a spin last Saturday at Brooklyn's Cameo Gallery, much to the delight our "gay occupied" dancefloor!

 

The Right Now: 'Call Girl (JKriv's Alter Ego Mix)'

JKriv is a producer, DJ and instrumentalist from Brooklyn who also founded the label Deep&Disco, which focuses on creating original soul, funk, disco and house music. His re-work of 'Call Girl,' by Chi-town based R&B and soul band The Right Now, showcases the more pop-oriented side of house music. It reminds me of the days of Naked Music, the acclaimed SF/NYC deep house label that made a stamp on the scene in the early 2000's with its soulful releases. The song is available as a free download on JKriv's SoundCloud page.

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The OXD Mirror: New Music for 2.22.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / RU BHATT

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based collective created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world. 

 

Ali Love feat. Kali: 'Emperor (Waze & Odyssey Remix)'

Ali Love is the voice behind Hot Natured's essential tune, 'Benediction'. His latest track, 'Emperor,' which releases April 1st, falls in suit with 'Benediction' with its soulful vocal styling, courtesy of Love, and energetic drum fills. UK-based Waze & Odyssey transform the disco infused original track into a lively house anthem that is sure to be a hit on the dancefloor.

 

Justin Timberlake: 'Suit & Tie (Julio Bashmore Remix)'

  

After producing hit songs for artists like Jessie Ware, British producer Julio Bashmore tackles Justin Timberlake's comeback single 'Suit & Tie' and predictably yields impressive results.  Bashmore chops up Timberlake's original vocals so they match his heavy organ production, and turns the infectious R&B-styled original song into a nu-disco-esque deep house banger that has much more appeal. 

 

€urocrats: 'Follow Me (Eliot Rollerblade Vocal Remix)'

 

€urocrats is a new musical project by two producers that are no strangers to this column: Dimitri From Paris and Aeroplane. While collaborations by hit producers are certainly on trend these days (see Hot Natured, DuTonc, and others), I am especially excited to hear what two of my absolute favorite DJs can come up with. The disco dons' new EP, Unite, has an impressive list of remixes from the likes of Fingerpaint and Busy P but it's Eliot's Rollerblade Vocal Remix of 'Follow Me' that is my favorite. The tropical 80's pop production by Eliot perfectly complements the New Order-ish vocals, creating a catchy track that transports you back in time.

 

Eli Escobar and Nomi Ruiz: 'Somebody to Love Me'

 

Eli Escobar & Nomi Ruiz's cover of Mark Ronson & Boy George's 2010 hit, 'Somebody to Love Me,' finally sees an official release on Escobar's forthcoming EP, Somebody To Love Me/Drifting, which drops on February 26th. Escobar's piano and saxophone laden production emphasizes the house elements of the song while the lyrics take an interesting twist when the openly transgendered Ruiz croons "I want somebody to be nice, see the boy I once was in my eyes." 

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The OXD Mirror: New Music for 2.15.13

BY OCCUPY THE DISCO / JOSH APPELBAUM

The OXD Mirror is a weekly music column brought to you by the boys of OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD), a New York City based movement created by three music lovers, Ru Bhatt, Josh Appelbaum, and Tadeu Magalhães, who want to share their love for disco, house and dance music with the world.

 

Mighty Mouse: 'Love Is Gonna Lift You Up (Sunrise Mix)'

We always get excited when one of our favorite producers, Mighty Mouse (who we have featured HEAVILY on Towleroad), drops a new track. It's not like the UK-based DJ and producer has been idle – he recently announced his new musical project, Du Tonc, with Van She's lead singer Matt Van Schie.  That hasn't stopped him from doing what he does best: creating lush electronic dance and disco tracks.  His latest, 'Love Is Gonna Lift You Up,' samples Bobby Womack's 2012 song of the same name and Mighty Mouse has given the track 3 different treatments: a Sunrise, Sunset and Church Mix. All three take the soulful R&B song and turn it into something inspiring. I especially like the Sunrise mix, as it injects nu-disco elements to make this once smooth song even more powerful and uplifting. We're hoping to hear this in person when we Occupy Brooklyn's Cameo Gallery for Mighty Mouse next week; Check out the details on our site.

 

The Carry Nation: 'House Like This'

I am really excited to share this release from NYC-based DJ duo The Carry Nation. Two of New York City's best gay DJs, Nita Aviance and Will Automagic, are the brains behind this outfit. Nita is known for DJing New York Times-profiled party Westgay while Will is resident DJ for Spank! Magazine's Brooklyn loft parties.  Both of these guys are talented in their own right and together are a force to be reckoned with.  'House Like This' is their first release and serves us their dirty underground brand of house music NYC has come to know and love.

 

Golf Clap: 'Another Way (Grant Nelson Remix)'

I stumbled upon this cut from deep house label Freeze Dried Records and I can't get enough of the slick 'evening time over cocktails' feeling this song evokes.  Apparently the Detroit based act Golf Clap is resonating well with others too, as this particular remix by British producer Grant Nelson went to #1 on Traxsource's top download charts this week.

MORE NEW MUSIC, AFTER THE JUMP...