Sander van Doorn - Koko

Artist: Sander van Doorn
Track: Koko
Label: Doorn Recrods

Well, well, welllllll. Looks like the once black sheep of the Dutch tech trance scene has embraced the Miami trouse (trance/house) scene. Not gonna lie, his new album is pretty sick and this track is ridiculous in the big room. A definite departure from his previous sound, but who cares, reinvention is the key to keeping things fresh. And this is a jam.

Laidback Luke - Live at Coachella 2011

Laidback Luke - Live at Coachella 2011 - Livesets.us

http://www.livesets.us/laidback_luke_-_live_at_coachella_music_festival-sat-04-16-2011.shtml

Link to download set above. This set is absolutely ridiculous and perfect for a festival setting. Sometimes DJ's forget they're not in a club when they DJ festivals, but Luke nails it. He always combines some elements of hip hop and in-house remixes into his sets, but he absolutely destroys anything I've ever heard live at a festival before (except for Tiesto Live at Homelands 2002). Just look at the track list below and tell me that everyone from a true club head to an 18 year old girl, recent high school grad didn't have all hands in the air for this set.

Tracklist :
01. La Fuente - Bang Bang w/ Seductive feat. Lady Bee -- Heat It Up (Acapella)
02. ID w/ Diplo & Laidback Luke - Hey! (Acapella)
03. iSquare - Hey Sexy Lady (Laidback Luke Remix)
04. N*E*R*D - She Wants To Move (ID Remix)
05. Laidback Luke feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Timebomb
06. MSTRKRFT feat. John Legend - Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Remix)
07. Usher feat. Will.I.Am - OMG (Alvaro Remix) w/ Laidback Luke & Steve Angello feat. Robin S - Show Me Love
08. Rage Against The Machine vs. Laidback Luke - Killing In The Name of My G*O*D (Gregori Klosman Mash-Up)
09. Tim Mason - The Moment (Steve Angello Edit)
10. Wynter Gordon - Dirty Talk w/ Wynter Gordon - Dirty Talk (Laidback Luke Remix) [Wynter Gordon Live]
11. Laidback Luke feat. Wynter Gordon - Speak Up [Wynter Gordon Live]
12. Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Laidback Luke Edit)
13. David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Loves Take Over w/ Droptop - Machete (High Rankin Remix)
14. Diddy - Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey vs. Doctor P - Big Boss Coming Home (Oh Snap Bootleg)
15. Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Deborah Cox - Leave The World Behind (ID Remix)
16. Flux Pavalion - Bass Cannon w/ Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello & Laidback Luke feat. Deborah Cox - Leave The World Behind (Acapella)
17. Steve Aoki & Laidback Luke feat. Lil Jon - Turbulence (D.O.D. Remix)
18. Steve Angello vs. House of Pain - Knas Around (Palmen Valkov Mash Up) w/ Cypress Hill - Insane In The Brain
19. Benny Benassi ft. Gary Go - Cinema (Laidback Luke Remix)
20. Proxy - Raven (Laidback Luke Edit) w/ Steve Aoki & Laidback Luke feat. Lil Jon - Turbulence (Acapella)
21. Steve Aoki & Laidback Luke feat. Lil Jon - Turbulence
22. The Squatters - One Life
23. Laidback Luke ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn - Till Tonight
24. Robyn - Indestructable (Laidback Luke Remix)

UPDATED: Third Party - Feel + Third Party - Release + Third Party ft. Abigail Bailey - Rise + Third Party - Duel (teaser)

Artist: Third Party
Track: Feel
Label: Size Records


Artist: Third Party
Track: Release
Label: Size Records

Four solid releases from Steve Angello's Size Records and an additional from Heat Style records. The UK trio absolutely kills it with "Duel", foreseeable as an absolute summer banger when it comes out in May.


Artist: Third Party ft. Abigail Bailey
Track: Rise
Label: Heat Style


Artist: Third Party
Track: Duel (teaser)
Labe: Size Records

Swanky Tunes ft. Mr. V.I. - Together (Hard Rock Sofa Remix)

Artist: Swanky Tunes ft. Mr. V.I.
Track: Together (Hard Rock Sofa Remix)
Label: Spinnin Records

I'm not sure how I let this one slip by without posting it, so let me say a heartfelt sorry. I've posted previously about Swanky Tunes and their fellow Russian cohorts Hard Rock Sofa, and I just assumed I included this track in the previous post. Fortunately I checked, because this tune deserves a single post all its own. The original mix is good, but throw in the Hard Rock Sofa edge, and damn this turned into an anthem. Major play all across the board from Axwell, Hardwell, David Tort and Norman Doray. It's a big one.

Arty ft Tania Zygar - The Wall + Arty - Hope + Arty & Mat Zo - Rebound + Arty - Zara

Artist: Arty ft. Tania Zygar
Track: The Wall
Label: Enhanced Recordings

Just a real solid, smooth trance track straight from Russian trance superstar Arty. This kid is young, like not old enough to get into bars young, but he has been absolutely killing it with his productions for a couple of years. Countless DJ's the likes of Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and Markus Schulz have been giving his productions non-stop spins and with good reason. The kid understands the formula and has mastered it. Ferry even released "Hope" (below) as an exclusive on his "Once Upon A Night" compilations. If you read this blog you already know my appreciation for another young producer, Mat Zo, whom Arty released "Rebound" (below) with a couple months ago. But to me, the one track that absolutely defines Arty's style is the beautifully done, yet edgy banger "Zara" (last video). Whenever a DJ drops that in the middle of his set, you know he means business.


Artist: Arty
Track: Hope
Label: Flashover Recordings



Artist: Arty & Mat Zo
Track: Rebound
Label: Ajunabeats


Artist: Arty
Track: Zara
Label: Ajunabeats

Save The Robot - Big Ben

Artist: Save the Robot
Track: Big Ben
Label: Avanti

Straight Friday fire. Save the Robot are a duo who have been producing hard and psychadelic trance for a long time now, and are pretty popular in Spanish speaking countries. This, however, is a departure from their usual sound, and a complete banger. Garnering huge support from everyone like Tiesto, Markus Schulz and Arty; to Pete Tong, Hardwell and Eddie Halliwell, Big Ben is their first release off of Black Hole imprint Avanti. Most definately a throw your hands up, CO2 spewing out of the vents, full on strobes, main floor tune.

Damian William - Maniana + Damian William - Tutti Frutti

Artist: Damian William
Track: Maniana
Label: Revealed

Two big room track thats been getting major support from Tiesto, Steve Angello and Judge Jules. This French DJ is using a combination and range of sounds you don't usually hear in progressive house, let alone French dance music. While the chord progressions are typical, his arrangements are unique and the quality of the tracks are superb, not relying on the typical "SHM formula". Expect to hear these for the next couple months popping up in a buncha DJs sets.


Arist: Damian William
Track: Tutti Frutti
Label: Revealed

Tiesto - Knock You Out (Diego Van Cooper Remix)

Tiesto - Knock You Out (Diego Van Cooper Remix) by Diego Van Cooper

Artist: Tiesto
Track: Knock You Out (Diego Van Cooper Remix)
Label: White

Recently played on his Club Life radio show, and the winner of his remix contest, this remix is fire. The first half of the song is kinda boring, but once the samples hit, wow. Good job on the remix work.

Kyau & Albert — Be There 4 U (Mat Zo Remix)

Artist: Kyau & Albert
Track: Be There 4 U (Mat Zo Remix)
Label: Euphonic

Mat Zo does it again. I posted a couple of months ago about the young, British, producer Mat Zo and how he was absolutely killing remixes for a variety of artists. This my friends, is another perfect example. He takes German trance duo Kyau and Albert's lofty, progressive hit "Be There 4 U" and essentially turns it into a feel good house track, dare I say verging on a French House tip. Not too hard, not too soft, but with a great vibe; the kid is good.


Artist: Kyau & Albert
Track: Be There 4 U
Label: Euphonic

Rony Seikaly - The World is Beautiful (Main Mix)

Artist: Rony Seikaly
Track: The World is Beautiful (Main Mix)
Label: Subliminal

When I first saw that ex-NBA tough guy and Miami Heat record holder Rony Seikaly was DJing at Pacha in NYC, I was like uhhhh, huh? So after a little investigating it seems that Seikaly is very good friends with house legend and Pacha co-owner Erick Morillo. I brushed it off thinking okay, so maybe the guy DJ's a little bit around Europe and Miami and his boy Erick is throwing him a bone on an off night.

(check out this article http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2010/07/nba_jam_rony_seikaly_goes_from.php )

Until this song came out and started to get major play from the likes of Tiesto, Pete Tong and the man Erick Morillo himself. And I will say, it's not too damn bad. Definitely the spaced out, Miami sound, but the guys got some chops. Imagine seeing this tall bastard in the DJ booth, hitting his head on the monitors jamming away. Not bad, Mr. Seikaly, not bad,

W&W vs Wezz Devall - Phantom (Original Mix) + W&W - Arena + W&W - Mainstage + W&W - Alpha

Artist: W&W vs Wezz Devall
Track: Phantom
Label: Armada

W&W consists of two, young, Dutch producers Willem van Hanegem and Wardt van der Harst (who also produces under the moniker Re-Ward). They started making tracks in 2007 and immediately made an impact on the trance scene with their signature, harder edged, tech-trance sound. "Mainstage" (below) and "Alpha" (below) are straight fire. Fridayyyyy firrreeee.


Artist: W&W
Track: Arena
Label: Captivating Sounds


Artist: W&W
Track: Mainstage
Label: Captivating Sounds


Artist: W&W
Track: Alpha
Label: Captivating Sounds

Wippenberg - U R (Original Mix) + Wippenberg - Pong + Wippenberg - Chakalaka

Artist: Wippenberg
Track: UR
Label: Get Wipped!

This track has been getting major play from a ton of DJ's in various genres; trance, progressive house, tech-house. You name them, they've been playing it. Without question it's definitely a deep bass line banger, and even a little on the creepy side. Given Wippenberg's pedigree of genre bending dance music, it's not surprise his newest hit track is one that is making record store clerks scratch their heads at what bin to put it in. He found his first massive hit a couple years ago with "Chakalaka" (below) and stuck with his guns to create some phenomenal music.


Artist: Wippenberg
Track: Pong
Label: High Contrast Recordings



Artist: Wippenberg
Track: Chakalaka
Label: High Contrast Recordings

Swedish House Mafia - Save The World

Artist: Swedish House Mafia
Track: Save the World
Label: Virgin

The new Swedish House Mafia track. They're going more and more in the mainstream direction, but not gonna lie, this song is going to be a summer banger. By all means this isn't new or groundbreaking, it has a bit of a harder edge and more of a melodic song structure than Guetta; but it isn't genre bending either. It's official release is 4/19.

James Talk & Ridney ft. Max C - One For Me + James Talk & Ridney - Forever

Artist: James Talk & Ridney ft. Max C
Track: One For Me
Label: Ministry of Sound

Solid British progressive house music with a catchy, disco house vocal vibe on both tracks. Ridney has been a star for a while getting major play from James Zabelia and Pete Tong, but teaming up with newcomer James Talk has produced quote a few club hits. This isn't really my cup of tea, but it's most definitely feel good, windows down in the car, sunshine house music. Alright, I'll admit my head is nodding a bit...



Artist: James Talk & Ridney
Track: Forever
Label: Defected

Aerofoil - Caress 2 Impress (Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction) + Phunk Investigation - DNA Extractor + Mike Foyle Presents Statica - Headrush

Artist: Aerofoil
Track: Caress 2 Impress
Label: Armada

I pulled all three of these tracks off of a Markus Schulz live set I've been listening to now for a couple of weeks straight (Global DJ Broadcast Live from Vision in Chicago). I've posted about Schulz's "Big Room Reconstructions" before and how he essentially highlights the best parts of each song and ends up taking them that many notches higher on the epic level. I'm not a huge fan of his radio show, as much like many other DJ's with weekly podcasts or radio shows, I dont think it demonstrates his true style of how he DJ's. Armin Van Buuren consistantly puts out the best radio show week to week, but it can vary from how hard or melodic it is, by week or even by hour. Eddie Halliwell, David Tort and Tiesto in my opinion put out radio shows that most closely mimick their live set style. With that being said, I think Armin Van Buuren is commerically plateauing. We all know the history of the trance gods, first is was Oakenfold, then it was Tiesto and now it's Van Buuren. I think the Van Buuren hype monster has almost run it's course in the trance world and within the next year or so a new king will be crowned. Whether it's Gareth Emery, Markus Schulz, Above and Beyond or a myriad of other DJ's, if Schulz really continues to expand his "brand" as a DJ, he has all the tools to do so. Tiesto made his name mainstream by his remixes, Van Buuren by his original productions; it's what the next person is going to do to set themselves apart is going to be the real clincher. Personally, having Schulz of German heritage and being Miami based, I wouldn't mind the US finally getting some credit for the trance scene.


Artist: Phunk Investigation
Track: DNA Extractor (Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction)
Label: Rusted Records


Artist: Mike Foyle Presents Statica
Track: Headrush
Label: Coldharbour Recordings

Afrojack - Doing It Right

Artist: Afrojack
Track: Doing It Right
Label: Wall Recordings

Typical Afrojack sounds but with some real heavy sub-bass here from the future star. He is is really starting to progress past is typical beep beep sound towards more complex sampling, as demonstrated by the main chord progression in this song. Coming just in time for spring, look for this track to be a main staple in any big, progressive house DJ's main room sets.

Katy Perry - E.T. (Futuristic Lover) (Tiesto Remix) + Faithless - Tweak Your Nipple (Tiesto Remix) + Editors - Papillon (Tiësto Remix) + Goldfrapp - Rocket (Tiesto Remix) + Delerium ft. Sarah McLachlan - Silence (Tiesto Remix Edit)

Atrist: Katy Perry
Track: E.T (Tiesto Remix)
Label: Capitol

I'm not sure how to feel about this Katy Perry remix, especially because it turns into a banger right around the 3:45 minute mark. Say you heard this in the club and you had no idea who Katy Perry was or have ever heard this song before, would you dig it? I think the overwhelming answer is yes. Tiesto has had a long history of making completely rediculous remixes; starting with the now infamous "Silence" (below) by Delerium. But the big story of last summer was all the remix bangers Tiesto dropped out of nowhere, the biggest being "Tweak Your Nipple" off of Faithless' new album. I have included 3 of the multitude he produced, and each one is rediculous. If you can find the live set of Tiesto at Radio 1's Big Weekend - here maybe ?http://www.trancecommunity.com/Forum/trance_sets/50697-tiesto_radio_1_big_weekend_2010_05_23_a.html - then you can hear for yourself.


Artist: Editors
Track: Papillion (Tiesto Remix)
Label: Kitchenware Records


Artist: Goldfrapp
Track: Rocket (Tiesto Remix)
Label: Mute


Artist: Faithless
Track: Tweak Your Nipple (Tiesto Remix)
Label: Ultra Records


Aritst: Delerium ft. Sarah McLachlan
Track: Silence (Tiesto Remix)
Label: Nettwerk

MYNC ft Abigail Bailey - Something On Your Mind (Denzal Park Remix)

Artist: MYNC Project ft. Abigail Bailey
Track: Something On Your Mind (Denzal Park Remix)
Label: CR2 Records

First of all, thanks to everyone in Denmark, who for the first time ever surpassed the United States in daily and weekly views. I don't make any money off of this blog and just really love to share good music (might be the DJ in me), so I appreciate everyone who reads and passes along to their friends.

With that being said, this song is a JAM. This duo has been DJing and putting out quality underground records for a while now, but getting recent play/recognition from Seb Ingrosso has really shot this song into the limelight. Perfect blend of the classic piano, banging drums and building synths. Abagail Bailey's vocals put the added touch on this song that reminds you of something like old Utah Saints or Moby. That whole repetitive piano sampling sound will live on forever in dance music, I mean shit, listen to disco and I guarantee you the same chord progression way played 35 years go. Quality big room track.

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike - Under The Water

Artist: Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
Track: Under the Water
Label: Vicious

A huge blast from the past, I heard this song this updated remix this past week on Tiesto's radio show and it reminded me that the original is still better than 90% of house music out there. Released over a decade ago (in 2000) by Danish duo Brother Brown, "Under the Water" was truely ahead of it's time and really reserved for the late night crowd. These guys were absolutely huge in the late 90's/early 2000's; it's good to relive to good old days and hear a track that really stands the test of time with a new update.

Florence & The Machine - You've Got The Love (Mark Knight Remix)

Artist: Florence & The Machine
Track: You Got the Love (Mark Knight Remix)
Label: Toolroom Records

Everything Mark Knight touches turns to gold, and this remix of an already great song proves it. He takes a perfectly well designed song (below) with an emotional groove, puts his stamp on it, and instantly makes it a club banger. This song is about 6 months old but hearing it again brings back the goosebumps. This is certified, big room, afterhours music. When he plays this live he draws out the break a little bit more using some filters and such, brings up the stobes and distortion, so when it actaully breaks....daaaamnnnn.


Artist: Florence & The Machine
Track: You Got the Love
Label: Universal

Greenville Massive - LOST (Cutted Version)

Artist: Greenville Massive
Track: LOST
Label: Soul Sheep Music

A departure from the usual anthem sound and big room stuff posted on here, "LOST" is just a solid track by Danish duo Greenville Massive. While this isn't something you'd want to hear at 2 AM to get the blood pumping to your toes, "LOST" is an undeniable head bobber. Haunting vocals, catchy piano sampling and simplistic yet effective drums make this top on my list for anytime I want to have drinks on a comfy sofa in some dark corner somewhere. Following the if it ain't broke don't fix it mentality, sometimes the making things more complex and layered isn't always the best route.

Axwell - Heart is King

Artist: Axwell
Track: Heart is King
Label: Axtone

There's absolutely nothing I can say about this song that isn't self-explanatory just by listening to it. You bring the house music muscle with a name like Axwell and his newest track better be a banger. Expect to hear this one in a a lot of Swedish House Mafia sets this summer boys and girls. Welcome to the weekend.