Monday, December 20, 2010

Holiday 2010 Listener

Every holiday season, I compile a CD to give as a stocking stuffer to family, friends and DJ colleagues. Rather than using the typical Top 40, overplayed fare, I attempt to add more substantive, soulful selections that might stand the test of time. Here are my selections of 2010.

Midnight (New Years Countdown Tool) - Groove Junkies. Use it for New Year’s Eve, or use the back portion “let’s take this party to the next level. DJ hit me one time!” for any party.

Champagne Life - Ne-Yo. Will this song be in your New Year’s set? It will be in mine "let's toast it up!"

C.R.E.A.M. (mashup) - Wu-Tang Clan versus the Beatles. Cash Rules Everything Around Me! The Beatles portion is a snippet from “And I Love Her.”

Runaway - Kanye West f/Pusha T (explicit) - This world is full of creeps, so why not toast these scumbags, jerkoffs, and "douchebags" (my favorite ‘Ye West reference). Rolling Stone rated this track its top single of 2010.

1976 - RJD2. This vintage-sounding funk production was recently composed by Philadelphia-based producer “Ramble John” RJ Krohn, better known as RJD2.

Do I Do - Stevie Wonder. Through the years I have increasingly appreciated the catalog of Stevie Wonder who produces the most soulful yet danceable tracks such as this, Superstition and many more.

Trem Da Central - Claudio Jorge. This track is from a genre known as Brazilian Funk. I love both funk and Brazilian music, so what a perfect genre.

Habla mi Corazon (Kevin Yost Remix) - Lemongrass. Lustrous, lounge music with a sexy female vocal in Spanish.

Depois Do Carnival (Spiritual South Remix) - Azymuth. Pack your bags for Rio Carnivale! I discovered this track via international tastemaker Gilles Peterson.

Aquilas Coisas Todas - Luisito Quintero. Smooth Latin house music, packed with percussion and a killer trombone solo. This track was played out by Louie Vega.

My House (Dennis Ferrer Remix) - Aaron Carl. Smooth sexy house off the Ovum Fall Collection compilation from some years back, but still sounds remarkably fresh and polished.

Waiting for Your Love - Onda. One of my favorite tracks from Francois K’s “Deep and Sexy” series.

Some Chords - DeadMau5. From Mouse’s latest album 4 x 4 =12, I always love the raw urban, yet melodic nature of his distinctive sound. Check out the video on YouTube where the protagonist’s head is deformed as a snare drum!

Flawed (Pink Noise Mix) - Morel. Morel was a frequent collaborator with Deep Dish prior to their break-up. Check out his patented moody house music.

99 Problems - Hugo. An acoustic rock cover of Jay-Z’s standard with a twist. Try this at your next hipster party!

Do You Realize? - The Flaming Lips. Sure, I attended the Flaming Lips concert earlier this year, but it's such an amazing track lyrically and capable of providing an epiphany.

Coming soon, Ambient DJs' top 25 dance tracks of 2010 as ranked by our various music mixologists (i.e., DJs).

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