Ideas for Wedding Cocktail Hour Music

A wedding cocktail hour is a time to set the mood.  It is a transition point between the formal ceremony and the convivial wedding reception party that is to follow.  Ingredients for a winning cocktail hour mix include:  1) atmospheric selections that put guests in a great mood,  2) a mix of current and classic music appropriate for guests of all ages, 3) an increasing energy level as the cocktail hour progresses (and the drinks kick in!);  and 4) intelligent song selections that include re-inventions of classics and some international spice.

At Ambient DJ, we do not use stock cocktail hour mixes, but rather custom program each set to reflect the unique style of the event.  The list below is organized into mini-sets by genres, that can be mixed and matched to reflect your own tastes in music.  Thematically, no 'breakup songs' are allowed, but the most important factor is the "feel" of the song, so even if there are occasionally "bittersweet lyrics," these tracks are fine.  This track list would also work well for the softer moments of a wedding reception while guests are eating and conversing.

Crooners
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
The Best is Yet to Come - Tony Bennett
You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You - Dean Martin
Quando, Quando - Michael Buble w/Nelly Furtado

Chanteuses
Peel Me a Grape - Ramsey Lewis w/Nancy Wilson
Speak Low - Cybill Shepherd with Stan Getz
Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
I Put a Spell on You - Queen Latifah
Besame Mucho - Diana Krall

80s
The Promise - When in Rome
Take My Breath Away - Berlin
Drive - The Cars
Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol
You Get What You Give - New Radicals

R&B/Soul

My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder

Valerie - Amy Winehouse

P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care) - John Legend

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys

Cherish the Day - Sade

Set Fire to the Rain (Moto Blanc Dance Remix) - Adele 

Electronic
All I Need - Air
I Only Have Eyes for You (cover) - Jamie Cullum
Whatever Lola Wants (Verve Remixed) - Sara Vaughan
So Come Voce - Thievery Corporation
Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun
54B - Mudd

International
The Girl From Ipanema - Bebel Gilberto with Kenny G.
Aganju (Latin Project Remix) - Bebel Gilberto
Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes f/The Black Eyed Peas
Un Simple Histoire - Thievery Corporation


Classics (Oldies)
Best of My Love - The Eagles
Crazy Love - Van Morrison
Michelle - The Beatles
Love's Theme - The Love Unlimited Orchestra
Rise - Herb Alpert
Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione

Alternative Rock
Awake My Soul - Mumford & Sons
Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg
Marry Me (First Dance Mix) - Train
Baby I'm Yours - Arctic Monkeys
First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine
Thank You Too - My Morning Jacket

Rock
If I Should Fall Behind - Bruce Springsteen
Walking on the Moon - The Police
The Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix
One - U2 f/Mary J. Blige
Low Light - Pearl Jam
The Pump - Jeff Beck
Big Yellow Taxi - The Counting Crows f/Vanessa Carlton

New Age
Paint the Sky With Stars - Enya
Only Time - Enya
Bellissimo - Ilya

Reggae/Tropical
No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley
Close to You - Maxxi Priest
Red, Red Wine - UB40
Never Ever Worry - Lord Pretender
Jump in the Line - Harry Belafonte

Country
Why Don't We Just Dance - Josh Turner
People are Crazy - Billy Currington
Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not - Thompson Square
Highway 20 Ride - Zac Brown Band
Lost in This Moment - Big & Rich




ABOUT AMBIENT DJ SERVICE

Ambient DJ Service is an award-winning mobile DJ service based in Central New Jersey.  Our company prides itself on its deep musical knowledge and programming skills.  To learn more about our wedding, corporate and private party services, visit our website at http://www.ambientdj.com

DJ Gregg Ambient's Top 25 Dance Tracks - Winter 2012

A regular feature of the Ambient DJ blog is the submission of quarterly playlists.  These songs reflect selections that a particular DJ is currently using in his party sets. To kick off the New Year right, Ambient DJ's head honcho "DJ Gregg Ambient" chimes in with his Top 25 favorites!  They are listed in no particular order:

1) Dance (A*$) (Nicki Minaj) - Big Sean f/Nicki Minaj (hip hop)

2) T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever) - Will.I.am with J. Lo and Mick Jagger (dance) 

3) I'm Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO (Dance)

4) Rack City - Tyga (Hip Hop)

5) The Motto - Drake f/Lil Wayne (Hip Hop)

6) Good Feeling - Flo Rida (dance)

7) Moves Like Jagger - Maroon Five (Pop/Dance)

8) Ladi Dadi - Steve Aoki with Wynter Gordon (electro)

9) Set Fire to the Rain (Moto Blanc Remix) - Adele (dance)

10) Lotus Flower Bomb - Wale w/Miguel (R&B)

11) Lovumba - Daddy Yankee (Reggaeton)

12) Take Over Control - Afrojack f/Eva Simons (dance)

13) Shuri Shuri (Crazy) (Bodybangers Remix) - Denis Naidanow w/Juan Nagan (Latin Dance)

14) Turn Me On - David Guetta w/Nicki Minaj (dance)

15) Give Me Everything Tonight - Pitbull w/Ne-Yo and Nayer (dance)

16) Love You Like a Love Song - Selena Gomez (dance)

17) You Da One - Rihanna (dance)

18) Lick It - Kaskade & Skrillex (dance/dubstep)

19) Levels - Avicii (dance)

20) The One That Got Away - Katy Perry (dance)

21) It Will Rain - Bruno Mars (dance)

22) Young, Wild & Free (f/Bruno Mars) - Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa (hip hop)

23) Paris - Jay-Z and Kanye West (hip hop)

24) Don't Stop (Color on the Walls) - Foster the People (alternative)

25) Una Vaina Loca - Fuego (Latin)

Throwbacks:

1) I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) - Hall & Oates (80s) 

2) Don't Stop Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson (80s)

3) Just a Friend - Biz Markie (90s)

4) Heaven Scent - Bedrock (raver music)

5) Fat Boys - Fat Boys (Old Skool Hip Hop)

To book DJ Gregg Ambient for your next party, visit our new and improved website at www.ambientdj.com.  One love!

What is Video Fusion Karaoke?

Several years ago I coined the term "Video Fusion Karaoke" to refer to a new entertainment service being offered by Ambient DJs.  Fusion refers to a melding of individual components.  So what exactly is Video Fusion Karaoke?

Video Fusion Karaoke is:
    1 part Music Video party
    1 part Karaoke party
    1 part Dance Party, and
    3 parts Excitement!

The genesis of this idea was that since a karaoke DJ is already using a screen (we use high end plasmas), why not use these screens to play current and classic music videos, bringing the music and fashions to life?  Video stimulates the senses and creates a true multi-media experience.  Our software is also able to display custom slides and shout-out popular singers.

The second leg of the stool - karaoke, is an interactive entertainment style beloved by many Americans.  Guests take the main stage and become a star!  Karaoke nights are great fun, but can become dull if the quantity and quality of performances drops.

The third leg of the stool - dance party, means just that.  Guests are encouraged to dance throughout the evening - during a live karaoke performance, or during one of the DJ's karaoke intermission sets where a long string of singers is broken up by playing several high-energy, current dance tunes.  At my weekly residence at Brewster's Pub, guests always look forward to dancing popular line dances such as the Cupid Shuffle or Electric Slide.  It is a delight to see a packed Saturday night dance floor - but on a Wednesday night!

Video Fusion Karaoke - at a Wedding!

Of course Video Fusion Karaoke is exciting... it's provocative and really gets the people going!  Depending on the mix of guests on any given night, the proportion of Video, Karaoke, and Dancing can be fine-tuned to the taste of the crowd!

Video Fusion is great for bars, but it also works well for sundry events including corporate parties, Sweet 16s, Community Events and even weddings! 

For those located in Central NJ, please check out my weekly Wednesday Video Fusion Karaoke party at Brewsters Pub in East Windsor.  The set begins at 8 PM, with the real action starting after 10 PM and usually winding down around 1 AM.  Brewsters is located at 529 Route 130 North in East Windsor, NJ - just past the Dairy Queen.  For private party bookings, visit us on the web at www.ambientdj.com and find out why our slogan is "The Art of the Party"!

DJ Iron Mike Wins 2011 Ambient DJ Service Quiz

The Ambient DJ Service Annual Quiz is a fun, highly-anticipated event where Ambient DJ's staff members are forced to jog their memory on the year's past events and bountiful blog entries.  Congratulations to DJ Iron Mike for posting the highest score this year and winning a cash prize!   Congrats to Mike as well for being on the verge of celebrating his '5 Year Anniversary' as an Ambient DJ Music Mixologist (DJ).  Shout-out to runner-up, DJ Austin!

DJ Iron Mike Rides to Victory in the 2011 Ambient DJ Quiz!

Here are the questions and answers that Mike successfully navigated.  Perhaps you will learn a new fact or two about out company!  Most of these stories were covered in the 2011 blog.  As you may observe, we work very hard, but also try to have fun along the way!

1) Ambient DJ recently struck up a strategic alliance with which national brand?
  a) Red Bull
  b) Relatainment
  c) David's Bridal http://blog.ambientdj.com/2011/12/ambient-dj-service-joins-vendor.html
  d) WeddingWire

2) In the maiden installation of "The Ambies" which song took the crown for Top Dance Song of 2011?

  a) Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
  b) Give Me Everything Tonight - Pitbull http://blog.ambientdj.com/2011/12/best-music-of-2011-ambies.html
  c) I'm a Boss - Rick Ross f/Nicki Minaj
  d) Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan

3) A superlative party experience at Ambient DJ is known to have met what standard?

  a) The Schmaltz Standard
  b) The Schlitz Standard
  c) The Smauz Standard (Explanation: The Smauz wedding of years past was 'off the chain' and set the standard!)
  d) The Gold Standard

4) Ambient DJ's most financially successful month in history occurred in which month during 2011?
  a) May
  b) June
  c) October
  d) December

5) Which of the following geographic locales did Ambient DJ NOT perform in during 2011?
  a) Brooklyn
  b) Manhattan
  c) Philadelphia
  d) Cape May

6) Ambient DJs' 2011 photo shoot featured all of the below, except for:

  a) freezing temperatures
  b) a hot post-shoot lunch at Panera Bread 
  c) crazy co-eds rocking "the monacle" pose
  d) Gill howling "Oh Yeah" on the Princeton campus
  e) standup comedy by Larry Sargent

Enter the Monacle!

7) Ambient DJs' 2010 holiday party featured which celebrity impersonator:

  a) Rick Ross
  b) Robert DeNiro
  c) Barack Obama
  d) Tony Soprano

8) Which of the following is a key corporate strategy for 2012?

  a) increased emphasis on internet marketing
  b) the establishment of a branch office in Short Hills
  c) a major equipment overhaul and focus on intelligent lighting
  d) the creation of a PhotoBooth segment

9) In 2011, Ambient's Bar & Nightlife segment was coronated:

  a) REG - Renaissance Entertainment Group
  b) PURE - Pure Ambience
  c) AA - Ambient Aesthetics
  d) REL - Relatini's

10) Prince William and Kate Middleton used which of the following songs for their grand entrance at the Royal Wedding?

  a) Pomp & Circumstance - Elgar
  b) Canon in D - Pachelbel
  c) The One - Sir Elton John
  d) I Was Glad - Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry http://blog.ambientdj.com/2011/05/royal-wedding-processional-song.html

11)  Match the DJ with the correct fact

1. DJ Larry Sargent (f)   a. owns a trailer
2. DJ Greg Nice (d)       b. DJs wearing a hat.
3.  DJ Iron Mike (e)       c. has a fetish for the color orange
4. DJ Garrett B. (g)        d. drives the same car as Horatio Cane, known for long speeches      
5. DJ Spinzy (c)             e. "the hardest working DJ in Central NJ"
6. DJ Jesse (a)                f.  "Now Dance, that's an Order!"
7.  DJ Austin (b)            g.  blasts dubstep from his whip  

12) In 2011, Ambient DJ Service was featured in all of the following publications EXCEPT FOR:

a) DJ Times Magazine
b) The College of New Jersey Alumni Magazine
c) Mobile Beat Magazine
d) NJDJN Newsletter

13) Tiebreaker - name my favorite club in New York City.  Answer- Cielo for its deep house and dub courtesy of resident DJ Francois K.! http://blog.ambientdj.com/2010/01/monday-night-outing-dj-francois-k-in.html

To view the 2010 Holiday Quiz, click here.

The Best Music of 2011 - The "Ambies"

Well, 2011 is nearly a wrap and it's time to take a walk down memory lane.  If we were on the 'Board' of an artistic academy (such as for the Grammys), what artists and songs would we nominate for the 'Best of' 2011?

In lieu of an the Academy, Ambient DJs' staff members - as well as several industry friends, opined on their nominees for the "Best of 2011."  Contributing DJs include DJ Iron Mike, DJ Spinz, DJ AllDay, DJ Greg Nice, DJ Brett Gash, DJ Garrett B., DJ Austin, DJ "Stav the Greek," DJ Gill "the Dream" and myself, DJ Gregg Ambient.  Keep in mind that our esteemed academy is based in Central NJ, a land where dance music and hip hop reign, and country music is seldom heard.

Introducing, the categories and nominations for the first annual "Ambie" awards!  Winners are announced at the bottom of the blog.

TOP DANCE SONG OF THE YEAR
1) Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO
2) Give Me Everything Tonight - Pitbull f/Ne-Yo, Nayer and Afrojack
3) Paris - Jay-Z and Kanye West
4) Cinema (Skrillex Remix) - Benny Benassi
5) Barbara Streisand - Duck Sauce

BEST NEW ARTIST
1) Mumford and Sons
2) Foster the People
3) J. Cole
4) Wiz Khalifa
5) Avicii

BEST ALBUM
1) 21 - Adele
2) Watch the Throne - Jay-Z and Kanye West
3) Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites - Skrillex
4) Sorry for Party Rocking - LMFAO
5) Torches - Foster the People

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1) Pitbull
2) Adele
3) Jay-Z and Kanye West
4) The Black Eyed Peas
5) Chris Brown

BEST HIP HOP/R&B ACT
1) Rick Ross
2) Nicki Minaj
3) Drake
4) Trey Songz
5) Miguel

TOP POP ACT
1) Lady Gaga
2) Katy Perry
3) Rihanna
4) Justin Bieber
5) Bruno Mars

TOP ELECTRONIC ACT
1) Avicii
2) Skrillex
3) David Guetta
4) DeadMau5
5) Afrojack

Based on staff consensus and the executive powers of DJ Gregg Ambient, the winners of the first annual Ambie Awards are shown below!

TOP DANCE SONG OF THE YEAR

Nearly every DJ selected either LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" or Pitbull's "Give Me Everything Tonight."  In a very close call, the award goes to "Mr. Worldwide" Pitbull... this track really works crowds into a frenzy!

BEST NEW ARTIST

In a close battle against J. Cole, Mumford & Sons takes the Ambie!



BEST ALBUM

As one DJ commented, Adele's 21 has the best production, vocals and lyrics, and most of us agreed.  The album of the year goes to Adele, and let's hope that her voice problems are resolved soon.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

And the Ambie goes to..... Jay-Z and Kanye West for their collaboration on "The Throne"  Their music is "provocative and really gets the people going!"



BEST HIP HOP/R&B ACT

Dancefloors could just not get enough of the barks, grunts and boasts of the Teflon Don, aka Ricky Rosay, aka Big Meech - congratulations Rick Ross!



TOP POP ACT

Our DJs were most impressed by the efforts of Rihanna in 2011.  Lady Gaga's latest album was good, but not ground-breaking.  Bruno Mars' charisma and talent should take him far.  Bieber and Perry made us yawn.



TOP ELECTRONIC ACT

As a general comment, electronic dance music made great strides in 2011, breaking through into mainstream radio.  But the biggest break-through artist of them all was Skrillex, best known for his bass-heavy dubstep and electro productions.



Thanks to the Academy!

We look forward to partying with you in 2012!  To learn more about our award-winning DJ services, visit us online at www.ambientdj.com.

To view DJ Gregg Ambient's Top 50 songs of 2011, click here.
To view his 25 Recommended songs for New Year's Eve, click here.

25 Songs for New Year's Eve 2011

Listed below, Ambient DJs' lead music mixologist, DJ Gregg Ambient, shares 25 top song selections for New Year's Eve 2011.  The list is composed of a combination of current and classic tracks:

1) New Years' Eve Countdown Tool - The Groove Junkies ("5.4.3.2.1... Happy New Year! Let's take this party to the next level.... DJ, hit me one time"). (drops)
2) Lil Jon New Years Countdown Party Pack - Lil Jon (available to DJs on www.crooklynclan.net) (drops)
3) Auld Lang Syne - Guy Lombardo (classic)
4) New Years Eve Party Medley - Bobby Morganstein Productions (a medley of upbeat marches to welcome the New Year!) (novelty)
5) A Night to Remember - Shalamar (disco)
6) 1999 - Prince (90s)
7)  Love Come Down - Evelyn "Champagne" King (disco)
8) Got to Be Real - Cheryl Lynn (disco)
9) High Energy - Evelyn Thomas (disco)
10) Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond (party classics)
11) Give Me Everything Tonight - Pitbull f/Ne-Yo, Nayer and Afrojack (dance)
12) Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan (dance)
13) Favorite DJ (Disco Fries Remix) - Clinton Sparks f/Jermaine Dupri (dance)
14) I'm Still Hot - Luciana (dance)
15) What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas - DJ Chuckie (electro)
16) The Cupid Shuffle - Cupid (line dance)
17) Wanna Be Startin' Something - Michael Jackson (dance)
18) New Years Day - U2 (80s rock)
19) Set It Off - Strafe (early 80s dance jam)
20) Paris - Jay-Z and Kanye West (hip hop)
21) Love in this Club - Usher f/Young Jeezy (hip hop/R&B)
22) Cut the Lights - Chris Reeder and DJ Skribble (dance)
23) Levels - Avicii (electro)
24) Resurrection - PPK (trance)
25) You Make Me Feel Brand New - The Stylistics (R&B)

7 "Chill" Tracks For the Afterparty

1)  Rapture (Avicii New Generation mix) - Nadia Ali (electronic)
2) Carbonated - Mt. Kimbie (dubstep)
3) Purple Rain - Prince (80s)
4) Becoming X - Sneaker Pimps (downtempo)
5) Gold for the Price of Silver - Kings of Convenience (Chillout)
6) Dirty Laundry (Tom Middleton's Balearic Mix) - Bitter:Sweet (Chillout)
7) Lick It (Kaskade's Ice Mix) - Kaskade and Skrillex (downtempo)

Happy New Year everybody!  Dance up a storm, party safe, and see you in 2012!

Musically yours,

DJ Gregg Ambient

For more ideas, view my top 50 dance tracks of 2011 that can be viewed by clicking here.

Twitter - The Best of 2011

To tweet or not to tweet, that is the question!

Ambient DJ Service (Twitter Handle @AmbientDJs) tweeted heavily in 2011.  We fired off some 4,000 tweets (messages) during the year.  Many of these messages were links to blog entries while others were shout-outs to our favorite Twitter users.  Our most popular days to Tweet were on #MusicMonday and #WeddingWednesday.

I confess that when learning about Twitter a couple of years ago, I though that the concept was stupid.  How much information could be shared in the 140 character limit?  Did I really want to read drivel from the likes of Paris Hilton tweeting "Poppin' bottles at Pure with the Kardashians..."  Well, after giving Twitter a try, I came to love its rhythm, which is very different from Facebook or email.  Limited to 140 characters, the author of a tweet must distill a message to its very essence.

During the year, I purchased goods and services from businesses discovered via Twitter.  Similarly, Ambient DJ Service booked more than a few private events and weddings from those who got to know us on Twitter.  Importantly, Twitter helps to promote "top of mind awareness."

Listed below are 50 of our favorite Twitter Users of 2011. To make the list, users had to exhibit some combination of the following characteristics:

1) Presence - did they Tweet often enough for us to notice?

2) Content - were their Tweets interesting, informative or creative?

3) Interactive - did they take the time to respond to our Tweets or re-tweet our content?  

In drumroll fashion, here is the Best of Twitter 2011 list!  We have listed the Twitter handle followed by a category, and a quick summary.

@JerseyGoods (New Jersey) - Knowledgeable on wide range of NJ topics, great re-tweeter!

@AndrewDarlow (Photography) - Posts great technical tips, and shares awesome content.

@WedOnWheels (Weddings) - South Jersey-based wedding officiant with prolific Tweet action.

@FavorsByDorinda (Weddings) - Well-connected wedding favor pro who is quick to re-tweet (RT).  Also check out Dorinda's daughter Alyssa's Twitter account @Thx4Noticing Me (Social Media).

@njwedding (Weddings) - Erik Kent, head of njwedding.com, has his finger on the pulse of the New Jersey wedding industry, shares great information, and will RT quality content.

@WeddingWireEdu (Weddings) - Great source of business tips for wedding pros.

@Al_Ojeda_Photo (Weddings) - Al and Ida are great wedding photographers who love social media.

@CardBoxDiva (Weddings) - Marni Gold designs creative card boxes & loves to Tweet and RT.

@MondayFlowers  (Weddings/Floral) - Georgianne V. frequently tweets about weddings & Princeton.

@NassauInn (Weddings/Hotels/Princeton) - loves to Tweet on Princeton history, weddings and food.

@SheratonNJShore (Weddings/Hotels) - one of the most engaging banquet hall Tweeps.

@CruiseDivaNJ (Travel/Princeton) - Stacey K. posts great travel tips.

@LisaPhoto2_0 (Weddings/Social Media) - Lisa provides more shout-outs than a DJ!

@WeddingQuestion (Weddings) - learn the ins and outs of wedding etiquette.

@njwedofficiant (Weddings) - Celia Milton never forgets her Wedding Wednesday shout-outs!
@WeddingMusicPro (Weddings) - Gloria and Barbara are great resources for wedding music.

@PRforSmallBiz (Public Relations/Business) - Karina Alvela offers great tips for small business.

@JonMoore (Music Promotion) - Super Promoter Jon Moore helps DJs stay on the cutting edge.

@WehringerandCo (Social Media) - Tracy W. is generous to share tips and give RTs and +ks.

@PhillyCyberGeek (Social Media) - His geekery will improve your results from Social Media.

@RuhaniRabin (Social Media) - Celebrity Tweeter with great lists and tips.

@ScreaminLunatic (Weddings/Social Media) - An edgy and prolific Tweep who makes you think.

@MrsMoNJ (Public Relations/Princeton) - Well-connected Princeton-area Hilary Morris.

@SocialSavvyGeek (Social Media) - Informative articles on timely social media topics.

@kdevito (Social Media/Princeton) - Well-connected Princeton-area Katie DeVito.

@PREXMusic (Record Stores/Princeton) - The Princeton Record Exchange tweets about music.

@PrincetonAds (Princeton) - Interesting posts, frequent re-tweeter, and great website for free local classified ads.

@DJTimesMag (DJs) - The world's best DJ magazine.

@RollingStone (Music) - Read the stories behind the music.  Great lists!

@AmazonMP3 (Music) - Watch their Tweets for mind-bending bargains.

@KarlDetkenProDJ (DJs) - His Twitter graphic alone is worth the price of admission.  Great info on digital DJing.

@DJSkribble (DJs) - A DJ celebrity who is not afraid to interact with his fans.  Respect!

@DJShiftee (DJ/turntablism/dubstep) - Shiftee shares free mixes and informative blogs.  Get it.

@Nigel611 (DJs/Philadelphia/Real Estate) - Nigel knows techno, and Nigel knows Philly.

@DJCassidy (Celebrity DJ) - See which celebrity DJ Cassidy is rubbing elbows with this weekend.

@PhillyGG (Philadelphia/Music/Current Events).  A witty Tweeter with personality-plus.

@cmcandela (TV/Pop Culture) - prolific & fascinating Tweep who even Tweeted from her own wedding!

@80sMusicGirl (Music) - If 80s music is your guilty pleasure, then follow.

@BalloonsByRenee (Parties/Inspiration) - This fast-paced Manhattan Tweep always has your back.

@SorayaAgency (Bellydancing) - Soraya is not only a professional dancer, but a super-courteous Tweep!

@GSLDJs (DJs) - Get inside the mind of DJ Greg Nice with his rapid-fire, late night Tweets!

@DJChrisAtwood (DJs) - Follow the adventures of DJ Chris Atwood on Twitter #tigerblood

@TonyTeeNeto (DJs) - Voice-over artist, wedding DJ, business guru and quick to RT quality content.

@JasonJani (DJs/Social Media) - Follow the moves of the head honcho of SCE Event Group.

@HurricaneDJs (DJs/Social Media) -  Pioneers of the "new school" DJ movement in performance and marketing

@Manta (Business) - Posts frequent short, inspirational blogs to super-charge your business.

@8pmWarrior (Business) - Thought-provoking tweets on leadership, business, social media.

@Gitomer (Sales) - The King of Sales shares his success secrets.

@Humblebrag (Comedy) - profiles mostly celebrities who disguise boasts in a humble manner.

@BestWorstAdvice (Comedy) - outrageous posts that will make you laugh (or cry).

To follow any of these great Twitter personalities, type in www.twitter.com/ACCOUNTNAME.  For example, www.twitter.com/DJTimesMag.  Please follow Ambient DJ Service on Twitter by clicking here, and follow us on Facebook by clicking here.

Happy Holidays from DJ Gregg Ambient

Each year I enjoy recording a holiday compilation (unmixed) of favorite tracks.  This year's project is called "Switch the Style Up" which is a double-entendre.  First, this phrase is popular in hip hop parlance.  Second, the compilation features a wide range of styles as seen below.  If you are interested in receiving a free copy of the compilation, please send an email to info@ambientdj.com.  For those friends and wedding vendors who have been good boys and girls this year, keep an eye on your mailboxes!  

TRACK LIST AND LINER NOTES

It would have been easy to throw together the hottest dance songs on the radio and call it a day.  Instead, I selected tracks from many different genres - old and new - most of these songs have, or will stand the test of time due to their quality.  The compilation starts on a mellow note, with the energy building up throughout.  Enjoy!

Marooned - Pink Floyd (Psychedelic Rock).  A mysterious start to any holiday listener.

Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg (Acoustic Rock).  A mellow, romantic track used for a Brooklyn hipster wedding in the DUMBO neighborhood.

Pumped Kicks - Foster the People (Alternative Rock).  Enjoy this catchy track by a break-through artist.

Rolling in the Deep - Adele (Retro Soul).  Adele’s voice is huge and soulful.

I Can’t Help It - Michael Jackson (R&B) - Written by Stevie Wonder and Susaye Green of the Supremes, this little known track from the Off the Wall album is wonderful.

Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Marvin Gaye (Soul). While a protest song, Gaye still makes the song sound beautiful, and I love the sax solo.

Body & Soul - Tony Bennett with Amy Winehouse (Crooners & Chanteuses).  Sadly this was the last song that Winehouse recorded before her untimely death. Notice that when Tony & Amy harmonize, Amy takes the lower notes with her sultry voice.

Feeling Good - Michael Buble (Crooners) - Michael Buble was blessed with a perfect voice and is also a great entertainer. Check out the Youtube video where at a concert Buble is heckled by a mother who wants her son to sing onstage.  Buble plays along, cues up this song, and the results may surprise you!

Bossa Nova U.S.A. - Dave Brubeck (Jazz).  Brubeck, now in his early 90s, is one of my favorite jazz pianists.

Spring - Ursula Rucker (electronica) - Philadelphia-based Rucker, best known for her poetry and political activism, showcases her vocal abilities in this moody electronic soundscape.

Dirty Laundry (Tom Middleton’s Balearic Mix) - Bitter:Sweet (Downtempo/Electronica).  The classically-trained DJ/producer Tom Middleton is an all-time favorite, producing lush electronic soundscapes such as this.

Waiting in Vain - Bob Marley (reggae).  One of Marley’s lesser known tracks, it is among his best.

Come See About Me - Diana Ross & the Supremes (Motown).  Fun Motown track.

You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates (80s).  Hall & Oates are perhaps my favorite 80s act, and this track is a great party starter!

La Vida Es Un Carnaval  - Celia Cruz (Salsa).  The Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, was a major talent.  Coincidentally, I performed at a party this past year where the client was the doctor who treated Celia Cruz in her final years here in the U.S.

Audio Drop - Luciana.  Thank you to LA-Based “Super Promoter Extraordinaire Jon Moore” for having Luciana record this drop for me!

I’m Still Hot - Luciana (dance) - “I’ll rock your world... like a DJ”.. thanks Luciana for shouting-out the DJ!

Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun (dance).  This catchy song was featured in the movie “Hall Pass”

We Found Love - Rihanna f/Calvin Harris (dance).  Euphoric peak hour jam with Rihanna’s high-def vocals.

Sayonara - Ryuichi Sakamoto (international).  Sayonara of course is the Japanese word for “goodbye”... so goodbye until we meet again in 2012!

To check out DJ Gregg Ambient's Top 50 Dance Tracks of 2011, click here.

Musically yours,

Gregg Hollmann, aka DJ Gregg Ambient
Ambient DJ Service
www.ambientdj.com

DJ Gregg Ambient's Top 50 Dance Songs of 2011

Greetings party people!  From a musical perspective, 2011 was an interesting year.  Electronic styles became increasingly popular at the expense of hip hop.  Artists like David Guetta fused the two, using R&B vocalists (like Usher) or rap artists (like Nicki Minaj) over his high energy Euro-beats.  Here are the Top 50 tracks that kept my dancefloors movin' and groovin' throughout the year.

In countdown fashion, drumroll please....

50. The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie - Red Hot Chili Peppers (rock)
49. Under the Cover of Darkness - The Strokes (alternative)
48. The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco (hip hop)
47. Sugar Sweet (Shiftee Remix) - Aurora Young (electronic)
46. Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win - The Beastie Boys w/Santigold (hip hop)
45. Lotus Flower - Radiohead (alternative)
44. Animals - Neon Trees (rock)
43. Sofi Needs a Ladder - DeadMau5 (techno) Featured in the Hangover 2.
42. Where Them Girls At - David Guetta w/Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj (dance)
41. Raise Your Glass - Pink (pop)
40. S&M - Rihanna (dance)
39. When a Woman Loves - R. Kelly (R&B)
38. Okay (Rum & Red Bull) - Beenie Man (reggae)
37. John - Lil Wayne w/Rick Ross (hip hop)... Ross' grunts and chirps prevailed in 2011!
36. Coma Cat - Tensnake (disco house)
35. Blow - Ke$ha (pop)
34. Take Over Control - Afrojack w/Eva Simons (electro)
33. Levels - Avicii (electro)
32. We Found Love - Rihanna f/Calvin Harris (dance)
31. Don't Wanna Go Home - Jason DeRulo (dance)
30. Teach Me How to Dougie - Cali Swag District (hip hop)
29. Loca - Shakira f/Dizzee Rascal (Latin)
28. Tonight Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae (pop)
27. Barbara Streisand - Duck Sauce (dance)
26. You Make Me Feel - Cobra Starship f/Sabi (dance)
25. Yeah (3x) - Chris Brown (dance)
24. Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People (alternative)
23. Forget You - Cee Lo Green (party jam)
22. We No Speak Americano - Yolanda f/D-Cup (dance)
21. Hello - Martin Solveig f/Dragonette (dance)
20. Turbulence - Steve Aoki f/Lil Jon and Laidback Luke (electro)
19. Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 w/Christina Aguilera (pop)
18. Someone to Love Me (Naked) - Mary J. Blige w/Diddy and Lil Wayne (R&B)
17. Monster - Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rick Ross & Nicki Minaj (hip hop)
16. Beautiful People (Disco Fries Remix) - Chris Brown (dance)
15. Stereo Love - Edward Maya f/Vika Jigulina (dance)
14. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry (pop)
13. The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga (dance) (rest in peace Clarence Clemons)
12. On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez f/Pitbull (dance)
11. Favorite DJ (Disco Fries Remix) - Clinton Sparks w/Jermaine Dupri (dance)
10. Time (the Dirty Bit) - The Black Eyed Peas (dance)
 9. Cinema (Skrillex Remix) - Benny Benassi (dubstep)
 8. Down on Me - Jeremih f/50 Cent (R&B)
 7. No Hands - Waka Flocka Flame (hip hop)
 6. Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan (dance)
 5. Danza Kuduro - Don Omar (Latin)
 4. Paris - Jay-Z and Kanye West (hip hop)
 3. Rolling in the Deep - Adele (Retro Soul)
 2. Give Me Everything Tonight - Pitbull f/Ne-Yo, Nayer and Afrojack (dance)
 1. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO (heavily requested throughout the year.  The group's "I'm Sexy and I Know It" has huge potential to chart in the Top 10 for 2012.



ABOUT DJ GREGG AMBIENT

Gregg is the President of Ambient DJ Service, an award-winning mobile DJ company based in Central New Jersey.  He enjoys performing at a variety of events ranging from Sweet 16s, to weddings, to bar/club engagments... and likes his dance floors HOT.  He also spins music videos.  To review DJ Gregg Ambient's top 50 dance songs of 2010, click here.

To review his top hits of the 1990s, click here.
To review his top picks of the 1980s, click here.
To review his top Motown dance picks, click here.
To review his favorite Old Skool hip hop tracks, click here.

To learn more about Ambient DJ Service, please visit our website at www.ambientdj.com

To view Gregg's bio, as well as the other Ambient DJ music mixologists, click here.

Gig Log - WWPHS 10 Year Class Reunion - Nassau Inn

Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to throw a class reunion as guests are in full party mode with the long weekend.  This past Friday, Ambient DJ Service had the pleasure of performing at the West Windsor Plainsboro High School Class of 2001- 10 Year Reunion party held at the Nassau Inn in Princeton, NJ.  We were retained by Princeton-based event planner Dharmi Shah of Evenings of Elegance.

The party was held from 8 PM - 11 PM in the elegant Prince William Room located on the ground level.  Coincidentally, the party coincided with the lighting of the tree in Palmer Square, located directly in front of the Nassau Inn.  The area was abuzz with activity, and it was a wise decision to arrive very early for load-in and set-up.

For the event, Ambient DJ uplit the room in blue.  In addition, we also provided a 42 inch plasma television to display a video slideshow set on a loop.  DJ Gregg Ambient presided on the wheels of steel, spinning a variety of 90s hip hop and current dance music.  Class reunions do not necessarily feature dancing, since classmates are often engrossed in conversation.  Fortunately, the WWPHS Class of 2001 was in a festive mood and hit the dancefloor in the final hour!

Photo Courtesy of Michael Gonzalez (aka Memphis VK)

Rounding out the entertainment, Boardwalk Photo Booth provided a cool photo booth service with a fun prop bin, that became increasingly popular through the evening.  Photographer Michael Gonzalez worked the room, providing many candid photos.

Ironically, this particular class was the first to enjoy their junior prom at the Camden Aquarium, an event that I have been performing at for the past two years.  Perhaps I will have the opportunity to DJ for these graduates in the years to come!

Congratulations to the organizers for what apparently was the best-ever attended WWPHS reunion!  We've said it before and we'll say it again - the Nassau Inn is the top venue in Princeton for weddings and events, and truly captures the downtown Princeton-feel.  In an industry plagued by turnover, the Nassau Inn has a great continuity of staff and it great to see the same faces year after year.  To read our list of the top 15 wedding venues in New Jersey, click here.

Guest DJ Dharmi Shah of Evenings of Elegance!

Photo Courtesy of Michael Gonzalez (Memphis VK)

DJ Gregg Ambient's Playlist - November 2011

Happy November!  Found below is a countdown list of 30 hot tracks currently being featured in my sets around around the state of New Jersey.  In past countdowns, I have separately broken out "throwbacks," but for this month decided to merge them into a single list.  Myself, and other DJs, have noted the increasing popularity of dance music at the expense of hip hop, and the top ten hits reflect this trend. Dubstep has also hit the local palette, with entries by Skrillex at #20 and #17.  

We welcome your  comments and suggestions for other high-octane dance floor selections!

30) Malo - Avicii (electro)
29) Diet Original Don - Major Lazer (dancehall)
28) Sofi Needs a Ladder - DeadMau5 (electronic)
27) Perfume (Calvi y Neill Bouquet Remix) - BajoFondo Tango (international lounge)
26) Landing Boots - DJ Shiftee (downtempo lounge)
25) Dirty Laundry (Tom Middleton's Balearic Mix) - Bitter:Sweet (downtempo lounge)
24) Natural (Kaskade Roots Remix) - Afro-Mystik (house)
23) Aston Martin Music - Rick Ross f/Drake & Chrisette Michele (hip hop/R&B)
22) You Rock My World - Michael Jackson (throwback)
21) Insane in the Brain - Cypress Hill (throwback)
20) Lick It - Kaskade & Skrillex (dubstep)
19) I'm Still Hot - Luciana (dance)
18) The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie - Red Hot Chili Peppers (rock)
17) Cinema (Skrillex Remix) - Benny Benassi (dubstep)
16) Wobble - V.I.C. (hip hop)
15) Down on Me (Disco Fries RMX) - Jeremih (electro)
14) Come See About Me - The Supremes (Motown)
13) Rolling in the Deep - Adele (Retro-Soul)
12) You Make Me Feel - Cobra Starship f/Sabi (dance)
11) Danza Kuduro - Don Omar (Latin)
10) Now That We Found Love - Heavy D and the Boyz (throwback)
 9) Give Me Everything Tonight - Pitbull f/Afrojack and Nayer (dance)
 8) Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO (dance)
 7) Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga (pop)
 6) Turn Me On - David Guetta f/Nicki Minaj (dance)
 5) Paris - Jay-Z and Kanye West (why?  because it's provocative and gets the people going!) (hip hop)
 4) Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 f/Christina Aguilera (dance)
 3) Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO (dance)
 2) Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan /(dance)
 1) We Found Love - Rihanna f/Calvin Harris (dance)




To view DJ Gregg Ambient's Top Tracks of Early Fall 2011, click here.

To view DJ Gregg Ambient's Top 50 tracks of 2010, click here.

To see his favorite songs of the 1980s, click here.  To view his favorite dance tracks of the 1990s, click here.

About DJ Gregg Ambient

Ambient DJs’ Founder and Owner, Gregg Hollmann, is known for his creative mixing and chameleon-like ability to play in different musical styles. His musical knowledge allows him to excel in environments ranging from elegant wedding receptions to convivial dance parties.  A multi-faceted performer, Gregg also mixes music videos.

A graduate of the College of New Jersey, he holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and has lived and worked abroad in Japan and the Philippines.  He enjoys working with clients and personalizing events to their tastes. Gregg was the subject of a feature article in the January 2011 issue of DJ Times magazine titled 'DJ Takes Stock in Niche Wedding Market.'  

To book DJ Gregg Ambient for your next party, visit the Ambient DJ Service website at www.ambientdj.com. 

DJ Gregg Ambient - Top 25 Songs

On a periodic basis, Ambient DJs' music mixologists reveal the hottest tracks in their crates.  In this installment, head honcho DJ "Gregg Ambient" reveals 25 dance floor winners, plus twelve "classics in rotation."  The songs are listed in Countdown Fashion.  Drumroll, please......

25) Rolling in the Deep - Adele
24) Under the Cover of Darkness - The Strokes
23) Bright Lights, Bigger City - Cee Lo Green f/Wiz Khalifa
22) Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 w/Christine Aguilera
21) Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People
20) No Church in the Wild - Jay-Z & Kanye West, w/Frank Ocean
19) I'm on One - DJ Khaled w/Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne
18) Always Changing (Giuseppe D.'s Midnight Club Mix) (f/Sophia Cruz) - DJ Zilos
17) Super Bass - Nicki Minaj
16) In the Dark - Dev
15) Sofi Needs a Ladder - DeadMau5 (featured in the summer hit movie The Hangover 2)
14) The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco
13) See the New Hong Kong (Love Rush U.K. Club Mix) - Josie Cotton
12) Grove Street Party - Wacka Flocka Flame
11) Down on Me (Kidd Spin vs. Scene Remix) - 50 Cent & Jeremih
10) My Feelings for You - Avicii & Sebastien Drums
 9) Turbulence - Steve Aoki w/Laidback Luke and Lil' Jon
 8) Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga
 7) You Make Me Feel - Cobra Starship f/Sabi
 6) Don't Wanna Go Home - Jason Derulo
 5) Cinema (Skrillex Remix) - Benny Bennassi
 4) Rain Over Me - Pitbull f/Marc Anthony
 3) Favorite DJ (Disco Fries Remix) - Clinton Sparks w/Jermaine Dupri
 2) Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO (heavily requested!)
 1) Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan (this song could become the new Calabria!)




Classics in Rotation

Hot Mess - Chromeo
Party in de Ghetto - Crystal Waters
Wishing on a Sucker M.C. (mash-up) - Rose Royce vs. Run-DMC w/Jim Jones
Closer to Me (12 inch mix) - Chab
Off the Wall - Michael Jackson
Escape (the Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
Waiting on a Friend - The Rolling Stones
Native New Yorker (12 inch mix) - Oydssey
Love Come Down - Evelyn "Champagne" King
Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison
Mr. Wendal - Arrested Development
Set it Off - Strafe

To view DJ Gregg Ambient's Top 50 tracks of 2010, click here.

To see his favorite songs of the 1980s, click here.  To view his favorite dance tracks of the 1990s, click here.

About DJ Gregg Ambient

Ambient DJs’ Founder and Owner, Gregg Hollmann, is known for his creative mixing and chameleon-like ability to play in different musical styles. His musical knowledge allows him to excel in environments ranging from elegant wedding receptions to convivial dance parties.  A multi-faceted performer, Gregg also mixes music videos.

A graduate of the College of New Jersey, he holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and has lived and worked abroad in Japan and the Philippines.  He enjoys working with clients and personalizing events to their tastes. Gregg was the subject of a feature article in the January 2011 issue of DJ Times magazine titled 'DJ Takes Stock in Niche Wedding Market.'  

To book DJ Gregg Ambient for your next party, visit the Ambient DJ Service website at www.ambientdj.com. 

DJ Gregg Ambient