OK gamers, I've got a super tough one for you this time. You of course can be lame and click on the picture to find out the name of the game, but what's the fun in that? First to name the name of both the game and character will receive a whopping +1,000 Bastille Love and Admiration points. Who's up for it?
Also, I'd like to give a big thanks to DAFTWHO? for posting our Dusk Winterman EP (check out the post HERE). I guess the EP was a little too heavy for the other blogs, but he along with his readers plan on going deaf before 40 and proudly. We salute you.
I feel like this one might be kinda easy, because he's so unforgettable in his role. +200 Bastille Love and Admiration points for whoever names this creepy fella in the comments. And please don't submit your answer as anonymous, It's hard to Love and Admire you, I might just have him do it instead. Maybe this dude could find the other writers for this blog, I'd very much like to know where they are.
-M
Unleash The F**king Dada (Original Mix) - Dada Life (GOLDEN BANANA)
They are fantastic, and have been. I'm glad that they decided to stray away from the pitch bend / hoover sound, because this is purely massive and incredible.
We just completed a remix for our friends gLAdiator. It will be part of Lucky EP soon to be released on Noiseporn Records. I'd love to hear your feedback, since I can't get much from my friends who all hate this gay euro shit we listen to:
So Boys Noize decided to create a sub label called BNR TRAX. I've got the first release for you. Straight Minimal Techno in all it's glory. Looks like Techno is on the rise, and I like it, though I still am pushing for the French House revival. Anyways, here we go:
BONUS: Bubble Gutz (Aviator Edit) - Apster MOOMBAHTON! If you aren't aware of what that is, click on it. This is an edit by one of my housemates, I've been hooking him up with some Dutch House so he can make edits.
Not too long ago, we received an email. I quote: "Hey, There's this guy named Yella Finesse. He makes REALLY GOOD french house music. i think you should check him out and do a post on him.! =). you wont regret it..."
It's not too often that we receive emails from readers promoting other artists (especially fucking French House artists, those two words are the key to my heart), usually it's something more like this:
"Hey, totes love your blog! I read it all the time, serial. Check out my new remix of Katy Gaga! Feel free to post!"
I hate those emails.
But enough about us, let's get to this fantastic new discovery, who happened to be so fantastic that we interviewed him. Without further ado, we are proud to present our interview with Yella Finesse:
Apes with Barrels: If given the opportunity, how would you wine & dine Etienne De Crecy?
Yella Finesse: I would probably take him to McDonalds for a burger or something...lol
AwB: How do you feel about House music today, in all of its forms? Specifically, which trends excite you and which do you wish would just go away?
YF: House music today isn't as strong as it used to be back in the 90's, but believe me its coming back strong over these next few years. The new lineup of producers are just sick, and they're trying to bring back that classic feel that had House so big back in the day. My personal favorite's are nu-disco (of course), french house, and funky house. I really wish deep house would kill itself...smh.
YF: Hahaha!!! The dumbest/ funniest video I've seen in a while. The first jump had me dying!!! Pretty funny video...
AwB: Will French House ever return in a big way? I’ve been waiting, but I’m starting to lose hope.
YF: Of course it will man!!! We're just waiting for that major "One More Time" type of track to show up and blow up the charts. (hopefully i deliver...haha)
AwB: How did you get into House music, and specifically French House?
YF: I got into house right after i heard One More Time (Daft) for the first time. I was 10 years old at the time, and the track had me and my family going crazy. I just started producing about 2 years ago however, after a failed rap career...lol.
AwB: Care to explain the name Yella Finesse?
YF: The name Yella (yellow) is actually a nickname given to me by my family. Everyone else in my family is dark or brown skinned, and i happened to be the only one who came out light skinned. And Finesse just means perfection in french. And there you have it, Yella Finesse.
AwB: Who’s you current favorite French House DJ/Producer? Favorite other DJ/Producer?
YF: Go Go Bizkitt! hands down. He's proven that he can put out great tracks consistently. Haven't heard one track from him that i don't love. My favorite of all time is, and always will be, Mr. Bangalter. In my eyes he gave us the very gift of French House.
AwB: What instruments do you play, if any?
YF: I play the piano and saxophone. I should start playing the drums. Yup, I'm about to start the drums. :)
AwB: Technical questions. What do you use to produce? Do you play live?
YF: I actually use FL Studio and a small M-Audio keyboard i got from a friend up the street...hahah... I rarely use the keyboard though (got a pretty slow laptop).
AwB: Do you ever see yourself producing/working in other genres (including non-electronic)? If so what potential interests do you have?
YF: Ive been listening to a lot of dubstep tracks lately. I love the grimey sound, so i might experiment with that a little bit in the future.
AwB: How/where do you dig for samples?
YF: I usually look around on youtube when im bored, or check out some 70's/80's music blog sites. Sadly I'm not one of those lucky producers who's parents have a crate load of retro records, so the internet is my playground.
AwB: List five tracks that everyone on this blog should hear right now. Go.
Well there you have it. French House lives. And I've just finished listening to the above tracks he recommended, and I've got to say they're killer. Now let's get to some of Yella's excellent work, shall we:
We've already seen disco villains kill it many times before. But recently they've really been steppin up their game and becoming more and more professional. These Mexican Djs really know where it's at and I can firmly say that this blog is a big fan of their work. They've come quite a ways since I first heard them 2 years ago. I would say try and support these guys as much as you can, they deserve more recognition then they have. You can check out our really old interview with them, here.
-J
P.S. Djs are more like rockstars then most rockstars.
Chiketere (Preview) by the Disco Villains, this Ep came out back in September and we unfortunately seemed to have missed it. But this shit's sounding so cool, definitely go hit this up on beatport. And the whole EP is up there too with a great remix by Lazaro Casanova and a cool dub.
Also go check out their soundcloud. While I like this song, I gotta say there's a bunch on their which I like even more. I particularly like Carnavalismo.
We are looking to soon be releasing one of our newest disco house beats on Louie Fresco's new label compilation so look out for that. Go check out the sample, and we'd love to hear some feedback.
Who is this? What a weird looking dude. Maybe if he had a name, I wouldn't be so pissed off at him. I wonder what it is? What could you call such a monstrosity? If you can tell me without clicking on the picture (we are pirates, not cheaters), then i'll award you +250 Bastille Love and Admiration Points. The first to get to 10,000 gets to take this thing home, who knows, maybe it has some use, like fishing or something.
-M
Take Over Control (Spencer & Hill Remix) - Afrojack
It's good, kinda sounds like they're trying to be more like Wolfgang Gartner, but not really pulling it off. But I've got friends that are raving over this track, so maybe you will too. It's Dominator-tastic.
It's time again. Who's that wide-eyed fella with the oh so pink hair? +500 Bastille Love and Admiration Points to the first to post the correct answer.
In Violet (Hidden Cat Remix) - HEALTH
Beautiful stuff from Hidden Cat, kinda Nu-Disco/Electro feel. If you've been reading us for a while, you might remember our interview with this guy, if not check it HERE.
Gonna revive an old series I do here on the development of the best damn genre of dance music there is. This is French House Arrest. You can check out the earlier episodes by clicking on the link under Best of AwB. This episode will be the first on the great year of 1999. I've got one of the best damn French House albums of all time, along with two tracks from some great French dudes.
I love Cassius. At the time, they were like the 'other' Daft Punk that didn't really make it. And deservedly so, they aren't gods, but they did put out one of the best damn French House releases ever. Cassius is Boom Bass and Philippe Zdar, who was a member of Motorbass (the first French House group, read about it HERE), produced the latest Phoenix album, and is producing the new album by The Rapture. Why is this album important? It's a great definition of the genre, that is, the sound they create is cooler than you can ever hope to be. Listening requires lighting up a cigarette.
ALSO, Cassius just released a new EP on Ed Banger Records TODAY. It's not that great, unfortunately, but it's nice to see that Ed Banger still exists and is working with some legends of the past.
Meet Jackson. Sometimes, he goes by Jackson and His Computer Band. However, back in 1999, he was just Jackson. He's sort of fallen into obscurity, unfortunately, but he will always be a legend among the French DJ scene. Here's a little rare gem he released in 1999 that I picked up a while back. Who ever said drum machines have no soul? And if you're looking to cop his recent IDM album, you can do so HERE.
Done? Yeah I know you just shat yourself listening to that Build up + Drop.
Ok some people really need to stop glorifying themselves. Apparently every DJ/Producer has influenced the music industry in someway or another, apparently every Producer/Dj has had a smash hit, has had a record label has played at the biggest clubs and so on. Whether it’s true or not has no relevance whatsoever, what does matter is this... IT’S ALWAYS THE SAME FUCKIN STORY! If it isn’t the 4 paragraph bio it’s the 10 page long dissertation saying the exact same shit than the guy whose bio is a paragraph!
So you ask “Ok Simple P we get the point but it’s still an achievement, i bet you haven’t achieved half of what these people have” and you’re probably right, I could then tell you that rereading something over and over is tedious! What ever happened to good writers! Anyway What does all this ranting have to do with my post? Jack. It’s a bonding thing. So let’s bond, a touch... not too much, just a touch.
Dr. Kucho! Has been spinning tracks since 1993, he’s proclaimed by DJ Magazine as THE undisputed king of Latin House Music, which couldn’t be any further from the truth! Dropping some spicy latin bangers such as New School Tribal and some daring remixes like SEX ON THE STREETS by PIZZAMAN. Alas enough, talking, walking words and let the music do the talking. The Big Bang Theory - Dr.Kucho! Golden Banana, Tech House
Congress is trying to pass a bill that would force US internet providers to disallow access to certain sites that are on their blacklist. This would surely take away some of our favorites like Demonoid, Piratebay. Demonoid is urging people to this THIS PETITION, so please, I will urge you as well.
It's also possible that you maybe just believe in free speech and all that stuff. But chances are, if you're reading this site, you like free shit even more. Fuck yeah America.
Also, big shout out to mah besty for making us some super sick artwork. You'll see it in the mp3 above. The Besty, aka Tiffermeister, looks something like THIS.
Illmerica has arrived. And I think we can all agree that Wolfgang is no longer the second coming. I think this officially pushes him into surpassing whoever it was that was above him (I believe it to be Deadmau5, though he's been above him for a while). I was listening to the preview of this song on loop so havin the 320 is makin me all shivvery inside. But for the first time in my Pirate life, I feel kinda bad for Gartner:
“illmerica is out tomorrow. i wanted to let you know how much work goes into these tracks. i am not a guy who bangs out a track on a laptop on a 6 hour flight. Illmerica took me 3 weeks to make. about 300hrs of work. A lot of other producers make music very fast, and that’s fine! but the stuff I do to get this sound requires a lot of time. I wanted to say i hugely appreciate every one of you who buy my music!” – Wolfgang Gartner
I think we can all agree that if there's one man who needs our support it's this one. Wolfgang I salute you and hope to see you headlining stages in a years time. I fully expect it and in return I will not upload your song, go to beatport and get it.
Continuing with the series, it's time for me to step up and put out this week's brand new Risky Fresh Mix of the Week. This one's ALL about old school French/Disco House, although I get a little more recent at the very end. Enjoy:
Tracklist:
Rock With You (Frankie Knuckles Club Mix) - Michael Jackson
Intro - Alan Braxe
The Ghetto - Bob Sinclar
Disco Cubizm (Daft Punk Remix) - I:Cube
Catch Your Pain (Original Mix) - The Julia Set
Why Don't You - Gramophonedzie
Double Stacked - Joey Youngman
Olympia (Original Mix) - John Dahlback (GOLDEN BANANA)
There has to be two Golden's for this post. ANother beautifully done track by one of the best in the game. DO NOT MISS THIS, ANOTHER PROG BANGER. On loop.
Club Can't Handle Me (Felguk Remix) - David Guetta, Flo Rida (Silver Banana)
In ANY OTHER POST, this would be a Golden Banana, but the above tracks are SO GOOD, that this has got to be a silver. Super poppy builds, but crazy drop. Also on loop.
Disco Popp Shit (Dirtyloud Remix) - c2001c
More great Electro House from Brazil. He's kinda like Felguk's apprentice I feel, not quite as versatile/melodic, but he hits harder.
