Cassette Culture Old

Hello, so after Cassette Culture's slightly protracted Christmas and New Year break, here is the first tape of 2010. I've had a whole 4 weeks to build up some tunes for this so I hope you'll agree that they're real crackers. As always, you can download this cassette tape as a mix, as individual tracks or everything in a compressed file.

Alex Metric, a DJ whose brought us a series of cracking remixes in the past, has certainly never driven me away with his own originals, Deadly on a Mission being a particular favourite. However, not content on shuffling pre-recorded material around on a mixer, Alex has decided to take his work straight to the crowd with a live setup. His live act at the Old Firestation in Bristol this Friday (22nd) was average, the crowd weren't really moving much, but he has one or two catchy tracks, and with a bit of work this could be something big. This Primary 1 remix of It Starts is something quite different! They've slowed the whole thing right down. Its all rather calming! Lovely.
Alex Metric - It Starts (Primary 1 remix)

After catching the blogging world's attention with a few cheeky remixes, Illinois band Hey Champ have unleashed several great tracks of their own. Download a mixtape they've made here for free. Look out for an album in 2010.
Hey Champ - Cold Dust Girl

Mirror People have seized the catchy guitar riff from this Detachments track and made it its sweet centrepiece. This version is stripped back to its most compelling parts, like a swarm of pacified killer bees with a story to tell.
Detachments - The Flowers that Fell (Mirror People 're-make re-model' version)

Gemini Club's track Mary's Day reminds me a little of The Rapture. They've hit that electro-indie sound right in the face.
Gemini Club - Mary's Day

There was a time when I would dive upon everything with Van She written on it and it saddens me a little that Matt has broken away from the pack. What this means for the band I don't know. I kind of hope its a temporary forage into the bushes of solo because I've not been that impressed so far. Saturday Night had some nice elements but it failed to grab my imagination like anything Van She ever made. A quick click over to Matt's myspace reveals similar 'alright' pop tunes which just seem to lack a little power and grit. Anyhow, now I've built this up so much (!) here's a version of Saturday Night that I can listen to more than once. Would we expect anything less from Gloves?
Matt Van Schie - Saturday Night (Gloves remix)

I'd not heard of Swedish producer Mille before this track hit my table. Recently released on Neon Gold, Crysteena has attracted remixes from Justin Faust, Fear of Tigers and Edwin Van Cleef which says something about the caliber of tune we're listening to here. A quick listen on Mille's myspace tellS us this isn't a one off.
Mille - Crysteena

I've been waiting for a decent remix of Ellie Goulding's track Starry Eyed for ages! I knew I wouldn't be disappointed when I saw Russ Chimes had had a pop.
Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Russ Chimes remix)

Listen to all the above mixed up:

Cassette #7: Not a fan of the Curtains (Mixed by Cassette Culture)
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As always, please support the artists, go to these places and trade coin for wares:
Amazon/7Digital/Emusic/Beatport

OO its getting close to Christmas and so... here is an entirely un-christmasy tape. Never mind, I'm sure you're getting your Christmas fix elsewhere. I won't be updating Cassette Culture till January now because I'm having a bit of a holiday! So I hope you enjoy this tape. See you in the New Year.

Italians Fare Soldi bring us their track Tutto Tutti Sempre Subito a gloriously rapid electro chirper.
Fare Soldi - Tutto Tutti Sempre Subito

Le Castle Vanias remix The Virgins track Rich Girls. Massive.
The Virgins - Rich Girls (Le Castle Vanias Spring Break No Parents remix)

An absolutely storming remix of The Yeah Yeah Yeah's Cold Light by French duo Les Petits Pilous.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cold Light (Les Petits Pilous remix)

Here's Hot City with their grooving track Head Work. It sounds a little like an electronic bag pipe / wailing spanner.
Hot City - Head Work

Australian artist Pogo weaves together short samples from films and other sources to create beautiful electro tapestries. Featuring samples from Mary Poppins Expialidocious is just one of many great Pogo tracks.
Pogo - Expialidocious

A cool, atmospheric piano track from Deadmau5. A relaxing way to end. Faxing Berlin.
Deadmau5 - Faxing Berlin (Piano version)



Cassette #6 Under Bridge (Mixed by Cassette Culture)
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As always, please support the artists, go to these places and trade coin for wares:
Amazon/7Digital/Emusic/Beatport

If magic chickens made music instead of golden eggs, I think we'd see something along the lines of this lot. The mix is here.

Mainframe is a new light 'n beaty instrumental from Kris Menace under the name Love on Laserdisc. EP out soon.
Love on Laserdisc - Mainframe

Favourites of last week's tape, Fear of Tigers and Edwin Van Cleef (who I incorrectly said was French when he's actually from Leeds - oops!), come together in one cracking package. The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump, a track from Fear of Tigers impending album does its superb name justice in this mighty remix.
Fear of Tigers - The Adventures of Pippi Longstrump (Edwin Van Cleef remix)

Apparently partly educated by a Japanese robot called Victor, Golden Bug is the chap behind this electro number that REALLY gets good when Gloves does a rewrite and we hit 3 mins in...
Golden Bug - Last Dance In Tokyo (Gloves rewrite)

Well I was faffing around making the mix of this week's tape and I couldn't find a new track that fitted in so I just whacked in an old Van She Technologic remix. Bizarrely, Van She Tech remixed this track by accident. Apparently the manager of a band sent them the parts for this I Am Finn track instead of the band they were actually supposed to be remixing. And I don't think anyone, including Van She, has heard anything from I Am Finn since!
I Am Finn - I Love You (Van She Tech remix)

Simian Mobile Disco have just released a bizarre video for their track Cruel Intentions. Does any one know what that's about?? It's certainly one of the better tracks from their Temporary Pleasure and Beth Ditto does a grand job on vocals. This is the scrunched up Joker remix.
Simian Mobile Disco - Cruel Intentions (Joker remix)


At first the name Jonathan Boulet conjured up images (and sounds) of a James Blunt type figure, strumming out some generic guitar music and generally annoying everybody. Well, I've come to the conclusion that that perception was entirely based on the fact that they both have the initials JB and it is a complete myth. The real Jonathan B is actually a 20 year old "wonder boy" signed to the Australian Modular Records. This is the ambient Album Leaf remix of his track A Community Service Announcement, a nice quiet one to end of this week's tape. You can download the original for free at LastFM.
Jonathan Boulet - A Community Service Announcement (The Album Leaf Remix)


Cassette #4: Whack An Egg In It (mixed by Cassette Culture)
Cassette #4: Whack An Egg In It (all tracks zipped up small)
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As always, please support the artists, go to these places and trade coin for wares:
Amazon/7Digital/Emusic/Beatport

Susan was at the park and sat under a tree, with her book, her bike and a flask of hot chocolate. This weeks tape is named after her! Download mixed here.

Something a bit different to start things off - electro-strings! Twirling violins make this electro number stand out from the rest. Something A La Mode with Rondo Parisiano.

Something A La Mode - Rondo Parisiano

A classic mid-set track from Soulwax's Dewaele brothers, produced under the pseudonym Samantha Fu, Theme from Discotheque is a just a cool man talking and then some smacking beats. The Mixhell edit makes the floor shake a little more.

Samantha Fu - Theme from Discotheque (Mixhell Edit)

Producer Edwin Van Cleef has recently released an E.P. Overtaken. Well worth checking out if you enjoy the Fear of Tigers track below.

Edwin Van Cleef - Overtaken

Japanese/British electro man Fear of Tigers will be dropping us an early Christmas present on December 1st when he releases his album Cossus Snufsigalonica for free. Here's one of his older tracks Sirkka for you to get a taste of things to come.

Fear of Tigers - Sirkka

We've been hearing some great Classixx remixes but how about checking out some of their originals. Here's the Douster remix of single I'll Get You.

Classixx - I'll Get You (Douster remix)

New Crystal Fighters track I Love London will be released on Nov 30th on Kitsune. Here is the cracking Jocks remix.

Crystal Fighters - I Love London (Jocks Dawn in Dalston mix)

The beautiful lyrical meanderings of Phoenix have been re-crafted by many and this is one of my favorite tracks, Fences. Slower and softer.

Fences (Def Starr remix)

Cassette #3: Susan At The Park (mixed by Cassette Culture)
Cassette #3: Susan At The Park (zip file)
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As always, please support the artists, go to these places and trade coin for wares:
Amazon/7Digital/Emusic/Beatport

Some more fantastic tracks this week. A lot of good stuff coming out of Neon Gold these days and I'm still stumbling on some brilliant quirky French bands. This was supposed to be posted this coming Sunday but I'm away so its an early one. Hope you enjoy it. Grab it mixed here.

Fresh French band Jolie Cherie ease us in with their track Barcelona. Rhythmic beaty electro-pop is their nature and quirky vocals a staple of their songs. Certainly ones to watch. Their track Star recently featured on the Kitsune Maison 8 compilation and is also well worth checking out.

Jolie Cherie - Barcelona.

Electro-house producers Super Mal gear things up with instrumental track Blood and Sun.

Super Mal - Blood and Sun.

French band Pony Pony Run Run have hit the ground running with their first single Hey You. This remix by Crystal Fighters is something to reckon with. Get Pony Pony Run Run's album here.

Pony Pony Run Run - Hey You (Crystal Fighters remix).

Penguin Prison, label buddy of Marina and the Diamonds and Passion Pit (who?) on Neon Gold, is stirring up some interest round these parts. A Funny Thing is just the beginning I feel... 

Penguin Prison - A Funny Thing.

Another band from the Neon Gold label, Wolf Gang with their track Pieces of You remixed by Baby Monster.

Wolf Gang - Pieces of You (Monster Baby remix).

Finally a beautiful track from Groove Armada entitled I Won't Kneel. This ones lightened and tightened by The Bloody Beetroots.

I Won't Kneel (The Bloody Beetroots Remix).

Cassette #2: The Uninitiated Pear-Ring (mixed by Cassette Culture)
Cassette #2: The Uninitiated Pear-Ring (zip file)


As always, please support the artists, go to these places and trade coin for wares:
Amazon/7Digital/Emusic/Beatport

A sweet light-hearted whistle is the unusual hero of this spiraling whirlpool of messy synths and gurning monster keyboards. So if you can stand some time in a rough patch of ocean, you'll soon catch a favorable wind.



Felix Da Housecat - Elvi$ (2ManyDJs bootleg).

www.myspace.com/felixdahousecat

Swedish production duo Kläder & Vapen (KOV) have sent in some tip-top electro jams to spread on our sandwiches today. Its the stuff with real fruit pieces, enjoy:


Kläder & Vapen - My Heart Still Beats For You (Radio edit).



Kläder & Vapen - What Have I Done (David E Sugar remix).


Kläder & Vapen - What Have I Done (Extended mix).


Kläder & Vapen - Electri-fi.

www.myspace.com/kladervapen

We had a brief introduction to Andrew Friendly on Friday with his band Milke's remix of Spend A Little Time. Well Andrew's also buddied up with London DJ Rokk Odyssey and, not content a simple remixing of Snap's classic Rhythm is a Dancer, they have decided to weave their own from scratch. For me, it doesn't beat the original but it's still worthy of a wumble.


Andrew Friendly and Rokk Odyssey - Rhythm Is A Dancer (Snap cover).


Snap - Rhythm Is A Dancer.

Buy @Beatport

From tame beginnings, this tune soon growls at you like a grizzly duck.

Its angry and it wants some bread.


Alexander - Spend a Little Time (Milke remix).

Good grief!

Theatre of Disco: ocassionally soft, ocassionally jivy, occasionnally explosive. Mmmmmmmhmmmm! This band is alive with a sort of restrained energy, like a monkey being desperately held back by friends as he watches a bad man chopping down his banana tree.

Yet more Australian groove soldiers you cry! Well yes so it would seem. These guys have been around a while as far as I can gather but I've just picked up the Twelves remix of their track YOA which is incredible. I can't quite make out the lyric but if she says "pony pony" when it all kicks off then this could be the greatest song in the world. So enjoy then have a wander over to their Myspace and listen some more.


Theatre of Disco - YOA (The Twelves remix).

www.myspace.com/theatreofdisco

Weird triangles, naked people, what? -it's YACHT, a band who apparently insist on capitalising their name. From a brief look at their Myspace I have been teased with cryptic thought meanderings on triangular relationships and something about nakedness. Its not really relevant but we all love it.

YACHT have an album called See Mystery Lights: a journey of interesting noises, both vocal and instrumental. Everything moves along alright till you reach the end of track 4 and right there in front of you, giggling to itself behind the bushes, is a truly lovely track called Psychic City. Catchy, quirky and vocally dynamite (boom). If this hasn't been chuggin' around in Topshop or Urban Outfitters at some point I'll eat something nasty. It's that kind of song.

Here 'tis along with the Classixx remix (ok, but I expected more) and an instrumental version.


Yacht - Psychic City.


Yacht - Psychic City (Classixx remix).

And for you creative types here's the instrumental version* for you to play with:


Yacht - Psychic City (Instrumental version).

*you can pick up a free instrumental version of YACHT's album See Mystery Lights at the free music archive.

www.myspace.com/yacht
www.myspace.com/classixxmusic
Buy YACHT - See Mystery Lights

Phonat is an Italian producer whose recently caught the attention of a whole host of prominent Radio 1 DJs (Annie Mac, Pete Tong etc). I've had some tracks, Set Me Free and Learn To Recycle sent in and they're starting to grow on me. Electroy, dancey, good peaks.

Also if you fancy something a bit more gritty I have a track from Sharooz, Adrenalize and Phonat's dubstepy type remix. Bit gruff I suppose for Cassette Culture's usual halloo but worth a look.


Phonat - Learn To Recycle.


Phonat - Set Me Free (Extended mix).


Sharooz - Adrenalize.


Sharooz - Adrenalize (Phonat remix).

www.myspace.com/phonat
www.myspace.com/sharooz

Something a bit more sombre today. Although bizarrely when I first heard this it reminded me of an old Disney film, that's not a reflection on the rest of the track. A deep one this, strewn with slow, drawn out piano and synths. Good for those times you just find yourself staring and thinking.


Visitor - Los Feeling (Monsieur Adi remix).

www.myspace.com/visitorlounge
www.myspace.com/monsieuradi

Some nice Australian folks sent me in some of their work the other week. They're called City Calm Down. They have mad hair. They're also rather good at making tunes.

You Can Have It So Much Better is quite a grower - and by that I mean, by the time you've finished your first listen you'll have grown to like it. The wurbly, slightly haunting vocals glide along nicely over a busy synthy playground until suddenly were hit with a saxophone (yahoo!), turning everything into some kind of jazz bar dream (you know those dreams you get when your just walking through a jazz bar and everyone is playing the saxophone?).

Then we have Right from Right. This one's a bit more upbeat, with a cheery, bound-along kick off. The remix by MXQ (I don't know who this is!) isn't that great but it features one of those nifty little vocal glibs which isn't really a word but everyone bloody loves it. So I include that too.

So that's City Calm Down. For now. I expect there will be much more to come and hopefully more saxophone suprises.


City Calm Down - You Can Have It So Much Better.


City Calm Down - Right From Right.


City Calm Down - Right From Right (MXQ remix).

www.myspace.com/citycalmdownmusic

Believe it or not that's a real photograph up there taken with an old stereo camera. Its incredible it looks almost like a painting. It was taken in Sri Lanka which used to be called Ceylon. Apparently if you were knocking around on the beach and felt thirsty you would just shimmy up a nearby coconut tree and drink up. I saw a coconut for 39p in Morrisons yesterday. I would pay 100x that to be able to shimmy up a nearby tree for my coconuts.

Sticking with the tropical theme, this songs called Jungle Drum and its a cracker. If you need brightening up, you've just fallen in love or recently joined your local tribe (make sure they're into drumming!) then this is the song for you. This remix sounds pretty much like the original its just bumfed up a little. But please be kind, honourable and generous by buying the original.


Emiliana Torrini - Jungle Drum (Tolo remix).

www.myspace.com/emilianatorrini
Buy it (original)

Bit late on these but perhaps I'll catch the fish that slipped the net. I think this blog is probably read exclusively by fish anyway.

So we've heard of Bloc Party and we've heard of Ladyhawke and to be honest we've probably heard every One More Chance and Paris Is Burning remix we ever want to hear and we're all getting a bit bored... but that's where Alex Metric comes in. I've yet to here a duff mix from him. More Alex here.


Bloc Party - One More Chance (Alex Metric remix).



Ladyhawke - Paris Is Burning (Alex Metric remix).

www.myspace.com/blocparty
www.myspace.com/alexmetric

Well whoever thought Marina was a robot is going to be very very embaressed when they hear this song. Marina is going from strenth to strength with a new EP out called Crown Jewels and a position on the NME Radar tour - so she must be cool. I'm thinking not long before she hits Radio One A time and we have another La Roux on our hands (not that that's such a bad thing). See more Marina on Cassette Culture here.

Anyhoo this is a lovely sleepy remix from Starsmith with a deep mini-cresendo at 3.38 to stop you lolling into oblivion which is handy if your operating a forklift.


Marina and the Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Starsmith 24 Carat remix).

www.myspace.com/marinaandthediamonds
Buy The Crown Jewels EP @7Digital

Seems Delorean are kicking up a bit of fuss with their new EP, AyrTon Senna. The praise is worthwhile; a glourious array of ambient electro landscapes awaits, scattered with Delorean's trademark rhythmic drum beats. Below you can stream the track Seasun, and download the John Talbot remix which is excellent. Then go buy!

Thanks to Chris for finding this one for me.


Delorean - Seasun


Delorean - Seasun (John Talabot's Kids And Drums remix).

www.myspace.com/deloreandanz
Buy AyrTon Senna EP @Emusic

So lover of the letter 'M' MMMatthias has a SuMMMer MMMix for us and its just what we need to to take our MMMinds off all these 'Ms'. Being of a kindly nature I've selected some of my favourites, checked with the gods and made a few downloadable (they stand out in MMMagnificient red).

MMMatthias - SuMMMer Mix.

Tracklist:
01. Major Lazer - Cash flow (Classixx Glass Bottom Dub Mix)
02. The Bloody Beetroots - Second streets have no name.
03. Holy Ghost! - I will come back (MMMegamix)
04. Killer on the dancefloor - Gringo Oba Oba (MMMatthias Remix)
05. Amanda Blank - Might like you better (Radio Krome Remix)
06. Tommy Sparks - Miracle (Grum Remix)
07. Miami Horror - Don't be on with her (Treasure Fingers Remix)
08. The Units - High pressure days (Rory Philips Remix)
09. Fukkk Offf - Pretend
10. Bestrack - Wishmaster (Worship Remix)
11. Frankmusik - Confusion girl (Russ Chimes Remix).
12. Miami Horror - Make you mine (Cassian Remix)
13. Basement Jaxx - Raindrops (Louis La Roche Rework)
14. aUtODisco - One Basket (MMMatthias Remix)
15. Cinammon Chasers - I like watching you (Diamond Cut Remix)
16. Killa Kela - Everyday (Lifelike Remix).
17. We are the take - It's over (Bit Funk Remix)
18. Tesla Boy - Spirit of the night (Bestrack Remix)
19. Moby - Mistake (Lifelike Remix)
20. MMMatthias - The question

www.myspace.com/mmmatthias
www.myspace.com/thebloodybeetroots
www.myspace.com/frankmusik
www.myspace.com/killakela
www.myspace.com/lifelikevulture
www.myspace.com/russchimes

Manchester electro chaps Delphic release thier 2nd single This Monetary this August 31st through Kitsuné. Have yourself a listen below and help yourself to the remix by Golden Bug. All in all it's a pretty solid electro outing and I'm sure there are greater things to come.

Also, while we're all here, have a listen to their first single Counterpoint which featured in the Kitsuné Maison 7 compilation.

Delphic - This Momentary (Golden Bug remix)..

www.myspace.com/delphic