Since we’re finally getting towards the end of January, we wanted to mix up the Shuffle Button a bit more than usual this week. Instead of sticking to the typical house, techno, and some drum and bass style we’ve had going, we wanted to take a crack at truly shuffling the genres around. Here we go!
Bicep – Just
We know, we know – after that intro, you expected something off the wall. Don’t worry we’ll get to that. Since it’s the beginning, why not ease into it?
Playing Bicep’s hit “Just” from a few years ago seems like a great place to start. The Northern Irish duo is well known for their production skills, and this song highlights them perfectly. While many producers try to flood your ears with sonic complexity, true talent shows itself in proper reductions (hence why Rick Rubin is so sought after).
This track has an impressive hook, a simple vocal, and a building but elegant bass-line. Bicep makes sure to let the individual components shine on their own before combining them into an ultimate crescendo. The masterful composition ends up being much greater than a sum of its parts and the fact that it’s still effective is evidence of that.
Angie Stone – Wish I Didn’t Miss You (Pound Boys Stoneface Bootleg)
Ok so crazy genres, right?! Well, not exactly, but we’re getting there, we promise. And frankly when someone as big as Carl Cox chooses a song to close an iconic Ibiza club, we shouldn’t have to ask for too much forgiveness for choosing the same song.
This loungey, disco-house tune, that has been around for 15 years, got that honor. Carl Cox closed Space Ibiza by playing this incredible track and it’s easy to see why. The Pound Boys Stoneface Bootleg of “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” is a perfect, watch the sun come up with your friends kind of song. It’s the soundtrack to the end of an era. It has the perfect mix of a heartbreaking and melancholy vocals with groovy and catchy backing to make everyone want to dance, no matter how late it is, or how tired you are.
Kirk The Flirt & Peter Pressure – My One Desire
So, keeping with the disco house… just kidding. There’s disco here, but it’s combined with something a little bit different.
Kirk the Flirt & Peter Pressure decided to bring the breaks in to make things more interesting. “My One Desire” is a fun song that stays high energy, but is still lighthearted. Much like the first featured tune, this track is about picking fantastic components and letting the simplistic composition create an exponentially better finished product. Piano and break-beats aren’t things that are combined that often, but these guys show the potential that exists and encourages other producers to explore the sound.
Flava D feat. Miss Fire – Happy
Even though a few weeks back, we highlighted TQD in their new role as BBC Radio 1 Residents, we couldn’t resist promoting the garage sound a little bit more.
Flava D, one of the members of the group, shows that even though garage has a reputation as being aggressive and raucous, it doesn’t have to be. Her hit with Miss Fire uses an uplifting and “Happy” vocal to bring some levity to a genre that isn’t always known for that. But in case you thought Flava D was getting too light, she still provides a moving and grooving bass-line that presents some heft. It’s a great combination that delivers a vibe not always associated with garage.
Schlachthofbronx – Pump Drop Wine
Now, this is a hyper tune. German duo Schlachthofbronix has created a jumpy soca track that would sound right at home in a club in Kingston. They have fun with the tempo of the song, kicking up the pace, slowing it down, dropping audio completely for a short time only to come back stronger than before.
It’s not common to have reggae and dancehall-inspired music come from Germany, but Schlachofbronx are not exactly your usual European producers. While their nationality might surprise you, their credentials shouldn’t. When you hear their sound, you can understand that they’ve done studio work for artists such as Snoop Dogg, MIA, and Major Lazer. Regardless, their hectic sound is a perfect end to the lineup this week.
CHOON of the Week
C&C Music Factory – Robi Rob’s Boriqua Anthem
Since we’ve got a whole off the wall genre thing going on here, we figured we’d pull out a crazy one for the CHOOON this week.
C&C Music Factory was a massive name in dance music in the 90’s, in fact your probably most likely to hear their classic pump up songs in stadiums all over the world (“Gonna Make You Sweat” and “Hear We Go Rock and Roll” are classic arena anthems).
“Robi Rob’s Boriqua Anthem” is a little bit different, as it’s a call out to all Latin American countries. All the instruments/sounds/everything in general in this song is a nod to the more passionate, boisterous, and fun loving people in warmer climates in the Caribbean and South America.
From the pounding reggaetón bass, to the tropical sounding drums, and the impeccably done Spanish vocals, this song sounds like it belongs in a Caribbean nightclub. And like anyone that’s spent time in a sweaty tropical club, it compels you to move your feet as the night gets hazier. It’s a jam and has aged like a fine wine (but hits you like a shot of tequila).
Thanks for tuning in to the Shuffle Button, we’ll see you again next week.
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