Via Tania – Fields (The Juan Maclean Remix) – free download

The Juan Maclean has completely transformed Via Tania’s majestic “Fields” into a floor-filling, ass-shaking slice of tech-house gold. A subtle approach to the changeovers gives this tune real longevity bound to get all dance floors shaking. One for the weekend I think. Thanks to XLR8R for this bad boy.

Via Tania – Fields (The Juan Maclean Remix)

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Nosaj Thing – IOIO – free download

The album “Drift” by Nosaj Thing was released to critical acclaim last year. With elements of funk, hip-hop, house and dubstep it truly is an aural assault with Jason Chung really managing to create a wonderful sense of space on the record. A synthfest with a real post 80’s vibe coming from the leftfield. One of the standout tracks on the album for me is “IOIO” which you can listen to and grab for free below.

Nosaj Thing – IOIO

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Hostage – Dubtch / Otis / Skin Out

Edinburgh’s Hostage has been producing music for over a decade now and in recent years he’s honed his rave infused big room electro house shenanigans to perfection. We’re big fans here and his recent Essential Mix for Radio 1 has been on constant rotation.

So we’ve decided to take a wee wander into the world of Hostage – firstly with a spanking brand new track called “Dubsch”. It’s a bit of a bleepy banger and may lead to inappropriate desk head banging action, for those of you having a sneaky listen in the office – try and contain yourselves but get some turbo foot raving action on the go discreetly under the desk.

Hostage – “Dubsch”

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Also we’ve got two cracking freebies for ya – two more full on slabs of wonky goodness in the shape of “Otis” and “Skin Out” – both available to download for free below.

Download Hostage’s “Otis” and “Skin Out” in a handy wee ZIP file

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – The Logic of Chance

Dan Le Sac and Scroobius Pip’s debut album “Angles” was by far my favourite album of 2008 and easily ranks up there in my top 5 of all time, with Le Sac’s epic beats wrapping their way around Pip’s inspiring lyrics and expertly crafted delivery, it’s an album that I constantly go back to. So when new material surfaced towards the end of last year I was a wee bitty excited and even more so when new album “The Logic of Chance” arrived.

Although, at points, slightly cheerier than it’s predecessor (with tracks on subjects such as musical snobbery and the fun of getting the last train home), the duo still take time out to delve into topics such as domestive violence and knife crime. Again, the beats compliment the lyrics and vocal delivery brilliantly and manage to keep the listener hooked throughout, even when Pip’s lyrical content wanders down darker, more difficult paths.

These are the two stand out tracks for me – but as with “Angles”, my favourite track changes almost daily and I can’t recommend grabbing the full album highly enough.

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – Last Train Home

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Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – Five Minutes

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The Sight Below – Fervent – free download

The Sight Below’s debut full-length “Glider” (2008) established the reclusive Seattle-based artist’s singular sound—a haze of guitar riffs and electronic pulses. His new album “It All Falls Apart”, has tinges of sadness but maintains a level of ambient catharsis to drift away to.

Additionally, the album includes a cover of Joy Division’s “New Dawn Fades” featuring vocals by Tiny Vipers. The cover can be heard here.

The album arrives on Ghostly on April 6th.

The Sight Below – Fervent

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Cobblestone Jazz – Fiesta – free download

Cobblestone Jazz have teamed up with The Mole for their new album “The Modern Deep Left Quartet” which is due out at the end of March on !K7. To get the juices flowing here is one of their more 4/4 drum driven tunes that oozes energy. “Fiesta” anyone? click here to download from our friends.

Cobblestone Jazz – Fiesta

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Naughty By Nature – O.P.P.

Well the Friday classic from Paul arrived and got me delving through all my old hip hop stuff. So many amazing classic tunes out there. Hopefully this one keeps the day rocking away.

Naughty by Nature was formed in New Jersey in 1989 and consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee. Their first hit as Naughty by Nature is the one I have chosen. It sampled the Jackson 5’s hit “ABC” and was released in 1991 on their self-titled album Naughty by Nature. The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of the most successful rap songs in history.

This always gets heads nodding. No political commentary getting rapped here just jumped up beats, slick rhymes and a girl groaning in the background!

Naughty By Nature – O.P.P

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Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy – Television, The Drug of the Nation

While taking one of my all too frequent trips on the nostalgia bus, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy’s album “Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury” is often the soundtrack.
It’s release in 1992 had a huge impact on me as an impressionable 15 year old and alongside bands like The 25th of May and Marxman fed my hunger for politically conscious music.

“Television, The Drug of the Nation” was the first single from the album and despite the fact that it’s sometimes a bit clunky lyrically, it’s an absolutely brilliant tirade against the mindlessness of television and the generation embracing it, all wrapped up in an industrial edged hip hop soundtrack.

The band later went on to record “Spare Ass Annie and Other Tales” with William S. Burroughs and then called it a day – frontman Michael Franti forming Spearhead, focusing more on funk and soul and sharpening his song writing and vocal skills but as if often the case, sharpening the edges off in the process.

Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy – Television, The Drug of the Nation

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These New Puritans – Attack Music (HERVE garage attack dub) – free download

These New Puritans are a post rock electronic band with influences as far stretched as Yo La Tengo, Underworld and Wu-Tang Clan. As a result the tunes are ripe for a remix or two. Here’s one from The Count himself Herve. You can download this for a limited time from his Soundcloud page here.

These New Puritans – Attack Music (HERVE garage attack dub)

THESE NEW PURITANS attack music (the counts aka HERVE garage attack dub) by hervespace

Foals – Spanish Sahara (Mount Kimbie Remix) – free download

The Foals have been on top form of late with some amazing new work. Their haunting tune “Spanish Sahara” has been redone by Mount Kimbie giving it more of a glitchy, edgy feel. Have a listen and get downloading.

Foals – Spanish Sahara (Mount Kimbie Remix)

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