Relax, Chillout and Unwind - A Smooth & Groove Mix

After that slammin' post of 80s All-New Wave hits, which was also featured in Spazzkid's and Dr. Stirring Rhod's blogs, respectively (thanks again guys :) ), am taking it nice and slow once more this time with a mix of smooth and groovy R&B tunes. You may want to call this a sort of "post-party" set after that barrage of back-to-back fast-beat New Wave tunes.

Staying true to my word of delivering all the best music from all genres, be it retro or never-heard tunes, from hip-hop to New Wave to alternative to house to drum&bass and to anything under the sun as long as it has cool beats and melody, this mix is another testament of how eclectic I am when it comes to appreciating almost any kind of music.

Starting off the set is a very cool song from another OPM band called Sinosikat?, which I definitely enjoy listening to whenever I want to chillout and relax. The succeeding tunes are a mix of soothing R&B tunes from the likes of R Kelly, Silk, Joe, SWV, Bell Biv Devoe, Jodeci, Usher, Shai, Sisqo, and more.

Tracklist:

1) Magic - Sinosikat?

2) I Wanna Know - Joe

3) Weak - SWV

4) Freak Me - Silk

5) Bump N Grind - R Kelly

6) 'Til The Cops Come Knockin - Maxwell

7) Slow and Easy - Zapp and Roger

8) Something In Your Eyes - Bell Biv Devoe

9) Comforter - Shai

10) Nice & Slow - Usher

11) Walked Outta Heaven - Jagged Edge

12) Incomplete - Sisqo

13) Knockin The Boots - H-Town

14) Freek'N You - Jodeci

Link... A Smooth & Groove Mix - The Beatmeister

Now's the time to rest, relax and reflect... PEACE OUT!!

OPM Mash-Up : Sama Na (The Beatmeister's Praise The Beats Mash-Up Mix) - Fatboy Slim vs. The Chillitees

Here's another local Pinoy band I kinda like also because of their unique sound, which they term "alterna-soul." They like to describe it as a cool fusion of all their major influences from The Beatles to Nirvana to Mariah Carey to Eraserheads to APO Hiking Society to Bread and to anything and everything in between.

What I find unique about the band is that most of their songs are in Tagalog (the Philippines native language), but the instrumentation and arrangement of their songs have a Western vibe in it. Some Pinoy bands try so hard mimicking foreign artists by trying to sound too American or too British, which makes it sound corny for me (IMHO). The Chillitees, on the other hand, doesn't need to do that and in fact, proudly incorporates their roots through their music.

Their members include Dan Gil on vintage keys/vocals, Uela Basco on lead vocals, Ryan Ventura on bass, Dex Aguila on drums and Jon Padilla on guitars.

Their debut album released independently called "Extra Rice Please" (hehe cool name for an album) includes this song, "Sama Na" (meaning "Come With Me/Us" in English), which I've decided to mix and mash with one of my fave Fatboy Slim tunes called "Praise You," and here's the result...

Sama Na (Come With Us) (The Beatmeister's Praise The Beats Mash-Up Mix) - The Chillitees vs. Fatboy Slim

You can check them out via their multiply account @ http://thechillitees.multiply.com/ for more info.

This band is another proof of genuine, superb Pinoy talent. Kudos to you guys!!

Remembering The Good Ol' Days - The Beatmeister's 80s Slam Dance Mix

Whenever I feel crappy, tired and stressed out from work, I think about a happy place and being a certified Gen-X'er, a happy place for me would be that great decade called "The 80s."

The 80s were those days when all I would ever think about was what vinyl to buy next, when to go to my local record store for some new wave and EP vinyl hunting, ride my BMX bike, do some breakdancing, watch 80s TV shows like C.H.I.P.S., Six Million Dollar Man, Land Of The Lost, The Incredible Hulk, play with my Popeye Game & Watch, or just simply hang-out and play outside with other kids.

The 80s were all about high school dance, soiree, school fairs, senior's ball, and house parties. Studying at an exclusive all boys school, such events matter most to us as it was the only time when we can interact with the opposite sex (if you know what I mean, hehe).

It was also the time when I was just learning the in's and out's of DJ mixing through the help of a friend, who'd lend his old school mixer and turntables for me to practice on. This also paved the way for me to eventually acquire my own equipment and start this very interesting hobby.

So what better way to rekindle those fond memories of my childhood and adolescence than to feature a mix set, which includes almost all of the best slamming New Wave party tunes that I grew up listening to.

Kids slam dancing in groups to Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself" and The Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" in parties was the way to go in the 80s and this eventually paved the way for that "mosh pit scene" during the 90s grunge era.

BTW, before I forget, would like to thank my buddy, blogger friend and schoolmate (if I may say so.. :) ), Dr. Stirring Rhod, for requesting this mix and giving me the idea of doing such a set of fast-beat New Wave tunes, which were usually played during parties and high school dances back in the day. Coming from the same school, I am certain that docstir knows what I'm talking about, right bro? :)

This mixset is also featured in his very cool retro blog, which I highly recommend that everyone should check out especially for the New Wave music addicts. It's @ http://docmuzic.blogspot.com/.

For anything and everything 80s and New Wave music, this is the place to be, right DocStir? :) So please check it out!!

Am sure anyone will enjoy this set especially those who are about to give up and jump off a building, this is a guaranteed stress reliever.

Tracklist:

1) The First Picture Of You (12" Mix) - Lotus Eaters

2) Catch Me (I'm Falling) (12" Mix) - Real Life

3) Major Tom (Retro Shock Remix) - Peter Schillling

4) Cool Places (12" Mix) - Sparks feat. Jane Wiedlin

5) Chamber Of Hellos (12" Mix) - Wire Train

6) I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones-On-45 Mix) - Ramones

7) Metro (Remix) - Berlin

8) Dancing With Myself (12" Mix) - Billy Idol

9) Take On Me (12" Mix) - A-ha

10) Boys Don't Cry (The Beatmeister's Remix) - The Cure

11) Everywhere I Go (Album Version) - The Call

12) Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream) (12" Mix) - Icicle Works

13) This Charming Man (12" Mix) - The Smiths

14) Walking On Sunshine (12" Mix) - Katrina & The Waves

Link... The Beatmeister's 80s Slam Dance Mix - The Beatmeister

In short, the 80s for me was the best! No problems, no stress. Just a colorful decade full of fun, unique fashion, great memories, and EXCELLENT MUSIC. :)

Oh Eight, Summer Ender Mix - DJ Mix by Spazzkid

Summer is about to end here in Manila (too bad :( ), and what better way to end it than with this different kind of DJ mix from Spazzkid, another fellow Pinoy, who's more of an electronic musician (some call it live PA), than a DJ, but he can deliver great DJ mixes done the Spazzkid way. He even has done some remixes for other fellow electronica guys.

Spazzkid recently invited me to his multiply site and I was quite amazed by his original tracks, mostly electronic, lo-fi music, coupled in with some breaks, electro and house. He also has several DJ mixes, which I also dig, coz' I love hearing new sounds every now and then to broaden my musical sphere and satisfy my eclectic taste.

You can learn more about him and hear more of his tunes and mixes by visiting his multiply site @ http://spazzkid.multiply.com/ .

I am featuring his latest mix, a summer ender, with quite a cool title and unique album cover. (thanks for the pics BTW bro).

If you're in the mood listening to some new stuff, mostly of the indie alternative to lo-fi to disco punk/electro vibe, you'd definitely enjoy this set.

Tracklist (REPOST):

1) Siriusmo - Girls Rock

2) Louise La Roche - Love

3) James Figurine - Apologies

4) Fred Falke - Megaman

5) Neon Neon - I lust you

6) M.I.T.C.H. - Fais Rentrer Les Euros (Feat. Uffie)

7) Calvin Harris - Merry Making

8) Crystal Castles - Untrust Us

9) Chromeo - 100 Percent

10) Chromeo - Fancy Footwork

11) Tokyo Police Club - Juno

12) PNAU - Come Together

13) Cut Copy - Lights and Music

14) Breakbot - The Summer Party

Link... Oh Eight, Summer Ender Mix - Spazzkid (click on the link to preview; right click and save as... to download)

Another great Pinoy talent is in the house. Nice job bro and hope to hear more electronic beats and bleeps in the future.

Head Over Heels (The Beatmeister's Jazzy Groove Mash-Up) - Tears For Fears vs. DJ Jazzy Jeff

Here's another classic and one of my fave tracks from Tears For Fears' sophomore (their best for me) album,"Songs From The Big Chair".

I just wish the dynamic duo of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith could come up with some new material to satisfy the cravings of some diehard fanatics (like myself).

Utilizing the simple A + B formula, have tried mixing and mashing it with DJ Jazzy Jeff's funky beats and this is what came out...

Head Over Heels (The Beatmeister's Jazzy Groove Mash-Up) - Tears For Fears vs. DJ Jazzy Jeff

For a relaxing and chillout weekend! :D

M.O.P # 19 - Synthesizing The 80s by DJ MoProd

Another flaming hot set from my co-resident, DJ MoProd, coming to you fresh and in the mix.

His track selection is a combination of some pop retro tunes and 80s new wave stuff, with a common denominator of that synthesized sound. As quoted from MoProd, he says that he was inspired with how these artists made old school synthesizers and beats work well during these era, which eventually gave birth to the modern retroesque style in music that we hear today.

There is also a reincarnation of this kind of sound with today's electroclash, electrohouse and modern dance rock anthems. Even pop stars are reinventing themselves and are riding the bandwagon (JT, Timbaland, Madonna, Rihanna, etc).

For his latest mix upload, you'll hear classic tracks from Information Society, Fiction Factory, Expose, Pet Shop Boys, Human League, Camouflage, Pretty Poison and Book Of Love.

Tracklist:

1.Come Go With Me - Expose
2.Feels Like Heaven - Fiction Factory - first time I heard this version, but it sounds nice!
3.Catch Me I'm Falling - Pretty Poison
4.Boy - Book Of Love
5.Dont You Want Me Baby - Human League
6.Oppurtinities - Pet Shop Boys
7.The Great Commandment - Camouflage
8.What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy) - Information Society

Link... Synthesizing The 80s - DJ MoProd

Kudos to you buddy for bringing back that good old sound! Keepin' it retro bro. :D

OPM Remixed - Eargasmic (The Beatmeister's Remix) - Dice & K9

Continuing my goal to share some of the best Original Pinoy Music (OPM) to the world and promote our local talents, here's another great Pinoy hip-hop group, which I kinda like coz' of their continuously evolving sound and original style without trying too hard to sound foreign.

Here's a brief backgrounder as quoted from their multiply site, "Dice and K9 or better known in the HipHop community as Mobbstarr is a hip-hop collective composed of producers, rappers and a singer. Formed in 2002, the group first enjoyed mainstream success with their smash hit Itsumo which propelled their second album entitled Mobbstarr to hip-hop royalty status. Their first album Mobb Music which was released exclusively in Cebu made enough noise for them to be noticed by industry giants like Warner Music ." You can read more about them via http://mobbstarr.multiply.com/

Am uploading a sample of their latest track called "Eargasmic," which I've personally remixed and tweaked to make it more DJ friendly and dancefloor ready. Inspired by remix services such as Mixx-It, Groove Deluxe, and Funky Mix, I have added some intros and outros to the song with some filters and FX in between, without changing the structure and arrangement of the original. More cool tracks are included in their latest album if you enjoyed this one, so you can support them by buying a copy.

This song is a proof of the group's versatility because of its more danceable, four-to-the-floor beats with some Daft Punk-like chorus in the background, as compared to their previous hits, which is also good, but more funky, slow, hip-hop style.

Eargasmic (The Beatmeister's Remix) - Dice & K9

Now, get ready for some Crush Groovin', Body Movin', Record Breakin', Hit Makin' vibe, as this is a prelude to what my upcoming mix set would sound like. PEACE!

The Sound Of Bay Area House - A Kaskade Mega Mix

Have discovered his music through my Hed Kandi collection and ever since, he's been one of my heroes in house music and fave DJ, producer and remixer, Kaskade or Ryan Raddon. Here's a short bio from da man...

Kaskade moved to Salt Lake City in 1992 to attend the University of Utah. During this time he owned and operated a local record store, Mechanized Records. In May 2000, Kaskade moved to San Francisco and began working as an A&R assistant for Om Records. Releasing his first single "What I Say" on the label in 2001.

In The Moment saw Kaskade's first top 10 single with "Steppin' Out" reaching #5 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot Dance Club Play chart and #6 on Dance Radio Airplay.[2] The fourth single to be released from the album, "Everything," reached #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot Dance Club Play.

Kaskade's fourth solo album Love Mysterious was released in September 2006. The first single from the album, "Be Still", reached #4 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot Dance Club Play. The single features vocalist Sunsun, and includes remixes by Jay-J and Robbie Rivera. Follow up single "Stars Align" hit number #8 on "Billboard Magazine" Hot Dance Airplay chart and just missed the top ten, #11, on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. His third single released from "Love Mysterious", "Sorry", was his third consecutive top ten hit on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay Chart, at #9. Dirty South provided a remix for "Sorry." The remix has been nominated for a 2008 Grammy for Best Remixed Recording.

Although it is still a myth, many people believe that he may have taken his name from the Detroit band the Kaskades. Who broke up in late 2006, due to creative differences with then drummer Adam Moody.

Upon signing with Ultra Records in late 2006, Kaskade subsequently left OM Records and now only releases with the former. (Excerpt from wikipedia).

Tracklist:

1) What I Say (Soft Shuffle Mix)

2) Sweet Love (Extended Mix)

3) It's You, It's Me (12" Extended Mix)

4) Amazing (Kaskade Remix) - Seal

5) Everything (Big Room Mix)

6) Lights Out (Kaskade Remix) - Mister O

7) Brighter Day (12" Extended Mix)

8) Soundtrack To The Soul (Big City Dub Mix)

9) Cali Spaces (Kaskade Remix) - Mark Farina

10) Be Still (Morgan Page Remix)

11) Sorry (Members Only Dub Mix)

12) Meditation To The Groove (Johnny Fiasco's Soul Focus Vox Mix)

13) Feelin' Hypnotized (Kaskade Remix) - DJ Colette

14) Steppin' Out (The Beard Mix)

Link... A Kaskade Mega Mix - The Beatmeister

Enjoy this superb collection of his greatest hits and remixes from my own compilation. PEACE!