Taken on a magic journey

It's been a little while since I've heard of anything by one of my faves Todd Terje, but he is back at it with a magical journey through space off the new release from Tiny Sticks Records (other releases on this label by Mark E, Mock & Toof, and Dondolo). Terje throws in some extra breathy vocals and pounds out the first two thirds of the track with a gradual crescendo as the countdown begins and the engines begin to fire until he unleashes a funky bassline that blasts you through the upper atmosphere and into stellar space. The man can do no wrong in my opinion, but I'm sure you already knew that.

Rogue Cat - Magic Journey (Todd Terje Remix)


This track bounces along like "I Wanna Be Your Lover" with a modern kick, so so sweet.

Action Jackson

Despite his pedophilic tendencies and eroding facial structure, MJ is easily one of the most important figures in music of the last thirty years, but who doesn't know that, honestly. And while "Billy Jean" is still regularly slapped behind rap tracks by lames looking to get an immediate response from the crowd, others have more tastefully paid tribute to Jackson's musical legacy.

Off of Tim Sweeney (of the incredible Beats In Space radio) and Tim Goldsworthy's (of DFA) new 12", whose collaboration is T&T, come with two massive edits (or versions or something) of two classic tracks by Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. While many editors nowadays are scraping bins for obscure gems to spin out Sweeney and Goldsworthy pick two of the most well known disco/funk tracks ever made, "Superstition" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". In the latter, the funky bassline is replaced with buzzy whirling acid synths and "don't stop the rhythm..." echoes throughout a massive breakdown, keep on!

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop (T&T Version)

Next is an edit by Holy Ghost! of "Get On The Floor" I found when I stumbled onto this blog the other day, Off The Radar. Far more minimalistic than the T&T remix, Holy Ghost! hardly touches the track until the breakdown in the middle, where the reworking shows its magic. Holy Ghost! has been racking up quite a few great remixes this year, most recent being this dubbed gem of Curses! featuring The Juan Maclean and Nancy from LCD Soundsystem, here. But enough of that, here is the dance-floor-filler from the hot up-and-comers from Brooklyn.

Michael Jackson - Get On The Floor (Holy Ghost! Edit)

Lastly is nothing new but one of my favorite re-edits by Todd Terje under the Tangoterje moniker. His edit of "I Can't Help It" might be his best behind Diamonds Dub. Terje takes Jackson's voice and throws it through some kind of filter that makes it sound crispy coming out of your speakers, while adding enough percussion to groove out a lovely breakdown in the middle.

Tangoterje - I Can't Help It

Lastly, I was turned onto this video the other day by my friend over at Robots In Heat, and I couldn't help but share it. Take classic Jacksons disco, add effects from Tron and a 3 minute extended ending that truly makes the video feel like an acid trip. I cannot believe this is from 1980, it is too good.

MP3 Kills Vinyl

After DJing my first party up here in the bay this Saturday, which was a great party with great people and plenty of dancing to go around, I realized exactly how incredible Todd Terje is. I have been collecting remixes by him over the past year and everything from his Tangoterje edits to his original production on Full Pupp to his release on RVNG International under the moniker Wade Nichols to the remixes he releases under his own name are fucking amazing! Dropping any track he has touched at a dance party results in absolute dance floor mania. His remixes lately have been particularly on par. I included his funked out remix of Reverso 68's "Piece Together" on my Sunset Stands Still Mix below and on Saturday I played his remix of Jose Gonzalez's "Killing For Love" and the party blew up. Whether it's the disco basslines of Chic's "I Want Your Love," the percussive drums of Paul Simon's "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes," or his acoustic guitar work on America's classic "Horse With No Name" he has the amazing ability to groove out a track into a pure Weapon of Mass Dancestruction (maybe too lame of a descriptor but I'll go for it) while leaving enough of a track intact that you remember why you fell in love with the original.





















This track is no exception and I say it could very well be the Remix of the Year in my book (not that it matters or that anyone cares about my rankings). But this drawn out masterpiece of Simon Baker's "Plastik" (more prominent in the techno community than the disco contingent) is basically what I have come to expect, a track that I can listen to over and over and over again. This has been on repeat for a while, taking me to an Turkish dance club with finger cymbals and belly dancers partying until the break of dawn in a smokey room lit by red hanging lanterns. Since it is such a monster it will be the only track I leave with you tonight, enjoy!

Simon Baker - Plastik (Todd Terje Türkatech Mix)