Aurgasm

Rock & Roll // Beats

If the ’50s had sampling, New Zealand export Willy Moon would be a flashback. But at the age of 23, his brash mix of rock & roll’s early days and contemporary sampling turns the clock forward to a bold new charm. Before settling into his new home of London, UK, this autodidact ditched school at 16 and shaped his raw sounds with sojourns in Valencia, Morocco, and Berlin; evolving from hip-hop and club into sonic sledgehammers having sole-blistering effect. Willy’s supercharged collage of well-known samples, combined with his unique retro vocals, makes a fiercely catchy package, and his visual style looks equally well mastered in a slick ‘Rat Pack’ refined naughtiness.

Smokin’ hot throwback beat explosions.Willy Moon – I Wanna Be Your Man
Willy Moon – Railroad Track
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Turntableism // electronic

C2C are a turntable act from France who are expanding into original music production. If you are into turntableism this band cannot be a stranger, having won the DMC team championship 4 of times in a row. If you’re not such a fan of people standing behind record players bobbing their head and moving their hands swiftly and accurately, fear not. Listen to ‘F.U.Y.A’ & ‘Down the Road’ and discover there’s more to turntableism than just rythmically moving a record forward and backward. Also check out ‘Tribute to Louis Armstrong’ which sees a fully scratched up rendition of Mack the Knife.

Scratched up tunes laced with deep bass.
C2C – Down The Road
C2C – Mack the Knife (Tribute to Louis Armstrong)
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cinematic // psychill

Ancient & modern, acoustic & electronic, sacred & sensual, ethereal & worldly… Joshua Penman’s Akara project collapses dualities and guides the listener into a state of aural samadhi with a sonic ceremony called Extradimensional Ethnography. Composing a team of classical musicians, and sweetened by Femke Weidema’s heavenly chanting, this transcendent album is an absolute must-have for fans of globally-flavored grooves with a psychedelic touch. (review by Travis Nobles)

Mystical dancefloor symphonies.
Akara – The Far Shore
Akara – Gelfling
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dance // acoustic techno

Brandt Brauer Frick, a Berlin trio of classically trained musicians, redefines 21st century dancefloor music by playing deep house, minimal electro and techno beat with pianos, drums, strings, glockenspiels and even a rainstick. While their incredibly dynamic debut LP You Make Me Real (2010) ranges from infectious house loops to raw and jazzy textures, the trio pushes the envelop further. Recently Brandt Brauer Frick expanded to a ten-piece ensemble so they can play completely live. Mr. Machine (out on October 25) offers some new pieces along purely acoustic re-interpretations of their previous work such as standout “Bop” as well as cover versions, including one of Aurgasm featured Agnes Obel and Emika‘s “Pretend” (featured below).

Hypnotic grooves for the dancefloor and the headphones.
Brandt Brauer Frick – Pretend (from Mr. Machine)
Brandt Brauer Frick – R. W. John (from You Make Me Real)
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dance-funk // latin funk

Los Amigos Invisibles, possibly Venezuela’s greatest musical export, has been active for more than a decade. The band’s latest release, Not So Commercial (2011) offers remastered b-sides and alternate versions from previous recording sessions, following the successful, critically acclaimed and Grammy winning record Commercial (2009). This quick 25 minutes EP, however, offers some tasty “leftovers” for your next party. From funky-disco to reggae stylings and smooth acid groove, this EP will please your ears and move your feet.

Explosive, danceable grooves in the tropical heat.
Los Amigos Invisibles – G-String
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