Kelis‘ latest album Fleshtone was released not too long ago to reasonable critical acclaim. Her debut single Acapella did well commercially and her second single; 4th of July’ is working its way through the charts at this very minute. Check out the video below and ensure you get the Calvin Harris remix too. He adds his trademark dance-friendly-synth heavy sound to it and does a fairly good job in the process. (spotted @ TLC)

Kelis – “4th of July” (Calvin Harris Remix)

Sidenote: Is it me or does she look fuckin sexy in this video!

Fireworks is on sale @ iTunes now.

One of the things I liked about Dutch DJ and Producer Laidback Luke’s Holiday remix is that for the entire 7 minutes you felt held by it and you got your reward with the drop at about 4 minutes.  That remix was, in my opinion, as good as the original. In recent months he’s worked with loads of people, my favourite being his collaboration with Lee Mortimer on the hit Blau!

Now he’s fresh from remixing Calvin Harris’ You Used To Hold Me. It’s great to be seeing all the big tunes off the album getting releases. You Used To Hold Me is due for release on 8th February.  This Laidback Luke remix was only revealed on Twitter this morning so I did my best to hunt it down.  It’s your typical Laidback Luke remix of synths, drums and a quality break down.

Not sure on the quality, apologies, but even as a taster, fully worth a listen!

Calvin Harris – You Used To Hold Me (Laidback Luke Remix)

The second tune of my post today is from Hervé.  Both of these tunes, by the way, were revealed on their respective Twitters.  I highly recommend you follow Hervé, you get a great insight into what he’s up to, musically. He records as The Count, Voodoo Chilli, Action Man, Dead Soul Brothers, Speaker Junk and Young Lovers.  He’s currently finalising his second compilation album, Ghetto Bass 2.

If you didn’t buy the first, shame on you.

Avenging Angel is one of five new tracks written for Ghetto Bass 2. I believe Radio 1′s Jaymo & Andy George radio premiered last night. We’re following up with a 128kbps preview.

Hervé – Avenging Angel

I’d love to hear people’s reactions to these as they are both brand new, so leave a comment or drop me a line on Twitter.

After 2009, this year has so much hype to live up! I’ll start with a piece from two of the biggest winners of last year.  Sub Focus’ highly anticipated album Sub Focus dropped and the rest is history.

The album is a banger and track number 10 is well and truly everywhere at the minute. Could This Be Real has made it into the Radio 1′s Playlist, you’ve got it popping up in everyone’s mixes and DJs are hammering it in the clubs! Proper house vibes on the original but this post is about the remix.

Step up Bristol’s Joker…

I heard this a few weeks ago and was a bit unsure about it. I think it’s because I love the original so much but I gave it time and it’s slowly growing on me… What do you think?

Sub Focus – Could This Be Real (Joker Remix)

I had the pleasure of chatting to Joker after he smashed his set at Sheffield University’s famous Tuesday Club. I wouldn’t really call it an in-depth interview, more so a basic introduction to Joker.

Joker Interview

Next up, Calvin Harris! After a great 2009, I think this remix was his last piece of work for the year.  It’s a remix of David Guetta’s album title track, One Love.  Annie Mac played this ages ago and I couldn’t find it anywhere so when I was considering what to post I thought I’ll have a look for this.

I’m a sucker for anything with a piano in at the minute… let the drop take you away!

David Guetta Feat Estelle – One Love (Calvin Harris Remix)

Finally, I’m going to finish with a preview clip. If you’re a Kissy Sell Out fan then you’ll know pretty much, week in, week out, he hammers Lee Mortimer.  When you’re listening to some of his productions and remixes you can see why.

His remix of Together’s Hardcore Uproar this summer was insane. He’s remixed Bombay Bicycle Club, Visage and worked with Laidback Luke on the beast of a track that is Blau!

His next release is with Foamo and is called Superman. It’s due for release on the 18^th January. Just a word of advice, if you’ve got a sub on your speakers at home, crank it up a bit now… the bass is quality on it!

Lee Mortimer & Foamo – Superman

Check out his MySpace.

If you’re about on Twitter then follow me @itssammoir as I basically use it for anything music related and occasionally you may get some free stuff.

I’m going to try and post more this year, it’s just been a busy few months.

I’ve been struggling with Chemistry A2 Coursework today. Its a massive bitch. If anyone can come forth with some good material on the Harcourt-Essen Iodine Clock Reaction with Hydrogen Peroxide, I would be largely grateful.

Moving on though. Every year I look forward to US rapper Skillz coming through with his traditional ‘Rap Up’ whereby he basically raps about all the major events of the year. ’07 was fuckin brilliant. ’08 didn’t really compare but this year .. he came hard.

Skillz – ’09 Rap Up

A couple videos for ya now. ‘You Used to Hold Me’ was easily the best track off Calvin Harris‘ sophomore album ‘Ready for the Weekend.’ I’m Not Alone hit #1, Ready for the Weekend hit #3 Flashback was top 20, this deserves to be Top 10.

However, if this is the actual quality of the video, it wont be.

This next song was one of the biggest funky tracks of the year. Similar to Gracious K’s Migraine Skank, Tribal Magz ‘Tribal Skank’ had everyone ‘Goin Low, Preparin to Reload and Goin High’ in raves up and down the country.

However,

Why a video has taken so long to come?
Why has this funky track has now turned into an electro track on the video?
Why its only being released at the end of January ’10 when this originally dropped early in ’09?

Fuck knows. Heres the vid:

I hope everyone’s had a good year. 2009 has been a crazy year for me. Its been a crazy year for blogging too. January 1 sees, Fabolous, Jay Electronica and Eternal Reflection (Talib Kweli x Hi-Tek) dropping mixtapes. That should be a top start to ’10. Stay tuned for the best and the worst of those

Peace.

Last week I did Rusko Night on my Uni radio show.  It’s a 90 minute show playing the best in new, underground, music.  The show seems to have got a pretty good reaction as it’s shot straight to Number 1 on Forge Media’s Most Popular Content. So help keep it there by having a listen. The first 30/40 minutes is new stuff whilst the remainder is old Rusko, new – Cali themed – Rusko and some of his best remixes. An added bonus is two interviews with the king himself.

Now, to the music.  First up, a tune that’s getting air-time everywhere. Ever heard of Boris Dlugosch? Nope, me neither until Annie Mac blasted Bangkok a few weeks ago.  I haven’t had chance to see what it sounds like in the clubs as I’m drowned with uni work at the moment but the build up and then drop sounds like it could be a real crowd pleaser!

Everywhere I’ve looked on the Blogosphere it’s been taken down so I’m going to post the Soundcloud link. Listen to it, love it, buy it!

Boris Dlugosch – Bangkok

Next up is a brand new Prodigy remix. I loved the Liam H re-amped version but this Yusek remix does different things to me. It’s got more of a disco beat to it. I could see this being played more on an Indie dancefloor and getting a better reaction than the original if you get what I’m trying to say?!  Not saying it’s better, or worse than the original. Just different.

The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die (Yusek Remix)

Finally, the tune I’m most excited about posting.  I’m sure it was Calvin Harris who Tweeted that Goldie was remixing his Flashback.  True To Sound gave me it’s first ever listen of Flashback when it posted the album review and although it got a mixed reaction on here, I loved it. It’s probably up there with my favourite off the album, along with Stars Come Out.

So when I was listening to Fabio & Grooverider the other week I heard some Drum & Bass blast of it. Then it clicked and it’s gone straight to the top of my iPod’s Most Played.  It seems a faster tempo than the original and a lot more upbeat.  The bass drop makes the tune for me. Keep it comin’ Goldie…

Calvin Harris – Flashback (Goldie Remix)

That’s all from me. Remember to lock into that show.

First up are a couple of tracks I’ve really taken a liking to. The first one is from Timbaland’s upcoming album “Shock Value 2″ and is the first song I’ve heard off of it since Talk I think. Actually that’s a lie as I listened to the first single from it earlier but I wasn’t overly impressed. It just seemed like a worse The Way I Are, which was a really good song. Anyway a song with Drake leaked from the album and I thought it had a lot of potential. Drake sounds good, limited Timbaland presence (although guessing by the short track length, he may feature more) and according to Young Money HQ the track is still unfinished. Let’s hope it ends up sounding as big as it could do.

Timbaland – Say Something (Feat. Drake)

Couple of remixes up now. First one is a new Benny Benassi remix of Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” – and I love it. Sure, he’s become more mainstream over the years but his remixes are really enjoyable, with his electro synths and pulsating bass lines. Not sure if it beats the original for me but still it’s a really good remix. Saw it over at Pigeons & Planes so big props there. The other remix is of Calvin Harris’ Flashback by Eric Prydz. I’ve heard the radio rip of this floating around for a bit but only just heard the full length version. It’s quite relaxing for the most part, the echoing chorus being blended well with some laid back synths. I think it may work slightly better than the original actually. Check both out below:

Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness (Benny Benassi Remix)

Calvin Harris – Flashback (Eric Prydz Remix)

Man On The Moon is out now. Buy it here

Flashback it out November 2nd. You can get the album version here

When I first heard Calvin Harris’ ‘I’m Not Alone’ I did think it was honestly amazing. I went off it a bit though, but this new remix from Japan’s Taku has reignited my love for it. Starts off with repetition of some of the vocals but then builds up into a mighty piece of electro, I prefer it to the original atm. Have a listen.

Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone (Taku Remix)

Starsmith’s remix of ‘Sleepyhead’ with the much-loved Elli Goulding was pretty good, but his latest of Lisa Mitchell’s ‘Coin Laundry’ is even better. Again he uses a soft-voiced female vocalist and then puts his synthpop goodness into it, lovely track.

Lisa Mitchell – Coin Laundry (Starsmith Remix)

Martin Solveig and Dragonette’s ‘Boys & Girls’ is an awesome piece of electropop, and this remix by Les Petits Pilous (haven’t heard any of their stuff in ages, so hopefully they’re back) turns it into another fantastic piece of electro. Still waiting on the HQ Laidback Luke mix though.

Martin Solveig – Boys & Girls (Les Petits Pilous Remix)

And finally found this version of the amazing ‘Arguru’  by Deadmau5 the other day. Quite old and mainly a live version, but I find it refreshing and just as beautiful as the original.

Deadmau5 – Arguru (New Deadmau5 Live Version)

First up I heard Alexandra Burke‘s new song the other day. The song, “Bad Boys” is the first song off of Burke’s debut album and features Flo Rida and personally, I don’t think it’s as good as Lewis’ “Bleeding Love.” The critics are loving it at the moment and I personally quite enjoyed listening to it. I didn’t really enjoy the production at the beginning of the song though. The synth just doesn’t sound right to me and the constant left to right switching got annoying after a while. The song does get better as it goes on though and I especially liked the areas where there was more of a piano involved. The chorus does work very well and her voice isn’t overly processed – something to Alexandra’s credit. Flo Rida is obviously on the record for commercial purposes but he fits the quick beat quite well to his credit. You can preview the song on DailyMotion below.

Alexandra Burke – Bad Boys (Feat. Flo Rida)

Bad Boys is released 9th October. Alexandra’s album (TBC) will be released 26th October. Pre-Order it here.

Right onto some newer stuff. One artist who’s set to have a huge 2010 is Drake. Blik has previously gone on about Drake a lot, but I’ve only recently come round to liking him after being a bit unsure of him at first. It was probably his performance on that Young Money song “Every Girl” which brought me round to him – he stood out against the rest of the artists featured by a long way. Anyway a new song  has been leaked which is due to be off the soundtrack to LeBron James’s upcoming documentary. The song features the best of the rap world though – Kanye, Wayne and Eminem. I at first thought it had to be a mash-up as getting these 4 together on a track must have been hard work, although I understand LeBron James is quite popular in the US so they were all probably happy to feature. The song is called “Forever” and is extremely good. No autotune from Wayne either which gives it more brownie points. I really enjoy all the rapper’s verses and the hook from Drake is good as well. Can’t wait for his album, which is sadly expected in February 2010.

Drake – Forever (Feat. Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem)

Forever will be released tomorrow. Make sure you get it.

The last track today is a remix of Shakira’s “She Wolf.” When i first heard this song nearly a month ago, I didn’t really enjoy it and thought it didn’t come close to “Hips Don’t Lie” – which I really liked when it came out. The song has grown on me a lot recently though and in particular, I lke the retro video which was shot to accompany the song. I’ll leave you with the official video along with the Villains & Calvin Harris remixes of the song which I enjoyed listening to.

Shakira – She Wolf

Shakira – She Wolf (Villains Remix)

Shakira – She Wolf (Calvin Harris Remix)

She Wolf is out now in the US. Get it here. It is released on September 14th in the UK.

And that’s it. In other news Dizzee Rascal’s “Holiday” looks set to get the #1 spot at the weekend after finally being released. Only the radio edit is available at the moment, but if you want to help Dizzee you can get the song here.

However, Calvin Harris delivered here.

Calvin Harris – Ready for the Weekend

I Created Disco was a very good album. Even to this day, I’m still hearing ‘Acceptable in the 80s’ ‘The Girls’ and ‘Colours’ and they all still sound as good as on first listen. I genuinely thought that that album couldnt be topped by the Dumfries-born Harris; hark, I think I have been proved wrong.

The album opens very well with ‘The Rain.’ This leads seamlessly into the anthem ‘Ready for the Weekend’ which incidently reached number 3 in its first week as an official single. One thing you’d notice about the album is that each track fades out and hence fades into one another smoothly. Some may say its simple, I think it adds a classy touch to it. Harris then moves into a touch of Electro-Housey kinda stuff. This is epitomised by easily the best track on the album ‘You Used to Hold Me.’ Lovin’ this..

Calvin Harris – You Used to Hold Me

I’m Not Alone comes. Nothing needs to be said there. Then his reported next single ‘Flashback’ which is in my honest opinion, nowhere near as catchy as the others but a solid piece nonetheless. Unfortunately though, the next track is not so good. It’s majorly responsible for the 8star rating and not a 8.5 star tbh. When i saw the tracklist for this album, I noticed the track with Izza Kizza and thought, him and Calvin on a track could work.

It isn’t great. Calvins vocals are embarassing at times on this and well, I dont wanna be whole-heartedly negative but the track just doesnt take off. The 16 from Izz Kizz is well written but not anything worthy of commending which is a shame. But in my opinion, I thought that was the only real blip in what is, an impressive album from Harris. I think this could do well and spawn a few chart-topping hits for him.

I can’t leave you too many songs from there. Buy it instead. It was available to buy from about 25minutes ago! I got my copy. Get yours.

Calvin Harris – Flashback
Calvin Harris – Ready for the Weekend

I still need to review Deadmau5‘s new album leak but in the mean time have a listen to this track. Its a remix of Medina’s ‘You And I’ and is a beautiful piece of progressive house with some complementary vocals to go with it. Pity more of his album wasn’t like this.

Medina – You and I (Deadmau5 Mix)

Thanks to itssam_m for all the following tracks. Firstly, 3 teasers from Fake Blood‘s upcoming Fix Your Accent EP. Like Sam my favourite of the 3 is ‘The Dozens’, very raw. All are good though.

Fake Blood – Fix Your Accent

Fake Blood – The Dozens

Fake Blood – I Think I Like It

→ Buy the EP on Amazon

And lastly Dave Spoon‘s remix to Calvin Harris’ ‘Ready For The Weekend’, again sent to us by Sam. Fake Blood & High Contrast’s remixes were both better than the original IMO and this is probably on a par. Not long till Calvin’s new album now, hopefully it’ll be more in the I’m Not Alone vein rather than RFTW..

Calvin Harris – Ready For The Weekend (Dave Spoon Remix)