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Electronic

Bwana – Can’t You Just

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We featured Leeds UK via Toronto producer Bwana and his stunning mix for Arthur Beatrice just a few days ago. We’ve still got that on some serious rotation. Today, Mad Decent dropped Bwana’s latest the Erykah Badu-sampling “Can’t You Just”. Yes! Featuring a sharp kinetic glide and some really nicely layered synth flourishes, “Can’t You Just” is another winner from the Canadian. Ride out to this one.

Bwana canada (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
03-29-12

Adam Smith – Islands

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Adam Smith, a 21-year old UK-based producer, releases his debut full length Islands. The entire 8-track release is great (we’ve had it on rotation at b3sci HQ much of the day) but our pick from the mix is the beautifully kinetic, neatly atmosphered title track. Listen.

Adam Smith england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-28-12

Marina & The Diamonds – Primadonna (Burns Remix)

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Yeah like we could resist this one. UK producer Burns knocks this new “Primadonna” out the park and then some. Burns dials up some space/garage type tones in the mix but buoys it nicely with some good punch. You will like it. We promise.

Marina and the Diamonds england (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

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reviewed by
03-28-12

Simian Mobile Disco – Cerulean

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We’ve loved first singles “Seraphim” and “Fourteenth Principles”, now third Unpatterns release “Cerulean” emerges. Accompanied by an awesome Jack Featherstone & Will Samuel directed 80’s video game inspired clip, the hypnotic “Cerulean” sounds like what the soundtrack for games like Pong and Asteroids would’ve sounded like had they come out today. You are getting sleeeeeeepy….. veeeeerrrryyyy sleeeeepppy.

Simian Mobile Disco england (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
03-26-12

Arthur Beatrice – Midland (Bwana Remix)

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Arthur Beatrice’s “Midland” track is beautiful. Remixing such a gorgeous (simple) track is not necessarily the easiest ask. Toronto producer Nathan Micay a/k/a Bwana is up to that measure and more though on this new official mix for “Midland”. Micay takes on the original’s really stunning vocal sample and chops it up, morphing the vocal into the third, fourth, fifth, etc percussive instruments in the track; creating a chorus of rhythms There are some other great added elements here (especially the interesting counterrhythmic flourishes and additional atmospheres) but the use of voice in the remix is quite the beautiful stroke. Check out one of our favorite remixes of the year thusfar below!

Bwana canada (Facebook)

Rating 8.7

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reviewed by
03-26-12

The Streets – Weak Become Heroes (King Krule Remix)

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The Streets’ Original Pirate Material was a huge record for all of us at b3sci. I spun the CD (remember that shit?), when I was 18, so many times I broke the thing. Here we are 10 years on (has it really been that long?) and to celebrate that anniversary King Krule a/k/a/ Zoo Kid has put together this sharp new remix of the Pirate Material standout “Weak Become Heroes”. Young King Krule, who was likely still in primary school when this LP was first released (damn, do we feel old), does an A+ job here, not only adding his own verse to the track but also peeling back the instrumental a bit, spacing it out, modernizing it a bit (like we love that funky UK piano shit on the original) but it’s cool to hear the track like this. Don’t miss it. (ABEANO)

King Krule england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-26-12

Madonna – Girl Gone Wild (Avicii Remix)

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OK. So Madonna is our girl and all but what we’ve heard so far out MDNA hasn’t really grabbed us. (Sorry M!). That said, this BRAND NEW mix that Avicii dropped into his ULTRA headlining set last night (which included an appearance from Madge herself) is fire. So where was this sort of sound in the first place? With Madonna, the resources are unlimited. Benassi, Solveig, etc there are some big names on MDNA‘s production roll call but it’s like why not go for more? Madonna’s been able to stay relevant as long as she has by being nimble and by embracing those sounds just underneath the reach of the mainstream and making them mainstream. It’s clear she wanted to make some sort of EDM spectacle with this record. So why pull back? In pop’s current incredibly dance-friendly climate, there’s no real necessity to cull the “club elements” out of a track for the sake of broader palpability. Avicii’s remix is a bit of glimpse at what could’ve been with MDNA. It’s great. Turn it up.

Avicii sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-25-12

Alesso – Years (Vocal Mix)

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The WMC weekend bombs continue to drop as (although Alesso dropped this new vocal mix for “Years” as part of his Radio 1 Essential Mix the other night), the Slinging Swede did have this brand new mix in his Masquerade Motel set in Miami tonight. Give your boy some ears with this one below.

Alesso sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-24-12

Avicii – Last Dance

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It’s that “special time of the year” when the world’s indie EDM glitterati descend on Austin Miami for SXSW the Winter Music Conference. Avicii’s playing the Ultra main stage tomorrow night and he’s got a little (if not the only) something special to drop into his headlining mix, it’s a brand new tune and it’s called “Last Dance”. Get it girl.

Avicii sweden (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

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reviewed by
03-23-12

Bassnectar – Vava Voom (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)

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The internets have been buzzing about this Bassnectar/Lupe collab all week. Teasers, previews, blog promos, etc, etc, the promotional build-up has been extensive. So how’s the track stack up? First, it doesn’t sound really at all like anything we thought it would. (which is probably a good thing.) With its HEAVY bass bang, slowed vocal chop ups, and beefily synthed arpeggios, the track’s pedigree is more Dirty South rap than EDM, L.A.S.E.R.S. or whatever else. Swerve to it.

Bassnectar california (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-23-12

Rita Ora – R.I.P. (Delta Heavy Remix)

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Ruh roh. Roc Nation’s new Young Queen, Rita Ora has been fitted with a Drake-written Chase & Status-produced first single in “R.I.P.”. Here, up and coming UK up and comers Delta Heavy sully up that Roc $$$$ shine a bit with his new mix for “R.I.P.” Delta Heavy are producing at a high level and this “R.I.P” mix is a further A+ in the duo’s output.

Delta Heavy england (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
03-23-12

Bondax – Just Us

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And we just found our new favorite band. With the crazy good weather we’ve had on the East Coast this week, the usually reserved for summer 90’s soft R&B bangers (KP & Envyi, Total, Something for the People, etc) have been raining down all over b3sci HQ the last few days. So, Lancaster UK dance duo Bondax (who are definitely painting, at least partially, from that “My Love Is The Shhhhh” palette) are fitting nicely into our current 85 degrees in March quiet storm tip. If you’re not up on these guys yet, do not sleep, Bondax are serious.

Bondax england (Facebook)

Rating 8.5

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reviewed by
03-22-12