Motion Potion - War on the Dance Floor (MoPo's 2010 Reboot)

Funk mash up artist DJ Motion Potion has a series of EPs coming out this year and the first, "Electric Nostalgia Vol. 1" is quite like the title describes - a mashup of old school funk and disco with newer electronic and rap samples that create a whole new lounge and dancefloor beast.

For example, "War on the Dance Floor" - a track you can download here (limited time DL) - is James Brown's Payback with Ludacris' Red Light District, plus MoPo's electronic touch.

MoPo calls his style “funklectic dancefloor nostalgism” - I can hear it. To explain a bit more, here's a description from MoPo and his team: "From a near religious love of funk and hip hop, to a lifetime study of rock and roll to a massive aptitude for latin, reggae and other outernational formats, MoPo incorporates bits and pieces of music culture into electronic edits."

Here's a downloadable mix from MoPo

MoPo 5.1.08 Republic - NOLa Opening for P Funk by mopo

Jah Love Recordings - Free Dub Mix Tape

Jah Love Recording's 2010 Sampler Free Download link by Jah Love Recordings

Ancient Astronauts - Put Em Up EP

Just downloaded the new remix EP from Ancient Astronauts. Got a bunch of remixed tunes of their latest album "We Are To Answer." Love ze downtempo Germans. Here's what ESL Music (Thievery Corporation's label) has to say about the new release. I put it here b/c, well, I agree:

"ESL Music brings the dopeness once again with Ancient Astronauts’ brand new “Put Em Up EP” featuring the brand new lead hip-hop cut “Put Em Up” with rhymes by Raashan Ahmad. Also featured on the EP are brand new exclusive remixes of tracks from the Astronauts’ debut album We Are To Answer. Tru Thoughts’ in-house beatmaestro TM Juke reworks “Everybody” into a funky electro breakbeat smasher, while the BBC’s reigning exotic downtempo DJ Pathaan reworks “Lost in Marrakesh” into a smooth drum&bass roller. The EP is rounded out by superb remixes by Protassov, Lance Herbstrong, and Gianma."

Yeah, I dig it. Really nice flow of electronic downtempo with hip hop overlays.

Electrolights - Centerpiece , and obligatory WMC post

So I've been in touch with Giant Step, an artist promotion company in NYC, who informed me they're working with this group Electrolightz, a 4-man group of pop/electro/hip-hop artist. Their remixes and original work are mostly uptempo party jams (that I def enjoy, but don't necessarily fit the DBS vibe). But a few tracks, especially the one below called Centerpiece is one of those tracks that I'd probably use to bridge the gap between chill downtempo and head-noddin git up and groove, danceable downtempo. Many might not consider it downtempo in its truest definition (I guess I wouldn't, really) but I'd put it in a downtempo party mix. I also share this track with you because its an appropriate post to recognize WMC. I'm not going, and it focuses more on uptempo electronic, but no doubt, it has a big influence on the electronic scene overall and the mashing of genres and collaboration of artists. Who knows what will come out of WMC. Maybe Electrolightz will meet some downtempo producer and they'll both change their lives forever. Check out the "Electro Wars" trailer - the documentary is being screened at WMC and shows you that this type of collabo and discussion and mashup and controversy is possible. Who knows... :)

Electrolightz - Centerpiece


Electro Wars Trailer

The Electro Wars Final Trailer from Stephen Alex Vasquez on Vimeo.