My Opus : 2 Hour Study / Trance Mix

Today I was really in the zone and put together a mix of 20 or so trance songs for you to enjoy while you study (or alternatively while you party). As a personal achievement, this is a mix I am particularly proud of. I should warn that this is not the most commercially friendly of my mixes. This is a compilation of darker and edgier trance, progressive, and tech house songs that have caught my ear as of late. So, without much more, give it a listen. Like I said, this is something that I am rather proud of, and if you like it I urge you to share it with your friends. I appreciate the continued support, and look forward to djing @ lou has and house parties in the near future. Cheers.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ozk5jdlqetg

1) Terry Grant - The Tie That Binds (Jay Lumen remix)
2) Sia - Buttons (Markus Schulz Return to Coldharbour dub)
3) Sasha - Xpander (Deadmau5 remix)
4) Ceeryl feat Lo-Fi Sugar - Set On The Prize (Kama & Mac Gregor remix(
5) Robyn - Cobrastyle (Adam K & Soha remix)
6) Smartminds - The Orchid
7) Evgeny Bardyuzha - Bali (Arnej remix)
8) Moonbeam feat. Avis Vox - Storm of Clouds
9) Marco V - Coma Aid
10) Paolo Mojo, Jim Rivers - Ron Hardy Said (Eric Prydz remix)
11) Who's Who (Steven Angello + Sebastien Ingrosso) - Klack
12) BSOD (Deadmau5 + Steve Duda - Better Sounding On Drugs
13) Jonno Brien - My Groove (Jon Rundell remix)
14) Sydney Blu - Senses of the Mind
15) Simon Patterson - Different Feeling (Filterheadz remix)
16) Devilfish - Manalive (Jon Rundell remix)
17) Ferry Corsten - Shanti
18) Ferry Corsten - Radio Crash
19) Armin van Buuren feat. Sharon den Adel - In & Out of Love (Richard Durand remix)
20) Sied Van Riel - Riel People (W & W remix)
21) Sied van Riel & R.O.R. - Closer to You

My new fall electro mix

Here is a new party mix I made. It starts out more chill and progressively picks up. Due to the popularity of "Breakfast" on my last mix I included a new version on this mix. I will admit that songs 11 - 15 are for the most part recent personal favorites, but I thought I would include them on the back end of the mix in case a hand full of you guys like em. Further, I think songs 9 and 11 have the potential to become big hits. Enjoy.

Also, my last mix got downloaded over 100 times... thats a personal best, thanks to everyone who copped that.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nlzvyyyzhmh

***chill progressive

1) Axwell v. Dubfire v. Seamus Haji - I Found You At Night (Dubfire vs P.Carillo Rework)
2) Energy 51 v. Funkerman - Cafe Del Mar vs. Speed Up (DJ Vishnyakov vs. DJ Flight Remix)
3) Deadmau5 - Not Exactly (Inpetto remix)
4) Norman Doray & Tristan Garner - Last Forever
5) The Attic - Easy Love (John Dahlback Remix)
6) Eric Prydz v. Danny Tenaglia - Pjanoo is the Answer

***electro house

7) Steve Angello - Sleep Sweet Gypsy (Dirty South mashup)
8) Sandy Vee - Dirty Beats
9) Roger Sanchez - Bang that Box (Laidback Luke remix)
10) Mischa_Daniels- Another Place (Maximal D Essed Mix)

***the bizarre & intense

11) Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler
12) Le Le - Breakfast (Kill the Noise remix)
13) Feed Me - The Spell
14) ACDC - Thunderstruck (Crookers bootleg)
15) David Guetta - Joan of Arc (Crookers rejected remix)

Get Smart : Not the worst movie I've ever seen

So, Turnbull and I ventured to Blockbuster. Early in the alphabet nothing really jumped out at us. However, when we got to "Get Smart" I asked Bull if he wanted to rent it. He said he had already seen it, but he would be willing to watch it again. In the effort of being democratic I told him that I would opt in favor of something that we had both not seen, but against my efforts he persisted. He said "it was pretty good, I wanna watch it again." So the choice was made.

On the way to the register Bull stopped and considered purchasing the Patrick Swayze film "Roadhouse" which he referred to as a "deal" for $15. Ultimately he decided against the purchase commenting that "TBS is probably playing this movie right now anyways."So, we boot up "Get Smart." The film unsuccessfully straddled many genres; action, comedy, and even dabbled in romance. It only took me about 15 minutes to seriously wonder why someone would want to watch this film once, let alone insist on watching it a second time.

A highlight of the film for me was a discussion Turnbull and I had about grappling hooks (which are utilized heavily in the feature). I told Bull that I didn't think that grappling hooks worked as well as movies portray. He confidently responded "Well, it depends on the hook." I disagreed, stating that I felt it would depend more of the surface you were trying to grapple from. Once again he retorted, "Not as much as you'd think." Neither the Bull nor I have any substantive experience with grappling hooks, however, discussing their potential merits and limitations was much more entertaining than the film we had rented.

So, what here were the pros of "Get Smart"

- its short 

- Bill Murray makes a cameo as a man who lives inside a tree

- this guy is in it

And, in terms of cons

- the movie takes place between Washington DC, Russia, and LA, at times they change cities with little to no explanation leaving the ultimate viewer very confused which leads to my next point

- the plot is a rough assembly of recycled ideas from far superior espionage and comedy films

So, the film's main draw is how incredibly average and predictable it is. I evaluate movies under what I like to call the "HBO standard" - IE would I watch the film if it was being played on HBO. In this case, I have to say "yes", but I wouldn't be very happy about it.

Listen ASAP: Swedish House Mafia @ Sensation White - Copenhagen

This is a live set performed by Angello & Ingrosso @ Sensation White in Copenhagen in front of 27,000 people. The event is called Sensation White because everyone in the crowd dresses in white. I'd have to imagine this would just be unreal to attend. It cuts out at a few points, but if you forward past it everything is cool. Great tunes here, enjoy.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F8TO8GD9

00. Sensation Intro
01. ???
02. Wippenberg - Chakalaka (Original Mix)
03. Boris Rush - Miami Push (Original Mix) w/ Daft Punk Acapella
04. Steve Angello - Sleep Dear Sweet Gypsy (Dirty South Bootleg)
05. The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up (Original Mix)
06. Substate - Horizon (Mac Zimms Remix)
07. ???
08. Daft Punk - Around The World (Sebastien Leger Remix)
09. Steve Angello - Trixx
10. Sidekick - Deep Fear w/ Rune - Calabria
11. Dirty South feat. Rudy - Let It Go + D. Unity - Rythm district 101 (Original Mix) + Faithless - Insomnia Tool
12. Josh Wink - Higher State Of Consciousness (Steve Angello Remix)
13. Be Satisfied (Swedish House Mafia Bootleg)
14. Eric Prydz - Pjanoo w/ Danny Tenaglia + Celeda - Music Is The Answer (Acapella)
15. Plastikman - Spastik (Dubfire Rework) / The Aztec Mystic - Knights Of The Jaguar / M.A.N.D.Y. & Booka Shade - Body Language
16. Da'Others - Flight 887 (Andrea Saenz Robots Memory 7E Mix)
17. ???
18. Energy 52 - Café Del Mar
19. Pryda - Europa
20. Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso - Together
21. Colplay - Viva La Vida (Laidback Luke Bootleg)

The cheese/bread hypothetical, Qdoba's taco salad, and other pressing issues

One time my brother asked, "Would you rather live in a world without bread or cheese?" Now, on its face this seems like a rather easy question to answer, you just choose which of the two you like more, and decide on that basis. However, that is an oversimplification, since cheese and bread share a symbiotic relationship, both ultimately contributing to the welfare of society. Now, in bread's credit, it is the foundation of almost all sandwiches. So bread makes things possible. However, cheese takes it to the next level.  Without bread, you don't have a hamburger, but without cheese, that very same burger can't be awesome. Take this same principle and apply to many foods, a blt, pizza, etc... (for more on my love of this see Meditations on Pizza and Pasta Hut posts below) Personally, I don't think there is a right answer. A world lacking bread or cheese would be a brutish, awful, short, and miserable existence.

Further, I'd like to commend Qdoba for the outstanding advancements they've made with respect to taco salads. Given the time constraints of having a Thursday night class I usually have to grab a meal on the run. Given considerations of time, price, geography, and portability I am limited in where I can go. Last week, this turned into a minor disaster when I tempted my luck with Subway's latest offering (see post below). So, now that I am boycotting that institution I was left with grabbing a meal from Qdoba. As everyone knows, the very biggest lies are the ones that we tell ourselves. In this case, I wanted to compromise a healthy lifestyle while still eating Qdoba, so I figured ordering a salad would suit both needs. However, to call any meal served in a taco shell healthy is just being reckless with the truth. I have to say, the meal was brilliant. Definitely one of Qdoba's best kept secrets.

Lastly, I dj'd this weekend, and I sometimes I honestly doubt the ability of young adults to notice simple patterns. As you've been able to glean from this blog, I like dance music. When I dj, its all I play, and should someone listen for more than 10 minutes this is abundantly clear. However, last night in the middle of my set someone requested a Garth Brooks song. This was rather unsettling, and is not something that I will likely bounce back from anytime soon.

Solid Mix From Dave Spoon

Alright so here is latest mix from Dave Spoon, who hosts the monthly "In New DJ's We Trust" on BBC's Radio One. Lots of new electro house in here. This may not be for everyone, but I thought there were enough cool new tunes on here to warrant posting. Primarily, I'd recommend that you focus your attention to the Cagedbaby guest mix. This guy mixes about 20 songs in 20 minutes, which is a pretty impressive technical accomplishment (that starts around minute 44 of the mix, ps).

Fatboy Slim 'Rockafella Skank' [Riva Starr mix] (Skint)
Nadastrom 'The Way You Movin' (Dubsided)
Laidback Luke & A-Trak 'Shake It Down' (CDR-)
Quivver '2 Notes N A Beat' [Jay Lumen Arena Remix] (Boz Boz)
Sharam 'Crazi- (CDR-)
Vrajitoroo 'Din Nou Lar' (Viva Music)

Go Get Em Mix
Lee Mortimer 'Putto' (Dubsided)
Bingo Players 'Chop' (Spinnin)
Adam Shaw 'Six Degrees' (Mau5trap)
Skober 'Collider' (Beatport)
Boza 'My Big Thing' (Beatport)

Cagedbaby Interview & Mix
Cagedbaby Intro
Felix The Housecat -Jack U- [Angello & Ingrosso Mix] (Gigolo Records)
Cagedbaby -Saw You Waiting (White Label)
George Duke And Billy Cobham -Live On Tour 1976- (Island Recs)
Style Of Eye -Girls- (Piccalo Recs)
Ghetto Blaster
Lee Mortimer -Moaning And Groaning- (Dubsided)
Armand Van Helden -Ski Hard- [Cagedbaby Les Trois Vallees Mix] (Southern Fried)
La Horse -Cyanide And Happiness-(CD-R)
Mr Oizo -Positiv- (Ed Banger)
ZZT -The Worm- [Erol Alkan Mix / Chateaux Workit Edit] (White Label)
Poni Hoax -Hypercommunication- [Alter Ego Remix] (Tigersushi)
Johnson, Duca, Haske -Canadian Visa- [Johnson And Haske Mix] (Tribal Vision)
Duran Duran -White Lines- [Vox Rework] (White Label)
Chateaux -One Night At Chartres- (Baby Records)
Luca And Paul Dinamicro -Karotte- [Gregor Thresher Mix]
Derrick Carter -Where You At- [Sam Watts Edit] (White Label)
Cagedbaby -Forced- [Teaser Mix] (Southern Fried Records)
Button Moon -Special Cagedbaby Edit For Spoon- (Bouton Recs)

03:00

Big Spoon Choon
Lo-Fi-Fnk 'Want U' (Ed Banger)

Spoons Vault
One From The Crate
CLS 'Can U Feel It-' (Strictly Rhythm)

Laidback Luke Interview & Tune
Laidback Luke & A-Trak 'Shake It Down' [Sneaks Shaken Beats] (CDR)

Mystery Jets 'Half In Love' [Foamo mix]
Foamo 'Movin It Over Here' (Unsigned)
DJ Zinc & Dave Spoon 'Ghost Train' [Lee Mortimer mix] (Televizion)
Burns 'Alternate' (Breastfed)
Daft Punk 'One More Time' [Laidback Luke edit] (CDR)

Spoon's final 30
Dirty South -D10' (CDR)
David Tort 'Ausfhart' [Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike mix] (Joia)
The Rogue Element 'Panic Attacks' [King Roc mix] (CDR)
Crystal Waters 'Gypsy Woman' [Mark Mendes edit] (CDR)
Funkagenda & Exacta 'Mad Money' (Redux)
Mark Mendes & Mike Jacinto 'Relic' (Starter Recordings)
Peter Lazonby 'Sacred Cycles' [Dave Spoon update] (CDR)

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZI59OXQ5

Let me tell you something about house music...

Here's a few new mixes I copped recently. All pretty high-energy, but I suggest you give them a listen.

First, a new mix from David Guetta. He was recently voted the #5 DJ in the world and listening to this should be some indication why. He plays new songs by Benassi and Prydz, in addition to a bunch of awesome yet to be released tunes.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UTMA9A3A

Second, this is an electro house set from Steve Angello. 

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QTJL879H

Lastly, this is a quick radioshow that the up and coming Justice played for Galaxy radio. I think these guys would be unreal live. This may not suit all tastes, but I thought it was pretty dec.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=129HAPI6

Food Review : Subway Pizzaiola + Meditations on Pizza Generally

When it comes to commercial subs everyone falls into one of two camps; Quizno's or Subway. In the effort of full disclosure I should probably admit that I fall into the Quizno's camp. This has caused a deep rift between my brother and I, as he is a devout Subway loyalist. Nonetheless, since Subway started selling pizza a few years back I felt personally betrayed, and that once glorious institution has, in my personal opinion, sacrificed a lot of street cred for this mistake.

Now fast forward to November 6, 2008. I was running late to my patent class, so I had to grab a meal on the quick. I stopped by Subway and saw they were promoting their new Pizziola. My brain trust will readily admit to you that I have a weakness for pizza subs. They combine all of the glory of both of the aforementioned foods. However, I must candidly admit that the old Subway Pizza sub (which has since shamelessly been removed from the menu) just flat out sucks. So, reluctantly, I ordered the Pizzoala.

After being warned that they had run out of tomatoes I knew things were about to take a turn for the worse. It all started to add up... She started scooping the marinara sauce out of the meatball tray, she added the cheese... I knew what was going on here, this was the same terrible pizza sub that was long ago removed from the menu! It had just been resurrected with the addition of chicken. Needless to say, like its now defunct cousin, this sub totally sucked. I stand vindicated in my choice to support Quizno's in the sub-wars.

And as a brief aside, to ruin something as wonderful as pizza is not a gesture I take lightly. Growing up only minutes away from Jets, pizza is something I hold very dear to my heart. The reason is, pizza is inherently awesome. Instinctively, we all know this. That is why parents serve pizza at every childhood party. I think in our adolescent years we try to deny the glory of pizza in our efforts to fit in. However, in college, I am very glad to see that pizza has made a resilient comeback.

Which brings me to Saturday, November 8. We were at the club, and I witnessed something that I have never seen before, and likely never will see again. Two men ordered 15 pizzas to the club. Everyone flocked. People were eating pizza while dancing. It was a filthy and yet simutaneously beautiful sight for those who were lucky enough to be there.

So, let me summarize

Subway Pizziola - bad

Pizza generally - amazing

People eating pizza at a club - indescribably awesome

New fall electro mix

Beneath is my newest mix. This is a departure from my last two, its very upbeat. This is essentially the type of mix that I would like to hear when I am @ a club. With the exception of Open Legs every single tune has a vocal element. Lots of new songs on here that I think have potential to become big hits, namely Buttons, Come Fly Away, and Superstrings. If you tend to like the Benassi style sound, then I think you'll find that songs 8 through 11 to be a treat.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jnz2yyzymyz

1) LeLe - Breakfast (Mercury remix)
2) Skepta - Rolex Sweep (Vandalism remix)
3) Slyde - Your My Fix (Utah Saints remix)
4) Sia - Buttons (Jimmy Valance remix)
5 )Luis Lopez feat. Celia - You ll Be Mine (D.O.N.S remix)
6) Sidney Sampson - Riverside (Casey Copa remix)
7) A-Trak - Say Whoa
8) Mobbing - Open Legs
9) Sandy v. Dhany - Break the Wall (Mobbing remix)
10) Benny Benassi - Come Fly Away (Mobbing remix)
11) Benny Benassi v. David Bowie - I'm a Dj
12) Richard Grey - Crash on You
13) Jody Wisternoff - Starstrings (Tocadisco remix)
14) D.O.N.S. - You Used to Hold me
15) Bart B More - Finally
16) Micha Moore - Space (Bart B More remix)

dope study music - Markus Schulz - Global DJ Broadcast (30/10/2008)

For whatever reason people always approach me and ask for good music to study to. Personally I find Markus Schulz's mixes to be the best because he consistently plays really good trance and progressive yet never gets too outta control. He was recently voted the world's #8 dj so apparently I'm not alone in my opinion. Regardless, below is a mix he did recently that I found to be rather exceptional. Enjoy.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q29PL34E

01. Royal Sapien - Everyone (Blake Jarrell Remix)
02. Sied Van Riel & R.O.R. - Closer To You (Plastic Angel vs. Store N Forward Remix)
03. Sied van Riel - Rush
04. Evgeny Bardyuzha - Bali (Arnej Remix)
05. Saint & Sinners - Pushin' Too Hard (Bruce Aisher Remix)
06. Sia - Buttons (Markus Schulz Return To Coldharbour Dub)
07. JPL & George Hales - Downfall
08. Simon Patterson - A Different Feeling (Filterheadz Remix)
09. Mr. Sam Featuring Claud9 - Cygnes
10. Anton Firtich - Moonlight Madness
11. Element One - A World Away
12. Talla 2xlc - Dantes Peak (jerome Isma ae remix)
13. Zoo Brazil - The Age Of Love
14. Oryon - Kraftwork
15. Ilya Soloviev & Paul Miller - Lover Summer (Orjan Nilsen Remix)
16. Ohmna - Satori Waterfalls
17. Cramp - Deadline (Markus Schulz Big Room Reconstruction)
18. Randy Boyer & Eric Tadla - Aden's Dream [Global Selection]
19. Myon & Shane 54 - Trapped
20. Marc Vision - Time Gate (Arnej Minimal Drum Dub)
21. Markus Schulz - The New World (Markus Schulz Return To Coldharbour Remix)
22. ID

Stop honking please.

Well, due to a huge clerical mixup I was not able to vote yesterday. I was silenced! However, when my children ask me who I voted for in the most important election of my generation I will look them square in the eye, lie, and tell them I voted for Barack Obama.

Jerry Seinfeld once joked about the futility of honking at sexy women as you drive by. Well, I think the honking after the election made even less sense. Are you trying to indicate to Obama via honking that you agree with his income tax reform? I don't think he got the message. I, however, did.

In unrelated but equally important news I read over @ slashfilm.com (awesome site ps) that the writer of new Bond film wanted to include a subplot involving 007 having a child. Ultimately the idea has been dropped, and thank god for that. As it is we have to suffer through Shia Labeauf (sp?) being in every studio tent-pole film for the next two decades so I think one less film with a contrived child subplot will do the world well.

Anyways, in the spirit of the election I thought I'd post a link to Matt Stone and Trey Parker's eipc team america song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS-FoXbjVI

Laidback Luke mix

It seems that most people are more partial trance as far as genres go (given that the top 4 of this yrs 100 dj poll were trance artists). I, however, tend to err on the side of house. At the moment Laidback Luke is one of house music's most competent producers and I think he has somehow managed to slip beneath the radar. Next to Prydz, Axwell, Guetta, and Angello I think Laidback Luke is one of the most preeminent DJ's in the genre. My plug aside, beneath is a recent set he did for Clubfg which you can download @ the link provided.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4WBLW1GT

01. Intro : John Williams - Theme from Superman (Main Title)
02. Colplay - Viva La Vida (Laidback Luke Bootleg)
03. Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell & Laidback Luke - Umbrella
04. ???
05. Norman Doray & Tristan Garner - Last Forever
06. Chuckie - Brassbeat
07. Sidney Samson - Riverside
08. Fatboy Slim - Champion Sound (Switch Remix)
09. ???
10. ???
11. ???
12. The Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl (Soulwax Remix w/ Copyright - Wizeman (Acapella)
13. ???
14. The Count Of Monte Cristal - B-More Forward
15. Daft Punk - One More Time (Laidback Luke Bootleg)
16. AC/DC - Thunderstruck (ID Remix) w/ Drowning Pool - Let the Bodies hit the Floor (Acapella)
17. ??? Rocking With The Best remix? Or acapella?
18. Prodigy - Girls w/ Rockid - Girls w/ Show Me Love
19. ???
20. Armand Van Helden - Shake That Ass (Mowgli Remix)
21. MGB and SDS - New Jack (Steve Angello Remix)
22. Roger Sanchez - Bang that Box (Laidback Luke Remix)

Joaquin Phoenix quit acting and I don't care even a little bit

So there is news that Joaquin Phoenix abruptly and with little explanation decided to quit acting. This really upset me, but not for the reasons that you think. By the transitive property of me thinking that Johnny Cash sucks I don't care what Joaquin Phoenix chooses to do with his career. 

And here's the odd part, he said he did this to pursue his music career. The irony of this is that Joaquin Phoenix did not even know how to play the guitar or sing until he made "Walk The Line." So apparently he is quitting one job he sucks at to start another (see Pizza Hut post below). 

Here is why I am mad. Up until this week I've been able to go my entire life being indifferent towards Joaquin Phoenix, and now all the sudden I've been tricked into caring. Other than the fact he vaguely resembles my younger cousin, I don't care about Joaquin Phoenix even a little bit. If he wants to make waves in the news maybe he should take a note from his Gladiator co-star and throw a telephone at a hotel employee.

My Fall Trance Mix

Since I've been studying a lot I've spent most of my lib time listening to more chill music. Beneath is a mix of the newest and best trance and progressive I've heard lately. I think "Ecouter" has the potential to become a big hit. If you like stuff like this lemme know and I'll be sure to post more. Enjoy.

http://www.4shared.com/file/68795628/bbd1f16c/fall_trance_2.html?dirPwdVerified=ce83504c

1) Carmen Rizzo - Ecouter (Morgan Page Remix)
2) Tim Royko - Beautiful Lie (Inpetto Remix)
3) EDX - Casa Grande
4) Dobenbeck - Please Don't Go (Shawn Mitiska Remix)
5) Josh Gabriel - Tone Program (Style of Eye Remix)
6) Armin van Buuren - Unforgivable (First State Remix)
7) Helvetic Nerds (Sanctuary - EDX's Afterhours Mix)
8) Di Scala, Whelan - Close My Eyes (Andy Duguid Remix)
9) Paul van Dyk - Complicated (Kyau & Albert Remix)
10) Lange - Out of the Sky (Kyau & Albert Remix)
11) John Askew - Nothing Left Between Us (Duderstadt Progressive Dub)

Pizza Hut is changing its name to Pasta Hut

This is not a joke. Pizza Hut is changing its name to Pasta Hut. I am utterly taken back by this news, and will leave any editorial comments aside for now. However, here were some responses when I told others

"Are you kidding"
-brother

"Why don't they just stick to what they do best, making bad pizza."
-dan

"This is just horrible news, and to hear it on Columbus day nonetheless?"
-fuga