Vitalic’s new video for Second Lives hit the web on Friday. Shot from the point of view of a hidden camera in an office bathroom stall, the video is passionate, sad, sick, and trivial — all in three minutes, and all without a single word spoken. With the rapid succession of images thrown onscreen, it’s easy to forget that the video is just a front drop for a rather well produced track. Second Lives champions the nudisco sound, huge synths and driving bass, never straying into fluff. Well worth the listen, and you can find the full length version below.

Vitalic – Second Lives (Album Version)

A quick jaunt through a trio of smooth tracks united only through name and by feel. A touch of Baltimore, a touch of two-step revival, and a smidgen of house.

DJ Sliink – My Sunshine
Julio Bashmore – Footsteppin’
Fingaprint – Night Time

Was only originally gonna include two tracks in this post, one from London’s Hotflush Recordings artist Joy Orbison and another from hipster dance darlings the Round Table Knights. Problem was I couldn’t pick just one from the latter; so you’ll have to live with it being a twofer today. In any case, the theme of this post is sexy, groove-driven, slinky; all of which these tracks manage to do better than your mom in brand new negligee.

Joy Orbison – The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow
Round Table Knights – Drop the Dow
Round Table Knights & Beauchamp – Calypso

For some reason, when people go out and remix Miike Snow, those remixes turn into some of my most played out tracks. Recently, Snow’s Silvia got rebuilt several times over into some sleek new packaging. Included here are three distinctly different versions. The Roboberget berget version is an airy trip, perfect for the grey Sunday morning that’s dawning outside my window. Next up is Felix da Housecat’s take on it, with a rockier beat and driving, distorted guitar which keeps the mix moving. Last is the Savage Skulls/Tony Senghore remix, an underground stomper complete with 90s rave piano and a relentless bass drum thumping out straight fours. Enjoy.

Miike Snow – Silvia (Roboberget remix)
Miike Snow – Silvia (Felix da Housecat remix)
Miike Snow – Silvia (Savage Skulls & Tony Senghore remix)

Title track of this post comes from The XX, with their Magic Wands remix. If it hadn’t been for a friend turning me onto The XX this past week, I probably would’ve skipped over this little gem as it sat waiting for a playing in my inbox. Anyway, to balance out the meandering downtempo nature of the track, I’ve included a few straightup club bangers to keep things moving.

Magic Wands – Warrior (The XX remix)
DJ Laz & Pitbull – I’m not an alcoholic
Dondria & Jermaine Dupri – You’re the one (Chuckie remix)
Kidz in the Hall – Flickin’ (Nick Catchadubs & Proper Villains rmx)

Yeeehaw. After proroguing the blog for a month to hit the books and the hills, we’re back to deliver our throne speech. In this spirit, I’ve put together a small arsenal of tracks that I’ve been using to combat the onset of the February blahs which are about due to kick in over the next couple of weeks. The theme here is a sunshiney collection of tracks with a little edge, threaded together tightly in an effort to keep out the cold. Individual tracks are below.

Eff The Blahs – PhoenixLoop.com February Mixtape

01. Douster – King of Africa
02. The Chemical Brothers – Star Guitar (Party Ben remix)
03. Bag Raiders – Fun Punch (XXXChange remix)
04. R.I.O. – After the Love (Mowgli & Bagheera remix)
05. Cassius – Youth Speed Trouble (Don Diablo remix)
06. Kid Cudi, MGMT – Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki remix)
07. Iyaz – Replay (Donni Hotwheel remix)
08. La Roux – Bulletproof (Foamo remix)
09. The Pixies – Where is my Mind (Bassnectar remix)
10. Keri Hilson, o8o – I Like It (White Light remix)

You can also download all these tracks in a neatly organized archive here.

A quick post to throw out some NYE tracks before I head out into the blizzard that’s assaulted our nation’s capital. A lot of endings and beginnings for me this year, and probably more so in the year coming.

DJ Earworm – United States of Pop 2009
Fatman Scoop & DJ Class – New Year’s Anthem 2010
Skillz – 2009 Rap Up

Hey all, it’s been a week and after work and exams and shows and fending off the Christmas blahs, we’re back. Since Santa’s stuffing his cellulite ridden ass down the chimney in less than five days, we figured a real post commemorating the season was in order. So, here’s a fistful of tracks to raise your glass of eggnog to while grinding with your grandma during the happiest day of the year.

Eazy-E – Merry Muthafuckin’ Xmas
Benny Stixx – Jinglebellz
Bobby Helms – Jingle Bell Rock (Jay Velar & Diggz remix)
Harry Simeone Chorale – Little Drummer Boy Ish (Diggz edit)
Dorrough – I Want (Hood Christmas)

The weekend is over and I’m still gravitating towards the funky ass shakers that I loaded into my digital crate last week. We’re not talking the porn-ish, baby making music that many of my colleagues like to play out; although I’ll probably be throwing up some of those more Prozac infused tracks in the near future. No, I prefer my my funk to have a little edge. It probably comes from my heavy breakbeat rave influences… I need a driving beat, some heavy bass, a dash of crunch, and at least a hint of a synth. Otherwise I get bored.

To this end, I’ve got a pair of barn burners from Dublex Inc. These guys have always been one of my favorites, and I’ve been catching up on some of their recent work. In fact, I’m a big enough fan that you can probably expect another post on them later on in the week.

Dublex Inc. – Right Place Right Time (Beatfanatic remix)
Dublex Inc. – Don’t Make Me Want You (MonoPhonic remix)

A pair of Jayl Funk collaborations for you to jumpstart the weekend. Easily one of my favorite producers in the nufunk style, Jayl is well worth keeping your eyes on.

Camels on Duty ft. Michael Conner (Jayl Funk remix)
Quincy Jointz, Jayl Funk – Rock It