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This record is on Polyvinyl. I think the last thing I bought on Polyvinyl was in 7th grade. It was probably something by Rainer Maria, 'cause I saw them live and had a crush on the lead singer. I can't say I...
expand review feel the same way about any of the guys from Architecture In Helsinki, though I am pretty envious of that one dude's beard. Anyway, if you keep up with your indie rock, you know this Melbourne collective has become crazy popular over the last few years, and that their new single "Heart It Races" has been getting love from some unexpected places. Enter this slab of remixes, which includes the much talked about "Trizzy's Rusty Tin Can Remix(1)" from Fool's Gold CEO A-Trak. I never thought I'd wanna hear the "LEMME SEE THOSE HANDS! LEMME SEE THOSE HANDS!" acapella over wistful indie tones, but I was so wrong. Also includes remixes from Pink Skull(2), Yacht(3) and Franc Tetaz(4), but you won't get past A-Trak's version. -Chris Lemon-Red
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"They hear the bass and they say 'whoa'..." Been loving this track(1) from Mr. Macklovitch ever since it popped up on his mix for Nike over the summer. It was designed as a perfect high-energy running/workout jam, but those hyper synths and...
expand review punchy beats speak just as loudly to the dancefloor. Kitsune stacks the B-side with two big remixes from Sinden(2) (MONSTROUS bass!) and Boys Noize(3), whose skronky version doesn't make me think so much of jogging on the treadmill as running from the cops on PCP. I like the Kitsune icon for A-Trak, very Max Headroom. Recommended. -Van Hammersly
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Boys Noize back on his own label for the companion to Oi Oi Oi, with four diverse remixers each taking on a different track from the wunderkind's debut album. Siriusmo comes with the high heat on his nasty electro mix of "&...
expand review Down(1)," Fool's Gold CEO A-Trak turns "Oh(2)" all Bmore (with some scratching for good measure), and Housemeister's take on "Don't Believe The Hype(3)" is, perhaps unsurpringly, pretty housey. Also includes a remix of "Let's Buy Happiness(4)" from Turbo labelmate Proxy. A-side plays at 33, B-side at 45. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Hotshot free agents Crookers just dropped a nasty EP on Mad Decent, now they're back with a little something for Southern Fried. These guys sound like they're having way too much fun, tossing their now-trademark synths over a Bmore clap on "Sveglia(1)"...
expand review and sprinkling on a little "It Takes Two" and the horror movie organ for good measure. After they completely murdered the remix to Kid Cudi's "Day N Nite," it was only logical that the Italian duo hook up with the Fool's Gold MC for a track of their own. Can't say "Embrace The Martian(2)" winds up on quite the same level of hypeness, but Cudi oozes personality as always over a thumping, tempo-changing outer space house beat. Also includes the slow-motion raver "Magic Bus(3)" and the title track(4). Pic sleeve. -Van Hammersly
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LAB US EXCLUSIVO. Import-only pic sleeve 12" featuring two of the biggest tunes from Dabaaz's new full-length. A-Trak gets behind the boards for "Regarde-Les(1)," scratching up a Clipse sample and crafting yet another ridiculously infectious beat. Flipside features the Drixxxe-produced "Tu Veux...
expand review La Guerre?(2)" - the term "Eurocrunk" kinda makes me wanna shoot my face, but this is pulled off so nicely, it doesn't feel like a joke. Totally dark, Dirty South style production. DJ Paul & Juice would be proud. Includes instrumentals for both tracks. Limited stock. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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It's not like Digitalism's big single needed to be fixed up, but damn if A-Trak didn't turn the already hot "Idealistic" into an absolute BEAST. His remix(1) whips the original into a club-smashing nu-rave (sorry) heater that's sure to blow out some...
expand review speakers. Didn't this guy used to win DMC championships? You'd never know listening to the clean electro workout he gives here. Digitalism also provides a handy extended version(2) for mixing, plus remixes from WhoMadeWho(3) (dirty, distorted and LOUD) and Hystereo(4). Plus it's on Kitsune, so you know it's gonna look good on the shelf. -Larri Byrd
Freebo! Make any physical purchase and get this limited promo mix cd for the new get-down from DJ Ayres (The Rub), Nick Catchdubs (Fool's Gold) and Jubilee. Flashing Lights is a free party that goes down every Friday at Public Assembly in...
expand review Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So far they've attracted guests like Nadastrom, Sabo, Klever, Dara, Ursula 1000 and our own Gina Turner, and the list is steadily growing. Ground floor, going up... -Van Hammersly
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The Pacific Northwest duo of Four Color Zack and Pretty Titty prove that it's not the size of the ship, it's the motion of the ocean on their new EP of fast and dirty party breaks for Fool's Gold. These tracks all...
expand review clock in around two minutes, but they'll leave you feeling like you just absorbed a cannon blast of glitter and confetti to the chest. On his side, Zack pits Electric Light Orchestra against Trillville on "FCZ x ELO(1)" and takes it back to Jock Jams days on "Boom(2)." Speaking of 90s stadium jernts, Mr. Titty incorporates some C&C with Gorilla Zoe's "Hood N*gga" on "JB RIP(3)" and revs up some instantly recognizable synths on "Droppin It(4)." FGR-011, if yer counting... -Van Hammersly
A New Jersey transplant and product of Valdosta, GA, Izza Kizza recently signed to Timbaland's Mosley Music imprint. But before he drops the o-fish-al major label debut, he's teamed with Fool's Gold co-founder and all around good guy Nick Catchdubs for this...
expand review little preview of things to come. If you haven't heard Kizza's hyperactive, stuttering rhymes, you're in for a treat - I can't really think of any reference for dude's style, it's just that unique. (Closest comparison would be those other two "eccentric" guys from Georgia, I guess...) The beats are better than your average mixtape too, mostly thanks to Kizza's NJ collaborators Souldiggaz, as well as Koolade and hyphy maestro Trackademicks. There's even a lil cameo from Missy Elliot, and a nice freestyle over a slew of Timbo beats. 19 tracks total. Recommended. -Van Hammersly
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"Baby, why you trippin on me? You know I'm tryin to build a church." James Pants is really making good on his promise to "put out quality music ONLY," as evidenced by this stacked new double-header of a 12". You already know...
expand review the slumpy, synthy "Crystal Lite(1)" - maybe you already have the t-shirt? - which is thankfully bundled here with its equally dope instrumental. But how about A-Trak (er, Trizzy) and XXXchange making their Stones Throw debuts on the flip?? The Fool's Gold honcho and Fully Fitted maestro turn Pants' Pharrell-ian "Kash(2)" on its head with an absolute corker of an electro remix that you just need to hear. Also includes "Technopop(3)" with DJ Bunny and fellow Stones Throw weirdo Baron Zen. Worth the $6 for the back cover illustration alone. -Van Hammersly
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If legend is to be believed, Kavinsky is the world's best-known zombie DJ and musician. Others will tell you he's the alias of Vincent Belorgey, protege of French beatmaster Mr. Oizo, friend and tourmate of Daft Punk and the Ed Banger crew....
expand review Whichever story you choose to believe, Kavinsky's new EP for Fool's Gold -- his first domestic release -- is a total no-brainer. Updating vintage Moroder and Miami Vice sounds with a French touch, Blazer features three of the possibly undead producer's finest cuts from his import releases -- "Testarossa Autodrive(1)," "Dead Cruiser(2)," "Grand Canyon(3)" -- and seals the deal with the exclusive unreleased gem "1986(4)." The whole thing is wrapped up in a spiffy Ferarri tire pic disc designed by (who else?) Dust La Rock, and is strictly limited to 1,000 copies. -Van Hammersly
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I'm actually kinda glad this single has taken so long to drop: "Day N Nite(1)" was one of my favorite songs of 2007, but since it's not officially released until... well, right now, I can put it at the top of my...
expand review 2008 lists too! Cudi, along with his man Dot Da Genius on the beat, has crafted one of the best slo-mo stoner rap anthems in recent memory. Not to be outdone, Cudi's labelmate's Jokers of the Scene get this one prepped for the dancefloor with their surging raved out remix(2). The flip features another slumper, "Dat New New(3)," with a nice flow from Cudi and guitar loop / wet drums beat by Dot. This might be my favorite release on Fool's Gold yet. Includes instrumentals for both tracks, plus dirty and clean mixes for "Dat New New." Recommended. -Larri Byrd
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GOT HER TOES DONE UP WITH HER FINGERNAILS MATCHIN'! This is the one, the jam everyone's been asking after since it showed up on Kanyeezee's last mixtape. The A-Trak produced "Pro Nails(1)" is dope enough on its own, but the remix(2) has...
expand review the extra hot sauce with Kanye talking about Hammer Pants and being on Concrete Loop in his PJs. Oh yeah and can all the haters please sit down now and acknowledge that Kid Sis is MEAN on the mic? If "Pro Nails" doesn't convince you, flip over to "Switch Board(3)" and check her spitting at juke speeds. DJ Gant-Man - whose remix of "Damn Girl" even eclipsed the original - puts down the hype beat and even gets on the mic for the assist: "COCA COLA SHAPE WITH A ONION IN THE BACK!" Quotables for days all over this record, plus dirty clean and instrumental versions for "Pro Nails" and dirty / instrumental for "Switch Board." Another high quality pic sleeve from Dust La Rock. Highly recommended. -Larri Byrd
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Didn't think it could get any more infectious than the original "Pro Nails(1)," but this new CD single release (Kid Sis' first on Downtown- big things) features a straight whomper of a remix from the Bag Raiders(2)! It takes a minute to...
expand review build up at syrupy half speed, but once those big toms, bubbling electronics and super high gloss Braxe/Falke synths take over, it's lights out. (Then they REALLY kick it into high gear for the end...) The other remix keeps it closer to home, with Chi-Town's own Gant-Man(3) going for less juking, more jacking. He also provides the beat for the B-side, "Switch Board(4)." Unfortunately only the clean version of the Kanye-guesting "Pro Nails" is provided, but hey... you can still get it on the 12"... 5 tracks; 20 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This one deserves the... hooooooly chit! A-Trak and Catch called in the big guns for this vinyl-only EP featuring four brand new remixes of Kid Sis' finest cuts to date, "Control" and "Pro Nails." Remixes by whom, you ask? Hows about SMD...
expand review (aka Simian Mobile Disco), JFK of MSTRKRFT, newly-inked Fool's Gold'ers LA Riots, and the juke icon himself DJ Gant-Man. I gotta say, Simian steal the show with their remix of "Pro Nails(1)," even though it's more of a cover version and doesn't even feature any Kid Sis vocals! Instead, SMD re-imagine the track as a slow rolling, dubstep-flavored heater and the results are entrancing. Gant-Man's excellent jacking club mix(2) gets a reprise too, and that one's got nuff Kid Sis vocal chops. Flip it over for a pair of cracking "Control" mixes: JFK's raved out banger(3) and LA Riots bassy 4x4 take(4). Now that's bang for your buck. Comes in a stickered Fool's Gold jacket. Recommended. -Larri Byrd
It's been a while in the making, but the new mix from East Village Radio all-stars Nick Catchdubs and Mark Ronson is finally upon us. With exclusivos and new blends galore, Radio Radio is exactly what you'd expect from Ronson & Young...
expand review Catch – a total free-for-all, genre-defying and severely fresh. The coolest thing about this mix is the energy level, which stays up in the stratosphere for the duration but never feels tiring or overwhelming – it's just some good-ass summer music, mixed cleanly and cleverly. Highlights include Catch's Hector/Jigga blend (over the "Scenario" remix instrumental!), Ronson's horn-laden remake of Britney's "Toxic" (not a remix, but a remake, in the vein of his Radiohead cover) and Graeme Sinden's "Layla"-sampling remix of Bonde Do Role's "Melo Do Tabaco." New and unreleased tracks from A-Trak & TTC, Lil Wayne, Turf Talk, Robin Thicke and a whole bunch more, too. 26 tracks clocking in at just over an hour. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
New mix cd from resident lab reviewer and blog herder Nick Catchdubs. If you checked out his last one (Whats Really?), this continues the pace with clever mixes and blends (don't call them mashups), and undercurrent selections of dancehall, southern-leaning hip hop,...
expand review a little rock, and other ‘dubsian fun things which defy categorization. Hardly any vocals here are on their original beats, but Oh Snap never sounds forced or eye-rollingly “cheeky.†He's just in there. From his site: “Honestly, I was going to try and make a really straightforward, well-mixed new hip-hop CD with this one- but I couldn't stop from pressing "record" and going all over the place. My shit happens to be weird club music, danceable joints that are a little offbeat for whatever reason. I like remixing and recontextualizing stuff. But it's funny how being diverse can get you pigeonholed as...being diverse.†You got a problem with that? -the mgmnt
Catch & Ayres team up for Round 2 in the Super Friends mix series - you don't wanna miss this one. The boys take it back to the 80s (in an entirely un-cheesy way), mixing choice new wave / dance rock cuts...
expand review from Depeche Mode, Squeeze, INXS, Gary Numan, Pixies, Devo, The Clash, Psychedelic Furs and so on. They also unveil some new blends (Zongamin vs. Cardigans is a shocka) and some drop current bombs (Phones remix of Wolf & Cub(!), new Snowden, 908 remix of Adam Kesher). Quick, solid mixing, flawless selection, one hour of jamz. As a great man once put it: 'Nuff said. -Chris Lemon-Red
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DJ/producer/saxophonist Samuel "P.Nice" Bananas returns to the Fool's Gold fold with his second batch of ultra useful edits and remixes. Whereas the instantly-sold-out High Top Fades EP covered the 80s, Braids & Fades moves forward in time and finds young Sam reworking...
expand review some classic 90s jams. On the A, it's Jomanda's "Got A Love For You" getting a Bmore overhaul on "Work Me(1)" and Salt N Pepa's "Shoop" chopped up over sublime squelching bass on "Get Set Go(2)." Flip it over for "Ooh Bop(3)" - an En Vogue rework, my favorite and the most instantly recognizable of the four joints - and "Ladies(4)." Chalk another one up for the Fool's Gold team. -Van Hammersly
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