Kendrick Lamar - i (Carneyval & INSTRUM Remix)

INSTRUM and Carneyval went full on future house summer vibes on this remix of Kendrick Lamar's i. You may also have realized that this remix doesn't actually sample the original version of i, but rather uses the acoustic cover done by Jackson Breit (up as a free download). If you're familiar with either the original or the cover, you'll likely be surprised by the direction that INSTRUM and Carneyval took their remix. They left in a healthy amount of the classical guitar, the cover vocals are pitched down and sped up, there are definite future house synth stabs, and all in all, it's just a great mix of sounds brought together in one remix.  It's up as a free download through TropiKult, and the download is an extended full 320kbps version.  It doesn't get much better than that, so get on that download.

- KJ

Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne - Real Love (BÅUT Bootleg)

This remix was uploaded on Soundcloud by BÅUT a while back, but I was waiting to see if it would get set to a free download before I posted it here, and it did!  I've already tossed this into a couple of my sets, as it's a seriously great bootleg. The Soundcloud play stats are seriously way too low considering the quality of it, but that's why I love digging for music - you come across absolute gems that are still secret weapons.

BÅUT keeps a majority of the vocals from Jess Glynne from the original, and it sounds very similar to the pop version right up to the first buildup, but when the drop comes in at the 1:30 mark, you know this is something a bit different. Working on the style that is evident in the other bootlegs posted on BÅUT's Soundcloud, this bootleg oozes deep bass in line with the deep/future/tech house niche. If you want a bootleg that goes hard but still is recognizable to everyone in the club, grab this one now - it's now your secret weapon too.

- KJ

Avicii - Levels (Chris Stebbins Summer 2015 Remix)

You'll be forgiven for reading the title of this post and thinking "Oh god, not another rehash of this tired old track", because I have to admit, I have the same knee jerk reaction every time I hear Levels even mentioned in casual conversation. But if you had that thought, I hope you pressed play anyway like I did, as you'll be pleasantly surprised with this remix from Chris Stebbins.

Chris has taken the original to another place, with little left from the original aside from his use of the Etta James vocal sample from her 1962 single Something's Got A Hold On Me.  Aside from that sample, Chris has gone on to create a fresh new melody that really gave this track new legs for 2015 that I would never have expected. Do yourself a favour and have a listen, and grab the free download from his Facebook Page.

- KJ

MORRT - Realize

MORRT is back with another free EP that he is gradually releasing on Soundcloud over the next few weeks. If you have been following him on any of his social media, he's teased some material that he's been working on, and the first track he's put out here is the end result. Realize is the first track from the EP, which was uploaded on Monday and has a dreamy house and garage club vibe all the way through. The sound is along the same lines of his arguably slightly poppier recent release Dive Right In, and in the same stream of particularly high quality music that he has been releasing.  We're looking forward to hearing the rest of this EP as it slowly rolls out. If you're feeling this, grab the free download through the shopping cart link in the player below, or just click here.

- KJ

Middle - Shapes EP

Middle dropped a new free EP a little over a week ago, and we happened to stumble across it just a little late.  Following up on their success with Girl, which has racked up 50k plays on Soundcloud, the Shapes EP retains much of the Garage/Deep House vibe that seems to be becoming Middle's signature sound. Our favourite track from the EP is What You Did, which is very reminiscent to Girl - vocals that at times are included in full, and at other times chopped to add to the percussive elements, all surrounded by the recognizable synths. If you're looking for an artist comparison, I would say Middle is producing a sound reminiscent of NVOY.

The other two tracks on the EP are also definitely worth checking out - Give is a slightly more laid back track, while Take Off moves a bit to the heavier side, but both remaining with the same deep house and garage sound, keeping the EP quite consistent throughout.

Keep an eye on this French duo, as there is likely more quality work coming down in the future. Follow their Soundcloud here.

- KJ

Soulless Sun and Marc Able - Like Fire

Local Regina producers Soulless Sun and Marc Able recently collaborated on a new Melbourne Bounce track, and just released it Monday as a free download on each of their Soundcloud pages. Like Fire has all the elements you could want in a melbourne bounce track - big and gritty synth leads, vocal driven breakdowns and buildups, and energetic drums. If you're into melbourne bounce, make sure to support your local Saskatchewan talent and grab the free download here.

- KJ

Flamingosis - Newski Album

It's no surprise that freshdrops has been feeling what Flamingosis has been putting out for some time.  I don't think there has been much material put out on his Soundcloud that we haven't posted, so why stop now?  The producer from New Jersey just put up a collection of 15 tracks that simply hadn't been released anywhere as of yet.  There may be a few tracks in here that sound familiar, as they've been included in some of the Friday Care Packages earlier in the year.  

Though the album spans a larger length of time between the earliest and most recently produced tracks, they all are recognizably Flamingosis, with his flare for meshing everything from Jazz, Swing and Funk into his Hip Hop beats.  This is all up for download from his Bandcamp Page here for just $7.

As if the 15 track album wasn't enough this week, Flamingosis also released an awesome Biggie remix, as a free download from his Soundcloud page. All you have to do to grab this is hit the download button in the embedded player here.

Also, if you haven't picked up the Kahunastyle album that was released earlier this year, get on it here.  It's also a free download.

- KJ

Gravez and ELHAE - Call Me Back

Atlanta artists Gravez and ELHAE teamed up to bring you this emotional hip hop and rnb jam called Call Me Back. I won't go to hard into lyric analysis, as you can tell where they're coming from just listening to the track. Think calling the ex. In any case, this track is a beautiful blend of production and vocal prowess alike in the style.

Call Me Back is up as a free download, scoop it here.

- KJ

Stranger - At Night EP

In sticking with the heavier sounds today, we just came across this free EP from Stranger that was uploaded just a couple hours ago. Like the Taiki Nulight track we posted earlier today, this EP is not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for low end it's sure to please. You're going to want to play this on something that can handle some bass.

The opening track Feel Like really starts off sounding like it might be a standard house track with a little bit of a throwback vibe.  The snare roll comes through with a couple little hints that this might take a turn, and then the drop hits. Really, that's all the description you need. Feel Like is really the only four on the floor track here, as the following three tracks all lean toward a more broken beat style.

Both Shake That and Yung Seal (a collab with Sing Sing) follow up with a similarly deep and heavy bassline, but with more of a breaks style beat backing it up on the percussion side. Stanger's collab with Frank Royal is a bit more laid back and with a broken beat, but still maintaining the heavy bass that is dominant throughout the EP.

If you're looking for something a little heavier and dirtier to add to your collection, check this out and grab the free download if you're feeling it.

- KJ

Taiki Nulight - Ill Bred

Something a litte heavier for you today, Taiki Nulight dropped a free download on Soundcloud as a thank you for hitting 20k likes on his Facebook page. If you've heard any Taiki Nulight before, you know to expect some pretty heavy bass, and Ill Bred definitely provides in that department. 

The lead up into this really only hints at the heaviness that's coming until it drops in fully at the one minute mark.  From then on, Ill Bred doesn't really let up the whole way through.  While not particular melodic at any point in the track, it makes up for it in raw bass and percussive energy. This is not for the faint hearted, and may possibly be a bit heavy for those who are solely into, say, the tropical house scene at the moment - but put this on a proper sound system, and you'll find out who can hang with the bass and who can't.

Ill Bred clocks in at 126 BPM, and as such should fit in nicely with most house sets, but while at that bpm, the track feels much slower with its stripped back and sustained heavy bassline. Perfect if you want to take a set in a bit of a different direction, or want to switch up the feel in am already bass heavy set - this one will definitely do the trick.

- KJ

Ren Phillips - Infatuation

It's likely no surprise that we've been liking Ren Phillips' productions for a while, as we posted about his Michael Jackson remix a while back, as well as including tracks in both previous mixes and Friday Care Packages.

Ren was teasing a new release all of last week on his Facebook page that was going to be published on Monday, so we were already primed and ready to hear it, and unsurprisingly it did not disappoint. Reworking and vocal pitching Sisqo's "Got To Get It", this is a catchy future deep house and garage concoction that goes down nicely. The bassline on here really compliments both the percussion elements along with the chopped vocals, giving the track a great flow throughout.

Infatuation is out as a free download hosted by the crew over at Pack London, and they have a number of other great free downloads available through their Soundcloud page, so make sure to check them out.

- KJ

Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do (Chris Stebbins Remix)

Chris Stebbins dropped us a line letting us know he was dropping his remix of Ellie Goulding's Love Me Like You Do as a free download last week.  You may recognize his name if you checked the Friday Care Package out on Friday, as we included his remix of Wiz Khalifa's See You Again.

The track eases into things with a gradual build that introduces some of Chris's melodic elements through the initial verse and into the first run through the chorus.  The percussion doesn't really drop until the one minute mark when the second verse hits. This remix has a slightly reigned in big room progressive house sound that gives a nod to mainstream dance while also staying away from being cliché.  Fans of the original Ellie Goulding track will also appreciate that Chris left the vocals intact and without pitching of any kind.

Make sure you check out this Ontario producer's Soundcloud page, and keep an eye on it as he mentioned he's got a few more tracks up his sleeve that are forthcoming. 

- KJ

falcxne - Tams

What's more relaxing than listening to a Canadian weather report with a smooth, funky and jazzy backing track? If you didn't have anything that fits this description before, it exists now, and it's pretty mellow.  Canadian producer falcxne got a bit experimental in sampling the news for his most recent free download Tams. Check this funky jam out, and hit the download button if you're feeling it.

And in case there was any doubt as to just how Canadian falcxne is, take into consideration that he put out two albums that are up as name-your-price on Bandcamp called Timbits and Timbits II. There are few things more Canadian than that!

- KJ

Friday Care Package - June 5th

- KJ

Fresh Drops Vol. 4 - Kris Jones Extended 2 Hour Mix

This month for Fresh Drops we ended up not having in a guest, but Kris dropped an extended 2 hour mix.  The vibes on this range from Nu Disco to Deep and Future House and some Garage influence for good measure.  A few of these are out as free downloads, a couple are forthcoming on some great labels, as well as some already released heat.  Make sure to check the tracklisting below. This is a summer vibe mix throughout, we hope you enjoy. 

And in case you haven't seen this feature before, we have a monthly show that we stream live on Underground Sound Canada's Mixlr channel.  We are just one week, but there are new mixes every Sunday night.

Tracklist

1. Shine (The Jane Doze Remix) - Years & Years

2. Karma, You Got Owned - Tep No

3. Found My Light (Pakem Remix) - She Said Disco

4. Don't Let Go (Vhyce Edit) - Tony Orlando

5. It's You ft. River (Purple Disco Machine Remix) - The Shapeshifters // Defected Records

6. Talk Talk (Moon Boots Remix) - George Maple // Future Classic

7. Premonition (Espada Remix) - Machine For Dreams // Dimentique

8. A Quiet Mind (La Rose Remix) - Furdak // Forthcoming on DeepWit Recordings

9. Dreamer - Beatsession, Glitchko

10. Prints of Whales ft. PB Kaya - TÂCHES 

11. Attracted - Kartell // Roche Musique

12. Holding On ft. Gregory Porter - Disclosure // Island Records

13. The Act (Extended Mix) - Camelphat // Spinnin' Deep

14. Tryna Shake It (Original Mix) - Motez // Sweat It Out

15. Come On (Original Mix) - Platform 19, Unknown Associates // Unknown Records

16. Arabella (Original Mix) - Camelphat // Great Stuff Recordings

17. Holding On (Original Mix) - Billon, Nu:Tone // Rinse

18. Deep Inside (Low Steppa Remix) - Hardrive //Strictly Rhythm

19. 7Days - Ste Haley

20. Mr. Sunshine (Original Mix) - Moji, Michael Mandal // Get Twisted Records

21. Future - Golf Clap // Country Club Disco

22. All I Want (Dosem Remix) - UMEK, Mike Vale // 1605

23. You Know It (Original Mix) - Defunct! // Audiophile XXL

24. Turn Me (Original Mix) - Howson's Groove // Fat! Records

25. Miles Away (Demarkus Lewis Remix) - Agent Libre // DeepWit Recordings

26. Be The Same (Original Mix) - Vhyce // Food Music

-KJ

rgry - good2u

rgry has been putting out hot music pretty consistently through Soundcloud, a lot of it on that future, chill trap, hip hop vibe.  We just saw good2u pop up in our stream recently as it was reposted by audiopium, and it's quality material. This is one for those of you who want some passionate lyrics along with your beats.  This goes back to Teddy Riley and Tammy Lucas' Is It Good To You, though I am not quite sure whether the vocal used in this is sampled and pitched or covered with a new vocalist. Either way, it's fresh again.

There was no link from the new post on audiopium, but we dug up the original upload from rgry which is still up for free download, so grab it from the player below. If you haven't checked rgry's Soundcloud page, make sure you check it, as there is a lot more cool stuff there, some as free downloads.

- KJ

Tep No - Karma, You Got Owned

Tep No dropped this juicy free download a little while back, but we just came across it. Karma, You Got Owned emanates summer vibes, and honestly any 2015 summer playlist that is lacking this track is simply incomplete. The combination of really loungey, chilled back and house-y percussion and the classical guitar licks create a perfect backdrop to feature the smooth vocal stylings that are introduced later in the track.  If there was a recipe to be written for an infectious summer jam, Tep No wrote it with this one.

Head to Tep No's Soundcloud page for the free download, and check out some of their other material while you're there, as a lot of it is up for free downloads as well.

- KJ

Patrick Baker - I Lost You

Nashville-based producer and vocalist Patrick Baker uploaded this little free download over the weekend, and I've been loving it.  It's a little darker than our typical Mellow Monday post, but it was too good not to share. I Lost You is really different from anything I've heard recently - dark and brooding synths paired with a deep kick and reminiscent love-lost lyrics all come together to make this track something special. 

Have a listen for yourself and see what you think.  It's available for download directly though the player below.

- KJ

JNTHN STEIN - Float ft. G.L.A.M.

JNTHN STEIN has recently teamed up with Oakland artist G.L.A.M. (Good Lyrics And Music) to put together Float. The lyricism in this has a strong current culture emphasis, as it seems to be a commentary on contemporary artist development and the internet culture. In terms of genre, the piece itself is tough to classify, but has definite elements of trap and hip hop as well as future beats. The vibe is an interesting mixture of chill and heavy, with a quite unexpected and really cool switch up at the end, moving the track into yet another genre descriptor with house elements coming in at the switch up.

Float was released through alaya. as a free download, so if this one is enjoyable to you, grab it through the shopping cart button in the player below.

- KJ

NVOY - Girl

Annie Mac dropped this as her freebie feature last Monday, and we're happy to be seeing NVOY get some love on her Free Music Monday series. We've featured some of NVOY's previous work on the blog, and this new one is very much in line with their signature production style of house music.

While Girl may sound like some of the London duo's previous work, this one seems to have much more focus drawn to the synths than a bass heavy percussion arrangement or full on bassline - though overall NVOY vibe still remains. The production here just goes to show that house music doesn't necessarily have to follow the same formula of heavy kicks and basslines to still be great, energetic summer house music.

As the name of Annie Mac's series would imply, this is available as a free download, and you don't even have to follow or like anything - just hit the download button in the top right corner of the embedded player to grab your copy of NVOY's Girl.

- KJ