This Ain't Bristol - Amsterdam Selections

One of the first blog posts on freshdrops was the original TAB Selections back in 2015. Now they’re back with another massive compilation of driving tech-house in preparation/commemoration of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) coming up at the end of October. 14 tracks from artists like This Ain’t Bristol regulars like Maximono and Nick Olivetti, along with some new faces. The sound throughout is signature TAB though - grimy, deep, dark and pounding tech-house.

My two standout picks from this compilation are definitely BYOR - Call Me Up, and MKJAY & Lowdown’s Afterhours.

The official release isn’t until October 12th, but check out the sampling of the entire compilation below.

-KJ

Rampa ft. Meggy - Everything (c.Rius Remix)

This one is a slow burning but hard hitting deep house track for your Monday night.  Reworking the 2012 track Everything from Rampa and Meggy, Berlin producer c.Rius brings a little grimier club feel by amping up some classic house percussion while still keeping the understated sexual lyrics from the original. If you're somehow still rocking that afterparty vibe from your weekend or looking for something to get your evening activities started, this is the vibe for you.  Nothing too fancy or overly complex, just a solid rework of a great release from Keinemusik - and this one is available to you as a free download.

-KJ

Golf Clap & Sebb Junior - You Can't Hide

No strangers to this blog, eternal tastemakers Eton Messy have just released another solid free download from American Country Club Disco directors Golf Clap and tech house producer Sebb Junior. 

This is a chill tech house summer jam with really nice loungey pads and a really pleasant progression of accent keys.  All of this comes with the vocal "girl don't you know that you can't hide..." that filters in and out of the track wrapping it all together nicely. There is even a nice bassline that enters early, but remains understated throughout. Definitely going to be banging this one out in my summer sets and road trips, and why not?  It's free fiery goodness!

Really happy to have come across this today, as somehow I had missed Sebb Junior until today. No longer, make sure you check out his Soundcloud as there are a ton of recent heaters there and ready to go.

-KJ

Watermät & Moguai - Portland (Oliver Adam Remix)

I came across this remix today on my Soundcloud stream, and really liked the spin that Oliver Adam put on this Watermät and Moguai track. This is (in my opinion) a huge improvement from the original track, which I have to be honest, I probably would not have given a second listen. Oliver Adam has worked some magic here on this remix though. It's a bit tropical, but also has a really deep feel to it, with a touch of a future vibe as well. He also makes ample use of the vocal throughout this remix, making up for how little it is used in the original.

Oliver Adam created this track as an entry into the Spinnin' Records remix competition, so if you want to see it released, or if you just like the track, vote for it here.  Make sure you also check out his Soundcloud page for more of his work.

- KJ

RÜFÜS - You Were Right

Australian group Rüfüs has come through with a really nice mix of deep house and pop lyrical content in the form of You Were Right, a great mellow crossover track.

The deep house sounds are made all the more melancholic through the lyrical content along with those ethereal high pitched stabs of whatever they are... If you streamed the track already, you know exactly the sound I'm talking about. If you haven't, you will.

If you're feeling You Were right, hit the shopping cart icon in the plater below to head to the iTunes music store and grab it for you collection.

- KJ

Golf Clap - Feel It (Mad Villains Remix) [Country Club Disco]

We've featured and posted in the past about both Mad Villains and Golf Clap, and they're both back with a remix on Country Club Disco.

Mad Villains brings a deep garagey vibe to Golf Clap's Feel It.  If you've heard any of Mad Villain's productions before, you'll recognize his tight production style right away.  If you haven't heard any of his previous material before, you best get on that and browse his Soundcloud page now. A healthy mixture of both house and garage in this remix, and Country Club Disco is just giving it away. Download through the shopping cart link in the player below or click here.

- KJ

Oliver Heldens - Shades of Grey (Unfranchised Remix)

Unfranchised is a group of guys from Burnley in the UK producing some pretty cool nu/deep/tech house. We featured their Kiesza remix back in the July 10th Friday Care Package, and have been watching their page for more music since. Last weekend they uploaded this remix of Oliver Heldens' Shades of Grey that puts a really nice touch on the original.  Where the original features a bit of a mix of broken beat/garage/house sounds and percussion, the Unfranchised remix sets the track solidly in the realm of familiar four-on-the-floor house music. Unfranchised also positions their bassline slightly into the background than the original, focusing much more on the classic piano to drive the track.  The result is a refreshing take on the original that is blowing up right now with over 2M plays on OIiver Helden's Soundcloud page alone. Don't miss this one, and make sure to follow Unfranchised on Soundcloud to keep up on their new material.

- KJ

Calvin Harris - How Deep Is Your Love (Ben Dooks Bootleg)

While Calvin Harris needs no introduction, nor any promo from underground blogs at this point in his career, this bootleg of his newest single with Disciples by Ben Dooks may not be as widely promoted - but it is a hell of a bootleg.

Ben Dooks' spin on the original gives the piano a much more central role in the bootleg, while still keeping a bit of a nu deep house vibe.  The stream below is only a two minute preview, but the full version is available through the link as a free download. 

- KJ

Sunset Groove & Jayko - Summertime ft. Sav (Jamie Prado Remix)

"Summertime, and the living is easy..."

We're not sure how we missed this one from Jamie Prado, but it went up about a month ago.  We still had to get on it, as this is really a great piece of work. Also very fitting for the Friday of a long weekend here in (most of) Canada.

Jamie Prado's remix of Sunset Groove & Jayko's Summertime (also a free download) keeps some of the vocal chops from Sav, but remixes the track with a bit more low end groove. This is some really nice future deep house, that's a little more on the deep than the future side of things (which I really like).

This one is up as a free download, so there's no reason to not be bumping this one in your next set, on your next road trip, or your next beach day.  Get on it!

- KJ

Fennec & Wolf - Cocoon

We've been a bit slow this week for posts, so we're adding a couple posts today in advance of dropping the Friday Care Package.

First this awesome track from Fennec & Wolf called Cocoon. This one oozes house funk and groove from every bit of the track, from the percussion, to the bassline, to the vocals. It's a lesson in groove - literally. The vocal sample in this says all that needs to be said in this one. Cocoon is both laid back and driving, in what could be used as a very versatile house track, particularly over the summer in any number of sets and locations.

Stream Cocoon below, and pick it up as it is available on Beatport as part of the compilation Set In Stone from Incroyable Music.

- KJ

Sigala - Easy Love (Re-Edit)

"ABC is easy, it's like counting up to three, sing a simple melody, that's how easy love can be."

If these lyrics don't mean anything to you, there is a legitimate case to be made for you being born yesterday. For the rest of us more than two days old, it's obvious that Sigala is channeling the King of Pop's early days through sampling.

Easy Love has got to be one of the freshest and catchiest house tracks that I've heard using this sample, and I'm always a sucker for a well used Michael Jackson sample. Sigala has used a bit of looping, a bit of vocal slicing, and a lot of production talent to weave everything together in to a driving deep future piano house track with just enough vocal to make this one that you'll have trouble deciding if you want to dance or sing to more.... So just get on board and go with both.

It looks like this is set to be released on iTunes soon, but I haven't found a date yet. This link was provided to pre-order, but so far it only takes me to Sigala's discography on iTunes. In any case, keep a look out for the release of this one soon.

- KJ

Chante Moore - Straight Up (3MBR Remix)

Another pop-dance track coming at you refreshed today, courtesy of 3MBR. If you check the original video from Chante Moore's Straight Up, it oozes that early 2000's dance feel. 3MBR's remix brings things into a more contemporary area, fitting into the deep/future house genre. Retaining the confident single lady lyrical content, the remix holds onto a throwback vibe while keeping it fresh with the heavy bassline drop.

3MBR has this up as a free download, so why not grab it for yourself? It's available from Hypeddit here.

- KJ

JAHKOY - Still In Love (INSTRUM Remix)

INSTRUM has brought some serious deep house summer heat to JAHKOY's Still In Love, remixing the original into a hybrid of R&B, Hip Hop and Deep House.

From the first heavy but warm chords coming through, you know you're in for something great. With the first buildup coming early and the melodic bassline dropping in all before the one minute mark, the remix evolves quickly, but not abruptly. The original lyrics from JAHKOY are still very prominent, but the overall vibe on this remix is ready for the summer beach party or club. Overall, it's a super warm and catchy dance edit that you need to get into your music collection.

INSTRUM has released this as a free download as well, with the download being a full 320kbps extended mix.  If you've gotten this far and still haven't downloaded it, I'm not quite sure what you're doing. Did we mention it's FREE? Get on this.

- KJ

Low Steppa - Raw Cuts Vol. 1 EP

Low Steppa is a name that should need no introduction on freshdrops, as we have featured a number of his tracks already.  And there's a good reason for that - he is a producer that continues to kill it, track after track. He has been teasing that he would be doing a free download through his Facebook and Instagram accounts for the past while, and followed through yesterday with three banging house tracks that feature the signature Low Steppa bass/house/garage style. 

There's really no need to wax on about this little EP, just dive in there and listen to it, and hit the download button on all the tracks either before or after... It really doesn't matter, since it's pretty much inevitable that you'll be downloading them anyway.

- KJ

John Bull & The Bandits - Going Under Cover (Flaurése Leis Remix) [Eton Messy Records Free Download]

Eton Messy is back, and presenting just another example of the great sound coming out of London, and another case of finding budding producers making quality tunes. According to their description, "Flaurése Leis has been quietly preparing several remixes along with plans for a debut EP", so keep an eye on this up-and coming producer for more work down the line.

With his remix of John Bull & The Bandits' Going Under Cover, Flaurése Leis brings a smooth and summery house feel to the indie rock original. Much of the main vocals remain, though there has also been a bit of creative vocal slicing and looping. The end result is a really nice laid back vocal house track for any of your summer activities, and on offer as a free download.

This is the 20th release in Eton Messy's Free Download series, so if you are just getting on board, make sure to check out the playlist linked for a ton of great free music.  While you're over at Soundcloud, make sure to follow Flaurése Leis as well, as there is more music coming from him likely in short order.

- KJ

WDSTCK - So Free (Millesim Remix)

Millesim have come up with a really laid back and summery remix of WDSTCK's So Free.  While the original has a bit of a tropical feel, it has a much quicker pace and heavier drums. Where Millesim really shines is their stripped back and lounge style indie tropical vibe that allows a lot more expression in the melodic elements of the track. Even the vocals seem more expressive and free in this, a bit of a fitting description for its title. We hope you enjoy this remix wherever you happen to be spending your mellow Monday.

The Millesim remix was released back in mid-june as part of the remix package for So Free, with 4 other remixes. It is available from iTunes here.

- KJ

Felon - Isla ft. Kaleem Taylor

Felon has just dropped a new vocal version of their debut release, Isla. This time around, it features the vocal stylings of one of the UK's hot vocal talents right now, Kaleem Taylor. You may recognize his voice from Tchami's Promesses, Just Kiddin's Getaway, Snakehips' Forever (Pt. II), or Memeb's Thousand Words. If those collaborations alone aren't enough to get you pumped over pretty much anything Kaleem Taylor has or will be a part of, I don't know what further evidence of his talent would convince you.

This re-released vocal version puts a fresh face on what was already a fresh production from Felon that has aged well over the last year. The uplifting melodies paired with what has become the recognizable bassline synth tones of the contemporary future/deep/house genres and that soulful sax, Isla was a production that was ahead of the curve a year ago, and consequently still sounds super fresh.

Both the original version of Isla and the vocal version featuring Kaleem Taylor are now available on Ultra Records, so check them and show your support. I was also going to link to the original release from Fat! Records that had a saxless version, but you may just have to go digging for that yourself if you so desire. While we're on throwbacks for Isla, make sure you also check out the Tender Games remix (it's a free download) for yet another different spin on this track.

I could go on all day about the talents of the Felon guys, but I believe I've already said more than enough -  seriously though, check and follow their Soundcloud. And dammit, somebody get on and sign Swimwear already - I want it!

- 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

Low Steppa - So Real ft. Kelli-Leigh [Simma Black x All Around The World Records]

In case you didn't know yet, I'm a pretty big fan of Low Steppa.  We've featured a fair bit of his work in both posts and mixes in the past, and have been following his work for much longer (like, back to when he was producing electro under his given name, Will Bailey... did that just date me a bit? Ah well...) In any case, his label Simma Black in conjunction with All Around The World Records just put out two separate remix EP's for Low Steppa's So Real, which was just released in the UK on the 20th.

There are some really great remixes along with the radio and club versions of So Real on the EP's, so definitely have a listen to all of them. If you're looking for something a little on the heavy and interesting side, the Lokate or Mandal & Forbes remixes will get you there.  If you want something a bit more bouncy and garagey, there's the Mike Milrain remix. If you want to stick to slightly more traditional house roots, there's the Sam Divine & Curtis Gabriel remix.  Really, there's something for most dance style tastes in this one. Don't miss it!

You can check out the Remixes One and Remixes Two packages on iTunes. Currently the remix packages are only out in the UK iTunes store, but the North American release is set for June 28th so keep an eye out for that!  In the meantime, we have the full club mix available to stream below, we hope you enjoy!

Also in case you were unaware, Low Steppa is in the middle of a short North American mini tour. If you were at EDC in Las Vegas, we hope you caught his set there. However, if you missed it and happen to be in one of the following cities in the next little while, all is not lost! Make sure to check out one of the other dates on his mini-tour before he heads back to the UK.

June 26th, The Gorge, Washington

June 26th, Vancouver, BC

June 27th, New York, New York

- KJ

Jessie Ware - Cruel (Klaves Remix)

It's been a little while since we've featured a chill house track for Mellow Monday, but this remix of Jessie Ware by Klaves fits quite nicely. The vocals remain smooth and intact, with Jessie Ware once again showcasing her considerable talent in this area. If you haven't heard of Jessie Ware yet, her work can be heard in several bass heavy dance productions such as Disclosure's Confess To Me, and their hugely popular remix of her track Running, or SBTRKT's Right Thing To Do.

Klaves' take on Cruel maintains many of the same vibes as the original, but with a distinctly house oriented feel. The remix is a bit faster and uses more deep house instrumentation in the warm synth tones, but the overall sound is very similar - much like a transposition between styles as opposed to a large departure from the original.

It doesn't appear to be released anywhere for free or purchased download, so you'll have to settle for streaming for the time being at least.

- KJ