Ok, so here’s how the story goes: I’ve been making music with these guys for 5 years now. We started by throwing this party together called Mixtape Riot! in NYC. DJO and I did live remixes with 4 turntables while UTK would host the whole thing and we’d rap a little back and forth. We brought guests in each time. People like Santigold, Spankrock, Ninjasonik, Jasmine Solano, Ladybug Mecca, Trouble Andrew, Bahamadia and a ton of other artists came on stage with us and helped make the party dope. Then on our first trip to Europe, where we were asked to bring our Mixtape Riot! party- we became a band- The Beatards were born. We wrote our first song together driving on a bus from Norway to Sweden. Fast forward through multiple mixtapes, an EP, and countless shows in front of crowds all over the country where we’ve shared the stage with Kid Cudi, Mike Posner, LMFAO, Shwayze, Lady Sov and many many more. An album gets made. That album gets tossed around between different possible record labels who toy with the idea of releasing it, and we wait patiently for nothing to happen. While the album, “I’m The DJ” will finally drop at the end of this Summer, we got impatient so we went ahead and asked cool producers we know and friends we’ve made along the way, to help us with some remixes. That’s where this EP comes from. Available now, for free. There’s a mix of styles on here- Moombahton, Dubstep, Trunkstep, 2-Step, Electro and BASS, mixed with overall goodtime vibe that we always try to bring in whatever we do. In case you missed it, there was a pretty awesome Jet Pack video that used one of our songs in the not so distant past. You can find more info on each of the producers if you check the individual songs on soundcloud.

The Beatards Remix EP by The Beatards

TO DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE EP CLICK RIGHT HERE

“Paraty” has been in steady rotation this Summer (can a song get any smoother? I think even Joao Gilberto would say it’s not possible) and since I’ve actually been bumping into Mia around LA, I decided to make a remix for her. She likes it, so now I’m sharing it with you. Big shouts to the homie Jeremy Sole for premiering last night on his mind-altering radio show on KCRW. Download link is the little downward facing arrow on the right for those still not familiar with soundcloud. More remixes coming at you soon…

Paraty (Captain Planet Remix) by DJ Captain Planet

See that little dude up there on top of the cliff? He’s about to jump. So am I. Add another link in the endless chain of sunny 76 degree days out here in La-La Land. Later this evening, sunbaked with a belly full of fresh cherries, I’ll be taking over DJ duties again with Murphy’s Law at our new weekly dance jammy. Come enjoy the festivities! If you’re too far away for that, then just enjoy these tracks and figure out a way to get your ass over to the city of angels before it falls off into the Pacific.

P.S. – RIP Amy Winehouse. I didn’t feel the need to add to the plethora of opinions and obit’s dedicated to her right now, but I’ve been a big fan of her voice for years and was reminded of this album review (by young Murphy’s Law) from the old blog back in ’07.

Chip Wickham :       Hit & Run
kick ass little 7″ that can be grabbed right here

Unknown :       Las Cuatro Palomas (Geko Jones & Reaganomics Remix)
another heavy roots remix from Dutty Artz crew

Pollyn :       How Small We Are
local LA band I caught on the radio recently. Definitely influenced by the Talking Heads.  Got a great video too.

Omar & Zed Bias :       Dancing
Omar is STILL killing it. I guess Tru Thoughts will be re-issuing his last album later this year.

Christian Hornbostel :       Guanakos (Kinski's Daktari Child Rework)
don’t remember where I got this, but you can find the whole release here

Scallymatic Orchestra :       Freedom (Moto Remix)
Scallymatic pulled a pretty crazy flip on this classic Jimi Hendrix song. Moto just made it that much heavier.

Derek Allen :       Spirits In The Material World
really loving this Police cover from the man behind a lot of Mad Decent records. Peep the EP

Opolopo :       Take It Slow ft. Sacha Williamson Sounding like it’s still ’82. These guys are on the front lines of the boogie resurgence brigade.

It feels very odd that I’ve been working so much this Summer. Somehow the season of camping and road trips has transformed into non-stop grind time this year. On the bright side, I’m listening to the masters of my new full-length album that will be dropping in Fall and I’ve got 2 other EP’s I’m finishing up production on as well. In order to stay sane, I’m regularly embarking on little mental vacations with help from great songs like these. Staying inspired is the KEY, and there’s no shortage of inspiration information if you do a bit of digging.

SBTRKT :       Wildfire (ft. Little Dragon)
My favorite cut from this new album which has helped launch me into space on repeated listens

Mokhov :       Midnight Love
This moody late night glitch hop is hitting the spot for me. Get more free tunes from this guy right here

Crowdpleaser :       Nenekri (Mickey Moonlight Remix)
check out the whole release and some more music by Crowdpleaser

Ta-ku :       Hey Kids
This synth and drum combo is summer camp for my eardrums. Minus the bunk beds & dirty communal showers

Hypno :       Over The Top
Loving this funky digi-tropical deep house. The track above as well as this one are from Gilles Peterson’s excellent Brownswood Electric comps

Nomo & Shawn Lee :       Upside Down
When I’m cruising on my bike with headphones blasting this, might as well be on a Ducati on the Amalfi coast. Check the great collection this song came from.

We done did it! The Bro’s (myself & Murphy’s Law) have joined forces for our first tag-team weekly jump off. While we’ve dj’ed plenty of parties together over the years, it’s been a long time coming for us to actually be living in the same city and doing our thing together on a regular basis. Bar Lubitsch is a pretty ideal location- big dancefloor, outdoor patio, reasonable drink prices, Soviet themed- what more do you want? Expect the unexpected- eclectic selections to move your mid-sections. Hope to see all you Angelenos in attendance. Today I present you with a musical offering in the theme of BRO-dom to help get you in the dancing mood.

War :       Me & Baby Brother

Cymande :       Brothers On The Slide (Ruffy Tuffy Mix)

Willie Hutch :       Brother Gonna Work It Our (7 Samurai Edit)

Sambasonic :       Take It Easy My Brother Charles

De La Soul :       Big Brother Beat ft. Mos Def

Little Brother :       The Get Up

The Heath Brothers :       Smilin' Billy Suite Part II

This Summer we’re throwing parties like it’s our job! Oh wait, it IS our job. And we do it well. Tonite we’ll be celebrating once again for the release of the new Capt. Planet Ningané EP. This time it’s a bit more of a dirty dive-y dance party, rather than a classy soiree. Special guest, and long time super-hero of mine, O-Dub (aka Oliver Wang – man of many academic and musical projects that make record nerds like me drool) will be dropping in for a set. O-Dub also was gracious enough to feature an interview with me on his new podcast series Sidebar. If you’re interested in hearing me talk about the difference between the NY & LA club scene, the beauty of stereo panning on old records, and my upcoming full-length album on Bastard Jazz, then it’s definitely worth a listen. Since I put up some old classics last week, I’m focusing on a handful of new joints that still fit the international style requirements and get the dancefloor loose. The weekly NOMERICA party has been my first real home-base here in LA. If you like the crazy, mind-altering, global beats that we post here, then this party is for you.

Ocote Soul Sounds :       Primavera another gem from this highly recommended album

Los Chicharrons :       Bamako
this album dropped outta nowhere and I’m still flabbergasted. I don’t know where this band came from, but I want more.

Schlachthofbronx :       Chambacu (Smutlee Remix)
Cumbia airhorn dancefloor banger from this EP on Mad Decent

Bauchamp :       Calypso ft. Tsunami
One of the random mp3’s I got in my inbox and actually loved! Thank you Bauchamp (next time 320 mp3 please!)

Starvoz :       Opa Cupa (Ram Ram Remix)
Balkan heat from this EP on Blue Gypsy. I got hip to this cut from one of DJ Badre’s excellent mixes.

Owiny Sigoma Band :       Doyoi Nyajo Nam (Quantic Dub)
damn Quantic, minimal electro afrobeat?!? Is there anything you can’t do? Check the EP

Jali Bakary Konteh :       Combination (Hatnhoodie Remix)
came out a lil while back on Akwaaba, but it stays in rotation always sounding fresssssh. Peep the album.