14. That’s right- fourteen tracks listed below. Not 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 or even one hundred. These fourteen tracks listed below are the epitome of summer tracks. We live in a world that is absolutely obsessed with the process of classification- whether it may be a system of applying certain genres (and sub-genres) or listing objects in multiples of 5 or 10. Who cares I say- this list is to provide one with summer sounds. I would also like one to forget about the concept of genres or tags. There’s no room for objectivity in music, as music is completely subjective, but there’s certainly room for diversity. Diversity is the hub of creativity. In a marketplace that has been over saturated with music and performers (NOT excluding DJs), one’s sound must be unique, particularly marketable and dance floor driven one way or another. By dance, I’m simply referring to the ability of a piece of music to groove. Sometimes, not even a “beat” is needed, just an overwhelmingly great sense of rhythm. As seen with the recent emergence of the UK’s dub-step sound, perhaps only a 2step rhythm or wonky bass line is needed. Dance is perhaps even more expressive at times then the most obscure music track we have lying around the shelf, wallet or hard drive. The only theme or correlations between these tracks are the ability to make that summer sunlight shine even brighter and stretch the smile even wider. That’s all. A majority of these selections were not technically “released” in the summer, but still invite one to dance shamelessly in the beautiful, warming and refreshing solstice. Leave your sense of shame back on that bookmarked naughty site you were most likely viewing and learn to respect art. These tracks will not be drenched in hyperbole but will absolutely be dripping wet of groove and rhythm.

1. Duck Sauce (Armand Van Helden & A-Trak)- aNYway |Fool’s Gold Records|

Armand Van Helden is a legend in the American house community while A-Trak is an anomaly in his own right. A-Trak, otherwise known as Alain Macklovitch, was crowned the youngest DMC World Champion at only 15 years of age while going on to win 4 more championships along with each of the Vestax and ITF Championships. I’m sure one can say that hard work and determination eventually pays off, but also being the younger brother of Chromeo’s David Macklovitch, one starts to question genetics. Van Helden and A-Trak collaborate under the Duck Sauce moniker to produce a jackin’ ode to perhaps Van Helden’s beginnings.

2. Calvin Harris- I’m Not Alone |Ultra Records, Fly Eye Records|

Yes- we all know he created disco, was acceptable in the 80s and most importantly, gets all the girls but while not writing and producing tracks for Dizzie Rascal, Kyle Minogue, Chromeo or Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Calvin Harris is busy touring around with Faithless and Groove Armada. Harris is a man of many of these so called different “genres,” so let’s not even bother. Good shtuff is good shtuff. Calvin Harris is good shtuff and so is the lead track off of his latest release, Ready For The Weekend. What also separates Harris from the rest of his colleagues is his exceptional live shows- and by live, I am not referring to him hiding behind his MacBook Pro. This track has a great hook and his vocals are the icing on the cake. The Deadmau5 and Tiesto remixes may get all the attention, but the Burns Rewerk is the most proper remix.

3. Lady Gaga- Poker Face |Universal Music Group|

When you’re number one inspiration is David Bowie and you’ve been through New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, one is almost certainly bound for greatness. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta received the name Gaga from the Queen track Radio Gaga, after early collaborator and producer Rob Fusari said her vocal stylings reminded him of the late Freddie Mercury. Unfortunately, the “pop” label is falsely synonymous with poor vocals, artificiality, bad music and cheesy hooks. Once in a blue moon a gifted song writer and vocalist comes along that couldn’t be further from this perpetual “pop” pipeline. The 80s had the Pet Shop Boys and this generation has Lady Gaga. Gaga understands the principles of showmanship, integrity and image better than most in today’s market and her success os no small coincidence. Poker Face is almost as addicting as Gaga’s Grace Jones influenced outfits and Andy Warhol -esque mannerisms. Poker Face also exhibits the cleverness of Lady Gaga’s lyrics and song writing. Perhaps a page from Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tenant, the vocals will always be right up front, audible and sly.

4. The Juan Maclean- Happy House |DFA Records|

John Maclean is one of DFA Records’ flag ship artists. The Juan Maclean is John’s stagename and usually includes vocalist Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem. While a guitarist in the dance-punk band Six Finger Satellite, he met sound engineer James Murphy. While John Maclean would leave his band to obtain a degree at Providence College and teach English in New Hampshire, Murphy would persistently check up on his close friend and continually urge him to get back into music. Fortunately for us, John Maclean found his way back into the music scene and continues to give us great records. Happy House is perhaps the epitome of The Juan Maclean sound- warm and fuzzy. This track does a great job of instilling a feeling of joy and exuberance.

5. Laidback Luke, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Axwell- Leave The World Behind ft. Deborah Cox |Axtone Records|

The Swedish House Mafia…and the Phillipino turntablist from Holland. Kind of sounds like a descent sitcom. Laidback Luke and the rest of the Swedes have been on a tear lately. Everything they touch is gold. Each of these artists brings their own personalities to this epic track. The gorgeous Deborah Cox also lends her pipes to the collaboration. This is one of those peak time tracks that makes one just loose themselves.

6. Ramadanman & Appleblim- Justify |Apple Pips|

Laurie “Aplleblim” Osbourne and the young gun Ramadanman team up to bring a stellar, epic dub step track to the masses. After ensuring the success of the Skull Disco label, Appleblim went on to create the sub label Apple Pips. The track is definitely one of those cuts where you can hear what each of the collaborators brings to the session. Appleblim (and partner Sam “Shackleton”) are knows for their intricate, immaculate beats and rhythms, while Ramadanman brings the wall the of sound and melody to the party. Listening to this on a beach will definitely give your mind a full body workout.

7. Caspa & Rusko- King George |Aquatic Lab Records|

Caspa and Rusko join together to create the ultimate track combining elements from dub (step), reggae and other electronic influences. Also check out the track Soulful Geeza, also a collaboration effort by both of these artists. Both of these men have been pillars of the UK dub step, jungle and garage scene. There’s a lot of great things one can imagine doing while this track plays in the back ground.

Check back next week for the next 7 top summer soundtracks of 2009, brought to you exclusively by our author and editor Dan. Here is Part 2 of this update…

Comments (2)

2 Comments

1. 

   Thanks for posting a great variety of music. Im really diggin the RAMADANMAN & APPLEBLIM- JUSTIFY |APPLE PIPS|. Never heard it before and such a different sound. More more, more, and what about some down tempo/trip hop and cant forget about Rap…you know, that boom bat!

   Comment by Demetrius May — October 7, 2009 @ 8:48 am

2. 

   Check out Part 2, which was posted about a week later…
   http://www.dbmlabs.com/blog/2009/09/21/top-14-dbmlabs-summer-soundtracks-of-2009-house-dance-electro-edition-part-2/

   I hope that puts a smile on your face.

   Interesting you bring up down tempo and trip hop. The resurgence of Warp Records (Happy 20th Anniversary from DBM Labs!) along with the sounds associated with UK garage, DnB, jungle, detroit techno and overall vintage hardware has given way to “Dubstep.” “Dubstep” has been around for a very long time, using various guises. I’m sure when you listen to what the industry and community now calls “dubstep,” you can hear the Warp Catalog along with DJ Shadow, Vadim, Cut Chemist and the other greats. A producer/dj such as Flying Lotus has been doing his thing forever, but only now, have we stuck a tag to his work, hence dubstep. The Dutch Martyn, is another person like this. Of course various micro-niches (a niche within a niche) will bring you towards or away already established sounds (DnB, techno, even reggae) but you’ll find that a majority of this (tasteful) dubstep is actually downtempo and trip hop, going by a different name. The idea of dub, or “dubbing” is not a new concept either. The “dub” refers to dub techniques while the “step,” refers to the riddim. This could be at 140bpm, cut to a half time feel or most common, heavily shuffled or synchopated.

   Ya dig? Keep the comments coming and let DBM Labs know some your favorite summertime cuts.

   Comment by Dan_Em — October 7, 2009 @ 9:54 am

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.