Track of the Day: 'Coma' by Ghost Culture

This hypnotic dance groove is the lead track from Ghost Culture's new EP 'Nucleus, which will be out on 24th February through Phantasy Records. It's a proper head-nodder, with a really positive feel and also a particular sound every now and then that reminds me of 'Blue Monday'. Have a listen below, and pre-order the vinyl here.

Recommended music: 'Demain Est Une Autre Nuit' by Essaie Pas

Coming on like a cross between 80s New Romantic group Visage and industrial electronic band Factory Floor, Canada's Essai Pas are the latest act to find a comfortable home amongst the brilliance of DFA Records label. Hailing from Montreal in Quebec, the duo mix mininal synth and electro sounds with breathy French vocals. Amongst this there's a filmic atmosphere, a Lynchian noir touch, which somehow feels just right amongt the basslines. Mixing Sheffield in the early 80s, Berlin in the early 90s and New York in the early 2000's , the tracks here can make you feel like you're in the middle of the dancefloor and walking the 3 a.m. icy streets home at the same time.

Is this the start of a new Canadian scene? Maybe not, but for now it'll fit right into your world, wherever you are.

Video of the Day: 'OB-8' by Shit Robot

With a new album due out in the Spring, long-time DFA artist Shit Robot has unleashed this hypnotic, driving track which is matched with a suitably driving video. I love tracks like this that gradually build layer upon layer of instruments, this is exactly how I like to put things together when I'm making remixes.

It all bodes well for a classic new Shit Robot album this year.

Recommended music: 'Inji' by LA Priest

I'm not sure why I never got round to reviewing this when I first bought it, but lately I've been playing it a lot and realised that it'll definitely make my end of year list, so it's worth putting a few thoughts down about it.

Effectively the solo début album from Sam Dust, late of Late of the Pier, this is a funky, souly, electro-disco record that original and eclectic enough to appeal to left-field hipsters but also, given the right radio play, could launch some smash pop hits on the world.The moment the smooth, laid back bass of opener 'Occasion' starts to slink out of your speakers you know you're in for a good time.



As the records proceed influences emerge from Prince to Rick James to Basement Jaxx to Connan Mockasin (who Dust has previously worked with). Throughout it all there's a sense of playfulness and a lightness of touch that points to the fact that he's completely into the music he's making now. The moody tracks are sultry rather than sulky, while the dancier tracks are funky rather than full-on.



It all adds up to a huge success artistically (and incidentally, a record that for more deserved to be nominated for the Mercury Prize than some of the dross that made the list). If LA Priest is delivering the sermon you should definitely be listening.



'Inji' is out now on Domino Records.

Recommended music: 'Personal Computer' by Silicon

The debut album from Kody Nielson aka Silicon is a furiously enjoyable record, full of infectious grooves and some sexy slow jamz. Having co-witten and played on a lot of the tracks on Unkonown Mortal Orchestra's 'Multi-Love' earlier this year, and previously been in other bands with his brother Ruban, this is Kody's chance to take the spotlight and he grabs it with both hands and a massive smile on his face.

In some ways it's like Multi-Love's younger, cheekier brother - while Ruban is dealing with weighty matters of the heart, Kody's here for the party, to dance and maybe to get laid at the end of the night. It's kind of hard to recall anyone making electronica this sexy before, there are some real dirty grooves on here, particularly 'I Can See Paradise' which is grinding, rutting rhythm of a track with some really hard to distinguish electro-vocals.

There are definite similarities between tracks on both records, in fact when I saw Silicon live earlier this year supporting UMO Kody played 'Can't Keep Checking My Phone' and made it his own (Ruban was watching and laughing as he did so). It's worth mentioning that Silicon are a pretty fun proposition live, the time I saw them Kody was in the audience for about 90% of the gig.

Overall this is a really fun record, one that belies its technological title and manages to infuse some heart and soul into the modern electronic world.

Remix of the Day: 'Nasty (Zinc Remix)' by The Prodigy

I must admit to being rather nonplussed when I first heard the new Prodigy single. Sure, everyone wants The Prodigy to sound like The Prodigy, but it was just a bit too formulaic and out-of-date for my liking. This new version by Zinc though knocks off some of the old-fashioned edges, but still retains a classic feel. I can definitely see this goind down well in the rowdy clubs. Have a listen below.

Track of the Day: 'Can't Do Without You' by Caribou

The first time I listened to this track, about 5 minutes ago, it literally put a smile on my face. At around 2 minutes 50 seconds in I could feel myself beaming. I've just listened to it again and exactly the same thing happened - see if it happens for you.



This is the first track from the next Caribou album 'Our Love' which will be out in the first week of October. Dan Snaith seems to have taken the best bits of Caribou and sprinkle on just a bit more of the disco dust from his Daphni alter-ego. The result is an absolutely massive tune that's destined to soundtrack the summer.

Recommended music: 'Divine Ecstasy' by Supreme Cuts

Possibly the most brilliantly creative and inspired dance album you'll hear all year, and one that I predict will pick up more and more fans as the year goes on. The record moves effortlessly from dancefloor fillers to slow jamz and back again, all the while exuding class and style. The duo's Chicago roots show in some of the track but don't make the mistake of thinking that this is restricted to one specific genre of dance music - lots of bases are covered, and each one is done really well.

The choice of guest vocalists for the record is inspired. Channy Leaneagh from Poliça might be the most recognisable on the list, but Mahaut Mondino is a revelation, mixing the overt sexuality of Prince with a more subtle spirituality. His range is vast and his falsetto is immaculate.

Perhaps unusually for a dance album, especially one with a raft of guest vocalists,the record hangs together really well as a whole piece, and is perfectly book-ended by the Introduction and Epilogue, These two tracks, with their spoken vocals and heavily 80s vibes, put you in a perfect frame of mind to first enter the album and then leave it behind, like that moment when you emerge from a club blinking in the chill dawn air as the sun comes up. You can listen to a few of the album tracks below, but please make sure you buy the whole thing, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Remix of the Day: 'Drunk In Love' by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z - Kanye West, Diplo and The Weeknd remixes

Three for the price of one today, so if you can't get enough of the mental image of Bey doing the surfboard with Jay in the bath then this is the place for you.


As usual with Yeezy remixes he takes up the lion's share of the track. I reckon if I was Jay-Z I'd be pretty pissed off listening to all the things one of my mates wants to do to my wife (in extremely graphic detail) but there's obviously a different code of ethics in the hip-hop world.


Diplo turns in his usual quality remix, with its feet firmly fixed on the dancefloor and a couple of killer drops.


Meanwhile The Weeknd relegates Bey to backing vocals as he sings his own version of the track. Take your pick, I daresay there'll be even more versions tomorrow.

Track of the Day: 'Breaker Breaker' by Lemmy Ashton

If you're about to put on your dancing shoes and head out for a Saturday night then this is the perfect track to send you on your way. Brand new but retro as fuck, this is as dirty as disco gets. you can grab the track for free as part of a 3 track EP that Ashton has just released.

Track of the Day: 'On The Line (Star Slinger Edit)' by Blood Orange

A great new dancefloor-friendly version of one of the best tracks from 'Cupid Deluxe', Dev Hynes' latest album in his Blood Orange guise. You can get a free download of the track via Star Slinger's facebook page, click here for details.

Dev will be in London next month for a one-off date at Village Underground, which is already sold out, but he'll be back to play Field Day in May if you want to catch him.