Author Archives: James Moyers

[Electro] Nicky Romero ft. Calvin Harris – Iron

     

Today the young dutchman we all know as Nicky Romero releases his newest offering, “Iron,” featuring no other than Calvin Harris. Bringing all the energy you would expect, this track slows down only momentarily to reveal the voice of Calvin Harris. His voice provides the perfect contrast in a song that is defined by uplifting synths surrounding an unrelenting pace. Sure to rock out dance floors coming to a concert near you, this is one exciting release. Head on over to Beatport by clicking here to get Iron for yourself.

’Nicky Romero ft. Calvin Harris – Iron (Original Mix)’
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[Remix Contest] Zeds Dead & Omar Linx – Cowboy

   

Last month Zeds Dead & Omar Linx, the true pioneers of letting hip-hop and heavy electronic music exist so organically together, gave away their stems on Beatport to spark a remix contest. Now the raging rapids of contest submissions have arrived. To help sort through all of them, the Ninja staff have highlighted our top five of the week. The contest relies heavily on voting and play count, so make sure to take some time to go over to Beatport and show your favorite track some love.

Starting off this Top 5 we highlight an artist that is very familiar around these parts, Butch Clancy. This remix is let loose over a DnB pattern that allows for the hip-hop flow and electronic power to work heavenly together. The opening of this track starts out with a haunting synth line over Omar’s verse, but soon the flood gates open with Clancy revealing his scintillating dosage of spastic glitch. To hear the rest of the song and vote for the Butch Clancy remix click on here to be sent over to Beatport play.

’Zeds Dead & Omar Linx – Cowboy (Butch Clancy Remix) (Clip)’

Next up is the Michael White remix; he takes a very different approach. This track is covered with a mad amount of electro sting. It is masterfully transformed from a 88 BPM heavy Dubstep track into a fast hitting electro house anthem. Thrashing and smashing his way through the original with pure electro beef, you hear a unique remix that stomps itself through your speakers from start to end. To hear the rest of the song and vote for the Michael White remix click here to be sent over to Beatport play.

’Zeds Dead & Omar Linx – Cowboy (Michael White Remix) (Clip)’

Remixing a track is about balancing the combination of the original piece of work and the revisionist’s new ideas. F.O.O.L. have managed to conquer that balance. The filth and heaviness that define the original are offset by the uplifting, energy-building sounds that surround Omar’s lyrics. Using stunning harmonies throughout the entire song makes it a true contender. To vote for the F.O.O.L. remix click here to be sent over to Beatport play.

’Zeds Dead & Omar Linx – Cowboy (F.O.O.L Remix)’

Showing how 112 BPM can hang with best of them, Mob Device defines just how electro house can still run amok even at a slower tempo. The song opens up with an old school R&B soul vibe that flows supremely with Omar’s words. Once the track opens up, it reveals an irresistible synth line that samples the original, while letting the glitches prevail. To hear the rest of the song and vote for it click here to be sent over to Beatport play.

’Zeds Dead and Omar LinX – Cowboy (Mob Device 112 bpm Remix) – CLIP’

Rounding out the Top 5 for this week is the invincible Clark Kent remix. What a strong way to finish off this post! A staggering build up defines what happens for the next few minutes after you press play. The rising tension is soon replaced by a drop smeared all over with a quick hitting glitch. Masterfully resting the lyrics between all the chaos going on in gives this remix an irresistible dynamic edge. To hear the rest of the song and vote for the Clark Kent remix click here to be sent over to beatport play.

’Zeds Dead ft. Omar Linx – Cowboy (Clark Kent Remix) (Clip)’
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[NEW] Pioneer CD-J2000 Nexus

 

Today, Pioneer announced all the details on their new flagship DJ controller the CD-J2000 Nexus. In the original teaser video released less than a week ago they used prominent DJ’s Laidback Luke, Eats Everything, Armin Van Buuren, Kissy Sellout, and Steve Angello to explain just how this new player will change the landscape of the live performance as we know it. Now, everyone gets their first look at how the new product will make this happen. Here are some of the CD-J2000 Nexus features:

1. Master Sync – This feature allows you to set one deck as master. All the other decks will then automatically sync up to that deck.

2. Connect over WiFi to rekordbox – The player can connect to an iPhone or Android and through the Rekordbox app can take the track from the phone then play it directly on the CD-J.

3. Tempo Slider Sync – This will allow all four decks to be in sync when one deck’s tempo slider is being used.

4. Slip Mode – Keeps the music playing silently in the background, while still being in sync, when a DJ is using the deck to scratch with

Now of course the big controvery is over the master sync button. I’ll leave you to the A-Trak perspective for that. Taken from his Twitter account: “Put it to you like this: have you ever seen a DJ and thought, ‘Wow the way he matches the tempos of those songs is pure art!’ Hahah…” Check out the video below for a 5-minute demonstration by mix master himself Laidback Luke as he showcases the new CD-J 2000 Nexus.

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[Indie] Mother Falcon – Alligator Teeth

Rarely has a track caught my sense of musical direction so off guard. When clicking on the album Alahambra, where this single resides, truly had no idea of what was about to bless my ears. Given the mass amount of music bandcamp sits in front of you to sort through the whole site can become somewhat of a maze at times. Through all the wrong turns and dead ends, stumbling across Mother Falcon, a group from Austin, TX, made it all well worth it.

Letting the beautiful vocals caress the early rising of the track gives the listener no real insight as to what is awaiting them. The soul of this song just gets louder and louder as the progression steadily builds up till the true colors of “Alligator Teeth” show. Listening to a group of new wave musicians attack a traditional instrumental setup will send a refreshing chill down the spine. That driving force of a percusion in this song is given the most perfect old school DnB pattern that lets a collective such as this band reach out and affect your everyday 2012 music listener. This track is offered as a free download off Mother Falcon’s bandcamp page here. Check out the rest of the album while you’re at it.

’Mother Falcon – Alligator Teeth’
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[Talent] Evan Duffy: Pianist Takes On Electronic Anthems

Ninjas, today we will be presenting to you the undeniably talented composer and pianist Evan Duffy. Sir Duffy takes it upon himself to make masterful piano versions of originals and remixes of all types of electronic music. Never underestimate how difficult it is to transpose the notes from the cacophony of synths in electronic music to just one guy with two hands and a piano. Yet time and time again, he shows off his composing and playing abilities. It does not take long to realize when going through his catalog of videos that a gold mine has been found.

Right here you will witness the tackling of Nero‘s “Must Be the Feeling” (Kill The Noise Remix) with a monstrous performance. Somehow managing to transition all the texture and details involved in the KTN remix to his hands makes this just a stunning 4 minutes.

When not making piano covers of electronic anthems, the James Madison University student makes his own arrangements. Below is one of his epic originals.

For other piano reworks, including a Noisia remix and Dillion Francis cover, check out his youtube channel here. Evan has said if he were to reach 30,000 subscribers on YouTube he will release his piano cover of “Strobe,” so how but we ninja’s give him a little help with that.

’Evan Duffy – Beyond the Shadows’
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Muse – Madness (Official Video)

Today Muse let loose the visual treatment for their recently released single Madness. Starting out in a underground metro the storyline helps to carry the tension left hanging in the air by the band. Police in riot gear cover every frame as the song slowly builds up until all chaos breaks loose a mist the tunnels. Once that happens there is no coming back.

If you look at the segments where it cuts to shots of the band playing you will see that the synth you hear is actually being played through the Misa Digital Kitara. It’s a midi instrument that gets played like a guitar but uses a synthesizer to create the unique sound you hear in this song. Madness is off of the upcoming album The 2nd Law.

’Muse – Madness’
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The Black Keys – Little Black Submarines (Official Video)

It seems most video’s from bands recently include a storyline that tries to mirror the lyrical vibe of the song, adding another dimension to it. When The Black Keys tried to get a storyline to fit track, nothing quite fit. Their Plan B ended up turning into a refreshing sight. Take a small dive bar, fill it with fans, and let the raw prowess of a live Black Keys performance be the focus. This video starts out carrying a heavy sense of nostalgia provoking the hay day of rock ‘n’ roll feelings. Your lust for those days supposedly past will soon be replaced once Dan Auerboch brings out that glorious Guild Thunderbird guitar.

The Akron, Ohio fellows take this opportunity to let all rock fans know that “the glory days” is a phrase that should be repeated every single day. Having crafted out a stunning track, doing a live video is just the perfect visual treament to do all 3 minutes 30 seconds of “Little Black Submarines” justice. You can find this song off the recently released El Camino.

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