Posted by: Cor

It seems like it’s been a long while since I’ve posted any proper electronic dance music, so today I’d like remedy that by to introducing you an unsung favorite. Meet Sam Hell. He’s quickly becoming my go-to producer for ass-shaking funky electro, now that the Plump DJs have gone all rave-wobble on me. And while he doesn’t seem to have as many different tricks up his sleeve as the aforementioned duo, he consistently delivers bouncy beats that get a reluctant dance floor moving. Let me give you a taste of Hell…

Cosimo
An older breaks number, this is the song that made me sit up and take notice of Mr. Hell. It reminds me of the Plumps of yore… especially when it gets around to that funky melodic hook near the end of the track.

Algebra
This is his latest single. Not much more than a syncopated bassline and some techy stuff on top, but sometimes that’s all you need in a club track.

Mothership
And rounding out the sampler we have this rolling progressive house cut. I love the breakdown in this one. That dramatic piano and synth combination almost has a Muse vibe to it.

PLAY ALL
For those of us with shit to do.

If you like what Sam Hell’s got going in these tracks, you can pursue more of his work on Beatport and even Amazon.

Posted by: Derek

I had the pleasure of meeting LA-based producer Nicholas Bennison when I worked for Looq records back in the day.

Originally from the UK, Nicholas is a killer producer and DJ. He’s a genre chameleon, switching from melodic progressive to trance, tech-trance, and full-on psy, and his sound has gotten the attention of some of the biggest names in the biz, and he’s done original work and remixes for a crap-ton of labels, including legendary Hook Recordings.

He tends to keep it pretty tough and rolling - as reflected in his own sound and also that of his label Propulsion Records.

This set from him from 2004 runs the gamut of sounds, and is chock full of solid tunes. I grabbed it from his website at the time of release back when and it’s been with me ever since! Actually, I remember it from a particular night of it playing in my car while I ferried Jondi and Spesh between gigs on NYE…

It makes killer road music - so burn yourself a copy for the road to Black Rock if you’re going to BM this year — it will definitely keep the journey interesting.

Listen here:

Nicholas Bennison - Energy FM 2004 Mix (right-click to download)

Posted by: Matt

Hey party nerds, it’s time once again for the Future Universal crew to host Nightlife at the California Academy of Science! The Beatery’s own Matt Haegen (aka myself) will be downstairs in the beautiful blue aquarium, and so for fun I have three tracks about water for today. A mix of old, classic, and classic-ish, I think they help set the mood nicely.

Full event details are HERE. Hope to see some of you locals there! For our out-of-state readers, if you are ever in the glorious SF Bay Area, this party is not to be missed.

Brother Brown - Under the Water (Brother Brown’s club mix)

Andreas Henneberg - Waters (Pierce remix)

Justice - Waters of Nazareth (Erol Alkan durr durrr durrrrr re-edit)

PLAY ALL

Posted by: Cor

Today our beat du jour is an awesome remix of a track called ‘The Phoenix Alive’ from one of my favorite producers, Kris Menace. His treatment of the song absolutely destroys the original version by synthpop duo Monarchy, whoever that is. Seriously, it seems no one knows. I’m probably burying the lead here by not delving into the rumors that the duo might be Stuart Price and Fred Falke, but frankly, all I care about is this remix. Enjoy.

Monarchy - The Phoenix Alive (Kris Menace Remix)

Posted by: Derek

Fulla Stars

Whoa. Just moments ago I was yet a mere guest DJ and now I have been initiated into the hallowed halls and clandestine logins of the secret order of the Beatery.

And man, am I stoked to be here!
I’m honored that Cor, Jay, and Matt have welcomed me in to be part of the family!
I’ll be giving some major love to the realms of progressive, trance, and my secret dark lover drum n bass, so stay tuned…

I was planning for my first post as a resident editor to be super bangin, but then I got all spacey…^_^

I spent last weekend in bliss, dancing and DJing under the stars.

Out near Willits, in the middle of the forest, there’s no light pollution (except for the trippy lasers on the dancefloor!), so the whole of the night starscape is your playground — surrounded by swirling rhythms and flashing lights on the ground, then you look up and the vault of the heavens expands in every direction.

Then when your body tires, nothing beats laying down on the grass, looking upwards, and letting the vastness consume you.

This mix was made just after returning, and is born out of that feeling — of staring at the nocturnal sky in awe.

Derek Ryan - Fulla Stars (right click and “Save as…” to download)

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