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Every end has a new beginning...

2011-06-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Every end has a new beginning...and in the case of this blog it is my fresh newly re-designed website:

http://www.hwenrascale.com/

This will contain the new blog as well as all the other info about other stuff that is going on with me.

Please check it out!

Edit Records - Because Thats What We Do!: K.C & The Sunshine Band - I'm Your Boogie Man (Ras...

2011-03-14T03:23:00.000-07:00

Edit Records - Because Thats What We Do!: K.C & The Sunshine Band - I'm Your Boogie Man (Ras...: "Big Thanks to Hwen Rascale for This Edit."

New website!!

2011-03-06T10:51:00.001-08:00

So exciting news as I came one step closer to a new venture today. This is something I have been working on for a while and I look forward to sharing the details of it with you all soon.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Miike Snow - Back & Blue (Rascale's Mixable Intro Edit)

2011-03-02T01:38:00.000-08:00

This tune got a lot of play due to its use in a Sony advert

Plus the album was hella popular around these parts so here is a simple edit that makes it that bit easier to mix:

The Trammps - Rubber Band (scratchandsniffs stretched out re-rub)

2011-02-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

A nice little useable edit of the Tramps - Rubber Band ... most known for being used on 50 Cent 'Hate It Or Love It'

Aeroplane / Ludacris / Diddy : Paris (Arthur King edit)

2011-02-10T03:41:00.000-08:00

caught this comming through on my soudcloud....smashes it. Exactly what I am feeling...might have to make it on to Rockers, Rappers & Ravers 2....

Aeroplane / Ludacris / Diddy : Paris (Arthur King edit) by arthurking

Going to be posting more of my likes from Soundcloud as well. Cannot let this blog become just about my music!

Views From The Booth

2011-02-08T11:49:00.001-08:00

At the club formally known as 'Last Days of Decadence'....now called 'The Shorditch'....

Somewhere in there is a person dressed in an all in one tux/hump suit thing....ahh east London...

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Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair (Rascale Xtra Beats Mix)

2011-01-04T10:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Had a stellar Christmas and new year with my family and friends. That's what it is all about!!

Views from the booth

2010-12-18T02:45:00.001-08:00

@ Crafty Fox pop up market

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Studio Business....

2010-11-29T01:23:00.001-08:00

So as I said in previous posts, I've been hard at work re-building my studio space. I have a new room for it:

Bit of a blank space to really do something good with.
Its starting to come together nicely:

Still a whole load to finish off but at least it's up and running.
More updates on the space as it develops.

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Daryl Hall & Chromeo - I Can't Go For That (Rascale's Xtra Beats Edit)

2010-11-22T03:52:00.001-08:00

So as I said, I have been doing a whole load of production stuff lately.
I've got a new studio space (more info on that soon) and am utilizing it to the fullest.

Here's a little something that I knocked up recently. Taken from the brilliant series 'Live From Daryl's House' in which Daryl Hall invites friends to come over and jam with him, this is the Chromeo take on one of his more famous songs.

I have re-added the beats from the original to make it more mixable and dance floor friendly...definitely been working for me as a warm up tune.

Long road back....

2010-11-21T10:04:00.001-08:00

It seems I've allowed this blog to languish into obscurity.
Well no more!!! Updates will be coming a bit more often now. However there are a few changes that will be coming...

About 2 months ago I was involved in a serious bike accident which left me looking like this:

And with a severely damaged left arm. For a while this meant most of my main interests were out. No bikes, no martial arts and no djing!
However I re-discovered a love of actual production and my other interests have been fuelled by this long period of 'thinking time'.

This used to be a mainly music blog for me but I'm going to shift it to take into account these other interests. So expect more posts but about more varied things.

Not leaving the music....just adding to it!

Stay tuned....

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Monday Mixes: Rockers, Rappers And Ravers

2009-06-23T06:48:00.000-07:00

I made this as a promo mix for a night that myslef and a few friends have started. Will be posting some pics form the night soon. Watch out for the next one!

Hwen Rascale-Rockers, Rappers & Ravers: Promo Mix

Jay-Z Vs Linkin Park-Izzo/The End
DJ Solarz-Fat Bottom Mash
Lynard Skynard-Sweet Home Alabama (Xtra Beats)
Tipsy In Black
Cheap Trick-I Want You (To Want Me)
Nine Inch Nails-Closer
Kanye West-Flashing Lights
We Will Hip Hop You
Bloc Party-Your Visits Getting Shorter
Liquid-Sweet Harmony
Justice-D.A.N.C.E (Eli & Diplo Mix)
Rage Against The Machine-Killing In The Name Of (Arveene & Misk Remix)
Roctakon-Less Of What You Need)
Rick Springfield-Jessie's Girl
Buck & Be Sedated
The Ramones-I Wanna Be Sedated

Monday Mixes: Tuff Jam Essential Mix

2009-02-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Today sees the start of Speed Garage week here at Done Esta La Playa. To kick things off the mix this Monday is an Essential Mix from Tuff Jam. With their remixes of nearly every big tune (most of which appear on this mix) they helped shape the more 4x4 sound of garage, particularly in the use of very pitched up and warped vocal lines they helped the scene breakaway from the more traditional soulful/gospel house sounds which America was producing at the time (even prompting one big American DJ to refuse to play any of their records!). Theirs was a truly British sound. Enjoy!

Carl 'Tuff Enuff' Brown & Matt 'Jam' Lamont-Essential Mix
Maximum Style - "Admit To Love [Tuff Jam Classic Club]" (Parousia)
Kristine Blond - "Love Shy [Tuff Jam Vocal Remix]" (white label)
Yasang - "All Because Of You [Castelli's Vocal Mix]" (Maia)
Black Magic - "Let It Go [MAW Dub]" (Strictly Rhythm)
3rd Exit - "Da Chant" (Catch)
Sylvester - "Always On My Mind" (Strictly Dubz)
DJ Promo - "Need A Fix" (white label)
Rosie Gaines - "I Want You" (Motown)
En Vogue - "Whatever [Tuff Jam Unda Vybe Dub]" (East West)
Tina Moore - "Never Let You Go [Tuff Jam Dub]" (Delirious)
Somore - "I Refuse [RIP Mix]" (I)
Sylvia Tella - "Jump Up [Tuff Jam Jump Up Dub]" (BSC)
Jacquee Bennett - "Need Good Love [Todd Edwards Mix]" (UndaVybe)
Robbie Craig - "We Can Make It Happen [New Horizon Mix]" (Public Demand)
Bizzi - "Bizzi's Party [Booker T Vocal]" (Parlophone)
Kristine Blond - "Love Shy [TJ's UVM Dub]" (white label)
Boris Dlugosh - "Hold Your Head Up High [Industry Standard Mix]" (Positiva)
Miles Fontaine - "If You Wanna" (UndaVybe)
Tuff Jam presents QRius - "Spread Love [Tuff Rub Dub]" (Casa Trax)
The FunkJunkeez - "Got Funk [Da Mongoloid]" (Strictly Rhythm)
Papper Mache - "Happiness [Vocal Dub]" (Azuli)
Rosie Gaines - "Closer Than Close" (Big Bang)
Tuff Jam feat. Mr X - "Find A Way" (UndaVybe)
Coolio - "Ooh La La [Tuff Jams UVM Dub]" (Tommy Boy)
Ultymate - "Sweet Love (Got Me)" (UndaVybe)
Gerideau - "Swing Low [Booker T Vocal Swing]" (Fatt Boy)
Amber Sunshower - "Running Song [Gant Sunrise Mix]" (Gee Street)

Special Request: Touch The Sky

2009-02-13T01:54:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't normally post things at this low quality (192) but a friend of mine has been after this forever and I finally found a copy (vinyl versions all seem to be sold out). I like how it merges in and out of the Kanye raps from 'Touch The Sky' and then someone (Lupe?) singing the verses from 'Move On Up'. Plus those trademark Ronson horns are in full effect.
Kanye West-Touch The Sky (Mark Ronson Remix)

If anyone has a better quality rip of this, please holler at me!

Wednesday Weapon: R U Sleeping?

2009-02-11T02:13:00.000-08:00

I've been ripping a lot of my old speed garage stuff recently for a mix that I am making so there will be a few posts along those lines this week. First off this classic track form Indo. Here Bump N Flex take what was a standard 4 to the floor house tune and turn in a 2-step banger! Indo-R U Sleeping (Bump N Flex Vocal Mix)

Monday Mixes-Le Groove

2009-02-09T01:25:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up, my family always used to holiday in France. During my time there I became somewhat obsessed with French hip hop/RnB (it probably helps that I can at least vaguely understand what they are saying). Anyway, unlike say the Uk scene, there were loads of magazines dedicated to French Hip Hop and they all had cover CD's. This is a particularly good one from DJ L.B.R, one time member of Double HH with Cut Killer (aka the DJ from La Haine). It's a great little RnB mix with some french flavor thrown in for good measure. DJ L.B.R-Le Groove

Wednesday Weapon: Superstition

2009-02-04T02:29:00.000-08:00

It's always hard to re-edit a classic without spoiling it but the prolific Mr Todd Terje has knocked this one out of the park. I love the way it builds slowly, becoming more recognisable as the tune goes on.
Stevie Wonder-Superstition (Todd Terje Edit)

Dead Link

2009-02-04T02:27:00.000-08:00

Seems that Divshare is playing up a bit. I have fixed the link to the Mix Of The Year in the post below. Or just grab it right here:
Hwen Rascale-The Mix Of The Year: 2008
Please let me know if there are any further problems.

Monday Mixes: The Mix Of The Year: 2008

2009-02-02T15:08:00.000-08:00

So to celebrate the new year and to welcome back my return to this blog, here is a mix that I did of my favourite tunes from last year. Enjoy!

Hwen Rascale-The Mix Of The Year: 2008

Monday Mixes: Dimitri From Paris Essential Mix

2008-11-17T02:11:00.000-08:00

The idea here is to post up some of the more hard to find mixes that I have collected over the years or ones that I feel are particularly good.

First up is an old Essential Mix from that suave Frenchman Dimitri From Paris (pictured below on his fancy DJR 400 mixer). Recorded in 1997, you can hear the beginnings of the disco sound that he has since become synonymous with.
Dimitri From Paris-Essential Mix
Atmosfear - "Dancin In Outer Space" (Disorient)
Corrina Joseph - "Wish Tonite" (Atlantic Jaxx)
C Docks Heritage - "Blackboy/Whiteboy" (Groove On)
BT Express - "Energy Level" (EMI)
DC La Rue - "Cathedrals" (Pyramid)
Love Committee - "Law & Order" (Gold Mind)
Nu Colours - "Desire" (Wild Card)
Cabrini Greens & Cornbread - "Why U Try To Hustle Me" (Cajual)
First Choice - "The Player" (Minimal)
Arnette Taylor - "Upside Down" (Downtown)
Julius Papp - "Justified Music" (Yellow)
Takada - "Ola-Le" (Disorient)
Spoonie Gee - "Spoonie Rap" (Sound Of New York)
Pattie Duke - "Cloud One" (Sound Of New York)
Rysko Connection - "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" (Loft Classics)
Instant Funk - "I Got My Mind Made Up" (Salsoul)
Dimitri From Paris - "Free Ton Style" (Yellow/East West)
GU 70s Trip - "Dizco Mood" (Cajual)
Boogie Tracks - "Feel Me" (Pan)
Clockwork Voodoo Freaks - "Seaside Capers" (True Perspective)
Dimitri From Paris - "Mission Impossible" (BMD/Commando)
Arthur Baker - "Breakers Revenge" (Atlantic Jaxx)

Cocktail Disco

2008-11-14T03:49:00.001-08:00

To combat the horrible weather we are having here in the U.K at the moment, here are two of the choice cuts from the Dimitri From Paris compilation 'Cocktail Disco'. You can almost close your eyes and imagine listening to these on a beach as the sun shines down on you...Blue Velvet-Summertime

Astrud Gilberto-Girl From Ipenema (Disco Version)

Wednesday Weapon: Talking All That Jazz

2008-07-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

This one is a dead cert no matter where you are playing. An already classic tune given the treatment by Dimitri From Paris. It is the perfect transition tune between styles.
I have also included the bonus beats for extra 'mixing between the 2' fun.
Stetsasonic-Talking All That Jazz (Dim's Respect For The Old School)
Stetsasonic-Talking All That Jazz (Torti's Bonus Beats & Edits)

Wednesday Weapon: Do You Wanna Get Funky?

2008-06-13T01:34:00.001-07:00

OK, OK, I know it is a bit late to really be calling this the Wednesday weapon...but better late than never.

This is a gem of a bootleg that I first heard on DJ Roctakon's 'Good Life' mix (catch it here). It takes C&C Music Factory and slaps it straight across the loop from Cheryl Lyn's 'To Be Real'....a match made in heaven...took me ages to track it down. Now here it is for all of you:

C&C Music Factory-Do You Wanna Get Funky? (Nice & Smooth Hip Hop Remix)

My Boy Lollipop...

2008-06-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

I don't want to get into the debate about whether or not Lil' Wayne is the greatest rapper alive....however I have played 'Lollipop' every week now for the last month at least. So much so that it is starting to get a bit tired......along comes the UK's own Tinie Tempah then to breathe some new life into it with his own rhymes over the top. If only all grime was this good: Tinie Tempah-Lollipop

Wednesday Weapon: Somebody Else's Guy

2008-06-04T02:02:00.000-07:00

Now that I seem to be updating the blog a bit more regularly, I am starting a new feature: Wednesday Weapon. This will showcase a different stone cold classic each week. Not just the normal versions though, these will be anything with a slightly different flavour, could be an extended mix, maybe a dub or a completely new remix. Whatever, they are vital ammunition for your music collection and for all the working DJ's a chance to breathe new life into a song you may now be sick of playing.

To kick things off, we have the full, 8 minute odd, extended mix of Jocelyn Brown's 'Somebody Else's Guy. It does not stop there though for I have also included the harder to find 'dub' version. Obviously mixing between the 2 provides for maximum dancefloor fun.

Jocelyn Brown-Somebody Else's Guy (Extended Mix)

Jocelyn Brown-Somebody Else's Guy (Dub)

Straight Jackin'

2008-05-18T04:01:00.000-07:00

While Switch and Sinden are all the rage now (and rightly so) not as much attention has been paid to Switch's alter-ego 'Solid Groove'. He has been producing quality house music for some time and this track is a perfect example. While searching through my old vinyl for possible tunes for this blog I came across this little gem. With a deep/techie vibe, it utilises the same sample that DJ Shadow did for Midnight In A Perfect World (David Axlerod-The Human Abstract). Just wait for the breakdown!
Solid Groove-Straight Jackin'

Give Me The Cold Shoulder...

2008-05-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

Much like Duffy, I am not sure I can see what the fuss is over Adele. However, Basement Jaxx come correct with a mix that sees them return to the 'Rooty' era jackin' house that made them a house hold name. One for Carnival me thinks!!
Adele-Cold Shoulder (Basement Jaxx Classic Club Mix)

Sunday Chill Out

2008-05-11T10:19:00.001-07:00

I'm back from holiday and relaxing in some (rare) English sunshine. I am currently working on a 'summer' mix and while looking through which tracks to go on there I came across this full version of 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' the way it builds is great....perfect for those lazy Sunday afternoons in the sun.St. Eteinne-Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Full Version)

P.S I know I am slacking on the blog front....but it's hot outside!!

Begging For Mercy

2008-04-11T02:17:00.000-07:00

I am in two minds as to whether I like Duffy or not. I certainly do not think she is the next Dusty Springfield. What I do know is that I get asked to play this tune at bottle bars on an almost weekly basis. With that in mind I threw together this little remix of it which uses my favourite bits from the song and bangs that much harder in the club:

Duffy-Mercy (Hwen's From The Valleys Remix)

and for those that do like the original:

Duffy-Mercy (Original)

Enjoy!

Wearing My Rolex

2008-03-25T01:32:00.001-07:00

Currently, this is the latest pop/grime style track to crossover into the mainstream and looks set to do big things. Based on a sample from DSK-What Would You Do, I think this could be the track that sees Wiley move into the territory currently only occupied by Dizzee Rascal. An article in Observer Music Monthly is surely on it's way.....
Wiley-Wearing My Rolex

Kissy Sell Out

2008-03-10T02:32:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of fuss about this bloke on the interwebs, some declaring him the best thing since sliced bread, while others say seem to see his use of Ableton as the end of DJing.
Now frankly, I have never seen him DJ so cannot comment on his ability there or not. However I did pick up his EP the other day and have to admit, I liked what heard. Sure, it's not complicated...but then neither is Baltimore and I love that!
Here are 2 of the best tracks on it. A little cheesy maybe...but a whole lot of fun!

Kissy Sell Out-Get Busy Tropicana

Kissy Sell Out-Folk Madness

What's Going On?

2008-02-26T00:47:00.000-08:00

What's going on indeed! It is almost a month since I said I was going to keep this blog more uptodate....oops!

Its been a manic month DJing all over the place and the new studio is coming along nicely (watch this space for more).

Here is a nice little house remix of Marvin. Nothing fancy but works well and everyone knows the OG. No idea who it is by, some promoter gave it to me on a CD-R. If anyone has any info: hit me up!

Marvin Gaye-What's Going On? (House Mix)

New Year, New Track!

2008-01-08T04:17:00.000-08:00

Right, one of my new years resolutions is definitely to keep this blog more up to date. I will aim for at least once a week, hopefully more.

To start it off here is a mash-up/blend (whatever they are called) of Biggie's 'Juicy' over the sample from 50 Cent's 'Ski Mask Way' as produced by Disco D (RIP).

Hwen Rascale-Juicy Ski Mask Blend

A quick mix...

2007-12-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

Have been slacking lately on the blog front as it has just been so manic. The party season is in full festive swing and bookings are coming in thick and fast. As of next year I will be playing at a quarterly event called Custard Nights . Here is a quick mix that I did for them, includes a few of the tracks that I have been playing a lot recently.

Hwen Rascale-Custard Nights Demo Mix 1
Nas, Luda & Doug E. Fresh-Virgo (Paul Nice Remix)
Neneh Cherry-Buddy X (Falcon Fabian Remix Feat. Notorious B.I.G)
Fatback Band-Act Like You Know
William D. Vaughn-Be Thankful For What You've Got (DJ Day Disco Re-Edit)
Pointer Sisters-Automatic
Chromeo-Bonafide Lovin' (Eli Remix Feat. Pase Rock)
Justice-D.A.N.C.E (Eli & Diplo Remix/Benny Blanco Mix Feat. Mos Def & Spank Rock)

More on this night soon!!

A Recommendation

2007-11-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

Continuing with the something new trend. My man DJ Dstar has a just relaunched his site and has a new blog to go along with it.

As one of his first posts he has put up an MP3 of T2 'Heartbroken'. Currently number 2 in the UK charts, this signals a return to a more 4x4 sound for the garage community. Be sure to check it and his blog out!

DJ DStar on T2-Heartbroken (Extended Mix)

Something new...

2007-11-27T02:52:00.000-08:00

Bit of a change for me here. I thought it was about time I posted some new stuff that I was feeling. This is a song from Groove Armada's latest effort 'Soundboy Rock'. It features Rhymefest on vocals and as I am a sucker for a good 303 bass, I was sold from the off. I am pretty sure they plan on using it as their next single...so play and enjoy it now before it gets used in a car advert! Groove Armada Feat. Rhymefest-The Girls Say

Glow Of Love

2007-11-22T03:10:00.000-08:00

This is a classic mid-tempo disco tune that nicely bridges the gap between 80's soul and true hands in the air disco. It was also sampled for Janet Jackson's 'All For You' (which I seem to remember Dimitri From Paris always mixing into...). Here is the Full 12" version for you:Change-Glow Of Love

Do You Believe....?

2007-11-13T08:07:00.000-08:00

Now if like many people of my generation you only know Cher through some terrible vocoder work and an even worse movie that was only notable for having Winona Ryder in (admit it...she's hot); you need to check this out.
Cher-Take Me Home

Credit To The Edit

2007-11-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

While I like to think of myself as a budding producer, there are those who have been doing it for ages and have learnt a few tricks along the way. Here are some picks from a compilation of re-edits by Greg Wilson. The linear notes make for some inspired reading...how many of us guys have tried to do a full re-edit on a reel to reel? Come to think of it, how many of my re-edits in acid/ableton etc sound as good as them?? (Mental note to self: Get better!). Anyway here are 3 particularly useful ones.Raw DMX-Do It To The Funk (Greg Wilson Re-Edit)

Brenda Taylor-You Can't Have Your Cake & Eat It Too (Greg Wilson Re-Edit)

Chaka Khan-I Feel For You (Greg Wilson Re-Edit)

Nuggets For The Needy

2007-11-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

A while ago a friend of mine passed a track onto me. It was a bizarre mash of Erykah Badu and Outkast simply labeled 'Rollin' Stone'. Unfortunately it had at least 3 Giles Peterson jingles playing over the top. After a bit of digging I found out that it was one 'Red Astaire' (also known as Freddie Cruger) and he was a bit of a master at these sorts of edits. I had however missed the boat on the vinyl release but it seems that a retrospective of his work has since been released on CD. I present to you here 3 of the stand out tracks including that 'Rollin' Stone' tune:
Red Astaire-Follow Me

Red Astaire-Rollin' Stone

Red Astaire-I Wish (D&B Mix)

I Don't Know Why I Love You

2007-11-01T05:45:00.000-07:00

I have always liked the Brand New Heavies, though recently I have taken to thinking of their stuff as being a bit too 'safe', almost verging on lounge music. As if to prove me wrong I received their latest single in the post. The Tom Moulton mixes take them back to a more soulful 70's esque sound, a perfect slice of modern disco funk. Here is the Main Mix and Instrumental for you: Brand New Heavies-I Don't Know Why I Love You (Tom Moulton Main Mix)

Brand New Heavies-I Don't Know Why I Love You (Tom Moulton Instrumental)

Soul Heaven

2007-10-19T03:51:00.000-07:00

The nature of my Friday night gig means I am playing a lot more house these days than I normally would. So I have been dutifully ripping all my old favourites for use in Serato. Here is one that I definitely plan on playing tonight:Goodfella's-Soul Heaevn (Pasta Boys Mix)

A Little Bit Chilled...

2007-10-17T04:48:00.000-07:00

A bit of a change of pace here. I ripped this last night with full knowledge that I will probably never get to play it out...but if you ever find yourself doing an 'all back to mine' type set this one is straight fire.

Zero 7 make great chill out music and even better remixes of other peoples tunes. This one is a classic: N.E.R.D-Provider (Zero 7 Remix)

I Can't Go Frontin' For That

2007-10-15T01:23:00.001-07:00

Another blend/mash up for you. I have been doing this one out live with the acapella and instrumental for a while now and have finally got around to laying it down properly in Acid. Works with all crowds. Enjoy!

H&O Vs P&J-I Can't Go Frontin' For That (Hwen's Special Blend)

Booty House: Part 2

2007-10-09T03:03:00.000-07:00

Last time I focused on the label Peaches. This time round, I have taken a few tracks from the Igloo imprint.
A more diverse set of covers here. We have Talking Heads-Psycho Killer, a Missy Elliot tune and my personal favourite of the bunch an amazing cover of The Cure's Love Cats. I love to play this tune and watch everyone scratch their heads, sure that they recognise the bassline before it finally drops and they go mental.

Igloo-Psyco

Igloo-Ms E Loves Jass

Igloo-Black Cats

Booty House: Part 1

2007-09-27T02:46:00.000-07:00

A recent post on the Holler Board has got me thinking about all the old bootleg house records I have. Now I am not talking about some Booty Love terrible cover of Lucy Pearl (side note: how could they butcher this so badly?? Mood II Swing had already made the definitive house version!). I am talking about some grimey, boompety boomp house. The sound championed by Derrick Carter, Honey Dijon and the like.
I will do a couple of posts on this as it was my preferred brand of house for a while.
Enjoy!

Ol Yello
I Am Music (No Assembly Required Mix)
Mona Lisa (Reverend Bloo Mix)

Grime Time

2007-09-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

So, I have a love/hate relationship with grime. It varies wildly between groundbreaking artists (your Dizzee's, Kano's, Sway's etc) and what can only be described as kids from my local estate shouting about their 'ends'. However in the middle of these two sides there is a wealth of good tracks. I recently picked up this compilation put out by Channel U and thought I would share some of the highlights with you. Enjoy!

The Frontlinerz-Down

Tinie Tempah-Hood Economics

NDubz VS Naa-NDubs VS Naa

Roll Deep-Celebrate

Wong-Not A Hater

Don't Forget To Get Funky

2007-08-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

Finally got this to a pretty much finished state last night...
Hwen Rascale - Don't Forget to Get Funky
a mash up/blend/bootleg (whatever you want to call it) of Patrice Rushen's Forget Me Nots with C & C Music Factory's Do You Want To Get funky.

Enjoy!

It's So Easy.....Liking House?

2007-08-02T02:52:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's the recent trend of good weather....(it's about time!)...maybe it's that this is a great tune...(it is)...but the combination of both has me really feeling house music at the moment.

I used this track in my latest mix (see my last post ), if only all house music was this good!

DJ Spen & The Muthafunkaz Feat. Ann Nesby-It's So Easy

Promo Mix

2007-07-26T03:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a promo mix that I put together for a bar/club. As the picture shows they also have people eating there so they were adamant that there be no hip-hop or thug music on there and definitely none of that scratchy business! (The sacrifices us working DJ's make are many)...Anyway, I thought it turned out OK in the end...nothing fancy just a mix in 3 parts to demonstrate some of the different styles that I could play for them. So here it is for you all to enjoy, no tricks just simple mixing to let the tunes speak for themselves:

Promo Mix-Part 1
Lucy Pearl-Don't Mess With My Man
Hall & Oates Vs Pharell-I Can't Go Frontin' For That (Hwen's Special Blend)
Nu Shooz-I Can't Wait
Timex Social Club-Rumors

Promo Mix-Part 2
Endgames-Ecstacy
Roy Ayres-Hot (Rascale's Extended Mix)
Kelis-80's Joint
Tweet-Boogie Tonight (Mr K Re-Edit)
De La Soul-Keepin The Faith (Straight Pass Mix)

Promo Mix-Part 3
Gladys Knight-Bourgie Bourgie
Unlimited Touch-I Hear Music In The Streets (Rascale's Mixable Re-Edit)
DJ Gregory-Don't Know Malendro
DJ Spen Feat. Ann Nesby-It's So Easy
The Braxtons-The Boss (Kenlou Mix)

I Hear An Edit In The Streets...

2007-07-17T01:37:00.000-07:00

I was working on a new mix this weekend and really wanted to include Unlimited Touch-'I Hear Music In The Streets'. Unfortunately the intro/outro was driving me mad and just not working with the mix. So I set myself down and made this quick re-edit: 8bar intro before the vocals kick in and a 16 bar outro with a fade out.
Unlimited Touch-I Hear Music In The Streets (Rascale's Mixable Re-Edit)

I will be posting the finished mix soon!

To Be In Love Part 3

2007-07-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

And finally in all it's 12 minute glory...we have the original 12'' full length mix. A more perfect slice of vocal house you will not find. Enjoy!
MAW-To Be In Love (12'' Full Mix)

To Be In Love Part 2

2007-07-16T00:35:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is another mix of Masters At Work 'To Be In Love'. This time MJ Cole takes it on a 2-step journey. Again it's the dub version that provides the best mix here with another superb bassline. MAW-To Be In Love (MJ Cole Dub)

To Be In Love Part 1

2007-07-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

'To Be In Love' is one of my all time favourite house tunes. I will forever associate it with summer time and Steve Jackson's old breakfast show on Kiss FM. In fact I will go so far as to say that it is impossible to ruin this song. I own tons of remixes, extended versions and bonus beats of this tune and with the good weather upon us, I thought it was about time I shared some of them.
First up is this 11 minute masterpiece of a rework by Black Science Orchestra. Mr Beedle comes correct on this one; utilising only the vocals and providing a whole new but still equally funky backing track that just keeps building.
Enjoy and check back for more mixes coming soon.MAW-To Be In Love (The Black Science Swingtime Mastadub)

Sesame Treat

2007-07-05T02:52:00.000-07:00

Continuing in the vein of Monday's post here are some other disco songs inspired by popular television characters. This EP was released by Ninja Tune and contains the Larry Levan and Roy Thode remixes of the Cookie Monster's favourite saying: 'C Is For Cookie'. Personally there is only one thing that makes me eat that many cookies...but then i always did wonder about the guys behind Sesame Street/The Muppets/Fraggle Rock...

The real gem on the EP though is the playable version of The Pointer Sister's 'Pinball Countdown'. Apparently this was never made available and DJ Food had to reconstruct it himself from other recordings. Fine work I say and it thoroughly deserves more play..altogether now: '1,2,3,4,5...6,7,8,9,10...11,12!'

Cookie Monster & The Girls-C Is For Cookie (Larry Levan Sweet Version)

Cookie Monster & The Girls-C Is For Cookie (Roy Thode Funky Version)

The Pointer Sisters-Pinball Countdown (DJ Food Re-edit: Special Extension By Strcitly Kev)

Doctor Who?

2007-07-02T02:01:00.000-07:00

Now I hate to admit it...but I am a bit of a Sci-Fi geek. I grew up watching Doctor Who on TV and have clear memories of wanting a T.A.R.D.I.S. So in honor of the recent series finishing this weekend, I thought I would post this rare gem. A crazy disco version of the beloved theme tune...sure to raise a smile if you are brave enough to play it anywhere!

Mankind-Doctor Who

Land Of The Living

2007-07-02T01:52:00.000-07:00

Bit of a change from the normal posts of Disco type stuff here.

Way back when I used to play more house music in my sets there was a pirate station called Girls FM. Dedicated solely to US House and Garage, it shaped many of my early buying habits. Came across some old tapes (remember those??!?) of sets on there recently and was reminded how much I loved this tune. The way it starts like some old Jazz tune then breaks with that monster bass....love it!!
Kristine W-Land Of The Living (Deep Dish Land Of The Lost Remix)

Roy Ayres....A Hot Extension

2007-06-25T01:35:00.000-07:00

I grew up on Roy Ayres, with my Dad who is a massive Jazz fan taking me to see him. I even went to see him for my 26th birthday. This has always been a favourite track of mine, it is less downtempo than 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' and not as well known as 'Running Away'. Having recently rediscovered it I knocked up this quick re-edit of it making it more mix friendly.

8 bar drum intro followed by 8 bar's of the main hook before the vocals kick in.

Enjoy!

Roy Ayres-Hot (Rascale's Extended Mix)

Holiday is over...

2007-06-21T04:33:00.000-07:00

Apologies to everyone...but I have been on extended holiday in Thailand

This has meant no blogging for me.

Unfortunatly I am now back in rainy London...

However I have a new residency and tons of new records to share with you all so stay tuned...I'm back!

Reggae Disco Pt. 2

2007-04-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

As I am still away enjoying the easter break, this will be a quick update.

A couple more tracks from the Reggae Disco comp...enjoy!

Family Choice-Reggae Beat Goes On
Xanadu & Sweet Lady-Rapper's Delight

Reggae Disco

2007-04-03T04:22:00.000-07:00

On a completely different tip from the stuff I have been posting so far, last night I got round to ripping these gems. Taken from the album Hustle! Reggae Disco, they do exactly that: reggae versions of disco (and to be honest funk,pop and hip hop) tunes. Here are 2 of the standouts.
Blood Sisters-Ring My Bell
Derrick Laro & Trinity-Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

Go Find A Request

2007-04-03T02:39:00.000-07:00

Apologies, for I am going to have to deviate from my 320/vinyl rip policy for this one. I have had a request for Go by Common. A great track which saw Common return to form after what I personally found to be a disappointing album in 'Electric Circus' (albeit one with a couple of stand out tracks).

Common-Go

Also here is a mixtape track by Goapele that uses the same instrumental, so you can look like the great DJ easily mixing between the two!

Goapele-Go Find A Way

Keepin The Faith

2007-04-03T02:25:00.000-07:00

I have always loved this De La Soul track, in particular the way it used major bits of 'Over Like A Fat Rat'. So I saved up my hard earned and bought a copy....only to find it was not the version I was looking for...'What is this Bob Marley/Slave sample they are using?' I said to myself. So I bought a copy of 'The Best Of De La Soul'...surely this will have one of their stand out tracks on it? BUT NO! Same wrong version again. Finally though I have tracked it down and I now share it with you:
De La Soul-Keepin The Faith (Straight Pass)

The Greatest Hit

2007-03-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the quick post today, will be getting more up as the week goes on.

'The Greatest Hit' is a tune that sounds like it should have been made by Larry Levan or some other old disco guy, however it only came out in 2000. Perhaps its the cheeky Madonna sample but I can always find room for this in my disco sets. Here is the extended disco mix, dub and acapella so all you DJ's have no excuse but to do something great with it!

Annie-The Greatest Hit (Extended Disco Mix)

Annie-The Greatest Dub

Annie-The Greatest Hit (Acapella)

George Extended

2007-03-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

'Give me the night' is a party/club/warmup staple that has pretty much never left my box. Here is a quick re-edit that I did to make it that bit easier to mix in and out of. George Benson-Give Me The Night (Rascale Extended Mix)

Where did they get that from?

2007-03-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

House music has a long established tradition of sampling disco tunes. Anyone that knows me knows that I love old disco, so here are some choice cuts that have been sampled to great effect.

First up is this tune, which provided the memorable bass line (and therefor the whole tune) to Gusto's 'Disco's Revenge'

Harvey Mason-Groovin' You

Next a tune that saw Duane Harden (that dude that sang on that Armand Van Heldon track) telling someone he'd got what they had been looking for

Thelma Houston-I'm Here Again

Finally, Kid Creme used this tune to great effect for 'Austin's Groove'. All together now: 'We have the technology...we can rebuild him...stronger...better...faster....'

Sparkle-Handsome Man (Larry Levan Mix)

Hip-Hop was the element missing...

2007-03-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

So that short lived movement known as 'Hip-House' is apparently back...and a good thing I say!!

First a classic. Perhaps THE Hip-House anthem:

Doug Lazy-Let The Rhythm Pump (Extended Vocal Mix)

Next up a more modern entry into this category. French wonders the Troublemen take on the Beatnuts classic 'Watch Out Now' (also knows as the beat J-Lo jacked for 'Jenny From The Block')

The Beatnuts-Watch Out Now (Troublemen Remix)

Finally a more novelty take on the Hip-House thing, but still guaranteed to fill a dancefloor at a party, definitely a guilty pleasure!

Double Trouble Feat. The Rebel MC-Street Tuff (12" Mix)

Big things start small...

2007-03-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

So after a long time enjoying other peoples blogs, I thought it was about time i got my own going. So many people ask me to reccomend some music for them that I figured it would be easier if I could just tell them to go to one place. I will be posting some hot new tunes, many classics, remixes that I have done and the odd mix: The title at the top says it all really...

So to kick things off, here is one of my favourite jams in recent times. This tune works at all times, with all crowds. It is a great example of a remix taking a good tune, adding those extra touches and making it a classic! Enjoy!

When She Smiles(4 Hero Mix)