Returning from last week’s unreleased special, Pete Tong streamed this week’s Essential Selection live from the BBC Radio 1 weekend in Hull, England. Mixing things up in comparison to previous shows, this week’s Essential Selection featured live sets from the likes of Madeon, Julio Bashmore and Groove Armada, all of whom showcased their musical preferences as far as Dance music goes in three short yet intense live sets. Hosting the show live on stage in Hull this week didn’t stop Tong’s regular showcase of numerous exclusives as this week’s show, apart from three smashing live sets from the abovementioned acts, covered David Guetta, Nicky Romero and Sia’s upcoming release on Big Beat, titled Wild One Two, a brand-new offering from Chris Lake, a world premiere of a new Style Of Eye single called ‘Devastate’ as well as the Zedd remix of Breakn A Sweat and John Dahlback’s Life and many more.

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Tracklist:

PETE TONG ON THE DECKS

Jack Back feat. David Guetta, Nicky Romero & Sia – Wild One Two [Big Beat]
Moguai – Mpire [Mau5trap]
Chris Lake – ID
Nero – Must Be The Feeling (ID Remix)
DJ Le Roi feat. Roland Clark – I Get Deep (2011 Edit) [Get Physical]
ID (28min)

JULIO BASHMORE ON THE DECKS

Julio Bashmore – Ensnare [Futureboogie]
Julio Bashmore – Batak Groove [Soul Motive]
Julio Bashmore – Well Wishers [Futureboogie]
Classixx feat. Karl Dixon – Into The Valley (Julio Bashmore Remix) [La Musique Fait La Force]
Julio Bashmore – Battle For The Middle You [PMR]

PETE TONG ON THE DECKS

Skrillex & The Doors – Breakn’ A Sweat (Zedd Remix) [Owsla]
John Dahlback – Life [Big Beat]
Style Of Eye – Devastate [White Label]

MADEON ON THE DECKS

Madeon – ID
Oliver – Dirty Talk [Kitsuné] w/ Daft Punk – Prime Time Of Your Life [EMI]
Madeon – Shuriken (ID Remix) w/ Yelle – Que Veux Tu (Acappella) [V2]
Volta Bureau – Alley Cat [Nurvous] w/ The Knocks – Dancing With The DJ (Acappella) [Heavy Roc] w/ Madeon – Monarch
M83 – Midnight City w/ Digitalism – Blitz [Kitsuné]
Jacques Lu Cont – ReLoad w/ Pheonix – If I Ever Feel Better (Acappella) [Source]
Kaskade & Skrillex – Lick It [Ultra]
Madeon – Icarus
Deadmau5 feat. Greta Svabo Bech – Raise Your Weapon (Madeon Remix) [Mau5trap]
Alex Metric & Charli XCX – End Of The World (Russ Chimes Remix) [Positiva] w/ The Ting Tings – Hang It Up (Acappella)
Blur – Song 2 (Madeon Bootleg)
Wolfgang Gartner – Cognitive Dissonance (‘96 Bulls Edit) w/ Madeon – For You
Madeon – Pop Culture (Mashup)

PETE TONG ON THE DECKS

Jacques Lu Cont – Church [White Label]

GROOVE ARMADA ON THE DECKS

C’hantal – The Realm (Acappella) [Powertraxx]
Lazy Ants & Rob Threezy – Chi To Rome [BMKLTSCH]
Bingo Players – Devotion [Sneakerz Muzik] w/ ID (1h33min) w/ Groove Armada feat. Gram’ma Funk – I See You Baby (Acappella) [Jive Electro]
ID (1h35min)
Eats Everything – The Size [Dirtybird]
Lunde Bros – Knifeproblems [Mutants] w/ ID (1h41min)
ID (1h43min)
ID (1h47min)
ID (1h49min)
ID (1h52min)
Groove Armada – Superstylin’ (Edit) [Jive Electro]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/petetong

/Anton

With his inaugural release for 2012, entitled Spaceman, just out, Hardwell delivers the 48th episode of his weekly radio show on Sirius XM, titled ‘On Air’, to further make his mark on the Electronic Dance Music circuit. At merely 24 years of age, this rapidly ascending Dutch powerhouse has managed to launch a well-renowned record label, collaborate alongside Tiësto among others as well as successfully establish his own weekly one hour show on the airwaves. For his 48th hour On Air then, Hardwell collects unreleased gems such as the next release off Axtone, In My Mind, Shilo’s heavy-stepping Music Over Mind and David Guetta, Nicky Romero and Sia’s upcoming release on Big Beat titled Wild One Two for an hour-long showcase that also includes some the hottest tracks out this month.

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Tracklist:

01. Hardwell – Spaceman [Revealed]
02. Inpetto – No More Serious Faces [Cr2]
03. Dirty South & Thomas Gold feat. Kate Elsworth – Eyes Wide Open [Phazing]
04. Ziggy Stardust – Cosmic [White Label]
05. Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl feat. Georgi Kay – In My Mind [Axtone] (Simon D Remake)
06. Tommy Trash – Cascade [PinkStar]
07. Jack Back feat. David Guetta, Nicky Romero & Sia – Wild One Two [Big Beat]
08. J Flash – Swag [Manufactured]
09. Pryda – Melo (Disfunktion Bootleg) [White Label]
10. Afrojack & Shermanology – Can’t Stop Me [Wall]
11. Shilo – Music Over Mind [White Label]

/Anton

Having already established the fact that he is a producer of great measures, Joseph Youngman, professionally known as Wolfgang Gartner, continues to impress as he ups the ante to preview his first release in 2012. Unlike his regular, fiercely sounding electro-house progressions that have sealed him a place amongst the créme de la créme of clubland, Gartner’s newest offering represents a considerably brighter side of his studio output. Following the successful release of his debut album on Ultra Records late last year, Youngman returns to the well-renowned, America-based record imprint for the release of a record that is nothing short of spectacular. Consisting of an energetic, synth-like lead and some vibrant bottom layers, ‘There and Back’ unfolds another side of Gartner’s already limitless versatility and sets a new standard for the American that is potent enough to shortly face another Grammy nomination.

‘There and Back’ is set for release on January 31st via Ultra Records.

/Anton

Formerly featured as a shortened, mixed version as part of Above & Beyond’s 9th annual Anjunabeats compilation, the official and full release of Mat Zo’s ‘Bipolar’ has been set for February 13th as part of the four-track EP that is due to fuel another prolific year on Mat Zo’s behalf. Whereas ‘Bipolar’, with its bifacial structure of old school, artfully distorted sounds crossing paths with a perfectly pitched prime example of traditional Progressive House, see’s itself becoming the very headliner of this upcoming package, ‘It’s Yours’ and its exemplary Mat Zo-esque structure – a silky smooth break-down followed by emotively charged chords and a set of well-crafted kicks – makes up an equally impressive second spot on the EP.

The Bipolar EP, also including ‘Ring On It’ and ‘Yoyo Ma’, is set for release on February 13th via Anjunabeats.

Mat Zo – Bipolar
Mat Zo – It’s Yours

/Anton

Merging a handful tactfully selected recently released tracks with a few oldies, Macedonia based Aleksandar Galoski releases his first 50 minute mix for 2012. Besides holding a quite eccentric track selection, this January 2012 mix unfolds well executed transitions and a solid arrangement. Track wise, this one features Mark Mendes and Paris & Simo’s enchanting Aura graced by the vocals of Dirty South, Those Usual Suspects and Erik Hecht’s widely acclaimed collaboration, the highly underestimated Tommy Trash remix of We Feel Love, Nicky Romero’s Pete Tong-supported Toulouse as well as tracks from the likes of David Tort, Alesso, Axwell and Deniz Koyu among others.

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Tracklist:

01. Mark Mendes, Paris & Simo – Aura [Starter] w/ Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects feat. Erik Hecht – Walking Alone (Acappella) [Phazing]
02. Bass Kleph & Chris Arnott – We Feel Love (Tommy Trash Remix) [Vacation]
03. Kaskade feat. Rebecca & Fiona – Turn It Down (Deniz Koyu Remix) [Ultra]
04. Kid Massive, Sam Obernik & Jay Colin – Yawn (David Tort Remix) [Transmission]
05. Inpetto – No More Serious Faces [Cr2]
06. Axwell – Heart Is King [Axtone] w/ Green Velvet – Flash (Nicky Romero Remix) [Relief]
07. Nicky Romero – Toulouse [Spinnin]
08. DEVolution feat. Amy Pearson – Good Love (Alesso Remix) [One More Tune]
09. Avicii – Fade Into Darkness (Jidax Rework) [White Label]
10. Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know (JoeySuki Bootleg) [White Label]

/Anton

When two of Sweden’s hottest House exports joined the country’s most hotly tipped newcomer, the outcome was never going to be mediocre. But that is very much the theme for the meticulous legacy Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso as two-thirds of the globes hottest Electronic outfit to date. Since first engaging the budding talents of Alesso for collaborative floor-filler ‘Calling’, it was evident that the young producer had outgrown his underdog status and we entered 2012 with high hopes for this stirring new school contender.

Never ones to disappoint in the face of hysteria, Angello and Ingrosso join the young Refune warrior for an extraordinary offering like none other by either artist. Drawing on the flawless samples of Mirock’s 2011 Stealth Records slammer by the same name, this Swedish onslaught draws on the unexpected for its new years resurrection. Flowing seamlessly from its early acid rises into a dark yet progressive romp of clubworthy carnage, any expectations that could have been mustered are blown out of the roof and just when we thought we had seen ever trick in the book the Swedes had to offer, here they are back on track to prove their legacy is anything but a short term fling for Electronic Dance Music.

Words by Dan Carter

As far as Sweden’s new school House assets go, few can claim the smooth industrious landing of Stockholm’s Otto Knows. Launching out with a popular remodel of Imogen Heap’s ‘Hide and Seek’, Sebastian Ingrosso’s Refune Records have remained intrinsically interested in the young Swede’s footsteps, while a further signing alongside Tim Berg and Oliver Ingrosso with ‘iTrack’ for Stealth Records indicated that it wasn’t just the mafia man who was paying close attention and his inevitable debut for Refune is sure to turn a few heads in the process.

Subtly flowing from tranquil melodic breaks to emotively building synth lines, the young Swede expertly crafts the simplest of samples to create a genuinely atmospheric soundscape of first-class club grooves. Already making its way into the sets of Tiësto, Ingrosso and Avicii, less truly proves more for this fine specimen in unpretentious Progressive House music. As one of a million hopeful contenders within Electronic Dance Music, Otto Knows truly outruns the competition with a back-to-basics approach to club music’s more emotive realms.

‘Million Voices’ is set for release February 8th.

Words by Dan Carter

Q&A

Landing your first release for Refune is a pretty big deal for any artist. How did you first become involved with the label?

I met mr label owner Seb Ingrosso through his cousin. Then on a dinner Seb complained about not having time for all the demos and promos coming in to the label and I said, – Let me take care of it, and the next week I had my Refune mail account and all tracks came to me and I kind of organized them and passed them through to Seb. A few weeks later he gave me the key to his studio and said – you can sit and work here on one condition, the tracks you need to release on Refune. For me it was not to hard to agree on that terms

Talk us through the concept behind ‘Million Voices’

In fact I was bored in the studio and I thought nothing I made sounded good or interesting so I started a new project named ”No Inspiration”. I didn’t start to do things as I usually  do in terms of producing and suddenly got this idea about kids singing in on the track. I sampled some screaming and singing kids and cut the vocals up which obviously became the main element in the track with a pretty emotional melody.

Having seen you play alongside Tiësto for New Year’s Eve and now sealed your debut release for Refune, what more can we expect from you over the coming months?

I got a bunch of confirmed shows with Sebastian Ingrosso in the US that will be announced soon which I’m looking forward to and I will just continue working hard in my new studio. I already got a few tracks that I cant wait to reveal for you guys!

Otto Knows on Facebook

Refune ringleader turned Mafiosi maestro Sebastian Ingrosso has always been a man of severe magnitude. From his early legacy on the European club circuit to his part in the globes most sought after House force, the stubbly Progressive force of this vivacious Swede has shown no signs of lulling in the face of global stardom.

Who better than to dictate the freshest new cuts than a man whose lot in life has become the orchestration of unforgettable nights for the masses. Collecting the likes of Otto Knows forthcoming debut Refune offering ‘Million Voices’ alongside the likes of Feenixpawl and Ivan Gough’s latest Axtone offering ‘In My Mind’, an exclusive preview of Ingrosso, Angello and Swede newcomer Alesso’s ‘Eclipse (Why Am I Doing This)’ made for an epic debut for a breathtaking broadcast from the dignified label head turned industrious ambassador. With the promise of a forthcoming preview of the highly anticipated vocal cut of Ingrosso and Alesso’s ‘Calling’ in the next episode, the Mafia man may well give Pete Tong a run for his money where exclusives are concerned for the near future.

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Tracklist:

01. Swanky Tunes, Matisse & Sadko – The Legend [Refune]
02. Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl feat. Georgi Kay – In My Mind (Axwell Remix) [Axtone]
03. Alesso – Raise Your Head [Refune]
04. Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party – Antidote (Tommy Trash Remix) [EMI]
05. Sebastian Ingrosso & Dirty South – Meich [Refune]
06. Coldplay vs. Swedish House Mafia – Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall [Parlophone]
07. Michael Calfan – Resurrection (Axwell’s Recut Club Version) [Axtone] w/ Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso feat. Michael Feiner – Together (Acappella) [Axtone]
08. Cazzette – Killmode [White Label] w/ Fatboy Slim – Right Here, Right Now (Acappella) [Skint]
09. Otto Knows – Million Voices [Refune]
10. Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello & Alesso – Eclipse (Why Am I Doing This?) [White Label]
11. Dirty South & Thomas Gold feat. Kate Elsworth – Eyes Wide Open [Phazing]
12. Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso – Calling (Instrumental Mix) [Refune]

http://sebastianingrosso.podtree.com

Words by Dan Carter

Following two notable releases on Fedde Le Grand and Funkerman’s Flamingo label and further installments on Cr2 Records on the way, Romeo Blanco kicks 2012 off with the launch of his new hour-long mix series titled ‘Turn Up The Love’. Whereas his studio outlet has been given a widespread support and recognition over the past year, this Belgium DJ and producer proves his wide dexterity also covers mixtapes with this new outing that is certain to break new ground for Blanco. It features countless well-crafted mashups and tracks such as Swanky Tunes and Matisse & Sadko’s The Legend, the sweeping Third Party remix of Otherside, Nicky Romero’s Pete Tong-approved Toulouse among many others.

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Tracklist:

01. Romeo Blanco – ID [White Label] w/ Deniz Koyu – Tung! [Flamingo] w/ Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix) [Infectious] (Romeo Blanco Reboot)
02. Axwell – Heart Is King [Axtone] w/ Axwell & Dirty South – Open Your Heart (Acappella) [Axtone] w/ Green Velvet – Flash (Nicky Romero Remix) [Relief] w/ Calvin Harris – Flashback (Acappella) [Sony] (Romeo Blanco Reboot)
03. Kelly Clarkson – What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger) (Nicky Romero Club Remix) [Sony]
04. DJ Fresh feat. Sian Evans – Louder (Hardwell Remix) [Ministry Of Sound] w/ James Blunt – Dangerous (Deniz Koyu & Johan Wedel Remix) [Atlantic] (Louis Coussée Bootleg)
05. Emeli Sande feat. Naughty Boy – Daddy (Third Party Remix) [Virgin]
06. Swanky Tunes, Matisse & Sadko – The Legend [Refune] w/ R.E.M. – Losing My Religion (Acappella) [WEA](Romeo Blanco Reboot)
07. Dirty South & Thomas Gold feat. Kate Elsworth – Alive (Blinders Remix) [Phazing] w/ Jasper Forks – River Flows In You (Alesso Remix) [Kontor] (Romeo Blanco vs Treble & Sonido Reboot)
08. Florence & The Machine – What The Water Gave Me (Romeo Blanco Remix) [White Label]
09. Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso – Calling (Instrumental Mix) [Refune] w/ Daft Punk – Digital Love [Virgin] w/ Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire (Acappella) [Sony] (Tristan Garner vs Romeo Blanco Reboot)
10. Tristan Garner – Raven [Xtra Life] w/ Daft Punk – Around The World [Virgin] w/ Arty – Around The World [Anjunabeats] (Romeo Blanco Reboot)
11. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Otherside (Third Party Remix) [One More Tune]
12. Nicky Romero – Toulouse [Spinnin]
13. Antoine Clamaran & Vince M feat. Soraya – Feeling You (Romeo Blanco Remix) [Sony]
14. David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj – Turn Me On (Michael Calfan Remix) [F*** Me I'm Famous]
15. Romeo Blanco – Aurora [Cr2]

/Jesper & Anton

Coming off an immensely successful 12 months on his behalf, making three essential appearances on Prydz’ Pryda Friends label, a noteworthy release on Dirty South’s Phazing Records as well as several live performances alongside Eric Prydz himself, Jeremy Olander kickstarts the New Year off in the same vein by giving of two long-awaited singles of his. While ‘The Drew’, its intricate synth lines and chugging beats make up the headliner of this two-track EP, ‘Animal Garden’ proves to be as equally impressive with a silky smooth flute and some finely tuned baselines. Despite the fact that some may deem free give-aways to be synonymous with the lack of quality, these two tracks’ proficiently crafted build-ups indicate that no such conclusion can be drawn.

‘The Drew’ and ‘Animal Garden’ are now out to download, free of charge!

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Jeremy Olander – The Drew (Original Mix)

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Jeremy Olander – Animal Garden (Original Mix)

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/Anton

As if two unprecedented installments on Flamingo Recordings and a third one alongside head honcho Fedde and Johan Wedel, titled New Day, well on its way weren’t enough to fortify this now Holland-based DJ and producer at the heart of clubland, Deniz Koyu is requested to remix one of Fedde Le Grand’s larger outings in 2011 – the modern House revamp of DJ Falcon and Thomas Bangalter’s ‘So Much Love To Give’ classic – for his inaugural release of 2012. Borrowing the original’s unremitting vocal line and soothing break-down chords, the man behind prominent remix duties on the likes of Kaskade and James Blunt among others give ‘So Much Love‘ a significant dose of Koyu’s well-oiled signature sound for a properly produced remodel. Made up by stellar build-ups, Koyu’s well-crafted kicks and a set of grinding baselines, this club-esque ‘So Much Love’ remix is certain to bring further recognition to the already globally acclaimed original.

The Deniz Koyu remix of ‘So Much Love’ is released February 10th via Universal Music.

/Anton

Besides hosting a somewhat successful podcast on a weekly basis, Sweden’s Christopher and Niklas Lunde, better known as Lunde Bros, have shown signs of holding a great deal of talent in the production department as well as an awareness as to how one should distinguish oneself as a unique contributor on the electronic dance music circuit. That being said, the Stockholm duo ante up to slate another uniquely knitted single for their second appearance on Mutants Records label. Epitomising a slightly distorted, piano-filled lead, intermittent vocal chants, rhythmic claps and squeaky upper layers, the David Guetta-supported ‘Knifeproblems’ see’s itself becoming not only the headliner of this odd yet cool EP but the inaugural release for both Lunde Bros and the record label of John Dahlback.

Lunde Bros – Knifeproblems [Mutants Records] – Beatport Link

/Anton