Building atop Poker Pets’ most prominent Disco-House music trademark to date, featuring an unremitting vocal from British soul singer phenomen Nate James, that saw its original and well-received release in 2005 through Positiva Records lead to a solid placing at #43 on United Kingdom’s general music chart, 17 year old Dutchman Ebbo Kraan, better known as Ebbo Riginal, gives this Positiva classic, titled Lovin’ You, a modern revamp for a give-away in these final days of 2011. As opposed to his fellow countrymen’s essential onslaught on the electro- and progressive House scene, Kraan is looking to build his foundations with a considerably groovier sound. Bringing back the highlighted sounds of disco in the 70’s and 80’s and its funky and timeless piano to come together with a slice of modern-day tech-house, this young and outrightly promising producer represents another side of Holland’s sccessful producer outlet.

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/Anton

Coming off their hard hitting tech-house contribution, Bad Language, to the recently released Joia Records 10th anniversary compilation, Lunde Bros rounds 12 months of distinguished music output and countless gigs across Europe off with the 17th edition of the successful This Is Lunde Bros mixtape series that saw its launch earlier this year. Presenting us with a distinct track selection with everything from the most experimental tech-house off of Funk Farm to heavy-hitting offerings from Ralvero and R3hab, well-executed transitions and a well thought-out structure as far as the order of the different sounds and genres of the tracks included goes.

It covers tracks like Nicky Romero’s Toulouse, the Michael Calfan remix of Turn Me On, Daddy’s Groove’s sought-after instrumental mix of Wild World, Matisse & Sadko’s fourth single release on Armada thus far, titled Amulet, and more.

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Tracklist:

/Jesper & Anton

It is no secret that Henrik B has established himself as something of a beacon for Swedish House music’s promising new school contenders. Already a favourite at the likes of Axtone and Musical Freedom, Henrik Berntsson is channelling the positive space surrounding himself and his Swedish peers into some of the scenes most well-endowed House anthems to date, mustering loud and positive support across the globe in the process.

In the same vein as his own workings of Adrian Lux’s ‘Teenage Crime’, Berntsson establishes himself as a stronghold for emotively charged club music with that vital punch of vivacity that the club floor beckons. Armed with robust keys, well executed builds and a haunting vocal line from Rudy, his latest arrangement of well-groomed Progressive House is an asset not only to his own studio output, but the thriving Swedish scene in which he is well and truly leading the way with quality masterfully overtaking quantity. If this is the standard set for international talent, let it B!

Leave A Light On is set for release soon via Axtone Records.

Words by Dan Carter

‘Henrik B feat. Rudy – Leave A Light On’ played at Svenska Mässan

Somewhat alike the recently previewed Nicky Romero remix in its smooth instrumentals to supplement the sing-along vocals from American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson’s latest single, Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You), the remix package addition from Nazario Pelusi and Fabio Ranucci, who make up DJ and production duo Promise Land, also unfolds a significant dose of fierce acid. Though breaking through in mid 2009 with an under-rated remix duty for ‘Leave The World Behind’ alongside Provenzano, it was not until late 2010 and the outing of a certain remake of Reder8’s ‘Amazing’, which saw essential and recurrent plays from the Swedish House Mafia amongst many others, that clubland witnessed the inception of the two Italians as Promise Land.

Following installments on Dirty Dutch, Mutants, Ultra, Atlantic, Flamingo and Smash The House this year, Pelusi and Ranucci prepare their debut on internationally renowned Sony Music and their first release of 2012 with growling bass riffs and hints of fist-pump friendly chords injected into Kelly Clarkson’s pop original.

The remixes of ‘Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)’ are released January 9th

/Anton

As far as experimental underground goes, Macarize has proven capable of discovering nothing but the most talented, outright and newest of aspirants and being way on trend on all things melodic, summerish and soothing. Hailing from South Yorkshire, England, 27 year-old Dipen Ravalia, professionally known as D05, makes way for his premiere release. In a two track EP where Zeon sees itself starring as a solid headliner, Ravalia offers a glimpse of his fairly fresh production qualities with a dynamic flute lead and a dominant bass line, softly complimented by a number of well-crafted synth lines and crisp percussions. Being an overall ear-friendly treat to the aural cavities, Zeon rounds the year of Macarize off as its 38th release since the label’s initial launch back in late March.

D05 – Zeon [Macarize] – Beatport Link

/Anton

Though the world of electronic dance music saw him apply his heavy-stepping electro-house sound onto a total of two Skrillex singles in late 2010, it was not until the first half of 2011 and the releases of ‘The Legend Of Zelda’ and ‘Dovregubben’ that Zedd fortified himself as a significant and somewhat game-changing addition to the electro-house scene. Brought onboard as the last remixer for the Swedish House mafioso’s sing-along Save The World offering in late July and donning his innovative style to the halls of Skrillex’s Owsla Records, off of which Shave It ultimately saw its highly-celebrated release, and Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records, Kaiserslautern-bred Anton Zaslavski has skittered through the year of 2011 with utmost glamour and success.

With the second appearance on Owsla, titled Slam The Door, coming up for release in early January 2012, Zedd comes out with a distinguished 90 minute showcase of his favourite sounds released over the past 12 months. Kicking things off with David Guetta’s wildly underestimated ‘The Alphabeat’ to later proceed with a host of hard hitting club suitable gems, this end-of-the-year mixtape from Zaslavski exemplifies his atypical yet appealing musical preferences and is likely to be the one of the most diverse mixes to emerge during these final days of 2011.

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Tracklist:

01. David Guetta – The Alphabeat [F*** Me I'm Famous]
02. Chuckie feat. Gregor Salto – What Happens In Vegas [Big Beat / Cr2]
03. Duck Sauce – Big Bad Wolf (Dada Life Remix) [Big Beat]
04. Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects feat. Erik Hecht – Walking Alone [Phazing]
05. Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party – Antidote [EMI]
06. Diddy, Dirty Money feat. Swizz Beatz – Ass On The Floor (Zedd Remix) [Interscope]
07. Zedd – Shave It [Owsla]
08. Lady Gaga – Marry The Night (Sander van Doorn Remix) [Interscope]
09. Hardwell – Cobra [Revealed]
10. Avicii – Levels [LE7ELS / Universal]
11. Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso – Calling (Instrumental Mix) [Refune]
12. Lady Gaga – Born This Way (Zedd Remix) [Interscope]
13. Miles Dyson – I-Tune [Plasmapool]
14. Zedd – Stars Come Out [Dim Mak]
15. Afrojack feat. Eva Simons – Take Over Control [Wall]
16. Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin – Save The World (Zedd Remix) [EMI]
17. Nicky Romero – Toulouse [Spinnin]
18. Zedd – Dovregubben [Dim Mak]
19. Knife Party – Internet Friends [AEI]
20. Zedd – The Legend Of Zelda [Bazooka]
21. Benny Benassi feat. Gary Go – Cinema (Skrillex Remix) [Ultra]

/Anton

If the Scandinavian’s choice to celebrate Christmas a day earlier than the rest of the world had never held much in the way of benefits before 2011, then this year truly rewrote the rulebooks. Boasting an already comfortable year for the reputation and influx of fine Swedish House music, a stellar cast of its home grown talent descended on Gothenburg to not only nod to one of the globes most outdated traditions to date, but tip their hats to a year that truly put the country’s thriving musical legacy back on the map.

Reaping in the essential support of Tiësto and his rising hometown peer Hardwell for latest banger ‘Crunch’, fresh-faced Gothenburgian homeboy Franz Novotny took on the task of opening the night’s festive outing of Swedish talent following a promising year for the relatively unknown newcomer. Despite being severely delayed, Novotny’s second live outing highlighted the true potential of the 18-year-old, dealing the early crowds an energetic outing of unreserved House music despite the unfortunate hiccup.

Linus Eklöw, the man behind the rising European House moniker Style Of Eye, was sure to be in true festive spirit the subsequent year of positively frenzied antics. As a self professed radical against all imaginable genre constraints and guidelines, the Stockholm based producer has gradually deviated from outright Techno to multifaceted dance floor dissipation, attracting the likes of Claude Von Stroke’s Dirty Bird and German imprint Pickadoll along the way to establish himself as something of a leader of Sweden’s new school House movement. In an energetic display of popular dance floor fillers, Eklow’s technical approach to his live set added a dimension of appeal to his already sterling reputation for live House music, using current favourites from Dada Life, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia to keep the crowds large and loud throughout his triumphant return to Sweden.

Making an unforgettable mark on James Blunt’s ‘Dangerous’ back in August alongside Deniz Koyu, Johan Wedel’s fearless approach to owing offerings has sealed him an unwritten seal as one of Sweden’s youngest budding heroes amid the scenes uncharted territories. Boasting a sharp hand for intense outings of unassuming Progressive House cuts, last night’s highly anticipated Christmas showdown marked an incredibly suitable arena for the 21year-old beat smith to strut his stuff after a long withstanding residency in Cannes. Donning an incredibly loud jacket to the night’s festive proceedings, Wedel’s enthusiastic sing-alongs and diverse range of material seemed to hit all the right notes for those in attendance at this long awaited hometown return for the promising Swede hopeful. Despite his set suffering the wrath of earlier delays, Wedel dealt a direct and energetic blow of an own re-edit alongside a host of well-received leaps from emotive builds and powerful drops, proving exactly why he deserves the attention mustered throughout 2011.

Warily balancing the realms of mainstream club mongering and earnest dissident dance floor contributions whilst keeping a weary distance from the global press, the public eye has seldom been stolen from the iconic Swede powerhouse behind some of global Dance music’s most beloved offerings. Rumoured to be an original affiliate of the country’s illustrious House mafiosa, Eric Prydz has kept his discography ticking with a hit-after-hit under the well-endowed stronghold of his musical empire, consisting of monikers Pryda and Cirez D aswell as imprints Pryda and Mouseville. Of all the Swedish stars that could have come for Christmas, there was never a doubt that the return of Sweden’s modestly spoken House appendage. In an outing of well-received original cuts from his own well-stocked discography, there were few unmoved by the original Swedish master at last night’s proceedings. Still flawless in his transitions and greeted with a wave of fist pumping homeland followers, there was little indication of Prydz’s dynamic live appeal going anywhere fast in the nights festive proceedings. Drawing on favoured classics from Daft Punk an Faithless in the process, some special cuts from the night suggest that as one hell of a year for the globally acclaimed producer ends, the one approaching promises to be nothing short of magic for this well preserved legend of European Dance music.

As another of Sweden’s young leaders that once basked in the country’s misconstrued Techno scene, Henrik B is a different breed in European Dance music’s à la mode forces. Strongly tipped by Axwell and boasting support from the likes of Tiësto and Mr. Prydz himself, his well-pitched offensive of the globes supreme outlets of Electronic music has gained him a reputation as one of Swedish Dance music’s most hotly tipped producers to date. Unhindered by the slightly thinning crowds, it was the crowds glowing reactions to renowned singalong moments of ‘Levels’ and Adrian Lux’s ‘Teenage Crime’ that truly hit home the sheer dynamics of Henrik Berntsson’s mass appeal on the global clubbing circuit. Finishing proceedings with an actively charged outing of modern bangers, Berntsson preserved the crowds into the earlier hours of the morning with little effort and a whole surge of enthusiasm. Singing off an incredibly positive night of home grown Electronic music, this highly enthusiastic final set could not have better encapsulated the warm glow of pride and excitement that surrounds Swedish House music as its players prepare to bring even more positive noise for 2012.

‘M83 – Midnight City (Eric Prydz Private Remix)’ played by Eric Prydz

Henrik B feat. Rudy – Leave A Light On (Forthcoming on Axtone Records)

Pryda – Intro ID

Avicii – Levels (Henrik B Remix)

Franz Novotny – 22:45

01. Promise Land feat. Sandy B – Never Be Lonely [Subliminal]
02. Franz Novotny – ID [White Label]
03. Zedd – Shave It [Owsla]
04. Franz Novotny – Big Bang [Vicious]
05. Sandro Silva & Quintino – Epic [Musical Freedom]
06. Bingo Players – Rattle [Hysteria] w/ Adele – Someone Like You (Thomas Gold & Mark Mendes Bootleg) [Beat My Day] (Wahlstedt Mash-Up)
07. Rebecca & Fiona – We Are Girls (Franz Novotny Remix) [Universal]
08. Avicii – Levels (Hardwell Bootleg) [White Label]

Style of Eye – 23:25

01. Marcus Price & Carli – Flaska & Bas [Universal]
02. Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin – Save The World (Style of Eye & Carli Remix) [EMI] (Edit)
03. Crookers pres. Dr. Gonzo – Dr. Gonzo Anthem [Southern Fried]
04. David Guetta feat. Usher – Without You (ID Remix)
05. Prodigy – No Good (ID Remix)
06. Dada Life – Kick Out The Epic Motherfucker [So Much Dada]
07. Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party – Antidote [EMI]
08. Avicii – Levels (Clockwork Bootleg – Edit)
09. ID
10. Style Of Eye – We Are Boys [Refune]
11. Zedd – Shave It [Owsla]
12. ID
13. Miike Snow – Animal (Style Of Eye Remix)

Johan Wedel – 00:16

01. Niki & The Dove – Dj Ease My Mind [Moshi Moshi]
02. Congorock – Ivory (The Bloody Beetroots Remix) [Ultra]
03. Mumbai Science – Lotus (Johan Wedel Re-Edit)
04. Fake Blood – I Think I Like It [Cheap Trills]
05. Chris Lake – ID [White Label]
06. MyBack – Was I A Fool [Mutants]
07. Deniz Koyu feat. Jason Caesar – Lose Control (Johan Wedel Remix) [Scream & Shout]
08. Denzal Park – Nammos [Cr2]

Eric Prydz – 00:47

01. Intro ID
02. Jeremy Olander – Evade [Pryda Friends]
03. Pryda – Glimma [Pryda]
04. Pryda – Creamfields ID #01 2010
05. ID
06. Faithless – Not Going Home (Eric Prydz Remix) [PIAS] w/ Faithless – Insomnia [Sony]
07. Cirez D – The Tumble [Mouseville] w/ ID w/ Daft Punk – Aerodynamic [Virgin]
08. M83 – Midnight City (Eric Prydz Private Remix)
09. Pryda – Inox [Pryda]
10. Dukes Of Sluca vs. Apollo – Mighty Love (Eric Prydz Re-Edit)
11. Eric Prydz – 2Night [Pryda] w/ Underworld – Two Months Off (Acappella) [Underworldlive.com] w/ Pryda – Melo [Pryda]
12. Eric Prydz – Pjanoo (Private Edit) (Encore)

Henrik B – o2:08

01. Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso feat. Michael Feiner – Together (The Attic Intro Edit) w/ Alesso – Nillionaire [Refune]
02. Adele – Set Fire To The Rain (Thomas Gold Remix) [XL]
03. Coldplay vs. Swedish House Mafia – Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall [Parlophone]
04. Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects feat. Erik Hecht – Walking Alone [Phazing]
05. Avicii – Levels (Henrik B Remix) [LE7ELS / Universal]
06. Adrian Lux – Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B Remode) [Axtone]
07. Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party – Antidote (Vocal Mix) [EMI]
08. Henrik B feat. Rudy – Leave A Light On [Axtone]
09. David Guetta feat. Sia – Titanium (Arno Cost Remix) [F*** Me I'm Famous]
10. Benny Benassi feat. Gary Go – Cinema (Skrillex Remix) [Ultra]
11. The Killers – Mr. Brightside (Jacques Lu Cont’s ‘Thin White Duke’ Mix) [The Island Def Jam]

Photo credit: Nattstad

/Anton & Dan Carter

Red hot off the release of his second artist album, ”Eleve11″, Sander Ketelaars, better known as Sander van Doorn, releases his take on the recently released drum n bass production from lead singer of Bloc Party, Kele Okereke, and the 18 year old prodigy from Hampshire, England – Lucy Taylor. Unlike other Sander van Doorn records in 2011, the revamped version of What Did I Do discerns itself as a full-on progressive house brew of anthemic measures. Showcasing sweeping synth lines, the frisky phenomena we’ve come to learn from Sebastian Ingrosso and Alesso’s Calling among others, smoothly complementing the sensual vocals from Lucy Taylor and consistent kicks, What Did I Do makes up the Hollander’s sought-after follow-up release to the 11 track album featuring tracks like Eagles, with Adrian Lux, Who’s Wearing The Cap, with Laidback Luke, Koko, Love Is Darkness and more.

The revamped ‘What Did I Do’ is out now via Doorn Records.

Sander van Doorn vs. Kele feat. Lucy Taylor – What Did I Do [Doorn Records] – Beatport Link

/Anton

Bridging the gap between Dutch House and mainstream music with a surprising lack of contempt from the global industry, Afrojack has excelled all expectations on the road to global stardom. Where ‘Take Over Control’ marked Nick Van De Walls leap from the hustle and bustle of the Dutch underground, a consistent level of contribution and signings through his beloved imprint Wall Recordings has established the leading Dutch player as an artist whose signature sound plays wonders throughout the entire industry.

Taking time out from the high-end collaborations, the second instalment of his Lost and Found series brings back the traditional vibes of his studio output with maximal force. In a blind fury of low-end fury and persistently scattered synth play, Vancouver lights the fuse for Van De Wall’s dynamic Dutch explosion, with sinister lead-driven club grinder Montreal delivering a rigid and unassuming insight into the energy of renowned live sets. Renowned little-brother of Size Records Stormer ‘Pacha on Acid’ is then given a surprisingly worthwhile turn to the down-tempo, leading the way to elaborate finale ‘What Are You Doing’ for a dynamic showdown of distorted synth and frantic phaser shots. Already promising to make 2012 his proverbial bitch with a string of highly anticipated releases, Lost and Found 2 is not simply a collection of B-Sides and half hearted remodes, but rather a nod to Van De Wall’s continuous vitality towards hard-hitting House music of the Dutch orientation.

A total of seven Afrojack singles have been compiled for release as part of ‘Lost and Found Part 2′ which is out now via Wall.

Words by Dan Carter

Afrojack – Lost and Found Part 2 [Wall Recordings] – Beatport Link

Zedd, real name Anton Zaslavski, continues his pursuit of indisputable acclaim as he makes way for a second installment on Skrillex’s Owsla Records, following the fluctuating and outrightly massive Shave It which ultimately broke him a whole new level and led to the appraisal of Zedd as a top-tier DJ. Recognized for his quite universal style as a producer of diverse and heavy-hitting club tracks, often graced with some software-produced vocals, and his predilection to title his tracks with an ”s” in the beginning, Slam The Door is the next chapter in the progression of the Kaiserslautern-born DJ, and his first release of 2012. From a mellow and melodic break to a thunderous and slamming kick with hints of some French house inspired loops and an old school sounding male vocal chanting ”Don’t Slam The Fucking Door”, Slam The Door is one of those tracks you would find hard to make your mind up about yet pump your fists to when experienced on a proper club speaker system.

‘Slam The Door’ is out January 3rd 2012.

*Updated: official sample

/Anton

Already acclaimed for its fundamental passion for art and fashion, only Paris could have conjured the driving unity of creative clubbing and stimulating club cuts that we now associate with prolific Parisian Michael Canitrot. As the driving force behind clubbing brand ‘So, Happy In Paris?’ , his open-minded approach has seen him don his mixing skills to events for the Cannes Film Festival and D&G while pushing a steady output of solid club offerings to the world alongside the likes of Ron Carroll and Polina.

In an energetic fusion of genres, profound keys and a beefy drop of distorted lower-end hooks assert the wondering Frenchman’s diverse scope of modern Dance, presenting a powerful peak time banger that rises and falls in all the right places. Despite the fact that people don’t seem to deem him a pioneer of eccentric productions, Canitrot’s heavy-handed banger warrants the significant influx of attention and beckons further turns of industrious intellect on the rising French connoisseur of inventive global clubbing.

White Escape is out now via his own Aime Music label.

Words by Dan Carter

Michael Canitrot – White Escape [Aime Music] – iTunes Link
Beatport Link

As the year of 2011 is starting to come to its very end, Dragan Roganovic, professionally known as Dirty South, flashes back on a successful year in terms of his hotly tipped releases throughout the year. From the bass-filled remix of Coming Home to the acclaimed release of Walking Alone with Those Usual Suspects and Erik Hecht, this now Los Angeles based DJ and producer can proudly look back on 12 months of indisputable triumphs and well-received club belters. Whilst gearing up for another appearance from the celebrated trio of Dirty South, Thomas Gold and Kate Elsworth in Eyes Wide Open, set for release in early 2012, I’d say next year is looking awfully bright in terms of another triumphant year for Phazing Records and head honcho Dirty South.

In celebration of Christmas and the end of 2011, the Serbian-born, USA-based producer comes out his take as far as 2011’s hottest releases go mixed up in a carefully prepared 36 minute mix that features the upcoming Arty remix of Walking Alone along with tracks like Alive, Calling and more..

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Tracklist:

01. Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects Feat. Erik Hecht – Walking Alone (Original Mix vs. Arty Remix) [Phazing]
02. Nero – Me & You (Dirty South Mix) [MTA]
03. Michael Woods – Bullet [Diffused] w/ Cassius – I Love You So [Fool's Gold] w/ Nero – Promises (Calvin Harris Remix) [MTA] (Dirty South Bootie)
04. Diddy, Dirty Money feat. Skylar Grey – Coming Home (Dirty South Remix) [Interscope / Phazing] w/ Daft Punk – Aerodynamic [Virgin] (Dirty South Bootie]
05. Dirty South & Thomas Gold feat. Kate Elsworth – Alive (Original Mix vs. Tommy Trash Remix) [Phazing] (Dirty South Supermash Edit)
06. Sebastian Ingrosso & Alesso – Calling (Instrumental Mix) [Refune] w/ Dirty South feat. Rudy – Phazing (Acappella) [Phazing] (Dirty South Bootie)
07. Matt Caseli & Danny Freakazoid – Raise Your Hands [Axtone] w/ John Dahlback – Pyramid [Pickadoll] w/ Lucid – I Can’t Help Myself (Tim Mason Remix) [MFU] (Dirty South Bootie)
08. Skylar Grey – Invisible (Dirty South Remix) [Interscope]

/Jesper & Anton