Tag: dance

[EDM Origins: Techno Music] Ellen Gee – Movin’ On (Extended Moon Mix) // [Dance/EDM:] Neon Trees – Lessons In Love (feat. Kaskade) & TCS Vs. Level 42 – Lessons In Love (1985 Re-make SideChain Remix)


[Eurodance / Techno:] Movin’ On (Extended Moon Mix) – Ellen Gee

Once again letting my nerd/gamer geek flag fly, in today’s origins post I will be highlighting “techno” music. The first track I’m highlighting, is Ellen Gee’s “Movin’ On (Extended Moon Mix)“, best known for its inclusion in the Japanese music-and-rhythm dancing simulation game, Dance Dance Revolution 5th Mix. This somewhat rare song, was featured on only one version of the game and for a LONG time was only available in its 1:30s length form (all DDR songs are cut from their full version to make them more playable and less exhausting). DDR sampled MOST of its licensed music through a Japanese DJ/mix series called Dancemania that was hosted by Toshiba-EMI, along with a lot of original productions from Konami (the publisher) itself. Some of these original productions actually made the video game singers into real stars/artists (ex: Naoki, beForU, dj TAKA, Paula Terry, Riyu Kosaka, Aaron G., Des-Row, DJ TaQ and more…) For more info about DDR, see below:

[Dance / Electronic:] Neon Trees – Lessons in Love (Kaskade Remix)

Next up, we have two songs of the same name, but both good in their own right. Neon Trees “Lessons in Love (Kaskade Remix)” remixed by the legendary, on-of-a-kind, kaskade, featured on his EP Fire & Ice. The song is a great combination of electronic sounds and alternative rock feel.

Our second “Lessons in Love” comes from TCS vs. Level 42 with their re-make of the 1985 classic rock song of the same name, remixed by EDM artist/producer, SideChain. Check it out above!

About Dance Dance Revolution:
Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) was a revolutionary arcade game, that later expanded into the console market (on Playstation 1 and 2, but subsequently almost every system of its time), where players would step on a dance mat (or metal dance pad at the arcade) with arrows on the ground. As the music plays (much of it was Japanese pop, eurobeat, techno, dance music, but DDR was known for having a little of everything), arrows rise on the screen and once they reach the top, the player must step on them. The game became wildly popular in Japan after its initial release in 1998, eventually made its way overseas and had quite a cult following in America as arcades imported Japanese arcade cabinets and people around the country met up specifically for “DDR seshs” and even tournaments arose, with prizes in the $1,000s or more for those competing in national and international tourneys.

[NEW Future Trap / Future House:] Cash Fargo – Undo Your Love // [Future Chillwave / Progressive House:] Class X – Away (Original Mix)


We’ve got two new Future classics for you today from EDM artists, DJs and producer Cash Fargo along with Class-X.
Our first is Los Angeles producer, Fargo’s “Undo Your Love“, a transfixing smooth blend of house-y male vocals, much akin to Disclosure or Tchami, but with that indie, fresh, hipster feel (and I mean that in the best way possible). If songs like this are indicative of Cash Fargo’s work and overall sound, it’s safe to say we can expect him to be a rising name in the alternative EDM scene, slated to appear at alternative EDM venues and festivals (if he is not already).

If you’re looking for something a bit trappier Fargo’s remix of Future’s “Covered ‘N Money” is great as well (see below:)

Next up (link below) is the chillwave progressive-house mélange of sounds in Netherlands DJ, Class-X’s “Away“. With simply beautiful, relaxing piano arpeggios and a back-beat with elements grounded in house, but flirting between the lines of sounds more characteristic of Trance. Give the song a listen below and download it for free on Class-X’s Soundcloud.

[EDM Origins House & Alternative:] Kaskade – Steppin’ Out // Kosheen – Same Ground Again


Kaskade is probably one of the most popular and sought-after American producers of electronic and house music. Chances are, if you watch TV, play video games or went to the movies you’ve heard one of his songs. His music is featured in many different forms of media, much akin to fellow EDM producers and DJs, like BT and Paul Oakenfold.

Our feature is one of Kaskade’s signature songs from the early 2000s, the completely chilled-out, smooth house single “Steppin’ Out”

Kaskade is largely known for growing the house music scene in his hometown of Chicago in the early 2000s. Though Kaskade has varied in musical styles during his growth, as a whole, his music can be said to be fulfilling for the soul, or music to put you at ease. Much of his house music includes sultry female vocals alongside soft, harmonic melodies that become instantly recognizable, simply from their uniqueness. Take the song that introduced many, including myself to Kaskade, his absolutely astonishing remix of David Morales & Tamra Keenan’s “Here I Am” featured in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada.

Next up was a random song that my iPod shuffled to today. An EDM/progressive-house tune I bought and downloaded back when I was a senior in high school (2007). This one comes from Alternative Electronic band Kosheen, one of their bigger breakout singles, “Same Ground Again“. In fact, their whole 2007 EP, Damage is chock-full of good alternative-sounding electro music that still holds up today. Check it out above and see more from Kosheen at the links below:

[New Mix:] Deeper Cuts [Vol. 2] [EDM Origins: Dance/Trance/House] – SoundCloud


New mix and FREE DOWNLOAD  “Deeper Cuts [Vol. 2] [EDM Origins: Dance/Trance/House]” by iLLUMiИUS on SoundCloud. Featuring artists such as Not Ferris, Kaskade, Skylar Grey, Tears for Fears and Eric Prydz

[EDM Origins: House / Disco House:] (2004) Junior Jack – Da Hype & Stupidisco (Dare Me)


The progressive house throwbacks “Da Hype” and “Stupidisco (Dare Me)” from Italian house DJ, Junior Jack, withstand the test of time and are shining examples that foreshadow EDM’s launch into mainstream America. The building progressive rhythm of both songs are characteristic of house at its core and capture the spirit of many “early” EDM songs.

Electronic and dance music released in the early to mid-2000s catalyzed the evolution of the genre and certainly were ancestors of the soon-to-be popularized “dubstep.” Released back in 2004, “Da Hype” is forever a favorite of mine; it was part of the first real collection of EDM and house music I had acquired…back then would’ve been about 9th grade. Several years after I was introduced to the genre (when I was 10 or 11) but about two years since I’d really gotten into the scene (mainly from video games soundtracks w/EDM: Need For Speed Underground, SSX 3 come to mind).

I am forever grateful for my exposure to artists such as Junkie XL, LCD Soundsystem, BT, Deep Dish, DJ Tiësto, Röyksopp and many more that solidified my interest in EDM. Artists like these were pioneers of the genre and helped drive it to what we know today. We musn’t forget however, that quality is always over quantity. The ubiquity of electronic music today is refreshingly satisfying, but we should all take note of the sheer originality and creativity expressed during those years and even earlier before.

[Dance / House]: Kygo – Stole the Show


New release from Norwegian DJ and producer, Kygo “Stole the Show” has a very original dance, house feel with what sounds like rainforest or pan flutes accentuating it’s calming, but funky rhythm. We’re left with a very chill track, perfect for rounding out a long day or relaxing at the end of one. The song’s music video is also noteworthy for a very different aesthetic approach featuring two “in love” astronauts and lots of breaking, waving, popping and locking. Check it out above and hear more from Kygo below:

Kygo’s Soundcloud

M83 Remix:

[MGMT Cover]:

[Trance/House Original DJ Mix] **NEW Release – iLLUMiИUS – Mood: Daze in a Trance


I present to you the first DJ mix I have released in awhile “Mood: Daze in a Trance.” For this mix I chose to use trance songs, a few house tracks and other dance songs. Although I have more of a penchant for trap music, grime, bass, deep house but I felt a need to get back to my roots in dance music (continued after the jump/tracklist) or at least do one throwback mix like this.

Tracklist:

[0:00] The Unknown – White Water
[2:50] I Found Peace (Matt Loopy RMX) – DJ Luka
[4:39] Dark Side of the Moon (Radio Cut) – Bastian & Ernesto
[6:37] Holding On to Nothing (Alex Gold 7″ Edit)[Alex Gold 7″ Edit] – Agnelli & Nelson
[10:05] Holding On (Above & Beyond Remix) – Ferry Corsten
[12:28] Must Be the Love (Dannic Remix) – Arty feat. Nadia Ali & BT
[17:20] Sleepyhead (Neo Tokyo Remix) – Passion Pit
[19:20] Turn It Gold (Ido Z Remix) – Hesta Prynn
[21:47] To U (feat. AlunaGeorge) – Jack U

(cont.) I wanted to do a mix that highlighted some of the electronic dance music (EDM) I grew up on or at least reflect some of its sound and spirit. Artists like BT, DJ Tiesto, ATB, Röyksopp, Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten, iiO (Nadia Ali), Scooter, Vincent De Moor, Junkie XL, Paul Oakenfold and Eiffel 65 to name a few, or rather a lot were some of the artists that ushered me into the world of dance music. These artists paved the way for the musicians that you now find on iTunes Top 20 Dance/EDM or whatever the top charts for that are today.

I remember this era (the late 90s and early-mid 00s) as a time when EDM was still very much a “European” thing and dance, house and trance music (while popular in some outlets like Detroit, San Francisco, Chicago) were still more like fringe movements. Today, a much smaller portion of electronic fans still follow trance releases (and some of the other off-shoots of EDM like eurotrance, eurodance, techno, happy hardcore, drum N’ bass etc.) as the mainstream mainly knows and wants to hear trap, house, dubstep, rap/rock/pop remixes or whatever is the hot sh*t advertisers and marketers are telling their brands to jump on NOW because rave culture is HOT! *rolls eyes (you ever notice/count all the dubstep and electronic in commercials, movies and TV shows in the past two years or so?)

Some of these artists I grew up on do still stay true to their original sound, but many have changed it while some expanded upon it (take DJ Tiesto for example). He has broken away from making the trance and “techno” that he first got famous from (“Traffic,” “Love Comes Again,” Ayla) and has transitioned more into dubstep, bass or more electronic style. Do not get me wrong I love all these genres and love the scape of dance music today; we needed EDM’s history to go down like this for us to get to the point where we are now. Where the US is now a major producer of dance music and, while we didn’t create dubstep (that was our neighbors “across the pond”), we definitely had a big hand in its growth, as an abundance of American DJs began spinning and creating it around 2009-2013, resulting in rarely ever a shortage of “generic” clubs playing the most played out of these songs to attract people wanting to “rave” the night away.