What the normal, pop-top 40 listening public isn't aware of when they hear about "electronica" is that there are literally hundreds of styles of electronic music. You may not like techno, but you might like house. You may find DUB to be interesting, since it uses a lot of Jamaican-type musical features. And for all the people who hate "dance music" but LOVE most of the pop music from the 80's - you, my friend, actually DO like dance music: Human League's "Don't You Want Me Baby" and the ubiquitous "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics are both "synthpop" creations, one of the subsets of house music.
Before we go any farther, I would just like to throw one more thing at you Greeks (and I'm not talking from the isle of Greece - I mean the Sorority Sisters and Fraternity Brothers): I'm sure 99% of you have grinded on each other and made out while Pitbull's "I Know You Want Me" blasted in the background. What you may not be aware of, and what Mr. Pitbull himself mentions in his first lyrics, is that the music is actually straight from a song released by producer/DJ Nicola Fasano titled "75 Street Brazil."
Pitbull's Version:
...and here's the real deal:
So, that's a small introduction.
Onward and upward. I am nowhere near as knowledged in all the forms of electronic as I am about, say, Madonna (another dance queen, may I add), but I do know that once I got into the genre and started searching around, I found SO many interesting producers and DJs that are putting GREAT music out into the world...sadly, most of it is confined in Europe, but the really awesome stuff sometimes makes its way to the USA. I feel that a very good place to start this discussion would be with a hot trio of house producers: The Swedish House Mafia.
One of my favorite producers is Axwell, a man from Sweden who is one of the top 20 DJ's performing and remixing today (as reported by DJMag.com). I first heard of him when I was looking for remixes of Madonna's "Jump" off the Confessions on a Dancefloor album. His version of "Jump" was an instant favorite of man, and remains one of my most-listened to songs on my iPod. His music is usually very bubbly, a bright mix of summer rhythms and shimmering synths. His beats are composed of pretty regular drum beats, not much weird stuff like electronic clicks and bangs, and he likes to use voice in his music, which is an added plus for me. I strongly suggest that you check him out for a nice intro into house music.
AXWELL:
Feel the Vibe:
I Found U:
Watch the Sunrise:
Another one of the DJs from this hot, sexy trio of Swedes is Steve Angello. His music is a little more tech than Axwell, more electronic sounds and short blips. Still plenty of synths to get by, and definitely a summer-y feel. He doesn't appear to use singing as much in his original works, although he has several remixes out of pop standards. I'm not as familiar with Steve Angello, but I do know he recently released a new version of Robin S.'s popular 1993 song "Show Me Love," with Laidback Luke, another DJ/producer that's pretty hot and could be used for a different approach to a drag show. Currently I'm listening to tracks "Isabel," "Tivoli," and "Monday" from his album The Yearbook.
Robin S. - Show Me Love (with Laidback Luke)
Monday (Vocal Mix):
Moby- Raining Again (Steve Angello Remix)
...which leads us to the final hottie, with perhaps the sexiest name of all three: Sebastian Ingrosso. Ah, yes, an Italian name, but a Swedish boy. Sebastian MOST of the time has music with the same steady, non-frantic beat of house music, but some of stuff almost borders on trance because of the build-ups and use of faster beats. He still uses great summer time melodies, but his music is perhaps the most synthy of the three. He has great bass lines to carry his music, and it seems that he loves the cymbal. Not my personal favorite of the three, but he's doing his thing.
Get it Back
Body Crash (with SHM Steve Angello)
Laktos
Well, reader, this is just part one of many lessons on "electronic" music that is to come. My hope is that if you are not a fan of dance, house, whatever music, at least after looking at these blogs you may be able to find at least one DJ that you like. If you are already a lover of the music as I am, then maybe I can help you find new DJs that you enjoy. Learning about music is ALWAYS a good thing!
NOTICE!! If YOU have any awesome DJs/producers that you want me to know about, please comment and leave me a link or give me a name. I'd love to hear what you know about!
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