David Morales - Defmix

October 26 2007

Category: Mixsets

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Defmix productions. Defmix are producers of some of the finest house music that has been played in clubs. As part of their celebrations, Defmix have released a 3 disc CD featuring a collection of their remixes and original productions. This collection has been compiled and mixed by Defmix legends David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Hector Romero, and Satoshi Tomiie. More info on this release can be found on www.defected.com.

David Morales has also released an exclusive mixset to coincide with the promotion of the Defmix compilation. This is the mix featured here today. Morales has a diverse style. You may hear him playing sets of funky house with soaring vocals and choppy pianos–sort of the traditional house sound. Or you may hear his more progressive side coming through. Some of the tracks in this set have a distinct tribal feel to them. Other tracks have a deeper sound. I think this is a feature of a Morales set. Unlike some DJs who play a distinct style all night, David Morales works his way through a true journey which covers many of the major house sub-genres. This set gives you a snapshot of a night with David Morales.

Enjoy…

“Defmix” - mixed by David Morales
Play now (to download: right click, Save Target As). Note: This mix is 320kbps, so may lag on slow connections.


therobsta - “Lazy Sunday 1″

October 24 2007

Category: Mixsets

As promised, here is “Lazy Sunday 1″ from therobsta. The first track in this features a piano loop from a late 1970s TV show called “The Hill Street Blues”. This piano loop fits very nicely with the vocals in the track and provides a perfect way to start a set.

The music in this set has a classic house sound. Although its tempo is 128 BPM, which has become the norm for house tracks, it sounds a bit slower due to the laid back rhythms. House from the 1980s and early 1990s often sat around 118-125 BPM. This mix replicates the early house sound with sweet vocals, nice keyboards, and rich instrumentation featuring strings, horns, and other “real” sounding instruments.

In the next couple of days I will post therobsta’s “Lazy Sunday 2″, which is a nice follow up to this set.

“Lazy Sunday 1″ - mixed by therobsta
Play now (to download: right click, Save Target As)

In the mix with therobsta

October 16 2007

Category: Mixsets

The comments I have been making recently about the structure of a good mixset, and the theory behind the journey the DJ can provide is nicely represented in this exclusive set from therobsta. This set is a full 3 hours long and was produced specifically with the mixset journey in mind. Rob has chosen a specific starting point from which to start the journey and has purposefully woven a range of tracks together that belong nicely at that start. The start of the set is a remix of a classic rock track, which he runs in to an electro house style track with vocals that have a rockish type feel.

From this start the set takes you on an extended 3 hour journey. You will hear 3 distinct parts (or areas) in the set as you progress on your journey. This is the theory of a mixset journey. The first section sets up the mood, the middle section develops the music and takes you somewhere different. Then the final section returns to a similar style to the beginning.

In the next couple of days I’ll post “Lazy Sunday” 1&2, also from therobsta.

“The M1″ - “therobsta”
Play now (to download: right click, Save Target As)

In the mix with therobsta

October 9 2007

Category: Mixsets

Whether at home, in the car, or at a party, these 3 sets from Christchurch City DJ “therobsta” will uplift your day. I’ve been theorizing about the elements that make a good mixset. I’ll write about my theory at a later date, but I will say that it all centers around the progression, or journey, that a set takes you on. That will sound obvious to most DJs, but for non-DJs this will not be common knowledge. Anyway, the sets that Rob provides takes the listener on the most pleasant of musical journeys. And not only can these sets stand alone as well constructed suites of music, the 3 sets Rob has provided here work together to take the audience on an extended journey through all the sounds we have come to call “house”.

“Disco Heaven 2″ - “therobsta”
Play now (to download: right click, Save Target As)
“Twisted Disco Heaven 2″ - “therobsta”
Play now (to download: right click, Save Target As)
“Electro Heaven” - “therobsta”
Play now (to download: right click, Save Target As)