Want a well-designed newspaper? Go to Europe.

A lot of the so-called "mashups" that were all the rage a few years ago usually struck me as crass and unnecessary. However, there are a few that just clicked on a deeper level. One was the Beach Boys and Spacemen 3's Ecstasy Symphony which I had on my computer in college. That one has since vanished, as did the track below for a bit, but I managed to recover it from Fernando at My Own Language.

Superpitcher & Pet Shop Boys- Dry Heroin

A combination of "High and Dry" and one of Superpitcher's earlier successes, "Heroin." The two work together beautifully, and I've been listening to this on repeat. If anyone has a better version, do let me know.

I know this is out of my normal strike zone a bit, but don't miss this: Yo Majesty for Life. The highlight, in "Kryptonite," is an acapella version of the "Push it" hook. So focused.

DJ Koze vs Sid Le Rock- Naked (DJ Koze Remix)

For a limited time only-- a nice mix from Mike Shannon:

Mike Shannon- Live @ Loft Electroclub 27-01-2007

A Reuters interview with Tyler Brule, Chairman and EIC of Monocle-- my new favorite magazine. I just spent a good part of the weekend digesting it, and highly recommend picking up a copy. Next issue is out March 15th.

Jeff Samuel- I think they are trying to say something

Daft Punk- Make Love

Since I haven't been posting music as regularly as I'd like to, I'm inviting my good friend Kendra Borowski to contribute to the blog. She's a cracking good DJ (stay tuned for some online mixes), and has absolutely incredible taste in all types of music. I'll still be writing about media, branding, new tracks, etc.

Kiran Sande's new electronic music column at Fact magazine. Go read.

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland, February 19, 2007

Sorry I've been MIA. Some new tunes for you:

Hot Chip- No Fit State (Audion remix)
Herbert- The Audience (Martinez cosmic re-edit)

Thoughts on Iceland, the launch of Tyler Brule's Monocle magazine, etc forthcoming.

The essential second installment from My Cousin Roy's Wurst Edits series:

Runaway- Ain't Afraid to Beg

According to the one-sheet:

"Runaway is a Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based duo comprised of techno auteur Marcos Cabral (he of Trapez fame) and disco gadabout Jacques Renault (Editions Disco). Marcos didn’t want us to mention that when he was a teenager in the late 80s, he used to perform as a mime in downtown Manhattan so that he could save up enough money to buy turntables and a mixer. Jacques was a bit embarrassed to let out that he was conceived in the back of a limousine while his father was on a “diplomatic” mission in Monaco in the 70s. (He’s now the French ambassador to Zimbabwe and has no relation to the Renault automobile company.) Quite remarkably, this is their debut single."

???!!!

Back again from another trip out to LA, and every time I make the journey, it makes me realize how low consumer expectations have been lowered in regard to US domestic travel. A partial antidote: Engadget with a great, hands-on post re: Virgin America. Huge photoset here.

One of my favorite electronic acts in 2006, Cobblestone Jazz, just completed a session on Gilles Peterson's Worldwide. If you missed "India in Me" or "Dump Truck", hotfoot it to your local record emporium as soon as you can. Check out their live set here, and be on the lookout for more material to come on Wagon Repair this year. Also, well-placed sources tell me that Circlesquare has signed to the label following the demise of Output, and will be coming out with a new LP over the summer or so. Stay tuned for more.

Zaha Hadid's design for a new arts center in Dubai. Influx has more.

Just back from LA, and I must say there is nothing worse that swapping 80 degree Sunday drives through Malibu Canyon for these frigid temperatures in New York. Arg.

Anyhow- A hectic schedule has prevented me from posting a lot lately, but here are a few tracks I've been enjoying:

Deerhunter- Hazel St.
Six Organs of Admittance- School of the Flower

Building The Cicada Sings Our Love Song- Building Castles out of Matchsticks (Aidan Baker remix)