Author Archives: Michael Serratore

The Chill Dojo #138

‘Fantasy’ was one of the standout chill tunes of 2014, and just a month after the release of the long-awaited Urban Flora EP, another batch of stellar remixes are set to reinvigorate the passion for the original masterpiece from Alina Baraz and Galimatias. Doing the honors in kicking off Dojo #138 with the first featured remix is a familiar name from Moving Castle in Vices. Representing the innovative brand of future sounds this collective champions, their interpretation is as glorious as you’ve come to expect. In a clever use of space and variation, the imaginative pair combine all the beautiful ambient elements of the original with their signature melodic progression and colorful bursts of delightful bass. For an entirely different spin on the track, TEEMID brings the deep house heat he knows all too well. While energetic dance floor vibes are undoubtedly the intention here, the whimsical sensations of the original are certainly not forgone, resulting in a sultry feel well suited to the later hours of the evening.

Another highlight of last year was Flight Facilities’ massive release ‘Heart Attack’, and to hear a remix from the legendary Snakehips this week could be nothing less than front page news. In perfect sync with the deep emotion in Owl Eyes’ vocals, our beloved UK duo craft impeccably smooth waves of silky groove in ways that only they know how. Adding to the list of stunning vocal treatment for this edition is Chet Porter and his magical rendition of Ember Island’s iconic cover. This is musical wonderment in all its beauty, with percussive builds straying from the path of the generic, and instead leading to soundscapes of hidden forest clearings that cast such vivid scenes in the listener’s mind.

Just one of many surprises you might find as you make your way down this week’s playlist. Peace out.

’Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Fantasy (Vices Remix)’
’Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Fantasy (TEEMID Remix)’
’Flight Facilities – Heart Attack feat. Owl Eyes (Snakehips Remix)’
’Jack Ü/Ember Island – Where Are Ü Now (Chet Porter Remix)’
’Tove Lo – Talking Body (SYRE Remix)’
’Patawawa – Back To Life feat. Roman Kouder (LBCK Remix)’
’Caius – Things Gonna Be Okay’
’Mr. Carmack – Makoto’
’duckwrth – time travel (carmack remix)’
’starRo – I WILL Ft. Jay Prince’
’GoldLink – Dance On Me (PYRMDPLAZA Remix)’
’French Kiwi Juice – Instant Need (Turbo Suit Remix)’
’Lotus – Bubonic Tonic (Turbo Suit Remix)’
’Point Point – You Will Never Know’
’Hex Cougar – Sweet Dreams’
’Snoop Dogg – Sensual Seduction (Autolaser & PLS&TY Remix)’
’Young Brother – Kamikaze (Kill Them With Colour Remix)’
’Two Can – Pressing On Ft. Erin Marshall’
’oshi – call me’
’Vaults – One Last Night (SMLE Remix)’
’CRWNS – Vibe Machine’
’Fossa Beats – U Know’
’CMA – So Far Away ft. Wonder (Original Mix)’
’EDEN – Nocturne’
’Crywolf – Shrike (Niko The Kid VIP Edit)’
’filous – Shaded In ft. Jordan Léser’
’kan g – Eclipse’
’The Internet – Girl ft. KAYTRANADA’
’The Internet – Special Affair (E.DOZA Remix)’
’Memeb – Wating For You ft. Jahkoy’
’Moullinex – Take A Chance (Satin Jackets Remix)’
’Pat Va Dyke – Talk To Em (Moods Remix feat Efe)’
’Matrixxman – Annika’s Theme’
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The Chill Dojo #137

We’re all about bringing that smile to your Monday, and Deon Custom has plenty to be grinning about this week as he officially enters the Monstercat family with his new single ‘Roses’. Top of the world and top of our humble playlist, this is a future-filled tune that is bursting with color and dreamy melodies that drift along in waves of happiness. And while we’re talking maritime vibes, the always bubbly Grynpyret gifts us with another charming manifestation of his imagination in ‘Boba Beach’. A song this sweet and addictive cannot be good for you, but there’s just no resisting all the bright elements that form this glimpse into blissful paradise.

The Noisy Freaks are well known for their ability to bring the funk with their quality remixes, but this week they’ve shaken things up a notch with a true diversification of their production game. Maintaining groove at the heart of everything they do, their take on Clairity’s ‘Sharks In The Swimming Pool’ unsuspectingly builds towards an explosive dose of future bass that will have you believe they’ve been making it from the very start. Expertly paced from start to finish, the lyrics are given plenty of time to shine between the moments of uncontrollable dancing. In much the same way, the original female vocals form the heart of this next track from XXYYXX’s new side project Icterine. Don’t be lured into a false sense of security by its ambient beginnings, because this track is driven by emotional moments of synth heavy crescendo that give no warning. A roller-coaster journey of reflection and powerful expression, this is a unique piece of music unlike anything we’ve heard before.

Your cure for Monday blues extends way beyond that though, so make sure to soak up every moment of joyful listening below. Peace out.

’Deon Custom – Roses’
’Grynpyret – Boba Beach’
’Clairity – Sharks In The Swimming Pool (The Noisy Freaks Remix)’
’Allie X – Tumor (Icterine Remix)’
’EZRA – Better’
’One T & Cool T – The Magic Key (LeMarquis & FAB Remix)’
’Jengi Beats – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough feat. CJ’
’Jengi Beats x Mill – Choices’
’Tom Misch – Sunshine’
’Daktyl – Stay (Machinedrum Remix) feat. Dive Deep’
’Glimpse – Ambitions’
’Jessie Ware – Cruel (Klaves Remix)’
’Antony & Cleopatra – Take Me (Pat Lok ‘Yukon Funk’ Mix)’
’Moon Boots – Magic’
’Bag Raiders – Vapour Trails’
’The Chainsmokers – Roses ft. Rozes (Original Mix)’
’Omniment – Collapse’
’Masego x Medasin – Shut Up & Groove’
’Chelsea Jade – Night Swimmer (Tetleyroad Remix)’
’Bon Iver – perth (mi ka remix)’
’AK & Mapps – Life Cycle’
’Taku – Long Time No See ft. Atu (Ekali Remix)’
’Taku – Long Time No See feat. Atu (Le Nonsense ‘Heart Club’ Mix)’
’Elijah – Poison (Good Life Remix)’
’George Ezra – Barcelona (Calper Remix)’
’Men I Trust – Break For Lovers Ft. Helena’
’Golden Vessel – Borrowed Time (ft. Tiana Khasi)’
’DEFFIE + ROM – Jumpsuit’
’Da P dabeatx – First To Know (feat. River Tiber)’
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[Chill] Cosmic Quest – Synchronicity ft. Lolaby

Cosmic Quest
Synchronicity ft. Lolaby

The music game is a crazy business that connects people in many different ways, but there’s something inherently special about songs that are created from something as simple as friends hanging out. ‘Synchronicity’ is a collaboration that encompasses a pure love for music and channels that into waves of complex wonder. Where Cosmic Quest paints a canvas of color with his galactic ambience and orchestral vibes, the silky vocals of Lolaby guide us through this astral journey, drawing us deeper and deeper into the dream-like atmosphere. There’s a sweetness to it all that could only come from two artists whose thoughts and creativity are on the same wavelength, and it’s this synchronization that leaves us fairly confident this won’t be the last we hear from this pair of cosmic cats.

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[Nu-disco] Ferraz – Delirious EP

The team over at Heroic Recordings have been steadily growing their versatility of late, and now to further bolster their selection of sounds comes a fresh face in Ferraz. The Venezuelan talent will take little time in convincing you exactly why he was a name that needed to be added to the roster, courtesy of the newly released Delirious EP. Teaming up with local vocalist Alissa Maria, the pair deliver a package showcasing two different sides to their musical repertoire.

‘More Than That’ is all about the funk, letting the charming vocals shine alongside suave guitar licks and layers of buttery synths that are all too easy on the ears. This one radiates a warmth that perfectly captures the summer vibe that is so addictive this time of year. On the flip-side we have the more chilled approach of ‘So Delirious’, which heroes a subtle groove to complement the sultry take on the lyrical front. It’s certainly an EP of Yin and Yang, coming together to form a whole that will satisfy your needs on every level.

You can add this one to your own collection via Heroic Recordings today.

’Ferraz – More Than That (ft. Alissa Maria)’
’Ferraz – So Delirious (ft. Alissa Maria)’
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The Chill Dojo #136

We start the week in an ambient frame of mind with NJ producer weird inside crafting a delicately detailed interpretation of the legendary Flying Lotus’ ‘puppet talk’. You can definitely hear all the wonderful intricacies that went into making this song, coming together to form a uniquely chilled experience and a refreshing start to the playlist. What’s even more welcome news is a new one from another legend in Mr Carmack. Teaming up with the sultry voice of Kehlani, this is a classic RnB track in the making that oozes masterful production from start to finish. The emotional buildup in ‘Book Of Us’ will lure you into thinking you’re in for a similarly soothing journey in this next feature, but those familiar with the work of Denver native Said The Sky will know to expect a twist somewhere along the road. That comes as the gorgeous piano fulfills its crescendo into a pulsating trap breakdown that lets its feelings sink right down to the core. It’s one of those rare moments in music that catches the listener off-guard and elicits a moment of intense awe.

It’s a lot to take in, so we follow up with a piece that is pure easy listening from the multi-talented Tom Misch. A title like ‘Home’ could only ever be shooting for that nostalgic vibe, and he’s right on target with an acoustically led jam that goes right for the soft spot. The smooth delight doesn’t end there though, as we’ve got his sweet little remix of Kiko Bun to follow up with a splash of reggae that we’ve been missing for so long.

It’s a very different feature to what we’ve seen recently in the Dojo, but there’s always opportunity to mix things up when mellow vibes are the inspiration. Peace out.

’flying lotus – puppet talk (weird inside remix)’
’Mr Carmack – All In, with Kehlani’
’Said The Sky – Book Of Us (ft. Mothica)’
’Tom Misch – Home’
’Kiko Bun – Where I’m From (Tom Misch Remix)’
’ThisIsJBird – What We Do’
’sam gellaitry – foolish’
’Moods – U Got Me’
’fetty wap – trap queen (oshi remix)’
’Miami Horror – Love Like Mine (Bee’s Knees Remix)’
’Sevyn Streeter – Don’t Kill The Fun ft. Chris Brown (Lindsay Lowend Remix)’
’Angela Via – Catch Me If You Can (Pikachu’s Vacation) (Maxo Bombmix)’
’AO & JW & MK Ft. MJ – Diamonds For Breakfast (Kidswaste & Rhoda & Orwell Remix)’
’Harrison – You’re Light (Feat. Maddee)(Star Slinger Remix)’
’J Louis – STAY’
’J Louis – 22’
’Krs. x Romby x Tierra Wilson – Cha Cha Refix’
’ctrl+r – 22’
’Airia – Sugar’
’PACES – Hold It Down Feat Reija Lee’
’San Holo – Hiding (Clishé Remix)’
’Shy Luv – Brave’
’Basenji – Petals (feat. Scenic)’
’Jai Wolf – Indian Summer’
’J.G.F – In Control’
’No Mana – Momentarily’
’Oh Wonder – All We Do (Tontario Remix)’
’Viceroy – Back At The Start Ft K.Flay (Honest Remix)’
’Kaskade – Never Sleep Alone (Louis The Child Remix)’
’Tora – Jaigantic (Daniele Di Martino Remix)’
’Huntar – Autumn’
’Sizzlebird – Keep Me Warm’
’Audile – Serenity’
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The Chill Dojo #135

It’s the first Dojo of the 2015 Summer season, and we’re celebrating with a playlist just shy of 50 tracks to kick off our favorite time of the year. Heralding in this momentous occasion is French duo Saje who have crafted some ear candy that nails the feeling we’re going for. Silky vocals and floating acoustic melodies build the warm sensations befitting of our first Summer feature, before an incredibly unique percussive breakdown takes over to delight your mind in ways you wouldn’t believe. One tune that couldn’t wait for this edition is LUCA LUSH’s uplifting take on ‘Tell Me’ by Atlas Bound. In case you missed the write up earlier in the week, we’ve been big advocates of all the forward-thinking remixes in his portfolio so far, and this is yet another example of creativity being at the center of everything he does. Where the original chose the slow route through jazzy undertones, energetic brass transforms this interpretation into an experience of fiery passion.

We’re certainly not ignoring the power of a slow jam though, and MaLuca will prove exactly that with a sun-kissed track in ‘Everything You Do’. The young Irish artist promises more easy listening material to come very soon, but until then we’ll be quite content to lay back and relax with this soothing guitar washing over us. No need to get up, because we’re moving onto more serene vibes courtesy of Dojo newcomer Kids Waste. ‘Underwater’ does just as its title suggests and plunges you into a pool of care-free feelings delicately layered with splashes of nostalgic melodies. If you’re keen to hear more of his musical talent, you’ll find a few extra additions from him as the playlist progresses into the future-focused tracks. Before that though, we’ve still got plenty of sun to soak up with beachside tunes like this latest original from Tep No. If there was ever a song that was waiting for Summer to hit, then ‘Pacing’ would be exactly that, so there’s no better time to be enjoying this one than right now.

It may seem like a season’s worth of music delivered in one hit, but rest assured the coming weeks will be bursting with even more blissful sounds. Peace out.

’Saje – About You’
’ATLAS BOUND – TELL ME (LUCA LUSH REMIX)’
’MaLuca – Everything You Do’
’Kidswaste – Underwater’
’Tep No – Pacing’
’Yale – City Feeling (Omniment Remix)’
’Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On (Axmod Remix)’
’SIMIOLI & PROVENZANO FEAT. SCARLET – Ain’t No Sunshine (Deep Chills Remix)’
’Peter And The Wolf – Safe Travels (Haukjem Remix)’
’Patrick Baker – Present Tense’
’Tourist – Waves’
’Jengi Beats – Jacka Jacka’
’Esta – Childish People (ft. Masego)’
’Thijs bos – Feng Huang’
’Thijs bos – Lucy’
’Kidswaste – Sunshine’
’Madeon – Beings (Kidswaste Flip)’
’Geek Boy – Don’t Wanna Leave Your Side (Original Mix)’
’Geek Boy – We Can Run Away (Original Mix)’
’Buji – RedEye’
’Buji – Fortress’
’Electric Mantis – Pacific’
’popcorn_10 – dennis’
’Julien Mier – ‘dappled damp’ (popcorn_10 remix)’
’Sam Gellaitry – Waiting So Long (CRNKN Remix)’
’james deen – An Unwritten Love Letter To Summer Roberts’
’james deen – Cupcakes For Lips’
’Gladkill x KRNE – Show You’
’funkshway – come with me’
’funkshway – a hope i wish i could create’
’Crywolf – Neverland (feat. Charity Lane)’
’Nightizm & Polar Youth – LFS’
’Laura Brehm & Evoke – Future Holds’
’mi ka – i´ll be good (mi ka flip)’
’Bon Iver – Skinny Love (JR Nelson Remix)’
’XO – U & I (feat. Shay Lia)’
’Kartell – Falling (Feat. Tom Bailey)’
’Kartell – Mood’
’Kartell – All Night’
’William French – Solstice’
’Syn Cole – It’s You (Panic City Remix)’
’Fetty Wap – Trap Queen (Figgy Remix)’
’Claire – Games (Henry Krinkle Remix)’
’Major Lazer – Be Together (feat. Wild Belle)’
’Giorgio Moroder – Déjà Vu (featuring Sia) (salute Remix)’
’Sorcha Richardson – Petrol Station’
’Tulpa – From, sky Ft. Yaeji’
’Headphone Activist – Ocean Floors.’
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The Chill Dojo #134

Chill music can make us forget the world, yearn to explore it, conjure intense memories of home. Somehow Grynpyret has managed to do all three in the one song, bottling up all the glorious sentiments of wonderment contained in Ryan Hemsworth’s ‘Snow in Newark’ and casting his own enchanting spell within. It’s whimsical and light-hearted, with a selection of sounds and phenomenal drums that paint a canvas of imagery that you won’t ever want to let go. We drift from one beautiful scene to the next with Izzard’s sublime creation in ‘Port Town’. This sleepy melody is the beginning of your adventure, a dream that feels like reality, the soundscape of calm waves glistening in the sun. In short, pure magic. Parkinson White knows about crafting these feelings all too well, and has let his creativity come to life through the emotion-filled ‘The Lament of Sif’. For some, the references will hit home here, but for everyone else the captivating atmosphere will be enough to get lost within.

Still on that nostalgic vibe, NY producer Vesper amps things up a little with an infusion of future bass over this classic from Teedra Moses. It’s the perfect combination of sultry lyrics, smooth beats and playful orchestral plucks to massage your ears into pure serenity. We couldn’t let the book close on this write-up without mention of the next two jamming beats from Flip-D. They’re all about the positive feelings we want to emanate in Dojo #134, gearing you up for whatever this week will bring.

It’s as much about cherishing the past as it is feeling ready to take on what’s next. Peace out.

’Ryan Hemsworth – Snow In Newark (Grynpyret Remix)’
’Izzard – Port Town’
’Parkinson White – The Lament Of Sif’
’Teedra Moses – Be Your Girl (Vesper Remix)’
’Flip D – Radiate’
’Flip D – Corridors of Time’
’Jengi Beats – Have Mercy On Me’
’Kehlani – Down For You (Gravez & Nehzuil Remix)’
’Kehlani – The Way (Minorstep X WE SINK Remix)’
’Kanye West – Wolves (KRNE remake ft. MOONZz)’
’Romos – Virgo’
’Galantis – Runaway (DJ Mustard Remix)’
’Boxed In – Mystery (Pat Lok ‘Yukon Soul’ Mix)’
’Oh Wonder – Lose It (Jerry Folk Remix)’
’Holy Models – Lessons (Falcon Punch Remix)’
’Kartell – Attracted’
’Syn Cole – It’s You (The Rooftop Boys Remix)’
’Lif3blood – Like The Sunshine Ft Kate Miller (Radio Edit)’
’Freak Island ft. Devvon Terrell – Lifestyle (Rich Gang Cover)’
’Years & Years – King (Gryffin Remix)’
’Direct – Memory Feat. Holly Drummond (Mr FijiWiji Remix)’
’Stonefox – Arrow’
’Alex Brittan – (Can’t) Relax’
’KUČKA – Flux 98’
’DIVERSA – Water For Your Heart’
’cln – Left Behind’
’Idle Mind – Close’
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