check it! • Brian's iPOD
THE TOP TRACKS
On this page, I'll be listing my favorite tracks on my iPod. These will change from time to time. If you have any track recommendations, please e-mail me using the Contact section of the website. Please note, that most of the music on my iPod is mostly DANCE MUSIC RELATED. There's a lot of old school dance classics, house classics and other rare dance oddities. Got one that I don't have listed? E-mail me and let me know!


Freemasons • Love On My Mind
Loaded Records • Released 2005
Okay, if you even remotely like dance music, THIS tune is surely one to get you on the floor. It's got that "Donna Summer in Pedalpushers" vibe with a healthy bit of that tweak business going on. I can't sit still on this when I hear it. It's a truely addictive track. This one will remain in the top tracks list. Freemasons got this SO right, it doesn't even need a remix. The vocals by Amanda Wilson keep you glued to your headphones. If you even see this on a CD, get it. You won't regret it. It's available on iTunes as well. =)
Faith Evans • Mesmerized (Freemasons Mix)
EMI Records UK • Released 2005
Well, the funky-fresh Freemasons are not letting up with Love On My Mind, they've flipped Faith Evans' Mesmerized, and believe me... if you heard the original off her album, which was slammin'.... this remix by the Masons will blow you out of the water. It sounds NOTHING like the original, and in my book, that a tough challenge. Also one to permanently stay in my list of top tracks. I hope faith is happy (as I'm sure she is) with this offering of her track. I've heard this at three clubs already, and the floor was MAD PACKED for the rest of the night after it was played. Keep it up Freemasons!
Phunk Nouveau • Whatever
Slip 'n' Slide • Released 2004
This song almost defies verbal description. The essence of the track itself lies in it's funky simplicity. It's house with that twisted disco, and classic radio "daze" feel added to it, but flexed enough for todays dancefloors. The vocals will resonate in your head long after the song is finished. In fact, you'll actually try to find other songs to put those lyrics in: "Whatever you say is all good... whatever you do is alright... never seem to be where I belong...." Trust me on this one. When I track this slab of vinyl down, you can bet I'll be spinning it out! Floorfiller.
André Kraml • Safari
Crosstown Rebels • Released 2004
This is one of those needles in the haystack. The track is very sharp, and has all the comforts of heads-up tech house. It has some of the Autechre-esque flavors in it to me... But, it's a track that you can really get your groove on to regardless of where you are. First time I heard it, was on Sasha's Fundacion NYC CD on iTunes... It's definitely one not to miss or dismiss.
Spiller • Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)
Positivia • Released 2000
I remember the first time I heard this... I nearly lost my mind. It's got that "jet-set" mentality written all over it, and those piano and guitar licks are the nectar of the track. If you're a serious clubhead, chances are you've already heard this one, but even so... it's something you'll be singing the lyrics long after it's left the speakers at your favorite club. It's a very Moloko sounding track. In fact, when I heard it, it was expertly blended in behind a Moloko track by Philly's own Josh Wink. I immediately had to know what that was... at the time, he had it on promo only. You'll find this one on a lot of the Ministry and Gatecrasher CDs. HOT!
Shakedown • Lovegames
Kitsuné Music • Released 2003
There are songs that have a dancefloor presence, and there are those that have everyone running to the dancefloor. Well, Lovegames by Shakedown has both of these qualities. It's infectous vocals by Samuel Wallis, and that choo-choo train chug-a-long beat is enough to make your head spin and your hips thrust and swivel. What may seem to be a basic house track to some, this is a welcome breath of fresh air from France. I challenge you to sit still while this one is on. I don't know anyone who can, personally. I'll be keeping my ears out for the next Shakedown track! Viva La France!
Mylo • Drop The Pressure
Kitsuné Music • Released 2003
Take the nice clean, crystal, spotless sound of a bass guitar, and run it through an Atari 2600, and you'll have the bitcrushed hook of Mylo's 20003 sleeper hit "Drop The Pressure". Fresh from Breastfed Recordings out of Scotland. That foulmouthed vocal of "Muthaf-er's Droppin' Tha Preshaaaaaa...." will have you going insage at the sound of any Mario Bros.-style beat. This is what I like in my dance music. Simple, easily accessible hooks, that leave an imprint on the mind. The music that surrounds it will play like a mixtape that won't eject from your boombox. Breaker's paradise, 8-bit retrofuturistic goodness, Boom!
Triple X • Feel The Same
Tinted Records • Released 1999
There's a vibe that's been creeping into quite a few tunes lately... Old 70's funk guitar. You'll hear it in most of the tracks listed on this very page. I can't put my finger on it, but if you look at Triple X's "Feel The Same" track, it's got a "Hall & Oates" style from the 70s-80s era. But, this track chugs ahead of the rest by that slick vocal hook "Your love is my guiding light, that sees me right, and don't you know..." This is an unforgettable house monster. I've seen the bar area empty out of a club, because this one came on. Why? Those same guitars, mixed with synths, and that 4-on-the-floor choo choo beat! An unbreakable formula, when crafted right, and it seems Triple X got it, spot on. Uplifting and Soulful!
Mocean Worker • Hey Baby
Palm Pictures • Released 2000
Mocean's 2000 release of his Aural & Hearty was just that. And one track caught my attention more than the others. Hey Baby is that track that you'd hear in NYC on a Saturday afternoon, back in 1982 when a cardboard box became the dancefloor, and the whole block became your nightclub... all that while the sun is shining too The scratches in the track are super hot, and have that Red Alert Meets Mix Master Mike vibe all over it, and the breaker beats used on every turntablist's battle records. The vocal commentary on the track is the fun and funky style that reminds you of Bootsy Collins. This is one track that's for the dancfloor masters to strut their stuff, and pull off those windmills. Wicked!
Madison Avenue • Don't Call Me Baby
Vicious Grooves • Released 1999
Disco house... and from Australia at that! Bet you didn't know that's where Madison Avenue is from. Yep, this is the first dance music act to top the charts in the UK. Cheyne Coates vocals are addicting, and makes you think of that girl you want to get next to, while Andy Van is the man behind the music, and masterfully so! This has been on my iPod for as long as I can remember. This track is always a crowd pleaser regardless of where it's played. Let's hope this one becomes as timeless as Rob Base's It Takes two. I want to hear more from these two, and let's keep the quirky-disco-throbbers coming, okay mate? HOT!
This listing will be updated as I come across new music. All the tracks listed this month are available on iTunes.