Premiere: Happy Mondays – “Hallelujah” (Lifelike Club Remix)

Lifelike

Discovered by Manchester musical bon vivant Tony Wilson, of Factory Records fame, at The Haçienda in the ’80s, Madchester rave band Happy Mondays influenced a generation through their meld of rock-meets-dance songs and kinetic live performances. French DJ/producer Lifelike (a.k.a. Laurent Ash) counts himself one of the band’s diehard admirers. In fact, his fondness for the Mondays is so strong that he took it upon himself to craft a rousing remix of their classic breakthrough track “Hallelujah” — a single from their 1989 Madchester Rave On EP — which we are honored to world premiere. Even better is that his homage to the acid-house gem is a free download you can grab and enjoy.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the birth of rave culture in the late ’80s,” the Parisian mixmaster tells us, “especially Factory Records which I have an unlimited admiration for the quality of their releases with bands like New Order, Joy Division and The Happy Mondays. I thought I would giveaway this revisited DJ remix I did for Happy Mondays biggest club hit ‘Hallelujah.’ Hope this will bring back some good 1989 Summer Of Love vibes on your turntables!”

Premiere: Christian Smith & Wehbba – “Passion Over Fashion 2.1”

Christian Smith Wehbba Passion Over Fashion Big Shot Magazine interview

Tronic’s 200th release is here — get excited! Label boss Christian Smith and Brazil phenom Wehbba have joined forces once again to craft the latest installment of their heralded “Passion Over Fashion” series. Their new three-track Passion Over Fashion 2.1 EP is inspired by the indelible influence Detroit has had on their production style and musical sensibilities, and we’re extremely pleased to world premiere the blindingly excellent title track. Check out the blazing cut below and read a fascinating conversation the techno titans recently had where they discussed their ongoing collaborative relationship, analog vs. digital production and much more.

Premiere: Ceasefire Vs Deadly Avenger – “Evel Knievel” (12″ Mix)

PIAS-REMIXED

Back in the day remix compilations were something to get excited about because they featured alternate versions or vinyl-only interpretations that were often impossible to find. [PIAS] Remixed, which is out today, does a yeoman’s job of digging through PIAS’s massive vault of re-rubs and cherrypicking a compendium brimming with remixes by a litany of artists. The tracklisting runs the gamut from dance floor classics by Jacques Lu Cont (Tiga), Cassius (Les Rhythmes Digitales), Justice (Mr Oizo), Jakatta (Röyksopp), Propellerheads (Infadels) and Tom Middleton (Amp Fiddler) to new schoolers reimagining cuts by Disclosure (Crystal Fighters), Gesaffelstein (The Hacker), Daniel Avery (D/R/U/G/S) and Purple Disco Machine (Claptone). We’re pleased to world premiere Ceasefire Vs Deadly Avenger‘s big beat nugget initially released in 1998 on Wall of Sound from the release. A party tune wielding razor-sharp breakbeats, turntable scratches galore and funky samples for days, this sucker still kicks ass.

Premiere: Mustii – “The Cave”

Mustii the cave

Brussels-based Mustii is one of those ridiculously talented multihyphenates who does many things very well. A singer-songwriter who also acts and directs, this month the quadruple threat steps out with his The Darkest Night debut EP for Kid Noize’s Black Gizah Records. What’s immediately evident on our world premiere of “The Cave” is the emerging one-named phenom’s penchant for the ’80s. Over melodic synths and killer groove inspired by artists from the magical era, he adds his own contemporary twist by way of his emotive voice, heartfelt lyrics and evocative hooks. If you don’t catch Mustii in three upcoming movies and a TV series, then look for him at several festivals in the spring and summer.