Liquid Drum & Bass, House & Techno 💦🥁

Label Worx debuts with drum & bass essentials. We’ve also got the best of electro house and dark techno!

 

Label Worx is a UK-based company providing a wide selection of services specifically designed for independent dance labels. They provide a solid platform that enables creative minds to efficiently manage many areas of running a record label leaving them more time to concentrate on the music. They heavily support Drum & Bass and Breakbeat music, and their debut mixtape for Pacemaker consists of an essential Liquid Drum & Bass compilation. Push play and dive into the smoother side of DnB!

 

 

In the beginning there was @raadnatrix and he had a groove. From this groove came the grooves of all grooves. While one day viciously throwing down on his box, he boldly declared: “let there be house”! And house music was born. He is the creator and this is his house, but he is not so selfish, because once you enter his house, it then becomes your house and your house music.

 

 

@darktechno_lo is a highly promising new member of our community, especially if you’re into the darker and deeper side of techno and harsher industrial sounds. This brutal debut mixtape got a strong concept and harmonic mixing while showcasing the best of underground techno. Perfect for a weekend rave!

5+2 house classics that shaped Dirty Disco Radio’s taste in music

We asked Kono Vidovic, the host of Dirty Disco Radio to select 5 of his all-time house classics that helped him shape his taste. As a DJ, he enjoys playing music for people but occasionally he also likes to talk about it and express his feelings in a more verbal way. Writing about his favourites is a real treat but also a difficult task to get done. Let’s see his picks 😉

 

When you ask a DJ what his 5 favorite tracks at this moment or from the last year are, they can easily think of a few tracks they played a lot in their sets. Naming just 5 tracks isn’t easy, so I won’t be just calling my broad music knowledge. I’m combining this with my feelings and let them take control. You have to remember that house music is a feeling, so let my feelings speak to you through these 5 tracks.

 

1. Soulsearcher – Can’t Get Enough (1998)

 

 

The very first release on one of my favorite dance music record labels, if not THE best dance record company in the world. When Defected started 19 years ago, they released this track which instantly transformed into a chart-breaker in the UK. It was an instant success for the UK-based label.

The minute I heard and bought this track (at that time on vinyl), I fell in love with not only the track – which you never can get enough of 😉 – but also with Defected. Since then I started to follow the label, which was a big inspiration and helped me shape my own sound through the years.

This track still defines that summer feeling. House music vocals always had a great attraction to me as long as they were special, had something unique and powerful. Can’t Get Enough is a track which still works in a DJ set, depending on where you are and which season you are in. Just the thought of grooving to this track on a warm and sunny beach somewhere in Croatia, holding a fresh, cold drink… gives me the goosebumps!

 

2. Moby – Go (Woodtick Mix) (1991)

 

 

From the very first note, this house classic gives me the goosebumps. Moby has been a producer I followed from the beginning. Back in the days, he was already very exceptional in his sound. Back in the 90’s people lived and thought in boxes. Nowadays that is completely gone and it does not matter what you do as long as it sounds fat. Moby was a producer that certainly influenced the dance music scene with his sound. And for sure was a big inspiration for me creating my sound as a DJ.

 

3. Armand Van Helden –  You Don’t Know Me (1998)

 

 

Armand Van Helden is a real mastermind, his catalog of produced music is proof of that. If you asked me to name 10 of my favorite house classics just from Armand Van Helden, that would be no problem. From those tracks, ‘You Don’t Know Me’ is one that always went with me in my record bag. Even now, I always have it with me on my USB.

What makes this track so special is the beat where claps and snares play the most important part. Together with the stabbing sample it creates a very unique sound that you don’t hear a lot. Once the vocals come in, you are grabbed and it won’t let you go. Not only the great singing but also the lyrics played an important role for me. It taught me that nobody really knows who you are, and that it’s up to you to get to know yourself first.

 

4. Jaydee – Plastic Dreams (1993)

 

 

A track that I consider not only as one of the most inspirational and well-known classics of all time, but also a track that made me very proud. The Netherlands have always played a big role in dance music and many great names in the scene come from our little country. Back then and nowadays still we deliver great artists. Jaydee was one of those artists who helped putting The Netherlands even more on the map as a leading house music country. Robin Albers a.k.a Jaydee literally turned the dance music world upside down with this track. What makes it special is that it shows that the beat isn’t even the most important part of the track and it’s still house music. The bells, the organ together with the beat, create a perfect atmosphere and are the infrastructure of one of the best classics ever. Depending on your audience, but when they are 30+ you can play this track in your set and believe me, you will give them a party to remember.

 

5. Shakedown – At Night

 

 

If you ask me what my all-time favorite vocal is, Shakedown ‘At Night’ will be the answer! Once again a Defected release which certainly proves their great taste in music. This track always and still goes with me wherever I go. Which is easy to say, now that we have mobile phones and Spotify. 😉  On the vinyl EP there was the original and a couple of remixes by Mousse T, Kid Creme and Alan Braxe. It also featured an acapella version, which I used a lot in my sets. The acapella is perfect for teasing your audience a bit before you mix in the original version. A lot of DJs still use the acapella, for example Roger Sanchez (well-known for his classic ‘Another Chance’, which is also a Defected release from 2001) uses the acapella a lot in his sets.

Shakedown – At Night is as they say with food: something you can wake me up for in the middle of the night.

 

The naughty DJ in me.

I guess it’s in the name Dirty Disco Radio, so therefore I’m playing it a bit dirty right now. I have been asked for 5 tracks, but to narrow down all these beautiful house classics to just 5 great tracks is a bit of a torture for a DJ. 🙂 And once I start talking about music and playing music, I just can’t shut up. So here are two more beautiful house music classics. 

 

6. Harddrive – Deep Inside (1993)

 

 

Sometimes you have those tracks that are plain and simple but so solid. This is a track that grabbed me in the early days because of its solid groove with that characteristic sound. The vocals just complete everything and melt the whole track down as a very solid groover which still gets played a lot, in one of the many remixes or the original. Personally, the original is my favorite. If you are touching this track in a remix, it better be more than good and respectful to the original. The track was released on another major dance music record label. Strictly Rhythm was just like Defected, one of those house music labels that knew what house should sound like and influenced the scene with their releases.

 

7. David Guetta Ft Chris Willis – Just A Little More Love

 

 

If you want to get to know David Guetta before he became that big superstar DJ in EDM and the very commercial side of the scene you should listen to his collaboration with Chris Willis who did the goose bump vocals for this beautiful electronic banger! What grabbed me mostly in this track? The lyrics. We should give a little more love. The electronic vibe that this track has is really special with a 4 x 4 kickdrum. Just like the earlier mentioned acapella of Shakedown – At Night. David Guetta – Just a Little More Love also has an acapella version on the EP. Perfect for teasing, pleasing and creating that loving house music vibe.

 

My end plea.

I really hope you enjoyed my selections for Pacemaker. If you did, feel free to support us by sharing this post on your social channels. I could continue talking about music, and I will do so in my weekly podcast called ‘Dirty Disco Radio‘.

Thank you for reading and listening. I would like to make use of the occasion to give you a personal positive message. Which is also the reason why I picked this last track.

Remember, that all this world need is:

“Just a little more love, Just a little more peace, is all it takes to live the dream.
To walk hand and hand, we’ve got to understand. And one day soon, we’ll live in harmony.”

 

Kono Vidovic.

 

DIM MAK Takeover, Trap & Deep House 🎶

Steve Aoki’s DIM MAK drops first mixtape, an extravagant selection of trap sounds

 

 

In 1996, Steve Aoki founded DIM MAK and developed it into an influential independent record label and music lifestyle brand. Responsible for launching the careers of seminal acts such as Bloc Party, The Bloody Beetroots, The Chainsmokers, Deorro, Keys N Krates and countless others, the independently owned DIM MAK has consistently pushed new musical movements via its staunch DIY ethos. With a back catalog hundreds of records deep, a history of legendary live events, and a fully formed clothing line, DIM MAK continues its global mission of promoting boundary-pushing music and culture ‘by any means necessary’. DIM MAK has now landed in Pacemaker and here is their first mixtape with an extravagant selection of fresh releases.

 

 

Here comes THE ultimate summer deep house mixtape. Let yourself be surrounded by these proper beach vibes even if you are nowhere near any water. Take a swim in the sounds of Bodhi, Drake, Lone, Lapalux and enjoy the perfect jazzy-sexy waves @wrangle mixed up for you.

 

 

Time to tap your toes and bob your heads, @modal is in the house and delivers the grooviest, housiest, danciest rhythms. Get ready to hear new music and some oldies from Tube & Berger, Todd Terje, Lindstrøm and join us in trying to figure out what’s behind the title of this mix… we want to be hulmeanologists!

Weekend Warmup: Amazing Party Mixtapes!

It’s never too early to get started with these party-proof mixtapes.

 

 

@momojojo43oh (almost the evil monkey!) is back with a luxurious mixtape for all occasions – but mostly for getting weird with these hypnotic deep and tech house anthems. Seamless mixing, going from dreamy to pumping, this selection might be the perfect soundtrack for your party persona.

 

 

Dear @rawdog69, just how much we luuuurv your next-level creations?! Mixing deep with deeper, topping it up with the cream of the cream when it comes to vocal house. Sensual grooving, timeless rhythms and showcasing tons of creativity with Pacemaker+. Welcome to mashup heaven!

 

 

Listen to one of the wildest and craziest mixtapes ever made with Pacemaker+. @insincerelymine created this warmup for your weekend bash with a ridiculous energy level. Mixing hip-hop with dubstep and EDM, blending vocals with the harshest beats. #yourunityouruleit

 

Stay inspired, keep your mixtapes coming – next week it could be your turn!

Three Groovin’ House Mixtapes

Groovylicious house with a touch of hip-hop from three legendary Pacemaker users.

 

 

It’s always tough when daily life happens and @stanfitz is away from the Pacemaker decks. He celebrated his return with a smashing deep house mixtape – a selection and style that only he can carry out so masterfully and consistently. Great to have you back!

 

 

@illtino is another legend who needs no introduction. He’s one of the pillars of the community and this mixtape should be your main inspiration when it comes to discovering the perks of Pacemaker+. Mashing up hip-hop over house beats, the result is marvellous!

 

 

@samuelnatal79 posted 45 mixtapes so far – he’s not only dedicated when it comes to creating but also when it comes to listening to others’ mixes and giving feedback. His latest selection contains the finest of house music, opening and closing with Carl Cox and building up groovy, playful rhythms inbetween. Give it a spin!

 

Stay inspired, keep your mixtapes coming – next week it could be your turn!

The Best Uplifting EDM Mixtapes

Whether you are winding down after a long day or getting ready for the weekend, we have what you need to set the tone.

👇🏿👇🏾👇🏽👇🏼👇🏻👇
 

@acn is fresh meat on Pacemaker, the kind you should approach with curiosity, taste with high expectations and support with all your earbuds! He’s born to be a DJ and his excellent mixing skills come with the greatest attention to track selection.

Featuring: The Chainsmokers, Oliver Heldens, Zedd, Alan Walker, Robin Schulz

 

The man, the myth, the legend: @illtino. Whether you are desperately waiting for the summer to arrive or you’re already deep into the tropical heat, this mixtape sets the perfect mood for every temperature. Fire it up!

Featuring: Jax Jones, DJ Snake, R3hab, Jerome, Riton

 

Whether you are winding down after a long day or already getting ready for the weekend, this fresh progressive-house-EDM selection is what you need to set the tone. The talented @djkem joined Pacemaker a week ago and he’s hopefully here to stay. Welcome!

Featuring: Monstercat, Project 46, Vicetone