Kingdom - Fogs

And the award for the most creative use of a Beyoncé sample goes to.....Kingdom! His track 'Fogs' manages to build an entire song, based solely around a few seconds of chopped up vocals and distorted bass from her 2009 single 'Sweet Dreams'.

From the first second, Fogs displays the originality and uniqueness that we have come to expect from a Kingdom song. Taking the sinister and dark edge, the beat is somewhat simplistic but the production value and variety of sounds keep the song interesting. It's filled with the quirky electro stabs, echoed hand-claps and a deep, sinister bassline.

Whilst not really being a song to dance to, Fogs is a great track to own. You listen to it alone, appreciating and enjoying its individulaity. Fogs would be wasted in a packed club. Most people wouldn't 'get it', they would rather hear Sweet Dreams blasting out instead. And for that reason, it is probably best that tracks like Fogs remain somewhat hidden gems that take effort to find - it makes the reward even sweeter.

Buy Kingdom - Fogs at 7Digital

Kanji Kinetic - Thrill Seeka (Kingdom Remix)

Kingdom is an artist who seems to be producing music for a genre of his own. His diverse use of instruments and the playfully experimental way he arranges his songs means he is churning out banger after banger. This track is the first of two that I want to share.

His remix of 'Thrill Seeka' takes a completely new angle on what is at heart a frantic dirty electro-house tune. All the energy and pace of the original is sapped away and replaced by a lonely, deserted landscape of a track. This is no bad thing though. The song is sectioned off into different drum beats and a variety of other percussion sounds are then thrown in on top. This is followed by a series floor-rumbling low bass ripples. The result - a refreshingly original track which doesn't play by any conventional rules.

Even the cheesily high pitched vocals offer no detraction. Rather than ending up sounding like some 14-year-old bedroom producer, just speeding up an original vocal track, the vocals used for Thrill Seeka work brilliantly as a compliment to the harsh & sparse drum beats. Echoey, moody, stirring - an impressive result considering how they are still at heart some cheesily high pitched vocals!

Buy Kanji Kinetic - Thrill Seeka (Kingdom Remix) at 7Digital

Seb Legrand - Deja'Vu

Seb Legrand has created a beautifully understated gem of progressive house with 'Deja'Vu'. A sparse and deftly understated track, the drums and keys work in perfect harmony to create a luscious tune coming straight out of left field, catching the casual listener quite off guard.

The drums have an air of sophistication to them. They provide an enjoyable surging and pacing, whilst avoiding a 'noise clumping' effect. Legrand then begins chucking a whole host of melodies and synths into this progressive melting pot. The infusion builds up and up until you are clinging on for the drop.

The drop however never really materialises. Instead of an Axwell-esque overt slamming of the piano and kicking of the 'big drum', Legrand gently lowers the track again before beginning a subtle rebuilding, safely landing the listener back down for the final time.

The echo effect on the vocal noise is a pretty touch to a very neat package. Whilst not as in your face as some progressive house, you will struggle to find a track more lovingly crafted than this.

Buy Seb Legrand - Deja'Vu at 7Digital

Deja Vu by Seb Legrand

Jack Dixon - Substitute EP

We all know that Dubstep is on a massive slide in terms of buzz. Whilst new talent will continue to enter the genre and shape it in fresh new ways, a sudden overt interest in 'one wobbly style' has torn the scene apart from the seems - scattering artists to all corners of the genre. One such corner is the fast paced, emerging sound of 'future garage'.

Future garage is collecting the hype like it's going out of fashion. And releases like Jack Dixon's latest EP show why so much attention is destined to be centred on this new musical movement. A review isn't even nessecary, this sound is familiar yet new.

I'll let you decide how to describe the music - because at this point I'm not even sure of the traits of this rapidly evolving genre!

Jack Dixon - Substitute EP Preview by jackdixon

Shinichi Osawa - London

Southern Fried Records - where are you?!?!? Shinichi Osawa's brilliant album 'SO2' was released back in June in Japan. In Europe and America however, fans are still in the dark as to a possible release, with no hint as to whether Osawa's terrific follow up to 'One' will ever actually make it to these distant, foreign shores. Before we all go to our rooms and sulk though, let's just give the track 'London' a moment of our time. London is a sumptuous piece of electronic perfection. Sharing the euphoric traits of Osawa's previous track 'Dreamhunt', it takes the listener on a perfectly chilled voyage. Soft synths complement slightly distorted vocals, whilst low & undercut drums provide a sturdy beat. Though the English capital is given a name-check, it is unclear what exactly the LDN has to do with the track at all. Maybe Shinichi felt homesick there, or maybe he just associates this sound with the city. Either way, it's by far and away the stand out track on SO2 in this humble bloggers opinion. Enjoy.

Buy Shinichi Osawa - SO2 from YesAsia

EXCLUSIVE - Meroz Interview & Mix

Meroz is an artist who has gone down a storm here at Danced On Arrival. His enigmatic and exuberant French house tracks have completely bowled us over. Though he may be American, there's no doubt Meroz has the musical soul of a true Gauloises-smoking, turtleneck-wearing Parisien.

A few months back we reviewed his track 'Summertime Shandy' and were so impressed that we thought we would try and arrange an interview. We wanted to know how he comes up with such great tunes. The man didn't disappoint - sharing everything, from his views on club music to why he couldn't care less about a number one single. He was also kind enough to whip together a little mix for us - chucking in a few exclusive joints aswell. Ladies and gentlemen - I give you Meroz.

DOA: What tunes are you currently spinning?
M: As far as tunes go it's always changing but these artists pretty much make it in there, here's a short list:

Phonat, Vanguard, Solid Bump Crew, Mixchopin, Sedat, GK, Leonardus, DJ Sneak, Paul Johnson, Sebastian Leger (early stuff), Siriusmo, Le Batman, Bitfunk. It all depends on my mood honestly, I'm all over the place.

DOA: What music did you listen to when you were growing up?
M: Mainly rock & hip-hop, but then in about 1992, I started falling in love with the house music scene while still playing drums in rock & hip-hop acts.

DOA: Which artists have influenced your style of music and why?
M: Probably Paul Johnson, anything he does has soul and funk to it. Daft Punk (who didn't they influence) Sebastian Leger - his early stuff was so raw, and Todd Edwards, he has created a style by chopping up songs and making them entirely new.

DOA: Which of your tracks are you most proud of and why?
M: 'Elixir' & 'Lust', These 2 tracks are just meant to be fun for DJ's. I'm proud of how 'Your Lover' did but I never thought it was a strong track, It was meant to be a "B side". That just goes to show that you may not enjoy your creation as much as other people will. Put it [your music] out there, play with it a bit & see what happens. I do have a couple of tracks not yet released that I am extremely proud of so keep a look out.

DOA: What is that organ sample for 'Summertime Shandy' and where on Earth did you find it?
M: For all the old school DJ's out there I found it by "DITC" (digging in the crates) - busting out the dustys!

DOA: If somebody were to offer you a number one single, at the expense of the integrity and originality of your music, would you take it?
M: Hell Nah! Even at number 1 I still wouldn't see any cash, besides at that point you wouldn't really even be considered an artist, just a face and name to market. Besides my music really isn't all that original anyways. it's basically a mash up of French and Chicago house hahaha. I'm just trying to have fun making music and if other people enjoy it... well that is awesome!!

DOA: What projects are you currently working on?
M: About 5 projects - I better get my ass moving! A few singles, a couple of remixes and a joint-effort between Mykill & myself.

DOA: Where would you hope to see yourself in five years time?
M: Still making music, hopefully a little better off but either way I'm ok with where I am now. I should be out playing more shows though.

DOA: There is a lot of hype about nu-disco and a renaissance in French touch, do you believe that nu-disco can really replace tech-house as the choice genre amongst the majority of club DJ's?
M: Probably not, but I believe the nu-disco, French touch blah blah blah - whatever they want to call it next week - is making its way back into boring straight tech-house sets. I love all the styles but too much of anything loses my interest. There are a ton of new artists doing their thing and I hope to see more of it get supported. "House Music"

DOA: If you could work with any DJ/producer, who would it be and why?
M: Todd Edwards, only because I want to see him chop up those tracks like he does. But straight up producer wise goes to Brian Eno. That guy man - anywhere from Roxy Music to U2, besides the fact on his solo record he snuck in a girl pissing on his album cover - that is some real talent!

Meroz's MySpace
Buy Meroz tracks from Beatport

Meroz Doa Mix by Meroz on Mixcloud