Beatportal Content Feed

In a continuation of our Black History Month coverage, we spotlight the careers of some of the artists whose work best expresses the overlap between popular music and black culture. Read on to explore the music of Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Funkadelic, Lee Scratch Perry, and more.

Continue reading...

written by Beatportal

You probably didn’t see this one coming: the Norwegian nu-disco dons Todd Terje, Lindstrom, and Prins Thomas have taken on two Roxy Music classics. Usually, edits of tunes this hallowed are resigned to the bootleg bin, but this is a legit release courtesy Virgin UK, making us feel like we should send fresh flowers to someone in the A&R department over there, in a show of appreciation. (It can’t hurt that Bryan Ferry has a well-documented love of dance music, of course.)

Continue reading...

written by Philip Sherburne

Celebrated this week are the anniversaries for both the birth and death of one of the most revered and inspiring producers in all of hop hop. J Dilla (born James Dewitt Yancey on February 7, 1974) died February 10, 2006, at the age of 32, of complications due to the combination of the autoimmune disease, Lupus and the rare blood disease TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura). His passing was a tragic loss, but his legacy lives on, continuing to inspire musicians and listeners around the world.

J Dilla’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan pays its respects and celebrates its hero this Friday, on the sixth anniversary of his death with Dilla Day Detroit. Featuring Busta Rhymes, Jay Electronica, Phife Dawg, Danny Brown, DJ J-ROcc, and more, the event marks the launch of the Yancey Media Group, responsible for the forthcoming Rebirth Of Detroit, an anthology of the producer’s work; proceeds from the event will support the J Dilla Foundation, which funds music-education programs in urban communities. Parallel events are scheduled in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Baltimore.

In remembrance of the late producer, we’ve put together a series of videos showcasing his work. Read on to check them out.

Happy birthday, Dilla! We miss you.

Continue reading...

written by BeatportSean

Of the many exports of the gem state, one I would have least expected is quality live electronica. Idaho’s Shades, a four-man outfit, is at the forefront of the burgeoning (really) Boise scene, and their debut release, Clear Motions (Synthemesc Recordings) caught the ears of everyone that heard it coming down the content pipeline a few weeks back. It’s heated haze-wave to the core and is the perfect soundtrack to the upcoming summer season. Lucky for us, the guys had a few minutes to talk about their live act, their take on the modern electronic scene, and their plans for 2012. Read on for more!

Continue reading...

written by mferry

Dance music is universal, but its roots overwhelmingly reach back to black cultures and their musical traditions around the world. Funk and soul are the source of disco, house, hip-hop, electro, jungle, even techno, and despite dance music’s global reach, many of its key innovations originated in black communities in cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York, and London. In recognition of Black History Month, we highlight some of the innovative icons who shaped the music, as well as the artists connecting today’s EDM with its roots in black culture.

Today, we offer guides to disco, neo soul, hip-hop, dub, and Afrofuturism—read on, and explore some essential dance-music history.

Continue reading...

written by Beatportal

This week, our editors wax ecstatic over new releases from Goth-Trad, Jacob Korn, Tropic of Cancer, and a new mix of classic dub reggae. From chilly post-punk to deep house, you can go either way--either luxuriate in the freezing temperatures out there, or dream of sunnier days.

Continue reading...

written by Beatportal

Young Muscovite Latecomer is just one from a batch of talented Russian producers that are currently putting their own spin on house music, a crew that counts Nina Kraviz, Vakula and Anton Zap amongst them. The multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer was discovered in 2011 by Motor City Drum Ensemble, and eagle-eyed house pundits ought to be familiar with the name--MCDE introduced him to the masses with the inclusion of the track “Cosmic Cart” in his celebrated DJ-Kicks compilation last summer.

Continue reading...

written by beatportchristine

written by Beatportal

written by BeatportSean

The guys at Nurvous have once again graciously delivered us more deep-disco goodness from the city so nice they named it twice. Moon Boots, of French Express fame, unleashes ”Aretha," a blissed-out summertime deep-houser, smack dab in the middle of one of the most miserable winters on record. In typical low ‘n’ slow Nurvous style, “Aretha” is a sleazed-out take on the modern deep house sound. Rolling bass, chopped vocals, and an arpeggiated synth move the track through its unfortunately short duration, but thankfully there’s plenty of remixes in the package.

Continue reading...

written by mferry

Congratulations to Axwell, whose remix of Ivan Gough and Feenixpawl’s “In My Mind” just hit the #1 position on the Beatport Top 100!

His dance-floor touch tips the track, originally produced by Australia’s Ivan Gough (of TV Rock) his countrymen Feenixpawl, over the edge. The single enlists the vocal talents of award-winning vocalist Georgi Kay, and it looks as if both factions have soon-to-be-released projects in store with her.

If you’re in New York, be sure to check out Axwell ‘s upcoming opening of the Cosmic Opera dance event. Also be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming releases from his label Axtone.

Get the track on Beatport here, or keep reading to listen to an audio sample.

Continue reading...

written by BeatportSean

written by BeatportSean

written by beatportchristine

written by beatportchristine