Asian Dan

That guitar part gets me every time. Such an emotional tune.

“All that I know is I am falling, falling, falling – might as well fall in.”

I got excited when I saw the latest Holy Ghost! single is entitled “Do It Again” thinking that it could be a disco cover of the Steely Dan track by the same name. Since Michael McDonald is making a guest appearance on the album I thought they were going all out with the Yacht Rock. Instead “Do It Again” is new wave disco track that reminds me of Tom Tom Club and The Talking Heads with Holy Ghost’s usual nostalgic disco flair.

Head over to their website to sign up to download “Do It Again”

The youngin’ Koreless works his introspective remix skills on LuckyMe’s Jacques Greene’s “The Look”. He transforms the track into a slow-jam RnB sounding song that float over very thought evoking chords. Expect more from this young producer this year.

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/JAN%202011/The%20Look%20(Koreless%20Remix).mp3]
Jacques Greene – The Look (Koreless Remix)

The LA Boogiemaster, Dam-Funk remixes Nite Jewel – taking this indie synth dance girl and turning her into a disco boogie queen. Dam-Funk is a wizard that can work his funk magic on little white girls. Clubba-dub-dub y’all.

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/JAN%202011/It%20Goes%20Through%20Your%20Head%20(Dam-Funk%20Clubdub).mp3]
Nite Jewel – It Goes Through Your Head (Dam-Funk Clubdub)

A new party jam filled mix by Kid Sister mixed by the one and only Nick Catchdubs. Fun party music is all that can be said about this mix. Get on it.

Head over tofoolsgoldrecs.com to download it.

Another fantastic re-visioning of the deep and dark, Gil Scott-Heron by beatmaster Jamie xx. The ending definitely shines as an uplifting House moment.

Be sure to check out this great mix by Jamie xx that he made for Benj B’s BBC Show. He throws in some new tracks from Koreless as well as his own solo productions. Can’t wait for more of his steel drum laced tracks.

Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder Records is re-releasing the legendary Oizo’s Moustache (Half A Scissor) on vinyl on 1.10.2011 – quite an epic pairing for out-there minds. Every time I have seen Fly Lo live/DJ last year, 2010 and he dropped his edit of “Stunt” I would always freakout, it is such a sinister re-working of an already sinister bassline. Have a listen for yourself….

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/JAN%202011/Flying%20Lotus%20-%20Stunts%20(Mr.%20Oizo’s%20Stunt%20Remix).mp3]

In no specific order I present you with my Top 10 of 2010. I listened to Jai Paul and James Blake way too much this year and cannot wait for what they have in store for 2011. Yeasayer’s “Ambling Alp” and “Penguin Prison’s “Golden Train” are perfect Pop songs that I wish I wrote. Flying Lotus “Do The Astral Plane” is the perfect sunny summer jam. Chromeo’s duet I Could Be Wrong (Feat. Ezra Koenig) is what happens when the Doobie Brother’s “Minute By Minute” is mashed up with Philip Bailey & Phil Collin’s “Easy Lover”. Jamie Lidell never made 90s RnB sound so cool and futuristic with “Completely Exposed”. LCD Soundsystem’s “I Can Change” is quite a sad dance tune. Late of the Pier’s “Blueberry” and “Best in Class” IS what the Future sounds like. Jamaica’s “Short & Entertaining” is my favorite song in 5/8 of 2010.

2010 was quite an exciting blog year for Asian Dan, especially what occurred IRL because of the blog. Thank you all for reading and listening, only bigger and better things will happen in 2011. Happy New Year!

Top 10 Tracks of 2010

Jai Paul – BTSTU
Yeasayer – Ambling Alp
Flying Lotus – Do The Astral Plane
Penguin Prison – Golden Train
Late of the Pier – Best In Class/Blueberry
Jamaica – Short & Entertaining
James Blake – CMYK
LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change
Jamie Lidell – Completely Exposed
Chromeo – I Could Be Wrong (Feat. Ezra Koenig)

Jai Paul – BTSTU
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/April%202010/Jai%20Paul%20-%20BTSTU%20-%20Free%20Download%20from%20Myspace!.mp3]

Chromeo – I Could Be Wrong (Feat. Ezra Koenig)
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/DEC%202010/I%20Could%20Be%20Wrong%20(Feat.%20Ezra%20Koenig).mp3]

[Read more]

The Pop maven, Penguin Prison aka Chris Glover compiled his favorite tracks of 2010 for the blog giving us some insight into what he looks for in good music. Enjoy!

Asian Dan’s Guest List: Penguin Prison’s Top 10 of 2010

1. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

I love Kanye. He can be annoying definitely but he is making great music and is the most interesting pop star around right now don’t you think?

2. Twin Shadow – Forget

This album is great. I can listen to the whole thing all the way through and listen to it again right away. The production is very sophisticated and tasteful.

3. Midnight Magic – Beam Me Up (Jacques Renault Remix)

Maybe the best remix of the year. If I were at a dance club and wanted to dance and someone asked me what song I would like to dance to I would say this song.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/DEC%202010/Midnight%20Magic%20-%20Beam%20Me%20Up%20(Jacques%20Renault%20Remix).mp3]

4. Holy Ghost! – Static on the Wire

I helped make a few of the songs on this so I am biased but I think it would still be one of my favorites even if I weren’t involved.

5. Lykke Li – Get Some

I am sure her new album will be amazing but this is the only song out yet. I think its my favorite song she has ever done. She is going in a good direction.

6. Vampire Weekend – Giving up the Gun

I like the whole album but this song is my favorite. One of the best songs of the year in my opinion.

7. Active Child – When Your Love is Safe (Classixx Remix)

The best 90’s slow jam of 2010.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/July%202010/Active%20Child%20-%20When%20Your%20Love%20Is%20Safe%20(Classixx%20Remix).mp3]

8. LCD Soundsystem – Home

This is my favorite song on their new album. It makes me feel happy and sad at the same time. That’s a good quality in a song.

9. Breakbot – Baby I’m Yours

I heard this song and I was wondering whether it was from the 80’s or something and I just never knew about it. No it’s new and it’s very amazing.

10. Sade – Soldier of Love

Amazing. Great production and her voice is one of a kind. The video is fantastic as well.

As you all know Jamaica is no stranger to this blog/twitter since I have supported them and their music in numerous ways. Antoine was kind enough to compile a list of his Top 10 of 2010 that surpasses just any tracks that he listened to throughout the year. Twenty-Ten was just the beginning for Jamaica – watch out 2011!

Checkout this Jamaica Unplugged set we played for mtviggy.com

ANTOINE HILAIRE OF JAMAICA: TOP 10 OF 2010

1. Releasing an album we are proud of, made with friends
2. Being a blog darling for a few weeks thanks to the “I Think I Like U 2” video
3. Jamaica + Japan = amour
4. Touring the USA for the first time
5. Finding my inner Sonia
6. The Internet, lememe.com and discodelicious.com
7. New friends in Germany, The USA, Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and even France
8. “Belle Epine” by Rebecca Zlotowski
9. Listening to the Arcade Fire, Best Coast, Azari and III, Carte Blanche, Darwin Deez and Led Zeppelin songs
10. Leaving Paris on December 27th for the summer in Australia

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/DEC%202010/01%20Short%20&%20Entertaining%20(Acoustic%20on%20Virgin%20Mobile%20Live).mp3]
Jamaica – Short & Entertaining (Acoustic on Virgin Mobile Live)