There are numerous things I really don’t like about the Christmas season. Among those are the religious overtones and the horrible music that takes over every public space I find myself in. However, I do appreciate the focus on family and reflecting on all the things that make life good and focusing on how to increase happiness in our lives for the rest of this year, and the ones beyond. With that in mind, here’s some music that’s much more likely to make you happy than all that manufactured garbage being played on the radio right now. Marvin Gaye is one of the best soul singers of all time, and this remix proves once again that Switzerland has a highly underrated and talented disco scene. If Mercury’s remix doesn’t make you feel good, you’re simply a giant Grinch.



MP3: Marvin Gaye – Sunny (Mercury Edit II)

Flight Facilities released two of the better singles to come out this year, and I was wondering if they were ever going to release a video for the second one. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the band decided to drop this killer video while the entire internet is rushing to release their “best of” lists. Did you forget about these guys? Well, shame if you did! Or maybe they just wanted to drop this sexy 70′s spy flick influenced video while we’re all starting to freeze our asses off. I mean, who doesn’t want to be on an island drinking mai tais right now?



MP3: Flight Facilities – Foreign Language (Beni Remix)

Since I just announced Drake’s huge Club Paradise tour yesterday, I figure it’s only fitting to hit you off with a remix of one of the biggest tracks of the year to follow up such a massive announcement. Shlohmo released my favorite sleepy-time record of the year and a steady stream of some of the most impressive remixes the year had to offer. Now he’s closing it off with a chopped and screwed version of “I’m On One.” To be honest, I didn’t know people still chopped or screwed hip hop these days, but I’m sure as hell glad this track came out. This is for those of you that like to get super blazed and drink red wine in your room on a winter night. Put your headphones on and drift away.



MP3: DJ Khaled – I’m On One ft. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne (Shlohmo Remix)

There used to be a time when large-scale disco bands ruled the popular music landscape. They were made up of a large group of musicians that played live instruments, rather than making the programmed electronic music that is much more popular nowadays. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing a live dance band, especially one that’s made up of a lot of talented musicians. Luckily this type of band is making a big comeback recently, and Phenomenal Handclap Band has been one of my favorites to emerge from this new school. The band plays a stellar mix of psych, soul, and cosmic disco that is guaranteed to have you convulsing and dripping in sweat by the time they leave the stage. If you’ve managed to miss the band so far, you should check out the video for their new single “The Unknown Faces at Father James Park,” which will be released on their new album “Form and Control.” It’s coming out on February 14th to get the year off to a sexy start. As a bonus, I included one of my favorite remixes of this glorious year of 2011.



MP3: Phenomenal Handclap Band – Baby (Clock Opera Remix)

I don’t get excited about mainstream records too often these days, but there’s always a rare exception. For me, it seems like every time a new Drake record comes out I geek out like a teenage girl at a Twilight premiere. Looking at my FB wall and the blogosphere chatter, I know I’m not the only one. And you know what, I’m not even going to say this is a guilty pleasure or any nonsense like that. “Take Care” is one of my favorite records of 2011 and by far the best thing this Toronto visionary has released yet. So, you know I got super excited when one of the best producers in the game dropped this remix of the record’s first track. Star Slinger managed to blow me away yet again. Seriously, so good!



MP3: Drake – Over My Dead Body (Star Slinger Remix)

Theophilus London’s album ‘Timez are Weird These Days’ has been getting constant play from me since I first got my hands on it a few months ago. The album has a very fresh and original sound and is diverse in a way that attracts fans of lots of different styles of music. Many people have been attracted to the album by hearing the totally awesome first single, “I Stand Alone.” I just got the remix from the talented Ocelot and have it available for your downloading pleasure below. I also threw up the music video of the original track, because everyone deserves to see it at least once in their life. Why not make it now?

Now that school is back in session, it’s time for the party season to kick into high gear in downtown Tucson. Luckily the fine folks at Opti Clubbin and Bang Bang have the perfect night lined up for all the co-eds to try to grind all over each other at. The party promoters are teaming up to bring LA’s Them Jeans to Club Congress for a free party on September 3rd. That’s right, as long as you’re 21 and don’t smell like you haven’t showered in a month, you’re getting into this party totally free. This doesn’t give you liability to be a cheap bastard of course. Tip your bartenders! Phoenix kids, don’t be shy. The party is happening on a Saturday night and would definitely be worth a drive down.



MP3: The Xx – Shelter (Them Jeans Drum Edit)

SBTRKT managed to release my favorite electronic album of the year, when the masked producer dropped his self-titled debut earlier this year. The album just so happened to feature my absolute favorite song of the summer, “Wildfire,” which also features the stellar vocals of Little Dragon. If you’ve managed to hear this track, then I definitely don’t have to tell you about it’s addictive quality. But, you’re likely to get addicted all over again when you hear this remix that Drumma Boy did. Bonus guest vocals from Seattle’s Shabazz Palaces, who has completely taken the hip hop world by storm during 2011.



MP3: SBTRKT – “Wildfire” (Drumma Boy remix feat. Shabazz Palaces)

Dallas Green is City and Colour, and as far as I’m concerned, Dallas Green is a goddamn genius. The man creates some of the most moving acoustic folk music I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. His recently released album “Little Hell” is sitting high up on my list of favorite records of the year, and will likely hold out strong until the end. I found this incredible remix from Sydney-based producer The Gripp, and was pretty shocked when I did. I wouldn’t think that the album’s first single would translate into a low-key disco stormer, but that’s exactly what this chap from Sydney managed to do. This shit is on repeat!



MP3: City And Colour – Fragile Bird (The Gripp Remix)

I’ve been bordering on obsessed with Frank Ocean lately, so this remix found it’s way to my ears at just the right time. “Novacane” is one of those rare tracks that was clearly built for radio, but doesn’t manage to come off as manufactured in the least. I’ve gotten my greedy paws on a bunch of remixes for this track so far, but I’m really happy to get one from Arizona’s own Pickster One. He’s been absolutely killing it on the Southwest Moombahton tip lately and definitely putting Phoenix on the map. Taking a quick listen to this remix will let you know why he’s got everyone talking. Check out more of his work here.



MP3: Frank Ocean – Novacane (Pickster Moombahton Remix)