A message from Alan Braxe...

I was like an over-excited school kid this morning as I woke up to a message from one of my all-time music heroes - Alan Braxe (be it through his kind label manager, but still awesome nonetheless!).

Best known for his production work as Stardust on the mahoosive 'Music Sounds Better With You', I've been a big fan of the French filtered sound since I started DJing 15 years ago, as championed by labels such as Roulé and Braxe's own Vulture imprint.

I'll never forget the first time I heard 'Intro' as a fresh-faced DJ playing my first ever over-18s set, an all-time house classic Braxe produced with Fred Falke back in 2000. A game-changer for me at a time when I was still too young to legally be in the club at all.

Today the label got in touch as they're looking to work with the blog on some editorial material, and as a golden handshake sent me a simply incredible live set from Vulture's own Shook. I've been listening to it for no more than 10 minutes (and have already heard samples from 'Superstition' and 'Hold Tight' by Change) and it's making me want to head out right now! I've got to admit, I often give short-shrift to DJs that splash their sets with endless cuts, samples and FX, but Shook prove how incredible it can sound when done right.



The set is awash with disco-funk loveliness and that unmistakable filtered sound, reworking countless classics into pure dancefloor perfection. I haven't heard a set quite like it since the Daft Punk 'Alive' shows, so safe to say it's something truly special.

Enjoy, and watch this space for more Vulture output coming to your musichole very soon. :-)

P.S. I have asked the guys at Vulture just when we can expect to see the Roulé material released for official digital download. Not sure if they'll know, but I'll update you when I hear back.

Caroline Lacaze - En Route (Légère Recordings)

I recently featured Caroline Lacaze's new single 'L'Etrange' on the Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast, but am since ashamed to admit I only included the instrumental (*blush*). For some reason vocals sang in a different language have always jarred with me in the past. Thankfully, having just received Caroline's full-length album, I'm delighted to say it's finally time to put those demons to rest.

'En Route' is Caroline's first album and comes following a string of successful 45 releases and live appearances, including a spot on Craig Charles' famed Radio 6 Funk & Soul Show. The album is truly eclectic and soundtracked as a roadtrip mixtape - as I grapple to find the most suitable adjectives to describe the album, let me quote the press release directly: 

The mixture on “En Route” is eclectic: nonchalant 60s beat, mysterious psych-pop, raucous funk and longing French chanson, all held together by the energetic raw soul sound and the skillful ‘mise-en-scene’ of the Mocambo Electric Sound Orchestra.

I couldn't have put it better myself. ;-)

Safe to say this is a wonderfully inspired and inspiring selection of tracks spanning a multitude of moods and styles. Looking forward to hearing much more from the 'swinging mademoiselle' in the future - a rising star for sure!

En Route is out 19th April on Légère Recordings | lounge-records.de