It’s summer here in Cologne, and some nice sunny House tunes are just perfect for my mood right now. Let’s enjoy this while the summer still lasts!

Nerditional Information:

First of all, I would like to thank my friend Lumenatic for the photo! Check his blog if you are interested photography nerdism.

Paul Kalkbrenner has been getting a lot of attention lately for his appearance in the awesome movie Berlin Calling. The track “Train” that I used in this mix also played in the movie: Paul is shown recording the noise of a closing tram door and using it for a track.

This is probably the first time that I am using a Britney Spears track in a mix, but only because Wolfgang Gartner saved this one. Maybe she simply has been having the wrong producers so far?

Anyway, one woman that I am proud to present in this mix is Uffie from the Ed Banger crew who has just released a new album.

Since I am a big fan of mashups, I am glad to one of those rare cases where a mashup actually is releases officially: I don’t know how Meck managed to convince Madonna and Felix, but congratulations for this one!

Tracklist:

1. Paul Kalkbrenner – Train
2. Tim Berg – Bromance
3. Deux  – Same Way
4. Kelis – Acapella (Acid Washed Remix)
5. Kurd Maverick – Blue Monday (Vandalism Remix)
6. Discoblaster vs. Rodeofunk
7. Meck – Feels Like A Prayer (Jean Elan Remix)
8. Snap – Rhythm Is A Dancer (Armand Van Helden Remix)
9. Britney Spears – 3 (Wolfgang Gartner Extended Remix)
10. Uffie – ADD SUV (Carte Blanche HMV APC BTW mix)
11. The Virgins – Rich Girls (Le Castle Vania’s Spring Break No Parents Remix)
12. Meck – Feels Like A Prayer (Jean Elan Remix)
13. Karami and Lewis – Electronic Phunk

The Discotizer runs a very nice blog dedicated to funky and soulful House music. Like me, he regularly posts DJ sets and writes about good music. I really like his enthusiasm about House music, and his DJ sets are really worth listening.

Here is one for you to check out what I am talking about.

Discotizer started DJing out of disappointment with the local club scene.

“It’s funny that you hear funky and soulful House music more often in boutiques than in clubs. Here in Cologne, it’s actually hard to find clubs where you can hear that sound.”

We discussed this issue for a while, but couldn’t really come up with a convincing explanation. A lot of people like funky House music, and labels like Hed Kandi are very successful with their CD compilations. However, there seems to be a mismatch between what people like to hear and what DJs play in clubs.

“I was born in Bulgaria, and I occasionally visit friends and family there. Funky and soulful House is much easier to find there than it is in Cologne. Too many DJs here just keep playing annoying Minimal and Electro sounds. I never wanted to be a DJ, but I think I can do better than many DJs that I have heard so far.”

So is this just a local thing after all? I don’t know, but I can certainly relate to Discotizers mission for more soul and deepness in current dance music.

Tracklist:

1. Manyus and Dario Guida – Fever
2. Trouble Men – Do It
3. Glaubitz & Roc – Sunshine Day 2002 (Sgt. Slick 2002 Mix)
4. Soul Avengerz – Dancing In My Sleep
5. Full Intention pres. Deep Down – Give Me Your Love
6. Stone & Heller – San Francisco ’99 (Milk & Sugar Extended Mix)
7. Bran Van 3000 – Astounded (Eric Kupper Extended Mix)
8. Thomas Bangalter & Bob Sinclar – Gym Tonic
9. Armand Sarkowski – I Love It
10. Richard Grey – Is A Friend Of Mine
11. DJ EQ – Got Feelin’ (Original Mix)
12. Voodoo Chilli – Get On Down (Original Mix)
13. Voodoo Chilli – Check Out Our Groove (Herve Club Edit)
14. Black & White Brothers – Put Your Hands Up (DJ Disciple Vanguard Dub)
15. Conga Squad – Learn To Phonk
16. Czr and Ito – Bringing The Funk
17. Basement Jaxx – Do Your Thing (Jaxx Club Remix)
18. Michelle Weeks – Don’t Give Up (Baffled’s Midnight Mix)
19. Da Hoodfellas – Peep The Technique (Hustle & Flow Chi-Town Peepin Remix)
20. Stacy Kidd – Street Jazz (Original Mix)
21. Fabio Bacchini – Funk Is The Message
22. Cassius – Cassius ’99 (Fabio Bacchini 2009 Re-Tweaked Mix)
23. Cricco Castelli – Life Is Changing (Original)
24. One-T – Music Is The One-T Odc (Denis The Menace Club Mix)

Spring has finally arrived in Cologne, and I can’t deny that this does have certain effects on my mood. It’s just sooo good to feel the sun again! As a consequence, I just can’t listen to cold Techno right now. I need funky beats! I need melodies! I need….House music! And if you feel like I feel right now, then this mix is for you.

Tracklist:

1. Gorillaz – Stylo (Alex Metric Remix)
2. Lorenz Rhode – Shake It
3. Malente – Rok der Haus
4. Jay West – It’s Boogie Time
5. Fever Ray – Seven (The Twelves Remix)
6. Parov Stelar – The Mojo Radio Gang (Club Version)
7. Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil (Fatboy Slim Remix)
8. Tom Novy feat. Michael Marshall – Your Body
9. Tyrell – Robofucius
10. Diamond Cut – Teardrops (Treasure Fingers Filter Disco Edit)
11. Alan Braxe & Kris Menace – Lumberjack
12. Annie – I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me (Feel The Moog Remix)

Nerditional Information:

I find it amazing how Alex Metric turned the somewhat gloomy “Stylo” into a very positive House track. The same is true for the The Twelves‘ remix of “Seven“. If you don’t know the originals, take a look at the videos: