David Guetta

Afrojack recently tackled Rihanna's 'Who's That Chick?', off of her new album, LOUD. Wouldn't you know it, the song features none other than Mr. House himself, David Guetta:
David Guetta feat. Rihanna - Whos That Chick (Afrojack Dub Remix)

aand here are another two expected to be on his next album. Just to let you know, the Akon track is the most annoying thing you'll see on this blog, but what the hell.
David Guetta - 50 Degrees (Original Mix)

Akon - Once Radio (feat. David Guetta)

It seems that for the time being David Guetta is content producing for other artists, including Rihanna, Akon, Kelly Rowland, etc, but there are rumors that the next album will be released next summer in time for the start of Ibiza-season. 

Axwell & Axtone & Co.

So what are you waiting for most in 2011? For many it will be Axwell's new release. Axwell has done well for himself this year, as an independent producer and as part of SHM. His latest release is already ripping up the dancefloor: 
Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B Remode)

The next release off of his label, Axtone, won't feature him, but it is hugely anticipated. The track was debuted by Axwell on the Christmas Day Essential Mix, (check it out in the last post), and here's a first glimpse of it, albeit with Pump the Jam mixed in:

Two official remixes have been confirmed; one by Thomas Gold, and one by Hook N Sling & Goodwill. Listen to a couple of Hook N Sling & Goodwill remixes:
Janelle Monae - Tightrope (Hook N Sling & Goodwill Remix)

Miike Snow - Silvia (Hook N Sling & Goodwill Remix)

Track should be up on WYLSS as soon as its released!

The Essential Christmas Mix!!

Pete Tong brought 2010 to a stunning finish with the final Essential Mix of the year on Christmas morning. On it he features tracks that have all been at one point or another 'Essential New Tunes', so expect some serious old-school nostalgia feeling. In addition, Axwell, Riva Starr, and man of the moment Afrojack all provide mini-mixes on the show. Check out the full tracklisting:

Byron Stingily – Get Up (Manifesto)
Leftfield – Open Up (Hard Hands)
Disco Evangelists – De Niro (Positiva)
David Guetta – Just A Little More (Virgin)
M Factor – Mother (Serious)
The Bucketheads – The Bomb (Positiva)
Lionrock – Packets Of Destruction (Deconstruction)
Trisco – Muzak (Vinyl Addiction)
Brother Brown – Under The Water (FFRR)
Adam F – Circles (F Jams)
Timo Maas & Brian Molko – Pictures (Warners)
Wink – Stay Out All Night (Ovum)
Beastie Boys – Intergalactic (Grand Royale)

Axwell Christmas Mix
Hard Rock Sofa & St. Brothers – Blow Up (Hook N Sling & Goodwill Remix) (Axtone)
2Axwell ft Errol Reid – Nothing But Love (Remode) (Axtone)
Aniki – Lesbian Bondage Fiasco (OMG! Recordings)
Wolfgang Gartner – Space Junk (Ultra)
Swedish House Mafia – One (EMI)
Boys Noize – Yeah (Boysnoize Records)
Adrian Lux – Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B Remode) (Axtone)
The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition (Axwell & Dirty South Remix) (Infectious)
Swedish House Mafia vs. Tinie Tempah – Miami 2 Ibiza (EMI)
Wham! – Last Christmas (Sony)

Kelis – Milkshake (Startrak)
Avicii – Ryu (Cloud 9)

Riva Starr Mix
Jet Project – The Jam (Snatch!)
Shlomi Aber – The Majestic (Objectivity)
Adam Port – Symphony (Snatch!)
Leon – Cause I Love You (Cecille Numbers)
Starr Traxx – Loveboat (Snatch!)

The Avalanches – Stay Another Season (XL)
Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello & Laidback Luke – Get Dumb (Data)
Alter Ego – Rocker (Skint)

Afrojack Mix
The Black Eyed Peas – The Time (Dirty Bit) (Afrojack Remix) (Interscope)
David Guetta ft. Rihanna – Who’s That Chick (Afrojack Remix) (Mercury)
Afrojack – Replica (White Label)

CeCe Peniston – Finally (Virgin)

Stream and download the full Mix here; (right click > save as)

Afrojack's Christmas present to you!

Afrojack has released an end of year EP. Some of tracks have been released before, but there is some unreleased material as well. Afrojack has had a huge year, and was the second-highest ranking debutant on this year's DJMag 100, coming at 19th. See the full rankings here. A great way to end a great year for him. Enjoy.
Download Afrojack's Lost & Found EP.

deadmau5 - limit break

I'm pleasantly surprised to see deadmau5 releasing a track so quickly after the release of 4 x 4 = 12, but its more than welcome. This song is definitely a leak because its not even mentioned on the official deadmau5 site yet. Enjoy.
deadmau5 - Limit Break (Original Mix)

Sampling: the Debate along with some HUGE tracks

While we aim to keep this blog light, sometimes a serious issue comes to my attention that I think should be mentioned. The topic is sampling. California attorney Alan Korn, who specialises in IP, tackled the issue in this brief article. Sampling is illegal due to copyrights, and there are many cases where users have been prosecuted for sampling without the express approval of the owner. Fair Usage doesn't work as a defense because "legal experts agree that for a sample to qualify as fair use, it must be used for purposes such as parody, criticism, teaching, news reporting, research or some non-profit use. Using a sample merely because it sounds good is simply not enough to qualify for protection as fair use."
The issue of sampling is especially relevant when it comes into contact with the genre of electronic music today. So much music is remixed, that it is improbable that the legal permissions for every track are taken. Often, it is mutually accepted that tracks by artists within the genre of electronic music will be remixed by the artists' colleagues and vice versa. So for example, David Guetta releases a new track, and Laidback Luke remixes it, and then Laidback Luke releases a track and David Guetta remixes it. There's no issue, because each remix is distinctive and both artists mutually respect and acknowledge each other. Similarly, so many young producers and DJ's remix well-known tracks. There is a recognition that not so long ago, today's famous producers were in the same position, and so they have no right to try and stop new artists from doing the same.
[upcoming artists like Chris Gaspar of Cold Blank fame sample all the time, and you can especially see this in his new project Fifth Column V]
Travie McCoy feat. Bruno Mars-Billionaire (Fifth Column V Remix)

The problem arises when DJs start remixing tracks from artists outside the electric music sphere. While some artists opt for official remixes when releasing their singles, the wide majority isn't interested, and that leaves a huge margin for DJs to take their liberties and sample the music. If an artist does this with good enough effect, sometimes it will attract lots of attention and eventually sales, and then this raises the legal question of whether they are making money off of someone else's work. This issue was mentioned by Steve Angello when responding to criticism of the Knas sample he used for the song. The sample, which was from a bit of software and that he had every right to use, wasn't the issue, it was an issue of creativity and that eventually led to a debate about sampling. Angello mentioned that everyone samples, and that no-one cares until you start making money off of it. Then it becomes an issue. See the full article here.
[Knas was posted along with a few remixes in some past posts, but here is the song mixed vs Cream, by Glowtape!, and you can see the level of sampling that could potentially raise legal queries.]
Steve Angello VS Cream - Sunshine Of Knas (GlowTape! Mashup)

I think in some cases sampling actually works to some artists' benefit, and that why they shouldn't, or in fact don't, really mind. For example, only a few hip-hop artists and rappers, in the US especially, have really ventured (with the exception of auto-tune) into the world of electronic music. If their music is sampled and the result gains widespread attention, then listeners will become acquainted with artists they a) did not know, or b) had not previously been interested in. 
[Here are examples of how the XX introduce DMX to the indie music world, and Sidney Sampson brings the house world in touch with Dead Prez]
DMX vs The XX - The XX Gon Give It To Ya

Dead Prez - Its Bigger Than Hip-Hop (Sidney Samson Remix)

At the end of the day, I think sampling is fair. While I appreciate the complexities of the issue with regard to copyright law, I feel that the issue of sampling music allows for Fair Use. Once an artist take a track and does enough to it by way of remixing or restructuring, so that it becomes a separate track in its own right, I see no reason for the original artist to feel hard done by. If an artist just adds a few bits of bass and passes it off as his/her own work, that would be unfair. The problem then arises as to who would determine how much change needs to take place for a track to be distinct of the original. 
And here are a few more tracks that are pretty damn good. 
Black Eyed Peas-Rock That Body (Fifth Column V Remix)

Frank Sinatra vs. Flo-Rida feat. David Guetta - Fly Me To The Club (Envision Remix)

Diddy Dirty Money - Hello Good Morning (Erick Morillo & Eddie Thoneick Bootleg Mix)

Enjoy!

Christmas Eve!!

To all WYLSS followers, Merry Christmas. Christmas doesn't provide with many raves, but that doesn't mean we should relax the electronic music. At WYLSS we party all year round, even with Santa's reindeer-pulled sleigh on the horizon. So take a swig of the eggnog, or enjoy a little Ho, Ho, Ho, and a bottle of rum (see what I did there), and Enjoy!!
Whigfield vs Scotty - Christmas in the Caribbean (Splash Bootleg Mix)

I've included some random previously unposted material as well:
Felix Da Housecat- Kick Drum (PeaceTreaty Geeker Remix)

Shunda K - I'm Da' Best (Trumpdisco Remix)

Uppermost - Take a Blow (Dada Life Remix)

Yolanda Be Cool - We No Speak Americano (Trumpdisco Remix)