1. Nadastrom’s Remix of Udachi’s “Pfunk Skank.”
We here at TGRIOnline.om are of the belief that Washington, DC’s Nadastrom are what’s next in music. They blend a potent mixture of so many musial styles that it’s hard to really categorize what they do, other than to say it’s a particularly excellent blend of electronic dance music. Dave Nada’s (check our interview from last November here) the ex hardcore kid with Bmore club roots with a devotion to hard, funky breaks. Matt Nordstrom, a producer extraordinare, Deep Dish and Yoshitoshi Records related, representing only the finest in the minimal, tech and deep house landscape. The two blend more seamlessly by the day it seems, and their latest remix, of Udachi’s “Pfunk Skank” released this week on Beatport is HUGE. For those who thought that “Pussy” or “Save Us” were enormous, take a listen to this track, and note the awesome visuals by Mad Decent’s D-128. Clearly, the phrase that pays in 2010 is “Y’all ain’t Yeti.”

2. Jonny Blaze takes it to the club for Jesus!

Yes, we’re going back to Bmore and back to the 20+ year veteran for a reason. We’ve gotten an advance copy of Jonny’s upcoming album, and, well, it’s certainly different, it’s absolutely unique, and it’s in a direction that I’m surprised club music hasn’t fully embraced before. Jonny Blaze has gone spiritual on us, the same man responsible for “Head, Titties and Ass” now praising Jesus call and response style, and asking to be “held in his bosom.” I really am of the belief that in a market where people feel that the progression of club music may be limited once hip hop and R & B’s affection with electro dies, this makes all the sense in the world. Baltimore radio has locally always been a suporter of remixes of religious music, Hezekiah Walker’s “99 1/2’s” club remix a stalwart in the early 90s on 92.3 FM, so there is a precedent. I’m eager to see what would happen if Mahalia Jackson on even more contemporary, Kirk Franklin, or the musically ambitious Mary Mary acapellas ended up being remixed. One can only imagine!