Dexter's Beat Laboratory Vol. 98
Dexter’s Beat Laboratory is a weekly collection of songs from DA managing editor Robyn Dexter. With a taste that can only be described as eclectic — to say nothing of a name that lends itself to punnery — DA is happy to present a selection of tracks personally curated by Dexter for your listening pleasure.
Listen in playlist format here.
In mid-June, Liquicity Records continued the celebration of its 10th anniversary with the release of Reflections Pt. 2. One of the album’s eight tracks—Shock One’s remix of Ekko & Sidetrack‘s “Long Summer”—recently made its way to SoundCloud. It’s a gorgeous drum ‘n’ bass piece, featuring the heavenly vocals of songstress Reija Lee. She sets the mood for the emotive song with a silky introduction, paving the way for the pure, soulful energy that is to follow.
Black Car have gracefully morphed Bazzi‘s trap-infused “Paradise” into an upbeat house remix in their latest release. The Pennsylvania natives maintain the original’s smooth-flowing vocals and prep the instrumentals for the dance floor by adding a steady-grooving beat. They keep the mood light with a piano melody that reflects the easygoing simplicity of summer nights—which this tune seems to have been made for.
Fresh off a remix of Local Dialect’s “Poseidon,” Gorgon City have returned to deliver a brand new original, “Elizabeth Street.” The UK duo pay homage to the birthplace of house music, Chicago, in this new piece of work, luring listeners in with a somewhat dark atmosphere and an irresistible bassline. “Elizabeth Street” makes an excellent addition to the pair’s 2019 discography, which at only halfway through the year is already impressive.
I wrote about StayLoose and Fatherdude‘s “Illusions” in May, and my obsession with the tune carries into the remixes of it that’ve followed. One of the latest is from an Australian producer by the name of Dream Fiend. The artist takes a retro approach to his take on the track, bringing in elements of nu disco and synthwave to deliver listeners to the past. Bright synths elevate the song to new levels, and it’s addicting.
Pittsburgh synthwave duo Arcade High recently released their 10-track New Impressions LP, giving fans a taste of the ’80s over the course of the album. The last track before the digital bonus track is “Only Memories,” which harkens back to simpler times with a moody synth melody and a retro beat. It’s wistful and nostalgic, sprinkled with elements of a beloved decade that’s seeing a resurgence in recent years.
