Armand Van Helden - NYC Beat

Armand Van Helden, "NYC Beat (MSTRKRFT remix)" (YSI link) 320

Armand Van Helden, "NYC Beat (Emperor Machine remix)" (YSI link)

Armand Van Helden, "NYC Beat (Prince Language remix)" (YSI link)

Let's keep going on the New York City theme. I had originally planned on posting this song early last month to honor my 1st year of New York City living. Technically, I guess I have been here more than that if you include my team in the Lower East Side, but I don't include that and don't have any recollection of it. So, yeah, yea me for a year in New York City! I moved three times, and have seen a man with his face burnt off by acid three times on the subway.

Here's the final single from Armand Van Helden's Ghettoblaster LP that I have, been out since early summer. "NYC Beat" is definitely my favorite of the onslaught of singles that have come with this album, a great original from the legendary Van Helden. Dude easily morphs into a new sound when the situation calls for it, this one's made for the indie dancing kids with its big beats, sick bass, guitars and anthem-y vocals. MSTRKRFT does their thing, chopping it up like only they can, creating another staggered monster. Would've loved them to really let go at one point and just destroy me with bass, but that's just me.

However, it's the other two remixes that deserve your full attention, both of which take the temperature down and stretch things out nicely. First, Emperor Machine turns in a bleepier, dubbier version that really works well. I just love how he takes his time and gives the song real movement, like how he drops everything out but the bass early on and builds back into a discofied funk tune that you never want to end. Wonderful. Oh, but the real treat here is the Prince Language remix, I want nothing more for Hanukkah than more remixes and releases from this dude in 2008. He brings the cowbell out early and often and you know I won't ever hate that. From there, he turns in a percussion feast, at times dubby, at times toe-tapping funky. I like it, hope you do too.

If you haven't already, grab a copy of Ghettoblaster, a great album from a dance music master.