Major Lazer & SebastiAn = Two of my favorite artists of the summer

Sorry folks, it's been a few since I posted anything. But I'm back with two album reviews: SebastiAn's "A Fine Selection of Remixes" and Major Lazer's "Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do". Both are stellar offerings, but let's start with the French electro maestro.

SebastiAn (Sebastian Akchoté) is a French electro DJ who currently releases through Ed Banger Records, one of my favorite labels of all-time, and home to the likes of Busy P, DJ Mehdi, Feadz, Kavinsky, and of course, SebastiAn. Specializing in a flavorful blend of electro, house, and hip-hop, Ed Banger is at the forefront of new electronic music, and is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Case in point: heard of Justice? Yep. That's Ed Banger.

Back in 2008, SebastiAn released a remix album through Ed Banger, titled "A Fine Selection of Remixes". And indeed it IS a fine selection. SebastiAn sweeps through indie rock, alternative rock, hip-hop, and pop, all with his own signature electro touch. Every song offers something different, but it never strays too far from the SebastiAn framework that fans are familiar with: tight, killer drum production, (complete with rattling snares, gasping crashes, and absolutely thunderous kicks), sliced, glitchy vocal cut-ups and samples, and oddly calming, rippling, and lush synthesizers. On the plus side as well, most of his remixes are under 4 minutes: they never overstay their welcome, and entice you to listen harder for all the sighs, gasps, and booms each remix offers, and then before you know it the track is over. REPEAT. Here are a few of my favorites off the album, which is available on Amazon for under $20. And this is an import too. Amazing deal if you ask me. Here are my picks:











He touches on The Kills, Kelis, Kavinsky, Bloc Party, Annie, Revl9n, Das Pop, and more. Definitely check this record out. Here's the link to Amazon if you're of a mind.

http://www.amazon.com/Remixes-Sebastian/dp/B0018OKHQ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1249184637&sr=8-2

Now we move onto Major Lazer...and what an album. This is NOT my forte, but I love it nonetheless. Ragga, reggae, hip-hop, dancehall, dubstep, electro, all these influences play a part in this album. And that's what makes it a favorite of mine. The first track is an absolute killer. "Hold the Line", which features Santigold on the chorus and hook, and Mr. Lex on the verse, sounds like a sped-up, 80's Jamaican version of "A Milli". Bangin' absolutely. Hell, the first six tracks are all wonders, with that same smooth vibe over soulful/blistering drum work and Jamaican influences abound. All danceable, all chill. Off-the-wall beats, lulling guitars, dynamic vocal work all around, this album has it all. And that's what I think makes the album so appealing: it can work as a chillin' out record for a party, a club banger for dancefloors, or something everyone can enjoy and listen in some form or another. Enjoy those beats and stay relaxed. Here are my favorites off the album:











Here's the Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Dont-Kill-People-Lazers/dp/B0027WNRN6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249185209&sr=8-1

Enjoy all the tracks, and I will post something again very soon!! Until then, bop out.

-RBGK