June 1, 2012 « LargeUp

LargeUp Premiere: So Shifty Remix I-Octane’s “We Love The Vibes” (+ Bonus Rihanna Remix)

Words by DJ Theory—

German bad boys So Shifty are back with more heat, this time touching on some tropical moombahton territory for the club/pool (or both, if you’re lucky). They’ve been casually reworking tunes from the likes of Major Lazer, Busy, Kartel, TOK, U-Roy, The Very Best, the yours truly-produced single with Jahdan Blakkamoore and too many more, and for this they flip I-Octane‘s big summertime dancehall tune “We Love The Vibes” in a whole new direction yet again. With Toddla T and Young Lion already running it on their BBC Radio 1 programs, this moombahton/dancehall crossover should start catching on very soon and no doubt become a summer favorite, in a similar vein to the Major Lazer “Party Shot” remix. Download the ting below, IT SICK!

BONUS: One half of So Shifty is none other than Jr. Blender—who also reps Supersonic Sound—a producer who we don’t have enough good things to say about around here (make sure you grab his stunning “Climax” remix here). Masterfully building pop remixes from the ground up in an authentic one-drop reggae style, Blender’s most recent work is Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been” which he’s been kind enough to share with everyone, as with all his other remixes. The man Diplo has reported from the field that the remix has been blaring nonstop on Hawaiian airwaves, and should in turn reach the mainland soon. Roger that.

Download: Rihanna “Where Have You Been” (Jr Blender reggae remix) (mediafire)

Giveaway: Win A “Sweet Jamaica” Prize Pack From Mr. Vegas

Words by Jesse Serwer—

We’ve been raving about Mr. Vegas’ Sweet Jamaica since we first heard the album at the top of the year. The dancehall tunes on disc one, the new versions and updates of classic Jamaican festival songs on disc two, and the classic reggae poster-inspired cover art all come together to form one of the best reggae album packages in recent memory.

The double-disc release is finally out in stores and on iTunes this week and, to celebrate, we’ve got two a pair of prize packs of assorted Sweet Jamaica goodies to give away. Each winner will receive an autographed copy of the CD and an autographed poster from Mr. Vegas, and his and hers T-shirts from our friends at Miss Lily’s Variety. We’ve got yellow men’s tees with the Sweet Jamaica cover art and, for the ladies, “Bruk it Down” girl’s tees (one purple and one yellow: winners will be able to specify their preference)—so now you can rep the tune that’s been making you sweat in the clubs all year long.

Jasmine Solano wears the “Bruk it Down” tee. Photo: Taylor Viera

To win, follow @Largeupdotcom on Twitter, and tweet the following message: “I want a Sweet Jamaica prize pack from @MrVegasMusic and @largeupdotcom.” Two winners will be selected on Monday, June 4, and contacted via direct message.

To get you in the mood, here’s streams of a pair of our favorite tunes (one from each disc) on Sweet Jamaica:

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“Party Tun Up”

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“Gimme A Light”

Video: DJ Power feat. Kardinal Offishall + Machel Montano, “Fly So High”

Words by Jesse Serwer—

Trini-Canadian selector DJ Power recently traveled down to Trinidad and St. Maarten to film the visuals for his soca-house-hip-hop gumbo “Fly So High,” featuring Machel Montano and Kardinal Offishall. In it, Machel links up with Power and crew —including Trini footballer Dwight Yorke and cricketer Brian Lara—down in Trinidad, while Kardinal makes his presence felt via hologram—what other way is there these days?—presumably from somewhere in the T-Dot. Watch the clip below and download “Fly So High” here.

Fashion Fridays: David Rodigan, Streetwear Brand?

Words by Jesse Serwer—

Britain’s king of sound, David Rodigan, has had one awesome year. The selector known to many as “Ram Jam” celebrated his 60th birthday, was honored by the queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, won World Clash in Brooklyn, and launched a new radio series on prestigious BBC Radio 2, for which he was just honored with a prestigious Sony Gold Award.

Rodigan is also venturing into the world of streetwear, an interesting development seeing how the DJ is not known for his fashion sense, but rather in spite of it: the fact that he can mash up a dance and kill a sound bwoy dead while looking like your high-school math teacher is part of what makes Rodigan Rodigan. After partnering with British brand Filthy on a “Give Me Some Signal!” tee featuring his trademark thick-rimmed glasses last year, he’s now rolled out limited-edition “Ram Jam” (also with the glasses) and “Pull Up!” tees. Each is available for 25 quid, via Rodigan’s website, or you can go all out and cop the £60-pound signed “Give Me Some Signal” screenprint.