Happy House is the latest hit from the DFA dance duo, The Juan Maclean. This track always gets me moving and is a sure bet on any popular electronic DJ's summer playlist. The odd thing about this song is that it sounds awfully similar to Sunday Afternoon by Eddie Matos, one of my all time favourite house/acid jazz songs.
Even though the latter conjures up images of chilled out beach parties on a Sunday afternoon, I first heard it while at an apres-ski party in Whistler, B.C. at The Four Season Hotel bar. Substitute snow for sand; sweaters for skin and you get the picture.
The jazzy interludes of this upbeat track were perfect for the classy atmosphere of the lounge and still managed to give me goosebumps (even though we were sitting in front of the fireplace). Happy songs work well in Whistler because it's such a happy place - especially when the sun's shining and there's plenty of powder.
Aside from the different octave levels and the fact that there's singing in "Happy House", these songs still manage to remind me of each other. Whether it's the similar pattern of beats at the 1:20 mark of "Happy House" or just the positive vibe that they both radiate, it's remarkable how energized they both make me feel.
While on the topic of happy house music, I'd like to recommend a blog that I've been checking out daily for poolside lounge music. Binary is a family of L.A. based dance music producers and artists that has some great tunes for your listening pleasure.
So What Records also offers terrific soul/house/jazzy music with a Latin/Afro-beat feel that's perfect for the summer. Based out of Tel-Aviv, Israel, it makes sense that these guys are experts when it comes to playing music for beaches and sunshine.
Finally, I came across this Holy Ghost (also from DFA records) remix of this Jazzanova song that I absolutely adore! The track is called I Can See and is featured on Jazzanova's most recent album Of All The Things which came out in December 0f 2008. Usually remixes tend to speed up songs, but this one slows downs the lyrics, thereby emphasizes the powerful vocals of Ben Westbeech. The fleeting electro twinkle that tends to come & go throughout the track really highlights the uplifting qualities of the song and reminds me of a shooting star.
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