Mixtape Mondays: So Shifty, Poirier, Threeks

Words by DJ Theory

We’re back at it this week with more heat to keep you pressing rewind in your kitchen or cubicle. With a set of reggae-meets-pop remixes, some tropical bass madness, ninja bashment and carnival-time soca, you should have no problem charging through your week, wherever you may be.

So Shifty, The JBMD Remix Mix: Our German bredren So Shifty stay on the toppa top of the Caribbean remix game. They’re becoming recognized the world over for blending reggae, dancehall and soca with the tropical bass and underground dance music boom controlling much of the airwaves in Europe (and starting to really gain momentum stateside). Although most of the music they produce wouldn’t be considered mainstream, they took a quick jaunt into commercial territory with an all-Junior Blender remix mixtape of mostly US chart toppers. Even though the original songs from this list may not be in your everyday iTunes library, Blender (who, in addition to his work behind the boards, is also a member of Hamburg soundkilling machine Supersonic Sound) skillfully crafted each one into a new, original production that’s all its own. So Shifty went ahead and whipped up this all-Blender megamix for the homie Emynd‘s 1st & 15th mixcast (which yours truly also had a guest mix on last year). Definitely grab this mix and peep how Adele, T Pain, The Commodores, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Jackon 5, Britney Spears(?) and more get the full reggae treatment.  We should mention that you can cop many of the individual remixes from the mix for free here. Stream the mix below, download here.

So Shifty, Live @ Tropical Extravaganza: As a bonus to the Jr. Blender mix we also have a live tape from the So Shifty boys, recorded at the Tropical Extravaganza party in Hamburg Jan. 13. The bill also included fellow tropical dons Schlachtofbronx and, judging by the mix, an excess amount of airhorns and sweat. Not sure who’s on MC duties, but So Shifty get into all sorts of trouble with this tracklist, with bits of soca, dancehall, bass, cumbia, dubstep, rap, juke, and of course some Shifty originals and edits. May have to make our way to Germany for the next one if it’s going down like that… Stream and download below, tracklist here.

So Shifty Live @ Tropical Extravaganza, Hamburg, 01-13-2012 by So Shifty

Poirier, Dubs For Ninjas: Montreal-based DJ/producer Poirier has been upping the ante for years with his singles, LPs and remixes. Most recently he’s been delving heavily to soca (grab his wicked Kes The Band remix here, and stream his Soca Road EP here). If  you’ve followed his career, you already know he’s been a heavy contributor to the Ninja Tune catalog, bringing the Caribbean element to a well respected leftfield hip hop, downtempo and experimental label. For this mix he delves into the Ninja Tune (and Big Dada) catacombs to bring you some heavy underground rude boy bizness. Look out for essential Poirier tunes, as well as offerings from Roots Manuva, Toddla T, Baby Cham, King Jammy, Burro Banton, Busy Signal, Diplo feat. Vybz Kartel and more.  Stream and download below, tracklist here.

Dubs For Ninjas by Poirier

Threeks, Colours:  Speaking of soca, we had to post some this week, especially with Trinidad Carnival rapidly approaching. Ironically, we’re heading back to Germany—Berlin this time—to visit Threeks, a sound that seemingly identifies strictly with soca music. They’ve recorded mixtapes with the likes of Lil Rick and Skinny Fabulous, have their own Socaholics tee, host a regular soca radio show, and are definitely doing their part to support soca music and Caribbean culture. For this mix they bring you, well, soca – and heaps of it, all current 2012 Trini singles and riddims. Grab something and wave! Stream and download below, tracklist here.

Threeks – Colours – Trini Soca Mix 2012 (Part 1) by Threeks