New Caribou for ya!  It’s been a few years since Dan Snaith dropped his spectacular ‘Andorra’, which won the 2007 Polaris Music Prize here in Canada.  Well, his new album, ‘Swim’, Caribou drops April 2010 and he’s graced us with the first single, ‘Odessa’.  Different take on his usual psychedelia, but a fresh spin on this continually entertaining artist.

Caribou – Odessa

Brand-spanking new track, ‘Saturday Comes Slow’, from the Massive Attack crew featuring non-other than the genre shape-shifter himself, Damon Albarn.  Keep a close eye out for the New Massive Attack album and a slew of very hot remixes to be released in the coming months.

No doubt that the hype surrounding Vampire Weekend’s latest release, ‘Contra’, has been overwhelming.  Kudos to them Ivy League boys for putting together a fantastic album.

Cashing in on the hype is The Very Best, a much buzzed about band from Malawi by way of Paris by way of…..well you get the idea.  “Warm Heart of Africa” is the first single off the album of the same name and features the warm vocal stylings of non-other than Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend.  What a terrific song.  Now lets see a The Very Best and Vampire Weekend tour this summer at strictly outdoor venues.

The Very Best (Feat Ezra Koenig) – Warm Heart Of Africa

Our favourite Dutch electro-house master, Bart B-more is certainly no stranger to international dance floors having toured the globe and played alongside heavyweights Diplo, Crookers, Tiesto, Erik Morillo and Armin van Buren.

Now, he’s coming to North America and bringing his unique big-room house to a club near you. To wet your whistle, check out Bart B-more’s latest mix!

Bart B-more Mix

Rollin’ $ Scratchin’ was lucky enough to catch Bart for a quick interview.

1. It’s a New Year! What’s 2010 looking like for Bart B-more?

In contradiction to the current dutch weather it’s looking very sunny! The year starts of with tours in North America and Australia where I’ll be able to test out all the new stuff I’ve been working on this winter. Can’t wait!

2. Between your label duties, producing and DJ-ing, how do you keep a balance between all the different responsibilities?

I’m getting better and better at this. Luckily I’m not running the label on my own so I only get to do the fun part, selecting music. I also found a better balance between producing and dj’ing. I’m more organized now which makes dj’ing easier. This is all stuff you learn by experience.

3. Bart B-more’s productions services are in high demand. As the remix opportunities continue to pour-in, are there any artists that you’ve always wanted to work with?

There’s loads! I’d love to do a record with one of the big indie rock bands.. that would be an interesting combination!

4. What’s your approach to DJ-ing? Is there a lot of advanced-planning? Or do you let it happen naturally?

I always just let it happen naturally. Every crowd is different and you never know what to expect. With my DJ sets I can go into a few directions. I try to find out what the people are into and take it from there. Besides I would be very bored if I’d play the same DJ set over and over again.

5. Can you give us your top 5 tracks to spin right now?

That would be

1. D.I.M. & Tai Jason – Lyposuct (Noob Remix)

2. Dj Punish – Meet Her At Boltimore

3. Thomas Bangalter & Dj Falcon – Together (Little Bastard Rework)

4. Boris Dlugosch – Bangkok

5. Mc Flipside – In The Zone (Bart B More Remix)

Bart B-more will be playing the Mod Club (Toronto) on Jan. 22nd.

Check the flyer here.

There’s no question that Nick Diamonds’ pop band, Islands has seen several incarnations over the last five years.  This time around he’s taken their music in glam-rock electronic direction that seems to be keeping with the times in this new decade.

Their newest video features Michael Cera in a tripped out spoof of an anti-drug ad.  This clever collaboration between fellow Canadians comes in perfect time for Cera’s new flick, ‘Youth In Revolt’ as well as Islands cross European tour in March.

Islands – No You Don’t

Georgia’s Washed Out has been making some serious noise these days.  His lo-fi take on electronica has critics comparing him to the likes of Animal Collective, Air, and New Order.  Not at all bad comparisons to be associated with!

Having recently dropped his ‘Life of Leisure’ EP this summer, looks like this southern cat will be jet setting sooner than we could have hoped.  Be sure to keep your eyes out for Washed Out in a city near you this Spring.  In the meantime, check out neo-soul house crony Jeremy Glenn’s edit of WO’s ‘You’ll See It’.  Pure bliss.

Washed Out – You’ll See It (Jeremy Glenn Edit)

Well 2010 is finally here.  But with everyone reflecting on what’s next, we like to take a look at the past.  Last weekend, we had the pleasure to take in VH1’s Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time.

The whole list is pretty complete when it comes to the most popular tracks out there, but something was missing for us.  That being said, here’s a few tracks we thought should have been on the list.  Either way, you can bet there will be lots of debate about these list.  At the very least, you can’t really argue the greatness of all the artists on this list.

And if you want to check out the complete list over at our friends from Stereogum.

A Tribe Called Quest – Find A Way

Snoop Dogg – Who Am I (What’s My Name)

Run D.M.C. – Run’s House

Outkast – Ms. Jackson

Mos Def – Ms. Fat Booty

Souls Of Mischief – ‘93 Till Infinity

For all his flaws, Kanye West just so happens to also write a daily blog where he premieres new music.  Sure, his commentary in nothing earth shattering, but at least he’s posting good tunes.

Yesterday, a brand-spanking new Mos Def track appeared.  Clocking in at just over 2 minutes, Mos comes straight and direct with ‘24-Hour Karate School’.  And for all those lovers out there, be sure to catch THE hip hop show of the new decade, DOOM ft. Mos Def on Jan 27th at the Kool Haus.  Let’s just hope it’s actually DOOM that shows up and not his stand-in.

Mos Def – 24 Hour Karate School

Pretty massive team up on this next track.  Just when I was wondering when Soulwax would come out with another track, they team up with Crookers and Mixhell to create a pretty dominant track called ‘We Love Animals’.

Sure, this will be all over the blog circuit already, but hey….worthy tracks are worthy tracks.

Crookers, Soulwax, and Mixhell – We Love Animals

Tonight’s the night!  Rollin’ and Scratchin’ is celebrating its two year anniversary tonight at the Supermarket in Toronto.  We’re very excited to introduce the newest edition to the YYZ Records family, Jeremy Glenn.

Mr. Glenn will be debuting his live band tonight as they roll us through his catalog of neo-soul jams.  Check out his debut single ‘Mysterious Lover’ set for release next year.

Jeremy Glenn – Mysterious Lover