For me, Kaskade has been the great white buffalo. He slipped past my schedule at EDC 2010, and I won’t even mention the Sunset Blvd fail. I finally got to experience him, in all his glory, at the unexpectedly satisfying Identity Festival. Well, this morning I was driving up the gorgeous 101 and blasting Kaskade’s brand spankin’ new album, “Fire & Ice”. Roaring mountains, Scenic beaches and good house music, what more can a man ask for?

He really outdid himself with this one. As his 8^th studio album, Kaskade dabbled with the unconventional and broke this EP into two parts. One half, codenamed ICE, is absorbing, artistic and well-produced house. The stuff Kaskade truly enjoys creating.

The other half, titled FIRE, is gorgeous, exciting and most importantly, banging. The stuff we love to dance to.

A lot of artists these days are making a style of music that they think we want to hear. My hat goes off to you Kaskade; it’s good to know some musicians still stick to their roots. Keep up the amazing work, just no more street parties, please.

TRACKLIST Fire & Ice

1 Eyes (feat. Mindy Gledhill) (right click to download)
2 Turn It Down (with Rebecca & Fiona) (right click to download)
3 Lessons In Love (feat. Neon Trees)
4 Lick It Kaskade & Skrillex
5 Llove (feat. Haley)
6 Let Me Go (feat. Marcus Bently)
7 Waste Love (feat. Quadron)
8 Ice (with Dan Black) (right click to download)
9 How Long (with Late Night Alumni)
10 Room for Happiness (feat. Skylar Grey) (right click to download)
Buy the album on iTunes

Here’s the full version of Kaskade’s “Turn It Down,” the track we heard a preview of yesterday. This one’s a lot harder than what I’ve come to expect from him, will definitely end up in the House Banger category. Don’t listen to the song’s title and start your Saturday night right.

Kaskade – Turn It Down

Regrettably, I wasn’t able to make it to Miami this year for the 13th annual Ultra Music Festival. However, thanks to the power of the almighty Internet (all hail), I got you guys covered.

Sure I could tell you about the history making 150,000 dance-loving people that attended. I could tell you about the impeccable sun-drenched weather or how trashed Downtown Miami got. Conversely, these are useless statistics. Let me enlighten on what actually matters, the music.

Laidback Luke

LL has been killing it the past couple years. His track selection is pretty extraordinary; the man drops straight bangers for an hour.

Laidback Luke Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Exclusive Miami Tracks:

Calvin Harris – You Used To Hold Me (Laidback Luke Remix
Laidback Luke – Jump Jump Dance 2.0(192kbps)

Avicii

This young Swede impresses me more and more every time I hear his sets. Hands down, Avicii is at the top of the game right now. If there’s one kid that knows how to make a progressive set, this is it.

Avicii Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Kaskade

Ive never been a Kaskade fan, but hey… the bitches love it.

Kaskade Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Afrojack

Dominating Ultra this year and possibly the best Dutch House DJ on the scene, Afrojack dropped it fat. Like Laidback Luke, Afrojack keeps you on your toes with banger after crazy banger. With the release of his new track, ‘Doing It Right’, Ajack’s future is looking bright.

Afrojack Live Set @Ultra Music Festival

Exclusive Miami Tracks:

Afrojack – Doing It Right

Other Shit Waiting To Be Released:

Skrillex – Equinox

Swedish House Mafia – Save The World Tonight

fun facts released from Miami:
• Carl Cox, Steve Lawler and Ferry Corsten played at an invite-only party at the Mokai. Did I mention only 200 people were invited? Talk about intimate.
• Kim Fai announced he’s working with Snoop Dogg on a new track. Also, house legend Roger Sanchez is working on dance material for 50 Cent.