Old school teams with new school really well. Modern electro beats meld with freestyle elements to create a modern version of hiphouse. Rapper Egyptian Love is best known for his West Coast favorite party rap hit "Egypt, Egypt" and he sounds just as fresh now as he did 25 years ago. The video animates the song as the ultimate catchy beat that you have to dance to. "Galactic Space Bar" is the second single from Jamie Jones retrofuturistic concept album 'Don't You Remember the Future.'

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Photo Courtesy of Genesis Entertainment

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Photo Courtesy of Cooking Vinyl

Robbins is an American label that tirelessly brings new dance to the commercial mainstream. While some artists enjoy more success than others (think: Cascada, September), one shouldn't overlook the label's consistent releases. Mia J is a vocalist who has worked with Benny Benassi ("My Body"), Electric Allstars ("Weekend Love"), and Sunfreakz ("Drive Out") among others. Her new solo track, "Headlights", has elements of "Feel The Vibe" by Axwell and a big room house groove. Remixes by Soul Seekerz and Guiseppe D. complete the single. While there is room on my shelves for a good cheesy Euro track, something with a little more class like this track is also welcome.

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Photo Courtesy of Robbins

Sometimes its all about the video. "Baby Baby Baby" is a good rock tinged electro tinged track which grows in intesity with female spoken French vocals. Though nothing life changing or amazing, its definitely dance radio friendly. I can imagine the video producers thinking, "those Ministry of Sound guys have so much success with those bimbos in bikinis video, but we're French and we'll up the ante." Three beautiful women walk down the streets of Paris a la Lady Godiva save for black bars that flash they lyrics. The logical progression from the BPA "Toe Jam" video, the producers get kudos for hiring women with real curves as opposed to the standard emaciated models we see. Courtney Love never looked so good. The people at Victoria's Secret obviously agree as "Baby Baby Baby" is being used in their current advertising campaign.

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Here is the musical equivalent of the infamous "Happy Fun Ball." On its surface, its a happy go lucky euroopop song about having a "supertime." Simple enough, but the video is a twisted low budget clip where car bloody car crash victims are forced to dance, frolic and slide by smiling people who seem utterly oblivious to the condition the victims are in. The stark contrast is the point and makes me wonder if its just something about the water in Iceland that breeds such unbridled, off the wall, hysteric and odd creativity. After all, Bjork is from Iceland.

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Photo Courtesy of Berndsen

Half of the duo The Knife, vocalist Karin Dreijer Andersson releases the fourth single from her Fever Ray cd. A gorgeously haunting midtempo electronic track, "Seven" is both bare and full of emotion reminiscent of classic 4AD releases. A variety of remixes by CSS, Seth Troxler, Crookers, Nic Chacona and Marcel Dettmann take the track in many different directions. The video is set in a barn with an aged version of Karin dancing with the animals. Not really sure what the video has to do with the song but it is definitely a unique vision.

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Photo Courtesy of Mute

Kelpe previews his new CD Cambio Weschel with Microscope Contents, a glitchy electro track with some nice breaks and builds. You can sense the hip hop elements yet they are not overt though the use of video game noises is quite special. The video is a kaleidoscopic journey of the microscopic contents of peoples' mouth - defintiely an interesting visualization to imagine when listening to tracks like this.

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Photo Courtesy of DC Recordings

Chuckie's "Let the Bass Kick" is pretty much this year's "Put Your Hands Up for Detroit," the electro record that every DJ rocked throughout the summer. Another dirty Dutch Dj in the tradition of Mason, Don Diablo and Fedde Le Grand, Chuckie follows up "Bass Kick" with "Aftershock." A little more pop with a singalong vocal sample, "Aftershock" might be the track that crosses Chuckie into the mainstream. With Chuckie's recent victory over Armin van Buuren and Tiësto at the Dutch TMF Awards in the Best Dance Artist category, this seems even more likely.

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Photo Courtesy of New State Music

For those of you jonesing for a new Robyn record, take a listen to this new gem by Annie. After two buzzy near-hit singles a few years ago ("Heartbeat" and "Chewing Gum,") Norwegian electropop singer is about to release her second CD Don't Stop, which has been previewed by singles "I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me" and "Anthonio." "Songs Remind Me of You" is a Richard X-penned 80s inspired electropop gem with touches of trance and progressive. The video features all kinds of really funky outfits, like a little girl playing dress up. Note to superstar producers/DJs on the DJ list, work with Annie and you will get that massive pop crossover hit that you have been looking for.

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Photo Courtesy of Smalltown 12