DJ Teridactyl

My criteria for this list doesn't have to deal with how popular a song is or was, nor does the song need to have any merit as a Grammy contender. No, the songs on this list simply represent what I feel to be the best music of 2009 to make you go out and move it on the dance floor - in other words, its danceability.

So here they are in ascending order:














5. Jennifer Lopez - Fresh Out the Oven (ft. Pit Bull)
I know this is fairly new for 2009, but I can't help but want to dance everytime I hear it.














4. Janet Jackson - Make Me
I must admit, I wasn't completely sold on this song until I saw the video. But considering that it's currently climbing Billboard's Dance/Club Play chart, I know I'm not the only one grooving to it!














3. David Guetta - Sexy Bitch (ft. Akon)
Considering that a DJ was behind the making of this one, you'd better expect it'd be one to dance to. Better known to radio listener's as "Sexy Chick," it definitely manages to bring the beat!














2. Ciara - Love Sex Magic (ft. Justin Timberlake)
Honestly, I'm surprised this one didn't become a bigger hit than it managed to become earlier in the year. I mean hello it has Justin! In my opinion, he gives any song he's in, the insatiable need to dance to it!














1. Madonna - Celebration (Benny Benassi Remix)
Technically, this is a remix of the original song (which helps in terms of danceability), but it's also the version that Madonna decided to promote, which I felt allowed it to not only qualify for my list, but grab the number 1 spot!

DJ Earworm has given us a great mash-up of the top 25 hits of 2009!

Later in the week, I'll list my top picks for the best songs to dance to of 2009. (Here's a surprise: none of them are included in the video above!)

Janet Jackson was probably the first musical artist I became a fan of while growing up. This past week her Number Ones album was released, in celebration of her chart topping history. Along with it, we get a new video, for the song "Make Me." It definitely shows Janet at what she does best!

I have to say, I've never been too into her music in the past, but I can definitely appreciate Jennifer Lopez's brand new (Neptune's produced) single "Fresh Out the Oven," featuring Pit Bull. Along with it, we are introduced to Lopez's new alter ego, "Lola." Whatever you want to call her, I just hope we'll be hearing some more of the same on her new album, which is due out early next year!

Last Wednesday I attended the 1st ever "DJ Fest USA" at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. It featured 11 DJ's showing off their skills in a competition to win the title of "Best DJ of the Evening." Along with them were 2 judges, who gave American Idol like critiques after each DJ performed for about 8 minutes during the first round. 3 DJ's who were deemed the audience's favorite by applause advanced to the final round, where they had another 5 minutes each to win over the judges - who decided the ulimate winner of the evening.












My personal favorite was DJ Switch, who instantly drew the crowd in with the start of his set and kept the energy high with great song choices and relevant transitions. He ended up placing 3rd, with crowd favorite Happy DJ getting 2nd, and DJ Andy Brio winning the top spot with his outstanding ability to produce music in real-time.

I must admit, that it was a bit discouraging to see only male DJ's up on the stage. But I was nevertheless impressed by their techniques, and left motivated to learn more about the craft of DJing!

I got a last minute call to DJ Barangay's annual Fantasy Halloween party last night, which I was happy to do! Barangay is a Filipino division of LA's LGBT community. It was amazing to watch men in heels dance to Lady Gaga!

If one solo album from the frontman of a New York based Alternative Rock band under the name "Julian" wasn't enough, than here's another! Julian Casablancas from The Strokes will be releasing his first solo effort, "Phrazes for the Young" next month. Based on the first single off the album, "11th Dimension," it should keep any Strokes fan happy.

Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension

I had a blast DJing my first wedding this past weekend! I hope everyone enjoyed the music. Thanks to Ed for providing the mic and the speaker equipment. Congratulations again to the happy couple!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Human Pyramids group art show at Ghetto Gloss last night! I had fun DJing up in the loft, hope you all enjoyed the tunes!

Looks like the Swedes are at it again. I recently came across yet another outstanding Nordic band by the name of Miike Snow. They're self-titled album was released earlier this year, but their first video for the song "Animal" just debuted last week. Take a gander. If you like the song, you'll love the rest of their album, which is full of infectious electro-pop.

I honestly don't know why there's not more Radiohead remixes out there than I seem to be able to find. What makes this particular track by James Zabiela, even more of a treat is it's refreshing take on the expected remix - extending Radiohead's "Reckoner" into a surprisingly successful House track. Sit back and enjoy!

Thanks to those who brought their groove on Saturday to our Alice in Wonderland party! Here's some memories from the dance floor...

Between a new wave guitar riff, and lyrics about Brixton & Leads, I'm not sure how you can go wrong. Enter in MPHO with her first single, "Box N Locks," off her debut album, "Pop Art," due out this fall. The song is a promising offering, and with both Santigold and M.I.A. lending a hand in the album, I'd say this'll be one release to anticipate.

I think I may have found my favorite new mash-up artist. Hailing from France, ComaR primarily focuses on mixing only 2 songs together - taking the melody of one song and overlapping it with the vocals of another - which results in a concoction that sounds more like a remix one can actually dance to, rather than an chaotic, albeit interesting, listening experience which mash-ups tend to be. He doesn't have a dedicated album out, but you can find plenty of mash-ups if you sift around on his blog. Here's one of my favorites: Phoenix's "Heat Wave," mixed with Twista's "Give It Up," feat. Pharrell Williams.

ComaR - Give HEAT up

Come out to the Mountain Bar this Thursday! I'll be Djing before and after Early Dolphin's set, starting at 9:00pm.

My first, full-length dance mix is finally here - Enjoy!

I recently game across the latest album by Super Mash Bros., "All About The Scrillions," hoping I had found mash-ups as dynamic as I had heard on Girl Talk's "Feed the Animals." Although it's a worthy offering, it doesn't quite match-up to the sonic schizophrenia of Girl Talk. In anycase, they're both worth a listen, especially if you're not familiar with the world of mash-ups.

Super Mash Bros. - Still Bleeding


Girl Talk - In Step

To help ease the wait until we hear anything new from Interpol, frontman Paul Banks gives us a solo album as his alter ego, Julian Plenti, titled "Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper," which releases in August. It may not exactly be Interpol (nor do I think Banks wants it to be), but it's good enough for me. Listen yourself to the first song off the album:

Julian Plenti - Fun That We Have

I'm working on it - Coming soon!

I'm slowly warming up to Lady Gaga. This remix by Chew Fu, featuring guest vocals by Marilyn Manson certainly helps her case in my book.

Lady Gaga - Love Game (Chew Fu Remix) [ft. Marilyn Manson]

Little Boots' debut EP, "Illuminations," was finally released today. Here's a little taste of one of the songs off the EP, as performed by Susan Boyle.

I LOVE dancing to this one!