Pop Culture Buzz

GRADE: A

(SOME EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM BIGSHOTMAGAGAZINE.COM)

Kaskade, born Ryan Raddon, was a good Mormon boy growing up in Chicago. Initially attracted to the music, atmosphere, and “open minded people� of the House scene, Raddon started DJing as a college student at University of Utah; and after moving to San Francisco, he went from being a paper-pushing, keyboard-clacking A&R Assistant at OM Records to being one of the label’s biggest stars. I have seen Kaskade live in concert over 5 times and his snazzy good looks, creative easy style and brilliant sampling make him my favorite DJ of all time.

Kaskade has slowly become the hip go to DJ for current mixes of hot pop tracks. Britney, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake and Rufus Wainwright are all fans. His place in the gay club scene, where he has been a star for many years, is a shining example of his cross over dance floor appeal. His current popularity on dance radio stations is long over due.

When Kaskade released his first album of original material two years ago titled “Love Mysterious” I couldn’t stop raving about Kaskade’s brilliant songwriting skills. With “Strobelight Seduction” Kaskade has proven he is one of today’s best house DJ’s. This album doesn’t contain one bad track and it’s hard to pick a song that couldn’t be a radio hit.

“Strobelite Seduction” is a return to the shimmering, glistening sonic landscape that the artist helped defines alongside other House heads – many hailing from that same City by the Bay – who have managed to meld the best traits of upbeat dance music with chill, meditative down-tempo. Arguably one of the most pronounced electronic music movements of the decade; some have dubbed it West Coast House, some Deep House, and many more by a different chosen moniker.

“Step One Two” and “Move with Me” are the most seductive and sensual tracks on the record, not to mention they are consistent booty shakers that leave me foaming at the mouth for a good remix. Kaskade also proves that he is the king of smooth sexy house music grooves on the tracks “Pose” and “I Remember” which have haunting lyrics and crazy pop hooks.

The best tracks on this disc have to be the stellar dance anthem “Angel on My Shoulder” and the building chill out masterpiece “I’ll Never Dream”. Both songs show the diverse range Kaskade has perfected in his many years on the club circuit. His hand is on the pulse of what is hot in dance and radio friendly pop music. I wouldn’t be shocked if his career explodes due to the originality of this easily marketed commercial ready album. The sweeping chilled out “Borrowed Theme” is a techno bedtime story with a stirring lullaby that is incredibly soothing.

Strobelite Seduction’s best asset is the guest vocals by Haley Gibby and Kaskade’s Late Night Alumni band mate Becky Jean Williams. Their unconventionally soft singing style is the perfect anecdote for that late night after party. If you are looking for that perfect party CD that dance music snobs and mainstream pop fans alike will enjoy then “Strobelight Seduction” is the CD you need to own this summer.

LISTEN TO A SAMPLING OF KASKADE’S NEW CD “STROBELIGHT SEDUCTION” BELOW:

LISTEN TO THE “STROBELIGHT SEDUCTION” TRACK “ONE HEART” BY KASKADE BELOW:

LISTEN TO THE “STROBELIGHT SEDUCTION” TRACK “BORROWED THEME” BY KASKADE BELOW: