Former U Street Music Hall Guest and shimmery disco mainstay Bit Funk released a new track yesterday. Unlike most of his tracks that sit somewhere in the 125 – 130 bpm range, “The Long Road Ahead” is a laid-back track that would be as much at home in a Euro Lounge as anywhere else. The breakbeat and piano have echoes of old school Bonobo, but make no mistake – Bit Funk’s glittery paws are still all over this thing. You can hear it in the processing of the vocal sample, and the crisp synth making moves in the supporting section.

Bonus? It’s a free download.

And if you like the whole “house producers make trip hop” look, be sure to check out Minus Music’s (side project from Matthew Kelly and Knick from Evol Intent) https://soundcloud.com/minusmusic

My favorite Sky Ferreira song out there is actually a cover of Stevie Nicks’ “Stand Back” produced by Skeet Skeet. Maybe it’s knowing her in the context of a Stevie Knicks cover, but the whole set-up of  “Everything is Embarrassing” really fits perfectly for her throwback voice and the producers do well to not put much processing on top.

It’s a heartbreaker of a song, and with the drum line + slap-bass it’s got a definite 80′s pop quality. Is hipster quiet storm a genre yet?

Love Garage. LOVE UK Garage. Because it’s pretty amazing – what’s not to love about fast, syncopated, drum patterns with pulsing strings and Rhodes organs winding around it? Add some soulful vocals and you have a recipe for the greatest genre that didn’t quite manage to hold on.

Enter Delilah, as remixed by MJ Cole, one of the original UK garage guys. Beautiful and emotional, the chorus rings out with melancholy until Cole loops the vocals into itself as a pseudo drum-roll. it resolves into a flurry of jazzy Rhodes organ (see :30 and 2:20) that’s enough to make hearts race.

Pardon the radio rip.

The Moon Boots remix of Alison Valentine’s “Peanut Butter” has a lot in common with 2001 thug love duets. The light, airy, vocals play well with the piano stabs that might as well be from an Irv Gotti beat. Needless to say, this is a song to be enjoyed in a 98 coupe with the windows down.

The remix is really well constructed — the layering of Valentine’s choral vocals under the main hook is particularly effective.

Summer may be drawing to a close, but there are at least a couple warm, sticky nights left that could use some “Peanut Butter.” One last thing? It’s a free download.

Nothing like an R&B flip to get through the week. The flip today is Brandy’s “Best Friend,” turned into a beautiful upbeat tropical disco number.

The remixer this time around is Chris Malinchak, whose debut we reviewed right here on Blisspop when it arrived in May. This edit is lighter and cheerier than his other work, but carries the same expressive, island-styled, drums that’s become somewhat of a French Express trademark.

Unlike most 90′s R&B edits, which turn a sultry tune into something even darker (see: the amazing Destiny’s Child edit by Cyril Hahn), this edit upbeat and ebullient. This track is so hopeful and full of energy that it’s going to make dancers grin ear to ear. Or at least us.