This one really has more ton than moombah, so the genre tag moombahsoul is a bit iffy. But it’s got soul for sure. “Scratchin’” is a wordless love letter written in dembow riddims. How about almaton? Anyway, this fire track comes from Newark’s own Nadus, a young DJ and producer from Brick Bandits makin moves. Whether it’s Jersey and Baltimore club or juke and moombahton, he likes to keep it diverse, and it’s beginning to attract attention. His remix of Mixpak FM alum Mike Q was just released on Fade to Mind, and two more remixes are soon to come on Fool’s Gold and T&A. If you like this, there’s another free download over on Culture System. (Art by Chul hwee Kim.)

Nadus – “Scratchin’ Me Up

Keeping the Moombahton torch burning, Texas DJ, Corcovado has just put out another hot track. For more check out his Soundcloud and if you missed it, don’t forget to grab his free Mixpak Exclusive.

Corcovado- How you feel by CORCOVADO

If you haven’t had one of your tracks Moombahtized, you haven’t lived. Jacky Murda has just thrown out this Moombahton remix of Vybz Kartel’s ‘Yuh Love’, from the Kingston Story album. Download it from his soundcloud:

Chicago’s Starfoxxx released the Karolina EP under the alias STLKRFXXX and describes it as a “combination of Moombahton and Witch House for a one and done Bruja-ton EP.” The concept behind the EP is Starfoxxx’s unhealthy fascination (obsession maybe) with a young lady and his transformation into his alter-ego, STLKRFXXX. Bruja-ton is a term he’s coined for the growing lexicon of fractured Moombah genres. Whatever you call it, it really sets the mood for a serious creep session, great to squat on top of a keg and do your best Gargoyle to. Check out more on Starfoxxx’s Soundcloud.

Mixpak 021 is brought to you by Sabo, DJ, producer and head of Sol Selectas records. The now LA-based triple threat is well known for his inspired mix of genres, from Cumbia to Miami Bass but along with Dave Nada, Sabo was one of the pioneering producers behind Moombahton, responsible for the Moombahton Massive parties and the accompanying 4 EPs that helped showcase their creation to the world. He’s transformed House of Pain, Benga & Coki and Jamie XX into 108bpm moombahton club hits, created originals that are now genre staples, and his rework of Dennis Ferrer’s ‘Hey Hey’ made it onto Mad Decent’s ‘Blow Your Head’ compilation last year.

His Mixpak FM mix is made up entirely of releases from his respected Moombahton Massive EPs, 55 minutes of originals and remixes which are all available for free download over on his soundcloud.

You can subscribe to Mixpak FM via iTunes, subscribe with an RSS reader from the Mixpak FM site or download this mix directly.

Mixpak FM 021: Sabo

Mixpak FM 021: Sabo Tracklist

1. Sum Sigh Say (Heartbreak & Sabo “Sabo’s Wepa Break Edit”) – House of Gypsies
2. Cuban Queen (Sabo’s Moombahton Edit) – Gonzales & Gonzalo
3. Ta Com Medo De Mim (Sabo Moombahton Refix) – Oliver $ Feat. Deize Tigrona
4. Gracias – Munchi
5. El Gato Volador – Sazon Booya
6. Predador (Tomb Crew Remix “Cam Jus Moombahton Edit”) – French Fries
7. Zulu Funk – Sabo
8. Jump Around (Sabo’s Moombahstep Edit) – House of Pain
9. Spock’s Deeelite – Sabo
10. Bounce Moombahton -Sabo
11. Fix Up (Sabo Moombahton Edit) – Jay Vegas
12. Rain Forest (Obeyah Edit) – Rishi Romero
13. Devoted Moombahton – Sabo
14. You Take It (Moombahton Club Dub) – Dave Nada
15. She Wants Moombahsoul – Thomas Blondet
16. Cubia – Jon Kwest
17. Cumbia Nightlife (Dave Nada Moombahton Edit) – Joyce Muniz & Shanti Roots
18. Patchy Moombahton – Sabo
19. Clap Your Hands – Melo & Pickster & Sabo
20. Night (Sabo Moombahton Edit) – Benga
21. Far Nearer (Nadastrom & Sabo edit) – Jamie XX

DJ Sabo’s Sol Selecta records have just put out number 5 in their Moombahton series, with original tracks and remixes from Nadastrom, Jon Kwest and Sabo himself. There’s even an edit of Jamie XX’s beautiful ‘Far Nearer’. Cop it.

Moombahton Massive V ep by SolSelectas

As far as Moombahton remixes go, there’s so many of them to trawl through that finding a good one is reaching golddust status. Here are some of the latest quality remixes, from Jay Z to Vybz. Now you can make that moombah mix you’ve been meaning to make. And be sure to check out Starfoxxx’s full EP, just released for free.

2 Bad Mice Flippa Mafia Cham – Bomb Scare (Smutlee Rmx) by smutlee

Pharrell ft Jay-Z – Frontin’ (ClubbJunky Moombahton Edit) by ClubbJunky

Jay Z – Change Clothes (Starfoxxx moombahton remix) by starfoxxxchicago

Kriss Kross – Jump (Uberjakd-2Deep Moombahton Edit) by 2 DEEP

GoGoTon feat Vybz Kartel & Rhyno – Jacky Murda by JackyMurda

Lumidee – Uh Oh (Never Leave You) (Daims & ChriSupreme Edit) by DAIMS&CHRISUPREME

And a mini-mix from BabySTEPS:

BabySTEPS – Puro Moombahton (Mix) by babySTEPS

Tifa is one of Jamaica’s top young deejays, and singjays for that matter. When an artist gets full support from legendary production crew Ward 21, you know they’re gold. After her first tunes, ‘Crawny Gal’ and ‘Bottom of the Barrel’ blew up in Jamaica, she continued on climbing, joining forces with Timberlee and Natalie Storm to form JA girl group TNT, making singles with top producers like TJ, Stephen McGregor and Equiknoxx, not to mention supporting Ward 21 on tour.

Tifa has just joined the Mixpak family, voicing on a Dre Skull-produced Moombahton track set for release later this year, so we thought we’d get the 411 on her background, making it in Jamaica, working with Ward 21 and being a tomboy.

Mixpak: Tell us a bit about your background – did you grow up in a reggae household?

Well my growing up was in a mixture of down town (or what people would refer to as the ghetto), uptown (suburbia) and a lil’ North America. I did grow up in a reggae dancehall household. My grandmother had a local bar and restaurant and music was always apart of the happenings. I was always surrounded by music. When I went overseas to see my mom, she was an avid party goer, she would always be playing tapes and we would always be listening to music. Seeing her dress up and go out, also developed my fashion sense. My uncle also owned a popular record store in Toronto and I would always travel with him to Dynamic Sounds to purchase goods. Later on my mom met my stepfather, who was a producer. So let’s just say I couldn’t escape the music.

How did you get into deejaying?

Well, initially I started out as a singer. One day I was recording, and in writing the song didn’t realize that I had left out about four bars. Jokingly I free styled the lines, and everybody was like “yooooo, you should deejay more”. So after thinking about it some more I tried it out, and found that those type of songs were getting more airplay than the singing ones. Hence, Tifa the deejay. I do still sing though. And a lot of the harmonies you hear on my songs, especially in the choruses, are done by me. So I really have a singjay vibe i guess.

How did you make yourself heard on the dancehall scene? Is it easy to get noticed out there?

Getting noticed or the right exposure on the Jamaican music scene is no easy task. Especially as a female in a male dominated business. It’s much harder for people to take you seriously. I had it double hard cause I had a “sexy” walk that people weren’t used to in the business. It was rough, and still is. It’s a very competitive and vicious business. I got through by persistence, and promoting on the streets. I took every free show, every school barbeque, and every road show, do my music videos and promoted hard, until eventually people started to listen, and they wanted more. I also realized that I could have also expanded my brand through corporate Jamaica. So when the opportunities arise I use it to my advantage.

Who do you feel you look up to, vocally?

Wow! A whole lot of different people. From Lady Saw, Patra, Lady G, Shelly Thunder, Chevelle Franklin, Maxi Priest, Mary J. Blige, you name it!!!

You’ve worked with some huge producers – Ward 21, Equiknoxxx, Stephen Mcgregor, TJ – who out of all of them did you like working with most and who would you want to make a track with in the future?

I love working with Ward 21 the most, because they’re family, and I’m allowed to experiment and get crazy, as well as having their knowledge bestowed upon me. I also love working with Conroy from Washroom Entertainment. Locally I’ve worked with most of the well-known and some of the greats. I’d love to hopefully get track produced one day by Sly and Robbie, Kanye West, The Neptunes, Missy Elliot, and a host of others that i really like.

You have an upcoming project with Dre Skull for mixpak – where you’ll be voicing on a moombahton track. What was your reaction to the moombahton sound?

Well, the track is basically and infusion of reggae, dancehall, and pop, similar to the sounds of the 80s. Hence it wasn’t really much of a hard task in terms in terms of writing, when i heard the track i instantly loved it. So i just let the riddim tell my creative juices where to flow.

How do you feel about voicing over genres that aren’t straight up dancehall?

I don’t mind, voicing on tracks that aren’t dancehall. I love to take risks, I love to try new and different things, and so as long as the tracks give me a good energy or a vibe, I’ll work with it.

What’s been the best moment of your career so far / your best live show ?

Touring with Ward 21 in 2008. We performed in the Czech Republic, I was the first female reggae/dancehall artiste out of Jamaica to perform there. It felt so good! It was a wonderful show & I rocked out in my I love Jamaica t-shirt.

What riddims from the past do you wish you had the opportunity to voice on?

Anything produced by Dave Kelly.

When you’re not making music, what music do you listen to?

I listen to a lot of vintage reggae and dancehall. I love old hits, as well as RnB too.

I heard you saying somewhere that you’re a tomboy but you’re not usually dressed like that – does dancehall make you dress up?

To an extent, especially when I’m doing shows. I love jeans and sneakers!!! I just find more creative ways to dress them up! I love comfort.

Think my favourite Tifa track is ‘Tick it like a Clock’ or ‘Boasy Wid It’ – what song are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of ‘If i could fly’, which was a cover of the classic “Into the night” it’s not easy doing covers, you’re more subjected to heavier criticism. I’m happy at the response that it received, it’s one of my best selling songs on iTunes, and i got the opportunity to sing again.

What are your upcoming plans?

Well definitely more singles and more videos. I plan to come out with a mixtape after summer, and hopefully release an album early next year. I’ll be doing a mini tour with Melanie Fiona, Spice, Patra, Alaine and Lumidee in July, I’ll be on Reggae Sumfest as well as other major shows in Jamaica and elsewhere. The work continues, the journey continues.

Watch out for Tifa’s record on Mixpak soon!

Corcovado has given us his latest release, ‘Give It Up’ for exclusive download! It’s a mean Moombahton jam laden with melodic, tone-bent R&B samples. It’s a must-have for your deep-cut summer mixes. Jump on it!

Watch out for future releases from Corcovado, including a track for the Futur Tribal compilation on Get Flavor, and an EP for Cumbia label, Choles Records.

Corcovado – Give It Up

Speaking of Texas, here’s a jam from another Lone Star State DJ, Corcovado (formerly Teen Wolf). This and a few other great tracks are available for free download on Corcovado’s Soundcloud.