Every year since 2005, Bootie USA has released a free CD containing the year's best mash-ups and remixes. Bootie originated in San Francisco, but now is in eight locations, including New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Munich.
My favorite thing about the Best of Bootie compilations is that they are free. There's quite a lot of content you can get for free on the internet these days, but Best of Bootie is legitimately free - and good to boot. Featuring the talents of the likes of A Plus D, Electrosound, Party Ben, DJ Tripp, and many others, the CDs always offer an eclectic mix of pop, rock, rap, and, strangely enough, television show theme music. Who knew?
Only the best mash-ups of the year make it onto each CD, and Bootie releases "bonus tracks" that almost made the cut. You get some pretty odd combos that make for some great music that gets you moving.
Some of my favorites over the years include:
- Beethoven's Fifth Gold Digger (Kanye West vs. Beethoven vs. Walter Murphy), by A Plus D (2005)
- An Honest M.I.A. (The Bravery Vs. M.I.A.), by A Plus D (2005)
- The Safety Booty (Bubba Sparxxx vs. Men Without Hats), by DJ Topcat (2006)
- Love Will Tear You Apart (She Wants Revenge vs. Joy Division vs. Bauhaus), by A Plus D (2006)
- Pour Some Hot Sugar (Mimis vs. Def Leppard), by A Plus D (2007)
- Detox (Amy Winehouse vs. Britney Spears), by King of Pants (2007)
- Single Ladies (In Mayberry) (Beyonce vs. "The Andy Griffith Show" Theme), by Party Ben (2008 bonus track)
- Dance Dreams (Lady Gaga vs. Eurythmics), by Divide and Kreate (2008)
What's not to love? You get great dance music, with crazy mash-ups I would have never though possible. You'll find yourself laughing at the combination of some stranger pairs: Beethoven and Kanye West launched A Plus D to internet fame, and the track quickly became a staple on the club scene. You know it's good music when it's enough to get you out of the house and dancing in a club, instead of in front of you mirror.
If you live in San Francisco, Bootie SF does bi-monthly mash-up nights. You can catch A Plus D there this month on June 13th and 27th.