There’s something about the frigidity of Montreal that gives its artists an extra, desperation driven push of creativity. A product of seven out of twelve months likely containing snowstorms, maybe? Whatever it is, it’s probably found abundantly in ITFW, two DJs from the curbs of Montreal, Azamat B and Sinjin Hawke.

Resident DJs of “Boomclap”, they host a weekly friday night party focusing on classic house sounds, detroit techno, chicago juke, with new and old school rap and r&b. Finding a good balance in the Canadian club scene is a difficult thing, but even though the night just began in January 2011, the Boomclap soundcrew has already hosted the likes of Lunice, Jacques Greene, Dubbel Dutch, our Discobelle fam LOL Boys (who also curate the guests), Samo Sound Boy, Brenmar, Prince Club, and many more, for only $5 a night too.

For those of you not in Montreal to experience the magic firsthand only to stumble out into the street searching for $2 chow mein with peanut butter sauce afterwards, the ITFW boys have done an EP of Aaliyah remixes that embody the heart and soul of the party.

While Aaliyah remixes these days need to be examined seriously for the level of necessity of their creation, this package is brimming with five amazing reinterpretations of the original tracks that do their thing and let the vocals shine while still adding some great flourishes.

Grab all five below and show some support for Boomclap if you’re anywhere even remotely near Canada.

ITFW – Aaliyah 2011 (Zip file, mediafire)

Le Matos were featured in one of our We Got Mail editions a few months ago and they got some good response. The first official remix by Le Matos popped up in our mailbox yesterday. They’ve remixed the track “Prends Une Photo Avec Moi” from fellow Montrealians in rap group Omnikrom (famous for their ode to Quebecois fast food “Danse La Poutine”). Le Matos turns the track into some synthy futuristic electro/hip hop which is undeniably perfect for the club.

Omnikrom – Prends Une Photo Avec Moi (Le Matos Mauviette remix) (YSI)

Omnikrom – Prends Une Photo Avec Moi (Le Matos Mauviette remix) (zShare)