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Showing posts with label FEATURE STORY. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Groove Magazine celebrate 19th birthday

Groove turn 19 this December, and to celebrate they're throwing four parties in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt.

Being Groove, they haven’t pulled any punches as far as assembling their line-ups, attracting some of the biggest names around in the underground electronic music scene. Berlin's Watergate venue is where the celebrations begin, and they've got an all-star line-up of Ricardo Villalobos, Michael Mayer and Apparat. (Warp's latest African signing Mujava also plays his debut Berlin show there.)

Groove take the party to Hamburg's NeibKlub the night after, where guests include Carl Craig, Radio Slave, Shed and Stefan Goldmann. Just as you think that things can't really get more impressive, they're keeping their stamina up and travelling to Munich, where they've lured Isolee into playing live, supported by Âme, Christian Prommer and Radio Slave yet again. Three events in three days—surely that's enough for the Groove guys?

Seemingly not, as the following weekend sees them take over two adjoining Frankfurt clubs in the same night, opening both up to create a massive three-room party. The legendary Robert-Johnson club will host a live set from the Arto Mwambé project, as well as DJ sets from Dixon and Ewan Pearson. It's next door neighbour is MTW, which will see turns on the decks from Luke Slater, Marcel Dettmann, Federico Molinari whilst Johnny D and Modeselektor will also play live.

With parties as enticing as this being thrown for their 19th birthday, who knows what they're going to do next year for their 20th?

Dec 04 19 Jahre Groove, Watergate, Berlin

Dec 05 19 Jahre Groove, NeidKlub, Hamburg

Dec 06 19 Jahre Groove, Die Registratur, Munich

Dec 13 19 Jahre Groove, Robert-Johnson, Frankfurt

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Warp set to release On The Hour

Warp are set to release both series of Chris Morris' early 90s radio show, On The Hour, on November 24th.

The show, originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the early '90s, was a satire on the way that the news is presented to us through the modern media. As well as being the first appearance of Steve Coogan's now famous Alan Partridge character, the show was later adapted into a TV news format for Morris' The Day Today show.

Previously the only commercial release of the show was a double cassette that contained just two of the six hours of broadcasted material. This was due to a legal dispute with co-writers Stewart Lee and Richard Herring, as all of the parts that they'd had a hand in writing were chopped out of that release. It seems like this has all been resolved now, as Warp are set to release the entire two series as two 4xCD boxsets. Those who can't wait for Morris' forthcoming satire on Jihadi Muslims (one that Morris has even learned Arabic to try and tackle) would be well advised to check this comprehensive collection out.

Warp will release On The Hour on November 24th.

Label: Warp Records

RA release advice: November 2008

In the fast-paced climate of electronic music, it's sometimes difficult to find out exactly when your favourite artists have their latest releases out. And there's nothing more annoying than buying your monthly fix of vinyl, only to have something you really wanted hit the stores the day after you've put through your order. That's why we at RA have decided to give you a list of upcoming albums and singles so you can keep on top of everything that's being put out on a month-to-month basis.

Of course, while we've tried our best to keep all the information as accurate as possible, delays may mean that the release dates aren't 100% correct so keep that in mind when browsing. It isn't a comprehensive list of everything coming out; more of a selection of key releases for the month. That said, any label/artist who doesn't see their particular release in this list, should feel free to e-mail us at pressreleases AT residentadvisor.net to get their tunes listed for this and upcoming months. (Enterprising music geeks should feel free to do the same!) And anyone looking for release advice should bookmark this space: We'll keep it updated throughout the month.

November 1
V/A – Kitsune Maison 6 (Kitsune)

November 3
Daniel Bortz - Kantorka EP (And)
Bukaddor & Fishbeck - Carat (Traum)
Digitalism – Hands on Idealism (Kitsune)
dOP - Panik (Milnormodern)
Glitterbug - Supershelter (C.Sides)
Glitterbug - Supershelter - Excerpts 1 (C.Sides)
Le Le – Flage (Magnetron)
Mark-Henning - Fabrique Belgique (Soma)
Marshall Jefferson Vs Noosa Heads - Mushrooms (Soap)
Mathias Kaden - Moron / Shetani (Vakant)
John Keys - Pac Man (Treibstoff)
Roman IV - Altes Testament (Playhouse)
Silverclub - Crash This Car (Leftroom)
Ian Simmonds - The Wendelstein Variations [EP] (Musik Krause)
Solaris Heights - Communique (Boxer)
Satoshi Tomiie - Renaissance: The Masters Series [2CD] (Renaissance)
V/A - Balinken EP (3000 Grad Records)
V/A - Rabimmel with a Vengeance (Areal)
V/A - Spectral Remixed (Spectral)
Vince Watson - Duality Pt. 1 (Mule Electronic)

November 4
Morel - Death of the Paperboy (Outsider Music) (US Release)
V/A - Spectral Remixed (Spectral Sound)

November 5
Liapin - Basila (Outils du Connoisseur)

November 7
Shahrokh Sound Of K. - Dripping Point (Compost)

November 10
Luca Bacchetti – Afrikaans (Ovum)
Buraka Som Sistema - Black Diamond [LP] (Fabric)
Chicago Dancefloor Voodoo - Transfusion [digital] (Classic)
Decimal - Babylon (Soma)
Efdemin – America (Curle)
Geoffroy & Kolombo pres. Mugwump - Meditation EP (Kompakt)
Gorge – Kassiande (Freerange)
Guns 'N' Bombs – Riddle of Steel (Kitsune)
Matthew Herbert - There's Me and There's You [LP] (!K7)
EOC - Information Warfare [LP] (Ai)
Johnwaynes - Black Label #38 (Compost)
The Last Atlant - I Like Chocolate (Global Underground)
Lawrence - Miles (Dial)
Modeselektor - Happy Birthday Remixed Pt. 2 (Bpitch Control)
Alex Niggemann - Everybody Darling (Solar & Poppcke) (Ostwind)
Nukes & theburlybeatfarmer - Wallet FAT (Stigma)
Others AKA Bruno Pronsato & Daze Maxim - Saxophone/Trumpet (Musique Risquée)
Riz MC - Radar (Crosstown Rebels)
Sebastien San - Juno / Jupiter EP (Echocord Colour)
The Sight Below – Glider (Ghostly International)
Swayzak - Smile and Receive (Swayzak)
TG - Mr Dry Remixes (Trapez)
V/A - Famous When Dead VI [2CD] (Playhouse)
Zombie Nation - Forza (UKW)

November 12
VA - Munich Disco Tech Vol. 2 (Great Stuff)

November 13
DJ Pierre – I've Lost Control (International DJ Gigolos)

November 14
Ogris Debris - Black Label #39 (Compost)
Hell & Rother – Bodyfarm (Datapunk)
Lullabies In The Dark – Iridium (Permanent Vacation)
Ray Okpara - Swimming To The Moon EP (Drumpoet Community)
Anthony Rother - We Are Punks 3 (Datapunk)

November 17
Ada - Forty Winks (IRR)
Attp D'Amore – Serge Santiago Re-Edits (Arcobaleno)
Citizen Cain - Joker of the Queen (My Best Friend)
Dances With White Girls - New Crack Swing (Throne Of Blood)
Efdemin – Carry On, Pretend We're Not in the Room (Curle)
Kasper Davai - Davai EP (Múpa)
Gowentgone - Under the Bridge EP (Vidab)
Imps AKA Minilogue - Remixed Vol.1 (Mule Electronic)
Modern Heads - Point Of View Master (Mental Groove Ltd.)
Popnoname - Surrounded By Weather (Remixes 1) (Italic)
Random Factor - Remixes (2020 Vision)
Daniel Stefanik - The Madcap Laughs EP (Freude Am Tanzen)
TBA - TBA (Sender)
Peter Van Hoesen - Empire in Decline (Time To Express)
Siri Svegler - Their Wine / Not Worth It (Compost)
X-District - Colour Correction (Remixes) (Playhouse)
You Love Her Coz She's Dead – Inner City Angst (Kitsune)

November 18
Deastro – Parallelogram [Digital] (Ghostly International)
Guy J - Esperanza (Bedrock) (US Release)
V/A - Bedrock 10: Past, Present and Future Mixed by John Digweed [3CD] (Bedrock) (US Release)

November 19
Oliver Klein - Flow & Zeo (Kling Klong)

November 21
The Embassy - Lurking (With A Distance) (Permanent Vacation)
Turntablerocker - Black Label #41 (Compost)

November 24
Benjamin Brunn - 77 (Bine)
Burnski - Packing My Bags EP (Infant)
Chaim - Where Is Jack EP (Bpitch Control)
Tom Demac - Stand Beside Me (murmur)
Dual Shaman - Sideral (Manual)
Foals - Olympic Airways (Kompakt Pop)
Italoboyz - Portucais (Trapez Ltd.)
Jamie Jones - Panic [digital] (Crosstown Digital Rebels)
Roland Klinkenberg - Dusty Horizon (Global Underground)
Kolombo - TBC (Boxer)
Lawrence - Divided (Spectral)
Mikkel Metal - Peaks and Troughs EP Part 3/3 (Echocord)
Brendon Moeller - Ignition EP (Apnea)
Mugwump - Yanja (Disco)
Plus1 - Diagramm.Romanze (Koax)
Rocco – New Awakening (Freerange)
Roman IV - Green Tea (Playhouse)
V/A – Carry On Mix CD Sampler 1 (Curle)
V/A – Carry On Mix CD Sampler 2 (Curle)
V/A - Soma Compilation 2008 (Soma)

November 25
Kill Memory Crash – Of Fire EP [Digital] (Ghostly International)
Lawrence – Divided (Spectral Sound)

November 26
Mark August - The Wasps From Tunisia And The Silver Piggy (Connaisseur Recordings)
Ramon Tapia – Mini Jack (Great Stuff)
V/A - GPM 100 (Get Physical Music)

November 28
Rother vs. Telekraft - Planet Telekraft EP (Telekraft Recordings)
Danny Fiddo & AFFKT – Points (Barraca Music)

RA Reviews

Pet Shop Boys set for Brits honour

Pet Shop Boys have been confirmed as the winners of the Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2009 Brit Awards.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe formed the group in 1981, and have since had 22 Top 10 hits and four No.1 singles.

A statement from Ged Doherty, Chairman of the Brits committee said: “Since their first Brit Awards over 20 years ago, Neil and Chris have produced a fantastic body of work with songs that truly were the soundtrack to a whole generation’s lives.

“The Pet Shop Boys have since become one of the most influential groups of the modern era and are deserving recipients of the award.”

Previous winners of the prize include Oasis, Tom Jones, Paul Weller and Sir Paul McCartney.

Earlier this month, it was rumoured that Simon Cowell would be this year’s recipient of the prize.

The 2009 Brit Awards will take place at London’s Earls Court on 18 February.

Dizzee Rascal joins forces with Armand Van Helden

Dizzee Rascal has revealed he is working on new material with US DJ Armand Van Helden.

The intriguing collaborative effort has so far spawned a track called ‘Bonkers’ and Dizzee says he is keen to continue working with the house expert, famed for his 1999 No.1 single ‘U Don’t Know Me’.

Bow rapper Dizzee, real name Dylan Mills, told The Daily Star: “I’m working on new material with Armand Van Helden.

“I’m excited by everything that’s about to happen and ready to get back in the studio.”

Dizzee also explained that, amid the credit crunch, he feels his job as an entertainer is even more pertinent – leading him to write increasingly upbeat lyrics.

He added: “Even though it’s a bit of a f***ed up climate right now, I feel it’s my duty to make people be able to enjoy themselves through it.

“Sometimes, when it’s totally s***, people will have more fun becuase they’re grateful for the little enjoyment they can get.”

Thursday, November 13, 2008

secretsundaze goes inside for the winter

secretsundaze has announced a winter series of dates to be held in the capital.

The secretsundaze crew won't be hibernating this winter. Instead, Giles Smith and James Priestley have planned a limited schedule of events called secretsundaze & friends, which will bring even more deep house to London.

The duo's impeccable selection means that the series of dates will kick off this weekend with Argy, Glimpse and Drumpoet Community regulars Quarion and Lexx holding things down (with a Disco Bloodbath promised in the third room), while December's event will feature Shinedoe, 2000 and One, and Kabale und Liebe , along with Brothers' Vibe. As Smith tells it, the winter parties will differ from the usual shindigs in size, so they'll be able to "invite more guests and dig a little deeper, getting whole crews to come in."

The question on the minds of those who can't make it to London, though, is plans regarding getting in another DJ to celebrate the opening of yet another ss summer season with a mix, ala Tobi Neumann earlier this year. Priestley isn't quite sure yet: "Perhaps is probably the best answer I can give you right now. The compilation market is tougher than ever at the moment and as much as we love doing the compilation side of things, we need to make sure that it makes sense financially for us too." Which is a clarion call to come support the party in person if we ever heard one.

Nov 15 Secretsundaze, The Scala, London

DJ Page: Argy

Compost get fresh

Compost are due to release a new label compilation, Freshly Composted Vol. 3, in January of next year.

The Munich based label is celebrating the fact that they have now had 300 catalogue numbers with a new label compilation, due for release early next year. Freshly Composted Vol. 3 rounds up some of the highlights of the last two years, most of which haven't seen the light of day on CD until now. These include I:Cube's sunkissed remix of Karma, Ripperton's mix of Beanfield and Charles Webster's contribution to Robert Owens' solo album. Fans who own these already need not despair, as Compost have included three previously unreleased tracks from Alif Tree, Part Time Heroes and Shahrokh Sound Of K (again featuring Robert Owens on vocal duties).

Tracklist
01. Marbert Rocel - The Pack (Part Time Heroes Flat Pack Mix)
02. Alif Tree - Mai
03. Sistars – Inspirations (Innocent Sorcerers Remix)
04. Sepalot feat. Ladi6 - Go Get It
05. Eddy Meets Yannah - Solid Ground (Crazy P Remix)
06. Karma - Beach Towel (I:Cube Cosmix Marathon Remix)
07. Beanfield feat. Bajka – Tides (Ripperton Mix)
08. Ben Mono - Jesus Was A B-Boy (TJ Kong & Nuno Dos Santos Remix)
09. Robert Owens & Charles Webster - Never Give Up
10. Wojtek Urbanski - Violet Violin
11. Muallem feat. Shawn Lee – Cheerleader (Phreek Plus One Cosmic Vox Mix)
12. Alex Attias presents Mustang feat. Colonel Red - Everchanging Time (Beanfield Remix)
13. Shahrokh Sound Of K. feat. Robert Owens - Perfect Stranger

Compost will release Freshly Composted Vol. 3 in January 2009.

Label: Compost

PLUSMOVE Time Travel To 2099 and Reveal The Future Of Dance

After years of pounding at the backstage door, it’s pretty much official: dance music is the new punk rock. CBGBs is no more, and guitars are swiftly being eclipsed by laptops, but the DIY aesthetic is alive and well. So it’s only fitting that the future of American dance music should emerge in the form of two New England Art Institute grads, Josh Shifrin and Paul Mihailoff, who left behind their punk rock and hip-hop pasts to form Plus Move, an electronic act obsessed with the future. And for good reason - they’ve been there. “It’s kind of weird how we got into this,” Mihailoff admits,recalling a time back in Boston before they learned the art of time travel. Both he and Shifrin were playing in rock bands, with their only common thread was a shared interest in Radiohead.

“I was actually into producing hip-hop beats when we first met, and
I threw Daft Punk in the same category as the bland, repetitive,
four-on-the-floor stuff that I couldn’t get into. But once I understood
the energy behind it, I started listening to all the other French producers.”

Plus Move got everyone’s attention when they leaked their bootleg
remix of Justice’s funk-squelch anthem “D.A.N.C.E” to some of their
favorite music blogs back in the summer of 2007. “We first heard the
song as a radio rip,” Shifrin recalls. “It wasn’t even the full song
or the final version, but we fell in love with it and immediately
chopped the shit out of the track to get rid of the radio noise,
re-worked it completely and sent it back out to every blog that we
liked. Before we knew it, we were getting emails from people all over
the world.”

One of those emails got their attention more than the other messages
from crazed fans. It was an anonymous invitation to a meeting in a
basement underneath M.I.T., just minutes from the Plus Move studio.
Shifrin and Mihailoff are reluctant to reveal specifics, but the story
goes that they were introduced to someone they refer to cryptically
as“Sphinx.” When asked if “Sphinx” is the mythical being described in
Egyptian and Greek mythology, Plus Move boldly puts forth that Sphinx
“has taken many different forms throughout time.”

The next part of the story may be even less credible, yet the
recordings that make up the “2099” EP are presented for your
consideration. Plus Move claim to have traveled through time with
Sphinx to the year 2099, where together they defeated the evil ruler
BOSS. In the ensuing days spent in 2099, Plus Move and Sphinx recorded
these songs and brought them back to the present day as documented
proof of their travels.

The cool heads at Expansion Team Records, for whom the duo had
previously remixed a Ready Fire Aim track, immediately took notice of
the change in Shifrin and Mihailoff’s disposition. The “2099”
recordings shifted and morphed with more unpredictable dynamics than a
multi-car pileup, equal parts apocalypse and apotheosis in the mix.
Label boss and fellow futurist Alex Moulton lent his ear to the music,
helping co-produce the songs to make them understandable to early-21st
century ears.

Plus Move recently relocated to Austin, Texas, a move necessitated by
the need for physical space to assemble their next secret project. The
duo are reportedly building a structure they believe is a time machine
that allows for hundreds (if not thousands) of fans to join them on
their subsequent journeys to the future. How’s that for DIY?

PLUS MOVE

2099 EP

Expansion Team Records

Digital Release Date: out now

www.myspace.com/plusmove

www.expansionteamrecords.com

www.rephlektorink.com/kits/plusmove.zip

RIYL: Crookers, Daft Punk, Don Rimini, Justice, MSTRKRFT

Tracks

1. “2099”

2. “Tic Toc”

3. “Boss” ( http://www.expansionteamrecords.com/plusmove.zip )

Underage Festival Christmas Special

After the repeated success of the greatest event of the summer, Underage Festival returns to bring seasonal cheer to a no-adults crowd at the Scala during the short, dark days of December for an Underage Festival Christmas Special, its first indoor extravaganza.

Underage collaborators CONVERSE host the main stage and it features the hottest line up around. Not to be out done in any way, shape or form ARTROCKER have lovingly cherry picked the best in underground music for the NEW BLOOD stage. This room is dedicated to the NEW BLOOD section of Artrocker Magazine, which is supported by Conversemusic.co.uk and pushes the newest and freshest talent in the biggest way possible. This includes interviews in the magazine, FREE MP3 downloads on conversemusic.co.uk and Live events such as this with NEW BLOOD bands.

Continue reading ‘Underage Festival Christmas Special’

Da Lata return with ‘this is not your job’

November 10th 2008 heralds the return of London-based cult afro-Latin-funk duo Da Lata with ‘This Is Not Your Job’, plus disco and deep house remixes from Faze Action, The Layabouts and Yass.

Key members Patrick Forge and Chris Franck are joined by Senegalese singer/Kora player Diabel Cissokho, previously of the internationally renowned Baba Maal. Cissokho has also played alongside the likes of African A-listers Femi Kuti and Manu Dibango.

A rugged, bumpy hoedown, ‘This Is Not Your Job’ melds a mind-boggling array of styles and instruments from around the word, with the common link being a steely focus on the dancefloor. This floorfiller in waiting is, incidentally, topped-off with one of the most memorable guitar riffs in ages.

Having known one another for over ten years, Christian Franck and Patrick Forge make up the core of Da Lata and are often joined by a spectrum of talented musicians. Chris has been involved in Latin/jazz/soul circles for many years and has worked with key players of the international scene.

Chris Franck was initially in a band called Batu, when Broadcaster/ DJ Patrick Forge became involved after hearing a demo. Their sound appealed to Patrick, who was up for the challenge of working with a live band, citing his role as ‘creative nuisance’. The early release ‘Seasons Of My Mind’ grew in reputation as an anthem in jazz-dance circles worldwide.

The follow-up was a version of Edu Lobo’s Brazilian classic Ponteio and put Da Lata on the map, following support from Francois K and Joe Claussell, who developed the track’s classic status at their revered club night Body and Soul.

Patrick Forge met Nina Miranda in a club in Rio, heard the demo of her underground anthem ‘Underwater Love’ and on Nina’s return to London, introduced her to Chris. Smoke City was born and ‘Underwater Love’ crossed-over to become a major hit in 1996.

Continue reading ‘Da Lata return with ‘this is not your job’’

Ministry of Sound London - DJ Academy

Ministry of Sound London, the world’s most renowned clubbing venue, will launch its very own DJ Academy on 5th December 2008. A unique one day course that will invite music enthusiasts from all over the globe on to its legendary soundsystem, to study DJ skills with the biggest names in dance music including Danny Rampling, Ray Keith, Chad Jackson and Karl Brown.

Since Ministry of Sound first opened its doors back in 1991 it has become the venue that DJ’s and clubbers have admired. Whether on the decks or on the dancefloor, dance music enthusiasts have travelled far and wide to become a part of the Ministry of Sound experience. Now the club is giving dance music fanatics the opportunity to go behind the scenes to kick start their own DJ career, and learn first hand exactly why it has become the most pioneering and celebrated venue to ever exist in clubland.

TUITION

Starting on Friday the 5th December, and taking place every month thereafter, the MoS DJ Academy will introduce a DJ teaching course to rival all courses of its type currently in the market. The course, which has been devised by Jim Jomoa a DJ & Producer and full time DJ Lecturer at the ACM in Guildford, will provide students with an intensive one day insight into the world of dance music, guiding them through a full DJ aptitude programme whilst also supplying vital information about the nightlife industry, its many career options and guidance towards how to market and develop oneself as a DJ in what has become a very desirable workplace.

TUTORS

The real significance for anyone choosing this course lies in its tutorial team which is made up of eight of dance music’s most legendary DJ’s, all of whom have shaped and influenced their respective genre and scene via their input as DJ’s, promoters and producers. First up is Danny Rampling, reverently known as the Godfather of the British house music scene and a legend all over the globe who will be joined by Karl Tuff Enuff Brown, one half of DJ and production duo TuffJam, a team that alone are held responsible for the emergence of the ‘UK Garage’ scene. Next up is Ray Keith one of Drum & Bass’ foremost DJ’s and remixers whose weekly spot on Kiss 100 continues to supply the most upfront music from this genre. Chad Jackson, one of the UK’s first ever DJ’s and the architect of the ‘Madchester’ house music scene made famous by his legendary Hacienda residency, will also be supplying his extensive experience and knowledge alongside Jazzy M, the first DJ to ever play at Ministry of Sound on its opening night. Other DJ and producers on the rota and currently influencing the scene today are Circo Loco resident Shane Watcha, Jamie Griffiths and aptly named DJ Tutor, who has transformed the DJ tuition market with his on-line tutorials, some of which have received a staggering 338,000 hits in the past year.

VENUE

If the tutors are not enough enticement for those of you already nearing your own superstar DJ status, then the fact that this course takes place within Ministry of Sound on the best soundsystem in the business is bound to have you dribbling on your EQ’s. No other DJ course is able to offer its students the opportunity to play in an actual venue, and certainly not on a sound system of this outstanding quality. This really will be the best tuition on the market, as students will get the extraordinary opportunity to play on equipment including 9 Technics SL1210’s, 7 Pioneer CDJ 1000 MK3’s, 4 Pioneer DVJ 1000’s and a DJM 1000 all on a sound system with a whopping output of 34k at your disposal. It does not get any better than that.

So whether you are simply a beginner who is eager to get started on your DJ career, or indeed an avid mixing anorak who has already dedicated a large part of their life to DJing, this course will enable progression at every level whilst also putting you face to face with industry experts at the greatest venue on the planet. We look forward to seeing you soon.

An introductory price of £299 is available for a limited period of time.

Visit www.ministryofsound.com/djacademy for more information and booking

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Christopher Lawrence named America’s Best DJ. Qbert and Scribble Take Honors

Superstar DJs Qbert and Skribble Take Silver, Bronze in Las Vegas Ceremony

LAS VEGAS – Trance DJ Christopher Lawrence was named the 2008 winner of the America’s Best DJ contest on Tuesday, September 2, during a ceremony at Roug at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Lawrence was presented with a gold medal and a gold-plated Pioneer DJM-800 mixer – the only one in existence.

Turntablist legend DJ Qbert took the silver, and DJ/rock star DJ Skribble took the bronze.

After the presentation of the awards by dance recording artist Kristine W, the three medalists – and No. 5 finisher DJ Scotty Boy – played special sets for an enthusiastic Rouge crowd.

The ceremony was the culmination of a four-month contest and tour, presented by Pioneer Pro DJ and DJ Times magazine. Since June, the top 100 DJs in America – as selected by the editors of DJ Times – have solicited their fans to vote for them, both online at www.americasbestdj.net, and at 40 official ABDJ events at nightclubs and festivals nationwide. By the time the polls closed on August 16, over 35,000 had voted.

Lawrence is a DJ and producer specializing in progressive trance music, who has played for crowds of over 100,000 at festivals worldwide. His dedicated fans voted him into fourth place in U.K. magazine “DJ’s” 2006 Top 100 international poll; and he was named Best DJ at the Dancestar US Awards, and Best American DJ at the International Dance Music Awards in 2005.

DJ Qbert (Richard Quitevis) is a multiple Disco Mix Club World (DMC) world champion and a member of the DJ Hall of Fame. DJ Skribble (Scott Ialacci) is best known for his MTV appearances on The Grind and Total Request Live, and has toured with rock guitarist Dave Navarro.

About DJ Times & Testa Communications:

In addition to hosting the America’s Best DJ contest and tour, Testa Communications also sponsors the International DJ Expo and publishes DJ Times, Club World, The Music & Sound Retailer, and Sound & Communications magazines and produces Convention TV News at trade shows.

For more information, visit www.testacommunications.com

About Pioneer Pro DJ:

Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ equipment through its Professional Sound and Visual Division. Their DJM, CDJ, DVJ and SVM Professional DJ equipment are known for their high quality sound and reliability and considered the industry standard at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world. For more information, visit www.pioneerprodj.com

Friday, October 24, 2008

Top 10 Top 10 Dance Divas

Read about the Top 10 Dance Divas

By DJ Ron Slomowicz, About.com

A list of the top dance divas - our favorite female singers..

Jody Watley

Listening to Jody Watley's last album Midnight Lounge, it was a refreshing change to see one of clubland's true visionaries release a mature-sounding and fully-realized album. Previews of her new charming new album "The Makeover," where she reinterprets some of her favorite songs, are just as refreshing. In this era when karaoke covers seem to dominate dance clubs and radio, leave it to the legendary Jody Watley to show us how to do it right.

2. Ultra Nate

Soulful house diva Ultra Nate set the world ablaze with her international smash "Free." Singer, songwriter, clubpromoter - her repertoire include countless dance anthems.

3. Inaya Day

"Keep Pushin On," "Horny," "Hold Your Head Up High," and "Movin Up (Take My Problems to the Dancefloor)" are just a few of the international club smashes that Inaya Day has brought to appreciative dancefloors. As a songwriter and backup singer, she has worked with everyone from Missy Elliott and Bootsy Collins to Michael Jackson and Randy Crawford. With a new single, "You Spin Me," and a full-length album in the works, Inaya is touring the country and will show you that her Day has come.

4. Crystal Waters

From "Gypsy Woman" and "Come On Down" to "100% Pure Love" and her new hit "My Time," Crystal Waters is one of clubland's favorite singers. With her tenth chart topping club hit, she takes a break to talk with about.com.

5. Yoko Ono

Artistic visionary Yoko Ono has opened her arms and embraced dance music as a way to share her love and thoughts with the world. Taking an active role in the remixing of her music, she sees dance as a way for us to come together in these difficult times.

6. Barbara Tucker

Barbara Tucker is probably the hardest-working diva in the business. Crafted as part of a benefit for AIDS charity Lifebeat, her record with Blaze, "Most Precious Love," was the definitive record of Winter Music Conference 2005. Performing back-to-back every night during the week of the conference, Barbara also organizes "Let the Singer be Heard," to give artists a chance to share their music with a very supportive and appreciative crowd.

7. Simone Denny

Whether you know her as the voice of Love Inc, BKS or Widelife’s latest smash “All Things (Keep Getting Better)" – the theme to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Simone Denny’s powerful voice and energetic performances show much love to clubland. The ‘Canadian Dance Queen’ is actively touring dance clubs supporting the QEFTSG soundtrack, but did you know that she used to sing with a metal band or performed with life-size bunny rabbits?

8. Deborah Cox

Canadian chanteuse Deborah Cox is comfortable performing in just about any environment; huge concert halls, sweaty underground clubs, and now on Broadway starring in Aida. From her breakthrough "Sentimental" and megahit "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" to the current radio smash "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven," Deborah has always embraced dance music and club life, even compiling her club remixes on a very special Remixed album.

9. Kristine W

One of clubland's premiere dance artists, Kristine W is set to release her third album "Fly Again." Kristine talks with us about diving back into clubland and working with edgy producers to create an album of her vision as well as her fight against leukemia.

10. Joi Cardwell

Do you want More? If the artist is Joi Cardwell, the answer is a definite yes. The artist behind the club classics "Jump for Joi," "Club Lonely," "Soul to Bare," and "Trouble" talks about her experiences exploring the digital world and how she is reaching out to her fans in new ways.

Top 10 Top 10 Dance Artists

By DJ Ron Slomowicz, About.com

Top 10 Dance Artists

1. Moby

DJ? Artist? Producer? Author? Restaurant Mogul? There isn't a single title that can be used to encompass the multitalented genius known as Moby. Taking a break between a promotional tour and a concert tour, Moby took a few minutes to talk to us about his new album "Hotel," the joys of Teany and political activism.

2. Underworld

Dance artists rarely make it past one album, much less to a greatest hits album. Underworld is not a typical dance artist and Anthology 1992-2002 is not a greatest hits album, but rather a collection of songs that document ten years of music from white labels to major soundtracks by one of the most important electronic music artists. Karl Hyde spoke to us about the progression of Underworld through their unique live shows and creative visions that keep us all jumping on the dancefloor.

3. Mylo

Mylo's debut CD "Destroy Rock and Roll" spawned the massive club anthems "Drop the Pressure" and "In My Arms." Critical praise and commercial success assured an eventual US release, led by the mashup "Doctor Pressure" which layered Miami Sound Machine's "Doctor Beat" over "Drop the Pressure." Taking a break between albums, Mylo (born Myles MacInnes) is touring the world as a DJ and recently made a stop in New York to play a party for internet record label Recall Records.

4. Scissor Sisters

Scissor Sisters are redefining pop music with a playful edge; fusing rock, dance, and just about everything else with incredibly well-written songs with hooks that force you to sing along. Baby Daddy teamed up with lead singer Jake Shears to form the nucleus which expanded to include self described "drag queen stuck in a woman's body" Ana Matronic, drummer Paddy Boom and guitarist Del Marquis.

5. Infusion

Springing from intense afterschool discussions about Depeche Mode and the fecund sounds emerging from the international rave scene, Infusion (Manuel Sharrad, Jamie Stevens, and Frank Xavier) have been delivering quality dance music since their first 12” “Smokescreen,” bringing creativity and fierce energy with their productions and remixes ever since then.

6. Prodigy

Is electro the new punk rock? On The Prodigy's new album, Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned, Liam Howlett goes back to his punk roots, exploring his influences and mashing them together in his laptop. Inviting people as varied as Kool Keith, Juliette Lewis, Princess Superstar and Twista along for the ride, the CD is like one we have never experienced before.

7. Junkie XL

Following up the gargantuan concept album Radio JXL with the more personal and instrospective Today, Junkie XL goes back to his musical roots, building the album around the guitar, the instrument he is most comfortable with. Not that he hasn't been busy lately, remixing everyone from Coldplay to Britney Spears and scoring film soundtracks and videogames, though he might be best known for his work with Elvis.

8. Conjure One (Rhys Fulber)

Few artists can honestly say that they witnessed and contributed to the birth of modern industrial music... Rhys Fulber can. Widely known for his work with Austrian musician Bill Leeb on a little project called Frontline Assembly, Fulber has cemented the use of synthesizers and electronic drums in industrial music. Since Frontline Assembly, Fulber has expanded his musical horizons by composing for numerous side projects such as Intermix, Delirium, Synaesthesia and now Conjure One.

9. Kraak and Smaak

And you thought Dutch dance music began and ended with only trance music? Kraak & Smaak, the team of Mark Kneppers, Oscar De Jong and Wim Plug, break the mold with funky house rhythms from a DIY perspective. Whether you experience their performances as a live band, their intense DJ sets, or their cutting-edge videos, you will definitely groove to the tracks from their impressive debut CD "Boogie Angst."

10. Second Sun

Voraciously energetic performers, the members of Second Sun are up-and-comers to watch. Not since The Prodigy have electronica artists been such engaging crowd pleasers. With their artist album in stores now, Antoine and Adam are touring North America this summer.

Top 9 Trance DJs

Top 10 Trance DJs

By DJ Ron Slomowicz, About.com

A list of the top trance DJs - our favorite trance discjockeys

1. Tiesto

Tiesto - one name means so much. A unique vision of trance music that has conquered the world. Topping the DJ list for three years, playing the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games, and selling out stadiums; Tiesto live is an amazing experience. At the Mansion in Miami, Tiësto rocked the crowd for a non-stop set that has already become the stuff of legend. Magnetic visuals, creative performance artists and a stunning vocal performance by Jes completed the scene for a magical evening.

2. Paul Van Dyk

With a grammy nomination, a number one spot on DJ Magazine’s list of the Top Global DJs and the incredible Politics of Dancing 2 compilation, it’s been a great year for Paul Van Dyk. As a pioneer of electronic music, he breaks down genre and technological boundaries to entertain and unite the people of the world.

3. Judge Jules

Globetrotting superstar DJ Judge Jules has set his sights on the US in 2006 with the release of both an artist album and a mixed compilation. A fixture on BBC Radio One and Sirius Satellite, Jules is one of the few DJs who can bring the cutting edge club sound onto the air and keep the feeling alive in any environment.

4. Alex Gold

How many people can claim to have worked with Prince, Bryan Adams, Chuck D, Phil Oakey (Human League), and Maire Brennan (Clannad) to produce wonderful dance music? Launching the seminal UK dance label Xtravaganza, Alex Gold has been involved with over fifty-five top 40 hits while maintaining legendary DJ residencies around the world.

5. Markus Schulz

Global DJ is an appropriate title for Markus Schulz. Currently touring the US, his summer Armada residency at Amnesia in Ibiza will be the homebase for his Global DJ Broadcast radio show. With a new mixed CD compilation due in September, this is going to be quite a busy summer for Markus.

6. Christopher Lawrence

The highest ranking US DJ on DJ Magazine's influential Top 100 poll for 2004, Chris has sold over 250,000 CDs and flies more miles than that annually to play around the world. Even after receiving just about every accolade possible, Christopher Lawrence is still down to earth and one of the hardest-working DJs out there, spreading his love of trance music to the people.

7. ATB

Andre Tanneberger might be best known for his earliest hits "9pm (Til I Come)" and "Don't Stop" but his fourth CD "Addicted to Music" showcases a musical progression that could attract a whole new audience to his style of trance music. Known as ATB, he has been touring the world in support of his albums and bringing his music to the people.

8. Armin van Buuren

Ranked the #5 DJ in the world by the infamous DJ Magazine poll, Armin Van Buuren is touring the US to promote his new album "76." The album is completely self-produced with guest vocals from Ray Wilson (Genesis), Justine Suissa, Victoria Horn and rock band Krezip. Armin talks proudly of his studio work, radio shows and marathon DJ sets in his efforts to bring trance music to the people.

9.Paul Oakenfold.

Perfecto. Not much more needs to be said.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Ministry of Sound turns seventeen

Trentemøller, Danny Howells and Mark Knight where among the performers cutting the cake last September at Ministry of Sound's 17th birthday party.

It's an age that doesn't get a lot of love, but every year that a club can continue in London's cutthroat environment deserves a bit of recognition and that's exactly what the trio of performers did in the main room at MoS. The evening was billed as a 1991-centric "Kid n Play House Party." We're thinking that Mr Howells will have few problems fitting in, as he does a similar era-driven night each year at Miami's Winter Music Conference for the '80s.

Along with the graffiti artists and breakdancers promised, Ministry was also graced by Ashley Beedle and legendary electro man Afrika Bambaataa.

Sep 13 Saturday Sessions presents: T.., Ministry Of Sound, London

DJ Page: Trentemoller

Roger Sanchez cancels Field Day appearance

The organizers of the Field Day festival have announced that Roger Sanchez will not be performing as advertised on New Year's Day 2009 in Sydney.

In an announcement yesterday, Field Day didn't apologize for the cancellation, as in their eyes the blame should be aimed elsewhere.

Despite Field Day getting 100% booking confirmation in writing, approval of billing, artwork and playing time from Roger Sanchez’s agent way back in September (before we began advertising), his agent has informed us that Roger is also booked to play New Year’s Eve in Germany and cannot come to Australia. We are incredulous that this massive a mistake could have been made by an agent and act at this level.

Being the responsible event planners they are, the announcement came with a worthy replacement to the proceedings. Now, instead of Sanchez, Syndey partygoers will have the chance to see Eric Prydz again over the holiday. Being a last minute replacement, Prydz will have a busy schedule: He's also set to perform at Sydney's Shore Thing on December 31st and Melbourne's Summadayze on January 1st.

Jan 01 Field Day 2009, The Domain, Sydney

DJ Page: Eric Prydz

Top 10 November festivals

Top 10 November festivals

RA picks the November festival highlights from across the globe.

As things begin to fully cool down in the Northern Hemisphere, things are heating up closer to the Equator and below it. This month, we've got festivals in South America, Mexico and Australia. But don't count out Europe quite yet: The partying doesn't stop just because it's cold outside. It just means that things are moved into arenas like the Flanders Expo Centre and Katowice's Spodek. Read on to find out what's good near you...

Photo credit: vjd3mian

10. Creamfields Buenos Aires
November 8
Autodromo de Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Another year, another Creamfields. But if you think that this celebrated festival brand has lost its luster, think again. The organizers for the Argentinean edition this year have enlisted just about every genre star you could think of with the likes of UNKLE, Hernan Cattaneo, Carl Craig, Gorillaz, Erick Morillo, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Derrick May, Deadmau5, Apparat, Radio Slave, Gui Boratto and more scheduled to play. Sure, you may standing among thousands of your best friends for 16 long hours to see everything you want, but when has that ever stopped an enterprising partygoer?

RA pick: Simian Mobile Disco's live set was built for big arenas like this.

09. Coma Festival
November 14 - 15
Al Maya Island | Forum De Beyrouth
United Arab Emirates | Lebanon
Day 1 | Day 2

Do you love a bit of electronic music and happen to be independently wealthy? Coma, the Middle East's first music festival of its kind may just be for you. The first edition of this fascinating sounding party is set to go off on a private island twenty minutes from the coast of Abu Dhabi. (Don't worry, they'll pick you up and take you there by boat.) Then, the second day of the event is set to be held in an entirely different country (Lebanon). We're still not sure if the organizers expect revelers to attend both, but we're booking a private jet to take us there anyway. Sandy Rivera, Meat Katie, Wally Lopez, Nic Fanciulli are set to play the first date, while Lopez will play Lebanon as well along with Christopher Lawrence, John Acquaviva and Cosmic Gate.

RA pick: Chat up Nic Fanciulli about his not-so-secret love of drum & bass.

08. Southport Weekender
November 7 - 9
Pontins Holiday Centre
North, United Kingdom

Coming up on its 43rd edition, the Southport Weekender is in almost uncomfortable position. How do you continue to top yourself after 20 solid years? How do you convince people to come to the second part of your 21st birthday when you went all out the previous year? The answer to these questions are pretty simple: Book a great lineup. And that's exactly what they've done. As always, the focus is on the soulful side of things, with plenty of respected names. Dennis Ferrer, Gilles Peterson, Rick Wilhite, Tony Humphries and hip-hoppers De La Soul all will feature and help to make it one of the most mature fun times you may ever have. Until next year that is.

RA pick: Look for recent RA podcaster Greg Wilson to break out some of his signature edits for this special show.

07. Mayday Festival
November 10
Poniedzialek Spodek
Katowice, Poland

Questions about stability have dogged Katowice, Poland's Spodek throughout its history. But the city's large saucer-shaped arena has endured Boney M, Slipknot, Megadeth and Jean-Michel Jarre over the course of its near-40 year history, so we're going to assume that the monolithic minimal of Sven Väth, techno godfather Westbam, Bad Boy Bill and a host of others won't make the thing cave in. But we're also pretty sure that they're going to do their best to see if they can't tear the roof off nonetheless. With Extrawelt and Lützenkirchen also playing live—among others—don't be surprised if you find yourself seeing daylight as Uncle Sven unleashes his headlining set.

RA pick: Gregor Tresher's DJ sets have restored our faith in electrohouse more than once. Expect him to do it here again.

06. Bordernoise
October 31 – November 2
Moroccos
Juárez, Mexico
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Whether it be the experimental-leaning Mutek or Interface or the big room sounds of Creamfields, Mexico has become a strong player on the festival stage in the past few years. (With artist guarantees that boggle the mind, we can't blame 'em.) Bordernoise, which will hold its third edition in November, hews closer to the Creamfields template, but with a slightly more credible line-up. To wit: This year's line-up boasts Soulwax, Boys Noize, Adam Freeland, James Zabiela, Steve Lawler, Tiefschwarz and Audiofly. With a human-scaled three day agenda in place, we're betting that after Bordernoise that the region's reputation is only going to rise.

RA pick: Soulwax's live show is a sight to behold. Don't miss it.

05. Stereosonic
November 22, 28, 29, 30
Various
Various, Australia
Brisbane | Melbourne | Adelaide | Perth
Sydney Satellite V 1.0 | V 2.0 | V 3.0 | V 4.0

Want to know what it's like to live the life of a superstar DJ? Follow around Carl Cox on November 22 and November 29 as he plays two headlining shows at the Stereosonic08 Festival in different cities on the same day. Cox-y, Booka Shade and other will be playing double duty on a Brisbane/Sydney double bill on the first weekend, while they'll do the same thing in Melbourne and Adelaide the next. It'll make for some confusing set times, we're guessing, if you happen to live in one of those cities, but then again you'll still be seeing the likes DJ Hell, Sneaky Sound System, Vitalic, Crookers, Paul Van Dyk and others throughout the day, so just make sure you get there early—just in case the one that you want to see is booked elsewhere for later.

RA pick: The brutal electro live set from Vitalic should hopefully contain some work from his upcoming album.

Photo credit: Nicole Cussell

04. Global Gathering Australia
November 22, 23, 29, 30
Various
Various, Australia
Brisbane | Melbourne | Sydney | Perth

Kraftwerk. It's pretty much the only word you need to know about Global Gathering Australia. Sure, they may have Mark Ronson, Fischerspooner's Oz debut, prog kingpin Sasha, trance gods Above & Beyond, Chicago house don Felix Da Housecat, ambient overlords The Orb and many more set to perform in the festival brand's debut jaunt across the continent. But, seriously, Kraftwerk makes this the easy choice for any electronic fan trying to figure out how to begin their festival season Down Under.

RA pick: Ralf und Florian.

Photo credit: kanuka

03. Time Warp Holland
November 29
Maassilo
Rotterdam, Netherlands

It seems like you're not a festival these days if you aren't doing a version of your festival in another city. Time Warp, one of Mannheim's best, is no exception. This year, they're taking their party on the road to Rottedam for a Holland edition of the celebrated event. The organizers are billing it as a friendly competition between the two countries with Joris Voorn squaring off with Johnny D, up-and-comer Rauwkost aiming his gear at Marco Carola and France's Laurent Garnier and Romania's [a:rpia:r] boys presumably acting as neutral observers to it all.

RA pick: We still can't get Laurent Garnier's RA podcast out of our heads. Maybe seeing him here will do the trick?

Photo credit: Nik Torrens

02. Club to Club
November 6 - 8
Various Venues
Turin, Italy | Rotterdam, Netherlands

As RA's Lee Smith pointed out in his review of Club to Club 2007, the festival only seems to be getting better and better. Judging by this year's line-up, we can't help but think that assessment will be much the same come November 9th. A fascinating triple bill of Ellen Allien, Magda and Theo Parrish has got our mouths watering, while James Holden playing for three hours after a live set by Four Tet doesn't sound that bad either. Factor in some Raster-Noton and Moritz von Oswald Trio experiments and dubstep from the likes of Benga and Skream and we're just about ready to book our flight.

RA pick: On Day 3, check in with the simultaneous party going off in Rotterdam before heading out to Allien, Magda and Parrish.

Photo credit: Bart.la

01. I Love Techno
November 15
Flanders Expo Centre
Ghent, Belgium

The Belgians love their techno festivals, and I Love Techno might just be one of the best. Underworld, Richie Hawtin, Justice, Booka Shade, Robert Hood, Marcel Dettmann, Kabale und Liebe and a ridiculous amount of others are all set to perform at the 13th edition of the festival which brings together 35,000 festival goers to the Flanders Expo Centre. Sure, it's only one night. But that's a good thing: If someone isn't having a good set, there's plenty more to choose from.

RA pick: Underworld's been at this thing for years, but we can't help but think that there's a reason for that.

Need more festivals? Check out our full international festival listings.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Electro pop weirdos Hot Chip will be touring North America this fall.

Coming off the success of their recent album, Made in the Dark, the group will hit a number of cities throughout the continent in the effort to bring their hip musical offerings to a wider audience. The group's live show is notable for getting even arms-crossed American indie audiences swaying a bit more than normal, so expect the possibility of a full-fledged dance party breaking out at select shows.

If the group's last jaunt through North America is any indication, there will also be a few afterparties where they'll showcase the eclectic music taste heard on the group's DJ Kicks full-length. Keep an eye out for local announcements in your area.

In the meantime, watch the video for their new single, 'One Pure Thought,' below.