Leading global clubbing super-brand Cream are proud to announce the latest Cream Ibiza mix album mixed by this year’s exclusive resident: Paul van Dyk.

Grammy-nominated artist DJ, label owner and global megastar Paul van Dyk needs little or no introduction. Dominating electronic music charts and appearing at the top of Top DJ lists the world over it is clear to see why Paul is not only resident at the best club in Ibiza but has also been drafted in to mix their brand new Cream Ibiza mix album.

With an almost endless list of awards to his name that include No.1 DJ In The World (DJ Mag Top 100 List 2005 / 2006), Man Of The Year (Mixmag Dance Music Awards), Best DJ, Best Remixer, Best Producer (Trance Awards 2007), Best Global DJ, Best Producer (Miami Winter Music Conference Awards 2006), America’s Favourite DJ (2004 / 2005 BPM Magazine Awards) and many more. Combine this with five top selling artist albums under his belt including last year’s In Between which featured collaborations with David Byrne and Jessica Sutta from Pussycat Dolls alongside a string of hit singles White Lies, Avenue, Tell Me Why, Connected / The Other Side, Nothing But You and For An Angel PvD is renowned as one of the hardest working artists in the world.

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Mark Brown & Micky Slim may not spring to mind as your perfect dance music tag team but for the next installment of Cr2’s Live & Direct series they have joined forces to bring you something a little different than the norm. Micky’s sets are all about the party and the bass, ensuring the dancefloor and atmosphere are electric and everyone is having the time of their life! Mark’s mix compliments by taking a deeper route and encompassing all genres of electronica whilst still ensuring that the energy levels do not drop!

We caught up with them to discuss their latest Cr2 compilation…

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Basshunter is back this summer with his second UK release, ‘All I Ever Wanted’. The eagerly anticipated follow up to the No.1 smash ‘Now You’re Gone’ will be released via hot new label HARD2BEAT on July 7th.

The ultimate bass creator and Europe’s most in-demand DJ is ready to take over the UK charts for a second time this year with the release of an English version of his European top ten hit ‘Dota’. With re-worked English vocals, ‘All I Ever Wanted’ is certain to follow in the footsteps of his hugely successful debut single ‘Now You’re Gone’.

Jonas Altberg, aka Basshunter, began his music career in 1999 when he started to produce music with a little help from the computer programme ‘Fruityloops’. His demos began to spread from his native Sweden and were soon being heard by thousands in clubs throughout Europe.

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E Q’s Balance presents Electric series is back after a short hiatus with another exciting instalment, this time mixed by Australian DJ and connoisseur Ben Korbel, Episode 3 won’t disappoint those fans expecting nothing less than cutting edge underground dance music, as it showcases a seamless fusion of deep house and techno expertly mixed by one of Australia’s leading DJs.

To say this release has been a long time coming for Ben Korbel is an understatement. Electric_03 is his debut mix proper and it’s a decade in the making. Ben’s peerless sense of lineage, his irrepressible passion for a great tune and his impeccable programming and mixing are all a given; what you get here is warmth, soul and a humane groove that lacks in the click-and-drag age. From the first flutters of Luciano, through the liquid funk of Der Dritte Raum to the classic stabs and washes of LFO this mix provides a consumate selection of the finest producers from the underground house and techno scene, also including along the way the likes of Ricardo Villalobos, Swayzak, Pikaya, Rob Mello and more…

If you’ve ever heard Ben Korbel play, you’ll have no doubt strained vocal chords or twisted cheek muscles bouncing around like a sweaty beach ball to one of his impeccably delirious sets. Complementing Ben on his expertise at any time is always met with unbridled humility but those who’ve met him know not to be perplexed if he calls you Paddle Pop lion then chases you down the street with a face full of clothes pegs. It is, quite simply, how the lad rolls…

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Already a DJ on one of the leading digital radio stations BBC 1xtra and well and truly at the forefront of the bassline movement, Huddersfield’s DJ Q has truly embedded himself in the genre as one of the leading players in the scene.

“You Wot!” is undoubtedly the biggest record to emerge from the scene since H ‘two’ O and is making all the right noises in clubland. “You Wot!” has had huge support from the likes of Cameo, Mista Jam, Sean Banger Scott, T2 and Jamie Duggan plus has been given the thumbs up from Radio 1’s Pete Tong, Annie Mac, even Zane Lowe!

‘You Wot!’ features the vocals of MC Bonez who also appeared on ‘Get Mad’, another DJ Q production currently circulating in the scene. Bonez is currently touring the country performing to capacity crowds every weekend, and recently performed the track on stage at the Radio 1 Big weekend.

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Bargrooves’ re-launch earlier this year proved to be a huge success with Bar Anthems currently riding high in both the physical and digital compilation charts. Summer Sessions is set to follow suit offering the perfect 3 disc package covering all your summer season listening needs. A disc perfectly tailored to suit the different moods of the Summer vactional escapades: Beachside, Pre Bar and After-hours.

Summer is slowly creeping upon us with the Ibiza season round the corner. Laid back attitude and sun-drenched grooves is the order of the day with a cocktail in hand and sarongs in tow.

Following hot on the footsteps of Bar Anthems, Bargrooves Summer Sessions is all about deep soulful luscious house with a hint of Latin and afro, a good dose of Balearic classics and an injection Nu Yorican grooves.

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Do you have any special Pacha memories from down the years?

Yeah, last year was a big experience to play with Pete tong, since he has helped me a lot, pushing and playing my debut album ‘The Last resort’ and many of my remixes… such as remixes for Moby, Royksopp, The Knife and Pet Shop Boys. It was really fun finally playing with him J

When did you first visit the club?

It was 3 years ago, together with DJ T.O.M. I used to play the keyboard live and he would Dj. So I am really looking forward to playing this year because I am the DJ now and I find a lot of joy in doing that. It’s different than just playing the keyboard.

Do you find yourself playing in any way differently when you are here at Pacha?

When I play other clubs I tend to mix in some more punk disco or electro with a rock’n’roll attitude, however, the pacha crowd are more up for ‘straight’ dance music/techno. On the other hand It’s also fun to challenge the audience a bit, and I still think that I will mix in some of my edit’s and bootlegs this summer too. hee hee (-:

How do you see the scene in Ibiza 2008?

Pure Pacha will be my first trip into Ibiza this year so lets see. Again, I’m just looking forward to partying at pacha and playing some good music!

Do you have an all time favourite ‘Ibiza record’?

It must be Jaydee’s ‘Plastic Dreams’. An all time classic, and the track still works on the dancefloor! I love it!

What is your perception of the Pacha crowd?

A good party crowd that is very dedicated to dance music.

How do you think Pacha is still going strong after over 30 years in business?

30 years?? That’s amazing!! It’s really cool. Must be some of the oldest clubs in the world still rocking! Wow!

What can people expect from your gig?

Good quality music, energy and a lot of my own edit’s and bootlegs!

How is the rest of the year looking for you?

I am working on my next studio album right now. I am bringing my laptop and a keyboard with me to Ibiza so I can work while I’m here on the beautiful island for the next 10 days. I am working a lot with mixing real drums, guitars and strings with electronic sounds. I also use my band members a lot more than on The Last resort album. Then I’m off to Japan and Australia to DJ. In September I am off to New York to work further more on the album. I love that city, it’s always inspiring to be there.

Could you give us a big track for you this summer?

For me right now I love playing the track ‘Nomads’ by cle in the Mathias Tansmann remix! It’s huge! And I’m also playing my brand new remix of Modeselector feat. Thom Yorke ‘The White Flash’. It will be released in 3 weeks

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Dave Dresden played at Eden After Hours to a sold out crowd last week. I’m not sure what the club capacity is but it was grinding room only. Dresden and the successful weekly events are held at Club Le Blanc in San Antonio, Texas. On the weekends Le Blanc transforms into Eden After Hours and the events are brought to you in part byParty Grooves Events and Platinum Rise Entertainment. The night opened up with Joey Munson, DJ DK, and Dave Molina. Dresden came on about 1:30a and played through the early morning. His set was a little over 4 hours and quite exceptional and since I prefer vocal tunes I extremely enjoyed the final 2 hours of the morning.

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The Electrik Playground will be hosting Room 2 (LA VACA) at Privilege in Ibiza every Monday night throughout the summer, partnering the world-dominating Tiësto. Undoubtedly one of the biggest names in world music, Tiësto was recently recognised as GLOBAL NO1 at the IDMA music conference at Miami 08.

Kicking off the season on Monday 7th July for what promises to be an amazing summer with the worlds biggest DJ. As the exclusive event partner throughout the season, the most exciting underground club night to hit the UK in 2008 will be bringing a unique twist to the huge Tiësto “In Search Of Sunrise” events. Electrik Playground will be showcasing the UK’s finest breakthrough DJs and producers, and bringing the hottest new talent in electronic music to Ibiza.

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On July 7th loveable London trio X-Press 2 take a trip down memory lane, with the release of Greatest Hits double album ‘Raise Your Hands.’ The first CD is a roll-call of some of the best dance-tinged songs ever recorded, from ‘Muzik X-press’ to ‘Lazy’, whilst the ssecond CD throws up sought-after remixes by Radioslave, Freeform 5 and Norman Cook, as well as alternate versions by the boys themselves. “It’s fantastic getting all the best bits on the one album,” says Rocky, “I can now play my favourites without having to trawl through boxes and shelves full of records trying to find them!”

Look out too for brand new track, ‘Fire’, featuring Africa Bambaataa, which orig inally came about as a remix for a high profile rapper, turned down by his American label. Long fans of Bambaataa, the boys were delighted when he stepped in on vocals. Rocky adds: “Planet Rock is in my all time top 5 records. The reason I got into this. Fire started as a remix that we continued to play in our DJ sets. It always got a huge reaction, so we decided to use it for the album.”

Rocky, Diesel and Ashley Beedle aka X-Press 2 have been friends since the inception of what we now call dance music, first as partygoers and soon after as DJs, producers and remixers. ‘Muzik-Xpress’/’London Xpress’ exploded onto the scene back in 1993 and was soon followed by the equally massive ‘Say What’, ‘Hip Housin’ and ‘Rock 2 House’. Back with fresh mixes (by X-Press 2 and Skylark), ‘Muzik X-Press’ is re-released in May.

Following the success of these initial tracks, X-Press 2 were propelled to the forefront of the house music world, and began regular DJ slots at some of the best clubs worldwide, whilst continuing their ubiquitous solo projects, plus group tracks, including the anthems ‘The Sound’ and ‘Tranz Euro Xpress’. The turn of the millennium marked a signing to Skint and the release of their debut album, the 100,000 selling ‘Muzikizum’. It spawned the dark, brooding behemoths that were ‘Smoke Machine’ and ‘AC/DC’, not to mention the Ivor Novello award winning David Byrne collaboration, UK # 2 and worldwide chart hit ‘Lazy’

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Zoo Thousand music festival dispatched their Animal Band to London on Monday night to encourage greener travelling among festival goers.

Their animal-costumed parrot, lion, tiger and gorilla mascots were joined by the Jungle Janes– the festival’s lovely group of hand painted ladies – who hit the Capital’s streets before heading to London Bridge train station to meet commuters on the London to Kent mainline

The festival, which takes place at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent, wants 70% of its visitors to travel to the event by public transport to minimise the impact on the environment and the endangered species around the world that the festival helps support through its donations to the Aspinall Foundation who run Port Lympne.

The inaugural Zoo Thousand and Eight takes place from July 4-6th 2008 with acts including Mark Ronson, Dizzee Rascal, The Cribs, Ash, The Hives and Athlete.

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The meteoric rise of the Swedish mafia continues with the return of Sebastian Ingrosso’s ‘REFUNE’ label party to Ministry of Sound, talking over the main for all full on 7hour audio assault on Saturday the 12th July.

The sound is big with driving basslines and cool, electric melodies (Seb’s current track Chaa Chaa is a causing a storm on the underground, a deep resonating tribal tech house workout that’s been getting hammered across the board) For this Swede it’s all about working perfectly executed build ups and drops to create an infectious party atmosphere that’ll leave Ministry’s floor scorched it’s so hot!

Turning things up a few more degrees, the itchy, physical sound of Zoo Brazil joins Ingrosso in the Box, celebrating the launch of their much anticipated album ‘No Place Like Home’ Over in the Bar we welcome Shoreditch favourites ‘Wet Yourself’ who’ll be getting techy and twisted joined by special guest Deepgroove alongside head honcho Cormac and residents.

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POSITION TITLE ARTIST

01 (01) THE ONE SHARAM FT D BEDINGFIELD

02 (22) ALRIGHT JAMES DOMAN

03 (02) YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE KATIE MAY

04 (NE) BIG BROS JOYRIDERS FT BROS

05 (09) LIFT ME UP PULSONIX

06 (15) TEARDROPS LOVE ASSASSINS

07 (17) BODY CRASH BUY NOW

08 (NE) SO STRONG MECK

09 (04) WHEN YOU TOUCH ME FREEMASONS

10 (NE) ALL I EVER WANTED BASSHUNTER

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Released this week on Positiva Records Buy Now “Body Crash” exploded into club-land notching up support from the best DJs the World has to offer. Available on CD, 12″ and Digital Download, everything is in place for Buy Now “Body Crash” to make their mark on the UK Top-40, including quite possibly their oldest fan.

The Buy Now boys have discovered what appears to be their oldest fan and we caught up with her so she she sould show us her moves. Already the subject of fascination and debate, the Crazy Body-Popping Granny has made quite an impression on everybody. A bulletin on their Myspace page said “We know our music makes people feel good but this is ridiculous! Is she? Isn’t she? Who know’s but you got to admit this is great!”

Buy Now! is Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, who alongside Axwell, form the Swedish House Mafia – the hottest DJ/production team in 2008. The record has already had fantastic support from specialist radio, DJs including Erol Alkan, Soulwax, Pete Tong & Fatboy Slim and had the honour of being the hottest record at the Winter Music Conference this year!

Are you fed up of hearing about the credit crunch and oil prices? If so then fear not as Kissdafunk has enlisted the Minister of Mad-Capped mayhem, mr Micky Slim for our very sunny June edition. Micky was our 4th birthday headliner and he’s our KDF Ibiza resident for 2008 when we join forces with Judgement Sundays for our biggest summer yet. joining him is the astonishingly talented Ministry of Sound resident Richard Dinsdale. Together they represent two of the uk’s most talented young dj producers whose tracks are blowing up dance-floors and blasting airwaves all over the world.

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