Why the most progressive city in the East is now more than just a stop-over destination.

Singapore has previously been viewed as a bit of a transient city; a place where you would stop off between gruelling long haul flights to more interesting parts of the world. A quick stopover in a clean and mildly mundane metropolis before jetting off to pastures new.

In recent years however, many travellers from around the world have visited Singapore with a view to more than simply hopping on the next plane out. Recent government statistics show that over 10 million people visited Singapore in 2008, a large portion of these inevitably would be clubbers seeking out adventure. One of the key reasons for this influx is down to the hugely progressive nature of its burgeoning nightlife; backpackers, thrill seekers and music lovers from all over are now converging in steadily growing numbers upon this unique Asian hub.

It is a hub that has a huge amount to offer the visiting music lovers. There is government support for nightclubs and encouragement for new music festivals including the F1 Rocks event; the official party for the much lauded Singapore Grand Prix. The Singapore tourist board is also directly investing in music as a way of promoting the city proactively, buying 1000 copies of Defected’s original Zouk In The House CD to draw attention to its credibility as a tourist destination.

Singapore as a credible destination has had Defected’s attention for some time now, with the Defected In The House events landing in the country on various occasions. With a reputation for knowing a good clubbing destination when they see one – and tirelessly seeking them out, it’s this thirst that has made them embark on a global journey of the world’s best venues. Judge for yourself; there is the prestigious summer long Saturday night spot at Pacha Ibiza, the Sunburn beach festival in Goa, Set in Miami, Cocoon in Frankfurt, AgeHa in Tokyo and of course, Zouk in Singapore.

Zouk is one of the most widely known Super Clubs in Asia and is known for setting the clubbing tone across the region. Zouk’s philosophy is simple and inclusive; ‘One World, One Music, One Tribe, One Dance’. In the infamously fickle world of nightclubs, a couple of years in business is about as good as any club owner dare hope for, but Zouk has managed to buck that trend. Since its inception in 1991, the club has managed to stay fresh and has become a powerful, pioneering organisation in Singapore, importing the best of European and American dance culture and shaping the music scene for its inhabitants.

More and more international people seek out Zouk every year, and it’s easy to see why. It is set within three historic warehouses along the Singapore River, with four different musical enclaves. The venue was originally designed with inspiration gathered from a visit to Pacha, Ibiza; one of the most glamorous and famous clubs in the world.

“Singapore is such a unique city in the World to open a club or to do business. It’s very clean and green with probably the best and most efficient infrastructure in the World. No traffic jams and no pollution. The government has over the years taken care of the most minute details to make the city great.

There is no corruption and very little crime. It is also drug free. As a club owner for the last 18 years, we have educated a very clued up clubbing crowd and they really know their music”. Lincoln Cheng (Owner / Founder of Zouk).

The club’s success and popularity has grown increased to such a degree that it has produced an offshoot that continues to contribute to Singapore’s music culture. This offshoot is the Zouk Out festival, an event that has spread from the club to encapsulate the whole city. This is Asia’s definitive dance music festival, with over 27,000 people attending last year. It is held on the island’s pristine palm tree-lined Siloso Beach, a venue that is a truly exotic and beautiful place to dance.

Now, Defected has been invited to host the main stage at Zouk Out, as well as being tasked with producing the first DJ mix compilation exclusively dedicated to Zouk and the Singapore dance music scene.

The album is a collection of the most upfront dance tracks available, tracks that are receiving spins from the long term resident djB, his mix includes one of his own productions ‘Incheon’, as well as South Street Players ‘Who’s Keep Changing Your Mind’ (Daniel Bovie & Roy Rox Remix) a track he cites as being a particular Zouk dancefloor moment. Other highlights include ATFC ‘The Conversation’ and Michel Cleis ‘La Mezcla’ a track that very recently received Best Ibiza Track 09.

This latest album release joins the growing list of Defected Records global dance destinations that includes Ibiza, Amsterdam, Goa and Miami. This edition contains an insider’s in-depth guide to Singapore: the finest bars, restaurants, shops and hotels with focus on Zouk as one of the top clubbing destinations in the World.

CD1. Mixed by Simon Dunmore

01. Yasmeen Sulieman ‘Gone’

   Blaze ‘I Remember House’(Accapella)

02. Marc Evans ‘Serenity’ (Mark Grant Remix)

03. Sebo K ‘Sax Track’

   CZR & ITO ‘Bringin’ The Funk (Accapella)

04. Fresh Tunes No.1 ‘Ha Ha’ (Chocolate Puma Edit)

05. Unknown ‘Baliando’

06. Martjin Ven Telden ‘Cowbell’

   Soul Vision ‘Come Into My Room’ (Accapella)

07. Mishal Moore ‘Oh Lord’ (DJ Spen Remx)

08. ATFC ‘The Conversation’

09. Joris Voorn ‘Sweep The Floor’

   Mike Dunn ‘Git Your House On’ (Accapella)

10. Erick Morillo & DC ‘I Get Lifted’ (Michael Gray and Danism

   Remix)

11. DJ Fudge and Danny Marquez ‘Roots’

   Hardrive ‘Deep Inside’ (Accapella)

12. Gel Abril ‘’Spells Of Yoruba’

   Blaze ‘ My Beat’

13. Danny C ‘Rumba’ (David Penn Remix)

   Copyright ‘Roots’ (Accapella)

14. Underground Solution ‘Luv Dancin’ (HCCR Remix)

15. Una Coya ‘Raw Sweat’

16. Black Magic ‘Freedom’

CD2. Mixed by djB

01. Michel Cleis ‘La Mezcia’ (Charles Webster mix)

02. South Street Players ‘Who’s Keep Changing Your Mind’

   (Daniel Bovie & Roy Rox Remix)

03. Harddrive ‘Deep Inside’ (Mr V mix)

04. djB ‘Incheon’ (Brendon P Goojeplpan Mix)

   Stacy Kid ‘The Movement’ (Accapella)

05. DJ Gregory ‘Don’t Know Malendo’

06. Dennis Ferrer ‘Sinfonia Della Notte’ (Original Mix)

07. X-Press 2 ‘London X-Press’ (Original)

08. Klement Bonelli ‘Los Chicanos’ (Claude Monnet Mix)

09. Marco Carlo ‘Bloody Cash’

   Michelle Weeks ‘The Light’ (Accapella)

10. Super Flu ‘Shine’

12. Tapesh ‘Boya Chile’ (Deep 72 Mix)

   Audiowhores & Roland Clark ‘I’m Inspired’ (Accapella)

13. Aaron Ross ‘Planet Sax’

14. Dj Chus ‘That Feeling’ (DJ Chus 2010 Revisited Mix)

Your browser may not support display of this image. Released: 9th Nov 09

Defected In The House. Zouk Out. Singapore

10.2 x CD. 2 x EP. Digital.