After 10 years of huge success, selling over 17 million albums worldwide and earning more than 65 Gold and Platinum awards, Sash! are set to storm back into the charts with Raindrops (Encore Une Fois) featuring Stunt, a mash-up of Sash!’s huge 1997 number 2 hit ‘Encore Une Fois’ and ‘Raindrops’ by Stunt – the producer duo Mark Dowling and Simon, and vocalist Molly Smithen Dowes.
Created in 1995, Sash! are Sascha Lappessen, Thomas “Alisson” Lüdke, and Ralf Kappmeier. Their first success came with the European club hit, ‘It’s My Life’, but it wasn’t until 1997 that they had their big break with the release of ‘Encore Une Fois’. With Sabine Ohmes on vocals, it was a perfect mix of pop, progressive house and trance beats, which reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, number 1 in the US dance charts and made the top 10 of five other countries’ singles charts. In the same year, Sash! produced ‘Ecuador’ and ‘Stay’, which both reached #2 in the UK, followed by ‘La Primavera’ in 1998, which reached #3 along with ‘Mysterious Times’ (#2) and ‘Move Mania’ (#8). The success continued in 2000 with the release of ‘Adelante’ (#2) and with ‘Just Around The Hill’ and ‘With My Own Eyes’, which reached #8 and #10 respectively.
Sash! have worked with a number of high profile artists, including Boy George, Sarah Brightman, Adrian Rodriguez, Shannon, Tina Cousins and Dr. Alban and have been asked to remix Jean Michel Jarre, Todd Terry, OMD and Kylie Minogue, enjoying worldwide success everywhere from the USA and New Zealand to Russia, Australia and Japan.
Hard2Beat has had a phenomenal year. After notching up four consecutive top five hits from Basshunter, H ‘two’ O Feat Platnum and September, they have made history, becoming the first dance imprint to ever achieve this with their first four releases.
One of the most recognised voices in dance music is making a welcome return. Freedom Williams was the voice of C & C Music Factory and ruled dancefloors through the 90’s with his distinctive rap. He sold millions of records including ‘Gonna Make You Sweat’ and ‘Things That Make You Go Hmmm’. Now he is set to tear up dancefloors worldwide once again with ‘Mindbounce’ a hip house collaboration with New York production outfit Speakerbox. The track is due out on hot New York label Sea To Sun Records in late November.
Freedom Williams grew up in Queens, New York, alongside hip hop legends like RUN DMC, Jam Master Jay and LL Cool J. He was one of the early innovators, rocking local basement parties in the 80’s as MC Tiny Tim. His reputation grew and by the late 80’s his voice was heard on dancefloors all over the world. He remains heavily involved in music, focusing on Freedom Williams Entertainment and the development of new artists. Earlier this year he was played the instrumental version of Speakerbox’s ‘Mindbounce’ by a mutual friend and was immediately inspired to get back behind the mic. The result is a dark, stylish slice of hip house that is tearing up dancefloors everywhere.
Speakerbox a.k.a New York producers Anton Bass, Sted-E and Anthony Fonseca are gaining a fearsome reputation in New York house music circles, both as producers and as a live act. Their first release ‘Time’ was nominated for an International Dance Award and topped the Billboard Dance Charts. This was quickly followed by another big track, ‘Dancefloor’ featuring a vocal from Crystal Waters.
Individually, Anthony Fonseca is currently riding high on Beatport with Fonseca vs Lane ‘Afterparty’ and Anton Bass produced the last release on Sea To Sun, Sylvia Tosun’s ‘Underlying Feeling’, a track which continues to make a big impact both in the UK and the US. The Speakerbox boys are busy making waves…
With ‘Mindbounce’ Freedom Williams proves that his vocals can cut up the contemporary dancefloors as well as they ever did. Clubland should keep fingers crossed that he’s back for good.
Over the last eight years Brazil’s Universo Paralello (‘Parallel Universe’) has grown from a small gathering of Brazil’s psychedelic trance movers and shakers to become the best New Years Eve party on the planet. Imagine seven days and nights of amazing music and culture set in one of the most beautiful locations known to man.
Located on Pratigi Beach, found amongst the last remaining stretch of the Atlantic Rainforest, Universo Paralello is paradise found. The venue is a coconut farm on the beach six hours drive south of Brazil’s original capital Salvador De Bahia. After being dropped off in a car park on the edge of the rainforest you are whisked through the jungle and dropped off on the edge of the world. White sand underfoot and camping under grids of coconut trees provide your home for the next seven days. With raw jungle on one side and the beautiful endless turquoise expanse of the Atlantic ocean on the other, as you step onto the beach there is no sign of modern life in either direction, just picture postcard perfect white sand beaches lined by coconut trees and jungle melting into the clear, blue sea making this one of the most experiential parties on earth.
Music-wise, with a heavy leaning towards psychedelic culture, Trance is the mainstay of the main floor drawing a line up consisting of the biggest and best international psychedelic and progressive acts in the world. Elsewhere the Alternative dance floor features a mixture of electro, techno, minimal and progressive featuring a mixture of international and Brazilian talent. The Goa stage will make an appearance this year following last year’s success, add to this a chill out area featuring world music and dubbed out grooves and a live bands stage Universo Parallelo offers something for everyone.
Riley & Durrant the acclaimed DJ/ Production duo, festival headliners and award-winning stars of Galaxy Radio are riding a crest of a wave. 2007 saw their debut artist album Research & Development garner high praise from dance fans and critics alike, which saw the lads span a multitude of genres from the finest house to deep techno, ambient interludes and of course not forgetting a dash of more trance-led moments all wrapped up in the finest production.
Taking their unrestricted music policy to the next level, 2008 saw Riley & Durrant join forces with fellow DJ-producer star Adam Sheridan for the launch of new club night Electrik Playground. A huge success at its home in the north of England, the guys hopped over to the White Isle to share a clubbing home with the world’s biggest dance heavyweight Tiësto, setting up their party camp in room 2 at the ‘worlds biggest club’ Privilege, Ibiza.
To capture the essence of the growing club night, Riley & Durrant are pleased to present a brand new digital only compilation series The Electrik Playground Ibiza featuring the hottest records from their genre bending sets. Including big hitters from Paul Woolford Utopia, Lulu Rouge’s mix of Blank & Jone’s summer track featuring Bernard Sumner Miracle Cure, Nic Fanciulli & Zoo Brazil’s epic I.D.E plus slices from Underworld, Kos and Hauswerks, this mix truly illustrates the guys diverse yet fitting music that represents everything that Electrik Playground stands for.
Proving they will not be abandoning their production roots any time soon, Riley & Durrant’s Remote Control also features alongside remixes, plus Nicky C’s Seasons taken from their Nu Breed Music label is also included. Catch the guys in Ibiza before the summer runs away!
The ballot boxes are closed. The votes have been counted. With 25 new entries this year’s chart is set to smash all expectations and welcome an influx of new blood into the Top 100!
To hear the news first, bag yourself a space at the party of the year as they count down to the top spot in DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs Awards Party 2008!
Featuring a headline set from 2008’s No.1 DJ in the world, this is an unmissable chance to see 2008’s people’s choice, smashing down a gilt-edged celebration set on the night of his, or her coronation!
The main room also plays host to Canadian wonderkid and producer of the year Deadmau5. The electro don will be ably assisted by last year’s highest house DJ David Guetta. Add this to Laidback Luke’s high-energy house antics and a rock out from Toolroom’s main man Mark Knight and you have a serious recipe for dancefloor carnage!
Entry tax is a mere £5.00 on the door and all proceeds go to the RNID. Philanthropy has never been so much fun!
Can’t make the party? Fear not - you can relive the glory by tuning into Kiss 100 on November 1st for an exclusive highlights show featuring sets from the club in addition to interviews with the winners at the event.
Continuing its autumn season of big headliners Kissdafunk presents its most exciting 2008 line-up yet. Steve Angello and Laidback Luke, two of the most prolific and innovative producers of current times descend on Mission on 28th November for a night of explosive partying.
Steve Angello - Sweden www.sizerecords.com
Over the last few years Steve Angello, one of the leaders of the Swedish House Mafia collective, has not only produced many of the best recent house tracks; but has become an inspiration to a whole new generation of outstanding producers.
No stranger to the dance floors of KDF, Steve will once again give the Mission sound systems an almighty work-out. The owner of Size Records he will once again turn up the volume with the very best of cutting-edge house bombs.
Tracks and remixes include: S*xy F*ck, Be, 555, Gypsy, Partouze, Sweden, Love For You
Laidback Luke - Holland www.laidbackluke.com
Influenced by Steve Angello and The Swedish Mafia sound Dutch producer Luke has stamped his name as the most industrious, producer and most exciting nu breed of producer who has the world in the palm of his hand. In 2008 there has not been one single top selling house compilation album which hasn’t included the talents of Laidback Luke in either a remix or original production. In fact his creativity is so hot at the moment that everything he touches seems to turn to gold. Come and find out for yourself as he makes his Kissdafunk debut.
Tracks and remixes include: Chaa Chaa, White Knight Two, Get Get Down, Chromeo, Delirous
Residents, Rob Tissera and Filthy Rich will support them in what is bound to be the most incredible KDF of 2008.
Depeche Mode (Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher) have today announced the European leg of their ‘Tour of the Universe 2009’. The band are currently in New York working on a new album, due April next year.
Depeche Mode’s eagerly-anticipated follow up to ‘Playing The Angel’ will be the 12th album of a glorious 28 year career in which they have sold over 75 million records. One of the world’s biggest and best live acts, ‘Tour of the Universe 2009’ will undoubtedly be the musical highlight of next year.
Kicking off in Israel on May 10th, this will be Depeche Mode’s first ever stadium tour, taking in 28 cities across 22 countries before finishing at Porto’s Superbock Super Rock Festival on July 11th.
Depeche Mode will play to over 1.3 million fans on this European leg of ‘Tour of the Universe 2009’. It’s their first since 2006’s ‘Playing the Angel’ tour, which smashed European sales records with 1.8 million tickets sold across 87 shows.
The last date of the ‘Playing The Angel’ tour – August 3rd 2006 – was to take place at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park, but the band were forced to cancel due to the impending war. Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan Stadium thus provides a fitting stage for Depeche Mode’s spectacular live return.
The South-London born party SuperBad! is set to throw an exclusive rendezvous on Saturday 1st November at Beauberry House in Dulwich.
Having exploded onto the scene earlier this year, SuperBad! has already been making a name for itself as one of London’s most uber-cool events by holding one-off morning parties at the Dex Club and Plan B in Brixton, and the knock-on effect? The first sell-out Minimal Mansion party was born!
Heading up SuperBad’s evening of aural delights is a man of many talents, Matt Tolfrey. This guy promotes his own parties (Left Room), owns a collection of labels, produces the finest wobbly house and techno around, and DJs regularly at Fabric and in Ibiza, so it’s no wonder he’s been pulled in to play at this amazing event.
Tolfrey is joined by SuperBad! head honcho and DJ of 17 years, Phil Drummond. He is one of the pioneers of dance music in the UK and his last set at the first Minimal Mansion had everyone going crazy for weeks.
Next up is the technically gifted Aaron Le Doubles – his energy, flair, scratching, and trickery behind the decks are second to none. Much more house and techno comes from SuperBad! resident and Select FM DJ Jim Brooks, London underground hero Huw Lloyd, the James Zabiela backed duo 2’s Company, the relentless techno duo Hindsight, plus many more! Complete line-up below.
The venue – a beautiful, Georgian mansion house surrounded by acres of lush green lawn is a breath of fresh air for stressed-out Londoners and makes it an ideal setting for SuperBad’s intimate event.
Anyone who was at the last Minimal Mansion will know what to expect, but for anyone who wasn’t – it’s the best people, the best music, the best venue and an amazing night of dancing to the freshest beats around.
Minimal Mansion is a very exclusive event with a limited amount of tickets, so we recommend getting yours early to avoid missing out.
Salvo, the award-winning imprint of Union Square Music, is proud to announce a special CD/DVD/book box set charting 25 years of the massively influential UK record label ZTT a/k/a Zang Tuum Tumb. Founded in 1983 by producer Trevor Horn, journalist Paul Morley and manager Jill Sinclair, ZTT has turned unknowns such as Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Seal into major stars, while delivering some of the most experimental and memorable pop music of the last 25 years.
CD 1 includes early hits from 808 State, Propaganda, MC Tunes, and Art of Noise as well as ZTT’s most recent hit - 2008’s Move On by David Jordan - and Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s massive number one trilogy, Relax, Two Tribes and The Power of Love. CD 2 rewinds through ZTT’s contribution to dance music, with tracks from David Morales Vs. Novecento, Seal Vs. William Orbit, Afrika Bambaataa Vs. LFO), 808 State Vs. Björk and closes with the definitive chill out anthem, Art of Noise’s Moments in Love.
CD 3 includes some unique stars that ZTT has nurtured over the years - Shane MacGowan, Sinead O’Connor, Kirsty MacColl, James Dean Bradfield - and closes with three top 10 hits by Seal including the double Grammy-winning Kiss From A Rose. The DVD includes a never-before-released cut-up video remix of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s Two Tribes by Godley & Creme, a rare Shane MacGowan video directed by and starring Johnny Depp, Anton Corbijn’s first ever video (Propaganda’s Dr Mabuse) and a dozen others.
A full colour 72-page book is also included, featuring 7000 words from Paul Morley - the first time he has ever written in depth about his time with ZTT - as well as new interviews, biographies of every artist featured and scores of rare photos.
Electro, bassline, dubstep, bass-driven house or house-tinged bass-step…call it what you will, we prefer to leave the pigeonholing to the pigeons, and simply call it damn good party music. Our favourite Friday night mash-up Chew the Fat! reaches the ripe old age of 11 on Thursday 10th October, and celebrates with an all-singing (maybe), all-dancing (definitely) knees up featuring Duke Dumont, Micky Slim, The Rogue Element, Drums of Death and more.
Over a decade ago, Chew the Fat! was one of the first nights to bring the breakbeat sound to prominence. Eleven years on, and Fat! has grown into one of the most diverse and musically exciting nights in the capital, hunting out hot new talent with artists such as Riton, The Black Ghosts, Sebastian and Skream on the bill and letting them run riot in The End on the second Friday of every month. This multi-musical melting pot sees dubstep demons cosying up with electro innovators, techno dons making eyes at house heroes…and of course everyone gets on like a house on fire. The Fat! crowd are an energetic, open-minded and boisterous lot, who lap up all the genres that are thrown their way.
What you have with Finger Lickin’ is a slice of musical history. Spawned from a concept in the late nineties, Finger Lickin’s secret blend of herbs and spices has achieved staggering worldwide success and yet remained truly independent. So now the award-winning label have reached their tenth birthday and the landmark of their one hundredth single. To celebrate they are releasing a limited edition triple CD boxset and embarking on a nationwide ten date tour, cramming the tour bus with their favourite DJs and their record boxes and bringing the Finger Lickin’ experience to a city near you soon. More details on the tour to follow…
Over the past decade the distinctive FL sound has literally impacted upon tens of thousands of clubbers across the planet. A style that feeds from a multitude of ingredients - funk, hip hop, house, breakbeat and electro all mixed into a melting pot of audio bliss - where musical genres have been blurred and given freedom to provide a whole new inspiration, this unique sound is Finger Lickin’.
The Young Punx; an innovative collective of diverse musicians led by inventive multi-instrumentalist and producer, Hal Ritson, have been building themselves quite a reputation of late. Resisting easy definition by continuing to deliver fresh sounding, first-class electronic music, coupled with a string of hugely popular remixes for the likes of Sonny J, Mighty Dub Katz and Giant Jnr, The Young Punx are becoming one of London’s hottest exports. Drawing on an eclectic fusion of influences – breaks, house, rock, pop and electro – to create a sound loosely coined as mashpop and punkstep, they get ready to release their second album in Spring 2009.
MASHitUP is its first single release, a fine slice of quality breakbeat driven electro pop featuring a killer punky vocal from ‘new girl on the block’ Laura Kidd (fresh from touring with Tricky and her collaboration on ‘Automatic’ with Michael Gray, Eye Industries) and staggering shredding guitar licks from The Young Punx’ resident guitar virtuoso, Guthrie Govan. It’s dirty, it’s multi-layered and it’s loud – just the way they like it.
MASHitUP is already creating vibrations across the globe. From performing it live to a rapturous 15,000 strong crowd alongside the Stereophonics in Yokohama Arena, Japan, to featuring it in their inspired DJ sets this summer supporting Tiesto at Ibiza super club, Privilege, it’s going down an absolute (electric) storm.
Those Aussie masters of the high-quality mix compilation, BALANCE, present the next instalment in their ELECTRIC series. Sound-wise it’s completely different from anything they’ve done before, as they raise the bar once more, bringing to the attention of the wider world one of Australia’s finest – DJ Agent 86.
If you haven’t heard him already, you’re in for a real treat. If you have, we know you’re gonna dig this! ELECTRIC_04 is a perfect snapshot of his skills, melding genres seamlessly while bringing beats to the boil. If you’re going to have a party to remember, then you need DJ Agent 86 on the decks.
It’s not very often that magical music and a magical venue combine to create something more than just special, where the end result is something ultimately joyous, memorable and timeless. Ariaan “Aad” Olieroock and Peter Kriek (aka 16 Bit Lolitas) the future house heroes from Amsterdam, have been patiently waiting for the right magical moment to showcase their first ultimate collection – a bold combination of DJ mix compilation and artist album – in one cohesive package. Now they have been asked to launch the “Warung, Brazil” mix series, celebrating and capturing the magic of Brazil’s ultimate beach club, they’ve put together an exceptional representation of just what makes them the hottest act there.
Every year, thousands of tourists and summer lovers from every corner of Brazil and from all over the world arrive at the well preserved paradise called Brava Beach, in Santa Catarina State, a place blessed with white sand, green forests and crystal clear seas. A perfectly harmonic blend of music, nature and a gathering of very special people may be the best explanation of Warung Beach Club´s magic. But magic is a mysterious thing, and the 16 Bit Lolitas have captured the indefinable essence across these two discs with their exotic musical alchemy.
Manchester’s Area 51 takes the baton and runs following a storming September with some massive news for October. The venue is staking a serious claim to be Manchester’s foremost underground music venue - each party is guaranteed to go off in a big way, with some heavyweight lineups already in the can. Best night in the North? You decide!
The club has also revealed its Friday line-up schedule, with some truly colossal nights confirmed already.
Friday’s
3rd October sees glamourous Leeds house brand Kissdafunk swoop in with, space resident Jonathan Ulysees making an anticipated return to the UK.
10th October - Spectrum welcomes Toolroom’s flying Dutchman - the man that is Martin Ten Velden, brining his trademark blend of twisted house. Further guests tbc
17th October - Muzik Junki always invites the hottest talent around and this month is no expection as Filthy Rich joins us behind the decks. Curently resident for Kissdafunk and Ministry of Sound there is no stopping this talented DJ
24th October – The Electrik Playground launch at AREA51 after a summer in Ibiza supporting Tiesto at the World’s biggest club Privilege. Residents Galaxy’s FM’s own Riley & Durrant are joined by a host of big talent
31st October -Fast-rising electro and house brand Electrik Vendetta is back in Manchester after a storming summer at AREA51. Expect big names and a rowdy croud with Tom Neville guesting.
Saturday’s
Utah Staints – 11th - Legendary duo all Utah Saints need no introduction. After a huge critical and commercial revisiting after Van She’s headrush remix of the classic Kate Bush sampling acid track and a storming compilation album on Fingerlickin’, the boys will be pulling out all the stops to make this one well and truly goes off. Not to be missed.
Xpress 2 – 25th Rocky, Diesel and Ashley swoop in after a year which has seen a greatest hits and remix compilations bring them to a brand new audience (Skylark’s re-rub of Music Xpress unquestionably one of the WMC’s biggest tunes). Their multi-decks and FX three man house sessions are the stuff that dancefloor dreams are made of - see you down the front.
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