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Thursday 25 February 2010

Music Is The Answer - "Birthday Boy's"



















Hi Folks,

What another hectic week in Disco Matt land, re-capping on some spectacular parties over the “love” weekend, with some truly outstanding D.J. performances, with music definitely being the answer, so as we get thrown headlong into another activity filled one, with yet more great music at SuperMartXe’s pre-party last night, & more to come at BCS, in the hands of Brent Nicholls, our heads look set to remain filled with terrific tunes.

As for our music post, well we focus on birthdays, in a slight change to the published programme, focussing on one D.J. that celebrated his birthday this week & another who has been at the centre of a club brand since its inception, which celebrates its tonight (Sat 20th Feb). But we also look at two other mixes linked to the club & also at a single release with added vocals that is well worth a listen.

First up is Gary H, our birthday boy, who celebrated just days ago and will be doing more of the same this weekend (Sat/Sun 20th/21st Feb), playing out at Barcode Vauxhall & then in birthday play mood at Beyond. In terms of his D.J.’ing career, Gary has been in the business now for well over ten years, both across the U.K. and internationally, the main focus having been residencies at Federation in Manchester & Leeds, Barcode in London, Sundae Sundae in Brighton & summer seasons in Ibiza & Gran Canaria, both with Federation & Heaven. However, we know Gary best for his performances for “Trade” and he has been in the thick of it for most of the last few birthdays, performing a magnificent set at the 17th Birthday party at The Arches, where he well & truly set the “Lite Lounge” alight, very much paving the way for peers Guy Williams, Brent Nicholls & Paul Heron, making for the most popular room of that celebration party. He was there again for the 18th Birthday at MOS, also playing a big part in the Mardi Gras celebration earlier that year & at the superb Christmas outing at The Egg in 2008. However, Mr Harrison’s talents are not just restricted to the turntables, as he has been behind the microphone, holding down residency show slots at Gaydar Radio, Pure Radio FM and now Create Radio who allow him the breathing space to inject the show with his passion for progressive, tech, tough & hard house, although Gary can certainly mix it up with plenty of funky & electro sounds too. Being familiar with the recording studio, his mixes certainly show through that professional touch, his latest compilation in his “Sessions” series being a perfect example of Gary H at his very best, blending in all those genres we mentioned, which you can play or download at http://djgaryh.podomatic.com, with artist releases including Celeda, The Freemasons & Soulsearchers, although Gary is very passionate about protecting the industry within which he works, so quite rightly says “This is a promotional mix with all tracks available for download online at the most reputable stores where you can support the artist and hi/her/their work.”. That said, this is well worth a listen & an addition to your collection.

Our other focus goes to a club that is celebrating four years in the business this weekend and the resident D.J. that has been in the centre of the action since it started back in 2006. “Juicy” was very much the product of its predecessor “Action” and whilst that club ended due to a split in the promotional team, it sprouted probably the most successful Saturday night venture venue Fire have hosted to date. It would be fair to say that central to that success has been the extraordinary talents of one Steve Pitron, who has been captivating audiences across gAylist/land London for much longer, his D.J.’ing career really taking off at “Crash” which was soon followed by “Beyond”, not to mention a whole host of global appearances, which Steve continues to squeeze in with his very demanding & important role at Universal Records. But then his job also entails a fair bit of glamour, rubbing shoulders with some of the pop industries biggest stars, which also gives him the opportunity to re-work & mix their records, notable ones being those of Anastacia, Kelly Rowland, Beyonce & Grace Jones, although his work in the studio with fellow D.J. & producer Max Sanna, for us, has created his best work, the latest smash re-mix of the track “I Want You” by Paul Harris feat. The Eurythmics, a take on the bands classic “Love Is A Stranger” which has gained incredible popularity being part the play list in Pete Tong’s show on Radio 1 & featuring in many a D.J. set across the capitals dancefloors (it certainly erupts “Beyond” every time we hear it). But Steve remains a firm favourite behind the decks and other residencies include “SuperMartXe” where he will be performing next week at their “Samurai” party and is a stable mate at “Beyond”, the main room in Area never being quite the same without him. However, with “Juicy”, his energy, charm & charisma really shines through and without doubt he is very much the guiding light and the major tool in Andrew Harris’s (the club’s promoter) music box, turning out one spectacular performance after the next. And this is no better represented than through his latest compilation mix, dedicated to Juicy’s 4th Birthday and aptly titled so, but as “Vol. 1” (can we expect another? – well two actually, details coming right up) which is another Pitron perfection of a compilation that takes straight onto the dancefloor to re-live the whole Juicy experience, which you can play & download at http://stevepitronsessions.podomatic.com and believe us, you will definitely want this in your collection, which, for us, sits beautifully with his iconic “Beyond” mixes, giving you a feel of this man’s depth & talent and yet another example of a pure gAylist legend at work, Steve adding that this mix is “dedicated to Andrew Harris, Naomi, Aaron & all the other Juicy D.J’s – 4 years!!?!?!?!”. What more can we say, apart from wow! the man has done it again!

Continuing the theme of birthdays but still focussing very much on “Juicy’s” celebration, two other resident D.J’s have produced their tribute to this stupendous Saturday showcase, both evoking the styles of their creators and also sitting nicely with our tests, Rob Sykes (who also celebrates his birthday this coming week) another corner stone to the Juicy story creating “Vol. 2” (ah ha!) which you can grab at http://djrobsykes.podomatic.com, while the sexy Steven Artis completes the trio of birthday celebration compilations with his own style running right through Vol. 3 which is out now at http://stevenartis.podomatic.com.

Now we just have time for a quick mention of a smashing new vocal release of the track “Strings Of Motion”, the collaborations works of D.J. Oliver M & producer Jean Phillips which is out and available at http://sendspace.com/file/9ziwbf, which will get fuller coverage when we focus on Oliver’s latest works in our music post on the weekend of new club night Matador’s launch.

Well, that’s it for this time, but don’t forget, there is plenty of music on offer through http://seenqueen.com/music, which has the most extensive choice of D.J’s and their works, so is well worth checking out. Our next post will be all things Italian again, with the latest news on works by Danny Verde, Francesco Pagano, Alessandro Londra, Gabriele Cutrano & Micky Galliano. In the meantime, check out our choices, relax, kick back, turn up the volume and let the music play!

xDM

Saturday 13 February 2010

Music Is The Answer - "All Loved Up"















Hey Folks,

Well, what a week in Disco Matt land with some really exciting developments which have put a real spring in our step and as we enter the “love” weekend, our music post has that theme running right through it, celebrating the music of two top notch D.J.’s (both great pals of ours to boot) who will be playing out at the two big parties today (Sat 13th) and tomorrow (Sun 14th).

First up is international superstar D.J. Paul Heron, who has been entertaining the masses for quite a few years now, having carved a career for himself very early, already making waves at the tender age of 19, shelving plans to work in the fashion industry, having been lured behind the decks following hearing the super sounds coming out of clubs like Trade & DTPM. It was the former club where Paul made his D.J.’ing debut, playing a set in the notorious lite lounge which got him immediately noticed, spurning a whole host of residencies across the gAylist scene, including Action, Crash, Beyond, Discotec, DTPM, & Heaven, which also saw his talents in demand right across the globe, his residency at “Queen” in Paris in 2003, then seeing him play across Europe, down in South Africa, up in Toronto, over in Singapore, out in L.A. & Rio, to mention just a few places, having already made it really big internationally, guesting at “Avalon” in New York alongside Boy George. Since those heady day, the fresh faced Mr Heron has mastered his trade and is now one of the busiest jet-setting D.J’s we know, regularly tripping to France, Greece & Australia & has starred in Sydney’s Mardi Gras parties for the last four years running & will once again be in the thick of it next month. Back in London he plays regularly for Shadow Lounge and has been part of the social soiree splendour that is “Industri” right from the start, playing b2b with pal Brent Nicholls for the first year but currently rotating every other Thursday and it is usually here that we get to catch up with this nonstop star for a chat & drink. Paul has also been a Matinee London resident for virtually all the parties since 2006, has played for Trade’s last two birthday parties and recent gigs at “Onyx”, “As One” & “Pervert Gold” have seen him return to Fire & Area, this Sunday seeing him being the guest D.J. at Orange’s “Citric Seduction” party. “Lovechild’s” promoter Alex Erfan has included him in the team of D.J’s now on board and he will be centre stage in the “contact room” for their “Love 2 Love – 1st Birthday” party. Whilst Paul does get into the studio from time to time, his busy working schedule usually means that full compilation releases are few & far between, but in celebration of “Lovechild” in London turning one, has produced a special mix, copies of which will be handed out free the first 250 through the door, although the mix will be available through the clubs forthcoming podomatic link (details out shortly). Paul’s blend of upfront tech, electro & tribal beats combined with deep, progressive & funky house is characterised in other recent releases which are available at http://djpaulheron.podomatic.com/, although the man would describe his style as “dirty sexy pumping funk” and without doubt it shows through in every brilliant performance we have been privileged to witness, tonight most definitely looking to be no exception to that rule.

Our other focus this week is DTPM resident Nick Tcherniak, although this terrific talent pops up across the gAylist scene at other clubs like Trade, SuperMartXe, & Market, being just as happy lauding it in gAylist venues or across the metrosexual scene. Having been involved in the music industry for well over ten years, he has been spinning sounds behind the decks since the beginning of the 21st century and his solid reputation for delivering hard tech, tribal & progressive house definitely takes the clubber on a magnificent journey of music. Nick’s set at SuperMartXe’s 1st Anniversary party was something really special, he was a shining star at Trade’s recent parties at Ministry of Sound, but it was his showing at the last Trade Orange event, when he played a jaw droppingly amazing b2b set with close friend & fellow Trade & DTPM resident Steve Thomas, which was especially brilliant for us. Nick was in incredible demand across the Christmas & New year period, playing at no less than ten events in as many days, the pinnacle being a brilliant performance at DTPM’s NYD party at The Roof Gardens in Kensington, when he short of stole the show. Mr Tcherniak also regularly pops up in Vauxhall, playing at Barcode, where we have sampled some superb sets followed by a healthy dose of socialising with this enchanting & endearing guy, just seven days ago rubbing shoulders with him partying deep into Sunday at Beyond. This weekend sees him once again take centre stage at the event “From DTPM With Love” at super chic club Jalouse and he has been gathering together some stonking new material which should once again ensure he has every chance being the shining light. In addition to D.J’ing, a regular slot at super online radio show Push FM every Saturday keeps him busy, just today we being entertained with the set that we missed on NYD at DTPM and having listened, we could see exactly why he stole the limelight in Kensington. Nick also gets into the recording studio often, whether it be over in Spain with Steve Thomas, collaborating on track releases, or over here in London, where he has joined forces with Jason Gardiner under the guise of “White Knights”. He also complies mixes at least every quarter, his latest release entitled “New Decade Grooves”, is a pure delight, which has some superb remix tracks that really speak for themselves, including our fave tune of the moment, Joey Negro’s “Can’t Get High Without You”, superbly remixed by David Penn, along with the magnificent “Underground” by Celeda & “Downpipe” by Mark Knight, which are current dancefloor favourites. We simply can’t stop listening to this glorious compilation and know you will love it, so, to get your slice of the Tcherniak magic, go now to http://nicktckerniak.podomatic.com/.

Now, we just have time to give a quick mention to two other “Lovechild” residents who are busy beavering in the studio, Gabriele Cutrano having compiled two new tracks, the details of which we should have for exclusive release when we see him tonight, so will let you have details of these very soon, while Tony English, who will be playing out in the main room at Fire tonight, has just released part one of four of his “The Social” series, which is well worth grabbing at http://djtonyenglish.com/.

So, what else is coming up? Well, later this month we will have two special focuses, firstly another “Italiano” special giving massive D.J./Producer talents Pagano & Danny Verde our full attention, then a “Live Mix” post, showcasing the talents of a whole host of D.J’s that have superb multi mixing talents, including Alan K & Steven Geller. But next week we look at the latest works from Steven Redant & Gary H.

In the meantime, if your thirst for music needs lubricating, why not pay a visit to top notch clubbing website http://seenqueen.com/music, which has a comprehensive list of D.J’s and their links, as well as some of the latest releases & a spotlight on D.J. Mis-White.

So, that’s it for this time, but with a weekend looking rammed solid with brilliant music, at “Lovechild’s Love 2 Love 1st Birthday”, then “Beyond Obsession”, followed by “From DTPM With Love”, our heads will be spinning by Monday, but if you’re not out listening to it live, sit back relax, link into our choices & let the music play.

xDM

Saturday 6 February 2010

Music Is The Answer - "Back To Beyond"




















Hey Folks,

Well, never has one club occupied our thoughts so much, but it comes as no surprise, having scooped the Seenqueen Best Club of 2009 award, an accolade it truly deserves & Sunday mornings are never the same anywhere else but in Area. Which club are we talking about? “Beyond” of course, the most amazing afterhours outing of all-time, which right from its inception back in June 2002, took the London gAylist clubbing scene by storm, even toppling the then dominant Trade and following a short rest from its original home at Colloseum, has really come of age at Area.

That said, we would not be totally honest if we miss, a teeny bit, those heady days of “Beyond’s” history, so you can imagine our delight when news came our way that the team behind this fantabulous club, look like holding a “classic” party, bringing back some of the original resident D.J.’s for a special event. Whilst a date has yet to be confirmed, we thought we would devote our post this week to two of those original disc spinning meisters, who have just released new compilations.

First up is the legend that is Alan X, probably one of the first D.J.’s we connected with after coming out on the London gAylist scene, and whilst our early days in his presence were somewhat chequered, we have some superb memories of scintillating sets of his at the iconic club “Crash”, Alan shining like the superstar D.J. he is in the more intimate second (“back”) room. So, when the brainchild that has become “Beyond” was launched, it was inevitable that Mr X would be part of the D.J. line up, securing the third slot in the main room and very much responsible for that we never left “Beyond” before closing each & every Sunday we played homage to his magical music. His upbeat, electro & tribal tinted sets really characterised the original “Beyond” winning formula that his successors have continued to emulate and ironically, whilst Alan X no longer forms part of the line up, another Alan fulfils this prized closing slot, continuing the dream that started way back in 2002. Away from “Beyond”, Alan has carved an impressive career not just D.J’ing, residencies & appearances including Heaven, DTPM & many of the major warehouse parties of the time, like “Famous Five”, and “Universe”, but his amazing talent has been applied in creating the renowned record label “Xtrax London”, following working on & building up the digital division for the DTPM Recordings label. Alan is currently applying all this experience to the online relaunch of the “Xtrax London Digital” imprint and the label will be adding an extensive back catalogue from his vast music collection as well as including some great new material. Still popping up on the scene from time to time, Alan also gets into the recording studio and has just completed a new compilation which is pure Mr X magic, the mix entitled “Love This Feelin – CD 4 Life”, aptly summed up in his own words, “a seasonal mix of all things bright and beautiful, from tribal to electric, plus a few golden oldies revisited on the way” which you can download & listen by going to http://djalanx.podomatic.com/, this mix getting more than just a thumbs up from us.

Our other “Beyond” original pick is antipodean wonder Brent Nicholls, who’s glittering D.J. career has taken him right around the world, from his hometown Sydney, playing at top clubs & circuit events in South Africa, Canada, Germany, France and Italy, but London is where Brent has firmly established himself as a big draw & scene favourite. The list of clubs he has played in is endless, but we first came across his talent at uber underground club “Crash”, where he made the second room his own for virtually the whole history of the club, occasionally also making it onto the main floor where he played b2b with both Paul Heron & Steve Pitron. “Beyond” definitely beckoned and like “Crash”, Brent stamped his authority on the VIP room at Colleseum, cementing the D.J.’ing relationship with Paul Heron that has stood the test of time terrifically and is famed for being the cornerstone of Industri, the fab Thursday social soiree. With a solid reputation in his field, Brent, who believes that his job is to educate and entertain, the reaction between these two underlying principles driving his sets and his performances at “Beyond” are both legendary & timeless, his blend of funky, electro & latin twisted house sounds very much his trademark & evocative of the VIP room which, for us, will always be his. In fact, one of our most favourite Hed Kandi tunes “Easy Livin” was in his playlist at the very first “Beyond” party and continues to this day to live in our memory. Brent was still involved with “Beyond” when it re-launched in 2006, although, sadly, for the whole time of its incarnation at Area, has been overlooked, although we hope this is set to change. Leading a hectic life D.J’ing & managing tip top gAylist clubbing website “Seenqueen.com”, as well as web designing for some of the big clubs & promoters in London, Mr Nicholls maintains this hectic pace in the studio, last year completing no less than 16 compilations, many of which we simply cannot put down. His first, probably of many in 2010, picks right up where the previous year’s releases left off, cutting a unique, individual & progressive style to keep you on your toes. Brent explains away his “Deep Inside” release perfectly saying “it is more about that feeling you get, well, deep inside, when you hear that house tune, which could be anything from a commercial remix, a classic track covered and pimped for the 21st Century, or a song so sexy it makes you want to hump the bass bin. It moves you, it grooves you & it touches something deep inside.” and through his words you really get the notion that he is truly passionate about his art. So, to let this latest compilation find your “Deep Inside”, go to http://djbrentnicholls.com/music and click on the album cover to stream. Also, keep your eyes peeled for his occasional free download link options.

Now, back to “Beyond Classic” and we have it on very good authority that both Alan & Brent will be integral inclusions in this event but we are already lobbying the man with influence, Craig Elder, to consider adopting the “classic” theme as a permanent fixture in “Beyond” weekly parties, so will bring you news of any developments on the “classic” front as soon as we have it.

And, with “Beyond” still firmly on our lips, the man that was the focus of our “music” post last week, D’Johnny, literally on the day of release, gave us exclusive access to his live recording of his main room set at Beyond Belief last weekend, which we can now share with you & have to say, it is an absolute stormer. You can grab your copy now at http://soundcloud.com/djohnny/beyond-belief-main-room-2010-01-31.

So, that’s our choice picks & a very “Beyond” flavoured devotion complete, as next week our focus turns to the passion that is Valentine’s, with mixes from new “Lovechild” resident Paul Heron & “DTPM’s” Nick Tcherniak, as both will entertain at the respective “Love2Love - Lovechild 1st Birthday” and “From DTPM With Love” parties. In the meantime, for some other choice releases, why not visit http://seenqueen.com/music, which has the most extensive list of all your fave gAylist D.J.’s, their web links & their latest work.

Now, all that’s left to say is, it’s time to check out our recommendations this week, kick back, turn up the volume & let the music play.

xDM