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
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
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