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Fabric Live 16: Adam Freeland (Breaks): âThe reason why I started playing breaks was because it was totally open-minded; a mixture of everything from funk to hip hop to electro to house and drum & bass . . . As soon as people get all restrictive, saying the sound has to be this, I just say that was then and the sound has to keep moving and developing.â
10 years after he first started championing breaks, Adam Freeland remains the genreâs first, if not only superstar DJ, though as a growing body of foot-stepping jocks start to refine and define the increasingly popular genre, itâs timely that Freeland is talking of moving on. Though listening to his latest mix CD, heâs clearly decided to go back to move forwards, segueing funk, hip hop, electro and drum & bass to come up with a mix thatâs far superior and different to much of the stuff that these days passes for breaks.
Heâs also gone for tunes that are generally both accessible and cutting edge, dropping DJ rarities and acapellas alongside peak time crowd pleasers like LFOâs acid anthem Freak and PETâs electro-pop Superpet, all seamlessly mashed together with Adamâs usual precision and pace.
The Marine Parade captain has also always distinguished himself from lesser DJs by being technically top notch and willing to learn new tricks, so itâs no surprise that Fabric 17 is superbly mixed and while as musically varied as a âbreaksâ set can out.
Rating: 8/10
Genre: breaks/ eclectic
01 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Loveburns
02 Proper Filthy Naughty : Flow [False Prophet Remix]
03 Evil Nine: Hired Goons
Freeland: Heel ânâ Toe [Acapella]
04 Precision Cuts : Xylophone
05 Evil Nine: Crooked
06 Pet: Super Pet [Evil Nine Mix]
* FreelandL We Want Your Soul [Acapella]
07 Justice Vs Gambit: Steamulation
08 Bassbin Twins: Sqsh
09 M.A.N.D.Y : Words Donât Come Easy
10 Freeland: Burn The Clock
11 UNKLE: Reign [Evil Nine Mix]
12 Adam Freeland & The Soul Drummers : F-Groove
13 Telemen: In All Nothing
[Adam Freeland & Evil Nine Mix]
14 LFO: Freak
15 Freeland : Mind Killer [Origin Unknown Mix]
16 Radioactive Man: Airlock
Review by: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
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Lektroluv 5: Mixed by Dr Lektroluv (Electro-disco): Perhaps because heâs from Belgium Dr Lektroluv remains less internationally recognised than his electro-peer pioneers DJ Hell or Larry Tee, though judging by Volume 5 of his ongoing electro-disco compilation, it can only be a matter of time before that changes.
Perhaps because heâs from Belgium Dr Lektroluv remains less internationally recognised than his electro-peer pioneers DJ Hell or Larry Tee, though judging by Volume 5 of his ongoing electro-disco compilation, it can only be a matter of time before that changes.
Sitting sweetly between Hellâs techno roots and Teeâs vocal pop take on electro, the good Dr occupies the middle ground between the two, seamlessly mixing italo-disco and electro house from the late 70s to the present. Vocoder vocals, electro analogue synth lines and metronone hi hats permeate an accessible, listenable set that works as well on small speakers as it does pounded out on a system.
Standout moments amongst whatâs a strong selection (certainly compared to previous Lektroluv comps) include John Aquavivaâs acid-ed up mix of Fad Gadgetâs seminal early 80s anthem Lady Shave, I-Liteâs STR With Tim Tycoon and David Carettaâs Vicious Game.
Lektroluv 5 is out on June 21 on 541.
Track-listing:
Genre: (Italo) Electro-disco
Rating: 8/10
1. ALEXANDER ROBOTNICK â DANCE BOY DANCE (PAUL RAYMOND EDIT)
2. DOGBOY! â TRANSWORLD ELECTRIC (PULSINGER REMIX)
3. POLYGAMY BOYS â THE MINUS MAN
4. FAD GADGET â LADY SHAVE (JOHN AQUAVIVAâS ROBO-SAPIEN VOX)
5. BANGKOK IMPACT â AUS BIRGITTES TAGEBUCH
6. TELEX â MOSKOW DISKOW
7. ABE DUGUE â CHAMPAGNE DAYS, COCAINE NIGHTS
8. STR WITH TIM TYCOON â I-LITE
9. DETUNE â SPONTANITAT
10. BREAK 3000 â EMOLOTION
11. DAVID CARETTA - VICIOUS GAME
12. ANTHONY ROTHER â BACK HOME
13. SOLVENT â MY RADIO
14. DREXCIYA â BLACK SEA
Review by: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
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Envoy: Shoulder To Shoulder (tech-house-soul) :When Hope Grant (aka Envoy) released his debut album in 1998, house, techno and the pumping thumping hybrid he specialises in, were top-of-the-chart sellers, with the likes of Underworld, the Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk seemingly about to change musical tastes permanently. Six years on though, as Hopeâs follow up album hits the streets, dance musicâs dominance looks decidedly shaky, which is a shame, given that Shoulder To Shoulder is up there as a top quality house/ techno album, on a par with the great dance records of old.
Opening tracks 4 Absent Friends and Red Mist set the standard immediately, sounding reminiscent of Underworld, though spruced up with a decidedly Slam style thumping groove (presumably inspired by Hopeâs years of singing and touring with the Soma label-mates). Track 3, Move On, is the real clincher, a truly special song that heâs co-produced with Ewan Pearson. Featuring strings supplied by a 29 piece orchestra (playing an arrangement scored by Craig Armstrong) the track features Hope singing a (presumably autobiographic) tale of a pop star waiting for success. Moving, hooky and highly accessible, itâs a proper pop song by a proper artist, highlighting the rich potential that really remains within dance music, and more specifically, Hope Envoy Grant.
Title track Shoulder To Shoulder (dedicated to George W and the albumâs first single) is another potential crossover cut, while the rest of the album pays closer attention to the dance floor. Shoulder To Shoulder is out on June 7 on Soma Records.
Genre: tech-house-soul
Rating 8/10
Track-Listing:
1: 4 Absent Friends
2: Red Mist
3: Move On (Full Strings Mix)
4: Into The Arena
5: Shoulder To Shoulder
6: Intervals
7: U Can Go
8: Night Moves
9: Stargazer
10: Is This
11: Full Time
Review By: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
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Mamma Mia: One daughter, one wedding, three possible dads. A simple but interesting story, filled with a string of ABBA hits, and performed by a group of fully-energized cast, no wonder they say Mamma Mia is the Worldâs #1 Show. Read more...Musicals have always been exciting and enjoyable, especially with songs that people are familiar with. This clever selection of ABBA songs just fit perfectly with every scene, making the story stand out even more, and getting the crowd to do a bit of song-and-dance too. Before actually seeing the show, worries did come through my mind: Would non-ABBA fans actually like this? Or even worse, would die-hearted ABBA fans be disappointed? Clearly, little kids at the age of 6 would love the story, just because itâs fun, and captivating, the chemistry between the young casts like Kellie Rode (Sophie Sheridan) and Sky (Christopher Parker) can surely make them believe in this romantic dream. On the other hand, the flow of music and the brilliant performance by the rest of the actors/actresses like the three divas, Silvie Paladino (Donna Sheridan), Jennifer Vuletic (Tanya) and the crowdâs favorite Emma Powell (Rosie), did not turn the fans off, but brought them in this hilarious arrangement, that everyone can just free themselves in the music.
Just because itâs all songs that we know, lyrics that we remembered, once the intro is there, a smile on our face will just automatically be put on, we knew whatâs it gonna be, we know what theyâre trying to say, and we can say it WITH them! Thatâs the most intelligent trick of Mamma Mia, you knew whatâs next, and you still want to see what happens. No âtoilet-momentsâ, no snoring, just plain laughter and applause.
Itâs been an entertaining, joyful, feel-good night, and for those who came and witnessed the show should feel the magic this world-wide phenomenon.
Review by Alyson Hau
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Since the dramatic, melodic music-makers Rialto disappeared, the fans have been waiting for some new excitements from the individual band members. The front-man have not been forgotten, as his talent is still in its prime time. Louis Eliot brought his own solo music to Hong Kong by putting on a show that attracted 400 keen listeners. HKClubbing.com takes you on a ride, from his past, his present to his future.
A: Alyson
L: Louis Eliot
A: Welcome to Hong Kong! You had a late night?
L: (Smiles) Yeah⦠we went to umm⦠Dragon-I, and that was alright, we went looking for somewhere else, but it wasnât opened, so we ended up at some weird kind of karaoke type of place called Hardyâs, so thereâs a band playing, and people get up singing, I didnât get up and sing, it was Julian who plays with me did. And ah⦠(giggles) itâs funny, very funny⦠and then we went to some public bars in Wan Chaiâ¦
A: Ah! Cool! So how was the gig last night?
L: It was great! It went really well. The crowd was really ermm⦠just a really lovely crowd actually. Didnât really know what to expect, but ermm, it was a great turn out, just a really warm reception.
A: Is this the first time youâre in Hong Kong?
L: Itâs not, no. But I havenât played in Hong Kong before, but Iâve come through doing promo and yeahâ¦
A: Alright, so this is like⦠finally get to meet the fans! How dya find them?
L: Very polite (Smiles), which is great! You know, theyâre really intensive in these sort of quiet songs, you know, in England you get a little bit more aggorant and stuff like that⦠you know, good nature and everything, but here, theyâre very⦠theyâre listening and they handle every word, itâs really nice.
A: Yeah, most of the people they come to Hong Kong, they would find the fans a bit quietâ¦
L: Well, theyâre only quiet sort of while youâre playing, and then you finish the song, and theyâre really noisy, theyâre the perfect fans! They behave just as youâd like them to!
A: Excellent! What have you been doing since Rialto?
L: God! I donât really know! (Laughs) Iâm sort of just kind of getting myself together a bit. Ummm⦠Rialtoâs 2nd album came out I think in 2001, so you know, we did some work on that, some promo and stuff, and toured it, but the last couple of years, Iâve just been writing songs⦠I went to America for a little while, did some recording, it didnât really work out, but that was kind of the initial spark of doing my own record. And then just getting a bit at home, but really just⦠things take a bit of time, (giggles) especially if you take the long way around, which is the title of my album.
A: Now ever since the song âMonday Morning 5:19â, it is certainly the song that brought everyoneâs attention to you, would you get a lot of pressure whenever you write, youâll go like âOh, I gotta top that!â
L: I donât look back on that song and think âOh, I must top itâ, but perhaps I should be doing that! (Laughs) Coz it always goes down so well, and I havenât actually played it for a while. But coming out here, everybody knows it and wanted to hear it and stuff⦠so it goes down very well here, yeah, so⦠but I try not to think about it, I think that would make life pretty difficult if you try to⦠if youâre too backward-looking, youâve gotta look forward and just write about something thatâs exciting at the time.
A: So letâs not look at the past and look at the present, NOW! As youâre a solo artist now, do you find it more difficult being solo than in a band?
L: I donât, no I donât find it more difficult. Ehhh⦠Rialto actually got on really well as a band, and that was one of the things which is very important, when we got on a band, me and Johnny, the guitar player, started the band, and one of the main requirements was not just like whether this person can play well when we were auditioning, and getting people into the group, it was also like would we be able to stand, sitting in a transit van together and driving up to Glasgo or going on long journeys together and hanging out. So you know I guess for some people in bands, you know the politics in bands gets too much, and thatâs why they wanna go solo⦠but it wasnât really the case with us, you know we all got on well, and we still do. But I suppose whatâs good about being solo is⦠you get to be the boss! (Laughs) You make the decisions you know⦠So far⦠so good, being solo⦠but who knows, maybe Rialto will even do something again togetherâ¦
A: So would you rather started off as a solo artist?
L: No no⦠even though I have always written the songs in the couple of bands Iâve been in, umm⦠I think I really wanted to be a part of a group, a part of the gang, really. Maybe that was lack of confidence, or I donât really know why, but now I feel quite happy to be solo, but I really didnât wanna do it when I was starting out, I wanted to be in a group.
A: Alright. Tell us about your new album!
L: Well, itâs called the âLong Way Aroundâ, and itâs⦠I guess the difference between the new album and the old Rialto stuff is that Rialto had this big sort of film-making, cinematic sound, and my new record has got more intimate sound, itâs more⦠I think itâs a bit more human sounding, itâs probably closer to the way that I write the songs, you know, to the sound of the songs when I write them. Coz I generally write songs on an acoustic guitar. Itâs quite a lot of that on the new record, acoustic guitar, sort of humble⦠quite homely instruments⦠I think the record has just got more of down homeful feeling, and then a kind of folky-ness.
A: Very nice. Is there any song you heard recently that made you go like, âDamn! I wish I wrote that song!â
L: (After 10 seconds) I donât wanna sounds smart, but no⦠(Laugh) There isnât, there hasnât been recently, but itâs great when that happens, coz itâs truly inspiring, but I havenât heard anything recently which made me do that⦠but thereâs people I really admire, you know, I really admire Mike Skinner from the Streets, I think he writes great lyrics, itâs quite different sound to the sound that I make, but heâs just really good at the tiny details, so I think that really brings⦠the picture is painting to life! I think heâs a really talented guy.
A: Now weâve looked at your past, whatâs happening right now, letâs look at the future. What are your expectations for your career letâs say!
L: My career, well I hope things carry on going well here, I mean so far itâs been great, this trip around Asia, the album gathering sort of momentum, so Iâd really like to come back as soon as possible, do some gigs, maybe with a full band this time, this trip Iâve just been doing⦠you know, itâs just been acoustic shows, so itâll be great to come back with a full band. Apart from that, Iâm just going home to the UK to do some gigs, and promote the record there. And then itâs off to Europe for more of the same, which is all really good, itâs a nice way to see the world. (Giggles)
A: Sure, now some artist they like to go multi-dimensional, they donât just sing or write songs, they wanna do acting, or they wanna have their own fashion line, or record company⦠do you wanna do something like that?
L: Ummm⦠I canât see myself doing a clothing line⦠Iâm not really⦠I think thatâll take somebody very kind of business-minded⦠Iâm not hugely⦠I⦠acting⦠when I a kid, when I was at school, I hated acting, anything to do with getting up in front of anybody else⦠god! I used to dread it! Even like you know when they ask you to read out, you know reading class, like stand up and read, I used to really dread that, I hated it! But now, I think maybe itâs just having performed music for quite a while, done videos and stuff, the idea of acting, itâs funny, itâs sort of just creeping up on me, it does appeal a bit. So you know, who knows! But obviously Iâm not going out actively, seeking it, but if somebody wanted to offer me a little part or something, Iâll definitely consider it, yeah! (Giggles) But, my main thing is carry on being music you know, maybe a bit of production⦠Iâd love to do a song for a movie, thatâs something Iâd really like to do, something like⦠I love Charlie Kaufmanâs films, you know like, âSpot this mindâ, my favorite film of his is called âAdaptationâ. But⦠Iâd love to do a song for one of his films.
A: Great! Iâm afraid I canât keep you for too long, but good luck with all the plans happening, and hope to see you soon again!
L: Thank you, take care!
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The moment has finally come! The one night that Hong Kong has been waiting for, which stars Linkin Park on our own stage, was short, but explosive. Though a few fans couldnât feel their music totally as the sound wasnât loud enough, but for those who got up front at their feet were jamming it with every single word of their songs. To get more up close and personal to the band, weâve grabbed the main-brain, Joe Hahn, to speak to us on his own movie project in London, his âpirateâ fans and more!
A: Alyson
J: Joe Hahn
A: Welcome to own town!
J: Thank you!
A: How you feeling?
J: Wooooooohooooooo~
A: (Laughs) All excited?
J: Yeah! Sure!
A: I remember last time, weâre in Singapore, I asked you, âWould you ever come to Hong Kong for a concert?â And you said you would love to do a movie here. Do you still wanna do that?
J: Yeah! Maybe here, or China, or something⦠yeah! The movie that Iâm talking about that Iâm doing right now, it actually takes place in London, so that one wonât be done here, but I do have another idea that⦠maybe I can work something out.
A: So tell us about the one happening in London! Or is it a secret?
J: Uhhh⦠well itâs not a secret, itâs still getting worked out, the deal is getting worked out. But itâs based on a book called âKing Ratâ, by China Mieville. And uh⦠itâs about⦠itâs modern day London, hundreds of years after the Pied Piper came to Hamelin, and drove the children into the city, and the Pied Piper is still alive, along with King Rat whoâs the leader of the Rat Kingdom, along with the Spider Kingdom⦠it all takes place in modern day London, to the background of drumân bass music⦠kinda like where drumân bass music was in the mid till late 90âs⦠a little out thereâ¦
A: Now as youâre here in Asia, I guess Iâll have to ask you this. Is there any Asian band that you heard, that you think, âWow! That sounds really amazing!â? Say the band who is opening up for you for tonight!
J: Yeah! The thing with the band opening up for tonight, they opened up for us in Korea, and we liked them. So the opportunity came around, and weâre like, âHey, you wanna open up for us?â and theyâre like, âOk! Cool!â
A: Yeah? Is there another band in particular that you think sounded good?
J: Ummm⦠one time in Japan, we played for the band called âUzumakiâ, theyâre pretty cool⦠ummm⦠what other band⦠Jackie Chanâs ehh⦠solo singing project?! Thatâs pretty cool⦠what else⦠yeah!
A: (Laughs) Talking about technology⦠if a fan comes up to you with a CD-R, saying, âOh! Iâm your #1 fan!â Would you still sign that CD-R?
J: Well⦠a lot of times I donât wanna sign it, but Iâll sign it anyway coz⦠I donât wanna be mean! Some people just donât know⦠what can you do⦠PLEASE STOP! Thatâs all I can say⦠Effectiveness of that? I donât know⦠(Giggles)
Considering âNu-metalâ as a dumb name, Joe Hahn and the fellas of Linkin Park have been trying to break through the boundaries of different genres of music, but somehow ended up being categorized by a new name. Also realizing âthe Internet is the future, thatâs where everything is going, and itâs changing things, while the only choice they have is to evolve, as technology evolvesâ, Joe stays true to the fans, even for those who just download them illegally! Guess theyâve all got a bit âNumbâ about thatâ¦
Apart from meeting Joe Hahn, HKClubbing.com also got the chance to meet Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington. As usual, wherever they go, fans, even the press would be asking for their autographs. While Chester was busy signing, a voice came in asking, âChester, youâre sure you wanna do this?â The answer? Just a cold, âItâs just gonna take a minute.â As the tension was reaching the breaking point, a familiar face came in with a magazine, asking for an autograph. Itâs Mike! Now that broke the ice, and we all ended up with laughter since Chester insist to sign on Mikeâs face⦠Rock stars? Sure, but attitude wise? Theyâre more like big kids trying to have some fun.
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Being invited to come and play live over here, Paul Arnold is educating the people of Hong Kong, especially those who just canât get enough of breaks and drumân bass, how he started, how he did it, and how he can still do it. Nick and Alyson from HKClubbing.com chilled out with the man right before he left town for a chat, finding out how he feels about the town, and London, and Australia, and more. Read more...
N: Nick
A: Alyson
P: Paul Arnold
A: Welcome to Hong Kong? Howâs it going?
P: Pretty well, thank you.
A: First time here?
P: Yeah, yup, first time being over (here).
A: How dâya find it so far?
P: HOT! Very hot! Not used to the temperature but ah⦠itâs been good, been good fun!
A: Have you seen anything special while youâre here in Hong Kong?
P: Um⦠the buildings! The buildings themselves are pretty special. Itâs all that high riseâ¦
A: Is the vibe pretty much the same of what you expected?
P: Yeah! Theyâre into it! So⦠you know, theyâre keen, and theyâre interested and they know what it is⦠and know the music Iâm playing and stuff⦠so yeah!
A: How about the city itself?
P: Um⦠itâs been busy, just packed! Everythingâs really small! It just squashes you everywhere!
A: (LOL)
P: Weâre going up to the Peak before we go, so weâll have a look down to the city, so thatâll be cool!
A: And I heard over the other side of the city by ferry, so youâve got the chance to really look around!
P: Yeah yeah! That was good.
A: Cool! Done some shopping as well?
P: Yeah⦠trainers and DVDs⦠(giggles) loads of DVDs!
A: I know that youâve been invited to Salem Innovation Session, what made you decide to come and perform at this event?
P: Ummm⦠coz I was asked! And Paul Wong is actually an old friend as well. I think he was one of those whoâs been getting some Dj for a while, but nothingâs been suitable for what heâs done, or likes⦠so itâs good opportunity for him to get everyone like me to come over. I did have a tour before, but it got cancelled, while I was in Australia. So itâs a good start. Iâve done a bit of press as well, so hopefully, weâll build a profile and come again. Next time Iâll go to Australia, probably as well.
A: Sure! Tell us how the party went!
P: Itâs very interesting, weâre also doing an illustrations and I was told about his drawings, which I found really interesting as well. So everything was really good. And then ehhh⦠played some records and it was good. Everyone got very drunk and danced around.
A: Thatâs nice! Now I know that youâre being a DJ, youâre also the founder of Chew The Fat! And Certificate 18 at the same time, you must have a busy life!
P: Itâs been pretty busy! Itâs full on, I mean, itâs just⦠I started Certificate 18 when I was quite young actually, so itâs been going for about 10 years. And Chew the Fat! Came along, itâs actually almost a side thing, itâs more fun. I was doing it really hard on the labels for Certificate 18, and then at the weekends I go and do my Chew The Fat! Gig, which is breakbeat. I wasnât releasing the same sort of stuff on Certificate 18 as I was playing at Chew the Fat! So I can just go out and⦠you know, that was a completely different side of it. And that just sort of built and built and built⦠Iâve actually wounded down on Certificate 18, and now Iâm just focusing on Chew The Fat! And Fat! Records, and Djing, and managing a few of the artists in the label.
A: Now I have to ask you this⦠Do you prefer the intimacy of spinning in front of the crowds, or being the boss, just sitting back there at the grand office?
P: Ummm⦠(LOL) Grand office!! With just packed full of boxes of records all around you! Youâre lucky they donât fall on you! (LOL) Ummm⦠I love Djing, I love totally⦠the feed of it! When you do play a record, they crowd start jumping around, or you can see them lift, lift the crowd⦠thatâs an amazing experience. I played last year in Australia on a tour, we did there, in front of 8,000 screaming Australian people, and I was just having shivers going down my spine⦠you know when you hear what the music⦠what excites the people, then you know what to release, so they work really well together. Djing and releasing a record.
A: Hmmm⦠So tell us which is the hottest song you heard so far?
P: (Thought for 10 seconds) Oh, I got one of my artists, Friendly, heâs on the label, heâs Australian, actually as well. Breakbeat is massive in Australia, but he moved over to London, and he started releasing stuff on my label. And he just done an album, thereâs a track from there which is called â2Black2Gayâ, which is a monster. Itâs a big big big tune!
A: Alright, so we gotta check it out here, yeah? I know you have collaborated with quite a lot of big names, like James Lavelle, Steve Lawler, Fabio⦠who works the chemistry best with you?
P: It depends on how you program the night. How the night goes. Whoâs playing before and after. And theyâre all⦠sort of fit it in to the night somewhere, so theyâre all in their own way, and do their way really.
A: How about producers?
P: Umm⦠I donât actually make music myself, I kind of just release it. So Iâve gone and seen a lot of guys to do a remix for me and work for me. So yeah⦠Iâve done a lot of different styles through Certificate 18 to Fat! Kinda tried. I mean Certificate 18 was very⦠whatâs the word⦠ummm⦠it was just new, drumân bass was just the newest form of music (thatâs) been around since Punk or something, so itâs really exciting. But I always try to do it from a different angle, by getting other guys to write⦠Our influences are like plattered, to encourage them to just do remixes of drumân bass, to take it the other way around. Instead of us (teaching) the sound of making drumân bass, give them a chance to do something different really. So weâre very sort of innovative⦠if that is the word⦠(Giggles)
A: Meat Katie was here by the beginning of the month, any particular artist from your Fat! Records, apart from Friendly, who you mentioned, that you would like us in Hong Kong to pay more attention to?
P: All the breaks guys are kind of pretty on at the moment, I mean, like Adam Freeland, Iâm sure heâs been over here. (Niknak: A lot!) Yeah, okâ¦
N: Lee Coombs is coming back again. Pretty much everyone from Fingerlickingâ¦
P: Is he? Right right⦠yeah thatâs huge, as well as the Plump DJs⦠itâs massive. Anyone small but worth checking out⦠there are so many of them in London, there are hundreds of hundreds of DJs and artists now, coming through, but⦠Meat Katieâs been really busy, heâs in a lot of stuff⦠heâs just about to release an album, which Iâm sure would be superb, his stuff are really good.
N: He just came to do the launch of the CD, thatâs what the party was forâ¦
P: Oh really? Excellent!
A: What do you look for in a new artist? What makes you determine that this is potential?
P: Just originality, just⦠I really like some of the raw sound, something like really⦠it doesnât have to be made in a really good studio, just something with a raw element come through, just original, and something different. Yeah⦠anything like that really. And then you can take them, and develop with them, and if they have that edge, that original edge, you kind of⦠as they go on⦠the first recordâs gonna be good, everything will get better. I hope.
A: Being on the road, traveling from countries to countries, would you be a little bit home sick?
P: Urghâ¦Nothing like home sick, I HATE airports though. I absolutely hate them, I just hate sitting around at the airport. And Iâm always really paranoid that Iâm always gonna miss the plane. So I get there really early. I try to if Iâm not late. But⦠I love traveling, itâs just the airport⦠drives me madâ¦
A: What do you miss the most when you get on the plane?
P: From London? I love going back to London, wherever I go, I love London. Itâs just a pace of live there, the music scene is amazing. Thereâs so much to do. So when I say Iâm going around to Australia to do a 7 week tour, when you go back, you just sink back into it. Itâs really really nice. Just the pace, and the vibe and all sort of stuff.
A: Before we let you move on to your next stop, tell us what your planâs like for the rest of the year!
P: Itâs Chew the Fat!âs 7th birthday in October, Iâm trying to work out a different venue, trying to do something different for it. I havenât sort of sorted that out yet. In a new venue, or just something a little bit different. With that, weâll release a double album, a mix album. Iâll do one side and Friendly will do the other. Thatâs about it really. That will keep me busy enough. (Giggles) There are loads of other releases going on, and Iâm hoping more DJs, there are so many more DJs, and getting a studio myself actually, thatâs what I wanted to do. I just never had time.
A: Thank you so much for joining us today. Hope you had fun in Hong Kong!
P: Sure we had! Brilliant!
Find out more about Paul and what he is up to at:
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Sasha- Chechen Suicide Bombers Nearly Killed Me
âI was staying in Moscowâs National Hotel just before Christmas when two Chechen suicide bombers blew themselves up right outside the hotel. I was in bed at the time asleep, about sixty or seventy feet (20 metres) from the explosion.â
Chatting down the line from his West London home, Sasha sounds calm as he recalls the moment he almost got blown to bits on his latest visit to Russia.
âThe whole room shook, it blew in all the windows of the hotel reception, I think five people were killed in the attack,â he continues.
âI ended up staying in the hotel room for 24 hours, because they kept setting off little explosions all day; I didnât realise they were those controlled explosions, it really felt like Moscow was under attack.â
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Seb Fontaine (uk)
Tuesday Eve Vesak Day, 1 June 2004 at Zouk till 4am
Last here celebrating Creamâs 10th anniversary tour, Seb clearly belongs among the elite of international DJs. His DJ set is a gritty, hypnotic concoction that is as uncompromising as it is compelling. Always exploring new territories, crossing unchartered waters, Sebâs sound is ever changing, touching trance, progressive, breaks, and hard, funky twisted house. This is a man who knows his music, appreciates his job, but best of all, understands his audience. With his very own series of best-selling Prototype mix CDs from Global Underground, a Saturday night show on BBC Radio 1, plus his ongoing monthly night Type at The Cross in London, he continues to test his boundaries on the dancefloor.
Essential listening:
Seb Fontaine - Horizons
zouk/ phuture admission on 1 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $15 before 10pm, 23/$28 after
Heineken Greens Room Sessions with Peter Kruder (Austria)
Wednesday 2 June 2004 at Velvet Underground
One half of the legendary superstars of downtempo â K&D, Peter Kruder, along with studio partner Richard Dorfmeister, are the godfathers of a whole genre, and have made their austrophonic sound world renowned for several years already. On his own, Peter who is also part of Voom:Voom alongside Fauna Flash, has recently embarked on a new solo project â Peace Orchestra. It is here where Peter straddles lithely between jazz, dub and bossa, with all the parameters that constitute the sound of a conventional orchestra, yet without any actual musicians, but simply just the brilliance of genius Peter Kruder. On the decks, Peter is not just about down tempo, but fuses dub, funky beats and uptempo breaks to his already established K&D soundscape.
This event is open exclusively to Heineken Green Room Members. Visit www.heinekenmusic.com.sg/greenroom for your chance to be invited. Membership requirements are stringent and positions are limited.
âReconstruction of a Cityâ â A Visions and Illusions Exhibition, Opening party with Zouk
Thursday 3 June at 21 Tanjong Pagar, 7pm till late
An In-Conjunction Visual Arts Event of the Singapore Arts Festival 2004
(1 â 18 June 2004 @ St James Power Station & 21 Tanjong Pagar)
SuperMart III:
In the dead of the night, the lighted convenience store is the only sign of life in the sprawling metropolis. Located in the depths of an anonymous Asian city, a reconstructed convenience store designed by artist-architects becomes the stage for an urban theatre performance that will challenge our definition of art. SuperMart III re-contextualises and distills the scene into the context for the opening party with Zouk. Unique and aesthetically original "products" by invited architects, musicians, artists and fashion designers will be displayed for sale at vintage prices. A cultural project that challenges the boundaries between pure art and commercial incentive, SuperMart III is also an interactive performance art show where all visitors will have something to bring home. And they will walk out and say, well, is this ART?
Free admission at 21 Tanjong Pagar on 3 June, 7pm till late
David Morales (Def Mix , US )
Friday 4 June 2004 at Zouk
Grammy award winning DJ and entrepreneur, David Morales sits amongst the New York house legends. As a Producer/Remixer, Morales has worked with top recording artists such as Mariah Carey, Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, Eric Clapton, Seal, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Jamiroquai, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Spice Girls and Toni Braxton. Needing U - The first release from his label Definity, stormed into the US Billboard and UK dance charts, and became a summer anthem in 2001. His Def Mixâs management arm is also the watchful eye for the careers of Frankie Knuckles, Satoshi Tomiie, Hector Romero and Bobby Dâ Ambrosio.
zouk/ phuture admission on 4 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $15 before 10pm, 23/$28 after
Lottie (UK)
Saturday 5 June 2004 at Zouk, till 4am
Crowned Queen of Ibiza, and signed to BBCâs Radio 1 (alongside Pete Tong and
Seb Fontaine) Lottieâs DJ career has been growing from strength to strength.
Already gaining a key position at Radio 1, being featured in numerous
Radio 1 events, sheâs also a regular feature in major clubs all over the UK.
Globally, she has rocked clubbers at Manumission, Space and Pacha in Ibiza;
Venezuela, Italy, Monte Carlo, Ireland, Switzerland, Moscow, Canada, Brazil,
Greece, Malta and Israel. Besides that, she also runs her weekly night
Missdemeanours at AKA Bar in London, which subsequently won the Best Bar
Joint in Londonâs Time Out Magazine. This night has also sprouted a label,
and its fourth release from Lottie herself entitled âSuperkillaâ, is already
causing a stir amongst all the top djs.
Essential listening:
Snapshot mixed by Lottie
zouk/ phuture admission on 5 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $15 before 10pm, 23/$28 after
Gemini Presents the Frontal Superstar DJ Project Finals
Saturday 5 June 2004 at Phuture, 9pm to 11pm, followed by Tony Tay
Surviving the relentless Frontal Superstar DJ elimination round held last month at Zouk, SSDJ finalists, David and Stuart, have been undergoing intense training at the Frontal DJ Academy through the month of May. Competition has been tough and both finalists are out to prove that they deserve to be the elusive Frontal Superstar DJ.
THE SSDJ Finals showdown will see David and Stuart pit their skills against one another to become the next Frontal Superstar DJ Champion. Performing live with a GEMINI equipped DJ console, witness their debut DJ sets at Phuture as they pull out their best turns in the air to work the decks and electrify the dance-floor in hope of becoming the 2004 Frontal SSDJ Champion.
The FRONTAL SUPERSTAR DJ CHAMPION will stand to win GEMINI DJ Equipments as well as proceed to tour with the Frontal DJs in upcoming parties.
Who will emerge as the Frontal Superstar DJ Champion? Weâll leave it to YOU and our panel of esteemed judges to decide!
Log on to www.frontallabs.com for more info and exclusive passes to the event.
+PRIZES+
SSDJ Champion: One pair of Gemini CD1800X & a Gemini FX7000 Mixer
SSDJ Runner-Up: Gemini FX7000 Mixer & a Gemini Record Bag
zouk/ phuture admission on 5 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $15 before 10pm, 23/$28 after
Twisted Records Tour With DJ Vibe (Portugal) and Rob Di Stefano (US)
Friday 11 June 2004 at Zouk , starting 11pm, 4 hr set
Known in his hometown Lisbon as Tó Pereira, DJ Vibe is the driving force behind the Portugese dance scene. He made massive headlines in â94, recording as The Underground Sound of Lisbon with Rui Da Silva, and produced the Number 1 Billboard Club hit âSo Get Upâ. He then went on to start the Portugese Number 1 dance label Kaos Records, and remixed the likes of Tony Humphries, Celeda, Kristine W and Club 69. His signature style and sound has impressed and inspired Danny Tenaglia, who has since featured Vibe at his parties in Miami and New York. Last summer, Vibe was also specially invited by Carl Cox as the chosen few to be an exclusive resident dj for his nights at Space in Ibiza. Joining him behind the decks is Rob Di Stefano, the founder of Twisted Records, a label that has supported DJ Vibe, Danny Tengalia and many others. Rob, who has been at the forefront of this house sound, has helped the music penetrate all corners of the globe.
zouk/ phuture admission on 11 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $15 before 10pm, 23/$28 after
One With Aldrin
Saturday 12 June 2004 Zouk, till 4am
2004 continues on the up for Zoukâs ressie DJ Aldrin. After an impressive
outing in the UK where he rocked The Cross in London, Arches in Glasgow,
plus his first ever UK festival - Wild In The Country, Aldrin has also just
returned from Australia, promoting the Rhythm1 CD compilation. Besides the
hectic touring schedules, he has been working on new material for the coming
summer season, which will evidently see his return to Ibiza, with confirmed
dates at Pacha and We Love Sundays at Space. But till then, he returns for
another rumble in the Zouk main room, so do join him for yet another massive
ONE.
zouk/ phuture admission on 12 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $12 before 10pm, 20/$25 after
Deep & Sexy CD Tour with Matthias Heilbronn (US)
Saturday 12 June 2004 at Velvet Underground, till 4am
Following the first two highly successful Deep and Sexy albums, Wave Music proudly presents the third installment in the series. This time Matthias "Matty" Heilbronn continues the legacy established by Francois K. and Ron Trent, crafting another masterful mix of sultry soul that keeps the pulse pumping from start to finish. Throughout his illustrious career, Matthias has steadily achieved international acclaim for his trademark sophisticated soulful sound: a glorious blend of soulful, jazz-inflected deep house, percussive Afro-Latin rhythms and infectious progressive tribal beats. He has rocked parties and festivals all over the world, not to mention, receiving the #1 of the decade spot by DJ Magazine for his Wave/Chez/Naked compilation CD.
Essential listening:
Deep & Sexy 3 mixed by Matthias Heilbronn
zouk/ phuture admission on 12 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $12 before 10pm, 20/$25 after
Phuture Breaks Sessions
Saturday 12 June 2004 at Phuture
10pm: Julian 11pm: Feng (Frontallabs) 12am: DJ Spoonky (Djeneration)
1am: Tony Tay 2am: Weili (Frontallabs) 3am: Phuture Breaks All Stars
zouk/ phuture admission on 12 June for non-members (incl 2 drinks): $12 before 10pm, 20/$25 after
Velvet Underground & Znaps Roses celebrate Tuesday Air crew Nights
Tuesday 15 June 2004 at Velvet Underground
The most exciting and refreshing infusion to yet hit the market is that of Znaps Vodka & Roses, which will be available from this launch onwards at Velvet Underground. Roses with a touch of champagne!
Znap Rose cocktails flow freely from 9.30pm onwards, while stocks last.
Entry by invitation only before 11pm.
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Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now? Ask Your Friends.â
Hbo Sex and the City Official Party 2004
On August 5, 2004, the sexiest series to hit the big screen is hitting the sexy streets of Hong Kong: Lan Kwai Fong.
Not to be outdone by New York nightlife, Lan Kwai Fong Entertainments together with HBO, ABSOLUT VODKA AND WESTEAST MAGAZINE proudly presents: the final season of the award winning HBO Sex and the City. On August 5, Hong Kong will write its own guidebook to making it and making out in the City.
As the chosen venues for the Official Party, C CLUB, LUX and CALIFORNIA will celebrate the show, the girls, their shoes â¦and the men.
The evening will commence at 8.00pm with the screening of the first two episodes of Season six, Sex and the City. This will take place in both LUX and CALIFORNIA Restaurants. In the spirit of sisterhood, Cosmopolitans and dishes âTHE GIRLSâ love will be featured on our menus.
After the show, those who are looking for their âAbsolut Hunkâ might find him at the Absolut Martini bar at CALIFORNIA. And if that was not enough, resident DJs will to help you dance your Choos away...all night long.
VIP INVITATION ONLYâ¦ARE YOU ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES?
At the same time, the red carpet will roll out, the lights will adorn the skyline of Hong Kong and Samanthaâs black book will be written at C CLUB. As HBO and sets the scene, special performances will accompany Carrieâs favourite, DJ Duane Harden, imported from New York for one night only.
â¦and by the way, we girls of Hong Kong are not going to let the girls from New York teach us how to dress, are we?
