Ian O'Donavon Aurora Borealis

Better late than never, I have just caught up with this incredible offering from John Digweed’s Bedrock label, from an artist called Ian O’Donavon, featuring three top tracks, the title track Aurora Borealis along with Indigo Eyes and Horizons.

Aurora Borealis is a stunning and massive track featuring beautiful haunting harmonies and pulsating electronics the single fades and rises to brilliant effect.

No wonder Aurora Borealis is getting big club plays and credit to Bedrock for recognising yet another new talent who will surely emerge further during 2010.

Both Indigo Eyes and Horizon show off Ian O’Donavon’s exciting productions, coming from different angles to the title track but achieving similar results in putting a smile on the face and getting the foot tapping!

About Ian O’Donavon

After spending much of his youth listening to various styles of music, Ian came across the world of underground electronic music. It was so refreshing and different to all the formatted songs and “cheesy” dance tracks of the time, he quickly began to immerse himself in this music and the scene itself. Influenced by artists such as Steve Rachmad, Underground Resistance, Technasia and DJs like Laurent Garnier, Jeff Mills and DJ Hell, Ian began DJing and seeking out the records that would go on to play an important part in defining his sound.

It wasn’t until he moved to Australia in 2005, that he began to create his own tracks, slowly teaching himself and developing his sound. After nearly four years living in Oz, Ian decided to return to Ireland in 2009 and focus more of his attention on making music, determined to help break the cycle of the boring, soulless “minimal” fad that had dominated house and techno in previous years.

With early support on many of his tracks from the likes of Laurent Garnier, John Digweed, Dave Clarke, Anderson Noise, Hernan Cattaneo, Psycatron and more, the future looks bright for Ian with hot releases on Hype Muzik as well as John Digweed’s Bedrock Records.

Ian O’Donovan
A1 – Aurora Borealis
B1 – Horizons
B2 – Indigo Eyes
(Bedrock) Bed90
12” Vinyl & Beatport Exclusive

For further information visit the Ian O’Donavon My Space.

Patrice Scott - secretsundaze @ sonar

secretsundaze and The Secret Agency presents secretsundaze Sonar Party 2010 at La Terrazzza and the picnic area in Poble Espanyol.

Patrice Scott (Sistrum)
The Mole (Wagon Repair)
Trus’me (Prime Numbers)
Ethyl and Flori (Quitessentials, Freerange)
Giles Smith (secretsundaze)
James Priestley (secretsundaze)

The Secret Agency (secretsundaze’s new booking agency) and secretsundaze are proud to announce details of our 3rd party at Barcelona’s amazing open air club La Terrazzza. Although this is the 3rd year secretsundaze will be representing at La Terrazzza after 2 hugely successful parties, this is the first real Sonar showcase of our new booking agency The Secret Agency.

2010’s party looks set to be the best yet with it being the first time we have utilised the picnic area just a few minutes walk from La Terrazza. This is beautiful grassy area with trees overhanging the dance area with picnic benches and seating making it the perfect way to ease into the evening as a pre cursor to moving into La Terrazzza at midnight.

Along with La Terrazzza it provides one of the only true open air parties one can experience during the Sonar festivities. La Terrazzza itself is without doubt one of the most stunning locations for a party at Sonar. The party will go on for a marathon 12 hours!

Our headliner is Patrice Scott from Detroit. Patrice’s productions on his Sistrum imprint have garnered him fans the world over and his DJ sets at the likes of Panorama bar, Fabric and indeed secretsundaze In London have furthered his appeal.

Joining Patrice we have two of our favourite artists of the moment with The Mole and Trus’me. The Mole has been a favourite appearing at secretsundaze a number of times now but usually performing live. This will be in fact his first time djing for us. Manchester’s Trus’me has shot to populartity over the last few years and his albums “Working Night’s” and “In The Red” have received huge acclaim. He has an extremely busy DJ schedule and we look forward to his debut set for secretsundaze.

Also representing The Secret Agency we have young guns Ethyl and Flori who at the tender age 23 have already released on Quintessentials, Freerange, Cecile and forthcoming on secretsundaze. They are no slouches in the djing department either! Last up our ever reliable residents Giles Smith and James Priestley will be on hand to keep the party burning long into the late hours.

secretsundaze at Sonar has become an institution attracting a great crowd of European party people and industry heads alike. This promises to be another unmissable party with it being our longest ever Sonar party (12 hours) and a double header with the party taking place across 2 sites. Batton down the hatches!

secretsundaze at Sonar
Sunday 20th June
5pm to Midnight in the picnic area, then Midnight to 5am at La Terrazzza

secretsundaze at Sonar Tickets:
5 euros concession list, 10 euros including drink
To be added to the concession list email info@secretsundaze.net

Address:
La Terrazzza, Poble D’Espanyol, Barcelona

For more information visit: www.myspace.com/secretsundaze
To book tickets visit: www.thesecretagency.net

The event has been running for two months now and has already featured the likes of Penguin Prison, Chateâu Marmont, Notorious Hi-Fi Killers and Richard Norris to name just a few.

Throughout the month of June, Colourr wiil be stepping up the pace with a dirtier bassier contingent of guests-perfectly suiting the confines of the Basement Bunker.

Kicking off proceedings on June 4th there will be live performances from Teeth!!!, Trailer Trash Traceys & Chapter Sweetheart plus DJ sets from Gold Panda, Dirty Bingo and more.

Up next on June 11th there will be a live showcase from recent addition to Big Dada – Dels – as well as up and coming Ghost Poet.

But the party will really shift itself via future garage dons Deadboy and Oneman.  Ikonika, the darling of Hyperdub joins us on June 18th, headlining before she jets off on her first North American tour. Alex Egan of Skull Juice and Astronomer fame also joins the lineup to give it some well-rounded techno and housey additions. And let’s not forget party starters Oi You! who will be given their chance to shine in the basement bunker.

There are  some very special guests yet to be announced for the Friday night party on June 25th, so make it a regular Friday night treat at The Basement, City Arts & Music Project, 70-74 City Road, London EC1Y 2BJ.

Nearest tube stations are at Old Street, Moorgate and Liverpool Street and the partying starts at 8pm and rolls on thru’ the night until 4am next day! Entrance is free, so get on down there!

Here’s what’s coming up in June...

June 4 – Colourr / Loud & Quiet “I Am V” Release Party
Live / Teeth!!! + Trailer Trash Traceys + Chapter Sweetheart
Djs / Gold Panda + Dirty Bingo + Neu Magazine + Science Is A Lie + Loud & Quiet

June 11 – Colourr / T E N
Live: Dels + Ghostpoet
Djs: Deadboy + Oneman + Lixo (Getme!) + Lego (Bricks)

June 18 -  Colourr  (11pm-4am)
Djs: Ikonika (Hyperdub) + Alex Egan (Skull Juice/Astronomer) + Oi You!

June 25 – Colourr / Special Unannounced Guests

Shifted + Dubpack + Football + DJs

SHIFTED + DUBPACK
SATURDAY 12th JUNE 2010
@ BRIXTON JAMM
261 Brixton Road
London
SW9 6LH

So the World Cup is upon us, but let’s not forget that the summer party season is getting well and truly underway. On June 12th Shifted and Dubpack are throwing a party to kick off England’s campaign and the summer in style, with an eclectic line up of DJs playing music across the board after the big game has been shown on an equally big screen.

The focus of this night is squarely on having fun, with a retro tuck shop, barbeque, Slush Puppies (alcoholic or non!) and an exhibition of live graffiti painting to keep you fed, watered and entertained.

That’s not to mention the artists on the night…

Shifted and Dubpack have pulled together a mighty impressive selection of DJs, who will be serving up a veritable smorgasbord of music and who may not necessarily be playing what you would expect. You can catch the likes of CHEFAL and TUBBY playing Jungle, WALSH (alongside a special guest on the night) playing some classic UK Garage and turntable behemoths ROSSI B & LUCA playing – well – a bit of everything.

There will also be plenty of Dubstep, Reggae, House, Hip-Hop, Hardcore and even Disco to keep you interested throughout the night. A perfect way to celebrate England’s win and if you get there in time to catch the game, it’s just £5!

This all takes place at the Brixton Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, SW9 on 12th June.

LINE UP:

ROSSI B & LUCA / CHEFAL / COTTI / WALSH B2B SPECIAL GUEST/ TUBBY / UNDERGROUND ICE / RUCKSPIN / DUBALTY / BEAT ME UP / SHINOBI / DRU / RAGGS / FRISKIE / SLUGZ & BOYSON / G MONEY / ANDY P / SYNAMATIX

Hosted by: CRAZY D / TRUEZ / IRAH / TESTA

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable night…

…Shift Happens!

TICKET INFO
Tickets £5 until 10pm, £8 thereafter

Let's Gdansk New London Club Night

Let’s Gdansk is a brand new London club night exploring the plush, outer-reaches of melody-licked disco-house and deep atmospheric techno; kicking it’s musical manifesto off in the confines of one of East London’s finest new intimate venues, The Hobby Horse.

Guests include two of East London’s rising stars – Foolish Horse. Oli and Andy have been regulars on the London club circuit over the last two years and they’ve just recently signed up to the 54 Music imprint in a bid to bring their sublime, cutting edge house magic to the masses.

The opening night is Friday 28th May and is free entry all night!

Featuring:
Foolish Horse (54 Music)
Throwing Shapes (The Disassociates / Red Light)
Stevie Chan (Get Stuck In)
Craig Allison (The 9000)

Let’s Gdansk
The Hobby Horse
281 Kingsland Road
London
E2 8AZ

9PM to 3AM

Continuing from where they left things last year the party takes place in a beautiful loft and studio space in the heart of Shoreditch and provides the chance to see a calibre of artist that you wouldn’t normally find in such intimate surroundings.

Already confirmed for 2010 are Tony Lionni, Move D, Marcus Worgull, Mark E, Lil Tony, Commix, James Priestley, Giles Smith and Dolan Bergin.

Summer Loft Parties 2010 Part One – 15th May
For the first party on Saturday 15th May, Electric Minds welcome Tony Lionni.  As a regular at Berghain / Panorama, Lionni’s tracks such as Found A Place & This Feeling have been a firm favourite at the Electric Minds parties so his distinctive style of house music should go down a treat in East London.

Sharing the bill is George Levings & Guy Brewer aka Commix. With an award winning fabric compilation under their belt they’ll be taking a break from touring under the Metalheadz label and providing a house set inspired by the remixes of Commix’s works from producers such as Ben Klock, Marcell Dettman, Shaun Reeves, Underground Resistance, Burial as well as their own new ventures into deep and dubby house music.

Loose’s Paul Crognale and Dolan Bergin also join the line up, making full use of the Funktion One sound system that will be installed for all four parties.

The venue has a limited capacity so once the tickets have sold out the doors will be closed until the next party taking place in July. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Resident Advisor.

Foamo new single Jookie on Fat! Records

After more than two years of silence Fat! Records returns with a release from fresh faced Chew The Fat! DJ resident Foamo.

Jookie Foamo’s new single has drumline percussion, marching horns and ever-rising synths, underpinned by a growling bassline. The drop recalls Dubfire, simultaneously transporting you to the dancefloor at Space as the track becomes some kind of twisted rolling monster.

The main riff in Jookie reminds me of the old skool disco classic, Jingo and I can imagine it being a big hit in Ibiza this summer.

Centavo sees Foamo (aka Kye Gibbon) reworking the formula. Like L-Vis 1990 doing Fake Blood ultra-rigid programmed drums, more brass and an odd vocal provide the backdrop for a high pressure bass workout. This is house music at its toughest. This sounds as much at home in the depths of London as it would on a festival stage.

Jookie is Foamo’s third full release and at the tender age of 22 he has established himself as one of the best producers to come out of the UK in recent years. It’s not often that talent comes rising through the ranks fully formed, undiluted, and with as much potential as Foamo has done.

Countless comparisons have been made between him and some of the very finest and he’s gained the support of DJs including Diplo, Armand Van Helden and Rob Da Bank. Not bad for a boy from High Wycombe. Having risen through the ranks, a product of the blogosphere, Jookie sees Foamo fulfil his potential and justify the those  comparisons.

With early support from Brodinski, Drop The Lime, Feadz, Martelo, Marcus Nasty, Toddla T, DJ Zinc (who included it on his Mixmag CD) and many more it marks a strong return for Fat! Records.

Jookie / Centavo is available on Fat! Records as a 12” Vinyl & Digital Download.

Global Underground DJ Series: Wally Lopez

Wally Lopez is Spain’s foremost DJ/producer. But as befits such a tremendous talent, he’s grown far beyond being the country’s best-kept secret. Two decades at the forefront of tough, percussive electronic music has seen him become a global star; thus he’s the natural choice to take the helm of the third release in the Global Underground DJ Series.

As comfortable sharing a bill with Dubfire and Danny Tenaglia as he is David Guetta and Madonna (he was her DJ of choice for her Seville concert), Lopez began his career at the age of 13, becoming a radio and club DJ in Spain. Since those tentative years he’s played the finest clubs and dance festivals the world over.

A resident of Space, Ibiza, and the man behind a consistent stream of anthems and remixes for the likes of Defected, Subliminal, Yoshitoshi, and beyond, this is Lopez’s first release for Global Underground.

This Global Underground  DJ Series: Wally Lopez 2 CD album release follows on from Wally Lopez’s widely acclaimed mixes from Nic Fancuilli and the Plump DJs, and Wally steps up to the plate with an upfront selection of current and future bangers (as the man behind labels Formula and FATXL his A&R talents are well-documented).

Both mixes encapsulate where his sound is circa 2010, refusing to be drawn into showman style pop house, or the linear drag of minimal techno, he plots a path that lies between the intricate and the infinitely danceable – the mark of a DJ who has cut his teeth through successive trends and styles.

CD1 features tracks and remixes from Wally Lopez himself, Mistress Barbara, Robert Babicz, Stimming, Gregor Thresher, Superfunk, Solomun, Oxia, and many more.

CD2 includes the likes of Ale Gomez & Ibas, Zoo Brazil, Kolombo, Daniele Paipai & Ricardo Ferri, Martin Eyerer, Kreamer & K, Spirit Catcher, Patrik Mark and beyond.

Global Underground will be holding a launch party with Wally Lopez at Ministry of Sound on Saturday 8th May. This will be followed by a series of Summer dates at Space, Ibiza and then a fully branded, 40 date World Tour.

Global Underground DJ Series: Wally Lopez tracklisting:

CD 1
1.     Mistress Barbara – Dance Me To The End Of Love (Mihalis Safras Remix)
2.     Robert Babicz – Come Closer (Stimming Remix)
3.     David Herrero – Sabana Hypnótica (Francisco Allendes Remix)
4.     Mihalis Safras – There Is A Place (Gregor Tresher Remix)
5.     Superfunk Feat. Ron Carroll – Lucky Star (Kolombo 2010 Unreleased Remix)
6.     Solomun – Boys In The Hood (Gorge Remix)
7.     Simone Vitullo Presents Felipe Puertes – Shingalin
8.     Kolombo Vs Spirit Catcher – NYC Tourist Bus
9.     Paolo Martini & Paul C – Groove Machine
10.  Wally Lopez – Iuvenis (Mihalis Safras Groovy Remix)
11.   Kaiserdisco – Chordalia
12.  Wally Lopez – Yeah
13.  Oxia – Whole Life
14.  Patrick Mark – Wattura (Norman Zube Remix)

CD 2
1.     Zoo Brazil – For A Friend (Kolombo Remix)
2.     Alex Gomez & Bias – Revolution
3.     Spirit Catcher – Forever & A Day
4.     Ivan Pica – Back Back
5.     Wally Lopez – Dig It (Stefano Noferini Mix)
6.     John Creamer & Stephane K – Forget The World (Ismael Rivas Factomania Remix)
7.     Wally Lopez – Rocking Year
8.     Hermanez – Soms
9.     Ismael Rivas – Time Is Over (M.in Remix)
10.  Peter Horrevorts – Bloody Hands (Marc Marzenit Monster Remix)
11.  Daniele Papini & Riccardo Ferri – Fragments (Martin Eyerer Mix)
12.  K-Paul – Running (Florian Meindl Remix)
13.  Wally Lopez & Zoo Brazil – Planetaria (Steve Mac’s Smack Remix)

Global Underground DJ Series: Wally Lopez will be released on 10th May 2010

Pooled 25 by Ian Pooley

House music has seen many artists come and go over the years. Often dragged down by the transient sub-splinters that rise and fall within its realm. But Germany’s Ian Pooley has been a prevalent force from the word go and with his highly anticipated new compilation, Pooled 25, about to hit the shelves – this is certainly set to continue.

Since coming to the fore in 1993, Ian’s carved out a startling career – spreading the good word house from behind the decks and penning some of the most influential dance music of the last two decades. Over the last 7 years, he’s also been channeling this experience and skill into another arena. In 2003 he decided to set up his own label, quite simply titled – Pooled Music. Predominantly designed as a vehicle for his own productions and remixes, but also as a springboard for those rare exponents of the scene that sing from his very same song sheet.

Fast forward to 2010 and the label has just notched up its 25th release. For Ian you see, it’s all about quality over quantity. And few could argue that the standard kept throughout Pooled Music’s 7-year campaign has been anything but stellar.

Much of this is down to the label’s distinctive sound. Voicing deep, emotive tracks ignited by a solid groove and a dash of funk is Pooled Music’s clear blueprint. That’s not to say the music is simple – far from it in fact – as there is always an abundance of rich texture and sublime instrumentation to be found. But a Pooled Music track is always identifiable as a Pooled Music track, and that is a vital asset in today’s swamped digital age.

Representing this ethos is something that Ian wanted to tackle with this first label compilation and he achieves this with aplomb. The 12 tracks take in a selection of his own productions and remixes as well as sumptuous cuts from some of today’s most revered electronic artists.

From the word go, that trademark analogue bass, inherent in much of Pooled Music’s output, throbs away with satisfying guile. First via the twisted soul of Osunlade’s remix of Kemetic Just’s ‘Thank You’ and then through Pooley’s plump and purposeful dub of Zoo Brazil’s ‘Treat Me’. By the time rising star, The Timewriter, puts his stamp on proceedings, the mix is in full and very fine flow. Pooley then treads techier waters via Viet2’s interpretation of Pooley’s ‘It’s You‘ and delves into more radiant, disco-flecked territory with Phil & Dan’s ‘Brighter’; before finishing with the blissful flutter of his own ‘My Kicks’ revisited by painfully in form production duo – Vincenzo & Lovebirds.

It’s a mix that illustrates perfectly the many personalities of Pooled Music. Shades of Chicago, Detroit and New York are audible throughout; and there’s more than a nod to the modern day European sound championed in cities like Amsterdam, Mannheim and of course Berlin. Classic, timeless, but always innovative – that’s the Pooled manifesto.

Ian Pooley – Pooled 25 Tracklisting

1. Kemetic Just – Thank you (Osunlade Rmx)
2. Zoo Brazil – Treat me (Pooley Dub)
3. Ian Pooley -  All nite (Timewriter Rmx)
4. M.V.I.P. – Aviator (Pooley’s Dub)
5. Ian Pooley – Around here
6. Ian Pooley – The Dark White (Juno Mix)
7. Ian Pooley – What i got (Derrick Carter Rmx)
8. Ian Pooley – It’s you (Viet2 Rmx) previously unreleased
9. Phil&Dan – Brighter
10. Ian Pooley – Searchin’ (Pooley Dub)
11. Ian Pooley – Heat (Magik Johnson’s in da House Rmx)
12.    Ian Pooley – My Kicks (Vincenzo&Lovebirds Rmx)

Ian Pooley DJ Tour Dates

April 17th: Krefeld, Germany @ Katakomben (1live radio gig)
May 1st: St Gallen, Switzerland @ Trischli Club
May 8th: Erfurt, Germany @ Cosmopolar
July 10th: Berlin @ WMF

For more information visit www.myspace.com/ianpooley

Pooled 25 will be released on Friday 9th April on Pooled Music

House music and disco creates a fuzzy feeling of happiness.  It’s kind of its point.  But to lift it, particularly to lift it to something post 2000 takes more than wizardry with the new software platforms that adorn most DJ booths.

You need soul to be injected into the fray, an understanding of how to take a lilting rolling beat and infect the dance floor with passion.   Sweatshop displayed both an understanding of this and also showed if one DJ gets it, and the other you are playing with doesn’t have quite the same instinctive understanding that the music can fall a bit flat.

6th Borough Project is formed with Graeme Clark known as ‘The Revenge’ and his partner Craig Smith.  The Sweatshop event marked their debut party of their decks and effects set that is taking them across the world.  Now to get one thing straight right away it was a very fun night.  The guys played some brilliant old funk with old school Hip Hop.  They got everyone grinning and dancing by mixing up the genres merging Latin percussion with House, Underground Resistance with Disco and the formula worked.  Mostly.

But, there was a stark contrast between Clark’s performance on the decks with his partner Smith’s.  It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it was, I suppose it might be an unlearnt understanding of how to manipulate the music to make it something more than just familiar, but to make it new and fresh sounding.  I loved hearing Moodymann ‘Shades of Jae’ dropped by Clark, but it lacked the resonance and power of Clark’s tune selection and DJing skills.

The crowd however, seemed really into it and perhaps my opinion feelings on the night were more pronounced because I was critiquing it.  I really do believe that the partnership will go from strength to strength throughout their tour together.  They played music to make you smile and hanker for the good old House days.

To quote the Eddie Amador track ‘House Music’ that they played… ‘Not everybody understands house music, it’s a spiritual thing, a body thing, a soul thing.’  And it turns out, after attending the Sweatshop night that is absolutely true.