EVENT REVIEW: Menno de Jong at Sullivan Room Saturday May 12th, 2012
On Saturday May 12th Sullivan Room and Endless event brought Menno de Jong to the Sullivan Room along with supporting talent Rory James, Ali Mahmud, and DJ Metro.
It has been quite a while since Menno made his way to New York City, so his performance was highly anticipated. I’ve seen Menno perform in the big apple several times and I can truly say I have enjoyed every one of his sets here. He never disappoints! His live sets are quite different than his radio shows and he doesn’t really play many of his own productions which genuinely showed how humble he is, but when he throws it down you can tell that he definitely has some dance floor damagers in his arsenal.
The event was off to a bit of a late start in terms of attendance however there were several outdoor events occurring earlier in the daytime so it would be safe to assume that the crowd would not build up very early.
Menno arrived a little after midnight and was quickly scurried through the seated side of the venue to the rear where their newly constructed DJ booth was built. After picturing the event in my mind during its initial announcement I was somewhat concerned about Menno’s height and if this booth wasn’t elevated enough to accommodate such a tall individual but there seemed to be no issues. He arrived just as Rory James was finishing up the last hour of his opening set and the music was really beginning to pick up in bpm’s. Rory’s set was slightly dark at some parts with roaring basslines and deep grooves and he left it off in a great way to bring Menno in to a smooth progression where he could slowly build his way into unleashing a bunch of dance floor monsters, accompanied by a great array of timeless classics. I was quickly filled with warmth and joyful memories when he took it back to 2003 and followed through to 2006 with tracks like Plastic Boy – Live Another Life, Blank & Jones – Perfect Silence (E-Craig Remix), and Allure – The Loves We Lost mixing them in with new remixes of some older tracks like the Paul Oakenfold Remix of PPK – Resurrection.
Throughout his set when he was really killin’ it he started jumping up really high and I jokingly told him “Don’t jump too high, your head might hit the ceiling lol” He laughed and commenced his musical assault on all who were there. I really hope that Menno’s talent is recognized and he is booked here much more often.
Ali Mahmud did not have an easy task of closing out the night because Menno left the dance floor properly worked out and in awe of his greatness but he was able to keep the energy and vibe up until closing. The lights came on and the staff quickly sent us on our way and we were among the last to leave. This night will not be forgotten anytime soon and I hope that it left a lasting impression on your minds as well.
Interview with Will Holland
Today we bring you a Q
& A session with none other than Enhanced head honcho Will Holland. In the
interview we discuss his latest compilation Digital Enhanced Volume Five and
what other projects are currently underway at the label. Don’t forget to check
out the ElectronicNightLife.com contest area to enter to win a copy of Digital
Enhanced Volume Five mixed by Will Holland: http://www.electronicnightlife.com/Contests.html
Was Digital Enhanced
Volume Five compiled from unreleased material you have gathered over the years
or did you request each featured artist on the label to send in an original
piece of work specifically for the compilation?
We
always try and plan the compilation from as far out as possible - so we ask our
producers to make tracks specifically for the release or we hold back other
tracks we've just signed that we feel will fit the release. It's always very
important to me that the mix flows and reflects the whole Enhanced sound, so we
end up with enough material to fill 3 or 4 CD's not just two, then I whittle it
down to what works on the mixes.
Was the compilation
mixed digitally or live using CDJ’s?
It's
done on Ableton, but a couple of my earlier compilations were done live. It's
good to be able to rework sections edit tracks and come back to it over and
over again; I often have about 6+ versions before I'm happy with it!
What were some of the
main qualities you were seeking in the tracks featured on the compilation?
Quality
production and a current sound, that will still sound good in years to come;
they're the main attributes, but that's applied to every Enhanced release so
it's really just focusing on what we do daily.
What is the overall
feeling that you would like the listener to take away from this compilation
series?
Well
the two discs are quite different, as they always have been, with the first
disc being more progressive and the second building into uplifting trance. I
want the listener to be able to enjoy it no matter what the time or location,
and I think you really get that with this release, whilst experiencing the
spectrum of sound you get across the Enhanced labels.
What are some of the
deal breakers you consider when signing a new artist?
One
aspect that is very important to me is that I like to see their other work,
past work or work in progress, as it's important to work with people who can
continue to deliver good music.
Which artists on
Enhanced do you suggest the world should keep an eye on at the moment?
All
of them really, from the more established names such as Tritonal, Daniel Kandi,
Estiva, Norin & Rad, Suncatcher etc, to the younger guys such as Juventa,
The Madison, Eximinds, and Ost & Meyer - we really are blessed to have so
many great artists in my opinion, and each one I totally believe in.
What are some of your
goals for the remainder of this year?
Personally
I want to get a couple more original tracks and remixes out, and continue to
build our artists at Enhanced and the brand as a whole. Things are going great
at the moment so it's just about working even harder to achieve more as the
year goes on.
What new projects are
lined up at Enhanced?
Album
wise, next up is Social Deconstruction from the UK super-club 'The Gallery'
which is packed with exclusive, specially made tracks from the likes of Kyau vs
Albert, W&W, Tritonal and many others, and we're just about to announce the
details of Tritonal's 'Piercing The Quiet' Remixed album which is incredibly
exciting. Ferry Tayle is very nearly done with his album too! We're also
working on all the remixes for the tracks from the Digitally Enhanced album - a
process I love doing.
Do you have any other
comments for your fans?
Thanks
for the wonderful support and the amazing feedback on Digitally Enhanced Vol 5
so far - so happy with the reactions! If you haven't yet checked it out, you
can get the CD here http://bit.ly/DE5-SHOP
or check it out at iTunes here http://bit.ly/DEV5iT
Thank you for your time!
Thank
you for speaking to me!
-
Interview by Zaneta
Ortiz [ElectronicNightLife.com]
Electric Zoo Phase 2 Artist Announcement
Welcome to the Future
BT Laptop Symphony on Black Hole May 14th
Above & Beyond Group Therapy North America Tour - Part Two
MUSIC REVIEW: Anjunabeats Worldwide 04 mixed by Maor Levi and Nitrous Oxide
REVIEW: Anjunabeats Worldwide 04 mixed by Maor Levi and Nitrous Oxide
Artist: Maor Levi, Nitrous Oxide
Genre: Progressive Trance, Trance
Label: Anjunabeats
Release Date: April 23, 2012
Rating: 8.5 out of 10.0
Introduction:
Anjunabeats is a UK based trance record label that was established by producers Jonathan Grant and Paavo Siljamaki in 2000. They were soon both joined by Tony McGuinness and formed the well know DJ trio – Above & Beyond.
Their compilation Ajunabeats Worldwide 01 was released in January 2007, and after a little break 02 was released in May 2010, 03 in April 2011, and 04 was finally released in April 2012. The latest release includes 2 disks, the first one mixed by Maor Levi which has a deeper side to trance, and disk 2 is mixed by Nitrous Oxide that provides more uplifting and upbeat track selection. Both disks combined include 31 tracks and over 2 hours of great trance.
Review:
Disk one which is mixed by Maor Levi starts with an ambient-like track “Splitting” by Breakfast pres. Keyworth that has a slow beginning that turns slightly into a beautiful orchestral track. It is followed by a Maor Levi track “Won't Say No” with a piano introduction, and has a steady beat with a minimal amount of female vocals. The third track titled “Electrified (Mat Zo Remix)” by Tate & Diamond feat. Nicolai is more of a progressive house track including male vocals. The young and talented Mat Zo lands his track “It's Yours” right after one of his remixes, this is also another progressive house track with constant banging synths. One of the most played tracks within the last year is “Phoenix From The Flames” by Boom Jinx with the help of Justine Suissa's beautiful voice. This Maor Levi remix has a slower beat and is a bit deeper than the original version. Super8, one half of the trance duo Super8 & Tab delivers a brand new track on his own titled “Alba (Maor Levi Remix)” a very memorable tune with a deep bass yet uplifting feel to it. The following track “Namaste” by Bluestone is much dreamier and softer than the previous tune, and includes a beautiful violin breakdown. Progressive beats pour into “Aura” by Genix, which is another track with a simple melody and many layered sounds. Maor Levi remix of “Safari” is by the Ukrainian DJ duo Ost & Meyer, which includes a piano like riff that everyone must have heard by now. The track is progressive but very smooth. The long awaited brand new track by Kyau & Albert “This Love” was already released on their latest album “15 Years – The Album”, it is a semi ballad with a faster beat and male vocals. “Afterthoughts” by Parker & Hanson already made its appearance on Anjunadeep 04 compilation a couple of weeks ago with a different remix. This Heatbeat remix is of course faster paced, piano based, and is a definite club banger, a track you don't want to miss out on. Maor Levi ends the first disk with Keyworth remix of “Median” by Breakfast pres. Keyworth. The saxophone parts definitely make this track stand out from the rest.
Disk two is mixed by the Polish DJ – Nitrous Oxide, and starts off with a Norin & Rad remix of “In And Out Of Phase” by Andrew Bayer & Matt Lange with female vocals provided by Kerry Leva. It is a very catchy remix and track that has been recently released and became an instant favorite of many listeners. When two of my favorite DJs, Nitrous Oxide and Dan Stone, come together they form a wonderful uplifting track such as “Nautica”, a catchy, bouncy, and most of all beautiful tune. The change in vibe is visible when “Human Turbines” by EDU & Cramp comes on; the Beat Service remix is deep and very progressive, just like any production by them. Nitrous Oxide didn't forget to include his own remix of Sunny Lax's “Contrast,” as well as one of his latest releases “Gr8!” which is in comparison to Nitrous Oxide's previous tracks more progressive rather than uplifting. “Azzura” is a track that received a lot of hype from the public even before its release; it is a great creation from Boom Jinx and Daniel Kandi who bring both uplifting and progressive elements into this piece. Another great release is “Awakenings” by Super8 & Tab, they return with a deep progressive tune with male vocals saying “Awakenings.” It's definitely a track that won't be overlooked! “Tiburon” is the latest release from Nitrous Oxide; it is a mix of progressive as well as some uplifting trance. In my opinion the earlier releases were better. Oliver Smith's “Progress” is that last track of the second disc; it is a bouncy catchy track making you want to hear more.
Anjunabeats Worldwide 04 is a double cd mixed by Maor Levi and Nitrous Oxide, bringing you the latest and best releases as well as remixes. Although Maor Levi's disk was more on the deep progressive side, and Nitrous Oxide's disk was more uplifting, both are great disks with many enjoyable tracks.
Review by Eva Sipkova
https://www.facebook.com/MaorLeviOfficial
https://www.facebook.com/nitrousn2o
Dirty South remixes Miike Snow’s “Devil’s Work”
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Danny Tenaglia Birthday Bash at Pacha Saturday April 28th, 2012
In New York Pacha and Danny go hand in hand so it’s obvious that Danny would end up celebrating his 51st birthday at Pacha. As I get close to the entrance I see the same white horse that I’ve seen on the event flyer and assumed that that was Danny's theme. At 11 p.m. the people were just starting to walk in so there was plenty of room to move around and be comfortable. Besides that it was Danny's birthday, it was also a vinyl reunion party and because of that dozen's of vinyl's and their covers can be seen hanging from the ceiling…not to mention images of the white horse from the entrance. The grooves were tribal and the atmosphere was deep. The vibe made me feel like I’m at home and when I say that I mean I felt I was back in the early days of New York when all the house music clubs had this progressive, deep, tribal sound that was sort of a signature mark sound of New York.
An hour into the night and the main room's dance floor started to fill up. The opener was doing a great job working the crowd that anybody who passed the dance floor was instantly sucked into the sound. Some tracks that were a highlight for me was Pirupa's "Party Non Stop" Alex Flatner and Martin Eyerer "Decent Treatment" and of course one of my recent favorites The Junkies "Werq This" released on Sci + Tec label.
By around 2 in the morning Danny Tenaglia gets on the mic. At this point I start to see what Danny Tenaglia is all about, and all can say is he is a very humble human being. It’s nice to see for his age and decades of doing this job, he still stays humble and appreciative to his fans. Danny also took the time to shake the audience's hand. Many DJ's are missing that human element from their gigs now. DJ's seem to come to the booth, do what they do and leave with just a wave. New DJ's in the scene need to learn from Danny and have more interaction with their audience; this makes the night seem more personal.
About an hour later Danny steps into the booth to perform his set. All of the flat screen TV's switched to a live view of what was occurring in the booth and the first thing I notice is his single ear headphone. Complete silence in the club and suddenly this Indian vocal accapella intro starts off Danny's set. It was a nice break from the beats, but as soon as it was over the groove came back and this time it was stronger. It’s as if the night was refreshed when Danny started his set. Keeping to the tribal house grooves, Danny progressed the night with a full house! There was barely any room to dance by this point. The second floor almost seemed impossible to leave as the bouncers kept holding back people from going downstairs to the main floor, but it was understandable since the main floor had a wall to wall full of energetic clubbers! That said I guess Danny's fans will truly miss his wonderful parties and his lovable personality. Thank you Mr. Danny Tenaglia for what you have given to the electronic music world.
