This month we have an exclusive interview with Judge Jules, along with a great list of reviews including Tiesto's "In Search Of Sunrise 5" and the new "Leama & Moor" Album.
Brand new format Nocturnal show
It's been a really exciting month for me working in the studio with some really talented artists but also we launched the brand new “Nocturnal” radio show which now goes out to many different countries worldwide. Its kinda one of those things that I’m doing purely for the fun of it bringing in a major DJ each week to take over the decks for the second hour of the show while I introduce the best new tracks for the first hour. I get to play all my favorite tracks and work with my favoruite DJ’s!! what could be better. Its all about the music we’re playing so make sure you check it out on a station near you (http://www.mattdarey.com/nocturnal/matt_darey_promo_flyer.jpg) Also if you have missed out on a few episodes you can listen to them again from my website by activating the media player at your leisure (http://www.mattdarey.com/mp3player/nav2.htm). Have fun and pls help support the up and coming artists by buying there music.....a lot of these guys still have day jobs you know!! Track lists are also available from my website.
Anyway, on with this months “Nocturnal” column bringing you some of the hottest new tunes and albums including a rave review of Tiesto’s new “In Search Of Sunrise “ and the debut album from Leama and Moor. Also this month I talk so UK’s super star DJ Judge Jules. First a subject close to heart for the more techy amongst you. Those of you with no appetite for a bit of Nerd talk , skip forward to the reviews now!!
The Digtal DJ – Ableton, the future of Djing?
Yep, this month its down to a bit of Techy indulgence as we put on our NERD hats and delve into the new technology that’s causing a Stir in the Djing world. You may remember that a few years ago I wrote an article on a new piece of software that was gonna revolutionize the Djing world. 3 years on, its gotta be the biggest thing to happen to the Djing world and goes hand in hand with the ever expanding world of digital downloads. Basically, now anyone with a lap top and the creative flair can put together great DJ set but some say it will be the death of the performance DJ!!
The software package Ableton Live is one of the most significant recent advances in DJing and production technology, and an issue that’s dividing even the top jocks. Used famously by Sasha, but also by Paul van Dyk, John Digweed, Armin Van Buuren, Gabriel and Dresden and many others, even Radio 1’s Pete Tong is one of the high profile converts - ‘the fact that I can now create mixes and radio shows from my laptop is great. I'm a busy man, and it's really allowed me to turn a lot of dead time into creative time.
The software is somewhat unique in that it does not attempt to emulate traditional DJ equipment, but rather is a simple ‘drag and drop’ environment that can take the work out of mixing by synchronizing tracks for playback. This frees up the DJ to add effects, perform more complex mixing, and using Live’s functions to re-edit and remix ‘on the fly’. On another level, Live is also a full production studio, and the relatively seamless transition from music creation to live performance has made the software attractive to hybrid DJ-producers. ‘If I'm going to start DJing with this piece of software, as well as use it in the studio, suddenly, everything is tied together, and I'm always going to be looking at the same piece of software and in the same head space [Sasha].
Ableton’s aim for the software is the simple and creative manipulation of music, and this has proved to be one of its strengths. ‘Once you get good at it, you can just zip around and get stuff done fast before you lose the vibe‘ explains Josh Gabriel of Gabriel & Dresden. ‘Since we make most of the music we play out as DJs, we have the ability to have special mixes of songs, like drum-only and music-only mixes.’
Currently, Live is most commonly used to enhance a ‘traditional’ DJ set - Paul van Dyk, for example, uses it in conjunction with Auto Scratch Live. Some DJs, such as Sasha, however, have used it to replace decks entirely. Most of these performers use hardware MIDI controllers - pieces of kit like mixers that plug into your laptop or computer and are used to control the sound. There are popular DJ-oriented controllers available, but Sasha has recently completed work on a custom Ableton Live controller, dubbed ‘the Maven’, for controlling Live during his sets. Additionally, effects in Live can be mapped to knobs and buttons on synthesisers, to inject an element of performance missing from a purely laptop set.
The MIDI controllers have gone some way towards countering one of the perceived negative aspects of software mixing - the image of the bespectacled nerd behind a laptop rather than a showman performing behind the decks. Other traditionalists believe the automated beat matching is ‘cheating‘, although Ableton reminded us CDs were seen us as cheating when they first came out… back in the day even using a pitch control was seen as cheating. The company accepts that the software will probably never fully replace vinyl and CD mixing, as DJs are reluctant to feel they’ve wasted the financial investment in vinyl, and the time investment in turntable skills.
Despite the purists, the software has won awards, and when version 6 is released this autumn, no major changes are planned. Additionally, version 5.2, released in April, makes Live one of the first professional audio applications on the market compatible with Apple’s fast new machines: the Intel-Mac. Like it or not, Ableton is here to stay.
Reviews
Singles Oodles of the finest tunage from across the globe all of which can be heard first on the Nocturnal show across the globe this coming weekend or on demand from http://www.mattdarey.com For more info click here: http://www.mattdarey.com/nocturnal/matt_darey_promo_flyer.jpg
Parker & Hanson - “Let Me Be” (W/L) Three stunning mixes from Alex Koss and Karl G as well as the orig mixes are all rocking in there own way. Check it out in the Nocturnal mix this week at www.mattdarey.com?
Kalafut Fygle - “Novacaine” (W/L) Orig mix is on more of a lush and deeper tip with pads and blippy riffs whilst the Mark Otten mixes are more chunky with driving riffs, summer feel housed up influences.
AM - “Arise” (Sky Warp) Hammer and Funabashi remixes are the order of the day with that Markus Shultz Probspot sound. Chimes and side chaining blines. Solid production. Comes with vocal mix as well. Listen in the Nocturnal mix at www.mattdarey.com?
Robbie Rivera - “Your Mistake” (W/L) Robbie strikes again with some driving house beats and diva vocals in what has to be one of the biggest tracks in the Genre for sometime. This has been blasting out in the car every time the sun shines. Will be big, if it ain’t its a crime!!
Alex Stealthy - “Something is Wrong” (W/L) As featured on the new Tiesto album from rising star Alex. Cross between James Holden and a track you might hear Markus shultz and Armin play with Those sidechaining b-lines but underpinned by a solid tecky beat that makes it all rock! Highly recommended. Hear it first on Nocturnal or In Search of sunrise 5.
Kenneth Thomas - “Ghost in the Machine” (W/L) Quite a few mixes of this but for me the elevation mix comes out on top. These guys are turning whatever they touch into gold. The orig was a great track anyway but these guys bring it all into focus.
Yellow Blackbird - “Superfly” (Anjuna) Andy Moor who has reigned supreme for the lat year when it comes to the remix duties delivers nothing less than you’d expect. Electro influences and funky prog grooves will get those asses shakin on the floor for sure! Check it out in the Nocturnal mix this week at www.mattdarey.com?
Star Gazer - “Yildizlara” (W/L) Well produced Markus Shultz style progressive trance with all the chimes and side chain biz goin on.
Sandra flyn - “Unknown” (W/L) Stone face and terminal make it rock with some tecky style action. Powerful track that doesn’t mess around. Lets av it!!!!
Lost Tribe - “Gamemaster”(dp) Brand new Tecky and deep progressive trance mixes of the classic track from Russian producers Affective Calm & Sensorica to compliment the rest of the Lost tribe EP that has been a favorite with DJ’s from Paul Van Dyk and Armin to the Hard floor boys n girlsw like Lisa lashes and BK. More nfo at www.mattdarey.com
Karen Overton - “Loving Arms” (W/L) A cover of the classic house pop anthym in a deepr style with overtones of Kosheen’s “Hide you” with that deep stab and house prog groove. Most excellent cover version and with superb but simple production that will rock the proggy and commercial floors. Could be a cross over. Check it out in the Nocturnal mix this week at www.mattdarey.com
Benya - “Prometeus” (W/L) Love this track with its dark b-line and mysterious feel. Obviously another up and coming talent in the making. Watch out for this guy who is proving to be a favorite with the A-listers.
Basic Perspective - “Small step” (Anjunadeep) When I first heard this I was hooked, line and sinker as they say. The elevation remix is superb and also features on the new Tiesto album. I’ve seen this track in action and it works across a multitude of dance floors.
Filo & Perry - “Ordinary Moment ” (W/L) Great track with a sound closest to that of White room or similar. Excellent production with great female vox. These boys are very versitile and forever on the up. I heard rumors there moving into house as well so watch this space!! Check it out in the Nocturnal mix this week at www.mattdarey.com?
Stalker - “Magic Crayon” (Captured) Maor Levi remix does the biz on this trippy progressive trancer.
Robert nickleson - “Close your eyes” (Armarda) Emotive chords and catchy female vocal hook make this one a bit of a trance anthem with the glow stick massive. Big breakdowns and big riffs with a touch of the old school trance style.
Mark Sherry v BK - Amino (W/L) Man of the moment in the world of Tech trance teams up with UK Hard Dance giant BK to create some Vangelis influenced hard floor action. Will work on the trance floors as well as pleasing the harder elements in club society.
Jose Amnesia v Mitiska - “My All” (W/L) Flash Brothers deliver a characteristically cool but pleasant mix of this which I’ve been playing on the Nocturnal show. Jose from Italy is on the up with yet another in a string of consistently solid releases.
Interstate - “I Found you” (W/L) Great simplistic vocal track with some nice grooves, summer feel and full of the kind of energy you need to keep em moving on the dance floor.
Frozen Pleasure - “Phenjanmonks” (Drizzly) Driving beats and adrenalin pumping riffs make this a sure thing on the trance floors. Get ready to lift off into heaven as the beat kicks back after epic breakdown. Tried and tested!!
Assure - “Arogance” (W/L) Big stabs, big breakdown in something that vaguely reminds me of that Nu Nrg mix of Sunday Morning. Driving to the last beat and a sure thing on the trance floor.
Gabriel & Dresden - “Tracking Treasure Down” (Organized Nature) Previously reviewed on nocturnal with brand new mixes from Kayus v’s Albert and Robbie Rivera to add fuel to the fire. Been caining all of these new mixes and the original still rocks the floor as well.
Albums
Tiesto – In Search of Sunrise 5 (Los Angeles) Tiesto takes us on another journey through the Sunrise series. I must have spun CD1 about 10 times in the car by now, its got that summer feel, with house and electro influences coming through. There’s a bunch of great new tracks which are probably gonna make there debut on this album before most DJ’s even get there hands on them. Some of my Favorites are tracks like Late Night Alumni - Empty Streets, Fonzerelli - Moonlight Party, Leama & Moor - Everything Matters, Karen Overton – Your Loving Arms. In fact CD 1 is full to the brim of excellent vocal tracks crafted together with some cracking instrumentals. CD2 goes a bit more techy and trancey with some great track like “Somethingis Wrong” from rising star Alex Stealthy and one of my favorite floor fillers of the moment “Helsinki Scorchin’ By DJ Tab & Super 8. All in all another fine album from a class DJ and my guess is that CD 1 won’t leave the player for a good few weeks!! Here’s where you need to go http://www.tiesto.com/
Leama & Moor - Common Ground” The Debut Album May 2006 sees the release of the debut album from Leama and Moor on Lost Language. Over the last five or so years , the duo have established a name for themselves with a slew of high profile , high quality remixes (Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Nelly Furtardo, Tiesto, Orbital, Brian Eno, Paul Oakenfold & Above & Beyond amongst others ) singles , now they present the long player , “Common Ground”. Common Ground is an electronic odyssey that takes the listener on an ever evolving journey , from widescreen , cinematic soundscapes and ethereal tangerine dream ambience and their trademark floating melodies right through to electro tinged growlers & rock vocals ,the album builds throughout before ending with two peak time dance floor numbers ,“Calling” and a “Waiting” (which features Jan Johnston on vocals). The album consists of 11 tracks mixed together in the form of a continuous mix. “Even though the tracks are made separately in the studio , the album is written as one long session creating a feeling like an artist-set with a journey and meaning to it , so that the listener can be taken on a more interesting journey rather than just playing separate tracks ” notes Leama. The album has taken over a year to record. Leama and Andy Moor set out with a firm goal at the beginning of the project … quality electronic listening music with no compromises. They have certainly achieved their goal; half of the tracks would sound right at home on any Hollywood film score. Track 5 on the album is “Everything Matters” which was released as a single in February 2006. The big Matthew Dekay mix of this track became a firm Tiesto favorite and features on his upcoming Sunrise 5 compilation. The duo draw on a diverse influence pool, anything from Sasha, BT & Laurent Garnier to Pink Floyd, Can and Tangerine dream. Some powerful inspiration… all of which has helped weaved the multi layered epic that is their debut album. Both Leama and Andy DJ extensively throughout the world. In 2005 Andy Moor was voted the number 46 in the world by DJ Mag. At 25 he is the youngest DJ in the top 50. Here’s where you need to go http://www.lostlanguage.com/
Exclusive Iview with BBC Radio 1 DJ Judge Jules
Matt Darey: What period of your career do you remember most fondly?
Judge Jules: Whilst there are key stand out moments, such as the acid house raves of the late Eighties at the start of my career and my residency at Gatecrasher, there’s no time like the present.
Matt Darey: I am an enormous fan of Judgement Sunday, which I’d say tends to appeal to the seasoned clubber rather than the tourist. What are your plans for this summer?
Judge Jules: Each year we get asked by the media ‘what’s new this season’, but in reality it works so well that we can only make minor tweaks to what’s already a hugely successful. It’s all about having two separate rooms with equally strong musical focus.
Matt Darey: Who was most fun to play alongside in 2005?
Judge Jules: There’s so much focus involved in your own set that one tends to concentrate too hard to properly check out other djs’ sets, but anyone with good stage presence gets my vote.
Matt Darey: What was the top buzz gig you ever played and why?
Judge Jules: There have been too many, but dj’ing in front of the the Egyptian Pyramids in the open air desert takes some beating.
Matt Darey: Have you ever been so mashed the decks started spinning in the wrong way?
Judge Jules: Once in a blue moon, but the volume of emails that a poor set generates is always a good wake up call.
Matt Darey: What’s the best and worst thing about being a DJ?
Judge Jules: Doing the thing I dreamed of from my earliest childhood ambitions/inhaling other people’s smoke.
Matt Darey: How many tunes do you receive at for your Radio 1 show each week? Doesn’t it blow your mind sometimes?
Judge Jules: About 250-300 and yes, it’s relentless.
Matt Darey: How harsh is the public? Is it easier to get away with playing what ever you want on radio rather than in a club scenario?
Judge Jules: I answer every one of the 500-1000 emails I receive every week which puts me in the firing line, but people are overwhelmingly positive...
Matt Darey: What’s your opinion on technological advances as Ableton now used by PVD & Sasha? Is this the future of Djing & will you be walking around with a lap top instead of a record / CD bag next year?
Judge Jules: I edit every track I play to create my own bespoke versions, but I’m more reluctant to use Ableton, as there’s a very fine dividing line between playing to the crowd and self indulgence, not that I’m accusing PVD of this, far from it (I haven’t heard Sasha play for years.)
Matt Darey: What single step forward in technology would make your life easier?
Judge Jules: CDJ1000s. We all loved vinyl turntables, but ultimately it’s about the music, not the hardware that music is played on.
Matt Darey: We’d love to think the premiere league of dance music is all dirty looks and backstabbing like Footballers Wives, but what’s it really like?
Judge Jules: Very polite and respectful. Leading dj’s have got there and don’t need to fear the competition. The up and coming dj world is far more cutthroat.
Matt Darey: As someone immersed in the club scene, and doubtless seeing its links with recreational drugs first hand, what’s your opinion on the downgrading of cannabis to Class C?
Judge Jules: I used to smoke weed and dreamed of it being decriminalized, but gave up years ago so I’m not really bothered one way or the other.
Matt Darey: You have a reputation for being an extremely acute businessman. How much do you think that’s contributed to your success?
Judge Jules: I’m not sure if that’s the case??
Matt Darey: Your weekly tour diary is really quite educational. Would you be well equipped for another career if you hadn’t made it in the DJ biz?
Judge Jules: I’ve got a degree in law, so I guess a lawyer would be an (increasingly faint) possibility...
Matt Darey: Do you think celebrities such as Kate Moss and Pete Docherty have a right to privacy? Have you ever had your privacy invaded to the point where its gone too far?
Judge Jules: Those who play the media deserve to be on the rough receiving end too. Dj’s don’t need to play that game, thank heavens!
Matt Darey: How do you manage to balance being an international DJ with being a Dad? Is it a tough one?
Judge Jules: Very tough- although I travel a lot (doing over 200 flights per year), I only ever spend the bare minimum time away, returning straight after gigs to maintain a balance.
Matt Darey: Armin, PvD, Tiesto… who’s your favourite & Do you listen to what other DJ’s play?
Judge Jules: I go out socially a lot during the Ibiza season. I try to switch off and not be over analytical of what other dj’s are playing, otherwise it takes the fun out of social clubbing. No big dj got where they are without reason.
Matt Darey: Weighing up the benefits and negatives, is fame worth it?
Judge Jules: The benefits far outweigh the negatives, the main negative being that everyone seems to have an opinion about me, regardless of whether they’ve heard me play.
Matt Darey: Taking a look in your crystal ball, what’s in store for the club scene over the next few years...........do you think the next wave of kids are gonna be clubbing it or hanging out in the bars listening to R&B n hip Hop?
Judge Jules: Clubbing is part of life and always will be. The dj’s, venues and promoters will change over time, but the nocturnal appetite never will!
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