Club: Not so Skank-eys.

Manchester's pride and joy, an establishment that has plans to spread its Mancunian love across the globe, Sankeys is bigger than ever. I ventured to the club in the midst of historical warehouses for the first time in over 3 years and I was pleased with the overall night, the new layout, the exotic terrace and great sound system.

What you up to in a couple of weeks when the 2nd May bank holiday alleviates us from a day of work, enabling an extra day of hedonism?

Check out Sankeys on the Sunday for Mark Knight & Dirty Vegas.

Tickets here.

Biiiig tiiiings.

Flashback: Moloko

Moloko (from the Russian word meaning 'milk') were big. Now Roison flutters her shit in a solo fashion, and this below is a nice little remix by Someone Herbert from back in 2008.

Enjoy.

Parlez vous Real Tone?

French label Real Tone supply the global dance arena with smooth minimalistic ideas and one means by which they spread their sound is through globetrotting DJ Franck Roger. This week (17th May) he releases a 5 track EP entitled 'Same Old Game', where we're forced to submerge ourselves in the tribal depth of South American vibes. This kind of deep house is the perfect accompaniment to a dance floor. And if you're in Manchester, then there's no need to dream - check out The Roadhouse on the 4th June.

The track below, Jungle Beat, is but a highlight of his mastery. His MySpace Page provides the rest.

Enjoy.

Compilation: Rewind to what was.

Universal Music jumps on the obliteration of nostalgia fad-wagon that we consumers are currently, apparently, in awe of - that fad of looking to times before this apocalyptic recession came and bit us in the pockets. Those days when Netto wasn't an option; we all seethed at Tony Blair's homoerotic relationship with Mr Dubya; and garage music was widely acceptable as the forefront of dance music.

Remember this?



This old schooler is part of a new compilation called Rewind Old Skool Classics, presented by Craig David & DJ Spoony. It's not an unusual occurence for the above tune to be a part of garage compilation heaven - well, it is still a significant tune to that era. To add to this ever-repetitive list is a roster of artists being used in the hopeful task of locating those good garage times in the memory bank. These artists include Monsta Boy, Ms Dynamite, N n G, MJ Cole , DJ Zinc and many many more that quite simply don't need to be listed. To find out, just go to Google and search for 'garage compilation'.

It's a four CD compilation - quite a handful. Or a particularly good way to repackage yet another 'classics' album.

I must add, it is quite a collection though.

Artist: Thomas Bangalter

As I was researching the previous post I made for James Talk & Ridney's latest version of 'Forever', I came across this little man. Little not in height, nor in stature or even DJ status. So why did I use the term 'little'? I hear you ponder. Well, that I don't know. But what I do know is this man, along with DJ Falcon, collectively known as Together, was reason enough for me to stomp my feet back at a night in Nottingham called Love Zoo. The perfect accompaniment to alcohol, friends and light snacks ;)

A tune that was ripping through the airwaves at that moment in time when I was just learning the ways of rave was one quite romantically called 'So Much Love'. That tune is posted at the bottom of this post and provided many hugged-up, loved-up, hunchback moments. Aside from that tune, did you know that Mr Bangalter is half of the Daft Punk duo, as well as that he provided music for the French independent film called 'Irreversible' and consequently named his album the same thing? And now resides in Beverley Hills?

Bangalter has stated some interesting quotes:

Upon being asked about celebrity status;

"We don't believe in the star system. We want the focus to be on the music. If we have to create an image, it must be an artificial image. That combination hides our physicality and also shows our view of the star system. It is not a compromise."

And about drug usage;

"Personally I don't like ecstasy. It makes me lose any sense of critical judgement, it makes me like every track I hear. All the music we've done, I think people can enjoy it and really go crazy even if they're not on any drugs. Maybe that's why it's successful and has crossed over."

Very smart indeed.

So here is Eric Prydz 'Call On Me'. Oh, sorry, I mean Bangalter's 'So Much Love'. Similar, much?

Enjoy.

Tune Of The Week: James Talk & Ridney - Forever

This post probably provides a little too much promotion for Pete Tong and his Essential Tune, with it's branding slapped across the face of the above YouTube video. Like the world doesn't know him and his "essential tune" already? No, I'm not bitter!

Though this tune was released a couple of months ago, it is now that I'm posting it because the momentum behind the popularity is in the airwaves. It's summertime vibe, only applicable to people on holiday at the moment, along with a repetitive mantra of 'We'll live forever' provides a platform for meditation. Or, maybe it just reflects a young man's attempts of clinging to an everlasting youth.

Either way, I'm sure it conjures up memories for house heads who remember the original. And it's nice to see Ridney is all over the place too.

The summer is nearing and the festivals are calling. Let's get this party started!

Enjoy.