DJ Angelo, one of the tutors in our very own scratch course, rocking the decks at NAMM 2018. Throughout NAMM 2018 we’ve scoured the halls for stuff of interest to DJs and DJ/producers, and while we’ve covered the biggest releases individually, there is always far too much gear and software to do that with everything. So here [...]
Larry Levan, who made the highlight of a new collection of DJ mixes recorded at London superclub Ministry of Sound. Levan's work at New York club Paradise Garage was the inspiration for the London club. Unknown. The audio link above is a radio story for All Things Considered about the late Larry Levan, the producer and [...]
What do you know about Michael Ezebukwu? One of the legendary, most obscure original Chicago House DJs mounts a comeback. January 2, 2007 EVERY SO OFTEN, AN old school head who has been in the House scene for at least 10 years or more would mention the name Michael Ezebukwu to me. Words such [...]
Do you ever get that feeling when listening to a great song that makes all the hairs on your arm stand on end? Personally this writer can remember getting chills when listening to 'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zeppelin on the number 9 bus from Stourbridge when he was 16. Matthew Sachs a former [...]
Playtime Engineering has introduced a new toy called the Blipblox Audio Exploration Module, a synthesizer designed to get kids hooked on electronic music. From the company’s description of the Blipblox, it’s a fully functional synthesizer beatbox that has been simplified and optimized so everyone, including children as young as 3 years old, can enjoy [...]
The appetite for hands-in-the-air belters remains strong There’s a terrible, long-standing tendency in dance music to act like songs aren’t important. And sure, there are unique joys to be found in bumping along to deep house dubs, or spending hours lost down a techno rabbit-hole. These are all parts of club culture’s rich tapestry. But [...]
Everyone loves smooth transitions, but they aren't always the be-all and end-all of a good set As we’re enjoying the sunset at a festival in the Caribbean, Ricardo Villalobos is launching into a vinyl set consisting of his signature blend of minimal house and techno. There’s only been a few transitions when suddenly the needle jumps, [...]
In the last article we looked at the biggest mistake wannabe DJ/producers make – they start off working on the DJing bit but keep putting off the “producing” part. (If you haven’t read the previous post in this series, please do so now – as this won’t make the best sense otherwise.) In this piece, I’m going [...]
Pioneer DJ just announced the latest version of its Rekordbox software. Now at version 5.1, the update includes a new Automix feature for the Rekordbox DJ Plus Pack that lets the app mix songs that you’ve added to a playlist with beat-matched and phrase-mixed accuracy. It also includes a bump in Rekordbox DJ’s “Related [...]
The DJs that brought House Music to the White House bring it back to the Southside this Summer. Chicago’s souled-up Woodstock returns in July 2018: The Chosen Few DJs have announced the dates for the 2018 Chosen Few Picnic, taking place on the Southside of Chicago. The 28th annual Chosen Few Picnic and Festival [...]