WMC: Miami prepares to Shine

The outlook for this year's WMC just got a little bit brighter: South Beach's Shine club has announced its line-up.

Also known as Shelbourne Beach Resort, the 2,000 capacity spot has hosted countless WMC bashes over the past four years, and 2009 is no different. Timmy Regisford and Quentin Harris will kick things off with their Miami incarnation of Shelter on March 24th, whilst the next three days see two separate parties being held at the venue each day.

Wednesday afternoon will feature the likes of Dubfire, Steve Lawler, Gui Boratto and James Zabiela at the official opening party, and Josh Wink will take over the club later on that evening to launch his new When A Banana Was A Banana album.

Need to cool off after all that dancing? Well, the following afternoon Shine is hosting a pool party featuring a tag team set from Loco Dice and Luciano, and as if that wasn't enough, New York's Dennis Ferrer will be showing them how it's done stateside.

The next few evenings sees things take a more progressive bent, with performances from Hernan Cattaneo, Darren Emerson, Dave Seaman and Sasha, while the final day sees two dance floor heavyweights play extended sets. First up on Sunday afternoon is WMC institution Danny Tenaglia, who will play for a mammoth ten hours before handing over to trance star Sander Kleinenberg for the final WMC event at the club that evening.

Daft Punk triumph at the Grammys

Lovable French robots Daft Punk have triumphed at the American music industry’s most important night the Grammys, taking how two awards for their live album Alive, which proved to be essential listening before and after their NeverEverLand tour of Australia in late 2007.

Nominated in the Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Dance Recording categories they beat off stiff competition from a selection of cool/credible and commercial/questionable names including Hot Chip, Sam Sparro, Rihanna, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Moby, Robyn, and… errr… Cyndi Lauper. Not to be outdone, fellow Frenchmen Justice also triumphed in their field, winning the gong for Best Remixed Recording for their rework of MGMT’s Electric Feel.

We’re eagerly awaiting YouTube footage to surface so we can see whether Daft Punk accepted their awards in full robot regalia. Surely they wouldn’t have dropped the façade, especially in front of a TV audience of millions?

Ecstasy only as dangerous as horseriding

A prominent UK drug advisor has come under fire after making the rather ostentatious claim that using ecstasy is no more dangerous than riding a horse. Truth be told we should be able to make some sort of witty pun on ecstasy vs ketamine use here, but we’re drawing a blank…

The remarks were made by Professor David Nutt, the chairman of ACMD (Advisory Countil on the Misuse of Drugs), in an article published by the Journal Of Psychopharmacology. “Drug harm can be equal to harms in other parts of life,” he wrote. “There is not much difference between horse-riding and ecstasy. This attitude raises the critical question of why society tolerates – indeed encourages – certain forms of potentially harmful behaviour but not others such as drug use.”

Not surprisingly, the ACMD have done their best to distance themselves from the comments made by Professor Nutt, which have caused a veritable storm in a teacup across mainstream media channels. “The recent article by Professor David Nutt published in the Journal Of Psychopharmacology was done in respect of his academic work and not as chair of the ACMD,” a spokesperson asserted. “Professor Nutt’s academic work does not prejudice that which he conducts as chair of the ACMD.”

Professor Nutt has also come under fire from David Raynes of the National Drug Prevention Alliance, with his position as chairman of ACMD called into question. “He is entitled to his personal opinion, but if his personal view conflicts so very strongly with his public duties, it would be honourable to consider his position. If he does not, the Home Secretary should do it for him,” Raynes told UK newspaper the Daily Telegraph.

WMC 2009 - Dates Announced

The Winter Music Conference (WMC) held every year in Miami, Florida has announced the 2009 dates.

Winter Music Conference, in its 24th year, is regarded as the singular networking event in the dance music industry, attracting professionals from over 70 different countries. With its high concentration of top international artists, DJs and industry professionals, WMC permeates the international press and is thereby one of the most publicized events in the business. Every aspect of the industry is represented including the top technological innovators, artists, DJs, producers, radio and video programmers, retailers, distributors, audio manufacturers and many more. There are countless reasons why people from all over the world return year after year for this event, the most outstanding one being that there is nothing else in the world like it.


Last year, if you were following along , Dancenode made it's inaugural trip across the proverbial pond to network, integrate, and exchange idea's party our asses off with the worlds top notch DJ's. Not sure if we'll be making the treck again this year, but here is some information for you partiers who are interested:

Conference Registration:

Each registration includes entry to WMC poolside events and full access to all panels, seminars, the International Dance Music Awards (IDMAs), Record Collectors Show (RCS), South Beach Sessions (SBS), exhibits and workshops with the exception of the Remixing and Editing Workshops. Your badge will also provide complimentary and/or reduced admission to WMC official nighttime club events.

REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Received by
Nov 12, 2008 $225
Dec 17, 2008 $275
Jan 14, 2009 $325
Feb 11, 2009 $375
Mar 11, 2009 $425

For more information view the WMC homepage.

Benny Benassi releases the next Toolroom Knights compilation

Next up in line to mix the illustrious Toolroom Knights series is the brilliant Benny Benassi. The naughty Italian, with a penchant for sexy videos serves up 2 deliciously different mixes… 1 pure peak time, party pleaser, the other a more stripped back, deep affair. Put together, the perfect album for before and after your night out.

Benny rocketed to international stardom in 2003 with the track ‘Satisfaction’, acclaimed by the likes of Timo Maas, Carl Cox, Dj Hell and Fatboy Slim. Since then, Benny has had a million selling album and won a Grammy Award for his remix of Public Enemy’s ‘Bring the Noise’.

Benny has pricked the ears of label boss Mark Knight and the Toolroom gang, with his infectious, party style sets… “Benny Benassi’s a DJ that’s maintained his presence on the house scene for years. Not an obvious name from the Toolroom camp but a definite favourite of the label. A real crowd favourite, Benny always rocks up and gets the party going. We’ve respected him for years so it was an absolute pleasure to have him mix the next Toolroom Knights.” – Toolroom Records

Benny kicks off the proceedings The Rogue Element ‘Panic Attacks’. Dubby electro styles power through leading on to Streetlife Dj’s ‘We Love the Disco’… not for the faint hearted! Expertly switching over to some mild disco-infused notes with a funked out tech groove, the highly addictive ‘Hi Friend’ from the producer du jour DeadMau5 Ft. MC Flipside, adds some flavour to the mix with this edgy number. Taking it up a notch again is Benny’s own track ‘Electro Sixteen’ which samples Iggy Pop. Iggy’s rock vocals with Benny’s Italian sirens work a treat. Mobbing and Boys Noize carry the mix through like old warehouse pro’s until once again we meet Benny Benassi Vs David Bowie for his almighty forthcoming single ‘DJ’. French newcomer Popof’s wicked remix of Tiga & Zyntherius’s ‘Sunglasses At Night’ is definitely one to look out for too.

Picking up the tempo again, Autokratz and Joachim Garraud serve up some electro anthems, and smash their way into Rune RK ‘Kosimo’. The Japanese Popstars have done a grand job remixing Tong & Spoon, ‘Gas Face’ retaining the haunting vocal. Benny mixes it up crazy style again before signing off with Alex Gopher’s ‘Aurora’.

CD2 jumps straight in with ATFC’s ace ‘I’ll Work ya Babe’. Following on with tracks from Dataworx and Dave Spoon, who build up the momentum to lead on to the cracking remix of Depeche Mode’s ‘Enjoy the Silence’ by Workidz. Hot shots Zoo Brazil feature with Richard Murray’ Lil Muz remix of ‘Technik’, leading the way for up and coming UK talent, Kos who kicks it with some meaty deep beats. CD2 chugs along, with some relentless slabs of house from Onion Ft. S.n.o.w and Dahlback & Cost’s ‘Golden Walls’. Axwell’s remix of Faithless, ‘Music Matters’ Ft. Cass Fox (which is soon to be released on Toolroom as their 100th release) provides a dash of vocal into the mix; a right corker! Benny, rounds off the mix with Toolroom leader of the new school, Kim Fai, with the fantastic ‘Excuses’.

Track list:

Disc 1 Nu Mix

1. The Rogue Element - Panic Attacks (Original)
2. Streetlife DJ's - We Love The Disco Sound (Cut n Rub Mix)
3. Golden Bug - LookLookLook In (Flagranti Remix)
4. Deadmau5 Feat. MC Flipside - Hi Friend (Vocal Mix)
5. Benny Benassi Vs Iggy Pop - Electro Sixteen (Original)
6. Mobbing - Freeze (Original)
7. Boys Noize - Lava Lava Feadz (Aval Aval Remix)
8. Benny Benassi Vs David Bowie - DJ (Original)
9. Tiga & Zyntherius - Sunglasses At Night (Popof Remix 2)
10. Autokratz - Stay The Same (Alex Gopher Dub)
11. Joachim Garraud - Are U Ready? (Laidback Luke Remix)
12. Rune - RK Kosimo (Original Club Mix)
13. Tong & Spoon - Gas Face (Japanese Popstars Remix)
14. Alex Gopher - Aurora (Shinichi Osawa Remix)

Disc 2: Main Mix

1. ATFC - I'll Work Ya Babe (Original Club Mix)
2. Dataworx - Control (Original Mix)
3. Dave Spoon - 88 (Original Club Mix)
4. Matt Samuels Feat. For The Masses - Enjoy The Silence (Workidz Remix)
5. Zoo Brazil - Technik (Richard Murray's Lil Muz Remix)
6. Kos - Azteca (Original Club Mix)
7. Onionz Feat. S.n.o.w - Nothin But Love (Tiger Stripes Remix)
8. Dahlbäck & Cost - Golden Walls (Original)
9. Mason -The Ridge (Tommy Trash Remix)
10. Agiman - Quantum (Original)
11. Marcus Schossow - Girls Suckcces (Dub Mix)
12. Faithless - Music Matters Feat. Cass Fox (Axwell Remix)
13. Kim Fai - Excuses (Original)

Faithless Set To Go It Alone

U.K. dance act Faithless will most likely avoid working with a record company after splitting from Sony BMG last year, according to a briefing from the band's management during MIDEM in Cannes.

Brian Message, of U.K. management company Courtyard, gave a press conference at the first day of the MIDEM international music market and conference, ahead of his keynote.

Message, who also works with Radiohead and pop act Kate Nash, confirmed to Billboard.biz that Faithless split with Sony BMG last year. The band has been one of the biggest dance acts in the U.K., and various other territories, and played arenas on its last British tour.

"I think it's highly unlikely they would make a record deal," says Message of Faithless' plans for partners on future releases. "I hope they would take a whole lot of risk on making the music. They like that empowerment thing."

During the keynote, Message added that he expected Faithless to explore the idea of giving away music online for their next release, as a way of building their profile in certain territories.

"Free is a valuable part of the artist proposition," he said.

Ministry Of Sound Holds Court In New York

Welcome to a truly chic adult clubbing experience. Ministry of Sound the world’s most recognized and respected name in Dance Music begins its flagship US Residency in New York Friday January 30th. Be prepared for a night of aural and visual amazement with top performers from around the globe. This is the first fully produced residency by the UK brand which will include costumes, visual design and music programming. "We are super excited to be partnering with Ministry of Sound to bring New York a superfluous clubbing atmosphere." says Mark Baker, renowned nightlife aficionado & Co-Director of the evening."We are combining the worlds best music with a sexy entertainment in a chic environment."

Opening night brings performances by International DJ phenoms Starkillers (Las Vegas), David Vendetta (Paris), Andy Caldwell (Los Angeles) and the Diva Supreme Miss Katherine Ellis (UK) of the Freemasons performing her Billboard hit "When You Touch Me" LIVE! The event will boast special exclusive VIP bags for Bottle Service Tables that include music, merchandise and special products from partnering sponsors. "This is a return to proper nightlife and we couldn't be more ecstatic to be apart of it," says New York nightlife stalwarts Artie Arboleda & Joey Morrissey, who brought the concept to the venue.

Launched in 1991 as London’s premier mega club at the peak of the UK dance explosion, Ministry of Sound has emerged as the preeminent name in dance music worldwide with successful, synergistic businesses in recording, radio, magazine publishing, touring, sponsorship, and the Internet. Now with US offices based in New York, Ministry of Sound America in addition to signing and developing new artists, is also the world’s established leader in the dance/electronic/DJ compilation business. With record-breaking series including “Trance Nation,” “The Chillout Session,” and “The Annual,” a yearly selection of some of the label’s best offerings, Ministry of Sound has established a strong brand as the source for consistently cutting edge, quality electronic and dance music.
###
What:
GRAND OPENING OF MINISTRY OF SOUND NEW YORK

When:
FRIDAY JANUARY 30th, 2009
Doors Open 11pm
21 & Over with ID & Proper Attire

Who: (performances by)
Starkillers www.starkillers.com
David Vendetta www.davidvendetta.com
Andy Caldwell www.andycaldwell.com
Katherine Ellis *live* www.katherineellis.com

NEWS: Beatport turn five

Beatport, the world's largest digital music store for electronic music, are set to celebrate their 5th anniversary with a thirteen date tour in nine different countries.

Their first date featured Dubfire at The End in London earlier this month—and he'll be helping them celebrate for the second time at Miami's Mansion in February—but the tour continues tonight in Zurich with a line-up set to include a live set from Stimming, while Phonique, Mountain People and Sascha Dive take turns on the wheels of steel with their tracky house grooves. Konrad Black, Seth Troxler and Guillaume & The Coutu Dumonts take over Italy's Tenax next Saturday, while Richie Hawtin will play Tokyo's lauded Womb on the same night.

Arguably the biggest party on the tour happens at Berlin's Watergate near the end of January, which features Andrew Weatherall, Appleblim, Sascha Funke and Dial boss Lawrence under his Sten guise. As if that wasn't enough, the night will also host a live performance from Danton Eeprom, who'll be showcasing his dark, epic sound.

Dark and epic are words that could be used to describe the show in Eeprom's home country of France, where Troy Pierce, Konrad Black and Shonky will all be playing their own respective style of after hours techno.

Aside from Dubfire, the US leg of the tour will see Motorcitysoul, Steve Angello, Paul Oakenfold and Bad Boy Bill play dates across the country, whilst Toronto residents will be treated to a set from US house legend Cevin Fisher.

In a statement on their website, Beatport CEO Jonas Tempel wrote that "in the past five years, Beatport has grown into a very large family of artist, labels, DJs and fans all connected by our love for electronic music. This tour is a celebration of the efforts and a way to share all that we have accomplished together. Thanks to everyone that has joined and supported Beatport along the way."

NEWS: Ferry Corsten - Twice In A Blue Moon

Twice In A Blue Moon is the highly anticipated third artist album by trance heavyweight Ferry Corsten. The Dutch superstar has consistently shown his electronic talent through slick production and epic DJ sets, with his success being illustrated in the DJ Top 100 poll top ten where Ferry has had a residency for the past five years.

After the massive 2006-artist album L.E.F and prior to that Right Of Way back in 2003, Ferry Corsten has been anything but quiet. This year alone saw Netherlands’ most famous export remixing U2, Nelly Furtado and the new anthemic single Human from The Killers, putting on MASSIVE 12,000 capacity event Full On Ferry where eight hour sets don’t go a miss plus touring at mega raves around the world. Now back with artist album Twice In A Blue Moon, Ferry Corsten presents 12 upfront electronic cuts that will appeal to dance fans and clubbers alike.

The album includes uplifting trance tracks such as Radio Crash (that will also be the first single), Shanti and Twice In A Blue Moon, to the big electro sound of Brain Box that we all know Ferry for. A little wink to the 80’s can be found in We Belong, to the beautiful and fragile Visions of Blue and Gabriella’s Sky, an ode to his newborn daughter. The vocal productions Black Velvet, Feel You and Made Of Love are beautiful melodic creations that will soon be named as Corsten classics.

Twice In A Blue Moon gives a fine impression of the DJ sets Ferry Corsten plays today and perfectly illustrates his creative skills and abilities, showing why his sound really does appeal to all. Evolving his skills to match his signature style, this album shows why he deserves to be titled one of the best DJ-producers in the world.

NEWS: Defected Records 10 year anniversary

This year Defected will celebrate its tenth birthday. In that time there has been some unforgettable moments. Like when the No.1 was struck in the UK with Roger Sanchez ‘Another Chance’, or the time that Kings of Tomorrow ‘Finally’ was first played on a dance floor by Sandy Rivera, or seeing beautiful clubbers swimming in the pool at the Miami and Ibiza parties over the years. It is fair to say that there have been uncountable clubland adventures and signature tracks.

Just reading Defected’s early discography, it looks like a roll call to all the most prolific producers from the late 90’s. It was a label that quickly stamped its signature sound club culture and developed some of today’s best known producers and DJ’s. Junior Jack, Bob Sinclar, Sandy Rivera and Masters at Work all grew with the label from the start and helped forge the distinctive soul, funk and disco flavoured groove that was to be later nicknamed the ‘Defected’ global house sound.

To celebrate this landmark achievement the labels biggest musical moments have been brought together in one collection aptly titled ‘Clubland Adventures’. This is the first of a planned two volume set. With a special commemorative release featuring 70 original and remixed classics from the past 10 years, as well as over 20 exclusives and special mash ups.

Its all presented in a monster 5 x mix package containing major releases including Martin Solveig ‘Rocking Music’, Shakedown ‘At Night’ (Kid Crème Club Mix), Hatiras featuring Slarta John ‘Spaced Invader’ (Ian Pooley Club Mix), Junior Jack ‘E Samba’ (RaFa’s Cançao Danêga Mix) and ATFC featuring Lisa Millett ‘Bad Habit’, the list is almost endless.

It’s not just the big hits that you’ll find in this package. The mix also shows the full scope of the Defected sound from vocal to techy with tracks like Julien Jabre ‘Swimming Places’ (Sebastian Ingrosso Re-edit), Fedde le Grand presents: Flamingo ‘Take no Shhh’ and Lifelike & Kris Menace ‘Discopolis’.

Defected’s records have been extremely collectable throughout these ten years and we know that if you’re a dance music lover this album will simply be unmissable.

Defected Clubland Adventures - 10 Years In the House, Volume 1

Released `Feb 16th 09

NEWS: Groove Cruise Sets Sail January 23

Now in its fifth consecutive year, Miami's Groove Cruise has provided terminally-chic partiers with their own floating dance club and a spring-break-for-adults type of hedonistic experience. Past cruises have showcased alot of dime a dozen unknown DJs, but this year patrons are in for quite a treat. The infinitely in-demand Deadmau5 will be coming on board, in rather unprecedented fashion, along with a dozen other considerably less famous DJs. After his last show at Mansion, it seems more like a nightmare than an escapist dream vacation being trapped at high seas with Deadmau5's migraine-inducing live cacophony. The again, maybe now that he's selling out to the lowest common denominator he'll tone down a bit and lay out the commercial cookie-cutter dance crap these meat heads love.

Whet Travel, exclusive purveyor of online bookings for this cruise, is now claiming that 99% of tickets are sold out.

NEWS: Royksopp celebrate 10 years

Norwegian electronica duo Röyksopp aka Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge are celebrating their 10. anniversary this year and to make it special they have turned everything upside down, actually giving you a present.

NEWS: Morillo charged with drug possession..

No, I’m not talking about an unlicensed amount of cool and a criminally large entourage of Pacha girlies. The Subliminal Records head honcho landed himself in much hotter water on the weekend when getting off a flight from Amsterdam to Glasgow. Detained by customs, Erick Morillo was charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into the UK and released on bail with a trial date set for March next year. Spare a thought for the guy who had to announce that Morillo was a no show for a his gig that evening at The Arches. Fancy telling 2,500 Scots that the headliner isn’t coming? No thanks.

Whatever the real story is here, UK tabloids have been quick to jump all over it, heavy-handedly referring to Erick Morillo as Columbian-American and even highlighting the fact that I Like to Move It ( as Reel to Reel) was used inthe children’s movie Madagascar 2! Pretty impressive, but the spurious link of the day has to go hands down to the Daily Record for the following ripper:

“Earlier this year, The Arches was threatened with closure after police busted a gay orgy. Up to 30 men in ‘various states of undress’ were having sex in a cordoned-off area. Some mistook the police for strippers and carried on.”

Now that’s what ITM calls journalism. Our mate Erick’s just glad he wasn’t flying into Dubai…