Season 3 of New Zealand’s Next Top Model kicked off on friday. Being a follower of the previous 2 seasons I’m hoping that this one will be similarly entertaining, and may even keep the ‘finger appraised of my thoughts from time to time.. The first episode was the usual first episode cavalcade of screaming wannabe models, micro clips and voice-overs to establish the models’ identities. Amongst all this it was hard to establish any real favourites. I’m hopeful that Bianca (who brought her lucky lizard to …

To distract myself from the horrible situation down in Chch at the moment, here’s a few of the new releases I’m liking the sounds of. Juno or youtube links where possible.
First up, you can’t really argue with Millions of Moments re-release of ‘wallshaker’ by Aaron Carl, who sadly passed away last year. I think this one is a favourite of Micks.. The great original is accompanied by a midnight dub, and a beautifully deep sounding dub from ‘Sven’, presumably Sven Weissemann who is doing some lovely …

A great 2.5 hour set from Function here, some proper techno from one of the Sandwell District boys.

I thought it was probably about time I posted some mixes that I’ve been enjoying of late. It’s been awhile.

Due to my schedule Monday’s are generally a lazy day often passed in a drunken haze.
Here’s 5 records I like to accompany the haze

James Blake; probably my favourite producer right now..

Lazy youtubery post sorry!
Some musical enthusiasms of recent times:
This summer has been the summer of Dam Funk!

Untold brings yet another piece of awesome:

Beautiful work as usual from wax (who apparently has now pretty much been revealed to be shed):

Listening to James Blake really loud is a necessary pleasure but I think it made me hurt my neck:

Joy Orbison, best name twisting since Jichael Mackson, and some great music too!:

Lil Silva – ‘Different’ – its heavy!:

Michel Cleis – ‘Dark Glasses’ – lots of drums happening:

I’m pretty much consistently excited about music …

The organisers of DEMF 08 are streaming some of the sets from last years event here: http://www.paxahau.com/sounds/mp3/2008_movement.html
Guillaume & The Coutu Dumonts is particularly worth a look in. As is DBX at DEMF08
You can download most of them from here if you feel the urge:  http://www.djscene.lt/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30503&sid=ede02cfcf727ea873492c809764b2df6

A lot can change in 2 years!  At the start of 2007, I was living in an old house near a vaguely dodgy part of Auckland’s CBD.  The BMP was an as yet unacquainted and unincorporated group of disparate figures who had not yet discovered a mutual enjoyment for the triplicate vices of Beer, MUSIC, and Pizza.  My friend Mike, (aka Mick ‘the kid’) was living in Mt Albert near what I personally consider one of Auckland’s best cafes, so most weekends would see me grabbing a pile of records …

I can’t remember the last time I was quite as excited waiting for a compliation/mix to come out as I have been for Joris Voorn – Balance. As  soon as I spotted the tracklist that consisted of 103 tracks in the space of a 2cd mix – it sort of shouted that it was either going to be quite excellent, or go along the lines of being a chin stroking affair.
Happy to say that I’m only half way through listening to the first CD and this is excellent. In the …

Ricardo Villalobos & Jay Haze – Mellow Dee / Sunday Prayer

The other morning after arriving at work and doing the daily music discovery rounds, I came across a new Villalobos track that I hadn’t heard mentioned so decided I needed to grab it as it had been awhile in between Ricardo tracks for me.
It starts off somewhat non-chalantly with a rumbling scratchy bass & kick, then the pitter patter of some jazz snares, a piercing clarinette………all of it works really nicely. Then somehow the trippy space effects and filters surround you …