Keep focused...

I worked hard this weekend.

I'll post some action-shots later because I didn't have the chance to shoot any photos while I was working. These are all shot before the event began.

Things all come to an end. And so did T-wood. After 2 days of hard work by our crew and the boys and girls that arrange light and sound, I must say it was a succes. The main room wasn't very full but the other rooms were quite busy all night long and most people had a great time so I've heard. I'm glad it turned out to be a nice party because we were a bit scared throwing a party like this in Turnhout.
I was blown away by Stanny Franssen's set which was a mixture of pumpy minimal, elektro-tech...add some very creative mixing skills and you know it was good.
He's a nice guy too. Good luck with your wife and baby's (!) And again Thx Toon from Kazz booking office for the arrangements.

We also had Telekind from Germany to close our main room. I think he was realy happy to play for us. Maybe because it was his first time playing in Belgium. He played some new records I've never heard before so Telekind, if you read this. Tell me what records you played friday..?

The hiphop room was bouncing all night long. All the boys and girls had a great time. It's strange that for the one time actual hiphop was played that night, people started acting very annoying towards some of the dj's. They said:"Hey man, if you don't start playing hiphop, I'm gonna do something about it!!" What they realy wanted was R 'n B. Rather strange don't you think?
A few people came in, heard the music and wanted their money back at the entrance. Yup that's life around here. (A few people with typical Hardstyle look: meaning they had like bikkembergs shoes & puta madre t-shirts, came up to the entrance and asked their money back. because the so called "techno" was no techno for them :) )

D 'n B was nice 2, lots of people...everybody going mad. The music was so loud in the morning that a shelf made in glass exploded cause of the loud bass.

In the smallest room I heard a peace of E-phonk's set and I must say I was impressed by his musical influences and his way to blend different styles. From minimal to house to jazz to Michael Jackson or Jimmy Hendrix...Fine by me.

I'm realy proud of the way we (Jay, Fanta, Mister Pro and myself) organised T-wood. We had some troubles finding our way. But we did a great job. Not our best, but I hope the best is yet to come.

We're planning something new with the Agency already. So stay tuned.



MUSIC PLEASE

Click on the tracks to listen.

I have a few records in mind that got my attention this week. Mostly minimal stuff, and the more happy, melodic records I love to play out lately. I will be playing in Jh Wollewei again the 23th of june. It's like an afterparty for the young people who are having their finals.
I will be playing together with a few friends...More info on that one soon. But I'm realy proud to announce exclusively for this blog that Shameboy will be the headliner.

Shameboy is quite big here in Belgium for 2 reasons. First they had a hit 'Rechoque' that got a shitload of playtime on the radio. And it's good.

It's the project around LUUK COX, drummer of the BUSCEMI project and beatartist...
Together with the mysterious MR. MORCEAU (member of Squadra Bossa) and JIMMY DEWIT (aka DJ Bobby Ewing, Discobar Galaxy, synths & laptop) they produce innovating and highly catchy dancebeats with phat & phunky grooves into a blending of 80’s synths, analog bass-lines, live- and programmed drumming and a screaming audience. Being a drummer himself, Cox innovates the beat patterns and makes it a dance journey for you to discover...

They have a full album out soon. In the meanwhile you can check their new single "Strobot" on the radio, I'll post a sample later this week.

New lovely records are:

1.G.DIGGER + JOHJON FEAT. MARAL SALMASSI:All the girls

All the girls is a banging killer tune with cool vocals. This is for those peaktime moments when your dancing your shoes off. It comes with a very nice remix by the vibe dealers which will be featured in my first Blue Friday mixset (online soon)

2.SHYZA MINELLI:To all the boys I've love

Three minimal tech-house tracks. Shyza all night long is a track with very cool sounds. For me it's like terrace-music. Got it? (Imagine nice weather and a bbq or something)
Rippin pop is darker. But the best track is gravity master. Big tune in my opinion, it's not what you here every day. Jazzy guitar and quirky vocals.

3.EDDIE ZANDER & CASIO CASINO:6 ft Under

Very orchestrated sounds. Sound of perfect minimalism

4.OLIVER KOLETZKI:The Process

8 Minimal & tech-house/elektro records selected by mister mückenschwarm.
Oliver koletzki's website with some interesting stuff

Tigerskin - Caries; Jona - Crime Scene; Gaiser - After color, Misc. - Hörgas, Tigerskin - Opus; 3 channels - Dysonans

It's bit darker stuff. More minimal techno. But I like it anyway.

5.JONA:Moontalka (+b-side blizzard)

Jona from Belgium goes minimal, I mean for real. 2 fine minimal tech-house records for the floor. Moontalka has a quite sad melody. Very dreamy. Blizzard has the typical smile-on-your-face feeling written all over.

6.THE KNIFE:Marble house (Booka Shade rmx)

2 artists of this level couldn't go wrong. The knife's new single gets the remix treatment by Booka Shade (who are surely on a role, goddamn). Oldschool feeling + an awesome bassline + the addition of detail in a typical booka shade way. Add some more melody, clicketyclack hi-hats and cool percussion and dance. This is better than most cocktails.

7.DISCEMI:Tango or cash b1 + b2

New boys for the Get Physical label. And they live up to it. But that's no surprise for anybody if you know the people behind this project are mr. Phonogenic who produced recent smasher Syntine and Jori Hulkkonen who is signed to Laurent Garnier's label F-com.

8.ANJA SCHNEIDER:Lily of the valley

Hypnotic record by Anja 'dance under the blue moon' Schneider. After Side Leaps this is the next big thing. Played by Dapayk, Ivan Smagghe, Tobi Neumann, Steve Bug, Patrick Chardronnet and me :)

9.KALIBER:Kaliber 2

B-side

Laurent Garnier, Karotte, Huntemann, Anja Schneider, Tiga, Dirt crew all play it. Says enough right?

10.D-SAW & HUNTEMANN:Red Patches (Argy rmx)

Cool detailed minimal record by Argy. Skip the original by Huntemann & D-saw because this it.

11.ELCO PARK:Duck & Cover EP a1 a2 b1(!!) b2

I quote decks: minimal abstract tech or hypergalatic jazz to funky micromusic. Real minimal killer this one.

12.DELIA GONZALEZ & GAVIN RUSSOM:Relevee (Carl Craig remix)

Much talked about Relevee finally arrives. And it's the Carl Craig remix that completely destroys our imagination. It's good people. It's great. It's 7 minutes and it should have been like 15!

13.ROYKSOPP:Beautiful day without you (Wighnomy & Robag Wruhme remix)

A current favourite in my chart. Wighnomy's do the job. A real ass shakin' summer theme. It's not like to go insane. But those lyrics with those tech-housy beats fit perfectly. Listen to the full version. (samples suck)

14.ALFA ROMERO:The new brand EP

The first track is like minimal funk. It's one of those tracks out there to move you in a 6 hour set. Listen to this on a massive soundsystem and you will enjoy, I'm sure. The second adds up a bit melody but is as clicky and massive as the first one. Same feeling only different.

a1:Zebra racing

b1:May 194

15.G-MAN:Quo Vadies remix by David Keno

Great break, super ingredients in this remix by David Keno who's on a remix role. Quo Vadis is a classic techno record played alot by all big names in different styles. This remix comes with a cool break for todays sets. I play this for 2 months and I must say it's one of the best records I've bought this year.

17.RADIO SLAVE:My Bleep + Roman Flügel remix

My bleep is one of a kind. It has no massive break but it is a killer record anyway. Ivan Smagghe was the first one I know who played it as intro and I was amazed. Original in a good way. The remix is more for the minimal-techhouse-heads and takes you on a mindtrip. My bleep will be big.

18.TG:Little Flies + Rythm acupuncture

Easy catchy elektrovibe with lots of layers and sounds. Rythm acupuncture is my favourite. Cool tech-house. Lovely hook.

19.ISOLEE:The western edits Pt.1

20.JUSTIN MARTIN:Cicada + Claude Von Stroke rmx

This one is old. But I just recently got it. It's happy, hard, minimal, techno and housy at the same time. Try this. The original is also nice but errm...Organ sounds !!!

21.INDUCEVE:Warehouse shit + b1 + b2

Well, there isn't much to say about this release except maybe this is pure rave-house. Warehouse shit is but the other tracks are rave aswell. Go mad!! B1 stay cool will destroy dancefloors.

22.JESSE SOMFAY:A closing out of the sky

Last one is percussion only. And that got my attention. Because I love live sounding records but There aren't 2 many records out there that have the right vibe. I consider this one to be my favourite intro at the moment.

Enjoy.

And again...

The Agency lives.....

Hu?

Considering it's Sunday, this post is called "hu?". No questions please...
Friday was fun. Last time we were up for a blue friday. Not too many people but it was a nice closing of the season. Especially when Moonwick blew me away with his astonishing skills behind the decks and playing 2 of my favourite tracks: Oxia - Domino and Booka Shade - Darko

I played an average set with some new tracks by Booka Shade, Claude Von Stroke, Marlow & Dehlia, Cosmic Sandwich...and more.

Me discussing this blog...

Moonwick behind the decks and Easy Bug in the background. Thx Mw for your excellent set again. Happy birthday...

I hope everybody is ready for T-Wood...I am...This is a picture of me with a new Agency T-shirt. Hahaa (CREW on the flipside)



AND FINALLY IT'S THERE

BOOKA SHADE - MOVEMENTS

out in your favourite recordstore.

Clickedyclick on the tracks to listen to samples.

I must say this is great dancefloor orientated stuff. I've been listening 2 it for a while now and here are a few notations about these tracks.
First of all, when I first heard "In white rooms" I was thinking hmm...again that booka shade sound. Isn't this the sound which they already explored in "Mandarine Girl"? But how many artists out there have their own style (and sound good) Not so many. So my second opinion differs alot from the first. The track has that typical sound but the way it builds is just...Fingerlicking good. It's variation towards the end with that melody that's in my mind all day is for people who realy love to live. If not, you will now. Who said electronic artist couln't compose a track like a rock-artist do. Well, wrong.
And that's just one track. "Darko" is out there to become a big hit. Again quality elektro-house that moves your feet and touches your heart with it's melody.
"Birds & the beats" has funk written all over it. Discofunk actually.
"Wasting time" is more a proggy-trancy track with a cool vocoder-voice. Nice for in the morning. Eyes closed.
"Pong Pang" delivers fine brazilian sounds with elektro-groove.
"Paper moon" has a great intro but turns out to be an average-not-that-great house track.
A bit of criticism is aloud even when your talking about booka shade.
"Hide & Seek in geisha's garden" has this wierd percussion which is nice. But it sure isn't one of the tracks I bought this for.
"Shimmer" does the typical Get Physical thingy. It's out for a while as promo I guess. Great to start your evening with.
And I repeat. This is a dance-album. Not an album that requires much thinking.

Talking about dancing and Booka Shade. Check their latest remixes that they've done for the outstanding "Marble House" by The Knife (Second one). Gonna play this for sure !!!
Other remix is by Rex the dog


Over and out.

BLUE FRIDAY @ WIRWAR 19th May

Summer is still there (amazing in Belgium, isn't it?)
New month new Blue Friday and I have to say: this year was a blast.
We had 4 fridays that were very nice. Lots of people, great music,...great vibe.
The others were a bit disappointing. But that had numerous reasons. We live in Turnhout, keep that in mind.

So what's up this month. Nothing special actually except that this will be our last party of the season. YES, there will be a summerstop. With all those nice parties ahead, fesivals, paid vacation (hehe)...and maybe even some trendhopping (??!) in France or in Spain...anyway. Way to busy and that's not all.

I'm busy with a nice summer party. Minimal, elektro in a more housy way. Maybe outdoors, that would be nice. So if anyone is interested in contributing, call me, mail me, do whatever is necessary to draw my attention ( not an option = plains, bombs or breasts)

back to the 19th of May
>>
BLUE FRIDAY with deejays

Moonwick
Easy Bug
l'Adique

So this will be a resident night. I must say this year I saw a few dj's in town who realy became great spiritual compagnons in music. Moonwick and Easy Bug are 2 of them. They had some great moments behind the decks. I hope they enjoyed playing, because it's not always that easy to play in a bar instead of a party or club.

I did...

Let's hope we can start again in september or october. That would be so nice. Maybe bigger and better with more guest-dj's. Looking forward to it.

I'd like to thank all the people who came over to have a good time...All the regular customers who first tought we were ruining their bar but soon realised we were ok and occasionally played good music. The wirwar for their open mind, great location and great service...And the deejays:
Michiel (Mike-E), Koen (Easy Bug), Huub, Hans (N-gin) and Jan (Moonwick) . Thx !!


ALSO. Don't forget about T-Wood Beats 'n Vibez @ Kurzaal and Club 1900
With Stanny Franssen, Telekind, E-Phonk, Skitty, Echovirus, Courtasock and many more...

Website about the Agency organisation

Friendly Regards

Summer is here...

Summer is here and I wonder if it's gonna bring any good music. Well here's a start. Offcourse there is gonna be good music.
This is my chart for May. And a few tracks are there to stay for a while.
Keep checking back for my special about the new BLUE FRIDAY: 19 May. It will be the closing of the season with a resident night. More info within days. Also there's something coming up about the new booka shade album. Because they made 2 of the best tracks I have ever heard.

>>>(Click on the tracks to listen...)<<<

Also I'm on a quest for a few old tracks. If anyone can help me find them on vinyl, would be nice.
Here they are...
Rockers Hi-Fi - Push Push
Djuma Soundsystem - Les Djinns
New Order - Blue monday Razormaid remix


Chart for May

1.JACKMATE & OZ:Short life / Dirty Hairy

Short life is amazing. Old-school glitch, chicago roots,... dancin'
Dirty Hairy with it's huge bassline is and I quote "walking late at night through sin-city, strolling around with some spooky sirens and at least there is no ending"

2.FRANKIE:Mirror / Drive-in

Imagine you dancing to these tunes (especially drive-in) on a beach together with all the people you love. Could be fun...
Again that oldschool feeling. Supported by big names like Luciano.

3.BOOGIE DRAMA:Dancing in the darkness (+Donnacha costello rmx)

Hypnotic...I can't choose between the original or the Donnacha rmx...I have to? the original please.

4.CLAUDE VON STROKE:Seven Deadly Strokes (+Patrick Chardronnet)

TUNEalert!!! After big hit deep throat (which still is one my favourite records right now) and his remix from Cicada by Justin Martin, Von Stroke is on a role with this one. Full of detail, cool percussion and a very catchy hook.
Patrick Chardronnet delivers a fine remix which again is...beautifull :)

5.CLAUDE VON STROKE:The whistler / Who's afraid of detroit?

Skip the whistler because everybody will play it, including me...but have a listen to the amazing who's afraid of detroit? Not me, that's for sure.

6.VARIOUS:Beat Generation

Phil stumpf's track Imploder...Minimal with a great drive...

Oh wait, also the track Airport panic by Touane does the trick. Gets better each day. Funky...

7.FRIVOLOUS VS THE PHANTOM:Frivolous

This is one of those tracks that remind me life is great...Yes i'm a freak, I need music to do that...Gnah.
B-side Symbols & Silence is nice 2!! Inspiration overflow...

Reminds of bragging about the new album by Prince. BUY IT!! Goddamn. It's great!

8.LUDOVIC VENDI:Others lostboost

Played by M.A.N.D.Y, Dirt Crew, and recently by me. Others is fun to play out, to listen to, to dance to, and to enjoy...Minimal tech-house with great arrangements and detail.

9.JONA:Tap stroke

I'm a fan...it's official. To ease the pain while waiting on Jona's remix of Body Language (could anybody make it even better?...Yes) Let's say it's not his best track so far but it's way above the average with kilometers( not miles I'm Flemish) Happy elektro...Great track to start the summer with. B-side Monkey Money...leave it. it's not what you bought this for.
I'm still learning from my mistakes btw (Upcoming are remixes on Get physical and a track called Moontalka on Resopal)

10.VARIOUS:Interkontinental 5

For number 10 I had something special in mind. This is it...What a compilation... Boink*

Adam Kroll-Stalker
In a great minimal tech-house style. Sounds a bit get physically, whatever that may be in words. Just listen
Jesse Somfay-Faberge
Much talked about Faberge in border community style. Lovely track. Will play alot!!!
Kenny Leaven-Wasabi
Minimal Elektro with great melody. This is for a 'late night sweaty people with their eyes closed and dancing the shit out themselves' moment.
Lars Wickinger-Ghostrider
Lovely
Linus Quick-Tri-state
Eve by day in huge club format! Huge it is. Will play.
Zentex-Loeytoetavara
Will play!!!
Process-Tendency to synchronize
Dreamy minimal which in my opinion: repeat and for hours...

And since I'm in a good mood. I'll post some more.

11.MARC ASHKEN:With a C
Gransha !!!!
Hair Up High

Bleep Bleep Bleep Dance...Nuff said.

12.MARLOW & DEHLIA:Movin + Matthias Tanzmann rmx

Techhouse with a cool bassline - nice soulfull vocals...But I'll be playing the tanzmann remix. Which is a great minimal record. Played by Steve Bug and co.

13.DASH DUDE:Telivision saga Remix by Matthias Tanzmann

Simple yet effective! Minimal...apply to people.

14.DAVID K VS TERRY:Funkakola

Very 80's remix by Jona. Cool Miami Vice bass.

15.STEPHAN BODZIN VS MARC ROMBOY:Phobos

Spacy Elektro flow. Very very lovely emotional melody. A bit sad...will play alot !!!

16.MARC ROMBOY VS RAY WILLBERN:Shake it again !!!

Get Physical styled Elektro-techhouse bomb !!! For in the beginning of the evening...Oldie but goodie.

17.TIGERSKIN:Neontrance

The title of the track says it. Huge crossover record which is already played out a few months by all the big names like Väth, tiefschwarz, Smagghe...

18.MONIKA KRUSE VS DAVE SHOKH:Gestern

Surprises me monika makes a record like this but I'm not complaining. Not at all.
Great minimal tech-house with haunting melody. Dance and you'll wonder if it was yesterday...

19.PENNY AND ASHTRAY: 12inch floppy disko

Elektro-techhouse killer. Put dancefloors in flames. And that's what we love..

20.NOVOX / SCORPIO:Athens

Our ghosts is an amazing track. Takes you on a trip. especially in the Mathias Schaffhäuser remix

21.G-MAN:Quo Vadies remixes

AWESOME!!! Probably my best record of the moment. Never tought this classic with revive in a disguise.

DAVID KENO REMIX
WE WENT OUT MIX

I've been listening to some other amazing stuff...

I:Cube
LIVE AT THE PLANETARIUM (CD)

Red Hot Chili Peppers
STADIUM ARCADIUM (CD)

Richie Hawtin
MIXMAG ELECTRONIC ADVENTURES (CD)

Gnarls Barkley
ST ELSEWHERE (CD)





















Steve Bug
BUGNOLOGY 2 (CD)

The Streets
THE HARDEST WAY TO MAKE AN EASY LIVING (CD)

Prince
3121 (CD)

Still very hot:

The Knife
SILENT SHOUT

The girl from Botany bay (check one of my previous posts for a sample)

Another thing I have to admit.
The new remix by Vitalic is HOT !!!

Here's a snippet of a liveset with croud going mad...
Catch it fast, it won't be up for a very long time.

HERE

I'm looking forward to these releases:

Every remix by Carl Craig (relevee anybody)
My bleep - Rekid (including the amazing Roman Flügel rmx)
The new Cadenza by Luciano and Thomas Melchior
Namito - Zwei
The new Sub static by Shyza Minelli
Young boy, sextoy by Jacktronix on Antipop
Tiefschwarz Damage Part 1 and 2 (with remixes by M.A.N.D.Y)
A new Radiohead album

Sneakpeak: Dominik Eulberg remix from Ihre Persönliche Glucksmelodie get it here

T-wood beatz 'n vibez

Here it is!! A preview!
The place we live in called Turnhout (t-wood) is a rather strange place. It's not the most fun place to live in. People are very narrowminded and I must say that's probably one of the things I hate most.
But with our agency we tried to create a special thing. A party (?) with broadminded spirits for a more alternative public. So what's for dinner?

As you can see there is a minimal room (that's the main room btw) so if people in t-town wonder what's minimal? Let me explain a bit.

Minimal is one of those things that was created 2 explore new boundaries in music. Let's say electronic music has many disguises and minimal is one of them. But I have to admit. Minimal today isn't the real minimal purists would say. The real minimal dates back to the 80's. Inspired by techno but also by dub and other genres artists like plastikman, daniel bell (dbx),...music for the mind.

Article for the lovers here

Minimal today is just a fancy name for everything which is like a bit errrr....minimal I guess.
But it could be techno, house, elektro or even trancy and prog-stuff.

Back to T-wood.

The minimal WE like and the dj's who play it at T-wood are more like the recent developments in the scene.
Telekind is more trancy, floating minimal techno with loads of melody
and Stanny Franssen is more dark, deep elektro-techno with probably a pinch of acid.

Never expect 1 genre when N-gin plays.

And the same goes for me.



D 'n B there is Skitty from the UK and for the real d'nb-heads we also have local hero Gijay and Echovirus and...and...

Hiphop reprazent with Courtasock who happens 2 be a nice guy aswell as an amazing turntablist.

And for the soulfull people there's a loungy small room with house brought 2 you by stubru's finest E-phonk and another local hero (yes he also plays at the mucca bar) Miami Nice !!

Come check it out ! We're in it for the music !!!


In the afternoon you'll get the chance to get some education about dj-ing, turntablism, bmx, capoeira, breakdance

FOR FREE.

Party fee is probably €5 for 2 locations.

With friendly regards
The Agency