Aug122010
I received an email today. It started “My name is Michelle, I’m part of an electronic duo called P&M, from Miami. I recently shaved my head”.
Brilliant.
Now I don’t get emails like that every day, so heres the video she requested that I post:
Apr122010
Sixpack, the new service from CD Pool, offers you the DJ a never before seen digital subscription service. Sign up to any of their Sixpack titles and receive six new releases, every week, of the hottest and most highly tipped tracks in your chosen genre – delivered directly to you every Monday. Sound good?
They’re ready for instant download, and you will also receive last week’s tracks absolutely free. Each Sixpack is only £2.95 a week (or £9.95 every four weeks) and guarantees that you will have the very latest music to keep your set fresher than a loaf from the baker’s oven.
Nov222009
Producing a mix each and every month means that I am always on the lookout for fresh new tracks to play. Quite often I get asked where I get all of my music from and today I thought I would share some of my secrets. All content correct at time of writing.
| Site Name: | DJ Download |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.djdownload.com |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | £1.10 |
| WAVs Available? | No |
| Transaction Fee: | 30p if spending less than £3.00 |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | Loyalty scheme |
| Rating: | ***** |
Most of my music comes from DJDownload simply because they seem to always get their hands on the most upfront music several weeks before it appears anywhere else.
The prices on offer are the lowest I have ever found for niche music and the customer service is always spot on.
DJDownload also have a loyalty scheme where for every 10 (approx) tracks you buy, you will receive one free download token that you can redeem for a free track. This is very welcome and is a nice touch to reward those who keep coming back.
DJDownload were the first to pioneer the ‘needledrop’ technology in their preview player which allows you to preview an entire track prior to purchase by positioning the cursor anywhere along the waveform. There’s nothing worse than previewing a track only to have the preview stop before it gets to the good bit.
The search facility on DJDownload can be a little bit fussy. For example, a search of “Armind Van Helden” yeilds zero results. You don’t even get a “Did you mean…” option.
The homepage chart can often be a bit too electro for my own personal tastes but usually there are some real gems tucked away in the top 20. Whenever I am looking for new music to purchase I always go to DJDownload first.
| Site Name: | Xpressbeats |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.xpressbeats.com |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | £1.15 |
| WAVs Available? | No |
| Transaction Fee: | 24p if spending less than £3.00 |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | 192Kbps MP3s available for 99p. Exclusive tracks and remixes. |
| Rating: | **** |
I really like Xpressbeats. They seem to be tuned into my style of music. The stuff that charts well on their site is often a reflection of my own musical tastes. This is one of the main reasons I keep coming back to Xpressbeats.
The fairly recent revamp of the site has made it easier than ever to navigate around plus there are a good selection of genres to get your teeth stuck into.
The MP3s on Xpressbeats tend to be the most expensive out of the places I shop (pre-releases and exclusives can go up to £1.85), however I don’t mind paying a little bit more as quite often they will have tracks or remixes that you will not be able to find anywhere else and are exclusive to Xpressbeats. Plus, they are GOOD exclusives too. Look out for the little Xpressbeats sticker next to the exclusive tracks.
You can pre-order tracks prior to their official release to make sure you are right on the cutting edge of your genre’s sound.
Xpressbeats have a Virtual Wallet facility. This allows you to make one large deposit into your online account at a slight discount. The benefit of this means you don’t need to keep digging out the credit card every time you want to make a purchase as the balance is deducted from your Virtual Wallet and does save you time.
If you want your DJ sets to be different as well as cutting edge then I reccomend you shop at Xpressbeats.
| Site Name: | Track It Down |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.trackitdown.net |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | £1.49 |
| WAVs Available? | Yes |
| Transaction Fee: | No. |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | Exclusive tracks and remixes. Loads of niche genres. Great preview player. |
| Rating: | ***** |
I could lose myself in this site for days! The sheer enormity of it is out of this world.
Trackitdown (TID) appear to have the largest database of tracks I have ever seen and because of this they are able to offer extremely genre-specific tracks for you to download. Whereas most MP3 download sites will break down my genre as House > Funky House, TID goes that one step further and have a massive list of sub-genres to go digging into. Niche-specific stuff such as Deep, Electro, Dirty, Hard, Wonky, Disco, Classic, Vocal, Jacking, Tribal, Fidget the list just goes on… And thats only what’s listed under House!
As well as having one of the largest libraries they also sell DJ gear, merchandise and games too.
TID have one of the best MP3 preview players and it’s easily one of my favourites by far. It keeps your last 20 played tracks on standby and also follows you up and down the screen as you scroll which is very useful. Even if you are halfway through listening to a track and jump to another page the player remembers your position in the track and resumes on the next page. Impressive stuff.
TID is reccomended if you have a very specific taste in music or if you’ve just got to have that track in uncompressed WAV format.
| Site Name: | Beatport |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.beatport.com |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | £1.30 + VAT |
| WAVs Available? | Yes |
| Transaction Fee: | No |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | Feels very compact. Prices do not include VAT |
| Rating: | *** |
I might upset a few people here but I don’t really get on that well with Beatport. Although they are a hugely successful brand and they seem to stock a wide range of music I feel their website completely lets them down.
It’s far too hectic with so much being crammed into such a small space. Their prices do not include TAX/VAT either so there’s an implied added cost at the checkout. But when you do get to checkout purchasing tracks is a very smooth operation, you get a full on breakdown of all the costs before you pay which is really nice. If nothing else Beatport have my favourite payment screen its just a shame the rest of the experience isn’t as well laid out.
Beatport tends to lean towards the deeper, tribal and electro side of house.
| Site Name: | Traxsource |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.traxsource.com |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | $1.99 |
| WAVs Available? | Yes |
| Transaction Fee: | $0.27 if spending less than $10.00 |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | Promos cost $3.99. Tracks priced in $. Audio is watermarked. |
| Rating: | ** |
It’s the same kind of story as Beatport here I’m afraid. Far too much going on, I often feel I am battling against too much information in front of me rather than enjoying previewing tracks to buy.
The thing that’s kept me away from Traxsource is it doesn’t really cater for the Funky Disco House genre that I look for in my music. However for each realease they always seem to have a huge number of mixes and remixes on offer to choose from.
Everything is priced in dollars which is a downside for me in the UK at the moment as the exchange rate into GBP still is not that great right now.
The preview player opens up in its own window which can get lost if you aren’t careful - although DJDownload do this too, the Traxsource player is very tiny and doesn’t have the waveform that DJDownload does.
What IS nice about Traxsource is that each track that you purchase is embedded with audio watermarking technology. So if you go uploading your bought tracks to file sharing web sites, Traxsource will be able to trace who they sold the track to and prosecute accordingly. I feel this is a brilliant idea to stop people from stealing music.
Traxsource offer a very broad, if expensive, selection that focuses on Soulful House and US House so give them a visit if that’s your bag. But watch out for that transaction fee if spending less than $10 in one go.
| Site Name: | Amazon |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.amazon.co.uk |
| Average |
69p for up to 256Kbps MP3 |
| WAVs Available? | No |
| Transaction Fee: | No |
| Accept Paypal? | No |
| Notes: | Cheap commercial music. No 320Kbps MP3 or WAV options. |
| Rating: | ** |
Did you know that Amazon are selling MP3 downloads? You do now! And to be fair it’s not a bad service.
The two main sticking points that let it down are the fact that it’s only really suitable for mainstream music - you won’t find many extended mixes here! Then you are forced to download and use their own media manager software which is a bit intrusive. Why can’t I just click a “download” link like every other site out there? No, I’ve got to use their own shitty donalod manager system. Which blows. Hard.
However, when a track can cost as little as 29p to download it’s suprising that Amazon MP3 downloads are not a hell of a lot more popular than iTunes.
Any tracks that I have bought from Amazon MP3 I have not used in any of my DJ sets. It’s up for debate but I rarely play out any track that is not encoded at a 320Kbps rate because it will sound shockingly bad on a loud club installation sound system.
But if there’s something in the charts I like and I only want to listen to it at home then based on price and the fact that the music is DRM free, Amazon is the place to go.
| Site Name: | Juno download |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.junodownload.com |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | £1.49 |
| WAVs Available? | Yes |
| Transaction Fee: | 10p if spending less than £3.00 |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | Confusing navigation. Burn tracks to CD option for +£2.00 |
| Rating: | *** |
Ah, my beloved Juno. Juno is where I went to get all of my vinyl from back in the day. Juno had a top quality service back then and still does today.
Unfortunately when I stopped buying vinyl records I stopped using Juno as a service. I have made one or two purchases in the last 12 months but Juno is always last on my list when I go looking for music. The variety of music for me is not as widespread as other sites although they do often have good album deals.
Navigating the site is a bit of a chore. It feels like every time I click something a new window opens up with the information in it - which I find very disorientating. Nevertheless, the checkout is smooth and painless process.
Go to Juno if you are on the lookout for good value album downloads and you don’t mind a new window opening every time you click something.
| Site Name: | DJTunes |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.djtunes.com |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | £1.79 |
| WAVs Available? | No |
| Transaction Fee: | No |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | Specialises in House, Minimal, Techno, Trance. You can release your own music. |
| Rating: | **** |
DJtunes.com is a relatively newcomer to the digital download market. It’s a European focused web site with over half a million tracks in stock for download.
I have not used DJTunes heavily yet but the site is easy to use and everything is laid out extremely well.
The preview player is a slight let down as more space is given to the logo rather than the actual controls which makes previewing tracks a little bit fiddly.
A nice touch is the ability to add labels to a favourites list and with some labels you can send them a direct message straight from the web site.
Upon registration you get to download 10 free tracks, but its from a pre-determined list and in my opinion there’s nothing special there, but it is a nice touch to instantly boost your collection for free. They seem to specialise in the more techy minimal side of House so I don’t think this will be my first port of call when crate digging but I will be sure to check out this site in future.
| Site Name: | 7 Digital |
|---|---|
| URL: | www.7digital.com |
| Average 320Kbps MP3 cost: | 79p |
| WAVs Available? | No |
| Transaction Fee: | No |
| Accept Paypal? | Yes |
| Notes: | Option to pay via SMS. Mostly commercial releases. Cheap as chips. |
| Rating: | *** |
This MP3 download store is very simmilar to the Amazon download store in many ways. It offers cheap MP3 downloads for around 79p and is very commercially weighted. However it was nice to see tracks in this store from Strictly Rhythm, Plump DJs, Defected and Hed Kandi.
I like the fact that you can purchase tracks from this store via text message. Very handy if you do not have your card details to hand or if you don’t have access to a Paypal account.
7 digital is perfect for getting hold of that secret shame track that is in the charts and you shouldn’t like but you secretly do. You know the one. You’re humming it in your head right now, aren’t you?
Worth checking out if your taste is in ever-so-slighly more generic pop-tinged House music.
There you go, nine digital download stores reviewed and rated in my own very humble opinion. I’ve been as honest as I can and although there are many many more MP3 digital download stores out there these are the ones I use most often or are ones I reccommend.
If you have your own favourite digital download store that you would like to share, please let me know in the comments below.
Oct212009
RiffSpot is the music industry’s newest concept in dance music promotion. They offer an innovative and effective service for record labels, independent artists and music industry professionals worldwide. RiffSpot facilitates distribution of digital music releases from top record labels to 1000’s of carefully selected club DJs, radio producers, A&R professionals and media outlets.
RiffSpot focuses on two main audiences; Record labels/Independent artists and top music industry professionals. Both get a fantastic and unique service whatever their needs. Record labels and independent artists can rely on RiffSpot to distribute their forthcoming releases to music industry professionals that have an influence within their music genre. Each professional on the books is vetted to ensure they’re able to provide significant exposure for each release. Also you can supply your own list of music industry contacts to RiffSpot and these contacts will also receive the promo allowing you to track your efforts from one single place. Once professionals have received your promo, they will preview and rate your music prior to downloading it. This means that you gain access to insightful
feedback in real time, allowing you to visualise the reception of each track.
RiffSpot’s second target audience of music industry professionals includes individuals such as club and radio DJs, A&R, bloggers, journalists and reviewers. Tastemakers can register with RiffSpot for FREE. With the added advantage, unlike other services, that promos are offered in both 320Kbps MP3 format and CD Quality WAV format, professionals can be assured they are getting the highest quality downloads. All downloads are supplied with information sheets, cover artwork and are correctly tagged ready to be used straight away.
The best thing about RiffSpot is that for record labels and independent artists, it eliminates the enormous cost of conventional promo distribution. Whilst you would normally have to spend money on CD manufacturing, mailing and the staff to organise it; the entire process is shifted to the internet for a fraction of the cost! Also, for all of your releases, RiffSpot will use digital watermarking technology to encode every single download with a unique tracking code. This is done to protect your content and allows you to be safe in the knowledge that if your track gets shared illegally, you will be able to gather the evidence necessary to make a legal prosecution.
As a special launch offer, RiffSpot are offering record labels and independent artists who register their interest at http://www.riffspot.co.uk before the 1st November, 1 month’s free trial of the service! They also still have space on their books for more tastemakers so remember all club and radio DJs, A&R, bloggers, journalists and reviewers, you can sign up for free at http://mip.riffspot.co.uk
For more information on any or the services offered by RiffSpot contact info@riffSpot.co.uk
Aug282009
Here are a couple of dates for your diaries over the next few days as its a bit of an action packed bank holiday weekend.
First of all, get yourself over to Platform Six where you can download the latest episode of my fortnightly radio show. Special guest mix this week from none other than Electro house DJ Piqué !!!! As always, the special guest mix is sandwiched between two very phat choice slices of hand cut funky house mixed by myself. Its a great show that also includes one of the latest tracks from Shola Ama and a bumpin’ cut from Crimes Against Disco!
Now on to the live events… Kicking off with TONIGHT. Yes yes, tonight you can catch myself on the decks up at the always funky, Funky End bar in Aldershot alongside the hairless wonder that is Tom Upton closely followed by the lanky legend Mark Masters. Free entry all night with music pumping out from 9pm until late.
If you haven’t got your fill of fresh upfront Funky House tunes by then, you can continue the party TOMORROW NIGHT over at the HaHa bar in Guildford. Usual suspects of Tom Upton and Mark Masters will be in control of your dancefloor, plus I will be there too to spin a couple of tunes. Once again, it’s free entry all night so to be fair you have no excuses not to turn up. Saturday will be a good one as I plan to have a couple of beers and dance around like a lemon.
Hope to see you there! Keep it funky.
Jul092009
Calvin Harris’ follow up to “I’m Not Alone”. Thankfully, not a talentless “rapper” in sight. Nice one Calvin.
Jul032009
Last night I had the privilege of attending the Freemasons Album Launch Party courtesy of DJdownload who sorted me out some tickets.
If you are not aware, the Freemasons have recently released their follow up album titled “Shakedown2″ which is jam packed with their latest funky cuts.
The party started at 6.30pm over at Heaven Nightclub in London where we were greeted by some of the most friendliest door staff I have ever met. If all clubs had staff like this, the world would be a better place.
After a hot sweaty journey on the train, it was straight to the VIP area for a lovely air conditioned room and complimentary beers laid on by Singah. I got to mingle with the Freemasons themselves along with Katherine Ellis, Amanda Wilson and Bailey Tzuke.
Then it was off to party hard as James and Russell kicked off their DJ set at 9pm swiftly followed by live performances from the above artists. Sophie Ellis Bextor headlined the night with her performance of Heratbreak.
After that it was back to the bar to chill out before heading back home at 10.30. It was a thoroughly good night and I was luck enough to pick up a signed album of Shakedown2 which I have been blasting non-stop since.
You can buy individual tracks from the album or pick up the whole lot immediately ready for download from here: Buy Shakedown2
Jun282009
The long awaited followup album from the Freemasons is getting its release tomorrow and will go by the name of Shakedown 2.
The Freemasons have a silky golden touch to anything they put their hands to so I am really keen to get my hands on a copy of this album. If their last album is anything to go by, this one will be all killer, no filler.
The only reservation I have withthe album is that it is a mixed album. When I purchased the first Shakdown album it was all mixed together, which is a shame when you want to be able to play these tunes out as a DJ. Freemasons did eventually follow up with Unmixed, but the tracks on there were all radio edits and therefore not much good to me as a DJ.
The tracks are however spot on and Freemosons will always remain in my top 5 lists of producers, I just hope that we can expect an unmixed version of Shakedown 2 at some point that includes the full length versions of each song.
Either way, I’ll make sure that I pre-order Shakedown 2 at Amazon today!
Jun282009
The Epihany Orchestra is actually a one man electronic band from Guildford in Surrey who puts together some of the most phenominal chill out and relaxation music I have ever heard.
“Remixes” is the latest album from The Epiphany Orchestra, following on from “One” that was released a few months ago. The prodcution is always spot on and each track takes you on a journey.
“The Epiphany Orchestra have done it again. The long awaited album, entitled “Remixes” is an absolute corker!
All the best tracks by The Epiphany Orchestra have been remixed into a wide array of genres to create some incredible music!
Our favourites include the MASSIVE trancey breakbeat remix of “Ponder,” Bigbeat remixes of tracks like “Chills” and “Tibetan Sunset,” and of course the fantastic remix of “Head Space.”
Alongside the remixes (9 in total!), The Epiphany Orchestra have written three brand new and exciting tracks, in keeping with the ethos of the remix album - two very chilled out tracks, including one of my all-time favourite tracks “Untitled Groove.” The other track has a more driven beat, and has a beautiful arpeggiated sound, a la “Head Space,” and bass a la “Ponder” - GREAT STUFF!!
Jun202009
Released on the 22nd June, Fierce Disco Remixed is the latest offering from the Fierce Angels studios and features 45 fierce anthems mixed by Mark Doyle.
Disc: 1
Disc: 2
Disc: 3
Get your copy of Fierce Disco Remixed now!
A Final Farewell…: As you may have noticed, there is no mix this month. There will also not be a mix next month, o... http://bit.ly/bXR8g3 #
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