Moving Forward Swiftly.

Hello again.  It's been approximately 18 months since my last post.  Things have been... interesting in that time.  Bottom of the barrel lows, Tremendous highs... suffice to say that is all done and as usual, music has come to my rescue.  There's more to say, but for the moment, it's like this.  November the fifth (Guy Fawkes' Night), my new radio show, 'HDMusic' begins on Kilburn To Kensal Radio.  November the 21st, I'm spinning at a new night I'm very privileged to be involved in, 'Diep'.  If you live in Rotterdam or are there around that time, get involved.

Here's something to while away the time.  My latest residency is at The Pub & Smokeshack down in Twickenham (mileage!).  Lovely place, great sound system and some pretty awesome street food to boot.  I've got some new kit in and can record my sets now, so here's the result.  Please forgive the glitchiness at the start, not sure what caused that...

Like I said, there will be more.  Soon.

ATB, Lebz

Des'ree - Living In The City

Here's one to try and chill people out.  Tempers are flaring in London.... Des'ree from back in the day.

Mini Music.

(The Master, Norman Jay and myself, Record Store Day, 4/20, 2013)

Once again.  Marvellous, thanks for taking a look.  I'm feeling pretty rough and the set top box for my telly ain't working, so naturally, my thoughts eventually drifted to music.  Of course, I've got a new mix to talk about later but for now, there's other things on my mind.

First up, Record Store Day.

(The mighty Soul Jazz Records, London, April 20th, 2013.  A rather good street party took place here on that day).

Simply explained, it's a festival that occurs every year in April, it's a worldwide event and it's basically a celebration of the independent record stores everywhere.  From dirty lil' joints like Intoxica (now closed, sob!) selling that dirty, rough-edged Punk and Rock style sound to Drum & Bass dens like Black Market Records (so deep and dark, it's actually in a basement!),  London has been an epicentre of the record store scene for decades, so it was only fitting that a right royal party was had! (as if Londoners ever needed an excuse to party)

The weather was good, which helped.  We ended up chilling at the Soul Jazz Records street party.  Thristian BPM (Boiler Room Capo), Floating Points, Moxie, Mo Kolours, Mr. Beatnick and the Soul Jazz crew were all stepping behing the decks, so the choice was not a hard one.  

Sam Floating Points was the first guest on the decks.  He's one of those talented producer/DJs that you'd  like to hate but can't, simply because they are too good at what they do.  He came in with a heavy selection of rare 7"s, just so people knew he was Qualified.  He even handled the problematic left turntable well.  Nipped off to get some beers shortly after this so didn't catch all of his set, but was informed that it was all hot.

We came back to find Moxie about to step up...and tear it down!  For the uninitiated, Moxie is a DJ who is one of the Deviation residents, she also presents a radio show on NTS, where Frank n Dave's Hot Selection show also resides.  I must admit, I was especially impressed when she pulled out an original 12" copy of 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head' by the Brand New Heavies.  A big favourite of mine.  

The drinking started, the dancing continued....the vibes was right.

By the late afternoon, a healthy crowd had grown and it was going off!  I had to leave, but was so glad I went am already looking forward to the next one.  Big shout to BPM.  

Mini Music.

So I was chatting to one of my 'Greenery Gang' collaborators, Jay-Della about mini mixes.   Getting your mixes in at under an hour.  Keeping it nice and brief.  I liked the sound of that, so I gave it a shot.  It's a nice mix, bit shabby at the end, but what can I say?  I'm sick!

Mini Music

Don't Let It Go To Your Head: Jean Carn

Windy C: 100% Poison:

Waves: Joey Bada$$

Mon amie De'Troit: Tall Black Guy

Take A Fall For Me (feat The RZA): James Blake

Prelims: Les Sins

White Noise (HudMo Mix): Disclosure feat. AlunaGeorge

Newham Generals: Joker

Grind: Les Sins

Sunset (Jamie XX Edit): The XX

Set Me Free: Willie Graff & Tuccillo

Not That Kind Of Girl: Miguel Campbell

Aspiration: Suburb

Lone Cat (Holding On): Ben Watt 

Till the next time, TTFN.

LEGION.

HD Music 8: I'm Back.

Yup.  That's right. Me.  That guy with the big mouth.  No, seriously.  I'm back.  Heard it before?  OK, I'll give you that one.  Almost 18 months since my last post/mix tape?  Fine, you can have that one too.

Things got very difficult for longer than was necessary. I'm glad to say that whilst we ain't out of the woods yet, we on the way.

On (rather hurriedly) then, to the music. And hasn't there been lots of it. The last nine months has been the busiest period of my DJ career.  Ever.  With the exception of Christmas and a week or two in the New Year (always a quiet time for DJs), I have played out every single weekend since late August.

(The set up at Bar N.M.P., Lower East Side, New York City.  Holla.)

I was in New York recently (more of which later), I had a gig there.  In the last week, I've started a new residency, one I went out and got myself. So trust when I say that as a DJ, I am most certainly back.

It's a good feeling.  I've learned alot.  I've done some absolutely beautiful gigs recently.  Gigs that involved singalongs and dance-offs and grooving til' the early hours.  I've also done gigs where I've played 'Come On EIleen'.

Before I go on, I must thank my friend 'Agent' Edward Adoo.  The guy has helped me take it to the next level.  I met him whilst he was spinning at a bar where a mate was having his birthday, we got chatting, the rest is history.  He's a talented broadcaster as well, please follow the link and check his game here.

DJing on a weekly basis has changed the way I look at many aspects of the DJ game.  Needless to say, I've been doing it for a minute now, but this is probably the first time I've been forced to treat it more like a job (with varying degrees of success!).  It has certainly made me a much better DJ, sharpening my skills and giving me a better idea of what works and what doesn't.  However, it has also made me play records that if I had a choice, I wouldn't play.  Therein lies the crux.

I love DJing. I love getting paid for DJing. I hope that doesn't sound crass or arrogant, but compared to what the venues I play in make, a ill' cash for the DJs is the least of their worries.

In order to get paid, I sometimes have to play 'popular' music.  Alot more than I used to.  It's not ideal, that's the way it is.  I'm not sure what it is about some of these venues, but people feel they can come up to you and ask for bullshit songs and then abuse you when you a) don't have them or b) don't have them and wouldn't play them, even if I did.

I get that we are employed to entertain, as well provide music but come on.  Asking for Drake in the middle of a House set?

(showing folks what the bi'ness is down at The Clarence, by far my favourite of my current residencies)


We can't all do the cool gigs.  Obviously, if you've heard any of my mixes, know the DJs/producers I'm in to, you'll know that I can get fairly leftfield.  And steadfastly so.  But unless you are a DJ with an established rep, an up-and-coming DJ/producer backed by the right people or you promote and run your own nights, it can be difficult to get the nice gigs.  You know the ones; good venue, open-minded crowd, great set-up and sound system, to spin what you like and a large bar tab!

Obviously, I've been lucky enough to play at some great clubs (Ministry, Pacha, Le Batofar) and some great festivals (North Sea Jazz, Sunsplash Antalya) but that's always been word of mouth/got the gig through a mate rather than a consistent stream of nice gigs. I'm not complaining; more would be lovely but in between these gigs, what is there?

The Late-Night Bar Experience.

(one of the better bar DJ set-ups I have encountered recently).

More than a pub.  Less than a club.  Generally, nicer than a pub.  Almost always less hassle than a club, and almost always free to get in.  Late-Night bars have really taken over the night-time scene in London.  I've tended to steer clear of 90% of them, they've always seemed to be much of a muchness.  You always tend to find yourself at them for work-do's/leaving do's/birthday parties/nondescript lash etc.  Alot of them have DJs. Now, previously, I was sceptical about alot of 'Bar DJs'.  Mainly because some of them are great and can really make the night (I was in The Albert & Pearl Upper Street, late 2010, this Canadian dude absolutely smashed it) and some of these DJs can either get too caught up in their own self-importance or just completely misread the vibe of the crowd (2011, I was in a place called The Abbot, in the shadow of The Gherkin, up in the City.  The DJ was awful.  Hard House at 6:30 in the evening.  In a City Bar).  Both outcomes tend to lead to a shit night on the dance-floor.

Now, as one of these DJs, I am far more sympathetic. And I can be.  This never happens to me, of course.  I'm Qualified, just like I keep telling you. ;)

Aha, but why am I banging on about bars? Well, it's because that's where the work is.  By proxy, this is where I do my best work.  This what on the DJ scale lies between doing weddings, bar mitzvahs,hotel based Christmas parties (I haven't gone that low...yet.  I hear the money's great!) etc and all the cool gigs/clubs/festivals/hot-spots.  A DJ can make perfectly good money from playing exclusively in bars, but surely it's like a porn star who only ever gets to give blow-jobs.  I'm sure it's nice enough, but it's not really the main course, it is?  These places are where I'm doing alot of my work.  Yeah, they may not be 3am at Fabric, but hey, people enjoy themselves, I get to do something I love doing on a regular basis and they pay the bills.   Which need paying.

Occasionally the folks in the place don't wanna get that deep.  Cool, out come the wedding CDs.  It's very much about striking a balance between what the people want and what I choose to give them.

So over the coming weeks, I shall be giving a glimpse into the life of a DJ, through the medium of blog.  We, The Night People.  Soon come.

So, my latest mix, then?  To be honest, it ain't even that new.  Like most DJs, I'm constantly recording and re-recording stuff, only to leave it sitting on a computer somewhere.  This block of tunes has been sitting around for a couple of months, I think this was the third time I recorded it.

It features a pretty varied mix of tunes, from Sam Carter's doleful assessment of the financial times.  Beautifully bitter, the type of song that could have only been written by an Englishman.  Through to Andrew Ashong's storming 'Flowers' (Theo Parrish Mix), Gilles Peterson's tune of the year, via Sure Thing (DJ Die & Joker, Bristol Massive!), before landing on the first single from Jamie Liddell's latest LP.  Benga, Omar, Recloose, Audiojack...I could go on, but as one of my old teachers used to say, 'all good fings...all good fings'.

It's important to keep the old ways alive.  This one, as with all the others was recorded in one take, no editing, no post-production  Some tracks were played for a minute, some for 10.  Focus.  I gotta be honest, there's a couple of risky moments but that's part of the come-back process.

And so finally, and after a very, very long time away, I humbly present for your listening pleasure, HD Music Volume 8.

HD Music Volume 8

1) Dreams Are Made Of Money: Sam Carter

2) Sonet: Dan Mandrila

3) Private Life of a Puppet: Bev Lee Harling

4) Take The Space Trane: Marc de Clive-Lowe & The Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra

5) It's All Over Your Body (DJ Spinna Mix): Jose James

6) Flowers (Theo Parrish Mix): Andrew Ashong

7) Music Is My Way of Life: Patti Labelle

8) Sweet Jazz Music (Re-Edit): Panache

9) A Tribute To Muhammad Ali (Kon 1200 Edit): Le Stim

10) Geek Emotions: Hot Coins

11) Holding You Tight: Sure Thing

12) Paean: Nathan Fake

13) Paean (Lukid Mix): Nathan Fake

14) What A Shame: Jamie Liddell

15) Open Your Eyes: Benga

16) The Perfect Blues (Jacques Greene Mix): Jesse Boykins III

17) Mating Dance: fLako

18) Mutha Sucka: Hot Toddy

19) Feeling You (Henrik Schwarz Mix): Omar

20) Don't Get Me Wrong: Recloose

21) Don't Stop: Kraak & Smaak

22) In My System (The Revenge Mix): The Gathering

23) The Science: Nick Harris

24) Soundwave (Quarion's Drunken Wave Mix): ?

25): No Equal Sides: Audiojack

26)Run The Track: Ashley Beedle

27)Thee: Flossin'

It's done.  I'm pleased.  This post, this mix may not have been amongst my best work, but it's all part of coming back.  Next time, I'll tell you about my holidays.

ATB Folks,

LEGION.

Black Eyed Peas - Magic

A tune from the BEPs, from back when they knew a thing or two about music. This tune reminds me of being young and hopeful. Good days.

HD Music 4

I've decided to keep it brief this time. So much has happened in the last few weeks, kinda hard to put it all in perspective. I've managed to put together my next instalment of HD Music and it's a banger, if I do say so myself. Starting off with some great jazz from the likes of Kurt Elling, The Colman Brothers and Betty Carter. There's a great track on it called 'Obtaining' by Soia, an excellent first offering from her, Hip-Hop from Ron Basejam, Mecca 83 and moving all the way to the deeper, housey electronica stuff with new music from Toddla T, Joey Negro, Ben Westbeech, The Muthafunkaz, Afronaught, Kerri Chandler and so many others. Very sorry for such a brief write-up but I've still got a killer hangover from a warehouse party I went to TWO DAYS AGO!!! Will definitely do a bigger one later but for now, HD Music 4:

HD Music 4

1) Intro no. 2 - DJ Loki

2) Steppin' Out - Kurt Elling

3) The Chief - The Colman Brothers

4) Tight - Betty Carter

5) Interlude - DJ Loki

6) B4 The Weeknd Is Thru - Jesse Boykins III & The Weeknd

7) I'm Sorry (JakeOne Mix) - G-Side

8) What I'm Here For - Rasheed Chappell

9) Mattered Much (feat. Olivier Daysoul) - Oddisee

10) Sanfranjam - Ron Basejam

11) Yesterday Was Hard On All Of Us - Fink

12) You Need Me, I Don't Need You: Ed Sheeran

13) Watch Me Dance feat. Roots Manuva (Andrew Wetherall Mix) - Toddla T

14) Falling Out (Tiger & Woods Mix) - Body Language

15) Do For Love (Bopstar's Broken Beat Re-Touch Mix) - Vick Lavender feat R.J. Green

16) Rise - Lanu feat. Abbey Joyce & Simon Grey

17) Interlude - DJ Loki

18) Can't Get Enough - (Robin Porter Mix) - Roman Fleischer

19) Can't Get Enough - (Soulphiction Mix) - Roman Rauch

20) Held On To Me (Club Mix) - Afronaught & AfroDisiax feat. Sabrina Chyld

21) Ugly Part Of Me (Terry Hunter BANG)

22) Every Day Of The Week (Joey Negro Club Mix): The Muthafunkaz

23) Better Things To Come (Joey Negro Club Mix): Mistura

24) Something For The Weekend (Joey Negro Z Mix) - Ben Westbeech

25) Something For The Weekend (The Revenge Keep Up Dub) - Ben Westbeech

26) Untitled (Kerri Chandler's Bigga Mix) - Black Joy

27) In It Together - (The Shapeshifters Mix) - Human Life

28) Where We Are At (Version 1) - Henrik Schwarz, Ame & Dixon

29) On My Way - Kerri Chandler

30) In Time pt. 2 (Tom Moutlon Mix) - Richard Earnshaw feat. Erik Dillard & Roy Ayers

31)Morning Sunrise - Weldon Irvine

Till next time folks,

Lebz xx

HD Music 2

OK, so it's been a busy, crazy productive day. Lots of blog posts, video uploads, mixtape uploads…feels good, first time I've really pushed the boat out in a while. I hate to say it, but my my mac has been a huge help. The more I learn to do on it, the quicker everything becomes.

So, HD Music then? What the hell is that? Well, it's an idea... one that has been growing over the past 12 months…maybe. Now, it seems I have given that idea a soundtrack.

Sometimes, it's possible to hear a song or piece of modern music that stirs feelings deep within the spirit. Whether the feelings held for this piece of music are of a positive nature or otherwise, one cannot help but be moved, if only a little. It's rare that you find this kind of music crossing over to the popular charts (With the exception of the time I saw a DJ Krush record on the Network Chart Show!). I wouldn't expect to find it there. If it were that easy, everyone would be a DJ. Me and my dudes have been doing this for a long time and we're pretty good at it. So I needed a record of what I have been doing. Dave & Frank have their slamming radio show, Cengiz has his excellent podcast series, I needed my own thing, something for myself.

HD Music is my attempt to put people in touch with that good, thought-provoking music.

The concept of 'HD' being so much of an improvement on what went before suited what I was attempting to capture perfectly. HD Music. Make no mistake, this is the BEST mix I've done in years. It's describes displays what I do and what I'm into.

I suppose the HD tag lends itself pretty well to the fact that this ain't strictly a mixtape, it's more of a podcast. When you download it and put it on your ipod, you will find all the necessary info contained therein (track titles, artist names and even the little picture that pops up in the bottom right-hand corner of your iTunes window! nifty, eh?). Don't worry though, no clever editing suite tricks here, it was recorded in one take and you're listening to the only version. That's just how I do.

There's some really great music on here. Starting at the top, Edu Lobo, Tamba Trio, The excellent 'Ramon's Desire' by Francisco Aguabella, I'm also very pleased to have finally done a mix featuring my BIG THREE bets for the future: Ayah (w/ Jazzy Jeff on the boards), Jesse Boykins III and my latest Facebook pal, Peter Hadar (Hello mate!). Reggie B gets a keyboard injection from Dre'Synth, there's a couple of jams from the excellent forthcoming BBE compilation, 'The Real Sound of Chicago & Beyond'. A track from Nicola Conte's beautiful LP of reworks, 'Love & Revolution' is on here as well. I swear, every other mix I do has one of his tracks on it. I'm a BIG subscriber to his way of making music...

Brandee Younger, a harp player who sings and came up with the track that graces this mix, 'So Alive'. There are two Sean McCabe-related tracks here, 'I' and 'Reach Inside' by Donae'o and Bah Samba respectively. The man is an excellent producer, relatively new on the scene but if you've heard me play this over the last 12 months, you know I'm down. 'Reach Inside' is definitely dedicated to my man Wiley, a die-hard house lover. Also, check out 'The Promise' by Nathan G feat. Alexander East. Deep house grooves fa' sho!

There's a new rub of the massive 'Outta Love' by Reel People feat. Omar off the 'Messages Vol. 3' compilation on Papa Records (Shout to Oli Lazarus!) and a track off the new Macinedrum LP, Room(S) as well.

Right, enough chat, I humbly present for your listening pleasure, HD Music 2.

HD Music 2

1) Intro no. 2: DJ Loki
2) Reza: Edu Lobo & Tamba Trio
3) Francisco Aguabella: Ramon's Desire

4) Love From The Sun: Nicola Conte
5) Tables Turn: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah
6) My Sunshine (Dre'Synth Mix): Reggie B
7) It Ain't Easy: Crystal Wind
8) Get Up & Dance: Nedra
9) So Alive: Brandee Younger
10) I Can't Stay: Jesse Boykins III
11) Dancin: Peter Hadar
12) Days Like Heaven (Justin's Cheeky Edit): CDR
13) The Promise (Luvbug Vocal Mix): Nathan G feat Alexander East
14) I (Sean McCabe Mix): Donae'o
15) Reach Inside (Sean McCabe Vocal Mix) Bah Samba
16) Outta Love (Souled Out Bootleg): Reel People feat. Omar
17) Be Your Freak (Kenny Dope O'Gutta Mix): Kenny Dope feat. Josh Milan
18) Search For The Sun: Xantone Blacq
19) Silhouette: George Fitzgerald)

20)U Don't Survive: Machinedrum
21) All The Kisses (feat. Paris & Amber Strother of KING): The Foreign Exchange

Before I forget, big thanks to Garageband, djay and Serato Scratch Live for making my life (and this mix!) a little easier.

ATB folks,

Legion.

P.S. At this precise moment in time, I'm writing this postscript and preparing tracks for HD Music 3 whilst sitting on a tube train just outside Baker Street station on the Metropolitan Line...Monday evening…yay productivity.

OK, so the other day...

We went back to the Boiler Room. Now for those of you who have been living in the Outer Hebrides for the last year, The Boiler Room is an internet radio station with a difference. It is broadcast live from a recording studio which is attended by 100 or so invited guests (and yours truly) and is streamed live over the internet for folks to watch, as well as listen. I was first hipped to it by Mr. BPM bask in May last year, and went along, the results of which you can check here. It's pretty cutting edge, as far as clubbing goes. Excellent DJs, secret location, definitely strikes high on the cool-o-meter.

So it used to be in the ceiling partition of an old warehouse up in deepest darkest Hoodville (aka Hackney), y'know, the kind of place where you out-of-towners hope never to find yourselves. It totally leant itself to the edginess of the night, I loved it. I also knew that by it's nature and location, it could last in that space. So when I heard it had moved this year, I was interested to see how it had moved on from the early, scene-heavy days.

So now, it's in South London. I must admit, and I'm sure Beeps will kill me for this, but when I first heard that they'd moved it to South, I thought it was hilarious. From the way all them cats were givin' it last time I went up there, you'd have thought that Hackney was the centre of the known bloody universe. Going down to one of London's few remaining bonafide 'hoods' will teach some of them sceney tossers a lesson!

Performing this time were the Boglewaltz crew (that's them in the above picture). Not sure which part of town they're from but their main gig seems to be at the Dex club in Brixton. They also had D'Ablo and Shea Soul backing them up on vocals. The band Little Dragon had preceded them (no photos, sorry:( but check out their live set here). The act that Cengiz and I were there to see however, was Soundspecies, the group fronted by our good friend Henry Keen. Another group also performed, Velvet Stream (again, no pics, not bad from what I remember).

To be honest, I was a little disappointed. Firstly, The Boiler Room concept has expanded massively. It's a company now, with employees and offices sponsors. The guys behind it have done extremely well, broadcasting their unique show from gigs as far as The USA, France and Spain the level of DJs they can attract has also gone up (Karizma, Photek, Goldie, . The question is, have they lost a little something in translation?

I couldn't take any booze in, instead they had a 'Boiler Room Bar' that was marginally cheaper than your average West-End clip joint/nightclub (seriously? I thought this was supposed to be underground?). Aside from the 'hipster' massive in there, it was pretty much all dudes. Worst of all? Bouncers. No trees. :(

Shea Soul performing her track off the compilation, check the video in the upcoming link. She's a very talented young lady with a bright future ahead of her.

Here's the thing. The Boglewaltz guys didn't really do much actual DJing, They just seemed content to drop tunes off their latest compilation, and other bits that haven't been released yet. They're all talented obviously, but why the need for an extended album plug? I'll tell you what, how 'bout you decide? Check it all out here.

I was quite looking forward to seeing some serious skills...oh well, I'll just have to go back at a later date!

Unfortunately, I missed thet Sounspecies set becuase of last tube issues, but it was excellent, and can be listened back to here, watched here, or dowloaded to podcast here. Don't say I don't do anything for ya!

So anyway, enough said, here are some more pics of the night...and a few from my last gig with Cengiz @ Soul Solution South @ Living Bar...strange times in South London indeed! I've never played at a venue that had a one-armed man, or a midget. Dressed like a stripper. Weird central...!

ATB folks, till next time. Look out the soon-coming HD Music series, mixed by yours truly.

Holla.

Legion.

Yet more videos...

Evidence that Kon is a baad baad man.

I can't believe I haven't posted this on here yet!

OK folks, the first DJ-eye-view of one of my sets...looks like I chose the right place to start.

Kenny Dope feat. Josh Milan - Be Your Freak (Kenny Dope O'Gutta Mix)

Mmm, feeling this one definitely.

Another mix.

Just a little something I put together before work the other day. Using the time I'd normally be on the tube/on the overground/running through the streets like a maniac, I decided to make a mix. For the first time, I have used Garageband on my mac to record the whole thing, some the levels are a bit crazy, but like I said 1st time. Always a few gremlins. And here it is.

Paradise. vol. 1:

1)Intro no. 2: DJ Loki

2)Intro no. 7: DJ Loki

3) Sunshine Summer: The Stuyvesants

4) I am In Love (Mark Wayward Re-Edit)

5) The World Is Yours: Elzhi

6) One Life: Ayah

7) I Want You: Cee-Lo Green

8)Rolling In The Deep (Jamie XX Mix): Adele

9) Always There: Ronnie Laws

10) Young Hearts, Run Free (DJ Asparagus Epic Edit)

11) How Ya Like Me Now: The Heavy

12) What Have You Done For Me Lately?: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

13) Foolish: Olivier Daysoul

14) Can't You See Me: Roy Ayers

15) Master Rocker: Bernard Wright

16) Back To Me: 6th Borough Project

17) Mic Newman: The Fidelity

18) Repetition: Evan Evans

19) Falling (Deetron Paradise Vocal Mix): Ben Westbeech

Download!

Watch out for an upcoming post... Adventures in the Boiler Room and Soul Solution South...strange times in South London...once I get the pics sorted.

ATB Y'all,

Legion.

After all these years...I think I've finally cracked it!

Legion. We Are Many. We Are One.

All shall become clear in the fullness of time.

Yeah...so anyway, as I was saying...

Wow. Journey from hell.

OK so this trip has started really badly. I know this can be oft-used expression, but after a dodgy stomach, two missed trains, one missed flight and a very expensive new ticket, I feel that I'm entitled to use it. There are approximately 7 1/2 hours between my original flight and my new one, so I've decided to use this time wisely and create a new starting point for my blog, Lebzthedj.

My last post, back in January actually feels like a lifetime away, as opposed to the four month gap between the then and the now…so many things have changed. I'm now living next to work after moving from to save money, which led to a botched attempt to live with some members of my family in Harlesden (if you don't want to get bitten, don't live with snakes is all I can say about that) a brief stay in Green Lanes, (a most wonderful part of London) and a few days in Highbury (w'sup Dave!). I'm sure most people ain't heard of Harrow, but like I keep telling folks, this is MY city. I have lived, and been all over it. It ain't a thing.

The long and short of it is that I now live by myself. For the first time since '08, I don't have to listen to anyone telling me anything about anywhat. Thank the lord. I've lived in some beautiful places; I've lived in some places that I still have nightmares about but I wouldn't replace anything for the complete piece of mind that I have spent the last few months (and years) chasing and have now achieved.

Also, living so close to my place of employment has freed up about 2 hours of my day, everyday. For the first time since I left uni, I do not have to commute anywhere. I can see my office(s) from out of my window. The absence of a 'journey' to work has had an interesting side-effect. Commuting, now I realise has forced me to engage my brain properly long before I reached work in the past. Runnning for the train, reading timetables and figuring out alternative routes was always a hassle but it always left me switched-on. Without this, my brain lags behind the rest of me slightly...

I had this conversation with colleagues yesterday morning at about 9:10:

Girl 1: 'I've just come back from A&E, where was a patient was walking around naked'

Girl 2: 'Oh dear! Did you tell someone?'

Me: 'Boy or girl?'

Girl 1: 'Girl'

Me: 'Was she good looking ?'

Ouch. the final comment was not appreciated. Personally, as those of you who know me well will testify to, I don't care. I will literally say anything to anyone. I don't give a toss about discretion or social conventions, but I was at work. A comment that would have normally been filed away under 'Do NOT say' wriggled out of my mouth like a worm in a hot frying pan. I wish I worked with more dudes, amongst which a comment like that would have been at worst ignored and at best appreciated as quite funny.

'So what the UFCK has this all got to do with the blog?',

you may ask OK, OK, I'm building up to it. Towards the end of 2010, After I found the stats page and discovered how many people were actually reading this on a regular basis. It was then that I realised the blog would have to get so much better. Better writing, more pictures, just better all round. I didn't have the capacity to do that, which I found quite frustrating. I wanted it to have the cool, casual, conversational feel of The Hundreds, the leftfield appeal of Moovmnt, the fashion-forward savvy of HighSnobiety (which I was on first, by the way) and the attractive simplicity of The Sartorialist. Of course, I haven't been doing this for as long as some these cats, but at the end of the day, that should not be an excuse or a barrier to progress. Blogs are just collections of opinions, I just need to improve how I transmit mine (and the bloody speed at which I transmit them).

In fact, it's good the Sunsplash festival has come round now because it means I can do research without having to go too far! (Lucky boy). I'm totally looking to have my musical DNA rearranged over this whole week, meet some of my all-time heroes (although, all the important ones, Louie Vega, Gilles P, Norman Jay, Kon & Amir, I've already met) and generally just party for a week whilst listening to some proper music!

Anyway back to the trip. 3 hours 20 mins to go before we take off. Bitch. Funnily enough, my journeys to Antalya have never gone smoothly. There was the mad dash to Stansted Airport in '09, the epic six-hour journey from Antalya Airport to Hillside Su which involved more walking than I care to remember and asking directions from folks who didn't speak English in '10 and now this.

Wow. Double Wow. Ok so I'm on the plane now, after having had to throw some of my personal items IN THE FUCKING BIN due to my baggage being too heavy. Every time I've flown to Antalya, my baggage has been under limit. so this year I threw in a few more items (first time I'm taking a bird there, must have some stuff to wear out and about!). My suitcase cam in at a whopping 27 kilos! A bunch of white Hanes vests will need to be replaced when I get home. Was it a mistake to bring so much vinyl? And why are the majority of DJs no longer using vinyl? Maybe it's because vinyl weighs a fucking ton. In my defence however, I don't compromise this shit for anyone. People have paid good money for this festival and, as the one of the DJs who has started off the festival for the last three years, I intend to put on a show! Will have to remember to pay for extra baggage allowance in future….

Finally! That magic happened. I smiled for the first time today.(Song: 'Ladies First' by Kaidi Tatham) Now it feels like I'm going on holiday. This particular song always makes me think of flying. Slept for most of the flight and are about to touch down, kinda 9pmish …landed and was called almost immediately by MIssV who thought I had been bagged by the rozzers for having trees in my baggage. She should know that I'm Qualified for these types of missions.

Total time from plane to hotel room, 45mins. A record. Knowing the terrain from my previous trips has certainly helped this stage of the journey.

Sunday.



A fun-filled day. Spent most of it on the beach chilling with MissV. During the evening, I played in the hotel lobby, a huge imposing space with six of the largest glitter balls I have ever seen in my life. I was once told that the one in Koko was the biggest in Europe…not sure that's true anymore.

Quick shower and a bite to eat before my set for the Sunsplash Warm-Up Session.

It went well, no mess ups, all love, I also had a few DJs in the crowd checking out my set…got respect for my selections, all good (' the fuck 'you expect? I'm Qualified!). Unfortunately, I couldn't record my set, but have replayed a small portion of it at home and you can download it here.

Monday.

Where the real business started. Two very different sets in one day. I was totally focused on doing a good job here. Last year, I was the first DJ to play on the beach. It was a mess. I couldn't find the two tracks I wanted to start with and the third track I played skipped viciously. It completely threw me and I was annoyed to say the least.

So this year, I needed to press reset. Since the last Sunplash, I have actually 'programmed' a couple of my gigs, planning them tune by tune, with varying levels of success but this time, I was taking no chances. I started a week or two ago, selecting tunes, putting together an order. I had my laptop open with the tracks and spun them off CDs and vinyl. Easy. You can check out the fruits of my labour here.

Tell you what. Download onto your thingumajig, listen to it during YOUR holiday this summer and let me know what you think. Personally. I'm pleased with it. I managed to touch bases with Roy Ayers, Marta Acuna, Basement Jaxx, Erkah Badu, ODB, Dom Kennedy, Emiliano Santiago, Marcos Valle, Koop, and more. Ooh, forgot to mention that I was preceded by a lovely Turkish chap by the name of Ahmet Gunes who is one the pioneers of the Turkish leftfield/jazzy/eclectic scene. Check out his radio show here.

Preparing to take over from Ahmet Gunes.

I then chilled out to the sounds of my home team, DJ Soulprovyder and The Emperor, aka Mr. Cengiz Ulusahin. I have to say we opened the festival very well, gave people a good indication of things to come.

My home-team. Lebz, Cengiz and DJ Soulprovyder.

Monday evening. After a quick dinner, I rushed down to the beach for my set at the Beach Party. After the obligatory first night glitches, we got on and got folks grooving.

Go on son, hurt 'em!

moving onto Siyah for Benji B's set. Simply put, the guy is brilliant. Seamlessly moving through a so many styles, he is a top, top DJ and if you haven't heard his shoe on Radio 1 or seen him play live, fix that.

Tuesday.

I've just spent the last few minutes listening back to the mix I did on the beach yesterday. I have to say that I'm very pleased with it. It's the first time that I have had access to a recording of one of my sets, it's nice to be able listen back and give myself a through critique. The first portion of the afternoon beach session was controlled by two Russian boys, Ilya Rassakov and Dimitry Studinsky from Headz FM (Moscow). Two very talented boys, who have their own radio show and club night over in Moscow. From what I hear, they're pretty much running the scene over there. Shout out to Dimar, Dimitry's son.

The second DJ was an utterly beautiful man from Kazakhstan called Rustam Ospanov. You know, it's funny, people will always say "Oh, I met this really cool DJ the other day' and whatnot, well I'm glad to say that Rusty and his gorgeous wife Alma are actually the real deal. A beautiful couple from the inside out. We began chatting after my set on Monday, but watching him do his thing on Tuesday afternoon was impressive to say the least…I hope to work with him again real soon.

The evening beach session was hosted by Rainer Truby of Truby Trio/Root Down fame (Pictured here with Gilles Peterson). Rainer was another DJ who played here last year but I must say that he stepped his game up tenfold from last year. He has added some much edgier stuff to his armoury, including the absolutely MASSIVE 'Fallin' by Ben Westbeech (Deetron Mix)… I'm undecided, but that could be the dancefloor smash of the whole festival. A brilliant set by him, no doubt.

The club session…'Big Daddy' Phil Asher. One of my all-time favourite DJs, and from my neck of the woods too. I have been lucky enough to know him since my uni days and he has been a constant source of inspiration, information (see what I did there?) and of course, a source for great music, both as a DJ and as producer. Lots of drinking, lots of dancing. Perfect. This years' Sunsplash is kicking off in a fine style. Really enjoyed hearing him take it back.

Wednesday.

Was starting to feel it this morning for sure. That's one of the things they never tell you about Sunsplash. There is no let up. Ever. Beach sessions from 12pm - 7pm, dinner at 7pm, evening sessions from 8pm till midnight. Sessions @ Siyah from 12:30 till 4am…ish. It is an exhausting schedule. But there's no rest for the wicked, so on we go with day three. The Mysterious Ahu kicked things off on the beach with her trademark, deep boss nova grooves, and was followed by Lefto.

Although he's well known for his radio show, the man is a very, VERY serious proposition behind the decks. Unfortunately, he only got to play for about 30 mins before it started raining :o(

Then came the evening session. Kon & Amir. They absolutely KILLED it! I've seen them do great sets before but I suspect they were rather impressed, and as a result inspired by the surroundings on the Turkish Riviera. Amongst the highlights were Amir playing an original signed 7" copy of 'Los Chocolate Conquistador' by Johnny Hammond, and Kon absolutely killing it by scratching up 'Good Times' by Chic and then mixing in 'Love Thang' by First Source…. Check the pics on my FB here. There is also a small vidclip of Kon doing his thing, but the sound quality is poor so turn it down dagnabbit!

Amir, doing his thwing, and doin' it well.

Kon getting ready to smash the set.

Lefto, Rustam, Gilles and Rainer.

Norman Jay MBE, Serkan (Sunplash Big Cheese), The Brother Kon Fucious

Now, earlier in the day after coming back from the beach, I received a letter under my door informing us that due to bereavement, Theo Parrish had to cancel his trip to Sunsplash. Very sad news and I would like to take this opportunity to send my condolences to the Parrish family. Next year homie.

However, as a replacement, we were given a bit of a treat. Kon and Amir Vs Gilles Peterson and Rainer Truby down in Siyah. (Song of the night: Rolling In The Deep (The XX Mix) by Adele)…wow. I have to say, it's rare that you'd get this kind of line-up anywhere else. If you're looking for a music festival next year, I cannot recommend Sunsplash Antalya enough.

Me & Derrick McKenzie from Jamiroquai. Top, TOP geezer.

Not quite sure when I left the club, it was a massive night, not helped by the fact that 15-20 of my best mates, my mrs, my sister and her boyfriend were ALL in the club…a proper sesh was had by all.

Bwoy, this post has gotten LONG! more when I get the rest of the pics! More to come soon.

New Year, New Vibes.

Morning all, a belated HNY to you and yours wherever you may be. I'm sure that the 3 or 4 readers that follow this (poorly updated) blog will be interested to know that I haven't fallen off the edge of the Earth and am in fact still here shooting my mouth off!

Main reasons for the absence of posts? A new relationship. The absence of a functioning digicam. A general feeling that gigs towards the end of last year were getting a bit samey-samey. It's hard to stay inspired at times, but the search for the Good Groove Theory continues.

However, this does not mean that I ain't been working. The gigs, the mixtapes, it's a constant process. I'm hoping 2011 will be a big year in that respect. I've recently been booked to play the Sunsplash Antalya festival for a third time in a row. The line up has been greatly expanded this year, featuring some real legends of the DJ game (anyone for Theo Parrish? Louie Vega? The Mad Professor? Or how about Kon & Amir?). I will definitely compose a more thorough description of the festival at a later date, but for now, you'll just have to check the website here. That, combined with some potential spots around Europe, and this year may just turn out to be the best one yet as far overseas gigs is concerned.

I suppose the next task will be to run down some of the 'Big-In-Me-Box' tunes from 2010. I felt that 2010 was an excellent year for music. Alot of underground scenes raised their heads above the parapet whether old scenes picking new fans or new scenes noisily announcing their existence(s). It's funny, so much happened! The Celine Fashion Show, The Netherlands reaching the WC Final (Hup Holland!), Getting utterly lost in Turkey, The odd gig/night out clubbing, last year was pretty mental at times

Here's some of my favourite tracks of 2010 (in no particular order!):

1) Electric Love: Vikter Duplaix

A huge return to form for one of my favourite singers of the modern era. 2010 was a big year for Vik, seeing as he also came second in the Master Of The Mix TV show. This will have broadened his appeal massively and I'm looking forward to hearing more of that sexy future-soul he seems to have put a trademark on. For more Duplaixities (see what I did there?), click here.

2) Gonorrhea: Lil Wayne

One for my spaced out thugs. Lil' Wayne is one of those artists who over the years has forced me to grudgingly admit his talent and productivity. The boy can rap (check the lyrics 'I'll let ma goons rush ya/like it's Moscow'). Seriously. It's not a sound that's for everyone, but for those who like it, this kid a poster boy. This release became all the more impressive due to the fact that good ol' Weezy F. was incarcerated when it came out!

3) Work Them: Ramadanman

An absolute dancefloor smasher. Straight up, no-frills, bass drums and a sample that let's you know w'sup through out the entire song. WORK THEM!

4) Rainstars (lebzthedj Re-Edit): Sampha

Of course, this tune had to get a mention! The mighty Sampha, hailing from deepest darkest

South London is quite simply one of the biggest UK talents to emerge on the alternative/

leftfield/eclectic scene for a long time (The above picture is of him playing at The Boiler Room).

With a bit of luck (and alot of support from you lot!), he's gonna be huge (remember where you

heard it first!)

5) Arabic Emotions: The London Snokelling Team (see write up here)

6) Racketeer, Duologue

OK, so my mate Mels' little brother is in this band. So what, they're great! A very edgy and slightly unnerving sound, another group set for big things. 'Racketeer' is an amazing mix of indie vocals and dubstep? Yeah, well the description sounded weird to me as well when I first heard it. For more info on them, click here.

7) Night Air (Ramadanman Refix): Jamie Woon

A big tune that sneaked in right at the end, bought it in late November. Haunting. Yet one more punt for 2011? I think so.

8) Exhibit C: Jay Electronica

Here to save us all! Totally reaffirmed my love for Hip-Hop in an age where it seems to be going to the wall in terms of cultural influence. I'm sure Cengiz remembers us hearing this in a club and me whipping off my Tee to wave it in the air like a flag! (Oh dear...)

9) Samba Skindim: Gerardo Frisina

Funnily Enough, I'd say that this year I've probably bought the least amount of jazz ever. There's been too much other stuff. Check this one out though, beautiful Bossa style out of Italy.

10) Must See: Kyle Hall

Detroit's latest famous son with a chilled out slice of 'technouse'? Either way, it got rinsed!

11) Grandma's Rocking Chair (Kenny Dope Mix), Kenny Dope

'Nuff said.

12) Ion Bru, Akira Kiteshi

I was introduced to the music of Akira Kiteshi by a young Scottish chap called Fergus who was the sound engineer at a gig I was DJing at near Edinburgh back in July. He gave me the inside track 'cause you see Akira Kiteshi ain't really Japanese. I'm not sure if he's even been there! The kid is actually from Glasgow (Numbers Collective) and uses this moniker to cover his tracks...there's been alot of DJ's and producers hiding behind something recently...SBTRKT, Deadmau5, MF Doom...maybe I'm missing something.

13) It's That Bass: Machinedrum

NY's abstract beatmaker in chief came through strong again with the 'Many Faces' EP...looking forward to the next LP.

14) As We: Black Spade

Don't know much about this dude, except he's a great MC. My pal HenrySoundSpecies put me on to him, so maybe I'll be able to give you more info at a later date.

15) Somebody (DJ Cengiz Mix): Phil Asher feat Kai Alce

My big homie Cengiz gets hold of Phil and Kai and takes them to

West London! (which is a bit pointless seeing as Phil lives there already). lovely bit

of Broken Beat, makes you wonder why they don't make more of it.

Anyway, here's the rest of my top beats of 2010, enjoy.

16) Don't They Know: Dukehugh

17) Dilla*Shine: J-Dilla(RIP) feat. Robert Glasper & Zynzelay

18) Classic: MED/Talib Kweli/Madlib

19) Into My Life: Elements Of Life

20) Outside: Guilty Simpson feat. Strong Arm Steady

21) Right On: The Roots

22) Strawberries In Vinegar: Silhouette Brown

23) Break Off: SBTRKT & Sampha

24) It's You: Seiji

25) Me And The Devil: Gill Scott-Heron

26) If U Want Me: Deadboy

27) Raw Cuts 1: Motor City Drum Ensemble

28) Baggage Handler: Kavsrave

29) Prototype: Jesse Boykins III

30)Monster (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver & Nicki Minaj): Kanye West

31) Fall In Love (Your Funeral): Erykah Badu

32) Hot Like Summer: Saukrates feat Andreena Mill

33) Feel Like: Full Crate, FS Green & Grand Jackson feat. Mar

34) Journey To The Centre Of The Unknown Sphere: Space Dimension Controller

35) Peter Hadar: Full Time Lover

36) Christian Scott: The Eraser

37) Too Late: Africa Hi-Tek feat. Rio

38) No Discpline: Neco Redd

39) Never Gonna Reach Me (Hot Toddy Mix): Crazy Penis

40) Hey Jij: Fata

41) Nyuli: Mim Suleiman

42) Awake To You: Taylor McFerrin

43) To Love (DJ Cengiz Mix): Ahu

44) Eastern Jam: Chase & Status

45) Long Way Home: Dom Kennedy

46) Short And Sweet: Esperanza Spalding

47) My Sunshine: Reggie B

48) Bad Selection: Deadmau5

49) Jack Ur Car: WBEEZA

50) Let's Go: FCL

Right, I'm sure I've left loads off so any comments or disagreements, you know where I'm at!

ATBi2011P!!!

Lebzzz.