As in your hands in the air

Never has an Irish dance act created so much hysteria from press and industry alike as the Northern electro outfit, Japanese Popstars. Their all-conquering single, ‘Rodney Trotter’ (first tipped in this column to cause a massive stir in Britain back in June), surfaces this month on the burgeoning Dozer Records imprint, accompanied by new remixes from Paul Jackson, Rui da Silva and Leif.
The release follows months of heavy radio rotation from luminaries such as Paul Woolford, Pete Tong, Fergie, Eddie Temple-Morris and Steve Lamacq.
The three DJs – Decky Hedrock, Gareth Curran and Gareth O’Donoghue – have been asked to compile and mix Volume 3 of the new Ministry of Sound compilation series, It’s Only A Mixtape, which is scheduled for release later this month.
And a Ministry of Sound insider has told Beats & Pieces that a 12-month promotional campaign for the new brand will be spearheaded by the Irish boys.
2FM’s Mr Spring bounces back into action this autumn with a new single and album ready to go. The former, ‘Set You Free’, a cheeky track samples Marshall Jefferson, Todd Terry and Stacy Lattisaw, and is currently the subject of much UK label interest. “I only did it for a laugh,” he told Hot Press.
Springer’s 2FM Sessions Tour relaunch at Carlow’s Music Factory last month was a resounding success, and it’s followed on October 27th by the next instalment, at The Hillstreet in Mohill, County Leitrim, with Lisa Lashes headlining.
New Irish electronica outfit, Electric Penguins, have delivered a debut album which had a masterplan – to make a modern record using only ‘70s instruments such as Moogs, Mellotrons, organs and guitars, with no samplers or sequencers.
The hard work paid off, and the three Dubliners – Mark Cummins, Paul Murphy and Seán Quinn – have turned in one of the year’s best sets, Goodbye From the Electric Penguins.
Released on Keith Downey's highly-rated Psychonavigation stamp, the opus will appeal to anyone with even a remote interest in electronic music, not least because of the sweetly melancholic ‘Lonnie’ and the Postal Service-esque ‘Transatlantic’.
Navan-based producer John O’Callaghan has launched his techno alter-ego, Joint Operations Centre, with the single ‘Elevator Dance Off’ on the Dutch Midway label. The recently released thumper has become a firm favourite with DJs such as Eddie Halliwell, Marco V and Tiesto.
It’s almost 15 years since he first burst into our lives twiddling knobs on Screamadelica, yet this month sees the release of the first ever record credited to Andrew Weatherall. ‘Bullet Catcher’s Apprentice’ (out on Rotters Golf Club) blends his role as a techno and house phenomenon with his self-professed love of rockabilly, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.
Other notable singles out this fortnight include DJ Love’s hip-hop/breaks hybrid, ‘Steez’ (Air), General Midi’s breaks anthem, ‘Never Gonna Stop The Show’ (Distinctive), Dirty Old Ann’s Kathy Brown sampling hit ‘Turn Me On’ (Loaded) and Dab Hands’ chart-bound ‘Do Your Own Thing’ (Gusto), which sees Steve Edwards in the role of ‘Lazy’ David Byrne.
BBC radio superstar of Irish descent, Judge Jules, releases his debut album Proven Worldwide (Maelstrom) – which includes a free DVD of Jules at work – this fortnight.
Also imminent are Silicone Soul’s Save Our Souls (Soma), as deep and hypnotic as you’d expect, and DJ Yoda’s The Amazing Adventures Of DJ Yoda (Antidote), which includes guest appearances from Biz Markie, Jungle Brothers, Princess Superstar and Sway, to name but a few. The Beats & Pieces favourite, however, is the Manchester maverick Aim’s groovetastic Flight 602 (ATIC).
Compilations include ESL Remixed (ESL), the label’s 100th release, and Mr Scruff’s blissful Big Chill Classics (Big Chill). DJ Andy Smith’s The Freestyle Mix (Freestyle) is a lesson in the art of DJing, while Fantazia Club Classics (Fantazia) harks back to mid-‘90s glory days when Fantazia was the biggest-selling dance compilation series.
Deep Dish dude Sharam’s Dubai (Global Underground) is the 29th release in the GU series, while Anjunabeats Worldwide (Anjunabeats) is the first from the trance stable founded by Above & Beyond.
Unkle win the award for the most pretentious compilation: Self Defense (Global Underground) is a four-CD box set featuring over 40 remixes from their Never Never Land album. However, there are one or two new tracks, including ‘Burn My Shadow’ with The Cult’s demigod, Ian Astbury, on vocals.
If you appreciate your avant garde history, then you must buy the Warp Records collaboration with London Sinfionetta, Warp Works & 20th Century Masters, which joins the dots between John Cage and Aphex Twin.
Swedish house sensation, Steve Angello, plays Spirit in Dublin on Sunday October 29. Also flying in for Bank Holiday parties on the same date are Dutch tech-trance DJ, Marco V (he plays the Music Factory, Carlow), hard dance queen Lisa Pin-Up (Colony, Wexford) and Scratch Perverts (TBMC, Dublin).
While this fortnight, you could do worse than support the fundraising Kitchen and Shaft reunion at The Vaults in Dublin on October 14. All proceeds go to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, and DJs performing include Alf and Paddy Sheridan from The Shaft, and Warren K and Dave McDonnell from The Kitchen.
If you’re still standing a night later, Metalheadz’ DJ Lee will join the Psychonavigation crew at 4 Dame Lane on October 15th.
And last but not least, the fifth annual Dublin Electronic Arts Festival takes place at various venues across the capital between October 25 and 30, and the 2006 Amsterdam Dance Event runs in 30 clubs from October 19 to 21. Full details on both events are available online at deafireland.com and Amsterdam-dance-event.nl respectively… THE BEAT GOES ON!