News From The Dance Scene

Filthy Folklore is an accomplished effort that doesn’t rely solely on the distinctly Gaelic rhymes of fellow band members, MCs Lisa Dee, Poetic, Big Al and Richie Critical, for its originality. Glen Brady’s sublime production is phat, phunky and fresh throughout. “We’ve been together for two years, and finished recording the album late last year,” he reveals. “It was an organic process and I’m very pleased with the results.” He cites his influences as “Bomb Squad, electro and nu-skool breaks” but you’ll find the end results are quite unique. The album also includes remixes from Deckwrecka and DJ Mek. The next move for Third Eye Surfers is to record their second album in New York with some Stateside MCs lined up to contribute. Ahead of that Glen hopes to unleash a new DJ Wool EP in December…

For several years, Bassballs have been steadily building up a fanbase in Galway with live shows at Cuba, Black Box and GPO, where its DJ The Commander is a resident. He, drummer Mark Conlon and bassist Ross Rooney have just released their debut single ‘L’Impossible’, which blends sultry French vox with chunky progressive beats and a rolling bass, emulating the energy of their acclaimed live show, and the single is launched at GPO tonight (19th) as part of GPO’s Guinness Essential Weekend… Oisin Lunny’s Firstborn project is building up a head of steam. Following the mighty critical praise that greeted the debut album comes news that UK dancefloors are warming to the latest limited-edition single. Organic Audio’s Andy Spence has remixed album track ‘I Close My Eyes’, and his efforts are being caned by the likes of Richard Dorfmeister and Groove Armada. A full audio clip will be available on the www.firstborn.co.uk website later this month. Incidentally, the next Firstborn Feel No Pain club nights are at HQ in Dublin on July 20th and Shakedown in Waterford on July 21st …

Sipping Soma’s ‘Superconscious’ is one of three new Religion (the new name for RGB) releases currently doing the rounds in clubland. The other Irish talents well worth keeping an eye on are Mark Lowndes and TRB. Lowndes has won much praise for his debut ‘Indya’, which was licensed by Seb Fontaine for inclusion on his Prototype 4 album. He has since completed a number of remixes for Religion that Robbie Nelson claims “show he’s got even better to come.” TRB are GPO resident DJ Ted and Dublin’s Rhythm Brothers. Their ‘Aftermath’ single is a classy affair that samples ‘The Wheat’ from the Gladiator soundtrack, and is widely regarded as one of the most promising Irish debuts … Alan Pullen has just recorded ‘Whiplash’ for Baby Doll Records…

PoD’s new Tuesday nightclub aims to keep the capital’s hip-hop massive happy with homeboys DJ Ob and DMC runner-up Splyce joined every week by guests like Rodney P… After the huge success of the Back 2 Back special at The Isaac Butts, Basscape’s Kormac and Rosko have started a new bi weekly residency in the relaxed surroundings of Handels in Thomas Street. The night takes place every Thursday and Saturday from 9.30pm until 1am and admission is free… Justin Robertson plays Lust in Limerick on August 24th, and Azzido Da Bass and Humate are at Temple Theatre on August 25th… Euphoria at Coolios in Newcastlewest has closed again… August guests at Lush! Include Paul Van Dyk, Futureshock and Eric Morillo – why can’t a Dublin club run a weekly line-up like that?… The Official Tony de Vit Memorial takes place in London on July 28th. DJs include Ian M, Anne Savage, Andy Farley, Pants & Corset and myself. Over £20,000 will be donated to Tony’s favourite charities. More details on www.fevah.co.uk… THE BEAT GOES ON!