Return Of The Maniac

One of the biggest selling singles of all-time in Ireland, ‘Maniac’ by 2FM DJ Mark McCabe, has inspired the track’s original performer, Michael Sembello, to come out of retirement to re-record a new version for 2005.
Sembello has teamed up with The Sharp Boys – Scottish ex-journalist George Mitchell and Irish ex-pat Steven React (from Derry) – and re-recorded his vocals for the new version.
Set for release on Sharp in September as a 10th anniversary single, the infectious reworking also features a new female vocal from Megan.
The Sharp Boys have revealed that Sembello was keen to get involved after being impressed by McCabe’s 10-week run at No. 1 in Ireland in 2002. McCabe’s version had, of course, used the music from 4 Rhythm’s ‘rap’ version of ‘Maniac’, released on Red Records in 1996...
Dublin rapper Collie has just released his acclaimed debut album, Is Ainm Dom, on Universal Music. Belfast-based drum ‘n’ bass crew Calibre meanwhile, release their debut album on Signature Records in September. It will be launched on August 28 at Bassbin at Pogo, Belfast...
Northern house producer Gregory Ferguson follows his Jupiter Ace single ‘1000 Years’ (No. 51 on the UK pop charts) with his first effort under the guise of Nu Electric. ‘No Matter What’, which has been signed by Free 2 Air, reached No. 5 on BBC Radio 1FM’s Cool Cuts chart. The upcoming release will feature a Jupiter Ace mix alongside the popular Hoxton Whores version...
Trim-based DJ/producer Johnny Pluse’s website, johnnypluse.com, is offering free downloads of his mix of Ian Brown’s ‘Time Is My Everything’ – as played by London’s XFM – and many other Pluse mash-ups including the new AC/DC sampling ‘Black Blue’...
Irish techno producer Edwin James has unleashed his ‘High Rise’ single. It’s available from the likes of Tower, Road Records and Freebird in Dublin or online at www.invisibleagent.com.
The Movida International DJ competition, in association with Corona Extra, is launched this fortnight, with the final taking place at Spirit in Dublin on Saturday August 27. The DJ crowned champion will go forward to the international Movida final in Morocco in October and win a host of studio gear from Roland music...
The competition judges are looking for DJs who play the funkier side of house, electro and mash-ups of other styles. Judges include Al Gibbs (FM04), Hugh Scully (Spin FM) and Conor G (2FM).
Entrants should send a 15-minute mix with a short profile and photograph to PO Box 126, Bray, County Wicklow. The closing date for entries is August 20. In a similar vein, the Irish heat of this year’s Technics World DJ Championships – celebrating its 20th anniversary – will run in Cork on September 9th at The Savoy...
The line-up for the Love House Arena at the upcoming Planet Love 2005 festival has been announced. The eight-arena event runs from 2pm until 1am on August 28th at Shane’s Castle in Co Antrim, with over 60 DJs performing. Love House was the last arena to be revealed, and joining headliner Steve Lawler are DJ Sneak, Marshall Jefferson, Pete Snodden and Mixmaster DJs. Those already confirmed for the bash include Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Lisa Lashes, Fergie and Agnelli & Nelson.
The Evolution Eire festival, which runs on August 6 at Kilruddery House in Bray, Co Wicklow, will host two dance arenas alongside the main stage where the likes of Hothouse Flowers, Aslan and The Walls are performing.
The main dance arena features hard dance and house and DJs include Mr Spring and Conor G from 2FM, Jay Cisco and yours truly, while the second room will be a techno, breaks and beats line-up with Bassbin DJs, Sunil Sharpe and 2FM’s Wes Darcy among many others.
Waterford’s annual Spraoi Festival runs from July 29 to 31, the 14th year of the festival. As ever, local club promoters Musiklab will handle the main dance event, which runs on the Saturday from 8pm to 10.30pm on the William Vincent Wallace Plaza. It will be followed with a late show in the Bowery Bar & Club, situated 100 yards from the main stage. Appearing at the outdoor and indoor event are Kenny Hawkes, Optimo’s Jonnie Wilkes and local hero Paul Bryan...
The Rose of Tralee festival, which ran without a major dance event last year for the first time, boasts a Back To The Old Skool Reunion on Saturday August 20 at McDade’s. Joining BTTOS founder Jonno Brien are Horan’s legend Paidi, Trade hero Steve Thomas and yours truly. Incidentally, another former Trade DJ, Tall Paul, spins at The Nerve Centre in Derry on August 20...
The next Mash-Up party in Dublin runs on August 19th at TBMC, with special guest Tiga.
Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find full details of the Global Gathering festival running this Sunday (July 31) at Green Glens, Millstreet, County Cork. BEATS & PIECES can confirm that Sasha & Digweed will perform a four-hour set as the climax in the Global arena, while David Morales, Carl Cox and Tiesto will bring proceedings to a close in the House, Cox and Godskitchen arenas respectively. Meanwhile, the big bank holiday line-ups for this Sunday also include Hed Kandi at Redbox, Phil Asher and Billy Scurry at The Sugar Club and The Scratch Perverts at The Savoy in Cork. THE BEAT GOES ON!