House Is A Journey

Nammos’ Beach Funk   Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Sade, Diana Ross, George Michael, Mary J Bilge, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Kathy Brown, Michelle Weeks, Chaka Khan... Needless to say this is not a progressive set..   Funky and Disco summer beats on the menu.  As I seldom venture in that space, I am unsure as to the quality but the Greek sun called for it. Considering some of the crap I heard during our holidays, I cannot be worse than some.   Continuing the Mykonos holiday vibe. Originally dropped whislt staying at the Semeli Hotel, set was edited as it was better suited with the feel of Nammos Beach, Psarou, Mykonos http://www.nammos.gr/ Nammos Beach is an infinitely more stylish (and more expensive) alternative to all other offerings in Mykonos. A potentially cool place where, given the right crowd, the beat will slowly creep up and loungers/sitters become dancers, taking over the table tops.   We spent a day at Nammos with the children. They could not

Poolside at the The Semeli Hotel, Mykonos, Greece   Continuing the Mykonos vibe series. Let’s describe it as eclectic Poolside Deep and Beach tunes..   Playlist:   2014 Still In Love. Ross Couch 2014 Just Nina Simone (Vitullo Remix). DJ PP 2014 I Need You (Original). Deeplomatik 2014 After All (Claptone Remix. Oliver Koletzki, Nord 2012 Sage Comme Une Image (Spiller Remix). Bottin, Jupiter 2014 You And Me. Ross Couch 2014 Fiction (Alex Justino Re-edit). The XX          2014 If We Try (Vocal Mix). Nathan G, Frank H Carter III           2014 Living (Original Mix). Andrew Bayer, James Grant 2014 Hey Hey (Original Mix). DAN.K 2014 The Move (Original). Giom 2014 Plenty Of Time (Full Intention Club Mix). Peppermint Heaven 2014 Need to Feel Loved (Deepmode & Fash Mix). Hussey, Van Goulden feat. Etherea 2014 Make Me Feel (Original Mix). Aki Bergen, Daniel Jaze feat. Ken Rosen   Highlights: same as before.. Dedicated to the fantastic sta

Warning !!!!! Hiatus on the Trance Mission I embarked earlier as I found myself overseas without my external drive, having left home all the tunes I intended to use for that purpose. Until my return, I will follow the holiday vibe with whatever I have on my notebook or will buy and download.   In Mykonos, Greece, at the Semeli Hotel, where I dropped a few sets to be uploaded in the next few days.   Did this one on the night of our arrival, virtually trying to get a feel of the local vibe and doing what I could do with what I had in front of me..   Deep n’ Lounge.. A relaxing set to enjoy with a drink and good company.   Playlist:   2011 Desire (Chilling Chambers) (Original Mix). Mikis Theodorakis & Francesco Diaz 2014 Believer (Original Mix). Urulu 2014 Waves (Robin Schulz Remix. Mr. Probz 2014 I Am Soul (Original Mix. Stark D & Nick Safado 2014 Superstar (Reel People Vocal Mix). The Company 2014 Rapture (Borche Deep House Mix). Nadia Ali         201

On a Trance-Mission: Episode 01 (The Ambient Set)   Off to a Journey into Trance..  and if I am not delusional the first port of call is a good one.. Dust off the glow sticks, the furry boots, the neon T-shirts, the lycra leggings, the kandi, the beads necklaces, the multi pocket flarry pants, the lasers and get ready for minor keys! In the next few weeks, across several uploads, I will attempt to take you back to those memorable days with (mostly) current productions. I am attempting to find a modern. adult, progressive Trance vibe.. I have been burning with the desire to build one of those journeys for a while. It is a slow process and I usually give up! This time, in the next 4 uploads, I have set  myself the challenge to take you there.. I usually stop midway either for lack of good current material or because once the higher bpm region (130 to 140 bpm) are reached, I find that frenzy aspect of Trance possibly too hard to stomach or probably just not something I would know when and how to a

En Mai fais ce qu'il te plaît! (2014 Edition)  French Proverb which literally means " In May do what pleases you"..    Every year, on my birthday, I put something together .. for myself.. It does not infer that this set is in anyway better or that the tunes are "special" just that I know I will want to enjoy it later on day most probably in hotel room or on the plane or god forbid maybe walking or running somewhere.. Set may not be as polished as other uploads or may contain tracks I have used before. I may just have wanted to hear different cuts or indulge in some gratuitous Xtian’s trademarks vocal edits, who knows? It is first and foremost for ME !! I won’t wax lyrical on it, I have dozen of similar sets that will never see the light of day. Sometimes because they are simply not good enough or because I got bored along the line (“God is a DJ” springs to mind). This one, because I played with it around my birthday, gets to be published. A deep, indie, progressive

Picking up from where we left off.. After a very tame and somewhat bland FK set, I dropped a selection of funky house classics to get a few feet moving. The carefull scripted algorhytm was thrown out the window, I started soulful and strangely ended up in Tranceland.. the odd thing is.. It worked !!! Someone I have a lot of respect for, Richard Vasquez (here on podomatic http://richardvasquez.podomatic.com) commented on the previous FK set and depicted it as cerebral.. A fitting description of what I can do.. What you are about to listen to is anything but.. It is .. primal! Although I had everything all set up, I had to deviate from the script and it ended messy... This is an extract of the peaktime moments, the last 80 minutes.  Proceedings got a tad messier as the night went on with the energy levels picking up. Far from being perfect and with some terrible quality files, what you are about to hear hopefully translates the vibe I was getting from the decks.. As my friends well know, I am definiti

Rest Easy Mr Knuckles, You brought us so much Joy...   I was overseas when I heard the news of Frankie Knuckles passing. Once the initial moment of sadness passed on, I immediately thought that the best way to celebrate his legacy was to plan an old style “House” party with all our close friends, whom Frankie K had entertained and with some of whom he had spend some friendly nights here and in Greece.   Reading the hundreds of comments in the blogosphere only reinforced the feeling that Frankie Knuckles was such a gentleman, such a provider of Joy that only a party would be a fitting tribute.   Since then literally thousands of FK’s tribute sets have been dropped. Some by immense DJs like David Morales, Dimitri and the likes. Obviously I was not going to compete neither with the talent nor the intentions of those guys.   Here is the live set I played on Saturday the 3rd of May. Direct from the mixer. It did not quite work as I had planned. The set may have come a little

Introspection 3.0 (Happy Easter ! ! ) Dim the light, grab a book and prepare to chill. Also suitable for work, children, pets, lovers etc…   Third and last iteration of the Introspection series. Not only because it may be time to stop looking at my navel and change vibe but also because I think this set wraps it up nicely.   Deep, Progressive, Indie House with a distinct lounge and ambient feel. I should have called it “Xtian goes Chill” for it is very rare for me to stay between 120/122 bpm.   Except for some dubious mixing towards the end, I am overall satisfied to have kept one single vibe, atmosphere and direction from the first to the last track.   I was chatting on FB with a friend of mine, who very eloquently described our sounds as “pop with a deep house feel and beat”.. Well, Tim, let’s hope it sticks.   Not quite sure where I will go next. I am still longing for a blast in the past to vocal Trance but need to make sure I have enough decen

Introspection 2.0   Same spirit as the first iteration. Deep, slightly down tempoIndie and dark progressive House driven by big bass lines and (I hope ) original eclectic melodies.   Except for the Lana track which I picked up from Introspection 1.0, the set has a clear continental European feel. The artists and remixers are mostly from Northern Europe. The production is distinctively Nordic or German. I used no Latin flair nor samples and tried to concentrate on the mixing only.   Official thanks to Lars, who sent me some German tunes. Not only do I love them but it has opened a new direction for seeking new sounds. Lars, I am very grateful.   A word on the passing of Frankie Knuckles:  In the near future I will (how could I not?) fittingly mark the occasion with hopefully a live set at home with friends. Should the result be good enough I will upload the set. Reading the posts from the average punter like me and from DJs  he influenced or supported during his career, the commo

Introspection 1.0   Looking inwards for a few sets as in order to progress, one has to allow time for Introspection.   The Menu: from the somewhat darker, Indie and Nu-Disco side of Progressive House.   Do not be alarmed with the first track, just play along even if you think like my eleven year old son that old rockers are not your cup of tea.. The rest is a very solid, clever and original upload. Let yourselves go with this one, reward beckons!   Two acknowledgments: Richard Vasquez aka Doctor Love (check his podcast here) because under his influence I am trying to be more eclectic and less mechanical in my mixing. Lars who is driving my slow shift to progressive and trance and is introducing me to German Progressive house. Thanks guys, genuinely grateful.   I hope you give this Introspection series a fair listen. In the next few sets, you will discover new tunes, new sounds and you will be listening to some very clever music. It will not be boring! At worst, it will be mildly chall

More Happy Pills....Follow up of previous Happy Pill. Proviso: Been sitting on this Intro for a while, thought it fitted the Happy Pill Theme.. By no means am I NOT taking mental health as a serious issue. It simply is! Directly or indirectly, we all have had some experience of how tragic, debilitating or simply sad, mental health issues are. This being clarified, we still can have a little smile about it.   Except for the intro (it’s been a long time I have used a little intro sample due to wife’s constant disapproval J), this set is a direct cut from a set I play a fortnight ago for a few friends on our deck. Another dose of Soulful, happy house tunes to wrap up the Australian summer. I handpicked the tunes, most of them are very current and my favourites producers are there. It also marks the time where I have to distance myself from Soulful House and revisit a more progressive, darker, more challenging musical landscape. I should re-upload next week, therefore stay tuned.   Playlist:

Happy Pill   I actually have a few more installments of the "Deep in China" session and the NYD set to upload and yet ended up publishing this little nugget. Two factors: on the one hand felt like something a bit lighter & happier as I was starting to accumulate new 2014 tunes on my HD and on the other (my fellow podcasters will understand) once a set is recorded and sits there for a few weeks, it needs to be pretty good to actually be dug up for publishing.. most of the times they stay on the drive because we (hope) the next one will be better.   Happy Pill.... A very vocal house set with happy tunes to bring a smile to our faces. I have lately been watching the news and I cannot say that the reports from the Ukraine, Syria and Venezuela are particularly cheerful.. Happy Pill time then.. Tunes from 2014 or late 2013 with some oldies mixed in-between.   Playlist:   2013 Luv 4 You. Scott Diaz 2013 I Like 2 Party. Samir Maslo Vs. Oliver Cheatham 2013 Beautiful (Original mix). Hakan Kabi

Deep in China The Xin Nian Kuai Le Session (新年快乐)   Taking the opportunity in the middle of my Deep in China Sessions to dedicate this one to my Chinese friends and wish them a Happy New Year!   Sticking to the Deep theme with a more progressive colour, although I did include a couple of tracks the Deep purists might hang me for. I stepped up the beat in this one just a tad as well.   Playlist:   1999 Five Fathoms (Kevin Yost Everything and a Groove Mix Ben Watt Edit) . EBTG 2013 Back To Love (Original Mix). Beckwith feat. Catherine Porter 2009 September (Original Mix). Danny Howells 2013 Sometime (Original Mix).  David Kassi Boggie 2Nite (Boogie Luv Vs Spiritcatcher ). Unknown. 2013 C O O L Ben Pearce Remix.  Le Youth 2013 Fading Nights feat Anna Naklab_Artenvielfalt Remix.  Parra for Cuva, Anna Naklab 2013 Breathe (Abicah Breathin Dub). Jonathan Meyer feat. Billie Jean 2013 Chains_(Original Mix. Audiowhores 2013 Cause I Feel (Original Mix).  Hubertus van Reisinger 20

Deep in China The Mengzhou Session.  ( 深藏在中國。在孟州會議 )   Second installment of Deep in China. I believe I am almost there to finally claim that I have mixed a true full Deep House set. The picture was taken in Mengzhou (a predomiantly muslim enclave) in Henan, China.. At least you will believe me when I write Deep in China. And yes I ate there and no I did not get sick.. at least not there.. No gimmicks, just a selection of five stars deep tracks, which for all but one, I liked and was eager to see how they would blend.   Playlist:   2013 The Deejay's An Alien (Money House Club Remix). David Harness, feat. Roland Clark 2013 This Life Feat. Roland Clark (J & M Brothers Remix). Marcelo Nassi, Rafael Yapudjian and Roland Clark     2013 Liar (Ilias Katelanos Remix). Bourne          2013 Back Home (City Soul Project Remix). Northeye, Frankin 2013 Run (Tantsui Remix). The Maneken 2013 I Go Back (Main Mix). Harry Romero feat. Robert Owens 2012 Feed Me (Dave N

Deep In China (The Luoyang Session)  洛阳 I have been trying to put together some genuine deeper sets for a while. I never fully succeeded to the extend that some would propose that I simply can’t, for I love vocals and sugary melodies far too much to let go and really dig deeper.. Well... whilst travelling "Deep" in China, I had the time to attempt to reach the Great Deepnes :). Using the hotel room sound system as Main output, I came out with 6 deeper sets.. I am still unconvinced of the overall result but here is the first one, between 117 and 120 bpm.. for better or for worse. I may not succeed at the first attempt but I hope that one of the 6 will hit the spot.. Besides I buy far too many deep tracks to let them die in the confines of my hard drive. The set is kept within traditional Deep keys with minimal edges and very current tracks. You will be the judges..   Playlist:   2013 Restless For You (Boogie Rapture Spring Fling). Nathan G 2013 Just the Way (Original Mix). Something

Rained in on a paradise of a tropical island in French Polynesia.. Not complaining as things could be a LOT worse!! Yet once the board games were exhausted, emails read and answered and even slotted a gym session, the urge to create something took over. Hence uploading a little one, which appeared to have soothed the rather gloomy family mood.. Once back home, I will very shortly upload about 6 Deep House sets, the live NYD one and a set I really would like to offer to the community at large called "God is a DJ".. But considering the 6 hours it took to upload this one thanks to neanderthalian broadband speeds here, here is a small "amuse-gueule" straight out of the mixer. Sexy, Soulful with a sprinkle of deep progressive beats with one common thread big BIG basslines.   Playlist: 2013 Dying to Survive (Original Mix). Freeman & Farrelly 2013 Guess (Dj Lazz Mystery in The Deep). Deemah and Soledrifter 2008 Sent From Above (Scott Wozniak Remix). Stephen Rigmaiden feat. Darryl D'Bonneau 2013 If You

interlude /ɪntəl(j)uːd/      Male Voices Only From the french Interlude Definition: a brief piece of music, dance, etc., given between the sections of another performance (C14: from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play)) Still rebuilding my database, concurrently working on a request from my son.. this upload is just something I dropped in between sessions.. Hence the title "interlude". Playlist made with male voices only to take on a challenge proposed by one follower who, noticing that I use very few male vocalists, through the gauntlet and dared me.. True, I much prefer female vocalists to the point that some male ranges and tessiitures actually get under my skin.. One of my quirks.. But there are some male artists I absolutely love.. Soulful set with surprisingly mostly current tracks   I will not blog on this set too much, it is an interlude after all and will be back very shorlty.  A word on the art.. This equation is from the Feynam lectur

Almost Spring...but not quite! (12C in Melbourne today)   Indeed, Downunder where I am, it is almost Spring, yet we are absolutely freezing our proverbial t#itts off! With this in mind, here is an unpretentious little disco/funky/beach number blending new takes on old favourites and current funky releases. Since I suffered a total meltdown of my music database, I am in full rebuilding mode and will for a few weeks(I Hope) only access my most recent purchases, the rest being buried deep in the back-ups I thankfully did. After a few very satisfactory and well received progressive sets, I am going back to soulful for a few uploads. To a certain extent a “cleansing” move, though the current offering in soulful still leaves me wanting. I had very few choices having to deal with the corrupted library and still learning to tame the new Traktor S2. Got lazy in some transitions and took a minute and a half to beat match a recalcitrant downbeat in the last track hence the fact that you get the loop for

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light Do not be fooled by the slow start, it does get a bit of oomph as we proceed. Thanks to Hayden for helping me finishing it. I was stuck in Tranceland and did to have the guts to either upload it or take another direction. I opted for the latter, for better or worse but at least I moved on! Continuing the Deep & Progressive vibe of the previous sets. I originally went into Trance, only to abort after hearing the end result. Did not have the fortitude to upload as it had dropped, sat on it for almost a month until I decide to tame it down. The end is a bit lazy, by that time I was over it. Those with tuned, discerning and akin ears will get an idea where it was going after 45 minutes.. into my beloved Trouse.. Playlist: I Like Chopin (Downtempo Mix). Chilli Cruiser Wandering (Nicko Vee Leaving The Sea Behind Remix) . Herr Semi Stars (Original Mix) [Xtian Lost in Music Edit feat Cevin Fisher]. Ed Lee Little People(Original Mix) Soul Button feat. Sasch Young and Beautiful

Free Your Mind   On the chilled, progressive and tech side of Deep House. I suggest grabbing a book or setting yourself on a task and let the music take you through its ebbs and flows. “Free Your Mind” is a nice chilled cerebral journey with a thinly disguised oniric dimension.   The best I can describe it is: “ this is a nice little tight package”. It took a while to get the level of consistency I felt it deserved but I finally achieved telling the musical story I wanted to share. It may not be perfect but from my point of view, it has a lot of internal logic. There are many original tunes in the set, which like the “I Wish You Were Here” previous mix are from producers and artists I did not know before. I entice you to grab a decent pair of headphones or listen on a good Hi-FI system. The production, mastering and layering of all those tracks is simply superb. Free Your Mind and take the jounrey..   Playlist: Intro It's a Dream (Reality Mix). Alexander Me