Infusion #297: 23 July - 6 Aug '17

HOPFEST 2017 James Locksmith • Adam Shelton •Summer Vibes Berlin + Amsterdam • Hopfest 2017 • The Weekend Social Angry Monkey •Pioneer PLX-1000 • Puma Netfit & many more

MUSIC

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PEOPLE

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LIFE

TALAL BUDEBS Publisher CHARL CHAKA Managing Partner charlchaka@infusion.ae

After the downtime of Ramadan, it is great to see some clubs doing the business again. Hats off to the promoters and DJ’s for being quick out of the blocks.

STEPHEN O’DONOVAN Sales/marketing magazine@infusion.ae STU TODD Editor editor@infusion.ae PAULA MANGUEIRA Design design@infusion.ae SONIA IGNACIO Operations operations@infusion.ae CONTRIBUTORS: Dan Fafy, Ginger Silvera, Neil Henderson, Stu Todd, Paul Walker, Stephen Day, Andy Mcgirr

We have recently rekindled ourW love affair with vinyl and it is pretty clear to see the quality control that goes in to vinyl releases. Maybe more labels should be doing it as there is a lot of dross out there.

Trance making an appearance in techno dj’s sets.

INFUSION IS PUBLISHED BY Milehigh Media, LLC PO Box 53443 – Dubai, UAE Tel/Fax: 04 368 8098

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BLACK LIST Depletion of bank account for said vinyl addiction. Worth it though.

Trance making an appearance in techno dj’s sets. Undecided at this point.

Say What?

THE MONEY FIGHT

The build-up to the fight between Connor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather has been something else and it is yet to shift in to top gear. One thing we do have an issue with, is it being called “The Money Fight”, this gives us the impression that it is about nothing more than a payday for both fighters rather than a true test of skill. Given the name it should have taken place in Dubai. The event will take place in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday, August 27. Who’s your money on?

DAFT PUNK TO SELL THEIR 909

Daft Punk have always had a penchant for analogue music gear, and it positively leaks out of every facet of their earlier work. One half of Daft Punk Thomas Bangalter is now selling one his 10 Roland TR 909’s and this one just so happens to have preset drum loops that were used on the seminal album Homework (1997). If you would like to bid on the historic piece of kit you can private message the Facebook page of Vintage & Analogue Occasion. Happy bidding.

WE LOVE CHINA GRILL

Located at The Westin, Mina Seyahi, which is one of our favourite hotels, China Grill is an Asian fusion restaurant that has, since it opened its doors offered an electric combination of top notch food, dynamic atmosphere, sultry décor and of course superb music delivered courtesy of some of Dubai’s best DJ’s. What China Grill do better than most is make all this look effortless. From the knowledgeable and attentive staff to the painstakingly well-crafted dishes by the highly-trained chefs, China Grill is a venue that has perfected the art of the restaurant / bar / club. As the restaurant gently buzzes to the sounds of its resident DJ’s there is a seamless segue in to a full-blown party upstairs in the bar area until the wee small hours.

During the summer months China Grill is offering incredible deals most nights of the week, as well as their delicious a la carte menu there is also all inclusive options even on during the weekend and that’s not even mentioning China Grill’s award winning ladies’ nights or Friday’s fun raucous Toy Brunch. However, it is during the cooler winter months when China Grill really comes in to its own, the added bonus of having a perfectly sized terrace to compliment the indoor dining and dancing options is hard to come by.

What we did MOVE LAUNCH PARTY

With the Ramadan break and summer months putting paid to the Dubai club scene it is often slow to get back to full speed.

Step forward Russ Cooper and Stu Todd who have devised a refreshingly no frills approach to club events. The launch party of their night Move promised an evening dancing in dark rooms and it didn’t disappoint.

Arriving just before midnight the room was starting to fill up and TODD was already on the decks teasing in the deep bass licks of “Sandcastles” by Ferrer and Sydenham, the lush synths giving way to a more straight up house beat that ensured nobody was going anywhere. Before long Russ Cooper joined TODD behind the decks and began delivering a carefully weighted back to back set for the remainder of the night.

The 2 DJ’s seemed to instinctively know how to push and pull the other in order to get the right reaction from the crowd. Where Russ would drop a more chilled track like Mr G’s “Get On Down”, TODD would follow up with a more bass heavy but equally percussive DC10 classic “Love Dose” from Argy. And so it would go back and forth taking the now packed and bouncing dancefloor along for the ride. The connection between the 2 DJ’s easily transferred over to the dancefloor and by 1am the floor was lapping up the more upfront cuts such as Adam Shelton’s twisted acid work out “Only Now” dropped by Russ.

Heading towards the end of the night the music was rightly ramped up and the booming sound system courtesy of the Bassworx crew was more than delivering on its promise. With most of the nights’ music going by unknown but well received, TODD dropping Jimmy Edgars ever wonky remix of ItaloJohnson’s “07A1” stood out as incendiary and Russ responded with a similarly bottom heavy banger. With Casa Latina in previous years being the go to venue for smaller, more intimate raves, the Move crew seem to unearthed a forgotten gem in the Dubai club scene, and if they can repeat this vibe on a regular basis they are definitely on to something very special indeed.

Words by Dwayne Pipes

Thu 3 Aug Fri 4 Aug Mon 7 Aug Jekyll & Hyde DIFC, Dubai 8pm Wed 9 Aug Thu 10 Aug

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Fri 11 Aug Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai 7 Fri 11 Aug Le Meridien, Dubai

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STEREO ARCADE BOOM ROOM

Much loved music venue Stereo Arcade has given its bar area a major facelift and with it has renamed it Boom Room. The righthand side of the venue which previously housed all live music will now serve as an alternative club space. Maintaining the live music feel, Boom Room will also play host to various local DJ’s playing a range of music including DJ Andy Swift who will be taking care of business every Thursday and Dean Curtis who will be manning Friday’s shindig.

VERY IMPORTANT PARTIES

After a month long break acclaimed nightlife brand VIP Room returns to its home at JW Marriot Marquis, the tallest hotel in the world for another block rocking season. With its trusted roster of selectors taking care of business across the week including DJ Crown Prince & DJ Sad Cat (Hip Hop on Air, Thursdays), Mr Levier (VR Legends, Tuesdays) and Taya Kruzz (VR Angels, Fridays), not to mention the exciting line-up of guest international DJ’s and MC’s that perform on a regular basis.

BATTLING IT OUT

Molecule in Dubai Design District will be the scene for “The Message” an all-out audio battle between the resident selectors DJ Sara G and DJ Jmax Lolo. “The Message” will pit each DJ against the other in a bid to play the best hip hop, R&B, soul and old school music that they possibly can. Running each Wednesday from 10pm to 2am, the audio clash will be beautifully offset by bistronomic delights on offer and of course all set to the back drop of Molecules bespoke styling.

J LO ROCKS 117 LIVE

With rumours flying left and right, 117 Live have confirmed that Jennifer Lopez will indeed be taking to the Autism Rocks Arena for what promises to be a sell-out performance on Friday, November 17. With J Lo last seen wowing crowds in Dubai back in 2014 with her raucous stage show, you can be sure that the 47-yearold American artist (yes, I said 47) will leave other artists in the shade. By the time you have finished reading this (Sunday, July 9) you will be able to purchase your tickets from 117live.com.

F1 AFTER PARTY STARS REVEALED

With the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix being one of the crowning events in the UAE’s social calendar, each year’s after party guests are bigger than the last. Details have recently been released regarding who will be continuing the party this year.

On Thursday, November 23 will see a headline performance from Scottish DJ Calvin Harris. Closing out the weekends parties on Sunday, November 26 will be American singer Pink. With tickets selling like hotcakes be sure to head over to ticketsyasmarinacircuit. com to ensure you don’t miss the boat.

AZURE BEACH CLUB

Since the design of the new Rixos hotel began taking shape late last year, the opening of JBR’s newest hotel has been the talk of the town and now their beach club Azure Beach has finally opened its doors to the public. With the beach club taking its décor ques from the sophisticated Mediterranean, Azure Beach offers a brand spanking new poolside destination in the heart of JBR that comes complete with unrivalled views of the hotly anticipated Bluewaters development and the soon to be completed Ain Dubai observation wheel, which will become a striking addition to the JBR landscape.

The club itself boasts an infinity pool, private island cabana’s, pool side lounge complete with a mouth-watering Asian inspired menu, a dedicated pool for the little ones and of course a spotless stretch of private beach. If you head along to Azure Beach during the week access will cost AED100 and if you go during the weekend access will cost AED200, Kids aged 0 to 5 years old go free and 6 to 12 years old receive 50% off.

SENARA WEEKENDER

Kick start your weekend the right way with Senara at Palm Views West. Recently they have drafted in 2 amazing DJ’s to take your through the weekend and they also have some amazing deals to boot. On Thursdays Senara have Charl Chaka taking care of the groovey house vibes from 9pm until late and for the early birds and post work crowd there is 3 hours of happy hours’ drinks from 5pm. The following night belongs to the newly engaged DJ Rossi (congratulations Rossi) who will have a laid-back combo of funk, soul and urban classics to take you through the night. Friday’s happy hour begins at 6pm and runs until 9pm. For those looking for a Saturday straightner, Charl will be back with an altogether more relaxed vibe where he will be soothing those hangovers with a selection of triphop, funk and soulful beats, happy hour will be run from 6pm to 9pm. Having sampled the food there, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with the Vinyl Roast and the music and DJ’s speak for themselves. For more information, head to facebook.com/senara. dxb.

Full Analogue Mixer with a powerful and warm sound.

Made in Italy with quality by Craftsman Company. djfactory@infusion.ae

HOP TO IT

Having been running for over 13 years now, The Irish Village’s Hopfest has grown to become a staple of the Dubai social calendar. With hundreds of bottled and draught hops from around the world to choose from it is hard to know where to start. Ahead of the Dubai famous Hopfest 2017 weekend between September 7 – 9, Infusion Magazine sat down with the captain of The Irish Village Dave Cattanach to find out more…

What was your inspiration behind Hopfest?

Over 13 years ago a few guys and myself from A+E were sat around and we came up with the initial ideas for the Hopfest. This was a huge investment and both companies decide to GO FOR IT. Three months later a DUBAI tradition was born.

Did you travel the world sampling the various hop festivals?

Regarding the different hops this is Charlie from A+E, he sources the wide variety of beverages from around the world.

What entertainment will there be during the weekends celebrations?

We will be having three bands and a DJ the best of what Dubai has to offer - Maple Jacks…Roadie and fixer. DJ Marky Mark will provide the cheese on all that meat.

Looking back over the previous events, which has been your favourite and why?

To be honest every year has been brilliant. It’s just the energy of the crowd when the bands start rocking it. I do like Saturday though, same bands but a lot more chilled.

What else, apart from the myriad of hops can we expect from Hopfest 2017?

It’s just a great big party…and you should not miss it.

Hopfest 2017 takes place at Irish Village, Al Garhoud, Dubai on September 7-9, entry is free of charge and is suitable for children.

ONE LOVE New kids on the block Move made some serious waves with their launch party last month at Casa Latina and they aim to raise that bar even higher with their next event. Headlining their 2nd party on July 27th is none other than seasoned selector and One Records boss Adam Shelton, Infusion Magazine caught up with Adam to find out more about his life on the road‌

Where have you visited recently that has surprised you?

Honduras, until I got booked I did not know there was even a scene there, the party I played was the 10th anniversary in this old hotel on a lake in the jungle, amazing place and people and all the guys that played around me were great.

What's been your favourite gig of the last 12 months and what made it so special?

Under the Ivy in Romania, the venue, the fact me and Subb-an played for 7 hours, the crowd was so in to it, the vibe was killer, how you want every gig to be, my favourite for sure, closely followed by lost beach club in Ecuador.

You have played an impressive array of clubs, both big and small. Is bigger better or do you always favour more intimate parties? What’s your thoughts?

Intimate all day long, say no more.

Tell us about your previous experiences in Dubai - what keeps drawing you back here?

I really like the progression in Dubai, the scene is constantly growing and it's growing fast, I also love to see all the cars and amazing architecture the city has.

What are you looking forward to most about the next gig at Move?

Playing records in Dubai, it will be a first.

We are big fans of the label - what's next for One Records release wise?

The next release is a big one for us, Akufen has remixed my last track titled “Only Now” and Thomas Melchior has remixed Subb-an's last one “Track Self-control”. This is a very special release.

Do you have any new and exciting signings at One Records you can talk about?

Currently we are really pushing the core crew, John Dimas, Yamen & Eda, Jack Wickham, it’s hard to find a good crew and when it comes together it's best to work at it and try and make something strong.

What other releases and gigs do you have coming up that you are most excited about?

Release wise I only have the one records release with Akufen, I will be working on new music in the autumn. Gig wise Craig Richard's Houghton festival and I have my first Circoloco date at Dc10. Both are in August.

We noticed you feature your cats a lot on your Instagram page, how instrumental were they in your success?

My cats are my management, they over see everything, from the records I take with me to my gigs to what interviews I do, they are the bosses in my house.

Enough of the serious stuff, tell us your favourite joke?

I don't know any jokes, I don't like planned humour, I'm a photos guy, seeing stupid stuff is far more amusing to me. I won't give you examples, I like it dark.

And finally, the burning question that is on everybody’s lips…. how do you cook potatoes?

Mash it up good.

Adam Shelton plays Move on Thursday, July 27 at Casa Latina, 9pm to 245am, Ibis Hotel, Al Barsha, entry is free 9pm to 11pm, AED75 after that, drinks promo’s all night long.

SUMMER LOVIN’

Since 2013 Third Eye Crew have been consistently bringing some of the best artists to Dubai and count artists such as No Regular Play, Slow Hands, Joyce Muniz and Fur Coat as close friends of the family and will all perform at Summer Vibes over the course of the season. With the Third Eye Crew excelling in their brand of “pop-up” events and the way in which they are marketed, Summer Vibes have in the past few weeks held stand out parties at their long-time home Tamanya Terrace at the Radisson Blu hotel in Media City as well as branching out to hold their recent party with Magda at the plush Treehouse rooftop at the Taj Hotel, Downtown.

AMY WLLIS

JACOB BAILEY

All these parties and international guests are all well and good, but what makes Third Eye Crew so successful and well-loved is their talented, tight knit group of resident DJs’ and this season a diverse group of selectors has been assembled. Having been trusted residents for some time Amy Wells and Jacob Bailey know the Vibes crowd better than anybody and are well equipped to keep up with any international artist that performs at the Vibes rooftop parties. Whether they are opening up or shutting down the dancefloor, Amy and Jacob are equally deft at doing.

A newer edition to the Vibes crew is Egyptian artist Madlou, having supported some of the bigger Vibes guests such as Lake People, Pillowtalk, Atish and more recently Fur Coat. Madlou is also consistently playing further afield and has been confirmed to be returning to ADE as well as dates in USA including 2 confirmed sets at this year’s Burning Man Festival.

MADLOU

Also joining Madlou at this year’s Burning Man Festival is summer season resident, living legend and head honcho of this very publication, none other than Charl Chaka. There is little that Charl hasn’t accomplished in the Dubai clubbing sphere, so you can rest assured that he will bring a touch of soul to whatever line-up he appears on this season.

CHARL CHAKA Another new member to the team of residents is Dubai based Parisian DJ Julien James, an up and coming spinner who has already warmed up for one of the hottest bookings of Night Vibes last season – Sailor & I and will also feature heavily over the coming summer seasons events. Lastly, but by no means leastly is Ejaz, an artist that has since last summer began receiving some serious support from some of biggest names in the game, namely John Digweed amongst others. Ejaz is also one of Dubai’s most in demand DJ’s and can usually be found spinning at the cities best parties as well as guesting around Europe as well as his native India and beyond.

JULIEN JAMES

EJAZ

Next up at Summer Vibes is none other than Joyce Muniz on Friday, July 28. For more information go to facebook.com/ vibeseries.

ON THE RADAR

PLUS MINUS W / REUDE HAGELSTEIN (LIVE)

MOVE 02 / ADAM SHELTON JULY 27 – CASA LATINA, IBIS HOTEL, AL BARSHA

AUGUST 04 – BRIDGWATER TAVERN, JW MARRIOT MARQUIS

SUMMER VIBES W / JOYCE MUNIZ JULY 28 – TAMANYA TERRACE, RADISSION BLU HOTEL

BASSWORX W/FD (SUN & BASS RECORDINGS) AUGUST 17 - CASA LATINA, IBIS HOTEL, AL BARSHA

PLUS MINUS W / MATTHIAS MEYER JULY 28 – BRIDGWATER TAVERN, JW MARRIOT MARQUIS

SUMMER VIBES W / SLOW HANDS (LIVE) AUGUST 18 - TAMANYA TERRACE, RADISSION BLU HOTEL

ANALOG ROOM W / LAWRENCE AUGUST 03 – INDUSTRIAL AVENUE, THE WESTIN HOTEL

MOVE 03 W / TOM CRAVEN (ILLUSION RECORDINGS) AUGUST 31 - CASA LATINA, IBIS HOTEL, AL BARSHA

7th, 8th & 9th September

Thursday - 5:00 PM, Friday - 12:00 PM, Saturday - 12:00 PM

TEL: 04 282 4750

Soundstage JIN FLORA

Infusion Magazine sits down with songstress Jin Flora to find out what makes her tick…

My biggest gig ever was…performing at a world-renowned theatre company in the UK, The Leeds West Yorkshire Playhouse.

I was the lead singer/actress in a dance hip hop musical.

I’m most proud of…my marriage to my wonderful husband, he has been by my side constantly for 15 amazing years. He’s my stability and truth outside of boundaries and traditions and I love him dearly because he pushes me to do more.

The artist I’d most like to work with is…Amel Larrieux. She is a musical goddess. The way in which she captures feminine beauty in her music is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. I have gained so much peace and freedom from her music.

One thing you may not know about me is that…I love to live in the moment on sheer excitement, so much so I often forget to look at the big picture. So, I’m working on trying to face reality a little more but living on a cloud is way better.

This year, I’m singing at…corporate gigs and looking for new contracts with a few bands whilst refreshing my flute skills and studying vocal coaching. All my events will be posted on my Facebook music page Jin Flora.

My music sounds like…freedom! That’s my main subject topic and everything flows from there.

If I had to live in one decade it would be…2002 which was the decade I fell madly in love with my now husband - I’d rush back to the start over and over for that!

The one piece of music kit I can’t live without is…reverb on the mic with a touch of echo. I’m totally obsessed with it from hearing my voice bounce back at me in echoey stairs or a huge assembly hall at school - there’s no feeling like being surrounded by a note and then loosing yourself in it.

For more information on Jin Flora and her gigs head to facebook.com/jinflorasinger

DJ BOOTH: MARK FENNELL

Having recently turned out for Plus Minus supporting Premiesku, Mark Fennell is just getting started….

One thing you might not know about me is…I’m scared of horror movies (especially after being made to watch the Blair Witch). I even hide behind a cushion when the trailers come up.

My favourite ever record is…Insomnia by Faithless Dubai’s clubbing scene is…far from ordinary. In the past seven years that I have lived in Dubai the nightclub scene has exploded. The entertainment options are limitless, but there are those that stand out and show you how Dubai residents really like to party. Looking forward to seeing what comes next...

I’m really proud of…the support that I have received from my friends and family since I launched my DJ career in Dubai.

What track could you drop in every set? Currently it would have to be…. Centaur by Reinier Zonneveld.

Gets the crowd going every time.

I can’t live with out…my Technics 1200’s.

My biggest DJ achievement to date is…playing at the Plus Minus summer launch party.

What is your guilty pleasure? DEFINITELY chocolate.

If you could DJ in any decade which would it be… late 90’s, early 2000 at the peak of the Trance and Hardhouse decade.

If I could go back to back with any other DJ it would be…Fergie

Music News MIDLAND MIXES FABRICLIVE 94

It was with great excitement that we learned that Midland would be next to deliver Fabriclive 94. Being released on With the mix’s 24 track listing including hard to find cuts from Daphni, Roman Flßgel and Kowton you can be sure that this is going to be one for the vaults. The album will be released on September 22 and to celebrate there will a launch party at fabric and Midland will be joined in Room 1 by Tama Sumo and Debonair, while in Room 2 will have a distinctly techno vibe with Karren (live), Shifted and Setaloc Mass supplying the noise.

EVERY CLOUD?

It is nearly impossible for any music lover to not picking up that Soundcloud might be in a spot of financial bother. With reports circulating that the German start-up reportedly had only a matter of weeks to live, Chance the Rapper is seemingly on the case to save the music platform. That remains to be seen. What is true though, is that Soundcloud has shuttered 2 offices and laid of at least 173 employees, CEO Alex Ljung has been quick to play down such rumours and he has ensured he is not going anywhere any time soon. If you have a Soundcloud pro account it may be worth looking at backing up your music and looking at alternatives.

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TECH TALK

PIONEER PLX-1000

Pioneer is a name that has for some time been synonymous with quality DJ equipment and with the advent of their CDJ’s and DJM line of mixers effectively cornered the market in affordable yet high quality DJ equipment. So much so that their brand has made its way in to almost every DJ booth around the word and has become the industry standard in DJ kit. Fast forward to 2014 and Pioneer are again changing the game in DJ technology and it could be said that they have done just that with the PLX-1000 turntable.

Many will argue that there will never be a replacement for the SL line of Technics turntables, but with the famous brand discontinuing the SL1200 and SL1210 models in favour of the newer, updated and significantly more expensive SL1200GR (which costs in the region of £1,299 per deck…PER DECK!), it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the Pioneer alternative would have vast appeal.

One look at the PLX-1000 and it is clear that more than a few chromosomes borrowed from the CDJ line, the start button on the bottom left of the deck looks to have been directly lifted from a CDJ 2000, which is no bad thing as it confirms you are using a

Pioneer piece of kit. The blue LED’s on the start/stop button and pitch control is also a very nice touch as it also immediately sets it apart from the older Technics turntables red LEDs. The brushed metal finish on the Pioneer is also very reminiscent of the newer range of CDJ and DJM models. For any of the Technics purists out there who are concerned with the issue of torque, the start time for the Pioneer is a blistering 0.3 seconds compared to 0.7 seconds of the SL1200 MK2.

One very smart feature that the Pioneer incarnation also borrows from the CDJ line is a wide pitch control (+50), as well as the standard +8 and +16 options this allows for greater pitch flexibility when mixing. Another great feature of the PLX-1000 is the removable RCA cables, gone are the days of the RCA cables needing to be fully replaced, the cables can easily be removed and upgraded at any time. Having used both extensively over years I can confidently say that when it comes to the difference between Technics and Pioneer turntables the difference is minimal at best.

Sure, the Pioneers’ are slightly smaller and when it comes to spinning wax it doesn’t have the same lineage as its predecessor, but at the current price point of new Technics turntables the difference is night and day, and with the price of second hand Technics sky rocketing since the announcement to discontinue, I can’t see this changing anytime soon. For AED2,999 per deck you will get a very solid and accurate turntable new out of the box that benefits from all that has gone before it, Pioneer haven’t reinvented the wheel with the PLX-1000 but they sure as hell have fitted it with chrome alloys and blown the tyres up a bit.

The Pioneer PLX-1000 is available from DJ Corner, Al Joud Center, Sheikh Zayed Road or online at djcorner.ae and is priced AED2,999.

EURO TRIP

As a full time DJ working in Dubai the month of Ramadan is always a period of downtime and reflection for me, but with a DJ’s life often being lived at a higher tempo than most this period of enforced rest doesn’t always sit well with me.

So, what better way to beat the Ramadan heat than to take off to Europe for a few weeks of adventures and musical discovery….

The German capital is always an adventure regardless of what time of the year you visit, but Berlin is something else when the sun is out. We took this opportunity to check out a great rooftop bar called Klunkerkranich, situated at the top of the Neukölln Arcaden.

Taking the U-Bahn to Rathaus Neukölln, Klunkerkranich is a typically sprawling, rustic venue that has some of the best views of the city that I have come across.

Unfortunately, the weather the next day was not kind to us and for most of the day the rain persisted and limited our movements.

However, being the steadfast travellers that we are, we climbed aboard the Sight Seeing Bus to make the most of the poor weather and still see the city and from €19 we found it to be great value for money. With the weather seemingly getting the better of us we chose to take our day up a notch and alighted the bus at Berlin Hauptbahnof, the very impressive main railway station in Berlin. At this point we made our way Hard Wax Records in Kreuzberg for some digging in one of Berlin best known vinyl stores. It was not a fruitless trip and I managed to bag quite a few gems that took pride of place in my set at the Move launch party at Casa Latina in Dubai a few weeks back.

With the main reason behind this trip being to take in some of the infamous clubs that Berlin is known for it was time to check out J.A.W’s season finale at Prince Charles with Motor City Drum Ensemble. J.A.W. and their family reunions have involved the likes of Moodymann, Giles Peterson, Jeremy Underground and The Parrish such is the French promoters booking and party prowess.

Neither the party, nor MCDE disappointed.

By the time we arrived around 1am the party was in full swing and by all accounts the bar was fairly empty and the dancefloor was totally full. Danillo Plessow, the unassuming fellow that also goes by the name of Motor City Drum Ensemble was already putting the crowd their paces with a high energy disco set that had all the ebb, flow and drops of a DJ that was perfectly in control of the music he was playing. Now, given that many DJ’s choose to perfect one style of music and also make full use of all the music technology to make their lives easier or performances more professional, Danillo is not one of those DJ’s. If anything, his chosen medium and tools make his job harder.

With the club having a very liberal closing time closer to 7am it was time to check out Berlin’s afterhours scene. Having spent some time in Berghain the year before it was time to check out a fabled “club” called Sysiphos. It can be loosely described as a clu, but in reality Sysiphos is more like an adventure playground for clubbers.

Like most of the more upfront clubs in Berlin, Sysiphos employ strict privacy rules and insist that coloured stickers are placed over each camera on the guest’s phone. I feel this is a very welcome addition to a party as many a vibe has been spoiled with people taking up valuable dancefloor space while using their phones for the most menial mobile requirements.

Once we had regained our composure and strength it was time to take off on another club marathon. As indicated in the previous issue’s trip preview, one of the main draws during my trip would be the Live at Robert Johnson party at Else and the perfect weather coupled with the line-up could not have been better. With the club kicking off at midday on the Sunday there was a mixture of seasoned clubbing pro’s who would be happy to stay in all week only to let loose on Sunday and there was also those who forgot to go home after the last club. Either way, when Roman Flugel took to the decks at around 8pm on Sunday night the outdoor area of Else was swaying and bouncing as one. The multi-coloured shipping containers that make up the outdoor section of the club were crammed full of smiling faces who, like me were lapping up the electro tinged techno that Roman was effortlessly serving up.

Like most of the music that I had heard in Berlin, I had not heard it before and as my phone had become a more glorified time piece and map there was no Shazam to identify each track.

The night was nicely rounded off with a visit to my favourite bar in Belin – Club Der Visionaere. This was clearly the same plan as many others as the outdoor decking was already throbbing to the sounds of Slow Life artist Cecilio by the time I arrived. Unfortunately, I arrived just too late but I took solace in the fact that Greek artist John Dimas was taking to the decks. Having covered a huge amount of musical ground since touching down at Tegel airport it was time to take things down a notch and make our way to Amsterdam for a more relaxing period of our trip….

To hear about the next leg of my European trip in Amsterdam, grab the next issue of Infusion Magazine.

Food News MADINAT STATE OF MIND

If you have ever spent any length of time in Thailand you will appreciate the fundamentals of life there and the 3 things that it is famous for – its food, its beaches and its massages.

This summer it is possible to experience a little slice of Thailand without leaving Dubai.

Taking place on Fridays and Saturdays until September 2, for AED395 you can indulge yourself at the sumptuous Pai Thai and sample their Xahar all you can eat feast. Offering a range of Thai classics, you can then retire to the nearby Talise spa where a sun lounger awaits either on the private beach or by the heavenly pool. You will also be presented with a voucher for a 45 minute Thai massage, which normally would cost AED550 but instead costs a mere AED320. Just bear in mind that this voucher can only be redeemed mid-week until September 14. What an excuse to go back to one of the best spa’s in Dubai.

URBAN OASIS

If you are looking to get out of town for the evening and are looking for a haven in which to enjoy an intimate meal, steak restaurant RARE has now reopened after the Ramadan break. Set in the lush grounds of Dubai’s prestigious Polo Club, the flair of South American coupled with the delectable flavours of the Mediterranean will have you enchanted in no time. Situated a mere 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Tipple and Cheese nights can also be found at Desert Palm every Thursday between 7.30pm and 11pm, and judging by their cavernous wine cellar and extensive cheese selection you will not be disappointed.

LUNCH WITH A VIEW

Taking place every Saturday between 1pm and 3pm at Ossiano at the world-famous Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah is their new Saturday Luncheon. Featuring a set menu devised by award winning Chef de Cuisine, Gregoire Berger diners can sample the chefs acclaimed menu for just AED350 a head. Set against the mesmerising backdrop of the Ambassadors Lagoon, the menu comprises of a range of dishes from land and sea including Octopus Capaccio, Loch Fyne Salmone and for the carnivores amongst you the Atlantis Beef Tenderloin. With a distinctively contemporary flip on old favourites, Ossiano offers a truly gastronomic experience without hurting the wallet too much. For more information or to reserve email restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com or call 044262626.

THE ITALIAN JOB

If Italian food is your thing then check out the new DIFC restaurant Ravioli & Co. This Italian Trattoria is set to open mid-August and will specialise in home-made pasta with a passionate chef and inhouse sfoglina (pasta lady) both hailing from Italy, Ravioli & Co are aiming to bring a “family affair� approach to Italian dining in DIFC. WE have been reliably informed that there will be an option to call ahead and place your order to pick-up on the way home along with plans to offer a weekly aperitivo and also host cooking classes this DIFC neighbourhood gem.

The Weekend Social IRISH VILLAGE

For a venue such as Irish Village that is so engrained in Dubai legend, it is hard to believe that they have just launched their first ever brunch. Running weekly on a Friday from 1230pm to 3.30pm, guests can enjoy an a la carte 3 course meal inclusive of hops, grape, spirits and sparkling for a mere AED299. The party atmosphere at Irish Village is second to none and you can guarantee that the craic will also be flowing.

BARASTI BRUNCH Another big name in the game has a brand-new brunch offering for the new season. Taking place every Saturday between 2pm and 5pm in Barasti’s jungle, for under AED250 you can become one of the Wild Things dotted around the urban oasis. The Saturday brunch is inclusive of house beverages as well as Barasti’s great food offerings. Just don’t touch Gorgeous George the Gorilla.

ZERO GRAVITY

With the mercury topping out at a meagre 50 degrees during the day in Dubai, what better way to beat the heat than by letting the attentive staff at Zero Gravity help cool you down. For those still in the mood to party come Saturday, Zero Gravity have a brand-new brunch offering which includes unlimited food and drink between 12-5pm and the price is a very reasonable AED195 for girls and AED249 for guys. Did we also mention that this includes beach and pool access? This will be complemented by Zero Gravity’s fine array of resident DJ’s who will be spinning from midday.

360° DOES A 180°

360 returns with a bang for the summer months and have a Thursday night brunch for all you music lovers. Manning the decks each week is CN Williams and Jack Woodcock who have been over on the White Isle playing at the fantastic Soul Heaven events at Ocean Beach club. The Soul Heaven parties were one of the success stories of last season, largely due to the strength of its residents, namely Jack Woodcock and CN Williams (amongst others).

For the paltry sum of AED295 downstairs at 360° you will be treated to unlimited pan-Asian nibbles as well as free flowing house beverages all while Jack and CN look after your ears with the soulful sounds that have become their forte. For reservations hea to facebook.com/360Dubai.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD Globe-trotting DJ James Locksmith has long been part of the foundations of the Dubai music scene, but James has recently embarked on an adventure of a different kind. James tells Infusion Magazine a little more about his recent charity work‌

First of all, congrats on reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, what was your reason for the ascent? Thanks guys. I wanted the challenge for many personal reasons and for another purpose greater than myself, Syrian refugees.

How can people get involved in this great cause? You can read all about www.malaak.org and get involved.

What is the long-term goals for malaak.org? After spending time there, I would like to develop the music room and potentially teach kids DJing, production and other multimedia.

How did you become involved in the organisation? A good friend who is a doctor does volunteer work for them and I wanted to help too and felt my climb would get some attention doing so.

What did you do in order to prepare for such a demanding climb? Lifestyle changes. Never been a heavy smoker but I cut it out completely. Some diet changes, regular exercise, long hikes 1-3 times a week, got out in the desert for some hiking and climbing too, plenty of yoga and meditation, and I got a health and life coach too (optional) for accountability to the lifestyle and life changes I wanted to make.

You managed to incorporate music in to your preparation and completion of the trip, what was the concept? As a DJ and disco is one of the many sounds I play, the emotion and lyrics from classic disco tracks would be the most fun and inspirational.

I will be posting a mix soon of selected tracks that I would listen to and post for inspiration and motivation. Also, when arriving at Malaak I wanted to do a few DJ sessions with the kids.

What other adventures did you get up to on your trip? Right after that, I went straight to Sydney for some family time, did a gig and some radio. Then made my way to Akkar in Northern Lebanon to work with the Syrian refugee kids at the Malaak Academic centre. (Where I am right now doing this interview).

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JUST FOR

PUMA TSUGI NETFIT

Brand new from Puma is the game changing Netfit technology that is integrated neatly into the their Tsugi Netfit sneaker. The Netfit technology is currently being rolled out throughout their various different shoe offerings, and while as cool as the mesh side panels are, there is method in the mesh, just ask brand ambassador and fastest man on the planet Usain Bolt. Netfit allows for the wearer to fully customise the lacing system depending on the wearers requirements. Should the wearer wish more support for the side of their foot due to its width, then the laces can be tied further down the side of the shoe.

I found the Tsugi Netfit to be incredibly comfortable and the sock like upper was a great fit with even considering the lacing system.

As you can see from images of how I have laced up my shoe, it offers huge amounts of support and I would say that I have a somewhat regular shaped foot. Should the wearer have specific needs when it comes to foot or ankle support the laces can be easily altered to accommodate this.

One thing that I did notice about this shoe is that you can clearly see the lineage of the design. Although the Tsugi Netfit is clearly designed as a street wear shoe, little touches from its running track influences have been maintained such as the heel lacing option for runners that require more stability and also the subtle outer sole extension to also aid foot stability. With the shoe being given the stamp of approval by none other than The Weekend, this sneaker has me wit one foot in the Puma camp for their next release.

Priced at AED490, you can grab these at all Puma stores now.

Gadgets BUQU POWER POOF PURSE CHARM POWER BANK

EVOLVE BY IMAGINE DRAGONS

Worry no more, this perfect purse charm offers a trendy new approach to powering your smartphone whilst on the go. Clip the power poof anywhere for an instant boost all day long.

The third studio album released in 5 years from the American rock band, Imagine Dragons, is by all means revolutionary. “Evolve� is an absolute must-have for music lovers.

METERS CUBED

SNAPCHAT SPECTACLES

Music has never sounded so good.

These stylish wireless Bluetooth speakers deliver powerful sound in a compact package. From the sound experts at Ashdown Engineering, the Meters Cubed will rumble your desktop or bookshelf.

Combine your love of Snapchat with this fun accessory - Snapchat Spectacles are sunglasses that make memories from your perspective and lets you relive moments saved in Snapchat in just one tap.

Styling it out IN THE BAG While I was off on my travels around Berlin and Amsterdam it struck me that as well as the Germans and Dutch putting a lot of passion, care and attention in to the music that they produce they also really care about clothes and music and how they are packaged.

HARD WAX, BERLIN With vinyl being a huge part of the culture of Berlin, a visit to the famed Hard Wax was always on the cards. They also give some pretty nifty, waxed bags when you buy some records.

RECORD MANIA, AMSTERDAM Having caught the vinyl digging bug when in Berlin, I spotted this store when out shopping in De Pijp. Record Mania is more geared towards collectors’ items but a very cool store with a great funk and soul section.records.

MARBLES, AMSTERDAM This cool vintage store caught my eye as it was right next to Record Mania, but was packed full of great clothes for my wife. She managed to bag herself some legit 70’s sparkly tops. We all know the ladies love a sparkly top. I also loved the font and simplicity of the bag too. section.records.

PATTA, AMSTERDAM With all this new wax in my possession I didn’t have a record bag to put it all in. Good job I was passing one of Amsterdam’s most important street wear shop. This duffle bag has a padded slot for my laptop and is big enough and sturdy enough to carry a great selection of vinyl and any other kit I might need on the night of a gig. The bag they gave me my t-shirt in is also pretty darn cool.

SNEAKER DISTRICT, AMSTERDAM

What shopping spree would be complete without a new pair of sneakers and so a visit to Sneaker District produced this hardwearing camo tote bag. It also has a smart inside pocket and fits vinyl perfectly. Result.

BASKĂˆTS, AMSTERDAM

This is a store that I could have spent a small fortune in but refrained enough to buy a cool t-shirt. Again, this store was found by accident while shopping in De Pijp, a cool area to the south of Amsterdam Centrum. If you are in Amsterdam check out their stores in De Pijp and Jordaan.

HEMA, BERLIN

HEMA is discount store that is a Dutch brand that was setup in Amsterdam in 1926 but can be found in many western European countries. Even a relatively cheap store still offers cool packaging and bags for their customers.

GOING DUTCH Circle of Trust Tee – AED150 Circle of Trust, Amsterdam

This is a great store I came across in De Pijp and as well offering great items by its own brand they also offer very nice brands like Herschel (bags) and some bits from Theory. This tee however, is very comfortable and subtly flecked with colour.

Nike Air Max 90 sneakers – AED630 Sneaker District, Amsterdam

No shopping trip would be complete without a new pair of box fresh kicks and these are so original they pretty much jumped on my feet. Having had a number of Nike Air Max 90’s before I have never seen them in denim or with striking colour ways such as these.

Patta Tee – AED125 Patta, Amsterdam

Patta was also very high on my shopping list too, from their involvement in Dekmantel festival, to their ridiculous range of clothes and sneakers Patta didn’t disappoint. This out there tee is pretty weird even for me, but the quality of the material and colours make it worthwhile.

Theory Tee - AED125 Circle of Trust, Amsterdam

As much as I like subtle coloured tee’s I also like mad designs sometimes too and this hits the perfect balance between the 2.

Again, quality of material is of the utmost importance and this tee from Theory fits like a glove and is so soft.

Kenzo Sweatshirt – AED840 Baskèts, Amsterdam

I am a huge fan of Kenzo and their wacky designs, so when I spotted this in Baskèts, which is an amazing streetwear store in De Pijp and also Jordaan, I had to have it. Again the quality of the materials used and the cut of the top is something else.

The fit is perfect, just a shame I won’t get much wear out of it until winter.

Obey/Baskèts Tee AED125 Baskèts, Amsterdam

Obey is probably one of the most recognisable street wear brands and the striking colour of this collaboration with the store Baskèts I knew I was getting something that was truly original and that few people would have a similar top in UAE. The pastel colour is also something that I have spotted a lot in the cooler stores of Europe, especially Amsterdam.

Scotch and Soda Polka dot / Palm Tree Shirt – AED350 Scotch and Soda, Amsterdam

Ok, I admit that these shirts were not actually bought in Amsterdam, but as I am a huge fan of the Amsterdam based Scotch & Soda brand I had to grab these. The snappy garment design coupled with some of the most comfortable materials I have ever come across make this a firm favourite of mine.

UNHAPPY APP’Y It is of trivial excitement when one of your fave social media apps gets the latest update. Competing against all others and stealing the limelight for a whole of 48 hours - at least until the other popular apps cotton on and mimic the same features...

So, it is a breakthrough when your apps get innovative and release the latest fad, but let me state, “Snapchat, you went too far!”

The latest Snapchat add-on locates your exact position at all times. In fact, it even shows when you are on the move! The app HQ claims the exposé feature enables you to see if friends are hanging out without you... Paranoid, much? A ‘ghost mode’ option is available, and this way you’re able to spy on others who haven’t figured out how to apply it... Yet. Unfortunately for Snapchat, I actually have a life. Surprisingly enough, I’m too busy getting to my own destination to be bothered about anybody else. If stalking is your thing though, this app is ideal for you.

Monkey Out...

The Angry Monkeys’ views are his own, and don’t necessarily reflect the views of Infusion Magazine.