Keep Me Turned On.......... by Shaun Dangerfield

Passion... this whole mix for your listening pleasure is about passion, suck it all in deep into your soul and share it with the good lady in your life, make love to it, use it & abuse it because it's asking you too.............

laid back - bakerman
the congregation of discalced clerks - mugwump
ilija rudman - time & time
bonar bradberry - carlos the jackal
the xx - crystalised jamie jones edit
hard ton - flawless tobias italo remix
king dj - attack of the killer monks
aeroplane - my enemy
40 thieves feat QZEN - dont turn it off
chromeo - dont turn the lights on aeroplane rework
frankie knuckles - your love dusty kid makes love tender edit

Feel free to check out my other mixes in this link

http://soundcloud.com/mister-turtle

Keep Me Turned On by Captain Turtle

Where Have All The Parkas Gone?

Being someone who has always been obsessively interested in where we come from in a more modern capacity, not in any ancestral way but to know where our attitudes and styles are perhaps influenced in some way, I find old images of this extraordinary thing coming to fruition a very cool thing.

Fashions and styles come and go, some are forgotten and some are being constantly revived in newer forms. However, fashion goes around they say? I'm not too sure about that, but one thing for sure is this, the confidence of youth and that ever needing passion to be well turned out, whether old or young, will never leave us. Personality stands the test of time..... Photographs say a thousand words.

Saul Wilks.

Big Chill, Quite simply ACE!

The heart, soul and mind are a precious commodity in this great arena of life. Times we spend here and there leave jaded track marks on our memory banks for different reasons. Fun and good times are what we try to refer to in the great library of thoughts that is our dear old head. So, as I sit here, avoiding doing any work on what should be a treacherous night shift where my nerves are frayed and my soul aches for a return to the festival scenario that has been played out the country over… All I can do is sit here and smile to myself. The reason for this extraordinary feat? Two words, Boys and Girls… Big Chill.

After taking in the hedonistic and hectic marathon session of wrongness that is Glastonbury and blowing club dance floors to smithereens the country over, it was time for me to take a rest from domestic partying duties and pitch my one man pop-up tent with the platoon of party people that I have become accustomed to getting my festival vibe on with and descend in a convoy of natural pleasures and chemical highs to the plains of Malvern for this years Big Chill festival.

As far as journeys go, this was most comfortable. Not being crammed in the back of a windowless transit van, foggy with the fumes of countless joints and the early morning smell of Stella Artois ala’ Glastonbury, really did my pre festival health the world of good. Instead, a car with space and the sweet mantras being served up by the glorious pre-prepared play list of ipod fodder had me blissed out and together with pre-festival banter, by the time we hit the festival and unloaded life’s bare necessities for the next few days I found myself in rather fine mood.

As I joined the small queue waiting for the gates to a kingdom of fun and good times to open, I noted to myself through the heavy rich tint of my trusty shades that the clouds were a non-existent entity. All that remained was to get in, get set up and have it large, all the time my mind lamenting the eclectic and beautiful line up that I couldn’t wait for my eardrums to gorge on.

After minimal fuss at the gates and some stealthy stashing of required party aides, I was in amongst the gorgeous blend of characters and styles that festivals throw together, as if to create a big jazzy stew of personalities and colours ready to be served up to the disciples of freedom and fun to feast upon. All thoughts of nine to five routines and mundane tasks fade away as the day passes off in a haze of smiles and narcotic induced anticipations, centred on the opportunities the next few days are going to throw up.

Being a people person, a social chameleon and a pilgrim of discovery I relish the chances that are around every corner, to strike up conversations with people we would never come into contact with normally, to push boundaries and to search out exciting times. Life isn’t a boring gig is it? My mind starts to run away in a vapour trail of thought as I drift off into other worlds. Time to lay off the chemicals and get my Supergas into the arena…

By the time I come around, the central area, the focal point for all the fun that is going to be the bread and butter of this fantasy life come-true for four days is a place brooding with the atmosphere that makes festivals such an attractive place for those who want a little more sugar in their bowl from the everyday hardships that we endure in this majestic game that we call everyday life. I’ve certainly got a sweet tooth, believe!

Music pours from every possible vector but I’m strangely drawn to the ‘igloo’ where the music being served up is a rather gorgeous fusion of Disco and Chicago House. I trace this domed temple for that indescribable rush of festival joy as I look and relate to the faces that portray the love and fun, it’s like looking into a room of mirrors and before long my trusty Penfield 60/40 has been dispatched and I’m into it… Right there with everyone else, moving.

No body told me that I was about to meet someone rather spectacular right there in that little temple of hedonistic overthrows but as light sure as follows night and in that magical aurora that festivals conjure… I did indeed meet a rather gorgeous person. I’m sure my moves helped the situation along nicely, but still, As day one of the festival gently rolled into the breaking dawn of day two, my life had already been made that little bit better with the stirling new company I had acquired.

After Thursdays dynamic and explosively good opening, for more reasons than one, Friday was a day that saw two heavyweight contenders for moment of the festival for me. After generally meandering around the area of the Starburst stage awaiting Bristol boys Futureboogie, taking in a set from New York’s Phenomenal Handclap Band in the revellers tent, they finally arrived with Joe 90 and El Harvo serving up the standard sets I have come to love from Bristol’s finest night. As I found my footing and forged a valuable place right there in the centre of the universe, I grooved away, awaiting what was to become one of the best sets I have possibly heard, ever.

Man of the moment and generally cool customer, Tensnake, cut an exceptional figure hovering like a phantom behind the Futureboogie crew, awaiting the savoured position behind the instruments of joy that were the Pioneer 1000 CDJs and Technic 1210s, preparing to send me, along with the rest of the disciples of funked out and electrified Disco into true, galactic heaven. As if the festival gods looked upon this mystical view with pride themselves, every record that Tensake dropped seemed to levitate my soul a few feet more, until I finally peaked and had to call the Fire Service to come and safely get me down from where I found myself dancing, cloud fucking nine.

As if this wasn’t enough, as if the records that were spilling into the vicinity weren’t actually enough then the most appropriate and beautifully timed rainbow came to fruition right then and there, over the horizon. Surely a moment that will live on in all those present during those sixty golden minutes, where nothing else seemed relevant apart from the people who were sharing those mind melting moments with me. A truly epic event, in everyway shape and form.

After all that fun, it was time to rest my body and take a stroll around the rolling fields, packed full of festival sentiments and the smell of exotic Goat curries and Jerk Chicken, the food tenders selling their tantalizing offerings. Along with my new found festival compadrae of igloo fame, an extremely smile and soul tingling set shared with the magnificent Mystery Jets was to become another personal highlight for me. Played out to a backdrop of gorgeous lighting effects and a lake so clear it could have been painted in pure crystal, I couldn’t help but concede that this was quite possibly the most happiest I had been in a long time. All worries and woes seemed a million miles away as a genuinely superb set of tunes selected from the seminal album ‘twenty one’ along with some new material set the Friday night off in spectacular fashion. The Mystery Jets have got it going on. That is all that needs to be said about that!


As another night of ace times fought valiantly to keep the impending daylight at bay, where the present good times turned to fresh inputs of quality memories to be readily added to that big library I wrote so fondly about earlier, Saturday promised to be another feast of music that would tease my feet until I exploded in a plethora of movement, a scene that has become an evident fixture to those that know me and those that don’t. But of course, this is me; this is what I’m about… These are the times that I live for and love. Know that I mean? If you’re an avid reader of Sinister Delicious then you’ll know what tip I’m on.

Saturday soon appeared and feeling a little grimy but amazingly elated at how my Big Chill was panning out, I hit the Arena with high hopes. Catching glimpses of Greg Wilson, spinning his usual journey of soul filled edits and electro funk, Paradiso tent played host to Daniel Wang. I was a little confused at first by his homosexual and overly camp pita-patta on the microphone between spinning original rare disco and other vinyl gems, but he surprisingly added to the light hearted, jovial and smile filled atmosphere that was building inside the tent. His final record was Madonna’s ‘Lucky Star’ which has never sounded so good, fuelling the swelling ranks awaiting Maurice Fulton with glee.

I’ve never seen Maurice Fulton before, but aside from some sketchy mixing early on, his set was another that blew me away. The thing I’ve always found about this sound that I adore so much is that it’s sexy as fuck, deep and forbidding. A perfect soundtrack to get your vibe on too with the right person, something that I was lucky enough to be privileged to of course, in the form of the beauty that had been accompanying me for the past few days. So here’s to you Mr. Fulton, the set you played was perfect, the air was certainly electric that night…Make no mistake.


I am a man of diversity, open mindedness and am always open to new things. However, I was still surprised to find myself at the main stage catching Dub Step dark horse Plastician deliver a late night set of raw, dirty sounds and skeleton rattling bass lines. Although not my preferred choice of sound, I found myself enjoying it, adding to what was becoming the greatest festival I have ever had the privilege of attending.

The thing is with Big Chill is that there is no attitude (apart from the sparse troops of drug dealers that may as well of had luminous puffer jackets on with Narcotics for sale displayed across the back in foot high letters such was their inconspicuousness) But apart from the odd growler or moody teenager trying to act wide to impress his ‘Effy’ Esq. style love conquest, I didn’t encounter any worries or woes for the days I was a temporary resident in the Big Chill town.

Saturday nights ending couldn’t have been written better by Walt Disney himself in my book. After crashing for a break from the dancing and rushing, in the middle of the field, watching life’s precious creatures take to the world their celebrations and performances of glee and togetherness that festivals serve up with readily available seconds, A walk that originally transpired to get some food found its way to a small outside cabin where ‘Team Love’ aka Crazy P and Futureboogie played out the remainder of the night to a crowd worthy of a bigger platform. The records served up were immense and of the highest quality, no need for temporary refuelling just yet, another hours dancing until the first signs of daylight started to cut through the clouds and it was back to the tent for conversations about varied and widened subjects. Big Chill certainly exercises the body and mind in all ways possible, a healthy experience, in all the ways it should be!

If you’re still with me, in what has been a most enjoyable recap of a remarkable and superb time spent with some amazing people, music that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and generally the feeling that I’ve been part of something really, really good… Sunday was a day of relaxation as far as hammering it was concerned.

Without a sip of alcohol passing my lips, I made do with what I knew and ended the festival on a remarkable high, taking in the luscious and soul cleansing lyrics and vocal delights of Alice Russell followed by Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler going at it over the decks with great aplomb like two great soul warriors, making the earth move when dropping Arman Van Heldens, ‘you don’t know me’ with such panache, mid set.

Catching the end of Bonobos’ set was a nice addition to an already unforgettable 4 days and when Zero 7 played the Todd Terje Edit of Chic’s ‘I want your Love’ in what was a varied and eclectic set, I knew I had witnessed a festival that I would pick over Glastonbury any day. I mentioned this to a mate of mine earlier and he said that that was an extremely bold statement to make. However, with the comparisons very much clear in my mind and the overall feeling I have now I know that I fully endorse it.

Glastonbury may have the history but Big Chill has my heart. Along with the memories that I made while sharing four very special days and times with the people that I adore and the new, gorgeous and amazing people that I have met.

Don’t take me back there just yet, I’ll savour the memories... until next year, when those awe inspiring Malvern Hills, come rolling into view once again.

Saul Wilks.

Out of your Tweed....

Winter will soon be upon us... Ace. Nothing more i love than getting togged for those winter morning walks and adventures when the night comes knocking around 4pm. Don't get me wrong, i love the summer months just as much... But Winter is about the big coats and scarfs... The breath in front of your face and the rest of the Xmas card stereotype scenarios.

With this in mind, I've truly got my eye on Penfields Tweed trail jacket, due for release in September. I love tweed and woven fabric outwear. I've never been able to find a replacement for my now long gone Clark and Teller / Berghaus collaboration Criac jacket (shown below) which i once upon a time owned in the timeless oatmeal check.

A blinding piece of kit for when the weather threatened to turn you into a rather dapper snowman, hopefully the Penfield effort will go towards replacing a quite frankly, un-replaceable bit of clobber and live up to my exceeding expectations.

Saul Wilks.

Where Art' thou Dancing shoes off too?

I'm not long back from this years EPIC Big Chill Festival. Having showered and relaxed I'm already planning my return to the domestic dance floors of some of the country's best nights.

However, Big Chill is Big Chill and turning my mind from festivals to clubs, There's always next weekend right? Correct.

So, with August being the most hectic in my diary of the year with regards taking my well worn-in feet merrily around the country to dust dance floors and get down here's a little taster of some nights that are going off and on in the world of moi... If you're local to any of the following and you have been following this blog then you should most definitely get yourself spruced and check them out. These nights are guaranteed to go off with ace fun to be had by all involved. Believe!

Bristol - Start the Bus - 13/8/2010

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As those who have been following will know, I've been heading over the water to take advantage of Bristol's varied and eclectic nightlife for some time now. I love the vibe of the city, the people that i always end up meeting there and the quality nights and line up's that are in abundance on a weekly basis. This Thursday See's the boys behind Pardon My French, running their monthly shindig, club cosmique. I've been to a couple of these nights and they always have a good crowd, adding to the cool venue that is 'start the bus'. This Friday See's DFA stalwart Tim Sweeney head to the city along with the Futureboogie crew for what promises to be a down right treat of a night....Hosts, Pardon my French will also be taking to the decks and the boys show their touch of class by laying this electrifyingly cool party on for the princely sum of zero pounds. A rather stirling effort and more than worth a train journey across the Severn.

Cardiff - The Vaults (Old NatWest Bank, Cardiff Bay) - 28/08/2010

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Cardiff has exploded into a crescendo of good, underground parties over the past year. Delete, Ghosts, System and of course, the bank-vault party everybody with an inkling for good times and a passion for quality underground music will have whispered at some point. Backroom. Going from strength to strength and bringing names as eclectic and varied as Marcus Worgull, Derrik Carter and recently, Berlin queen, Anja Schneider. The team at Backroom pull off yet another understated cool coup in South West clubbing circles by landing London's very own SecretSundaze to pump the old vaults full of deep sounds all night long. A party not too be missed under any circumstances, this is going to be BIG!

London - Shoreditch -The Horse and Groom - 29/08/2010.

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The best has to be saved for last. The day after My chukka boots have torn up an old Cardiff Bank vault, they will be found moving at the Discovery all dayer/nighter down in deepest East Londinum. The line up for this party is unreal, my man of the moment, Jamie Jones providing a Hot Creations / Hot Natured disco set which i know is going to have me in another dimension followed by another favorite of mine, Reverso68's Pete Herbert. It's like winning the lottery on Christmas day, The music that's going to be served up over the marathon party will be one to remember for a long time to come and will surely round off what has been one of the best months i care to remember. I'll be booking myself a nice comfy room to crash out in after all the madness has ended and will by hanging up my partying threads for a while just so that my feet, body and mind can recover from the constant overdose of good times and musical delicacies they have been treated to in this most gloriously, beautiful month.

Watch this space for Big Chill Review (possibly the best time of my life, an almost re-occuring statment at the moment such is the viscosity of good, happy times that have come my way of late)

Anyhow, enough from me... Bed is calling and it's never looked so damn sexy.

Catch you on the floor!

Saul Wilks.

Cut from a different cloth.... by Shaun Dangerfield

While 95 percent of the time i find i am pretty decisive in my decision making every now & then i umm & ahh over something, this year being the nigel cabourn cameraman jacket (or rangoon), released most season's in delicious colour's the s/s 2010 saw it in yellow/cream, beige/white & navy/navy, the top half being a beeswaxed cotton made in the mackintosh factory with knotted hood and waist pull's, horn button's and 2 army clip's on the upper half, the a/w version's stroll in at £850-950 depending on retailer, and the s/s pulling in at £600-650, quite a chunk to lay out on one item so it was alway's a maybe, thinking i would wait to see the a/w2010 version when i saw it i was impressed but not greatly compared to the s/s, beside's i prefer a summer weight jacket as you can alway's just layer with it on the colder day's, so picked up the navy/navy with a decent discount, quality is second to none as is expected with any of mr cabourn's garment's and question's of detail aside it just float's my boat, so happy days....








While were on the subject of great cloth, next on the list for this autumn winter is Engineered Garment's Ashfield cord belted jacket, while i was contemplating another belstaff in a smeared wax cotton in brown or dark red i noticed this little belter and will clear a path for it in the next few week's......

The Norwegian Job......

No blowing the door's from mini's or high speed chase's, just good beer and lot's of tree's.....
As I collect my suitcase and head through the city of oslo airport and out to where I see my name being held high on a flash card by an overly excited driver, I gather all my thought’s together and wonder what kind of trip this one will turn out as.
I have been to norway numerous time’s with work and every year was different, the first time I travelled here in 2002 I literally got in the hotel, showered and went straight out into town.
Skien….. Where dream’s are made, that first taxi ride must have been marty mcfly picking me up in his delorian because in that short distance we must have gone back in time, nothing that I was not expecting at the time but still, lot’s of fairisle oversized knitwear, blonde floppy hair, copper & brass wall art and pot’s and quite strong beer, it will do.
My first year saw me get into a lot of mischief and the local meeting point of a small piano bar had a lot to answer for, with women in tennis skirt’s and knitwear draped over shoulder’s falling for cheeseball line’s it was like a step back in time….happy day’s I thought and cleaned up for the 2 week’s I was there, I was like a british wrecking ball leaving a trail of carnage behind me, on the top floor of our hotel was a jacuzzi and sauna, ace… so out of the piano bar and into there for a roof top party, we ended up forgetting to turn everything off and at 7am some fire engines came as the alarm’s were going off and the hotel was emptied onto the carpark, there I was stood in my boxer’s, bottle in hand pleading innocence, I would like to think that single handedly in those two week’s I changed the state of play in this little old fashioned norwegian town (obviously it’s just natural growth but I like to think the progression has a little bit of me in it).
So I turned out here every year following up until 2006, sometime’s twice a year, nothing changed, similar people, same lifestyle, same music, same outlook, dated……Until now.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not generalising Norway, not at all, like anywhere in the world everywhere has it’s different place’s and I’m positive if some norwegian’s were travelling in the u.k and were found trekking around norwich they would probably be writing something similar on their scandinavian blog, I’m talking about skien and it’s neighbouring town’s.
From previous trip’s here I have gone walking at around 4pm in the afternoon and everything was shut, bar’s pub’s bank’s café’s shut, just a burger joint and 3 odd restaurant’s, because it cost’s so much to do thing’s here nobody go’s out until 10/11pm so nobody open’s up, a glass of beer is between £5-7, and that can be a 0.4l glass depending on what bar your in so less than half a pint for £6.… rude in my book, and £9/10 for a tequila or gin & orange or whiskey etc, the local independent burger shop charge’s 169 krone for burger chip’s & salad which equal’s out to £16, so you can imagine the restaurant price’s, it’s a rich country imo and they charge you for the luxury’s, the company I work for have a house now on the riverside so instead of a hotel this year I have a house to myself, it’s nice enough even if it did feel like it had been designed and decorated by norman bate’s motel company, lounge had a single vintage chair with matching footstool propped in front of a t.v, a light in the corner and some old brass framed picture’s on the wall, I laughed when I walked in as all the horror movie’s with certain setting’s sprung to mind and all the different scenario’s where I could visualise myself being butchered were running through my mind, dark sense of humour at time’s you see…
I checked the bathroom though and not a shower curtain in sight.

On all my other trip’s here they were jolly’s more than anything, skiing fishing drinking dancing and whatever else came at the front of the que but this trip was different I had work to do so I wasn’t free until 4pm’ish not that it was hard working on the river side, i've saw worse place's...



Monday & Tuesday evening I took a walk into town and was surprised at how vibrant the place was, 7/8/9pm and the bar’s were open with people out and around, there were bbq’s on the grass and restaurant boat’s bubbling with atmosphere, the smell of food and cigarette’s filled the clean norwegian air with a smell of excitement, it was nice to just take it all in, there were lot’s of new apartment’s on the riverside and all the balcony’s were full of drinker’s smoker’s and socialite’s, a new café bar was there and it was literally heaving, I certainly was not expecting this, fishermen and boat’s were still here but not as much, they have kept the amazing town building’s and original designed restaurant’s & hotel’s as they were just refurbished, but it is almost as if they have built a little city inside of the dated original surrounding area’s and it had built up a new life for so many, the scenery was as nice as ever and the sun was blaring, temp up to 27 degree’s a couple of the day’s, very nice, I am writing this as the house they have bought is still being sorted out, so there is no wi’fi connection in here leaving me plenty of time to myself with my ipod as norwegian tv is’nt the greatest, I’ve got a fish bbq tomorrow night at a lad’s house over here and then a night out in town all set for Thursday which I’m looking forward to now, then a free day Friday to do as I please, can’t be bad, I have added a few photo’s, as you can see a beautiful country…. Let them have paris, I’ll take Skien.

By Shaun Dangerfield

After all these Good times i think i need a BIG CHILL!

Ahhhh, A couple of days off and getting my head back to normal and it's off once again to seek out musical delights and memorable get downs... When i originally seen the line up for Big Chill, i couldn't wait to book my ticket and start savoring the thought of getting on it and getting down to a truly eclectic line up.

I couldn't have booked the line up better myself, with a unique blend of Soul, Disco, House, Deep, Tech, Funk and the Mystery Jets this is one festival i reckon I'm gonna fall in love with. I'm not too keen on the Price of drinks, (£10 for a mojito) I guess I'll have to pull some rich old bird and let her buy me drinks all festival... Ha. No, in all seriousness I can't wait to hit the hills of Malvern running and dance myself into the ground for the umpteenth time these last couple of weeks. With a fun packed party month already under way in the life of me, this is just a game-on addition that takes pride of place in what is ultimately going to become the best few months of my life to date.

So with this in mind, here's a hand picked selection of the chap and chapettes that I'm most excited about catching... See you next time, for the Sinister Delicious Monthly Top 5!

Be Good... and if you cant be good, be sinister!

Saul Wilks.

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From Top To Bottom - Crazy P, Theo Parrish, Greg Wilson, Tensnake, Jamie Jones.

GREG WILSON..

Get Your Folk On!

Just A nifty little post bringing you purchase numero trillion this month... The fine purveyors of classic design and clean cut coolness... Folk, based on the quaint and beautiful Lambs Conduit Street and that kingdom of aceness the Old Truman Brewery have turned out this marvellously charming, simple yet eye catching 'block tee'.

I'm pretty much loving the colours and fit, So i picked it up and it's a lovely little addition to an already bursting summer wardrobe. I'll be dropping this into the mixer teamed up with some rather lovely denims and a fetch pair of shades for ultimate effect. Coming to a dancefloor near you... Soon...



Saul Wilks.

Mind Melting Stuff.....From a Loft somewhere in Shoreditch.

As you'll be aware from my rather previous, excited posting, The weekend just passed i was travelling down to London for what promised to be a special party, held in a secret Location in Shoreditch. Electric Minds, Mark E, Move D and Dolan Bergin made sure that myself and 250 other happy, party people left with smiles on our faces together with that warm, luscious feeling you can only get when you've danced all night to music that you love.

After I negotiated the tube network with aplomb (After living there on and off for nearly a year and a half, I havn't forgot how to get around the beautiful metropolis)
I met up with the friends that were partying with me that night, one being Sinister Delicious' amigo Tommy Armstrong. After Being treated to favourite records such as past featured 'Rukus' (Jamie Jones) and Ilija Rudmans soul tingling 'Nite People (Garage Mix)' I was left with no doubts that Electric Minds have got it going on.

I'll let a surpisingly fresh-minded Tommy Armstrong fill in the gaps of what was a truly magnificent night... I dont think the 'normal' people on platform 4, London Paddington, really appreciated my general appearance as i waited for the 12.30 pm train Sunday afternoon... But then again, that sort of makes me glad.

Saul Wilks.
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On this balmy July evening, the Liverpool street end of Shoreditch could have been any suburban town on a Saturday night. It seems swarms of hen parties and lads on the pull now get the train in from Romford and various other estuary towns and flood the area from The Light Bar to Kingsland Road with Ralph Lauren shirts, loafers, and fluffy cowboy hats. Standing outside The Barley Mow, Curtain Road was awash with lost pseudo-trendies navigating the unfamiliar streets, “It’s so much easier when all the bars are just on one street or in a big square” commented one fish out of water. Traffik, which 6 or 7 years ago was brimming with achingly trendy Shoreditch creative types, now heaves with suburbanites in chequered Topman shirts and bleach blonde Essex birds mingling to a soundtrack of Black Eyed Peas and Beyonce. Camden now has its Wetherspoons, and it doesn’t seem to be long until Shoreditch does the unthinkable and gets its own plastic pub-by-numbers.In spite of the zone 6 invasion, Shoreditch still has a magnetic ability to pull a great crowd back from Bethnal Green and Hackney to host some of the best nights on the London circuit.

The reason for my being there on Saturday was to attend the latest of the increasingly popular Electric Minds secret parties. Borrowing the idea from David Mancuso’s innovative New York loft parties of the 70s, Electric Minds hold intimate small scale parties in locations as diverse as restaurant basements, disused warehouses, and on Saturday, a small loft above a bar.

An unmarked black door under the railway bridge on Old St was our gateway into an intense electric gathering of what was probably the best crowd in East London that night. The place was heaving; the lofts helm roof painted white giving us the feeling of being in church with the DJ’s giving a sermon in deep house and electro beats to their devoted flock. A crowd of bodies move in time to Mark E and Dolan Bergin’s sets, the groove running through each person individually and controlling the room collectively, and you couldn’t wish to meet a nicer group of people. In spite of Shoreditch’s reputation of trendiness to the point of snobbery especially at exclusive ‘secret’ parties like this, the ego level was below zero and everybody had 5 minutes to chat with someone new, the intimate location really added to the friendly house party vibe.

The DJ’s were first-rate, working the crowd expertly, there wasn’t a static body in the whole place. My one small complaint was they never took us to 5th gear - the floor was ready for a banger, something huge that would have taken the roof off but it never came.Their next party is already on my calendar, I urge everyone to make the effort to get a taste of that magic that made the loft parties of the 70s such an amazing place to be. It’s a unique feeling that has to be experienced to be fully understood. The mainstream might have their feelers out in Shoreditch but Electric Minds proved that good music, an original location and the cream of the East London crowd will keep the creative light burning brightly for a long time to come.

Tommy Armstrong.

Wardrobe Incoming...

I've been at it again, rustling around for my wallet and scrambling to put my payment details on various online thread vendors. With Autumn/Winter very much on an eagerly anticipated Horizon, i thought i would take further advantage of one of the best summer sales i can remember. I've literally picked up so many quality garments at bargain prices, it's going to be a harsh culture shock when the red signs have disappeared and it's back to paying full retail prices once more.

However, away from the sales, I was very please to have acquired the new Oxford Shirt that Oliver Spencer has done for Oi Polloi. Not too dissimilar from this summers cricket shirt, this subtle blend of fine intricate detail such as the rounded pocket and blue gusset hem has got all the trappings of the understated and eye pleasing coolness that Oliver Spencer has become known for. In a gorgeous blended purple colour, I'm sure this will turn heads for all the right reasons.

As i have previously stated, my sales spending has been quite erratic, although well justified in my humble opinion. Among some of the gems i have picked up, Including past featured Opening Ceremony Fisherman's Smock, Wood Woods Take on the raglan sweater, YMCs exceptional block colour cardigan and Denim in the form of a pair of crisp Lee Dexter. I have also added the following effort from Opening Ceremony. I'm really getting into some of the designs that Opening Ceremony are putting out, as they are creating a rather unique look... This epic knit-polo, complete with dashing chambray collar was an absolute steal and looks quite the picture with recently bagged Wrangler Blue Bell Eric Chinos.... Hazaaaa, let the good times roll. Here's to the winter sales, but before hand, a sift through the forthcoming collections for more quality, bang on clobber!

Saul Wilks. 29/07/2010.

Electric Minds....

I've had a good two weeks off from having it large, so I'm more than looking forward to getting down to London this Saturday for the Electric Minds party. Held at secret locations around Shoreditch / Darlston I'm sure this is going to be a night of epic proportions. Electric Minds, a record label first and foremost, boasts such talents as Yam Who? and personal favourite, Croatian producer of mastery, Ilija Rudman.

On the night, Mark E and Move D are among the other protagonists of Deep, Soulful and Discofied sounds and I'm sure come 6am, the soles of my recently purchased Quoddy' will be well and truly worn in.



Saul Wilks.

The One That Got Away...... by Shaun Dangerfield

Over the year's of buying fine thread's and footwear i must have missed out on over one hundred item's that i was hoping to get my mitt's on.... so around 2 year's ago i started a notebook and listed into it everything that i would take a fancy to, and a date by the side of all the designer's i have listed where that season's preview will be knocking around... just to make sure i picked up what whatever i was after.
However with the ever increasing number of new, unique & fresh label's that come out you can sometime's miss that all important first batch of clothing from said new brand, or the first proper year after a settling in period, this year i was lucky (or eager) enough to get everything on the list, almost like my own personal ongoing christmas........ apart from one thing.
Norsea Industries, a label from the north of england that seem's dedicated in churning out well made british clothing with a modern edge, first hitting the u.s in the middle of spring summer 2009 a whole year ago.
With the first collection being quite camp with nautical influences it was a/w 2009/10 that saw it bring out some key very nice piece's including at the time an overhead canvas cagoule called the Rudda, it was nice enough but was re-released this spring summer 2010 with slight modification's and what a turn out they delivered, i was a little slow on the buzzer and missed out on my size from one of only two places who stocked it, not addicted & daniel jenkin's in monmouth, tired of mailing norsea ind' i have admitted defeat and finally realised i have to let it go..... but not before showing you in all it's glory, here's hoping to it's re-re-release.....

Infect yourself with a Groove...

After a cosmic overload of good quality clobber and tales of Love Box... I think it's about time for some music isn't it? All that talk of Horse Meat Disco and Disco Bloodbath going at it over the decks has truly whetted my appetite for some sounds.

So without further ado, Here's the latest mix that myself and good friend Dave Edwards have laid down for your listening pleasure.

It's a rich blend of Deep Warm Disco, Soulful Tech and House Grooves.... Perfect to get your head into.

ENJOY!

Corrupted Disco - Groove infection by Corrupted Disco


Corrupted Disco - Groove Infection

1. Hot Toddy feat N'Dea Davenport - Down to Love (Shiney Objects Remix)
2. Soul Clap - Love Light
3. Kolombo - My Old Piano
4. Sean Bronson - Sat Jam (Ray Mang Remix)
5. Wagon Cookin - Make you Dance (Spirit Catcher Remix)
6. Electric Jones - Mold On
7. 40 Thieves feat Quen - Dont Turn It Off (Greg Wilson Edit)
8. Neighbourhood Romeo - No You Call Him
9. Fruit Loops - Dance Dance Dane (12 inch version)
10. The Whsipers - And it Goes (Mungas Crackhead mix)
11. Sharon Brown - Specialize in Love (DiscoMunga Re work)
12. Jamie Jones - Rukus
13. Soul Clap - Rock the Boat
14. Johnny Dynell - Jam Hot (Tensnake Remix)

Saul Wilks.

A Casual Tree.....By Shaun Dangerfield.

As history goes... the term "Casual" is used very loosely these day's, keeping football casual as a root will never see you far wrong in my humble opinion.
Thing's change, thing's move on & people move on, at the end of the day that's what the original casual scene was about, fast moving lot's of change's & various look's. i alway's have a good nose at the internet and see what's happening, what's about and where people are going to next just because i am interested, the football has had it's day let's face it, it's nothing what it was and never will be again, so many are stuck in a rut and so many are doing what they have alway's done... there's nothing wrong with that before anyone think's it's being slated, it's just that there is so much more out there, the bigger the casual tree inside you, the deeper your root's and the more you can branch off, i think you move with what whatever it is your into, be it music, narcotic's, fashion or football without trying to sound too corny and before i get into what sound's like a preacher man delivering his sermon on a sunday afternoon.. it's all about change and a natural progression.
With so many good label's knocking around these day's it's hard to not delve into them, and rightly so, spoilt for choice on what to pick up with my hard earned & that can only be a good thing, below my friend Saul has taken the mighty quoddy out of my sweaty palm's before i could get in on it and rave on about the outstanding grizzly boot, but as i said with so much to rival it's all good, my passion for clothing and footwear is at it's highest height's and it's only going one way, lot's of inspiration out there, the industrial look which imho has fused into a joint affair with workwear, and the top end casual market, label's bringing out so many good thread's they should be locked up, with spring summer coming to an end i am finishing off the last of the buy's before the a/w step's out in a week or two, looking forward to woolrich woolen mill's last season of daiki suzuki as he step's out and take's full control of engineered garment's leaving the talented mark mcnairy at the helm of woolen mill's, exciting times & who know's where he will take it, joined by the mighty heritage research, haversack, garbstore, nigel cabourn, post overall's, ts(s), albam, trickers, quoddy, folk, norse proj', oliver spencer, universal work's, yuketen, mark mcnairy, and so many other's i just can't wait to see what good's they are churning out.
Plenty of branches on this tree and theyve got their greedy bark all over these last piece's before august turn's out......


Meg company's Santo Domingo boot hand crafted in mexico, these are definately an acquired taste and probably not for most, but i fell for them, i fell for them like a chunky boned fella stumbling into his first gregg's bakery, vibram sole unit, brown and navy suede, multi coloured stitching, vegetable tanned leather....

Garbstore Huntsman jacket - i was after a tan 3 button blazer something i could layer with and this fit's the bill nicely, dart tapered waist so it's more fitted which is suiting me just fine with a new fitness trip, random pocket's and a cracking tan colour, right up my street

And finally Mark Mcnairy grey/navy saddle shoe - im a sucker for detail and im a sucker for a white sole at the moment, good year welt, leather tan lining happy day's

Sinister Delicious Turtle

It's all in the Maine.

An everyday get-up is something that should be treated with the utmost integrity, starting from the soles of your feet. Having sold off the vast majority of a once proud selection of vintage Adidas and rare re-issues, these days my humble feet can usually be found in the Italian-Classic pump, Superga. If not, Pointer, Grenson, YMC and proberbly one of my favourite pieces of footwear ever, the Gordini Mesh lace ups, take pride of place on my trotters.


However, i recently invested in the Maine based footwear craftsmanship of Quoddy and i can honestly say i have been well and truly blown away by the quality and detail of the work carried out by these engineers of finery.


Originally salivating over the Malisteet Oxford in a fetching peanut leather, i decided to purchase the same shoe but in the Navy / Gum addition, they came complete with a rather natty dust bag and other little bits and pieces and were well worth the beadage that I spent on them.

Quoddy prides itself on the time, effort and skill that goes into making each individual shoe perfect for the wearer... The next few extracts are from Quoddy themselves, who better to put their undeniable passion into words?

In 1909 Harry Smith Shorey started making his own shoes in Downeast Maine. Today, the tradition continues in Perry , on the shores of Passamaquoddy Bay, smack dab on the 45th parallel; half-way to the North Pole and as far east as you can travel in the continental U.S.
The Passamaquoddy tribe of eastern Maine have an ages old heritage of craftsmanship, from their moccasins to their birch bark canoes and containers to their famous woven baskets, all done without man-made materials or adhesives. Craftsmanship combined with a high level of artistry are what made these products special and allowed them to perform so well in the sometimes harsh conditions encountered in the big woods and ever changing ocean of Maine.
Harry was a big believer in the performance and quality of handsewn moccasin construction. It is legendary for its comfort, durability, and ability to conform to one’s foot over time for a true custom fit. Quoddy continues this long tradition of handsewn craftsmanship today.
Quoddy harkens back to the time when hand-made was the norm, when output was measured in dozens, not thousands. In a large modern factory individual shoes pass through the hands of as many as seventy people before leaving the factory floor. At Quoddy, one person handsews your shoes at their bench - the quality of that pair is a testament to the individual skill that went into making them.

Saul Wilks.

A Big Box Of Love...........

Been to many festivals this summer? Haven't had the time? Well sit back, relax and put on some sounds as Sinister Delicious New compadrae, East Londons Tommy Armstrong ignites the senses and takes us on a chemical induced tour of this years Love Box festival.... Believe me, this is one party i wish i'd been at.

London’s young cultural revolution of the last decade has seen a huge shift East, with the formerly near-destitute boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney becoming hotbeds of new creativity and the centre of London’s new bohemia. Hackney’s Victoria Park is now the annual residence of the Lovebox festival. The event is a three day showcase of the best examples and influences of London’s eclectic club scene, and the line up this year was the best yet.The Sunday sun was out and the crowd had a smile on its face.

The Friday and Saturday were still a hazy memory of performances from headliners Dizzee Rascal and Roxy Music, along with an intense set from fidget pioneers Crookers. But today was the day the aficionados came out to play. The line up didn’t contain any of the household names or crowd-pleasers of the previous days, but to those in-the-know it was sublime. Almost too good to be true, as stalwarts of the buzzing electro and nu-disco scene Cut Copy, New Young Pony Club, Hot Chip, Hercules and Love Affair and Chromeo came together for what promised to be the party of the summer. The cherry on the space cake was headliner and veteran darling of the club scene Grace Jones.

The NYC Downlow tent saw two disco heavyweights Horse Meat Disco and Disco Bloodbath sparring over the decks all day. This had to be seen. For those unfamiliar with the NYC Downlow set up, the tent is designed to look like a shady pre-Giuliani New York club, complete with neon lights, yellow cabs and transvestite ushers. I passed the leather clad hosts on the door and entered a world packed with heaving bodies writhing in intense heat to 70s disco classics. There was a special feeling in here unlike anywhere else over the three day event. Those who were in there hadn’t stumbled across it by accident – these were devoted music fans who had come here to hear that blend mix of disco, electro and vintage house that have made the boys from Disco Bloodbath heavyweights on the ultra-cool end of London club scene. The homo-erotic associations were clear for all to see, but as classic after classic was fed to the baying crowd disco displayed its undying ability to unify a crowd regardless of sexuality, gender or race.

Onto the main stage, and Hot Chip seemed off the boil, never building up a rapport with the crowd. Perhaps their bouncy electronics are best heard in the contained environment of a club, because on a big open air stage their sound seemed to drift off over the heads of the early evening audience. Over and Over was the one peak in an otherwise flat set.But the event’s peak was worth waiting the weekend for.

Everything about Grace Jones’ character is a work of art. From the songs to the album covers to the outfits and beyond. Her performances are themselves visual art. Tens of thousands of people stood entranced by her androgynous figure strutting across the stage like some omnipotent dictator - there was pure magic in the air. Now in her sixties, she stalked the stage singing songs of hedonistic pursuits like a veteran boxer moving around the ring – the stage was her home, she knew her space and looked natural and confident. In true eccentric form she hula-hooped her way through ‘Williams Blood’ without flinching, a feat which most women a quarter of her age would struggle with. Her version of Love is the Drug worked the crowd into a near frenzy, and the addition of Pull Up To The Bumper almost made the earth move.

The crowd left on a high, and the after parties and after-after parties raged on until the next afternoon. Days like Sunday at Lovebox don’t come around too often, and as I sank into my bed sometime around mid-day on Monday, I knew I was lucky to have been there.

copyright Tom Armstrong. 27/7/10.