:: Stop Pause Play ::

NOW FOUND AT WWW.STOPPAUSEPLAY.NET

noreply@blogger.com (Frankie Freehand) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:54:01 PST

One To Watch - Netsky

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:23:10 PDT

Latest signing on hospital records, even Tony Colman described him in the same breath as a young High Contrast on a podcast not so long ago.

Got that Lincoln-style melodic sounds, soaring vocals with a warm bassline underneath and the occasional chainsaw electro where suitable.

Check out Eyes Closed - newer release of his here. Lush play on the vocals - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaIDEqtMIag

And of course 'I Refuse', the tune that cracked him onto the scene.

Unlikely to be at the top of a bill, but have a gander, he might just make the main event look a bit shit.

Update - Music Inspiration From The Last Few Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:44:53 PDT

Apologies for the brief hiatus.

Amongst other things we're tied up in weddings (my own), moving from bristol to london and changes in employment. Back on the case now so all is well for the forseeable.

Few important things to bring up that have come to light over the last few weeks

1. Have you heard the Breakage essential mix?! its fierce. for someone to mix such a diversity of music, and find that fantastic mid-point between trying-too-hard and drawn-out-and-boring, is quite an acheivement! If you're even remotely interested in dubstep, squeaks and bleeps house and alt-drum n bass then i strongly recommend a listen, one of the best I've heard in ages.

2. Been trying to listen to 'new' music still. One is Indian influenced dance style music - the soaring vocals and tribal percussion can be devastating when pulled off. I recommend 'Transglobal Underground'. Soon to be near-headlining the Avalon stage on Friday at Glastonbury, definitely worth a listen.

3. Also the impending popularity of gypsy/balkan influence with house music. One that springs to mind is Sebastian Leger's 'Balkamaniac'. You can check it out here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KYYLYLBPZY . Traditionally I like to jump head first onto the bandwagon of this-music-is-immediately-very-annoying, but i've grown increasingly fond of the summer-style happiness it comes with.

4. And finally, have you heard the new chemical brothers tune!? absolutely blinding, always amazed by the Chems, dont know how they keep it up after so long at the top of their game. Maximum MAXIMUM respect. Here's to hoping they'll satisfy the 'strong rumour' of a Glastonbury performance, I can't begin to describe how happy that would make me, possibly the biggest live dance heavyweight in the industry, never having damaged their integrity (a la Prodigy) and always deliver a huge performance. Check out the Youtube video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvYz8tCrAkg

Lots of love to all - I'm back on it now so i'll stay in touch!

Nero - the High Contrast of Dubstep?

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:06:52 PDT

High Contrast.... ahhh Lincoln, breathing life into the drum and bass scene for the budding bass music nerd - offering hope to those who have swapped the tracksuit bottoms and a burberry hat, for a cup of tea and an old cardigan.

If We Ever and the Adele remix (hometown glory for those of you who've been on another planet) sprung Linc into the limelight with the easiest tunes to mix, as well as being intensely happy and generally timeless. Lest we forget absolute boom-town classics like Days go by, twighlights last gleaming (happiest dnb tune of all time? check yourself via this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lF0WTMqc1k ) and lesser spotted favourite of mine - mr majestik and the other side in collab with Northern Irish Drum n bass rarity Calibre.

High Contrast is now established as the Welsh poster-boy for geeks into DnB on the side when not analysing art-nouveua film productions and checking out free galleries.

But has Nero offered a route into Dubstep in a similar fashion? Absolutely plain looking in appearance, quite easily aspired to by those leaving their school years with a midi keyboard and a set of decks in their bedroom at their parents. AND they make HUGE remixes of tunes that are otherwise 'radio'hits.

Check these for example. Massive entries into the bootleg remix market on the dubstep scene, it has to be said - they could sound fairly similar, but if the first remix was brilliant.... if it ain't broke....

Check it out.

The Streets - Blinded by the lights (Nero rmx)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_3VeZnIPeM

MJ Cole - Sincere (Nero rmx)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1bI7xLnf8

Calvin Harris - You used to hold me (Nero rmx)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcBryDAKJuY

Deadmau5 - Ghosts and stuff (Nero rmx)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gb3faOzvBk&feature=related

DJ Fresh - Hypercaine (Nero rmx)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bzwotiDbSM

Electro Schmelectro

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 04:23:44 PDT

Is electro getting a small revival...!?!

No.

Almost certainly not. Unless you're a fluorescent-hat-and-sunglasses-wearing-even-when-you're-inside kind of idiot.

Though it has to be said, folks such as erol alkan, jack beats, fake blood and co do know how to kill a dancefloor when its required of them.

If there is one thing we can be grateful to this haircut-sporting-big-trainer-wearing movement of DJs and revellers alike, at least they've got fucking minimal techno out of the way.

Anyway heres some half decent electro/jackin house style tunes in the meantime.

Boris Dlugosch - Bangkok

Boyz Noise feat. Erol Alkan - Waves

Boyz Noise - Ah! (A-Trak Remix)

Crazy Live Performances

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 04:07:16 PDT

With artists now realising the money is in live performance, as record sales are plummeting, its done nothing if not kick a few bands into shape and get them to play live to the audiences who are dying to see them on tour.

Time spent bouncing around various gigs/performances on YouTube is always justified when you come across an absolute winner of a tune played live with devastating effect. I've decided to post a few examples of what I'm on about. Some I was at, and some that I wish I was....

First up is Daft Punk. I wasn't actually at this gig, but as anyone who knows Daft Punk will be aware, they mash up their own tunes from inside their world famous light-show pyramid (which incidentally looks like this from their view)

This particular video of their mash up between the two classics - Aerodynamic and One More Time, the crowd reaction says it all.

Second up is Chemical Brothers @ Glastonbury 2007 playing Star Guitar, in my view one of the greatest festival tunes to watch live of all time. Chemical Bros always put on a huge show, and Star Guitar is that ultimate mix of electronica and happy festival feeling... perfect to get the dancing shoes on for a festival (aaargh i cant wait until glastonbury this year!! chemical brothers are rumoured - but with orbital and faithless already as good as confirmed where the hell will they be on the bill if they are playing???)

Thirdly and finally - bit off kilter but this always makes my hairs stand on end, just because you can see the band really appreciating the ridiculous crowd reaction. Fiancé took me to see FLC in Bristol recently as part of my christmas present and it was absolutely brilliant. Fair play - Huey is such a legend

Podcast 6 // DJ Freehand // NuJazz & HipHop MashUp Show!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:03:20 PST

Been a brief hiatus - but back on top of it again now, played a coupla gigs in Bristol of late, but back on churning out some shows. gotta few crackers for you.

This particular installment is a bit of escapism from the norm, rockin out some reggae, nujazz and broken beat rather than the usual larger than life basslines.

Next instalment looking fairly house/liquid drum n bass happy, with a final smasher coming after that. We're looking for some guest slots to tie in nicely with our SPP facebook fan page launch - gotta few crackin DJs lined up already.... exciting times!! Tap us up if you're interested in getting involved. Leave a comment on this article :)

Anyway usual bizness. check this URL and click 'add to itunes' to subsribe. also we're getting enough love on the twitter page too these days - hit us up on www.twitter.com/stoppauseplay if thats your thing! safe!

http://feeds.feedburner.com/StopPausePlayPodcast

Kaori - Good life remix
I, Monster - daydream
Pure P - Human Nature (remix)
The Roots - Seed 2.0
Primal Scream - Loaded
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt. II
Nas - NY State of Mind
Depeche Mode - Dream On (Dave Clarke remix)
Ben Westbeech - Get Silly
Dub Pistols - I'm In Love
Matisyahu - King Without A Crown
Bootlegged - Apache King
Djuma Soundsystem - Les Djinns
The Knife - Silent Shout
Jean Jacques Smoothie - 2 People
Alice Russell - Humankind
Dub Pistols - Back to Daylight
Michelle Amador - Because of You
Drummagik - Easy Boom
The Specials - Message to you

Fabric Live 50 - DBridge and Instra:mental

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:40:53 PST

Never has my flavour of the month been so satisfied in a single CD.

Initially it was flicking through records - when i inquisitively put on Watching You by instra:mental, two things happened, (1) i instantly recognised it from hearing it somewhere before, and (2) i listened to the whole track from start to finish, loved it all over the place, and a relationship was born.

From then ive been mixing it, playing instra:mental tunes and mixes relentlessly, and from THAT ive moved into other similar style producers LIKE DBridge, and Alix Perez, Rockwell etc etc etc.

Well done sirs.

Then i found out they released the 50th Fabric Live CD! a high accolade indeed. Fantastic news all round. Had a listen this morning - typical of their style, it's not instant high impact BRRRRAAAAP drum n bass.... takes some building up.... some crescendoes that are satisfied, some that arent, with the pace slowly building throughout. I have to say initially i found myself waiting for something to happen but it was always satisfied with a swwiitch of some kind to a completely different style - albeit impressively without noticeable changeovers between tracks. very smooth all round.

standout tracks still definitely the opener, tune called 'seems like' by Riya - (just something a lil different is all), and im sorry, i know its predictable, but funk me that Watching You by instra:mental still makes my hairs stand on end, proper drift off into the distance bizness.

well done. i suggest you have a listen, maybe not when you're getting ready to go out, id say this is one for the long journey or 'while you're working'.

though that is not to suggest it is anything other than brilliant, which, truly, it is.

Crazy times...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:26:24 PST

Bit more of a personal note on this one:

2010 is going to be a huge huge year for me, getting married, going to Glastonbury immediately afterwards then onto some cloak and dagger destination for our honeymoon (i can only advertise on departure - for reasons that will become clear) with lots of other hopelessly disorganised plans gsupposedly taking place in between.

This means i will be both mentally busy, and mentally happy, for the next few months.

Few things to consider though, are that i'll be brassic (so number of podcasts likely to steadily increase!!) and also that im a money-hunting fool, meaning that all websites being made (something i do professionally) and evening DJing jobs have gone into overdrive!

I think with the coming year i'm going to keep a personal touch to the blog - going to be an exciting and hectic time, in terms of music and everything else - and i think having a record of all that goes on would be blooming lovely!

Cheers for reading my humble blog. Looking forward to seeing where I stand on the next personal article.... (hopefully Ange won't have got tired of me by then....)

New Look for Stop Pause Play...

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:26:48 PST

Right then - the hawk eyed amongst you will have spotted that there have been certain changes going on with both the blog site, and the home site www.stoppauseplay.net. thats becaaauuse its been a rebranding exercise y'all! last thing to go is the youtube channel and actually getting something USEFUL on the facebook page. then we're good to go!

Podcasts still trucking along - fantastic fun to put together. Mostly been listening to Joy Orbison and Instra:mental recently, that kind of glitchy-but-not, garage-inspired but bassier, up tempo but down beat sort of music, right where im at.

check these two mixes for the down low:

Joy orbisons mix for mary anne hobbs

Instra:mental mix @ Reach in Dublin

Julio Bashmore

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:16:25 PST

Yes yes bristol represent!!

Now for a shout about a rapidly rising bristol star. The man's gone from a little known rumour - bounded around by those who are tapped in to the very heart of bristolian underground dance music - straight to gettin repped by Mary Anne Hobbs and related cru, playing the main room in the biggest club in the south west on new years eve, and gettin tapped up by internationally known DJ's for his remixing skills.

2010 revellers... prepare yourself for the latest Bristolian sensation.

Links to a few of his mixes including some of his own (lush) tunes can be found below. Watch this space - if you see any tunes for sale/events with this man - we strongly recommend you jump on board.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00q8y1t

http://reqeffect.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/julio-bashmore-mix/

Podcast 5 // DJ Freehand // Drum n Bass!! Big!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:16:58 PST

Went all DnB happy on this bad boy. Some BRILLIANT tunes in there - really loving some of the dnb at the moment. Loads of producers rockin out some serious business!

Hope you all enjoy. Anyone needs any tracklist info or wants to get involved themselves at all then alls you gotta do is ping an email to info@stoppauseplay.net.

For those of you who are unawares.... to subscribe to said podcast you open your iTunes - click 'advanced' in the menu bar, click 'subscribe to podcast', copy and paste the following URL into the box and click OK! easy.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/StopPausePlayPodcast

Tracklist crew....

1. Alix Perez - Forsaken
2. Xample - Contra
3. Breakage ft. Roots Manuva - Run em out
4. Drumsound & Bassline Smith - Can you feel it?
5. Spor - Aztec
6. Logistics - Toy town
7. Calibre - Blue
8. Engage - Helium
9. Subwave - Stars get down
10. Sub Focus - Let the story begin
>> TC - Game over
11. Logistics - Eastern promise
12. M.I.S.T. - Outta space
13. Chase and status - Hurt you
14. Nu:Tone - Balaclava
15. Commix - Be True
16. Mist.i.Cal - Time to fly
17. Danny Byrd - Shock out
18. Sub focus - Special place
>>> G Dub - Les Miserables
20. Logistics - Transporter
21. Metrik - Your world
22. DJ Fresh - Hypercaine

Lotsa love.

Podcast 4 // DJ Freehand // Dubstep and (forgive me) Techno

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:10:34 PST

Recorded this a lil while ago, features mostly on the dubstep side of things, lil spot of bassline house and going into an old Techno/Driving-house Carl Cox favourite at the end. Forgive me I know its a bit out of habit....

As usual if you would like to submit any tunes or mixes just ping em over to info@stoppauseplay.net

*Ed - and here's the tracklist finally....

1. Jinder - Youth Blood (12th planet rmx)
2. Joy Orbison - Hyph Mongo
3. Radikal Guru - Dub Down Babylon
4. Little Entendian - Test MixDown Long
5. Von D - Nouvelle Histoire
6. Rusko - Jahova
7. Blasta and Solo Banton - Burn Babylon Coke
8. Ed Solo - Egyptian Horns (Amen VIP mix)
9. Rusko - Soundguy is my target
10. Rusko - Go go gadget
11. AC Slater - Hello
12. Uncle Sam - Round the world girls (Tes la rok rmx)
13. Joker - Digidesign
14. Herve - Science of fear (Herve Dub Mix)
15. Mauro Picotto - New time new place

Enjoy!

Podcast Christmas Episode En Route!

noreply@blogger.com (Frankie Freehand) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:24:05 PST

Hol'tight the work crew! Finish workin this Friday, been on the tunes HARD this week, got a monster, MONSTER podcast comin up for the festive season.

Gots to be drivin all the way to London (see the nephew - best man in the world) then all the way back to taunton with the in-law massive for the christmas biznizz!!, (dunno what the fuss is about, my in laws are safe, mans is lucky!!

massive shout to little endian aka, G.Ellis cru for finally fixin me up some of his dapper tunes last week. gonna be a WORLD PREMIER on stop pause play for the festive podcast of this clapham based gangsterman when it come up. excited bout that big time.

new podcast en route, ima keep checkin on those tunes. keep your eyes peeled on the itunes. cheers for all the emails comin in!! replyin asap i promise! and to the (what i think is spanish) crew, stop pause play only speak english amigo!! mail us in english!!

muchos amor.... check back for the podcast soon, or bang yer email in thing on the left if you wanna get an email with the tracklist for every new show ya dun no the web features!

nuthin but love! xxx

[3] Freehand Up To It - Too Many Bevvie // Liquid DnB all tha way...// 021209

noreply@blogger.com (Frankie Freehand) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:54:29 PST

Massive apologies to all crew.

I was battered when i recorded this mix - no chat, no tracklist.

If anyone listening owns d'ese tunes and wants it taken down you let me know ill do it. Coz for the life of me I got thousands of tunes and i dunno what half of them are on this mix. Massive apology to anyone who wanna know wha'pen!

Tap me up on email if you gotta particular tune you wanna know about I'll do me best....

Podcast back on form next time i promise - gots to lay off the drinkin so hard next time n ill know whats occurrin on me own decks.

BIG shout to my brother - this mix basically for him, him and other half just had the most gorgeous kid ever. I'm the proudest uncle anyones ever seen. Congratulations Pat and Kiran. Ya Dun Kno'!!!

Here's to the next podcast anyway, professional vibes on the horizon ya hurd!

[2] DJ Freehand in Session! // Dubstep, Liquid DnB and DnB Classics // 231109

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:20:55 PST

Trip-hop to jump-up drum and/or bass.

Freehand on the plates again, If you're interested in playing a set for the SPP podcast, or submitting your tune likewise - just drop an email to mike@stoppauseplay.net and he'll be in touch!

Remember this is all you gotta do to subscribe....

open your iTunes - click 'advanced' in the menu bar, click 'subscribe to podcast', copy and paste the following URL into the box and click OK! easy.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/StopPausePlayPodcast

[1] DJ Freehand Steps Up... // Jump-up Dubstep, Glitch and Jump-up DnB // 191109

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:20:24 PST

For those of you who are unawares.... to subscribe to said podcast you open your iTunes - click 'advanced' in the menu bar, click 'subscribe to podcast', copy and paste the following URL into the box and click OK! easy.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/StopPausePlayPodcast

Right bit of explanation needed:

Being as this is the FIRST TIME ive recorded a podcast, i had a fair quantity of drinks prior to recording to make me feel better about having to speak over a microphone, so apologies if im slurring a bit, hopefully my beat matching is still on form (to be fair I've DJ'd in much worse states before...!)

Podcast!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:49:19 PST

I've sussed it!!

OK so it was a lil easier than i thought.

Expect the maiden podcast very soon, (soon as i get a spell on me decks), im guessing ill probably try and do one weekly(ish)? i dont even know whats usual with these things...

Anyway keep your eyes peeled.... oooo eeerrr im excitable now. I am going to set about making my 'podcasting studio' look as similar as possible to the below (sure the mrs will love it - especially the haircut, which i also plan on replicating)

Stop Pause Play back in the game....

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:56:15 PST

Sorry for the brief hiatus!! I've had a hectic couple of weeks, became an uncle on Saturday - massive MASSIVE congrats to my brother and his dear other half, the baby is absolutely gorgeous, mother and child are both fine after a lengthy and nervous Saturday!

In other news, I've been busy figuring out how to turn this ere blog into a podcast of sorts.... might sound easy, but i can assure you, im managing to find it difficult! Apparently you need a certain amount of chinwagging to qualify to be listed on iTunes or something like that? Not the biggest fan of the sound of my own voice, maybe I'll just have to take all the inevitable abuse that my mates will give me and man up and actually talk.... gotta be on iTunes havent you?! iTunes is the nuts, just like iMacs, iPods and iPhones, just got myself an iPhone, they're a life changer. Official. My girlfriend has no time for it at all.

Bit of a music update before i get back onto figuring out this bloody podcasting business - one tune has been PARTICULARLY floating my boat of late. massive massive tune - instra:mental getting bigger and bigger on the scene in the producer market. Check out Watching You, this is one to be listened to LOUD in your headphones, just cos its one of those spacey-all-consuming tunes know what i mean? and a dubstep equivalent too - Synkro with Inhale, also a bad-ass spacey tune..

Check this business!

Loads of Crackin Dubstep

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:21:38 PST

No particular theme to this post really, just been checking out the dubstep again after a brief spell away from the turntables for one reason or another.

Collared a few good dubstep tunes that i would highly recommend! Some including piano riffs (which admittedly I'm not sure if they're entirely grown on me yet, or if they will at all), but otherwise just some good dubsteppy biznizz for all. enjoy!

Liquid - Liquid is Liquid (DJ Wire Remix)
Eddie K - The Shivers
Radikal Guru vs Scientist No Good
Distance - Night Vision (Skream Remix)

Interesting Drum n Bass

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:05:25 PST

Been toying with the idea of doing a drum n bass mix in the near future and ive come across a couple of random tunes which i think i like, (one of them has been out a while to be fair, but it fitted in the 'sounds different to usual drum n bass but still sort of drum n bass' category.

I also like the idea of a spot of variety in a DJ's set, means the audience rarely know what is coming next - something DJ Marky is seriously good at. It was in fact DJ Marky who played Disco Dodo the first time I heard it in a small club called Native in Bristol about 3 years ago.... (now The Big Chill Bar, so clean and tidy by comparison, urgh).

Nero Playin Stealth in Nottingham

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:57:28 PDT

and here's another one, Nero dropping Timewarp and their absolutely badman tune 'do you wanna'....

always good to see a dj going absolutely nuts. nuff respect!

Love carl cox much?

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:17:16 PDT

OK, sorry, i know ive done this before. but carl cox is bloody brilliant. stumbled across this one of him playing an epic looking gig at Timewarp in 2008. Got the full set on the d/l now but this video of him dropping the huge mauro picotto tune is bloomin fantastic. enjoy!

[Everyday Soundtrack - Article 1] Going To Work

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:03:24 PDT

This is the first in a series of articles to do with the 'soundtrack' to daytime activities....

If you, like me, enjoy listening to music in WHATEVER you're doing, then you probably have a few choice tracks that you like according to the particular situation you're in. Certain music for waking up to, certain music for getting ready to go out to. etc etc etc.

This is a follow on from a couple of previous posts that have inspired this 'series'.....

The first, as the observant amongst you will have noticed is what music to listen to when going to work. This is a troublesome time... inevitably in a bad mood, late, too hot or too cold, and generally your only salvation will come from whatever you are listening to.

You need something that will turn you mood around, get you revved up. I appreciate some will have hour long journey times and others will have 5mins, those with shorter journeys will have to make their selection wisely!!

My criteria for this time of day is something with a pulse, but maybe not too damaging on the ears in case to ease the transition from asleep to awake: here are a few to be getting on with as usual....

Goldtrix feat. Andrea Brown - It's Love (Trippin')
Nero - Do You Wanna
DJ Marky & XRS - No Time To Love
Mauro Picotto - New Time, New Place
Deadmau5 - I Remember
Stanton Warriors - Still Here

Free Sub Focus MP3!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Wedge) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:24:13 PDT

Check out the banner on the left or the below link, click through to download a free Sub Focus tune - Smooth!

FREE SUB FOCUS TUNE