Good Tunes and Old Fiddles.

Posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago at 2:42 pm. 0 comments

I suppose I should start off with the introduction of my new Slow Jams Valentines Mix.

Valentines Love 2010. by Djdavidcraig.co.uk

As always the most time was taken up with the selection. I managed to eventually trim it down to 32 tracks which never leave my i-pod. After looking back over the list the most curious thing was the absence of anything new on there. I know Nas was shouting about hip-hop being dead a while back but has rnb lost it’s soul? I may be stuck in the past as you can see from the selection from my Valentines mix but I just don’t think the present sound can compare. Even on the more commercial side of rnb a decade back artists actually had a bit of talent and individuality. I’m not gonna even bother to get started on the current generic , disposable radio friendly rubbish.

Cue my current defection to the more soulful side of house. I’m actually loving the variation in my sets right now. It’s nice to be able to drop some quality tracks at Muzik and Urban Chique mixing up classic rnb with soul and funk. Also loving my new weekend home residencies at Bar loca and Nasimi Beach where in both venues the emphasis is on good music without concession. I’ve got to say I’ve never been happier djing and being able to play out some quality music on a regular basis to people who actually appreciate something different.



Here’s another live mix taken from my set at Barasti last weekend which was sabotaged by the rain. Props to the lunatics who braved the elements and kept dancing even after getting drenched. Also some nice sets from Afroboogie, John Spoor and Karlo Funk.

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Download Link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NF98SH3R



Thanks to everyone who voted for me in the Dj Mag Middle East competition. With your help I came a respectable 25th place. There was a fantastic standard of dj’s from all over the region so I’m really happy with the outcome. It also sparked some interesting debated locally about the value of such competitions and about the criteria for judging.



Still on the subject of competitions I’ve been shortlisted by Time Out magazine Dubai in the category best local dj in the 2010 Nightlife Awards. The magazine also recognises best local bar, club , band etc. The awards itself takes place at Sanctuary (Atlantis) on ……Check out the site for more info: http://www.timeoutdubai.com/nightlifeawards



Here’s my weekly rundown of gigs right now. Hopefully see you all on the dance floor sometime soon. Tuesdays bi-Weekly With Emtee and Danny Neville.. Every Tuesday we are going back to basics for a serious mix of quality music with no boundaries. From Jahiem to Slum Village, Masters @ Work to Donaeo, James Brown to Jill Scott, Bob Marley to Blackstreet, A Tribe Called Quest To Angie Stone, Ryan Leslie to Roy Ayers, ‘It’s all about the Muzik’

Wednesdays we’re still doing it up at Warehouse lounge leaning more on the classic soul and funk early on and progressing in to rnb, hip-hop and reggaeton and dancehall later. Look out in the listings for regular live guests.



Thursdays and Fridays I’m on rotation with Youngie at Bar Loca in Dubai Marine. Besides being tipped by Time out Dubai as one of the top 5 places to try in Dubai in 2010. It continues to get great reviews in the local press for food , setting and after the feedback from last weekend music too. Some of the best requests I’ve had in a long time ranging from Fela Kuti to Curtis Mayfield.



Finally for the perfect end to the week you’ve got to try Play at Nasimi Beach. Theres a great all day drinking and bbq offer on. The food’s amazing and the tunes are provided by some of my favourite selectors in Dubai. On rotation you have Myself,Schooly, Salah Sadeq, Roni Jaxx, Charl Chacka, Smoking Groove and Kristin Valdini spinning old school funk, disco, soul and rare groove, with a slice of deep house later into the night. This eclectic musical mix is all presented live from Nasimi Beach and broadcast across the nation only on Radio 1. As part of the Schooly’s Soulful Sessions show. That’s about it for this month. I’ve had a few comments about the lack of the usual observations / rants. It’s been noted and I’ll be back to my over opinionated self real soon.