10 years, 1 month, 2 weeks

Just over 10 years ago, in the last week of September, I experienced my first live Jaxx performance - a DJ set in Denver. I had just started law school, and it was a great set at a time when the buzz around the debut album was as high as could be. I had managed to grab a bootleg copy of their '99 Essential Mix (this was just before the dawn of Napster, and well before widespread high speed internet), so I had an idea of what I was in for, but being there live was so much fun. It was also the first time I made contact with the Jaxx. I just had to know who did that wicked dubplate of Soul II Soul's "Fairplay" that they played during their set, so I asked Simon. Unfortunately he didn't know (Wookie did, I later found out). I saw them again a few days later on my birthday in San Francisco

So what better way to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of my following the Jaxx sound than to fly to NYC to see them do it all over again at Santos Party House. To be honest, although I did want to catch one of the DJ dates on the tour, I wasn't particularly excited about going back to New York because I had just traveled there in July to see Grace Jones, and I'm not a big fan of the city in the first place. But after hearing the Jaxx's guest spot on Gilles Peterson's show, I was re-energized, and I booked my flight. I decided on only staying 1 night, no hotel, no luggage.

My friends and I arrived at the venue fairly early, but I had discovered Holy Ghost! was spinning that night as well, so I wanted to see them. We chilled on the dancefloor, soaking up the vibe for a while. Then, I happened to turn around as a group was passing, and I noticed Felix was one of them. He recognized me at the same time, and we exchanged hello's before he had to rejoin the group.

A little while later, we made our way to the main room upstairs, and while waiting for the bartender, another group of people passed behind us. I turned around again, and a petite young lady suddenly stopped and stood there staring at me. As soon as she asked, "Are you txjaxx?!", I recognized her: it was Vula! We did the hello/how are you thing, and she hit the VIP area. Now I was really glad I decided to make the trip.

So after the opening DJs warmed up the crowd, Felix started things off, and for the next two hours, we didn't stop dancing and cheering. While they don't play nearly as much original Jaxx material in their sets as they used to, they know how to work a crowd nonetheless. Vula did her thing on Red Alert and Oh My Gosh, and she saved the day when one of the dancers shut off the music accidentally. She also gave some shout-outs to the crowd, to Armand Van Helden (who was in attendance), and to yours truly! Thanks to Felix for that one!

After the set, I had a short chat with both Felix and Simon, and then it was off to bed for three hours before my flight back home. I had a great night with both the Jaxx and my friends. Thanks and much appreciation go to Jaxx HQ.

I can't believe I almost didn't go; I would have missed this:

Feelings Gone - US release

The Feelings Gone single has been released in the US! It's a whopper, at 11 tracks. Available on iTunes and Beatport.

1. Feelings Gone
2. Feelings Gone (alternate version)
3. Feelings Gone (Rusko's Stadium Rock remix)
4. Feelings Gone (Spor remix)
5. Feelings Gone (Adrian Lux & Flores full vocal remix)
6. Feelings Gone (Adrian Lux & Flores Intergalactico dub)
7. Feelings Gone (Felix's Hamma dub)
8. Feelings Gone (Felix's Jack dub)
9. Feelings Gone (Floating Points remix)
10. Feelings Gone (Sam Sparro remix)
11. Feelings Gone (instrumental)

Mixes and live sets and mixes!

Get your modems ready for some downloading!
First up, 2 mixtapes - 1 from Felix and 1 from Simon (thanx to the mysterious SuperJaxx for these):

Felix's "Easy / At Home" Mix
http://www.mediafire.com/?qbzmzmy0h1v

SiMix09
http://www.mediafire.com/?dmnddlrnzze

Then we have the Jaxx's live set from the Sudoeste festival this year in Portugal. The beginning's chopped off, but there's still another 85 minutes of great quality music to listen to:

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?4ly1ymmi2r0

Raindrops released in the US

Raindrops has been released by Ultra in the US (finally). You can download now through Beatport and iTunes.

Tracklist is:
1. Raindrops (radio version)
2. Raindrops
3. Raindrops (Funkagenda & Paul Thomas Re-Dux)
4. Raindrops (Robbie Rivera's Club mix)
5. Raindrops (Robbie Rivera's Juicy Dub mix)
6. Raindrops (Joker & Ginz remix)
7. Raindrops (Doorlys Dubstep remix)
8. Raindrops (AN21 & Philip Jensen remix)

Scars is out!

Get out your wallets, because Scars, the new album from Basement Jaxx, is released today in the US! You can grab it on CD or vinyl, or you can grab it on mp3 from several online stores, a few of which are offering various bonus tracks. From iTunes USA, you can get two outstanding b-sides, "One More Chance" and "Wheel N Stop", as well as the Paul Thomas and Funkagenda remix of "Raindrops." In the UK iTunes store, you only get "One More Chance." From the Amazon (UK) mp3 store, you get the Rusko remix of "Feelings Gone." From the Amazon (US) mp3 store, you get the Joachim Garraud remix of "Feelings Gone" and the Under New Management remix of "Raindrops." And Play.com has an unspecified remix of "Raindrops." Whew.
So, I personally recommend buying the CD and then scooping up the bonus tracks here and there.

Also today, the single for "Feelings Gone" is released in several countries (except the US, thanks guys!), again in various physical formats as well as digitally. However, over at Boomkat, there are 3 remixes that don't seem to be for sale at any other shop. Of course, there are territorial restrictions in effect, so if you're in the US and you have to have them, you'll just have to steal them off P2P networks instead of paying to support the Jaxx. It's too bad the labels make it difficult to support artists, but there it is. Anyway, rejoice! New Jaxx!

Hey free tickets

If you win them:
http://www.7digital.com/cms/competitions/basement-jaxx.aspx

Felix's Guest List

From Pitchfork, check out Felix's picks from the last decade:
http://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/7698-guest-list-2000s-edition/1/

You'll have to scroll down about half way.