I'd been working on this mix ever since leaving London and had anticipated it would be out sooner. What was holding me back was the last track which I really wanted to include for you. "American Jones" by Jamie Jones, a slick take on the Kanye West song "American Boy".

It was played to me by Dyed (Soundorom) during the two-day festival Mint, up in Leeds. I was making this mix around the same time and instantly this spoke to me as the closing track. A nice way to round up things - vocals, groovy bass and those repetitive "shakey shake" high-hats. Of course getting a track from a touring and most-wanted DJ isn't as simple as get home, upload to WeSend and bam! it's in the library. 

The other tracks featured in the mix are floor-killers and popular hits of the Ibiza Summer of 2015. I wanted this mix to be quite energetic and strong so bass plays a heavy role. Kollektiv Turmstrasse's "Sorry I'm Late" ruled many Dj's playlists over the summer. "Sensation" by Volkoder was one of the most Shazamed tracks on the island. Bas Ibellini's "That's Right" - many will agree - was his final breakthrough into the scene. A track that was played at Timewarp Mannheim right through till the ed of summer.

So enjoy the mix that had many stories and joint forces to make it possible ! Consider "American Jones" an exclusive treat, as it's not available to buy ;-)

Sunsets always get me. They have the ability to bring people together for that short period of time, a unity that agrees and is positive. They let us marvel and wonder at the beauty of the world. Leave us speechless and in awe.  

This mix was something I'd wanted to create for a long time now. I'd witnessed many incredible sunsets in my life. But none like those in Ibiza.

Everyone agrees there is some magical force field, an energy that surrounds the island. The sunsets are a stamp of confirmation to that.

When choosing the tracks, originally I was sitting on the terrace of an old Ibizencan villa, perched just off a cliff in Cala Moli. The Western part of Ibiza, know for it's fiery sunsets. I'd created playlist that reflected that still, calm beauty yet held a grandeur of emotions.

The playlist then morphed into the mix that I have published. Designed to be played before a sunset or even during sunrise. I hope you enjoy! Izx

Remember when Hip Hop was cool? When film clips were imaginative journeys through the dust, Mad Max style ( yes, we’ve all read THAT letter when Tupac and Dr.Dre first discovered Burning Man). When lyrics stretched beyond planting a ripe purple one on a chick. When songs started movements, stood for people and their beliefs.

Or were just simply a call to part-ay.

Growing up, this was the hip hop of my youth. I remember when radio would bleep out the swear words, but we still knew what was up and then snigger as we tried to boldly repeat them at school in front of our teachers. Sure, Sydney was a far cry from the streets of Compton but us youngins in the immigrant South West felt some sort of brotherhood. Kinda. A little.

So came the time to make a hip hop mix of all those songs that I still "get down" and "shake my booty" too. It ain't all about house, and yeah I know that half the deep house tracks I play are sampled from Warren G, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, etc. ( In fact I'm writing an article about that too, stay tuned. )

For some reason Biggie and Diddy –when he was still Puff, their film clip for “Mo Money Mo Problems” stood out in my young impressionable mind. All that flying around defying gravity and when rappers still attempted to dance in choreography. We all wanted to be that young kid jumping around in "Jump".

TLC flew the flag for tough young gals. Salt-n-Pepa for sexual liberation. Lauryn Hill, well she is the real Queen here. 

At the risk of looking like a hypocrite, Dr.Dre does feature heavily on this mix. But his beatings of women aside, you cannot erase this mans talent and influence on the hip hop industry. Those piano quavers that majestically introduce "Still Dre" still send shivers down my spine. He did, after all, pioneer the first white rapper who subsequently overtook in sales and platinum hits than most of the "Rap Gods" put together.

So come on ride the train, hey ride it! 

230 miles, six hours, three trains, two coffees and an angry inspection lady (who eventually kicked me off the train, adding an extra hour to my travel time) and I was at the gates of the Mint Festival with an All Access Pass and my Artist Band in hand.  I was there to interview the DJs - some of the greatest in today's electronic music scene.
Not a bad gig.
 
In true English fashion, it was bloody freezing with drizzle creating a light fog.  In true English fashion, most people were dressed like it was an Australian summers day.

A circus themed field sprawled across Lincolnshire Showground with options to please any music junkie, on every notch of the spectrum. From disco to dub-step, drum’n’bass and techno – everyone was covered.

A stellar line up on each stage proved it difficult to choose where to head to first.

Personally the stand out sets that I had seen were Skream, Richy Ahmed and MK.  I’d never been hugely interested in MK but his energy and the vibe he created on stage was epic. Skream left the stage with a banger of a "Sexual Healing" remix, to the extent that Hot Since 82 was a little ruffled as to how to take over the decks. With class he let the track play out and let Skream take his bow. It’s so refreshing when DJs treat each other amicably. Something the older generation can take note of.

Egos and bad taste rivalry are so boring.

The biggest disappointment for me was not getting an interview with Paul Van Dyk. Even though I am not into his music anymore, he is still quite the legend and has lasted the distance in an industry that can chew you up and destroy you within a few years.

PVD had to rush off straight after his set – meaning literally off the stage and into a black car without even a moment to make eye contact. Boo.

Sander Van Door - among a few others, had quite the expensive taste. Three bottles of Dom Perignon sat in his rider box. And no, I wasn't offered a glass. Vintage tequilas, top of the range gins ... not a beer in sight.

Despite the dramatic weather the festival was an all rounder - well organised, well planned and well ... bloody fun. My favourite interviews were with the always smiling Dyed Soundorom, Ryan Crosson of Visionquest and Skream. Down to earth, funny and know a thing or two about music.

One of the things I love about Ibiza is the the down right crazy places you will most definitely end up once stepping out of your home.
Today after a fairly chilled day of leisurely sailing around Cala Comte, I end up at the house of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte. A magnificent villa perched on the cliffs of northern Ibiza, separate small fincas sprawled across the grassy property. Tall palm trees swayed to the breeze. Activities, food stalls and sculptures scattered in between - all of the circus kind.

I probably tried every single flavour of artisan ice-cream handed out by sequin clad women in top hats.


Why such a lavish set you ask? Well, it was the scene for the famed Boiler Room Villa Takeovers.

Walking into the villa grounds, people were spread everywhere. The party had just started so it was difficult to guess numbers. But by the time Paradise creator Jamie Jones stepped up to the decks, I'm guessing around 500 partyers were scattered around the Paradise Circus.

First UP, Kate Simko performed with the London Electronic Orchestra. A live performance of "Benediction" with Ali Love on the mike finished her set and an energetic WAFF set the pace for the rest of the night.

As the sun set on another glorious day, the circus went into night mode. Tripadelic lights, large-scale projections, performances and of course, the dancing. Martinez Brothers pumped up the atmosphere with their RnB laden beats. Then Jamie Jones took the reigns to finish his party right.

This was definitely a party remember. Long after Boiler Room had taken down their production lights the party kept going. No one wanted to leave such a magical setting, but alas ... all good things must come to end.

Great thanks to Guy, the ring leader, who's hospitality was of epic scale.

When you think London, you think edgy punk fashion, Doc Martens and moody colours ... the spectrum of greyscale to be more precise . A pioneer of the London look is definitely the iconic brand AllSaints.

Last night I had the pleasure of DJing for the private party celebrating the new Autumn Winter collection, hosting guests for an exclusive preview of what threads are hot for those cold days ahead.

The VIP party was in the beautiful Notting Hill store. Set upon two levels, the wooden floorboards and steel frames give it that rough yet stylish atmosphere.

Like any fashion event bubbly and kind-to-the-hip canapes floated around. Guests could also have some fun with the photo booth. Everyone loves a good photo session ... including me! I managed to sneak in a cheeky photo with my fav girl about London town, Shannon - aka. hostess with the mostess

AllSaints music direction is more Indie Rock, so I got a chance to catch up on the latest in the indie world,play some old favourites and mix it up a bit with vocal deep house.

AllSaints tracklist :
"Swinging Party" - The Kindness
"Blue Monday" - New Order
"Get Myself Into It" - The Rapture
"Feel the Love" - Cut Copy
"Blind" -  Hercules & Love Affair
"Pow Pow" - LCD Soundsystem

Last night I spun for the London Lifestyle Award nominations at the new Cafe Kaizen in the heart of Mayfair, Hanover Square. The London Lifestyle Awards celebrate groups and individuals that shape and greatly contribute to make London one of the best cities in the world.

From clubs, restaurants, hotels to health and fitness ... any area of London living that makes London's lifestyle enviable.

Was great to see some old faces in the crowd, and very happy to hear a few places that have had me spin were up for titles. Coya, Maddox, Barts ... congrats and fingers crossed !

Cafe Kaizen is a market place set up, casual yet cool with a cherry blossom tree smack bang in the middle. Very zen. Serving dumplings and tea (tested, approved), vegan cakes and juices along with fancy booze, Cafe Kaizen is a great hangout without the fuss. 

I'll be playing there most Fridays this month so get yourself down for a juice and beats to kick start the weekend.

The crowd was mixed, it's a Tuesday and the sun was still shining - so the tracks had to be a little varied. Nothing too bam bam thankyou ma'am. The track list went a little something like this:

"Everyday People" - Arrested Development
"Dear Miami" - Roisin Murphy
"Love Never Felt So Good" - Michael Jackson
"Fade Out Lines (E.M.B Project)" - Nouvelle Vague
"No Eyes" - Claptone feat. Jaw
"Waves (Robin Schulz Remix)" - Mr. Probz

Ibiza. The tiny island that explodes on a nightly basis. A place where you come with friends, and leave with a few more. Last night, I went to go see a few friends playing at Sunset Ashram - a beautiful hippy restaurant that's one of the last remaining true Ibizencan places to watch the sunset, mingle and not be charged two legs and an arm.

I ran into a dear friend of mine from my Milano days back when I was carrying heels in my bag, a portfolio and spinning in small bars after castings. Emma - half of the DJ duo Hunter/Game  has been enjoying great success after years of hard work and dedication. Also one of the sweetest Italian Stallions around, we had many good times in Milan. He introduced me to the guys from Tale of Us ... way back before they were famous and sitting in his studio fooling around.

Below right is an interview I did with Emma for Pulse Radio to celebrate the  release of their EP "The Island". Click on the picture to read up the news!

If your iPod is struggling for some new tunes look no further. Here are thirty of the best mixes of the year so far, most of them more than an hour and free to download so you can keep your backyard parties going. My contribution was the Flatboys mix which I discovered on Soundcloud. A great compilation of chilled summer tunes to help you ease into a boozy afternoon.

Click here to shake up that shuffle