Zone Magazine Issue 039 – Ismael Rivas Cover –

Well Folks, Lots of great things happening here at Zone HQ just for you lot, so keep coming back! Well its Winter 2024, and we have a whopper packed issue with all the regulars, and lots of interviews! Just to let you guys know, we are back to bio-monthly now! We welcome new contributors – Jack Acid – ‘Oldskool Vinyl You Must Have PT1’, and LOUK – ‘Making Music On A Budget PT1’ and Hardware & Software Reviews.

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In our feature interviews in this issue we talk to cover artist and Spanish Legend ISMAEL RIVAS. With over 25 years of experience behind him, Ismael Rivas, has amply demonstrated why he is one of the best DJ’s in Spain and abroad. We could describe him as many ways, but the easiest one and with the better we can identify is with his music: own style, with lots of character, with which he transmits to the people his personality, full of energy, with epic melodies, strong rhythms, and electronic character.

” After the pandemic time, I think the Spanish scene is having a new boom; New clubs and festivals, and New promoters! “

From the UK we speak to the one and only STEVE MAC. He is one of the most respected UK producers in the game. He has over 1000 releases under his belt including original productions, producing other artists and remixing the likes of Jamiroquai, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson to name but a few. Also scoring pop chart success. The former Rhythm Masters man has built up an enviable selection of analogue hardware in his recording studio, The Bunker, and the clarity of sound emanating out of his studio mix-downs is the backbone to the success of the Jack Said What sound.

” You need to work double hard to get anywhere now. So much harder to break through. If you do it part time, you have no chance “

Our man Thorsten catches up with Japans success RAYRAY. A Day With RayRay [Japan] at the Amsterdam Dance Event 2023. The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is without a doubt one of the biggest gathering of artists, music lovers, industry professionals and everything else that is remotely attached to the wonderful world of the music industry. That memorable night we got to meet RayRay we saw her perform an incredible energy driven set and crowds that went wild. So naturally we started to take an interest in this energetic talented woman career.

” I listen to different kind of music daily, and I’m always trying to expand my music universe, plus I also have a lot of collabs which are different music genres. It’s always fun to play different sets and interact with the audience “

We also talk to DARREN MARTIN from the UK. Born in Jersey in the seventies he was front and centre of the rave scene that flooded the island in the early 90’s. A regular at the illegal raves and famous Inn on The Park parties that put Jersey on the map back in the day the impact that had is still evident in every set Darren plays out. Having left Jersey 20 years ago DJing came much later in life and now four years sober his career and love for beats is stronger than ever. His upfront old school ravey sound has got the attention of some notable Promoters in Spain and U.K including residencies with Kinky Malinki, WTHouse and RUSH London. Darren has become renowned in Southern Spain and Ibiza under his one man brand HouseWork.

” For me its all about the crowd and energy in the room that makes this answer. I have played in some big clubs that look incredible but have no soul or the sound is bouncing all over the shop “

 

From the UK we also speak to SY SEZ. We are delighted to have a moment to interview and welcome an international DJ, Producer, Promoter, popular Radio host with Mi-Soul, an Event Organiser in his role as partner in renowned house night “Deep Into Soul”, as well as founder of Raising Records & Raising People Management. With a CV like that, there is very little this man doesn’t know about the house music industry. The one and only. SY SEZ. Originally making his name in London in the mid-noughties as a resident DJ for the legendary Soul Heaven & Ministry of Sound, Sy has gone onto play worldwide at some of the most established clubs & festivals, at times lining up with some of the biggest names in House music Spen, Terry Hunter, Louis Vega, John Morales, Dave Lee to name just a smattering.

” Be original stick to your vision no matter what, never give up and always believe 100% in what you’re doing “

 

Also from the UK, we catch up with SOL BROWN. London based DJ/Producer ‘Sol Brown’ is definitely a name that you should be looking out for… Over the last 20 years Sol has been gracing the decks at some of London’s most renowned nightclubs. During this time, he’s also held down DJ residencies in numerous other UK cities, as well as regular radio shows on a handful of the scenes most premiere stations. With his finger firmly on the pulse it’s no secret that Sol’s firmly established himself as key player in the UK’s soulful house music scene.

” Growing up in the 80’s with a ten-year older sister, I found myself being quite heavily influenced by the 80’s electronic pop sound ”

 

From Canada we grab a few minutes with PAT BEDEAU. When Grenadian born DJ and Producer Pat Bedeau performs a set, he brings a blazing upbeat mix of soulful house and Deep House, that reflects the many diverse influences from his rich musical background of Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk, Reggae & Rare Grooves. Pat is an original “House head” brought up on the M25 raves during the late eighties that included Sunrise, Energy, Back to the Future and the Raindance parties’ Now one of the modern breed of DJ/Producers, Pat has spread his sound in clubs and festivals across the UK, Amsterdam, Miami, Mumbai, Prague, Madrid, Philadelphia, Baltimore & Ibiza.

” 2024 has 12 releases planned and the addition of the Richard Earnshaw remix of “Set Me Free” by Jodie Erica and a Scott Diaz remix of “Dangerous”, with a few more remixes in the pipeline including two for Bobby & Steve & one for Natasha Watts “

 

This issue’s Label Feature is with Plymouth’s [UK] very own MELODIC BEATS RECORDINGS. Not only a record label but an events brand and podcast series Melodic Beats has made the world take note. Booking the likes of Jody Wisternoff and curating mixes from a wide range of acts including Graham Gold and more, and releasing many releases which are amassing strong DJ support. Melodic beats recordings is “Quality underground house music with a hypnotic groove and an atmospheric edge”. Deep, Melodic dance music, Emotional & Progressive electronic music and everything in-between. It’s the off-shoot of the success of the Podcast.

” My first experience of the scene as it was at Zenas, with the S.A.S playing every Saturday night. This grew into the first Raves in the Warehouse and beyond. It was very special “

In our events features we check out AMOR ANDALUCIA [SPAIN], and MI CASA ES SU CASA [UK / SPAIN]. Both amazing events with fantastic promoters in Spain and in the UK.

As if all that was not enough of course we have our regular reviews and charts from the talented and dynamic Zone crew. Also this issue we continue Zone Magazine’s FREE exclusive DJ Mix series. As usual we would like to thank all of our very many talented contributors and friends who provide so much content, love and support for what we are doing, they are listed on the left hand column on this page if you want to contact them directly with the latest news.

From myself and the whole Zone crew, we just wanted to say thanks again for your continued support, peace.

Paul & Zone Magazine Crew!