After several hours in the sun, I caught a cab and headed back to South Beach to freshen up for the evening. Trend #4 - great Miami radio. Nearly every cab I rode in during the week was playing WPYM 93.1 FM, Miami's incredible dance radio station featuring commercial trance and house music. I wish a station like this was in every US market. By a stroke of luck, the Townhouse was the location for the Madonna "Love Profusion" release party. Heading upstairs, I immediately noticed Peter Rauhofer was spinning. I thought it was a bit odd that he would be the first DJ on but then realized he was playing Ultra later in the evening and was quickly shuttled out after his set. He played a really cool Madonna mix that I had not heard before - apparently it will be on Madonna's next Remixed/Remade compilation to be in stores soon. The crowd was full of US Dance Industry - Bernadette of Nightlife organized the party and I was hanging out with Orange Factory, LiV, Passengerz and was introduced to Dolce, a favorite singer of mine who I had never had the honor of meeting. I noticed Peter was heading out and looked up to see two sharp dressed men getting behind the decks playing music I can only describe as exciting and energetic - because it doesn't fit into a single category - electro, house, techno, etc. I met the Blow-Up guys who were full of intoxicating playful energy that was absolutely contagious. I was making the rounds when I heard a girl calling my name and I looked up and saw her - Miss Jennifer Warner: she who made dancemusic.about.com what it is and continues her love and passion for dance music at raves.com. I was actually tongue-tied because I didn't know what to say to her, I love and respect her work so much. Ralphi Rosario came on the decks next, another incredible DJ who played all kinds of fun stuff - including a mix of M People's "Moving On Up" that I had never heard before. He said it was a little something he did for himself... Note to self, call Ralphi when I get back.
I met up with Michael Paoletta from Billboard and publicist Shelli Andranigian and went to a nice dinner at Outback. The mood was quite cool, chatting with old friends. I don't know if this could be considered a trend but a highlight of WMC is reconnecting with people who I speak to on the phone/eMail and building personal bonds. Ellis Miah (Orange Factory/LiV) joined us, sparking some interesting conversation about the R&B/hip-hop music world and how dance relates. After a sumptuous dinner, we headed over to Bed where I danced my ass off at the amazing Hed Kandi party. This was the first time I heard Stonebridge featuring Therese's "Put 'em High" which the crowd went nuts for. Mark Doyle, owner of Hed Kandi, was DJing and dropped some incredible tunes like the Tim Deluxe mix of Gus Gus's "David," Milk & Sugar's "Get Down Stay Down" and Skylark's "That's More I Like." Trend #5 - mashups. Through out the week I heard Missy Elliott, Kelis and several other big songs redone, remixed, and mashed up in unique and creative ways.
After 2 hours of dancing, Michael and Shelli were ready to head home, though I still had some energy so I stopped by Mynt which was located next to my hotel. Trend #6 - bad doorstaff at some clubs. I had RSVP'ed for the Ministry of Sound party and received a confirmation. I was dressed appropriately and there was no one else waiting to get in. After several minutes waiting in front of the door person, he acknowleged my presence with a sneer and stared at me blankly when I explained that I had RSVPed. Fifteen minutes later, I just left- I had had such a good night it wasn't worth drama at a stuck up club.
Sunday morning was a whirr as I rushed down to the Wyndham hotel for the MixShow DJ panel I was on at 12noon. Two nights of partying had started on me, but I was surprisingly animated and the discussion went well.
