London Paper 22

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ON THE SCENE
Chantelle Fiddy

Last week the talk was all about Hed Kandi as they brightly go where no other music brand has – getting their own Ibiza-bound Boeing 757. A joint venture between the the uber-cool Ministry of Sound-owned house label and Monarch Airways, the Hed Kandi themed plane turned heads at London Luton Airport on it’s launch last Friday. Guests onboard the flight to the Isle of White and back - without getting off mind you - were treated to champagne, blazing dance beats, a massage and the knowledge that the plane they were flying on had been finished that very afternoon. Thankfully it was a safe landing. With 165,000 seats going up for sale on flykandi.com and with prices starting at £38.99, they’ll be more flights and excuses than ever before to holiday on the hedonistic summer island. Hed Kandi’s Ibiza season kicks off on 16th June this year at El Divino so get booking now.

Also making the most of holiday season, Defected are making a long-awaited return to their Ministry of Sound roots. Having first emerged out of the Ministry mayhem back in 2001, Defected continued a long residency their until 2004. Having spent time taking over the international clubbing scene, they’re back to look after the capital with four events planned their this year. The first one takes place on Saturday 5th May celebrating the album launch of Dennis Ferrer In The House. If you didn’t know, Ferrer is widely regarded as one of dance music's more innovative producers and was behind remixes of Fish Go Deep’s ‘Cure & The Cause and Blaze’s ‘Most Precious Love’ with his own album, The World As I See It getting a release earlier this year. Speaking from his New York home he told us to expect lots of soulful vocals this weekend. “It’s a great club, big and loud, just how I like it. One of my most memorable experiences ever in London was when Kerri Chandler and I played Ministry of Sound back in the day. We had a lot to drink actually.” Despite his experience don’t expect Ferrer to be complacent behind the decks. “I get nervous everytime I play. We’ve all had nightmare experiences – CDs skipping, computers crashing…” And if you’ve ever wondered how DJs have adapted from playing vinyl to performing whole sets with a laptop, then look no further. “It’s eventful and it’s not fun sometimes but I use laptops controlled by CDJs. Times change and everything happens in cycles, you have to be willing to move with the times. It’s the way of the world now.” Where the new compilation is concerned, Ferrer says if you like his set you’re going to get down to the hand picked CD too. If you’re looking to offer a helping hand in settling Ferrer’s pre-set nerves, then be advised, he’s on the gin and tonic. With Junior Junior Jack & Kid Crème, Pasta Boys, Simon Dunmore, Copyright and Shovell also on the line-up, live for the moment and take your savings with you.

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A version of this article appeared in The London Paper