Even though the season is slow this year, I've gotta admit that this island has something special you don't find anywhere except possibly a week a year in Miami. So many events and all big DJs come here at least once every summer. After my Amnesia date was moved to August, this was my first touch down here for the season and everything was just right. I decided to not to the boat party and focus on the main event instead so I ended up doing the Plastik pre-party which was amazing. Pretty much a club in its own right and the floor was already heaving as I went on. Dropped some funkier stuff and had a chat to Rob Wilder and Ange.

Pukka Up Pre-Party @ Plastik, Ibiza July 28, 2008

MAW vs Paradise 45 - To Be In Love
Ne Yo - Closer (SB Dub)
Merx & Henrique - Waiting For The Night (SB)
Sharam - Get Wild (Yanik Coen)
Grower - Move Your Body (Peter Brown)
Patric Hagenaar & A Albrecht - What Would We Do
Adele - Hometown Glory (Axwell Remode)
Ce Ce Peniston - Finally (Bart B More)
StoneBridge - You Don't Know

After a quick video interview with Traxsource, it was time for Es Paradis and it was twice as busy as last year - well done Pukka crew! The guy before me was amazing as he played some wicked Ibiza style tunage and sprinkled it with a trumpet. Normally you get either a good DJ or a good musician when they do both (won't mention names, but I have never seen a multi talent like that before). Finally I got on the decks and dropped my mix of Chriss Ortega and it absolutely smashed it. Then some new stuff and Vink's favourite with DONS and Hard Fi (of course). Great night and a relief to see that there's still life in the island.

Pukka Up @ Es Paradis, Ibiza July 28, 2008

Chriss Ortega - Love Is Here (SB)
Cerrone Laisser - Toucher (Daddy's Groove Magic Island)
Olav Basoski ft Errol - Doing Me Wrong
DONS - Nighttrain (Vocal)
Hard Fi - I Shall Overcome (Axwell)
David Rubato - Deep Inside (DLG)
Granite & Phunk - Make Me Feel
Hervé - Cheap Thrills (Laidback Luke)
Martin Solveig - I Want You (Laidback Luke)
Nick Corline - Orfeu
Axwell & Bob Sinclar - What A Wonderful World
Gadjo - It's Alright (Jesse Garcia)
Hook n Sling - The Best Thing (TV Rock)
Gaz James - City of God
James Dorman - It's Alright
StoneBridge - Put 'Em High

On the subject of Spanish airlines this my opportunity to rant a bit. Why is it that connections between Ibiza and Madrid or Barcelona have a 50% cancellation rate? No one knows and I have to this day only been on a handful flights that have been on time without drama. This time the Madrid flight was cancelled. Just like that and there were no other flights available until the next day. I would not have it and after about 25 minutes of arguing they gave up and got me back through Madrid and Frankfurt so I could make it to Norway the next morning. My tip is to avoid any schedule that involves a connection inside Spain. Go Easy Jet, Swiss, Air Berlin or any other company that flies direct.

Going to Norway is like going on a bus as a contrast. People line up and wait for hours without complaining and the flight is as quiet as Sunday mass so it was quite relaxing after the Spanish adventures. Kristiansand is on the southern tip of Norway and the best description would be the St Tropez of Norway. The club is a courtyard so it's open air, which can be risky with northern European summers, but the day was baking hot and sunshine all over so no worries. Until about ten at night, when the tropical downfall hit town. The promoter was very upbeat about it and said that it usually brings out people and he seemed to be right as we arrived to the club. Sound and booth was wicked and I started with some funkier stuff to check what the crowd would go for. After my Chriss Ortega mix I thought it was time to give the guys the Norwegian Aha anthem in Robbie Riveras disguise and surprisingly, it didn't go down as well as in Oslo a few months back. Then, in the middle of the set, the rain came back, but the people kept dancing in the rain which was way cool - gotta love the Norwegian brothers. Really enjoyed it and won't be surprised if I come back here next summer.

Africa Bar, Kristiansand August 1, 2008

Reza - Live Again (Lil' Joey & Steve Haines)
Ne Yo - Closer (SB Dub)
MAW vs Paradise 45 - To Be In Love
Mighty Dub Katz - Just Another Groove (Tocadisco)
Redroche - Give U More
Patric Hagenaar & A Albrecht - What Would We Do
Adele - Hometown Glory (Axwell Remode)
Ce Ce Peniston - Finally (Bart B More)
Grower - Move Your Body (Peter Brown)
Hervé - Cheap Thrills (Laidback Luke)
Daft Punk - Around The World (Dumb Dan)
Happy Clappers - I Believe (Vandalism)
Sia - The Girl You Lost (SB)
Chriss Ortega - Love Is Here (SB)
Robbie Rivera . Take On This
Gadjo - It's Alright (Jesse Garcia)
Gaz James - City of God
Nick Corline - Orfeu
Axwell & Bob Sinclar - What A Wonderful World
Isma-Ae vs Strobe - Monkey Square
James Dorman - It's Alright
StoneBridge - Put 'Em High
Solitaire - You Got The Love (MW Kidology)
Rubberman - Creep (Raul Rincon)
Paul Johnson - Get Get Down (Laidback Luke)
Robin S - Show Me Love
Falke & Braxe - Intro
StoneBridge - Take Me Away
Haji & Emanuel - Take Me Away 2008
Thick D - Insatiable (Crooks Evissa 2008 Booty)
The Shapeshifters - Chime (MTV)

Always going for the quickest road, time is money Stone

Of course the dons-hardfi! But the funny thing is all the new dons tracks end well with all the new Axwells, haha (bit this one is still the big favourite!)

Man what a tracklist with the Norwegian crowd, and what do I see, Take Me Away is back, that must have been cool!

Great stories, even better wicked stories next week. It's gonna be LEGEN...wait for it...and you musn't be lactose intolerant for this one...DARY! (people who don't understand what I'm talking about, watch 'How I Met Your Mother', great serie)

Vink