This should be the last post on this Blog. Not because we stop doing it. Nope. It’s for more positive reasons. We’ve been working on an Onda Sonora site for a while now and we finally feel ready to share it with the world.

The new site is intended to be the starting point in every search to know more about us. The Blog will be still part of it but it will be much more than that. You’ll find on it where we play next, what the future events are that we’ve planned, where else you can find us on the net, what other places we think you should visit and it also will give you a view on our past through a flyer and picture archive. We’ve tried to keep it as simple as possible, maybe with a bit of an old school look, because we felt that was a bit the problem with the current Blog. We ditched all we think is ballast, added what we think is valuable and made sure it’s all as little clicks away as possible and easy to find.

As the blogsome site will not be refreshed anymore it might be handy to change your bookmarks, favourites, RSS readers, links on sites to the new address.

Website: www.ondasonora.be
RSS Feed: http://www.ondasonora.be/rss.php

If you have remarks or see errors feel free to send them to us. We’ve got a new email address.

Expect a lot more pictures uploaded and the “about us” section to be updated soon.

Enjoy and spread the word.

Don’t forget our party at Cafe Bota coming up this Saturday. Laszlo Colombani and Pete Chestnut will join us behind the decks for some serious Deep Disco, Raw House and others Soulful musical madness. Entrance is free, the venue is nice. What can you want more ?

For the Facebook addicts here you’ll find our event.

Tonight we have Sim and Dice from Untitled! In the studio. To talk about their (upcoming) party and more. And to let them serve you the music they try to promote. We also do a phone call with Yiannis in Copenhagen to talk about him winning the Phil Asher competition. Enjoy.

Listen to it live from 10 to 11pm on fm brussel (98.8fm on the website). Or through the streaming all week after it has been aired.  

Track List:
Afta 1 – Nightlight (MPM)
J*Davey - No More (Interdependent)
Dwele - Beat Me, Find Me (CDR)
Wally Badarou - Chief Inspector (4th & Broadway)

>>> Dice Mixing <<<
Paul White - Wham Rap (CDR)
Slugabed - Kittens (CDR)
Hayzee - y3ah (CDR)
Billion Dollar Quartet - Electrick Black Current (CDR)
Hudson Mohawke - Polkadot Blues (Warp)
Slugabed – Superphreak (CDR)
Hudson Mohawke - Overnight (Warp)
Dorian Concept - The Fucking Formula (Nod Navigators)

>>> End 1^st session <<<
Onra - Comet (All City)
Samiyam - Moonshoes (Hyperdub)

>>> 2^nd Dice session <<<
eDIT - Battling Go-Go in Yubari in Downtown L.A. (Alpha Pup)
Jazzy Jazzy - Respeck (CDR)
Aleks Zen – Cocktailz (CDR)
Piro & Proxima - Distant Shores (CDR)

Second edition in our new Podcast series for which we’ve asked friends that influenced us to contribute a mix. Check it here.

DJ Xogn only stepped into our world recently but he managed to make a big impression nevertheless. He is a collector, record merchant and DJ who spent a part of his live in Dakar, Senegal. There he was DJ at the Koulgraoul parties. That alone should be reason enough to ask him to do a mix. But there’s more. The few times we saw him at work, he dropped so much unknown gems that I didn’t even bother to ask him about it. I would have been stalking him constantly and, as a DJ myself, I know that’s irritating. Asking him to contribute to this series of Podcasts seemed like a better idea. He made an African funk mix that consists, apart from that Matata track, of tunes I haven’t heard before. A collection of raw, funky grooves that work infectious on the hips.

Can’t give you much links of ways to contact him but we can always forward any questions. Just send us a mail if you need more info.

If want to check the man at work, that’s possible. He plays alongside DJ ReeDoo, at Cafe Bota Stereo on Friday the 6th of February. The day before our night. 

Like last time I’ve made a cover for when you burn it on CD.
 
Track List:
Kalle & L’African Team : African Boogaloo
El Rego & Ses Commandos: Feeling you got
Sebastien Pynasco & Poly Rythmo : Medida
Orchestre Baobab : Kelen ati len
Dr Nico / Bovic & African Fiesta : Sookie
Matata : Wanna do my thing
Ikenga Super Stars Of Africa : Greedy man
Fela Ransome Kuti : Beautiful dancer
Victor Uwaifo & The Titibities : Ominigie
Asiko : Love & peace
Ifan Bondi & The Afro Mandingue Sounds : Atis-a-tis
Etoile De Dakar : Tolou Badopu Ndiaye
Star Number One : Macakki
Myriam’s Quintette : Solo quintette

Our good and well respected friend Lefto has been playing our Diana Ross edit for 2 weeks in a row now on his “De Hop” radio show on Studio Brussel. Which we appreciate a lot off course. This gives me the opportunity to point out that he puts the mixes he does (without GUS’ announcements) online. You’ll find them, with track list, here.

Enjoy.

Tonight we give away 2 “Deep Electronic Sounds” albums from the Phlash & Friends project. All you’ve got to do is listen and give an answer to the question we ask somewhere during the show. We play off course something from that plus new tracks by Mayer Hawthorne (that killer Astronote remix), Altered Natives, Mitsu The Beats and Hudson Mohawke. And some classics. And some new Onda Sonora edits.

If it sounds a bit sloppy at times that’s because we had some major technical difficulties before we could record. Would be handy if the others using the studio wouldn’t always try to rebuilt it or whatever. Too much stress on a Monday night.

Listen to it live, from 10 to 11pm tonight, on 98.8fm if you are in the Brussels area or online. Or through the streaming all week after it has been aired.

Track List:
Mayer Hawthorne & The County - Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out / Astronote Remix (CDR)
Faze-O - Riding High (She Records)
Innerzone Orchestra - People Make The World Go Round / J88 Worldwide Edit (Planet E)
DJ Mitsu the Beats – Gaggle Instrumental no. ? (Jazzy Sport)
Hudson Mohawke - Polkadot Blues (Warp)
Milton Wright - Keep It Up (EMI)
ZZ Hill - I Wanna Be Your Every Need / Onda Sonora Edit (CDR)                       
Material - Over And Over (Strut)
Phlash And Friends feat. Zansika - Think About It (Archive)
Candido - Dancin’ And Prancin’ / Onda Sonora Edit (CDR)                     
The Mighty Clouds Of Joy - Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC Records)
Main Ingredient - Evening Of Love / J&M Edit (White)                
Altered Natives - Bullet Blade Knuckle Slap / Souled Remix (Fresh Minute)
Stayshon 2 Stayshon - My, My, My / Dance Naked 2 My Dub (Kanduet)

The flyer for 54 Kolaktiv’s Mo’Yo’Fro party happening end of February is ready. Looking forward to it.

Some info. Our new t-shirts are almost sold out. If you have reserved one there’s no need to panic, just let me know where I can hand it over. I will have them with me at Dieter’s birthday party and at our gig at Cafe Bota. Male medium and large shirts are gone, by the way. All other sizes are almost gone.

On top of that we’re doing a little sale. We still got “Love Saves The Day” shirts left. The black one with the print shown above on the breast. M, L, XL & XXL’s for males and XS & S for females. We’re selling them for 5 euro a piece. Send us a mail if you want one.

The release of Phil Asher’s Phlash & Friends album, called Deep Electronic Sounds, is imminent. Early February it should be in the shops. We’ve been raving about it for what seems ages now and when you’ll hear it you’ll know why. It’s that good.

Next Tuesday (27/02) we’ll give away 2 of them. Yes, we will give away, completely for free and before it’s in the shops, 2 ‘Deep Electronic Sounds’ albums on CD (no vinyl release is planned – already some 12”s out, more to come). But we won’t be handing them out to just anyone. You’ll have to prove you earn them. So you better start listening to his music, double-check all the facts and buy all his music. Or be sure to know a thing or two about Onda Sonora. Just to be prepared. We know those CD’s are hot property and we want to be sure they end up in the right hands.

Listen to our show next Tuesday for lots of Phil Asher music and the all important question after which you can mail us on the usual address. In the meanwhile start studying.

Just a little reminder that we are playing at Maison Du Peuple in St-Gilles tomorrow. From 10pm on till we get kicked out. Really looking forward to it. It’s been a while since we’ve been behind decks in front of people. Might give some new edits their first spin. If I can finish them in time. Expect some major across the board funkyness. All styles, all tempos, all good. Entrance is free, drinks are at fair prices.  

If you feel the need to confirm your presence head for the Facebook event we made for it. And while you are there feel free to invite some friends.

This week we give away 3 duo tickets for the Zucchini Drive / Antipop Consortium concert at Nijdrop in Opwijk on the 29th of January. Drop us a mail if you want one. On top of that we do a little Motown special to celebrate the 50th birthday of this legendary label. Instead of playing the obvious ‘60s or ‘70s classics we pull out some personal favourites from the Disco era. And we play the killer Bopstar and Wbeeza tunes, 2 big hits at the Onda Sonora HQ. Enjoy.

Listen to the show live from 10 to 11pm tonight on fm brussel or through the streaming online after it has been aired.

Maximillion Dunbar - K / Z-RO Edit (Future Times)
Antipop Consortium - Ping Pong (Warp)

>>> Motown Special <<<
Eddie Kendricks - He’s A Friend (Tamla)
Eddie Kendricks - Girl You Need A Change Of Mind (Motown)
Diana Ross - One Love / Onda Sonora Edit (Motown)
Tata Vega - Get It Up For Love (Tamla)
Diana Ross - The Boss (Motown)
Syreeta - Can’t Shake Your Love (Motown)
The Originals - Down To Love Town / Dimitri From Paris Edit (Motown)
Touch - Love Hangover / Onda Sonora Edit (Zafiro)
>>> End Special <<<

Bopstar feat. Zara McFarlane - Captured / Restless Soul Mix (Soul Heaven)
Wbeeza - He’s So Crazy (Third Ear)

Although we are both very active on the Mixtape front we’ve asked some friends to make a mix for us to put on our Podcast page. All of them are people we respect a lot and have influenced us musically and often even beyond that. Not all are as hardcore dj’s as we are. Some of them are (mainly) collectors or simply lovers of good music. The common factor is that we have crazy respect for their knowledge and / or skills. Some of them have influenced us more than the Benji B’s, Theo Parrish’s or Dimitri From Paris’ of this world.

First one in this series is a mix made by Nick Blow. An Englishman living in Brussels who’ve we met a couple a years ago through our common love for quality Soulful parties (he’s a Southport Weekender legend). Since then we’ve been slowly discovering his vast knowledge of the music we adore, his many experiences and friends. He has introduced us to Rainer Trüby, Phil Cooper, Blaze, Boddhi Satva and Roger Sastre for example.

When we were invited into his record room early this year, more than a little impressed, we didn’t have to think twice about asking him if he could make us a mixtape. The result is a very nice vocal House mix that’s been on constant repeat ever since I’ve got it. Schooling us again.

A big thanks to Nick for the mix and everything else. And a big up to the Blow family. All loving the good music as much as we do.

If you’ll burn this mix on a CD you can download a sleeve design here.

Track List:
Lonesome Echo Production featuring Byron Stingily - Sweet Dream (Disorient)
Amp Fiddler - Eye to Eye / Unreleased Kenny Dope mix (Camp Amp)
95 north - Elevation (Large)
Masters at Work - Our Mute Horn (Cutting)
Cassio Ware - Makin’ Love (Music USA)
Black Rascals - Keeping My Mind (Sumo)
Kings of Tomorrow - Let It Go (Black Vinyl)
DJ Oji and Una - We Lift Our Hands In The Sanctuary (SancSoul)
95 North - Soon to be Free (Distant)
Voices - Voices in My Mind (Sound Of Ministry)
Karizma - The Power (Black Vinyl)
Nikos - Speaking in Tongues (Under My Skin)
Jazzanova - Let Your Heart Be Free (Sonar Kollektiv)

Bopstar feat. Zara McFarlane – Captured (Soul Heaven)
Infinitskills – Kismet (CDR)
Moodymann – Det.Riot EP (Mahogani)
Rhythm Based Lovers – Snow Drift (Future Times)
Madlib – Lifetime (Lifeline) (Stones Throw)
Dorian Concept – The Fucking Formula (Nod Nivigators)
Flying Lotus feat. Dolly – Roberta Flack / Martyn’s Heart Beat Mix (Warp)
Onra – My Comet (All City)
Maximillion Dunbar – K / Z-Ro Edit (Future Times)
J*Davey – No More (Interdependent)
Joy Jones – The Joy / Daru’s Drop It Remix (Record Breakin’)
Wbeeza – He So Crazy (Third Ear)
Dâm Funk – Rhythm Trax (Stones Throw)
Aretha Franklin – Jump To It / BC Edit (Disco Deciance)
Kai Alcé feat Phantom Azulu – Power Thru EP (NDTAL)
Floating Points – Love Me Like This (CDR)
Little Dragon – Twice / Aaron Jerome Remix (Peacefrog)

If it gets a little quiet on this Blog lately that’s because we’re working on a lot of projects right now. Some of them you know already (the parties) and some of them will see the light of day pretty soon.

First up will be a series of Podcast mixes by friends whose musical knowledge we respect a lot. Not always hardcore dj’s like ourselves but sometimes collectors of the finest order. Most of them will be unknown to most of you but they all have influenced us. Some of them have, even more then the Benji B’s, Norman Jay’s or Theo Parrish’s of this world, been essential to our musical education. We’ll kick this series off early next week.

In a few weeks we hope to have our new site online. It’ll be better structured and more suited to the promotion of ourselves and what we do then the current blog. Which will continue to exist in a new form. Way too much fun to do and a great way to meet likeminded people. But up until now it was a bit difficult to clearly present you the many facets of Onda Sonora. That’ll change. I hope to tell you the date we share this with the world somewhere next week or the week after that.

On the promotion front you’ll see us moving out of the shadows this year. Time to make some noise about ourselves. Time to do stuff a bit more “professional” too. Meaning we are organising ourselves more, even legally, to achieve our goals. Making Onda Sonora more than just 2 guys organising parties and dj’ing. We’ve silently built a community but now we need to get that a bit structured. Expanding and maintaining our network is also part of that. The first results of that will be visible in the months to come.

A lot is moving on the edit front too. We were offered some help with the technical side of it, we got props from a lot of people we highly respect and we have some plans with them. What exactly is not entirely clear yet but we need to make some more of them before we can do what we have in mind. We’ll certainly shine some light on the edit phenomenon in our radio show and podcasts. Maybe we need to explain the why of it all first before continues with our wild plans. Keep an eye on this and other blogs we like. Or listen to De Hop this week to hear one of our edits.

This all takes up a lot of our time. Which results in less posts on this blogs. But be sure it’s only a temporary slow period.

Last Brussels Soul was great although we played a little late (and had already enjoyed the party a little too much, haha). Still, Thierry asked us again and promised to give us an earlier slot. Really enjoy playing strictly Soul music every now and then. Expect anything from the ’70s to the present day.

And early April is a special time of the year because it’s when the days of birth and death of one of the greatest are remembered (or simply the greatest for people like myself). This year even extra special because those moments happened 70 / 25 years ago. And no I’m not talking about Luther Vandross who’s on the flyer.

While we’re on a quest for a decent venue to organise Go Bang! at we can’t leave you without a good party to drag your ass too. The nice people at Cafe Bota (thanks Yassin) gave us the possibility to get something together at their nice spot. It’s got a good dance floor, a decent sound system and the staff is friendly. That alone makes it a standout place in our city. It gives us the possibility to ask crews that may be less prolific than Phil Asher but that we love to ask too. More local, lesser known. It’ll all happen under the name "Over & Over".

First up are Pete Chestnut and Laszlo Colombani from Interlude Radio Show / Allphon.com. In the city of Tournai / Doornik they are doing something similar as us. Pushing quality underground music that is. Check out their site to see what we mean by that. We’re sure it’s going to be a memorable night and hopefully a start of a series. 

So we hope to see you on our dance floor on Saturday February 7th at Cafe Bota. Entrance will be free. So there’s little reason not to come. It’ll be a superb weekend at CBS. The day before us dj ReeDoo and Tristan aka dj Xogn are bringing you phat Latin vibes. 

We got new t-shirts. Hooray!. If you want one send us a mail. They are very limited. We only press enough to cover some costs we need to make. A bit like the West-Vleteren monks and their beer. They cost 20€. A small price to look this fly, no ?

Mind, the picture makes them look lighter than they are. The blue is a tad darker. 

While we’re arranging some guests we keep on bringing you the good stuff uncut. This week with a lot of records we picked up on our diggin’ trips last few weeks. Plus some fresh sounds. Enjoy.

Listen from 10 to 11pm on fm brussel 98.8fm. Or online.

Fabian – Prophecy (Ruby’s Records)
J*Davey - No More (Interdependent)
Lil’ Louis and the World - Nyce and Slo / The Luvbug (FFRR)
Lakeside - Raid (Solar)
Checker Kabb - By My Side (Peoples Potential Unlimited)
Caviar - Never Stop Loving You (Survivor)
Kaidi Tatham - It’s High / Trus’me Edit (CDR)
Linda Clifford - You Are, You Are (Curtom)
M.A.R.S. - Remote Area / Alf Tumble Mix (Heya Hifi)
Wbeeza ft. Tina Penni Anne - Hurricane (Third Ear)
CeCe Rogers - All Join Hands / Dub Version (Atlantic)
Stacy Kidd feat Matthew Yates - I Wanted You / Soul Element Mix (Yellorange)

The news that the legendary USA Import record shop in Antwerp is closing made me  a bit sad last week. Not that I visited it a lot but I hate to lose those few places that still sell vinyl. That’s why I decided to, even more than I did before, share my sources. The places where I find my dance floor gold. This blog sometimes seems like a promo tool for Rush Hour already and Disco Dalglish has hinted more than once you need to visit the Record Collector in Antwerp plus we have  a permanent post about all good shops we frequent but I’ll take this all up a notch.

There’s a shop I want to give some extra shine. Wally’s Groove World in Antwerp. My main source for classic House vinyl. With an internet site so everyone who reads this is able to buy records there. Koenie has shitloads of bloody good House records in his cellar. Most are so dirt cheap it’s ridiculous. Really. I’ve found some of the 12”s I cherish most for under 5 euro in this shop. To prove my point I’ve recorded a mix with records I picked up at Wally’s, all for 15 euro and often much less.

It’s a Garage / New Jersey House kinda mix. This because I wanted some coherence. But don’t think it’s specialised in this genre. It has all kinds of House. From more techy sounds over soulful to that raw Detroit or Chicago shit. Go visit it and buy plenty of vinyl. But leave some for me. And feel free to share your sources. It’s a way to keep them alive.    

And I’ve tried to make this Podcast as informing as possible. With all info included in the file itself. Like Disco Dalglish always does. Check it out in your iTunes player. 

Track List:
Masters At Work – I Can’t Get No Sleep / The Low Down Mix (Cutting Records)
Lil’ Louis & The World – Nyce & Slow / The Luvbug (FFRR)
Absolute – Introduce Me To Love / Original Mix (Buzz)
Mass Order – Lift Every Voice (Take Me Away) / Uplift The Race Mix (Columbia)
Lachandra – Just Started / Start It Up Mix (Movin’)
Turntable Orchestra – You Gonna Miss / Funky Sax Mix (Republic)
Bridgett Grace – Love To The Limit / Extended Vocal Mix (Happy)
Susan Clark – Deeper / Kaoz House Mix (FFRR)
Christopher McCray – Why Do You Wanna Do This To Me / Album Version (Madhouse)
CeCe Rogers – All Join Hands / Dub (Atlantic)
Voices Of Life – The World Is Love / Original Mix (White)
Norma Jean Bell – I’m The Baddest Bitch / Moodymann Mix (F.Comm)
Cajmere feat. Dajae – Brighter Days / Louie’s Masters At Work Mix (Emotive)
Sunkids feat. Chance – Rescue Me / Deep Rhodes Vox Mix (Yellorange)

It’s on. Friday January the 23rd we’re playing at Maison du Peuple. Official start of the Onda Sonora season.

This week we go deep. With some new releases from Rhythm Based Lovers, Dâm-Funk, Moodymann and Kai Alcé and some dusted of pieces you might not have heard before. And we end with something Q-Tip used to great effects on the killer track of his killer album. Enjoy.

Tonight from 10 to 11pm on fm brussel (98.8fm) or all week long online.

Moodymann - Heaven (Mahogani Music)
Rhythm Based Lovers - Snow Drift (Future Times)
Dâm-Funk - Gold (Stones Throw)
Linda Clifford - Runaway Love (Curtom Records)
The Fantastic Aleems feat. Leroy Burgess - Get Down Friday Night (Nia Records)
Tyzik - Jammin’ In Manhattan (Polydor)
Rahaan - untitled edit (Still Love 4 Music)
Ultra High Frequency - We’re On The Right Track (Scepter Records)
Theo Parrish - Friendly Children (Sound Signature)
Those Guys - Love, Love, Love (Basement Boys)
Kai Alcé Feat. Azulu  Phantom - Power Thru Pt3 - Don’t Turn on the Lights (N.D.TAL)
Can - Aspectacle / Holger Czukay Edit (Strut)

Although I haven’t been out much the last few days almost everyone I’ve met asked me when the next Go Bang! would happen. My answer is, most regrettably, that I don’t know because we’re still searching for a good venue. Luckily this does not mean you won’t be able to dance to our beat. We’ve managed to secure some gigs, some nice ones.

First up there’s a set at the nice Maison du Peuple in St-Gilles. Loved the vibe there last Saturday when Kwak and the bPm were playing. Nice & cosy venue where people dance. Managed to get my first ever non-alcoholic hangover from drinking too much Bionade there but apart from that it was all good. So I’m excited to be able to add some Onda Sonora flavour to the place. Hope to see you all there on Friday the 23rd of this month. 39 Parvis St-Gilles is the address. It’s us on an all nighter.

Next up is a party we organise ourselves. For reasons only clear to ourselves we’re not going to name that Go Bang!. We actually don’t know yet what the name is going to be. What we do know is what the concept of the night will be. We’ll invite a crew or dj we respect, usually less prolific / known than at our Go Bang! parties, to join us behind the decks. This will be Belgian crews as well as cats we meet abroad. Our network, as it is called, is ever expanding and we know some undicovered talents we’re dying to present to you. Musicwise you can expect the usual deep uptempo music with an (abstract) sense of Soul and excursions to whatever genre we feel fits. First invitee wil be Laszlo Colombani and Pete Chesnut from the Allhpon.com crew out of Tournai. Check out the site because they are doing some superb stuff. This party will be held at Cafe Bota on Saturday the 7th of February.

Last confirmed gig is on the 27th of February. Organised by the 54Kolaktiv who are currently hosting a Podcast mix we did on their site. Mo’Yo’Fro is the name of the party and place to be will be Momo’s in Anderlecht. Other dj’s that night will be, among others, Stubru’s Tomaz, Momoneyhoney and 54Kolaktiv’s own Phonetics. Really excited to be part of this one. Because it’s some unknown territory for us.

We’ve got some other dates confirmed for later this year. More Brussels Soul (early April and the weekender early August) and the Disco 3000 festival in Croatia the first weekend of September (more about that this weekend - watch the site). Still, we’re always in for more bookings. Certainly for left of centre events.

And there will be more Go Bang!’s this year. Plus lots more of crazy stuff. Always for the love of music, never for the money.

About time I get blogging again. So much to tell you. First up is a mix we’ve done for 54Kolaktiv, a group of people, from Brussels, with an interesting take on music, art and more. We don’t need much extra to be enthusiast to add our 2 cents to that. This in the form of a 90 minutes mix of deep disco, raw house and lots of in between stuff. Hope you enjoy it. 

Although I had spotted them before, 54Kolaktiv wasn’t a household name in Onda Sonora circles before we were contacted to do this mix. Hope we can begin to set that straight with this. It’s good to see there’s a wide range of things going on in the musical underground of our city. Not minding boundaries between genres too much, which we like off course. They remind me a bit of us when we started. Only less amateurishly than we were. Anyway, we’re excited to expand our universe and that of those following us a bit. And hopefully we can do the same for them too.

Watch out for their next Mo’Yo’Fro party on the 27th of February. Another chance to get to know them. We’ll be there.

And now back to the real thing. Like last year we’ve been asked by Alex from On-Point.be to do some predictions about 2009. And because we like doing that we have put some work into it. Although we copied some of last year. Not out laziness but because we felt we should. Check it all out here.

And watch out for some more joint ventures with On-Point.be in 2009.

My life is slowly starting to get back to normal after all the festivities. Had one of the best ever NYE’s. I had begun to hate it after many years of disastrous ones. But this year I truly enjoyed it. Spending a couple of days in Paris with people I love a lot was what I needed. No fancy parties, no drinking like there will be no tomorrow and nobody I didn’t want to see in sight. Lots of shopping for vinyl and clothes, discovering some great bars, enjoying the city and having a simple but fun dinner. Not even the fact that getting a taxi was near impossible, the overcrowded (with drunken fools) public transport nor the unsuccessful quest for a decent party got my mood down. I’m ready to take on 2009. I feel confident I will make something of it.

Because I’m well prepared. Did some thinking these last few months. To get my focus right. I even made some resolutions. Like spending less time on the net. Because most of it is just wasted. The importance we give the net has just as much to do with reality as did our economy a few months ago. The incrowd hypes up the incrowd but most others hardly use it and those that do use it not the way the incrowd thinks they do. So I’ll be spending more time on other things. Like making more edits. Glad to see the rough draft of an edit I made of a Diana Ross track caused a bit of a storm on the dance floor. Nice for the confidence and the motivation. Now I need to finish it and work on the other ones waiting for some cutting and pasting on my hard drive.

You can expect a lot of us this year. Although 2008 wasn’t the most successful one in Onda Sonora’s history it gave us a lot of motivation to keep on doing what we do. It made us see our goal much clearer. Making us more confident (some say stubborn) that we are doing what we need to do. Making us even more ambitious. And more patient in the meantime. I know some friends are frustrated we can’t go all out and reach more people but we’re not panicking. We know the times aren’t right for now to make big waves with deep, raw uptempo music with a rather abstract sense of soulfulness to it. Cold Electro still ruling the nightlife so you can’t expect us to change that overnight. We’re winning over souls one by one. Like misionaries. Haha.

We still love what we are doing. We’ll keep going for quality without consessions. And we’re slowly growing. We’ve progressed a whole lot last year. Maybe not visibly but when we looked back we were a bit amazed with what we had acomplished. The biggest not being our radio show (although I’m very proud of that - only going 6 months and we had Mad Mats, Phil Asher, Blaze and some of the upcoming Belgian cats in it) but the fact that out little community is growing.

So if I need to thank someone it’s first and foremost those closest to us. The little family helping us, supporting us. Big up for everything. Spreading the word, helping us out at parties and saying what needs to be said. You (should) know who you are; our Buizingen, Brussels, Southport and Schaarbeek families. Also a big up to all crews / people we got support from; FM Brussel, Strictly Niceness, On-Point.be, JH Eenders, Laid-Back.be, Lefto, Ugo, Funky Bompa, dj Eff, Thierry Boulanger, dj ReeDoo, Cafe Bota, 72Soul, Brekbit, Tilt!, Geoffroy, John Buffel and crew, Red D & San Soda, Citywurl family, Cris Prolific, Boddhi Satva, Phil Cooper, Trus’me, Phil Asher, Benji B, Development Music, all our friends at Southport Weekender, Rush Hour, Mad Mats, Jugglin Discotheque, Cafe Belga, … and all others I’m forgetting.