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There are some people who have had massive influences on me, and here is where I raise a toast to them! Thank
you.
Rob
Hubbard - 1980s pioneer
Martin
Galway
Rob Hubbard & Martin Galway had to my mind a critical
role in the development of trance. Making music for computers like the Commodore 64 and the ZX Spectrum, the similarities
between their music and trance made 15 to 20 years later is astonishing. I think the generation who grew up
on a rich diet of 8-bit music grew up to become the 'crasher kids. Every product needs a market, and the more I think
about it, 8-bit computing may have been critical to providing the market that Ferry, Armin, PVD and the gang tapped in to.
Nick
Bracegirdle
Nick Bracegirdle is the man behind Chicane and Disco
Citizens. I can't really stress just how unique and special his music is. "Lost You Somewhere", a release under
the Chicane name from 1997 still sounds stunning and fresh today. It is probably my favourite record of all time now.
His musical ear and classical training shine like a beacon from his records. He would have risen to the top of the musical
tree in any era, 20, 50, 100, 200 or 400 years ago.
Dance music has been lucky to have him, I'm sure he would have made brilliant
music in any field. He has said himself that it was only when he went to college that he started making dance music.
I remember hearing Brandon Block play "Red Skies" by Chicane at Turnmill's, and
that was a moment when music is used as a canvas, going way beyond a commercial music release, becoming an expression of colour
and passion, of outrageous beauty and richness. Its hard for me to describe how good Nick's music has been without sounding
cheesy myself. Maybe the best thing to say is its one of the biggest joys that make you glad to be alive. He's
that good.
Brian
Transeau
Brian Transeau releases his music under the name "BT".
If Nick Bracegirdle is the king of 5 to 9 minute tracks, where BT shines is with short punchy one or two second long
"soundbites". As a DJ myself with both a DJ's ear, and a classically trained ear, hearing consistently clever sound
effects in his music is very refreshing. He has pushed the boundaries back time and again. Some of the effects he creates
are ingenious. He has now moved to America and does film soundtracks.
Justine
Suissa - Best Singer
Ferry
Corsten - God
Thank you to Paul Van Dyk, Michael Cretu, Neil
Tennant & Chris Lowe, Paul Oakenfold, Armin van Buuren, Jeremy Healy, Darren Tate, Jazzy M, Graham Gold, Rollo & Sister
Bliss, Fergie, Dave Pearce, Armand van Helden, Eric Prydz, M.I.K.E. , Judge Jules, Alan Braxe Quême, Benjamin Diamond
Cohen, Thomas Bangalter, Gary Clail, Mark Summers, Clivilles & Cole, Louise Veronica Ciccone.
Coast 2 Coast, Ascension, KLF, Blur, Therapy,
Echobelly, Jonas Berggren & Ulf Ekberg, The Prodigy, Cappella, Transformer 2
Gambling World People
The gambling world is mostly cutthroat and
seedy. In amongst the overwhelming muck and dross there are a few who stand out. I've taken the names down off
here, but they know who they are.
Sports People
These are people who have been worth the price of admission over the years.
Cricket - Dominic Cork, Robert Croft, Sajid Mahmood, David 'Bumble' Lloyd
Football - Dan Petrescu, John Spencer, Dennis Wise, Gavin Peacock, David Rocastle,
Gus Poyet, Roberto Di Matteo, Luca Vialli, Mark Stein, George Weah, Ruud Gullit, Glenn Hoddle, Jose Mourinho, Arjen Robben,
Niall Quinn, Chris Kamara
Tennis players - Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Mara Santangelo, Anna Chakvetadze,
Татьяна Головин, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic,
Stefan Edberg, Goran Ivanisevic, Pat Cash, Ilie Nastase,
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