Basement Jaxx are "almost ready" to reveal their new album according to Simon Ratcliffe, one half of the duo.
The Bingo Bango hitmakers released their last album Zephyr in 2009, and after finishing their last live tour in 2010, the duo took time out to pursue other projects, but have been preparing tracks for a new record.
"We are playing some in our live sets and they are going down well," Ratcliffe told tabloid! ahead of their New Year's Eve gig at Sandance at Dubai's Atlantis The Palm.
"It's weird, because we say you ‘may hear' one, as they are changing all the time. I love that about music though, you never know where it really begins, or where it will end. That's what makes it so exciting."
Ratcliffe and bandmate Felix Buxton pulled away from the group for a time to work on soundtracks for two films — Attack the Block and The Hooping Life — which in turn inspired a decision to write new tracks.
"Doing movie soundtracks is a great experience," he said. "But you never really feel like you have control. Music is so important in a movie, but by the time you have the words, sound effects and drama over the top of it, you sometimes don't hear what's playing in the background. Well, not completely, anyway. So we knew it was time to get on and do some Basement Jaxx tunes. We both feel quite refreshed and ready for the next phase.
"We've got a few tunes which need finishing, and they should result in an album. There is going to be another Basement Jaxx album, definitely."
Picking Dubai for New Year's Eve was a "no brainer," said Ratcliffe.
"It really wasn't a difficult choice," he laughed. "It's on the beach and it's warm. Decision made. No, we've played in Dubai, and we always love it. The people are great, the atmosphere is good. I remember a New Year's Eve once when we didn't play, and it wasn't the best option.
"It's always such an anti-climax anyway. I'd rather be playing and enjoying the night. You get paid. Someone brings you drinks. What more do you need? Plus you get to pick the tunes. Rather that than be someone where someone's playing music I don't want to listen to," he said.
For all his international acclaim and house/pop smash hits, Ratcliffe still comes across as extremely down to earth. Despite what the fame-related party tracks like the notoriously raucous Where's Your Head At? lead you to expect, Ratcliffe still lives in Brixton where he and Buxton launched club night Rooty which originally put them on the map.
"Our life seems to glamorous, but it's really not," he said. "We have a great time and we love good music. That's really all it comes down to."
Goldfish make waves
Dominic Peters and David Poole are better known as Goldfish, an electronica and dance group hailing from Cape Town, South Africa.
On stage, it's all about jazz and African music, combining live instruments including double bass, saxophones, keyboards, flute, and vocals with samplers, effects and synths. In short, they are huge and this year supported Faithless on tour.
Goldfish are statistically the shortest-living family pets. What do you think about that?
The key is don't overfeed your goldfish. We as a band are the opposite — don't underfeed us, or there will be grumbling people and tummies.
We had two goldfish who featured on our first CD/DVD release Caught in the Loop from 2005 called Batman (due to his black mask) and Fatboy (due to his fatness). They, amazingly, lived until October 2010.
Tell us about the music on the night. What can we expect?
High energy dance music with live saxophone, double bass, keyboards, flute and our main man Sakhile on vocals destroying it! For those who know us, we have crazy mixes of our tracks from Perceptions of Pacha and Get Busy Living. Get your dancing shoes on and start practising your singing.
Will you be making any New Year's resolutions? Are you good at keeping them?
Will definitely make some; however keeping them is another story.
A message for the South Africans among us … ?
It's going to be kiff! Come early as we are on before sunset. The line-up is truly amazing and not worth missing for anything.
When: December 31Tickets: Dh250 (in advance; Dh350 on the door) and Dh450 VIP. Available from Nasimi Beach, Atlantis, Virgin Megastores and selected Eppco and Enoc petrol stations. For table packages call 055-2004321.
