A quick word with... Salah

A veteran of the scene, and a man never short of an opinion, we sat down with Salah Sadeq to get his thoughts on Dubai's growth, the DJ Mag poll and EDM...

You've been quiet on the scene recently, what gigs have you got coming up?

Yes been focussing on our company JK58 and the family back home, but picking things up again in the new season. Apart from the regular Trilogy, Ele:mental and bits there are a few things on the horizon for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Italy, Holland and Asia. So between that, some new ventures and collabs and full focus on production it looks like a busy season ahead. 

You've been involved in Dubai's club scene for a while now, how has it grown? And where can it evolve to from here? 

Yeah actually it's interesting seeing a scene fall from their golden days of Champagne/Vodka magnum bottles a must on every table, to can't afford an international DJ and now back on the rise (which is great). On the plus side there are a lot of new venues and options for people so the competition is tougher and promoters/venues need to get creative with what they are doing. On the downside it might be a case of too many parties and DJs and not enough people to spread out.

What sort of music and producers are you digging these days?

Theres a lot of good and fresh material out now which I'm enjoying. Musically i have always gone for the deep or good vibes music that gets under your skin and is fresh and cutting edge. Uner has some amazing releases lined up, Jay Shepheard is relentless, Compost seems to have forgotten how to get it wrong as every release is great, Ovum, Jef K, Matthew Dekay & Lee Burridge with a great partnership, kink, Shadi Megallaa with a master piece on Igloo Records and some more... 

What are your Ramadan plans? 

I like taking it easy and focusing on other aspects of my work and being healthy skipping the party scene. Having said that i think i have 2 gigs abroad this Ramadhan. This year I plan to get a lot of serious studio time.

And which DJs would you like to see come out to Dubai after the summer?

Steve Rachmad, &me, Gerd Janson, Blond:ish, Villalobos, Jef K, Shonky, DJ Harvey, Soul Clap, Dj Deep... Too Many to list... 

The DJ Magazine Top 100 is coming around again, will you vote, and what do you think the poll means today? 

No i stopped voting on that along time ago when it obviously got a bit fishy with the oddest people above respected DJs and blah blah... I think the DJ Mag Poll today is what the younger EDM (POP) kids are voting for, but as i just mentioned something about the way that poll turns out is very fishy. It's the same top 5 shufflled every year and some odd ball from Satwa ranked higher than Richie Hawtin or Laurent Garnier. Also some how Max Graham (a well known touring international) never seems to make the top 100.

And what's your take on the EDM scene that's developing in America, is it good or bad news for dance music?

Yeah that's an annoying one, specially when someone like Skrillex gets a Grammy compared to some of the amazing musicians out there who've been working their hearts off on masterpieces. I'd just like them to stop calling it house or techno, cause obviously it's not. Even most of the so called R&B is not even that. IT'S POP! Call it what it is and let every one get on with what they want to do. Then let what is underground be underground. Thats my Rant for the week ;-{>