"There are times when we go a bit too ... Basement Jaxx," says Simon Ratcliffe, one half of the British dance duo, before describing previous DJ sets as "quite erratic".
For a group who have sold more than three million albums, won a Grammy Award and played a headlining slot at Glastonbury, such a crisis of confidence is rather unexpected. But Ratcliffe makes it clear that it is not self-confidence that the pair are regularly forced to grapple with when performing, but self-indulgence.
Best-known for the singles Red Alert, Where's Your Head At? and Good Luck, Basement Jaxx will be heard mixing songs from their back catalogue with those of some of their favorite artist when they play the Skybar, at Abu Dhabi's Yas Hotel tomorrow night.
"Sometimes [the shows are] not totally cohesive," he says. "But when we get it right and just tone that wildness down a little bit ... I feel really happy and think, 'Wow, we did a real Basement Jaxx night and we kept the crowd with us'."
The group began life in the mid-1990s, with Ratcliffe focusing on writing music and his collaborator Felix Buxton organising parties. Their regular event, called Basement Jaxx, was held in a number of venues around Brixton, south London, and guest DJs included the French superstars to-be, Daft Punk. As the pair became increasingly involved in the house music explosion of the late 1990s, Basement Jaxx's focus shifted towards making music and eventually signed to the indie label XL.
Their first album, 1999's Remedy helped earn the group recognition not just from clubbers, but mainstream music fans too. The four LPs that followed (most recently 2009's Scars) were each loaded with huge singles, earning the group an impressive clutch of awards.
"From day one we were always just in our own little bubble; into everything, but never really part of a gang," says Ratcliffe.
"When we started, our music was inspired by really deep, soulful underground house. These days that type of feeling can be found in dubstep, drum'n'bass, minimal techno - you'll hear all that when we play."
Basement Jaxx managed to reach fans of many different musical genres by collaborating with an array of vocalists on their albums, including Dizzee Rascal, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Lily Allen and Yoko Ono.
"It was great meeting Dizzee for the first time. He was a fresh-faced 18-year-old, just quite humble and cool," says Ratcliffe.
"He came in and we had three grooves ready for him to pick from; two of them were grimy garage tracks - which is what you'd expect him to choose - the other was a lot more off the wall. We were quite surprised when he didn't want to do one of the grimy tracks, but that's probably what's got him where he is today - he's not self-conscious, too many people in the world are and it stifles creativity."
In recent months, Basement Jaxx have increasingly been including dubstep tracks into their DJ sets - the notoriously woozy genre is the favourite of London's latest generation of laptop musicians. But despite the marked differences between dubstep and Basement Jaxxs's upbeat, colourful sound, Ratcliffe says the pair are keen to embrace all styles.
"The summery outdoor festival stuff is certainly a side of Basement Jaxx and that's probably what we're best known for, but it's only half of what we do. There have been times when dance music has shifted into an area where we feel less comfortable, but now it's actually in an area where we actually feel more comfortable."
But the group's apparent fondness for low-end frequencies and undanceable rhythms may come as a surprise to anyone who has witnessed their full live production. During major tours and festival appearances, as many as 15 people take to the stage, dressed in carnival gear.
"When we started putting parties on in Brixton we were friendly with the Brazilian community, we'd ask percussionists, dancers and vocalists to come down," he says.
Ratcliffe says they were inspired by many of the group's early contemporaries, such as Daft Punk, Cassius and Air, who had all begun touring like rock bands, with increasingly grand productions.
"We just thought if they can do it, we can do it too. All of a sudden, we weren't just two guys standing anonymously behind a mixing desk anymore," he says.
Basement Jaxx will be performing at Skybar at the Yas Hotel tomorrow night. For tickets see www.thinkflash.ae
For more coverage of the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, go to http://thenational.ae/abudhabigrandprix2010.
MATCH DETAILS
Barcelona 0
Slavia Prague 0
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2-litre%204-cylinder%20mild%20hybrid%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20S%20tronic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E265hp%20%2F%20195kW%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20370Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh260%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Scorebox
Sharjah Wanderers 20-25 Dubai Tigers (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries Gormley, Penalty
Cons Flaherty
Pens Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons Caldwell 2
Pens Caldwell, Cross
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
