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defining freethinking James Poole

The Police: a perfect fit for freethinking

I was born in 1975. This puts me at 11 years old when just about the most exciting news came my way. When the music video for a track that I didn’t know was incoming burst onto my TV set, I was jumping for joy, and reaching for the [record] button on my VCR. Looking […]

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freethinking nyc James Poole recommendations reflection

Death of a Disco Dancer, Morrissey and Marr at their peak

There are a few differences between the UK & the US in the consumption of music which never fail to surprise me. Actually, scratch that – it’s more ‘New York’ than ‘the US’ that I feel qualified to make reference to. It’s partially just seeing what music goes down when you’re DJing – there’s just […]

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events freethinking nyc James Poole

freethinking nyc, volume 25

Bringing it back. freethinking nyc, volume 25 hits New York City on March 17th. Coming to you from the new home for freethinking nyc – the vig bar – volume 25 will be a special night. It’s St. Patrick’s Day – so expect a big night in NYC. For freethinking nyc, volume 25 – expect […]

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events freethinking nyc James Poole

freethinking nyc, volume 24

‘Can you play something more up to date, like from the 2000s?’ Can you be more specific? ‘Something from the 90’s’ Well, this is brand new. ‘Something like Salt-N-Pepa’ I think it’s fair to say that some people really don’t know what they’re after when they go to ask a DJ for ‘some music’. Another […]

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events freethinking nyc James Poole

freethinking berlin: Manchester style

Earl Zinger? Check. Johnny Pate? Check. Japan? Check. Some of the normal favourites managed to sneak through and into the set for freethinking berlin this weekend. It’s fair to say, however, that the night was a slightly different proposition to the regular freethinking nyc idea. A very good mate of mine turned 40 this weekend. […]

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DJ Prestige events freethinking nyc James Poole

The Kush years

Let’s call them the Kush years. DJ Prestige and I kicked this off in May last year, and we had some bloody good nights at Kush through the balance of 2010. We had a summer party, a Christmas bash, a sojourn to Brooklyn, and even a night where Kevin Spacey rocked up. On the eve […]

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DJ Prestige freethinking nyc James Poole

Switching it up at freethinking

the freethinking movement is about innovation. It’s about doing things differently – and not just catering to the lowest common denominator. It’s about pushing forward, and celebrating the good stuff. And so, as we enter 2011, we will also be doing things differently… First of all, DJ Prestige now lives in Brooklyn, baby. He’s showing […]

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defining freethinking freethinking nyc James Poole recommendations

Earl Zinger: freethinking legend

Let me tie a few threads together. I’ve written about covers before – if you didn’t check out John Martyn’s version of ‘Glory Box’, then you’ve missed out. I’ve also written about a tune which has appeared at many, many freethinking nyc nights: ‘Shaft In Africa’ by Johnny Pate. Finally, a recent post extolled the […]

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defining freethinking freethinking nyc James Poole

The Holy Trinity

Can it be nearly five months since we started this? freethinking nyc, volume 1 took place in May. We’ve seen the summer through, and are about to kick into the full splendour of Autumn in New York. We’ve had some great nights, and the blog posts have been well received. We’ve brought you unheard tracks […]

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defining freethinking freethinking nyc James Poole

People *like* good music

Given the chance, people like good music. I’ll stand by this, and defend it to the death. Well, maybe not that far, but I’d have a good stab at it. My issue with mainstream media is simple: the general public is fed what is popular. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean that this is the […]

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freethinking nyc James Poole recommendations

Joanne Grauer. You won’t have heard of her.

This isn’t going to be easy. I know near on nothing about the subject of this blog post. I say that, but what I mean is that I know nothing about the artist. Other than the fact that she’s responsible for one of my favourite pieces of music. Ever. So – it’s worth having a […]

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freethinking nyc James Poole recommendations

A two man Led Zeppelin

The Black Keys. Holy crap, they’re good. I’ve written about them on here before. They were the band behind one of the loudest concerts I have ever been to. Their brain-mushing volume was part of the beauty of the concert. I had a totally different Black Keys experience last night – in the idyllic surroundings […]