Z-Trip receives the 2009 America’s Best DJ award—a gold plated mixer—
from the legendary Paul Oakenfold. Z-Trip joined onstage by The Pointer Sisters’ Ruth (left) and Anita Pointer. Photos: MikeyMcNulty.com
Las Vegas, Nevada — No town in America represents “party” more than Las Vegas, so it’s only appropriate that Sin City served as the host town for the 2009 America’s Best DJ award ceremony and closing party this past weekend.
Presented Sept. 12 by title sponsor Pioneer Pro DJ and DJ Times magazine, the honor of America’s Best DJ was bestowed upon Z-Trip.
After more than four months of online voting (americasbestdj.net) and a supporting 25-event Summer Tour, the Los Angeles-based mash-up maven/turntablist accrued the most ballots and was tabbed the winner of the 4th annual vote.
At The Palms’ rooftop lounge Ghostbar, Z-Trip (aka Zach Sciacca) was handed his spoils—a special gold-plated Pioneer DJM-800 mixer from superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold and an ABDJ gold medal from Pioneer Pro DJ’s Karl Detken.
Later on in the evening, Z-Trip descended to the hotel’s Rain nightclub for an opening slot in support of Oakenfold’s game-changing Planet Perfecto party. The packed club was treated to a vintage Z-Trip set unbound by genres and a true “Vegas moment” when the DJ was joined on stage by The Pointer Sisters during their classic track, “Jump.”
“It was great for us to be involved again in this year’s America’s Best DJ award ceremony and closing party events,” said Detken, Director of Product Planning & Artist Relations for Pioneer Pro DJ. “It was by far the best ever. We look forward to next year.”
“The Palms is proud to be affiliated with America’s Best DJ and DJ Times,” said Sol Shafer of the N9NE Group, which oversees Rain and Ghostbar. “As avid fans and developers of the American electronic music scene, we are proud to call DJ Times a partner. We look forward to once again crowning America’s Best DJ with us here at the Palms Casino Resort in September of 2010.”
A BIG thanks go out to all the fans who voted for their favorite DJs and congratulations to Z-Trip for being crowned “America’s Best DJ 2009.”
So the Paul Oakenfold Perfecto Vegas mix has hit the #1 spot in the iTunes Store dance genre, while also peaking at #1 on the Amazon.com digital downloads list.
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So, today only the Oakenfold “Perfecto Vegas” mix is available for promotional purchase price of $3.99 on Amazon.com (Click here to snag yours now). Also, if you want to hear the teaser mix, go here.
We just got our hands on a teaser mix of a forthcoming release from Paul Oakenfold.
Two of our primary writers were listening to Oakenfold back in the late 90’s and early 2000. Specifically, we had the Journeys record, several live mixes and a bunch of remixes. So, overall, listening to Paul Oakenfold reminds us of back when the rave scene wasn’t as mainstream as it is today and many people were only just learning of its existence. However, the rave scene started before the late 90’s. People began using the term “rave” to describe parties back in the late 80’s, which is when raves and the loads of club drug use actually began. Were you aware that ecstasy was actually legally prescribed by doctors in the US during 80’s for marriage counselling, psychotherapy and as a dietary supplement? It’s true! Just ask Google. Of course, most of the rave scene founders would agree that clubs these days are fairly different from what they were back then.
Paul Oakenfold was playing out at raves before a lot of us were even old enough to gain admission to a lot of events. Oakenfold is arguably one of pioneers of the rave scene, especially in the Progressive House, House, Electro, and Trance genres. Even if you know nothing about the history of the rave parties, just ask around and see if people have heard of Oakenfold and you’ll probably find that even those who don’t particularly care for electronic music have heard of him and possibly even own a few of his records.
In 2009, Paul Oakenfold is still keeping his game tight, releasing mixes and tracks that reflect the same talent and dedication that got him the massive reputation and fame he has today. But hey, talk is cheap, right? So check out the mix for yourself.
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