This actually sounds like good news.

LOVE!

tracklist=supreme

You know that a Dixon mix CD will have the stamp of quality.

I understand the thinking behind calling quits on the series but it would be a shame to lose the mix CD as a format IMO. One fewer series is not good news.

Quoting Dixon from his Facebook Page:

'Over and out. This is my last Mix CD ever.'

http://www.facebook.com/dixoninnervisions

This is so very exciting. Very exciting indeed. Set to be the best mix of 2011. Truely superb....from a master craftsman. One of the best in his trade..

Kristian played that remix of Osunlade when we brought him to LA. It's amazing.

Very bummed to hear that this is LARJ last mix cd, they are absolutely fantastic. They couldn't go to a nice even number like 10? What a shame

That tune is a beat alright! This isn't good news IMO....He's perhaps the only artist who still does mix CDs I'd actually buy

Excellent!
Maybe this'll be just a temporary retirement for both him and LARJ . . .

Can not wait! Dixon makes the last installment of this series so worth it!! Congrats LRJ and Dixon!

This should be an interesting match up.

Can't Wait!

cannot wait for this and mcde dj kicks!

"...both of whom feel the format has run its course. From here on out, LARJ will only release EPs and unmixed compilations, "free of the rules that tempo, blending and arrangements dictate." Dixon, meanwhile, will focus entirely on his club sets, productions and his label, Innervisions."

I couldn't agree more. I love mixtapes but at this point I collect vinyl and download podcasts; not compact disks. The DJ mix has always just been a neat, fancy packaged mix for the consumer. The artist always/label has to make sure the licensing is cleared and I always found that to stifle creativeness and imagination. Underground mixtapes and their modern counterpart, the podcast are the future and allow for more creative control and ultimately that is better for both the artist and the listener. Consumers beware.

yeah agree with flynn dog, dixon's mix cd's are excellent, and if he were to carry on putting them together the format won't run it's course! haha

doesn't sound like bad news necessarily... the massimiliano pagliara album which was came out recently on the live at robert johnson label is easily one of the best full lengths to be released this year... really excited for this one

looks very interesting! excited for this!

Let me begin by saying I am not against podcasts - the immediacy and convenience they offer can't be matched by a mix cd. However, I feel mix CDs still have important roles to play.

1. They are still the biggest platform for DJing talent. Take Jackmaster - a dj who (refreshingly in these times, IMO) has so far chosen to focus on djing rather than jump aboard the production bandwagon, as this is where his passion and talent lies. His profile has been rising for a while, and the internet is littered with various promo mixes of his. But it is his recent fabriclive mix cd that has brought him into the wider consciousness and will unquestionably further his career more than any online mix ever could. It could also be argued that Dixon would not enjoy the profile he does today were it not for his superb Body Language and Temporary Secretary mix CDs (I acknowledge the part played by his RA podcast - though this is a very rare standout).

2. Mix CDs contribute to the independent record industry in a crucial way that podcasts do not. Both provide promotional value to the dj and the records used in the mix. However, mix CDs also pay the dj and artists & labels featured in the mix (some royalties can be earned from certain sites & podcasts, but these are a tiny minority, and where royalties are paid, they simply don't compare to the advances & royalties paid on a mix cd). This is a hugely important source of revenue for the featured artists & labels, particularly since direct sales income has plummeted in recent years. The release of a mix cd pumps thousands of pounds into a struggling industry.

3. The physical vs digital debate is well-worn so apologies for bringing it up again. I'll simply say that, with a few notable exceptions, older mixes in my podcast file go largely untouched. I'll never feel the same urge to search through that file seeking for an old podcast, as pulling a favourite old mix cd off the shelf. In fact, the ubiquity and instant access to podcasts will always make them more disposable and instantly forgettable than a mix cd - the artwork alone provides more of an identity than a title barely distinguishable from the other mixes in the download folder. In this aspect I see mix CDs vs podcasts as analogous to vinyl vs mp3s, and as deserving in preservation and defence within the electronic music community.

4. I think the ready availability of online mixes also affects the quality of the mixes as a whole. Jonny, you make a valid point about licensing being restrictive - this is true to an extent. But, in the same way that digital distribution has (IMO) lowered the overall standard of music productions, so has the availability of online mixes (to clarify, I'm not saying there aren't amazing online mixes, but there is a greater quantity of average and poor mixes than in the physical era). I think most artists see the long-term value of the tangible mix cd as being greater than the disposable podcast. Michael Mayer said, “My memories of preparing Immer 3 are still quite fresh so I can clearly say: I wouldn’t have worked this hard on a podcast,” in this excellent feature on the subject: www.inthemix.com.au/features/48847/2010_In_Review_Where_to_for_the_mixCD. So with that attitude in mind, I feel that the mix cd counterbalances that restriction with a desire to achieve perfection that is less frequently striven for in an online mix.

To reiterate, I am not against podcasts or digital music. I recognise and enjoy their benefits. However, I think that anyone who outright dismisses the paid-for physical mix (typically cd) displays a degree of ignorance and disregard to the music, artists and labels they would purport to love.

PS (as if that wasn't enough already) I'd also recommend reading this article on the topic: http://www.factmag.com/2011/05/27/pearson-sound-jackmaster-fabriclive-56-57/

PPS to paraphrase your signature, killer podcast collection dude

Playlist is looking all mysterious to me, which is a good thing in this case

awesome

I see the validity in all your points and even find myself in agreement with some of them.

1. Artists (i.e. Jackmaster, etc) often thrive on being brought to a wider audience especially from a monetary standpoint but this in no way should be a gauge for success, especially artists. Everyone has to make a living and what better way to do it than doing what you love? I wish I could but I am often reminded that this music is underground and in my opinion, is best kept that way no matter how self righteous that may seem. Perhaps I have read one too many articles by Parrish and Thaemlitz (I do not speak on their behalf but I feel aligned with many of their opinions). The more commercial = the less integrity. This is by no means a rule but I think there are enough obvious examples that support the equation.

2. I also see the mix CD as way to gain more recognition among those fans who may not be deejays or collect vinyl/MP3 singles. These fans are what I referred to as "consumers". Nothing wrong with these particular fans, it's just that they have the most to lose if the format goes away. Perhaps the mix CD will become the $10.99 podcast and I will feel their loss as I myself enjoy physical products over downloads. I know many sites already offer this option but I am unsure as to how many people actually purchase these files. Keep in mind that many of the same people buying these mix CDs are the same people buying tickets to shows, a symbiotic relationship that I hope stays intact with the inevitable loss of an archaic format.

3. Your analog vs. digital analogy is also valid. As a vinyl collector I always hear the difference between a well crafted record and a rush-job MP3. You can virtually put out a track on itunes in a day, from inception to purchase; no thank you. The same goes for your example. As you stated, a lot of work goes into creating a complete product compared to a podcast mix. While I share your opinion on disposable podcasts, I have not seen a mix/tracklist in years that excited me enough in years to buy a mix CD. I'll use Dixon's Body Language as an example; a mix that has a few great points in my opinion has more appeal as 2x12 release seen here, if only for the option of the Mr. White track unmixed. I am fully aware that I am a deejay and my interests are different than that of the "consumer" and therefore my opinions on formats may differ.
On the other hand, the podcast allows, in this day in age, an artist to get their "sound" out there as only a select few will ever have the privilege of Fabric knocking on their door to compile a mix CD. I do not expect to play Fabric anytime soon but that does not stop me from recording a mix a putting it out there on Soudcloud and the like. Unfortunately, this does not stop others as well, as there are an insane amount of horrible mixes going 'round.

4. With all this in mind, I still stand with Dixon and LARJ in their decision to move forward and I do so without "...a degree of ignorance and disregard to the music" as I find myself not only supporting it, playing it and buying it, but also spreading the good word as I write a blog and feature artists that are lesser known but I fell passionate about their projects and the intention behind them. In the end, I think if one really loves Dixon THAT MUCH, they probably collect his lesser known releases -that I find to have much more thought and integrity behind them- regardless of the format. Perhaps both parties in question have more in mind than any of us know right now. I can only hope that what we hear from them is only an improvement in aesthetic and I expect no less. I respect your opinion(s) but have many of my own.

P.S. For the record, track 3 on the mix in question: Dominique - He Said was one of my favorite tracks last year -although it was originally released in 2005- from the Dial 10 year compilation. Seeing this song on here alone makes me want to hear the mix.

P.P.S. Killer CD collection dude.

What's this?! Reasoned and balanced debate on the RA forum?! Scratch that - on any internet comments section?! Were I drinking coffee, I'd be spitting it on my keyboard (as it happens, I'm not a big coffee drinker, despite what my late-night diatribe might suggest).

I do understand and respect where you're coming from and apologies if I have unfairly singled out your comments - you gave me enough thread to start weaving was all. I can see you are a genuine music supporter and I salute you for that. However, I do believe you're (we're) a declining breed.

My real concern is that the 'consumers' are still consuming mixes - but fewer and fewer are paying for them, which is having a degenerative effect on the electronic music industry. You're right, paid digital mixes sell but a fraction of their physical counterparts - and certainly not enough to make up the shortfall since file-sharing became prevalent. Why would they, when people can get effectively the same thing for nothing?

My beef isn't with music lovers who frequently listen to podcasts as a means of music discovery which they then go on and purchase and support - I am one of those, so that would be hypocritical. To be honest, it's at the journalists who 'controversially' proclaim the mix CD to be dead/pointless, and the internet comment army who run with this point of view as a means of justifying contributing little to nothing to the music scene - if typing more than one line of opinion is seemingly too great a cost, doing something so strenuous as you know, actually purchasing music, must surely be too far a stretch. I wanted to be the dissenting voice, pointing out the reasons why the mix CD still has a valuable part to play in our music scene - alongside free online mixes - before this oft-repeated 'truth' perpetuates itself.

uuu. dancy dancy!!!

what's this last for dixon and robert johnson? well, it had a good run! i am looking forward to this, loved temporary secretary

You are anything but an absolute moron from what I can tell. If I just look into my crystal ball here, it would seem that the crafted mix in packaged form will probably never -I say 'never' with a grain of salt- die. It will likely mimic vinyl and become a fringe item for those looking for less commercial mixes coming directly from the artist and/or fiercely independent label. My local record shop sells mostly vinyl but they also have a compact disk section. Some are more well known but a large portion of these are very exclusive small batch mixes from Joe Clausell, Danny Krivit, the local deejays, Hieroglyphic Being, etc. I would rather buy something that is a commodity from a consumer standpoint anyway. A commodity feels less disposable in the end.

I think that exclusivity can create excitement and controversy at the same time as seen here; you'll have excuse my snarky humor that was lost on that thread as well. Maybe LARJ have created the same excitement with the news of the end of their series. Having Dixon compile the mix can only add to the frenzy I imagine. Fortunately the fans won't have to worry about unit numbers or format in this case. And the mix will probably make it's way to torrent sites so those folks that claim to support can easily do so for free, as unfortunate as that reality is. But whether one buys it or not, they are likely to attend his shows and that is what keeps this whole thing going.

P.S. I hope those of you out there understand that I am not excited for the loss of a format that I don't support; I am excited to see what these two outfits do next instead of a mix series. Condolences...

Get a room you two

Love Dixon, love Robert Johnson. That said, announcing their last mix CD is the end of the mix CD format seems a tad presumptuous.

Maybe that's a harsh read, though - perhaps what they mean is the end of the Live At Robert Johnson release format?

More of both, please.

Really agree with this. You can download some music online for free (even legally!) hopefully that doesn't mean that music has no value, or no commercial value.

Likewise, mixes are available on podcast, on bootleg download, to listen to in clubs, on the radio... I don't think that any of these formats invalidates another, nor does it invalidate the mix CD as a format.

Also, something that gets lost-in-the-mix, so to speak, is that commercially available artist releases are less distributed and appeal to a more specialized audience than compilations, soundtracks, and mix CDs. While those of us in Chicago, New York, Berlin, etc have opportunities to shop a variety of record stores or online, mix CDs are an excellent starting off point for folks just getting their feet wet - especially when the single local record store has a diminutive electronica section set against formidable rock, folk, jazz, classical, rap and world music catalogs.

NICE ;D

Fantastic session! Already one of the best mixed compilation of the 2011.

Sorry I forgot that discussion forums are reserved for one-line bitching

(^^^ hoping that is more appropriate for the time-starved readers of the RA forums )

cant wait

The tracklisting on this is very similar to his YouFM Clubnight mix with Ame earlier this year. Looks very good though. Shame it's his last.

This could easily be one of the best mixes given a proper release this year. Very surprising and inspiring. 5 stars.

One of the best mixes of the year. As mentioned, the first half of the CD is unusual but excellent music and then gets going in the second half. I just wish there was a 2nd disc to continue where the 1st left off.

Fantastic mix. Absolutely loved it from start to finish, and great to put a name to "Existing Reality" - heard them mix this out of "Is This Insanity?" in Panorma Bar, it sounded incredible - the bass drop on the 1 and 3 was so heavy!

Perfectly paced, as always with Dixon - a shame that it's his last mix CD but hopefully he will still devote time to beautifully thought-out, prepared and mixed sets like this on some other format - I'll always be able to happy to pay for them!

Great work LARJ and Dixon

just gave this one another listen the other night...it continues to impress. really too bad that Dixon won't be making anymore mix CDs because this one is excellent!