Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Square Face, Cyberfest in Texas, DJ Tiesto's Rising Star, German Psychologist Says Size Does Matter, Armin Van Buuren's Perpetual Dream, Slinky Return Down Under

Spiller singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor's relationship with clubland appears to be disintegrating judging by the latest media reaction to her new album Read My Lips. Described as 'an adolescent ill-conceived and ill-advised vanity project' by DJ magazine, its release drew an unusually frank admission from the singer herself, whose greatest asset appears to be her face. 'I'm a bit square really, I find all that aggressive clubbing a bit hard to keep up with,' she told Ministry Magazine.

http://www.sophieellisbextor.com

Darude, Adam Freeland, Christopher Lawrence and the Crystal Method headline next month's Cyberfest Festival, which takes place in Houston, Texas on Saturday September 22nd. Organisers are promising '150 beautiful tree-lined acres, an Olympic sized swimming pool and even horseback riding as well as a cast of hundreds of local DJs. Tickets cost from US$35 and are available online, below:

http://www.coolworld.com

http://www.iabolish.com (Anti-Slavery Movement; supported by Cyberfest)

DJ Tiesto's trance anthem Urban Train looks poised for chart success following Radio 1 support from the likes of Dave Pearce, Judge Jules and Pete Tong. The track, a 10 minute fairly predictable pounder with breakdown, snatched female vocals and crescendo building rise, has been remixed by Way Out West and Marc O'Tool and comes out on VC Recordings mid September.

A German urologist had defended the integrity of his countrymen over a recent report which noted that average German condoms are 2cm shorter than the European (EU) average. Gunter Hagler disputed the implication that German men are unusually small, Loaded reported, and called for European countries to check their measurements.

Dutch trancer Armin Van Buuren has teamed up with TV presenting model Elles De Graaf, to form Perpetual Dreamer, and releases their first single Sounds Of Goodbye on Cream Records. Van Buuren is one of Holland's top electronic producers having collaborated with Ferry Corsten, Paul Van Dyk and Gouryella in recent years. The duo's first single is a typically melodic pop trance tune built around stabbing synth sounds and a somewhat average vocal melody. Armin's Tribal Feel Dub is the best dance floor version, though remains somewhat formulaic.

http://www.cream.co.uk (for music downloads)

British super-club organisation Slinky have announced they'll be returning to Australia at the end of September for a series of events around the country. Hard trance madman DJ Taucher headlines at the events, alongside rising Dutch progressive star Lucien Foort and Montreal's Misstress Barbara. The first bash takes place in Perth on September 26th, followed by dates in Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast, several days later. Slinky, who promise they 'stand out from the bunch of pedestrian UK clubs', are co-producing the parties with leading Australian rave organisers Future. Australian DJs performing include Kasey Taylor, Mark James and Gavin Keitel.

Jonty Adderley

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