On Saturday the 21st Of July @ The Chapel Bar in London we are honoured to have international house music legend Moussa Clarke grace the decks for what is guaranteed to be a blinding set. We catch up with Moussa for a few words...

What have you been up to so far in 2007, and what else have you got on the cards?

I've been doing my usual touring lark - including Sweden, Denmark, Dubai, Ukraine, Belgium and Russia (which is pretty much my second home these days) Studio wise I'm currently remixing Jody Wisternoff - "Star Strings", The Adjuster - "Sweden", Maurice - "Fall Down" and Puppa - "Sense Da Groove". I've also just mixed a compilation called "FortDance:Experience" for Russia. FortDance is a huge event near St Petersburg in the Finnish Gulf. I actually won't be playing there (it's on July 21st so I have a feeling I'm busy already!) but I've been involved in the Russia-wide club tour in the run-up to the event.

I see you've been touring out in Russia, what's the club scene like out there and how does it differ from the UK?

Da, Privyet. Kak Dela? Horosho, Spasibo (I really should make an effort to learn Russian properly) The Russian club scene seems to have welcomed me with open arms - and it's definitely one of my favourite places to tour. The crowds there are very enthusiastic and open to new music. Last weekend I was in Chelyabinsk for a huge indoor rave playing alongside Da Hool and Azzido Da Bass - went off big-time!

One of your latest productions Love Key is working is quickly up the charts, and your getting support from Radio 1 for your Police bootleg that must be a good feeling?

Definitely, it's always great if your tracks get supported by other DJs! Shows you must be doing something ok :-) Love Key is out now on Slammin Muzik in Germany and seems to be doing well. Armin Van Buuren has just signed the Police track for his label Armada, so it should be getting a full release later this year. My tune "Fade Away" is finally coming out on Starview and also on DJ Antoine's Houseworks label this summer, and is featured on this year's El Divino Compilation in Ibiza, mixed by Franco Mulero.

Running a DJ agency must be hugely time consuming task especial with the likes of Timo Garcia, Mike Monday, Wonderland Avenue & Phunk Investigation on your books?

Yeah, it is, and a lot of my week is taken up with admin and promotion for the agency, but it's important to focus on the business side, not just on the creative stuff. I feel really lucky to be involved in the club music industry, and it's a great feeling when you succeed in pushing people's DJ careers forward.

What choons are hot in your box at the moment?

1. Phunk Investigation vs The S-Man - "Let's Work"
The b-line is so fierce its untrue - immense crowd reactions.

2. Laidback Luke - "Hot, Hot, Hotter"
Electronic party tune of the highest order, with a wicked rap type vocal.

3. Markus Lange - "Uncontrollable"
Emotional nu-trance which has them literally screaming at the breakdown.

4. Dee Lievense & Conor Magavock - "Vegas"
A big disco funk sample, and a huge wobbly bassline. Vocal mixes coming soon.

5. Treat Brothers - "Tears" (Noiz Remix)
Great string-laden breakdown and mad b-line. Well overdue for a proper release!

What's your feelings on the huge amount of minimal / tech & techno that seems to be flooding the London clubbing scene at the moment?

I play some of it and I think it's cool up to point, as long as it's not the only thing in people's sets. Musical purism is evil and fascist, and it must be stopped at all costs. I like all sorts of styles, not just one infinitesimal subgenre, and I definitely like a bit of real live human emotion in with my electronica. Otherwise everything is in danger of turning into a big sausagey trainspotter yawnfest.

Your mix CD's are blinding, how would you describe one of your set for someone who's not caught you playing live yet?

Lush musicality, phat beatz, electronic mayhem and big ass b-lines. With dreadlocks.

On your travels I bet you come across a huge deal of up and coming talent who is hot property at the moment and who do you predict will make it big?

There's a DJ from Ukraine called DJ Sender - he's one of the best DJs I've heard anywhere, and his mastery of the EFX unit completely puts me to shame. Joachim Garraud from France has already taken him under his wing, and he's been rocking clubs everywhere from Kiev to Dubai to Paris. Also the latest addition to the Oven Ready crew, Dom Kane, is definitely one to watch.

Lastly do you believe that balloons and crayons are a must for every party?

The Guru of Negative Balloons speaks to me in tongues from behind the DJ booth. He is all-wise and all powerful, whatever that Richard Dawkins chap may say, and preaches the intractable truth that balloons, crayons, and a dainty salad are an absolute must for any budding rave monkeys out there. Spread the word, please.

//More Info:

Moussa's MySpace
Moussa Clarke's Website
Oven Ready Records

//Free Mix Download:

Moussa's Mix CD's are legendary and the June one is no exception, always a really well mixed selection of new tracks smoothly brought together to produce one awesome CD that you can have in the car on repeat for months. I've also added the older Feb mix as it well worth a listen to.

Moussa Clarke - June 2007 Mix Session: Download Here
Moussa Clarke - Febuary 2007 Mix Session: Download Here