I would like to feature an up and coming DJ hailing from NYC, who has been a pal of mine for several years now. Ben Manzone (aka Benguin) got acquainted with me through our shared interest in postpunk and dance music, and we both have veered away from collecting DIY and postpunk in the years that followed, and focused on our infatuation with dance music. We both started to become very familiar with disco, boogie, garage, proto-house, and house with much passion and enthusiasm. We've tipped each other a great deal on some serious tunes, looking out for each other's wants while digging, and sharing constructive critiques of each others' mixes, as both us were beginning to develop experience as DJs. I definitely see him going places, and look forward to sharing our progress together in the years to come.

I wanted to give a shout out to this fine young man and his impeccable taste by featuring a mix that he has made especially for 'Get Up Get Down', titled MELT YOUR FACE in addition to an edit of Billy Paul's "Only the Strong Survive".

Download MELT YOUR FACE here

Download ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE EDIT here

Its official. I am now international. Hopefully the impending inclement weather will not make it impossible to reach our destination!

Special thanks to Brian Merz for helping me secure the gig.