It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Summer has come to a close and the spicy scent of fall is thickly coating our deep, fine, east coast air. Bliss is effortless this season. Strolling through the West Village while sipping on a hot apple cider and watching the auburn leaves delicately make contact with the charcoal pavement is enough to make an infectious smile dance upon your face. Though the city is putting on a wool sweater, the music industry is about to shed its glitz and glam as world-wide raw talent infiltrates the isle of Manhattan for CMJ.

The HiFi Cartel has been blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of the CMJ Press scene for the past few years, as this is one of the most exciting ventures to take place in our homebase. Many refer to CMJ as the “SXSW of the North”. CMJ is short for College Music Journal, a music events and publishing company whose name has become iconic through their upcoming festival. The entertainment industry is about to takeover NYC between October 18th and 22nd. In five short days there will be over 1,300 artist performances and dozens of cutting edge inhibiting more than 80 of this city’s greatest venues, nightclubs, and theaters with over 120,000 fans, music industry professionals, college radio tastemakers, bloggers, press, filmmakers and musicians.

Though HiFi is well versed with the ins and outs of CMJ, I am not. A true virgin if you will, fresh blood to a familial scene. Intimidation fueled by excitement resonated throughout my body once I learned my name was on the press list. Now, I had to figure out how exactly I was going to navigate through CMJ 2011 while balancing a 9-5 job. CMJ’s schedule is any college student’s dream, but I refused to let my lack of a 16 credit schedule bog me down. If industry heads and musicians alike can make it work, so can I.

Panels, Music, Film. Those are the three official subdivisions of the festival. My nerd self was literally bouncing out of my office chair once the panels were announced. Any and every trend and current event within this beloved, eternally-changing industry is going to be discussed by the masterminds reacting to this change: licensing, film and music intergration, branding, DIY culture, social media, how to launch a start up, etc. If you have the opportunity to attend even one of these panels, I urge you to please take advantage of this opportunity. A list of recommended panels by CMJ can be found here.

You might feel overwhelmed by all of the acts and figuring out who and what you’re going to get to. Fear not. A list of all of the official CMJ shows can be found here. Also, shortly following this article, we are going to post a “CMJ LineUp” that will let you know what is going on where, from us to you. Another interesting factor on top of all this CMJ mania are the unofficial CMJ showcases. Fader Fort and Fools Gold are putting their best talent foot forward and having the kings and queens of their labels perform. These events are free, open to the public, and entrance is based solely on capacity.

I wouldn’t dare try to express the excitement felt through my clumsy words, but this is going to be an experience that will last me a lifetime, I’m sure. If you have any recommendations for HiFi, let us know!! We would love to be an audience member in your show and are looking forward to supporting our fans. Rest up, because once Tuesday hits, coffee and Redbull will most def become a part of your CMJ diet. Cheers.

A-Trak’s given us all something to “go dance in front of the mirror” for. He says the mirror, I say on your roof top while the September sun sets over New York City. Anyways, this mix is loaded with goodies such as a new Duck Sauce track The Big Bad Wolf and 1984′s Arabesque put out by Discobelle. Give this one a listen and let us know what you think.

Fool’s Gold Radio – July 2011 Mix by A-Trak

Tracklist after the jump.

1. Kid Gloves – Music Power (A-Trak Intro Edit) – Fool’s Gold
2. Rogerseventytwo – You Take Me Higher – Fool’s Gold
3. Marble Players – Let You Go – Marble
4. Alexander Technique & Junior Sanchez – One Day They Love You – InHouse
5. Kid Gloves – Below The Belt – Fool’s Gold
6. Carte Blanche feat. Alexis Taylor – With You – Ed Banger
7. Deadboy – Wish You Were Here – Numbers
8. Tripmastas – Roll Dat – Magnetic
9. Duck Sauce – Big Bad Wolf
10. Santiago & Bushido – Rhythm For Me – Relief
11. Kry Wolf – Lost In Tremé
12. Roska – Abrupt – Hotflush
13. Dexter – Fat Skinny People – Clone Crown Ltd.
14. The Count & Sinden – Future (Canblaster Remix) – Domino
15. Sound Pellegrino Thermal Team – Bassface – Sound Pellegrino
16. Dr. Gonzo – Dushi – Southern Fried
17. 1984 – Arabesque (NT89 Remix) – Discobelle
18. Arnaud Rebotini – All You Need Is Techno (Gesaffelstein Remix) – Blackstrobe
19. Bart B More & Tommy Sunshine – Body Work – Secure
20. Felix Cartal – The Joker – Dimmak
21. Bassjackers – Mush Mush – Musical Freedom
22. D.I.M & TAI – Ion – Boys Noize Records
23. Clouds – Numbers – Turbo
24. Jaymo & Andy George – Tension – Moda
25. Siriusmo – Feromonikon – Monkeytown
26. Icona Pop – Manners (Style Of Eye Remix) – Kitsuné
27. Para One & Tacteel – Always – Fool’s Gold

This Friday February 25, Flashing Lights returns to Public Assembly with another edition of their infamous party! This time around, Douster joins the usual crew DJ Ayres, Nick Catchdubs, and Jubilee, for a night that’s sure to be filled with awesome beats and good times, not to mention more than enough rave juice.

Youthful French producer and ZZK Records compatriot Douster has been making a splash with his clubby European take on the various tropical rhythms (and riddims) emerging from around the globe. Whether it be dancehall or kuduro, cumbia or UK funky, Douster can be counted on to deliver an uptempo, chopped-and-sliced dancefloor filler.

Check out this brand new tour mix that he just did for The Fader to get you pumped!

This Friday, February 11, Montreal native and New York City favorite A-Trak will be hitting the decks at LAVO. We definitely have a bit of a soft spot for the label owner and scratch-master and have yet to witness him spin a poor set, whether it be at a large scale festival or an intimate club. His ability to read the crowd, matched with unparalleled technical skills make him an absolute thrill to watch every single time.

A-Trak began his career at age 15 when he won the 1997 DMC World Championships. In 2004, he was hand-picked by Kanye West himself to be his tour DJ. Then in 2007, A-Trak co-founded Fool’s Gold Records, which now releases some of the hottest current music from artists like Kid Cudi, LA Riots Laidback Luke and many more. A-Trak’s signature remixes for the likes of Boys Noize and Simian Mobile Disco, original tracks like “Say Whoa,” and mixes like ‘Dirty South Dance 2,’ as well as gigs at major festivals around the world, have established him as a dance music master. He most recently he made his mark on the pop world through his ‘Duck Sauce’ collaboration with Armand Van Helden, releasing ‘aNYway’ and “Barbra Streisand,” which is nominated for Best Underground Dance Track and Best House/Garage Track in this year’s IDMA awards.

The Fool’s Gold x LTD Holiday Party is back in full effect and coming atcha on Friday, December 17. Fool’s Gold has been on fire with their events lately, and we expect this one to be no different. Mannie Fresh, Just Blaze, The Brothers Macklovitch (A-Trak + Dave 1) and Sammy Bananas will be behind the decks and complimentary food and drinks will be served until midnight… All you have to do is RSVP.

Brace yourselves, because this weekend is going to be an absolute marathon. After the Electric Zoo takes over Randall’s Island on Saturday and Sunday, Fool’s Gold Records is throwing a HUGE “Day Off” party on Monday to in celebration of our nation’s lack of labor.

The event will feature a plethora of Fool’s Gold artists and friends, with live performances by Yelawolf, Pill, Donnis and The Suzan, and DJ sets by Just Blaze, Craze, Klever and Kill the Noise. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Fool’s Gold party without its founders Nick Catchdubs and A-Trak, who will also be spinning. A-Trak and his brother, Chromeo’s Dave 1, will once again join forces as The Brothers Macklovitch for a tag team set.

The party kicks off at 2 PM at the City Winery Backyard in SoHo. No need for tickets, it’s a free event.

This Saturday, August 21, Club Infinity returns to Santos Party House for the third installment of their club night of future-minded, bass-driven dance music from around the world. Brought to you by the good folks over at MeanRed, this weekend’s party features resident DJs Kingdom and Dre Skull, as well as Prince William, Physical Therapy & $hayne, and very special guest Girl Unit.

Hailing from the far off shores of London and from Bok Bok and L-Vis 1990′s reputable Night Slugs label, Girl Unit is known for his ability to seamlessly blend deep and melodic variations of Juke, R&B, Hip-Hop instrumentals, South African House, Ballroom Grime, UK Funky, and his own unique reinterpretations of all of the above through his dynamic sets. His own productions also take in vintage, star-lit house, dramatic R&B and 808-heavy Chicago dancefloor gear, creating a product that is not only innovative and interesting, but downright impossible to resist moving to. His track IRL, described by Bok Bok as “rat alert meets Juke @ 135″, has garnered some serious well deserved hype, and we’re itching see what he comes up with next.

This is Girl Unit’s first US tour, and he will be playing a few dates on both coasts, with New York City lucky enough to be counted among them. With only one official release and a smattering of remixes and other tracks to his name, Girl Unit nonetheless displays a keen ear for sound that is completely on point, and an impressive talent and ability that you will not want to miss witnessing firsthand.

For a taste of the coming action this Saturday, check out Girl Unit’s brand new killer XLR8R Podcast below, brimming with the latest dubplates and unreleased tunes to get you pumped.

Tickets are $5 with RSVP HERE, or $10 at the door. We also have two free tickets to give away to one lucky winner, just fill out the form below to enter. Contest closes this Friday at noon. See you on the dancefloor!