PAUL OAKENFOLD PUTS NEW SPIN ON HIS SIGNATURE DJ SOUND.

Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer

Dance purists criticize Paul Oakenfold's new album, ``A Lively Mind,'' for its rock-heavy productions.

But Oakenfold, the 42-year-old British DJ and producer who will be spinning records Saturday at the rescheduled Giant Village along four city blocks of Los Angeles, says he expects to hear criticism.

``Look, not everyone is going to like the record, are they? That's understandable. You have a lot of purists that don't want you to mix guitars with electronic music, but I don't care, really,'' he says. ``Dance purists don't like anything that's slightly commercial, or anything that's away from the norm, and this record is.''

As he puts it, ``A Lively Mind'' has Hollywood written all over it.

The album of original works features collaborations with various artists, from unknown L.A. street musicians to starlet Brittany Murphy, who lends her sex-kitten vocals to the all-night party track ``Faster Kill Pussycat.''

``Yeah, there are a few names on it,'' Oakenfold says, adding Grandmaster Flash and Pharrell Williams to his list of famous guests. Oakenfold himself provides a vocal or two. ``But everyone else was unknown because I really wanted to work with new talent.''

The artists showcased on ``A Lively Mind'' were discovered by Oakenfold while hitting bars, clubs, even coffeehouses around his hometown of Los Angeles.

``Spitfire was playing outside Starbucks in Malibu,'' says Oakenfold, who has done more than any other DJ to bring dance music into the mainstream. ``He was just standing there, playing his guitar, singing and giving CDs out.''

Along with Spitfire, Oakenfold invited Ryan Tedder and the Bad Apples into the studio to cut several tracks.

Depending on how well the album does, he says, he could be taking his finds along when he next tours with his band.

But right now, Oakenfold is in the midst of a whirlwind DJ tour that includes a stop at Giant Village, now an annual summer event in addition to New Year's Eve.

Last New Year's Eve's party got canceled at the 11th hour because of the rain.

``I know a lot of people were disappointed, but this is a unique event,'' Giant Village organizer Dave Dean explains. ``It's a very sexy production. And so when the weather becomes a factor, it works against you.''

There should be no worries this time.

As for Oakenfold, he plans on spinning some songs off the new album despite the criticism.

He always does.

``I think the point that people miss is you have to move forward,'' Oakenfold says. ``No one wants to hear the same old album -- and certainly not me because I'd rather not make an album than make the same old thing. So get over it.''

Sandra Barrera, [phone]

sandra.barrera(at)dailynews.com

GIANT VILLAGE: SUMMER IN THE CITY

Where: Enter at the corner of Sixth and Hope streets in downtown Los Angeles.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.

Tickets: $75, $125. www.giantvillage.com.

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Photo:

(color) - Paul Oakenfold