I flip anxiously through my CD collection in my Honda. Fred Numf, his partner Etienne, and a furniture mover from New Jersey are riding with me to club Red for Numf's performance, and I have to decide what CD to put on. The furniture mover, noticing my dismay, helpfully jokes, "Uh oh. What music do you play when you've got DJ's in the car?" I smile weakly and resume my feverish search. I think back…

This evening began with a trip to the Century Plaza Hotel for an interview with Black Hole Recording's up-and-coming DJ and producer, Fred Numf. Known for his critically acclaimed debut 'Universal Language', this Dutch player is making waves again with his follow-up compilation, 'Universal Language 2'. On his project: "It's the follow-up from Part 1 of a year ago, which we've backed up with a double 12 inch package. There were some very hard decisions for the track listing; I really had to think about it. It's not the same as my first album because those were very much new and unreleased tracks. Now it's more something out of my box, what I spin. And also some older tracks that a few people don't know, but have been out for a very long time."

Some tracks might be older, but Numf's sound has definitely evolved. "My music changes, of course. I now do more Progressive Trance and House. We follow the industry, but do our own thing, and just keep our ears and eyes open." And for the future? "We're now busy in America because our names are building very fast with our last 12 inch. With our new mix album, I can do more here. I think next year, we're going to hook up with a very big company who can back us up."

I finger a Tiesto CD, but surely they must've heard enough of HIM. What DJ's did Fred Numf say he liked? "Anthony Pappa, a good friend of mine, is one of my favorite DJ's. We've done some gigs together. Christopher Lawrence from the American guys. Max Graham from Canada." No luck in my CD case. I wonder if we have enough time to stop by Tower Records.

I think about the drive back into Hollywood. I get lost on these streets sometimes, and I've barely been out of the States; certainly to less places than the globetrotting Numf. His favorite spot? "I think Hungary is one of my favorite places to visit. I've done gigs there for many years, and the crowd is just amazing." When asked what we can expect from one of his sets, Fred laughs. "It depends on the crowd. I play really for them. I'm not the kind of DJ that plays his own stuff. I really watch the people and I'm there for the crowd."

I spot a John Digweed CD of Bedrock label fame. Fred Numf did say if he could be one fictional character, "That's easy, Fred Flintstone." Too obscure a reference. I look some more. I spot some mix album on a burned CD. But then I remember Numf's impassioned message to the world: "Don't copy CD's. That's the worst problem we have right now with music. It's really a nightmare. Everyone's talking about it, but no one's doing anything. If it goes on like this, only the big artists will have albums. You're not going to have new music anymore. Companies don't want to bring out new CD's that are selling that bad."

I finally settle on The Crystal Method. You can never go wrong with 'Vegas'. Everyone seems content with the selection. I pull out of the parking garage and off into the night. I've got some precious cargo, and the crowd is waiting…