INDAMIXWORLDWIDE.COM - The Disco to House Music Daily Update

It's not a problem that I can't fix, coz'I Can do it… IN DA MIX

ISSUE≠03

Thank you ! Thank you for the numerous enthousiastic feedback which I've received so far after the two first issues of In Da Mix. Still in the process of hearing the tons of vinyls which I've been given during the last WMC' and, believe it or not, this is no evidence to make myself an idea as loads of stuff that I personaly received deserves recognition. But after all, this is nothing but the true meaning of this column since its first appearance on french publication, Coda Magazine, some seven years ago.

Now, as you may see, In Da Mix has also started to live on its own via this e-mailed newsletter and in English for a better understanding as kindly suggested by some of you these last years and let's hope this initiative will strengthen our liaison.

A lot of things have been said about house music in France and more precisely about its eventual decline ; some people in the so called specialized local press even stating about WMC' that it was the equivalent to our Farming Exhibition !!! Well I guess that most of you will appreciate, as I did reading this, even if this is finally no surprise, knowing how the versatility can be a typical speciality on this side of the Pond…

A lot of things have equally been said about the last WMC'. Before, concerning a possible cancellation due to the events that we all know. As after, many pepole here saying that it was not crowdy as it should have been. Well, let's send'em back to their studies as they must have forgotten the 6,000 people that were at the Naked Music Party at Nikki Beach, as well as the 100 Bucks that were asked to be able to see Deep Dish mixing at the Space in front of a dancefloor that was full like a D Train convoy at some rushing hour ! Needless to say that, thankgod, house music is far from being dead. And even though the New York scene has been sort of falling asleep these last months (sad souvenir of 09/11 still in memories + the numerous affairs that have been affecting the NY nightlife, not mentioning the politics of the Mayor), house music doesn't cease existing once out of the Big Apple. Some people have notoriously understood this like Frankie Knuckles or Ron Trent who've gone back to Chicago.

CHI-LITES

Can we talk about a new shuffle on the Windy City ? The answer is yes, considering the latest works of Roy Davis Jr and Glenn Underground or, to a lesser extend, Loftis. The first one with the cool and subtle "About Love" on Bombay, before the explosive "Back To Chicago", a song that already looks like an anthem, due to be released soon on NiteGrooves. The second with the moaning and jazzy "Flu Bug" on Shelter. Not to mention an afro soul funk remix of "Yes Lord" for Kurt Lykes on californian label, Under My Skin ; this, according to what Underground has said to me, being his last work ever with Boo Williams. As for the third concerned, I would suggest you the B-side of his latest "You're All I need", the versions of which being in a sort of disco jazzy vein on his eponymous label. On this same discoîd tip, let us also talk about "It's All Over", a cut from Rafael 'Lego' Rodriguez and more particularly its Dub with its funk feel that really might do it on the dancefloors (Poontin Muziq). A bit more nervous is Dawn Tallman's "Believe( Brighter Days)", a song that perfectly embodies the spirit of its producer, Ron Carroll (Slaag Records). Ron Trent signing a new pure slice of afro blues with "Welcome Sire/The Rhythm" (check out the Instrumental Mix) on Nitegrooves.

DETROIT EMERALDS

The Motor City definitely looks like being the spot where everything (re)happens now. A really good sign a few weeks before the DEMF awaited on the last week-end of may. Let's start the dance with the abyssal "Change" by Norman Talley as revamped by Mike Huckaby. A true wonder from the "Detroit Beatdown Remixes EP" on Third Ear Recordings. A label where you can also find the incredible Malik Alston, a real genious able to compose from classic ambient to the most innovative music, with the groovy and bending "Caterpillar. Also Miyon Grames, discovered two years ago by the same Norm Talley. A real singer with a nu song in the R&B vein on her own label, Meown Enterprises (sorry folks, no title as it's a white label… Miyon, I called U but you weren't there ! I-I-I-I called u…) Another big event is the forthcoming release of Dwele's debut-LP on Virgin on APR 22 in America after a two years hiatus. Another talent already known for some of his work with Slum Village, who already appears to be a serious contender on the nu soul circuit with a first cut called "Find A Way". A bit more groovy is "Runaway" by Pitch Black City featuring Roberta Sweed with the instantly recognizable touch of Kenny Dixon Jr who's signed the production (Mahogany). This leading us to close this Detroit chapter with the phonky tribal "Ghetto Gospel Man" by 2 Or More featuring Euclid Gray on Kid Dynamite Records.

BALTIMORE WIZZARDS

Just a river to cross and you are in Canada as was UR member Mike 'Agent X' Clarke to sign a remix of the soulful "Saved" by Esperanza featuring Carolyn Punter with a Masters At Work feel, from a double-pack that also features a remix by Tommy Musto on Gotsoul Records. That same label gives us the opportunity to cross the boarder back to U.S. with a new series, Sounds Of, and a first double-pack leading us to Baltimore. Two tracks most notoriously on it. The first, "Come To Me" by Fertile Ground, in a broken beat vein, with a remix by Don_Ray (a name to watch out in the coming months). The second on a more soulful and atmospheric tip : "Dance The Night Away" by DJ Oji featuring Carolyn Victorian, a cut taken from his fortcoming album (watch this space as I should receive a promo copy anytime now), as the vibrant "I'm Feelin' You", which has received a massive welcome from the crowd during the Large Party at Maze (Poji Records).

MO' PHILLY SOUNDZ

The biggest stop while taking Amtrack from Baltimore to NY is Philadelphia. A city where lots of things also happen, from King Britt's recent album on BBE to the current success of The Roots and Common. Not to mention Vikter Duplaix with "Morena", a new cut form his debut last year on Hollywood Records, that he has remixed with a subtle afro cool feeling. More than recommanded, as is Kindred, a new group to be followed by the soul fans, with a six tracks sampler. Check out the B-side, if you're into some pure grooves ; this with an old school approach (sometimes not far away from Earth, Wind & Fire), twisting some soul, funk and jazz elements on Jill Scott's label, Hidden Beach.

NUYRICAN SOUL

Impossible to end up this trip to NE America without a halt at the Big Apple. There, the Masters At Work have obviously decided to take the last dimes out of our pockets with an impressive collection of new releases. You'll get from them a declinaison of the groove into almost all its forms. Starting from this 4-seven inches box-set including the soul'n'jazzy "Feeling Fine" by swedish producer, Markus Enochson (MAW Records), the infamous Kenny Dope remix of Manzel's "It's Over Now", considered by DJ Gregory as an absolute must have in its genre (Dopebrother) and an Antonio Ocasio more touching than ever with the scatted "Organic Energy" (Kenlou). If you're more of an electronic fan, the re-relase of "Tranz" by MAW with remixes of Todd Terry and, even more, Josh Wink should be your cup o' tea (MAW) while, if you're more into some afro latin feel, you should definitely check out the sparkling 'Little' Louie Vega featuring Raul Midon's Cerca De Mi" on Vega Records and, to a different extend" the sweet remixes of B.O.P.'s "Zabalaza" (MAW). Last but not least, on a true Frankie Feliciano's vein, his remixes of "Life Is But A Dream" by MAW featuring Lynae (MAW). Meanwhile, znother well known duet — Mateo & Matos — is back in action on Large Records with the second chapter of "Zulu Funk EP" (check out "The Chant" for some more afro feel).

Not happy with signing one of the WMC' tracks ("Elle" on Faya Combo"), DJ Gregory – we'll get back to him on a soon to come issue dedicated to the french scene – has another slice of… dope with his remix of John Ciafone's "Everyday" on Boombastic. Leavin' you for now with a brilliant return of Kerri Chandler (new LP arriving soon on King Street) via his fifth volume of "Trionisphere". An EP with the old school "I Never Knew Her" vocalised by himself + a pure song by KT Brooks ready to please the amateurs of this genre.

More to come next week and remember : no wax, no review !

MFSB

IN DA MIX TENNERZ

ROY DAVIS Jr Back To Chicago (CDR-Nitegrooves)

LITTLE LOUIE VEGA featuring RAÙL MIDON Cerca De Mi (Vega Records)

DJ OJI presents CAROLYN VICTORIAN I'm Feelin' You (CDR-Poji Records)

NORMAN TALLEY Change – Mike Huckaby Remix (Third Ear)

BANDA FAVELA Samba De Ile – Belladonna e Duranti Remix (Irma)

JOHN CIAFONE Everyday – DJ Gregory Remix (Boombastic)

2 OR MORE featuring EUCLID GRAY Ghetto Gospel Man (Kid Dynamite)

KEMETICJUST Do You Remember – Charles Webster Memory Mix (Silver Network)

ESPERANZA featuring CAROLYN PUNTER Saved – Mike 'Agent X' Clark Remix (Gotsoul)