Music, style, and life. We are mGrooves. We are 4groovers…

Listen to Stylo's new bootleg remix

Yeah, I have been busy in the studio.  I have several projects under way, however I’d like to introduce you to this one first.

It is a little tune that features some jacked samples from a well known Hip-Hop crew.  It grew out of a conversation regarding style; your style, my style, the style of someone else.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.  ;)  Also, what is your style? About music, clothing, entertainment?  Do you have a name for your style?

How appropriate (or not) on this first of February during a leap year.  I can’t count how many times I wanted to throw my hands up in protest over some of the crazy-stupid things that occur.  Alas, this is not an options always open to us.  However, what I’m really referring to is the party by this name in Baltimore and one of the front men, Tim Galligan.

We are gonna get dirty...

I was introduce to Tim some years ago through his brother.  And it wasn’t directly either.  What do I mean?  Well, I have cousins that live in the Denver Colorado area and on a trip to visit with them, I was introduced to this cat named ‘Jimmy G’.  Jimmy G (James Galligan) is Tim’s brother.

So while we traded fun music stuff, he told me about his brother that would be out Baltimore way.  Some weeks later, Tim (the brother) shows up at one of my Lust4Life shows which at the time was being hosted at Shorty’s.  After a few times visiting and conversation, I also had him come in to lay down some music.  This cat comes in and rolls with a killer all-vinyl set.  After that he did not have to convince me anymore.

Tim’s range is wide.  He can lay down a killer deep house set and just as well bring out some ‘hands in the air’ electro-house, techno, or indie electronic music with flair and style.  Check out this sample mix:

Join Lust4Life as Tim joins forces with us–yes this is the ‘justice league’, hahaha–as we lay down some kick ass dance music.

Lust4Life (L4L) is Friday Feb 3 at Dionysus.

Our Lust4Life project has always worked to bring you some of the best music selectors from Baltimore that you might not have had a chance to hear.  We will also work with various charitable causes from time to time making our party a party for a cause.

At L4L we also know that you have a life outside of party going.  So we have worked to be accessible and affordable–thus the intimate locations that L4L has been hosted at through the years.  In that regard, we are moving away from the 2nd Friday of the month.

In February, L4L will be on the 1st Friday of the month, Feb 3.  We are still at Dionysus, 3rd (top) floor and we still have great music and dancing planned for you.  And for Friday nights after you’ve had a stressful week at work it’s supposed to be this easy.  Just come up the stairs, get a drink, order some food, and dance.  It doesn’t matter if you are an old friend or a new friend, you are welcome at Lust4Life.  it doesn’t matter if you are a Baltimore native or just in town for the night, this is one of the best way to burn off the stress and calories.

So tell your friends about the awesome pressure reliever, Lust4Life.  What better way to kick off your weekend?

ScandalDC's new hot party at Eden (DC)

Have you heard? My crew, ScandalDC, is starting a new night at Eden. Located in the heart of downtown at 1716 I street NW, Washington DC, the multi-level Eden has a had a reputation to be one of the top places in the city to get your boogie on. ScandalDC will kick off with the guest appearance of DJ MD (Zach Horne). This maestro of music has a deep history of hosting some great parties with the George Washington University (GW) crowds and beyond.

Lust4Life at Dionysus Feb 3

In Baltimore, our Lust4Life party is on the 1st Friday of the month, Feb 3rd. We are heating up to keep you warm this winter with some of the best beat masters you have yet to lay ears on. Seriously, if you want to be on the cool end of the future, you are not going to want to miss L4L.

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Where to catch Stylo?
Feb 3rd – Lust4Life @Dionysus, Baltimore
Feb 4th – Foundation @Gazuza feat. Josh Vidal, DC
Feb 10th – The Groove @Eden, DC

Mar 20th – Future Classics (poolside) @National Hotel, Miami Beach, FL

Who is Mark Castley?

Mark is a House music making and spinning dude. Originally from the UK, he has been cranking out bangin’ House beats on his label Blue Gritt Records. A decided taste for Tech and Jackin’ House styles, he also has a good touch on Soulful House as well as demonstrated by his remix of Hardsoul and Ron Carroll’s Back Together. And now he has landed on these shores; in South Florida to be more exact.

Mark and I started trading email a few months ago. Here at mGrooves we are eagerly working on ways to bring him to DC and Baltimore. So keep your eyes and ears open for news. In the meantime, check out his Soundcloud page for sounds and his music can be purchased through online stores like Traxsource.com.

http://www.bluegrittrecords.com/

http://soundcloud.com/mark_c

Twitter: @markcastley

Introducing the collaborative effort of Melanie Sutherland and Stylo called “Nekkid Disco”.  Melanie, who has several releases on Broken Records and available through such sources like Traxsource.com, has been a gracious fan of mine since I did this crazy remix that featured an acappella by Roland Clark with the refrain “I Get Deep”.

I didn’t know until some time later when we were introduced–a year or so after she heard that remix–she had been searching every online database possible for that version of the song.  It was a good feeling to have someone search so diligently for something I created, and sad that I didn’t have it out there available for download.  Since that time, we have had a chance to meet in person during WMC and foster a collaboration of ideas.

So the story about these tracks is kind of funny.  When Melanie sent me the parts to begin working, I thought the folder was spelled “Nekkid” as in a play on the word “naked”.  But apparently the folder was called ‘Nikki’.  Serves me right for trying to read a folder before I’ve had my first cup of coffee.  However, she like the name change, so we kept it.

Her original mix is a decidedly smooth number with a Afro-Latin feel.  Personally, I love it for a Sunday brunch set.  The other two mixes, Mar’s Out and Ibiza Dreams, are definitely more late night fare.  It was a fun project we hope moves your hips.  The name mix up just gives it more flair.

Take a listen and tell us what you think.

This new installation to the LFG (Live From Gazuza) collection captures my musings through the music of what a strange and trying year 2011 was.  I am working on keeping my chi, my balance.

LFG 2012.1

• A Walk In The Park (Pional Remix) – Daniel Solar
• Your House (Rick L Remix) – Ricky L
• Proper Balance (Original Mix) – Consistent
• Mikes Garage (Mix) – Inland Knights
• Keep Moving feat. Lisa Shaw – Vincenzo
• Get Easy (The Deepshakers Dub Mix) – Mirco Sonatore
• Breath House – Armbar
• Hot Fridge – Ron Basejam
• Psyche Funk (Original) – KiNK
• Juju (Andre Lodermann Remix) – Black Coffee feat. Zakes Bantwini
• Interceptor (Kamo Remix) – Luke Solomon
• Trevoga (Original) – KiNK
• Finale – Guti & Luca Bacchetti

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (152.6MB)

A few changes have been made to 4groovers this week. And I hope these changes improve your experience when visiting us.

First we have improved the sharing experience. Now only at the bottom of an article, you will find buttons and icons for popular social services like Google Plus, Facebook, and Twitter. By using the “share” button, you can expand your sharing options to other services like Digg.

Share with your friend with ease across multiple social networks.

Through the use of a great plug-in called WPTouch, we have a much friendlier presentation on mobile devices and tablets.

By tapping the arrow to the right of the article title you can toggle a more or less of the excerpt.

Then by tapping the arrow in the bottom of the excerpt (in the gray area) view of the entire article is displayed with most artwork and other rich media (e.g. music, video, etc.). As you can see, our share and social options carry through to the mobile experience as well.

Finally, we have added a way to poll. Yes, we want to know your opinion. Hence, let’s start with these changes and upgrades; tell us which one is your favorite.

I think I am.  Ha!  What do I mean?  Only that I’m really digging everything this guy touches.

KiNK (Strahil Velchev) hails from Bulgaria.  He has a beautifully unique way he puts together some of his music using sequencers, loop players, and often recording to reel-to-reel tape.  Yep, un-real!  In my DJ sets lately I have been a big fan of the tune Trevoga (Original) (sample: Init2gether Mix, @ 7:39 position).  The drum break down is just off-the-chain hot!  You think I’m kidding?  Drop that track with a whole bunch of Latin women (or women who love Latin music) and just watch all the shaking that goes explodes on the dance floor.  And speaking of break downs, tunes of often vocal mate, Rachel Row, are just as killer.  Check the tune Pussy for an example. (Yeah, I wrote that word–so sue me. Ladies if you take the time to listen to the song you will find out it’s has a very positive vibe…)

Here is a recent post of a KiNK remix on Soundcloud that features Ms Row.

So yeah, I’m KiNK-y.  I just aspire to lay down beats as hot as this guy does.  Are you KiNK-y?  If so, about what/who?

It’s our first Lust4Life of the 2012 year and we are kickin’ it off with some down-home b-more flavor.  Craig Nasteef has been a maestro for some time.  He is throwing down with B-Side and I this Friday and he is bringing an all-vinyl set.

Yep,  all vinyl!!!

In the mean time, above is an sample of some Acid and Minimal House from him.

An all vinyl DJ set...

I’ll be slipping in a few new original sexy-cool pieces that I have co-produced with Toronto based DJ and producer, Melanie Sutherland.  B-Side also will be laying down some beats, Elly D Funk helps me host, and Ange has the perfect pour.

So, don your dancing shoes.  Bring your girl friends and your guy friends.   We are gonna have a House Party, L4L style….

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Added for future L4L line-ups:

March – Mark  Castley (Blue Gritt Records)

April – DJ Kochi (ScandalDC, iNK House)