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

One question I get over and over is do all you listen to is House Music.  My answer is without reservation, “No.”  If I were to limit my listening to just one music form, I would miss out on the narrative and inspiration that each form has that is unique to each.  This doesn’t mean I don’t have favorites–I do.  However, I will likely give almost anything a listen, especially if it something new.

Recently in my search for new sounds and music, I was introduce to the group, Phantogram.  This Electronic Rock, Indie, duo filled the gap I have had of late in my taste for Trip-Hop style.  Check out this song…

Then I found out that they have been around for several years.  I also found this video:

I found their music irresistible!  It has been on repeat play for a week.  But really what upset me, was that I just missed their show in DC at the Black Cat a few days after my birthday.  Oh well.

At any rate, check out their music for yourself.  They are distributed through several of the usual suspects in internet download sites.

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There is a surprise below.  Audiojack, known for Tech/Progressive-House, produced some awesome Deep House!  Here is your BSB:

DJ Mes & The Sound Republic – Car Sick

Luke Solomon – Interceptor

Daniel Solar - Retrospect EP

Ryan Truman - The Pole Vaulting EP

The Pack Vol. 3

Audiojack - Get Serious EP

Green Velvet feat. Russoul - Millie Vanillie Remixes

Warren Paul - Jack Dis EP

“It’s the same and different.”  This was the refrain of someone at one of my shows as they described my music.  I had to think about it for a minute and yet it makes since.

Work that mixer!

I might start using that statement when I get the question, “How would you describe your music?”  The fact of the matter House Music is almost everyone’s music whether they know it or not–all this from humble beginnings in Chicago, Detroit, and NYC.  So I will tell you how I describe my music by telling what I do during a typical music set.

Contrary to what most people think DJs do, I do not JUST push a button and play someone else’s music–that is what a radio DJ does where as I am more of the performance variety. I actively take music, alter it, layer it with 1, 2, 3, or more other pieces of music, alter it some more, and then does it come out over the speakers to the dance floor.  I borrow heavily from Hip-Hop, Jazz, Funk, Rock, R&B, Latin, Afro-Latin, Afro, and whatever to mix with.  Some of the songs will have lyrics and hooks you recognize however not in the same form or over the same rhythm you are used to hearing.  Some will just have the bassline, drums, or other instruments as I continue to de-construct and re-construct on the fly.  (Subscribe to Stylo’s mixes and see Stylo’s Soundcloud page for examples.)

Performance DJs also tend to shop for rare records and songs.  Part of this stems from a desire to introduce people to new music, as a way to say, ‘hey, so-and-so isn’t the only person with talent’.  Also, increasingly the rarer tunes are a way to collaborate with other emerging artists, thereby increasing the visibility of all involved.  There is also this crazy overbearing nonsense major record label’s and distributor’s lobby has done to copyright–however, that is a different discussion altogether.

And about requests to a performance DJ (as if it was a radio call-in show), would you walk into a restaurant and tell the chef how to cook?

So relax. Bring your friends and settle into the mood of the night.  If you open your mind, your body will follow, leading you to the dance floor.  Likely you will find yourself leaving the club or bar at the end of the night with your friends, or with a new friend, smile on your face, legs tired for dancing a little too much, and saying in conversation, ‘hell yeah, that music was cool!  It was the same and different!”

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Now for you BSB and what you’ll likely to hear in the mix with Stylo…  There is a lot more music, but I didn’t buy it, therefore not BSB.  However you can bet you are going to hear it.  :)

Andre Harris – 10 Things Not To Say To a DJ

V/A – Disco Baby Disco EP

Rescue – Saints & Sinners EP

Cape Funk Cartel – The Ride EP

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Where you can find Stylo.

Thursday, November 3 @ Gazuza Lounge, Washington DC

Saturday, November 5th @ Gazuza Lounge, Washington DC

Friday, November 11 @ Dionysus Restaurant and Bar, Baltimore, MD

Starting fire with KiNK

A theme that seems to replay itself over to over to me in this biz of deejays, producers, musicians/artists, and the buying public, is music is a very personal thing. Each has her or his own opinion about what something means and how it should be consumed. But in reality, after anything is released into the ‘wild’, it is on its own. One cannot predict how another will be touched by it, or when they might be touch by it–many times it may take on different meanings or a different shade as time passes.

Much of this could be said about Reflections001 by KiNK for as it applies to me. When I originally bought the collection, it struck me in a total different way than it does now. Did the music change? No. But I experienced some unforeseen things including surprise (negative), hurt, and heartbreak. I also experienced grief, more surprise (positive), and hope. My sound track on the journey–as my Android mp3 player was on shuffle play–was often times Reflections001.

Of course there are obvious emotions that some of the songs should evoke, like the righteous indignation of “Pussy”, or the edgy hip-hop street tinged “Honey Beats”. But then there are more androgynous flavors of songs like “Mood” and “Fish Feeling”. I had different reactions to those, not because of the music, but more because of what I was going through when I listened to them.

One thing is definite–there is something for almost everyone who is a fan of Electronic (EDM), House, Dance, Nu-disco, and/or Hip-hop in this collection.

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Now for the rest of the BSB:

Kink – Reflections001: KiNK
Mirco Sonatore – Get Easy EP
Camouflage – Underground Moves
Junior Sanchez, Da ol’ Tracky Bastard – Da Ol’ Tracky Bastard Part 2
Jamar Hughes – The Jump Off EP

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As I have been preparing for the summer events, it’s become a wonderful journey in refreshing the places where I find new cool music.  Along the way I have run into several accompanying videos.  Here are some of the web gems I have recently come across.

In the ‘new to me’ section is The Weeknd

I say ‘new to me’ because apparently they had this killer write up in Rolling Stone Magazine or blog a few months ago.  Big props to Joshua Levine to bringing it to my attention.  By the way, if you want the album download, it’s free here: House of Balloons.

The second gem actually comes from a buddy of mine who I have performed with in the past.

Dolphin (or Wardolphin), is likely to be performing in Greece with his Airmath project band summer of 2011. As usual, local Baltimore talent making it everywhere else but in Baltimore. His music is getting great play on BBC, and various Canadian and European outlets.

Then when I was reviewing friend requests, I came across this.

Long, but worth it, yes?!

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And here is your BSB. I’m not saying I’ll play anything as-is. But I guarantee you will hear one of these in some form or another. Hehehehe.

Rubix – That Rhythm EP
Olene Kadar Feat. D-low – Baby Keep It Up
Precious Roy – 95 And I Aren’t Friends EP
Copyright Feat. Nuwella Love – I’m All Yours
Joey Johnson – Moaning Lisa
Dave Mayer – Club Section EP
Emil Lanne – Rhode Trip
Sandy Turnbull – Camino
Q Boyz – Italian Cake EP
Marlon D – Trust The Drum

One of the joys of WMC is the plethora of new, yet to be released music one can get your hands on. Yes, there are some that may not fit you or your mood. But this is not a bad thing. When you get something like that, I say ‘pay it forward’ by passing it along to someone who it might be more aligned with it. Even so, there are so many gems to be had.

Jakobin & Domino -- Now We Are

One of the gems handed to me was Now We Are by Jakobin & Domino; Emee Grant was the gracious donor. Produced on Easymoods Recordings, this is a solid sampler. High Moments and Now We Are is a flavor of Deep House grooves that to me are a perfect way to set up an early evening soiree or daytime by the pool type of show. Better yet, just put the music in your music player and allow it to meld with your soul…

Jakobin & Domino
Now We Are
Released in April 2011

A little bit about Easymoods, the label says it, “aims to nurture and promote new musical ideas, with an emphasis on the virtues of quality, integrity and innovation. We’re about bringing positive energy through music into all sides of life. Fresh sounds blend with life’s other rich facets to deepen our emotional perception of the world around us.” – Easymoods Recordings

Besides the afore mentioned Jakobin & Domino, some of the other talent they have is fellow Future Classics 4 performer JP Rigaud and Emee Grant who is the apparent “mastermind of the ‘easymoods’ movement.” (The other Easymoods artists.)

Hmmm… Maybe they would be willing to partner with Stylo, eh?

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And now for your BSB (Brand Spakin Bought):

Brandon Bass – Welcome To Hub City (hub City Music 2011 Label Mix)

Steve Dare – Hustle EP

Various Artists – Samba Love EP

Central Avenue feat Andrea Love – Pushin

-s

In the run up to WMC 2011 in Miami, it seems I’m on a production tear. Some of the items will be heard first at 4th Annual Future Classics party at the Nation Hotel, Miami Beach.

That party, by the way, will be historic–for me, at least. But I still hope you will be there. I will be sharing the stage with some premium talent such as, Danny Tenaglia, Basement Boys with a live performance from Crystal Waters, Studio Apartment, Harley & Muscle, and many more.

In that show I will be featuring several self produced re-edits, remixes, and originals. One of which is Crossed Chris, a re-interpretation of Kriss Kross’ “Jump”.

Try it on for size yourself here:

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Now for the other music that I’m rockin (BSB)…

Inner Souls – Satisfy

J. Caprice And Jeff Service – J. Caprice vs. Jeff Service EP

LeRoyal – Promise (To Love You Forever)

Paz & Smokingroove – Slave To Funk Ep

Ministry Of Funk – Back 2 Basics Vol. 1

DJ Sneak – Brobofet Rise Of Da Mongoloids

Dj Sneak & Chris Simmonds – Second Encounter Ep.

Giano – Giano-deeper Into The Vibe

Lauer & Canard – You’ve Got Me Down

Recently, my buddy Andrew Hong from Audio Therapy wrote this cool blog post about so-called ‘stop and go’ House music. It featured the awesome work of Gramaphonedzie. And I have to admit that they are sharp with their production style; I have been happy to move a dance floor with many of their remixes.

But also I have to admit to have yet another term being used to describe house music, and especially a sub-genre that already has gained an established name–Jackin’, makes my skin crawl. In addition to those two terms, I heard from another friend of mine who used the term ‘hard house’; honestly, that term has little meaning either when presented next to some of the sounds in Electro House or as some have claimed, just Electro. At least ‘stop-and-go’ refers to an actual practice used in some remixes; using usually a phrase or a verse as it is going along to stop, then go, and some times rewinding before going, in a rhythmic manner that compliments the programed drums.

Not matter. Along with Gramphondezie, I offer some of the other artists below. Please note, that the way to find these through sources like Beatport, Traxsource, and Stompy is by using the sub-genre “Jackin’”.

Just sayin’….

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Here is your BSB (Brand Spankin’ Bought):

Bill Summers – Brazillian Skies
Swagga Wagon – Morning Traffic EP
Anhanguera – Off The Hot Plate
Inland Knights - Back to My Boots EP
Rio Soldierman – Chemical Reaction EP
Groovin Various Vol 2 which features such artists as G-dubs, Mister Tony and Leo, Mikk3l, and many more…
Jeff Dougler and Balu – Knuckles Deep Ep
Jeff Service – Mind’s Eye EP

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-s

I just had to write this. I have been waiting for this song and any available remixes to be available to the United States buying public. But at every source, I could hear a piece–I could even watch a full length video–but I could not get the actual song. What am I talking about? The hot and sultry song Juju by Black Coffee featuring Zakes Bantwini.

Juju by Black Coffee feat Bantwini is finally available to USA buyers

I’ve been looking to include this into my music sets from before WMC 2010. Now Traxsource has it available along with some impressive remixes.

Here is the link to the original video:

Other tidbits?

- My party Scorpio Tryst 7 will be hosted in Washington DC this year. Being held at Gazuza, I will be joined by Terry Thompson (ORG, Code Red) on the decks.
- Look for a couple new mixes to be available this weekend.
- Look for a new remix song to be available this weekend. It also might be available as a free download for a short period of time. It will light up the dance floor…

-s

It’s a simple story really. And as such begins like most stories, seemingly inocuous.

About two years ago, through a mutual DJ and friend I was introduced to this fan of House music, another aspiring DJ. She was a fan from the early 90′s; her interest had not waned. Her love of House music had pushed her to the point where she was determined to start deejaying herself and shortly thereafter–and unlike many of her peers–producing.

Yes, there were some missteps. Inevitably, there almost always is. But here she is today, actually licensed and published. The side of the road and the expressways are littered and crowded with people who have been around for much longer. They are the first to be the type to beat their chests, and rasie their hands as if they are gods gift to spinning music–many times the crowd nor the very music they play does not deserve such ovations. Yet, here she is licensed and published.

And to think at WMC 2010 (our first face to face meeting), we chatted and in the course of which she lamented about the difficulty of starting to producing without much music experience. And worrying that she didn’t have the skill set to make the grade.

Six months and mountains of fortitude and passion later…

It is what prompted me to admire that she, “is one of those rare DJs who actually exude that true spirit of House music. What a refreshing talent she is.”

Melanie has her song “Rastafari” appearing on DJ Divas compilation, along side some certainly more experienced female producers as far as years in the biz. Certainly not just another pretty face wearing headphones, Mel represents our music, House music well…, very well.
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The rest of my BSB (Brand Spankin’ Bought)….

Fries & Bridges – Just Because
Edmund – Full of Funk
Joshua Heath – Neighbour Noise
Jeroenski & Jorn feat. Alexandra Prince – Set Me Free
Treasure Fingers – Lift Me EP
Baracus – Imagine / Jaws Remixes
Soul Deep Inc. – The Underground
Ranno Vollman & Sean Jay Dee – Trombone
Erik Bo – Love UK EP

-s