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

Yes, I said it.  My WMC 2012 adventure is better than the Manning effect, and better than Tebowing–although having a verb created with your name is tough to beat.  Stylo-ing just doesn’t have the same ring.

It’s been a crazy first day in South Beach.  There was a fight with a butter fly, a 15 year old DJ promoted by a 49 year old super DJ and producer, an interview, a near take over by Baltimore based DJs and producers, and an after-party that included attempts to climb trees.  We will not be speaking of the after-party.

The main reason WMC 2012 and Future Classics 5 is better than news about Manning or Tebow is the following photo.

Paul Oakenfold, Terry Thompson, and Stylo at the conclusion of Future Classics 5

More about Future Classics and WMC is coming.

Ultra Nate

Recently, in a conversation with some Italian friends of mine who are spending some time in research projects in Baltimore, it came up that they know of, and even love music by Ultra Nate (http://www.ultranate.com/). So naturally, I mention that she is from and lives here in Baltimore. Do you know I had looks of surprise all the way around?

I wish I could say the same for locals but they typically give me the same expression, or one that means ‘who is that?’ It seems like people could be putting their iPad fascination to better use.  Ultra continuously releases music that typically makes the top 10 of Billboard’s U.S. Hot Dance Club Play charts. Yet, her success is primarily across Europe. Her most recent number 1 was “Automatic”. Here is one of her recent releases “Turn It Up”.

Even with a very active European-centric schedule she is found every 2nd Saturday in Baltimore at the co-promoted and produced Deep Sugar party (http://www.sugarparty.org/). This party continuously features heavy weights of House and Dance music right under our (the locals) noses. However, I continuously hear, “there is no where to hear House Music in Baltimore.” Well, I can absolutely say that this isn’t true. Ultra has recorded music for record labels such as Warner Brothers, Strictly Rhythm and is currently on Silver Label/Tommy Boy. But back to Miami.

Future Classics 5 -- Stylo performs on the 2nd stage at 2PM

Utra along with other current dance music superstars Paul Oakenfold, Nadia Ali, and Brazil’s Seven Amazon will be gracing the main stage at Future Classics 5 in just 4 days!

Tonight at Lust4Life is WMC 2012 sneak peak.  I’ll be featuring music likely to be enjoyed at the events at and surrounding the conference.  And with Alternate Seduction’s Trisha Benton, we will be performing a version of our sets destined for display next Friday.  Details regarding Lust4Life at Dionysus can be found by clicking the image below or selecting Lust4Life from the menu above.

Sneak Preview of WMC 2012 Performances

Nadia Ali - One of the headliners for Future Classics 5, WMC 2012, National Hotel, Miami Beach Florida

Excitement has been building for a while for me. I am lucky to be apart of the Future Classics pool party again. One of headliners for this spectacular event is the prolific Nadia Ali (www.nadiaali.com/). Pakistani-American, born in Libya, raised in Queens New York, this singer-song writer is often requested for dance music in addition to her talent with acoustic music and Eastern styles. Her dance hit “Love Story” reached number 1 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart in 2006 and her song Fantasy was a Grammy Nominated in 2011.

She joins such electronic dance music heavy weights such as Baltimore native and based Ultra Nate and Paul Oakenfold for Future Classics 5. And yes, I’m on the same playbill. Wow!!!!

Click to see ticket information

As some of you know the dates for the Winter Music Conference 2012 have been announced.  mGrooves and Stylo are very excited about this.  Why?  With all the changes in the dates surrounding the entire WMC vs. Ultra thing, frankly we were getting a bit tired of it all.

Lucky enough, we have already got one confirmation earlier this week.  Stylo and mGrooves will be back at the Future Classics party, the same that featured such artists as Studio Apartment, Crystal Waters, The Basement Boys, and Danny Tenaglia.  We hope you will be joining us at this mid-week pool-side party in Miami Beach.  Already there are some surprises in store!  So get ready!  The party is really is a blast!

As far as local events go (DC and Baltimore) we are on a short hiatus until next week when ScandalDC Thursday will return, Foundation (Dec 3rd), and Lust4Life (Dec 9th).

We are busy working on several projects with other emerging artists from across the globe.  In addition, work has started on Stylo’s original works inspired from his trip to central Europe over the summer.

mGrooves and Stylo would like to extend a word of thanks to all that have given their support over the past year, from both new and old friends.  mGrooves has now had the privilege to survive since 2005 and Stylo much longer because you all continue to give and share.  We are greatly appreciative of your generosity, with your time and your love.  We are here for the long haul, intent to continue to deliver fun parties, fun and interesting music, and quality entertainment.

We hope to see you on the dance floor soon!

This year WMC was different. This year WMC was new. This year WMC was rediscovered. This year WMC was better and only a small part of why is due to the fact and lack of that other monstrous ever-more douche party that has been traditionally at the end of the week. There were so many sub-plots and ancillary notes of seeming importance it is hard to choose where to begin, but begin I will attempt. At the end feel free to tell if I was successful or not.

Emee, Tunde, and friends create a veritable European Union.

Let’s start with arrival, and the Future Classics 4 Party. The weather was perfect! We arrived at our hotel (Beach Plaza) and quickly made haste up Collins Ave to the National Hotel. Future Classics 4 was just underway starting at noon. And let’s just say this up front: the show was awesome like the weather.

The deejays were noteworthy from lesser knowns (to me, at least) like Niclas Thoresen; to Baltimore/DC locals such as Neil, Kempton, Terry, and myself; to the heavy hitters like Studio Apartment, Quentin Harris, and Danny Tenaglia. Quentin’s set and the later show by the Basement Boys with Crystal Waters singing live was just incredible.

In between we got re-acquainted with folks not seen since last WMC, and met many new ones. And to think we just landed earlier that day?

Here is the photo album (so far — more photos to be added):

And here is one of the better videos available thus far:

Yes! I can’t believe it’s almost here. And there is still so much to do. I will be attempting daily posts leading up to and during the event.

Come and join us in Miami at Future Classics 4!

Speaking of which, it was nice to get a little snippet of what Danny Tenaglia might grace our ears with during Future Classics 4. Here is recent interview and podcast to Resident Advisor…

Click this for Future Classics 4 tickets and info…