New York City Vibes

This mix was inspired by several things: The fact that the majority of the big rooms in this city are currently dedicated primarily to this High-Energy, Big Diva, Progressive/Trance/Tribal/Electro sound. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with this in my opinion , I have been missing that deep soulfull vibe that House music was all about. It's still alive and well in here in the Big Apple...but it seems to have returned from whence it came...The Underground. I've also been inspired by the many wonderful and talented Producers/DJs...both old school & New, who keep chugging out the hits that are world renown...despite having their roots firmly planted between Chicago, New York & New Jersey. This is to all the DJs keeping the funk flavors blaring out of the big speaker boxes...with one person in particular in my mind: My boy DJ I.V.I.!!! He's been one of my biggest influences, and everytime I hear one of his mixes I get inspired to put something together with a similar flavor, but stamping it with my own brand of style.

This mix is my own attempt to keep the New York City Vibes alive and kicking...a little reminder that the Funk & Soul is still pumping furiously...that House is still here, and going nowhere (at least in reference to what some of the naysayers may be postulating). Never forget that spiritual sensation that comes over you when you hear these banging choons. That's what House music is all about...

I hope you get to enjoy this mix of mine created in MixMeister Pro 6 (no longer for sale, but MixMeister Fusion is available for both PC & Mac), and cranked out in one day. As always, all comments and critisms are most welcome. Let me know how this floats your boat.

1. Miracles (Jon Cutler's Distant Music Club Mix) -- Darryl D'Bonneau
2. In The Air -- Trouble Men feat. Colonel Abrams     
3. Punky Brewster--Stranger Bay   
4. Top Of The World -- Slater Hogan & John Larner
5. Rock Your -- Liquid Dope
6. Dancin (Original Mix) -- Erick Morillo, Harry "Choo Choo" Romero & Jose Nunez feat. Jessica Eve
7. Loud (MAW Remix) -- Masters At Work feat. Beto Cuevas
8. Mr. V's Come Back (Franck's Street Vox) -- Franck Roger feat. Mr. V
9. New York City (Main Mix) -- Vega feat. Johnny Dangerous
10.Soul Fever (Karizma's K2 Stomp Mix) -- Simbad feat. Abdul Shyllon & Steelo
11.Shimmering Stars (Joey Negro Galaxarian Dub) -- Jakatta
12.Blue Sky (Original Mix) -- Rurals, The
13.Come Together (What Is House?) (Club Mix) -- DJ Pierre feat. Felicia
14.Jump N' Shout (Steal Vybe Ragga Deep Mix) -- Chris Forman feat. Miss Patty
15.Ghetto (T & A South Bronx Remix) -- Jordan Rivera feat. Shereetha Campbell

Just Jackin' Off

In the beginning, there was Jack, and Jack had a groove.
And from this groove came the grooves of all grooves.
And while one day viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldy declared...

"Let there be house!" and house music was born.

I am, you see,I am the creator, and this is my house!
And in my house there is only house music. But I am not so
selfish because once you enter my house, it then becomes OUR house
and OUR house music! And you see, no one man owns house, because
house music is a universal language, spoken, understood by all.

You see, house is a feeling that no one can understand really, unless
you're deep into the vibe of house. House is an uncontrollable
desire to jack your body. And as I told you before, this is
our house and our house music. In every house, you understand,
there is a keeper. And in this house, the keeper is Jack.
Now some of you who might wonder....

"Who is Jack, and what is it that Jack does?"

Jack is the one who gives you the power to jack your body!
Jack is the one who gives you the power to do the snake.
Jack is the one who gives you the key to the wiggly worm.
Jack is the one who learns you how to walk your body.
Jack is the one that can bring nations and nations of all Jackers
together under one house.

You may be black, you may be white, you may be Jew or Gentile.
It don't make a difference in our House.

And this is fresh!

Lyrics from Can you Feel it? by Mr. Fingers, on TRAX Records, 1987

As I was organizing my recent MP3 acquisitions & purchases, I started adding info to my ID3 tags...things to identify the wonderfully varied flavors of House, in order to make it easier for me to find the right kind of tracks for whatever mix I wish to work on.

I started sampling these tracks, and making some playlists for some future mixes for jack2it Radio & my Podcasts. Quite a few tracks had me moving in my seat as I twiddled on the keyboard...so much so that I just had to get up and move. I couldn't help myself...it was as if I had been possesed by the very spirit of Jack. So there I was, shaking & twitching, not breaking it...when in walks my friend, and with the most quizzical look on his face he asks "What the hell is wrong with you...what are you doing???"...My response..."I'm Just Jackin' Off"!!!

What we've got here are some funky, chunky, Techy, Jazzy-Fat-Nasty House cuts...engineered for your groovin' pleasure, and arranged and edited by yours truly to bring you 60 minutes of Jackin' Ecstacy. I hope you get to check this out. As always, all comments and critisms are most welcome. Let me know how this floats your boat.

1. Gettin' There (Inland Knights Remix) -- Kinky Movement
    That Is The Way (Accapella Mix) -- Mr. K-Alexi 
2. Such A Groove (Original Mix) -- Jazzy Eyewear
3. Funny House Sound -- Quirk Burglars, The
4. Love To Dance -- Leon Louder
5. Whatcha Mamma Gonna Say (Original Mix) -- Sound Republic, The
6. Sexy Beats -- JR from Dallas
7. Episodes In Jazz (No Assembly Required Vs Hogan & Larner Original Mix) -- No Assembly Required, Slater Hogan & Luke Sardello 
8. I'm Down (Original Mix) -- Digital Villains
9. Showstoppa (Original Mix) -- Ross Couch
10.Robbing & Stealing (Hawley's Crime Pays Digital Exclusive) -- Tommy Largo
11.Straight From The Hawt -- Easily Influenced
12.City Swingin -- KC Jackson
13.Triple Conack (Original Mix) -- Monkey Nutz
14.About Love (Solid Groove Mix) -- Roy Davis Jr.
     Live Jazz (Chris Harris Mix)--Fusion Experience, The

Click here to download: New York City Vibes
Click here to download: Just Jackin' Off

or Click the media player below for further options:

Tech So Fierce

So Monday morning I had happened to catch my friend tepmix’s mix, Fireside Groove...and it was so bad ass, I decided to fire up Mixmeister and go through my folder of un-started/unfinished projects. I found something I was doing on the side...it only had about 7 tracks in it...and I used all but two. Tech So Fierce is a pure Tech-House project, and I surprised myself by using tracks I really wanted in this mix...no fillers as far as i’m concerned. This has a nice quirky/bumpy feel to it...and most of the transitions are long and seamless (for the most part). I’m very proud of this mix, which only took me two days to complete (with TPS involved too). I hope you guys get a kick out of this.

All comments & questions are welcome...

1. Hidden Dimensions--VFM
2. You Like That--Osheen
3. Skywritings--Timewriter, The
4. Freakbox (Alter Ego Mix)--Spektrum
5. Kolor Spektrum (Brett Johnson Remix)--Soul Mekanik
6. Dangerous--Zoo Brazil
7. Union St.--Toob
8. Wrong (Mazi Mix)--Mazi & Spettro
9. Good People (TradeMarq)--Marko Militano feat. Darren Barret
10.Metal Funk (Daniel Poli Remix)--Josh Harrell
11.Evolve (Original Mix)--Prompt
12.Watch Da Bass (Original Mix)--Joshua
13.This Ain’t What It Used To Be (Original Mix)--Mickey Mcleod
14.Let Me Dance (Sebo K Remix)--Martin Landsky

 

Sweet House Music

Sweet House Music is a sweet juicy blend of typical Mid-tempo House with funky Deep House vocal & Dub tracks featuring Kerri Chandler, Roland Clark, Nick Holder, Mr. V and more. I hope you enjoy the fruit of my labor. Wink

As always, comments & questions are welcome... Oh Yeah!

1. In Loving Memory--Mr. V
The Philosophy Of Dance (Acapella)--Mauro MBS
2. Sunset (Original Mix)--Kerri Chandler
3. M.U.S.I.C. (Danny Marquez & Ferry B. Mix)--Kiko Navarro feat. Marcel
4. The Best Part--Mindinfluence presents The Solid Gold Playaz
5. Diamonds For Her (Pound Boys Vocal Mix)--Superman Lovers, The
6. The Way You Move (JT Donaldson Mix)--Deep House Souldiers
7. Resist (Southern Divide Weekend Remix)--Roland Clark
8. Up The Council (Original Mix)--Sound Republic, The
9. Bring Me Love (Bone Ass Beats)--Copyright feat. Imaani
10.Allegria--Rick Garcia
Dame Mas (Accapella 1)--Julius Papp feat. D’Layna
11.Inside Your Soul (Original Mix)--Nick Holder
12.Down On It (Joey Youngman Remix)--Sound Navigators
13.The Bounce (Hipp-E’s Full Mix)--Trevor Loveys
14.Come Back To Me (Original Mix)--Franck Roger feat. Mr. V & Miss Patty

To download the sets to listen to at your own leasure,  or to stream the sets over the web, just click here: http://twistedrook.podomatic.com/

 

Deep Affair @ Le Salon Rouge is a Vocal Deep House set with a very relaxed sound, perfect for Cocktail Hour or Wine Tasting with friends....featuring tracks from Late Night Alumni, Blue Six, Mister O, Miguel Migs...along with the vocal talents of Bratticus, Kimblee, Lisa Shaw, Chantal Thompson and others.

Total Playing Time: 73:41

1.. When I Fall (Stryke's Blue Vocal Techsture)--A:xus
2.. I Knew You When (Chuck Love's Deep Breath Mix)--Late Night Alumni
3.. Lights Out (Kaskade Remix)--Mister O
4.. You Are Love--Lovetronic
5.. Music & Wine (Satin Souls Remix)--Blue Six
6.. Sanctified Love (Jamie Lewis Club Mix)--Gene Farris
7.. This Time (Charles Spencer Remix)--Q-Burns Abstract Message feat. Lisa Shaw
8.. In The Best Mood--Johnny Fiasco feat. DJ Heather
9.. Have You Felt This Way Before (Kyoto Jazz Massive Remix)--Directions
10..Desert Sky (Desert Heat Mix)--Drivetrain
11..Mesmerized (Alix Alvarez Sole Channel Extended Vox)--Miguel Migs
12..Fade (Original Mix)--Solu Music feat. Kimblee





Soul Organic Groove is a Deep House/Tech-House mix infused with a touch of Jazz and sprinkled with Dub influences. The few vocals found throughout are of the minimal variety...which makes this an instrumental mix for the most part, featuring some slinky grooves from Shadow Kings, City Dreams, Blissom and Ashen, Alix Alvarez, The Timewriter and many more...and as the mix progresses, the transitions get deeper and deeper, in order to create smoother, tastier blends.

Total Playing Time: 68:40

1.. Sleepy Eris (Original Mix)--Wil Milton
2.. Anything--Shadow Kings
3.. Shake It Again (Original Sax It Up Mix)--Ray Roc
4.. Trans-Atlantic Jazz (Parts 1 & 2)--Deep Solution
5.. Organics--Da Funk
6.. The City Dreams Theme--City Dreams
7.. Look Up and Walk--Yuki
8.. Main Course--Formule Express
9.. Nice Cream--Afrodrops
10..Goodwiches--Blissom and Ashen
11..Misery (Spen's MuthaFunkin' Instrumental) (Edit)--Kimara Lovelace
12..An Introduction--Alix Alvarez
13..Soul Fonction--Yann Fontaine
14..Love Rain--Yari Tekkhule
15..Can´t Sleep--The Timewriter
16..Lamakova (Original Mix)--Gabriel Ananda
17..Proper Wow (Original Mix)--Eddie Leader
18..Sax On The Beach--Demarkus Lewis
19..Solemn Saturday (Original Mix)--Sona

All critique, comments, praise & questions are welcomed...and I hope you enjoy it!

Please Note: The links above are for the artist/producers MySpace pages...I encourage you to visit them, as they produce great music.


Click here to get your own player.



If you would rather download the sets instead of streaming them just click here: Twisted Rook's Podcast Page

MAYHEM: The Blog Report!!!

 

You might remember a while back, I was announcing my trip to Ohio for this event:

Well....now i'm doing a little write up on it (it's coming to you kind of late because my friend Duck a.k.a. Ryan was a bit late with the photos).

So somehow I let this crazy fool convince me to come out all the way to Ohio to spin at this little-rave-that-could with a few other people. The plan was for me to arrive at the Dayton airport where they would pick me up and then we'd get whatever supplies we needed, and then head to our host's apartment for a little R & R before we headed out gather the gear later that evening.

Now let me tell you something...I have no I dea why, but for some reason I decided not to sleep the night before. Mind you, I had been awake since 6am that Thursday morning...and here I was arriving at Dayton Ohio at 11:30 am with about a 15 minute nap under my belt. So needless to say I was a bit loopy when I met up with these people. So after spending a few hours at Erich's place (where I met his woman, May), we set out to go the Glass Odyssey, where the audio equipment was at.

When we get there, we're greeted by this gent:

Wade a.k.a. DJ Wade....husband of the shop's proprietor, and one of the guys that would join us at the Rave on that Saturday.

We then began setting up the rest of the equipment, including the Laptop & Harddrives that would be used...then Duck & I decided to pose for a pic:

"Ebony and Ivory..."

Later that night, we took all of the equipment and mounted onto two trucks and went around the corner to Club 211/Club Fuse, where we would spin for free. We were compensated with a complimentary bar tab by the owners...and you KNOW I took full advantage. Surprisingly, there weren't too many pictures taken that night...although I managed to have Duck take these two:

Fiddling with the Bass knob...God knows why....

Notice how the drink NEVER leaves my hand??? Yes, yes y'all...i'm a true professional......drinker that is!!! Oh...in case you're wondering....Jack & Coke was my poison.

A good time was had by all...but the fune was to end...since we had to pack some of our stuff up (thankfully the owners allowed us to leave the rest of the heavy gear to be picked up the next day). So off we went, back to Erich's place....where I would finally get some MUCH needed sleep (in case you lost count, this was Saturday morning now, around 5am....which means I had been up for 2 days straight F.U.N.)!!!

Saturday, we went back to the scene of the crime, in order to pick up our gear. We also had two more DJs join us. After loading the trucks up, we made our way to the Van Wert armory to set up shop. This is what it looked like when we were done:

The banner was provided to us by the kind folks at MixMeister, makers of the DJ software we used on our Laptop. In fact, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting the head honcho of the company, Aaron Higgins a.k.a. DJ Transistor (he's also the one who provided us with the forum where we fellow mixmeisters meet at, and discuss all things Music/DJing...www.beatmixing.com). It was through that software & forum that I would meet my friend Duck & Erich a.k.a. DJ eVolushion.

Now the majority of us were gathered at Erich's place, and we were trying to make dinner plans...which fell through. We went with Plan B...Subways!!! We drove out to this scenic area by a lake, and sat at a picnic table to have our meal. Then we posed for this group picture:

Danny Draper / DnC a.k.a. Duck / eVolushion / Transistor / Tepmix (a beatmixing.com member) and  last but not least...Twisted Rook.

Here's a tender moment...

Duck kissing his wife Vivian....and Erich peeking through...cause nothing says "tender moment" like a little peek-a-boo...

So we quickly finish our meals, and one group makes their way to the venue...while a smaller group (which included Aaron & I) make our way to........the liquor store. There would be no liquor sold at this Rave, so I had to get some of my own dammit.... I got a fifth of Jack (for those who don't know what a fifth is, it's the smaller bottle that comes after a Liter). Wine coolers and beers were purchased by the rest. And soon we caught up with our brethren. At 9pm the doors were opened, and for that first hour, a CD was played. At this point in time we began to encounter a little bit of a problem....it seemed we were driving the amp to cliping....causing it to trip and cut power off from the speakers. This happened quite a few times, and in the end we had to take out 2 speakers from the chain. Problem solved....thankfuly so.

At 10pm DJ Zealous from Cleveland opened up:

Followed by DJ Wade from Celina, Ohio at 11pm:

Then the event really opened up at Midnight with DJ Mickey Nightrain, A Producer and DJ who flew in from Florida:

(Pssst....he's the one next to Duck)

During these sets, we kept going out to the back to get some fresh air. As luck would have it, the temperature had dropped, and I was the only bloody fool who didn't think to bring a jacket or a sweater...so I made do like this:

At some point these guys were trying to take a nice photo....and I had to make an appearance:

(Aaron a.k.a. Transistor & Tim a.k.a. Tepmix...and you know...Me)

Then we made it official:

(If you're wondering what's in my sippy cup...it's Jack & Coke...yummm)

Now it was 1am, and it was Transistor's turn to drop some tunes. He did so, using the latest version of his DJ mixing program called Mixmeister Fusion along with a Midi controller, the Behringer BCR2000:

Transistor in action:



At 2am Duck came on, and he dropped a lovley set...while still looking as goofy as ever....how does he do it??? What's his secret (You know I luv ya right brotha...)???


eVolushion came on the set next...but apparently, no one deemed him Photo worthy...who knows. Then again, this might've captivated their attention:

(I was just faking it for the photo-op....the Jack didn't put me on my ass....even though I drank the ENTIRE fifth by my damn self...BTW, this was in the back of Duck's truck....NICE)

My set came on at 4am....and we still had an audience...albeit a smaller one. I had a couple of glitches with the software...but it wasn't something I couldn't overcome. I had some asses wiggling on the floor, and it felt good to do my first Laptop set.
This was my playlist:
1. Martin & Ralph - Wet (Eyerer & Taucher Mix)                               
2. Malcolm Frisco - Move Your Body (Original Mix)
3. Richard F. - Cookie Dough Dynamo (Spank The Pussy Mix)
4. 2 Boys 1 Girl - Twisted                               
5. Teenage Bad Girl - Cocotte (Boys Noize Rework)
   DJ Phenix - Splinter In Your Mind (Acappella - Twisted Rook's Mayhem Edition)
   Sample - Record Spinning Backwards                               
6. Alex Romano - Take Controle (Original Mix)
7. Dr. Kucho! &  Pedro Del Moral - Rain (I Want A Divorce)
8. Serge Devant vs. Filo & Peri - Triple Crown (Original Mix)
   Soul Rebels - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (Acapella)   
9. MPX - Voodoo Ray 2005
10.Tony Senghore feat. Freeda - Hey Chica (Derrick Carter's B.H.Q. Edition)
11.Trancesetters - Roaches (Peace Division Remix)                           
12.Azzido Da Bass feat. Roland Clark- Speed (Can You Feel It?) (Jan Driver Remix)

 We then had Ben Blue from Tennessee dropping a CD/Vinyl set...followed by Danny Draper from Indiana on the wheels of steel as they say. We had a good time...but the fun had to finally end...at 7am. We began the laborious process of packing our shit up, and generally dismantling anything we set up that wasn't ours. Back to Erich's it was....what a LONG night. I was awakened around 11:30am, and taken to the airport a bit early. So I  upgraded to an earlier flight, and was back in my beloved city by 7:30pm, at which point I hopped on the M60 bus to 125th street for the 6 train and then Home to the Bronx....where my lovely bed awaited me.

All in all, I had a great time out in Ohio....it made for a very nice 3 day weekend, and I got to meet some more of my fellow Beatmixing.com comrades.

Duck...it was great to see you again, and it was a pleasure to meet your wife, Vivian. We'll get together sometime soon....count on it buddy.

Erich....it was good to finally meet you face to face. I want to thank you and May for the wonderful hospitality, and you better believe i'll see you again in the near future.

Danny D....you had a nice set going, and you were one cool dude...I hope to hang with you again.

Aaron & Tim....you guys aren't on MySpace....but i'll say it was great to meet you both. I'm sure there will be another meeting in the foreseeable future.

I think that about covers it.....hasta la pasta folks!!!

[Watch This Space...I will soon provide a link to Download the set]

I've managed to get ahold of some of my other mixes...so slowly but surely i'll be posting them up in Blocks on my Blogs here...all for your listening Pleasure.

The next two sets being posted here are more laid back than the usual Party/Grinding House grooves. This will soothe you, and tickle your soul...so sit back, relax, and enjoy these delicious grooves.

 

Soul Funky (Year Created 2006)[Garage/Deep House]
This is a collection of uplifting and groovy Garage & Deep House tracks optimally blended for your listening pleasure. This is a vocal House set...so those people who complain about "House music not having any lyrics" fear not, there are plenty of beautiful voices throughout the entire mix...with the type of lyrics to set your soul free....Enjoy.

1. Shawn Christopher - You Can Make It (Jamie Lewis Classic Mix)
2. Stephanie Cooke - Thank You (Lenny Fontana Vocal Mix)
3. Jay-J & Chris Lum feat. Latrice Barnett - Without Love (Amenti Music Dub)
4. Reel People - Butterflies (Phil Asher Remix)
5. Soulstice - Lovely (Johnny Fiasco Mix)
6. Li'Sha Project - Feel (Miguel Migs Salted Dub Deluxe)
7. Barrio Brothers - Hold On To Your Love (Warehouse Mix)
8. Blaze - Found Love (Fanatix Vocal Mix)
9. Cerrone feat. She Belle - Supernature (Lenny Fontana's Downunder Vocal Mix)
10.DJ Spen - Fly Away (Franktified Club Mix)
11.Jill Scott - Golden (Sir Piers Remix)
12.Meshell N'degeocello - Earth (Ben Watt Lazy Dog Remix)
13.Charles Spencer and Yshara - Belle Et Bete (Julius Papp Remix)
14.Project 4 - Waiting (Original)
Click Here To Download This Mix (Soul Funky)

Wintergreen Soulkiss (Year Created 2005)[Deep House/Tech-House]
This set is a much more chilled out selection of House tunes...all in the Deep House & Tech-House realm. What does that mean...??? It's the perfect relaxation or lounging groove. They are mostly instrumental or Dub tracks...with a smattering of vocals here and there. So if you're in the mood to chill out a bit, but still demand House music, this mix is just right for you!!!

1. B.J.B. - Last Night In Soho
2. Josh and Luke - Carrots and Beatz (Luke's Mix)
3. David Duriez - Westway (DJ Buck Dirtydub)
4. Charles Spencer - Board Meeting
5. Boo Williams & Demarkus Lewis - Keya To The City (Dee's Dub Mix)
6. Andy Caldwell - All I Need (Undercover Agency Mix)
7. Kiko Navarro feat. Marcel - M.U.S.I.C. (Koki Acid Dub)
8. Brendan Costigane - So Many Times (Dub)
9. Alexkid - Fleur Bleue
10.Kraftwerk - Aerodynamik (Francois K Aero Mix)
11.Antenna - Motherload
12.Johnny Fiasco - Reflex (David Duriez Brique Rogue)
13.Deep House Souldiers - Summer Love (Original)
14.Karizma - Mornin' (NuLife Edit)
15.Needs - Brother (Original Vibe)
Click Here To Download This Mix (Wintergreen Soulkiss) 

This is by no means mandatory....but it would be nice if you left a comment saying that you downloaded the mix and heard it. If you're moved to do so, i'd like to hear what you thought of it. Spread the word to anyone who might possibly be interested. Thanks for stopping by.

Ok...i'm still experiencing Technical Difficulties, so I decided to gather some of the mixes that i've given to people on CD in order to re-rip them and post them in my blogs here to share with all of YOU!!! So here it is, in MP3 Format.

 

Funk Boutique: Chocolate City Groove (Year Created 2005)
1. Warp Factor One - As We Phonk
2. Mateo & Matos - Body ~n~ Soul
3. Bootsy Collins - Dance To The Music (Knee Deep Mix)
4. Mark Knight - The Groove (Main Mix)
5. Michael Gray - The Weekend (Original Version)
6. Rick Garcia - Natural Phreak
7. Natural Rhythm - Chicago Nights
8. Inaya Day - Keep Pushing (Sharam Jey Mix)
9. Mange Le Funk - I Still Want You
10.Brother Of Soul - Music
11.Jason Jinx - When You Know You Are There (Jinx Dark Side Disco Mix)
12.Deepswing - In The Music (Kid Alex Family Full Mix)
13.Trevor Loveys - The Bounce (Original Mix)
14.Harley & Muscle feat. Gerideau - Must Be The Music (Phunk Investigation Dubinvest)
15.Jamiroquai - You Give Me Something (Paul Nelson Remix)
Click Here To Download This Mix (Funk Boutique: Chocolate City Groove)

This is by no means mandatory....but it would be nice if you left a comment saying that you downloaded the mix and heard it. If you're moved to do so, i'd like to hear what you thought of it. Spread the word to anyone who might possibly be interested. Thanks for stopping by.

House Music: A Little Primer!!!

I've decided to undertake the task (to the best of my ability) to give a somewhat decent (but rough) breakdown of House Music and it's related Genres/Sub-Genres. Note: This is by no means definitive or 100% accurate....this is what i've culled from my memories and music collection (nor is this a historical account).....

We'll start with....

* Garage: Garage was basically born from the legendary New York Club the "Paradise Garage" (Hence the name) where they played R&B, Funk & Rock, and they mixed it up creatively. The Garage sound (in reference to House) is characterized by its typically R&Bish soulful sound, with Rock influences. As time went by, Garage began to incorporate more of the typical House sounds (primarily the 4/4 beats), while still remaining soulful.

Tracks to listen to:

* Reel People - Butterflies (Phil Asher Remix)
* Deep Sensation - Don't Stop
* Shawn Christopher - You Can Make It (Jamie Lewis Classic Mix)
* Cunnie Williams - A World Celebration (Mousse T.'s Party Lick)

Meanwhile back in Chicago... "Jack was viciously throwing down on his box, and Jack boldly declared...let there be House, and House Music was born..."(to paraphrase the famous vocal sample from the track "Can You Feel It")...in the Legendary club called the "Warehouse". I won't get into the actual history of House (there are books on the history out there written by people who know it WAY better than I). For now i'll concentrate on what House is and it's many flavours. [Note: Even though Garage is firmly in the House family, and obviously mixes well with it, it deserved it's own mention due to its very particular sound].

* House: House is Dance music born from Disco and Funk Classics, as well as Rock. It's identified by its ubiquitous 4/4 (four to the floor) beat pattern, usually generated with a Drum Machine (like the typical Roland 909) which gives it a hard kick sound (that's the pounding you feel in your chest in a proper club sound system :D). It's interesting to note, that House came around the same time that Rap did, and has the same pedigree as far as sources go (a lot of the tracks that got sampled for Hip-Hop were also sampled for house).

Tracks to listen to:

* Farley "Jackmaster" Funk - Love Can't Turn Around
* Aly-Us - Follow Me
* Steve "Silk" Hurley - Jack Your Body
* Earth People - Dance
* Sax (a.k.a. Todd Terry) - Give Yourself To Me (Club Mix)
* MD X-Spress - God Made Me Phunky
* Eddie Amador - House Music (Vocal Mix)

Eventually House began to splinter, usually when somebody infused something new to it... so began the confusion and debates...as well as some great tracks (and even greater times) for the party people. So here are some of the other sub-genres/flavors of House (In no particular order):

* Acid House: Acid added the trippy sounds of heavily filtered synthesizers (in particular the Roland TB303).

Tracks to listen to:

* Phuture - Acid Trax
* Maurice - This is Acid
* Steve Angello - Acid (Original Mix)

* Hip-House: Basically, House with Rap Vocals or major R&B stylings.

Tracks to listen to:

* Mr. Lee - Pump That Body
* Lidell Townsell - Nu Nu
* Jungle Brothers - I'll House You

* Italo-House: Italian flavored House (they were producing massive quantities back then in Italy and in the States).

Tracks to listen to:

* Black Box - Ride On Time
* Mali Carvalho - Fuego
* Hypnoteck - Pump Pump It Up

* Euro-House: This is the type of House that basically broke through onto the Mainstream and is rather commercialized (listen to KTU in New York and that's the sound you'll hear more often than not...although the American sound is just slightly different...sometimes reffered to as Guido House because of that American-Italian influence). The sound is very much based on House rhythms mixed with pop/Synthpop melodies (like the New Wave sounds of the 80s). Euro-House is not exclusive to Europe (but is typically more popular there and around the world because of its accessible sound). It's also a rather big room type of dance music.

Tracks to listen to:

* La Bouche - Sweet Dreams
* Captain Hollywood Project - More And More
* Amber - This Is Your Night
* Rozalla - Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)

* French House: House with a French-Disco twist to it.

Tracks to listen to:

* Bob Sinclar - Champs Elysées
* Dimitri From Paris - Ca Chauffe (Cosmic Dub)
* Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You

* Gospell House: Garage/Deep House with Gospell lyrics or very spiritual messages (which takes it back to the original roots of Vocal House tracks).

Tracks to listen to:

* Kenny Bobien - Father (Frankie Feliciano's Ricanstruction Vocal)
* Jasper Street Company feat. Ann Nesby - Praise His Name (DJ Spen Full Vocal Mix)
* Lady Alma - Lift Your Voices (Peter Tyrone's 83 West Vox Mix)
* Jack In Da Box - Keep The Faith (Soulful Mix)

* Deep House: Similar to Garage, Deep House tends to be more chilled, with sleeker grooves, can be vocal or instrumental. It also tends to de-emphasize the typical R&B bass sound that's native to Garage [Note: After House started to mutate and become more energetic/frenetic, Deep House became the designation given to the dance music which more closely resembeled it's original past as just straight up House].

Tracks to listen to:

* Sunday Brunch - Midsummer Night
* Dubtribe Sound System - Freeway
* Dr. Sparkle feat. The Loobie Bros. - Massage Parlor
* A Man Called Adam - Love Forgotten (Ray Roc's Latino Soul Mix)
* Alexkid  feat. Ian James Whitelaw - Love We Have
* Blue Six - Music and Wine (Original Funkaphonic Vocal)

* Disco-House/Filtered-House: You take your basic 4/4 House beats and add plenty of Disco melodies (which can and often does include Disco samples), construct it so that it sounds like a pure Disco track, and filter the hell out of those samples...and there you have it (this basically takes the music back to one of its original sources, and in a way pays homage to it by creating an exagerated form of it).

Tracks to listen to:

* Bob Sinclar - I Feel For You (Original Club Mix)
* Joey Negro feat. Taka Boom - Must Be The Music (Club Mix)
* Hardsoul feat. Soul Hustlers - Never Gonna Stop (Original Filter Mix)
* Anthony Acid - Big Time Disco
* B.O.A.N. - See Me Now
* Bucketheads - The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)
* DJ Funsko - Let's Boogie (Remix)

 

* Tech-House: This is basically stripped down or minimal House with Techno flourishes, which creates a sound that's so lush and cool that it doesn't really resemble typical Techno (Where Techno tends to be more cold & purely mechanical). Tech-House comes in to particular flavors: The more energetic type (which mixes with House/Progressive/Tribal and such), and the more deeper melodic type (which mixes best with Deep House & Garage). 

Tracks to listen to:

* Dub Taylor with Per Fourier - Under My Skin
* Terry Francis & Eddie Richards - Breakfast At Tone's (Late Nite Overdose Mix)
* David Duriez - West Way (DJ Buck Remix)
* DJ Touché - The Paddle (Original Mix)
* Cristian Paduraru - Right Side Up
* Eriko Tanabe - Alone On The Way
* Franck Roger - U Tropic
* Fred Everything - Revolution

* Progressive House: Progressive is what Trance used to sound like  in its early incarnation (until it became more defined and went in a different direction). It has a pounding 4/4 rhythm, but it's more melodically repetative, with an edgier sound than standard House.

Tracks to listen to:

* Dope Smugglaz - The Word (Hernan Cattaneo Remix)
* Golden Girls - Kinetic '99 (Commie's Mix)
* Morel - True (The Fa**ot is You)(16B Remix)
* New Disco Science Alliance - Break Even (Deep Dish Dishy Dubby Dub)
* Finger Fest Inc. - Auto Porno (Harry 'Choo-choo' Romero Remix)
* Flip Flop feat. Faith - In Stereo (Superchumbo Leadhead Dub)

* Tribal House: Take the Progressive House sound, but instead add ethnic percussion rhythms (Lots of Conga Slaps, Cowbells, Timbales and more) and you get Tribal (it's a bit oversimplified...but this is the basic concept).

Tracks to listen to:

* The Good Men - Give It Up (Batucada Refrescante)
* That Kid Chris - Dirty Sex
* Robbie Rivera - Feel This (Tribal Sessions Mix)
* Marcello Castelli - Aborigen
* Peace Division - Seriously Twisted
* Jesse Garcia - Kulu Ngile (Side A)
* JJ Flores & Steve Smooth - Discoteca (Original Mix)

* Speed Garage/UK Garage/2-Step (*): Armand Van Helden is typically credited with the start of this sound, which is known for it's slower, drawn out Deep Bass. Eventually it incorporated elements form Hip-Hop, R&B, Breaks, and Reggae to give it a more urban sound. 2-step has a stutter step to its rhythm which is reminiscent of Jungle/Drum & Bass. This style is very big in Europe, especially in the UK (although nowadays it's starting to lose its hold on people a bit). [Note: the closer it sounds to R&B, the less frequently it is used in House mixes, unless the track is remixed to make it more danceable or club friendly]. 

Tracks to listen to:

* Sneaker Pimps - Spin Spin Sugar (Armand's Dark Garage Mix)
* Another Level - Be Alone No More (Doublee 99 Speed Garage Mix)
* Boswick Gates - You Are The Reason
* Zed Bias - Neighbourhood (Radio Mix)

* Hard House: You take Hi-NRG, Progressive, and elements of Trance (with shorter break downs) and this is what you get. Hard House tends to be somewhat faster paced, with minimal vocals (usually pitched up or modified), with a bigger thumping sound (not for the faint of heart).

<P>Tracks to listen to:

* Rob Tissera & Nathan D'Amour - Bring the Lights Down
* Prime Mover - Perfect Orgasm

This is far from complete (I know i've missed a few things, like Electro)...but it's a good start....I am leaving this Blog open so that people can drop comments (including corrections or glaring omissions on my part).

As I continue to develop this profile page, you might come notice some links to some mixes that you can listen to. I'll give some breakdowns as to what flavor of House it might be (so you can pick what suits you best)....and would ask that you spread the word (and leave comments while you're at it)!!! 

 

(*) Special Note: I provided a link to Alex West's Blog pertaining to Speed Garage/UK Garage/2-Step because he has a much more detailed explanation of the genre (thanks)!!!

As the tittle states, I am currently experiencing serious technical difficulties. Specifically, the external Harddrive which contains all of my music files, including all of the mixes which I was planning on posting, has stopped working for some reason. The drive is still visible to my computer...but under a generic file designation (F: drive as opposed to the actual drive's manufacturer name...Lacie). The way things are looking, I might have to take it to a data recovery expert. Of course, that's going to require $$$!!!

In the meanwhile, I plan to bring you as many mixes as I can get my hands on (by borrowing the CDs i've given out to people over time, and re-ripping them to my internal Harddrive). 

When it comes to computers, I have craptacular luck. I've had to reformat the main Harddrive 3 times last year...and now this (and mind you, this is the second external Harddrive to crap out on me).  DAMN P.C.s...DAMN BILL GATES (I blame him for all Windows problems).

 

Stay Tuned Folks....

Welcome to my music page. Time permiting, I will be posting a series of Blogs with links to some of my mixes, starting with some older sets while making my way to the more recent stuff. These mixed sets were created with a DJ software called Mixmeister (if you've ever been interested in creating your own mixes of any genre, I'd reccomend you go to their site and download the Demo).

The first three sets being posted here represent my earliest work using MixMeister, and they were originally aired online on a their music Bulletin Board (Beatmixing.com). Their site is free to visit (but if you want to participate you have to register...that's also free), and you can listen to mixes on the various radio stations there.

As you listen to these sets, bear in mind that these are my very earliest efforts...so they will sound quite rough around the edges. With that said, any critique as well as comments would be appreciated. You'll notice that as we get closer to my recent mixes, the quality of the mixing and such will improve sharply.

These sets are encoded as MP4 files (also known as AAC) unless otherwise noted. Most media players (Windows Media Player, WinAmp, iTunes...) should be able to play them just fine.

So without further ado, here they are:

Funk Boutique (Year created 2002)
1. Bob Sinclar - Champs Elysees Theme (Album Cut) 
    Intro
2. Deep Swing - In The Music
3. Brown & Brown - Goodlife (John Alvarez Mix)
4. Tim Deluxe - We All Love Sax [Extended Mix]
5. Roy Davis Jr - Sonny
6. French house - Le Piano Bar
7. Hardsoul - La Pasion De Gozar
8. The Disco Dudes - Get Back
9. Topazz - New Millennium (Freezy Jam Mix)
10.Wamdue Project - Where Do We Go (Armand's last hustle in Paris mix)
11. Kahr - My Voice
12.Brent Laurence - Union
13.Czr & Ito - Bringing The Funk
14.Mateo and Matos - Feel The Groove
15.Full Intention - I Need Your Love (Full Intention Edit)
16.G Club presents Banda Sonora - Guitarra G (Original Mix)
Click Here To Download This Mix (Funk Boutique)

House On A Platter (Year created 2002)
1. Full Intention - Can't Get Over You (Full Intention Mix)
2. Mongobonix feat. Inaya Day - I Will (Main Vocal)
3. Team Factor feat. Kenny Bobien - It Feels Good (Pasta Boy's Main Vocal Mix)
4. Solid Groove - Soul Provided
5. The Ones - Flawless (Phunk Investigation Club Mix)
6. Pink Coffee - Another Brick in The Wall
7. Ian Pooley - Traffic
8. Kid Creme - Hypnotizing
9. Silicone Soul - Right On, Right On (Original Instrumental Mix)
10.Robbie Rivera - It's A Feeling Now
11.Bob Sinclar - I Feel For You (Spiller Vocal)
12.Knee Deep - Good For Da Hole
13.American French Machine - Frenchy Lover (Original Mix)
14.Erro - Don't Change For Me (Joey Negro Remix)
Click Here To Download This Mix (House On A Platter)

Interesting Story: I was working at Strictly Rhythm between 2001-2002 before they became defunct. There was a track that had all of the music produced (by Team Factor), but had no lyrics. Strictly had contracted Duane Harden to come up with some lyrics for Kenny Bobien to sing. This was about a month or so after 9/11...and he sat down at my work station, and in less than an hour put together the lyrics for the song "It Feels Good". I know he had been listening to the track for quite some time (as did all of us working there), and he had jotted some ideas, but after that fateful event, he was inspired to write what Kenny would eventually sing.

Soul Summer Daze (Year created 2002)
1. Ian Pooley - Traffic (Dub)
czr & ito - Bringin' The House (Acapella)
2. Daniell Spencer - By Design
3. Julie McKnight - Home (Knee Deep Club Mix)
4. Pasta Boys + Bini & Martini Present The Goodfellas - Soul Heaven (P Boys Latino Mix)
5. Neon Heights feat.  Zoe Johnston - Are We Thru (Bent's Are We Bent Mix)
6. The Groovelab - Hymn Of Praise
7. CZR & Mazi feat. Jessica Simone - Against the grain (Original) 
8. Solid Groove - Ask Mr. (Melvin Moore's Solid Vocal Edit) 
9. Moments Of Soul - Live My Life
10.Kenny Bobien - How I Feel (Jamie Lewis Blessed mix)  
11.Fantastic Plastic Machine - Hello & Goodbye
12.Earth People - Dance (Original Mix)
13.Undergrounded - Move On (Grow Horns Mix)
14.Kyd & Kango - High Above (Liquid People remix) 
15.Bump & Flex - Promises (Jazz 'N' Groove)
czr & ito - Bringin' The House (Acapella)
Click Here To Download This Mix (Soul Summer Daze)

This is by no means mandatory....but it would be nice if you left a comment saying that you downloaded the mix and heard it. If you're moved to do so, i'd like to hear what you though of it. Spread the word to anyone who might possibly be interested. Thanks for stopping by.