I am so humbled by this note of praise. I want to share it with all of the wonderful artists, musicians, producers and DJ's in New Jersey who made a difference in the dance music scene in the late 80's and early 90's...
Thank you so much Carl for your kind words! I hope you don't mind me posting your note...! You capture a piece of history that should be shared!
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Hi Abigail. Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Carl Brown, from Ipswich Town, here in England. You don't know me. But I am about to say thanks to you????
Well, let me explain. The 1980's and the 1990's were so happy for me musically. I loved that period when people went out (Musically) to buy music that they liked. Instead of music that had a good video attached to it!
I was well into House and Garage music (Fully from say 1987 to around 2001). All the different directions that accompanied the music along the way I was there.
However, one period that I fondly remember was this new sound that was coming from a place in the Usa called New Jersey.
This first group that I can remember coming from that era was Blaze. I loved the track called "Reaching". I know that they went under the name of Phase 2. But already everybody here in England, that loved Soulful House and Garage music knew it was Blaze.
From that moment on it seemed as if the New Jersey area exploded into action. Kerri Chandler appeared out of NO WHERE and started doing remixes, Adeva had a huge hit over here with the "Respect" single. The we started getting the Mental Instrum stuff (Smack Productions). The Blaze really did start bring out even better stuff with Cassioware, Keisha Jenkins, etc...
Then via the dance magazines that were focusing on that area - Tony Humpheries was playing at the hottest club in town - The Club Zanibar! Then a real young artist known as Todd Edwards started appearing on remixes as well.
It really threw us over here. As we had to now comtemplate buying more records from another part of the Usa that was making excellent "Club records"( as you called them over there at the time). We called the music "House and Garage".
Remember we were still buying heavily from Chicago and New York in regards to House and Garage music.
Then we heard (as we are based in Ipswich town, here in England) that Tony Humpheries had secured a Dj spot in London's new super nightclub called "The Ministry of Sound", due to furore over what our Music industry journalist had now named the music from your area as the "New Jersey Sound".
I just loved 5 tracks from that period that are still to this day outstanding.
1. Dee Dee Brave - "My My Lover" - 1991
2. Three Generation featuring Chavell (Kerri Chandler mix) - 1990
3. A Basement, A Red Light & A Feelin' - Kerri Chandler - 1992
4. Going through the motions - Keisha Jenkins (Featuring Blaze) - 1993
5. Blaze - 6th Hurbert Street - 1993
How I wised I lived in London at that time. The Pirate Radio music set-up, the clubs and the record shops all supported the music in a big way. I used to go to London, say once a month to try and keep up with all the latest cuts etc, etc that were coming in the world of House and Garage music.
It was a special time, one where I think we might never ever see within House and Garage music again.
I just wish America could have see how much England loved House and Garage music then. It still around today, but the music hasn't that same crazy impact.
However, London, is still the place for House and Garage music, as the pirates are now going House and Garage music crazy again. I can't talk for the other cities here in England as I haven't been to them for such a long time.
I am just saying thank you for creating (Or being responsible for the running) a record label that dropped funky and yet soulful cuts over a House groove for us cats here in a smallish town here in England, called Ipswich Town, all those years ago. We bought your records, and loved them!
Remember, at the time as well - you had Jungle (which was going to change into Drum and Bass music later on) that was huge at the time.
Thanks Abigail
Carl Brown (Dj Mistri)
Ipswich Town
England
http://electric-soul-show. blogspot. com
(Please have a read of this blog mentioned above that is devoted toward Soul, Disco, Rnb, Hiphop, Urban Gospel and Soulful House Music. It is a Internet Radio show that I play on. Please look out for the latest update for the show - 17th December, 2008)