The Chillifunk Years—Nathan Haines ( Chilifunk )
This latest compilation captures a selected choice of favorites released from this signature label, which featured many productions by jazz musician Nathan Haines and DJ/Producer Phil Asher. Together, they have assembled the talents of artists such as Mark De Clive Lowe, Mike Patto ( Reel People ) and vocalists such as Marlena Shaw, Vanessa Freeman, Shelley Nelson and Marcus Begg.
The first CD features 12 original tracks of pure down tempo soul and jazz fusion. Included here is Squire For Hire featuring Marlena Shaw, the jazzy, reggae instrumental of Honeycomb, a remake of the Steely Dan classic FM and the unforgettable Earth Is The Place, featuring Verna Francis. The second CD has the remixes of selected tracks included here are Believe ( Kenny Dope ) , Doot Dude ( Ashley Beedle ) , Long ( 4 Hero ) and Squire For Hire ( Capricorn ) .
Choice: A Collection Of Classics—Roger Sanchez ( Azuli )
In this continuous series, who is better to include among the list of pioneer DJs than the S-Man himself, Roger Sanchez? His classic hit, Luv Dancin'—released under the name of Underground Solution which was sampled and inspired by Loose Joints' 'Is It All Over My Face'—would mark the beginning of his career with Strictly Rhythm, one of the prominent labels in dance music.
Along with other label mates, Louie Vega, Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez, Todd Terry and Armand Van Helden, Sanchez began releasing other signature tunes, using monikers such as Transatlantic Soul ( Release Yourself ) and Tribal Confusion ( Sumba Lumba ) . As many do, he has also remixed tunes for artists such as Incognito ( I Hear Your Name ) , M People ( Movin' On Up ) and pop artists such as Juliet Roberts and Janet Jackson. He received a Grammy for best remix of No Doubt's Hella Good.
He established himself behind the turntables as a businessman, launching his own record label, One Records, in 1992, and releasing his debut album, Secret Weapons. He also created a second label, Narcotic Records, which featured releases by Ashley Beedle, Deep Dish and Michael Waterford. In 2001, he released his full-length artist album, First Contact, which featured the hit Another Chance. Following a series of mix CDs for United DJs of America, Ministry of Sound and his own signature series, Release Yourself, he released his second solo album, Come With M in 2006.
Here we embark on a journey of classic tunes which have inspired and shaped the career of the S-Man. Tracks featured here include Mt. Airy Groove by Pieces of A Dream; Let Me Show You Love by Romanthony; the Afro and Latin grooves of Upside Down by Fela Kuti and Set Fire To Me by Willie Colon; and even some break-dance and hip-hop influences of For The Same Man by B Beat Girls and Dankest Light by Lafayette Afro Rock Band, which has been sampled by both Teddy Riley and Jay-Z. On the second CD, he pays homage to the Chicago house sound by featuring tracks like Robert Owens' Bring Down The Walls, Rickster's Night Moves, Jamie Principle's Your Love and the LNR classic Work It To The Bone.
House of OM: Mark Farina ( OM Records )
It's the mix we've been waiting for and, finally, it's here! OM's top decknician Mark Farina blazes the dance floor with his signature dub house beats, spanked deliciously on this mix. From his beginnings here in Chicago, Mark has made a name for himself behind the 1s and 2s. With a well-crafted style, he left his hometown of Chicago and headed west to San Francisco and began a mix CD series that catapulted him to stardom. The Mushroom Jazz series, which he created, infused hip-hop and jazz, becoming a household classic. While continuing to remix for other artists such as Kaskade and Samantha James as well as release various mix CDs ( Connect, San Francisco Sessions, United DJs of America ) , he released his debut artist album, Air Farina, to great acclaim. From that album were two successful singles: To Do, with label mate Kaskade and Dream Machine, with Sean Hayes on vocals.
Here, Mark gets down with the horn stabs of Lurob's Dubalicious; the deep, funky rhythms on House This by Uneaq, ( a three-member band from San Jose that has a sexy house vibe that will be featured in the next issue ) ; In The Morning by Kerri Chandler featuring Monique Bingham; Come Chill by Vibezelect; Bleu by King Kooba; and A Brighter Life by White Collar Criminals. Listed as the best dance DJ by URB Massiv Poll and described as the #1 DJ by SF Weekly, Mark Farina transcends the dance floors of America with his unique and creative talent to freak beats, making happy feet everywhere.
