Summer Fondue » Industry news

1st Place winner from Russia

Soulmate — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:25:14 +0000

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my friend, Russian DJ, producer and part of Soul Cola team, Pasha NoFrost with winning the 1st place in the Soulfuric Back Together Remix Competition help recently on Traxsource! This is really a big one for Pasha and for Russia :) and we’re all happy in here.

His Pasha NoFrost Spacy Remix is now released on Soulfuric as part of 27-tracks Back Together (The Re-Master Collection) along with other winners and number of official remixes. Pasha also delivered his Top 10 favorites in February 2012 chart. Check that out.

ADE 2011, day three

Soulmate — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:43:58 +0000

Cont’d (see also: first, second). Lastly, the third day (ok, night) at ADE 2011 I was fully committed to the Purple Music Night, though there also was Soul Heaven event featuring Kenny Dope and Joey Negro (whom we wouldn’t mind to listen to). Anyway, Amsterdam’s Supperclub hosts Jamie Lewis’ friends for a number of years, on Fridays. There was a queue at the entrance even on 11pm, with a familiar producers’ faces. The cause was probably the large guestlist (incl. our names), and it obviously took a time to look up a name.

Purple Music Night occupies both Supperclub floors, but main one opens at midnight. So lower bar floor was pretty packed and filled with sounds from Souldynamic guys who love to mix in some disco flavors. Squeezing through crowd, Morten Trust and Mikkel Wendelboe were spotted – we were dancing on the same floors two years ago, but this time they were in a line-up. Then we met with Seb Skalski who did really great this year and became an official Purple Music artist – he was going upstairs to open the main dancefloor. Downstairs, Richard Earnshaw took the decks and dropped it quite hard, people moved upstairs where Skalski played Purple-style. Then Jamie Lewis with his receiver replaced Seb, and immediately pulled out Natasha Watts to perform a number of her tracks, including “I Believe” by MuSol & Central Ave. Natasha was as always good working with crowd.

We went down to check Soulmagic zone and stayed there: lower floor is usually more comfy, spacious, friendly and the bar is easy of access. Besides, the industry guys usually gathers here to support playing ones. Alfred Azzetto, Walterino and Dario D’Attis were also in the line-up for main floor (DJ Meme, originally in the program, later cancelled his ADE tour), but Morten and Mikkel left no chance to went back upstairs. Soulmagic’ set was full of exclusives and mash’es, highlighted among those was the “triple” mash feat. famous Renegade Master part!

It was nice to see soulful producers jumping around. Pasha NoFrost has even spotted slightly tight Dave Doyle, and we went to hobnob with him too. Meanwhile the crowd started to grow, the area was apparently a great alternative to the mainfloor that we havent checked until the last ~~gun~~track was fired by Soulmagic duo.

So… ADE 2011 was good. I met old friends and made lots of new acquaintance. I’m glad I had so many chances to introduce Soul Cola guys and they gave all their promo CDs out. This time I dont have pictures of myself with soulful masters, but I did a few video shots, here they are in a small ADE movie:

Check out the first minute with Leroy Styles playing at “The Djoon Experience”: originally R. Kelly’s “Number One” and Jodeci’s “Freek ‘N You”, but what a mixes!!! Any idea of the remixes?! Gotta have it!

On Saturday 22nd, when we were back home, another awesome event took place at ADE that is really a pity to miss out: “Let The Singer Be Heard” with DJ Spen, Phil Asher, Atjazz, Ezel featuring live PAs of Dawn Tallman, Barbara Tucker, Marc Evans and Robin S! OMG, that was our f%ckup to miss it.

See you at… WMC 2012? SunceBeat 3? ADE 12?

ADE 2011, day two

Soulmate — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:29:30 +0000

Cont’d (day 1). On my second day of ADE 2011 I only attended Sensative Soul invites Duffnote pre-party in the same Blinq. I joined our Russian crew in a restaurant upstairs earlier in the evening, and met a company of Richard Earnshaw and Natasha Watts at one of the tables nearby. In a meantime Mike Scot was opening the event with his set where soulful tunes were fused with a little funkier-techier stuff. Crowd at the bar started to fill up the space, we met Italian mafia (Souldynamic and Steven Stone) and a number of local producers. Lewis Ferrer recognised me after two years and I got his Stimulated Music CD (strong start for a label btw, gotta keep an eye on this one).

One of the tracks from this CD opened Richard Earnshaw’s dj set: it was “Hard To Get” by D-Reflection ft. Irma van Pamelen (coming very soon on Stimulated Music). Unfortunately Dennis D-Reflection himself missed that moment of glory while commuting from his pre-party at the other side of Amsterdam (though he was obviously excited the day earlier telling me that Earnie did a remix for him).

Then we re-virtualized with another local producer Dave Mayer, he appeared to be a very nice guy, and told me he’s gotta move to Dubai after his gfriend (nice one, already found a residency there). Always-optimistic, Natasha Watts did a live PA with Earnshaw performing a couple of tracks including new one they produced with Richard (catch it on my vid in the next post). People were still coming in. Сheery Niels Dutchican Soul appeared (commenting our meeting as “We’re seeing each other like everywhere!.. New York, Amsterdam!“), followed by Jamie Lewis himself accompanied by Alfred Azzetto and mafia others. As you might know, Jamie changed his haircut this year and his headphones – no more purple ones, it’s now… a classic phone receiver, check that out (absolutely sick!!!):

JL played off the USB sticks btw. I noticed every ADE venue has top Pioneer setup (CDJ-2000s) and djs play off CDs or USBs. Well, Purple Music honcho played more spicy set featuring a wicked remix for Prince’ “Sexy M.F.” (!) – probably his own bootleg?

Pre-party came to its end closer to 11pm. Some resident dj changed Jamie Lewis and immediately put some freakking electro sh%t on, soulful people went WTF and started to dress up and leaving for the next event. Namely next door, Little Buddha was hosting Deepheat night lined-up with Chus & Penn, Copyright, Born To Funk, Defected’s Simon Dunmore and of course Hardsoul with sexy Candy Dulfer on the sax live. I missed this one, been there two years ago, so decided to save myself for the next night…

Check also out this MN2S aftermovie featuring Quentin Harris, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles and others. Looks like american djs prefer laptop based setups:

To be cont’d.

ADE 2011, day one

Soulmate — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:33:35 +0000

This year I decided to attend Amsterdam Dance Event (it’s been two years since my first time) again. Here’s a few thoughts on ADE 2011. Many thanks to AirBaltic for affordable flights and to AirBNB for a cool apartment nearby Leidseplein (a true nightlife spot). Besides, we got a whole delegation from Russia, including guys from Soul Cola. The Festival Program was full of great events this year, and here’s some of them I had a chance to attend.

First night was kicked off with Seamless Recordings and Nightbird Music preparty in Blinq. Here I met Andy Lee (aka Central Avenue) and Dennis D-Reflection, got introduced to Graham Sahara and, shacken hands with guys from Souldynamics and Steven Stone, left with Dennis to illustrious Jimmy Woo to get some Djoon Experience.

Preparty upstairs was infused with good old disco funky tunes, where people went crazy with original “Everyman” by Double Exposure. After midnight the main floor was opened downstairs, and immediately filled with international crowd. Lined-up french mafia represented by Rocco, Manoo and others, along with acclaimed Black Coffee ruled the night, playing afrodeep stuff, sometimes going too deepsh%t. ;) Though, the start was extremely awesome with Leroy Styles playing some hotttt RnB remixes (expect small video soon). As Denis Reflection commented, african influence, artists and vocalists are definitely the trend in house music of recent months.
Check out the full gallery from this event at Betribes.

To be cont.

Amsterdam Dance Event 09

Soulmate — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:52:21 +0000

It’s less than a month left till a big dates for all electronic music lovers. America has Miami WMC in March, and Europe has Amsterdam Dance Event that will take place on October 21-24! Besides conferences and workshops, our attention is riveted on Festival program full of big house parties.

Let me mention some of the great parties, for the deep/soulful/funky house heads out there.

On Thursday October 22nd, go check out Deepheat Beyond Bookings event in Club NL and get close with Ralf Gum, Hardsoul, Sergio Flores, Danny Marquez, Fudge and Simon Dunmore. On October 23rd, try not to split up trying to catch Kenny Dope, The Shapeshifters, ATFC, Hardsoul, Chocolate Puma, Copyright, DJ Spen, DJ Gregory, DJ Yass + live PAs from Barbara Tucker, Steve Edwards, Marc Evans, Yasmeen, Shovell (holy cr#p what a line-ups!!!) – all on Strictly Defected party in Panama, and at the same very time massive line-up with DJ Meme, Jamie Lewis, Richard Earnshaw, Justin Michael, Panevino, Alfred Azzetto and Born to Funk (OMG!!!) – on Purple Music Night in Supperclub.

If that’s not enough for you, drop in at Werck for GoGo Music’s Yes, Please! with Hanna Hais, DJ Pippi, Ralf Gum, Fudge and others, or catch Ron Caroll spinning at 4am in Sugar Factory for MN2S party.

As luck would have it, I’m gonna attend these insane nights and promise to collect all the impressions, interviews and spirits that I’ll share here. Really can’t wait and looking forward to.

Sounds Of The Booth

Soulmate — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:36:17 +0000

On the end of summer a new label, Sounds Of The Booth, was born, this time the happy owner is Andy Ward, one half of Soul Central, with help of Reelgroove‘s Greg Dorban. Debut release “Unspoken” featuring vocals of Rainy Payne was out on August 24th and had a good Park Street remix included. Second release is already announced for September 28th, “September Song” with Angel Rose vocals, with remixes from Blacksoul, Jose Gonzalez and Soul de Marin. Apparently Andy has now got the home for his works, good luck to him.

Download audio file (sob-001-3565–1p.mp3)

»»» Get previews, more info and buy at Traxsource.com.

Cerrone The Podcast

Soulmate — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:01:28 +0000

Long live Maestro Cerrone! The premier online house station SSRadio managed to sign Cerrone to do the podcast. Let me quote them. “SSRadio are extremely pleased to be able to bring you the first in an exclusive series of podcasts from the French Disco legend that is Cerrone!

With over 25 million albums sold throughout the world, and numerous Golden Globe and Billboard awards to his name, Cerrone, crowned ‘king of the dance floor’, is known to have raised the production of music to an art form before audiences of all musical generations.

Cerrone’s growing influence on the French touch of House music reaches far beyond the various Cerrone samplings of Daft Punk, Modjo, Groove Armada, Kid Creme, Liquid People, Bob Sinclar and artists of that ilk. Cerrone has served House music’s evolution by way of an instinct which is carried by few. The innovative sounds of Cerrone have done more than just propel a whole generation to dance floors, taking part in co-compositions and remixes with the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Paul McCartney, Modjo, Jamie Lewis, Luca Cassani, Arman Van Helden, Joey Negro, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Danny Tenaglia and many more.

To celebrate his achievements, Cerrone has personally put together the first in a series of exclusive podcasts to showcase the music that he’s both created and influenced over the many years of his long carreer. In this debut episode, Cerrone gathers a selection of his favourite 70’s tracks. Disco, Funk, Soul, and Groove – you will hear the very roots of the dance music movement, selected by one of it’s main artists, whose colour, musical atmosphere and ‘drum feel’ has run among all the current sounds of music since then…”

Check it out and subscribe at the Cerrone podcast home page here. The first issue is already online bringing you such artist as KC and the Sunshine Band, Salsoul Orchestra, Kool and The Gang and Cerrone of course. Quality!

Defected giveaway – win a tour!

Soulmate — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 06:23:09 +0000

Celebrating upcoming 10 Years, Defected is gonna hold a huge party in Ministry of Sound on January 24th with massive line-up of artist including Copyright, Shapeshifters, Bob Sinclair, Junior Jack & Kid Creme, ATFC, Marc Evans, Imaani etc. Defected’s website hosts a feedback form with complicated but affordable questionnaire that being completed gives you the exclusive DJ Spen mix for download and a chance to win the VIP tour for two (incl. travel, accommodation, backstage and spendings) for the event, or a year digital subscription package. Well worth your time! Go and fill it out!

Offer valid until January 19th 2009.

King St 15 Years Celebration promo

Soulmate — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:07:39 +0000

US major deep and soulful label King Street soon to celebrate its 15th Anniversary. Being grateful for all these wonderful years, they now offer 10 tracks for free download at Beatport.com. In the tracklist there are hot label’s artists like Kerri Chandler, Ananda Project, Tiger Stripes, Dennis Ferrer, Johnny Dangerous, Studio Apartment. Offer is available till January 1st 2009, and Beatport account is required. Come and grab it!

Kolonki Recordings on Traxsource.com

Soulmate — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:20:10 +0000

Deep in the heart of Russian Siberia, in Krasnoyarsk city, sits Kolonki Recordings, the underground electronic label run by producer/songwriter/remixer Peter Shallmin aka Cortes. Having his roots as bass/guitar/drums player of black metal band Cromlech in the past, he’s now into lounge, house and some latin flavored production.

Despite its hate of digital world (as far as I know from my communications with them), Kolonki has recently joined Traxsource.com and we’re now able to buy some of their recent releases with more coming soon. Among them, two great collaborations with US singer/songwriter Terry Dexter – “Wonderful” and its follow-up “Emeraude“, both have appeared at some compilations already.

Cortes feat. Terry Dexter – Wonderful [Kolonki Recordings]:

Cortes feat. Terry Dexter – Emeraude [Kolonki Recordings]:

42th Southport Weekender

Soulmate — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:16:04 +0000

Just around the corner… the huge dance event coming up on 9-11 May. Legendary Southport Weekender, a twice yearly music festival being held in Pontins holiday complex in Southport (North West England), is more than 20 years old now.

From the R&B, soul and hip hop of The Funkbase and the main room dance sounds of The Powerhouse, to the soul aficionados Connossieurs’ Corner and the eclectic styles of The B-Bar, Southport Weekender will treat you to a feast of the world’s leading DJ talent, accompanied by party starting live acts and guest PAs.

Just have a look at the list of performing artists for these days! Live in concert: Luisito Quintero, Tortured Soul and gorgeous The Sunburst Band! Giging DJs include: Joe Claussell, Quentin Harris, Joey Negro, Kerri Chandler, Gilles Peterson, DJ Spen, Frankie Feliciano, Studio Appartment, Jihad Muhammad, DJ Meme, Phil Asher. The event will also feature a celebration of King Street Records 15th Anniversary with Roland Clark, Joi Cardwell, Barbara Tucker and Monique Bingham live. Wow man, I wish I could go one year.

Check out the full line-up here.

Miami 2008 madness, part 3

Soulmate — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:31:26 +0000

Craze is on the way. As WMC ’08 approaching (starting next Tuesday) all the labels are trying to show off just in time. Here’s King Street, MN2S, Duffnote and Realbasic newbies that were revealed recently. Unfortunately I should admit that recent productions tend to be harder and more “techy”. Pure soulful gems are really becoming hard to find.

Once again, please be warned that some samplers are time limited and will disappear near the end of March (so the links in this post will be broken).

King Street Sounds and Nite Grooves WMC 2008 Sampler [King Street]:

Roland Clark presents Urban Soul – Life Time (Dolls Combers Late 70 Mix)

Rockin’ Down Da House in Miami 2008 [Realbasic]:

MN2S presents Miami Sampler ’08 [MN2S]:

Danism & Kathy Brown – Light Up My Life (Electronic Soul Mix)

Duffnote Miami 2008 Sampler:

Richard Earnshaw & Angie Brown – Unbelievable (Original Mix)

Miami 2008 madness, part 2

Soulmate — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:20:38 +0000

New tracks invasion is under way. More Miami samplers is being revealed every single day. Here’s some more interesting releases from Tempogroove (UK), Purple (Switzerland) and Transport (USA). Please be warned that some samplers are time limited and will disappear near the end of March (so the links in this post will be broken), we’ll have to wait for full promos/releases.

Tempogroove presents Miami 08 Sampler:

Shena – Thinking About Your Love (Soularis Remix)

Purple Music presents Miami Whoomp 2008:

Alfred Azzetto – Near The Ocean (Walterino Main Mix)
Sound Famiglia – Need Me Want Me (Panevino Remix)
D Collective feat. Cee Jay – Life (Greg Palmer Vocal Mix)
Mike Monday – I Dream Of Ducks (Album Mix)
Jonanthan Meyer feat. June Grey – Sunday Light (Origianl Mix)
»»» preview all tracks together

Transport Miami 2008 Sampler [Transport]:

Miami 2008 madness

Soulmate — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:27:49 +0000

Miami Winter Music Conference is just right around the corner. Held every March since mid-1980s this DJs, labels, promoters and clubbers mecca features International Dance Music Awards ceremony, exhibition, workshops, seminars, hang-outs and of course non-stop parties that every house lover must attend. Just check out this year wicked events (for history purpose I’ve backed it up as PDF here)! So March is always a very hot month in house industry with tons of new releases and numerous “WMC samplers” coming out. This year is no exception. We see lots of fresh stuff that is hard to embrace. So here’s some selection of the tracks I liked listening to previews.

MoHo WMC 08 Album Sampler – Select Cuts from Groove Junkies forthcoming Artist Album ‘In The Zone’ [MoreHouse]:

Groove Junkies feat. Diane Carter – Dr. Feelgood 2008 (DJ Meme’s Philly Suite Mix)

Barcoda WMC Sampler 2008 [Barcoda]:

Miami Soulful Winter Journey 2008 [Tricircle]:

Soulfuric presents 2008 Miami Sampler [Soulfuric]:

For those who are happy enough to visit Miami on 25-29 March 2008 – good luck and have a great time!

2mybeatTV launched

Soulmate — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:39:06 +0000

Maestro Kevin Hedge, one half on Blaze duo, co-founder of the legendary NYC venue Shelter and President of West End Records in 2001-2006, has founded Blaze Imprints label last year and launched 2mybeat.com. This web site is Blaze Imprints/Cielo/Roots-oriented soulful music, events, videos, and culture.

Recently 2mybeat.com launched its montlhy video series called 2mybeatTV that will bring exclusive videos of artist interviews, studio sessions, NYC nightlife footage, product reviews, releases and more. Here’s the first episode featuring interviews with Jihad Muhammad, Ben Westbeech, and DJ Marley Marl, plus some live footage of Kevin Hedge, Dennis Ferrer and others (subscribe at YouTube for new episodes of 2mybeatTV):