Posts Tagged ‘New York’

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Meet Dieter Krause

It’s been a while since my last blog post as it’s been a hectic summer, and I wanted to continue the story on how Hidden Recordings came into existence in hopes it’ll show people out there that life is truly random, and good things happen if you continue to push what you love.

Now onto the post for this month and I wanted to introduce my friend and production partner, Dieter Krause.

I often get asked, “Who is this Dieter Krause you work with and how did you meet him.  Does he really exist?”  The answer is of course yes, and here’s how it happened:

It ties into the Boogaloo compilation I released back in 2004.  I had licensed a moody hypnotic track named “Cherchez Moi” from the German label Plong, produced by Laplaceausoleil.  About a year after I released the compilation I received an email from Dieter who I wasn’t aware was a part of Laplaceausoleil.  We began to speak more and more on the music we enjoy and love, and I quickly found Dieter’s knowledge runs deep of all styles and genres, and most important, across generations.  Sometimes I even felt inadequate, asking what I felt was like dumb questions, about the artists he was talking about.  I realized I had spent so much time focusing on techno, that I lost part of old identity, and to what makes music so great – the different styles and genres that can evoke the same feelings of bliss.  It was a great reminder that I loved jazz, blues, and classic rock.  I also learned a ton about some of the older music from Europe, and even the States that Dieter loved, which I would then became curious and Google to learn all about.  To those reading, always remember your musical roots and what first inspired you before you took the leap into the world of electronica.

The music we had most in common was the psychedelic, emotional styles of the 60’s and 70’s with Pink Floyd being our favorite.  We would email back and forth about our favorites songs, and from there we would both give recommendations of similar styles and bands.  We both agreed that we should have been at Woodstock, taking in all the sounds, sights and vibe of the festival.  We often say to each other that we would have been hippies in former times.

A few months after we began exchanging emails, we began to exchange music files as I was beginning to produce and I wanted Dieter’s critique.  He was patient, probably laughing a little at the files I was initially sending.  But he was always supporting, complimenting my ear and offering suggestions.  I remember he (more…)


Boogaloo. Brooklyn. 3:23pm – PART ONE

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Instead of writing another “How Amazing Was Detroit and the Boat Party” (which by the way was ridiculous), I thought I’d leave that to experts at RV and tell you a bit more about my history.

For those who recognize the title of this thread, you’ll remember my first mix compilation that I released back in late 2004. For those who this is new info too, you’ll get a deeper understanding of where I came from and another one of the random steps that my career took to get where it is today. I’ve broken this out in two parts as I know it’s tough to stay focused on a long blog post. :-)

It was late 2001 and the mood was somber in NY; people weren’t going out, they were afraid, and sad from 9/11. To try and lighten the mood and to provide an outlet for friends to get together, I had decided to throw a few parties at a bar named Tiki Room. I had met the owner, Eddie Dean (who now owns Pacha in NY) through a mutual friend and after a few parties, I ended up working more closely with him in his new venture, which was opening up a nightclub in Manhattan named Discotheque.  At the same time, I was working Sunday’s at my friend’s online record shop in Queens, named Globalbeats.com encoding clips of new releases (I tell you this because I was trying to find any means necessary to stay close to the music, and begin to learn about the business side of things, no matter how small.  The record shop is also where I was first exposed to minimal techno and techno, although at the time, I didn’t really know what it was)  But working with Eddie and Discotheque was the real moment I went from being a fan to learning about the business side of things within the club industry.  I worked hard and with some luck, I managed to run a weekly Thursday party for six months which included booking like Craig Richards and James Zabiela’s second gig in NY was playing for me (His first gig was touring with Sasha on his Airdrawndagger Tour, and I remember picking him up from the airport and eating pizza in my apartment in Brooklyn before the gig.)  I fondly remember just how hard it was to run a weekly party in NYC – it left me a bit jaded with the highs of hosting a great party through the sky, and the lows feeling more lonely than anything.   It consumed my life, as I let it, not realizing that in order to have longevity, you have to have your health (mental, physical and spiritual), support from family and to always remember why you are doing this in the first place.  To this day, I give all the credit in the world to all the promoters who host parties every week, it’s a tough task and not everyone can do it.

But the night wasn’t to last, and eventually Erick Morillo moved his Subliminal Sessions Thursday party from Shelter over to us. I saw myself being used less and less, and eventually I moved on and began to host a Wednesday night party in Brooklyn, at a lounge named Boogaloo. The first DJs to play with me were Nick AC and Dennis Rodger of Robots fame (Robots hadn’t started yet) along with friend Eric Andrew. Eventually Nick and Dennis began Robots and I was focused on Boogaloo. It was grungy spot in, some would say shady (but I say it had character!) the south Williamsburg neighborhood just below the Marcy Ave subway stop. I was still in contact with a few DJs including Craig Richards, and I was able to confirm him and Lee Burridge as Tyrant, on a Wednesday night would play at Boogaloo. The party was fantastic with an amazing vibe, and it was soon after in conversations with the owner, we decided to release a CD indicative of the music and vibe the venue our parties were known for…..

PART TWO Coming soon…..

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Cielo: Playtime Mixed by Nicolas Matar and Willie Graff

playtime1Cielo: Playtime is a double album mixed by Cielo resident DJs; Nicolas Matar and Willie Graff. It’s set to be released on Tommy Boy Records on June 9th, 2009.
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The Cielo compilation series has amassed a worldwide audience of seasoned dance music fans. Its ongoing success is a testament to the overall programming and underlying vibe at Cielo—a distinguished nightclub in New York—that celebrates quality dance music above all else. Both CDs are mixed and compiled by the DJs to incorporate each of their musical bearings and keen sense of musical style.
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Since it’s opening in 2004, Cielo has become an international club brand that specializes in world-class music, Funktion One sound, elite service and all-inclusive atmosphere. With Playtime, Cielo continues to uphold its status as a premiere club brand for both house music and electronic music in general.
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Disc one is entitled “Classic” and from the second you press play, you’ll understand why. The Terra Deva intro to Want Me Like Water tears through the speakers and we’re off. Charles Webster’s updated remix to his classic that was originally produced in 2001—under his Furry Phreaks moniker—proceeds to set the tone for the disc: big diva vocals, rolling bass lines, infectious grooving hooks and unadulterated soul.
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The Classic tracks have been thoughtfully selected, and masterfully programmed. Divas on the disc include greats like Kerri Chandler, Lisa Fischer, Cindy Mizelle and the one-and-only Babara Tucker. Add a sprinkling of AtJazz, Kings of Tomorrow, Roberto Rodriguez, James Priestly, Dan Berkson and as already mentioned Charles Webster, and you’re left with a magnificent 70 minutes of classic New York sounds delivered in a fresh and up-to-date package.
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Calling the second disc “Nu-Classic” is a bold statement and it has a lot to live up to after disc one, but only time will tell whether it holds true. There’s certainly something memorable about the disc, with the recognizable Lonely One by Motor City Drum Ensemble taking second position in a 12-track line-up. The writing’s on the wall for some of the tracks to become classics with producers such as Kenny Larkin, Jimpster, Manuel Tur and DPlay, Henrik Schwarz and Sebo K all present and correct.
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Unfortunately having a selection of great tracks doesn’t necessarily mean that the impact of them mixed together will be greater than that of them individually. However, the second disc is programmed and mixed well. The first transition is a little more obvious than the others as the trippy, loopy sounds of Cirque De Soul by Kenny Larkin holds your attention and makes it an ambitious first track. As Lonely One is introduced a nice groove gets going. The rest of the disc delivers enough to keep you enjoying it but nothing really stood out and got my attention like the first disc. I’ve listened to disc two a couple of times preparing for the review and to be honest it’s not a touch on the first disc – but it works well in the supporting roll.
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All-in-all I recommend Cielo: Playtime. If you like good quality vocal house and a well thought out track selection then disc one is for you. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea because let’s face it diva vocals can be way more than you’re in the mood for, in which case you can save it for the house party and move onto disc two.

Either way if you’re looking for a trusty summertime compilation to get you though those long, hot evenings this might just be it.
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Playtime CD 1 ‘Classic’ Tracklisting:
1. Furry Phreaks-Want Me Like Water (Charles Webster 2008 Remix)
2. Lovebirds-Tuesday (Dub Mix)
3. Amana Melone-Caterpillar (Atjazz Remix)
4. Rocco-Somebody (NJ Mix)
5. Risk Soundsystem-The Sound is Yours (Kerri Chandler Remix)
6. Elements Of Life featuring Lisa Fischer & Cindy Mizelle-Into My life(Dub)
7. Azuni-Remember That Girl
8. Roberto Rodriguez-Besomebody
9. DJ Fudge-Wally
10. Kings Of Tomorrow Featuring Rae-Can’t Stop (Wahoo Remix)
11. Barbara Tucker & Tuccilo-One Desire (Barbara’s Desire Mix)
12. Robert Owens-Happy (James Priestley & Dan Berkson Remix)
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Playtime CD 2 ‘Nu Classic’ Tracklisting
1. Kenny Larkin-Cirque De Soul
2. Motor City Drum Ensemble-Lonely One
3. DFlex-Waltz (Kawabata Remix)
4. Herb LF-Down To The Sound
5. The Lost Men-Brothers and Sisters
6. Phonique & Kiloo-The Passion (Manuel Tur & DPlay Remix)
7. Version-The Brighter Side (Jimpster Dub)
8. Class 71-Alba Adriatica(Move D ‘The Smoke In Your Eyes’ Mix)
9. Ane Brun-Headphone Silence (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
10. Kiko Navarro & DJ Fudge-Maximal
11. Sebo K-Diva
12. Chic Miniature-Escandalo
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You can check out the Cielo: Playtime 30-minute mini-mix HERE. It’s out on Tommy Boy Records on June 9, 2009.