Biography
Kenny ?Dope? Gonzalez & ?Little? Louie Vega (aka Masters at Work) have been working together for 15 years. They are Gods of the Global Dance Movement, overground as well as underground. Whether DJing, remixing, reconstructing, working on their own productions or running their numerous labels, unflinching commitment to innovation, experimentation and self expression makes them as prolific today as they were on day one.
No one can dispute their crowns, both started as DJ?s, Louie coming from a family steeped in musical tradition began in his early teens and moved on to Manhattan clubs like Devil?s Nest, Heartthrob and Studio 54 as soon as he was capable of getting in. Kenny was with a soundsystem called ?Masters at Work?, the first incarnation of the mark, dropping Hip Hop beats at Neighbourhood jams.
The choices take us on a journey to Chicago re-visiting their House roots. The selection includes classic vocals (eg Joe Smooth, Stirling Void), early rave anthems typifying the ?summer of love? (eg. Reese & Santonio : ?Rock To The Beat?), perhaps the first ever jazz house record (Mr. Fingers : ?Can You Feel It?), as well as elements of House Poetry (The It ??Donnie? ), and awesome jackin' House (Master C & J : ?Face It?) - a remarkable mix from todays Kings of House, bowing reverentially at the virtuoso performances of the inventers of the movement.Larry Heard (aka Mr Fingers) is another pivotal figure who continues to record today, contained here is possibly the first ever jazz house record with lyrical content that attempted to define the sensibility of House...
Larry also features on ?Donnie?, produced the stunning ?Bring Down The Walls? featuring Fingers Inc partner and all round maestro House vocalist Robert Owens. Larry?s trademarks run through the selections he touches here, addictive, percussive and heavenly uplifting.
Sterling Void?s ?It's All Right? is a monster vocal anthem which became globally known when it was covered by universal electronic pop masters The Pet Shop Boys. Another classic from the period, ?Strings Of Life? perhaps the encore of rave, produced by Derrick May who is perhaps better known as a techno king, this track was recently reworked with vocals from Kathy Brown and charted in the UK. Also from Rhythim Is Rhythim, ?It Is What It Is? is much more electronic than ?Strings of?? bridging the boundaries between house and techno, with co?production from Juan Atkins, a Detroit legend.
Kings of House is a compilation compiled by two men who wear the crown now, throughout if they pay homage to those who created a modern day disco music that continues to fill dance floors across the world. Enjoy.
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