Archive for the ‘Bassmonkeys’ Category

The Bassmonkeys - An Interview

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Over the last few years while I’ve been producing the One Phat DJ Podcast, I’ve been fortunate enough to find some great friends in featured artists, DJs and producers. If you’ve ever got to read through the comments for the podcast, some familiar names might crop up now and then too. One such act that have been heavily featured over recent years are an act who go by the name of The Bassmonkeys. Not one to shy away from an opportunity to promote one of my favourite acts, I managed to get some time with the boys for a quick interview…

The Bassmonkeys

  1. Si

    To start off, tell us a bit about how you three met.

  2. Dale

    Danny was DJing in a club in Norwich and I was a regular punter. We started chatting and instantly clicked. I promised to give him a call to do some studio time together but never did (sorry Danny!). About three years later, I bumped into him in WH Smiths reading the same music mags as myself. We started chatting again and arranged, once again, to make some tunes together. Again it never happened! (sorry Danny again!) Then a year or two later, fate brought us together once more and we realised we were obviously destined to work together - and now we do! Mike and Danny have known each other for yonks – Mike is Danny’s DJing partner so it was a natural step to bring Mike into the “Monkey’s Den”.

  3. Si

    What got you all in to house music production and DJing? Is there anyone who inspires you?

  4. Dale

    When I was younger, I was a bit of a nerd and used to like making my own computer games. I did the programming, graphics and music. It didn’t take me long to realise that the music was my favourite part so I eventually stopped programming all together and just spent my time making tunes! I used a tracker program on the Amiga computer called ‘Med’. My music style is inspired by the early 90s piano house, the trance scene of the later 90s and now the funky house and electro scenes. My favourite artists at the moment are Axwell, Freemasons, Ian Carey, Shapeshifters and Steve Angello.

  5. Mike

    I first got into house music through listening to Mr. Tong on Radio 1’s Essential Selection, and taught myself to mix on some really dodgy cheapo decks. I managed to blag a gig in 1994 at some illegal do, and from that got myself a weekly residency in the house club in Norwich, Manhattans, playing alongside such guests as Judge Jules, Boy George, Sonique, Brothers In Rhythm etc…

  6. Si

    You also produce under the name of “Liquid Nation“ which tends to have a “tougher“ sound to the Bassmonkeys. Is it safe to say you have a diverse taste in music?

  7. Dale

    All three of us love dance music but all prefer slightly different shades of it. I prefer the commercial side, Danny the “true” funky stuff and Mike the slightly tougher electronic sounds. Our tracks and DJ sets are a blend of all those aspects, some tracks leaning further one way than the other. We just create what we like and what takes our fancy at the time! We’ve got different aliases for other peoples benefit really, rather than our own.

  8. Si

    So, last year was quite a busy year for you - what was your personal highlight?

  9. Dale

    Getting to Number 1 in the UK Dance Charts with our Soulshaker friends, the Fierce Angels gig at the Egg London was a top night out and our DJ set at Skegness’ “Big Reunion” was good fun! The year was jam packed with small but significant highlights.

  10. Mike

    Playing at “Big Reunion” and hearing “The Answer” on Kiss and Radio 1 (Woo!)

  11. Si

    The Bassmonkeys were also taken under the wing of Fierce Angels last year. What’s it like working with the team and Mark Doyle?

  12. Dale

    One word to sum up Mark Doyle…. LEGEND. We love him!

  13. Si

    Your massive track “The Answer“ with Naomi Marsh (one of my personal favourites) has been doing the circuits for nearly two years now but there is still no official release. Any idea when we can expect to see it on the shelves?

  14. Mark Doyle (intercepting)

    [We're] actually just in the midst of putting this album [Fierce Disco 2] to bed and, afterwards, we’ll sort out a release date… possibly with bonus track “Here’s Where The Story Ends“.

  15. Si

    Are there any artists or producers you’d love to work with?

  16. Dale

    [I] would love to work with Axwell or Freemasons - they are the producers who I would most like to steal their tricks and techniques from! (laughs)

  17. Mike

    Freemasons, Moto Blanco, Hott 22, Vandalism!

  18. Si

    What are your plans for the rest of the year? Are you touring in the Summer?

  19. Dale

    No tour planned, although we’re hoping to get out to a few places warm this year. For the moment, it is just heads down in the studio.

  20. Si

    Finally, have you got any exclusive news you can share with us?

  21. Dale

    I’m sure there must be something… hmmmm… no, sorry - can not think of anything!

Naomi Marsh

You can support the Bassmonkeys by downloading their music from legal MP3 download stores like DJ Download, Traxsource and Beatport or even get the new Fierce Disco 2 compilation from Fierce Angels which features their latest collaboration with Naomi Marsh “Here’s Where The Story Ends” and their funky remixes of Tony Moran’s “Work It Out” and The Allstars Collective “All About The Music“.

Written by Si

April 1st, 2008 at 8:03 am

Posted in Bassmonkeys, DJ Talk, Fierce Angel, Funky House, Interview, Music, Releases

Mar ‘08 - Crescendo

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It’s the latter part of the month, we’ve had The Warm Up, so it can only mean one thing… it’s time for a Crescendo mix!

Among the favourites this month are some great remixes of classic house tunes, some from the early noughties (Paul Johnson’s “Get Get Down“), some even from the mid nineties (Liquid’s “Sweet Harmony“)! We also have an exclusive Bassmonkeys remix of Jocelyn Brown’s new project in The AllStar Collective’s awesome “All About The Music“, a tune I’ve not stopped playing for the last month, as well as plenty more chuggy basslines, snappy beats and uplifting vocals to get you in a lather.

Mar 08 Crescendo artwork, created by Sam Hardacre

This month’s artwork is from the talented young designer Sam Hardacre hailing from Halifax, UK. With this being one of his first commissions in the last few years, he has surpassed himself with this grungy little number, after throwing ink all over his floor for that dirty splatter effect. I’m really chuffed with this final piece and I doubt this is the last time you’ll be seeing our “nocturnal monkey” on the One Phat DJ Podcast.

Downloads

Track Listing

  1. Dervish ft Mike Davis & Inaya Day - Blessed (Mahjong Extended Mix)

  2. Mariah Carey - Touch My Body (Craig C Club Mix)

  3. The Allstars Collective - All About The Music (Bassmonkeys Remix)

  4. Daddy Funk 45 ft Aneta Gordon - Let’s Dance (Knights Of The Round Tables Mix)

  5. 7th Heaven ft Katherine Ellis - Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ On But The Rent (Soulshaker Remix)

  6. Hotshot ft Joanne Hindley - No More (Funked Off DJs Mix)

  7. Alphabeat - Fascination (Bimbo Jones Main)

  8. DJ Kue ft Sue Cho - Last Dance in Chicago

  9. Kelly Rowland ft Travis McCoy - Daylight (Joey Negro Club Mix)

  10. Tito Puente Jnr ft India - Oye Como Va (Andy Boph Remix)

    • Label: Big In Ibiza
    • Released:February 18th 2008
    • Time: 00:49:07

  11. Paul Johnson - Get Get Down 2008 (Laidback Luke Remix)

  12. Liquid - Sweet Harmony (Streetlife DJs Mix)

  13. Till West & Eddie Thoneick vs Alexandra Prince - Hi ‘n’ Bye (Smax & Gold Remix)

Written by Si

March 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am

Posted in Bassmonkeys, Crescendo, DJ Talk, Funky House, Music, One Phat DJ, Podcast

Mar ‘08 - The Warm Up

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As we move out of those cold Winter months and into an (apparently) warmer Spring, focus shifts towards thoughts of bright and sunny holidays, parties, happy people - generally, all things positive. By painting that picture, you should be set for what is coming up this month - the Miami Winter Music Conference - the biggest event of the year in the dance music industry. DJs, producers, artists, promoters, labels and clubbers travel from far and wide to celebrate this landmark event where some of the finest figures in the industry collate to share their latest work, network, make the most of the opportunity to showcase what to expect for the rest of the year and have an amazing time in the process.

It seems only appropriate to celebrate the landmark occasion with the first mix of March 2008 - here is Episode 42, “Mar ‘08 - The Warm Up”.

Mar '08 - The Warm Up

Supplying the artwork this week is Mr Cole Henley, hailing all the way from bonnie Scotland. I love this clever cross reference with Miami in such a relevant month - the simplicity of the silhouettes keep the image pure and simple, the graphic equalisers subtly making appropriate suggestions.

With that, all that is left to do is download the mix, turn up the speakers (or your headphones) and feel the warmth ooze into your body from the uplifting soulful sounds. You’ll be in Miami before you know it!

Downloads

Track Listing

  1. Elisabeth Troy - Higher Ground (Classic Mix)

  2. The Sunburst Band - Rough Times (Joey Negro Club Mix)

  3. Groove Armada - Love Sweet Sound (Mark Knight & Funkagenda’s A.H.B Mix)

  4. Alfred Azzetto - Colors (Are Forever) (Walterino Main Vocal Mix)

  5. Jay-J ft Latrice - Starting Over (Rasmus Faber Remix)

  6. LeisureGroove & Matt-Emulsion ft Melissa Bell - If You Want It (Soulful Mix)

  7. Fanatix ft Dionne Mitchell & Sterling Ensemble - Open Your Eyes (DJ Spen & The Mutha Funkaz Dirty Disco Mix)

    • Label: BBE
    • Released: March 18th 2008
    • 00:36:13

  8. Danny Clark ft Nicole Tyler - Fading To Grey (Original Vocal Mix)

    • Label: Barcoda
    • Released: February 29th 2008
    • 00:41:58

  9. Lenny Fontana ft Carla Prather - One Day (Original Vocal Mix)

    • Label: Raisani
    • Released: February 19th 2008
    • 00:46:58

  10. Mauama ft Fabiana Rosh - Take Me Higher (Extended Mix)

    • Label: Venus Records
    • Released: January 25th 2008
    • 00:54:35

  11. DJ Jani - Light Up The Sky (Original Mix)

  12. Jim Tonique & Patrick Bryze - Better World - Part 1 (Horny United Solarium Remix)

  13. Bos - The Music (Fabio Tosti In The 80’s)

    • Label: Music Plan
    • Released: March 24th 2008
    • 01:09:50

  14. Peyton - Higher Place (Bassmonkeys Club Mix)

Written by Si

March 13th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

Posted in Bassmonkeys, DJ Talk, Funky House, Music, One Phat DJ, Podcast, The Warm Up

Two Be In Love

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Another month, another mix - this time featuring music I got my grubby mits on throughout the month of August (if you weren’t aware, all podcasts feature tracks I get hold of the previous month, with occasional exception for the last two tracks of the mix).

Last month saw some great releases, not just singles and promos but with albums from Mark Doyle’s Fierce Angel too. Beach Angel 2007 hit the shelves on August 23rd 2007 to bring the Summer to a close with some relatively downbeat tracks from the house industry. I’ve featured some of my favourite tracks from the compilation so you can get a taster of the album. If you like what you hear, why not go buy it?

While most of you associate August with the good times of festivals, holidays and parties, I am also fortunate enough to celebrate my wedding anniversary (its the thirteenth if anyone is interested). For that reason, this podcast is dedicated to my beautiful and amazing wife, Lizzy. She is also a big lover of funky vocal house music and the final two tracks are actually some of her all time favourites - it’s not just a coincidence they are featured on Beach Angel 2007 you know?

Anyway, without further ado, I present to you Episode 31 of the One Phat DJ Podcast - “Two Be In Love”.

Two Be In Love cover

Track Listing

  1. Axwell ft Max ‘C - I Found You (Vocal Remode)
    Label: Positiva
    Released: 12th August 2007
    Position: 00:00:00:00
    Let’s kick things off with a monster of a track. This Summer has seen the return of Denmark’s finest producer Axwell with an awesome tune resembling sounds from the early Nineties. Featuring the husky voice of Max ‘C, it’s hard to think of any reason why anyone can’t enjoy this beauty with its acid-inspired beats, broken up with some really upbeat piano loops and that ridiculously catchy chorus. Top marks!
  2. Mark Picchiotti presents Sybil - As A Child (Mark!’s Funk Vocal Remix)
    Label: Blueplate
    Released: 10th August 2007
    Position: 00:05:15:00
    Buy: Traxsource
    The Italian House legend has come up trumps with this sweet funky number. Teaming up with vocalist Sybil, they have delivered a storming tribute to childhood (you can’t fault their efforts to cover an original topic, that’s for sure!). Sybil’s vocals harness the lyrics perfectly while the general producion is second to none. There’s plenty to get your ears around on this track and I’m sure you’ll be skipping back to listen again after a few plays.
  3. Earnshaw & Giles - Round & Round (Main Cut)
    Label: Duffnote
    Released: 20th August 2007
    Position: 00:11:45:00
    This dubby track from comes from the partnership of awesome producer Richard Earnshaw and Escape Resident & Disco Kid Darren Giles. It has obviously taken some inspiration from the 1980 disco classic “Upside Down” by Diana Ross. Promoted as an actual “original disco sample” (I find that hard to believe but it’s probably true), it has certainly caught my attention. It’s a well produced track containing all the ingredients to make it just work. It’s nothing mind blowing but seems ideal during this warm up period.
  4. Soularis - Back Together (DJ Meme & Mod Mix)
    Label: Sun Soaked
    Released: 7th August 2007
    Position: 00:17:52:37
    You may have heard this track by now around the club circuit or on the specialist weekend radio shows - its a fantastic vocal track, perfect for commercial release. The vocals are fantastic - I’ve always been a huge fan of decent male vocalists in house music and this guy knows how to strike a chord. Not to take any limelight away from the female vocals neither - the juxtaposition between the two works really well with the lyrics, like a modern Dirty Dancing if you must. More importantly though, this track has an awesome uplifting feel which you can’t ignore. I dare you to join in on that chorus!
  5. Eighteen ft Stephanie Mills - (You’re Putting) A Rush On Me (Moto Blanco Mix)
    Label: AATW
    Released: TBC
    Position: 00:23:07:37Originally featured on Fierce Angel’s Es Vive Ibiza 2007, this track hit a nerve with me. It was probably the simple anthemic synth chords laid throughout the track, it could have even been the snappy vocals from the lovely Stephanie - whatever it was, it worked for me. It obviously received fantastic feedback anyway as it wasn’t long before Doyle was featuring it on the follow up album, Beach Angel 2007 in all its unmixed extended beauty. There are limited promos flying around of the tune with several other remixes throw in for good measyre (none of them really making an impression on me to be honest) but it is sure to get an official launch some time soon if you’re after a copy. Until then, I suggest you go along and grab Es Vive Ibiza or Beach Angel.
  6. Ijah ft D’Empress - Nitelife (Grant Nelson Remix)
    Label: Big Love
    Released: 4th September 2007
    Position: 00:29:15:00
    This exclusive promo from the vaults of Seamus Haji’s Big Love label is oh-so-typical of what I love about the British house music scene - plenty of life and soulful sounds thrown in to create a track ideal for motivating the crowds. Featuring the vocal talents of the legendary D’Empress, Nitelife is destined to feature throughout the house scene for the rest of the year. It will inevitably find its way on to a Hed Kandi release at least.
  7. Bassmonkeys ft Naomi Marsh - The Answer (Eric Kupper Dub)
    Label: Fierce Angel
    Released: TBC
    Position: 00:34:00:00
    “Not again?” I hear you cry. Well, it’s back in the podcast and it’s back for good reason! After much plugging and promoting, the Bassmonkey’s are finally getting their cumuppence with a full commercial release. With an army of producers including Steve Mac, Gold and Smax and Eric Kupper getting their dirty mits on the track, ripping it up and making it their own, it’s obviously touched a nerve in the scene. With full support from Fierce Angel, it will be hard to miss “The Answer” over coming months. I’ve got a little treat for the first person to leave a comment below too - I’ve managed to get my hands on a spare promo copy of the CD. Write a review of the mix and I’ll send you the promo. It’s that easy!
  8. Barbara Tucker - Love Vibrations (Georgie’s Love Club Mix)
    Label: B Star
    Released: 30th August 2007
    Position: 00:40:00:00
    The Queen of House is back and with yet another belter of a track. After the success of Most Precious Love, there’s no stopping our Babs. With more singing about love and more remixes than you could shake a stick at, this is another track you will struggle to avoid during the latter months of the year. As Ms Tucker puts it during the breakdown she’s “not gonna give up”.
  9. Sergio Flores vs. Mitomi Tokoto - Hold On (That Piano Track) (Sergio Fores Vocal Mix)
    Label: Purple Tracks
    Released: 15th June 2007
    Position: 00:45:30:00
    OK - it might be a bit late showcasing a track from June but I only discovered this track last month. And its a stomper! Sampling a classic track I can’t put my finger on while introducing a bit of a tribal beat with awesome vocals from Mitomi Tokoto, this is sure to raise your adrenaline. I’ve been loving this track all Summer - it’s been on my iPod Shuffle for the last month or so and got a thorough hammering during my holiday in Greece. I’m pretty sure it will go down well with the regular listeners.
  10. Albert Cabrera ft Alex Cartana - Dig The Vibes (Original 12″ Mix)
    Label: Kidology Records
    Released: 16th July 2007
    Position: 00:50:48:56
    More treats from Beach Angel 2007, this time from upcoming producer Albert Cabrera and vocalist Alex Cartana. Resembling the sounds of early 90’s acid, this is sure to go down well with the clubbers among you.
  11. Henrik B ft Terri B - Soul Heaven (E-Squire Mix)
    Label: Boss Records
    Released: 13th July 2007
    Position: 00:56:07:37
    Sampling the 2001 Summer hit of the same name by Goodfellas, this is bound to strike a chord with some of you house lovers out there. The eagle-eyed among you might even notice that I dropped the Micky Slim remix in Something Dirty last month (which really was an awesome cut up of the original). Anyway, it seemed only right to feature the funkier E-Squire mix in the normal podcast, if only to take you long term fans back a few years. With added club atmosphere, it’s perfect to take us into the peak of the mix.
  12. Gadjo - So Many Times (Original 12″ Mix)
    Label: Subliminal
    Released: 27th September 2004
    Buy: Fierce Angel - Beach Angel 2007
    Position: 01:01:22:37Going in to the final part of the mix, we kick off proceedings with the anthem that is Gadjo’s “So Many Times”. It was a huge hit back in 2004, lapping up the commercial success it so rightly deserved, appearing on the majority of the dance compilations of the year and it certainly made a mark on myself and the wife. It was one of our favourite tracks of the year so this is going out to you, lady! I think its safe to say we will all enjoy this one.
  13. MAW pres India - To Be In Love (Knee Deep Re-Edit) Label: Defected
    Released: 19th July 1999
    Buy: Fierce Angel - Beach Angel 2007
    Position: 01:07:22:37
    It’s time for a Classic now, and what a classic it is. Every lover of house music should know this track from 1999, made by arguably the Godfathers of House Masters of Work (also known as Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzales and Little Louie Vega), so it really shouldn’t need any introduction. Needless to say, its an all-time favourite for myself and Lizzy so let’s just kick back and enjoy it in all its glory.

Downloads

Comments are more than welcome. The last podcast Something Dirty received a few more criticisms than I expected so I’m not sure what the future holds for that style of mixes in the podcast. Anyhow, I’m returning to my roots here so hopefully, you’ll be a lot happier. Let me know what you think either way.

Update: Christian Rode has kindly sorted out a CUE file for this mix so why not go download it if you want to burn the mix to CD?

Written by Si

September 17th, 2007 at 1:51 pm

Posted in Bassmonkeys, DJ Talk, Fierce Angel, Funky House, Music, One Phat DJ, Podcast