AJ Dance Legacy

ATLANTA WEEKENDer 2012

You are an international house music dancer stationed off the Persian Gulf coast on a T-shaped island in the capital city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. You’re all set and ready to leave. Passport: Check. Electronic Ticket: Check. Luggage: Check. Dance sneakers: Check. You whisk through the security check- point gate in Terminal 3 at the Abu Dhabi International Airport. The Jetway is the new international catwalk where you waste no time flaunting your signature swagger as you board Flight 75 on EDM Airlines: the premier airline for electronic dance music enthusiasts. You smile. You count the seconds before your fifteen hours and forty-seven minutes direct flight overseas is set to commence. Your destination point is Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

This is your first visit to the newly crowned jewel capital of deep & soulful house music in the southern region of America. Also, this marks your first visit to the 1st Annual ATLANTA WEEKENDer. From all over the world, die-hard house heads are embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage of all things deep and soulful for a four day journey starting with Afrique Electrique, Distinctive and ending at the Mecca, House In The Park. So sit back and enjoy your ride because this promises to be one extraordinary journey.

Finally, you arrive at your destination a bit exhausted and slightly jetlagged. Upon arrival at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport at the International Wing you’re whisked off in a cab to your Studio Suite at the W Hotel (Downtown) for a comforting disco nap. There is so little time to sleep as you have much to see, do and hear before the night’s first spectacular that starts promptly at 8 pm.

By taxi you reach the destination of historic Edgewood Avenue intersecting residential Boulevard. The district bustles with a variety of cosmopolitan sights, sounds, and smells. A male bike rider bikes wearing only Speedos, police sirens angrily whirl at passing cars as the smell of greasy fried foods tickle nose hairs.  You arrive at Space2’s door at exactly 8:30 pm. You reach for and pull on the golden door handle. It won’t budge. After a few more attempts at opening the door, you realize the establishment isn’t open to the public. You peek inside the storefront windows to find the lights are on. The lifeless room waits in complete silence. Several giant-size speakers and subwoofers sit patiently on the floor, waiting to be assembled, in hopes to perform their duty. How odd, the invite stated an 8 pm starting time. From your left pants pocket a smartphone is produced and checked only to find the event’s starting time has changed to 9 pm EST. You check the restaurant next door to find hipsters nibbling on grilled frog legs with carrot celery salad and sipping White Tigers. There’s no sign of music playing anywhere. So, it’s off to the pizza joint across the avenue.

After devouring a king slice of “Americanized” pepperoni pizza, you see the door open to Space2 and the lights turn off. The deep drops of heavy bass thumps are heard across the street over sporadic conversations and explicit rap lyrics bumping in the eatery’s background. Off you run to the space where you are the first guest at the party. At the front door that you tried to enter into earlier, you are greeted by and meet the masterminds behind the Atlanta Weekender, visionary Salah Ananse and his no nonsense wife Nina Ananse. You receive your ATLANTA WEEKENDer wrist band. The challenge is you must wear the green and blue metallic color ID all weekend to every event for admittance.

Scanning the room, Space2 has an intimate rugged appeal with one bar perched alongside the room’s left brick wall where you order a Square One Orange Rye. The room is dark. No disco ball or flashing lights dance across the floor. There are no special decorations that offer theatrics besides the ATLANTA WEEKENDer poster hanging behind the DJ set-up on a platform stage where Miranda Nicole and Stephanie Cooke will later perform. In the music box, the only sign of life emanates from the voice of Sunshine Anderson proudly singing, “Force Of Nature” (Blaze Roots Mix) that blasts from four speakers positioned around the place.

The venue slowly takes its first breath and comes to life. A few human heartbeats swagger into the room. The women wear summer dresses dyed with vibrant colors as men dress lazily in jeans and white button down shirts. They come ready to dance. As the people fill the room, you shake sturdy hands as salutations commence. Surprised visages lead to jovial conversations of your ostentatious pilgrimage.

“Ouch,” did you hear that? DJ Plus1’s mixing is a bit rough. Anyways, the music picks up pace as DJ Roland Clark the international in-demand vocalist/producer slams the beats on the still empty room. The beats are a bit too hard and the BPM’s a bit to fast for starting off the party. So a dancer suggests that you check out the restaurant next door where one of the most impressive house music parties is set to jump off.

Words & Photography by AJ Dance

DJ BE mini-view
Interview by AJ Dance

This Atlanta DJ needs no introduction. If you are familiar with Atlanta’s deep & soulful house music scene, then you’ve seen DJ BE about at various functions or have heard DJ BE play around town. DJ BE has been a staple on the house music scene for many years and has played in about every restaurant, lounge and night club in the city. His dedication and tireless work in the house music scene not only comes off the strength of DJing, but also in the form of promoting parties, helping his DJ peers establish their name, crafting a weekly Internet radio show to creating Diversified Sounds podcasts. As the Tambor party reaches a milestone three year anniversary, DJ BE weighs in on important aspects and gives a little history into how this global phenomenon started.

AJ: What are your feelings on Tambor turning three years old?

BE: I’m really excited! In the beginning, you think you’re only going to last for three months. Tambor has not only survived more than three months but has endured various venue changes and DJ cancellations. So this is exciting.

AJ: Tell the fans how DJ BE became involved with the Tambor party?

BE: Actually, DJ Stanzeff and I met through a mutual DJ friend. At that time, I was working parties and barely keeping my head above water and DJ Stanzeff was in the same boat. So, our mutual DJ friend suggested that we get together and throw parties. Stanzeff and I met three times before anything happened. The first meeting dealt with us having the same goals, ideas and vision. Then we met again and nothing happened. Finally, on the third meeting, we thought, let’s do this. Then we had to think of a party name and the music direction. Stanzeff had thrown a couple of parties called “Tambor” many years ago and so we went with that name. At that time, I was getting into the afro/Caribbean sound and so we went in that musical direction. Robbie Randall became a part of the group later through an affiliation with an entertainment group. Noni Walker handles all of the brand marketing, social-network media, blog and website. She came on board during Tambor’s second year.

AJ: What are your personal plans for Tambor’s future?

BE: I have no personal plans per se. I view this as a collective effort. On the other hand, I would like to see the parties move towards nights with Stan and I playing more. Also, I would love to see more Tambor Members parties in an intimate setting throughout the year. Overall, I’m looking forward to the next three years.

If you are in the Atlanta area Friday night, be sure to check out the Tambor Party Meet N Greet at the Drinkshop at the W Hotel downtown, August 17 from 9pm-2pm.

MR. V

Sugar Groove

Welcome to the Sugar Groove Factory, the place where sugar grooves fall from tall dark chocolate speakers like gumdrops spewing from vending machines gone mad. The Sugar Groove Factory is where deep-fried house music is played, where spontaneous bubblegum remixes are concocted, and where both are sweetened to orectic the ear buds. C’mon folks, give the SGF one try and you’ll be hooked like a sugar addict. Here, the dance floor is covered with powdered sugar. Why? Not only does the granular substance help your feet glide across the floor, but its flavor makes the dancer’s dance moves sweeter. So why are some people clueless to the Sugar Groove’s sweet concoctions? Perhaps, the reason is because it’s the newest offering from the mastermind whiz of the jester hatter, DJ Swift.

On a candy-coated night in the Old Fourth Ward’s sweet-tooth district of battered in shake-n-bake bars and cooked in butter and grease restaurants, the pop-up Sugar Groove Factory plopped right next door to a delectable tiny eatery known for its killer six dollar plate specials and knock em’ dead cocktails. Although Sugar Groove wasn’t merely concerned with yielding edible small plates to hungry diners as much with providing groovy sugar-coated ear-candy music for the hungry to dance to dance to.

Outdoors the factory’s walls rattled with “rat-a-tat -tats” from the frequent knocks of deep bass lines. Was this going to be a dubstep soiree? Yeah, right. Indoors, Atlanta’s, DJ 1derful had the bass cued on full throttle to an empty room. Where were the party people? Perhaps, applying fard to their faces. The night was still young and DJ 1derful assumed opening music gestures. The jovial DJ played sugary coated sounds that bounced off glazed covered walls and oozed with ooey-gooey melted goodness as chocolate-peanutty beats banged under frosted covered vocals. He also, played like no one was watching-partly because no one was there to watch-by singing the lyrics and pumping his fists into the air. It was during the mixologist’s final number, when he dropped a surprise golden goody from a tasty Jill Scott remix called “My Love.”

Up next, DJ BE delivered a bag full of deep-fried afro house nuggets that made mouths moan, “Uhmm, yummy” and made for some happy tummies. The Diversified Sounds creator’s golden goodie was a deep-fried crepe overstuffed with plump strawberries and topped with drizzled melted chocolate from French producer Yass with, “I Go Deep” assisted by gospel-esque vocals from LT Brown.

Like Willy Wonka standing at the gates of the Chocolate Factory, minus the cane, the candy man DJ Swift appeared onstage behind three laptops, (yes, there were more laptops onstage than CD players) two CDJs and one mixer, adorning his signature multi-colored jester headwear and black-rimmed spectacles. The zany Sugar Groove founder possessed seven golden goodies which would unlock the inner workings of the Sugar Groove Factory. (One golden goody will be used for the reader of this blog (you) to answer the trivia question found in this post.) Recall that DJ 1derful, who opened the party, played one golden goody. Then DJ BE followed with the party’s second golden goody. The third golden goodie belonged to the whimsical DJ Swift which unlocked the door to a treasure trove of sweet treats from the late Rick James, “Ghetto Life” (FTL Mix) to the sweet sounds of UK’s Nathan Adams & Zepherin Saint, “Circles.” The transition of the fourth golden goody occurred during the lollipop Lil Louis classic, “Club Lonely” with Joi Cardwell singing swirling sweet melodies. Golden goody number four sent the factory’s oven temperatures soaring to 475 degrees Celsius’s as the party people leaped in the air, performed triple spins and yelled at the top of their lungs. It was time to break out the sweat rags as sweat rolled down their brows. The party people were baking hot.

The night’s special headliner, party man, Mr. V from NYC who comically pulls off titles like,”Da Bump,” “Put Your Drink Down,” and “In Da Club (Shake $h*! Up)” (although, his tunes of late has had a more serious overtone than the all night party anthems) had been at the Sugar Groove Factory for some time; chilling, drinking, hanging outdoors on the smoker’s heavenly patio, and indoors adjusting, tweaking and fine-tuning the sound system for the night’s tasty delicacies. The Sole Channel co-owner, having been on the DJ stage for some time, was ready to start his own Pop-Rock explosions. What the people had yet to realize and weren’t prepared for was where they would be led. But first up, in order to partake of the festivities the party people had to swear on one piece of very important advice-to not give away the Sugar Groove’s secret formula. BEWARE of the many DJ’s in the house (nine of them at last count), compared to the actual number of party people in attendance, who were all eager and hungry to get their hands on Sugar Groove’s secret formula.

Swiftly and suddenly, Mr. V opened door number one thanks to golden goodie number four. The crowd was rushed off on a magical boat ride over red Kool-Aid waters. “PLEASE, people don’t drink the waters or you might intake too much sugar, pass out and be sucked into the waters only to disappear forever.” The water’s sugar formula had yet to be tested on humans. The dressed in all black, “I Can Sing” singer via auto-tune, DJed while the SGF’s party people danced to Rufus and Chaka Kahn’s, “Any Love” in awestruck against the backdrop of a majestic red waterfall. In plain sight, these otherworldly little people, known as the Candy Dancers, who worked in the Sugar Groove’s candy fields picked peppermint candies off tree branches and danced around in celebration. The Candy Dancers wore white loafers or platform shoes underneath brown bell-bottoms, underneath un-tucked silk-shirts with open butterfly collars while sporting giant afros singing the lyrics to GQ’s, “Disco Nights.” Mr. V the producer/songwriter/rapper/DJ had the party people acting like ADHD school children playing disco music from the likes of Carl Bean’s original gay anthem (eat your heart out Lady Gaga), “I Was Born This Way,” Diana Ross,’ “Love Hangover” (Instrumental), and MFSB’s, “Love Is The Message.” Then the boat traveled underneath a bridge that transformed into a tunnel where the vessel came to a maddening stop. Without missing a beat as the early 1970’s British funk band, Cymande’s, “Bra” instrumental midsection played, golden goodie number five opened the next door. Right before the eyes of the party people laid an immense room filled with shiny music equipment. The party people danced off the boat and danced straight onto the D Train. That’s right, Mr. V revved up D Train’s 1981 classic, “You’re The One For Me” as the party crossed into the threshold of the decadent 1980’s. The D Train toured the majestic studio where the Sugar Groove music was concocted, cooked and served. “PLEASE, people keep all arms and hands in the train. Do not reach out of the windows to touch the equipment because the equipment might spontaneously combust taking you with it.” The music gear was safe proof and had a fingerprint scanner fit to scan and accept only the impressions of DJ Swift and the otherworldly Candy Dancers. The music equipment came to life and moved and grooved to 1987’s Ralphi Rosario Presents Xaviera Gold’s, “You Used To Hold Me.” Once again, the otherworldly Candy Dancers appeared dusting off and polishing the music equipment while singing the lyrics to a drum splattering remix of, “Once In A Lifetime” from the 1980’s New Wave band Talking Heads. This time the Candy Dancers wore Jheri curls that dripped activator onto Member’s Only jackets on top of ripped acid-washed jeans accompanied by sneakers with red swoosh signs. As the train left the room, Mr. V segued into the 1988 hip-house anthem from the Jungle Brothers, “I’ll House You.” The train sped faster and its engine pumped harder four-count thumps. Off it traveled into the world of 1990’s house music. Up next, V ignited the British group Coldcut featuring the blue-eyed soul legend, Lisa Standfield on, “People Hold On” (Blaze New Jersey Jazz Vocal Mix). Lisa wasn’t singing “People Hold On” for nothing as the train came to an abrupt stop forcing the dancers to erk and jerk, back and forth. The party people were all about Boris Dlugosch Presents BOOOM and Inaya Day’s, “Keep Pushin” from 1996 that greeted them at door number three. The party people pushed off the D Train and into some kind of snazzy television/video editing room, filled with seven large flat screen monitors displaying the various on goings of the SGF. Three monitors sat side-by-side on one row while above them on the second row sat three additional monitors. One other larger monitor sat off to the right of the room all by its lonesome. “PLEASE people, don’t touch the video equipment as it might shrink you into digital sound waves and shoot you to a satellite in outer space.” In the 1990’s heyday of house music the beats banged harder and the vibe was accurately portrayed on this sugar-filled journey. Suddenly, Mr. V whipped out Masters at Work Presents People Underground’s, “My Love” the night’s sweetest serenade that sent everyone into sugar-induced comas. Those otherworldly Candy Dancers appeared and sang Michael Watford’s 1994 soulful wails that became the night’s unparalleled anthem. A dubbed vocal version of, “Work” played as those otherworldly Candy Dancers dressed in long T-shirts, brightly colored baggy denim overalls over brown boots, sported slanted high-top fades and dookie braids, danced about and cleaned the video equipment. After the coma-induced party people awoke and danced out of the video editing room, golden goody number seven opened door number four. The party people had danced straight into the arms of the twenty-first century’s current climate and into a scene straight form the jungles of Africa. Before their eyes, golden lions danced with golden giraffes that danced with golden hippopotamuses and up above their heads flew golden geese that laid golden eggs. “PLEASE, people do not touch or pet the golden animals because they will swallow you alive.” Those otherworldly Candy Dancers draped in white loin cloths danced in circles around a fire to Afefe Iku’s, “Dakountdown.” A deep house nugget of New Zealand’s pop hit band, Gotye featuring Kimbra’s, “Somebody That I Used To Know” kept the party people on their feet. Rounding out the afro experience was an a cappella rap of First Choice’s classic, “Let No Man Put Asunder” that played over an Fela tribute afro-beat filled with horns screaming over percolating percussions.

Wheww. The hip hop sounds of A Tribe Called Quest and R&B soul outfit Lucy Pearl welcomed the party people back to the Sugar Groove Factory’s main room where their lively adventured had started. All had returned safe and sound. The attendance numbers even proved positive as a few hitchhikers were picked up during the journey. This party rocked consistent moist baked anthems and not cookie cutter copycats; so it was understandable that the party people were worn out with tummy aches from all those sticky-sweet treats. Maybe too much sugar can be a bad thing. Is that possible?

Congratulations, you made it to the end of the journey without spilling Sugar Groove’s secret formula. Now answer this. Can you name the special guest rapper that appeared on the golden goodie number one Jill Scott, “My Love” remix? The first individual to correctly answer the question and respond with the correct answer on FB will win a golden goodie courtesy of AJ Dance. Good luck.

Words & Photography by AJ Dance

JULIUS THE MAD THINKER

The DJ Summer Olympic Games

Calling all Ladies and Gentlemen, for those of you unable to snag a ticket to one of the most anticipated events of the summer-the DJ Olympic Games-press the power button on the remote control to your HD plasma television and press the play key on your DVR to enjoy the recaps, replays and highlights from one of the most prolific parties to hit town. By far this summer, The Gathering was the Olympic event of house music. So, get ready to relive the joy, sweat, and tears from one of house music’s premiere parties.

The Opening Ceremonies

Former Olympic host city Atlanta, Georgia serenaded its own musical tribute to the Olympic Games; house music style. Local legend Kai Alce was commissioned to open the summer DJ ceremony with the spectacular lighting of the musical torch. Mr. Kai Alce did as so and produced an impressive show-stopping audio montage. In the mix, old-school house juxtaposed with the sultry sounds of the new school. However, it was the old-school house that resonated the clearest and deepest with beats that banged hard as hi-hats incessantly hissed under saxophone tremolos. Kai, armed with in-depth music acumen, represented his globe-trotting adventures of far and near with exclusives from Japan to Detroit. As the hometown hero worked the main stage of musical hardware consisting of two CDJ’s, a mixer, and was aided by a melancholy Goth, sitting in a chair, controlling the sound system, ticket holders straggled into the front door while others tried to enter from the back door. Please note. People do not try to enter the establishment via the back door without paying because you will be SHUT DOWN. PERIOD. Courtesy Management. By no means, was this event a spectator sport; but this event was all about participation. Already, the Olympic spirit was in the air, besieging every heart to beckon its athletic call. Several dancers warmed-up as if to compete in a four hour dance-a-thon of endurance and strength. Their feet pounded the pavement as their hips whipped from left to right as some even banged their fists on an exposed wall. Little did they realize their actions were on record because this too was a dance-a-thon for champions.

The Games

Who better to answer the call to represent the main games than the 3 Degrees Global ambassador, Julius The Mad Thinker? The party’s guest music curator sprang into action with the heart of a runner sprinting in a 100 meter dash. The Chicago native steadied himself, with position and pose, ready to march the Olympiads to victory. The first two rounds or songs of vocal house preached like a Sunday morning church service in the backwoods of the south. Out from the choir stand came the ever impressive Lady Alma and the Rainamkers’ with, “Let It Fall” that represented Team USA. The song worked over those gathered into a celebratory frenzy coupled with screams, and fist pumping in the air action. Watch out the Holy Ghost was about to be unleashed. With lyrics as “Troubles Don’t Last Always/Let It Rain” the event was augmenting inspirational heights. Up next, Team Colombia appeared with the late Joe Arroyo’s “La Tortuga” (Jose Marquez Edit) singing in sensual Spanish. Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers truly appreciated the global gesture. The Mad Thinker himself, got in on the action and proudly sported his moniker, Aid To The Soulless with Desla on vocals singing, “One Night“(Thinker & Kai Mix). Then the games went into club mode with Timmy Regisford’s and Lynn Lockamy, “At the Club” (Rocco Deep Mix) with pulsating heart-pounding thumps and progressive flair. With the drop of the beat Team Africa wasted no time and showed up with Zakes Bantwini, “Wasting My Time“ (Black Coffee Original Mix). Suddenly, the music came to an abrupt stop. Oops. An eerie silence straddled the air (and plasma screens across the globe) for about two seconds. The referees had determined Team Africa would be disqualified from the round due to technical difficulties. Bummer. Valiantly, the gathered crowd responded with handclaps on the four-count and unified chants of “Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh/Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh.” (MC Hammer style) The dancers played great sportsmanship/sportswomanship as the music was cued by a frustrated looking Julius bouncing back into action. Talk about resilience of Olympic proportions. When the sport knocks you down, you get back up and keep running like the champion that you are. From there the house music went into Indie rock territory with Team Australia signaling the lead. The Temper Trap’s, “Sweet Disposition” (MFU All-Star Mix) proudly waved their country’s flag high for all to see. The dancers did not miss a beat and danced like they were competing athletes. Once again, Team Africa showed up, this time with vengeance and armed with African drums, as Afefe Iku from the island Manda off the coast of Kenya played, “Dakountdown.” The audience fell victim, dropping on their knees, to the duple meter drums, a swirling vocal riff and that auto-tuned 1,2,3,4. If that weren’t enough for a double header Team Africa launched into the dreamy, “Falling” by DJ Kent featuring Malehloka Hlalele on the Black Coffee remix. Surely the Africans had recaptured their loss footing and won back their previous strides. From there the music beckoned its ambient call with atmospheric vibes sifting into the incense aromatic air. Promptly, Team French entered the mix with DJ/producer extraordinaire Rocco and C. Robert Walker-AKA the Luther Vandross of house music-on vocals crooning, “I Love The Night” (Louie Vega Roots Mix) that had the crowd singing, “Ooh Ah/I Like It/Like That At Night.” On another high note, “Bah, Bah, Bah, Baaahhh.” The gold medal winning song belonged to Honeycomb Music’s label head, Josh Milan with “Your Body” (Louie Vega Mix). Literally, the song received the prize-winning applause of the night. The atmosphere exploded with combustible confetti too elusive to bridle. If that weren’t enough, Team USA achieved another victory with the Los Angeles born, GRAMMY-nominated jazz vocalist, Gregory Porter’s, “1960 What?” (Opolopo Kick & Bass Rerub) remixed by Team Japan’s Opolopo that caused additional dance floor mayhem that received spirited praise.

The Closing Ceremonies

The Gathering’s’ founder,Ramon Rawsoul closed the Olympic event with an impressive array of who’s who in American soulful house. First up, a blast from the past straight into the living room’s across the world, Atlantic Starr performed, “Send For Me” (Master Kev and Tony Loreto Mix) their classic R&B hitter that rocked the crowd in the arms of nostalgia. Chicago legends Cajmere and Russoul featuring vocalist Ari Lourdes, “Love Is You” the John Legend and Chrisette Michelle cover showed much love to the nu-soul house movement. Classic material from New Jersey’s Kerri Chandler’s, “Rain” put the party back in hyper-drive after a brief protest from disgruntled music activists as Maryland’s Thommy Davis and Ron Hall’s, “Fugue In Baltimore” brought down the house. Once again, a sound malfunction occurred and the music came to an abrupt stop. A two second FCC broadcast censor lingered on-air until Mr. Rawsoul restarted the music. By the way, what was up with the music equipment? Was it faulty or were the several wires that snaked around the field stepped on? Anyways, shoulder shrug. The show continued with twenty-first century R&B powerhouses, Jill Scott with, “I Think It’s Better” (Blaze Roots Vocal) and Alicia Keys with, “Feeling You Feeling Me” (Alpha and Omega Mix) belting out soul-drenched eargasms. Their virtuosa performances slowed the vibe down a bit but made for some dynamic dancing as background dancers squared off In crop circles while rolling around on the floor and committing fanatical poses of midair fascination. Also, the slower vibe fit perfectly for the lovers to couple dance and made for some spontaneous hook-ups via Grindr. The Gathering’s closeout theme, Bryon Moore’s, “Life Starts Today” (Tea Party Reprise) ended the glorious event with both Chicago natives and compeers onstage; a Julius The Mad Thinker tweaking away and turning the mixers knobs while Ramon Rawsoul gleefully sung the lyrics.

The Victories and Defeats

People from all walks of life; from age 21 and up, all ethnicities, all sexes, all sexual orientations and all creeds gathered together in celebration. What a wonderful exhibition of diversity that exemplified the golden spirit of the Olympic Games itself. By far, this had to be one of the most motley and record breaking attended Gatherings in its lengthy history. The arena was so packed from left to right and crammed from front to back with awestruck souls that experienced the spirit of soulful house music through song and dance. On the other hand, one of the event’s lack (besides the DJ being able to hear the music onstage) was that the people could have used a bit more Julius. Had the 3 Degrees Global ambassador played for an additional thirty minutes the missing Brits and other European teams could have showed face. Team United Kingdom would have been finely represented by tri-musician Ben Westbeech that would have competed perfectly in the vocalist/remixer/DJ rounds or veteran Joey Negro in the disco house competitions. Global phenomenon Gramophonedzie could have surfaced and represented well for Team Serbia in the swing house/jackin’ house categories with sampled big band sounds of talking trumpets, horny horns and big beats. Oh well, maybe in another four years they will. By the way, the gold medal for the dance-a-thon goes to the beautiful lady-a former Chicagoan herself-dressed in a black-lace top and white tank underneath, denim-short shorts and sneakers who danced for four hours nonstop. You go girl!!!

Words & Photography by AJ Dance

Chicago’s Julius The Mad Thinker of 3 Degrees Global will make an apperance in Atlanta, GA on Saturday August4, at the Sound Table for a special intimate night of music. Check out what the Mad Thinker is currently working on and his outlook for Saturday night’s visit.

Interview by AJ Dance

1. What is Julius The Mad Thinker currently working on?

Quite a bit!

For event production, I’m confirming the last of the production and entertainment details for events leading to and happening during the Mi Casa Holiday(MCH) Season 4 Finale in Playa del Carmen, Mx. Some of the details include approving lights and sound, selecting visuals, approving decorations, artist time slots, script writing for On-Screen Talent, building and developing new and current relationships with restaurants, artists, groups and administrations such as the new Mexican Government appointees.

For music production, I’ve written 3 new songs. “Wife Lover Friend”(WLF), “Purpose to Life” & “Proud to Be”. We’re(Aid to the SouLLess team) just about to record vocals on “WLF” with a phenomenal voice named Kaye Fox. I’m also collaborating on a future Terry Hunter song.

For Tour Schedule – I’m looking forward to being back with Ramon Rawsoul & Kai Alce in Atlanta of course, playing alongside Mark Farina @ Marquee dayclub in Vegas this month, being back in Vegas in September with my man Keith Evan for the awesome OASIS event production we’ve been working on, at the end of September, the Mi Casa Holiday send off at The Vagabond in Miami, and the incredible Mi Casa Holiday Season Finale in Playa. Later in the year, I have a big Chicago event acknowledging the 3Degrees Global 13yr anniversary feat. 3Degrees Residents with special guest Black Coffee, and this winter back scouting for MCH Asia.

2. What is Mi Casa Holiday?

Mi Casa Su Casa refers to Mi Casa Es Su Casa Holiday or MCH(Mi Casa Holiday). MCH is an annual season of destination music events that lead to an explosive weekend Finale in Playa del Carmen, Mx. The Season Finale features a unique itinerary of events, amazing artists, and friendly yet passionate globetrotters from around the world. This year’s Season Finale will be held Oct. 4-7. Check out the tentative program! http://bit.ly/PFA6ZH

3. Can people still register for the Mi Casa Holiday Finalle?

Yes! Http://micasaholiday.com / For inquiries in the Atlanta region,
contact Mi Casa Holiday planner Nina Ananse – http://www.facebook.com/nina.ananse or
nina103@earthlink.net

4. What goodies do you have in store for Atlanta?

Beautiful music, extreme passion, and a lot of positive energy 🙂

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  Mi Casa Es Su Casa 2012

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Chicago’s Julius The Mad Thinker of 3 Degrees Global will make an apperance in Atlanta, GA on Saturday August4, at the Sound Table for a special intimate night of music. Check out what the Mad Thinker is currently working on and his outlook for Saturday night’s visit.