AJ Dance Legacy

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.

JULIUS THE MAD THINKER

The Dharma Lounge sits quietly on the South End of the quaint but bustling Camden district of storefronts and businesses in Queen City, North Carolina. Entering the front door along the narrow hallway to pay homage at the front counter leaves a feeling of mild curiosity until one rounds the corner to find…..a path that leads to enlightened nightlife. The 3,000 square foot venue contains eye popping hues of fiery oranges, deep reds and majestic gold. First glance around the playful interior reveals eclectic abstract greens, blues and gold of Asian inspired artwork-think Picasso meets the far east-that hang on fiery orange walls. The room gives off a warmth of tranquility that illuminates the natural environment as fresh organic aromas play in the air. Except for Blaze’s, “Found Love” (Shrine Vocal) blazing from the clear crisp sound system the healing oasis could double for a yoga class. By the way free yoga classes are held on Tuesday evenings. Another survey throughout the global bazaar reveals three cabanas-one keeping company on the side wall and the other two on the room’s back wall-with mahogany beams wrapped in vibrant orange drapes that flow to royal purple linen covered beds that entertain brilliantly colored Indian saris of red, orange and gold relaxing in total Zen. Each cabana contains its own decorative mahogany table with a golden mini-Buddha bathing in the soft glow of candles. Along the room’s side wall are additional relaxing comforts of contemporary crème leather sofas sitting underneath the soft glow hue of orange lamps. Adjacent the crème sofas is the DJ booth-a rectangular shape that resembles a tree with branches sprouting upward against the backdrop of a burning flame provided by again fiery orange hues. The spacious booth sits four feet off ground in front of bamboo sticks that line the tango tangerine walls lit by ceiling lights which seem to shine down from the heavens. A state of the art light system hangs from a tapestry of natural crossbeams that resembles a steel beam suspension bridge. The beams intersect each other and travel the ceiling in every direction to form an impressive shadow of lines on the dance floor below. Travel the opposite wall, across from the burning DJ booth and you will find the Buddha Bar set ablaze too with flames and surrounded by mahogany barstools. However, this is not your daddy’s average watering hole as it contains the centerpiece of the bar and perhaps the centerpiece of the entire room, an oversized golden Buddha sitting behind the bar wearing headphones. Talk about an ancient deity grooving to contemporary sounds. On the other hand, for the dancers the room’s centerpiece is the wooden dance floor positioned dead smack center of the room. The floor large enough to house a gathering of foot soldiers and a small army of dancers is just right. After Kings of Tomorrow featuring April’s, “I Need To Love Me” plays and as Magnetic Man’s, “Getting Nowhere” (Yoruba Soul Mix) with R’n’B crooner John Legend on vocals cues up on the mixer the heated outdoor patio is discovered. Round tables grace the deck along with walnut patio furniture equipped with orange cushions that sit alongside a wooden fence with two fire burning furnace tables. Word to the wise, “Please be careful with the alcohol.”

Dharma in Buddhist scriptures can take on a variety of meanings from phenomenon, nature, or characteristic; including but not limited too, source of things and truth. For the sake of this experience let’s snatch Dharma from its path of an enlightened night life to a phenomenon as this night was nothing short of such. To define a phenomenon means looking at the word’s second and third definitions which include; 2) something that is impressive or extraordinary; 3) a remarkable or exceptional person, prodigy or wonder.*

Chicago’s own, Julius The Mad Thinker embodies the very meaning of phenomenon. The 3Degrees co-founder is the very instrument of the music he plays and produces. In order to understand, let us dive deeper into the phenomenal waters of The Mad Thinker’s world. It’s a world of spiritual and uplifting music. A journey of rollercoaster beats that play soft and deep and then rush into a mad fury of fast meets hard. From Big Band swing to funky house, from afro-beat to Latin house, the beats never stop or disappoint. The beats originate from South Africa’s Capetown to America’s Chicago, from London’s underground to San Francisco’s bay and everywhere else in between.

On this phenomenal night there is no opening DJ to be seen with no opening musical set to be heard, just four straight-hours of The Mad Thinker’s mindset. Right from the start, Julius wastes no time by bringing his A+ game with choice cuts from Atlanta’s KemeticJust’s, “I’ve Got Life” (DJ Spinna Galatic Mix) which set the lifeless dance floor ablaze with tweaks and bass drops to old-school Gladys Knight & The Pip’s, “I’ve Got To Use My Imagination” (Timmy Regisford & Quentin Harris Mix) that gathers people from the bar and the outdoors patio to the ever burgeoning dance floor. Feet began to sway and hips gyrate as the party is off to a spectacular start. Chicago song master, Peven Everett with “Burning Hot” (Timmy Regisford & Adam Rios Mix) keeps the cold winter’s night hot as U.K. soul sensation Shaun Escoffery’s, “Days Like This” (DJ Spinna & Tickla Mix) perches the sun into the night. Cheers of approval swarm the room from the cabanas on the back wall to the front DJ booth on the front wall as people proudly sing, “I Love The Sun.”

As the crowd steadily grows, Julius’ musical concoction becomes a “Top Songs of the Year” playlist. The party’s heavy hitters come from the year’s brightest anthems and largest house music producers. Front and center sits Soundgarden’s, “Black Hole Sun” (MasterKev & Tony Loreto Mix) that provides the alternative vibe for the affair. Big beats come courtesy of Joey Negro’s and Gramaphonzie’s, “No Sugar” with Shea Soul on sampled vocals. Trumpets shout and horns scream as swing house rushes into action to electrify happy-dancing feet. As if on cue, dancers stand upside down on hands and their knees slide onto the floor to spin in circles. This is dancing at best.

Wait! What’s this? The music stops. A pause ensues for two short seconds. Then a four-count thump penetrates the atmosphere. An echo heard in the distance sings, “I Was At The Club.” With arms raised in the air and screams out of the mouths of hungry babes the house heads go bedlam; real bedlam. Its Timmy Regisford’s with Lynn Lockamy’s vocals on “At The Club” remixed by Rocco that drives the music into hard progressive house territory that sends Dharma into the next stratosphere. Yet, another surprise is heard from the sleeper of the year, “Idiosyncrasy” by Yoruba priest Osunlade. The auto-tuned spoken rap drenches the room in chaotic dance. Talk about disturbing the Zen. South Africa shows up and shows out with-two of the top deep house songs of the year-Black Coffee’s featuring Hugh Masekela’s, “We Are One” and Zakes Bantwini’s, “Wasting My Time” (Black Coffee Original Club Mix) destroying the room with deep soul. From there last year’s number one anthem storms the room, a deep house ballad from Black Coffee titled, “Superman” that slows the vibe down and has the crowd singing, “Will You Be My Superman?”

There comes a point when The Mad Thinker goes deep, so deep that the music’s rhythms became healing waters of ointment. Got a cold? Got lower back muscle spasms? Poof! Be gone. Just ask and you shall receive. The mind, body and heart become immersed in the deep subconscious of dance and deep beats. Literally folks, people lose their minds. The beats become so muddled and vocals so undistinguished that consciousness becomes an abstract thought. Was this Prince singing over a deep house remix treatment? Or someone else?

Not long there after, a funky beat rides deep as House Music vocalist king, Kenny Bobien’s falsetto floats flawlessly and sings, “Don’t Be Afraid” (MasterKev and Tony Loreto Deeper Vocal) a 10:45 extravaganza filled with swirling keys climaxing to a dizzying finish. Julius the instrument tweaks the synthesizer’s highs and drops the bass to deliver an even deeper experience. Next up, songstress Monique Bingham with, “You, Me, World” (Jon Cutler Distant Music Mix) brings smiles to faces.

Julius has the ability to take your not so favorite song and turn it into your favorite anthem by playing songs like they’ve never been played before. Being the instrument of music, Julius eschews every rhythm played. From the top of his buzz-cut head to the rubber soles of his sneakers, he becomes a vessel of the music. At times his body bobs and weaves with syncopated bursts of energy. Then he moves about with staccato jabs and at other times with fluid movements like ocean waves. With his body turned to the left his head uncontrollably falls backwards to speak the language of his love-music. No bone in his body is able to escape the grasp of rhythm’s hold. Even his fingers absorb the melodies of life. The mixer’s control knobs violently spin and the crossfader slams from side to side to allow the treble to run to the forefront and the bass lines to disappear in the background and drop on key counts that shatter the room.

The night’s other musical standouts include a marching band thumping drums, clashing cymbals and blasting horns before transforming into the Elements of Life with Louie Vega’s wife Anane on vocals singing, “One Dream” the Big Game Mix which opened the 2007 Super Bowl. After that rousing round of Latin house, Josh Milan’s, “Your Body” (Louie Vega Eol Mix) and Nathan Adams with Zepherin Saint’s, “Holding On” (Timmy Regisford & Adam Rios Mix) keep the deep house afloat. It is Trina Broussard’s, “Joy” (Quentin Harris Mix) that brings down the house with its uplifting heartfelt appeal. Additional positive lyrics ensue from Lady Alma & The Rainmakers’ on “Let It Fall.” With lyics as “Trouble Don’t Last Always/Let It Rain” the club transforms into church. Baseball caps swing through the air, hands wave in the air and shouts of praise are heard.

Rounding out the dynamic set are U.K. soulstirs, Ben Westbeech’s, “Something For The Weekend” (Joey Negro Z Mix) that brings a smooth groove to the dance floor as 1990’s superstar Jamiroquai, “Just Dance” chops up the smooth groove with a broken beat mix.

By night’s end a sizable and diverse mixture of minds had gathered-including two drunk girls that fell smack down on the dance floor. Several diehard house heads trekked from Raleigh, NC, Sumter, South Carolina and even Atlanta, GA. The bodies in motion were more than pleased to have taken the journey along the path of the enlightened with The Mad Thinker. Thanks Dharma and Julius for a phenomenal night of music and dance.

*Definitions of Dharma and phenomenon are provided by Dictionary.com.

Photography by Siouxanna Gomez

Photography by John Crooms

Photography by AJ Dance