{"id":5080,"date":"2023-06-20T18:42:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T18:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/?p=5080"},"modified":"2024-07-14T19:48:48","modified_gmt":"2024-07-14T19:48:48","slug":"louie-vega-deon-cole-kenny-dope-06-06-23-pt-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/louie-vega-deon-cole-kenny-dope-06-06-23-pt-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"LOUIE VEGA, DEON COLE, &#038; KENNY DOPE 06.06.23 Pt: II"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5094\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/maw-bw\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=2100%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2100,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Masters At Work\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=580%2C414&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=695%2C496&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-5094\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?resize=580%2C414&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"580\" height=\"414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?resize=580%2C414&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?resize=940%2C671&amp;ssl=1 940w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?resize=768%2C549&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?resize=1536%2C1097&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?resize=2048%2C1463&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?w=1390&amp;ssl=1 1390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mastersatwork.bandcamp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Masters At Work<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">2100<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Darkness has crept up to slowly reveal its face. Black. Devoid of light. That traces around and about the atmosphere.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Invisible.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Upward, the stars keep watch over night.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Night\u2019s all seeing eye, the moon is lucent, keeps watch over the people, the party, the property.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Where there shines additional sources of luminescence.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Artificial.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Blues. Reds.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Purples.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Illuminates the stage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Revealing movement.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Shapes and sizes. Figures. Standing in awe. Before eyes. The spectacular takes place. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Onstage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Overhead, hangs a state of the art audio speaker rig that intermingles with leafy branches falling from suspended pots.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A lighting tower holding several performance spotlights rotates 360 degrees before casting shadows dancing on the lush greenery surrounding the backdrop of brick and window.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Underneath a giant disco ball, reflecting.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In front the foliage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Stands two individuals.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The more gregarious of the two sports a Perfect Season gold jersey as the more hushed, deadpan personality wears a maroon tee, the colors of both garments compliment the other.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Instantaneously, the figures appear united.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their music. Through song, slider, and pitch control.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>All for the love of house. All for the love of music.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Kenny Dope the Broken Beat King with his adoration for hip hop and reggae is fused with King Louie\u2019s Latin house, percussions, and vocal roots.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As one collective mind.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Each acknowledges the other. A head nod here. A head shake there. Even a whisper or two at times.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their intuitive language although unspoken reads as one.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019re inside jokes. The winks. The laughter.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The two are a front.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A force to be reckon.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A musical military.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Where before, they were individual masters at work, together they become gods at work.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Deities. They\u2019re super powers on display.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their force is wholly realized. When Lood\u2019s featuring the late Donnell Rush \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mastersatwork.bandcamp.com\/track\/shout-n-out\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shout-N-Out<\/a>\u201d causes abrupt pandemonium. The first track played sends veteran dancers into hysteria.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their torsos bent over, lips snarled revealing ugly faces. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Instantly, the atmosphere changes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>&#8211; Feel the magic.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The culture shifts &#8211;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>View the sea of muddied faces.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><em>Where did all these people come from?<\/em><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The ground transforms. &#8211; The once background patio now resembles a 200,000 square feet amphitheater.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Listen to the amplified voices of the packed tight to full capacity.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The virgin of ears, their first Masters At Work live performance, inquirer.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019s all the fuss?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">To fully understand the scope and impact that is Masters at Work.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Time travel back to 1990 when NYC Garage ruled.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Folklore tells the name Masters At Work was conceptualized and given to Kenny Dope Gonzalez and Little Louie Vega by Todd \u201cDa God\u201d Terry.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>However, Kenny Dope clarifies in his bio on <a href=\"https:\/\/ra.co\/dj\/kennydope\/biography\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Resident Advisor<\/a>, the name originated when he and Mike Delgado threw neighborhood parties and later loaned the moniker to his music mentor Terry.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In return, Terry introduced Gonzalez to Bronx\u2019s Little Louie Vega who worked with an upriser named Marc Anthony.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Kenny and Louie\u2019s claim to fame soared remixing Debbie Gibson\u2019s \u201cOne Step Ahead\u201d on Atlantic Records of that year.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Forward on, their calling card went throughout the lucrative music industry.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Everyone had to have a MAW remix.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Up-and-comers Mood II Swing, they mentored.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Vega\u2019s all night studio sessions became legend, a revolving door of vocalists and musicians ranging from Carole Sylvan, Michael Watford, to the Puerto Rican Princess of Salsa India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Of course, in one of those all nighters Barbara Tucker recorded \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/1336352\/i-get-lifted\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I Get Lifted<\/a>.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Bar Dub that Kenny Dope plays on loop or is Louie Vega cueing his &amp; The Martinez Brothers\u2019 featuring Marc E. Bass \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/defected.bandcamp.com\/album\/let-it-go\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Let It Go<\/a>\u201d (TMBLV Dub)?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Who cares?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Who plays what song is less important.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>More interesting are the several bodies experiencing sporadic bouts of fits, feet kicking up dust, and fingers swiping the concrete on Honey Dijon\u2019s featuring Annette Bowen &amp; Nikki-O \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/honeydijon.bandcamp.com\/album\/downtown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Downtown<\/a>\u201d (Louie Vega Extended Raw Dub Mix).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Peak hour arrives courtesy the Queen of Night Life Loleatta Holloway\u2019s \u201cDreaming\u2019\u201d (a cappella) riding over the Kenny Dope Remix of MAW\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mastersatwork.bandcamp.com\/album\/the-ha-drop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Ha Drop<\/a>.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The ballroom anthem heavily sampled, reworked, flipped, and re-edited, over the many decades.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">That rawness, the grit of MAW\u2019s signature NYC garage sound has been copied the world over.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Albeit, imitation is the highest form of flattery as their imprint was solidified a global phenomenon in that final decade of the 20th century.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The duo continued to release music as both production partners and individually.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Anyone remember the cult classic Bucketheads\u2019 \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/135065\/the-bomb-these-sounds-fall-into-my-mind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Bomb<\/a>! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)?\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The two Puerto Rican heritage\/New Yorkers for life portmanteau the Nuyorican Soul moniker.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their masterpiece of the same name released on Talkin\u2019 Loud in 97\u2019.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That featured the sensational release \u201cIt\u2019s Alright, I feel It!\u201d with mind blowing vocals from diva Jocelyn Brown.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That has you Holy Ghost dancing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Mid song, when the drum solo kicks ass. Mouths emit screams that travel upward the heavens.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Your arms are stretched in the air, hands open to receive, as Brown decrees, \u201cEverything will be alright.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Can you feel it?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Music is more than a feeling.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Music is healing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Where expectation and manifestation vertex.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Here, people are not caught up in the moment.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>People are having a moment with the music.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The crowd swept into an energy unseen thus far.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Rewind the hands of time back to the turn of the century, when the MAW released their final long-playing album \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mastersatwork.bandcamp.com\/album\/our-time-is-coming-album\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Our Time Is Coming<\/a>.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That spawned the classic \u201cWork\u201d featuring Trinidadian vocalist Denise Belfon who commands \u201cGo down,\u201d the dancers slow wind to the ground over by the restrooms number 2.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 Where youthful faced braid wearing security guards the entrance to the stage. \u00a0<\/span>Earlier, the movement of dance originated by the artificial arcadian on the left of the backyard in front of the courtyard covered with faux green turf.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The movement snaked to the left, then right, like the derri\u00e8res defying gravity and bouncing upward at Belfon\u2019s command, \u201cCome up.\u201d From there the dance moved in front of the stage &#8211; a rarity as most dance rituals crop towards the rear spaces behind throngs of standees &#8211; when Brooklynite Tony Touch yells \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/1905733\/apaga-la-luz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apaga La Luz<\/a>,\u201d not in person, but on the OG Main Mix.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cBop, bop, bop, &#8211; bop, bop, bop, po.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The drums speak.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBop. Bop.\u201d Listen closer.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBop. Bop.\u201d Their message beating in the pulse.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The drums go deep.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Deep into the heart of the Motherland.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The standout tune arrives when the familiar rhythm dissipates and only the percussions are left to perform.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Onstage, a woman dressed in a blue denim jacket and white tank shimmies her shoulders in perfect sync on every count.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>When Caiiro\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/caiirosa.bandcamp.com\/track\/the-akan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Akan<\/a>\u201d drops in full the temperature explodes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Heaps of coal dances on heads.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The outdoor space, a boiler room in its former life, is aglow of red from strobes beaming into space.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There on the upper level wall, behind the control center, are coded messages dancing in circles. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">52-19 Flushing Avenue is a stalwart, having served purpose for over a century.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The building has survived the prohibition, the Great Depression, two distant world wars, 9\/11 and a recent pandemic.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Once a glass factory, turned door company, <a href=\"https:\/\/knockdown.center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Knockdown Center<\/a> is now an art space by weekday and party central on weekends.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Some of the best events in the tri-state are held at the address.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Despite the surrounding residential noise complaints and their disdain for drunken debauchery, and the recent cellphone theft rings-Knockdown is magic.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A venue most cities would heart to embrace within their vicinity. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cMy neighbors are listening to great music whether they like it or not.\u201d The old meme rings true for the residents nearby Knockdown.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Who are treated to the \u201cHarr-ruff\u201d and bass lick on Themba\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/1121117\/who-is-themba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Who Is Themba<\/a>?\u201d and when the drum\u2019s sputtering breaks down into 4 counts on Ivan Afro5\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/1885422\/strange-peek-re-up\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strange<\/a>\u201d (Peek Afro Re Up) sonic shrills charge the soundscape over the property\u2019s perimeter and blesses households near and far.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A Strictly Rhythm tee bounces over here.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>An Expansions In the NYC tee appears over there.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Familiar faces shine bright wattage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The stage lit.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Beams from strobes reveal a motley cast of characters.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Wives two-stepping in circles.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Cups held in the air.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Promoters with their recording paraphernalia filming the swaying mass.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Sound engineers pressing buttons on the several hardware components.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The duo\u2019s entourage are partying onstage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The scene resembles time before the avid vinyl collector and \u201cLatin Lover\u201d seemingly went on hiatus, unofficially, several months after releasing \u201cOur Time Is Coming.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Perhaps their time coming was not foretold as dyadic masters, as their time coming as singular talents.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their accomplishing \u201cto do\u201d lists. Vega Records. Elements of Life. Producing neo soul crooners.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>There was a gramophone win. A televised pre-performance at the Big Game. And so much more to their storied testaments of individual pursuits.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>At the right time, <em>fifteen years later<\/em>, their <a href=\"https:\/\/mastersatwork.bandcamp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MAW Records<\/a> catalog relaunched on download and streaming sites with River Ocean\u2019s featuring India \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/959428\/love-and-happiness-feat-india\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Love &amp; Happiness (Yemaya Y Och\u00f9n)<\/a>,\u201d \u201cYay!\u201d Screams a dancer wearing a white lace top and white pants with fist held in the air, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mastersatwork.bandcamp.com\/album\/voices-in-my-mind\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Voices In My Mind<\/a>\u201d (MAW Unreleased Bass Mix), invigorates and Kenlou\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mastersatwork.bandcamp.com\/album\/the-bounce-gimme-groove\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Bounce<\/a>\u201d rounds out the surprise playlist after a seven hour day of dance.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Whew.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Gonzalez keeps the music playing with his Kenny Dope Mix for Jersey\u2019s Raheem DeVanghn\u2019s first single released, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxsource.com\/title\/438857\/guess-who-loves-you-more-10th-anniversary-remixes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Guess Who Loves You More<\/a>.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He too having received a GRAMMY nomination for his contribution with the Newark born singer.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s Vega and Gonzalez ever involved with heavy tour schedules, production demands, and running music labels.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If there was ever a blueprint of how to be successful and have longevity in underground dance music.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Kenny and Louie have written volumes. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cI hope you enjoyed the surprise Masters At Work set.\u201d Vega tells the crowd, microphone in hand. The host with the most.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>An afterthought lingers in mind.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Naw, naw. The party was not supposed to end this way. No one said anything about a surprise MAW takeover.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The people were unprepared.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>But it happened. Everyone survived. Some more than others.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>And no one is mad.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Louie always has a surprise or two up his sleeve. He winks. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cGive it up for my pawtna, Mr. Kenny Dope.\u201d A rousing chorus of cheers and claps drowns out the bass and brass on Oscar Sulley &amp; The Uhuru Dance Band\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/jkriv.bandcamp.com\/album\/rntd024-jkriv-edits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bukom Mashie<\/a>\u201d (JKriv Edit).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">These brothas came out for my birthday.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Vega says with love.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Hold up.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Birthday?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <em>Insert needle drop scratch sound effect<\/em>. \u00a0<\/span>This momentous event is actually King Louie\u2019s born day celebration? Can\u2019t tell whose special day it is when the celebrated celebrates the sold-out crowd with an impromptu gift of magnitude proportions. Now that\u2019s class.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe about to take it (the party) inside, right now.\u201d <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">First, a handshake and stop to meet Kev on the way to the food truck.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHoney, you need anything?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>He is asked.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Thank you but no, Kev smiles.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>His heart warmed as he wheels in front the merchandise table that appears to have sold 80 percent of its product.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/louievega.bandcamp.com\/album\/expansions-in-the-nyc-short-edits-digital-versions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Expansions In The NYC<\/a>\u201d hoodies, tees, 12 and 7 inch vinyl.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>After several hours of dancing, you limp to the food truck.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Famished.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The line of ten wide-eyed hunched youth disperses into the black.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Sold out!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>At 10:05 pm?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Damn! The thought of not munching on a home baked crispy tortilla chip can\u2019t ruin the vibe.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Of another perfectly executed event.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Every detail in place.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>No detail left out of place.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>So do it big or go home!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Is how you throw a proper blowout for royalty who has completed another earth cycle around the sun. \u00a1Salute! Glasses raised. Happy Birthday to the King!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">wrds: aj dance<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">grphc: aj art<\/p>\n<div class=\"fcbkbttn_buttons_block\" id=\"fcbkbttn_left\"><div class=\"fcbkbttn_button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ajdance76\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/plugins\/facebook-button-plugin\/images\/standard-facebook-ico.png?w=695&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fb-Button\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"fcbkbttn_like \"><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/louie-vega-deon-cole-kenny-dope-06-06-23-pt-ii\/\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\" layout=\"standard\"  width=\"450px\" size=\"small\"><\/fb:like><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Masters At Work\u00a0 2100 Darkness has crept up to slowly reveal its face. Black. Devoid of light. That traces around and about the atmosphere.\u00a0 Invisible.\u00a0 Upward, the stars keep watch over night.\u00a0 Night\u2019s all seeing eye, the moon is lucent, keeps watch over the people, the party, the property.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5085,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1],"tags":[406,279,8,501,413,490,461,424,420,307,499,427,118,503,410,505,433,415,504,431,502,254,500],"class_list":["post-5080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-dancefloormagic-housemusicexcellence","tag-afro-house-music","tag-deep-house-music","tag-deon-cole","tag-disco-music","tag-elements-of-life","tag-expansions-in-the-nyc","tag-garage-music","tag-gospel-house-music","tag-house-music-dancing","tag-kenny-dope-gonzalez","tag-knockdown-center","tag-louie-vega","tag-maspeth","tag-masters-at-work","tag-maw-records","tag-new-york-city","tag-nuyorican-soul","tag-nyc-disco","tag-nyc-garage-music","tag-queens-nyc","tag-soulful-house-music","tag-vega-records"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW.jpg?fit=2100%2C1500&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2JDhj-1jW","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5101,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/the-trilogy-acts-5-8-nyc-louie-vega-deon-cole-kenny-dope\/","url_meta":{"origin":5080,"position":0},"title":"THE TRILOGY Acts 5 &#038; 8: NYC: LOUIE VEGA, DEON COLE &#038; KENNY DOPE","author":"ajdance","date":"July 11, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 TRILOGY ACTS 5 & 6: NYC LOUIE VEGA, DEON COLE & KENNY DOPE Enter \u00a0 #","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MAW-BW.jpg?fit=1200%2C857&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5050,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/louie-vega-deon-cole-kenny-dope-10-06-23-pt-i\/","url_meta":{"origin":5080,"position":1},"title":"LOUIE VEGA, DEON COLE, &#038; KENNY DOPE 10.06.23 Pt. I","author":"ajdance","date":"June 23, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"1600 Music. Is the reason for this journey. An expedition meandering through space and time.\u00a0 Arriving.\u00a0 At the V.\u00a0 Where 54th Street veers from Flushing Avenue. In Maspeth.\u00a0 A working class community located somewhere in the borough of Queens.\u00a0 That is New York City.\u00a0 Where a brick and motor mammoth\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/KennydopeMAIN.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/KennydopeMAIN.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/KennydopeMAIN.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/KennydopeMAIN.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4462,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/louie-vega-20-11-21-party-ii\/","url_meta":{"origin":5080,"position":2},"title":"LOUIE VEGA 20.11.21 PARTY II","author":"ajdance","date":"November 23, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Party II THE PURISTS 0235 \u201cCOMING THROUGH. DJ COMING THROUGH.\u201d Security courteously yelled. There is no shock that LV has an entourage of eight that trekked through the thick mass of privilege minutes earlier. After all, Louie is the host with the most. His charm oozing through the soundtrack he\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegaembrodery.jpg?fit=1029%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegaembrodery.jpg?fit=1029%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegaembrodery.jpg?fit=1029%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegaembrodery.jpg?fit=1029%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4941,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/louie-vega-demarkus-lewis-pt-ii-16-04-23\/","url_meta":{"origin":5080,"position":3},"title":"THE TRILOGY: Acts 2: Dallas LOUIE VEGA &#038; DEMARKUS LEWIS PT II 16.04.23","author":"ajdance","date":"April 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"KING LOUIE Be prepared to lose your $hit.\u00a0 1700 The atmosphere transforms.\u00a0 A new presence is felt.\u00a0 A new spirit arrives. Although he nor his fedora are visible from the rear of the dance floor adjacent the bar.\u00a0 No longer Little Louie, Vega gives life when playing the Dance Ritual\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BlockParty.jpg?fit=823%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BlockParty.jpg?fit=823%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BlockParty.jpg?fit=823%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/BlockParty.jpg?fit=823%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5334,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/osunlade-marques-wyatt-anane-louie-vega-los-angeles-trilogy\/","url_meta":{"origin":5080,"position":4},"title":"The Los Angeles Trilogy:  Acts 3 &#038; 1: OSUNLADE\/MARQUES WYATT &#038; ANAN\u00c9 &#038; LOUIE VEGA","author":"ajdance","date":"July 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"OSUNLADE & MARQUES WYATT\/ANAN\u00c9 & LOUIE VEGA -Los Angeles Trilogy \u00a0 OSUNLADE & MARQUES WYATT Los Angeles 26.05.24 Enter \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MarquesWyattDeeplogo.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MarquesWyattDeeplogo.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MarquesWyattDeeplogo.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/MarquesWyattDeeplogo.jpg?fit=857%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4978,"url":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/louie-vega-kai-alce-pt-ii-23-04-23\/","url_meta":{"origin":5080,"position":5},"title":"LOUIE VEGA &#038; KAI ALCE PT II  23.04.23","author":"ajdance","date":"April 30, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"OPEN AIR AND INTIMATE Part II\u00a0 LOUIE VEGA \u201cYou, you, you\u2026.\u2019 The F sharp and C minor notes dot the soundscape.\u00a0 When the tappings of drums dissipates leaving only emptiness to expand.\u00a0 A sound of sweeping ocean waves builds and builds to a climatic fall that washes away Upper Alabama\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/category\/events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegamain-scaled.jpg?fit=817%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegamain-scaled.jpg?fit=817%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegamain-scaled.jpg?fit=817%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/LouieVegamain-scaled.jpg?fit=817%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5080","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5080"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5080\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5355,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5080\/revisions\/5355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5080"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5080"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ajdancelegacy.com\/~ajdance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5080"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}