Acid

TOM CARRUTHERS interview

INTRODUCTION:

This album “Non Stop Rhythms” by Tom Carruthers was released in 2021. L.I.E.S. presents his first album like this: “Blinding double pack of heavily old school influenced bleep, direct from the depths of England by prolific young producer, Tom Carruthers. These are heavily sample based mpc productions that harken to the carefree days when the pills were pure and the music was fresh and never stopped. When house was techno and techno was house, this long player takes the best elements from say Chill Records, early-Warp and the best Nu-Groove creating timeless dance tracks made for the warehouse dj. Essential stuff here.” Initially it seemed like a copying of some classic electronic and bleep techno records! Listening and listening to his productions, I understood that they weren’t so obvious: in fact it seems like a sound that echoes the past, but performed by a very young boy and in the present day! In 2023, “Future Wave” was released, an exceptional triple album: a reconfirmation, that is, a cool “cult” sound that harks back to some myths. I keep wondering how he managed to come up with certain sounds and rhythms! He certainly has talent, a good ear and technique. Recently my friend Raoul managed to release two acid house tracks on one of his labels, so I asked him to help me interview this good and curious producer. Happy reading, happy listening! We Never Stop Rhythm…

INTERVIEW:

RAOUL: Hi Tom, you’re one of the talents of the new underground electronic scene, maintaining a sound that harks back to the roots of Chicago and Detroit with a very personal attitude, and you manage to create a unique sound. I personally discovered you through Ron Morelli’s L.I.E.S. in 2021 with the album “NonStopRhythms”. How did your collaboration with Ron Morelli start, and how is it going since then, considering two more LPs, “Programmed World” and “Future Wave,” have been released?

TC: So long story short, basically I was just doing my own thing, in my own lane and fully locked in producing tracks everyday. Ron hit me up just saying he liked what I was doing and from there we started to chat.

Ron took a chance on me and gave me the platform to release my music. I was a 20 year old kid that nobody knew, so it was a risk.

RAOUL: In 2020, your label NonStopRhythm was born, where you create a true team of artists with periodic releases. I also had the pleasure of being part of it, and I immediately noticed that you tried to create connections with the artists and to grow your roster without big names. What is your idea of managing a label, and did it form over time or did you already have clear ideas?

TC: I’m selective with who joins the label. I don’t like the idea of just cherrypicking names that will make quick cash. Labels like that have no identity and don’t really interest me. They come and go. All the classic legendary labels had an identity that made them stand out, they developed artists.

For most guys on the label it’s their first ever release, and I like the idea of everyone growing from the ground up. It’s more of a tight-knit operation where we all help each other.

RAOUL: NonStopRhythm was one of your starting points, but where did the idea come from to integrate different Sub Labels like DataSync and Chip Records, and especially what’s cooking?

TC: I was sat on some material that didn’t quite fit with what was happening on non stop rhythm, so i decided to branch out the label and set up a few sub labels to cater for the material that doesn’t fit. These are new projects so we’ll see how they get on in the future.

RAOUL: The sound that distinguishes you is very old school, and like me, you didn’t live through the 80s and 90s for age-related reasons, so I would like to know what prompted you to make this type of music and who are the artists that inspired you to get involved?

TC: I think just that sound resonates with me. There’s a reason those classic tracks are still listened to 30+ years on.

RAOUL: It’s 2024, and social media is an integral part of our work as producers and DJs, but I see you going in the opposite direction, only posting the bare minimum and preferring to share only with the people close to you without constantly being in the spotlight. What do you think about this?

TC: That’s just my personal preference but each to their own. It’s a useful tool so people who utilise it how they see fit.

RAOUL: You’re a very strong producer, and tracks of very high quality keep coming out constantly. What is your workflow in the studio? Hardware or software that you can’t do without?

TC: Mostly software based, but I’m thinking of getting into the live performance style stuff.

RAOUL: I think a strong point of your productions is the Basslines. List me three fundamental tracks from that point of view for you.

TC: It’s all about the bass. 3 tracks with bass lines I love, maybe “Rhythim Is Rhythim – Nude Photo”, “Joe Smooth – Inside My Mind” and “Shawn Shegog – Love Traxs”

RAOUL: Do you have any live performances scheduled soon?

TC: Currently no, but I’m open to it in the future once I feel confident in the performance and find my workflow.

DOWNTOWN RHITHMS

https://www.rushhour.nl/record/vinyl/downtown-rhithms

** Attention HOUSE HEADS this is one for you!! ** TIP
The ever prolific Tom Carruthers is back on L.I.E.S. flipping the script with a new double lp “Downtown Rhithms” On this one Carruthers takes his sound into uncharted territories with a style heavily indebted to the late 80s-early 90s New York House sound. Filled with heavy duty samples heads are sure to know, TC spliced, diced, rearranged and transformed them into something sounding like it came out of Todd Terry or Bones SP-1200 back in the days. Funky, deep, introspective, these 12 tracks are guaranteed to rock the floor wherever you may be. Perfect music for the summer heat, bumping out your car stereo or in the club, these cut will make em’ sweat guaranteed! True old school productions for real DJs! Featuring additional production from Risk Management’s Benedek and Lipelis on a couple of cuts (check the liner notes).

Tom Carruthers intw. 05.2024 Family House.
Thanks to Raoul www.instagram.com/peterraou_raoul/

DJ Dax Nul3000 Design Week 2024


DAX DJ
Nul3000 / DESIGN WEEK PARTY 19.04.2024 / Milano
Opening Set 22:00 – 00:15

Grazie a @anaisldc che alla festa Nul ha portato un registratore digitale.. Finalmente, dopo un’attesa biblica, eccoVi un nuovo mix registrato “live” di ben due ore! Non è sempre facile cominciare da zero una serata, soprattutto quando fai da intro ad un concerto/performace, ma devo dire che me la son cavata bene! Questo sound mi è molto rappresentativo: una esperienza unica, un viaggio elettronico, acid, deep e funk.. Vinili vecchi, della tradizione & vinili nuovi. FarVi ballare con queste sonorità, è stato bellissimo e profondo: inoltre, ho conosciuto nuovi amici e ricevuto un sacco di complimenti. Special thanks a Tyler di Nul, Carlo Mognaschi del Q Club e tutti Voi! Magic Moments #daxdj

music: https://soundcloud.com/familyhouse/dj-dax-nul3000-design-week-2024

video: youtu.be/spNY1FPLoMY?si=PgJwD_qnpVcVsWb5

info, booking: partyhardy@family-house.net

K’ Alexi Shelby – Chicago House Music

1. MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH K’ALEXI SHELBY WAS THROUGH THE RHYTHM BEAT LABEL WITH ALIASES: CLUB MCM, MIND CONTROL MUSIC. TELL US ABOUT THE BEGINNINGS OF YOUR YOUNG CAREER AS A PRODUCER AND DJ.

As far as my young career goes, I was very much so blessed day and as I am now to have started with the pioneers of this thing called “house” and what Chicago knows to be techno, I started off of the inside like drum machine and was making beach tracks, because that was all we made back then and was more than happy with just that. I don’t even think we understood how much the rhythm played a part in what we would come to be no now, about this thing of hours, but it definitely helped.

I find myself, even though today, looking for the perfect date always: the hunt continues.

2. CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC SCENE. CHICAGO’S LEGENDARY WBMX AM & FM. TALK ABOUT THIS RADIO AND THE INCREDIBLE MUSIC SHARED ON THEIR RADIO SHOWS

BMX was at the tone of the type of music that was kool to play, but My mom would win these “dance contest” and she would bring me home the records. At first I just thought it was cool getting gifts for my mom, but before I know it, I ended up with quite the collection. But after losing my collection, over the years to flood damage, I would say about three times, that was it my heart couldn’t take being broken anymore, plus maturing and moving around, made it hard to keep up with such things. So, I was more than happy seeing my teacher/friend Big brother Frankie Knuckles Dj on a flash drive. I was all too amazed to see someone of his caliber doing such a thing and to know, that you can carry all that music on such a tiny thing, with all the information about the record that you needed. Technology, such a wonderful thing.

3. YOUR MUSIC EXPERIENCE DRUM MACHINES, SYNTHESIZERS, SEQUENCERS

Yes, then sonic drum machine well actually REAL Drums first and then the end sonic and then whatever drum machine that was that came before. The SP 12, then moving on to the whole road and family the 303 and the cast of others that would help shape my career. I think no drum machine to help me more than I would say: the 909 to 727 in the MPC 60.

4. RON HARDY AND MUSIC BOX, THE KEY, THE ONLY GODFATHER OF HOUSE MUSIC

He was definitely one of the godfathers, another one of my friends/big brothers, another one of my lucky encounters that I was blessed to even took the time tonight only listen to my little tracks, I was making but play them and play them, so well and so much, that people thought they were his. I miss him very much, I miss them both.

5. FRANKIE KNUCKLES “WAREHOUSE”

Big brother Frankie was then and now a big influence, but when I think of him, music isn’t really the first thing that comes to mind, his musical intellect Wasn’t doubtable, but I really just missed a genuine conversations, he and I, would have things happening in the singing out, but just life conversations.

6. HOW ITALO-DISCO INFLUENCED CHICAGO HOUSE MUSIC

There was a record store in Chicago downtown called “Imports” and they would have all the latest Italiano disco I know. What a joy it was to hear that style, even now, I enjoy a good Italian disco cut because of the skill and I imagine what a wonderful joy those sessions must’ve been.

7. WHEN EUROPEAN, ITALIAN SOUND APPEAR IN US CHICAGO RECORD STORES

As I said Import Records baby was undoubtably hands-down the best store for that type of music.

8. FROM THE SEMINAL LABELS OF THE 90S: D.J. INTERNATIONAL RECORDS, TRAX RECORDS, ACV .. HOW THE WAYS OF ENJOYING MUSIC HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME. TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGIES, SOFTWARE, NEW MACHINERY FOR MAKING MUSIC.

I didn’t catch Sean and fully give to digital for a while. I was really happy with regular pianos and drum machines or should I say life drumming until I realized how much I can get done by myself with everything going digital. I just made it easier for me being a kid back, then making noise they were later be turned into music dare I even say classics.

9. ONE YEAR OF PANDEMIC, SOCIAL DISTANCE ETC. HOW DO YOU THINK THE WORLD OF CLUBBING WILL CHANGE? THE DANCE?

I would hope they would weed out those people who were only in it for the money, but I see right now the jacking off positions being done, to keep those people in power. Sad, really how the people have become so into things of the moment, instead of thinking long-term. No one really cares anymore, it seems about how the record was made, where it came from and what else that artist have done. This is now and always has been, a culture those who don’t respect, that are doomed to fail.

10. ENLIGHTEN US ON YOUR DREAM PROJECT

To get my music in as many films and other visual projects as possible.

The goal has always been to reach and teach as many as possible. I have always been one with the music & the people & NEVER thought I was bigger than ether, I am forever a fan of the culture.

🖤👑🔥

Be on the lookout for my new music & label “Blueprint Klassik”.

Oh What A Lil Smoke Can Do – K ‘Alexi Shelby AKa El Chocalata

1. Make Me Wanna – Marvin Gaye ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
2. Trance Europe Express – Kraft Work ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
3. I Need Somebody 2 Luv – Sylvester ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
4. You Stepped Into My Life – Melba Moore ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
5. My Hart Heat Begins 2 Beat ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
6. Lady Bug -Bumble Bee Unlimited ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
7. You Gonna make me Luv Somebody else – The Jones Girls ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
8. We Got the Funk – Positive force ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
9. Just An Illusion – Imagination ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
10. I Got A Big Bee – Bumble Bee Unlimited ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
11. Native new Yorker – Odyssey ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
12. Run Away Luv – Loleatta Holloway
13. Miss Broadway – Belle Epoque ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
14. Give Me Ya Love – Sylvia Stripling ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
15. Body Heat – James Brown ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
16. Sing Sing Sing – Charlie Calello Orchesta ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
17. Miss You – Rolling Stones ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
18. Shack Yo Tambourine – Universal Robot ( Mr K ‘Alexi Edit )
19. Last Song <3

 K' Alexi Shelby Chicago House Music
~ K’ Alexi Shelby
www.instagram.com/iamkalexishelby
kalexishelby.bandcamp.com
 My 3 Labels:
#KKlassik #BLACK13
#TecSoulDEEP

www.traxsource.com/artist/169747/k-alexi-shelby
RESPECT the Klassik as you become the best
NEW Style…
Risqué III - Essence Of A Dream - Dark Entries
Risqué III – Essence Of A Dream – Dark Entries

From RH:

Repress from essential Chicago house anthem by K-Alexi ! K-Alexi’s musical journey began at the young age of 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the Music Box and Warehouse. In high school, he began to write songs and hone his poetic craft. “I recognized I had a gift to say what I was thinking. I would study Prince and Marvin Gaye, figure out what they meant and put my spin on it. The power of the word. I was writing love notes for all my boys in high school and making a killing. I would know what to say and what they should do.” In 1987, Shelby’s first solo release, Risqué III’s “Essence of a Dream” b/w “Risqué Madness,” was to be cemented in Chicago dance history. He was accompanied in the studio by his cousin and production mentor, Mr. Lee. The track’s effortlessly propulsive house rhythms (courtesy of the Roland TR-727, TR-707, and TR-909), salsa-inflected bassline, and oneiric strings fuse magnificently with K’Alexi’s steamy, Prince-esque verse. Due to tight studio schedule times, his vocals were almost omitted. Says Shelby: “The session was coming to an end and I said I wanted to put the vocals on there. They said, ‘We got no time unless you can get your vocals right in one take’. I said, ‘Let it rip’ and went into the vocal booth…they just stood there with their mouths open. The look on their faces was priceless.” The B-side’s “Risqué Madness” is a tribute to Ron Hardy, DJ at the Music Box and one of K’Alexi’s formative influences. The track opens with Shelby’s processed voice announcing “I’d like to talk to you about escape. Let me take you away, away to a place where rhythm is life, and life is a never ending sound.” This introduction captures how he felt dancing to disco every week at the Music Box. Hardy was known for playing an edit of Kikrokos’ “Life is a Jungle,” in which he looped the track’s lysergic breakdown. Shelby utilizes the same delirious loop but builds upon it with additional percussion, melodies, samples from Hardy favorite “Let No Man Put Asunder” by First Choice, and manipulated vocals taken from The Madam’s “The Sensuous Black Woman”, a recording used often in early Chicago house DJ sets and recordings. Both sides of this record perfectly reflect the spirit of Chicago house music. The sleeve was designed by Eloise Leigh, and features a never-before-seen photo of a teenage Shelby taken at his high school, with a bold font evoking 80’s house music covers. Also included is a postcard with lyrics, an additional photo from the same session as the cover artwork, and liner notes from Shelby.

www.darkentriesrecords.com/store/vinyl/ep/risque-iii-essence-of-a-dream/

Season 2017 / partyhardy

22:00 – 04:00

2 Settembre
29 Settembre
20 Ottobre
17 Novembre
7 Dicembre

Disco, Boogie, Funk, House Music, Acid
Fast/Down tempos, and heavy EQing
Vinyl Only

Cost /
0€ fino alle 23:00, poi 10€ con consumazione

Info Call /
342 740 3042

RA

Venue /
Miralago Disco
via Lago di Fimon, 117 Arcugnano Vicenza