Venerdì, 7 Aprile 2023
Dax DJ & Friends
Bar Smeraldo – Vicenza
Venerdì, 7 Aprile 2023
Dax DJ & Friends
Bar Smeraldo – Vicenza
Nuova raccolta dall’archivio di Maximiliano Faccio. Questa volta le influenze sono molto Acid: ricorda Hawtin, F.U.S.E, Plastikman, quel sound early 1990s Rave che mi piace tantissimo.
Hypnotic rhythm tracks!
Venerdì 15 Aprile 2022, dalle ore 22:00
“DANCE IN A CIRCLE” – Dax DJ
Bar Smeraldo – Vicenza
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
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/
Dario Bedin in arte Dax Dj è il protagonista di questo episodio
BUONA LETTURA ? e BUON ASCOLTO ?✨
From the Sintesi Container Stage, it’s local legend Dax DJ – going wild with his disco infused selections for the next 120 minutes.
Live from From Disco To Disco’s Weekender, streaming at rocketradiolive.com ? channel 1
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
Venue /
Miralago Disco
via Lago di Fimon, 117 Arcugnano Vicenza
True story: back in elementary school, house music wasn’t my first love of music; in fact, it was rock and roll music. I use to get teased for listening to this style of music, not only from the guys, but from the girls too! While everyone was listening to either R&B or dance (disco) music, I was listening to rock and roll music. I use to play my rock and roll music on a very large boom box (everywhere I went) and were wearing my Kiss T-shirts too! One day, I eventually knew and heard my calling (to attract the girls) not only to DJ, but to also through some of the biggest “house music” parties that Chicago has ever known and loved.
At “The Loop Roller Disco Skating Rink”, I re-named it “The Loop Machine” where I was DJing and organizing pack to capacity house music dance parties by the thousands, every Friday and Saturday night, also booking other Chicago house music legendary DJ’s, such as, the godfather’s of house music “Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy ‘aka’ Ronnie”, the king of house music “Farley “Jackmaster” Funk”, Steve “Silk” Hurley, Mike Dunn, Armando Gallop ‘aka’ Armando, etc. I also hosted my very own bi-level house music dance club in Chicago named “The Jungle Club” and the rest was history.
I continue to and always will get my great inspirations from two of my greatest music influences: Larry Heard ‘aka’ Mr. Fingers and Byron Walton ‘aka’ Jamie Principal.
In 1981, I was fed up with a few of the labels here in Chicago due to their mishandling practices of money that I decided to venture off on a label of my own. I confided my greatest intention to a great friend of mine, the grand high priest of Chicago’s house music “Craig S. Loftis” who regularly DJ’d here in Chicago alongside the godfather of house music “Frankie Knuckles” about my decision. Craig thought my intention was an intelligent one, and in fact, he named my label and “Target Records Chicago” was now born.
DJ Joe Lewis is the president, C.E.O., and founder of “Target Records Chicago” since 1981, which was ideal only for me, but I decided to help or gather up a few other inspiring DJ’s and artists along the way, such as, Larry Heard ‘aka’ Mr. Fingers, Paul (Leighton) Johnson, and Melvin Meeks, just to name a few. That was one of the smartest and intelligent idea I have ever made.
In 1986, The Love of My Own was highly anticipated due to my meeting with Larry Heard ‘aka’ Mr. Fingers, whom I meet through the help of his younger brother (baby fingers) back in high school. While in school, baby fingers, told me that Larry was his older brother, I was a non-believer.
One day, after school, baby fingers invited me over to the family’s house (within walking distance from the school) with great excitement and much disbelief, I accepted. At the time, I didn’t know what Larry really looks like or if he would even be there at all, but I was determined to find out about him anyway. I was soon invited to walk into an off to the side bedroom (of which was Larry’s) and there was a guy, who I now know as Larry, creating this wonderful masterpiece “Mystery of Love” for the first time being recorded, ever! I was mesmerized by the sights and sounds of his incredible work of art.
I was so amazed that I also created my magical masterpiece “The Love of My Own” a style I believe symbolizes Larry’s with a dream that he would work with me on this project and, in fact, he did. Two years later, in 1988, I simply wanted to create a house collector’s E.P. album titled “Change Reaction” of which it was and still is today a highly collectable E.P. album. This is one of my most sought after E.P. album, if you are very blessed to own one. The prices for this incredible work is sky rocketing high everyday and soaring from 3 to 4 figure sums on EBay, happy hunting.
I believe repressing of great quality house music, such as, club music that receives much more radio play is a good thing. Not only does it help the DJ that could buy a brand spanking new copy to replace the scratched, worn out one that he or she banged to death in the club. It can help with fond memories, re-living, or re-birthing of those great house music parties and moments. It also will help the new generation, who may not have heard of this great style of house music played before or may not have known of this quality work of art from various artists, to further educate them about the making and the history lesson of house music, and to keep the house music culture that we helped build alive, because the newer generation is our future DJ’s and recording artist’s.
Far as bootlegging, I’ve been bootlegged once or twice before, nowadays, who hasn’t. I win settlements in or out of court. Just remember this; if anyone chooses to bootleg me for any reason at all ever again, without express written consent from “Target Records Chicago”, we’re going to come after you (all around the world) in a court of law, no excuses, period! With my approval, I have three re-releases that are out or either scheduled to come out in the near future on two of the most well respected labels, such as, “CHIWAX and Clone records”. The CHIWAX re-release titled “Chi-House” is out not, so go and reserve your copies today and the Clone record releases titled “Lost In Tracks” and “Change Reaction” originally released on “Target Records Chicago” in 1988, will be re-released very soon. All three of these re-releases were hard to find, but now will be a must have again and will continue to be a crowd pleaser as usual. They are very highly sought after and anticipated and will sell out fast, so don’t sleep on these beautiful gems.
The Chicago house music scene of the past is the “Holy Grail” and shouldn’t be compared to the Chicago house music scene of the present, which would be an insult! We shouldn’t even be comparing the two in the same sentence. That’s like trying to mix oil and water, those two will never mix. Just like this comparison, there is none! The past history of the Chicago house music scene was the originators, who helped pave the way for D.J.’s and artist’s, such as myself and countless others. They helped to create, form, and shaped this culture and dance music craves, that’s being felt all over the world today! The house heads here, we use to look forward to clubs in the past, such as, the warehouse (the original location), the music box, the candy store, C.O.D.’s, etc. We use to look forward to the greatest D.J.’s of all times, the godfather’s of Chicago’s house music and beyond “Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy ‘aka’ Ronnie” and the founding father of Chicago’s house music “Lil Louis”. No matter where these three D.J.’s / Artists played, ALL D.J.’s here (no matter how big or small their D.J. name was or is) came out to hear these three legends play every time, even me. We miss good, productive radio station dedicated to the game of house music such as, Saturday nite live, ain’t no jive, Chicago’s number one dance party, heard on 102.7 F.M. W.B.M.X. Oak Park / Chicago. We also remember there was a record shop that we all loved and supported throughout the many years of house (young or older people bought records here) “Imports, etc. records”.
The present history of Chicago house music scene is not being felt, loved, and respected in the same way that it once was. Although, the nightlife scene has been down and climbing up steadily, it seems to be going in the right direction now with the new breeds on hand: D.J.’s, Artist’s, dance venue’s, and even the record sales are on the rise too! We (Chicagoans) have to stick together much better to make this thing we love, call house music that we helped build, work again! We have to be the trendsetters from the past and carry it into the present (looked up to again) like we us to.
There are a lot of amazing drum machines, synthesizers, and sequencers out there, but there are quite too many to mention right now. As to the pacific gear I use, that’s for me to know and for everyone else to find out (very mysterious), one love and respect for the artist and the house music creation.
While I have no favorites, I listen to every artist from around the globe that is very dedicated in making quality house music, especially those artists who use live instruments in their creations, such as I, and such as, club music.
Where I’m DJing (I’m back!), where the beat and the house music take me, to a well-advertised dance venue with thousands of patrons in an attendance, or a quality recording studio, anywhere around the world (I’m releasing new music).
At the moment, I have no dream projects in sight (I’m releasing new music again!) I’m not a big dreamer, but I wouldn’t mind collaborating again with Larry Heard ‘aka’ Mr. Fingers or I wouldn’t mind doing a project with Byron Walton ‘aka’ Jamie Principal. I would be up for doing a project with DJ’s or artist’s, such as, Stacy Kidd, Glenn Underground, Sheree Hicks, Brain Pope ‘aka’ DJ Pope, Dmitri Bronson, and Elise Gargalikis, just to name a few.
Target Records Chicago – Facebook Page
1. Present yourself; origin, now, future.
My name is Daniel Araya, I’m from the Swedish countryside originally but now live in Stockholm. I’m the studio engineer at state run Elektronmusikstudion.se and I have my own company where I build custom made elctronic and mechanics for art, sound and movie sets.
I discovered house and acid house around 1987 by listening to radio shows and started making music with an Amiga computer not long after. I bought my first analog synth (Korg 800 DV, still have it) in 1991 and began buying mostly broken synths and fixing them. I bought my first tb-303 bass synthesizer around 1995 and absolutley loved it, I have four of them now!
After I moved to Stockholm in 2000 I met a lot of nice and inspiring people and started playing quite a lot. I recorded stuff for my own use for many years but mainly played live at local parties and festivals and also helped run swedens best electronic music festival www.norbergfestival.com for a while. I have played mostly in Sweden but aslo occationally in Norway, Germany, Spain and the UK.
It is only in the last two years that I have really begun releasing records, I have tracks and EP’s coming out on a host of Swedish labels and this release on Family House is my first release abroad!
I will to continue making music and building/modifying synts, hopefully releasing more tracks and be able to play around Europe now and then.
2. Describe us your “Live at Rundgång” Stockolm night.
I had a friend, Mark Verbos, over from the US and since I was going to play I asked if he could do it too so we had a lot of fun doing back to back analog techno sets.
The venue is a concrete bunker in the meat packing district sounth of town, you enter under a loading dock, very secret but super nice vvenue of a type that is rare in Stockholm nowadays.
My setup was a “medium” size rig for me, and consisted of 2xtb-303, tr-606 (with 808 bassdrum!), tr-707, Pearl Syncussion drum synth, Eventide Space reverb and an Alesis microverb II.
The gig itself was like all my gigs totally improvised, I never know what is coming out and I don’t keep notes but just go with the flow! The crew and audience was great and shout out to R.U.N.D.G.Å.N.G for the great recording of my set! (“Rundgång” means “feedback” in Swedish).
“Recorded live at club R.U.N.D.G.Å.N.G, Stockholm, Sweden 28/04/15”
Live at Rundgång EP Track 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
FAMILY HOUSE RECORDS 008
shopping info: Beatport Download, Junodownload, itunes, Spotify, DJshop.de
Artwork By Erik Varusio www.erikvarusio.com
3. Where do you continually get your inspiration?
I listen to a lot of music, both at home and at work and I love getting tips from friends. I also go to a lot of gigs and festivals. Buying, fixing and building new synths are also a great inspiration, a new machine often leads to a new track, EP or even an album!
4. Which artists are you currently listening to?
It is quite a mix actually… footwork pioneer DJ Rashad, Swedish experimental act Maria W Horn (that I’m remixing), lo-fi retro whatever act CC NOT and a lot of Alessandro Cortini from the “Forse” series. And Paranoid London, great weird acid, just listen to their track “Eat Glue”!
5. Talk about your passion for Analog equip. ?!
Well, as I told before I got in to it quite early when I was still in highschool, we did not have any money so I could not buy any fancy digital synths at the time so I had to make do with old analog gear and tape recorders.
I was already into electronics and I found older synths to be quite easy to understand since they are quite simple. I bought my first synth, the Korg, for 100 SEK (10 Euro!) and I continued to buy broken and banged up stuff mostly. I almost never sold anything, just traded for other things that I wanted.
I still get new gear but I have almost everything I want. I just added one of my childhood dream synths, the Oberheim Xpander, what a beast! It will take some time but expect lush strings and pads in the future!
Sometimes I try to take the time to build new stuff or modify my gear to get my studio and live rig even better, I can spend unlimited amount of time on that I guess…easy to be distracted from making music but it can sometimes lead to new musical paths.
6. What do you look for in a beat?
I maily improvise on my drum machines, usually ending up with sounds from two or three on each track and I run most of it through a Buchla modular system, it really makes the individual sounds come alive and generates some really interesting textures. I used that a lot on my Virgo Rising release “Hope” and sort of tried out that method.
In the end I think I make quite classic beats but I try to make small variations to the sounds we know and love!
7. New software, plugins, digital?
I don’t use a computers when I play gigs but I recently started to use Ableton Live and I love it! It made wonders for my creativity but I’m not a very advanced user so I mostly use it as a really fancy tape recorder and multitrack record my synths. I use some plugins and trying to learn more but I find it a bit boring to try to learn a software that emulates somthing that sits just a meter away as original hardware! I would like to get in to MAX/Max for live in the future thouh, there are some crazy possiblilities with that software!
8. How would you describe your sound?
Very analog and not really minimal. I try to make more minimal tracks sometimes but I usually find JUST ANOTHER PERFECT SOUND that has to be in. Several times per tune. 🙂
9. What images and emotions do you want your music to invoke in the listener?
I want people to let go, have fun and maybe bea bit scared some times.
10. Message to everyone.
Take care of each other!
Daniel Araya interview by Dario Bedin. Thanks to Virgo Rising Discogs.