Welcome Louie to the DMC world. Truly a pleasure for us. A brilliant album you have created to celebrate ‘Soul Heaven’s’ 10th Anniversary – but we will come to that later…
You grew up with your home filled with sweet music, your father and uncle I believe had music in their soul’s…?
“Yes, my father played Tenor Sax for over 40 years, listened to John Coltrane, Miles Davis, lots of Jazz music – and he plays it well. My Uncle Hector Lavoe was at the top of his game – as one of the leading Salsa singers on Fania Records. The singer of singers! Mom loved Salsa music, my sisters were Disco queens – and I lived in The Bronx where Disco was at it’s high and Hip Hop was born. I used to go to the Bronx River Projects’ which was right down the block from where I lived and I was listening to Afrika Bambaata, Jazzy Jay, Red Alert and Afrika Islam. The Rocksteady Crew were breakin’ to the beats the DJs were playin’. Music was so diverse back in those days.”
You are a DJ who started to DJ at a very early age, 13 years spinning your tunes. By 1985 you were smashing up block parties in The Bronx, New York City. What made you want to get into the world of DJing?
“When I was watching the neighborhood DJs at the block parties, I was intrigued by it all. When I started DJing, I was going out a lot – and then I finally went to The Paradise Garage. My sisters’ Myrna and Edna went frequently and brought me out to a member’s only party. Larry Levan was playin’ the tunes, captivating his audience including me with his skills and monstrous sound system at The Garage. I heard ‘Streetplayer’ by Chicago, ‘Thousand Fingered Man’ by Candido, ‘Lady America’ by Voyage, ‘Is It All Over My Face’ by Loose Joints, ‘Life Saver’ by Gayle Adams – there were so many great tunes. He was very versatile and played just plain old good music – and music from many genres.”
How tough was The Bronx back then for a kid starting DJing at the age of 13?
“The Bronx was tough. You know it was the mean streets of NY, but in my neighborhood everyone stuck together – and were there for each other.”
Can you remember the first record you ever bought?
“The first record I bought was probably ‘Melting Pot’ by Booker T. & The M.G.’s. To this day, I still play that record.”
Who were the DJs out there then that were people you were looking up to?
“In those days I looked up to Jazzy Jay, Larry Levan, David Mancuso, DJ Raul, Jellybean Benitez, Ted Currier, The Latin Rascals, Frankie Crocker, Tony Humphries, Mark Kamins, Freddy Bastone, Grandmaster Flash, Red Alert, Mr Magic, Kool Herc, Tee Scott, Kenny Carperntar and David Morales.”
So the ‘Soul Heaven’ 3 disc CD release, beautiful soul, disco and house music – this is one party where EVERY time you leave you have a smile on your face. Talk us through each CD…
“CD 1 starts a little dark and clubby. ‘Soul Heaven’ has many sides to it and different moods. Then it get’s Afro and comes with the new Afrotech sounds of Nulu, Rancido, Boddhi Satva and more. CD 2 is lot’s of vocals and feel good songs. CD 3 are the classics chosen by the ‘Soul Heaven’ residents, Fleur (Sh Ceo) and myself.”
What is your favourite record from the album?
“My favourite song on the album is ‘Bitter Sweet Love Affair’ with lead vocals by Julie McKnight. The melody is powerful and lyrics are deep and the groove infectious.”
What are the big tunes you are spinning right now?
‘Soumbouya’ by Salif Keita (remix by Boddhi Satva)
‘Plastic People’ by Anane (Roots mix)
‘Hey’ by Dennis Ferrer
‘Em Bo La’ by Bah Samba
‘W’Beezaleve’ by The French Twins
‘So Sweetly’ by M&S featuring Shawn Escoffery
What one album would you never sell?
“The 12” of ‘Woman’ by Barabas (Rare/Original)
Best ever Ibiza and Miami moment?
“My best ever Miami moment was when my mom came down and was hangin’ in the DJ booth and dancin’ whilst I played the tunes that rocked the floor. She was so entranced by the music, so into it. It was a dream come true for me to have my mother in that zone. My best Ibiza was when Masters At Work at Pacha and had the entire room as one, we actually won a Pacha Award for the Best House Night Of The Season.”
Okay, your production, collabs and remix duties is of LEGENDS. You have worked with them all – Todd Terry, Robert Clivilles, Lil Louis, India (what a voice!), Blaze, Mr Morillo, Barbara Tucker, Miss Estefan – I don’t need to go on! What have been your favourite…
Own production record? – “Elements of Life”
Collab record? – “Nuyorican Soul”
Production for another artist? – “‘The Ghetto’ – George Benson
Best ever remix? – “Like A Sunshine’ by Pushim”
You have travelled the world 50 times over, what is, your favourite club you have ever played at – anywhere?
“One of my favourite club’s is The Ministry of Sound, London with the ‘Soul Heaven’ parties. The sound system still sounds amazing today and the crowd is wonderful.:
Favourite city in the world?
“NYC or Tokyo.”
How did you first meet Kenny ‘Dope’ – and how are you two getting on these days?
“I met Kenny ‘Dope’ through a mutual friend/producer called Todd Terry! We met back in 1990. Kenny and I are producing our own projects and will come together maybe in 2011 to create another Masters At Work masterpiece.”
Best DJ you have ever played with?
“Jazzy Jeff”
Friends such as Jocelyn Brown have just been quoted as saying “I am humbled to have been a part of this ‘Soul Heaven’ life journey” whilst Danny Krivit shouts out “for the past 10 years, as the world has unfortunately embraced so many less then soulful directions’ in music, ‘Soul Heaven’ has been a consistent Soul haven, supplying that much needed shot of Soul in our musical diets” – what have been your most memorable night’s at this very special club night?
“I’ve had so many memorable night’s. Playing music and watchin’ everyone dancin’ with their eyes closed or smiling. Too many nights to mention. Everyone must experience one of them.”
And finally sir, what is coming next from the Vega studio?
“I am in the studio currently working on my ‘Elements of Life II’ album and Executive Producing an album entitled ‘Invocation’ by Boddhi Satva. Vega Records are currently putting out two singles a month and are just about to hit the 100th single release. A new clothing line LV & Co and our site is up with much of our merchandise – check www.vegarecords.net