Artists
Ricardo Miranda
Born in the distinctively Puerto Rican neighborhood of Lincoln Park Chicago, Ricardo was named after legendary Salsa singer Ricardo Ray. After major Puerto Rican displacement (urban renewal) Ricardo’s parents settled in the Noble Square section of West Town for many years.
His music reflects a traditional House culture that goes beyond just sound or legendary stories. While his industry peers recite fond memories of The Music Box, The Bismark and other musical institutions – Ricardo sat in front of a big Pioneer Radio listening & recording mixes from Chicago radio stations WRRG, WBMX AM/FM & WGCI which included a hefty dose of early House Music, Italian Imports and Electro. But, it was the new sound of Chicago House that made a profound impact on his soul.
As a thirteen year old, when not infuriating teachers by pounding House beats on his desk, he was creating crude pause cassette tapes to a wood panel tape deck. Then in 1986 Ricardo got a taste of producing when his older brother brought home a newly introduced Casio RZ-1 & Casio CZ1000. Even though he was forbidden to touch the equipment it was the main thing he looked forward to whenever his brother was away. Later that year he was passed down some rough dj equipment from a dj friend which gave Ricardo the opportunity to play all the records in the household.
As his knowledge and experience continued to grow, Ricardo began to create many memorable compositions on various labels even as the industry was undergoing major changes.
Currently, Ricardo is charted on endless playlist under his many guises: The Latin Soul Brothas, Yonurican, Defend:R and of course Ricardo Miranda.
Under Yonurican, Ricardo was responsible for the UK Funky anthem "Boriken Soul" which was distributed by Jellybean Benitez. Ricardo launched his label Noble Square Recordings as the main member of The Latin Soul Brothas with the track "Afroricaness". He was also responsible for the standout classic "Urbanism" which was featured on Rick Wilhite's Vibes Compilation released on Rush Hour Records.
There is no question that Ricardo Miranda is one of the leading figures inthe House Music scene.
Artist Link:
RA // Soundcloud // Facebook // Discogs
Fuminori Kagajo
Fuminori Kagajo is a Japanese DJ and producer who got also a strong attitude towards instrumental music, being involved in band projects and collaborations with several musicians.
He started djing in 1996 having the chance to support many big DJs such as Frankie Knuckles, Ian Pooley, Fabio & Grooverider, and many others. He’s been producing music since 2001, mostly influenced by 70's funk, jazz, fusion (especially Roy Ayers, Lonnie-Liston Smith, Larry Young, and Azymuth), and the late 80’s - 90's house of NY City, Chicago, and Detroit.
With a sound based on a soulful addiction, moving through deep house, jazzy traits, nu jazz as well as broken beats, the guy from Sapporo appeared on well-respected house imprints such as Fatsouls Records (known for their releases by DJ Said, Alton Miller, Roul K, Boo Williams ...), Trippin Records (known for having released stuff by GlennUnderground, Peven Everett, Boo Williams, Arnold Jarvis ...), Slip'N'Slide (UK label active since early 90’s releasing house legends and the new waves of highly respected house music characters), King Street Sounds (historic NYC label whose catalogue includes a quite large amount of house masters), and other alike labels.
Artist Link: Soundcloud // Discogs // Facebook
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SofaTalk
Experimenting with electronic dance music.
This is the aim of SofaTalk, versatile Italian DJ and producer. Maniac of vintage synthesizers and drum machines collected with meticulous care,his music is influenced by Herbie Hancock’s Fender rhodes, post-disco of Arthur Russell and Avant Jazz of Sun RA.
SofaTalk’s productions are an explosive mix of sounds that start from Jazz to disco and funk through timbre reminiscent of the first Chicago/Detroit house music from the late ‘80s, a mix of stylistic influences that led him to create underground productions with a unique and unmistakable “SofaTalk” sound.
Artist Link: Soundcloud // Discogs // Website // Facebook
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Reekee
Imagine a room where Milton Banana, Herbie Hancock, Larry Heard, and Glenn Underground meet up ... just then you can really enter the world of Riccardo Masi, aka Reekee as producer. A highly sensitive artist addicted to bossa rhythms with a strong need to express himself by elegant keyboards, constantly seeking for the perfect chord, for the melody to get the life harmonized.
Young but already known around Europe and respected for the quality of his music works: from the "Soul Dept." on Roots Underground with a special remix by Kai Alcè, to the "Bal Era" debut on the legendary Uzuri remixed by none other than Mr. Glenn Underground, passing through the Meeting Point Vol.1, refined job featuring the voice of Billy Love and first issue on his own imprint Wrong Notes, label founded to promote his soundwithout compromise.
Link Artist: Soundcloud // Discogs // Facebook
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Andi Malanders
Andi Malanders is a Munich based DJ, who finds his true roots in Hip Hop and Jazz.
He experienced his love for these genres early on as a teen, and later on developed a taste for House music.
Powered by his passion for music, he began to produce House and Hip-Hop in 2007 and by 2008 he was dedicated to spreading his sound by Djing.
The active member of the Munich music scene’s “FunkYaMind” group and the label "UKNOWY" stays true to the “two turntables and mixer” philosophy, mixing it up in Munich’s bars and clubs and abroad
Link Artist: Soundcloud // Discogs // Facebook // RA