Doug Smith (95 North) @ Subterranean, Wed. Aug 13th - Chicago (tonight !!!!!!)

[imported_Gman]

http://deephousepage.com/torin/95_north.jpg

[ August 13, 2003, 10:41 AM: Message edited by: Gman ]

[Doug]

Looking forward to this and looking forward to meeting some peeps from the board. smile.gif I'm leaving shortly to catch my flight. See you guys soon!

Peace,

Doug

[mhd]

going to mecca, enjoy the chi, you gonna love it, see you on friday

[liL Ray]

Chitown, turn out and show Doug a warm welcome....this is the going away tour.... graemlins/mecry.gif

[Cordell]

On weds. at Sub T., Early arrival is suggested, $3 before 11:30p $5 afterwards.

[Tony Cano]

i got $5 bucks.

[imported_Gman]

^

[MarkK]

Any reviews....

[alex zen]

Originally posted by MarkK:
Any reviews.... it's today.

[MarkK]

Originally posted by alexander james zen:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by MarkK:
Any reviews.... it's today. </font>[/QUOTE]d'OH

[Allay Soul]

Very excited about this tonite!! Please arrive early we will fill up! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[DeesKo]

BEAT THAT ISH DOUG !


Give em a taste of what we had Saturday night!

Peace

[Jamie 3:26]

Originally posted by Cordell:
On weds. at Sub T., Early arrival is suggested, $3 before 11:30p $5 afterwards. Hey,I've never been to this place before.That crazy intersection always confused me.Can someone give me a landmark this place is by.....Thanks,J.

[And]

Originally posted by DeesKo:
BEAT THAT ISH DOUG !


Give em a taste of what we had Saturday night!

Peace I hear that! Show em Doug! graemlins/grinyes.gif

[Mack-Williams]

Originally posted by JAMIE 3:26:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Cordell:
On weds. at Sub T., Early arrival is suggested, $3 before 11:30p $5 afterwards. Hey,I've never been to this place before.That crazy intersection always confused me.Can someone give me a landmark this place is by.....Thanks,J. </font>[/QUOTE]Flash Taco sits on Damon, Sub T is on North Ave. on the side the Flash Taco is on. So if you see the Flash Taco walk around the corner and you will be right there.

[Allay Soul]

95north.net

Doug Smith and Richard Payton weren't disco kids feeding off of older siblings' and cousins' flirtations with disco. There were no Paradise Garages, no Lofts, no Chicago Warehouses or Boxes in their respective hometowns of Long Branch, N.J. and Petersburg, VA. Yet this duo, who comprise the Washington, DC-based team of 95 North Productions, has captured the essence of uptempo R & B dance music, internalizing it and delivering intense, rough house grooves, experimental dance tracks, and enchanting, melodic dance songs that have garnered them fans from around the globe. The obvious question then becomes, how did two straight-laced, college bound suburban kids even "get" house music with such limited exposure?

"I was strictly hip-hop, even though I grew up in New Jersey and was exposed to a lot of early dance music on the radio through WKTU and WBLS" says Doug. "One night at Club 88 in East Orange, New Jersey back in 1986 changed all of that". Richard says he was exposed to early dance music during summer internships in New Jersey. "That's when I got exposed to groups like Change and a lot of stuff on Prelude Records, mostly from the radio as well. Sadly for me, I passed up my one opportunity to go to the Paradise Garage before it closed. I'm still kicking myself for it."

By the time the two hooked up in the 1989 through a mutual friend, they were full-blown househeads. However, their musical partnership began in a DC-based hip-hop collective known as Trigon. "We weren't all that" Doug says point blank. "It just took us a few years to realize it." Arising in the summer of 1991 from the ashes of Trigon, Doug and Richard began indulging their love for house music by writing songs and working on tracks in the cramped basement of Richard's DC home. "All we had was one sampling keyboard and a bunch of ideas," says Richard. But amazingly, despite their limited production capabilities at the time, the duo managed to land a single deal with venerable New York dance music label Strictly Rhythm Records less than six months from the time they started. "We were shocked and amazed," says Doug. "To be a fan of that label for so long and then, all of the sudden, you're an artist on the label. It was an exciting time for us". That was only the beginning.

With early champions of their sound such as Tony Humphries, the late John Robinson, DJ Disciple, DJ Dove, Roger S., Little "Louie" Vega, Sam "The Man" Burns, DJ Mandrill, Oji & Pope, etc., 95 North's music began to slowly rise to prominence in the NYC house scene and abroad. While their early singles on Strictly Rhythm served as the foundation for their success, it wasn't until the release of "Hold On" by Sabrynaah Pope on King Street Sounds that they finally came into their own. "That was a huge record for us" says Richard. "Louie Vega ran it at the Sound Factory Bar for months before it came out. When it was finally released, it just exploded." Indeed it did, rising to the number one position on the DJ Magazine Hype Chart soon after its release in 1994. And as if that song weren't enough, they followed it up with their now classic rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire's "See The Light" on defunct NYC label Choice Records, as well as "The Journey" on Shelter Records (which has the distinction of being the first record ever remixed by Body & Soul resident Joe Claussell).

It wasn't long after these successes that Europe began calling. They eventually found themselves touring all over Europe, playing everywhere from the Ministry of Sound in London to Angels of Love in Italy. The combination of Richard playing on keyboards while Doug spun on the decks proved to be a hit everywhere they played. Their DJing skills eventually landed them two residencies in DC, one at Red (where they've been residents for 5 years), the other at The Sanctuary at Vicki's. Remixing offers began pouring in as well, and soon they were remixing everyone from Jody Watley to George Duke to Crystal Waters to Kathy Sledge to Dru Hill. They were even commissioned to write and produce songs for Crystal Waters' self-titled album on Mercury Records.

Not content to rest on accolades, the duo continued to blaze the dance music world with an array of stylistically varied dance tracks, ranging from the full on gospel brilliance of "Alright" by Mijan, to the loopy underground classic vibe of "Who's Hoo?" on Henry St., to the off-kilter "Odyssey" on Groove On Records, to the way-ahead-of-its-time "Elevation" on Large Records. In fact, they may be responsible for producing some of the most criminally ignored gems ever created. Take for instance their jazz funk classic "Bassline" on Emotive Records (championed by Ron Trent and Louie Vega), which, quite possibly, could be the first modern day house record done in three-bar cycles instead of the tradition four-bar cycle of most songs. While many would understandably give credit for this house music innovation to Masters at Work for doing it on their remix of Towa tei's "Luv Connection" and their release "Odyssey", fans of 95 North's work know otherwise. Or "Forever Underground" which made use of vocal samples from Gang Starr's "Moment of Truth" LP. Most people in the dance music world associate those samples with the commercial dance hit "Roaches" by The Trancesetters, even though 95 North did "Forever Underground" one-year prior. However, rather than dwell on slights by the dance music world, they continue to push forward.

Ten years of hard work finally paid off for them last year with the release of "Sunday Shoutin'" on 4th Floor/Defected Records, done under their "Johnny Corporate" moniker. Supported by everyone from Pete Tong to Louie Vega to Tony Humphries to David Morales to Roger S. and beyond, "Sunday Shoutin'" remained a dance floor staple for the better part of a year and went on to sell over 30,000 copies. It even made it to the number 45 position on the pop charts in the UK and spawned a video that played regularly on MTV Europe. "When it sold 3000 copies in the first weekend, we knew it was something special," says Doug. "The funny thing is that many people didn't even know it was us! It didn't surprise me though. People tend to make the mistake of pigeonholing us or labeling us as "garage" producers, not realizing the diversity of the body of our work. 'Sunday Shoutin'' opened a lot of eyes". It did indeed open a lot of eyes, especially in their hometown of DC where nearly all the attention regarding dance music is focused on Deep Dish. "People here knew of us in general, but mostly through our residency at Red" says Richard, "But it took 'Sunday Shoutin'' and the support of DJs like Sam Burns, Mandrill and Oji & Pope for them to really realize we've been here doing music all along."

It's been a long, sometimes frustrating road for 95 North, but ultimately fulfilling. "I wouldn't trade the experience for anything," says Richard. "Music has been a blessing for us and we are eternally gratefully to our fans, families and God for all of the love and support we get. We may not be household names or superstars, but we love what we do and will continue to do it for as long as we are blessed with the talents God gave us."

Discography
All records produced, written, and mixed by 95 North unless otherwise indicated

1992
"Come Together/Always Searching" Keep Moving Ahead (Backbeat)
Thank You/Off the Beaten Track" Scram (Strictly Rhythm)
Come On/Lead Me" Scram (Strictly Rhythm)
I Can Feel It/Lost In the Groove" Groove Patrol (Strictly Rhythm)
Shattered Love" Brenda Braxton (Strictly Rhythm)
A Day in the Jungle/Around the Way" Level Three (Strictly Rhythm)
1993
"Work Me/Jump and Sing" Scram (Strictly Rhythm)
Pressure/Say Yeah!" DC Track Team (Emotive)
Need Your Love/Dancin' to the Music" Groove Patrol (Strictly Rhythm)
I Wantcha/So Good" Drill Impulse (Strictly Rhythm)
Love So Strong/Change the Beat" Lynn Lockamy (One)
(I'm Not) Hangin' On" 95 North Productions featuring Lynn Lockamy (King Street)
Feel Like Shoutin'/Native Stomp" Bassment Culture (Groove On)
The Journey" 95 North (Shelter)
Bassline/It's Alright" DC Track Team (Emotive)

1994
"What I Need " Crystal Waters (Mercury) - (co-writers only)
"Hold On" Sabrynaah Pope (King Street)
"Still of the Night" 95 North presents Prime Time (Emotive)
"Tell Me" 95 North presents The Metro (Emotive)
"See the Light" Philip Ramirez (Choice) (prod. and mixed only)

1995
"Mind Together" 95 North featuring David Sinkfield (Large)
"Let Me In/Shake What You Got" 95 North pres. The Beltway Bandits (Slip 'n' Slide UK)
"Let Yourself Go" 95 North (Kult)
"My Life" 95 North featuring Sabrynaah Pope (Jellybean)
"Groove It Y'all/Higher" 95 North presents The Beltway Bandits (Slip 'n' Slide UK)

1996
Spread Peace" 95 North featuring Phillip Ramirez (Crash Records)
"Don't Go" 95 North featuring Heather C. (Resolution UK)
"Who's Hoo?" 95 North pres. Da Hooligans (Henry Street)
"Jazziz" 95 North (Freetown UK)
"Alright" Mijan (Slip 'n' Slide UK)
"Soon To Be Free" 95 North (Black Vinyl UK)

1997
Elevation" 95 North (Large)
Just A Freak" Crystal Waters feat. Dennis Rodman (Mercury)
You Spin Me" Crystal Waters (Mercury) - album cut
Odyssey (The Offbeat Track)" Bassment Culture (Groove On)

1998
Jazz Ascension" 95 North (Large Records)

Roots" 95 North (I! Records)
Da Hooligans PT 2 EP (Henry Street Records)
The Funky Stuff E.P. (Soulfuric Trax Records)
Forever Underground" 95 North (Large Records)
Let's All Get Down/Gotta Get Up" K Street (4th Floor Records)
Ease Up On The Funk" The Funk-O-Nauts (Defender Records)
Save Your Soul" Mijan (95 North Records)
Bring Back The Love" 95 North featuring Laura Harris (Strictly Rhythm)

1999
Vinylicious Vol. 1 Mix CD for K2 Recordings, Washington, D.C.
Sun Goddess" 95 North (Large Records)
Da Hooligans, Pt. 3" 95 North (Henry St. Records)
Back To Work E.P." Johnny Corporate (4th Floor Records)
Think About…" 95 North & Big D. (Hysteria Records/DMC)
Unbelievable" Heather Rose (K2 Recordings)
The Request" 95 North (SFP Records/Manifesto)
Goin' On" Nicolicious feat. Karla Brown (95 North Records)**Produced and Written by Moncef Belyamani and Nicholas Laget for Nicolicious Productions

2000
"Busted On The Job E.P." Johnny Corporate (4th Floor Records)
”Sunday Shoutin’" Johnny Corporate (Defected Records)
”Tears For You" Pressure featuring Marcette (95 North Records)**Produced and Written by Ron Robins and Tracy Allen

“Ride the Storm" Ray Hurley featuring Maryam (95 North Records)*Produced and Written by Ray Hurley

2001
House Volumes Six Mix CD for Northcott Productions

REMIXOGRAPHY

1993
"Prayin' " Brothers in a Struggle (Strictly Rhythm)

1994
"Step Into My Life" Valerie Johnson (Emotive)
”I'll Make U Happy" Ele Ferrer (Emotive)

1995
"Deliver Me" Michael Procter" (Hott )
”Don't Wait" Jetaime (Kult)
”Everything You Do" Carolyn Sylvan (Kult)
”Life & Times" George Duke (DMC)
”The Winding Song" DoublePlusGood (Sire)
”Sweetest Day of May" Joe T. Vanelli (DMC)

1996
"Another Star 96" Kathy Sledge (Narcotic)
”It's Music" Century Falls (MCA UK)
”The Name Game" DoublePlusGood (Sire)

1997
"If You Want It, Come and Get It" Groove Committee (Phuture Trax)
”Keep Givin' " Mila (Kult)
”Missing You" Kimmie Horne (Slip 'N' Slide)
”Always Searching" Tuff Productions (AM:PM Records)
”Just A Freak" Crystal Waters feat. Dennis Rodman (Mercury)
”I'm Talking To You" Shampale Cartier (AM:PM Records)

1998
"If I'm Not In Love" Jody Watley (Atlantic)
”Sunrise" Wet Dreams featuring Kenard (Twisted)

1999
"Celebration" Blak Beat Niks (Large)
”Days Like That" Fierce (Wildstar)
”Speak To Me" Brick Nation (Velocity) Happy Days" PJ (Defected)

2000
”Paradise" Michael Proctor (Purple Music)
”Some People" Groove Collective (Liquid Sound Lounge)
"My Feeling" Junior Jack (Defected Records)

2001
”Lush" The Rurals (Peng Records)
”Rising' Sylk 130 featuring Kathy Sledge (Six Degrees Records)
”Everything" Stephanie Cooke (King Street Records)
"Jack It Up" The Pound Boys vs. The Martello Bros. (Look At You Records)
“Golden Boys” Res (MCA Records)

2002
”What About Us?” Brandy (Atlantic Records)
“They Say Vision” Res (MCA Records)
“I Don’t Wanna” Keke Wyatt (MCA Records)

Remixes Done By 95 North and Crystal Waters
"Tell Me" Dru Hill (Island)
Just Say If You Feel Alright" Crystal Waters (Mercury)

:D

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Mack-Williams:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JAMIE 3:26:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Cordell:
On weds. at Sub T., Early arrival is suggested, $3 before 11:30p $5 afterwards. Hey,I've never been to this place before.That crazy intersection always confused me.Can someone give me a landmark this place is by.....Thanks,J. </font>[/QUOTE]Flash Taco sits on Damon, Sub T is on North Ave. on the side the Flash Taco is on. So if you see the Flash Taco walk around the corner and you will be right there. </font>[/QUOTE]I didn't know Flash Taco was a Chicago landmark. Thanks for the history lesson, Mack......JMJ ;)

[Jamie 3:26]

Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mack-Williams:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JAMIE 3:26:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Cordell:
On weds. at Sub T., Early arrival is suggested, $3 before 11:30p $5 afterwards. Hey,I've never been to this place before.That crazy intersection always confused me.Can someone give me a landmark this place is by.....Thanks,J. </font>[/QUOTE]Flash Taco sits on Damon, Sub T is on North Ave. on the side the Flash Taco is on. So if you see the Flash Taco walk around the corner and you will be right there. </font>[/QUOTE]I didn't know Flash Taco was a Chicago landmark. Thanks for the history lesson, Mack......JMJ ;) </font>[/QUOTE]It's a Wicker Park landmark for sure... graemlins/rofl.gif

[Mack-Williams]

Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mack-Williams:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JAMIE 3:26:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Cordell:
On weds. at Sub T., Early arrival is suggested, $3 before 11:30p $5 afterwards. Hey,I've never been to this place before.That crazy intersection always confused me.Can someone give me a landmark this place is by.....Thanks,J. </font>[/QUOTE]Flash Taco sits on Damon, Sub T is on North Ave. on the side the Flash Taco is on. So if you see the Flash Taco walk around the corner and you will be right there. </font>[/QUOTE]I didn't know Flash Taco was a Chicago landmark. Thanks for the history lesson, Mack......JMJ ;) </font>[/QUOTE]:D Stop messing with me JMJ. I was just trying to help him out.

[ August 13, 2003, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: Mack-Williams ]

[JMJ]

Originally posted by Mack-Williams:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JMJ:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mack-Williams:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JAMIE 3:26:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Cordell:
On weds. at Sub T., Early arrival is suggested, $3 before 11:30p $5 afterwards. Hey,I've never been to this place before.That crazy intersection always confused me.Can someone give me a landmark this place is by.....Thanks,J. </font>[/QUOTE]Flash Taco sits on Damon, Sub T is on North Ave. on the side the Flash Taco is on. So if you see the Flash Taco walk around the corner and you will be right there. </font>[/QUOTE]I didn't know Flash Taco was a Chicago landmark. Thanks for the history lesson, Mack......JMJ ;) </font>[/QUOTE]:D Stop messing with me JMJ. I was just trying to help him out. </font>[/QUOTE]Didn't Mrs. O'Leary's cow eat some Flash Tacos, get the shits, and then kick over the lantern that started the Great Chicago Fire of 1871?? Could have sworn I read that somewhere.....JMJ ;)

[Tony Cano]

BUMP

[DeesKo]

Ain't no one up yet, thats a good sign....


how'd it go ?


peace

[Jamie 3:26]

All I can say is I felt Doug.I get up to the door and he's banging Black Action.I had a nice lil workout.Doug played Kerri's"On My Way"and I totally felt the message.That's one of my favorites now and it just moves me.

Nice blends and a selection of all kinds of shit.Wish I could've caught this brother at home,where I know he really gets down.

It was a pleasure meeting and dancing to Doug's music.Chicago gave the brother love.I did not stay all nite,but damn,I see I can still hang a lil.

This is a nice spot to chill on Weds. for some tunes,nice women,and could be a warm-up to the 3 Degrees set.

It was good seeing everyone last nite.Big ups to Doug.Hurry back to the box man!!!

[Abercrombie & Fish]

We totally agree with James. Doug really threw down good to see everyone last night. Whyteout and Delilah have a cool pic we all took I'm sure they will post later.

[SMOOTH87]

Doug beat it last night! He had a lot energy in his set just how we like it. It was good seeing everyone last night also. I had a great time.

[And]

graemlins/grinyes.gif

[Light Skinted Wif Good Hur]

graemlins/spanka.gif http://deephousepage.com/smilies/spank2.gif http://deephousepage.com/smilies/fight.gif http://deephousepage.com/smilies/chair1.gif An old fashioned beat down in the truest sense!!!

[ August 14, 2003, 08:09 PM: Message edited by: whyteout ]

[Bernie]

Photos.....

http://www.global-soul.com/cordell1.jpg

http://www.global-soul.com/doug1.jpg

http://www.global-soul.com/doug2.jpg

http://www.global-soul.com/doug3.jpg

http://www.global-soul.com/doug4.jpg

http://www.global-soul.com/doug5.jpg

http://www.global-soul.com/doug6.jpg

http://www.global-soul.com/doug_crowd1.jpg

[And]

Doesn't this belong in the best threads section. graemlins/grinyes.gif
-
Note to self: Add pictures to my favourites folder. icon_rofl.gif

[Doug]

Wow...I am really honored and humbled by all of the comments here. I want to say that I truly enjoyed myself during my visit. If there is any drama in the Chicago scene, it certainly was not on display while I was there! Chicago folks really know how to set it out for a brotha. I don't think I've ever had hospitality and love like that anywhere else but DC.

I want to personally thank Cordell, Whyteout and Delilah for making this trip possible. You guys are the absolute best! I cannot thank you enough for your support and love.

I also want to thank all the peeps I met while I was out there. I would name names, but when I've tried in the past I've always left out one or two, so I won't even try to front here. Suffice to say I am honored to have finally played in the birthplace of this thing we call house, and am humbled that people that are notoriously tough on out of town jocks (as they should be) felt that I "beat the box". That is an honor I will cherish for the rest of my life. I don't think I could have picked a more fitting end to my DJ career. I sincerely hope that all of you make it to DC someday soon so you can see and hear all the DJs that shaped and molded me over the last 10 years or so of my career. You haven't heard anything yet...

Once again, thanks to all. Hope to see you again really, really soon.

Peace,