Musica: 1st Annual House Dance Festival

Above: The ladies of Mawu funk it out at the Mr. V "Welcome Home" store release preview back in May.

Yes, folks. In a town so nice they named it twice and one with such a vibrant underground house dance community, I guess it had to happen sooner or later.

On the footsteps of the 1st ever New York Dance Parade back in May, the 1st Annual House Dance Festival will hit New York next week (July 11th through the 14th). Full details here as well as on the organizer's MySpace page here.

The Village Voice also has a preview here. And yes, the ladies of Mawu will be there probably putting everyone on "So You Think You Can Dance" AND their mom to shame. Quentin Harris is amongst the participating DJ's.

No shame in his game: Quentin Harris

Photo by Joe Opperdisiano

Last time we wrote about Quentin Harris we were wondering if his Japanese-only import "No Politics" would be ever released in the United States. Hm... We're still waiting.

Still the man has been busy. Late last year, Quentin launched the hugely successful NRK records Coast2Coast series (Kerri Chandler, Ron Trent and Ame have followed) while, closer to home, he recently became the resident DJ at kissmyblackass, a monthly house music dance club party. That's in between all the touring he has been doing in Europe and the United States.

The man, who has remixed hits by Shakira, India Arie, Patti Labelle, Sting, Alicia Keys, Usher, Jill Scott, Mariah Carey, Leela James, Floetry and Femi Kuti has recently had a couple of his own cuts burn down the dancefloors throughout the world: "Hate Won't Change Me" featuring Byron Stingly and, more recently, "What it Feels Like" featuring the amazing Joi Cardwell (you can listen to both on the "audio console" at Quentin's official website).

In the meantime I have to admit that even I was a little shocked by how prominent Quentin has been on a different endeavor [Warning: NSFW].

Not that there aren't other out DJ's out there (Junior Vazquez, Frankie Knuckles, Tom Stephan a/k/a Superchumbo and Danny Tenaglia, among others) but spinning records as a gay DJ is something and actually putting your sexuality front and center as an integral part of an HIV prevention campaign targeting gay men of color is quite another (oh, and did I mention that it's all about gay men of color who are active in the leather and s&m communities?).

As the site says Safer+Saner "provides safer sex outreach targeting the leather and kink communities" and was founded in 2005 by Blackkat, Mr. American Leatherman 2005. Since its foundation, Safer+Saner has organized a few events and Quentin has gladly provided his, ehem, DJ services.

It's refreshing to see one of the most promising DJ's out there be so engaged in the community. But, still, I wanted to ask Quentin whether it was OK to write about it on this blog. His response?

"You can blog about whatever dude i have no shame!...LOL."

So for having no shame in his game, Quentin Harris becomes my second hero of the week! And, mind you, I don't necessarily take bestowing "hero" status lightly.

Links:

• Quentin Harris official website here
• Quentin Harris MySpace page here
• Safer+Saner here [Warning: NSFW]

Musica: KissMyBlackAss!

Alright, then. Mincing no words, that's Quentin Harris for you.

Musica: House music all spring long

It has been building for a while but it seems to have happened. Good ol' funky heavenly melodic soulful disco music is back in a big way and a few new key releases are eading the way.

4hero: The best might come first! "Play with the Changes" is out next week in the UK. From the couple of songs I've heard, it is yet another stunner. Some will be disappointed that their old drum'n'bass roots have mostly gone by the wayside but the new album, their first in six years, seems to deepen their ongoing exploration of the golden age of 70's soul. For the record, I still can't listen to their remake of Minnie Riperton's "Les Fleur" without getting goosebumps! Let's hope they tour the United States down the line. Past hightlights: "Escape That," "Loveless," "Star Chasers"

Tracey Thorn: While Ben Watt has struck gold with his Buzzin' Fly imprint and on the DJ circuit, his Everything But the Girl partner-in-crime Tracey Thorn resurfaces with her first solo album ever (titled "Out in the Woods" and out in March on Astralwerks in the US) after mostly gracing other bands' singles with her magnificent voice. First single "It's All True" looks back at the mid-80's NY house sound (with an amazing Martin Buttrich mix making the rounds). There is also a song about gay kids getting bullied in school called "A to Z" and a remake of the Pet Shop Boys "King's Cross" which should keep the gay press happy. Past highlights: Massive Attack's "Protection," "Five Fanthoms," "Before Today (Live)," "Walking Wounded," Deep Dish's "Future of the Future," "Rollercoaster," "Driving"

Quentin Harris: Bringing the Detroit sound into the 21st century, out DJ/producer/remixer of the moment Quentin Harris (pictured above) has already released his "No Politics" CD in Japan (not sure if and when it will be released states side). "Who?" you say? Well, he's remixed Mariah and Beyonice already, among others, and has a banging new mix/unmixed compilation of some of his productions inaugurating a new NRK records series called "Coast2Coast." He also has a bonafide classic or two under his belt ("Let's Be Young" among them) but the future seems wide open. For one thing he's got the amazing (and out) Joi Cardwell singing again on "What It Feels Like." He also has an equally legendary Byron Stingily on "Hate Won't Change Me." Quentin, who has made a living in NYC as of late, is also known for his involvement in local HIV prevention initiatives among gay men of color.

Karizma: Back in September we were lucky to catch Karizma out at Prospect Park when he performed at Li'l Ray's Clubhouse Jamboree (check him drop the Johnny Dangerous mix of Jazmina's "Let the Rain Come Down" with her vocals gliding over Frankie Knuckle's all-time classic "Tears"). If Quentin Harris brings Detroit back, Karizma is all about the Baltimore house sound. You might have heard "4 the Love" before, now he's releasing a full album, "A Mind of Its Own" on r2 Records.

Peven Everett: Detroit, Baltimore, can Chicago be next? You already know how I feel about Peven Everett but, as we told you, following the success of "Stuck," Peven is set to release what will probably be his most successful production thanks to the push that Defected's Soul Heaven imprint will probably give his new full-length: "Power Soul" will be out in the UK next week as well (snippets of all songs available at that link). Can't wait for it!

Mr. V: Last but not least, wussup New York! So aparently Mr. V (representing Loisaida, as we Naw Yorkers call Manhattan's Lower East Side) has already released his "Welcome Home" album. Hm, so how come I can't find a CD copy anywhere in this city? Sounds like one big great party going by its first single "Da Bump" (produced by Alix Alvarez and featuring the groovilicious Ms. Patty) and a live performance of "Put Your Drink Down."