Blog

Atjazz shares a selection of his favourite Ocha Records cuts

Ocha Records underlines its credentials as a home for quality underground house music as long-time friend, Martin Iveson a.k.a. Atjazz, lands on the label with a remix of Coflo & Lady C’s 2019 vocal-led cut, ‘Easy’. The revered UK DJ, producer and label owner, skilfully twists the uplifting afro house vibe of the original into a stylish deep house groove. Released globally on December 2nd, Atjazz brings his undeniably unique and definitive touch to an already stunning track, […]

August 7, 2024 4

DJ Articles

Beatportal’s Artist of the Month: DJ Minx

Marcus Barnes speaks to Detroit’s queen of house music DJ Minx — a champion of women’s empowerment in the dance music scene — to learn more about her ancestral history, the first time she mixed records, the origins of her Woman On Wax imprint, and beyond. It’s interesting to hear DJ Minx describe the path that was forged by her predecessors while also considering the fact that she has also […]

August 7, 2024 5

DJ Interviews

Interview: Ash Lauryn

Even though she has been based out of Atlanta for more than a decade, the rising DJ Ash Lauryn is still more than capable of waxing lyrical about the legacy of Detroit electronic music. It was this move in her early 20s that helped her gain perspective on her beloved hometown Detroit, showing her the impact and reach of its legacy and the need to preserve it for future generations. […]

August 7, 2024 7

Dancer Articles

Interview: Legendary House Dancer Marjory Smarth

"Fluidity is my thing. I think I am an earth-bound mermaid. If there were a way to describe the way I dance, I have a lightness to my movement. Sometimes it's as if my feet don't even touch the ground." - Marjory Smarth Originally hailing from Haiti, she grew up in New York City and began dancing in her formative years. Deriving influences from the native dances of her culture […]

August 7, 2024 41

Tech News

The Evolution Of Different CDJ Types

The History Of CDJs The history of the CDJ is one of the most interesting stories in music technology. From revolutionary to mainstream, this DJ hardware has seen it all. The literal meaning of CDJ is Compact Disk Jockey which references the key reason the hardware was so successful - its compactness and convenience. The first CDJ was introduced by Pioneer in 1994. Prior to this, DJing on vinyl was […]

August 7, 2024 7

DJ Interviews

Behind the beats: DJ Nina Sol

"Turning non-believers into house heads became my ministry." Nina Sol has that inquisitive nature that will build your night full of meaningful plateaus. She conjures up that mystical people-moving energy, a forever-soul controlling your get-down. That name she performs under is a nod to her Afro-Latina heritage and warm and sunshiny disposition, according to her website. This is a Bay Area legend, giving her full attention to the details of DJing […]

August 7, 2024 9

DJ Interviews

In Conversation with Gilles Peterson

Gilles Peterson, one of Britain’s most-loved radio broadcasters and DJs, filled his days with something else: he built a three-storey recording studio with enough shelving to house most of his considerable vinyl collection. Situated at the end of his Stoke Newington garden, the soundproofed space is where Gilles plans and plots his musical empire. There is even the possibility, he says proudly, to stage small (very small) live gigs in […]

August 7, 2024 8

House History

Montréal, disco’s Second City

The origins of Montréal disco The French word discothèque – which combines ‘disque’ (record) with ‘bibliothèque’ (library) – describes a nightclub where patrons dance to recorded music. Many claim the first discothèque to open in North America was La Licorne in Montréal in 1963. By the 1970s, the abbreviated ‘disco’ was used to describe nightclubs like the Lime Light. Disco soon became a musical genre unto itself, rising to popularity in Black, […]

August 7, 2024 4

House History

The Black History of House and Techno

The history of house music and techno are both deeply rooted in foundations laid down by Black artists and musicians, many of whom have yet to receive the recognition and credit they are due. With this in mind, Sam and I decided to compile a list of articles and documentaries that speak truth to the history of Detroit techno, featuring also an article from our friend Grace (aka Nagini), who […]

August 6, 2024 7

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