Louie Vega

Elements of Life, Masters At Work, Vega Records, King Street

02.02.2007 ::: Words by Andrew Reid

Louie Vega is the Miles Davis of dance music. Like the impossible to categorize Davis, Vega is constantly reinventing himself; and revolutionizing the musical landscape in the process. During his nearly two-decade long career, Vega has crafted some of the most ground-breaking singles in dance music history (“The Nervous Track”, “It’s Alright, I Feel It” and “You Can Do It”), kick started genres like soulful house (“Beautiful People,” “I Get Lifted”), and revitalized the careers of legends like Roy Ayers, George Benson and Tito Puente.

Born in the Bronx in 1965, Vega grew up in an environment rich with Latin music. His father, Louie Vega Sr, is an accomplished jazz and Latin saxophonist and his uncle was renowned salsa singer Hector Lavoe (of Fania All Stars fame). Vega’s musical influences didn’t end with Latin music though: in the eighties, he was a regular at legendary nightclubs like The Paradise Garage and attended Afrika Bambaataa’s famous Bronx River Projects block parties.

In the mid-eighties, Vega began to make a name for himself as an up-and-coming DJ, playing at Bronx and Manhattan hotspots like Devil’s Nest, Roseland, Studio 54 and the Palladium. He played with a raw energy and enthusiasm that reflected his passion for the music, and his sets were refreshingly diverse, encompassing everything from Latin-Jazz and hip-hop to British new wave. Towards the end of the decade though, Vega became disenchanted with the club scene’s increasing musical segregation. He felt that “People’s minds were starting to think in terms of categories.”

However, just as clubland’s creative lights appeared to be dimming, Vega’s soon-to-be production partner Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez began throwing wildly eclectic mobile parties in his native Brooklyn, whilst piecing together productions under the “Masters At Work” moniker. By 1987, the Masters At Work name had attracted so much attention that Todd Terry borrowed it for his New York house classic “Alright, Alright.”

Terry, in turn, introduced Gonzalez to Vega and the two found an immediate kinship. Masters At Work productions soon took off, and innovative house remixes for the likes of Tito Puente, Saint Etienne and even Debbie Gibson sent the duo straight to the top of the dance music pile. Meanwhile, Vega’s seminal “Underground Network” party, at New York’s Sound Factory Bar, created the template for many a soulful house party to come, yielding house music anthems like Barbara Tucker’s “Beautiful People” and River Ocean featuring India’s “Love & Happiness”.

With the Masters At Work sound firmly in place, the mid-nineties saw Vega and Gonzalez pursue new musical paths, under a different guise: Nuyorican Soul. They introduced this alter-ego on “The Nervous Track”; a fiercely percussive groove that was not only dance floor-friendly, but musically sophisticated and engaging as well. A subsequent track, the club hit “You Can Do It (Baby)!” featuring George Benson, helped the project gain critical mass with fans, and after being signed by influential music maestro Gilles Peterson, Vega and Gonzalez recorded the Nuyorican Soul album. Released in 1997, the self-titled album brought together an all-star cast of musicians - including Roy Ayers, Jocelyn Brown, Eddie Palmieri, India and DJ Jazzy Jeff – to create an innovative, genre-defying piece of music that has proved to be both timeless and unflinchingly influential on the dance music of today.

Far from resting on his laurels, Vega has continued to push his creative impulses, seeking out an array of fresh and exciting projects to work on. 2002 saw the release of the Masters At Work album “Our Time Is Coming”; a collection of songs co-written, produced, arranged and mixed by Vega and Gonzalez, who recruited a number of friends and influences to add to the sessions. Roy Ayers, Patti Austin, Blaze and James Ingram were among those who featured on the album, which again found MAW at their finest; whether it be on the Latin-Jazz of “Pienso En Ti”, or the inescapable Soca beats of cross-over phenomenon “Work”. “Our Time Is Coming” also gave Vega and Gonzalez the opportunity to collaborate once again with the supreme Latin songstress India. The result was the club mega-hit “Backfired”; a heart-felt, introspective song, penned by Vega and India, and produced by Masters At Work.

In 2005, Vega embarked on his most ambitious musical venture yet; his long awaited “Elements Of Life” album. The project takes the themes laid down in the Nuyorican Soul album and develops them further. Vega continues on his mission to break down musical boundaries; exploring, dissecting and fusing genres like Bossanova, Samba, Jazz, Salsa and Afro-groove. Born out of his intense desire to create a culturally unifying album that reflects upon love, family, spiritualism and social awareness, “Elements Of Life” is a unique musical collage. Vega hand-picked a nine-piece band for the project, and songs feature seasoned singer / songwriter / guitarist Raul Midon and rising superstar singer / songwriter Anane; as well as Blaze, Dimitri From Paris, Ursula Rucker and salsa sensation Domingo Quinones. Having already completed a sell-out tour of Japan’s Blue Note venues, and with a headlining performance at New York City’s Summerstage behind them, Vega and the Elements Of Life Band are preparing to take their multi-cultural, multi-layered musical experience to venues throughout the United States and Europe. Vega is famous for the emphasis he places on live performance and musicianship; not only in the world of production, but in the world of deejaying as well, where he is known for bringing musicians to play live over his sets.

In addition to his own album, Vega has found time to produce the latest full-length offering (“Venezuelan Zinga Son”) from the Grammy-nominated Venezuelan dance band Los Amigos Invisibles. After the success of first single “Bruja”, and their much lauded cover of Touchdown’s disco classic “Ease Your Mind”, further collaboration between Vega and Los Amigos, signed to David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, seems almost certain.

Aside from his production work, Vega dedicates two-thirds of every year to a rigorous DJ schedule, which finds him playing to thousands of people around the globe; in clubs from Mykonos to Johannesburg. He still plays with an unrivalled energy and exuberance, and his innate desire to make people dance dominates every one of his sets, inspiring him to thrill and excite every crowd that comes to hear him play. Vega is currently preparing to translate the extraordinary experience of his live sets onto CD, in the form of his latest compilation "Mix the Vibe” on King Street; which follows in the footsteps of his much celebrated, “Soul Heaven", “House Nation” and “Ministry Of Sound” CDs.

With a performance at the Super Bowl only days away, we caught up to this dance music icon and got the low down on this Master At Work.

Nocturnal: Your career is legendary. What does it mean to you to be so revered and beloved by the house music community and considered the godfather of all things 4/4 ?
Louie: I don't consider myself the godfather, but I appreciate the compliment. Frankie Knuckles is the Godfather of House. Having said that, I definitely feel that I have contributed much to our dance community.

Nocturnal: You won your first Grammy in 2005. How have you seen dance music evolve in the US to this point where we now have awards at the highest level? Where do you see it progressing in the next 5 years?
Louie: Masters At Work been nominated at least 5 times and finally last year I won one. It's a big accomplishment for our music to reach those levels. It gives us all exposure in areas we've never been. Our music is definitely reaching new heights, e.g. Elements Of Life now on the Super Bowl with Cirque Du Soleil and Romero Britto. Movie Soundtracks, etc. are the future and spreading the music through live performances at jazz, world, Latin, rock and electronic festivals will help bring our music to a new audience. That’s the future.

Nocturnal: On February 4th, you and your Elements of Life band will be performing as part of the Super Bowl pre-game show. How excited are you? With acts like Tiesto and Richie Hawtin involved in the Olympic ceremonies and now this... do you think we have seen dance music finally take a turn from niche genre to major player in North America?
Louie: We are all very excited about the Super Bowl, this is a huge step for our culture and music. We are here representing all genres of dance music just as Tiesto and Hawtin were at the Olympics. The Super Bowl is watched by over one billion people, so it is worldwide. All our peeps around the world will get to see and millions of people who have never heard our music. I've composed a song for Cirque Du Soleil and we are performing with them at the Super Bowl for Pre-Show on February 4th… collaborating with Cirque Du Soleil is an honour.

Nocturnal: What releases and/or remixes should we be expecting from you in the near future?
Louie: "One Dream" Elements Of Life featuring Anane (the song we are performing at the Super Bowl) will be the lead song and name of the album for the next full length from Elements Of Life. I've produced a song for Cerrone's new album and I'm releasing a compilation for V2/Fania Records of Hector LaVoe entitled "El Cantante". Also a remix of one of his big hits "Mi Gente". In addition to that I'm releasing my first soundtrack to a movie entitled "Spit" and directed by Rotimi Rainwater on LnM Records ( a new label I started with partner Michael Weiss of famed Nervous Records ). There’s a new “Louie Vega In The House” on Defected Records coming this August and a new Sexy CD comp entitled "Lust" on Concept Records (UK).

Nocturnal: What are your production weapons of choice? Mac/PC, software/hardware?
Louie: Mac, Protools, and Serrato.

Nocturnal: In your opinion what other producers out there are really pushing boundaries or making a big impact on our scene?
Louie: Producers/DJs making an impact: Kenny Dope, Blaze, Dennis Ferrer, Mr. V, Joe Claussell, Martinez Brothers, Kerri Chandler, Steve Barkan, Terry Hunter, Jazzy Jeff, King Britt, Ame, and Dixon.

Nocturnal: As the digital revolution continues to grow, how do you see it impacting our industry going forward?
Louie: Our industry has to go forward... if not it will not last.

Nocturnal: Your forthcoming mix CD, Mix the Vibe on famed King Street is due out in February. On Disc 1 we get current club tracks in line with your weekly NYC residency Roots @ Cielo and Disc 2 is a choice selection of classic house joints, how did the comp come together? What experience do you hope the listener has while checking out the mixes?
Louie: I hope the listeners get a feel of what it was like on a night with LV. Whether yesterday or today there is a feeling you get from listening to the CD that makes you want to be there when it all happened. It was an amazing time in the 90s at the Underground Network Parties. I tried to capture that feeling with doing it live at Cafe Mambo Studios in Ibiza, having Barbara Tucker, Kenny Dope and Mr. V really helped with the atmosphere I was trying to capture. Barbara sang a special version of "Precious Love", Mr. V did a great intro and adlibbed on some tunes, and Kenny Dope did some improvised dope effects. It was all live and lots of fun.

Nocturnal: You also have a successful label, Vega Records. What releases are forthcoming?
Louie: We have a bunch of new projects coming up:
New Anane album "Selections" with a hot new single "Shake Dat Booty" (May Release).
New Mr. V album "Welcome Home" (April Release) with a new remixes of "Da Bump" and "Put Your Drink Down".
Elements Of Life 2 "One Dream".
And a new Sara Devine Album coming later this year.

Nocturnal: Also as part of your label's success is your ability to source out new, top-notch talent (in 2006 we saw Mr. V's rise). How do you go about finding these upcoming producers? Is it just a feeling you get or is there a process behind it?
Louie: I run into a lot of talent when travelling or at home. It’s instinct. When Mr. V brought me "Just Dance" I felt he really had it in him to do an album, so I asked him to do it. Anane is one of the lead singers of Elements Of Life and I saw she had something special in her ability to write and sing. So we have a new album "Selections" from her which features her in many styles from dance, R&B, world, jazz dance, and pop dance. I also have some new artists up my sleeve coming soon.

Nocturnal: You're also 1/2 of famed Masters At Work. What's upcoming from you and Mr. Dope?
Louie: Masters At Work will release the first Strictly Rhythm Album entitled "Strictly Maw" with a remix of "Love & Happiness" by MAW and a new production by us as well. Also this year marks 10 years of Nuyorican Soul, look out for a surprise!!

Nocturnal: Not only all of that, your weekly radio show, Dance Ritual, continues to flourish. What is the vibe of the show and how can people find it?
Louie: “Louie Vega's Dance Ritual” brings you a variety of house. Sometimes you will get the best in soulful house, sometimes tracky, dubby, or both. Or I can take you way back or I can give you an eclectic set. “Louie Vega's Dance Ritual” is on XM Satellite Radio on The MOVE channel, and it’s on Radio FG in Paris.

Nocturnal: What are your plans for WMC 2007?
Louie: I have a very busy WMC coming up as always…
March 20, The Magic Session w/ Louie Vega & Tony Humphries
March 21, Maw Miami Party
March 22, Roots presents Sunset Ritual Beach Party with Louie Vega & Kevin Hedge (Blaze)
March 23, Scion Yacht Party w/ MAW (ALREADY SOLD OUT!)

Nocturnal: Lastly here are some quick shots:
Nocturnal: CD, Vinyl, or MP3?
Louie: Vinyl, but for travelling CDs and Serrato are more convenient.
Nocturnal: What's more likely... vinyl making a comeback or a non-trance DJ being rated #1 in the DJ Mag poll?
Louie: LOL, that was funny!
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for vacation?
Louie: Hawaii.
Nocturnal: Favourite travel destination for performing?
Louie: Japan.
Nocturnal: Favourite venue in the world?
Louie: Roots @ Cielo NYC.
Nocturnal: Most indispensable item you travel with?
Louie: Headphones.
Nocturnal: Sex or chocolate?
Louie: Sex (with my wife)!
Nocturnal: If you weren't a DJ, you'd be a...
Louie: a Pilot.

::: Related Links

::: www.kingstreetsounds.com

::: www.mawrecords.com

::: www.vegarecords.net

::: Essential WMC 2007