Diversity Rules Magazine

February 2018

Diversity Rules Magazine - _lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning_

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20 Diversity Rules Magazine February 2018 Fab Five - Con't from page 19 music videos inspire people to know that music is nev- er stagnate and not restricted by genres, titles or rules. It's boundless and always full of surprises." "Before mainstream's big machine deluge of out-of- the-box, color-by-numbers dance music, there was this," she continues. "We're stepping back with "SNL (So In Love)" but only to push the legitimate dance scene forward again." Among the remixers for "SNL (So In Love)" are DJ Melvin Gentry, Benji Candelario, and Quentin him- self. DJ Melvin Gentry stays true to the original but nicely ramps up the elements to give it a club groove that keeps the party going. Benji Candelario wraps the vocals (featuring Inaya Day and Darryl D'Bonneau) in a classic Frankie Knuckles-esque sound. It's spacious, sets the song up as the track unfolds, grows in intensi- ty, and rides the vocal changes with tension and drive. e BSF Bootleg finds the song presented in a laid back Philly disco treatment for the heads. "I'm Too Sexy (Touch is Skin)" also gets the remix treatment. Among the remixers featured on its package are John "J-C" Carr, Craig C, David Morales, Vjuan Allure and Jamie deVon. John "J-C" Carr incorporates hard-hitting drums, in-your-face synth, and floor- shaking bass into his mix. Craig C. presents a deep vintage, house mix of the track while David Morales' version is dark, subby, and full of attitude. Vjuan Al- lure serves raw, dramatic Baltimore beats for ballroom queens while Jamie deVon's acid house inspired take delivers a captivating after-hours mix that is NYC's Twilo meets Berlin underground, but in a fresh, mod- ern way. Black Stereo Faith and Peace Bisquit also produced special bootleg mixes for DJs that combine classic hip hop and pop. Busta Rhymes' "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby," and George Michael's "Too Funky" some- how manage to sit perfectly under Quentin and Ultra's low slung vocal styling. A new set of remixes will release in February, featuring reworks by Tom Stephan, Jesus Montanez, Moodyboy and a new version by Quentin Harris. "I hope fans love the music videos for "SNL (So in Love)" and "I'm Too Sexy (Touch is Skin)" and that they help them to realize that dance music is more than a faceless DJ, producer driven genre," says Quen- tin Harris. "Our vocalists are stars that shine bright." In her nearly three decades of making music, Ultra Naté has remained a musical chameleon, embracing a variety of sounds, from R&B/hip-hop, soul and disco to house, rock and electro-pop. Black Stereo Faith is a culmination of this experience and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the release of her all-time classic #1 hit, "Free." "Free" was recently named by Billboard as the #10 Greatest Of All Time Top Dance Club Songs. Ultra Naté was named the #12 Greatest of All Time Top Dance Artists. Black Stereo Faith is Ultra's ninth studio album (and Quentin's third). She initiated work on this 'pet proj- ect' while recording her eighth album, Hero Worship. at acclaimed full length features Robbie Rivera, Aussie wonder twins NERVO, chart-topping EDM troubadour Chris Willis, Italy's hit maker Nicola Fa- sano, hometown Baltimore's DJ Class, Michelle Wil- liams (of Destiny's Child) and house music innovators Todd Terry and David Morales. In addition to his solo productions, Quentin Harris has worked with top artists including Joi Cardwell and Mariah Carey. His many remixes include fan favorite Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget about Us," Justin Tim- berlake's "My Love," and Britney Spears' "Guilty". His debut artist album, No Politics, included collaborations with Danny Krivit, David Morales, Danny Tenaglia and Frankie Knuckles. In 2010, he released his second album, Sacrifice. Quentin's latest club reinterpretation for Tony Award winner Billy Porter and India Arie's duet "Carefully Taught" breathes a whole new life and potent relevance to Richard Rodgers' "South Pacific" classic. Black Stereo Faith "I'm Too Sexy (Touch is Skin)" and "SNL" Remixes are available now. e complete Ultra Naté & Quentin Harris as Black Stereo Faith album is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms. Visit Ultranate.com, QuentinHarris.com and peacebi- squit.com.

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