A DJ Mix and Interview from 70x7 Records' Agent Blak

Agent Blak's new 5 Tracks By Agent Blak EP offers a delicious taste of old school style house music jams whose sole purpose is moving sweaty late night dance floors. Released on the Los Angeles-based soulful house label 70x7 Records, Agent Blak's EP shows the producer's knowledge and expertise in the house music realm, qualities he also shares in his equally impressive hip hop discography.

Agent Blak supplied a slammin' DJ mix featuring a selection of his own house productions and sat down for a quick interview with 8DPromo. Have a listen to the mix and read what Agent Blak is all about, all below:

March 2017 House Mix – All Songs By Agent Blak

  1. Legacy
  2. Too Hot In The House
  3. Porgy House
  4. For The Good Times
  5. The Void
  6. Beautiful People
  7. Wake Up
  8. Loving You

Which came first for you, hip hop or house music? Did one lead to the other? Do you see a connection between the two?

Agent Blak: House and hip hop are very related to each other in my mind. I started with hip hop back in the day, around the '80s and into the '90s, listening to beat producers like Jazzy Jeff, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, J-Dilla, Jungle Brothers, etc. Along that timeline, I listened to house music late nights. In St Louis, where I am from, most folks rocked out to Chicago-style jackin' house, some disco house, and soulful / deep house so I have a fond liking of those styles as well as tribal and funk house. I also lived in Providence, RI, where I started spinning more regularly. It wasn't until the early 2000s, after moving to Miami and spinning the local house scene there, that I started producing tracks. I simply wanted to play some of my own tracks and see folks dance to them. When that happened, I was hooked. I started putting together house music projects and podcasts and kept moving forward.

Do you use hip hop production techniques when making house music? Do you find that your production work in one genre influences the other?

Agent Blak: Most definitely. I am a 'crate digger' from way back. I love deconstructing samples to make something new out of them. I also am a drummer / percussionist with various instruments, play some keys, and mess around with guitar and bass. I combine all these skills in my tracks. I produce my tracks with Propellerhead Reason 9.

How did you meet the 70x7 Records crew?

Agent Blak: At my 9-to-5 job! I am a bicycle mechanic for all bikes including electric bikes. I became friends with this guy Ron (I work on his very expensive electric bike), who is a house music lover / DJ from Chicago. We started talking about music and he found out that I produce and DJ. We started a group called Chocolate Satellite Music Group and put out an album with myself and another member, Jaymo Ultimo, titled My Radio Station. He then introduced me to Dimitri Craven of 70x7 Records who asked me to do a couple house remixes for a release on his label. From there we set forth to release a solo project by yours truly. This … is just the start of the journey so stay tuned.

Tell us about the 5 Tracks By Agent Blak EP. Are there stories behind any of the songs, or the EP as a whole?

Agent Blak: 5 Tracks was inspired by to my love for throwback remixes, sounds, and styles. As I mentioned, I really enjoy digging for the hottest and obscure sounds and vocals as well as recognizable riffs, anthems, and choruses. For example: "The Void" was inspired by the movie Space Is The Place with Sun Ra. The dialog in the movie is super-inspiring and awesome. "Porgy House" was inspired by Nina Simone's original song. I have many other tracks ands remixes that might come out of the vault soon.

What are your thoughts and feelings on the Los Angeles house music scene? What’s it like DJ’ing in Los Angeles?

Agent Blak: I am new to the L.A. house scene (I moved to Cali a few years ago) and will be spinning a lot more house venues in 2017. Prior to this, I played on the East coast and some Amsterdam clubs. Then some small venues in Santa Monica as well as functions and events. However, be sure to Keep an eye out for Agent Blak dropping sound science all over southern Cali this summer and on into the Future.

What is next for Agent Blak? Anything you want people reading this to know?

Agent Blak: Agent Blak will be doing more of the same and that's getting in the lab to create great tracks and getting them out to the people. I hope to build a solid fan base and make folks happy and uplifted with my production, podcasts, and radio shows. Check in at www.agentblak.com.

Brookside Chase - Deep In The Night (Plenitude Records)

Following the warm reception of his previous Eternally EP, Plenitude Records label founder Chris Simmons (aka Brookside Chase) returns with a stunning collection of deep and seductive dance floor scorchers that will excite listeners and dancers alike. A lifelong lover of house music and all things deep and soulful, Brookside is new name on the scene but has been producing since his early teens. Now in his 30s, Brookside is ready to share his musical vision with the world. His second release Deep In The Night features three slamming deep house tracks, perfect for late night or early morning nightclub action.

“A Form of Life” includes elements of darkness and light that come together to form a sublime track. This cut has a thumping groove and bass line and also features soaring angelic voices and lush retro chords. “Dream On (My Dreamer)” is a groovy, sensual slice of soulful house with uplifting vocals, beautiful chords, and a bumping low end. “Running With The Wind” is a reference to the groove-driven house tracks of the ’90s, featuring ecstatic piano chords, female vocals, a beautiful break down section, and relentless bass that drives right into the heart and soul.

Billie Ray Martin (Disco Activisto Records) – “Awesomeness. I love all the tracks. Maybe Running With The Wind is the one I’ll play most. Wonderful!”
Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “A Form Of Life is bloody ace!”
Tom Lown (Lucky Sun Recordings) – “Ooh. Deep, dark and groovy. I love the feel of A Form Of Life.”
Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Nice tracks, I will play these.”
Tariq Ziyad (Planet Rave) – “Really blissful sounds. Got my support!”
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse) – “Super chunky and atmospheric. All three tracks are solid.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM 95) – “It’s a really nice release. Really cool, clubtastic and intoxicating.”
Norbert Borchers (House Sound Of Hamburg) – “Very nice EP!”
Dean Facer (Resident Advisor) – “Excellent release … particularly liking Dream On & Running With The Wind.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel Show) – “Great groovy deep house with excellent flow. Dream On and Running With The Wind are my favorites here.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, And Spotify.

Brandon* - Dreamscape: Part 4 - (Cold Busted)

Hailing from within the heat of Florida, Brandon is a gifted producer whose musical style is an eclectic blend of hip hop, jazz, lounge, and latin flavors. Tough beats move alongside swirling strings, soundtrack-ish atmospheres, and nostalgic orchestral arrangements, all seemingly lifted from obscure vinyl thrift store finds in the sunny retirement capitol. It’s a refreshingly perfect mix of elements, resulting in ‘beats music’ that is amorous and enchanting. This is even more apparent on Brandon’s latest long-player on the Cold Busted imprint, titled Dreamscape: Part 4. The producer’s other Dreamscape releases explored his distinct sound, and this latest brings Brandon’s M.O. to further maturity and acclaim. From the bombastic bossa of “Cabana Chat” to “Oasis”’s gentle acoustic guitars to the tropical jazz vibe of “Rio Dio”, Dreamscape: Part 4* will delight and captivate, and nicely compliments an exotic cocktail.

Kid Loco (Flor / Tromolo Records) – “Well done. Let’s go back into the 60’s!”
Rusty (All Good Funk Alliance) (Funk Weapons) – “Nice loungey breaks and beats. These are fun.”
Stickybuds (Goodgroove Records) – “Another winner, love it.”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “This is great. Loving the Cuban vibes, I would play all of these.”
Poldoore (Chinese Man Records) – “Loving these raw, organic beats. Will play them out for sure.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “Eclectic beats and some famous tunes reinterpreted. Wonderful!”
Mark Reynolds (Just Chillin Podcast) – “Music to watch the sunset by.”
Mason Rothert (Below Zero Radio Show) – “Another Cold Busted Gem.”
Aroto (Aroto – Instrumental Hip-Hop Radio) – “Amazing album from Brandon. He is on another level from the rest, taking instrumental hip-hop into a unique direction.”
Jon Paul Green (The Blend Radio Show) – “Never fails to impress. Solid beats and beautiful melodies. The perfect album bringing in those summer vibes.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Bandcamp, iTunes, And Spotify.

PRIX - PRIX (Random Records)

Continuing in their efforts to present the work of the late Brian Tennessee Claflin, the Brian Tennessee Claflin Foundation, in conjunction with Random Records, is proud to present the first release from Brian’s musical alter ego, PRIX.

Brian Tennessee Claflin was a radical and fiery figure who worked on the intersecting fringes of Berlin’s art and nightlife scenes since he moved there in 2006 up until his tragic death in 2014 at the age of 33. He ran the notorious Sunday soirée PORK at Ficken3000, and left behind a small but very powerful body of art. Working inter-disciplinarily in the fields of performance, video, photography, DJ’ing, painting, and writing, Claflin was himself a living work of art who managed to develop a cult following of friends, family, and fans in a brief but intense period of frenetic activity.

Between 2009 and 2013, Brian and his friend, the American-cum-Berlin musician and producer Snax, produced music and sound collages. All these productions met somewhere at the intersection of dance, voodoo, bitchiness, and punk and several were used for Brian’s performance pieces.

The Brian Tennessee Claflin Foundation and Snax’s Random Records are very proud to finally release two tracks from these sessions, as well as remixes, digitally and as a vinyl EP in a limited edition of 500 hand-numbered copies.

The first track showcased on the PRIX EP, entitled “Don’t Get All Upset”, addresses the politics and hypocrisy Brian constantly confronted working in the world of nightlife. Taken directly from his experiences as promoter of the notorious PORK party at Ficken3000, Prix lambastes anyone who dares to challenge her while Snax supports it all with a tense and strutting funk. B-side “Spritz It” is nothing less than an electro monster from the underground. Just how much damage, pleasurable and otherwise, can one inflict on the erogenous zones? Prix’s gender fluid party anthem shows one the way.

Remixes come courtesy of artists who knew and loved Brian personally: Janus party stalwart Lotic brings his unique sound of vogue horror to “Don’t Get All Upset”. Lotic highlights the vitriolic lyrical delivery, punctuating it with terror house, and redefining the word “slay”. Filmmaker Bruce LaBruce takes another turn as remixer, teaming up with international duo MADLICK (who had their live debut at PORK). Together they turn the beat around on “Spritz It”, offering up disco fever and another shade of ecstasy. For DJs, an instrumental version of “Upset” is featured, as well as the “Spritzapella”, which must be heard to believed.

The limited edition vinyl release is pressed on translucent yellow vinyl and is enclosed in hand-numbered covers designed by Brian’s friend and collaborator Mario Dzurila. The first 200 covers are hand painted and every copy comes with free download codes for digital. All sale proceeds go to the Brian Tennessee Claflin Foundation, which aims to maintain and promote Brian’s artistic legacy.

The vinyl release was launched in Berlin at a special exhibition on the eve of Brian’s birthday, 1 December, at Monster Ronson’s Ichiban Karaoke. DJ sets came courtesy of Bruce LaBruce, Madlick, Snax plus a live performance by Crystal D.

Brian Tennessee Claflin was born in Boise, Idaho, in the United States of America, in 1980. He studied photography, studio art, and art history at Hunter College (City University of New York) and BTK in Berlin, where he resided from 2006 until his death in 2014. He collaborated with multimedia artist Christophe Chemin, photographer & designer Mario Dzurila, musician Snax, painter Pietro Spirito, and art/porn filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, among others. His work has been performed and exhibited at HAU Theater, STYX Projects, Lucas Carrieri Gallery, and the Black Mold Gallery in Chicago. For seven years, Claflin curated the weekly avant-garde Sunday night performance and dance party PORK, as well as the transgressive poetry and spoken word anti-art salon and performance/installation night SLUM, both of which he initiated along with writer Travis Jeppesen.

Snax, aka Paul Bonomo, is an American born musician, performer and DJ. Through his long and varied career, he founded queer art punk band Fagbash and disco pop group Captain Comatose. He has released several solo albums and singles and collaborated with artists such as Jamie Lidell, Peaches, and Scissor Sisters. The PRIX EP is released on his label, Random Records.

Billie Ray Martin - (Disco Activisto Records) – “Amazing release. That old school, taken in to the new realm. Fierceness!”
Dickey Doo (Get Up Recordings) – “Cute!”
Hard Ton (Toy Tonics) – “”Great EP, Spritz it got me shaking my ass. Love the 808-ish drums and the vocals.”
Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “This is great – Crazy!”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Disco punk is back.”
Miruna Boruzescu (Borusiade) – “Queer Fun!”
Larry Tee (Carnage Music) – “Love it. Loved Brian.”
Christian Homan (RTE Pulse) – “Interesting and liking it!”
NoWay DJ (Sub-Zero Radio Show) – “Bruce LaBruce vs. Madlick Remix is killer!”
Zach Van Lue - “Refreshing, wacky ass vocal driven dance music!”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On radio show) – “This is amazing! I would love to play Spritz It on my radio show, but I can’t afford the FCC fines, so I’ll save it for my sets.”

Available Now From: Beatport, WhatPeoplePlay, iTunes, And Spotify.