Dance ARTISTS & MUSIC

U.S., Europe Converge In Amsterdam Razor N' Guido's Groouilicious Album REWIND: As we write this, it's Sinclar, and Full Intention man- Showcases Variety Of Clubland Styles several days after the Amsterdam ning the turntables. Yes, the focus Dance Event (ADE). And as we let was on soulful house sounds of the BY MATT KALKHOFF rhythm- crossover and top 40 the experience seep into our con- vocal and filtered kind. WASHINGTON, D.G. -"I used radio the week of Oct. 9. In this sciousness, we're haunted by a nag- U.K. production/remix outfit Full to get fired from clubs for playing issue, the song climbs 11 spots to ging question: Are the U.S and Intention deserves special mention this music," recalls Peter "Razor" No. 19 on the Billboard Hot Dance European dance markets trading for its wicked programming skills. Osback, one-half of the innovative Music/Club Play chart. places? In other words, is the Euro- by Michael Paoletta At one point, portions of Chaka remix/production team Razor N' Gossman confirms a strong pean market diminishing in overall Khan's "I'm Every Woman" were Guido, referring to the duo's pro- Internet promotion in addition to industry stature just as stateside lands), DJ Tonka (Germany), Towa being dissected and looped over the gressive hard -house sound. "I got radio. "Inside each CD will be a mainstreamers are getting with the Tei (Japan), Adamski (the U.K.), bubbly percussion breakdown of fired from a club six times on special code," she explains. "So, rhythm program? The answer and Olive (France) -we still find Karen Young's simply irresistible [New York's] Long Island. Now, purchasers of the disc can go to appears to be yes. ourselves reliving two parties in "Hot Shot." the clubs will do anything to get a site [liquidaudio.com /strict- Consider this: Clear Channel particular. Later on, the duo had quite the us to play." lyrhythm/], enter the code, and Communications has already begun Desire, which was held at the time reworking Teena Marie's "I Yesterday's nobody is today's have access to free files of extend- acquiring European radio stations cavernous Escape club, was pre- Need Your Lovin' " for contempo- trendsetter and tomorrow's ed club mixes of various album like Radio 2 Denmark and Radio 1 sented by an international array of rary dancefloors. Also figuring into superstar. It has often been said tracks, including Junior Vasquez's Norway. Will this result in leaner, labels (Mo'bizz Recordings, D `N' A, the mix was the world premiere of mix of `Miss The Way." musically segregated playlists, just Vocal Bizz Recordings, Groovili- the Full Intention restructuring of Also, notes Gossman, "we've as it has in the U.S.? According to cious /Strictly Rhythm, Kontor, Naté's next single, "Get It Up (The entered into a kiosk promotional numerous European label execu- TMF, and AM:PM). In addition to Feeling)." Talk about the stuff program with S3, the company tives attending the ADE, this is spotlighting frenetic DJ sets from dreams are made of that makes the Rio player." indeed the future of European Dutchmen like DJ Jurgen and DJ Consumers can also visit Strict - radio. Jean, the showcase featured live AS FOR THE PROVERBIAL ly.com for audio streaming of var- Like their American counter- performances by Ultra Naté and GOODIE BAG, those in search of ious tracks from "Dancefloor." parts, European labels are just now Afro Medusa. that next full -on disco album need In support of the album, Razor discovering that a great song is no Naté delivered a fiery set that look no further than Sheena East - N' Guido, who recently completed longer enough at radio. Today, a was equal parts past, present, and on's new Universal Records U.K. a tour of Japan -and who are strong marketing plan, as well as an future. The Baltimore -based singer/ album, the appropriately titled booked by Michael Schweiger of album and video, are also needed to songwriter's a cappella reading of "Fabulous." Scheduled to street RAZOR N' GUIDO New York -based Track Central gain access to European radio. "New Kind Of Medicine" was awe - Nov. 13, the oh -so festive 10 -song Booking-will spend the next "Gone are the days when you just inspiring, to say the least. In fact, set-produced by Ian Masterson that making it big in the enter- several months touring through- send an incredible dance track to a the same could be said for her fine (aka Trouser Enthusiasts) and tainment industry is just a matter out the U.S. and Europe. radio programmer," said one Lon- vocal skills on the guitar- etched Terry Ronald-finds Easton cov- of being in the right place at the Schweiger confirms dates in don -based label exec. "Found A Cure" and the disco - ering such dancefloor gems as right time. That, and an ample Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; And what about this: In a man- splashed "If You Could Read My "Don't Leave Me This Way," "Love amount of talent, of course. It may Atlanta; Orlando, Fla.; New York; ner very similar to Europe in the Mind." Is In Control (Finger On The Trig- be a tired cliché, but Razor N' and Tampa, Fla.; among other mid -'90s, the U.S. appears to be on For the million -selling "Free," ger)," and "Never Can Say Good- Guido attribute much of their past cities. In Europe, the act will the verge of a British dance music Naté was accompanied by what she bye." Also included are two original success to unexpected opportuni- spend much time in the U.K. explosion, with U.K. DJs /producers refers to as "the `Papa Don't songs (the power ballad "You ties and impeccable timing. When they are not touring, like and Sasha & Preach' mix." For those who Never Gave Me The Chance" and On the act's new continuous - Razor N' Guido plan to refocus John Digweed regularly touring haven't heard this incredible (and the "Last Dance" -hued "Get Here mix CD of original material, their energy on remixing other throughout the U.S. In fact, Oak - unreleased) version of the song, it To Me "), penned by Masterson and appropriately titled "Dance - artists' work. "For a good eight or enfold's beat -mixed compilation places the string section of Madon- Ronald, who collectively work floor" -which Groovilicious/ nine months, we weren't taking on "Perfecto Presents Another World" na's "Papa Don't Preach" over the under the Luxury Planet moniker. Strictly Rhythm will have in any additional projects," Guido debuted at No. 114 on The Billboard hypnotic beats ofJaydee's "Plastic The set's first single, a truly stores Nov. 7-the venerable men says of the pair's self -imposed 200 last issue. This was preceded by Dreams." According to Naté, this fierce remake of the Three behind such infectious and influ- break from remixing to concen- Sasha & John Digweed's "Commu- mix may eventually see the light of Degrees' "Giving Up, Giving In "- ential club /crossover hits as "Do trate on the album. "We're start- nicate," which debuted at No. 149 day as a B -side, "that is, if the prop- with equally fierce remixes by Joey It Again" are relying more heavi- ing to re- establish contacts and on the same chart in July. er licenses can be cleared." Negro, the Sleaze Sisters, and ly on talent these days and have telling people, `Hey, we're here, Also worth noting: Dance albums For the set's closing number, (Continued on next page) adeptly executed this exhaustive we're back.' So now the remixes like 's "Out There "Desire," Naté seamlessly segued and revolutionary project. are starting to come in again." And Back," BT's "Movement In from the song's original version into "I think the album shows how Recent remix projects include Still Life," and DJ Skribble's Joey Negro's fab restructuring. eclectic we are musically," says Isaac Hayes, De La Soul, and "Essential Dance 2000," among For those wondering about Naté's Billboard. Guido (Osorio), whose songs are Sugar Babies. many others, have been figuring new Strictly Rhythm album, published by Gomixx (ASCAP); On the horizon for the twosome heavily on Billboard's Heatseekers "Stranger Than Fiction," it should NOT ew Osback's songs are handled by are a multitude of remixes, origi- chart. The times they are a be in stores early next year. Ray Zorman (ASCAP). "For us, nal productions, and songwriting, changin', indeed. Preceding Naté was Afro this was the first time writing and as well as the development of Medusa, the London -based trio yetik 7 producing full -on vocals. It was artists. ON A LIGHTER NOTE, to say responsible for the international NOVEMBER 4, 2000 truly a learning experience." "We have a lot of areas that we that we're still recovering from the club smash "Pasilda," which this Although consisting of gen- haven't yet covered," says Guido PLAY ADE- approved parties that issue climbs to No. 3 on the Bill- CLUB uine dance music, the album "We appreciate everything that's -day Music 1. GLORIOUS ANDREAS JOHNSON KINET- showcases many different styles given to us and where we've abounded throughout the three board Hot Dance /Club Play IC been event would be an understatement. chart. Consisting of singer Isabel 2. FABULOUS (GUIDE YOUR ROCKET) of the clubland experience. It gone, but we have only just While there was definitely some- Frutt -Uoso, percussionist Patrick BORIS & BECK JELLYBEAN also spotlights the vocal talents begun." 3. ROCK DJ ROBBIE WILLIAMS CAPITOL thing for everyone-from Wall of Cole, and guitarist Nick Bennett, 4. EVERYBODY'S FREE RICHARD [HUMPTY] VISSION of Octahvia, Darrel Martin, Alan At the end of the day, explains Sound U.K.'s festive soiree, to the Afro Medusa ably replicated the FEAT. ROZALLA TOMMY BOY SILVER LABEL T., Reneé, and fellow Groovili- Gossman, "we're dealing with funked-up, all- the -way -live set by song's ferocious Brazilian vibe. If 5. ISSUES VERNESSA MITCHELL G2 cious artist Reina. two very talented guys who the Brooklyn Funk Essentials, to all goes according to plan, expect MAXI -SINGLES SALES "They're both very talented, bring a great mix of under- beat -savvy DJ sets from Europeans to see Afro Medusa touring 1. THAT OTHER WOMAN amazing guys," notes Reina, who ground and mainstream sounds CHANGING FACES ATLANTIC like Lucien Foort (the Nether- throughout the U.S. at the end of sings on (and co- penned) two to the table. With ` Dancefloor,' 2. GLORY GLORY November. THE ANANDA PROJECT NITEGROOVES tracks, "You" and "Miss The Razor N' Guido have made an 3. SPANISH GUITAR TONI BRAXTON is Immediately following Desire LAFACE Way," the set's first single. album that extremely accessi- was a party sponsored by Defected 4. LATIN SOUL THING "They let me have total creative ble to the crossover market and HOUSE 2 HOUSE STRICTLY RHYTHM TO OUR READERS Records U.K. Held at the two - 5. SUNSET (BIRD OF PREY) freedom." their original core audience, floored Club Arena, it was our kind FATBOY SLIM ASTRALWERKS According to Bari Gossman, VP which is the underground club Dance Trax Hot Plate will of international DJ lineup, with Breakouts: Titles with future chart potential, of promotion at Strictly Rhythm, community." return next week. guys like Boris Dlugosch, Olav based on club play or sales reported this "Miss The Way" was delivered to Basoski, Brian Tappert, Bob week.

BILLBOARD NOVEMBER 4, 2000 www.billboard.com 33 www.americanradiohistory.com