We are proud to be launching a fine LP of Modern Latin music at Floripa with DJs Chris Read and Jake Holloway joining our resident Gringo Da Parada. Expect a few giveawys as well as some amazing Latin fusion and Modern Latin sounds mixed with our usual Samba Hip Hop Stupidity..
Here’s the deal on this great CD and it’s compiler …
Unlike many compilations to have emerged from the BBE stable, this release
is less about unearthing rare or unheard music. It’s about shining a light
on a sound that has been developing in its own small corner of the musical
spectrum over the last decade or so.
Compiler Chris Read takes up the story
‘I approach this compilation, not as someone who grew up around Latin
influenced music or has any lengthy history of involvement with it, but as a
DJ and music fan who grew up listening to the early sample based music
of the late 80s and early 90s has, ever since, I have set about exploring the many directions that music has travelled in. The music which appears on this
compilation is the product of just one of those many avenues. The tracks
featured here come from a variety of sources but in many cases are the
product of a generation of DJs and producers who similarly grew up listening
to the sample rich hip hop, house and more of the 80s and 90s and have
taken that influence and applied it to a particular sound, in this case the varied
musical styles of the Latin diaspora.
This is modern Latin music from a DJ’s perspective – rhythm heavy, beat
driven and infectious’
Chris Read, 2011
Chris Read
Chris, a collector of hip hop, funk, soul boogie and related beats and jazz based music since the late eighties came to prominence as a club DJ through his involvement in Substance (one of the UK’s largest and longest running hip hop and funk nights) and his 2 year spell as mix DJ on BBC Radio 1Xtra. In recent years a steady output of high profile mix albums has allowed Chris to DJ around the globe. However, it is Chris’s broad musical taste and knowledge and ability to throw the unexpected into the mix that have sealed his reputation as a popular club DJ.
In 2008, Chris DJ’d across the globe taking in dates in Sydney, Bangkok, the French Alps, Stockhlom, Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Biarritz, Berlin and of course London, returning to a number of those locations for repeat bookings in 2009. In 2010, Chris then undertook an 18 date tour of Australia and Asia.
Aside from guest appearances at hundreds of clubs in the UK and overseas, Chris’ most notable residencies past and present include MINISTRY OF SOUND, CARGO, HERBAL, 93 Feat East and 333 in the UK, SOFTLY in Barcelona and HEADSHELL in Amsterdam.
Chris’ original live ensemble, the Substance Hip Hop Orchestra, performed a live session on Radio 1’s One World Show in 2002 following a series of well attended UK shows.
In 2008, Chris was invited to join the line up of a new live act, Maylight, a BBC New Urban Music Bursary funded 7 piece ensemble featuring vocalist Lizzy Parks (Tru Thoughts) and pianist Rob Barron (Nostalgia 77 / Ninja Tune). Within months of forming, the band perfromed shows at Birmingham Symphony Hall’s new live venue and London’s Royal Festival Hall to a capacity crowd as part of London Jazz Festival. The band will tour in 2012.
Chris’ first taste of radio was a live performance on Radio 1’s One World Show in November 2001 with a return visit in March 2002. Chris appeared on DJ Food ’s ‘Solid Steel’ BBC Radio show in July 2002 and again in 2005, the show being syndicated to 18 countries worldwide. Chris joined the BBC’s ‘new black music’ station, 1 Xtra, as one of the station’s 2 hip hop mix DJs in summer 2002 and was a regular feature of the station’s Saturday night mix show throughout 2004. Since leaving 1Xtra, Chris has been a prolific radio guest DJ with appearances on radio staions including New York’s Brooklyn Radio, Sydney’s FBI Radio, Melbourne’s PBS Network amongst others in locations from Ibiza to Tazmania!
Over the years Chris’ DJ performances and interviews have appeared on various TV shows on stations including MTV Bass, BBC2, Rapture and Live TV. This year Chris has made regular appearances on World Champion DJ Mr Thing’s live broadcasts for Spine TV’s Funhouse show.
Chris contributed a fantastic full length mix of his selections from the BBE Beat Generation catalogue to the digital release of the compilation “Beat Generation 10th Anniversary Collection” and then went on to compile and mix our 15th anniversary album released to massive applause late last year.
