Late Nights

Quite possibly the biggest Disco and House vocalist of all time, Loleatta Holloway passed away on the evening of March 21st.

Her career spanning almost 40 years, Loleatta gained the most attention with her 1980 hit Love Sensation. Of her 18 songs making it on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, 4 reached #1; this true Disco Queen is arguably the most sampled vocalist of the modern era, sadly, more often than not with no credit from the producers. Her powerful voice will forever remain one of dance music’s most recognizable hallmarks.

Thank you Loleatta for having shared your gift with us.

May you Rest In Peace.

Links:

Loleatta Holloway Official MySpace | Loleatta Holloway Discography | Interview with Loleatta from disco-disco.com

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In a music industry where it’s getting tougher by the minute to live off one’s work, the now contract-free British electronica duo Faithless may have found a way to promote their upcoming album The Dance without the push of a major label or even selling out to a big sponsor. Well, kinda.

The band behind the hit Insomnia just entered in an agreement with motor company FIAT to produce what is regarded as the world’s first ‘prommercial’, a three-minute music video for the new alum’s first single, Feelin’ Good, set to air on one of the commercial breaks during UK’s Big Brother this Sunday. No FIAT logos will be seen in the

video, only a cameo appearance by a blue Punto Evo car. Following that premiere, 30-seconds edited versions of the video will air as part of the normal ad campaign by FIAT, and a special edition of the car called the Feelin’ Good will be released.

The thing that stands out in all this is that the band is not receiving any compensation in this agreement, save for the big-budget video for their first single and the attached promotional exposure, all funded by FIAT. This gives them the same promo push as they would get from a major label, minus the headaches that usually come with such a contract. On FIAT’s side, they benefit from the credibility and edge that come with being associated with such a renowned act as Faithless. This, if it proves as beneficial to both sides as it is predicted, may very well change the future of funding in the music industry.

[via PSFK]

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The world’s largest electronic music festival, the Love Parade, may have just concluded its last edition after a 21 year run. After what was described as the organizers’  lack of concern for their guests, a poor choice of location for an event attracting some 1.4 million partiers resulted in 19 deaths and numerous injuries when access to the main stage area was closed because it was over capacity.

The Love Parade, first held in 1989, is not likely to see its 22nd edition happen, as the organizers announced in a press conference on Sunday the 26th of July. It’s sad to see such a landmark event series come to such a tragic end.

We offer our condolences to the victims’ families and friends as well as to the worldwide EDM community.

Links:

Story on The Local (Germany)

[via Resident Advisor]

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It’s never easy to let go of the good things. It is with sadness that I learned about Montreal’s longest-running, and most beloved DJ-specific record store InBeat closing its doors after 23 years fueling the Montreal Underground.

InBeat Record Store @ its old location, St-Laurent & Milton

Thanks to the continued efforts of owner Christian Pronovost, the landmark store located on St-Laurent street (its 3rd address over the years) had become a mecca for the city’s renowned local DJs, many of whom enjoy international careers today.  I can’t recount how many endless Friday afternoons I have spent there waiting (along with the rest of the Montreal jocks) for the staff to open the new arrivals boxes so we could get our hands on hot new wax for the weekend gigs. There was a true sense of family in there, and everyone that was part of it will share my feelings today.

I would like to thank Christian and the rest of the InBeat team over the years for their tremendous contribution to he thriving Montreal underground, as well as for having helped shape the musical taste of so many music lovers like myself. Rest In Peace InBeat, you will be missed.

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