 Renegade Rhythms presents Nite Life Collective artist, Brian Harden Seges Friday, December 8.
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Born and raised on Chicago’s south side June 5th, 1971, Brian grew up listening to Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and other classic jazz musicians. He was introduced to the DJ’s Dwayne and Boris Preachely in 1980, and began spinning himself soon after. By 1988 he was DJing professionally all over Chicago for local clubs and parties. After meeting Phuture (responsible for the seminal 'Acid Trax) and Felix began producing music and had his first release on Dancemania 'Phuture presents III Phase - Do You Wanna Get Funky' in 1990. He has since recorded for Relief, Nite Life Collective and Moods & Grooves.
Following the example set by Jimi Hendrix, Brian Harden plays by 'instinct' never having had any formal training he has strived to learn everything himself and has had remarkable success. He has avoided sampling in order to prove that instrumentation exists in house music – in the playing and programming of its instruments. Brian's production subtly combines the influences of deep house, jazz and 'original techno'. He creates a sublime blend of tight techno percussion, emotion drenched synths and the jazzy gyrations of horns and vibes. Detroit producer and Moods and Grooves president, Mike Grant, has this to say about Brian Harden's productions.
The I-94 series is a collaboration between Detroit and Chicago artists. I have a couple of tight EPs from Brian Harden to start. He's come out here to work on some things and I've gone to Chicago to work with him on his upcoming album.
- Mike Grant - President of Moods and Grooves Records
Brian's current record label, Nite Life Collective, is Chicago’s response to the urban soul, eminating from the deepest producers. Each release expresses its own individual taste of spirituality and deepness. Everything from musical content and sound quality to continuity and programming are judged when an artist is being considered for the Collective.
Brian Harden cites the aforementioned jazz musicians as his greatest influences, along with John Rocca, Paul Hardcastle, and Kraftwerk. Brian looks forward to collaborating with “anybody that has vision.” While many producers hope to progress to running their own labels, Harden hopes ultimately to turn his skills to producing scores for films.
So what is it about Chicago, the life here that makes the music what it is?
"Soul," echoes Brian Harden, a young Relief protegee.
Edited by Slappy
Sources - Nite Life Collective, Bassics, Making Tracks, & XLR8R Magazine.
