Disco Fun

The decade-spanning career of Roy Davis Jr. is intrinsically intertwined with the history of house music. As one of the defining voices of Chicago's underground, he's worked both behind the decks and behind-the-scenes. From handling Strictly Rhythm's A&R sector in the '90s to joining seminal production crew Phuture to launching his own Undaground Therapy Muzik label, Davis Jr. isn't just a veteran but a compendium of dance music knowledge. Daft Punk cites him as an influence while the likes of Disclosure, Zed Bias and Waajeed have sought him out for collaborations.

He may be best known for his 1998 single Gabriel with Peven Everett—now a garage anthem on both sides of the Atlantic—but his discography and DJ sets go well beyond club hits. Weaving in soul, gospel, disco, techno and acid into a deep house framework, he marries raw funk, plush melodies, hypnotic synths and stripped-down arrangements. All these elements are beautifully captured on his RA Podcast. Moving from a state of eyes-closed bliss to body-moving grooves, the near two-hour session is as grounding as it is free-floating. Spiritual, sensual and tightly mixed, it's a lesson in multifaceted house music.

RA podcast

RA.830 Roy Davis Jr

NEW ISLANDS 11 - COLECTIVO MIRAMAR

@colectivomiramar

We're back with another edition of New Islands and we're psyched to get an absolutely slammin' mix from Colectivo Miramar.  Nico Jean & DJ Raw are a duo from CDMX that we've had our eye on for awhile- great records, skilled DJs, and sweet humans.  Approved!  They also have delivered one of our favorite mixes of the NI series- funk oddities and raer tunes from around the globe is the vibe.  Maybe shazam can help in your discogs dive 🤷‍♂️

New Islands 11 - Colectivo Miramar

'This selection has truly been a journey of reviving New Jersey's rich history in house music. half of the selections are records that came from Niyah's family during their club Zanzibar days. The other half are rare records highlighting the early pioneering of Jersey Sound in Newark, NJ & Other Jersey-based record labels.'
Set List:

A.L.S. - Make Your Body Move
Dee Dee Brave - My my Lover (Just Like Paradise)
The Rude Awakening - The Dip
Logic - The Warning (Inner Mix)
Susan Clark - Deeper (Kaoz House Mix)
Taana Gardner - I'm Comin (2012 Remix)
Double Exposure - Ten Percent (Ken Lou Mix)
Gypsymen - Hear The Music (Def Club Mix)
Heaven & Earth - Prescription Every Night
An Officer And A gentleman - Work The House
Desiya - Comin On Strong
Pal Joey - Give It Up

My Analog Journal | Early Jersey House & Club Zanzibar Essentials

For someone who wasn't born there, Kenny Dixon Jr. aka Moodymann might be the most Detroit guy to ever exist.  Moving to the motor city from LA at only three weeks old, he has never "truly" left since. His music channels the musical legacy of Black Detroit – transplanted Delta blues, gospel, Motown and Fortune, Stevie Wonder, the Electrifying Mojo and the Belleville Three – with an unassailable verve. His dust-spackled opus "Silentintroduction" has hummed continously in the background of house music since its release in 1997, inspiring generations of producers. 

Two hours of Kenny Dixon Jr. aka Moodymann, selected and mixed by [LDLDN. ](https://www.nts.live/shows/spacebass)

Photo: Donavan Glover 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/in-focus/episodes/in-focus-moodymann-5th-july-2024

In Focus: Moodymann 050724

We're already thinking ahead to sunrises in The Fields this year. Imagining the connections. Feeling the vibrations. 

But before we look ahead, let's take a moment to reflect.

Danilo Plessow aka MCDE brought groove to Solar Village last year. His signature genre-blending and analog warmth carried us through deep rhythms and unexpected turns—a soulful sunrise still replaying in our heads.

Danilo Plessow aka MCDE – Solar Village – Wonderfruit 2024

"It was so difficult to become someone." The house hero talks about Chicago's competitive scene, developing a sound and letting go of his ego. 

Theo Parrish is one of dance music's most influential DJs and producers. Raised in Chicago, he's become synonymous with slow-burning, immersive grooves and sets that mix classics with obscurities. He began DJing in 1986 aged 13, eventually earning a degree in sculpture and moving to Detroit, where he hit his stride as an artist and became a member of the collective Three Chairs alongside Moodymann, Rick Wilhite and Marcellus Pittman. He also started the label Sound Signature, which uses the language of soul, jazz, disco, Chicago house and Detroit techno.

A few months ago, Resident Advisor teamed up with London institution fabric to host Parrish for an eight-hour set—his first time playing the club. While he was in town, he also spoke with CDR's Tony Nwachukwu. In the Exchange, Parrish talks about the intensely competitive scene he grew up in. He DJ'd for 13 years before he was ever paid or had his name billed on a lineup. It took years of passion and hard work to break out of his local scene and build the career he's become known for. 

"At five years, you're dealing with the technical part [of DJing], at ten it's finding your sound and at 15 it's dealing with the ego of it all," he says. "It's not until much later that you actually start to play for and with people."

Parrish also reflects on the ongoing dearth of diversity in the dance music industry and posits whether some of the most popular music in the US—such as trap—reinforces counterproductive racial stereotypes. He asks: did house music ultimately survive because it left where it originally came from? Listen to the episode in full. -Chloe Lula

EX.763 Theo Parrish

Man Power at Smart Bar Chicago - September 13th 2025

cobra clutch 

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Eli Escobar @ The Lot Radio 10-13-2025

Mr Scruff. Keep It Shields. Beacon Centre Car Park. Aug 2025

musclecars Live from Mister Sunday at Nowadays.

musclecars Live from Mister Sunday at Nowadays: November 10th, 2019

All things soulful 🌱

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Bookings: cw@raisingpeoplemgmt.com

Disco Fun

LEV