I feel real I feel real I feel real I feel real !

Byron Stingily is a Chicago singing sensation and living legend. His career really kicked off as the lead vocalist of TEN CITY (signed to Atlantic Records) - best known for "That's The Way Love Is", "Devotion", "My Peace Of Heaven" & "Whatever Makes You Happy". He has worked with the who's who of House music, including Masters At Work, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Danny Tenaglia, Kerri Chandler, Marshall Jefferson, Timmy Regisford, Farley "Jackmaster" Funk, & Steve "Silk" Hurley. 

Byron had a come back hit in 1996 with "Get Up (Everybody)" - sampling Sylvester's "Dance (Disco Heat)". It had been released on Nervous Records NYC and was licensed to Mercury Records UK dance label, Manifesto in 1997. Reaching #.14 on UK Singles Chart. I had contributed one of the many remixes that accompanied the single. It was around this time I got to hangout with Byron - attending various P.A.'s etc. An album was being recorded, but the UK label felt nothing so far was an obvious future hit. They wanted something that was... and quickly. Ideas were thrown around in a meeting... A&R chief Eddie Gordon told Byron he should cover Sylvester's 70's Disco hit, "You Make Me Feel Might Real". He said "Ok!" and, as I happened to be there at the time, was asked if I'd like to produce it. I said "Sure!". 

Sadly, after the record became a hit, Eddie got fired from the label (for a number reasons). He called me up and spoke to me in a soft but sinister way... Urging me to share my producer royalties with him... for no other reason other than he had thought of the 'cover idea' (which was part of his A&R job!). It may sound like something out of a film, but he came across as some Godfather/Sorpranos mafia boss...if I didn't do what he suggested, I would regret it. It was a very very weird conversation. I had never heard him speak that way before. I told Eddie, I couldn't and I wouldn't. If he had been a part of the actual 'producing' that would have been perfectly acceptable. But, I have never given kickbacks to A&R people - even if it was considered the norm to some. That was the last time I spoke to EG. A great shame as, apart from that incident, he was a good bloke.

My contract to produce the single was with Nervous Records NYC - as BS was directly signed to that label. Once the legal paperwork was completed, I went into the studio one evening... put together a backing track the night before his arrival... Byron, on his way to a gig in Italy, flew into London from Chicago... I booked a day at a studio in North London. Byron listened to the track... was wonderfully responsive to a little creative direction... and laid down the vocal (2 or 3 takes tops). The vocal was comp'd (compiled from the various takes - including ad libs).... and in about a couple of hours we were out the door.... hungry for lunch! So, the rest of the afternoon was spent at rather nice Chinese restaurant. Best recording session ever :-) 

The final mixes were delivered to Nervous NYC & Manifesto/Mercury UK. I gave the label the multi-track - so that they could get remixes done, for the various worldwide territories. And that was that. The single became another hit for Byron -  #.1 on the Dance Chart in the UK, USA & throughout Europe. A #.13 UK Singles Chart hit too. His highest charting hit to date! BS was a total delight to work with. I'd go so far as saying, the most humble and easy going artist I have ever had the pleasure of working with. No attitude whatsoever and zero ego. I'd jump at the chance to work with him again :-)

Byron Stingily - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) [Club Mix]

Damien Mendis > DJ, Music Producer, Mixer, Writer/Composer, Arranger.

As a DJ, recently played in the main room @ Egg London (alongside Dimitri From Paris & DJ Pierre) on their new insanely great Flipside Sound System - which has to be heard to be believed. 
Booked to play the main room @ Pacha London.
Has also played at a vast array of clubs, festivals & events including: Fabric, Ministry of Sound, Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival, London Fashion Week, Ibiza, Marbella, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago - many more worldwide spots.
DJ'd at numerous private parties for A-List celebrities & artists in the UK, Europe, & USA.
Musically style: Right across the board. No style preference. Bespoke sets for each party - commercial, underground or mixed.
R&B, Hip Hop, all kinds of House, Nu Disco, Indie/Dance, Techno, Reggae/Dancehall... you name it.

As a Producer/Mixer - too many to list- production monikers: SOULCHILD, MindSpell, D&A. 
Highlights include > Gorillaz, Brandy, Drake/Rihanna, Electric Six, Foxy Brown/Jay-Z, Byron Stingily, The Fugees. Some are featured here on SoundCloud.

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