TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JIM SHAFT RYAN # 097 - PART 2
Jim Shaft Ryan has championed house music since the late 80s with his legendary Chuff Chuff And Miss Moneypennies parties. He has travelled the world 50 times over spreading the message of his beloved house music. He has held a residency in Ibiza since 1995 and has released over 20 compilations. He is responsible for a successful record label, legendary club nights, a Dj Agency and eventually owning the club where Miss Moneypennies use to host the Saturday night in Birmingham. He is back on the scene with a new release on the Miss Moneypennies Record label. He has thrown his hat into Remixing again and setting up dates in his diary for Dj touring. So there is no stopping this legendary DJ.

Jim Shaft Ryan interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories # 097 (Part 2)

Jim Shaft Ryan interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 097 (Part 2)

LISTEN ERIQUE DIAL

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ JIM SHAFT RYAN # 097 - PART 1
Jim Shaft Ryan begins his journey from school learning how to play the Bass Guitar, the same Bass Guitar Paul McCartney played. Jim and his brother Michael start a band and the dream was to become Rock Stars. As chance would have it they begin to start to sell clothing in their own Boutique Shop in Birmingham. While involved in the fashion side of the business early on, they are approached by promoters who are selling tickets for Rave Events. The Ryan brothers start selling tickets to these huge events which spark the idea for them to begin putting events on as well. Learn how Jim begins with his Dj Career and how The Chuff Chuff brand is born in the mid 1980's.

Jim Shaft Ryan interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories # 097 (Part 1)

Jim Shaft Ryan interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 097 (Part 1)

LISTEN PART 2

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MR.C # 098 - PART 2
In December 1995 Richard West aka Mr C opened the night club The End in London with Partner Layo Paskin[ (of Layo & Bushwacka) and AKA bar three years later, which had its 23rd anniversary in December 2018. West is founder and owner of Plink Plonk records, co-founder of End Recordings and co-founder and owner of the Superfreq label. He has recorded under the names Myster-E, Unity 2, Nu Jacks, Bass Bureau, Mantrac, Somnambulist, Animus Amour, Killer Loop, Mr. C and Tom Parris, Mr. C and 16B and the Sycophant Slags. West is best known as frontman of The Shamen with whom he achieved a string of top 10 hits including “Move Any Mountain" and the UK number 1 hit “Ebeenezer Goode”.  In 1995 he created the mix album Fantazia DJ Collection 3 – Back to the Old Skool.He has also released mix albums Psycotrance vol 1, X-Mix 6 on Studio K7, Sunterrain 100% Unreleased on his End recordings imprint and most recently Superfreq Express on his Superfreq label. West now records solo as Mr. C and collaborates as the Sycophant Slags with Francis Harris aka Adultnapper, as the Indigo Kidz with Affie Yusuf, with Apendics Shuffle and with Omid 16b. Mr C has released on Poker Flat, Wagon Repair Records, Get Physical Music and Adjunct Audio. He has released a solo EP titled "I'm Gonna Give You Some" and the albums Smell The Coffee and Incidents. He has collaborated with Affie Yusuf, Omid 16b and Apendics Shuffle.[He has remixed for Mikael Stavöstrand and David Scuba, Francis Harris, Xo Chic, Joint Custody & Affie Yusuf. His "Soulfuric" track was released on Alola and his "Liquid Acid" track was released on DJ Pierre's Acid 88 album on Afro Acid.

Mr.C interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories # 098 (Part 2)

Mr.C interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 098 (Part 2)

LISTEN JIM SHAFT RYAN

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MR.C # 098 - PART 1
The original OG of Holloway Road in London Richard West shares his life from the beginning. West was born in London in 1965. He started MCing in the London clubs aged 16 and earned a reputation as a fast-talking, vivacious rapper working with LWR radio's Ron Tom, Jasper the Vinyl Junkie and Jazzy M. He joined with Colin Faver and Evil Eddie Richards to become resident rapper at Camden Palace. Mr C recorded his first house track with Eddie Richards as Myster-E, "Page 67", which was released in August 1987. This inspired West to become a DJ in late 1987. He has since organized, promoted and been resident DJ at: Fantasy (1988), Base (Dungeons 1989), Release (1991), Harmony (1992), Drop (1993), Cyclone (1994), Vapourspace (1994 and 1995), Flavour (The End, 1995 and 1996), Subterrain (The End, 1995–2002), Superfreq (worldwide 2002–present) and Super Disco Freq (LA, 2010–present).

Mr.C interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories # 098 (Part 1)

Mr.C interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 098 (Part 1)

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ EDX # 099
Maurizio Colella talks about his life in the beginning of his career  around the 1990’s as a young aspiring hip hop DJ that fell in love with Techno and American Garage House Music. He played around with music in high school and with growing up in Switzerland he was able to experience the huge DJ talent coming into play gigs in his city. This aspired him to want to make records and DJ in the night clubs helping to shape the EDX brand that would become famous later around the world. Over the past few years, EDX has made a name for himself in the international EDM scene, headlining the world’s finest clubs and festivals to crowds in excess of 60,000 – from Miami to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, São Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Taipei, all the way to Sydney. The chart topping Switzerland-based DJ/Producer has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Axwell, Benny Benassi, Kelis, Deadmau5, Armand Van Helden, Bob Sinclar, Kool & The Gang, Kaskade, Armin Van Buuren, Steve Angello, Dubfire and many others. His remixes have been consistently featured on various DJ charts such as the DMC Buzz, Cool Cuts and Beatport and was even ranked in the TOP 3 of Beatport’s Best Progressive House Artist alongside Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz. His involvement in the music industry began at an early age, but it is his consistent work that has made EDX an exemplary success story. He launched his weekly radio show ‘No Xcuses’ on SIRIUS XM’s Electric Area Channel and spent summer 2011 holding a residency at the world’s number one nightclub – Space, Ibiza. EDX has continued his success into 2012 with the release of his debut album, ‘On The Edge’. He has spent about 2 years working tirelessly to create this 14 track magnum opus featuring some of the most incredible vocalists in the genre; including platinum selling artist Nadia Ali, Sarah McLeod, Tamra Keenan, Hadley, Sam Obernik, John Williams and Jerique. ‘On The Edge’ has already resulted in the hit single “Give It Up For Love” feat. John Williams and future anthem “This Is Your Life” with Nadia Ali. With ‘On The Edge,’ EDX’s musical vision finally came to fruition, yet he still aspires to evolve as an artist and further his already prolific career. In 2013, EDX has manifested new dimensions in his production without diminishing the strong connection to his roots. In his collaboration with Leventina for their track "The Sun," and their remix of Helvetic Nerds’ "Blood Pressure," EDX brought out a more clubby style that was widely supported by some of the most esteemed artists in the industry: David Guetta, Afrojack, and Avicii, among many others. In the midst of his work with Leventina, he pleased new and old fans alike by revitalizing the classic EDX progressive sound on songs such as "Sunset Miracles"(Spinnin'), "Touched"(Toolroom), and "Blessed"(Toolroom). Additionally, his most recent offering out on his own Pinkstar Records label, “Hazed,” has led him to explore sonic frontiers fit for the new age of dance music. 
The highlight of his career was winning a Grammy Nomination for his remix. Listen to EDX share his life story right here on True House Stories.

EDX interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories # 099

EDX interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 099

WATCH MR.C

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ KATHY SLEDGE / LEGENDARY LEAD VOICE OF SISTER SLEDGE # 100
Kathy Sledge joins Lenny Fontana on our Special 100th Episode (The legendary lead vocalist of Sister Sledge), which is a triumphant celebration. Watch and listen how she shares what her work life was like in the beginning of her career and the balance of family life in "The First Female Band" to ever do it, and they became a huge success. You will even hear how Kathy talks about the particulars going on in her family, with the control over the usage of the name Sister Sledge and how she was forced to stop singing the iconic songs for over 20 years. You all will know her as the lead singer of those familiar tunes such as “We Are Family”, “Thinking Of You”, “Frankie” and “Lost In Music” Now you can listen to her share her story starting from a young child to today. When Kathy hears the word “No” she thinks of what’s next and repositions herself to succeed no matter what. Kathy Sledge is the youngest and a founding member of Sister Sledge, an American vocal group which is made up of her sisters that was formed in 1971. After achieving success beginning in the late–1970s thru the mid–1980s with Sister Sledge, Kathy embarked on her solo career in 1989. Kathy Sledge has had several hits on the International Pop and Hot Dance Music Club Play Chart, including “Take Me Back To Love Again", which hit #1 in 1992. Now get a history lesson on how "We Are Family" does not apply to family harmony.

Kathy Sledge (Legendary Lead Voice Of Sister Sledge) interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 100

LISTEN EDX

Kathy Sledge (Voice Of Sister Sledge) interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 100

1. Intro 3 (Beats 3) - DJ F O U R T H
2. Skylark - Fresh & Low [Music Is Everything – mie 004](2000)
3. What You See (Raya Voice) - Cricco Castelli [Romentertainment – RM 02](1993)
4. Do What We Would - Aczess [Big Onion Records – 6711242000](2000)
5. Dance and Shout - Kenlou [MAW Records – MAW 800](1997)
6. Red Sun Groove - 95 North [Henry Street Music – HS 535](1997)
7. Wiat 6502 - Kerri Chandler [New World Records – APSG-1005](2008)
8. Garden of Sinners 7: A Study in Murder – Part 2 - 23-M24 - Yuki Kajiura [Kaze - DVD](2009)
9. Under The Water (Deep Dish Underpressure Remix) - Brother Brown Feat. Frankee [Yoshitoshi Recordings – YR036](1999)
10. Touch The Groove - Lenny Fontana [Nite Grooves – KNG-92](1998)
11. Check This Out - Cevin Fisher [Maxi Records – MX-2036](1996)
12. Angel Body - Groove Chronicles [DPR (Dat Pressure Records) – DPR001](1997)
13. Swhing - Cricco Castelli [Kult Records – Tunch 26](1998)
14. Move Closer (Tripping Mix) - KCC Presents Aldeoni [Tomp Records – OMP005](199?)
15. Latin Love (Rip-Off Mix) - DJ Disciple [TNT Records – PRO-TNT-48](1994)
16. Dep Lounge 2 (Dep Lounge Dub) - Departure Lounge Feat. Sor [	Rhetoric – RHET 001](1998)

F O U R T H - House Mix Vol.33 (1993 - 2008)

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ ROBERT KOOL BELL (KOOL & THE GANG) # 101
Robert “Kool” Bell is one of the founding members of the legendary Pop/R&B group Kool & the Gang, the seven-time Grammy award-winners who also earned many American Music Awards. A multi-platinum-selling group and the most sampled band of all time, Kool & the Gang has sold over 80 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of generations with 25 Top Ten R&B hits, 9 Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. This legendary man will share his life with us on True House Stories and as well promote his new Champagne Brand called Le Kool. Listen to share the inside story of the how the band started and everything in between. He is an icon and you will hear how he discovered new talent and helped launched them into the stratosphere.

Robert Kool Bell (Kool & The Gang) interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 101

Robert Kool Bell (Kool & The Gang) Interviewed By Lenny Fontana For True House Stories® # 101

LISTEN KATHY SLEDGE

TRUE HOUSE STORIES® W/ MELBA MOORE # 102
Melba Moore began her recording career in 1967, cutting the track "Magic Touch" which was left unreleased until 1986. In later years it became an enormous track on the Northern Soul Scene, eventually leading to Moore performing it live in 2009 at the Baltic Soul Weekender 3 in Germany north of Hamburg. In 1967 she began her performing career as Dionne in the original cast of the musical Hair along with Ronnie Dyson, Paul Jabara and Diane Keaton. In 1975 Melba Moore signed with Buddha Records and released the critically successful R&B album, Peach Melba, which included the minor hit, "I Am His Lady". The following year she scored her first significant hit with the Van McCoy penned “This Is It “, which reached the Billboard Hot 100, the top-20 position on the R&B chart, and top-10 in the UK, becoming her biggest success in that country. In 1976 she scored her third Grammy nomination with the R&B ballad "Lean on Me", which had been recorded originally by Vivian Reed and later by Moore's idol Aretha Franklin who recorded the song as a B-side to her 1971 hit “Spanish Harlem". The song is most notable for Moore's extended long note at the end. In 1983 she re-recorded the song as a tribute to McCoy, who had died four years earlier. Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Moore struggled to match the success of "This Is It" with minor R&B/dance hits. However, her hit 'Pick Me Up, I'll Dance' released in May 1979 produced by McFadden and Whitehead and released on Epic Records did have considerable UK disco success, reaching UK chart position 48, along with a further hit that same year, also produced by McFadden and Whitehead with a cover version of the Bee Gees' hit “You Stepped Ito My Life”, which reached the top 20 on the R&B charts and 47 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1982 Moore signed with Capitol Records and reached the top 5 on the R&B charts with the dance-pop / funk single "Love's Comin' at Ya”, which also hit the top 20 in the UK  (on EMI America EA 146) and became a sizable hit in some European countries for its post-disco sound and followed by "Mind Up Tonight", which was another top 40 hit in the UK reaching position number 22. A string of R&B hits followed, including 1983's "Keepin' My Lover Satisfied" and "Love Me Right", 1984's "Livin' for Your Love", 1985's "Read My Lips"—which later won Moore a third Grammy nomination (for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance), making her just the third black artist after Donna Summer and Michael Jackson to be nominated in the rock category—and 1985's "When You Love Me Like This”.
Moore has been married once and has a daughter. Melba Moore was engaged in a four-year relationship with television star Clifton Davis during the early 1970s. Davis later admitted that the relationship failed due to his drug abuse and mistreatment of Moore. In September 1974, Moore married record manager and business promoter Charles Huggins. Moore and Huggins divorced after 17 years of marriage in 1991. In 1999, Huggins filed suit against Moore claiming that she had publicly defamed him by stating that he abused her economically. Melba Moore has described herself as a "born-again Catholic” and listen to her share the rest of her story right here on True House Stories.

Melba Moore interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories® # 102

Listen Robert Kool B.

01 Anthony Hamilton | The Best Of Me (Amazing) (Freedom's Amazing House Mix)

02 Rene & Angela | Your Smile
(Mark Francis Retouch Remix)

03 Smokey Robinson | Quiet Storm
B/W Ken@Work's Cool
(DJ Freedom x Groove Boutique Remix)

04 Reel People Feat Vanessa Freeman | Butterflies (Emmaculate Remix)

05 George Benson & Michael McDonald | What's On Your Mind
(Freedom's Skate Crates Soul Workout)

06 Frankie Knuckles Feat Inaya Day | Lets Stay Home (Director's Cut Classic Club)

07 Lenny Fontana Presents Black Sun | Spread Love (Dr Packer Remix)

08 Austin Ato | When Love Is Drums
(Freedom's Skate Crates Workout)
[Above Board Dist Limited]

09 Sound Stream | Makin' Love
(Freedom's Skate Crates Workout)
[Sound Stream]

10 Hotmood | My Dream Come True
[Fruity Flavor]

11 Skip Marley Feat Popcaan | Vibe
B/W Dee Jay Sound | Mystery Of Love =
Freedom's Favorite Soulful Thing

12 Honey Larochelle | Giving Me Life
(Freedom's Deep N Sexy Remix)

13 Louie Vega Feat Duane Harden | Never Stop (Sunset Remix) x (Freedom's Jazzy Edit)

14 Kellie Sae | A Brighter Day (Rocco Rodamaal Dub)

15 Earth Wind & Fire | Fantasy
(Conways Afro Latin Funk)

16 Jose Carretas Feat Tamara Wellons | You Are (Original)

17 Raheem Devaughn | When A Man
B/W Jose Burgos (Cuebur Remix)

18 Sara Divine | Joy
(Frankie Feliciano Remix) x
(Freedom's Favorite Soulful Thing)

19 Paul Johnson | Caught Up In Your Love
(Freedom's Soulful Chicago Bump)

20 Shanda Nicole | Baby
(Freedom's Favorite Soulful Remix)

21 Mike Lindup | Time To Let Go
(Two Fusion Afro Remix)

22 Monique Bingham | Now What
(Sean McCabe Remix) x Freedoms ReDrum

23 Prince | The Dance
(Osunlade x Freedom's Soulful Workout)

24 Leela James & Oscar P | Baby I'm Scared Of You (Freedom & Martina's Favorite Soulful Thing)

25 Saison | All The Feels

26 Kerri Chandler, Simbo | Soul Fever
(Freedom & Martina's Soulful Thing)

27 Hotmood | Love Story
[Spa In Disco]

28 Kerri Chandler, Bluesy Robsinson | Tenacity (Freedom's Soulful Jazzy Remix)

29 Mike Delgado Feat Bette Blake ||Little Pieces (Freedom's Skate Crates Feeling)

30 N.W.N. | Needin' Your Love
(Freedom's Lovely Soul N Skate Exp)

31 Kerri Chandler | Strings, Beats & Life
(Freedom's Skate Crates Disco Vibe)

32 Al Jarreau | Random Acts Of Love
(DJ Spinna x DJ Freedom's Soulful W/O)

33 Victoria Monet | Moment
(Freedom's Favorite Soulful Thing)

34 John Dixon Feat L'Renee | Feel Your Touch (Jimpster x Freedom's Soulful Sexy Thing)

35 BeBe & Debbie Winans | Its All Good
(Freedom's Soulful Sexy Goodness)

36 Joi Cardwell | Be Yourself
(Shrine Vocal x Freedom's Soulful Vibe)

37 Jamrioquai | Blow Your Mind
(Vieux Chat x Freedom's Soul & Disco Dub)

38 Austin Alto | When Love Is Tender
(Sweet Mix x Freedom's Tender Edit)

39 Ananda Project Feat Heather Johnson | Straight Magic (Fizzkx Vocal x Freedom's Favorite Soulful Thing)

40 Dames Brown & Amp Fiddler | What Would You Do? (Expansions Vocal Dub)

41 DJ Pope & The FunkHut AllStars Feat Kenny Wesley | Listen Love
(Freedom's Soulful Rework)

42 Whitney Houston | Million Dollar Bill
(Freedom's Live Philly Tribute)

43 DJ Fudge | Just Improvisation
(Freedom's Not-So-Grand Closing) 😆

House Massive 406 & Skate Crates 31 = Soulful Things 16

Lenny Fontana is one of the greatest House Music Producers to come out of the original New York City Club scene. A True Legend who has worked with many other incredible artists such as Chris Willis, Byron Stingily, Carole Sylvan, D Train, Crystal Waters, Alison Limerick, Shirley Lites, Meli’sa Morgan and Lee John (Imagination) to name just a few.
Lenny Fontana has DJed all over the world throughout his career. He was the First American DJ to play at the world famous ‘Pacha’ - (Ibiza). Lenny has played at iconic venues such as Ministry Of Sound - (London), ‘Studio 54’ - (New York City),  ‘Hacienda’ - (Manchester), ‘La Queen’ - (Paris) and he also DJ'ed for the closing party at  ‘The Chevron’ - (Melbourne).
Each Wednesday Lenny Fontana will be joined by a very special DJ / Producer / Vocalist for a Facebook Live that will blow your mind!
Lenny will be chatting with his guests about their music careers to discover the true stories of working in this industry.  He will be unveiling the true 'behind the scenes' stories on how his guests succeeded and continue to survive in this business. 
Listen to Lenny’s amazing guests as they share their journeys and achievements that have kept them top of the game and reveal some of the many incredible memories and experiences witnessed during their music careers. 
Expect to hear their untold stories about the joys of their work but also the many pitfalls that are hidden beneath which make this industry a very fun and exciting, yet highly competitive and challenging environment to be part of.
Imagine being the fly on the wall as you listen to 2 truly iconic faces in the music industry as they go deep into their experiences over their time working in the music industry.

© 2021- 2023 True House Stories ® is a registered tradmark by LCS Productions INC.

DJ & Producer that is obsessed with old school House and Garage, this is about paying tribute to all those legends that made the dance music scene big. 
DJ Mixes will be posted biweekly.

DJ Freedom ((UPDATE JAN 29, 2023)) is founder of HouseMassive.com, #SkateCrates, #MixToGoMag and DJ with SK8Mafia High Rollers 🎧 CASH APP + VENMO: $DJFreedomLives.  🎧 GIGS: Tues 4-6p On Caribbean Jam Radio + Fridays 8p-12a at Kings Loft +🌐 Follow: @DJFreedomLives and @HouseMassive on Instagram and FB. BOOKINGS: Freedom@MixToGo.info

New tracks tagged #Lenny Fontana